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Duff Goldman has lived. Everything from launching a hit bakery to starring in a reality show to -- apparently -- running from dogs in a train yard.
He recently shared wisdom that these life lessons have taught him with Forbes. Highlights include:
1. Remember the Dog Days: When I was 14, I broke into train yards. When you're 14 and you break into a train yard, it helps you learn to deal with fear. There were dogs and cops. It was tough. But even now, think about those days. I've been beat up, chased, barked at. What's the worst that can happen to me now?
2. Become "The Guy": I was a bread baker in cooking school but bread makers are a dime a dozen. They're like drummers. I needed something to stand out so I became the cake guy. Boom, someone's having a party, they need a cake, who do they call? They call the cake guy.
3. Blow Stuff Up: The way I got discovered by Food Network was by making a 4th of July cake with a working cannon. Nobody had ever done that before .... Sometimes you have to blow the lid off everybody's expectations.
Read more here.
@BaltInsider on Twitter


text: 2009/9/1 Léon Brocard <acme at astray.com>: > London Perl Mongers organises technical meetings every two months. The > technical meetings are a chance to find out what has been going on in > the Perl community, what techniques people are using and how Perl > integrates with other software. > > The next technical meeting will be on the 24th September from 7pm to > 9pm (you may arrive earlier, it's a pub) and the theme is "Fashionable > Perl". > > It will be held at The Prince Alfred pub on Queensway and is hosted by > Net-a-Porter. Many thanks to Steve Purkis, Net-a-Porter and everyone > involved for allowing us to use this wonderful venue. > > Talks planned so far: > > TBA - Perl 5.10.1 > Chisel Wright - The Patcher in the Rye > Zefram - Lexical Goodness > Ash Berlin - Catch Me If You Can > Ian Knopke - Symbolic Music Processing using the PerlHumdrum Toolkit > > Our venue size is limited so you will have to sign up to attend this meeting. > > http://londonpmtech.appspot.com/ Perl in a Pub! See you there tomorrow, Léon

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Got Bones Dog Lead
Overview & Details
- Bold red & white stripes are the backdrop for their favorite treat
- Made from high-tensile strength nylon webbing that will hold dogs up to 80 lbs.
- Handcrafted
- Available in 2 sizes: 4'L and 6'L
- Sewn-on polyester/nylon ribbons are stain- and fray-resistant
- Extra-strong Coast Guard approved buckles
- Solid brass hardware
- Machine wash, drip dry
- Made in USA
- Matching dog collar available
Got bones? Bold red stripes will make your pooch stand out in the crowd. Artist-designed lead from Up Country is handmade in the USA and stands up to heavy wear. Constructed from high-tensile strength nylon webbing that will hold dogs up to 80lbs. Sewn-on ribbons that are stain- and fray-resistant. Extra-strong Coast Guard approved buckles and solid brass hardware. Since the introduction of its first collar in 1984, Up Country has been bringing a sense of much-needed style to dogs' lives. Proudly handmade in Up Country's Rhode Island factory with the unwavering attention to quality and design that has been the hallmark of the company from its beginnings.


text:
Securities and Exchange Commission (U.S.)
The US Securities and Exchange Commission administers federal laws involving securities and finances to protect investigators and the public and advises the federal courts in corporate reorganization proceedings.
The commission is responsible for preventing fraud and deception in the purchase and sale of securities. The commission may obtain court orders to prohibit fraudulent activities, and may suspend or revoke the registration of brokers, dealers, and investment companies or advisors who operate fraudulently.
The Commission regulates the purchase and sale of securities and assets by companies in electric and gas utility holding company systems.
US Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
(202) 942-8088
Consumer Resource & Referral Guide
Directory of State Agencies
Directory of Federal Agencies
Return to DCA Home Page


text:
beyerdynamic expands its collaboration with Digi Power in China
beyerdynamic expands its collaboration with Digi Power in China
Since 2009 beyerdynamic collaborates with the Chinese market partner Digi Power in the field of consumer products in China and Taiwan. Now, since July, 1st 2011, Digi Power officially takes over the distribution of professional audio products, as well. The expansion of the cooperation was announced in May 2011 during the Palm Expo in Beijing - one of the most prestigious trade fairs in the Asian pro audio sector - at a press conference.
A good start for the expanded collaboration was the presentation of the recently introduced new beyerdynamic live microphone series "Touring Gear" during the exhibition.
beyerdynamic is pleased to share the coming challenges and tasks at the Asian Market together with Digi Power.


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Dear Lifehacker,
My eyes often feel tired after staring at the computer all day. So I'm wondering if glasses designed for computer use actually help (for example, those yellow-tinted computer/gaming glasses I've seen mentioned on Lifehacker or regular glasses with special coatings). They seem pricey and I'm a little skeptical about all the claims, but I also want to protect my vision. Should I buy a pair of these?
Sore Eyes
Dear Sore,
Vision problems are unfortunately one of the hazards of too much screen time. In fact, the Vision Council found that 70 percent of US adults in one survey reported having some kind of digital eye strain (strained, dry, or red eyes; blurred vision; headaches; back pain; neck pain; or general fatigue) as a result of using digital devices for hours at a time.
We've previously noted several ways to prevent or reduce eyestrain, including using the 20-20-20 rule to regularly give your eyes a break and ergonomically optimizing your workstation. In addition to those essential tweaks, computer eyewear could also alleviate or prevent digital eyestrain, depending on your situation. I talked to several eye health experts to find out more about these special glasses, and also did a two-week trial comparing new specially-coated glasses with older ones. Here's what I learned.
How Computer Glasses Work
Computer glasses are special-purpose eyeglasses meant to optimize your eyesight when you're looking at digital screens. They're designed to: reduce glare (a major cause of eyestrain), increase contrast, and maximize what you see through the lenses—making it easier to look at a screen for longer periods of time. Here are the two main features you'll see in glasses like these:
Anti-reflective (AR) coating: Anti-reflective coatings reduce glare bouncing off screens and from light sources. Specially-designed computer and gaming glasses from Gunnar and VC Eyewear offer these coatings and prescription glasses can get anti-reflective coatings as well. However, not all anti-reflective coatings are the same. My last pair of eyeglasses from two years ago had a cheap coating that was constantly catching smudges and dirt—actually causing eyestrain and vision problems as a result. I was probably cleaning those things every half hour. The glasses I recently got (funded by the Vision Council) with newer/more advanced coating don't have that problem. Photo by Crizal
Validating my experience, Dr. Jeffrey Anshel, an optometrist and computer vision consultant (who was also the technical adviser for Gunnar Optiks), points out that when it comes to coatings, you have two general choices: old and new. Older ones do peel and "craze," resulting in unsightly cracks, while newer ones wear very well and have a one-year warranty. So when you're at the eye doctor, you'll want to ask for the latest coating—and perhaps buy new glasses even if your prescription hasn't changed in the last few years, because coatings definitely have improved.
Dr. Paula Gorlin, a board certified optometrist and member of the American Optometric Association, further explains the differences between anti-reflected coatings:
Some are just dippped onto the lenses and are easily scratched and can peel off. Some are "baked on the lens" or "ionized into the lens matrix" during the lens making process. I personally wear the very best AR coating [Crizal Sapphire UV] as I work on a computer and under fluorescent lighting all day long. I recommend the same to my patients on the computer and with those with glare complaints.
Color tints: Some computer glasses also have an unmistakable (usually yellow) tint designed to increase the contrast on the screen and filter out the uncomfortable/harsh light spectrums so your eye muscles relax. The tinted glasses are signatures of Gunnar and VC Eyewear glasses, but tints can be applied to other glasses as well.
Costs: Gunnar glasses retail for $79 and up for the non-prescription versions, but you can often find sales on them (I got a pair on Woot! for $30). Prescription versions of the Gunnars, however, can cost several hundred dollars. Anti-reflective coating brands for prescription (and non-prescription) glasses include Crizal, Zeiss, and Teflon. The coating alone will set you back quite a bit. The coating on my glasses cost $150, in addition to the cost of the lenses and frame.
So Are Computer Glasses Effective?
Whether or not computer glasses will be worth it and work for you is subjective, because, as Dr. Anshel notes, factors include your visual abilities and computer usage, work environmental conditions, and your viewing habits. Here's what experts and users have said about these types of glasses.
First: If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It
If you aren't experiencing any eye problems, you can just stop here. Specially-coated and/or computer eyeglasses won't do anything for you (other than geekify your look). In fact, they could be a hindrance. Dr. Robert Noecker, an ophthalmologist and Director of Glaucoma for Opthalmic Consultants of Connecticut, notes that:
Computer eyewear does not necessarily prevent eye strain in an already optimized environment. Also, the range that the eyes can sweep from one side to the other is maximized without any eyewear. The frame edges limit this range of motion and may actually hinder people more who are not getting much benefit from wearing the glasses. Also eyeglasses get smudges which can interfere with vision as well.
If You Experience Eyestrain, They Are Probably Worth It
That said, many people experience digital eye strain and simply ignore it. Dr. Bazan owner of Park Slope Eye in Brooklyn and a member of The Better Vision Institute on the Vision Council, says:
People are so accustomed to their eyes feeling tired at the end of the day, they just accept it. Just because it is normal, does not mean that it's ok. Your eye doctor will work with you and help to get those eyes feeling better!
He notes these advantages of the different types of glasses:
[Eyeglasses with the premium anti-reflective coating] help to ensure that your vision remains clear by keeping dust, fingerprints, etc. from appearing on your lenses. You will also want to look for glasses that include a small bump which will provide just enough of a boost in power, that the print on screen becomes slightly larger, thus decreasing eye strain. In addition, most computer glasses can help increase contrast, which makes it easier for your eyes to focus on a computer screen.
A few studies and personal experiences back this up. A clinical study/survey by New York University College of Medicine of 121 patients, for example, found that 69% of them preferred AR-coated lenses over non-coated ones and reported lower pain or vision problems due to glare. 79% of them chose Transition lenses (the kinds that adapt to light) over clear ones.
For my own part, getting anti-reflective glasses is a no-brainer for me because I have to wear prescription glasses anyway, and my eyeballs always feel like they're being squeezed out of their sockets after hours of research and blogging. The newer premium coatings are much easier to keep clean. I wore my old glasses for a week, then the newer ones, and the difference in eye comfort is amazing. I honestly think this is the closest I've ever felt to seeing as clearly as someone who doesn't wear glasses—or at least what I imagine they might see like. Photo by Matt Chan
As for glasses like those from Gunnar and VC Eyewear: Reviews for them are mostly positive around the web; our own Whitson Gordon wears Gunnars and Jason Chen found prescription Gunnars helped with his eye issues (so he could play 75 hours of Skyrim in a week and a half). It's anecdotal evidence, but lots of users echo these same sentiments: they can really help relieve those headaches you get from sitting in front of a computer all day.
Why Computer Glasses Seem Like Such a Hoax
Computer eyewear companies like Gunnar Optiks really hype up their products and use infomercial-like tactics and conventions (trademarking every name and using other "XTREME" marketing lingo). So it's no wonder people are skeptical and think they're just gimmicks.
However, Krista Anderson, an optometrist and co-owner of Pointe Vision Care in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, notes in an interview with Ars Technica that most of the features of computer eyewear like this are really ones she recommends to patients anyway (just without Gunnar's super-hyped-up language): anti-reflective coatings, tints, and so on.
Gunnar's claims about the wraparounds keeping moisture in your eyes, however, probably isn't true (we always had our doubts). In a clinical study by Pacific University of Oregon, researchers used two control pairs of eyeglasses similar to Gunnar eyewear and tested 38 subjects under glare and dry air conditions. After measuring the patients' tear volume and squinting and blinking rates, they found no significant difference between the Gunnar glasses and the controls. So you might not want to get Gunnar glasses solely if you're rubbing your eyes constantly because they're dry. More effective recommendations from Dr. Noecker:
Increasing the humidity of the environment is helpful with a humidifier if possible- electronic equipment dries the air. Taking breaks to relax the eye muscles is helpful, using artificial tears to improve lubrication of the eye surface and remembering to blink more (blink rate is reduced 2-3 less than normal with computer use).
So, Really, Should You Buy Them?
Before you spring for special glasses, make sure you've first set up your workstation and adjusted your computer habits for optimum eye health. We have lots of advice to help you out:
- How Do I Prevent Eyestrain at My Computer?
- Keep Computer and Smartphone Screens from Destroying Your Eyes
- How to Ergonomically Optimize Your Workspace
- Reduce Computer-Caused Eye Strain with the 20-20-20 Rule
- F.lux Changes Your Screen Brightness by Time of Day
- You're Holding It Wrong: Here's How to Hold Your Touch Screen Gadgets Correctly
After following all those guidelines, if eyestrain or other vision problems still plague you, take the advice from Ars Technica:
Our advice if you're interested in something along these lines? Go to the Gunnar Optik site and create a pair of glasses with the features you want, and check out the price. Then go to a local optometrist and see if they can beat the price with the same set of features. Buy whichever is cheaper.
Many optical shops have return policies and warranties (Gunnar and VC Eyewear issue refunds within 30 days), so you can test the computer eyewear out yourself to see (literally) if it makes a difference for you.
Special thanks to the Vision Council and the doctors who offered their expert opinion and advice for this piece.
Have a question or suggestion for Ask Lifehacker? Send it to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Photo remixed from an original by olly2 (Bigstock)


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Main navigation | Main content
|George Gamota
I went on to the University of Minnesota to pursue electrical engineering. However, soon after I started taking second year honor classes in physics and math, I changed my major to physics because I was inspired by the developments in solid state physics and its potential impact on the future of electronics – vacuum tubes were out and transistors were in. EE was still all about vacuum tubes and no one was teaching solid state. Sputnik and the race for the moon added to the technology euphoria, of the time.
I had to choose between solid state physics (semiconductors) and space physics – it was not easy. In the end I chose solid state physics, in part because I found a professor whom I liked and who offered me a part-time job in his laboratory. His name was Michael Sanders. He became my mentor and a life long friend. I also was inspired by Ed Nye. He was a bit crazy but his teaching was excellent and I remember once when returned from Africa observing the total solar eclipse he had many fascinating stories that he shared with us.
I started working in a physics lab rather early and by my senior year I was working on a project that eventually led to my Masters thesis. I received my Bachelor's degree in 1961,
1961 was also a big year for me in my love life. I married my Latin sweetheart – Christina. Christina (Dawydowycz) arrived from Argentina in 1959, and after a year of engagement we were married in August 1961. Christina was also born in Ukraine so we had many things in common.
Being poor and students, our honeymoon started off with us driving to the Black Hills, South Dakota. Despite it being summer and our best laid plans, we found it to be cold, rainy and rather miserable, so we decided to drive further west, and west we continued until we reached the West Coast. On the left is our wedding picture.
Our first apartment was in Minneapolis, close to the university. In addition to taking a full load of courses, I also worked in the physics lab helping Dick Pontinen, who was one of Mike Sanders' PhD. students. I am not sure how much help I was to Dick but I learned much about Si and semiconductors. Christina took a job to help pay our bills as an associate at Dayton's art department, and thus started us to a life long appreciation and collection of art.
My MS thesis was to design and build a He3 cryostat to be able to study the behavior of materials at very low temperatures. The cryostat was build to potentially use it to study nuclear materials that might become useful for targets. I did the work together with Chester Hwang who was a post doc in the nuclear group but worked with Mike to learn low temperature techniques. Besides Dick, other students at Mike's lab were Arnie Dahm, Jim Levine and Jan Northby joined us later. While in graduate school, I met new friends a number of whom later on had an impact my career. One was Marty Fricke and another Carlos Avery. My two years at Minnesota went fast and in 1963 after I received my MS. I was ready for the next set of challenges and changes in life. The most important challenge ahead was our imminent parenthood. Christina was expecting and was to give birth to our oldest son sometime in spring of 1964.
The second change in our life was to move to Ann Arbor Michigan, We were leaving Minnesota- our family, friends, and our home for Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. We were part of a caravan leaving Minnesota since Mike Sanders accepted a position at the University of Michigan. Jan Northby came as well although he continued to be officially a student at the University of Minnesota. Jim Levine graduated as well as Dick Pontinen. Arnie was too far in his research and decided to stay although Mike still helped supervise his research. It was the first of many moves in our life (We might still be moving were it not for Christina to have said enough is enough and in 1986 we settled for good in Lexington Massachusetts). On the photo to the right, Christina and I are moving to Ann Arbor. The trailer was full of our goods as well as some equipment that Mike took with him.
Ann Arbor was a great college town that was, at that time, dominated by the university, especially on football Saturdays in the fall. On October 1965, our second son was born and in 1966, I finished my thesis, completed my written and oral exams and received my PhD. For her support and patience, Christina received an honorary degree: PhT (pushing hubby through). My thesis studied the movement of newly discovered microscopic charged vortices (analogous to smoke rings in air) in superfluid helium. I continued another year at the University of Michigan as a post doc, teaching and working with new graduate students, getting ready for the arrival of our third son, and looking for a job. My first student that I supervised, Burt Brody, turned out to be a real friend not only to me but also to my family as we struggled with health issues. Even today he is like an uncle to our boys, and now to the grandchildren.
Jobs for recently minted PhD's in physics were not plentiful at this time, but I was fortunate to have had several options. We considered the University of Illinois, Urbana, staying at the University of Michigan, etc. However, when I was offered a position at Bell Laboratories at Murray Hill, NJ, it was an easy decision. During the summer of 1967 we moved to Summit NJ to start a new life on the East Coast with Bell Labs. Our third son was born in Summit in October 1967.
Our life in Summit had a challenging beginning. Our oldest son, George Jr. was seriously ill and almost immediately needed surgery to safe his life. His kidney illness in Ann Arbor had been misdiagnosed and by the time we arrived in Summit, his kidneys were failing. He had to have major surgery to repair his urinary track valves. Fortunately, with God's help the operation was a success but the damage to the kidneys left a long term effect on his health, one that is still with us – he has a kidney transplant in October 2007.
Working at Bell Labs during the late 60's and early 70's was very exciting to me as a young scientist. Not only was I mingling with the pioneers in solid state physics but also Nobel laureates from all over the world. Many of my colleagues later received Nobel Laureates in their own right. Others became presidents, chancellors or deans of major universities: University of California, Berkeley, Harvard, and Hong Kong University of Technology. Bell Labs was probably the most exciting scientific environment that existed in the 20th century. Unfortunately for us as a nation, this cradle of scientific greatness started to crumble in late 70's and was destroyed in 1984 by a federal judge who broke up the Bell System. Lacking the resources provided by AT&T, Bell Labs continued to retract with the last insult being that its bones were sold to a French company, Alcatal, a year or so ago.
My research at Bell Labs eventually expanded to include superconductivity. About that time, I also became interested in science policy and science in politics. After a short term assignment at the state level of New Jersey, I took a two year sabbatical from Bell Labs to go to Washington, DC. It was 1974, President Nixon just resigned, President Ford took office and the after effects of the Viet Nam war were all still evident in the science community, especially affected were those who were supported by the Department of Defense. Once considered as heroes for helping win World Wars II, many of these same scientists were now blacklisted on campuses. Contributing to this was the congressionally passed Mansfield Amendment which required that all research supported by the DoD be related to weapons development. After much soul searching and with help and support of the Vice President for Research at Bell Labs, William O. Baker who was then the unofficial President's Science Advisor, I took a job at the Pentagon to try to remedy the problem.
The experience of moving from a mostly academic environment at Bell Labs to the Pentagon was quite a jolt. First of all, was the realization that everybody working there held the rank of colonel or higher. In fact colonels were a dime a dozen and most acted in secretarial positions. Being a civilian, I was given an equivalent 2 ½ star General's rank. At 38 it felt good to think that I could tell a one or two star general what to do. My first experience at the Pentagon on the second day was to be told to attend a meeting on lasers. I followed instructions and showed up to a very crowded room. As I came in, people who were seated stood up, and I soon realized that I was to lead the discussion, and a seat was reserved for me at the head of the table. This turned out to be a typical experience while at the Pentagon. I got called many times to sit in or lead a discussion on topics I had little time to prepare. I also quickly understood that most activities were tied to a cyclical pattern – fiscal budget, and you either testified on ongoing programs, programs that you want funded, and plans for the future. Finally I found out that if you wanted to change something, you had to work very hard, and do it on your time since 8-5 most days was taken with attending meetings, conferences, and appointments.
After two years, I was ready to go back to Bell Labs. President Ford lost the election, my mentor Bill Baker was no longer the presidents Science Advisor, and I had a political job (political positions get changed with changes in Administrations, especially if parties change. In addition, I was discouraged since I really could not get the necessary attention at the highest levels to help change the policy to support basic research. Our then Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfield did not care about research, and his deputy was similarly disinterested. I literally could not write "basic" in front of research without it being crossed out by someone above me.
In spite of my prediction, the 1976 Presidential election impacted me rather differently than I thought possible. Harold Brown was chosen by President Carter as Secretary of Defense and Frank Press was named Science Advisor to President Carter. During my two prior years at the Pentagon, I befriended both of these gentlemen in my quest to defang the Mansfield Amendment, and they both urged me to stay on, promising to help promote research and create an Office of Research in the Pentagon. With the writing on the wall on the fate of Bell Labs, and being offered such an opportunity, I stayed on. Little did I know the difficulty in changing the culture at the Pentagon even if the top people were supportive of change. It took me nearly four years to achieve my goals: the Mansfield Amendment was defanged, and an Office of research was created in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. That office still exists today.
Family life was a bit of a struggle during this period. We lived in Reston, Virginia, which was on good traffic days, an hour away from the Pentagon. I often left at 6 and came home after 7pm. My boys started out in public schools but had to switch to a private school for grades 7 and 8. My youngest son stayed in the public system because he qualified for a special gifted program. To help send the boys to schools, Christina started volunteering at the private school where they attended, and subsequently received a job offer to teach kindergarten, something she always wanted to do. Life in Washington was very exciting, especially for the boys. We all celebrated the bicentennial sitting on the Mall across from the Lincoln Memorial. We often went to Washington on weekends, visiting museums and the beautiful parks.
In 1980, with a new election cycle, change in party of power, and pressing need to worry about paying for college for my three sons after a few months with the Reagan administration, I decided to go back to Ann Arbor. I accepted the position of Director of an interdisciplinary institute, and a full professor of physics. Life in Ann Arbor had a difficult start. Our middle son Daniel, then 16 suffered a massive stroke. Suddenly a healthy teen was paralyzed and blind. Only through the grace of God and many prayers, he slowly recovered, and within several months was able to go back to school. To this day we thank all those who prayed for him during this very difficult time. He is doing well now, he finished his school, and went on to earn a PhD in materials science and engineering. He is married, a father of two boys, and a manager at Motorola doing what his father did – research.
Unfortunately, academia proved to not be as fast paced or exciting as Washington. Having been there it was harder to leave mentally, if not physically Fortunately, I ran into many old buddies from graduate school, both from Minnesota and Michigan. The most important connection was with Marty Fricke, who was a VP at Science Applications. He hired me as a consultant, as we both won a major contract to start what eventually became a major US Government in benchmarking foreign science & technology. I also ran into another one of my graduate student buddies from Minnesota, Carlos Avery. Main countries to benchmark at that time were the Soviet Union, and then later Japan as it challenged the US in technology. Those programs expanded greatly over the years, and although I am no longer involved, many are still operating. One additional perk that came along with the consulting, Marty's office was in La Jolla California, and conveniently he invited me to "consult" for longer periods of time during the winter months. I remember how happy the whole family was to pack and leave in December the gray cold skies in Michigan to come to sunny California and the La Jolla beaches.
After working at Bell Labs, and then Washington, Ann Arbor was not as stimulating as I had hoped, even with consulting in Washington. Academia was, shockingly, even more bureaucratic then the Pentagon. To get things done required endless hours of negotiations, and patience. The ongoing battles between the various schools were notorious and as a director of a self standing, self supported interdisciplinary institute, I was an easy target. The extreme liberal community held it against me (and the Institute) that I had previously worked in the Pentagon. Also, I had to deal with various threats and negative stores that ran in the local newspaper. Some were quite inflammatory. I also had to deal with various threats and negative stores that ran in the local newspaper. The most outrageous act that I was accused of was for setting a fire in the economics building. I was accused of starting it so that a weapons related institute could be build in its place in the center of the university. My family was affected as well. My youngest son, Alex, who was still in high school heard a teacher in class call me by name as someone who was bringing blood money to Ann Arbor. In 1986, when my last son graduated from college, Christina and I left for the East Coast again. I was offered a position as president of Thermo Electron Technologies Corporation in Waltham, Massachusetts, and took it without much hesitation. We packed up and moved to Lexington where we still live today.
Lexington is a great little town. Its fame is forever integrated with the beginning of American independence and history, and both Christina and I are fervent volunteers and long term members of the Lexington Historical Society. Every April 18th, we get up at 4am to watch the British Army march into Lexington as a small band of Minutemen try to hold them off. Yes American history began right here, and I urge all to visit Lexington at least once.
Another surprise in Lexington was that a brother of a very good friend of ours turned out to Rick Bernel who was a good friend from Minnesota. He was a grad student there during my time.
I left my industrial post in 1996, and started full time consulting, using my small high tech firm (Science & Technology Management Associates) as a base. When the Soviet Union fell apart in 2001, and Ukraine became independent, I offered my services to help the scientists in Ukraine. I led a delegation of physicists as part of the American Physical Society's emergency program, and provided them books, computers, and most importantly small grants to the young scientists to help them bridge the abrupt change in their surrounding.
Also, as part of a US delegation under the auspices of the Academy of Sciences, I helped convince the Ukrainian government to give up its nuclear weapons, and as a benefit helped set up the Science & Technology Center in Kyiv (correct spelling of the capital of Ukraine formerly known by its Russian name as Kiev). Over the next 6 years I visited Ukraine many times, spending weeks at a time there in a rented apartment. One year, I remember we had Thanksgiving in Kyiv, including all the trimmings and even Maple leaves from Lexington that Christina brought with her.
My work in science evolved from building bridges between Ukrainian and American scientists at first, to later helping them start up small hi-tech companies. In 1998 during President Clinton's
As part of the APS delegation we met with US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bill Miller (center) To his immediate left is Judy Franz, executive officer, and furthest to the right is Irving Lerch who was the APS international director visit to Ukraine, my work with the scientists from Chornobyl was cited as one of the benefits of American help. Many Ukrainian scientists and engineers lost their jobs due to the closing of the nuclear plant, and my small business incubator helped them start new lives. The mayor of Slavutych (town where the people from Chornobyl moved to after the disaster) named me an Honorary Citizen for my work and saving their town (see photo to the right) My most recent work in Ukraine was a two year program sponsored by the US State Department to help the deaf community. We provided them Western training and communication tools (computers, the Internet and distance learning modules). Much of that work is still ongoing. For my work in Ukraine I was honored by the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences and made a foreign member.
In retrospective, I guess my mother's insistence that I learn and use Ukrainian proved critical to my success. I was glad that she was able to see her son visit his/our ancestral home after being away for nearly 50 years. I never believed that Ukraine would ever be free in my lifetime, and it was like a miracle that suddenly it happened.
One of the things that really excited me was that by going to Ukraine I was able to do some genealogical research on my family names. One of the real moving moments was in finding a distant relative who was able to fill in many of the blank pages. He was equivalent to my great grandfather. He was nearly 90 years old but had a very sharp memory. He took me to the family cemetery and we spend a lot of time discussing the fate of many Gamotas that I was not even aware of their existence. Many were executed under Stalin or sent to Siberia. One cousin whose mother was Jewish died in Warsaw concentration camp. The photo on the previous page shows my distant great uncle and me sitting at the family plot near the city of Lviv where I was born.
In parallel to my work in Ukraine, I continued my benchmarking of foreign science and technology for the US government. One of the reports in 1996 was on nanotechnology and it was later used by President Clinton to start the National Initiative on Nanotechnology. My benchmarking work has also brought me to Japan many times in the 90's. More recently in 2001, and again in 2006 I was invited by the Japanese government to review their research programs. In 2005, I spend 5 weeks in New Zealand also at the request of their government to review and assess their research programs.
Going back in time a bit, in 1999, a seminal event occurred in the Gamota clan. Our first grandson was born. He lived in Washington DC, but since I was often on business in DC, it made it easy for Christina and me to visit him regularly. Grandma and grandpa were always there to "help". Later, my grandson and his family moved to London so we had to find excuses to go to London. Fortunately, for us grandparents, the family moved back to the states, and currently lives in Lexington, just a few miles from us. Then in April of 2003, another grandson was born, quickly followed by a third grandson in July (from another son and his wife). Finally in 2006, our last to date grandson was born. We are still waiting for a granddaughter.
In October 2007, I had the privilege of being invited to a Mike Sanders' 80th Birthday celebration. Many of his Minnesota and Michigan students came.
I still go to Washington often and do my foreign technology benchmarks, but I don't travel as often and concentrate more on family and playing with my grandkids.


text:
Joe Decker
Joe Decker is recognized as "The World's Fittest Man" after breaking the Guinness World Records® 24-Hour Physical Fitness Challenge in 2000. As an ultra-endurance power athlete, renowned fitness trainer, motivational author and speaker, and syndicated fitness columnist, Joe inspires thousands of people to lose weight and get in shape.
He is a personal testament to overcoming fitness obstacles and leads by example. Overweight and out of shape at 27 years old, Joe transformed his body and life through his "Gut Check Fitness" method, known for its Millennium Workout and Caveman Workout programs.
In addition to breaking the world fitness record, Joe has completed many of the world's toughest endurance and strength events, including the 520-mile Raid Gauloises, the 152-mile Marathon des Sables, the Badwater 135, the Grand Slam of UltraRunning, the Tough Guy Challenge UK and numerous Strongman Competitions.
Joe is regularly involved in charity work and established a scholarship program from his winnings on The Weakest Link. He has also appeared on The Today Show, Discovery Health, The Early Show, The O'Reilly Factor, and Fox News and has been featured in many media outlets, including The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Baltimore Sun, Men's Fitness, Muscle and Fitness, Men's Health and GQ.
After serving three years in the Army with the 10th Mountain Division, Joe graduated from Western Illinois University with a B.S. degree in Exercise Science. He founded the hard core fitness company www.gutcheckfitness.com and teaches bootcamp-style workouts in San Diego, California with his wife, Nicole. Joe certifies trainers in the "Gut Check Fitness" method and continues to challenge himself and others to reach their best shape.
More from Joe Decker
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Nia White Belt Training
July 13, 2018 To be Determined in to be determined
About the Nia White Belt
The Nia White Belt Training is the first level of a five-belt training series that presents a body-centered approach to health, wellness and fitness. If you have a desire to share Nia in a professional capacity, the White Belt Training is your entryway into teaching. Those who choose to pursue the path of personal enrichment use this training as a starting point for becoming a master student.
Over the course of one week, you will comprehensively explore physical sensation through five core-competency areas of study including movement, music, anatomy, science and philosophy. This joyful journey into the self is instrumental in helping you develop body knowing by learning to listen, interpret and consciously respond to the information your body communicates to you via sensation. Enroll in an upcoming training today, and positively shape the way you feel, look, think and live.
Upon graduation, you are eligible to become a member. As a member, you obtain a teaching license (whether you decide to use it or not) and have exclusive access to an in-depth continuing education program, an online forum, and special benefits and privileges. You may enroll in the Green Belt Training - which is dedicated to the craft of teaching - at any time after completing your White Belt Training. You may also enroll in the next level of training, Blue Belt Training.
Meet the Trainer
Gail Condrick
Gail Condrick is a Nia International Certified White Belt Trainer and First Degree Black Belt offering classes, retreats, and trainings in Florida and Beyond since 1998. She is also trained in the Nia 5 Stages, Nia FreeDance, 52 Moves and Moving to Heal specialty programs of the technique. All of Gail's trainings other than White Belt have been with Debbie Rosas and Carlos Aya Rosas, founders of the technique.
I specialize in small classes and Nia trainings in Florida where I can give you my full attention and benefits of all that I have been taught in a nuturing, elegant and inspirational setting.
As a television executive and government leader for 30 years, I learned to communicate, collaborate, and inspire creative professionals to reach for the stars. I still do. Now I Am a Nia White Belt Trainer. My intensives and classes are designed for writers, artists, teachers, and community leaders. You'll learn how to access the power in your body to release your creativity, confidence, and awareness to find balance in your body and your life. A Nia training is a life long experience to improve your body and stiumlate your brain and spirit!
I invite you to join me in a week dedicated to blending the concepts of creativity, leadership and living your highest potential through a Nia White Belt Intensive in Florida, close to the ocean. The combination of sun, warmth, and water offers an opportunity for an experience that is healing, restorative, and transformational. Maybe like me you are ready for your Second Act.
I appreciate the challenges of beginning or resuming a fitness program in mid-life as that has been my path. I was not a fitness professional or dancer before I found Nia in 1996. At my first class, I had a great frustration that I could not move with the freedom and pleasure of my teacher. I wanted to experience what she had in my body and spirit. I found and released my inner Sacred Athlete and dancer through my practice. So can YOU! Nia has been with me through major life transitions and relocations and I have found that the balance, flexibility, and strength I experience in Nia class moves out into the world with me and enhances my life.
There is a community of Nia students and teachers waiting to welcome you into this life. I teach classes on Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton and Sarasota and I invite you to contact me and join a class at any time. Nia is a language of the Body spoken all over the world and it is a gift to meet you through this moving meditation art form. If you would like a private session or Nia 5 Stages of Self-healing session or Moving to Heal I am able to offer this to you. I am also a Reiki Jin Kei Do (Reiki with Wisdom and Compassion) Master, writer, and a Caroline Myss Certified Archetypal Consultant. All of these life experiences shape my personal philosophy and teaching style in my Nia classes, private sessions, and workshops. I believe in movement as a healing practice and offer Women's Wisdom Weekends, Dance of Archetypes classes and workshops, and retreats to find healing in all dimensions.
I invite you to join me for Nia in Paradise for classes, weekend retreats and White Belt Trainings!
Notes About this Training
Start: Friday, July 13, 2018 - 1:30 pm
End: Friday, July 20, 2018 - 12:00 pm
Reach the Beach Summer White Belt week! I am delighted to offer you the gifts of White Belt at the beach this summer. The joy of the dance, the transformation of the Art of Sensation, and the healing powers of the Gulf of Mexico await you! During your special week you will have time off to walk the beach, immerse yourself in the ocean, watch the sunsets, explore the area and let your sensations be your guide. It will be a wonder-filled week and we may even have a beach class or TWO weather permitting! Perfect for anyone who is considering teaching Nia or wants to immerse in the form and freedom of the technique as a movement retreat.. If you are a current Nia belt who wishes to refresh your skills this summer, please email Gail for more information and fees.
Free pick up from Sarasota Airport (SRQ) is available on request. Tampa airport (TPA) or St. Petersburg airport ( PIE) are about one hour away and you will need transportation on your own. Lodging? Contact Gail at firstname.lastname@example.com for the latest updates.
Dive on IN!


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Pump control on the edge
Electromach has developed a solution for a special offshore pump system. After examination of the details, we ran into location and maintenance challenges. 36 pump control panels are placed on the edge of an offshore platform in Saudi Arabia.
At Electromach all projects are customer based and include the development of application software, manufacture, assembly, testing and on site commissioning. And of course, we take care of the accessory piles of complicated paperwork.
Control-panels for pump control
Following previously delivered pump controllers, Electromach received an order to supply VFD control panels for their pump systems.
Our client is a globally leading manufacturer of diaphragm metering and process diaphragm pumps as well as complete metering systems for process technology.
As a researching and producing company, they developed groundbreaking techno-logies for the industry. They prove that day by day and create solutions for the various applications of our customers.
Customers do not only benefit from their wide portfolio of pumps and systems but also complementary products of renowned corporate partners.
Project Description
Our client has received, via an Italian engineering company, an order to supply pump skids to a Saudi Arabian Oil Company for installation on several offshore platforms. The fields are located approximately 150 kilometres northeast of Jubail industrial city, in the Arabian Gulf.
The Gas Program will construct an onshore greenfield Central Processing Facility (CPF) capable of processing 70 million standard cubic meter per day of gas from the offshore fields. The gas program produces approximately 50 million m²/day of sales gas to meet market needs for local feedstock and support the national economy. Production start-up is scheduled for 2014.
Engineering and Construction
The EPIC contract for the complete development of two fields, encompasses the engineering, procurement, fabrication and installation of a total of 12 wellhead platforms, 2 tie-in platforms and 1 injection platform, besides to a 36 inches 260-kilometres-long export trunkline and approximately 200 kilometres of mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) pipelines, 200 kilometres of subsea electric and control cables and 40 kilometres of offshore flowlines. The scope of work also includes the shore approaches and about 120 kilometres of onshore pipelines.
The pump skids have been developed and built entirely in-house.
Both our client and Electromach meet the stringent specifications of the customer who is one of the major oil producing companies in the world.
For controlling the Pump Systems Electromach had to deliver the following accessories:
• 4 x Ex-d Local Control Panels (Direct Online Starter Panels)
• 36 x VFD Control Panels
• 36 x Ex-d Local Control Panels ( LCP )
• 36 x Ex-d / e Maintenance Switch Panels
• 80 x Terminal boxes
An electric motor with variable speed controls the pump drive on the skid. The VFD control panels therefore exist mainly of an inverter and related control, for controlling the main pump.
The VFD control panels will be placed in a (non - Ex) Safe area.
Local Control Panels, Switch Panels and Terminal boxes are mounted on the Pump-Skid and are conducted according to ATEX Ex II 2G Exde IIB T5 specification.
The LCP is used for the operation of the pump and the Switch Panel is designed as a maintenance switch in the motor cable.
On the edge
The panels are built on an offshore wellhead platform with only a limited footprint available.
Because the required power is considerable, up to 185kW and given the limited space, the challenge was to deliver compact panels which were equipped with cooling.
Due to the heat development in the panels and the climatic conditions, an external cooling system was chosen.
Quick connect / Disconnect
An additional requirement was that the cooling system could be quickly disassembled for maintenance or emergencies. This has resulted in a modular air-conditioning system, which was placed on top of the control panel. The panels are specially tailored for this project as well as the air-conditioning systems, based on our HVAC series Inpac 63 from our partners, Specific Systems out of the USA.
To ensure sufficient solidity, a solution was chosen in which the panels were mounted in a frame. On top of this, another frame was mounted with the air conditioning system. A quick interchangeability was found in placing quick connections, as is common in the container world. Every air conditioner is equipped with an autonomous control and can, via two integrated cables and connectors, be quickly connected to the VFD-panel.
Due to the circumstances of the Climate Control, the VFD Control Panels had to be fully implemented in stainless steel and covered in a special coating. This coating is based on a silicone lacquer, such used in the Skid and other on-site systems.
All systems are delivered to our client, where a variety of assembly takes place, testing and F.A.T. (factory Acceptance Test) with the customer. After the F.A.T, expedition to the customer will be arranged.
ATEX certified panels
Besides the special designed 36 safe area VFD panels with airco for the pumps with a power-rating of up to 165 KW the scope included also an amount of explosion proof panels:
- 4 Ex-d Motor starter Control Panels , ATEX certified Ex 2G Exd IIB T5, make Stahl Series 8264 (Cubex), for operating and control of the pumps with a maximum of 25KW. Panel is a (DOL) Direct Online motor starter.
- 36 Ex-d Local Control Panels (LCP), ATEX certified Ex 2G Exd IIB T5, make Stahl Series 8264 (Cubex), for operating the VFD pump control.
- 32 Ex-d / e Maintenance Switch Panels. It's a combination of a Cubex enclosure, Stahl series 8264, and a Exe termination chamber. Combination ATEX certified Ex II 2G Exde IIB T5.
- 72 Terminal boxes ATEX certified Ex II 2G EExe II T6 make Electromach series JBE, for connection of all the field-instrumentation and ESD signals.
If you have any questions, please contact us.


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Fun and Games
Events & Programs at SWPL
Online Friends
Connect with kids all over the globe — let your voice be heard!
Kidzworld Chat
Chat it up after school, and blab about whatever is on your mind! Join in on the conversation and have fun!
Build Your Wild Self
Go wild! Create your own wild and kooky creature to send to friends, plus learn about different animal parts. This is so fun you won't want to stop!
Draw and Color with Uncle Fred
Learn to draw a chimpanzee, a panda, even a walrus!
Create your own comic strip! Super fun!
Animal Fact Guide
Who loves wild animals? We do! Learn about different kinds of animals, print out coloring pages, and check the blog for amazing photos!
Dinosaurs are so cool! Learn all about the Velociraptor and the great T-Rex right here.
Mr. Picasso Head
If you like playing with Mr. Potato Head, you'll love Mr. Picasso Head!
Candy Hearts
Type in a message and send it to friend!
Color with Leo
Hey all you budding artists out there! Draw, paint, and even mix colors — all online
Games from Pitara
Plenty of challenges here of differing levels for fun and learning.
Chateau Meddybemps
Visit this wacky site for all sorts of fun and fascinating activities for younger kids.
Kid's Art in Jigsaw Puzzles
Puzzles galore! The art on this page is from children worldwide from grades 1–12.
Cool Math
Fun math games. Are you up to the challenge?
These games will make you smarter. Games are arranged by age and grade level. Includes some teacher and parenting resources.
Kaboose Funschool
Lots of arcade-style games to play online and coloring pages to print out.
Entertainment site includes a "Weird Science" component. Also includes games, jokes, "Wacky Facts," magic tricks and recipes.
Reading is Fundamental
Write and illustrate your own stories, play reading games, or express yourself through poetry — this site is great for younger children to explore reading and writing.
Surfnetkids: Kids Games
Puzzles, word challenges, and other exciting exercises with links to even more fun games.
National Geographic Kids
Elementary to middle school-aged kids will enjoy the numerous games, stories, photos, and even contests about animals, the environment, and different cultures around the world.
PBS Kids Games
Games and activities connected to your favorite PBS programs. Also provides information for grownups on using the site.
Squigly's Playhouse
Look here for games, crafts, jokes, brain teasers and more.
TVO Kids
An Ontario website that provides engaging activities for kids ages 3–8 that link directly to TVOntario, an educational public television broadcast.


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|2004-01-16, 13:50
|Link #1
Tensetsuno Tenshi
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Yuki lives here
Age: 31
Are there a lot of anime about Incest relationship?
After seeing the last gay and lesbian post, i got curious about whether there are a lot of anime about incest. I was wundering if any incest relationship are actually successful. I feel kinda sorry for the two in love eventhough they are related in blood, they should have the freedom to love each other. But they know that they can't nvr be together...
The only incest relationship anime i have seen is Onegai Twins. I am sure there are a couple more.
|2004-01-16, 15:35
|Link #2
annoying white bat
Join Date: Jan 2004
The short answer is no.
Incest is a taboo in Japan just like everywhere else (cousins are considered a little differently from the way they are in the US, but I don't know details).
It's not really the same thing as dealing with same-sex relationships, which don't seem ever to have been criminalized in Japan to the extent they have been in say the US.
All the angst in Onegai Twins about who is related to whom stems from the fact that none of the characters want to cross the line into an incestuous relationship.
Most anime about "incest" are similar: they deal with characters living in the same household or family who are attracted to each other and fear they are blood-related (or know they are not blood-related but are uncomfortable about getting into a relationship because they live under the same roof).
I can't tease out whether all of this is just something to hang a plot on (to drum up angst and tragedy) or if people find this titillating as a potential sexual situation (there is Japanese ero material which falls into the latter category); I am not interested in doing so.
I can name some shows I have seen which relate to this topic:
but even looking at the list may spoil some of the shows I guess, so I will put a
*************SPOILER WARNING************ here.
I can't think of any more or didn't see them. Anyway, it's at least a partial list and an answer to your question.
|2004-01-16, 15:39
|Link #3
Join Date: Nov 2003
you should had been here before the forum was wiped out. There was a thread in the Onegei Twins sub-forum name "incest: yes or nay", and freakishly(at least for me), more people 'accept' incest then people against it :$ (what is this world coming to )
PS the thread was like 20 pages long, and yes I did join the arguement.
|2004-01-16, 16:11
|Link #4
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: California
I don't think there has been any incest in any of the animes I watched. There are plenty of relationships where the little sister is in love with an Onii-chan or Onee-chan (older brother or sister). It's very common, but most the time it's not really love, it's just admiration and infatuation. BTW, Sister princess is the overlord of the whole "Onii-chan, Daisuki!" :-)
|2004-01-16, 17:31
|Link #5
Gomen asobase desuwa!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Age: 38
And yes, like anywhere else, incest is considered to be a social taboo in Japan. We fear the genetic, social and emotional consequences that arise from incest.
But there is a certain fascination about [older-brother/younger-sister] incestual relationships among Japanese hardcore otakus. To cater to such fans, there are numerous games and stories that have been created for such matters...with a twist. You are introduced to yourself being an older brother and falling in love with your younger sister. However, the twist is that "you two are not actually blood-related." The most notable example is the "Sister Princess" game:
"The more you and your favorite younger sister spend time together, the less you two become blood related."
In actual Japanese law however, is that even if two siblings are not related-by-blood, they still stand in the family registry as being siblings so their relationships are deemed incestuous and illegal.
Sadly, therefore, no matter how much Junichi and Nemu falls in love with each other in "D.C.~da capo~" their relationship is null by decree of Japanese national law.
|2004-01-16, 19:15
|Link #6
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: California
Sona! Bakana! (or however that is spelled ;p)
Poor Nemu... anways back to Sister Princess, there's a GAME!?
Anyways, I think this post is in the wrong place... maybe it should be in General Anime, insteal of Suggestions... probably will be moved soon.
|2004-01-18, 19:02
|Link #11
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: at home
Ug, I completely missed that in the anime, perhaps it was the translation, I saw it fansubbed a while ago (sure, blame the subbers ). Perhaps while you're at it you can explain the following to me? (sorry to go off topic a bit - MAJOR Infinite Ryvius spoiler ahead, don't highlight!)
As for on topic, I suppose these are just little scenes inside of anime, but no, there are no other anime that deal exclusively with incest, except probably some hentai?
|2004-01-19, 01:24
|Link #12
Gomen asobase desuwa!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Age: 38
With the ever increasing "cult"-dom, a Sister Princess game was released for the Playstation in March 8th, 2001 (shows you how much of a fan you are if you know this date ^^). There were several more releases of Sister Princess games:
2001.03.08: "Sister Princess" (PS)
2001.12.13: "Sister Princess~Pure Stories~" (PS)
2002.03.28" "Sister Princess~Premium Edition~" (DC) [basically its the DC version of "Sister Princess" & "Sister Princess~Pure Stories~" added together]
2003.03.20: "Sister Princess 2" (PS)
2003.11.13: "Sister Princess 2 Premium Fan Disc" (PS)
|2004-01-20, 02:27
|Link #15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
i wonder the same thing, actually... i didnt read the manga but i am wondering if it is explained there. you'd think that's what happened, given her reaction in the bathroom.
(kept that spoiler free so i wouldn't have to use a tag )
|2004-01-20, 08:12
|Link #16
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: at home
Or perhaps it's in the director's commentary on the DVD
And to the original thread... mmmm incest...
Ok I HAVE to ask... why in the heck are you so interested in Incest anime?
|2004-01-20, 08:33
|Link #17
Tensetsuno Tenshi
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Yuki lives here
Age: 31
JUST KIDDING!!! After watching onegai twins, i guess i kinda wanna watch more of those kind of shows and i also saw a previous post mentioning something about incest stuff so i made this post.
|2004-01-20, 10:55
|Link #18
Senior Member
So...this is basically an incest-based hentai post?
If it weren't for the genetic stuff, i'd have nothing against incest. there is something heartwarming about brother/sister and other such relationships, dunno what, though.
got to go, the nazis are after me....WITH WHIPS!
|Thread Tools


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Australian Government Announces Rare Public Consultation On TPP -- Then Bans All Journalists From Attending
from the something-to-hide? dept
As Techdirt has noted many times, the TPP negotiations -- like ACTA before them and now TAFTA/TTIP -- are distinguished by an almost complete lack of transparency. That makes the rare opportunities offered by governments participating in TPP to find out more, particularly valuable and important. Here's one announced recently by the Australian government:
Dear TPP Stakeholders,
As far as it goes, that sounds good. But then something strange happened, as the Pirate Party Australia explained:
As part of the Australian Government's ongoing public consultation process on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiations, the TPP negotiating team will be visiting Sydney on 30 October 2013 to meet with interested members of the public, and business and civil society stakeholders. The meeting will provide an update on the negotiations and an opportunity for further stakeholder input.
Pirate Party Australia has received confirmation that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has rescinded confirmations of attendance for journalists to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement briefing to be held in Sydney at 4pm on 30 October, stating that the meeting is "off-the-record", and that journalists are not welcome.
Not only did the Australian government rescind invitations to journalists, but it also "disappeared" the whole event from its Web site. And it gets even better. Brendan Molloy, Councillor of Pirate Party Australia, is quoted as saying:
"I've already had a freedom of information request have a fee levied with the justification that the TPP isn't in the public interest because there have been few articles written about it. It's pretty hard to write an article about something when you're barred from attending the briefings, and instead offered an arrangement where you're spoonfed Government spin and prevented from hearing the important, unanswered questions being asked by the stakeholders that shine a harsher light on this secretive agreement," concluded Mr Molloy.
In other words, the Australian government refuses to release information about TPP freely, because it says that too few articles have been written about it. And then it bans journalists from attending public meetings, thus making it harder for them to write articles on the subject. Classy.
Follow me @glynmoody on Twitter or identi.ca, and +glynmoody on Google+
Filed Under: australia, journalism, open, tpp, transparency


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Reviewed by Mekala P. (age 8)
I like this book because it's about giving and thanking. I like the part when the man that was on the train throws silver packages to every kid.
The pictures are very colorful and very bright.
I recommend this book to whoever likes to get presents on Christmas and whoever likes to help people. I also recommend this book to people who don't like to help other people because I think this book might want to make them want to help people.


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New Game Stuff (9/17/2011)
Like Doctor Jones says, "Fortune and glory, kid. Fortune and glory".
I understand that some of my segues can be quite the stretch, but the Indiana Jones reference here is rather apt. That is because Fortune and Glory is a pulpy game set in the 1930′s revolving around treasure hunters, gangsters, lounge singers, and femme fatales globe trotting in search of…wait for it…fortune and/or glory. Just like in Last Night on Earth (from the same company), players choose specific characters, all with their own unique abilities, with which to travel around the massive world map the game comes with battling baddies and collecting treasures. Listen to Indy and take a peak at Fortune and Glory.
Grab some gear, become a legend. You can accomplish both of these tasks for the world of Shadowrun by picking up this week's new hardcover releases of Runner's Black Book and Street Legends. Both editions help to flesh out the deep, dark, dank world of Shadowrun in separate but equally grimy ways. First up, the Runner's Black Book is all about hardware. Hardware like the new Kriss X Submachine Gun and the TPP light pistol. Plus it reprints and collects vehicle and weaponry information from previous releases like Deadly Waves, Gun Heaven, MilSpec Tech, This Old Drone, and Unfriendly Skies. Second would be the mythical tome that is Street Legends. Detailing the stats, back stories, and adventures of various famous runners, vampire hunters, and shadowy figures of the universe, Street Legends is the perfect way for a game master to expand their story.
Turn the gears, pump the valves, and steady the blimp 'cause Airship Pirates is off the starboard bow. Steampunk lovers out there take notice because Airship Pirates is the new roleplaying game from Cubicle 7 (makers of such dandy RPGs as Doctor Who and The One Ring) set in a futuristic Victorian world where blimpships hover over the putrid clockwork cities below. Based off of steampunk band Abney Park's lyrics, this initial book in the Airship universe gives players and GMs, alike, all the information they need to be able to create a campaign, characters, and obstacles for a successful night of highskies adventure.
Continuing on the RPG bandwagon (What would that look like, by the way? Lots of Mountain Dew I'm assuming.), the original master of the medium, Dungeons & Dragons, releases both a new supplement and a new adventure this week. Both begin with M, coincidentally. Anyway, Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium (please don't make me type that again) is up first with numerous items of various magical, mystical, and monetary value. Intelligent dungeon masters can use this book and the item-based story suggestions within to create a riveting quest for their players. Next is Madness at Darmore Abbey, which is an adventure intended for 6th to 8th level characters. Set in a former monastery that has now become a monstery, this adventure will challenge players as they face off against some of the worst creatures lurking in the dark. This box set includes every bit and piece players will need to run the adventure.
What's that? You didn't get enough pulpy goodness with the first game? Well, okay, we're at your service. In that effort, here's the new expansion/standalone edition of The Adventurers, The Pyramid of Horus. Also filled with all kinds of Indiana Jones homages, this threequel to the original Adventurers game from Fantasy Flight is set in a new local peppered with equally deadly traps and treasures. Each person involved selects one of eight character options then begins searching through the pyramid amidst sharp, squirming, and striking dangers for artifacts. Whoever makes it out with their head still attached to their shoulders wins. Oh, and if the regular non-painted miniatures included with the game are not vivid enough for you, a separate set of pre-painted minis was released along with the game. Buy a hat, a whip, and Sean Connery and you are good to go.
Okay, enough with this pulp stuff. Let's get into some dark, spookiness. GURPS delivers on that front with a new flavor of setting in Horror. If you're looking to run a campaign outside of the normal fantasy setting, these hardcover editions are the perfect solution. Horror, specifically, supplies tips and suggestions for both game masters and players on not just how to run a horror-themed game, but also the genre, in general. Countless character archtypes sit alongside stats for hordes of nasty creatures (including everyone's favorite, evil clowns). Two campaign outlines are also included in the book to give another helping hand on getting going.
That H.P. Lovecraft guy certainly gets around, doesn't he? Another in the long line of Arkham Horror products, Elder Sign is a new spin on the classic explore-the-creature-infested-mansion structure. Instead of using miniatures and a map, gamers play with a combination of dice and cards to gain courage and skill points that allow them to purchase objects, eventually shooting for the titled elder sign so that they can close off the Great One's entrance into this world. Special dice are also rolled to determine the obstacles and adventures that will unfold during the course of the game. As the game serves one to eight participants, those who love Arkham Horror, but grow tired of the set-up phase, might find this a quicker, less part-heavy version of the game.
To wrap things up tonight, Bears!. That's all, thanks.
Okay, maybe a little more. Bears! is a new entry in the growing trend of easy to learn, easier to play dice games, such as Zombie Dice, Martian Dice, and Cthulhu Dice. Not surprisingly, maybe, these are not Yogi-and-Boo-Boo-type bears. These are gnaw-on-your-fleshy-bits bears. A dice pairing game at heart, players select which point nabbing strategy to explore: shoot the bears or sleep through the attack. Using a hand of five dice, everyone pairs their own rolled dice with a ones piled in the center of the table. Certain combinations are worth different point values, but don't worry, those are all outlined on a handy dandy reference chart. That's the game. Heeeey, Boo Boo!
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text:
The complete Beatles chronicles
Harmony Books, 1992 - Biography & Autobiography - 365 pages
From their early, hectic days to their mid-career experimentation with drugs and Eastern religion to their final decline, the story of the Fab Four is documented with a splendid mix of facts, recollections, and 500 beautiful photos--many in full color--by the author of The Beatles: Recording Sessions.
What people are saying - Write a review
LibraryThing ReviewUser Review - athaena - LibraryThing
A very useful reference book for Beatle-philes. Read full review
19 bottom Manchester Evening News 17
284 Dick Matthews 34 44 45 top 50 top 50 bottom left
7 top right 106 211 centre 227 bottom Mersey Beat 55 centre
8 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abbey Road Aintree album appearance Apple audience August Ballroom bass BBC Light BBC radio Beatles Beatles recorded Brian Epstein Britain British broadcast Casbah Coffee Club Cavern Club concert December disc drums edition EMI Studios fans footage four Friday Geoff Emerick George Martin Granada Hall Hamburg Hard Day's Night interview January John and Paul John and Yoko John Lennon John's July Studio June lead vocal Lennon-McCartney Light Programme live Liverpool Liverpool Night Long Tall Sally Lunchtime Cavern Club March McCartney mixed into mono Monday mono mix Neil Aspinall Night Cavern Club November October Odeon Cinema overdubs Parlophone Paul's performance Pete PGTB played pm session rehearsal release rhythm track Ringo Sat Club Saturday Scene September sequence shooting solo song stereo mixes Studio Three Sunday taped Television Theatre Thursday Tuesday Twickenham Film Studios Twist And Shout venue Wednesday


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Facilitating the spread of knowledge and innovation in professional software development
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Bryan Cantrill talks about Moore's Law which, after years of defying predictions of its demise, it is now indisputably dying. But what does the end of Moore's Law mean for practitioners of enterprise computing? He explores potential ramifications, including not only the exotic world of emerging substrates, but much more mundane notions of scale, durability, economics and (yes!) accounting.
Nicky Wrightson gives some practical insight into how to handle failure in today's more complex distributed microservice systems. This includes looking at approaches to resiliency, understanding a system, understanding the requirements for fault tolerance, and the developers' mindset necessary for this. She shares real-world examples, and an occasional war story along the way too.
Matthew Bill and Danielle Ashley demo how to use Athena and QuickSight to visualise data into a rich set of dashboards.
Ashi Krishnan discusses biological and artificial minds, exploring how models of cognition informed by ML and computation can help reconfigure processes of being.
Gareth Rushgrove looks at examples of tools that move security controls into code, with a focus on ModSecurity, InSpec and Open Policy Agent, explores the properties of successful infrastructure management tools, what is missing in security tools today, and how policy as code can work at the team level; who has responsibility for what and how this encourages collaboration.
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Curtis D. Fulton
SALINA — Curtis D. Fulton of Salina passed away Dec. 12, 2012, at the age of 90. Curtis was born in Talmage, Kan., to Harry and Elizabeth Fulton on Dec. 26, 1921.
He farmed with his father until he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps in 1942. After his honorable discharge in 1943, he continued to farm until 1966, when he entered the ministry of the United Methodist Church.
He married Helen Lampert on Nov. 24, 1943. They ministered fulltime for 21 years at the Florence/Aulne Charge and Grand Avenue in Salina. After retirement, they served part-time at the Kanopolis, Carneiro, and Brookville churches.
They enjoyed 10 years as "winter Texans" before becoming a part of the Eaglecrest Retirement Community in 2010.
Curtis and Helen celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on Nov. 24.
Curtis is survived by his wife Helen, son Dennis (Janette) Fulton of Jetmore and daughter Jeanna (Dale) Short of El Dorado, plus five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Dec. 19 at the Grand Avenue UMC, Salina, at 10:30 a.m. with a graveside at the Talmage Prairiedale Cemetery at 2 p.m.
Memorials may be made out to the Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, Mission Aviation Fellowship, or Gideon's International. For information/condolences visit http://www.ryanmortuary.com.
Last modified Dec. 19, 2012


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Amber Carroll and LeRoy Gordon Schacherer were married on July 10, 2010, at the Weldon Methodist Church in Weldon. The Rev. Charles Coffey officiated at the ceremony.
Parents of the couple are Turner and Susan Carroll of Weldon and Eugene and Carmen Schacherer of Wallingford. Grandparents are Mrs. Carolyn Carroll, Mrs. Mary Littlebridge and Mrs. Grace Hansen.
Maid of honor was Monica Brown, sister of the bride. Best man was Michael Hansen, Estherville, friend of the groom.
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Amber and LeRoy
Bridesmaid was Cassie O'Hair, friend of the bride. Junior bridesmaid was Layla Carney, daughter of the bride. Flower girls were DeLaney Brown and Addison Brown, nieces of the bride.
Groomsman was Randy Schacherer, brother of the groom. Honorary groomsman was Nathan "Willie" Wilson, friend of the groom. Junior groomsman was Owen Schacherer, son of the couple. Ushers were Colby Moorberg, brother-in-law of the groom, and Zach Murrow, friend of the groom.
The pianist was Karla Hill and Judy Schacherer, sister of the groom, was guestbook attendant.
The dance and reception were held at the Terrible's Lakeside Casino in Osceola.
Host and hostess were Rick and Joy Jackson, aunt and uncle of the bride. Servers were Joni Readout and Molly Jackson, cousins of the bride.
The family is living in Garden Grove. The bride is a nurse in Leon and the groom is employed with Agriland Farm Service in Humeston.


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Next Episode of Today at Wimbledon is
A look back at the day's action and a preview of the big matches.
Clare Balding(Presenter)
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My Friend Gary Fouse of fousesquawk wrote this posting. I am proud to cross post it here.
"(The) basic principle is that you don't deploy forces into harm's way without knowing what's going on; without having some real-time information about what's taking place," Panetta told Pentagon reporters. "And as a result of not having that kind of information, the commander who was on the ground in that area, Gen. Ham, Gen. Dempsey and I felt very strongly that we could not put forces at risk in that situation."
-Leon Panetta
As one who has served in both the military (not in combat) and law enforcement (Military Police, US Customs and DEA-including one shoot out), I fully recognize that there are differences between military and law enforcement combat situations. Yet, there is one thing that stands out in my mind about the Benghazi attack. It appears that our personnel in Libya were left to their own devices.
During the 7-hour attack at two different locations, the CIA annex requested military assistance 3 times. They themselves were told by somebody in the chain of command to "stand down" when they wanted to respond to the consulate, which was initially under attack. In spite of that order, ex-Navy Seal Tyrone Woods and others defied that order and went to the consulate, about a mile away, where they brought personnel out. (They were unable to locate Ambassador Stevens, who was presumably already dead.)
Back at the annex, Woods, Glen Doherty and others faced attack. They apparently were killed by mortar fire while firing machine guns at the attackers from the roofs of the annex. During that final phase of the attack, they had lasers on the attackers' positions and were calling for those positions to be fired upon, which never happened.
It has been reported that two drones were hovering over the site sending real time images back to Washington. Our officials in Washington knew that this was no protest over a video that got out of control.
Here is the point I am driving at; When your people are trapped, under attack, and being fired upon, whatever else you do, you go in and get them. That is precisely what Tyrone Woods and others on the ground did-defying orders to stand down.
Later, it was Woods, Glen Doherty and others who were under fire and needed help at the annex. There were clearly forces available in the region that could have responded-certainly in time to save those killed at the annex since the attack lasted 7 hours.
Again I stress the differences between military combat and law enforcement combat, but one classical situation in DEA was when an agent was undercover in a buy-bust situation and got into trouble either because the deal turned out to be a rip-off or a host of other emergencies. In those cases, surveillance agents go in and get their agent out. Period.
That is certainly the spirit of the military, and I have no doubt those involved were chomping at the bit to respond. Who kept them from going in to Benghazi?
In fairness, it seems a response team did go from Tripoli to Benghazi at some point, where they got stuck at the airport for some time. What seems to have been missing was air support and fire to rescue the men fighting at the annex.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who was with President Obama in the White House within an hour or so of the beginning of the attack, told Pentagon reporters two days ago that forces can not be sent into a situation when they don't have a clear picture of what is happening. Another reason I have heard was that many by-standers were gathered on the streets around the consulate and annex.
But in the end, our forces were told to stand down. It may have been too late to save Ambassador Stevens and his aide, Sean Smith, who died at the consulate, but what about Woods and Doherty 7 hours later?
Meanwhile, the man we may be re-electing president in 10 days is promising "to get to the bottom of it". In my mind, he, his Secretary of Defense, and his Secretary of State already know.


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21 and over
21 and over
Soulive was joined by special guests Marcus King, Maurice Brown, Tash Neal and Frédéric Yonnet for the fourth show of their Bowlive VIII residency at Brooklyn Bowl.
Jackie Greene unveiled pro-shot video of his set at Red Rocks on July 4 featuring special guest Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead.
Acclaimed drummer Bill Vitt, best known for his work as part of Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders' band has died.
The Highwomen – Amanda Shires, Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby – confirmed the release of their self-titled debut album and shared the video for the lead single, "Redesigning Women."
Dave Matthews Band made it through Thursday's rescheduled concert at Jones Beach without any weather issues, dusted off a 'Before These Crowded Streets' classic and jammed with James Casey of the Trey Anastasio Band.
Stream audio, read a recap and check out the setlists from Phish's Camp Oswego festival, which came to a close on this date in 1999.
Coming Soon


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The state has paid fewer January claims for low-income women to receive services through a high-profile health-care program so far this year than it had at the same point in 2012, according to figures Monday from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
The information is incomplete because Women's Health Program providers have six months to submit claims for services, which include cancer screening and birth control.
The Women's Health Program was at the center of a high-profile court battle after the state sought to exclude Planned Parenthood from participating under a ban on affiliates of abortion providers. Planned Parenthood has fought the ban, but ended up being excluded after Dec. 31.
The federal government, which had covered 90 percent of the program's nearly $40 million annual cost, had said its rules will not allow the exclusion. The state took over full funding for the program on Jan. 1.
Some health-care advocates have raised concerns over whether women would still have access to services without Planned Parenthood, which was a major provider in the Women's Health Program.
According to the commission, the state paid 14,124 January claims by March 3 this year. In 2012, it had paid 14,908 January claims by March 1.
Sixty-three percent of January claims had been paid by the end of February in 2012, said commission spokeswoman Stephanie Goodman.
"The claims data is still incomplete so it's too early to draw any conclusions, but this is a good sign that women still have access to family planning services through the state program," Goodman said.


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