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Monday, April 18, 2011
Tennessee Breaking Law With Lethal Injection
It comes as little surprise that our government - from the local, state and federal levels - simply make mistakes. Errors occur in matters of bookkeeping, record-keeping, finance, and even typos are in evidence in legislation which pass through the many hurdles of sub-committees and committees.
One area which needs to be as mistake-free as humanly possible is the execution of prisoners - the death penalty. Wrongful execution - the deaths of those found to be innocent - has been rigorously studied nationwide. Execution of those innocently charged is not a minor glitch. It's a real horror story.
And now Tennessee, along with many other states - are under court orders to halt lethal injections since the drugs used have been illegally obtained. The Tennessean newspaper reports these drugs have been illegally obtained via an unregulated overseas supplier:
"A federal lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., accuses multiple states, Tennessee included, of possibly violating drug import laws by purchasing thiopental from a British company called Dream Pharma, run out of the back of a London driving school. Nebraska and South Dakota, obtained 500 milligrams each from an Indian company called Kayem Pharmaceutical."
Seems this state (and others) are breaking the law in their plans to execute criminals.
The medicine under review is in short supply:
"[due to] a nationwide shortage of that key drug used in lethal injections has largely ground to a halt executions across the nation. Like other states, Tennessee has had to turn over its stock of sodium thiopental to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration because of allegations it may have been illegally obtained from an unregulated overseas supplier."
Another chemical, Pentobarbital, has become a recent substitute, even though the drug's Danish manufacturer, has issued to following statement regarding use of the drug for lethal injection:
"Lundbeck's position regarding the misuse of pentobarbital in execution of prisoners
Lundbeck is dedicated to saving people's lives. Use of our products to end lives contradicts everything we're in business to do, which is to provide therapies that improve people's lives. Lundbeck is opposed to the use of its product for the purpose of capital punishment.
Lundbeck markets pentobarbital solely for its approved use, among other things to treat serious conditions such as a severe and life threatening emergency epilepsy that results in 42,000 deaths a year in the US if not treated effectively. It is evident that use of this product to carry out the death penalty in US prisons falls outside its intended use.
We have engaged in a constructive dialogue with human rights advocates to discuss and evaluate ideas to prevent the incorrect use of our product for lethal injections. We have carried out a thorough assessment of ways to control distribution for use in capital punishment.
Lundbeck does not control the application of pentobarbital. And based on our evaluation and the advice of external experts, we have concluded that there are no viable steps Lundbeck can take to prevent end-users from obtaining the product for unapproved use, short of withdrawing the product from the market. However, taking pentobarbital off the market would be a tragedy for the patients who benefit from legitimate uses of this important therapy.
Medical experts and human rights advocates alike agree that discontinuation of the supply of pentobarbital could have a significant negative effect on patient care.
We will continue to urge states in the US to refrain from using pentobarbital for the execution of prisoners as it contradicts everything we stand for as a company."
5 comments:
Hey Joe! Nice little blog you've got here.ReplyDelete
Anyway: Why do you support keeping murderers and thugs alive and cared-for by the upstanding, hard-working taxpayers they victimize, rob, rape and kill?
(Hyperbole's a two-way street, and I drive an APC down it. Want to try this conversation thing again, or... what? Doesn't matter to me, so follow your heart. Or do whatever your handler tells you to do. I don't know how those kinds of relationships work, to be honest.)
Well, Brian -- nowhere in this post will you find that i call for keeping "murderers and thugs alive and cared-for by the upstanding, hard-working taxpayers they victimize, rob, rape and kill"ReplyDelete
likewise, death penalties for "thugs" and "thieves" is a bit harsh, yes?
the point of this post is plain: TN, along with several other states, break the law by importing lethal injection drugs from unregulated suppliers.
and yes, for the record, i am opposed to the death penalty. read the link above to deathpenaltyinfo.org for much more info on the problems with how such sentences are mishandled (at the least).
and as for a "handler"?? are you kidding? i write these posts based on my desire to share information so often un-reported by the press or by groups which are utterly led by "handlers".
In order:ReplyDelete
* I know. Just like there was nowhere in my post on Hack's blog that said I was an advocate of "secret government".
You showed me that you value the use of hyperbole in conversation with said remark, so I just returned the favor. If that's not what you want, kindly demonstrate any adjustments that need to be made in your next reply (if there is one).
* Not in my opinion, but it is just my opinion. I can't stand creatures that prey on actual humans and see no reason to care for and keep these creatures.
Then again, I'm also a big fan of caning Singapore-style and of public hangings (environmentally friendly AND quite cost-effective), so take the opinion as you will.
* Sounds like a technical break. I mean, it's not like the state is smuggling drugs, and it's not like these chemical compounds are widely available. (And there IS a hefty amount of spin to your report, which DOES make it a little less credible in this reader's eyes, so I'd also like to hear the state's side and find the middle. It's usually where the truth hangs out.)
* Meh. I'm in favor of it. Agree to disagree, I suppose. It's not a winnable argument for either side. (It rarely ever is.)
* Glad the snark found its intended mark. ;-) Did you know that one can learn a LOT about a person's personality just with a well-placed barb? (I bet you did.)
So anyway. I hope that answers your questions. I have but one myself:
More hyperbole or actual conversation? (Or as I like to say, "cake or the death of an argument?")
you remind me of the fellow who once asked me "why do you like to rattle people's cages?" to which i replied "why are you living in a cage?"ReplyDelete
And THAT comment reminds me of Homer Simpson shaking a bird cage in Ray Patterson's office.ReplyDelete
So. Where were we? Or is this the end? It's hard to tell sometimes.


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I can picture Darwyn Cooke, Greg Rucka, Ed Brubaker, Frank Miller, and Brian Azzarello sitting around a campfire (or on a San Diego panel) and talking about noir storytelling -- the movies, the novels, the authors, the characters, the dames, the shadows, the whole nine yards. Brubaker has "Criminal" now, and Rucka has his upcoming "Stumptown" detective series at Oni. Azzarello just wrapped "100 Bullets" and Frank Miller did that "Sin City" thing you might have heard of.
Darwyn Cooke steps up to the noir plate on July 22nd with "Richard Stark's Parker: The Hunter." It's 140 pages of noir bliss published by IDW, feeling as authentic and as period-specific as your gut tells you a tale from this school of storytelling ought to be.
Let me backtrack: I've never read a Richard Stark (actually, Donald Westlake) novel. I've never seen any movie that was based off his book. I've heard the director's cut of "Payback" is worth it, but that's about it.
I come to this adaptation of Westlake's work without any preconceived notions of what it should be, only what it is. And what this book is is a slap in the face from a surly protagonist who, by the end of the story, you find yourself rooting for, in spite of his shortcomings. Parker is not a nice guy. He's a very direct guy. He's prone to doing violent and seemingly-irrational things to get the job done. He does things that make you wince, with ramifications that often make you shudder. This isn't all an elaborate ruse, either. He's actually a very nasty guy. And yet you can't help but cheer him on. It's fascinating to me.
Even better is the way Cooke illustrates his characteristics. He doesn't need to tell you Parker is a shady figure. When Cooke devotes the first 19 pages to Parker walking into New York City, committing an act of identity theft (in 1962!), spending up a large bill at all the finest places while never leaving a tip (so it's not just professional, but also personal), and then drinking himself into the night - you just know it. Most of that sequence, by the way, is completely silent.
Cooke doesn't attempt to rehabilitate Parker. He doesn't try to soften his edges or make him more relatable to the average reader. It's nice to see a story that doesn't pander like that. I'm sure that's been the downfall of other Hollywood adaptations of this series. If all of the novels are like this, I can't see Hollywood sticking straight to Parker's guns.
In this story -- based on the first of the "Parker" series of novels -- Parker is coming back to New York City to find the guy who double-crossed him in the world of professional crime, and who also stole his wife. The bodies start flying fast, and not in the action movie guns-a-blazing way you might expect. Organized crime plays a large part, small-time street crime and social engineering are used, and gun-running South Americans mix it up with Canadian flights. What more could you ask for?
At the heart of the whole thing is Parker. He's not the typical hero of a mystery novel. He's a street tough guy with his own set of hang-ups. He's trapped in a world of his own making, and he takes steps to get deeper and deeper into it. He is a very active protagonist, not afraid to ruffle feathers or turn over stones that other lead characters might ignore. And his actions have very real consequences for the characters around him, who wind up living the latter part of the cliche, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way." Trust me: You don't want to be in Parker's way. There are too many ways to die from that.
For all those reasons, this isn't necessarily a comic for the faint of heart. It is a graphic novel suited for adults, as there's on-panel sex (mostly silhouetted) and violence with a dash of language, though not as much as you might expect. Still, it needs to be said that this is crime fiction that doesn't blink. It's not for the kiddies.
I don't know if that retro-60s style is simply something that Cooke likes to draw, or if it's something that comes natural to his style, but it always works well for him, whether it's in "DC: New Frontier" or here on "Parker." Everything sits well in this book to the time period, from the props like phones and cars, to the fashions, architecture, and logo designs. The book doesn't wallow in being a period piece. It's just there for you to see. It doesn't intrude on the story. It adds atmosphere. I was reminded a couple of times in the book of the movie "Catch Me If You Can," but maybe that was just the Pan Am bag a character uses at one point near the end.
The book is published in a 6 x 9 inch format, but Cooke's art isn't constrained by the page size. His "simple" figures are done with an amazing economy of line, and his background in animated storytelling helps him to tell the story completely visually with as few distractions as possible. If that means he needs to squeeze a dozen panels to a page, he does. And it works. Occasionally, you get a text-heavy page to get the exposition out there, but by that point you're so engrossed in the story that you don't noticed the pacing slow down. Those moments are well-chosen; they might have been told with sequential art, but you would have flipped through a lot of pages for less reward. It's better sometimes to get it done and over with so you can get to the more visually-oriented parts.
To balance that out, there are a few double page spreads that illustrate gasp-out-loud moments. The first is a cityscape of New York that establishes the opening scene. It's a picture of the city that's been inked and colored over, obviously, but it's still an impressive site to see how he chose to illustrate over the buildings and keep the light patterns and enormous sense of scale
The later double page spread is too spoiler-fraught for me to get into, but it doesn't involve Parker jumping through a window.
The use of a single color throughout the book might be a controversial choice for some. I can still remember the howls from people complaining that they paid for a full color issue of "Detective Comics" and yet Shawn Martinsbrough and the gang at WildStorm FX were only using two colors. Silly then, even sillier now. It's a little more accepted now, I think, though it is a style that takes a little getting used to. After a awhile, it becomes second nature. After you read the book, though, it's worth going back through the pages to see how the blue is used. It's an interesting exercise to see when the color is used for lighting, to define an area, to add texture, or to convey an emotion. Cooke uses the color splashes for all of that, and it's remarkable to see.
He also does away with panel borders, something I pointed out in Bryan Hitch's "Fantastic Four" art last year as a style we were bound to see more of. To be fair, Eisner was doing it 30 years ago, and I'm sure plenty of others have done it since. The time is right to see it used in a lot more places again now.
If you liked Cooke's art in "Selina's Last Score" and "The Spirit," I think you're going to love what you see in this book. It's obviously from the same artist, but with enough of a difference to make it a completely new look, just as skilled.
Credit goes to IDW for producing an ARC ("Advance Reader Copy") edition of this book -- in hardcover format! ARCs aren't uncommon in the book publishing world. They're useful for making sure everything prints out OK, and for sending out to reviewers, friend, fact-checkers, etc. But those books are done on months and months of lead time. A book publisher today already knows what they're publishing this winter. Comic book companies generally don't work that way. Comics once had cheap "ash-cans" which became collectibles for a brief time in the crazy 90s, but have since disappeared. So much comics work is produced so close to the printer's deadlines that they don't have the time to do actual printed copies months in advance.
The expense of publishing an ARC like this one can't be a minor line item on the IDW budget sheet, either. It's a hardcover book. The fact that the book only has one color in it helps on the printing expense side, but using a hardcover brings the costs back up. And they didn't go cheap on the paper stock. If this is the same stock they use for the final book, you won't have any cause for complaint. The stock is heavy and white, with zero black or blue ink bleeding through.
This all, to me, indicates that IDW is looking beyond the comics world Direct Market for sales on this book. They're going after the Westlake fans, the noir fans, the mystery fans, and the general book market folks. They're planning for more than an optimistic 5000 copies sold through the Direct Market, like most OGN publishers in this market would be thrilled with.
And this book doesn't look like a comic book compilation, either. This one might be a little harder to describe, but everything about the beginning of this book screams "big New York City book publisher." Maybe that's because the book is printed in Korea instead of at Quebecor. Maybe it's because the layout of the book -- down to the typeface and design of the Library of Congress information for the book -- is done to specs more common in the book publisher's world. I don't know.
For those reasons, this will be one to watch on the sales charts this summer. I expect we'll see it on the New York Times best Seller list in the crowded summer post-San Diego time frame. It should be a lock for the Diamond charts, as well.
San Diego is still a couple of months away, but I think we have an early contender for "Book of the Show" here. "Richard Stark's Parker: The Hunter" is due on July 22nd. Reserve your copy now, because it's an impressive accomplishment that's worth the read.
Next week: Assuming nothing else terribly exciting surprised me by landing on my desk this weekend, we'll finally go back to 1997 for a very fun book that really needs a collection again. . . As I recall, its initial collected editions ruffled some feathers for reasons that are not head-turners today. We'll talk about that next week.
My photoblog, AugieShoots.com winds up its Memorial Day pictures and moves onto some zoo pics this week.
My Twitter stream (@augiedb) is like my public e-mail box. I check it daily, looking for responses and new conversational threads. Heck, you're more likely to hear back from me if you ask me something on Twitter than my own e-mail box.
The Various and Sundry blog is still alive. I'm stockpiling some stuff for it now to get a little momentum going again.
And there might still be a new blog on the horizon yet. . .
Don't forget to check out my Google Reader Shared Items this week. It's the best of my daily feed reading, some with commentary!
You can e-mail me your comments on this column, or post them for all the world to see and respond to over on the Pipeline Message Board.
Really, are you still reading this? I'm cutting-and-pasting now.
More than 800 columns -- more than eleven years' worth -- are archived here at CBR and you can get to them from the Pipeline Archive page. They're sorted chronologically.


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These autumn-inspired craft and decor projects use leaves, pinecones, and plants from the garden. They are simple, frugal, and easy to make.
For more seasonal projects, all see Fall and Winter Garden Tips.
The autumn garden is very generous, providing us with food, seeds for next year, and a lot of potential crafting supplies.Here's some recent favourite ideas from Empress of Dirt and around the web.
1. DIY Leaf Lantern | Empress of Dirt
A few dry leaves, glass picture frames or vases, and some Mod Podge are all it takes to create this beautiful lantern.
2. DIY Falling Leaves | Empress of Dirt
The leaf-preserving method shown here using beeswax is a gateway to all sorts of craft projects including these wonderful falling leaves.
3. Natural Fall Leaf Garland | Garden Matter
Here's another way to create a beautiful display of fall leaves in your home.
4. 12 Owl Art & Craft Projects | Empress of Dirt
Attention owl fans. There's lots of fun ways to make them using stones, pinecones, burlap, and more.
5 DIY Pinecone Animals | Empress of Dirt
Make a penguin, owl, and mouse!
6. Pinecone Owls | Town and Country Living
This sweet project uses felt squares and pinecones.
7. DIY Scented Wax Pinecones | Garden Matter
See how to coat and scent pinecones for an indoor display.
8. How to Bleach Pinecones | Garden Therapy
This process for bleaching pinecones gives them a very interesting look.
Got an old crock pot you no longer use?
Use if for these craft and DIY projects.
9. DIY Thrift Shop Bug House | Empress of Dirt
Any deadheaded plants, twigs, or other natural debris are fair game for a bug house. Mine has been fully occupied from the day I hung it up!
10. Dried Flowers for Fall Décor | Sensible Gardening & Living
Love dried flowers? There's several ideas here for creating various decor items.
11. How to Make a Dried Hydrangea Wreath | Garden Therapy
I know why hydrangea wreaths are so popular. Those giant flower heads are so irresistible, you can't help but want to give them a second life when they're done blooming.
12. Rustic Corn Husk pumpkins | Sow & Dipity on YouTube
Here's a fun idea for styling old corn husks into pumpkins.
13. Grow a Sweet Pea Garden Arch | A tutorial from Gardening on a Shoestring here on Empress of Dirt.
I hope you've found some projects to try. Go gather some materials and have fun with it.
14. See all of the crafts and household goods you can make from a block of natural beeswax including these beautiful beeswax candle bowls.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛


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What a time to be alive if you are a fan of all things comic books, or in this case, all things Spider-Man. Finally, our favorite superhero is back where he belongs, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and both critics and fans are absolutely loving his first solo MCU film, Spider-Man: Homecoming. The casting of Tom Holland as Spider-Man is the best thing that's happened after Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Iron Man in 2008 and with Homecoming receiving such fantastic reviews, it can only get better once we enter into Avengers: Infinity War. Though Tom Holland is causing mass excitement for what's to come in the future of the MCU, let's not forget that before Holland entered the picture, a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man played by Tobey Maguire marveled our screens over a decade ago.
Maguire's Spider-Man was the golden ticket that catapulted the character to cinematic greatness in a time when superhero movies were frowned upon. Though the character was not 100 percent identical to the comics, Maguire's version was loved by everyone. Spider-Man 2 is even considered to be one of the greatest comic book movies of all time, with much praise given to Maguire's fabulous performance as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Tom Holland is a great Spider-Man, but so was Tobey Maguire. The question now is, which one is the better one?
Without further ado, here are 8 Reasons Tobey Maguire Is Better Than Tom Holland (And 7 Reasons He's Worse).
15 Tobey Maguire - Made Spider-Man Famous Cinematically
Though many people came to know of Spider-Man while reading comic books, the young generation of the 2000s first fell in love with the webhead when he soared into theaters in 2002. Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man not only became a worldwide box office hit for the folks at Sony Pictures, but it made Spider-Man even more famous than his comic book counterpart. Kids were now celebrating their birthdays with Spider-Man costumes and Spider-Man cakes, making the cinematic version of the Marvel character a symbol of youth.
Spider-Man even broke records at the time of its release in 2002, becoming the first movie in cinematic history to earn over $100 million at the box office in its first weekend. Indeed, Spider-Man was more famous than ever, and Tobey Maguire was the one who did that.
Maguire's portrayal of Spider-Man made the character a cinematic phenomenon and helped pave the way for the subsequent performances of Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland as the wall-crawler.
14 Holland - Spider-Man Is In The MCU
Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man made the character a blockbuster name, but with the emergence of Marvel Studios in 2008, a new multi-billion behemoth was about to rise. Nine years and 15 films later, Marvel Studios' MCU has become cinema's most financially successful franchise. What makes the MCU so great is that everything is connected, allowing Marvel's most beloved characters to interact with each other.
When Marvel Studios finally got Spider-Man in the MCU, the franchise got 1000 times better. As cool and exciting as it was seeing Maguire's Spider-Man battle it out with the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus, now we get to see Spider-Man kick it with Black Widow, Iron Man, and Captain America.
During Maguire's run as the character, this would've never happened, making Holland's version much more interesting. We still get to see Spidey fight his iconic villains like the Vulture and Shocker, but now he is not alone—he's got a whole crew of Avengers!
13 Maguire - Has An Iconic Soundtrack
While Holland's iteration of Spider-Man gets to chill with the Avengers in the MCU, it's almost impossible he'll have a score and a soundtrack as iconic and memorable as Maguire's. Composed by the legendary Danny Elfman, the main theme of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man is utterly fantastic. For the many fans who grew up watching the Raimi Spider-Man films, this theme song is replete with nostalgia. That's why the song is right up there with the Star Wars and Superman themes.
Not only is the theme song a beautifully-crafted masterpiece, the Spider-Man soundtrack also included many songs that today have become classics among the Rock genre. One such song is "Hero" by Chad Kroeger from Nickelback, which was nominated for Best Song Written For A Motion Picture and Best Rock Song at the 45th Grammys. Andthere's Aerosmith's cover of the original Spider-Man TV show theme, which is pure awesomeness. Raimi's trilogy may not have ended on the right foot, but it sure had a killer soundtrack.
12 Holland - No Emo Dancing
The Tobey Maguire Spider-Man had a pretty sweet soundtrack in his movie, but while the music was great, his dancing was not. The emo dance scene in Spider-Man 3 is considered by fans and critics to be among the worst scenes in comic book movie history, despite being amazingly choreographed.
For a movie with a lot of problems, many thought that the dance scene was completely unnecessary and had no relevance to the character of Peter Parker. Luckily for us, there was no such scene in the Andrew Garfield Spider-Man movies years ago, but there's also none in Tom Holland's set of Spidey films.
There's not an emo dance scene in Spider-Man: Homecoming and we are pretty much certain Sony and Marvel won't include one in the sequel. If such a thing happens, it's likely fans would be outraged, but one thing to consider is that Holland himself is an amazing dancer. Or have you not seeing his Lip Sync Battle performance?
11 Maguire - Spider-Man Was More Experienced
It's hard to forgive that emo dance scene from Spider-Man 3, but that's perhaps the only bad thing about Maguire's Spider-Man. And one thing that makes him better than Holland's Spidey is that Maguire's Spider-Man was more experienced. Maguire's version was older and more mature. With and older mentality and coming straight out of college, Maguire's Spider-Man already experienced what Holland's Spider-Man is starting to experience now.
There's no doubt that an older, more experienced Spider-Man is able to do the job better. Especially since Maguire's Spider-Man has faced more villains than Holland's. Maguire went up against the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, another Green Goblin, Sandman, and Venom.
So far, Holland's Spider-Man has only gone up against half of the Avengers, who didn't even want to actually hurt him. He may be facing the Vulture and Shocker once Homecoming comes around, but those two are nothing compared to villains Maguire's Spider-Man faced.
10 Holland - Spider-Man Is In His Sophomore Year
Maguire's Spider-Man may have the upper hand in matter of experience, but many fans would rather see Spider-Man as inexperienced as possible in the movies. That's exactly what we are getting with Tom Holland's Spider-Man, who's only in his sophomore year of high school. This allows us to understand Peter at a much deeper and personal level than ever before, because frankly, this has never been done before.
With the planned trilogy of Holland Spider-Man films, we are getting the comic book superhero version of the Harry Potter storyline. Just like we saw Daniel Radcliffe's Harry Potter go from being a little kid to an adult with his own children, we are about to get the same treatment with Holland's Spider-Man.
Peter Parker's character development will be a delight to see on-screen, especially since Tom Holland is the one giving us the amazing performance. In a way, we are also seeing the acting development of Holland, just like we saw Radcliffe's acting skills improve after each Harry Potter film.
9 Maguire - Organic Webbing
As much as we love it when we see comic book panels and stories come to life on the big screen, it's always great when a director decides to add something original to the movie. And that's what Sam Raimi did when he gave Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man organic webbing instead of web cartridges.
Though there's been alternate versions of Spider-Man in the comics that have organic webbing, it was after Raimi's Spider-Man that the idea became prominent in comic books. The organic webbing made Maguire's Spider-Man more connected to the bug that gave him his powers, and if it wasn't for his organic webbing, than Spider-Man 2 would've been a very different movie.
Later in the Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland movies, the organic webbing was switched to artificial webbing as it is in the comics. Though it was cool to see how Peter was able to create the webbing in the other movies, the organic webbing of Maguire's films definitely made Spider-Man a more badass superhero.
8 Holland - Spider-Man Isn't Limited To New York City
New York City, mainly Queens, is Spider-Man's home turf and we got to see plenty of the setting in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy. While Tom Holland's Spider-Man is still keeping to his comic book roots, Captain America: Civil War was the first time that any cinematic version of Spider-Man left New York. In Civil War, Spider-Man goes to Germany to fight alongside Team Iron Man. Then, in Homecoming, Spider-Man and his classmates go to Washington D.C.
Spider-Man in New York is always awesome, but it's great that we are finally seeing him explore other settings. Holland's Spider-Man may even go to outer space when Avengers: Infinity War comes around in 2018! With so many great settings in the MCU, it may be only a matter of time before we see Spider-Man in Asgard drinking fine Asgardian beer with mighty Thor (once Spidey is 21, of course).
7 Maguire - Has J.K. Simmons As J. Jonah Jameson
There are actors that are born to play a specific character, and after some time, the actor and character become one and the same. This is what happened with Robert Downey Jr. and Iron Man, Chris Evans and Captain America, Hugh Jackman and Wolverine, and of course, J.K. Simmons and J. Jonah Jameson.
Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man is memorable, yes, but the most memorable thing from the entire Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy is J.K. Simmons's performance as J. Jonah Jameson. It's impossible to envision anyone else playing the role and it's for that exact reason that Marvel Studios will have a hard time in finding the right MCU actor to play the character.
Most fans wanted Simmons to return for Homecoming, making parallels to how Judi Dench played M in both the Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig James Bond films. Unfortunately for fans, J.K. Simmons will be appearing in the DCEU as Commissioner Gordon, which makes it unlikely for Simmons to appear in an MCU movie anytime soon.
6 Holland - Looks And Feels Like Comic Book Spider-Man
When Marvel Studios cast Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man they hit the jackpot. Not only does Holland portray the character to the detail; he actually looks like Peter Parker from the comics. That was one of the complaints fans had when both Maguire and Andrew Garfield were cast in their own movies; they looked too old for the part.
Holland nails the Peter Parker persona perfectly. He is young and quirky like the Spider-Man from the comics, and as previously mentioned, Holland looks like a carbon-copy of comic book Parker. It won't be long until Holland and the character of Peter Parker/Spider-Man become one and the same, like Robert Downey Jr. and Iron Man - which is a good thing of course.
Holland loves the character and will continue to give us tremendous performances every time he puts on the suit. The added benefit that Holland looks just like our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man from the comics just makes everything else a lot more exciting.
5 Maguire - Made His Own Suit, He's Independent
One of the most interesting aspects from Tom Holland's Spider-Man is his suit, which was made by Tony Stark. Nevertheless, despite being a fantastic tech suit, the fact that Spider-Man didn't make it takes a little bit away from his character. This is where things are different with Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man. Unlike Tom Holland's version, Maguire's Spider-Man designed and made his own superhero costume. This not only presented Peter Parker as the genius that he is in the comics, but it also established him as a talented artist.
Maguire's Spider-Man is a man of many talents. Whereas some audience members would've connected with Peter Parker through his science-y intelligence, others with more artistic talents also had something to connect to. This Peter was independent and had a little bit of everything, which made him the perfect cinematic comic book superhero. Because anyone, no matter their differences, could see themselves in the shoes of Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man.
4 Holland - Love Interest Won't Be Mary Jane (Or Gwen Stacy)
For three movies we saw Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man endure an endless struggle deciding between what's best for the city of New York and Mary Jane. When one was safe, the other was in trouble, and when they both stood in the face of death, it somehow made Spider-Man a better hero. But that didn't cure the fans' complaints that all three movies revolved around Spider-Man's feelings for Mary Jane. And in a way, the same transpired with Gwen Stacy in the Andrew Garfield movies. This won't be happening in the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies.
For the first time in a long time Spider-Man's love interest won't be Mary Jane or Gwen Stacy. In fact, while Liz Allen will become the new love interest for Holland's Spider-Man, their romantic relationship won't be the center of conflict like in the Tobey Maguire movies. This allows us to see Spider-Man in a whole different light, and this mostly works because of Holland's Spider-Man's young age.
3 Maguire - Had Real, Adult Responsibilities
Though we are in for some great character development with a young Spider-Man in Tom Holland, the older, more experienced Maguire Spider-Man gave us a view into the everyday life of a real adult. Maguire's Spider-Man lived in an old New York City apartment room and had to pay rent and share a bathroom. In Spider-Man 2 we even saw Peter struggling to make money, putting him two months past rent.
Maguire's Spider-Man also had to balance relationships, which is an aspect of our lives that is sometimes very hard to do. His dealings as Spider-Man many times hindered Peter attending one of Mary Jane's plays. And when duty called again at his real job, the Daily Bugle, Peter was sometimes late for his college courses, which ultimately affected his grades.
With a job, school, and superheroics, Maguire's Spider-Man had real responsibilities that a young Spider-Man like Holland's won't have for a long time. (Enjoy your childhood, Spidey.)
2 Tom Holland - Does His Own Stunts
Tom Holland is looking to become the best cinematic version of Spider-Man, and in addition to his great acting and his incredible resemblance to the source material, Holland actually does many of his own stunts. Holland won't be putting his dancing and acrobatic skills to the test in an emo dance scene like Tobey Maguire, but we are thankful that he is putting them to good use in the MCU.
It's not every actor that does their own stunts like Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise do. This is mostly because of the risks the actors take in getting an injury on set. In the MCU there aren't many actors who do their own stunts as well, but Holland is an exception.
In fact, when Tom Holland auditioned for the role of Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, he performed various acrobatic feats in front of directors Joe and Anthony Russo. Who would've thought that knowing a little gymnastics could get you the acting gig of a lifetime?
1 Maguire - Spider-Man Defined A Generation
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the release of various comic book movies, but none was as successful and influential as Sam Raimi's Spider-Man. As previously mentioned above, with the fame of Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man came Spidey-themed birthday parties of many young kids. Video games, books, and countless toys soon followed, and all of a sudden even your annoying nine-year-old neighbor was a Spider-Man fan. Halloween became infested with Spider-Man clones as if the Spider-Verse storyline from the comics was coming to fruition.
Spider-Man became a worldwide phenomenon and everyone loved it. That's why today's adults, who were kids when they first saw Spider-Man in 2002, see Tobey Maguire as the definitive best version of Spider-Man. You can't beat them in an argument because nostalgia always wins. And you can't blame them. Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man defined a generation, but we have no doubt that Tom Holland will do the same.
Who is your favorite Spider-Man? Let us know in the comments.


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Uttama Chola ascended the Chola throne c. 970 CE succeeding Parantaka Chola II. Uttama was the son of the illustrious Sembiyan Mahadevi and the cousin of Parantaka II.
The circumstances under which Uttama ascended the Chola throne is surrounded by controversy and mystery. Uttama was the son of Gandaraditya and his queen Sembiyan Mahadeviyar. At the time of Gandarditya's death Uttama must have been a very young child. Due to his immaturity, his rights to the Chola throne were probably set aside and Gandaraditya's younger brother Arinjaya was crowned king.
Arinjaya ruled for a very short time – possibly for less than a year and on his death, his son Parantaka II (Sundara Chola) succeeded him. By the time Maduranthaka was old enough to claim the crown, Sundara Chola had two sons – Aditya Karikalan (the one who took the head of the Vira Pandya) and Arulmozhivarman.
Aditya II was assassinated c. 969 CE under mysterious circumstances. Sundara Chola, heartbroken due to this personal tragedy, appointed Maduranthaka Chola as the heir apparent. Some also believe that Maduranthaka wanted to be the ruler but there is no evidence to prove this assertion. Others believe that Madhuranthaka had a hand in Aditya Karikala's assassination—again there is no evidence to support this claim. What is clear from the Thiruvalangadu plates is that there was question on ascension and Arulmozhivarman chose to step aside for Madhuranthaka. Some say that Arulmozhivarman (the future Rajaraja Chola I) chose to do this to avoid civil war but again there is no evidence to support this claim. For, according to the Tiruvalangadu plates, after the death of Aditya II Karikala, the people wanted Arulmozhivarman - Aditya II Karikala's brother to be their king, but that noble prince refused to accept the offer saying that so long as his uncle Uttama-Chola wanted to be the king, he would step aside. In the case of Arulmolivarman, the description in the plates differ from his list of conquests in that they do not mention the conquest of Kandalur Salai and other such conquests. Historians brush this aside and have suggested that the composer of the plates of Rajendra Chola I may have left out the insignificant portions of his father, i.e., Arulmozhivarman. Nevertheless, we get a good idea of the list of conquests of the Rajendra Chola.
We learn from an inscription dated during Rajaraja's time that the properties of some persons were confiscated as they had been convicted for treason. It is also shown that these persons were involved in the conspiracy to kill Aditya II. We can safely gather that although Aditya II was killed in 969 C.E., no action had been taken by Uttama during his reign to bring justice to the perpetrators. K.A.N. Sastry in his authoritative Colas says that based on an inscription at the temple at Udayarkudi, circumstantial evidence pointed to Uttama's culpability in the assassination.
However, later research indicates that Sastry may be wrong in this claim, and possibly interpreted the Tamil inscriptions incorrectly. It seems reasonable to conclude that if there was any evidence against Uttama Chola, Rajaraja's son Rajendra would not have assumed the coronation name of Madhurathaka II.
There is every indication Uttama was religious and upstanding. An ardent Shiva devotee (as seen by inscriptions in Konnerirajapuram aka Thirunallam or in Kanchipuram), it was Uttama, under the guidance of his mother, who codified the temple patterns, epigraphy, art, sculpture, and the keeping of administrative records.
Not much is known about the military conquests of Uttama. The Chola army seems to have been in continued battles with the Pandyas and their ally the Sinhalas in Illam or Sri Lanka. Several Chola coins of Uttama have been found in the Pandya country and in Eelam as proof of Uttama's activities there. We have an copper-plate inscription of him, now at the Government Museum Chennai. It bears the symbol of a seated tiger with two fish beside it and bears the line This is the matchless edict of the King who taught justice to all the Kings in his realm. But the genealogical section of the plates was lost. However we do have the appendix portion at the end.
There are indications he upgraded the army, not just in troop levels but also in quality and organization. It is known through inscriptions that, at least from Uttama Chola's time, warriors were provided with waistcoats of armour.
An important general during his reign was Paluvettaraiyar Maravan Kandanar, who also served under Sundara Chola. His son Kumaran Maravan also served Uttama Chola.
Yet another chief Ambalavan Paluvurnakkan (also known as Vikramasola-Maharajan of Kuvalalam) features during Uttama Chola's rule and continues into Rajaraja I's reign.
Uttama Chola had several queens. The names of some of them are known; Orattanan (Urattayana) Sorabbaiyar Tribhuvana-Mahadeviyar (chief queen), Kaduvettigal Nandippottairaiyar (probably a Pallava princess), and Siddhavadavan Suttiyar (related to Vikramasola-Miladudaiyar a prominent feudal king who ruled over Miladu part of present South Arcot District). His father named him Gandan Madhurantakan alias Uttama Chola after his paternal uncles. Unlike some of the other kings of the Chola empire, he took after his mother and was very pious. He is known to have shown compassion to even his enemies.
As with most ancient Indian kings, Uttama Chola was religiously tolerant. Although a Saivaite (worshipper of Siva), he also donated to temples dedicated for Vishnu especially to the Ullagaladar temple. He also granted large degrees of autonomy to his districts. He brought in best talent from other kingdoms. Kachipeedu (modern Kanchipuram) is also mentioned as one of his prominent cities. He is known to have contributed money, cattle, sheep to temples in modern Kumbakonam, Thirunallam (modern Konnerirajapuram), Thiruvallarai, Thirupatturai, Thirunedugalam, Thiruvisalur, Thirunaraiyur, Thiruvalangadu, Thirukkodika, etc.
Uttama Chola's mother pioneered the process of kalpani—converting brick, mortar, and wooden structures into granite and there is inscriptional evidence to show that he actively funded his mother in this work. She survived this king and lived on for another 16 years into the reign of Rajaraja I.
Two sculptures of Uttama Chola (Madhuranthaka Devar) and his mother can be found in the Southern wall of the inner Prakara of the Konnerirajapuram (aka Thirunallam) temple near Kumbakonam. The inscription under the sculpture identifying Sembiyan Mahadevi identifies her and the Archaeological Survey of India interprets the bearded man behind her as Gandaraditya Chola.
[[Image:Uttama coin.png|thumb|An early silver kasu
Uttama Chola, Buddhism, Sri Lanka, Bengal, Arinjaya
Thanjavur, Parantaka I, Uttama Chola, Sri Lanka, Arinjaya
Chola Dynasty, Thanjavur, Rajendra Chola I, Sri Lanka, Andhra Pradesh
Tamil language, Kalki Krishnamurthy, India, Sri Lanka, Chennai


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Super Powers & Health Benefits of Kale
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Cancer Fighting
- Heart and Stroke Protection
- Vision Enhancement and Protection
- Digestion Acceleration
Secret Compounds
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin – Kale is the richest known source of the antioxidant carotenoids called xanthophylls (ZAN-thuh-fills). These are yellow pigments that protect plants and vegetables from excess sunlight. They're also found in high concentrations in the macula of the human eye. They protect the eye from macular degeneration!
- Sulforaphane – a potent compound that exhibits anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial properties.
- Indole-3-carbinol – powerful phytochemical that boosts DNA repair in cells and blocks the growth of cancer cells
- Beta Carotene – Kale is extremely high in beta-carotene with 100g containing 76% of your recommended daily allowance.
- Vitamin C – In 100g of Kale, you'll find 49% of your recommended allowance of vitamin C. That's nearly 50% more vitamin C than you'll find in spinach!
- Vitamin K – There is over 1300% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin K in a single cup of kale! Seriously, more than 1300%. In fact, kale has the highest vitamin K content of any fruit or vegetable.
- Vitamin A – You get a colossal 272% of your daily recommended allowance of vitamin A in 100g of kale!
- Minerals – There are almost too many to list! Kale has generous quantities of calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc.
Kale: All Hail the King
While kale may not *yet* be a staple in your kitchen, it's certainly not new!
This rising star of the vegetable (and superfood) world is quite primitive — it was gathered and eaten by tribes before the dawn of recorded history. Research suggests that this leafy green originated in either the eastern Mediterranean or in Asia Minor.
And, while kale may not be a regular part of your diet, some of its genetic relations definitely are. Cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli and kale all trace their lineage back to wild cabbage's cultivation by ancient humans! These veggies, while quite different in appearance and texture, are all part of the same species — Brassica oleracea.
Europeans brought curly kale to the United States in the 17th century. Both ornamental (the pretty, colorful versions seen in flowerbeds) and dinosaur kale (discovered in Italy in the 19th century) are much more recent varieties. During WWII, kale was a recommended plant for Victory Gardens because it provided so many nutrients missing from the rationed food supply.
Today, as science reveals this nutritional powerhouse's benefits, kale is taking back the throne — All Hail the King!
If you haven't already incorporated kale into your diet, we strongly suggest you do — it's a crazy potent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and eye-protecting compounds — and it's affordable, versatile and delicious when properly cooked.
Getting to Know Kale
With its frilly leaves and deep colors, kale is a pretty gorgeous plant. While officially a "dark leafy green," it also comes in vibrant purple-pinks and bright whites. But there's a lot more to kale than just another pretty face!
There are 4 main varieties of kale:
- Curly – With green, frilly leaves, this is the most common kale found in grocery stores, and you can add it to just about anything! Choose bunches that have stems shorter than 12." (In general, smaller kale leaves will be more tender.)
- Dinosaur (rawr!) – Also known as lacinto, black, cavolo nero or Tuscan kale, this variety has a long tradition in Italian cuisine. Its deep blue-green leaves have a rugged, embossed texture — like dinosaur skin! Despite that description, it tends to be the most tender and mellow kale. It's great for braising and sautéing. Finely shred it for a salad or toss into stir-fries.
- Red Russian – Similar in texture and flavor to curly green kale, red varieties — which are actually more purple — add a bright splash of color, whether raw or cooked.
- Ornamental – It's the prettiest! Also known as salad savoy, it's popular in flower gardens and makes a great garnish. But it's edible too, as long as it hasn't been sprayed with pesticides. It's tastiest when still small and tender.
Shopping Tips:
- For maximum nutrition and taste, buy kale in season. It's good any time, but go wild in the winter!
- Choose kale from organic or responsible local growers when possible. Greens grown in better-managed soils will have more flavor and nutrition and less pesticides.
- Look for perky, deeply colored leaves (beware of bruising and yellow/brown patches) and moist, hardy stems.
- Buy lots of it because it cooks down dramatically.
The Nom-Nom Factor
Kale is very tasty when cooked properly, and it's a cinch to work into virtually any style of cooking. You'll find it in recipes for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Its earthy flavors can range from rich, nutty and meaty to herbaceous, peppery and slightly bitter. Below, you'll find everything you need to know to create simple, tasty kale noms!
Kitchen Tricks:
Washing. Avoid washing kale until just before use, since it will speed up wilting.
Cutting. Remove any thick stems (just hold the kale upside down by the stems and pull the leaves off), then stack large greens on top of one another. Roll them into tight bundles and slice into desired widths. The stems, finely chopped, can be used in soups.
Blanching. Blanching reduces bitterness and softens thick greens, which is great if you want to follow up with a quick sauté or freeze the greens for later use. To blanch kale, stir leaves into boiling water for a minute or two, drain, then run under cold water.
Braising. Braising tenderizes and adds flavor. Slow-cook a pound of greens in ½ to ¾ cup of seasoned cooking liquid (chicken or vegetable stock or wine) or water for about 20 minutes or until greens are tender and ready to eat.
Massaging. If you want to make a raw kale salad, don't forget to massage it. No, seriously. Massage that kale! Just a couple of minutes of massaging, and you'll be amazed at the difference. Those leaves that once seemed coarse and fibrous turn silky. Just add your dressing and massage.
Storing. Store loosely wrapped in plastic in the fridge and the sooner you can eat it, the better. If your kale has gotten wilt-y, stand it upright in a pitcher of water to perk it up a bit.
Easy ways to incorporate kale into your diet
The possibilities are endless! Keep in mind: Steaming 9 kale delivers the most nutritional benefits. Chopping or mincing it also releases more sulforaphane, one of kale's secret compounds.
- Toss a few chopped-up kale leaves into the blender when making fruit smoothies. It's a great way to get more greens into the veggie-averse, especially kids.
- Chop, cook and mix kale into rice dishes to add extra oomph.
- Blanched and frozen kale is so nice to have on hand! It can be easily crumbled into soups, stews, beans and simmering sauces.
- Add kale to egg dishes. Try an omelet or frittata with caramelized onions and steamed kale — or a cheesy scramble made with diced tomatoes, bell peppers, green onion and kale.
- Sauté kale with a little bacon for flavor, then lightly braise it in vegetable stock to soften.
- Kale's earthy flavor pairs well with hearty meats, beans and sausages.
But what if you don't have a lot of time for massaging and experimenting with cooking kale?
Power Tip: Introducing Kale Chips!
Kale chips are a healthy, tasty snack which you can prepare in your own home. They are free from additives, coloring and monosodium glutamate and are easy to make.
Eating kale every once in a while isn't enough, and this is a quick and easy way to make it a regular part of your diet.
Kick-Ass Kale Recipes
Okay….so you're sold on kale now, right? If you haven't already run out to the grocery store, here are some awesome recipes to get you going.
Kale Research from the Lab
Anti-Inflammatory. Omega 3′s which are typically abundant in fish oils are well known for reducing inflammation throughout the body, and kale contains a pretty generous amount. What's more, the high bioavailability means that you can get up to 35% of your daily allowance per 100 calories. These anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to be effective in helping to manage conditions such as arthritis and gout which are inflammatory in nature2.
Cancer Fighting. A lot of research has gone into cruciferous vegetables' (including kale) anticancer properties. Scientists have discovered that kale is rich in Sulforaphane1, a potent compound that exhibits anticancer3, anti-diabetic and antimicrobial properties. That's not all. In kale, you'll also find indole-3-carbinol, a derivative of a glucosinolate compound known as glucobrassicin that boosts DNA repair in cells and also blocks the growth of cancer cells. That's not all. kale has 4 other glucosinolates, namely, glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiian, glucopaeolin and singrin which the body can convert into cancer preventive compounds known as isothiocyanates1. Glucoraphanin is particularly of interest as the body converts it into the previously mentioned isothiocyanate, sulforaphane.
Heart and Stroke Protection. Omega 3 essential fatty acids have been shown to prevent degenerative conditions like heart disease. They do this by breaking down the build up of fat in the arteries (atherosclerosis) while also slowing the development of blood clots. Blood clots in the brain are a major cause of stroke! A study confirmed kale's cardio protective super powers by looking at isothiocyanates, namely the previously mentioned sulforaphane. The study showed that isothiocyanates such as sulforaphane reduced oxidative stress4 which is a cause of many health complications such as heart disease.
Vision Enhancing. Kale contains up to 76% of your recommend intake of beta carotene. This carotenoid plays a large part in maintaining eye health – particularly in improving night vision. Interestingly, carrots, the ëgo-to' source of beta carotene, contain just 1% more beta carotene (77%)! Also, kale contains zeaxanthin, a carotenoid alcohol which has been shown to slow down age related degeneration of the macula5, a region in the retina responsible for central vision. Gastrointestinal Health. Of all health benefits that kale delivers, this is the most noticeable. Its high dietary fiber content assists with digestion and helps with easier bowel movements. It has also been linked with a lowered risk of colorectal6 and other lower gastrointestinal cancers7. A large portion of the population suffers from constipation, and it is almost always caused by a low fiber diet. Fiber also lowers blood-sugar levels while giving a sensation of fullness, which prevents over-eating and regulates weight8.
Scientific References
- Clarke JD, Dashwood RH, Ho E. Multi-targeted prevention of cancer by sulforaphane. Cancer Lett. 2008 Oct 8;269(2):291-304. 2008
- Simopoulos AP., Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Dec;21(6):495-505. Review.
- Ho E, Clarke JD, Dashwood RH. Dietary sulforaphane, a histone deacetylase inhibitor for cancer prevention. J Nutr. 2009 Dec;139(12):2393-6. 2009.
- Angeloni C, Leoncini E, Malaguti M, et al. Modulation of phase II enzymes by sulforaphane: implications for its cardioprotective potential. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Jun 24;57(12):5615-22. 2009
- Cho E, Hankinson SE, Rosner B, Willett WC, Colditz GA. Prospective study of lutein/zeaxanthin intake and risk of age-related macular degeneration. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;87(6):1837-43. 2008.
- Aune D, Chan DS, Lau R, Vieira R, Greenwood DC, Kampman E, Norat T. Dietary fibre, whole grains, and risk of colorectal cancer: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMJ. 2011 Nov 10;343:d6617. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d6617. Review.
- Schatzkin A, Park Y, Leitzmann MF, Hollenbeck AR, Cross AJ. Prospective study of dietary fiber, whole grain foods, and small intestinal cancer. 2008 Oct;135
- Howarth, N. C., Saltzman, E. and Roberts, S. B. (2001), Dietary Fiber and Weight Regulation. Nutrition Reviews, 59: 129-139. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2001.tb07001.x(4):1163-7. 2008.
- Kahlon TS, Chiu MC, and Chapman MH. Steam cooking significantly improves in vitro bile acid binding of collard greens, kale, mustard greens, broccoli, green bell pepper, and cabbage. Nutr Res. 2008 Jun;28(6):351-7. 2008.


text: Once upon a time, I had a blog. It was hosted on MobileMe. Then, MobileMe went away. My entries were lost to the netherworld. This annoyed me. So, I made a new home to post all my previous adventures that went missing when iCloud appeared. So, these are technically old posts but they may be new to you. I hope you find something to relate to, enjoy, laugh at, or help you pass a few peaceful moments in your busy day. Thanks for visiting!


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FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) expects the collapse of smaller peer Air Berlin to have helped add around 150 million euros to its fourth-quarter revenues, Chief Executive Carsten Spohr told a German newspaper.
But he also said the added sales were offset by considerable additional costs, which he did not quantify, according to Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.
Lufthansa added capacity after Air Berlin ceased flying in late October, for instance by using a 747 jumbo jet for the short flight between Frankfurt and Berlin to meet additional demand on that popular route.
The German flagship carrier had planned to buy large parts of Air Berlin's business when it was carved up, but it last week abandoned plans to buy Austrian unit Niki, which subsequently also filed for insolvency.
According to Frankfurter Allgemeine, Lufthansa had already provided around 70 million euros in funding to Niki to keep its planes flying when antitrust concerns forced it to back out of the purchase.
It stands a slim chance of recovering that money due to Niki's insolvency. The administrators of Niki are currently in talks with possible buyers for the Austrian unit and aim to strike a deal by the end of next week.
Reporting by Maria Sheahan, editing by G Crosse


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Unfortunately I don't have much connection to Arkansas. If you have Arkansas heritage, I encourage you to visit the following websites:
- Arkansas History Commission & State Archives – The state archives has a ton of resources housed at their facility.
- Arkansas Historical Association – Has links to archives and online content relevant to Arkansas.
- Arkansas Genealogical Society – Has digital copies of The Arkansas Family Historian, their quarterly journal, from 1962-2009, as well as a few other resources.
Genealogy By the States is a theme created by Jim Sanders over at the Hidden Genealogy Nuggets blog.


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According to WSJ, Gianni Versace SpA CEO, Giancarlo Di Risio is expected to resign. Apparently, there has been months of clashes between Giancarlo Di Risio and Donatella Versace over how to cut costs as a result of this insane recession. "A statement issued by the company says the professional relationship between Versace and CEO Giancarlo Di Risio has not been terminated."
"The Versace family issued a statement Thursday saying that "the professional relationship between Versace and its CEO" hasn't been terminated. Versace is focusing on "measures it should adopt to confront the effects of the economic downturn on the luxury sector," the statement said.
Ms. Versace owns a 20% stake in the company, which was founded by her brother, the late Gianni Versace. Her brother Santo Versace owns 30%. Ms. Versace's 22-year-old daughter, Allegra Versace Beck, owns 50%. Ms. Beck has backed her mother in the designer's clashes with Mr. Di Risio, the person familiar with the matter said.
A resignation by Mr. Di Risio, which would come as Versace's profit is suffering, would highlight the pressure faced by Europe's many family-owned fashion houses. Such companies are suffering more than their larger, financially sturdier peers amid the global economic slump."
credit: wsj, shopping blog


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Sales and customer service agents in Tallinn, Estonia
Job description
You will be responsible for booking, amending, and finalizing reservations, as well as answering inquiries over the phone and by email. Working closely with Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finnish Lapland, you will communicate proactively and build strong relationships with our customers.
- Fluent in written and spoken English; Finnish and other languages are considered an advantage
- Experience in the hotel and leisure industries
- Relevant educational background
- Computer skills including MS Office and hotel reservation system
- Team player with a positive attitude
- Responsible, pro-active and detail oriented
What we offer you
- Challenging work in an international travel business
- The opportunity to join a dynamic, customer-oriented team
- Relevant training for the position
- Opportunities to develop within the company
- A competitive salary
- Seasonal work until March/April, start date asap
- The possibility to work also at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland, Saariselkä
Please apply by sending a statement outlining your suitability for the position along with your resume to firstname.lastname@example.com
For more information please email email@example.com.


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San Clemente Real Estate For Sale
San Clemente Neighborhoods
There are 10 distinct neighborhoods in San Clemente, each with a good combination of single family tracts, condo communities, and custom real estate. Whether you hope to live in the bustling Central area of San Clemente or vote for the insulated location of Talega, you will be hard-pressed to find more variety than in the neighborhoods of San Clemente.
San Clemente Homes
Single family homes comprise the majority of San Clemente real estate. From a 2-bedroom beach cottage in Central San Clemente to a 6-bedroom Talega estate, there are home options for a variety of tastes, household sizes, desired locations, and pricing comfort levels. While some homes are part of builder tracts with HOA assessments, there are many custom homes throughout San Clemente. Pricing ranges from the low $400,000s for a smaller 2-bedroom cottage to multi-million dollar estates in gated communities.
San Clemente Condos
San Clemente offers a very diverse selection of condos, from older beach-style condos to brand new Spanish-influenced townhomes. San Clemente condos are located in virtually every area of the city but are mainly concentrated west of Interstate 5 as you get closer to the ocean. Condo communities are maintained by Homeowners' Associations that charge monthly dues to community residents, and there is a wide range of price points depending on how close you are to the Pacific Ocean.
San Clemente Property Features
Besides choosing whether you would like to live in a home or condo, San Clemente features a variety of property features that add your overall living experience. From gated communities to the large assortment of ocean views homes and luxury real estate, San Clemente offers a little something for everyone besides the walls of your home.


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Angel Berry Tunnel Cake
1 prepared angel food cake (10 inch)
4 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed and drained
4 Cups REAL whipping cream
¾ Cup granulated sugar
Additional berries, optional
With a serrated knife, slice off the top 1/2 in. of the cake; set aside. Cut a tunnel about 2 in. deep in the cake, leaving a 3/4-in. shell. Remove cake from tunnel; cut into small pieces
Whip whipping cream. When whipping cream just starts the thicken up add in the sugar. Continue to whip until cream is nice and thick.
In a bowl combine cake pieces, berries and about 2 ½ Cups-3 Cups whipped whipping cream; spoon into tunnel. Replace cake top.
Frost with remaining whipping cream. Garnish with berries if desired. Refrigerate until serving.
Print Recipe:Angel Berry Tunnel Cake
|Prepare angel food cake mix according to package directions.
|Once cake is cooled remove from the pan.
|Place cake on a plate.
|With a serrated knife slice off the top 1/2 inch of the cake. Set it aside.
|Cut in a tunnel about 2 inches deep into the cake, leaving about 3/4 inch of cake on both sides of the tunnel.
|All ready for the filling.
|Beat the whipping cream and add the sugar just as the cream starts to thicken up.
|Slice 4 cups of strawberries.
|Leftover cake from the tunnel. Break or cut into small pieces.
|In a bowl combine strawberries and cake pieces.
|Measure out about 2 1/2 -3 cups of whipping cream.
|Add whipping cream to the strawberries.
|Add strawberry mixture to the tunnel.
|Place the top back onto the cake.
|Frost with the remaining whipped cream.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.


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Thursday, December 11, 2008
Theme Thursday-Holiday Fun
My husband and the kids put the lights up outside on Saturday, while I was out thrifting. They were so excited to see how the lights looked in the dark. It was really cold out so I did not do too much experminenting, but thought these turned out pretty cool.
Visit The Land of KA for more Holiday Fun.
11 comments:
- kim said...
Very cool!!! How fun.
- December 11, 2008 at 11:14 AM
- Dawn said...
WOW! That's really neat!
- December 11, 2008 at 11:59 AM
- Joanna said...
Wow - Super cool Jen! Wasnt it fun? I bet if anyone was watching you move your head and camera around they would have thought you were nuts! I thought it was a fun thing to play with though. I love that blue color!
- December 11, 2008 at 1:30 PM
- Stacy said...
Yes...very cool! I love what you have done here with the holiday lights. I need to get out and do this, too. What a beautiful shot. :)
- December 11, 2008 at 1:42 PM
- Christina said...
Oh yeah, these are totally cool! Light painting it so much fun. :o)
- December 11, 2008 at 3:22 PM
- Megan said...
very cool! something i'll have to try.
- December 11, 2008 at 9:03 PM
- Cara said...
love it! I have one of our tree like that I toke by accident...love accidents!
- December 11, 2008 at 9:46 PM
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
- December 12, 2008 at 12:55 AM
- MGF said...
Awesome, I have yet to have the time to experiment with this.
Nice job.
- December 12, 2008 at 7:48 AM
- Jaimee said...
Those are so fun! I've done a few of those before, but nothing that cool ever!
- December 12, 2008 at 2:01 PM
- Maggie said...
This is so fun!
- December 13, 2008 at 1:25 PM


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assistant, healthcare practitioners and technicians, nutrition, san jose
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction and supervision of the Nutrition Services Manager, the Nutrition Assistant provides administrative and project coordination support to the Nutrition Services Department. He/she applies professional skills, knowledge and judgment to perform a broad range of administrative duties
1. Assist Nutrition Services Manager and Lead Cooks with internal and external communications (e.g. meal changes, receive meal counts; screen telephone calls; manage dietary lists, forms and graphs; research, organize and document various information)
2. Assist Nutrition Services Manager with certain daily operation duties including receiving inventory, ordering, monitoring, and assisting with implementation of quality improvement plans.
3. Provide administrative support and project coordination for various department initiatives, plans and proposals as assigned by the Nutrition Services Manager.
4. Assist with select duties in the absence of the Administrative Assistant.
5. Maintain administrative files and other related records. 6. Other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS (knowledge, skills, abilities)
1. High school graduate or general education diploma (GED) required.
2. Minimum of one year of related experience preferred
3. Computer proficient in MS Office Suite and using the Internet required
4. Good judgment, ability to work under pressure. Demonstrates leadership abilities, creativity and flexibility.
5. Strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple tasks
6. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed. They are not considered as an exhaustive list of all job tasks perform


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Car Boot Sale Haul #10
It has been quite a while since i last posted a Car Boot Sale Haul; they hadn't been so great lately and i was only picking up the odd item which i couldn't justify a full post on and i didn't go the past two weeks due to being on holiday and being too tired to get up at 6am. I've really missed not going and was really glad to get back today and route out some bargains.
I picked up this weekly planner chalkboard for 50p; The rope is undone and the back has some paint on it so I'm gonna fix it up a little but i thought this would be perfect to help with blogging, to do lists and just generally organising my week and because it'll be on show at all times in my room it should help me stick to things.
The second this i picked up was the Estee Lauder Deluxe All-Over Face Compact for £4 and I wasn't going buy this at first, i actually walked away from the stall and continued browsing around the others, mostly because the woman on the stall was a bit of a ass and i didn't want to buy from her. However, it was so pretty and i couldn't stop thinking about it the rest of the way round, so i sent my sister back to see if they still had and they did. It has 3 gorgeous blushes and a translucent powder, one of the blush has a slight dent in it but other than that it looks like it' barely been used.
The Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub was £2; I've wanted to try this for a while and it's come at the perfect time because i ran out of my body scrub and have genuinely been using a minty face wash to exfoliate my legs - it does actually do a good job but now that can return to it's normal purpose.
I also got a gift set from the Body Shop for £1, this hasn't been opened and like the scrub it was a great find because I've recently used up my Soap and Glory Clean on me and the only shower gel i have left is my Lush Snow Fairy from Christmas which i don't want to use yet so now i have these four lovely fruity ones from the body shop.
Finally, my most favourite purchase of the day is this River Island bag for £5; normally, i wouldn't pay that for a bag off the car boot sale but it was love at first sight. It's my perfect kind of style for a bag, it's black and it's a great size, not to mention it's in excellent condition and looks like it's barely been used. The only downsize is that it doesn't have any long straps with it however, i have some from other handbags that can easily clip on. I'm so excited i found this bag and i already can't wait to swap my bags over.
I spent £12.50 overall, which is a little more that what I've spent in previous weeks but I'm made up with all the items I've found.
What's been your best bargain lately?
Natalie xx
12 comments:
That's such a gorgeous bag! I don't blame you for snapping it upReplyDelete
Im obsessed with it! So happy i found it :)Delete
Natalie xx
You find the best things!! The chalkboard planner looks super cute xxReplyDeleteReplies
Aw thank you! It's honestly just pure dumb luck!Delete
Natalie xx
Wow so many great finds!! I might have to check out a car boot sale!ReplyDelete
Jacynta xx
Aw you should, they're so great and it's a lot of fun not know what you may find!Delete
Natalie xx
wow that handbag is an absolute amazing find! its so gorgeous tooReplyDelete
Eilidh from Velvet-WinterReplies
Thank you, i love it!Delete
Natalie xx
wow ! great finds ! I love car boot sale :)ReplyDelete
Thank you!Delete
Natalie xx
50p for that chalkboard and £5 for that bag, especially as you say it's in excellent condition....This is incredible.. *hunts for local car boot sales*ReplyDelete
Becky @ BKYStewart ~ Eclectic Lifestyle BlogReplies
They're so much fun!Delete
Natalie xx
Thank you so much for leaving a comment, i read each and everyone and try to reply as soon as i can - any questions feel free to tweet me directly at @youralmostalice or email firstname.lastname@example.com
You are more than welcome to leave your blog link in the comments for myself and others to see but do not comment with 'follow for follows' as they will be deleted.


text:
New Apps in Time for the Holidays 2015
This is a good time of year for new releases, (do you have your BB-8), and that momentum extends to new apps in the Windows 10 ecosystem. The Universal Windows Platform provides developers with a comprehensive platform where it's possible to write an app once and run it on a variety of Windows devices. Many… Read more


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The council and housing associations in Horsham are struggling to find enough affordable homes for low-income households, according to new housing data.
In the 12 months up to March last year, 427 families or individuals were placed in social and affordable housing, but hundreds more remain on the waiting list, figures from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government show.
As of 1 April 2017, there were still 656 applicants waiting for social housing.
Horsham is one of the only places in the country where the council made more affordable housing offers to people in 2016/2017 than it did five years ago, up 5% from the same period in 2012/2013.
When making housing decisions, councils and housing associations will assess a person's income, family status, and their connection to Horsham, as well as other factors.
Two types of rented property are offered in social housing.
Social rents are usually no more than 50% of the market rate and are set nationally.
Affordable rents are significantly higher, generally between 60% and 70% of market rates, and are set locally.
In Horsham, the majority of new housing offers, or 76.8%, were for social rent.
Social housing is managed by councils and housing associations, which are independent not-for-profit companies.
Both are failing to build enough new homes to keep up with demand, and the figures show the most common reason for a social home becoming available was because the previous tenant had moved.
In the 12 months to March 2017, 120 new affordable homes were completed in Horsham.
And no new homes for social rent were built in 2016-2017.
Nationally, housing associations and councils let 334,602 homes for below market rent in 2016-17, down from 374,586 a year earlier, a drop of 11%. This is the lowest level since records began in 2007.
The figures demonstrate a long term decline in the availability of social housing.
According to analysis by the Chartered Institute of Housing, 150,000 homes for social rent have been lost in England since 2012.
Most of the losses were down to social homes being converted to affordable rent or being sold through Right to Buy, which allows tenants to cheaply purchase their home from the council.
Chief executive of the institute Terrie Alafat said: "For many people on lower incomes, the only truly affordable option is social rent. It is simply unacceptable that we are losing so many of our most affordable homes at a time when more and more people are in need.
"Government investment is still heavily skewed towards the private market. Our analysis shows that 79 per cent of the housing budget up to 2020/21 is directed towards private housing, with just 21% going to affordable housing. Rebalancing this budget, so that more money is spent on affordable homes, could make a big difference."


text:
The new site AccessiWeb marks the willingness of the association BrailleNet to provide effective assistance to all those who are concerned with the accessibility of the Web:
Present issues…
detail standards…
show implementation solutions.
This site offers in particular resources (information online), a working group (sleep and research technology) and the Label AccessiWeb (certification of sites).
Association BrailleNet
Cell Web accessibility
UPMC box 23
9 quai Saint Bernard
75252 PARIS cedex 05
+ 33 (0) 1 44 27 26 25


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Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa has extended his contract with the Spanish side for a further three years, keeping him to the club until 2018.
The Brazilian scored 20 goals last season as Los Rojiblancos finished third in La Liga and claimed an historic victory over neighbours Real Madrid to lift the Copa del Rey.
His performances had attracted attention from clubs around Europe with Liverpool reportedly trying to activate the buy-out clause in his previous contract with a bid in the region of €24.5 million (£21 million) last week.
However, the 24-year-old insisted that he is delighted to have extended his deal with Atleti.
"I am very happy with this deal after fighting for a long time to win the affection of the fans, my team-mates and people inside the club," he told the club's website. "It is a very special moment and I am very happy here.
Costa is expected to have an even more prominent role this season as Atletico return to UEFA Champions League action after a four-year absence without their top-scorer for the past two seasons Radamel Falcao, who joined Monaco for €60 million back in June.
Atletico get their La Liga campaign underway on Sunday night when they travel to face a new-look Sevilla side.


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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved a punishing slate of service cuts on Wednesday that would amount to the most significant erosion of New York City's transit system since its recovery from the ruinous days of the 1980s.
The cuts represent some of the first concrete consequences of a fiscal crisis in New York State that until now had mostly been restricted to ominous words from politicians.
The authority's board unanimously approved the plan — which includes eliminating the W and Z subway lines, reducing service on dozens of bus routes, and phasing out free fares for students — to cope with a $400 million shortfall in state financing that emerged in the past two weeks.
"The M.T.A. has become the first state agency to face the music of the national economic collapse," said Assemblyman Richard L. Brodsky, a Westchester Democrat. "This is the opening refrain of a full symphony of pain that's going to hit other parts of the state next year."
None of the cuts will take effect until the spring, and the plan's more controversial elements have to be approved again next year, opening the door to months of public hand-wringing and political brinkmanship. Many public officials, for example, have vowed to preserve free rides for students. But any restoration of service cuts would probably require an influx of new revenue. That reality — accompanied by pressure from politicians, riders and parents — resurrected talk of ideas once thought politically untenable, like placing tolls on the free East River bridges.Continue reading the main story
The plan also brought a sense of déjà vu. A nearly identical slate of cuts was avoided earlier this year after a similar public outcry and a last-minute bailout from Albany legislators.
But officials insisted on Wednesday that this time was different. The state is staring at a $6.8 billion deficit, and Gov. David A. Paterson has already announced a delay on payments to schools and property owners.
"I don't want to leave any impression that we're going to magically find a set of service changes that don't have a major impact," said Jay H. Walder, the chairman of the transportation authority.
Still, even the chairman acknowledged that in the murky world of municipal politics, there was always some wiggle room.
"This is the beginning, not the end," Mr. Walder said, moments before the budget was approved 12 to 0. He later added, "We may be able to look at it, we may be able to do it a little bit better, and I, at least on a personal basis, would like a little bit of time and space to see how we might do that."
In its current form, the budget would reduce bus and subway service during late nights, weekday afternoons and weekends. Service on dozens of bus lines would be reduced or ended, and the agency would cut transportation options for disabled riders. Although the W and Z lines would be eliminated, passengers on those routes would not be abandoned: both lines run along tracks served by other subway routes.
The authority also plans to lay off 700 workers, reduce management salaries by 10 percent and trim administrative costs. No fare increase was included in the plan, although a 7.5 percent rise is scheduled for 2011.
The plan to phase out free or discounted fares for students, which the authority said would eventually save $170 million annually, earned a particularly fierce reaction on Wednesday, even by the standards of an agency that is a traditional target of New Yorkers' complaints.
"You sit here and bring anxieties to young children," declared Councilman Charles Barron, as he addressed the board in the fifth-floor boardroom of the authority's Madison Avenue headquarters. "What do you want them to do? Jump the turnstiles and turn them into criminals?"
Scott Stringer, the Manhattan borough president, chastised the authority's board for engaging in "a budget dance that is quickly becoming known as the hustle." Another speaker compared the agency to Ebenezer Scrooge.
While the board members acknowledged that the cuts were painful, they directed blame squarely at a state government that they said had failed its responsibility to adequately finance a basic public service.
"This agency is in an abusive relationship with two deadbeat dads," said Doreen M. Frasca, an appointee of Governor Paterson, referring to Albany and City Hall, which provide most of the authority's financing.
"If the Legislature and the governor think these deep service cuts are not going to impact them in an election year, they are sadly mistaken," said Andrew Albert, the chairman of the New York City Transit Riders' Council.
Earlier this month, the authority appeared confident it could end the year on steady financial ground. Mr. Walder, who began his job in October, had laid out a lofty agenda of high-tech arrival-time clocks and a computerized fare-card system.
That optimism vanished after Albany delivered a double-whammy: $143 million was cut from the authority's budget, and revenues from a dedicated payroll tax — enacted in the spring to avert service cuts — came in $100 million below expectations. Last week, a court ruled that the authority must also pay big raises to its unionized workers.
So it was with some surprise that Mr. Walder found himself on Wednesday delivering a sober assessment of the authority's shortcomings.
"In the two months that I've been here, it's apparent to me that we don't operate in a way that ensures that every taxpayer dollar that we receive is being used as effectively as possible," he said. "In short, we need to take the place apart."
While Mr. Walder said he would seek savings by trimming overtime payments and material costs, the authority's overall finances remain at the whims of higher powers. The governor can choose to restore or withdraw funds in his revised budget next month. And swings in the housing market would play a big role, since the authority derives much of its revenue from taxes on real estate transactions.
Speaking to reporters this week, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg invoked his ill-fated congestion pricing proposal, which would have charged people to drive in parts of Manhattan, as an elegant solution to the authority's troubles. The idea was echoed by transit advocates, even as the program's supporters speculated that the mayor had simply been speaking off the cuff.
Asked about the plan on Wednesday, Governor Paterson said he had no specific plans to revive the issue next year.
"This parade of horribles puts pressure on Albany," said Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for the Straphangers Campaign, a riders' advocacy group. "What Albany does in response to that pressure is hard to predict."Continue reading the main story


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"finest winter skiing and summer recreation"
Surrounded by mountains on a 60-acre resort and situated at the base of Attitash Mountain is where you'll find the finest winter skiing and summer recreation in Mount Washington Valley. The Village is comprised of a variety of guest rooms. Our condominium resort offers you over 350 rooms, suites, townhouses and trailside units accommodating up to 14 people. Many units feature kitchens, gas fireplaces, spa tubs and mountain views.
Second time visiting this resort. Each time our unit has been a different layout but have not been dissappointed. Very convenient to Attatash Mountain and Wildcat mountain. Staff is very friendly and helpful.
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