text:
amaroK 1.2 First Player to Integrate Audioscrobbler
With its new 1.2 release, KDE-based media player amaroK becomes the first player to offer integrated support for Audioscrobbler. In close cooperation with the Audioscrobbler team amaroK developers have deployed exciting new ways to use the popular Internet service. Read on to learn about Audioscrobbler and new features in amaroK 1.2.
Audioscrobbler allows users to share music tastes with friends on the Internet, making use of automatically submitted song statistics. amaroK goes a step further than other media players and allows users to receive music recommendations from the site.
In contrast to competing players amaroK does not require a plugin to use this functionality. With the recently released amaroK 1.2 Audioscrobbler support comes built-in and easy to set up. Sunday's release of amaroK has already created buzz in the KDE community.
Also new in amaroK 1.2:
Great Application!
Amarok is a great application. Thanks!
(I signed up for Audioscrobbler and still submit my music, but since the personal radio feature never really worked for me, there is not much use in Audioscrobbler for me personally.)
By Anonymous at Thu, 2005/02/17 - 6:00am
Just to note, this doesn't appear to in anyway let you share songs.
This looks really good. Not sure why to be so proud that it's not a plugin, but each to their own.
By JohnFlux at Thu, 2005/02/17 - 6:00am
Knew I should have asked Charles to include my audioscrobbler plugin with noatun 2.6 :). In all seriousness though, I think audioscrobbler is a prime example of something which should be a plugin, because for many users it will seem like pointless bloat. Anyone know why AmaroK decided to go with it in the player? Could it be because despite their "Powerful scripting interface" they don't have a proper plugin system?
By mikeyd at Thu, 2005/02/17 - 6:00am
Re: Bah
'amaroK goes a step further than other media players and allows users to receive music recommendations from the site.' being one reason.
But yes, if you think everything should be a plugin, by all means use Noatun.
By Ian Monroe at Thu, 2005/02/17 - 6:00am
Re: Bah
That's certainly doable with a plugin, I'm putting it in mine now. (Well, as soon as I can get the spec from audioscrobbler. Site is pretty slow right now)
By mikeyd at Thu, 2005/02/17 - 6:00am
Re: Bah
To me, bloat means that an unused feature has a negative impact on the performance of the application, gets in the user's way or makes the softwarepackage too large to handle.
AFAIK audioscrobler in amarok causes neither of these issues, so it is not bloat :o)
I like the idea of plugins though..
By ac at Thu, 2005/02/17 - 6:00am
Re: Bah
If it's not a plugin, then it must be in the main executable and add to the overall size, so it will impact performance by increasing size in memory, unless it has no size, in which case it does not exist.
By jameth at Sun, 2005/02/20 - 6:00am
beta testing
I like amarok. A lot. I always use it if I can, and its interface is great! The only problem is its stability, it has always crashed or hung far too often. I wonder whether other people have made the same experiences?
Oh, and in the collection view, I'd like to be able to select TagFilter->FirstLevel->Filename.
Other than that, its the best music player I've ever used. And the people in #amarok are nice and helpful, too!
By me at Thu, 2005/02/17 - 6:00am
Re: beta testing
Blame all problems on artsd ;)
By JohnFlux at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Calling home
That's what I was missing from MS Windows, apps which connect in the background to the internet (without user interaction).
I disabled audioscrobbler, but ethereal shows that amarok still connects to audioscrobbler.
Amarok has nice features but has usability problems:
For no reason it uses a different menu structure, a different toolbar position,
By ano at Thu, 2005/02/17 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
> With juk or kaffeine I needed 5 sec to find out how I can add a folder, with amarok I needed 15 min.
Then please use Juk or Kaffeine.
By ac at Thu, 2005/02/17 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
No! Please give Juk, Kaffeine AND amaroK a usability review. Strange menu-layouts suck (usually).
By Anders at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
Please spare us the 'usablity review.'
Something good did come out of it, its a bug that File->Open Media doesn't allow the selection of directories.
By Ian Monroe at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
"I disabled audioscrobbler, but ethereal shows that amarok still connects to audioscrobbler."
Have you unchecked "retrieve similar artist" in the AudioScrobbler config dialog? If this option is enabled, Amarok will still submit the current song (to get similar artist) but does not submit it to your profile, so the submission is anonymous.
By Anonymous at Thu, 2005/02/17 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
>Have you unchecked "retrieve similar artist" in the AudioScrobbler config dialog?
Um, I absolutely hate it, if applications connect to the world submitting data, even though the user wasn't asked before. This should always be disabled by default and an info dialog be shown the first time you enable such a "feature".
btw. I'd like to have a --disable-audioscrobbler option, too.
By Carlo at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
I was also surprised and annoyed when I found out that amarok chats with someone else on the internet, without having asked me first. I added this line to my /etc/hosts to stop this undesirable practice:
127.0.0.3 www.audioscrobbler.com audioscrobbler.com
By Melchior FRANZ at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
if that's easier than unchecking one setting :-)
Re: Calling home
No, it isn't. But I trust it more than amaroK, which already has disappointed me once in this area. :-P
By Melchior FRANZ at Sat, 2005/02/19 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
Well how about adding a bug to bugs.kde.org
By ac at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
Adding a bug is not the problem. The question is: Are all kde developers so unreflected about privacy issues!? Is there no policy thingie you have to read and agree to before you get a cvs account?
By Carlo at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
please also file a bug report for konqueror. i just noticed: every time you surf to a website, some suspicious dns server gets connected! ;-)
omg, firefox has the bug. :-))
Re: Calling home
muesli: I can wobble with my ass, too. ;p There is a difference between intentionally requesting some external website data and giving away information "user A likes to hear X, Y and Z, please suggest some more" behind user A's back. It's spying - like your browser wouldn't ask you, if you accept a cookie.
By Carlo at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
i'm totally aware, that there is a difference. but i think you understood the irony, otherwise your ass wouldnt wobble ;-)
please also see my other post. we only submit the artist, only the first time you ever played an artist. it's anonymously, it doesn't get stored anywhere. it's not worse than any banner on a website, which you prolly didnt request either. contrary to the banner, this really helps and gives the user useful feedback: suggestions.
if that's spying, omg better watch your neighbours, they might be able to hear what you are listening to right now. unanonymously in this case.
Re: Calling home
>unanonymously in this case.
Um, it's not. On the one hand there are static ip's, on the other hand it suffices to know which music people like in some area to make money with it. It's very unfriendly any definitely in a legal grey zone, if not illegal, to (help to) gather data without asking the individuals, if they agree.
As I said: Disable it by default and popup some information, when users enable it the first time.
By Carlo at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
sorry, but: no-one gathers data, here. you can look at the audioscrobbler sql-tables on their site and tell me where your ip and artist gets stored.
and knowing an ip with an artist related doesn't help anyone, get real. what do you expect? spammers to winpopup your ip with "buy cds", now? ;-)
By Christian Muehlhaeuser at Sat, 2005/02/19 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
>sorry, but: no-one gathers data, here.
Maybe, maybe not - I'm pretty sure you know very well that looking at the sql tables just tells me that the information isn't stored there. It wasn't my point to say that they do this. I wanted to show the possibilities.
My point is that you as a developer don't have any right to decide for the user to reveal his data - even in such a minor case. It is the developers responsibility to care for user data as much as to care not to produce vulnerable code. If this is not a central point in your thinking when developing applications, it is a major problem, imho.
By Carlo at Sat, 2005/02/19 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
carlo: i def. see your point. i'm just wondering if it's worth the hassle, and hiding the option, since 99% of our users want this behaviour by default, and prolly wouldnt know about it otherwise.
i started thinking the last days, about how to solve the situation for both of us: the best solution i could come up with, is to add some info to the first-run wizard, telling the user about audioscrobbler's suggestions, their impact and asking them whether to enable or disable them.
By Christian Muehlhaeuser at Sun, 2005/02/20 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
>i'm just wondering if it's worth the hassle.
I agree that's a hassle, but it's fairly important, since you can't fight against dictation technologies like drm, while "betraying" the user yourself.
>since 99% of our users want this behaviour by default
I'm still sorrowing for AudioGalaxy, so count me in. :)
>i started thinking the last days, about how to solve the situation for both of us: the best solution i could come up with, is to add some info to the first-run wizard, telling the user about audioscrobbler's suggestions, their impact and asking them whether to enable or disable them.
Would be wonderful, if you'd find a way to let the user decide, but making it as simple as possible for him.
By Carlo at Sun, 2005/02/20 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
Lalala, so you suggest that konqueror should ask for extra confirmation with every http request it makes since it's revealing data right? And of course turn off referrer by default since you are leaking data here, too. I suppose dns queries should be confirmed too since the dns server may be logging what addresses are you resolving, damn it. Sure, a checkbox in first-run wizard or something would be fine, since it's pretty much optional here and few people know the risk of someone sniffing in their music preferences... But your central point argument is way overblown IMO.
By mornfall at Sun, 2005/02/20 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
Nah, there is a difference between a referrer and someones personal music preference. Nevertheless: A browser should reveal only as much information as necessery, too. The dns queries etc. are technically needed so there's nothing to say about it. You say it's overblown, I say: Better to care now, than to be taken by surprise later.
By Carlo at Sun, 2005/02/20 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
*wink* *wink* don't get offended ;-)
Here is an anonymous suggestion: go to the real world more, maybe get some unanonymous meaningful relationships with human beings. I find amusing your paranoia, and delusional "i-will-be-uber-anonymous" complex. For one, I like getting suggestions and so I can expand my cultural and musical palate. This is just a piece of software, is just computers, is just music. Don't worry your soul and your mind won't get compromised by them, but it seems that your mind is already controlled by the inherent flaws of computer systems.
And to muesli: Thank you for such a fine piece of software. You guys are dedicated and the average, healthy user will be thankful for the suggestions.
By Manuel Garcia-Duque at Sat, 2005/02/19 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
>Don't worry your soul and your mind won't get compromised by them, but it seems that your mind is already controlled by the inherent flaws of computer systems.
Thank you very much, but you're wrong. It's not an inherent flaw of computer systems, it's missing education regarding the social aspect of software development. You're resposible for the applications you write.
By Carlo at Sat, 2005/02/19 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
Wtf! I am genuinely offended by your point here. I as a developer have absolutely zero responsibility for what you do. I go as far as providing you with full source code and a virtually unlimited use, modify and distribution license and you come accusing and crying here that i am irresponsible for not caring for your privacy enough and/or that i am missing education? Dear sir, please think twice before accusing someone of being uneducated, you could deeply offend the said someone (well, already happened, oops). If you are so paranoid please go and audit the source code of whatever you use. But i'm afraid the http server you will download the source from will log your address so better hang yourself. Anyway, there is something very very wrong with the way you think.
By mornfall at Sun, 2005/02/20 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
Uh, then be offended. ;p Even if you dismiss it, my plea got your attention at least. Too bad you don't see the difference between needed information and personal user data, but maybe it's the point to agree to disagree.
By Carlo at Sun, 2005/02/20 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
I think the word "awareness" is a better word than "education" here.
I do think it's the responsibility of the developer to make his app secure. It would be irresponsible to release a piece of code that did an "rm -rf *" or sends arbitrary documents from the users disk to the developer's email account when an unsuspecting user launches it. That's more than "zero responsibility" for what happens on the user's computer.
Of course, audioscrobbler seems a corner case to me. It's *very* probably harmless. Still, I would prefer if amarok implemented it either defaulting to off or, as discussed above, as option in the first time wizard.
IMHO it should be a design principle that no *unexpected* network transfers be done without asking. DNS lookups and HTTP request *are* expected when browsing a web page. Contacting a service on the internet when listening to music is not, IMHO.
And then there are people with dialup lines who pay for the connection. I guess they won't be too happy discovering that "something" causes costs. And how should the average user find out that it's a turned on option in his music player? Not everyone knows ethereal or how to operate it...
By cm at Sun, 2005/02/20 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
Do you suppose average users know anything about http requests or dns? How is assuming someone knows how web browser works different from assuming someone knows how audioscrobbler suggestions work? You are trying to say that all users should be protected from unexpected network traffic. But that is certainly not achievable. So what you are saying is, basically, that there are certain groups that deserve more protection (iow, those that are majority right now). Anyway, my point wasn't at all about the particular problem. My point is, it is users' (and noone else's) responsibility. Read the license again. Noone is guaranteeing you anything here. You take all the risks. Sure if someone makes a program rm -rf your $HOME, well, he may be an asshole. But it is your fscking responsibility that you downloaded and ran the program. You have to read the license anyway, since else you couldn't know you have a right to even run the program legally, so you also should know that there is no damn guarantee attached. If you are paranoid, just don't run it. Or audit the source as i said above. Or pay someone to do it for you. But whatever my program does to your data is _your_ problem. Of course you can be angry with me and stuff, but the responsibility is still yours. Aight? Your argument generalizes to "it's carmaker's fault there are people driving cars without a clue about them and cause harm". Maybe you didn't really want that?
By mornfall at Mon, 2005/02/21 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
> Do you suppose average users know anything about http
No, the average user does *not* know how these things work.
An average user expects that his computer connects the internet
> My point is, it is users' (and noone else's) responsibility.
This is not about legal boilerplate. It is about responsible
Honestly, I'm somewhat surprised if not shocked to find this
> Your argument generalizes to "it's carmaker's fault there are
We're not talking about clueless drivers, we're talking about the
It may be a feature, it may be even documented,
By cm at Mon, 2005/02/21 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
You are missing the point, as usually. Right this is not about legal boilerplate. This is about you demanding things from free software developers which is a big no-go. I merely defend my freedom to implement whatever *I* like and however *I* like in software *I* write. I heed not what a random jerk downloading the software says i am doing wrong. Your basic problem here is that you come with *demands*. So stop that if you ever want someone to listen to you. Of course you are free to make suggestions or state wishes. Or report bugs. But I don't care about whatever you have to say as soon as you demand anything from me. You have no damn right to. Not the slightest. You may also notice that i stated that the checkbox-in-startup-wizard is a good idea in my opinion. You may also notice how i didn't go and tell muesli that he must implement it and as soon as he refuses i call him uneducated or whatever. And indeed, this is very shocking nowadays, that developers are not acting as slaves of their users. I suppose we should be all ashamed. Dear Godly User who brings me my daily bread blah blah. It's not as i didn't care about users. I listen to reasonable users every day. I heed what they say because i think it's important. It's more like rude users are demotivating experience for an opensource developer. And when i defend myself you are shocked which i find somewhat ironical. You are just spoiling it for everyone else...
By mornfall at Mon, 2005/02/21 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
With all due respect:
- What makes you think I'm "only" a user. What makes you think I'm talking about you in particular? I've made my own (albeit modest) contributions to Open Source software and KDE in particular. I've just stated what I think are good development principles with respect to network transfers. I do feel a moral (not legal) responsibility for the users of the apps I touched. Don't I have the right to discuss what I believe should be a general policy in KDE (I even thought it already was, at least implicitly.).
Would you have told Waldo Bastian or David Faure the same thing if they had expressed their opinion on the subject of responsibility of the developer? No, I don't want to compare myself to them, nor to you(!), on grounds of merit, I wouldn't stand a second. But I object to being called a "random jerk" which you seem to imply.
You talk about demotivation. Right now I feel pretty demotivated by you to do anything more for KDE.
> You are missing the point, as usually.
- I have called *no one* uneducated. That's been someone else, and this may be a case of a language problem. I don't think the person wanted to be offensive.
- I have never said the amarok developers, or you, *must* do anything. I just stated my opinion on good development principles, and why I think they are good. You never even bothered to respond to any of the arguments, you just stated the user was responsible, and no one else.
- Have you really just called me rude? Please point me to where I've been rude to you. Because I talked about "attitude"?
By cm at Mon, 2005/02/21 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
>- I have called *no one* uneducated. That's been someone else, and this may be a case of a language problem. I don't think the person wanted to be offensive.
To give it the truth, I chose the word with caution. Not to flame, but to have a discussion about privacy considerations in software development, an often underrated point. I'm sure quite a few KDE developers read the dot and I hoped someone would be vexed enough to write such a reply as mornfall did. Thank you mornfall. :)
By Carlo at Mon, 2005/02/21 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
Well, you are in the role of user in this thread. Every developer is an user, too. I am an user to some apps while i'm a developer to others. Anyhow, if say David came (as much as he never would) and "ordered" me to do something in say libapt-front "his" way (a project he has pretty nothing to do with), i would pretty much send him to hell (that, and lose much of the respect i have for him). I am pretty damn confident he would never do it, as i said.
As for you, well, you very much side with Carlo and thus i somewhat confused the two of you. Anyhow, you assert that it is my responsibility what user does with the program, more or less, and there i conclude you want me to do so that however clueless user doesn't get burnt, which is something i never will, unless i get paid for such work (in which case, i would think about it, yes). It is however me myself who decides how much i help the user with avoiding pitfalls. You may have your say in that of course. Keep in mind that the better and more of a contribution you did the more you can say. I maintain that users of a given application should just ask politely, or maybe can afford a bit less politely if they have patches. From my experience, the more aggressively something is demanded, the less important it is. That, and it is very unrewarding to work on anything that was previously demanded by anyone, since you are not going to be thanked upon implementing that whatever. Easy as that. Asking nicely will get you much farther than arguing.
Nevertheless, the random jerk or rudeness comments weren't directed at anyone in particular, really. In fact, i wasn't really personal anywhere, and i'm sorry if you took that personally. I tend to speak in general, even that "missing the point as usual" wasn't directed at you specifically. Anyway, i was pretty much offended (thank Carlo for that one) and consequently somewhat angry (which i hate to be, since it affects my productivity badly) and thus not very discriminating in my replies. Anyway, you get what you ask for. I am not known to be "easy" with strangers or for being politically correct. Yada. Sorry 'bout that. I should go do my work now instead of commenting in this silly thread. I suck.
By mornfall at Tue, 2005/02/22 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
> I should go do my work now instead of commenting in this silly thread.
That's exactly what I promised myself to answer to your next reply
By cm at Tue, 2005/02/22 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
>Sure if someone makes a program rm -rf your $HOME, well, he may be an asshole. But it is your fscking responsibility that you downloaded and ran the program.
If the doomed user can make it clear in court, that it was done by intention (o.k., won't be easy), the one who wrote it would likely be plead guilty. Even giving something away for free doesn't mean, that you can't be held responsible for your doing. But it's more about moral obligations than law we speak about.
What puzzles me is, that you say, you are not able to distinct between private data and data that's needed for a networking task, while everyone else can.
By Carlo at Mon, 2005/02/21 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
If i recall correctly (i probably don't), the only case where warranty disclaimer like the one in GPL is void is when serious injury or death is inflicted due to the program. Anyway that is pretty irrelevant.
You say that "everyone else can" may i ask this "everyone else" what exactly is private data and what exactly is "needed for a networking task"? This is very unclear to me, since in some places, uploading illegal content is "needed for a networking task" and illegal content would probably also qualify as "private data" huh. You are somewhat confused (or confusing?) with your "clear" and "commonly known" ideas. In other words, "everyone else knows that..." is a common practice, where you try to persuade someone that your personal opinion is held by general public and try to substitute your missing authority with that notion of many people thinking whatever you think.
By mornfall at Mon, 2005/02/21 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
>If i recall correctly (i probably don't), the only case where warranty disclaimer like the one in GPL is void is when serious injury or death is inflicted due to the program. Anyway that is pretty irrelevant.
I wonder how a german court would decide, if you can prove something like `rm -rf /` was added by intention, maybe with the comment "Don't compile as root, asshat.". General responsibility exclusion rules are somewhat limited here.
>is a common practice, ...
Well, you're the only one in this thread, who says, that you can't distinct between sending user data behind the users back to a third party website, even though the user never agreed and a common protocol usage, when a user explicitly requests website.
By Carlo at Mon, 2005/02/21 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
[different menu structure]
It's a different app with a different focus, so I think it's pretty much OK to have a different menu structure...
[different toolbar position]
See above. On a side note, every CD player has the controls below the display, not above the display.
[controls in the status bar]
Use Konqueror? Check the green LED at the left of the status bar, and the checkbox at the right - big surprise! amaroK is not the only app with controls in the status bar!
[Many actions are only possible when you open the right panel.]
Same is true for 99% of all applications. Eg, if you remove the sidebar in Konqueror, you'll also loose quite a few actions...
By Willie Sippel at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
> It's a different app with a different focus [...]
That's true for every single application in KDE. I don't see why different rules should apply to amaroK.
> every CD player has the controls below the display [...]
And that's how we ended up with user interfaces that look like this:
...which pretty much everyone with an ounce of usability experience knows, well, plain suck.
> Use Konqueror?
Those aren't exactly great in Konqueror. And there they're not central interface features such as they are in amaroK.
Essentially you've argued three times here that "other people do stupid things, so they can just be ignored in amaroK too". I'd rather see a constructive argument on why those choices are or are not useful on their own. Like mom always said -- two wrongs don't make a right. ;-)
By AC at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
You're mom probably also told you something like "Don't judge things that you got for free".
The programmers like there app.
So if you don't find it usable, *don't* use it.
By ac at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
I *do* find it usable, but I too think that it could be even better than it is now. Your blantant refusal to accept some critisism "because it's free" isn't really in the spirit of how things are done in KDE. Why not keep an open mind on how this program could be even better. Not all suggestions can or should be followed, but simply dismissing them with "Don't judge things that you get for free" is far to easy for my taste.
> Aareon Seigo loves amarok. (http://aseigo.blogspot.com/2005/02/amarok.html)
By Andre Somers at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am
Re: Calling home
> Your blantant refusal to accept some critisism "because it's free" isn't really in the spirit of how things are done in KDE.
critisism isn't in the spirit of KDE. Offering suggestions how to improve things is.
Saying menu-structure, toolbar, etc are all unusable just because they are different, is just critizing other people work.
Saying "repeat track" should be in the "Settings" menu because [reason], is helpful and always welcomed.
By ac at Fri, 2005/02/18 - 6:00am


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This Halloween weekend is going to be all about the kids. Candy, jack 'o lanterns, trick or treating, and arguments about whether they'll wear their winter coats over or under their costumes. That is, unless you live in Southern California, Arizona, or Florida. You parents have no idea how easy you have it.
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Serves 4
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3/4 cup milk
4 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
canola oil for griddle
2 tablespoons butter
2 sweet, crisp apples, peeled and diced (such as Rome Beauty, Golden Delicious, or Honeycrisp)
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
1/2 cup pure maple syrup, plus extra for drizzling
1. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, whisk ricotta cheese, milk, egg yolks, and vanilla extract. Add flour mixture and whisk just until combined.
3. In a clean, dry glass or metal bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer on high until foamy. Using a spatula, fold into the batter.
4. Pour a little bit of oil on a griddle over medium heat. Drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto the griddle. Cook for 1 minute, or until golden underneath. Flip and cook 30-60 more, or until golden. Repeat. Keep hotcakes on a covered warm plate or in a low oven (250 degrees F) until ready to serve.
5. To make the apples, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples and cook for 5 minutes, or until golden and tender, but not mushy. Add remaining ingredients through 1/2 cup maple syrup. Stir well and cook 2 minutes, or until the syrup begins to bubble. Cool slightly. When ready to serve, ladle on top of hotcakes. Serve with maple syrup.
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You might also enjoy these adult-friendly breakfasts from Food Blogga:
Breakfast Egg Sandwich with Avocado and Chipotle Mayo
Savory Chestnut Pancakes with Pancetta and Creme Fraiche
Fresh Fig, Ricotta, and Honey Breakfast Crostini
Savory Sausage and Fennel Galette
Here are more adult-friendly breakfasts you might enjoy:
Spiced Pear Galette recipe at My Diverse Kitchen
Pumpkin French Toast recipe at Panini Happy
Smoked Salmon Quiche recipe at One For The Table
Green Chile Huevos Rancheros recipe at The Way the Cookie Crumbles
PS- Meeta of What's For Lunch, Honey? just brought to my attention that my hotcakes would be ideal for her Monthly Mingle this month, which is brunch.


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Generally I'm not one for "themed" food. But a girl's gotta have some fun. So for the 4th of July, I'd like to share a patriotic potato salad made with three kinds of spuds: old fashioned white russet, delicate red-skinned taters, and sassy All-Blue potatoes (which are sometimes labeled purple Peruvian).
This potato salad is just kitschy enough without being tacky. Though I recommend using red-white-and-blue checkered cloths, I don't think sticking sparklers or miniature American flags in the potatoes is necessary.
The potatoes you see here are called All-Blues. They are slightly starchier but the same color as purple Peruvians, which are technically fingerling potatoes -- smaller, thinner potatoes. Apparently, both get their brilliant color from iron. The color will fade when cooked, but try this trick to minimize the fading: add a couple of splashes of white vinegar to the cooking water.
Well that's it for today. Now I've gotta get crackin' on my American flag-shaped hamburgers....
Patriotic Potato Salad
Serves 4-6
Print recipe only here.
2 pounds total of russet, purple, and red-skinned potatoes
2 stalks celery, diced (about 1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar**
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons each fresh basil and parsley, thinly sliced
6-7 cranks of freshly ground black pepper
a generous sprinkling of salt, to taste
Scrub the potatoes well, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Add to a medium size pan of water (with a couple of splashes of white vinegar, if desired). Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook until potatoes are tender yet still firm to the touch, about 8-12 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, water, herbs, salt and pepper in a small bowl, and set aside.
Drain potatoes, and place in a large bowl. Add diced celery, and pour vinaigrette over the potatoes. Gently stir to avoid breaking the potatoes. Serve at room temperature or chilled. (Potato salad tastes better after it sits at least a few hours.)
**White balsamic vinegar is available at Trader Joe's as well as most major supermarkets. It's similar in flavor to regular brown balsamic vinegar but doesn't stain the potatoes.
You might also like:
Watermelon and Green Olive Salad
Sauteed Corn with Mint, Butter, and Lemon
Barbecue Pizza with Fresh Summer Corn and Sweet Onions
Lamb Kebabs
Here are more potato salads for your cookout:
- Alanna's Confetti Potato Salad
- Andrea's Red Potato Salad
- The Expat's Classic Potato Salad
- Luisa's Potato Salad with Green Sauce
- Peter's Dijon Potato Salad
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text:
100% 925 Sterling silver
Quartz stone
Heavy chains with a large quartz pendant
47cm length
Made in Germany
We work with our carrier UPS to grant you the highest level of service.
Different options could be selected depending on your needs and your location- from 1-3 days to 5-8 days.
If you buy goods from us, you have the right to decide that you do not want to keep the goods within 14 days from the delivery. You can then return your order without penalty and without giving any reason.
In order to return the goods, you need to:
If you have fulfilled all requirements set above, the company will refund the entire price for the purchased products within 14 days. Should you decide to use the courier indicated by our company and with the online return form, you will not have to directly take care of the return shipping costs, which are at your expense. In this case, our company will pre-pay the return shipping costs for you and will deduct from your refund the cost of shipment. You will then receive a confirmation e-mail
In case your return does not meet the requirements, the package will be sent back to you at your cost.


text:
Source Code for Programming Kotlin
Copyrights apply to this source code. You may use the source code in your own projects, however the source code may not be used to create training material, courses, books, articles, and the like. We make no guarantees that this source code is fit for any purpose.
.tgzfile is a gzip-compressed tar archive, and can be extracted with a command such as:
$ tar xzf vskotlin-code.tgz
.zipfile is a standard Zip archive, and can be extracted with (for example):
C:\temp> unzip vskotlin-code.zip
Although not universally true, zip files are more commonly used on Windows systems, while tar files are used on Unix-based systems. You may need to download a separate utility to extract files from an archive on Windows.


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Bridgeville Chase
Bridgeville Delaware Real Estate
Below are all homes available in Bridgeville Chase. We specialize in Bridgeville Delaware area homes. Please contact us for more information or to arrange a showing.
Browse Homes for Sales in Bridgeville Chase
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Based on information from Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, Inc which neither guarantees nor is in any way responsible for it's accuracy. All data is provided "AS IS" and with all it's faults. Data maintained by Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market Mann & Sons, Inc. is a Real Estate licensee in the State of Delaware. SCAOR DE License Number: SCAOR 08098.
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text:
Despite making some progress in their financial situations over the past couple of years, employees still aren't on track and they know it.
The third-quarter Trends in Employee Financial Issues report found that financial wellness has dropped as workers become "more aware of their financial shortcomings."
Those shortcomings include saving for retirement. More than 40% of employees said they weren't sure they'd be able to achieve future financial goals, up from 34% in the third quarter of 2012. The economy is troubling them, too. Forty-three percent said they were worried about the effect the economy would have on their financial future.
Overall wellness fell from 5.2, where it held steady for the first half of the year, to 4.9. A score between 3 and 4.9 indicates employees "may be sabotaging" themselves due to poor financial behaviors and lack of basic information. The percentage of workers who say their stress is overwhelming or very high increased to 19% from 13% last year.
Older workers were especially likely to be stressed. Eighty-four percent of workers 45 and older reported some level of stress, the report found. One explanation is that workers in that age bracket may be facing several realities that put significant strain on their finances: paying for education for children, caring for elderly parents, continuing to save for retirement or meeting growing health care expenses.
However, increased stress has led to more engagement for some employees. Almost 40% of workers say they've used a retirement calculator, and 90% are contributing to their workplace plan.
"We believe employees are experiencing a reality check about their financial situations," Liz Davidson, founder and CEO of Financial Finesse, said in a statement. "Obviously the recession and sluggish economy have provided a major wake-up call, but now we're seeing more employees delving deeper into their finances — in particular, running a retirement plan projection, learning more about investing, how to minimize their taxes, and even key details like the interest rates they are paying on their credit cards."
Financial Finesse noted that early adopters of workplace financial wellness plans tend to use the services regularly and identified significant improvement. Following the Great Recession, 31% of respondents said they were confident their assets were allocated correctly. When asked more recently, 53% said they were confident. In their first meeting, 44% of employees said they maximize all available federal tax credits and deductions, compared with 63% today; 45% had taken a risk assessment, compared with 64% today; and 41% understood tax implications of their investments and retirement accounts, compared with 57% today.
Although the percentage of workers who know they're on track to meet their retirement goals didn't increase by the same degree, there have been improvements. Following the recession just 18% of employees said they were on track. Today, 31% said they knew they would meet their goals. Furthermore, Financial Finesse identified a "second wave" of wellness tool users. The percentage of first-time users has increased steadily from the end of 2011 to the second quarter; it's holding steady at 90%.
Financial Finesse anticipates seeing a similar increase in stress as employees who take wellness assessments for the first time become aware of where they are falling behind, but noted that a little stress is OK for workers if it leads to behavioral change. "The critical factor is that now that the second wave has this information, they need to make the type of dramatic improvements in behavior that we have seen from the early adopters," according to the report. "At the same time, the early adopters will have to continue to adapt to an ever-changing financial landscape."
Check out Financial Wellness Paves New Career Track for Advisors on ThinkAdvisor.


text:
The ready-to-use lentiviral particles of Lenti-MAGE-A3 TCR (Affinity enhanced)-VP is packaged using 3rd generation of lentiviral packaging system, in which the gene of Mouse TCR will be driven by a CMV promotor. The target gene of TCR packaged in lentiviral particles could be used for high efficency tranduction of T cells and stably integrated expression.
For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use. No products from Creative Biolabs may be resold, modified for resale or used to manufacture commercial products without prior written approval from Creative Biolabs.
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text:
New products introduced over the last week include a new alternative investments fund from Goldman Sachs and an emerging-markets government bond index fund from Vanguard.
In addition, OppenheimerFunds announced enhancements to its Scholar's Edge 529 program, the Cambria ETF Trust launched a new ETF and Jemstep announced a 401(k) enhancement to its portfolio management service.
Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:
1) Goldman Sachs Announces New Alternative Investments Fund
Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) announced Thursday the launch of the Goldman Sachs Multi-Manager Alternatives Fund (A shares, GMAMX), which offers exposure to a range of alternative and nontraditional investment strategies within the structure of a mutual fund. The fund's A and C shares require $1,000 minimum initial investments. It is also offered in institutional, R and IR shares.
GMAMX expects to invest in a wide range of strategies, including equity long-short, dynamic equity, event-driven and credit, relative value, tactical-trading and opportunistic fixed income strategies. Jason Gottlieb and Ryan Roderick are co-portfolio managers for GMAMX and sit within GSAM's alternative investments and manager selection (AIMS) group, which has more than 275 professionals across 10 offices around the world and provides manager diligence, portfolio construction, risk management and liquidity solutions.
2) Vanguard to Launch Emerging-Markets Government Bond Index Fund
Vanguard announced Tuesday the introduction of the Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund (ETF shares: VWOB). The fund is now accepting investments during a subscription period that will end at close of business on May 30. During this period, the fund will invest in money-market instruments as it accumulates sufficient assets to construct a representative, diversified portfolio. The ETF shares are scheduled to begin trading in early June.
Following the subscription period, the fund will seek to track the Barclays USD Emerging Markets Government RIC Capped Index and will invest solely in U.S. dollar-denominated emerging-market bonds. The expense ratios are as follows: ETF, 0.30%; investor, 0.50%; admiral, 0.35%; and institutional, 0.30%. The fund will assess a purchase fee of 0.75% on all non-ETF shares to help offset the higher transaction costs associated with buying emerging-market bonds.
3) OppenheimerFunds Enhances Scholar's Edge 529 Plan
OppenheimerFunds announced enhancements to its 529 program, Scholar's Edge. Investors will now have access to its portfolio allocator, which provides the opportunity to invest across up to 23 individual fund portfolio options covering the major asset classes as well as alternative investments and automatic account rebalancing each quarter. The firm also unveiled a new microsite, AdvisorsEdge529.com, that provides financial advisors access to enrollment kits and educational resources. OppenheimerFunds also unveiled a new Scholar's Edge brand and refreshed website designed to promote greater access to educational materials and fund information, as well as a distinct microsite for advisors to get clients started on the Scholar's Edge platform and guide them through the investment allocation process.
4) Cambria ETF Trust Launches Shareholder Yield ETF
The Cambria ETF Trust and its investment manager, Cambria Investment Management, launched the Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) on Tuesday. SYLD is an actively managed ETF made up of U.S. stocks that have historically ranked among the highest in paying cash dividends, engaging in share buybacks and paying down debt.
SYLD employs a quantitative algorithm to select 100 U.S. stocks with market caps greater than $200 million, as assessed by shareholder yield qualifications. The fund offers investors a diversified portfolio of companies, ranging in size, industry and sector, and is managed to ensure that no one sector is overconcentrated. SYLD also employs value, quality and momentum factors in the final portfolio selection. The fund expects to pay yearly dividends.
5) Jemstep Announces Portfolio Manager Service Enhancement
Online investment advisor Jemstep announced a 401(k) enhancement to its portfolio manager service that provides immediate, individualized advice on what to buy and what to sell based on the limited set of investments available in client 401(k)s. Jemstep's database of investment options includes well-known companies, state and federal entities, 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans for millions of employees. If Jemstep doesn't have their plan, investors can simply add their retirement plan choices and get instant actionable advice across all their accounts. Jemstep ensures they have the right asset allocation, while minimizing taxes, reducing fund fees, and selecting investments.
A basic account is free, no matter the size of the portfolio. Premium services are available for a low monthly fee depending on portfolio size, starting at $17.99 per month (a premium account is free for those with under $25,000).
Read the May 10 Portfolio Products Roundup at AdvisorOne.


text:
Ban Saylom Village, just South of Luang Prabang, Laos. Every morning at dawn, barefoot Buddhist monks and novices in orange robes walk down the streets collecting food alms from devout, kneeling Buddhists. They then return to their temples (also known as "wats") and eat together. This procession is called Tak Bat, or Making Merit.
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text:
So I ran up to see how my scarecrow was holding up, and to see the other entries in my category. Here's how the contest rules describe it:
Traditional/Whirligig - A combination of two old favorites! Pay homage to the scarecrows that have been "scaring crows" from the farmer's fields and gardens for centuries. You may choose to add parts that move or make noise when the wind gusts to make it a true whirligig - either way your scarecrow has it's work cut out for it here in the Village.
Here are the entries:
Family Appeal: Much. Halloween imagery and happy demeanor.
Chances of Winning: Probably in the top three.
Family Appeal: Not much. Kind of scary. Like the coal miner in My Bloody Valentine.
Chances of Winning: Not very likely, due to previously-mentioned murderous miner resemblance.
Family Appeal: Lots. He's cute. Harmless. And a Frankenstein/Clown hybrid.
Chances of Winning: High. Based on experience. I lost to an Egg.
Family Appeal: Not sure. He looks bored and I think that gets projected onto the viewer.
Chances of Winning: Hopefully none. This guy has been entered into the contest every single year for as long as I can remember. He's beaten previous scarecrows of mine.
Recipient of the Pumpkinrot Martha Stewart Halloween magazine award: For regurgitating and repackaging the same product every year.
Family Appeal: Not Much. Ethnic cultural scarecrows are creepy.
Chances of Winning: Low. Ethnic cultural scarecrows are creepy.
Family Appeal: Tons. Audience participation guarantees this guy a top place win. Kids couldn't wait to get behind there and smile through the head hole. And there's a lever on the back so you can make the body dance.
Chances of Winning: Off the charts.
Family Appeal: Moderate. Smiling face (but holding a firearm).
Chances of Winning: Probably low. Guns kill people.
Family Appeal: High. A cowboy Corvus brachyrhynchos riding a hooved mammal.
Chances of Winning: Probably in the top three. Kids love when crows choose to ride horses instead of fly.
Family Appeal: Not much.
Chances of Winning: Low. Overheard two women speaking negatively about him. The exact quote - "You know, it's almost TOO good. You know what I mean?" [said with a contorted face as if demonstrating pain].
And, No, actually. I DON'T know what you mean.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
So I ran up to see how my scarecrow was holding up, and to see the other entries in my category. Here's how the contest rules describe it:
37 comments:
- Jay's Shadow said...
I'll tell you what, if yours does not beat any of these I think you should still burn that village down...I mean come on, these don't even come close to what I see as a scarecrow!
- September 19, 2010 at 4:06 PM
- Jay's Shadow said...
(if you lose to #5, trick or treat pete....I'll burn the village for you. >:)
- September 19, 2010 at 4:09 PM
- Rot said...
We'll see.
I actually forgot one. You can see a horse in the background of the first photo. That was a cowboy scarecrow.
- September 19, 2010 at 4:10 PM
- SPOOKSHOWS.COM said...
The women are right - yours is "too good" for their contest. I would take their "criticism" as high praise, yours is the best by far, and it is every year.
- September 19, 2010 at 4:15 PM
- Goneferalinidaho said...
"For regurgitating and repackaging the same product every year"
Very humorous post Rot. I'd love to push the line and enter something that was utterly tasteless in concept.
- September 19, 2010 at 4:37 PM
- Hopsy the beer drinking clown said...
madness, utter madness...those other "scarecrows" are surely a sign of the end times...
- September 19, 2010 at 5:09 PM
- Pam Morris said...
as always, there just ain't no comparison...if yours doesn't win this year, rot, I really don't think you should even take the trouble to enter next year. it always frustrates me that the general public-at-large really has no appreciation for what's really good. still, I always enjoy seeing your creations and obviously, there are many of us who truly love your work.
- September 19, 2010 at 5:55 PM
- Mr. Chicken said...
I love so much that you continue entering this contest year after year while the judges continue to fail to recognize your artistry
- September 19, 2010 at 5:57 PM
- Rot said...
I added the cowboy crow to the lineup.
Thanks, all.
I'm just having fun...I really don't expect to win each year. It's just a hoot being mixed in with all that bright happy stuff.
- September 19, 2010 at 6:15 PM
- Hopsy the beer drinking clown said...
Halloween-type contests are really confounding, last year my krampus costume lost out to a girl with a box over her made to look like barbie packaging....what the hell...
- September 19, 2010 at 6:23 PM
- Rot said...
A riot, man.
- September 19, 2010 at 6:25 PM
- ShellHawk said...
"Recipient of the Pumpkinrot Martha Stewart Halloween magazine award: For regurgitating and repackaging the same product every year."
Glad to see my Martha rant made an impression.
I don't get the "too good" comment, either. I mean, are you supposed to submit crap in order to win? Huh?! (Face screwed up in total confusion and pain, since the comment made my brain hurt.)
- September 19, 2010 at 6:28 PM
- Rot said...
And she really delivered the statement in the most negative way possible, and shaking her head.
Maybe she was thinking the contest is for kids to enter? I dunno.
- September 19, 2010 at 6:48 PM
- Sara said...
lol. very well-written. love the ethnic scarecrow comments. also, the DIY scarecrow is awesome and if you don't win i hope it does. very fun. yours is still so much more professional-looking than all of them....maybe that girl meant that yours is in a league of its own.
- September 19, 2010 at 6:55 PM
- Vintage Seance said...
Omg this is such a funny post. The one with the gun is totally weird. Yours is definitely the best! Good luck!
- September 19, 2010 at 7:03 PM
- Anonymous said...
Right there with SPOOKSHOWS.COM upthread. Your entry is way "too good" to be appreciated by these folks, sorry to say.
SEEDS IS STELLAR, & unfortunately the local tastes seem, ermmm...ahhhh, too pedestrian to appreciate that.
- September 19, 2010 at 7:18 PM
- Jason-v said...
I once borrowed a freinds alien costume used in a low budget flick.. the latex apparatus was covered head to toe..er claws.. it was a beast!!! ANd a true work of art. I entered a contest and loss to a dude wearing red spandex suit with airbrushed spider web lines. It looked like spider man fell into a washer machine with bleach.. I was shocked..lol.. but your work is second to none.. i hope you win... but as mentioned above, the general public as a whole is artisticly challenged...when it comes to this stuff..
Its a SCARECROW.. SCARE...!!
- September 19, 2010 at 8:37 PM
- NoahFentz said...
Very funny...
Unfortunately alot of the scarecrow personalities resemble some of my co workers.
- September 19, 2010 at 11:53 PM
- Unknown said...
They need a new category int he contest... scary scarecrows.
You should've gone and talked to the woman who said that. Pretend you felt the same way about it. Like an undercover operation.
Yours is really by far the best quality though. By VERY VERY FAR!
- September 20, 2010 at 12:04 AM
- Old Hag said...
"Seeds" truly is TOO GOOD...and I thought Idaho was backward......
- September 20, 2010 at 12:08 AM
- The Captain said...
People say the stupidest things, you should have agreed with her and got her to expand on it more. Then right when she is done digging the hole, push her in it by telling her that Seeds is yours. Dude people like crap, just look at whats on TV.
I'm really pulling for the "Walk Like an Egyptian" scarecrow. Because desert farming has really got to be difficult.
- September 20, 2010 at 12:26 AM
- House Bloodthorn said...
It's too good? As in it might actually, you know, scare a crow? Maybe one day they'll stop drinking the pablum-spiked Kool-Aid and give you, at the very least, the Lifetime Achievement Award. Gourd knows you've earned that.
- September 20, 2010 at 12:27 AM
- Old Fashion Halloween said...
A scarecrow with a gun...now that is scary and not in a good way. We inherited an entire lot next door and the first thing I said we need is scarecrows. Of course they won't compare to yours but a ghoul can dream.
- September 20, 2010 at 2:08 AM
- Leah's Art Magic said...
I can't tell you how much I admire your scarecrow. Great work!
- September 20, 2010 at 4:14 AM
- Pumpkin Knight said...
it comes down to the fact that your scarecrows are too creepy for some. outside the Halloween season most people avoid anything that's scary like it's the plague. it's a bit of a taboo to bring out the darkness before it's time. And your scarecrows are most definitely Dark.
as for trick or treat pete , I think he's getting a bit of a bum rap.he's not much compered to seed's but he's got a bunch of vintage charm. He shouldn't beat seeds out for top but I kinda like him.
- September 20, 2010 at 4:54 AM
- The Captain said...
I was thinking about the scarecrow with a gun. It isn't all that strange, Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz carries a pistol . Googled "scarecrow with gun" got 604,000 results!
check it out if you don't remember
- September 20, 2010 at 9:22 AM
- Anonymous said...
I drove from Pgh to do some Halloween shopping and went to Peddlers Village last. Your scarecrow was the last thing and I saw, it was worth the wait. Such an amazing creation! Those other entries don't even come close!!
- September 20, 2010 at 9:43 AM
- RebelShade said...
Rot your a legend, When I think Scarecrow I think Pumpkinrot. When I build a scarecrow I think what would pumpkinrot do here... Your work is amazing and seeds is awesome. If he doesn't win this year it would be just wrong. almost you got to be kidding wrong.
- September 20, 2010 at 3:42 PM
- Chris 'Frog Queen' Davis said...
LOL! Too good! Ha, ha....wait that kinda makes sense (LOL!), I know exactly what they mean :D
Your stuff is amazing.
It is so far above perfect, it is in its own universe. :)
Good luck to you!!
- September 20, 2010 at 6:17 PM
- K.O. said...
OMG! I was in PA for a concert last weekend, and we stopped by Peddler's Village on Saturday to shop. Anyway, I saw that there was a scarecrow competition going on there, but I didn't think it was the same one you participate in annually (especially after looking at a few of the entries, which were far too "family friendly" for me). But I kept thinking how cool it would be to see one of your 'crows in person! I gave up searching after a while, and we ate at Buck's Yard. THEN, after we came out and were walking to the car, I saw SEEDS!!!! It was sheer luck! I was so psyched! He looks great and is clearly the finest work there. That level of artistry and quality is just so obviously out of their league. It's like casting pearls before swine...
- September 20, 2010 at 7:48 PM
- Rot said...
Glad you liked him in person!
I want to go up there at night and see how he looks in the dark.
- September 20, 2010 at 7:51 PM
- Lisa said...
Rot, your work is far too sophisticated for that blunt little tool of a contest. That fact that yours is "too good" should be the true win in this situation. :)
- September 20, 2010 at 8:13 PM
- Unknown said...
I'm in love with your scarecrow! I first found your blog by google image searching scarecrows. I found a reference to a "Pumpkinrot" scarecrow-Pumpkinrot used like an adjective :) That was last year. Anyway, I'm sure this guy is lighting a real fire for the season in some of the little kids at this festival. That's how it started for me..something scary but beautiful that you can't get out of your head.
- September 20, 2010 at 11:51 PM
- Gilles De Rais said...
@Pumpkin Knight I realise everyone is entitled to their opinion but seriously? Rots work is GENIUS. No matter what time of year it is. I would sell my soul for half his talent!! And I agree with Shadow, burn that place down if you don't win! You should have gotten first place EVERY year.
- September 22, 2010 at 3:07 AM
- Ghoul Friday said...
I'm late commenting on this, but it's stuck with me so I thought I'd come back to leave a comment.
I laughed through the whole post and your commentary because I was thinking the same things you were.
" 'You know, it's almost TOO good. You know what I mean?' [said with a contorted face as if demonstrating pain].
And, No, actually. I DON'T know what you mean."
You should have said that to her ;) I would have been busting to say it had I been there, but I probably wouldn't have either.
I think this statement, combined with how you've described the contest in the past, and mixed with Pumpkin Knight's observation that reminds us that not everyone approaches Halloween the same way, and with the woman's comment as the cherry one top....it all adds up to a clear picture of what the atmosphere of the contest & possibly community is like.
If I had to guess, I think the woman means - in her short sighted way - yours looks like a professional entry in something she perceives as a family contest...you know..googly-eyes and popsickle sticks with a slight upgrade. Because hey, "regular people" apparently don't have artistic talent :p For some reason, she - and as you've learned, many of the people who vote - want whimsy and cute and something that would match their inflatable lawn decorations.
And somehow, she thinks your talent is almost like...like cheating in some twisted way.
I'm going to guess she has zero artistic ability. And I'm going to guess many people who vote don't have much artistic talent. And people often are drawn to entries they imagine they COULD have done or COULD have dreamed up on their own. And also, people like what's familiar (again, going back to that reflection of themselves).
I'm not saying ANY of this makes it right or that I agree with the mentality. I just recognize it as I've seen it over and over again.
These are the people who would walk past all the small decorations we would buy, and head straight for the happy little scarecrow in overalls made out of corn husks. You know what I mean?
- September 26, 2010 at 7:44 PM
- Rot said...
Crystal clear...
That makes a ton of sense.
I really wanted to say to her "Don't worry, lady. It's not like I'll win or anything."
: )
- September 26, 2010 at 7:47 PM
- Unknown said...
amazing work, yours stood out by a mile as the best
- September 30, 2010 at 11:58 PM


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No one wants what anyone can have. Such is the case with free-flowing injections of money into the financial system.
Cash is trash, after all. It's easy to come by, yet has little redeeming value for those who hold it.
The liquidity curse is the newest, coolest way to explain the rally in equity prices. Frustrated by low returns in CDs and Treasuries, investors will eventually give up and pour their money in the stock market. The result, according to pundits, is a nice steady rally in stock prices.
And the spigot is only half on. There is such a tremendous vacuum in equity flows that the stock market will act like a sponge. But like any type of "flow trade," even a temporary slowdown in volume could frustrate retail investors looking to re-enter the markets after experiencing a devastating 2008 and missing the subsequent run-up.
Don't get me wrong. I like stocks here, but a 5+% month is a bit extreme. One might want to exercise caution as they add to positions.


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Members of Gen X and Gen Y are less satisfied with their financial situation than their parents, according to a New York Life study released Thursday.
Less than half of the Gen Y respondents said they were satisfied with their financial situation, compared with 68% of boomers and 82% of respondents from the Silent Generation. Just 51% of Gen X respondents said they were satisfied.
"The Keep Good Going Report findings align with other research that confirms that Gen X and Gen Y are keenly aware of how the economic slowdown has put stress on their long-term financial futures," Paul Horrocks, vice president of New York Life, said in a statement. "These generations are concerned that the financial goals that baby boomers and the Silent Generation took for granted, such as home ownership, rising incomes and a secure retirement, will be much more difficult to attain."
Horrocks noted that Gen Y has struggled to find jobs following the recession and suggested that the impact of that struggle may account for their relative unhappiness. "But what's surprising is that Generation Xers, in their prime working years, aren't more satisfied with their financial situation than Gen Y," he said. "We believe this suggests a need among many members of both generations to take a more active role in understanding and managing their personal finances so they can feel more confident about their financial future."
Confidence isn't the only byproduct of financial security. The report found that respondents of all generations felt being financially secure was an important part of being a good person. Fifty-six percent of respondents said being self-sufficient in retirement was important to live life as a good person, the same percentage who said they needed to be able to protect their family against "life's uncertainties." Fifty-four percent said not having to worry about bills and day-to-day expenses was an important aspect of being a good person.
"The research shows that the ability to simply accumulate more things is not how most people find financial satisfaction nor real life satisfaction," Brian Perlman, senior vice president and CFO of Mathew Greenwald & Associates, the research firm that conducted the survey for New York Life, said in a statement. "Americans, including Gen X and Y, want their finances to offer protection for the future, not just the ability to snap up the latest gadgets today. This highlights a great opportunity for people to cultivate goodness in their own lives just by taking some steps to feel more financially prepared."


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San Diego-based Washington Wealth Management, an independent hybrid RIA that uses LPL Financial (LPLA) as a broker-dealer, said early Wednesday that it recruited two large FA teams to its wealth platform: California Wealth Transitions and Overlake Partners. For Washington Wealth, this means more than $1 billion in recruited assets under management in 2012, a jump of 900% over the past 12 months vs. $100 million in recruited AUM in 2011.
"We are delighted that both California Wealth Transitions and Overlake Partners have chosen to partner with us," said Washington Wealth CEO Rob Bartenstein (left), in a press release. "Each group is singularly unique, comprised of driven, successful professionals who share our vision of the value our firm can add to independent financial advisor teams."
Washington Wealth says that it was founded by several former wirehouse employees, such as Bartenstein, who worked for Merrill Lynch (BAC). It also targets wirehouse and former-wirehouse advisors for its platform.
"At WWM, we recognize that independence is the target but freedom is the goal," Bartenstein said. "In addition, our directors in the field are actively working with all of our teams to identify opportunities for growth, whether one client at a time, or by wholesale acquisition of other practices."
The two wealth-management groups joining its platform are based on the West Coast: Overlake Partners of Bellevue, Wash., and California Wealth Transitions of San Diego.
Overlake is led by John Wilbourne, who has 18-plus years of industry experience and was most recently with Wells Fargo Advisors (WFC). The president of California Wealth is Keith Brandt, who has nearly 30 years in the business, including time at Merrill Lynch.
"Years of operating within the wirehouse model have made us appreciate the value of teaming with a strategic partner whose execution of service and support offerings give practices the freedom to fully focus on their client relationships while developing their own distinctive brands within the industry," said Wilbourne, in a statement.
Washington Wealth's platform includes an independent Registered Investment Advisor, a nonaffiliated broker-dealer and a multi-custodian offering. In addition to San Diego, it has offices in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Miami, Westport, Conn., and Middelburg, Va.
"These newly added practices represent the conclusion of an outstanding recruiting year for Washington Wealth Management," said Bartenstein. "As we head into 2013, we look forward to continuing our remarkable track record of robust recruiting and AUM growth by continuing to provide advisor teams that choose our platform with an extraordinary level of support and service that is second to none in our industry."


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Morgan Stanley (MS) has a new regional manager for its private wealth business in the Northwest, while Raymond James (RJF) has a new director for its independent channel operations in the central states.
Late Monday, Doug Ketterer, Morgan Stanley's head of field and private wealth management, announced that Wendi Eckardt will lead the private wealth operations for the wirehouse in the Northwest. "Wendi joins us from UBS, where for the past eight years she has led that firm's effort in the ultrahigh-net-worth market in Northern California," Ketterer explained in a memo.
Morgan Stanley's private-wealth business focuses on ultrahigh-net worth clients, who generally have at least $10 million in investable assets.
Eckardt began her career in financial services at Morgan Stanley in 1992. She was with UBS from 2005 to 2013.
(In late August, Morgan Stanley added nine advisors from rival firms with about $10 million in yearly fees & commissions, as well as more than $1.8 billion in total client assets.)
Meanwhile, Raymond James says that Kirk Bell has been promoted to director for the Central U.S. for its independent channel, Raymond James Financial Services. Bell replaces David Patchen, who was asked to lead the firm's private-client group education and practice management efforts in mid-August.
"After interviewing numerous qualified candidates, I am very pleased to promote Kirk to this important role," said Scott Curtis, president of RJFS, in a press release. "Kirk consistently receives positive feedback from the many financial advisors he supports and is highly regarded by those with whom he interacts."
Bell began his work in the business at Merrill Lynch and joined Raymond James in 2000.
"I am extremely excited to be given such a great opportunity," Bell said in a statement. "I have supported the Central Region for more than eight years, and I am looking forward to building upon an already solid foundation."
Bell is now responsible for risk management and supervision, branch manager and advisor relationship management, recruiting and practice management coaching in 12 states with more than 450 advisors in 217 branches. These reps are expected to produce some $175 million in revenues this fiscal year.
In early September, Raymond James said it recruited three advisors doing business as the Portland Harbor Group in Maine from Morgan Stanley. They joined Raymond James' employee-advisor channel this summer with more than $500 million in client assets and some $3.4 million in annual fees & commissions.
It also added recently advisor Stephen Valelly to the employee channel as a senior vice president of investments in Dallas. Valelly comes to Raymond James from Jefferies & Co., where he managed more than $100 million in client assets.
FiNet Recruiting
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (WFC) said Friday that it added 10 new practices with more than $1 billion in assets under management in July and August.
"Business owners who have joined us are advocates for their clients' best interests, and we're proud that they are recognizing the strength of our client-centric culture," said Kent Christian, president of FiNet, in a statement.
Among those joining Wells' independent channel is John Toman, who came over from Morgan Stanley with about $2.3 million in yearly fees and commissions, as well as about $220 million in assets. Toman is based in San Diego and has nearly 20 years of industry experience.
Brian Stewart, another ex-Morgan Stanley advisor is now with FiNet in Irvine, Calif. He has 28 years of industry experience and $130 million in AUM.
Movement to Merrill
Bank of America-Merrill Lynch (BAC) said early last week that it recruited several advisors with more than $500 million in combined client assets "to serve growing demand for wealth management services in these offices." The three reps came on board in late August.
Diane Padalino joined Merrill Lynch's Private Banking & Investment Group in Denver from Goldman Sachs (GS). She has managed $325 million in client assets and had close to $1.9 million in yearly production.
Merrill Lynch has also hired John Molkentin and Denise Chin Quee from Morgan Stanley in Miami. The team has $183 million in client assets and more than $1.3 million in annual fees and commissions.
Check out Next-Gen Advisor Crisis: Numbers to Shrink by 2017, Cerulli Says on ThinkAdvisor.


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Invensis Learning's VeriSM™ Foundation Training Course in Breda is delivered by highly qualified trainers with extensive experience. Participants attending this VeriSM Foundation certification training will gain knowledge about the VeriSM approach, service management principles, and the unique management mesh element of the VeriSM model. This provides a flexible approach that can be adapted depending on the requirements for a particular product or service. For each product or service, these areas are considered, and the mesh is flexed where necessary.
VeriSM™ is a service management approach from the organizational level, which looks at the end to end view rather than focusing on a single department. Based on the VeriSM™ model, it guides organizations to adopt a range of management practices in a flexible way to deliver the right product or service at the right time to their consumers.
We deliver VeriSM™ Foundation Training in Breda through classroom and live online virtual modes. Enroll now and gain this VeriSM Foundation certification in Breda today.
|Training Modes
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|VeriSM Foundation Training
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|VeriSM™ Foundation Course Duration
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|VeriSM™ Foundation Certification Eligibility Criteria
There are no pre-requisite criteria for taking the VeriSM Foundation certification examination.
|VeriSM Foundation Exam Format
|Who Should Attend VeriSM™ Foundation Certification Training
Job roles that can benefit from VeriSM™ Foundation training course in Breda include, but are not limited to:
Training delivery modes for effective learning
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It covers the definition and provides an explanation of the elements of service culture
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It covers the elements of the VeriSM Model and how VeriSM uses the management mesh to create and stabilize services
The success factors for adopting progressive management practices and the key concepts of when to apply Agile, DevOps, SIAM™, Lean as a management practice are covered.
The implications of technology on service management, the benefits of cloud, virtualization, and the impact of big data, internet of things, mobile computing, bring your own device on service management are covered.
It helps to get started with VeriSM and describes how to move from reactive to proactive operations.
The daily agenda of the 2-day VeriSM™ Foundation Course is detailed below:
At Invensis, we provide VeriSM Foundation training in Breda in three different learning modes in instructor-led classroom training, instructor-led online training, and on-site group training.
Yes, the examination fee is included in the course fee
The VeriSM Foundation credential is valid for the lifetime of an individual
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IFDC is the governing body for VeriSM Foundation course. EXIN provides accreditation for the course.
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Inclusion in Google's search results is free and easy; you don't even need to submit your site to Google. Google is a fully automated search engine that uses software known as "web crawlers" that explore the web on a regular basis to find sites to add to our index. In fact, the vast majority of sites listed in our results aren't manually submitted for inclusion, but found and added automatically when our bots crawl the web.
Is my site on Google?
To determine whether your site is currently included in Google's index, do a site: search for your site's URL. For example, a search for "site:wikipedia.org" returns these results.
My site isn't on Google!
Although Google crawls billions of pages, it's inevitable that some sites will be missed. When our spiders miss a site, it's frequently for one of the following reasons:
- The site isn't well connected from other sites on the web.
- You've just launched a new site and Google hasn't had time to crawl it yet.
- The design of the site makes it difficult for Google to crawl its content effectively.
- Google received an error when trying to crawl your site.
How do I get my site or mobile app on Google?
We offer guidelines for building a crawler-friendly website. While there's no guarantee that our site crawler will find a particular site, following these guidelines should make your site appear in our search results.
Google Search Console provides tools to help you submit your content to Google and monitor how you're doing in Google Search. If you want, Search Console can even send you alerts on critical issues that Google encounters with your site or mobile app.
Basic checklist for appearing in Google Search results
Here are a few basic questions to ask yourself about your website when you get started. You can find additional getting started information on Google Webmasters and in the SEO Starter Guide.
Is my website showing up on Google?
Inclusion in Google Search results is free and easy; you usually don't even need to do anything except post it on the web. To see if your pages are already indexed, search for your site in Google Search with a query like this:
Substitute your own site for "example.com". If your site doesn't show up, you can verify ownership of your website in Google Search Console and then submit your pages to Google .
Do I serve high-quality content to users?
Your number one priority should be ensuring that your users have the best possible experience on your site. Think about what makes your site unique, valuable, or engaging. Read the Google Webmaster Guidelines and make sure that you're managing your website using Google-friendly practices.
Is my local business showing up on Google?
Google My Business is a free and easy-to-use tool that helps you manage how your business information appears across Google, including Search and Maps. Consider adding your business and its website to google.com/business
Is my content fast and easy to access on all devices?
Most searches are now done from mobile devices; make sure that your content is optimized to load quickly and display properly on all screen sizes. Test if your pages are mobile-friendly .
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Modern users expect a secure online experience. Secure your website's connection with HTTPS.
Do I need additional help?
SEOs (search engine optimizers) are professionals who can help you improve your website and increase visibility on search engines. Learn more about why and how to hire an SEO.


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As the year-end giving season approaches, nonprofit organizations may be well advised to rev up their online fundraising efforts in September rather than wait until Thanksgiving.
Google discovered that donation-related searches on its site last year were 30% higher in September than they had been in August.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported this finding last week, and gave a brief look at follow-up research that it said Google would unveil for nonprofits on Wednesday and release more widely later.
Google's advertising unit commissioned a study about donors' online giving behavior by the market research firm Millward Brown Digital, which surveyed 982 people and analyzed the online behavior of 2 million people who had agreed to be tracked for six months.
According to The Chronicle, 57% of survey participants told researchers they had made a contribution after watching a charity's online video.
Forty percent of participants said they had conducted research about charities on their mobile devices, and 25% said they made donations using smartphones and tablets.
Among those who made donations through their mobile devices, 45% said they contributed using a browser, while 28% said they gave by text message. Other donors reported using mobile apps, click-to-call features and other mobile options.
Analysis of donors' online activity showed that nearly half of donors had visited multiple nonprofit websites before making a donation. Thirty-nine percent visited two to four sites, and 8% visited five or more.
Check out Top 10 Most Generous States on ThinkAdvisor.


text: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 December Craikcast Now Available Guest Editor and PTJ Editorial Board Member Patricia Ohtake, PT, PhD, joins Editor in Chief Rebecca Craik, PT, PhD, FAPTA, in this month's Craikcast, which highlights the articles in the December issue Special Series on Rehabilitation for People With Critical Illness. Ohtake summarizes the articles, and Craik adds her thoughts on important research conducted by established authors in the field, including physical therapists from across the United States and from Australia. Ohtake also discusses a 2-fold challenge of the critical care and rehabilitation communities—to continue to develop effective rehabilitation interventions and to increase awareness of postintensive care syndrome. The special series will be published in 2 issues—December 2012 and February 2013.


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Behavioral finance has established that even the strongest and most dedicated of investors are prone to panic when markets get rough. As such, one of the greatest challenges financial advisors face is trying to keep their clients engaged in markets at all times.
While a solid, well-thought-out and well-constructed financial plan is of the essence, getting investors to stick to it can often prove frustrating no matter how strong and close a relationship an advisor and a client may share.
That's why advisors need to have at the ready a number of airtight investment strategies designed to keep their clients engaged while providing them with the peace of mind they need to actually stay engaged, according to John Longo, CIO at Acertus Capital Management and a finance professor at Rutgers in New Jersey.
"Advisors need to get investors to stay in the markets and feel comfortable at all times, and for that, dollar cost averaging is a good technique," Longo said.
Based on that, Acertus Capital Management uses ETFs and options to sculpt a series of risk-return options that give the firm's clients downside protection in turbulent markets while also giving them some upside benefit and, above all, assuage their concerns when markets go awry.
The upside is capped at a certain level, Longo said, "so there's no free lunch, but these strategies still give our clients some peace of mind, which is extremely important for keeping them engaged in the market at all times."
Taking the S&P 500 — which is widely used and not only represents the U.S. equities market but also offers meaningful international exposure — as a benchmark, the firm proposes three "peace of mind" strategies.
The first is designed to consistently outperform the S&P 500 on a risk-adjusted basis in both rising and declining markets. It's structured to deliver high single-digit to low double-digit returns in rising markets, while reducing losses in declining markets. It works well for investors who want to mitigate market volatility and buffer losses, Longo said, while increasing the probability of earning attractive returns.
The second is designed to consistently outperform the S&P 500 in most rising markets, delivering returns in the mid-teen to mid-20 percent range in rising markets, while posting returns equal to the S&P 500 price decline in falling markets. It works well for investors who want to enhance returns without increasing downside risk.
And finally, the third is designed for a "black swan" market environment, Longo said. It's structured to allow market participation in the low- to high-teens range in rising markets with less volatility, while substantially reducing losses in markets that suffer abnormally steep declines. This is an attractive strategy for investors seeking to mitigate normal market volatility and reduce losses during severe market breaks while enjoying linear, market-like price appreciation.
All three strategies eliminate the temptation to make the emotionally flawed investment choices that all investors are prone to making, including buying at market highs and selling at market lows. Investors derive comfort from knowing that they don't need to time the market but can stay engaged and invested in it at any time, Longo said, without suffering too many losses to their portfolio.
Determining which strategy to use for individual clients depends largely on their risk tolerance levels.
"We try to get to know our clients and their goals and objectives first, and then we try to understand their risk tolerance," Longo said. "We get very rich clients, for example, who don't want to lose money, so that makes for a more conservative investment portfolio. What's important overall is that we have all three strategies at our disposal. Depending on each client, we turn the risk-return dial to a place where a client has peace of mind."
Longo believes that today, more than ever, investors need to stay engaged in the market at all times. Capital preservation has become much more important in today's markets, he said. While it's clear that advisors still need to make sure that they work on building a strong and lasting relationship with their clients, they must have practical solutions and offerings to deal with investor behavior and give investors the peace of mind they need.
Read more about behavioral finance on ThinkAdvisor.


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Things are definitely in the home stretch with this pregnancy. Today I hit the 34 week mark. Yeap, horrifyingly close.
We're also in the home stretch of finishing up the nursery. And while I would love to post some pictures of it, I haven't exactly taken any. So, I decided to at least share a little idea of one of the things that will be in the nursery- family photos. Or rather, young photos of the soon to be grandparents and well, Ashley and me. I haven't gotten all of the photos in yet, but here's what I have so far:
{yeap, that would be me…also at 3. should I be worried that ashley and i had the same haircut?}
{my dad…who I am now referring to as pop pop}
{and my mom…in what appears to be one of the cutest and most creative outfits I have ever seen}.
I promise to post photos of the actual nursery soon…guess I might want to finish it first. And good news…I actually baked the other day. And took photos of it! Stay tuned, I may actually have a food post soon!


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Academic Resources
Academic Resources
Academic resources at Grinnell include network of professionals from offices and departments with expertise in teaching a variety of academic skills. They support faculty and student success in teaching and learning.
Academic Advising
Any student can work with an academic advising counselor on nearly any academic concern.
Audiovisual Center
The audiovisual center is a resource for instructional multimedia and technology.
Digital Liberal Arts Collaborative
A team of creative people who help the Grinnell College community develop and infuse digital resources into its scholarship, teaching, and learning.
Data Analysis and Social Inquiry Lab
The lab supports the use of data in the classroom, student research, and student and faculty research collaborations.
Data Consulting Center
The center addresses data management and statistical software issues for faculty and students.
Faulconer Gallery
The 7,400-square-foot gallery presents exhibitions of regional, national, and international art year-round.
Information Technology Services
ITS integrates information technology into the instruction and operation of the College.
The libraries provide vast resources to bolster research and other studies.
Math Lab
The lab helps you develop mathematical abilities through informal tutoring.
Reading Lab
The lab helps you with verbal skills, reading efficiency, study strategies, and ESL proficiency.
Science Learning Center
The center helps you with coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics.
Writing Lab
The lab assists you with any writing or oral communication project via tutoring and classes.


text: Home Baggage Info Mishandled baggage Mishandled baggage If you have a checked baggage missing, please approach one of our friendly guest service officers immediately. You will need to provide your baggage tag that was given to you at the time of check-in for us to track your baggage through our Baggage Tracing System. Our guest service assistants then will update you on the status of the baggage periodically. Your baggage will be declared missing after a period of 7 days for Domestic travel, and 14 days for International travel, from the date of the PIR. In this situation, you will need to prepare the following documents: Copy of guest passport / ID Copy of guest bank book / statement SWIFT/BCB/IBN code (for international transaction) An authorization letter for 3rd party account (if necessary) Copy of 3rd party passport / ID (if necessary) Guests will be contacted by our Central Baggage Tracing Office staff for further action. The following telephone numbers are for missing baggage enquiries only. No other enquiries will be dealt with at these numbers: Kuala Lumpur Central Baggage Tracing Office: +603 8778 5495 Bangkok Central Baggage Tracing Office: +662 562 5869 Jakarta Central Baggage Tracing Office: +6221 5591 6126 and +6221 7034 6616 Alternatively, you can fill up our e-form here by selecting "Baggage" at the "Type" field. Please note that we do not accept any responsibility for personal belongings misplaced or lost on board the aircraft or in the airport terminal. All items carried by you are solely at your own risk. Any items found on board will be forwarded to the lost property offices at the respective airports. Any items found at the airport terminal will be handed over to the airport authorities. Delayed baggage If your baggage has been delayed, we will make the necessary arrangements to deliver it to your local address provided in the PIR form as and when it arrives. Arrangements will also be made to assist you should items of baggage arrive damaged. If you wish to file a claim or an action regarding delay of checked baggage, you must notify us within twenty-one (21) days from the date the baggage has been placed at your disposal. Damaged baggage If your baggage is damaged, you should immediately approach one of our friendly guest service officers. Details of the damage to your baggage will be recorded and you will be offered immediate assistance, if necessary. Please note that damage to accessories and wear and tear may not be covered by us. If your bag is damaged as a result of over-packing or unsuitable packaging, our liability will be reduced. If you wish to file a claim or an action regarding damage to checked baggage after you've left the airport, you must notify us as soon as you discover the damage, and at the latest within 7 (seven) days of receipt of the baggage.