text:
Users Online: 307
About us
Editorial board
Ahead of print
Current issue
Submit article
Export selected to
Reference Manager
Medlars Format
RefWorks Format
BibTex Format
Table of Contents
January-April 2017
Volume 23 | Issue 1
Page Nos. 1-65
Online since Monday, May 29, 2017
Accessed 16,138 times.
View issue as eBook
Author Institution Mapping
Issue citations
Issue statistics
Show all abstracts
Show selected abstracts
Export selected to
Add to my list
Relation between resistivity and pulsatility indices of renal and intrarenal arteries and degree of albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients
p. 1
Yasser M Abdelhamid, Marie W Fawzy, Randa F Abd Al-Salam, Yousra M Gouda, Mona M Salem
Macrovascular complications are well known in diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy. This work aimed to study the relation between resistivity index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the main renal and intrarenal arteries and the degree of albuminuria in diabetic patients.
Patients and methods
The study included 60 type 2 diabetic patients with more than 5-year duration of diabetes. There were 14 male and 46 female patients. They were divided into three groups: group I included patients with no albuminuria [albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) in first voiding morning urine sample <30 mg/g creatinine]; group II included patients with microalbuminuria (ACR: 30–300 mg/g creatinine), and group III included patients with macroalbuminuria (ACR: ≥300 mg/g creatinine). Patients with fever, urinary tract infection, uncontrolled blood pressure, congestive heart failure, critically ill patients, or patients having other renal disease were excluded. All patients were subjected to measurement of ACR in the first voiding morning urine sample, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate using Cockroft–Gault formula, and HbA1C. RI and PI of main renal and intrarenal arteries were measured on both sides using duplex Doppler ultrasonography
RI and PI of renal and intrarenal arteries were found to be significantly higher in group III than in group II and group I, with group II patients having higher values compared with group I (
< 0.001 for all). ACR was found to be positively correlated with RI and PI of all studied renal and intrarenal arteries (
< 0.001 for all).
In type 2 diabetes mellitus, RI and PI of renal arteries on duplex Doppler ultrasonography examination are related directly to the degree of albuminuria, which could serve as an indicator to the degree of resistance in renal arteries.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
Vitamin D deficiency in critically ill children
p. 6
Nora El Said Badawi, Hebat Allah Fadel Algebaly, Riham El Sayed, Eman Sayed Abu Zeid
Vitamin D is needed for the proper function of different organs of the body. A few studies have assessed vitamin D status in critically ill children and reported the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in the range of 30–71%.
The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of VDD in a pediatric ICU (PICU) patients and to determine whether there is any relationship between VDD and illness severity, mortality, or length of PICU stay.
Design and settings
We carried out a cross-sectional study of serum 25(OH)-vitamin D levels, measured during the first day of admission to a 10-bedded medical PICU at the Children's Cairo University.
Materials and methods
We analyzed demographic data, pediatric risk of mortality III, and pediatric logistic organ dysfunction between normal and VDD groups in the PICU.
The prevalence of VDD was 44% and that of severe VDD was 34% in critically ill Egyptian children at the onset of critical illness. The median level of vitamin D in the whole group was 59 nmol/l and in deficient group it was 17 nmol/l. Infants had higher median vitamin D levels than those above 1 year of age, but with no statistical difference. VDD patients had higher pediatric logistic organ dysfunction (12 vs. 10;
=0.001) and lower platelet counts (240 vs. 331;
=0.021). Pediatric risk of mortality III, inotropes, sepsis, ventilation, duration of PICU stay, and mortality were not related to VDD.
VDD is highly prevalent in critically ill children and is observed to be associated with organ dysfunction on admission.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
Observational study of metabolic syndrome among renal transplant recipients in Kasr Al-Aini School of Medicine: a single-center study
p. 12
Osama Mohammady Mohammed, Ahmed Abdalla Aly, Dawlat Abdel-Hamid Belal, Karim Magdy Soliman
The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a constellation of clinical abnormalities related to insulin resistance and inflammation. The syndrome is now recognized as a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the general population. Recent studies suggest that MS is common after kidney transplantation, also possibly being predictive of allograft loss and poor allograft function.
We studied the prevalence of MS in Egyptian kidney transplant recipients (from Kasr Al-Aini School of Medicine) and its correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP), serum uric acid (UA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), different immunosuppressive intakes, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in these patients.
Patients and methods
The present cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 on 100 renal transplant recipients, 68 male (68%) and 32 female (32%), with stable kidney function (serum creatinine=1.5±1 mg/dl) in King Fahd Unit, Cairo University. All clinical and laboratory data were recorded, including serum creatinine, UA, cholesterol, triglyceride (TGL), low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), ALP, CRP, and HCV Abs. The presence of MS was determined using NCEP-ATP III criteria, with BMI used in place of waist circumference.
Patients were divided into two groups – MS (group 1): 26 patients, 12 female (46.2%) and 14 male (53.8%), with a mean age of 34.46±9.69 years; and non-MS (group 2): 74 patients, 20 female (27%) and 54 male (73%), with a mean age of 27±8.33 years. There was a highly significant correlation (
≤0.001) between CRP and MS, BMI and diabetes mellitus, whereas the correlation between CRP and hypertension, ALP, HCV Abs, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), TGLs level, and HDL was insignificant.
Metabolic syndrome is prevalent in post-renal transplant patients. Serum CRP concentration correlates positively with metabolic syndrome in kidney transplantation patients. The age, weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic BP, serum triglycerides, ALT of MS group were significantly higher than in non-MS group. The duration of hypertension in the MS cases was significantly longer than in non-MS cases.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
Lung ultrasound and bioimpedance in assessment of volume status of hemodialysis patients
p. 18
Ghada Youssef, Bahaa Zayed, Mohammed Momtaz, Amin Roshdy, Mohamed Shaaban
Assessment of volume status is crucial in patients with chronic renal failure who are maintained on regular hemodialysis.
Aim of the work
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lung ultrasound in detecting changes in volume status in chronic hemodialysis patients and compare it with the gold standard bioimpedance technique.
Patients and methods
Forty chronic renal failure patients on regular hemodialysis (three times per week) since at least 6 months were subjected to full history taking and physical examination, full anthropometric measurements, routine laboratory studies, and conventional transthoracic echocardiography. Lung comet score was assessed in both lungs using lung ultrasound, and total body water (TBW) and TBW% were assessed using bioelectrical impedance. The last two investigations were carried out both before and after a midweek dialysis session.
Most of the patients were male (57.5%) and hypertensive (75%). The mean age was 49.40±16.06 years. The mean lung comet score before and after dialysis was 20.1±15.8 and 14.6±11.8, respectively (
<0.001) and the mean TBW was 37.2±9.1 and 35.8±8.5 l, respectively (
=0.002). Before dialysis, the lung comet score showed significant correlation with TBW% (
=0.01), left ventricular end-diastolic (
=0.02) and end-systolic (
<0.001) dimensions and significant negative correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction (
=0.003). After dialysis, the lung comet score showed only significant negative correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction (
<0.001). There was no significant correlation between change in lung comet score (before and after dialysis) and change in TBW% (
Bioimpedance and ultrasound lung comet score may provide different but complementary information. Whereas bioimpedance may be more specific to hydration state, lung ultrasound may indicate cardiac condition coexisting with overhydration. It also gives an idea about the hydration state and the effect of dialysis.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
Simvastatin ameliorates vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression in a rat model of diabetic retinopathy: a histological and immunohistochemical study
p. 24
Eman M Sadek, Lamiaa I Abd-El Fattah, Zeinab M El Maadawi, Manal A Abd-El Mohsen
Background and objectives
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the main causes of vision loss. Treatment options during its early stages are not available. This study was designed to evaluate the potential protective effects of simvastatin on experimentally induced DR, with special emphasis on its possible modulatory effect on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Materials and methods
Thirty adult male albino rats were divided equally into three groups: group І (the control group), group II (the diabetic group), and group III (diabetic/simvastatin-treated group). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg/rat in 20 adult male albino rats. Simvastatin was administered orally as 20 mg/kg/rat 48 h after streptozotocin injection. Blood glucose levels and body weight were measured. Retinal specimens were processed for hematoxylin and eosin staining and VEGF immunohistochemistry. Morphometric analysis included measurement of retinal thickness and area percentage of VEGF. All results were statistically analyzed using the Student
-test and analysis of variance test.
The untreated group showed histological features of DR and increased VEGF immunoreactivity compared with controls. The simvastatin-treated group showed improved features of DR and decreased VEGF immunoreactivity.
These results suggest that simvastatin has protective effects against DR by eliminating VEGF overexpression and might be considered a promising therapeutic agent for it.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
efficacy of
Olea europaea
Actinidia deliciosa
in a neonatal mouse model
p. 32
Mona M Khater, Shaimaa H El-Sayed, Hebat-Allah S Yousof, Soheir S Mahmoud, Nadia El-Dib, Ayman A El-Badry
Cryptosporidiosis is caused by an opportunistic protozoan parasite
. It may be life-threatening in immunocompromised individuals, children and the elderly. To date, no specific therapy has been proven to be effective against
, which necessitates exploring for new therapeutics. This study evaluated the anti-
therapeutic potential of two natural medicinal plants −
Olea europaea
(olive leaf extract) and
Actinidia deliciosa
(kiwi fruit pulp extract) − in four different groups of experimentally infected neonatal mice.
Materials and methods
efficacies of tested extracts were evaluated in four groups of age-matched neonatal Swiss albino mice parasitologically by detection of
Cryptosporidium parvum
oocysts and copro-DNA, using microscopy and nested PCR assay, as well as histopathological examination of their small intestines.
Results and conclusion
There was a 100% reduction in
oocyst excretion in stool and copro-DNA of
O. europaea
-treated infected mice after 2 weeks of drug administration, whereas there was persistence of oocysts in the stool of
A. deliciosa
-treated mice until scarification. Obtained results make
O. europaea
a promising natural therapeutic for cryptosporidiosis, a scientific case that calls for further clinical trials to replicate this model in human individuals.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
Corneal hysteresis values in normal Egyptian population
p. 38
Alaa A Ali
Knowledge of the cornea's biomechanical properties is important for a wide variety of applications within ophthalmology. Corneal biomechanical variations are known to affect the accuracy of intraocular pressure measurements and may be used to identify early corneal disease and may assist in predicting refractive outcomes following corneal refractive surgery. It has also been suggested that corneal biomechanical properties may reflect globe biomechanics, and thus give an indication of the susceptibility of developing glaucomatous damage.
Aim of the work
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between Ocular Response Analyzer-generated corneal biomechanical characteristics and age in a sample of Egyptian population.
Materials and methods
Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured in 195 Egyptians of different age groups.
The mean CH value was 10.25 ± 0.12 mmHg (range, 6.5–14.4), and the mean CRF was 10.25 ± 0.15 mmHg (range, 4.9–14.2). The CH value was lower in older eyes, and the difference between the youngest age group (19–40 years) and the oldest age group (40–71 years) was statistically significant (
-test = 0.01). The mean CH in the youngest age group was 11.1 ± 0.14, and that in the oldest age group was 9.8 ± 0.21. The mean CRF in the youngest age group was 10.9 ± 0.18, and that in the oldest age group was 10.1 ± 0.19.
This study of corneal biomechanics in normal Egyptian eyes describes the interactions between age and Ocular Response Analyzer metrics. The study reveals that age is significantly associated with CH and CRF. This may help in diagnosis and treatment.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
Can vitamin E protect the pancreas against ethanol-induced alterations in adult male albino rats? A histomorphometric and immunohistochemical study
p. 43
Ayman A El-Enein Rizk, Shereen Abdel Fattah, Mohamed El Sebaie
Ethanol has a destructive effect on the pancreas by inducing oxidative damage on pancreatic cells. This injurious effect could be ameliorated by the administration of vitamin E.
The aim of the study was to investigate the possible protective role of vitamin E on ethanol-induced alterations in the pancreas in adult male albino rats and also the effect of ethanol withdrawal.
Materials and methods
Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups (10 rats each): group I (control group), group II (ethanol-treated group), group III (ethanol and vitamin E-treated group), and group IV (recovery group). At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and their pancreas were excised and prepared for light microscopic and histochemical study. Detection of interleukin (IL)-1B and IL-6 by real-time PCR and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunoexpression in the pancreatic tissue was carried out.
Group II showed loss of acinar tissue, distorted degenerated pancreatic acini, dilated distorted interlobular ducts, distorted islets of Langerhans, and dilatation and congestion of the blood vessels. Interlobular inflammatory cellular infiltration was also detected. There was an increased collagen fiber deposition and diminution of the proliferating stem cells. There was a marked increase in IL-1B and IL-6 levels. Group III showed an obvious improvement in the structure of the pancreas. The recovery group showed improvement in the structure of the pancreas and minimal collagen deposition.
Vitamin E could protect the pancreas against ethanol-induced alteration in adult male albino rats.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
Cord blood lipid profile in relation to anthropometric measures of newborns
p. 54
Nermin Ramy, Mostafa Zakaria, Mona El Kafoury, Manar Kamal
Elevated serum lipid is a contributing factor in cardiac diseases. Exposure to stress
in utero
may affect lipid metabolism and anthropometric measures at birth.
The aim of the study was to assess cord blood lipid profile of newborns and its possible effect on newborn body measurements.
Patients and methods
This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 newborns. They were divided into three groups: small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and large for gestational age (LGA) groups. Maternal data were recorded, and BMI was calculated. Cord blood lipids, namely, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TGL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins, were assessed.
Mean levels of TGL and LDL were significantly higher in the SGA group compared with the AGA group, and significantly higher in the AGA group compared with the LGA group, whereas mean total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the SGA group, with no difference between AGA and LGA groups. There was a strong negative correlation between TGL and each of birth weight, abdominal circumference, and ponderal index. The same was reported for LDL. Furthermore, maternal BMI did not affect neonatal lipids.
Variation in lipid profile at birth can affect anthropometric measures of the newborn.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Citations (1) ]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
A rare case of bilateral trigeminal palsy presenting as a complication of Sjogren syndrome
p. 59
Ali Ilyas, Wasim T Malik, Anam Abrar, Faleha Zafar
Sjogren syndrome is a chronic disorder affecting the exocrine glands of the body, mostly lacrimal and salivary glands, resulting in sicca symptoms. Diagnosis is aided by the presence of anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies and gland biopsy showing lymphocytic infiltration. Bilateral loss of facial sensation in Sjogren syndrome (SS) has not been reported before, although unilateral trigeminal palsy as a presentation of SS has been reported in literature. A 25-year-old lady presented in the neurology clinic with complete facial numbness and vision loss for 1 month. The vision worsened, leading to complete blindness. She had dry mouth and dry eyes for the past 3 months. She was diagnosed with SS using American–European consensus Sjogren criteria. Electrophysiological blink reflex testing confirmed complete trigeminal nerve palsy. SS was treated with prednisolone, 1 mg/kg/day, with a poor response. Symptomatic treatment was given for sicca symptoms, which improved significantly. Corneal transplantation was done for visual loss, but limited improvement was seen.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
Adult-onset Still's disease and dermatomyositis, is there a relation?
p. 63
Doaa Atef, Asmaa Sabbah, Shaimaa I El-Jaafary, Noha T AboKrysha
Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. We report a 22-year-old female patient, admitted to our department with fever, rash, large joint pains, and mild proximal weakness of both upper and lower limbs. With further evaluation of the patient and exclusion of infections, hematological malignancies, and connective tissue disorders, AOSD diagnosis was established with strikingly elevated serum ferritin level. This patient is the daughter of a patient who was diagnosed as having dermatomyositis in our department 2 years earlier. The mother was re-evaluated, and AOSD could not be excluded through the normal serum ferritin level.
[HTML Full text]
[Mobile Full text]
[Sword Plugin for Repository]
Next Issue
Previous Issue
What's New
© Kasr Al Ainy Medical Journal | Published by Wolters Kluwer -
Online since 28
April, 2015


text:
The tape was found within a brown suitcase, recovered from lost property at a train station, along with many other incriminating items such as photographs. The ticket to claim the suitcase was found in the spine of Myra Hindley's prayer book, which … [Read more...] about Transcript of Lesley Ann Downey's Tape
Ian Brady
The Moors Murders – Killer Couple Ian Brady and Myra Hindley
Between the years of 1963 and 1965, Brady, along with his accomplice Myra Hindley, were responsible for the deaths of five children throughout the Manchester area. Background of Ian Brady Brady's childhood was rife with small crimes. At the age of … [Read more...] about The Moors Murders – Killer Couple Ian Brady and Myra Hindley

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Romans 10 Living Bible (TLB)
10 Dear brothers, the longing of my heart and my prayer is that the Jewish people might be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for the honor of God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don't understand that Christ has died to make them right with God. Instead they are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God's favor by keeping the Jewish laws and customs, but that is not God's way of salvation. 4 They don't understand that Christ gives to those who trust in him everything they are trying to get by keeping his laws. He ends all of that.
5 For Moses wrote that if a person could be perfectly good and hold out against temptation all his life and never sin once, only then could he be pardoned and saved. 6 But the salvation that comes through faith says, "You don't need to search the heavens to find Christ and bring him down to help you," and, 7 "You don't need to go among the dead to bring Christ back to life again."
8 For salvation that comes from trusting Christ—which is what we preach—is already within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths. 9 For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God; and with his mouth he tells others of his faith, confirming his salvation.[a]
11 For the Scriptures tell us that no one who believes in Christ will ever be disappointed. 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect: they all have the same Lord who generously gives his riches to all those who ask him for them. 13 Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
14 But how shall they ask him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them unless someone sends him? That is what the Scriptures are talking about when they say, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace with God and bring glad tidings of good things."[b] In other words, how welcome are those who come preaching God's Good News!
16 But not everyone who hears the Good News has welcomed it, for Isaiah the prophet said, "Lord, who has believed me when I told them?"[c] 17 Yet faith comes from listening to this Good News—the Good News about Christ.
18 But what about the Jews? Have they heard God's Word? Yes, for it has gone wherever they are; the Good News has been told to the ends of the earth. 19 And did they understand that God would give his salvation to others if they refused to take it[d]? Yes, for even back in the time of Moses, God had said that he would make his people jealous and try to wake them up by giving his salvation to the foolish heathen nations. 20 And later on Isaiah said boldly that God would be found by people who weren't even looking for him.[e] 21 In the meantime, he keeps on reaching out his hands to the Jews, but they keep arguing[f] and refusing to come.
Living Bible (TLB)
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
You'll get this book and many others when you join Bible Gateway Plus. Learn more


text:
Peach Cobbler Baked French Toast
Recipe by Lemon Tree Dwelling
Serves 16
Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until blended, stirring frequently. Pour mixture into greased 9x13 inch pan.
Arrange bread slices in single layer over brown sugar mixture.
Drain Libby's® Peach Slices; spread in an even layer over bread slices.
Combine milk, half & half, eggs, cinnamon and vanilla extract in medium mixing bowl. Whisk until blended. Pour mixture over Libby's® Peach Slices.
Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Before baking, prepare streusel topping by combining butter, brown sugar and flour. Sprinkle evenly over French toast.
Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for one hour.


text:
Support Your Community
Thank you for your generosity! Your gift will help children, adults, and families rise above adversity and thrive. No matter the amount, your donation makes a difference.
Rising Ground is vetted and trusted by charity evaluators.
Checks and money orders can be mailed to: Rising Ground Development Office, 151 Lawrence Street, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Remember Rising Ground in your will and leave a legacy that will help and support the children, adults and families we serve for years to come. The size of your gift is not important. It can be a predesignated dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. Contact H. Aldervan Daly, EVP for Institutional Advancement, at 646-668-6489 or email@example.com for more information.
Stock transfers can eliminate or reduce capital gains tax that result in a charitable deduction for the full, appreciated value of your stock. Rising Ground accepts gifts of stock and our Development Office can assist you and your broker or agent with stock transfer instructions. Contact us at 646-668-6489 or email@example.com to find out more.


text:
Europe's "other" Faith?
Loading Map....
Date(s) - 04/05/2016
7:00 pm
Coventry Cathedral
Categories No Categories
A free public lecture discussing Islam in German History and its Implications for Britain today.
The speaker is Dr. James Hodkinson, Associate Professor in German, University of Warwick with a response by Dr. Abdullah Sahin, Markfeld Institute of Higher Education.
Event organised by St Michael's House, Coventry Cathedral and the University of Warwick
Also featuring an exhibition: Islam in German History and its Relevance for the UK today
Tweet using #transnationalizingfaith


text:
Franchise Reform Stalls in Texas
A bill to reform cable-franchise rules remains stalled in the Texas Legislature, a victim of that state's acrimonious debate over education funding reform.
Virtually identical bills are lined up in the state House and Senate, and powerful leaders such as Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst have publicly expressed support for taking up the telecommunications reform bills.
Both current bills would create statewide cable franchising for newcomers, but would also deregulate local phone rates and authorize broadband-over-powerline (BPL) service, among other things. But through last week, some of those same legislative leaders were blocking action on any bill but school-funding proposals.
The House bill was voted out of the regulated industries committee on July 26, while the senate bill was moved out of the business and commerce committee on July 21. As of early Friday, that was the last formal action on either bill.
Officials of Verizon Communications Inc., which prompted the bills, still expressed hopes last week that the logjam would break.
"There's still sufficient time for activity to take place," said spokesman Bill Kula, who noted the second special session of the legislature is not scheduled to end until Aug. 19.
"We're willing to provide any additional information so they can make an informed decision on telecommunications," Kula said.
The state's cable operators argue the bill amounts to special treatment to cable newcomers and will raise basic phone rates.
As the legislative picture works itself out, Kula said product testing continues to Verizon employee homes in Keller, Texas. Verizon is on schedule for a commercial cable launch in the state in the fall, he said.
Meanwhile, the telephone company continues to pursue traditional franchising elsewhere, gaining traction last week in Virginia and Maryland, where two county governments took formal steps toward franchise approval.
Verizon has submitted its franchise proposal to Fairfax County, Va., a move that could lead to a cable franchise for the area by early fall.
According to the county procedure, the franchise package must be approved for publication, and then subjected to a public hearing before the board of supervisors can approve it.
The publication is scheduled for a vote on Aug. 1, with a possible public hearing date of Sept. 26.
The incumbents in Fairfax County include Comcast Corp and Cox Communications Inc. Earlier this month a Verizon cable franchise was approved by Herndon, Va., and the telco has negotiated a pact to serve the Marine Corps base at Quantico, Va.
Verizon is already rolling out high-speed Internet in the state. It's attempting to negotiate cable rights with about 200 governments in the state.
In Maryland, the Howard County Board of supervisors voted unanimously July 28 to give its county executive 90 days to negotiate an agreement with the telephone company. Howard County is in the Baltimore metropolitan area and is served now by Comcast.


text:
At certain points in the year the league inevitably responds to inquiries regarding potential violations of rules regarding recruitment and/or inducements. This primarily happens in the Quad Cities Area as a part of the patterns of interaction between city-based traditional clubs and other independent clubs operating in the same geographic area. Although this material is included in the league rules, if you have a concern about recrutiing violations please review the following.
Illowa's rules state:
RECRUITING: Parents and coaches should be aware of the policy so that they (1) do not cause a child to violate it, and (2) in the event of harassment by potential offenders they have recourse. Parents and coaches should be encouraged to report any such incidents to the league authorities.
Any player desiring to be free of registration obligations before the end of a seasonal year must obtain a written release from the team with which the player is currently registered. Such release may only be withheld if a violation of this policy has occurred.
No officer, director, coach, player, booster, employee or representative of any such person or of a club or team shall, within the Registration Period (from date player signs a registration form until the team has played the last match of the seasonal year - August 1- July 31), without the written permission from that player's team: a)interfere or attempt to interfere with the registration of an IYSL player presently registered with another club or team, or b) discuss future registration (beyond the current season) with an IYSL player presently registered, or c) practice any soccer related activity with any IYSL player of another team or club for the purpose of recruiting or evaluation.
OPEN TRYOUTS: It is the right of every player to be free to choose which team that player want to play on without fear of intimidation or repercussion from any source. It is in this spirit that the IYSL permits an exception to the policy by not requiring a player, registered with another team or club, to have written permission to participate in an open tryout for the following seasonal year. Such tryouts for the current seasonal year will still require written permission for the players of their registered teams to participate.
- Players playing on a team outside of your club cannot be contacted while in season.
- This means that you can neither specifically invite, nor give results to a player who attends your tryouts from another club - until after the end of season.
INDUCEMENTS: No officer, director, coach, player, booster, employee or representative of any such person or club or team, may offer any player, IYSL registered or not, at any time, any inducement in an attempt to recruit a player to play on any team, for any purpose or reason. Inducements that would be considered unethical, and therefore a violation of this policy, would include, but are not necessarily limited to: Free or discounted travel costs, cash, bonuses, high school or college scholarships, equipment, etc.
- EVERY CLUB, whether geographically based or independent, can advertise tryouts generally and CAN advertise those tryouts before the end of a given season. That would include, for example, a general announcement on social media, a newspaper ad, or bulk and undirected distribution of flyers.
- NO CLUB, whether geographically based or independent, should be contacting individual players regarding tryouts or future roster formation. That would include directed invitations on social media to the families of specific players, handing individual invitations to tryouts to specific players, etc.
- TRYOUTS AND PRACTICES SHOULD BE SCHEDULED AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE REGULAR SEASON. The Spring 2018 season ends the weekend of June 2/3, so tryouts may take place after those dates.
IYSA, the Illinois state youth soccer organization, no longer has statewide rules regarding recruiting. Act honorably and in good faith, contact organizations directly and address your concerns like adults, and, if necessary, contact an Illowa executive in cases where you believe your disputes to be unresolvable.


text:
Specifically designed for students who have already obtained a HND or equivalent qualification, the BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management allows you to top up to a full bachelor degree in less than a year.
Underpinned by the key principles of business through a set of core business modules, this one year course will address key themes in human resource management that will enable you to improve individual and organisational potential.
Your studies delve into the importance of employee relations and its significance on the success of a business. Allowing you to build upon your existing subject knowledge, you'll look into how people are managed within an organisation and how implemented policies can effectively contribute to organisational success.
During the BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management course, you will examine core aspects of business such as business strategy and communication in a global context, whilst also getting the chance to conduct an investigation into a business problem that allows you to apply your business acumen to a real life scenario.
In addition to studying four core business modules that will broaden your understanding of how businesses operate, you will also study two additional modules specialising in human resource management.
There are some traditional lectures, but the majority of your learning will rely on interactive seminars, supported by online study materials. We also arrange an induction programme, so you can get to know your tutors and other students before you start studying and hit the ground running on the first day of term. You will use the latest real-life data and case studies to help you learn, making your studies as relevant as possible to what you will experience in the workplace.
Typically you will be assessed through essays, reports, presentations, portfolios and examinations
Successful completion of a HND or equivalent qualification i.e. Foundation Degree.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees in full or by payment plan.
This course is eligible under the Enhanced Learning Credits scheme for Ex-Armed Forces personnel.
International Scholarships are available for self-funding international students.
Students have access to a wide range of resources including textbooks, publications, and computers in the University's library and via online resources. In most cases they are more than sufficient to complete a course of study. Where there are additional costs, either obligatory or optional, these are detailed below. Of course students may choose to purchase their own additional personal resources/tools over and above those listed to support their studies at their own expense. All stationery and printing costs are at a student's own expense.
Apply via UCAS if you are a UK/EU residing applicant, applying for year 1 of a full-time undergraduate degree, Foundation Year, Foundation Degree or HND and you have not applied through UCAS before. If you are applying to study part-time, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution, please apply directly.
Apply directly to the University if you live outside the UK/EU.
This human resource management course is designed to further enhance your employability by adding to your existing portfolio of qualifications and skills. Topping up a HND qualification or equivalent provides you with a great base to pursue a career in business whilst also having the opportunity to gain access to various professional bodies in business.
From business development managers to HR advisors, throughout the course you will be exposed to real life scenarios and situations that will equip you with the essential skills required to start a successful career in human resource management.
As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.
This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.
Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.


text:
I was disappointed not to hear you making 'thwocka thwocka' noises on the second vid!
Awesome! You've taken it to the next level! We need more videos and sound effects on our blogs!
Absolutely! And here is somebody who took your advice to unveil his latest SF painting creation:http://vultureswargamingblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/15mm-walker-distraction.html
Ooohh! Looks like I need to get more acquainted with the video editor on my laptop!!!


text:
If you want to be a journalist, you might consider becoming a journalism major. A successful writing career doesn't depend on journalism school – but an education can be helpful! Here's what to think about when you're choosing a college major.
I'm not convinced you need to go to college and be a journalism major to become a journalist – but you definitely need to learn how to be a professional writer. Read books like The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel. If you don't learn the tricks of the journalism trade, you put yourself at a disadvantage. Writing as a career has a romantic image, but the truth is that professional writers work extremely hard to be successful. Journalism school – or majoring in journalism in college – can be part of working hard.
If you already know you should be a journalism major, read How to Prepare for College – What You Need to Know.
When I went to university for my first undergrad degree – 20 years ago! – I majored in my passion: psychology. Mistake, because the degree is too general and the jobs too low-paying. Then I went to the University of Alberta (U of A) to get my Education degree. I thought teaching would be a good career for me, but it turns out I was wrong. I taught grade 8 for three years, and discovered that teaching isn't my thing. I went back to school to get my Master of Social Work (MSW).
I was never a journalism major, but I've been making good money as a freelance writer for eight years. If I was interested in working as a journalist, I am 100% convinced I would've been successful. Not necessarily because I learned how to write, but because I work hard. And, I know that a successful journalism career requires a professional, business-like, formal mindset.
You might be able to teach yourself to be a journalist by reading articles such as How to Become a Photojournalist. But, you may find that journalism school offers benefits that you won't get by simply learning on your own.
Choosing a college major sets the tone for the rest of your journalism career – but don't let this scare you! You can change your major, change your career, and even change your life if you need to. These tips on how to decide if you should be a journalism major will give you something to think about…
How to Decide if You Should Major in Journalism
If you want to be a writer, I think it's a good idea to take at least one college writing course. You can even take a couple of online journalism university courses, which are less time and energy-consuming than in-person classes.
Take a variety of college courses
Journalists write about everything from peanut allergies to college scandals (unless they specialize in one type of journalism, which usually happens later in the career). If I was interested in being a journalist, I'd take a wide variety of first year college classes.
Taste all the academic offerings and see what you like. The beauty of a general arts or science degree is that your options are quite wide. And, depending on what college you're attending, you might not even have the option of becoming a journalism major. Know that taking a variety of college courses will help you become a better journalist.
Remember what college is for
Your college experience isn't just about preparing for a successful career in journalism. It's about experiencing campus life, opening your mind, connecting with people, networking for the future, learning to communicate, and prepare for life after college.
Deciding if you should be a journalism major is important, but it may be less important than getting the full college experience. If you want to go on to grad school after working as a journalist for a few years, your grad school application will reflect who you are as a person. Being a journalism major may not be as important as being a well-rounded, well-traveled, multi-faceted student of life.
But don't forget to keep polishing your writing skills! You might think about finding a writing mentor if you decide not to be a journalism major.
Hold your long-term career goals lightly
If I was trying to decide how to choose my college major when I was 19, I would never have dreamed I'd wind up owning my own blogging business! I am an entrepreneur at heart. I LOVE being self-employed, love reading business magazines, love discussing marketing strategies. If you're struggling to decide if you should be a journalism major, you may not know what your long-term career goals are. And that's okay!
Start thinking about how you want to spend your days, how much money you want to make, and what you want to dedicate your life to. Most importantly, remember that you can switch tracks after working as a journalist for a few years. Maybe you'll major in science right now, work as a science reporter or journalist, and go back to college or university for a more specialized career in either science or journalism.
Talk to students who are majoring in different subjects
When I was a psychology student at the University of Alberta, one of my best friends was a chemistry student. I was fascinated by her coursework, labs, experiments, and assignments because they were so different than mine. If you can't decide if you should major in journalism, connect with students in different faculties. Talk to them about their classes, assignments, interests.
That's part of being a journalist: doing the investigatory work 🙂
Talk to a college advisor about being a journalism major
I always thought I knew what I was doing when I went into university, but in hindsight I see that I just rushed into psychology without thinking about it. Even if you think you know how to choose a college major, I encourage you to talk to a guidance counsellor or advisor. You may be making an impulse decision based on things you aren't even aware of, such as a parent telling you that you should go to journalism school.
Don't be swayed by the media's opinion on the "best college major"
There are lots of lists of the best and worst college majors in lots of magazines and newspapers – as well as on blogs and websites. I encourage you not to choose a college major based on those recommendations! Last month, I read that dental hygienists are the happiest workers in the world…but that doesn't mean I'd be happy working as a hygienist.
You may read articles on how to choose a college major that focus on the biggest return on your education investment…but then you might get stuck working in a job you hate for the rest of your life.
If you're paying your way through college – whether or not you major in journalism – read 10 High Paying Jobs for College Students.
I welcome your thoughts on becoming a journalism major and starting a career as a journalist. May you be blessed with clarity and vision, and a healthy sense of flexibility about whatever choices you make in life.
"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." – Joseph C. Pearce.


text:
New directors and chairman for Plant Health Australia
November 2015
Plant Health Australia (PHA) is pleased to welcome three new directors – Dr Joanne Daly, Robert Prince and Steve McCutcheon – following member endorsement at the 15th Plant Health Australia Annual General Meeting in Canberra on Wednesday 25 November. More
Biosecurity award finalist breeds bees keen on housekeeping
2 September
Beekeeper Lindsay Bourke, who owns and runs Australian Honey Products, has bred bees that clean out their brood nest at the whiff of a pest or disease. Lindsay is a finalist for the Plant Biosecurity Farmer of the Year Award, sponsored by Plant Health Australia. He manages 3,600 hives for honey production and the pollination of crops in a vital partnership with farmers. More
Finalist cool as a cucumber in the face of virus threat
1 September
Michael Quach from Lake Bennett Hydroponic Cucumbers at Noonamah, Northern Territory, is a finalist for the Plant Biosecurity Farmer of the Year Award, sponsored by Plant Health Australia. More
Award finalist recognised for prompt response to citrus disease threat
1 September
Mark Engall, owner and manager of Engall's Nursery in Dural NSW, is a finalist for the Plant Biosecurity Farmer of the Year Award, sponsored by Plant health Australia. More
Dress rehearsal for grain pest emergency
20 August
In the event of an incursion of an exotic pest of grain crops in Australia, rapid response is vital to limit the spread and minimize the impact on the grains industry and wider community. Much will hinge on the ability to get clear messages out quickly. That ability is precisely what was rehearsed in Melbourne this week when around 40 participants met for the first activity of Exercise Haryana, run by PHA. More
Strengthening biosecurity links with chemical supply chain
24 July
AgNova Technologies is the latest organisation to become an associate member of Plant Health Australia (PHA). Greg Fraser, PHA Executive Director and CEO, welcomed AgNova noting that the PHA partnership is strengthened with each new member. More
Report details the workings of Australia's plant biosecurity system
17 July
The latest version of the National Plant Biosecurity Status Report was released this week by Plant Health Australia, detailing the pests of concern to plant industries and the environment, as well as the entire system that works to combat them. More
Berry industry signs up to emergency response agreement
8 July
The raspberry and blackberry industry has become the latest plant industry to sign up to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD), providing certainty for growers in the event of an incursion of a serious exotic pest that affects berries. More
New farm manual gives biosecurity tips for grain growing, grain storage and livestock
4 June
An updated manual providing advice on how grains farmers can boost farm biosecurity measures to protect their enterprise against weeds, pests and diseases has been launched by the Grains Farm Biosecurity Program. The Biosecurity Manual for Grain Producers has new sections on pests of stored grain, how to fumigate silos effectively and how to manage risks posed by livestock and feed. More
Final call to find out what's in your silo
19 May
Victorian Grains Biosecurity Officer, Jim Moran, wants to visit more farms to collect insects in and around grain storages as part of a major effort to measure stored grain insect resistance. Jim says that we need to know where resistance exists now to minimise its impact in the future through more informed management strategies. More
Citrus growers given step-by-step orchard biosecurity advice
27 March
Every citrus grower needs to take action to protect their orchards from introducing or spreading weeds, pests and diseases and the new Biosecurity Manual for Citrus Producers, launched last week, explains exactly what to do. More
Exercise Yellow Dragon tests readiness for exotic disease of citrus
12 March
Australia's readiness for an incursion of the exotic disease of citrus, huanglongbing (HLB) or yellow dragon disease, was boosted this week when Plant Health Australia (PHA) ran Exercise Yellow Dragon over two days.
The exercise simulated an incursion discovered in Sydney of HLB and its insect vector, Asiatic citrus psyllid (ACP), a combination that has caused devastation of citrus crops elsewhere in the world. More
Program to check for citrus diseases launched in Griffith
5 March
At the launch of the program in Griffith, Stuart Pettigrew, Biosecurity Manager for Citrus Australia said that combining the resources of industry and government is giving the best chance of protecting Australian citrus orchards from exotic diseases.
"Industry is supplying the traps for the surveillance program along with some technical and logistical support, NSW DPI is providing the diagnostics and LLS field officers are placing and collecting the traps," Mr Pettigrew said.
Sunraysia citrus surveillance event
11 February
The Australian citrus industry has joined forces with officers from the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP) to check citrus trees in Sunraysia for the presence of key biosecurity threats.
It's the first time that the citrus industry and government have worked together in this way to boost protection against serious exotic diseases that could devastate the industry.


text:
Looking for a storyteller, a hopeless romantic and kick arse marry'er? I am your girl!
I am a Commonwealth registered Civil Marriage Celebrant, however NOT the cookie cutter, Golden Girls variety.
I have a young, fun and fresh approach to ceremonies and it's the absolute BEST to be able to provide couples with ceremonies that are a true reflection of YOU- your style, your personalities and your spirit.
I love meeting new people, helping them reflect on the awesome road they have traveled together and I LOVE standing beside them on their best day ever.
Your ceremony is in fact the most important part of your wedding adventure so it deserves way more than a cut and paste, run-of-the-mill job. It needs the right amount of laughter and the right amount of tears and the beauty of those shared moments should be remembered forever.
Choosing the right celebrant is so important in achieving this and personality plays a huge part. So buzz me, shoot me an email or let's meet up to see if we are a perfect match!
I believe that life and all forms of love should be celebrated and your ceremony is the perfect opportunity to do so.
So let's party!!


text:
| 11.5°C Dublin
BOOKS on the decline of America are coming thick and fast. The latest, Time to Start Thinking: America and the Spectre of Descent, by The Financial Times's chief US commentator Edward Luce, is published this week.
Luce doesn't hate America. On the contrary, he loves living here, and wishes the country only well. He was a speechwriter for Larry Summers when the latter was the US Treasury Secretary under Bill Clinton. He returned to Washington in 2006.
His thesis, to judge from an extended essay on the same subject in last Saturday's FT, is not startlingly original. He is certainly not the first to allude to the nature, or extent, of the problems facing the United States in the 21st century. But his argument is cogent, stylishly written and persuasive. America should take note.
In summary, he concludes that global economic dominance, having quit Europe around the end of last century, moved west to the United States and now, after another hundred years, is relocating to Asia. Nothing can be done about this, he says. It is just the way it is. China and India (and he throws in Indonesia for good measure) are simply too big and too industrious not to fight it out for the soon-to-be vacated Number One slot.
But – and this is where it gets interesting – Luce is frustrated by the way in which the US, outside of rhetoric, is capitulating to the inevitable, giving up almost without a fight. Were its leaders to defy history, he suggests, they would quickly regain the world's respect and write a new and valuable interpretation of the American dream.
What does he mean by this? He means that the country could rebuild its wealth, equip its labour force for the challenges to come and, most importantly, redress the imbalances of wealth and opportunity that are starting to rival the inequities of the Third World.
This year, in his State of the Union address, President Obama said that anyone who says America is in decline doesn't know what they're talking about. Luce's view is that, in fact, such critics are, if anything, underestimating the steepness of the downwards trend.
He identifies two of his principal concerns as education and the torpor of a demoralised and deskilled labour force. The other is what has become known as the 1 per cent/99 per cent divide.
America's public schools – ie state schools – are in deep, deep trouble. Millions of young Americans leave high school each year unable to write coherent English. Many can barely add up. Their knowledge of the world is so limited that many would be unable to point to Iraq or Afghanistan on a map. Neither Democrats nor Republicans seem to know what to do about this. All they know is that it would cost a great deal of money to put right and that the money is earmarked for war and social welfare.
As a result, America is steadily slipping down the league table of educational achievement. Its proportion of students graduating college fell to 38 per cent in 2010, well behind most of its rivals, and only 16 per cent of degrees awarded were in science, maths or technology, compared to 23 per cent in Britain and 28 per cent in France and Germany.
It remains the case that a majority of the world's most highly rated universities are American, but these are almost all private and, by their nature, contain only a small proportion of the overall student body. They are, in addition, increasingly geared towards foreign scholars, who pay for the privilege, then return to their own countries.
As things stand, the substantial lead that the US currently enjoys in the key information technology sector is threatened not only by a fall in the number of the most highly trained graduates, but by a diminishing level of investment as hedge funds and others concentrate more and more on short-term, even minute-by-minute, gratification.
The yawning, and still widening, gap between the super-rich and the rest is the other area in which strides must be made if America is not to revert to a postmodern version of the Old South. It used to be that most Americans were either comfortably off or prosperous. Some, of course, languished in poverty, and a few at the top were extremely wealthy. But society could live with that. In fact, it was the measure of a healthy, go-getting society.
Today, eight million citizens of the Republic are out of work and at least another 100 million are either seriously underpaid or else dependants of the underpaid. Large numbers of school-leavers can't afford to go to college. Some 50 million can't afford basic medical insurance. Home ownership has plummeted. In many cities across the country, the only work available is part-time or unskilled, without pension provision or health cover.
So many manufacturing jobs have been exported overseas, principally to China, that the down-table skills associated with high-technology are in chronic short supply. This is why it isn't feasible for companies like Apple to repatriate production even if they wanted to. American workers in 2012 couldn't do what Chinese workers do routinely – and I don't just mean work long hours for little pay. Not only would they have to be taught new skills and procedures; in many cases they would have to go back to school.
Meanwhile, at the top end, America's multi-millionaires are fast turning into multi-billionaires. Luce quotes the fact that the Walton family, owners of Walmart, have as much money as the bottom 150 million Americans. In parts of the country, servicing the needs of the rich, for a pittance, has become the principal activity of the poor.
Politicians exist to improve and protect society and build on its wealth. America's politicians, Republicans in particular, seem to have forgotten why they were elected. All Republicans do these days is block legislation aimed at reform while promoting the interests of the wealthy, themselves included. Just last week, they refused to reduce the substantial tax breaks given to the oil and gas industry, despite the fact that these bloated corporations strike gold every time they strike oil and plainly need no help from anyone, least of all hard-pressed US taxpayers.
Why do House members and Senators do it? They didn't used to. In part it is because the Right is hopelessly in thrall to the mantra that less tax means stronger corporations, and stronger corporations mean more jobs. But it is also because almost every single Republican member of Congress is bankrolled by Big Oil. For every one million oil dollars that go to Democrats, three million are assigned to the other side of the aisle.
It was my fellow countryman Louis MacNeice who wrote: "The glass is falling hour by hour, the glass will fall forever, but if you break the bloody glass, you won't hold up the weather." That doesn't mean giving up. A start has to be made. It isn't good enough to claim that America is the greatest country in the world and always will be. That's the way the British felt on January 1, 1901, and we know how that turned out. The time to wake up is now.


text:
Brenda Bennett Rises Once Again: A Track By Track Review Of Her New Album (2018)
My thoughts on the new Brenda Bennett album 'Once Again'.
Tori Amos: My Experience Album By Album (2017)
My thoughts on every Tori Amos album and how they impacted my life.
The Brenda Bennett and Rhode Island Story (2016)
A little piece about my recent trip.
After They Turned 50 My Faves Made Some Killer Music (2015)
A look at recent albums by Tori Amos, Natalie Merchant, and Blondie.
A Tribute To Will Fridlin: One Of The Greatest Friends Of My Life (2015)
RIP Will. October 13th 1979-March 30th 2015
Madonna's Fall At The Brits Had A Huge Impact On Me (2015)
When Madonna was yanked down a flight of stairs it made me think a lot about my own life.
The Stories Behind HURRICANE LULLABIES: THE BEST OF JEREMY GLOFF (2015)
The stories behind the songs on my greatest hits album.
REBEL HEART Is One Of The Most Important Things To Happen To Me This Year (2014)
Jeremy Gloff's Florida Manifesto (2014)
As the election for governor failed by a small percentage in our state I couldn't help but react to all the negativity I was reading about Florida.
Tori Amos Made Me Cry: My Review Of The 8/22/14 Show (2014)
Some thoughts on one of the best concerts I've ever seen.
Florida Is The Love Of My Life (2013)
Little did I know when I picked up a flyer for an open mic it would change my life forever.
What Would It Have Been Like Had I Been Loved There? (2013)
A visit back to my hometown makes me mournfully wonder "what if"?
Remembering My Life With Donna Summer (2012)
In memory of Donna Summer 1948-2012
Five Reasons Why The Internet Sucks (2012)
Originally published on ConsiderReconsider.com
How I Miss Falling In Love And The 1990s (2012)
More memories.
Rediscovering Brenda Bennett (2012)
After disappearing for nearly thirty years one of my childhood icons resurfaces with a new solo album.
Me, Courtney Love, And The Four Seasons (2011)
No matter what the season of my life is the music of Courtney Love always plays a part.
An Overview Of Stevie Nicks' Seven Albums (2011)
Although this also ran as part of my "Cynical And Southern" column it stands on its own as a
substantial essay.
Top Eight Favorite Late 1990s Ybor Jams (2010)
Memories and reflections regarding the songs being played in Ybor City when I first
moved to Tampa in 1998.
Two Homeless Women And A Gay Man (2010)
A drive around Florida retracing the steps of serial killer Aileen Wuornos with Marianne Faithfull on the radio.
Flee From WMNF Was Fired – More Bad News For Tampa's Mediocre Music Scene (2010)
A rant about the music scene in Tampa and its shortcomings.
I Am Not Going To Kill Myself, But Can We Talk? (2009)
Opinion piece written in response to the economic crisis and the suicides of five friends. Originally appeared on TheNewGay.net.
The Beekeeper And My Mid 30s (2009)
A exploration of the impact Tori Amos' "Beekeeper" album had on my life.
Lady Gaga Vs. Joni Mitchell (2009)
Originally appeared on TheNewGay.net
Six Men (2009)
Short essay weighing sensuality vs. sexuality. Originally appeared on TheNewGay.net
Sorry, I Don't Think Johnny McGovern Is Funny (2009)
Originally appeared on TheNewGay.net
How I Almost Became A Sugar Daddy At Age 34 (2009)
Originally appeared on TheNewGay.net
Madonna: Hard Candy Outtake Photos Hard To Take (2009)
Reaction piece written about the unofficially released outtake pictures from Madonna's HARD CANDY photo sessions. Originally appeared on ReaxMusic.com
The Year In Music 2008 (2008)
Overview of some of the best and worst releases of 2008.
WHOOPSIE I FUCKED UP! – and it's okay (2008)
An essay detailing a self-proclaimed dysfunctional gay relationship, correspondence and unrequited love. Originally appeared on TheNewGay.net.
No Fats Or Femmes: A Gay Culture At War With Itself (2008)
Commentary on the harsh language often found on online gay chat sites. Originally appeared on TheNewGay.net.
The Madonna Chronicles (2008)
Biographical essay detailing the parallells between Madonna's career and my life.
The Best Children's Book Series Of All Time (2007)
I Collect children's books. Here's a written overview of my most prized collections.
Shopping At Hills: Magical Childhood Memories (2007)
Short piece I wrote about my favorite department store from when I was a child.
NY Summer Tour Stories (2007)
In August 2006 I did a small tour to promote my "Now's The Right Time To Feel Good" album.
During the course of my trip were visits to people and places of my past, re-evaluations of my family relationships, and a prison visit to Michael Alig. It began in Buffalo and ended in New York City.
Jill Jones: An Essay About One Of My Favorite Artists (2007)
You may remember Jill Jones as the hot blonde from Prince's "1999" video and from "Purple Rain". Upon investigation you'll find Jill to be an artist who's explored the greatest extremes of both darkness and light. This essay explores my personal connection to the work of Jill Jones.
Joni Mitchell: A Career Retrospective (2007)
In anticipation of Joni Mitchell's 2007 "Shine" album I wrote a retrospective of her recorded work 1968-2007.
Sunlight And Shadows: A Walk Through The Worlds Of Josie Cotton (2007)
This is a piece I wrote examining the parallels between Josie Cotton's 1981 release "Convertible Music" and her 2006 album "Movie Disaster Music".
Two Windows In Atlanta (2007)
While playing a show in Atlanta in 2007 I wrote this. Sometimes you have to go backwards to be able to move forward…
Where Has Pop Culture Taken Us? (2002)
This essay was featured on the Bay Domain webzine in 2002 – at the height of the Michael
Jackson controversies.
Various Poems/Pieces From The Late 1990s
Collection of poems and short essays that were published in various magazine and websites.


text:
The first guest author story of the new year went live on Saturday. "Woman, Mother, Monster" by Steven Saus and I give you an image "Driven".
The blurb for the story, sets up this photo rather nicely. "Months after a little boy goes missing, the distraught parents turn to a private investigator who is more than she seems. Their loss calls to her long ago loss and what she discovers is that the culprit is closer to home than expected." January is normally a wet month is western Washington and this one seemed a little wetter than usual and poor Torrey Stenmark walked and ran in the cold, earthy mud for me in her bare feet to get this shot of a driven woman looking for closure of any kind.
Sign in


text:
It's Super Bowl weekend, that magical time of year when America's divisions reshape themselves. On Sunday, we won't be divided between Republicans and Democrats, with views from the left, right, or center. Instead, we will have Patriots fans versus The Others. Call 'em "haters."
One of the reasons the Patriots are disliked is their cult-like culture: the Patriot Way. In short, there is a premium placed on working for the greater good of the team, sometimes to the detriment of the individual. The kicker? Players will jump at the opportunity to take less money to play for the organization, going so far as to fire their agents to get a deal done.
This upends sacred cows across the political spectrum. On the right, it is astounding individual players would affirmatively choose to not maximize their economic gain. From the left, the temptation of a shiny, diamond-encrusted Super Bowl ring is enough to drive players to take less and work more…all resulting in the Kraft family — one percenters! — making more money.
Of course, it isn't quite that clean. After all, "taking less" in the NFL is a question of how many millions of dollars a player is willing to settle for; not exactly the same challenge faced by most Americans.
But there is something to the underlying concept: there are some things we value more than money. For professional athletes, it is the opportunity to be a champion, to be the best. For a young parent, it might be flexible working hours to spend more time with their children. And for someone trying to start a new line of work, it may be the chance to learn and pursue the job of your dreams.
Go no further than the Patriots' coaching staff. Bill Belichick — the Grey Hooded One — earns $7.5 million a year as head coach. That's a long way from the $25 a week he earned in his first job with the Baltimore Colts as a "glorified gofer." Adjusting for inflation, that job would today pay the princely sum of $125 per week. A 60,000-fold increase in annual pay makes that first, meager job seem like a good investment.
Or look at Matt Patricia, the bearded defensive coordinator, who now earns some undisclosed, likely large sum from the payroll department in Foxboro. An aeronautical engineer by training — a legitimate rocket scientist — he gave up a $100,000-a-year technical job out of college to become a Division III line coach. The pay? Around $6,000. He took a 94 percent pay cut to pursue his passion. With a Saturday night hotel room in Houston, passion paid off.
The path trodden by Belichick and Patricia is not one limited to professional sports. Each of them was willing to start at the bottom, with bottom-dollar pay, in order to learn their craft and develop in their respective careers. As they improved, they were not stagnant and languishing — they advanced and thrived. And now they earn, for lack of a better term, stupid amounts of money.
But today in Maine, both coaches' first football jobs would likely be governed by the new minimum wage laws. Either directly, since Belichick's $125 a week would run afoul of the minimum wage, or indirectly; Patricia's $6,000 would be close to the hourly minimum wage rate for four months, and are you really going to pay your defensive line coach the same as 16-year-olds running around with footballs?
Yet the market already lifted those positions — laws weren't necessary. You would be hard pressed to find an NFL team offering scouting positions at $125 per week, while UMaine's assistant coaches — granted, not Division III — earn at least $38,000.
So where does that leave us with the minimum wage? Well, Patricia and Belichick both soaked up football from an early age. In addition to their considerable intellects, their work ethics are a major reason for making the Super Bowl. And the best way to develop a work ethic is to imbue it from an early age; that requires the opportunity for teenagers and others to work. Maybe, as is being proposed by one of the leftmost legislators in Augusta, we can adopt a training wage to mitigate the damage to youth employment.
As the Patriots show, you aren't stuck at your first job and your first wage forever. And while Coach Belichick's 60,000 percent increase might be the exception, earning more as you develop new skills and undertake new experiences is the rule. Even if you have to take a pay cut to do it, like Matt Patricia.
But hey, this weekend isn't about right versus left. It's about the Patriots versus the world.
Go Pats!


text:
Statement from IFPI CEO Frances Moore on the outcome of the UK's EU referendum
24th June 2016
Frances Moore, IFPI CEO, said:
"As an international recording industry, with businesses across all 28 EU Member States, the interest of our sector was for the UK to remain in the European Union. The decision of the UK to leave the EU creates a great deal of uncertainty which could last for a considerable time. In this difficult period, IFPI will continue to work hard to ensure that our members' interests are best represented on all the issues we deal with".
For further information please contact:
Adrian Strain or John Blewett
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com and email@example.com
Tel. +44 (0)20 7878 7900


text:
New development projects are at the forefront of revitalization in Pittsburgh. Faros Properties' newest property, Nova Place (formerly known as Allegheny Center Mall), brings about exciting growth on Pittsburgh's Northside. Plus we heard from NRG as they expand into Uptown with their latest project – a new district energy plant. Hosted by Faros Properties at […]
Tag Archives | bike friendly
Mon Wharf Switchback: Breakfast Briefing with Riverlife
The Mon Wharf Switchback is an ADA-accessible bike/ped ramp that will serve as an important trail link by connecting Downtown's Smithfield Street Bridge to the Mon Wharf Landing, bringing the Great Allegheny Passage directly into Point State Park.Register Now
The Mon Wharf Switchback has been a long time in the works – eight years, to be exact! Why such a long time? The switchback continues to be an extremely complicated project that perfectly illustrates the challenges of overcoming Pittsburgh's topography and the layers of infrastructure along our waterfronts. The switchback site is located next to the nonstop traffic of I-376 on a steep riverbank near major sewer infrastructure. The ramp will connect to a historic bridge on one end and a flood-prone wharf on the other. Construction staging is a challenge, and while the city, state and federal permitting processes have gone smoothly so far, it's certainly not a fast process given the number of authorities and partnerships involved in making the ramp a reality.
Come learn about the Switchback as well as the full Mon Wharf Park System. Learn the history of constructing the Mon Wharf Landing (and the challenges that site faced) – and the plans and process for connecting the missing links.
We'll have bagels, coffee, tea, and juice waiting for you!
For over 10 years Addy has successfully engaged people with projects that celebrate local identity, shared histories and future use. From forming a non-profit to transform an abandoned 1860's Opera House into a vibrant cultural center in northern Vermont, to securing a $15.5 Million TIGER V discretionary grant to link transit hubs to historic sites with improved pedestrian and bicycling corridors throughout downtown Boston, Addy integrates research, design, civic engagement and long-term stewardship planning for successful projects that activate PLACE. She has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and Masters degrees in Regional Planning and Landscape Architecture from Cornell University, where she was awarded the 2011 American Society of Landscape Architects Certificate of Honor and was named the 2011 University Olmsted Scholar. Addy lives with her husband, Josh Reiman, and their dog Otto, in an 1895 stone row house in the distinct, albeit small, historic district of Alpha Terrace. She is a certified Penn State Master Gardener, an active volunteer in her community garden, and a beekeeper. As an avid cyclist, she recently completed the C&O Canal and Great Allegheny Passage ride, and when not in the midst of a polar vortex, she commutes via her 1938 Raleigh Gazelle bicycle.
1. Learn about the multi-phased project for the full Mon Wharf Park System – including the Mon Wharf Landing, the Point State Park Connector and the Switchback.
2. Learn about the design, site preparation, building construction, landscaping and lighting.
3. Gain insight on riverfront infrastructure projects including permitting from multiple agencies and working with a patchwork of parcels owned by various entities.
4. Understand safety requirements for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
This event is approved for 1.5 GBCI CEUs and 1.5 AIA HSW credits.
Partnering with USGBC and AIA, GBA makes it easy for our members to report continuing education credits. Please provide your GBCI and/or AIA number so we can auto-report your credits (for applicable events). Non-members can still earn continuing education credits but will need to self-report their GBCI CEUs.
Help GBA Rock the Vote and We Can Win Our Dream Bike Room!
GBA is one of two FINALISTS in a national competition to win a Dream Bike Room from Dero! The public has begun voting for their favorite Dero Dream Bike Room Pinterest board to determine whether Green Building Alliance or Bike Texas will win the new room. If we win, it will add to the educational component of […]
We Are a Bike Friendly Employer
GBA is now officially a Bike Friendly Employer! This distinction, overseen by BikePGH, demonstrates that we are making Pittsburgh a safer, more attractive, and more sustainable city. We've always encouraged alternative modes of transportation among our staff and those attending our events (at least three of our staffers bike to work often), but we've taken […]
LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND)
Q: What is LEED for Neighborhood Development? A: LEED for Neighborhood Development, or LEED-ND, is a set of national standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) for neighborhood location and design based on the combined principles of smart growth, new […]


text:
Updated Jaguar XE First Drive Review
- $75,802
- —L/100km
- Nice, France
- 01/08/2019
Our auto expert reviewers have
awarded this score, after
thoroughly testing this car.
- Still looks stylish
- High-tech new interior
- Sweet 2.0-litre motor
- Automatic is a bit lazy
- Rear space is a bit cramped
- Small boot
Most buyers looking for a compact luxury sedan tends to gravitate towards one the German brands for totally understandable reasons.
Between them, the Mercedes-Benz C_Class, BMW 3-series and Audi A4 have the market covered with a huge number of models, and have done for a number of decades.
British manufacturer Jaguar is seen as a bit player with its XE sedan with steady but modest Australian sales of around 3500 units since it was launched in 2015.
What's new with the 2019 Jaguar XE?
In fact, just the one engine variant will be offered and it's the most powerful 221kW (or P300) version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder, with no lower-tuned variant or diesel coming to our shores.
Jaguar is selling it in two trim levels with the SE kicking the range off at $65,670 and the higher-spec HSE at $71,940 when it arrives in August.
Both come with an R-Dynamic dress-up kit that adds to the XE's new-found visual splendour. The facelift includes new bumpers front and rear, slimmer LED headlights at the front with bigger air intakes below them and the rear also gets redesigned plastic and pared-down tail lamps.
What do you get for your money?
Inside the aim has been for more lushness with soft-touch leather across the dashboard and door trims, a bigger 12.3-inch central infotainment unit and a new multi-function steering wheel very similar to that off the electric I-Pace.
Stuff like 18-inch wheels LED headlights and electric leather seats are standard on the SE, while the HSE adds to that 19 inch alloys, blind spot assist, a better stereo system, a powered steering column and more.
And, of course, there are various option packs available at some not unreasonable prices. For instance, $2160 gets you a Technology Pack on the SE that adds a variety of goodies including wireless phone charging, head up display and a so-called ClearSight interior rear-view mirror that uses a camera instead of the reflected image to see what's happening behind.
What's under the bonnet of the XE R-Dynamic SE?
The 221kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine is not unfamiliar and together with the eight-speed auto provides effortless levels of acceleration and refinement that work well with the XE's remit of compact sportiness with driving luxury.
Jaguar claims it'll do 0-100km/h in just under six seconds and if you mash the throttle that's not difficult to believe. There's a hearty but subdued growl from the exhaust, the auto slurs nicely up through the gears and the feeling of repressed power is heartening and not a little thrilling too.
There's a chunky 400Nm of torque from as low as 1500rpm so overtaking takes little more effort than a squeeze of the throttle and a clear road ahead.
What's the Jaguar XE R-Dynamic SE like to drive?
With the switch on the central console set for Comfort mode the suspension is in its softest mode and the ride quality is far better than any relatively small sedan has a right to possess. Not just absorptive of bumps, but fluent and controlled as well.
The XE's deftly communicative steering is as good as ever and with more grip than most drivers will want to exploit it's a fun car to drive. Flick the switch to Dynamic mode and the suspension, steering and throttle response firm up for a little more driving involvement.
On a twisting road the automatic gearbox is a little lazy in kicking down to a lower gear on request from the throttle pedal, but that can be fixed by using either the paddle shifts behind the steering wheel, or flicking the pistol-grip selector over to Sport mode for better response.
What's the interior like?
In more subdued driving conditions the XE's cabin is a lovely place to be with a nice mix of luxury and technology from the softly supportive seats, chunky leather-wrapped steering wheel, projected instrument display and multi-function ventilation controls.
While the designers have worked on making the car look wider and more assertive on the outside, on the inside it's the same compact sedan as before meaning the rear seat has only adequate leg room and the narrow boot no match for the more utilitarian dimensions of a similar sized SUV.
The ClearSight mirror is a mixed blessing that might not appeal to all. Yes, it gives an unimpeded and high resolution view of what's behind but because the driver is looking at a screen rather than a reflection it needs a readjustment of the eyes' focus from the road.
If you use reading glasses it's one big blur, but can be switched off and turned into a conventional mirror.
Is the Jaguar XE R-Dynamic SE right for me?
The XE obviously has a lot of opposition out there from other manufacturers in a market segment growing smaller as buyers search out SUVs and other alternatives.
What Jaguar has done with this upgrade is focus on the car's strengths of style, power, performance and comfort making the choice much easier for those after a compact fourdoor that's rewarding to drive and easy to live with.
SHARE YOUR VOICEDJM61 — 18 Apr 2019 17:50
Attractive car with excellent drive-train.


text:
KaleidaGraph Return Policy
Synergy Software is proud to offer a 30-day money back guarantee on KaleidaGraph.
To return a boxed version or a download version of our software that you purchased in our online store:
To request a refund, look up your order and then use the "Request a refund" option to submit your request. Your credit refund will appear on your card 5-7 business days after your completed letter of destruction (ELOD or LOD) is received.
To return a boxed version of our software that you purchased from a sales office:
Send an email, requesting a refund. You will need to include the date of purchase, your contact information, and the serial number. Once you have received a response from our Customer Service department regarding your request for return, you will receive a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. You must return the product to the address below and write your RMA number clearly on the outside of the package.
Synergy Software
2457 Perkiomen Ave.
Reading, PA 19606
Once the software has been received, Synergy will validate your return. Once we have validated and confirmed that the returned product was purchased from our sales office, we will process a credit within 3 to 5 business days.


text:
Easy Ways to Conserve WaterPosted: May 22, 2012 Filed under: Going Green; How and Why..., Non-Toxic Choices Leave a comment
According to Scientific American you can use more than 40 gallons of water by letting the faucet run while washing the dishes.
Here's how to use only use about 3 or 4 gallons;
Wash dishes with 2 dish pans in the sink, one for hot soapy water, one with warm rinse water. Do glasses first, pause a moment to let the soapy water drip off, then move to rinse water. Stop when rinse water is almost full and rinse quickly. Repeat with silver, plates, then pots and utensils. All with 2 dishpans full of water. Then I pour the soapy water, with all that organic matter, onto my plants in the garden. It helps repel pests and loosens the soil. And good for the biceps when you carry it outdoors.
Other ways to save water;
1) Use very low flow shower heads. Ace Hardware has a 1.5 GPM with a shut-off valve. Take a 3 minute shower!
2) Use grey water from shower(I keep a 5 gallon bucket in shower and use it throughout the day to flush the toilet, take what's left to the flower beds. If you can't lift a 5 gallon bucket, use a 3 gallon one. You'll work up to a 5 gallon one in no time, just keep doing it!
3) NEVER buy bottled water. I bought a Kleen Kanteen for each person in the family, we refill and take with us. I've had mine over a year.
4) I have an outdoor solar heated shower that I built. May not save water bit is saves electricity!
5) I water my garden with buckets from the rain barrels that are under the eaves of my garage. 10 feet from my garden. The front flower garden gets watered entirely from the dish water.
6) I feel VERY strongly that it is awful to put sewage back in to fresh water. I use a sawdust toilet thus putting no sewage in the system..and makes for great compost (ONLY for high heat composting!).


text:
Happy Spring everyone. Just a few pieces of inspiration to start you off on your week. I have shared this video with my email subscribers but I love it so much that I am sharing it again here with you on the website.
Also, some lovely photography and article about springtime desserts by Emilie Guelpa on Decor 8.
and Etsy is one of my favorite places for exploring new art and artists. Every couple of weeks I curate a collection based upon my favorite finds….here is one called black, white and brown and one called inner spring.
Finally, last week I finished a custom jewelry project for several friends. Each piece is made with my original photography, and sealed with ICE resin. I learned how to create these pieces from Liz Kalloch at the first ever create explore discover art retreat that I hosted last fall. I have several designs in process that I will be sharing in the shop in the coming weeks. Hope you enjoy these pieces and also the special packaging.
Have a great week everyone…..
through photography, art, and good design, we create products that capture the joy of local life and everyday surroundings.
join our VIP list to receive first access, special treats and designs.


text:
Aliens Vs. Pinball
[PS4] Aliens vs. Pinball – Aliens vs. Predator Pinball ReviewJuly 8, 2016 | Tracey
After reviewing two pinball tables in the Aliens vs. Pinball table pack, it is now time to play the third and final table in this pack. Come check out our Aliens vs. Predator Pinball review!
[PS4] Aliens vs. Pinball – Alien: Isolation Pinball ReviewJuly 6, 2016 | Tracey
After doing a review for the Aliens Pinball table, it is now time to dive into the Alien: Isolation pinball table. I loved the PlayStation 4 game from which this table takes its inspiration, so I was definitely more than ready to write this Alien: Isolation Pinball review!
[PS4] Aliens vs. Pinball – Aliens ReviewJuly 4, 2016 | Tracey
Zen Studios is back with another triple pack of Pinball tables to add to your already large collection. Several of them are based on licenses of well-known franchises such as Star Wars or Plants vs. Zombies, and now the team has turned its attention to another well-known franchise: Aliens! I bet you all have seen at least one movie in the series, right? I have seen them all multiple times (I even own the boxset!) so I was definitely ready for this pinball pack. I'll be splitting my Aliens vs. Pinball review into three parts so that each table can get a chance to shine. First up, we have the Aliens Pinball review!
Out This Month – Aliens Vs. Pinball!April 18, 2016 | EdEN, Owner
Zen Studios has announced that they've teamed up with Fox Digital Entertainment in order to release a very cool pinball table pack: Aliens Vs. Pinball! This very interesting three table pinball pack will be released on April 26, and we're very much counting down the days to its release so we can play the cool tables you can check out on the video below.


text:
Sent from my Galaxy S II using Tapatalk
UPDATE: I think setting the Calendar notification setting to "Alert" avoids the wakelock issue. When I set it to "Status bar notification" or "Off", I get the wakelock. Give it a try and see if it helps.
Personally I'd rather just have the status bar notifications though. Having to dismiss the popup alert is a pain.
Using the original Android Calendar might be one solution, but I actually like the Samsung apps. Maybe we can just replace the relevant smali file, like I did with my Samsung Email app "fix".
|Thread Tools
|Search this Thread
|Display Modes
Linear Mode


text:
- For other uses, see Boot Camp.
Boot Camp is a game mode in Call of Duty: World at War and Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
Call of Duty: World at WarEdit
It is a Team Deathmatch game designed for lower-levelled players in mind, to get them acquainted with Multiplayer. After the player passes level eight, the player may not enter this gametype and is greyed out on the playlist selection. Going over the locked playlist gives the message "Locked at Corporal II (Lv8)".
When Call of Duty: World at War was released, there was a relatively simple glitch allowing players above level 8 into boot camp. If a player can click through the menus quick enough, they can get into boot camp before the game registers that the player's level is too high. This results in higher players, with more experience and better weapons and perks getting many kills and few deaths. This glitch was then patched, players can still get into the lobby, but as soon as the player spawns in the game they will be kicked. However, the glitch can still be done, due to the fact the host player cannot be kicked. If a player is patient enough and waits for players to join his/her lobby, the player will be host resulting in playing in boot camp and not getting kicked.
Call of Duty: Black Ops IIEdit
Bootcamp is a mode in Combat Training in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. It covers levels 1-10 that puts two teams of three humans and three bots, against each other. However the bots merely fill in slots and can be replaced with human players making the bots less common in a match. All XP earned is half of the original value and challenges cannot be completed in this game mode. Also, stats will not count toward the Combat Record.
Call of Duty: World at WarEdit
- Although the playlist is locked at Level 8, the player may still keep playing in it upon reaching that level; they just will not be able to go into the playlist again. This is not possible to do on the Wii as they are just kicked out upon reaching level 8.
- As with the other playlists (notably the Hardcore ones) that are locked until the player reaches a certain level, any player may get into this playlist by joining in progress, or simply if the party leader is below Level 8. Many high-leveled players abuse this gamemode by glitching in or getting a friend to invite them in so they can gain an unfair advantage over new players, therefore resulting in easier kills.
- Even after prestiging and being below level 8, the player still will not be able to join.


text:
R-Type was one of those series where it took me forever to play the original versions of the game. I knew the series was pretty awesome, having seen pictures of the Dobkeratops and other monsters, but had never actually played one of the games. Super R-Type was my first foray to the series, which is kind of sad in some ways as it's not one of the better titles. In fact, Super R-Type is based off R-Type II, which was one of the hardest games in the series (and not one of the best…), here made even harder in that there are no halfway points! That's right, you have to play the entire stage from beginning to end. As a result, I've only beaten the game once, and that seems to have been enough for me! However, the music still sticks in my head long after I've put the game back into the shoebox next to all the other SNES games I haven't played in years.
Super R-Type – "Solo Sortie" (Charlie Y.K, Hiya, Hiroshi)
The most notable track is "Solo Sortie", the opening stage, a new short level serving as prelude. The stage is fairly simple, an asteroid field with weak defenses, but the music is spectacular, with instruments ranging from a pounding background rock guitar, brilliant piano, strings and flute, a lead trumpet taken straight out of hip school, and the ever-present drums that tap away with horseshoe clatter and the chatter of weapons-fire.
The track opens with five seconds of descending piano notes taken straight from the original R-Type before the strings burst through the clouds to a flurry of trumpets that are absolutely all over the place, flying across the scale with the surgical precision of an ace pilot, raiding first the highs, then mids and lows and back again, just as the R9 fighter swoops through the oncoming asteroids. This trumpet is punctuated by screeching bursts from strings and flute before swinging into a melody dominated by flute and strings, supported by trumpet and drums. This hits a finale with a blast from the guitar at 1:17 that loops back to the beginning before hopping back to low notes on guitar.
It is here that the stage ends and the boss battle begins, but what is most interesting is the song contains additional material! It would normally have been impossible to hear this music in-game, but using SPC players, we can hear the entire song as the composers intended. This includes a trumpet solo beginning 1:52, followed by a beautiful piano solo at 2:20 with support from strings. In told there is about one minute of new material for a 2:50 loop that runs over a minute longer than the actual stage.
The composers' names are pretty anonymous, which is a shame considering how good the music is. However, some of these names crop up in other titles. Hiya, the pseudonym of Takushi Hiyamuta, also composed Gunforce and later left Irem to work on the Metal Slug series along with many other studio refugees.


text:
Category Archives: Quotation Station
Quotation Station
Shabbat Shalom to all my friends.
May your weekend be peaceful and productive.
My mother and I recently had a conversation on this very subject. I have found that I am happiest when I'm writing. Sometimes, even the dream of publication can suck the soul out of my love to create stories. I am no less a writer whether I'm published or not. The passion of writing is the flame I choose to keep burning.
Quotation Station
Shabbat Shalom to all my friends!
May your weekend be peaceful, productive, and worth writing about.
Whenever I am unable to write on my current work in progress, I find that journaling helps ease my frustration. It's a great tool to overcome writer's block and jump start one's mind back into the process of writing. I'd be lost without my journals.


text:
Maarten Weck has been named the new Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CPLG, one of the world's leading licensing agencies.
He replaces outgoing CEO Peter Byrne and will report to Aaron Ames, COO of CPLG parent DHX Media.
Formerly MD for Northern Europe, the UK, Nordic, CEE and Benelux territories, Maarten has spent more than a dozen years with CPLG and now expands his remit to head-up the agency on a global level.
"I am excited to work with the entire CPLG team in a more expansive capacity to help our clients grow their consumer products businesses worldwide," he says. "We have an excellent team in place, strong international partnerships, and a growing portfolio of high-profile clients that positions CPLG well to continue on its path of expansion."
Michael Donovan, Executive Chair and CEO, DHX Media, adds: "We continue to implement changes to strengthen every aspect of our global organisation, and we are confident that Maarten, with his many years of management experience and deep knowledge of the agency business, is the ideal executive to lead CPLG into its next phase of growth. Maarten has strong relationships with CPLG's clients, as well as the leadership skills to energise the CPLG team going forward."
It's the latest move to boost the brand and licensing agency's global capabilities. Earlier this year CPLG purchased a 49 per cent stake in Russian licensing house Pullman to create CPLG Pullman, and more recently strengthened its UK team with a round of new hires and promotions.
CPLG manages the licensing and merchandising rights for over 40 brands, among them Nickelodeon, BBC Worldwide, Peanuts, MGM, emoji, Paramount, MGA, Spin Master, Sesame Workshop, Mattel, Line Friends, Ubisoft, and Real Madrid.