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My Blog
Technology and the Tendulkar Era
With Sachin Tendulkar having turned 40 (the big 4 O) a few days ago and, numerous articles have been written about his remarkable career. I am a fan of this great cricketer but perhaps not a super-fan like many others who know every statistic and nitty gritty detail. Having lived in Bombay, I was able follow his career from early on due his records set in the Harris Sheild and Giles Shield tournaments. He made his debut back in 1989 at the young age of 16 years and 205 days against India's arch-rival Pakistan in Karachi and announced his retirement from ODI at the end of 2012.
As I was reminiscing about his career, I felt the desire to write something but any article on his stats, career, style and achievements had already been written. Perhaps it in the geek in me that felt I should write an article about how technological advancements in the 24 years since his international debut back, helped me follow his career. So here is my geeky look back at technology and the Tendulkar era.
Good Ol' SW Radio : It must have been a rainy monsoon night when I was lying in bed hoping that this scrawny 17-year old would get his first century of his career. Back in 1990, the cable TV revolution had yet to begin in India and we only had Doordarshan. The one way to catch up on scores was to wait for the newspaper in the morning or try and catch the BBC commentary on Short Wave radio. I had all kinds of wires hooked to my window grill to get the best signal. Tendulkar was on his first tour of England and India were in trouble having lost some early wickets in the final innings of the 2nd Test. Tendulkar had put up a brave fight and was inching towards his first hundred. As he got into the 80s and 90s, it was nerve wracking just listening to the commentary and I was hoping and praying that he would get his hundred. The moment finally arrived and this young lad got his first hundred (I get goose pimples thinking about it) and saved India from a defeat. It was probably a scratchy signal but it allowed me to experience his first 100. Who knew he had 99 more centuries ahead of him.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) : For the next 3-4 years, I was able to follow his career on TV and Radio and he had blossomed into a confident batsman and was an established member of the Indian cricket team. In 1993, I left the country and with that it became harder for me to follow him. At that time, I was introduced to the Internet, which was largely used in academic circles. On our Unix workstations, there used to be an application called the Internet Relay Chat (IRC). IRC had thousands of chat rooms where you could login and chat on topics related to that channel. One of the popular rooms was #cricket where folks discussed cricket. When there was a live game, volunteers would provide live commentary of the game or regular score updates. For the next couple of years, I followed Sachin's career watching text messages as I worked on my assignment. It still remained exciting just sitting there watching text scroll by with little to no visual description of the shot but still as exciting.
World Wide Web : Towards the end of my studies, the world wide web had started to get popular because of the graphical browser Mosaic (then went on to become Netscape). With the rapid growth of the web, scores and other details started to move to the Web and somewhere in 90s, cricinfo.com was born. Cricinfo has its roots in the #cricket IRC channel and it became the most popular cricket website. With all the browser innovation, watching cricket on the web became more engaging as one could see graphics, stats and other information. For most of the 90s and into the 2000s, I followed his career on the web. During that period, Sachin had become the World's leading batsmen and it was a pleasure following him, even though it was reading an auto-refreshing web page. (For a while, cricinfo also offered live audio commentary for a fee but it did not really take off)
Willow TV and YouTube : In the decade since I left my grad school, the world wide web had grown beyond anything I would have imagined. The web was now available to people in their homes, most had dial-up services but broadband was catching on in the US. In the era of broadband communications, was born Willow TV. Willow TV allowed users to watch live video on computers via the Internet. I could now watch Tendulkar play thousands of miles away and not have to leave anything to my imagination. In 15 years, I had gone from listening to a scratchy SW radio commentary to watching him live on streaming video. By 2010/2011, YouTube was a sensation and was now Willow TV and YouTube were streaming cricket in High Definition.
Smartphone : With the launch of the iPhone, smartphone innovation took off in 2007/2008. Smartphones became more than phones and became multi-function devices where you could even watch TV. Willow TV started offering a mobile app allowing me to watch my cricket games anywhere I was. Almost 25 years later, I find myself in bed again but I am watching a crystal clear HD picture of the Little Master play. Times have changed, technology has changed but I get the same chill every time he plays and gets close to a 100. Agonizing as it was, he finally got his 100th 100.
Sachin Tendulkar is a rare sportsman who is not only amazingly gifted and talented, but very humble. In almost 25 years, this man has achieved every possible feat in the sport while technology has allowed me to follow this great sportsman from a scratchy audio signal on a radio to a crystal clear High Definition picture. Which achievement is bigger, Tendulkar's or the progress of technology? I leave it to you to decide.
Pet Peeves : Wear Your Seat Belts and Helmets Please
We were not done with our New Year's wishes, when we were confronted with the news that my 14 year old cousin had died from head injuries resulting from a bike accident in India. 14 years old, alive and bubbly one day and gone the next. Could a helmet have saved his life? Probably yes. One of my pet peeves is around the use of seat belts and helmets. There are so many people I come across every day who are so callous about their use (or non-use) of seat belts and helmets, its quite shameful. One of my earliest memories was the death of a friend, who died from head injuries at 18. The image of a dead body covered in a white cloth with blood stains on the head is an image that still gives me the goodbumps.
The bottom line is that seat belts and helmets save lives and I was fortunate enough to have first-hand experience where a seat belt saved my father's life. In 1990, there was a plane crash of an Airbus A320 in Bangalore, when an Indian Airlines flight crashed into a swamp just as it approached the runway. The plane caught fire and roughly 100 of the 130 people on board died. My father was on that flight and survived that crash. Yes, he was able to live only because of this little thing called the Seat Belt. The seat belt saved his life and he only got bruised because he hit hit face and legs with the seat in-front. He went on to live a normal life for another 8 years before he passed away. 8 years that made a huge difference to our family and 8 years that I am very thankful for.
I really find it strange when people refuse to wear seat belts especially for situations belows
- Another common practice is for people sitting in the back seat not to wear seats. I don't understand why? I often get asked "Does that law in your state require you to wear a seat belt at the back?". If there is an accident at 70 miles an hour, everyone is in equal danger whether you are in the front or back. The same with helmets, if you are riding at the back, wear a helmet.
- Not wearing helmets or seat belts for short distances. Many people think, "Oh, I am just going to the next street...what can happen"? .....well you never know.
If you are still not convinced, take a look at this video and do it for the ones who care for you. If this does not move you and convince you to wear a seat belt then probably not will.
Video is copyright by Susses Safer Roads
If reading this article helps you change you mind and wear a seat belt or helmet, I would feel like I made a difference. Please do wear your seat belt and helmets at all times. If not for yourself, do it for the ones who love you. Wearing your seat belt or helmet is one thing you can control while getting into a vehicle.
Read more: Pet Peeves : Wear Your Seat Belts and Helmets Please
Best Buy's Black Friday Presale Fiasco
|Internet commerce has been around for over a decade and Thanksgiving sales have been around for many years. So, one would have figured that a technology company like Best Buy would be prepared to handle a little something called a pre-sale for its Silver Rewards member. Wrrrrrrrooooooooonggggggg. On Monday, November 19th, just days before Black Friday in the US, Best Buy had a special pre-sale event for its Silver Rewards members. These are loyal members of Best Buy who spend at least $2000/year. These are your high spending VIP customers who you really wanted to impress with a good experience so they would come back on Black Friday and shop some more. Unfortunately for Best Buy, this pre-sale turned out to be quite a disaster especially for customers like me who may not want to shop on their site or even deal with their phone lines.
Best Buy had been hyping this sale over the past week with a number of emails about the upcoming pre-sale. They even had a preview on Sunday. With all the preview traffic and email, they should have had an idea of the amount of traffic to expect. The sale kicked off exactly at 11 AM EST. Thanks to the preview, I knew that I wanted to get 3 DVD sets of the Big Bang Theory (yes, I am a geek). I quickly found the items and started adding them to my shopping cart. I must have added 2 items reltively quickly but by the time I got to the 3rd item, the site had slowed down to a crawl. This was all within the first 5 minutes of the pre-sale event starting. I tried to Checkout but the system hung for a while and returned back with an empty cart. Within about 10 minutes the site had crashed and I got the "We were expecting Snow but we got a Blizzard" screen. Awwww, so cute, if this were my child's website but this is Best Buy. You should not only be expecting a Blizzard, you should expect Superstorm Sandy and be prepared for that. Bestbuy.com went down faster than any of the the Kardashian sisters.
They had provided a Silver Member hotline so I decided to call that. After navigating through the phone tree, I was put in the queue only to be rudely disconnected. Seems like the Blizzard hit the phone lines too. I tried calling back but never made it. At this point, I checked Twitter and the FB page and realized that there were many irate customers like me. I tried loading the page every few minutes but kept running into the same "Blizzard" message. About an hour later, the site came back up to some extent but I had trouble adding to my cart. Eventually, I was able to add my 3 DVDs and started checking out when it hit another snag with their tax software. Fortunately, it allowed me to make the payment. It took me about 90 minutes to complete something that I should have been able to do in 5 minutes. I am still unsure the DVDs will arrive in the mail in the next two weeks.
Best Buy is one of the few businesses in the US that sells electronics and has a retail front. In the last few years, with Circuit City and Comp USA shutting down, Best Buy probably survives only because consumers do not have too many options to go to a store and purchase electronic items. They are having a hard time making profits and should do anything to avoid a black-eye or turn away loyal customers. In the age of Cloud Computing and Big Data, is it that hard for a technology company to figure out capacity? After all they have trends for the last so many years on their big sale days.
In the age of social media, they should take advantage and do any damage control, but unfortunately that did not happen either. There was no apology on the Best Buy Facebook page, there was no email from Best Buy and neither a tweet. Ironically, they were promoting Rihanna's new album aptly titled Unapologetic. The reality must be that the Marketing team that handles social media, probably reports to another part of the company and have no idea of this disaster.
They have three days to prepare for Black Friday. If they have the same issues, Black Friday may well turn in Red 2012. Now I understand why folks start camping out 4-5 days in advance, they just don't trust bestbuy.com. I still think they are morons but now perhaps give them some benefit of the doubt.
*On a somewhat funny and related note, there was a headline today that Best Buy provided Romney technology for his campaign. #Winning
Learning is a Journey, Not a Race
The new school year has just begun in the US and with a few weeks gone by, its time for their first round of evaluations. As a parent of child from the Indian sub-continent, the question that is asked most often by other Desi parents is "How is your kid doing academically?". Its not about how your child is doing overall, its mostly about the academic aspect. I fortunately, have been blessed with a child who demonstrates intelligence at a slightly higher level than most of the students in his school and attends some extra classes called the "Challenge Program". When other parents find that out, their first question is "Will you get him tested and pushed to a higher grade?". My reaction always has been and will continue to be a BIG No!.
As someone from the Indian subcontinent, I have found that a large number of my friends and colleagues have falsified birth certificates just so that they could attend school early. I never made much of it but now I wonder Why? What is the mad rush to get your child into school early? Should education be treated as a race? Is it really about intellectual maturity or is there more we should consider before pushing our child to a higher grade? All the questions spin in my head.
If you are parent, you would have realized that a child will change tremendously over the course of 1 year, especially at younger age. A child at 4 is much more mature than at 3 and even when they hit their teens, the maturity year over year is noticable. In my opinion, a child's maturity needs to be considered in the following 3 areas.
- Physical Maturity - Physical maturity among young kids changes a lot over the period of 1 year. At age 4 and 5, kids learn to write, kick and throw a ball, swing a bat. Within the period of 1 year, you will see significant improvements in their physical ability. Kids will be bigger and stronger in the space of 1 year. According to the US CDC growth chart, an average boy will grow about 2 inches taller and 4 lbs heavier between the ages of 4 and 5. Why then would you want to push your child to a higher grade with kids that are physically more mature?
- Emotional Maturity - Similar to physical maturity is emotional maturity. A child will show great improvement in their emotional maturity in the space of 1 year. A child at age 4 is more attached to their parents, tends to cry more for small reasons, has a hard time separating from their parents. As they reach age 5 & 6, the emotional maturity is much higher. Another aspect of emotional maturity is their ability to think before they act. Younger kids are typically more impulsive and do not have an understanding of their actions. Why then would you want to send your child early to school, when its unlikely they can adjust emotionally?
- Intellectual Maturity - Last but not the least, the child must demonstrate intellectual maturity. Your child may be a prodigy in one or more areas, perhaps its reading, mathematics or something else. One needs to evaluate if the child is performing at a level higher than just their peers or performing at a level of the next grade. Keeping in mind that there are other kids in the higher grade that also have above average intelligence, your child could fit in the average group for that class. Would you like your child to be average in a higher grade or above average in his or her grade?
If you child is perhaps above average in their class, they may end up being just average in the next grade. In the long run, this may impact the child negatively. They could have been at the front of the pack in their assigned grade but may end of being in the middle of the pack in the grade above. If your child is showing higher levels of maturity in all the areas above and you truly believe that the child needs to move to a higher grade then you should speak to your school.
I am sure many parents may disagree with my views and thats fine. I do see value in pushing the child and driving that sense of competition. I have seen him push himself harder when he does activities (swimming in his case) with bigger kids but I also see him feel a bit down about it when he is unable to compete. He does go through ups and downs but its only in his swim school. I would much rather he undergoes those emotions in a controlled environment for a limited time during the week than to go through it every day at school. The worst thing I would want to ever hear from him is "I hate going to school".
With every passing year, I see so much growth in all levels of maturity in my child that I would never consider pushing him to a higher grade. While he demonstrates a higher intellectual maturity and could perhaps do well in a higher grade, he is very much on average in his physical and emotional maturity. At the end of the day, he is just a regular 6 year old. This reminds me of something someone said to me that always rings true - Learning is a Journey, Not a Race. My journey was slowing down but now that I have a little partner with me, I am back on that journey. Sometimes its down the same old roads, sometimes its down new roads but the journey still remains gratifying. Hope this journey never ends.
Thank you NBC #NBCFail
The 2012 London Olympics are being watched live by millions of viewers around the world but we in America are in a unique situation where NBC is showing most of the events on tape delay. While most Americans are unhappy with this situation are are tweeting with the hashtag #NBCFail, I would like to send a few Thank you notes to the wonderful staff at NBC.
- Thank you for teaching my 6-year old new words like neutering - Thanks to the incessant replay of the same commercials, my 6 year old has picked up new words such as 'neutering'. I am sure his teacher would be proud of his improved vocabulary once he returns to school from his summer break.
- Thank you for freeing up my evenings in the Fall - You ran so many ads of your Fall shows during the games that I know NBC will not be on in prime time this Fall. You will continue to be in last place this Fall.
PS: The Thank You notes concept is taken from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Show, ironically on NBC


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Arriving in Niseko today one can sense the growing optimism as a new wave of developments attracts a rich array of talents from across the cultural spectrum. One of the most exciting new projects arrived early 2017 – Sushi Shin Niseko (鮨 心) landed in Annupuri village, just up the street from Sobatei Rakuichi. It brings with it the promise of a higher level of sushi experience than Niseko has ever experienced before.
Prior to Sushi Shin's opening in 2017, there was simply no expectation of enjoying outstanding sushi in Niseko. Exceptional ingredients could be sourced with the right connections however the talent to finesse those ingredients into great sushi was yet to arrive. Remote locations present a unique set of challenges for high quality restaurants and it takes both logistical smarts and ambition to overcome them. Sushi Shin Niseko has assembled a talented team already experienced with sourcing the finest produce in Hokkaido and beyond. Combining this expertise with technical skill and discipline honed under the tutelage of master sushi Chef Miyakawa, Niseko at last has the recipe for precisely the sushi travelers had dreamed they might one day experience here.
The foundation for Sushi Shin is Chef Miyakawa who over decades accumulated a remarkable depth of experience that included a lengthy stint as executive head chef of Hong Kong's most celebrated edo-mae sushi restaurant Sushi Shikon. He now has his own celebrated restaurant in Sapporo where Chef Miyakawa is known for his approachable sushi with a strong focus on showcasing an ingredient's purity of flavors. The eponymous Sushi Miyakawa was one of the first of several high-end restaurants to locate in Maruyama, Sapporo. Inside, Sushi Miyakawa offers a refined atmosphere in a subtle room anchored by an L-shaped counter constructed from single plank hinoki (Japanese cypress). The atmosphere at Sushi Shin echoes this beautifully minimalist aesthetic that encourages patrons to focus their full attention on the theatre of sushi being conducted from the hands of Miyakwa protegé, Chef Hitonori Satake.
Born and raised in Wakayama, a prefecture known for its rich farmland blessed by the warmth of the sun, Chef Satake's mother was a chef and so cooking was taken up early in his life. After graduating from high school an uncle recommended he work for at a local sushi restaurant. The professionalism of the restaurant staff made a positive impression and he took up his first apprenticeship position. During the first few years of an apprenticeship basic jobs like washing and cleaning are all one is allowed to do as patience and discipline are developed. Those who survive the early test eventually take on ever greater responsibilities as they simultaneously develop their skill set. In Japanese cooking knife skills are of great importance and no where is that more true than in a sushi restaurant. The craft of sushi takes a decade or more of diligent practice to evolve skills to the point in which the intrinsic character of ingredients can be expressed freely. For 30 years Chef Satake has committed himself to mastering the craft of sushi and now, as head chef of Sushi Shin, he commands a sushi restaurant at the perfect moment in his career.
At Sushi Shin, Chef Satake and his team offer tradtional Edo Mae Sushi using Hokkaido's exquisite seasonal ingredients. For those not familiar with the style of Edomae-zushi, it was developed in the late Edo period around Tokyo Bay, a place well-known for its abundance of fisheries. Drawing together the quality ingredients of soy sauce produced in neighboring towns, rice of local farms and fresh fish from the sea – Edomae-zushi became popular first in Edo (Tokyo) and later spread to Kyoto and the greater Kansai area (Osaka + Kobe).
Sushi Shin's overall style showcases the best of Edomae sushi whilst intricately weaving into the menu ingredients native to Hokkaido. The emphasis on tsumami small plates allows the chef's skills to shape the ingredients into a focused expression that offers peak umami, the maximum flavors. As the meal progresses, a story of Hokkaido – via the food ingredients harvested from it shores, farmland and forests – is told through a thoughtfully composed menu that leaves diners with a vivid sense of time and place.
A brief glance at the menu and the experienced sushi connoisseur will know they are in for a memorable dining experience. Each course utilizes a cooking technique tailor-made to heighten the taste and texture of the key ingredient. Being made aware of the ingredient's place of origin adds to the depth of the dining experience while enriching one's sense of place. The meal begins with a familiar treasure unearthed from the soil of one of Hokkaido's many great farm fields. Potatoes grown in the nearby town of Rusutu and paired with scallops and caviar starts the gastronomic journey locally.
In winter, richer tasting fish like saba (mackerel) is straw smoked and served with horseradish, ginger and green onion. Kinmedai (golden eye snapper) skin is kissed by red-hot bincho charcoal, its fresh and charred flavors melded together by ponzu sauce. Awabi (abalone) is one to look forward to as its flesh and liver are prepared separately and then brought together in one of Sushi Shin's definitive dishes that needs to be tasted to fully appreciate its beauty. Snow crab is another dish that one feels a need to eat when in Hokkaido and here it is paired with a delicate sudachi jelly that seems to bring out the sweetness in the crab's plump, juicy flesh.
The deftness in which Chef Satake forms the sushi shari – the oval rice that sits beneath each slice of fish or shellfish – is further enhanced by the precise steaming and temperature control of the rice. Rice is seasoned perfectly, with just a hint of vinegar that lifts the raw fish flavors ever so slightly.
Sushi Shin sources the best ingredients from the best locations wherever they may be within Japan at that particular moment in the season. Hokkaido ingredients are thoughtfully incorporated together with them whenever the pairing and quality matches well. An interesting case that highlights this point is with tuna caught off the north coast of Aomori and just below Hokkaido. Although tuna is caught close by, all the best maguro tuna is sent to Tokyo's Tsukiji market and this is where Sushi Shin procures its tuna as well as anago (sea eel).
Other fish markets utilized include Sapporo, Shimane (Sushi Shin's signature Awabi or abalone) and Shizuoka. Hokkaido ingredients making their way onto the menu include potatoes, lily bulb, wakame, scallops and incredible sea urchin (uni). Perhaps the best uni in the world is sourced in Hokkaido with the far north island of Rishiri in the Sea of Japan considered the most fertile waters for uni and kombu – a key ingredient in Japanese cooking.
Sushi Shin offers two course menus: Omakase (Chef's selection) course consisting of seasonal appetizers, nigiri sushi, soup and dessert. Nigiri sushi course consisting of an appetizer, nigiri sushi, soup and dessert. A Children's menu is also available upon request. Following is a sample menu from Sushi Shin:
Potato Potage + Scallops & Caviar
Potato is local produce from next town Rusutu, Hokkaido
Charred Kinmedai with Ponzu Sauce
Golden Eye Snapper (Alfonsino) with its skin seared by Bincho charcoal
Ivory Shellfish and Yurine + Ume Sauce
Lily bulb from Yoichi, Hokkaido with Ivory Shellfish
Steamed Awabi + Kimo Sauce
Black Abalone with a sauce from its liver
Straw-Smoked Saba
Mackerel fish smoked with straw
Snow Crab Ball + Sudachi Jelly
Snow crab with a Sudachi Citrus Jelly
Akamatsu– Black throat sea perch
Akami –Lean Bluefin tuna
Hirame – Founder
Chutoro – Medium Bluefin Tuna
Kohada – Gizzard Shad
Sawara – Spanish Mackerel
Kamasu Japanese Barracuda
Ikura – Salmon Caviar
Uni– Shin-style Sea Urchin
Kuruma Ebi– Kuruma Prawn
Anago – Sea Eel
Tamago – Japanese Egg Omelet
Miso Soup
Seasonal Fruit
Summer Omakase course *16,000 yen per person
Summer Nigiri sushi course *9,500 yen per person.
Children's menu *7,000 yen per person
Winter Omakase course *26,000 yen per person
Winter Nigiri sushi course *19,000 yen per person
Children's menu *11,000 yen per person
( *10% service charge and 8% consumption tax will be applied )
Sushi Shin offers an excellent and well-priced selection of sake sourced from only the best breweries within Japan. An omakase sake menu is also available to match with the course menu which is sure to delight sushi afficiandos. Once chosen, the sake is presented in one of the beautiful carafes within the Sushi Shin Niseko collection. Service staff present a tray full of unique glass and ceramic cups from which guests choose the vessel they would like to drink the sake from. The variety and quality of tableware in the restaurant is outstanding and adds an exciting element of color and surprise as the meal progresses.
One of the challenges for foreigners when eating sushi across Japan can be communicating with the restaurant staff. At Sushi Shin there is a friendly and communicative environment that is created by the service team, no matter the customer level of experience or language spoken. The general manager Fumiko has lived in Niseko for 12 years and her passion for fishing in Hokkaido means guests get insightful stories to go along with their meal. Overall, there is a comforting feeling that stems from the organization and warmth that resonates from staff members and that makes the customer experience at Sushi Shin all the more enjoyable.
Sushi Shin Niseko is located inside the "Kamui-Niseko" residential complex. Kamui Niseko is the name of the building that Sushi Shin resides in and comes from the language of the Ainu tribe who are indigenous to Hokkaido. The Ainu hold the belief that divinity exists in everything – animals, plants, mountains, rivers, and even natural phenomena like snow and rain. The name Kamui was chosen with the hope that every visitor will spend a peaceful time in the natural environment of Niseko. The architectural design was influenced by the existing environment in Annupuri. The chosen palette of pale colors is a reflection of winter snow and forests of silver birch trees. Viewed from outside it shares the same sense of tranquility one feels when walking through the Annupuri area. Just a 15 -20 minute taxi drive from Hirafu depending on the weather, it is very accessible with a little advance planning.
In just its first year Sushi Shin has set a new standard of excellence in Niseko for not only sushi but also for restaurants. Impeccable ingredients are rendered into petite plates of gastronomic pleasure by a chef now approaching the height of his culinary powers. By embracing the ingredients of the surrounding land and sea, a meal at Sushi Shin transcends the traditional dining experience to take patrons on a remarkable journey across the landscape of Hokkaido gastronomy. This is the restaurant Niseko residents and visitors have been yearning for. A ski holiday in Niseko is made more complete having experienced the profound flavors and charms of Sushi Shin.
LOCATION: Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1500
HOURS: Tuesday to Sunday (Closed Mondays)
Lunch 12:00 ~ 14:00 Dinner 17:30 ~ 22:00
RESERVATIONS: International tel. +81-136-59-2808 Japan tel. 0136-59-2808
WEBSITE: Sushi Shin Niseko

subset: commoncrawl


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Bring Literature and History Back to Elementary Schools
During the national debate about education that began last spring with the publication of "A Nation at Risk," the elementary schools have been almost entirely ignored. This is a pity, because it is in the elementary schools that children gain (or don't gain) a firm foundation for future learning.
Perhaps the major reason so little attention has been paid to elementary schools is that there is general consensus that the significant problems of the schools begin after 6th grade. After all, unlike high schools, the elementary schools offer everyone a fairly common curriculum, and they are not plagued by absenteeism or disciplinary problems. There is little doubt that the chief job of the elementary teacher is to teach a good command of basic skills and to instill good work habits. If there are problems later on, everyone seems to agree, it must be the fault of those in the junior or senior high schools.
My complacency on this score was shattered by two items that crossed my desk within a 24-hour period. The first was an article that appeared in this newspaper. The headline was "Using 'Real Books' to Teach Reading Said to Heighten Skill, Interest." The second was an exchange printed in one of the leading elementary-school journals, in which the magazine's social-studies consultant was asked, "Will history ever make a comeback in the elementary-school curriculum?" His answer was, "Probably not in the near future," and he predicted that history and geography would never again be central in the social-studies curriculum because the emphasis should be on "process" skills such as "student inquiry, social problem solving, and helping kids learn to think."
These two items persuaded me that the problems of the high school are integrally related to what is happening in the elementary school. The Education Week story described an "experiment" in Upper Arlington, Ohio, where alternative programs are used to teach children to read by providing "real" books instead of basal readers. Lo and behold! While there was no difference in standardized test scores between those who read "real" books and those who learned with basal readers, the children who read storybooks seemed to enjoy reading more than the basal-reading children did, and their teachers in junior high said they were "superior writers" and "independent thinkers."
It shocked me to discover that educational researchers had to fall back on the customary technical jargon to demonstrate that classic children's literature is superior to basal readers. In my foolishness, I imagined that such a statement would be a self-evident proposition, needing no justification. But to my astonishment, the article on reading contains an estimate that 95 percent of elementary schools have basal readers and 65 percent use them every day. What? Is it now "experimental" and "innovative" to propose that young children should read good literature and that it might be more enjoyable than a basal reader? Is it possible that America's reading teachers think a controlled vocabulary "developed" by pedestrian writers can compete with the works of the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, L. Frank Baum, or the myths of many lands? Is there a single author employed by the great publishing houses whose works should be considered superior to the stories that have entertained, instructed, and challenged generations of children?
In fairness, it should be noted that many basal readers, like those produced by Lippincott and Open Court, include stories and poems of high literary quality. Even good basal readers, however, should be used as a prelude to original works of literature, whetting the child's appetite for more of "the real thing." Above all, children's literature should be presented to the reader as it was written, neither excerpted nor rewritten to cater to contemporary tastes.
How can children be motivated to read at all if what they learn to read isn't worth the time it takes to decipher? What child won't plead to stay up "just a little longer" if he or she is in the middle of an exciting story? I found myself wondering whether it was the publishing houses, each with its own copyrighted basal-reading series, that persuaded reading specialists that their materials were better than "real" books. Or was this incredible phenomenon a product of the reading profession's fascination with "whole-word" or "look-say" instruction, which requires a controlled vocabulary so that children don't encounter unfamiliar words?
Whether the fault lies with the publishers or the professionals, the important fact is that the basal readers somehow managed to monopolize the elementary-school "market." The basal readers may be well fitted to producing mastery of basic skills--the sort of skills that makers of standardized tests treasure. But did anyone ever love a basal reader? Did anyone ever take a flashlight to bed to read a basal reader under the covers? The dearth of literature in the elementary school may go far toward explaining some of the problems encountered by secondary-school teachers, who complain children don't like to read, don't read well, and can't apply what they read to their own lives.
I was equally astonished to discover the contempt with which the elementary social-studies consultant viewed history and geography. Like others who don't like history and never took a good history course, this educational expert associated history with "memorization and parroting of facts" rather than problem solving. As every good historian knows, history is problem solving. The writer of history asks: What happened? How do we know it happened? Why did it happen? Why did people respond as they did? History is about issues and controversies, about heroes and villains; it is about people struggling to improve their lives and about the ways people have devised to enslave others or to free themselves. History is the substance that children use to exercise the skills of problem solving, inquiry, and thinking.
It is certainly true that history cannot be taught in elementary school as it is taught in junior high or high school, but young children are fascinated and challenged by the incredible but true stories of human history. Biographies offer a fertile ground for involving children in the lives and stories and historical context of remarkable individuals, the men and women who overcame personal obstacles to change the world in some important way--political leaders, scientists, explorers, doctors, generals, writers, educators, civil-rights leaders, and so on. History provides the framework within which the elementary teacher can use myths, legends, and fairy tales. Why shouldn't children read the fabulous Greek myths while learning about Greek history, culture, and society? Education is debased when the curriculum is stripped of its content and when skills, free of any cultural, literary, or historic context, are all that is taught.
No wonder research shows that the elementary schools are not the problem. On standardized tests of skills, the students are apparently doing fine. It is only later that their teachers report how they falter when it comes to making inferences or deductions. But it is not only higher-order skills that they lack: They are culturally illiterate. They can read the words put in front of them, but they have no "furniture'' in their minds, no vocabulary of historical persons or events to draw upon, no reference to the ordinary literary images that fifth-graders once imbibed in every common school in the nation.
The problem, I would suggest, lies not with the teachers, but with the experts who have told them for years that skills and process are all that matter. In this strange world of the overcredentialed but undereducated, content, knowledge, and context count for nothing. The children of this regimen arrive in junior high schools and secondary schools knowing how, but not why or what. They have been miseducated; they have been taught to read without learning to love reading; they have been taught social studies as a package of skills rather than as a window on the varieties of human experience. Such educationally baneful practices are part and parcel of the "rising tide of mediocrity," and it is unfortunate that they have been ignored by the national commissions.
Vol. 03, Issue 16, Page 24
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About the Education Department and Contact Information
View the Iditarod Education Department Video
Mission Statement of the Iditarod Education Department:
Promote the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race® by providing educational opportunities for classrooms around the world.
We strive to help teachers be better teachers and students to achieve academic success using Iditarod based curriculum.
Steps We Take:
- Create an awareness that Iditarod is an educational tool
- Inspire teachers to use the race in their classrooms
- Serve as a resource to provide on our website standards aligned classroom lessons, curriculum connection, activities, and projects for use in preschool, elementary school, and secondary school teachers and homeschool families
- Focus on STEM and standards aligned content instruction on all content areas
- Partner with highly qualified instructional educators who are using this unique Iditarod based approach to instruction
- Develop educational collaboration teams to focus on quality teaching and learning
- Train educators at conferences and provide information on our website to facilitate an enriched educational classroom environment and enhance technology integration.
- Collect data from educators on success of program involvement
Results We Strive For:
- Teachers who are highly effective instructors and use Iditarod in the classroom
- Students who think scientifically, solve problems, read more, write more, use technology as a tool, and are successful in school
- Students who are apt to graduate from high school more prepared to further their education and enter the fields of science, math, engineering, and technology; students who are true world problem solvers and resourceful citizens, life long learners AND develop an interest in the race.
Contact the Iditarod Education Department by sending an email to Diane Johnson, Iditarod Education Director.
- Diane Johnson, Director of Iditarod Education
- 1412 S. Melgaard Road
- Aberdeen, SD 57401
email@example.com 605.290.3423
***PLEASE NOTE: Teachers are invited to freely use the lessons and curriculum on our website and to create Iditarod based lessons of their own for their own students. However, said individuals do not have permission to sell Iditarod themed or based products they have created or that we have created nor do they have permission to use these materials in any published document, sold or given freely in written format or used on their personal websites. Unauthorized use of Iditarod curriculum or lessons is strongly prohibited. (As an example, educators or individuals may not create Iditarod based lessons, projects, or activities as a product to sell for profit or gain or in a published document of any kind, even if it is given away free. Words such as but not limited to "Iditarod®", "Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®", and "The Last Great Race™" , "The Last Great Race on Earth™", IditaRead™, Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™, may not appear in materials created by individuals, or educators and sold or published even for free. Lessons, maps, images, icons, titles (Iditarod®), or any content from our website may not be included in products made for free use and/or sold by educators or other individuals without consent. Contact email@example.com if you have questions or for further information. Individuals or organizations may not provide "Iditarod®" based teacher conferences or use Iditarod in the title of a conference without permission. Contact firstname.lastname@example.com if you have questions, need additional information, and/or to apply for use of copyrighted materials.


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added by mcewen_girl
Source: http://community.livejournal.com/world_icons/45191.html
added by Saul_Mikoliunas
Another sneak peek that I just found. "My husband does porn!" Do toi think the "I would never hurt you" is another clue?
added by Saul_Mikoliunas
They built the set first! I can't believe that renard signed off on the set building before they had even seen the script, it is a beautiful set though.


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"Why love art?"
"It is sometimes said that scientists are unromantic, that their passion to figure out robs the world of beauty and mystery. But is it not stirring to understand how the world actually works — that white light is made of colors, that color is the way we perceive the wavelengths of light, that transparent air reflects light, that in so doing it discriminates among the waves, and that the sky is blue for the same reason that the sunset is red? It does no harm to the romance of the sunset to know a little bit about it." – Carl Sagan
One of the great passions that I have held deeply since I was a child is art, specifically, drawing and painting. These activities I have been sharpening since I can remember provide a great sense of spirituality, or connection to the beauty of life and the cosmos. The feeling of creation — of pouring one's humanity onto the paper — is one of great power. The self-knowledge that one is improving at making art is also deeply satisfying — as if a thirst is being quenched.
Art has been the one permanent outlet in which I could sense the inner peace and intense inspiration that came over me as I connected to my surroundings. Sometimes I can feel the smile slowing forming across my face as I realize that I have depicted something with a level of skill I never had never achieved before, or that I have noticed some beauty in an unexpected or overlooked detail of my topic. These deeply personal feelings are what make art so important to me. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, did his spiritual exercises through prayer. I do mine with art.


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It's Kuroda vs. Darvish tonight in Texas.
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Raul Ibanez LF
Eric Chavez 3B
Russell Martin C
Let's Go Yank-ees!
[Painting by Robert Motherwell]
It's Kuroda vs. Darvish tonight in Texas.
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Raul Ibanez LF
Eric Chavez 3B
Russell Martin C
Let's Go Yank-ees!
[Painting by Robert Motherwell]
The Texas Rangers have the winning bid for Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish.
Word has it that the Yanks' bid for Yu Darvish fell short.
Moving on…
Trying to maintain low expectations about the Yu Darvish bidding, I wondered what the Yankees could do with all that money when they don't get him. It would be nice to get both Cespedes and Soler in the system as the Yankee outfield gets very thin very fast after this year.
Perhaps because I'm in the process of finding presents for the extended family and because there's a lot of talk around the coffee machine this morning about the Mets terrible
financial situation, I thought about how the Yankees could help their fellow New Yorkers.
The Mets need money. How much? More. When? Yesterday. So here is a Christmas gift to the Mets: $22,000,000.00. The Yankees trade A.J. Burnett straight up for Johan Santana.
The Yankees rid themselves of the annual Burnett headache. By ERA, Burnett was the second worst starting pitcher in baseball since 2010. But ERA can be misleading. Don't worry though, by FIP, he was the third worst.
Johan Santana from one point of view, was even worse than Burnett. Santana broke down in 2009 and then again in 2010 and didn't pitch at all in 2011. And he's coming off surgery to repair the anterior capsule of his left shoulder – one of the nastiest surgeries a pitcher can undergo. His level of performance for the rest of his contract, the same gauranteed length as Burnett, is a total mystery.
In this deal, the Yankees would give the Mets the gift of 22 million dollars (Santana's gauranteed $55 million over the next two year and while A.J. Burnett will get $33 million over the same time span) and a reliable innings eater (reliably bad, but hey, count that money again) for the gamble that Johan Santana can bounce back into something special, or at least into a shadow of something special.
I have no idea if Santana will be any good as he tries to come back. But if he gets on the mound and he's among the worst pitchers in baseball next year, he can only be two or three rungs below where A.J. Burnett has taken up residence.
I know there are better ways to spend $22 million than on a roll of the dice on Johan Santana's recovery. If you can't believe in a little magic during the holiday season though, when can you?
UPDATE: A report has the Toronto Blue Jays with the winning bid for Darvish.
Open thread as we await word on Yu Darvish.
Oh, yeah, word has it the Sox have picked up former Yankee Mark Melancon in a trade with the Astros, and also signed the one and only Nick Punto to a two-year deal.
[Photo Credit: Rabbit Hare]
Over at River Ave Blues, Moshe Mandel thinks that despite the risks taking a risk on Yu Darvish is the right play for the Yanks.
[Photo Credit: Japanese Baseball Players]


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Tell us about the most surprising helping hand you've ever received.
Photographers, show us HANDS.
I was talking to a coworker regarding a book that I need to purchase for my summer class but I will not be able to purchase until a couple weeks from now. Plus we were told that it is not needed until week 5 of the semester anyway. She is awesome: she offered to lend me her book and I can return it whenever I am able to purchase my own. I said oh no, I don't want to be a bother plus I want to highlight in my book. She said she did not mind if I highlighted in hers. I do not like to be an inconvenient to people. Plus, I know that it is a book I will be using for a couple semesters so I will buy it at some point anyway. On her day off, she shows up and leaves it for me along with the CD that I can use for practice questions. It warmed my heart to see that she went above and beyond to get it to me right away, knowing that I started summer semester last week and I want to do well.
I have to give her to a shout out for her heartwarming gesture. Thanks, B.! I am grateful for your help.
To get the latest posts: follow my blog, follow me on Twitter account, like my page on Facebook, sign up via emails, delivered directly to your box. See my About Me for blog updates.


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Update: Connu, the folks behind the publication of "It Is Not Self-Seeking," recently partnered with the mega online literary library, Scribd. My story was lucky enough to be one of Connu's most popular titles, and it is now available in fancy e-book format. For the Amazon link, click here. For the Scribd story page, click here. Read about the partnership here.
I wrote a short story titled "It Is Not Self-Seeking," and it was recently published on Connu, a short story curating app and website. I celebrated by drinking a giganto strawberry milkshake and eating a burrito the size of my head, and I feel like a winner who has made poor diet decisions in the past 24 hours.
But this is really exciting. It's exciting because it feels legitimate, like I've written something that someone liked and thought that other people would like, too. Classmates and coworkers and friends have come up to me and said they enjoyed it — they said that certain lines stuck out to them and lingered. It's the strangest, most wonderful thing. And that's from words I wrote for a writing workshop, which came from my Creative Writing classes, which came from my idea that maybe all the reading I'd done throughout my life would be a good thing to pursue in college.
I'm riding on this high right now, like I can look back at this page and stare at my name and know it's there because I worked at it. I wrote and tore and listened to some trusted peers and tore some more, and felt this tentative surge of confidence when the story felt kind-of-sort-of-maybe-this-is-right. And now it's here, and I'm proud, and my name is there under the title.
My name! I need another milkshake.


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Losing weight can be a major accomplishment. However, there are downsides to the process, to which many people dealing with the aftermath of weight loss can attest. Unfortunately, these realities can mar the accomplishments that are so hard-earned. If you are struggling with your self-image following massive weight loss, then you may want to consider celebrating your accomplishment with a procedure to help you feel even better: a body lift.
The skin is an elastic organ that can stretch and retract when we gain or lose weight. This is an amazing ability, but it does have its limits. When the skin is forced to expand or retract too quickly, there are some permanent changes that occur. When skin stretches too fast, stretch marks often appear, such as during a period of rapid growth, pregnancy, or weight gain. When a massive amount of weight is lost, the skin often cannot retract back to the size of the body, causing hanging, sagging skin that can taint the appearance of the body overall.
Along with sagging skin, body contour can be affected after weight loss, with uneven distribution that can compromise the aesthetics of the body. While exercise can tone specific areas, it is sometimes impossible to get the desired results from that alone.
A body lift is not one procedure but a combination of techniques that can be customized to suit each patient's needs. Traditionally, a body lift consists of a tummy tuck, thigh lift, and buttock lift, but there are no limitations on which procedures can be combined for optimal results.
Body lift surgery involves removing excess skin from the affected areas, resolving small pockets of stubborn fat that often do not respond to diet and exercise, and contouring the body for a sleeker, more streamlined silhouette.
Because the surgery is highly customizable, surgical times and procedures can vary. And because of the comprehensive nature of the body lift, surgical times can also be quite extensive.
The surgical recovery process for a body lift is significant, and patients must be prepared to deal with the reality of the downtime, discomfort, and aftercare involved. Following surgery, bruising and swelling are expected, with bruising typically fading within a month, and swelling lasting at least 3-4 months. Patients can return to desk jobs within about 3-4 weeks, but full healing will take about 6 months. Each doctor has his or her own guidelines for patients, which should be followed carefully to promote safety, good results, and to minimize scarring.
Candidates for body lift will be in good health, non-smokers, and have significant loose, sagging skin in the lower body area. Weight stability is key for candidacy, as someone who has not finished losing weight will see changes in the results down the road if they drop or gain pounds. Women who are interested in having a family are encouraged to wait until after their last pregnancy to undergo a body lift, as pregnancy stretches out skin and stomach muscles, which can compromise results of a body lift. Anyone considering body lift surgery will need to have their candidacy assessed by an expert, particularly with the invasive nature of the procedure in mind.
Don't let your accomplishments be compromised by obstacles like sagging skin and sub-optimal body contour. You deserve to look as great as you feel! If you're ready to move forward with the body lift process, then it's time to start looking for a doctor you can trust. Body lift surgery is a major and often life-changing procedure, and you need to be sure to choose a surgeon who has your best interests at heart and the skill to give you the results you want.
A double board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Masri is an expert in body contouring procedures, with over 25 years of experience. He is focused on helping patients find the procedure to suit their needs and reach their goals using his skills, knowledge, and abilities. If you would like to meet with Dr. Gupta to discuss a potential body lift procedure, call Masri Clinic for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery in Dearborn or Birmingham, Michigan, at 866-487-3223 to schedule your complimentary consultation today.


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TERAVoice is a feature rich and customizable
voicemail system. Every mailbox can have an arbitrary number of different
greeting messages scheduled for different dates, times and days of week. In
addition to audio files, a text can be entered for all greeting messages
which is synthesized and played back using Text-to-Speech (TTS). Users can
be notified of new calls or messages on their pager or mobile phone, by
e-mail with the voice message attached or by the Message Waiting Indicator
(MWI) on their PBX's telephone.
TERAVoice also comes with a Windows Client Application which
allows to monitor one or more mailboxes and listen to new voice messages. A
remote control mode allows to listen to new and saved messages and to
configure most mailbox setting from any telephone.
In a world of information and communication with
increasing requirement in terms of productivity
flexibility there is a growing demand for efficient
messaging and communication solutions. The goal
to target all kind of communication like e-mail,
voice messages, fax, SMS, telex and others to a
single location, usually your e-mail inbox. While
solutions exist trying to offer all services in
single product, support for each single transport
medium often lacks full featured capabilities.
TERAVoice in contrast is specialized in telephony
services providing flexible support for integration
with other messaging systems, allowing customers
continue using the platform of their choice.
Users can be notified about new calls or new messages with various
TERAVoice comes with a plugin architecture which allows to do a reverse
lookup on incoming calls. Currently an
Active Directory plugin is delivered
with TERAVoice, more plugins for MS Exchange contacts, general database
lookup, general LDAP lookup and some phone number CD will be provided.
Through the use of SMTP, TERAVoice can easily integrate with
Exchange Server to build a unified messaging solution by extending MS
Exchange with a voice mail solution.
Through the use of SMTP, TERAVoice can easily integrate with
Lotus Notes
to a unified messaging system by extending Lotus Notes by a voicemail
TERAVoice supports a broad range of telephony hardware and three CAPI
based VoIP stacks (H.323 and SIP) . The supported hardware can be divided in
four basic categories:
More information about the supported brands and devices can be found on
our Hardware Compatibility List.


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As the numbing list of gun murders continues unabated (latest being the idiot who killed three members of city government in Ross Township, Pennsylvania), we appear to, once again, have become inured to the fact of gun deaths. There was a hue and cry like no other after Sandy Hook, but as Congress lost their mojo and no events big enough to stir the inertia have happened since, the whole topic of the NRA and sane gun control has quietly slipped from the Zeitgeist. At least until the next "big one" happens… then we'll be up in arms (pun sadly intended), ready once more for battle. So while we're in this unfortunate lull of apathy, what has the NRA been doing to feel useful and productive as the arbiter of American gun culture?
Yes, they've decided the stance of several organizations on the topic of lead bullets is anathema to their mission statement of "all guns, all bullets, all the time" and they've compiled an "enemies list" of those groups pushing for AB 711, California's proposed statewide ban of lead ammunition. And on that list, prominently and with enthusiasm, are the famed San Diego Zoo and the Los Angeles Zoo, described in NRA-speak as 'radical groups" and "government agencies" they're out to 'expose.'
Dear God, corral the giraffes and get the bongos in their bunkers; the NRA is on a rampage!
Really, NRA? This is where you feel you should place the resources of your best and brightest? Apparently so. With their current focus on keeping lead bullets from being limited in any way (because to NRA leadership, to limit firepower is to be unAmerican), they're going after conservation and environmental groups who believe the lead in bullets used to shoot animals is a danger to both people and wildlife. From the National Park Service:
Most lead-core rifle bullets fragment into hundreds of tiny pieces when they strike animal tissue. Lead-tainted meat may become part of scavengers' food supplies when any of the following occur: a wounded animal escapes a hunting attempt, an animal shot as a pest is not retrieved from the field, or when gutpiles remain on the landscape after a hunt. Over the past 3 decades, California condor recovery efforts have brought to light how this lead pathway in the ecosystem can threaten even the very survival of a species.
Numerous scientific studies have reached a consensus: lead poisoning is the biggest threat facing the successful recovery of the California condor… Scientific studies have documented that the primary source of this lead is from spent ammunition that remains in carcasses after they are shot.
Read the entire article to get the full picture of just how lead bullets do their damage… it ain't pretty. But what about the impact on humans? Yep, the Park Service has something to say about that too, discussing the prevalence of lead bullet fragments in packaged venison and other wild meats, which is then fed not only to humans, but to domestic animals that humans will later ingest. The circle of life… mixed with just a little lead. The Park Service cited a study conducted in North Dakota…
… that examined ground venison packages that had been donated by hunters to food pantries. It found that 59% of the packages had lead fragments.
That's slightly staggering, and for people who enjoy hunting and eating wild meat, I'd think that would be as alarming to them as it is to… well, zoos. But no; it turns out the NRA is not only NOT interested in those findings, they've got their own group, aptly named Huntfortruth.org (whose very on-the-nose mission statement is listed as "THE TRUTH BEHIND THE ASSAULT ON TRADITIONAL LEAD AMMUNITION"… all caps) to dispel such 'misinformation.'
Hunt For Truth, with no small allegiance to the NRA, seems hardly the objective quantifier of truth related to any topic in the "guns vs. environment" debate, but for the sake of argument, let's hear theirs. Published last week by the NRA on their "Institute for Legislation" site (naw… no affiliation there!), is a piece clumsily titled: "HuntForTruth.org Launches New Media-Rich Website Designed to Combat the Misleading Campaign to Ban Lead Ammunition Throughout the U.S." Here's a glimpse of their thesis:
Self-proclaimed environmental organizations are pushing to prohibit the use of traditional lead ammunition in hunting and recreational shooting. These radical groups are now going so far as to claim that eating wild game taken with lead ammunition is a serious health risk to hunters and their families. [… ]
Lead ammunition ban proposals are already in the works in multiple states across the country. All hunters and recreational shooters need to learn the real truth behind the anti-lead ammunition proponents' agenda to ban lead ammunition, not only in battleground states like California, but everywhere in the United States. Anti-lead ammunition groups will not rest until all lead ammunition, and ultimately hunting, is banned. This is their "Get The Lead Out" campaign. [Emphasis added.]
OK, first of all, they've thrown in the typical "sky is falling" hyperbole about 'radical groups' and 'banning all hunting,' a weary fear-mongering trope similar to the "THEY WILL CONFISCATE ALL OUR GUNS" hysteria (an item included in our list of the Top 10 Thinks Gun Lovers DON'T Need To Fear), but one has to ask: why so possessive of lead? Is there really no other way to have fun with hunting? I suspect it's less about lead and more about not wanting to be told they can't use lead. Because, God forbid, the NRA leadership ever viewed anything from the perspective of the "greatest good" versus NRA/gun-lovers self-satisfaction.
But, what, you may ask at this point, does any of this have to do with zoos? Stay with me: Christina Wilkie at The Huffington Post reports that, as part of their "keep the lead in" campaign, they've compiled one of their infamous "enemies list" of people and organizations at odds with their goal. That's where those damn animal-conserving, species-protecting, environmental-preserving, flamingly 'radical' zoos come in:
In order to rally its members to oppose the lead regulation, the NRA described a conspiracy theory involving crooked scientists, phony research, and a shadowy network of nonprofits, zoos and government agencies all conspiring to ban hunting.
According to the NRA, an "activist portion of the scientific community" has formed "a highly organized network of like minded researchers with an agenda to ban lead ammunition." In order to thwart this looming threat, "Hunt for Truth will expose the researchers associated with 'faulty science' critical of lead ammunition," the gun lobby says.
Scientists aren't the NRA's only new targets. Nonprofits like the San Diego Zoo and the California Condor Recovery Team are also on the enemies list. The NRA claims these groups "have considerable influence over many legislators and regulators," which they use to "capture" the regulatory agencies and bureaucrats responsible for lead ammunition restrictions.
"Under this capture theory, NGO's, legislators, regulatory agencies and researchers work in concert to implement policies and regulations to ban traditional ammunition," the NRA alleges. [… ]
Four government agencies were also singled out: the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the California Department of Fish and Game, the Los Angeles Zoo and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. [Emphasis added.]
Yes… some dastardly folks on that 'enemies list,' aren't there? Of course, also included on their list is the 'ominously' titled Center for Biological Diversity, the group behind the "Get the Lead Out" campaign. But when a group devoted to biology makes a statement like this:
In the United States, an estimated 3,000 tons of lead are shot into the environment by hunting every year, another 80,000 tons are released at shooting ranges, and 4,000 tons are lost in ponds and streams as fishing lures and sinkers — while as many as 20 million birds and other animals die each year from subsequent lead poisoning.
… one has to wonder why even the NRA and its members aren't interested in finding an alternative substance with which to make bullets, one that isn't as toxic and doesn't have quite the negative ripple effect. But that is like asking why the NRA isn't interested in protecting their children too when it comes to safer, saner gun control laws. There is no true logic to be found; it's just the same knee-jerk, circle-the-wagons paranoia that pervades any discussion of limiting, changing, adapting, adjusting, or improving anything related to GUNS.
But you decide. Read all the attached pieces, see what you think. And while you're at it, one last thing: can you think of any good reason why the HuntForTruth.org people would choose this particular image for their campaign against banning lead bullets? I get it… a boxer… 'the gloves come off"… sure… that explains it, right? But given the controversial lack of black membership in this organization, the choice seems… odd… somehow coded. But then again, maybe I'm as suspect of the NRA and their cronies as they'd likely be of me. You decide.


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Uppsala University welcomes donation for studies in Japan
20 October 2014
Mitsubishi Corporation, a Japanese company, has donated SEK 357,000 towards Uppsala University's student exchange programme with Japan.
Uppsala University has had student exchange with Japan since the 1980s. Today, students at Uppsala University are given the opportunity to study one or two semesters at one of eight different Japanese universities, and at the same time, Japanese students are coming to Uppsala:
- Keio University
- Sophia University
- Kyoto University
- Tohoku University
- Kyushu University
- Tokyo University
- Nagoya University
- Waseda University
'Our students show great interest in studying in Japan, so it is very pleasing to be able to offer this opportunity to our exchange students', says Eva Åkesson, Vice-Chancellor at Uppsala University.
'It is our pleasure to support the exchange program between the prestigious universities in Sweden and Japan. The donation shall contribute to further strengthen the academic and cultural ties between two countries. We hope the students will have a good time and learn something fruitful for their future', says Kenichi Oteki, General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation Stockholm.
The donation is being announced today at an alumni event in Japan.


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HBACF Belt Sander Races – It's Time to Get your Belt Sanders Ready!
Join us for the 2015 HBA Charitable Foundation Belt Sander Races at Midwest Block and Brick on Tuesday, September 15th, 2015, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm.
HBA Members and anyone who has a belt sander is eligible to race in the Stock and Modified Classes (this event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC so PLEASE SHARE). Bring your family, friends or co-workers for a good time at the track.
Sign Up your TEAM for Racing – Please sign up early! If you don't have the burning desire to race, sign up to be one of our fantastic spectators and enjoy the racing fun, wonderful food, and great company, while cheering on your favorite Belt Sander!
Sign up your team of 4 people for only $100. Spectators are $15 each.
Contact Jamie at 417.881.3711 or firstname.lastname@example.com for questions or to sign up.
Banner Sponsors are also needed – pricing will be $2.50/square foot with a $100 minimum. Being a Banner Sponsor is a great way to advertise your business, so contact Jamie today if you would like to showcase your banner. You are responsible for supplying your own banner and they need to be turned into the HBA office no later than Friday, September 11th.
Click here for Belt Sander Rules & Regulations.


text: Memorial Day events across Hampton Roads honored the sacrifices of deceased veterans and their families Monday. One of the ceremonies held Monday in honor of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country was held in Colonial Williamsburg to honor those killed during the American Revolution. (Photos by Rob Ostermaier) For video click here.


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Professor of Political Science
John Tomasi is the Romeo Elton Professor of Natural Philosophy and a Professor of Political Science at Brown University and Director of the Political Theory Project at Brown. He also holds an appointment at the University of Arizona's Center for the Philosophy of Freedom where he is a University Associate and Research Professor.
Tomasi received his B.A. from Colby College, his M.A. from the University of Arizona (1990), and his B. Phil., D. Phil. from Oxford University (1993). He has held previous positions at the University Center for Human Values at Princeton, the Department of Philosophy at Stanford, and the Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard. His specializations are political theory and ethics and public policy.
In addition to numerous scholarly articles, Tomasi is author ofLiberalism Beyond Justice: Citizens Society and the Boundaries of Political Theory (Princeton University Press, 2001) and Free Market Fairness (Princeton University Press, 2012). To learn more about Free Market Fairnes, read the Wall Street Journal review here.
Associate Director
Daniel J. D'Amico is a Lecturer in Economics and the Associate Director of The Political Theory Project at Brown University where he teaches and coordinates student programs dedicated to the study of institutions and ideas that make societies free, prosperous, and fair. Before beginning at Brown University in 2015, Daniel was awarded the level of Associate Professor of economics at Loyola University New Orleans, where he garnered awards for teaching, research, and service.
Daniel completed his Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University in 2008. His dissertation, "The Imprisoner's Dilemma: The Political Economy of Proportionate Punishment," was awarded the Israel M. Kirzner Award for best dissertation in Austrian Economics by the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics. In 2011 Daniel's paper, "The Prison in Economics: Private and Public Incarceration in Ancient Greece," was awarded the Gordon Tullock Prize for the best paper published in the journal Public Choice by a scholar under the age of forty.
Daniel's current research is focused upon the political economy of punishment and incarceration throughout history and around the world. He has been published in a variety of scholarly outlets including Public Choice, the Journal of Comparative Economics, and the Review of Austrian Economics.
Daniel is currently the co-editor of Advances in Austrian Economics, an affiliated scholar with the workshop in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at George Mason University, and a co-founder of the Carl Menger Essay Contest sponsored by the Foundation for Economic Education.
Daniel adheres to the fundamental belief that ideas matter.
David Skarbek
Associate Professor,
David Skarbek is Associate Professor of Political Science at Brown University. His research uses analytical narratives to understand how extralegal governance institutions form, operate, and evolve. He has published extensively on the informal institutions that govern life in prisons in California and around the globe. His work has appeared in leading journals in political science, economics, and criminology, including in the American Political Science Review, Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Journal of Law, Economics & Organization, and Journal of Criminal Justice. His book, The Social Order of the Underworld: How Prison Gangs Govern the American Penal System (Oxford University Press), received the American Political Science Association's 2016 William H. Riker Award for the best book in political economy in the previous three years. It was also awarded the 2014 Best Publication Award from the International Association for the Study of Organized Crime and was shortlisted for the British Sociological Association's 2014 Ethnography Award. His work has been featured widely in national and international media outlets, such as the Atlantic, BBC, Business Insider, the Economist, Forbes, the Independent, and the Times. He received a Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University in 2010.
Emily Skarbek
Assistant Professor, Research Political Theory Project [email protected]
Emily Skarbek is Assistant Research Professor in the Political Theory Project at Brown University. She earned her PhD in economics from George Mason University in 2009. Her research examines civil society, governance, and history of economic thought. Her work has been published in academic journals such as Public Choice, Journal of Institutional Economics, and American Journal of Economics and Sociology. In 2014, she was awarded the annual Gordon Tullock prize for best article published in Public Choice by a junior scholar. She is also a contributing author to several books including After Katrina: The Political Economy of Disaster and Community Rebound and Hayek and the Modern World.


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Artists' group slams arrest of Red-tagged couple
A group of young artists has slammed the arrest in Marikina City last week of a former University of the Philippines (UP) student and his wife who, according to the police, were high-ranking officials of the New People's Army.
In a statement, Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (Karatula) said the manner in which Juan Pablo Versoza, a member of the group's UP Diliman-based chapter Alay Sining, and his wife Grace were arrested was illegal, because the warrant served by the police was defective.
Authorities earlier said the two were arrested in Barangay Parang last Friday based on the arrest warrant issued by a court in Samar province where the couple had been charged with robbery with homicide and illegal possession of firearms.
According to the group, the warrant contained just aliases and the real names of the couple were listed only when they were detained at the Eastern Police District headquarters.
"How can an alias legitimately be used in an arrest? That alias could be anybody yet they choose to target two innocent people. There is no basis for the arrest," said Jay del Rosario, Karatula vice chair.
The group also added the police did not inform the couple of the reason for their arrest nor were they shown the warrant issued by the court.
"[The authorities] obviously didn't show them the warrant in order to rig the official reports later on," Del Rosario claimed.
The group added that the couple's "basic rights to due process" were violated, saying the "trumped-up charges" were "politically motivated."
"It is clear that the actions of the 8th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces are politically motivated under the Aquino regime's Oplan Bayanihan counterinsurgency campaign," the group said.
"These ridiculous charges are attempts of the military to repress progressive artists and individuals critical of the administration," it said as it added that there has been an additional 293 political prisoners since 2010.
According to the group, it will conduct a "fervent campaign" for the release of the couple from the Samar provincial jail in Catbalogan, where they were transferred following their arrest.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.


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Disclosure: I received this product complimentary in exchange for an honest, and fair product review. The thoughts in this blog are my own.
What's going on good people? Well it's a rain, damp Tuesday for myself. Hopefully it's nicer weather where you are. Today I am coming at you with another product review.
Today's product is from Ulensy. It's a handheld led illuminated magnifying glass.
This handheld magnifying glass is terrific. Most unique aspect of this magnifier is that it has interchangeable lenses. Like that there are three different magnification levels. The magnification levels are 2.5X, 5X, 16X. Mostly I need the 2.5 lenses for reading small print or crafting. Also enjoy using my magnifier to inspect my herbs, and flowers.
The led illuminated light on my Ulensy magnifier has really come in handy to see fine details in various items. To use the light you will need 3 AAA batteries, and it should last you a long time. Do wish the light was a bit stronger, but for my needs it works out ok.
Yes I have pretty good vision, but al of us could use a magnifying glass. No matter what your needs this will be a useful tool in your home. It's great product for crafters, coin collectors, and for avid readers. Every home could use one. Below I will include a link to purchase the Ulensy Handheld Magnifier on amazon.
Buy it here: http://goo.gl/IxCk81
Thanks to both Ulensy & Tomoson for allowing me to test this product. Appreciate all my friends for stopping by my blog. Have a blessed day.


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I really feel like cutting
I'm 39, I've been a cutter since I was 14 or so...possibly younger. Idk why I'm so depressed.. My best friend of 22 yrs was murdered by her bf 3 yrs ago, the anniversary is in 5 days. I know this is part of it. Other than that, I just feel so unloved and unworthy.. I wish I could be stronger.
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I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I lost 4 friends who were killed by a drunk driver. It happened at a difficult time in my life. I got a tattoo in their honour on my forearm. Maybe something similar would be good for you? A beautiful scene or picture to preserve her memory.. but if you get it in the spot where you would normally choose to cut yourself perhaps you won't want to anymore. You can look at your arm (leg, whatever) and see that you have a friend watching over you. And even though she isn't here any longer it may still comfort you.
Stay strong.
Hope for the best, expect the best, accept the worst.
Don't hurt yourself anymore than you already are. Your friend wouldn't want that, God rest her soul. anniversary dates of those we lost are especially hard, aren't they? Instead of hurting yourself why don't you do something to make yourself feel better in your friend's honor. Make a donation. Plant a flower. volunteer somewhere. There are other outlets to your pain.
You can be stronger. You can work on yourself and be amazed at the progress you can make. It's not easy, but it's doable.


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For this post to make any sense, I'll have to give you guys the basic gist behind the episode. Erika's birthday is coming up, and she wants Kyouya to give her… love. B-b-but what does that mean?! Well, that's for our Black Prince to figure out.
The Good
There's only one true answer:
The Whatever
— Nozomi and Takeru have somehow become friends. That's good, I guess. We should make more friends.
— Nozomi suggests that Kyouya takes Erika to a French restaurant. That sounds romantic on paper, but I think your results may vary. Some French places can serve really heavy food (e.g. risotto, foie gras, dishes cooked in lots of butter), and having a gut bomb go off in your stomach isn't really a good idea if you want to be amorous.
— What does Erika really want, though? Well, she really just wants to hear him say that he loves her. It's that simple, I guess. It's also not love. I mean, love isn't just a statement; love is an action. Even her best friend is like, "Is that really love?"
— Kyouya tries to tell Erika those three magic words, but he finds it so difficult, he has to excuse himself from the table.
I know I've been saying this a lot lately, but if you honestly can't even tell someone you love that you love them, you should really, really get some help. That's not even a joke. But it's okay. The power of anime will eventually heal our Black Prince.
— Even though his two other friends are hanging out with each other elsewhere, they can't help but spend their entire time talking about Kyouya. Man, everyone's just obsessed with this guy.
— Hilariously enough, our two love birds end up watching a movie about a guy who can't say "I love you" to his lover, so the latter calls him a "cowardly, weak-willed, gutless weasel." I guess even fictional relationships in this universe are screwed up.
— We're eventually subjected to a boring montage of the two lovebirds on a date. Pretty generic stuff. Instead of showing their characters in all sorts of different locales, why won't these romance shows just sit their characters sit down and have them share an intimate conversation?
The Bad
— Guess what? Kyouya doesn't even know his girlfriend's birthday is coming up. You can't really blame him for this one, though. After all, she's never told him when her birthday is. Nevertheless, Erika stupidly wonders, "Wouldn't it be exciting if you secretly knew without me telling you?" I'm sure Edward knew Bella's birthday without her having to tell him.
— There's one thing you can blame Kyouya for, though! He flat out tells her that he doesn't want to celebrate Erika's birthday. He's just going to do so anyway because he doesn't want her to annoy him by pouting. Awwwwww.
— Man, our Black Prince will certainly have a day full of fun in store for his girlfriend, huh? Well, not exactly: "Let me warn you, don't say 'Anything's fine.' Thinking about it is a pain for me." Why even bother being in a relationship? 'Cause honestly, when you're in love with someone, thinking about them becomes effortless.
— Erika's answer? She wants love. Depending on the culture that you come from, this is either incredibly vague or incredibly specific.
— Nozomi gives Kyouya surprisingly good advice: "You just need to do something that'll make her happy." Seriously, I'm actually surprised.
— Kyouya can't remember if Erika has ever made his heart melt. Wrap it up, boys…
— Don't worry, you guys. Erika has taken enough punishment to know that she should never have any actual expectations: "As long as Kyouya does something for my sake, I'm okay." That's why even though it's going to be her birthday, she's planning the entire day out for herself. I mean, you don't honestly expect Kyouya to step up on this front, do you?
— The girl is so beaten down, she can't even recognize a present when she sees one. Dude literally has to spell it out to her.
— She then asks him for permission to open it! It's your fucking present! What else would you do with it?!
— Dude makes his girlfriend buy the movie tickets for the two of them. C'mon.
— On his own, this is all that the guy could manage to choke out. Nevertheless, the girl is thankful to have spent the entire day with him. So she ends up saying "I love you" first. It's only after this that Kyouya could summon up the encourage to say it back to her. But for some reason, the anime doesn't want us to hear him actually say it. Y'see, a truck drives by and prevents us from hearing anything. Erika heard it, though… so I guess there's that.
The Ugly
— Kyouya tries to practice saying "I love you" to himself, but he literally can't. In fact, he finds it so difficult that he ends up punching the bathroom mirror. Um, that's pretty fucked up.
— Anime usually doesn't have a problem drawing cute kids, but this show dropped the ball pretty hard on this front. Pretty. Damn. Hard.
— And now, everything else:


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Optimum Window is the country's largest and most diversified manufacturer of fire-rated windows and doors. Optimum began life as a local New York-based firm, but has experienced steady growth, especially in the fire-rated market, to the point where it's now the dominant player within that market segment.
For a number of years they had been operating with a tired logo and a circa 1990s website, which included mismatched design templates and navigational structures, pages which lead nowhere, and limited ability to display information about products other than through PDF downloads. Their corporate materials similarly reflected more of a small business aesthetic than that of an industry player.


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I've been crushing hard on the Deer and Doe Melilot Shirt since it came out almost 2 years ago. I finally kicked my butt into gear to make it!
This is a result of more stash-busting as I've had this purple chiffon from GirlCharlee.com for a good while. The Melilot seems to do well with fabrics that have good drape, so I thought this would be a good match.
Overall, it's a very successful shirt and was fairly easy to sew once I starched the chiffon. The only issues I had were with ironing and the button holes.
The fabric has delicate gold dots that don't do well with a direct iron (don't ask me how I know…). I had to have my iron set on medium-low heat for the chiffon anyway but I also had to Press. Every. Seam. with a pressing cloth. Yeesh. The good news is all of the visible dots are still in good shape!
The button holes were easy enough to put in, but for some reason my machine didn't listen to the size button hole I wanted. Even though it was set smaller, it still made these huge holes for these tiny buttons. Oh, well. Not like anyone can really notice too much! At least I hope not….
I used little gold buttons that were salvaged from a tired, pit-stained RTW work shirt. As a result, I didn't make the million button holes as directed since I only had 8 of these. I used a 9th small clear button for the collar stand for whenever I get a wild hair up my arse to button this shirt up all the way. 😉
I made a size 40 on top, grading to a 42 at the waist/hips. I think I should stick with a straight 42 for next time since the shoulders bunch a little. It's not too uncomfortable, but it's definitely noticeable to me.
I am OBSESSED with this hemline! I enjoy the full booty coverage but also like the peek of hip on the sides. Seeing how I adore my Grainline Alder Shirt Dresses (1 and 2) and have made a "mullet" dress, I think it's safe to say I have a thing for unconventional hems. I haven't tucked in this shirt yet, but I imagine it would stay put!
The hem wasn't too difficult to do, considering the crazy curves and chiffon. It's actually a lot smoother but I didn't press this shirt after I washed it, so pretend the hem is perfect. 😉
I have some plans for another Melilot in an expensive rayon I've been too scared to use until now. I think it'll be easier to manipulate than the chiffon and it will be more breezy than polyester!
Have you tried the Melilot before? I highly recommend it and it's a very fast sew compared to most button-down blouses!
'Til next time,


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Colors: Black, Green, Grey, WhiteTrue Racing ATV,
for experienced adult riders only.
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Optional 1 Year Extended Warranty:
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80% Assembled:
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Spoiler (New Feature)
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the quad will stop right away.
For safety precautions, be sure to check and tighten all nuts and bolts prior to use. Also, be sure to check for appropriate engine fluid levels to ensure your vehicle is operating under the recommended conditions prior to use.
The all new 2017 ICE BEAR 350cc Racing ATV R350 is designed for experienced adult riders, It delivers a low profile body frame, great balance of size, speed, and power. Equipped with a Water Cooling 4 Stroke Engine, LED Turn Lights and Taillight, Projection Headlights, Digital Meters, Stainless Steel Dual Mufflers, CNC Aluminum Foot Pegs, Rearview Mirrors, Spoiler... Top Speed can reach 78 MPH! It's Manual 6 Speed Transmission is built for racing purposes and the handling is excellent thanks to the Air Charged Shock Absorbers. The 14" Aluminum Wheels offer a better balance and are extremely capable on all surface conditions Stopping power is provided by a reliable Hydraulic Dual Disc Brakes.


text: Noriko is originally from Tokyo Japan but has lived in Australia for the last 6 years. She is a great listener and will guide you through the consultation process. Noriko loves to see people smile and leave the Salon fullfilled. Noriko especially likes short hair cutting / styling and creative colouring


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BlueLine Security Services is a rapidly growing company based in Norfolk, NE and serving clients in Eastern Nebraska. BlueLine Security Services, LLC is dedicated to providing versatile security professionals. Our desire is to provide the highest quality of security protection to our clients.
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Ray Mazza
Ray Mazza is a graduate of Colby College and has a Master of Entertainment Technology degree from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a Creative Director and Lead Designer of many hit video games, and lives in California with his wonderful wife, Laura.
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Due to circumstances outside of our control, in relation to COVID19, our gift shop is temporarily closed.
For all staff enquiries, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com
We look forward to welcoming you as soon as we are back open.
For now, please follow government guidelines and stay safe.
Copyright © 2020 Northumbria University. All rights reserved. Infinity Incorporated Ltd is the owner of Northumbria University Gift Shop. Company number 3582519


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I only recently dared disassembling a Seiko's incabloc. When I saw the jewel out of the cap I got amazed by the tiny size it has, I just didn't know how to clean it and just put a drop of naphta over it, waited a few minutes, dried it, put the smalles drop of oil I was able and put it back into the movement again.
My amateur cleaning procedure is to use naphta first and rinse with IPA, using little jars in the ultrasonic, and small baskets for the little parts as wheels, barrel arbor etc. But I think that if I put those jewels into the baskets I think I am going to lose them, as it's hard for me to hold them with tweezers.
Is cleaning jewels in the ultrasonic the way you do? Or is it recomendable to clean them manually? If so, how do you do hold them and what products do you use?
I'm thinking of sticking it on a bit of rodico and use a soft brush with naphta and then IPA. Would this way be correct?


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trains – i like the idea of trains
departing from a place
moving on from one
heading towards another
I feel that these are the ones that make me feel like I'm travelling.
The first Chinese 'street artist' I saw
I have never been in such close contact with the whole issue of the EU crisis- what i've always briefly heard about and thought i understood. but to hear it from them is such an entirely different kind of understanding – the change in currency, benefits, migration issues, economic crisis, language. from mariafe to laura to david and his friend – the whole concept of the 'EU as a union not a federation'
it's so amazing something that pertains to them so significantly and so real was so easily dismissed by me in the past.
met an actress today!!! Gosh, astronauts yesterday, famous actress today, Kren Brigitti and Chiko – going to google them as soon as i get wifi.
her new film is coming out. she asked me for my name and where i'm from again before we parted, like she wanted to remember it. then when she crossed the street as we bid each other farewell she turned back once more – just as i turned to her direction too – and we waved each other a last goodbye. Walked back so happily and heartily and with almost star-struck giddiness.