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Something a bit...out of the ordinary for my weekend musings.
I am going to have a little "Girls Camp" at home, all to myself.
I am going to load up on yummy vegetarian foods (home made and not home made), put out a big blanket on my living room floor (extra comfort) and a bunch of my overstuffed pillows and read/write/watch movies tonight, all under the guise of "Girls Camp"....And of course, lots of tea and maybe a chat with my sister who I never get to speak with because she is always working at her amazing new job. (Insert envy here.)
Tomorrow, I am on with the job search, and possibly pick up my bedroom, which needs much TLC...and possibly will actually submit a job application or two. I am excited for this change in my life!
What does this weekend hold for you? May many an adventure come true!
~Happy Friday and Weekend Musings!~ |
Audition for Windows 95/NT 3.0
Audition for Windows 95/NT 3.0 Ranking & Summary
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User Review: 0 (0 times)
File size: 141K
Platform: Windows 9X/ME/NT/2K/2003/XP/Vista
Date added: 1998-07-21
Publisher: Gregory Braun
Audition for Windows 95/NT 3.0 description
A small freeware utility that will allow you to play sound files located in a disk directory. A play list is created of all sound files found in the selected folder. Sound files can be played individually, or the entire play list can be played one after another. Double-click your mouse on a sound file listed in the play list to hear individual sounds. Commands are included to launch your favorite WAV file editor and speaker volume control applications. Audition provides a simple means of playing and editing all of those sound files youve been collecting. Audition for Windows 95/NT can be configured to optionally place its program icon in the taskbar notification tray.
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Convert MP3 files into WAV files before burning music on CD-R. You can drag-n-drop MP3 files and M3U play list files, then convert it, eliminate corrupted files, see converted WAV files in a result li Free Download
Audition 2000 - play all of the sound files found in a folder Free Download
Super Sound Joiner joins all kinds of sound files into one large wav. Free Download
An OCX control for software developers that can record PCM WAV files from any sound card device Free Download
An advanced music player for the PC. It can play wav files, mp3s, midi files... Free Download
MultiWave plays Sound samples via Hotkey. Open some sound files and have fun! Free Download
Allows you to: - Detect if a sound card is present - Play and stop Wave files - Play and stop Midi files - Stop all sounds A sample Visual Basic project is provided. Free Download
Joins several media files into large one Free Download |
Home Sweet Home (Win)
Home Sweet Home (Win) Ranking & Summary
Home Sweet Home (Win) description
Home Sweet Home (Win) is designed as a useful tool which can help you to move into a new house and you have visions of how you want every room, except for one. Sure, there are some items you know you need in that room but, other than that, it's a blank canvas. Who do you call? How about the 'Home Sweet Home' team?Learn about your clients to ensure you are designing the perfect room for their tastes. Next, choose the furniture, choose the colors and patterns, and place items around the room until the design is perfect. Then direct your build team of workers to assemble it all in front of your eyes!
With simple controls, a fun graphical style and an easy to use interface, Home Sweet Home allows the player to nurture their creative gaming experience. Remember - a house is not a home until it's 'Home Sweet Home'!This version is for Windows 2000/XP/Vista.
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Ai Picture Utility 18.104.22.16800
Ai Picture Utility 22.214.171.12400 Ranking & Summary
User Review: 0 (0 times)
File size: 1.5 MB
Date added: 2008-09-07
Publisher: Applied Insights
Ai Picture Utility 126.96.36.19900 description
AiPICT views, edits, enhances, manages and organizes photos -- plays multimedia too. Are your digital photos "greenish", too dark, dull, spotty, washed-out or overexposed? its professional image processing and conversion procedures easily empowers the digital photo enthusiast with the ability to correct images with features found only in expensive commercial apps; these include variable equalization and remapping, unsharp mask, masked bitmap operations, contrast restoration ... Tweak your photos into "perfect pictures" with its Imaging Lab. Its huge set of imaging functions can be scripted in unlimited combinations to enhance any picture. Apply lab commands to similar photos or process millions of photos as a batch. Has you picture collection grown and become unmanageable? Quickly thumbnail entire drives (or offline CD/DVD volumes) and organize images by visual content, date, size, or keyword. Use handy batch functions to unzip, save, convert, rename (by date or sequence), move or delete millions of images - unattended! Thumbnail entire drives and organize images by visual content (or date, size, keyword) with the Slide Album. Find and remove duplicates; proprietary image analysis can even quantify and rank picture quality. Take charge of your multimedia presentations with the AVL Remote Control. Create or distribute slideshows on DVD/CD with choice of 173 cool effects, variable delays, windows-in-windows, gamma, background color, rotation, comments and other properties, per slide. Format support includes PNG, PhotoCD, Photoshop, GIF, BMP, PCX, TGA, WMF, DCX, Multi-page TIF, MP3, WAV, AVI, MPEG, MIDI, CD audio, WMV, WMA, ASF ... Its speedy viewer is unmatched and includes widescreen and other zooming options. Common imaging tools include "red eye" removal, EXIF, fast wallpaper, variably-sized and positioned prints, smooth resizing, rotate-by-degree, borders, image text ... more!.
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It views, edits, enhances, manages and organizes photos -- plays multimedia too Free Download
Ai Picture Explorer is an all-in-one graphics application that creates, edits, enhances and manages images Free Download
Dvana Image or Picture Resizer enables you to resize 1,000s of images quickly and easily. You can save the images in different sizes, for thumb nails or to fit in with your new website design. Whole folders can be dropped onto the application and it Free Download
Free Picture Finder is a picture finder and picture downloader search images on web Free Download
Video to picture is a image video converter,export pictures from video Free Download
Picture photo image resizer tool to easily convert, resize and optimize photos and pictures for your website.Quickly resize, copy paste clipart, jpgs jpegs into your favorite image editor such as Photoshop.Batch resize folders and subfolders. Free Download
Picture Imgae Search spides the world wide web and searches images, pictures, photos of BMP, GIF and JPEG formats from the Internet and saves them. Free Download
Picture Resize Genius includes the ability to batch resize pictures, batch resize photos, and perform batch image resize functions. Besides, it can add a text overlay (watermark), rename and more. Free Download
- Video To Image Converter 3.0
- Advanced XML Image Gallery - AS 3.0 1.0
- VISCOM Image OCR OCX SDK ActiveX 6.52
- X360 Image Processing ActiveX Control 4.32
- x360soft - Image Processing ActiveX SDK 4.31
- Image Batch Converter to Picture 1.0 Build 1.1.8
- x360soft - Image Processing ActiveX Team 4.14
- X360 Tiff Image Processing OCX (Team) 4.14 |
PicBand Image Downloader 1.0.1.0103
PicBand Image Downloader 1.0.1.0103 Ranking & Summary
PicBand Image Downloader 1.0.1.0103 description
Want to build up your own image library? Want to download all the images in a board of image forum?Tired of waiting images to show up in the web browser when there are tens of large images in the web page? Computer slows down when you open multiple pages of images? Waste too much time on waiting and clicking when surfing web pages and forums of pictures?......
PicBand Image Downloader is definitely the right choice to ease your life at surfing web pages with images. No more time wasted to wait the image to show up, well-organized image data, easy to download all the images in a board of forum with several clicks and typing few words.
- Particularly designed for forums/galleries, easy to download images in all topics from the specific board/gallery you want.
- Also easy to download image from other type of websites.
- "Forum Index" at PicBand.com provides growing index service for you, no longer need to search and dig to find forums.
- Easy to create task. Also can download tasks from PicBand.com to save time.
- Downloading 10 images and processing 5 topics at the same time.
- Greatly reduce downloading duplicate images.
- Well-organized management of tasks and downloaded pictures.
- Easy image viewing/slide show, showing only images abover certain size
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Acoo Browser 1.95.764
Acoo Browser 1.95.764 Ranking & Summary
Acoo Browser 1.95.764 description
Acoo Browser 1.95.764 offers users a professional and useful multi-tabbed Internet browser based on the Internet Explorer engine (IE 5 or greater required).
Acoo Browser provides a user-friendly GUI interface, including tabbed document windows, dockable panel groups and customizable toolbars.
Acoo Browser allows user to surf multiple Web sites within one browser window. It also includes many advanced features such as Mouse Gestures, built-in syntax highlighted HTML source viewer, powerful built-in Web page analyzer, built-in calculator, RSS Reader, recoverable Popup Blocker, Ads Filter, ActiveX Filter, script error suppression, Cleaner, external tools, web page zooming, URL Alias, Integrated search engine support, and much more...
Acoo Browser can block annoying pop-ups, banner Ads, flash Ads and other Internet Ad annoyances automatically without interfering your surfing. There is also detailed logging record in Acoo Browser, and you may know the Ads sites killed by Acoo Browser so as to improve your setting.
Acoo Browser makes your surfing experience easier, quicker and more comfortable!
- Multi-Window Browsing: Brows multiple web pages simultaneously.
- Built-in Pop-up Blocker based on intelligent identification makes browsing the Internet more enjoyable by enabling you to reduce unwanted ads and content.
- Built-in Ad Filter: Block Ad banners, flash animations, iframes or any components within any web pages by URL patterns.
- Built-in ActiveX Filter: Block obtrusive dialogs prompting you to install unsafe ActiveX controls.
- Convenient access to major search engines by Search Bar. Built-in search engines enable user to search for web pages, images, music, lyrics, news and software in Internet.
- Built-in calculator: Use Acoo Browser to evaluate mathematical expressions. To use Acoo Browser's built-in calculator function, simply enter the calculation you'd like done into the search box or address box and hit the Enter key or click on the Search/Go button.
- Built-in HTML Source Viewer: Syntax highlighted web page HTML source code viewer.
- Built-in Web Page Analyzer: A powerful tools shows syntax highlighted script code the page executes, information about images, etc.
- Built-in RSS News Rendering Engine: You can read RSS news directly inside Acoo Browser without additional RSS Reader software.
- Super Drag & Drop: Super drag and drop lets you open new links by using your mouse to drag and drop the link into the page. You can also select and drag text to be searched using the default search engine.
- Records Cleaner: With Acoo Browser, you can easily keep your privacy by deleting Typed Addresses, Cookies, History of Visited Web Sites, Temporary Internet Files and Search Keywords.
- Mouse Gestures: Simple symbols that you "draw" on your screen using your mouse.
- Group: Open and save a collection of sites as a group.
- Ability to suppress script error message dialog.
- Seamless integration with AI RoboForm FormFiller/Password Manager.
- Flexible control of startup actions.
- URL Alias: Type short alias instead long URL.
- Zoom in /Zoom out ANY Web page for better visuality and readability.
- Safe Recovery: If Acoo Browser is closed improperly, all open web pages are saved and will be automatically reopened at next startup.
- Skinned window frame.
- Support the "data: protocol":
- Now you can install user scripts from web link.
- Added AC_xmlhttpRequest API.
- Enhanced the "Execute Scripts" dialog.
- Small enhancements and a few bugs fixed.
Requirements: Internet Explorer 5.0 or Later
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- Acoo Browser 1.97.928
- Acoo Browser 1.96.980
- Acoo Browser 1.96 build 980
- Acoo Browser 1.95 Build 764
- Acoo Browser 1.94.998
- Acoo Browser 1.93.846
- Acoo Browser 1.92.932
- Acoo Browser 1.90.966
- Acoo Browser 1.89.690
- Acoo Browser 1.89 Build 690
- Acoo Browser 1.88.776
- Acoo Browser 1.87.584
- Acoo Browser 1.84.640
- Acoo Browser 1.74.490
- Acoo Browser 1.58.770 |
WebRatio 4 WS 4.1
WebRatio 4 WS 4.1 Ranking & Summary
RankingClick at the star to rank
User Review: 10 (1 times)
File size: form
Platform: Windows XP, Windows 2000
Date added: 2008-10-25
Publisher: Web Models s.r.l.
WebRatio 4 WS 4.1 description
As CAD systems introduced process automation in the engineering of complex mechanical and electronic products, WebRatio introduces a CAD approach for Web applications; as CAD systems embody sufficient information about mechanical components or circuits to enable the construction of artefacts from their graphical specifications, WebML embodies sufficient information about Web applications (in terms of: their content, their hypertext structure, their look&feel, their underlying data and Web management technology) to permit the automatic generation of Web-enabled software systems. Many tool vendors offer some form of wizard-based programming or of visual software development, but none has gone so far and so deep to support the full-fledged generation of both the back-end and the front-end of complex Web applications without writing any line of code; this happens because WebRatio exploits original and patented notations and techniques specifically conceived to assist the design of Web applications.
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WebReplay is a plug-in for Microsoft Internet Explorer that allows you to fill web forms, automate web applications along other activities. It has never been this easy to automate those tedious tasks Free Download
Weabers stand for Web Application Browser and Server It is a PHP and LUA enabled Webserver and Web browser combined into one single application. Make your web based software look like a normal desktop Free Download
WebReplay is a plug-in for Microsoft Internet Explorer that allows you to fill web forms, automate web applications along with many other activities. It has never been this easy to automate those tedious tasks on your favorite websites. Free Download
Web+ is a powerful & comprehensive development language & web application server... Free Download
Revolutionary transactional web application development environment. High speed development of transactional web applications, ranging from EFORMS to sophisticated back office systems. Includes enterp Free Download
The professional choice for developing dynamic Web applications on UNIX and W... Free Download
eb+ is a powerful and comprehensive development language for use in creating ... Free Download
WAPT is a load and stress testing tool for websites and web-based applications. Testing of dynamic web applications, recording and playback of HTTPS requests, and several authentication schemes are supported. Descriptive graphs and reports. Free Download |
Antechinus Animator Professional 8.2
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Publisher: C Point
Publisher: C Point Pty Ltd
Download location for Antechinus Animator Professional 8.2
Easily create & edit animations, videos, images, and sounds in 40+ formats. Run your first animation in LESS THAN 5 MIN. - Capture anything easily. - Convert/merge/extract/join in ONE go. - Music slid....read more
NOTE: You are now downloading Antechinus Animator Professional 8.2. This trial download is provided to you free of charge. Please purchase it to get the full version of this software.
Antechinus Animator Professional 8.2 description
Easily create and edit animations, videos, images, and sound files: over 40 formats are supported. Have your first animation running in LESS THAN 5 MINUTES with morphing or multitudes of other animated effects. No need to guess: see in real time what...read more
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Blocking and Complete Control over Instant Messenging, P2P and Chat programs Free Download
Great tool for musical slide shows, image effects, capturing & batch processing. Free Download
Platypus Animator: the easiest way to create AVI videos.Import images, sort them, add sounds and your logos and create AVI-s. Extract images from AVIs. Merge AVIs and WAVs. Convert AVI to MPEG. Perfor Free Download
Paraben Gif Animator - create animated gif images for banners, web pages, or anything else. Free Download
Use eBook Wizard to compile your eBooks easily and in no time. Your eBook with all of its images, animations and other resources is quickly compiled into a single file, a highly-compressed self-contai Free Download
VergeCMS is an easy to use Professional Website Generator in less than 4 minutes. Website can also include Photo Gallery, Blogs, Search Engine, Forms and many other feature Free Download
2D&3D Animator produces high-quality images from pictures, 3D texts and shapes.... Free Download
Create HTML Image Maps of any shape in just a few clicks! Map Designer helps Web developers specify rectangular, round or arbitrary-shape areas in a what-you-see-is-what-you-get mode. Free Download |
Computer Lock Up 1.0
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Lock computer access quickly and efficiently at the time you are absent....read more
NOTE: You are now downloading Computer Lock Up 1.0. This trial download is provided to you free of charge. Please purchase it to get the full version of this software.
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Computer Lock Up 1.0 description
Computer Lock Up utility enables to lock computer access quickly and efficiently by means of password protection at the time the user is absent. The program can work in two modes of computer locking: standard and transparent. The computer locking can...read more
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Access your Windows in an easy, fast and secure way by using USB flash drive Free Download
PC Locker Pro is a Freeware that lock and protect your computer when you leave Free Download
APT Computer Access Manager helps you generate passwords to allow access to other "client" computers on a network Free Download
Desktop security solution for personal or publicly accessible computers. Free Download
Remote Computer Access is software to control desktop of remote PC via network Free Download
Turns any USB Flash Drive into a key that prevents unauthorized people from using your computer. USB PC Lock will automatically lock your computer and perform other actions when you step away from it. Free Download
Computer security lock. Quickly lock or unlock access to your computer. The new version includes an alarm, access log and customizable interface. Especially suited to business use or anyone concerned Free Download
Lock~ix lets you lock a computer. No password necessary. Free Download |
Delete Empty Folders
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Delete Empty Folders adds a command to Windows Explorer that lets you safely remove empty folders. Using the Delete Empty Folders command instead of the usual Delete command eliminates the risk that you might accidentally delete some files when you thoug....read more
Delete Empty Folders description
Delete Empty Folders is an advanced and easy to use tool which is designed specially to give you a professional way to adds an extra command to the menu that appears in Window Explorer when you right click on a folder. This command is used to safely ...read more
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ASP does not allow you to use IO system to modify on files and folders. But with the help of FileSystem object you can delete any file on your server. Do not forget to double check permissions for thi Free Download
EmptY Temp helps manage folders, empty temp folders, delete cookies, history files and temporary internet files Free Download
List and delete empty folders just by using DelEmpty Free Download
Empty Folder Nuker finds and deletes all empty folders. Free Download
New version of the Deleter - program with freindly Graphic User Interface for automation of files deleting, is convenient for any cleaning, - can also remove NOT empty folders. Free Download
RED allows you to remove empty folders recursively. Free Download
Adobe Reader is free software that enables business professionals and home users to reliably share information using intelligent PDF files. You can easily view, print, and search PDF files using a variety of platforms and devices. Free Download
Find In Files lets you recursively search in files for text, optionally using regular expressions Free Download |
DialKnob 1.01 Full Screenshot
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DialKnob.ocx is an easy to use control for creating dial knobs in your Visual Basic project. Sample project included....read more
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Dial-up Toolkit is a system-tray application that monitors and costs dial-up connections. Contains many functions and options. Free Download
Audio CD track grabber. 1:1 copy of an audio CD track into a wave file. Work ... Free Download
An ActiveX for Visual C++ or Visual Basic 5.0 windowsdevelopment. Uses RAS functions for easy connection to the internet, determine if connected and hanging up from the Internet. Free Download
This program guides you step by step using screenshots on how to install Dial... Free Download
EditML Pro is a multi document visual editor for creating well-formed/valid XML documents. Free Download
Provides a set of ActiveX controls that can be incorporated in Visual Basic, ... Free Download
Visual Instrument Test is a very simplistic attempt to create a visual equivalent to a musical instrument Free Download
An addin to Visual Basic 5.0 that makes any application usable through the tools-menubar in VB5. Free Download |
Duplicate File Finder Lite 1.1.1 Full Screenshot
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Duplicate File Finder Lite 1.1.1 description
Quickly and easily search your computer for duplicate files with this easy to use, wizard based interface. Duplicate File Finder is a byte for byte scanner, this means that when it compares each file it compares them at the 1s and 0s level. So when...read more
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A simple to use program that can search and locate duplicate files in any folder or drive Free Download
Easy Duplicate File Finder is a powerful free tool, that will help you in your task to find and delete duplicate files Free Download
A simple and fast program for finding and removing duplicate files. Free Download
Duplicate Image Finder quickly locates duplicate images on your computer Free Download
Find and delete duplicate MP3 and audio filles Free Download
Soft191 Duplicate File Finder Locate all duplicate files on your computer Free Download
Find and delete duplicate pics on your computer. Free Download
Duplicate file finder and remover. Image preview and thumbnails bars. Free Download |
A while back, a pharmacist where I filled my prescriptions went out of her way to do a very nice thing. At the time, I was contemplating switching to a pharmacy closer to my home, but that little (big) act of kindness kept my business at that store longer than I intended.
Without going into tons of detail, the pharmacy tried to phone me, but the call wouldn’t go through. For some reason the pharmacy’s telephone system won’t let them call a different area code. How stupid is that? Pharmacists can be trusted to work with money and lots of expensive medications, but they can’t be trusted to call patients about their prescriptions because it might run up the corporate phone bill?
Since it’s not a long distance call, just a different area code, it’s an incredibly stupid policy.
Anyhow, after trying all morning and finally figuring out that it was the phone system’s problem and the call would never go through, the pharmacist used her personal cell phone to call me when she took her lunch break. She didn’t say she was on her lunch break, but it’s easy enough to look at the clock and figure that one out; I know when the pharmacy closes for lunch. It was really nice of her to follow up instead of just shrugging it off and saying that they’d tried to call but couldn’t get through.
I’d send a thank-you note, but she doesn’t usually work at that store and I didn’t get her name. Belated thank you to that very helpful pharmacist. |
Barrie D. Collins, 73, died September 29, 2012 at the West Shore Health Center. He was the beloved husband for 50 years of Helina (Corcoran) Collins.
Barrie was an engineer and worked various companies before opening B&E Production Sales Co.
He was the brother of Brian and Tony Collins, both of England.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, October 4 at 5 p.m. in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Ave. Burial will be private. Information and condolences, visit TheQuinnFuneralHome.com. |
As Commissioner of Education, I am committed to ensuring that all of our students will graduate from high school ready for success in colleges and careers. For too long, our schools have awarded diplomas to students who have not acquired basic skills in mathematics and reading. These graduates soon learn that they are poorly prepared for college or careers. Many of these graduates enter CCRI must take remedial classes at their own expense in order pursue a degree. Many others find doors closed to them because they do not have the skills they need when they seek employment. We cannot let this happen any longer.
Today, our Rhode Island Diploma System sets reasonable expectations for all students, requires our schools to provide students with the support they need to meet these expectations, and provides students with multiple opportunities to meet all graduation requirements and earn a diploma.
You may have heard people talking recently about one aspect of our Diploma System: the expectation that students meet expectations on our statewide assessments. Success on assessments is only one of our graduation requirements. I do not believe that one test score alone should determine whether a student is ready to graduate, nor do I believe that a test score alone is a reasonable way to measure student achievement. We must measure student growth and achievement using many sources of evidence, including state assessments.
Earlier this month (February 8), we released the results of our latest (October 2012) state assessments, which showed that about 4,100 high-school students scored "substantially below proficient" on 10th-grade standards. These students have not yet met the assessment component of the graduation requirements, but they will have many opportunities to do so.
These students will take the NECAP assessment again in October and, if necessary, once again in the spring of their senior year. If their results improve, they will meet this graduation requirement, even if they do not attain the level of "partially proficient." Students also have the opportunity to submit the results of another approved test and to appeal decisions about graduation. In some limited instances, students may also seek a waiver from this graduation requirement.
To prepare students for graduation, we require that our schools provide additional, intensive support and instruction to all students who fall below "partially proficient" on the state assessments. I am confident that, with good instruction and with the will to succeed, our students can learn, improve, and earn a meaningful high-school diploma.
I encourage parents and guardians, from the time your children enter school, to keep in touch with teachers and guidance counselors about how your children are performing. When you receive from your school a report on your child's test results, read the report carefully. If your child is having difficulty in mathematics or reading, at any grade level, be sure to discuss with teachers or school leaders what steps the school will take to help your child succeed - and what you can do to help as well.
I understand that our Diploma System demands a lot of our teachers, of our students, and of their families. We must never give up on our students. Let us work together to ensure that our students succeed. Their success in school today is the key to their future success and to the future prosperity of our state.
Deborah A. Gist is the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. She can be reached at (401) 222-8700 or firstname.lastname@example.org |
I eloped, as the world all knows. I said my vows in a hushed college chapel in New Hampshire under the loveliest stained glass window I have ever beheld, barely lit by the very full and silvery moon outside.
The bachelor party consisted of watching Finding Nemo with my betrothed at his mom’s house and the honeymoon was barely a day long before we had to head home for work on Monday morning and yet, and yet, it was perfect.
We ‘hit the ground running’, as they say, having to wake up at an ungodly hour on Monday, there was work to go to, groceries to be bought, all of my stuff that needed to be moved, and I think we were both still quite dizzy from the fact that we were actually, factually, hard-core, absolutely, till-death-do-us-part MARRIED. Delirious happiness- does that exist? Because I think we may have found a new species of it if it does, and if it didn’t exist- then it sure does now!
Monday was the best day of work of my entire life. I claimed our little diner as a my own private hall, and every customer was my personal guest to the wedding reception, it was wonderful. The more I told people the reason for my joy- the happier I got. People were laughing and even crying as I rehearsed the details of my special day over and over again- heck, I was laughing and crying as well! My heart thrilled as person after person told me their love story in return, from our regular people who know me well to tourists who’ve never seen me before in their lives. I became thoroughly convinced that people don’t let themselves be in love *nearly* enough. People don’t talk about it enough, people don’t celebrate it enough. People should buy strangers coffee in the name of the ones they love best, not only does it feel absolutely *amazing*, but it makes the person on the other end a little happier as well. I couldn’t help but feel that this- *this* is how our wedding, our Love should be celebrated, not with pomp and circumstance and production, but by taking the sacred bliss and sharing it with the moments of everyday; over coffee, while eating scrambled eggs, in between doctor’s appointments and on road trips. What could be more fitting for a cop and his waitress?
“My love,” I told my husband when I got off that day, “The entire town is happy for us and everyone left that diner absolutely in love because of our story- isn’t that incredible?”
It is incredible. I am in no way incredible as a person, but the Lord has given me an incredible Man, and an incredible story and as I sit down in our kitchen at the end of this first week of marriage, I am stunned by the weight and the glory of what has been given me.
“Andi,” my boss said to me, “Do you realize that you have what every body is looking for? Isn’t that what every one wants, what every one is looking for- to be loved absolutely unconditionally, committedly, determinedly, utterly, with no strings? And you’ve got it. That’s quite a gift.”
My God, is it ever. |
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Oracle of Omaha earned his nickname — and more than a few billion dollars — by spotting investments that others overlooked, but Warren Buffett makes mistakes.
No, really, he does.
Just pick through Buffett’s annual letters to shareholders of his conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway. His pronouncements are eagerly anticipated by investors around the world. But sometimes even the Oracle gets it wrong.
By the second page of this year’s letter, released Saturday, Buffett was borrowing a tennis term to take credit for “a major unforced error” he’d made on some Texas utility bonds.
Of course, Buffett’s shareholder letters are filled with a lot more good decisions than bad ones. His $44 billion fortune attests to that. But the blunders are instructive. Or at least remind us that he’s human.
The plainspoken, no-nonsense investor tends to be a good sport about his mistakes. Here are some of the lowlights.
The blunder: Buffett predicted in last year’s letter that the U.S. housing recovery would begin within the next year and help fuel economic growth.
The explanation: Buffett doesn’t mince words and says he was “dead wrong” about this one. But he says basic biology makes it unavoidable that the country will need more houses.
The quip: “People may postpone hitching up during uncertain times, but eventually hormones take over. And while ‘doubling up’ may be the initial reaction of some during a recession, living with in-laws can quickly lose its allure.”
The blunder: Buffett spent about $2 billion buying bonds offered by Texas utility Energy Future Holdings. But those bonds are now worth about $878 million, and he conceded Saturday that even that could be wiped out.
The explanation: Buffett comes right out and admits misjudging the company’s prospects and the likelihood that natural gas prices would remain depressed.
The quip: “However things turn out, I totally miscalculated the gain/loss probabilities when I purchased the bonds. In tennis parlance, this was a major unforced error by your chairman.”
The blunder: Some of the companies Berkshire Hathaway has bought don’t add much to the company’s bottom line. Buffett didn’t single out the laggards in Berkshire’s manufacturing, service and retail unit, but he acknowledged that a few produce poor returns.
The explanation: Buffett says he misjudged some of these businesses before Berkshire bought them partly because he didn’t always listen to curmudgeonly Vice Chairman Charlie Munger.
The quip: “I try to look out 10 or 20 years when making an acquisition, but sometimes my eyesight has been poor. Charlie’s has been better; he voted ‘no’ more than ‘present’ on several of my errant purchases.”
The blunder: In 2008, Buffett more than quadrupled Berkshire’s stake in ConocoPhillips when oil and gas prices were near their peak. It cost the company several billion dollars.
The explanation: Buffett said he didn’t anticipate the dramatic fall in energy prices that happened later in 2008.
The quip: “During 2008 I did some dumb things in investments. I made at least one major mistake of commission and several lesser ones that also hurt.”
The blunder: Buffett has said that buying Berkshire Hathaway itself may have been his worst investment decision. It was a struggling New England textile mill when Buffett bought into it in the 1960s. He kept the mill running for 20 years before shutting it down.
The explanation: Buffett didn’t recognize immediately that the textile business was doomed to continue losing money.
The quip: “The dumbest thing I could have done was to pursue ‘opportunities’ to improve and expand the existing textile operation — so for years that’s exactly what I did,” he said last year. “And then, in a final burst of brilliance, I went out and bought another textile company. Aaaaaaargh! Eventually I came to my senses, heading first into insurance and then into other industries.”
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) |
ANAHEIM -- Albert Pujols continues to trend toward the mean in the batter's box, but his voting totals still haven't.
Despite posting a 1.063 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) over his last 22 games, Pujols remained in fifth place among American League first basemen in fan voting for the upcoming All-Star Game -- the same spot he was in when totals were released two other times.
Leading at first base and on pace to start remains the Tigers' Prince Fielder (1,946,045 votes), followed by Paul Konerko of the White Sox (1,680,793), the Yankees' Mark Teixeira (1,405,187), the Rangers' Mitch Moreland (1,202,724) and Pujols (1,047,722).
Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via a mobile device -- using the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, June 28, at 8:59 p.m. PT.
Fans can also once again participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby Fan Poll, where they'll have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate. The 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 5 p.m. PT on Monday, July 9.
The 2012 American League and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 1, on the 2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, televised nationally on TBS. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the 2012 All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com.
The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
The 2012 All-Star Game will be played at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, July 10. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 83rd All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and Sirius XM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com or royals.com/asg.
Through Sunday, Pujols -- batting .256 with 10 homers and 38 RBIs heading into Monday's series opener against the Giants -- was still the only Angels position player among the leading vote-getters.
Mike Trout (.326 batting average with 19 steals) and Mark Trumbo (.321 with 16 homers) are deserving of consideration, but Trout wasn't on the original ballot and Trumbo is listed as a third baseman -- a position he hasn't played since May 3.
Their best bet is to get selected by the players or AL manager Ron Washington, skipper of a Rangers team that has four players on track to start the Midsummer Classic (catcher Mike Napoli, second baseman Ian Kinsler, third baseman Adrian Beltre and outfielder Josh Hamilton).
Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Gonzo and "The Show", and follow him on Twitter @Alden_Gonzalez. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. |
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June 16, 2012
Some players have it. Some players don't.
A player's internal drive, a desire to be better today than you were yesterday, is different from recruit to recruit. Some athletes who already boast the offer list they want, often opt out of camps, combines and showcases. After all, who could blame them. What is left to prove, especially for committed prospects, when you reached that level? Yet, for some there remains a burning desire to compete and take every chance to get better as a player.
Take Alabama commitment O.J. Howard as an example. The 6-foot-6, 226-pound physical specimen pledged to the Crimson Tide in July 2011, before his junior season. That alone could give him reason to be content, resting on the fact that his football future is on solid footing.
But that's not the route the four-star tight end chose. Instead, he eagerly anticipates competing in the upcoming Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge. The inaugural Challenge will take place on June 22-24 at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta and will feature 80 of the best players from the Class of 2013 and 20 top-ranking juniors from the Class of 2014.
He needs the competition of the nation's premier recruits to prove he's the best. He awaits the opportunity. He wants a fifth star.
"I actually want to compete and have fun and try to get a fifth star because that'd be a big," Howard said. "It would be a tremendous accomplishment for me so I'm looking to it, I'm going so I can have fun and most of all try to get that fifth star.
"I feel I'm pretty close, you know, I just want to go out there and not do too much, just go out there and have a good camp and compete."
The opportunity to prove he's the best is there with the No. 1 rated tight end, Adam Breneman, slated to compete. Howard said he welcomes the challenge of directly comparing his game to all the top tight ends and wide receivers in the country.
"I'm excited to see all of the top guys," Howard said. "They're all really good, and I like watching them and I'm looking forward to seeing them catching balls and dominating. They're the best of the best."
Howard is most excited to bond with his future Alabama teammates.
"I mean, Reuben Foster, he's always a great guy, a good athlete. He's a really good linebacker so he'll dominate like he always does. So I'm looking forward to that."
He's also salivating at the chance to work with the nation's top-ranked quarterback from Sammamish, Wash.
"Well Max Browne, I heard he's going to be there," Howard said. "That'll be a good day to catch balls from him so I'm looking forward to that guy throwing balls and catching balls from him."
Howard was been a regular on the camp/combine this spring and especially impressed at the Rivals/VTO camp in Leeds, Ala., earlier this year. That performance raised his profile, given him other high-profile opportunities like the Five-Star Challenge.
His parents pushed him to take advantage.
"They're always excited for me," Howard said. "They told me to go these camps so this is something that we get to do for once last time since this is my last year. They like to soak it up while they can."
"I decided in late May that I was going to go. I saw all the guys that I liked at camp and have fun with, and I wanted to compete against those guys because they're the best, so I decided I wanted to go. My mom was pretty excited when I got to actually come and attend this camp. It's a pretty tremendous feeling."
Mike Farrell's takeWith Adam Breneman out with an injury, this is the chance for O.J. Howard to emerge as the No. 1 tight end in the country and possibly end the drought of five star tight ends since Kyle Rudolph. He has the body type, athleticism, hands and overall agility to dominate at an event like this and if he does, he could be rewarded with that coveted fifth star. He's a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties. |
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May 18, 2013 | 02:30 AM
Congressman: IRS asked pro-life group about 'the content of their prayers'
Democrat Baucus warns: More to come out on IRS scandal
UPDATED: IRS tax exemption/Obamacare exec got $103,390 in bonuses; Did Obama OK them?
Tea Party leaders vent anger at IRS for targeting them
Jay Carney: I dismiss the idea that these are scandals
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A massive voter rebellion against Washington business-as-usual in 2010 produced a freshman class in the House that included 80 Republicans and nine Democrats, many of whom were elected with support of local Tea Party groups on explicit promises to upset the political applecart in the nation's capitol.
And more often than not, most members of the House Freshman class of 2010 have been a thorn in the side of House leaders, especially for House Speaker John Bohner. As a result, on multiple occasions on major issues like the federal budget, Boehnher has been forced to depend upon finding enough Democrats to join with establishment GOPers to pass spending measures.
Even so, a new Sunlight Foundation analysis finds extensive evidence that more than a few of the 2010 freshmen are giving in to Washington's ways on the campaign finance and lobbying fronts.
|What they found|
|* Special interests have doubled their giving to House freshmen over 2010.|
|* Several leadership PACs are giving big bucks to freshmen seeking re-election.|
|* Super-PACs, labor groups and others are also giving big bucks to them.|
According to Sunlight reporter Anupama Narayanswamy, "it wasn't long after they arrived in Washington in January 2011 before some of the newbies began mimicking their seniors in hitting the party trail, holding fundraisers to cover their 2010 campaign debts."
As a result, Naranswamy said, "these corporate special interests and businesses registered to lobby have doubled down on their campaign donation to the first-year House members."
Among the most significant findings produced so far by Sunlight's 16-member reporting team led by editorial director Bill Allison are these:
* In 2010, political action committees of businesses that lobby gave the then-challengers a total of $14.89 million. Since then, they have upped their contributions to the first terms by nearly 100 percent, donating more than $26.66 million so far this cycle.
* Leadership PACs--political action committees associated with high-ranking present or former members of Congress--have propped up some of the candidates to the tune of $9.59 million.
* Outside groups--super PACs, nonprofits, labor groups and party committees--have spent $1.78 million so far on races where these 89 incumbents are running.
* In 2010, the members of the House freshman class collected $144 million in campaign donations. So far this cycle, they've raked in $120 million, more than twice what they had raised at this point in 2010 ($54.6 million) and are heading into the most lucrative months of the fundraising calendar.
In addition to looking at their performance as a group, the Sunlight project is producing in-depth analyses of each of the 89 members of the 2010 freshman class. Thus far, analyses have been published on Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-KS, Rep. David Schweikert, R-AZ, and Rep. Cory Gardiner, R-CO.
For more of the Sunlight report, go here. |
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A prominent Colombian guerrilla will remain in prison in the United States, a U.S. official said Monday, dismissing rebel appeals for the man to be freed for peace talks in Cuba.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, recently appealed to President Barack Obama to release Ricardo Palmera, who is better known by the nom de guerre Simon Trinidad.
Ricardo Zuniga, a special assistant to Obama and the lead official for Latin America policy on the National Security Council, noted that the U.S. government isn't part of the negotiations in Havana.
"This person is in prison for very serious crimes and is going to remain imprisoned," Zuniga told The Associated Press in a phone interview. He first made similar remarks to the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo an interview published Monday.
Zuniga declined to discuss whether the U.S. government would be willing to consider changing its posture under certain circumstances.
The FARC had said the rebel's presence at the talks with the Colombian government in Havana would help the negotiations.
The rebels named Palmera to their negotiating team in September, even though the 62-year-old is held at a maximum-security prison in Florence, Colorado. The rebels recently brought a life-sized cardboard cutout of him to a negotiating session.
But American officials have previously said it's unlikely any FARC rebels imprisoned in the US would be freed.
Palmera was captured in 2004 while trying to negotiate freedom for imprisoned rebels in exchange for three American contractors held hostage in jungle gulags by the FARC. The Americans were rescued four years later, along with former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.
Palmera was extradited to the U.S., then a jury in Washington convicted him and he was sentenced to the maximum of 60 years in prison for hostage-taking conspiracy.
The formal peace talks in Havana began last week. On Sunday, the Colombian government and the leftist rebels announced that as part their dialogue they will hold a forum in Bogota in December to discuss agrarian development, which has been an issue in the class-based conflict.
Associated Press writer Luis Alonso Lugo in Washington contributed to this report. |
December 23, 2009
From the Road: S.C. state championships
Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every breaks down some of the star prospects that recently competed for state championships in South Carolina.
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Jamie Oliver tried to launch a new season of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, but he was met with some stiff resistance. The unintended message he delivered was one from West Coast America: Don’t take our cheeseburgers away from us, you pushy Brit!
Shoved out of the L.A. school system early on in the hour (if he thought the bureaucracy in Huntington, W. Va., was tough, he had not reckoned with an L.A. school board), Oliver took to the streets.
He went to an L.A. burger joint to try and win a convert, a site on which to practice his good-nutrition ideas. As someone who admires and partakes of Los Angeles’ many fine independent fast-food establishments when I visit, I was ambivalent as he tried the patience of the owner of Patra’s, a good-looking L.A. burger joint (I haven’t eaten there). Oliver tried to convince the guy to re-do his menu with healthier items that would cost this small-businessman more money, which cost would be passed on to his customers. Can you blame the man for not wanting to be used as Jamie Oliver’s guinea pig, and to lose business while Oliver passes off yogurt smoothies as milk shakes?
Oliver is great at the grand gestures. The climax to the first hour was to have an empty school bus (“this icon of trust,” as Oliver put it) filled with the amount of white sugar consumed by students in the L.A. school system in a week. The sugar — 57 tons of it — overflowed the bus. It made a great impression… on the 20 people who showed up.
But his showboating gestures don’t make for coherent arguments, either with school officials or, ultimately, with TV viewers, I would guess.
What did you think of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution? Does hyping health work?
UPDATE: Some of you seem to have interpreted the headline on this post as expressing my opinion of Oliver? It was intended to be sarcastic, to represent the sentiments that have met Oliver’s efforts: The L.A. school board shown here would certainly like Jamie to “go home,” don’t you think? |
By Don Pearson, General Manager, Conservation Ontario
The Owen Sound Sun Times featured an editorial on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 suggesting that Conservation Authorities “have to do more to keep their costs under control.” The article acknowledged the important work that Conservation Authorities do in protecting wetlands, forests, parks, and other natural amenities. It also observed that a 6% increase in the municipal levy to fund this work, was not going over too well – especially considering that inflationary costs are tracking closer to 2%.
Clearly, municipal politicians have a tough job to do in balancing the need for their municipalities to provide services against the willingness and ability of their residents to pay for those services. One fact the editorial overlooks, is that in 2011, resulting from a joint provincial municipal fiscal review, the Ontario government committed to upload $2.5 billion in social services costs, creating a corresponding amount of tax room at the local level. This agreement enables programs like social assistance to be funded by provincial revenues (income and sales taxes) while place-based services like roads, fire, police, and yes, Conservation Authorities, are funded from the property tax base. This ‘shift’ means a larger proportion of funding for specific programs is intended to come from the property tax base, with a corresponding reduction in provincial funding.
So, why are Conservation Authorities seeking levy increases that are greater than inflation? Don’t they get it that money is tight? Yes, Conservation Authorities understand the bottom line and because of this they leverage municipal investment on a 3 to 1 basis. For every dollar municipalities invest in a Conservation Authority, they get $3.00 in services in return. Conservation Authorities do this by running efficient operations and by partnering with other authorities, outside agencies, landowners and all levels of government to deliver programs and services.
Municipalities get a lot for their money. Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities collectively spend more than $300 million each year to provide a wide range is essential services:
· flood and erosion protection, saving property owners more than $100 million annually;
· clean and plentiful water supplies;
· more than 3 million trees planted;
· outdoor education for a half million kids; and
· recreation for 6 million campers, swimmers, hikers, and picnickers.
Of this total budget, about 42% or $126 million comes from municipal sources; another 22% or 66 million from provincial and federal governments; and the rest, $108 million from user fees – a pretty good return on the public investment.
Put another way, the municipal contribution to Conservation Authority programs is around $10 per year for every person in Ontario. That translates to around $33 per average household! Too high a price for a healthy environment? Not if you consider how important a healthy environment is to our own health and well-being, and to our economy. |
The 6th annual Donohue's Turkey Trot drew the largest number of runners in its history, and 568 registered runners took on the 5K race, that raises money for the Watertown Boys and Girls Club.
John Donohue, owner of Donohue's and Town Councilor, said it was the largest race yet.
The top finisher was 16-year-old Tommy Kelley of Needham with a time of 17 minutes and 57 seconds. The first woman to finish was Becca Neill, 24, in a time of 21:17.
Children also got a chance to run in a much shorter course. Donohue's provided free breakfast and drinks to participants and their friends and families. |
Despite a rough end to 2012, the Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity will move forward this year with positive thoughts and projects.
Board President Walter H. Plumley said that as board members work to get over the September fire that destroyed two storage trailers and thousands of dollars worth of tools, committees will continue to work diligently at finding available land to build homes for needy families.
The Watertown City Council will consider a resolution Monday to donate city-owned property at 123 Lynde St. to the agency.
This will give us one more property and the only viable building lot well have left, Mr. Plumley said. Were starting a real search to include properties outside of Watertown. City lots arent always available, and were looking at other sources, but nothing yet.
Habitat volunteers are in the midst of constructing a house at 1130 Superior St., where the fire occurred.
Simultaneously, Mr. Plumley said, the board of directors established a year-end campaign in an effort to collect money to help replace some of the $4,700 worth of tools lost in the fire. About $2,500 has been raised so far.
Weve had a great response from the community, Mr. Plumley said. As long as people want to contribute, itll continue. If money isnt earmarked toward tools specifically, it can be used to help build a home.
He said the agency is working with a major supplier and local businesses to see if they may be able to help it obtain tools.
Insurance money covered the cost of only one storage trailer because the deductibles were so high.
Any donation of money, tools or time is appreciated, Mr. Plumley said, because when Habitat accepts applications, more families apply than the agency can help. The more materials, help, dedication and available land it has, the faster the agency can get north country families into homes.
Thats our ultimate goal, Mr. Plumley said.
More information about the agency can be found on its website, www.tiahabitat.org. |
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The press release doesn’t contain any pictures, and really doesn’t do this new web tool justice, so I’ve added some screencaps. In a nutshell, the new iSWA site lets you arrange graphical packages of solar images and plots oncsreen for simultaneous evaluation. Stuff that had been scattered over several solar related websites is now in one interface. Pretty cool. – Anthony
When NASA’s satellite operators need accurate, real-time space-weather information, they turn to the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) of the Space Weather Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. The CCMC’s newest and most advanced space-weather science tool is the Integrated Space Weather Analysis (iSWA) system.
The iSWA is a robust, integrated system provides information about space weather conditions past, present, and future and, unlike many other programs currently in use, has an interface that the user can customize to suit a unique set of data requirements.
“The iSWA space-weather data analysis system offers a unique level of customization and flexibility to maintain, modify, and add new tools and data products as they become available,” says Marlo Maddox, iSWA system chief developer at NASA Goddard.
iSWA draws together information about conditions from the sun to the boundary of the sun’s influence, known as the heliosphere. The iSWA systems digests information from spacecraft including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), the joint European Space Agency and NASA mission Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), and NASA’s Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE).
Citizen scientists and science enthusiasts can also use the data, models, and tools of the iSWA system. Similar to the way in which armchair astronomers have used SOHO data to discover comets, enthusiasts will find the iSWA system a wonderful resource for increasing their familiarity with the concept of space weather.
“We are continuously evolving the iSWA system, and we hope that it will benefit not only NASA satellite operators, but also that it may also help space-weather forecasting at other agencies such as the Air Force Weather Agency and NOAA,” says Michael Hesse, chief of the Space Weather Laboratory at NASA Goddard.
Space-weather information tends to be scattered over various Web sites. NASA Goddard space physicist Antti Pulkkinen says the iSWA system represents “the most comprehensive single interface for general space-weather-related information,” providing data on past and current space-weather events. The system allows the user to configure or design custom displays of the information.
The system compiles data about conditions on the sun, in Earth’s magnetosphere — the protective magnetic field that envelops our planet — and down to Earth’s surface. It provides a user interface to provide NASA’s satellite operators and with a real-time view of space weather. In addition to NASA, the iSWA system is used by the Air Force Weather agency.
Access to space-weather information that combines data from state-of-the-art space-weather models with concurrent observations of the space environment provides a powerful tool for users to obtain a personalized “quick look” at space-weather information, detailed insight into space-weather conditions, as well as tools for historical analysis of the space-weather’s impact.
Development of the iSWA system has been a joint activity between the Office of the Chief Engineer at NASA Headquarters and the Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate and the Science and Exploration Directorate at NASA Goddard. The iSWA system is located at NASA Goddard.
The Community Coordinated Modeling Center is funded by the Heliophysics Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, and the National Science Foundation.
Layout selector tool: |
A two-month delay in the hearing process on power line routes will give Wauwatosa "more breathing room" to gather information, City Attorney Alan Kesner said. But he isn't counseling stretching the timeline to the new limit.
Kesner told the Common Council on Tuesday night that it was not his wish or intention to open things up again for consideration of whole new alternative route proposals.
Rather, he said, he, along with the city's legal and engineering advisers and expert witnesses, would be looking at "tweaks" to alternatives that have already been put on the table.
The delay, in which Wauwatosa had no part, will allow time to explore modifications that might make a new western power route more palatable – if, in the end, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission accepts Wauwatosa's proposal.
To Kesner, the alternative that still holds the most promise runs down Walnut Road, but buried under the street rather than in people's front yards, a recommendation he made to the Community Development Committee on June 29.
Since then, Kesner has been looking into modifications to that plan that would be more satisfactory to Walnut Road neighbors still upset by the proposal because it did not address the installation of several new towers, or "drop structures," placed neared to their street and properties.
Kesner has asked American Transmission Co. – which will install the new line, however it is configured – and his own engineering team to look at finding a different place to drop the new line from overhead to underground.
Not satisfied with all the answers
Kesner wanted to know whether the drop towers could be moved back a short distance in the utility right-of-way, just out of the sightlines of Walnut Road residents but not so far as to add significantly to costs. The new line would then be trenched back to Walnut Road underneath the existing overhead lines.
So far, he said, ATC's answer has been that the next nearest places they could drop the line would be about half a mile farther away, either to the north or south. If true, that would add considerably to the cost of the project, Kesner said.
But Kesner wasn't entirely satisfied with ATC's response, which amounted to more of a dismissal than an explanation, he said.
"They basically said they didn't think they could do it because they'd never done it that way before," Kesner said. "So we're looking into whether anybody else has done it, or better knowledge of why it couldn't be done."
ATC also protested that the plan would require a 90-degree turn when the line reached Walnut Road. A line this size – 138,000 volts – requires a 3-foot-thick casing when buried. According to ATC, every 90-degree turn has to take place in an underground chamber that costs about $200,000, Kesner said.
One more look at Watertown Plank
Kesner also said that, even though it has been rejected so far as too difficult and costly, he hasn't entirely given up on a route straight down Watertown Plank Road to the We Energies County Grounds power plant.
By far the shortest and least invasive route, Watertown Plank is beset by a couple of major obstacles, the main one being getting past a snarl of infrastructure just west of Mayfair Road.
There, Watertown Plank Road rises to pass over the Canadian Pacific Railroad tracks and Underwood Creek, which is channelized in concrete there, and then goes under a Union Pacific Railroad bridge.
Kesner said that he was still looking to engineers to thoroughly examine the problem and see if there wasn't still some way "over, under, around or through" the tangle.
With the delay in process – brought on by lagging negotiations between Milwaukee County and We Energies over land the utility needs to build a new substation north of its power plant – Wauwatosa now has until mid-October before it has to submit its briefs to the PSC.
But Kesner said that is a deadline, and it is better to submit sooner than later. He told Common Council members they could act on a recommendation, or choose no recommendation, any time they were comfortable making a decision.
However, he said, if the city is to make a route recommendation, he would want it done no later than mid-September.
The PSC won't make its final ruling until March, and construction of the new power line would take place in 2014. |
First of all let me apologize for neglecting my blog for months now. I feel so ashamed it’s been so long, but I guess I’ve been in a contemplative state, and didn’t really want to write because I wasn’t ready to face some truths in my life.
The past week has been an absolute rollercoaster. I really don’t even know where to begin. Actually that is a lie, I know EXACTLY where to begin. I found out last Tuesday that my cancer is in fact decreasing in activity! I have a tiny little area, not even considered a mass; it is just a “thickening” of my abdominal wall. In November the activity level was at 4.6 and now it is at 3.5! We anticipate it to continue to decrease in activity. I FINALLY see a light at the end of the tunnel again. I can’t even explain the weight lifted off of my shoulders.
While I was still on this amazing high from this news, my ex-boyfriend and I made the not so easy decision to just be friends. It’s very rare to come across a person that you have a great connection with, on a level where you can sit for hours upon hours with not even the sound of a television on and entertain each other. I didn’t have this in my past relationship, so finding this was euphoric to me, and letting go of it was not something that came easy. But the more I learn about love, the more I have to accept the harsh realization, that sometimes love just isn’t enough. Just because two people have an amazing connection, love each other, and have every intention of staying with that each other till the end, sometimes life just gets in the way.
There are so many circumstances and uncertainties in the world that put a kink in our plans, and the real challenge is finding someone who can weather the storm with you, no matter the circumstances. You have to find someone in the same walk of life, because let’s face it, you can be in the same book, but if you’re in different chapters, nothing makes sense!
To be perfectly honest, dating with cancer is an absolute bitch! Hell, I sure as hell didn’t choose to have cancer, and here I am expecting some wonderful man to walk up to me and say, “Sure, I’ll take on cancer! Sounds like fun!” Ok, Ok…I know no one would say that. But I can relate that CHOOSING to battle cancer with someone is not a decision that most people are willing to make. And when you choose to date someone with cancer, or any illness, that is the decision you are making. There is no separating the disease from the relationship no matter how hard you try.
I get sick unexpectedly, sometimes there are emergency room runs, there are weekends in bed feeling crummy, and there is the anxiety and worry of it coming back or taking over at any second. There is a huge risk in trusting your heart in the hands of someone with a deadly disease. But in reality, there is risk involved in putting your heart in the hands of anyone.
Unfortunately cancer is not the only disclaimer I bear, I’m allergic to dogs and cats, I have to follow an extremely strict diet, and I can’t have my own biological children. And sadly the men I have come across that I thought loved me enough to want a future with me despite these obstacles in the end decided to turn the other way. I can’t blame them; it’s a lot to ask of someone.
This go round I really started to get down on myself and started thinking “who in their right mind is going to want me with all this baggage?” I mean the last one had all of the cancer stuff bombed on him, then this one jumped into the boat with the warning signs flashing nice and bright. So naturally I was a bit discouraged, but yesterday I was reminded that there is such a love that doesn’t bat an eye to such challenges in life.
My dear friend Marshall Vince passed away yesterday after a very long and gruesome battle with bone marrow cancer. Poor Marshall was put through the ringer. I always felt so ashamed that he had to fight so much harder than I did. I am on easy street compare to Marshall.
As much as it saddens my heart to know that my warrior friend has come to the end of his long torturous fight, I find peace in the fact that he passed away with his “wife, best friend and soul mate” (as she put it), Samantha by his side.
Sam has been by Marshall’s side, whether it be in the hospital, at home, or in the church saying their vows. She loved him so much, that facing the war of cancer was worth spending as many moments with him as possible. Was she scared that he wouldn’t make it? Was she scared about how much her heart would break if this disease robbed him of his life? Did she live every moment worried this nightmare would never end? Yes, Yes and Yes!
But Marshall was so amazing, and she wanted to spend every second he had left on this earth with him. And I feel as though I can speak for Marshall and say that he lived the final days of his life exactly the way he wanted to, with his wife, best friend and soul mate by his side.
Once you stair death in the face, you realize what is really important in life. Love. The love you get from your family and friends, and for me the desire to create the love of my own family. I want nothing more to find my best friend, soul mate and life partner, and give a loving and warm home to a very deserving child. I have so much love in my heart to give, and I’m just ready to give it to someone. And get it in return.
Marshall and Samantha truly had a love that conquered all. And it gives me peace and hope that this kind of love is out there in the world. I know God will deliver when the time right!
In the mean time….I’m going to keep working, dancing, playing tennis, working out, eating healthy, smiling, laughing, drinking red wine, spending time with friends and family, acting an absolute fool, telling my story to anyone who will listen, writing, being brutally honest about how this disease is affecting my life, loving God, having FAITH in my God, Creator and his miracles, and most importantly DROP KICKING CANCER IN THE FACE and looking FABULOUS while I do it J |
18 Bizarre Homemade Halloween Costumes From Etsy [PICTURES]
Etsy, in case you don't know, is basically the craft fair/flea market of the internet. Millions of people come together to sell the unique things they've handcrafted to those wishing to have something unique in their lives. And like most craft fair/flea markets, it's got a lot of cool stuff. Also, a lot of weird items. (And a ton of tutus, for some reason.)
So we went looking through Etsy for the best of the worst in Halloween costumes, since it's that time of the year. And before you ask, yes, every single thing you're about to see is up for sale. You can actually buy these costumes! Why you'd want to, though, is another topic entirely.
Since when is the outfit that Flo, the “Kiss my grits!” waitress from 'Alice' wore considered drag? You want $50 for this? It doesn't even come with enormous fake boobs!
The seller brags that nobody makes this costume. That's because no kid wants to dress up as one of the creepy masked children in the meat grinder scene from the trippy 1982 Pink Floyd film 'The Wall.' |
Racist Who Calls for President Obama’s Death Doesn’t Know What She Did Wrong [VIDEO]
A 22-year-old California woman could face criminal charges after she used a racially-charged word to refer to President Obama on Facebook, and indicated that she hopes he is assassinated. She says she doesn’t think she did anything wrong.
Denise Helms’ status read:
“Another 4 years of this [N-word]. Maybe he will get assassinated this term.”
The update went viral almost immediately, and Helms’ employer, Cold Stone Creamery fired her. She told a California newspaper that she wouldn’t care if the president met his demise.
“I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. … The assassination part is kind of harsh. I’m not saying like I would go do that or anything like that, by any means, but if it was to happen, I don’t think I’d care one bit.” |
By Kelsea Stahler, Hollywood.com Staff
Every summer, we have that fleeting moment in which we realize it's hotter than the Donut Devil's oven and we therefore have license to run around in the neon underwear we like to call swimsuits. And immediately after that happens, we begin gorging on photos of famous ladies in bikinis for reasons ranging from "Not enough self-loathing" to "(drool)," but this summer tradition is a little one-sided. Why don't we head straight for the boys of summer? And more specifically, the boys of summer television, who come into our homes every night courtesy of the gracious networks who air their fine series? Where is their HOT SUMMER PICS list? It's right here. (You can thank us later.)
Alcide Herveaux (Joe Manganiello) on True Blood
He seems to be getting the Team Jacob end of the stick (so far) on the b-lood-ved HBO series, but Alcide is certainly earning his keep on True Blood. Of course I'm not talking about how often he takes off his shirt or perfectly fills out a plaid shirt (which, in case you've yet to experience it, is every second he's onscreen). The man is a hero. He shows up to save Sookie when her dueling vampire lovers are otherwise engaged and even comes all the way from Shreveport one afternoon because she's got a pesky missing vampire problem. And, as we've seen in the Season 5 previews, he's hell-bent on protecting Sookie from the newly freed super vamp whose life goal is to train her fairy blood to the last drop. He's definitely TV boyfriend material.
Next: How about a nice Dallas lad?[PAGEBREAK]Christopher Ewing (Jesse Metcalfe) on Dallas
You don't have to understand Christopher's tumultuous, scandalous upbringing to understand that however many hardships he's seen, he's come out smelling like a rose and looking like a prime candidate for TV boyfriending. Besides, who better for a fun, summer fling than a handsome Southern boy?
Next: A man with a perfect set of baby blues.[PAGEBREAK]Neal Caffrey (Matthew Bomer) on White Collar
Now, we're law-abiding people at Hollywood.com, but if there was anyone who could convince us to break bad, it would be Matthew Bomer's White Collar criminal. Besides, the series' story starts with the boyfriendiest catalyst ever: Neal is in prison paying for his crimes when his girlfriend visits him to end things, so he breaks out of prison to find her. Ready? Are you sure you can handle it? Okay, go ahead: Say "awwwww." And if that's not enough, check out the blue-eyed babe in that suit.
Next: Who doesn't love a doctor-turned-hero?[PAGEBREAK]Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) on Falling Skies
Everybody loves a hero and most television-minded people love Noah Wyle (remember when E.R. was a thing?), therefore everyone loves Tom Mason. The protagonist of the post-apocalyptic series is not only a father and a widow, but he can take down an entire alien spacecraft. At least we know he's not one to play the "silent treatment" card. Yep, he's a keeper!
Next: With True Blood hunks, you can't have just one.[PAGEBREAK]Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard) on True Blood
Oh, come on now. You didn't really think we could leave ol' Eric off the list, did you? Sookie may have forsaken both her vampire lovers, but if she had picked one, it should have been Eric. Now that he's got this strange amalgamation of Confused Woodland Creature Eric and Bloodthirsty Former Viking Eric, his level of hubba just broke the scale. Is it June 10 yet?
Next: The reason we still love Weeds.[PAGEBREAK]Silas Botwin (Hunter Parrish) on Weeds
Weeds may have fallen from its former glory (we're still upset about the loss of "Little Boxes"), but one aspect has never stopped improving season after season: We're looking at you, Silas. Nancy's eldest son was always the cute kid on the show, but as he got older (and legal), he became the babe on the show (but you'll always make us laugh the most, Justin Kirk). While he is continually dooped by friends and ladies, he still looks great doing it. And he means well. He really does. This Pug-head-tilt sponsored by "awww" gives him a spot on the TV boyfriend list.
Next: The unlikeliest of TV crushes.[PAGEBREAK]Louie (Louis C.K.) on Louie
If you saw this entry and immediately thought, "These people are insane," that's fine, but hear us out. Louis C.K. may not be the Joe Manganiello of comedy (that's Joel McHale), but he is a Real Man. And not a Real Man in the Paul Bunyan sort of way, but in the I-don't-give-a-s**t-about-your-technological-complaints-you-spoiled-brat sort of way. He's brutally honest. He's unaffected by pretension and even his own fame. Oh, and then there's that part where he's absolutely hilarious. But of course, that may not tip the scales for you, so here he is being funny while holding a baby duck.
Follow Kelsea on Twitter @KelseaStahler.
Summer 2012 TV: Your Ultimate Stay Indoors Guide
True Blood Premiere: No Fangs, But Blood Red Everywhere - PICS
Latest True Blood Trailer: Who is Sookie K-I-S-S-I-N-G Now? |
Reported by Meteorologist Regina Miller
Today starts with a mix of clouds and sun. Clouds will increase. It will be breezy and mild for this time of year. Highs will be in the range from the upper 30s to the low to mid 40s. Some light rain/ snow showers will start to develop in southern parts of the region this afternoon as a system passes by to our south before moving off the coastline tonight. At the most, we could have some spots receive a coating to an inch or so through early tonight.
It will turn colder tonight as some colder air starts to make a push into the region. Lows will drop into the upper teens in Northwestern zones. Ahead of the cold air, areas to the southeast will drop into the low to mid 20s. After some evening mixed or snow showers, there will only be a few leftover flurries or just an isolated snow shower late.
Tomorrow will turn colder with early highs near 30. It will be variably cloudy with some afternoon flurries or a northwestern snow shower. Sunday rounds out the weekend with cold temperatures only topping out in the low to mid 20s, with some locations struggling to make it out of the upper teens. There could still be a couple of flurries or snow showers in spots.
Monday will become mostly sunny with temps getting into the low 30s. Monday night clouds will thicken and a mixed storm will move into the region by morning. We'll have have some leftover mix into the first part of Tuesday. Highs will be in the upper 30s. It will be windy and colder with snow showers for Wednesday and a high in the mid to upper 20s. |
Shockingly, Israel is less than pleased with Obama for rewarding the Iranians with direct talks.
Via NY Times:
The United States and Iran have agreed for the first time to one-on-one negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, according to Obama administration officials, setting the stage for what could be a last-ditch diplomatic effort to avert a military strike on Iran.
Iranian officials have insisted that the talks wait until after the presidential election, a senior administration official said, telling their American counterparts that they want to know which American president they would be negotiating with.
News of the agreement — a result of intense, secret exchanges between American and Iranian officials that date almost to the beginning of President Obama’s term — comes at a critical moment in the presidential contest, just two weeks before Election Day and a day before the final debate, which is to focus on national security and foreign policy.
Israeli officials initially expressed an awareness of, and openness to, a diplomatic initiative. But when asked for a response on Saturday, Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Michael B. Oren, said the administration had not informed Israel, and that the Israeli government feared Iran would use new talks to “advance their nuclear weapons program.”
“We do not think Iran should be rewarded with direct talks,” he said, “rather that sanctions and all other possible pressures on Iran must be increased.”Direct talks would also have implications for an existing series of negotiations involving a coalition of major powers, including the United States. These countries have imposed sanctions to pressure Iran over its nuclear program, which Tehran insists is for peaceful purposes but which Israel and many in the West believe is aimed at producing a weapon. |
By JOHN CARTER
When Abraham Lincoln died from an assassin’s bullet on April 15, 1865, Edwin Stanton remarked to those gathered around his bedside, “Now he belongs to the ages.”
One of the meanings implied in Stanton’s famous statement is that Lincoln would not only be remembered as an iconic figure of the past, but that his spirit would also play a significant role in ages to come.
The Oscar-nominated movie “Lincoln,” which chronicles the struggle to pass the 13th amendment abolishing slavery, has turned our attention again to Lincoln’s legacy and his relevance amid our nation’s present divisions and growing pains.
Here is some of the wit and wisdom of Abraham Lincoln worth pondering:
“As for being president, I feel like the man who was tarred and feathered and ridden out of town on a rail. To the man who asked him how he liked it, he said, ‘If it wasn’t for the honor of the thing, I’d rather walk.’”
“I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside of me.”
“Should my administration prove to be a very wicked one, or what is more probable, a very foolish one, if you the people are true to yourselves and the Constitution, there is but little harm I can do, thank God.”
“Bad promises are better broken than kept.”
“I am not at all concerned that the Lord is on our side in this great struggle, for I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right; but it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation may be on the Lord’s side.”
“I have never had a feeling, politically, that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence.”
“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, cannot long retain it.”
“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.”
“The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.”
“The true rule, in determining to embrace or reject anything, is not whether it have any evil in it, but whether it have more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good.”
“Some of our generals complain that I impair discipline and subordination in the army by my pardons and respites, but it makes me rested, after a hard day’s work, if I can find some good excuse for saving a man’s life, and I go to bed happy as I think how joyful the signing of my name will make him (a deserter) and his family.”
“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”
In addition, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and his second inaugural speech are ever relevant. And you may wish to add your own favorites to these.
Paul’s advice to us in Philippians 4:8 is to “fill your minds with those things that are good and deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.”
As we celebrate his birthday on the 12th, Lincoln’s words more than meet this standard!
John Carter is a Weatherford resident whose column, “Notes From the Journey,” is published weekly in the Weatherford Democrat. |
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4 Meetup Groups match “Weaving” near Atlanta, GA
Atlanta's Natural Hair Support Group! Meet with other local black women and men in Atlanta, Georgia who choose to wear their hair natural. Gather to commune and support one another in your quest for chemical-free hair! Discuss our natural hair care, maintenance, and the politics of having natural hair. We welcome those who are happily nappy, natural, transitioning to natural, chemically-treated and those that are considering a journey into natural tresses or just looking for other options in ha …
I created this Meetup group to offer yoga to anyone from the seasoned practitioner to the curious beginner. I live in downtown Decatur and have a private yoga studio to offer affordable yoga those interested in stretching, relieving stress, meditating, breathing, and getting in shape from the inside out. Yoga has changed my life in so many positive ways, including turning me from a "type A" exerciser to a mindful yogini..not to mention toning my body and getting me in great shape. I've began tea …
We have classes for knitting, crochet, weaving, and polymer clay. We also have free Sit-N-Stitch nights and day times to meet new people and be inspired for future projects. Polymer Clay Day is also a free time to clay with friends at the store. We sell everything you need to get started and have fun. Coffee and beverages are complimentary while you enjoy yourself in our cozy friendly store. Thanks for joining us. We are slowly getting our students and customers on meetup, joining this group. Mo …
This group is sponsored by the Southeast Fiber Arts Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the fiber arts. Everyone with an interest in fiber, fabric, and textiles - from those who want to learn to sew or knit or weave or ... to artists and collectors and everyone inbetween is welcome to join! Bring a project to work on or just come hang out with others who enjoy creating and collecting textiles.
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TAKING EVERY PRECAUTION
Japan Takes Measures to Prevent SARS (June 9, 2003)
As severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a new type
of pneumonia, rages in wide areas of Asia and other places, the Japanese government
has been busy taking measures to prevent an outbreak from occurring in Japan.
The government has urged people to take caution in traveling to affected areas,
and it has been making every effort to prevent SARS from entering Japan. In addition,
work is progressing on a system in which medical institutions, national and local
governments, and corporations will act together to prevent the spread of SARS
in the event of an outbreak in Japan. As a result of these efforts, as of June
9, there have been no confirmed or probable cases of SARS in Japan.
|Medical staff practice using an isolator. (Jiji)
Plans Already Developed for Dealing with Patients
On May 1 the government brought the heads of the relevant ministries and agencies
together for a first-ever meeting devoted to SARS in order to decide what measures
should be taken in the event that someone in Japan is found to be infected with
the virus. The group decided to call on people returning from China to stay at
home for 10 days, which is believed to be the incubation period for the disease.
Taking this into consideration, the
Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare made plans for taking action in the
event of an outbreak. It decided to give local governments the authority to direct
people believed likely to be infected, or "probable patients," to hospitalize
themselves. In the event that a patient refuses, the local governments are empowered
to forcibly hospitalize the person.
Local governments are readying themselves to accept patients. According to a survey
conducted by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun in early May,
all of the nation's 47 prefectures had already completed action plans spelling
out what measures would be taken in the event of an outbreak. In addition, some
250 medical institutions around the country have made such preparations as setting
up "negative air-pressure rooms" to prevent the virus from spreading
within the hospital or to the outside. Local governments in such places as Kitakyushu
City, Hokkaido, and Mie Prefecture
have been purchasing capsules called isolators to be used when suspected SARS
patients are moved, and they have conducted drills on how to use them with volunteers
playing the role of patients.
In May a foreign traveler who had been to Japan was found to be infected with
SARS. When this was discovered, the government and local authorities quickly implemented
emergency measures, as a result of which no secondary infections occurred. According
to a survey conducted by the Asahi Shimbun, 28 local
governments out of the 47 prefectures and 13 major cities in Japan, nearly half
the total, were rethinking their plans to cope with a potential SARS outbreak
in light of this news. Fukushima Prefecture decided to check whether visitors
from abroad have come from an area to which the World
Health Organization recommends postponing travel. It will also make use of
the local hotels association to determine the previous whereabouts of such guests.
Kagawa Prefecture, meanwhile, which had previously only planned for people who
had come in close contact with SARS patients, defined as having been within 2
meters, has created an action plan for checking on people who have had even a
low possibility of coming in contact with a carrier.
Public and Private Sectors Taking Action
The Japanese government is stepping up its efforts to take rapid, nationwide measures
to prevent SARS infection. The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has accelerated
revision of the Infectious Disease Law, for example. And while local governments
are the first line of defense in tracking the path of infection and following
up on people who may have been exposed, the national government will become directly
involved in the event that infection spreads outside of a local area. Japan is
also actively engaged in international cooperation aimed at preventing the spread
The private sector has also been taking action to prevent
the spread of SARS and to reassure travelers. West
Japan Railway Co. (JR West) has set up a SARS-response headquarters and is
considering disinfecting affected carriages in the event that an infected person
is found to have been onboard a certain train at a certain time. The company also
decided to publicly release information on the time and route traveled by any
SARS patients. Orient Ferry, which runs a ferry route from Shimonoseki to China's
Qingdao, has since late April requested that all passengers and crew fill out
health questionnaires, and the company has trained staff for what to do in the
event that a passenger falls ill with SARS while onboard. The terminal in Qingdao,
the shuttle bus, and the inside of the ship are all disinfected every day.
Meanwhile, some companies have taken the step of postponing scheduled business
trips to affected areas, and, in response to requests by the government, airlines
and ship operators whose vessels operate in Japan are distributing health questionnaires
to their staff and passengers.
Japan has avoided SARS so far, and there is every reason to be confident that
the country will remain free of the disease. Even if an outbreak did occur, the
concerted efforts of local and national governments and private enterprises to
prepare for such an eventuality suggest that it would be handled quickly and efficiently.
Note: The government's "Measures upon Entry/Return to Japan" for travelers
heading to Japan can be found here. (http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/health_c/sars/measure0521.html)
Related Web Sites
the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare
World Health Organization
West Japan Railway Co. (JR West)
Copyright (c) 2004 Web Japan. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.
(November 19, 2002)
GIVE BLOOD AND ENJOY
(September 25, 2002) |
Title: Professor of Music
Office: Music Department
Professional Information: The varied career of Dr. Larry Dissmore has included work as a conductor, violinist, and teacher. At Evangel University, he has served as the Director of Orchestras and as Professor of Violin and Viola since 1988. Under his leadership, the Evangel Concert Orchestra has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe and has recorded six compact discs. In addition, the Evangel University Orchestra has been recognized for its outstanding work through invited performances at the Missouri Music Educators Convention.
Since 2002, Dr. Dissmore has served as the Music Director of the Springfield Youth Symphony. Under his baton, this ensemble recently made its Carnegie Hall debut (June, 2007). The Youth Symphony has also performed for the Midwest Clinic and has toured within Missouri and Illinois. In addition to his work as a conductor at Evangel and with the Springfield Youth Symphony, Dr. Dissmore is frequently invited to serve as a guest conductor/clinician with orchestras in southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas.
As a violinist, Dr. Dissmore performs regularly with the Excelsis Trio and serves as the Principal Second Violinist with the Springfield (MO) Symphony. Past orchestral positions have included serving as Concertmaster of the Springfield Regional Opera Orchestra, as Concertmaster of the La Crosse (WI) Symphony, as First Violinist with the Wichita (KS) Symphony and Music Theatre Orchestras, and as First Violinist with the Rochester (MN) Symphony. Dr. Dissmore has appeared as soloist with orchestras in Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. In the commercial arena, Dr. Dissmore has performed with such varied entertainers as Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Price, Kenny Rogers, Leslie Uggams, Regis and Kathy Lee, John Tesch, Mel Torme, Daniel O’Donnell, and many others.
Dr. Dissmore’s scholarly work has centered on the orchestral music of the American composer, David Kraehenbuehl. Recently, he, along with other distinguished scholars from the United States and Great Britain, was invited by Yale University to present his most recent paper, “The Triad as Symbol in the Mature Orchestral Works of David Kraehenbuehl” at a one-day Kraehenbuehl Conference co-sponsored by the Yale Music Library and the David Kraehenbuehl Society. In addition to this presentation, Dr. Dissmore has also presented lecture concerts and other performances of Kraehenbuehl’s music in Missouri and Wisconsin.
Dr. Dissmore holds a BME degree from the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire (1983), an MM in Violin Performance from Wichita State University (1985), and a DMA in Orchestral Conducting from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri--Kansas City (2003) where he was a student of Dr. Robert Olson.
Job Responsibilities: Concert Orchestra, University Orchestra, Violin, Viola, Instrumental Conducting
Org Memberships: Music Educators National Conference, American String Teachers Association, International Conductors Guild, College Orchestra Directors Association, Music Teachers National Association, The David Kraehenbuehl Society, Christian Instrumentalists and Directors Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigman, Kappa Delta Pi
Started Work: 1988
Favorite Thing About Work: The Students!
Originally From: Kenosha, WI |
John S. ReedMassachusetts Institute of Technology, United States
Before being elected chairman of the MIT Corporation in 2010, John S. Reed served as cochairman, then chairman and CEO of CitiCorp/Citigroup from 1984–2000. He was also chairman of the New York Stock Exchange from 2003–2005. Mr. Reed received bachelor’s degrees from MIT and Washington and Jefferson College, as well as a master’s degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Mr. Reed was integrally responsible for encouraging the widespread use of the ATM throughout the United States. |
UK & World News
Costa Book Award: Hilary Mantel Celebrates Win
Hilary Mantel has won another award for Bring Up The Bodies - the second instalment of her Thomas Cromwell trilogy.
The title won the Costa Book Award, having previously won the 2012 Man Booker Prize.
Bring Up The Bodies was up against comic-style graphic memoir Dotter Of Her Father's Eyes by husband and wife team Mary and Bryan Talbot, and children's book Maggot Moon by dyslexic writer Sally Gardner.
The shortlist was completed by poet Kathleen Jamie's collection The Overhaul and Francesca Segal's first novel The Innocents.
All five shortlisted writers receive £5,000 each, with overall winner Mantel picking up a main prize of £30,000.
Accepting her prize, Mantel, 60, said she was "not going to apologise" for winning another one.
She said: "I'm not sorry, I'm happy and I shall make it my business to try to write more books that will be worth more prizes."
The nine-strong judging panel included actress Jenny Agutter, author Wendy Holden and comedian Mark Watson.
They considered the fact that Mantel had already won the Booker, but ultimately disregarded it.
A spokesman for bookseller Waterstones said the win underlined Mantel's "staggering success".
He said: "Don't imagine that the market is sated for Mantel's books - this win will inspire many, many more readers to discover the wonderful writing in her rich backlist."
Mantel has received critical and commercial acclaim for her books about Henry VIII's minister Thomas Cromwell.
Wolf Hall, the first in the series, was published in 2009 and won that year's Man Booker Prize. |
Don Cossack sidesteps Festival
Don Cossack will not line up at the Cheltenham Festival after finishing only third at Naas last Sunday.
The six-year-old was a top bumper horse last term but has won just one of his four starts over hurdles this term, finishing well adrift of Annie Power and Defy Logic in a Grade Two heat most recently.
Trainer Gordon Elliott had entered him for both the William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Festival, but he will miss those engagements and wait for targets later in the spring.
Elliott told his Betfair column: "He came out of the race at Naas on Sunday in good shape, and he's been doing well since then.
"He was beaten by two improving horses on the day, and the winner looks an exceptional mare.
"In regards to future plans, Cheltenham is now off the agenda and we will look at bringing him to Fairyhouse or Punchestown instead, as there are some nice races there for him too." |
SAN DIEGO It seemed to be a routine border arrest.
A Customs and Border Protection Officer on the afternoon of Oct. 12 quickly saw that the nonimmigrant visa handed to him by a young woman who was seven-months pregnant was fake.
The clumsy attempt to enter the country at the San Ysidro Port of Entry wasn’t noteworthy. What the woman purportedly said after her arrest was.
She reportedly told officers that she was the daughter of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel and one of the most wanted criminals in the world. She said she was trying to get to Los Angeles, where she planned to give birth.
On Thursday the woman, Alejandrina Gisselle Guzmán Salazar, appears in federal court in San Diego for a hearing on whether she should be granted bail.
Little is known about her. Guadalupe Valencia, one of her lawyers, said she is a licensed doctor in Guadalajara and has lived there for some time.
Much of the interest in Salazar’s arrest centers on what she may be able to tell authorities about the man she claims is her father.
“I’m sure if she is who she is believed to be that the government has an interest in debriefing her and finding out what, if anything, she knows,” said Anthony Colombo, a San Diego defense lawyer.
He represented Benjamin Arellano Félix, the leader of the Arellano-Félix cartel that ruled drug trafficking in Baja until they were displaced — by the Sinaloa group. Arellano is now serving a 25-year prison sentence.
More details and perhaps more definitive information could be revealed at the hearing Thursday. Her lawyers, both of whom have represented drug cartel defendants in the past, would not confirm if she is indeed related to Guzmán.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also declined to comment.
Guzmán’s Sinaloa cartel controls much of the drug smuggling along the U.S.-Mexico border from its home base in the state of Sinaloa, and is often described as the world’s most powerful drug-trafficking group.
Guzmán has made the Forbes magazine list of most powerful people since 2009, and ranked number 1,153 on its list of billionaires.
Captured in 1993, Guzmán was serving a 20-year sentence for murder and drug trafficking in January 2001 when he escaped from a federal maximum security prison in Guadalajara inside a laundry cart after allegedly paying bribes to prison officials.
While on the run from the U.S. and Mexican governments, Guzmán built up an organization responsible for smuggling Mexican marijuana, as well as massive amounts of Colombian cocaine, to the United States, U.S. officials say. Authorities have linked the Sinaloa cartel to air and maritime shipments, as well as sophisticated drug tunnels on the California border.
“He’s bought off everybody, he’s savvy, he’s clever, he’s got rings of bodyguards,” said George W. Grayson, a professor at the College of William & Mary who has written about Mexico’s drug traffickers. “Chapo is extremely shrewd, he doesn’t go around and shoot off his mouth.”
The U.S. State Department has offered a reward of up to $5 million for his arrest, and the Mexican government is offering 30 million pesos — more than $2.3 million — for his capture. Guzmán has had “kingpin” status in the United States since 2001 — a designation that prohibits financial or commercial transactions with a named individual, while any freezing any of his or her assets that are under U.S. jurisdiction. |
taken form the MSNBC article – http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25707391
With so many social networks and related communities, the choice is overwhelming. Why and maybe which type should you join?
There are two purposes to social networks,” says Jason Alba, author of “I’m On Facebook, Now What?” and “I’m on LinkedIn, Now What?”
- to enhance your brand
“LinkedIn has carved out a strong identification within the professional, job-seeking world,” says William Madway, professor of marketing at the Villanova School of Business. “It can offer more contacts and a professional, trustworthy environment for career-related networking. So, if I were attempting to advance myself professionally or career-wise, I’d be very inclined to turn first and foremost to LinkedIn.”
If LinkedIn just seems too suit-and-tie for you, Facebook is a good alternative and also on the list for many networking gurus.
Another site getting a lot of attention these days is Squidoo, a favorite for marketing expert Penny Sansevieri. She says it’s the best site for career enhancing because “you can upload a video of you, the page is very interactive, you can add widgets, a blog, just about anything.”
There’s also some value in joining online networking groups that are focused on a particular geographic area, adds Mashable’s Ostrow. He recommends using Meetup.com to find out about groups in your area. Just put in your topic of interest and zip code, and you can find out about networking opportunities in your town. |
Today I would like to share the best websites for downloading PSD graphics. PSD files are very useful resources for learning purpose because you can see all the layers and also what techniques have been used to create the work. Some of the listed websites will be well known, but you’ll be surprised that they provide free PSD files. I hope you will like this collection and find it useful.
365psd.com is one of the best free PSD files provider on the web, I think. They share highest quality and pixel-perfect PSD files.
Another professional and clean looking website sharing PSD files. Really worth checking.
Design Instruct mostly known for sharing creative tutorials, but they let you download all the tutorial files, that means you can download final result shown in the tutorial.
psdGraphics shares very nice PSD files, templates and even tutorials. Very clean and elegant website design helps you to find everything very fast.
A lot of PSD files available for free download. You have to register to download their files.
Photoshop Files is a PSD files community, where you can download files after registering or upload your own work.
7. Download PSD
Showcase style website sharing PSD files, very creative use of Photoshop environment used in this website design.
FreePSD is another great source for downloading free PSDs. If you want premium quality they also have something to offer.
Elite tutorial blog in design community. They provide wonderful and original tutorials and the best part – they share PSDs.
deviantART has definitely the biggest PSD files collection on the web. All the files are created by DA community members.
Design blog shares a lot unique and unusual but useful PSD files, check this out.
12. Ps Galaxy
Another one PSD graphics showcase style website with voting system. Sharing PSDs, gradients, custom shapes, Photoshop actions and much more.
13. Six Revisions
Check Tutorials category on Six Revisions and you’ll see how much quality tutorials they have, the best part is – they let you download source files.
14. PSD Vibe
Clean and modern style tutorials with free PSDs available.
Abduzeedo mostly known for inspirational posts but they also provide high quality tutorials and of course free PSDs.
Professional web designer blog where he shares his knowledge in tutorials. You can download tutorial files for free.
PSDhome collects psd files, that’s designers give from everywhere to a single website. PSDhome gives everyday free psd files, which are buttons, icons, text effects, themes, graphics and many more.
Minimalist style design freebies blog. Perfect place for downloading fonts, icons, brushes and of course PSDs.
19. PSD Collector
A lot of useful resources and free PSDs at design and development blog called PSD Collector.
Net-kit provides free PSD files, mostly web related graphics.
FZWP – very strange name, old and not attractive design but they have big library of PSD files, your decision to visit this or not.
24. Aaron Ovadia
All PSDs are free to be used in personal projects or commercial projects. Created by Aaron Ovadia.
PSD files collection by ForDesigner.com team. Free PSDs covering full illustrations and single objects.
Another “redesign needed” PSDs archive. Free PSDs from Free4Photoshop.
FrooWeb.com provides free PSDs such as web templates, video player skin psd, buttons and much more.
Elegant design and attractive freebies – PSDs. Dezignus offers wide range PSD files for free.
29. Artfans Design
Clean website design with clean and professional free PSD files.
Definitely one of the best source for designers, they also provide free PSDs, just check this out.
31. Free PSD Files
Simple and “straight to the point” PSD files gallery.
A lot of great design resources like vectors, icons, themes and free PSDs. |
Compensation for the indirect costs of the Carbon Price Floor and EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) - call for evidence
Open date: 12 Mar 2012
Closing date: 04 May 2012
Call for evidence - Indirect costs of the Carbon Price Floor and EU ETS
This call for evidence should enable us to update the information we have on the electricity intensity of different sectors, and how these policies impact on their competitiveness.
In order for the UK to ensure value for money and ‘additionality’ for any aid provided for carbon costs we will need to consider and demonstrate that any compensation addresses the following issues:
- Necessity - why is aid needed? What common EU objective is being addressed?
- What is the incentive effect - will aid genuinely change the behaviour of businesses? The UK will have to satisfy the Commission that there is a real risk of carbon leakage without the aid.
- Proportionality - aid generally must be limited to the minimum amount necessary, and aid of this sort is usually only considered proportional where there is a continued incentive to improve environmental performance. This may be done by ensuring that the beneficiary still pays a proportion of the tax or by including some environmental conditionality.
- Distortions to competition and trade – the UK will need to analyse the impacts on all potentially affected markets and demonstrate that the competitiveness of companies in other markets or other Member States is not unduly affected.
Download the consultation |
That's a wrap
Random musings following Duke's 67-49 walkover at Virginia tonight.
* Certainly we can agree that without Sylven Landesberg, who missed the game with a thigh bruise, the Cavailers (14-13, 5-9 and losers of seven straight) won't win again this season.
Virginia struggles to score in the best of times. But Landesberg, who averages a team-best 17.4 points, is the only Cavalier who can consistently create his own shot.
Senior forward Jerome Meyinsse's career-high 21 points were a nice moment for, from all accounts, a quality young man. But that's unlikely to happen again.
* Tonight is the third time this season -- South Florida and Clemson were the others -- Virginia has scored fewer than 50 points. The last time that happened was 25 years ago, against Alabama, North Carolina State and Georgia Tech.
* For the second consecutive game, forward Mike Scott (12.8 average) went scoreless. Moreover, coach Tony Bennett played him only 12 minutes, three after halftime.
Scott was 0-for-7 from the floor at Miami, 0-for-6 tonight.
* Duke is now allowing 61.6 points per game. The Devils' best defense since the advent of ACC basketball is 62.0 in 2007.
* Virginia closes the regular season this week with games at Boston College on Wednesday and home against Maryland on Saturday. Anyone envision a win there?
* Duke plays at Maryland on Wednesday. The Devils (25-4,12-2) have won eight straight. The Terps (20-7, 11-3) have won five in a row, including Saturday's 104-100 double-OT classic at Virginia Tech. Should be worth the price of admission. |
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Taken with a little Kodak point and shoot digital camera from the living room window of my apartment.
I had to fiddle with the brightness and contrast a bit.
I was surprised to see that the camera captured the star Regulus, as well as Saturn. Click to see the larger image and the planet & star. |
- Alibaba Acquires Yahoo China (Webmaster World): "In a move that will surely shake up the Search Industry in China, Alibaba has acquired the complete Yahoo China package, including Websites, Search Technology and Advertising business."
- Listen to Google Founder Sergey Brin (IT Conversations): Listen to Sergey Brin as he talks about Google's early days and where they're going now.
- Google and IBM Team Up (Unofficial Google Weblog): "IBM and Google have joined to create a better enterprise search product than either company could do by itself."
- Drunken Online Shopping-Yes, You Read That Right (Search Engine Lowdown): "As part of its investigations into online spending behaviour, Conchango commissioned research from GfK NOP (formerly known as NOPWorld) which found that 7 percent of Britons know someone who has shopped online while under the influence."
- Google Keeps Scanning Away (Search Engine Journal): "Google is resuming its controversial project to digitise millions of books and make them searchable on the net."
- AOL Founder Steve Case Resigns (NY Times Technology): "Stephen M. Case, a founder of America Online and an architect of the ill-fated merger with Time Warner, said yesterday that he had resigned from Time Warner's board."
- Kids Take More Risks Online At Home (Internet Week): "Children are more likely to download illegal software, chat with strangers and engage in other risky Internet activities at home than in school, a study released Monday showed."
- Wikipedia To Go Hard Copy (eWeek): "Entries from Wikipedia, the popular free online encyclopedia written and edited by Internet users, may soon be available in print for readers in the developing world, founder Jimmy Wales said Monday."
Related: Get your copy of the free printable Yahoo Cheat Sheet, go power searching with Google Shortcuts, shop online (preferably sober), learn more about Google Print, check out AOL Search, or read my safe search checklist. |
I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I can use (and tape in) any color system (NTSC - PAL - SECAM).
I am a Frank Zappa video collector, but I also look for 60s and 70s groups (especially european TV shows like Old Grey Whistle Test or Rock of the 70s).
The quality of my videos mostly goes from vg+ to x (excellent). If we make a trade and you happen to chose a video that is not actually vg+ or better I will let you know before sending.
ZAPPA / Beefheart / Steve Vai / Related list (warning: large HTML file!)
Zappa Video List (Microsoft Word 6.0 .doc zipped) much better to look at!
Video List of International Artists Live in Argentina or South America - includes live shows, press conferences, interviews, special TV coverages, etc. (This list does not include Jazz artists - Argentine jazz shows are in the jazz list below).
MY COMPLETE VIDEO LISTING - Includes official videos, TV shows, live camera shots, etc. From ABBA to ZZTop! (Note: this list does NOT include Zappa, Beatles, Rolling Stones or Jazz). This is a huge list (zipped) to download and view offline!
Jazz music videos zip file - this list
includes general modern jazz music videos from the USA and Europe PLUS live shows in
Argentina (example: Mike Stern, Alan Hodlsworth,etc.)
Rock Argentino - Listado de videos de rock argentino. Argentine artists video list.
Send wants, trades, listings, comments, suggestions, etc. to: email@example.com
back to my main zappa english page
back to previous page |
Click Back on Browser to Return to Previous Page
A Year in
Part 2 of 3- July 1st to December 31st 1901
This morning early a Boer came into our camp, under cover of a ‘white flag’ – with a note to our General from Commandant Kemp – with whom we had the tussle yesterday – asking for bandages and medicine for their wounded. These were at once sent. Column left Rudival noon, travelling over rough, but beautiful country, till 7.30 p.m. when we camped near a very large Kaffir village; the name of which I have not yet learned.
These natives do not live in such squalor, as do our Australian blacks.
Their little conical shaped huts, tho’ simple structures of mud and thatch, are kept scrupulously clean. In front of each house is a walled in area, semicircular in shape; within this area, the mistress of the house performs her household duties; does the cooking -such as it is- and feeds her little family. This latter interesting performance is simple in the extreme. The dusky materfamilias places a certain number of wooden bowls (corresponding with the number of ‘little ones’) at certain intervals around the arena. These bowls contain “mealie-meal” which forms the principal food of the Kaffir. The hungry ‘juveniles’ then “file in” in order of seniority, and without argument, apply themselves assiduously -per hand- to the apparently congenial task of reducing the contents of the wooden bowls. It is a novel sight, as pleasing as it is instructive, and I think these young gentlemen would not mind how many times a day they had to rehearse it for the stranger’s edification.
Left camp 6.30 a.m. reaching Ebenezar 3.30 p.m. A little skirmishing took place ‘en route’.
Convoy remained in camp. Mounted Column went out 6 a.m. with empty waggons to bring in Boer families from Waterval. Returned 6 p.m., with quite a large number of people, - also a fine piano- the property of one of the ladies present. Being a beautiful moonlight night it was decided that we should have a concert – the fair owner of the piano graciously giving her consent; indeed many of the Dutch ladies honoured our humble concert with their august presence. I have an idea, however, that they were not very favorably [sic] impressed with our vocal capacities. There are certain songs always trotted out on every such occasion, notable that one which deals with the pathetic subject of “Plucking a flower from my “oingil” mothers “groive”.
This doleful song is sung at every military ‘chivoo’, and generally by about the worst singer present. (On this occasion we had abundant material to choose from).
Then follows a few recitations including always a stirring rendition of “The Charge of the Light Brigade”. The “Hard Case” of the company, - whose real talents for comedy by the way– seem to be reserved for the edification of a few intimate friends, in the seclusion of his own tent– then steps jauntily forward amid vociferous cheering, and chants something in rhyme about the impossibility of a man “livin ‘appy with ‘is wife, when she’s alwis chewin’ biscuits in the bed”.
He then goes on – still in rhyme- to explain that “Biscuits has drove him off his chump”, and it appears that he “gave his darlin’ warnin’ ”, that he’d got the “bally-ooly ‘ump”, and was ‘orf to–morrow mornin’. -At this juncture someone in the audience rudely asked if it wouldn’t be better to start at once? which remark was treated with the contempt it deserved. But we had a few musicians in the company to whom the Dutch piano proved an acquisition, and to these few our hearty thanks are due for having upheld the prestige of our race in front of the strangers.
Left Ebenezar 6 a.m., reaching Elands River 4 p.m.
Column left camp 6 a.m. Early in the afternoon Boers were sighted on the hills round Wanderfontein. On coming within rifle-range we had a brisk Encounter. Our artillery got to work, and was soon pumping shell and shrapnel in thick and fast.
I have never seen such a display of artillery. The shells literally tore up the tops of the kopjes. We had no casualties. It is said the Boers lost 13 killed, besides many wounded.
The country round here is very mountainous, and affords very good shelter for the Boers, who seem to be pretty numerous in this district.
Column left Wanderfontein about dawn. Shortly afterwards the enemy attacked our Left Flank and Rear Guard; After a time they were repulsed. One of our officers, Lieut Battye – was wounded in the thigh. We also had several horses shot. In the afternoon we captured a Boer Convoy in the bush, three miles north of Magozastad. In one of the waggons were some boxes of clothing marked “Mrs P. Botha”. Besides some beautiful silk dresses, the boxes contained some jewellery.
It is quite possible that Mrs. B– will have some difficulty in getting her trinkets together again, should she require them for the grand ball which “Kruger” is going to give when they finish the war.
Column reached Kopval 9 a.m. Here we camped for the day.
Can hear heavy cannonading on our Left – probably Lord Methuen’s Column engaged. – Was made a corporal today.
We reached Zeerust this afternoon.
It is a small town, rather pretty, - also rather unhealthy. At the present time there are six columns camped here comprising in all nearly 10,000 men.
It was here, that Sir F. Carrington, - for certain reasons- burnt a greater portion of his convoy last year. He may have been in the right, but it does seem a pity to have burned so much valuable stuff, when there was (apparently) no urgent need for such a course of action.
Remained in camp today, getting in supplies for return ‘trek’ to Klerksdorp.
Several horses died this evening from the effects of a poisonous weed, which grows plentifully round here. This poisonous plant grows from a bulb, and in appearance is like the daffodil.
Local horses will not touch it.
Column left Zeerust 6 a.m. by the
There is no water for either horse
or man to-night, and a stretch of 25 miles tomorrow before we reach any.
This portion of the
Left camp before dawn, reaching Kroenhoek (and water) about noon. The poor horses were famished, and we were glad enough to get a drink.
Left Kroenhoek 6 a.m. About 9 o’clock, a little firing took place on the Flank.
Reached Leufontein 2 p.m.
Moved off camp 6.30 a.m. Outspanned at 10 for 2 hours. Reached Hartebeesfontein 6 p.m. With commendable forethought, our Colonel has selected a newly-burned piece of country for our camp. What with the tramping about, and a fine breeze blowing, we will all be like Kaffirs in half an hour.
Left camp 6.30 trekking South. Reached Klerksdorp at noon. Shortly after arriving, an Australian mail was given out. Little work is done when a mail comes, everyone is too busy reading home-letters.
Received a “Pay” – first since we
Left Klerksdorp travelling Westward (we never know were we are going) – Camped at Hartebeesfontein 4.p.m.
Left camp 6 a.m. When nearing Leufontein, Hasler’s Australian Scouts saw a party of possibly 200 men, approaching. They wore “khaki” and rode in the usual “extended order” of British troops.
Captain Hasler, being doubtful, gave the Column signal, whereon, one of the advancing party held his hat out in his left hand (our pre-arranged signal denoting “Friends”) This being considered sufficient, they were allowed to approach. When within a hundred yards the Boers – (for such they were) suddenly dismounted, and fired a volley into our men, killing Sergeant Seymour, wounding Captain Hasler, and hitting several others. Our Squadron-Officer hearing the firing gave us the order to gallop, and not needing a second telling, away we went, racing almost up to the Boers. Then the bullets began to fly. “W-h-i-n-g, whing!” how they whistled through the air, tearing up the ground with a savage “Zip!”
The Boers, however, not wishing to quarrel with our particular squadron elected to retire, and were soon tearing across the veldt as fast as their good little horses could carry them; but, five of them remained and will never ride over the great plains and kopjes of their native land again.
We are all sorry for poor
“Dulce et decorum [est] pro patria mori” sayeth the proverb. Perhaps so. It is right enough to “go down” in a fair, open fight, but not in this cold blooded fashion.
Our men have received great praise from the General, who promised to have our “Gallant fight” mentioned in his dispatches to the Commander-in-chief.
Captain Hasler is badly hit, and will probably be invalided home. He will be a loss to our Column, as no braver man ever entered the field of action.
Column reached Holfontein 2 p.m. Southern Cossack Post – under Corporal Johnson – saw 14 Boers advancing towards their ‘Post’. Lying flat down they allowed the enemy to approach within two or three hundred yards, then opened fire, killing three. The rest fled. All the afternoon Boers were seen hovering about the skyline, but they kept at a respectful distance. “Long Elsie” – our Elswick Gun – fired 3 shots at a farm house -3400 yards range-; First two struck close, the third lodged fair on the roof. Almost instantaneously Boers could be seen emerging from the house, thinking probably that it was no place for them.
Reached Doornklip 4 p.m. “Cossack Post” was attacked, and came tearing into camp about 5, overwhelmed, they said by numbers. All that could be seen from camp, however, were hardly sufficient to cause alarm.
Left Doornklip 6 a.m. reaching Rooibuilt 3.30 p.m.
Reveille 6.30 a.m. Seems like a day in camp. Out comes the “washing”.
About noon the Scouts belonging to Col. Hickeys Column, mistaking our Outpost for Boers, fired on them.
The bullets came whistling past them, right into the middle of our camp, one striking within a yard of where our “select” party was seated having lunch.
Fortunately we had not much furniture to shift, but what we had was removed I believe, in record time.
At 2 p.m., the convoy, with an escort left camp. We remained until dusk. After lighting fires, to make believe we were camping for the night, we moved off silently in the darkness. At midnight we halted, tied our horses up, and prepared to go to sleep. At 1 we were turned out again, the Intelligence Staff having brought in word that a Boer Convoy was close at hand.
By a quarter past one, we had saddled up, and on the move. It was a glorious moonlight night. No talking was allowed, and nothing save the steady tramp of our horses feet on the grassy veldt broke the stillness of the perfect night.
Suddenly the voice of a Boer sentinel rang out “Wei dar!” (Who goes there.) A flash of fire leapt to someone’s rifle and a bullet sped through the air, and that was the only reply the poor chap got.
We were ordered to charge, and down to the Boer’s camp we raced. – It was grand.
The march had been well planned; we had surprise them, but still some shooting took place. A lad near me was hit, and died afterwards. Some surrendered, many escaped, and a few were killed. In all we had captured 32 waggons, and 70 prisoners; besides a fine herd of cattle. A good nights work.
We went on till daylight, then camped, - glad of a rest.
It is a blazing hot day, and there is no water here- the nearest being Hart’s River – 20 miles distant.
We tried to sleep until the sun roasted us out. No shade to be got anywhere. Everyone looking “only middling”, heavy eyed, dust-begrimed, and thirsty. How is it that one is always thirsty when there is no water procurable? The Convoy rejoined us about noon. They have had a long heavy march, and the mules must have a spell. We go on at mid-night.
Reached Hart’s River at day-break and pleased we were to get there. It is over 40 hours since we had aught to drink. The poor horses I pity most. They have been dropping out at intervals throughout the night, and had to be left to their fate. More than one tired solder tramped wearily into camp, sorry enough to have left his equine companion behind him to die. Nothing is sadder than this silent parting with one’s horse. You feel, and rightly too – that you have lost a friend. What friend could be more faithful than this poor dumb creature? – Perhaps you owe your very life to the horse you leave to die by the wayside; but we have come to understand that “War” is no great picnic.
Left camp 3.30 a.m., reaching the
deserted town of
Had a cricket-match this afternoon, the townspeople having been good enough to leave the requisite utensils behind them. We appreciate their thoughtfulness.
Column left Swatz-renike 3.30 a.m. travelling through sandy, desert country until 3 p.m. Camped at “Guidplaats” which name translated into English means “Good-place” The Dutchman who named it thus, must have been of a decidedly optimistic turn of mind.
Left camp 4.45 a.m. Farewell Guidplaats!
We had a brisk skirmish shortly before noon, resulting in the capture of 15 prisoners, 12 waggons and 500 cattle. Only 1 man wounded on our side.
After a long, weary, march over barren sandy ground, we reached a place by the stylish name of Lowsblaake. No water again. A man wants to be like a camel for travelling in this country.
Left camp early, crossed the
Arived at the town of
Column left Taungs 4 p.m., travelling in a South Easterly direction till dark.
Reached Scaapfontein 6 p.m.
11 Remained in camp all day. “Dulce far niete”
12 Column left Scaapfontein 6 a.m.
The country we are passing over is rough and hilly, and -we are told- nearly all gold-bearing. It is the opinion of practical miners amongst us, that there is gold in large quantities about this district.
Re-crossed the Transvaal border 10
a.m. Passed ‘Christiana’ on the
Christiana was the first
Camped at Uitspanning 5 miles North of
Christiana, also on the
Left camp 4.30 a.m, reaching
Matlabanstad about noon, having travelled up the
The Mounted Column, taking with them one blanket, and two days rations per man left camp at midnight.
A large Boer Convoy passed here two days ago, travelling north -so the local Kaffirs say. After having travelled about 25 miles, we camped.
Reveille, midnight. Away again.
This morning we overtook six ox-waggons belonging to a Convoy. Pursued a party of Boers, but could not get a shot at them. We can see fresh tracks, as of a large convoy, so things are improving. The Boers we saw this morning were probably acting Rear-Guard.
Reveille 5.30 a.m. Rejoined our
supply-waggons at 9. They have been travelling along up the river. Drew
more rations and set off again in pursuit- of our (?) Convoy. After a long
day’s ride we halted near the town of
Left camp again, at midnight. About 3 p.m. we came up with the Boer Rearguard and our sprits rose. After a short exchange of pleasantries, we drove the enemy forward, and raced down on their convoy. Here we met with a stubborn resistance, but we have ridden so far, that we were determined not to go back without something for our trouble, and they, probably thinking that it was of no use wasting time with such unreasonable folk, kindly withdrew, leaving us in possession of 105 waggons; 1500 cattle; and 30 prisoners of war, besides many Boer famlies. This may be considered a splendid capture. Darkness was closing in on our triumph, and the return march of 25 miles had yet to be made, over unknown country. We had neither forage for our weary horses, nor rations for ourselves, so must reach our camp somehow.
I will not attempt to describe that long, homeward night march. Most of the Transport Waggons had to be driven by our men, -the Kaffir drivers having cleared out during the fight. However, all things good and bad come to an end, and we reached our camp at “Palmeitfontein” at midnight. We had ridden over 70 miles, and had been in the saddle 22 hours since our last brief halt. Most of us slept soundly, I believe, when once we got to bed.
Reveille 7.30 a.m. A day in camp.
This morning our General sent a message round, congratulating the Flying Column on its well-earned capture. Such a feat, he declares, could not have been successfully accomplished by any other but Colonial troops.
He made special reference to what [he] characterised as “marvellous powers of endurance” on our part, and expressed himself highly pleased with the manner in which we piloted the waggons along in the dark.
Amongst the Dutch families, are two young ladies, - nieces of the Boer General Delarey. –They are pleasant, refined girls, pretty, well dressed, and speak English fluently – almost too fluently, we thought.
During a conversation one remarked that we “Australians seemed to prefer making war on the ladies, to fighting the men”. What could one do but suggest that where such as they were concerned it was rather the more dangerous occupation of the two. Perhaps some of us, really thought so too, at the time.
Column left camp 6 a.m., reaching Rhenoster Spruit 3.30.
A “white flag” incident occurred here. A party of Boers holding out a “token of surrender”, on being interviewed by a member of the Intelligence staff, stated that they wished to see an Officer, to arrange with him terms of surrender. Captain Vandaleur went out to meet them. Imagine his surprise on being surrounded by armed Boers, stripped of all his valuables -including a gold watch- and even his clothes. A mean trick, and a favourite one of the Boers, but it will yet cost them dear.
Reached the Afrikander Mines 5.30. One of the richest gold mines in the Klerksdorp District, and prior to the outbreak of war, was worked by a British Syndicate. -Some splendid machinery going to ruin here.
Reached Klerksdorp shortly after mid-day. More news from home. The papers and letters are about six weeks old, but are very welcome, never-the-less.
In camp, Klerksdorp. Getting in supplies for next trek.
Column left Klerksdorp 6 a.m. trekking out in a north-easterly direction. Camped at Brakspruit 4.30.
Reached Klip-plaats Drift 4 p.m.
Column reached Ventersdorp 6 p.m.
All the gardens and fields round the town are enclosed by hedges of peach trees. These are all out in full bloom at present, and they look lovely. It is a great fruit growing place, being well adapted for peach, fig and apricot. Quinces, also, grow well, and oranges and lemons, to perfection.
Left Ventersdorp 7 a.m. camping three miles north of town. A dozen, or more of our men, have been sent into the local Hospital with “enteric”.
Aug-30 to 31-01
Remained in camp until moon rose about 6.15 p.m. Travelled north till 11; Outspanned till 3 a.m. then on again reaching Kaallaagte 9 a.m. Remained in camp for the rest of day.
Mounted Column left camp 4 a.m. reaching Cypherhoek 4 p.m. We are once again on the verge of the great valley of the Maghaliesberg.
Some of our men came in contact with
Boer Scouts this afternoon. The result of the interview was that one of
our scouts came back shortly after with a bullet in his leg.... Five other
Columns are working in conjunction with us, namely
It is said that we have Delarey and Co “hemmed in”- down in the valleys below. We are a bit incredulous, knowing how many times that gentleman has been ‘hemmed in’ before; moreover the country out here is exceedingly rough, and between our own Column, and our closest operating neighbour, is a distance of over five miles.
It is impossible for a few sentries to guard such an extent of country, more especially as the nights are now dark. Patrols are being sent out tonight, but men such as the Boers are have no difficulty in evading a ‘patrol’, and making good their escape. This has been done before, and will continue to be done, so long as we stick to the present inadequate system of ‘patrolling’. Long lines of well-entrenched outposts would possibly (?) prove more effective.
Nothing occurred during the night, -at least the “patrol” ‘saw’ nothing. Moved over to Courtfontein, which place we reached at 5 p.m.
Our supply-waggons rejoined us in camp this morning. Some of the Troops -“Right Wing and Bushmen” – went out on a reconnaissance, returning 4 p.m. with half a dozen prisoners and a few waggons.
The “Left Wing”- that is, our Squadron, and “D”- went out on patrol early.
In one of the rough mountain gullies -so numerous about here – we surprised, and captured 12 Boers. These gentlemen were enjoying their noon-day “siesta” in the shade of some fine trees, and appeared to resent our unmannerly intrusion.
They had quite a variety of rifles, “Mauser”, “Krag-Jorgensen” and “Mannlicher”. These we promptly confiscated, but had to eventually hand them over to the “Provost Marshal”.
More “patrols” and more prisoners. This ‘patrolling’ is rather exciting work, and, for those who have a fancy for such things, there is an element of danger about it, which makes it fascinating. In parts, the country is so rough, that to get along, we are forced to go in “single-file”. How the Boers could ‘slate’ us in such places!
Left Courtfontein this morning early, reached Ebenezar 4 p.m. (This is where we held our concert on a recent memorable occasion.)
Troops went up 7 a.m. About 9 o’clock, as we were crossing a deep valley, the Boers opened fire on us. They were completely hidden in the crags of the hillside.
In the first volley, they killed two of our horses, and wounded a trooper.
The rapidity with which our men dismounted, (without orders), sent their horses back to shelter by the “horse-holders”- that is one man in each four- and themselves took “cover”, does them credit. I was sent in charge of an ammunition waggon to a certain spot, having to cross, what the war-correspondents call the “zone of fire”. I did not think of war-correspondents at the time.
“Ammunition Carts”, being objects of interest to Boers, I came in for a prodigious amount of attention. I never hope for a “warmer” reception than those honest burghers accorded me.
The Kaffir ‘boys’ began to show unmistakeable signs of “white feather” in spite of their natural duskiness.
Bullets were ripping up the dust in fifty places -big “Marlinis” falling with a heavy thud. One of the “boys” lay down in the bed of the waggon, while the other did a ‘break’, leaving “Yours truly” to get out as best he could. This was safely accomplished in an incredibly short space of time.
Those mules were never swung round so suddenly before, I’ll warrant. By this time our men had located the hidden enemy, and by means of a well-directed, continuous fire, were gradually shifting them.
Half an hour afterwards, we got orders to search the kopje, and up the sides we swarmed. We were rewarded by finding half a dozen “snipers”, whom we rooted out like Gorillas. These baboon-like men had made the cliffs and crags their home, and a fine home it was too, from a strategic point of view, tho’ I must admit, the comfort and refinement of an ideal home was somewhat lacking. All day long, we rode through these lovely, fertile valleys. We saw some splendid crops of barley, and oats. In one field, a stalwart Dutchman was ploughing most unconcernedly. He seemed greatly surprised when we intimated our desire that he should accompany us back to camp. Said he thought the war was over... The ignorance of these people is marvellous, and their “predicants” (or priests) cram them full of lies. To this fact their dogged persistence in continuing a hopeless struggle, can, in a measure, be attributed. The oranges down here are very fine, and though it is but early in September, many of the farms have green peas growing in abundance.
Putting the question of propriety aside, these delicacies make a very welcome addition to our limited larder.
Returned to camp an hour after dark.
Column left Ebenezar 6 a.m., reaching Eland’s River 5 p.m. We found a number of cases to-day, hidden in a small cave. These cases, were found, when opened, to contain ammunition, 33000 rounds in all. There can be no shortage of ammunition about this part.
Left camp 6 a.m., reaching Cypherfontein early in the afternoon. The wild flowers here are magnificent. I have rarely seen such a fine display.
Our supply convoy rejoined us at Leufontein 3 p.m. Glad enough to make its acquaintance again. We have been on ½ rations for the past three days.
“Intelligence” reported, late to night that a Boer Commando was camped at Tafelkop, 12 miles to Southward.
Mounted Column moved at 3 a.m. reaching Tafelkop just at dawn, but no sign of Boers. Convoy rejoined us at Witplaats 5 p.m.
Column reached Ventersdorp 3 p.m. camping within Garrison boundaries.
“Men may sleep with their boots off to-night”. (Extract from Column orders 13/9/01)
Left Ventersdorp 11 a.m. Camped at Elandskuil, -10 miles south of town. All waggons sent in to Potchefstroom for rations.
In camp. Heavy rain falling to-day. This is practically the first rain we have seen since landing. Some of the “old soldiers” are shacking their heads knowingly, and assuring us that we are “in for it” now, and telling, for our edification, how, in this country, it sometimes rains whole months without ceasing.
In camp. Still raining heavily. We have been provided with tents, so don’t care. Our camp is pitched on a fine slope, so whatever water runs in at the top side of our tent, quickly runs out again at the bottom.
Weather fine again. Squadron Target
Practice in afternoon. Eight of our men sent to
No 479 Trooper J. S----- received this day, by Field General Court-Martial, 18 months Imprisonment with Hard Labor, [sic] for sleeping whilst a sentry on duty. Being a volunteer, - and not a “Regular” – the unfortunate lad was “let down lightly”. The extreme penalty for this offence is Death.
Moved at 8 a.m. this morning to a camp 3 miles North of Ventersdorp. Sent all surplus stores back to town. Issued to Squadron, - 40 Head collars; 60 Reins; 60 Nosebags; 42 pairs Boots and 30 water-bottles, Left camp 6 p.m. travelled all night, northerly direction.
Reached Kaallaagte 8 a.m. Remained in camp rest of day.
Mobile Column left camp 6 a.m. N.W. travelling light. Halted at Ottofontein 25 miles distant. Boers were seen about 4 p.m. We had a ‘brush’ with them. Our Regimental Sergeant-Major had his horse shot in three places, simultaneously.
I was twenty paces behind him at the time, - wondering what would happen next. He merely said, (looking ruefully at his favorite [sic] ‘grey’) “No use a man having a good horse in this uncivilized country”. He is, -by-the-way- absolutely the gamest man I have seen out here, -a splendid soldier.
Left Ottofontein 6 a.m. reaching DoornKorn about noon. Convoy rejoined us here.
Troops went out reconnoitring, and ran into a number of Boers, before they knew where they were. One man was knocked over, but not killed. Deeming discretion to be the better part of valor” [sic], the patrol wisely withdrew.
I spent a very pleasant and profitable day “banging” dirty clothes down in the river.
Mounted Troops went out in force 6 a.m. taking a 15 pounder, and a “Pom-pom”. About 9 o’clock we could see Boers in large numbers, holding the kopjes in front of us. As a preliminary ‘the gunners’ sent them a few ‘messages’ by way of thanking them for the kindly interest they seemed to be taking in our movements.
Then we got the order to charge the position. The lead was flying about cheerfully, but mostly well overhead. In “extended order” we raced up the hillside, our excitement rising higher and higher as we went. When we reached the top, the Burgher gentlemen were over on the next kopje. All day long we were “taking positions”, and yet we only scored ½ dozen mean-looking and ill-mounted prisoners, but we drove them, - that is the bulk of the Boers, right into Colonel Kekewich, who was five miles in front of us.
We captured a fine herd of cattle, however, which is something.
Column remained in camp.
Left DoornKorn 2 p.m. reaching Leufontein 6 p.m.
Flying column sent out 4 a.m. Rejoined convoy at Cypherwater noon.
Troops went out on patrol. I went with Provost Staff to search farmhouses and to bring in all the families in the neighbourhood. One old “vrow” flatly refused to come with us, unless we took her wash-tubs, (3 in number) also. After a heated discussion a compromise was affected – the largest tub was allowed to accompany its affectionate owner, and we went on our way rejoicing.
Returned to camp at dusk, with over 200 women, children and old men.
Left camp 9 a.m. Country exceedingly rough. About noon, had a skirmish with enemy, resulting in the capture of 14 Boers with their rifles and horses. Later on we had a more serious engagement.
A squadron of us made an attack on an orchard, full of ripe oranges, – and bees. Three hives had been overturned, and the plucky occupants rushed out in millions, on vengeance bent. I never saw so many bees before, - and, by the same token, I think I never felt so many-. For a while we held our ground manfully, but the enemy’s repeated and ferocious onslaughts at last caused us to beat a hasty and undignified retreat in search of cover. One senseless youth had taken his horse in. The bees made a vicious attack on the poor animal. Two others and myself rushed in to the rescue, but the poor wretch mad with pain, would neither lead nor drive, in fact, would do nothing but kick at everyone and everything. By dint of main strength, and shoving, and pulling we got him out, but he died ten minutes afterwards.
Column camped at Kopperfontein 4 p.m.
About daybreak this morning we were roused by the booming of big guns in the direction of Rustenburg. We knew Colonel Kekewich to be camped Northwards. In the first light of the sun a “helio” could be seen flashing incessantly, away in the distance. Our “signallers” were hard at work writing down the message, which was from Kekewich saying that his camp had been attacked by a large force of Boers under General Delarey, Commandants Kemp and Boshoff, and a good deal else besides, which they would not tell us. The outcome of that message was a very hurried breakfast, and shortly after we were all “under way” as we believed, to the rescue.
Owing to several large ‘spruits’, and some exceedingly mountainous country, we were obliged to take a very circuitous route. After a weary, troublesome march we reached a large Kaffir village called “Ratsegai’s Kraal”. It was nearly midnight, so we camped till morning.
At dawn we were off again, but not before we caught a glimpse of a certain black freak—(or rather “streak”) of nature, a Kaffir fully seven feet in height. He was not built in like proportion, however, being exceptionally thin. This longitudinal dusky phantom strode about the village with the air of a man of some importance. Probably he held a “high position” in the estimation of these villagers. We were also favoured with a glimpse of some great ‘chief’ – with a long name, and (it is said) 24 wives.
We did not wait to ascertain the veracity of this statement but marched rapidly to Moedwil, - the scene of the late engagement. On reaching the camp a ghastly sight met our eyes. The Field Hospital was filled to overflowing with wounded soldiers, and the dead were being buried. We saw 60 officers and men laid in the one grave.
The few horses and mules left alive were being used to drag their late equine comrades to the rear -a gruesome sight. The rocks all round were literally splashed with human blood. Poor Colonel Kekewich (himself badly wounded) was indeed in a predicament, and seemed greatly relieved to see our Column, as they were dreading a return of the Boers - and a similar attack.
It appears the Column had come into camp late on the evening of the 29th, choosing the rising ground a few hundred yards north of the river’s banks, as a site on which to pitch their camp. The position, as after events proved, was not a good one, from a defensive point view.
Kekewich, - almost out of provisions- had sent the greater portion of his convoy to Rustenburg, under a strong escort, for supplies. This of course, weakened the camp considerably.
The Boers, thanks to an excellent scout system, were aware of the British Column’s every movement, and decided that this would be a good time to make an attack on the camp. The wily Delarey laid he [sic] plans- in something of the following manner: - The attacking party- consisting of 600 men under General Kemp, were to creep quietly up the river, overpower the “outposts”, and rush the camp.
Another party went round to the rear of the camp, to prevent escape in that direction. Delarey himself, kept a reserve force of 500 men on a kopje near by in case of emergency.
Just before dawn Kemp and his men crept up the river, hidden by rocks and mimosa –shrubs, to within a few yards of where the Southern Outpost – (consisting of 13 men) was stationed. The sentry on hearing men approaching gave the alarm to his sleeping comrades. Together they made a stand, but not for long; they were soon cut down, -12 of the 13 being killed where they stood and the 13th only saved his life by lying flat down, feigning death.
On rushed the Boers, gaining a rocky ledge within 150 yards of the Camp. By this time the Camp was standing to arms... Imagine the position.... The enemy under excellent cover, within a stone throw of the camp, - the British with practically no cover at all. Volley after volley from the Boer rifles swept through our lines, riddling the tents and ploughing up the dust. Officers and men were being killed; horses and mules were falling fast. Our men were making a stubborn resistance, yet it seemed as though they must be over powered; the guns were disabled, and most of the gunners shot. Colonel Kekewich was wounded in three places. Something must be done. The Boers must be ousted out of their position, or all would be lost.
At last the order rang out “ Fix bayonets”! “Charge”! The Gallant “Derbyshires” (who saved the day for Dixon at Vlakfontein, and than whom no braver men ever left England’s shore) rushed forward with one bound, with bayonets fixed, and a fixed determination to do or die.
Down the hill they tore, right in amongst the hidden enemy. For a very short while the conflict was waged fiercely, but it is a noteworthy fact that the Boer never did relish cold steel, and soon began to find out they had a more important engagement elsewhere, - but not before they had lost heavily. Commandant Boshoff was killed within 50 yards of the camp, - riddled with bullets. Many others also met their death by steel and lead.
Thus they were forced to abandon their charitable intention of capturing the camp and guns, but they had wrought sad havoc in our lines. Over 500 horses and mules lay dead; - worse still 60 men killed and 80 wounded. On other hand, the Boer casualty list was indeed a heavy one. A few prisoners were taken, amongst whom was a young German, caught deliberately firing with a “white flag” tied to the end of his rifle. He will have to answer for his treacherous conduct, before a Court-martial tomorrow.
Column remained in camp. The above-mentioned prisoner tried by Court-martial this morning; found “Guilty”, and condemned to be shot at sunrise tomorrow morning.
A “patrol” from our column sent out to reconnoitre neighbourhood. Saw no sign of Boers.
I was up betimes this morning, awaiting anxiously the rising of the sun. Another I guess, was also watching that sun rise, which he would never see set.
Just as the fiery orb of Apollo rose slowly over the horizon, a small party of men might be seen marching solemnly out of camp. This was the doomed man escorted by the “firing party”.
I followed at a respectable distance, unseen, yet seeing. When about 400 yards from camp, the little cavalcade halted. The prisoner was placed in a chair with his back to the firing party.
This party consisted of eight men, and an officer. Of the eight rifles which they carried, four were loaded with ‘blanks’ – so that the men might not know who did the killing. Everything being ready the men were marched back 15 paces. The condemned man held a prayer-book in his hand, but did not appear to read. “Shoulder Arms! Pre-sent-arms!! Fire!!!” A volley rang out, and the curtain dropped on the life of yet another foreign traitor.
Mounted Column went out 7 a.m. returning to camp 4 p.m.
Boers reported in force at Rudival, 15 miles South-East. Troops went over 5 a.m. Saw abundant evidence of a large camp, recently vacated, -but nothing else. Returned to camp 5 p.m.
Column remained in camp to-day Enteric Fever is becoming very prevalent, and the sooner we leave this camp the better for us.
The heat, the dust, and above all, the stench from the dead horses, is almost unbearable. Ten of our men have just been sent into Rustenburg with fever. Our Field Strength is being rapidly reduced.
Column left Moedwil 6 a.m. escorting Colonel Kekewich. Reached Kostafontein 3 p.m.
Left camp early, reaching Kleinfontein 5 p.m. Some of our oxen died to-day. “Vet” says he thinks from ‘rinderpest’.
Remained in camp to-day. Heavy rain fell all afternoon, terminating in a violent thunderstorm about 10 p.m. The wind blew a hurricane, and “all-hands” were obliged to “stand to the mast” to keep our tent up at all.
Mounted Column went out in the direction of Eland’s River. Party of Boers were sighted at DoornKorn. Shots were exchanged. Saw a bullet pass clean through a large ant-hill proving that these much sort-after-mounds can not be relied on for shelter, though many people argue differently.
After half-an-hours firing Boers retired. We captured five. It was after mid-night when we got back to camp.
Column remained in camp. Heavy rain still continues. The level country is under water.
Troops went out on a reconnaissance 9 a.m. returning to camp 4 p.m. A few Boers were seen, but these kept at a very respectful distance.
Column left Kleinfontein 5 a.m. reaching Waterhoek 5 p.m.
Left camp 4 a.m. reaching Ventersdorp 10 a.m.
Boers were here last night, and took a mob of 200 cattle from the garrison. How they; of the boasted British blood, can allow such things, I know not. We were sent out about 10 miles, but saw neither Boers nor cattle. Don’t worry “Tommy”, don’t put yourselves about you “One and tuppenny” heroes of the garrison, we “blanky Orstralians” get five bob a day for gathering these cattle which you gentlemen show such an aptitude for losing.
Left camp 11 a.m. travelling as far South as ‘Klip-plaats’ Drift, which place we reached 4 p.m.
Reached Doornfontein early in afternoon.
Column reached Klerksdorp noon.
Oct-17 to 22-01
In camp. Horses are rather low in condition, and we are using every endeavour to get them fit again. Plenty to eat, plenty [of] rest, and good attention is what they require, and what they are getting.
There is a very large Concentration Camp a mile from here. (I have made mention of it before)
Being anxious to see for myself, how these camps are conducted, I got past the sentries to-day (no matter how) and took a stroll through the lines.
As far as I could see, there was absolutely nothing to complain of, and I think it is only people of the “Miss Hobhouse” type – coming with the intention of finding fault – who can pass disparaging remarks about the management of these camps. The “site”, is generally the best procurable, and the drainage good. The occupants of each tent are made to keep their canvas house clean and tidy, and if the infant mortality is great, it is not due to negligence on the part of the British Authorities, who spare no pains to make these unfortunate Dutch people as comfortable as possible under admittedly trying circumstances.
Let it be also remembered that the death rate amongst Boer children has ever been abnormally high, accelerated, no doubt, by a lack of medical knowledge. Now that medical aid is within their reach, their natural aversion to using anything British prevents them from making use of it; their narrow-minded prejudice is stronger than their love for their own children. Thus, in many cases, a Boer mother has seen her child die, unaided, sooner than take it to the English camp-doctor.
It is to be feared, that the mortality among the children, -regrettable as it is- will continue, in spite of all efforts to reduce it, on the part of the authorities, while ever the little ones are unavoidably kept in these Concentration Camps.
Miss Hobhouse (and others) have said that the people are being slowly starved. There is no truth, whatever, in that odious statement. Indeed, these Dutch women, have themselves told me that they have plenty to eat, in fact, some of them admit they never lived so well before.
Certainly, their liberty is in a manner curtailed, in-as-much as they are confined to the limits of the camp, but could they be allowed to roam about at will?
I came away, like many others, with the impression that England is treating these people with more consideration than is usually the case in warfare, and twenty times more, than these Boers would treat our families, if similarly situated.
At 6 a.m. this morning, orders came from Headquarters for the column to entrain at 7, and shortly after that time we were all aboard, rolling away towards the Eastern Transvaal.
All unfit men, and weak horses have been left behind at the Depôt in Klerksdorp, So we anticipate some excitement ahead.
Travelling through the night, we passed Potchefstroom, Krugersdorp, Johannesburg and Pretoria, reaching the small town of Erste-Fabrieken, (15 miles east of Pretoria, on the Delagoa Bay Line) just at daybreak. Here we detrained and camped, -awaiting supplies from Pretoria....
Left Erste-Fabrieken at midnight, reaching Twefontein 9 a.m. We were here, joined by a detachment of Gordon Highlanders and the “Canadian Scouts”; under Major Ross – a welcome addition to our small column. The ‘Gordons’ have a reputation second to none, and the hard-faced, wiry looking Canadians look fit for anything.
Combined Column, - under our Colonel – left Twefontein at midnight. Reached Kalfontein 10.30 a.m.
Mounted Troops went out Westward on a reconnaissance, returning to camp at noon, with 14 prisoners. Prisoners all belonged to the now-disbanded ‘Staats Artillerie’, and are all smart, soldierly-looking men.
A large number of Boers have been camped here recently.
While down at the creek bathing this afternoon, we saw for the first time the South African frog, and were astonished at its size, for they are three times as large as our ordinary ‘big green frog’. When a number of them start croaking in the marshes, the noise is deafening.
We have been warned that there is an important move on to-night, and to get as much rest as possible. This we are always willing to do, if given the opportunity.
At 9 p.m. we got the order to “saddle-up” and leaving the gallant Gordons to guard camp, we moved silently out, carrying one blanket and a day’s rations each. We marched rapidly all night.
About an hour before dawn, we ran on to a small party of Boers, probably an “outpost” of a Commando. These gentlemen gave us a volley, by way of salute, and raced away for their lives.
We guessed they would “give the alarm” to their mates, so lost no time in following them. Just at dawn we came in sight of a Boer ‘Laager’ (Müller’s), and rushed down on it with shouts of “Hands up, you Dutchmen, hands up!”
Their Mausers rang out in reply, and the bullets whistled cheerfully about our ears. The enemy appeared to be preparing for a stubborn fight, but our artillery sent a few shells crashing down amongst them which seemed to have a wholesome effect on them, inasmuch that they promptly left their convoy, and made for the shelter of the hills. We quickly annexed the abandoned waggons, together with 47 prisoners, 500 cattle, and many Dutch families. Taking these along with us we pushed on over rough, picturesque country, camping at noon under some trees on the cool, shady banks of Kamelsford Spruit. We ‘offsaddled’ and let the tired horses graze about. The men, -weary, with their long night’s march, were not slow in availing themselves of the chance to snatch a few hours rest. By 1 o’clock most of them were asleep, - “dreaming of home faces; of the old familiar places, of the gum trees and the sunny plains, ten thousand miles away”. A few others and myself had just made a successful attack on a pot of tea, and with feeling of great content, - such as one feels after having performed his duty manfully– we were about to join the drowsy “Somnus” sleeping host, when -K-r-r-r-bang! came a shell from a Boer Gun on the hillside 2000 yards away; then another, and another, fair into the camp.
The sleeping camp was quickly in motion. Tired men, and habitually lazy fellows, sprang up with the agility of athletes. By this time the shells were coming thick and fast, and our guns were replying. A couple of our men went down, and a few horses were killed. For a time nothing could be heard but the scream of shells as they tore through the air. Over 80 fell in, and around our camp. The horses became frightened, and stampeded, not away, -but towards the fire. My old horse, strange to say, came up to the saddle, and stood there trembling. I volunteered (in a reckless moment) to bring the stampeders back, and in so doing, had a few very narrow shaves; --once a fragment of shell grazed my face- but that’s a detail. Our guns, however, - being more powerful perhaps, besides being well-directed -soon silenced the barking on the hillside, and we could see the Boers retiring to the kopjes further back. Our General gave the order to saddle up and follow on. This we did, finding the enemy shortly after, holding a fine position at the head of a remarkable pass, known as Wit-Nek.
They allowed us to approach to within 800 yards, then opened a heavy cross-fire on us. Fortunately there was plenty of ‘cover’ available.
For about an hour the firing was tremendous. The Canadians showed great dash and gallantry, in taking a kopje held by the Boers, but they lost a Serjeant – killed – and several wounded in doing so, more’s the pity.
While the men from Canada were engaged with the Boers “Left”, we rushed their Right Flank, successfully taking the position. Being dislodged, on both sides, they retired, and we went on through the “Nek” untroubled, camping on open country 8 p.m.
Our rations are all gone; we cannot even get water enough to make tea of, but we are tired, and glad enough to lie down beside our saddles, and go to sleep, trusting the Boers will not trouble us tonight... We have been nearly 22 hours in the saddle, and started out with only a pound of biscuit, but it is generally supposed by the British Authorities that we Colonials live exclusively in the saddle when at home, and as far as getting hungry, -well, most of us wear belts, and we can pull them up a few holes, when we feel that way. Pshaw! the very thought of hunger and fatigue is discreditable to the true Australian. The “wiry Colonial” never gets tired.
Left camp 3.30 a.m., rejoining convoy at Kaalfontein 10.30 a.m.
Left camp same night at 10 o’clock. Surrounded a farm-house about midnight. Capturing Commandant Wolmarans, and a few others who were hiding therein. Wolmarans, by-the-way, is the head of a “train-wrecking” gang out this way, and ‘wanted’ on several charges.
Column reached Waggon Drift noon.
Left camp 3 a.m. reaching Erste – Fabrieken 9 a.m.
The late “trek” has been the hardest we have yet done, but we succeeded in breaking up Müller’s Commando, for which purpose we set out.
Marched to Pretoria. Commander-in-chief Lord Kitchener inspected column as we came in, expressing his satisfaction in his characteristically brief language. “Splendid men, and very good horses” was his ‘summing up’. He is a big man with keen, grey eyes, and character written in every feature of his face. It takes but one glance to tell he is a great man. He paid us the high compliment of sending a Military Band out to meet us, and we marched into camp to the stirring sounds of martial music – the first we’ve heard since leaving Randwick.
In camp... A general view of the surrounding country gives one the impression that the Boers might easily have held Pretoria, much longer than they did. The town, with lofty chains of mountains running completely round it, with the aid of a few pieces of heavy artillery, could be made almost impregnable. At the present time there is a ‘fort’ every half-mile round the chain of hills, and I think an enemy would have the greatest difficulty now, in effecting an entrance to the town.
Went into Pretoria this morning with two other “non-coms”. The town is very pretty; - the ornamental green trees, the bright flower–gardens and the pretty, clean little pink–and–white cottages looked beautiful, after the monotony of the great, far-stretching, silent veldt.
We first went to the Public Baths, -a very necessary step to take-, then to the Raad-Stad (Parliament House) which place we were shown through by an obliging official. Everything remains exactly as when the last Parliament (a Boer one) sat. Kruger’s chair is still in its old place. From here we went to those magnificent public buildings, known as the “Palace of Justice”. We were also shown over these, - by one of the clerks, - an ex-Victorian Contingenter.
We next explored Kruger’s (or as it is pronounced here Kreer’s) residence. The building itself is a low, and unpretentious structure; the two great ‘lions’ in the front forming the most note-worthy feature of the ex-President’s house. We saw Lord Kitchener’s residence, (got a few roses from his garden, in fact) and also the little cottage in which Rider Haggard wrote his book “Jess”.
It was noon by this time, and imagining we had earned lunch, we went to the ‘English’ Restaurant (kept by a Jew) and had a very fair dinner. One of our party tendered a sovereign for payment asking for the change in ‘silver’. Imagine his surprise when the gentleman from Jerusalem politely informed him that it was “de gorrect amound” for three dinners. War!! We other two consoled our ‘would-be-generous’ companion by taking him to a photographer’s to have his photo taken. The result I fancy, will not be very good; our friend did not appear to have his most cheerful expression on; he appeared to be thinking of something.
During the afternoon we saw a cricket match played. “Johannesburg – V – Pretoria”, resulting in a win for the latter.
After tea we took a ‘cab’, and got back to camp well pleased with our day’s outing. (Cabs, by the way, are worth 7/6 an hour, and not over comfortable at that.)
Column entrained for Bronkhorst Spriut 7 a.m., which place we reached 4 p.m. Camped near Railway Station.
Left Station 8 a.m. travelling West. Reached Blesbokfontein 1 p.m.
Convoy remained in camp. Mounted Column went out 4 p.m. Patrolled all night in a South Westerly direction visiting many houses, but found no Boers. Rejoined convoy 8 a.m.
Column left Blesbokfontein, returning to Bronkhorst Spriut – Heavy rain falling 6 p.m.
Reveille 2 a.m. this morning.
Travelled East, along the Line, camping at Wilge River noon.
9 p.m. Most vivid lightning I have ever seen in my life. Down South a ball of electric fire hangs stationary for, sometimes, 30 seconds, and the chain lightning is grand. Flash after flash lights up the heavens to such an extent as to cause our nervous tent-mate (usually a typical Australian as regards language) to solemnly suggest that we should discontinue swearing – till the storm was over at least. – We did, (because we went to sleep).
Left Wilge-River 4 a.m., reaching Balmoral 9 a.m. A very appropriate place to be on King’s Birthday. Outspanned till 1 p.m., reached Brug Spruit 5 p.m.
Left camp 4 a.m. in heavy rain. Had much difficulty in crossing several ‘drifts’ now running “bankers”. Reached ‘Groot Oliphant’s Rivier at dusk.
8 p.m. Real tropical rains falling to-night.
Column reached Middelburg 5.30 p.m. Lieut. Griffiths, with 18 men, arrived from Detail Camp, Klerksdorp, 6 p.m.
In camp. Recvd a good many “remounts” from the Depôt here.
Eight men sent to local Hospital with fever; 5 rejoined, from hospital.
Force left Middelburg 4 a.m., travelling South-East. Reached Bankfontein noon.
Shortly after leaving camp this morning our Rear-Guard was attacked by a small force of Boers. There were no casualties. Reached Leufontein noon.
Column left camp 6 a.m. Again Boers, -this time in greater force – came on to our Rearguard. Our artillery opened fire, and the enemy retired. Reached Middel Kraal 5 p.m.
General Botha is reported to be in this district with a large force.
Reveille 3 a.m. Mounted Troops left camp 4 a.m. to reconnoitre surrounding country, leaving Convoy in charge of the Gordon Highlanders. We did not come in contact with any Boers -though we saw plenty in the distance.
“C” Squadron sent out on patrol 3 a.m., returning to camp early in afternoon.
Column remained in camp. Heavy rain falling to-day.
Left Middel Kraal 8 a.m. The ground is saturated with rain, and it is with difficulty that the Convoy can get along at all. Camped at Wolmefontein.
Column reached Middelburg at noon.
Left camp early this morning going out as far as Wolmefontein.
Reached Middelkraal 5 p.m. Boers were seen on the Right Flank but did not approach within rifle range.
Blockhouses are being built out here connecting the “Pretoria – Delagoa Bay Line” with the Elandsfontein – Natal Line.
The Boers are swarming out here, doing their utmost to retard building operations.
Mounted Column went out on patrol at midnight. About 9 a.m., we surprised and captured a small party of Boers.
Left Middelkraal 6 a.m., travelling East, over magnificent grazing country. This is said to be the finest horse-breeding district in the Transvaal, and judging by some we have caught, running wild it certainly would seem well adapted for that purpose. Some cattle we have captured about here show, also, some quality, and are in excellent condition. Camped at Klip-fontein 5.30 p.m.
Left camp 5 a.m. Boers attacked Rear Guard, - capturing one of Major Carrington’s Bushmen.
Camped at Kaal –Spruit 4 p.m. The captured Bushman strolled into camp 6 p.m. minus horse, saddle, rifle and most of his clothes; his feelings hurt, otherwise uninjured.
Column reached Wanderfontein, a railway station out on the Delagoa Bay Line.
Remained in camp, taking in Supplies. Six of our men sent to Hospital – four rejoined, -convalescent. “Gordons” left for Belfast this morning. They will be replaced by the Shropshire Light Infantry. We are sorry to lose the Scotchmen -they are fine fellows.
Left Wanderfontien 3.30 a.m., reaching Lilliefontein 4 p.m.
Reached the pretty, but now deserted town of Carolina 2 p.m. The Boers, it said, held a dance here last night. Quite romantic. Very mean of them not to have invited us. Perhaps they will dance to the music of our rifles ‘ere long (and maybe, we to theirs).
Column left Carolina 3 a.m., reaching Smutzhoog about noon. Got a fine mob of sheep to-day, - some of them quite recently shorn, (and carefully shorn too, judging by the “even cut”). A better class of sheep too over this side, than in the Western Transvaal.
The wild flowers here are magnificent, and together with the vivid green of the veldt, make a lovely picture, - a veritable “Fairy-land”. One could never tire of the great plains of S. Africa at this season of the year.
Our mounted men, and the Canadians left camp 2 a.m. this morning. By 9 o’clock we had reached the high country looking down upon Trichard’s Fontein. Here we met with a surprise. Down in the valley below lay a big Boer ‘Laager’ guarded, (it is said) by Botha’s 2000 men. We didn’t find out their full strength, until after we had received orders to take the convoy. Racing down, in our usual wild fashion, with the Canadians close by on our right, we succeeded in getting 50 or 60 waggons away for a few hundred yards, getting a pretty warm time in doing so. The Boer women in the vans were firing at us as we approached. Fortunately, their aim was not equal to their enthusiasm. But now the Boers let us have it. The hills all round seemed alive with armed men (and artillery too).
The shriek of their15 pounder and the deep incessant growl of a “Krupp” on our ‘Right’ was enough to strike terror into the hearts of most men, to say nothing of the cracking of a thousand Mausers, and the horrid thud of bullets as they tore up the dust about us.
At times the very air seemed to sing with the rushing and whistling of lead. It seems marvellous how bullets can miss you. One of our fellows had one pass through his coat; the pommel of another’s saddle was cut away; a third got his hat ear-marked, and so on.
Our Squadron alone -comprised as it was of less than 60 horsemen- had eight horses shot, and yet not a man of us hit. But it was getting too hot. With a few regrets (very few) we abandoned all the waggons, (excepting eight, which were well forward and almost out of range of the Boer rifles) and ‘cut’ for our lives. My word we did ride. . When our little column was well out of range of Boer fire, our General coolly ordered a halt, and, -securing a good position quietly offsaddled. This admirable bit of coolness, on the part of our Commander, probably saved our Column from a severe “cutting up” or capture, as the Boers seeing us camp must have taken it for granted, that we were awaiting re-inforcements, or else, sufficiently strong to repel an attack. As a matter of fact, our strength was but one quarter of theirs, and our horses tired. The enemy gradually retreated and at
4 p.m., we started on our homeward march, camping shortly after dark at Leu-Kop.
We have neither forage, blankets nor rations. Our Colonel expected to be back to camp tonight. He didn’t calculate on having to sit four hours on a hill-side waiting for the horrid Boers to go away.
Reached camp 10.30 a.m. Picked up a fine herd of cattle as we came in.
Force left Smutzhoog 6 a.m. travelling South-West. Reached Nooitdecht 3 p.m. 9 p.m. outposts fired on some figures, - probably Boer spies – creeping stealthily through the long grass, towards the camp.
Reached Kalabashfontein 6 p.m.
Column remained in camp. Supply waggons, escorted by 3rd Bushmen went over to Colonel Fortesque’s Column -12 miles distant-, for 3 days supplies.
Our mounted Coloum, in conjunction with the W. Australian Mtd. Rifles and 19th Hussars (Col Wing’s Column) left camp 4 p.m. on a big move. Sir H. Rawlinson with his 2000 M.I. is to operate 10 miles to Westward. We travelled all night in a Southerly direction. ‘Dark’ would not covey any idea of what the night was. The inky blackness was such that one could not even see the outline of the man riding next [to] you, though he may have been only a few feet away.
The troops, as may be imagined under the circumstances, got very much mixed up on one or two occasions. At intervals a tremendous flash of lightning would flash over the scene, and then there’d be a rush for places. The Hon-Rupert was kept busy riding up and down our lines enquiring if there were any of his “Bushmen” there, and so on.
At 4 a.m. our advance struck a Boer outpost. A mile behind lay a fine ‘laager’. (Grobelaar’s) and a large herd of cattle. We could hear the latter bellowing like cattle will do when being hurriedly mustered. We bore down on the camp at full speed, the Canadians yelling and riding like madmen, the Hussars quiet and determined, like the ‘old soldiers’ they are. The Boers were, no doubt, surprised. They stood for a while, then retired hurriedly, leaving us in possession of 30 waggons, and all the cattle 5000 head; besides nearly 100 prisoners.
We had not quite finished with them yet, however. They had doubled back and were attacking our Right Flank.
In the action which ensued, one of our best officers (Lieut. Forster) was killed; Lieut. Eyre and two troopers wounded. The Boers lost more heavily.
At 9 a.m. we halted; offsaddled; had breakfast and two hours rest.
At 11 a.m. started on our long, homeward march, taking our fine mob of bovines along with us. Most of us have travelled with cattle out in Australia, but never under such novel conditions.
The Boers followed in up the rear, sniping, which made the ‘tail-end’ drovers desirous of putting up a pace record.
We reached our convoy at Bethel a small garrison town, 20 miles North of Standerton – at 5 p.m., having been 25 hours away, 23 of which were spent in the saddle. I think this is about a record, even for Colonial Troops.
Column remained in camp today. Buried poor Mr Forster at noon. Officers and men feel that they have lost friend, and spare no pains in making a neat enclosure round the popular soldier’s last resting place.
Our Column has been officially attached to Major- General Bruce Hamilton’s Brigade.
Left Bethel 5 a.m. travelling East. Halted at Spion Kop 8.30 a.m.
Mounted Brigade left camp again 6 p.m. travelling through the night in an Easterly direction. Information has been received that Viljoen, with a strong Commando, is at “Bushman’s Hoek”, - 35 miles distant.
At dawn, we reached Bushman’s Hoek. As we approached, the enemy, -probably 500 strong- retired, taking up a strong position 800 yards in front, on a range of hills. Orders were given to charge the position. Our Squadron was in front. As we raced across the plain, in extended order, the hill in front seemed ablaze with fire, made more apparent by the peculiar half-light of the misty, early morning.
For the first time, I heard bullets cracking like stockwhips. Whether these are “explosive” bullets, I know not, but certainly they make a most peculiar noise, and by no means a pleasant one. The “Hussars” were on our Right and the West Australians on our Left, and forward we raced.
Some of the Boers, we noticed, were beginning to leave their positions; some remained too long, and were captured.
Flying Dutchmen could be seen, in small groups, riding for dear life. Three others (- who were a trifle in advance of the rest-), and myself followed one of these groups, 13 in all, an unlucky number. -For whom? – It was a fine chase. Five miles, or more we pursued the flying burghers. Three of them surrendered to us. Leaving them in charge of one of our number, we raced on after the others, firing as we went. “It was grand to see those practiced horsemen ride”. Through meer-cat-holes, and boulders, over rough and broken ground, down the hillside at a racing pace they went. Once we got within a hundred yards of them, - so close in fact, that some of our fellows away behind took us for Boers also, and were emptying their ‘magazines’ at us with marvellous rapidity and zeal.
Finding we could not gain on the well-mounted men in front, we dismounted, fired a few volleys and succeeded in “winging” three of them as they raced over the brow of the hill in front. Having had enough chasing for one day, we rejoined the column at 8 a.m., where a halt was made, and breakfast partaken of.
One hundred and eight prisoners fell to our lot, besides a “Field Gun”, one of three captured by the Boers from Colonel Benson a few months back at Braken-laagte. We had one man killed, and several wounded. At noon, our march was resumed, campwards. I Shall never forget the overpowering Sultriness of the afternoon. I Sneaked off to an orchard en route, and got some green peaches – which revived my drooping Spirits. Others were falling asleep in the saddle.
Heavy masses of black clouds loomed up to Southward. Long low rumbles of distant thunder might be heard now and then. This, and the occasional “click-clock” of a hidden ‘sniper’, were the only sounds which broke the awful stillness. But shortly after dark, a thunderstorm- the heaviest I have ever experienced – broke overhead, coupled with the most terrific lightning. During one ‘flash’ almost every man in the column, felt he was lightly struck; some of the horses fell on their knees. It was one of those storms which Rider Haggard, describes so well. We could see the lightning actually running round in circles, where the most ironstone abounded.
Our convoy had moved on to the Garrison town of ‘Ermelo’, which place we reached at 8 p.m., - tired hungry and wet. I don’t think I was ever more truly thankful for the sight of camp in my life. Little wonder that we feel weary, for during the last 26 hours, we have only had four hours rest, and that under a scorching sun, on the shadeless plain at Bushman’s Hoek.
The horses look bad this morning after their recent hard work. We hear the Column is to remain in camp for three days, in which case they’ll have time to pull round a bit.
Australians are lost with out their horses, and I must say they look after them well, when they have the chance. There is a forage depôt less than a mile away, and the quantity of the oats that finds its way into our lines, unaided -, is surprising.
Message from Lord Kitchener received this morning, congratulating Colonel E.C.Williams and his column, on the splendid work they have recently done. Since December 1st over 300 prisoners have been captured besides 30 killed; 21 wounded – 7000 cattle; 290 horses; 60 wagons; 80 carts; 8000 rounds of ammunition, and 1 Field Gun.
So many captures, he (Kitchener) thinks, are due to the manner in which the Colonials charge when once they sight the enemy.
This the first Sunday we’ve had in camp for a very long time. We celebrate it by a church parade in afternoon.
Shifted camp to fresh site, the one on which we have been is damp and unhealthy. More men sent to Hospital today. The Field Strength of our Squadron is now barely 70, when we landed in Africa it numbered 125. All the other Squadrons of the Regiment have suffered in a like manner.
Our Mounted Column, in conjunction with Colonels Rawlinson and Wing, left Ermelo 6.45 p.m., travelling South–East, towards the Swazi-land Border. We crossed the ‘Vaal’ at midnight. Shortly after heavy rains fell, delaying us considerably. We reached Smutz-farm ½ an hour after daylight, only to see where a fair sized Commando had been camped a few hours prior to our arrival. No Boers now in Sight. The country around is rocky and exceedingly rough and rugged.
Returned to Onverwacht, where our convoy awaits us, noon. Heavy rain still falling.
Column left camp again at mid-day going again Eastward. Reached Brank-Kop 6.15 p.m. Had supper; saddled up, and left camp 7.30 p.m.
Daylight found us amongst the great gloomy mountains which form the Swaziland Border. There is a certain rugged picturesqueness which we cannot help but admire, in spite of the fact that we are wet to the skin, cold, and hungry. Such is Natures power over poor mortals.
Great masses of rock, hundreds of feet high, rise up on every side, - excellent places for Brother Boer to hide.
At 8 a.m. we had breakfast, and rested until noon, then home by a circuitous route. About 3 p.m. we ran on to a fine herd of cattle, guarded by a few hundred Boers. After a sharp little skirmish we succeeded in annexing the bovines (nearly 800); a small mob of sheep; four waggons, and 11 prisoners.
It rained in torrents all the afternoon, and showed little signs of abating when we reached our camp about midnight. Once in the blankets, “our troubles!!”
A day in camp.... The sheep captured yesterday are the best I have yet seen in South Africa; large framed; well-woolled, and in good condition. They appeared to have been breed by some-one with a knowledge of sheep-breeding.
The cattle are also above the average Transvaal breed, which generally develop tremendous horns, and (tho’ large) are narrow, ill made brutes, and judging by the coarse, low set heads and high withers, - have a big dash of buffalo in them.
A Transvaal butcher told me once, that a bullock in this country, when ‘dressed’, rarely exceeds 800 pounds in weight. This, - considering their huge frames, - is a very poor weight, indeed, and may be attributed to the breed, not the country.
Column left camp on return to Ermelo 5 a.m.
Our Squadron formed the Rear-Guard. The country is rough and treacherous. To avoid surprise from the rear, I was sent, with 3 men to the top of a big kopje to act as “Observation Post”. Our instructions were to stay up there until every man of the Column had crossed the difficult spruit at the foot of the hill... When we reached the summit we could see numbers of Boers coming across our late camp, and making for the kopje which we held.
A vigorous rifle-fire from our little party kept them for a while in check, but not for long. The Column appeared to be crawling along. On came the Boers. We were watching them with one eye, and the spruit with the other. By the time the last of our men had crossed, the “Jackies” were within 400 yards of us.
I thought we had remained long enough, (and I fancied a little to long) so mounting our horses with commendable alacrity, we commenced our descent. By the time a distance of 200 yards was traversed, fully 20 Boers had raced across the level ground on top and were now on the brink of the hill, giving us a practical demonstration of their marksmanship, which, - fortunately for us – is not faultless. Some bullets went close, - very close-, but we did not stop to argue with the shooters about such trifles as “windage”, “fine sight” and “coarse sight”, but were content in just showing those poor ignorant fellows how we could ride.
Soon after our “pom-pom” got to work on them, and they scattered in all directions. We had, however, to fight a rear guard action all the way to the ‘Vaal’, which we reached at noon.
Owing to recent heavy rains, the river is in flood, so we must camp till the Ermelo Pontoon Bridge Section is sent for, to construct a bridge across the muddy waters. The message was sent by means of a Field Telegraph line, which General Hamilton always lays on his marches. The innocent-looking little wire runs through the long grasses often unnoticed by the enemy, and proves a blessing in emergencies such as the present.
It has turned out a lovely day, and this is a pretty camp. To Eastward, as far as the eye can reach lay the great plains, (now covered with waving grass) stretching away to the Swazi border.
The mighty mountains of Natal, - the giant, snow-capped Drakenbergs loom out dimly in the Southern haze; in front like a great grey snake, glides the silvery Vaal, and beyond the river lies the great expanse of the Transvaal.
It is Christmas Eve. “Peace on Earth and goodwill towards men”. Two thousand years ago when “Herod-the-Great” ruled, and there was strife throughout the Land of Egypt, the shepherds of Judea saw the wondrous Star hanging low in the sky above Bethlehem, and first heard those oft-repeated words; and “they were afraid at the things they saw and heard, but the Angel Gabriel came down to them and said “Fear not”! For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” “ Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, [sic] which is Christ-the-Lord”. The herald spoke not again, but departed in a ray of light. The shepherds on the hillside standing mute could hear “voices as of a multitude chanting in unison. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men”!!!
The great blue vault of heaven overhead; the glorious wild flowers; the flutter of bright winged butterflies, and the vast expanse of Solemn, silent veldt, all seem to whisper words of “peace and goodwill to men”. It is pleasant to stretch out, in the warm sunshine, and think (for awhile) of better things than a despot’s pride, a Nation’s quarrel, war and strife.
Who would think to look at the peaceful scene beyond, that for 3 consecutive Christmas Eves, the gloomy clouds of war have been hanging like a pall over the once bright and prosperous Transvaal? Who would think that even a few hours ago, we were engaged in actual warfare with a stubborn, brave and resourceful enemy, who are even now lurking in the vicinity of this camp? But then who would think to look at yonder river, that beneath its placid surface, runs a wild fierce undercurrent, - wilder and stronger than any other in South Africa? So taking no notice of outward appearances, we will sleep, as usual, with our boots on to-night, and our rifles close by. “Santa-Claus himself, if he should visit us, will need to have the proper “Countersign”. *** We are on ¼ rations tonight
A merry Christmas to you all! If not a very merry one, it certainly possessed the charm of novelty. Up at 5.30. Half through a breakfast of fried meat, army biscuit and black coffee, when orders came down from Head Qts. to saddle up at once, as the Pontoon Bridge was completed and we were to cross first. We were soon on the move. The bridge, we found, was a simple construction; - three large punts with planking laid on top. It carried our whole column over, however, and that too in good style, waggons and all.
Here by the banks of the rushing ‘Vaal’ we ate our Christmas Dinner, untroubled with visions of antiquated turkey and sodden pudding. One burglar-proof and fire-resisting biscuit and a pot of “café-noir” was the extent of our festive board. We enjoyed our modest repast, and I don’t think any of us will be sick after it. Our Scouts were in action about mid-day.
After a long, heavy march, we reached Ermelo about dusk. So ended XMAS.1901-
In Camp. No Boxing-Day celebrations to attend, so spent most of the day quietly writing to friends across the sea.
Our magnanimous Commander-in-chief has ordained that the British Army in South Africa , and members of over-sea Contingents, shall not be deprived of Xmas luxuries.
The said luxuries, reached our Column about noon, and were quickly issued to the clamorous soldiers.
1 lb of plum-pudding, and a pint of beer per man. That’s what it was. The pudding was exceedingly rich, -and the beer – well, it was exceedingly poor, and the two together, swallowed as they were, then and there, did not prove an unmixed blessing, and tarried not with the receiver. There were, however, some with cast-iron constitutions, who repressed, - by dint of firmness, and courage -, any rebellious risings, and were able to show their appreciation of the Kings goodness.
I was among their limited ranks and was duly respected, by my less fortunate comrades for my valiant conduct.
General inspection of horses by O.C. who expressed himself satisfied with their condition. No 698 Trooper---- was this day awarded by Field General-court- martial, 42 days Imprisonment with Hard Labor, [sic] for stealing rations belonging to his Squadron. When “Hard Labor” [sic] is given, the recipient forfeits his wages for the whole term of imprisonment, -which in this case, means a forfeiture of £10.10
Column left camp 7.30 p.m. going East. We reached the ‘Vaal’ at dawn, and found it still in high flood. As time appeared of more importance than the feelings of the men, we had to do a “swim”. It was fine, - after you had crossed – to see others take their bath in the swift cold waters. All safely over, we pushed on. (The waggons will follow later by pontoon.) Visited some farm house in a secluded valley, bagging 15 armed Boers. Reached Brank-Kop mid-day. .... 6 p.m. Heavy rain falling. No sign of convoy coming; no horse-feed, no rations, and no blankets; every prospect of a pleasant night, - sitting on the side of a wet hill, holding our horses till morning.
Ugh! Never so glad in all my life to see daylight. We have been alternately lying, sitting and standing in 6 inches of water throughout the long, cold night.
The other fellows look pictures. I expect I do too, but I’ve got no mirror, to see.
Convoy came up at noon. They too have had a rough time, travelling, or trying to travel all night.
Up went the tents. With the sanguine temperament, characteristic of the soldiers, we fully expected a snug night in camp. The rain, which has been hanging off all day, is again coming down in an incessant grey drizzle, but, with the exception of the poor chaps on outpost, we are comfortably ensconced in our canvas homes, and what care we?
Imagine our surprise, when at 11 o’clock the “turn-out” sounded; also imagine the ‘language’ as the men reluctantly saddled up, in the inky blackness of the drizzling, murky night. I expect our General knew what he was doing, but the general concessus of opinion was against that idea. Had a vote of censure been taken at the time, The Opposition would have had a glorious victory, but it was not to be.
Away we went creeping along through the evil blackness of the night, - our hearts too full for utterance. Peal on peal of thunder echoing on the ironstone hills, like the dull booming of heavy artillery; terrific lightning, dancing fantastically along the barrels of our rifles, showing in ghastly relief the weird procession creeping over the silent veldt, and to finish all the pitiless rain streaming down, as tho’ there was no restraining power in heaven. Most of us, I fancy, were busy making mental comparisons about seeing New Years in happier times, and better places. So passed the Old Year-01
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Please give us a call to ensure we have not reserved your color selections for other couples. As you can see we have the largest selection of vests in the Smoky Mountains. Our shoe size starts at toddler's size 8 to men's size 20 in regular and double wide widths. Shirt sizes from boy's XS to men's 6XL.
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|Al-Ahram Weekly Online
5 - 11 July 2001
|Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875||Current issue | Previous issue | Site map|
Facing up to the futureTashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara -- the city names are evocative of a fabulous civilisation; they hold pride of place in Islamic history. Yet what of their present? On the eve of the 10th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence, Fatemah Farag tags along for a meeting of the Egyptian-Uzbek Cooperation Committee
A walk through Tashkent: wide and gracious tree-lined boulevards, fruit trees laden with bright orange apricots, green pears and red berries, public parks graced with elaborate water fountains -- the quiet of dusk disturbed only by the rumbling of an antiquated trolley-bus and the acceleration of a passing Volga. Bordering the sidewalks, Soviet-style public housing, ultra-modern glass office- buildings and quaint one-story houses compete to define the image of a city searching for post-independence identity.
As one takes in the city one cannot help but notice that something is afoot. Walls are getting a fresh coat of paint and a race is on to complete construction projects. These manifestations of intense activity are part and parcel of preparing for this year's 10th anniversary of independence on 1 September. This year's anniversary is extra special: it will signify the passing of 10 years since the Uzbek people ended nearly 140 years of Russian domination, some 70 years of which under the Soviet system.
But how much has changed? The concert hall has been converted into the Stock Exchange, the building that used to house the meetings of senior members of the Communist Party is currently and, perhaps ironically, the Faculty of Modern Economics; many government leaders are former Soviet and/or Communist Party officials.
And yes, the recently opened Tashkent Plaza houses the labels of Calvin Klein and Burberry and the Tashkent Golf Course is as luxurious as such symbols of bourgeois recreation can be. Here, however, as in other so-called transition economies, these new amenities are well beyond the incomes of the average citizen, while at the same time the previously highly subsidised social services such as education and health are in conspicuous decline.
The pride of the city remains the Naboiev Theatre, a grand old structure, the walls of which are elaborately engraved with traditional Uzbek designs. People will tell you it was built during the World War II, "testimony to a time when the arts were given high priority."
"We are in a period of transition," said Tuhtamurod Toshev, editor-in-chief of Adolat, mouthpiece of the political party Adolat (Uzbek for justice), which was established in 1995 and is one of the four largest parties in Uzbekistan. "It is true that there are difficulties such as unemployment and some material problems, but the people of Uzbekistan understand that this is the price we must pay towards a better future. We are lucky to have a president with a vision; for economic growth and incorporation into the world system are considered an Uzbek model for development, supported by everyone."
Uzbek President Islam Karimov, a former first secretary of the Communist Party, was elected to his position in December 1991. In 1995 a referendum extended his presidency to 2000, and since then he has been elected for a further five-year term. While presidential and other elections in Uzbekistan have been marred by accusations of electoral malpractice, there is no doubting the president's popularity. A common sentiment on the street is that the government is in control, which people here seem to feel is a major asset in view of the civil strife in Tajikistan and other neighbouring states, where security is lacking and governance said to be whimsical at best.
Above all, however, one is struck by the strong sense of national pride. In the words of my interpreter Abdel-Hay, "In the days of the Soviets I used to have to translate from one foreign language [Arabic] into another foreign language [Russian]. Today, it gives me great satisfaction finally to be translating into my own language." Even more poignant is the fact that for a population which is 88 per cent Sunni Muslim, religion is no longer taboo. As one old timer, who preferred to remain anonymous, told me: "I remember in the army they would serve pork, and for weeks on end I could eat nothing but water and bread. It was terrible, but there was nothing I could say. Religion was too political."
The Naboi Theatre in Tashkent
Not that religion is not problematic these days. The loudest voice of dissent against the current government is the Islamist movement, namely Hizb El-Tahrir (considered the largest Islamist group); the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU); and the Wahabis. In the name of stability the clamp-down on Uzbekistan's Islamists has been harsh, particularly following the exploding of five terrorist bombs in the capital city in December 1999. According to the Moscow-based human rights group, Memorial, estimates of the number of Islamists arrested between January 1999 and April 2000 range between 4,000 and 5,000, while a senior United States diplomatic source in Tashkent told Al-Ahram Weekly that on average some 100 people are arbitrarily incarcerated each month .
It is not just the numbers that are problematic. In December of last year, Human Rights Watch released an in-depth report on torture in Uzbekistan which claimed that the number of allegations of torture was on the rise, and so was the degree of brutality employed. Recently, however, the government has allowed the International Red Cross to inspect prisons and monitor the situation, a move seen by analysts as a step towards improving the country's human rights record.
In the meantime, an imposing building to house the 250-seat parliament, the Oliy Majlis, was built, while a new constitution provides for a separation of powers, freedom of speech and an end to censorship. The former communist party is today the People's Democratic Party, the acronym for which is NDP. Other major political parties include Adolat (Uzbekistan's Social Democratic Party) and Fidokorlar, the Self Sacrificers' Party. To the outsider the young multi-party system might seem cosmetic, with all political parties supporting the president, while critical public debate is conspicuously tame. However, according to Adolat's Toshev: "This is a very superficial view. It is true that all the parties are unified under the government banner of development, but we all have separate programmes. Ours is social justice and democracy while Fidokorlar's, for example, is the promotion of economic development and private enterprise."
The extent of democratisation remains something of a sensitive issue. However, Toshev suggests that one might understand the political dynamics of the system by looking behind the scenes. "During parliamentary sessions, there is not much debate. But that is because all the lobbying has happened in advance. Months in advance of every session, the government announces the laws which will be up for discussion, and we begin debate. By the time sessions begin we have already designed the law and are ready to pass it. For example, the new education law and the law to combat tuberculosis -- these are laws we were active in formulating."
A small dark room littered with paper and stashed away at the back of a hairdresser's salon is home to Tadbirkor Ayol, the Businesswomen's Association of Uzbekistan. According to the association's chairwoman, Dildar Alimbekova, "Tadbirkor Ayol promotes a very specific model of growth for the non-governmental community." She explains, "Many of the NGOs we have today were established upon the initiative of the president. We were one of the very few which came to being upon our own initiative. But when I was chosen to become a member of a governmental committee discussing structural adjustment we became more influential. It was an opportunity for us to have direct meetings with government officials at the highest level, and it became more possible for us to play a mediartory role between the people and the government."
Independence, accompanied by transition towards a market economy, has been as disorienting in Uzbekistan as elsewhere. This seems to be exmplified by the story of the Businesswomen's Association. "All of a sudden, women who taught Communism or planned-development were without jobs and lacked the skills to help them find jobs in a post-Soviet economy. We helped such women set up small businesses. Also, we found that an informal trade in luxury commodity goods began to flourish and, as usual, women were the ones carrying the bags on aeroplanes while men waited outside customs where it is safe to see whether or not they would get through. It is a new world for women, with new difficulties," says Alimbekova, adding that perhaps the greatest challenge for both men and women was the need to change the way they thought. "You can have democracy and freedom when the way people think changes. Today, it is difficult to have a totally independent NGO community. The role of the state to support and nurture such a community is still required. It is possible, however, for such a beginning to eventually lead to a much more advanced and independent NGO community."
Uzbekistan is one of Central Asia's most highly populated countries, with a population topping 24 million. It would be landlocked were it not for the Aral Sea, victim to one of the world's biggest environmental disasters -- it has shrunk to half its size as a result of growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts. Uzbekistan is the fourth largest producer of cotton in the world ($2.9 billion annually), and the fourth largest producer of gold. The stakes are high and the potentials staggering.
At the outset of economic restructuring, the Uzbek economy benefited from its labour-intensive agriculture- and mineral-based economy as well as rapid growth in oil and gas production, all of which helped defer the painful effects of austerity measures. In July 1994, the soum, Uzbek's national currency, was introduced and the government began to undertake economic reforms supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 1996, however, the government implemented currency convertibility restrictions, to which the IMF responded by suspending its standby facility. Today, currency convertibility remains a basic impediment against free trade (see related article), and according to the senior US diplomatic source, "A lot of the change is on the level of official rhetoric; the mentality, however, has not really changed much. And with regard to economic reform, there is a thick layer of bureaucracy resistant to change."
True as that may be, it is not all. Alimbekova (who set up her first business with a loan from the Communist Party) believes that "those who see the government as not committed to economic reform are mistaken. It is true that there was a better investment and business environment between 1995 to 1998, but what happened was that a class of businessmen emerged who were very corrupt. This corruption even made its way into the ranks of government, and hence action had to be taken. What some people take for procrastination by the government is, in fact, the measures taken to crack down on such corruption."
The US diplomatic source did acknowledge a new attitude towards corruption, and cited the example of a major campaign against tax officials who extorted bribes from businessmen. "One hundred and fifty inspectors were sent to prison. People refused to succumb and the judiciary took action. That is very encouraging," the source conceded. He went on to argue, however, that because of the delay in the completion of "reform" Uzbekistan was suffering all the "pain of transition without getting anywhere."
But is "economic reform" the magic wand that will hurl Uzbekistan towards a more prosperous future? Here, as in most developing countries, the question remains controversial with conflicting interests playing no small part in the to-and-fro movement along the path of economic liberalisation. In a taxi cab, the driver told me: "At least in the days of the Soviets I did not have to worry about a roof over my head or education for my children. Everything was planned. Today, I do not know how to make enough money to ensure these basic things. I worry for the future of my children." While a somewhat cynical bread vendor at the local market gave me a dull stare from under heavy eyelids and muttered: "It is all the same. There are those who live a good life and the likes of us who get the hardship."
Others are hopeful. "Change is coming," said Zamir, head of the Regional Centre for Banking, "We are learning new languages and breaking out towards the world." Zamir cannot speak English and as he speaks he fumbles earnestly with the note pad in his lap. Next to him his son Serdar, a student of international economics, sits back, languidly comfortable, translating for his father into perfect English. A very nice name, Serdar. What does it mean? "It is Persian. And it means leader," he tells me very pointedly. Well, the future is still to be written.
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HOLLYWOOD, CA – Bob Barker has a bone to pick with the host of the show he made famous!
Bob Barker hosted The Price is Right for 35 years. When one thinks of the show, Barker automatically comes to mind as he was, and to a degree is the heart and soul of that show. When Drew Carey took over, he knew there were some big shoes to fill and many individuals had their doubts about if he could live up to Barker’s reputation as host.
Carey has been hosting the show for three years now, and it doesn’t seem as though he’s doing that great of a job. Barker has called out Carey and ha voiced his belief that The Price is Right is not well off with Carey at the helm.
The iconic game show host has accused Carey of taking some of the glamour and sparkle out of the legendary game show.
“Well, he does the show differently than I did,” Barker said when approached by a TMZ.com cameraman. “I tried to make the show really exciting and, uh, he doesn’t do that. He just plays the game.”
Barker, 86, said goodbye to The Price is Right in 2007, after 6,586 episodes and 35 years as the face of the popular CBS program. |
The World's Only Reliable News
By Frank Lake on December 3, 2012
By Tap Vann on April 14, 2011
HONG KONG – The world’s first 3D porn film opened in Hong Kong lat night.
By Tap Vann on November 5, 2010
US researchers have unveiled holographic technology to transmit and view moving three-dimensional images. |
Well, I definitely believe this album is better than anything that has come out as of recent. Raditude was embarrassing; Red was pleasing, at times; Make Believe was orchestrated by the industry, and Rivers was its puppet. Maladroit was a good thing, but some of the songs were spoiled, and Green was a shallow experiment of the Nickleback effect (trying to repeat the same album twice).
Hurley was- I believe- an honest attempt at an apology. An apology to Weezer fans for the garbage that has been polluting our itunes libraries. The attempt- I feel- fell short of redemption.
What was redeeming:
- The songs have more of an emotional feel to them.
- They were a bit more personal.
- The dynamics of the songs are more diverse.
- He wasn't afraid to do something completely wrong (Where's My Sex?)
- The songs are overall more substantial than previous songs.
- He incorporated more instruments than usual, (Flute, Mandolin, and what I think may have been an Erhu in Trainwrecks.)
- The vocals were not squeaky clean.
- Unlike Raditude there are a handful of songs on the album that make it worth purchasing.
Where redemption fell short:
- Instead of cutting against the grain he went with the flow of the alternative industry. Memories is a perfect example of something the typical MGMT type band would construct. Nothing in the album is 'revolutionary'.
- The entire flow of the album was sporadic. There is no flow, there is a beginning a middle, but no end. Time flies is no piece of noteworthy composure. I would have switched Time Flies and Run Away. To make things a bit easier.
- Many of the songs on the album still allude to Raditude lyrically. Most notably Smart Girls. I distinctly remember Rivers Cuomo stating in an interview after Make Believe that he would stop writing songs about Women (excluding his wife). I think he should have stuck with his word in the case of this album. Not because Smart Girls isn't a fun song, or a good one, but because it just doesn't seem right that a married man talk about choosing attractive smart girls. Maybe there is a story behind the song, but as of right now it is unsettling.
- The Deluxe addition of the album didn't really offer anything worth purchasing. Represent still sucks. I Want to be Something is pretty good. We already had All My Friends are Insects (Great song). And while the Viva La Vida cover was good, it wasn't what I expect out of a cover. Which brings me to my next qualm with the album-
- Viva La Vida. I had some sort of hope when I saw it would be on the album, hope being it might have same effect Veloria had. It didn't. It was an exact copy of Cold Play's cover of Viva La Vida. I don't really understand the need to cover a song that is so fresh on everyone's minds; a song that wasn't good to begin with.
I'll include a few notes and a grade on each song, the letter grades are scaled as they compare to past Weezer songs.
Song by song:
Memories- A fun tune, love the unnecessary vocal angst in the bridge, and wonderful chorus line. Grade: C+
Ruling Me- I don't really know what to think of it, the lyrics are OK, and the tune is ALRIGHT, but a few squabbles in the song kind of make me apprehensive. Notably that the lyrics are repeated jabber from past songs (Pork and Beans). Grade: C+
Trainwrecks- I like this song, it feels sort of like an anthem. The music is a bit more diverse than songs on past albums, and it kind of reminds me of a dynamic version of what the green album was (riff wise). Should be a fun song to sing along with at a concert. Grade: B
Unspoken- Nothing here is absolutely mind blowing. When I first read the lyrics I was a bit reserved before judging if they were good lyrics or not. When written the lyrics are of little quality, but when presented they are of higher quality. I really like this song, Rivers was pissed, and I like it. Grade: B+
Where's My Sex?- Great song, it's been a while since I've heard Rivers incorporate a guitar riff that actually fits the lyrics. While listening to the song I can actually imagine his daughter lurking around her house looking for socks. I like the bridge, I really thought it was taking the song to a whole new level, until it ended. If I were writing this song I would have tried extending the bridge into the final chorus. Grade: A-
Run Away- Best song on the album; love the intro; love the outro; love the vocals; love the xylophone; yeah- enough said. Grade: A
Hang On- This song screams average. So it deserves an average grade: C-
Smart Girls- This song reminds me of an Asian Kung-Fu Generation song- basically Japanese power pop. I really like the song, and you can really begin to understand the effect the Country genre is beginning to have on Rivers. This song, along with Where's My Sex? are songs that tell a story. I like the switch in lyrical approach, it's fresh. I do not like the rehashed lyrics, as Atomiccunt pointed out, of Hot Girls. Grade: B-
Brave New World- Pretty good song I thought, but doesn't really stand out at me. The reference to Aldus Huxley brought a smirk to my face, but that's really about it. Grade: C
Time Flies- Hippie propaganda. Grade: F
I don't really feel like going through the DX songs and grading them, it's not necessary.
Overall I would rate this better than Green (the definition of average).
As it stands, unquestionably, the albums are now ranked:
Pinkerton, Blue, Red (DX), Hurley, Maladroit, Green, Make Believe, Raditude. |
I'm getting married in a few months and the girl and I are fighting over music for some of the special stuff that goes on through-out the night (i.e. first dance, entrance, exit). Does anybody have any stellar Weezer songs that would work for the following categories (see below)? With your help I may be able to at least get one category fulfilled by the Weezer.
Here's some of the musical cues we need (remember.. obviously looking for weezer songs):
1. Bride Entrance (never going to happen BTW)
2. Ceremony Exit
3. Reception Entrance
4. First Dance
5. Father/Daughter Dance
6. Mother/Son Dance
7. Reception Exit (I'm thinking My Best Friend from MB for this.....)
All help is Uber-appreciated! |
Don - just to clarify. An elite 77kg lifter would be squatting about 260 kg if I am currently doing 60% (this being 160kg)
Yes I am currently making gains on this programme but it is an old programme and there may have been advances in programme design.
I would also like to know what you consider a good weight for a 77kg lifter to do for a maximum single rep in back squat. I like to know roughly where I stand as it makes me train harder!
Page created in 0.23 seconds with 34 queries. |
The Children's Dyslexia Center will present the West Hills Symphonic Band Inc. in concert at the Masonic Temple located at 227 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, on Dec. 16, beginning at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Those under 4 are admitted for free.
Tickets are available at the center by calling (740) 282-4875 or Scottish Rite (740) 282-1391 offices in the Masonic Temple, or by contacting Roger Givens at (304) 479-7040 or Bryan Felmet at (740) 282-7026.
A "Meet the Symphony" reception with refreshments will be held immediately after the concert. The Elf Gift Shop in the building lobby will feature ornaments, holiday decor and a bow tree. Door prizes will be given at intermission.
"Join us for an afternoon of holiday music and good cheer to benefit the outstanding work done by the Children's Dyslexia Center," a spokesperson said.
Tours of the center and speakers for dyslexia awareness are available upon request. |
Yes. You need to install Brother® iPrint&Scan app into your Android™ Smartphone to print or scan with your Brother machine. Brother® iPrint&Scan app is available on the Google Play for free.
For more information click here to see Brother® iPrint&Scan support information.
Also, the latest User's guide for Brother iPrint&Scan is available in Manuals section. Click here to see the Mobile Print/Scan Guide (Brother iPrint&Scan). |
Many people struggle to improve their eating habits. The Times food writer Mark Bittman, appearing this week on WNYC radio, told listeners about an unusual strategy that has worked for him.
All day long, he eats a vegan diet. But after about 6 p.m., anything goes.
In his newest book, “Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating With More Than 75 Recipes,” Mark explains how increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing dependence on processed foods will lead to better health not only for your body, but also for the planet. He explained his “vegan before dinnertime” strategy recently on the Leonard Lopate show:
My arrangement with myself is that from the time I wake up until dinner I eat only fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. I don’t even eat white bread during the day. And then starting at dinner, I do. I have one meal a day when I do pretty much what I want, which is normally quite indulgent.
Mark made the changes after developing high cholesterol, borderline high blood sugar, bad knees and sleep apnea, and realizing he was about 35 pounds overweight. A doctor suggested he adopt a vegan diet, which means no animal products. But for a food writer, Mark said, becoming a full-time vegan was both unrealistic and undesirable. Instead, he came up with a compromise:
I decided to do this sort of “vegan till 6” plan. I didn’t have huge thoughts or plans about it. I just thought it was worth a try. Within three or four months, I lost 35 pounds, my blood sugar was normal, cholesterol levels were again normal … and my sleep apnea indeed went away. All these good things happened, and it wasn’t as if I was suffering so I stayed with it…. I have not eliminated anything completely from my diet. I haven’t had a Coke in a while, but I didn’t drink that much Coke to begin with.
Mark says he’s not trying to promote a particular diet, but does want people to realize that a simple evaluation of your diet can lead to meaningful changes.
I want to make things as simple as possible. This is consistent with everything I’ve ever done. I’m the guy who says, “Don’t sweat it.” I’m trying to once again say, “Let’s figure out how to do this cleanly and easily.” I would just encourage everyone to examine the portion in their own diet between processed foods and animal food and junk food on the one hand and plants on the other. To the extent the first group is much heavier than the second group, I say make some adaptations to change that. |
They were not for specific films as I understand, just general tests. Welles complete lack of interest in Hollywood prior to the generous R.K.O. offer would probably be one of those "myths" we've been talking about. The fact that he was interested in film from an early age suggests he must have toyed with the idea of being a movie actor or director. I suspect he was invited to Hollywood by Warner Brothers sometime after the success of "Julius Caesar" (or perhaps "Dr. Faustus") which would have demonstrated his serious acting ability in addition to his production work. The tests probably didn't amount to much at the time, so he didn't care to draw attention to them. I recall reading that after "War Of The Worlds" broke, Welles spent more time courting Hollywood, but felt he could hold out for something more remarkable than a leading role or supporting part in someone else's project. He would have been quite interested in a Hollywood career, but only one that would be a continuation of the standards he had set on stage and radio (which, of course, is why he picked "Heart Of Darkness" as his first film, then stumbled for a while when that project proved too expensive). |
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This Week's Feature
Recipes Archive—A to Z
Find hundreds of healthy recipes here:
Recipes Archive—By Course
Not sure what to make for dinner tonight? Craving a fruity and refreshing beverage? Need a side dish for an upcoming potluck? View hundreds of recipes organized by course:
Recipes Archive—By Ingredient
Here you will find all the information you need on diets and healthful eating—from therapeutic, hospital-prescribed diets, to popular diets, to everyday eating tips. |
- A rush to profit from medical marijuana has resulted in irresponsible forest clearing, illegal stream diversions, and careless pesticide and fertilizer use that has polluted waterways and killed wildlife.
California's annual medical marijuana harvest is just about done, but this year brings a new revelation sweeping the nascent industry: The feel-good herb may not, in fact, be so good for the environment.
From golden Sierra foothills to forested coastal mountains, an explosion of pseudo-legal medical marijuana farms has dramatically changed the state's landscape over the past two years.
A rush to profit from patient demand for pot has resulted in irresponsible forest clearing, illegal stream diversions, and careless pesticide and fertilizer use that has polluted waterways and killed wildlife, state and local government officials said.
The problem has become so big and so unregulated that the California Department of Fish and Game has resorted to aerial surveys to assess its scale. It has a new high-resolution, computer-controlled camera mounted in the belly of an aircraft to help pinpoint problem marijuana areas.
For more, see: Medical pot growers ravage California forest habitat |
Protecting your skin and checking it for changes are keys to preventing another melanoma or catching one in an early, treatable stage.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays produced by the sun increases your risk of melanoma. Here’s how to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays:
- Cover your skin with clothing, including a shirt and a hat with a broad brim.
- When outside, try to sit in shady areas.
- Avoid exposing your skin to the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. standard time or 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daylight saving time.
- Use sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more on skin that will be exposed to the sun.
- Wear sunglasses with 99% or 100% UV absorption to protect your eyes.
- Don't use sun lamps or tanning booths.
Check your skin regularly and have someone help you check areas you can’t see, such as your back and buttocks, scalp, underneath the breasts of women, and the backs of the legs. If you notice a new, changing or an irregular-looking mole, show it to a doctor experienced in recognizing skin cancers, such as a dermatologist. This may include large, irregular shape with a border that is not smooth and even, more than one color, or irregular texture. Your doctor may monitor the mole or recommend removing it
Contact your doctor if you discover a mole that is new has changed or looks suspicious: large or of irregular shape, color, or texture.
- Reviewer: Brian Randall, MD
- Review Date: 04/2013 -
- Update Date: 04/09/2013 - |
DARIEN, Conn. - The man who was struck and killed by a train at the Noroton Heights station Monday morning has been identified as Kevin Murphy, 55, of Darien, according to Metro-North.
There is currently no information on how Murphy got on to the tracks, according to MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan. The incident is being investigated by MTA police.
Murphy was hit just before 6:30 a.m. by a train that had departed New Haven at 5:38 a.m. The accident temporarily shut down all eastbound service at the Noroton Heights, Darien and Rowayton stations. Service was resumed late Monday morning. |
People Of WFIT
It's All Politics
Fri October 12, 2012
Debate Decision: A Family Still Divided In Swing State Ohio
Originally published on Fri October 12, 2012 12:51 pm
Tom Barnes is a 70-year-old retired grain farmer born in Ohio. He's the son of a school teacher turned farmer, and now himself the father of four, grandpa of eight.
It's clear that he adores his daughter, Becky Barnes, 30, and takes pride in describing how she's taken a piece of the big family farm south of Columbus and turned it into an organic vegetable operation by dint of hard work and sheer determination.
"It's an amazing project out there," he says. What he says distresses him, however, are her political leanings.
He's a Fox News conservative; she's an Obama Democrat. He worries that it's people like his own daughter (and maybe his wife, Karla, too, who plans to vote again for President Obama) who are "taking the country down."
Says Becky: "We try not to talk about it."
But the family, including Becky's older brother, Justin, 35, who also farms a piece of the family land, and his wife, Adrienne, 31, (both Mitt Romney supporters) agreed to let me join them to watch Vice President Joe Biden and GOP Rep. Paul Ryan spar in their only vice presidential debate.
We gathered in Williamsport, where the entrepreneurial Barnes clan — including cousins and uncles and aunts — raise corn, soybeans, wheat, organic vegetables and honeybees, and even operate a golf course (which they built).
Dinner was straight from Becky's farm. The discussion — and reaction to the debate — was equally as fresh and interesting, and as divided as the state of Ohio.
Here's what they took away from Thursday night's debate — first, general consensus, then individual reactions:
All of the Barnes' who gathered at Justin and Adrienne's home found the debate more confrontational than the presidential debate last week, and there was a mixed reaction to Biden's demeanor — his sardonic smile, head shaking, and conspiratorial looks at moderator Martha Radditz.
And no consensus winner.
"I felt everyone felt that President Obama lost his debate because he wasn't at all confrontational, and that's why Biden needed to be more aggressive — it was planned," Becky said.
Said Justin: "I think Biden came across better than Obama. And his demeanor may have been effective — the fact that the audience gets to see how he's reacting, and they might think Ryan might not be telling the truth."
Adrienne, however, thought it was off-putting: "Immature."
On the issues, no one mentioned the lengthy questions devoted to foreign policy, but the Barnes men said they would like to have heard more budget and job detail from Biden. They liked that Ryan ticked off five things the GOP ticket would do for the economy if elected.
What struck Justin, however, and others, was how the debate seemed an extension of the dysfunction in Washington.
"The bickering bothers me — and the moderator gave them a chance to answer that question," Justin said, when she asked the candidates whether they were embarrassed by the tone of the campaign. "Both of them should have apologized for it," he said. "There was no winner here. There was so much defensiveness."
About Biden, Becky said this: "I really like Biden. I don't know why I get a kick out of him. I like his grin. He looked casual and mature."
Her dad? "The Republicans will say Ryan won, and the Democrats will say Biden won. I say Ryan won, and Romney-Ryan will win in November with 328 electoral votes."
Becky Barnes: An English and sociology graduate from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, she started her Dangling Carrot Farm six years ago. Health care is her big issue: "I don't know all the specifics of Obama's plan, but I agree that the government should step in and regulate it a bit," she said, adding that she thought the president did a "fine job" in last week's presidential debate.
"When they hit on the tax issue — there's a clear difference. When Biden said he wanted to tax the rich more. I think Ryan and Romney's definition of what a small business is is different. I think Obama will raise taxes on people who maybe need their taxes raised. I know all of us in the middle class are supposed to be against raising taxes, but for some social programs I'd pay more. And that's why I vote for my side — Obama would have the social programs I agree with more than Romney. It's tough when they sign Grover Norquist's no-tax pledge."
Justin Barnes: A graduate of Ohio State University with an agriculture degree, he's the father of four. His issues are "getting the economy rolling, spending and balancing the budget."
"All this discussion is about things that are kind of small, relative to the big issue of the debt. If there's a message for someone like me, and I consider myself a Republican, it's not a race issue, or a religious issue, or an abortion issue. I think both Ryan and Romney are most effective when they hammer the issue of debt. This didn't do much for me. I didn't take anything away from it. I didn't learn much either way."
Tom Barnes: Barnes taught school after graduating from Otterbein University and before going into farming. He says he's voting for Romney because "I believe in conservatism and not socialism." In his view, Romney knows how to do a budget and has a better shot at getting things done in the gridlocked nation's capital. "I'm disgusted with what's happened in Washington," he said.
"I would like to have more idea of what Biden's idea is to solve the debt crisis. I didn't hear it. I heard how Ryan/Romney will work on getting more jobs, all those five things he mentioned. I didn't hear any plan from Biden. Every time he smiled crazy, I thought, 'People aren't going to like the looks of that.' Edge to Ryan — he had a plan. I have to have people with a plan." |
People Of WFIT
Tue January 1, 2013
Multiple Feuds Bring A Record Year Of Violence To Karachi
Originally published on Wed February 13, 2013 10:35 am
The sad truth about Karachi in 2012 was that whatever your religion, business affiliation, or political party, someone was willing to kill you for it.
The murder rate in Pakistan's largest city and commercial hub hit an all time high last year. Over 2,500 people died in violent crimes in Karachi in 2012, a 50 percent increase over the year before.
Most of the deaths were attributable to sectarian killings and score settling. Shia Muslims took on the brunt of the violence. But Sunni Muslims were killed in reprisal attacks that added to the tally.
"It's a good day in Karachi when only five or so people are killed because on average it would be eight to 10 a day," says Zohra Yusuf, head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan which, among other things, tracks the violence in the city. In 2011, he says, "the violence was mostly ethnic. But now it has gone beyond that and there have been more deaths in recent months than earlier in ."
Yusuf says religious extremist groups – strong anti-Shia organizations – are to blame for the killing of nearly 200 Shia in Karachi last year alone. By way of comparison, in 2011 the Shia death toll was around 50.
Yusuf and police officials blame the spike in killings on the introduction of a new player on the scene. For the first time, local extremist groups are joining forces in a coordinated way with the Tehrik-e-Taliban, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP.
"The TTP used to come to Karachi for R and R or get treated in the hospitals here... or maybe for fundraising," says Yusuf. "But now they've got a foothold and they want to entrench themselves and take over here."
Chaudhry Aslam is a senior counter-terrorism official in the Crime Investigative Department of the Karachi Police. He's been tracking the Taliban's presence in his city and sees it as a problem.
"It's not that there are a huge number of Taliban here," he says. "But they are coming to meet with local people, to plan operations and in some cases – when we haven't arrested them first – they have succeeded in attacking the city."
Chaudhry has first-hand experience. The Pakistani Taliban have been targeting him for years. They have sent suicide bombers to his office and his home. And one nearly succeeded in killing Chaudhry last year.
"We've arrested sectarian killers and they have said they were linked to the Pakistani Taliban. They told us that they had united with the Taliban in jihad and there goal is nothing less than to destabilize the country."
He says the Pakistani Taliban aren't coming into Karachi in droves; in a way, it would be easier if they did. Instead, Chaudhry says they are arriving in small cells, fighters in groups of four or five, which makes them hard to track. What they have left in their wake, however, is a newfound deadly professionalism in local terrorist attacks.
Aktari Beygum, 65, is a mother of eight from Orangi Town in the northwest part of Karachi. She lost her 20-year-old son, Shahzad, when he went to protest against an anti-Shia march in their neighborhood.
Shahzad was wearing the traditional Shia dress: a long black tunic and a colorful piece of thread around his wrist. Beygum said she watched the events unfold from her doorstep.
"The protesters came and started shouting, 'Shias are kaffirs, Shia are infidel," she says. "And Shazad got so angry, he started pelting the protesters with stones."
Then, she said, there was confusion. Shouts were exchanged. There was shoving. Then a van appeared from nowhere and pulled up near Shazhad. A second later, the men inside, Beygum says, opened fire.
"He fell into my arms just before he died," she said. "He was shot because he was Shia. That's the only reason he was killed that day."
No one was arrested for the killing of Shahzad. A judge said it was a riot, so no one person could be held responsible.
'I See My Sons'
In northern Karachi, in a mixed area known as Arafat Town, Gul Mohammed Khan, is sitting cross legged on the floor. He's a big man with a white beard down to his chest and a perfectly pressed shalwar kameez, the pajama-like clothes worn by many Pakistanis. The sectarian wars in Pakistan have largely focused on Shia.
But Sunnis have been hard hit too.
In the past two years, Khan, who is Sunni, has lost three sons to Karachi's sectarian violence. The latest killings happened in October, when two of his sons were working in the family's storefront – one of Karachi's ubiquitous oil change shops.
"In October, four guys came to say, 'We've already killed two of your sons, now we are coming for the others.'"
Khan's eyes filled with tears. Just two days after the warning, he says, men on motorcycles drove by the shop and sprayed it with bullets. His 25-year-old son Abul Wahed was killed on the spot.
His 30-year-old son Ismael was shot seven times but survived. Now, Khan says, he will be raising his grandchildren without three of their fathers.
"Your loved ones are your loved ones," Khan says. "These were simple guys, living their lives in a simple, honest way. What can I say about the loss? When I look at my grandchildren, I see my sons."
He has four sons left and he has sent them all away.
"We've afraid they are not safe here," says Khan. "My sons were killed simply for being Sunni."
Shopkeepers Under Siege
The sectarian part of the violence in Karachi is bad enough. But police officials say extortion and kidnapping have also boomed. So much so, business leaders will tell you extortion has touched nearly every small business owner in Karachi.
Recently, four remote control blasts went off within hours of each other in a shopping district of Karachi. The explosions destroyed storefronts and damaged a hotel. Two people were killed and 10 others hurt. Authorities linked the attacks to extortionists. Apparently some shopkeepers had refused to pay protection money and gangsters were sending a warning.
In response, traders in central Karachi shuttered their shops for two days, calling on the police to do more to battle the shakedowns.
Anjum Nisar, the former president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says there were literally thousands of cases of extortion in Karachi last year. The beginning of 2012 was particularly bad, he said.
Complaints about extortion began to come into his office in 2008, "but local authorities ignored the problem," he said. "Now they can't control it."
Part of the problem is that many of the gangsters extorting money from local businessmen are part of the political establishment in Karachi. They represent the armed wings of Pakistan's political parties.
Originally, he said, they were all about keeping order in the neighborhoods and getting out the vote. Then they began to solicit political contributions and eventually they demanded them alongside donations for protection.
Karachi is the engine of Pakistan's economy, so trouble here is being felt all over the country. Nisar says the Chamber of Commerce estimates the lawlessness in Karachi is knocking between two and three percentage points off Pakistani's overall GDP.
The Emotional Toll
What's more, all the violence is creating a psychological change. People in Karachi are genuinely scared.
Baygum, the Shia woman whose son died at the rally, is a good example. She made her elder son quit his job because she said she couldn't bear possibly losing him, too.
A lot of the targeted killings in Karachi are occurring in the mornings, she explained, when Shia are on their way to work. If her son isn't out on the streets when that is happening, he'll be safer, she says. Her one remaining son, Syed Abbas Hussein, says the constant tension wears on everyone.
"Why don't they just kill us all now... all at once," he says. "They should just get it over with, instead of killing us one by one."
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Okay. Most of the world's population now lives in cities. Some live in mega cities, metropolitan areas of 10 million or more. And while many of those giant cities are shimmering centers of economic growth, some are also centers of corruption and violence and social unrest, places where many different kinds of people come together and open fire. Karachi, Pakistan just finished a year marked by sectarian killings, kidnappings and extortion.
Police say crime is growing more professional and more lethal and they think that maybe due to a new alliance between local militia groups in the Pakistani Taliban. Here's NPR's Dina Temple-Raston.
DINA TEMPLE-RASTON, BYLINE: The sad truth about Karachi today is that whatever your religion, your ethnicity or your political party, someone wants to kill you for it. And Zohra Yusuf, the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, says last year, killings were almost entirely about religion.
ZOHRA YUSUF: It's a good day for Karachi when there are only, let's say, five or so people killed, because on an average, it would be eight to 10. There are days of (unintelligible) you know, it goes beyond that.
TEMPLE-RASTON: 2,500 people died in violent crimes in Karachi in 2012. That's a 50 percent increase over the year before. And Yusuf says part of the reason is because religious extremist groups, local anti-Shia organizations, have joined forces with the Pakistani Taliban to devastating effect. Targeted killings used to just involved drive-by shootings, which was bad enough. Now there are car bombs and suicide vests.
Yusuf says the Taliban have spent time in Karachi before, but this time it's different. This time, they're staying.
YUSUF: They used to come here for rest and recreation when they were fighting, and they would come here for fundraising.
TEMPLE-RASTON: The new entrenchment is one of the things that worries Chaudhry Aslam, a senior counter-terrorism officer at the Crime Investigation Department of the Karachi Police. He's been a Taliban target. The group had sent suicide bombers to his office, to his home and almost succeeded in assassinating him last year.
CHAUDHRY ASLAM: (Through translator) It's not that there are a huge number of Taliban and they've somehow captured Karachi. But they are coming to meet with the local people and plan operations, and in some cases, when we haven't arrested them, they have succeeded in attacking the city.
TEMPLE-RASTON: He says the Pakistani Taliban slip into the city of 18 million in small hard-to-track cells. It's only been recently, Chaudhry said, that they've been able to confirm that the Pakistani Taliban is playing a role in the targeted killings in the city. Sectarian killers they've arrested have admitted that they were working with the terrorist group.
ASLAM: (Through translator) They told us that they had united with the Taliban in the name of jihad.
TEMPLE-RASTON: Aktari Beygum is a 65-year-old mother of eight. Her 20-year-old son, Shahzad, was a victim of sectarian violence. He and his friends went to protest against an anti-Shia march wearing what they usually wear, the traditional Shia dress, a black shawa(ph) chemise with a colorful piece of thread around their wrists. Beygum says she watched Shahzad's murder from her doorstep.
AKTARI BEYGUM: (Through translator) The protesters came and started shouting, Shias are kaffirs, Shia are infidels. And Shazad got so angry, he started pelting the protesters with stones.
TEMPLE-RASTON: Then, she said, a van appeared from nowhere and the men inside opened fire on her son. And in her words, he joined his imam.
BEYGUM: (Speaking foreign language)
TEMPLE-RASTON: He fell into her arms just before he died. No one was arrested for his killing. The judge said it was a riot, so no one person could be held responsible. On the other side of the city in a mixed neighborhood known as Arafat Town, Gul Mohammed Khan is sitting cross legged on the floor. He's a big man with a white beard down to his chest.
Although he's Sunni, the sectarian violence has touched his family as well. In the past two years, he has lost three sons to targeted killings. Two were gunned down in October and it all began with a threat.
GUL MOHAMMED KHAN: (Through translator) four guys told my brother, we've already killed two of your nephews, and we will kill them all.
TEMPLE-RASTON: Two days later, he says, men on motorcycles drove by the family shop and sprayed it with bullets. His 25-year-old son Abul Wahed was killed on the spot. His 30-year-old son Ismael was shot seven times but survived. Now, Khan says, he's raising his sons' children.
KHAN: (Through translator) Your loved ones are your loved ones. These were simple guys earning their livelihood honestly. It is too difficult to put into words. When I look at my grandchildren, I see my sons.
TEMPLE-RASTON: He has four sons left, but he has sent them all away. Karachi, he says, is too dangerous. Chaudhry, the Karachi police department's top terrorism cop, says they're trying. Police raided an area in Karachi known as mini Waziristan several months ago and found explosives and bunkers. But these operations are rare because police feel outgunned.
We're fighting them with limited resources, he said, and trying to tie the noose around their necks. The Taliban's role in the sectarian violence is only part of the picture. In order to fully understand what kind of year 2012 was for Karachi residents, you have to know about this.
(SOUNDBITE OF PHONE CALL IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
TEMPLE-RASTON: This is a real recording of an extortion call caught on a wire tap by the Karachi police last year.
(SOUNDBITE OF PHONE CALL IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: (Through translator) You have one more chance, this night only. This is the last chance. What did you decide?
TEMPLE-RASTON: According to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, phone calls like this one have rattled nearly every small business owner in the city. Last month, in one day, four remote control blasts were detonated within hours of each other in various parts of the city, destroying store fronts and a hotel. Two people were killed and 10 others hurt.
Authorities linked the attacks to extortionists. Anjum Nisar is the former president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and I asked him to estimate just how many extortion cases there were in Karachi last year. He didn't hesitate.
ANJUM NISAR: Thousands of cases, thousands.
TEMPLE-RASTON: Thousands of cases in every sector of the economy, from textiles to heavy industry. Nisar said the complaints about extortion began flowing into his office in 2008, but local authorities ignored the problem. Now, he says, they can't control it. Many of the gangsters now shaking down local businessmen are part of the establishment in Karachi. They represent the armed wings of Pakistan's political parties.
Originally, he said, they were all about keeping order in the neighborhoods and getting out the vote. Then they began to solicit political contributions. Eventually, they demanded them. He says the government needs to step in.
NISAR: It's the job of the government to curb or kill this menace, once and for all.
TEMPLE-RASTON: Karachi's Pakistan's commercial hub and the engine of its economy, so the trouble here ripples across the country, which is why the lawlessness worries more than just local officials. Economists say the law and order problem is knocking between two and three percentage points off Pakistani's overall GDP. What's more, the unending violence is creating a more psychic change. People in Karachi are genuinely scared.
Beygum, the Shia woman whose son died at the rally, says that she's always on edge, just waiting for something bad to happen. Her one remaining son, Syed Abbas Hussein, says the constant tension wears on everyone.
SYED ABBAS HUSSEIN: (Speaking foreign language)
TEMPLE-RASTON: If they have to kill us, he says, they should just do it all at once instead of one at a time. Dina Temple-Raston, NPR News, Islamabad. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. |
The City of Bloomington is looking to increase their road resurfacing budget by 500,000 dollars to chip away at a 60 million dollar street repair backlog. The proposed 4 million dollar budget will go toward repairing neglected streets, and unseen repairs like sewer systems. Alderman Mboka Mwilambwepointed out that the City's budget for street resurfacing increases in 500,000 dollar increments every year. Mwilambwe wondered if there will be 'drastic plans' in the future when it comes to fixing the road resurfacing problem. City Manager David Hales says yes...
"It won't be simple choices of the council. With all the competing demands we have in public safety, infrastructure and water supply--to make the larger step increases we may have to look at additional revenue."
Bloomington Council is schedule to vote on the resurfacing budget increase on February 11th when Hales presents his fiscal year 2014 master plan.
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Tom Ford – Noir
Tom Ford Noir is the fourth signature fragrance launched by the American designer for his male clientele. If his first men’s fragrance Tom Ford for Men reintroduced the fashion codes of the late 1970s male through a balanced layering of sporty citrus and masculine woody lichens, Tom Ford Noir skips a generation and reminds me of the masculine fragrances of the early 1990s. This era of masculine scent was signed with oriental notes of spices, woods and exotic resins. Sadly by the end of the decade the style was put to rest by a tidal wave of fresh watery colognes such as L’Eau D’Issey in 1994 and Acqua di Gio in 1996. As a child of the 90’s the first time I smelt Tom Ford Noir my teenage life literally flashed before me. Noir brought back memories of Chanel’s Egoiste, Guerlain’s Habit Rouge, Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium and all those fashion magazines my older sister used to buy with their peel and sniff perfume advertisements. Tom Ford describes Noir as his most personal fragrance yet. He describes a man that is an “urbane sophisticate who the world gets to see and the intriguingly sensuous, private man they don’t”. I can’t help but think of Noir as having a deeper personal meaning for Tom Ford, a man who began his career as a designer and then became a public figure when he reinvigorated the houses of Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci over a decade ago. For me there are many stories you could read from Noir, the violet rose accord has an antique soft-feminine quality and the spicy notes give the fragrance both a masculine and a sensual aspect. Tom Ford Noir is certainly a men’s fragrance that is multidimensional. And like all things Ford, the packaging is super-sexy in its presentation. The dark brown and gold colours; signatures of the house, have been modernized with smoky black glass and silver lettering. Classic yet modern, above all sophisticated, the packaging reflects the scent inside.
Tom Ford Noir is offered as an eau de parfum although I find there is still a lot of space between the notes. It is much less compact in comparison to other Tom Ford eau de parfums such as Tobacco Vanille. A rush of spices and flowers quickly overcome Noir’s top notes of verbena and bergamot. The spices include premium Madagascan black pepper oil from Givaudan (Orpur®) and a generous amount of nutmeg; Cacharel Pour Homme was the first men’s fragrance to use an overdose of nutmeg in the early 1980s. Noir’s floral notes are unexpected and add a twist to this oriental composition. A violet-laced Bulgarian rose accord brings femininity to the fragrance whilst clary sage, caraway and Egyptian geranium return the mid notes to a more masculine stance. Ford’s violet accord cleverly connects Noir to other Tom Ford fragrances, which often have a violet theme. The base is made from a beautifully constructed amber accord. It begins to show quite soon after applying the fragrance and grows stronger as the floral notes subside. Noir’s amber is made sweeter with sugary benzoin resin and oppoponax, Indonesian patchouli and vetiver bring masculinity to the heart and base of the perfume. In terms of longevity, Tom Ford Noir stays in tact on skin for around 3 to 4 hours, after which, skin is left with a powdery vanilla veil.
Whether he is reinvigorating the chypre accord, making leather perfumes wearable or presenting classic vetiver cologne to men as though no one had thought of it before, Tom Ford has a way of making old things cool again. He knows how to make niche ideas accessible to a wider audience. For me, Tom Ford Noir is the easiest gift idea for this coming Christmas. I doubt you will find too many men complaining if a bottle was to turn up in their Christmas stocking. I might even need another bottle before Christmas at the rate I have been using mine.
Perfumer: Oliver Gillotin (Givaudan)
Bottle designer: Tom Ford
Release date: 2012
Typology (via Fragrances of the World): Crisp oriental |
I’d love to have the opportunity to speak to your school district, or school building staff and parents. My passion and focus is analyzing and discussing issues in education, the trends in society that affect education, and the redesign of the educational system, especially at the secondary level.
Not all speakers are perfect match for your organization or institution. That is certainly true of me. If you are looking for a speaker, who is passionate and engaging, in the following areas, I’m your man.
- The big picture of education and society
- Issues and trends in education
- Understanding the need to change schools
- Real systemic change in schools
- Theories of learning in practice
- The need for career and technical education
- Organizing high schools for learning in the 21st century
Recent groups I’ve presented to
Topeka USD #501 Board Of Education
Kansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education
University of Kansas, College of Education, students
Human Resource Managers in Public Institutions
Butler Community College Staff Think Tank
I speak regularly to various groups of K-12 educators |
By Tony Jimenez
ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Paul McGinley sported a grin as wide as the 18th green at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club on Friday as he explained how he had been blown away by the reaction to his appointment as Europe's 2014 Ryder Cup captain.
The 46-year-old Irishman was almost certain to miss the halfway cut at the Abu Dhabi Championship after carding a one-over-par 73 for a five-over tally of 149.
While McGinley was disappointed by his inability to make a mark on this week's European Tour event, he took great comfort from the hordes of well-wishers keen to slap him on the back as he made his way to the clubhouse at the end of the second round.
"It's been a whirlwind for the last 48 hours," the genial Dubliner told Reuters in an interview as he wiped the sweat from his brow after another steamy day in the desert.
"It's all sunk in now. You can't help but think about the Ryder Cup because everyone's coming up to you wherever you turn - tour staff, fans, players, officials, caddies," said McGinley.
"It's all been completely overwhelming. I had no idea the reception would be so genuinely enthused for me and it's a really nice feeling to know your peers are so happy for you to have success."
McGinley, who took a sideways glance at the clubhouse clock as he was expecting a phone call from Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, said he had received hundreds of congratulatory text messages since his appointment on Tuesday.
"I've had nearly 500 texts and I haven't yet managed to sift my way through them all," he added. "I've had so many things to do so I don't know who most of them are from."
McGinley was not only "very excited" about what the captaincy would mean for him, he was also delighted at the positive spinoffs for golf in general, especially a project he is involved with in Africa.
"This is a real boost for me at this stage of my career because it opens so many doors for me, brings so much more worldwide exposure, and I want to use all that in the right way," said McGinley.
"I'm doing a lot of work in Ghana with Tullow Oil, the Royal and Ancient (R&A) and (golf club manufacturers) Taylor Made. They've all invested a lot in the project and now I'm Ryder Cup captain I can bring a lot more to the table when I go there."
McGinley said the oil company had found the biggest oil field in Ghana and decided to reinvest in the country.
"I sold them the idea, along with their golf-fanatic chief executive Aidan Heavey, of investing in golf and sport. They decided to do that and they've invested in Sunderland Football Club and in soccer academies.
"There is also a great golfing legacy in Ghana. They have 14 courses, most of them designed in the 1920s and 1930s by the British, but they've been left to rack and ruin over the last few years," said the four-times European Tour winner.
"The rooting though is quite strong so I've already built three new academies and I'm now going to start upgrading a couple of the courses too."
McGinley said the R&A, one of the game's two governing bodies along with the United States Golf Association, was thrilled with the project.
"The R&A are very much on my side, they're contributing financially and I've got about 15 guys working in Ghana with Paul McGinley Golf Design upgrading one of the courses," he added.
"I spent almost 30 days there last year which is a lot of time. I don't know if I'll be able to spend that much time there this year," the triple former Ryder Cup player added with a hearty laugh, "but I'll certainly be spending at least half that time there.
"I need to introduce new people to the game, send coaches to the schools and get the kids out for free golf lessons.
"We are lighting the golfing fire down there and it's important for Ghana to take that on now and keep the fire lit for a number of years."
(Editing by Clare Fallon) |
Friday, May 17, 2013
Rosewood Poaching Turns Violent; Rapid Response Facility Provides Emergency Support
On the 3rd of May, the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) received a request for emergency support in confronting a surge of rosewood poaching in Dong ...
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Two New Episodes of Patrimonito’s World Heritage Adventures Available Online
World Heritage Education Programme is pleased to announce the release of "Patrimonito’s World Heritage Adventures" cartoon ...
Friday, May 3, 2013
UNESCO and International Astronomical Union sign new agreement
On 30 April 2013, UNESCO and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding at the Organization’s ...
Friday, May 3, 2013
The Director-General of UNESCO Expresses Deep Concern at the Rising Violence in the Central African Republic, at the Heart of the Sangha Trinational Site
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has expressed deep concern over the rise of armed violence, poaching and destruction in the Dzanga-Sanga ...
Friday, May 3, 2013
Collaboration between Two Volcanic World Heritage Sites on Managing Risks to Visitors
Demonstrating an excellent example of cooperation between managers and staff of two of the globe’s most iconic World Heritage volcano sites, ...
Monday, April 29, 2013
Extension of the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust 2013- 2016
After three successful programme cycles of 4 years each, during the period from 2001 to 2012, the Dutch Government decided to extend the Netherlands ...
Friday, April 26, 2013
First European Marine World Heritage Sites conference commits to strong regional cooperation
From 15-16 April 2013, 25 experts from 4 European marine World Heritage Sites were brought together in Tönning (Germany) with the aim to ...
Thursday, April 25, 2013
2nd South East Europe World Heritage Youth Forum for peace and sustainable development held
The 2nd South East European (SEE) World Heritage Youth Forum for peace and sustainable development was held from 6 to 11 April 2013 in Zajecar, ...
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
UNESCO Director-General deplores continuing destruction of ancient Aleppo, a World Heritage site
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova expressed her deep distress over reports of the continuing destruction which has severely damaged the ancient ...
Friday, April 12, 2013
11th Expert Working Group releases recommendations for Safeguarding the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan
A group of Afghan and international experts working on the safeguarding of Bamiyan (Afghanistan), as well as representatives of the Afghan and ...
Friday, March 22, 2013
World Heritage sites participate in Earth Hour 2013
Once again UNESCO will partner with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for Earth Hour, one of the world's largest and most well-known environmental ...
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Agreement signed for reconstruction of Kasubi Tombs, Uganda
On 1st March 2013, UNESCO signed the Plan of Operation with the Government of Uganda for the project “Technical and financial assistance for the ...
Friday, March 1, 2013
Syria: The Director-General of UNESCO Appeals to Stop Violence and to Protect the World Heritage City of Aleppo
For more than a year now, I have been expressing on behalf of UNESCO my deep concern about the dramatic humanitarian situation in Syria and the ...
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
World Heritage field guide for climate change adaptation tested at Kenyan World Heritage sites
The field testing of the World Heritage Centre’s field guide for climate change adaptation in natural World Heritage sites was launched last ...
Friday, February 22, 2013
New UNESCO website on Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha World Heritage site
The UNESCO Kathmandu Office has recently created a website on Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, World Heritage property in Nepal: ...
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
International experts and decision makers gathered at UNESCO adopt Action Plan for Mali’s cultural heritage and manuscripts
An Action Plan for the Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage and the Safeguarding of Ancient Manuscripts in Mali was adopted at an international ...
Friday, February 15, 2013
UNESCO and the Fondation Franz Weber partner for World Heritage preservation
On 10 January 2013, UNESCO and the Fondation Franz Weber of Switzerland signed a five-year agreement to reinforce support for the Rapid Response ...
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
UNESCO convenes international experts meeting for the safeguarding of Malian cultural heritage
The Director-General of UNESCO, together with the Government of France, is organizing an international Day of Solidarity for Mali on 18 February 2013 ...
Friday, February 8, 2013
Marine World Heritage: The Crown Jewels of the Ocean event calls for support of marine sites
On 7 February, international film stars Clive Owen and Jacques Perrin gave their support to Marine World Heritage: The Crown Jewels of the ...
Monday, February 4, 2013
UNESCO has developed cultural heritage maps and a “Heritage Passport” to help protect Mali’s cultural heritage
In response to the conflict taking place in the northern regions of Mali since April 2012, UNESCO, in collaboration with the National Directorate of ... |
Archaeological Site of Rehman Dheri
Department of Archaeology and Museums
Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party.
The archaeological site of Rehman Dheri consists of a rectangular shaped mound covering some twenty two hectares and standing 4.5 metres above the surrounding field. The final occupational phase of the site is clearly visible on the surface of the mound by eye and also through air photographs. It consisted of a large walled rectangular area with a grid iron network of streets and lanes dividing the settlement into regular blocks. Walls delineating individual buildings and street frontages are clearly visible in the early morning dew or after rain and it is also possible to identify the location of a number of small-scale industrial areas within the site marked, as they are, by eroding kilns and scatters of slag. The surface of the mound is littered with thousands of shreds and artefacts, slowly eroding out of room fills.
The archaeological sequence at the site of Rehman Dheri is over 4.5 metres deep, and covers a sequence of over 1,400 years beginning at c.3,300 BC. The site represents following periods:
I c.3300-3850 BC
II c.2850-2500 BC
III c.2500-1900 BC
It is generally accept that the settlement received its formal plan in its earliest phases and that subsequent phases replicated the plan over time. Although its excavators have cut a number of deep trenches or soundings into the lower levels, the areas exposed have been too limited to undertake a study of change in layout and the spatial distribution of craft activities. It was abandoned at the beginning of the mature Indus phase by the middle of the third millennium BC and subsequent activities, greatly reduced, are only recorded on the neighbouring archaeological mound, Hisam Dheri. The plan of the Early Harappan settlement is therefore undisturbed by later developments and, as such, represents the most exceptionally preserved example of the beginning of urbanisation in South Asia. |
Way back in the 80's, author Laura Esquivel published her glorious novel, "Like Water for Chocolate", which became a bestseller in Mexico, the U.S., and many other countries. The success of this novel, where food has magical, life-altering properties, has inspired many other authors to give chefs, food and recipes center billing in many other novels and even spawned a new subgenre of literature, the "foodie novel".
Deb of Kahakai Kitchen, my wondrous co-hostess at Cook the Books, the online foodie book club, selected this great book for our February/March round and I was delighted to transport myself back to the early 20th century Mexican ranch belonging to the de la Garza family. Mama Elena is the iron-fisted ruler over her three daughters, and decrees early in the book that youngest daughter, Tita, must never marry until after she dies.
This breaks Tita's heart, for she loves Pedro (I never did figure out why, as he just seems like a lunkhead to me), and her emotions throughout the book flow into her cooking and cause strange things to happen. Esquivel's book was the first that I know of that sprinkled recipes throughout the text, much as other novels have traditionally headed chapters with quotes from poems or other literary sources.
There were many cool recipes for dishes and home remedies in the book that could have inspired me to cook and blog them up. I considered the sensuality of Quail in Rose Petal Sauce and the Mexican holiday classic of Three King's Bread. The thought of making my own matches, however, seemed unwise (and where does one purchase minium and powdered potassium nitrate, anyway?) I found a blogging duo who actually cooked up a whole feast from the book (actually the movie version of Esquivel's book) and that seemed pretty intriguing, but ultimately I settled on making a treat of cookies and hot chocolate for my family on a blustery weekend afternoon.
I followed my usual scratch recipe for hot chocolate from the back of the cocoa powder container (cocoa, dash of salt, warm milk and a bit of vanilla), spiced up with a hint of cinnamon. For accompaniment, I hit a bunch of cookbooks for Mexican baking recipes and chose to make a gluten-free version of Polvorones de Canela (Cinnamon Cookies) from The Moosewood Collective's cookbook "Sundays at the Moosewood Restaurant".
I 've seen recipes for similar butter cookies rolled in powdered sugar called Mexican Wedding Cookies or Mexican Shortbread (add nuts). Other cooks from other countries also make cookie cousins to these little gems: Russia has her Tea Cakes (add nuts again) , Southern American cooks make Butterballs or Snowballs, and the Germans and the Dutch make Pfeffernusse (add black pepper and/or cloves). Obviously this many wonderful cooks from around the world must be onto something.
Adaptation of recipe for Polvorones de Canela from "Sundays at the Moosewood Restaurant" by the Moosewood Collective (NY: Simon and Schuster, 1990).
Polvorones de Canela (made gluten-free)
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar (also known as powdered sugar or 10X sugar)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1 tsp. xanthan gum
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Cream together butter and 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar. Add in 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, salt and vanilla.
Mix together sorghum flour, brown rice flour and xanthan gum. Fold into creamed mixture and mix well. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for at least one hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Roll dough into one inch balls. Bake on greased baking sheet (I used parchment paper to line my cookie sheets since GF cookies tend to stick more easily.
Mix together 1 cup confectioner's sugar with 1 tsp. cinnamon.
Bake cookies 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Don't overbake as this will make them desert dry (one batch escaped my baking attentions and was terribly dry). Let cool for a few minutes and then roll cookies in cinnamon-sugar mixture while still warm. Let cool.
These are terrific served warm with hot chocolate to dunk them in. They also pair well with coffee.
Makes 30 cookies. Store in airtight containers.
If you haven't read "Like Water for Chocolate" you are in for some great entertainment. There is still time to join our online book club (the deadline is March 26 to read the book, cook something up and blog about it) at Cook the Books, where our guest judge this month is Ben of the awesome food blog What's Cooking? Ben certainly knows his way around Mexican cooking, having grown up with restaurateur parents, and he also is a fan of Esquivel's book, as noted in his review on his blog. Deb will be organizing a roundup of all the participants' posts about the book and their inspirational dishes, and then Ben will give us his thoughts. Do drop by and check it out! |
After yet another Ride On bus fire, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has ordered the 26 remaining Ride On "Champion" buses permanently removed from service.
The most recent fire occurred Wednesday at Bonifant Street and Ramsey Avenue in downtown Silver Spring, NBC reported. It was the second this month and the seventh in three years.
Ride On will operate on a reduced schedule Thursday and Friday, as it does on holidays. All routes will have service, but buses will run less frequently.
There are three changes to the posted holiday schedule for Thursday and Friday:
- Route 2 will provide service to Walter Reed
- Route 38 will provide service to the U.S. Postal Training Academy
- Route 54 will provide service to NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
Will you be taking Ride On to and from work on Thursday and Friday? Tell us in the comments. |
People's Resource Center to Give Away 10,000th Computer
People's Resource Center in Wheaton will give away its 10,000th refurbished computer at a celebration of its Computer Access Program.
People’s Resource Center (PRC) on Wednesday will host a celebration in honor of its Computer Access program, which is giving away its 10,000th free, refurbished computer to a PRC client.
PRC also offers free computer classes to low-income citizens of DuPage County, and students in these classes are eligible to receive a computer for their home. The program was designed to help eliminate the "digital divide" by giving people the tools to achieve mainstream wages and a career path—long term solutions to escaping poverty.
“Distributing 10,000 computers is an enormous milestone," Kim Perez, Executive Director of People’s Resource Center said in a statement. "Through this program, PRC seeks to improve economic opportunity for low-income individuals and families living in DuPage County by increasing computer access.
PRC celebrated giving away its 8,000th computer in October 2010.
"These computers make it possible for children to do their homework at home, for students of all ages to improve their computer skills by practicing what they’ve learned, and for job seekers to keep up with their job search without needing to leave home to do so. We are thrilled that through the support and talent of so many, PRC has been able to make a positive difference in the lives of our neighbors," Perez said.
Frank Goetz of Wheaton, one of the founders of PRC and a dedicated volunteer, came up with the idea of giving away computers and worked tirelessly to make the idea come to fruition, according to a news release from PRC.
“Each of those 10,000 computers has a story behind it involving a person or organization that donated the computer to PRC, a person or team that made it operate to our standards, and usually one or more persons that trained the recipient in its use,” says Goetz.
PRC, an authorized Microsoft Registered Refurbisher (MRR), receives donated computers from local businesses including Tellabs, College of DuPage, DeVry University and Cadence Health. Other donations come from schools, libraries, and individuals. Computers are refurbished by a team of volunteers in the Computer Access department before they are given out. Since 2003, when the program began and PRC became a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, all computers have come equipped with Microsoft software.
Individuals with a technology background are encouraged to volunteer in the Computer Access program or become a tutor for a computer class. Classes are held at both PRC locations (Wheaton and Westmont) and partner sites around the county. A new session of classes starts every seven weeks. To volunteer, go to www.peoplesrc.org and fill out the volunteer application.
PRC Wheaton also accepts PC’s from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Computers currently being accepted include: working Windows-compatible standard desktop/tower computers (minimum speed: 2.0 Gigahertz), with typical equipment such as CD-ROM, memory, hard drive, 56K modem, Ethernet adapter.
There are plenty of ways to keep up with Wheaton news: |
Since I put out the welcome mat at my little stores (here , and here ) over there on the right this week, I thought it ONLY appropriate that I have a GRAND OPENING SPECIAL! Here's the DEETS...With ANY purchase from either store, you get a FREE 5 x 7 of your choice included with your purchase! I'm going to offer this THROUGH THE WHOLE MONTH OF AUGUST 'cause it's my birthday month! YAY!
I've added some FUN vintage goodies to WHIMSY...FOUND and there is more to come throughout the month plus I'll be adding additional prints to WHIMAGES...THE IMAGES also! So check back often.
These rainbow hued butter pats are just so yummy! I'm in LOVE with them! Callie has already snagged a VIBRANT VIOLET one for her nightstand. She puts her rings on there at bed time! Her room is on the shabby chic side and the little punch of color looks so awesome.
Every decor blog and magazine seems to be mentioning FAUX BOIS these days. When I came across this sweet little faux bois bowl I almost squeeled! It's 35 years old (judging by the stamp on the bottom), just shows you that WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN!
I'm linking up to the "store" link party at REMODELAHOLIC! check out everyones goodies! |
You might say I’ve been on a long, almost permanent (creative) writer’s block, starting from my college life up until last year. Self-inflicted, genuine blankness, and alibis: they can all hide behind that dreaded phrase.
I came across quite a couple of interesting posts about writer’s block recently, good ideas and tips to put that shameful event in its place.
- Writer’s Block…A Thing of the Past
- How to Destroy Writer’s Block and Unleash Your Creativity
- Writing is like a Romance
- Writer’s Break
- Defeat the Wicked Witch of Writer’s Block
What do you think of writer’s block? |
Herbie Gets High-Hat; River City Erupts
(As soon as) tomorrow morning, the Pope is expected to name Philadelphia's Msgr Herbert Bevard – currently episcopal vicar for the city’s northern half and pastor of St Athanasius parish in its northwestern West Oak Lane neighborhood – as bishop of St Thomas in the Virgin Islands.
Fluent in French, from Southern roots and known to the universe as “Herbie,” the 62 year-old cleric would succeed the South Jersey-born Bishop George Murry SJ, who was transferred to northeast Ohio’s diocese of Youngstown in late January 2007. Home to 30,000 Catholics served by 15 priests in eight parishes on St Thomas, St John and St Croix, the island diocese has been the longest-standing vacancy on the US church’s episcopal docket since April's appointment to Little Rock ended the Arkansas church's 24-month wait for a new head.
Pastoral in style yet traditional in taste, the born Presbyterian admired around town as a gracious gentleman, "ardent" advocate of the faith, a faithful brother to his priests and shepherd to his people would be the third adult convert named to the Stateside bench in the pontificate of Benedict XVI, the second this year alone. Ordained in 1972 (and showered with Purple Rain in 2003), the monsignor's mix of a priesthood spent in parish ministry with a modicum of responsibility at the diocesan level correlates with the mould of appointee pursued by the process' key player on these shores, the Vatican nuncio to the US Archbishop Pietro Sambi; prior to serving this last year as first troubleshooter for the 66 parishes of his "Philadelphia-North" vicariate, Bevard chaired his archdiocese's Interparochial Cooperation Commission (IPCC), the local fund-sharing organ for struggling parishes.
Long the alter ego of Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville -- a seminary classmate with whom he shares a vacation home along the shores of the diocese of Wilmington -- the presumptive bishop-elect would be the second member of the Allentown-born rainmaker's inner circle raised to the episcopacy in 2008; in January, the Bluegrass primate's top lieutenant in his former diocese of Knoxville, Vann Johnston, was sent to downstate Missouri as bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. On another chessboard note, the placement of a Philadelphian in the lone suffragan seat of the nation's capital comes almost exactly a year after Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl won the hard-fought battle to secure the homecoming of his chosen successor to the bishopric of Pittsburgh, the senior suffragan church of the City of Brotherly Love. And though the foreseen appointment would bring an end to the tradition of African-American bishops of St Thomas begun after the 1992 transfer of then-Bishop Sean O'Malley OFM Cap. to Fall River, much of Bevard's ministry has been devoted to the service of heavily Black parishes.
His name said to have been a presence on ternae for the next batch of hometown auxiliaries, the anticipated nod would instead shatter decades of tradition. Not since Dennis Dougherty ruled the universe and God's favorite fold encompassed ten counties has a Philly priest serving in the archdiocese been named a diocesan bishop without a stint as a Vice-Pharaoh; in 1937, local pastor Eugene McGuinness was named bishop of Raleigh, going on to head the diocese of Oklahoma City before his death in 1957.
(Well, the hard-core historians might argue that the last one actually came in 1956, when the cathedral rector Hubert Cartwright was named coadjutor of Wilmington. Cartwright, however, died suddenly 16 months later, without a day on the cathedra.
(Either way, it's been a really long time, OK?)
With word on the street noting Bevard to be off-radar over recent days -- ostensibly laying low in the nation's first frontier diocese, where Kurtz presided at bicentennial celebrations last weekend -- the presumed nominee would expectedly resurface at the traditional Appointment Day press conference in his new charge, his old friend said to be joining him for the journey.
Per the provision of the canons, once an appointment is formally made through its publication in the Bollettino of the Holy See Press Office, a bishop-elect must be ordained and take canonical possession of his diocese within four months.
As earlier noted, also expected in short order is the promotion of Auxiliary Bishop Fran Malooly of Baltimore to the top post of the 260,000-member Wilmington church.
PHOTO: AP/Joseph Kaczmarek(1); Catholic Islander(2) |
Early Lean Adopters Embrace Technology
Many aerospace and defense (A&D) manufacturers are enjoying a competitive advantage because of early adoption of lean manufacturing tools. However, considerable differences still exist in performance among A&D companies. The best way for A&D manufacturers to achieve best-in-class performance is to use external domain expertise and enterprise resource planning (ERP) with lean-specific functionalities. Learn more. |
Downtown Oxnard’s First Thursdays Gourmet Food Trucks, the 805′s first, best and only recurring food truck fiesta begins a new year on February 7, 2013 at Plaza Park, Fifth and C Streets. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. DJ entertainment, free admission (truck food for sale), and plenty of free parking on street and in public lots.
Trucks return on February 7, 2013!
- Baby’s Badass Burgers – Famous gourmet burgers, babysbadassburgers.com
- Pineapple Express – Hawaiian cuisine; samchoyspx.com
- Frysmith – Extraordinary fries; eatfrysmith.com
- Greasy Wiener – Gourmet Hot Dogs; thegreasywiener.com
- Trailer Park Truck –American comfort food with a twist; trailerparktruck.com
- O Street – French fusion; ostreettruck.com
- Sweet Arleens – Award-winning Cupcakes; sweetarleens.com
- Bobalu Berries – Chocolate-dipped berries and more; bobaluonthego.com
- It’s In the Sauce – Texas BBQ; itsinthesaucebbq.com
- Mangia – Italian; mangiaonwheels.com
- George’s Greek Truck; georgesgreektruck.com
VISIT WHITE RABBIT CAFE & THE BOBA TRUCKS CAFE NEAR Starbucks!
221 West 5th Street
Oxnard, Ca 93030
Enjoy $0.99 fountain drinks $1.50 Bud light drafts $2 All side items $2.50 Budweiser bottles $3 Cheese quesadilla $5 All Chicken entres (rice bowl, quesadilla, burritos, carne fries) … $12 Bud light beer towers $12 Budweiser Buckets |
- weak drug regulatory control and enforcement;
- scarcity and/or erratic supply of basic medicines;
- unregulated markets and distribution chains;
- high drug prices and/or
- significant price differentials.
At national level, governments, law enforcement agencies, heath professionals, the pharmaceutical industry, importers, distributors, and consumer organizations should adopt a shared responsibility in the fight against counterfeit drugs. Cooperation between countries, especially trading partners is very useful for combating counterfeiting. Cooperation should include the timely and appropriate exchange of information and the harmonization of measures to prevent the spread of counterfeit medicines.
The World Health Organization has developed and published guidelines, Guidelines for the development of measures to combat counterfeit medicines. These guidelines provide advice on measures that should be taken by the various stakeholders and interested parties to combat counterfeiting of medicines. Governments and all stakeholders are encouraged to adapt or adopt these guidelines in their fight against counterfeiting of medicines.
- Guidelines for the development of measures to combat counterfeit medicines
- Rapid Alert System for counterfeit medicines
Communication and advocacy - creating public awareness
Patients and consumers are the primary victims of counterfeit medicines. In order to protect them from the harmful effects of counterfeit medicines it is necessary to provide them with appropriate information and education on the consequences of counterfeit medicines.
Patients and consumers expect to get advice from national authorities, health-care providers, health professionals and others from where they should buy or get their medicines; what measures they should take in case they come across such medicines or are affected by the use of such medicines.
Ministries of health, national medicines regulators, health professional associations, nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders have the responsibility to participate in campaign activities targeting patients and consumers to promote awareness of the problem of counterfeit medicines. Posters, brochures, radio and television programmes are useful means for disseminating messages and advice. |
Social Media continues to mold and transform how we intake information. 140 Characters, Memes, Video Clips, the different channels that media is given to us is consumed so fast, but I don’t think we hold onto it as much as we think we do.
I find that many are ingesting these tweets, Facebook posts, and videos so rapidly that I am not aren’t holding onto what I just read or watched for more than a day or in some cases even an hour. Continually I find myself retweeting some accounts and having to go back and really dissect what I just retweeted. I don’t feel that I am alone on this either.
Being on Social Media is a must by now if you are a business. The playing field is more even than ever. If a grumpy cat account
@GrumpyyCat can have almost 1 million followers, then I am certain that a business account can reach their specific demographic and customer base and gain a significant following. Am I suggesting you build a business account and start posting? No. Below I highlight 3 basics that I think will help you make your account successful.
You need to have a voice for your account, many people still don’t understand what this means. Your social media posts shouldn’t be like blog titles. They need to be conversational, constantly interacting with followers and staying on top of the TT (Trending Topics). @TacoBell is a very good example of an account with a voice.
2. Quality not Quantity.
Yes, I am guilty of this, just as much as you are. We all are wanting TONS of followers. I have taken a different perspective on a lot of things this year with the mentality that I want to focus more on the quality of things and not the quantity. I think if businesses focus on developing relationships with their followers the organic growth will happen on it’s own. @BrianPruett is a good example of this, I have watched his account go from 1,000 followers to over 70k. He constantly interactions with people, and his posts have meaning. Businesses need to invest and nurture their followers and eventually they will turn into advocates. <Biblical Reference> Jesus only had 12 followers in the beginning. Just saying.
3. Be Constant not Over Bearing.
Again, I am guilty of this. I think posting 30-50 times a day helps you. Well not so much, you need to understand when your demographic is online, @SproutSocial is an amazing tool for businesses to use to track and see the best times to post their material. You want your posts to go viral, so post them when the most people are online. Make sense? You don’t have to post 100 times a day for you to get noticed. I like to see businesses post at least 10 times a day, they don’t all have to be unique posts, you can reword things and post at different times and still be successful. A lot of the major news publications do this.
As a millennial I think there is going to be a huge shift in how social media will play a role in business. I really believe that the most successful accounts will be the ones who are investing in their followers, building meaningful relationships, and developing a unique voice. In a time and a society where many relationships can be summed up in a 140 characters or less I don’t think it will be enough to stay successful that way. We need to concentrate on really understanding the person, follower, customer, whomever and really striving to fulfill their need. Just some thoughts. |
Most Active Stories
Tue October 2, 2012
Judge Postpones Pennsylvania's Voter ID Law
RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
A judge in Pennsylvania has blocked a key part of that state's new voter ID law, a law that's caused controversy. Now, come Election Day, voters showing up at the polls can still be asked to show a government-issued photo ID, but they will not be prevented from voting if they don't have one. NPR's Pam Fessler has been covering the story and she joins us now. Good morning.
PAM FESSLER, BYLINE: Good morning.
MONTAGNE: So, remind us what this Pennsylvania law is - you know, why it's been making national news.
FESSLER: Well, the Pennsylvania Republican-controlled legislature enacted this law recently, as several other states have also done, that requires voters when they go to the polls to show some form of government-issued photo ID. And it's a fairly restrictive list of IDs, such as a driver's license, a state-issued photo ID, a passport. And the complaint was that were tens if not hundreds of thousands of voters in the state who were already registered but did not have that identification and would have a hard time getting it.
MONTAGNE: So what does the decision of this one judge in Pennsylvania mean?
FESSLER: Well, it's a big victory for all those groups that said that so many people would, in fact, be prevented from voting in November because they didn't have this ID. The state had been making a very big effort in recent months to try and get ID to people who didn't have it, but they were running into lots of problems; there were long lines at DMV offices, where people - that's the motor vehicle offices - where people had to go to get the ID. There was confusion over the rules. Some of the requirements had been changing in recent weeks.
So, many voters - and they were often elderly and the poor - were just having the trouble getting the documents. And the judge, Commonwealth Court judge Robert Simpson said in his ruling today that he wasn't convinced that there enough time before the election to get ID to all those who needed it, and that some voters, if fact, would be disenfranchised.
MONTAGNE: Although, the judge, it seems, only partially blocked this law from going into effect. Have I got that right?
FESSLER: Right. So, in effect, basically, what he said is that voters can still be asked to show a photo ID at the polls. But if they don't have it, they won't be blocked from voting. They can still cast a ballot. And this is in fact what the state did for the primary. It was kind of a test run of the new law and, basically, he's extending that test run through the November elections. The state's still going to be allowed to go forward with its outreach efforts and education efforts. Those are ads and, you know, posters that basically say you should show a photo ID at the polls. And some these civil rights groups that have been fighting this law say they have some concerns about that because they think that that might confuse voters. And there's still a possibility that this ruling could be appealed. We haven't heard anything yet.
MONTAGNE: Well, if it remains in effect, what impact do you think this will have on the November elections in Pennsylvania?
FESSLER: Well, quite frankly, I don't think it's going to actually have that much impact. First of all, the presidential election is - it's not really, actually that close in Pennsylvania, according to the polls, right now. Also, even though some voters might be discouraged from showing up if they don't have the ID - Democrats have actually using this as a fairly effective get-out-the-vote tool. People are, you know, trying to take away your right to vote, you really have to go out there and show them. So, I kind of think it's going to be a draw.
MONTAGNE: Pam, thanks very much.
FESSLER: Thank you.
MONTAGNE: NPR's Pam Fessler.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
MONTAGNE: This is NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio. |
Most Active Stories
Around the Nation
Sat July 7, 2012
Scranton's Public Workers' Pay Cut to Minimum Wage
Originally published on Sat July 7, 2012 4:29 pm
The city of Scranton, Pa., sent out paychecks to its employees Friday, like it does every two weeks. But this time the checks were much smaller than usual. Mayor Chris Doherty has reduced everyone's pay — including his own — to the state's minimum wage: $7.25 an hour.
Doherty says his city has run out of money.
Scranton has had financial troubles for a couple of decades — the town has been losing population since the end of World War II. But the budget problems became more serious in recent months as the mayor and the city council fought over how to balance the budget.
Doherty wants to raise taxes to fill a $16.8-million gap. The city council wants to take a different approach and borrow money. City council members did not respond to NPR's requests to discuss the dispute.
"I'm trying to do the best I can with the limited amount of funds that I have," Doherty says, "I want the employees to get paid. Our people work hard — our police and fire — I just don't have enough money and I can't print it in the basement."
After paying workers Friday, the city had only about $5,000 left in the bank. More money flowed into city accounts that day, but it was still not enough to pay the $1 million the city still owes to its nearly 400 employees.
Scranton's public workers received a few days' warning this was coming. John Judge, a firefighter and president of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 60, typically receives about $1,500 every two weeks, after deductions. On Friday his check was less than $600 — before deductions.
"Don't know how I'm going to pay bills at home. I may be able to stave it off for a little while," Judge says. "[The] kids aren't going to be able to do certain activities this summer — maybe we're not going to be able to go on vacation."
The firefighters' union, along with the police and public works unions, have taken the city to court. Lackawanna County Judge Michael Barrasse issued an injunction, essentially agreeing with the unions that the city was breaking the law, but Doherty says he doesn't have another choice. Despite the injunction, he had the city send out paychecks based on minimum wage.
The unions plan to be back in court first thing Monday morning to ask the judge to hold Doherty in contempt.
There's been no love lost between Doherty and the public employee unions because of this battle; they've already spent the past decade in a legal dispute over pay that went all the way to the state supreme court. Both sides come to this latest battle with plenty of baggage and hard feelings. But with nearly 400 city workers receiving a fraction of the pay they typically get, pressure is building to resolve the issue soon.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. Scranton, Pennsylvania sent out paychecks to its employees Friday, like it does every two weeks. But this time the checks were much smaller than usual. The mayor has reduced everyone's pay, including his own, to the state's minimum wage, $7.25 an hour. Scranton's mayor says that his city has just run out of money. NPR's Jeff Brady joins us from Philadelphia where he's been following the story. Jeff, thanks for being with us, and explain what's going on?
JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: Well, Scranton has had financial troubles for a couple of decades now. The town has been losing population pretty much since the end of World War II. But in recent months, the budget problems became more serious, as the mayor and the city council, they fought over to how to balance the budget. Mayor Chris Doherty wants to rise some taxes to fill a nearly $17 million budget gap. The city council wants to take another approach and borrow money in the meantime. I talked to Mayor Doherty over the phone, and he predictably blames the city council for the current situation.
MAYOR CHRIS DOHERTY: I'm trying to do the best I can with the limited amount of funds that I have. You know, I want the employees to get paid. Our people work hard - our police and fire. I just don't have enough money. And I can't print it in the basement.
BRADY: The city says it owes employees about a million dollars. But after giving workers their checks based on the minimum wage, it had only about $5,000 left. And I understand more money has coming into city accounts since then but it's still not enough to pay all the wages that are due to Scranton's public employees.
SIMON: What was the reaction of city workers, including, obviously, police and firefighters who are expected to be on their important jobs today but maybe can't pay their own bills?
BRADY: Yeah. They did have some warning this was coming - just a few days though. There are about 400 employees in Scranton affected by this. I talked with the president of the local firefighters union. His name is John Judge. He also works as a firefighter for the city. He says checks were supposed to come out Thursday but they were a day late. His typical check is about $1,500 every two weeks after deductions. And yesterday, his check was less than $600 before deductions. So, Judge says he has some savings but the reduced pay is going to be hard on his family this summer.
JOHN JUDGE: Don't know how I'm going to pay bills at home. I may be able to stave it off for a little while, but I'm going to have to forgo, you know, kids aren't going to be able to do certain activities this summer. And maybe we're not going to be able to go on vacation.
BRADY: The firefighters union, along with the police and public works union have taken the city to court. A Lackawanna County judge issued an injunction, essentially agreeing with the unions that the city was breaking the law. But Mayor Doherty says he doesn't have a choice. And despite the injunction, he had the city send out the paychecks based on minimum wage.
SIMON: So, the unions have already won their case in court and yet the mayor says, as he said to you, I just can't print money in the basement. What happens now?
BRADY: Well, the unions say they plan to be back in court first thing Monday morning. They're going to ask the judge to hold the mayor in contempt. And I think it's worth noting here that there is absolutely no love lost between Mayor Chris Doherty and the public employee unions. They've tussled with each other in the past. There was an extended legal battle over pay that went all the way up to the State Supreme Court. So, both sides are bringing some baggage and some hard feelings to the table. But with 400 city workers receiving a third of the pay they typically get, that sort of thing can't go on forever.
SIMON: And I imagine the mayor's position is if you're down to just a few thousand dollars in the bank, to borrow the money to pay the employees would put you in a deficit situation.
BRADY: It would put them in a deficit. And borrowing is part of the plan here. The problem is that without a clear path forward for money coming into the city, what bank is going to come along and lend you that money? And that's what the mayor's position is now. This dispute, he says, needs to be straightened out with the city council before they can actually go out and convince a bank to lend them money.
SIMON: NPR's Jeff Brady joining us from Philadelphia, speaking about the situation in Scranton. Thanks so much.
BRADY: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio. |
I don't think that high taxes (or any taxes) are bad, up to a point. Obviously, people have to pay somehow for the common good of their society. And, many societies have found that poverty and inequality lead to social instability.
Taxes collected for the common welfare of everyone make more sense than spending even more trying to solve problems in the long run. After school programs and social workers are cheaper than more crime and more prisons. So, reducing poverty and inequality through taxes make sense.
The more socially advanced places have figured this out. And they pay tax rates of 40-60% and up to keep their countries stable and pleasant places to live.
But in the US people complain about taxes as if the money is just thrown away, perhaps burned to heat the homes of the politicians or something. And we think that our taxes are the highest in the world, when actually we pay among the lowest rates of any industrialized country. Low 20's-30% for most people.
So in the US we want even lower taxes
, since the government doesn't do anything worthwhile with the money. And everything worth doing can be done better by private businesses. So we have cut taxes to the lowest rates they have been since the 1950's. Wealthy people are taking more of the nation's income than ever in our history.
And hilarity has not ensued.
Unemployment is the highest its been in my lifetime, largely due to public sector layoffs. Our bridges are deteriorating, school systems are laying off teachers and scrambling for basic funds. Only kids whose parents have the money for fees can be on sports teams or in clubs in many public schools. Forget about music and art classes. Parents have to hold fundraisers to buy new science equipment and computers. After school programs and summer rec gets cut.
Libraries have reduced hours and can't afford to replace worn-out books. Police departments and fire departments have to cut back on hiring. Bus and train fares have to go up to make up for the lost tax revenue. I have read in the news that some cities are going to have twice a month trash pickup instead of weekly due to lack of money to pay the workers. Some counties can no longer afford to pave roads
. So, crime goes up and no police. Kids are at loose ends and no programs. Longer lines at the post office and DMV. Neighborhoods start to look and feel crappy.
What about the private sector? Can't it do the same thing for less? Not really, because you have to add in the profit
. Private firms have to cut costs to make a profit, so you get lower wages and less qualified employees, or fewer employees trying to do the same jobs. With fewer benefits and less job security.
Private prisons save money by having fewer amenities for the prisoners, fewer classes and drug treatment programs, higher turnover of staff (meaning more inexperienced guards) and higher rates of riots and escapes. We don't have to talk about how inefficient and overpriced private health care is-- there have been many diaries on that already. And private charities can't begin to fix all these problems.
The only way this could possibly work out is if the rich folks in the top 1% with the billions voluntarily hand over a small percentage of their incomes, which would amount to a big chunk of change, to the cities, counties and states.
But they have not shown any desire to do that. They do send their excess money to overseas banks and (surprise) pay millions for lobbyists to tell the 99% that taxes on wealthy people are evil |
Two totally fun challenges! Loving the color combo challenge, which usually is hard for me to put together out from the stash. The SEI Kris Kringle line was perfect for the challenge. I am also entering this into Frosted Designs 12 Days of Christmas Challenge. I used nine sparkles for the 9th day of Christmas.
Thanks for looking! Here's to a New Year filled with many blessings! |
Do you agree with Nintendo's approach to E3 2013?
The interview was last Friday and this aired on Monday.
More of me (WiiNintendo) on the news this week (3 Appearances):
Do you backflip into your pants every morning? Those things look tight, they don’t restrict you during the yoga poses and stuff? Congrats and more tube time.
congrats ON more tube time that is…
That’s freakin’ amazing!
Sweet! Guess I better step up my blogging since you keep making this site (and yourself) more famous.
When historians study the history of video-games they’re going to study Nintendo, when they study Nintendo they’re going to study the Wii, when they study the Wii they’re going to study Wii Sports and Wii Fit, and when they study those they’ll be studying Mickey.
Congrats on making your place in history ;P
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|Founder, Earth Treasury, an NGO to link schools around the world for education and business. See Plans and Essays.
NEW PROJECT: Replacing Textbooks XOs and other netbooks cost much less than printed textbooks, so as soon as we replace enough of the textbooks with Open Education Resources, we can explain that OLPC + Sugar delivers better education while saving money. Mokurai has received permission to set up a server for this purpose at Sugar Labs, and is also raising funds to support it.
Mokurai volunteers at OLPC and Sugar Labs as a volunteer coordinator, localization administrator (Khmer and Kreyòl), and general knoker (an especially Yiddish know-all, the kind who did math homework in pen), based on
End Poverty at a Profit all around by educating children to collaborate and not be helpless.
- Epictetus - "Only the educated are free."
- Aristotle - "All men by nature desire to know. An indication of this is the delight we take in our senses."
The mission is whatever planning, funding, research, development, and deployment is needed to make that happen, with a focus on Management by Exception in order to keep on top of what is needed in changing circumstances and make sure that nothing gets missed that we must have.
Sugar Labs has the Sugar software as its main focus, but needs to work with others on the rest of the mission. We should raise substantial funding to support these substantive projects, up to the point at which they can become self-sustaining, in the manner of the Grameen Group of companies.
These are the principal elements of the mission today. More will appear.
- Extend the OLPC and Sugar Labs work with evidence-based education research, curriculum development, and the redesign of textbooks, taking maximum advantage of software on the XO, and of the best research that we can find or carry out on how children learn, and what is of greatest value for them to learn.
- Engineer appropriate solutions for electricity and Internet connections in even the poorest and most remote villages in every target environment, in collaboration with university Schools of Engineering, Engineers Without Borders, and others, in order to maximize the usefulness of XOs to children everywhere.
- Work with microfinance organizations to place these electricity and Internet solutions along with XOs. The intention is to jump-start local economies by selling modest amounts of surplus power and bandwidth, and thereby raise the money to pay off the original loans and make further investments.
- Create an R&D consortium to further all of these goals and whatever else turns out to be necessary. We know that issues of economics, governance, social attitudes, and sustainability are important. What do we need to know, and how can we come to know it? What can we learn from the children themselves, and from teachers, parents, and others?
- Tap into Barack Obama's plans to increase global development aid by $25 billion annually, including a $2 billion Global Education Fund; into the UN Millennium Development Goals program; Make Poverty History; and all of the other initiatives that share our vision, even if they don't know it yet.
- Save as many languages and cultures as possible from extinction by teaching the children how to record them.
- Link children, schools, and communities together around the world in a safe manner for collaborative development.
- Teach children how to create sustainable international businesses together using their new knowledge and skills.
Current Projects and Partners
OLPC and Sugar Labs, of course, within the scope of their own missions to provide hardware, software, content, and teacher training materials. In each case, the intention is to expand to a comprehensive, integrated program including infrastructure, education, community development, and economic opportunity. Volunteers, donors, and partners welcome.
- Nana's House (school and orphanage), computers, Internet, and accessories for students and teachers
- Winneba Linux Users Group, Linux+Sugar Installfests
- Catch IT Young youth computer training
- University of Education, Winneba, research, curriculum, teaching materials, localization
- OneVillage Foundation Ghana, Winneba wireless broadband project
- Fantsuam Foundation microfinance project and Cisco Network Academy
- Asante Foundation Maasai schools and cultural preservation
- Bunabumali Good Shepherd Orphanage and School, computers, accessories, electricity, Internet
- Mt. Elgon coffee growers co-operative equipment and training
- School programs and the rest
- Mt. Kilimanjaro coffee growers co-operative equipment and training
- School programs and the rest
- Interactive digital textbooks, with Lots of partners.
- Free computers for schools, two per pupil: one at school, one at home. Possibly Computers4Africa
- Flash drives for carrying software and work, so that students can use them on any computer
- Electricity generation and storage, Engineers Without Borders
- Broadband Internet, OVF Ghana
- Microfinance, Fantsuam Foundation
- Economic opportunity, education program to be developed at EduForge, social entrepreneurial investors welcome.
The following is as much a prediction as a set of goals. Much of this will happen regardless of us. We can make those parts happen sooner, and more effectively. The other parts have to do with the new ideas that we are discovering and shaping together, particularly integrated development that includes the economy, the social structure of society, and spiritual growth. The only project that I know of that currently does this is the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka, which I commend to your study and, if possible, participation.
For several years I have been seeing a gradual coming together of many strands in development toward the possibility of an integrated strategy that can be replicated worldwide. After the initial stage, it should all become self-sustaining in the manner of the Grameen Bank, Grameen Phone, and the like, and thus independent of the usual sources of non-profit funding. Here are the leading strands.
- ICT4D, including newly powerful mobile phones, computers, and Internet at prices that make sense in even the poorest and most remote villages, given the promise of economic growth to enable paying back costs.
- One Laptop Per Child, for many reasons, including a rethinking of curricula, textbook content, and publishing models. Scarcity of information is no longer the limiting factor in education. Electronic publications still take effort and time to write, but the reproduction cost on the Internet is nearly nil. Governments will soon realize that they don't have to buy textbooks. They can contract for writing textbooks and other materials with the proviso that the government, or we should say the public, owns the copyright. We can take advantage of Free Software and Open Access publishing throughout this process, and of a century of discoveries in how children really learn. Currently XOs are $198 each, with $75 versions promised for 2010. GiveOneGetOne is to start up again in November.
- Fiber optic cables for every country in Africa. There is one installed on the West Coast, two being laid on the East Coast, and four more promised. Rwanda and the other dozen landlocked countries in Africa are making deals with their neighbors for overland links. Some regions in Central Asia may take a little longer.
- New satellite launches that promise both to break the current cartel pricing in Africa, and to link Africa directly to South America, the Middle East, and Asia, not just by multihop through Europe.
- African banks that are now in a position to start creating a continent-wide network and to roll out electronic banking.
- Global GIS initiatives dealing with mapping critical poverty issues: environment, water, agriculture, climate, health, and much more.
- The many organizations working on renewable electricity for villages, among them Earth Treasury, Engineers Without Borders, and the Jhai Foundation.
- Many organizations rolling out vastly improved health services to whole countries and in a few cases to the entire world. This includes the Rotary International eradication of polio; anti-malarial bednets wherever needed; free medication for River Blindness; low-cost AIDS medication (largely due to the Clinton Foundation); practical methods for treating multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB); microinsurance; Free Software for health, such as OpenMRS; and health education through One Laptop Per Child.
- More than 100,000 of the million and more NGOs of the world now connected with each other through Wiser Earth.
- Barack Obama's plan to double US Foreign Aid, and redirect it to much more efficient methods (toward helping the poor, not just subsidizing US agriculture, manufacturing, and consulting). This includes a $2 billion annual Global Education Fund.
- The microfinance movement's casting about for the next big challenge. I predict village electricity and Internet along with school computers, and I am working on alliances toward that end.
Sugar Labs has taken over software development for the OLPC XO. Walter Bender of Sugar Labs is putting together a research consortium to tackle problems in education, and I am assisting in recruiting, and in problem definition. My program is not of the usual kind, where we know what subjects we mean to tackle.
My version of the mission is: Whatever turns out to be needed. My self-appointed task is to find the holes in current programs, and fill them, first with my own efforts and second by recruiting others to do the work, research further solutions, and plan where we might go next. Among the critical tasks are village electricity and Internet, redesigning curricula and textbooks, and bringing all of this together into target communities with microfinance, with a flexible, integrated business plan for whole societies to advance societal infrastructure (education, health, clean water, and other essentials), and the private sector (sole proprietorships, sustainable international companies, producer and consumer co-operatives), and shared values.
It is no longer practical to impose the illusion of shared values on a society. They must grow out of the situation. The report on OLPC's early effects in Ethiopia gives a glimpse into where we are going. Within a few months, in a highly traditional society that has valued teaching politeness and obedience over subject matter in schools, and where asking questions of a teacher was considered insulting, the XO and its software have opened up a new, collaborative relationship between teachers and students. This is in no small part attributable to the collaborative nature of the XO's Sugar and other software. Access to the information riches of the Internet is another important factor. See Academic Papers on the OLPC Wiki for this and other recent reports.
There is more, but that will do to begin with.
- We are looking at the possibility of ending poverty as we know it within a generation, except in the most repressive countries (Burma and North Korea are the most likely, but a few others might possibly regress).
- We are doing this by means that promise far freer markets, with
- Market access for all, at least for electronic markets, including easy entry and exit
- General availability of essential economic information, including the price of almost anything right up to the moment
- General availability of production technologies, except where embargoes linger (Cuba, Burma, Syria, Iran, North Korea and a few others)
In short, these and a few other points add up to the closest approximation to the economic ideal of Perfect Competition ever seen, worldwide. We can confidently predict the largest explosion of productivity and prosperity ever seen, and at some point the end of the continual search for ever-more-benighted denizens of ever-poorer countries to ship jobs off to. The existence of wage differentials between countries is conclusive proof that their market relations are not free.
- A complete communications network, in which every person will have the means to connect with any other person who answers the phone.
- Directories and social network sites that enable everybody to find the right people to do business with and make alliances with for any economic, social, spiritual, or political purpose.
- We can confidently predict an explosive growth of civil society organizations worldwide, among other things.
- Edward Mokurai Cherlin/Czerwin
- גרשון בן יסעף
- Эдуард Георгеевич Черлын
- My e-mail
- AIM chat: mokurai
- ICQ chat: 441484252
- 812 764 0552 New phone number in Indiana
- LinkedIn profile
- Wiser Earth
- Twitter: Mokurai
- Facebook page
- My Daily Kos Diary Entries
- At SCALE x6 Sixth SoCal Linux Expo
- Friendly Favors I'm FF10136 - Edward Cherlin
- My Digital Earth wiki page
- Global Child Participation
Mokurai has extensive experience in every aspect of computers, as a tech writer, editor, and publisher, global market analyst, and software developer. Previous work includes math software and textbooks, Computer Science papers, Free Software for voting, Unicode support on the XO, fighting spam around the world, and earlier anti-poverty projects. He can sometimes get people to stop talking past each other and answer the real questions (though not necessarily Nicholas %-[ ). See, for example,the IETF discussions on multilingual URIs.
When I wrote a guide for new Internet users at Newbie.Net, there were three questions I couldn't answer:
- How to stop spam. So I founded the Coalition Against UCE (Unsolicited Commercial E-mail)
- How to view all languages correctly in browsers and other software. So I joined Unicode.org and a number of Free Software projects dealing with browsers, fonts, keyboard layouts, locales, and rendering software for screen display and printing, and the IETF standards process for multilingual URLs and URIs.
- How to get everybody on the Net. So here I am. I have previously worked on wireless networking, satellite internet, and the Simputer.
I'm contributing information on countries and languages on the OLPC Wiki, including writing systems, fonts, keyboard layouts, sources of literature, and other items of interest, and administering localization projects. I will be adding material on education and on the other impacts of the Laptop. It will have major effects in social development, health, economic opportunity, politics, and other important areas.
I started to work on OLPC documentation, but then I discovered that even more pressing needs were being ignored. So now I have appointed myself Shadow Chairman & CEO of OLPC. Don't tell Nicholas.
I'm on too many of these networks. If you want to connect with me, please use LinkedIn, Wiser Earth, or Flickr for photos.
- Wiser Earth, in particular my page and the Sugar Labs page.
- Goodreads Share reading lists.
There are too many of these, too.
- Here, of course
- Frequent contributor to Wikipedia
- ISDE5 (International Symposium on Digital Earth)
- Python PyCon Bid Chair for SF Bay Area, 2010
- Impeachment Wiki Founder
- Obamapedia Wiki
- Finnegans Wiki
Buddhist priest, software developer, market researcher, technical writer, Peace Corps volunteer, cook, goatherd, music teacher...
Co-founder of global anti-spam organization, The Coalition Against UCE (Unsolicited Commercial E-mail)
Music: Yale Concert Band and Marching Band, clarinet; First Prize, Classical, in first-ever Foreigner's Korean Music contest of the Korea Herald on gayageum; Slavyanka Russian Chorus; Music Around the World pre-school multilingual music program; banjo, recorders, spoons, piano, harpsichord, dumbek
Simputer: Simple, inexpensive, multilingual computer for poor people
Science Fiction: John Brunner would have loved the OLPC project if he had lived to see it. Check out Stand on Zanzibar (includes national development projects in fictional countries), The Shockwave Rider (integrated disaster recovery and sustainable communities), The Sheep Look Up (environmental catastrophe), and The Stone that Never Come Down (What if people couldn't ignore information they have?).
Geek code GAT d-- s+:+ a+++ C++ UL++ P+ L+++ E- W++ N+++@ o+ K++ M+ b+++ e+++ h---- r+++ w--- APL++++ House, MD+++
Basic level in Korean, Chinese, Swahili, Japanese, Spanish, German
Intermediate level in Russian, French |
QUOTE(guy @ Tue 10th June 2008, 5:54am)
"A spokesman for Wikipedia was unavailable for comment."
Where's David Gerard when you need him?
The most damning and unanswerable indictment of the current administration
may not the wrongheaded and incompetent calls that are made on a near-daily basis, up to the very top, but the very basic things such as fact-checking mainspace which it does not accomplish, and will still not accomplish under any reform which has the slimmest chance of happening at this time. |
Difference between revisions of "Meran"
Revision as of 19:16, 26 February 2009
Meran (Italian: Merano) is the second largest town in South Tyrol with a population of about 35,000 (63,000 including the metropolitan area). A slight majority (51.5%) of the population is German-speaking, while the others are Italian-speaking. It's an old spa town with very charming promenades and interesting highlights.
Meran is located outside of the Brenner line and whether you want to reach the town by plane, by train, by bus or by car you have likely to reach before Bolzano and from this point Meran. Meran is located 33 km (20 miles) north-west from Bolzano.
The Airport Bolzano Dolomites is nearest airport, which is located in Bolzano.
Getting to/from the airport
Many hotels offer a transfer from Bolzano airport, especially if you book through a travel agency (in this case you probably have the possibility to have a transfer from other major airports). In the airport you will find some rent-a-car agencies. http://www.taxidriver-tirol.at/
In order to get in Meran by train you have to arrive in Bolzano first and from here you can take the train to Meran (every 30 minutes). When you buy the ticket at the departure station you can have the ticket from Bolzano to Meran included, saying that your destination is Meran. The Meran Central Rail Station is closed to the town centre.
Some German, Austrian and Swiss travel agencies offer direct bus connection to Meran. Normally international bus lines stop in Bolzano and from here you can take the bus Bolzano-Meran (bus line 201) at the Bolzano Bus Station or other stops inside Bolzano (like Dominikanerplatz). Buses are run by SASA , which uses the same orange buses you can find inside cities, and SAD's , with grey-coloured buses (they operate on the same line). There is a departure every hour. A fare from Bolzano to Merano costs EUR 4 (only 2.61 with value card).
You have to exit at Bolzano South on motorway A22 and taking the modern freeway. In Meran there are three exits: Sinich/Meran Süd, Meran Zentrum and Algund (freeway end). If you are coming from Landeck in Austria or Engadin, Switzerland, you can follow the signs along the road. 126.96.36.199 15:49, 28 October 2008 (EDT)
The best way in order to discover Meran is by foot, but it's covered by an excellent public transport system, which is composed by buses and a chair lift to the village of Tirol.
In Meran there are 9 bus lines (generally 6 am - 9 pm) run by SASA and 1 of this have also a night service (9 pm - 1 am). Buses pass frequently (every 15-25 minutes). Buses run always on time.
Stamp your ticket at the start of its first use (there are green - on new buses yellow - stamping machines). You have to buy another ticket if you stop and you catch a bus after 45 minutes after the printing (only with single trip ticket or spent value card). Payment is by the honor system and inspectors check for valid tickets. If you don't have one, it's an instant EUR 25 fine (plus the fare you were supposed to have paid). All timetables and bus maps you can find free in the tourist offices or in the bus station.
All urban buses stops are request stops (exept end of the line): If you want to get off press the red (in some blue) button, while if you want to get on a bus you have to wave your hand.
Meran is connected with the village of Tirol - located on a hill above the town - by a chair lift, which is in service between April and November.
Taxis are only on call available. Meran's taxi service is powered by Radio Taxi 24h24 calling 0473 21 20 13.
Meran has a good bike trail system - but not so developed as in Bolzano, though - but around the town it's excellent. Maps are available in tourist offices and online .
Rentals are available in the following places:
The service is available from April until mid of October (M-Sa 9AM-7PM) and it's free. You only have to pay a EUR 5 bail - which is returned if the bike has not been damaged.
The public transportation or your own feet should be enough in order to travel inside Meran. Finding a parking in the town centre can be complicated.
In winter (from November to March) the whole city is forbidden for the EURO 0 cars in order to prevent from air pollution. In cases of high concentration of polluted substances the streets are forbidden also for EURO 1 cars.
Museums, Galleries, and Memorials |
Dutch statisticians have found that when Friday falls on the 13th of a month, it is actually a little safer than a regular Friday.
Perhaps this is because many people treat the day with suspicion and tread more carefully.
The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and, after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef’s claim was approved. |
Woo Hoo! That HOT Nestle Candy coupon is available to print again for B1G1 FREE Valentine’s Day hearts.
Plus these will be on sale the week of 2/3 for just $0.39 each, making then only $0.20 each after the coupon! That’s an awesome deal and perfect for Valentine’s Day. If you need them sooner, you can grab them for $0.25 each. Here are a couple of deal ideas.
Walgreens Deals (week starting 2/3)
buy (2) Nestle Valentine Hearts $0.39
Total = $0.78
(1) BUY ONE NESTLÉ® Valentine Heart GET ONE FREE (up to 79¢)
Total = $0.20 EACH!
Buy (4) Nestle Valentine Hearts 2/$1
Total = $2
(2) BUY ONE NESTLÉ® Valentine Heart GET ONE FREE (up to 79¢)
Total = $0.25 EACH!
These would be super cute with those Vistaprint custom Valentine’s Day cards! |
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