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MasterChef Junior Luca's Recap: Building a Better Burger
I am very thankful for MasterChef Junior. After a whole summer of watching myself compete in MasterChef, I didn't really know what to do with myself now! I was waiting every week for Wednesday nights, and now the wait is for Friday nights.
There are just 12 junior homecooks left in the MasterChef kitchen that will compete for the title of MasterChef Junior and for $100,000. Both will definitely change one of these kids' lives.
We have the first mystery box of the season. The mystery box was always my favorite challenge - it was cooking with no pressure because you knew that no one would be eliminated so I would always try to go outside the box and take risks.
One, two, three mystery boxes go up to reveal filet mignon, tiger shrimp, potatoes, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, mixed berries, carrots, mushrooms and a tablet - wait a tablet? All the kids get 3 minutes to Skype with one friend or family member to brainstorm and get some advice for their very first mystery box challenge. I would call my mother in Italy for sure to ask her for some tips for my recipe. I would have made a grilled spiced rub filet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes, butter-glazed mushrooms and a blue cheese sauce.
As is the case for every mystery box, the judges go around to the stations and taste what each homecook is making. I am really having fun watching Joe interact with the kids; we are all discovering a side of his personality that we did not see in the adult MasterChef. Again, these kids are very very ambitious; nobody is playing it safe and those dishes look amazing.
Alexander, Jack and Troy make it in the Top 3 in this first mystery box challenge.
Jack used both the filet mignon and the tiger shrimp, and overall his dish was the best! Good job, Jack! Congratulations on your fantastic dish, but most of all for your Hawaiian shirts! Go, Hawaiian Jack!
The judges and Jack walk inside the MasterChef pantry. I remember the feeling when I walked inside the pantry for the first time after my first mystery box win. It was incredible! It's a great boost of confidence. Now let's see if Jack can use his advantage well.
The theme of this first elimination test is the judge's childhood favorite dishes. Joe loved chicken wings, Chef Graham's favorite dish was hamburgers (surprise! surprise!) and Chef Ramsay preferred the very British fish fingers. Jack is safe from elimination and will get to decide which one of the judges' childhood favorite food the other kids will have to cook.
If I were Jack I would have probably chosen chicken wings because I think it would have been the more complicated. You need a glaze, a sauce and most important, you need to fry them in the perfect way. Overcook them, and the meat gets dry. Not cooked enough, and you have raw chicken. And we all know what happens when you serve raw chicken in the MasterChef kitchen - Let's all say it together: trash can!
Instead of chicken wings, Jack chooses the American classic, the hamburger. Hamburgers are not a piece of cake for me as we all saw in Las Vegas, but I promise that I practiced a lot and now I make great hamburgers. I would make a perfected version of the burger that Kathy and I presented in Vegas. Beef hamburger with caramelized onions, lemon arugula, bleu cheese with a mustard-fig marmalade.
Jack's strategy makes sense though. He knows everyone can cook a hamburger, but he hopes that some of them will over think it and complicate their dish. It looks like his main target may be Alexander, but I don't really know if an American hamburger can give any trouble to "Mr. French Macarons."
I guess we are about to find out.
Alexander is actually the first one up. He has the confidence and composure of a seasoned chef. He made beef hamburgers served perfectly at medium rare with arugula, mushrooms, pepperjack cheese and a black garlic aioli. Doesn't that just sound delicious? I will be looking for a restaurant in NYC that has something similar on their menu. When the judges talk about Alexander's food, they look and sound like proud teachers.
Next up, we have Tommy who played on a breakfast burger with turkey, fried eggs, pasteurized cheese with a side of sweet potatoes tater tots. There are so many great ingredients in the MasterChef kitchen, and I don't think that something like pasteurized cheese should be ever used in this competition. His burger is slightly overcooked and that cheese may be fatal for him.
Gavin has a great idea: an Italian hamburger. He made a square patty with Italian sausage, grilled onion, arugula and tomatoes served with a cucumber, tomato burrata salad with aged balsamic. Great idea, Gavin! It sounds delicious and you made two Italians like Joe and me very proud.
Next up, is Molly who played on an Asian-themed burger. She served a Korean BBQ burger with kimchi, fried onion and a side of togarashi fries. I think it sounds delicious, but she probably wasn't able to execute the way she wanted because the judges were not wowed at all. I really appreciate her tenacity and knowledge. She showed already how comfortable she is cooking different types of cuisine, but maybe this time she took too big a risk.
The best three dishes of the night belong to Gavin, Kaylen and Alexander. Now I am wondering what the next challenge will be because on the adult MasterChef, the judges nominate just the two best cooks that will be team captains on the next challenge, but this time there are three best dishes.
There will be a double elimination because two junior homecooks will leave the kitchen tonight. The three worst dishes belong to Tommy and his pasteurized cheese, Jewels and her dried lamb burger, Molly and the kimchi that did not work. Jewels is lucky enough that the other two homecooks both cooked dishes worse than hers so she made it into the Top 10 of MasterChef Junior.
Unfortunately for Tommy and Molly, that hamburger was the last thing they cooked in the MasterChef kitchen. Good luck with everything, guys, and please keep on cooking because you have a bright future in front of you!
Did you enjoy the second episode of MasterChef Junior? How do you cook your favorite hamburger?
Don't miss the next episode of MasterChef Junior next Friday at 8/7c on FOX.
Please follow me on twitter @MC4Luca and check out my website www.lucamanfe.com.
See you next week!
Ciao! Ciao!!!
View original MasterChef Junior Luca's Recap: Building a Better Burger at TVGuide.com
Other Links From TVGuide.com


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Aviators fail to close deal
LOVES PARK — The Rockford Aviators (21-24) surrendered a three-run lead twice today and fell 7-6 to the Gateway Grizzlies (31-16).
The Aviators struck early when Tyger Pederson hit an RBI-double and Ryan Breen followed with two-run homer, his first of the season. The Grizzlies answered in the fourth on a Michael Wing home run, and Madison Beaird hit a two-run double that tied the game.
Kenny Bryant drove in another run in the sixth inning to give the Aviators a 4-3 advantage, and Tanner Witt hit an RBI-single in the seventh and Danny Gonzalez joined the action with an RBI-double to extend the Aviators lead to 6-3.
The Grizzlies would not surrender, however. In the eighth inning, they rallied back with four runs to give them their first, and last, lead of the game.
The Aviators will wrap up their series with the Gateway Grizzlies at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.
Aviators 5, Grizzlies 4, 14 inn.
In a 14-inning game Tuesday that ended after deadline, Kenny Bryant hit a game-tying solo home run in the eighth and singled in Jeff Kremer, who had doubled with two outs, in a 5-4 Aviators victory over the Grizzlies.
Ryan Zimmerman allowed four runs on eight hits but struck out nine in five innings for the Aviators. That was the start of Rockford's striking out a team-record 22 batters.
Bryant's winning hit came after Gateway failed to score after loading the bases with no outs in the top of the 14th.

subset: commoncrawl


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Tuesday, 26 July 2016 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
REUTERS: Briton Chris Froome cemented his status as one of the greatest Tour de France riders when he secured his third title on Sunday after a three-week rocky ride.
Germany's Andre Greipel won the 21st and last stage, a 113-km ride from Chantilly ending on the Champs Elysees in Paris.
Team Sky rider Froome survived two crashes and even a jog up a mountain road to add to his 2013 and 2015 triumphs and become the first rider to retain his title since Spaniard Miguel Indurain in 1995.
American Lance Armstrong won seven titles in succession from 1999 but was erased from the winners' list after admitting to doping.
Frenchman Romain Bardet finished second overall 2:52 behind Froome, who had a 4:05 lead going into the last stage but was caught on the wrong side of a split in the finale of Sunday's stage.
Colombian Nairo Quintana, runner-up in 2013 and 2015 who was expected to push Froome to the limit, ended up a disappointing third, 3:08 off the pace.
Yellow jersey leader Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain cycles past the Arc de Triomphe – Reuters
Pole Rafal Majka won the polka dot jersey for the mountain classification and his Tinkoff team mate, world champion Peter Sagan, clinched a fifth green jersey for the points classification.
Sagan, who won three stages, was also voted the most aggressive rider in the three-week race while Adam Yates showed Britain was full of resources, ending up fourth overall and winning the white jersey for the best Under-25 rider.
Another Briton, Mark Cavendish, claimed four stages but he pulled out of the race on the second rest day to prepare for the Olympics, where he will be competing on the track.
Froome built his success on an impressively strong Team Sky, arguably the best assembled in recent Tour history, being able to rely on domestique de luxe Wouter Poels in the mountains.
In the 12th stage ending on Mont Ventoux, he crashed when he was involved in an incident with a TV motorbike and even ran up the road after his bike was broken.
Froome hit the deck again on a slippery descent in the 19th stage, but he had by then sewn up his win thanks to strong performances in the time trials and surprise attacks on a descent and the flat.
The atmosphere was much more relaxed on Sunday when the peloton rode a largely processional stage, Froome drinking beer and champagne in the neutral zone.
Things got more hectic once the race entered the Champs Elysees, the bunch even splitting in the finale as a reduced peloton contested the sprint finish.
Greipel was the strongest, comfortably beating Sagan and Norway's Alexander Kristoff.


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Madden 19 Update Version 1.10 has been released for PS4, Xbox One and PC. Read on for the full Patch Notes.
Developers EA Sports has made several improvements to the game in the new update making changes to gameplay, franchise mode and Madden Ultimate Team.
One of the biggest changes in Madden 19 Update Version 1.10 is them fixing the Field Goal Block exploit which fans have been complaining about for a while. They also added new celebrations, so have at em'.
They've also updated the accurate likeliness of several players, so you can actually use them now without them feeling out of place.
Check out the full patch notes below:
Madden 19 Update Version 1.10 PS4, Xbox One and PC Patch Notes
Key Highlights
- Gameplay
- Added new celebrations for both player signatures and team celebrations
- Tuned to address a Field Goal Block exploit
- Franchise
- Retractable roof stadiums can now open in Franchise
- Commentary is now available for players edited in the Draft Class creator
- Madden Ultimate Team
- Added new ability called "Route Specialist" that gives receivers unique hot routes based on their position and ratings
Change Log
- Made general stability improvements
Franchise Updates
- NOTE: All changes will be available to existing Cloud and Offline Franchises.
- Added ability for Atlanta, Houston, Arizona, Indianapolis, and Dallas to have an open roof when the weather is within acceptable NFL standards
- Added ability for the commentary to reference edited Draft Class players if the name has been recorded
- Fixed issue where Formation Subs would not save for 4-3 Wide, Nickel 3-3-5, Nickel 3-3-5 Wide, and Nickel Double A Gap
- Fixed the issue in Cloud Franchise where draft feedback incorrectly states "You Reached"
- Fixed an issue where body appearance settings were not saved when editing a Draft Class
- Fixed an issue where Field Goal stats weren't tracking when a Punter starts as KOS
- Fixed the issue causing the game to not proceed when starting a Cloud Franchise
- Fixed an issue where snapshots won't save when the game time is long
- Fixed alignment of Team Success menu when rendering in 4K
- Fixed situations where text can overlap in the News menu
- Fixed overlapping text issue on Staff Changes menu
- Fixed overlapping text issue on Re-Sign Staff menu
- Added team color to the Team Salaries menu
Visual Updates
- Updated player likeness for the following players:
- Saints HB Alvin Kamara
- Packers CB Jaire Alexander
- Packers QB DeShone Kizer
- Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin
- Buccaneers HB Peyton Barber
- Ravens HB Alex Collins
- Ravens CB Tavon Young
- Saints CB Ken Crawley
- Saints RT Ryan Ramczyk
- Saints FS Marcus Williams
- Falcons TE Austin Hooper
- Cowboys P Chris Jones
- Redskins SS Montae Nicholson
- Steelers QB Mason Rudolph
- Browns CB Denzel Ward
- More than doubled the number of Team Celebrations available after Touchdowns via the user-celebration mechanic
- Added new signature TD celebrations for Cowboys HB Ezekiel Elliott
- Added the Billionaire Strut to the Swagger user-celebration option
- Fixed an issue sometimes causing the Passing Feedback text to stay on the screen too long
- Fixed an issue causing the Jumbotron in the Eagles stadium to have an incorrect display image
- Added new helmets and facemasks
- Schutt F7 Helmet shell
- Schutt Vengeance Z10 Helmet shell
- Xenith Epic Helmet shell
- Six new Schutt F7 Facemasks:
- 2-bar
- 3-bar
- 3-bar RB
- Robot
- Robot RB
- Fullcage
Gameplay Updates
- Tuning
- Tuned to increase the frequency of Facemask penalties when setting the Strip Ball coach adjustment to Aggressive
- Tuned to allow QB's a chance to fumble when tackled with a hit stick, even when holding down the Cover-Ball mechanic on RT/R2 – this applies to Competitive and Simulation game styles
- Tuned to improve the running animation used when a ball carrier makes slight direction changes while holding the Acceleration Burst mechanic
- Tuned to decrease disengage angles for defenders vs. the run game
- DEV NOTE: A disengage is different than a block shed and is dictated by the STR rating of the two players involved in the block. By decreasing the angles, defenders will have to wait longer to disengage away from blockers as the ball carrier runs through the line. When looking at game data, we have seen that scoring and yards gained are below our target ranges, which led to this tuning change – this applies to all game styles and difficulty levels.
- Added logic to prevent extremely late Fair Catch calls on kick returns
- DEV NOTE: When catching on a kick or punt return, there will now be a limited time window open to call for a fair catch. When the window closes, you will see the receiver "Lock" icon inside the player indicator to tell you that a fair catch can no longer be called. This aligns with NFL rules around fair catch calls, and also solves problems when catching the kick with an extremely late fair catch that would interfere with the catch animation.
- Tuned stamina when holding down the acceleration burst mechanic to better align defensive players with offensive players – this applies to Competitive and Simulation game styles
- Pass Coverage
- Improved zone logic for Cover 3 and Cover 4 vs. multiple crossing routes, such as PA Boot Over plays
- Finished the fix from previous title update so that Cover 3 will correctly cover both the flat and the wheel routes on Fake Screen Wheel plays
- Fixed an issue causing deep zone players to sometimes not react to deep routes when using Man Up 3 Deep out of the Quarter formation
- Improved zone logic for Cover 6 and Cover 4 Quarters coverages vs. Trips formations
- Tuned to decrease the frequency of defenders playing the ball when covering routes well in front of the intended receiver
- Real Player Motion
- Addressed an issue causing kick and punt returners to sometimes use different running animations than when they were playing in their regular positions
- Fixed a rare issue causing players to shuffle and/or run off the field after the end of a play
- Fixed a rare issue causing the QB to throw a very inaccurate pass either sideways or backwards when throwing a short route to a receiver making a sudden change of direction
- Fixed an issue causing the QB to sometimes fail to hand the ball to the back on HB Blunt Dive plays
- Fixed an issue causing the ball to appear in the wrong hand for punters on Safety punts
- Pre-Play
- Addressed a rare online exploit being used with custom playbooks that caused the offensive team to leave the field, forcing the defensive user to quit the game and take the loss
- DEV NOTE: If a user with an existing custom playbook attempts this exploit moving forward, the offensive line will huddle up by the ball and the offensive user will be penalized.
- Tuned to improve jog animations after huddle breaks
- Addressed an issue allowing offensive players to reset defensive player's adjustments by using audibles in pre-play
- Addressed an issue causing defensive linemen to move into each other when using audibles on Field Goal block plays
- Removed ability to motion the inside TE in the I-Form Wing formation due to targeting issues it would cause that could lead to a fumble
- Tuned to improve defensive back movement animations when getting set at the line in a press or man coverage position
- Addressed a rare online exploit being used with custom playbooks that caused the offensive team to leave the field, forcing the defensive user to quit the game and take the loss
- Catching
- Addressed an issue preventing a catch animation from triggering if the user had Bad Ballhawk Timing on an Interception attempt – now a catch animation will trigger, even if the button is pressed too early, but will still result in a drop
- Made improvements to animation coverage for fumble recoveries
- Blocking
- Tuned to improve pass block targeting for running backs in the backfield
- Fixed some issues causing blocking fullbacks on toss plays to obstruct the toss and cause a fumble vs. heavy defensive fronts, such as vs. Field Goal block formations
- Improved logic for pass rush exploits dealing with defenders placed in a coverage or QB Spy assignment who would then quickly rush up the middle of the formation
- Addressed an exploit around Field Goal blocks
- NFL Rules
- Fixed an issue preventing Illegal Block in the Back penalties from triggering in Simulation Game Style
Madden Ultimate Team Updates
- Added new MUT ability – Route Specialist – which gives receivers unique hot routes based on their position and ratings, such as Post, Corner, Angle, and Stick 'n Nod routes
- Fixed an issue causing players in MUT equipped with the Situational Pass Rush ability to lose stamina too quickly
- Fixed an issue preventing the MUT Footsteps ability from applying the proper penalty to receivers on Competitive game style
- Addressed an issue preventing the MUT Under Pressure ability from applying the proper bonuses
- Addressed an issue preventing the MUT Out My Way ability from applying the proper bonuses
- Addressed an issue preventing the MUT Stiff Arm Specialist ability from applying the proper bonuses
- Addressed an issue preventing WR Off the Line release mechanics (Footfire and Change-Up) from working properly in MUT Squads
- Added the ability to post auctions with a specific value
Madden 19 is available now on PS4, Xbox One and PC.


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ATLANTA (AP) — When the Boston Celtics played the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, it might have been a precursor to an NBA playoff series, but it certainly didn't qualify as a "preview."
Joe Johnson scored 30 points as Atlanta edged the short-handed Celtics 97-92 to take a step toward securing a home-court edge against Boston in the first round of the playoffs.
But the Celtics hardly looked like themselves.
Starters Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and key reserves Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus did not play. On top of that, there wasn't much defense from either team in the first half as Atlanta took a 58-49 lead.
Johnson scored 23 points, Boston guard Avery Bradley scored 17 of his career-high 28 and both teams combined to make 23 of 38 shots over the first two quarters (60.5 percent).
Rondo, Allen and Pietrus stayed in Boston with injuries, and Celtics coach Doc Rivers gave Garnett and Pierce rest after playing 11 games in 15 days.
Still, Boston had more energy even with several rarely used players getting big minutes, and the Celtics pulled within one point five times in the fourth quarter before Johnson's three-point play with 1:56 left gave Atlanta a 90-86 lead.
The Hawks held on, but they were not so happy about it afterward.
"For us, it definitely sits a little uneasy," Johnson said. "I don't feel like we brought our 'A' game."
Bradley, who moved into Allen's starting spot at the shooting guard position several weeks ago when Allen began battling problems with a surgically repaired ankle, moved into Rondo's point guard position and gave the Hawks fits.
He scored 12 points in the first quarter and surprised the Hawks in a variety of ways while besting his previous career high of 23 points.
"When . . . you come out and pretty much right before the game find out that (Garnett and Pierce) are not going to play . . . I don't know if it does something to you mentally, but it makes them that much (more) unpredictable," said Hawks forward Josh Smith, who had 19 points and 12 rebounds.
"Bradley played outstanding for them. I didn't know he had that much in his game."
The Hawks lost a home game earlier this season when Miami Heat stars Dwyane Wade and LeBron James did not play, and there was danger of a repeat Friday, especially when Keyon Dooling scored on a layup with 2:33 left to close the deficit to 87-86. Johnson's three-point play came moments later.
Hawks coach Larry Drew said he considered leaving Johnson and Smith on the bench late in the interest of getting them some rest, but the prospect of moving toward home-court advantage came into play. They each played 5:22 in the final quarter as the unsung Celtics made life difficult.
"That was certainly wavering," Drew said. "It was a situation of making a decision of just trying to solidify the home court position."
Dooling finished with 17 points, and Marquis Daniels added 12.
The Hawks (38-25) have the fourth-best record in the East, which as long as they finish with a better record than Boston (37-27) would give them home court in a 4-5 match-up against the Celtics even though the Celtics are going to be considered a top four seed by virtue of having clinched the Atlantic Division title.
If the teams finish with the same record, Boston would be considered the fourth seed (behind the Pacers) and gain home court against Atlanta by virtue of being a division champion. Plus, the Celtics beat the Hawks in two of three regular-season meetings.
The Celtics may be back to full roster strength in time for their game in Boston on Tuesday against the Heat.
"It has to help our team in the long run," Rivers said of resting key players. "I just think when your team plays like that it gives (reserves) a lot of confidence, and it gives the guys that didn't play a lot of confidence in them, which is huge."
Notes: Hawks starting C Zaza Pachulia missed his fourth straight game with a sprained left foot. In his place, Jason Collins had a season-high eight points and seven rebounds. . . . The Celtics signed 6-foot-10 C-F Sean Williams, who averaged 15.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots for the Texas Legends of the D-League. Williams, who played at Boston College, averaged 3.6 points and 1.6 rebounds for Dallas. He was drafted by the Nets 17th overall in 2007, and has career NBA averages of 4.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. He had a rebound in 3-plus minutes Friday. To make room, Boston requested waivers on injured C-F Jermaine O'Neal.


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This Is the Manicure You Should Get, Based on Your Astrological Sign
7 Medium Length Hairstyles To Get You Out Of a Hair Rut
Put down the scissors and step away from the extensions. These medium length hairstyles will finally have you embracing the "awkward" length
Older comments
I think this length is a chic style.
by fendihunt Monday, April 29, 2013 at 06:08PM Report as inappropriate
Been debating this length, but can't see any of these working for me.
by Amanda16 Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 07:38PM Report as inappropriate
I hate this length doesnt work for me
by talecon Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 08:58AM Report as inappropriate
More of the same old haircuts/styles. Do they recycle this every year?
by kimber314 Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 01:08PM Report as inappropriate
The Messy Chignon ... that you couldn't see!!! I've just grown my hair out to this length, and all I can say is ... Gwynth, I hate you. No one should look so gorgeous in any style like you do, da#n !!
by islands4me Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 03:28PM Report as inappropriate
by mila_vidin Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 11:57PM Report as inappropriate
Dangit, just when my asymmetrical Rihanna has finally ALMOST grown out even, I see this and find out I've been inadvertently moving toward a Gwyneth all along! Feh, it's enough to make me swear off style-conscious media altogether, then at least I won't KNOW I'm hopelessly behind the curve before I even start. Grrrrmph.
by Spikeygrrl Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 09:07PM Report as inappropriate
Great advice...thank you!! -:)
by Kinipela Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 10:07AM Report as inappropriate
Having just cut my hair to my shoulders, I love these ideas! Now that I can't just throw my hair up in a topknot, this could help me channel some creativity.
by HeathRene Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 09:17AM Report as inappropriate
I wasn't in love with any of these.
by Chris213 Monday, March 25, 2013 at 09:41PM Report as inappropriate


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A Rocky Mountain Adventure Awaits You!
Welcome to the Rich Ranch -
On behalf of our family and crew we invite you to come and share our rural country lifestyle and passion for Montana's great outdoors. Here at the ranch we specialize in traditional dude ranch vacations, horseback riding, Bob Marshall Wilderness pack trips, camping, Blue Ribbon fly fishing, winter snowmobiling, and fair-chase hunts for elk and deer. So come join us for the adventure of a lifetime!
"You will find that our location is a little farther back,
From the hi-ways and by-ways and the much-famed beaten track,
With a wilderness to join us full of elk, bear, goat, and deer,
Where the mountain streams come tumbling in a rush to reappear.
Hope someday you'll come to join us in the things we like to do,
Until then we'd like to wish the best of everything to you."
Jack and Belinda
The Rich Family and Crew


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The records indicate that the Hamlet of Belfountain (Village) was first settled in 1825. As time passed, the Hamlet added a blacksmith, wagon shop, school, post office, church and a public water pump.The cold, spring-fed waters of the West Credit River provide ideal habitat and ample angling opportunities for brook and brown trout and other fish. Freshwater springs flow from the steep valley walls that enclose this tranquil oasis. Heavily treed woodlands of cedar, oak, maple and birch are alive with wildlife – songbirds, rabbits, flying squirrels, ruffed grouse and white-tailed deer.
Falls created by Charles Mack
Close to the picturesque village of Belfountain, this 8 ha site once belonged to Charles Mack, inventor of the cushion-back rubber stamp. Mack and his wife Addie purchased the property in 1908, where he developed his version of a miniature Niagara Falls (above) and Yellowstone Cave (below).
The "Cave" below. There is a wonderful hearth in here. I can only imagine the fires it has held.
It started out as a dull cold day with flurries. By the time we got to Belfountain the weather had changed to a gorgeous sunny, mild day.
Suspension bridge over the Credit River
Mr. Mack had a suspension bridge built downstream from the dam (above) and created a fountain topped with a bell honouring the town(below). He also added stonewalls, footpaths, scenic lookouts and a guesthouse. The couple lived in a small house deep in the park.
I never tire of this wonderful spot. There wasn't another soul around. Just my granddaughter, her friend and I.


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Four Tools for Tracking Topics in Social Media
March 27, 2009 19 Comments
I've written previously about the inadequacy of Google Alerts for tracking information and conversations around a given topic. Google has some algorithm for determining what content ends up in your daily email. Sometimes it's good, many times there's little value there.
Today, Telligent's George Dearing tweeted this:
i've got a Google Alert set-up for enterprise 2.0..can you say diminishing returns? Paltry at best. #enterprise2.0
I'm currently using four different services for tracking information and conversations around 'Enterprise 2.0'. With these four, I've got good coverage on the state of the sector and what people are buzzing about.
I wanted to share the four services I'm currently using. I follow 'Enterprise 2.0', but you can use them for any topic you're tracking. The four tools differ in how they use 'authority' as a basis for surfacing what's new and relevant for a topic. Here they are:
I'll describe the four below, starting from high use of authority and working backwards.
Google Alerts
Yeah, Google Alerts are imperfect. But they're still pretty good for a quick read on potentially interesting topics. I don't know exactly what Google uses, but I think it's safe to assume it follows a similar path to search results.
Google Alerts do give a nice selection of news, website and blog updates around a topic. They limit the number of results, which makes them easy to scan quickly to see if there's anything of interest.
One problem with these results is that they often contain links that really aren't helpful in keeping up with a topic. I attribute this to the imperfections of computer algorithms in identifying what's valuable.
I'd also like to give a special shout-out to Sacha Chua, whose blog always manages to make it into Google Alerts for 'Enterprise 2.0'. She may have cracked the Google Alerts algorithm.
Filtrbox is a service that lets you track mentions of keywords you're tracking across a variety of media types:
- Mainstream media
- Blogs
- Social media
The service is great for digging up nuggets throughout the web. The daily email can be a little daunting, with many more results than what you see in your Google Alert.
You can create separate folders on Filtrbox. For instance, I have an 'Enterprise 2.0' folder. Inside that folder, I track mentions of 'enterprise 2.0' and 'social software' as sub-folders. My daily email includes both sub-folders. This sub-folder approach is a great way to tie different keywords into a common topic.
Filtrbox lets you decide what level of authority to use in filtering results for your topics. Called FiltrRank, the algorithm scores content on a 1 to 10 scale. You simply "turn the dial" to require a higher level of authority in your results. I don't know what the secret sauce for FiltrRank is.
Filtrbox also lets you block domains, so that you can avoid seeing results for specific websites. Pretty handy, actually.
MicroPlaza is a service, in beta, which tracks content based on tweets. The core idea is that the higher the number of tweets, the more interesting the tweeted content is.
MicroPlaza doesn't just scan all tweets to deliver popular posts. Rather, it uses who you follow as the starting basis. If someone you follow tweets a link, MicroPlaza will rank the content based on all tweets of that link, not just who you follow.
But it starts by having someone you follow tweeting it. Otherwise you won't see it in your list of popular content.
The really innovative thing that MicroPlaza has done is Tribes. A Tribe is a group of people you follow on Twitter, according to however you want to group them. For instance, I've created my own 'Enterprise 2.0' Tribe.
This is powerful stuff. Tribes narrows the range of content I see to be more closely linked to a topic I care about. It still leverages the total popularity of those tweeted links throughout Twitter, but only if someone from my Tribe tweeted it.
MicroPlaza is still in beta. I may be able to get you an invite, leave a comment if you're interested.
FriendFeed Lists
FriendFeed is the uber information tracking service. With one subscription, you get a variety of a person's activity streams: tweets, blog posts, bookmarks, Google Reader shares, etc. You can also track people that haven't joined FriendFeed via the imaginary friends feature.
FriendFeed includes a feature called Lists. Lists are your own selected groups of people you follow on FriendFeed. I have an 'Enterprise 2.0' List with over 70 different people I follow in the industry.
I've also created a public Enterprise 2.0 Room on FriendFeed. This Room tracks tweets and Del.icio.us bookmarks related to the Enterprise 2.0 world.
FriendFeed Lists can include not only people, but Rooms as well. So my Enterprise 2.0 Room is included in my Enterprise 2.0 List. The List becomes my one place to track the ongoing observations and relevant content for what I want to track.
I ranked this the lowest in terms of authority-based filtering. The filtering really happens by who you put in your List. You can select individuals who for you personally constitute authorities, and leverage what they're finding interesting. The Del.icio.us bookmarks constitute another implicit basis for authority. Bookmarking is a fairly engaged activity of retention, meaning the associated content has value.
As I wrote before in Follow Everything by a Select Few, Select Content by Everyone, FriendFeed Lists are a great way to stay on top of a topic.
How About You?
Those are my current tools for tracking what's happening on a topic. I'm sure there are others out there. What are your favorite tools?
See this post on FriendFeed: http://friendfeed.com/search?q=%22Four+Tools+for+Tracking+Topics+in+Social+Media%22


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I wouldn't consider this list an absolute "best of" when talking about the songs that came out in 2015. But I can certainly say that I would play each and every one of these tracks on my show if I were still doing the college radio thing at WPRK.
Those were some damn good times, by the way. I miss spinning tunes in that dusty old basement.
There's plenty of albums I've yet to get around to listening to from 2015, so I'm sure I'll come across plenty more gems to add to this list at another time. For now, enjoy this collection of tracks that abused the speakers in my house and car the most over the past twelve months.
(Also, check out the extended list on Spotify)


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El Dorado 12 Year Old Special Reserve
Review: El Dorado 12 Year Old Special Reserve Rum (93.5pts)
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Revised November, 2012
Demerara County (in Guyana) is popular across the world for its rich, three hundred year history of rum production. Using a combination of old wooden stills in conjunction with modern stills and distilling techniques, Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL) has built a reputation for outstanding quality and consistent production. In fact, Demerara Distillers is the currently the largest supplier of bulk Caribbean rums to Europe and North America.
The El Dorado 12 Year Old Special Reserve Rum is blended from aged stocks (the youngest being no less than 12 years old) from the original Wooden Enmore Coffey still, the original metal Diamond Coffey still, as well as from the ancient Port Mourant double wooden pot still which was used to produce 'navy' rum for the English Admiralty. All of the Demerara Rum produced by El Dorado is aged exclusively in American oak (bourbon barrels).
In The Bottle 5/5
The presentation for the 12 yr, the 15 yr and the 21 yr old El Dorado Rums includes a squat smokey opaque brown bottle which has a funky old world charm and which looks great on my rum shelf. I like the fact that each rum in the series arrives in a smartly coloured display box which helps to protect the spirit from the deleterious effects of light. Finally each is closed with a quality cork topper which for me is the final requirement for a quality presentation.
In the Glass 9.5/10
This really is a great rum to nose in the glass. Oak and wood spices provide a nice backdrop for the sweet baking spices (vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves) and rich molasses that rises into the breezes above the glass. There are hints of spicy orange peel, and fresh citrus fruit which appear and disappear within the aroma, and I have a hard time finding fault. All of theses scents and smells deepen as the glass sits. I smell rich tobacco, marzipan and hints of marmalade which have all evolved as the rum breathes. I am tempted to give a perfect score.
In My mouth 56/60
This rum enters my mouth with a spicy sweet baking spice explosion. Deep dark brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and hints of orange peel and citrus fruit lay upon a foundation of oak and wood spices. Rich tobacco accents the flavour and some luscious dark fruit (dates and raisins) finds its way into the flavour profile. The overall flavour is sweet but not overwhelmingly so, and a soft nuttiness lies under the other flavours giving the rum just a hint of bitterness which offsets that sweetness nicely.
What I truly love about this rum is how I seem to like it just a little more every time I pour another glass. The flavours remain rich and strong but never cloying.
In My Throat 14/15
This has a long spicy finish which leaves the mouth and throat heated. The spicy oak, and baking spices last and last in the mouth and throat in a marvelous combination.
The Afterburn 9/10
I have tried this rum in different settings and in a few cocktails, and it pleases me almost completely every time. I find that the sweetness of the rum is perfectly balanced with the spicy oakiness and I also appreciate that the flavour of the El Dorado 12 Year Old remains robust and complex yet very approachable.
If you are interested in comparing more scores, here is a link to my other published Rum Reviews.
Suggested Cocktail
The El Dorado 12 Year Old Rum can and should be sipped neat or with ice. Having said that, there is no reason not to enjoy the spirit in wonderful cocktails as well. Cocktails which I found that enhanced my experience with the rum were ones which used a foil spirit like Amaretto or Grand Marnier to offset the spicy oak of the El Dorado 12 year Old. Here are a few Recipes:
The El Padrino
(Spanish for Godfather)
2 oz El Dorado 12 Year Rum
1 oz Amaretto
1/8 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Build on ice in small rocks glass
Garnish with a thin slice of lemon.
Note: The name El Padrino fits perfectly as a premium aged oaky rums such as El Dorado 12 may truly be called the Godfather of Rums!
In order to bring this cocktail to the level of quality I was seeking, I used the most excellent Louis Alexandre Grand Marnier in conjunction with the El Dorado 12 Year.
The Royal Batiste
1 1/2 oz El Dorado 12 Year Rum
1/2 oz Louis Alexandre Grand Marnier
Build in a cocktail Glass on one Large Ice Cube
Note: If you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!
My Final Score is out of 100 and you may (loosely) interpret the score as follows:
0-25 A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49 Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59 You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn't.
60-69 Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74 Now we have a fair mixing rum or whisky. Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79 You may begin to serve this to friends, again probably still cocktail territory.
80-84 We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89 Excellent for sipping or for mixing!
90-94 Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+ I haven't met this bottle yet…but I want to.
Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal scale as follows:
70 – 79.5 Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5 Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95 Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+ Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)
21 Responses to "El Dorado 12 Year Old Special Reserve"
March 17, 2014 at 6:34 pm
After trying and totally enjoying the El Dorado 21, I bought a bottle of El Dorado 12 hoping I'd find some of the taste and quality repeated. It has become my sipping rum.
March 17, 2014 at 10:00 am
I love the El Dorado 12, but have you tried their 8 year? I would be interested in where you would put this in their line.
December 23, 2013 at 4:44 pm
I just bought a 12-year old El Dorado rum and it's not "Special Reserve" anymore. Otherwise bottle looks identical. Should I return it before opening? Thanks!
December 23, 2013 at 10:38 am
I always assumed that I would like the 15 year old, more expensive bottle, better than the 12. But not so. The 15 was wonderful but the 12 even better. I've been interested to see that I am not alone in this opinion. I don't buy this often because it is at the top end of my budget but it is always spectacular. (I'm impressed that you have the restraint to "only" accord it 93.5 points. Now I have a personal mission to try the few rums that bested it!
December 5, 2013 at 9:40 pm
Greetings Chip…I most thoroughly enjoy your reviews and use them as the sole basis for my spirit purchases – please continue with your obvious passion and forte. As someone with an enviable standing in the industry, perhaps you can shed some light on a late observation of mine, and put my mind to rest. Several years ago many of the rums (and other lesser spirits) that you so eloquently review were available solely from "high end" boutique shops in my environs of Calgary. Lately however, I have noticed that many of these formerly "signature" rums are now on offer at many chain or "mid range" stores at lower and often discounted or "sale" prices. While I applaud the industry for ramping up to meet an obvious demand, and the shops for making these heavenly nectars readily available, I question whether the products have maintained the stringent quality control and true aging & blending standards that make these rums so unique, desirable, and delectably different.
To put it quite bluntly, is the 750 mL bottle of El Dorado Special Reserve that I purchased today for $24.98 (with a 50 mL bonus of El Dorado 15 Y.O.) of the same quality and nature as the bottle I purchased 3 years ago from a boutique shop for a significantly higher price? Would the product I purchased today be scored at the same 93.5 that you originally assigned to this quite exquisite rum, or has wider and ready availability been achieved at the sacrifice of quality and standard?
I look forward to your reply…and once again thank you for your devotion to the true appreciation and understanding of Nelson's Blood…
As always, may we all have Royal occasion to "Splice the Mainbrace"
January 30, 2014 at 12:49 pm
Where did you find it for $25?
- January 30, 2014 at 12:49 pm
July 15, 2013 at 3:47 pm
I guess the 21 has punch…meant to say I prefer the 12 yo
July 15, 2013 at 3:21 pm
I would like to say, as I sit I am tasting El Dorado 21 that is very nice but I prefer the 12, Appleton 21 was my top choice until I stumbled upon El Dorado 12. This has nothing to do with cost, I think if they were on a 1-1 cost I wild still chose the 21. I have tasted most of the Rhums and have found a hands down winner..
FYI , I am going out to find and purchase all I can find before El Dorado realizing they are under valued. Ha
June 2, 2013 at 10:45 pm
It was recommended that I try one of the El Dorado line of age-stated rums. But up until recently no retailer in my area carried any of these fine rums. But the other day I happened to find the 12 and 15-year El Dorado rums at a local retailer! I was torn on which one to purchase and eventually decided to try the 12-year first. This is truly wonderful stuff. My only other experience with "premium" rum is Pampero Aniversario (which I enjoy quite a bit). However, this El Dorado 12-year is very very good. So much so that I plan on returning to purchase the 15-year. I found your review(s) while searching for information on El Dorado rums. Thanks for your great reviews!
June 8, 2012 at 2:30 pm
thanks, I always try to read your reviews before buying a new bottle of rum. Personally I have to admit I really like El Dorado 12 y.o. it is a perfect mild sipping rum with a lots of character.
November 5, 2011 at 10:11 am
Thank you. Your reviews were helpful.


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Getting the Catalysts You Really Need
Creating catalysts should begin with what you want, not what you have, according to University of Delaware expert
(October 2010)
Dionisios Vlachos
Using their new modeling framework, Professor Dionisios Vlachos and his team from the University of Delaware are fundamentally changing how scientists create catalysts. Instead of synthesizing a material and then analyzing it, Vlachos and his team are determining what the reaction demands and then building a catalyst to fill that role. Vlachos shared his results and insights at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Frontiers in Catalysis Science and Engineering Seminar. This seminar, part of a series, features academic and other leaders in catalytic research and development.
"Combining this framework with chemical intuition cuts dramatically the time needed for computations and offers predictions that agree well with experiment," said Dr. Sotiris Xantheas, a theoretical chemist at PNNL who attended the talk and spoke with Vlachos at length afterwards.
The framework or hierarchical multiscale modeling is a key part of the research being done at the University of Delaware. The modeling allows scientists to examine catalysts at different scales, from atomic interactions up to kinetics and through heat and mass transfer of chemical reactors. It allows successive approximations to be conducted, iterating on materials and reactions based on different parameters.
"Vlachos showed—using this framework—how phenomena at various time and lengths scales have different influences on catalysis," said Dr. Roger Rousseau, a catalysis scientists working on PNNL's Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis.
With this model, the Delaware team is developing detailed reaction mechanisms, insights into reaction chemistry, uncertainty quantification, and creates links among synthesis, structure, and properties. Of particular note is the work Vlachos is leading at the Energy Frontier Research Center on biomass conversion and how the size and shape of catalysts effect the reactions they are driving.
"The University of Delaware, one of the leading catalysis programs in the country, is pursuing novel approaches to these complex systems," said Dr. Bruce Garrett, Director of the Chemical & Materials Sciences Division at PNNL. "This talk was a great opportunity to share information and ideas."
More about Dionisios Vlachos: He is an internationally recognized catalysis researcher with an extensive list of honors and approximately 180 refereed journal articles to his name. He is the Director of the Center for Catalytic Science and Technology and the Elizabeth Inez Kelley Professor at the University of Delaware. In addition, he leads the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation and the University of Delaware Energy Frontier Research Center, focusing on the development of innovative catalytic technologies to efficiently convert trees, grasses, and other biomass into chemicals, electricity, and fuels.


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MasterMover Global News
MasterMover's Performance And Cost Efficiencies Hold Appeal In German Markets
MasterMover plans to increase awareness of the redeveloped MasterTug range at the forthcoming CeMAT exhibition in Hannover following the success of LogiMAT.
Attendance at LogiMat resulted in a series of enquiries and demonstrations vindicating the decision to form MasterMover GmbH, a Dusseldorf-based subsidiary in 2013, to provide local support to the rapidly developing customer base in Germany.
MasterMover GmbH has been instrumental in the recent sales and exhibition success and has helped increase awareness of electric tugs to a cross-section of German manufacturers, each with different materials handling needs. These new adopters have found that the tugs, which operate on a weight transfer principle enabling a single pedestrian operator to move heavy loads easily and safely, offer a well-engineered and efficient solution for industrial handling.
"The German market has always engaged with the attributes of MasterMover's product line.
High-standards, quality and reliability embody the characteristics of German manufacturing and, as such, these companies prefer to work with suppliers who reflect those principles too"
explains Andy Owen, MasterMover Managing Director.
"Even before the formation of MasterMover GmbH, Germany had long been one of our most significant export countries. Customers recognise the value of machinery that offers lean benefits," he continues.
"Installing automation equipment within an assembly line can be expensive, often inefficient and also raises health and safety concerns. Electric tugs present a cost-effective, lean and safe alternative – capable of manoeuvring loads of varying sizes and weights through every stage of a manufacturing process. Needless to say, the long-term cost implications of this are enormous."
Improving its offering within the UK and Germany, as well as a growing number of global markets, MasterMover has recently re-launched the MasterTug range. The re-designed family, available in nine different configurations, can move loads of up to 120,000 kg.
"We've redeveloped our MasterTug range to deliver a choice of capable and reliable machinery. Each model is now better specified for the differing manufacturing environments whilst remaining ideal for improving efficiencies and moving heavy loads in a controlled manner," confirms Andy.
MasterMover will continue the role-out of the new range whilst showcasing and demonstrating at various market-led events. The next exhibition planned for Germany is CeMAT in May.
"We're expecting a similar level of interest at CeMAT and hope to meet manufacturers from the north who produce products such as Wind Turbines which need to be moved with care. We have experience of this and other applications that relate to the audience at CeMAT. There simply isn't a comparable machine range that's capable of delivering the same efficiency, reliability and quality," Andy Owen concludes.
"Our dedication in furthering the development of this equipment has been pivotal in creating the positive reaction of the German market, renowned for seeking well-engineered solutions that improve efficiency. We're delighted with the reaction we've had to our improved range and look forward to presenting it to a wider German audience where the demand for our product is strong."


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We are not going to live forever. We are not going to have our life spans scientifically amplified to biblical lengths. We will not be able to take pills that will give us the musculature of superheroes or allow us to gorge ourselves while enjoying the health benefits of starvation. We will reach our limits, and, with some hard-won variation, those limits will be — they will feel like — the same limits we humans have always had. We will remain human where it counts, in our helpless and inspiring relation to our own mortality.
Does this sound obvious? It shouldn't. Indeed, what I should have said from the start is that I believe that we are all going to die, in that science increasingly believes otherwise — and science increasingly has become a matter of belief. Its logic, once pointed at the eradication of disease and infection, is now inexorably pointed at aging and death, which is to say the ultimate questions that were once left to religion. Over the past six years, I've written several science stories for Esquire's annual Best and Brightest issue, and most of them were about scientists who began contending with a particular disease but wound up contending with aging and death as disease — as something that can be cured.
There was Se-Jin Lee,at Johns Hopkins, and Lee Sweeney, at the University of Pennsylvania, who had uncovered the mechanisms of muscle growth and had produced, in their laboratories, mice as heavily muscled as Brahma bulls. There was Mark Roth, at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, who had figured out the secrets of suspended animation and could bring back to life experimental subjects that were, to all appearances, dead. And there was Andy Dillin, at the Salk Institute outside San Diego, whose research into the genetics of aging led him to discover the genetics of what he calls youthfulness, which he succeeded in experimentally manipulating, at least in mice and certain kinds of worms. Not only did all these scientists have ideas; they also all had products in various stages of testing, and what made the products so interesting was not just the ideas behind them — it was the implications of the ideas behind them. The products were never just what they were; they were always what we imagined they could be — a tonic, an elixir of some kind, a cure for mortality itself.
The work of Se-Jin Lee, for example, was being translated by the pharmaceutical giant Wyeth into MYO-029, a monoclonal antibody that targeted myostatin, the protein that inhibits muscle growth in virtually every muscled creature. Dr. Lee discovered myostatin, and it remains his hope that inhibiting it might provide the means for recovery in people suffering from muscle-wasting diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The hope of the pharmaceutical industry, however, as well as that of the general public, was for MYO-029 to have an "off-label indication" — a use that would go beyond the use approved by the FDA — considerably more comprehensive and creative. After all, cancer can be considered a muscle-wasting disease. So can old age. And so can life itself, in that one of its inevitable "symptoms" is decrepitude. Once science begins to address questions of biological destiny — and once questions of destiny come to be considered biological — the logic of belief tends to take over: For example, most of the mainstream discussion that sprung up around MYO-029 concerned not the unlikely miracle of boys with Duchenne being able to walk but rather the insignificant prospect of dishonest athletes being able to run really, really fast. The accepted use of science is skeptical inquiry; the off-label indication of science is for credulousness and fantasy, with ethical questions answered in the light of utopia instead of in the shadows of the here and now.
MYO-029 didn't work.Neither did a compound developed by Lee Sweeney, at least in a recent clinical trial. Neither did the drug Mark Roth delivered to the United States military for emergency testing, so promising was the prospect of soldiers surviving the most grievous battlefield wounds by having their metabolisms slowed nearly to a halt. Does this mean that they weren't, well, right — and that Esquire's editors were wrong for honoring them as the Best and Brightest? It doesn't. What it means, as any scientist will tell you, is that it's hard getting a drug to work in the human organism, and harder still to get it approved for the marketplace. It also means that, as loath as scientists are to admit it, science is simply a superior form of storytelling, its testable hypotheses and its quantifiable phenomena still subject to the human need for overarching narrative. The more ambitious and far-reaching its insights, the less likely it is that they will find expression anywhere but in the circumscribed circumstances of the laboratory or in the limitless expanses of the human imagination. That there is as yet no drug for immortality — or, for that matter, for muscle growth in the infirm — does not mean that immortality is theoretically or even technically impossible.
You see, here's the thing: MYO-029 didn't work. But on October 13, 2010, at an international neuromuscular-disorders conference in Japan, a biotech company out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, called Acceleron, announced that its drug did. Acceleron unveiled data suggesting that it had developed a protein that, injected subcutaneously, had succeeded in adding pounds of muscle to healthy human volunteers in a phase-one clinical trial, and was now being tested in a cohort of boys with Duchenne. It was not Se-Jin Lee's creation; it was his dream realized by another. But that's how science works; that's what it is, and why it succeeds more than any other human enterprise. As it expands its realm into matters of faith, science will become more and more faith-based, and more and more energized by the off-label indication. Its promises will become harder to believe the closer they come to being fulfilled, because belief will obligate us to make choices we are not equipped to make — choices once left to popes and their priests. And this is how science will finally become like religion in all things except its actuality. I do not believe that I will live forever. Nor do I believe that as an old man I will have to choose between acceptance of my decrepitude or the rejuvenation first envisioned by Se-Jin Lee when he accidentally created a mouse with bulging muscles. But in the end it won't matter what I believe. All that will matter is what the data says. And if it says that my destiny is to get older, longer, I will find myself on a line with all the other doubters, trying to avail myself of the consequences of faith.


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Hi, guys! Thank you all for your advice and kind words after I posted about feeling exhausted— I took some time for myself and am feeling much more relaxed and rejuvenated now. I even took a long weekend away! I went to Utah this past weekend to do a little skiing with the Man Friend, his brother, his best friend, and some old friends of the Family Man Friend (yes, as usual, it was me surrounded by a thundering herd of bros… sigh…). Dude overdose aside, we had a great time, and enjoyed the heaps and heaps of powder snow that fell from the heavens without ceasing the whole time we were there!
I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to skiing (learned a couple of years ago?), but the boys are old pros and I HATE to lag behind, so I fall. A LOT. Like this:
Or like this:
Wait a minute… after reviewing the photos from the weekend, there isn't a single one of me actually SKIING! Don't worry– there's a large collection of me collapsed in various sad poses. Thanks a lot, husbie [SHAKES FIST AT THE SKY]!
Because I'm a good sister-in-law, I made a little gift for my bro-in-law. His obsession over the last year or so has been a game called Dwarf Fortress. Don't ask me to explain what it is or how you play it– I'm not THAT good of a sister-in-law (and I black out when people explain things for longer than, oh, 9 seconds?). All I know is that there is a little dwarf-y guy that's a big deal, and b-i-l loves to use it as his avatar for stuff, so I decided to make him a little hat with the design.
It looks a little crummy here, but it's a bit nicer in person. I used Cascade 220, my old stand-by, and just did the dwarf design in duplicate stitch. If anyone wants the pattern, I'd be happy to write it up.
So yeah… a nice and easy, dumb project… it felt good to make something silly!
What are you guys up to this weekend? Any fun plans or projects? I finally caught up with my bursting-at-the-seams blogroll today– you guys have been BUSY! And have been cranking out some cool stuff! It's been really fun checking in with everybody to see what you've been up to!


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Foraged foods from the wilderness are this year's hottest trend in natural, ethical eating. They're lauded as more organic than organic: after all, they grow in the wild, where there aren't just 'approved' pesticides and fertilizers, but none whatsoever. Growing of their own volition, these native species don't need a farmer to tame them—and perhaps warp their purity, sapping them of taste and nutrient value.
Wild food is also, paradoxically, celebrated as the most local of foods, though the wild was once upon a time the most remote and alien of places. This sense of locality arises in the figure of the forager, the man (and almost always it is a man) whose profile makes up most media reports on wild food; the man who goes deep into the woods and brings its bounty back out, directly to you. Like the family farmer he's wholesome, connected to the soil and its seasons. And in this way wild food becomes small-scale, fair trade, a way of supporting local economies. There aren't any intermediaries, and no 2 500 miles, just a quick jaunt out of the city, into your local wilderness.
Who is this forager? He's a character drawn at first glance from our collective imagination of the mushroom picker. A solitary and vaguely European, upper- or at least middle-crusty sort with a walking stick and wicker basket, perhaps accompanied by a well-trained hound that can sniff out the prey, he knows the secret patches where these sorts of things grow and will take their locations to his grave. And in this latest incarnation he's also become a lay botanist, conjuring names and identities out of the tangle of green, bringing us closer to the miracles of nature we city-dwellers forgot from want of exposure: our plant-loving, Earth-loving Adam. With that basket he spreads the seeds and spores, helping the foods grow. At the same time, with his compass and his technical outwear and the shimmering blade of his knife, he also takes reasonable precautions in light of the animals, the elements, of getting lost: all our vague urban fears of the wilderness handily dispatched.
But the fact of the matter is that while this man really exists, is who he says he is, and does what he appears to do, hidden behind him is a whole society of other men (or almost as often women, elders and families) who we never seem to hear about. They are the pickers. Like fruit pickers and vegetable pickers on farms, they're often marginalized and poor, working a physically demanding and dangerous job to make ends meet the only way that seems possible. They confront the cold in threadbare sneakers and jeans they bought at Walmart, pick into a plastic bag that last held groceries or a six-pack of beer, and don't need a compass because they know these woods well, as anyone who worked them day after day, year after year would. Their dog is a burly one designed to take on a bear, and if they carry a weapon it's a rifle, because their knife is a tool, meant to cut stalks and stems as quickly, numerously and profitably as possible: they're paid by the piece, and the profit always seems less than it should.
In Canada these people are most often refugees from ruined local resources economies: from shuttered sawmills and denuded oceans, from blighted reserves. In the United States they tend to be refugees of another sort, Laotians, Hmong, Vietnamese and Cambodians fleeing the still-rippling violence of the Vietnam War. In other words, the people who produce the vast majority of wild food aren't foragers but pickers, resource workers displaced by machinations of power they did little to cause but do much to suffer. They struggle to survive in capitalism's precarious hinterlands by gathering raw materials for the profit and use of someone more powerful. Someone somewhere else: someone in the city.
It's hardly fair to blame anyone involved for this. The media are interested in a hot new trend; they want to find a local business that's engaged in it, to tell about it. The owner, the forager who sells wild foods to chefs or at farmers' markets, really is a forager; that's why and how he is in this business. Although obviously one man is not enough to supply all of a city's restaurants, some of the product comes from their own forays in the bush, and when the press comes knocking, they take them to the place they both love the best: the woods. They believe in wild food, in its value and uniqueness, in its healthfulness, in its superiority to the products of the global industrial food system. And in many ways, they're right. For instance, unlike many agricultural workers, the Canadian pickers at least love their work: love being in the woods, the freedom and excitement of it all; love being their own bosses instead of working a soul-crushing job with an overseer who treats you like dirt.
What they don't love is having all the risk and few of the rewards: having nothing to eat when nothing grows to pick; ending up stranded at the end of the season, having spent all their money on gas that's gone, 1 000 km from home—if they have one. They don't love trying to break into urban markets on the other side of the continent. Failing to negotiate the cultural and class differences, they are turned away at the airport when they try to ship their product because of their lack of credit and their soiled clothes. They are turned away at the restaurant for fears of contaminated or misidentified mushrooms. And so the contradictions of contemporary capitalisms gain another foothold. Once again, and this time in the realm of the most natural, most ethical, most plainly good product yet, the true nature of production and the difficult circumstances of the producers are well-veiled. The wild, that place that seemed so newly close to home, at end remains so very far removed.
Dylan Gordon (@KnowWildFood) is a PhD Candidate in Anthropology at the University of Toronto, researching the ethics and economics of wellbeing in the Canadian trade of wild food products. (www.dylangordon.ca)


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In the early days of commercial aviation, American Airlines used boldness and innovation to build its business and move the industry forward. Now, however, the storied franchise is fighting for survival, and only the rebirth of its past innovation and daring can lift the airline above the turbulence.
Shares of American's parent AMR Corp. (NYSE:AMR) have taken a beating already this week, falling more than 10% on Monday on news that its pilots' union, with whom it's been negotiating since 2006, rejected two contract proposals.
Amid a broader downturn in the market on Wednesday, the stock is now down more than 19% for the week.
The airline faces ferocious headwinds including high costs, a gas guzzling fleet and labor trouble. The Allied Pilots Association board voted late Tuesday to reject American's latest offers, which would have paid pilots of smaller jets 40% less than their peers, farmed out more flights to other airlines under "code-share" arrangements and required pilots to work more hours.
While wages and hours are critical, the biggest sticking point might be the future of health benefits and pensions — costs that American must slash in order to survive. New pilots joining American would be offered 401(k) plans instead of pensions.
The airline also wants to stop paying health benefits when retired pilots turn 65 – which likely explains a 10-fold increase in pilot retirements during August and September. AMR's stock fell 34% on the retirement news, which markets interpreted as a sign of an impending bankruptcy filing.
As bad as things are, American Airlines isn't in its final death spiral. Here are four things AMR must do to pull out of the tailspin:
1. File For Bankruptcy Protection. Competitors like United Continental (NYSE:UAL), Delta (NYSE:DAL) and US Airways (NYSE:LLC) filed for bankruptcy protection in the mid-2000s, and emerged stronger. But that option isn't as favorable today as it was for the carriers that filed six or seven years ago, and American officials have long said that bankruptcy is neither a goal nor a preference. But in the wake of the failed pilots' talks, it now may be a necessity – and the only way to retain some measure of control over its destiny.
2. Merge With Another Carrier. Airlines have benefited from recent mergers. Consider United-Continental, Delta-Northwest and Southwest (NYSE:LUV)-AirTran. AMR missed out on gaining market share and efficiency through that recent flurry of major mergers; its last acquisition was of TWA a decade ago. Although that deal ultimately weakened AMR financially, it could be a rough blueprint for a merger with another major carrier – most likely, US Airways (NYSE:LCC). That airline has repeatedly said it's looking for the next big merger deal, would be the logical choice to hook up with American.
3. Sell Off American Eagle. The airline's much-reviled regional unit is a drain on its earnings, operations and reputation. American Eagle's recent $900,000 federal fine for 16 tarmac delays of three hours or more represents yet another fire the beleaguered AMR must scramble to put out. Divestiture is easier said than done, however, since it would be competing for buyers with Republic's (Nasdaq: RJET) more attractive Frontier Airlines' unit, which is also on the block.
4. Win Back Wall Street With Bold Innovation. American first premiered the first airport lounge in 1937 and co-developed the first computer-based reservations and ticketing system with IBM (NYSE:IBM) back in 1960. If the airline is going to buy time to bounce back, it will need to get creative and float a turnaround plan fast before panicked investors take the matter out of its hands. Cisco's (Nasdaq: CSCO) aggressive strategy earlier this year might be the best recent case study. When its earnings sunk nine months ago, the company immediately moved to cut $1 billion in costs, shutter 10 business units and reduce its payroll by nearly 13,000 employees. Read about the positive impact here: https://investorplace.com/2011/11/bet-on-cisco-csco-tech-stocks-to-buy/.
As of this writing, Susan J. Aluise did not hold a position in any of the stocks named here.


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