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Pac-Man Dash!
Namco Bandai's mascot picks up the pace.
Plenty of video game characters have iOS and Android endless runners, so why not Pac-Man? Namco Bandai's Pac-Man Dash! sees the iconic hero doing his best Sonic the Hedgehog impression as he zips through five unique courses gobbling pellets referred to as cookies and munching on his archenemies, the evil ghosts, to add precious seconds to the clock. There are some cool ideas that help make this free-to-play effort intriguing, along with visually stimulating graphics, a quality presentation and responsive tap controls. Our only gripe involves the need for Stamina, which similar to Candy Crush Saga's lives forbids people from playing unless it refills over time or the person forks over some cash.
Like most running games, you don't control Pac-Man's momentum. Instead, the yellow guy charges forward and you simply press the jump button to reach higher platforms. You also don't have to inhale special power-pellets to turn ghosts blue. They do this automatically whenever Pac-Man gets within range, which lets you concentrate on the task at hand, completing the current objective.
These challenges run the proverbial gamut, from jumping a set number of times to using the Dash Meter to catch up to progressively quicker ghosts. The first 20 goals are easy enough, but later missions made us sweat as the timer ticked closer to zero with no ghosts in sight. Eventually, one more second seemed like manna from the heavens.
What's especially satisfying is how fast the game is. We didn't use that Sonic reference lightly. You've never seen Pac-Man move like this, and the thrilling sense of speed that comes from running through tubes, sailing through the air and charging down ramps is a welcome sensation and a far departure from Pac-Man's usual maze-traveling antics.
In addition, we really like the game's presentation. Screens are both colorful and easy to navigate, and high quality music rounds out the package. All told, the app is like something we'd see as a downloadable title for Xbox Live Arcade.
There's also a promising Skylanders-like feature with a line of Pac-Man toys due out this August. Consumers are able to enter bar codes to gain access to different characters for a limited time, or they can buy these virtual figurines with cookies at reduced prizes. Each one comes with special abilities to help make things easier, along with much-needed variety.
Of course, there's the usual in-app purchase fluff designed to grab dollars from one's wallet, things like extra time and double the cookies. That stuff's fine. It's the aforementioned Stamina that drags the game down. We see little reason to limit a person's playtime. Namco Bandai redeems itself by allowing someone 10 chances at a time, and Stamina replenishes quickly enough, but still. It doesn't belong.
Aside from that minor annoyance, Pac-Man Dash is both highly polished and refreshing. Not sure whether the upcoming toys will be a hit, but if anything, you can enjoy this fast-paced and free runner for your mobile device.
What's Hot:Over 70 missions to complete, different characters to play as, Skylanders-like toy integration, quality presentation, Pac-Man doing his best Sonic impression.
What's Not:Stamina.


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Turning Coffee Grounds to Compost
Now that the Ground to Ground flyer brochure is getting out there, it's time to provide some more detail to cafe owners about an easy way to reduce coffee waste to landfill, while at the same time helping your customers create healthier and more productive gardens.
How much 'Coffee Ground waste' can you stop generating?
The general rule is that 50,000 single espressos equal 1 tonne (2205 lb), or you can take all the dry weight of the coffee grounds you buy and double it (so if you use 30 of those 500 gram bags from your supplier each week, you end up with 30 kilos of used coffee grounds per week or just over 1.5 tonnes each year). You may be surprised by how much of these grounds you create from that humble espresso machine – the waste sure adds up.
Consider the size of your bins and what you could do if you didn't need to throw away all those coffee grounds. At the least your people would not need to carry such a heavy bag out to the bin, and I never understood why it is always the smallest guy in the shop that carries that bag anyway!?
Why it makes sense to give out the Coffee Grounds on-site
I have been fortunate in my professional life to have been mentored by some very serious process oriented people, and after enough times it becomes easy to see how the pieces fit together.
When I started speaking with friends about the idea for Ground to Ground, the thought was to have all the grounds collected, stored, then eventually sold through retail stores or for commercial applications (such as in construction landfill, ETC). The problem with this approach is in the amount of energy and effort required to centralised it all. If you have a look at the chart below, it becomes clear how many steps are required to move the coffee grounds from the start to finish.
Some more detail on each step is below the chart.
A Long Journey for a Little Bean
1. Order Coffee
Late, Cappuccino, Flat White, just not a Hot Chocolate!
2. Grounds Created
Water is forced through the dry coffee grounds at high pressure extracting the lovely crema. Then that lovely coffee cake is tapped from the portafilter into the knockbox. About 20 grams of coffee grounds are left behind each time your coffee is made.
3. Ground Stored
The used coffee grounds are at some point in the day, or several times, tipped out of the knockbox and into a bin or bucket. A café will generate 20 to 100 kilos of grounds per week, so may need a bin on the larger size, much like this 60 litre bin full of coffee grounds.
4. Grounds Picked-up
Now the garbage/ rubbish/ environmental/ waste disposal company will come and collect the coffee grounds into an ever larger bin. I keep thinking about one of those large trucks that are expensive, have big tyres, and use lots of diesel to move around. Lots of energy to build a truck and heaps of fuel to collect lots of coffee grounds, you get the idea.
5. Grounds Stored
The coffee grounds are stored somewhere at the collection depot. It is possible that the truck would go straight to the manufacturer but not that likely. So off it goes to a depot where it all waits to build up even more. About 2 weeks have passed by now since you had that lovely coffee.
6. Grounds Arrive in Bulk
A fertiliser/ compost manufacturer will receive the grounds and prepare to process them. What they need to deal with is how to change coffee ground to fertilizer.
7. Grounds Prepared
The coffee grounds need to be dried, treated for mould (after 2 weeks if kept damp there will be mould), stored again, re-treated, then possibly mixed with other materials to form a potting mix or compost based product. You need people and energy to make all this happen, and big industrial machines.
8. Grounds Packaged
Now the coffee grounds product (or another type of product mixed from a combination of coffee grounds and other material), goes into packaging, which is almost always plastic, and gets loaded onto a pallet. The product needs a brand name, trademark, barcodes, to be actually printed on, marketing effort, and people to make all those things happen. Another big truck now ships the pallet to a retailer.
9. Packaged Grounds Kept in Stock
The retailer holds stock of the coffee grounds product for the general public, now a good 5 to 10 weeks after your coffee was made, and that 20 grams of used coffee grounds is there somewhere in that bag.
10. Packaged Grounds Sold
You buy a bag of coffee grounds from the retailer, and after a whole lot of storing, transporting, processing, and packaging, you get it into your car (oh my yet more fuel), for its final journey.
11. Packaged Grounds Taken Home and Used
You will use the product as an additive to the compost pile or compost bin, for the vegetable patch, the worm farm, to sprinkle over the lawn, or to put onto the pavement to deter snails and slugs (and ants and cats!).
A Shorter Journey for a Little Bean
So now let us have a look at all the steps required to give the coffee grounds out directly from the cafe. As you can see below, there are so few steps we don't need to go into any detail, only to say that the whole thing will take about 10 minutes, and you can take your coffee grounds home while the coffee cup is still hot.
Following the steps below will save a great deal of energy against any other form of processing the coffee grounds, which means a lower environmental footprint, and that is a smarter way to do business.
How does a Cafe Collect Coffee Grounds for Customers
The most effective way to do this is to have a plastic bag in the knock-box cylinder. Once the bag is full, one of the best natural soil additives on Earth is ready to hand out.
They can store for a couple of days in the bag without too much trouble, and I'm confident that if you let your customers know that the coffee grounds are available, one or more of them will gladly take it off your hands.
+Shane Genziuk

subset: commoncrawl


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Border Economy: Issues and Problems Faced by Traders in The Rantau Panjang Duty-free Zone
Rantau Panjang Duty-free Zone is located between the state of Kelantan (Malaysia) and Golok Town (Thailand). This paper seeks to identify issues and problems faced by traders in the Rantau Panjang Duty-free Zone. In addition, the study also aims to identify socio-demographic characteristics of the traders, especially in terms of their citizenship status, sources of supply, ownership status of business premises, sources of capital and income. Data collection using questionnaire, conducted via face to face interviews with 52 traders as respondents, indicates that the main issue facing local traders is competing with traders from Thailand who rent business premises owned by local citizens. About 77% of the premises were rented from the original owner without the knowledge of the authorities. The issue of dual citizenships is still an unanswered question when 48% or the respondents refused to answer the relevant question. The weakness of enforcement along the Sungai Golok and Rantau Panjang Duty-free Zone causes smuggling of goods where most of the smuggled goods are traded in the business premises in the Duty-free Zone. This study also found that about 70% of the traders' sources of supply are from Thailand, brought-in either legally or illegally. There are a total of 73% of women traders, and about 82% of the capital for business come from own savings or family assistance.
Keywords: Border Economy, Rantau Panjang Duty-free Zone. Malaysia-Thailand Border.
Full Text:PDF
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/jsr.v3i2.2175
Copyright (c) 2012 Fauzi Hussin, Norehan Abdullah, Selamah Maamor, Hussin Abdullah
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Journal of Sociological Research ISSN 1948-5468
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Αθλητικές Κάλτσες Watermelon Odd HEXXEE
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A single pair of HEXXEE socks have the ability to last for two years or longer when looked after and washed correctly. We recommend a machine wash in cold water no warmer than 30 degrees, or most preferred is a hand-wash in cold water to achieve the best results.
HEXXEE socks can be pre-treated with fabric softener and stain remover but NOT bleach or boil, as this will damage your 1.0 HEXXEE socks.
We recommend hang drying HEXXEE socks.


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A brand is the identity of a product or service. Interestingly, the word originates from "branding" for ownership of cattle and other animals, but the meaning of the word has evolved to encompass identify, and can now take many forms (promise, symbol, general identity).
As any professional service provider (recruiter, lawyer, engineer, town planner etc) your personal brand defines who you are and what you stand for. In the professional services arena, technical excellence is essential, but so too is the ability to distinguish yourself from your competitors. Key to this is building a strong personal brand (this is separate to your company brand). Having presented on this subject a few times, it is surprising how many people in this industry don't have any concept of their own brand.
Your brand is developed through all the points of contact with you and is known as your "brand experience". When a candidate calls to enquire about a role – how do you treat them? When you are sitting in front of a client to take a brief or present a shortlist – what is their experience?
To engage in building your brand, you need to develop or align the expectations behind the brand experience, and the impressions that people get when they deal with you need to be consistent. To develop your brand consider:
- What makes you special or unique? (Point of difference)
- What is your value proposition?
- What can you offer in the market place?
- Just like a corporate brand, a personal brand offers a promise – what is yours?
- How is your appearance and presentation?
- How do you communicate (written and verbal?)
- What are your values?
- Are you consistent?
Branding is not just about the way you walk, talk and dress. It's the way that you conduct business, your customer service level and your follow through on promises. I was talking to a client last week, who sent me an email that they had received from another recruiter trying to market a candidate. The email was filled with grammatical errors, and was very informal. This was a recruiter that she had not dealt with before. How is this person's brand perceived by this client? Remember that every bit of correspondence that leaves your desk defines your brand. Consider too your personality – it's important not to try and be someone that you are not.
Spend some time thinking about what words or descriptors describe you, and think long term about what you want to stand for. Always focus on fine tuning your interpersonal skills (including written) and most importantly – be consistent!


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Game and Fish History
The creation in 1930 of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department was a continuation of efforts to preserve fish and game species in the state. At its inception the enforcement of game and fish laws was the department's primary conservation tool. Over the years the legislature has increased enforcement authority and assigned regulatory powers to the agency aiding its efforts to preserve fish and wildlife and their habitats.
Advancements in fish and wildlife conservation science have added many other tools essential to the ongoing conservation efforts of the agency and have helped make possible the successful reintroduction of several game and fish species and the preservation of many others in the state.
Timeline of Significant Events in the History of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
- In 1909 a five-member Game and Fish Board of Control was created.
- State legislators passed a law for a game and fish commissioner to take over the duties of the board in 1929. Voters approved the measure in 1930, marking the beginning of the Game and Fish Department as we know it today.
- July 26, 1930 Burnie W.Maurek was appointed by Governor George F. Schafer as head of the game and fish commission.
- The first Pittman-Robertson project was submitted in 1939. A 480-acre land acquisition purchased for $5 an acre,was added to the existing Dawson Refuge in Kidder County.
- The deer harvest for 1941 was estimated at 2,890 animals.Hunters at the time claimed 1941 was one of the best big game seasons ever held.
- It was estimated the state's deer population was 7,000-8,000 animals in 1941.
- The first year hunting was allowed on national grasslands in North Dakota was 1941.Hunters were required to have a free permit before hunting.
- The state's first elk transplant took place in late winter 1942. The animals came from Wyoming and were released in the Killdeer Mountains.
- Following the near disappearance of pronghorn in the state – animals ranged over nearly all the open prairies in the mid-1800s, but only about 225 pronghorn remained by 1925 – the first hunting season since 1899 was held in 1951.
- The first statewide bow season for deer was held in 1954. There were 1,119 licenses sold for that first season that ran from October 9-24.
- Any discussion on the state's top fishing waters today would have to include Devils Lake. But in the 1950s,North Dakota's largest natural lake was hardly part of the picture. In the 1940s, the lake was nearly dry.
- Chinook salmon were introduced into Lake Sakakawea in 1976.
- Lake Tschida in Grant County was the "Walleye Capital of North Dakota" in 1961. Twenty-four of 25 fish over 10 pounds reported to the Whopper Club came from Tschida.
- In 1968, creel limits for walleye and sauger were removed on Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe and the Missouri River. The next year limits were reinstated, but an angler could still take eight walleye and eight sauger daily.
- With rising water levels, Devils Lake was stocked with fish in 1970-71. By 1972 people were catching fish for the first time in many years.
- The Game and Fish Department held an experimental paddlefish snagging season in 1976 for the first time.
- The state legislature in 1977 passed the hunter safety bill, requiring all hunters born after December 31, 1961 to have taken a hunter safety course before they could purchase a license. The law took effect in 1979.
- The first North Dakota moose season was held in 1977. Twelve permits were issued.
- Department fisheries crews in 1980 made their first attempt to take spawn from chinook salmon during the fall run on Lake Sakakawea.
- Some state school lands in 1983 were opened to public access for the first time. Over the next four years almost all state school land was opened to walking public access.
- The state legislature in 1987 passed a law allowing a tax checkoff to fund a nongame wildlife program in North Dakota.


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3 Questions: Hunt Alcott on behavioral economics and the energy crisis
Behavioral economics is used to examine how consumers make decisions about everything from their life savings to which brands of jam they select in a supermarket. Hunt Allcott, a behavioral economist with a two-year appointment as the Energy and Society Fellow in MIT's Department of Economics and the MIT Energy Initiative, wants to apply his field's insights to the realm of energy use.
In the latest issue of Science, Allcott and co-author Sendhil Mullainathan, of Harvard, advocate passage of a bill currently in Congress that would fund more behavioral research about energy consumption. The authors also note initiatives like that of OPOWER, a Virginia company, which has found that the user-friendly energy reports it sends to consumers can influence behavior enough to reduce household energy use by 2 percent, at minimal cost (OPOWER is an affiliate of Ideas42, an MIT-linked think tank to which Allcott also belongs). MIT News spoke with Allcott about how behavioral economics addresses our energy needs.
Q. Why should we invest in behavioral research pertaining to energy efficiency, and what are the specific kinds of research we can do right now?
A. It's an economic argument. There are lots of different technology-centered R&D investments that we can and do make: Fuel cells, hybrid vehicles, wind power. But we can also invest in new social science research that can inform policies and programs that encourage people to consume energy differently. The argument Sendhil and I make is that we have to compare across all of these classes and say, "What's cost-effective in terms of achieving our goals?" We use the results from recent large-scale energy conservation programs that were motivated by behavioral science to show that behavioral science R&D is an underexplored and potentially cost-effective approach.
Let me give you two examples of how economics can inform energy efficiency policy. First, much of the policy-oriented research in behavioral economics has been about identifying barriers in individual decision making that keep us from making the choices that, in a perfect world, we would have wanted to make for ourselves. Perhaps the leading example of this has been helping people to make better choices about how much to invest in their retirement plans, and what funds to hold. One of the things I'm interested in is to document whether consumers make similar types of mistakes when they go to buy air conditioners, or cars. It's a complex decision, and the benefits of energy efficiency occur incrementally and in the future, so those benefits are not very salient. Depending on the types of mistakes that consumers are making — if we conclude they are indeed making mistakes — we can design policies to nudge them in ways that they would find helpful.
Second, economists tend to think of energy consumption as driven primarily by prices. Indeed, in many domains, I think we reflexively focus on price at the expense of failing to model other important drivers of consumer choice. There's a lot of research in behavioral economics that suggests we can influence people to conserve energy, or do other things, in many ways other than raising prices. I think an important research area is to document whether policies and programs based on these sorts of insights can increase welfare or be cost-effective in reducing carbon emissions.
Q. To what extent will consumers make different choices if they simply have the facts about energy explained to them in a clear manner?
A. The effect of clearer information is an empirical question that often has surprising answers. One example of this is from OPOWER, a company that our research group interacts with a lot. OPOWER sends home energy use reports to households that compare those households to their neighbors and give energy conservation tips. The information in these reports is very similar to what's already on a utility bill: How much did you spend this month, how much did you spend this year, here's where you can get compact fluorescent lightbulbs. But something about the way they're presenting it — presumably the way they use comparisons to neighbors — seems to be very powerful. I'm not sure it would have been obvious to any of us 10 years ago or three years ago that this program would have large effects in the real world.
There was an academic study by psychologist Bob Cialdini and co-authors that helped provide the proof-of-concept for the OPOWER program. In this study, the researchers left door-hangers at a group of households in California. Some of the door-hangers said, "Save money by saving energy," some of them said, "Save the environment," and some said, "Here's how much your neighbors are using." And the ones that said, "Here's how much your neighbors are using" had a much stronger impact on energy consumption. In the last couple of years that study in particular has had a lot of influence.
Q. Okay, so why is it that referring to neighbors is effective?
A. Psychologists have been great at documenting that if you tell people what the social norm is, people will converge to the social norm. In my mind there are two leading economic hypotheses for why this works in energy consumption. One is called "conditional cooperation." People may be altruistic, and they view conserving energy as contributing to the public good of reducing climate change. People are typically more willing to contribute to a public good if they are informed that other people are contributing more than they are.
The other explanation is just social inference. It could be that I couldn't care less about the environment, but I do want to save money. And if you tell me that I'm using twice as much energy as my neighbor, that lets me know that maybe I've been leaving a window open or that my furnace is inefficient. So that's purely a self-interested, informational story. Testing between these two explanations is one of the research questions we're interested in.
Provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology


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SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — A new plan could bring concerts and events to the waterfront as early as mid-June, although not on the site originally imagined by Assistant City Manager Jon Jennings.
Jennings and representatives of property owner John Cacoulidis on Tuesday presented the Planning Board a revised plan for an outdoor concert venue on 23 acres of land near Bug Light.
On Feb. 25, Cacoulidis will ask the board to approve a modified site plan review and special exception use for the property, which will be called Liberty Ship Pavilion.
"Why we are in front of you so soon is there is so much interest," Jennings said, adding that organizers of a folk festival, a wine festival and the Portland Symphony Orchestra have approached the city about using the property at 149 Front St.
The venue is a change from one proposed last fall at the edge of Bug Light Park on land leased to the city by Portland Pipe Line Corp. The potential capacity remains at 10,000, but Jennings said he would expect to draw between 5,000 and 6,000 people to shows.
Steve Doe, a Sebago Technics landscape architect hired by Cacoulidis, said the land tucked between a tank farm used by Gulf Oil and the public city boat launch would be cleared, a lawn would be planted and the area would also be made suitable for vehicles. The stage would sit along the Fore River, so audiences would face Portland Harbor.
Cacoulidis was also represented at the workshop by Thomas Moulton, a broker with the Dunham Group in Portland, who said the venue will be a temporary project for a couple of years while Cacoulidis ponders mixed-use development of the property.
Prior development ideas proposed by Cacoulidis included constructing a hotel connected to Portland by an overhead tram. While this is not part of the new plan, Jennings said the concert venue has drawn interest from Casco Bay Lines, which could ferry passengers between Portland and a pier at Southern Maine Community College.
City Licensing Administrator Jessica Hanscombe said traffic would be directed to the site using Front and Madison streets, and two of the three lanes on the eastern end of Broadway.
Hanscombe estimated the area will have parking for 800 to 900 vehicles, plus nearby SMCC lots. She also said the 6,000 participants and spectators for last summer's "Color Run" in the campus area were able to leave within an hour after the event concluded, and people leaving evening shows may get out even faster.
With the possible exception of the wine festival in October, Jennings said all events would occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when SMCC is not in full session. Shows would be required to end by 11 p.m.
Unlike the original proposal, the venue would not have seating areas that would be assembled and disassembled at the beginning and end of the season. Hanscombe said local vendors would be given preference to serve food, and the individual caterers would be responsible for obtaining state liquor licenses for a designated beer garden.
City officials will also talk with Portland Pipe Line officials about using adjacent land, Jennings said.
The venue would be smaller than the Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor and comparable to the Bank of America Pavilion on Boston's waterfront, Jennings said.
Event permits would be reviewed by city staff and not require City Council approval, because no street closures would be involved.


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Mega Buzz: Scandal Revenge, Crazy Mommy Issues and Once's Proposal
Every week, senior reporter Natalie Abrams satisfies your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to email@example.com or tweet them to @NatalieAbrams.
I need some Scandal scoop ASAP! - Jennie
The campaign will be in full swing when the show returns, but Fitz may not make it out unscathed. He'll have to deal with both someone swearing vengeance against him and resurfacing old rumors. In unrelated news, you will see some interesting nudity in the midseason return.
Got any scoop on The Crazy Ones? - Lindsay
I've learned exclusively that Marilu Henner has been cast as Paige, Sydney's mom, who will make her way to Chicago in mid-April when Simon and Gordon need her to cast a deciding vote. The self-absorbed Paige makes Simon look like Father of the Year. Nevertheless, she'll put a smile on Simon's face, if you know what I mean...
I so envy Natalie Abrams! I want to watch Once Upon a Time'smidseason premiere too! - Emma, via Twitter
It was everything that I imagined and more. The midseason premiere, which jumps back a year to tell the story of everyone's return to the Enchanted Forest, also features a shocking proposal that doesn't quite go the way of happily-ever-after. Plus: There's this.
Got any spoilers for the new season of Bates Motel? - Sean
The new season focuses on the fallout of Miss Watson's death, in particular the toll it's taking on poor Norman, who draws suspicion by sobbing during the funeral and obsessively visiting her gravesite. And even though it's easy to assume that Norman killed Miss Watson during one of his blackouts, the new season quickly reveals that someone else in town may have had a pretty strong motive.
Do you have more Walking Dead scoop on Abraham? - Deacon
In the comics, Abraham is Rick's right-hand man, but the show will go down a different path. "Some of those stories that join us together have been told already," Michael Cudlitz tells me. For example, on the TV show Rick has already taken that trip back to the armory with Shane instead of Abraham, as in the graphic novel. "At that point in the comics, they have an understanding. We're going to handle it differently," Cudlitz says.
How long will Joe Carroll be in the shadows on The Following? - Lindsay
Not for long. An author (Sprague Grayden) who profited off Carroll's previous killing spree wants Ryan to confirm that Joe is alive, and she's threatening to go public with the information unless Ryan gives her every juicy little detail.
Do you have any scoop on the Supernatural spin-off? - Jonah
Supernatural: Tribes will air its backdoor pilot in the 20th episode of this season and longtime SPN fans will notice more than a few similarities to the original series' pilot. After the death of a loved one, the show's protagonist, Ennis, is dragged into the world of hunting and monsters. It comes as no surprise that Sam is far more sympathetic to the wannabe cop than his brother when they run into Ennis working a case in Chicago. And while Tribes lacks Supernatural's beloved sibling angst, Ennis has his fair share of Winchester-level daddy issues.
Thanks for the scoop on Danny and Mindy. But can't you give me any better news when it comes to my favorite Mindy Project couple? - Trina
Well, first off, they're not a couple - at least that's the word on the street. It probably isn't a good sign that in an upcoming episode, Mindy has sworn off all men. Yup, even Danny. But that's OK, he'll be busy cozying up to Peter's sister (JoAnna Garcia Swisher).
Do you have any Chicago Fire scoop? - Brian
Dawson and Casey are still together... for now. But the EMT-turned-firefighter-in-training will soon seek solace in her new teacher, Severide. "We really get close," Monica Raymund says. "I need him and he's there for me and we have this... truthful moment where I don't want to admit something to him and he just gets it and he takes me out and brings me to the firehouse to cheer me up."
I can't wait for The Originals to come back. - Janelle
Me neither! Maybe Elijah can, though, since he'll face major repercussions for choosing to save Hayley over his siblings. "There is a guilt [and] shame attached to that," executive producer Julie Plec says. "It definitely drives him hard to rescue his siblings in the next episode and to try to pull the family back together even as it's under assault." Unfortunately, the Original family won't just be battling witches. The werewolves will join the fray in the latter half of the season.
I'm really enjoying The Blacklist. Any idea about what's coming up? - Nancy
So that upcoming episode featuring both Dianne Wiest and Lance Reddick is pretty much going to be off the hook. But NBC's description of Wiest's character as "kind and sympathetic" is not quite how I'd put it, particularly since she has a vendetta and will make Cooper pay for a past mistake. While she's fighting against capital punishment, she's not above using it herself.
Will Stefan and Katherine hook up again on The Vampire Diaries? - Bridget
Well, Katherine has made it her mission to do just that now that she's taken over Elena's body. She's going to come really close in the first episode back when the two take a little road trip that, of course, involves a stop at a motel... and a steamy shower.
Mega Rave:Jimmy Fallon made his Tonight Show debut in style. From the Tonight Show Superlatives - lesbian Screech! - to the evolution of hip-hop dancing with Will Smith, it was a fun ride that kept me up way past my bedtime. Totally worth it. Your move, Letterman.
Mini Rant: Are the Olympics over yet? I want my regularly scheduled TV back, please.
This week's recommendation:Arrow (Wednesday, 8/7c on The CW). Sure, it's a repeat since the Olympics are on, but it's hands-down the best episode of the season. Barry is struck by lightning and Slade is revealed as the Big Bad! How can it get any better than that?
Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows? E-mail Natalie at firstname.lastname@example.com or drop me a line at Twitter.com/TVGuide
(Additional reporting by Adam Bryant, Sadie Gennis, Liz Raftery, Robyn Ross and Kate Stanhope)
View original Mega Buzz: Scandal Revenge, Crazy Mommy Issues and Once's Proposal at TVGuide.com
Other Links From TVGuide.com


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Orange Support Groups
Support groups that meet the first week of the month:
Alzheimer's Association support group — For individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, 12:30-2 p.m. first Wed., Mount Saint Mary College, Desmond Campus, 6 Albany Post Road, Newburgh. Call 800-272-3900.
American Cancer Society, women's cancer support group — First Tues. Call 800-ACS-2345.
Autism/PDD, support group for families of those with autism or pervasive developmental disorder — First Tues., Middletown. Sponsored by CAPIS program of the Mental Health Association, 73 County Highway 108, Middletown. Call 342-2400, ext. 253.
ARTS Anonymous — 6:30-8 p.m. every Wed., St. James' Church, 2 St. James Place, Goshen. Group dedicated to helping artists grow as creative people. Call 839-0426 or go to artsanonymous.org.
Bereaved Parents Support Group of Orange County — 7:30 p.m. first Mon., 555 Union Ave., New Windsor. Call 561-2837 or 783-9032.
Bereavement support groups led by Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties — 6:30 p.m. first and third Mon., YMCA of Middletown, 81 Highland Ave., Middletown. Call 561-6143, ext. 325.
Breast cancer support group — 6 p.m. first Wed., Orange Regional Community Health Center, 110 Crystal Run Road, Town of Wallkill. Call 339-4673.
Cancer support group — 6:30 p.m. first Tues., Grace Community Church, 2839 Route 94, Washingtonville. Call 496-4372.
Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer (CROC) — 7-9 p.m. first Thurs., Circleville Church, corner of Route 302 and Goshen Turnpike. Call 291-8578.
Diabetes support group — 2 p.m. first Tues., Medical Office Building, Suite M-2, 161 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Call 858-7795.
Diabetes support group — 6 p.m. first Tues., Crystal Run Healthcare, 155 Crystal Run Road, Town of Wallkill. Call 796-5440.
Easy Breathers Club, Warwick — Meets 1 p.m. first Fri., St. Anthony Community Hospital, 15 Maple Ave., Warwick. For those with chronic pulmonary disease. Call 987-5148.
HANDS (Healing and Nurturing Distraught Survivors) — 6:30-8 p.m. first Wed., HANDS International Headquarters, 9 Scott Drive, New City. For parents who have lost a child. Call Ann Carucci, 634-6706.
Man to Man prostate cancer support group — First and third Tues. American Cancer Society support and education program. Call 800-ACS-2345.
Oral, head and neck cancer support group — 6-7:30 p.m. every first Tues., Orange Regional Medical Center Community Health Education Center, 110 Crystal Run Road, Town of Wallkill. Call 888-321-ORMC.
Orange County Foster Parent orientation — 9:30-11:30 a.m. first Fri., 23 Hatfield Lane, Goshen. Call 291-2800.
Osteoporosis educational support group — 6-7:30 p.m. first Tues., Mulberry Senior Center, 62-70 W. Main St., Middletown. Call 346-4073.
RAPP (Relatives as Parents Program) — 6:30-8 p.m. first Tues., Cornell Cooperative Extension, 18 Seward Ave., Middletown. Call 344-1234.
SDRC support group — First and third Tues., St. Patrick's Church, off Route 32, Highland Mills. Call Carol, 928-9252, or Ellen, 534-9465.
Spectrum Project meeting — 7 p.m. first and second Wed., 531 Route 32, Highland Mills. Works within the community to advocate for people on the autism spectrum and with other special needs. Call 853-3720.
Type 1 diabetes support group — 7 p.m. every first Mon., Crystal Run Healthcare, 155 Crystal Run Road, Town of Wallkill. For ages 18-25. Call 201-655-0328.
Welcome to Motherhood — 9:30-11:30 a.m. first, third and fifth Fri., St. Anthony Community Hospital, Garden Room at Mount Alverno Center, 20 Grand St., Warwick. Pregnancy and parenting classes with topics including bottle- and breast-feeding, postpartum emotional changes, caring for your newborn, more. Call 987-5300.
Women's Breast Cancer Options Group — 6-7:30 p.m. first Wed., 110 Crystal Run Road, Orange Regional Medical Center Community and Education Building, Town of Wallkill. Call 692-0234.
Support groups that meet on a regular basis:
24-hour AA hotlines — Orange County: 534-8525; Sullivan County: 866-490-5686; Ulster County: 331-6360; Dutchess County: 452-1111; Rockland County: 352-1112; Westchester County: 914-949-1200; Pike County, Pa.: 570-424-8532; New Jersey: 908-687-8566; new website: orangenyaa.org.
AA meeting — Noon Wed., Middletown Vet Center, 726 E. Main St., Town of Wallkill. 342-9917.
AAPT support group — For parents, friends and family members of those with substance-abuse problems, 7 p.m. every other Thurs., Milford Presbyterian Church, Milford, Pa. 570-686-2484.
Addiction recovery, 12-step Christian-based program — 8-9 p.m. Tues., Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, 104 Belmont Drive, Monticello. 970-485-0389.
Adult Children of Alcoholics — Sat., beginners: 10-11 a.m., step: 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Goshen United Methodist Church, Main Street, Goshen.
Adult Children of Alcoholics — United Church of Christ, Route 94 and Old Dominion Road, Blooming Grove, 7 p.m. Wed. 469-7425.
Adult Day Care — Elant at Goshen sponsors Adult Day Health Care, a medical-model program for daytime nursing home care; and Daybreak, a social-model program. Both offered Mon.-Fri. Preregistration required. 291-3813.
Al-Anon — For meeting information in Orange and Sullivan counties, 294-9999. In Ulster County, 339-5116.
Al-Anon — 8 a.m. Sat., Warwick Reformed Church, Maple Avenue, Warwick.
Al-Anon — 8 p.m. Mon., ORMC, Health Education, 110 Crystal Run Road, Town of Wallkill. 294-9999.
Al-Anon meeting — First Presbyterian Church, 142 Stage Road, Monroe, 11 a.m. every Mon. and Thurs. For friends and families of problem drinkers. 294-9999.
Al-Anon Friday Serenity Group — 10 a.m. Fri., King of Kings Lutheran Church, 543 Union Ave., New Windsor.
Al-Anon — 8 p.m. Fri., First Presbyterian Church, 11O Main St., Chester. 294-9999.
Al-Anon — 8 p.m. Wed., 7 p.m. Sun., First Presbyterian Church, corner of Wallkill and Clinton streets, Montgomery. 457-5383.
Al-Anon — 8 p.m. Fri., First Presbyterian Church, 110 Main St., Chester. 294-9999.
Al-Anon We Care Group — Harriman United Methodist Church, 15 Church St., Harriman, 6:30 p.m. Wed. beginners meeting, 7:15 p.m. Wed. regular and Alateen meetings.
Alcoholics Anonymous 24-hour hotlines — Orange County: 534-8525; Sullivan County: 866-490-5686; Ulster County: 331-6360; Pike County: 570-424-8532; Rockland County: 352-1112.
Alcoholics Anonymous — 7 p.m. Sun., 8 p.m. Wed., First Presbyterian Church, corner of Wallkill Avenue and Clinton Street, Montgomery. 457-5383.
Alzheimer's caregivers support group — 2-3:30 p.m. Tues., Center for Nursing Care and Rehabilitation, Goshen. 291-4186.
American Chronic Pain Association — Starting chapter in Chester and Monroe for patients and their families living with pain. 783-4418, or visit theacpa.org.
ARTS Anonymous — 6:30-8 p.m. Wed., St. James' Church, 2 St. James Place, Goshen. Group dedicated to helping artists grow as creative people. 839-0426 or go to artsanonymous.org.
Blood pressure screening — 9-11 a.m. every Tues., McAuley Center, Hammond Street, Port Jervis. 987-5050.
Cancer Support Services — Call Valerie Garguilo, 368-5190.
Celebrate Recovery — 7 p.m. Fri., Grace Community Church, 2839 Route 94, Washingtonville. A Bible-based program to help overcome hurts, habits, hang-ups and other life issues. 496-4372 or go to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Celebrate Recovery — 7 p.m. Fri., Milford Bible Church, 110 Foxcroft Drive, Milford, Pa. A Christ-centered 12-step program for any hurt, habit or hang-ups. 570-296-6019.
Celebrate Recovery — First Baptist Church, 20 W. Main St., Catskill. A Christ-centered 12-step program for any hurt, habit or hang-ups. 518-943-7761.
Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer (CROC) — Offers guest speakers, experience sharing and discussion groups on a regular basis. Connect and support facing the miracle of survival. 291-8578.
DBSA, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance — 7:30 p.m. Wed., Redeemer Lutheran Church, 37 Newton Sparta Road, Newton, N.J. 858-6316.
Debtors Anonymous — 6-7 p.m. Sun., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Maple Avenue and Route 94, Chester. 987-8159.
DivorceCare — 6:30 p.m. Tues., Goodwill Church, 2117 Route 208, Montgomery. Child care provided. 342-3512.
DivorceCare for kids — 7 p.m. Thurs., Grace Community Church, 2839 Route 94, Washingtonville. 496-4372.
Domestic violence support groups — Meet weekly for a nine-week program. For women affected by domestic violence. 888-503-HOPE.
Domestic violence support groups — Available for victims/survivors. 292-5700.
Double Trouble in Recovery — 2:30 p.m. Tues., Unitarian Universalist Church basement, corner of Orchard and East Main streets, Middletown. For those who have dealt with or are dealing with a mental disorder and chemical addiction. Call 565-1162, ext. 319, or TTY 565-0337.
EFFORTS — Emphysema Foundation for Our Right to Survive, online support and advocacy group. Contact www.emphysema.net or Linda, 292-3824.
Epilepsy peer support group — 6:30-7:30 p.m. second Tues., Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, 390 Crystal Run Road, Suite 102, Town of Wallkill. Connect with others with epilepsy. Family welcome. 695-6884.
Falun dafa (falun gong) — 6-7 p.m. Wed., Cornwall Community Center, 183 Main St., Cornwall. Free exercises/meditation help reduce stress and promote health and fitness. 549-2326.
Falun dafa (falun gong) — 5-6 p.m. Fri., Veterans Memorial Park, Main Street, Otisville. Exercises/meditation help reduce stress and promote health and fitness. 551-3986 or visit falundafa.org.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual Support and Social Group — 7-8:30 p.m. Tues., Synergy of Spirit Counseling and Hypnosis Center, 4 Main St., Chester. Gina, 469-5299 or 342-2993.
Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties Inc. adult bereavement support groups — 6:30 p.m. second and fourth Thurs., Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh. 561-5604, 117.
HUGS — Help Understand Guidance and Support for parents considering or experiencing psychiatric hospital admission for their child. 866-629-4829.
LGBT teens and friends support group — 3-4:30 p.m. Wed., Grace Episcopal Church, 58 North St., Middletown. 856-7272.
LifeRing Secular Recovery — 8 p.m. Mon. and 8 p.m. Thurs., Richard C. Ward Alcohol Treatment Center, Community Campus, Middletown. For those working on recovery from alcohol and/or drugs. Jack, 895-8076.
Nar-Anon — 7:30-8:30 p.m. Thurs., Pius XII, Main Street, Goshen. For families, friends of addicts. Twelve-step program to teach effective ways of coping with addiction. Linda, 355-2092, or Holly, 344-0667.
Narcotics Anonymous — 24-hour hotline for meetings, 431-6996.
Narcotics Anonymous — 7:30 p.m. Wed., Southwest Family Keys, 1997 Route 17M, Goshen. 216-1709.
New Beginnings for Divorced, Separated, or Widowed — 7 p.m. Tues., Marasco Center, Union Avenue, New Windsor. Eve, 565-9271 or Gar, 534-3815.
New Hope Support Group meeting — 5 p.m. Mon., Grace Episcopal Church, 85 East Main St., Port Jervis. Support group for adult children of alcoholics and dysfunctional families. 775-7542.
Nicotine Anonymous — 7:30 p.m. Wed., South West Keys Office, 1997 Route 17M, corner of South Street, second floor, Goshen. No dues or fees. 216-1709.
Nicotine Anonymous support group — 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wed., Orange Regional Medical Center, conference center, Room 7, 707 E. Main St., Town of Wallkill. 888-321-6762.
Orange County Eating Disorders Coalition — Meets quarterly. Mental Health Association offices, 73 County Highway 108, Middletown. 342-2400, ext. 248.
Overcomers Outreach — 7:30 p.m. Thurs., First Baptist Church, Sussex, N.J. Self-help, 12-step group for those wrestling with addictions and compulsions. 973-875-6358.
Overeaters Anonymous — 12-step recovery program for compulsive overeaters. Meets daily at various times, places in mid-Hudson. 657-6603 or go to midhudsonoa.org.
Overeaters Anonymous — 9 a.m. Sun., Greenbrier Room Mount Alverno Center, 20 Grand St., Warwick. 973-764-2493.
Overeaters Anonymous — 7:30 p.m. Sun., St. David's Episcopal Church, 520 Route 32, Highland Mills. 928-9769.
Overeaters Anonymous — 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mon., First Presbyterian Church, 308 Broad St., Milford, Pa. Anna Marie, 570-857-1641.
Overeaters Anonymous — 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thurs., St. John Neumann Church, Route 739, Lords Valley, Pa. Anna Marie, 570-857-1641.
Parenting sessions — 10 a.m.-noon Tues., The First Presbyterian Church, 60 Sussex St., Sessions are only for Individuals with a developmental disability. 794-4228 ext. 305.
Parents Apart — Meets periodically, and sites are confidential. Any single parent is welcome. Sarah, 294-8082, ext. 22, or Donna, ext. 23.
Parents of children with Asperger's syndrome — 7 p.m. second Tues., Mental Health Association, 73 County Highway 108, Middletown. 342-2400, ext. 253 or 254.
Parents of children with autism/PDD — 7:30 p.m. first Tues., Mental Health Association, 73 County Highway 108, Middletown. 342-2400, ext. 253 or 254.
Parents of teens/adults with autism spectrum disorders — 7 p.m. third Tues., Mental Health Association, 73 County Highway 108, Middletown. 342-2400, ext. 253 or 254.
Postpartum support group — 11 a.m. Mon., Source for Healing Arts, 14 West St., Warwick. No out-of-pocket fee. Most insurances accepted. 986-0707.
RECAP/Port Jervis Head Start and Western Orange County Head Start — Child and adult care food program. All children in attendance at day-care homes participating in CACFP will be offered the same meals at no separate charge. 343-4191.
Recovery Inc. support group — 7 p.m. Thurs., Elant, 172 Meadow Hill Road, Newburgh. Self-help for anxiety, depression, fear and anger. Meetings are confidential. Jim, 216-9789; Marsha, 527-2205.
Residential issues support group — 7 p.m. fourth Tues., Mental Health Association, 73 County Highway 108, Middletown. For parents of adults living in OPWDD-certified residences. 348-2400, ext. 253 or 254.
Road to Recovery — Provides free volunteer transportation for cancer patients to and from treatment. Preregistration required for groups. 800-ACS-2345, cancer.org.
Serendipity Singles Chapter Two — Circleville Church, corner of Route 302 and Goshen Turnpike, Circleville, 7-9 p.m. Tues. Support group offering help with separation, divorce, grief and loss. Social events are also planned. 344-2043, 733-6032 or 361-2381.
Sharing and Caring support group — 6:30 p.m. fourth Tues., Bon Secours Hospital, first-floor conference room, Port Jervis. For family and friends of people recovering from mental illness. Light refreshments served. 794-1029.
Stop Smoking support group — Noon-1:30 p.m. Fri., Jewish Community Center, 1019 Route 17M, Monroe. $2 per session. 783-6522 or email email@example.com.
Super Siblings support group — 10:30 a.m. one Sat. monthly, Mental Health Association, 73 County Highway 108, Middletown. For children who have siblings with mental retardation, epilepsy, autism, cerebral palsy, neurological impairments and other developmental disabilities. 342-2400, ext. 253 or 254.
Survivors of Sexual Trauma Clinical Group — 5-6 p.m. Thurs., for adult women survivors of sexual trauma. Meetings led by trained social worker. 342-2400, ext. 250.
Survivors of Sexual Trauma Educational Group — An educational support group for women 18 and older who are survivors of incest. 342-2400, ext. 250.
Tai Chi for Heart and Health — 7 p.m. Mon., United Presbyterian Church, Orchard Street, Middletown. 325-7652.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) — 5 p.m. Wed., Mulberry House, 62-70 W. Main St., Middletown. 615-8525.
Tourette's syndrome networking group — 7 p.m. fourth Thurs. alternate months, Mental Health Association, 73 County Highway 108, Middletown. For parents of individuals with TS. 342-2400, ext. 253 or 254.
Us Too prostate cancer support group — Meets monthly in Middletown. 343-7184.
Weight obsession support group — 6 p.m. Thurs., LifePlex Health Club, ShopRite Plaza, Route 17M, Monroe. Learn how to accept and embrace what you look like and who you are. Led by Lisa Shina, certified therapist. Child care available. 782-2271.
Widows and widowers suppport group — 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., 9 Scott Drive, New City. Call Ann Carucci, 634-6706.
Women's Empowerment Group — 7-8:30 p.m. Mon., 9 Scott Drive, New City. Call Ann Carucci, 634-6706. Also: 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., Synergy of Spirit Hypnosis and Counseling Center, 4 Main St., Chester. 469-5299 or 342-2997.
To be included in this listing, mail information to Suehaydee Rivera, Times Herald-Record, P.O. Box 2046, Middletown 10940; or send e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com; or fax to 343-2170.


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I just uploaded these lectures, which I listened to a couple years ago. They are perhaps the best introduction to the politics of Deleuze and Guattari but is also rewarding for more advanced scholars. I'm sorry for the quality – I tried to clean them up, but they're not perfect. awc
Daniel W Smith discussed Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari's works Anti-Oedipus & A Thousand Plateaus at the Collegium Phaenomenologicum 2009. Smith, a professor of philosophy at Purdue University, is a leading expert of Deleuze and Guattari's work. In these lectures, he lucidly outlines the theories and implications of the most political sections of Deleuze and Guattari's work while giving special attention to the primary source materials and philosophical arguments that the authors utilized to make their argument.
Day 1: Anti-Oedipus & Desire
In this talk, Smith discusses Deleuze and Guattari's ambitious reworking of psychoanalysis, especially with their notions of desire and the unconscious.
Day 2: Anti-Oedipus & The Human (missing part 2)
On this day of talks, Smith describes the anthropology chapter of Anti-Oedipus. In the first lecture, Smith covers the Savage and Despotic formations. Unfortunately, the second lecture, in which Smith described the Capitalism formation, was not recorded.
Day 3: A Thousand Plateaus & Nomadology
On this day, Smith presents Deleuze and Guattari's nomadology from A Thousand Plateaus, with an eye to their description of society without a state. The second lecture is dedicated to question & answer.
The reading materials for the lectures was
– Deleuze & Guattari, Anti-Oedipus, "Savages, Barbarians, Civilized Men," 139 – 271 Continuum Version, 141 – 164 Minnesota Version.
– Deleuze & Guattari, A Thousand Plateaus, "1227: Treatise on Nomadology–The War Machine," & "7000 B.C.: Apparatus of Capture," 387 – 522 Continuum Version, 351- 473 Minnesota Version.
The original recordings picked up substantial feedback that punctuated the lecture with high-pitched pinging noises that made it nearly unlistenable. I tried to eliminate as much of the feedback as possible, but ended up thinning out Smith's voice.
I have uploaded the originals as well, but would not suggest trying to listen to them.


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By tracing, I mean capturing all the SQL in a user's session, or a SQL trace. As you can tell from the Oracle Performance Tuning Guide and Reference, there are many ways to enable tracing. Below are two methods I use as a DBA in my day-to-day routine.
Turn tracing on
Enabling tracing in your own session is very easy. From SQL*Plus, just alter your session and set sql_trace=true.
SQL> alter session set sql_trace=true;
Session altered.
Dude, you're tracing. Every query you run from now on will go into a trace file until you set sql_trace to false.
Sometimes, a session is already underway and you need to start a trace midway through it's execution. Here, you need to be a DBA and enable the 10046 event in the user's session. This is a little more tricky since you have to know the sid and serial# from v$session in order to enable the tracing. For example,
SQL> select sid, serial#, username
2 from v$session
3 where username = 'JEFFH';
---------- ---------- ------------------------------
SQL> exec sys.dbms_system.set_ev(25, 5, 10046,8,'');
PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.
Statements get written to the trace file when they are first encountered after the trace is started. The statement that is executing may not be in the final trace file.
If you are using dedicated servers, the trace file will typically be in the directory on the server specified by the user_dump_dest parameter in the init.ora file. If you are using shared servers, the trace file will be in the directory specified by background_dump_dest. The trace file will have your server process id in it somewhere. If you are running the trace on your own session, you can create a stub with the ALTER SESSION SET TRACEFILE_IDENTIFIER=xxx; This way, your file will have the "xxx" name in it and be easier to identify.
What do I do with it?
OK, so you got this big file. It's just a simple ASCII file, go ahead and read it.
Nah, just kidding. Oracle gives you this program called TKProf that reads your trace file and spits out somewhat meaningful output. (I think Oracle uses tkprof as an acronym for Tom Kyte, Professor, but that's just speculation on my part.) My favorite option to tkprof is sort=prsela,fchela,exeela. This sorts the statements from longest running to shortest running. I prefer this format because I can concentrate on the top two or three statements for the most impact.
SQL> alter session set sql_trace=true;
Session altered.
SQL> alter session set tracefile_identifier='mytest';
Session altered.
SQL> select count(*) from xyz_master;
SQL> select count(*) from xyz_detail;
SQL> exit
D:\oracle\product\admin\xp10\udump>dir *mytest*
Volume in drive D has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 70AE-6E52
Directory of D:\oracle\product\admin\xp10\udump
07/04/2005 08:11 PM 38,785 xp10_ora_1544_mytest.trc
1 File(s) 38,785 bytes
0 Dir(s) 14,751,383,552 bytes free
D:\oracle\product\admin\xp10\udump>tkprof xp10_ora_1544_mytest.trc foo.out sort=prsela,exeela,fchela
TKPROF: Release 10.1.0.2.0 - Production on Mon Jul 4 20:16:53 2005
Copyright (c) 1982, 2004, Oracle. All rights reserved.
D:\oracle\product\admin\xp10\udump>dir /od foo.out
Volume in drive D has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 70AE-6E52
Directory of D:\oracle\product\admin\xp10\udump
07/04/2005 08:16 PM 21,368 foo.out
1 File(s) 21,368 bytes
0 Dir(s) 14,751,358,976 bytes free
Things you will want to know about tracing
- The timed_statistics init.ora parameter must be set to true in order to get any meaningful timing data out of tkprof.
- I prefer to set the max_dump_file_size init.ora parameter to either unlimited or a really large value (2G). If you're going through the extra work of tracing a process you don't want to potentially miss the most important part.
For more details
Pete Finnigan


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Duquesnoy, François
Duquesnoy, François fräNswä´ dükĕnwä´ [key], 1594–1643, Flemish sculptor. In 1618 he went to Rome, where he remained most of his life, eventually becoming one of the most sought after sculptors of his day. His small reliefs and statuettes in bronze, ivory, and wax were often inspired by classical art, especially his spirited scenes of children. Among his monumental works are the self-contained figure of St. Susanna in Santa Maria di Loreto and the more baroque St. Andrew under the dome of St. Peter's.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2023, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: European Art, 1600 to the Present: Biographies


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All News Releases By Date
EPA Awards Brownfields Redevelopment Money to Taunton, Mass.; Part of $73 Million Funded Nationwide
Release Date: 06/25/2003
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Involvement Office, 617-918-1064
BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced two Brownfields grants – $200,000 to the city of Taunton and $52,000 to the Weir Economic Investment Revitalization Corporation to help assess, clean and redevelop abandoned, contaminated parcels known as Brownfields. The funding is among $73 million of Brownfields grants announced last week by EPA Administrator Christie Whitman, including $11.2 million to New England alone.
"These grants will help spur the cleanup of abandoned, contaminated parcels all across New England, especially in cities like Taunton," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office.
Taunton will identify properties for environmental assessment activities for future redevelopment potential. A $52,000 grant to the Weir Economic Investment Revitalization Corporation will be used to clean up the Robertson Mill at 120 Ingell St. Once cleaned, this site will be redeveloped into 64 affordable rental units, 20,000 square feet of commercial space, a community meeting room and a 100-foot wide Riverfront Walkway.
"I am extremely happy that we have been awarded these funds. The availability of asses
sment funds can act as a catalyst for action leading to the cleanup and eventual redevelopment of Taunton's brownfields," said Taunton Mayor Ted Strojny.
The funding for this and other projects is a direct result of Brownfields legislation signed by President Bush last year. In addition to making more sites eligible for cleanup, including petroleum contaminated sites, the legislation greatly increased funding to assist nonprofit groups, municipalities, regional agencies and states in various tasks associated with restoring and revitalizing Brownfields properties, of which there are thousands across New England. The law authorizes up to $250 million in funds annually for Brownfield grants, including up to $50 million for assessment and cleanup of low-risk petroleum contaminated sites.
Under the EPA's Brownfields Program, communities and other entities receive funding to assess contamination at abandoned and vacant sites and to estimate the costs of cleaning up sites for redevelopment. Organizations can also receive funding for cleanup grants and to establish revolving loan programs that provide low interest loans for cleanups.
Since 1995, EPA has provided more than $67 million of Brownfields assistance – for grants, site evaluations, job training and cleanup loan programs – to dozens of communities and agencies around New England, including more than $26 million to Massachusetts. The assistance has led to 630 site assessments, more than 100 cleanups and thousands of new jobs across the region.
Nationwide, Brownfields assistance has leveraged more than $4.6 billion in private investment, helped create more than 20,000 jobs and has resulted in the assessment of more than 4,000 properties. EPA estimates that every acre of reclaimed Brownfields saves 4.5 acres of greenspace and every greenspace created, on average, has doubled the value of surrounding properties.
For more information, visit the following EPA Web sites:
Brownfields: www.epa.gov/NE/brownfields
Smart Growth: www.epa.gov/NE/ra/sprawl
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.


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When it comes to selecting colors for your home, I always recommend a few things: Think about how you want your space to feel, choose fabric colors first and paint last, and be aware that textures and patterns affect the impact of the color. Textures can soften dramatic tones and patterns can liven up softer palettes or break up bold strokes of color.
Now, here are three color combinations that are on my radar for 2014:
1. Purple & Green
Pantone has crowned Radiant Orchid the 2014 Color of the Year, an exciting but unsurprising announcement given that all of the colors found on a peacock's tail have been en vogue for several years now. Emerald Green was 2013's Color of the Year, so it makes sense that purple and green combinations were all the rage at this year's design shows. They are a lush, vivid pair. The success of this combination depends on the tones you select to get the look you want for your room. Amp up the drama with aubergine and deep teal tones, or soften the combination with lilac and blue-green hues.
More From House Beautiful
2. Purple & Cobalt Blues
In my opinion, the cobalt blue color family is the runner-up to Radiant Orchid for 2014's Color of the Year. Blue is by far the most popular color in home design, and cobalt blues are the most serene of all blue tones. One modern approach that I noticed on display at High Point Market was the use of cobalt blue in leather upholstery. You don't have to buy new furniture to keep your decor fresh and modern — instead, apply bold strokes of color to classic lines. I love to take something very traditional and turn up the volume on it.
3. Clear & Rustic
Lucite has always been one of my favorite home decor elements. As both a texture and a color (or absence of one), it's an anomaly in the interior design space, but that doesn't mean it should be scary. I was thrilled to see it everywhere at High Point — gorgeously paired with rustic wood elements like Taracea's raw wood dining table with Lucite legs.
To learn more about how to choose colors that compliment your style, enroll in my free online course What's Your Home Design Personality?
See More:
8 Great Color Combinations >>
Mix and Match 101 >>
Unexpected Color Combinations That Actually Work >>
Dream Bedroom Decorating Ideas >>
10 Common Color Mistakes >>


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Keep Your Hand Off the Javier Baez Panic Button and Other Bullets
We'll be thinking about the folks in Oklahoma today (and tomorrow and next week … ), and hoping that things come out as well as possible in a situation like this.
- Sahadev Sharma yesterday wrote about a variety of Chicago Cubs prospects in a piece that's well worth a read. Of particular note, Sahadev shares his thoughts – derived in part from talking to folks around baseball – on why we shouldn't yet be panicking about Javier Baez's slow start at High-A Daytona this year (complete with a million strikeouts and a million errors). The money paragraph: "The fact that Baez's early struggles were not unexpected, at 20 he's still young for the league and the Florida State League is known to be pitcher-friendly all make Baez's problems at the plate a little easier to swallow. As one AL scouting director said prior to the season, 'It's OK if we see him putting up bad numbers at Daytona — it's all part of the process.' Baez's disappointing start isn't something to get riled up about, but how he reacts and adjusts to these issues in the coming months will tell us a lot about his future." For whatever it's worth, over his last 35 plate appearances, Baez has just four strikeouts. (Just two walks, though.) Of course, he's got just one homer in his last 16 games, so it seems likely that there's some instruction and tinkering going on. Also small sample sizes, and all that. But these are the kinds of micro-adjustments Baez will have to make as he progresses. What you're looking for is a strong second half from Baez, with a slightly reduced K rate, a slightly increased BB rate, and a stabilization of his power. We're not even to midseason yet, so there's plenty of time.
- Sahadev mentioned to me yesterday while we were recording the podcast – fresh episode coming later today – that Dale Sveum said Matt Garza will be on an 85-90 pitch limit in his return against the Pirates today. That sounds about right, given how long its been since he pitched in the bigs, and the need to temper some of his natural excitement. These first few starts are about staying healthy and continuing to get strong. Nothing wrong with that.
- Tony Andracki looks at the Sean Marshall trade, and figures that the Cubs are looking pretty shiny on that one, given how well Travis Wood is pitching.
- The Cubs have another Player of the Week in the Florida State League in the form of Dustin Geiger, whom you might recall had the doubleheader of a lifetime last week. The former third baseman has mostly played first for Daytona, and is hitting a robust .327/.398/.513. Geiger is 21, and his peripherals look good (even if/when the lofty .364 BABIP comes down, that slash line could still look quite good), so there's plenty to like about the performance thus far. If he's permanently moved to first, though, the bat is going to have to carry him all the way up the chain, and, even then, some positional versatility is going to be required if he's going to find a spot on the Cubs' roster. That's all a long ways off, though. The best we can say right now: Geiger is definitely relevant.
- Thanks for a good time yesterday during the first BN Off-Day Q&A on Facebook and Twitter. I couldn't possibly get to all of the questions, and I learned just how tiring it can be to do an hour of that, frantically scanning questions, flipping back and forth between the two sites, thinking of useful/clever answers on the fly. Hopefully you enjoyed, and for those who missed it, you can see the entire chats by looking here on Facebook, and looking at the #BNQA hash tag on Twitter.
- I was on the Midway Baseball Today Podcast yesterday, talking about various Cubs things. You can listen here.
- Don't forget to sign up for this week's one-day fantasy contest. It takes 5 minutes, is free, and gives you the chance to win a share of $300. It also helps support BN, so sign up. Full details here.
But What About a Happ Extension, Suzuki Defense, Busy Day, Rucker, Replay Timing, and Other Cubs Bullets
FOLKS! The Cubs Are in "Advanced Discussions" on a Nico Hoerner Extension!!! (UPDATE: It's Happening!)


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Wrangell Mountains
Wrangell Mountains, S Alaska, extending c.100 mi (160 km) SE from the Copper River to the Canadian border, where they meet the St. Elias Mts. Mt. Blackburn (16,523 ft/5,036 m) is the highest peak. There is a cosmic radiation observatory on Mt. Wrangell (14,006 ft/4,269 m). Minerals such as gold, copper, and zinc are mined in the area. Named for the Russian explorer Baron Ferdinand von Wrangel, the mountains comprise a portion of the Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2023, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: U.S. Physical Geography


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Bill Hahn | August 1, 2007
Practicing family attorney Gregory Hession confirms child protective service agencies engage in abusive, deliberate and dirty tricks motivated by federal funding.
Every year thousands of families are forcibly separated from their children based on unsubstantiated or outright false allegations of child abuse. Gregory Hession, a practicing constitutional and family law attorney in Mass., says that for these families, the nightmare has only begun.
Children in child protective services (CPS) have been abused, wounded, brain washed, drugged, adopted out and some have even died. Hession has represented hundreds of these families and has dedicated himself to exposing CPS abuses and reuniting loving, deserving families. He documents CPS abuses in the July 23, 2007, issue of The New American magazine.
Hession's articles highlight true stories of families who have been targeted by CPS agencies. All the families discussed are Hession's clients.
Hession writes that state CPS agencies continually yank children out of good, loving homes based on flimsy allegations of child abuse. He asserts that the child protection business generates so much money, and employs so many social workers, therapists, lawyers and other professionals, that it needs a steady flow of cases to keep all of these workers employed. In Mass., the cost of these state services totals into the billions of dollars, which the state can leverage to obtain prodigious quantities of federal reimbursement monies.
In 2005, more than 3.3 million reports involving 6 million children were made to state child-abuse hot lines. The vast majority of these eventually proved to be untrue. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services show 40 percent of allegations are initially screened out. Of the remaining 60 percent, nearly two-thirds of child-abuse investigations are unsubstantiated. Yet, more than 500,000 children are currently in foster care and another 300,000 or so are forcibly removed from their homes by the system every year.
Hession states that genuine child abuse obviously does exist and those involved in its practice need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. However, he writes that most people would likely disagree with CPS in how it defines abuse or neglect. Families are attacked for home-schooling or spanking their children, for not overseeing all play activities, or for when a child has an accident. Only a small percentage of the 3.3 million reported cases annually prove to be genuine abuse, and the system does a bad job of sorting it out.
The articles conclude that millions of children are imperiled by this imperious, abusive CPS system, which works quietly without much public scrutiny. Change will likely come only when the cruelties have been exposed, and the public reaffirms that raising children is the responsibility of families, not the state.


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Louis "Louie" Larizza, Jr., a lifelong resident of Port Chester and a star basketball player in high school who went on to play and coach at the Division I collegiate level, died Sunday, April 2. He was 26.
He was born June 15, 1990 in Port Chester to Louis and Nella Tedesco Larizza. He graduated from Port Chester High School in 2008. and then went on to play Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, N.J., as a 5-foot-7 guard.
He was Port Chester's all-time leader in assists, three-point field goals and free-throw percentage. A two-year team captain at Port Chester, Larizza helped lead the Rams to three Westchester County Championships.
He graduated in 2012 with a degree in communications and became a site manager for Lazz Development in Port Chester. He was strength coach for Manhattan College basketball team.
He is survived by his parents Louis and Nella Larizza of Port Chester, maternal grandmother Anna Tedesco of Port Chester, sister Jenna Larizza of Port Chester, brother Mouhamed Lo of Port Chester, aunts Gina Larizza Ditrio and husband Tony of Norwalk, Conn.,. and Renee Larizza of Stamford, Conn., uncles Mark Larizza of Port Chester. and Joseph Tedesco and wife Karen of Greenwich, Conn., and several cousins.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5 at Craft Memorial Home, Inc.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. on Thursday April 6 at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 260 Westchester Ave. in Port Chester.
Entombment to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Rye Brook.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Shatterproof 101 Merritt 7 Corporate Park 1st Floor Norwalk, CT. 06851 or by visiting www.shatterproof.org.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Port Chester and receive free news updates.


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Is The Golden Age of Wine Writing over?
This question hit me last night shortly before I went to bed. I come from an era when wine writers took the art of writing very seriously. They actually sweated over each word, using Thesauruses (Thesauri?) and dictionaries, piling sentences elaborately upon sentences, building up paragraphs into a narrative, worrying over leads and looking always for the flourishing finish.
Of course, it all had a purpose and was well-rewarded. One wrote for a publication — be it a book, magazine or journal. One had the option of writing at length. One was aware that, even though we were merely "lowly" wine writers rather than serious novelists or investigative journalists for the New York Times, we nonetheless were members of an elite: writers. And I think we wine writers, who became active in the 1970s and 1980s, were aware, at least semi-consciously, that we had plunged into a Golden Age of Wine Writing that had been going on for quite some time, and showed no signs of waning.
What is a "Golden Age"? The term is most commonly used to refer to the Greek Age of Pericles (c. 440 BCE), when Athens was at its classical height. Sophocles was writing his plays, Socrates was busy corrupting Athenian youth by encouraging them to think, Democritus was theorizing the atom, Protagoras was inventing a little theory that someday would be named for him, and Herotodus and Thucydides were recording it all, and inventing History in the process. Several centuries later, the Greek poet, Hesiod, wrote that during the Golden Age "Men lived like gods without sorrow of heart…with legs and arms never failing they made merry with feasting beyond the reach of all devils."
All Golden Ages end, sadly. Hesiod accorded the demise of Greece's Golden Age to the time when Prometheus gave mankind the gifts of architecture, mathematics, astronomy, navigation, medicine and fire, among other blessings. For this, Zeus "became angry at Prometheus for making people powerful by teaching them all these useful skills."
The Chief of the Gods, of course, famously punished Prometheus by chaining him to a rock and causing an eagle to forever eat his liver. Why was Zeus pissed at Mr. P. for elevating mankind? Probably for the same reason the Hebrew God was angry at Adam and Eve for eating of the tree of knowledge. Gods are jealous. They want all the power to themselves. Perhaps they fear that a mankind made equi-powerful to them will bring about destruction and madness. It's hard to know just what a God is thinking.
We wine writers of a certain age had our Golden Age. We had our Platos and Sophocles, our Pythagorases and Pericles, and long, sunny days in which to labor at our love of writing. Now, who was our Pericles, what was the fire he delivered to mankind, and how are the Gods punishing mankind today? Our Pericles was the two Steves (Jobs and Wozniak) and Bill Gates. The fire — the great power — they gave us was the personal computer and the Internet. To what rock are we now chained, and what eagle is it that eats our livers?
Hence the decline of the Golden Age of Wine Writing.
Who writes anymore? People tweet. They misspell (on purpose?). They Facebook. They churn out silly little books like Crush It! and 101 Wines: Guaranteed to Inspire, Delight, and Bring Thunder to Your World that nobody cares about and nobody will read tomorrow because they have nothing to say. I'm not complaining, exactly. Life goes on. The Millennials deserve their chance. Will the wine writers amongst them reverse the decline and restore the Golden Age? Golden Ages, once gone, do not typically come back. I can see a time, in 300 years, when somebody says to somebody else, "Can you believe that once upon a time there was a class of wine writers that was like a priesthood, elevated and slightly mysterious but revered, who pronounced mystically upon wine, and wrote lengthy treatises on it, which were purchased and studied by the masses?" To which the other person replies, "You have got to be kidding!"
[to be continued]
I have to say that there isn't a whole lot I can agree with in this one. Let me preface this by saying that I was a writer during the Golden Age (some of it anyway, and albeit a not very influential one at Wine News, a magazine that published for 25 years until last month). It seems to me that the Millennials, as you continue to refer to them, will undoubtedly be saying the same thing in a different guise 10 or 20 years from now as well. Time marches on, and what in retrospect was warm and fuzzy then will simply cease to be later. The Milleinnials may not come at wine criticism from the same direction as the Golden Agers, but they come at it nonetheless. For me, it's not a question of which generation gets it "right" because there is no way to objectively judge that; instead, the question turns on relevance. I would point out that the Golden Agers brought us the very double-edged 100 point scale sword in addition to words upon words. The Millennials may bring more misspellings and phraseology rather than "building up paragraphs into a narrative," but it does seem that this is what the typical consumer wants. Doesn't make it right or wrong; just that it is what it is.
There's more than enough room for the old timers and whippersnappers. Maybe both sides should give each other a break.
Steve, we've got to stop meeting here this way. It's starting to be a bad habit.
I agree with everything you've said but I hope that you don't see a wall where there is actually a door! Instead of being passed by or put on a shelf, wine writers such as yourself are in a wonderful position to capitalize on this shift. In fact, you're kind of doing it right now.
I think that people do still want information from 'experts', but the delivery method is, no doubt, changing. With this change, I personally believe that you've got even more opportunity to wax philosophical about any wine you choose, without editorial input or the constraints of word count, etc. It's called a wine blog! I know you've already got one, but it's mostly for industry geeks like me, which I think is intentional (correct me if I'm wrong).
I don't necessarily think that new delivery mechanisms means that content has to suffer. I think Alder would tell you he still agonizes over word choice. Sure, there are a lot of hacks out there, but as we pass through the 'transition period' the cream will always rise to the top.
AND, (this is a BIG and) I'd love to see you out there doing it! Maybe, and yes I plan to continue beating this dead horse endlessly, you could even dedicate it to seeking out those daring, visionary, forward-thinking wineries venturing out into new varietals, new sites, new styles. Not to give them an 80, 90, or 100, but to tell their stories so they might survive long enough to actually realize that "100 point Cali grenache (to borrow from comments past)".
Just a thought.
See you here tomorrow, same time, same place? Don't forget to say something mildly controversial. After all, it's why I love you.
No. It is not gone. In fact, from my position I see some very good wine writing come across my desk. Certainly Twitter, Facebook, and the blogging platforms make it easy for anybody to put their thoughts to virtual paper, but we are finding that there is still a thirst for knowledge. Indeed, you noted yourself just a day or two ago that people are seeking deeper knowledge about the wines they drink than in the "Golden Days" of your (yes Steve, I did that on purpose), when they just wanted to know points.
Good content will always have an audience. It might not be on paper, or even in the written word, but good content will be sought out and seen. We have the great fortune to be in a rather discriminating industry, wine, where the consumers tend to be more educated. Those consumers will turn away from something poorly written or thought out, and will gravitate toward the quality.
As for a class of wine writers like a priesthood, you might have identified the problem right there. I posit to you that the problem might have been with the priests their desire, like all priesthoods, to keep the sacraments to themselves and membership exclusive. The Catholics led to Luther, who had a message people wanted to hear. As long as you say something people want to hear, you will be heard. The priesthood might fail but the message will live on.
Like other moments in our existence, the gods have elevated mankind yet again, this time with a publishing platform that allows them to promote their thoughts and feelings about wine (and other topics). While this has democratized the ability for one and all to express their opinions, it has yet to silence those who bring much needed substance to this subject.
Just as the Golden Age was followed by an exponential growth in self-proclaimed philosophers, mathematicians, and historians, not all stood the test of time. Only the great ones survived.
The blogosphere is already littered with those who endeavored to change the world of wine but have since given up their pursuit. Three or three hundred years from now, only the great writers will be remembered.
I think it's just more spread out. It's like when rock music splintered into sub-genres that spawned more sub-genres. The sub-genres started to be able to exist outside the framework of the traditional record business, and now the periphery is hugely expanded with lots of interesting things going on- while the mainstream and most corporate end of it has been brought back to earth a little by a more evened playing field. I see this sort of thing happening here. It reminds me a lot of the gaining influence that I saw in DIY hardcore punk culture 20-30 years ago.
For my wine knowledge, I try to pick the best of it for my use- be it traditional wine mags, uber-critics, blogs, message boards, etc. There's still nothing that can totally replace curling up in bed or on a plane with a magazine.
Surely there were hacks who flourished during the Golden Age, and surely there are excellent wine writers who thrive today. One only has to look at the great work of Jancis Robinson and her co-contributors at JancisRobinson.com to see how smart wine writers can use blogs, Twitter and the like to communicate effectively (and with style and smarts, too.)
If wine writing is on the decline, as you say, then what do you make of the fact that the average wine consumer has never had such a diverse selection of well-made, well-priced wine at her disposal?
Oh, there's plenty of good writing out there. Most of it is in Australia, however, where the craft has been passed down from elders to youth quite successfully. Here's a review from Philip White, one of the great masters of wine writing down there who writes to his own standards and to those of no one else. He writes reviews like a jazz musician. Mind you, this is simply a wine review. When it comes to essays on the current state of affairs in the wine industry, watch out….. Yes, he probably represents a bit of the golden age of writing down there but folks like Campbell Mattinson have been passed the torch and are running with it quite successfully.
Port Phillip Estate Morillon Tete De Cuvee Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2007
$46; 13.5% alcohol; screw cap; tasted 15 OCT 09; 94+++ points
This is as good as Mornington has got thus far. It's mysterious, heavy and compressed. It almost smells of gun blue and gunpowder, but not quite. It reminds me of Domaine de l'Arlot Nuits Saint George 1er Clos des Forets Saint Georges 2004 as a young wine. It's black cherries, soot, black cats and licorice, with cassis and framboise below, which is not to say it's too alcoholic. It's just surly and authoritative and dense. The palate is lithe, tight, and ungiving, with little of the cheery raspberry and whatnot you'd expect, say, of Morey St Denis. This is one scary, sinister mutha. It needs at least a decade. Then, it'll kill you, but not by percussive intrusion. It'll slay by undressing itself, and then your defences. Forget all the firearms shit. This is a cross between Carmen Miranda wearing nothing but a hat made of fruit, and Nastassja Kinsky turning into the black panther in Cat People:
See these eyes so red
Red like jungle burning bright
Those who feel me near
Pull the blinds and change their… minds
It's been so long
Still this pulsing night
A plague I call a heartbeat
Just be still with me
Ya wouldn't believe what I've been through
You've been so long
Well it's been so long
And I've been putting out the fire with gasoline
Putting out the fire
With gasoline
If you haven't got my gist yet, this wine is not for you. It's for me. And I'll have to drink this bottle now, so I can join the girls.
Here's another. Pinot noir seems to inspire Whitey…
Port Phillip Estate Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2008
$37; 14% alcohol; Diam cork; drunk 14-15 OCT 09; 93+++ points
Spicy, not quite abrupt, Burgundian timber itches the inside of your nose when you put it in here. You don't have to put it in very far. But there are blackberries which ease this lumberjacked machismo. Deadly nightshade. Juniper. Anise. Dried figs. Baby spinach. Chicory. Peppery watercress, like the stuff Colonel Light left in the Delamere Creek in 1836. Some sorta thing blacker than a cherry. Dried prunes. That all makes your nose feel well scratched. I'd like to say that when you put it (the wine, not your nose) in where your teeth are, it's soothing, but no. It wangs around your mouth like a polecat in a cage trap. It's livid and vivid and very hard to feed. But shit it's a good wine. It has all the tight stuff, all the intense black devilry, all the hot gearbox and clutch of a pinot which will be a ravishing beauty in about six to eight years. So call it a Jaguar (car) and forget the polecat bit. No bullshit. The tannins (extra fine and velvety) and the acid (not quite Sandoz or Owsley, but pretty swift) and the sheer sinewy nature of the fruit and the sap all add up to a trip that's worth waiting for. And I don't mean a Ford with a Jaguar badge. I mean pre-aircon 4.2, stripped to the bones. Bravo, sweet Sandro Mosele!
That's kind of the idea. It's great to see writers with their own individual palates and perspectives on the world of wine. Otherwise, it's all formulaic and trending towards mediocrity where there's an avoidance of taking a stand at the risk of offending someone. Who needs that!
Some could argue we're just getting out of the Bronze Age, my man! 🙂
Kind of my point. Wine writing, like other criticism, doesn't exist in a black hole. It's there to educate and guide the consumer, single out producers who excel (and those who don't), elevate the overall level of discourse — and, ideally, the quality of wine. If wine writing were in such a sorry state, wouldn't the quality of what we drink suffer for it? Yes, I realize it's an extreme counterfactual to throw out there, and there are plenty of other, much bigger factors that explain the improved quality of wine on the market. But I just can't get too worked up about the perceived deficiencies in the state of wine writing when there's so much good stuff out there to drink and read. Is there lots of dreck, too? Of course.
Steve, raising the writing bar (as you do), you've also asked everyone who comments on this blog to write at a higher level. And they do (thanks, all).
Great writing and great wine (whether written about or just sipped while writing) are inseparable.
Anyway, the more misspellings, the fewer hits on Google (unless you misspell when searching…)
- Leah Hennessy talkin wine and her g-g-g-generation - [...] wrote the open letter because I think Steve Heimoff's post represented an attitude among individuals in the wine industry…


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Table of Contents
Grover Furr Ignores Facts, Again
In the comments section below my and Azhar Majeed's Inside Higher Ed article, the infamous Grover Furr makes some outrageous accusations against my and FIRE's writings. He claims we do not "substantiate" our claims, that our articles are "dishonest" and that our articles "do not merit publication." Here is my response:
Professor Furr,
In claiming that my and Azhar Majeed's article is "dishonest" and that we do not "substantiate" our claims, you make multiple unsubstantiated, dishonest, and willfully ignorant statements of your own. FIRE documents all of its cases and provides access to that information through links to primary documents and articles; in fact, we do so more thoroughly than any group with which I am familiar. If you had bothered to follow the links provided in the article (here, again, are the links to the William Paterson University materials, the Suffolk County Community College materials and the Washington State University materials) the falseness of your claims should have been obvious.
Most outrageously, you claim, "FIRE has a shameful history of falsely claiming suppression of free speech. A long FIRE article in the CHE of Aug. 1 '03 about 'Speech Codes' similarly failed to give a single example of a 'speech code.'" This is either a gross oversight on your part or a lie. In that article, Harvey Silverglate and I reference over half a dozen kinds of speech codes and directly quote a speech code from Shippensburg University (which was enjoined by a federal court in Pennsylvania) and the code from Citrus College (which the college abandoned just weeks after FIRE Legal Network attorney Carol Sobel filed suit).
Perhaps your unstated argument is that you do not agree that the policies we cite are "speech codes," because they are not labeled "SPEECH CODES" in the university policies. We even addressed that anemic argument in the article. We define a speech code in the most straightforward way imaginable: "as any campus regulation that punishes, forbids, heavily regulates, or restricts a substantial amount of protected speech." We went on to write:
No one denies that a college can and should ban true harassment—but a code that calls itself a "racial-harassment code" does not thereby magically inoculate itself against free-speech and academic-freedom obligations.
Courts have overturned speech code after speech code, whether they are called "harassment" policies (see for example Doe v. University of Michigan, 721 F. Supp. 852 (E.D. Mich. 1989)), "fighting words" policies (see for example The UWM Post, Inc. v. Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin System, 774 F. Supp. 1163 (E. D. Wis. 1991)) or "free speech areas" (see Roberts v. Haragan, 346 F. Supp. 2d 853 (N.D. Tex. 2004)) when they intrude on clearly protected speech.
The Citrus College "free speech area" policy, which we cite in the article, required that students "[G]et permission in advance, alert campus security of the intended message, and provide any printed materials that they wished to distribute, in addition to a host of other restrictions."
Further, this free speech area was open only from "8 a.m. through 6 p.m, Monday through Friday."
If that was not a speech code, nothing would be a speech code.
In that article, Harvey and I also referenced an on-line database of speech codes FIRE was assembling at the time. That database has existed for years now and catalogues hundreds of speech codes across the country.
You could have easily found it if you bothered to look—and you would have looked for it if you had read our article carefully or honestly.
In that database, we directly pull university policies and often link to them in their entirety.
Finally, you insult the Chronicle of Higher Education by claiming that we had no evidence to back up our article.
The Chronicle carefully and thoroughly scrutinized every claim we made and they were satisfied with everything in that article.
You can ask our editor, Sarah Hardesty-Bray, for proof of that if you like.
Further, you baselessly assert, "Calling someone 'cunt' in an email sent to that person is certainly 'harassment.' Does FIRE consider this email appropriate?" If you had bothered to follow the link we provided (again, which was in the text of the article!) you would know that your claim that this is "certainly" harassment is refuted by numerous sources including the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. You also might have noticed that Suffolk County Community College itself eventually concluded the student's one-time e-mail with a bad word accidentally sent to a professor did not constitute harassment.
As for whether or not we see we see that word as "appropriate," you entirely miss the point. Free speech is (thank goodness) not limited just to what FIRE, Grover Furr, or I deem "appropriate."
The Supreme Court recognized years ago in Papish v. Board of Curators of University of Missouri, 410 U.S. 667 (1973) that speech, "no matter how offensive to good taste -- on a state university campus may not be shut off in the name alone of 'conventions of decency.'"
You also seem to place great importance on whether or not William Paterson University used the word "guilty" in finding Jihad Daniel guilty of "discrimination" for his one time e-mail in response to unsolicited e-mail from a professor in which he called homosexuality a "perversion." I have been to many a conference of student administrators where they are advised to stop using the word "guilty" when they find someone guilty of violating campus policy; for a variety of reasons, they now sometimes use the word "responsible" or simply say that someone had "violated" their policy. If you had bothered to read the university's own finding or the rejection of Daniel's appeal by the WPU president or the letter from the New Jersey Attorney General you would have seen constant references to Daniel being "in violation" of state and campus policy; these documents also talk about appeals, letters of reprimands, and the disciplinary committee. Jihad Daniel was found guilty of violating state and university policy—it's clear, undeniable, and the fact they don't like using the word "guilty" is a laughably irrelevant point. You also question if Daniel was punished—a letter of reprimand was placed in his file and he was found to have violated state law. If you don't believe that being formally labeled a "harasser" or "discriminator" under state law is punishment, I challenge would you to try to get a job at a college these days with such labels in your permanent file.
With regard to Washington State University, you also make some inchoate point that "[e]ven FIRE" cannot claim that campus security's refusal to defend the play from the mob was "the policy of the university." If you had bothered to read any of the documents in the link on WSU, you would have seen that the administration facilitated and encouraged the protests and afterwards took no action against campus security and defended the rights of the protestors even though they had made threats of physical violence at the event. From reading your articles, I don't think that you would argue that police abuses (say, police brutality) can be forgiven if the state can show the abuse was not "official policy." Police and campus security abuses are bad enough; standing by those abuses is unforgivable, and facilitating bands of censors shouting physical threats is criminal.Stalin, the mass-murdering overachiever of the 20th century is somehow underappreciated and that the United States most likely ordered the assassination of Pope John Paul II back in 1981 because he was too liberal, as well as numerous other claims many would consider outrageous, offensive, and absurd. You, like FIRE, should be arguing for a conception of free speech and academic freedom that is as strong as possible, as you benefit from a strong conception of academic freedom and free speech every day.
To be clear, everyone at FIRE believes in your right to speak your mind.
I noticed that some of your more controversial opinions have gotten the notice of the media, including Front Page Magazine.
The author of that piece has just as much right to criticize you as you have to criticize him.
However, if you find that you are being officially punished for your opinions, don't hesitate to contact FIRE.
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