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A Common Theme Among David Archuleta Fans?
Posted by MT on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
In a recent conversation (yes, it involved David :)) I was asked if I played an instrument or sang. I answered the question in as few words as possible (for me) and then moved on to another topic. But later that night, it really got me thinking about what things we David fans may have in common.
Quite often in chat, topics other than David are discussed. (I know! Unbelievable, but true?) One night, it started with a comment about white boots and ended up with me confessing to singing the song "These Boots Are Made For Walking" by Nancy Sinatra in an elementary school talent contest. Yes, it elicited much laughter but resulted in discovering that several of us had owned those "cool white boots." (You know who you are!) We were definitely "In With the In Crowd" back in the day. 😉
I confessed to dancing in first and second grade for those talent shows. From third to sixth grade, I sang and danced. (No trophies for singing though. I guess I should have stuck to dancing.)
I loved singing and dancing with all my heart back then. (I still do.) Just like David's parents, if my mother wanted to keep me amused for a while, all she had to do was put on something that involved music. A movie musical was best. I would sing at the top of my lungs and dance around the living room. My Fair Lady and The Sound Of Music were two of my favorites but I would even sing the songs from The Wizard Of Oz and dance with Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tinman, and The Cowardly Lion.
I discovered as I got older that, although I enjoyed singing, I didn't have a very good voice. But dancing was something I could do and really enjoyed. Once I started, I kept finding new ways to incorporate dance into my life. It didn't matter what kind of dancing it was; Square Dancing, Cajun dancing, Jitter Bug, Cha Cha, Waltz, Two-Step, Line Dancing, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, free style. You name it … I'd try it.
There has always been something in music that reached out to me and brought me joy. Dancing was my way of expressing that joy. There is something in the graceful rhythmic movement that helps to release something inside me that words could never express. Just like singing, the true beauty of expression in dance comes from the soul.
I hadn't really thought about all the different styles of dance I had tried over the years until was asked that question. It made me realize how much dancing is a part of me, just like singing is a part of David. The thoughts and memories stirred in me by that one question made me understand a little better how David must feel. Maybe understanding/feeling the passion he has for his art is part of what drew me to him in the first place.
Although I could never hope to dance nearly as beautiful as David sings, I can understand having such a deep love of something that lets you express yourself in a way that nothing else can. He's very fortunate that he is extremely good at what he loves. What greater joy could there be than making your living, spending you life, doing something you have such passion for?
One last thought: We seem to be discovering more and more often that we have many things in common. I wonder if there is a common thread among fans that draws them to David, a reason why some people "get it" and some don't? Musical backgrounds maybe? Or perhaps it's even more broad than that. After all, a passion for creativity and expression come in many forms.
So, if you don't mind, I'd like to do a little poll to see if it's possibly a shared passion for expression that might help us to understand and connect to David and each other in a way that others may not. I'd also love for you to expand on your answer in comments and let us know what it is . If you don't want to comment that's okay. But I do hope you'll mark an answer in the poll.
95 Responses to "A Common Theme Among David Archuleta Fans?"
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 12:27 AM
I hadn't thought about this in years but I was shy and someone intraverted but when I was on stage dancing I came alive. I took tap for fifteen years and ballroom for two. I think that I can relate to what David goes through. I could express myself through the movement of my body with the music. I felt free and confident. It was my passion and I loved it.
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 12:50 AM
Like David, I discovered my passion for singing at a very young age of 6 or 7. Although I hated the way my voice sound, it's the only way I can express myself. I have a phobia on speaking in public, my brain freezes or goes blank and voice doesn't come out. Yup, that was me in my younger years! However, my whole family loves music. My Mom sings really well, a brother used to be a lead singer in a band back in the Philippines, two sisters love to dance. All of my Mom's cousins on her Mom's side play instruments and sing really well. Before karaoke was invented, we sang accompanied by either a guitar or piano, -no microphones- during family gatherings which happened pretty often. Our love of music and singing has now extended down to our kids, nephews and nieces. It's a great feeling to be able to communicate thru music. It's a universal language!
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 4:47 AM
What a thought provoking post you put up here, you've got me thinking!!!
I chose "others" since I don't have those talents at all. (I should tick " None of the above. I just love David's voice." because I really do <3) I had done all of the above but never good at anything lol I'm kinda an average person with no special talent haha but one thing I know I love to do is cooking (Not a chef either) I think I'm not bad at it too, i could tell if I try a new dish…what the ingredients they used and later I would come home and try cook it, turn out not too bad lol. I don't have anything incommon with David apart from the love of "food" which I knew after I followed him for sometimes.
Or may be It's because I don't have a son and I yern for one..then David came along …he could be about that age if I had one, David's like the best son any mother could wish for !! so I secretly adopt him lol and I just want the best for him and watch him grows into a man he wants to be, happy successful and inspire.
Jans 11, I agree with you that people who has "arts" in their blood def get David, I love doing artworks, handy crafts, editing videos, photoshop pics (my new found hobbies) but like I said I can do a lot of things but not really that good in anything lol
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 8:22 AM
I had to check None of the Above, because I do not have the obvious creative talents which were listed. My passion has always been reading, which has waned somewhat recently because my eyes seem to be wearing out before the rest of me. Happy to say my ears still work, though!
A month ago, David got me listening to music again, for hours every day. My new iPod has two playlists: David Archuleta, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (which includes David Archuleta WITH the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!). That's sufficient for me right now. He has ignited in my soul a desire for music, which has continued to burn steady and bright every single day.
This I can't believe–I've started to sing along with David! My singing mouth has been shut forever because I thought I had inherited my dad's singing abilities: When his grade school teacher was evaluating her students, she said my dad was a monotone. He was so proud! I may or may not be a monotone, I don't know. But plenty of the people around me can give me feedback, because I'm singing all the time!
My academic training is in English and humanities, and my friend from graduate school and I have often discussed how we are not the creators of art, but how we serve as the appreciative audience for others' art, and how we have the ability to transmit that appreciation to others through the gift of teaching. I remember the day I taught a student from a small Pacific island about Mozart. At the beginning of the day she had no idea who he was; by the end of the day, she had heard his music, learned about his life, and listened to one of his operas. A heady day for both of us–sorta like my experience with David!!
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 8:23 AM
I have always had a passion for singing and dancing. I started ballet when I was 3 (I think my mother wanted me to do something to tire me out), was part of the Civic ballet company in Houston but quit when I was 18 when I was told, by my teacher, I was too short to go any further. I picked it up again after I was married and it felt great to be able to dance that way again – even if it was just for fun. I sang solos and duets in my younger years and was always part of choirs – school and church. Music, however, was the driving force for me and dancing and singing was the way I interpreted it. Even now, at my age, I find myself dancing along, while cleaning or cooking or driving (bouncing around in the car is not always a good idea). I also used to write short stories and poems but life seemed to get in the way of that and I haven't really done much of it in quite some time. Finding David seemed to complete that musical passion that I allowed to wane during a large part of my adult life and I am so grateful for that.
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 8:39 AM
The picture of the girl painting David that accompanies this post is amazing! Where did you get it from, if I may ask?
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:44 AM
Thanks for taking part in the poll and for all the woderrful comments. I love hearing all your stories!!
"I could express myself through the movement of my body with the music. I felt free and confident." << I'm exactly the same way. I know this will be hard for you guys to believe, but I'm also typically a very shy person. It's a wonderful feeling to let go and express yourself without having to say a word. 🙂
Mspoohbear, Marlie, Jan, Bydesign,
I envy you the dance lessons and/or music lessons. I never had dance lessons as a child, but as I got older I had lessons in various types of dance. Not in the classical sense, but lots of different styles. I have always wanted to play an instrument too, but never had lessons. I bought a keyboard and tried to teach myself to play once (because I always wanted to play piano). I did pretty well through the summer and was making good progress, but then I went back to work and it just sort of fell by the wayside. I regret not following through now.
From what you say, you have a real talent for cooking. I could never taste a dish and tell what ingredients are in it. It sounds to me like you have a great passion for cooking.
And Like Marlie, as you all can tell, I also like to write. 🙂 I used to be a voracious reader too but have also slacked off on that due to eye strain.
It sounds like you have a passion for the arts and teaching. How wonderful to share that knowledge with others and inspire their love for the arts! And I'm so glad to hear that David has brought out your desire to sing! Like I said above, I'm not good at singing. But I do love it. I feel like it sets my heart free when I sing. (I do it often. I just try to do it when no one is around to hear. Hubby catches me once in a while and gets a good chuckle out if it. LOL)
Mspoohbear … Ramble away. I love it!
Larissa, Isn't Angelica's accompanying artwork wonderful? That is only one of her many talents.
Thanks again for the wonderful artwork you include in all of the articles. D
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 12:27 PM
MT, I missed this chat and I never wore white boots, black and brown with laces, does this count? lol. We've been asking ourselves what is it that brings us all here via David and this is a great exploration of commonalities. What fun reading all of your artistic back grounds.
I took tap, ballet, modern dance, folklorico and performed in all. I took piano (which I plan to do again, thank you David) and a stint on the drums. I was in a performing children's choir and continued in choir through school. I grew up with singing and music all the time. I loved to read, so much so that my parents hid books from me lol. I have great memories of the joy these things all brought me. My children play instruments and I loved how I could live the joy through them. Then somehow I put it all away and didn't even realize it. Until David was put in my path to bring this joy and appreciation that overwhelms me at times back into my life, I truly believe this. ♪♫ Oh what a feeling! ♫ ♪
I think it really doesn't matter how good or not one is at what we do, it's the appreciation and recognition of the gift we are given what brings true joy. It seems that we all have that in spades 🙂
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 12:54 PM
My passion is writing. Like David, I have one book published. I am starting on a novel. Maybe David would write one too, who knows!
But I voted "play a musical instrument" because David has inspired me to keep playing the piano. Even though I am not good at it at all I practice every day and I have learned several songs David has covered including Love Me Tender, Think of Me, Heaven, Angels, Imagine and The Christmas Song. I am now playing Someone Like You because David played part of it in the Philippines!
And I love to cook and bake! I just made some quinoa and carrot bread this afternoon! I think David would love it – healthful stuff!
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 1:06 PM
I am loving all the responses!! Thank you so much! I am sooo enjoying reading them. 🙂
"but with David you don't just hear him; you feel him. He fills up my senses like no other singer has ever done." << Beautifully said and I totally agree. (LOL @ the 'go go boots" haha Yep, we were hip!)
Thanks for sharing your musical history with us. You have done so many things with dance and music!! Drums too?( My son played drums for a while in his high school band. Trumpet too.) How wonderful to pass that passion for music in all it's forms on to our children.
You may be right. For whatever reasoon, maybe there is a spark in all of us that understands the passion and uniqueness of artistic expression. We look beyond the obvious and explore it in depth. It doesn't matter whether it is the written word, painting, music, dance, cooking, photography, architecture or any other form of creative expression. Perhaps it is as simple as that, in the tenderness of our hearts that we have the ability to recognize the beauty of the world around us in all it's forms.
We know David looks for the beauty in life. From giant grapes to all the museums he has visited, he is fascinated by it all. Maybe, in our seach for beauty in life, we have found our own very special source of beauty in David. Voice … looks … character … personality … he is beautiful all around, no matter how you look at him.
You are published? Wow, congrats, that's amazing! And I love that David has inspired you to start learning piano. It sounds to me like you're doing great!
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 3:19 PM
Really enjoy the Article MT!! ….and all the talent here including the Top photo and those distracting me on the sides 🙂
Our family used to listen to Singers on the Radio to begin with and we had a Victrola 🙂 It used to be fun to try and picture what Danny Day and Bing Crosby sounded like for example. When we got a TV (late grade school) I remember Ed Sullivan, Andy Griffin, Dean Martin, Carol Burnett etc.. Oh I miss those Variety Shows and bought the Carol Burnett Series recenly. Amazing LIVE Shows with laughter and singing talents.
When I was in school, singing and Tap Dancing were introduced and our classes put on full shows, costumes and all. I took Piano lessons for several years and enjoyed Dancing and still do. I was in the Glee Club in High School and sang in Church. I was a "drunken" Marine on a Game Show once in a High School Skit. I was quite the "Ham" I joined a Folk Dancing Group for awhile and took dance lessons at Arthur Murray. I was in the Church Choir for awhile until there was too much Drama in the group. 🙂
In Nursing School/College we put on Skits and I was known for being quite humorous. Social dancing was a big part of my High School, College and Post college life in Seattle.
I dabbled in writing when I was younger and used the name "Heidi" as my pen name. When I picked my Web Handle, that was taken so I added JOY because it was a word that described David.
I enjoyed American Idol Season 5 on. David caught my eyes and ears immediately. I've often said that rooting for a Teen was a surprise, since I was mad at the Teen Vote from the year before when Melinda lost to teens. I've never been affected by someone's singing as much as David (Except for a brief addiction to Trini Lopez in my dancing days)
The article has me reflecting lots of good memories over a number of years. Don't want to write a Novel. (Lots of years to cover 🙂 )
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 4:00 PM
wow thank you
I will continue to travel, I will continue writing.
All I can say is that now I have a special permit. Although I did not have that permission, I follow my heart to any country of the world.
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 6:48 PM
Pardon me for posting three times in 24 hours, but I can't help myself! This afternoon, one of my missionaries told me he was in the MTC with Elder Archuleta! And stood next to him! And heard him sing "The Spirit of God, " which was evidently quite the spiritual moment. Do you remember what I said about my student employee who squealed whenever I said "David Archuleta" to her? Well, I'm ashamed to admit I squealed when my missionary told me that. Fortunately, he and his companion were helping me move some stuff, so we weren't in the middle of a lesson or anything else spiritual.
I told them I would take them to lunch for helping me, and that I wanted to talk about his MTC experience with Elder Archuleta. I am shameless! I am so obviously using him! And I don't feel guilty–I feel giddy! Has anyone else had this kind of experience? How do you control yourself when you're plowing right over one person to find out what he knows about another person? This is so out of character for me!
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 8:06 PM
And you checked "none"? Cake decorating is definitely an art. One I have tried and failed miserably at. LOL So you need to go back and check "other" for your creativity. As far as I'm concerned, that's a big 'ole YES in the creativity dept. 😀
Woot woot, new music. Makes me giddy just thinking about it! 🙂 🙂 If Victoria Horn is talking about David's song, she's going to see a lot of love coming her way, very soon.
So glad you enjoyed the article and it looks like you have some talents yourself! I'm so glad it took you back to some good memories. That's what happened to me and what started this whole article. Remembering all the wonderful times in my life that were brought about through music. ♥ David has been added to my list.
I've never been in that situation so I can't say what I would do. But good luck! As far as posting 3 times in 24 hours, don't even worry about it. That's what we're here for. 🙂
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 9:35 PM
First, a thank you to everyone's kind thoughts when I was in the doldrums earlier this week. Life does move on, just sometimes it seems extremely slowly.
Your post MT, has me thinking and remembering. I had a music filled childhood.
My father, was a high school music teacher, whos first love and passion, besides my mother, was for music. Music, mostly classical, including opera, was always on the radio in our home. He was always humming, whistling and singing. He was also, dark, green eyed, 5'6″, shy and had a killer smile. (Sound familiar?)
I was always moving, and still enjoy dance. I played instruments and sang, but didn't like "reading music" or the competitive situations I encountered along the way. I have always found more personal pleasure in just listening to music that takes me to "that place of beauty" I can only feel in music.
A case in point. On Monday I was able to watch the inauguration on TV. My daughter had to work, and on the phone that evening asked me how it went. I then went into detail why I enjoyed Kelly Clarksons performance, was touched by Jame Taylor's, and didn't really love Beyonce's. My daughter was quiet when I finished and finally asked, "And did the President take a turn too?"
I first and foremost notice the music. Always.
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:58 PM
I seem to be the black sheep of this David family when it comes to artistic talent. I checked "None" and I meant NONE. I remember how happy I was at 5 years old when my mother told me I no longer had to take dance lessons. I remember being so relieved when I was 12 years old she gave up on my piano lessons. Two of my best memories. Somebody has to sit in the audience and that is my calling. I have taken my children and grandchildren to so many art and music classes that they really seemed to enjoy, but I could not figure out why. We also serve who stand and applaud.
New music? Bring it. And hurry up.
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:10 PM
Victoria Hornღ♫♕❀✿♥☆ @LadyVmusic
ok meeting went super well today.. will have news on MONDAY.. thats a few days away.. woohooo
Victoria Hornღ♫♕❀✿♥☆ @LadyVmusic
lets just say this about today.. some of my tweeter fam are going to freak out soon when they hear the news… 🙂
Guess we'll know Monday if it's about David!!!! **fingers crossed**
Poof, I hope things have gotten better for you. And thanks for sharing your lovely story! I see music has been a big part of your life too. Your dad sounds great, and handsome too. 🙂
Jan, hairdressing gets my vote too! You have to see it in your minds eye in order to create it.
Thanks so much to all of you. I love hearing your stories. ♥
(PS I want to know who the 4 chefs are! And I want to know what you cook/bake!)
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:18 PM
I have always loved music and singing, but have what I call a good choir voice, not a soloist type. One of the things I love now about discovering David is that my alto voice and his tenor match pretty well and I love, love singing along with him, especially by myself in the car! lol
Also, since childhood, I have had a love for design and decorating, creating beautiful, inviting spaces or things. It fills me with joy, whether it's a big bedroom project or a Christmas tree….it just makes me happy to create something that I think is beautiful. I find I am deeply moved and affected by my surroundings. I have always loved the saying "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." For me that is true. Maybe that's why I love David so much! He and his music are most definitely "a thing of beauty"!
Ronaleem….I just love your new found excitement over David, and remember feeling just like you when I was first was struck with Archulightning. I understand your desire to talk to anyone who might know more about David…..shameless or not! My daughter in law's brother was in the MTC with David, and she (teasingly) asked him to get a lock of his hair for me……dang, I wish he had!!!
It is delightful for me to read your posts here, so please keep it up!
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:20 PM
"We also serve who stand and applaud." So true! What good is talent if there is no one share it with? You get a great big 'ole {{{hug}}} for that comment. And those who appreciate can also feel a passion for music.
By the way, is that chain still up? It must be starting to look pretty short compared to a year ago. 🙂
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:33 PM
This doesn't exactly fit the topic, but I forgot to mention recently that I saw a Rising Outreach flyer that part of the Brick Pathway. I got pretty excited when I saw one of the Bricks I purchased. "One Step At A Time" Woo Hoo!!
Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:45 PM
Ronaleem….I just have to clarify that the excitement I felt has not dimmed in the past year….not in the least! I have just gotten used to ODD!
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 1:28 AM
PandasMama here. If this posting works, then I have finally fixed my many months long problem with wordpress. It hates me. LOL
This article is very interesting. I have always wondered exactly why we all "get" David and others don't have a clue. I too have wondered if there is a special artistic connection between many of us in the fandom.
Most people on the fan sites know me as a writer because I share my fan poetry and other David related writings on FOD and my blog. I have also completed my first novel and am shopping for an agent for it. I might just self-publish as an e-book soon though. David was my inspiration to write. While I have a degree in English Education, I had not seriously written anything before David entered my life. He gave me the courage to step out of my very shy self and find a new way of artistic expression. For the last year I have also been writing concert reviews for an online magazine in conjunction with my husband who is a live-music photographer.
When I was in 6th thru 12th grades I played the clarinet. I liked it although I was never "really good" at it. I gave it up when I entered college because the competition was way above me at that level. I've dabbled in piano, but have never had any formal training.
I've always enjoyed singing. I participated in my school and church choirs until I had a severe throat infection during college that damaged my voice so that my range became limited. I still join in our church choir on special occasions, but I don't enjoy singing with "the guys" so I don't do it often. I still love to sing, just not where people can hear and judge me.
I worked as a professional seamstress for a while. I was taught to sew at age 8 and actually made most of my clothes during jr high, high school and college, crafted my own wedding dress and attendants dresses, all of my kids' costumes, and my daughter's prom dress. I am looking forward to making my daughter's wedding dress sometime in the future. I also love to make many different types of crafts. I can draw and paint nature scenes, but not people or animals.
I also love to cook and bake. My daughter and I have actually discussed some day having our own bakery, if we could just get someone to finance it. LOL
The only thing on this list that doesn't resonate with me is dancing. At this, I am a total failure. I am way too self conscious to dance. If I think about what I am doing, two left feet would be an understatement. Drives my husband crazy because he loves to dance.
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 9:21 AM
Yes, Jan we have a lot in common. Talk abou Holy Coincidences 🙂
Glad you conquered WordPress Margy. Never did once they made changes, so use my Twitter acct. I always enjoy your writing. wow! to the Sewing.
Thanks again MT and all. Really enjoy all the creativity!!
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 10:01 AM
What an interesting post, MT. Lots of food for thought. I have always loved the arts…whether observing or participating. Considering my inherent shyness, and a propensity towards anxiety, my activity has been fairly limited to a more private arena. I play the piano and sing, but mostly with my family or as a member of a large choir. I have written a few children's books, but only for the enjoyment of my family. I I have always loved musical theater, but never had the courage to give it a shot. I am also a chronic doodler and love to dance…while I'm cleaning, haha! Perhaps that is one of the reasons I admire David so much…he learned to push through his anxiety…and how grateful we are for it! Perhaps my love for the arts was conveyed more actively to my children as they are all involved in one way or another. As a matter of fact, my oldest daughter teaches music and drama to young people, and tries to instill in them the confidence to move beyond their anxieties and pursue their dreams.
On a totally random note…does anyone know where to find the blooper video from Nandito Ako?
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 1:37 PM
"I'm not a dancer or artist, just liked them" I think I disagree with you there. Didn't you do that painting of David? It was wonderful! 🙂 and this … "A lot of teachers, nurses, writers, a few doctors." I know, isn't it amazing what a diverse bunch we are? And yet there must be something in all of us that ties us together.
It' sounds like you are very artistic and creative by nature too. I was actually going to include interior decorating or design in the poll along with a few others (like sewing and quilting, cake decorating, there are so many was we express ourselves) but it was getting too long. lol But it is defintiely something that shows a passion for creativity and expression.
Jan, Funny story. haha Are you sure you and Heidijoy aren't related?
Panda, I ready your blog often and really enjoy it! And I share your passion for writing poetry. 🙂
It looks like you are multi talented and also share my love of dance. But for me, dance is the one thing that I don't feel nervous doing. When I get out there and dance, I am just me and I don't really worry about anything or anyone else. I am consumed by the music and all else fades away. It doesn't matter who's watching. I wonder if that's how David feels on stage?
In reading all the comments, it seems that most are either musical or creative, or both. The fact that we may not be professionals at what we love to do doesn't mean that we can't love it just as much. Just like David, we each find our own ways to express ourselves. (And crafts do count, Dayzee :))
(It's possible that, like Jan & Dayzee, those who checked "none" in the box may find that they do have an expressive outlet if they really think about it. Maybe they just haven't realized that theirs counts as their way to express themselves.)
One more thing. (isn't there always with me? LOL) I think you are all awesome and I am so impressed with all of your many talents! Thanks so much for sharing a part of who you are. ♥
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 2:27 PM
Wheni was young i loved to draw portaretsAnd as i got a little older i loved to dance even though i didnt have lessions i won a lot of contest and now that i am older i crochet doll dresses !! i am glad to hear we have so much talent here !!!
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 3:25 PM
I found this comment in the comment box under the poll so I'm bringing it here.
From Madeline A,
"Its a feeling!! The most appealing feeling I get from David is his eyes, his look. His eyes express everything to me….I believe its called "kindness". My attraction to David is not only his voice, which is just "out of this world", but the feeling I get when all I have to do is look at him. I've followed many other singers or artists in my lifetime, and I'm always attracted to that same feel. I must admit that David is a special entertainer for me, because he pulls at my heart deeply. Thank you for your wonderful summation of your feelings for David."
I think we can all agree on that. David definitely pulls at our hearts. He is one of a kind. ♥
Thanks for sharing! That's awesome that you did portraits. I wish I could draw! haha Even my stick men look funny.
Annnnnnnd … LadyV is at it again. lol I REALLY hope she's talking about David.
Victoria Hornღ♫♕❀✿♥☆ @LadyVmusic
"@Maureen_abms: @LadyVmusic love your teaser tweets lol" good lots more to come 🙂
Victoria Hornღ♫♕❀✿♥☆ @LadyVmusic
"@Jonerz: @LadyVmusic Can we practice freaking out now??!! LOL" yes!!
Victoria Hornღ♫♕❀✿♥☆ @LadyVmusic
"@kimak: @janey79 @ladyvmusic lol.. cause Archies motto 'hope springs eternal'!" 🙂
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 6:00 PM
MT, that wasn't me, I am no good with faces. 🙂
I've drawn houses, fields, flowers, lakes, etc., and sketched a nude or two in class. 😉
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 7:06 PM
Oh, my bad. lol I think that was Paula? Maybe? If not, someone correct me please because now I'm wondering who that was!
LOLing at "I've drawn houses, fields, flowers, lakes, etc., and sketched a nude or two in class. 😉 " << hahaha I think for that alone you qualify!
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 11:20 PM
LOL A new fan in the making. 🙂
I tried sewing but I think it takes more patience than I have. haha Funny when you think about it now because David is certainly teaching me to have more patience. And this >>>"It's a blast to combine the 2 interests that give me the most enjoyment David and online friends." ♥
Thanks for the pic. I knew something was missing! 🙂
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 11:37 PM
I'm still trying to find that blooper cut from Nandito Ako…any ideas?
#54…what a great picture!
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 11:51 PM
If you go to the NA chat room and use the video at the bottom of the page, the bloopers are at the end starting at 9:57:00. I actually went to youtube and tried to find it too but couldn't find the original of just the bloopers.
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 12:12 AM
Thanks, MT! You're awesome…I found it!
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 12:15 AM
MT; Beautifully written post and love what you said, that "a passion for creativity and expression come in many forms". So true as it's been a pleasure to read about everyone's interests and fond memories. One doesn't have to be good or talented at any particular interest, only that it gives a sense of satisfaction and pleasure. As a child, I remember my Mom singing along while playing those old vinyl 45 records (anyone remember those, haha) and even my Dad favored watching the old musical movies that featured the singing talents of Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby et al.
Many moons ago, when I took piano lessons, I remember my teacher correcting me even though I thought I had played the piece right. Yes, I had technically played it perfect but she showed me that I needed to play it with 'feeling', putting your whole body into it and 'coaxing' out the beautiful sound of the piano to make the music come alive. As a child, I did not appreciate or understand what she really meant but now I truly do. For what she was describing was the very 'passion' and expression of joy that transforms music to bring it to life, something David does so beautifully, naturally and instinctively … truly a gift that not many singers have. Now, I just dabble in piano for fun and like Dja, I mostly enjoy listening to my kids play their instruments, so does that count as a form of expression, lol! Music warms my heart for a number of reasons & for David to revive that joy has been an unexpected blessing. It seems that the common thread shared is 'feeling' that special connection to David even though it may be hard to explain exactly why.
I'd love to try all the things mentioned in the poll. Funny thing is that even though I don't sing, some days, David has almost got me believing that I can, lol … how crazy is that!
MsPoohBear; #12 … Wow, to be spotted by a Motown exec. must have been a memorable experience!
Fenfan; #17 … A published book & a novel on the way … that's fabulous!
Heidijoy; #27 … That is so cool that you had a Victrola. I was fascinated by it when I saw one displayed at a musical instrument museum and didn't even know what it was. Do you still play it as they are very rare right?
Poof; #32 … {{{Hugs}}}
Dayzee; #35 … Your comment made me smile. We tried several different music lessons for one child and well, it didn't take long to realize that if it was so unenjoyable then there was no sense in making both parties miserable, lol! I'll be there in the audience with you applauding and appreciating all those who do what they love so well.
Bychance; # 38 … I love this: "He and his music are most definitely a "thing of beauty"!"
Margy; #44 … Hope you get your first novel published!
Loulou; #49 … I would love to see your crochet doll dresses as that would be something unique and collectable.
MT; # 52 … Yes, Paula did that beautiful painting of David for Camp ASCCA fundraiser.
Jans; #53 … Love hearing about new fans of all ages for David!
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 9:22 AM
Blueberry Ice, 🙂 No I don't have the Victrola, wish I did. It would be a Collector's item. It was in the family when I was pretty young.
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 10:36 AM
You're welcome! Glad I could help. 🙂
Blueberry Ice,
Hey there!!! 🙂
"One doesn't have to be good or talented at any particular interest, only that it gives a sense of satisfaction and pleasure."
Yes, that's a great way of putting it. Although most of us are not professionals at what we love, it's something we are passionate about, something that brings us joy and satisfaction in a very special way.
hahaha Well, I didn't have a victrola either, but I did have one of those little 45rpm record players in my room as a child. LOL Can you believe it was boxed in PINK! And Elvis sounded lovely on it. ♥ He was the first "heartthrob" I fell for. I used to watch ALL his movies too … over and over.
Maybe we'll get lucky and David will be the next movie heartthrob when he gets back. 😀 Ohhh … David on the big screen … can we get that lucky?
But that's much farther down the road, right now I just want to know if those LadyV tweets are about David. We should know on Monday!
I saw a comment elsewhere that there is rumor of a new Music Video too, but I don't know how he could possibly have done any more videos. We have already gotten so much since he left, how much more an there be? Much more and we'll have to nickname him Superman lol because that's what he'd have to be to have done so much!
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Abrra, ROFL … Perfect!!!
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 3:35 PM
Just rambling here…
I just watched and listened to Abrra's video of David singing Nature Boy when he was young at FOD. DANG! I cried my eyes out! I don't know why, but his song just pierced thru my heart. I miss him a lot! Only David can do that to me.
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 3:47 PM
Abrra, we David fans love and appreciate you for many reasons, the above photos not being the least of them.
What interesting stories with this post, a very impressive gathering of artistic David fans. Hope it's not too late to contribute.
I tend to be an artistic dabbler, not really great at anything except the art of appreciating. I sang a little in high school and had the lead in two musicals. I acted a little in college, bit parts in several plays. I write a little, primarily for my own amusement. I often wish I had been properly schooled in that sort of thing. I have more than dabbled in the art of mothering, definitely a creative endeavor.
I spent several years doing culinary dabbling for a much needed second income at the time—wedding cakes, novelty cakes and hand dipped chocolates. That career eventually gave way to work in medical transcription for a large psychiatric practice; this was not exactly an artistic adventure, but certainly interesting, and with less cleanup. Actually, I have published several poems. Oh, not deeply profound and meaningful work. I'm talking light verse, humorous, word plays—those column fillers you see in magazines that are willing to pay for it.
Like I said, a dabbler.
Admin Abrra edit: Archugeezer sent this to us. I wanted to post it cuz it's about HAIR!! 🙂
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 5:17 PM
I know what you mean about that video. It definitely grabs at your heart.
(Nice job on that video, Abrra)
It's never too late! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 You've done so many artistic things, I'm curious. Which one did you mark in the poll?
I'm so glad I did this article! It's been wonderful for us to get to know a little about each of you. ♥
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 7:20 PM
Kari posted that she is sending mail the second week of February 🙂 Wrote a card today!!
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 7:43 PM
I love this and everything all you wonderful people have posted.
#20 MT Angelica,You may be right. For whatever reasoon, maybe there is a spark in all of us that understands the passion and uniqueness of artistic expression. We look beyond the obvious and explore it in depth. It doesn't matter whether it is the written word, painting, music, dance, cooking, photography, architecture or any other form of creative expression. Perhaps it is as simple as that, in the tenderness of our hearts that we have the ability to recognize the beauty of the world around us in all it's forms.
I have a brother who is a professional musician so I have a very great appreciation for the combination of talent and determination needed to pursue a career in an area in which you feel compelled. However – I can't carry a tune, have 2 left feet and stick people are the only things I can draw. But, I do have a deep passion to create things. I have tried most every craft known to exist. Sewing, anything and everything, is my favorite.
When I say this is a passion, I mean parts of my home have more stuff than the hobby and fabric stores and sleep and food too often take a back seat to my latest projects. What feeds my soul – besides my faith, my family and all things David – is to produce a tangible product. I truly need to do this!
3 ½ years ago, at the age of 57 and in excellent health, a chiropractic adjustment caused me to have a stroke. I was left with a partially paralyzed right side, yes, the hand I used to create was pretty useless. By the grace of God, wonderful doctors and family and digging deep inside my own soul – a skill taught to me by a young man with a beautiful soul and voice – I was able to 'recover a ton'! I was jolted into realizing what a precious gift life and the ability to use our God given talents is. I emerged with an even stronger desire to create and to understand and help others.
I have so many things to be grateful 4 – discovering David and having the privilege to follow his journey with all of you – even though I am mostly a lurker, but a VERY faithful and thankful one, is definitely a blessing I will never take for granted.
I am currently channeling my creative energy by making quilts, some to leave as part of my legacy for my family and some to give away for charitable causes. High on my bucket list is to teach or work with women in impoverished areas to help discover and build their creative talents.
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 8:11 PM
Great to hear of all these talented fans. We have seen some of your talents displayed on the David fansites. I can't really say that I have any great creative talents but i do like to knit. I've been enjoying doing that more since i retired last month.
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 8:44 PM
Nice to see you out and about Grateful4all, well and creative. Great Travel Mate too 🙂
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 9:07 PM
Grateful4all – Welcome! and please feel free to post more often. We love hearing what everyone here has to say. 🙂
I'm so sorry to hear about your health issues but really glad it's gotten so much better and that David helped. Isn't he wonderful?
This: "But, I do have a deep passion to create things … sleep and food too often take a back seat to my latest projects" "High on my bucket list is to teach or work with women in impoverished areas to help discover and build their creative talents." << That is such a wonderful thing to do.
I used to knit, too! and crochet! When I was pregnant with my son, (a loooong time ago) I knitted him some blankets, hats, and booties. Of course, once he was born he took up all my time so no more knitting. lol I had forgotten how much pleasure I got out of it.
We do have a lot of creative Archies out there … taking and making videos, taking photos, editing photos, making those great gifs of precious David moments, sketching, painting portraits, et. …. all so willing to share will all of us. 😀
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Oops, part of my comment disappeared??? And then it italicized everything!!!
OMG sorry!! IDK how that happened!!! I hope it turned itself off the same unknown way it turned itself on!
admin abrra: MT you know I had to fix all that slant! LOL It was the forward arrow things that caused the slantyness.
Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 1:27 AM
Bebe is right, drawing faces takes talent. And to work so hard to get your record player sounds like a passion for music to me. 🙂 You sang along, right? What a funny coincidence that you both learned shorthand for the same reason!
PS Thanks for fixing me up there, Abrra 🙂
Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 2:44 AM
I was YouTube surfing and found these:
Check out at 2:16, I think the guitarist was trying to upstage David here. LOL!
Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Thanks for bringing the Les Mis video here. I am not a fan usually a fan of this style of singing, but Wow, Lea Salonga's voice is gorgeous! I can see why David was so captivated by it.
And I love those Magic radio interviews. David was so good in them. Maybe it helped that the DJ was very kind and respectful to David and let him talk. Now I have to go look up the concert videos and his vlog from back then. 🙂 *runs to Youtube*
Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 4:35 PM
78. Stenocruiser…… DEANNA DURBIN!!!!!!
Oh. my. gosh. My mom had ALL of her movies and introduced me to her during our years of sharing a home. How wonderful that you have all those great memories. I too, remember my first purchase of a little stereo with two (detachable) speakers. Great days! Thanks for sharing those memories. We are all one beneath the skin: DA lovers of music. Whether it be music of the day he sings or music of the soul.
He just whomps that music. Grinds and channels and synthesizes and morphs and claims and reclaims till it is all his. (The greedy little guy!) I feel wholly satisfied in my own greedy need to hear him sing. No guilt whatsoever. If he hadn't been so greedy to begin with – I would not have the chance to be greedy now. Deal with it, DA.
In 3rd grade terms: you started it.
Monday, January 28, 2013 at 2:05 AM
Hello everyone! Finally have a few before bedtime. We celebrated my granddaughters 16th birthday with a sweet sixteen party yesterday at home with over 100 guests. It all turned great but exhausting lol.
I caught up reading the comments and have enjoyed all the great memories shared by you all, got me all nostalgic. All the experiences in our lives have somehow, for some reason brought us all here to the David Archuleta fandom :))
Monday, January 28, 2013 at 10:50 AM
"Funny thing is that even though I don't sing, some days, David has almost got me believing that I can, lol … how crazy is that!" Not so 'crazy' at all!
"I was jolted into realizing what a precious gift life and the ability to use our God given talents is. I emerged with an even stronger desire to create and to understand and help others." I was so touched by your story, Grateful. You have truly turned your desires to serve and create into something others will remember and cherish about you forever.
MT: thank you so much for your inspiring and heartfelt article. You have touched a creative spark that seems to connect us all. Again… thanks!!
Archugeezer: I love your ramblings. Never stop! Please.
OH! I wish I had the time to read and reread all your lovely comments. A big thank you to all who posted for sharing – you help to inspire me.
This is for Archugeezer:
by bluesky
My scratchings –
Though random
Though untuned
Though covering again (often as not)
The very surface they strive to clear
Still reveal light enough
To make the effort worth my while.
I love and appreciate you talented, amazing, beautiful people! You provide light in my life. ^_^
Monday, January 28, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Victoria Hornღ♫♕❀✿♥☆ @LadyVmusic
I do believe its archie news sometime today! 🙂
Monday, January 28, 2013 at 12:36 PM
Thanks for your kind words, and especially for your poem. Love it! (Great title too.)
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 1:04 PM
How did u actually get the points to compose ""A Common Theme
Among David Archuleta Fans? � The Voice"? Thanks
a lot -Valeria


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Airport control towers in Boca Raton, Stuart to close
14 towers at regional airports throughout Florida affected
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that it plans to close 149 regional airport control towers.
The FAA was originally planning to close 189 low- to moderate-volume towers staffed by contractors, including three in South Florida and the Treasure Coast. These closures are the result of massive government budget cuts known as the sequester.
The closures affect small airports in Boca Raton, Stuart and Hollywood.
In all, towers are being shuttered at 14 Florida airports.
"We are deeply disappointed in the FAA's decision to close the tower," said Sarah Heard, Chair of the Martin County Board of County Commissioners. "This decision has a negative impact on Martin County from a safety, noise and economic perspective. The Board will be exploring options to keeping the tower operational, including accepting user contributions."
Air traffic control unions also are upset, saying these closures will impact safety.
The FAA insists the airports will remain safe, but South Florida's congressional delegation is pushing back.
"We've made several requests to the FAA and Department of Transportation urging them to keep the control tower at Boca Raton Airport open," wrote Congresswoman Louis Frankel and Congressman Ted Deutch. "We're seeing the real, local impacts of the mindless, across-the-board budget cuts known as the sequester with this control tower closure. It's time for Congress to come together and solve the sequester. On behalf of our constituents we will continue to fight to make sure planes coming in and out of Boca Raton Airport are safe."
A phased closure will begin in two weeks and is expected to last a month.
Click here to view the full list of towers scheduled to close.

subset: commoncrawl


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"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance-it is the illusion of knowledge."-Daniel Boorstin
In George Orwell's 1984 the Outer Party comprised a mere thirteen percent of the population and was subject to the ideological filters in play at the Ministry of Truth and the broader bureaucratic structure. A specific language and way of thinking were closely adhered to. Given their political import, Outer Party members were the most heavily indoctrinated and controlled inhabitants of Oceania. The majority Proles who constituted the remainder of the population was of little consequence so long as their political awareness remained underdeveloped.
While its members withstood more austere conditions, 1984's Outer Party is roughly tantamount to those who in our society are the well-informed, college-educated professionals; those whose duty it is to adhere to the ready-made opinion available in the major agenda setting journalistic outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, and National Public Radio, where news is carefully selected, crafted, and presented. Such information is then disseminated to the masses via actors in summary capsule form on cable and broadcast television platforms.
Mystified by its own credentials, surrounded by peers who conceive of reality along similar lines, and underscored by the corporate media's overwhelming tide of disinformation, much of today's professional class is impervious to "rumors" and "conspiracy theories" that all too often captivate the sordid masses—from unreasonable suspicion over mysterious terrorist attacks to the poorly-informed questions surrounding their leader's hidden background. Much like the expert officials and agenda setting outlets they look to for prepared interpretations of the world, the opinion leading class' constituents understand themselves as above all well informed, similarly disinterested and unmoved by groundless passion.
In fact, the programming necessary to attain such a degree of self-assuredness often tends to distance one from reality. For example, revulsion towards war in the United States has historically tended to run strongest among those who have escaped the heavy indoctrination of the professional class—those members of the non-or semi-skilled, working class majority. As historian Howard Zinn observes,
"[I]n surveys of public opinion during the [Vietnam War], it was inevitably shown that people with the highest education—college graduates—were the most supportive of the war. People who had not graduated from high school were the ones most against the war. This is a surprising figure because most people thought the anti-war movement consisted of intellectuals and students and college professors. While those people were most visible in the anti-war movement, public opinion against the war was concentrated in the least educated classes."
Recent public opinion indicators point to the enduring nature of antiwar sentiment. For example, a recent poll by the Pew Research Center for People and the Press shows that on March 19, 2011, one week before President Obama announced the NATO bombing of Libya, 77% of the US public opposed the destruction of the country's air defenses. Polling one year later revealed a 62% majority against NATO "bombing Syrian military forces to protect anti-government groups in Syria," even though almost the same percentage (64%) admitted to having heard "little" or "nothing at all" on "recent political violence in Syria."
May we thus safely conclude that a majority of the population despite ceaseless propaganda still recognizes how war remains the supreme crime and the greatest demarcation between master and slave? "If there was hope, it must lie in the Proles," Orwell wrote, "because only there, in those swarming disregarded masses, eighty-five percent of the population of Oceania, could the force to destroy the Party ever be generated."
Republished at GlobalResearch.ca on August 26, 2012.


text:
Have questions? Please contact us.
Discovering New Innovations in Predictive Analytics and Business Intelligence – Real Time Decision Making Drives Performance
On the 23rd February 2017, one hundred business leaders and BI professionals joined us at the Magic Circle, London. With a comprehensive line-up of speakers, the audience were given an update on the latest SAP innovations in business intelligence (BI) and advice about how to jump-start their BI strategy. Focusing on the technical capabilities and tools while relating these to the business benefits, the true capabilities of the very latest SAP analytics solutions and the potential for ROI were revealed.
Collaborative and Predictive Analytics Guides Business Transformation and Decision Making
The SAP Analytics Summit kicked off with presentations from Stephen Jamieson, Head of Analytics & Insight SAP UK and Andy Steer, our CTO. Explaining the SAP analytics roadmap, the speakers revealed the new SAP innovations in business intelligence.
- Self Service
- Cloud
- Predictive Analytics
- Big Data
- Mobile
The audience was captivated listening to Andy and Stephen give an introduction to SAP BW/4HANA and explain why collaborative and predictive analytics are becoming core to decision-making.
Digital Transformation is Disrupting Everything
With the following trends towards digital disruption, the need for just in time agile decision making has never been so important, reported Stephen Jamieson. SAP technology is acting as the enabler between people, process, devices and data flow to ensure executives make the correct decisions in real time.
- It is estimated there will be 21 billion connected devices by 2020.
- 75% of B2B buyers already use social media in their purchasing decisions.
- It is predicted there will be a four-fold growth in global cloud data traffic by 2020.
The Challenges of Delivering BI
Taking the stage again, Andy Steer presented the challenges of delivering BI in 2017 in the context of a BusinessObjects user. Andy also explained how organisations can get the most out of their SAP investment. He expanded with a focus on how to factor SAP's product roadmap into their own BI strategy. The presentation covered the new dynamics of decision making and how this is having an unavoidable effect on data management and the methods used to create, curate, secure and deliver insight.
If the objective of BI and predictive analytics is to anticipate and identify opportunities or problems before they arise and take action to change course, the SAP BusinessObjects platform achieves this through simulating scenarios on-the-fly. Predictive, suggestive analytics and machine learning or AI helps you intimately understand your business, allowing you to quickly offer recommended actions.
The NEXUS of Forces and Digital Disruption
The convergence of analytics, social, mobile and cloud are disrupting the BI value chain and dramatically affecting the data flow through people to actions. The SAP analytics solutions help us navigate these waters channelling the data streams through predictive analytics and learning machines to people and devices with active feedback.
- The cloud will give your organisation flexibility. The ability for deployments to scale elastically to mirror your scope.
- Subscription licensing will keep your costs down and optimised.
- Accelerated release cycles ensure you are always up to date.
- A reduced requirement for internal IT skills will reduce your costs and make the culture more dynamic.
- Mobile allows your staff to have stunning interactivity anytime, anyplace and virtually anywhere.
- Cross-platform capability means you can use your phone, tablet, laptop, iOS, Android, Windows or osX to access the system.
- Social integration and listening helps identify, understand and engage your culture, stakeholders and clients.
- You can influence the conversations that are being had about you, your brand and your products.
You can take advantage of all the data that is available inside and outside your organisation in order to deliver insight and drive performance.
Core Development That Makes It Happen
At the core of the new SAP BI platform is collaboration between departments. Using tools, cloud apps and applications such as Hadoop, Spark, SQL, Oracle, DB2 and Teradata the workforce, finance, supply chain and other departments can collaborate with a focus on your customers. The design philosophy is to make things as easy and simple for you as possible without the need for data-prep tasks such as data parsing, JSON and HTML imports. This gives superior performance with an easy to follow user interface and crucially, openness of the platform to users without compromising security.
Trends in Analytics and BI You Should be Aware of
Concluding, Andy discussed the main trends in analytics and BI.
- Technology that helps you get on top of the data.
- Andy said, "it is very important that you pay close attention to the quality of the data you have, who is going to use it and the governance that sits around that".
- Technology that helps you make better decisions in real time.
Andy went on, "You need to think about interactive information that can be delivered across a variety of platforms, so people can make the decisions in the moment rather than having to wait until they can access a traditional report".
Further presentations included a live demonstration of the modern SAP analytic apps. This engaging presentation was delivered through the roles of an 'Executive' and 'Business Analyst' in a scenario that showcased the very latest SAP BusinessObjects tools. The session brought to life the vision of big data, predictive, immersive analytics and speed of thought, and presented agile visualisations, mobility and incorporated structured and unstructured data sources. The key objective was to present how common business issues can be solved, and productivity improved, through the process of 'insight to action'.
Download the presentations held at the Analytics Summit on: http://uk-lp.nttdata-solutions.com/analytics-summit-presentations


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Okay, now I'd like to see a set of pictures of the little dweeb leaning over a computer screen, working on photographs of Sarah Palin, cropping her long hair and neutralizing the makeup colors. Because I bet he/she is not sexy at all.
I'd like to see the smirk on the photoshopper's face as he/she decides to make the supposedly natural lips a ghoulish purple and the short hair completely clunky. (It reminds me of this.)
By the way, to be realistic, if you take off the glasses, you need to enlarge the eyes to undo the distorting effect of prescription lenses. But what the hell? Smaller eyes are less pretty, and this exercise is all about stripping away Sarah's prettiness. Honesty is not the point. It has very little to do with what Sarah Palin would look like if she chose a less glamorous look.
This is an effort at defeminizing Sarah — like drawing a mustache on her. In fact, there's a good chance that Sarah Palin would look more beautiful with subtler makeup, no glasses, and a well-designed, more professional hairstyle.
Having said all that, let me add that Sarah Palin's looks obviously are part of her popularity. And I can list many other politicians — female and male, Republican and Democrat — who have won favor in the hearts of the people through their looks. One of them is sitting in the White House.
IN THE COMMENTS: Akiva said:
Actually, her degamorized look distinctly reminded me of former Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro.
That was when women were trying to look serious and slightly manly to be considered a valid politician.
I thought it was ok for a woman to look like a woman and still be taken seriously nowadays. Sorry, my bad.


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One More "The Status Quo Is Saved" Rally and Then...?
We can anticipate another rally once the political charade plays out, but what happens after that?
We can safely predict the inevitable budget-debt ceiling deal will spark yet another "the Status Quo is saved" rally in the stock market. But what happens after that?
Here is a three-year chart of the S&P 500 (SPX). The potential for another spike higher is reflected in the rising stochastics.
But overall, the chart is showing weakness and the potential for a serious decline.The negatives include:
1. A number of indicators (MACD and relative strength) are negatively divergent, i.e. they are declining as price moves higher
2. The 20-week moving average (MA) is stretched above the 50-week MA (i.e. the market has reached a point where the 20-week tends to converge with the 50-week MA)
3. The upper Bollinger band is flattening, showing loss of momentum.
Some similarities with 2011 are discernable. In 2011, a multi-month topping process traced out a classic head-and-shoulders pattern. This year, the chart has a similar structure of divergence, with a potential double top in play or even a spike higher to a nominal new high in the the 1750-1775 area--a target that some technical analysts have forecast for quite some time.
Regardless of whether the market double-tops or hits new nominal highs, the set-up for an extended decline is already in place technically. All this can change, of course; negative divergences can reverse, and a new uptrend can push indicators into bullish territory. But until that happens, the bearish indicators bear watching.
The Nearly Free University and The Emerging Economy:
The Revolution in Higher EducationReconnecting higher education, livelihoods and the economyWith the soaring cost of higher education, has the value a college degree been turned upside down? College tuition and fees are up 1000% since 1980. Half of all recent college graduates are jobless or underemployed, revealing a deep disconnect between higher education and the job market.
It is no surprise everyone is asking: Where is the return on investment? Is the assumption that higher education returns greater prosperity no longer true? And if this is the case, how does this impact you, your children and grandchildren?
We must thoroughly understand the twin revolutions now fundamentally changing our world: The true cost of higher education and an economy that seems to re-shape itself minute to minute.
The Nearly Free University and the Emerging Economy clearly describes the underlying dynamics at work - and, more importantly, lays out a new low-cost model for higher education: how digital technology is enabling a revolution in higher education that dramatically lowers costs while expanding the opportunities for students of all ages.
The Nearly Free University and the Emerging Economy provides clarity and optimism in a period of the greatest change our educational systems and society have seen, and offers everyone the tools needed to prosper in the Emerging Economy.
Read the Foreword, first section and the Table of Contents.
print edition (list $20, now $18)
Kindle edition: list $9.95
Things are falling apart--that is obvious. But why are they falling apart? The reasons are complex and global. Our economy and society have structural problems that cannot be solved by adding debt to debt. We are becoming poorer, not just from financial over-reach, but from fundamental forces that are not easy to identify. We will cover the five core reasons why things are falling apart:
1. Debt and financialization
2. Crony capitalism
3. Diminishing returns
4. Centralization
5. Technological, financial and demographic changes in our economy
Complex systems weakened by diminishing returns collapse under their own weight and are replaced by systems that are simpler, faster and affordable. If we cling to the old ways, our system will disintegrate. If we want sustainable prosperity rather than collapse, we must embrace a new model that is Decentralized, Adaptive, Transparent and Accountable (DATA).
We are not powerless. Once we accept responsibility, we become powerful.
Kindle: $9.95 print: $24
|Thank you, Eric T. ($100), for your outrageously generous contribution to this site-- I am greatly honored by your steadfast support and readership.


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The sucky thing about patches and maintance while playing Wow is Australia is that they tend to do it during our peak playing time on a Tues night
Tues night is movie/drink/cleaning/sleeping
However if like me you seek ways of feeding or at least sating your wow addiction just enough that you can sleep and not wake in a cold sweat or being tempted to go to bed early just so you can log on for an hour before getting ready for work.
So things to do…
- Read other peoples blogs on wow – look up a massive list of Wow blogs at the Twisted Nether Wow Blog List
- Play with all the Wow utilitys out there, listed at the Twisted Nether Wiki Utility list – It has armory tools- gear checkers ect ect
- Listen to some Podcasts like Epic Dolls Twisted Nether Blogcast Rawrcast
- Cruise youtube for wow video Gems like Big blue dress and Highwayman By Cranius
- Watch The guys from Spiffworld
Betty and Me check out their other vids as well. Another favourites of mine include Your Brains – Spiffworld and Jonathan Coulton Skullcrusher Mountain
- Some other Wow vids I like are
500 miles – I so love that song.. and the horde version is sooooo much better then alliance – and another creative person whos Vids are fun are Nyhms – can't pug KZ and Blind
- My Favourite is Here Without you It brought a tear to my eye..
and then when you have done all that… read Guild forums and some strats..
or you can always read me! https://pugnaciouspriest.wordpress.com/
AND if thats not enough… More things to do when wow is down


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Gay marriage stirs little public outcry in New Mexico
By JERI CLAUSING
Lynn Ellins stunned New Mexico last month when the county clerk decided to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. But even he was shocked by the lack of public outrage or protest to his decision, which set off a chain reaction that has for all practical purposes made gay marriage legal in the state.
The only crowds that gathered outside his Dona Ana County office were gay couples wanting to marry. The state's top politicians stayed neutral. New Mexico's three Catholic bishops said it was a matter for lawmakers. And an evangelical mega-church in the state's largest city was mum.
"I have gotten some fairly nasty religious-related telephone message," Ellins said. "But generally speaking, I am surprised by the relatively muted response from those who clearly disagree."
Experts and gay rights advocates say the relative lack of an uproar is a sign of how quickly public opinion has turned on the issue.
"If this had happened five years ago, there would have been a public outcry," said Andrew Cherlin, an expert on sociology of families and public policy at Johns Hopkins University. "If it had happened two to three years ago, there would have been public concern … It's as if the dam broke quickly."
Gay marriage opponents, however, say residents of the mostly rural state are too busy taking care of their families to worry about organized protests. Instead, they are looking to their leaders to take action against the "lawbreakers," said state Sen. Sen. William Sharer, a Farmington Republican, who is leading a group of opponents suing to block Ellins.
"The reality is the other side built an army and trained an army before they broke the law and our side wasn't ready to fight," he said.
Perhaps one of the biggest turns has been in the Catholic Church, whose bishops historically have issued strong condemnations of same-sex marriage laws. About 25 percentage of the state's population is Catholic, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
New Mexico's three bishops issued a statement reiterating their belief that marriage is a unique institution between a man and a woman, saying Ellins' action was "a significant matter that affects society at large and as such is one that is best decided through the legislative branch of government."
Andrew Chesnut, a Catholic scholar at Virginia Commonwealth University, said he believes the bishops were following the lead of Pope Francis, who despite fervent opposition to same-sex marriage while archbishop in Argentina has now "been mostly mute on this subject."
The last time the state was embroiled in the gay marriage issue was in 2004, when then-Sandoval County Clerk Victoria Dunlap began to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The state's attorney general at the time, a Democrat, ordered her to stop and she didn't run for re-election.
New Mexico is just one of two states without laws explicitly legalizing or banning same-sex marriage.
Because of that Ellins, a lawyer, said he began looking closely at state laws after several lawsuits were filed this year seeking to force county clerks in Santa Fe and the state's largest county, Bernalillo, to issue the licenses. Seeing that the legal process was doomed to drag on, he said, "I said, 'Enough is enough. It's time to move forward.'"
Unlike 2004, the Democratic attorney general made no attempt to intervene this time. When asked for comment, Republican Gov. Susana Martinez said it is a matter that should be decided by voters.
A week later, a state district judge, in Albuquerque ruled same-sex marriage was legal. Shortly thereafter, several other county clerks also began issuing licenses. At the request of county clerks, the Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing next month to decide if same-sex marriage is legal under the state's constitution.
One billboard opposing same-sex marriage was spotted recently at an evangelical church in Espanola. But the Catholic Church has said little beyond one statement after Ellins began issuing licenses.
Chestnut said the response of church officials in New Mexico isn't all that surprising, given that places around the world with sizeable Catholic populations–such as countries in Latin America–have led the way on gay marriage. Likewise, he said, Hispanics in the U.S. tend to be more approving of same-sex marriage than the overall population.
Allen Sanchez, spokesman for the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, denied a shift or softening in the church's position. And he pointed to the pope's recent call for compassion and tolerance for gays.
The difference to the response and lack of public action in New Mexico, he said, "is the difference between legislative and legal strategy. Had this been up for a legislative vote, you would have seen a much different process."


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AOL announced today the launch of Open AIM 2.0, which expands on AOL's highly limited 2006 initiative. As part of Open AIM 2.0, AOL plans to publish documentation for AIM's OSCAR protocol and provide a software development kit (SDK) that will enable third-party developers to create custom clients.
AOL previously maintained OSCAR as a closed protocol, which means that independent developers have had to reverse-engineer it in order to create third-party implementations. The documentation produced through such efforts is already very complete, so AOL's publication of its own internal OSCAR documentation at this point is mostly just a token gesture. The SDK aspect of the Open AIM 2.0 initiative has a bit more relevance, but the SDK's license imposes some limitations and restrictions that decrease its value.
The Custom Client SDK supplies a complete closed-source library implementation of OSCAR that developers can integrate into their applications to add AIM interoperability. The SDK license permits developers to redistribute the library components in binary form with their applications, but the SDK can't be used by software distributed under the GPL and other copyleft licenses that mandate downstream redistribution of source code. Open source instant messaging clients are better off using Pidgin's libpurple, which provides implementations for numerous protocols and is distributed under the GPL license.
Another restriction that is likely to deter adoption is that any application which reaches 100,000 or more total simultaneous users (determined via the application API key) will have to integrate AOL's advertising into their user interfaces. Programs with fewer than 100,000 simultaneous users will have to include at least two of the five following features: support for AIM Expressions with a link to an AOL-hosted AIM expressions web page, bundling of AOL's AIM Toolbar, support for AOL's AIM Start Page Launch, AOL advertising, or support for Buddy Info. These restrictions only apply to applications that are developed by using AOL's documentation or SDK. The advertising requirement is likely to deter many developers who are considering AIM integration, so this new extension to AOL's initiative does little to help mainstream client developers. The company hopes to make it a bit more palatable in the near future by introducing a revenue share program that will allow application developers to get a cut of the ad money.
The Open AIM initiative is likely a aresponse to competitive pressure from other services that use open protocols and supply implementation code. Google's GTalk messaging service, for instance, uses the eXtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) which is based on open standards, broadly documented, and widely implemented. Google has also released a BSD-licensed implementation of Jingle, an open voice and video extension for the XMPP protocol.
To gain some additional insight into the implications of AOL's Open AIM 2.0 initiative, we spoke to Mark Doliner, a software developer who works at Meebo and contributes to the open-source OSCAR implementation that is included in the Pidgin instant messaging client.
"I definitely appreciate the act of goodwill on the part of AOL. I think it's a big step toward making their IM network more open, and I think AIM users will benefit from that. I hope that the other large closed IM networks follow suit," Doliner told us. "It's hard to say whether their protocol documentation will help me personally... We're in the process of trying to interpret the license of the documentation to make sure it doesn't limit our freedom to continue to develop libpurple/Pidgin. But the initiative certainly shouldn't hurt us in any way."
AOL obviously can't make official clients for every platform in existence and is effectively locking itself out of the increasingly diverse mobile space by not making the protocol easy to implement. The Open AIM 2.0 initiative is a good start, but it doesn't do enough to empower third-party developers who will likely continue to use alternate implementations in order to avoid AOL's restrictions.


text: Did You Know... Your skin absorbs much of what you put on it. That means the lotions, potions and cleansers are going right through you and entering your blood stream. We want you to be educated on the good, bad and ugly of the skin industry so our resident nutritionist Shawn Stevenson brought on skin expert and insider Annmarie Gianni to discuss this very topic. You see, ... Continue Reading


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National budget 6.26.12
GateHouse News Service National Budget
Contacts: Lisa Glowinski, (217) 816-3343, email@example.com
Michael Toeset, 630-835-8870, firstname.lastname@example.com
NOTE: GHNS will syndicate a carousel item when the Supreme Court rules on President Obama's health care law. The ruling is expected THURSDAY.
On GHNewsroom.com
UPCOMING: The Street's story budget for July
NASCAR PAGE: 9 great drivers from northern states
SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW PAGES: Four broadsheet pages on new sports, Team USA athletes to watch, about the venues and more
JULY RADARFROG PAGE: Barbecue on a budget
JULY FAMILY: 8 ways to save on summer, how to build a treehouse, simple party food recipes
FOURTH OF JULY PHOTOS CALLOUT: http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/reader_callouts/x438673489/Reader-callout-Fourth-of-July-photos
SUMMER HOME & GARDEN: Attracting backyard birds, lawn car tips, how to restore lawn furniture
The Street
HOUSING: Stocks rise on home price data
DIGITAL SKEPTIC: Teens are web-addicted but digital illiterates
YAMMER: Microsoft's back with a shrewd move
More from The Street at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Grill it healthy -- I must admit that I am guilty — guilty of going to work when I've been sick. And I'm not the only doctor who has been guilty of such poor judgment. There is a name for my transgression, and it is called presenteeism — the act of working while ill. GHNS
FAMILY TIME: Tips for an active summer with your dog - Weekly family rail, tips for playing with your dog this summer, a review of "Madagascar 3" and more. By GHNS.
* Localization tip: Any of the first three items can be localized – ask a local family counselor to provide a tip of the week, ask movie-going parents to give reviews of movies or ask youngsters to send in book reviews.
BULLYING BULLETIN BOARD: When your child is the cruel one - The first step's the hardest. How many times have we seen parents who, even faced with evidence, insist that their children are blameless or just foolish? It's hard, but be the grownup. YES, kids try out bad things. What's really important is how we adults respond. By Dr. Elizabeth Englander, GHNS.
KENT BUSH: First year with Dawit flies by -- After the first 366 seconds, the last 366 days should have been no surprise. The initial chaos, shock and fear were very good indicators of what our family would enjoy in our first year with Dawit, our 5-year-old son from Ethiopia. Augusta Gazette (Kan.)
FRETWORK: Fretwork in couple's home inspires a design passion - Carole Malakoff had never heard of Moorish fretworks when she and her husband, Bob, bought an 1871 Italianate-style house in Pittsburgh. By Kevin Kirkland, Scripps Howard.
CLEANING PRODUCTS: New cleaning products worth a look - Here are some new cleaning products worth a look-see. By Rosa Colucci, Scripps Howard.
LIVE MORE, WANT LESS: A look at 'Live More, Want Less: 52 Ways to Find Order in Your Life' - Every year, millions of people vow to get organized. And every year, millions fail. Author Mary Carlomagno decided to tackle this predicament in her new book, "Live More, Want Less: 52 Ways to Find Order in Your Life" (Storey Publishing, $12.95). By Rosa Colucci, Scripps Howard.
101 IDEAS: Create a feng-shui home - Learn the feng-shui dos and don'ts for your entryway and kitchen. By HGTV/Scripps Howard.
CANDICE TELLS ALL: Function and style meet in attic bedroom - Colleen and Jamie live in a gorgeous old home with loads of charm and character. But old homes being what they are, there wasn't a lot of storage space in the couple's second-floor bedroom. Just getting ready in the morning was a challenge, with half of their clothes stored in adjacent rooms. They decided the simplest solution was to move up in the world, by swapping spaces with Jamie's third-floor attic office. By Candice Olson, Scripps Howard.
GARDENER: Collecting rainwater -- We've discussed collecting and storing rainwater before, but let's revisit the various aspects involved for the benefit of those who are merely curious about the practice or are in serious need of options due to drought and water-rationing. Joe Lamp'l/ Scripps Howard News Service
YARDSMART: 'Vegetable Gardening The Colonial Williamsburg Way' a joy -- This is what made me fall in love with "Vegetable Gardening The Colonial Williamsburg Way" (Rodale, $30), by Wesley Greene. The title page states "18th-Century Methods for Today's Organic Gardeners," but fortunately, we don't have to tote buckets of water to keep our plants alive. Maureen Gilmer/ Scripps Howard News Service
TREASURES: Rorstrand works can sell in the thousands of dollars -- I am enclosing photos of a vase that is in mint condition with no chips or scratches. The glaze is flawless. It is 6-3/4 inches tall, and the flower is painted on only one side. Would you have any idea who the manufacturer might be and the value? Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson/ Scripps Howard News Service
PHYSICIAN'S FOCUS: Lupus patients can lead normal lives -- The disease has a variety of symptoms, many not specific to lupus, so it can look like many other conditions. It can also present differently in different patients; one patient may have a mild case, another may have a severe case, and there's a large spectrum in between. Dr. Martin Kafina/ MetroWest Daily News (Mass.)
DR. MURRAY FEINGOLD: Dedicated doctors working while ill? -- I must admit that I am guilty — guilty of going to work when I've been sick. And I'm not the only doctor who has been guilty of such poor judgment. There is a name for my transgression, and it is called presenteeism — the act of working while ill. MetroWest Daily News (Mass.)
More in food and family at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle
GRANLUND CARTOON: Happy Fourth of July -- Dave Granlund on Independence Day. GHNS
AMY GEHRT: Pregnancy prevention heading the wrong way -- Tennessee has come under fire for recently enacting one of the strictest pro-abstinence sex education laws in the country. Teachers and even speakers from outside groups could be fined $500 for violations — despite the fact the legislation is so vaguely worded that experts are having trouble figuring out just what is taboo and what is not. Pekin Daily Times (Ill.)
More in cartoons and columns at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions


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Source: http://www.classicrockmagazine.com
Mysterious Swedish band GHOST have won a Grammi for their second album Infestissumam.
Their home nation's equivalent of the US Grammy awards ceremony took place in Stockholm last night, where the occult-themed band emerged victorious in the Best Hard Rock/Metal category.
The other nominees were Crashdiet for The Savage Playground, Watain for The Wild Hunt, Nicke Borg Homeland for Ruins Of A Riot, and The Kristet Utseende for Pervogenesis.
Ghost consists of five Nameless Ghouls behind frontman Papa Emeritus II, and although their identities have yet to be revealed, one of the band last year admitted it was only a matter of time.
He said: "I think we've been able to sustain our thing so far because there hasn't been that kind of level of interest in the band. That will change. It's something of a paradox. To go further as a band doesn't run parallel with being anonymous."
In October the band released a five-track covers EP called If You Have Ghost, produced by Dave Grohl – who, it's claimed, has actually performed with them as one of the Nameless Ghouls. They appear at this year's Sonisphere festival at Knebworth in July.
Infestissumam tracklist
01. Infestissumam
02. Per Aspera Ad Inferi
03. Secular Haze
04. Jigolo Har Megiddo
05. Ghuleh / Zombie Queen
06. Year Zero
07. Body And Blood
08. Idolatrine
09. Depth of Satan's Eyes
10. Monstrance Clock


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Powell's Arizona Diamondbacks 2013 season in review
BIGGEST DAY OF THE YEAR: June 11
The brawl. Dodgers versus Diamondbacks. At the time, last place versus first place. Ian Kennedy hits Dodger hotshot Yasiel Puig with a pitch. I don't believe Kennedy meant to hit him in the nose. But whether he did or not, the Diamondbacks should have expected retribution. Zack Greinke tried several times to hit Miguel Montero with a pitch before finally plunking the Arizona catcher. And then, the dreaded "unwritten rules of baseball" came into play — rules that no player or manager has the same opinion on how to enforce. Kennedy felt justified throwing at Greinke. However, Kennedy hit the star pitcher, just off of the DL, in the shoulder. Benches cleared. A giant was awoken. The Puig-led Dodgers became the best team in baseball overnight and proceeded to breeze to the division title and peed in a pool.
BIGGEST SHOCK: Ian Kennedy's season
If I would have told you that Ian Kennedy would be pitching for the Padres by season's end, you would have called the cops. A year-and-a-half ago, general manager Kevin Towers was discussing one of those premature, long-term contracts for Kennedy that mid-to-small market clubs use to keep star players in the organization. The idea being to pay young stars years before they reach free agency to avoid the first eligible years of free agency and losing said star to high bidders. For three consecutive seasons, Kennedy began the year as staff ace. But for two consecutive seasons, he was unable to regain his 2011 form. At the deadline, Towers traded "Nerfbeard" to a division rival for table scraps. No one saw that coming.
TEAM MVP: Paul Goldschmidt
No brainer here. The first baseman may actually win the league's MVP honor. He certainly has the numbers for it, leading the senior circuit in home runs and RBI. He even leads the Diamondbacks in stolen bases.
WORST PERFORMANCE: Kevin Towers
He built a team around bullpen and grit. The bullpen blew more saves than any group in the National League, and the "gritty" D-backs rolled over the moment the more talented Dodgers made their charge.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Patrick Corbin
The lefty had a rough second half, but we saw enough from him this season to know what his ceiling is. At 24, Corbin pitched his way into the All-Star Game on the strength of one of the nastiest sliders in baseball. His 9-1 record and 2.49 ERA at the break weren't flukes. The guy is a natural athlete, who is going to get better with age and added strength.
NEXT YEAR'S BREAKOUT PLAYER: Archie Bradley
The Diamondbacks' top prospect will be invited to Major League spring training in 2014 and will be given a shot at winning a spot in the rotation. Bradley posted a 1.84 ERA in the minors this year, striking out 162 batters over 152 innings of work. He is a big strong kid with one of those "Nuke LaLoosh" thunderbolts for an arm. His off-speed pitches still need refinement, but even if Archie doesn't break camp with the big league club, his Major League debut will occur in '14.
BIGGEST OVERSELL: Adam Eaton
The competition for this distinction is fierce. After all, Kevin Towers sold us Didi Gregorius as Derek Jeter-like and has compared the newly-acquired Matt Stites to the best closer in the game, Craig Kimbrel (Stites wasn't considered a top-20 prospect for San Diego). Towers effusively praised Eaton as the leadoff hitter the organization has lacked for years. Injuries, base running blunders, a .266 batting average, a .320 on-base percentage and five stolen bases probably wasn't what the team had in mind for their new center fielder.
BIGGEST UNDERSELL: Josh Collmenter
All we've heard since he broke into the league is that hitters will figure him and his funky delivery out, and when they do, Collmenter's career is in trouble. Three years later, he's still a very effective pitcher. The organization hasn't pressed him into one of the higher-profile roles of starter or closer or even setup man, but perhaps they should. Right now, he fills the role of teammate willing to pitch in whenever he's asked.
BIGGEST CONCERN: Tyler Skaggs
Skaggs is taking the month of September off to "clear his mind." What seems to be troubling the 22-year-old is an issue that needs to be solved between now and 2014. The left-hander spent spring training competing with Patrick Corbin for the fifth and final rotation spot. Corbin won the job and ended up making the All-Star team. Skaggs had his ERA climb from 2.87 last year to 4.60 in 2013. He's reportedly lost velocity, fastball command and confidence. The future of the organization was to be built around great young arms. Ian Kennedy is a Padre, Jarrod Parker is in Oakland, Trevor Bauer is in Cleveland, Daniel Hudson required a second Tommy John surgery this season, and now Skaggs needs to "clear his mind." Uh-oh.
BEST MOVE OF 2013: Corbin over Randall Delgado for the fifth spot in the rotation — although, I still don't understand why it took 'til the last day of spring training to make the call.
WORST MOVE OF 2013: Trading for Heath Bell
Even though the trade took place in 2012, committing $13 million over two years for a setup man bothers more than Bell's waning abilities.
THE MOVE NOT TO MAKE FOR 2014: Long-term extension for Gerardo Parra.
I really like Parra. Frankly, I wonder why the D-backs have annually plugged him into a reserve role only to relent to his ability to play every day. However, those premature contracts I mentioned earlier? They're meant for the Goldschmidts and Evan Longorias of the world, not the Gerardo Parras.
THE MOVE TOWERS WILL MAKE FOR 2014: Phil Hughes… to the bullpen
The man's obsessed. Bullpen, bullpen, bullpen. So despite the desperate need for starting pitching and a power hitter to protect Goldy, you can bet the Diamondbacks' GM will acquire more bullpen help for 2014. Phil Hughes is a free agent who seems to have lost his touch as a starter. But at only 27, maybe Towers can talk him into working out of the pen. If not Hughes, Joe Smith, Joaquin Benoit and Jesse Crain have KT written all over them as well.
PLAYER I'VE GIVEN UP ON: Trevor Cahill. Trade him.
PLAYER I EXPECT TO BOUNCE BACK IN 2014: David Hernandez
PLAYER WHO NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT HIS OWN GAME RATHER THAN CONSTANTLY WORRYING ABOUT HOW OTHERS ARE PLAYING THE GAME: Miguel Montero
PLAYER WHO SETTLED DOWN AND PITCHED BETTER THAN ANYONE HAS ACKNOWLEDGED: J.J. Putz has a 2.48 ERA for the season, and has allowed only two earned runs in the second half of the season.
BIGGEST DISAPPEARING ACT: Jason Kubel. Five home runs and 32 RBI? What happened there?
BEST REAPPEARING ACT: Martin Prado. After struggling in the first half, the veteran has 47 second-half RBI.
MY 2013 PRESEASON PREDICTION: 2nd
2013 FINISH: 2nd
MY EARLY 2014 PREDICTION: 4th


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We all have some fondness for house cooking tucked somewhere within our heart of hearts. House prepare meals conjure up earlier remembrances of household events, meals while dining, our mom's, or perhaps our dad's, areas and, needless to say, granny or grandpa's preparing food. In today's metropolitan way of life of junk food and obtain, we yearn for such faraway luxuries. No wonder the majority of us, when dining out, opt for those American dining establishments that could come closest to that unique house preparing food taste.
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Inspired by: ezinearticles


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Solaris Package Archive -- GNU plot 3.5
Solaris Package Archive
GNU plot 3.5
Mark <email@example.com>
What is it
GNU plot is a command-driven interactive function plotting program.
If files are given, gnuplot loads each file with the load command, in the order specified. GNU plot exits after the last file is processed.
Here are some of its features:
Plots any number of functions, built up of C operators, C library functions, and some things C doesn't have like **, sgn(), etc. Also support for plotting data files, to compare actual data to theoretical curves.
User-defined X and Y ranges (optional auto-ranging), smart axes scaling, smart tic marks.
Labelling of X and Y axes.
User-defined constants and functions.
Email To
Send bug reports to email@example.com
Solaris Issues
to read about the Solaris 7 packages.
Source Code
You can ftp the source code from
Special Issues
See the main packages
for installation information.