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They know they missed it. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami say when it comes to the strength of Hurricane Irene as it approached North Carolina, they know they were off. Way off.
"At least in the guidance we were looking at there was no indication of anything that would cause the storm to weaken. So, we thought we would have a Category 3 at landfall," said Bill Read, the director of the Hurricane Center. Irene came in at a Category 1, the weakest. Read said there's good reason they were so far off.
The science of forecasting how strong or weak a storm will become is simply not very good. With Irene, forecasters say they weren't even as good as their five-year average.
"Every storm comes up with a surprise," Read said. "In this case it was one where it went downhill. Charlie a few years ago is one that went uphill. Neither case did we see that coming, and that's my measure of the fact that we have a long way to go."
Hurricane forecasters say they want to get it right all the time. But if you are going to be wrong, they say it's better to be wrong in weakening storms like Irene.
"I'd say a bigger worry than one weakening at landfall is the '35 hurricane that came through the Keys," Read said. "Charlie if it's a little bigger. Audrey in 1957. Get the picture?"
In all of these cases, the storms rapidly intensified as they neared the coastline. By then, it's too late to order massive evacuations.
CNN's severe weather expert Chad Meyers said when Hurricane Irene smashed into the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the contact weakened the storm.
So, forecasters had the path right, but the impact of landfall changed what the amount of destruction would be in some areas. Wind shear helped knock down velocity, and unexpected dry air sucked some of the power out of the storm.
"It literally knocked the stuffing out of the eye," Myers said. "It never got its mojo back."
Meteorologists measured pressure levels inside the storm that could have allowed it to strengthen back into a Category 3 hurricane, Myers said, but Irene's romp over land in North Carolina prevented the eye wall from spinning into a more destructive storm by the time it arrived in New York.
"It never had that opportunity because North Carolina got in the way, dry air came across over Virginia and Maryland and got in the way, and although this was very low pressure, the reason why we could never let the guard down for New York City ... was because the pressure was low enough that at any time, if this storm decided to get its act together, it could have gone from a 60-70-80 miles per hour storm - it easily could have been a 110 (miles per hour) storm like it was in the Caribbean and like it was in the Bahamas."
Add to that the difficulties of having true accurate model data when it comes to hurricane forecasts.
"Real-time observations, like that collected by NOAA's Hurricane Hunters, are put into these models to hopefully give a more accurate forecast. We are much more accurate on forecasting severe storms and their behavior for this very reason, the availability of observations," CNN meteorologist and weather producer Sarah Dillingham said. "These storms occur over land, allowing scientists to take measurements within those storms and use that data to run computer models. Think about a hurricane, over water, with no way to collect data except from above.
"Makes it difficult to see what is actually going on, right?"
Dillingham said dropsondes, instruments that are dropped from above and into these storms, are used to collect data inside hurricanes as they fall to the surface.
"This is helpful, but you are also trying to view the data it collected, track where it was in the storm, and at the same time determine what that means from a scientific perspective," she said. "Also, you may think, what about trying to send something up into the storm from below. In a hurricane? Good luck with that."
Dillingham said "the sparsity of real-time observations in tropical systems is what makes it so difficult to produce a more correct intensity forecast, and certainly makes it difficult to improve them."
"The track of these storms depends on atmospheric winds and surrounding storm systems, and we understand these factors much better, giving us a better handle on the 'steering' of these systems," she said. "This makes tracking more accurate overall. Things like RI, or rapid intensification, in tropical cyclones is just not fully understood yet, and until we can obtain that vital observational data within these storms - while they are over open, warm waters - we will struggle to model these kinds of processes."
For that reason, Dillingham said Read's explanation of why they have trouble making these predictions is spot on.
And that's also why Read says the decisions to evacuate made by emergency managers and state and federal officials was the right one.
In every aspect of the storm except for wind speed, Read says, they got it right.
According to their initial analysis, the track forecast of the storm was 20% better than their five-year average. They do very well at predicting the path of a hurricane.
"We had storm surge flooding all the way up from the Carolinas into New England," Read said. We've had tremendous and tragic rainfall flooding. We've had loss of life from trees down well inland and the power outages."
Hurricane forecasters admit their ability to foresee a storm's strength is not much more today than it was 20 or 30 years ago.
According to the Hurricane Center's initial analysis, "Irene exemplifies the state of the science." They are pinning their future hopes on programs like the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project. Scientists say they are seeing some promising results. This program uses high-resolution models and enhanced Doppler radars to measure the core of Hurricanes.
Forecasters say that three out of four times you will likely be asked to evacuate and you'll coming back saying "Why did I leave?"
But that fourth time, if you don't, Read says, you'll wish you had.
Here at TheWeatherSpace.com we predicted a low cat 2 at landfall, it was a high cat 1. We were on the money with track, and closer with intensity.
We also predicted the weaker NYC storm category number.
NWS should just be scrapped, I cant believe they still soak up taxpayer money, we don't need them and the private sector forecasts much more accurately. Shame on the reporters for over hyping it too. "Worst storm anyone has ever experienced" lolyeahright.
The amount of nitpicking over the NHC overestimating Irene's windspeed is beyond absurd. Windspeed is just one aspect of storm prediction, and they got everything else right. What's more, wind isn't the biggest killer with hurricanes, flooding is.
We should all prepare exactly the same for an onrushing Tropical Storm as for a Category 5 Hurricane.
One thing is always that one of the most common incentives for applying your credit card is a cash-back or rebate supply. Generally, you're going to get 1-5% back on various acquisitions. Depending on the credit card, you may get 1% back on most acquisitions, and 5% in return on purchases made in convenience stores, filling stations, grocery stores and also 'member merchants'.
Ah – globalization... The Internet... Cell phones... Etc, etc, etc. Bringing us all together at last – too bad the human race doesn't appear to be ready for it.


text: Hi , I heard a piece of a song the other day and its driving me crazy trying to find out what it is , I dont have much to go on so this is like looking for a needle in a haystack , I appreciate any help ..I cant even quote one line of it but the song was about a truck Its about they can afford to buy a new truck, but they love their old truck cause its taken them all over,so they dont need to buy a new one , its a fairly new song and I can tell you it is not either of these This old truck by Tanner Flowers? or That Old Truck by J.C. Hyke? , Thanks for any help

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Read more about the Martin D Homeward in our blog.
Maury's Music thoroughly inspects every guitar before it ships (learn more). We can even set it up to your specs upon request! Simply choose between "Factory Setup" or "Custom Setup" when placing your order. Click here for more details.
Please note: Adding a guitar pickup or strap button to this model will disqualify it from our return policy and therefore it cannot be returned after these uprades are added. Upgrade prices below include installation; these fees are non-refundable. Also, we cannot ship Walrus Ivory products to California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington or Washington D.C. due to legislation in those states.
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It's that time of year again, one of my favorite seasons….Fall :) I love layering scarves and boots and sweaters, and I especially love the family traditions that come along with Fall. The pumpkin patch hunting, corn mazes, sweet treats and family gatherings. Last year I set up a little DIY pumpkin painting day with my oldest son. We picked classic black + white. I spray painted each pumpkin white and then we used black poster paint to brush on the designs. My little guy painted a spiderweb, and the other pumpkins I hand painted. I did a beetle, a skull, web + spiders, and a fun little swirly tree bark inspired design. Looking forward to planning another little pumpkin painting party again this year :)
Happy painting! XO Kiira Photography: Amy Stone Paint: Michael's Pumpkins: local pumpkin patch Follow me on instagram + twitter for more DIY projects & inspiration!


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The Convention in Brief
"What the Convention endeavours to do," said Don MacKay, Chairman of the committee that negotiated the treaty, "is to elaborate in detail the rights of persons with disabilities and set out a code of implementation".
Countries that join in the Convention engage themselves to develop and carry out policies, laws and administrative measures for securing the rights recognized in the Convention and abolish laws, regulations, customs and practices that constitute discrimination (Article 4).
As a change of perceptions is essential to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, ratifying countries are to combat stereotypes and prejudices and promote awareness of the capabilities of persons with disabilities (Article 8).
Countries are to guarantee that persons with disabilities enjoy their inherent right to life on an equal basis with others (Article 10), ensure the equal rights and advancement of women and girls with disabilities (Article 6) and protect children with disabilities (Article 7).
Children with disabilities shall have equal rights, shall not be separated from their parents against their will, except when the authorities determine that this is in the child's best interests, and in no case shall be separated from their parents on the basis of a disability of either the child or the parents (Article 23).
Countries are to recognize that all persons are equal before the law, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability and guarantee equal legal protection (Article 5).
Countries are to ensure the equal right to own and inherit property, to control financial affairs and to have equal access to bank loans, credit and mortgages (Article 12). They are to ensure access to justice on an equal basis with others (Article 13), and make sure that persons with disabilities enjoy the right to liberty and security and are not deprived of their liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily (Article 14).
Countries must protect the physical and mental integrity of persons with disabilities, just as for everyone else (Article 17), guarantee freedom from torture and from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and prohibit medical or scientific experiments without the consent of the person concerned (Article 15).
Laws and administrative measures must guarantee freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse. In case of abuse, States shall promote the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of the victim and investigate the abuse (Article 16).
Persons with disabilities are not to be subjected to arbitrary or illegal interference with their privacy, family, home, correspondence or communication. The privacy of their personal, health and rehabilitation information is to be protected like that of others (Article 22).
On the fundamental issue of accessibility (Article 9), the Convention requires countries to identify and eliminate obstacles and barriers and ensure that persons with disabilities can access their environment, transportation, public facilities and services, and information and communications technologies.
Persons with disabilities must be able to live independently, to be included in the community, to choose where and with whom to live and to have access to in-home, residential and community support services (Article 19). Personal mobility and independence are to be fostered by facilitating affordable personal mobility, training in mobility skills and access to mobility aids, devices, assistive technologies and live assistance (Article 20).
Countries recognize the right to an adequate standard of living and social protection; this includes public housing, services and assistance for disability-related needs, as well as assistance with disability-related expenses in case of poverty (Article 28).
Countries are to promote access to information by providing information intended for the general public in accessible formats and technologies, by facilitating the use of Braille, sign language and other forms of communication and by encouraging the media and Internet providers to make on-line information available in accessible formats (Article 21).
Discrimination relating to marriage, family and personal relations shall be eliminated. Persons with disabilities shall have the equal opportunity to experience parenthood, to marry and to found a family, to decide on the number and spacing of children, to have access to reproductive and family planning education and means, and to enjoy equal rights and responsibilities regarding guardianship, wardship, trusteeship and adoption of children (Article 23).
States are to ensure equal access to primary and secondary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning. Education is to employ the appropriate materials, techniques and forms of communication. Pupils with support needs are to receive support measures, and pupils who are blind, deaf and deaf-blind are to receive their education in the most appropriate modes of communication from teachers who are fluent in sign language and Braille. Education of persons with disabilities must foster their participation in society, their sense of dignity and self worth and the development of their personality, abilities and creativity (Article 24).
Persons with disabilities have the right to the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability. They are to receive the same range, quality and standard of free or affordable health services as provided other persons, receive those health services needed because of their disabilities, and not to be discriminated against in the provision of health insurance (Article 25).
To enable persons with disabilities to attain maximum independence and ability, countries are to provide comprehensive habilitation and rehabilitation services in the areas of health, employment and education (Article 26).
Persons with disabilities have equal rights to work and gain a living. Countries are to prohibit discrimination in job-related matters, promote self-employment, entrepreneurship and starting one's own business, employ persons with disabilities in the public sector, promote their employment in the private sector, and ensure that they are provided with reasonable accommodation at work (Article 27).
Countries are to ensure equal participation in political and public life, including the right to vote, to stand for elections and to hold office (Article 29).
Countries are to promote participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport by ensuring provision of television programmes, films, theatre and cultural material in accessible formats, by making theatres, museums, cinemas and libraries accessible, and by guaranteeing that persons with disabilities have the opportunity to develop and utilize their creative potential not only for their own benefit, but also for the enrichment of society. Countries are to ensure their participation in mainstream and disability-specific sports (Article 30).
Countries are to provide development assistance in efforts by developing countries to put into practice the Convention (Article 32).
To ensure implementation and monitoring of the Convention, countries are to designate a focal point in the government and create a national mechanism to promote and monitor implementation (Article 33).
A Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, made up of independent experts, will receive periodic reports from States parties on progress made in implementing the Convention (articles 34 to 39).
An 18-article Optional Protocol on Communications allows individuals and groups to petition that Committee once all national recourse procedures have been exhausted.
The text of the draft convention is at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ahc8adart.htm
For further information, please visit www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable or contact: Edoardo Bellando, United Nations Department of Public Information, tel.: (212) 963-8275, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Today's workout can be used to either lose weight / get stronger or tone up / sculpt muscle.
If you want to lose weight or get stronger do 2 sets of 20 reps. (Do each exercise 20 times then rest for approximately 30 seconds or while your workout partner does their 20. Then you do your second set of 20.)
If you want to tone up or sculpt muscle, do 3 sets the first is 20 the second is 12 the last is 7. (You will be increasing the weight after completion of each set. You will rest 30 seconds or while your partner does their set.)
For the set of 20 put a weight that will give you fatigue on #17.
For the set of 12 use a weight that will give you fatigue on #9.
For the set of 7 use a weight that will give you fatigue on #4
Recommended items:
Workout Gloves to prevent calluses and weight slippage.
Shoes with plenty of tread, that are comfortable, to prevent foot pain or slipping.
Water to stay hydrated. Towel to dry sweat.
Before you start today's exercise(s) do 10 minutes or burn 100 calories on a cardio machine. Use this as a warm up to get you blood flowing, heart rate up and heat up your muscles. (Stairs, Stationary bicycle, Elliptical, Recumbent Bicycle, Treadmill)
After you complete today's workout, do a different form of cardio to cool your body down, for 10 minutes or burning of 50 calories. (So, if your warm up was treadmill, do the stairs as a cool down, etc. Be sure to switch it up daily, so as not to create a habit with these.)


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Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Ukes, Labour Day and Pumpkin facon soup
International Women's Day and asked what would be our wish for future generations, I piped up with "remember our history". I have written about this before. I would also say the same for the union movement. Too often I see people taking what we have for granted. Yet I fear that Edmund Burke was right when he said "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it."
Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, I was very glad to have our union's support and very sad to see how few staff were members and yet happy to take the benefits of their advice and support.
WorkChoices showed that we shouldn't take them for granted. I am glad we have Trades Hall where we can remember these giants of the trade union movement in such a tangible way. We can see their names on honour rolls, the hollows in the stairs where they have trod, and a giant picture of Gough Whitlam covered in lipstick kisses.
the Descendants which was so amazing that the second film - Another Year seemed ho-hum in comparison. We also visited my sister Fran and her husband John who have moved back to Melbourne.
What do Ukelele Players Eat? by Rose Turtle Ertler. It includes recipes and reflections by ukelele players from around the world. It even comes with a CD of their songs. How's that for a quirky cookbook? I liked one recipe for a pumpkin soup with white miso. I also had lots of vegies to use as well as silken tofu just past the best-by date, a corn cob that Sylvia had rejected the night before and the last of my latest batch of tofu bacon.
Souper Sundays hosted by Deb of Kahakai Kitchen.
Previously on Green Gourmet Giraffe:
This time last year: CC Dried fruit and coconut balls
This time two years ago: Awards, happiness, quicklinks and a conference
This time three years ago: Broccoli Burgers are Winners
This time four years ago: WHB: In Search of the Nectarine
Pumpkin facon soup
serves 4-6
2 tsp olive oil
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 celery stalk, sliced
1 carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
1 parsnip, peeled and roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
800 to 1kg wedge of pumpkin, peeled and roughly chopped
250g silken tofu
2 1/2 cups water
*1/4 cup leftover tofu bacon marinade, or thereabouts
1 1/2 tsp flaked salt
20-25 min
turn off heat
1 tbsp white miso
Tofu and corn topping:
1 tsp oil, or thereabouts
*about 10 slices of uncooked tofu bacon (or as much or as little as you have or desire), chopped
kernels of 1 cooked corn cob
*If you don't have leftover tofu marinade, you could add 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp maple syrup and 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika to get a similar taste. You could also omit the tofu bacon and just use corn fried with a bit of soy sauce, maple syrup and smoked paprika.
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Fry onion, celery, carrot and parsnip for 5-10 minutes until soft. Add garlic and stir into mixture about a minute. Add pumpkin, tofu, water, bacon marinade and salt. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until vegies are soft.
While the soup is simmering, gently fry the tofu bacon in the oil and when it is starting to brown, add the corn.
When soup is cooked, turn off the heat and put a few spoonfuls of the liquid in a small cup. Gently mix in the white miso until combined and return to the saucepan of soup. Blend until smooth. Serve warm with the tofu and corn topping scattered over the soup.
On the Stereo:
What do Ukelele Players Eat? - Various Artists
20 comments:
Oh heavens, yes yes yes. I will never forget the girl in my college who was dancing around in mini shorts in front of boys crowing about how she "like, totally, like, hated feminism". GAH! School? Shorts? Freedom to speak her mind? DUE TO FEMINISM AAAAAH.ReplyDelete
*calms down*
Love the crispy topping here!Replies
Thanks Hannah - there are too many of these girls bout these days who just don't understand how different it could be - maybe Margaret Atwood's the Handmaiden's Tale should be compulsory reading at schoolDelete
This is such a thoughtful post and I loved reading it and following your thoughts alongside the pictures (and thank you, very much, for my mention!).ReplyDelete
History is something I think I grasp the importance of more and more with age - aided, in part, by my mother being a librarian / archivist who has grown into her role in such a way that I'm surprised our family history isn't already written up and published! Who we are is shaped so much by our pasts, but it is so easy to forget that. These days particularly I think it is easy to take things for granted, because so much of the 'fighting' has happened for us, even before our lifetimes. I also share your love of buildings that capture history and do miss that in Australia, and here in Perth relative to elsewhere in Australia; the centuries old buildings in Europe send shivers down my spine sometimes, thinking about all they have seen and held.
Moving on from that essay - thank you for the thought provokation and well set out ideas. I also liked the ukelele images and the sound of that cookbook! Very quirky indeed!Replies
Thanks Kari - I think our perspective on history changes with age but having those around us who love it helps. We have people in my family who are passionate about family history and I feel lucky to have learnt a bit about my family from them.Delete
I have always loved history and loved studying it at uni. It is only more recently that I began to appreciate early history periods such as medieval history or roman history - but I have read a lot about 20th century history - it is a century of such intense change that is still amazes me even how much change I have seen in my lifetime. So maybe that is why I am so enamoured of our wonderful 19th and 20th century buildings in Australia.
Love the photos of the ukeleles from the festival and also Sylvia's decorated one.ReplyDelete
The pumpkin soup sounds great, the addition of tofu bacon marinade sounds like a great idea. If I am cooking up tofu bacon for brunch, I throw some mushrooms into the left over marinade and fry them up but the rest of the time my marinade is wasted. You have inspired me to think of other uses for it in the future! :)Replies
Thanks Mel - I actually had kept some bacon marinade for a couple of weeks from an old batch of bacon and used that as well for frying the bacon - which made it soft though E reminded me that bacon isn't always crispy - but I was pleased it kept well and I had some ideas for using up the marinade - like the sound of marinated mushrooms - I wonder if it could be incorporated into Matthew's Delicious Tofu or a gravy?Delete
I love that Melbourne has a ukelele festival. And I love that Sylvia has her own ukelele (and so fetchingly decorated, now!). :) Great idea to add the marinade to soup--I am going to do that next time. Because I am definitely making that facon!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Ricki - you really should make the facon - it is fantastic - and I think the marinade would go well to flavour lots of soups - and the decorated ukes were amazing - don't know how long the festival has been going but it had a nice vibe to itDelete
Sylvia's purple ukulele is absolutely gorgeous! :D ANd thank you for sending those lovely pictures of her, she has grown up so much! Every time you mention facon I think to myself that I really should try to make it! :DReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Lorraine - glad you enjoyed the photos - and highly recommend the facon - even was wondering if I could be ambitious and use it to try a veg version of your bacon jamDelete
Your friend's cake looks gorgeous, but this pumpkin soup is what really takes my breath away! What a great use of that leftover marinade!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Joanne - the orange cake was really lovely - and so is the marinade in soup :-)Delete
Great idea for the leftover marinade! I never know what to do with mine. That sauteed bacon and corn looks so delicious I can't wait to try out that tofu bacon! And I love that penguin ukelele. :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Ashley - and don't you hate throwing out marinade - I don't normally know what to do with mine but this one just was too good to throw out!Delete
The ukelele festival looks like it was fun! Never heard of it. Your soup looks devine - perfect for the colder weather that is looming.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Cakelaw - I liked the relaxed vibe of the festival - and there was lots of room for sylvia to run aroundDelete
A lovely post and the soup looks delicious. I am tagging the facon to try too--I have been looking for a good bacon substitute. Thanks so much for sharing it with Souper Sundays (it's in this week's roundup). I hope to have you back again soon. ;-)ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Deb - this is really an excellent facon - hope you enjoyDelete
Enjoyed your post. Your soup looks delicious!ReplyDelete
Some real fancy Ukulele over here.ReplyDelete
Like that fifth picture.
Thanks for dropping by. I love hearing from you. Please share your thoughts and questions. Annoyingly the spammers are bombarding me so I have turned on the pesky captcha code (refresh to find an easy one if you don't like the first one)


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Anne Palumbo: This grueling task tests parents' mettle
I'm not saying that moving into a cramped dorm with last-year's hairballs is easy on a college kid. All I'm saying is that moving into a dorm – hairballs or not – is way harder on the stressed-out parents.
Why are we so frazzled? Well, for starters, we have been asked to do the unthinkable for 30 straight days: Shop at home stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond. Take it from someone who's been down that torturous road: It rivals sticking your head into a honeycomb of angry bees.
Fact is, I'm surprised I'm still standing, since I had a kid who adhered to the store's "suggested list" with a fervor that made Regan in "The Exorcist" look like Little Bo Peep.
Daughter: OMG! A little ironing board – and it's PINK!
Mother: But you don't iron.
Daughter: But the list says I need an ironing board. I WANT IT!
Mother: Fine, but that's it. You have enough. And, no, you cannot get that air purifier you're eyeballing.
Daughter: Go ahead! RUIN MY ENTIRE LIFE!
Mother: Since when can you turn your head 360 degrees?
If amassing all that stuff weren't stressful enough, we parents must then deal with the backbreaking task of transporting it to the college. Although a U-Haul would have made our go much easier, we never take the practical route. No, that is not our family's way. We like to make matters worse whenever we can; and, in this case, we did it by cramming boxes into a car whose tires were ready to pop from the enormous weight of the cargo.
Not so surprisingly, the car's tires were not the only things ready to pop during the daunting packing process. Since I am a sensitive person, I'm not going to name names or anything, but I will say that I have never seen a man's forehead vein grow to the size of a kumquat before.
So, what with all the purchasing and packing, not to mention all the tense moments over the summer when my husband and I could never seem to locate our churlish child in the wee hours, you can understand our feeble dispositions come late August.
Unfortunately, this was not an advantageous state to be in as we headed toward one of life's most harrowing experiences: Setting up a dorm room. Holy human raptors, and we thought sport parents were bad. The pushing and pulling, the budging and bad-mouthing – and this was only for the free coffee in the unloading zone. You wouldn't believe the hell that unfolded once we got inside the dorm.
To be sure, I have never seen adults in sandals run that fast. And down narrow halls, no less! With humungous totes on their heads! They were running, I soon learned, to snag the best bed. I discovered this fact when I looked in a dorm room on the way to my daughter's and saw a parent prostrate on the bed closest to the window. By the looks of his skin color, I'd say he'd been there since June.
My point is, preparing for and then moving a child into a dorm room is really, really hard on parents, turning the most able-bodied people into withered squash blossoms. So, kids, go easy on your parents. Thank them for their efforts. Tell them you love them! And, by all means, do not make fun of the produce protruding from the old man's forehead.
Anne Palumbo writes this weekly column for Messenger Post Newspapers. E-mail: email@example.com


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It's been a long time since I've posted here. I've been busy with work and a few other projects (along with a novel, a Brat-halla text-based adventure game, print volume 2 of Brat-halla and a print volume of our Spook'd webcomic) and Seth has been busy working on a fun comic for Image called Xenoholics (by him and our friend Joshua Williamson).
But things are finally beginning to slow down all around to where I'm able to finally make an appearance this year (I've had to cancel three other conventions this year due to conflicts with work and personal issues). I'll be at the Austin Comic Con this weekend (
November 19th-21st Edit: November 11th-13th… been so busy I'm even mixing up dates for events now) at Artist Alley table 2412. I'll be there with my 10-year old daughter (the co-creator of the Backup Dad storyline) who will be selling sketch cards.
Seen above are some samples she drew this week in preparation for the show–Odineye, She-Hulk (and Lawyer She-Hulk), Batgirl, Blue Devil, DragonMan, and a custom character she created. If you're in the Austin area or within driving distance, be sure to stop by and chat.
Look for more news here soon.


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I wear this Fitbit and it tells me how many steps I take in a day. It also tells me how many flights of steps I take and how many calories I burn in a day and my heart rate. It also tells me about how I slept during the night. How long, was it restless, how many times did I wake up. A friend asked me if it showed that I had problems sleeping. I told him that I don't have a problem sleeping. I have problems waking up.
When I first wake up I'm usually groggy and don't really have my wits about me. I think usually when we wake up it's pretty slow and we want to go back to sleep. Other times we awaken very quickly and alert. For me this was when I had teenagers in the house and the phone rang at 12:30 and the first words I heard were "I'm OK but".
Today's readings really are that call in the night that should wake us up with a start and have us be completely alert. This is no time to be groggy.
The reading starts with a parable about a man who will be fired because he doesn't do his job well. He is alert and knows that his future is in doubt. He isn't sure how he'll take care of himself after he loses his job. He comes up with a clever but dishonest scheme to help his future.
He reduces the amount that people owe his boss. His thinking is that if he gives them a break, they'll look out for him when he's out of work. This is clever in that he has devised a way to provide for himself, but it's dishonest in that he's giving away what belongs to his boss. No wonder he was being fired.
Here's the odd part. The boss commended that dishonest steward for acting to secure his own future. Is this reading saying that it's OK to do something that's wrong and dishonest to provide for ourselves? Of course not. We always know that you can't do something evil even if it's for a good end.
So what's the point of commending this servant? This man saw that his future well being was in danger. If he did nothing he would be in trouble. This was his 12:30 phone call. He's alert and has all his wits about him.
The parable goes on to say that the children of this world (like the servant) are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light (hopefully that's us). This is our 12:30 phone call.
Are we thinking about our future or do we just give a poor effort like the servant did in his job? Of course we're talking about our eternal future. Are we going through the motions just hoping that the worst won't happen?
The reading goes on to say that you can't serve both God and money. This is telling us that we should use the same kind of practical wisdom to ensure our eternal future as we would in matters of our earthly future. Look at the efforts we usually put into our earthly affairs. We prepare for retirement. We monitor how much money we spend to make sure that it fits with our income. We research cars to make sure that we get a good one. These are efforts that we all make to hopefully not wind up in a bad position. I'm not saying that we're not supposed to deal with things in this world because that is where we live now. But it's not where we will live forever.
How can we be alert about our eternal future? The first is to really come to grips with the reality that we have an eternal future. It's easy for us to put off what is unseen. If you have a disease it's easy to ignore it until the symptoms let you know that this is reality. Then it has your attention. All of us have an eternal future that is beyond our time on this earth. Even if we don't see the symptoms of that reality some day it will have our attention.
The second is to provide for that future. The servant in the gospel didn't do what was needed and his future was in doubt. How do we provide for our future? First it's to come to a real understanding that God is God and we are his creation. This is the proper order and we need to know that God greatly desires that our eternal future will be with him. He has paved the way.
Will we spend the time knowing, loving, and serving the Lord? Will we be alert and not get so caught up in the affairs of our present life here and now?
Here are some practical tips. Pray every day even if only for a few minutes and get a good habit going. You can use regular prayers like in this small book or you can simply have a conversation with God. If you miss a day or two don't be defeated just start again.
Try reading the scriptures. I would suggest the readings for each day's Mass as they don't take very long and are easily available on the internet or in a daily missal like this one. When we read scripture we'll know more about God and that's how we grow any relationship.
Brothers and Sisters, it's 12:30 and the phone is ringing. Let's be alert and know that we have an eternal future. God greatly desires that we spend eternity with him. Let's not be like the servant was in the beginning not doing what he was supposed to. Let's be like the servant when he realized his future could be in jeopardy and he took the steps to have a future that he would want and not be in torment.
You and I are called to be saints spending all of the ages with God. Let's not be groggy but alert and prepare to be saints. Let's be in that number when the saints go marching in.
Deacon Jack Staub
St. Matthew Catholic Church
Charlotte, NC


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Astronomical Pictures at an Exhibition
Astronomical Pictures at an Exhibition is a suite of high-definition videos that takes viewers through a virtual gallery featuring awe-inspiring, art-like images and science visualisations of the cosmos as well as Salgado's own astronomy-inspired artwork. As the camera moves towards the works of art, audience members find themselves entering space through pictures and flying past Earth, planets, stars, black holes, and galaxies. As in his earlier production, Gustav Holst's The Planets, Dr. Salgado pays close attention to the tone and tempo of the music, resulting in an experience in which the music and visuals reinforce each other instead of competing for the viewer's attention.
Read more about it on this link.
Produced and directed by Jose Francisco Salgado.
Music by Mussorgsky, orchestrated by Ravel.


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November 7, 2014
Research›Case Studies
Case Studies on Seed Storage
Farmer-managed seed is central to food security. The case studies in this series offer examples from the field. Overview Overview Quality Potato Seed in Ghor Province, Afghanistan...More
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HIV Programming Comes of Age
Integrated HIV, food security and livelihoods programming has been an aspiration pursued by NGOs, donors and host-country governments for more than a decade with varying degrees...More


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It does seem to some of you that you have been waiting an interminable amount of time for your awakening, and this is mainly because time seems to pass so slowly when you live in enthusiastic expectation of an event that you know will bring you all amazing happiness, the like of which has never before been experienced on Earth. And your expectations are absolutely valid.
There will be no disappointments because what God delivers is always way beyond expectations! And He will deliver.
You have been promised a New World in which peace, happiness, harmony and abundance are eternally present for all, and this is what is about to occur – no ifs, ands, or buts! And when it happens your hearts will be filled, infinitely, with joy. A joy so intense that it is utterly beyond your ability to imagine; it has to be experienced, as it most certainly will.That is the Good News. And while it may not be new news, because you have always known that its time is coming, it is eternal, timeless, and permanent. What you are waiting for is almost upon you, and signs of the great changes that will herald this grand moment are appearing all over the world.
Only those who wish to be unaware are unable to sense the air of excitement and anticipation that has enveloped you all. And free will allows them to cling to that unawareness.
Needless to say, many of the unaware are beginning to wonder whether it makes any sense for them to continue clinging to this state of stubborn inflexibility which sees only continuing and insurmountable problems all over the world due to people's inability to cooperate for the benefit of all. They have an inner sense that there has to be a better way.
They know, because all on Earth know – even though that knowledge may presently be buried under monumental amounts of debris – that life is intended to be an eternal experience of infinite joy.
Nevertheless, because of the unhappy conditions that the illusion provides, and the suffering and pain it offers constantly to all who choose to focus their energies on those aspects of it, they find it very difficult to respond positively to the hope that has started to seep into their consciousness. They look at history, their own or the world's, and are very disheartened for it seems that it just endlessly repeats itself.
Because of the work that the Light-holders are doing – changing their attitudes by releasing all that is unloving, and embracing compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness towards all – the divine energy field enveloping the planet is intensifying and infiltrating the individual energy fields of everyone on Earth at this time, and awaking within them the hope and the faith that has lain there for so long hidden and unacknowledged.
The loving spiritual assistance that is pouring down on Earth at this point in your evolution is constantly increasing to ensure that all receive their divine wake-up call. Not to awaken is a conscious decision not to hear, not to listen, and not to be aware, that has to be taken by anyone who remains unaware of humanity's unfolding spiritual evolution.
Nevertheless, the divine energy field will not cease in its attempts to persuade them that they are dearly loved and that their awakening will bring them untold joy. It is inevitable that eventually, when their suffering becomes unbearable and they choose to surrender their will to God's, they will accept this divine offer, which is always available and will never be withdrawn, and then they will be lovingly drawn into God's divine embrace.
If any of your loved ones seem to be unwilling, or are determinedly refusing, to allow themselves to open to the joyful energies flowing across the planet, just silently and quietly send them love and acceptance, and know that when they are ready – and their readiness is inevitable, eventually – they too will awaken. No one will be forsaken, so do not worry yourselves about them.
Divine destiny has a most wonderful outcome planned for every single one of you without exception. Eternal ecstasy and infinite joy for all are divinely assured.
With so very much, love, Saul.
As Channeled by John Smallman


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Crawford & Company
The networking and telecommunications infrastructure at Crawford & Company was coming up for renewal, and the claims management giant used the opportunity to re-assess its network infrastructure. The SONET ring network at headquarters and the traditional WAN connecting more than 150 locations did not provide the agility and cost efficiency the company needed in a rapidly changing marketplace. Crawford opted to retire its SONET ring, replace its legacy MPLS circuits with Verizon technology at approximately the same capacity as before, and use SD-WAN technology to scale network capacity and drive efficiency.
The company selected Fortinet Secure SD-WAN because of its ease of use at scale and its robust, integrated security. They are also deploying management, analytics, and network access control (NAC) technology from Fortinet for the global network. Benefits include significant efficiencies due to streamlined reporting and analytics, significant cost avoidance for rolling out the legacy NAC solution globally, and seven-figure annual savings by retiring the ring network at headquarters.
Learn more about Crawford's journey by reading the case study, which details the company's deployment of secure wireless access.
Business Impact
Seven-figure cost savings by eliminating ring network at headquarters
30% savings when adding additional bandwidth
Time to roll up a new network connection reduced from weeks to minutes
Significant cost savings in rolling out NAC solution globally vs. legacy solution
Staff efficiency savings through automated reporting and analytics
Ability to scale operations in a specific geography after a natural disaster, without paying for unused bandwidth at other times
Related Stories


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Writer-director Craig Brewer's supposed slice of pimp life Hustle & Flow—the toast of Sundance—tells the story of Djay, a low-class pimp with a few women (one of them pregnant) under his power. But he's also a dreamer, and when he hooks up with an old high-school buddy with recording experience, Djay bullies himself and everyone around him into helping him cut a demo. But should we have sympathy for the devil?
The street flows that come out of Djay range from sideways-sexist tripe ("Whoop That Trick") to laughably un-ironic self-pity ("It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp"...cry me a river, you bastard), but Djay doesn't come off as a savvy exaggerator trying to turn a trick with Lady Luck; rather, he's a get-rich-quick hopeful who's listened to enough rap records to fake it (in Howard's hands, DJay's discovery of his artistic ego is touching and subtly amusing). This might make good—if not exactly fresh—material for a poker-faced comedy, but the laughs come elsewhere (provided at the expense of scrawny white mix-master DJ Qualls). Brewer plays Djay's pathetic naiveté for tragedy instead.
The pity and fear are here, but no one this low can take a tragic fall. Terence Howard's work as Djay is sort of dazzling, but his character's unrelentingly selfish behavior makes audience identification an uphill battle. There's something to be said for rooting for anyone who's trying to do something better than what he has been doing, and Brewer shows he's capable of his own brand of B.S. bluster by having all of the characters explain why we should care. Qualls explains, "Every man has the right—to contribute a verse." Rapper from the hood Skinny Black (played by Ludacris), who represents a possible ticket to success for Djay, says, "Everybody got to have a dream."
Well, okay, but the question remains: should a pimp be rewarded with his dream? If a challenge to our expectations by way of moral equivocality is the big idea, then Hustle & Flow could be anti-heroic by nature or perhaps a movie with no hero at all. But if so, Brewer tries to have his cake and eat it too: Hustle & Flow practically plays like a hip-hop version of The Buddy Holly Story with its predictable thrill of victory and agony of defeat. Brewer's centerpiece scene captures the excitement of putting a track together, with supporting players Anthony Anderson and the exceptional Taraji P. Henson pulling their weight. The rest of Hustle & Flow, I'm afraid, is all hype.
Hustle & Flow gets a dandy special edition from Paramount, with an excellent, film-like transfer and pumpin' 5.1 and 2.0 sound mixes. On a third track, director Brewer chattily breaks down the meaning and means of his breakthrough film. Topics include his awe for his actors, his numerous cinematic inspirations (including The Commitments), the nitty-gritty about the music in the film, and the best lovemaking music.
Three featurettes allow all principal cast and crew to weigh in on the filmmaking process and final product. "Behind the Hustle" (27:19) introduces behind-the-scenes footage (audition tapes, cast read-through, and rap test sessions), some of which is shot by producer John Singleton; the first featurette moves through each key character/actor. "By Any Means Necessary" (14:39) details the parallels between Brewer's career-hustling and Djay's (note clips from Brewer's indie debut The Poor & Hungry) and culminates in 2005 Sundance-awards-ceremony footage. "Creatin' Crunk" (13:40) checks in with the Stax musicians (many of whom played on the Shaft soundtrack) who people the sessions for Hustle & Flow.
"Memphis Hometown Premiere—July 6, 2005" (4:53) assembles footage, including red-carpet interview bits, of the big day. The disc also includes 6 promotional spots (totalling 3:37), five of which feature original footage with the actors and Al Kapone tallking to the camera. Trailers include Get Rich or Die Tryin', Four Brothers, Bad News Bears, and The Honeymooners.
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