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I came across something interesting not too long ago. I can't remember if it was part of a junk email message or a spam comment on this site. It really doesn't matter either way.
There was a pitch for some sketchy health/beauty/investment/dating product or service and a shortened URL. I already knew it was a scam or a rip-off, but I was curious to see where that shortened URL led. I copy-and-pasted it at LongURL, which is still a fine tool for checking out a link before you click.
I forget the specific contents of the website. Again, that part doesn't matter so much for my purposes today. What does matter is the address the shortened URL pointed to: www.cnbc.com-feb-finance.net/[removed]. (By the way: there's no link to the actual site for a reason).
Look at that address closely; it looks like it points to www.cnbc.com, the mainstream stock market and business news site, but it doesn't.
The actual domain is "com-feb-finance.net" — you've got to look closely to see that what comes after the "com" is not a slash, but a dash.
Most web browsers make detecting this trick relatively easy, since they highlight every website's domain in some way (with a background color, bold text, etc.). But if you're using an old web browser like Internet Explorer 6, you may glance at the URL, see "www.cnbc.com" and assume the site is reputable.
So be cautious when visiting a new website. If someone is attempting to deceive you with the URL, you can rest assured their motives are sinister.


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Former President Jimmy Carter called Wednesday for Americans in positions of power and influence to fight racial injustice, saying "silence can be as deadly as violence."
The 95-year-old former president issued a statement through the Atlanta-based Carter Center to address the angry and sometimes violent protests that have roiled the nation in wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Carter made no direct mention of President Donald Trump's handling of the protests and the racial unrest that has fueled them. But he said: "We need a government as good as its people, and we are better than this."
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Carter noted he had declared "the time for racial discrimination is over" during his 1971 inauguration speech as Georgia's governor, and bemoaned that he's repeating those words almost 50 years later.
"We all must shine a spotlight on the immorality of racial discrimination," Carter said. "But violence, whether spontaneous or consciously incited, is not a solution."
He said his decades working to improve human rights worldwide have taught him that people of influence can't remain silent.
"People of power, privilege, and moral conscience must stand up and say 'no more' to a racially discriminatory police and justice system, immoral economic disparities between whites and blacks, and government actions that undermine our unified democracy," Carter said.

subset: commoncrawl


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Free Tax HelpLeanne Cadman2020-01-27T14:39:17-07:00
The Denver Asset Building Coalition (DABC) is again offering free tax preparation for low-income individuals and families at Community Table every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 18.
FREE tax preparation of current year Federal and Colorado income tax returns while you wait. No appointment is necessary. First come, first served.
Single filers with incomes of $35,000 or less and families with incomes of $55,000 or less are eligible for this free service.
For more information, including what to bring, visit DABC's website at www.DenverABC.org or call 303-388-7030.


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Wyoming Lands Major Gun Company
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — One of the country's largest producers of gun magazines is leaving Colorado and moving operations to Wyoming and Texas because of new gun laws.
Erie, Colo.-based Magpul Industries announced Thursday that it was moving its production, distribution and shipping operations to Cheyenne and its headquarters to Texas, making good on a vow it made to leave Colorado during last year's heated gun control debate.
The company says its corporate headquarters will likely be in north-central Texas but an exact location hasn't been determined yet.
The Democratic-led Colorado Legislature and Gov. John Hickenlooper last year enacted a new law prohibiting the sale of gun magazines with more than 15 rounds. That and other new gun restrictions also led to the recall ouster of two Democratic state senators.


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DOCUMENTS | Medicine Documents
Myths and Facts About Constipation
Myth: You Should Have a Bowel Movement Every Day
What's "normal" varies from person to person. Some people go three times a day; others, three times a week. Although having a bowel movement once a day is common, it's fine to go a few days without one. Constipation means having fewer than three bowel movements per week. You're considered severely constipated if you have fewer than one movement a week. Seek medical help for sudden constipation or constipation that lasts more than two weeks.
Myth: Constipation Creates Toxins and Health Problems
Some people believe that constipation causes the body to absorb poisonous substances in stools. They believe this causes diseases such as arthritis, asthma, and colon cancer. But there's no evidence that the stools produce toxins or that colon cleansing, laxatives, or enemas can prevent cancer or other diseases.
Myth: Constipation Just Means I Need More Fiber
Increasing the fiber in your diet can often help constipation. But chronic constipation can signal a real problem. It can indicate a poorly functioning thyroid gland or diabetes. It can be the result of Parkinson's disease or stroke, or a side effect of medications. In rare cases, it can signal illnesses such as colorectal cancer or autoimmune disease. See a doctor if symptoms last more than two weeks or you have blood in your stools, severe pain with bowel movements, or unexplained weight loss.
Fact: Dairy Can Cause Constipation
If you're lactose intolerant, eating dairy could cause constipation. One study linked constipation to lactose intolerance in children. Most lactose intolerant people can eat at least a little dairy every day. Talk to your doctor if small amounts seem to constipate you.
Fact: Swallowed Gum Can Get Stuck
It's true -- but only in rare cases, and mostly in little kids who don't know better than to swallow gum. Sometimes swallowing large amounts of gum or many pieces in a short time can form a mass that blocks the digestive tract, especially if you swallow it with other indigestible things. The blockage can cause constipation. But for most people, the indigestible parts of gum move through the intestinal tract and eventually get eliminated from the body just like other foods do. So swallowing the occasional piece of gum is harmless.
Fact: Vacations Can Cause Constipation
Travel can change your daily routine and diet, contributing to constipation. Avoid dehydration-related constipation by drinking water, especially if you're flying. Also move around when you can -- for example, while waiting for plane connections or by taking rest stops when driving. Other travel tips: Exercise, limit alcohol, and make a point of eating fruits and vegetables.
Fact: Mood Can Affect Your Regularity
Depression may trigger constipation or make it worse. Reducing stress through meditation, yoga, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques may help. Acupressure or shiatsu massage may help, too. And massaging the abdomen may help relax the muscles that support the intestines and get your bowels moving.
Myth: Holding It Won't Hurt
You may feel too busy at work to have a bowel movement. Or you'd rather wait until you're home. But ignoring the urge when it comes may not only make you physically uncomfortable -- it can cause or aggravate constipation by weakening the signals over time. Some people find it helps to set aside time after breakfast or another meal for a bowel movement. But no matter when nature calls, answer.
Fact: Medications Can Cause Constipation
Some medications for pain, depression, high blood pressure, and Parkinson's disease are associated with constipation. Too much calcium and iron can also lead to constipation. Calcium supplements, especially if taken with another supplement or medication that binds the stool, may also cause problems. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns.
Fact: A Low-Fiber Diet May Cause Constipation
Not having enough fiber in your diet often leads to constipation. To prevent it, try to get at least 20 grams a day, but more is better. Eat more whole fruits and vegetables; replace white rice, bread, and pastas with whole-grain products. Increase your fiber intake slowly to avoid gas and bloating. And water helps fiber pass stools, so drink at least 2 to 4 extra glasses of water a day. Don't expect results overnight -- after a few days of regular fiber intake you should start to see improvement.
Myth: All Fiber Is Created Equal
Eating foods with fiber helps you feel full and stay regular. Insoluble fiber in particular can help ease constipation because it's indigestible and doesn't dissolve in water. It adds bulk to stool and helps it pass through the intestines faster. Good sources of insoluble fiber are whole-grain breads, pasta, and cereal. Soluble fiber dissolves in water. As part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, it may lower heart disease risk. Soluble fiber is found in beans, peas, and some produce.
Fact: Prunes Help Keep You Regular
This small, dried fruit has earned a big reputation as "nature's remedy" for constipation. Prunes (often called dried plums) can prevent or improve constipation symptoms. They're packed with insoluble fiber, as well as the natural laxatives sorbitol and dihydrophenylisatin. The soluble fiber found in prunes may help lower cholesterol. And they're safe for long-term consumption. Children who don't like prunes might eat prune juice ice pops or sip prune juice mixed with another juice to disguise the taste.
Fact: Drinking Water May Help
Drinking plenty of water helps prevent dehydration, which can lead to constipation. Liquids can help keep your stool soft to help prevent and alleviate constipation. Talk to your doctor about how much water is good for you. Remember to limit caffeinated or alcoholic beverages -- too many of these can cause dehydration.
Fact: Exercise Keeps You Regular
Lack of physical activity can contribute to constipation. Exercise, however, can help make your bowel movements more regular and can reduce stress. Wait at least an hour after eating a big meal before you exercise to give your body time to digest your food. Then get moving! Try a 10- to 15-minute walk several times a day. Stretching and yoga can also help constipation.
Myth: Coffee Can Fix Constipation
It's true that the caffeine in coffee can stimulate the muscles in your digestive system to contract, causing a bowel movement. So why isn't it recommended as a fix for constipation? Coffee can actually make stools harder to pass because it is also a diuretic, so it draws liquid out of stools. If you are constipated, avoid coffee and other diuretics such as alcohol and caffeinated tea and cola.
Myth: Colon Cleansing Will Clear Me Out
Enemas and colon irrigation (high colonics) may temporarily remove body waste, but they're not an effective way to prevent or cure constipation. Enemas can actually cause constipation in older people who get them regularly. Colonic irrigation, which is usually done by colonic hygienists or therapists, can damage the colon and can lead to other issues. Talk to your doctor if you are considering the procedure.
Myth: Laxatives Work Immediately
Depending on the type of over-the-counter laxative you use, you may need to wait a few minutes or a few days to produce a bowel movement. A suppository might work within an hour. But you may need to take a bulk-forming fiber product every day for several days to see results. Most over-the-counter laxatives are meant for short-term use, though. Overuse can lead to other digestive problems. Constipation usually lasts a few days and is rarely serious. Talk to your doctor if you need to use laxatives for more than two weeks.
Fact: Stool Softeners Are Laxatives
Stool softeners prevent constipation by allowing stools to absorb more water from the colon. They prevent feces from hardening -- softer stools are easier to eliminate from the body. Like other laxatives, stool softeners should be taken for short-term relief. Talk to your doctor before combining stool softeners with laxatives or other constipation treatments. In some cases, doctors prescribe stool softeners for people such as surgery patients, who may need to avoid straining during bowel movements. Some preparations combine a stool softener with a stimulant laxative to activate bowel movements.
Myth: Castor Oil is a Cure-All
Castor oil is a powerful laxative. But like other laxatives, it should not be used long-term. Overusing laxatives can hurt your body's ability to absorb nutrients and some medications. Castor oil can damage the bowel muscles, nerves, and tissue if overused -- all of which can cause constipation. Use it only with a doctor's guidance.
Myth: Constipation Is Only an Older Person's Condition
Older people are more likely to become constipated. This can be because of medical conditions, poor nutrition, greater use of medications, or not enough physical activity. But constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal issues among other age groups, too. And it's not unusual during pregnancy or after childbirth or surgery. Remember, if you're pregnant and considering taking something to relieve constipation, check with your doctor.
Myth: It's Normal to Have Bloody Stool
Blood in a bowel movement is not always serious, but you should always call your doctor if it happens. Bright red blood is usually from hemorrhoids or tears in the anal lining called fissures. Constipation and straining during bowel movements can be the cause. Maroon or tarry black blood or clots usually mean bleeding is coming from higher in the gastrointestinal tract. The cause may be more serious.
(From WebMD)


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Corned beef may be what most Americans will eat to celebrate St. Patrick's Day today, but I'm here to make a case for a rich, homey shepherd's pie. After a weekend of revelry, there's nothing better than digging into a bowl of warm, meaty stew topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Cathal Armstrong's version in his new cookbook, My Irish Table, is a particularly indulgent version. He uses diced lamb shoulder meat in the stew instead of ground to dress the dish up just a smidge, and mixes the potato mash with an opulent blend of egg yolks, butter, and cream. Sure, it may not be the quickest shepherd's pie you could make, but it's surely the most satisfying.
Why I picked this recipe: Shepherd's pie is one of the first things I think of when I think of Irish food.
What worked: The rich, creamy stew studded with luxuriously tender lamb was made even better by the silky smooth enriched potato topping.
What didn't: Nothing.
Suggested tweaks: You could cut the recipe in half if you'd like. Bake the smaller batch in an 8-inch square dish. I'd recommend baking the pie on top of a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips.
Reprinted with permission from My Irish Table: Recipes from the Homeland and Restaurant Eve by Cathal Armstrong and David Hagedom. Copyright 2014. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House. All rights reserved. Available wherever books are sold.
Recipe Facts
1 1/2 pounds lamb shoulder, trimmed of all fat and sinew, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups lamb stock or store-bought beef broth
3 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (2 cups)
2 large fresh bay leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
Mashed Potatoes:
4 russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 tablespoon salt
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
Brown the lamb: Pat the lamb cubes dry on all sides with paper towels and season well with salt and pepper. In a large slope-sided sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil until it shimmers. Distribute the meat evenly in the bottom of the pan without crowding it and don't disturb it for several minutes. If you stir the cubes too soon, they will release water and the meat will boil instead of browning. After 3 or 4 minutes, turn the cubes over and brown them on the other side for another 3 or 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a bowl and return the pan to the heat.
Sweat the vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, and celery, stirring with a flat-edged wooden spatula. As the vegetables cook, water will release and deglaze the pan. Use the spatula to scrape up brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Sweat the vegetables for 4 to 5 minutes. They should be translucent but still a bit firm.
Cook the stew: Stir in the flour and allow it to brown lightly for about 2 minutes. Add the lamb stock, continuing to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the potatoes, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and oregano. Return the meat and its collected juices to the pan. Bring the liquid to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and cover the pot. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours, until the meat is fork tender. Discard the bay leaves and transfer the stew to an 8-cup baking dish.
Meanwhile, boil the potatoes for mashing: Place the quartered potatoes and salt in a pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat to medium and allow the potatoes to simmer uncovered until cooked through, about 40 minutes. To tell if they are cooked, take a piece out and cut it in half to see if it's soft in the center.
While the potatoes are cooking, preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
Mash the potatoes: Drain the potatoes, return them to the pot, and stir them over the heat for a couple of minutes. This ensures that they are dry. Rice the potatoes into a mixing bowl. Add the egg yolks, butter, and cream, whisking until the mixture is smooth. Work quickly while the potatoes are hot so they don't become gummy and starchy. Adjust the salt seasoning to taste and allow the potatoes to cool.
Top the pie: Fit a large pastry bag with a large star tip. Spoon the mashed potatoes into the bag. Moving in one direction, pipe large rosettes of potatoes over the lamb mixture, in neat row or around the perimeter of the baking dish. Go over your work and pipe rosettes wherever you see any holes—you want to create a good seal. Alternatively, you can dollop the potatoes over the stew and spread them with a spatula to seal it.
Bake the pie: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set the pie on it and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the potatoes are nicely browned and the filing is bubbling. Let the casserole rest for 15 minutes; serve with piccalilli on the side if you'd like.
|Nutrition Facts (per serving)
|Nutrition Facts
|Servings: 6
|Amount per serving
|% Daily Value*
|Total Fat 40g
|Saturated Fat 19g
|Cholesterol 290mg
|Sodium 2490mg
|Total Carbohydrate 85g
|Dietary Fiber 24g
|Total Sugars 20g
|Protein 44g
|Vitamin C 55mg
|Calcium 557mg
|Iron 8mg
|Potassium 4560mg
|*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.


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Cedar Bluff to host Civil War re-enactment
Event slated for May 31 to June 2
More than 100 re-enactors will converge on Cedar Bluff to recreate Civil War battles fought in the area 150 years ago.
As part of the sesquicentennial remembrances of the War Between the States, the Abel Streight's Raid Civil War Re-enactment will commemorate the Union colonel's raid through north Alabama en route to Georgia to cut the Western Atlantic Railroad, a Confederate supply line.
Scheduled for May 31 to June 2, the event will take place just miles from the original surrender site in Cherokee County and will feature re-enactors, demonstrations, encampments, cannon firings and period music.
April 28 marked the 150th anniversary of Streight's raid through north Alabama. The Abel Streight's Raid Civil War Re-enactment will commemorate the Battle of Day's Gap, in which Streight's force won. However, the battle set off a series of skirmishes that eventually led the Union forces being surrounded and captured.
Period merchants and Union and Confederate encampments will be open to the public each day beginning at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m. June 1, there will be a period Ladies Social and Tea. The re-enactment of the Battle of Day's Gap will be at 2 p.m., including the capture of two of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's prized cannons. Local historians note that it is possible that the two cannons still remain buried in the Hog Mountain area as they were never recovered.
A period church service is planned at 10 a.m. June 2, and the Battle of Streight's Surrender will be re-enacted at 2 p.m., complete with the burning of Black Creek Bridge.
A Civil War Era Ball with the Emmy-winning band Un-Reconstructed from Jacksonville also will be held.
Un-Reconstructed is a six-piece string band that specializes in performing and arranging music from the War Between the States as well as Irish, Scottish and other 19th century traditional music. They have appeared throughout the eastern U.S. and their music has been included in various movies, documentaries, National Park promotional videos and educational compilation projects. Period attire is required.
Located three miles from the re-enactment site at 1200 County Road 251 is Cornwall Furnace, which was built around 1862 to manufacture cannons, caissons and other war materials for the Confederacy. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Those attending the festival are invited to tour the war memorial park throughout the three-day event.
A $7 per car donation is requested. Proceeds will benefit the Cherokee County Historical Museum. The donation includes entrance to the events on June 1 and June 2. The Civil War re-enactment will be at Highway 9 North on County Road 131 in Cedar Bluff.
For more information, visit www.cherokee-chamber.org or call 256-927-8455.


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Quinoa Recipes For Kids
8 Sweet and Savory Recipes to Introduce Your Kids to Quinoa
8 Sweet and Savory Recipes to Introduce Your Kids to Quinoa
The whole world seems to be on a quinoa kick, so why not get your kids in on the nutrient-rich, high-protein fun? One of the best parts of quinoa is that it takes on the flavors of the food it's prepared with, making it the perfect complement to both sweet and savory recipes that will appeal to kids, including everything from meatballs and burritos to pancakes and cookies. Gluten-free, easy-to-prepare, and filling, quinoa might just be our favorite superfood of the moment, and after preparing these awesome kid-friendly recipes, your kids will most likely feel the same!


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Nefesh B'Nefesh is better known for its efforts to get North American Jews on planes to Israel, but last month it settled for driving more Internet traffic there. The organization recently hosted the first International Jewish Bloggers Convention at its Jerusalem headquarters. The conference, which featured keynote speaker former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who doesn't blog — attracted 200 Israeli-based bloggers (many of them Anglos) and 1,300 people around the globe who watched the live video feed.
In the wake of the conference, an, ahem, Web of controversy is spinning across the JBlogosphere. Who is a Jewish blogger? And what role should a blogger play?
Part of the acrimony is a reaction to Nefesh B'Nefesh's choice of seven blogger panelists who were treated to free business-class flights and passes to El Al's King David Lounge at John F. Kennedy Airport. In exchange, Nefesh B'Nefesh paired each blogger with one of the 240 olim making aliyah, whom they were to interview and blog about.
The flight's business-class section served as a veritable human blogroll. Seated next to Abitbol were David Bogner of Treppenwitz, screenwriter Robert Avrech of Seraphic Secrets, and Yashar Books' Rabbi Gil Student who blogs at Hirhurim. Frum Satire's Heshy Fried was in the row behind them and Esther Kustanowitz, who until recently wrote the Jewish Week's Matchup column and blogs at My Urban Kvetch, was in front.
But not everyone is seeing blue skies. Shmarya Rosenberg of Failed Messiah has been a vocal critic, bemoaning what he feels was a rigging of the conference to favor those on the political right. "Nefesh B'Nefesh did not sincerely try to invite all Jewish bloggers," he told the Jewish Week. "If Nefesh B'Nefesh had called it a 'Pro-Aliya' bloggers' convention or something like that, and made it clear that the convention's intent was to support Nefesh B'Nefesh's agenda, I wouldn't care. But that isn't what Nefesh B'Nefesh did."
Not true, says Yael Katsman, NBN's director of communications and marketing. "We had secular panelists, feminist panelists. The schedule was made public well in advance. Anyone who was interested in coming came."
From an ideological standpoint, the seven "chosen" bloggers are decidedly pro-Israel. According to Renana Levine, Nefesh B'Nefesh's PR and communications manager, the bloggers were chosen based on blog traffic, reader demographics and the determination that the blog was pro-aliyah.
Some panelists took offense at being labeled right wing for taking part in the conference. "I see that being a secular, socialist, Zionist, Labor blogger … who has a blog devoted to promoting peace and dialogue with our various Arab neighbors makes one a Right-wing Religious Fanatic," fumed "Oleh Girl" on her blog in response to an article in Haaretz about the conference.
And so unleashed yet another backlash, with many JBloggers defending Nefesh B'Nefesh and accusing Failed Messiah and friends of sour grapes.
Blogging can "unleash people's untamed egos," says Israellycool's "Aussie Dave." "To the bloggers who believe they should have been invited to the conference (instead of registering like us common folk) … I say get over yourselves. And if you don't like it, how about getting off your posterior and organizing a conference of your own."
Most attendees appreciated the opportunity to meet the men and women behind their favorite blogs.
Plans are already under way for Nefesh B'Nefesh's next International Jewish Bloggers Conference, Katsman says. Whether Failed Messiah will show up has yet to be determined.
Support the New York Jewish Week
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My adventures with Verizon continue. I realize that I've been wrong in criticizing Verizon for poor customer service. After all, it doesn't make sense for them to put a lot of effort into supporting traditional landline telephony. It isn't part of their future and they know it. It's better to invest in networking technologies. Once they can assume that I have a network connection, they will indeed be able to add or delete services at a remote keyboard. They will, of course, maintain the fiction that the service is the still POTS (plain old telephone service) even when it's simply their closed version of Voice over IP.
The carriers aren't deploying fiber just so that they could give me better telephone service. While they will be offering me a 15mbps Internet connection rather than the 1.5mbps I have with their DSL service, the effort to deploy fiber is not simply about faster DSL. After all, they could have given me 15mbps service on copper if they wanted to.
One problem with copper has been that the carriers had to share it. For example, Earthlink has been able to buy DSL lines from Verizon at a reduced cost and resell it in competition with Verizon. Unlike copper, they don't have to share their fiber infrastructure. That might explain why they are so anxious to remove the copper once they install fiber. Naah – they have strong incentive. Anyway, the FCC has relieved them of the burden of sharing their DSL lines anyway – they consider Internet connectivity just another service. Sort of like a TV channel.
The carriers live within the Regulatorium – the set of rules that define "telecommunications" in the United States (and much of the world). In that world the Internet is just a service. Broadband is treated like a television channel. The Internet really represents a fundamental shift in the dynamics of the marketplace. People used to think you needed phone wire to make phone calls. Today we accept that telephony works just fine over IP (Internet Protocol). Video is no different. Within the carriers' networks, IP is becoming the dominant transport for video.
The telephone companies played an important role in developing this technology. In the 1980's, they developed DSL as a digital transport for Video! Their first attempt at TV (Interactive TV or ITV) went nowhere. Because bits are bits they had no problem repurposing DSL as a transport for IP. With the failure of ITV, there was no incentive to do further development of DSL. So it has remained stuck at 1980's speeds despite the advances in technology over the last 20 years.
They haven't given up on ITV – this time they are using fiber as the transport and calling it IPTV. The fiber they are installing for FIOS is really a cable TV plant disguised as a network. It is a Passive Optical Network (PON) designed as a distribution system from a head end to the terminals at each home though it does have capacity to send data back. A single fiber has the capacity for gigabits of traffic. There's so much capacity that they can simply allocate a portion of the capacity to emulating traditional Cable TV. The 15mbps they reserve for their Internet service is less than 1% of that capacity!
The big lesson of the Internet and personal computer is that it makes more sense to just deploy simple IP connectivity and then use standard digital technology to convert the IP video streams to analog video when necessary. While I might forgive the Telcos for neglecting the old-line telephony business, it's harder to understand why they are deploying technologies that are obsolete before they are deployed.
One reason may be that the tradition of "CO (Central Office) Grade" makes them very conservative and it seems a very safe choice when it is really a brittle choice. Even better for the carriers is that it maintains a distinction between video bits and Internet bits. The effect is to take the 99% of the bits "off the table" so they don't have to compete nor worry about efficiency.
The distinction between video bits and Internet bits maps nicely into the myths that define the FCC. The FCC treats the Internet as an information service rather than a fundamental technology.
This flies in the face of what we've learned since the regulations were put in place. The regulations date back to a time when the technology barely worked and every element of the system had to be precisely specified. It was very expensive and each signal had its own special characteristics – bandwidth, frequency, noise etc. IP technology is fundamentally different and allows us to have a single packet medium. All the packets are the same – video, audio, images, text – it doesn't matter!
To its credit the FCC is attempting to fit this realization into their regulations by classifying the "Internet" as an information service. To many in the orbit of the Regulatorium this is a great accomplishment and a step forward. Given that the Internet has had such an impact with far less capacity, getting 1% of the total available capacity seems like a major victory. But that misses the point.
The real impact has come more from the 24x7 connectivity than the speed. It is this persistent connectivity that has made VoIP both important and not very interesting. Kids playing Xbox-live with friends around the world are not making phone calls – they going beyond the conceptual model of telephony. By treating the Internet as a service rather than fundamental and vital connectivity, we cannot use it as the basis for new services such as medical monitoring and emergency communications. The tragedy is that the resilient Internet is far better for emergency services than E911 could possibly be even if it weren't locked into legacy rules.
I take every opportunity I get to speak to those within or proximate to the Regulatorium. The biggest problem is that many lawyers, even those with the best intentions, are tragically ignorant when it comes to technology. It reflects a larger culture that views technology and science as undignified. The other problem is that lawyers seem to be steeped in a tradition of precedence and incrementalism. The precedence system is based on the pre-scientific notion that wisdom is handed down rather than tested. We now understand that the defining principles of the Regulatorium are no longer true. Yet Somehow, the system is not beholden to reality. The best we can do is tweak a few rules when we have to force the system into being less obviously at odds with external realities.
Those who understand that IP represents a fundamental shift in the concept of telecommunications or, to put it more correctly, "tele/communications", find themselves unwelcome. The regulatory system lacks the essential vocabulary to challenge its premises – you can comment on whether DSL is an information service or not but you can't say that it's a meaningless question. The term "broadband" is a good example. When carriers talk about broadband, they are referring to the fiber technology of which they share only 1%. When the FCC justifies a broadband policy, it classifies anything slightly better than dial up a broadband so it can claim that we are not behind countries offering consumers 100mbps services and above.
As long as the FCC fails to understand the concept of connectivity as fundamental infrastructure, it will act little more than a shield for the carriers.
There is a glimmer of hope with an increased interest in providing a level playing field for IP connectivity. We can't waste this enthusiasm arguing over just 1% of the playing field when the rest of the capacity is reserved for the benefit of the carriers themselves. We will only have a truly level playing field when 100% of the capacity is available.
The FCC says it wants to reduce the amount of regulation. A truly level playing field would obviate the need for heavy regulation because there would be a real marketplace for services. We need a 100% solution rather than a 1% solution.
When Ivan Seidenberg, President of Verizon spoke to the Massachusetts Software Council on September 30, 2002 he said that he was prepared to play fair and offer Internet connectivity without taking special advantage of Verizon's control of the transport. And he seems to be following through as long as you ignore the elephant in the room – the 99% of the capacity of his new infrastructure that's devoted to the Verizon video service! A neat trick, he's taken 99% of his capacity off of the books and pretends it doesn't count.
It's a neat trick and the FCC fell for it. But I know that bits are bits and I know that Verizon is taking 99% of its assets off the books. I see no difference between that action and any other accounting scam. It's a multibillion dollar fraud! It may be technically legal in the same way one might exploit an accounting loophole by funneling funds through another entity.
As far as I am concerned, Seidenberg is cheating even if he doesn't think of it that way. He is abusing the right of way that Verizon holds in trust by using 99% of it for his company's advantage and then tossing us the remaining 1% and asking us to be thankful. I'll admit that I still want FIOS – it's faster than what I can currently get from Comcast or RCN, but it's still only 1% of the capacity.
I'm picking on Verizon because I am dealing with them and Verizon made this promise to me and others at the meeting so I take it personally. Verizon is not necessarily worse than other carriers and in some ways it's better. SBC's Lightwave uses a QoS (Quality of Service) story to justify limiting their customers' choice and for Cable Companies, it's business as usual.
We've been distracted by side issues such as whether carriers have to share DSL access and whether they will play fair and let all packets through. But we're arguing over less than 1% of the available capacity! We've been connected.
The marketplace is still working its magic – RCN and Comcast will meet Verizon's speed and the process will continue but at a very slow pace. With 99% of the capacity of these networks off the books, it will take decades to catch up with countries that already provide 100 mbps and even gigabit access to homes.
Ivan, you made me a promise. Will you set an example for the carriers and honor your promise to play fair?


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Just 5 kittens
We've had a lot of kittens lately, but this is definitely something worth to see:
Twin kittens
No comments necessary 🙂
Keukenhof 2012
Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe, is the world's largest flower garden situated near Lisse, Netherlands. According to the official website for the Keukenhof Park, approximately 7,000,000 (seven million) flower bulbs are planted annually in the park, which covers an area of 32 hectares.
In 2012, Keukenhof is scheduled to be open from 22 March to 20 May 2012. The Flower Parade was held on 21 April 2012.
Keukenhof is one of world's top destinations for 2012 by CNN. Flower lovers who flock to the country's stunning fields of tulips and who have made the colorful Keukenhof to one of the most popular attractions in the Netherlands declared that Keukenhof is the top destination in 2012 to visit.
Enjoy some pictures from this year's garden:
The Table Is Set
Today, Daily Cuteness invites you to lunch. Or dinner. Or breakfast. Here's what we prepared for you:
Let's start with some appetizers from Japan, by Cute Yummy Time:
Check out more cute food pictures below
My Halloween Costume
Trick or treat!
Source: Star
Maneeya is 8 months old and she loves to pose for the camera, as you can see:
Picture was sent to us by Maneya


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50 Inch LED Light Bar Single Row 5 Watt Cree White Combo Code 4 LED. Go confidently into the night with Code 4 LED. Light up your adventure ahead with this Code 4 LED 50 Inch Single Row 5 Watt Cree White Combo. These Off Road Lights are intensely bright and light weight. So versatile and convenient, you will wonder how you ever lived in the dark for so long!
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A Potentially Paradigm-Shifting Series of Women Performers at the New School
In conversation with the audience and performers at her potentially paradigm-shifting new series Women Between Arts at the New School yesterday, singer/actress/impresario Luisa Muhr contemplated the complexities of branding interdisciplinary works. How do you market something that resists easy categorization? Maybe by calling it what it is: outside the box. Considering the turnout, there definitely is an audience for what might be the only interdisciplinary series focusing on women performers whose work encompasses so many different idioms in New York right now.
When Muhr springboarded the project, she'd assumed that Women Between Arts would be one of at least five or six ongoing programs here. But this seems to be the only one at the moment – If there's another, would they please identify themselves, because they could be doing very important work!
Dance on the same program as storytelling? Sure! Writer/choreographer Allison Easter wryly remarked that audiences at dance performances don't mind being talked to. Her piece on the bill featured dancers Tiffany Ogburn and Paul Morland subtly and then explosively tracing Easter's spoken-word narrative about a couple of American college girls intent on thwarting a would-be rapist on a train winding its way through the Alps.
Klezmatics violinist Lisa Gutkin proved to be the ideal headliner for a bill like this. Born and raised in a secular Jewish family in Sheepshead Bay, the songwriter/actress revealed an insatiably curious worldview that mirrored her sizzling musical chops, via excerpts from her one-woman show. Likewise, part of her eclectic background stems from the demands of being a highly sought-after sidewoman. Irish reels? OK. Tango? Si! Klezmer? No problem! She grew up with that culture, inspired by her immigrant grandmother, who would hitchhike upstate to her bungalow where she'd book artists like Pete Seeger to entertain her garment worker friends.
And Muhr illustrated her own, similarly eclectic background with wistful projections, a subtly humorous dance piece and poetry, following her own Greek immigrant great-grandmother's journey as a refugee from Istanbul to Vienna. In pushing the boundaries of diverse idioms, a program like Muhr's has the potential to spur the growth of new synapses for both audiences and performers.
The next Women Between Arts performance features songwriter Jean Rohe, choreographer Sasha Kleinplatz, brilliant carnatic violinist Trina Basu, singer/actress Priya Darshini and Brooklyn Raga Massive tabla player Roshni Samlal on January 7 at 3 PM at the New School's Glass Box Theatre (i.e. the new Stone) at 55 W 13th St.


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Ecuador struggles to rebuild as death toll rises
Ecuador was rocked by a massive 7.8 earthquake on Saturday that killed people and left miles and miles of destruction. The country was subsequently struck by a series of aftershock quakes, one of which reached 6.0 on the Richter scale.
As the rescue and clean up efforts progressed, the death count increased. It has now surpassed 587 and is likely to get worse. The government is facing a reconstruction project that will undoubtedly cost billions of dollars. This is especially daunting given that Ecuador was already facing a period of economic downturn after a global drop in oil prices.
"I know we're at the most-difficult stage right now but it's just the beginning," said President Rafael Correa.
Correa announced measures on Wednesday that will be put in place for at least the next year to help pay for reconstruction. Sales taxes will be raised from 12 percent to 14 percent. Citizens with more than $1 million in assets will be charged a one-time levy of 0.9 percent of their wealth. Workers earning over $1,000 a month will be taxed a days wages and those earning $5,000 per month will be taxed the equivalent of five days' pay. This will be on top of $600 million in emergency funds from the World Bank and other such lenders.
In addition to the casualties, 163 people are still missing and more than 23,500 have been left homeless. At least 119 schools have been damaged, 800 buildings have been destroyed and two hospitals have completely collapsed.
There is a danger of further deaths not directly caused by the quake. More than 150,000 children have been effected by the damage caused by the quake. The compromised water and sanitation systems has placed these kids that were already vulnerable at an even higher risk of contracting diseases such as Zika, dengue, malaria and chikungunya.
NGOs, including UNICEF, have swooped in to help with rescue and clean up efforts. Officials from these NGOs have indicated the damage is so bad in some places that entire villages may have to relocate and start over from scratch.
"There are one or two locations where the government's contemplating relocating towns … because of the level of destruction," said a UNICEF representative.
The response effort to the quake is still largely in the preliminary stage of searching for survivors trapped by the rubble.
"We're still going strong, and everybody is, in terms of search and rescue," said Nicolas Verdy of the Canadian Red Cross. "We have full teams going through the rubble, being helped by the military, by the government."
Three Disney World Employees Among 17 Arrested in Florida Child Sex Sting
Three Disney World employees were among the 17 people arrested in a child sex sting operation in Florida, law enforcement officials announced on Wednesday.
Three Disney World employees were among the 17 people arrested in a child sex sting operation in Florida, law enforcement officials announced on Wednesday.
In the operation, dubbed "Operation Child Protector," undercover officers posed as 13- and 14-year-old children on social media and online dating apps between July 27 and Aug. 1.
The undercovers made contact with each of the suspects before proposing they meet at a location in Polk County, where they were busted.
In total, the arrests led to 49 felony and two misdemeanor charges. Those arrested were aged 26 to 47. All were from Central Florida except for one 33-year-old man from California.
"What you see on this board … are deviants. Incredible deviants," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a press conference on Tuesday, motioning to photos of the alleged pervs. "They travel from as far away as Clewiston, Florida. One even came from Los Angeles."
"Much to their chagrin, instead of meeting with young children, they were met by law enforcement officers who were online undercover posing as children."
Kenneth Javier Aquino, 26, a lifeguard at Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World, was arrested while still wearing his Disney polo shirt and swimsuit, according to the sheriff's office.
Aquino engaged in an online conversation on social media with an officer, posing as a 13-year-old girl, authorities said. He then asked the "girl" to send photos, and sent her an explicit video of himself, police said.
Aquino told officers he is a Navy veteran and has a pregnant girlfriend.
Jonathan McGrew, a 34-year-old custodian at Disney World, was nabbed by an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl.
McGrew allegedly told the "girl" that he wanted her to come over and have sex with him and his girlfriend, 29-year-old Savannah Lawrence, who also works as a custodian at tourist mecca.
McGrew sent her explicit videos of him and Lawrence performing sexual acts on each other, authorities said.
A rep for Disney World didn't immediately return a message.
China Reports First Human Death from Monkey B Virus
China has reported the first human infection and death in the country caused by a rare infectious disease found in primates known as the Monkey B virus.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said a 53-year-old veterinary surgeon who worked in a research institute specializing in nonhuman primate breeding in Beijing dissected two monkeys in March and became ill about a month later.
China has reported the first human infection and death in the country caused by a rare infectious disease found in primates known as the Monkey B virus.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said a 53-year-old veterinary surgeon who worked in a research institute specializing in nonhuman primate breeding in Beijing dissected two monkeys in March and became ill about a month later.
He began experiencing nausea, vomiting, fever and neurological issues, and died in May.
Blood and saliva samples were tested and researchers in April found evidence of the Monkey B virus, also known as the herpes B virus.
Researchers said a male doctor and female nurse who were in close contact with the victim tested negative for the virus.
The Monkey B virus is prevalent among macaque monkeys but infection among humans is extremely rare. Since the virus was identified in 1932, just 50 cases have been reported, with the majority of those in North America. Untreated B virus infections in humans are serious, however, with a fatality rate of about 80 percent.
Symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, and progress to more serious complications such as swelling of the brain and spinal cord.
Laboratory workers and veterinarians in close contact with the animals are most at risk as people typically get infected with the virus if they are bitten or scratched by an infected macaque, or have contact with the monkey's eyes, nose or mouth.
But the virus is unlikely to mutate in a way that poses a problem to the general population. Just one case of human-to-human transmission of the virus has ever been documented.
U.S. Remembers 9/11 Terrorist Attacks as The Pandemic Changes Tribute Traditions
Americans are commemorating 9/11 with tributes that have been altered by coronavirus precautions and woven into the presidential campaign, drawing both President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden to pay respects at the same memorial without crossing paths.
Americans are commemorating 9/11 with tributes that have been altered by coronavirus precautions and woven into the presidential campaign, drawing both President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden to pay respects at the same memorial without crossing paths.
In New York, a dispute over coronavirus-safety precautions is leading to split-screen remembrances Friday, one at the Sept. 11 memorial plaza at the World Trade Center and another on a nearby corner. The Pentagon's observance will be so restricted that not even victims' families can attend, though small groups can visit the memorial there later in the day.
Trump and Biden are both headed — at different times — to the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Trump is speaking at the morning ceremony, the White House said. Biden plans to pay respects there in the afternoon after attending the observance at the 9/11 memorial in New York.
Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence is also due at ground zero — and then at the alternate ceremony a few blocks away.
In short, the anniversary of 9/11 is a complicated occasion in a maelstrom of a year, as the U.S. grapples with a health crisis, searches its soul over racial injustice and prepares to choose a leader to chart a path forward.
Still, 9/11 families say it's important for the nation to pause and remember the hijacked-plane attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the trade center, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001, shaping American policy, perceptions of safety and daily life in places from airports to office buildings.
"I know that the heart of America beats on 9/11 and, of course, thinks about that tragic day. I don't think that people forget," says Anthoula Katsimatides, who lost her brother John and is now on the board of the National Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum.
Friday will mark Trump's second time observing the 9/11 anniversary at the Flight 93 memorial, where he made remarks in 2018. Biden spoke at the memorial's dedication in 2011, when he was vice president.
The ground zero ceremony in New York has a longstanding custom of not allowing politicians to speak, though they can attend. Biden did so as vice president in 2010, and Trump as a candidate in 2016.
Though the candidates will be focused on the commemorations, the political significance of their focus on Shanksville is hard to ignore: Pennsylvania is a must-win state for both. Trump won it by less than a percentage point in 2016.
Around the country, some communities have canceled 9/11 commemorations because of the pandemic, while others are going ahead, sometimes with modifications.
The New York memorial is changing one of its ceremony's central traditions: having relatives read the names of the dead, often adding poignant tributes.
Thousands of family members are still invited. But they'll hear a recording of the names from speakers spread around the vast plaza, a plan that memorial leaders felt would avoid close contact at a stage but still allow families to remember their loved ones at the place where they died.
But some victims' relatives felt the change robbed the observance of its emotional impact. A different 9/11-related group, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, set up its own, simultaneous ceremony a few blocks away, saying there's no reason that people can't recite names while keeping a safe distance.
The two organizations also tussled over the Tribute in Light, a pair of powerful beams that shine into the night sky near the trade center and evoke its fallen twin towers. The 9/11 memorial initially canceled the display, citing virus-safety concerns for the installation crew. After the Tunnel to Towers Foundation vowed to put up the lights instead, the memorial changed course with help from its chairman, former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Tunnel to Towers, meanwhile, arranged to display single beams for the first time at the Shanksville memorial and the Pentagon.
Over the years, the anniversary also has become a day for volunteering. Because of the pandemic, the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance organization is encouraging people this year to make donations or take other actions that can be accomplished at home.
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text: Technology and the Arts are highly valued at NMSD. NMSD believes in providing students with every opportunity to incorporate their own cultural values through art as well as learn about the cultures of others. Another core belief is in freedom of expression through a variety of mediums and allowing NMSD's Deaf and hard of hearing students multiple ways to communicate through the Arts. The New Mexico State Standards for Fine Arts are followed. In addition, NMSD adheres to the Common Core State Standards for Language Arts and Mathematics as well as standards derived from other states and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for Industrial and Technology Arts.


text:
By Admin
Winter is here, but Sarah isn't glum! She's going on a date with her husband Tim to the ice rink in the park to enjoy some magical ice skating in a winter wonderland. The crowds have gathered and Sarah is ready to warm up in the cold... But the park ranger is being super strict this year and is eager to catch people messing around. Can Sarah skate her way into fun or will she be left cold?
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Odd-numbered addresses: 4 to 8 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; watering by hand allowed those hours and 5 to 7 p.m.
Even-numbered addresses: 4 to 8 a.m. Thursdays and Sundays; watering by hand allowed those hours and 5 to 7 p.m.
Exceptions: Lake Worth, Lantana and West Palm Beach, where landscape irrigation is limited to four hours one day a week: odd-numbered addresses, 4 to 8 a.m. Saturdays; even-numbered addresses, 4 to 8 a.m. Sundays.
Outdoor water uses: Low-volume pressure cleaning and washing cars and boats are no longer restricted.
For information, call the Water Management District's conservation hotline at 800-662-8876.
Source: South Florida Water Management District


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David Shenaut
This is number two in our many part series detailing the cocktail luminaries of Tales and the drinks that they mixed this year.
This year at Tales there was a bit of grumbling about the fact that the West (Left) Coast was largely ignored by the judges at the Spirit Awards. As one can imagine, this grumbling was mainly done by people living on the west coast of the US, who having largely forgotten the Great West Coast Sweep-up of 2007, felt that the West with its many great bars, should've had greater representation at Tales. While I agree with the fact that I'd like to see better left coast representation at Tales, I disagree with the sentiment that we were left out. Looking at the bars/people that were nominated I'd be hard pressed to name a bar/person from this side of the country that should've been mentioned instead. Now having said that, if I were to name a bar that needs to be recognized one day, I think that I wouldn't have to look any further than Portland, Oregon and to my good friends at Teardrop Cocktail Lounge.
Teardrop just celebrated their second anniversary last month, offering an excellent range of cocktails (as per usual) designed for the occasion at insanely cheap prices while at the same time offering up a bottle of whiskey that was distilled before prohibition to those whose pockets were a little deeper. (Full disclosure: the bottles came from a case that I had purchased and had spread out to some of the better bars in the Pacific Northwest: see picture to drool.) Teardrop is known for its outrageously large array of tinctures and bitters, as well as other fun homemade ingredients, including their infamous smoked ice. As I said earlier, they are doing wonderful things here.
While I was there for their fantastic shin-dig, I marveled at how the bar team managed to keep up with the insane volume (and my pestering), while all the while exuding fun. This attitude is a sign of a great bar and in large part the responsibility of the two men behind the wood; the genius behind the program, Daniel Shoemaker and his trusty number one, David Shenaut. Daniel is such a giving manager that this year he allowed Dave to go to Tales in his stead, opting to man the bar while the rest of the world joined in on the greatest party of the year. If that's not leadership, then I defy you to give me a better example!
Which brings us to David and Tales (that is what this post is supposed to be about after all). This year Mr. Shenaut volunteered his services as one of the Tales' Apprentices (a woeful title, as most of these individuals are great 'tenders in their own right), which meant that he got to batch and shake approximately a thousand drinks over the course of the event, and essentially made the event a fun and "wet" one for the likes of lucky bastards like myself. From the Tales website we learn this about David:
David Shenaut got his start creating seasonal menus filled with infusions and syrups at Roots Restaurant and Bar. After several years of neglecting vermouth and bitters, "Neon" Dave was introduced to his first Pegu Club by Christian Krogstad at House Spirits Distillery. This inspired Dave to put down the plastic flair bottles and placed him on a mission to learn the techniques required in creating a more complex and balanced cocktail.
For the past 2 years, Dave has worked at the Teardrop Lounge, specializing in classic cocktails and a seasonal menu featuring house made bitters, gastriques and liquors. He is a founding board member of the Oregon Bartenders Guild. Dave considers himself fortunate to be in a community that shares his passion for cocktails: the customers, the critics, and others in the industry. He supports the growth of local distilleries, and appreciates the finely crafted spirits that are being produced in the Northwest.
Dave also owns Onthehouse.biz and works at Tommy O's Pacific Rim Bistro, where he is gradually introducing the town of Vancouver, Washington to tiki and classic cocktails–one Chauncey, Pink Lady, Suffering Bastard at a time.
Dave currently enjoys all aspects of bartending and has been seen off duty juggling bottles barefoot in the park with his children. He looks forward to expanding his spirits knowledge and focusing on a sustainable farm-to-cocktail approach to bartending.
So let's mix up the drink that David served at this year's Cocktail Hour and raise our glass to Mr. Shenaut in hopes that that he and Teardrop (or some other worthy west coast bar) get recognized at next year's Spirit Awards.
2 oz Don Julio Reposado Tequila
½ oz Martini and Rossi Sweet Vermouth
½ oz Loft Raspberrycello
1 tsp Cynar
½ tsp Fernet Branca
½ tsp Aceto Balsalmic
Orange Zest
Combine all ingredients
stir with cracked ice
strain into chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with orange zest
Drink courtesy of David Shenaut
Photo by:
Jamie Boudreau


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(L-R) Best of U.S. - Olympic Team nominees Meryl Davis and Charlie White; Steven Holcomb, Curt Tomasevicz, Steve Langton and Chris Fogt; and Elana Meyers and Lauryn Williams
A three-time Olympic medalist in the U.S. women's eight boat, Mary Whipple knows a thing or two about the dedication that a team must have. Even if that team consists of two Olympic figure skaters instead of a boat filled with Olympic rowers.
The beauty of the gold medal won by ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White last month in Sochi hit home with Whipple.
|Nastia Liukin
"They allowed each other to be far greater together to reach a higher goal than what they could do alone. That is the pure essence of a team," said Whipple, who won Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012. "Coming from a team sport, I know it's the best feeling in the world to depend on a teammate while being dependable to win the gold."
Davis and White, who have been skating together for 17 years, were the first Americans to win Olympic gold in ice dancing. And they helped the United States win a bronze medal in the inaugural team competition at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
"One of my favorite moments of Sochi was watching Meryl and Charlie win the gold medal," said gymnast Nastia Liukin, a five-time Olympic medalist and all-around gold medalist at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. "Watching them on the ice, they seemed in a league of their own. They are two of the nicest Olympians I know, so to see their 17-year dream come true is incredible."
Davis and White are one of three finalists in the Best Olympic Team category in the inaugural Best of U.S. awards program being presented by the United States Olympic Committee.
|Mariel Zagunis
The other finalists are Elana Meyers and Lauryn Williams, who won the silver medal in women's bobsled; and the men's USA-1 bobsled team, which Steven Holcomb piloted to bronze medals in both two- and four-man with Steve Langton, Curt Tomasevicz and Chris Fogt.
Fans can vote for their favorites through March 21 on the U.S. Olympic Team Facebook page in four categories: Male, Female, Team and Moment of the Olympic Games. In addition, categories for Male, Female, Team and Moment of the Paralympic Games will open after that competition wraps up on March 16. A Team Behind the Team Award and Fan of the Games Award are also up for grabs.
All three team finalists made American history in Sochi. In men's two-man bobsled, Holcomb and Langton snapped a 62-year medal drought by the United States. Six days later, Holcomb, Tomasevicz, Langton and Fogt slid to another bronze medal in the four-man. The last time Team USA medaled in both two- and four-man bobsled at the same Winter Games was also 62 years ago.
|Abby Johnston
"Something has to be said for ending medal droughts," said Mariel Zagunis, who become the first American to win a gold medal in fencing in 100 years when she won her first of two titles in 2004. "Athletes have enough on their minds already, but to know that the hope for your country in a sport is riding on your shoulders creates extra pressure. This team rose to the challenge in great form and it was wonderful to see them win a medal."
Meyers is the only American to win a bobsled medal as a pilot and a brakeman, having pushed for pilot Erin Pac in a bronze-medal performance in 2010. Williams, a four-time Olympian who won a gold medal in the women's 4x100-meter at the London 2012 Olympic Games, became just the second American to win a medal at the winter and summer Games.
"I follow Elana on Twitter and she does an amazing job allowing everyone into her life," said Brenda Villa, a four-time Olympic medalist and the most decorated athlete in international women's water polo. "I cheered and followed her and Lauryn in Sochi. They were amazing. They are so powerful. I'm impressed with both of their stories."
|Brittany Viola
Williams made her way from the Olympic track in London to the Olympic bobsled track in Sochi in less than a year.
"I was on the edge of my seat for all of these performances, but I have to go with Lauryn Williams and Elana Meyers," said Abby Johnston, a silver medalist in women's 3-meter synchronized diving at the London Games. "Lauryn's feat of becoming a winter and summer Olympic medalist is truly incredible. I know how much time and dedication it took to be a top competitor in one sport and cannot fathom how she was able to reach the pinnacle of two sports."
Fellow 2012 Olympic diver Brittany Viola echoed Johnston's pick.
"Lauryn is a friend from the University of Miami," Viola said. "Watching her make the transition to a new sport in less than a year and then to come away with a silver medal, just missing out on a gold, was amazing to see. To have medals in both the summer and winter Olympics is pretty special. I'm so used to seeing her on the track and it was such a cool moment to see what she was capable of doing on the ice."
Paul D. Bowker has been writing about Olympic sports since 1990 and was Olympic assistant bureau chief for Morris Communications at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. He also writes about Olympic sports for the Springfield (Mass.) Republican. Bowker has written for TeamUSA.org since 2010 as a freelance contributor on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.


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Google's Chrome gained browser market share in January at the expense of both Microsoft's Internet Explorer and IE's biggest rival, Mozilla's Firefox, according to data published today.
Chrome, which only recently grabbed the No. 3 spot from Apple 's Safari, ended January with a share of 5.2%, up 0.6 of a percentage point, said Web metrics company NetApplications.com. The increase, although slightly less than Chrome's jump during December, was the browser's second-largest since Google debuted the program in September 2008. Chrome has doubled its share since July 2009.
IE, meanwhile, lost half a percentage point to end January with a share of 62.2%, another record low in a long decline that cost Microsoft 's browser 10% of its share in the past year alone. If IE maintains the pace of the last three months, the browser will slip below the 50% mark in April 2011.
Firefox's share also dropped in January, the second monthly decline in a row. This was only the second time in more than two years that Firefox had lost ground in two consecutive months. Firefox ended January down 0.2 of a percentage point, to 24.4%. According to NetApplications, Firefox has yet to hit the magic 25% mark, having come closest in November 2009 before growth stalled.
Although Firefox 3.6 , which Mozilla released Jan. 21, grew by 0.7 of a percentage point and ended the month with a 1.1% share, the new version's launch couldn't stem the losses for the open-source browser overall.
Safari's share was up slightly, to 4.5%, while Opera Software's desktop browser was down slightly to 2.4%.
Microsoft's IE6 -- which Google recently announced it would stop supporting in some of its services -- again lost share last month, dropping 0.9 of a point to 20.1%. The newer IE7 also again fell, losing 1 percentage point and finishing January with a 14.6% share. Both declines were somewhat under the torrid pace of the last three months, when each edition lost more than a point per month.
IE8, the browser Microsoft issued in March 2009, captured some but not all of its siblings' losses: IE8 ended January with a share of 22.3%, up 1.5 points.
When NetApplications accounted for IE8's "compatibility view" -- a feature that lets users display sites as rendered by the older, and often Web standard-incompatible IE6 and IE7 -- Microsoft's newest browser owned a 25.1% share, making it the most popular single edition of any browser by a five-point margin.
The persistent decline of IE has long been a bane to Microsoft and a boon to rivals. But in the last two months, Firefox -- normally the browser to reap the most from IE's fall -- has been shoved aside by the newcomer Chrome. Over the last three months, Chrome has outgained Firefox by 5:1, posting an increase of 1.62 points to Firefox's 0.32 point. Even over a longer run, Chrome has boosted its share more than Mozilla's: Over the last 12 months, Chrome has gained 3.68 points, Firefox 2.3 points.
Chrome has already met the first goal that Google set last year when the browser's engineering director said Chrome would own 5% of the market by September 2010, and 10% by September 2011. If Chrome can keep up the pace it's made during the last three months, it will break the 10% mark in November, 10 months ahead of schedule.
NetApplications.com measures browser usage share by collecting systems data from the computers that visit the 40,000 sites it monitors for clients.
January's browser data is available on NetApplications' site.
Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld . Follow Gregg on Twitter at @gkeizer , send e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com or subscribe to Gregg's RSS feed .
Read more about internet applications in Computerworld's Internet Applications Knowledge Center.


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Welcome to Heilig-Meyers Interior Decorating
Our design process is easy and user friendly. Simply call for a no-obligation appointment or stop in and visit with us at Heilig-Meyers showroom. There is "Always a Designer on Duty." When you purchase fine furniture through one of the Heilig-Meyers decorating professionals, the decorator assists you in selecting and ordering the items, all at no additional charge.
If you would like advice from our interior designers but choose not to purchase our furniture, consultation is billed on a per-hour basis. Services may include consulting with your architect or contractor, shopping for furniture or arranging your existing furniture and accessories. An interior designer is your guide through the maze of possibilities available in design, style, color, texture, line, lighting and more. Having the right person to creatively blend all of these aspects of your design together can make a real difference in how your furniture presents itself. In addition, your Heilig-Meyers decorator acts as: A decorator & furniture advisor. Collaborating with you on the choices you want for your home and helping to set realistic interior design expectations in terms of look, budget and timeline. Our interior decorators will help you create an overall plan and see the project through from the first piece of furniture to the last piece of furniture. Heilig-Meyers professional decorators have access to thousands of premium furniture not available to the consumer retail furniture market, as well as an array of helpful design planning and design tools.
Our designers help you optimize your furniture & design budget. Their expertise will help you avoid costly mistakes and stay within your financial boundaries.
Heilig-Meyers: How We Work
Come Prepared! Here's How.
When it comes to your initial meeting with our interior decorator, a little preparation can go a long way. Before you get together, identify some of your style preferences and set goals regarding the functionality of your living space, your budget and your time frame.
Do some research by exploring designs and fine furniture online, in magazines and in books. Save appealing furniture pictures in a file. You can also tour model homes to generate new ideas for designs and color schemes, taking photos of the furniture along the way. Other design issues to consider:
- Decide how the living spaces you're focusing on will be used. Get input from your entire family up front to ensure everyone's needs are met.
- Prioritize your projects by focusing on the spaces that are most important to you.
Choose the best decorator for you.
All of Heilig-Meyers decorating team have proven talent, successful portfolios and professional credentials. They pride themselves on making the design process more enjoyable for you.
They also have these things in common:
- good listening skills
- customer-first attitude
- fashion forward awareness of new trends and new resources in the market.
But, each designer also has a unique style, approach and personality. What matters most is that you select the right one for your design needs and someone with whom you are comfortable. A relaxed, open relationship with your interior designer is essential. You should feel completely at ease asking questions, making suggestions and communicating the end results you're looking for.
Myths about working with a furniture designer:
Myth #1: It needs to be a big project with a big budget.
At Heilig-Meyers Fine Furniture, we have the expertise and resources to plan and implement the design and furnishing of any size project. Be it an entire home or the smallest bedroom, we know how to get the job done. We are fond of saying "no project is too large or too small."
Myth #2: It's more expensive to work with a furniture decorator.
Our services are free with your home furnishing purchase, and our interior decorators know from experience how to manage your budget for the maximum result. Importantly, by helping you avoid costly mistakes, you can be confident that the overall cost will be within your expectations.
Myth #3: I'll have to use their ideas.
The main thing Heilig-Meyers decorators want is a happy client at the end of every project. That's why they listen carefully, work collaboratively, provide alternative solutions and accommodate changes along the way to be sure you are happy with the furniture and interior design choices you have made.


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Arts & Sciences Championship
West Kingdom Arts & Sciences
Duties of the A&S Champion:
- Swear fealty, receive the protection of the Crown and be available to advise the Crown upon the Crown's request.
- Engage in any one or number of pursuits to serve the kingdom including but not limited to the following:
- Organize displays at kingdom events
- Teach classes
- Organize guest lectures
- Demonstrate period A&S techniques
- Organize A&S activities
- Judge A&S competitions
- Assist in Page School activities
- Create an A&S prize challenge
- Contribute to the kingdom in consultation with the Crown and the Kingdom Regalia Officer
- Or engage in any special A&S project in consultation with the Crown to be reasonably completed during that reign.
***You do not become the next A&S Minister and are not responsible for running the next competition set if you win the annual A&S Competition."
Championship Rules:
Pentathlon Competition for West Kingdom Arts and Sciences Champion
Five Entries
Practical Science: A science that is not necessarily a trade. Includes making textiles, cooking, weaving, brewing.
Five Entries
Practical Science: A science that is not necessarily a trade. Includes making textiles, cooking, weaving, brewing.
Technical Science: A science that is a trade or would require learning from a professional. Includes woodwork, metalwork, leatherwork, glasswork
Performing Art: An art you present to an audience. It May be original or period
Fine Art: A visual art used primarily or solely for aesthetic beauty. Includes clothing, calligraphy, oil painting, illumination, needlework.
Research Paper or Masterwork: A substantial piece of academic writing using independent research into a topic with a description of the findings of that research. Or a piece using at least two of the four previous categories.


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When Will Military Get Serious About Reforming Its Culture Of Sexual Hostility?
Apparently, May was Harass Your Female Subordinates Month in the U.S. military. I didn't get the press release, but a number of news items brought me up to speed.
A sergeant at West Point is being investigated for secretly videotaping at least a dozen female cadets at West Point while they showered or were in the bathroom undressing. The Army didn't announce the investigation; it was leaked to the New York Times.
That revelation came a week after we learned that Sgt. 1st Class Gregory McQueen, stationed at Fort Hood in Texas, is being investigated for running a prostitution ring. His day job is sexual abuse educator at the base. No kidding. His side line in pimping was exposed when he sexually assaulted a private who refused to join his enterprise.
Then, of course, there was the colonel who heads the Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office who was arrested for grabbing a woman's breasts and buttocks in a parking lot.
Gentlemen, we have a problem.
These are not isolated incidents. And despite their obvious appeal to late-night comedy writers, each and every one of these episodes is a story of abuse and intimidation and suffering. Worse, this kind of behavior in the armed forces goes largely unreported and unpunished.
The Pentagon found that unreported sexual assaults within the branches of the U.S. military increased to 26,000 in 2012, up from 19,000 such cases in the previous year. Reported sexual assaults rose to 3,374 from 3,192.
The U.S. military has proved to be a sexually hostile environment for women — and for a fair number of men as well. By the Pentagon's own measures, women are more likely to become victims of sexual assault while in the military than in civilian life.
No one is sure of the real number of assaults, as reporting is low. The Pentagon's figures are derived from surveys where personnel didn't have to identify themselves and risk reprisal.
That hints at the real problem.
The wolves can't continue guarding the chicken coop. The military has had long enough to fix its sexual discrimination problems. Nothing has significantly changed its culture. Not pushes for increased reporting of incidents, more sexual harassment training, or little nips and tucks in the chain of command.
What is needed are measures far beyond the well-intentioned efforts that trace back to the early 1990s when the Tailhook scandal broke and more than 90 victims were identified as having been forcibly disrobed, groped and subjected to a range of other offenses during a drunken Navy aviator convention.
Both the House and the Senate are mulling new ways to address the problem.
Victims must often go to their commander to report an attack. In some cases, the commander is the accused and victims are understandably reluctant to approach officials who have the power to sink their career.
A huge factor is that military law still allows for commanders to set aside decisions, or change the rulings of a court martial.
That could change in some cases of rape and serious sexual assault under legislation now being considered. Dishonorable discharge might become the rule for some convictions. The measures have bipartisan support.
At last, Congress appears outraged enough to force significant changes, far beyond being satisfied with window-dressing measures like sensitivity classes.
Through the years, whenever these embarrassments have arisen, military brass could be counted on to issue stalwart-sounding resolutions to change the culture of our armed forces. And we are hearing them again.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called for all the services to "retrain, recredential and rescreen all sexual assault prevention and response personnel and military recruiters." And Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno had this to say: "It is time we take on the fight against sexual assault and sexual harassment as our primary mission. It is up to every one of us, civilian and soldier, general officer to private, to solve this problem within our ranks."
Here's a more direct way to put it. The U.S. military is not the man's world it once was. Women make up significant portions of the military. West Point has been open to women for nearly 40 years. They are about 15 percent of the 4,400 cadets.
This year, the military agreed to allow women to apply for ground combat positions for the first time. Women are 25 percent of those in basic training. And 147 died so far in Iraq and Afghanistan.
They are soldiers, not sexual playthings. Anybody who doesn't get that should have no place in our armed forces.
(Mary Sanchez is an opinion-page columnist for The Kansas City Star. Readers may write to her at: Kansas City Star, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64108-1413, or via email at email@example.com.)
AP Photo/Mike Groll


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Madrid Diaries: Unemployed but Happy
"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life.'" ~ Maya Angelou
Whenever I meet somebody new and they find out, during the course of the conversation, that I've been jobless for over one year, living in a foreign country where I have no family or prior acquaintances, and where I just barely speak the language, they look at me incredulously, stupefied: "But what do you do all day? How do you survive? Aren't you bored to death?"
Let me just mention here that my lack of gainful employment has little to do with laziness, unwillingness, or the "handsome fortune" I may possess, and mostly to do with my legal status in Spain (residencia sin trabajo – residency without work), coupled with the language barrier (dam, rather) that I'm still slowly chipping away at.
But I find it odd, the amount of importance people attach to what you "do" for a living. I myself used to be one of those people: ever since college, I had never been without a job of some sort, full-time, part-time, internship, fellowship, what have you. Even though I wasn't particularly ambitious or "career-driven", I took pride in the work I did, because I saw it as a "productive" use of my time, as a contribution towards my own financial wellbeing, and as a logical step forward in my profession, another glittering addition to my resume. And, even if none of that held true, at least I would have a response to that piquing, unrelenting question, the backbone of social banter – "So, what do you do?" I could define myself in one neat, clean, impressive title, and immediately win the other person's respect. That felt good.
So what happened when I followed my Erasmus Mundus PhD candidate-better half to Spain? What happened when the prospect of landing a job of any kind – let alone related to my career – was suddenly as bright as a Lahori home on a sticky summer's night? (non-Lahoris/Pakistanis, look up "load shedding" on Wikipedia!)
Well, like any respectably assiduous person, I was frustrated; frustrated with my lack of "productiveness", uncomfortable with my own free time, guilty of spending money when I wasn't earning any, guilty of letting my Berkeley Master's degree "go to waste"; apologetic of my "situation" in general, sighing deeply and resignedly whenever the topic came up…
But the truth is – I wasn't unhappy. Six months down the line, I was pretty darn happy, and far, far from bored. Society tends to evaluate people based on degrees, paychecks, publications, trophies, on solid, tangible proofs of "success" and one-word descriptions of what they "do for a living". "I'm a doctor – actor – teacher – writer – cleaner – waiter …" As if nothing exists beyond the ambit of those rectangular brackets.
But we are so, so much more than what we do. The tragic part is that most people never have the time, the opportunity or the motivation to explore themselves beyond the one-word labels, to spill out over the edges of their rectangular holes. I figured: I'm here in this fantastic European city, lucky enough to have time, opportunity and buckets of motivation – could I really complain about my "situation"?
Now, when someone asks me the invariable, the pedestrian, "So, what do you do?", I cheerfully reply, "Well, I'm currently employed with living", and present to them the following list:
1. Dance
Apart from taking regular classes at the Karnak School of Oriental Dance in Madrid, I started teaching Bollywood Dance earlier this year with Tara, my partner-in-crime from across the Wagah border. Our group, Mantara, recently performed at a Diwali Dance Fiesta, where our lovely alumnas did splendidly well. Throw in Indo-Pak feasts at the local (Bangladeshi) restaurants and mini-dholkis at my house, complete with mehndi (henna), chai, retro Bollywood music videos and Coke Studio Pakistan, and home doesn't feel so far away!
2. Song
I also recently joined Voces de Ida y Vuelta, a multicultural, multlingual choir that performs at local fundraisers and charity events. Grouped with the sopranos, I'm currently working on reaching glass-shattering pitches and memorizing Cuban, Chilean, Brazilian and Gabonese songs, with many more canciones to come – including one from Pakistan!
3. Art
I don't "make" art (unless you count photography), but Madrid is such a fantastic place to see and appreciate all kinds of art – for free! – that you can't help soaking it up every day, as you casually stroll through an exhibition at the neighbourhood gallery or at a random cafe, at the former Post Office, the one-time slaughterhouse or tobacco factory, at Retiro Park, or in the graffitied alleys of Malasaña. Over the course of my artistic education in Madrid, I've decided that I don't particularly like (or understand) Picasso, but Dali I find fascinating (though I don't fully understand him either). I've also decided that if a painting looks too much like a photograph, then it isn't a good painting. There, my two cents of artistic wisdom!
4. Archaeology
Following up on an old dream (not inspired by Indiana Jones!), I volunteered for an archaeological excavation (read: labour camp) this summer, in the small town of Pollena Trocchia in the south of Italy. Together with 20 bright-faced archaeology undergrads from the U.S., U.K., Canada and Europe (I had to represent the brown people of the world), I dug, scraped, shoveled, pick-axed, sifted, wheelbarrowed and rolled around in incalculable amounts of volcanic soil at the site of an ancient Roman Bathhouse and Villa, destroyed in 472 C.E. by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Needless to say, working as a mazdoor under the hot Neapolitan sun and living like a mazdoor (10 perpetually filthy people sharing a perpetually filthy dorm and bathroom) gave me a whole new appreciation of the academic world, of airconditioned libraries and sparkly-floored museums, not to mention of my own sparkling bedroom and bathroom. But, inspite of it being one of the most physically challenging things I have done in my life, I'm not "cured" of my archaeology illusions quite yet!
5. Food
I've always been fond of tinkering around in the kitchen, and every new place inspires you to add new dishes to your repertoire. So, apart from the classic spaghetti bolognese (Pakistani style), the best Thai Green Curry you'll ever have this side of the Pacific, and my special death-by-chocolate brownies, here are some other hearty goodies you'll get to sample at Casa Manal. (Note: These photos are not my own, but I swear, the food looks just like this!)
6. Park
If there's one place we've spent more time in Madrid than any other, it's Retiro Park. Madrid's main park used to be a retiro, a retreat for Spanish royals until the late 19th century, when it was opened to the public. It's big, it's beautiful, and you can do absolutely anything you want there, from running, biking, rollerblading, boating and gyming to yoga, tai chee, frisbee, slacklining, dancing (thanks to us!), to watching magic shows, puppets and live music, seeing art exhibitions, enjoying a coffee, lemonade or sangria (whichever you prefer), to dozing quietly in a shady corner – a little piece of paradise in the heart of Madrid.
7. Language
Apart from continuing Spanish classes at C.E.E. Idiomas and regular intercambio coffee dates with my Spanish girl friends, I've added a new item to the daily study regimen – Spanish TV soaps. I've never been much of a TV buff, but there's a certain pleasure in ensconcing yourself on a sofa with a blanket and a box of cookies and watching a dramatic story of some other place and time unfold magically infront of your eyes on an HD TV screen. And here in Madrid, I have an excuse to watch all the TV I want! From the weighty life of Spanish "Reconquista" Queen Isabel to swashbuckling adventures in the Spanish American colonies to a feudal family drama set in a Franco-era Castillian village, I'll be speaking the Queen's (500 year-old diction of) Spanish in no time!
8. Volunteering
I joined the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Madrid Volunteer Network shortly after arriving in the city, but was initally too scared to go to their weekly and monthly activities (tree plantings, bird censuses, plodding around marshes and other strange things that only me and my partner-in-crime from across the border would find enjoyable). We did make it to the Earth Hour event though, inspite of the pouring rain, proving our mettle as die-hard WWF supporters and being rewarded with Panda T-shirts. I plan to join the regular field activites as soon as the weather warms up, this time with reinforced Spanish!
9. Travel & Photography
Perhaps the best part about living in Europe is the travelling – within a few hours flight from Madrid I can be in any number of different European capitals, each with a different language, different architecture, food and feel. And if you plan in advance and are a savvy deal-hunter like I've become, the trip won't cost you a euro more than it would have in your shoestring student-budget days.
But there's so much to see in Spain itself that we haven't yet been tempted by elaborate holidays abroad. I watch with satisfaction as the souvenir magnet collection on our fridge steadily grows, as do the number of photo archives on my computer. For me, travelling is pure thrill – every time I go to a bus terminal, a train station or an airport, I feel slightly giddy, as if I were 8 years old and about to step into Disneyland. Each time I'm wandering the streets of a new city, curiosity and a camera in hand, I feel that strange sense of belonging everywhere, yet of belonging nowhere.
And each time I travel, I'm reminded about how beautiful the world is, how diverse the world is, and how similar we all are – all of us humans, busily making lives and earning livings in whatever little patch of earth we call home. In the end, no matter what we do or don't do, happiness doesn't come to us. It flows from within.
12 thoughts on "Madrid Diaries: Unemployed but Happy"
Manal, Your Posts are awesome. I think do start writing about Pakistani startups as well.
i loved reading your post……one can be happy and contented even without work…best of luck…
You go living girl!! really enjoy this post, and yeah, been there with the same feeling 4 years ago now! can you believe it?..miss you guys a lot.. big hugs.
Love your post Manal. Great to see your living it up. Do meet up when you visit Lahore.
Love your post Manal.
loved it Manal. can almost see you wandering the streets, carefree, happy, lovely. Makes me want to pack my bag and make a life somewhere dreamy.
You are sooo sweet! I enjoyed reading this post very much! We miss you guys!
Fantastic post mashallah…:)
Manal, thanks for this post, it was quite timely and very encouraging to read! Let me explain – I'm in a situation very similar to yours. I'm a Pakistani, and recently left a full-time job in the Middle East to move to my wife's home country of Indonesia, to follow her as she pursues a career at an multinational company. I was not very happy with my previous work situation, and when she got this offer we decided it was best for us to move. I got here a month ago, and my Indonesian work permit could take months to get approved, so in the meantime getting a job is ruled out. In addition, my knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia (the local language) is very limited (though I'm improving!) and I hardly know anyone except for a few of my wife's work colleagues. In spite of that, I'm enjoying my time here and as you said, I really appreciate having the time and space to think about what I really want to do. Not to mention, Indonesia – I live on the island of Borneo – is very beautiful! I've got loads of ideas for things I could do, and have even started pursuing some things along similar lines to what you wrote (e.g. sports, food, travel). Maybe I will even write a blog about my experiences here! Thanks again for sharing :)


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We explore in this project a novel approach to dynamically update server applications without restarting them (live updating).
In our approach, different versions of the code coexist in the system, but are isolated into distinct contexts. Contexts are first-class. The server can switch from one context to another incrementally in order to process incoming requests. Eventually, the update terminates when the old context is not used any longer and can be garbage collected.
The name of the project comes from Theseus' paradox, which raises the question of whether an object that has had all its component parts replaced remains fundamentally the same object. In our case, is the software running merely a new version of the same application, or another application?