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I recently read a post by my good friend James Hamilton at Amazon regarding Private Clouds. James and I worked closely together at Microsoft and he was always a good source for out of the box thinking and challenging the status quo. While James post found here, speaks to the Private Cloud initiative being what amounts to be an evolutionary dead end, I would have to respectfully disagree.
James' post starts out by correctly pointing out that at scale the large cloud players have the resources and incentive to achieve some pretty incredible cost savings. From an infrastructure perspective he is dead on. But I don't necessarily agree that this innovation will never reach the little guy. In my role at Digital Realty Trust I think I might have a pretty unique perspective on the infrastructure developments both at the "big" guys along with what most corporate enterprises have available to them from a leasing or commercial perspective.
Companies like Digital Realty Trust, Equinix, Terramark, Dupont Fabros, and a host of others in the commercial data center space are making huge advancements in this space as well. The free market economy has now placed an importance on low PUE highly efficient buildings. You are starting to see these firms commission buildings with Commission PUEs Sub 1.4. Compared to most existing data center facilities this is a huge improvement. Likewise these firms are incented to hire mechanical and electrical experts. This means that this same expertise is available to the enterprise through leasing arrangements. Where James is potentially correct is at that next layer of IT specific equipment.
This is an area where there is an amazing amount of innovation happening by Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. But even here in this space there are firms stepping up to provide solutions to bring extensive virtualization and cloud-like capabilities to bear. Companies like Hexagrid have software solutions offerings that are being marketed to typical co-location and hosting firms to do the same thing. Hexagrid and others are focusing on the software and hardware combinations to deliver full service solutions for those companies in this space. In fact (as some comments on James' blog mention) there is a lack of standards and a fear of vendor lock-in by choosing one of the big firms. Its an interesting thought to ponder if a software+hardware solution offered to the hundreds of co-location players and hosting firms might be more of a universal solution without fear of lockdown. Time will tell.
But this brings up one of the key criticisms that this is not just about cost and technology. I believe what is really at stake here is much more than that. James makes great points on greater resource utilization of the big cloud players and how much more efficient they are at utilizing their infrastructure. To which i will snarkly (and somewhat tongue-in-cheek) say to that, "SO WHAT!" 🙂 Do enterprises really care about this? Do they really optimize for this? I mean if you pull back that fine veneer of politically correct answers and "green-suitable" responses is that what their behavior in REAL LIFE is indicative of? NO.
This was a huge revelation for me when I moved into my role at Digital. When I was at Microsoft, I optimized for all of the things that James mentions because it made sense to do when you owned the whole pie. In my role at Digital I have visibility into tens of data centers, across hundreds of customers that span just about every industry. There is not, nor has there been a massive move (or any move for that matter) to become more efficient in the utilization of their resources. We have had years of people bantering about how wonderful, cool, and how revolutionary a lot of this stuff is, but world wide Data center utilization levels have remained abysmally low. Some providers bank on this. Over subscription of their facilities is part of their business plan. They know companies will lease and take down what they think they need, and never take it down in REALITY.
So if this technology issue is not a motivating factor what is? Well cost is always part of the equation. The big cloud providers will definitely deliver cost savings, but private clouds could also deliver cost savings as well. More importantly however, Private clouds will allow companies to retain their identity and uniqueness, and keep what makes them competitively them –Them.
I don't so much see it as a Private cloud or Public cloud kind of thing but more of a Private Cloud AND Public cloud kind of thing. To me it looks more an exercise of data abstraction. The Public offerings will clearly offer infrastructure benefits in terms of cost, but will undoubtedly lock a company into that single solution. The IT world has been bit before by putting all their eggs in a single basket and the need for flexibility will remain more key. Therefore you might begin to see Systems Integrators, Co-location and hosting firms, and others build their own platforms, or much more likely, build platforms that umbrella over the big cloud players to give enterprises the best of both worlds.
Additionally we must keep in mind that the biggest resistance to the adoption of the cloud is not technology or cost but RISK and TRUST. Do you, Mr. CIO, trust Google to run all of your infrastructure? your applications? Do you Mrs. CIO, Trust Microsoft or Amazon to do the same for you? The answer is not a blind yes or no. Its a complicated set of minor yes responses and no responses. They might feel comfortable outsourcing mail operations, but not the data warehouse manifesting decades of customer information. The Private cloud approach will allow you to spread your risk. It will allow you to maintain those aspects of the business that are core to the company.
The cloud is an interesting place, today. It is dominated by technologists. Extremely smart engineering people who like to optimize and solve for technological challenges. The actual business adoption of this technology set has yet to be fully explored. Just wait until the "Business" side of the companies get their hooks into this technology set and start placing other artificial constraints, or optimizations around other factors. There are thousands of different motivators out in the world. Once they starts to happen earnest. I think what you will find is a solution that looks more like a hybrid solution than the pure plays we dream about today.
Even if you think my ideas and thoughts on this topic is complete BS, I would remind you of something that I have told my teams for a very long time. "There is no such thing as a temporary data center." This same mantra will hold true for the cloud. If you believe that the Private Cloud will be a passing and temporary thing, just keep in mind that there will be systems and solutions build to this technology approach thus imbuing it with a very very long life.


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Think of Vintage magazine as a portable museum, beautiful, proficient and novel in every way, waiting for the visitors to enter and experience an ink on paper journey pampered with serendipity and loaded with creativity. The brainchild of Ivy Baer Sherman, the twice-yearly magazine was created in " l'esprit de Flair" the Fleur Cowles legendary magazine that was published from Feb. 1950 to Jan. 1951 and was considered by many to be the showcase of what print should and can do: innovate, engage and experience.
Every page of the magazine is an experience. The ink, the type, the pictures, the illustrations, the paper, the inserts and the binding all combine to take the reader through a breathless journey that cannot be any more captivating, intriguing and of course engaging.
Vintage magazine is the proof positive that innovation in print is still alive, well and kicking. It is the proof positive that Ivy Baer Sherman's dream of the "extraordinary physical draw of a magazine: the lure of stunning design; the striking sensation of ink on paper; the ravishing commingling of keenly-wrought words and fine art and editorial flair; the tactile quality of the read," is fulfilled on each and every page of Vintage magazine.
Armed with the first two issues of Vintage magazine in hand, I asked the curator of this portable museum, Ivy Baer Sherman, few questions as I journeyed through the pages of the magazine. What follows are my questions and her answers:
Samir Husni: In a world so consumed with digital, why start a print magazine and not only print, but one that can't be replicated in any digital form?
Ivy Baer Sherman: Ah, yes, the world is indeed consumed with digital, but people are as concerned with the device providing the digital content. The winding lines wrapping around Apple stores from pre-dawn hours as people wait (WAIT! In this age when an extra second for a download seems interminable) to obtain the latest Apple-phenomenon (no matter the economy) are testament to the fact that the look and touch and feel of an actual object – especially when it is beautiful and proficient and novel in every way – still count.
Thus, though there are those who assert that the day of the print magazine has come and gone, people will take notice if a magazine is beautiful and proficient and novel in every way. This has been the response to Vintage Magazine. The time is ripe to showcase what a magazine can be and do.
SH: Vintage magazine is the Flair of the 21st Century, what made you fall in love with Flair and what inspired you to create a Flair-like magazine?
IBS: I was introduced to Flair at a 2003 retrospective of the magazine, "Fleur on Flair," at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery. At first glance I was struck by Flair's beauty …and promptly judged the magazine, as we are taught to never ever do, by its exquisite cover. The distinguishing feature of a Flair cover was a die cut—which offered an artful glimpse onto the world within. Turning the cover revealed further delights—foldouts and fabulous illustrations—by Saul Steinberg, by fashion designer Rene Gruau; riveting writing—Salvador Dali on his search for a gypsy angel, Tallulah Bankhead on Louis Armstrong; short stories by Tennessee Williams.
I left the show acutely attuned to the extraordinary physical draw of a magazine: the lure of stunning design; the striking sensation of ink on paper; the ravishing commingling of keenly-wrought words and fine art and editorial flair; the tactile quality of the read. I knew then and there that I wanted to create a magazine in l'esprit de Flair.
SH: The magazine is very costly to produce, from the sewn binding to the inserts and foldouts. Can you explain the process of "giving birth" to each issue of Vintage.
IBS: A key element of the process is serendipity. I never approach an issue with a pre-calculated theme…rather the personality of each issue gradually evolves during the editing process as articles are honed and begin to share space with each other and with the art pieces. I work closely with the printer (Capital Offset Company) throughout the process, running by him ideas about paper, die cuts, the binding…to assess feasibility. Using the current issue as example – an article about the history of shopping bags was given the title It's In the Bag…thus why not print the piece as a brochure that pulls out of a little shopping bag? The shopping bag is glued onto a page of the magazine and can be pulled out and used. The piece on typewriters by jazz critic Gary Giddins prompted the use of typewriter-like stock, fonts and the insertion of hand-crumpled pages to bring to mind the old-fashioned "yank paper from the typewriter/crumple/toss" method of pre-computer editing. The open binding, a defining feature of the magazine, shows off the inner workings of a magazine, its spine, its physical foundation – and the binding is a nod to the creative collaboration of printer, graphic designer, and editor.
SH: What are you trying to accomplish with Vintage?
IBS: Vintage Magazine aims to bring to the fore, through the eloquent voices of today's writers and artists, the impact of history on our present culture. That said, I see the magazine as portable museum, of sorts, offering writers and artists a venue in which to explore and present topics in new ways. In so doing, I hope to provide readers with an informative and truly delight-full reading experience.
SH: What advice you will give someone coming to you and saying 'I would like to start a new magazine…'
IBS: Go for it! But with a desire to create and not to copy. To stay true to a vision. Blinders are sometimes in order. This is okay.
SH: What about the future? Any plans to increase frequency? Where do you see Vintage five years from now?
IBS: The two issues per year model is deliberate and steadfast. No need for a monthly Vintage… rather readers should sit down with each issue, explore it, feel it, read the articles leisurely, take notice, return to an article or image over the course of time…let the magazine ripen with age.
In terms of five years from now, I plan for the magazine to remain a twice-per year surprise. But I aim to offer a digital presence – not a replica of the print, but another Vintage venue in which to allow artists and writers to explore the possibilities of digital art, design and writing.
SH: Thank you.

subset: commoncrawl


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This recent think-piece in The New York Times argues that we have:
At home, families sit together, texting and reading e-mail. At work executives text during board meetings. We text (and shop and go on Facebook) during classes and when we're on dates…
We've become accustomed to a new way of being "alone together." Technology-enabled, we are able to be with one another, and also elsewhere, connected to wherever we want to be. We want to customize our lives. We want to move in and out of where we are because the thing we value most is control over where we focus our attention. We have gotten used to the idea of being in a tribe of one, loyal to our own party.
One of the rituals my husband and I enjoy is my driving him to the commuter train station in the morning. It's only about 10 minutes door to door, but it's a nice chance to connect and chat before his 40-minute commute and a crazy life working at the Times, one with six meetings every day.
We talk a lot, usually two or three times, briefly, by phone and maybe an hour or two in the evening. That's a great deal more than many couples, certainly those with multiple children juggling conflicting schedules.
But sitting across the table from someone, sharing a glass of wine or cup of coffee, seems to have become an unimaginable luxury. How else can we ever get to know one another? I've had two female friends tell me, only after many years of knowing them, that they had each been sexually abused as a child.
That took a lot of trust and courage. I don't think most of us would want to share such intimacies only through a computer or phone screen.
I love road trips, six or eight or ten hours in a vehicle with my husband, or friends, or my Dad. You get a lot said, and the silences are companionable.
On a recent trip to San Francisco, (on Virgin Air, maybe the reason for such indie fellow travelers), my outbound flight had a career musician beside me, Homer Flynn, who has spent a long life making very cool music in a band called The Residents. Their Wikipedia entry is huge! We had a great conversation, for more than an hour, about the nature of creativity, about managing a long and productive worklife, about inspiration.
On the flight home — 5.5 hours — I had a similar conversation with my seatmate, a visual artist a little older than I.
Ironically, she'd just opened and started to read a book about introverts and I figured she'd never want to chat. But we discovered we had so much in common we talked the whole way! She had even attended the same East Coast prep school as my mother.
Another flight, from Winnipeg to Vancouver, placed me beside a coach for the Toronto Argonauts, a professional football team. Orlando Steinauer and I had a great time comparing notes on the world of professional sport and professional writing. We found it hard to decide which is more bruising!
As you can see, conversation is my oxygen. I love meeting fun new people and hearing their stories.
It's why, after 36 years as a journalist, I still enjoy my work — and the comments I get here. I'm endlessly curious about people.
Do you make time in your life now for face to face conversations?
With whom and how often?
If not, do you miss them?


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"Cross-Centered" Living Keeping "Christians" Under Law
Originally published January 5, 2017
Focusing on sin is all the rage among "christians" today. Is it any wonder? The "cross-centered" orthodoxy teaches that the more one gains a deeper understanding of their sinfulness, the more they gain a greater understanding of God's holiness and a realization of what a great price was paid for their salvation, making the cross bigger.
So are you bothered by the realization that you continue to screw up in life? Well, you should be. After all, you are just a dirty, rotten, totally depraved sinner. But don't worry, the Bible is full of dirty, rotten, totally depraved sinners, and it worked out for them just fine!
That should make us feel better right? Yet the number of "christians" who lack assurance of their salvation is pandemic. However, the problem is not that "christians" don't focus enough on their sin. The problem is not that they are not living "cross-centered" lives enough. In fact, such behavior is only going to exacerbate the problem. Constant introspection on sin only produces fear. Most christians' lives are characterized by a fear of whether or not they are living "cross-centered" at any given moment. Rather than showing love to God and others by aggressivly pursuing obedience as the Bible commands, they are paralyzed in their continual self-enslavement to sin.
Protestants like to go around saying "Man has a sin problem". My counter to that is, no, the problem is not man's sin, the problem is his realtionship to the law!
Careful study of scripture reveals that there are two perspectives on sin and the law instead of the single-perspective that has been propagated by protestant orthodoxy for over 500 years. For an unbeliever who is "under law" (the biblical definition of an unregenerate person), the law is used to judge a person to eternal condemnation. Romans 8:2 calls this "the law of sin and death."
But for the person who is born again, the law can no longer condemn (Romans 8:1) because the old man has been put death (you cannont condemn a dead man). In his place is a new creature who is the literal righteous offspring of the Father. The law has a new purpose. Romans 8:2 calls this "the law of the spirit of life." The law is now used as the means by which the believer shows love to God and to others.
Dwelling on sin leads to fear of condemnation because sin uses the law for that purpose. So when we dwell on sin, we are willingly empowering a Sin master from whom we were freed when we were born again. But this is exactly what protestant orthodoxy does; it keeps a believer under law and under constant fear of condemnation. Is it any wonder why "christians" constantly function like the unregenerate?
A born again believer does not sin. Not only that, he CANNOT sin (1 John 3:9). Sin has to do with condemnation, and the believer is not condemned because there is no law to condemn him. Since there is no law to condemn, there is no sin! To the extent that he obeys the law or not is irrelevant. He is no longer condemned. His motivation is not one of seeking to merit righteousness. He already IS righteous. His motivation is a desire to express his love for God and others. At worst, he simply fails to show love as he should. It does not affect the reality of his righteous state as God's child!
~ Andy
18 Responses
If we, as born again Christians, don't sin, then what do we call what we do that God, our Father, disciplines us for?
The diabolical ACBC (the Calvinist/Reformed arm of this spiritual darkness) is a huge proponent of the content of your article. That they are allowed to operate at all is, simply put . . . criminal.
So, since I am born again, I can sleep with as many women as I want, and can steal my neighbor's belongings without sinning? Doing those things would only be "failing to show love"?
I like your reply. In a nutshell Paul is saying in Romans 6:1-2 that continuing to do what we know God does not want us to do, would prove that the saving Grace of Jesus is more powerful than our wrong doing. Paul's statement: "God forbid (we continue in sin). How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" is pointing to the fact that our sin is an act of disobedience and not showing love to God. Jesus says in John 14:15 "If you love me you will keep my commandments." Your point reminds of 1 Corinthians 9:6-11 where Paul gives a list of sinful people that will not inherit the kingdom of heaven but he follows up by saying "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." In other words, he is saying, stop this kind of behavior because this is not pleasing to God.
We should want to please God because we love Him not because we don't want to get into trouble. Our motivation should not be self centered trying to be perfect people but God focused trying to please Him because we love Him.
Also, in reply to this point: "A born again believer does not sin. Not only that, he CANNOT sin (1 John 3:9). Sin has to do with condemnation, and the believer is not condemned because there is no law to condemn him."
I believe this is why Paul discusses the purpose of the law is to point us to the fact that we were condemned by the law and needed to Jesus to free us from the law then, in Romans 7:20 says, "Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me." and then in Romans 8 gives us the good news that we now live in Christ and are no longer condemned by the law. Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."


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While most of the people who have something to share to the victims of the Flooding In Metro Manila are busy helping in the relief operations, I made my "very private and personal" experience to share the collections of slightly used running shoes and finishers' shirts sent through Balikbayan Boxes from my ultrarunning friend, Benjamin Gaetos of Los Angeles, California to the Officers and Men of the Special Forces Regiment of the Philippine Army who are based in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City.
These soldiers had been helping me in the conduct of the First 100-Mile Ultra Trail Run in the country dubbed as the "Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Trail Run" and the "Taklang Damulag 50-Mile/50K Trail Runs & Half-Marathon Races".
More than 50 pairs of running shoes and more than the same number of Finisher's Shirts were received by First Lieutenant Tony Abay, Commander of the Soecial Forces Regiment School and his men in a simple ceremony.
It was a very simple event but it was memorable to everybody.
Thanks to Benjamin Gaetos for his untiring efforts to pack and send these shoes through Balikbayan Boxes from Los Angeles, California! My snappy salute to you and to the rest of your ultrarunning friends out there in California, USA!


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WASHINGTON – The New York Times said it had fallen victim to hackers possibly connected to China's military, linking the sophisticated attacks to its expose of the vast wealth amassed by Premier Wen Jiabao's family.
China, which has blocked the US newspaper's website ever since its report on Wen's relatives came out in October, said it was "groundless" to suggest any state-endorsed program of hacking.
"To arbitrarily assert and to conclude without hard evidence that China participated in such hacking attacks is totally irresponsible," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters in Beijing.
But computing experts hired by the New York Times to clean up its systems said the attack bore all the hallmarks of other hacking cases where China's military has stood accused of directing intrusions into IT systems.
The hackers have over the past four months infiltrated Times systems and snatched staff passwords, and their probing has been particularly focused on the emails of Shanghai bureau chief David Barboza, the newspaper said.
According to a Barboza story published on October 25, close relatives of Wen have made billions of dollars in business dealings over the years while he has been in day-to-day charge of China's government machinery.
"Chinese hackers, using methods that some consultants have associated with the Chinese military in the past, breached The Times's network," the newspaper said, citing digital evidence gathered by its security experts.
The newspaper said the IT consultants believed the attacks "started from the same university computers used by the Chinese military to attack United States military contractors in the past."
The hackers stole corporate passwords and targeted the computers of 53 employees including former Beijing bureau chief Jim Yardley, who is now the Times' South Asia bureau chief based in India.
"Experts found no evidence that the intruders used the passwords to seek information that was not related to the reporting on the Wen family," the newspaper said, adding that no customer data was stolen either.
The Times said the hackers appeared to be looking for "the names of people who might have provided information to Mr Barboza," but said there was no evidence that sensitive emails or files from the reporting were compromised.
The paper said that with the help of outside computer experts, it had managed to kick out the intruders and prevent them from breaking into its systems again.
"They could have wreaked havoc on our systems," Times chief information officer Marc Frons said of the hackers. "But that was not what they were after."
The Times said Bloomberg News was also targeted by Chinese hackers, after publishing in June a report on the wealth accumulated by relatives of Xi Jinping. In November, Xi was elevated to leader of the Chinese Communist Party.
The Times asked AT&T, which monitors its computer network, to watch for unusual activity after learning of warnings from Chinese officials that its investigation into the Wen family's wealth would have "consequences."
It also briefed the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the hacking. But with the attacks persisting after the Wen investigation was published, the Times hired IT security firm Mandiant on November 7.
"If you look at each attack in isolation, you can't say, 'This is the Chinese military,'" said Mandiant chief security officer Richard Bejtlich.
But he added: "When you see the same group steal data on Chinese dissidents and Tibetan activists, then attack an aerospace company, it starts to push you in the right direction."
AFP in Beijing sought further comment from China's Internet regulator but there was no immediate response. In October, the foreign ministry accused the New York Times of having "ulterior motives" and trying to "smear" China.
The newspaper's report at the time said investments by Wen's son, wife and others spanning the banking, jewelry and telecom sectors were worth at least $2.7 billion. The nytimes.com website remains inaccessible in China.
Related Reading: A Convenient Scapegoat – Why All Cyber Attacks Originate in China
Related Reading: Great Firewall 'Upgrade' Troubles VPN Users In China
Updated: 4:21AM ET


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Phil Emery got so revved up that he forgot reality.
No, wait, Emery didn't get revved up at his introductory news conference. Emery seems incapable of getting revved up.
So, maybe Emery was just so focused on offering snappy catchphrases about "leadership'' instead of coming off as the guy in charge that he lost track of the truth. Or at least a clue.
Emery was asked whether he could fire coach Lovie Smith, which we know he can't do until next year because that's what team president Ted Phillips said because presumably that's what Viginia McCaskey told him to say.
Or maybe new McChairman George McCaskey told Phillips that's what mom said. Whatever, Emery has no authority over the coach this year the way real organizations works.
So, Emery was asked if a decision on Smith next year would be based on making the playoffs this season. Simple question. Direct. A lot more direct and a lot more lucid that Emery's gobbledygook answer:
"I don't look at it in terms of standards. We're all evaluated every day on how we interact with people, how we provide leadership, how we use our talent and resources.''
What. A. Crock.
Sorry, pal, but that's not the case with a coach. Coaches indeed have a standard. It's called the playoffs. Coaches are not evaluated every day on "interacting with people.'' Wait, did Emery really say "interacting with people''? What hooey. Like Smith is a Wal-Mart greeter.
No, coaches are not evaluated on interacting with people or leadership or using talent and resources. Coaches are evaluated on winning and losing. Period. Next.
Winning is the only barometer for coaches. Losing is unemployment.
Emery apparently has a problem speaking plainly at times, same as Jerry Angelo was always getting flagged for false starts on his clichés. Emery loves him some buzzwords, doesn't he? Yeah, he'll drop some "standards'' and "expertise'' on you, which is a professional way of telling Bears fans nothing.
Clearly, Emery views the media as the enemy because reporters are trying to find out things that Emery doesn't want anyone to know. Fine. We've been hated by better people, but I get that.
Part of Emery's plan apparently is to bore the media to death. Emery is channeling his inner Belichick in terms of meaningless blather. Better he should channel his inner Belichick in evaluating talent, but that's thousands of mind-numbing non-answers away.
In the meantime, don't play Bears fans for stupid.
Just for yuks, let's say Virginia McCaskey allows Emery to exercise his alleged contractual right to replace the coach and Emery fires Smith next year. Why do you think Emery would do that?
Do you think he would fire the coach for failing to "interact with people''? Do you think he would fire Smith for failing to "provide leadership''? Do you think he would whack Smith for failing to "use talent and resources''?
No way. No freakin' way.
Sure, Emery would blather on about those concepts. I guarantee that. But Smith would be fired for one reason: failing to make the playoffs for what would be the fifth time in six years.
That's the "standard.'' That's the reality. I don't know why Emery found it so hard to sound as if he was in the real world.
Wait, wasn't Emery at the Naval Academy? Go ask those people if "interacting with people'' and "leadership'' and "resources'' matter more than winning or losing when it comes to war.
The Bears are all about winning championships. The new McChairman said it. The old team president said it. Championships. Super Bowls. That's the standard for the Bears.
Except for the new GM when he assesses the man holding the one position that can affect that outcome more than any other. So Bears.


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Why is There a "B" in "Doubt"?
In this three-minute video, Gina Gooke explains why the English word "doubt" has a silent "b" in it. The short answer is "because of Latin," but the longer answer is much more interesting, touching on the migration of words from Latin through French and into English -- and the surprising Old English word for doubt that we had before "doubt" made us think twice. This is worth a look for word nerds, students, and anyone who has wondered why "doubt" is spelled weirdly.
This is one of TED Ed's new mini-lessons. There's a site for the video containing quizzes and stuff. Neat. Also relevant: Cooke's video making sense of spelling.


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Candidates for the Degree of Master of Women's Studies (project option) will be required to complete a minimum of 18 credit hours. Candidates will also be required to complete a project.
The Master's project must be interdisciplinary in nature and aimed at linking theoretical and practical knowledge: by recognizing and articulating a problem to which Women's Studies knowledge can be applied; by developing and justifying practical approaches which seek to resolve the problem; and by creating a product that could be implemented in the community. The project report should consist of the project (e.g., a CD-ROM; a computer project; a manual or guidebook; a kit of learning resources; photographs; audio or videotape, etc.) as well as a literature-based rationale, theoretical basis and justification for its use. The length of the written portion of the project should be 50-70 pages. Regardless of the form that the project takes (e.g., a CD-ROM; a computer program; a manual or guidebook; a kit of learning resources; photographs; audio or videotape, etc.), there must be a written project report.
A project proposal, approved by the student's Supervisor, will be presented to the Women's Studies Graduate Committee for its approval. The project proposal must normally be approved by the Women's Studies Graduate Committee no later than the end of the candidate's third semester in the program.
The project will be evaluated in accordance with procedures outlined in General Regulation Theses and Reports of the School of Graduate Studies.


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May 10, 2013 |Scion Medical Technologies receives FDA 510 (k) clearance for the Cassi™ Beacon™ tissue marker
Newton, MA – Scion Medical Technologies, LLC announces the introduction of the Cassi™ Beacon™ tissue marker, the company's newest addition to the Cassi™ breast biopsy product portfolio.
The Cassi Beacon tissue marker is a single use marker which is placed into soft tissue during breast biopsy procedures to radiographically mark a surgical site for easy location during a surgical procedure or for future procedures. The marker provides excellent and permanent visualization under the major imaging modalities; ultrasound, x-ray, mammography, and MRI. The Beacon is the first breast biopsy marker to use Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) Polymers which are used routinely in surgical implants and dental devices.
"We are very excited about the introduction of the Beacon tissue marker to the Cassi family of biopsy products. Beacon was developed based on physician feedback for improved and permanent marker visibility under ultrasound imaging. We are pleased to offer doctors this innovative tool for the management of their breast cancer patients." – Joseph Siletto, CEO
The Cassi™ Beacon™ tissue marker is now available and additional information can be found at www.scionmedtech.com.
About Scion Medical Technologies
Scion Medical Technologies (Scion) is a global medical device company with US headquarters in Massachusetts. Scion has manufacturing, distribution and regulatory expertise in the US and China, and is actively looking to grow its product portfolio by acquiring and licensing medical devices that have received 510(k) clearance or premarket approval from the FDA, CFDA approval in China or are CE-Marked.


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text: Experience the uniquely challenging golf course that Ventura has to offer. Our Champion Bermuda greens were introduced to the course in the summer of 2012. The tour quality putting surface is maintained for a true, smooth, fast, and firm response. Featured on the cover of Florida Golf Central, Ventura has been playing true to its slogan- "Orlando's Best Secret". Appreciate scenic landscapes as our course forms between the natural Florida habitats occupied with wildlife. Ventura is a must play with over 50 sand traps and 15 holes that are lined or guarded by canals and wetlands. With 3 different tee locations, Ventura can be enjoyed by any skill level. Come experience our challenging, well manicured 18 hole Mark Mahanna designed course. Located only minutes from downtown and the Orlando Airport, Ventura openly welcomes new guests looking to try one of Orlando's best kept secrets. Our cordial staff will ensure a memorable time for any guests. Be sure to relish your surroundings as the natural Florida wetlands attract many species, including the Bald Eagle, Osprey, and many other native animals.


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Break a curse that threatens to transform a beloved friend into a horrific beast in the stylish, dark and captivating Pandora's Tower for Wii. This game blends RPG elements with action-packed gameplay as you assume the role of Aeron, an Athosian soldier facing a deeply personal and emotionally charged mission. With your friend, Elena, bound to a grave fate that is causing her to mutate into a demonic abomination, you'll feel the pressure of time and the rush of accomplishment as you take up the fight to eradicate the spreading evil that has gripped her. To add to the drama of this melancholic and unconventional adventure, it is only by consuming the remains of monsters Aeron has slain that the cruel curse binding Elena can be reversed.
The world of Pandora's Tower features 13 grueling environments to tackle, each one based within a tower structure, and each one home to grim monsters whose flesh takes on a macabre significance in the game's engrossing plotline. Enemies can be attacked in two ways -- with a bladed weapon offering hard-hitting results up close, or with a magical chain possessing uses that extend far beyond overcoming opponents. Aimed by pointing the Wii Remote at the screen, the Oraclos Chain can be used to latch onto elements of the environment, allowing the player to reach new heights, activate levers or pull down parts of their surroundings. The chain also acts as the ultimate restraint when tackling monsters, allowing for innovative combat techniques as you engage in fast and furious real-time battles.
Also known as: Pandora no Tou: Kimi no Moto e Kaerumade
Release Region: Japan
Release Date: May 26, 2011
Publisher: Xseed Games
Release Region: United States
Release Date: April 16, 2013
Publisher: Xseed Games
Release Region: United Kingdom
Release Date: April 13, 2012
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Region: Australia
Release Date: April 12, 2012
Publisher: Xseed Games


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All 1 entries tagged TV Drama
No other Warwick Blogs use the tag TV Drama on entries | View entries tagged TV Drama at Technorati | There are no images tagged TV Drama on this blog
September 03, 2008
TV Drama: Textual Analysis
TV Drama: Genres
This posting is targeted towards AS Media students on the OCR course although many others will hopefully find it useful. For those doing this course the key aim is to develop textual analytical skills particularly in relation to the moving image. This should becomes developed by understanding the the concept of representation and its relationship to the way a media text is constructed. This means that the focus of this unit is not about the genre of TV drama in general and the large numbers of sub-genres which have developed within this. There is no need to know anything about the history of the development of TV Drama which is of course an important issue in its own right.
The fundamental focus of this unit for exam purposes is understanding the relationship between how meaning within a text is constructed though the use of sounds, clothing, lighting, performance and camera angles, and tpyes of shot used. Much of TV Drama uses the same techniques for creating moving image as film. Core differences are production values which are constrained because of costs. The use of extremly expensive sets and models along with casts of thousands or even extensive use of very expensive special effects which are seen in Action-Adventure Films is simply not possible in TV. Another major difference between films made for cinema release compared to made for TV films is the way in which the characters perform more centrally on the screen. The action tends to take place here because many millions of people still have squareish TVs rather than widescreen TVs. Increasingly TV programmes are designed for widescreen format and if you are watching on an older TV you will lose some of the credits. Having a digital box there will be a "wide mode" on the handset that will change the proportions of the image.
In order to fully understand how a preferred meaning is created by the makers of a media text you will need to understand the concept of media representation. Remember the term media means being in the middle or inbetween things. People and places you see on TV or in film are re-presentations of a real person or event if it is a a documentary or imagined in a particular way if it is fictional like a feature film or TV drama. When you see people on screen for example how you see them is constructed using technical conventions such as lighting and camera shots / angles to create a preferred meaning by the makers.
TV Drama: Textual Analysis & Representation
A major shift is the course this year is an increased emphasis upon issues of representation. Areas covered by this terms include gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, class & status, physical & mental ability / disability, regional identity, rural / non-rural, Britain / Rest of the World.
Moving Image Grammar & Conventions & the Creation of Meaning
Analyse and discuss the grammar and conventions of the moving image medium in relation to TV Drama in order to discuss the representation of individuals, groups, events or places. We will be learning to understand the structure and visual language embodied in moving images. This is a language which has evolved primarily in relation to film as this media form preceded TV as a media technology.
Textual Analysis Hub links
Please note that all this work is based upon film and it tends to have a focus on Action-Adventure Films as well as this was the old specification. However the basic information about camera shots framing and sound is the same.
For more detailed work on the shot please follow this link
For more detailed work on Camera Movement / Mobile Framing please follow the link
For more details about the use of sound including some YouTube examples follow this link
For discussion and YouTube Extracts about mise en scene please follow this link
For a revision check list of things to remember in a grid form to practise doing textual analysis at home please follow this link
For glossary guides to explanations of the terms that you will be using there are three Film & Media glossaries spilt into alphabetical sections as follows. Where you see entries with just a green hyperlink this will take you to a fuller entry.
European Cinema and Media Glossary A-E
European Cinema and Media Glossary Ed-Mo
Media and Film Studies Glossary N-Z
Here is a Quick revision guide to technical terms using the work of Media College.com
Here is some Kinoeye work on genre. It is primarily written about film but the key elements of genre hold good across different media forms. An Introduction to Film Genre.


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Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing your link in the comments below, anytime between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time).
Rainbows of Hope
This week's post is brought to you by some of the children in our neighbourhood.
Time is a bit of a blur these days what with the entire world on 'pause', but I think here in the province of Québec we're into our second (or is it third?) week of school shutdowns.
I can only imagine how challenging it has been for parents to keep their little ones not only safe, but distracted and occupied as well.
On our daily walks to get some fresh air and a bit of exercise, we recently started noticing many homes around our neighbourhood were putting up drawings of rainbows in their windows.
It seems that having children draw rainbows to display in their windows is trending around the globe
and it's such a wonderful way to spread a positive message of hope from our little ones, just when the world needs it most.
It certainly helps keep them occupied, if only briefly,
and I guess it can give them a sense of contributing to making things a bit better by spreading smiles and lifting spirits.
So this week it's not so much about pretty doors but about a message from the youngest members of society;
a message of hope and solidarity, and of course, to share a few smiles too 😀
I can say that it has certainly caused a few smiles for us on our walks,
and I look forward to seeing new ones each time we go out.
What about where you live? Have children there started sharing rainbows too?
Thanks for joining me for a sunny spring stroll close to home 🙂
To share your own Thursday Doors post this week just paste your link in the comments section below so that others can visit and have a look at your discoveries. Remember: you have until noon eastern North American time on Saturday to add your link.
As always, if you have the time, please take a few minutes to visit some of the Thursday Doors posts shared by our other contributors.
Thanks for looking 🙂
Want to join in on the fun and share your own Thursday Doors post with other door lovers? Then simply add the link to your post in the comments section below.


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LAS VEGAS (AP) — The old Manny Pacquiao returned for thrilling bursts, hounding Timothy Bradley onto the ropes and battering the welterweight champion with whip-quick combinations that recalled the Pacman's magical prime.
The older Pacquiao couldn't finish the trick, however.
Although he tried mightily, Pacquiao didn't stop or even really hurt Bradley during 12 mostly exciting rounds Saturday night, settling for the lucrative revenge of a unanimous-decision victory.
"I didn't want to get careless," Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao (56-5-2) proved he is still one of the world's most exciting boxers with his second straight win, even if he might never recapture his most destructive form. His hands and footwork are still inimitable, but the eight-division world champion's power and timing weren't good enough to stop Bradley — or any of his opponents since late 2009, the date of his last knockout.
Pacquiao apologetically showed up to his post-fight news conference well after midnight at the MGM Grand Garden, a large bandage concealing 32 stitches in a deep gash on his left eyebrow from a head-butt. Trainer Freddie Roach had filled the time by praising his fighter while simultaneously acknowledging Pacquiao's days of highlight-reel knockouts have faded.
"I think he was doing his best to stop him," Roach said. "He was throwing combinations. I told him, âAll you have to do is outbox this guy. You can outbox him in and out, all night long.' … I thought he had the killer instinct. When he had (Bradley) on the ropes, he opened up pretty well. It just didn't seem like he had the power he usually has. It was a little bit slower than he seemed in the past. I don't know why, because in the dressing room, he was on fire."
Bradley, still classy after his first career defeat, gave a mixed review of Pacquiao's physical skills in comparison to their first fight.
"He still has the real sharp snap on his punches," Bradley said. "(But) I believe in the first fight, his punching power was way harder. I was able to take it. He went for the knockout, he definitely did."
Pacquiao still beat up one of the world's best boxers with relative ease, and his next bout in the fall will be among the biggest happenings in sports. His mostly likely opponent is a fifth meeting with Juan Manuel Marquez, who fights Mike Alvarado on May 17.
But Pacquiao and promoter Bob Arum still hold out hope of a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., even while the distance between the two fighters appears to grow, both inside the ring and out.
"It's really hard to talk about that," Pacquiao said. "It's been how many years we're talking about that? How many years, days, months we're talking about that? The line is open 24 hours. If he's awake and he wants to fight, the fight will be."
Arum became nearly apoplectic when asked about the possibility of a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout, claiming Pacquiao has already agreed to all of the unbeaten Mayweather's previously stated conditions.
"The only people that can make Floyd Mayweather fight Manny is the public," Arum said before urging fans to boycott Mayweather's bout against Marcos Maidana on May 3.
While Pacquiao reaffirmed his pound-for-pound stardom, Bradley raised his profile again despite his first career defeat.
It's tough to remember Bradley was considered a boring fighter just four fights ago. Although he's not an HBO pay-per-view star, he'll likely have his choice of intriguing opponents for his next bout — maybe Brandon Rios, or a rematch with Provodnikov.
Bradley's decision to load up and wait for a knockout blow against Pacquiao was roundly debated by fans, but Bradley's ring charisma and heart should raise his stature.
"That was the only way I was going to win the fight," Bradley said. "I knew the rounds were going to be close. Pacquiao knows how to land punches. I was shooting for the knockout, too."
Across the Philippines, large numbers of Filipinos, including army soldiers, jumped in joy, threw punches in the air and applauded after watching Pacquiao beat Bradley on giant screens in public gymnasiums and town plazas, emptying usually traffic-choked streets.
"Everybody is celebrating here," said Ricardo Salazar, a jobless polio victim on a wheelchair who watched the bout at a gymnasium in Manila's Tondo slum district. "I had no doubt he will win and even if he lost, it wouldn't matter because he'll always be my idol."
Presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma Jr. said Pacquiao's victory reflected the Philippines' struggle to bounce back after a series of natural disasters last year, including a monster typhoon that killed more than 6,000 people.
"When he comes home, he will feel the tight embrace of nearly 100 million Filipinos who idolize and love him," Coloma said.
Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila contributed to this report.
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322 Chem. des Mauruches SupérieuresVallauris Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur 06220France
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About Vallauris
Vallauris (French pronunciation: [valoʁis]) is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It is located in the metropolitan area, and is today effectively an extension of the town of Antibes, bordering it on its west side. The seaside town Golfe-Juan is a part of the commune of Vallauris. == Picasso and Vallauris == In 1948 Picasso came to live in Vallauris, where he stayed until 1955. During his time in the town, he created a great many sculptures and paintings including his mural War and Peace, one of the major artworks of the period.
Neighborhoods in Vallauris, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Aréas Assurances Erik TIXIER, Californie Pézou, Camp Lauvas, Carnot, Castagné, Clamarquier, Font de Ciné, Fontmerle, Garbejaire, Garibondy
Things to do in Vallauris, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Our Newest Profiles


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The small heart-shaped island of Galešnjak is featured in this image acquired by ALOS – Japan's four-tonne Earth observation satellite. The 500 m-wide island is situated off the Croatian coast in the Adriatic Sea.
Since its recent rise in popularity due to satellite images, the privately owned island has become a big hit in the media and with romantic tourists. Local media report the owner has received numerous requests from couples wanting to celebrate St Valentine's Day there.
The uninhabited island, located between the city of Turanj (visible in white stretching along Croatia's mainland coast) and the Island of Pasman (bottom left), is surrounded by sand on all sides.
Other visible islands include (left to right): Garmenjak (bottom), Mala Bisaga, Vela Bisaga, Ricul and Komornik.
ALOS (Advanced Land Observing Satellite) captured this image on 19 March 2010 with its Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type-2 (AVNIR-2) instrument. AVNIR-2 is designed to chart land cover and vegetation in visible and near-infrared spectral bands, at a resolution of 10 m.
ESA supports ALOS as a Third Party Mission, which means ESA uses its multi-mission ground systems to acquire, process, distribute and archive data from the satellite to its user community.
via esa


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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President George W. Bush granted pardons Tuesday to 19 citizens charged with a variety of crimes, but none was prominent.
President Bush walks down the White House Collonade on Tuesday as he departs for Camp David.
Presidential pardon lists are being closely monitored in the final weeks of the Bush administration, particularly to see whether former vice presidential aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby will be granted the presidential favor.
One of the men pardoned is Charles Winters, who died almost 25 years ago. His son had worked on winning a presidential pardon for his dad, who had helped smuggle weapons to Jews fighting in what was then Palestine in the late 1940s.
A Protestant from Boston, Massachusetts, Winters spent 18 months behind bars. He was the only U.S. citizen to serve time for helping fly weapons to Jews struggling to create Israel.
A 20th person received a commutation of a life sentence for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. That individual, Reed Raymond Prior, was ordered released from prison in February 2009. He will have served more than 12 years.
"We commend President Bush's decision to grant a commutation to Reed Prior, who is deserving of a second chance," Julie Stewart, president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, said in a written statement.
"Of course, clemencies only underscore the larger problem -- the systemic injustice caused by mandatory minimum sentences that fill the prisons with low-level drug offenders in the first place."
Bush has granted 191 pardons and nine commutations, far fewer than Presidents Clinton and Reagan in their two-term administrations. Read the full list of pardons
Among the more notable who have applied for some form of clemency are:
• Former Rep. Randall "Duke" Cunningham, Republican from California, who was convicted of receiving bribes.
• Publishing executive Conrad Black, who was found guilty of fraud.
• Former junk bold salesman Michael Milken.
• Former WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers, convicted of accounting fraud.
The parents of John Walker Lindh, who was given a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to supporting terrorists in Afghanistan, held a news conference last week urging Bush to commute their son's sentence.
It is unclear how many more requests Bush may grant before leaving office, although administration officials have said they do not expect any last-minute announcements, as was seen when President Bill Clinton pardoned fugitive financier Marc Rich, setting off a firestorm of controversy.
A commutation reduces a convict's prison term, but the conviction remains on the person's record. A pardon, however, wipes the slate clean by erasing the record of the conviction.
A president has the sole authority to grant clemency and to whom, although a Justice Department office usually reviews applications and makes recommendations after considering standards such as a person's degree of remorse and ability to lead a responsible and productive life after release.
Those applying for a pardon through the Justice Department are required to wait at least five years after their conviction or release from confinement.
Roughly 1,300 requests for commutation and 860 pardon applications are still pending.
There is a long tradition of presidents issuing pardons and commutations during the holiday season.
All About George W. Bush • Methamphetamine • Lewis Libby


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You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February 2012.
It is the season of love songs.
To celebrate, Tom and I (duo project: the glass tables) wrote and recorded a love song for CBC's Valentine's Love Song Contest.
We are enjoying the combined sound of the vibratos belonging to the Fender Rhodes and the Magnatone tube amp (circa 1958). Through the Magnatone, Tom is playing his recently fixed up Gibson E335, and it has a beautiful sound.
Please enjoy Light Love by the glass tables
enjoy in love's joy.
Happy Valentine's Day.


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There have been some great comments and links from contributors to their original research here in the last few days. Thank you all. I'm taking my fiancee away for the long bank holiday weekend to celebrate our engagement. Please continue to post your additional comments to existing threads, and get something interesting going on this open thread. I look forward to catching up on our return.
New visitors please note: If you haven't had a comment approved before, it will be held for moderation. Thanks.


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Welcome To Our InterNations Regensburg Community!
Hi Everyone,
We did it!!! I'm proud to say that we have turned our Local Group into a Local Community. Let's keep the momentum going, by greeting new members and continuing the fun! We just want to welcome you all to the Regensburg Forum. Here you can post your suggestions, exchange expat-relevant information, debate about daily topics, and just get to know others in the Community.
I hope this proves to be a fun place for everyone and can't wait to discuss endless topics with you all! Please know that I am here to help, so if you have any suggestions, questions or feedback just let me know.
This city has a lot to offer, so Marcello and I encourage you all to take full advantage of it. Let's share the InterNations spirit with the whole Community and post the best places to eat, drink, and visit for Regensburg in our City Guide!
Thank you for helping make InterNations an even more valuable resource for all of us.


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IMHO, Naomi Watts has always been the more endearing half of the blonde, icy "Aussie Posse" best-friend duo that includes herself and Nicole Kidman. Watts, who got a Lead Actress Academy Award nod for her role in The Impossible, is filming a 60 Minutes CBS segment as part of their pre-Oscars nominee special. But when asked to speak in a quick 5-minute segment on behalf of Watts, Kidman declined. Says an insider: "Clearly she's not inclined to help her friend because she's jealous she's not in this year's Oscar's spotlight." Kidman's camp protests that she had to turn it down due to time constraints, but the source (who I am picturing as Watts' husband Liev Schreiber with a fake girly voice) shoots back: ""It was a 'no' right off the bat [for Nicole.] She could have made time if it was a priority."
To make matters more competitive, the two are currently each shooting the biopic of a famous golden-haired princess-slash-tabloid victim at the moment: Kidman is portraying Princess Grace of Monaco and Watts Princess Diana. [NYDN]
Finally, Kidman admits to Botox. (She's laying off the Botox.) [HuffPo]
Jennifer Aniston, preternatural favorite of the "loser-in-love" tabloid story, is taking preventative measures with Justin Theroux so that she doesn't become a GROSS OLD CRONE FISHWIFE (translation: A beautiful, successful, charismatic single female millionaire) and dragging Justin to couples therapy.
"She thought it would be a good idea to start married life rid of any problems," a source close to the two told Grazia. "Justin seems to be as much a believer in the therapy as Jennifer is. On arrival, they had to hand over their mobile phones and undertake counseling, couple massages and screaming therapy - where you howl your feelings out at the top of your voice. It was pretty tough going and they had to address all of their deepest fears and worries.'' My deepest fear and worry would probably start with an "A" and end with "gelina Jolie." [Belfast Telegraph]
Russell Brand, one of the last people on earth who can be effectively described with old-timey Britishisms like "scalliwag" and "gadabout," has apparently invited Demi Moore on a spiritual retreat at the Ananda Spa in the Himalayas because yoga and meditation helped him so much during his split with Katy Perry. The spa promises to "cleanse the soul" and "heal internally," which I bet won't be the ONLY thing going on "internally" (I'm talking about our old friends Penis and Vagina, just to be clear). Call me a purist, but I think vodka shots and flirtations with creepy, vaguely European dudes at bars are the only way to get over a breakup. You've got the right idea, Demi. [The Sun]
On Howard Stern's show, Brand said that he hardly listens to Perry's music and kind of gives no shits about her love connection with numb Lothario John Mayer.
"What do you think of your ex dating John? Isn't he a womanizer?" Stern asked.
"It's worse or better than me - depending on how you view it," Brand replied. "You have to let go of the instinct to protect someone once you divorce them."
Lena Dunham covers Entertainment Weekly this week. ("My point with getting naked is never proven. It's not like, 'Oh, I did it first season, and now you guys get that there's a women of a certain size on TV, so I'm done.' A guys came up to me while we were shooting and said, 'My sister loves your tits.' I was like, 'Thank you so much!'") I'm just so glad they didn't bring out that same old tired Breakfast At Tiffany's shoot. Let Audrey rest in peace, for God's sake. [Indie Wire]
Jonah Hill, Gerard Butler, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mel Gibson and Bradley Cooper go out clubbing together in Miami now and do stuff like spray the dance floor with 4-foot-long water guns. Who do they think they are, One Direction? A puffier, famous-ier, (mostly) Oscar-nominated version of Entourage? [Page Six]
- Some nerdy dude Bar Rafaeli made out with in a commercial says he's a hella chick magnet now. [TMZ]
- Christina Aguilera's husband Jordan Bratman toted all his crap out of her house. [TMZ]
- As if the obnoxious trucker hats weren't bad enough, Hubert Guez, the former CEO of Ed Hardy, is being sued by a female masseuse who says he tried to get her to perform a "happy ending" and also to hook up with his wife. [TMZ]
- American Idol contestant Matt Farmer lied about being injured in Afghanistan, going to Afghanistan, and probably knowing where Afghanistan was on a map. [ABC News]
- After Bill Maher mockingly offered Donald Trump $5 million dollars if The Donald could prove that he wasn't the son of a human woman and an orangutan, Trump procured his birth certificate and wants his money now. [TMZ]
- Meanwhile, Anjelica Huston is campaigning to axe a commercial that features Donald Trump's cousin, a chimpanzee. [Express UK]
- Yoko Ono awarded Julian Assange a prize for "courage." [Express]
- Reg Presley of '60s band The Troggs has died at age 71. (Incidentally, skip to 4:45 in this video for a repeat-worthy song of theirs featuring a SUPER young Nicole Kidman and Thandie Newton in this awesome but obscure boarding school movie called Flirting). [NME]
- Jennifer Lawrence, American hero, plans on "getting wasted" and "having a blast" at the Oscars. Attagirl. [Pop Sugar]
- Kristen Wiig will be appearing in Anchorman 2. [Deadline]
- Alexander Skarsgard and Jack McBrayer have lunch together a lot. <3 [The Superficial]
- Innnnntroducing Shakira's newborn son Milan. [People]
- Jessica Chastain's dog derpily walked onstage during her performance of "The Heiress" on Broadway (Chastain's performance, not the dog's) and she had to lead it offstage. [Page Six]
- Kate Winslet "flashed" her wedding ring and it looks like a normal gold ring, EVERYBODY SCREAM. [Us Weekly]
- Oh, you know, Jane Seymour looking incredible without any makeup on. [Us Weekly]
- Chris Christie ate donuts on Dave Letterman. The show. Not like, off the man. [MSNBC]
- Why Jay-Z didn't join Bey onstage at the Super Bowl halftime show: "He wanted that to be her moment and didn't want to take away from it. She had been working her ass off." [Us Weekly]
- Blue Ivy is already dancing. Go fig. [Belfast Telegraph]
- Speaking of the Carters, Shaquille O'Neal got pretty into "Halo" live. [NYDN]
- Ailing Ron Jeremy is improving in a SoCal ICU after an aneurysm and is "showing signs of arousal" again. Ew/good? [NYDN]
- Kim Kardashian walked around on Sunday afternoon with a human person who has half of Kanye West's DNA growing inside her. [Us Weekly]
- Anne Hathaway strolled around with a scarf, huge sunglasses and a floppy hat covering the entirety of her face, which is weird enough to basically defeat the goal of going "incognito"? [NYDN]
- "My career is on the verge of being ridiculous all the time." Can't say Keira Knightley's not a straight shooter. [NYDN]
- Channing Tatum engaged in "a series of scary jujutsu moves" with UFC champion Cung Lee at a bar, just for shits. Chay Tates was born without the gene for fear? [Page Six]
- Bobbi Kristina Brown thinks Cissy Houston's tell-all Remembering Whitney is disrespectful and wants no part of it. [Radar Online]
- GO FIND YOUR FLATIRON: Fall Out Boy is back. [Rolling Stone]


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New music tumbles into the world every minute of every day, but if you dip your ear into the river of noise, it's quite unlikely you'll hear very much gold. Thankfully, DiS' team of scribes take the time to listen to most of the terrible stuff, to save you needing to do so.
With that in mind, and to kick off our half-year coverage that will include some of our favourite albums of the year so far and a host of other bits and bobs between now and the end of June, we present you with this selection of new acts (well, a few have albums under their belts, but none of them are exactly household names) to welcome into your world.
Before we get to any words, click play on this SoundCloud mixtape which features nearly all the names below:
Matt Langham: Emerging from a vibrant Sheffield scene, Blessa are a swooning dream of cooing vocals and guitar gauze, like an aural stroll around Twin Peaks, the theme to which fits seamlessly in their live set. The very definition of promise, their new - and first - EP Love Is An Evol Word was recorded in Leeds with MJ of Hookworms, and should see their star deservedly shimmer in the indie firmament.
Wolf Alice
Robert Leedham: I was lucky enough to watch Wolf Alice play the Scala last month, and boy do I mean 'lucky'. After a string of quite good singles, this scuzzy four-piece have grown in stature to become a phenomenally exciting prospect. Kids were clambering over each other to the guttural tones of 'Moaning Lisa Smile' and 'Bros', each trying to get an inch closer to their new idols. From Ellie Roswell's louch theatrics to Theo Ellis's bopping bass jig, each band member feels like they could be your favourite. That's something you only get to say about the most special acts.
Alsarah & the Nubatones
Tristan Bath: Sudan has historically been a cultural crossroads, the de facto meeting place for the Arab world, sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian sub-continent - and NY-based Sudanese singer Alsarah's latest project (she also collaborated with French producer Débruit for Soundway last year) embodies such disparate influences to wonderful effect. Alsarah & the Nubatones make music that feels much bigger than its relatively toned down, mostly acoustic instrumentation. Earworms abound via Alsarah's breathy melodies, but the real treasure is in the Nubatones' ability to add a much needed swagger to the grooves on their debut album Silt, creating the most original - and coolest - album of Sudanese music ever.
White Hinterland
Joe Goggins: That White Hinterland's Baby appears destined to fly under the radar is nothing short of a travesty, because it's a record that's certainly plenty fashionable; if Lorde goes off on an experimental bent on the follow-up to Pure Heroine, it might end up sounding something like this. Casey Dienel (pictured, above) veers between her own eccentric take on piano balladry ('Wait Until Dark', the title track) and choppy, off-kilter pop ('Metronome', 'Sickle No Sword') on an album that, sadly, already looks like a shoe-in for the Lost 14 of 14; quite why St. Vincent's painfully-choreographed take on pop weirdness has met with such rave reviews is all the more mystifying, when you consider that she doesn't inject a shred of the soul that Baby bursts at the seams with.
April Towers
Dom Gourlay: Having only formed in August of last year, the Nottingham duo have made an impact both inside and out of their native city. Already compared to the likes of Pet Shop Boys, OMD and Cut Copy thanks to a combination of dizzying electronica and incisive pop hooks, the smart money says they should be the next to break out of the East Midlands into the limelight behind Sleaford Mods and Ronika.
Sylvan Esso
Gemma Samways: Considering her work with Appalachian-inspired folk trio Mountain Man, Amelia Meath's output in Sylvan Esso represents something of a volte face. Fortunately, her lithe, Feist-meets-Regina Spektor vocals sound more striking writhing around Nick Sanborn's fractured beats and minimalist electronics than they ever did a capella. Variously pairing jump-rope chants with bruising dubstep subs, and hip hop beats with delicate, musical-box chimes, their first full-length release is probably my favourite debut of 2014 so far.
Angel Olsen
James Skinner: Angel Olsen's Half Way Home LP slipped past me in 2012, but this year's Burn Your Fire for No Witness happily put that right. Olsen's music often hits hardest in its starkest moments - I recently saw her silence a room of festival-goers by way of a hushed, affecting 'White Fire' - but 'Windows', the last song on …Witness, offers some shreds of hope amid its yearning slow-build. I immediately connected with that album and its predecessor, only to set them aside for a while due to there being so much going on earlier this year. I have since come back to them in a big way, and can safely say that I'm with Olsen for the long haul at this point.
City Yelps
Hayley Scott: City Yelps have no doubt eluded most people outside of the UK's DIY indiepop scene; with not much of an internet presence, their live shows speak for them. Self released on cassette, the aptly named 'Cheap Psych' sounds like it was recorded in someone's basement (because it was), and all the better for it: the tape is made up of 10 pleasingly discordant psych pop ditties which recall the melodic jangle of C86 at its noisiest and the fragmented cacophony of Swell Maps, all the while summoning the spirit of that ever-prevailing Flying Nun sound. Best listened to loud, you'll soon find out why City Yelps are Leeds' best kept secret.
East India Youth
Andrzej Lukowski: There's something about their/his quite earnest fusion of the utterly enormous and the shambolically lo-fi that really does it for me, like it occupies the best of two diametrically opposed, irreconcilable worlds without any contradiction.
Derek Robertson: Hip post-punks Ought have penned a dizzingly brilliant album that touches on Joy Division, Modern Lovers, Talking Heads, Shellac, and Parquet Courts. It's mad, slightly unhinged, and even if singer Tim Beeler occasionally sounds likes he's doing his best Alec Ounsworth impression, utterly captivating. An unexpected and totally underappreciated gem.
Beaty Heart
Tom Fenwick: This youthful London quartet's rather joyous debut Mixed Blessings got a bit lost on the way to many people's hearts this year. Which is a shame, because if you let it in - and look beyond the lazy comparisons to Vampire Weekend and Animal Collective - you'll find a delightful, energetic debut that should soundtrack all our lost summers.
Ezra Furman
Jon Clark: He's been around for a while, and I feel particularly sick that I've been ignorant of Ezra Furman; I knew that as soon as I heard his larynx tearing vocals throughout the excellent Day Of The Dog. Fantastic.
Paul Faller: Leeds-based poppy punk-rock four-piece Brawlers caught me by surprise when I saw them supporting Johnny Foreigner a few months back. They make straightforward, unpretentious, feel-good tunes, and I haven't seen a band look like they're having as much fun playing in a long time.
Henry Blacker
J.R. Moores: This Hey Colossus offshoot play scuzzy, meaty, surreal, and damn cool ROCK MUSIC evoking the likes of Jesus Lizard, Cows, Melvins, Part Chimp and their ilk. Their debut LP, Hungry Dogs Will Eat Dirty Puddings, is a bedraggled delight. They're amusingly acerbic with their Twitter feed as well.
Arc Iris
Gemma Hampson: Joanna Newsom meets Bugsy Malone from former NASA researcher and Low Anthem member Jocie Adams. Her self-titled debut is weird, theatrical, emotive and epic. The writing, musicianship and production is outstanding, so even if there's a track you're not quite feeling at the start, it would have sucked you in by the end. There are woody clarinets, raucous trumpets, beautiful cello and amazing percussion. There is no pigeon holing this sound - it's like some kind of folky prog psych circus.
The Burning Hell
Aaron Lavery: Discovered thanks to Marc Riley's 6Music show (and the ever-reliable Hey! Manchester) Canada's The Burning Hell write the kind of literate, funny, catchy songs that makes you want to learn all the words and shout them passionately back in their faces.
Matthew Slaughter: A band of teenagers from Bury who in a few short months have gone from my-first-band fumbling to an awe-inspiring mastery of brutalist, Mark E Smith-inspired funk that is as intellectually challenging as it is downright danceable. They've recently parted ways with a founding member it seems, but a band like this literally have their whole lives and careers ahead of them. So fresh and vibrant it's almost disgusting. This is an old recording but gives you the general idea – catch them live for the full effect.
In An Instant
Christopher McBride: Bangor band In An Instant only released their debut E.P Something Right & Something Real in May, but already it's a contender for my favourite release by a Northern Irish band this year. The band merge indie-rock with dance production to give us the kind of irresistible indie-disco baiting tracks that we haven't seen since, well, fellow Bangorites Two Door Cinema Club.
Ben Bland: I don't really know anything about Biographs other than that they released a fantastic cassette on Reckno earlier this year, entitled Must Dissolve. Sadly the cassette has already sold out but thankfully the music is still available, which is a relief given that it's the closest approximation of what a sublime new Porter Ricks record might sound like that I can imagine.
The Microdance
Radhika Tukro:If they'd existed a couple of decades ago, the Microdance may have been filling up venues with arena-friendly rock and I would have told you I hated them while sat not scrobbling their entire discography. Luckily the age of music-sharing has prevented them from achieving the status their hook-filled alternative/shoegaze hybrid (+ frontman Alex Keevill's frustratingly unshakeable self-confidence) would have earned them in the 90s. Only a few EPs old with an album due later this year, TMD's tracks are practically edible.
Luke Beardsworth: Aside from having a fantastic name, Gengahr have some of the best new music around in 2014. They offer that familiar brand of sugary indie-pop that everyone is staying up late to listen to at the moment, but it's delivered with a legitimate air of sadness that means it stands alone.
DiScuss: Who's your favourite new-ish act you've DiScovered so far this year?


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What it can do for your business
Accelerate the design and delivery of solutions that your business stakeholders require. Simple design sessions on a shared whiteboard and the ability to collaborate globally in real-time makes IBM Architecture Room Live a powerful offering for your business. Architecture Room Live is as simple as a whiteboard, but it's more than just drawing: All your designs are based on a modeling backbone assuring consistency and integrity for all your architectural domains. Stakeholders are only a URL away from validating and verifying the completeness of a solution delivered to your customers.
Real-Time and Multi-user Collaboration
Work with your team in real time, no matter where they are located ensuring everyone is onboard.
Easily organize your designs on different whiteboards linking them as your designs expand.
Architectural Designs
Create consistent architectures without the complexity of formal modeling while maintaining strong design integrations.
Feature Spotlights
- User friendly web interface
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- Simplified modeling
- Whiteboards
- Whiteboard templates
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- Integration with Design Room ONE


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- This event has passed.
S.A.I.L. at St. James Catholic Church, Aitkin, MN
March 1 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am
SAIL is a strength, balance and fitness program for adults. This class is designed to reduce the risk of falling by teaching participants how to perform exercises that improve strength, balance and fitness.


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Another year, another complaint from Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) against Comcast and its merger with NBC Universal that was approved last year. Just as he did before, the senator—now in a letter published publicly on Monday (PDF)—is "urging [the Federal Communications Commission and the United States Department of Justice] to proactively monitor, investigate, and enforce the conditions you adopted in the merger order."
As the Minnesota senator has outlined previously, he "hates the merger." In this letter he notes that "a number of complaints regarding Comcast's compliance with the merger conditions…have languished" before the FCC.
In an e-mail sent to Ars, Comcast denied any wrongdoing.
"Comcast and NBCUniversal are fully complying with (indeed exceeding) the transaction orders as detailed in our recently filed Annual Compliance Report," wrote Sena Fitzmaurice, a Comcast spokesperson.
Specifically, Franken notes that it took the FCC 10 months to deal with a dispute involving the Bloomberg news channel, and Comcast's refusal to put it in the same "neighborhood" as other similar channels. (The FCC ruled in Bloomberg's favor last week). Franken also noted that a similar conflict with the Tennis Channel is also pending.
"The one complaint by an outside party regarding the NBCUniversal FCC Order has been brought by another very large media company, Bloomberg LLP - and it has been preliminarily adjudicated," Fitzmaurice added. "We respectfully disagree with the Media Bureau's interpretation believe the full Commission will agree on appeal to enforce conditions as they were originally negotiated and intended."
Franken took the FCC to task too, noting that "at least one online video distributor (OVD) has encountered problems negotiating programming deals with Comcast." This resulted in Comcast arguing that it needs a "full, unredacted copy of the underlying peer agreement before it can provide its programming." CBS, News Corporation, Sony Pictures, Time Warner, Viacom, and Disney argued earlier this year (in their own letter to the FCC) this was "overbroad and will harm competition…[as it would allow] one entity to possess detailed nonpublic information about its competitors' business dealings—which would appear to be counter to relevant competition laws."
Franken concludes: "I am concerned that these sorts of delays always inure to the benefit of Comcast and give Comcast further incentive to challenge any aspect of its compliance with the merger order." He's also "very concerned" about Comcast's announcement last month that its Xbox Live television streaming would not count against existing data caps. Comcast argues the video is "being delivered over our private IP network and not the public Internet."
However, Comcast spokesperson Sena Fitzmaurice added that the On Demand service, is "indisputably part of our Title VI cable service which is not subject to the FCC's Open Internet Rules - and we are not aware of anyone who has taken a contrary view."
But Senator Franken does appear to have a differing opinion.
"I am not yet prepared to say that this appears to be a technical violation of the Commission's merger order or DOJ's final judgment, but I urge both of your agencies to investigate this conduct immediately," Franken wrote. "Even if this does not amount to a technical violation, it certainly raises serious questions about how Comcast will favor its own content and services to the detriment of its competitors."


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When I started blogging and had to decide on a title, HOMESCHOOLING IN A BILINGUAL HOME was the one which best described what I had embarked to do with my girls. Although I have written about our family, beliefs, our thoughts about curriculum, our influences and principles that we hold for the girls' education, I do not think I have talked much about how our bilingualism determines, shapes, enriches and challenges our homeschooling.
I have read many books that deal with bilingualism since my days at the university and teaching, but my most valuable observations are the informal ones I've had of children and people (students, friends, family members) who speak Spanish and English in varying degrees in their day to day life; like my friends who are immigrants or have another language and culture in their life. The years I've spent raising my daughters in a family with two active languages, English and Spanish, and with Italian and Maltese, both spoken by my husband, have also provided me with some experiences and observations I'd like to share with you.
Often I believe we take bilingualism for granted at home. To me, there is no boast in speaking Spanish. I lived in Madrid for 27 years, and learned English when I was little. My listening and speaking skills were not very good, but coming to live and work in Texas took care of that fast, and dating a wonderful man with whom I had to speak in English took care of it even faster. My husband speaks three languages proficiently and he has conversational Spanish. We speak English at home with him, but I speak Spanish to the girls when I'm alone with them and sometimes a bit in public, but I try not to appear as impolite or rude. Once, around acquaintances, I addressed my girls in Spanish while at the food line and was scorned by someone who I don't believe meant to insult, but who felt threatened by someone speaking in an unknown language. I try not to take offense because being a first generation immigrant (despite the fact that I am and feel a citizen of this exceptional country), I'm very conscious of the effort we should all make to adjust and become part of our new embraced country. My husband feels this way, and our girls are not only Americans, but GRITS (Girls Raised In The South ;-)
Back to BILINGUALISM. We have all heard the "one parent, one language" saying. That is very true. If you can have that situation, children will normally learn both languages, their dominant language being the one they are surrounded by and which they practice more. But both languages will eventually be very well learned, especially if you homeschool, since sending them to school in just one language will drastically cut the exposure time to the second language. If parents both speak the minority language at home, and children go to schools in the dominant language, they have also a good chance of being bilingual. However, I've noticed that how much they can acquire or maintain both languages depends on how proficient and consistent the parents are or try to be in both languages.
It can be the case for those whose native language is other than English and live in the States, to feel like they are not qualified to teach their children at home. They think their accent and lack of knowledge in general on how to teach will not make it possible for them to educate their children successfully. Bear in mind that many mothers or parents born and raised in the States feel the same lack of ability to teach their children at home. We know that parents without a college degree can successfully homeschool their children, but many times not having the degree affects our self esteem and makes us believe we are not fit for the task.
In many cases like ours, neither my husband nor I knew that homeschooling even existed. Homeschooling is a relatively common thing for Americans, there have always been those who chose this, with a boom in the past years that is making this alternative as common as mainstream, especially in Texas where we live. For us, though, it was a progression of thought. First our child or children (if we had them as we wanted to) would be in a regular class so that they'd learn perfect English, then they'd be in a bilingual or dual class, so that they could learn English and maintain their Spanish that I planned to teach them as much as I could before they started school. By the time I was pregnant with my firstborn, they'd be homeschooled! It took us some time to believe that homeschooling is not something some weird parents who wanted to raise their children in a bubble chose to do.
Many families with only one language understand the advantages of learning a different one. Once we decided to homeschool I read many general books on how to do this. At the time I read some books based on Charlotte Mason and her own writings. I left those books aside for a while and when I started to blog I kept researching and learning more about her and knew that this was the type of homeschooling I wanted for my family. I read "When Children Love to Learn" and that became the compass that I've never veered away from. Charlotte Mason wrote about children learning another language (French) and in another post or somewhere in the Internet, I'm sure you can read about how she advised us to proceed with this. Actually, that's the way I'd like to introduce an additional language to my girls, because Spanish is not a foreign language we are learning, rather it is more of a second 'mother tongue'. For those families who don't have a person who can bring a different language to their children, I believe there are great resources to learn languages, therefore there is no reason to despair or believe we are at a disadvantage. As advantageous as languages can be, I do not agree that one needs to give formal lessons to young children, I don't think they'll remember. It was my case. My parents signed me up in an academy when I was in first grade, after school, to learn English, and the only things I remember is disliking having so much homework; of being called to speak up and then being embarrassed when the answer was wrong (which happened all the time); and that one day one of the girls in class came with her mouth and teeth stained with blue ink, because she had had some procedure done at the dentist! I remember, by contrast, that when we were filling in the blanks in a Police song in high school, how the motivation to learn and be able to sing the song we liked properly kept us working on the grammar and vocabulary.
When a language is learned from birth, it is processed differently than it is as a grown up. My daughters have been learning two languages, but the process for those is the same. And that's good! That means they won't have an accent in either language. However, their literacy development in those languages is not necessarily going to be very impressive unless they keep reading and writing in both languages in their future. If you ask ME, I'd rather have an accent but be able to read and write in English as I do in Spanish, than to have no accent but nothing interesting to say in either. And literacy and proficiency in a different language can be acquired at any age.
For all monolingual families who homeschool (monolingual sounds horrible, but I don't know of a different way to say it), if your children have a love for learning and you do too, it's very likely they will want to learn another language. So many moms are teaching their children German or French. Or children learn with a tutor when they have the interest to learn a different language. If they live in other countries they will learn the language spoken there while being homeschooled less traumatically than they will do in other settings. There is no need to panic if they don't speak three languages, practice five sports, or play ten instruments. Having awareness of other cultures and people sets the basis for learning a language when life requires it.
And in your homeschooling days, incorporating other languages through songs, friends, programs, classes, tutors, etc. will keep that door always open.
Sometimes the best way of learning a second or third language is to know your first language very well. The degree of literacy you posses in your mother tongue will transfer. You'll always push yourself to be as good in the language you are learning as you are in the language you know. I'm a reader and an aspiring writer in Spanish, once I learned English it was just as a natural transition to want to become that reader and writer in English. Thirteen years after I came to the States, I can proudly say I'm reading Great Expectations in the original, but I couldn't do so the first year.
Knowing advanced calculus might be impressive and important if your interests are on a career or field that requires it. Knowing many languages can help you in life, especially if you live in a country different than where you were born, or even in your own if there is a lot of people who speak other languages. And trust me, if you fall in love with someone you need to know another language to understand, you will learn that language in a record time! If you are a missionary in another place you'll learn too. My friend David Raif went to Guatemala not knowing Spanish, but now he can read, write, understand and speak it.
Whether you know a lot or little, practice and learn more. Use what you know, then pick an easy book in a different language, or with some words in another language, and read it to your children. Make friends with someone who speaks a different language, and ask her if she doesn't mind saying some phrases, words, or even reading books in her language to your children at play dates. And if you are in a co op with a mom who is a native in a different language, plan informal activities for the young or more formal and fun classes for the older ones. Reading books about other places, cultures, and books that are wholesome, will ignite children's curiosity and most likely they'll want to learn more about that culture - language included. My daughters have had an on an off fascination with Asian cultures, especially China, and they have learned some words that they've seen in books and others by watching Kaylan on the computer. Cartoons (not in excess) are good motivators for children, but remember that no matter how good the CD, program, tape, book, etc. nothing is as good as a parent. If we are the curriculum, when it comes to a second language spoken by the parent that's even truer.
Thank you, Monica, for asking me for the interview. I've been entertaining the idea of writing a book for some time now, and it may be something I'll eventually do since I see there is an audience for this topics of bilingualism in the homeschooling home. So please, feel free to leave your comments and suggestions, I appreciate them very much.


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and thanks for the start of a good list, we have been meaning to get over to Rangely.
There is a simple cache on Dead Man's Corner in New Hamphire.
We enjoy going to Coos Canyon but have not been there recently when able to explore (not necessarily a great location for the wee ones).
Jockey Cap in Fryburg is a quick hike. Bemis has been on our list for almost a year now.
And now that I see how random my post is, I think I shall stop posting for tonight


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Note: Since completion of the house I have also decided to allow guest bloggers to post articles related to remodeling. This continues the education process.
Architect Selection - December 2002 through January 2003
Getting a Permit - January 2003 through November 2004
Construction - November 2004 through September 2006
Post Construction - October 2006 through ???
Relax the Back Store is now OPEN!
Fri, May 8 2009 12:15 PM | Foot massagers, massage chairs, mattresses, Office chairs, Recliner chairs, tempurpedic | Permalink
Relax the Back, we are able to bring their entire collection of mattresses, pillows, massage, office, and recliner chairs, and more to the Craftsman Home Remodeling website.
Be sure to Check Out Relax The Back Clearance Items to see if there are any deals to be had.
Be sure to Check Out Relax The Back Clearance Items to see if there are any deals to be had.
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Be sure to browse the 2,000 picture Photo Gallery for more step-by-step construction details.


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