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Race Seat Safety And Performance - Fit Like A Fine Suit - Safety
How You Fit In Your Race Seat-And How Your Seat Fits In The Race Car-Is Critical For Both Safety And Performance
Chassis specialists often talk about how everything done with the chassis and suspension should be done to maximize the size and adhesion of the four contact patches of the tires pressed against the racetrack. And they are right. Those four small patches of rubber are the only things connecting your race car to the track.
It's practically the same thing with your racing seat. Along with the steering wheel and the pedals, the seat is one of the few ways you can feel what the race car is doing. A good driver races as much by feel as he does by sight, and if you can't feel what the car is doing you may be missing out on a very valuable competitive tool. After all, they don't call it "seat of the pants" driving for nothing.
Recently, we had the opportunity to stop by the Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide Series race shop while driver Tommy Cloce was being fitted for a test session in one of the JGR NASCAR Camping World East race cars. Cloce is the 2009 Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track National Champion (say that three times fast!), and one of the perks of winning the ASA championship is the opportunity to test with the Gibbs race team.
Unlike Tommy, most of us will never have the opportunity to drive a test session with a NASCAR Sprint Cup organization, but anyone who straps into a race car can benefit from a good working environment. Many people think of the racing seat only as a safety device-and that is definitely its primary purpose-but it is also important in two other aspects. The first, as we've already mentioned, is to give a physical sense of how the car is reacting. Is the rear end sliding around? Are the tires spinning on turn exit? That sort of thing. And the second is to hold you securely in place so you can concentrate on driving and not maintaining your body position through the turns.
Fortunately, all three things work hand-in-hand, and none are mutually exclusive of the other. In other words, a good, safe seat fits snugly enough to hold you in place even in high-g turns and can also transmit clues about how the car is behaving directly to you.
Since Cloce was flying to Mooresville, NC, from his home in Potsdam, NY, for a one-day test, there was no time for a custom seat. Team crew chief Mike Sibley spoke with Cloce via phone and got some critical measurements like height, weight, chest and hip size and found the seat in the JGR inventory that most closely fit the bill. By the time Cloce arrived, the ButlerBuilt aluminum racing seat was already installed in the car, but that was far from the end of the story.
"We want to make sure Tommy is comfortable in the car so that he can drive to the best of his abilities, but our main priority is to make sure he is as safe as possible," Sibley says. "The first thing we'll do is try to locate the seat, pedals, and steering wheel to make him as comfortable as possible. The seat mounting tabs are slotted so that we can move the seat a few inches, but not much more. And we knew that Tommy is a tall guy, so we've already slid the pedals back as far as we can. He'll actually be the tallest driver who has ever been in this particular car, so it may require us to move a few things around to get it right for him."
When mounting your seat, Sibley recommends laying it back on a bit of an angle. This is not only safer but usually more comfortable for the driver rather than sitting straight up. Taller drivers may often need the seat reclined at more of an angle to lower the head. The head must be low enough that it can't come into contact with the halo bar during a wreck. Rollbar padding isn't enough to guarantee a driver won't get a head injury-the only way to do that is to make sure his head can't smack a bar during a bad wreck.
Besides driver comfort, reclining the seat can also increase the safety factor. In the event of a head-on hit, if the driver is sitting straight up, the only thing keeping him in the seat is his restraints. This can be very hard on the chest, hips, and crotch, and is certainly unpleasant. By reclining the seat a few degrees, in the same head-on hit, the driver slides down into the bottom of the seat-which is angled up slightly because of the recline-and some of the force of impact that previously all went into the restraint system now is absorbed by the legs and buttocks. Just don't make the mistake of trying to recline the seat too much. Ideally, the driver should be able to see and drive comfortably with his head resting against the seatback. If the driver must raise his or her head off the seat to see, the seat is reclined too much.
One of the biggest mistakes drivers often make when choosing a seat, according to ButlerBuilt's Gary Platenberger, is selecting a model that is too large for them. ButlerBuilt is one of the leading manufacturers of racing seats and has performed an extensive testing program on how to make racing seats as safe as possible.
"We design our seats with full containment around the ribs," he says. "And in order for that to work the way it should, that seat should be tight. If you are sitting in the seat and I can fit my hand down between the seat and your ribs, it's not tight enough. We've found a lot of drivers want to use the seatbelts to hold them in place, but belts should only be for a crash. The seat should hold you tight enough on its own so that you can concentrate on driving. We don't want you to have trouble breathing, but it should be pretty tight.
"We've had drivers that we've put into smaller seats come back and tell us that they couldn't believe how much better they were on the racetrack. They didn't realize how much effort and energy they were using just to hold themselves in a position to drive. With the tighter fit on the seat, it held them in position so they could put all their energy into driving. Yes, the seat is primarily to keep you safe, but it is also a performance feature."
Another consideration when fitting a seat into your race car is how the belts are mounted. You should consider the seat and belts as a cocoon to restrict as much driver movement as possible during a wreck. To be able to do that, seatbelts must not only be tight, against the driver, but properly mounted in order to keep him or her stable in the event of an impact from practically any angle.
"That's one of our biggest points of emphasis," Platenburger says, "helping racers get their belts mounted properly. If the belts aren't right, no seat or head-and-neck restraint is going to be able to do its job. First, the belt mounting points must be close to the seat. If the lap belts, for example, are mounted way away from the sides of the seat there is no way for them to hold you back. The shoulder belts going through the back of the seat-their mounting point should be no higher than level with the top of the driver's shoulders and no more than 10 degrees below the driver's shoulder. If they are too far down the belts will compress you in an accident, and if they are too high up, they can't hold you down in the seat."
Finally, an important safety note about mounting the seat in the race car. The seat should always be mounted to a seat hoop connected to the rollcage and not the chassis of the car itself. That way, if you take a hit in the side hard enough to shift the 'cage, you will move with it instead of possibly being crushed. You should have four bolts connecting the bottom of the seat to the seat hoop and at least two (but four is better) bolts connecting the seat back to a rollcage bar. The best and easiest way to do this is to use a seat-back bracket that runs the width of the seat.
Always use grade eight fasteners and hardened fender washers to keep the bolt head from pulling through the aluminum. And spread the mounting points for the seat as far apart as possible. This reduces the chances of twisting forces deforming the seat with you in it.
Follow these simple steps and you're on your way to having your seat fit you like a fine custom tailored suit.
After The Big Hit
So what happens after you have taken a big hit? Is the seat still good? Generally, with aluminum racing seats, as long as it isn't deformed it should be good to continue racing. This means that if you are racing an off-the-shelf seat you should know some key measurements ahead of time.
Before racing a new seat, take a few moments to make and record some measurements for reference. Measure the distance of the opening across the seat at several points and save them. This way if you are in a wreck, you can quickly check to see if the seat has been twisted or deformed.
This, of course, raises the question of how much is too much? Minor damage is repairable, but big changes may mean the seat is no longer structurally sound. There is no easy answer to this question. If you notice your measurements have changed after a wreck, the best course of action is to call your seat manufacturer and discuss your options with the company.


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Loading Up on Safety
Multi-terrain loaders (or compact track loaders) are compact machines that are equipped with similar components and technology to skid-steer loaders. The difference: multi-terrain loaders have a suspended-track undercarriage that promotes their productively in ground conditions like mud, snow, sand, sloped terrain and turf that often prevent wheeled machines from working at all. If you're used to working with skid-steer loaders, you'll need to make a few alterations to the standard practices for operation in order to work safely and productively in a tracked machine.
Take the time to read and understand the operations and maintenance manual (OMM). This is probably the most overlooked aspect of safety. It's important not to skip this step. If you have questions, contact your local loader dealer or manufacturer.
Conduct a thorough walk-around of the machine and jobsite each day before starting work. It's important to become familiar with the area, especially any changes of slope and hidden dangers like large ruts or plywood covering a hole. Note the underfoot conditions (dry, wet, gravel or ice). Pieces of rebar or scrap metal on the jobsite could cause damage if you were to make a turn on top of them. Remove these items if possible. If the job will require working in an enclosure or traveling through a tight space such as a yard gate, check for sufficient clearance.
After checking the jobsite, examine the machine for debris caught in the undercarriage or air intake vents, and other things that shouldn't be there. Inspect the tracks for damage. Just like tires, rubber tracks are susceptible to cuts and tears, so monitor them for damage and excessive wear. Also inspect the inside surface of the track, paying close attention to the condition of the track drive lugs (refer to the "track tension" section in your owner's manual if tension seems loose). The sprocket sleeves on the drive sprocket should turn freely. Tighten any loose hardware. Examine the engine for debris, damage, excessive wear and loose hardware. Check the fluid levels.
- Adjusting Tension
The tracks should not be overly tight or loose. Tracks that are too tight wear more quickly and tracks that are too loose can allow the drive lugs to jump over sprocket rollers, damaging the drive lugs. To check the tension, apply the recommended amount of weight to the midpoint of the track to cause it to deflect, then measure the amount of deflection and adjust the tension as needed. Consult the operator's manual for information specific to the track manufacturer. Note that new or newly-replaced all-rubber tracks may stretch a bit during the first few weeks of use, so check the track tension regularly, but adjust it only when necessary.
- Safety Contact Points
Maintain three points of contact — both hands and one foot, or both feet and one hand — while entering or exiting the machine. Always climb over the arms and bucket, never under them. To safely enter the machine, face the machine and use the safety steps on the machine and work tool to reach the cab. Then turn around and step backward into the cab to avoid bumping your head.
- Peripherals
Familiarize yourself with the cab interior and safety features before settling into the cab. Adjust the seat, mirror, fasten the seatbelt, lower the safety bar and test the horn. (In some cabs, the rear window is an emergency exit.) If operating a machine with a cab, shut the door before starting the engine. With the engine running, inspect the indicators and look for anything abnormal. Then follow the instructions in the OMM to ensure that the bucket or work tool is properly attached.
- Tool Selection
Selecting the right work tool for the job is important. Use a low-profile bucket with teeth for digging. Choose a bucket suited to the payload for load-and-carry operations. Always keep the bucket as low as possible and raise it only when necessary. This serves two purposes: It aids load retention, and helps to maintain a low center of gravity, which ensures better stability and a more comfortable ride for you. Operating capacities vary with machine model and size. Consult the manual for the specific capabilities of an individual machine.
The tracked configuration of multi-terrain loaders obviously enables them to work in a greater variety of conditions than wheeled machines. However, you need to make a few modifications to the standard methods for skid-steer loaders in order to work safely in these machines. Three areas require special care: operating and turning on slopes, navigating "transitions" or areas with changing slope and grading or backdragging.
- Working on Slopes.
- Keep the heaviest end of the machine uphill.
- Carry loads as low as possible.
- Avoid unusually heavy loads. Always carry the lightest load possible when working on a slope.
The proper technique for turning on a slope is as follows: When turning to go down a slope, first stop the machine, then slowly turn the machine while backing down the slope. When turning to go up a slope, first stop the machine, then turn the machine while slowly backing down the slope or until the machine is facing the desired direction of travel, then proceed forward. Avoid making direct 90-degree turns when operating on a slope. Sharp turns cause unnecessary wear and can shove material between the track and roller wheels. In some cases, it can even result in track derailment and machine rollovers, so opt for three-point or "Y" turns instead.
Places with a change in slope or elevation, such as a curb, ledge or area where a level surface changes into a slope, require extra care. When traveling over a transition, the machine should be 90 degrees to the transition. The machine's tracks should always be fully supported by the ground. Not only is the machine's stability compromised if part of a track is hanging off a ledge, but the roller wheels are subjected to side stress and the wheels could ride up and over the drive lugs.
The proper technique for backdragging or grading with a multi-terrain loader is different from a skid-steer loader. Some skid-steer operators maximize down-pressure on the bucket and raise the machine's front tires when backdragging. However, the same technique with a multi-terrain loader compromises traction, as less of the track remains on the ground. Operators should backdrag with the loader arms in "float" position instead, applying only enough downward pressure to smooth the surface, not to lift the machine.
A few preventive measures at the end of the day will help keep the machine going strong.
Let the engine idle down before turning it off.
Expecting freezing temperatures? Run the machine forward and reverse before shutting down to reduce moisture build-up.
Look for damage, wear, debris, loose hardware and cut hoses during an end-of-day walk-around.
Check fluid levels, engine and grease points.
Clean off the machine and undercarriage, especially the front/rear idler wheels and drive sprocket areas.
Make sure the key has been removed and lock the machine, if equipped.
Good maintenance practices and safe operating procedures help keep machines working properly. The operator's manual is an excellent resource for further details about a specific brand and model of multi-terrain loader. These manuals contain information about safety features, specifications, operating capacities and more to help the operator maximize the machine's capabilities and continue operating profitably.
Chris Key is a commercial supervisor for Caterpillar Inc. (Peoria, III.).
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subset: commoncrawl


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Fayette area growers and producers point to damage from Coal Plant Sulfur Dioxide and Acid Gases
(Austin) Sierra Club and representatives of pecan growers and producers in Fayette and Colorado Counties in the Texas Pecan Alliance requested at an Austin City Hall press conference today compensation for losses resulting from pollution from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and City of Austin's Fayette Power Project coal plant.
"Over two dozen orchards and the livelihoods of my family and many of our neighbors have been seriously impacted by the pollution from Fayette coal plant," said Harvey Hayek of Hayek Farm and the Texas Pecan Alliance. "In 1980, the year after the coal plant went on line, we saw the abundant production out here drop and then in the Nineties, the trees began to die. Recently, I had to buy a bag of pecans at H.E.B. so my wife could make cookies."
Hayek and almost 50 people in the Texas Pecan Alliance met with LCRA officials and engineers from Austin Energy and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on November 16. Since the meeting, the TCEQ is considering additional monitoring, members of Austin City Council have set up meetings for further discussion, and the LCRA has denied Fayette coal plant contributed to pecan industry losses.
Dr. Neil Carman chemist and Clean Air Program Director, biochemical injury process, "Acid pollution from the coal plant falls on the leaves causing damage characterized by brown, dead spots, while the sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas from the plant emissions enters the sensitive leaf structure from underneath, biochemically attacking the leaves from within and eventually causing leaf loss and the death of the tree."
Mr. Hayek explained that it takes 220 leaves to produce a single pecan nut on a tree.
"This orchard has been in my wife's family for the past century. We want to recover from this damage. We want the air, water, and soil to be clean and safe enough to replant so my grandchildren can enjoy the abundance we enjoyed," said Hayek.
Hayek, Carman, and others in the Texas Pecan Alliance also expressed concerns about corrosion, water quality, coal ash waste, and human health.
Eva Hernandez, with the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign in Texas said, "The pecan industry losses clearly show one of many direct economic blows from burning coal for electricity. From the Clean Air Task Force study, we also know that, on an annual basis, Fayette coal plant pollution is linked to almost 1,000 heart attacks, asthma attacks, cases of chronic bronchitis, hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and 37 early deaths. There are direct costs associated with these health impacts and we are talking about a devastating reduction in quality of life. We can do better and we deserve better. LCRA and City of Austin must phase out Fayette coal plant by 2020 and completely develop our energy efficiency and renewable energy future — particularly solar power."
The Clean Air Task Force study, Dirty Air, Dirty Power: Mortality and Health Damage Due to Air Pollution from Power Plants can be found at:
Texas Pecan Alliance representatives from Fayette and Colorado county today delivered 'Vanishing Pecan Pies' baked by Austin residents calling themselves the Pecan Posse to the Mayor and Austin City Council Members, Cheryl Mele, Chief Operating Officer of Austin Energy, the City Manager's office, and to the LCRA. They explained that the pies symbolized "the growing awareness in Austin about Fayette coal plant pollution and growing support for clean air and sustainable conditions for local food."
Related articles
- Despite pollution worries, Texas builds coal plants. (texastribune.org)
- Study: Texas coal plants foul neighbors' air (chron.com)
- State grants air quality permits for Matagorda plant (chron.com)
- Bruce Nilles: Texas' Fight Against Coal and Coal Ash (huffingtonpost.com)


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Everybody who's anybody in the hip hop scene these days has a company churning out headphones with their name on them. Actor/rapper Christopher Brian Bridges, aka Ludacris, (see what he did there?) is no exception and has been the man behind Soul Electronics and its fittingly chunky cans since records began (see what we did there?).
All has been going fairly smoothly, it seems, because, at CES 2012, Soul branched out away from personal audio into audio that is very public indeed. The Soul Party in a Box is a big, old speaker system with a handle on top that rather stretches the definition of the word "portable". It looks like a cross between an amplifier and the TDK Boombox that arrived in 2011.
Within the body are stowed eight speakers facing every direction you need - two 6.5-inch subs, a couple of 3-inch midrangers and four 1-inch tweeters. The effect is that it's really, really loud. The company claims there's enough to fill any room. We claim that that's understating the output of this thing by a long shot. Turned up not even to full volume, this thing drowned out the entire show at CES and nearly shook our boots from feet right where we stood.
There's a dock connector on the front for pod or pad as well as AirPlay connectivity or Bluetooth if you're not using an Apple device. You can also use the USB or 3.5mm line in for a hard connection and there's an FM radio too. What's really rather nice though is that the 5.8GHz radio inside is a two-way affair and means that you can link and synch several Parties in a Box together.
To top it all off there's some colour changing lights around the side and a microphone option to bug people with as you show off any rapping skills you think you might own. Don't quit the day job.
As far as power goes, you've got the choice of batteries, mains and even using a 12V car adapter too. It's set to arrive on the shelves in June 2012 and will set you back around $1,000.


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Hi There! Is this Your First Time?
Did you know if you Register you have access to free search tools including the ability to save listings and property searches? Did you know that you can bypass the search altogether and have listings sent directly to your email address? Check out our how-to page for more info.
- Price$1,500
- Beds3
- Baths3
- Sq. Ft.1,973
- Built2019
2065 Oakwood Forest Drive, Bryan
The Reynolds floorplan is a wonderful two story home, featuring 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Open concept with views of your living area, dining area, and kitchen, conveniently with a half bath nearby. Enjoy a grand family room with access to the covered patio. The second floor features a flex space area for your family to have even more room to gather. All bedrooms are upstairs, and the master features a huge walk in closet. Your laundry room is conveniently upstairs as well. Features wood-grain vinyl plank flooring, two-car garage, fenced backyard, and a sprinkler system. LAWN MOWING IS INCLUDED! Lease terms vary from 12 to 23 months depending upon available end dates. The specific options for the lease expiration date will be determined when the security deposit is received.
Essential Information
- Price$1,500
- Bedrooms3
- Bathrooms2.50
- Full Baths2
- Half Baths1
- Square Footage1,973
- Acres0.00
- Year Built2019
- TypeRent
- Sub-TypeSingle Family
- StatusActive
- # of Garages2
- GaragesAttached Garage
School Information
- DistrictBryan
Community Information
- Address2065 Oakwood Forest Drive
- AreaB16
- SubdivisionOakwood Forest
- CityBryan
- CountyBrazos
- StateTX
- Zip Code77803
- Interior FeaturesBlinds/Shades
- AppliancesElectric Range, Garbage Disposal
- HeatingCentral Electric
- CoolingCentral Electric
- StoriesTwo Story or More
Listing Details
- Listing Agent:Karen Chappell
- Listing Office:Camillo Properties Gp, Inc.
The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS.
Listing information is provided by Bryan-College Station Regional MLS.


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Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper are reportedly taking some time off from their relationship.
According to People, the couple is currently not dating, but they possibly haven't called it quits for good.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: They Dated Who?!? Surprising Former Couples!
U.S. & World
"Amanda and Dominic have been on and off for a while – and right now they're taking a break," a source told People. "But they're great friends and could still get back together."
The mag reported that Dominic was seen spending time with Amanda's "Mean Girls" co-star, Lindsay Lohan, while in Cannes this past week. He even reportedly had his arm around LiLo's waist.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Amanda Seyfried
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, the 24-year-old actress told InStyle Hair in this month's issue that distance was hard on her relationship with the 31-year-old British actor, explaining that they resorted to Web cams and a lot of time in the air in order to see each other.
"There's nothing easy about it," she told the mag of their three-year relationship. "We get on airplanes. You have to be willing to get on one, plain and simple."
The duo met while filming 2008's "Mamma Mia!"
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood's Smokin' Hot Couples
When contacted by Access Hollywood, a rep for Amanda was not immediately available for comment.
Copyright 2010 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Divorce! Break-Ups! Hollywood's Most Famous Former Couples
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Amanda Seyfried & Julianne Moore On Their Racy Sex Scene In 'Chloe'
PLAY IT NOW: Hollywood Radar: May 12, 2010
More from Access: [ Amanda Seyfried Lindsay Lohan Movies ]


text: Yahoo's biggest acquisition to date took place in 1999 with its purchase of internet video streaming service Broadcast.com for $5.7 billion. Yahoo promised to "integrate the company's audio and video programming, business services and advertising programs into Yahoo," then Yahoo president Jeff Mallett told CNET at the time. Looks like that plan fell through, as Broadcast.com is no more. But it certainly made its founders rich, including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.


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GOP's stars of 2009 fall from grace… Self-inflicted -- not ideological -- problems for McDonnell and Christie… The State of the Union responder curse strikes again!!!.... Watching security for the upcoming Olympics… Today's March for Life and the red-blue divide on abortion… Cuccinelli calls for Christie to step down as RGA chair… And Dems win key state Senate race in Virginia.
*** GOP's stars of 2009 fall from grace: American politics is full of stories about rising stars, possible vice-presidential candidates, and presidential contenders. But the news out Virginia yesterday is a reminder how the stories can go the other way, too. As NBC's Pete Williams reported, former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and his wife were charged on Tuesday with repeatedly asking for -- and getting -- illegal gifts from a businessman eager for the state to promote his products. McDonnell has admitted taking the gifts, but he said he repaid them (with interest) and broke no law. Nevertheless, this is a jarring fall-from-grace story for a politician once considered a potential running mate to Mitt Romney in 2012 and even a presidential candidate in 2016. And when you combine it with the news coming out of New Jersey, with the bridge scandal and other allegations hitting Gov. Chris Christie (R), it's been an awful last two weeks for the GOP's stars from the Class of 2009.
Joshua Roberts / REUTERS
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) during their annual meeting in Washington, in this February 19, 2010, file photo.
*** Self-inflicted -- not ideological -- problems for McDonnell, Christie: Of course, we're still waiting to see how the Christie story ultimately unfolds, but the problems that both he and McDonnell are currently facing have little to nothing to do with ideology. Both men governed from the relative middle in their respective states, and that explains their strong approval ratings. (Even after the McDonnell story exploded, the former Virginia governor's numbers remained in the 50s.) Instead, their problems appear to be self-inflicted. For Christie, the allegations are that 1) his administration caused a traffic jam to apparently punish a Democratic mayor who didn't endorse him, and 2) that his lieutenant governor told a mayor that hurricane relief money would be linked to approval of a private commercial project. For McDonnell, the charges involve receiving gifts -- and returning favors for them.
*** McDonnell's politically done, but could he avoid serving time? All that said, the feds might have a tough case to prove when it comes to McDonnell. It's all clearly unethical, but being unethical is not a crime -- it's proving the quid pro quo. And McDonnell's statement yesterday gives a hint as to his defense that he never thought he was doing anything in return for the gifts. Jonnie Williams has immunity, which is why there are SO MANY details in this indictment. But judging by what McDonnell's lawyers are saying off camera, don't expect some plea deal right away. This could very well end up in court. By the way, this McDonnell fall from grace is actually a very familiar scandal, unfortunately. It's amazing how many politicians allow themselves to make these mistakes in the name of vanity. In this case, this appears to be a couple that just couldn't accept the fact they couldn't keep up with the Joneses. They were trying to live a lifestyle they couldn't afford, and in order to do it, they cut corners. And while for months, McDonnell defenders hinted that this was mainly driven by Maureen McDonnell, what this indictment indicates is that the governor was just as "in" on the game as she was.
*** The State of the Union responder curse strikes again! By the way, with the McDonnell news and with next week's State of the Union approaching, here's a (dubious) list of all the State of the Union responders going back to 2007. The GOP has yet to announce who's giving its response to President Obama, but will anyone want the job after looking at this list? The only one here who -- right now -- appears to still have some political juice left is House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan.
2007: Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) – OUT OF POLITICS
2008: Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) – BOTCHED OBAMACARE ROLLOUT
2009: Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) – NO LONGER CONSIDERED RISING STAR
2010: Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) – INDICTED
2011: Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) – LOSING VP CANDIDATE IN 2012
2012: Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-IN) – OUT OF POLITICS
2013: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) – STAR ISN'T AS BRIGHT AS IT WAS A YEAR AGO
*** Watching security for the upcoming Olympics: Outside the McDonnell and Christie news, maybe the most important political -- and geopolitical -- story is the one coming out of Sochi, Russia concerning the security at the upcoming Olympic Games. Yesterday, the White House announced that President Obama and Russian President Putin spoke by phone on a range of issues, including security at the Olympics. "The two presidents also discussed how best to advance shared U.S.-Russian interests, including a safe and secure Sochi Olympics, for which the United States has offered its full assistance," per the White House's readout of the call. Interestingly, the White House has refused to say who called whom. Inquiring minds want to know. Obviously, given what's going on with Syria and Iran, it seems logical the two would be scheduling a check-in call about now. But was this call about Putin looking for more help with security? Is that how we're supposed to read "full assistance" in that phrase? Or is this about the White House nervous about whether Putin has these games secure?
*** The March for Life and the red-blue divide on abortion: Today is the annual anti-abortion March for Life in Washington, DC. USA Today: "Snow, ice and below-freezing weather won't stop thousands of people from across the country taking to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to protest abortion in the annual March for Life on Wednesday." The march comes one day after a report that this week's Republican National Committee meeting will vote on a resolution "urging GOP candidates to speak up about abortion and respond forcefully against Democratic efforts to paint them as anti-woman extremists." The RNC also is freeing up time to allow its members to participate in the march. Politically, no issue better underscores today's partisan atmosphere more than abortion. With few exceptions, Democrats are ardent supporters of abortion rights. And with few exceptions, Republicans are ardent opponents. And as a result, it's hard to believe that the issue will go away anytime soon. It wasn't that long ago when both parties tolerated -- and even recruited -- pro-life Democrats and pro-choice Republicans. Now it seems as if it would be impossible for a pro-life Democrat to win a competitive primary or a pro-choice Republican to do the same. The unintended consequence is that abortion law will continue to change depending on the party in charge. If the issue isn't settled politically, it'll never fully feel settled legally.
*** Cuccinelli calls for Christie to step down as RGA chair: On CNN last night, former Virginia Republican gubernatorial nominee Ken Cucinnelli became the first high-profile GOPer to recommend that Chris Christie step down as chairman of the Republican Governors Association. "I think just from the perspective of setting aside this as an issue in other races, it makes sense for him to step aside in that role. He does not serve the goals of that organization by staying as chairman," Cuccinelli said, per NBC's Andrew Rafferty. "That doesn't mean any of the charges, political or otherwise, are substantive or not. It doesn't matter, perception is reality," he added. Don't forget that Cuccinelli has a possible axe to grind here – given that the popular Christie didn't campaign for him in 2013. Still, this is part of Christie's problem right now: A lot of folks, including Republicans, have axes to grind.
*** Dems continue to flex their muscles in Virginia: Democrats last night won a state Senate special election in Virginia, which puts them in the driver's seat of controlling that chamber. The Washington Post: "In the race to fill the seat vacated by Attorney General Mark R. Herring (D), Democrat Jennifer Wexton prevailed over Republican John Whitbeck and independent Joe T. May, a former Republican delegate running as an independent, according to unofficial election results. The district encompasses a slice of Fairfax County and a hefty portion of eastern Loudoun County." To gain control of the state Senate -- with Dem Lt. Go. Ralph Northam casting the tie vote -- Democrats must also hold on to a race where their candidate was the certified winner by just nine votes. Yet more than anything else, last night's race is a reminder of just how much ground the Republican Party needs to make up in the state, especially in the vital Northern Virginia suburbs and exurbs. Outside of Bob McDonnell's 2009 gubernatorial victory, Democrats have won most of the major contests in the state -- Obama in '08 and '12, Tim Kaine in '12, Terry McAuliffe in '13.
*** Does that help Gillespie? Indeed, Roll Call writes that the GOP's losses in Virginia could actually help establishment Senate candidate Ed Gillespie in a nominating convention usually dominated by conservatives. "Gillespie 'does have to take [the convention] seriously, but I think people want to win a statewide race in Virginia,' Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., said. 'Having lost three races last fall [governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general], I think they recognize we need a candidate who is in the hunt when it comes to the last part of the race … and that means somebody who is capable of raising the money.'"
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Indicative Rate * AU$150 to AU$240
The charming secluded air-conditioned cottages at Sunshine Valley Cottages are set amidst beautiful tropical gardens and cater for anyone who is looking for private self-contained accommodation.
As they're situated in the heart of the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland, it is the perfect location to enjoy all this area has to offer. Enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Sunshine Coast and visit the charming, historic towns of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, all only a short drive away.
All you need to do is relax, enjoy the time spent on your own veranda, have a private barbecue, cool off with a dip in the crystal clear water of their pool set in natural surroundings or wander through their beautiful garden. Free WiFi is available in the cottage.
The kitchen, dining and lounge area of the cottage is open plan with sweeping views of the tropical garden outside. Their spacious and comfortable cottages are equipped with a queen size bed, flat screen television/DVD/CD, iPod docking station, bathroom with vanity, shower and toilet, linen and towels, full equipped kitchen, iron and ironing board, comfortable sofa, split system air-conditioning, a ceiling fan, private covered veranda and gas barbecue, parking space.
Pets are allowed on request.
The kitchen, dining and lounge area is open plan with sweeping views of the tropical garden. The spacious and comfortable cottages are equipped with a queen size bed, a flat screen television/DVD/CD, an iPod docking station, radio alarm clock, bathroom with vanity, free toiletries and hair dryer, shower and toilet, linen and towels, full equipped kitchen with fridge/freezer, a microwave and electric cook top, iron and ironing board, comfortable sofa, split system air-conditioning, ceiling fan, private covered veranda with table and chairs, a gas barbecue, free parking.
A breakfast basket can be served if desired, their cottages are equipped to self cater if preferred.
The cottages are non smoking, but smoking on your private veranda is allowed.
There is free WiFi available in the cottage.
Note: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator's website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD).


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Consensus Report
Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The Third Biennial Review--2010 (2010)Water Science and Technology Board
Each report is produced by a committee of experts selected by the Academy to address a particular statement of task and is subject to a rigorous, independent peer review; while the reports represent views of the committee, they also are endorsed by the Academy. Learn more on our expert consensus reports.
Although the progress of environmental restoration projects in the Florida Everglades remains slow overall, there have been improvements in the pace of restoration and in the relationship between the federal and state partners over the last two years. However, the importance of several challenges related to water quantity and quality have become clear, highlighting the difficulty in achieving restoration goals for all ecosystem components in all portions of the Everglades. Rigorous scientific analyses of the tradeoffs between water quality and quantity and between the hydrologic requirements of Everglades features and species are needed to inform future prioritization and funding decisions.
Key Messages
- Attaining water quality goals throughout the Everglades system is likely to be very costly and take several decades of continued commitment to a systemwide, integrated planning and design effort that simultaneously addresses source controls, storage, and treatment over a range of time scales. The South Florida Water Management District should conduct a comprehensive scientific, technical, and cost effectiveness analysis to examine the potential short and longer-term restoration alternatives and to optimize restoration outcomes given state and federal financial constraints.
- In the past two years the restoration program has made tangible progress, and the pace of restoration and the relationship between the federal and state partners has improved. Four Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects, four pilot projects, and several non- Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects are under construction, notably a Tamiami Trail bridge. Continued federal commitment is especially important at this time.
- Maintaining political and public support for Everglades restoration will be critical to future Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan progress. Multiple decades of commitment will be needed to complete the Restoration Plan. Sustaining this commitment will be a continuing challenge that will require demonstration of significant public and environmental benefits as evidenced through the Restoration Plan's monitoring and assessment program.
- Natural system restoration progress from the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, however, remains slow, and this committee reaffirms its predecessor's conclusions (NRC 2008) that continued declines of some aspects of the ecosystem make accelerated progress in Everglades restoration even more important.
- Nearly all Everglades restoration projects carry tradeoffs. Understanding the tradeoffs from a whole ecosystem perspective is critical to decision-making. Improved models and decision tools are needed to help policy makers weigh the effects of restoration projects on multiple ecosystem components, such as habitat conditions, threatened species, and critical ecosystem processes and features such as tree islands, and this information should be clearly communicated to planners and stakeholders.
- Rigorous research, analysis, and modeling are needed to develop improved best management practices and to examine the long-term sustainability and performance of stormwater treatment areas to meet water-quality goals.
- Several important challenges related to water quality and water quantity have become clear over the past two years, highlighting the difficulty of simultaneously achieving restoration goals for all ecosystem components in all portions of the Everglades. For example, restoring hydrologic conditions while providing adequate storage and meeting water-quality goals is a challenge.
- The effectiveness of current mechanisms of linking science to decision making has come under question and should be examined by Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan leadership. Strong communication between scientists and decision makers is critically important to reach restoration goals by ensuring that policy decisions are fully informed by scientific knowledge.
About this Report
Authoring Body:Committee on Independent Scientific Review of Everglades Restoration Progress
Primary Board:Water Science and Technology Board
Other Report(s) in this series:Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The Second Biennial Review, 2008 (2008)
Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The First Biennial Review, 2006 (2006)
Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The Fourth Biennial Review, 2012 (2012)
Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The Fifth Biennial Review, 2014 (2014)
Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The Sixth Biennial Review, 2016 (2016)
Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The Seventh Biennial Review - 2018 (2018)


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A few weeks ago, word got out that a review being published in September's American Journal of Clinical Nutrition had concluded that organic foods are not healthier or more nutritious that conventional food.
Organic advocates were outraged. Mildly engaged consumers began to wonder if organics were really worth the higher price tag.
Momentarily leaving aside some the review's conclusions, my first thought was: Is higher nutritional quality really what motivates consumers to buy organic food, anyway? Isn't it more about what's not in the food than what is?
Most people I know who make a point of buying organic do so to avoid ingesting antibiotics, pesticides and other toxins. Sure, if my organic tomato had a few more vitamins than a conventionally grown one, that would be a nice bonus, but it's not the reason I'm buying it.
And according to the Organic Trade Association, there are plenty of other good reasons to buy organic food that don't have anything to do with what goes in your body. The association provides information on how organic agriculture can improve soil fertility, prevent chemical fertilizers from polluting waterways and accommodate higher species diversity.
The environmental reach of conventionally grown food is longer than most of us can even imagine. I stopped buying non-organic bananas after a short visit to Costa Rica revealed something about the industry I never would have known about: the use of plastic bags.
During my visit, my colleague and I drove past millions of banana trees, but I never saw a single banana. Instead, I saw big, blue plastic bags covering each banana bunch on every single tree.
My colleague explained that these bags were filled with pesticides and placed over the bananas to protect them from insects that might cause brown spots on the fruit, making them aesthetically unappealing to American consumers.
According to FleetWatch, these bags are used three times before being recycled, but locals will tell you that these blue bags are everywhere, littering the forest floor and choking rivers and streams.
But back to the review.
The review of 55 studies from 1958 to 2008 found that conventionally produced crops had a higher content of nitrogen, while organically produced crops had higher phosphorous and acidity content. No differences were found between the two classes of crops for the other nutrient categories — including vitamin C, zinc, and calcium — that were analyzed.
The review, funded by the U.K. Food Standards Agency, didn't look for differences in pesticide residues between organic and conventional growing methods.
Organic advocates had strong objections to the review for a number of reasons.
Michael Hansen, Ph.D., a senior scientist at Consumers Union, cited the use of older studies as a major flaw. He told WebMD that most studies done before 1980 probably had flawed methodologies, and newer studies show clear differences in nutrient content between the two growing methods.
Secondly, the study doesn't look at differences in polyphenols and certain antioxidants, which chief scientist for The Organic Center Charles Benbrook, Ph.D., says are 25 percent higher in organically grown food.
So, what does this mean for your food purchases?
Benbrook actually has some really sound advice: If you want to maximize the nutrient content of your produce, choose the freshest and most colorful fruits and vegetables. And if you want to minimize pesticide residues and environmental pollution, choose organic.
For now, my habits — choosing organic and local produce when I can — aren't changing.


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More than 400 National Award winners and finalists have been given global exposure and opportunity since the program launched eight years ago. Winners receive a variety or prizes, ranging from Sony digital imaging equipment to having their work featured in the Sony World Photography Awards winners book and being shown at the annual Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition in London.
Please note:
- To be eligible for the National Award program, you must hold the nationality of the country of the National Award and currently be residing in the country at the time of the Award.
- All images submitted in any of the ten Open categories of the 2020 Sony World Photography Awards are automatically entered into the National Awards program.
- Closing date: January 7, 2020 at 13.00 GMT.
- Winners will be announced February, 2020.


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Although we are mostly made up of "weird" comics, we accept all applications and comic types (we just expect you to be off the wall if your comic isn't). However, before applying, please make sure you meet the following requirements or your submission will be put on file for later or ignored since you can't follow simple instructions:
1. Have at least 30 comics in your archive (especially if it's a story driven comic),
2. Update regularly and "on time," (according to the schedule you set)
3. Have a site which is easy to use, navigate, and look at.
If you meet those requirements and have an interest in our community, email Mark at firstname.lastname@example.com, include something about it being an Off The Wall Application in the subject line, and include the following information:
Author/Artist Name
Comic Name
URL (of comic and archive)
Comic Rating
A brief description of your comic.
Although most of these dropdowns/groups are limited to comicgen, and therefore accept any comicgen member automatically, we've strayed from that because a lot of the sites we got applications from either quit soon after being added to the group or before we even got a chance to add them to the site/dropdown. Because of that, we moved to a democratic process to vote in comics who submit applications and meet certain requirements (those listed above). That review process could take a month or so, since we send it around and chat about it, so be patient, but if you don't even get a reply from me within a week saying I recieved it and that we are reviewing it, try again (sometimes my spam folder gets way overactive).
Once you've been accepted, just post the code found right under this on your pages (main/archive) and I'll add you to the list ASAP.
- Code: Select all
<script language="javascript" SRC="http://boozeathon4billion.com/scripts/offthewall.js"> </SCRIPT>
We're planning to move this site/collective to its own servers in 2010 sometime, and with that move will come a forum, chat channel, podcast, and several other things we just don't have the bandwidth/resources for at this moment. Our website is: http://offthewall-comics.com so visit there if you want more info or want an idea of what kind of comics are a part of this group. And if I'm taking too long getting back with you, PM or email me. I'm busy, but I should have more than enough time to update the dropdown for you weirdos.


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12 Years a Slave as the Best Picture of 2013
Forest Whitaker, Sandra Bullock, Oprah Winfrey and Jared Leto Also Receive Wins from the Nation's Premiere African American Critics Group
Los Angeles, CA (December 13, 2013) — The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has named 12 Years a Slave as the Best Picture of 2013. The Fox Searchlight film's also earned Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Newcomer honors for Steve McQueen, John Ridley and Lupita Nyong'o. The organization, which represents the leading African-American film critics nationwide, will formally present its awards during a private ceremony on Friday, January 31, 2014 hosted by Orlando Jones at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, CA.
In the acting categories, Forest Whitaker won Best Actor for his performance in Lee Daniels: The Butler and Sandra Bullock was named Best Actress for Gravity. Oprah Winfrey received Best Supporting Actress 2013 for her role in The Butler and Jared Leto earned Best Supporting Actor 2013 for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club.
Rounding out the 2013 AAFCA Award winners are Fruitvale Station, for Best Independent Film, Freeze or Best Animated Feature; Mother of George, for Best World Cinema and American Promise, from Joe Brewster and Mich le Stephenson. Producer Raphael Saadiq won in the Best Music category for Black Nativity.
As previously announced, AAFCA's Special Achievement honors will be awarded to AMPAS President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, TWC's Bob and Harvey Weinstein, FOX SEARCHLIGHT's Zola Mashariki and DGA's President Paris Barclay. AAFCA's Inaugural Roger Ebert Award will be given to Justin Chang of Variety. "The film industry reached an incredibly high benchmark in 2013 in terms of the level of performance and diversity on screen," says AAFCA President and Founder, Gil Robertson. "From the dramatic and heartwarming performances given by Whitaker and Winfrey, to Jared Leto's incredible transformation as a transgender, the performances this year represented some of the finest examples of the acting craft."
The organization's Top Ten list of films includes 12 Years a Slave, Lee Daniels: The Butler, Gravity, American Hustle and Mandela. "Hollywood did an excellent job in providing filmgoers with excellent examples of cinema that examine the core of the humanity. We hope this trend continues," says AAFCA's East Coast V.P. Daryle Lockhart, owner of Black Box Office.com.
The African-American Film Critics Association's Top Ten Films of 2013 are as follows in order of distinction:
- 12 Years a Slave
- Lee Daniels: The Butler
- Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
- American Hustle
- Gravity
- Fruitvale Station
- Dallas Buyers Club
- Saving Mr. Banks
- Out of the Furnace
- 42
Best Actor
Forest Whitaker, Lee Daniels: The Butler (TWC)
Best Actress
Sandra Bullock, Gravity (Warner Bros.)
Best Supporting Actress
Oprah Winfrey, Lee Daniels: The Butler (TWC)
Best Supporting Actor
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club (Focus Features)
Best World Cinema
Mother of George (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
Breakout Performance
Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave (Fox Searchlight)
Best Director
Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave (Fox Searchlight)
Best Screenplay
John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave (Fox Searchlight)
Best Music
Raphael Sadiq, Black Nativity (RCA Inspirational)
Best Independent Film
Fruitvale Station (TWC)
Best Animation
Frozen (Walt Disney Pictures)
Best Documentary
American Promise (Rada Film Group)
About AAFCA
The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) is the premiere organization of African-American film media professionals. Founded in 2003, AAFCA's members represent a geographically diverse cross-section of media covering the cinematic arts. The organization honors excellence in cinema by creating awareness for films with universal appeal to black communities, while emphasizing film about the black experience and those produced written, directed and starring performers of African descent. The association actively reviews the quality and standard of black talent, content and media coverage. AAFCA also supports the development of future black film critics and filmmakers. AAFCA is based in Los Angeles.
Contact: Deborah Mellman / 818-990-8066 / firstname.lastname@example.com
AAFCA Press / 818-849-0286 / firstname.lastname@example.com


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MorrisConsultingGrp necesitaba un nuevo diseño de página web y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 235 diseños de 21 diseñadores freelance.
Morris Consulting Group
MCG is a consulting company that focuses on management consulting, small business startup and formation, business strategy, marketing strategy, social media business strategy. But my partner, my wife, consults on event planning and design, interior design, interior decorating, and fashion as a stylist and a personal shopper. Our target audience is forward thinking small to medium size businesses and on my wife's side individuals looking for event planning and design, interior design and women looking for help with interior decor, fashion i.e a new spring wardrobe, work attire, a special occasion dress etc.
we want the website to be clean and functional. simple yet chic and powerful. i want the website to integrate all aspects of the business into one page. The business consulting and all that that encompasses and the "design and fashion" side. I want the site to evoke strength and knowledge. i want it to be simple and functional. not cluttered.
The issue with the homepage is that the company is split into 2 parts-the business consulting side and the design consulting side/interior design side. So the homepage i want to somehow either integrate what i like from both the business consulting website and the interior design sites into one page or somehow have two home pages. i would like one page to be about the consulting business and the services we provide, one page for interior design, and on page for styling and personal shopping
ugly things, i don't like cheap looking things,
below are some of the original logo ideas for Morris Consulting Group.
The other images are photos from events my business partner created.
The Holiday photos are examples of my partners work decorating the interior and holiday decor.


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"[A] vastly ambitious informing allegory, an allegory made rich, as in Invisible man, with the sensory details of which Ellison was such a master." -The New York Review of Books
"[A] stunning achievement…. Juneteenth is a tour de force of untutored eloquence. Ellison sought no less than to create a Book of Blackness, a literary composition of the tradition at its most sublime and fundamental." -Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Time
"Juneteenth…threatens to come as close as any since Huckleberry Finn to grabbing the ring of the great American Novel." -Los Angeles Times


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|Teh Storm (talk)
|Date Created:
|Please feel free to edit constructively!
Social Skill Trinity: unifying Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Bluff Edit
This is a reconstruction of the three top social skills to make them more effective and easier to use.
The Skills and UsesEdit
Though I am keeping the names of the skills, their uses are going to be slightly altered as so:
Bluff is used to guide a targets action without their realization. Thus, Bluff is used to lie, misdirect, and lead a target to a particular action.
Diplomacy is used to sway a target into an agreement or consensus using logical arguments, debate, and social graces. Thus, Diplomacy is used to trade, persuade, and arrange deals and oaths.
Intimidate is used to force a target to action with threats, aggressive body language, and displays of power. Thus, Intimidate is used to interrogate, command, and shock a target.
A command or action suggested using any of the above skills can be countered in one of three ways:
Stand Your GroundEdit
You roll a Will Power save to contest the roll. Success means that you have resisted the suggested action and can act normally. Failure indicates you follow the suggested action.
Read the StatementEdit
You roll a Sense Motive check to contest the roll. Success indicates that you have read the targets purpose in proposing the action, and can act accordingly. Failure indicates that you deem the action in your best interest and follow the suggested action.
Counter OfferEdit
You roll your choice of Bluff, Diplomacy or Intimidate with another suggested action to contest the original check. Success indicates that you have asserted your suggestion successfully, and the target must in turn Stand, Read or Counter. Failure indicates that your suggestion was completely ignored, and improves the targets check result by the amount rolled under the original DC for the purposes of Reading or Standing Your Ground.
Bluff and Intimidate are generally standard actions, while Diplomacy usually requires at least a minute. However, circumstances can dramatically alter the time required.
Counter Offer can cause retries until it fails, but Standing Your Ground and Reading can only be attempted once per command. The actual command can be retried if unsuccessful, but almost always at a penalty.
Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Variant Rules


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We're heading to a future where all of the world will be caught in an unstoppable conversation. Cheap hardware will build a wireless network that spans the globe and allow anyone to use it. Software will make it easy to share facts, ideas and files easily and unstoppably. Data techniques will allow us to filter for the things we like or trust and ensure our information is kept secure. LogicError is a catalog of the technologies that are coming together to make this future a reality.
Inexpensive wireless hardware is already here and catching on quickly. As these devices get cheaper and more powerful, we'll begin to see one large community network that spans the globe with a cost of little or nothing to join in. Combine this with the more efficient ways we've found to use the spectrum and we'll have one global, pervasive network for everything, a physical extension of the current Internet.
Cheap computer hardware and wearable computers will make it possible for people to remain connected to these networks anytime anywhere, using them to get whatever information they need. Tablet computers and digital paper will replace old means of sharing information with new net-connected ones that are easily updatable and accessible over the net.
Emergent networks or "P2P" will make it easier for us to share content, storage and processing power. Trust and reputation metrics will let your friends and heroes take advantage of it. And ad-hoc networks will let us do it all without a central authority, bottleneck or choke point.
New distributed hash tables will make file sharing fast, easy, unstoppable and potentially anonymous. They'll also make a new breed of superworms possible, although capability-secure systems will help prevent such attacks. Multi-peer downloading tools will let you get files faster by downloading from everyone who has a copy at once.
Distributed storage networks will allow us to create a worldwide database and storage system, where resources are automatically allocated to popular information or important people. Global archiving networks will make sure that nothing's ever lost and important history is preserved for posterity. New searching tools and semantic web technology will make it possible to ask questions of the entire net and get back trusted, relevant responses.
Distributed processing systems will allow you to donate your excess CPU time to worthy projects like searching for aliens, curing cancer and rendering new movies. And in return, you'll get some extra processing power when you need it. Slow tasks can be made much faster by letting your other computers and your friends computers help with some of the work.
Cryptography will let us share our work with the world without having to worry about our privacy being invaded or our private data read. We'll also be able to build voting systems and anonymous communication channels where people can make decisions and hold conversations without their privacy being invaded. Digital signatures will let us make sure that things were written by the people who claim to have written them and let us download from random people and still be sure that we're getting an untampered copy of a file.
Collaborative filters and trust metrics will let us get answers from the people we believe in, rather than the ones the media has decide to ask. We'll be able to get the kind of information we're interested from a news network that's contributed to by anyone who has something to say. Hear stories about the things you care about told by the people who were involved and not fed through the filter of a news reporter who doesn't know about the subject.


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Concern has been growing among Federal Reserve officials that the Fed's low interest rate policies are causing excessive risk-taking in search of higher yields, but that doesn't mean the Fed is about to abandon its employment goals and tighten monetary policy to avoid financial instability.
For awhile, it was just "hawks" in the ranks of Federal Reserve Bank presidents who were warning that the Fed's easy money measures risk generating new asset bubbles. For instance, Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President Esther George says the Fed "must not ignore the possibility that the low-interest rate policy may be creating incentives that lead to future financial imbalances,"
"Prices of assets such as bonds, agricultural land and high-yield and leveraged loans are at historically high levels," notes George, the lone dissenter when the Fed's policymaking Federal Open Market Committee reaffirmed its aggressively expansionary monetary measures Jan. 30. "A sharp correction in asset prices could be destabilizing and cause employment to swing away from its full-employment level and inflation to decline to uncomfortably low levels."
Lately, more mainstream voices have chimed in. Fed Governor Jeremy Stein surprised many by cautioning against credit market "overheating," particularly in the junk bond market and funds that invest in them. He warned "a prolonged period of low interest rates, of the sort we are experiencing today, can create incentives for agents to take on greater duration or credit risks, or to employ additional financial leverage, in an effort to 'reach for yield.'" And he said "waiting for decisive proof of market overheating may amount to an implicit policy of inaction…"
In the past, the Fed party line has been that the best way to curtail such behavior is through regulation, and indeed the Fed got a mandate to do just that in the Dodd-Frank legislation. Monetary policy, it was thought, is too "blunt" a tool to curb credit market excesses.
But Stein opened the door to using monetary policy to calm frothy markets. While it may not be a precise instrument, it has the merit of "get(ting) in all of the cracks," he said.
Fed Governor Sarah Bloom Raskin, New York Fed President William Dudley and Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren have raised concerns about bank lending, short-term wholesale funding and money market funds.
Further fuelling speculation that financial stability threats might hasten Fed tightening, minutes of the Jan. 29-30 FOMC meeting revealed "many participants… expressed some concerns about potential costs and risks arising from further asset purchases." And they said "a number of participants stated that an ongoing evaluation of the efficacy, costs, and risks of asset purchases might well lead the Committee to taper or end its purchases before it judged that a substantial improvement in the outlook for the labor market had occurred."
Legitimate as such fears are, the odds of financial risks significantly swaying the course of monetary policy in the foreseeable future are small.
The FOMC has said it will keep buying Treasury and mortgage backed securities (now at an $85 billion monthly pace) until it sees "substantial" improvement in the labor market outlook. Chicago Fed President Charles Evans, another voter, says the FOMC needs to be "highly confident" about that.
Even after it stops buying bonds and the economy has strengthened, the FOMC vows to keep policy "highly accommodative" "for a considerable time." And it plans to hold the federal funds rate near zero until the unemployment rate drops to 6.5%, provided forecasted inflation doesn't exceed 2.5% and inflation expectations are "well-anchored."
With unemployment near 8% and inflation running around 1.5%, financial imbalances would have to become much more threatening to divert the FOMC from its paramount goal of reducing joblessness. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke made that clear enough in presenting the semi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress.
"Although a long period of low rates could encourage excessive risk-taking, and continued close attention to such developments is certainly warranted, to this point we do not see the potential costs of the increased risk-taking in some financial markets as outweighing the benefits of promoting a stronger economic recovery and more-rapid job creation," he said.
Bernanke said the FOMC "takes very seriously… the possibility that very low interest rates, if maintained for a considerable time, could impair financial stability." But he said risk-taking actually can help "reduce risk in the system, most importantly by strengthening the overall economy, but also by encouraging firms to rely more on longer-term funding, and by reducing debt service costs for households and businesses."
The FOMC is unlikely to make any meaningful policy shift in the next few months. To even think about scaling back asset purchases, i.e., to determine there has been "substantial" improvement in the jobs picture, most policymakers want to see the unemployment rate drop closer to 7% — and not in a context of falling labor force participation. They also want to see a sustained period of 200,000 monthly non-farm payroll gains, coupled with above-trend GDP growth.
Given ongoing fiscal wrangling in Washington, with all the uncertainty it causes, among other headwinds, it is difficult to imagine the FOMC discussing possible cutbacks in QE3 until sometime this summer at the earliest. Unless the economy surmounts the fiscal problems and other "downside risks" and does a lot better than expected, we're probably looking at closer to the end of the year or perhaps beyond.
Steve Beckner is senior correspondent for Market News International. He is heard regularly on National Public Radio and is the author of "Back From The Brink: The Greenspan Years" (Wiley).


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J.delarosa13 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de otro y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 5 diseños de 2 diseñadores freelance.
Green Lean Machine
I am a regular dude with a passion for healthy foods. Tired of the unhealthy options available in malls, airports, ballgames so I have decided to create a concept that will make healthy foods appealing to the mass public. In addition to selling healthy snacking options this machine will be an educational forum for people needing anywhere from healthy recipes to ways to combat obesity and bad cholesterol. I'm very pumped about this concept and am looking forward to sharing with the world.
Lifestyle mission
As eating healthy sometimes requires a lifestyle change, another mission of ours is to help customers benchmark their health status. We will provide health status of customers – including a receipt print out of:
1. Weight
2. Instant fat %
3. Blood pressure – As embarrassing as it is I admit I still do not know how to read my blood pressure! Green Lean Machine will explain this.
Everyone from children to adults - the Green Lean Machine will have something for everyone. Anyone looking for a quick healthy snack - we will cater to the needs. If someone wants to stick around and benchmark their health while receiving strategies to maintain a healthy lifestyle we can take care of that too! Will place the product in high traffic areas including malls and airport across the world.
I really want you to be as creative as possible - looking for a sleek design that will attract people by the masses. Huge, vivid green machine that makes RedBox look ancient. So here are the specs I have. Looking forward to working with you and most importantly have fun!
1. Digital model of design
2. Vivid green frame
3. Modern looking – avoid dull vending look.
a. Would like 8 rows, 5 columns inside machine for snack placement.
4. Weight Scale placed in front of machine(the flatter the better – maybe it looks more like a mat when you approach it)
5. Blood Pressure Machine (you decide where this should go – just want this to look sharp))
6. Cholesterol Machine (you decide where this should go)
7. 10-12' Touch Screen Display embedded into the machine
a. Product selection will be made from this touch screen
8. Credit card swipe
9. Mounted ~42' (you can scale as necessary) display on top of machine facing outward for people to see as they pass by - also with loud enough speakers
I will attach design photos so you can get a better idea of what I'm looking for.
The following question was asked on 2-9-11.
-->Do You need complete model design, or something else?
My response:
I am not too sure what you mean by a complete model design. I'll try to elaborate a little bit and if you have any more questions please ask. What I'm looking for is a computerized "sketch" if you will of the vending machine (the view can be straight ahead of the machine of if you make 3-D looking an angle wouldn't be bad). I am not concerned about life scaled measurements. I'd like the design to fit on a 8.5x11 portrait style. Hope this helps.


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Items where Division is "The Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science > Department of Mathematics" and Year is 2012
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Butenuth, Ralf (2012) Quaternionic Drinfeld modular forms. [Dissertation]
Flores-Guzmán, Fernando (2012) Dormant tumor cells in ret transgenic mouse melanoma model and their interaction with memory T cells. [Dissertation]
Gaisendrees, Florian Justus (2012) Fiberwise Homology Truncation. [Dissertation]
Izychev, Dmitriy (2012) Equivariant epsilon-conjecture for unrami fied twists of Z_p(1). [Dissertation]
Mara, Hubert (2012) Multi-Scale Integral Invariants for Robust Character Extraction from Irregular Polygon Mesh Data. [Dissertation]


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Markakis, Jones, McLouth power O's past A's
Tillman goes six strong as O's win first series in Oakland since '07
OAKLAND -- Nick Markakis knows the Baltimore Orioles have struggled at O.co Coliseum in the past. He also knows that it has nothing to do with the present.
Whether it means something or not, Markakis can look to the start of this road trip as a portent to future road series.
"I know we have struggled here," Markakis said after hitting a two-run homer that helped the Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics, 7-3, Saturday. "Our record has not been very good. But we've won the first three, and that's a good way to start a road trip."
The Orioles clinched their fourth consecutive series win and have won eight of their past 10 games.
It's the team's first series win of any kind in Oakland since July 20-22, 2007, and the first four-game series win here since July 31-Aug. 4, 1997. On Sunday, they go for their first four-game series sweep in Oakland since May 22-25, 1987.
"It's another challenge for us regardless of the way we played the last three days," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "It's another day game in a tough place."
Markakis said one of the satisfying things about this series has been the contributions from different people.
"When we're going good, it's not because one, two or three guys are carrying the team," he said. "It's 25 guys all doing their jobs."
Adam Jones and Nate McLouth, who also drove in two runs, both added a homer as the Orioles rallied from a deficit for the second time in three games.
For Jones, it was his first home run in Oakland. It means he has hit a long ball in every American League park in which he has played. The Orioles first visit to Houston is in early June.
"You're going to go through periods where not everybody is hitting," Showalter said. "You have to trust their track records and try to be patient. It's April, and I try to keep that in mind and get a grip on reality."
Chris Davis and J.J. Hardy also drove in runs for the Orioles, who have won six of eight series so far.
Chris Tillman (1-1) threw six strong innings as Orioles pitchers continue to work effectively and deep into games. He gave up two runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out a season-high seven batters.
"I struggled really, but [Taylor Teagarden] did a good job of getting me back on track," Tillman said. "It all comes down to first-pitch strikes. I wasn't doing it early, and then my offspeed stuff started coming around."
"That's typically what happens with starters," A's manager Bob Melvin said of Tillman. "They're most vulnerable, a lot of times, earlier in the game. Once they get into a rhythm and get going, they seem to get better. That was the case with him. We were a hit or two shy from actually breaking it open."
After spotting the A's a 2-0 lead, Baltimore responded with four runs in the fourth, starting with Markakis and Jones' back-to-back homers. Hardy singled in a run later in the inning.
McLouth hit a home run to lead off the eighth, and Davis hit a sacrifice fly for another run. McLouth also hit an RBI single the ninth.
The Orioles faced anxious moment in the ninth. Pedro Strop started the inning by hitting Adam Rosales in the helmet on a full count and then walking Coco Crisp.
Enter Jim Johnson, who promptly gave up a single to John Jaso to load the bases. He got Seth Smith on a short fly to left field and induced a double-play ball out of Jed Lowrie for his 10th save. He's converted his last 31 save opportunities, three shy of the Orioles' franchise record held by Randy Myers.