text:
Select Plot DataThis is a very general plotting tool that allows you to plot a set of X,Y points calculated from the columns of data in a table. For example you can:
- plot the values in a single column versus row number in the table - plot the values in one column versus the values in a second column - plot the values calculated from a general expression that is a function of one or more columns of the table versus the values calculated from any other general expression.In each case, error bars in the X and/or Y coordinates may be plotted on the points. If the column name contains a space or a character which might appear as an arithmetic term, then enclose the name in '$' characters, as in '$MAX-PHA$' or '$RA(J2000)$'.
List boxAll the displayed columns are listed in this box led by the RowNumber (row number index) and ElementNumber (vector element index).
AxesSpecify the X and Y axes, and X Error and Y Error (optional) for plotting. To link a column to an axis, select the column name in the left list box first and then click on the axis button. The linked column name will appear in the "Column" entry box. One can also type in an arithmetic expression (see the Expressions help file). To specify a single element of a vector column, append "[i]" to the column's name, where i is the element's index (indices run from 1 to N, the vector length of the column). When a pair of compatible vectors (vectors having the same length, with ElementNumber always compatible) are plotted against each other, a separate curve will be created and plotted for each row.
RowsIndicate the row ranges to plot. If left blank, all rows will be plotted.
Examples: 1-100 plot the first 100 rows 20-40,60-80 plot rows 20-40 and rows 60-80
Use selected rowsIndicate to plot the data on the selected rows in the table.
Add curveIndicate whether this curve should be plotted in the currently selected graph in POW. If unset (the default), a new graph will be created.
GoMake the plot. After the plot is created you can then edit the style of the plot to change the size or color of the plot symbols, or connect the points with lines.
ClearClear all the selections.
HelpBrings up this help file.
Go to About fv.
Pages maintained by Bryan Irby Send bug reports or feature requests via the FTOOLS help desk.
HEASARC Home | Observatories | Archive | Calibration | Software | Tools | Students/Teachers/Public
Last modified: Thursday, 16-Jul-2009 14:09:30 EDT


text:
2. Aubie, Auburn University - A popular character among Auburn fans, kids, and one of the most animated mascots in the country, Aubie has been on the job since 1979. Aubie's began as a cartoon character that first appeared on the Auburn/Hardin-Simmons football program cover on October 3, 1959. In 1979, Aubie came to life at the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament. Aubie proudly marched into the Birmingham-Jefferson County Civic Center and helped lead first-year Auburn coach Sonny Smith's team to upset wins of Vanderbilt and Georgia in the SEC basketball tournament.
Aubie is five-time national champion cheerleading mascots and has been on numerous 2004 Capital One All-American Mascot Teams. Aubie also writes a column for the local paper where he answers any question from local elementry school kids.
3. Buzz, Georgia Tech - Buzz is the world-famous and beloved mascot of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Buzz gets Tech fans cheering at nearly all the Institute's intercollegiate sporting events. Although Buzz's origins are rather ambiguous, it is known that Buzz showed up at a game sometime in the early 1980s as an unofficial cheerleader, and was soon adopted by the GT cheerleading squad. Today Buzz is a member of the cheerleading squad, and attends all Football Games, all Home basketball games for the Men's & Women's Team, several Volleyball & Baseball games, as well as pep rallies and appearances throughout Georgia. In Fall 2005 and 2006, Buzz was named to the Capital One All-American Mascot Teams and competed for the title of the Capital One Mascot of the Year. Buzz also competes in the Mascot National Competition in Daytona, FL each April. In 2006 he received 2nd place.
4. Sparty, Michigan State University - Sparty the Spartan is Michigan State University's fearless and loveable mascot, a figure known throughout the state of Michigan and recognized across the nation as well. Sparty is the heart of Michigan State, forever supporting its teams, bringing smiles to young and old and continually uplifting all who meet him. Sparty is big and strong, and was judged "Buffest Mascot" by Muscle and Fitness Magazine. Sparty is a two time national champion mascot after competing at the Universal Cheer Association Nationals Competition.
5. Smokey, University of Tennessee - Named to the 2005 and 2006 Capital One All-America Mascot Team, and was awarded the back-to-back National Champion for UCA Mascots. Smokey also get extra points for being the best dancer.
6. Big Red, Western Kentucky University - The huge, furry lovable red creature was designed and built by WKU student Ralph Carey ('80) of Cincinnati, and made its debut during the Hilltoppers' 1979-80 basketball season. "Big Red" has become a big hit with fans of all ages throughout the state and the nation. The ultimate fan and supporter of all WKU's intercollegiate sports, "Big Red" won the "Key to the Spirit" award - the highest honor presented to team mascots at the time - at the Universal Cheerleading Association competition in 1980, 1981 and again in 1983.
7. Cocky, University of South Carolina - Cocky first took action in 1980 when he came in to take over his father (Big Spur's) place. Cocky soon won the hearts off all the Gamecock fans all over and now is one of the most recognizable figures to young and old at USC. Cocky has also captured national attention in the UCA (Universal Cheerleading Association) Mascot Competitions. In 1986, Cocky brought home his first UCA Mascot Championship. He continued his success in the competitions each year and rose to the very top a second time in 1994 bringing home his second Championship.
8. Hairy Dawg, University of Georgia - Hairy Dawg was conceived in 1980 when Tom Sapp showed sketches of a bulldog(Hairy Dawg) to head football coach Vince Dooley. Dooley loved it so much that he asked Sapp to have a costume rendition of the dog ready in three weeks for the Sugar Bowl. As legend has it, Hairy debuted in New Orleans against Notre Dame, helping the Bulldogs win their second national championship.
9. Herbie the Husker, University of Nebraska - Herbie the Husker first appeared on the cover of the 1974 summer football media guide, derived from a cartoon character of a Nebraska fan at the Cotton Bowl. In 2003 Herbie went through an extreme makeover. This once heavy husker is now fit and trim, and can be seen at games waving the UN flag or extending a helping hand in the community.
10. Big Al, University of Alabama - Big Al's debut as UA's mascot came at the 1979 Sugar Bowl, where the Crimson Tide turned back Penn State at the goal line to earn a 14-7 victory and a national championship. Today, the elephant is synonymous with the Crimson Tide and Big Al is one of the nation's most popular collegiate mascots.
11. Butch T. Cougar, Washington State University - Born in 1978 on a remote mountain top in the Cascades and named to the 2005 Capital One All-America Mascot Team and was mascot of the year.
12. Joe Bruin, UCLA - Won the United Spirit Association Collegiate National Mascot Championship in 2003.
13. Mr. Wuf - North Carolina State University - Mr. Wuf was named the winner of the mascots division of the Chick-Fil-A Collegiate Cheer and Dance National Championship, the first time since 1987 that the NC State mascot has won the national title.
14. Sam the Minuteman, University of Massachusetts - Definitely the most patriotic mascot in the country. Like the patriotic minutemen, Sam is ready to cheer for his school at a moment's notice. This proud mascot is the pride and joy of all UMass athletes and fans and is a symbol of strength, confidence and perseverance.
15. Bucky Badger, Wisconsin - Created in 1949, Bucky Badger has warmed the hearts of Wisconsin fans for over a half century. He has been on numerous Capitol One's All American Mascot Teams.
16. Big Jay, University of Kansas - A lively high flying bird who hypes up the KU crowd with his crazy dance moves. This Jayhawk is a combination of two birds - the blue jay, a noisy quarrelsome thing known to rob other nests, and the sparrow hawk, a stealthy hunter. 17. Brutus Buckeye, Ohio State - Brutus celebrates his 40th year as the Ohio State Mascot, one of the oldest in the country. Member of the 2003 Capitol One All-America Mascot Team.
18. Otto, Syracuse University - The big Orange has been around since 1990 and was selected to the 2006 Capitol One All American Mascot Team.
19. Sooner, University of Oklahoma - Part of the Boomer and Sooner Team. Boomer and Sooner were named "Most Collegiate Mascot" at the UCA College Summer Camp held on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
20. Testudo, University of Maryland - the official mascot of the University of Maryland, is not your ordinary Diamondback terrapin. For over sixty years, he has been the symbol for this campus, overseeing us in good times and bad. The costume Testudo has been cheering since the 1970's
21. Hokie Bird, Virginia Tech - Today's HokieBird made its first appearance in 1987. HokieBird has won national mascot competitions and has been so popular that the mascot landed an appearance on Animal Planet's "Turkey Secrets," shown annually around Thanksgiving.
22. Widcat, University of Kentucky - The Wildcat mascot originated during the 1976-77 academic year at UK. Gary Tanner was the original Wildcat, dancing and entertaining thousands of UK fans at Commonwealth Stadium and Rupp Arena during athletics events. This year's Wildcat was a member of Capitol One All American Mascot Team.
23. Sebastian the Ibis, University of Miami - In 1957 San Sebastian Hall, a residence hall on campus, sponsored an Ibis entry in the homecoming celebration. The next year, student John Stormont performed at games in an Ibis costume that was glued, sewn and pinned together and was the forerunner of today's bird. Through the years, the Ibis has become one of the most recognizable college mascots in the United States. Sebastian was a member of 2005 Capitol One All American Mascot Team.
24. Purdue Pete, A Boilermaker if ever there was one, Purdue Pete first took the field to cheer on the Boilermakers in 1956. Initially, students were chosen to portray Pete because of tumbling ability. In those days, Pete had a papier mache head and a bit of padding but was expected to tumble along with the cheerleaders. Today, Pete's head is crafted in the same aviation technology lab that produced the locomotive body of the X-tra Special. Pete was a member of 2005 Capitol One All American Mascot Team.
25. Goldy Gopher, University of Minnesota - During the year, Goldy makes over 1000 appearances and is at virtually all home games for University Teams, usually wearing the appropriate sporting attire, and this year was nominated and made the 2004 Capital One All-American Mascot Team.
25. Cocky, University of South Carolina
- Cocky first took action at USC events in 1980 when he came in to take over his
father (Big Spur's) place. Cocky soon won the hearts off all the Gamecock fans
all over and now is one of the most recognizable figures to young and old at USC.
Cocky has also captured national attention in the UCA (Universal Cheerleading
Association) Mascot Competitions. In 1986, Cocky brought home his first UCA
Mascot Championship. He continued his success in the competitions each year and
rose to the very top a second time in 1994 bringing home his second
College Top
Ten List
Best Stadiums
Toughest Stadiums
Best College
Top 10 Live College
Top 100 College
Football Players
Top 25 College
Football Rivalries
Fantastic Football
Final Moments - Football Videos
Top 10 College Football
Highest Paid College Football
Heisman Award Winners
from 1934-2010
March Madness
Final Four
Greatest College Basketball
Players of All-Time
Greatest College Basketball
Teams of All-Time

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Anserine – of or pertaining to the subfamily Anserinae, of the family Anatidae, comprising the true geese; of or resembling a goose; gooselike; stupid, foolish, silly.
Word of the day
7 Responses to Word of the day
John Key and his Government and its followers – anserine.
""It is clear now that the Government has effectively cut the income tax rate and paid for it by borrowing money overseas, in large part from China. It is an act of economic treason and generational selfishness when a government has decided an already-wealthy part of the population deserves higher incomes paid for by loading foreign debt on future generations of taxpayers."
And then there are the comments (362 of them!)
Here's one:
"But, but, but., wasn't that their perfidiously self-serving plan all along? Create a strategic deficit by gifting unaffordable and unwarranted tax cuts that overwhelmingly favoured the already wealthy, then use that strategic deficit as an excuse to sell themselves our communally owned, income generating strategic assets while slashing public services for the poor? The rich get richer and the poor are forced to pay. It is revolting."
Good on you for picking out one comment from 362!
From the same author "… New Zealand compares quite well in terms of the magnitude and composition of our gross external debt… "
The fact that Bernard Hickey and some commentators don't like tax cuts doesn't mean that supporters of this government are geese. You make some amazing leaps, Robert. In desperation I feel. Or perhaps they can be more accurately described as flights than leaps…
"John Key and his Government and its followers – anserine."
Are you calling these people geese or stupid or something else?
According to the October Reid research poll, 49% support National. John Key polled 41% as perferred leader compared to Norman at 2.4%.
Are you casting an aspersion across a significant percentage of the population?
Actually it was 263 comments not 362. A minor detail. But you chose one of the most extreme to quote here in support of your claim that the Prime Minister and his supporters are geese. Shows how obtuse you are in the art of vehement, biased exaggeration, and false expectation that the "geese" won't (or can't) do their homework.
Why didn't you pick one of the other comments? Did you read them all? Did you read the following ones:
(From: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10795790)
"Bernard, your commentary seems to ignore the global recession in 2008 and the flow on impacts and the earthquakes in Christchurch. The money to resolve these is coming from debt and the general global economic malaise is impacting buyer confidence. Labour did not experience either of these in its last term in government." (92 likes) or this one:
"Bernard, this article is full of holes large enough to drive bus through, it also contradicts and corrects itself in a number of occasions. I understand that you're being provocative so that you get larger numbers to your website (therefore increasing your personal income), but you come across as a rambling, angry, and bitter Labour supporter. You've got another 2 and a half years of rants to go, I hope you have a lot of material. It is about time you gave ideas on how to make this country a better place than just throw stones." (258 likes) or this one:
"All I see Bernard is the play out of the previous Labour Governments policies and the hit the country has taken from the recession. Working for families, student loans should be overhauled, all treaty claims should be halted until the country gets back on its feet, collecting the dole etc should be screened and those able to work should be made to work. Don't tell me there aren't jobs avaiable in this country as there are plenty.(Just look how the couple in Nelson managed to save $70k in six years for a deposit on a house). It's not the tax collected Bernard that is the problem, it is how our pathetic bunch of pollies over the last decade have spent it." (270 likes)
No. I don't think you read them. You would have skipped over the plausible and reasonable ones looking for opinions which polarise rather than analyze.
Yep silence. I wonder if this was one of those 'damning' statments?
He's goosed.


text:
Phone – 888.424.3336
Email – email@example.com
701 Tecumseh Road
Clinton, Michigan 49236
A delicious healthy snack of thin toasted strips of premium grade nori sea vegetable that's coated with a delightful blend of seasonings. Great taste. Bet you can't eat just one. Fat free and very low sodium. Handy for travel, lunches and snacks. Use as a garnish on cooked grains, noodles, and veggies, and for bite-size sushi and quick miso soup.
Eden Spicy Nori Strips are a delicious healthy snack made of thin strips of premium quality toasted nori sea vegetable that's coated with a delightful blend of seasonings. Known as 'ajitsuke' (aa-gee-sue-kay) nori in Japan. A great, mouth watering taste sensation; savory, salty, sweet, and spicy flavors. A zesty, light and crispy snack anytime of day or tasty garnish on food.
Nori cultivation is an intricate craft in that spore quality, water temperature, a pristine growing environment and proper drying methods are crucial to producing the best quality product. Eden's nori is cultivated in the traditional manner using a system of woven rope nets that are tied to bamboo poles and horizontally suspended in the bay. This intricate substratum is placed in the shallow bay in late September or early October. Over the autumn, winter and early spring months, with the coming in and out of the tide and the cooling of the water temperature, the nori spores attach to the netting and slowly develop into nori fronds or leaves. In spring the fully developed fronds are harvested at low tide by scraping the nori from the netting and taking it ashore. The nori is washed with pure water, chopped and placed in mixers before pressing onto frames lined with woven reed mats. After naturally sun drying the nori is transformed into lustrous, paper thin sheets of 'sushi quality' nori. The sheets are then oven toasted and lightly seasoned with a delicious blend of organic shoyu soy sauce, organic mirin sweet rice cooking wine, sea salt, kombu, shiitake mushrooms, and red chili pepper seasonings. The seasoned sheets are then cut into easy to eat individual serving strips.
Eden Spicy Toasted Nori Strips are low in fat and cholesterol free. According to the FDA, "Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of hypertension or high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors." Eden Spicy Toasted Nori Strips are very low in sodium (20mg per 5 strip serving). For those who use sea salt that contains low amounts of iodine, nori is an excellent source of iodine, providing 35 percent of the daily value (DV).
Eat Eden Spicy Toasted Nori Strips right out of the package, 5 strips per serving, or crumble on top of cooked grains, noodles, and salads. Great for quick miso soup, rice balls, and bite size sushi.
|Spicy Nori Strips, Sea Vegetable
|Item Number
|Toasted Nori (Porphyra tenera), Organic Shoyu (water, organic whole soybeans, organic whole wheat, sea salt, koji (Aspergillus oryzae)), Water, Organic Mirin (organic sweet rice, water, organic rice, koji (Aspergillus oryzae)), Barley Malt Syrup (water, sweet potato starch, sprouted barley), Sea Salt, Kombu Seaweed, Shiitake Mushrooms, Chili Pepper
|Case Quantity
|Package Size
|.47 oz
|Package Size Metric
|13.3 g
|UPC Code Each
|UPC Code Case
|Eligible for Flat Rate Shipping
|Very Low Sodium
|Yes, 35mg or less per serving
|Fat Free
|Yes, less than 0.5 g per serving
|Non GMO


text:
Lakers post first win since Bryant's return
Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - The fourth time was the charm for Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant netted 21 points and hit a pair of free throws to give the Lakers the lead with 37.1 seconds remaining in an 88-85 win over the Charlotte Bobcats Saturday night.
It was the first time in four tries that Los Angeles won this season with Bryant in the lineup since he returned from his Achilles injury.
"I knew it was coming eventually, it's not a big deal," Bryant said.
The Lakers trailed 85-79 with 2:50 left after Kemba Walker nailed a jumper, but Los Angeles closed the contest on a 9-0 run.
Following Walker's make, Nick Young hit a triple and Bryant drove in for a layup with 1:22 to go to cut the gap to one.
After Bryant made his foul shots, Gerald Henderson was unable to get his right baseline jumper to drop. Al Jefferson secured the offensive rebound, but missed a short jumper following a timeout.
Pau Gasol nailed two free throws with 6.2 ticks on the clock and Ben Gordon's desperation 3-pointer from the right wing came up short to seal the outcome.
"It was one of those games that came down to the last play at the end, but we have to try to do a better job of taking care of some of the minor mistakes we made earlier in the game so it doesn't come down to the last second," Gordon said.
Bryant also tallied eight assists and seven rebounds, while Gasol added 15 points and seven boards.
Walker had 24 points and eight assists for Charlotte, which has dropped three in a row and five of its last seven contests.
The Bobcats led 23-22 after one, but the Lakers took a 44-43 edge into the break.
Walker poured in 11 points in the third as Charlotte took a 68-64 cushion into the final frame.
Game Notes
The Lakers shot just 39 percent (30-of-77) from the floor, but made 21 of their 23 foul shots ... The Bobcats held a 46-30 points in the paint advantage.


text:
anarchism (ăn´ərkĬzəm) [Gr.,=having no government], theory that equality and justice are to be sought through the abolition of the state and the substitution of free agreements between individuals. Central to anarchist thought is the belief that society is natural and that people are good but are corrupted by artificial institutions. Also central in anarchism are the belief in individual freedom and the denial of any authority, particularly that of the state, that hinders human development. Since the Industrial Revolution, anarchists have also opposed the concentration of economic power in business corporations.
Zeno of Citium, founder of Stoic philosophy, is regarded as the father of anarchism. In the Middle Ages the anarchist tradition was closely linked to utopian, millenarian religious movements such as the Brethren of the Free Spirit of the 13th cent. and the Anabaptists of the 16th cent. The philosophy of modern political anarchism was outlined in the 18th and 19th cent. by William Godwin, P. J. Proudhon, and others.
Mikhail Bakunin attempted to orient the First International toward anarchism but was defeated by Karl Marx. Bakunin gave modern anarchism a collectivist and violent tone that has persisted despite the revisionary efforts of Piotr Kropotkin and Leo Tolstoy. Political anarchism in Russia was suppressed by the Bolsheviks after the Russian Revolution.
Anarchism's only real mass following was in Latin countries, where its doctrines were often combined with those of syndicalism, especially in Spain. In the United States, early anarchists such as Josiah Warren were associated with cooperatives and with utopian colonies. After the Haymarket riot in Chicago in 1886 and the assassination of President McKinley in 1901 a law was passed forbidding anarchists to enter the country, and Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman were among those deported. The Sacco-Vanzetti Case attests to the fear of anarchism in the United States.
As an organized movement, anarchism is largely dead, but it retains importance as a philosophical attitude and a political tendency, and to lesser degree as a source of social protest. In recent years they have mounted highly visible, sometimes violent or destructive public protests at international conferences attended by representives of the governments and corporations of major industrialized nations, such as meetings of the Group of Seven, the World Trade Organization, and the World Economic Forum.
See R. Kedward, The Anarchists (1971); G. Runkle, Anarchism, Old and New (1972); M. Nettlau, History of Anarchism (3 vol., 1978).


text:
Sun Fin wrote:I think it killed 9D as well to be honest! I miss Baiko
Too many cooks, not enough broth! Well, staff positions...plus, I wasn't delirious about 9D 'assimilating' SJA, which two of 9D's honchos were adamant about.
Yeah I miss him too, and ParrotSneeze...those two had me creased up with laughter at times, oh mercy.


text:
Address: 5 Manor Terrace, Potters Lane, Lewes, BN7 1JR
Owner: Nicola Furner
Type: Terraced house
Age: Early 20th century
Beds: 3
Walls: Brick cavity-filled
Residents: 2
Cavity wall insulation
Condensing boiler (low NOx)
Critttall replacements to Passivhaus staandard
Floor insulation
High performance glazing
Low energy lighting
Natural and Local materials
Room-in-roof Insulation
Solar Thermal hot water
Underfloor heating
Water saving fittings
Nicola Furner is an architect specialising in eco refurbishment using natural materials, ideally sourced locally, and using reliable local tradesmen.
Potters lane is a very attractive Edwardian terraced house that she has used as a showcase for a whole range of energy saving measures such as Solar thermal hot water, high levels of insulation and glazing, and an efficient and eco friendly boiler. Prior to the latest reglazing, the house had already reached an EPC level of C and Nicola ultimately hopes to achieve B, which would be extraordinary for a house of this age.
Similarly, her atention to detail and use of quality finishes such as flint walling, slate floors, bespoke timber windows, and natural paints shows that sustainable living can also be elegant. In particular, she has sought out replacements for her Crittall windows of the similar design, but insulated to PassivHaus standards.
Nicola's website gives further case studies of other refurbishments she has undertaken www.nicolafurnerarchitects.co.uk
Architect – nicolafurnerarchitects.co.uk
Joinery - Rise Joinery, Lewes.
Solar Thermal – dh-solarengineering.co.uk
Replacement Crittall wndows - clementwindows.co.uk
Worktops - Sussex Stone, Polegate
Wood flooring - naturalwoodfloor.co.uk
Windows - Fakro
Woodburning stove – Charnwood


text:
Latest News
VFC M82A1 8mm Gas Powered Sniper Rifle In Stock Now! (2005-05-30)VFC M82A1 8mm Gas Sniper Rifle - IN STOCK NOW!
Coming from the same company that brought you GB-TECH products, the new VFC M82A1 is a gas-powered monster that is capable of firing an 8mm BB at amazing velocities. Constructed entirely from solid steel and aluminum, this rifle weighs a whopping 9Kg (the real steel weighs about 12Kg), which is just a couple Kg short of the real steel version. It is capable of using a large variety of gases - from the standard low pressure HFC134a gas all the way up to powerful high compression RED GAS.
RedWolf Airsoft is the authorized dealer for VFC and is offering this new rifle (now shipping). Dealer inquiries welcome. We have physically tested this awesome rifle in GB-TECH's laboratories and have been surprised by the power and accuracy of this hefty beast of a gun. This M82A1 is capable of using RED GAS and TOP GAS with maximum power potential of over 430fps - 450fps using 0.34g 8mm BBs for certain markets. Huge removable 40 round capacity magazine is heavy and solid, while the open bolt design reveals a large dummy shell that is not removeable. Adjustable hop-up allows fine-tuning of accuracy though VFC warns about setting the hop-up too strong since the immense power of the gun will send BBs flying everywhere when too much spin in induced! Steel carry folding handle and recoilable spring-loaded barrel. Huge folding steel bipod. Gas is charged directly into huge reservoir stored in stock of the gun. Flip up range sights. When asked why VFC chose to design their M82A1 for 8mm BBs, VFC's designers said "It just doesn't feel right for such a large bore rifle to be shooting tiny 6mm BBs. Relative to the other 6mm airsoft guns, this 8mm BB shooting Barrett can rightfully be defined as LARGE CALIBER! The M82A1 will be capable of taking out targets from seriously long range with good accuracy.". In other words, this is as real as it gets! Limited production run and individually serial numbered! Warning: This is an extremely heavy and large rifle.


text:
Our Story
1958 was a big year for Tuscaloosa. Not only was it the first year that Paul Bear Bryant started coaching at Alabama, it was also the year that John Big Daddy Bishop opened his first Dreamland Café. Big Daddy was a brick mason for many years and he longed for another way to support his family. He had narrowed it down to opening either a mortuary or a restaurant and he got down on his knees and prayed for guidance. Legend has it that God told him in a dream that night to build a café on the land next to his home and Big Daddy made that dream a reality.
The original Dreamland Café is located about two miles from the intersection of Hwy 82 and Interstate 59 just south of Tuscaloosa in an area known as Jerusalem Heights. In the beginning, it wasn`t just ribs and white bread. Big Daddy and his wife, Miss Lilly, served many things from sandwiches to postage stamps. The customers always kept coming back for the warmth they felt every time they passed through the door and Big Daddy`s ribs and secret recipe bar-b-que sauce.
Dreamland is still eminently known for bar-b-que ribs. The decor inside the original café is warm and inviting with a big bar, a few tables and booths and a pot bellied stove. It feels like you are attending a family picnic indoors and the ribs are delicious, cooked the same way for over 50 years. Inside you will meet customers whose family have been coming to Dreamland for generations. Big Daddy always said, You should be good to the grandparents and his own children would help customers to their cars and open the door for them. The point is that John Bishop didn`t just open a café- he made a place that was home to his children and his family and extended that feeling of love to everyone that came by.
The atmosphere at all of our locations is still a feeling of casual-down home. You can sit at the bar reading car tags or slab boxes signed by our guests and rub elbows with somebody famous or have a great conversation about sports with one of your favorite players. Or like the Bishop family did, you and yours might just go for a great dinner and a chance to be together and talk about how your week was and what you might be looking forward to as a family. The point is, no matter why you are in Dreamland, you will be treated as kin.
The legendary ribs, service and atmosphere are available in our other locations throughout Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. And, just like a family, we have grown and expanded the mouth-watering simplicity of ribs and white bread to include items such as pulled pork, bar-b-que chicken, hickory smoked sausage, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, house salads served with our own bar-b-que dipping sauce and a true Southern favorite for dessert, banana pudding. That renowned sauce of ours is available at all of the Dreamland Bar-B-Que locations and online in quart size jars. It is the same sauce that Jeanette and John Jr. used to make with their father and have such fond memories about. Now you can take some home and start some great bar-b-que memories of your own.
To find out more about us, please feel free to make yourself at home on our site. You can find your closest Dreamland Bar-B-Que locations, learn about our catering departments, find out about our fundraising options and corporate gift packages and get a little Southern goodness shipped right to your door. Whichever route you choose, when you eat Dreamland Bar-B-Que, you`ll get to discover for yourself why there Ain`t Nothing Like Em, Nowhere!


text:
Contact lenses can provide great costume looks for Halloween, but Nebraska eye care professionals are warning that prescriptions and proper fitting are needed to minimize the risk of injury and blinding infections.
Although popular with Halloween costumes, Nebraska ophthalmologists are warning about the risks decorate contact lenses pose for eye injury and vision loss
The Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology say decorative lenses that offer blood drenched vampire eyes, glow in the dark lizard eyes and more are popular, but can lead to "real life nightmares" of eye damage and blinding infections.
Eye care professionals say all contact lenses require a prescription and proper fitting.
"As an ophthalmologist, I am very concerned that it is so easy to obtain decorative contact lenses without a prescription," said David D. Ingvoldstad, M.D., president of the Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.
"Too many patients have injured their eyes and permanently damaged their vision using these products, having no idea that they could be dangerous. Parents and teens need to understand the risks of decorative contact lenses and be vigilant about getting a prescription if they plan to wear them."
In 2005, a federal law classified all contact lenses as medical devices and restricted their distribution to licensed eye care professionals.
Illegal sale of contact lenses can result in civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. Additionally, some decorative lenses, such as trendy circle lenses, are not FDA-approved.
Consumers should only buy decorative contact lenses from an eye care professional or a seller who asks for a prescription and sells FDA-approved products.
To safely wear decorative contact lenses this Halloween or any time of year, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends following these guidelines:
Get an eye exam from an eye care professional such as an ophthalmologist.
Obtain a valid prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements, and expiration date.
Purchase the decorative contact lenses from a licensed eye care professional or an eye product retailer who asks for a prescription.
Follow the directions for cleaning, disinfecting, and wearing the lenses.
Never share contact lenses with another person.
Get follow up exams by your eye care provider.
To obtain a prescription for decorative contact lenses, an eye care professional will measure each eye to ensure proper fit. Contacts that are not fitted by an eye care professional may scratch the eye or cause blood vessels to grow into the cornea. An eye care professional will also provide contact lens care instructions. Contacts that are left in for too long or that are not properly cleaned and disinfected can significantly increase the risk of an eye infection.
If you notice redness, swelling, excessive discharge, pain or discomfort from wearing contact lenses, remove the lenses and seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist. Eye infections like keratitis can quickly become serious and cause blindness if left untreated. For more information on decorative contact lens safety or to find an Eye M.D., visit www.geteyesmart.org.
Read a patient story and view the American Academy of Ophthalmology's 30- and 90-second public service announcements.
About the Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons
The mission of the Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons is to promote the highest quality medical and surgical eye care through public and professional education, membership services, and legislative advocacy. Learn more at www.nebeye.org.
Note to media: High-resolution images and interviews with ophthalmologists available upon request.


text:
Within the World of Elderon, there exists a land ruled over by monstrous creatures known as Beastmen. Their origin lay in ancient times with a war between two Elder Gods in which one ripped the other into pieces. Animals and insects would be drawn to the remains seeking an easy meal or which lay beneath where soils became saturated with its blood. When the first rain fell upon the remains and the things which were attracted to consume them, they began to quiver and to shake until their flesh began to rupture. Insects which had lain their eggs upon the Elder Gods flesh had seeded it setting in motion a process by which new life would be created and mutated as it pulled itself free. These were the first of the Beastmen... creatures formed from the Elder Gods flesh and blood with bones formed from its bones. Others would emerge from the creatures which had consumed its flesh and become transformed from the inside out as the rains fell upon their flesh.
Descended from an Elder God, most of these Beastmen would possess its overall humanoid shape but twisted in form and cursed by raging violence they cannot control. Others would look more like animals or insects but still be known as Beastmen because there was always something humanoid about them. They would be a race of giants varying in size and power with no two among them being the same or caring for any other. They are essentially immortal until slain and from their deaths, new Beastmen will be formed unless destroyed by fire or corrosive materials such as acid. Another way to prevent new Beastmen from being formed is to keep their remains from getting wet as it is the element of water which causes this rebirth. Dehydration is one way to weaken them as they draw their strength from water and removing it from their body takes that strength away. Placing any remains in dry places thus prevents rebirth until water is introduced to their dead flesh causing the process to begin.


text:
Lost "It" and Beware Old Appliances
My Mojo went missing.
Shortly after the fabo table raising, our weather turned cold with a killing frost so the short sleeved shirts were no longer a priority.
So I went into the kitchen and started a daily regime of cooking. And it was wonderful! My figure doesn't look "wonderful" but we've had some great meals.
And sadly my hair dryer from the late 60's stopped working very well so I bought a new one. I use 3″ rollers on my curly hair, weekly I sit under the dryer. I was lost.
My old dryer was the Max Hatter Hairdryer by Gillette, purchased for probably $20 way back when.
Someone on Ebay is selling one now for $29.99 starting bid. LOL
Anyway my choices for replacement are limited because of the size of the rollers I use and I bought a Carel Soft Bonnet Ionic Hair Dryer from Sally's Beauty Supply in town. I used it carefully for 7 weeks and would have to turn the heat down to medium or low to cool off quite frequently. But one day in mid October I fell asleep and when I awoke 1.5 hours later my hair was dry. And I was blistered.
Edited to add: The dryer was set on LOW during the nap!
As the day wore on more blisters appeared in my hair and even where my ear joins mi cabeza. That one is still inflamed and hurts even now.
So, now, 3 weeks later the scabs have finally gone and I don't think I will have scars.
Sally's kindly refunded the purchase price even though I had tossed the receipt and I bought a stand dryer which barely fits over the rollers but works. And the heat level is much more controllable. Because I have to sit in a chair to use it I am safer in that I won't likely fall asleep.
Anyway, I decided to see if I could replace my beloved old hair dryer today because I miss the weekly nap in bed under that old dryer, and guess what I found? A CPSA recall report that it was discontinued in 1974 because the manufacturer had used asbestos insulation. So I've been blowing asbestos into my face for years. I'm not feeling too smart at the moment.
OK, I'll stick with more current appliances!
Anyway, the result of having to deal with 2nd degree burns was that any kind of malady in my body and environment saw me as fresh meat and I had a lot of low energy and viral outbreaks. Obviously I have no immunity to speak of.
So I've stayed away from all humans and that means I've been house bound. Thank goodness I have a partner in life who can go to the grocery and pharmacy on his way home from work.
Thanks, Honey! I'm hoping to be feeling back up to speed soon.
Cutting Table Raised
In all my years of sewing I have never had a cutting table at a proper height for my 5'2.25″ frame. I now have a table set at 36″, right at my waist. I had to dance!
Thanks, everyone, for all your suggestions for raising a cutting table! Wonderful ideas, all. I got a few minutes with my husband and we decided to try the leg sleeves of PVC on my husband's Mother's old dining table if we could find the correct interior diameter of PVC.
Tonight my husband brought home eight 2.5 inch in diameter PVC pipe, cut to 25.5″ long sleeves to fit over the highly profiled table legs.
The table has two drop leaves and one insert leaf so it is very versatile for a small space. A hole was drilled through the pipe, offset so that the leg would sit on top of the bolt exactly 5.5″ from the floor.
Our main concern was finding PVC with the proper interior measurements that would let it slip over the legs and not grip or be sloppy. We found the 2.5″ diameter would have an interior measurement just approximately .025″ larger than the widest part of the legs themselves. Perfect! The table top is now at 36″ from the floor.
In this configuration the table top measures 62.5″ x 43.5″ and is covered by a mat gridded by inch to 36×56.
There's now even more storage space under the table. Ah, so now I can finish making a certain husband's new shirts.
This worked out just right.
On the Cutting Table
Things are progressing very slowly on the cutting table. This table is too short, it's an old dining table and 29.75″ high. I should be cutting at 36″ high. My old table at The Stitchery was 39.5″. The one table that was the correct height was my embroidery work table and now it is our dining table. And, remember, I'm cutting 5 workshirts from a denim cambric
Ouch, I need a break, lots of them!
Lately it's almost impossible to cut more than 1 piece before my back is in spasms. I cut, I go sit. Over and over. I don't remember having this happen before, usually I can push on through, not right now.
Ever had a project become bogged down from surprising circumstances?
Well, the mind is willing, even if the body is not. I decided to make the job even worse by pulling the fine shirtings that have been waiting for years upon the shelves.
I always like to cut as much as possible from the pattern before me, it makes more sense than cutting one garment and searching for another pattern, 'cause I can take for—ever to decide what's next. It's bad. And old production habits die hard.
I have these lovely fabrics that have been waiting for shirts for the husband. This new piece just came in from Acorn.com in
I didn't know the source of the blue stripped fabric, purchased from The Wool House, until I went to Acorn's website
This top fabric has the lightest hand of all
and while I bought it for him, I may cut it into a shirtdress for me. It suggests "feminine"
This last piece is the most unbelievably silky hand, the finest denim I've ever seen. It may be too good for this pattern. Maybe I should wait to cut this when I find or draft the most amazing shirt ever? Yeah, probably.
I bought it from The Wool House in Toronto when I went to meet Els and Lorna in 2011. This is seriously fine cloth and most likely from Italy, since that's where their fabrics are supposedly sourced.
So, I'm cutting slowly and wondering how to get this table raised when I really don't have the bricks or vegetable cans to put under the legs. Oh OK, I should go buy the 5″ tall cans and insist that my husband help me get them under the table legs.
A woman's got to do what a woman's got to do. Well, if he wants the shirts, right?
Vogue 8759 Man's Shirt
I cut the original pattern with no adjustments in size 46 in a light blue cambric pinpoint and we had a try on. I hated it! It looked like a school boy's shirt but maybe that was because of the traditional fabric. And it was not appealing because it didn't look like a proper "work shirt", I could see this style cut with the mandarin collar but not with the collar and stand as I need to make.
The yoke is drafted to seam at .5″ below the shoulder point, not dropped like a proper yoke, the sleeve has enough ease in it that there might be gathers when inserted. But oddly enough the collar might just fit my husband's 18.25 inch neck. I wish Vogue would print the collar length on the pattern somewhere so that those of us who are serious about making a fitted man's shirt could chose the proper size. But they don't.
I don't trust my measuring ability to accurately tell me just exactly how long that collar is. Between the pattern's tissue paper that is inaccurate by it's very nature, and the exact placement of a measuring tape, millimeters can be lost or gained. Ah, well. No shirts are built by stressing over the small details, right? But I did have my day of pouting.
I lowered the shoulder seam line and by like subtraction I extended the shoulder yoke, shortened the shoulder seam, cut the armscye lower and wider, added fabric over the torso, and added 3″ to the length of the garment. I did not alter the sleeve pattern. And I did not alter for my husbands dropped shoulder and leaning stature. These details of sewing for him have completely stopped my suit making. One day I will overcome. Pray for me.
I cut the cloth and basted the shell together.
It looks like the sleeve could be rotated in the armscye a touch towards the back. How odd. This sleeve has a high cap, again that's odd considering that most men's shirt patterns have a flat sleeve cap.
But that's why I like this patten: it has a taste of side shaping, and high and tight armscye, a long collar band and some shape and finesse to the sleeve.
So Onward I go, now to cut 4 more shirts as accurately as possible from a tissue. I don't know of a garment that needs the most accurate and nuanced cutting as a man's shirt. And for a picky man, the bottom line is how comfortable it feels, who can blame them?
A Hard Denim Is Good to Find
Oops, did I really say that? Well, yeah, I did. So now that I've gotten that off my chest here's the facts, Ma'm.
Finding good denim is tough! I have been looking for the last 5 years, through all the fabrics stores I've hit during business travels across the country, and by ordering swatches from Mood (thanks for the suggestion, Becki!) as well as other sites. I have bought denim for commercial and other uses so I've been around, loosely, er, loosely speaking, tasting all the denim I could.
The problem is that almost all vendors don't know how the denim will perform over the years. They may not know the source of it in the first place. I tend to hang with my good friend Ann at GorgeousFabrics.com. She'll know her source if she can and she sews the fabrics she buys. So I've made 3 to 5 yard denim purchases over the years from everywhere, and even bought out the last bolt of very dark wash, heavy shirt weight, denim from Textile Fabrics in Nashville. It was the closest thing they had to what I needed.
Textile Fabrics is an excellent store, BTW, should you ever get to Nashville. And if you don't ever get to Nashville, you've blown your chance to visit one of the best fabric stores in US. Just my opinion and I've spent a lot of time and money gaining that opinion. LOL
A binding, seemingly insurmountable problem has been that Mr Stitch turns out to be very picky in his choice of colors. He couldn't use the light blue that has recently come back into fashion nor was he remotely interested in black. Oh, no. He has a total thing for blues. The color, not the music (darn it all) and he'd probably like the blue used in this paragraph. Strong like Bull, stubborn like Ox.
So my 13 yards of very dark wash, slightly brushed for softness, yet close weave chambray (AKA Cambric) denim from Textile Fabrics has languished on the shelf, awaiting inspiration.
Desperation inspiration struck yesterday and 5 ripped sections of 60″ wide, 50″ in length yardage have been washed, dried and ironed. The left over 6 yards is washed and folded.
Then I found my packet of patterns and notations and OLD SCRAPES from the years of shirt making for Mr Stitch.
Moving a work room is something that curses you for years afterward. No matter how hard you try. Remember this.
So late last night, I learned that my favorite pattern (I'd even forgotten I had numerous patterns, commercial and custom drafted) (I blame it on the chemo, so much got wiped out) calls for 1/2 yard more than the 5 segments I'd ripped.
Yeah, well, I might be bummed. I'll have to do the layout with his alterations incorporated to see what I shall see. That's on the menu for today.
The good news is that I have in my greedy little paws a whole ** load of ProWOVEN Super-Crisp Fusible Interfacing that I am really anxious to use in the collars 'cause that ironing last night and coming up during construction is probably the last iron these shirts will see.
And SCRAPES. Gosh darn it where have these been hiding? I could have sent one off to Ressy, as Elaine Good suggested yesterday, many years ago and saved myself a ton of fabulous denim research. Or not.
Que será, será
Work Shirt Sewing Ahead
I had a shock this morning as Mr Stitchery was leaving for work. Shredded fabric was hanging from his worn sleeves and button placket. We did a quick snip with the scissors and off he went to his heavy boards of raw oak and maple wood and big, loud machines and piles of sawdust.
I went to his closet to explore the state of the rest of his short sleeved work shirts and this is what I found. The worst of the lot had just walked out the door.
Between the rough work and the paint booth these shirts are falling apart and almost destroyed
We have fond memories of how they looked in the beginning
This shot was taken after 8 months of wash and wear weekly. He loves his custom made shirts.
I have looked for a denim to match this first 20 yards but can't find anything comparable. I think I bought it through the Fabrics and Notions coop and know nothing technical about the weight or source.
In 2011 I did a quick test shirt of a candidate fabric and it turned out to be a total fabric fail
It looked good enough in the first few wearings
but wear showed after the first wash on the all parts where the fabric was folded. This shirt is now only 2 years old and it doesn't look much better than the shirts that are almost 6 years old.
It is worn very little, only for those days when he might have to look presentable outside of the factory.
but see how it's already to shred and needs to be replaced soon too.
I will simply have to use what is in the stash and plan on making new shirts more often. Maybe I'll eventually luck out and find a good quality, medium weight 100% cotton denim. Anyone have any suggestions???
I can hardly believe this is the first button I will have had to replace. After all these years. They were originally sewn on by machine, using a 1967 all metal White that I inherited from his Mother. Here it is in production in 2003.
I used it in commercial sewing for years before I had to sell The Stitchery 2 years ago. I miss that machine. The foot lifted high enough that I could make thread shanks even as I machine sewed on the buttons. It sewed through Naugahyde and upholstery ultrasuede accurately and with ease. The feed was amazing.
But things change all the time and even though Mr Stitch says it will be time for long sleeves soon, I doubt these shirts will last until December when the temperatures get seriously cold.
Move over Fall Fashion plans, it is time to cut at new short sleeved shirts.


text:
Wes is the main protagonist in Pokemon Colosseum. He was once a member of Team Snagem, but after stealing the Snag Machine and blowing up their base, he turned towards the light.
He is first met at the Stand in the desert with his only two Pokémon, an Espeon and an Umbreon. They travel with him in his sand bike in the passenger car until Wes meets Rui. Wes met Rui in Phenac City, after saving her from Folly and Trudly. She was ultimately surprised when she discovered his past, but doesn't care too much because he is her prince. Rui encourages Wes to open up more as they travel and begin a beautiful friendship. Eventually the two snag and save all the Shadow Pokémon and save Orre from Team Sagem and their plans.
Not much is known about his story after he defeated Team Snagem as he is hardly even mentioned in Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, but some think he may have gone off with Rui to live in peace.
|This article is a stub. Please help the Azurilland Wiki by editing it.


text:
Cooking For Engineers
Analytical cooking discussed.
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
Cooking For Engineers Forum Index
Tools, Equipment, and Gadgets
View previous topic
View next topic
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 1
Location: Connecticut
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:39 pm
Post subject: Knives
I am new to this forum, however I am not new to cooking or food prep. I have worked in the meat industry as a wholesaler and a retailer specialty butcher. I am disappointed about som of the knife articles, mainly because they leave out the most commonly used knife in the industry, the Dexter Russell. I think most of the fancy brand names are over priced and overall no all that good. If your looking for a real knife that stands up to real use try a dexter russell. Most meat paking plants and custom butchers rely on these for the way they keep an edge and the non slip handel. Are these knive fancey looking ...NO but they work really well.
If any body out there is interested in givung me feed back I would love to hear it.
Back to top
Jay Francis
Joined: 14 Apr 2006
Posts: 11
Location: Houston, Texas
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:15 pm
Post subject: I Kind of Agree Too
I kind of agree with you. Years ago, I took a Chinatown walking tour and ended up buying the Dexter Chinese Cleaver, at the time it cost around $30. Over the years my knife collection has grown. When I got married a Chicago Cutlery chef's Knife and a Henckel's chef knife came along. Then I bought a Dexter Russell 12" Sani-Safe Chef's knife. Later on, working for fun at Williams Sonoma I used my 40% discount to buy a Global chef's knife.
Well, I use my Dexter chef when I am cutting a lot of stuff and need the extra length. I only bring out my Global when I am teaching a cooking class.
For everyday use, it's the Dexter Chinese Cleaver. It does everything my other knives do, but has the advantages of a flat design for scooping, etc.
I take advantage of the free knife sharpening every April at Sur La Table, and use some manual sharpeners the rest of the year.
With my cleaver and my V-slicer I can take care of just about every kitchen function I can think of.
Back to top
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 95
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:14 pm
Post subject:
I used a Dexter Russel Sanisafe 10" Chef's Knife at my culinary class and have been nothing but disappointed. It's dull (after 15 minutes of sharpening and stealing), it looks cheap, and I could barely cut a potato with it.
Than again, I might just be spoiled from my Global G2.
Back to top
Joined: 20 Nov 2006
Posts: 37
Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 5:05 pm
Post subject:
I think the problem with Dexter Russell knives is they make a wide range of qualities.....some of their connoiseur collection especially the forged knives might be very nice, but then you see some really cheap stamped sheet metal knives with the Dexter logo as well.........so people usually connect a logo or name to what they see most.....
I think they could improve their reputation if they discontinued with their budget lines, because let's face it if people really want a budget line their going to go with some import chinese knife anyway....and they have a long history and a good name they could tie to their better knives.
Back to top
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 95
Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 2:14 am
Post subject:
I didn't really want to start a topic for this, so here is my question.
If I needed to recommend a cheap knife to somone, what should it be? The only quality bargain knives I know of are Forschner, are there any better bang for your buck knives out there?
Back to top
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:28 pm
Post subject:
I have MANY years of using Dexters in restaurants/institutional kitchens. My current gig has fairly recent vintage black handle Dexters--which are much better than the always blunt white handle "Sani-Safe" type. Still.....it's not near as good as the Forschner Fibrox. 25 years ago I was cooking at a Holiday Inn. We had the cheap Dexters as house knives. One day the new guy brought in an 8" Rosewood 430-8 Forschner. I liked it so much I went and got my own 10" a few days later. Within a month...pretty much all the cooks had got their own Forschners.
Back then....there was a price gap,the Forschner cost 50% more,however....I found that I could get one VERY sharp,using a double bevel method a lot like Chad Ward describes. I also sharpened to a MUCH steeper angle.
Now? Forschner has the Fibrox handles,virtually the same knife,but now there's NO price advantage to the Dexter.
Dexter DOES make the king of grill Spats,I bought my own and back then it cost as much as my knife.
The Kai/Kershaw Wasabi knives are nice..just got a 8 1/2 " Deba,heavy duty single edge. Low $.
Back to top
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:50 pm
Post subject:
Dexter won't drop the " cheap stamped" line,that's probably 90% of their knife sales by volume. Dexter has a pretty strong distribution network. Locally,the main Restaurant vendor where places get anything from canned goods to frozen foods to pot scrubbies....can add a dozen Dexters to your order. They used to carry Forschner but,the salesman confessed--they got a better markup on the Dexter's.
As I said above--the CURRENT Dexter line is improved. It's usable. The Forschner stamped Fibrox? You can get a better edge on one of those than ANY Euro Forged Knife that's not $60+. That's if you can use a stone well.
The stamped Forschner actually can get an edge better than their deluxe forged line. The forged has too thick of a blade. The Forschner is closer to a Japanese Mac than a forged Heinkel.
Back to top
Display posts from previous:
All Posts
1 Day
7 Days
2 Weeks
1 Month
3 Months
6 Months
1 Year
Oldest First
Newest First
Cooking For Engineers Forum Index
Tools, Equipment, and Gadgets
All times are GMT
Jump to:
Select a forum
Cooking For Engineers
Cooking For Engineers Website Discussion
Messages from Michael
Comments Forum
Travel Comments Forum
Useless Stuff Comments Forum
Food, Cooking, & Dining
Cooking Tips
Cooking for Two
Favorite Foods
Tools, Equipment, and Gadgets
General Food Discussion
General Discussion
Anything Goes
Engineer Speak
post new topics in this forum
reply to topics in this forum
edit your posts in this forum
delete your posts in this forum
vote in polls in this forum
Powered by
© 2001, 2005 phpBB Group


text:
1969 Chevy Nova - The Hurricane
Dan Novara's 1,450hp, 8-Second Nova
Some things are just meant to be. If you subscribe to the latest conspiracy theory of the week, then you might find it hard to believe there is no hidden agenda behind the fact that Dan Novara happens to drive a big-block '69 Nova. The question of whether there's a hidden message in his last name is perhaps best left as a topic of discussion between groups of psychiatrists. That's because we know better. Besides, if he was really playing off his name, his license plate would say something like "Nova Ra" instead of "Huz-Nxt." Face it, Dan just likes to go fast.
That doesn't take much to figure out when you discover this Nova is a serious strip bandit that's already achieved a 5.21 at 136.5 mph in the eighth-mile. Depending on whose conversion you use, that's roughly 8-teens at 165 mph on drag radials. Dan says, "I wanted a street cruiser that I could take out in the evenings but with two big changes: a Smith's Racecraft front end and an F2 ProCharger." Isn't that everybody's agenda?
Apparently there are still some grandma-fresh Novas out there, because as a lowly six-cylinder wheezer, that was where this monster idea began to take shape. The big motor part was an easy decision, as was the F2 blower. Dan says this combination will make around 1,200 hp on pump gasoline and then grunt up to somewhere around 1,450 hp when he dumps in the race gas. All this is not slap-it-together easy, but it's also not all that difficult with the right engine pieces. What is more difficult is channeling all that power through a pair of modest Mickey Thompson drag radials without the wheelie bar cheats. This demands some professional chassis work along with some graduate-level tuning expertise.
Dan's no novice at all this, having wheeled a 10.5-tire blown alcohol Camaro in a previous life. So he knows that a good front and rear suspension are paramount in the search for low e.t. 's. Dan chose the Smith Racecraft tubular front clip not just because it bolts in place of the stocker but also because it offers more room for big headers, has a slick mounting shelf for the motor plates, and trims 150 pounds off the nose all at the same time. For the rear, a stouter 9-inch and a set of ladder bars were the only right ingredients to mix with wheeltubs to allow sufficient room for the meaty Mickey Thompson ET Drag Radial tires.
One thing the Roots-style blower advocates like to tout is the concept of instant boost. But too much power on the starting line can be a real detriment to a quick 60-foot time. Dan's Nova has pulled a best of 1.21 short time, which is the equivalent of pushing off the starting line with 1.7 g's and maintaining that acceleration rate for a good portion of the first 60 feet. Running a 5.21 in the eighth-mile makes it clear that this chassis works. Dan likes to credit Mick Boyer's acumen and a little help from an MSD Digital 7 Plus box that puts the power of torque trimming in the hands of a qualified tuner. The right parts, as they say, can make you look really good.
Tech Notes
Who: Dan Novara
Where: St. Louis, MO
What: '69 Chevrolet Nova
Engine: Let's talk horsepower, shall we? Starting with the foundation, Dan's brother, Mark, machined and built this 509ci big-block with a big-bore 4.500-inch Dart iron-block, adding an Ohio Crankshaft forged-steel 4.00-inch-stroke crank. This 1/4-inch-larger bore automatically produces better airflow while the short stroke crank makes rpm a breeze. The forged pistons produce an 8:1 static compression ratio, which is combined with a set of Total Seal rings to seal up all that cylinder pressure. Comp supplied the mechanical roller cam with 0.650-inch lift and 300 degrees of duration. All this valve action takes place within a big rectangle-port set of Brodix aluminum heads with 2.30/1.88-inch valves and a Crower stainless steel rocker shaft system. Brodix also supplied the square-port single-plane intake. The carburetor is a 900-cfm Holley modified to be used as a blow-through carb. One of the big tricks is to epoxy the metering block main-well cups to prevent boost pressure from pushing them out, causing a massive fuel leak. The headers are 2 1/4-inch primary-tube jewels built by Lemons (lemonsheaders.com) and designed around the Smith Racecraft front suspension. The exhaust combines DynoMax mufflers with 4-inch pipes.
Supercharger: That's a cog-driven ProCharger F-2 bolted to the front of Dan's 509. The F-2 is rated to flow up to 2,700 cfm of air at a maximum boost level of 38 psi. Dan is much more conservative than that, pushing only around 24 pounds of boost when using VP C-16 race gas. One of the reasons the F2 is so popular is because it has a self-contained lubrication system, which means Dan didn't have to fabricate pressure feed and return lines between the engine and the blower. He also added an ATI air-to-air intercooler just to put the chill to that boosted Air. Fuel is delivered by a Product Engineering fuel pump and regulator system.
Rearend: Another forgone conclusion is the 9-inch rear axlehousing. Strange fitted the centersection with a 4.30:1 gear, a spool, and 33-spline axles. What more do we need to say?
Front suspension: One of the first things Dan wanted to do was install a Smith Racecraft front clip under the car. This is a complete bolt-in, round-tube front subframe that utilizes unequal-length tubular upper and lower control arms rather than struts. The subframe is designed especially for drag race cars with aluminum motor plates and small-diameter chrome-moly tubing control arms. Dan added a Flaming River rack-and-pinion along with Strange shocks, springs, and front disc brakes to complete the front suspension.
Rear suspension:
Wheels/Tires: The rear sits on a set of Weld Racing Star 15x10-inch wheels mounting a big pair of Mickey Thompson 30x13.5-15-inch ET Drag Radials. In the front are a pair of M/T ET Fronts measuring 26x5 inches mounted on impossibly narrow 3.5x15-inch Weld wheels.
Interior: Dan credits The Top Shop for the complete interior installation, including the dash, headliner, door panels, carpet, and custom back seat area-and that was after Mike LaRabel had already installed the 'cage. In the dash is an Auto Meter Sport Comp tach and gauge package that was wired by Dan's brother, Mark.
Performance: Here is where the real numbers lay it all out. The Nova's best pass in the eighth-mile is a 5.21 at 136.5 mph, which our computer simulation says would make this an 8.10 pass at 165 mph. On pump gas, Dan says this combination should make about 1,300 hp, and the car weighs in at a svelte 3,260 pounds.
Crew: Dan wanted to thank Mark for all his work on the car along with Mike LaRabel for the excellent chassis work, Mick Boyer for his tuning expertise, and, of course, Dan's wife, Pamela, and their two sons, Jamie and Johnny.


text:
Stewards of Civil War Railroads – Part I Lincoln
The decisions made by leaders of the North and South regarding the dispensations of their respective railroads, could arguably be some of the most impactful of the war. Armies on both sides considered railroads critical. But Lincoln and Davis approached the control and stewardship of these vital resources differently. The resulting policies did not equally reflect rational military consideration.
Above: United States Military Railroad 4-4-0 locomotive W.H. Whiton (built by William Mason in 1862) in January 1865 with Abraham Lincoln's presidential car, which later was used as his funeral car.
Source: Wikicommons
The need for oversight of the rails came early in the war. Edward Hagerman highlights Federal Quartermaster General Meigs' complaints in the opening months of the war over the problems of coordination that arose "from civilian control of the railroads." [i] In January of 1862, Congress gave Lincoln the authority he needed "to take control whenever public safety warranted it." [ii] Lincoln moved decisively, appointing within thirty days Daniel C. McCallum (below) as director of the United States Military Railroads (USMRR).
Daniel C. McCallum (1815 – 1878)'
Photo Source: Wikicommons, Public Domain
In May of 1862, Abraham Lincoln "took formal possession of all railroads." General McCallum recruited Herman Haupt (below), a "brilliant railroad engineer," to assume duties as Military Director and Superintendent of the United States Military Railroad. Haupt was given the rank of Colonel and Lincoln gave him broad, albeit frequently challenged, powers.
Henry Haupt (1817 – 1905)
Military Director and Superintendent of the united States Military Railroad
In the next post, the action of the South.
You may also be interested in two of my previous posts on Civil War Railroads:
[i] Edward Hagerman, The American Civil War and the Origins of Modern Warfare: Ideas, Organization, and Field Command (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1988), 63.
[ii] Allan R. Millett and Peter Maslowski, For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States of America, (New York: The Free Press, 1994), 165.


text:
By Dr. Dain Heer , Katarina Wallentin , Nathalie Beauvois
"When a baby unicorn is born into the world,
the other unicorns come running, galloping
and hopping from all over the globe..."
Also available in the following languages (click on the link below to purchase):
简体中文, Deutsch, Español, français, italiano,
日本語, Magyar, Nederlands, Português, русский, svenska, Türkçe
From Dr. Dain Heer and Katarina Wallentin comes an enchanting story full of magic and yes--unicorns!--that will melt your heart, your world and everyone around you!
Inspired by the birth of a friend's daughter, Heer came up with the idea to create The Baby Unicorn Manifesto as a reminder of the unlimited potential we each carry into this world at birth. The story is co-authored with Katarina Wallentin and the illustrations are done by Nathalie Beauvois.
Together, they hope to inspire generations of baby unicorns by questioning what we believe is possible.
"What if children were told they are a gift from the moment they are born? That they can be and do absolutely anything they want? What if children were told daily how grateful we are for their existence? What could they create then? What would be possible then?" Heer suggests
Wallentin agrees. "If I could gift my daughter one thing, it would be for her to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that she is not only enough; she is unique, perfect, amazing and so loved. It seems so basic, and yet, that knowing creates magic. Big magic", she says.
While I was reading The Baby Unicorn Manifesto, I thought of how much I would have loved to have had a book like that when I was kid. By the end of it, I was crying and so thankful it was not too late to read it. I will recommend it to every parent I know and will not have to think of a present to gift my students and friends' kids anymore!– Ana Helena Carneiro, Brazil
Cuddly and heartwarming! A joyous and beautiful reminder of the undeniable uniqueness of every individual. The simplicity yet high effectiveness with which Katarina and Dain awake your awareness of your own singularity and magic, and how truly special you really are for this world, is in itself a gift and an act of magic! I will repeatedly get back to it to embrace and be reminded of that space. Thank you!–Emilio García, Mexico
This book is so uplifting and adorable, it made me smile all along. I wish it would have been available when I was a child. It surely would have been of great help when I tried to somehow navigate through this world.– Patricia Bloom, Austria
Easy to read and exquisitely illustrated, The Baby Unicorn Manifesto is about the magic and possibilities on our beautiful planet, where we are only limited by our imagination.
Katarina Wallentin, Roser Cussó
Compiled by Chutisa Bowman, Multiple Author Contributions
Mary Dravis-Parrish
Graeme Crosskill, Paula Breetzke
Simone Padur
Anne Maxwell, Gary M. Douglas, Dr. Dain Heer


text:
Ayala moves into her district - finally
BRIDGEPORT -- State Rep. Elect Christina Ayala says she has moved into her voting district.
Ayala Friday said she moved to an apartment at 604 Noble Ave. during a brief interview shortly after applying for a special probation program -- accelerated rehabilitation in her hit-and-run case.
The hit-and-run occurred 24 hours after Ayala won the Democratic primary to run for the 128th District House seat.
But evidence recently surfaced that she lived in the 129th District at 49 Hillside Ave., which disqualifies her for office under the state Constitution.
Her family -- father Tito, Democratic Registrar of Voters Sandi and state Senator-elect Andres -- have been unable or unwilling to clarify matters.
Incoming state House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, D-Meriden, earlier this week warned Ayala to rectify the situation before she is sworn in Jan. 9.
Earlier Friday Ayala stood before Superior Court Judge John Cronan with her right hand raised and swore to abide by the rules of the probation program. The judge then continued the case to Feb. 1 for a hearing.
Ayala, who was overwhelmingly elected to the 128th District seat, is charged with evading responsibility, failure to obey a traffic signal and failure to renew her vehicle's registration.
Under accelerated rehabilitation, a program for nonviolent, first-time offenders, Ayala would not plead guilty but would be placed on up to two years' probation. If she completes the probation without getting arrested again then the charges would be dismissed.
"We felt at this juncture it was certainly in the best interest of all parties to bring this matter to a resolution," her lawyer, Guy Soares, said as Ayala stood beside him in the parking lot outside the Golden Hill Street courthouse. He said she has no intention of giving up her seat in the 128th House District.
According to police, on Aug. 15, Ayala was driving a 2007 Nissan Sentra with a 13-year-old and a 7-year-old on board when it collided with a 2002 Honda Accord driven by Krystal Velez, 26, of Bridgeport, at the intersection of North and Briarwood avenues.
When questioned by officers, Ayala said she attempted to check on the other driver after the crash, but left the scene because a man was yelling at her and she felt "scared."
Police said Ayala fled the accident scene and was eventually flagged down at the corner of Brooklawn Avenue and Laurel Place by a person who witnessed the accident and pursued her.
The distance between the accident location and where Ayala stopped is about six blocks.
The couple that aided Velez and pursued Ayala -- Kenneth and Charise Stokes, of Stratford -- have disputed Ayala's version of the events, saying she pulled over to check the damage to her own vehicle and drove away without looking back at the accident scene.
In the meantime, Ayala was arrested last week on domestic violence charges after police said she slapped her boyfriend at her then-Hillside Avenue home. Prosecutors said that case is being processed separately and will not be affected if she gets AR in the evading case.
While city Democrats were tolerant of her hit-and-run, a few called for her to step down following the second arrest and the residency questions.
email@example.com; 203-330-6308; http:// twitter.com/dantepfer
Staff Writer Brian Lockhart contributed to this report.


text:
Imagine a pill that could instantly sober you up no matter how much you've had to drink, or a hangover cure that worked minutes after swallowing it. Hardened drinkers rejoice: researchers are about to begin human trials on an "alcohol antidote" that may soon offer a cure to alcoholism, reports New Scientist.
The drug is a chemical called dihydromyricetin, or DHM, and is derived from a Chinese variety of the oriental raisin tree, which has been used for at least 500 years in China as an effective hangover cure. So far the extract has only been tested on boozing rats, but with promising results.
"DHM will reduce the degree of drunkenness for the amount of alcohol drunk and will definitely reduce the hangover symptoms," said Jing Liang, lead researcher in the study. "In time, it will reduce [an alcoholic's] desire for alcohol."
Liang first tested how well DHM alleviated drunken rats' clumsiness and loss of coordination by measuring how long it took them to right themselves after being laid on their backs. Rats were injected with an alcohol equivalent of a human drinking 15 to 20 beers in two hours to ensure that they were sufficiently wasted. As one would expect, it took the rats about 70 minutes just to get back up on their feet. After a milligram of DHM (per kilogram of rat body weight) was added to the mixture, however, the rats were able to right themselves in just five minutes.
The rats were next tested within a maze to see how well DHM neutralized hangover symptoms. Rats with a hangover typically react by cowering away in the corners of a maze, seemingly lacking motivation to seek an endpoint. But once those rats were given an appropriate dosage of DHM, their inquisitiveness was revived and they reacted just as rats that were given no alcohol at all.
Lastly, Liang tested whether DHM could cure alcohol addiction in rats. Boozy rodents were given a choice of drinking a sweetened solution of alcohol or sweetened water. Over a period of three months with DHM treatment, rats drank only a quarter the amount of alcohol that rats given no treatment drank.
Provided that the drug works as effectively in humans as it does in rats, DHM could be a breakthrough in the fight against alcoholism. But some researchers are concerned that it could eventually lead to more drinking rather than less. For instance, development of a similar compound called Ro15-4513 was abandoned several years ago due in part to such concerns.
"There was a lot of philosophical worry that an 'alcohol antidote' would entice people to consume alcohol and then count on being able to terminate the intoxicating effects on demand," said Markus Heilig, clinical director of the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
It's certainly easy to imagine how such a drug could be abused. Drinkers could become intoxicated, then take a pill when it comes time to drive themselves home. Hangovers would also no longer be a deterrent to imbibing. But for those struggling to overcome an alcohol addiction — not to mention the 3.3 million people around the world who are estimated to die every year due to alcohol consumption — the drug could be a godsend and well worth the risks.


text:
- Momentum shifts quickly : The score was tied with 60 seconds left in the final quarter. We had the ball and momentum was in our favor. Then we turned the ball over, and the other team went on a 9-0 run. The final score 52 to 59.
My final lesson: I can save money all week, but a $90 shopping run in just 60 minutes can create a deficit.
- Can't control everything: We were sunk by more than a bad turnover during the final minute. When we got the ball back, a clueless ref ignored a flagrant foul that happened right in front of my courtside seat. I would have jumped up and down -- screaming in protest -- if it weren't for a withering please-don't-embarrass-me look from my tweenage daughter. So I just sat down and faced reality. It was painful because in a few heartbeats, the opposing team expanded their lead from two points to five points after the bad call led to a basket and a foul shot (an "and-one," three-point play.)
My financial lesson: Losses happen. Stocks slide; houses depreciate and bounce checks may hit the rim due to forces beyond your call. I have to do my best to make the numbers work and then let go of the rest.
- Stick to your game plan: After the turnover and the bad ref call, you could see the wind go out of my team. And as the game clock ran down, the lead expanded into a score that resembled a rout.
My financial lesson: Do your best to contain financial slides. Losses can have a domino effect. Stay focused in order to limit cash drains.And finally, I learned a lot from my son. He plays with so much heart, he's an awesome defender. He's fierce and is just under 5-feet-tall. Given his small stature, he did not get much time in that game, which involved a team of much taller opponents.
But when he came in with the rest of the substitutes in the final 30 seconds of the game, my son played as if the game just started. I should save money with that kind of fierce focus.
Here's how to buy my new book:


text:
Holy crap - Christopher Lee's face in Season of The Witch is a bloody mess. Check out these clips from black magic flick Season of The Witch, and prepare for knight-on-knight banter from Ron Perlman and Nic Cage.
Nic Cage Makes a Death Bet with Ron Perlman
The Plague is Disgusting
The Witch is Surprisingly Hot.. No Way.
Shaky Face Wolves


text:
Bernanke Still Doesn't Get It
Yesterday, at the annual meetings of the American Economic Association, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke offered a continued defense of the Fed's monetary policies earlier this decade. Essentially he believes that monetary policy did not contribute to the housing bubble. He also makes clear that he believes that the excessively loose policy stance of the Fed after the dot‐com bubble burst was appropriate given the level of unemployment at that time. Given that today's unemployment level is even worse, Bernanke has offered us a clear indication that monetary policy will remain excessively loose for the foreseeable future, regardless of the Fed's inability to actually create jobs.
Bernanke's remarks also illustrate the contradictions in his own thinking. At one point he comments that it would have been inappropriate for the Fed to response to increases in energy prices, because such prices were viewed as temporary; yet elsewhere he indicates that most market participants viewed house price increases as permanent, yet the Fed felt it was appropriate to ignore those, for what reason we do not know. No where in his remarks does he address the impact of ignoring the single largest item behind consumer spending: housing.
Perhaps the weakest link in Bernanke's arguments is presenting the false choice of either monetary policy or mortgage underwriting standards. How about accepting that both played a role. Sadly when discussing underwriting standards, Bernanke continues to miss the most essential element: downpayment requirements. Nowhere in his discussion of mortgage defaults does he seem to recognize the role of equity.


text:
Some InterNACHI® members choose to form local chapters, which may be incorporated or unincorporated. InterNACHI® does not approve or supervise chapter activities, and has no control over such chapters, but InterNACHI® provides a list of existing Chapters for its members. Please choose the InterNACHI® Chapter website that you'd like to visit below. For more InterNACHI® events, please visit InterNACHI® Events. If you are a chapter president and would like to notify InterNACHI® of the existence of your chapter, please email Lisa Endza at firstname.lastname@example.com. To find an InterNACHI® certified home inspector in your area, visit InspectorLocator.
For more information about InterNACHI, visit http://www.nachi.org


text: Our advertising team here at the Aquarium has been hard-at-work producing all new creative pieces to represent our newest exhibit, Blacktip Reef! The commercials for our new exhibit were shot over three days. Most of the animal footage was captured at our Animal Care Center. The actors were shot in a studio and the entire piece was edited together by our partners over at MGH. Check out our finished products: "Journey" Fun Fact: The movement of the animals featured in this commercial matched up organically with the script (those moments are rare when working with live animals)! "Get Lost" Fun Fact: We actually tried to match the personality of the actor with the fish appearing in the commercial. It just so happens that this actor felt well-matched with the clown triggerfish! "Mother and Son" Fun Fact: This commercial was actually the son's first shoot! Pretty great for a first try! Tags: behind-the-scenes, blacktip-reef, blacktip-reef-commercials, commercials, national-aquarium-2, national-aquarium-in-baltimore, video-2 Categories: Animals, Behind-The-Scenes, News Previous Post Next Post


text:
Dead Island 2011 Release Announced With Fabulous Trailer
Though it dropped off the radar for a while, Techland's open-world zombie nightmare
Though it dropped off the radar for a while, Techland's open-world zombie nightmare Dead Island will finally be released later this year, publisher Deep Silver has announced.
While zombie nerds will doubtless find something to quibble about, Dead Island sounds glorious. Trapped on a tropical island resort overrun by zombies, players--plural, because the game supports co-op for up to four--will be hacking their way through the hordes to find a way off. Firearms are in short supply so combat will focus on melee with makeshift, customisable weapons. There are also player classes with progression, granting new skills along the way.
Dead Island will be released on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This year will also see Techland release Call of Juarez: The Cartel, a modern-day take on its western series.


text:
Sign In to access this Webcast
This monthly webcast provides the latest insights from TCB's Economics Team for the U.S. economy, including the short –term growth forecasts for consumption, investment, labor markets and the aggregate GDP growth.
As a special topic, this Economics Watch discusses U.S. monetary policy and financial markets. For the past five years the Federal Reserve engaged in aggressive quantitative easing, whereby it has massively increased the size of its balance sheet by buying long-term bond assets in the open market. The Federal Reserve decided to embark upon this unconventional monetary policy since the U.S. economy continued to perform at unsatisfactorily low levels that has left the unemployment rate at an uncomfortably high level and it is unable to lower short-term interest rates since they are already at zero percent. However, the Fed expects economy to gradually strengthen and decided to slowly taper its quantitative easing operations in January by reducing its monthly purchases of bonds from $85 billion to $75 billion. The Fed will eventually even start to raise short-term interest rates, but not likely to begin until 2015 at the earliest. Many questions surround the efficacy of the Fed's exit strategy and the impact on the financial markets and the supply of credit to the economy. We will explore the many challenges and possible impact of the Fed's eventual tightening of monetary policy.
Bart van Ark
Bart van Ark is executive vice president and global chief economist of The Conference Board, a global business research think tank headquartered in New York...Full Bio
Kathy Bostjancic
Kathy has extensive experience providing insightful global economic and financial market analysis and forecasts to institutional and retail investors and Fortune 500 business leaders and professionals. She has a deep understanding of U.S. monetary and fiscal policy and its impact on the economy a...Full Bio
Ward McCarthy
Dr. F. Ward McCarthy joined Jefferies and Company as a managing director and the chief financial economist in the fixed income division in September, 2009. Ward is responsible for the Jefferies U.S. economic, Federal Reserve, Treasury and fiscal outlook and analysis, and writes daily commen...Full Bio