text:
ASU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This collection includes most of the ASU Theses and Dissertations from 2011 to present. ASU Theses and Dissertations are available in downloadable PDF format; however, a small percentage of items are under embargo. Information about the dissertations/theses includes degree information, committee members, an abstract, supporting data or media.
In addition to the electronic theses found in the ASU Digital Repository, ASU Theses and Dissertations can be found in the ASU Library Catalog.
Dissertations and Theses granted by Arizona State University are archived and made available through a joint effort of the ASU Graduate College and the ASU Libraries. For more information or questions about this collection contact or visit the Digital Repository ETD Library Guide or contact the ASU Graduate College at email@example.com.
- Zhang, Junshan
- 1 Arizona State University
- 1 Bliss, Daniel
- 1 Chakrabarti, Chaitali
- 1 Kovvali, Narayan
- 1 Miao, Lifeng
- 1 Papandreou-Suppappola, Antonia
- 1 English
- 1 Public
- Biomedical engineering
- 1 Algorithm Development
- 1 Bayesian Methods
- 1 Electrical engineering
- 1 Hardware Implementation
- 1 Neural Activity Tracking
- Mobile Crowd Sensing in Edge Computing Environment
- The Effect of Disability on Subjective Well-Being across the Adult Lifespan: The Moderating Roles of Age at Disability Onset and Disability Type
- Mechanically Active Heterogeneous Polymer Matrix Composites
- Attribute-Based Encryption for Fine-Grained Access Control over Sensitive Data
- 并购背景下教育行业品牌价值研究
Electrical neural activity detection and tracking have many applications in medical research and brain computer interface technologies. In this thesis, we focus on the development of advanced signal processing algorithms to track neural activity and on the mapping of these algorithms onto hardware to enable real-time tracking. At the heart of these algorithms is particle filtering (PF), a sequential Monte Carlo technique used to estimate the unknown parameters of dynamic systems. First, we analyze the bottlenecks in existing PF algorithms, and we propose a new parallel PF (PPF) algorithm based on the independent Metropolis-Hastings (IMH) algorithm. We show that the …
- Contributors
- Miao, Lifeng, Chakrabarti, Chaitali, Papandreou-Suppappola, Antonia, et al.
- Created Date
- 2013


text:
We are a family owned dealership dedicated to making it easy for people to purchase the car that is right for them. With over 45 years in business our dealership group is pleased to say many of our clients have purchased several vehicles from us over the years. Although we have won many awards, for us this loyalty is the greatest compliment.
Our Commitment to You:
You will be greeted promptly, courteously and treated with respect.
A member of our trained staff will make every effort to find a vehicle that best suits your needs.
We will not waste your time with a lengthy negotiation session.
We will stand behind our promises, as well as our cars.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Welcome to the Unpaved!
MX vs ATV kicks it up a notch and shifts into high gear as the best selling offroad franchise returns. Rainbow Studios has evolved their legendary Rhythm Racing™ engine to include throttle based power slides, near upside down whips and new scrubs. Compete in the first ever "X-Cross" tournament, which brings 8 unique racing series and crosses them into one ultimate offroad championship. X-Cross demands players master a variety of powerful vehicles through treacherous trails in the new Opencross mode, while then shifting gears to navigate boulders, logs, and water pits in Endurocross, and then conquer 6 other championship modes. Players can take control of the new ORV Sport and other vehicles, including Monster and Trophy Trucks, as they blaze through massive environments to determine which vehicle owns the offroad.
Welcome to the unpaved.


text:
PIXIE CREW Pencil Case BLACK / GREY
Number of pixels included: 100
Pixies (buy more): small (24 colors)
Quick Overview
Multi-functional pencil case/pouch, not only for your school needs with silicone panel. The panel has points to where to fix PIXIES and create your own designs. Inside the padded case is enough space for pens, pencils and other school items or anyother small items. The pencil case can be closed using a zip on the top. You will recieve 100 PIXIES for free and a mini gallery to get you set off on those first designs. Have a 'new' pencil case everyday, change the designs as many times as you want. You can remove and stick on PIXIES whenever you want . Why not try out designs on our PIXIECREW EDITOR at www.pixiecreweditor.com.
Colorful pencil case with a silicone panel sized 33x10 pixel points, which means you have 227 positions for expressing your ideas. Zipper can close the pencil case. It has much storage for pencils and other that is needed in school. Together with the pencil case you also get a set of approx. 100 pixels with for free. For more advanced designing you can also buy a set of pixel points in 24 colors.
Additional Information
|Weight (g)
|Pixie Crew
|Product type
|Pencil case
|Main fabric
|woolen felt
|Product size (cm) - W x H x D
|Silicon pad (nr. of posts) - W x H
|Number of posts on the DIY panel
|Pixies (buy more)
|Number of pixels included
|black / grey


text:
There is enough complexity with a custom law essay that there should be none added. Keep the essay simple and easy to read. Only use complex words when needed, and make sure they are in the right context. If a reader has to stop and re-read your paragraph, or has to stop and figure out what you said, then it will get bad marks or fail. An essay is to show what you know, not to show off, or just throw words at.
Never in any circumstance plagiarise! Use your own words. When you need to, use a quote from a resource, and properly note it. Both in the paragraph and in the Bibliography. Only use what is needed, a sentence or two at most.
Use well-defined statements. Do not beat around the bush to use up words, say it clearly. State what you want to say in a precise and intelligent wording. Do not use clumsy phrasing, but express your point evenly.
Make sure of your sources. With the web now so full of unqualified opinions and statements, be careful of the sources.Make sure of your sources' validity. Wikipedia is not a valid source, although it is good for references.
Slang words are an absolute no. Except if you are using them as a point of words used by technicians, then explain them and why they are used.
Always proof read your work. A good rule of thumb is to proof each paragraph after you write it, then the paper when you are done.
Proofing and editing are the two of the three final steps to be done. They are all very important; proofing, editing, and re-writing.
Because mistakes happen, do not worry about rewriting your paper, you will have to. Ir will help you to make a flawless paper.
© PythianInternational.com. All rights reserved.


text:
Sprint Cup Recap — STP Gas Booster 500
Jimmie Johnson dominated at Martinsville Sunday, winning the STP Gas Booster 500.
In fact, Jimmie Johnson dominated the entire race weekend.
He was the fastest car in the first practice. He set the track record and won the pole in qualifying. Then, during the race, he led 347 of 500 laps and never dropped lower than 5th place.
"We had just such a calm weekend," Johnson said. "We just executed from the first laps in practice to where we were at the end of the race, and that was fun."
Well, yeah.
The 347 laps led is actually the most Johnson has ever led during a single race in his entire career.
Of course, there was some drama at the end. The final restart of the race with 8 laps to go set up like a mirror image of the wild finish from last year. Jeff Gordon & Clint Boyer were the only ones that seemed to have a shot at Johnson, but even Gordon admitted after the race that no one was touching the #48.
"You get a driver like Jimmie and a team like the #48," Gordon said, "you put them on the pole in that number one pit stall and it's going to be really, really hard to beat them."
It was Johnson's eighth career win at Martinsville, which moved him into third place in all time wins at the speedway. The only two drivers ahead of him on the list are Richard Petty & Darrell Waltrip. Both are in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Whenever Jimmie decides to hang it up, he will be, too.
Here's what we learned in Martinsville:
1. Danicamania is back. Patrick battled her way to a 12th place finish after starting in the rear because of an engine change. She was spun on lap 15 by Ken Schrader, and got as far as 2 laps down before a few wave-arounds got her back on the lead lap. The #10 car got better as the race went on, and Danica wound up with a very respectable finish for her first time in Martinsville.
2. Post race scuffles are commonplace. Folks, we're barely into the season and we're starting to see some genuine hostility. This week's spotlight lands on Kevin Harvick, who spun Brian Vickers #55 machine after a three wide finish with Danica Patrick. I don't even know the cause of this one, but it looks like the checkered flag isn't going to necessarily stop the action on track anytime soon.
3. Mark Martin is really, really good. It's not easy to climb into another guy's racecar, with another guy's team and finish in the top 10 at a Sprint Cup race, especially when you start 35th. Minus a miscue on pit road that had him leaving his pit box without a tire, Martin drove a flawless race. He'll swap seats with Brian Vickers next week in Texas. I wonder if Kevin Harvick will remember that?
Tommy Joe Martins is a former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver & a weekly racer at the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, he's been a sports columnist for The Daily Mississippian, a radio host & a life-long NASCAR fan.


text: Fab You Bliss, Vivian Chen Photography, Elegant Winery Soiree 24 Enter your email here: Or, get updates via Facebook Twitter Iinstagram Google+ RSS Pinterest StumbleUpon DID YOU ENJOY THIS POST? There is always plenty more to come - subscribe now and never miss a thing! Elegant Northern California Winery Wedding


text:
- Sales Home
- Select Date/Time
Select Date/Time
Turtle Odyssey 3D
Follow the incredible journey of a spry young green sea turtle as it traverses thousands of miles of open ocean—and then migrates with mysterious precision back to the very beach where it was born. Russell Crowe narrates as researchers trek through these same aquatic wonderlands, encountering the majestic corals of Australia's Great Barrier Reef and breathtaking breaching whales. Turtle Odyssey 3D reminds us just how interconnected we all are with the ocean.


text:
He is a founder and a designer for KIMBO.
He has designing experience his whole life in customizing sneakers (some in the process with the celebrities are with MTV's "Jersey Shore" cast members and for Khloe Kardashian's husband Lamar Odom for Lakers) and working as an associate designer with Anne Bowen from 2008-2010. He began starting his own business from the year 2006.
His works are true arts combined with elegance + edginess in his graphic and textures chosen in his works.
You will be able to see his entire collection within 2 months until the launch!
Michelle: How does your day start and end normally? Are you a morning person?
Kim: Unfortunately I am not a morning person. My day starts with a giant cup of coffee, the stronger the better. When it comes to ending my day, sometimes I do not end my day until late, if I start a project I get really into it and end up finishing it if I can. It can be a bad habit actually. Also if there is an experience or something worth staying up for, I will sacrifice sleep, which probably explains why I am not a morning person.
M: How do you want to portray KIMBO? I loved your collections. It was amazing to see how the drapey and tight looks combined to create such fabulous looks. If you have specific target of ages or the women of image in mind, please tell us.
Kim: I want to portray KIMBO as a new breed of clothing. My background is from two very different realms. I started customizing sneakers as a teenager and also have worked in the high end designer market as an Associate Designer. I am a very graphic person who always favors the bold, yet really appreciates and tries to emulate sleek and sophisticated design. I want people to see KIMBO and have the reaction of " Woah! That's different." My target ages of the women are from 19-35, it's for the fashion forward customer who isn't afraid to turn heads, for whatever reason, if it's the interesting drape of the dress or the intense graphic fabric treatment, or both! I want them to think that it's unlike anything they've ever seen.
M: Do you have muses inspiring you at the moment or have people you want to collaborate with?
Kim: I am inspired by most artists of all mediums. I currently do not have a real live muse, but the idea of who I am designing for is my temporary muse I guess you can say. I have dreams to collaborate with real innovators, designers who are creating new innovative ways of viewing fashion but still keeping in the world of wearable clothing. I would love to collaborate with high end designers like Rodarte, because of their innovative fabric treatments, Issey Miyake because of the amazing shapes created with the fabric, Alexander McQueen (top inspirations) just for their engineered prints and amazing silhouettes, the list can go on and on.
Kim: My new T-shirt which is a limited edition T-shirt, I call the KIMBO Cut & Sew Tee. I love this pieces because it is my take on the skull and cross bones, with scissors and spray paint. This is unisex and is available through my online store. There is a White V-neck version and also a black and red version, you can pick one up for both Winter and Spring! They are going fast and there are only a limited amount left so pick one up before they're all gone! [check them out for yourself at: http://kimbo.bigcartel.com/product/kimbo-the-cut-sew-tee ]
Kim: Well, sneaker customization is how I started, and I kind of got into it by accident but it has expanded more than I could have ever imagined. I painted a pair of old shoes in high school and got attention from my peers, it kind of just took off from there. The way the process works is people send me their shoes along with a list of theme that they want. They should not be worn often, they are pieces of art that are very intricate and usually take almost 3 days, on average. So for example one girl sent me a pair of Vans slip-ons, she was from Miami and said she wanted "Trippy, Urban, Turquoise, Orange and Purple" So I just went to town and she loved them. It's also a matter of trust, they need to trust that I've been doing it for a long time and I know how to work on sneakers. As for me hustling my wanted customers, I try and network with them through whatever connections I can find, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't, life's full of hurdles and I jump rope daily to jump over them more easily.
M: I see people in two categories. People who wear clothes and contrastingly where clothes wear people. What do you suggest or advise people to avoid this kind of tragedy but to gain self confidence?
Kim: Well I feel you should always wear something because it makes you feel good. There is nothing better than walking out of the house having that confidence that you know you look good and most like yourself and feel good about it, that's the ultimate confidence boost. I find that "clothes wearing the people" does the person a disservice. If you don't feel good about the clothes and are wearing them because you were told you should or that's the trend, then you won't feel confident in them, you can't fake that, and it will reflect past the clothes. Nobody can pull off being uncomfortable with what they're wearing, it shows right past your designer threads. Buy what you feel best in, because otherwise that true self confidence will not be gained, but lost.
M: I wish you all the best of luck and success for you and KIMBO. Please tell us your goal you would like to achieve in this upcoming year of 2011.
Kim: Goal for the new year: Kick KIMBO into High Gear, and really take this business to the next level of design, self expression and creativity. Oh, and exercise more, like everybody's every year.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/KIMBO/35853948160
Website: http://www.kimbo-studio.com


text:
Reports from earlier today indicated the deal had happened. However, Greb Bedard reported later this afternoon that it may not happen. Part of it depends on DeShawn Wynn's knee and apparently whether or not he may be placed on injured reserve. Green's agent says nothing has been done yet.
I wouldn't be opposed to making Ahman part of the team again. He was a popular player who played hard – and watching him run over defensive backs (and sometimes LBs) was one of my favorite things to watch. I wonder if he was brought in at least in part because he is good at catching passes out of the backfield and because he's not a bad blocker in pass protection. There may even be a mentor factor here for Brandon Jackson (Jackson, like Green went from Lincoln, NE to Green Bay). Even though I would prefer that we sign veterans for other positions where being old is less of a negative factor (Ahman is 32), I would welcome Green back.


text:
In this section
Need crisis mental health care?
In an emergency, call 911!
All Wisconsin counties
211 Impact – First Call for Help
Dial 211 and get connected to resources that can help you through your life crisis. If using a cell phone, dial (414) 773-0211 or toll free (866) 211-3380. For more information, visit www.impactinc.org. Provides 24-hour mental health crisis intervention, information, referral and listening support. English and Spanish speaking counselors available.
Consejeros que hablan ingles y español están disponibles.
Kenosha County
(262) 657-7188 or (800) 236-7188 – Kenosha Human Development Services – Crisis Line
Provides 24-hour service that includes juvenile crisis, assistance with immediate crisis, help with resolving family conflict, working with support systems, looking at options for safety, and facilitating most appropriate placement or service options.
Milwaukee County
(414) 257-7621 – Children's Mobile Crisis (CMC) (children and adolescents)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays; 24-hour on call telephone support. Responds on site to children, adolescents, and their families experiencing a mental health emergency. Crisis stabilization, assessment and links to appropriate follow-up care provided.
(414) 257-7222 – Mental Health Crisis Line
(adults 18 years or older)
A 24-hour service that provides emergency telephone counseling, information, and referral for personal, family, and social crises. Help with obtaining appropriate follow-up care provided.
(414) 257-7260 – Psychiatric Crisis Service Admission Center (emergency room)
Provides 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week psychiatric emergency services, including assessment, crisis intervention, medications, and the capacity for observation up to 48 hours as needed.
(414) 647-8200 – Teen Crisis Line (ages 11 to 17 years old)
A 24-hour service provided by Walker's Point Youth and Family Center, located at 732 South 21st St., Milwaukee. It is a 24-hour shelter for teens who may stay up to 14 days. Requires voluntary placement and holds up to eight teens with parents permission.
(414) 777-4729 – Warmline, Inc.
Hours: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
For those who speak Spanish. A peer run, non-crisis support line for individuals with mental health concerns who want to talk. Trained volunteers listen, provide emotional support, help with problem solving and refer calls to additional resources when appropriate.
Ozaukee County
(262) 377-2673 – COPE Services
Provides 24-hour mental health crisis intervention, information, referral, and listening support.
Racine County
(262) 638-6741 – Racine County Human Services Behavioral Health Crisis
Phone calls (available in office): 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
Walk-ins: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday
Also available by phone through the SAIL program 24/7 at number above. Provides a single point of contact to access Racine County Mental Health and Addiction Services, helps with resources, supportive listening, and directs calls to most appropriate services.
Walworth County
(262) 741-3200 or (800) 365-1587 – Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services (Crisis)
Trained staff provide 24-hour help with personal or other crisis situations.
Washington County
(262) 365-6565 – Behavioral Health and Access and Outreach Crisis Line
Provides 24-hour emergency mental health services.
Waukesha County
(262) 548-7666 (regular business hours) or 211 (after hours or weekends) – Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services Crisis Intervention
Provides comprehensive mental health services and assists with crisis intervention.
National mental health hotlines
(800) SUICIDE (784-2433) – National Hopeline Network
Counselors are available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Counseling for veterans is also available. English and Spanish speaking counselors available.
Consejeros que hablan inglés y español están disponibles.
(800) 273-TALK (8255) – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
English and Spanish speaking counselors are available.
Consejeros que hablan inglés y español están disponibles.
(800) 448-3000 – Girls and Boys Town National Hotline
A 24-hour crisis, resource and referral line accredited by the American Academy of Suicidology. English and Spanish-speaking counselors available.
Consejeros que hablan inglés y español están disponibles.


text:
"The Voice" is live tonight, and you can be, too, by logging in to our web chat hosted by News4's Angie Goff.
Several panelists will join Angie in chatting about the show as it is broadcast at 8 p.m., and they'd like you to join them.
Share your comments and questions below:
(Due to time constraints, some questions may not be answered.)


text:
In a post about Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's bid to strip public employee unions of collective bargaining — the most important and effective tool for protecting workers — Van Jones wrote:
If a foreign power conspired to inflict this much damage on America's first responders and essential infrastructure, we would see it as an act of war.
It is an act of war, a now all-but-openly-declared war — and not just against unions, but against American workers and against the middle class.
Americans are accustomed to denying even the existence of classes, let alone class conflict. This week America's ongoing class war arrived on our doorstep with the subtlety of a daisy cutter — in the form of Walker's union-busting politics, and the massive protests in Madison and beyond.
Now that the battle is joined, the big questions are what the outcome will be, and whether Democrats will take the opportunity to tell American workers unequivocally whose side they are on.
What we are seeing in Wisconsin is job killing in action, with the goal of eliminating or permanently weakening the middle class. Conservative policies were responsible for the death of American manufacturing and the loss of "good jobs" — jobs with decent wages and benefits that aided the growth of the middle class from the working class.
The Center for Economic and Policy Research defines a "good job" as one with health insurance, a pension plan and earnings of at least $17 per hour. That works out to about $34,000 a year, the inflation-adjusted median income for men in 1979, when U.S. manufacturing jobs numbered 19.6 million, an all-time high.
Since then, however, the economy has lost nearly 6 million manufacturing jobs — 52,000 in February alone. Among them were many of the 3.5 million "good jobs" lost from 2000 to 2006, according to John Schmitt, a senior economist at CEPR.
As those jobs disappeared, many blue-collar workers were forced to take jobs with far less pay and benefit security.
...Helping fuel the loss of good jobs has been a decline in union membership, industry deregulation, increased outsourcing of state and government services and economic policies that focus more on containing inflation than on maintaining full employment, Schmitt said. (Emphasis mine.)
What Conservatives Really Want
Now conservatives have turned their eliminating what may be the last "good jobs" left in America, in terms of benefits. It's not just public employees and public employee unions conservatives have in their sights, but the very concepts of a common good and a public interest. George Lakoff explained in "What Conservatives Want," a post dedicated to the protesters in Wisconsin (emphasis mine):
Conservatives really want to change the basis of American life, to make America run according to the conservative moral worldview in all areas of life.
…The way to understand the conservative moral system is to consider a strict father family. The father is The Decider, the ultimate moral authority in the family. His authority must not be challenged. His job is to protect the family, to support the family (by winning competitions in the marketplace), and to teach his kids right from wrong by disciplining them physically when they do wrong. The use of force is necessary and required. Only then will children develop the internal discipline to become moral beings. And only with such discipline will they be able to prosper. And what of people who are not prosperous? They don't have discipline, and without discipline they cannot be moral, so they deserve their poverty. The good people are hence the prosperous people. Helping others takes away their discipline, and hence makes them both unable to prosper on their own and function morally.
The market itself is seen in this way. The slogan, "Let the market decide" assumes the market itself is The Decider. The market is seen as both natural (since it is assumed that people naturally seek their self-interest) and moral (if everyone seeks their own profit, the profit of all will be maximized by the invisible hand). As the ultimate moral authority, there should be no power higher than the market that might go against market values. Thus the government can spend money to protect the market and promote market values, but should not rule over it either through (1) regulation, (2) taxation, (3) unions and worker rights, (4) environmental protection or food safety laws, and (5) tort cases. Moreover, government should not do public service. The market has service industries for that.
Thus, it would be wrong for the government to provide health care, education, public broadcasting, public parks and so on. The very idea of these things is at odds with the conservative moral system. No one should be paying for anyone else. It is individual responsibility in all arenas. Taxation is thus seen as taking money away from those who have earned it and giving it to people who don't deserve it. Taxation cannot be seen as providing the necessities of life for a civilized society, and, as necessary, for business to prosper.
The public workers targeted in Wisconsin and others are the same people who make middle-class life and security in America possible. They are the people who ensure our safety, who safeguard our health, and facilitate us getting where we want to go, among other things. They are the police who responded within minutes after our house alarm was set off by a strong wind that blew open a door that lacked a deadbolt lock; the teachers and school staff that helped our son when he needed it; the paramedics who responded quickly when a neighbor's child had trouble breathing; the firefighters who responded when a neighbor detected a gas leak; the bus driver that gets our son to school safely each day; the public transportation workers who get me to work and back home safely each day. The list goes on and on.
When abstract budget cuts translate into fewer teachers, police officers, health workers, firefighters, etc. in our communities, we begin to realize that such cuts hurt rather than heal.
The very necessities that support the existence of a middle class are threatened. They will not be replaced if conservatives are successful in eliminating them. They will not be affordable if privatized. The reason that there are public services supported by public workers is that there are things we believe need doing and should be done even if they're not profitable. Where there is not enough of a profit margin for private industry to see a benefit, and too great a need for charitable entities to meet entirely, it becomes a question of the public interest, requiring a public solution.
We are faced with a conservative movement that not only doesn't believe in a public good but sees it at the biggest of our problems.
Ideology vs. Reality: Something Has To Give
Wisconsin and other states are where the irresistible force of ideology meets the immovable object of reality. While many Americans support the idea of "tough" budget cuts, most Americans want the painful cuts made somewhere else — someplace where they won't feel it. Like the Johnny Mercer lyric that says, "something's gotta give." It will either be the will of the people or the ideological move to increase economic pain and inequality.
As America looked on with the rest of the world at the amazing, dictator-toppling protests in Egypt, we heard reports of how Egypt's economic inequality catalyzed a citizens' movement. And we learned that economic inequality is worse here than in Egypt.
It's no coincidence that even conservatives see the parallels between Cairo and Madison. The connection between the uprisings in Cairo and Madison aren't lost on the participants in both. Facilitated by the internet, protesters in Cairo and Madison have exchanged statements of solidarity.
Technology may have partly bridged that gap, but what brings the uprisings in Egypt and elsewhere closer to home is not so much the technology as the understanding that passes along it, through barriers of culture, language, religion, etc. What does it mean when Americans in Madison, Wis., see themselves in the same boat at protesters in Egypt?
It means that our domestic economic policies have mirrored our economically driven foreign policy, with consequences as devastating to working and middle-class Americans as those our decades-long support of Mubarak's regime was to Egyptians.
A New York Times article recently stated, "Hosni Mubarak's Egypt has long functioned as a state where wealth bought political power and political power bought great wealth." The same can be accurately said of the U.S. in the past 30 years. In Winner-Take-All Politics: How Washington Made the Rich Richer--and Turned Its Back on the Middle Class, Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson explain what's happened in the last 30 years.
That shift occurred in the 1970s because businesses and the super-rich began a process of political organization in the early 1970s that enabled them to pool their wealth and contacts to achieve dominant political influence (described in Chapter 5). To take one of the many statistics they provide, the number of companies with registered lobbyists in Washington grew from 175 in 1971 to nearly 2,500 in 1982 (p. 118). Money pouring into lobbying firms, political campaigns, and ideological think tanks created the organizational muscle that gave the Republicans a formidable institutional advantage by the 1980s. The Democrats have only reduced that advantage in the past two decades by becoming more like Republicans–more business-friendly, more anti-tax, and more dependent on money from the super-rich. And that dependency has severely limited both their ability and their desire to fight back on behalf of the middle class (let alone the poor), which has few defenders in Washington.
Americans are fast approaching a crossroads where the abstract budget cuts run headlong into reality of the pain those cuts will inflict on our families and communities. And in the communities where Americans live and work, the abstract notion of budget cuts translates into real economic pain. It translates into states taking action to increase economic pain while at the same time undercutting their ability to relieve the worst of it.
A Lost Middle Class, Unbridled Corporate Power
The war against public employees is also a war on the many things government does that support the middle class. That Republicans have not offered alternatives to these supports either reflect their lack of concern about the American middle class, or their confidence that the private sector will eventually supply alternative supports.
Either way, we're probably facing a "lost decade" in which middle and working-class Americans suffer the loss of these supports, facing stagnation at best and downward mobility at worst. For younger generations, this will come a crucial time developmentally, during which they would otherwise acquire or inherit advantages they could then pass on to their children, thus perpetuating the middle class.
This is an attack on the middle class, both directly and indirectly; even on those of us who have fallen for the right's "politics of envy" and thus focus our ire on public employees rather than at those further up the economic ladder who are, still, feeling no pain in this recession. Instead too many of us look at public employee unions and ask "Hey, why should they have it so good?," instead of asking "Hey, how come we don't have it that good?" (Perhaps because only 6.9% of private employees are unionized now, due in no small part to Republican efforts to aid corporate union-busting.)
As Kevin Drum notes, killing off unions removes the only remaining counterbalance to corporate power.
... Of course unions have pathologies. Every big human institution does. And anyone who thinks they're on the wrong side of an issue should fight it out with them. But unions are also the only large-scale movement left in America that persistently acts as a countervailing power against corporate power. They're the only large-scale movement left that persistently acts in the economic interests of the middle class.
So sure: go ahead and fight the teachers unions on charter schools. Go ahead and insist that public sector unions in Wisconsin need to take pay and benefit cuts if that's what you believe. Go ahead and rail against Davis-Bacon. It's a free country.
But the decline of unions over the past few decades has left corporations and the rich with essentially no powerful opposition. No matter what doubts you might have about unions and their role in the economy, never forget that destroying them destroys the only real organized check on the power of the business community in America. If the last 30 years haven't made that clear, I don't know what will.
Perhaps now more Americans know how high the stakes really are. Recent polls show that 65% of Wisconsin residents and 61% of Americans support the right of public employee unions to bargain collectively. (In Wisconsin, Walker is losing the support even among Republican senators.)
This attack on the middle class comes at a time when the middle class has already been weakened by the economic impact of conservative policies and politics. Wisconsin illustrates that conservative economic and fiscal policies create crises that Republicans then exploit to accomplish political ends -- weakening their opponents and rewarding their cronies along the way. Naked cronyism is employed in pursuit of what to conservatives is a higher goal: to "finish the job" of remaking our economy (to more closely resemble those of other countries also facing citizen revolts) through destroying regulation, consumer protection, collective bargaining, labor organizing, and thus ensuring continued growth of economic inequality.
Mother Jones magazine spelled it out in just eight charts.
The importance of this end, the permanent diminishing of the middle class, to Republicans is evident in how far they are willing to go and how unswerving they are in the face of public opposition and the cognitive dissonance of reality.
So, the debt or the deficit is not the point in the first place—because the deficit is merely the symptom, not the disease. The disease is the conservative economics that have created the crisis. The crisis they have created is the point. Give conservatives this: They never let a crisis go to waste, in the way the Obama administration have done thus far.
Indeed, in his short time in office Walker has destroyed (and threatened to destroy more) jobs than his policies are likely to create, if previous applications of conservative policy are any indication. The $117 billion in tax breaks that Walker and the Republican legislature pushed through for GOP cronies basically created the very crisis he claims to address. That Walker refuses any compromise at all, even though the unions agreed to accept wage and benefit reductions as long as they keep the right to collective bargaining, shows that the budget isn't the point. Power is. That Walker doesn't have time to talk to the state's Senate Democrats, but does have time to take a call he thinks is from one of the Koch brothers, shows exactly whose side he's on.
If Walker accepts compromise, then unions survive to bargain another day. Meaning that the wage and benefit reductions are not guaranteed permanent. If Wisconsin's economy improves, the states public employee unions would be a position to bargain for a return to previous wage and benefit levels, based on the argument that their sacrifice should end with the state's budget crisis ends.
The Crossroads, In Washington And Beyond
We are approaching a crossroads. It happens that this time, it's been reached in Wisconsin, and other states are approaching the same point. At some point, it becomes impossible to camouflage the blatant cronyism, inequality, and bald-faced contradictions in what conservatives promise and what their policies actually deliver. At that crossroads, things can go at least a couple of ways.
Either people resist, because they are still inspired by the possibility of change and believe in their ability to affect change with great effort, or they are successfully crushed by economic pain and effectively disenfranchised the point that not only do they no longer believe in the possibility of change, but they no longer bother with an effort because they believe "The government does what it wants to do. We can do nothing."
"The people united," goes the chant, "will never be defeated." The fate of that union, and the ability of united people to change the direction of government, is being decided in Madison, Wisconsin, today. And maybe in your state capitol tomorrow.
We will soon face a stalemate in the federal government similar to that in Wisconsin. Since congressional Democrats won't have the option of flight, they had better be ready to fight, and to make the case that Republicans have refused to bargain at all, let alone bargain in good faith. Democrats must make the case that they are working to prevent Republicans in Congress from doing to the rest of the country what Gov. Walker and Republican legislators are trying to do in Wisconsin and other states now.
What's happening in Wisconsin and across the country may be the beginning of Americans realizing the consequences of voting in Republicans whose policies don't reflect what Americans really want. It may be the beginning of the Republicans running smack into the reality that the midterm elections did not give them a mandate or confer a public stamp of approval on their agenda.
We can only hope it is the beginning of Americans turning back that agenda when it comes to their hometowns.
A popular business tip advises would-be business leaders to "Find a parade and get in front of it." The question is whether Democrats, having failed to start a parade after 2008 will have the sense to jump in front of the one that started in Wisconsin and, at long last, lead it.
Democrats' first step towards real leadership, from the president on down, should star with an unequivocal statement of support for public employees and public employee unions in Wisconsin and other states, support for the right to organize and bargain collectively, and ultimately support for the progressive values that are the foundation of all the above.
The conservative war against the working people, the middle class, and fundamental American values has burst out into the open. It's time now for the president and Democrats to speak up and stand up; to leave no doubt whose side they're on, by publicly joining the fight.


text:
>>MoreHot Exams
You are here :Home > IBM > IBM Certifications I >
Product Description
Exam Number/Code: 000-019
Exam Name: IBM Tivoli Network Manager IP Edition V3.8 Implementation
Questions and Answers: 137 Q&As
Price:$88.00 $58.00
Updated: 06-06-2020
Buy 000-019 pdf, send software free
Looking for the latest 000-019 Exam Questions, 000-019 Practice Exam, 000-019 Exam Certification?
Choose PassCert is a wise choice.
Engine Features
Why Choose PassCert 000-019 Braindumps
We offer free update service for one year.
After you purchase our product, we will offer free update in time for one year.
PassCert Practice Exams for IBM IBM Certifications I 000-019 are written to the highest standards of technical accuracy, using only certified subject matter experts and published authors for development. PassCert 000-019 braindumps including the examination question and the answer, complete by our senior IT lecturers and the IBM Certifications I product experts, included the current newest 000-019 examination questions.
100% Guarantee To Pass Your 000-019 Exam
If you use passcert braindunps as your 000-019 Exam prepare material, we guarantee your success in the first attempt. If you do not pass the 000-019 exam (IBM Tivoli Network Manager IP Edition V3.8 Implementation) in 90 days on your first attempt we will give you a FULL REFUND of your purchasing fee,if you purchase 000-019 Q&A,enjoy the upgrade Q&A service for free in one year.
IBM 000-019 Downloadable, Printable Exams (in PDF format)
PassCert 000-019 Preparation Material provides you everything you will need to take your 000-019 Exam. The 000-019 Exam details are researched and produced by Professional Certification Experts who are constantly using industry experience to produce precise, and logical. You may get questions from different web sites or books, but logic is the key. Our Product will help you not only pass in the first try, but also save your valuable time.Give your career a boost and start earning your IBM certification today!
000-019 Downloadable, Interactive Testing engines
We are all well aware that a major problem in the IT industry is that there is a lack of quality study materials. Our Exam Preparation Material provides you everything you will need to take a certification examination. Like actual certification exams, our Practice Tests are in multiple-choice (MCQs) Our IBM 000-019 Exam will provide you with exam questions with verified answers that reflect the actual exam. These questions and answers provide you with the experience of taking the actual test. High quality and Value for the 000-019 Exam:100% Guarantee to Pass Your IBM Certifications I exam and get your IBM certification.
PassCert Offers Free Demo for 000-019 Exam
You can check out the interface, question quality and usability of PassCert practice exams before you decide to buy it. We are the only one site can offer demo for almost all products.
- Related 000-019 Exams
- 000-017 Foundations of Tivoli process automation engine V7.1
- 000-446 IBM Content Manager OnDemand for i5/OS
- 000-744 DS4000 Technical Version 1
- 000-996 IBM WebSphere MQ.V6.0.Solution Design
- 000-415 IBM WebSphere IIS DataStage Enterprise Edition v7.5
- 000-994 IBM WebSphere MQ V6.0,System Administration
- 000-315 IBM WebSphere Message Broker v6.1, Solution Development
- 000-019 IBM Tivoli Network Manager IP Edition V3.8 Implementation


text:
Our three day trip to Sweden didn't get off to the greatest start. SR and I began running up the steep hills of Söderåsen with the now heaviest baby jogger in the world. I don't really know why; perhaps we were just tired, but we started fighting. Rather, I should say, I don't really know how to fight, so I started crying. But then, a Swedish woman on a horse crossed our path. She was around 55 years old with a creamy, white complexion, dark hair and blue eyes. We talked about the park and how Americans are so interested in geneology. "He hadn't time for me," she said in her wonderful Swedish accent of a relative she had tried to contact. Soon she was gone and we looked at each other and our beautiful son. Perhaps the woman was an angel.
Perhaps the key is focusing more on each other than our individual lives.
We didn't fight the rest of the trip, but talked a lot about how our lives have changed since we've moved. And we talked about eventually moving to Greenland or Alaska to practice medicine. We both have adventurous hearts and think those places would be wonderful for our kids to live for a while. Of course, we need to be done with our medical training first.
It was hard not to have the time of our lives the rest of the weekend. What is better than running for hours on a gorgeous mountain with someone you love?
Okay, technically one of us ran while the other power hiked with The Lorax in backpack. And technically, Söderåsen is a not a generic mountain, but a horst (raised land pushed together between two faults). Being from the Midwestern US, I was not previously familiar with horsts as geological formations.
We ran three days in a row, both over 20 miles on the second day. The trails were amazing. And great training for the Trans-Alpine run in September!
Now we're back to normal life, but I have a deep happiness. Perhaps the pictures say it all...
(above is our own version of the photo I took from the internet in my last post :)).
Running Song of The Day: Don't Be Afraid to Sing by Stars
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Swedish Lessons in Love and Geology
5 comments:
- Unknown said...
Looks like a beautiful trip. I cannot BELIEVE how similar your version of the photo is to the original. Nice work!
Can I come visit Denmark before you go off and move again? Haha.
- 13 May 2009 at 15:22
- Danni said...
Sounds like a nice trip. I wonder if maybe you were just hangry (when I am hungry I get cranky or "hangry").
So, I definitely think you should go Northern Exposure. :p
- 13 May 2009 at 15:35
- sea legs girl said...
You have got plenty of time. We'll be here at least 5 years (and I personally wouldn't mind being here longer).
Ha! I love hangry.
- 13 May 2009 at 21:51
- Ingrid said...
Sounds like such a good trip (and some great runs too). What beautiful pictures!
- 13 May 2009 at 21:54
- Olga said...
Little Guy is so-o-o adorable! Boy, can I relate to stupidly fighting (hangry, huh?) and then having a bliss on trails with the loved ones! Very neat.
- 14 May 2009 at 17:57
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Missoula Airport Announces Direct Delta Flights To Atlanta [AUDIO]
The Missoula International Airport announced Thursday that Delta Airlines will begin offering non-stop flights from Missoula to Atlanta, Georgia starting in late June.
Airport director Chris Jensen says "We want to thank Delta Air Lines for furthering their commitment to our community." Jensen added "We've had a great partnership with Delta and look forward to the opportunities the new service will provide for our businesses and our leisure travelers."
The Saturday-only flights start June 22nd and run through August 31st. the flight will originate in Atlanta at 10:25 a.m. and arrive in Missoula at 1:03 p.m. The outbound flight will leave Missoula at 1:45 p.m. and arrive in Atlanta at 7:51 p.m.
Jensen says Atlanta is the world's busiest airport and will enable Delta to continue service to Missoula travelers anywhere in the world.
Airport manager Chris Jensen


text:
Waves And Tide Pool At Sunset
Stockphoto ID: 321392
File name: PblBch_1.jpg
Format: film, 35mm
Property release: no Model release: no
Source: photographer Based in: United States
Description: Waves and Tide Pool at Sunset
Click to show/hide Tags
This image is copyright protected. There is a fee for any use. This website is not a source of free images.


text:
Protecting, Promoting and Sustaining Michigan's Forest Products Economy
Look closer at Michigan's forests. Sweeping vistas and critical habitat. Jobs that help our economy thrive. Bowling pins, eyeglasses, sailboats and syrup. Precious resources and vast opportunities. This is what we protect, this is what we grow.
2020 Michigan SFI Continuing Education Class Schedule
2016 Statewide BMP Monitoring Study (Region 2 & 3 - Eastern U.P., Lower Peninsula and Statewide Summary Results)
2015 Statewide BMP Monitoring Study (Region 1 - Western U.P.)


text:
The National Council of Churches (NCC) suffered a stinging rebuke last month when the North American Archdiocese of the Antiochian Orthodox Church decided to sever all ties to the organization. "It got to be too much," said Antiochian spokesman Rev. Thomas Zain. "They have an almost politicized agenda...that opposes conservative Christianity."
Zain was being generous. The NCC plays a duplicitous game. Its public statements are laced with the language of Christian benevolence but its policies read like a laundry list of hard-Left causes. It's a pattern that took a while for the Orthodox to see.
Disguising a Marxist past
NCC cooperation with the far-Left began in the last century. In the 1950's and 1960's, the NCC was one of the leading contributors to the Program to Combat Racism (PCR) created in 1939 by the World Council of Churches (WCC), an NCC affiliate. PCR subsidized revolutionary Communists governments in the Third World, shuffling more than $5 million to 130 organizations in 30 countries - all under the guise of Christian charity.
When Reader's Digest exposed the ruse in 1982, they reported more than half of the money that went to the PCR wound up in the hands of Communist guerillas. In the 1970's alone: in excess of $78,000 went to the Cuban sponsored MPLA fomenting Communist revolution in Angola; $832,000 to Nambia's Communist regime; and $108,000 to the Patriotic Front in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) to support a Communist guerilla force responsible for a campaign of terror that killed 207 white civilians, 1,721 blacks, and nine missionaries including their children.
NCC contributions toward the PRC were collected from member churches and funneled through the NCC treasury. When the Reader's Digest report was published, the WCC frantically tried to cover the paper trail and to this day refuses to release the names of contributors and beneficiaries.
The fall of the Soviet Union and subsequent exposure of the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of Marxism caused donations to dry up. Throughout the 1990's the NCC teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. A last minute cash infusion by a wealthy benefactor saved it from ruin.
The fall also forced the NCC to account for past sins and it fell to Rev. Joan Campbell, NCC president during the early 1990's, to offer the mea culpa. "We did not understand the depth of the sufferings under Communism," Campbell said. "And we failed to really cry out under the Communist oppression."
Social(ist) Justice
Like many of its left-wing counterparts, the NCC displayed a slavish devotion to Marxist ideas and anti-American cant. It strove to become the official dispenser of religious respectability to those who adopted either. Dispensing respectability made NCC bureaucrats feel important and offered the rationale that justified the NCC's existence.
"Liberation Theology" was the dominant fad in the late 1960's and 1970's - a patchwork of ideas that claimed that the Christian obligation to care for the poor was synonymous with Marxist social dogma. Liberation Theology dressed Marxist ideas in the Christian moral lexicon convincing gullible activists that Christ was really a crypto-Marxist. The ideology swept through the religious left like wildfire. The NCC was front and center.
Pope John Paul II fought Liberation Theology tooth and nail in Catholic circles (his first public rebuke being the scolding of an El Salvadoran priest). "Christian" Marxists would have none of it. Substituting Marx's secular millennialism for the Gospel, these religious Marxists did what all Marxists do: they refused to take any responsibility for the suffering their ideas generated. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.
Campbell was no exception. Her apology was a lie. The NCC not only understood the suffering caused by Communist oppression, it funded and gave religious cover to the oppressors. The NCC wants us to believe that when it crawled into bed with Marx the affair was not consummated, when in fact it adulterated the Christian Gospel and thereby joined the ranks of those who foster evil in the name of religion.
The NCC continues the affair even today, mostly with Fidel Castro, revealing that the utopian delusion is as strong as ever. Castro's seduction of the NCC goes back decades.
The NCC wrote educational tracts for American children that praised Cuban totalitarianism. It lauded Cuban health care. It was front man for the deportation of Elian Gonzalez. It condemns the American economic embargo on Castro's behalf.
Several years ago, NCC operatives exploited a visit to Cuba by Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I by protesting American policy at Guantanamo, but refused the pleas of an Orthodox delegate to protest Castro's human rights abuses at a Cuban prison. The list goes on and on. It is impossible to find any substantive criticism of Castro's brutal regime in nearly three decades of NCC documentation.
Orthodox participation
Given this history, why did the traditional and conservative Orthodox Church sign on with the NCC in the first place? The Orthodox Church, the second largest church in the world, with 216 million adherents, was long divided in North America along ethnic lines. Only three American jursidictions -- the Antiochian Orthodox, which is primarily composed of Arab Christians; the Orthodox Church in America, which is of Russian heritage; and the Greek Orthodox -- have belonged to the NCC.
The answer is that most Orthodox in these jurisdictions were unaware of the NCC's activist past. Despite having a presence on American soil for more than 200 years (through Russian missionary work in Alaska that spread to California, then New York), the American Orthodox are only now coming into their own. The majority of Orthodox Christians came to America during the great waves of immigration early in the last century and it took several generations for assimilation to take place. Only recently have American converts joined the ranks.
The fall of Communism prompted an NCC makeover that obscured their leftist orientation. Brown's mea culpa was part of this effort, as was the toning down of radical language and the relative silence on divisive moral issues that threatened to alienate a more conservative constituency. The NCC went shopping for social respectability at the same time that the Orthodox sought a venue to make their faith more visible in American society. Each found the other and decided to give union a shot.
It was an uneven marriage from the start, with the NCC acting as hen-pecked suitor. The Orthodox contribute no funding to the NCC; a problem the NCC overlooks because Orthodox history and tradition lend an air of moral legitimacy and authority that the NCC could never muster on its own. Clearly the NCC needs the Orthodox a lot more than the reverse.
Most informed Orthodox have always been uneasy of the relationship with the NCC but reasoned that an imperfect relationship might be better than none at all. However, when word got out that NCC President Rev. Bob Edgar was actively courting George Soros and other like-minded benefactors, the Antiochian Orthodox Church took notice and began to ask questions.
Then Edgar signed a declaration against gay marriage along with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the National Association of Evangelicals, causing outrage in his Lesbian, Gay, and Transgender delegation. They demanded he change his tune, and Edgar dutifully complied. He apologized, removed his signature, and assured the delegation that the NCC stands behind gay marriage. That proved the last straw for the Antiochian Orthodox.
The dustbin of history
The Antiochian withdrawal may be a sign of things to come. Within the Orthodox communion, only the Orthodox Church in America (OCA - formerly Russian Orthodox Church) and the Greek Orthodox remain NCC members. The OCA is debating the issue behind closed doors, with some rancor if reports are correct. A parliamentary maneuver narrowly avoided a vote at their national assembly earlier this summer that observers say would have resulted in an NCC ouster. Given that many OCA families have first hand experience with Communist oppression, the exposure of the NCC as a Communist fellow traveler should help close the question.
Complete Orthodox withdrawal leaves the NCC beholden to the declining mainstream of American Protestantism. (Catholics and Evangelical Protestants refuse to join.) NCC member churches comprise about a quarter of American Christians and their numbers decline every year. Only the conservative churches are growing. The Antiochian Orthodox decision pushes the NCC one step closer to the dustbin of history - where it belongs.
This article was published on the Front Page Magazine website (new window will open).


text:
In less than 18hrs, I should be on my way to the next photo adventure. I'm planning to spend two weeks with my wife, living in the bush on a combined holiday and photo-safari. Our initial destination is Windhoek, Namibia, where we will pick up a Toyota Hilux with a rooftop tent. From the capital of the old South-West Africa, we will leave on a +3500km trek around the Namibian wilderness. Our brief itinerary goes like this; Windhoek, Okonjima, Waterberg, Etosha, Damaraland, Skeleton coast, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Namib desert, Windhoek.
This is my second photo-safari after the 2008 Kenyan edition. The image above was made on that trip as we were following 2 female lions who were about the catch a Zebra. The lions must have been upset with our presence since they decided to climb a nearby tree and rest for a while. The zebra on the other hand, is probably still thankful today!
Image details:
Nikon D200 with Nikkor 18-200 VR lens with 1.7 teleconverter
ISO 100, 375mm, f 5.6, 1/80sec
Lightroom 3 RAW processing
Nik Color Efex for optimum contrast
For the ones interested, the following gear packed in a LowePro Computrekker AW is going with me:
-Nikon D700 (with extra batteries + battery grip)
-Nikkor 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 lenses
-1.7 teleconverter
-Gitzo tripod with Markins ballhead
-Remote release
- Visible dust sensor cleaning kit
-Plenty of CF memory card (+24GB)
-Macbook with 250GB external backup storage drive
-iPhone 3GS and iPad with Motion X GPS app installed
Notice that I'm not taking a very long lens with me... I'm sure I'll be missing out on some far away wildlife shots, but I'll try to bring you a different perspective to wildlife photography!
It's unlikely I will be able to blog from the wilderness before my return on Oct 13. Expect some interesting images soon after...
Till then,
Click that shutter,


text:
Retirement Community Peninsula Gold
At The Chesapeake, you'll find a rich and vibrant lifestyle overflowing with opportunities for friendship, exploration, activity and growth. You'll find a community that welcomes you with open arms and new friends who will invite you to join in the fun and become part of the family. You'll have all of this and more, including the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a secure plan for your future.


text:
With a name inspired by Joe Cocker's rock-pop hit, "Delta Lady," perhaps Delta Goodrem was destined to make music. She started playing piano at age 7, was signed to Sony Records by age 15, and now, at age 26, has outnumbered the Beatles in record sales for Australia. A true talent, Delta pens her own songs in the singer-songwriter tradition – a feat that has won her eight number one singles and three number one albums in the Land Down Under. In addition to her musical success, she's also acted in several films and the Australian soap opera Neighbors. She logs an impressive 4 million fans on her website Delta-daily.com, where you can keep up with her latest news.
American audiences can catch Delta tonight at the Bushnell when she performs as part of the Michael Bolton Charities Concert to benefit women and children at risk. Read our Q & A below to learn more about Delta.
Is it true you write and sing your own songs?
Yes, I have always written or co-written my own songs.
What is being the Artist of the Decade in Australia? What are your hopes for the US?
Apparently it means I've sold more albums than anyone in Australia in the last 10 years which I still find incredible and such an honour. I would love to do the same thing in America as well! My hopes are to be able to share my music with Americans and eventually tour there.
You have 4 million fans on Delta-daily.com - an overwhelming number for an artist? How did you feel when you first saw that jaw dropping number?
Yes incredible and very overwhelmed. My fans are the best in the world and very supportive.
I expect from what I see those numbers will continue to RISE!
Thank you!
What is the ultimate message you want to convey through your music?
I like to hope people will find their own messages in my music - that's all I can hope.
Who inspired you?
No one person inspires me but lots of people around me - sometimes every day people I meet in the street. I'm inspired by many things - the universe and everything inside of it.
How did you get involved in helping the Michael Bolton Charities?
Michael asked me to perform at his charity event and of course I am honoured. I'm very involved in charities back home (Patron of the Kinghorn Cancer Centre) and also I'm an UN worldwide ambassador as well.
I am assuming it was your sizzling performance on Dancing with the Stars with him that lead to this! The 21 million viewers were fixated on you from all I have read. You are certainly beautiful inside and out- tell us your thoughts on inner beauty?
Laughter - and I'm very healthy. And I exercise well!
What can the audience expect to hear from you Tuesday night?
The new single from Michael's album.
What are your next projects coming up?
I'm currently finishing my album that will be out worldwide later this year.
What are your last words to all the readers?
Thanks for your time and I hope to see you all Tonight at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT. Love and Light, Delta xxx


text:
Ryan Lochte: Olympic champion with an appetite to match
CNN/Stylemagazine.com Newswire | 7/30/2014, 4:18 p.m. | Updated on 7/30/2014, 4:18 p.m.
He's used to making waves in the pool, but Ryan Lochte has caused a few ripples of excitement on social media after tweeting out a photo of himself in front of what he claims was 10,000 calories worth of food, including piles of chicken and asparagus.
It's not clear whether the five-time Olympic gold medalist was about to tuck into the food in one sitting, but eating what amounts to around four times the recommended daily calorie intake for an adult male would not be unusual for someone like Lochte, says a leading sports nutritionist.
"It's quite a lot of food!" Lewis James, a lecturer in nutrition at the UK's Loughborough University, told CNN.
"I would expect someone like Ryan Lochte to have 10,000 calories in a day but in one meal it sounds like quite a lot."
Lochte, who turns 30 at the beginning of August, isn't the first swimmer to reveal a gargantuan appetite.
His former U.S. swimming teammate Michael Phelps once famously claimed to consume 12,000 calories a day, before later saying it was a myth.
Swimmers' grueling training schedules, combined with their larger bodies, mean they require many more calories than most other top athletes, James says.
"Generally, if you look at athletes, most of the guys that are larger don't do so much exercise," he explains.
"The guys that tend to do a lot of exercise and have a lot of hours of training tend to be smaller. Look at the typical Tour (de France) cyclist -- they are somewhere between 60-75 kilos, most of those guys.
"So they are doing an awful lot of activity but their body weight is a lot lower, so they have less weight to sustain essentially," he adds.
"During a day on the Tour de France, you'd perhaps expect total energy expenditure to be between 6,000-7,000 calories for most of the cyclists."
Unlike Tour riders, who can top up their energy reserves with energy bars and fluids en route, swimmers can't do the same, explains James.
"People like Ryan would be training for very long periods at a time, (meaning) they have long periods of their days when they don't get any food in at all."
"You've got someone who has a higher requirement (for calories) but technically has less hours to consume that requirement because he's in a pool for three to four hours a day."
You are what you eat, so the saying goes, and it seems athletes are only going to be as good as their last meal.
"Everyone should be working hard to make sure they have got the appropriate diet for their sport or their event, making sure they are well fed and have consumed the right nutrients at the right times so that we can really maximize performance," James says.
"Messing your diet up or not eating properly in a lot of events can really impair your performance."
For more information go to http://www.cnn.com


text:
Few businesses have truly tapped the revenue opportunities that exist in the Baby Boomer and senior markets, according to two speakers last week at the 10th annual International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) Conference in Orlando.
For fitness and wellness businesses, one of those opportunities is in providing wellness and lifestyle specialists, Colin Milner, CEO of the ICAA, said in his keynote presentation. The health care system lacks the level of staffing and expertise to easily accommodate large numbers of older adults—particularly those seeking preventive services rather than treatments.
"There are opportunities for individuals to provide not just personal training but also wellness and prevention training, and to act as life coaches or advisors in other areas as well," Milner said. "People are paying to ensure they age well in all aspects of their lives—health, nutrition, fitness, finances, travel and other quality-of-life pursuits."
Because so many sectors are late in recognizing the needs, desires and value of the Boomer market, untold opportunities exist for companies to serve this burgeoning demographic, Milner said.
In addition, fundamental shifts in the nation's largest demographic group, the Baby Boomers, are leading to perceptual changes that will influence the market for Boomer-targeted products and services, according to Steve French, managing partner at the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), who spoke at the conference.
The oldest Baby Boomers are beginning to turn 65 years old, and the youngest are in their late 40s.
"As Boomers adjust to the new challenges of aging, they're realizing they have to realign some of their long-held attitudes and behaviors," French said. "As a result, they are re-inventing themselves, becoming more self-aware and self-responsible, and taking a pragmatic approach that will drive various industries forward."
NMI's Healthy Aging/Boomer Database, an annual survey of more than 3,000 older adults in the United States, identified trends that are shaping the Boomer market.
One of those trends is aging healthfully. Fewer than one out of five consumers over 50 years old are looking for the next fountain of youth. For them, it is not about not aging; it is about healthy aging and accepting who they are now while aiming for a healthier version, French said.
Boomers are not accepting stereotypes of old age.
"Fifty-plus consumers aren't looking to buy big-button phones or 'I've fallen down and can't get up' monitoring devices," French says. "Close to half are searching for new self-care methods to prolong health and vitality, and two-thirds optimistically proclaim that the best years of their life are still ahead of them."
Boomers and their parents number more than 110 million. With more than $2 trillion in spending power, they are 47 times richer than their younger counterparts, and account for 55 percent of discretionary income in the United States, Milner said. Yet, the vast majority of marketing dollars are spent on adults 35 and younger.
"That's business suicide," Milner said, adding that when marketers do focus on this group, 75 percent of them get a failing grade.
"Older consumers say that marketing targeted to them is patronizing and stereotypical," Milner said. "Simply put, it fails to reflect their stage of life."
Milner suggests that marketers take the time to fully understand this group's needs, dreams, desires, expectations and capabilities. For fitness facility operators who want to target this group, they must commit to the market by ensuring their products, services, staff, philosophies and procedures are in line with what this group seeks. These businesses also must be visible in the places that older adults frequent for their information—TV, newspapers, Facebook, as examples. It would also bode well for these business owners to become an advocate for older consumers. Whatever these businesses do, they should avoid promoting useless and expensive "anti-aging" products or stating that a product or service is geared to "seniors" if it really isn't.
"A Nielsen study done a couple of years ago showed that, by ignoring Boomers, marketers could miss roughly $230 million in sales of consumer packaged goods alone, or around 55 percent of the overall sales in the United States," Milner said. "However, the opposite is also true. Those who focus on this group in a meaningful way stand to gain their fair share of the older consumer's business."


text:
When Jennifer Granholm, the former Governor of Michigan, was asked if she'd run for elected office again, her quick response was, "No, no, and no!"
Yes, but—all smart politicians have learned never to say never in politics. And she's smart.
That conjures up some interesting speculation: Might Granholm, a Democrat and newly-minted UC Berkeley professor, provide the California Democratic Party with its latest rising star?
U.S. & World
After leaving office in 2010 because of term limits, Granholm—at least for a while—has returned to her roots.
Sure, she was born in Canada—that's why she can't run for President. But when she was a child, Granholm's family moved to California.
Over the years, she lived in Anaheim, San Jose and San Carlos, graduating from San Carlos High School in 1977.
After graduation, according to her bio in Wikipedia, "she attempted to launch a Hollywood acting career but was unsuccessful …She held jobs as a tour guide at Universal Studios, within customer service for the Los Angeles Times and was the first female tour guide at Marine World Africa USA in Redwood City."
Eventually she enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, from which she graduated with honors in 1984. Not a bad California resume.
Then Granholm strayed.After earning a Harvard law degree, she moved to Detroit with her new husband.
Now, she's ba-a-a-ck! (Did you know that, like California's former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, she was once a contestant on "The Dating Game"?)
Not only does she have a mediagenic presence, she's got a couple of bully pulpits—her academic perch and her reoccurring gig on NBC's "Meet the Press," as well as other media forums (Her new book, A Governor's Story, and "The Daily Show" come to mind.)
Even out of office, she's proved her bone fides with labor, excoriating Wisconsin's GOP Governor Scott Walker for taking on collective bargaining to balance the state budget.
Granholm does carry political baggage.
According to the Wall Street Journal, "On her watch, the state's ranking in per capita GDP plummeted to 41st place from 24th, Detroit's population shriveled to its lowest level since 1910."
By August 2009, the recession and near collapse of the auto industry pushed Michigan's unemployment rate to over 14%. Things have begun to turn around, and for that she should get some credit.
In addition, Granholm cites her state's economic struggles as providing valuable experience.
"Everything that is hitting the U.S. now hit Michigan first," she told The Oakland Press.
Lastly, it's not like the California Democratic Party doesn't already have a deep bench, including Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Kamala Harris and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa—among others.
However, with the state's three top office holders, Gov. Jerry Brown and Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, all Democrats and all over 70, at some point there's likely to be one frenzied game of political musical chairs.
Granholm could be that rare commodity—a fresh face with experience.
She wouldn't the first former Governor to be elected California's chief executive.
Let us know what you think. Comment below, send us your thoughts via Twitter @PropZero or add your comment to our Facebook page.


text:
Intel Core i7-2620M processor (2.70GHz) with Turbo Boost Technology up to (3.40GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
13.1" (1920 x 1080) LED, Full HD widescreen display
4GB of RAM & 256GB SSD
AMD Radeon HD 6650M graphics
Blu-ray Disc Player
Intel Wireless Display technology
Double your battery life.Leveraging the latest innovations in lithium polymer technology, the battery of the Z Series is integrated into the PC and conforms to the contours of the chassis offering a thinner battery profile while still supplying up to 8 hours of battery life. This concept even extends to the all-new large capacity sheet battery and leaves behind the traditional bulky and protruding long-life batteries of the past. Attaching directly to the standard capacity battery and by working in tandem with it, you?ll enjoy up to 16 hours of total combined battery life (with optional extended battery) ? helping to keep you unplugged longer.
The perfect pair.Born from a legacy of engineering innovation, Sony introduces the next evolution in ultra-portable laptop design and technology. Building on the idea that an ultra-portable laptop shouldn?t have to compromise performance for a small form factor, the Z Series incorporates a bold new concept ? the Power Media Dock. Leveraging the latest I/O architecture, the Power Media Dock is a performance factory delivering the horsepower your day demands through one unique and familiar port. Featuring a powerful AMD Radeon HD 6650M graphics card with 1GB VRAM, you?ll experience premium visual quality and intense HD performance without placing huge demands on the CPU. The Power Media Dock even includes optional slot loading Blu-ray Disc technology, a USB 3.0 port, HDMI -out and more. Paired together, the Z Series transforms into the ultimate workstation and can even support up to 4 Full HD displays. But when it?s time to hit the road, the 2.6 lbs. / 0.66? thick chassis is always ready to travel. Simply detach the dock and go. Backed by Intel Core processor technology, loads of memory, fast solid state drives, and integrated Intel HD Graphics; you?ll still enjoy the power you need to tackle your day head on.
Enhance the security of the Internet Symantec VIP is a powerful, additional layer of security that links your PC to the online account, VPN or application that you select, decreasing the ability of thieves to access your accounts and information from another PC. Created jointly by industry leaders Intel and Symantec, and available through select member websites, VIP ensures that only you can access your online accounts and websites. When you log into any of the hundreds of VIP member websites, you?re asked to provide a one-time password that?s automatically generated by Intel Identity Protection Technology. Since the password is random, and you get a new one each time you visit, it?s virtually impossible for cybercriminals to hijack your online identity. The best part? The identity protection technology is built into your new PC?s processor, so there?s no extra hardware to buy and no tokens or other ?credentials? to lug around, forget, or lose. Protecting yourself online has never been easier.
2nd generation processor technologyFor the most visible difference in multitasking or HD multimedia, get the processor with top-of-the-line performance you can truly see and feel. With our best set of features for the speediest and most responsive experience, the 2nd generation Intel Core i7 processor - with clock speeds up to 2.70GHz - is the ideal choice for whatever you want to do. It?s visibly smart performance at its best.
A revolution in Sony VAIO DesignSimple yet bold, the all new Z Series features a new fully flat design concept that abandons traditional bulky batteries, unnecessary seams and protruding ports. A seamless piece of brushed aluminum milled to precise specifications creates the core of the Z Series chassis to offer firm structural integrity. The aluminum core is then encased in a high grade carbon fiber matrix ? the same material used to build formula 1 race cars ? to add flexibility and durability without adding extra weight.
On the cutting edge of SSD technology For maximum performance and ample storage, the Z Series features dual channel SSD with RAID technology (select models). RAID technology coordinates between the two solid state drives to keep them operating simultaneously at optimal speed. The result is quicker boot-ups, faster application launches and overall enhanced performance. And of course, since SSD technology includes no moving parts, you get a more durable storage solution less prone to physical damage.
LED backlit displayDeveloped by the same people you trust to engineer amazing flat-panel HDTVs, the VAIO Z Series laptop features exceptional picture quality. The 13.1? (1920x1080) widescreen display includes an LED backlight that helps ensure a bright display while conserving battery power. Plus, with an anti-glare coating and100% color saturation you?ll enjoy a wider spectrum of color for more true-to-life images with less light reflection.
Convenient backlit keyboardPractical innovation is a cornerstone of Sony?s vision, and our keyboards are no exception. Designed for ease of use, the Z Series laptop features precisely engineered keys to create a comfortable and intuitive typing experience. And to make it even easier to find the right keys ? whether typing day or night, in the dark or light ? an LED backlight creates a pleasant glow, framing the individual keys and illuminating the lettering.
Take it to the big screen ? wirelesslyNow it?s easy to wirelessly stream content to your HDTV with the Intel Wireless Display enabled Z Series laptop. Sit back and experience your favorite online TV shows and movies from the comfort of your couch. Access personal video, music and photos from your hard drive or home network and immediately send it wirelessly to the biggest display in up to full 1080p HD and 5.1 surround sound. With integrated Intel Wireless Display technology, searching for cables and stringing them across your living room or office is a thing of the past.
Blu-ray Disc technology The best picture. The best sound. The ultimate high-definition experience. With pristine HD resolution and stunning clarity, Blu-ray Disc technology is an impressive way to enjoy your entertainment.
Hardware ButtonsThe Z Series laptop also includes three capacitive touch buttons (VAIO, ASSIST and WEB) for one-touch access to the Web and more. ?Select the WEB button for one touch access to the web without full boot up into Windows. ?Press the VAIO button and instantly launch Media Gallery software to enjoy all your photos and music in a whole new way. ?ASSIST button links directly to VAIO Care software that helps maintain and troubleshoot any PC issues for optimal performance.
Enhance your imageA built-in HD web camera offers superb video conferencing quality. Powered by an Exmor sensor, this HD web camera offers amazing low-light performance and includes face tracking technology that allows the camera to automatically adjust and keep you in focus as you move about.
Processor Type: Intel Core i7-2620M
Processor Technology: Dual Core
Processor Speed: 2.70GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.40GHz
Processor Cache: 4MB
Screen Size: 13.1"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Display Technology: Full HD
Backlight Technology: LED
Installed Memory: 4GB (2GB x 2)
Memory Type/Speed: DDR3/1333MHz
Max. Memory: Fixed Onboard
Graphics Processor: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Graphics Video RAM: Internal
Storage Type: Solid State Drive
Storage Capacity: 256GB
Storage Technology: RAID 0 x 2
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type: External Power Media Dock with slot loading Blu-ray Disc Player
Camera: Built-in HD web camera powered by Exmor sensor and microphone
Keyboard: QWERTY, 83 keys with 1.0mm stroke and 19.45mm pitch
Backlit Keyboard: Yes
Sound System: Intel High Definition Audio with Dolby Home Theater Technology v4
Inputs and Outputs
DC-In: 1
VGA Output(s): 1
Headphone Output: 1
Secure Digital (SD) Slot: 1
Port Replicator Connector(s): 1
HDMI Output(s): 1
Memory Stick Duo: 1
Bluetooth Technology: Bluetooth Integrated Stereo A2DP (2.1 + EDR)
Ethernet Protocol: 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX/10BASE-T
WiFi Adapter: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230
WiDi Ready: Yes - Intel Wireless Display Technology
Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Professional with Service Pack 1 64-bit
Supplied Software: Microsoft Office Starter with reduced-functionality versions of Word and Excel, VAIO Care, Media Gallery, PMB - VAIO Edition
Adobe Creative Software: Adobe Acrobat Standard 9.0
Anti-Virus Software: Norton Internet Security 2011 30-Day Trial Offer
Service and Warranty Information
Toll-Free Phone Support: 888-476-6972
Onsite/In-Home Service: Yes12
International Service: Yes
Limited Warranty Term: 1 Year
Priority Phone Support: 239-768-7605
Environmental Information
EPEAT: Gold
ROHS: Compliant
Weights and Measurements
Dimensions (Approx.): 13.00" (W) x 0.66" (H) x 8.27" (D)
Weight (Approx.): 2.57 lbs. (with Internal Battery)
Security: Biometric Fingerprint Sensor, Trusted Platform Module (TCG ver. 1.2 certified)
Action Buttons: VAIO, ASSIST, WEB, Wireless On/Off
Pointing Device: Touchpad (Gesture supported)
Battery Type: Internal Lithium Polymer Battery (4000mAh)
Default Brightness: Up to 7 hours
Maximum Brightness: Up to 6 hours
Power Media Dock (PMD)
PMD Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon HD 6650M
PMD Graphics Video RAM: 1GB Dedicated
PMD Optical Drive Type: Slot loading Blu-ray Disc Player
PMD HDMI Output(s): 1
PMD VGA Output(s): 1
PMD Port Replicator Connector(s): 1
PMD Ethernet Protocol: 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX/10BASE-T
PMD Dimensions (Approx.): 5.83" (W) x 0.66" (H) x 8.67" (D)
PMD Weight (Approx.): 1.52 lbs.
PMD Supplied AC Adapter: VGP-AC19V46
PMD Input Voltage: AC 100-240V


text:
The web's already bursting with tales of GTA-loving teens running amuck and of contrasting reports about the impact of videogames on kids. But now a website's launched that aims to help inform families about videogames.
FamilyGamer promises to help mum, dad and the kids "play videogames together in healthy, entertaining, imaginative and stimulating ways" by providing, amongst other things, jargon-free reviews of videogames.
The website uses several categorizations, including "dad gamer", "mum gamer", "twenties gamer" and even "gamer wife".
Over 600 titles have already been reviewed and, in addition to outlining a title's suitability, the website also features guides for choosing consoles and game genres.
Grand Theft Auto IV has already been covered. Here's an extract: "This is a game that doesn't try to dumb down or clean up the realities of life in the city's underworld. This is an adult experience with the related themes of strong language, sex, violence and drugs".
The review added that "Ironically though, it [GTA IV] is this gritty reality that makes it a beneficial and interesting game for families (with older kids) to engage with".
Although videogame classifications awarded by the British Board of Film Classification or the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association hold a higher prestige, FamilyGamer could help calm critics who've argued that the classifications of both groups are difficult to understand and not detailed enough.
The FamilyGamer website has an annual membership fee of £25 ($37/€28). ®
Sponsored: Ransomware has gone nuclear


text:
Grisham's juror: Life imitates art in Tyco trial
A jury deep in final deliberations after a sensational six-month trail. Two dapper middle-aged moguls fighting for their freedom, accused of stealing $600 million and eviscerating their company. All eyes on the jury as members file past the defense table.
One, a former teacher and lawyer, stuns onlookers by signaling "okay" with her thumb and forefinger to the defense team.
A scene from a best-selling novel or the scenario of a hit Broadway play?
Pas du tout.
"What they have there is the worst possible juror," says a man who should know, novelist John Grisham. His recent blockbuster, The Runaway Jury, depicts a scenario eerily similar to the events that happened last week in the New York trial of former Tyco executives L. Dennis Kozlowski, 57, and Mark Swartz, 43.
"The prosecutors never want a lawyer on the jury," Grisham says. "This woman appears to be very sympathetic to the defense."
While the former executives are charged with 32 counts of financial misdeeds including grand larceny, "A lot of legal analysts who have been watching the trial," Grisham says, "believe that the prosecution did not prove criminal intent, the crucial element in the case."
The 79-year-old hold-out juror– whom the New York Post has dubbed "Ms. Trial" and "the batty blueblood"– apparently agrees. According to notes from other jurors, the woman wants Swartz and Kozlowski acquitted on all counts and has been refusing to deliberate any other potential verdict.
The men are accused of bilking Tyco International, the Bermuda-based conglomerate they once headed, by hiding excessive pay packages from the company's board and by selling their stock at inflated prices. The trial has been rife with details of financial excess ranging from a $6,000 shower curtain in Kozlowski's apartment, to a party on Sardinia, to the $17 million Swartz reportedly paid for the Enniscorthy estate in southern Albemarle.
Defense attorneys argued that the men earned every dime and that the board of directors and the company's auditors knew about the compensation and never objected.
"The defense made a strong case that the money they spent was approved by the board and that there was no intent to steal," Grisham says. "It's fascinating. It's the kind of stuff I like to create."
But it seems that truth is stranger than fiction. While the "good guys" win in Grisham's story, the jury is still out in New York, with Judge Michael J. Obus adamantly refusing defense requests for a mistrial.
"People ask me where I get my ideas," Grisham says. "I tell them I just read the papers."
John Grisham
Mark Swartz


text:
Dell To Launch AMD Server
2006-05-18 AMD 27 Comments
Dell will use AMD's Opteron chip. The PC maker has long been an Intel shop. But it intends to change that later in 2006, when it will begin offering a multi-processor AMD Opteron server. Dell, which announced its first-quarter earnings May 18, said in a statement that it would begin offering "AMD Opteron processors in our multi-processor servers by the end of the year offering a great new technology to our customers at the high-end of our server line." The Opteron server, likely to be a four-processor machine, will be sold alongside new Intel-based servers, Dell indicated.


text:
Misc Clip Of The Week: Professor Splash Breaks The World Guinness Book of Records For Diving 35 Ft. Into 1 Ft Deep Kiddie Pool! (Owww)
Darren Taylor dove 35 feet and 6 inches into a 12-inch deep kiddie pool on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Feeling "a little upset" that Texas didn't move quickly enough to re-sign him, free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton donned a Los Angeles Angels jersey on Saturday after finalizing a $125 million, five-year contract that he called a new chapter in his life.
"I started off with the Devil Rays and now I'm an Angel," said the five-time All-Star who was drafted by Tampa Bay before making his major league debut with Cincinnati in 2007.
Hamilton, the 2010 AL MVP, joins a batting order that already includes Albert Pujols and AL Rookie of the Year Mike Trout. The 31-year-old Hamilton hit a career-high 43 home runs last season and batted .285 with 128 RBIs in 148 games.
"To get a guy like Josh and combine him with Albert is going to give us building blocks for what we hope is years to come," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We can't wait."
Neither can dozens of red-clad Angels fans, who lined up outside a restaurant where Hamilton was introduced. The team had a table set up for ticket sales and he signed autographs on his way inside.
Hamilton's $25 million average salary matches Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard for the second-highest in baseball, trailing only Alex Rodriguez's $27.5 million average with the New York Yankees.
"It was a great investment," said Angels owner Arte Moreno, who insisted he wasn't trying to keep up with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are on track to surpass the New York Yankees as baseball's biggest spending team in 2013.
"I think it's just great," he said about the Dodgers' spending spree this week that got them former Angels pitcher Zack Greinke for a $147 million, six-year deal and South Korean left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin for a $36 million, six-year contract.
"Why would I ever want to wish something bad on someone? I really liked Greinke, but you make a decision how much you're going to spend on one player. We said we're going to get a couple relievers and a pitcher. I personally can't wait to play them."
Hamilton agreed to the deal with the Angels on Wednesday after having talked with them since the winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn.
"They like to get after it," he said.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels had hoped to re-sign Hamilton, who led Texas to consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. He said he was disappointed the Rangers never got a chance to match any offer during the process, as they had expected, or be contacted before Hamilton agreed with another team.
"I gave them everything I had for five years," Hamilton said. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little upset they didn't put the press on."
Hamilton's wife, Katie, spoke up and compared the situation to dating.
"We were with them for five years. If you're going to date someone, you make it known and official pretty quick," she said. "They let us date other teams and Josh had said he would give them first chance and they didn't (make a move)."
Hamilton interjected, saying, "She said, 'You should have put a ring on it."' He said he met with Daniels a week earlier and "told him where my heart was. I was feeling like it was time for me to move on in general. There was no specific thing, like I'm upset or anything like that. It was just time to move on."
The slugger was considered a risk by some teams because of his history of alcohol and substance abuse, which derailed his career before his surge with the Rangers over the past five seasons. Hamilton had a relapse with alcohol last January and another one in 2009.
"I have a past history of making mistakes with drugs and alcohol, drinking twice in seven years, which is not good for me," he said. "They're going to help me with my support system to put things in place that I had with the Rangers. Nothing that is straining the organization or the clubhouse."
However, Moreno said there's no special protection for the Angels in Hamilton's contract if he relapses other than what is standard in any MLB contract.
Shayne Kelley, who worked in a support role for Hamilton in Texas, will be a daily presence with the team, according to Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto.
"We've done our fair share of due diligence," Dipoto said.
Hamilton, Angels finalize $125M, 5-year deal
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Feeling "a little upset" that Texas didn't move quickly enough to re-sign him, free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton donned a Los Angeles Angels jersey on Saturday after finalizing a $125 million, five-year contract that he called a new chapter in his life.


text:
One person was wounded Tuesday night in a shooting at a residence hall near a South Carolina college campus, prompting school officials to order a lockdown of campus buildings.
Coastal Carolina University spokeswoman Martha Hunn said the gunman left in a vehicle and was still at large Tuesday night. The State Law Enforcement Division has taken over the investigation into the shooting.
Hunn said dispatchers received a call at around 7:20 p.m. regarding a shooting at University Place, an apartment-style residence hall that is adjacent to S.C. Highway 544. Students were alerted by email and text message. The school is in Conway, 15 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach.
Hunn said the victim was transported to Grand Strand Regional Hospital. There was no information on the condition of the shooting victim, who wasn't immediately identified.
University Place resident Kaitlin Eriksen told The Sun News of Myrtle Beach that she was inside her apartment when she heard four or five shots. Eriksen said she went to her balcony to see where the shots came from and saw a man fall against the back of a car's rear window.
"He took about two steps back and then collapsed. He just fell out there," Eriksen said.
Students were allowed to leave classroom buildings late Tuesday and return to their dorms, but residence halls remained on lockdown.
According to the school's website, University Place houses almost 2,000 students.
Coastal Carolina University has an enrollment of slightly more than 9,000 students. The liberal arts school was founded in 1954.


text:
created 2005 · complexity basic · author Stanislav · version 5.7
There is finally an extension for Thunderbird that enables you to compose mail in an external editor.
You can find it at http://globs.org/?lng=en
It works also in Windows 2000, as well as Windows XP and Linux as the author claims. I couldn't make it work at first. You have to start a new message, right click the toolbar and add an icon for External Editor. Now, when you click on the icon, your mail is displayed in Vim.
> Frankly, I think this tip should be removed. The plugin was last updated 2005 and it is not compatible with recent versions of Thunderbird anymore.
> Why not use a real mail client (pine, mutt) instead?
Because here at work I am stuck in Windows. I have tried using pine, mutt in Windows, even Sylpheed. They do not work as I expect.
At home I am using FreeBSD, and I am using Thunderbird as a mail client for our "family" address so my wife can use it too. The beauty is, she gets the default interface, and I can press Vim icon and get my preferred editor.
> Why not use a real mail client (pine, mutt) instead?
Obviously you have never tried managing multiple IMAP accounts with mutt.
The author has now fixed the bugs so that carriage returns are not shown in Windows and you can use "+set ft=mail" as an argument.
So my value for text editor is now
gvim.exe "+set ft=mail"
and it works very nicely.
If gvim is not in your path, you'll have to fully qualify it.
The docs say to use:
gvim --nofork
That extension does not support multibyte language. When writing mail in English, it works well.
I copy the content from Thunderbird to Vim, and then
:set syntax=mail, then edit it, then paste it back to Thunderbird.
Use vim in a terminal is also possible for thunderbird's external editor. A small script can be downloaded from Fclose.com. This provides a familiar way for many Linux users.


text: I've had good luck just sowing clover on top of the ground in late winter when the ground was still freezing. I believe this is called frost seeding. It works best for me if the existing grass is pastured or mowed short so the ground can freeze good.Remember most honeybees can't work red clover.


text:
Leave seeds in very Hot Peppers (I left all the seeds in)
32oz. Vinegar (I used 28 oz.)
32oz. Mustard (I used 28 oz.)
5 Cups Sugar ( I used 3 3/4 cup)
1 T. Salt (just a pinch less)
2 Cups Tap Water (I used 1 1/2 cups)
1 Cup Flour (I used 1 cup and it made it too thick so next time I am using less flour)