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Comment So, a portlier iPhone has emerged from Cupertino with typical fanfare and panache, but even the hardcore fans seem disappointed by what is essentially an iPhone with a mid-life crisis.
The waistband has expanded, but in every other respect the iPad remains almost identical to its original form with all the omissions in place - no multitasking, no Flash compatibility, not even widescreen video playback to enjoy on the media device that won't even play FarmVille. Apple's new baby has the look of a middle-aged man searching for meaning as the dreams of his youth are curtailed by life's responsibilities.
Not that the iPhone isn't where it wanted to be at this point - sales are stratospheric, and it's fair to say that Apple has redefined what users expect from a telephone, not to mention shaking up the whole industry and its value chain. But that's in the past, and yesterday fans were expecting something radical - what they got was an ageing guy in a new shirt sporting a different haircut.
Not that it's all Apple's fault - the company has responsibilities too. Responsibilities to developers who don't want to rewrite their applications, responsibilities to shareholders who want to maintain the customer lock-in that iTunes represents (which is why Flash can't be allowed). Apple wanted to reinvent the iPhone, but wasn't prepared to walk away from the responsibilities it had established; it's been obliged to play it safe, be grown-up.
So the iPhone gets a bit fatter and pulls up in a red sports car, but it's still an iPhone and does little an iPhone can't do. Just as when your boss suddenly changes haircut and starts dressing casually, he might look a bit different but inside the same weight of responsibility prevents him making any real changes. ®
Sponsored: Webcast: Ransomware has gone nuclear


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Secrets eat you up. Word.
I wonder what Alex's two big secrets are.
I'm fairly sure the second one, the one he still hasn't told anyone, is that he is in love with Dorian.
But what was the first one, the one he has told his friends?
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First thing first: It's a $100.00 DOWN sleeping bag.
A hundred bucks for a down bag?! The skeptic in my head immediately said "Yeah, it'll weigh five pounds and be good for 60 F (16 C)." But the sleeping bag only weighs two and a half pounds, and it's been EN tested for 20 F / -7 C. Well, that clinched my curiosity. Is the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 a true bargain, or should backpackers on a budget save for a more expensive bag?
In this overview of the Cosmic Down 20, you can clearly see the over-stuffed nature of some baffles… and the average to under-filled look of a few other baffles. Does the lumpy appearance belie the bag's performance?
The Lowdown
I guess you could say I went into this evaluation with high hopes and low expectations. I'm accustomed to sleeping bags more in the price range of $400, and while the idea of saving $300 was awesome, I didn't really think the Cosmic Down 20 would keep me warm. How could it? It weighs maybe 12 to 16 ounces more than a bag that costs nearly four times as much… and the Cosmic Down 20 is only using 550 fill down! For such a cheap bag, could the shell material really be light enough to offset the extra weight of 550 fill? As I waited for what I was sure would be an overweight package, I psyched myself up for some very cold nights.
The box that arrived at my doorstep was surprisingly small and light. "Huh," I thought. "That actually feels about right." Out of the box and onto the scale: my size regular Cosmic Down 20 weighs 2 pounds 9.6 ounces, 1.6 ounces over spec, but hey, that's still pretty good. I had imagined wrestling a behemoth into a stuff sack, but it easily stuffed into a 10 liter dry sack. "Huh," I thought again. "This thing might actually be legitimate." I shook my head. "Nah, it won't loft for beans."
I'm not gonna lie: It isn't a sexy bag. The 50 denier polyester taffeta shell fabric is not inspiring. The loft of the sleeping bag is… not bad. It does not have the distinctly reassuring appearance of, say, Western Mountaineering bags and their slightly overstuffed baffles. Maybe it looks a little lumpy? But the Cosmic Down 20 lofts well enough, even better than many. Down distribution in the baffles is more adequate than some $200 down bags I've handled. There are definitely some thinner spots in loft, particularly on the bottom of the bag, but overall I'm pretty pleased.
|Temperature Rating (F / C)
|Down Rating
|Length (ft / m)
|Shoulder Measurement (in / cm)
|Fill Weight (oz / g)
|Total Weight
|Cost per Ounce
|Cosmic Down 20
|20 / -7
|6.0 / 1.8
|62.0 / 157.5
|20.0 / 567
|2 lb 8 oz / 1.13 kg
|Western Mountaineering
|20 / -7
|6.0 / 1.8
|59.0 / 149.9
|16.0 / 453.6
|1 lb 13 oz / 0.82 kg
Just for grins, a comparison shot of the Cosmic Down 20 alongside a Western Mountaineering Ultralite. Note the hood and shoulder region "tummy tuck" on the CD 20; I wish there were more down in this region.
The hood has a reasonable amount of depth and shape, and has been cut to allow a bit of an insulated ruff around the top of the opening. Although I can fluff the hood to get some more down into the area, the neck region of the hood habitually shifts down out of the neck region and toward the head. The bag should really have some more down in that area, or use an additional baffle. There is a passive top draft collar in the Cosmic Down 20, an insulated tube that hangs from the top of the bag to block air movement. The draft tube is not circumferential, nor can you cinch it down, but the passive top collar does help keep the bag warmer.
The zipper draft tube is surprisingly well filled, and the zipper runs freely. The Cosmic Down 20 uses a three-quarter-length zipper, but it's a three-quarter-length zipper that I've found eminently functional. Most partial zips don't go down far enough to be useful for venting, but this one hits me just below the knee. They could have extended the zipper another foot for about an ounce, but oh well.
The three-quarter-length zipper has proven to be a true three-quarter-length zipper… it seems like many companies' "three-quarter zips" are closer to half zips to me. You can also get a slightly different perspective on loft here.
There are two large loops sewn onto the footbox for hanging, and a number of small loops along the sides so you could secure a pad underneath the bag. I've never found the need to do that, but they're there if you're so inclined.
Now that you've had the full tour, let's take a look at some real-world performance. Does the bag do what it's supposed to do?
I'm not a huge fan of equipment surprises when I'm in the backcountry, so I first test almost all new equipment in the backyard. Walking from my back door to the tent on a night in the high 30s I shivered a little, and thought to myself that I'd probably be headed back for the house halfway through the night. Instead I woke up warm, cozy, and smiling somewhat late the next morning. Huh! Yet another pleasant surprise from the Cosmic Down 20.
That's not to say I trusted the rating yet, but the bag kept me warm on progressively cooler nights, including one that dipped into the twenties. The forecast for an upcoming weekend trip was for lows in the teens; I considered bringing a different sleeping bag, but decided to just bring an extra down layer and warmer pants to complement the Cosmic Down 20 if needed. Despite temps bottoming out in the low twenties, I slept warm and cozy for that weekend and the next. A night in the hammock (with a DownMat under me) down to the mid twenties found me, yet again, warm and toasty.
I've found that using pads with barely adequate insulation can dramatically decrease the performance of a bag, therefore I used pads with R-values ranging from 5 to 8 (yeah, I know the 8 is high, but I have the pad, it's comfy, and I love it) for all my field evaluations. Although I normally roll over with the bag (kind of wearing it as I roll over to sleep on my side), I found myself turning inside the Cosmic Down 20 to keep the bottom surface down. I didn't have much faith in the ability of its underside insulation.
Note the passive top collar and draft collar of the Cosmic Down 20. No, they're not of the same quality as a WM bag, but the build construction is much, much higher than what I've seen in other bags near this price range.
A late fall/early winter overnighter was forecasted with single-digit temperatures. Although I was game to experiment and had gained healthy respect for the Cosmic Down 20, I took along a 0 F / -18 C bag as a backup. That night only dropped to about 15 F / -9 C, but I woke up perhaps five hours into the night, feeling particularly cold. I didn't want to start from scratch warming up the zero degree bag, so I pulled it over me quilt-style and hunkered down for the rest of the night. It wasn't until that morning when I got up and moved around for awhile that I really warmed up.
I was a bit perplexed. That night wasn't significantly colder than several others, when I had been warm using the same pad and clothing combo. At first I dismissed it as a fluke, perhaps a hydration problem I wasn't aware of, maybe a slight cold, or a light dinner… but all factors struck me as being completely normal. Then I realized that what had changed wasn't so much the low temperature, but the high temperature of the day.
My previous experiences with the bag had all been during warm days, with highs perhaps in the forties and bottoming out in the twenties in the middle of the night. The night I slept cold had been in the mid twenties all day and dropped even lower that night. I had essentially been coasting through the previous lows on the borrowed heat of the day.
Night falls, but the loft of the bag is relatively inspiring. I gotta say, the shell doesn't look too bad under flash light.
If I were headed on a trip and expected a narrow range of temperature variation, hovering around 20 F / -7 C, the Cosmic Down 20 isn't the bag I would take. However, if I were looking for a decent three-season bag and typical temperature swing, this bag could be a good choice. Trips with days in the 40s or 50s F and nights in the 20s or 30s F would be fine with the Cosmic Down 20, and frankly those are conditions most backpackers are more likely to encounter.
The real question, then, "Should everyone buy this bag?"
If you're counting ounces, you could save three-quarters of a pound by going to an 850-fill bag. If you want and expect greatness from your equipment, this isn't your bag. The Cosmic Down 20 is for those seeking a serviceable sleeping bag that gets pretty small, is reasonably light, and will do the trick for most three-season conditions. I see the bag working particularly well for those who would benefit from other gear upgrades… perhaps the $300 "savings" of the Cosmic D could be put toward a new backpack or tent that would save a few pounds.
Who should buy the Cosmic Down 20? Anyone on a limited budget who's in the market for a good all 'round sleeping bag. If someone's new to backpacking and trying to put together their whole kit, this sleeping bag is a good bargain. Note that when I say "bargain," I don't mean cheap… I mean a good value. College students or Scouts might want to take a look at the Cosmic Down 20. If you want a spare bag, or even if you'll be spending more time afield, this would be a durable option for the same price as value-priced synthetic bags. If someone wants to get into backpacking, but doesn't want to make a large equipment investment, this bag could be just the ticket. There is nothing outwardly impressive about this bag in appearance, but it works. It's a much better sleeping bag than I imagined.
Disclosure: The manufacturer provided this product to the author and/or Backpacking Light at no charge, and it is owned by the author/BPL. The author/Backpacking Light has no obligation to review this product to the manufacturer under the terms of this agreement.


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Better late than never at a Northern California school where a library book originally checked out for "overnight use" has been returned 32 years later.
The book about birds was checked out from the Albany Middle School Library on May 19, 1981.
The full title is "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Animal Kingdom."
U.S. & World
It was just returned, in pretty good shape, in an envelope with no return address.
Unlike today's library books, it still carried a pouch inside the cover for a check-out slip. However, the name on the slip is hard to read, so they have no idea who sent it.
The library has no record of the book.
The librarian isn't sure what the school will do with it, since the text is a bit dated. It has a copyright of 1970/1971.


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The significant rise in distributed renewable energy sources has placed an enormous burden on the secure operation of the electrical grid, impacting both the transmission system and the distribution system operators.
INCREASE wants to focus on how to manage renewable energy sources in low and medium voltage networks, provide ancillary services in particular voltage control and the provision of reserve. The market design and regulatory framework will also be considered. Finally, the costs and benefits for different actors will be assessed.


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Featured Content
Stay Connected and Stay Ahead
Learn how Cisco Connected Manufacturing can benefit your business.
The Network is the Platform for Responsive Manufacturing
With Cisco Connected Manufacturing solutions, you have access to more accurate and timely information throughout your organization and supply chain. Better information allows you to make better-informed decisions more quickly. Collaboration tools and enhanced communications can also help you manage increasingly complex product lines and introduce new and updated products more quickly and efficiently.
The Cisco Connected Manufacturing portfolio of solutions helps you be more connected, responsive, and competitive throughout the value chain. They can help you:
Case Studies


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Home / About Quark / Press / Press Center
PR ContactElise email@example.com+1-303-894-3285
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T-Systems in France deploys "Magnet", a platform based on Quark Dynamic Publishing Solution® for its client Airbus, to create a magazine on several different media and in multiple languages.
PARIS - 6/15/2009 - T-Systems in France and Quark Inc. today announced that the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, part of the EADS Group, is using a solution developed by T-Systems and based on Quark Dynamic Publishing Solution (Quark DPS) to optimize the publication of its in-house magazine, distributed to all the company's locations worldwide. Quark DPS combines publishing functions until now covered by multiple processes, from content creation to automated workflows, and from content management to the delivery of customised information on different channels. This approach enables workflows to be streamlined, productivity to be increased, overall costs to be reduced and the information needed to be provided on demand.
The challenges: cross-media publication and time savings
For many years, Airbus has produced an in-house magazine in four languages (French, German, English, Spanish) and five versions* every two months. This 24-page internal communications medium, with a print run of approximately 65,000 copies, serves not only as an information journal for employees, but also as a liaison and integration tool between workers at all the company's different locations.
In a context of cost reduction, the key challenge from a "tools" perspective, other than optimising the production processes, was to allow the production and distribution of localized versions of this magazine using different media, based on centralised contents. At the same time, this involved maintaining brand integrity and respecting the graphic charter. The final, but no less significant challenge, was for all contributors worldwide to share seamlessly the same tool and the same processes. From a "readers" perspective, the Airbus Communications department, responsible for this magazine, wanted to offer the ability to access it through multiple media, both hard copy and on the employee portal via a true online magazine and low-res PDF files for reading in a web browser. The question of reduced production times was also carefully considered, since the publishing frequency of the print version for people without computer access was one of the stated goals. Over time, the aim was to bridge the "digital gulf" between connected and non-connected employees.
The answer: Quark and T-Systems in France
Airbus chose T-Systems in France, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom's Corporate Customer unit, to select and produce a single platform to meet their various challenges. Following in-depth research into the dynamic publishing solutions available, T-Systems selected and presented Airbus teams with a solution based on Quark Dynamic Publishing Solution®.
The platform, designed, developed and operated by T-Systems, is called "Magnet" and collects the complete stream of Web content to enable real-time generation of the different versions of the magazine via the QuarkXPress licenses installed within the editorial offices. These offices are distributed across five locations in four countries. Each Airbus editorial team places their contents on the platform; the contents are then automatically inserted into the magazine layout and put back on the server. The chief editorial team, based in Blagnac, is responsible for centralizing all versions and approving them before returning them to the different Airbus locations for publication through their own channels.
Significantly reduced costs
The SaaS (Software as a Service) platform started to go live in February 2009. The editorial teams at the different sites soon took up the system and saw the added value of such an implementation with an exemplary return on investment, both in production times and in terms of their costs.
What is more, it is now possible to access the Airbus intranet and read the magazine as a low-res PDF to view the articles. With this multi-channel approach, Airbus has also been able to reduce printing costs and lower its impact on the environment.
Following the success of the first version of the platform, and thanks to the close cooperation between the Airbus editorial teams and the T-Systems and Quark teams, a second version should be operational by the middle of 2009, based on QuarkXPress Server 8 and QuarkXPress 8 licenses.
Gildas Duval, Quark Sales Director for Southern Europe, is pleased with the T-Systems in France choice of Quark Dynamic Publishing Solution for Airbus. "Today, communications must be considered as global and multi-channel, allowing companies to create easily reusable contents, on a number of different media, while retaining the integrity of visual identity and the graphic charter. The example of Airbus, by its nature an international company, illustrates the challenges addressed by the Quark strategy in terms of dynamic publishing. We are particularly proud to be able to provide T-Systems with a solution which meets all of Airbus' publishing needs."
And Pierre Binot, Vice President, Systems Integration for T-Systems in France, then added: "The implementation of this SaaS platform has enabled T-Systems to demonstrate its perfect understanding of all elements in the ICT supply chain. Involved in the project since its inception providing support and consultancy to project managers for the definition of goals and product requirements, T-Systems was responsible for the tool's design and development through the integration of the Quark solution to its implementation and roll out to users. Taking into account the different operational and technical constraints associated with the Airbus organization and IT landscape, T-Systems has successfully demonstrated its ability to act as a global partner on projects such as this. To be able to publish information which is at the same time multimedia, dynamic and customizable is becoming an ever increasing need for our clients. As suppliers of high added value services which combine Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), the only option for us was to consider the solutions offered by Quark and to present them to our clients, whether from the aeronautics, industrial or financial sectors. Establishing synergies with Quark has enabled Airbus to move fully to dynamic publishing".
* French, German, Spanish, UK English and International for Airbus' non European locations.
About Airbus
Airbus is one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers, whose customer focus, commercial know-how, technological leadership and manufacturing efficiency have propelled it to the forefront of the industry. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS company.
It is a truly global enterprise of some 52,000 employees, with wholly-owned subsidiaries in the United States, China, Japan, India and the Middle East, spare parts centers in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Washington, Beijing and Singapore, training centers in Toulouse, Miami, Hamburg and Beijing, and more than 200 field service offices around the world. Airbus also relies on industrial co-operation and partnerships with major companies all over the world, and a network of some 1,500 suppliers in thirty countries.
About Quark Software Inc.
Quark Software Inc. develops a content automation platform that helps large organisations streamline the creation, management, publishing and delivery of business-critical content. Our solutions automate the process with reusable Smart Content components that can be dynamically assembled and delivered with precision in any format and to any channel — web, tablet, mobile, print, and more. As a result, leaders in industries such as finance, manufacturing, energy, and government can reduce costs, save time, improve consistency and make their content brilliant.
About T-Systems
With a global infrastructure of computer centres and networks, T-Systems operates information and communications technology (ICT) for multinational corporations and public institutions. On this basis, Deutsche Telekom's corporate-customer unit offers integrated solutions for the connected future of business and society. Some 46,000 employees combine industry expertise and ICT innovations to add noticeable value to their customers' core business all over the world. T-Systems generated revenue of around EUR 11 billion in the 2008 financial year.
For more information about the company and its services in France: www.t-systems.fr Internationally: www.t-systems.com
Quark, the Quark logo and QuarkXPress are trademarks or registered trademarks of Quark, Inc. and its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.


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SPRINGFIELD – One area of state government that's not facing cuts under Illinois' worst-ever budget is its support for passenger rail service.
Gov. Pat Quinn is seeking to increase spending on Amtrak service in the state by $12 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reported that the 46 percent increase would bring total spending to $38 million for routes from Chicago to St. Louis, Carbondale and Galesburg.
But the increase doesn't mean Illinois will be getting extra train service. A 2008 federal law requires states to start picking up a larger part of the cost for rail service on routes shorter than 750 miles.
Other states, including New York, Michigan and California, also are facing higher tabs.
Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Claffey said the numbers are not final and the amount the state owes could be lower.
"We are in the midst of serious negotiations with Amtrak on what these increases will be, and thus have no final numbers yet," Claffey said.
Amtrak ridership in Illinois has increased about 85 percent since 2006.
The state is in the midst of launching faster train service on the route between Chicago and St. Louis. Passenger trains also are scheduled to start traveling between Chicago and the Quad Cities in 2015, and construction is slated to begin later this year on a new, $60 million project for the Chicago-Rockford-Dubuque corridor.
And Illinois has received a $268 million federal grant to fund bi-level, high-speed passenger rail cars. Those new cars aren't expected to go into service until 2015.
Quinn called his latest proposed budget the most difficult that Illinois has seen. He blames lawmakers' inaction on reforming the state's multi-
billion-dollar pension problem for spending cuts in several areas, including higher and secondary education.
A final budget isn't likely to be approved until spring or early summer.


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The Affordable Health Care Act – The American Dream Has Come True … or Has It?
Igniting contempt in Congress like never before
By Richard S. Bernstein
Special to THELAW.TV
The controversy surrounding the Affordable Health Care Act
is almost unprecedented in modern times. This one bill has ignited contempt in Congress like no other. There is so much confusion and partisanship that, as of today, our Government is shut down; a metaphorical CLOSED sign dangles from Capitol Hill, as if it was a retail store where the employees had gone home for the night.
The first person to sign up for the Affordable Health Care Act should be the President as he stands with pride. Next should be Congress, then the Supreme Court justices, following by organized labor and the American people. As the bill becomes the law of the land, it should be recognized as a great accomplishment and embraced by all.
Everyone should be treated the same. There should be no difference. The purpose of this bill was to provide healthcare for every American. Exceptions should not be given to a select group like the Supreme Court, Congress, the President, big labor, or big business. All of us should covered be under this one bill.
This bill was deemed to be the "law of the land." Unfortunately, exceptions are being made as to who should be covered under the bill. The President, while running for office, promised to reduce the costs of healthcare by $2500 per person. Now, the cost is much higher. The bill is charging more for the spouse, which wasn't the case before. The costs are going up, not down, as was promised by the President.
The way you can help is through your iPad, iPhone, Android, etc. Message your local and federal politicians to let them know that believe every American should be treated equally. Exceptions for certain groups of Americans are unacceptable. We should ask why some think its okay to create, lobby for, and enforce a bill that they aren't subject to themselves.
There are many unknowns with the program. As of today, the insurance companies cannot finalize their rates because the information being provided to them by the government is vague, incomplete, and ever changing, so the pricing is impossible for the companies to convey to the public.
We have to ask why is the government making us wait for the rates? Why are they holding on to information? Why aren't they telling Americans there is going to be a cost increase to us? We might ask why are we getting a rate increase? Are the government employees getting the same insurance and also getting a rate increase? No, they are not. How is it right for us to be burdened to pay taxes for a better plan for a select group and carry the burden to coverage our own plan?
We are not against the healthcare bill, but there are problems with it and you should know what they are.
We're not saying that we should ignore the 30 percent of America that has no healthcare. We are just saying that government employees should have the same plan. As Americans, we should all be offered the same plans, at the same cost, with the same rewards and burdens as are government employees. That means when the wife of a Congressman, or even the First Lady, takes their child to the doctor's office, they too are in the same boat as the rest of America. Fair is fair, no exceptions should be made.
The author, Richard S. Bernstein of Richard S. Bernstein & Associates, creates advanced estate planning tools that have helped individuals, families, and businesses protect their wealth and plan for retirement.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Genna Gliottoni had a panic attack last month at the movie theater. The 21-year-old Northern Illinois University student couldn't understand at first why her heart rate and breathing were racing out of control after she took her seat, but she later made the connection. She hadn't been in an auditorium-style setting since her freshman year. Not since she attended her general education classes at Cole Hall.
Genna Gliottoni had a panic attack last month at the movie theater. The 21-year-old Northern Illinois University student couldn't understand at first why her heart rate and breathing were racing out of control after she took her seat, but she later made the connection.
She hadn't been in an auditorium-style setting since her freshman year. Not since she attended her general education classes at Cole Hall.
Gliottoni, of Chicago Heights, who will be a senior this fall, didn't have classes in the lecture hall last semester, but struggled this summer with stress and anxiety stemming from the Feb. 14 shooting, when former NIU student Steven Kazmierczak killed five students and wounded 16 others before fatally shooting himself.
"My idea that I was safe was completely shaken and destroyed, but I'm trying to build it back," Gliottoni said. "Everything just hit me."
Because a return to classes will mean a busier schedule and the calming distraction of routine, Gliottoni is looking forward to going back to NIU for the fall. Classes started Monday.
"All I can think about is going back to school because I'm anxious to start classes," Gliottoni said. "There's more of a sense of community now, and I feel like I'm a part of it. I feel like that's my home and that's where I should be."
NIU Police Chief Donald Grady says that students can expect to see enhancements in residence hall security and more police on staff, in addition to other safety improvements.
"We have a very good relationship with the students here," said Grady, adding that students moving into the dorms and returning to campus have seemed very upbeat, positive and excited about returning to school.
"We will certainly be vigilant in the way we do our policing," promises Grady, who was praised earlier this year along with his staff for their swift response to the February shooting.
"I feel safe going to NIU," English major Tony Gasparaitis said. "I don't go in with any ill will or any kind of fear. I have faith in my faculty and the people around me."
Gasparaitis, 22, of Crystal Lake, stayed in DeKalb for the summer, working at UPS and on campus as a teacher and counselor at NIU's Huskie Pup Camp, a summer program for children. Although he spent the entire summer near NIU, Gasparaitis said he didn't think very much about the shooting, partly because he didn't come into contact with too many fellow students during the summer break.
"I think that a lot of it had to do with the fact that I dealt with kids the whole summer," he said. "They had no idea what happened."
Sean Jensen, entering his last semester at NIU this fall, shares Gasparaitis' faith in the university. The 22-year-old English and philosophy major was nearly 400 miles from his parents' home in Hayward, Wis., when the shooting happened. While most students piled into their cars and steered home, Jensen stayed on campus during the weeks that followed. He healed a great deal during that time, he said, because "I got a sense of what other people were doing in response, which was helpful to see."
"My opinion of the school hasn't changed at all," Jensen said. "If anything, it's more positive because I was able to witness the community outreach."
Ryan Eichberger, 20, a junior at NIU this fall, found that going home to Prairie Grove for the summer helped lessen the reminders of the tragedy. Last semester, Eichberger took an anthropology class with Gayle Dubowski, one of the students killed in the shooting.
"It just cast a really somber shadow over the class," he said. "Going into the summer, I kind of stepped away from everything that happened. Leaving town was kind of like leaving it behind for a while."
Eichberger says he's excited to return to classes, even though he'll still be thinking about the tragedy.
"It'll definitely be on my mind, but I think I'm just looking to resume the pattern of classes and kind of concentrate on that," he said. "I'm a little bit more wary about the possibilities that things can happen. The main thought that I have is, the best way to overcome it or get past it is just to be as much of a community as you can be. It affects our lives, but we don't have to let it control our lives. We can hope for something better."
Jeniece Smith can be contacted at (815) 987-1356 or email@example.com.


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RBC.com | Français | | Contact Us
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About RBC > Media Newsroom > Speeches > Diversity and Inclusion: The Path to Achieving Our Full Potential
Gordon M. Nixon
President & Chief Executive Officer
Royal Bank of Canada
Burlington Economic Development Corporation
September 22, 2011
Join Gord as he shares insights on why diversity matters, the success behind RBC's activities, how diversity can help spur growth and innovation and the business imperative that all Canadian companies should embrace to succeed in today's fast paced, ever evolving international economy.
Good afternoon. It's a real pleasure to be here and to share with you my thoughts on Diversity and Inclusion and the contribution it can make to the growth of our businesses, our cities and our nation.
To set the context, let me say a few words about RBC, although many of you are familiar with us. We have five business segments - Canadian Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance, International Banking and Capital Markets. We have approximately 18 million clients and 77,000 employees in over 50 countries. Our Canadian workforce is approximately 55,000.
We have been in business for a long time, and over the past couple of decades our business mix has diversified significantly and this strategy of diversified businesses is one of our competitive advantages.
I'm delighted to be in Burlington. I know your city is recognized as one of Canada's most dynamic and that you have been ranked as the best city to live in the Greater Toronto Area and the third best city in Canada. I also applaud the strong spirit of collaboration between local companies and the city that has helped to achieve those results and improve Burlington's long-term economic prosperity.
In fact, your speaker series is very aptly titled: Connect, Collaborate, Create and there are some obvious parallels between my topic today. In many ways, diversity is all about connecting - and inclusion is all about collaborating across those connections. As for the create part - that's all about innovation and driving growth as a result.
I am a firm believer in the power of cities to be engines of economic growth in this country. Research has shown that there is not one homogenous "national" or "global" economy as we often think of it - but rather a common market of local economies, including urban economies - and that strengthening these local economies is what will drive the overall economic success of our country.
But, the process of economic development is not simple. It's complex and multi-dimensional, and highly dependent on innovative thinkers. It requires individuals who care not only about what this region is today but what it could be tomorrow. It requires long-term vision and planning and it needs leaders from all areas of the community - business, labour, academia, social services, NGO's and government - leaders who live here, work here and build their businesses here, and people who can actively participate in formulating a shared vision. It requires a multi-stakeholder approach like the one you have adopted here in Burlington.
1 in 6 Canadians live in this vast region around Toronto and it is our country's most important and our flagship in so many areas - and Burlington is an important part of that success.
This region - and Burlington - is also a model of diversity, inclusion and integration. This has been an unparalleled success in our region. It has brought vitality, culture and economic growth and RBC has benefitted from all of that.
Diversity and inclusion is something we want to get right.
I say this from my perspective as CEO of RBC, certainly, but
also from the perspective of a resident of southern Ontario,
a community member, a taxpayer and a participant in many of
the cultural and charitable activities that take place in
this region.
And so while my interests and experiences extend right across the social, economic and political fabric of this region, today I'd like to talk about why diversity matters, its central role in driving productivity, innovation and growth, and how embedding diversity in what we do at RBC is helping us achieve our potential as a company, with our clients and in our communities. And how it is helping our employees achieve their full career potential.
I am often asked: Why does diversity matter to business and to RBC? Simply put, it makes good business sense. It's the smart thing to do.
Why do I say that? First, talent comes in both genders and from diverse backgrounds. Attracting, developing and retaining the best talent is essential to the success of any business.
Reflecting the clients we serve is also a business imperative. Let me start with newcomers. As you know, the demographics in this country are changing and Statistics Canada projects more change will come.
Our diverse population is both a unique strength for this region and a critical component of our economic success. The growth in visible minorities and new immigrants is dramatic; especially in our large cities. For the Greater Toronto Region, visible minorities are projected to be 63% by the year 2031. With baby boomers retiring, our workforce is shrinking. Immigration can offset this, but our success depends on attracting skilled immigrants and ensuring they find work that utilizes their expertise, education and experience. We know it's the right thing to do, but we're also clear on the business potential.
That's why some newly released numbers are troubling when it comes to relying on immigration to fuel growth. While our region is the number one destination for immigrants settling in Canada, we have seen a 17% (17,000 people) decrease in the number of immigrants it receives over the last decade due to increased attractiveness of other Canadian regions.
We surpass most city regions in integrating large numbers of newcomers, but there remain significant opportunities to help immigrants realize their full potential as a key competitive advantage for the region.
Immigrants consistently face both higher unemployment and a greater incidence of underemployment than people Canadian born. Immigrants with a university degree have twice the unemployment rate and earn 40% less than Canadian-born people with a university degree. And, the situation is worsening - more recent cohorts of immigrants are falling further behind.
For a country that prides itself on its diversity, fairness, and our open door policy, this is a surprise. For a country whose demographics promises worker shortages in the decades ahead, this doesn't make sense. Diversity is one of our competitive advantages.
A large portion of the region's immigrants comes from rapidly developing emerging markets. As more of the world's economic growth shifts to those markets, immigrants will increasingly be an important asset that differentiates our region from global competitors.
Newcomers enrich our region's human capital with their international experience, diverse language skills, access to international networks and understanding of global markets. Many developed economies are competing for the same immigrant talent and being a recognized leader in diversity and inclusion can help us better compete. Studies have shown that Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are among the most attractive places for employers precisely because of our multilingual workforces, our commitment to equal opportunity and high literacy.
For business leaders in this region, this is an important means to succeed and contribute to Canada's future as a player on the global stage.
If you aren't convinced, let me share a few more numbers with you. In 2005, RBC Economics found that if all new Canadians were fully employed at their level of education and experience, earning equal pay to someone born in Canada, personal income would increase by $13 billion a year. We are leaving economic growth - never mind fuller lives and stronger communities - on the table.
And, as the recent Conference Board Report on Women suggests, we may be doing the same thing with women. Women make up nearly half of Canada's labour force, yet as the study's evidence suggests, women have made very little progress over the past two decades in reaching senior management levels.
The number for women senior managers has hardly changed for more than 20 years with men still more than twice as likely to hold a senior executive position. And, according to the study, it doesn't look much better in middle management, which is the critical pipeline for future women executives. The number of women in those roles has only grown 4 per cent since 1987. Apparently, if you were to extend that rate, it would take 151 years before the ratio of men and women at the management level is equal.
Like the underemployment of new immigrants, this paucity of senior women is troubling. It can prevent younger women from entering certain professions or finding role models. A lack of diversity can also impact overall employee engagement, productivity and innovation. It has been shown that companies with more women senior managers typically have higher total returns than those with fewer women. Again, we are leaving economic growth on the table - never mind demonstrating a real commitment to the principles of equity and fairness in the workplace.
Speaking as a business leader, I know that achieving gender equity is key to the success of our company and our country. Canada cannot succeed in an increasingly global and knowledge-based economy without the full and active participation of women. Fifty per cent of Canadians are women - they obtain the majority of university degrees and influence over 80% of purchasing decisions. Women also own or manage over 40% of all businesses in Canada. We simply cannot afford to waste this human resource.
Over 60% of our 77,000 employees globally are women. It is abundantly clear to me that it is in our best interest - you could call it "enlightened self-interest" - to create the conditions where women can excel. This is why we say it is the smart thing to do.
At RBC, this means fostering our corporate values of respect and integrity. This means creating a world where everyone is respected for who they are and what they bring to the table. It is a fundamental tenet of a civil and just society. A place where every woman and man can achieve their full potential. That's why we also say it's the right thing to do. At RBC, we support this objective by implementing workplace programs that enable women to build their confidence, to develop their skills and talents, and to realize their dreams.
Over the last 30 years or so, RBC has focused on enabling women to achieve leadership roles. Our first woman vice president was appointed in 1979. Not a particularly great statistic. We were already a 110-year-old company at the time. However, today about 38% of our executives in Canada are women, 54% of managers and professionals are women, something we are proud of, but not complacent about. The work must continue.
Women bring unique and valuable perspectives to our social
fabric and tangible bottom line results to our businesses.
Our society needs their contributions and the success of women
is one of our country's greatest strengths.
Given the numbers, it should be clear that diversity can also drive winning customers and markets that underpin economic development.
Today, it is more important than ever to hire the market you serve - and then unleash the diversity of those employees - because they are where you learn as a company to understand every single person you do business with in every corner of the globe.
The economic and business imperative is compelling - diversity has huge potential to drive innovation and productivity for companies and economies. Recent research shows that highly skilled newcomers are upping patent applications - a proxy for innovation - when they are included in the workplace. Institutions and organizations that actively foster diversity - that work to get the most out of the mix - will directly reap the benefits from their actions. We know the benefits that can flow when we get it right.
Diversity is a strong driver of productivity and a more productive economy can grow more quickly, create more jobs and offer better standards of living. We live in a knowledge intensive economy - having a highly skilled workforce is key.
And, with fewer people working in the future, immigration can make up the difference. But, the effectiveness of immigration depends on attracting skilled immigrants and ensuring they find work that is consistent with their levels of education and talent. If Canada - and the southern Ontario region - -is to maintain and improve its standard of living, we must become the destination of choice for skilled immigrants, scientists, professionals and entrepreneurs.
Our labour challenges are real and will impede future economic growth if we do not find a coordinated strategy to leverage the skills and talents of people who have come here looking for a chance to succeed.
In fact, recent research from the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, which I chair, shows that diversity in leadership in on the rise - which is very promising and we expect that trend to continue.
At RBC, our focus is on how to put that diversity to work for economic benefit. And while I frame it in the economic imperative, this notion also includes the social imperative.
Let me talk a little bit about the results we see at RBC from our investment in diversity. As Canada has changed over the years, so has RBC. While we have been engaged in diversity efforts since the 1980s - that's when our focus on women started - the demographic and business trends heightened the need for a well-defined diversity strategy. For us, diversity is not a stand alone agenda, but is integrated into our business strategies and embedded in what we do. And, it is also one of our five core values.
Our Diversity Blueprint - which you can find on our public web site - is based on three key pillars: Talent and workplace, marketplace (or clients) and communities. We want to be a recognized leader in workforce diversity; to be the financial institution of choice for diverse clients; and, to help build healthy communities, which are increasingly diverse.
As you have heard, we have a strong focus on new immigrants, so let me just talk briefly to how we bring it all together to drive business value and change in that area.
In our workplace, through Bridging Programs, we provide internships to new immigrants, many of whom we subsequently hire.
In the Marketplace, we have numerous programs that specifically address the needs of newcomers - such as our Welcome to Canada website, help for newcomers wanting to start or grow a business, fact sheets in 14 languages and telephone banking services engaging translators who speak over 150 languages. Last year we launched an unsecured credit card for new immigrants to help them build a Canadian credit history and also a free day-to-day banking account for 12 months. And, we are now piloting a loan program in the GTR to help newcomers get a loan to go to school to obtain Canadian credentials and get established here.
I know Laura Gainey's team is championing diversity across the market and that we have many RBC employees helping to bring our diversity strategy to life.
We are also partnering to drive change in the broader community. We have established strong partnerships with not-for-profit organizations. We've chosen organizations that understand the importance of collaborating with multi stakeholders because that's what's needed for newcomer success. For example, we sponsor TRIEC's Immigrant Success Awards, which recognizes employers who are driving real progress in the integration of newcomers into our regional economy.
Through this integrated approach, not only have we contributed to RBC's diversity and ability to serve clients, but raised this issue to a national level to multiply our impact.
We have also become increasingly diverse inside RBC and at all levels of the company. For example, of the nine people on my executive committee - two are women - and they are both visible minorities. And this diversity in management and the broader workforce cascades within the organization. It's because we believe that having diversity brings a plurality of perspectives, of work experiences and of life experiences, and this helps us make better and more balanced decisions; and, it brings cultural competencies and relationships to win new clients and to better serve them.
Visible senior leadership commitment and clear accountabilities are critical to the success and sustainability of diversity efforts. We created our Diversity Leadership Council shortly after I became CEO in 2001, and I have chaired it since that time. It has been critical to have senior leaders from all businesses and functions on the Council. The Council has been key to keeping us on track. We also invite employees to the DLC so that we can listen to their experiences and gain a deeper understanding of their personal experiences at our company. I personally find that to be very worthwhile.
We find that building a diverse company happens naturally in the broader workforce, but that at more senior levels that's not always the case, as the Conference Board report shows. There are challenges and barriers. Our approach at RBC has been to establish goals, ambitious goals I might add, for executive and senior manager staffings.
No question, we focus on talent first. But the definition of talent isn't quite so black and white. We know it isn't about hiring in one's own image. It is also about valuing diverse experiences, about seeing the potential in all candidates. I believe it is important to invest in people so they develop the capabilities needed to further their careers. As a leader one needs to take chances on people - I've had mentors and sponsors who did that for me. And when I've done it, I have rarely been disappointed.
Having a broad mix at the table is important, but while representation is necessary, it isn't sufficient; it must go hand in hand with inclusion. Inclusion is being valued, respected and supported - and being enabled to fully participate in the workplace; where every individual can achieve her or his full potential. Inclusion needs to be reflected in an organization's culture, practices and relationships.
At RBC, we have diversity objectives, just as we have objectives for other important business issues. We report on it, we talk about it at management meetings, and report on it to the Board. We are creating a culture where Diversity is an expected measure of business performance. We also transparently share results across our businesses to help drive accountability.
Don't get me wrong! We have our challenges and not everyone buys in to the same degree. For example, we have challenges in specific businesses -- but we engage the leadership to help drive the change.
I believe that corporations must see diversity as not just an add-on or a business opportunity, but a path to excellence that embedding inclusion in your culture will help you get the most out of the mix and that the benefits will flow when you get it right.
At RBC, we have learned that when diversity and inclusion is part of decision-making, we are better positioned to connect with our customers and provide more meaningful products and services, driving customer loyalty and an enhanced bottom line in return.
Meanwhile, ensuring that each and every promising employee has an opportunity to contribute can pay off exponentially by driving innovation and growth; strengthening our workforce and enhancing our profile with potential recruits - not to mention inspiring other employees to give their best.
Diversity will increasingly be a key driver of economic growth in the future. It is both the right thing and the smart thing to do and something that we at RBC are passionate about.
Thank you.


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What's a good option for an MC50 cabinet? A cab for the MC50 alone, nothing else, and preferably one that it fits in tightly for easy/safe transport? Even better if the MC50 can sit permanently in the cabinet and I just attach or disconnect the top of it when I want to move it. Thanks.
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Some Thoughts on Federal Rental Housing Assistance
Last week I participated on a panel on federal rental housing policy, organized by Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies in conjunction with the release of their new report on conditions in the rental market. In their defense, the report does attempt to avoid offering policy prescriptions. But the report does come pretty close to suggesting that we spend more on federal rental housing assistance. In the post‐housing bubble environment, many, myself included, have dared suggest that there's nothing wrong with someone being a renter, and that maybe we pushed too many into homeownership.
But saying we overdid homeowneship is not the same as saying we ignored rental. In fact the federal government has spent massive amounts on rental housing, yet according to the new Harvard report, rent burdens have gotten worse over the last 50 years not better. While the report doesn't take this step, I think we have to ask: if you've spent hundresds of billions of dollars on an issue and it then gets worse, maybe there's something wrong with what you are doing?
Perhaps my friends on the Left (and/or in the real estate industry) don't believe we've spend all that much on rental housing. Consider these facts: in nominal terms the sum of all money spent by HUD, which is almost exclusively rental or "community development," has been close to a trillion dollars. By my estimate (based upon the American Housing Survey and the Residential Finance Survey) the current value of all rental housing in the US is about $3.6 trillion. So the federal taxpayer has paid enough to outright buy almost a third of all rental housing.
Also consider that if we took the approximately $50 billion we now annually spend on rental housing, we could pay 100% of the rent of the almost 4 million households currently paying the lowest rents. This translates to being able to pay all the rent for every family earning about $22,000 or less. If we choose to only pay 50% of their rent, we could serve another 2.5 million.
My point here is not to say we should spend all this money, for I still don't see this as the proper role of the federal government; the point is that we already spend a huge amount. Now why might all this money not have made a huge difference in helping renters? Maybe because most of it gets eaten up by the providers. For instance a recent paper in Real Estate Economics estimates that only a third of the value of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit actually makes it to the renter in the form of lower rents. The remaining two‐thirds goes to benefit the developers, owners and others who live off the process. So before we even think about spending more on federal rental assistance, how about making sure what we do spend actually goes to help the poor and not the special interests?


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The long gestating adaptation of Stephen Rebello's book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho looks like it's finally coming to fruition. Not only has Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs) signed on to play the famous director, but Helen Mirren (The Queen) has joined the cast as Alma Reville, Hitchcock's wife. With the behind-the-camera casting set, it's now being reported that Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) will step into the shoes of Psycho star, Janet Leigh. James D'Arcy (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World) will co-star beside Johansson as Anthony Perkins/Norman Bates. Hit the jump for more.
Variety reported on the addition of Johansson and D'Arcy to the project. Directed by Sacha Gervasi (The Terminal) from a screenplay by John J. McLaughlin (Black Swan), Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho follows the production process of the 1960 horror classic from the acquisition of the original Robert Bloch novel to the eventual nationwide success. At the time, Hitchcock was thought to have gone crazy when he pitched the idea of filming a horror movie at the apex of his career. Having difficulty finding financing, Hitchcock shot the film with a less expensive TV crew. Crucial to the storyline is that of Mirren's character, Alma, who was an important behind-the-scenes collaborator.
Word has it that Johansson's role as Leigh is drawing comparisons with Michelle Williams' recent turn as Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn, a role which earned her a third Oscar nomination. Though D'Arcy's role is considerably smaller relative to his co-stars, Norman Bates is an iconic horror icon and D'Arcy's performance as Perkins is definitely one to keep tabs on. For more on the source material, here's an overview for Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho [from Wikipedia]:
First published in May 1990 by Dembner Books and distributed by W.W. Norton and Company, the book details every aspect of the creation of director Alfred Hitchcock's famous thriller Psycho released to theaters in 1960. From Hitchcock's acquisition of the original novel by Robert Bloch to his work with two different screenwriters, casting, filming, editing, scoring, and promotion, the book takes readers into the day-to-day lives of moviemakers who believed they were making a modestly-budgeted, black-and-white shocker that represented a radical departure from the elegant, suspenseful films that had made director Hitchcock's reputation, including Rope, Rear Window, To Catch a Thief,The Man Who Knew Too Much, and North by Northwest.
The project Hitchcock tackled in part as an experiment to compete with financially-successful, low-budget, youth-oriented horror movies went on to astound many by becoming a cultural watershed, an international box-office success, a film classic, and a forerunner of the violent, disorienting films and real-events of the turbulent 'Sixties.


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Friday, July 10, 2009
Fiction Friday: Blogging, The Musical and Prompt IX
Jessica Wanton -- A former stripper in search of herself
Rev. Judgment -- An evangelical minister in search of a sinner
Chef Chuck -- A 36-year-old single Dad with a cooking blog
Sous Chef Chucky -- His teenaged son
If Mama Ain't Happy -- A 29-year-old mother of toddlers with a mommy blog
Bed, Breakfast & Beyond -- A 45-year-old owner of a WWII army barracks she's converted into a B&B
Act I
Jessica Wanton has tried many careers – stripper, artists' model, lifeguard at a nude beach, body double for a porno star, but they've all left her hungry to share more of herself with the world. (If I Only Had a Blog)
One day, while cruising the internet, checking for copyright infringements, she comes across the web diary of If Mama Ain't Happy, a young mother living with the pain of breast feeding with inverted nipples. (Hakuna MaTaTa's)
From there, she links to the angst-filled blog of Chef Chuck, a widowed dad who fills his time and his need for creativity by cooking gorgeous, high-calorie meals and posting photographs of them, then whining about how much more he'd be appreciated if he were a woman (If I Were a Bitch, Man).
Next she stumbles across the musings of Bed, Breakfast and Beyond, an interior designer living in a WWII army barracks converted into a bed-and-breakfast by painting it to look like a huge loaf of sourdough bread. This woman shares the travails of dealing with 2-day guests who steal her towels but leave used condoms between the sheets. (WTF U SOB)
And, suddenly, Jessica realizes that this is what she's been looking for: a chance to share her deepest self with an entire world of strangers. (Wrapping My Legs Around a Post)
Act II
After a couple of weeks of preparation (HTML Hell), Wanton World goes live. Unfortunately, Jessica's initial post, about her experience with breast enlargement surgery (Breast Size Story), complete with before and after pictures, draws the attention of Reverend Judgment, who leaves her scorching comments (If Ever I Would Flame You).
Jessica's initial defiance (Can You Feel the Spam Tonight?) quickly turns to dejection (Blue Blog), but kindly comments from her bloggy buddies, If Mama Ain't Happy, Chef Chuck and Bed, Breakfast & Beyond, telling her to ignore the Reverend and calling him "an old warthog," lift her spirits (I Feel Bloggy). The four of them join in a production number, Blogosphere Bitchin'.
It is during this number that Jessica begins to realize she has feelings for Chef Chuck, and to suspect that he may feel the same way. She is overjoyed that true love may have finally come her way (I Could Have Blogged All Night).
Offline, If Mama Ain't Happy and Bed, Breakfast & Beyond express their hopes that their buddy, Chef Chuck, may have finally met a new mom for his teenage son, Sous Chef Chucky (Pagemaker, Pagemaker).
For her next post, Jessica discusses the pros and cons of sexting. (I Love It When You Text Dirty). Reverend Judgment is furious, and his posse of bloggers join him in condemning her (Comment Whore), but Jessica responds defiantly (I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hairs).
This time, though, her new-found friends side with the Reverend (Sorry, Honey, But Your Post is Too Long/ So Wrong). Although she initially remains defiant (Suck My Mouse), after an email conversation with Chef Chuck where she pleads for understanding (Take Me As I Blog), and he remains adamant (You've Turned My Hard Drive Into a Floppy) she realizes that not only is everyone against her, but her openness has destroyed her chance at love.
Giving way to depression (Blue Blog - Reprise), Jessica realizes that her quest to truly express her deepest feelings has failed and she closes down Wanton's World, vowing never to post again.
Act III
A week later, Chef Chuck, exhausted, unshaven, and suffering from twin cases of eyestrain and tennis elbow, admits his feelings for Jessica. (I've Grown Accustomed to Her Facebook).
As Jessica once again scouts for pirated photos of her private parts on the internet, she finds a cache of photos with a startlingly high hit rate – all coming from the same IP address.
Using an IP tracing utility (Take Me to Your Sidebar), Jessica discovers that it is Chef Chuck who has been looking at her pictures. When she confronts him (Tweet Me, Baby, (All Night Long)), he is forced to admit his feelings and to beg for forgiveness (Baby, Let Me Look Up Your Templates).
After some initial resistance, Jessica accepts his apology and admits that she feels the same way (Drag and Drop My Love on Your Post).
If Mama Ain't Happy and Bed, Breakfast & Beyond, who feel terrible that their harsh comments drove Jessica from the Blogosphere, are thrilled to learn that she and Chef Chuck are to marry (Beauty and the Breast).
The play ends with Jessica and Chef Chuck making wedding plans while, in the privacy of his bedroom, Sous-Chef Chucky Googles images of his stepmom-to-be.
The End
Thanks to everyone for all your great song titles! I had a lot of fun with this.
Next Week's Prompt
His five-day run on Jeopardy! changed Elwood Merkle's life forever.
24 comments:
Jeanne!!!! Am finally I'm able to comment after 3 wks of not being able to!ReplyDelete
Actually now that I think of it, there are many who won't be happy about that....
Wait...did you notice??
That was great...I think you are a genius...so funny!ReplyDelete
Reviews just in.....ReplyDelete
"Good old time knee slappin' fun" - The New Yorker
"Over the top naughtiness with an upscale twist! - Boston Globe
"Move over, Chorus Line!" - NY Post
"It's, like wild, crazy, outrageous" - Tarantino
"Where do we get tickets?" - The White House
"This playwright Jeannie means business!" - Wall Street Journal
"Couldn't stop laughing!" - San Quentin Mens Chorus
"I like the word Ta-tas" - Andy Rooney
Very punny! I loved it :)ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 10, 2009 at 1:52 PM
I'd watch it.ReplyDelete
My personal favorite is "wrapping my legs around a post".
You are a talented, witty person- by all accounts! We are very different, and I like that a lot! Do your stuff, and I will watch...usually with a smile!ReplyDelete
This is perfect! I am really impressed, and can't single out a favorite part because I love all of it.ReplyDelete
Oh Jeanne, you were not kidding when you said what you said to me! LMAO, and might not be able to stop, those song titles were hysterical! I wish I were a bitch, man...oh my my what I could do with that part of your musical...can you imagine the two of us together in a room? I could, and it would make my day...ReplyDelete
Oh, and the talent you have is wonderful! I could do the photo shoot for opening night...strike a pose dear!ReplyDelete
Brava! Brava!ReplyDelete
You totally crack me up Jeanne.ReplyDelete
Are you sure this is fiction???ReplyDelete
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
Sorry.. I can't spell worth anything tonight!ReplyDelete
Oh I loved it, all brilliant titles for the songs in the musical! You all did great..Bravo Jeanne..you put it all together wonderfully! Take another bow! :)
It seems funny, any real blogs in that or all songs?ReplyDelete
What does it mean "sexting" ?
ps I use a variant of Firefox, the Flock, which lets me to drag and drop photos from my flickr account, but I do sometimes try out how they look (my blogs) also on IE and Safari.
My problem is I cannot get rid of a popup, that covers in the blog the left side: does it come up when you visit me?
That was just genius!! I'm happy to say I got most of the song titles and it was just too too funny!! You excel at humor as good as you do other genres!!ReplyDelete
That was as good as I thought it would be! Very clever idea:)ReplyDelete
Are you saying that the original story wasn't called Beauty and the Breast?ReplyDelete
I am impressed. Really and completely!ReplyDelete
And love the name Jessica Wanton - inspired.
:-D Anna
okay, why does Jessica have to be the stripper? i've worked my whole life to stay off the pole.ReplyDelete
His five day run on Jeopardy! changed Elwood Merkles life forever. The answer, "EMP" triggered an emotionless response from China's seven billion dollar prototype robot to announce, "What is Electromagnetic Pulse, Asshole,?"
Alex Trebek had grown to like Elwood, but was stunned by the response. Elwood's eyes turned dead.
Elwood stood motionless as the studio crew shivered in fear.
"Who are you?' begged Alex.
LWD MRKL. I am programmed to Listen, Withhold Determent, Manage Response, and KL.
Alex weakly asked Elwood, "What is KL?"
Elwood replied., "KL is KILL."
Alex cried out, "KILL WHO??
Elwood said, "You."
Sigh. Jessica's journey reminds me so much of my own...ReplyDelete
This is hilarious. You are a one woman show! We all just sit back and you entertain. And I liked Steven G's comments the best.ReplyDelete


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The HVAC Chillers market report analysis series and provides a comprehensive insight into the global HVAC Chillers channel. It analyses the market, the major players, segments and the main trends, strategies for success and consumer attitudes. It also provides forecasts to 2024.
Request for Sample Copy of this Flavor and Fragrance Market Report at http://reporte.us/global-hvac-chillers-market-2018-2022-by-manufacturers-product-types-application-and-region/#request-sample
About HVAC Chillers Industry
The overviews, SWOT analysis and strategies of each vendor in the HVAC Chillers market provide understanding about the market forces and how those can be exploited to create future opportunities.
Competitive Landscape:
The HVAC Chillers market consists of international and regional vendors. Though several new vendors are entering the HVAC Chillers market, they find it difficult to compete with the international vendors based on factors such as quality, features, functionalities, and services. The competitive environment in the HVAC Chillers market is likely to intensify during the forecast period 2024.
Prominent Players in HVAC Chillers are who leading the market throughout the globe are also covered in the report.
Market Segmentation of Global HVAC Chillers Market
The study not only describes industrial overview of HVAC Chillers market but also gives classification, specification, geographic application segmentation. For better understanding, the report provides HVAC Chillers market segmentation depending on the types, end-users as well as the leading regions.
The specific type of HVAC Chillers Market includes:
Variety of applications of HVAC Chillers Market:
The global HVAC Chillers market is segmented on the basis of regions into:
For more Information or Any Query Visit at http://reporte.us/global-hvac-chillers-market-2018-2022-by-manufacturers-product-types-application-and-region/#inquiry
What will you discover from the global HVAC Chillers market report?
-The report provides statistical analysis on the current and future status of the global HVAC Chillers market with forecast to 2023.
-The report provides extensive information on manufacturers, HVAC Chillers raw material suppliers, and buyers with their commercial outlook across 2018 – 2023.
-The report finds out the key drivers, technologies, and trends shaping the global HVAC Chillers market in the near future.
-The report added exclusive market segmentation broken down by product type, HVAC Chillers end-user, and region.
-The strategic perspectives on HVAC Chillers market dynamics, current production process, and applications.
In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of HVAC Chillers are as follows:
History Year: 2014-2018
Base Year: 2018
Estimated Year: 2019
Forecast Year 2019 to 2025
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Alexander covers medicine and science articles at bestmarketreports.com and he loves to write about the chemistry of these things. He studies Chemistry for his bachelor's, which has helped in the writing process as well. As a person, Alexander loves watching sci-fi movies and rock music. He is the person to count on when you need an authentic perspective on health updates.


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There's No Place Like Heimat
Vom Glück und Unglück der Kunst in Deutschland nach dem Letzten Kriege
Patterns of Childhood
The Quest for Christa T.
No Place on Earth
Was bleibt (extracts entitled "What Remains" were published in English translation in Granta 33)
Cassandra: A Novel and Four Essays
The Fourth Dimension: Interviews with Christa Wolf
East Berlin, October 1990: Hans-Jürgen Syberberg, the grand master of cinematic kitsch, walked into the old conference room where the German Communists founded their state. He had just seen part of his film Hitler—a Film from Germany for the first time in years. "My God," he said to a gathering of people that included Susan Sontag, the actress Edith Clever, and various East German cultural worthies who smiled a lot and drank vodka. "My god, I was really provocative! If only my enemies had realized…. I am surprised I'm still alive!" Whereupon the artist stroked his beautiful tie, smoothed his superbly coiffed head, and looked around the table like the cat who had just eaten the canary.
Two days later, we met once again in the former government building, now the Academy of Arts, to hear Syberberg, Sontag, Clever, and other members of a distinguished panel discuss his works, in particular the Hitler film and his recently published book of essays, which has caused a big fuss in German literary circles. Syberberg began the proceedings by saying that only here, in the former Communist capital, could he openly express his views, unlike in West Berlin, where the Academy was controlled by his left-wing enemies.
Syberberg's delivery was remarkable: an almost silky tone of voice alternating with what can only be described as a theatrical tirade; a tirade against the filth, the shamelessness, the soulless greed, and vacuous idiocy of contemporary (West) German culture, corrupted by America, by rootless "Jewish leftists," by democracy. Syberberg also believes that the pernicious legacy of Auschwitz has crippled the German identity that was rooted in the German soil, in Wagner's music, in the poetry of Hölderlin and the literature of Kleist, in the folk songs of Thuringia and the noble history of Prussian kings—a Kultur, in short, transmitted from generation to generation, through the unbroken bloodlines of the German people, so cruelly divided for forty years as punishment for the Holocaust.
Well, said some of Syberberg's champions on the panel, shifting uneasily in their seats, these opinions may be absurd, even offensive, but he's still a great artist. Then an elderly man got up in the audience. He had seen the Hitler film, he said, his voice trembling with quiet rage, and he thought it was dreadful. He was left with the impression that Syberberg actually liked Hitler. And although he was a Polish Jew who had lost most of his family in the death camps, he could almost be tempted to become a Nazi himself after seeing that film: "All those speeches, all that beautiful music…."
Then followed a remark that stayed in my mind, as I tried to make sense of Syberberg, and of the literary debates raging in Germany this year, in the wake of November 1989: "Why is it," the Polish Jew said, "that when a forest burns, German intellectuals spend all…
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text: When sizing up equipment that's destined for field deployment, it's often cheaper in the long run to spend more on a machine that's built to last than to replace it every year or two. Squarely in the former category is the Toughpad FZ-G1 from Panasonic. This high-power tablet for Windows is built for the rough-and-tumble world of construction sites, hospitals, military deployment and anywhere that a machine is expected to take a licking and keep on ticking. Though it won't win any awards for svelteness or low cost, Panasonic's latest ruggedized tablet is no slouch performancewise; its specs are on par with Microsoft's Surface Pro 2 and Dell's Venue 11 Pro. Here's a look at the major differentiators of the Toughpad.


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Being an NCAA athlete is awesome and everything, but if you twist your ankle—or something much worse—there's a good chance your school's health insurance won't cover you. Now put some tape on that and get back in there!
The New York Times has the sob stories of several college athletes who suffered severe, sometimes debilitating injuries, but then got stuck with the medical bills, because the school that recruited them to compete on their behalf wouldn't cover it. As you might imagine, it's the small, financially challenged schools—where athletes probably don't have full rides to begin with—that suffer the most. You could get a head transplant at Michigan State (probably from a med student, but still), whereas at Wisconsin's smaller D-III campus you're lucky to get Band-Aids.
In typical NCAA fashion, they have mandated that colleges insure all their athletes, but didn't bother to set guidelines for how much coverage they need—or give them money to do it. So most budget-strapped schools have opted for very little coverage. Power conferences, with huge TV contracts, do a pretty good job. The rest don't.
Spalding University, in Louisville, Ky., also pays for secondary coverage for athletes. "These young men and young women are representing your institution," said Charlie Just, the compliance director there. "Ethically, I think it's the right thing to do."
Well, that's nice. Of course, Spalding is a private school with no contact sports so ethics don't cost them a lot of money. Didn't Obama fix this already?
With Insufficient Insurance, Injured Athletes Add Medical Bills to College Debt [NY Times]


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NEW Small All Black 45 Record Box
Mark 'Butch' Dobson (World #1 Northern Soul DJ) - "I'm really impressed with this box, nobody's made them like this for years, a nice new home for my best stuff"
Norman Jay MBE - "Jazzman are already known for making great records, well done to them for making the nicest record boxes I've seen in years"
Eddie Pillar (Acid Jazz) - "Sturdy and with a classic design, this is the best 7" box I have come across"
The Legendary Keb Darge - "Northern, Funk, Rockabilly, Garage - these are the boxes to keep 'em in, f*** marvellous!"
Introducing our own range of brand new 45 cases, in equal measure stylish and functional, solving the age-old problem of storing, transporting & displaying your precious 45s once and for all.
An updated design from last years cases and custom made again in limited numbers, these unique items are modelled on the timeless mid-century design aesthetic of original 1950s and 60s 45 cases from the USA, these iconic record boxes don't just look fantastic, they have been built to last for many years to come.
Ugly, bulky industrial flight cases they are not. No cheap plastic, chipboard, MDF or flimsy cardboard either! These are made of solid wood, the ultimate 7" record cases for all serious record collectors.
Each case has been hand-made in the EU from hard wearing wood before being covered with an outer wrap and inner lining. Each has been custom built to our exact specifications.
The outer wrap is extremely hard-wearing with anti-scratch properties and with excellent long-lasting resistance to water, dirt, abrasion, UV rays, yellowing, cracking, and chipping.
The interior and underside is lined with black felt to add both a little extra cushioning and an even more luxurious feel. The interior is also embossed with our shiny 45CASE logo.
Available in both single and dual compartment sizes, easily holding 60 or 120 of your prized 7" records respectively, and with generous compartment dimensions to accommodate double-bagged 45s.
Exterior size: 220 x 200 x 210mm
Weight: 1.5kg


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468 North Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, California, 92069
Commute to Downtown San Marcos
Some errands can be accomplished on foot.
Some bike infrastructure.
468 North Twin Oaks Valley Road has a Walk Score of 67 out of 100. This location is Somewhat Walkable so some errands can be accomplished on foot.
468 North Twin Oaks Valley Road is a 12 minute walk from the SPRINTER at the San Marcos Civic Center Station stop.
This location is in San Marcos. Nearby parks include Cerro de las Posas Park, la Moree Park and Lake Moree Park.
Explore how far you can travel by car, bus, bike and foot from 468 North Twin Oaks Valley Road.
Rail lines:
0.3 mi
Bus lines:
0.2 mi
0.9 mi
View all San Marcos apartments on a map.
Popular apartment searches include pool, furnished and fireplace.
Search for homes in San Marcos or find a San Marcos real estate agent who knows walkable neighborhoods. Links will open on our partner site Redfin.com.
This location is in the city of San Marcos, CA. San Marcos has an average Walk Score of 33 and has 83,781 residents.Learn More About San Marcos


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So Maryhill has come around again! This year got very very rowdy and very out of control. I am glad we got to be a part of it. Check out some of the photos from the event. We ran around, camera-happy, and got a bunch of great shots for you to enjoy!
We were slanging all sorts of goodies up there. If you weren't there to get in on our awesome deals and mayhem then you were missing out! Abec 11′s and Landyachtz Biggie Hawgs were flying off the shelves!
Patrick Switzer went on to win the event and it was a huge win for Rayne longboards as well. Patrick was on a sweet prototype slalom deck and absolutely killed it!
Camping out in a good location is KEY if you want to avoid some of the skater's campsite mayhem… We avoided it until the final night in the maryhill state park! it was great!
This is the man that is responsible for quite a bit of the Loaded and Orangatang videos and product that you all love! Kyle CHIN!
Douglas Dalua is loved by everyone! He set a new track record on his rayne and abec 11 wheels! He has a new wheel sponsor but he was still on abec 11′s!
It started raining pretty heavily during the King Of The Hill race between the top 6 qualifiers. Everyone was butt-boarding except for James Kelly who decided to stand up after he started. James ended up winning king of the hill for his second year in a row! Go James! AMERICAN DREAM!
Zak belted it out for the national anthem. Who knew that the dude who created Venom wheels and bushings, and who also rides for madrid would be killing the national anthem. I've seen him sing it before though haha… good work Zak!
Louis rocking those stylish Sector 9 leathers!
Those comet leg patches are sick… but Byron was definitely riding a Rayne Killswitch… I think his board was out of commission. I saw him carrying around his beloved chopped Comet Takeover.
We will be back next year and we will do this bigger and better than ever! I hope everyone is ready for what we are going to bring to the table next year! We got a while year to plan and set this stuff up… this is about to get CRAZY!
For LOTS more photos check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/supemorgan8


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Arata Kangatari Chapter 145 Page 1
You are reading Arata Kangatari Chapter 145 Page 1 on MangaSee. To see more information about this Manga, please visit the Chapter List. Arata Kangatari is a Manga that was published in 2008by WATASE Yuu. Arata Kangatari Manga is Hiatus. Its scanslation status is Hiatus. Arata Kangatari Chapter 145 was added on . Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Shounen, Supernatural
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View and share photos of Bell&Ross Instruments here
A good scotch and a good cigar are another passion of mine.
I was sure we had one topic like that on the forum, but obviously not... So lets start one.
Please post here all your macro pictures of BR...
......post up a fun watch pic, or something that relates to who or what you are!!! ;)
I thought that it would be fun to see your Bell & Ross watches from different cities around the World!
>>>>>here are a few from me to get the ball...
Almost looks like gold. I wish...
Hi all fellow B&R collectors,
I need some help please regarding my HydrochallengerI have owned it for over 7 years and it has never missed a beat...
Just got this new GMT home :D
Let's start this new thread!!
Everytime you spot someone known with a B&R, please post up the picture here!!
Spotted in Malaysia, the new...
Best pic I can get on an iPhone 5 but those grey hands.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Does anyone have a picture of a BR 01-93 gmt with an orange rubber strap please?
....Please, lets see some of your favourite combinations, be they calf, croc or rubber, OEM or Aftermarket and exotic combinations.
A few of my...
I took my BR 03-92 Golden Heritage up for a flight in the B-17G "Aluminum Overcast' today.
The Time Instrument looked right at home with the...
I have the watch for sale.
The pics can be found on the link below:
Hi guys
Please share here your Instagram profile with us. I will update the list regularly for easier reference.
I already listed a few members,...
Just thought I would do a quick pictorial of the BR03-92 Military Ceramic.
Just a quick background: I own many fine brands of automatics. ...
Hi all, have just received my first BR and so this is my first post! Have been fan of BR for several years and finally took the plunge. I love the...
Merry Christmas BR0s!
Two of mine with a tuna can on a breitling dive strap
For good measure
A promise is due!
Here is a short review of the newest arrival in my collection, arrived few days ago... the 19th since I put the finger in the...
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"Are you an HIV-positive man who has sex with women? You can have the sex life you want and the family you want," begins a flyer announcing a connections mixer at PRO Men (Positive Reproduction Options for Men), an innovative program of the Bay Area Perinatal AIDS Center (BAPAC) in San Francisco. While reproductive health services have increasingly been available for HIV-positive women, men living with the virus have had far fewer services and support. As one man states in a video produced by the program, "I thought my sex life was over [and that I would] never have a chance of having a family, but that's not the case."
PRO Men is based at San Francisco General's Ward 86 and, with funding by the Macy's Foundation, is now in its second year. While the program began as a prevention initiative, its scope has expanded to encompass the reproductive rights of those living with HIV. In addition to medical care, the program provides education for patients, outreach both on the web and through professionally-produced videos and unique opportunities for support and networking through events such as a monthly support group and mixer.
The reproductive intentions of men living with HIV have been underestimated, and staff initially assumed that men who have sex with men (MSM) comprised the vast majority of men served by the clinic. However, Shannon Weber, who, under Deborah Cohan, M.D., coordinates the Perinatal HIV Hotline at the National HIV/AIDS Clinicians' Consultation Center at BAPAC, noted that a review of medical records found more than 500 HIV-positive men who have sex with women among the clinic's patients. Focus groups with this population have further revealed these numbers also include men who primarily have sex with men but who occasionally have sex with women or who would have sex with a woman in order to have a baby.
Development of the program has been driven by the findings of five focus groups as well as monthly support groups, which were initially designed to follow a specific curriculum, but which, according to Weber, quickly evolved based on the ongoing needs of the participants to address isolation, disclosure and stigma. The significance of these recurring themes reflects the complicated reality of sexuality, be it fear of disclosure, same-sex interactions or even feelings of shame related to the desire to have a child.
After years of social campaigns declaring condoms as the only solution to prevent transmission, couples interested in having a child have found themselves lacking information for other reproductive health options. BAPAC staff offer consultation for both patients and their partners to review multiple reproductive health options in which men are fully engaged as partners in family planning decisions.
Adherence is also discussed since, whether intending to have a child or not, it is vital both for the patient's health and for the protection of their partner. Staff can also work with couples to determine periods of highest fertility and suggest medical interventions such as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), if indicated, or review other options such as adoption or sperm donation.
Through collaboration with the group of men and medical staff and students, PRO Men staff developed resources that outline this information through professionally-filmed videos, along with several brochures on a variety of topics such as, "Is PrEP Right For Me? A Primer for HIV Negative Women," safer conception options for HIV-positive men (with HIV-negative women) and safer conception options for HIV-negative women (with HIV-positive men).
Reproductive options for both men and women living with HIV have long been weighed down by stigma and assumptions of both patients and providers. While this has changed more for women, the issue remains cloaked in shame and stigma for men. Weber reports that the extent of this stigma is dramatically illustrated by many men in the program who finally feel safe revealing their long-secret desire to become fathers.
The power of stigma has been mitigated for individuals not only by their involvement in PRO Men, but also by the willingness of some participants to talk publicly about themselves. They have appeared in videos, on speaker panels and even in a photograph and related story on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle. This has a tremendous impact not only to inform others about the program but to dispel myths and stigma related to the reproductive rights of persons living with HIV.
Reproductive health and HIV creates strong feelings among providers as well. Weber hopes that this ground-breaking program will challenge assumptions both locally and nationally, and shift the conversation from risk reduction to one inclusive of reproductive possibilities. Provider resources include an algorithm to guide decisions for sexually active men and women as well as a policy statement for Ward 86, declaring that reproductive health is an integral part of primary care. This could serve as a model for other HIV services around the country.
In November, a gathering was convened and attended by 64 providers. A strategic decision was made to begin the event with a panel of consumers sharing their experiences. This effectively gave attendees permission to begin to think differently about issues such as disclosure, PrEP, the interaction between contraception and HIV, and the integration of reproductive health concerns into HIV clinical care. Weber notes that listening to what people want without judgment is a critical first step, and while the initial introduction of reproductive concerns into clinical interactions can be brief, such discussions are vital to caring for the whole person.
Perhaps the most exciting event to date was the Positive Connections Mixer, a gathering for those interested in dating, having sex or having a child. While professionals were on hand to provide valuable education and support, the most powerful feature was undoubtedly the presence of other like-minded attendees breaking the barriers of shame and stigma, and declaring the value of both themselves and their reproductive health intentions.
Macy's Foundation has provided a second year of funding which is currently underway and which will fund more support groups for HIV-positive men who have sex with women, along with the translation of materials into Spanish. Two additional videos on disclosure and adherence have been produced and will soon be available on the website.
Complete program information can be found at: http://hiv.ucsf.edu/care/perinatal/pro_men.html.
Clinicians with reproductive and sexual health questions in the context of HIV can receive 24/7 telephone consultation from the National Perinatal HIV Hotline at: www.nccc.ucsf.edu.


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A soft shirt with sweat-wicking performance to keep you cooler and drier while training or lounging around. Raglan sleeves with flatlock stitching adds comfort and makes for easy movement. An anti-pill finish keeps this high-performer looking great.
Every order is custom printed and personalized to your needs direct from our production facility in Detroit, MI. Items are typically completed within 5 business days and then require additional shipping time to reach your location.