SEC staffers watched porn as economy crashed http://usat.me?38299196
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Earth Day: 10 lessons for building a green house - USATODAY.com
Earth Day: 10 lessons for building a green house http://usat.me?38280582
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A friend of ours is looking for girls (ages 7-14) interested in belly dance classes. If she gets enough, she can rent a studio accordingly. If you're interested, contact her through her website (lamisdancer.com).
Retailers, restaurants offer deals as more of us pinch pennies - USATODAY.com
Retailers, restaurants offer deals as more of us pinch pennies http://usat.me?38273434
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
GM to expand battery lab outside of Detroit - USATODAY.com
GM to expand battery lab outside of Detroit http://usat.me?38185280
Edison blankets warehouse roofs with solar panels - USATODAY.com
Edison blankets warehouse roofs with solar panels http://usat.me?38178386
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Mother Earth News
Know When to Plant What: Find Your Average Last Spring Frost Date
Find out when to sow which seeds and how to determine when the danger of frost has passed.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Monday, March 08, 2010
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Subject: Help Mother test this new squash bug control technique
Greetings, Troy.
I'm writing today to invite you to try out a technique this summer for squash bug control. If this bug causes problems in your garden, read on.
Some years ago, I wrote a report about research done at Texas A&M that found trap crops of early plantings of squash could attract "up to 90 percent of squash bugs in the area." The key is to plant a few pots of squash indoors, earlier than your usual timing (the bugs are reportedly most attracted to winter squash varieties), then move the plants into the garden as soon as you can. Overwintering squash bugs will make a beeline for them (who knows how they find these plants—bugs are so amazing). The researchers suggested laying a few boards on the ground around the trap crop, and then turning the boards over and squishing the bugs, which like to hide on the undersides. Delay sowing your main squash crops as long as you can, continuing to squish any bugs that show up at the trap crop.
Now, we've come up with what we think might be an improvement on that technique: a "Squash-Bug Squisher"! Instead of just using whatever is handy to squish the bugs on each board, we expect it would be quicker and more effective if you connected two boards together with hinges, so you could pick up the Squisher, flip it over and slam the two boards against each other. The boards will have to be very flat—we're thinking that fiber cement siding, which is highly resistant to warping and heavier than wood, might work well.
So, what do you say—if squash bugs are a challenge in your garden, why not pop a few squash seeds into some pots this week, and give this technique a try this season? We've posted a Squash-Bug Squisher page, http://www.motherearthnews.com/Squash-Bug-Control-Squisher-Trap-Crop.aspx, where you can post your ideas and questions, and eventually, report your results.
Happy Gardening,
Cheryl Long
Editor in Chief
P.S. The Texas researchers also mention that the squash trap crop will attract cucumber beetles, and that you can drown many of your spring cuke beetles by placing pans painted yellow and filled with soapy water beside the squash trap crop. (The beetles are attracted to the yellow color.)
P.P.S. We're hoping to announce more "citizen science" projects like this, so if you have any suggestions, let us know. And if you are a long-time gardener, we would love to have you sign up for our Garden Advisory Group, at www.surveymonkey.com/s/N3QBZKD.MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Ogden Publications,1503 SW 42nd Street, Topeka, KS, 66609
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Trinity Habitat
http://www.trinityhabitat.org/
--
Phone: 817-307-0804
Website: http://troy1of2.eaglemountainpg.org
Make Magazine local DIY groups.
http://makezine.com/groups/index.csp
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Phone: 817-307-0804
Website: http://troy1of2.eaglemountainpg.org
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Free Food
http://frugalliving.about.com/od/foodsavings/tp/Get_Free_Food.htm
--
Phone: 817-307-0804
Website: http://troy1of2.eaglemountainpg.org
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Okay folks, Friday night is the big night for Winter Solstice Celebration 2009 and for those who may not be familiar with my character "The Boogeyman" and what he's all about I thought I might provide some background. The Boogeyman is a "scapegoat" like character or rather the cloak of rags he wears is the actual scapegoat and he's just a cranky old man who is annoyed by all the people pestering him wanting to touch his cloak and unload all of their negativity, bad deeds or sins of the year. Sometimes he might even chase you a little bit. Touch the cloak if you dare but not The Boogeyman himself lest some of that negativity might bounce back on you.
History is full of scapegoat characters which absolved people of their misdoings be it the Pharmakos of ancient Greek religion, the original "scapegoat" of the Old Testament ritual of Yom Kippur which was symbolically burdened with the sins of the Jewish people then cast out to rid the nation of its iniquities or the Roman Lupercalia in which priests (Luperci) cut thongs from the sacrificial animals (goats and a dog), then raced around the walls of the old Palatine city, striking women (especially) as they passed with the thongs. A blow from the hide of the scapegoat was said to cure sterility. In early Roman law an innocent person was allowed to take upon himself the penalty of another who had confessed his own guilt. (Source Britannica Online)
There's even a wildly popular story of a dude that was made into a scapegoat to absolve a whole lot of people of their sins. They nailed him to a cross or something I hear. NONE OF THAT FOR ME THANKS! Who knows, maybe that's why The Boogeyman is so cranky. Maybe he's afraid somebody is going to do that to him. In any event, like I said, just transfer your negativity to the cloak, but watch out for The Boogeyman, he might get ya!
Boogey Boogey Boogey!
See you at Winter Solstice Celebration at Cathedral Of Hope!
History is full of scapegoat characters which absolved people of their misdoings be it the Pharmakos of ancient Greek religion, the original "scapegoat" of the Old Testament ritual of Yom Kippur which was symbolically burdened with the sins of the Jewish people then cast out to rid the nation of its iniquities or the Roman Lupercalia in which priests (Luperci) cut thongs from the sacrificial animals (goats and a dog), then raced around the walls of the old Palatine city, striking women (especially) as they passed with the thongs. A blow from the hide of the scapegoat was said to cure sterility. In early Roman law an innocent person was allowed to take upon himself the penalty of another who had confessed his own guilt. (Source Britannica Online)
There's even a wildly popular story of a dude that was made into a scapegoat to absolve a whole lot of people of their sins. They nailed him to a cross or something I hear. NONE OF THAT FOR ME THANKS! Who knows, maybe that's why The Boogeyman is so cranky. Maybe he's afraid somebody is going to do that to him. In any event, like I said, just transfer your negativity to the cloak, but watch out for The Boogeyman, he might get ya!
Boogey Boogey Boogey!
See you at Winter Solstice Celebration at Cathedral Of Hope!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
I did this by accident tonight and had to restore and reconfigure a bunch of stuff. DOH!
Hard Reset HTC Hero Android : HTC Hero Reset Procedure | DIGITAL BITS: "Hard Reset HTC Hero Android Phone – Procedure Trick
1) Turn off your HTC Hero completely.
2) Keep pressing the HOME key and Back key together for some while.
3) While pressing the Home and Back button, once press the power button.
4) Wait for a few seconds and you get a message on the screen asking for a confirm reset.
5) Now release the Home and back buttons press Menu.
6) Your HTC phone is now reset to its original state.
During this process, if your phone hangs, just remove the battery and try this procedure again. It definitely works."
Monday, October 12, 2009
Improve Battery Life for the Android Based HTC Hero Smart Phone | Gamaze.com
I just got my HTC Hero this past Saturday evening and am amazed at all of the features and apps this phone has compared to my old Samsung Rant. Still getting used to the touchscreen keyboard thing but I think with a little more practice it won't be so bad. Probably because I have been tweaking, installing apps and just generally playing with it so much I have of course been running the battery down quite a bit so I decided to find some battery saving tips and stumbled upon Mattias Hansson's blog:
Improve Battery Life for the Android Based HTC Hero Smart Phone | Gamaze.com: "It is easy to say that I’m a very satisfied owner of the HTC Hero since a couple of weeks. Overall, the smart phone is great and having the ability to run apps and processes in background gives it a clear edge over the iPhone. On the other hand, there are several areas where the Apple experience is just so much smoother. Without going into details I hope the rumoured couple of Android updates still this year will help ease these early misses."MORE...
Improve Battery Life for the Android Based HTC Hero Smart Phone | Gamaze.com: "It is easy to say that I’m a very satisfied owner of the HTC Hero since a couple of weeks. Overall, the smart phone is great and having the ability to run apps and processes in background gives it a clear edge over the iPhone. On the other hand, there are several areas where the Apple experience is just so much smoother. Without going into details I hope the rumoured couple of Android updates still this year will help ease these early misses."MORE...
Friday, October 09, 2009
Stone soup - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stone soup - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "A kindly, old stranger was walking through the land when he came upon a village. As he entered, the villagers moved towards their homes locking doors and windows. The stranger smiled and asked, why are you all so frightened. I am a simple traveler, looking for a soft place to stay for the night and a warm place for a meal. 'There's not a bite to eat in the whole province,' he was told. 'We are weak and our children are starving. Better keep moving on.' 'Oh, I have everything I need,' he said. 'In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you.' He pulled an iron cauldron from his cloak, filled it with water, and began to build a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a silken bag and dropped it into the water. By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come out of their homes or watched from their windows. As the stranger sniffed the 'broth' and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their fear. 'Ahh,' the stranger said to himself rather loudly, 'I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat.' Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a small cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. 'Wonderful!!' cried the stranger. 'You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king.' The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for everyone in the village to share. The villager elder offered the stranger a great deal of money for the stone, but he refused to sell it and traveled on the next day. As he left, the stranger came upon a group of village children standing near the road. He gave the silken bag containing the stone to the youngest child, whispering to a group, that it was not the stone, but the villagers that had performed the magic.'"
Rotary screw compressor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rotary screw compressor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "A rotary screw compressor is a type of gas compressor which uses a rotary type positive displacement mechanism. The mechanism for gas compression utilises either a single screw element or two counter rotating intermeshed helical screw elements housed within a specially shaped chamber. As the mechanism rotates, the meshing and rotation of the two helical rotors produces a series of volume-reducing cavities. Gas is drawn in through an inlet port in the casing, captured in a cavity, compressed as the cavity reduces in volume, and then discharged through another port in the casing. [1][1]
The effectiveness of this mechanism is dependent on close fitting clearances between the helical rotors and the chamber for sealing of the compression cavities.
Rotary screw compressors are used in a diverse range of applications. Typically, they are used to supply compressed air for general industrial applications. Trailer mounted diesel powered units are often seen at construction sites, and are used to power air operated construction machinery."
The effectiveness of this mechanism is dependent on close fitting clearances between the helical rotors and the chamber for sealing of the compression cavities.
Rotary screw compressors are used in a diverse range of applications. Typically, they are used to supply compressed air for general industrial applications. Trailer mounted diesel powered units are often seen at construction sites, and are used to power air operated construction machinery."
Ultimate Puller - Sensible Products We have one of these in the shop at work and it's been a big help sometimes getting stubborn squirrel cage fans off of motor shafts.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Always a good read, I have been a fan of Marshall Brain's How Stuff Works for years but only recently visited his official home page and learned of many of his other works. Surf on over and check it out for yourself. His page opens thusly:
MarshallBrain.com - The Official Home Page for Marshall Brain
Hello, and welcome to MarshallBrain.com. I am glad you have found your way to this site and appreciate your taking the time to visit.
I am best known as the founder of How Stuff Works. I started HowStuffWorks as a hobby in 1998 and it has grown to be one of the top Web sites in the country.
I am known for the Robotic Nation essays and the book Manna. The article How to make a million dollars is also very popular. I am known for my book for teenagers entitled The Teenager's Guide to the Real World, now in its tenth printing and selected for the New York Public Library's prestigious Books for the Teen Age list (review). I am also known as a member of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers at North Carolina State University, where I taught in the computer science department for 6 years.
MORE...
MarshallBrain.com - The Official Home Page for Marshall Brain
Hello, and welcome to MarshallBrain.com. I am glad you have found your way to this site and appreciate your taking the time to visit.
I am best known as the founder of How Stuff Works. I started HowStuffWorks as a hobby in 1998 and it has grown to be one of the top Web sites in the country.
I am known for the Robotic Nation essays and the book Manna. The article How to make a million dollars is also very popular. I am known for my book for teenagers entitled The Teenager's Guide to the Real World, now in its tenth printing and selected for the New York Public Library's prestigious Books for the Teen Age list (review). I am also known as a member of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers at North Carolina State University, where I taught in the computer science department for 6 years.
MORE...
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday, September 04, 2009
On this truly sad day, we welcome you to join us as we memorialize the passing of ‘Rama’ Christopher Wyatt. Rama was known to many as the generous, kind, massage therapist always willing to offer his healing hands to those in need. Many may know him by his laughter and song.
And boy how our Rama could wail out a tune. Born the son of Rock –A- Billy Legend and Hall of Famer Gene Wyatt, Rama had some big musical shoes to fill. In the recent months Rama has shared many stories and songs of his father’s music and life with us, Singing his heart out. We know in our hearts that Rama is across the veils now playing alongside his father.
He was a trickster, a romancer, a magician, a drummer, a father, a husband, a brother, and a dear dear friend to many of us who will miss him terribly for all our days.
You are welcome to join us as remember the life of our dear friend as we commemorate his life and his passing.
Maeven Eller Five
‘Rama’ Christopher Wyatt
9/7/63 – 9/4/09
Services begin at 7 p.m.
Cover dishes for feasting afterwards welcome
Sacred Journey Fellowship
(Formally known as Pleasant Valley Unitarian Universalist Church)
1215 Main Street
Garland, TX 75040
And boy how our Rama could wail out a tune. Born the son of Rock –A- Billy Legend and Hall of Famer Gene Wyatt, Rama had some big musical shoes to fill. In the recent months Rama has shared many stories and songs of his father’s music and life with us, Singing his heart out. We know in our hearts that Rama is across the veils now playing alongside his father.
He was a trickster, a romancer, a magician, a drummer, a father, a husband, a brother, and a dear dear friend to many of us who will miss him terribly for all our days.
You are welcome to join us as remember the life of our dear friend as we commemorate his life and his passing.
Maeven Eller Five
‘Rama’ Christopher Wyatt
9/7/63 – 9/4/09
Services begin at 7 p.m.
Cover dishes for feasting afterwards welcome
Sacred Journey Fellowship
(Formally known as Pleasant Valley Unitarian Universalist Church)
1215 Main Street
Garland, TX 75040
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Miami banker gives $60 million of his own to employees - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com
"Lots of bosses say they value their employees. Some even mean it.
And then there's Leonard Abess Jr.
After selling a majority stake in Miami-based City National Bancshares last November, all he did was take $60 million of the proceeds -- $60 million out of his own pocket -- and hand it to his tellers, bookkeepers, clerks, everyone on the payroll. All 399 workers on the staff received bonuses, and he even tracked down 72 former employees so they could share in the windfall."
READ MORE At - MiamiHerald.com
And then there's Leonard Abess Jr.
After selling a majority stake in Miami-based City National Bancshares last November, all he did was take $60 million of the proceeds -- $60 million out of his own pocket -- and hand it to his tellers, bookkeepers, clerks, everyone on the payroll. All 399 workers on the staff received bonuses, and he even tracked down 72 former employees so they could share in the windfall."
READ MORE At - MiamiHerald.com
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Too much thinking 'can make you fat' - Telegraph
Ahhh, so that's my problem. I think too much! :-)
"Researchers found the stress of thinking caused overeating with heavy thinkers seeking out more calories.
The research team, supervised by Dr Angelo Tremblay, measured the spontaneous food intake of 14 students after each of three tasks.
The first was relaxing in a sitting position, the second reading and summarizing a text, and finally completing a series of memory, attention, and vigilance tests on the computer."
READ MORE At The Telegraph
"Researchers found the stress of thinking caused overeating with heavy thinkers seeking out more calories.
The research team, supervised by Dr Angelo Tremblay, measured the spontaneous food intake of 14 students after each of three tasks.
The first was relaxing in a sitting position, the second reading and summarizing a text, and finally completing a series of memory, attention, and vigilance tests on the computer."
READ MORE At The Telegraph
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
@ugusta: The Augusta Chronicle Online: Celebrate 2000New Year's song remains ingrained in public mind 12/31/99
"New Year's song remains ingrained in public mind
Depending on where you celebrate New Year's Eve tonight, the turntables will spin Prince's 1999, Barry Manilow's It's Just Another New Year's Eve, or even, heaven forbid, Will Smith's Will 2K.
But at midnight, in almost every nightclub and home, on every television and radio, the song will be the same: Auld Lang Syne.
``It just fits the moment,'' says Tyrone Traher, who has studied the origins of the song. ``It's traditional. Kind of like how Amazing Grace is always played at a funeral.''
Except that most people can make it past the first line of Amazing Grace.
``Yes,'' Mr. Traher agrees with a chuckle. ``No one seems to know all the words.''
He pauses for a moment.
``Come to think of it, I've honestly never read all the words to the song,'' he concedes.
So there you have it: a Gaelic-riddled song with an old-fashioned melody that many Americans sing as ``should auld acquaintance be forgot ...'' and then trail off into a hum."
READ MORE At The Augusta Chronicle Online
Depending on where you celebrate New Year's Eve tonight, the turntables will spin Prince's 1999, Barry Manilow's It's Just Another New Year's Eve, or even, heaven forbid, Will Smith's Will 2K.
But at midnight, in almost every nightclub and home, on every television and radio, the song will be the same: Auld Lang Syne.
``It just fits the moment,'' says Tyrone Traher, who has studied the origins of the song. ``It's traditional. Kind of like how Amazing Grace is always played at a funeral.''
Except that most people can make it past the first line of Amazing Grace.
``Yes,'' Mr. Traher agrees with a chuckle. ``No one seems to know all the words.''
He pauses for a moment.
``Come to think of it, I've honestly never read all the words to the song,'' he concedes.
So there you have it: a Gaelic-riddled song with an old-fashioned melody that many Americans sing as ``should auld acquaintance be forgot ...'' and then trail off into a hum."
READ MORE At The Augusta Chronicle Online
Monday, December 29, 2008
As they say, hindsight is 20/20 and if I had known then what I know now I would have definitely done things differently. I went to work for the company I am employed at which I currently refer to as my "day job" over 19 years ago. I was fairly fresh out of school having graduated High School then taking courses in Electronic Engineering at I.T.T. and working for Dominoes Pizza while putting in applications and doing interviews in the hopes of landing a "real job". I finally did get a job with a company that offered a great benefits package and a future of better pay although the starting pay was actually a step down from what I was making delivering pizzas if you include the tips. I literally began at the bottom sweeping floors and later upgraded into a higher position in the same department operating powered equipment.
I actually had a chance to take several other positions along the way but I chose the "safe" route of staying where I was at because I had built up some seniority which gave me a buffer in case of layoffs and it was guaranteed 40 hours per week whereas one of the other jobs, fleet service, starts off part time until you can build up enough time to bid for a full time position. Then in 1996 a new contract started that had been voted in during the 1995 negotiations. The department I was working in was to be contracted out but all of the people in the department would be transferred to a new position of cabin cleaning. The trouble was, they were also telling everyone that all future pay raises were to be frozen. Well, obviously that wasn't going to work so I started looking for a new place to go. A lot of my friends took positions as fleet service clerks, stock clerks, overhaul support mechanics and other assorted positions throughout the company. I, again going the safe route, decided on a Plant Maintenance Man position and passed the test initially for the Automotive Department where I remained for another 5 1/2 years until September 11th, 2001 put the industry into a tailspin and caused massive layoffs which sent me to a different work location and into the Facilities Maintenance department. After coming to Facilities I became interested in the equipment we worked on and started learning more about it, especially the electrical end of things and eventually got a Maintenance Electrician's License from the state.
The trouble is, after making all these "safe" moves over the years I find myself in a position that hasn't panned out for me. I make an average of $2 less per hour than all of my former co-workers who went on to other positions within the company, I have fewer options for working extra shifts (called CSing in company lingo) and very rarely see opportunities for overtime (which is often more plentiful for other positions. I made the "safe" move to the Plant Maintenance Man (PMM for short) thinking it would be a temporary position for a few years maybe and I would later be able to upgrade into a full Mechanic position (a position that pays $9 per hour more than I make now). But due primarily to politics (under a shoddy facade of policy and experience credit review procedures) I have been shut out time and again from getting such an upgrade but at the same time I have seen others with less experience (in one particular case an 18 year old kid fresh out of High School) who were deemed to be "qualified" which usually boils down to knowing the right people, being related to the right people or filling the agenda of "diversification of the work force". The PMM position requires three years previous maintenance experience to get into in the first place. The fleet service clerk position requires only a High School diploma or equivalent and a driver's license to start then training is provided. PMM is classified in the union contract as a semi-skilled position. Fleet Service Clerk is classified as non-skilled. So, 18 years ago if I had gone into the so called "non-skilled" Fleet Service Clerk position I would be making $2 more per hour now than I do by going into the "semi-skilled" position. But it goes beyond that because with 18 years I could easily have pulled a Crew Chief position by now giving me another $1.70 per hour on top of that. Plus more opportunities for CSing and overtime due to it being a MUCH larger department.
So, long story short, I messed up doing what I thought was the "safe" thing and I'm paying for it now every hour that I work. I can still transfer to one of these other positions and likely will as soon as the economy improves and there is more hiring taking place because I see now that the "few years" that I thought it might take to upgrade has become 12 1/2 years and counting. Transferring will mean throwing away all of my seniority and starting at the bottom of the list for bidding jobs and being among the first to be impacted by layoffs. But my pay will increase at least. It's just ironic that I find myself in the predicament that I have to transfer to a position which has lower initial qualification requirements in order to make more money. It all boils down to politics though. There are more of them than there are of us and our union doesn't care because A.) We don't represent enough votes to do them any good and B.) some of us have more seniority than the very union representatives who are supposed to represent us therefore they have a vested interest in keeping me and others like me right where we are at. The company has no interest in helping us upgrade because, hey, it's cheap labor, we have guys doing essentially the same work for $9 per hour less. What's not to love about that right?
I'm not getting any younger though and if I am going to start over in another department now is the time to do it because later it will be too late. But on the other hand, there is that nagging doubt of what if I transfer out and they finally do the right thing and implement a program to allow those of us trapped in this dead end to finally get an upgrade through training and testing? The current contract is in negotiations and there is talk of just such a program being a part of it but there has been talk before. There is talk at every contract negotiation. Talk is cheap. Talk won't pay my bills or support my family. I need more than talk.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Pete the purple squirrel leaves animal lovers baffled | Mail Online
Here's something you don't see every day... -Troy
"We've all seen lots of grey squirrels and maybe the occasional red, but this chap is definitely going through a purple patch.
He was spotted at Meoncross School in Stubbington, Hampshire, where pupils, staff and parents have all tried to solve the mystery of his unusual hue.
One clue is that he frequently pops into a building where old printers are stored. TV wildlife expert Chris Packham said: 'It is possible he has been chewing on a purple ink cartridge and then groomed that colouring into his fur."
MORE with PICS At Mail Online
"We've all seen lots of grey squirrels and maybe the occasional red, but this chap is definitely going through a purple patch.
He was spotted at Meoncross School in Stubbington, Hampshire, where pupils, staff and parents have all tried to solve the mystery of his unusual hue.
One clue is that he frequently pops into a building where old printers are stored. TV wildlife expert Chris Packham said: 'It is possible he has been chewing on a purple ink cartridge and then groomed that colouring into his fur."
MORE with PICS At Mail Online
Thursday, December 25, 2008
"DALLAS, TX.- DFW International Airport welcomed the ancient Egyptian jackal-headed god Anubis, guide and protector of the dead, to the Airport's popular Founders' Plaza today, celebrating the successful conclusion of the 'Year of the International Traveler.' The 10-ton, 26-foot-tall statue, which will 'deck the skyways' with a giant candy cane staff, will be on display to celebrate the 'Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs' exhibit showing at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) through May of 2009. Santa and his helpful elves joined a crowd of well-wishers to greet Anubis at Founders' Plaza today, and air passengers will get a unique view of the statue from the north end of the Airport on thousands of upcoming holiday flights."
READ MORE At Artdaily.org
READ MORE At Artdaily.org
Sunday, December 21, 2008
LEDs And Smart Lighting Could Save Trillions Of Dollars, Spark Global Innovation
"ScienceDaily (Dec. 20, 2008) — A 'revolution' in the way we illuminate our world is imminent, according to a paper published this week by two professors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Innovations in photonics and solid state lighting will lead to trillions of dollars in cost savings, along with a massive reduction in the amount of energy required to light homes and businesses around the globe, the researchers forecast.
A new generation of lighting devices based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will supplant the common light bulb in coming years, the paper suggests. In addition to the environmental and cost benefits of LEDs, the technology is expected to enable a wide range of advances in areas as diverse as healthcare, transportation systems, digital displays, and computer networking."
MORE AT Science Daily
Innovations in photonics and solid state lighting will lead to trillions of dollars in cost savings, along with a massive reduction in the amount of energy required to light homes and businesses around the globe, the researchers forecast.
A new generation of lighting devices based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will supplant the common light bulb in coming years, the paper suggests. In addition to the environmental and cost benefits of LEDs, the technology is expected to enable a wide range of advances in areas as diverse as healthcare, transportation systems, digital displays, and computer networking."
MORE AT Science Daily
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Head to http://store.sncmusic.com to get Straight No Chaser's album 'Holiday Spirits'! The original members of Straight No Chaser perform their comedic version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
What are you looking at? Japan scientists find out | Science | Reuters
"TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese researchers have reproduced images of things people were looking at by analyzing brain scans, opening the way for people to communicate directly from their mind.
They hope their study, published in the U.S. journal Neuron, will lead to helping people with speech problems or doctors studying mental disorders, although there are privacy issues if it gets to the stage where someone can read a sleeping person's dreams.
'When we want to convey a message, we need to move our body, for example by speaking or by tapping a keyboard,' said Yukiyasu Kamitani, the project's head researcher from the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, a private institute based in Kyoto, Japan."
READ MORE At Reuters
They hope their study, published in the U.S. journal Neuron, will lead to helping people with speech problems or doctors studying mental disorders, although there are privacy issues if it gets to the stage where someone can read a sleeping person's dreams.
'When we want to convey a message, we need to move our body, for example by speaking or by tapping a keyboard,' said Yukiyasu Kamitani, the project's head researcher from the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, a private institute based in Kyoto, Japan."
READ MORE At Reuters
This guy went out with a BANG! - Troy
"The body of Wang Diange, from the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia, was found in the wreckage of a house where he had been overseeing the wake of a previous family funeral, after mourners felt a loud explosion which took off half the roof.
As it was raining and thundery, they decided that the house, and Mr Wang in particular, had been struck by lightning. The police came to the same conclusion.
Further inquiries were made a few days later after Mr Wang's own funeral. As his body was being put into the cremation chamber, it blew up spectacularly, bursting the doors off the oven."
READ MORE At The Telegraph:
"The body of Wang Diange, from the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia, was found in the wreckage of a house where he had been overseeing the wake of a previous family funeral, after mourners felt a loud explosion which took off half the roof.
As it was raining and thundery, they decided that the house, and Mr Wang in particular, had been struck by lightning. The police came to the same conclusion.
Further inquiries were made a few days later after Mr Wang's own funeral. As his body was being put into the cremation chamber, it blew up spectacularly, bursting the doors off the oven."
READ MORE At The Telegraph:
Monday, December 15, 2008
A Newsletter for Arlingtonites
"At 6000 Bacara Lane, the Artisan at Rush Creek is more than an apartment home community for affordable living. It's a facility offering recreational programs for youth, after-school tutoring, and continuing education classes for adults. In a partnership with the YMCA and the City of Arlington, there's a strategic focus on youth in this south Arlington community of low to moderate income families and people are seeing the difference."
READ MORE At A Newsletter for Arlingtonites:
READ MORE At A Newsletter for Arlingtonites:
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Harvesting Electricity From Moving Vehicles - HotHardware
'Parasitic energy harvesting' might sound like it is part of a Sci-Fi plot where alien beings feed off of the energy emanating from human bodies, but it is actually a means of reclaiming wasted energy. An Israeli company, Innowattech, says that it holds the patents to technologies that can harvest the mechanical energy from vehicles traveling on surfaces such as roadways, railways, and airport runways, and convert that energy to electricity. Not only does Innowattech have the technology, but it wants to implement it into our highway, rail, and airport infrastructures.
The technology 'is based on piezoelectric generators; the piezoelectric effect converts mechanical strain into electrical current or voltage.' In other words, when a piezoelectric material is deformed, the energy from the deformation of the material gets converted into electricity. Innowattech has created three different versions of what it calls the Innowattech Piezo Electric Generator (IPEG): a Roadway Generator, a Railroad Generator, and a Runway Generator. Innowattech claims that its IPEGs can 'harvest energy from weight, motion, vibration and temperature changes.
MORE At HotHardware: "
The technology 'is based on piezoelectric generators; the piezoelectric effect converts mechanical strain into electrical current or voltage.' In other words, when a piezoelectric material is deformed, the energy from the deformation of the material gets converted into electricity. Innowattech has created three different versions of what it calls the Innowattech Piezo Electric Generator (IPEG): a Roadway Generator, a Railroad Generator, and a Runway Generator. Innowattech claims that its IPEGs can 'harvest energy from weight, motion, vibration and temperature changes.
MORE At HotHardware: "
A Perfect Female Companion: Project Aiko
(PhysOrg.com) -- Aiko is a humanoid robot with a built in Biometric Artificial Intelligence Neural System (Brain) designed by Le Trung in Canada. Aiko is slightly less than 5-feet high with 32.24-inch bust, 22.44-inch waist and 33.07-inch waist. Aiko which means 'love child' is the perfect companion. In fact, lovely Aiko speaks Japanese and English and can respond to annoyances and questions.
She has the ability to identify objects placed before her. She is equipped with a sensor which allows her to signal pain or annoyance. If you squeeze her cheeks or other parts of her anatomy she will tell you, 'That hurts or stop touching me.
MORE At PhysOrg Project Aiko: "
She has the ability to identify objects placed before her. She is equipped with a sensor which allows her to signal pain or annoyance. If you squeeze her cheeks or other parts of her anatomy she will tell you, 'That hurts or stop touching me.
MORE At PhysOrg Project Aiko: "
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Have you been dreaming of a white Christmas? Scientists could soon watch it on a screen | Mail Online
Have you been dreaming of a white Christmas? Scientists may soon be able to show your winter scene on a computer screen once you've drifted into a peaceful slumber.
A Japanese research team has successfully processed and displayed images directly from the human brain, they said in a study to be published in the US magazine Neuron.
While the researchers at the ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories have only reproduced simple images from the brain, they said the technology could eventually be used to display dreams."
MORE at Daily Mail
A Japanese research team has successfully processed and displayed images directly from the human brain, they said in a study to be published in the US magazine Neuron.
While the researchers at the ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories have only reproduced simple images from the brain, they said the technology could eventually be used to display dreams."
MORE at Daily Mail
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Green tomato pie, green tomato soup, green tomato bread and fried green tomatoes!
We ate them all around here this week. Our tomato plants which languished in the backyard for most of the season and didn't produce much exploded into a tomato frenzy in November and just wouldn't stop. We even tried to give some away but unfortunately no one came to get them but ever resourceful, my wife Eme went online and found tons of recipes for things you can make with green tomatoes. I wonder how a green tomato salsa would be? Maybe next year, but anyway, all of these creations were just awesome and not the usual fare you'll get at the store or from a restaurant for that matter. That's the beauty of growing your own stuff. Not only is the flavor better but you can create all kinds of great dishes that you wouldn't otherwise get to try. Next year we're planning to try out the plan used by some folks up in Chicago who used old, discarded kid's wading pools to make huge planters and grew vegetables on the roof of a building.
No! We're not going grow our garden on the roof of the house, we'll plant them in the back yard but we figure the pools will help us separate the plants somewhat from weeds that might invade and make them easier to maintain. Also, we shouldn't have to dig too deep to get to our potatoes, carrots, radishes and such. I also recently read up on growing spinach in pots indoors. Plus did you know about this neat planter that lets you grow small tomatoes indoors as a hanging basket?
We ate them all around here this week. Our tomato plants which languished in the backyard for most of the season and didn't produce much exploded into a tomato frenzy in November and just wouldn't stop. We even tried to give some away but unfortunately no one came to get them but ever resourceful, my wife Eme went online and found tons of recipes for things you can make with green tomatoes. I wonder how a green tomato salsa would be? Maybe next year, but anyway, all of these creations were just awesome and not the usual fare you'll get at the store or from a restaurant for that matter. That's the beauty of growing your own stuff. Not only is the flavor better but you can create all kinds of great dishes that you wouldn't otherwise get to try. Next year we're planning to try out the plan used by some folks up in Chicago who used old, discarded kid's wading pools to make huge planters and grew vegetables on the roof of a building.
No! We're not going grow our garden on the roof of the house, we'll plant them in the back yard but we figure the pools will help us separate the plants somewhat from weeds that might invade and make them easier to maintain. Also, we shouldn't have to dig too deep to get to our potatoes, carrots, radishes and such. I also recently read up on growing spinach in pots indoors. Plus did you know about this neat planter that lets you grow small tomatoes indoors as a hanging basket?
Monday, December 08, 2008
Pre-Columbian Tribes Had BBQs, Parties on Grave Sites
Alexis Okeowo
for National Geographic News
December 05, 2008
Some pre-Hispanic cultures in South America had elaborate celebrations at their cemeteries, complete with feasting and drinking grounds much like modern barbecue pits, according to a new archaeological study.
Excavations of 12th- and-13th-century burial mounds in the highlands of Brazil and Argentina revealed numerous earthen ovens. The finds suggest that the graves were also sites of regular festivals held to commemorate the death of the community's chief."
MORE at National Geographic
for National Geographic News
December 05, 2008
Some pre-Hispanic cultures in South America had elaborate celebrations at their cemeteries, complete with feasting and drinking grounds much like modern barbecue pits, according to a new archaeological study.
Excavations of 12th- and-13th-century burial mounds in the highlands of Brazil and Argentina revealed numerous earthen ovens. The finds suggest that the graves were also sites of regular festivals held to commemorate the death of the community's chief."
MORE at National Geographic
Thursday, December 04, 2008
PERSONAL MONEY MANAGEMENT
I used to own both of these books until an ex-wife took off with them several years ago. I bought them both when I was about 20 years old and living in an apartment in Grapevine, Texas. Among other things, these books inspired me to start at that early age to begin putting money into my company 401k account and to buy, not rent, a house as soon as possible. Both decisions I have never regretted. Even though the books are fairly old now the advice in them is timeless and I plan to re-quire copies of them soon so I can re-read them and refresh my memory. I can highly recommend them both to anyone who wants to get a handle on their personal finances and to be in control of their money not let it control you...
'Sylvia Porter's Money Book:'
Andrew Tobias' 'The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need'
I used to own both of these books until an ex-wife took off with them several years ago. I bought them both when I was about 20 years old and living in an apartment in Grapevine, Texas. Among other things, these books inspired me to start at that early age to begin putting money into my company 401k account and to buy, not rent, a house as soon as possible. Both decisions I have never regretted. Even though the books are fairly old now the advice in them is timeless and I plan to re-quire copies of them soon so I can re-read them and refresh my memory. I can highly recommend them both to anyone who wants to get a handle on their personal finances and to be in control of their money not let it control you...
'Sylvia Porter's Money Book:'
Andrew Tobias' 'The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need'
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Sci Fi Channel orders 'Battlestar' prequel 'Caprica' --The Live Feed
"Sci Fi Channel has given the long-gestating 'Battlestar Galactica' prequel 'Caprica' a series order.
The network has made a significant commitment to the project, ordering 20 hours, including a two-hour pilot. Cast members include Eric Stoltz ('Milk,' 'Chicago Hope'), Esai Morales ('Jericho,' 'NYPD Blue'), Paula Malcomson ('Deadwood,' 'ER') and Polly Walker ('Cane,' 'Rome').
' 'Caprica' will build on 'Battlestar Galactica's' acclaimed legacy of gripping drama and extraordinary characters,' said Sci Fi president Dave Howe. 'It's the beginning of a brand new epic saga that will appeal to both new viewers, totally unfamiliar with the 'Battlestar' franchise, as well as existing loyal and passionate 'Battlestar' fans.'"
MORE on The Live Feed by James Hibberd:
The network has made a significant commitment to the project, ordering 20 hours, including a two-hour pilot. Cast members include Eric Stoltz ('Milk,' 'Chicago Hope'), Esai Morales ('Jericho,' 'NYPD Blue'), Paula Malcomson ('Deadwood,' 'ER') and Polly Walker ('Cane,' 'Rome').
' 'Caprica' will build on 'Battlestar Galactica's' acclaimed legacy of gripping drama and extraordinary characters,' said Sci Fi president Dave Howe. 'It's the beginning of a brand new epic saga that will appeal to both new viewers, totally unfamiliar with the 'Battlestar' franchise, as well as existing loyal and passionate 'Battlestar' fans.'"
MORE on The Live Feed by James Hibberd:
I just got this email from the Obama-Biden Transition Project
Transparency and engagement are priorities for the Obama-Biden Transition Project. Our success depends on not only opening up a process that has historically been inaccessible to most Americans, but also encouraging citizen participation.
Last week, we took an important step towards these goals by asking the public to participate in a discussion about health care on our website.
The result was fantastic. Started by a question from our Health Policy Team, thousands of comments poured in over a few days. Some people answered the initial question, but others engaged with one another debating and developing new ideas and approaches to health care reform.
Members of our Health Policy Team, including former Senator Tom Daschle, read through these comments over Thanksgiving weekend.
Yesterday, they sat down to record a special video response. Watch it and join the discussion:
This is just the beginning. These discussions are a valuable resource for Transition staff and an important way to ensure that everyone has a voice in the process.
Thank you,
John
John D. Podesta
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Transparency and engagement are priorities for the Obama-Biden Transition Project. Our success depends on not only opening up a process that has historically been inaccessible to most Americans, but also encouraging citizen participation.
Last week, we took an important step towards these goals by asking the public to participate in a discussion about health care on our website.
The result was fantastic. Started by a question from our Health Policy Team, thousands of comments poured in over a few days. Some people answered the initial question, but others engaged with one another debating and developing new ideas and approaches to health care reform.
Members of our Health Policy Team, including former Senator Tom Daschle, read through these comments over Thanksgiving weekend.
Yesterday, they sat down to record a special video response. Watch it and join the discussion:
This is just the beginning. These discussions are a valuable resource for Transition staff and an important way to ensure that everyone has a voice in the process.
Thank you,
John
John D. Podesta
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Arlington Parade and Tree Lighting on December 6th
"Arrive early for the Holiday Lights Parade. More than 75 lighted floats, marching bands, vintage cars and Elvis clones on tiny motorcycles. New this year: Entertainment at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts. Beginning at 4 p.m., enjoy holiday performances by the First Baptist Church Choir and the Arlington Community Band. The Star-Telegram-sponsored parade starts at 6 p.m. followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of City Hall."
More at the Newsletter for Arlingtonites
"Arrive early for the Holiday Lights Parade. More than 75 lighted floats, marching bands, vintage cars and Elvis clones on tiny motorcycles. New this year: Entertainment at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts. Beginning at 4 p.m., enjoy holiday performances by the First Baptist Church Choir and the Arlington Community Band. The Star-Telegram-sponsored parade starts at 6 p.m. followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of City Hall."
More at the Newsletter for Arlingtonites
Rip, Mix, and Govern: "Barack Obama's transition site, Change.gov, is now under a Creative Commons license—specifically, the highly permissive Attribution 3.0 Unported license, which allows unfettered copying and remixing of content, subject only to an attribution requirement. Lest anyone worry that they're wild-eyed radicals, though, the copyright policy makes sure to assert the site's conformity with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act."
MORE
MORE
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Free Online MIT Course Materials | About OCW | MIT OpenCourseWare: "Unlocking Knowledge,
Empowering Minds.
Free lecture notes, exams, and videos from MIT. No registration required.
MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a web-based publication of virtually all MIT course content. OCW is open and available to the world and is a permanent MIT activity.
What is MIT OpenCourseWare?
MIT OpenCourseWare is a free publication of MIT course materials that reflects almost all the undergraduate and graduate subjects taught at MIT.
* OCW is not an MIT education.
* OCW does not grant degrees or certificates.
* OCW does not provide access to MIT faculty.
* Materials may not reflect entire content of the course."
MORE :
Empowering Minds.
Free lecture notes, exams, and videos from MIT. No registration required.
MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a web-based publication of virtually all MIT course content. OCW is open and available to the world and is a permanent MIT activity.
What is MIT OpenCourseWare?
MIT OpenCourseWare is a free publication of MIT course materials that reflects almost all the undergraduate and graduate subjects taught at MIT.
* OCW is not an MIT education.
* OCW does not grant degrees or certificates.
* OCW does not provide access to MIT faculty.
* Materials may not reflect entire content of the course."
MORE :
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Bush's Last Days: The Lamest Duck - Yahoo! News:
Time.com - Bush's disappearing act during the economic crisis is a fitting coda to a failed presidency.
"We have 'only one President at a time,' Barack Obama said in his debut press conference as President-elect. Normally, that would be a safe assumption - but we're learning not to assume anything as the charcoal-dreary economic winter approaches. By mid-November, with the financial crisis growing worse by the day, it had become obvious that one President was no longer enough (at least not the President we had). So, in the days before Thanksgiving, Obama began to move - if not to take charge outright, then at least to preview what things will be like when he does take over in January. He became a more public presence, taking questions from the press three days in a row. He named his economic team. He promised an enormous stimulus package that would somehow create 2.5 million new jobs, and began to maneuver the new Congress toward having the bill ready for him to sign - in a dramatic ceremony, no doubt - as soon as he assumes office." more
Time.com - Bush's disappearing act during the economic crisis is a fitting coda to a failed presidency.
"We have 'only one President at a time,' Barack Obama said in his debut press conference as President-elect. Normally, that would be a safe assumption - but we're learning not to assume anything as the charcoal-dreary economic winter approaches. By mid-November, with the financial crisis growing worse by the day, it had become obvious that one President was no longer enough (at least not the President we had). So, in the days before Thanksgiving, Obama began to move - if not to take charge outright, then at least to preview what things will be like when he does take over in January. He became a more public presence, taking questions from the press three days in a row. He named his economic team. He promised an enormous stimulus package that would somehow create 2.5 million new jobs, and began to maneuver the new Congress toward having the bill ready for him to sign - in a dramatic ceremony, no doubt - as soon as he assumes office." more
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Here's a website I have been a fan of for quite some time now. In these troubled economic times it's more important than ever to make your money go as far as it possibly can and here are tons of tips on how to do it. I've also been subscribed to their weekly newsletter for a few years now and I find all kinds of neat money saving tips whenever I get time to catch up on reading it...
The Dollar Stretcher
The Dollar Stretcher
Sunday, November 23, 2008
As part of my "day job" as a Plant Maintenance Man at American Airlines my co-workers and I occasionally have to replace the flexible material in the expansion joints in the building and outside on the walkways. This is usually a latex based material that goes in as a liquid and cures over time to a rubber like consistency. We usually try to schedule this kind of work on Sundays or late in the evening so as to impact as few people as possible. So today started out as a usual Sunday. We needed to replace an expansion joint on the second floor walkway between the building and the parking garage so we went up there and put up a nice, bright yellow caution sign and began cutting the old material out with utility knives and taping the edges off with bright blue painters tape. The mix we are using today is a product called Deck-O-Seal which is popularly used around the edges of swimming pools between the coping stones and plaster.
I already had my reservations about this because ordinarily this stuff cures in temperatures of 77 degrees and above and today's high was 67 but mine is not to question why mine is just to do or die as they say so we're out there mixing this goop up and nicely and neatly pouring it into the squeeze bottle to apply it. Everything is going fairly smoothly except for this one sinkhole that keeps needing to be refilled on one edge. We're not sure if the sealant is somehow working it's way past the batting underneath or if there is just a big air pocket below but after we manage to get the entire gap filled we move our work cart and a nearby disposal can over the area to join the nice bright caution sign and the bright blue painters tape.
Okay? So I'm trying to paint the picture here that the area is pretty well marked that something is going on around here so you might want to watch your step. We've even had a couple people come by while we were working and they even stepped over the 2 inch gap of grey goop on their way to the revolving doors like any sensible person would so I figure we're fairly safe. We go down below to the first floor to examine the area and see if perhaps some of the material had been leaking through causing the indentation we experienced above. No sign of leakage so that's good but what is that sound we're hearing from above?
Is that the sound of two people pushing a shopping cart across the walkway overhead? The walkway we just put fresh Deck-O-Seal down on? Surely not! Not on a Sunday! Why would anyone be out here on a Sunday pushing a shopping cart across the second level walkway. Well even if that is what's going on surely the people would have the sharpness of mind and consideration to see all the signage and see the fresh grey liquid, not to mention the smell of the stuff, and have the good sense to lift the wheels of the cart while going across the area right?
So up we go to see what has transpired and not only are there two nice rows of tire tracks leading from the expansion joints across the concrete and into the carpet in front of the doors but one of them even managed to stick their big clodhopper of a foot into the middle of it and track it all over the place as well.
Seriously. How dense does one have to be not to see so many signs that there is something going on here so it might be wise to watch your step? So I did what I should have done in the first place. I use caution tape and completely block off both ends of the walkway so no one can use it, unless of course they choose to break the caution tape. This of course inconveniences anyone who might want to use the second floor walkway but what other choice do I have? I tried giving people the benefit of the doubt that they might exercise some common sense and common decency and now I have a big mess to clean up later after the stuff has cured and I am able to scrape it off the concrete with a razor scraper.
A little consideration can go a long way folks. Not only do you inconvenience the person whose work you just messed up by doing such things but you also inconvenience others by causing precautionary measures to have to be taken to prevent further damage caused by carelessness.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Don't forget to go down to Ancient Traditions tonight for game night, or every Friday Night for Drum Jam or next Saturday for the Rummage Sale!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
PROTONJOE - Protons kill Cancer not People. I hope this information helps you, or someone you love. Joe is a co-worker of mine at American Airlines and he has personally undergone Proton Beam therapy to kill his prostate cancer. Now he wants to spread the word about this life saving therapy so others can benefit too. Go see the videos he has posted on his site for some real eye-opening information.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I've been putting in some major updates for one of my client's sites. Eagle Solar Screens. I know the owner, Tommy Sparks, personally and he's a good, honest, hard working man. He deals with everyone with a handshake and unyielding integrity. I highly recommend getting solar screens to help lower the summertime electric bills in your house and of course you should get them from:
EAGLE SOLAR SCREENS:
* Lower your utility bills
* Block up to 90% of the sun's heat
* Protect your furniture
* Increase comfort in your home
* Increase daytime privacy
* A variety of colors to choose from
* Custom grid work available
* Window washing available
EAGLE SOLAR SCREENS:
* Lower your utility bills
* Block up to 90% of the sun's heat
* Protect your furniture
* Increase comfort in your home
* Increase daytime privacy
* A variety of colors to choose from
* Custom grid work available
* Window washing available
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
TroyForge
TroyForge: "I do some freelance web design and internet promotion work these days for small, usually locally owned businesses, individuals and organizations. You might be surprised at how affordable it can be to get your small business an established internet presence and drive customers to your site. Most of my clients' websites cost $29.95 per month. Not only does that cover hosting and domain but I even build and maintain a website as well as help promote my clients' businesses by posting ads for them with links to their site in places like Craig's List and other promotional places online that are appropriate for their particular business. But this involves ABSOLUTELY NO SPAMMING! Like most people who have had their email boxes bombarded with junk, I hate spammers with a passion."
Monday, November 17, 2008
How to really start the Kitchen Garden:
First of all, draw a plan (to a scale) of the ground at your disposal. Make allowances for paths, borders, etc. It's fascinatingly interesting after you get started. Next, take inventory of your likes and dislikes in vegetables. Put down on paper every vegetable you wish to grow. Then go back to your plan and mark out a definite space or number of rows for the different vegetables. Select early, midseason and late sorts of these vegetables, which you like best. This will give you a constant supply of them. When garden operations start, be sure to follow your plan. A disregard of your carefully planned program may easily spoil results. I can not lay too much emphasis upon this point, since most gardens fail to yield satisfactory crops for lack of adherence to the original plan."
More from Backyard Gardener.com
First of all, draw a plan (to a scale) of the ground at your disposal. Make allowances for paths, borders, etc. It's fascinatingly interesting after you get started. Next, take inventory of your likes and dislikes in vegetables. Put down on paper every vegetable you wish to grow. Then go back to your plan and mark out a definite space or number of rows for the different vegetables. Select early, midseason and late sorts of these vegetables, which you like best. This will give you a constant supply of them. When garden operations start, be sure to follow your plan. A disregard of your carefully planned program may easily spoil results. I can not lay too much emphasis upon this point, since most gardens fail to yield satisfactory crops for lack of adherence to the original plan."
More from Backyard Gardener.com
Living a virtuous life in Hardships: - PaganSpace.net:
"Do we show each of these in our life: wisdom, piety, vision, courage, integrity, perseverance, hospitality, moderation or fertility? Do we live them in the good times and hardships?"
"Do we show each of these in our life: wisdom, piety, vision, courage, integrity, perseverance, hospitality, moderation or fertility? Do we live them in the good times and hardships?"
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Container Gardens-The City Dwellers Guide to Fresh & Healthy Home-grown FoodThe best gardening teachers are gardeners themselves. Many people in inner-city areas have come from other areas where they had farming or gardening as part of their heritage. Look for these people to be part of the core group of initiators when starting a community garden.
Any group of people can create a community garden. Senior groups, youth groups, women's and men's clubs, civic associations, or just an informal group of friends, neighbors or relatives.
MORE
Urban Food Gardening: Anna Bee is an urban farmer - and has been for the past 13 years. She is not self sufficient, but grows a lot of her own veg out the back in a fairly tiny space. This blog is the story of how she does it, what grows, and how she uses it. Urban farming/city gardening is great for lots of reasons - not the least of which is the delicious and healthy food that you can produce for yourself & your friends & neighbours. If only a few people reading this blog are inspired to trade flowers or grass for vegetables, then she will be happy.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
November 1st at 1101 N Carrier Suites C&D in Grand Prairie, Ancient Traditions will be opening it's doors.
All day Saturday day and evening will be an open house and chance for you to come check out the new center, meet the staff and some of the teachers, sign up for classes and get a membership if you like!
The following weeknights ( will be for class sign up and also meet the teacher/staff, and classes will begin the following Monday (11/10) and going forward. Our Website with class descriptions and more information is at http://ancient-traditions.org .
You can send an email request to bethanystretch@sbcglobal.net and she will add you to the Yahoo group too so you can get the announcements direct if you would like!
Ancient Traditions Membership Fees and Basic Information
Single - $25 month
Family (limited to 2 adults and children living in same household) - $35 month
***We will not be offering any discounts for prepaying for a quarter or year yet but will visit this idea again after we hit our year mark!***
What does membership include?
* Access to the lending/resource library
* Access to on site exercise equipment and massage therapists sign up list
* Half price on all center sponsored classes and events – special events, seminars and outside classes not included but may be discounted as well
* Free admittance to Friday night drum circles
* Breaking news on events and classes – you get it first!
* A say in what we do at the center! You have a voice and we want your feedback!
* Access to clubs/groups being formed – we are looking into a re-enactors group, a brewers group, a gun club, a reading and/or poetry group, a travel group, and possibly a singles group….
* Performance troupes – we will be growing our current Belly dance troupe into several specialized areas including a ritual dance troupe, a kids dance troupe, a tribal BD group, an ethnic dance group, etc. We will also be growing our current drum troupe and expanding it to include other instruments… We would also like to create a performing re-enacting group, a ritual performance group, and a musical/choral group.
* Ability to be a “vendor” at the 5th Saturday Rummage sales (details below)
Event schedule – first draft!
* Friday nights – 8 – 12 Drum and Dance circle $5 for non members, free to members, starts 11/7/08
* Saturday nights –
o First Weekend each month : TBA
o Second Weekend each month: HAFLA – come party with the dancers! OUR FIRST HAFLA WILL BE HELD ON 11/15 SO AS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE DALLAS WITCHES BALL
o Third Weekend each month: Game Night – poker, darts, backgammon, chess, other card games and whatever else we want to throw into the mix!
o Fourth Weekend each month: Theme Party – we will begin choosing themes and will dress up the center to match the theme and hope you join us dressed to match! Have a suggestion for a theme? Email it to us!
o Fifth Weekend (4 a year): These Saturdays will be reserved for a full day rummage sale open to all members to sell/resell their stuff to help clear the clutter out of their lives.
Sale dates will be advertised in Thrifty Nickel, Craig’s list and via other email lists… Imagine… no more weather permitting garage sales and money in your pocket!
* Rituals will be scheduled among/around weekly/monthly events.
* Saturdays from 12 - 4 we will be setting up seminars of all types, so watch your email or the website when it gets on line to find out what is happening!
Class Schedule
* Mondays 7- 8 PM American Raks Sharki Bellydance with Candy
* Tuesday 6 – 7 PM Beginner Stretch Class (open to all levels of health, age and weight)
* Tuesday 7 – 8 PM Basic Bellydance with Sukayna
* Tuesday 8 – 9 PM Tarot Class
* Wednesday 7 – 8 PM Beginning Drumming with George
* Wednesday 8 – 9 PM Intermed/Advanced drumming with George (this will feed the drum troupe!)
* Thursday 6 – 7 PM Stretch 2 class – higher level/more intense workout
* Thursday 7 – 8 PM Advanced Belly dance with Tahiya
* Friday 6:30 – 7:30 – Druidery class
* Saturday 3 AM (yes! A third shift class offering!)Basicbell y dance and/or stretch class
* Saturday 4 PM – Kids Belly dance with Lami – 5 yr and up
* Sunday 12 – 2 PM Drum troupe rehearsal - troupe members only
* Sunday 2 – 5 PM Dance troupe rehearsal - troupe members only
* Sunday 5:30 – 6:30 PM Craft class
Most classes are $10 at the door for non members, and half price for members. detailed info will be available at the open house and class sign u week. We will be getting descriptions of the classes, teacher info, etc. out to the group as well as up on the website ASAP. We are still looking for teachers for Tai Chi, Tribal BD, Yoga, and any other classes that people might be interested in. We are heavy on the drum/dance/exercise end of things because people have stepped up to teach the classes.
I would love to add some classes based on our beliefs, history, creative process, art, craft, numerology, divination, meditation, and other subjects I cannot think of yet! We have timeslots open on Monday nights 6 – 7, 8 – 9, and 9-10, Tues 9 -10, Wed 6 – 7 and 9 – 10, Thursday 9 – 10, Saturday 5 – 6, and Sunday 6:30 – 7:30 and 7:30 – 8:30 for ongoing classes… Saturday 12 – 4 will be reserved for seminars on various subjects as we book them!
We are also setting up a beautiful retail area with crafts and items from many local artisans, from clothing to jewelry, candles to music, swords to statues...you never know what you will find! Come check it out! Retail area will be open weeknights from 6 - 10 PM, Saturdays from 10 - event time (around 7) and Sundays 10-6...
COME HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Troupe will rehearse as planned at the center on Sunday from 2 - 5...
Wednesday when we have power (WOOHOO!) we will start getting organized, doing retail inventory and getting everything arranged, set up, put up, and decorated.
We got a couple of more trips done last night (Thank you Troy, Sharkbait, and Missy!) while George and Laurie worked on the plumbing and bookshelves, plus we got temporary curtains up in retail.
Thursday night I hope to get the last of the stuff moved up to the center from our house (can use help then too since we have a desk, PC, sound/lighting equipment, and exercise equipment) while George gets the sound system hooked up/speakers hung (if I can find the stereo!) , then do some final arranging and kick back and enjoy each others' company for a while on Friday night! Maybe order pizza or something unless we want to do something more organized...
Please contact bethanystretch@sbcglobal.net or 469-556-6204 (Sanjni Tara) if you would like to come out and lend a hand.
All day Saturday day and evening will be an open house and chance for you to come check out the new center, meet the staff and some of the teachers, sign up for classes and get a membership if you like!
The following weeknights ( will be for class sign up and also meet the teacher/staff, and classes will begin the following Monday (11/10) and going forward. Our Website with class descriptions and more information is at http://ancient-traditions.org .
You can send an email request to bethanystretch@sbcglobal.net and she will add you to the Yahoo group too so you can get the announcements direct if you would like!
Ancient Traditions Membership Fees and Basic Information
Single - $25 month
Family (limited to 2 adults and children living in same household) - $35 month
***We will not be offering any discounts for prepaying for a quarter or year yet but will visit this idea again after we hit our year mark!***
What does membership include?
* Access to the lending/resource library
* Access to on site exercise equipment and massage therapists sign up list
* Half price on all center sponsored classes and events – special events, seminars and outside classes not included but may be discounted as well
* Free admittance to Friday night drum circles
* Breaking news on events and classes – you get it first!
* A say in what we do at the center! You have a voice and we want your feedback!
* Access to clubs/groups being formed – we are looking into a re-enactors group, a brewers group, a gun club, a reading and/or poetry group, a travel group, and possibly a singles group….
* Performance troupes – we will be growing our current Belly dance troupe into several specialized areas including a ritual dance troupe, a kids dance troupe, a tribal BD group, an ethnic dance group, etc. We will also be growing our current drum troupe and expanding it to include other instruments… We would also like to create a performing re-enacting group, a ritual performance group, and a musical/choral group.
* Ability to be a “vendor” at the 5th Saturday Rummage sales (details below)
Event schedule – first draft!
* Friday nights – 8 – 12 Drum and Dance circle $5 for non members, free to members, starts 11/7/08
* Saturday nights –
o First Weekend each month : TBA
o Second Weekend each month: HAFLA – come party with the dancers! OUR FIRST HAFLA WILL BE HELD ON 11/15 SO AS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE DALLAS WITCHES BALL
o Third Weekend each month: Game Night – poker, darts, backgammon, chess, other card games and whatever else we want to throw into the mix!
o Fourth Weekend each month: Theme Party – we will begin choosing themes and will dress up the center to match the theme and hope you join us dressed to match! Have a suggestion for a theme? Email it to us!
o Fifth Weekend (4 a year): These Saturdays will be reserved for a full day rummage sale open to all members to sell/resell their stuff to help clear the clutter out of their lives.
Sale dates will be advertised in Thrifty Nickel, Craig’s list and via other email lists… Imagine… no more weather permitting garage sales and money in your pocket!
* Rituals will be scheduled among/around weekly/monthly events.
* Saturdays from 12 - 4 we will be setting up seminars of all types, so watch your email or the website when it gets on line to find out what is happening!
Class Schedule
* Mondays 7- 8 PM American Raks Sharki Bellydance with Candy
* Tuesday 6 – 7 PM Beginner Stretch Class (open to all levels of health, age and weight)
* Tuesday 7 – 8 PM Basic Bellydance with Sukayna
* Tuesday 8 – 9 PM Tarot Class
* Wednesday 7 – 8 PM Beginning Drumming with George
* Wednesday 8 – 9 PM Intermed/Advanced drumming with George (this will feed the drum troupe!)
* Thursday 6 – 7 PM Stretch 2 class – higher level/more intense workout
* Thursday 7 – 8 PM Advanced Belly dance with Tahiya
* Friday 6:30 – 7:30 – Druidery class
* Saturday 3 AM (yes! A third shift class offering!)Basicbell y dance and/or stretch class
* Saturday 4 PM – Kids Belly dance with Lami – 5 yr and up
* Sunday 12 – 2 PM Drum troupe rehearsal - troupe members only
* Sunday 2 – 5 PM Dance troupe rehearsal - troupe members only
* Sunday 5:30 – 6:30 PM Craft class
Most classes are $10 at the door for non members, and half price for members. detailed info will be available at the open house and class sign u week. We will be getting descriptions of the classes, teacher info, etc. out to the group as well as up on the website ASAP. We are still looking for teachers for Tai Chi, Tribal BD, Yoga, and any other classes that people might be interested in. We are heavy on the drum/dance/exercise end of things because people have stepped up to teach the classes.
I would love to add some classes based on our beliefs, history, creative process, art, craft, numerology, divination, meditation, and other subjects I cannot think of yet! We have timeslots open on Monday nights 6 – 7, 8 – 9, and 9-10, Tues 9 -10, Wed 6 – 7 and 9 – 10, Thursday 9 – 10, Saturday 5 – 6, and Sunday 6:30 – 7:30 and 7:30 – 8:30 for ongoing classes… Saturday 12 – 4 will be reserved for seminars on various subjects as we book them!
We are also setting up a beautiful retail area with crafts and items from many local artisans, from clothing to jewelry, candles to music, swords to statues...you never know what you will find! Come check it out! Retail area will be open weeknights from 6 - 10 PM, Saturdays from 10 - event time (around 7) and Sundays 10-6...
COME HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Troupe will rehearse as planned at the center on Sunday from 2 - 5...
Wednesday when we have power (WOOHOO!) we will start getting organized, doing retail inventory and getting everything arranged, set up, put up, and decorated.
We got a couple of more trips done last night (Thank you Troy, Sharkbait, and Missy!) while George and Laurie worked on the plumbing and bookshelves, plus we got temporary curtains up in retail.
Thursday night I hope to get the last of the stuff moved up to the center from our house (can use help then too since we have a desk, PC, sound/lighting equipment, and exercise equipment) while George gets the sound system hooked up/speakers hung (if I can find the stereo!) , then do some final arranging and kick back and enjoy each others' company for a while on Friday night! Maybe order pizza or something unless we want to do something more organized...
Please contact bethanystretch@sbcglobal.net or 469-556-6204 (Sanjni Tara) if you would like to come out and lend a hand.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Still loving Ubuntu. It's been more than two years now since I switched to using strictly Ubuntu Linux at home and after reading the following article on Digg I was reminded of how often these days when people ask me to help them fix their computers that have picked up trojan's, spyware and other nasties from places on the internet that I have to remind them that I am getting a little rusty at my skills of dealing with such problems as I haven't had the need to use them that much in awhile.
Ubuntu's Rising Revenue Makes A Small Dent In Microsoft
Ubuntu's Rising Revenue Makes A Small Dent In Microsoft
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Isn't this cute? I do a little freelance web design and internet promotion work on the side and the page on my personal site that I talk about that on is called TroyForge. It was just a kind of play on the name of the popular Open Source site SourceForge that I came up with so I would have some kind of moniker to stick on the endeavor. Well, someone apparently thinks I might decide to go big time and get a domain under the name so they went out and registered the name hoping I would eventually come along and buy it for an inflated price.
troyforge.com
Ha ha ha! I hope they don't hold their breath waiting...
By the way, here's a link to my real TroyForge page:
The Real TroyForge
And a banner I created to help spread the word...
troyforge.com
Ha ha ha! I hope they don't hold their breath waiting...
By the way, here's a link to my real TroyForge page:
The Real TroyForge
And a banner I created to help spread the word...
Friday, October 03, 2008
Sarah Palin, predator control, shooting wolves | Salon
For the life of me I can't see how I can be expected to vote for someone who would condone this:
Sarah Palin, predator control, shooting wolves | Salon
Sarah Palin, predator control, shooting wolves | Salon
Sunday, September 14, 2008
By the way, have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE hosting with DrakNet? For years whenever someone has asked me to build a website for them, or help them with a site they already have or just ask for advice on getting started I always send them to DrakNet for professional service, fantastic features and an eco-friendly ethic. Lately they are running a great introductory plan that offers web hosting with SoHoLaunch website building tools included for $36 per year!
Thursday, August 07, 2008
I've had it with Dell's shoddy computers. The last three Dell laptops in a row I have purchased have developed problems shortly after the 1 year warranty expires. The latest is my Dell Inspiron E1505N which I bought in June of 2007. It has a problem which a little digging around on the internet reveals is quite common and that Dell is doing nothing but paying lip service to help. My screen is filled with 1 pixel wide vertical lines of varying colors. At first there was just one of them, then another and another 'til now I have some 20 lines on the screen rendering the display more and more useless. Here are some links to articles about the problem:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/22/dell_probes_inspiron_screen_problem/
http://forums.devshed.com/computer-hardware-103/single-pixel-lines-in-dell-inspiron-screen-382937.html
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/06/19/17774.aspx
The first link has links for several other articles about the problem. Unfortunately the link for the http://www.dellverticalline.com/ is no longer active and it redirects you to the Dell Customer NoSupport site which asks for your Service Tag number then basically says YOUR WARRANTY IS EXPIRED! Nah-nah-nah-BOO BOO! Get out your wallet!
Oh, they admit to some of their models having the problem. But according to them, mine is not one of the affected models. Yeah, okay, these lines are just a figment of my imagination! Whatever!
Needless to say, I've bought my last Dell.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/22/dell_probes_inspiron_screen_problem/
http://forums.devshed.com/computer-hardware-103/single-pixel-lines-in-dell-inspiron-screen-382937.html
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/06/19/17774.aspx
The first link has links for several other articles about the problem. Unfortunately the link for the http://www.dellverticalline.com/ is no longer active and it redirects you to the Dell Customer NoSupport site which asks for your Service Tag number then basically says YOUR WARRANTY IS EXPIRED! Nah-nah-nah-BOO BOO! Get out your wallet!
Oh, they admit to some of their models having the problem. But according to them, mine is not one of the affected models. Yeah, okay, these lines are just a figment of my imagination! Whatever!
Needless to say, I've bought my last Dell.
Friday, July 25, 2008
North Texas Pagan Pride Day is committed to bringing folks of open minds together for a time of fun, learning and sharing.
Will Be Held At...
Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff
http://www.oakcliffuu.com/
3839 W. Keist in SW Dallas
September 13th
10am to 10pm
On Pagan Pride Day we come together for dancing, drumming and fun! There are vendors, workshops and lots of things to do! We host the Annual Hot Goddess Chili Cook-off. If you think you have the best chili in North Texas , bring a pot for tasting and sharing. We take donations to support charities like Adopt a Soldier Now and the North Texas Food Bank. So bring your donations, open minds and fun loving hearts.
http://ntxppd.org/
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