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  • Dual-Band Monitoring Keeps Trains Running in Winter

Photonics Spectra
Sep 2014
Raf Vandersmissen, Sinfared Pte Ltd., and Robert De Nes, Secure In Air

Keeping critical parts of the railroad infrastructure free of snow, sleet, hail and ice – and even detecting unauthorized persons walking the rails – is essential for a safe and uninterrupted transportation service. Dual-band monitoring of critical rail elements with a PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) camera platform in the visible and thermal infrared ranges can remotely inspect installed switch heaters at a range of up to 2000 ft.

Railways must run around the clock, seven days a week – interruptions for subsystem or component failures cannot occur. A single disabled part in the wrong place and at the wrong time can paralyze entire rail branches and cause delays that can last for hours. In the winter, the moving parts of a rail network can fail because of snow and ice accumulation, which typically occurs between stock rails and switch point blades.

To keep trains running in all weather conditions, railroad companies use snow and ice removal equipment: air blowers designed to keep switches clear of snow and ice, self-propelled plows tailored for quick clearing of the heaviest of snow accumulation, and plow attachments that can be added to existing equipment. A static solution is the use of heater elements close to the switch points so that the rail temperature in those areas can be kept above freezing. These heaters can be powered by gas, electricity or geothermal energy.

Switch point heating raises the temperature of rails to melt ice or snow before it can accumulate between the point blade and the stock rail. Any ice keeping the switch mechanism from working properly is removed, as well. Three parts must be heated: stock rail, switch blade and switch mechanism. In simple cases, the heating elements are easily mounted on the shoulder of the inner side of the stock rail. The radiated heat combined with the conducted heat in the rails keeps the area between stock rail and switch blade free from ice and snow.

Switch-mechanism heaters can also keep locks and linkage parts free of snow and ice. They consist of a steel heat-conducting plate with a heating element similar to the rail-heating element. They are placed in the switch-mechanism duct.

Figure 1 shows some switch heaters used by the Long Island Railroad in Queens, N.Y., during a winter storm. These gas-powered heaters can keep the rail transport area open even during an electrical power failure.

Figure 1.
Long Island Railroad switch heaters in Queens, N.Y., during a winter storm. Photo courtesy of Metropolitan Transportation Authority Facebook/Patrick Cashin.

Supervision of switch point heating

To ensure reliable operation throughout the winter, it is important to get instant error messages about failed or missing heating elements in critical switches. One solution is the use of two temperature sensors on each switch. The hot-rail sensor is normally mounted on the shoulder of the heated rail, whereas the cold-rail sensor is often mounted under the rail, apart from the heated zone. This will prevent sunshine from interfering with a correct cold-rail temperature reading.

Another way to ensure proper operation is to observe the switches from above instead of below. From a bird’s-eye view, the heated switches look like hot spots on the ground. They are easily detected by infrared cameras in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) wavelength range between 8 and 14 µm.

Figure 2.
Dual-band image fusion on the PTZ platform GeoCamPro, which monitors switch heaters at a maximum range of 2000 ft.

LWIR cameras for this application are based on uncooled microbolometer arrays that, unlike photon detectors, act as energy detectors. Microbolometers consist of thermally isolated microbridges, with a temperature-sensitive material added on top. The temperature-sensitive material can be V2O5, a-Si or poly-SiGe. The microbridges are micromachined directly on the surface of the circuits. This establishes a compromise between a good electrical contact, which is needed to read out the detector element, and a poor thermal contact, which prevents thermal leakage of the absorbed radiation.

Figure 2 shows a stationary monitoring solution called GeoCamPro. It was developed by the Dutch company Secure in Air for ProRail, which serves as an installation and maintenance company for the Nederlandse Spoorwegen railway company.

In this setup, a precise PTZ camera platform is mounted on the roof of a building about 150 ft high. The platform’s rotation tolerance is tight, not exceeding 0.01°. The building is located in the vicinity of the railway yard nearby a station, where most of the switches and heaters are located. The scene therefore can be easily monitored from this elevated position (Figure 3).

Figure 3.
(a) A group of switches. (b) An LWIR image of the same switches shows that their temperature is elevated.

The platform is equipped with two cameras to enable a dual-band view of the scene: a high-resolution thermal camera Xenics Gobi-640-GigE (Figure 4a) with a 100-mm lens covering the LWIR range, plus a daylight camera with a zoom lens of 500-mm focal length. This camera features a 640 × 480-pixel image resolution based on a microbolometer array with a 17-µm pitch, which requires no cooling. This advanced thermal sensor safely detects tiny temperature differences down to 50 mK and delivers them as thermal images at up to 50 fps. Powerful image processing onboard the camera provides images with good contrast. It also can self-adjust automatically. This way, the camera will adapt contrast and brightness automatically according to the scene, and the dynamic range is optimized for various environmental conditions.

The camera is optimized for demanding user requirements. Its design accommodates reduced volume, weight and power consumption, opening a new range of applications for LWIR sensors. Optimization of the implemented hardware and smart use of the field-programmable gate array have significantly lowered power consumption, so that the camera now can be powered via Gigabit Ethernet connection. This lowers installation cost, particularly for multiple cameras in a network; it also increases reliability and allows easy integration of the camera in security environments.

The system’s PTZ platform with visible-realm and LWIR cameras scans up to 50 objects per minute at a maximum range of 2000 ft. The onboard thermography calibration of the thermal camera covers the standard range from −4 to 248 °F, which is sufficient for this application. Optionally available are thermography calibrations from 122 to 752 °F, 572 to 2192 °F, and up to 3632 °F for advanced industrial applications.

Just as the railroad switches are

affected by snow, sleet or ice, so is the surveillance equipment. Precautions were taken to withstand severe weather conditions: When the temperature of the surveillance system falls to about 41 °F or below, an internal heater is initiated to heat the complete casing of the cameras. This is necessary only for de-icing the equipment; the LWIR camera itself is specified for a wide temperature range from −40 to 167 °F. To reduce the chance of snow or rain collecting on the camera windows, they are roofed by rain hoods. No raindrops on the windows were reported.

In this application, corrosion is also an important issue. The complete camera housing is filled with nitrogen gas at 1.5× atmospheric pressure and features moisture absorption. Even under extremely cold conditions, the presence of moisture is virtually impossible, but even if this were the case, it would immediately be absorbed.

Dual-band surveillance operation

The first step in setting up a dual-band surveillance is to establish a baseline picture as a reference for each important point or spot in the field: the switches, joints and other objects to be monitored. They are registered as symbols in a digital geographical map, which can be displayed by a smart geographical viewer. During operation, both cameras will continuously take pictures in the infrared and visible range of every spot of a railway yard near a station, where most switches and heaters can be found.

Each picture is stored and compared to the one previously taken and to the baseline. This creates a film of every spot in the field with daylight and LWIR exposure. It can be viewed in quick motion to recognize differences and trends, and to reveal the cause of a detected problem.

When the LWIR camera detects a switch-gear problem, an alarm sounds (if the user so desires) and the problem spot is highlighted on the map. Now the operator can point and zoom the daylight camera to that point to investigate what is going wrong: Is there a mechanical problem, or has ice formed between the switch points?

Figure 4.
An experimental setup for the IR monitoring of switch heating by drones: (a) high-resolution LWIR camera Gobi-640; (b) two cameras and communication equipment as payload of a drone; (c) drone takeoff; and (d) inspection flight.

The system works to a large extent

autonomously, with a low false-alarm rate, optimized by self-learning algorithms. The situation where a heater doesn’t work at all, for example, represents a major problem. If it is working but not properly (a scenario could be that only one of several switch heaters is not operational) and there is no freezing temperature, this is simply a matter of concern. The user can decide, judging by the amount of data delivered, how to analyze the problem and resolve it later.

Additional functions

Switch heaters are not the only source of elevated temperatures in railway networks to be monitored by a LWIR camera. Such advanced systems can also help discover unauthorized persons walking between the rails (causing possible disturbances and delays for travelers), as well as assist in the supervision of hotboxes on passing trains (at least from one side).

The LWIR system can also be an important addition to regular procedures used on construction sites to deliver information about the progress of construction measures, possible damages, security breaches, waste, the status of fences and the proper closing of gates.

Figure 5.
An illustration of the setup’s absorption efficiency by wavelength.

A few years ago, Secure in Air tested its deployment aboard a drone to monitor railroad switch heaters from the air. The LWIR camera (Figure 4a), a daylight camera and communication equipment were mounted as a payload (Figure 4b) on a self-built drone (Figure 4c) based on a Trex 600 with autopilot from Micro-Pilot. Mission time (Figure 4d) amounted to just a few minutes, but the system demonstrated the feasibility of dual-band monitoring of railroad switch heaters.

Meet the authors

Raf Vandersmissen is the CEO of sInfraRed (a subsidiary of Xenics of Belgium) in Singapore; email: Robert de Nes is the CEO of Secure in Air in Helmond/Eindhoven, the Netherlands; email:

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Home Breadcrunbs Separator Powder Room Signs Breadcrunbs Separator Loo Bathroom wall decor plaque item 686A

Loo wall plaque for powder room decor

Loo Bathroom wall decor plaque item 686A
Loo Bathroom wall decor plaque item 686A
Availability:In Stock
Item #:loo-plaque
You can specify a different color for the roses:

Our Loo wall plaque, created from an original plaster sculpture by artist Al Pisano, is carefully handcrafted and hand painted. We can paint the roses any color to match your decor. The Loo plaques measures apprxominately 11 x 8. The plaque has a recessed hanger on the back for convenient hanging. The Loo wall plaque(Loo is the word for the bathroom in England)is handmade in the USA.

French Le Bain Sign
Bathroom Decor Wall plaque, La Toilette
Bathroom Decor La toilette plaque with decorative bow
Color of Bow - Light blue, light pink, antique white, Specify color:

These are beautiful handcrafted reproductions of Al Pisano's original carvings and sculptures.Created in the artist's studio, each piece is meticulously hand cast and then hand painted and stained to capture all the incredible detail. We also personalize many of our wall plaques free of charge and these make great gifts. All of our products are Made in the USA by skilled artisans under the supervision of Al Pisano.

We offer a money back guarantee. We believe you will enjoy Al's artwork for many years. Call us if you have any questions!


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Histograms Explained in 60 Seconds

While histograms can be found in both editing programs and camera functions alike, it’s surprising how one of the most valuable tools we have at our disposal for editing images is also one of the most misunderstood. To help understand a little more about histograms and how they work, Envato Tuts+ offers this quick and helpful video:

A histogram is a graph or chart representing the number of pixels for each tonal value (or brightness level). The graph is typically broken down into three distinct sections: shadows, midtones, and highlights, beginning with the tonal value of zero (black) and continues up to 255 (white). Each value is determined by counting the total number of pixels for each tone.

labeled histogram

Histograms are an important tool in photography. From one quick look, you can decipher if you’re missing information, if you can safely shift your exposure without losing details, and a variety of other data. These helpful graphs are located in both the curves and levels adjustment windows in Photoshop, where you can find the black to white version of the histogram…

histogram, levels adjustment window

…and the histogram panel where it is broken down further into the color intensities for each color channel (including both RGB and CMYK).

rgb color histogram chart

Do you use you histogram while editing photos?

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Lee Memorial implementing ID system

February 26, 2013

The Lee Memorial Health System is implementing a new ID pass system for the public for the first time Monday in an effort to enhance facility security....

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Thief rips rare coin from 80-year-old retiree

January 24, 2013
Pine Island Eagle

A rare Spanish coin, more than several hundred years old, was brutally snatched from the neck of a Cape Coral senior citizen, and Crime Stoppers is hoping the man can be found, along with the one-of-a-kind work of art.

According to Cape police, at about 12:30 p.m. Jan. 12, the victim was sitting in his convertible car near the 4500 block of Del Prado Boulevard when a man in his 30s approached and asked what time it was. When the victim looked down, the man ripped off the victim's necklace and fled on foot.

What the thief likely did not realize at the time was just how valuable and rare the necklace was.

Article Photos

A photo of the charm stolen from a Cape Coral man on Jan. 12.

The necklace is made of heavy gauge rope, valued at roughly $3,500. The charm, however, is a rare 24-karat gold Spanish coin from 1715, which was turned into a charm by a Sanibel Island artist in 1996.

The current value of the charm is in the range of $20,000.

"This was a brutal crime first and foremost because a senior citizen was victimized and robbed of something very precious to him," Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers coordinator, said. "The crime occurred in the middle of the day on a very busy part of Del Prado Boulevard, so we're hoping that someone may recollect seeing something suspicious in that area around that time frame.

"Additionally, the rarity of the charm and its financial value would definitely be noticeable to a gold broker or pawn shop, and we hope they would do the right thing and report if they had someone try to sell it to them," she said.

The man is described is being more than 6 feet tall, with an average build.

Anyone with information on his identity or who may have seen something suspicious is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at: or by texting a tip to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.

Source: Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers

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Simon Cowell Says He Was Only ‘Protecting’ Cheryl Cole By Axing Her From ‘The X Factor’

Yesterday we learned officially that Cheryl Cole will NOT be judging the US version of The X Factor and will be replaced by former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger. Today we are hearing from Simon Cowell, the man in charge, about the decision to axe Cheryl from the show. Simon is apologizing for the “anguish and embarrassment” that this incident has caused Cheryl Cole but he insists he was only trying to protect her … or some nonsense like that. Read on to hear what Simon Cowell has to say about Cheryl Cole’s elimination from The X Factor.

Simon Cowell last night broke his silence to explain why he killed off Cheryl Cole’s American dream. The 51-year-old claimed he thought she would be happy to move back to the UK version of The X Factor but admitted he bottled out of telling her. Instead, he sent X Factor’s executive producer Richard Holloway to deliver the bad news. Cowell said: “The hardest thing to accept is that everyone has painted me as a monster because I embarrassed her, but the truth was I was protecting her. I just want people to be in the best place at the right time.” Earlier, bosses confirmed that after failing to respond to their offer to come back, she had been officially replaced on the US panel by ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger – who arrived for an interview in London for the Graham Norton Show. Cheryl filmed just four episodes of the US version of X Factor last month. Tensions started after the first audition in Los Angeles on May 8 when Cowell told Cheryl to contribute more. After the Chicago auditions on May 19, Cowell conceded she had to go. She was sacked on May 25 before the show even hit TV screens – but show bosses did an unexpected U-turn when they offered Cheryl her job back on Saturday and gave her 24 hours to decide. Cowell insisted it was a genuine offer but he admits it caused rows. He added: “When she turned down the UK show, we got back in touch and said, well she is still under contract with the US show so we invited her back. Her position was still there. We had some heated conversations with her US manager and he inferred this wasn’t a genuine offer. They thought that if she didn’t turn up on Wednesday then we wouldn’t pay her. We made it clear that she was always going to be paid in full. We got to the point on Saturday when we genuinely thought she was going to accept the offer but again neither she nor they returned any calls. So we’ve announced Nicole.” Cowell explained he and TV bosses had previously decided Cheryl was “uncomfortable” on the US show and felt offering her the chance to return to the UK X Factor would be the best option. He confirmed the deal would have been worth £2.5million if she agreed to it, but talks broke down when news of her problems in America began to leak out. He said: “Knowing Cheryl like I know her, we noticed she was quieter than normal, looked a bit uncomfortable but I put some of this down to nerves. The overall feeling was that she was slightly out her comfort zone in America, compared to what she was in the UK. If she had accepted my original offer, she would have made a sensational return and would have understood she was more comfortable in the UK than the US … I apologise that all this has become public and I understand the stress she is under, and I hate that. But we have all been under a lot of stress. When things like this happen I look at the contestant, they must think this is crazy. All the attention is on us. I am sorry this has caused so much anguish and embarrassment, but I stand by what I believe was the right intention. And I would say that to her face right now.” Cowell insisted he hoped to still be friends with Cheryl, despite their spectacular fall out and war of words via their friends, which has been played out in the media for two weeks. He said: “I had a text from her last Wednesday. She said she felt let down but at the time she understood that it was a professional decision. I replied saying this was never personal or saying you were terrible. It wasn’t that she was terrible – she was good – I just thought she’d be happier in the UK … A hundred per cent I have to take full responsibilty because I do have a lot of sway. We are close friends. I still hope we are but sometimes when you’re that close, when you’re making these decisions with someone’s life you have to be certain. I stand by what I said to her. I hope we’re still close friends. I’m sure if she was here now there would be a frank discussion, but will I work with her again? Definitely. She’s a star.”

Wow … well, at least Simon seems very clear in laying out exactly what went down. You may recall that last weekend, we learned of a report where it was claimed that Cowell was trying to figure out a way to get Cheryl back on board with X Factor and it sounded like she was going to take back the job but, if Simon is to be believed, Cheryl’s new manager threw a monkey wrench in negotiations and soured the entire deal. Now Cheryl is out, Nicole is in. What a mess. Personally, I think it was a bad idea for Cheryl Cole to sign as her manager. The first and only thing he’s done for her is advise her OUT of this X Factor job. Here’s hoping better days are ahead for Cheryl … but at least now we know how everything went down with this failed X Factor mess.

  • CL

    What in the world was she thinking having WILL.I.AM as her manager? WTF? He was only her manager cuz he was trying to get in her pants all the time.

    • scsu01

      ugh…forgot to log in again ^^^

  • Aly

    Here I thought she couldn’t work in the US because of her assault record. Looks like I was wrong.

    WOW! Will.I.Flop has striked again!

  • kieren

    I don’t feel one bit sorry for this hack if she listened to that loser Will.I.Am. What a dumb bitch.

  • Velure

    They decided that she’s uncomfortable after just 4 days. Who the crap settled in in 4 days? Simon couldn’t sound any more stupid than that. He overhyped her involvement in the USXF for months to finally hired her back in May, and then fired her the next? When he said he was only protecting her, I seriously just want to puke. The dude left the press ran wild with her sacking story, he should’ve denied it in the first place. Sending other people to deliver the news was just pure coward. AS SIMPLE AS THAT! Also WTF with the replacement? It is not known by the press and tabs, YET, but I’ve been digging this story for the past week and found out that Nicole could’ve possibly be the one who leaked it. She did a radio interview 2 days prior to the TMZ leaking the story, where the radio-host congratulate her for being promoted from host to judge position (WTF!). If you search carefully, you’ll find it. So I don’t get why she gets to be the judge when she’s actually one of the leak source. God this show is such a mess.

    I’m no fan of both XF. This is my intake on what has happened.


text:
Attitude magazine is celebrating its eighteenth birthday with a call for equal marriage rights for gay couples.

The cover of May’s edition, which features Lance Corporal James Wharton and his civil partner, asks: “Have you heard the one about the soldier who can fight for his country in Iraq but can’t get married?”

Lance Corporal Wharton, 25, who served as an armoured reconnaissance soldier in southern Iraq had the first civil partnership in the history of the Household Cavalry in 2010.

He says about proposals to allow gay couples to marry: “It’s crucial to modern equality… It’s actually ridiculous that in this day and age we’re till having to have a debate about equal rights…

“Cardinal O’Brien’s newspaper column calling gay marriage “grotesque” and the letters that have been read out in church are disgusting… I just think about what this is doing to young gay people. If I was young and vulnerable, I would find it all very upsetting.”

Various gay couples their views on marriage, including fire-fighters, a couple who have been together for 24 years and left the Church over its stance on the issue, Eastenders actor John Partridge and his partner, and a young, 21-year-old engaged couple who explain how it feels to have your relationship described as ‘a threat to society’.

Matthew Todd, editor of Attitude and Stonewall’s Journalist of the Year 2011, said: “Religious leaders such as Cardinal O’Brien and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s assertion that marriage equality would damage society is illogical hysteria. We play a full part in society, none more so than people such as Lance Corporal James Wharton and other LGBT members of the Armed Forces who risk their lives to protect a country that should show equal respect for all relationships.

“It’s actually those religious leaders who seriously damage us all by creating division and fostering an atmosphere of intolerance.”

The iPad version of the May issue is available now with the paper edition due to reach shops on Wednesday.


text:
04 July 2007

Pinotage top at Pinot Noir Festival

Alder Yarrow of Vinography tasted and rated 193 wines at San Francisico's annual Pinot Days festival of Pinot Noir, held 29 June - 1 July 2007 .

He says "I braved the crowds for nearly five hours to taste through almost two hundred current release Pinot Noirs for our mutual education and enjoyment.

The Pinot Days festival is turning into one of San Francisco's signature wine events, and one of the best ways to experience the breadth of depth and quality in California's Pinot Noir, plus some nice wines from further afield

Alone among the all those hundreds of Pinot Noirs from California and Burgundy was one Pinotage -- Fort Ross 2003.

And guess which wine appeared in his group of eight highest scoring wines?

1998 Calera Wine Company "Selleck" Pinot Noir, Mt. Harlan. $60
1998 Calera Wine Company "Reed" Pinot Noir, Mt. Harlan . $50
2005 Chasseur Wines "Freestone Station" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast . $60
2005 Chasseur Wines "Sylvia’s" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $60
2003 Fort Ross Vineyard Pinotage, Sonoma Coast. $49
2005 Joseph Swan Vineyards "Trenton Estate" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $45
2005 Peay Vineyards "Scallop Shelf Estate" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $50
2005 ROAR "Garys’ Vineyard" Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. $50

Is that amazing, or what?

  1. Awesome stuff! but what i'd really like to see is a South African made Pinotage up there in the mix!

  2. Is pinnotage as I know it in South Africa and Pinnot Noir one and same thing?

  3. Stephem - no, they are different varieties.


text:
• No meeting for city council

    SHEPHERDSVILLE -- Those who packed into the city government hall hoping to have some discussion on the actions of two weeks ago left upset and disappointed.
            The Shepherdsville City Council did not hold its regular meeting tonight as only three councilmembers were present.
            Without a quorum, newly-appointed mayor Brian James thanked the crowd for attending and praised councilmembers Ashley Bratcher, Dana James and Gloria Taft for serving the community.

  • My Pharmacy brings different approach to community

    HILLVIEW - A new pharmacy hopes to become your pharmacy.

    My Pharmacy is now open for business in Hillview.

    Co-owners Nimish Patel and Rebecca Hernandez hope to bring a newer and healthier version of the local pharmacy store to the area. Hernandez also serves as pharmacy manager.

    “We offer free deliveries, free vitamins and free smiles,” Patel said.

    Hernandez has worked at other area pharmacies prior to starting her own business. She hoped to encourage compliance with prescription use in a friendly manner.

  • Subway owners find coin laundry perfect addition to their facility

    HILLVIEW - You can use your pocket change from Subway to clean your laundry.

    Brooks Coin Laundry is open for business at 151 Brenton Way in Hillview, sharing a building with Subway.

    Co-owners Ishwar and Bhavna Patel have owned the Subway location since 2013. Prior to that they owned the Subway location inside the KentuckyOne Health Jewish South facility, moving after the Arby’s franchise closed.

    The owners decided the extra space within the building was ideal for the laundromat.

  • LETTER: Council will be asked to start process over

     SHEPHERDSVILLE - Two councilmembers upset with the process in which a mayor was selected will give those responsible one chance to undo what they consider to be wrongs.

    But, if the process is not undone and started again, a lawsuit will be filed.

    Shepherdsville councilman Larry Hatfield said many in the public join his anger with the process in which Brian James was selected to replace Scott Ellis, who resigned earlier in the day.

    Hatfield and fellow councilman Bernie Brown walked out of the Feb. 9 meeting.

  • SAVING LIVES: Hillview police use Narcan twice in one day to combat overdoses

     HILLVIEW - Three months ago the Hillview Police Department made a decision to supply officers with Narcan, a medication that temporarily reverses an opioid drug overdose within a human body.

    Thanks to Narcan, officers may have saved two lives in the same night, just an hour apart.

    HPD Ofc. Kyle McAllister responded to an overdose at a city residence late on the evening of Feb. 12. When he arrived, the subject was unconscious but still breathing.

  • MW looks to move boundaries to north

     MOUNT WASHINGTON— In an effort to gain better control over what occurs near the Jefferson County line, the city of Mount Washington is  looking to annex the property.

    According to Mayor Barry Armstrong, the annexation project had been discussed when he was still a city council member, but didn’t really take off until he became mayor in January 2015.

    Currently, the city limit line stops near the end of the Old Bardstown Road, including the bypass.

  • Letter to ask council to revisit mayor selection

     SHEPHERDSVILLE - Two councilmembers upset with the process in which a mayor was selected will give those responsible one chance to undo what they consider to be wrongs.

  • Phillips selected police chief, Coleman fire chief

     LEBANON JUNCTION—The city of Lebanon Junction has just been hit with a double-dose of leadership changes.

    Mayor Larry Dangerfield read a letter of resignation from fire chief Todd Crady at the February city council meeting.

    “At this time, with the demands of my job, I cannot devote the time needed to the position of chief effectively,” the letter read. “Thank you for all your support over the last two years. It has been greatly appreciated.”

  • County to keep expanded control over buildings

     SHEPHERDSVILLE -- It is a document that is very valuable to both the county and to the contractors.

    With a quick 3-0 vote, Bullitt Fiscal Court agreed to sign the expanded jurisdiction agreement with the state of Kentucky.

    Jim Bozeman, the county’s code enforcement director, said it was a very important issue.

    With the expanded jurisdiction, local inspectors can handle larger projects.

    Without the designation, the state would be called in to do inspections.

  • Pioneer Village makes offices more secure with changes

     PIONEER VILLAGE - Becknell Hall will become a more secure facility thanks to approval from the Pioneer Village City Council.

     The council approved bids for security cameras and a security door as upgrades to the building, which includes city offices, police department headquarters and a meeting hall.

     The bids were approved at the council’s January business meeting after council members discussed proposals by Eric Cox, representing Louisville Fire and Safety, and Tim Brown, representing Mediaimpact.


text:
I spotted the image below on So Bad, So Good yesterday.  In my view, it sums up the newspaper industry’s woes quite simply in terms of consumers being able to access a range of content for free from their pocket.

Newspaper Woes

After seeing the image, I couldn’t help but remember Gerard Cunningham’s tweet from earlier in the day about the sad news announced by Landmark Media about voluntary redundancies at the Irish Examiner and its other regional titles.

No Responses to “One Image Which Sums Up Newspapers’ Woes”

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America's Failing Walkability

In a recent Huffington Post article, F. Kaid Benfield of the Natural Resources Defense Council breaks down some of the barriers for walkability in the United States.
September 4, 2014, 6am PDT | Maayan Dembo | @DJ_Mayjahn
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Henning Leweke

As the United States coming is in dead last for both transit use and walking according to National Geographic's 17-nation Greendex study, it comes as no surprise that Americans prefer driving. Benfield credits this to three major factors in his recent piece: inconvenience and danger, roadway design, and legal bias toward drivers.

Benfield points out the dangers of walking in certain sprawling metro regions that were designed to accommodate vehicles and not pedestrians. Indeed, "a report released by the nonprofit National Complete Streets Coalition earlier this year analyzed traffic fatality data over a ten-year period; the report found that the country’s top four 'most dangerous' metro regions for pedestrians are all in the state of Florida," with many other locations on the list in the sprawling Sun Belt. Unlike major cities, many of these dangerous regions lack destinations within close proximity and basic pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks or frequent crosswalks.

Moreover, many states actually blame pedestrians in vehicle-pedestrian collisions rather than drivers. Benfield delves into Raquel Nelson's case in suburban Atlanta from April 2010 to show the bias of these laws. These combined factors lead to many Americans resisting walking or transit use, and keep them enclosed in their cars.

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Published on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 in Huffington Post
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Where The Wild Things Are Review (PS3)

Game Review: Where The Wild Things Are

Release: October 13th, 2009

Genre: Action/Adventure

Developer:Griptonite Games

Available Platforms: PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360

Players: 1

MSRP: For PlayStation 3 – $49.99

ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+

Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy feels misunderstood at home and decides to take his boat and escape. He lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange creatures whose emotions are as wild and unpredictable as their actions. The Wild Things desperately long for a leader to guide them and Max longs for a kingdom to rule. When Max is crowned king, he promises to create a place where everyone can be happy. He soon finds, though, that ruling the kingdom is not easy and his relationships with the Wild Things are more complicated than he originally thought.

In the game Where The Wild Things Are, you play the role of Max as you explore the Wild Things’ amazing island by running, jumping, climbing and swinging across treacherous terrain. You help Max battle fierce creatures with his golden scepter as he interacts and befriends the fearsome but lovable Wild Things and teams up with them to overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. While exploring you will learn that the island is on the brink of destruction and it’s up to Max to help the Wild Things to safety.

wild_parade_composite_final-copy I was extremely impressed with this game. It’s set up very well, great instruction, lots of things to do and many different goals throughout the game. The graphics are fantastic, and the soundtrack fits it perfectly. There are many things to do, you can follow the storyline and you also get breaks to run around the village, collect items while learning how to do things.

One of the biggest parts of the game is collecting items. In the beginning you’re told how many of each item you will have to find in the game. For example, Judith is planting a garden in the village. She needs seeds to be able to finish the garden. The more seeds you find the bigger the garden gets are the more plants you can grow. Your first 5 seeds will get you a water tree, which you can pluck drops of water from to water the other plants to make them grow. Max will also collect rocks for Ira to eat. Ira is constantly hungry and loves to munch on the green rocks found around the island.

When you get used to the mechanics and really start the story you will be taken around the island by Carol. You will find that there is mucky black stuff destroying the island and you need to figure out what it is and how to stop it. It’s causing craters, polluting the water, and it’s making Ira sick because he doesn’t know when and what he should be eating and digests the nasty black muck.

Now, not all of the Wild Things think you are fit to be king. They think Max is too small and would rather eat him than make him their ruler. They will take you on an adventure and test you. Make you climb high and dangerous places and use feathers to soar across huge trenches and over ocean waves. If you make any of them mad in the beginning they will even chase you down and eat you.

I have to give thanks to my two little helpers on this review. Eleven year old Kristina and eleven year old Adam both came over and played with me to give me their input on the game. Each of them got to play the game from the start on their own, as did I.

My first helper to come over to play was Kristina. She played for two hours and said it felt like not much time had gone by at all. She loved the fact that you had freedom to run around on your own time and look at everything. Kristina had read the book, barely remembering the story line, but loved the game either way. She had a great time with all the activities and took to it very easily. Her favorite things to do were sailing the boat to look for what was destroying the island and getting to ride on Carol’s shoulders and run around.

Adam was my second little helper. The first thing he commented on was the graphics and how he thought they were very good. He had never read the book, and picked up to the story very quickly. Without any instruction from me, or from reading the enclosed book that comes with the game, he got through all the obstacles on his own and had a great time learning how the game played.

I was a big fan of the checkpoint system and how when you fail/die you go right back to the most recent checkpoint. They make it so that this can happen an unlimited amount of times so trying and failing at one obstacle or another isn’t very frustrating. The graphics were also incredible. It reminded me so much of the book and a lot like the movie trailers. The load time was also a positive of this game as it loaded very quickly.

One thing, and the only thing, that I was not fond of was how it shows the tips. While loading, it will show a few different tips on things in the game (example: press square and hold to do a power attack). It will give some time in between tips to be able to read them, but as soon as it’s done loading, it switches to the game, not giving you enough time to read the last tip. If I could change it I would make it so that you had to press X to continue so that you had time to read.

All in all a very good game. I highly recommend it. It’s good for all ages, male and female, and even for people that have never read the book or seen the movie. Let the wild rumpus begin!

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

So You Think You Can Dance, Season 7 - The Beginning of the End

Photo courtesy of FOX

Ladies and gentlemen, we have our So You Think You Can Dance Season 7 finalists: Robert, Kent and Lauren. My humblest apologies for the lack of a results night review last week, but to be honest I was too busy jumping for joy around my living room and my initial draft of the post was in all caps and said something about "THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!"... I think we're all better off it never made it to the web.

Of course, I am beyond thrilled that Adechike was eliminated and Robert continued on into the finale. Tonight, the Top 3 will battle it out to see who will become America's Favorite Dancer. Now, not to be bitter or anything - but remember last season when we had six finalists and the performance finale was only one hour long? Well tonight's episode with half as many finalists is twice as long (if I were Jakob I'd be uber-pissed), which means the Top 3 will most likely be busting out solos and two routines, and we might even get another All-Star routine in there to boot.

Kent is undoubtedly the front-runner going into tonight's finale, though Nigel decided to make it clear in an interview last week that the young Wapakonetan has not always received the most number of votes despite having never been in the Bottom Three. All three finalists are incredibly talented and deserving of the win, but I cannot help rooting for Robert to take it all. I love a good dark horse, plus any hopes I had of the best dancer and the favorite dancer being the same all went out the window when Alex Wong was eliminated due to his injury (sad face).

So make sure you tune in tonight, and then vote early, often and for Robert!
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Better V-Box Spreaders?

Discussion in 'Ice Management' started by NorthOfEden, Dec 30, 2009.

  1. NorthOfEden

    NorthOfEden Junior Member
    Messages: 6

    Any advice or experience with some of the newer truck mounted v box spreaders?

    I run 4 v-box spreaders, 3-4 yds, 2 swenson 2 western, all have inverted v’s. I’m getting a little tired of failures with the engines (despite being honda’s), clutch’s, belts and chains. Despite being good with maintenance, have to replace the odd worn out bearing once and while, belts, clutch's and chains are causing down time during events.

    Push on average about 200 – 250 tons of salt through the machines in season. Use bulk salt which can be a little rough (clumpy). Last year getting salt 1st part of the year was “thank sir may I have another” so I couldn’t complain much. Nevertheless there are always some bridging issues.

    I have about 6 seconds of patience for down time during a snow event.

    All that said.

    Can 3/4 hp electric motor handle 200 tons a year? Year after year?
    Do augers get clogged/jammed? In either a tailgate spreader or snowex 9500 spreader?
    Is there a lot of extra training involved in using augers?

  2. ajslands

    ajslands 2000 Club Member
    Messages: 2,033

    get a snow ex, no belts no chains and made in america :ussmiley
  3. JohnnyRoyale

    JohnnyRoyale 2000 Club Member
    Messages: 2,935

    Equipment, t!ts, and tires will let you down at some point in life. Make the best of it. :D

    I have heard good things about the SnowEx brand, but dont own any,. Good luck.
  4. 2COR517

    2COR517 PlowSite Fanatic
    Messages: 7,115

    I don't think I've seen electric spreaders in your size, but they might be out there now. My next spreader will be stainless, electric.
  5. OldCrow

    OldCrow Member
    Messages: 36

    Smith makes a SS vbox in electric drive. Looks like up to a 3 yd. Maybe more, but you'll have to check it out. We have their under tailgate spreaders, but they run off of central hydros. They run great and the manufacturing is quality.

    We also run Bonnell vboxes for the heavy trucks. So far, one of the best I've come across in a while. But, everything we run is central hydraulics.
  6. forestfireguy

    forestfireguy PlowSite.com Addict
    Messages: 1,276

    We just got swenson under tailgate electric, hasn't seen a strom yet, so no expeirience as yet, but the quality is there no doubt, seems very user friendly, bottom opens for easy clean out or jam clearing. At a past employer we ran downeaster stainless electric v-boxes, I'm pretty sure they make 3 yard model. Was easy and trouble free, we got average 4 seasons out of a motor before they started to have issues. The motors were not cheap, like 800 to replace. I heard they were having issues in production this year though!
  7. JohnnyRoyale

    JohnnyRoyale 2000 Club Member
    Messages: 2,935

    I bought 3 new downeasters this year and they were a month late.I owned them in the past and quality was good. All hydro units though.
  8. cretebaby

    cretebaby PlowSite Veteran
    Messages: 4,162

    Get a Torwel/Curtis.

    They still have the gas engine but no belts/chains/clutches to break.
  9. 2COR517

    2COR517 PlowSite Fanatic
    Messages: 7,115

    Do you convert yours to diesel? :gunsfiring:
  10. cretebaby

    cretebaby PlowSite Veteran
    Messages: 4,162

    Whiskey..........Errr.......I mean Ethanol. :drinkup:
  11. ColumbiaLand

    ColumbiaLand Senior Member
    Messages: 790

    Salt Dogg And Snowex And Smith All Make Electric Spreaders.
  12. Westhardt Corp.

    Westhardt Corp. Senior Member
    Messages: 845

    I've run several SnowEx units so here's my $.02. If you have dump bodies, I'd say the SnowEx 2400 over the 9500. Price is better, and the 2400s are pretty tough and hard to find fault with. The 9500 I ran last year was a royal PITA, but that was mostly due to constant bridging due to bad (fine & clumpy--very "grade 8-ish") salt. Being that it's a "grown up 8500", the increased vertical load and the inherent compacting of the material in the hopper that happens in v-boxes just made it too temperamental. The motors are *very* strong though--the auger will shatter rocks and spit them out. The 2400 (& the 8500s) ran that very same material with no problems other than getting it to slide down the bed into the spreader (a liner solves that). That and the 9500 renders your truck completely useless while it's installed. I also ran a 4-yd Swenson gas unit (with extensions to hold 6 yards), and when it worked it was a bad mofo. Luckily it wasn't mine, because the new motor that made it run so well wasn't cheap, lol.

    You'll be happy with the 2400 if you go SnowEx, but I would suggest picking up a spare controller. They don't break very often anymore, but when they do, it is always in the middle of a 14" event on a holiday weekend.

    Last edited: Dec 30, 2009
  13. mullis56

    mullis56 Senior Member
    from Indiana
    Messages: 824

    I don't think you can successfully and cost effectively run as much salt as you do without gas or hydraulic, IMO.
  14. plowking35

    plowking35 2000 Club Member
    from SE CT
    Messages: 2,923

    I now have three electric spreaders. 2 smith boxes and 1 ice oway formally gas now converted to electric. Get a 1 hp electric motor and run 4 gauge wire.
    Here is a pi of the conversion.
    I used a 60 tooth sprocket from the motor to gear box to help with start up torque.
    In all the conversion cost me close to $ 1000.00
    $ 500.00 for the motor
    about 200.00 in sprockets and chain
    and 200.00 in electrical components.
    I added a 2 nd battery to the spreader that is connected to the truck battery via an andersen connector.
    I now have 2 x battery power and you should be able to make out the HD solenoid next to the new motor driven off a 12v cab switch. That is all there is activate the spreader. Flip a switch and good to go.
    Not having the gas motor to deal with is soooo sweet.
    I got a good deal on the spreader but after the conversion and broken gear box due to that owners neglect, I now have alomost as much as a new spreader would have cost.

    electric conversion of ice o way.jpg

    ice o way old engine.jpg
  15. plowking35

    plowking35 2000 Club Member
    from SE CT
    Messages: 2,923

    I put about 100 tons of material a year through the smiths and in 10 yrs all I have had to replace is the # 40 roller chains 2 x on each spreader.
    2 apron chains in each spreader due to stretching not to breaking.
    And I have upgraded the motors from 1/3 hp to 3/4 hp.
    I have a spare on the shelf if need be.
    I also made custom drop off shutes so I can tow in the winter.
  16. 2COR517

    2COR517 PlowSite Fanatic
    Messages: 7,115

    Huh? Are you saying electric won't cut it? Nothing cheaper or easier to use then electric.
  17. mullis56

    mullis56 Senior Member
    from Indiana
    Messages: 824

    Not common in our area but if you can run BIG spreaders electrically I like idea!
  18. Pristine PM ltd

    Pristine PM ltd PlowSite Veteran
    Messages: 3,793

    We run nothing but electric and have very few issues. Motors do go, but overall we are fairly happy with them. We don't run as much as the original poster, but after 100 yards, what is the difference.
  19. Wayne Volz

    Wayne Volz Senior Member
    Messages: 694

    SnowEx has something to look at

    Check out SnowEx line. They have what you are looking for. Both a 3 and a 4 yard electric spreader. Yes there is a bit of learning that takes place when you go to an auger feed system, but trust me you will like the result. You will save material with superior flow control.

    We've been using SnowEx spreaders for six seasons running five different spreaders and they work great. The only issue we have had was one vibrator. Other than that, they work. I have about the same amount of patience as you said you have. SnowEx has given us that security.
  20. triadpm

    triadpm Member
    from 21771
    Messages: 48

    I got to use my new Salt Dog Poly/Elec. 2yd box for the first time this morning. Loved it, I hope it holds up. I won't be spreading a large amount this year but it will pay for itself and then some. Although I don't think it will hold 2yds without boards. Might buy the 4yd next year if this works out.


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Discussion in 'Equipment, Tools & Vehicle Pictures' started by Fiafighterdude, Mar 27, 2008.

  1. Fiafighterdude

    Fiafighterdude Senior Member
    from ME
    Messages: 740


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Discussion in 'Chevy Trucks' started by levens, Aug 14, 2003.

  1. levens

    levens Junior Member
    Messages: 7

    hey guys,well yesterday i blew my radiator in my 78 k10 4x4. so ive been shopping all day but with no luck,so i went to summit and i found that summit makes there own brand of radiators, the only thing is these are racing radiators and i dont know if they will give me the cooling i need for my 400 sb and will i have to modify the transmission cooler line hookups?

  2. cat320

    cat320 2000 Club Member
    Messages: 2,222

    try a monte carlo radiator I think that is what I used in my '85 bit it only had a 305 in it just had to modify the mounts but it was cheaper and easier to get.
  3. Chuck Smith

    Chuck Smith 2000 Club Member
    from NJ
    Messages: 2,317

    If you have a 400, an auto trans, and AC, then you want to get a 4 row radiator. It is the same as big blocks use. Open your cap, look inside, and count the rows of cooling tubes. With a flashlight, you should be able to easily see them.

    LMC Truck
    Part# 32-2946 ......... $199.95 ....4 row

    LMC lists the 3 row for your truck, but my 77 with 400, AT and AC has a 4 row from the factory, so that is the route I would go, unless you have a 3 row now..... only because the upper mount will not work from a 3 row, on a 4 row. THen again LMC has the upper mount too.

  4. wyldman

    wyldman Member
    Messages: 3,265

    Most of the newer radiators with improved fin design will far outcool the older styles.Most of the newer 3 core rads will be more than enough to cool your hot small block.Ask about the fin design before you buy,just to make sure.
  5. Chuck Smith

    Chuck Smith 2000 Club Member
    from NJ
    Messages: 2,317

    At LMC, the 3 row, and the 4 row are the same price. May as well go for the 4.

  6. BWhite

    BWhite Senior Member
    Messages: 496

    4 row

    I have a hardly used 4 row radiator and a new fan clutch hanging around from my 78 3/4 ton big block surburban surburban . I would sell it to you cheap if there was a decent way to ship it


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Family uses Plugged In as a ‘significant compass’

"I am at a loss for words to adequately express how much it means to my husband and me to know that there is an organization like Focus that is rooting for us. Just today I was reading Psalm 37 and thinking about how your ministry provides ways to 'dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.' We have two teenagers and an 8-year-old in our household...Plugged In has become a significant compass for our family. All three of our kids are dedicated to their walk with Christ but they still encounter challenges. Thanks for all of your research and persistence in helping us navigate through stormy waters."

Plugged In helps college student stand-up for his belief

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Plugged In brings ‘Sanity and Order’ to Non-believer

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Mom thinks Plugged In is the ‘BEST Christian media review site’

"Our family doesn't go to the movies until we go online and check out your assessment of a given film. I think this is the BEST Christian media review website that I've found, and I recommend it to my family and friends. Keep up the good work!"

Our hope is that whether you're a parent, youth leader or teen, the information and tools at Plugged In will help you and your family make appropriate media decisions. We are privileged to do the work we do, and are continually thankful for the generosity and support from you, our loyal readers, listeners and friends.

We hope this review was both interesting and useful. Please share it with family and friends who would benefit from it as well.

Book Review

This first science fiction/fantasy book in the " His Dark Materials" series by Philip Pullman is published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children's Books.

The Golden Compass is written for ages 14 and up. The age range reflects readability and not necessarily content appropriateness.

Positive Elements

Spiritual Content

Sexual Content

Violent Content

Crude or Profane Language

Drug and Alcohol Content

Other Negative Elements

Pro-social Content

Objectionable Content

Summary Advisory

Plot Summary

The first book in Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy introduces us to the series' heroine, a 12-year-old girl named Lyra. This precocious young orphan lives in the care of scholars at Jordan College in Oxford, England — albeit in an alternate universe. Lyra is headstrong and prone to getting into trouble, and she's accompanied always by her dæmon (pronounced demon) Pantalaimon, a shape-shifting animal spirit who embodies her soul. All humans in Lyra's world, we learn, have dæmons who eventually take on a single animal form when children reach adolescence.

The Golden Compass begins when Lyra clambers into a wardrobe to avoid detection . . . a choice that unwittingly launches her into a universe-altering adventure. Lurking in the wardrobe, she hears her uncle, an iconoclastic explorer named Lord Asriel, documenting the findings about a mysterious substance called Dust to a group of scholars.

Several events then occur almost simultaneously: Lyra is given a truth-telling device called an alethiometer (the golden compass) and told to keep it secret; she begins to hear rumors of children disappearing without a trace; and she's whisked into the care of a glamorous but ruthless agent of the Church named Mrs. Coulter. Lyra soon discovers that the Church is also desperate to learn about Dust — a substance they believe is somehow connected to original sin — and that Mrs. Coulter is spearheading chilling experiments on children in her pursuit of "truth." Specifically, she's separating children from their dæmons.

One of the children she's kidnapped is Lyra's friend Roger. Lyra travels to the frozen North to rescue him, making friends with a wide variety of characters along the way. As The Golden Compass draws to a close, the forces of good (represented by the Church-rejecting Lord Asriel) have begun to array themselves against the forces of tyranny and wickedness (represented by Mrs. Coulter and churchmen).

Christian Beliefs

Christian doctrine (or contradiction of it) doesn't get much direct mention in this opening volume of the Dark Materials trilogy. Readers begin to learn, however, that the Church is a feared organization, known also as the Magisterium (which is the name of the evil organization used in the movie adaptation), the Church is further divided into competing subgroups with names such as the College of Bishops, the Consistorial Court of Discipline and the General Oblation Board.

At the center of the story is the Church's determination to discover the origins and significance of Dust. One of the few, clear theological statements in the book comes from a minor character who tells another, "The Holy Church teaches that there are two worlds: the world of everything we can hear and touch, and another world, the spiritual world of heaven and hell." The same characters comment on theologians who were considered heretical and silenced for their theory that alternate worlds exist.

Lord Asriel has contempt for the Church — he sides with those who believe that there are other worlds and that Dust is somehow connected to finding them. He also says of the "dust to dust" passage in Genesis 3, "Church scholars have always puzzled over the translation of that verse. Some say it should read not 'unto dust shalt thou return' but 'thou shalt be subject to dust,' and others say the whole verse is a kind of pun on the words 'ground' and 'dust,' and it really means that God's admitting his own nature to be partly sinful. No one agrees. No one can, because the text is corrupt. But it was too good a word to waste, and that's why the particles became known as Dust."

Mrs. Coulter is a cold-blooded, ruthless agent of the Church who is willing to torture children — cutting them apart from their dæmons, or souls, as this book understands it — in her quest for "truth."

Other Belief Systems

Lyra must master the alethiometer, a device that answers any question that she asks of it. To do so, she enters a trance-like state. While the alethiometer isn't magical, per se, it has magic-like power and the ability to divine the truth. Hence, it functionally is close to what the Old Testament would consider divination.

The witches, who can fly on "cloud-pine branches" and cast a variety of spells, live to be 1,000 years old or more and believe in a female goddess named Yambe-Akka who comes for each witch at death. "She is the goddess of the dead," says Serafina Pekkala. "She comes to you smiling and kindly, and you know it is time to go." In contrast, Iorek Byrnison and his fellow bears do not believe in an afterlife. And it's implied that the Church is working to keep the lid on the "heretical" idea that there might be alternate universes.

There is some discussion of the tension between the ideas of fate and free will. Because different groups of people have different beliefs about death and the afterlife, the story illustrates a polytheistic worldview when it comes to different religions and spiritual convictions.

Authority Roles

Lyra is functionally an orphan as she is loosely reared by a group of scholars at Jordan College. One quickly gets the sense that she's her own authority, however, and that no one has much real influence or control over her. She has a brief encounter with Lord Asriel, who she initially believes is her uncle and later learns is actually her father.

Lord Asriel is arrogant, cold and harsh toward her, and doesn't seem particularly interested in her well-being. Lyra is briefly in the custody of Mrs. Coulter, who pampers her but keeps her on a very short leash until she escapes. On the run from Mrs. Coulter, Lyra ends up in the care of the "gyptions," an outcast and rugged group of nomadic trader/wanderers whose leaders (Lord Faa, Farder Coram and Ma Costas) treat her well and care for her. They also exhibit bravery and honor in caring for their own, as well as joining Lyra on her quest to the North to rescue the children kidnapped by the Church. Lyra also comes under the protection of a noble armored bear named Iorek Byrnison. Similarly noble in character is a good witch named Serafina Pekkala.

One character in particular, Mr. Lee Scoresby, has a fondness for the word h---. Lyra takes God's name in vain at least once, and another sentence says, "and Lyra swore with every word she knew." Lord Asriel tells Lyra of a time when the Church used to castrate young boys in order for them to sing in the choir.

Several combat scenes result in deaths that are frequently described similar to this scene: "Lyra stopped and turned to see a man lying on the snow, with a gray-feathered arrow in his back. He was writhing and twitching and coughing out blood."

Readers learn that Lyra is the result of an affair between Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel. A witch casually tells Lyra, "And there are men we take for lovers or husbands . . . men pass in front of our eyes like butterflies, creatures of a brief season. We love them; . . . they die almost at once."

Discussion Topics

If your children have read this book or someone has read it to them, consider these discussion topics:

Philip Pullman told the UK's Daily Telegraph, "Atheism suggests a degree of certainty that I'm not quite willing to accede. I suppose technically, you'd have to put me down as an agnostic. But if there is a God, and he is as the Christians describe him, then he deserves to be put down and rebelled against. As you look back over the history of the Christian church, it's a record of terrible infamy and cruelty and persecution and tyranny. How they have the bloody nerve to go on Thought for the Day and tell us all to be good when, given the slightest chance, they'd be hanging the rest of us and flogging the homosexuals and persecuting the witches."

  • How do you think Pullman's dislike for Christians and the Church begins to surface in this story?
  • Pullman's take on Church history isn't just biased, it's grossly inaccurate. Pick up a copy of a reputable overview of Church history and learn about times the Church has helped society and those few seasons such as the Spanish Inquisition where the Church has not treated people well.

Leviticus 19:26 warns, "Do not practice divination or sorcery." Divination includes any practice that tries to see the future or hidden knowledge through supernatural means. * While Lyra's alethiometer (alethia means "truth" in Greek) is never actually called a divination device, that's exactly the function it serves.

  • Why do you think the Bible forbids divination?
  • If we could know the future or secret knowledge through supernatural means, how might that influence our relationship with God?

Additional Comments/Notes

For more on the "His Dark Materials" Series, read Plugged In's article, "Sympathy for the Devil."

Producers often use a book as a springboard for a movie idea or to earn a specific rating. Because of this, a movie may differ from the novel. To better understand how this book and the movie differ, compare the book review with Plugged In's movie review for The Golden Compass.

Book reviews cover the content, themes and world-views of fiction books, not their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. A book's inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.

You can request a review of a title you can't find at reviewrequests@family.org.

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Family uses Plugged In as a ‘significant compass’

"I am at a loss for words to adequately express how much it means to my husband and me to know that there is an organization like Focus that is rooting for us. Just today I was reading Psalm 37 and thinking about how your ministry provides ways to 'dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.' We have two teenagers and an 8-year-old in our household...Plugged In has become a significant compass for our family. All three of our kids are dedicated to their walk with Christ but they still encounter challenges. Thanks for all of your research and persistence in helping us navigate through stormy waters."

Plugged In helps college student stand-up for his belief

"Thanks for the great job you do in posting movie and television reviews online. I’m a college freshman and I recently had a confrontational disagreement with my English professor regarding an R-rated film. It is her favorite movie and she wanted to show it in class. I went to your Web site to research the film’s content. Although I had not seen the movie myself, I was able to make an educated argument against it based on the concerns you outlined. The prof said that she was impressed by my stand and decided to poll the whole class and give us a choice. We overwhelmingly voted to watch a G-rated movie instead! I’ve learned that I can trust your site and I will be using it a lot in the future.”

Plugged In brings ‘Sanity and Order’ to Non-believer

“Even though I don’t consider myself a Christian, I find your Plugged In Web site useful and thought-provoking. No one reviews movies like you do. Instead of being judgmental, you put entertainment ‘on trial.’ After presenting the evidence, you allow the jury of your readers to decide for themselves what they should do. In my opinion, you bring sanity and order to the wild world of modern day entertainment. Keep up the good work!”

Mom thinks Plugged In is the ‘BEST Christian media review site’

"Our family doesn't go to the movies until we go online and check out your assessment of a given film. I think this is the BEST Christian media review website that I've found, and I recommend it to my family and friends. Keep up the good work!"

Our hope is that whether you're a parent, youth leader or teen, the information and tools at Plugged In will help you and your family make appropriate media decisions. We are privileged to do the work we do, and are continually thankful for the generosity and support from you, our loyal readers, listeners and friends.

We hope this review was both interesting and useful. Please share it with family and friends who would benefit from it as well.

Book Review

This fantasy adventure book by Brandon Mull is the first in the "Spirit Animals" series published by Scholastic Inc.

Wild Born is written for kids ages 8 to 12. The age range reflects readability and not necessarily content appropriateness.

Positive Elements

Spiritual Content

Sexual Content

Violent Content

Crude or Profane Language

Drug and Alcohol Content

Other Negative Elements

Pro-social Content

Objectionable Content

Summary Advisory

Plot Summary

In the world of Erdas, children participate in a sacred coming-of-age ritual at age 11. Each child drinks a sip of a special nectar and hopes to be able to summon his or her own spirit animal. The people of Erdas believe that when human and animal unite, the greatness of both is multiplied. People with strong bonds to their spirit animals are able to develop powers and significantly enhance skills they already possess.

Eleven-year-olds Conor, Abeke, Meilin and Rollan each live in different corners of Erdas. Conor is the servant of a noble. Abeke lives in a remote village. Meilin is the wealthy daughter of a high-ranking general, and Rollan is an orphan, recently jailed for theft. At their nectar ceremonies, each summons an animal. They're not just any animals: They are the reincarnated spirits of some of the world's 12 Great Beasts, known as the Four Fallen. The great wolf Briggan appears to Conor. Abeke receives Uraza, the leopard. Meilin gets Jhi, the giant panda, and Rollan receives the falcon Essix.

Olvan, Lenori and Tarik are members of a sacred order of spirit animal keepers called Greencloaks. They send representatives to Conor's and Meilin's nectar ceremonies and immediately invite them to join the order. Abeke and Rollan are approached at their ceremonies by a man named Zerif. He vilifies the Greencloaks, accusing their leaders of keeping the nectar from the people in certain regions of Erdas. Rollan immediately distrusts Zerif, but Abeke follows her father's orders and goes with the man. Greencloaks find Rollan and invite him to join them. He goes with them since they have offered to provide for him, but he remains skeptical of their secrecy. He refuses to take their vows until he has spent some time with them and has been able to think it through. Meanwhile, Zerif has his assistant Shane befriend Abeke and help her learn to bond with Uraza (the leopard).

The Greencloaks explain why they are eager for the children's help. Olvan recounts a war centuries earlier in which the four nations of Erdas battled an enemy called the Devourer. Two of the Great Beasts sided with him, and four, the Four Fallen, sided with the Greencloaks. The Devourer was defeated. The other nine Great Beasts got involved briefly at the end of the war. Since that time, the primary concern of each Beast has been to protect his own powerful talisman. Olvan believes the Devourer is back, intending to collect the Great Beasts' talismans so he can harness their power and become the ruler of Erdas. He believes the Four Fallen have returned to help save Erdas. The Greencloaks need the Four Fallen and their human counterparts to help collect the talismans before the Devourer can.

With the help of former-Greencloaks-turned-explorers Monte and Barlow, Tarik, Conor, Rollan and Meilin set out to find a Great Beast and track down the giant ram Arax, arriving at his lair just before Abeke, Zerif and his soldiers. A battle ensues for the ram's talisman. Abeke finally realizes that Zerif is the Devourer's henchman. She gets the talisman and helps the Greencloaks defeat Zerif. She later becomes a Greencloak. The four children prepare to collect more talismans and battle for Erdas with the help of their spirit animals.

Christian Beliefs

Other Belief Systems

Nectar ceremonies vary by region and include superstitions and rituals. People with spirit animals sense a powerful, unfamiliar energy in their bodies when the animal is aiding them. A person must bond with his or her spirit animal to develop powers. If bonded, a person can borrow energy from the animal in times of need. People can keep their spirit animals hibernating on their bodies in the form of tattoos when they're not using them. Jhi the panda has healing powers and heals Rollan's battle wound.

Meilin's father tells her that he's foreseen that she will summon a spirit animal. Meilin doesn't know whether her father has visited a soothsayer or seen the vision himself. Zerif says a wise woman foretold that Abeke would call a special spirit animal.

A jailer scolds Rollan for being almost 12 and not having had his nectar. He says a person who is supposed to receive a spirit animal bond and fails to do so may become mad, ill or die. A man in the jail tells Rollan he had a spirit animal and it died. He says the absence is so great that he would have rather lost a limb.

Lenori is called a gifted visionary. Her foresight showed that the Four Fallen beasts had returned. The Greencloaks tell the children they will be rewarded if they explore the connection they have with their animals. They tell the kids their dreams may be prophetic. They urge them to have waking visions so they can provide the Greencloaks information glimpsed from afar. When urging Conor into such a vision, Lenori tells him to relax and allow his connection with his animal to take him into this dream. Olvan criticizes the government of Erdas, saying it just enforces laws and participates in human squabbling. By contrast, he says the Greencloaks are gifted with something beyond the concerns of man because they receive spirit animals. He believes it is their responsibility to protect Erdas.

Each of the Great Beasts protects a unique talisman, a totem that houses great power. Abeke prays that the talismans of Arax will aid her. With the talisman, she finds her power is increased fourfold.

Authority Roles

Abeke's father worries her disobedience will mar the family honor. He turns her over to the stranger Zerif without much deliberation, which deeply saddens Abeke. Rollan's mother abandoned him. Conor's father rented him out as a servant to pay off his father's debts. The Greencloaks promise the kids good lives in exchange for a vow of loyalty. Zerif tries to trick the children into helping him and the Devourer.

The book includes several battle scenes, hand-to-hand combat and some blood. The nondescriptive violence involves both people and animals. Animals shriek in pain as men seeking an alternative to nectar experiment on them.

Discussion Topics

Additional Comments/Notes

Theft: Some of Rollan's friends steal to survive. He doesn't like to steal and avoids it at all costs. He goes to jail for a theft one of his friends commits.

The "Spirit Animals" books promote Scholastic's online Spirit Animals video game. The books include codes readers can type in online to gain rewards in the game. Players create their own character, summon their own spirit animal and learn how to bond with and train it so they can harness great power working together.

This review is brought to you by Focus on the Family, a donor-based ministry. Book reviews cover the content, themes and world-views of fiction books, not their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. A book's inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.

You can request a review of a title you can't find at reviewrequests@family.org.

Episode Reviews

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text:
Family uses Plugged In as a ‘significant compass’

"I am at a loss for words to adequately express how much it means to my husband and me to know that there is an organization like Focus that is rooting for us. Just today I was reading Psalm 37 and thinking about how your ministry provides ways to 'dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.' We have two teenagers and an 8-year-old in our household...Plugged In has become a significant compass for our family. All three of our kids are dedicated to their walk with Christ but they still encounter challenges. Thanks for all of your research and persistence in helping us navigate through stormy waters."

Plugged In helps college student stand-up for his belief

"Thanks for the great job you do in posting movie and television reviews online. I’m a college freshman and I recently had a confrontational disagreement with my English professor regarding an R-rated film. It is her favorite movie and she wanted to show it in class. I went to your Web site to research the film’s content. Although I had not seen the movie myself, I was able to make an educated argument against it based on the concerns you outlined. The prof said that she was impressed by my stand and decided to poll the whole class and give us a choice. We overwhelmingly voted to watch a G-rated movie instead! I’ve learned that I can trust your site and I will be using it a lot in the future.”

Plugged In brings ‘Sanity and Order’ to Non-believer

“Even though I don’t consider myself a Christian, I find your Plugged In Web site useful and thought-provoking. No one reviews movies like you do. Instead of being judgmental, you put entertainment ‘on trial.’ After presenting the evidence, you allow the jury of your readers to decide for themselves what they should do. In my opinion, you bring sanity and order to the wild world of modern day entertainment. Keep up the good work!”

Mom thinks Plugged In is the ‘BEST Christian media review site’

"Our family doesn't go to the movies until we go online and check out your assessment of a given film. I think this is the BEST Christian media review website that I've found, and I recommend it to my family and friends. Keep up the good work!"

Our hope is that whether you're a parent, youth leader or teen, the information and tools at Plugged In will help you and your family make appropriate media decisions. We are privileged to do the work we do, and are continually thankful for the generosity and support from you, our loyal readers, listeners and friends.

We hope this review was both interesting and useful. Please share it with family and friends who would benefit from it as well.

Game Review

Even before Epic Games' Bulletstorm was released, lots of folks were wondering just how nasty this new first-person shooter might be. E3 gaming conference sneak peeks and the ESRB rating descriptor hinted that it was going to be pretty bad. And foxnews.com went so far as to hyperbolically inquire, "Is Bulletstorm the worst video game in the world?"

Well, is it?

The action centers on a thick-necked, foul-mouthed quick-quipper named Grayson Hunt, the head of an elite band of mercenaries. In a short flashback, we see that Gray and his men bailed on their bloodthirsty leader, General Sarrano, when they learned that their Confederation of Planets missions weren't just about killing bad guys. It seems the fiendish general had been using them to murder innocents to cover up his own dirty secrets.

The game starts years after that, with an alcohol-fueled Gray torturing and killing a suspected assassin, then finding and confronting the general in outer space. Sparks fly. And spacecraft crash on the nearby planet Stygia. From there the objective is simple: Find the general, blow his brains out … and get out of Dodge.

Standing between Gray and this revenge, however, is a ruined metropolis full of crumbling dams, skyscrapers and amusement parks; a gigantic Godzilla-like monstrosity; and a churning populace of horribly mutated humans.

The Skill of the Kill
As expected in this genre, players are armed with a variety of upgradeable weapons including several different guns, a special whip-like electronic leash that grabs and tosses things at a distance, and a very hefty left boot that can smash through obstacles and send victims flying. But the game lets you know right out of the gate that it's not what you kill with this arsenal that's important, but how you kill it.

Bulletstorm repeatedly emphasizes that the only way to really do things is to earn upgrade points through what's called the Skillshot System. Rather than just alerting gamers when they make a specialized "stylish" kill, the mechanic shows you a list of over-the-top obliterations—and challenges you to figure out how to make the bloodiest one happen. Why just fire your clip of ammo into an enemy and earn meager points when you can impale him and empty his guts on a wall full of rebar and earn Voodoo Doll points? Or shoot him in the throat and watch the blood gush for a Gag Reflex bonus?

The Skillshot data menu then continues to unlock new murderous challenges while it "entertains" you with its tongue-in-cheek titles. The Flyswatter attack splatters a target across the ceiling. The Mercy Kill entails shooting out a victim's crotch, then kicking his head off while he writhes. Cutting off legs, obliterating heads, chopping torsos in half and igniting flesh with flares are all part of the "fun." The more ridiculous the kill, the bigger the point bonus. The more points, the better the upgrades and the wilder the "whoa!" potential.

Getting Your Fill of Swill
Garnishing this gore is a script crammed with lowbrow vulgarity—f-words, s-words and much, much more. And again, the intent is to make gamers giggle.

"Bulletstorm beats every other game on the market when it comes to d‑‑k-related jokes and senseless swearing," reports actiontrip.com.

"Sandwiched somewhere between a random profanity generator and the mind of a fifteen year old, Gray and Ishi's banter boldly goes were few games have gone before," opines digitalchumps.com's reviewer.

"I've come to a conclusion: Bulletstorm wasn't so much developed as it was raised on human growth hormones and taught the English language by a group of sailors and truck drivers," comments joystiq.com's game critic. "It was also shown every '80s action and sci-fi movie ever made about a dozen times, given a bottle of whiskey, handed a gun and instructed to shoot anything that moves."

And gamezone.com simply says, "Bulletstorm is filthy, raunchy and crass."

Gray is driven through this virtual journey by more than just revenge, bloodlust and a love of crude sex jokes. In helping his crewmate—an injured, pieced-together comrade named Ishi—he's putting his life on the line and seeking a kind of personal redemption for all his past (drunken and foolish) choices that have hurt so many. But it's oh-so-hard to take that heroic tack seriously while the game is rewarding you for coming up with the most gruesome ways to kill hundreds, if not thousands of onscreen opponents.

Bulletstorm bundles up some of the same smooth slaughter-centered mechanics and gore-spewing visuals that other M-rated games have showcased and wraps them up in a new splatterfest style. It's raw and grotesque, and proud of every ripped out crotch and tortured-language gag. It's hardly the worst game in the world. But it's not for lack of trying.

Positive Elements

Spiritual Content

Sexual Content

Violent Content

Crude or Profane Language

Drug and Alcohol Content

Other Negative Elements

Pro-social Content

Objectionable Content

Summary Advisory

Plot Summary

Christian Beliefs

Other Belief Systems

Authority Roles

Discussion Topics

Additional Comments/Notes

Episode Reviews

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text:
All Aira Systems Are Go!

It may be the last of the Aira line to be released, but we’re looking forward to making some weird and wonderful tunes with the SYSTEM-1 this week!

Yes, you heard correctly – the Aira SYSTEM-1 is available to preorder now, with orders being dispatched starting from tomorrow. There are also some of these sweet sweet Roland synthesizers in our PMT stores that you can test out and purchase. Also, we'll give you a plugin voucher for the Roland SH-101 plug out (while stocks last)!
So what’s so good about this particular synth? Well, if you take all of Roland's vast synthesizer and software knowledge and rolled it into one portable and extremely versatile synth, you would end up with the SYSTEM-1.

  • 25 Synth Keys (no velocity)
  • 4 voice polyphony
  • Features: LFO, Envelope: Pitch, Filter, Amp Modulation: Ring, Osc Sync, Arpeggiator
  • Oscillators: OSC 1, 2, SUB OSC, NOISE OSC
  • Synthesis Type: Analogue Circuit Behaviour (ACB)
  • Audio Outputs: 2 x 6.3mm Jack Main Out, 1 x 6.3mm Jack headphone
  • Effects Cross Mod Effects: Crusher, Reverb, Delay, Portamento, Scatter
  • MIDI Controls: Volume, Pitch Bend Dial, Scatter, Key Hold, Octave Up / Down, Mod Button
  • Has a USB connection and AC adapter is included

    If you need this item now but can’t cough up the pennies yet, take a look at our 0% Music Equipment Finance Scheme. It’s safe, interest-free and means you can twiddle knobs and make tracks sooner rather than later.
    By Sophie Moss


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Transport for London says that in the four months since it started to accept contactless payment cards on London buses, it has registered more than one million journeys paid for with NFC. Latest figures also show that up to 10,000 people are using their contactless payment cards on the service every day.

The preferred system of payment for the London bus network remains the Oyster card, but it was decided that if passengers run out of credit or just need a quick journey and don't have the correct change then contactless payment was the best way to improve customers' experience of travelling in the capital.

Although banks are still rolling out their NFC-enabled cards to a majority of customers, the rise in the number of new Visa, Mastercard or American Express contactless payments received by the London bus network is significant. More than 1,000 new cards are being registered on the buses every week.

READ: How to use contactless credit and debit cards to pay on London buses

"Today’s milestone is further validation that contactless payment is a convenience consumers really appreciate," said Sandra Alzetta, senior vice-president at Visa Europe.

"We’re seeing a corresponding growth in the use of contactless cards across the UK: £33 million was spent on Visa contactless cards in February, and the number of transactions has grown by 25 per cent in the last quarter to reach 4.5 million every month."

Passengers are warned not to keep contactless cards in the same wallet as their Oyster card, however. If they are both presented at the same time, neither will be charged and it may delay a journey. If two contactless payment cards are presented at the same time, the wrong one may be charged.


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Books Podcast

ABC Radio National

Arts, Literature

We really love having you listen to RN but we need to let you know that we’ll be closing our subject based podcasts (don’t worry—we aren’t cancelling any shows). To keep hearing stories and interviews from RN, search for your favourite shows in theABC Radio App or subscribe in your preferred podcasting app. If you’re looking for something new to wrap your ears around, visit the RN websitewhere there’s plenty for you to discover.

David Malouf's Fly Away Peter, The Opera

March 17th, 2015

Episode 260 of 1214 episodes

David Malouf's poetic First World War novel, Fly Away Peter, is about to be staged by the Sydney Chamber Opera.


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Elevation Church Podcast

Elevation Church

Education, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Society & Culture

Chart Positions

Religion & Spirituality 5
Top 200 196
Christianity 3

Welcome to the weekly podcast of Elevation Church led by Pastor Steven Furtick. To learn more visit our website at http://elevationchurch.org or download the Elevation App.

Christ Alone, The Original Inception (Part 2)

July 31st, 2010

Episode 232 of 775 episodes


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Midday Interview

ABC Classic FM

Arts, Music, Society & Culture

On ABC Classic FM Midday, Margaret Throsby interviews special guests who give extraordinary insights into their life and work, thoughts and feelings. Margaret's guest list reads like a who's who of Australia and the world, but also includes less well-known people with their own remarkable stories. It is Margaret's warmth and her deep engagement with people that make these ABC Classic FM Midday interviews a 'must subscribe' podcast.

David Marr on Bill Shorten

September 30th, 2015

Episode 153 of 224 episodes

David Marr is an author, journalist and broadcaster with many areas of expertise and a broad range of interests, including politics, censorship, the media and the arts. He is the author of the most recent Quarterly Essay 59 on Australian Labor Party leader Bill Shorten "Faction Man: Bill Shorten's Path to Power".


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Politics Podcast

ABC Radio National

News & Politics

Michelle Grattan reports from Canberra each weekday on Breakfast. Counterpoint and Late Night Live dip into all sides of political commentary and, if it's serious news, it'll be discussed all over RN from RN Drive to Sunday Extra.

Labor criticises government's $3.2 billion childcare package

December 2nd, 2015

Episode 1299 of 1761 episodes

The government says most families will be $30 per week better off as a result of its long-awaited childcare package, but the opposition is demanding more information.


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Matthew Arnold

(1822-1888 / Middlesex / England)

A Wish - Poem by Matthew Arnold

I ask not that my bed of death
From bands of greedy heirs be free;
For these besiege the latest breath
read full text »

Comments about A Wish by Matthew Arnold

  • (11/16/2015 3:16:00 AM)

    Nor bring, to see me cease to live,
    Some doctor full of phrase and fame,
    To shake his sapient head and give
    The ill he cannot cure a name.

    What marvelous way to tell the events of ones last breath! Very interesting poem
    (Report) Reply

    0 person liked.
    1 person did not like.
  • Susan Williams (10/24/2015 2:19:00 PM)

    After reading the intelligent comments below, I cannot think of anything to add to their musings. This poem is a great piece and the comments just as great. (Report) Reply

  • (4/23/2014 8:08:00 AM)

    Though I have read so many poems on death the final farewell of human life this poem made me so emotional since its minute details of departing the world and the after ripple effects that gone into my mind which I have so many times witnessed in houses of death of near and dear ones and also good and bad friends and their relatives and the after death effects bravely faced by the near relatives. The great poet tells the truth in detail to feel the universe as his own home and asks each type of soul to weep and tearful if it likes and I think what a beautiful words the great poet selected to create this wonderful poem and every one interested in his poem will definitely interest in the theme and its language breadth and depth in detail no doubt. (Report) Reply

  • S.zaynub Kamoonpuri (5/22/2013 12:44:00 AM)

    I tink dis was more than awesome with its sarcastic wry humor, let your spirit b pleasd with my praise. (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2012 3:29:00 PM)

    not bad) i think nice poem, but nothing more) 8/10)) (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2012 3:23:00 PM)

    Ha. all those poor heirs. to think of a mans death as something material to be gained. i am guilty of this, and the poem even has a wish to lose those material things, which actually do cause many a man many kinds of strife. and the hope is that in death if material things are or are not, they do not cause such squabbles in life after death. a perfect wish. (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2012 11:03:00 AM)

    A bracing, ennobling poem, with a sincere, BRING IT ON bravado. (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2010 6:59:00 PM)

    What Mr. Olivarez said - only this is also my most sincere outlook on life and death that I finally find presented in poetic form. No, he doesn't discuss any afterlife. Instead, he presents an acceptance of life and death, and whatever the world can give.
    Thankyou, Mr. Arnold.
    (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2010 10:20:00 AM)

    I am speechless. My only comment is 'wow'. (Report) Reply

  • Ramesh T A (5/21/2010 3:55:00 AM)

    It is the wish of every man in trouble as long as one is in this world full of chaos and ambitions looming large over all! (Report) Reply

  • (3/4/2010 12:01:00 AM)

    His Poetms are special
    Through means and means.
    Clear hearty starts to end
    Cautiously breathes
    To arrive the end
    Where is no end in life
    He lived and we still live…!

    Written Instantly
    (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2009 1:31:00 PM)

    brilliant poem, really enjoyed it and it's silent imagery. Bravo (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2009 1:31:00 PM)

    brilliant poem, really enjoyed it and it's silent imagery. Bravo (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2009 5:34:00 AM)

    I get the feeling of one living in a shell. Really hating this temporal life and looking out on the world through a glass. Really only finding solace in nature and the wonders. A real poet, set apart from the world in thinking. Only encompassing GODS wonders and yet questioning at the end the after life. (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2008 3:30:00 PM)

    What is the truth before the end? Is there something after death, you ask?

    Or does the speaker of 'A Wish' merely ask that he be spared certain
    indignities that we inflict on the dying? The friends who come to gawk
    and thereby satisfy some morbid curiosity about seeing him cease to live?
    Some doctor who doesn't save his life, but can give a name to whatever
    ailment killed him? That undiscovered country of death from whose land
    no one returns to deliver a report to the survivors, is that where he's bound
    for on death's wings?

    Let me be, he says, the world will outlast me, that's for sure. At least it
    never promised me love it could not deliver! The sun shone regardless of
    me and my mortality! Let my spirit depart from its mortal body for what
    I know not - whether to some ethereal waiting room or not! It matters
    not at all!

    Matthew Arnold seems not to subscribe to a belief in an afterlife, it seems
    to me. I don't know that his poem opened my eyes or not, however!
    (Report) Reply

  • Mark Nwagwu (5/21/2008 3:56:00 AM)

    How very true, death; but there is a Greater Truth, Truth itself to whom death draws us or there's nothing after death (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2008 1:02:00 AM)

    A very good poem that will strike everyones mind...An eye opener! ! ! (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2006 9:47:00 AM)

    THis was well written, different, but real
    and something to think about
    THought provoking,
    THough sad, I enjoyed reading it.

    Well expressed.......because perhaps many need to know the true before the end.
    (Report) Reply

  • (5/21/2004 9:36:00 AM)

    I being a great believer in brotherhood and peace, supposing this as to be my responsibility and wish to shower some wisdom on the need and importance of peace.The world is fast becoming a dangerous place to live on and exigence from thi state of affairs is that we start peace.Being troubled and groaning in pain, so distressed and busy are we that we have no time even to make friends.But as we cannot afford pesssimism hope is the greatest asset that we have, The agony and the pain we endure atleast they must force out tghe need for peace.Let's all extend our hands to welcomed the peace.May this vociferous voice strike every mind and soul that do not want peace. (Report) Reply

# 266 poem on top 500 Poems

User Rating:
3.1 / 5 ( 120 votes ) 19

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text:
Aftab Alam

Gold Star - 39,822 Points (15 th April 1967 / , , RANCHI,)

Lovely- Lovely Pearly Dew - Poem by Aftab Alam

Lovely- lovely pearly dew
Rising sun with morning new
Breezy-breezy air that sough
read full text »

Poet's Notes about The Poem

Wrote this for the kids to recite

Comments about Lovely- Lovely Pearly Dew by Aftab Alam

  • Edward Kofi Louis (5/30/2013 5:53:00 AM)

    Lovely work. Thaks for sharing it with us.

    (Report) Reply

    0 person liked.
    0 person did not like.
  • Farah Ilyas (5/26/2013 3:00:00 PM)

    musical & soft nature rhymes for kids, good one (Report) Reply

  • Wahab Abdul (5/26/2013 12:14:00 AM)

    with sweet and lovely rhymes.. love it.. do not ask me why... ha ha.. readers along with the author know it..8 (Report) Reply

  • (5/25/2013 12:14:00 AM)

    When I finished reading the poem I felt the music of the words - so lovely, -lovely! And when I came upon the notes I was really happy of your beautiful intention! Yes, it's a good poem for kids to sing along! Very nice, Aftab! (Report) Reply

  • (5/24/2013 8:46:00 PM)

    lovely pearly dew indeed :) (Report) Reply

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