text:
Catching up with friends when I can

Plus some Instagram Pics

Empire State Building in clouds
Had a rare bit of downtime and coorporating weather so I saw my friend Claire for dinner the other night and then went out with my friend Bryson to celebrate his wife’s birthday.

Don’t actually get to catch up with people in RL all that often; partly because we’re all busy and partly because FB and other social networks are kinda like “keeping up, lite.” We get the curated highlights that people want to share and, for the most part, that’s often good enough.

But it’s nice seeing people when I can. Claire is staying here in The City from California because of her fella and Bryson is, as always, the same guy I knew back in college but with two kids now.

It’s nice seeing how your friends’ stories unfold.

Shots of liquor

On a different note entirely, I’ve been trying to get more into Instagram.

My main issue with using is that I don’t generally like how pictures from phones come out. But here are the highlights of what I’ve done recently – follow me!

Spring in NYC and Bryant Park.Spring in NYC and Bryant Park.

#Cloudy day in #NYC and autumn leaf bag bear downtown is unhappy. #Cloudy day in #NYC and autumn leaf bag bear downtown is unhappy.

Nighttime falls in the #UWS in #NYC. The #DINKYs and #YUPPIES grow restless. Nighttime falls in the #UWS in #NYC. The #DINKYs and #YUPPIES grow restless.

It's #spring and sunny in #NYC but still cold enough to freeze you solid. It’s #spring and sunny in #NYC but still cold enough to freeze you solid.

NYC is always a work in progress. NYC is always a work in progress.

Location: HomeDepot getting supplies
Mood: excited
Music: If you’re gonna do it, do it right – right?
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They’re always filming something here

They’re shooting Gotham in my neighborhood

Gotham Television Show Shooting in NYC

Since we’re on the topic of talking about the city and real life, there’s always a movie or television shoot going on somewhere.

It does get to be a bit annoying to have a million people milling about and blocking traffic for essentially entertainment purposes when you actually have some place to be.

The other night, an entire block near my house was lit up bright as day in the middle of the night for a scene from Gotham and I had to walk all the way around the other side to just cross the street.

That picture above was taken at maybe midnight but a crane with the brightest light I’d ever seen lit up the whole block.

And outside my window this morning there were three scouts laying out shots for something else for what seemed like hour. I finally had to ask them to leave, which they were nice enough to do.

But still I have to admit that I’m always jazzed when I see someplace I recognize on the big or little screen.

Suppose it’s just like everything else in life, you want the results of things without having to put in the effort to have them done.

Me: Fellas, my desk is right there, do you mind keeping it down?
Him: Oh, sorry, sorry, we were working on a shoot.
Me: (laughing) I guessed that part.

Location: Queens, shortly
Mood: busy
Music: Hypocrites. You’re all here for the very same reason.
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Hoping we don’t go back to the good old days

Anyone missing the old NYC didn’t live in the old NYC

Me: Do you want me to slice that for you?
Her: Why?
Me: Cutting bagels are the among the most dangerous household activities.
Her: (getting knife) You’re the clumsiest person I know.
Me: This is true.

Finished up a slate of projects for a client recently and immediately got more work in. There’s no real happy balance with my type of work, it’s either feast or famine.

The professor was in town but we each only had an hour or so, so we caught up in basement of Grand Central.

Me: Y’know, I have no childhood reference for this place. I figured if I came here back then, I’d get shanked.
Him: Yeah.

The people that dream of the good old days of NYC never had to live here back then. I have the feeling they’re the same people that like to rubberneck at car wrecks or watch nature shows when the impala gets killed by the lioness.

Great entertainment if you’re the lioness or the one in a safe car. Not so much if you’re the impala.

Running down my list of friends who were born and raised here, the professor is in Pittsburgh, another buddy is in Hawaii, another one in Cali, another one in Connecticut.

The City takes its toll on you over a lifetime.

I bring this up because I was concerned about our new mayor. The last time we had a mayor like him, the city was a cesspool.

But his recent choice of our old Chief Bratton has allayed my fears, somewhat. Only somewhat.

For me, I can only wait.

Because there really isn’t anywhere like New York.

Location: in front of all these computer screens
Mood: tired
Music: I know, I know, I know you ain’t the one to play the game.
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Insomnia and a day of meetings on tap

Another sleepless night

Had a bunch of things I wanted to write about but a particularly bad bout of insomnia this week has made it so that everything’s hazy. A copy of a copy of a copy.

Last night a car alarm kept my entire building awake as well so that was beyond irritating. Wanted to go outside with a sledgehammer.

Now I’ve got to slap myself awake and prep for a day of meetings from 11AM to 7:30PM. No fun.

In some ways, NYC and I are in an abusive relationship. She treats me terribly but her charms are enough that I stay. Some of us are just nighthawks, I suppose.

Apparently Billy Joel feels the same way too; check out this vid with him and a random Vanderbuilt college kid named Michael Pollock that wants to play the piano with him.

Here’s the thing: If you never ask, there’s zero chance you’ll get what you want. The risk one takes by opening the mouth and asking changes everything.

Everything good comes from the asking. Michael Pollock asked to play and Joel said yes.

Guess it’s time for another meeting.

Why yes, I will have another cup of coffee…

Mood: ex-fricken-hausted
Music: so easy livin’ day by day Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
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The guys in your corner

Life’s easier with people on your side

Was doing work when I got a text from my buddy Thor telling me he had a fight the next day. He’s probably the only guy I get to practice my crappy German with so I said yes.

Him: Hey buddy, do you maybe have some time tomorrow to take some pics?
Me: Maybe – where and when?

The next night, was walking down an empty Jerome Avenue looking for a fight ring.

Pretty soon, walked into a Bronx gym that smelled like old sweat and violence.

Found Thor and the coaches and waited around for the other fella – who ended up being a no show. But the guys just ended up looking for another fighter to fight and found one.

The only issue was that he was ranked two levels higher than my buddy (white vs. purple).

But Thor was game so it was on.

Just like all of the other fights, it was a lotta waiting around before they finally got down to scrapping. I stood in his corner with his coaches to film it.

Thor ultimately lost but we were proud that he held his own.

It’s ok, we all lose at some point.

And we all lose our very last fight. It’s our fate.

But along the way, it’s nice to have people in your corner – people on you side.

As for me, if I get to choose which corner to be in, I choose to to be in the one with the people that, when that bell rings – regardless of the what or who they’re up against – take a deep a breath, knuckle-up, and roll.

Him: Thanks for coming. It means a lot to me.
Me: You did great – it was against a purple! That’s something. Get ready for the next one – let’s go...

Mood: proud
Music: on the surface he looks calm and ready to drop bombs
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Our reputations bring us places

Sometimes these places have no rum but endless vodka and ill-thought out plans

Our reputations carry us places – hopefully places we want to go, which is not always the case. And you build a reputation just like you build anything else in your life.

When I was single, had a reputation of never saying no to an invite and that’s served me well; met my wife this way and lots of other interesting people.

Back then, found myself randomly at the Rainbow Room meeting Tina Fey or running repeatedly into a French waitress at Hiro or just ending up on a rooftop somewhere.

After I got married, stopped having that reputation – mainly because it’s tiring and little beats being at home seeing what’s on Netflix with your favourite person.

But I still get the random call from time-to-time. Monday it was from my old buddy, Mas.

Him: There’s a black tie banquet at Cirpriani’s downtown tonight, you’re on the guest list.
Me: Do I have to wear a tie?
Him: It’s supposed to be tuxedo, so please wear tie
Me: Fine, fine – but if I see someone without a tie there, it’s coming off!
Him: Deal

An hour later, I’m having a Double-Cross vodka martini – hold everything but the vodka – and trying to chat with Maya Lin.

It’s vodka, BTW, because of their lack of any aged rums; told the bartender they should consider adding some.

After my buddy and his friends show up, it’s a blur of vodka (now giving up all pretensions and just having it on the rocks), appetizers, speeches, and handshakes.

In the middle of it, get a call from a client.

Her: …12 projects. All due this quarter.
Me (what I wanted to say): All due this quarter?! That’s crazy. There’s only three weeks left and I’ve got eight projects already due by year’s end, which is really December 21st because of Xmas falling on a Tuesday this month. I’m flattered you thought of me, but I can’t possibly.
Me: (what I actually said): Sure.

Finished up the night by thanking my friends for the invite and headed home to the aforementioned favourite person.

Her: How was it?
Me: No good rum but otherwise, really nice. Let me tell you who I met…

Woke up the next day with 250MB of pdf files in my email. My email crashed because of the volume of scans.

Slept 3 hours last night. Off to start project nine of the month.

Goodbye sleep, I’ll see you in January.

Location: off to another meeting
Mood: whoa
Music: down on Delancey, Hey remember that time
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Travelogue (Kinda) – Downtown NYC

We love weddings and staycations; even better together

A buddy of mine that’s made a number of appearances in this blog over the years under another name got married this past weekend downtown.

The wife and I decided to book a hotel downtown a while ago so that we could have a staycation. But we were worried after the storm hit that the Hilton Doubletree downtown might be damaged so we called and they said everything was fine.

We found out later that this was only partly true.

Getting around downtown with a cane and a buncha bags wasn’t easy, and there was definitely a strong odor of gas/anti-freeze/oil in the air. Everywhere we went, there were ConEd workers and pumps chugging along. Piles and piles of rubbish everywhere.

But we made it to our hotel in one piece.

The thing that was partly true about the hotel was that only two of the three elevators were working. We didn’t think that was going to be a big deal but it ended up meaning long waits for everything.

Me with a cane meant that we couldn’t take the stair so it was a whole lotta hurry up and wait.

We decided to just stay in the hotel for dinner and I ordered myself fried chicken with waffles before crashing.

The next morning, we ordered some breakfast and then went out for a walk. Downtown is really completely different from rest of the city in that it’s streets are a lot like Boston or Philly because of this massive fire in 1776.

We couldn’t believe how much the water rose during the hurricane.

But it was a sunny, if not cold, day so the city looked like it was getting back to normal.

We then went over to Battery Gardens where we sat for a Jewish ceremony complete with my Asian buddy smashing glass at the end and getting hoisted up on a chair.

Saw a number of old friends that I’d not seen in a while.

Also, isn’t it funny when you find out that you have a friend in common with people that you didn’t know knew the same people? That seems to happen more and more these days.

The guy with the shaved head below insisted on getting me food while I sat and nursed my leg – what a mensch! Between him and my wife, I pretty much just sat back and received food and drink. That’s the way to live, my friends.

I’m leaning on a cane below; I wanted one with a silver handle and a fur hat for the festive occasion but the wife put a stop to that idea.

She ruins all my great ideas.

The next day, took almost half-an-hour for the elevator to arrive but we made it home soon enough. Spent the rest of the day nursing my leg; the trip home wiped me out.

Life is slowly getting back to normal for us as well. As it were.

Me: Morning, honey. Oh shoot, I’ve got to call that chicken farmer this morning.
Her: Morning. Wait, what?

Location: planning a trip to an industrial farm
Mood: better
Music: But someone picked you from the bunch
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Then kunckle up and swing

Her: (watching the tourists at 30 Rock) It’s funny. People come all the way here to see our town.
Me: Yeah. It’s not notice things when we live here.

Had a date night with the wife; we don’t do it often enough but it’s nice when we get around to it. Went to the same place we went around last year.

Afterward, we took a nice stroll back home. It’s good, being tourists in your own city.

Work’s finally slowed down a bit, for better or for worse. Had some time to work on some other projects of mine.

NYer Lionel Trilling once said, “Our culture peculiarly honors the act of blaming, which it takes as the sign of virtue and intellect.” I add that to that old Chateaubriand quote, “You are not superior just because you see the world in an odious light.”

Just don’t get why people think negativism equals reasoned intellect. If anything, unsupported criticism just makes you look like a churl. And a douchebag.

There’s this company with the following business model: for a fee – they’ll read your book and write an honest review of it. So I put my money where my mouth is and requested one.

What I got in return was a scathing review, which was disappointing. But then I read the review closely, noticed some odd things. The reviewer:

  1. only mentioned the hero in one sentence
  2. didn’t mention the antagonist – at all
  3. didn’t mention anything that happened after page 30.
  4. didn’t mention any themes (revenge, loyalty, etc) or really anything of substance
  5. instead focused a third of the review on a single minor scene (on page 24) out of 276 pages.

That’s when I realized that this guy just skimmed it, dashed off a review, and took my dough. There’s nuthin honest about that.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, saw that the reviewer, amongst other things:

  • doesn’t understand how to use a colon
  • doesn’t know the difference between “blonde” and “blond,”
  • doesn’t know how to spell “plot lines.”

There’s more, but that’s enough for now. And that’s when I went from being disappointed to feeling ripped-off.

So I actually contacted an editor and told him that I’m not just some disappointed author, I’m someone that reviews books regularly. And I know the difference between a real book review is and a slap-dash quickie dollar.

And I posited this simple question to the editor: “Do you and your company stand by this review?”

  • If he doesn’t, I want my money back.
  • If he does, I’ll print the review here and let you decide if it’s a valid review.

Should note that when I write a book review, my name is on it. I own it, good or bad. In this blog, on FB, at the NYJB, at Lawline. I own what I put out into the world and I stand by it.

Here’s an anonymous review from someone that clearly doesn’t understand basic rules of English, who didn’t read my book, and tells me it’s no good.

If you read me regularly, you know that I can handle lively debate or a fair disagreement. What I can’t stand is horses__t and bullies.

It’s like that time that guy ran out and said he would drop me. Remember thinking, You must not know ’bout me.

Told that guy to knuckle up and swing because I knew something he didn’t: I was qualified for the task at hand.

As he sulked away, he and I both knew he was not similarly situated.

And now, it appears we’ve arrived at a similar junction.

Location: yesterday, celebrating Easter
Mood: offended
Music: “Do you believe what you’re sayin’?” Yeah right now, but not that often.

The person with the answers’ worth the wait

UWS church in NYC

Was asked to be one of the photographers for my new church opening on the UWS. It’s flattering to be asked but maybe it’s more my Syd than me.

A photographer once told me that at least half of the difficultly of taking pictures of people’s the walking up to strangers and shoving a machine into their faces.

You “take” pictures – no one “gives” them to you. It’s aggressive by its very nature.

The thing’s that I’m not an aggressive guy. Most people’s responses to my taking pictures is a why-not kinda shrug.

Dunno if this’s a good thing or bad thing but I’m leaning toward the former.

Whiskey Tavern in NYC

Went out to see the family over the weekend and the wife came with. Spent most of it building a PVR for my pop.

Time Warner has two numbers for building these things and I called the local number (718.358.0900) versus the toll-free number (866.606.5889) as it seems to be a shorter wait.

The lady on the first one – after 15 minute wait – said, “Hold on, I’m going to send a signal to your box.” I told her I had a series of numbers that I was supposed to read to her and she told me she didn’t need it.

30 minutes later, I’m back at the Time Warner repair center returning a fried box.

This time, called the second number and – after a 90 minute wait – got a guy who chuckled and said, “She fried your box, huh? Dunno why they keep putting the local numbers there. Those guys don’t know what they’re doing.”

No. No they do not.

Moral of the story? The person with the answers’ worth the wait.

Whiskey Tavern in NYC

Afterward, met up with Gio. He was having a party at Whiskey Tavern downtown to celebrate his 40th birthday as well his recent engagement. He and I had many the random meetings in the big city together.

As usual with him, the poison was on his tab and all of our people were there. My liver wasn’t speaking to me afterward. Ran into a number of old faces and it was good catching up – even ran into three people that read me here (hola!).

Anywho, there’s this saying that every pot has it’s cover. Maybe that’s true.

Met the future Mrs. Gio that night and told her I wished the two of them all of the best.

Life’s hard enough without your person.

Location: bedroom, writing
Mood: disappointed
Music: you give me no reason why you’re making me work so hard

5 Unique things to do in NYC – 2011

What does a native New Yorker do for fun?

Lincoln Center

People are always asking me for unique things to do in NYC. Dunno about unique but here’s what I do as a native NYCer when I get a moment or two:

1. Walk down Riverside Drive
On a clear day, take a walk down Riverside Park. It’s perfect in spring or fall – here’s when I did it in November 2009. There’s an entrance on 72nd and Riverside Drive. Start off by walking to the tip of the West Side Pier and pretend you’re on a ship. Afterwards, you can stroll all the way down to Union Square via the bike path (or bike, natch) and see some ruins of old NYC, the parks, and even the High Line if you want to step off for a bit. It’ll be the most relaxing part of your Manhattan trip.

2. Eat at John’s Pizzeria
Always tell everyone to try out John’s Pizzeria on W 44th Street. Everybody goes to Lombardi’s downtown cause that’s where American pizza was invented in 1897. That’s all fine but it’s kinda not worth it. The thing is, Lombardi had a buncha helpers who were named Grimaldi, Patsy, and John, amongst others. John set up shop, like the others, and John’s Pizza’s his flagship. The pizza’s the same in that’s it thin and great – not coal fired, though. But the thing about John’s Pizza’s that it’s in a converted cathedral. So try to get a seat in the main room and look up at the stained-glass ceilings. You can also have fun trying to figure out where the choir was. It’s cheap too; figure $50 for a pizza, two drinks and a salad. It’ll be the nicest pizza place you’ve ever been to. Two notes:

  • the mens rooms are tiny,
  • avoid any time 90 minutes before a Broadway show, place’s packed.

3. Step out at Solas
Back when I was single, was at Solas on East 9th practically every Thursday and Friday night. The best thing about the joint – beside the no cover charge – is that it’s essentially three different spots in one. The eastern part’s a regular bar; belly up, order yourself a Dark and Stormy and chat up the girlie next to you. The western part’s almost always has a DJ and a private party that you’re always able to crash and get down with your bad self (don’t be a douchebag if you do). That has a bar too. Finally, upstairs is a lounge area although they usually jack up the sound up there too. Oh, and there’s a bar there too. Love that joint. It’s the only thing I miss about being single.

4. Get a drink (with or without bubbles) in the Winter Garden
Despite the name, the summer’s the best time to head downtown to the World Financial Center / Winter Garden. There’s usually a lotta shows that’re free to see and you can get a Dark and Stormy here too or something else with bubbles in your drinks. Like mosta NYC, it’s not really cheap but it’s not crazy expensive. Good place for a fourth date or a nice night out.

5. Have lunch with real silverware and food you don’t have to unwrap for $7
Go eat at Curry Row – already wrote about it once here.

I’ll post more stuff to do in the city that’s not in guidebooks next year. If you have anything you like about the city, lemme know?

As for me, back to the grind…

Regarding the usual nuthin, spent most of Thursday night in the hospital again. Just a lotta waiting around for doctors. Come so often to this emergency room that I should get some sorta rewards point.

  • Check out the comments to reach other people’s thoughts on these sites (and maybe leave a thought of your own!).
  • Finally, if you enjoyed this entry, take a look at my usual blog about life in NYC or consider picking up my eBook thriller about organized crime in NYC, The Men Made of Stone; sold everywhere!

The Men Made of Stone - Logan Lo
Location: Last week, a waiting room at Columbus Circle, again.
Mood: still worried
Music: maybe I’m on my knees
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Halloween Journey

  • Stokes Nature Center 2696 U.S. Highway 89 Logan, UT, 84321 United States

Don your Halloween costumes and embark on a magical journey as you wander up the trail to the Nature Center! Parents and children will encounter many enchanting characters with games and treats to share along the way.

All ages welcome. Stories and characters will be age appropriate. To avoid scaring anyone, please ensure that your costumes are non-violent and non-gory.

Dress for the weather, our celebration will be outdoors as long as the weather cooperates.

Tickets Availalble at the Door

$7 Individual

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text:
Logan Canyon

Mile-high vertical limestone cliffs tower above dense forest, a winding Logan River, and mountain wildlife add to the picturesque canyon which ends at the turquoise waters of Bear Lake.

During the summer locals and visitors alike enjoy a variety of outdoor sports, from fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking and camping.

Logan Canyon is also popular during the winter with more than 300 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and the oldest family run ski resort in the U.S., Beaver Mountain Ski Resort.

  • Fishing
  • Rock Climbing (Climbers must be respectful of restrictions designed to protect five sensitive plant species including Maguire’s Primrose, a flower found only in Logan Canyon. )

Logan Canyon Scenic Byway

The Logan Canyon Byway is lined with camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing areas in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. A 7-mile paved drive off the highway lids to Tony Grove Lake. Wildflowers proliferate here between June and August.

Logan Canyon Children's Forest

The Logan Canyon Children's Forest is part of a growing network of federally designated National Forests that maintain an exceptional dedication to nature education.

Stokes Nature Center, with the support of the Utah Humanities Council, presents the History of Logan Canyon Podcast Tour. Now you can travel through Logan Canyon learning about its amazing history and fascinating lore.  Listen as you go or stop and explore along the way.


text:
Kiku Honda (mystiklsushi) wrote in lolocracy,
Kiku Honda

The Talk

Who: Kiku and Willem
When: Aug 25th, afternoon
Where: The back patio of the rental house
What: Time to discuss the future.

Kiku had felt a little bold suggesting that they change the lease on their house. He knew what he was implying, and he knew that it was Serious Business. The topic wasn't money or painting the walls. It was creating a life together with Willem. And he was asking if the other was ready for more than a prearranged pay-date on the little house they had fixed up. What he was asking for had no easy out if things fell flat. Willem was still young. He was still in school. His family...

Even so, Kiku wanted to present the option. And to let him know that if Willem wanted, they could begin planning for the long term.

He stepped onto the patio, Pochi wriggling around his legs as soon as the door was open so that he could play in the grass, and set two cans of beer on the table.

Tags: japan, netherlands, status: complete
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text:
Category: Good Beer Guide 2010

The Good Beer Guide is a yearly publication by CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale). Pubs listed in the Good Beer Guide are chosen by local CAMRA branches as representing the best real ale pubs in their area.

See the CAMRA website to find out how to buy the Good Beer Guide. (RGL is not affiliated with CAMRA, and we don't get any kickback from that link. We do, however, thoroughly recommend that anyone interested in real ale and/or pubs should get their hands on a copy.)

Pubs in the 2010 Good Beer Guide (view them on a map):

Last edited 2009-09-10 23:46:22 (version 2; diff). List all versions.


text:
Friday, December 21, 2012

Is America Great?

In case you missed it, here is Alex Grant's article Is America Great? that appeared in the December 20th edition of the Longmeadow News (with permission of the author and thanks to the Longmeadow News). It reflects sentiments that many of us have after last week's tragedy.

In the wake of the Newtown shootings, I am beginning to wonder, for the first time in my life, whether America can be a great country.  In my lifespan, we have endured the tragedy of Vietnam, the shame of Watergate, the prospect of nuclear annihilation by the Soviet Union, the shock of the 9/11 attacks, and three wars in the Middle East.  Through it all, I have remained steadfast that we are, as our Puritan forebear John Winthrop said, a "city upon a hill."  I have read the story of our nation as the history of a people called to a higher purpose, as expressed in the Mayflower Compact, the Constitution, and in our current form of government.

American courage and ingenuity, displayed for generations, from the War of Independence to World War II to the Cold War, have been placed in service to the rest of the world and to ourselves.  I have always thought that the arc of our history bends upward, and it lends credence to the idea of the perfectibility of mankind.  I question all of that now.

Whatever aspirations we may have for shared prosperity, the health and happiness of our people, or even social justice, none of them matter so long as small children can be slaughtered en masse and so long as the survivors and the rest of society must live in apprehension, and with the knowledge, that such a mass killing will happen again.  When the Declaration of Independence said that we are all endowed with the unalienable rights to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," it was no mistake that "Life" came first.

Life is first because everything else flows from it.  The society we hope to build in the coming years, however much we succeed in our aims, will be of no use to the Newtown children lying in the morgue.  Freedom and material prosperity count for nothing to the dead.  If we cannot provide peace and security in our cities, towns, and in our schools, if we cannot protect our young children, then we, as a people, are a disgrace.  We are a disgrace to ourselves and to our proud history.  If we cannot secure the lives of children whom we hold most dear, we are not a beacon to the world, we are a failure, and we deserve the condemnation of countries around the globe.

In decades past, we have faced mighty challenges from without, forces bent on our destruction.  We have been bloodied but not beaten.  The problem of gun violence, however, is one of our own making, and being within our control, it ought to be susceptible to solution.  But the list of mass killings has grown, they have become more frequent, and we remain paralyzed.  Places like Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora emerge from obscurity and now live in infamy, and somehow, nothing changes.

The question now is whether Newtown will be simply added to the list, or whether Americans will act, and act now, to prevent their children from being massacred.  If we do not act now, we will never act.  And while our children have, for years, been killed one by one, in incidents so commonplace that the newspapers often do not even notice, the choice of whether to live in fear, or to do something about it, has never been so clear.

Are we so enured to gun violence, are our hearts so hardened, that even this will not awaken our consciences?  In 1929, the murder of seven Chicago mob associates on Valentine's Day was enough to spark public outrage, and that outrage led to the downfall of Al Capone, whose organization carried out the killings.  There was a time when we cared, when we refused to live amid anarchy and killing.  We have to care enough now to change, to change our hearts and our ways, to make it so that Newtown will never happen again and children will not have to live in fear.

That is the great task before us.  We have before faced and overcome greater tasks, but we cannot doubt that this is a moment of reckoning for our country.  The issue is nothing less than whether the honored dead in Newtown will die in vain.  Sympathy, prayers, and grief are not enough.  Killings like these must stop.  If the deaths of the Newtown kids do not matter, then we as a country are dead inside too, and God have mercy on us all.

Alex J. Grant is a lawyer living in Longmeadow.
His email address is


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Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, More Added to 'Salute the Troops' TV SpecialLee Brice, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler, and Keith Urban have also been added to the already impressive bill of the television special, which airs in May. LL Cool J and actor Chris O'Donnell will host.
Geren Ford, Kellie Pickler Design Cat Sweater To Benefit ASPCADesigner Geren Ford visited KCAL9 Thursday to discuss a limited-edition cat sweater that she designed with country singer Kellie Pickler for Cat Appreciation Month.
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UPDATE: Will Ferrell & Kristen Wiig Nix Lifetime TV MovieWill Ferrell and Kristen Wiig say they are now abandoning plans for a Lifetime TV movie after the secret project became public.
Kristen Wiig Stars in Sia's 'Chandelier' GRAMMY PeformanceWe know Sia isn't so keen on showing her face in public (so, hey, why not record a pop album?), but her GRAMMY performance tonight was some other-level shy stuff.
All-Female 'Ghostbusters' Cast AnnouncedThe all-new, all-female "Ghostsbusters" are here.
Oscar Winners Woody Allen, Diablo Cody Among Writer's Guild Award NomineesOscar winners Woody Allen and Diablo Cody are among the scribes who will compete tonight for the Writers Guild of America's award for best original screenplay, while the writers of HBO's hit series "Boardwalk Empire" and "Game of Thrones" are among the nominees for television drama writing.

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Blast door map equations

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There are several equations written as additional notations on the blast door map. At least two of the equations appear to be engineering/physics equations related to magnetics. There is also third equation, a trignometric problem, in the top left corner of the map.

Zoomed-in pic from, where you can see some of the numbers and dates.
  • √16, √64, √225
    • Corresponds to 4, 8, 15
  • x 4, y 8, z 15
    • These appear to indicate coordinates, describing some location in reference to three axes.
    • Underneath it says "SUBTERRANEAN CONDUIT?"
  • "Valenzetti-related" research was conducted on the Island

  • There are three trigonometric equations in the top left-hand corner of the map.
    •  s = 2r \cos 72^\circ
    •    = r\frac{\sqrt5 - 1}{2}
    •  w = 2s \cos 72^\circ = 4r \cos ^2 72^\circ = r[\frac{(\sqrt5 - 1)}{2}]^2

  • (√5 -1)/2 appears twice in the equation. This number is the golden ratio minus 1 and 1 divided by the golden ratio, which is also known as the golden ratio conjugate. It is also equal to 2 cos 72°.
  • cos 72° = -cos 108°.
  • A regular pentagon has internal angles 72° and external angles 108°.
  • This arrangement can be found in a perfect pentagram. Applying these equations to the pentagram, the total process seeks to find the length of an outer “arm” of the pentagram (w) given the length from one point to another (r).

B vector, H vector

  • There are also two differential equations (calculus) on the map; both are standard engineering/physics equations.
    • The B vector equation, on the far right of the map, is magnetic flux density:
      \vec B = {\mu_0 \over {4 \pi}} \int_V \vec \nabla \left ( \vec M \cdot \vec \nabla \left ( {1 \over r} \right ) \right ) dV.

The equation gives the magnetic field experienced at a given point r due to the presence of a magnetic material with a magnetization given by the magnetization vector \vec{M}.

    • The H vector equation, in the top left corner of the map, is magnetic field strength:
      \vec H = {\mathcal M \over {\mathcal G_p}} {\partial \over {\partial k}} \vec g

  • B equation is typically used by physicists to compute the external magnetic field from a magnetic material, i.e. a material which has a diverging Magnetization distribution: \vec\nabla\cdot\vec M.
  • H fields and B fields are related. B is the magnetic induction field (aka flux density). H is the auxiliary magnetic field. M is the magnetization (magnetic polarization or dipole field).
    • \vec B = \mu_0(\vec H + \vec M). Also, \vec B \ = \mu\vec H .
    • Here \mu is a material dependent property called the permeability.
  • M, B, H (and E and D not shown here, but exist in g among other places) need to be specified before these equations have any specific meaning (like saying speed = distance / time). As they stand, the equations just demonstrate an interest in magnets.
  • The equations, in their current form, are only useful if the calculator knows the value of magnetization (M), distance (r), and the variables for the g vector.
  • k is widely used in electromagnetism equations as representing the wavenumber, so using a k direction in the H equation would be idiosyncratic.
  • Gp represents the "operating power gain" of a transmitting antenna (it's not actually a constant) in antenna theory. The H calculation may be to determine the mag-field strength of an antenna.

Magnitude of B

  • There also appear to be two derived values at far right, immediately above "High potential for RVS." Tentatively, they read:
    • B_p => 6 * 10^{-5} T
    • B_e => 4 * 10^{-5} T

  • The "preposterously high" magnetic field strengths once supposed from the lower resolution map have been clarified by the jigsaw puzzles map, which is clearer. They confirm that the Tesla values are much lower than previously assumed.

A high quality image of the map shows minute markings next to some of the blue lines connecting DHARMA stations. The line from the Staff to the Arrow has written "72°", and the line from the Swan to "C3?" has "56°". Other small markings on the lines are "t-z", "r", and "y". In keeping with trigonometry, it appears to be calculations to work out compass directions to each station.

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Organizational Leadership & Learning

When you have the skills to lead, success folllows.

We foster leadership, learning, and performance to provide relevant solutions for a changing world.

We offer innovative programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. Our programs educate professionals who focus on leadership, organization development, human resources, and workforce development in order to benefit individuals, organizations and society.

Heather French Henry, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, speaks about the importance of completing your degree.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Organizational Leadership and Learning
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  • Louisville (Clifton Center)
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  • Online
  • Panama City, Panama
  • Ft. Knox Extended Campus
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Louisville (primarily at Belknap Campus)
  • Partially online


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Shaping Future Leaders in Cardiovascular Medicine

Through multiple fellowships, including three advanced programs. Now seeking qualified applicants.

Cutting-Edge Research

Saving lives through cutting-edge clinical research. View current studies

Pushing Boundaries in Research

Clinical research that is leading innovation

Bringing It All Together

Our patients benefit from our experience and knowledge. Learn more about our clinical services.

February 9, 2017 - Dr. Lorrel Brown discusses reducing heart attack risk, and Hands-Only CPR - Read More

February 6, 2017 - Dr. Brad Sutton discusses how having business know-how opens up new career opportunities for physicians in AAMCNews - Read More

December 20, 2016 - Multi-center study of adult stem cells now open at seven sites in six states - New research expands on previous studies by Dr. Roberto Bolli at the University of Louisville - Read More

December 19, 2016 - Dr. Emma Birks talks about her study showing heart pump plus aggressive drugs could allow people with heart failure to regain full function - Watch Video

November 4, 2016 - Dr. Gary Gibbons, Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health presented the 2016 Leonard Leight Lecture - Read More | Photos

October 24, 2016 - Drs. Rakesh Gopinathannair and Michael Flaherty lead newly approved WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Implant program at Jewish Hospital - Read More

September 29, 2016 - Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar, other health experts make case against e-cigs, hookah - Read More

August 9, 2016 - Dr. Ali. Marian tabbed to deliver the 2016 Leonard Leight Lecture - Read More

June 1, 2016 - Bradford Hill, Ph.D., was awarded a $1.8 million grant from the NIH to study the role of metabolism in cardiac cell therapy.

June 1, 2016 - Steven Jones, Ph.D., was awarded a $2.1 million grant from the NIH to study the regulation of metabolic genes in the heart.

“Incredible!” That's how Mike Jones describes his life three and a half years after receiving stem cells as part of Dr. Roberto Bolli's groundbreaking SCIPIO trial. The study, in which twenty patients received their own cardiac stem cells, has transformed Mike Jones' life. Read more.

2017 Hands-Only CPR Training at UofL Women's Basketball

February 2, 2017 - Dr. Lorrel Brown and her team demonstrate "Hands Only" CPR to fans at the UofL women's basketball game vs. N.C.State in the KFC Yum! Center - See Photos

January 31, 2017 - Dr. Andrew DeFilippis, Alpha Phi Foundation's 2016 Heart to Heart Grant recipient and cardiologist at the University of Louisville, explains his innovative research and how the generosity of our donors made it possible - See Video

November 15, 2016 - Dr. Emma Birks presents evidence showing that an artificial heart assist device along with medications may actually help heal the heart - Read More

October 25, 2016 - UofL research team co-authors American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report on air pollution linked to blood vessel damage in healthy young adults - Read More

September 27, 2016 - Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar part of Mayor's forum on possible e-cigarette, hookah ban - Read More

August 12, 2016 - Participants sought by UofL for FACTT trial researching e-cigarette flavors. For more information, e-mail - Read More

May 18, 2016 - Aruni Bhatnagar, Ph.D., and the UofL Diabetes & Obesity Center are part of an air pollution reduction project - Read More

April 25, 2016 - Dr. Lorrel Brown earns American College of Cardiology award for CPR training at the Kentucky State Fair - Read More

April 12, 2016 - Dr. Andrew DeFilippis was recently honored with the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Early Career Investigator Award - Read More

Oct. 29, 2015 - Roberto Bolli, M.D., FAHA, honored with the Schottenstein Prize in Cardiovascular Sciences from The Ohio State University - Read More


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Thursday, April 26, 2012

~Sewing Up a Storm~

I've been busy sewing. It seems I've turned a corner and my time spent in making is usually at the sewing machine, not with knitting needles.

I made these three things in March. It was still cold, but I didn't want to sew something that would only get used for a month or two. So I turned to summer sewing.

A nighty made from a thrifted pillowcase:

A peasant dress:

And a twirly skirt:

The best part of all three of these projects is that I used fabric and supplies I already had on hand. I'm trying to sew through my fabric, but there are two problems: 1) I then have scraps and my scrap bin is full and 2) I just acquired a hefty stack of fabric so I now have way more projects in sight!

All three of these are for my daughter. She especially loves the skirt!

I have some more projects to share - stay tuned. :)

Charity said...

So pretty!! Especially the night gown - I love the yellow!

Sue said...

My grandaughter loves twirly skirts too!

Ruth said...

Yay for stash busting! :) Pretty garments, all three. I particularly love the nightgown. Did you follow a pattern/tutorial or make it up?

Tammy said...

Ruth, for the nightgown I used a peasant dress pattern for the top shaping, and straps/sleeves, and just tapered it down to the hem.

Ashley said...

They are so so pretty! Your little girl is always dressed in such cute clothes!


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Sabtu, 01 Juni 2013

Low Blood Sugar Effects

Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when the glucose level in your blood drops below 70 mg/dL. Its causes range from medical conditions such as diabetes, to side effects from certain medications, to prolonged fasting or strenuous exercise.

Mild Hypoglycemia

    Mild hypoglycemia tends to cause headaches, dizziness, nausea or extreme hunger, confusion, shaking or trembling, or cold sweats. It can impair your ability to operate a vehicle. Left untreated, it can turn into moderate hypoglycemia.

Moderate Hypoglycemia

    Moderate hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels drop below 55 mg/dL. Dizziness becomes more pronounced, and can lead to fainting. Confusion may lead to an inability to care for yourself and bring up your blood sugar count. Blurred vision and poor coordination make it difficult to move, especially to operate a vehicle or machinery. Left untreated, it becomes severe hypoglycemia.

Severe Hypoglycemia

    Severe hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels drop below 35 to 40 mg/dL. The effects of blood sugar this low include seizures or convulsions, hypothermia, coma and even death.

Long-Term Effects

    When hypoglycemia is left untreated, serious medical conditions can result. You can end up with irreversible brain damage or heart problems. Pregnant women can have defects in their unborn children.

    Carefully monitor blood sugar levels. Take medications as prescribed by your physician. Eat regular, appropriate meals throughout the day, working with a nutritionist if necessary. Treat early symptoms of hypoglycemia immediately to avoid developing worse effects.

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Astronomy Colloquium: Choose Your Own Adventure: Multiplicity of Planets among the Smallest Stars

Thursday, October 1, 2015
12:00 AM
411 West Hall

The Solar System furnishes the most familiar planetary architecture: many planets, orbiting nearly coplanar to one another. However, the most common planetary systems in the Milky Way orbit much smaller M dwarf stars, and these may present a very different blueprint. The Kepler data set has furnished more than 100 exoplanets orbiting stars half the mass of the sun and smaller. Half of these planets reside in systems with at least one additional planet. I investigate the proposition of self-similarity in this sample: whether a single architecture explains the multi-planet yield of Kepler. In fact, the data much prefer a model with two distinct modes of planet formation around M dwarfs, which occur in roughly equal measure. One mode is one very similar to the Solar System in terms of multiplicity and coplanarity, and the other is very dissimilar. I discuss whether stellar properties are predictive of one final architecture over the other, and describe implications in the search for life. Ultimately, the deluge of forthcoming exoplanet discoveries will require cheap observables to prioritize precious followup resources, and I'll describe how to leverage planet multiplicity to maximize science return.

Sarah Ballard (MIT) Host: Michael Roman


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Lauran Neergaard

Watch for behavior changes for clues of dementia onset

WASHINGTON — Memory loss may not always be the first warning sign that dementia is brewing — changes in behavior or personality might be an... Read more

Treating hearing loss shouldn't be pricey hassle

WASHINGTON — Treating hearing loss shouldn’t be such a pricey hassle. That’s the message from a prestigious government advisory group that’s... Read more

Trying to get jump on Zika, but money in limbo

WASHINGTON — Beg, borrow and steal: Zika preparation involves a bit of all three as federal, state and local health officials try to get... Read more

This Week’s Circulars


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Posted June 16, 2014 07:19 pm - Updated June 24, 2014 11:09 pm

More animal shelter problems in West Texas (Government blog)

There are more animal shelter problems in West Texas.

Over the weekend, our sister paper the Amarillo Globe-News broke a story about a euthanasia scandal in the city of Amarillo’s animal shelter.

Nearly 600 animals were killed while Amarillo city officials waited to take action.

In 2008, the Brownfield Animal Shelter said it had improved how it euthanizes animals after a former employee and a local veterinarian claimed animals were still clinging to life as many as two hours after drugs were given.

In a 10-page document sent to The Avalanche-Journal, former animal shelter employee Lisa Gersbach described a shelter where animals were often left in cages filled with dried feces, going days without food or water and that the problems exceed failing to properly put down animals.

Here’s more on that story.


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Air Force foots bill for smokers

Published: Friday, May 26, 2000

ATLANTA Smoking costs the Air Force $107 million a year in lost productivity and medical costs, the government said Thursday.

Twenty-five percent of the men and 27 percent of the women on active duty in the Air Force are smokers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The CDC said the smokers cost the government $20 million in medical care and $87 million in work days lost to illness.

The smoking rate in the Air Force is not that different from that of the general population: nearly 28 percent of men and 22 percent of women.

The Air Force bans smoking during basic training and during on-duty hours, as well as in many buildings, Robbins said.

© 2017. All Rights Reserved.  | Contact Us


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1 LumberJock counts this post as a favorite

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Project Birdhouses by Rustic

08-11-2008 08:48 PM

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Easy Birdhouses

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Alyssa's Doll Cradle

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Project by leghome posted 07-30-2014 08:41 PM 957 views 1 time favorited 1 comment Add to Favorites Watch

When Alyssa was playing dolls before the horse craze began

-- If'n I had knowed retirement was this good I'd a dun it sooner

1 comment so far

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Jim Jakosh

17603 posts in 2648 days

#1 posted 08-06-2014 12:04 PM

Sweet cradle, Larry. I’ll be she loved it!!

-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!! Variety is the Spice of Life!!

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Small Parts Thickness Sander

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Project by Randy Price posted 05-29-2011 01:29 AM 4412 views 28 times favorited 7 comments Add to Favorites Watch

This is a small parts thickness sander I made to dimension some small parts for a lamp project. It is more fully described in my blog post:

Here is a link to YouTube to see the thickness sander in action: Small Parts Thickness Sander

The Google SketchUp file of the thickness sander can be found on the Free Downloads Page at

Thanks for looking,

7 comments so far

View HallTree's profile

5663 posts in 3310 days

#1 posted 05-29-2011 01:39 AM

Good idea. I added this to my Favorites

-- "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life" Solomon

View kiefer's profile (online now)

4934 posts in 2210 days

#2 posted 05-29-2011 01:42 AM

very nice setup and very simple but effective and innovativ
also a good dust collection hood
Great job i like it

-- Kiefer

View Froggy's profile

77 posts in 2205 days

#3 posted 05-29-2011 02:00 AM

Very clever dust collection setup! Nice and simple.

View Radu's profile

325 posts in 2586 days

#4 posted 05-29-2011 05:25 AM

Great idea Randy. I love these effective shop projects.

View smitty22's profile

707 posts in 2490 days

#5 posted 05-29-2011 07:50 PM

Thanks Randy, another great idea, love your ‘workin’ with what you got’ series!

-- Smitty

View htl's profile

2429 posts in 702 days

#6 posted 02-15-2016 04:54 PM

I really like this set up!!!

-- There's a hundred ways to do anything, alot depends on the tools at hand.

View OggieOglethorpe's profile

1259 posts in 1653 days

#7 posted 02-15-2016 05:32 PM

There’s a commercial version of this:

Very handy for thicknessing stringing and banding!

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Getting a new what do I need?

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« back to Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories forum

Forum topic by WAWoodButcher posted 11-24-2010 08:29 PM 1912 views 1 time favorited 14 replies Add to Favorites Watch
View WAWoodButcher's profile

18 posts in 2659 days

11-24-2010 08:29 PM

Topic tags/keywords: lathe resource question

Well, my better half has given me permission to get an early Christmas present for myself and pick up a Rikon VS lathe from Woodcraft on Black Friday. Very excited but here’s the thing…I have no idea what else I need. I plan on joining the local club at the beginning of the year but with all the deals going on around Christmas, I would think that now is the time to pick up essentials. So if anyone could give me a list of items I need (will want), tools to look for or stay away from, books/videos,etc… Or point me in the right direction. As for projects I would like to do – pens, bottle stoppers, small bowls maybe, and probably a ton of little baseball bats for the kids. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

-- "Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding 'you are making a scene'." - Homer Simpson

14 replies so far

View dbhost's profile

5633 posts in 2775 days

#1 posted 11-24-2010 08:56 PM

At a minimum, you will need…

#1. Spur Drive, Live Center. (most likely comes with the lathe). #2. Faceplate. Again probably comes with the lathe… #3. A chuck of some sort. Penn State has the Utility chuck on the cheap. Same chuck as my Woodriver but includes the upgraded jaws… (This is not the highest priority, this should have been put last). #4. A basic set of turning tools. Again, Penn State, The Benjamins Best 8 piece HSS tool set is a GREAT place to start. #5. A sharpening rig of some sort. To get away as cheap as possible, a cheap 6” bench grinder, white oxide wheels, and a home built Wolverine jig clone. I went a bit more high dollar and got an 8” grinder, white oxide wheels on both sides, and the full Wolverine setup. If you go the commercial route, check out PSI’s 4 pc sharpening jig set. A wolverine copy, but a good one, you can get it with a 2 speed grinder at a reasonable price…. #6. Stuff like sanding sponges, and finishing supplies…

That should get you “turning” out some completed projects…

-- My workshop blog can be found at, YouTube Channel

View Lochlainn1066's profile

138 posts in 2320 days

#2 posted 11-25-2010 03:59 AM

Most of my turning purchases have been from PSI and I’ve been happy with all of them. Their stuff is well priced and has from acceptable to excellent quality. The Benjamin’s Best tools are great value for the money.

-- Nate,

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Dan Hux

577 posts in 2917 days

#3 posted 11-25-2010 05:59 AM

I just got my lathe, got the shop fox, nice little mini lathe. I got mine to do pens and small stuff. Make sure you know what Morris Taper you are getting so you get the correct size morris taper mandrel for pens and other stuff. This might seem elementary, but took me a few minutes to educate myself about MT #1 and MT#2.

-- Dan Hux,,,,Raleigh, NC

View Roger's profile

20301 posts in 2347 days

#4 posted 11-25-2010 06:27 AM

If you have a public broadcasting channel in your area, look up Tim Yoder, and the woodturning workshop. He’s got awesome techniques. Also, get all the info you can on sharpening your chisels. Dull tools=unsafe anything. Turning is fun. It yields fast results. Like the old saying, “the more you know”, well, “the more you know”

-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed.

View tomd's profile

2033 posts in 3313 days

#5 posted 11-25-2010 06:34 AM

You have just entered the vortex, cast all hope aside.

-- Tom D

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4541 posts in 2617 days

#6 posted 11-25-2010 03:52 PM

dbhost covered everything well. I will only add an emphasis on a good sharpening setup. Also, don’t under estimate what you can do with a faceplate – especially if you use a waste block. Don’t be a hurry to get chuck.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

View WAWoodButcher's profile

18 posts in 2659 days

#7 posted 11-27-2010 08:16 PM

Thanks for all the information, fellas. I have the lathe on the way and I did go with the 8 piece benjamins best set from PSI. I have a 6” slow speed grinder already and I plan on building a sharpening jig so if anyone knows of a good set of plans I would love to know. Also, I was wondering how often one sharpens their tools, and please don’t go with the “when they get dull” answer. I guess I am more wondering how quickly tools get dull enough to sharpen. Thanks again for the feedback. Anything else you think someone should know before getting started, I would love to hear it.

-- "Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding 'you are making a scene'." - Homer Simpson

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Glen Simpson

25 posts in 3129 days

#8 posted 11-27-2010 08:32 PM

I have also just gotten my lathe back into running order, and I have noticed it is the cheapest part. The accessories are a killer, it is like owning a boat. I am saving for a slow speed grinder and just bought the Nova G3 chuck set from Woodcraft. Watch for sales. Just remember, they always seem to know what you are working on when the flyer hits your mailbox.

-- Glen Making sawdust in Alamo, CA

View Lochlainn1066's profile

138 posts in 2320 days

#9 posted 11-27-2010 11:11 PM

I built these:

As stated on that page, they are a little flimsy but work fine. They are cheap so I built three, for the three diameters I needed fingernails for, which is handy. I first built a metal version of this:

which is not adjustable on one angle, and it works okay too. These done out of wood would be simple and easy and cheap as well. There’s no reason to buy a Wolverine or one of its knock offs if you aren’t time-crunched.

A good resource is here:

which is where I got these projects from.

As for when to sharpen: If you have to force the tool, it’s dull. It’s the only real way to tell. After a little bit of practice, you’ll know. There’s no formula since every cut, wood, and turning session will dull a tool differently. I also sharpen less when roughing (I do a green roughing turn first) since tearout isn’t as critical then and green wood dulls less. I also try to make sure all my tools are sharp before I start a project or after I finish for the day, but that’s hit and miss. I also sharpen before making a critical cut.

If you sharpen more often than you need to, all you’re doing is wasting small amounts of steel, which in the long run is cheaper than TIME spent sharpening, starting and stopping, and thinking about it. Make your sharpening process fast and easy and you’ll soon learn what works best for you.

-- Nate,

View Lochlainn1066's profile

138 posts in 2320 days

#10 posted 11-27-2010 11:12 PM

And like Tomd said, welcome to the vortex… we just keep spinning around and around in here.

-- Nate,

View Knothead62's profile

2581 posts in 2504 days

#11 posted 11-27-2010 11:19 PM

Did anyone mention lots of money or a credit card with a high limit????? One can spend more on accessories than on the lathe itself. But…’s fun! Good luck and let us see some of your work.
Our local public TV stations don’t have any woodworking shows!

View WoodChuck84's profile

54 posts in 2415 days

#12 posted 11-28-2010 03:11 AM

db covered most everything. Here’s my 2 cents

For a live center, consider getting a cone center

A decent set of calipers

If its a rikon mini/midi lathe, consider a bed ext. I have the 70/100 ( i think that’s the right #) w/ a bed extension. Great lathe. My dad found it for $100 bucks at a flea market, virtually unused.

You’ll also probably start collecting a variety of accessories depending on your projects—pen mandrel, bottle stopper chuck, etc.

Lots of turning stock and a few extra hours per day. It’s addicting.

For sharpening, I have a $20 6in grinder w/ white wheel and a homemade wolverine style jig. It’s posted under my projects, but there are some better jigs on this site. Search around.

...and welcome to the vortex. You’ll get sucked in and spend all your time turning!

-- Hello, my name is Jarrod and I am a woodaholic.

View whit's profile

246 posts in 3520 days

#13 posted 11-28-2010 03:30 AM

Your wife has DOOMED you! And she knows it. She was probably surfing this site under an assumed name looking for the tool that is ostensibly cheap. Yes, she gave you permission to get the lathe. And now you are beholden to her. Not only for the lathe but for all the mandatory components you need to buy to support your new habit. And, if you succomb to the force, it will become a vice. A really, REALLY expensive vice.

Ah yes, next time you see her, she’ll be snickering. The time after that, she may break out in a gut-busting guffaw. You are OWNED. Bwahahahahahaha!!! Oh, wait. You’re married. You already knew that. Never mind.

By the way, welcome to the world of turning. I hope for your sake you don’t have an addictive personality. ;)

-- Even if to be nothing more than a bad example, everything serves a purpose. cippotus

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3993 posts in 2514 days

#14 posted 11-29-2010 02:29 AM

Be very careful with the grinder to not get the tool too hot. If you discolor the tip you got it too hot and the hardness and temper will be gone. I am considering a wet grinder for that reason. Grinding is just the first step in the sharpening process, by the way. I am only speaking from general experience here as I am also a newbie on the lathe. Mine is still in the box, sitting in the garage.

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text:
Painted OSB Sheathing as Siding?

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Forum topic by Beginningwoodworker posted 02-06-2012 01:46 AM 25640 views 0 times favorited 23 replies Add to Favorites Watch
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13347 posts in 3216 days

02-06-2012 01:46 AM

I am planning on starting the repairs to my 10×12 shed,I am going to start by jacking it up. I have a painted OSB on the shed, I am wondering would painted OSB will hold up? I have some rot on the bottom that needs cutting off because water got in the shed.

23 replies so far

View FirehouseWoodworking's profile

690 posts in 2816 days

#1 posted 02-06-2012 01:52 AM

OSB would not be my first choice. Any portion of OSB, such as the bottom edge or the backside on any overhangs, that is not sealed and/or painted is destined to fail and rot.

Pretty much the same for any manufactured wood product and even natural wood that is not naturally rot resistant such as pine.

It all comes down to the old adage: “Think like water.” If water can migrate to any portion of the siding that is unprotected (sealed, painted, caulked, etc.) it is destined to fail. And of course, that implies failure to conduct routine maintenance. Caulking never lasts forever. Occasional repainting is necessary. Good luck!

-- Dave; Lansing, Kansas

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4541 posts in 2617 days

#2 posted 02-06-2012 02:02 AM

You can buy pressure treated plywood. It is intended to hold up to weather. In this area I have found that it holds up reasonably well for about 10 years. You should not paint it until it has aged a couple of years. It is probably your best low cost option for siding that is weather resistant.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

View Beginningwoodworker's profile

13347 posts in 3216 days

#3 posted 02-06-2012 02:08 AM

I thought about making my own siding!

View lew's profile

11463 posts in 3298 days

#4 posted 02-06-2012 02:20 AM

I agree with Dave.

Covered my garden shed (10×12) with OSB many years ago and kept it painted. That didn’t stop it from expanding, rotting and generally coming apart. If I were to do it again, I’d use something else.

-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the Universe's finest custom rolling pins.

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2064 posts in 3570 days

#5 posted 02-06-2012 02:21 AM

No, no, a million times NO! In one year (if you’re lucky) you’ll be using all those words we re not supposed to use with mom around. It’s only for under t-11 or some such.

-- jack -- ...measure once, curse twice!

View Beginningwoodworker's profile

13347 posts in 3216 days

#6 posted 02-06-2012 02:50 AM

It done started rottening on the bottom, since the shed is on the ground. In a few weeks I am planning on jacking up the shed and put on two 4’’ soild concrete blocks and replace the flat roof with a gable roof.

View MoshupTrail's profile

302 posts in 2024 days

#7 posted 02-06-2012 03:31 AM

I agree with jack1 – absolutely NOT! unless you can find exterior graded OSB, like they put on roofs in some places. The problem is moisture will quickly degrade the glue and your OSB will begin to expand. As the layers spread they will hold more and more moisture leading to rot within a few years, depending on weather. And yes, that’s even when painted.

-- Some problems are best solved with an optimistic approach. Optimism shines a light on alternatives that are otherwise not visible.

View a1Jim's profile

115505 posts in 3120 days

#8 posted 02-06-2012 05:38 AM

OSB would not be my first choice but I’ve had pieces of it laying on the ground for two wet winters and not degrade. Don’t confuse OSB with partial board,Osb has much more resin in it than partial board . OSB will expand some but not fall apart because of it. If your budget will allow Charles I would go with Ply or T111 ,if you use OSB pre-paint it.

-- Custom furniture

View Beginningwoodworker's profile

13347 posts in 3216 days

#9 posted 02-06-2012 06:00 AM

I already have painted OSB on the shed, the top part is not rotten. I cant afford new siding at the momment. Just another coat of paint.

View Clarence's profile

125 posts in 2649 days

#10 posted 02-06-2012 08:18 AM

Regardless of how long OSB lasts, it will always look like OSB.

-- Getting old is a good thing, but being old kinda stinks.

View Roz's profile

1693 posts in 3329 days

#11 posted 02-06-2012 04:55 PM

Hi Charles, I don’t like or recommend OSB for exterior siding. However, I have a cousin whose builder used it on an extension to her house and then covered it with battens and painted it very well. It has been there now over 20 years and is still looking good. You have to keep it painted and well away from contact with soil. If you are looking for an inexpensive siding I would consider 4X8 Masonite panels which have to be treated in much the same way.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

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3258 posts in 2218 days

#12 posted 02-06-2012 07:01 PM

I go by a building and standards book when inspecting homes. It states that wood siding should be 12 inches (minimum) from the soil line. We don’t see that often but that is what the books says.

View Grandpa's profile

3258 posts in 2218 days

#13 posted 02-06-2012 07:15 PM

Ditto on what Steve said. It also comes with a paint or stain on it that has a 40 or 50 year warranty. I don’t like to paint.

View Beginningwoodworker's profile

13347 posts in 3216 days

#14 posted 02-06-2012 07:25 PM

Hardiplank siding is around 7 to 8 bucks at the home center. need around 56 peices thats $300 to $400 bucks!

View Grandpa's profile

3258 posts in 2218 days

#15 posted 02-06-2012 07:46 PM

It can be bought around here from Lowe’s for about $6 on sale. It might never go back to that but that has been the past history. With that said this is a better product and you do pay for the extra life but in the long haul it will pay you back. You can cover it with OSB every few years and that will add up too. You have to decide where your budget will allow you to go and where you want to go.

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text:
February 24, 2017

Report: Justin Bieber Uses Drugs With Alarming Regularity

January 18, 2014 (3:48 pm) GMT
The 19-year-old pop star is reportedly keen on a mixture of codeine, promethazine, Sprite and a Jolly Rancher.
Justin Bieber

A new report emerged that has been abusing drugs and has been encouraged by people close to him to enter rehab. The "As Long as You Love Me" singer reportedly used drugs, especially sizzurp, with alarming regularity.

According to TMZ's sources, Bieber has been consuming a mix of codeine, promethazine, Sprite and a Jolly Rancher. The mixture is referred to as "lean" by Bieber and his crew but it's a very dangerous narcotic that can trigger seizures and even death.

The 19-year-old singer allegedly also took lots of prescription pills such as Xanax, topping it up with lots of alcohol and weed. He, however, never touched cocaine in his life.

Police found ecstasy in plain view during a house raid at Bieber's Los Angeles home on Tuesday, January 14. Bieber's friend Lil Za was arrested for its possession but was released from custody after posting bail.

The authorities confirmed that the Canadian heartthrob was "not connected" to the drug. "He was not arrested, nor exonerated at this time," Lieutenant Dave Thompson said in a press conference.

More Justin Bieber News

  1. Watch Ed Sheeran Adorably Crash Katy Perry's Interview
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  3. 'Their Finest' New Trailer Conveys Warmth Amid WWII
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Smart Move Century 21

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Against a backdrop of elevated parkland views the Parkside Release is unmatched in it's diversity, flexibility and location, offering panoramic views over Springlake Gardens.

For more information about the development and to find out what lots are available please visit or call Belinda on 1800 SPRING or 0497 002 234.

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Wen spreads China's billions in Europe but can't buy goodwill

On tour through Europe, which ended today in Germany, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao inked deals worth billions, but also faced questions on human rights abuses.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao attend a news conference after a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, on Tuesday, June 28. The Chinese Prime Minister stays for a two day official visit in Germany.

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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today said China may give Europe “a helping hand” with its current debt crisis – but warned in uncharacteristic tones for a second successive day against European officials and media that “meddle” in China’s affairs.

Mr. Wen, seen as one of China’s more liberal and sympathetic senior officials, ended a goodwill jaunt through Europe that is partly intended to put a better face on China, experts say, and meant to keep Sino-European business flowing during a US election season that could result in significant China-bashing.

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His trip included a stop in Hungary, head of Europe’s rotating presidency, where he offered $1.4 billion in loans. A visit to England showcased Wen’s interest in Shakespeare, and brought $2.3 billion in trade deals. In Germany, a nation that designs many of the machine tools China has used to become the “factory of the world,” trade deals totaled more than $14 billion.

Yet Wen caused a shock in London on Monday by sharply admonishing the Tory government of Prime Minister David Cameron for raising dissident cases, saying that 5,000 years of history “has taught the Chinese never to talk to others in a lecturing way.” In Berlin, he repeated his government’s desire not to be upbraided by moral or legal representations.

Ahead of the trip and to set a good tone, China released artist Ai Weiwei and activist Hu Jia, two dissidents widely admired in Europe. Yet Cameron raised four prominent cases of dissidents detained under extrajudicial circumstances; Ai Weiwei and Hu Jia were among those noted. In Berlin, Wen said that Chinese leaders "expect from the EU respect of our sovereignty, our territorial integrity, and the autonomous choices of the Chinese people."

Kerry Brown, head of the Chatham House Asia Program in London, says that Chinese leaders view dissidents as criminals pure and simple and that both Wen and Cameron have “constituencies they must please ... the hard-liners are in control in Beijing right now."

“But it is still frustrating for the Chinese that have worked hard and put much effort into trying to understand the West and Europe, and then to be asked only about human rights. The phrase ‘human rights’ has become ideological," he says.

It has been a difficult year for China’s image abroad as Beijing continues to pursue a more assertive or even hard-line policy in its neighborhood and abroad.

After nearly a decade of describing its policy in Asia as one of a “peaceful rise,” China has been throwing elbows and making threatening gestures. A year of decisions in Beijing have raised eyebrows around the world.

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China decided to keep writer and activist Liu Xiaobo incommunicado and in prison during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in his honor. It has raised tensions with Vietnam over rights in the South China Sea, and has done little as North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has nuclearized the Korean peninsula.

“Just as June 4 [1989] in Beijing ended many illusions about the nature of the Communist Party of China, so events of the past year have stripped away many illusions about the country’s ‘peaceful rise,’” says respected Asian columnist Philip Bowring in Hong Kong. “No longer does the region assume that peace is a given and Chinese economic growth will not create other problems. Instead, the focus is on managing conflicts and attempting to allay mutual suspicions through dialogue.”

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France 24 Mobile – International News 24/7

Liberia's Taylor sentenced to 50 years in prison

Latest update : 30/05/2012

Article text by News Wires

Former Liberian president Charles Taylor was sentenced by a special UN court to 50 years in prison Wednesday following his landmark conviction last month for his role in war crimes committed in Sierra Leone during the country's 1991-2001 civil war.

AFP - A UN-backed war crimes court handed Liberia's former president Charles Taylor a 50-year jail term Wednesday for arming rebels in Sierra Leone in return for "blood diamonds".

Taylor, 64, was convicted last month of all 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for aiding and abetting Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front during the country's brutal 1991-2001 civil war.

In return, he was paid in diamonds mined by slave labour in areas under control of the rebels, who murdered, raped and kept sex slaves, hacked off limbs and forced children aged under 15 to fight, the court found.

"The accused has been found responsible for aiding and abetting some of the most heinous crimes in human history," said Special Court for Sierra Leone judge Richard Lussick, reading out the ruling on Wednesday.

"The trial chamber unanimously sentences you to a single term of imprisonment for 50 years on all counts," the judge said at the international court based in Leidschendam, just outside The Hague.

"The trial chamber noticed that the effects of these crimes on the families and society as a whole in Sierra Leone was devastating," he said.

It was the first sentence against a former head of state in an international court since the Nuremberg Nazi trials in 1946.

Taylor, with gold-rimmed glasses and cropped hair, a dark suit and gold tie, listened with his eyes closed as the judge handed down the sentence, which Taylor's team, and prosecutors, have two weeks to appeal.

Chief prosecutor Brenda Hollis had asked for 80 years' prison for Taylor, once one of west Africa's most powerful men. Speaking after sentencing, Hollis said her team would study the judgment before deciding whether to appeal.

"The sentence today does not replace amputated limbs, does not bring back those who have been murdered or forced to become sexual slaves" or child soldiers, she said. "But it brings back some measure of justice... for those lucky enough to survive."

In Sierra Leone's capital Freetown, hundreds of survivors of the war that claimed 120,000 lives watched the proceedings in silence on a large TV screen.

Among them was Al Hadji Jusu Jarka, former chairman of the association of amputees, who had both his arms cut off by the rebels.

"The curtain has now been drawn on Charles Taylor," the war survivor said. "I hope he will be haunted by his deeds as he languishes in jail."

Human rights activist Charles Mambu called the sentence "excellent" and said: "It shows that it's no longer business as usual."

Taylor's lawyer Courtenay Griffiths said the sentence meant that "effectively Charles Taylor will die in prison," while the legal team indicated it would appeal.

Judge Lussick said 80 years would have been excessive, but that, given Taylor's position as Liberia's president from 1997 to 2003, he "held a position of public trust and higher authority which he abused."

Throughout the trial, Taylor maintained his innocence and insisted he was instrumental in eventually ending Sierra Leone's civil war.

But the judge said that, while Taylor publicly played a substantial role, "secretly he was fueling hostilities between the (rebels) and the democratically elected government of Sierra Leone".

Therefore, "Mr Taylor's role in the peace process is not a mitigating factor," he found.

The ex-president will now remain in the UN's detention unit in The Hague until his appeal procedure is finalised.

Taylor's sentence will be served in a British prison. London's offer in 2007 to host Taylor in custody if found guilty was part of the deal to put him on trial in the Netherlands-based court.

The nearly four-year trial, which wrapped up in March 2011, saw several high-profile witnesses testify. Among them was supermodel Naomi Campbell, who told of a gift from Taylor of "dirty diamonds" she received in 1997 at a charity ball hosted by South Africa's then president Nelson Mandela.

Authorities in Nigeria arrested Taylor in March 2006 as he tried to flee from exile after being forced to quit Liberia three years earlier, under international pressure to end that country's own civil war.

He was transferred to The Hague in mid-2006 amid security fears should he go on trial in Freetown.

Taylor's sentencing came 66 years after the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg sentenced admiral Karl Donitz to 10 years in jail for his part in Nazi crimes during World War II. Adolf Hitler had appointed Donitz his successor shortly before committing suicide in Berlin in 1945.

    Prosecutor seeks 80-year sentence for Liberia's Taylor

    Read more

    Taylor's Liberian victims still without justice

    Read more

    Hague court finds Liberia's Charles Taylor guilty

    Read more


text:
Football Gold Mine

Bowl games: fun for fans, lucrative for the people who run them.

It's the extended bowl season once again: three weeks down, one more to go before the national championship game.

There are 35 bowl games this year, including the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in which Cincinnati beat Vanderbilt. The announced attendance was 57,000, and even if the actual crowd was several thousand less than that, it was still a good day for Memphis.

"At Blues City Café, we had our biggest New Year's Eve ever," said Kevin Kane, head of the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau and part-owner of the restaurant. "It was a perfect storm: Saturday night, New Year's Eve, and spectacular weather. It was huge for Beale Street and the Peabody."

With or without a football playoff, bowl games are also huge for the people who run them and earn mid-six-figure salaries in many cases. The bowls operate outside the NCAA, unlike all other college championships. They are run by nonprofit organizations in cities such as Memphis and Nashville that fancy themselves tourist destinations. Promoters work with sponsors, universities, and media to create the best match-ups and drum up as much holiday enthusiasm as they can over five days of events. As nonprofits, the organizations must make their federal tax returns public.

On GuideStar, an organization that reports on U.S. nonprofits, I looked at tax returns for a sample of 10 major and mid-level bowl games. Although the returns are the most recent available, they are one or two years old, and this season's numbers may be different. As a benchmark, University of Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson's salary is $316,725.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: a major bowl with $17 million in revenue and a $9.7 million payout. John Junker, CEO, earned $673,888 in 2009. But Junker got caught with his hand in the Tostitos jar. He was fired by the Fiesta Bowl in 2011 and the bowl was fined $1 million after an investigation of inappropriate spending.

Allstate Sugar bowl: $12.5 million in revenue and a $6 million payout in 2009. Paul Hoolahan, CEO, earned $593,718.

Bridgepoint Holiday Bowl: $10.8 million in revenue in 2010 and a $4.2 million payout. CEO Robert Binkowski earned $283,095.

Cotton Bowl: a golden oldie with $10 million in revenue, $6.75 million payout. CEO Rick Baker earned $470,147.

Outback Bowl: $9.6 million in revenue, $6.6 million payout. CEO Jim McVay earned $615,840. Gator Bowl: $8.7 million in revenue and a $4.5 million payout in 2009. CEO Richard Catlett earned $348,629.

Hyundai Sun Bowl: $6.5 million revenue and a $4.1 million payout in 2010. Executive director Bernie Olivas earned $170,423.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: $6.8 million in revenue, $3.6 million payout. CEO Scott Ramsey made $310,715.

Alamo Bowl: $4.3 million in revenue, $3.6 million payout. President Derrick Fox earned $419,000.

The Liberty Bowl is unusual. Its financial reporting is the least transparent of the bowls I checked. Executive director Steve Ehrhart and associate director Harold Graeter are not paid by the nonprofit Liberty Bowl Festival Association. They work for businessman Billy Dunavant. Ehrhart is on the tax form as an unpaid board member.

The 2010 form lists revenue of $6.23 million, mainly from ticket sales ($2.5 million), television and radio rights ($2 million), and sponsorships ($1.2 million). The "management fee" was $2.357 million, nearly as much as the team payout of $2.65 million. In 2009, the payout was $3.65 million, and the management fee was $2.37 million. In 2008, the payout was $3.5 million, and the management fee was only $1.23 million.

The Liberty Bowl Festival Association describes its charitable purpose as "promoting the social and economic welfare of the Mid-South and its citizens" along with American universities.

Ehrhart said his compensation is included in the management fee, but he declined to say how much it is. He said the Liberty Bowl was restructured in 1994 when "it was struggling to make ends meet" and several expenses were lumped together. He said payouts declined when the game fell in the pecking order for team selection. This year's payout will be roughly $2.8 million.

Under Ehrhart's leadership, the Liberty Bowl has enjoyed good games, good crowds, good ratings, and good weather that would make Bear Bryant roll over in his grave at the memory of his last game on that icy night in Memphis in 1982.

Ehrhart came here from the Colorado Rockies to work for Dunavant and the Memphis Showboats in 1985. Whatever the sport, he knows the score. The trend in any business these days is pay what you will, but you must have transparency. The Liberty Bowl needs to get with the program.

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text:
Rangers unable to jump-start offense in time

Rangers unable to jump-start offense in time

ARLINGTON -- As they watched the World Series slip out of their grasp, the Rangers kept waiting for their offense, so reliable all season long, to break out of its slumber against the Giants. But those hopes for an awakening went unfulfilled.

Texas followed a shutout loss in Game 4 with a 3-1 loss in Game 5 on Monday night as the franchise's first World Series appearance ended in defeat.

"We know we're a better team than the team that showed up here," outfielder David Murphy said. "But at the same time, they played the game a lot better than us for four of the last five games. Ultimately, that's the team that's going to win."

Texas scored only one run -- a Nelson Cruz homer -- over the Series' final two games, but the problems ran much deeper than that. The Rangers endured an 18-inning scoreless streak after never going more than 15 innings without a run during the regular season. Over the final two games, they got only two runners to second base and had only two innings in which they put more than one runner on in the same frame.

Texas went 1-for-18 with runners on base and had only six total hits over the final two games. After Game 1, the Rangers went 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position and had only one such at-bat in the final two games. The lack of timely hitting didn't hurt them nearly as much as the dearth of opportunities for a big hit. But the American League champs didn't think the struggles compounded their problems at the plate.

"This team doesn't get frustrated," third baseman Michael Young said. "We get [ticked] off. Frustration means we're trying too hard or we're trying to get outside of ourselves. That's not what this team is about. We're coming out with a max-effort approach. We're going to find a way to get the job done. If it doesn't happen, we're not happy about it. But at no point does this team sit here and get frustrated or get disappointed in each other."

After getting four hits with runners in scoring position in Game 1 of the Fall Classic, the Rangers combined to collect one hit in such situations through the rest of the Series.
Game RISP hits RISP ABs TEX runs Result
1 4 12 7 11-7 L
2 0 9 0 9-0 L
3 1 6 4 4-2 W
4 0 1 0 4-0 L
5 0 0 1 3-1 L

If the Rangers did look around, they wouldn't have any trouble sharing the blame. Of the seven players with more than 10 World Series at-bats, only Mitch Moreland, who hit a three-run homer in Game 3, had a batting average higher than .250. (He had six hits in 13 at-bats for a .462 average.) As a team, they hit .190.

Josh Hamilton, the American League Championship Series MVP, went 2-for-20 with one home run and one walk. Young finished 5-for-20 with five singles. Ian Kinsler had three hits in 16 at-bats. Vladimir Guerrero, who saw his production tail off in the second half of the regular season, had only a single in 14 at-bats.

"It takes a lot of luck to win a World Series," Kinsler said. "There's no doubt about it. Baseball is a game of luck and a game of skill. It takes both to win a World Series, and they had both. Their pitchers were extremely skilled. Offensively, we definitely expect more of ourselves, and they outexecuted us."

By the end of the World Series, three of the four Giants starting pitchers had handcuffed the Rangers. Matt Cain threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings in Game 2, and Madison Bumgarner threw eight clean frames in Game 4 on Sunday. After a rocky Game 1 start, Tim Lincecum struck out 10 in eight innings of one-run ball in Game 5. Only Jonathan Sanchez, the Game 3 loser, lacked a signature performance.

"They were as advertised," Kinsler said. "They're good. That's what got them to the postseason, that's what got them to the World Series and that's what won them the World Series. They're good at pitching -- it's no secret."

"What are you going to do at the end of the day when Lincecum throws like he does?" outfielder Jeff Francoeur said. "He's won two Cy Youngs for a reason, not because he got lucky and ran into them. Tonight, he had every single pitch working."

The Rangers scored 787 runs during the regular season, the fifth most in baseball. But after scoring seven runs in the first game of the World Series, they followed up with only five more in the next four games.

"We have a great offense," Young said. "We feel we should score no matter what. They threw really well. Give them credit for that. As a competitor, you always want to put it on yourself. You always want to say that it doesn't matter who is out there, that you want to score some runs. We just didn't get it done."

Thomas Boorstein is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Phillies acknowledge interest in Lowe

Phillies acknowledge interest in Lowe

LAS VEGAS -- The Phillies are in the market for a starting pitcher, and that hurler could be free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe.

Thus far, there's been a lot of chatter with representatives of unsigned free agents and clubs about trades, but nothing is particularly hot at the moment.

A report by on Tuesday indicated that the Phillies and Yankees were the front-runners in the derby to sign Lowe, who is represented by agent Scott Boras. Lowe is in the market for a five-year deal worth in the vicinity of $80 million.

"We've talked to Lowe, we've talked to his representative," Phils general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "I can't characterize that discussion and where we stand on it. We like Derek Lowe and we like a variety of pitchers out there. He's not the only guy we like."

Amaro also declined to comment on the reported asking price.

"What I can tell you is that it's a whole lot of money," he said.

Philadelphia is in the market for a pitcher because veteran left-hander Jamie Moyer is a free agent and is no closer to returning to the Phillies than he was when the Meetings started. Amaro said on Tuesday there had been no new discussions with Moyer about returning.

Amaro did indicate that there may be enough money in the budget to meet a Lowe-type demand, but signing the former member of the Dodgers and Red Sox might preclude him from making other moves.

"It would [create payroll ramifications]," Amaro said. "But it would depend on the structure of the deal."

As far as the Phils acting as a third-party facilitator to move right-hander Jake Peavy from the Padres to the Cubs, nothing new happened on that front Tuesday.

Reports had Philadelphia interested in Cubs outfielder/second baseman Mark DeRosa and the Padres excited about a group of Phillies prospects. The Cubs would inherit the remaining four guaranteed years at $63 million left on Peavy's contract, but to do so, they also want to deal right-hander Jason Marquis, who's owned $9.9 million in 2009.

Amaro declined to specifically comment on the status of that deal.

"What I can tell you is that we've talked to a variety of clubs and there have been several different scenarios," he said. "We're trying to prioritize what we like the best and, at the same time, if something were to happen, we would move on it."

Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.