text:
Comment 15 for bug 513069

I have the same problem with an Acer Aspire 5542 and Ubuntu 10.10 and Gnome
Using 10.4 I was able to talk into microphone, now I cannot have in work.
I tried using Alsamixer but when the microphone seems to be active (I can hear my voice out of speakers), Audacity or recorder give no signal.
The main problem seems to be that its behavior is absolutely erratic (suddenly it worked for some seconds in Audacity, then opening skype, it stopped).
lshw -c sound gives exactly the same result as the last post


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text:
Bug 25976 - wu imap updated
wu imap updated
Product: Red Hat Linux
Classification: Retired
Component: imap (Show other bugs)
All Linux
medium Severity medium
: ---
: ---
Assigned To: Mike A. Harris
David Lawrence
: FutureFeature
Depends On:
  Show dependency treegraph
Reported: 2001-02-04 11:08 EST by chrismcc
Modified: 2014-01-21 17:48 EST (History)
1 user (show)

See Also:
Fixed In Version:
Doc Type: Enhancement
Doc Text:
Story Points: ---
Clone Of:
Last Closed: 2001-05-18 22:07:53 EDT
Type: ---
Regression: ---
Mount Type: ---
Documentation: ---
Verified Versions:
Category: ---
oVirt Team: ---
RHEL 7.3 requirements from Atomic Host:
Cloudforms Team: ---

Attachments (Terms of Use)
updated rh version patch for wu-imapd (1.49 KB, patch)
2001-02-04 11:10 EST, chrismcc
no flags Details | Diff
imapd ssl Makefile patch (466 bytes, patch)
2001-02-04 11:44 EST, chrismcc
no flags Details | Diff
imap-2000c-flock.patch (485 bytes, patch)
2001-02-04 12:19 EST, chrismcc
no flags Details | Diff

  None (edit)
Description chrismcc 2001-02-04 11:08:52 EST
wu imapd has a update from fisher imap-2000 to just released imap-2000c.
( why not 2001 ? :)

( Ignore the mymaildir patch, that's for me )

[chrismcc@wednesday SPECS]$ diff -u imap.spec imap.spec.pg
--- imap.spec	Mon Nov 20 14:10:35 2000
+++ imap.spec.pg	Sat Feb  3 15:34:20 2001
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@

 Summary: Server daemons for IMAP and POP network mail protocols.
 Name: imap
-Version: 2000
-Release: 4
+Version: 2000c
+Release: 4.03pg
 Epoch: 1
 Copyright: BSD
 Group: System Environment/Daemons
@@ -31,8 +31,9 @@
 Patch5: imap-4.7c2-flock.patch
 Patch6: imap-4.7c2-setcred.patch
 Patch7: imap-2000-sparc.patch
-Patch8: imap-2000-version.patch
+Patch8: imap-2000c-version.patch
 Patch9: pine-4.30-boguswarning.patch
+Patch10: imap-2000c-mymaildir.patch
 Buildroot: %{_tmppath}/%{name}-root
 Requires: pam >= 0.59
 %if %{build_7}
@@ -80,10 +81,13 @@
 %patch4 -p1 -b .gssapi
 %patch5 -p1 -b .flock
-%patch6 -p1 -b .setcred
-%patch7 -p1 -b .sparc
+# needed ? backwards ?
+# %patch6 -p1 -b .setcred
+# already there
+# %patch7 -p1 -b .sparc
 %patch8 -p1 -b .version
 %patch9 -p2 -b .boguswarning
+%patch10    -b .mymaildir
 cp %{SOURCE8} src/osdep/unix/
Comment 1 chrismcc 2001-02-04 11:10:14 EST
Created attachment 8919 [details]
updated rh version patch for wu-imapd
Comment 2 chrismcc 2001-02-04 11:25:53 EST
about patch6

In /src/osdep/unix/ckp_pmb.c

The line added by the patch is
pam_setcred (hdl,PAM_ESTABLISH_CRED);

The source from the tarball is
pam_setcred (hdl,PAM_DELETE_CRED);

These seem oposite to each other.
Which one is right?
Is/could this be a security problem?

Comment 3 chrismcc 2001-02-04 11:44:14 EST
Created attachment 8920 [details]
imapd ssl Makefile patch
Comment 4 chrismcc 2001-02-04 11:46:38 EST
Oops I forgot to rename the SSL makefile patch, change spec file accordingly

Why are the openssl certs saved in /usr/share/ssl ?
Would /etc/imapd/imapd.pem and /etc/imapd/ipop3d.pem be better?
Maybe add a Makefile like apache?

Comment 5 chrismcc 2001-02-04 12:19:12 EST
Created attachment 8922 [details]
Comment 6 chrismcc 2001-02-04 12:20:49 EST
Note to self, in future _rename_ patches instead of overwriting old patch name.

update spec to use this patch...

Comment 7 Mike A. Harris 2001-05-18 03:01:48 EDT
Crap...  Note to self... "Check all open bugzilla reports relevant to a
package before updating it, just in case some kind user has submitted
patches and updates to the package already".

Yes, it is official folks - I get to wear the retard hat for an hours worth
of unnecessarily repeated work.  ;o)

ftp://people.redhat.com/mharris/testing for beta packages.

BTW, I had the same double headshake as you with the PAM patch.  I've
Cc'd Nalin Dahyabhai, our pam guru to have a look at it and comment.

Also, just a note, the "Copyright: BSD" is incorrect in your specfile.
PINE and IMAP have a special UW license which is in the sources, and
definitely not BSD.  Our packages were incorrect before as well, but
corrected now.

Thanks again for submitting all of this.  Hopefully in the future I will
get things done in the right order.  ;o)
Comment 8 Mike A. Harris 2001-05-18 03:03:44 EDT
Oh, about imap-2001 - it is a beta, and thus not a candidate for an
errata release.  I will likely add it to rawhide soon though.

Leaving at NEEDINFO until I have confirmation about PAM stuff...
Comment 9 Mike A. Harris 2001-05-18 22:07:48 EDT
Ok, thanks again.  The testing has shown that it solves open bugs against
imap, and appears to work correctly.  Nalin has confirmed that the PAM stuff
in the current UW source of 2000c is indeed correct, and that our patch was
wrong.  ;o(  This is also fixed in my current imap package soon to be released.
Comment 10 Mike A. Harris 2001-06-20 05:11:00 EDT
Errata release imap-2000c-7 includes these fixes.  Also packages for
6.2 and 5.2 will be released simultaneously.

Note You need to log in before you can comment on or make changes to this bug.

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text:
SLO DUI collision causes three-car pileup

May 20, 2014

Derek Johnson

Derek Johnson

San Luis Obispo police arrested a man Monday evening for driving under the influence and causing a crash that injured another driver.

San Luis Obispo resident Derek Johnson was driving northbound in the 3200 block of Broad Street around 5:15 p.m. when he rear ended the vehicle in front of him. The force of the collision caused the vehicle Johnson hit to crash into a third car that was stopped at a red light.

The driver of the stopped car suffered non-life threatening injuries, and responders transported him to the hospital.

Officers determined that Johnson was driving under the influence of alcohol. They arrested him for felony DUI causing a collision with injuries and booked him in San Luis Obispo County Jail.

  1. Downtown Bob says:

    Derek is not homeless. He was our janitor’s son at Los Ranchos school in the 70’s. Got into pot and alcohol in Jr High and sadly has shaped and controlled his life to just live from paycheck to paycheck never making any progress. Very sad that he injured someone else finally.

    (1) 1 Total Votes - 1 up - 0 down
  2. OnTheOtherHand says:

    Given his appearance, I can see why some of you assumed he is a homeless person but I didn’t see anything in the article to indicate that. Do you know something not there or are you just indulging your presumptions by making assumptions?

    (2) 2 Total Votes - 2 up - 0 down
  3. shelworth says:

    I know you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but geez!

    (0) 0 Total Votes - 0 up - 0 down
  4. indigo1955 says:

    Hey Derek….we are saving a seat for you. Work the steps….and the keys to the kingdom are yours.

    (4) 6 Total Votes - 5 up - 1 down
    • SloTownMan says:

      And the City wants to build a 200 bed facility to attract more like him. Vote the idiots out.

      (14) 18 Total Votes - 16 up - 2 down
    • SLO_Johnny says:

      He can have the keys to the kingdom but I hope they don’t give him any car keys. I hope the judge makes it a condition of his bail that he should surrender his license and not operate any vehicles. This is a good reminder to have uninsured motorist insurance of your own car.

      (3) 3 Total Votes - 3 up - 0 down
      • SloTownMan says:

        What makes you think he has a drivers license & insurance. Some among us don’thave it, guess who.

        (5) 7 Total Votes - 6 up - 1 down
        • Perspicacious says:

          Exactly. Like a judge telling a drunk loser not to drive is going to have an effect. Now the state of California is giving licenses to people who have no business having them. So now, unlicensed drivers will be “licensed”. This state is so screweled!

          (-1) 1 Total Votes - 0 up - 1 down
          • SloTownMan says:

            NO, This Country is so screwed! We the people (citizens) are so screwed. What can be done?

            (-1) 1 Total Votes - 0 up - 1 down

Comments are closed.


text:
by _comunica2punto0

#marketing The Challenge of Low Loyalty in Millennials: Retention Strategies

In Marketing on 11 enero, 2017 at 13:35

Mention the word “Millennial” near any HR manager and certain connotations will immediately spring to mind. While there are workers in the Millennial generation that exhibit tremendous loyalty, it seems that the mentality of changing jobs often is one that has become commonplace among the group. In fact, two-thirds of Millennials expect to leave their current company in the next four years.

Despite this mindset, Millennials are valuable and productive workers to hire. Once they are on board, the solution to low loyalty in Millennials comes down to knowing what they want and adapting strategies to retain them.

Demonstrate Meaningful Work

Millennials crave being employed for an organization that provides them with meaningful work and has a positive impact on the world. It is essential for a company to make clear how their operations help society, and to share updates on this front regularly. Consider sending monthly emails on the positive results of employees’ work, or showcase impactful projects in a newsletter or entranceway bulletin board.

When the end product of a company doesn’t show such direct ties to helping the world, they sometimes offer employees one paid day off each month for the purpose of volunteering in the local community. This mentality takes a page from some of the leading companies in America. Google’s SVP of People Operations freely admits many of their high-profile perks aren’t what retains employees, it’s instilling meaning in their work that keeps them loyal. Whether in the end product or in the local community, finding meaning through the workplace will tie a worker more permanently to their employer.

Encourage Inclusiveness

Everyone wants to feel included at work, but Millennials especially desire to feel like they are an integral part of their organization. Outside of peripheral activities such as starting a young professionals group in the office, the key here is to begin retention during the hiring process.

Ensure a tight fit in a role right off the bat. Establishing this strong foundation where skills and personality strongly match the role and company culture will start things off on the right foot. Next, revisit your training process by taking another page from companies that have successfully been able to retain Millennials.

Manufacturer FLEXcon has implemented a training process that spans six weeks while connecting new hires with managers in several departments for mentorship. By cementing a new hire in not only their job but in the realization that their role is important to several departments, an organization will make that worker feel included, and loyal. Despite their remote location that typically doesn’t attract the younger generation of workers, FLEXcon has seen continued excellent retention results utilizing this method.

A Clear and Flexible Career Path

When asked for their reasoning in changing jobs, 59% of Millennials stated they did so because they saw a stronger career path elsewhere. The importance of potential for career growth cannot be understated when it comes to retaining this group of employees. It’s a good practice to take the time to speak with a new hire to get to know their career aspirations, and ensure any direct supervisors are aware of the results. With everyone on the same page, managers can include an employee on certain projects that can help progress them on their career trajectory.

As time goes on, check in regularly to reiterate their career progress. If any specifics or indication on the timing of their next promotion/role within the company can be given, then it’s wise to highlight this. Pay special attention to flexibility however, as 45% of Millennials value workplace flexibility over pay. One method to meet this preference could be to incorporate a day every two weeks where an employee can work from home in their current or next role. Another option successful organizations have used is to allow employees the flexibility of shifting their working hours at times.

Flexibility should extend to a chosen career trajectory as well. Should a Millennial change their mind about their planned next job within your organization, evaluate whether it’s possible to groom them for a different role. Showing any willingness to adapt will prove your loyalty to them, and they will return the favor.

Low Loyalty in Millennials

As a generation that will make up 75% of the workforce by 2025, operations must be tailored to Millennials starting now. Showing them how their work is meaningful, making them an integral part of the company, and giving them a clear career path to meet their goals will reward HR with strong loyalty and excellent retention numbers. Combine this information with knowing how to manage Millennials in the workplace and utilizing social media recruiting to bring them in, and the future of your workplace will be thriving for years to come.

via Business Articles | Business 2 Community

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Abiquo Deploys Hybrid Cloud Management on Azure Marketplace

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Cloud management expert Abiquo announced its hybrid cloud management platform is available in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. Abiquo will enable simplified deployment and management of compute, storage and network services across Azure, reducing barriers for those looking to consume hybrid cloud within their current business model.

"Abiquo helps offer customers a new option to successfully drive value and efficiency in hybrid cloud scenarios," said Nicole Herskowitz, Senior Director of Product Marketing for Microsoft Azure. "We are excited that Abiquo is now available in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace."

To find out how Abiquo can help streamline your enterprise's use of all types of cloud, read the press release.

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the delicate art of balancing motherhood and life

A Quiet Infertility May 10, 2011

Filed under: Uncategorized — chezmonchichi @ 10:03 PM

Several weeks ago, I was at the playground chatting with one of the moms. We were trying to remember the first time we met.  We recalled it was at a mutual friend’s BBQ and I pointed out that she had just found out she was pregnant with Max (her second child).  The conversation meandered somehow as we were watching our girls squeal and run around and she said, “so, you just have Monchichi?”  I said, “yes, just Monchichi” and she followed up, “so, you guys are done?”

It was a matter-of-fact question with no judgment or harsh tone behind it.  In fact, it’s a natural conclusion and since I’ve gotten the question before, I wasn’t caught off guard.

I responded, “well, I don’t know.  We had a couple miscarriages last year, so we’ll have to see what happens this year.”

A look of oh god (the kind of oh god, like when my husband asked someone when her baby’s due and she told him she’s not pregnant) crossed her face and as she grappled with some words, I quickly reassured her that I’m fine.

After a year of ups and downs, I really am fine.  Had I been blogging last year, I might have chronicled the saga of my miscarriages that ultimately led to my surprising decision to try a single round of IVF last December (which did not work).  However, all of that seems so long ago and I’m in a different place today.

Given my friend’s expression on her face, I realized that it’s easy to conclude that I might be uncomfortable or sensitive about other’s pregnancies.  To the contrary, I continue to revel in my friends’ pregnancies.  I love hearing the details of how the pregnancies are going, if it’s different from their last one, what they’re craving, names they’re thinking of, touching the bellies, and holding their babies.  Because I still feel connected to that process, I love talking with and sharing in my friends’ joys of motherhood.

I feel compelled to say unequivocally, that in our journey for another child, there has not been a single moment where we have not felt grateful, happy and blessed for Monchichi.  We actually say to one another, “we are so blessed.”  While it sounds so saccharin and “Little House on the Prairie-ish,” telling each other that we feel fortunate, I know that it reminds us not to take Monchichi for granted and to feel content with what life has given us.  I know that couples are struggling to even have one child.  Monchichi’s sweet, lively spirit that makes our heart smile every day is why last year’s challenges did not get anywhere near crippling or heartbreaking.  Disappointing, yes.  A few tears, yes. Frustrating, yes.

Frustrating, because with Monchichi, I got pregnant on the first try, had an easy pregnancy and was blessed with a healthy, beautiful baby girl.  Not surprisingly, we were lulled into a false sense of ‘geez, that was easy’ and decided to wait a year before trying again.  That’s where being a 40+ mom tripped me up. As I’ve learned, you can’t get around the age of your eggs.  No matter how youthful moms appear to be today, a woman’s eggs look and act their age.  Sorry ladies, no botox for your eggs.

Because it was so easy and wonderful with Monchichi, I was stymied that this was becoming insurmountable.  For a type-A person like me, the idea that I couldn’t make it happen, no matter what I did, added to the frustration even though I knew intellectually, having a baby is one of life’s many things you cannot control.  We even took the unimaginable step of undergoing one round of IVF, which seemed so drastic, invasive and expensive.  But with IVF, I knew that I could look back and tell myself that we did everything possible and would never wonder, what-if.

At the end of last December, when we received confirmation that the IVF procedure was unsuccessful, the process of closure began inching forward. However, I am finding that my definition of closure is a little murky.

For the most part, closure equals acceptance.  I accept that my vision and idea of what our family would be like has changed.  I had envisioned that the kids might argue whether Santa was real, whisper silly things under a blanket tent, play together and yes, argue like crazy which I believe, teaches one so much.  I accept that I will have to find ways to ensure that Monchichi doesn’t expect to be the center of the world even though she has our undivided attention and love.  I accept that time is whizzing by and each of Monchichi’s milestones I witness, will, in all likelihood, be the last and only time I’ll experience such milestones.  But I happily accept that with Monchichi as my only child, I will not be buying that minivan and can get a car that doesn’t scream “I’m one step away from wearing mom jeans!”

I find however, that closure does not necessarily mean I have to extinguish hope.  I would be lying if I said I didn’t still have a smidgen of hope especially since I know technically, there is still a possibility (albeit a remote one) that I could get pregnant again.  The difference now — as opposed to last year — is that it’s a realistic hope, closely managed so that it still falls within the confines of closure.  Like a fluttering “maybe?” that floats by for a few seconds, but dissipates quickly so that it doesn’t have a chance to become a disappointment.  A hope where I continue to be proactive in making certain lifestyle changes to boost the healthy quality of my eggs; but if nothing comes of it, the efforts will just make me healthier.

Since we’re in an ambiguous place where Monchichi is at an age that people wonder if we’re having another child and yet, at the same time, assume we’re done, the closure process involves being open about where we are. Last year, because the emotional roller coaster was pretty raw, it didn’t feel possible to expose each and every step with everyone.  Being able to talk about it now, in the past tense feels natural, comfortable and brings clarity to my journey towards closure.

On the heels of Mother’s Day, my heart could not feel fuller and my family feels complete.

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift May 6, 2011

Filed under: Uncategorized — chezmonchichi @ 7:19 PM

Monchichi delivered my Mother’s Day gift to me 4 days early.  Such an overachiever, that one.

Yesterday, I got the call from preschool that Monchichi had a fever and wasn’t feeling well.  I knew immediately that her runny nose turned into an ear infection, again.  It’s a rough ride with her ear infections.  She runs a high fever with aching, pus-filled (the doctors tell me that part) ears, that hurt even when she drinks water.  Then we snuggle for the next couple days while her hot little head rests on my chest and I count the hours till I can give her the next Motrin dose to bring her fever down.

When I picked Monchichi up from school, all she wanted was to go home and wear her ballet clothes.  I replied that she could put the ballet clothes on, but we had to go to the doctor first.  She protested, whined, and cried saying she didn’t want to see the doctor, and insisted on going home.  I started to explain why we needed to go to the doctor.

“Honey, did you know that a doctor’s job is to take care of sick people and make them healthy?  And you’re not feeling good so the doctor will look at you and help you feel much better.  We all want you to feel better and get healthy because it’s no fun being sick, is it?”

Out of nowhere, Monchichi said, “you’re a good mommy to me.”

Happily surprised by this somewhat non-sequitur statement, my ego said, ‘why yes, yes I am.’  I reveled for a second in that wonderful praise. Mostly my heart melted, because that was the first time Monchichi has said that and when you’re a 2.5 year old, it is truly a pure, straight from the heart proclamation.  I found it even more touching, because it did not follow a special treat or toy, as some of her hugs and ‘I love you,” do.  It seemed to stem from a real understanding that despite the discomfort of going to the doctor, I wanted to take care of her and she appreciated me.

This is my ultimate Mother’s Day gift.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ll enjoy listening to Daniel and Monchichi in the kitchen, making breakfast, having a good laugh while I attempt to eat it in bed with Monchichi jumping around.  But as a mother, who strives to be a good one, Monchichi’s spontaneous affirmation has filled my heart gas tank to full.

I haven’t been good at keeping up with the baby journal, but I am going to write this one down – complete with the date and time so I don’t forget this sweet memory.  Plus, I can lob it back at her when she’s a 13 year old, yelling at me because I won’t let her go to some party, “You are so mean! I hate you!”  I’ll have in my arsenal, “Well, on May 5, 2011 at 11:27 a.m. you told me that I’m a good mommy.  So there! You don’t hate me.”

A Mother’s Day gift that will endure throughout the years.

Sleeping With The Celebrity April 27, 2011

Filed under: Uncategorized — chezmonchichi @ 6:28 PM

In the middle of the night, Monchichi wailed for me.  I buckled, which is no surprise because I’m being lazy on this issue, and let her in our bed.

When she settled in, there was a rustling sound next to her and some deep breathing.  She sat up and asked, “who’s there mommy?  Who’s there?” I laughed and didn’t immediately respond because a number of thoughts raced through my head.  Because I paused, Monchichi asked again urgently, ”Who’s there, mommy?” I would too if someone couldn’t immediately tell me who that big, snoring lump in the bed was, except I would be much more frantic, as in “WHO’S IN THIS BED??” followed by “I KNOW KARATE!”

In the split second before I responded, I thought:

  1. Boy, my husband travels an awful lot if Monchichi doesn’t know who’s in the bed with me.
  2. Uh, I hope he didn’t hear her, because I don’t need him asking the ridiculous questions, “what does she mean who’s there?  Who does she think is there?  Do we need to talk to the milkman?”
  3. I wanted to say “Colin Firth” or “Alex O’Loughlin” (ladies, if you don’t know, he’s the newer, hotter Steve McGarrett on Hawaii Five-O and you must check him out.) because I thought it would be funny. Although my husband would say it’s not that I wanted to be funny but that my inner school-girl crush was wishing it.  Ok, so what if that’s a little true?  But then Monchichi would ask “who’s Colin Firth” And then I’d have to say “an actor” which would only prompt her to launch into a bunch of “why” questions and I thought, it’s the middle of the damn night, the set of questions would only keep me awake longer and she wouldn’t get the joke anyway.

So, I told her the truth.  “It’s just daddy….who looks a lot like Anderson Cooper.”

Paci-holics Anonymous April 13, 2011

Filed under: Uncategorized — chezmonchichi @ 9:47 PM

Hello, my name is Monichichi and I am a paci-holic.

For well over a year, I’ve mulled over how we are going to break Monchichi from her pacifier.  Around her 8 month wellness appointment, the doctor told me that was the time to stop using it.  Eeeks.  If the doctor only knew that two years later, Monchichi is still using it and there are no signs of letting go.

Let me start off by saying that the paci has been a life saver.  Monchichi took to it immediately. It single handedly added on a few hours of sleep every night because Monchichi would fall back asleep the minute she had it safely tucked in her mouth.  Dozing off for another hour or two… priceless.  We ended up putting 4 or 5 pacis in the crib because if she lost one in the middle of the night, all she had to do was reach for another.  Voila, asleep!

The paci did more than just put her to sleep.  If she was unhappy on an airplane, it kept her quiet, much to our relief and the happiness of passengers.  It kept her occupied in the car on long drives, which were numerous as we visited friends and in-laws down in Los Angeles.  Bottom line, it soothed her.

Monchichi loved the Paci.  We loved the Paci. Yes, capital “P,” Paci.

The Paci love got extreme.  It wasn’t enough for Monchichi to simply have a Paci in her mouth, she had to hold one or two of them in her hands as well.  She’d cradle them in her fingers while she slept.  Geez, Monchichi.  Love that Paci, or what?

At the 18 month mark, I knew we had to get this under control, but I wasn’t ready to go cold turkey.  We started slow and relegated the Paci use for just the crib and car.  Monchichi accepted the new rules surprisingly well.  But she also figured a way to get around the rules.   You see, we didn’t restrict when she could use the Paci, only where she could use it.

So, any time Monchichi wanted a Paci fix, she’d point to the crib and said she wanted to go in there.  We’d plop her in, she’d grab a Paci, put it in her mouth and hold another one in her hand.  She’d stay in there for about 5 minutes, quietly sucking away, sometimes sitting up, sometimes lying down. As soon as she was done, she’d say “ok Mommy,” and reach for me to take her out to continue playing.  I felt like I was watching a smoker go to her designated smoking area, take a hit, and then go about her business.  Two words: Baby. Crack.

At the 2 year mark, we took away the Paci in the car.  Now it was only for crib use, hopefully for sleeping purposes only, although we knew full well that she still took Paci breaks.  Again, Monchichi reacted well to removing the Paci from the car.  Things were looking good.

So, I jumped the gun and decided to test out the waters and took away the Paci for nap time. As soon as I did it, there was a flicker of confusion on Monchichi’s face and upon realization, a look of et tu, Brutus?  This was immediately followed by complete and total meltdown of astronomical proportions.  Seriously, I have never seen Monchichi so angry.  Her little face contorted into a red, angry ball, she balled her fists tightly and screamed at me “I want my Pacis!!” over and over at the top of her lungs.  I was pretty freaked out to tell you the truth.  Wow, I thought. I can’t wait to see what happens when she’s 13.  Because that’s going to be fun.

I ended up giving her Pacis back.  This was too much for her and not the way I wanted it to go down.  But now what to do?

There are a few suggestions out there besides cold turkey which include (1) cutting the nipple of the Paci down so it’s not satisfying to them so they voluntarily relinquish the paci; (2) wrapping them in a box and “donating” them to a baby;  and (3) have Monchichi give them to a Paci-fairy who will take pacis to all the babies in the world who need them and replace the pacis with a gift (a la Tooth Fairy) for Monchichi.

Is there a paci-patch she can put on her arm that would send whatever juice she gets from the Paci?  Or how about seeing a hypnotist who could hypnotize her so she no longer craved the Paci?  Do they make non-choking paci-gum? A swank Malibu paci-rehab?  Is this how Lindsay Lohan got started?

I don’t have the answer right now, nor am I going to venture into those waters for the next couple months; because first, I have to do potty training.  Yeah, that other fun milestone.

COO-That’s Chief Operating Officer; Not Coo, Like Coochie Coo March 28, 2011

Filed under: Uncategorized — chezmonchichi @ 7:50 PM

Last week, while we were driving, Monchichi wanted to play with her friend Anna* and her mommy, Kay*.  I said, “No, we can’t see them today, Kay is working.”  Pause.  She said “No, Kay’s not working.  Daddies work.”

For a brief moment, I didn’t know what to say.  I was caught off-guard.  Did my 2.5 year old just say that?  Well, in my head it was more like, “Oh no, you did not just say that!”  Monchichi replying in my head: “That’s right, mommy! I said it!”

All I could really say was, “No, Kay is working honey.”  Lame.

What I really wanted to do was to launch into a diatribe, that while daddies — such as your daddy — works, mommies work too.  I’d start with all the various jobs I did before I was a mommy, pumping up all the cool, exciting parts of those jobs. I’d wrap it up with all the work we moms do on a daily basis, even though we don’t get paid.  The more I thought about it, my brain twisted up into a tizzy, with my att-i-tude going, finger wagging, and then the argument in my head devolved to an immature, mental outburst “I work too!  Just because I don’t drive into an “office” or get “paid,” this is hard work!”  However, Monchichi is only 2.5 yrs old, so I was left with my lame response and would have to table my diatribe.

Of course this got me thinking.  Clearly, I go to work everyday, putting in a good 14 hours from start to finish. I just happen to commute down a set of stairs and start the morning in my pajamas.  Instead of counseling clients, I talk and play with a 2.5 year old which can be very tiring since the conversations are repetitive, topics are limited, and outbursts are frequent.  Rather than read multiple contracts or legal texts, I read Fancy Nancy, Angelina Ballerina, Dr. Seuss, etc. over and over and over.  Instead of arguing with opposing counsel about inappropriate tactics and baseless arguments, I negotiate, correct or administer discipline in some fashion about every 20 minutes (please take turns with the toy; you have to wear school clothes, not ballet clothes; say ‘thank you’ and ‘please;’ if you do that one more time, you’re getting a time-out; don’t pull on Finlay’s (our dog) tail; please stop whining; no, you can’t have ice cream for breakfast.). I don’t go to client dinners anymore; instead I prepare toddler-friendly meals, sometimes resorting to sneaking in nutritious ingredients.  Cleaning up after a toddler is a lot like cleaning up a client’s mess — poop, and all.

For you corporate types who remain skeptical that being a mother simply isn’t a real job, and is just feminist mumbo jumbo, let me break it down for you in terms you can understand.  Chief Operating Officer (COO).  That’s what I am.  As you can see from the following duties of a COO, it’s what I do:

  • Marshals limited resources to the most productive uses with the aim of creating maximum value for the company (family).
  • Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company (family).
  • Develops and cascades the company’s (family) mission to the staff (child) and implements appropriate rewards/recognition and coaching/corrective practices to align the staff (child) with the company (family) goals.
  • Monitor staff (child) and drive performance measures for the operation of the company (family), including efficiency versus effectiveness.

There you have it.  Mom = COO.

Now, you might naturally wonder if I’m the COO, is my husband the CEO?  Hell no.  While he’s certainly the CFO, we both agree that we are co-CEOs.  That’s not to say we don’t have our moments of pulling rank.  But what is most salient here, is what qualifies as a successful relationship between a COO and CEO is just as applicable between parents when running a household.

  • The Co-CEO** has to be comfortable sharing information with the COO and regularly communicating the strategy and any changes to it. Similarly, the COO has to be comfortable regularly providing status updates to the CEO. When communication breaks down, mistrust and/or misunderstanding is likely to crop up.
  • The COO role appears to work the best when the roles and responsibilities of the COO have been clearly delineated ahead of time and the COO is allowed to make the final decision within pre-agreed upon scope. (I would change this to say both the COO and CEO roles are well-defined.)
  • The Co-CEO must not undermine the COO’s credibility by continually reversing decisions. When employees (children) learn that they can get a different answer by going directly to the Co-CEO as opposed to the COO, the COO role quickly becomes impotent. (Zing!)
  • In effective CEO-COO relationships, both parties are comfortable with how much “credit” they receive for their work internally, externally.
  • The two individuals must respect each other and effectively partner together. This is not a partnership that can be forced.

Brilliant, eh?  Both sets of bullet points prove that a family is much like a company.  In order for a family to function happily and successfully (in whatever way you define it), each of us must perform our responsibilities every day, to the best of our ability.  Parents must communicate and work with one another to ensure a harmonious and happy family.  Therefore, if the family is the company, I am the COO of this household.

This morning, Monchichi ran over, pointed at me and said, “you’re Superhero Mommy.”  The last time I checked, that trumps COO and CEO.  I’ll gladly take the promotion.

*Names have been changed.

**Changed it to ‘co-CEO’ to align it with my situation

Zzzzzzz’s March 23, 2011

Filed under: Uncategorized — chezmonchichi @ 9:51 PM

I love sleep.  Love, love, love sleep.  Sleep is a religion.  I pray for its beneficence each day.  I honor everything it is and what it gives to us.  I was religious about sleep before Monchichi and am now one of its most ardent followers.

Religion or not, I don’t know of a topic that generates more passionate opinions among parents than getting your baby/child to sleep, which is ultimately, all about your sleep.  So many opinions, that there are hundreds of books on this topic alone.  Books, which you know I’ve read in vain.

I fully expected the first 12 months of sleep to be rough.  Everyone regales you with stories of sleeplessness nights, you see the battle wounds of dark circles under their eyes and when your baby arrives, you brace yourself for battle.  At that moment, the sleep debate begins among your friends.

There are so many choices.  Co-sleep, bassinet, crib?  When do you move the baby to a crib?  How do you get the baby to sleep through the night – the Ferber method of crying it out or slowly weaning them off soothing?  What time do you put your baby to bed?  How many hours does he sleep?  How long are his naps? Do you ever wake her from her nap so you can get her on track for night sleep?

The questions were endless and when Monchichi hit 4 months, I searched the internet and voraciously read as many books as possible because I was frantic to find a solution. If sleep is my religion, then its deprivation would be my ultimate form of torture (whining is a close second).  That fog of exhaustion that sat in my brain started to become a tight, uncomfortable pressure.  I got cranky beyond belief, to the point where I didn’t even want to hang out with myself. Forget about thinking.  I congratulated myself each day just performing the most basic daily functions, but I wanted more than to just time-punch a clock as a mother and wife. Must. Get. Sleep.  Must get Monchichi to sleep.

I cobbled a solution of sorts but only after embattled weeks of Monchichi crying it out while I looked at a clock, watching each heartwrenching minute tick by, telling myself to hold out 5 more minutes.  But then the heavens parted, and restful nights was my reward.  I was feeling back to my old self again.

After the 12 month mark, the conversation among friends and family seemed to die down.  Babies were sleeping. Everyone seemed to have figured out a sleep solution that worked for them.

Now, I see the sleep issue creeping back and there’s very little chatter going on.  I think it’s because the expectation is that (1) it’s supposed to be figured out by now, and (2) I suspect kids are just sleeping with the parents after all is said and done, just to get through the night.

What prompted the resurrection of this topic is that I find myself on the fence of what to with Monchichi right now.  This indecision is further clouded by a conversation I had with some friends a number of months ago, who casually mentioned that their kids sleep with them.  The friends added that it was only on the nights their husbands traveled.  My husband, like theirs, also travels a lot.  One woman had a rotation arranged with the three kids as to whose night was their night with her.  Her children ranged from 10 – 4 years old.  The other woman had a 6 and 4 year old and they just climbed in the bed on the nights their dad was out of town.

It was not a good a-ha moment for me.  This sleep thing ain’t going away.  We’re in this for another 8 years, for sure.

Here is my current crossroad.  We’ve had a horrible winter of illness in this family.  Whenever Monchichi is sick, she gets to sleep with us.   Once she’s better, we retrain her to sleep through the night in her own bed.  Those are painfully long nights.  Because of this run of colds and flus, she has slept with us for a month straight.  My husband and I have had our own share of being sick so no one has been sleeping well, especially on the nights when either she or one of us coughed all night long.

Now, we’ve been healthy for a good two weeks and sleeping well. But…… we’ve still brought her to the bed when she wakes in the middle of the night.  (oh, you knew I was going there.)  I blame it entirely on my laziness and reluctance to struggle through some rough nights of sleep because you’ll recall that I view sleep deprivation as ultimate torture.  And truth be told, Monchichi is such a snuggler; I love the feel of her small arms around my neck and her soft breathing.  My husband has also been traveling a lot, and I don’t mind having her with me on those nights.

My book-reading brain tells me to bite the bullet and start retraining so she doesn’t rely on sleeping with us every night. I rationalize and tell myself, well, she does start out the night falling asleep on her own, in her bed.  That’s good enough, right??  The emotional side says that the time with our little ones go by so fast and some day she’ll have no interest in sleeping with me, so I should cherish the memories now and throw caution to the wind.  Also, after hearing from friends with older kids that it is likely that she’ll still crawl into our bed no matter what, for the next few years, I wonder what’s the point of struggling with this beast.

I’d love to hear about your sleep journeys and where you are with it today.

Pink Swan March 21, 2011

Filed under: Uncategorized — chezmonchichi @ 3:46 PM

It is Day 34 of Monchichi wearing ballet outfits. Days 1-3 were off the charts cute.  Day 16 was mildly cute but the novelty was gone.  Day 29 was tiresome but I still flashed obligatory smiles to people in the grocery store who stopped us and oohed and aahed, exclaiming how cute she looked.  Day 34: eh.

It started a little over a month ago when Monchichi napped through a ballet performance in town and I didn’t have the heart to wake her up for it.  Even though she had never seen a ballet performance, she was so disappointed upon waking that I suggested we could go to a ballet class the next day.  Monchichi was satisfied and excited.  Pleased with myself for coming up with a brilliant solution to ease my daughter’s disappointment, I was unaware of the Pandora’s box I just opened.

During the class, I was so proud that she concentrated and followed the ballet instructor closely, intent on pointing her toes, or reaching up high.  She had a smile the entire time, with pure delight on her face as she tippy-toed and leapt around the room.  I was in a perpetual state of “aaawwww” watching her and the other little tutus.  As soon as the class ended, she burst out of the room, with sticker in hand, squealing “mommy, mommy!!  I did it!”  and ran right into my open arms for a big hug.  That is how we got here. Day 34.

I know many kids go through obsessions and as far as obsessions go, this one is manageable. Mondays are blissful because she has ballet class that day.  The day starts and ends with a tutu and there’s no struggle. If it’s a school day, we have the same discussion every morning, that the activities in school require that she wear school clothes. I then pull out the ultimate zinger: there’s a huge risk that her ballet clothes will get dirty at school, which means I have to wash them, and then she’ll be without a ballet outfit until they’re dry. That always makes her pause, and she readily puts on her school clothes. (This is where heavy-handed lawyer negotiation skills come in handy.)  But the minute I pick her up from school, she says she can’t wait to put on her ballet clothes when she gets home.  And she does. She even wears a leotard under her pajamas some nights to bed.

No matter if she wears “other” clothes to the playground, parties, or other activities, there has not been a single day in the past 34 days, when a ballet outfit was not worn for a portion of, or most of the day.  34 straight days.

I know this will peter out, but when??  I can’t imagine doing this for 3 more months, much less 6 months to a year.  When do we hit the point when this becomes abnormal?  I’m still dumbfounded at how this happened – one ballet class and now here we are.  Is this how the Black Swan got started?  Better yet, do I need to watch the Black Swan?

On the one hand, it’s cute, harmless and allows her to have control over something in her life.  It shows that she knows what she likes and takes comfort in being a creature of habit.  But on the other hand, I’d like to see her in other outfits for more than 2 hours a day.  Plus the constant washing of her ballet clothes is a pain.  I just hope this intensely focused interest doesn’t get too crazy.  If we hit Day 90, you’ll be hearing about it, if not sooner.


text:
Mission and Vision

To grow profitably and enhance the ability of local independent insurance agents to deliver quality financial protection to the people and businesses they serve by:

  • providing market stability through financial strength
  • producing competitive up-to-date products and services
  • developing associates committed to superior service

Our vision is to be the best company serving independent agents.


text:
For Sale: 1989 AMO Zil 41502 in San Luis Obispo, California

Vehicle Description

Collector Quality Zil-41052 limousine, armored capsule. Car in excellent condition, all parts and equipment are completely original. The USSR made only twenty two (22) ZIL-41052 automobiles and currently only 10 remain in existence today. This car served the President of the USSR (The car served as Boris Yeltsin's limo) and was built to be almost completely invulnerable. The car has the highest class of security. Chassis construction is such that it is not possible to turn over. Body armor thickness from 8 to 10 mm. Bulletproof glass - 41,5 mm. The Legendary Armored Capsule ZIL-41052 were issued from 1980-1990 in the USSR at the factory Likhachev. For such stout machines as they were, the ZIL limousine was a very luxurious car with air conditioning, automatic transmission, etc. Not only that , they performed. Maximum speed - 190 km / hr. Acceleration time to 100 km / h - 13 seconds. Mass of the car is 5.5 tons. Mileage above is in kilometers.

Vehicle Details

  • Listing ID:CC-666707
  • Year:1989
  • Make:AMO Zil
  • Model:41502
  • Exterior Color:Black
  • Interior Color:Grey
  • Transmission:Automatic
  • Odometer:39000
  • Stock Number:2415


text:
A Study of Tomato Products and Disease Risk (TOM)

This study has been completed.
Tomato Products Wellness Council
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Institute for Food Safety and Health, United States
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
First received: August 26, 2009
Last updated: November 10, 2016
Last verified: November 2016
The purpose of this research study is to test whether certain compounds in tomatoes will help reduce factors in the subject's blood associated with disease risk. The investigators want to know if the tomato-associated compounds will lower or improve the status of these factors, like cholesterol and inflammation. In this research study, the subject will be asked to consume high fat test meals on two separate occasions. The investigators want to see how the subject's body responds to a standard high fat meal, one meal with tomato products and one meal without tomato products. The investigators will measure the subject's blood throughout the study period to determine if consumption of tomato products reduces factors in their blood associated with disease risk.

Condition Intervention
Other: Tomato
Other: Non-tomato

Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Open Label
Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Official Title: Tomato Products and Postprandial Oxidation and Inflammation: a Clinical Trial in Healthy Weight Men and Women

Resource links provided by NLM:

Further study details as provided by Institute for Food Safety and Health, United States:

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • IL-6 Concentrations [ Time Frame: 6 hour postprandial study ]

Enrollment: 25
Study Start Date: August 2009
Study Completion Date: February 2012
Primary Completion Date: February 2012 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Arms Assigned Interventions
Active Comparator: Tomato
Tomato with high carb/fat meal
Other: Tomato
Tomato with high carb/fat meal
Other Name: Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator: Non-Tomato
Non-tomato with high carb/fat meal
Other: Non-tomato
Non-tomato with high carb/fat meal
Other Name: Placebo Comparator

Detailed Description:

This study will take three weeks at most, and require one initial screening visit lasting approximately 45 minutes and two study visits each lasting approximately 6 - 8 hours. The investigators are looking for healthy, non-smoking male and female volunteers between the ages of 18 - 65, with no medical history of diabetics, heart, lung, kidney, stomach, or liver disease.

The initial screening visit will determine subject' eligibility through height, weight and waist circumference measurements, blood glucose (finger prick) test and a fasting screening blood draw. There will be no compensation for the screening visit, other than transportation costs.

If subject qualify, subject will continue to the two study visits. Each visit will require subject to have blood drawn several times during subject' study visit (total amount of blood equal to approximately 1 ½ tablespoons). To make this process more tolerable, a registered nurse will place a catheter (similar to what happens when you give blood) into subject's vein for ease in drawing blood. After the catheter placement and the first blood draw, subject will be asked to eat the test meal (tomato or non-tomato meal) and then subject will continue to have blood taken at specific time points for the next 6 hours. The investigators will also do an ultrasound on subject's arm to measure blood flow both before eating and midway through the 6 - hour study visit. The investigators will ask that subject not consume tomatoes or tomato products during the course of the study and record all food and beverages consumed on certain days.

Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years to 65 Years   (Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male and female
  • Between ages of 18-65
  • BMI between 19 and 24 and hsCRP < 1mg/L
  • BMI between 25 and 35 and hsCRP > 2.5mg/L
  • No clinical evidence of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, GI or hepatic disease

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant and/or lactating
  • allergies or intolerances to foods consumed in the study
  • fasting blood glucose > 110mg/dL
  • taking OTC antioxidant supplements, prescription meds that may interfere with study endpoints
  • unusual dietary habits
  • actively trying to lose or gain weight
  • addicted to drugs or alcohol
  • medically documented psychiatric or neurological disturbances
  • smoker (past smoker allowed if cessation > 2 years)
  Contacts and Locations
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below. For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00966550

United States, Illinois
Clinical Nutrition Research Center
Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60616
Sponsors and Collaborators
Institute for Food Safety and Health, United States
Tomato Products Wellness Council
Principal Investigator: Britt Burton-Freeman, MS, PhD Institute for Food Safety and Health, United States
Principal Investigator: Indika Edirisinghe, PhD Institute for Food Safety and Health, United States
  More Information

Additional Information:
Pubmed  This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site

Responsible Party: Institute for Food Safety and Health, United States
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00966550     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: TOM 2009-071
Study First Received: August 26, 2009
Results First Received: August 20, 2014
Last Updated: November 10, 2016
Individual Participant Data
Plan to Share IPD: Undecided

Keywords provided by Institute for Food Safety and Health, United States:

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Pathologic Processes

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 24, 2017


text:
This study has been withdrawn prior to enrollment.
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Bayer Identifier:
First received: January 30, 2012
Last updated: February 2, 2016
Last verified: February 2016
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of Xarelto in the prophylaxis of VTE in Indian patients undergoing elective TKR/THR

Condition Intervention
Prophylaxis, Thromboembolism, Venous
Total Knee Replacement
Total Hip Replacement
Drug: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto, BAY59-7939)

Study Type: Observational
Study Design: Observational Model: Cohort
Time Perspective: Prospective
Official Title: Xarelto in the Prophylaxis of Post Surgical Venous Thromboembolism After Elective Major Orthopedic Surgery or Hip or Knee in Indian Patients

Resource links provided by NLM:

Further study details as provided by Bayer:

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • Safety related variables are bleeding events reported as major or non-major adverse events [ Time Frame: 3 months after the day of surgery ]
  • Symptomatic thromboembolic events (Deep vein thrombosis, Pulmonary embolism) reported as adverse events [ Time Frame: 3 months after the day of surgery ]
  • All cause mortality [ Time Frame: 3 months after the day of surgery ]

Enrollment: 0
Study Start Date: October 2014
Estimated Study Completion Date: November 2016
Estimated Primary Completion Date: November 2016 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Groups/Cohorts Assigned Interventions
Group 1 Drug: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto, BAY59-7939)
The treatment with Xarelto 10mg tablets should comply with the recommendations. Rivaroxaban 10mg OD, 6-10 hours post-op, provided hemostasis has been achieved, for a period of 2 weeks (TKR) & 5 weeks (THR)

Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years and older   (Adult, Senior)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Sampling Method:   Probability Sample
Study Population
Patients undergoing elective TKR / THR

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adult patients of either sex, undergoing elective THR/TKR, in whom, Rivaroxaban is given for thromboprophylaxis
  • Patients willing to give a written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Exclusion criteria must be read in conjunction with the local product information
  • Patients on UFH / LMWH therapy, fondaparinux and vitamin K antagonists are not eligible.
  • Patients with history of hypersensitivity to active ingredients or excipient :cellulose microcrystalline, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate
  Contacts and Locations
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below. For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its identifier: NCT01523418

Sponsors and Collaborators
Study Director: Bayer Study Director Bayer
  More Information

Additional Information:
Responsible Party: Bayer Identifier: NCT01523418     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: 15871  XA1111IN
Study First Received: January 30, 2012
Last Updated: February 2, 2016

Keywords provided by Bayer:
Thromboembolism, Venous
Orthopedic surgery
Factor Xa inhibitor
Observational study

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Venous Thromboembolism
Embolism and Thrombosis
Vascular Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Factor Xa Inhibitors
Serine Proteinase Inhibitors
Protease Inhibitors
Enzyme Inhibitors
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Anticoagulants processed this record on January 24, 2017


text:
How to Glean Writing Tips from your Favorite Books

How to Glean Writing Tips from your Favorite Books.

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Camp Sunnyside Friends #6 Katie Steals the Show & paper bag waist shorts

* Hi, everyone. Sorry, I haven’t been around. I did Nanowrite and I’ve been working on my own writing. But last night I decided to take a break – read a Camp Sunnyside Friends and write up a review. I enjoyed it, hope you do to!

Camp Sunnyside Friends #6

Title – Katie Steals the Show

Alternate title – Katie the brat

page count – 116

The Agenda – Katie is paranoid that the girls of Cabin 6, her posse, will make fools of themselves in the upcoming talent show – the Spectacular like they did last year unless of course she’s in charge. Ha, who is she kidding? Katie just wants to be in charge –  period. And well in that performance – she gives a repeat of last year and makes a fool of herself.

Plot – To set the stage for Katie’s supreme bossiness the first scene shows the girls wiling away the hours during a rainy day – doing their own thing – anarchy for a Gestapo like Katie. Fashion-mad Erin is trying to French braid Megan’s hair who is daydreaming, Sarah is reading ( possibly a series fiction book from Avon Camelot ), and Trina ( that goody-goody ) is doing needlepoint. Am I crazy, or is voluntary needlepoint in 1990 at camp, crazy? Oh, well. Naturally the second Katie sees this peaceful scene she decides to ‘get this gang going’ and says they should all go to the activities hall. Nobody wants to budge. However when Carolyn comes in and asks about the Spectacular and suggests they go to the activities hall to get some ideas everyone now is up for it. Hmm.

Very subtle foreshadowing – Katie demands – doesn’t get results, Carolyn suggests – and viola! gets results. But not to worry the rest of the message of this book is as about as subtle as sledgehammer. Sarah has wrote a play which would be perfect for the Spectacular and wouldn’t you know it does double duty for the message. The play is called the Search for Happiness. It involves a spirit of happiness who gets kidnapped and how two groups of people – one smart one strong, find themselves bickering and unhappy because they are being ruled by the spirit of Meanness. Everyone likes the play and Katie especially likes the idea when it’s decided she’ll be director. Which seems a little strange considering Katie didn’t do a very hospitable job of running the color war.

Naturally, Katie is disorganized and makes moot points. She offends Sarah by wanting to change the cutesypoo title of her play, doesn’t ask the cabin five girls who have teamed up with them their names, tells them to shut up when they all talk and instead of having the girls audition was going to pick who should do what or be what. When Carolyn suggests that the girls audition for the parts, Katie says huh? Like she’s never heard of the concept. Um she’s never been involved in a school play?… you would think Camp Sunnyside was a planet populate with parentless children and counselors and no concept of school or the other three seasons.

Carolyn reminds Katie to be tactful during the auditions, hell why stop there. And Katie does her best but Megan flakes out as the spirit of Happiness, Erin is good but a sullen girl ( the never-heard-of-before- this-book-never-will-again ) Dinah is excellent. Though she casts the play she can’t understand why these killjoys would rather swim, or horseback ride when they could be indoors practicing the play 24/7 with her cracking the whip over them. She expects their lines memorized in a night, and during the practice as she yells and gripes, doesn’t see the irony of the girls saying lines like – “Isn’t this fun!” and “We always have fun together” meanwhile their expressions getting grimmer and grimmer.

Katie has her delusions of the audience cheering “Director! Director!” but in reality she’s racking up the enemies. Sarah is getting snippy because Katie’s altering her lines, Megan is in tears because Katie is yelling at her, Erin doesn’t really give a crap and Trina is starting to call her ma’am. Finally Katie loses it and gives an ultimatum if they don’t start listening to her, she’ll leave. As she waits for the cries of dismay and none come ( shocker ), she storms out thinking without her the play is finished. Um. Yeah. They just ask Carolyn to help them.

Meanwhile Katie gets the spend the day with herself and her doppelganger – Dinah who hammers home the point of no compromise when she refuses to play ping pong, and won’t work on a quilt with the rest of her cabinmates cause she didn’t get to pick the pattern. Working alone, Katie gets creeped out – not wanting to wind up alone and friendless like Dinah.

She wanders over to the play and offers her input in a more tactful way. She things they should paint gold fruit on the trees to make the land more magical. She talks finally to Sarah and Trina who set her straight. Carolyn feigns an emergency ( or I always thought so ) allowing Katie to take over rehearsals. Katie learns to balance praise with direction and she’s voted back in. The play is naturally a success and someone does cry out director! Director! Reducing Katie to tears.

Subplot – Dinah is a sullen girl who is there and only there to help drive home the message that cooperation, and compromise are needed. She demands the role of the spirit of happiness but wins the role of spirit of meanness and refuses to be in the play. Since she won’t compromise what games she wants to play, or things she wants to do or accept a certain part in the play she remains as she started, talented but friendless. Her one expression – If you don’t want to do what I want to do then I don’t want to play is echoed as a line in the play. The irony is in a series book we’re supposed to recognize Katie’s character growth and notice Dinah lack of it – however Katie is up to her old bossiness like three books later.

Character quirks – Every notice how Katie is always trying to one-up-someone in nearly every book? Her older brothers, boys or Maura. This time its Maura’s turn again. She is snide to Katie who know feels she has to prove herself – to the dimwit she doesn’t like.

Trina is just too good, but I like her, I remember when friends were loyal and nice.

Unintentionally funny – Katie’s megalomania
Funny – Katie’s megalomania

That’s whacked – Realizing/ Recalling in her daydream that the audience doesn’t call Director! Director! They call author! author! And though she thinks Sarah deserves to take a bow intends to have someone in the audience that will call out director. Modest isn’t she?  Oh, and even when someone in the play does something good – like the girl playing the Spirit of meanness she adds a cackle to her lines. Instead of saying that’s great! She consults her script and says that’s not in there. But it does allow Carolyn’s artistic interpretation comment. Which Katie thinks is mumbo jumbo.

Best Comment – Trina – her best friend – had just called her a dictator!

Bullwer Little would be proud Fun cheesy moments – the play rehearsals, the over the top moments when Katie and Trina have an after-school-special moment discussing Dinah’s friendless state.

Cover Art – Who knew the Camp Sunnyside uniform included shorts with a bag waist and drawstring! I’m digging the irony of the friendship bracelets. Erin looks like Stephanie from Full House.

Full house Stephanie book

Summary / Opinion – It’s shlocky fun. One of the better Camp Sunnyside books but not the best.
The theme is heavy handed though it includes a nice summary sentence. Although taken out of context it makes Dinah look freespirited. Lol. – Dinah just didn’t care if people liked her or not. Katie wondered if she’d ever know what she was missing. – pg113.

80’s comparison – No 80’s nuggets. Accept those bag waist shorts. Anyone have a pair of those? I remember getting jeans like this but I can see why the fad didn’t last long. The only way of wearing them was to tuck in your tee shirt or wear a crop top. Otherwise you’d have this weird bulge under your shirt.
Recommendations – **½ in general or *** for this particular series. If you see it anywhere, pick it up it’s a fun read.

Check out Ebay – for bag waist denim shorts, too cool!

Posted in Camp Sunnyside Friends | 1 Comment


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Javaturtle Javaturtle - 3 months ago 28
Android Question

Android Studio Method implementation

The main goal is to give you practice determining what methods are called
during the lifecycle of your app. You must do each task and record
which methods were called and in what order. The following methods should be overwritten
so you can determine which ones are being called and when:

• onCreate

• onStart

• onResume

• onPause

• onStop

• onRestart

• onDestroy

• onSaveInstanceState

• onRestoreInstanceState

• onConfigurationChanged

package com.example.martij62.myapplication;

import android.content.res.Configuration;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.util.Log;
import android.view.WindowManager;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState ) {
setContentView(R.layout.activity_landscape) ;
} else {
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main) ;
getWindow().setSoftInputMode (
WindowManager.LayoutParams.SOFT_INPUT_STATE_HIDDEN) ;

How am I suppose to implement all of these methods into my code? Whenever I try I get errors. I'm unsure how to run all of these at once or individually. He wants us to implement and find out what each one does.

Use a method under create method.

protected  onstart()
Log.i(app."on Pause")

Do that for each method and watch the log as its called.


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Čamo Čamo - 3 months ago 10
MySQL Question

General error: 1364 Field 'xxxx' doesn't have a default value

I got a project, which make insertions which inserting no values(not empty values) to the columns with NOT NULL and NO DEFAULT values.
I believed that is impossible to make insertion with missing required values, and it always throws an error: Field 'xxxx' doesn't have a default value. But as I see here mysql can be set to

I am confused, cause I think it is dangerous. And if I switch it OFF it will apply to all projects and it could be really bad. So what should I do? Is it possible to set the mode only for one mysql database while other databases will be on STRICT mode? What do you think about it? Is it an issue or not?

The sql-mode system variable is available at both global and session level. Which means either you have to set this for entire server or particular connection. So there is no way to configure this for subset of DBs at server level. However you can specify the sql mode when you are making the connection. So those connections will run in strict mode.


text:
nck nck - 3 months ago 16
Android Question

How can I reload an activity from a listview to update information of a database?

I'm trying to implement something like this:

I have a main class with a layout from where I get some data from the database and plot it as shown in the image (with another layout complex_list):

public class main_class extends Activity{
DatabaseHelper myDB;
ListView list;
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState){

myDB=new DatabaseHelper(this);
list = (ListView) findViewById(;
Cursor res = myDB.getAllData();
if (res.getCount()==0){
list.setAdapter(new listAdapter(..., this.getBaseContext()));

I've a class to implement the BaseAdapter:

class listAdapter extends BaseAdapter {
public View getView(final int position, View convertView, final ViewGroup parent) {

inflater = (LayoutInflater) context.getSystemService(Context.LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE );
View row;
row = inflater.inflate(R.layout.complex_list, parent, false);
Delete = (Button) row.findViewById(;
Delete.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
public void onClick(View v) {
Intent refresh = new Intent(context, main_class.class);
refresh.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK); //I've added this line because otherwise I get an error an the app crashes.
return (row);
public void deleteEntry ( int id){
DatabaseHelper myDB = new DatabaseHelper(context);

What I'm trying to do is refreshing the whole activity once the delete button is pressed to see an updated version of the database.

What I've written does work, but when I press the return button in the phone it returns to the old image of the database instead of going to the menu from where I accessed to this activity.

I've been researching similar questions and the only solution I've found is to add the line which is commented:

But it makes my app crash with this error:

java.lang.ClassCastException: cannot be cast to

Could anyone give me a hint of what I'm doing wrong or if there is an easier way to this?

ClassCastException: cannot be cast to

Probably starts from

list.setAdapter(new listAdapter(..., this.getBaseContext()));

You should use this in place of this.getBaseContext() there as Activity extends Context


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Bruce Lee Walk On! Bookmark

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1.25" x 6.5"
Made from top-grain cowhide
Comes with a brown leather tassel
**A portion of the proceeds from all merchandise purchased in the Bruce Lee Official Store benefits The Bruce Lee Foundation.

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Category:Thomas Woolner

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Thomas Woolner (December 17, 1825 – October 7, 1892) was an English sculptor and poet.

My Beautiful Lady
(vers 1 & 2)

I LOVE my Lady; she is very fair;
Her brow is wan, and bound by simple hair;
Her spirit sits aloof, and high,
But glances from her tender eye
In sweetness droopingly.

As a young forest while the wind drives through,
My life is stirr’d when she breaks on my view;
Her beauty grants my will no choice
But silent awe, till she rejoice
My longing with her voice.

Thomas Woolner, (1863)

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Security in a Cyber World

Publication: The Colorado Banker , May/June 2008

Long gone are the days when the primary threat to a community bank was a local outlaw with a gun and bandana. The external perimeter of community banks is no longer limited to the brick and mortar building in which their money and information resides. The security landscape of today’s Internet connected bank has expanded to include global threats, such as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Therefore, banks must take a strong stance on security to ensure their information and assets are protected from a wide variety of threats.

A recent Attack

On January 18, 2008, the information security team of a regional bank detected fraudulent activity on several customer accounts. Bank response to the breach included sending letters to customers, as well as issuing new check cards, ATM cards, and personal identification numbers. In a statement issued by the bank, the president and CEO stated: "Unfortunately, the threat of cybercrime is a risk faced by all financial institutions. We must remain vigilant in attempting to thwart such activity through the updating and continual monitoring of technologically advanced security systems, as well as through professional diligence."

Through the Eyes of the Enemy

Criminal organizations, including Foreign Terrorist Organizations, have begun targeting community banks. They feel many community banks do not have the resources or sophistication to defend themselves in the cyber world, and sadly they are right all too often. Recent breaches have included:

  • Direct Internet attacks against the bank’s external firewall(s) and router(s).
  • Social engineering tactics, including phone calls, phishing, pharming, etc.
  • Attacks against vendors of a bank, primarily the bank’s Internet Service Provider (ISP). These attacks will typically change the code of the bank’s website to redirect users to "enemy" servers that trick customers into entering their confidential information.
  • Attacks directed at bank customers.

So what can a community bank do?

Secure the Perimeter:

The perimeter includes both the physical building(s) as well as electronic boundaries. The physical perimeter is much easier to control since we can see it, and it is bound geographically. The electronic perimeter is much more elusive. It includes all electronic “doorways” and “windows” from the bank to the world, for example, connections to the Internet, connections to vendors, modems, wireless access, etc.

Implement Logging and Monitoring:

During a Penetration Test conducted for a community bank by our company about a year ago, we observed multiple security risks on the bank’s border router, including a management account with no password enabled. Upon connecting to the device we discovered several other connected systems with IP addresses appearing to originate from several other countries. We immediately called the bank, and they secured the device.

During later discussions with the bank, bank officials asked how they might know if any attackers had breached key systems, or how deep their reach might have been. The answer was based on the effectiveness of system logs. Monitoring (to assist in the detection) and logging (to support investigation) are key components for an overall security posture.

Apply Internal Controls:

While external controls are critical, internal controls should not be ignored. A few years ago, a large retail company neglected to implement antivirus protection on their systems (including checkout lanes) at a new location. A manager visiting from another location brought a disk into the store to copy some Excel files, unleashing a virus which subsequently shutdown all systems and brought the store to a halt for several hours . . . not the impression they were hoping for during their Grand Opening!

Internal controls include malicious software protection, password controls, encryption, access controls, segregation of duties, training, etc.

Maintain an Information Security Program:

Make sure you have completed an Information Security Program, including Risk Assessment, Security Policies, Incident Response Plan, Business Continuity Plan, and Employee Security Awareness Training. Walking through the development and maintenance of an overall Information Security Program can help identify weakness and raise awareness to high risk areas within the bank.

Conduct Security Testing:

Banks should conduct regular IT audits and security testing to ensure controls are satisfactory. The FFIEC recommends "High-risk systems should be subject to an independent test at least once a year", and "firewall policies and other policies addressing access control between the financial institution’s network and other networks should be audited and verified at least quarterly"; however, they include a footnote that the quarterly verification need not be by an independent source.

Where can I go to get more information?


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Kiwi wins top prize in Scrabble competition

Bangalore, Jan 20 (IANS) Nigel Richards of New Zealand Sunday won the first prize of Rs.250,000 in the ninth international Scrabble tournament, conducted by integrated technology firm iGate Corporation in association with Bangalore Scrabble Club here.

Ramprasad Nuggehalli, 56, a retired banker from Bangalore was the other prize winner, while Oracle India from Mumbai and IIT-Chennai bagged prizes in the inter-corporate and inter-collegiate categories.

Though Richards, 45, hails from New Zealand, he currently lives in Malaysia working as an engineer with a private firm.

As the world's most popular word game, which promotes logical thinking and analytical abilities, Scrabble was developed during the 1930s Great Depression-era in the US.

"This family game is a great relaxant for stressed out people and has over the years evolved into a competitive mind sport played the world over," iGate chief executive Phaneesh Murthy said on the occasion.

Organised according to the World English Scrabble Players' Association's rules and regulations, the tournament had 84 contestants from 17 countries vying for a total prize of Rs.720,000, sponsored by iGate.

Overseas participants were from Australia, Britain, Kuwait, Malta, Nigeria, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the US.

The tournament had two divisions - premier and intermediate, grouped according to world ratings.

Participants from 80 corporations and 60 colleges across the country played 35 games over four days, each game with duration of 50 minutes.

"The contest has grown to become the fourth largest of its kind in the world, which bears testimony of our efforts to boost the interest in this mind sport," Murthy added.

Get stories like this on the Yahoo app and discover more every day.
Download it now.


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Carnival Dream Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

7+ cruises

Helpful Votes

4 out of 5

Carnival Dream / late April 2010

Sail Date: April 01, 2010

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Traveled As: Couple

Room Type: Balcony

We have cruised 16 times but 8 of them have been with Carnival. The Dream is really well equipped and it surprised us that only 10 % of the passengers were under 18 years of age. The shows were spectacular, the Serenity Spa is finally affordable. We had the run of the spa for $250 a couple for the week and used it every day. For us, the main features were the mineral water mega Jacuzzi ( as large as many pools ) and the aromatherapy steam bath. The 14th and 15th floor adults only sun decks were spectacular. Although we expected to find people hording all those padded sun loungers we found the exact opposite. The attendant told us the average client spends an hour in the sun and then tends to move on to other parts of the ship. The main pool has water slides every bit as good as a Florida water park. The gigantic main pool includes a large screen theatre screen that even in the day was easy to see. At night we thought it was like going to a drive in movie but this time you enjoyed any of the thousands of sun loungers.

Pros: Newst ship, best equipped and most luxurious.Corrects many other Carnival issues.

Cons: May be too large for some guests,Staff seem tired.

Recommends Carnival Dream? Yes!

Ship Quality
New is always good but with 4000 passengers the clutter accumulated quickly.The staff were cleaning around the clock.
Children's Programs
We had 10 % of the passengers as children and never saw them.At best maybe a dozen seen at a time .Somehow Carnival keeps them really busy.
Food and Dining
Food was superb. We went for late sit down dining and never saw a child .We were told most of those 400+ children were at the early seating. They also have an option we only learned about after we arrived. Dining at will is an option based on the reality that at every seating someone never shows up. For couples this allows you to dine at any time you want in the main dining room as long as they have space. For guests that have no real agenda this is ideal although you may end up at a table with people whom you are not comfortable to share a table. During peak season there may be no tables available if using this meal option. The Lido deck Gathering restaurant is familiar but quite different. Instead of being one or two large rooms it is divided in to four themed sections that have traditional food but also a Deli, Burrito bar, Pasta bar, Mongolian wok bar and a very authentic tandori Indian bar.
Cabin / Stateroom
State rooms: we were on the 9th floor Vista deck forward and the room was compact but plentiful for two. A third person would be crowded. Id never suggest three or four in the same room although finding an inside room across from your balcony cabin should be easy. The 9th and 10th decks forward are ideal if you plan to use the adult only spa and lounge decks. We had cabin 9215 and it was quiet, in port had superb views and we had the bonus of seeing on the bridge. It also had an almost hidden forward balcony where we never saw anyone. Probably as no one knows it is there.
Service and Staff
We found the staff attentive to detail but openly commented how long their hours were each day. Our main restaurant server said his contract ends in one month at which point he gets four weeks vacation hell be back but says never again on a mega ship as the long hours, seven days per week are brutal. We also found the Maitre D unable to handle the hundreds of guests at our meal seating. In the past he always came across as being like your long lost friend but that is not possible with 4000 passengers.
Activities were plentiful and many times we could not do all of them. In room movies were plentiful and free but they did have pay per view if you wanted.

Entertainment; I thought here we go again but this time was wrong. The shows were Vegas style and the main theatre has to have the best sound and light features we have ever seen. Even in the last row you could see and hear everything. Most of the shows have laser and light features.

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Carnival Ecstasy Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

1 cruise (first)

Helpful Votes

4 out of 5

AWESOME first cruise!!!!!!

Sail Date: February 28, 2011

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Traveled As: Couple

Room Type: Balcony

Carnival Ecstacy was so AWESOME! This was our first cruise and met all our expectations. The entertainment options aboard were non-stop and wide variety for many ages/interests. The shore excursion at Passion Island was beyond belief!!! In the beginning (the ride to the location) we got nervous and wasn't sure if it was all it was advertised to be. In the end it was beyond belief. Ranks as one of the best days in my life! The only downside of the ship was smoking & non-smoking rooms were grouped together. At times on the balcony, our neighbor would smoke which took away from our enjoyment.

Pros: Entertainment & excursions= relaxation!

Cons: smoking and non-smoking rooms adjacent to one another.

Recommends Carnival Ecstasy? Yes!

Food and Dining
Cabin / Stateroom
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
This ship was nice & we enjoyed greatly. However in some places you can tell the ship was a little aged. But I would go back to it in a heartbeat!!
Children's Programs
We did not bring our children with us on this trip, however there were many activities that were attractive for the various age groups we have
Progreso (Merida), Mexico
This is a very rustic area. However, we did a shore excursion of seeing the Mayan Ruins. It was unbelievable.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel was much more developed city/port compared to Progreso. We did a shore excursion through Orbitz to Passion Island Beach. It was HEAVEN!!!!
Don't Miss: Passion Island Beach~!

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* is not a booking agent or travel agency, and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners (travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our users' convenience. does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site for the exact amount. is not responsible for content on external web sites.

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Contributor Level: Purser

1 cruise (first)

Helpful Votes

5 out of 5

We are Hooked!

Sail Date: September 03, 2012

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Traveled As: Couple

Room Type: Oceanview

The ship itself was absolutely beautiful! The fact that there is something for everyone, is so important. It really was like a floating city.

Pros: The service was incredible!

Cons: That I hadn't booked a cruise sooner.

Recommends Monarch of the Seas (RETIRED)? Yes!

Ship Quality
Food and Dining
Cabin / Stateroom
They were small but we were expecting that from what we had researched. I would NOT recommend four people to try to stay in one stateroom although the bedding accomodations are for four. There were two of us in ours and that was plenty for the amount of space to move around in.
Service and Staff

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* is not a booking agent or travel agency, and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners (travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our users' convenience. does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site for the exact amount. is not responsible for content on external web sites.

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Ok then – this is the last of this year’s workshop posts as I think the Redbridge session will fall into next year now.

We had an excellent day at Kirklees which also spent some time talking technology and trying to develop the fit with the existing 21st Century Councillor work which is being undertaken.  Lots of opportunities there we think which I will detail once we have firmed it up a bit.  We also then ran through some detailed project planning and ideas for how we connect the Virtual Town Hall to other agendas which was very useful for me in terms of seeing the project rather than from my socio-techno-evangelist bubble.

We then had a workshop session with officers which was great – they really engaged with the idea and we talked out some of the nuances of the relationship between this work and the way that they are already looking at innovating around the customer relationship.  As a group they managed to balance a proper appreciation for exactly how radical this idea potentially with a sense of how to move it forward in a managed risk kind of way.  No surprise then that we had an excellent ‘scenarios of doom’ session and we have a first draft of a really manageable risk register for the project – I will do a post of the project risk register once we have got it all agreed with the participants and I check which of the risks they are happy for me to talk about here.

We then met with a few of the members who are part of the 21st Century Councillor project.  We had a good debate here as well but I was very rightly pulled up on excessive use of jargon – I must find a way to talk about widgets which makes sense to people who are not into this stuff.

I think this really links to my thoughts after the North Lincs session and is a really timely reminder that we have to think through what this all means for people who are not digitally engaged as well as the people who are.  There is no point in a renegotiated citizen / government relationship with only part of the population.  It is all very well with a pilot project to look at the people who are already ‘opted in’ but we also need to be clear about the limits and boundaries of this approach in that you cannot expect everyone to want to engage in this way.

More academically I think this links to something that I need to be really careful of in my research work – it’s important that my enthusiasm for this idea and this approach does not effect what should be a neutral assessment of the factual outcomes of the pilot.  I need to ensure that I do not introduce bias into this process though my own (strongly held!) opinions.  I think this is one of the things which makes it much more difficult to be a practitioner / researcher than to be a more neutral academic – but I also think it can lead to a much richer understanding of  the results.  I have some driving time this week and I think it will be spent thinking about a bigger picture which encompasses online and offline and starts to look at this as one of the boundaries we are trying to effect along with the move from informal to formal participation.

I found this useful sumamry of an action research diary (http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arr/arow/rdiary.html).  The first thing that struck me was the need for me to have more structure in my posts.  This suggests splitting posts under the following sections:

  • Reflection
  • Plan
  • Action
  • Observation

So I might give this a go.  I have at least added these as tags!


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Book review: Madoff ruined his own life along with many others

Book review: Madoff ruined his own life along with many others

By now most people have formed an opinion about Bernie Madoff, the mastermind behind the astonishing

By now most people have formed an opinion about Bernie Madoff, the mastermind behind the astonishing $65 billion dollar Ponzi scheme that shattered the finances of celebrities, charities, middle-class investors, close friends and his own family. That opinion is most likely one of disgust, anger and disbelief that someone could commit such an atrocity.

Yet after reading “The Wizard of Lies” by Diana B. Henriques, my view of Madoff has changed somewhat. I now see the human failings of the man, and I’m amazed at how he was able to pull off such a scam.

In her new book, just out in paperback, Henriques explores who Madoff is and how he was able to carry the scam off for so long. She documents the day-to-day operations of the scheme and its ultimate slide toward dissolution.

What I found most riveting about the book was the devastating toll Madoff’s actions took on his family. His wife, Ruth, was the only one of his immediate family that still had contact with him shortly after his arrest. Madoff’s youngest son avoided both parents; his oldest son, Mark, committed suicide in 2009.

Henriques is a New York Times financial reporter, and she wrote most of the paper’s coverage of this story when it broke back in December of 2008.

‘The Wizard of Lies’

Author: Diana B. Henriques

Published by: St. Martin’s Press, 364 pages

How much: $15.99

She has had unmatched access to Madoff and his family, and this is the definitive account of the largest Ponzi scheme to ever hit the global financial markets.

She writes that Madoff’s earliest scheme occurred in 1962, when he borrowed money from his father-in-law to conceal losses. Henriques writes, “How much of Madoff’s version of his early success in riskless arbitrage trading is true? The line between true and false is very hard to draw so long after the fact, especially given Madoff’s masterful fluency in both truth and lies.”

Extensive detail

The book goes into much detail about how Madoff was able to carry out his Ponzi scheme for so long. For years he eluded the Securities and Exchange Commission and his firm even printed fake monthly statements for clients.

The clients were happy to be making a steady profit through the years until it all came crashing down with the worldwide financial collapse of 2008.

Lecture at Saint Rose

On Thursday, Henriques will present a lecture, “Madoff and More: Unmasking the Legacy of Greed and Corruption” at 6:30 p.m. at the Touhey Forum at the College of Saint Rose in Albany. The cost, $25, will benefit the Women’s Press Club of New York State’s Scholarship Fund.

There is also a VIP reception for $75 immediately following the lecture, and books will be available for purchase and signing. A complimentary book is a benefit at the VIP level.

Tickets are available at The Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany and The Open Door Book Store in Schenectady. For more information, call 878-9403.

“It was an era when people desperately wanted something solid to believe in,” writes Henriques.

“The 1970s seemed like the decade that would ruin Wall Street. The contrast between Wall Street’s dismal state and Madoff’s apparent success with his arbitrage trading only enhanced his reputation.”

With the election of President Reagan in 1980, Madoff had an opportunity to really expand his money scheme. The new president began to hack away at what he saw as generations of needless government regulation.

This weakened the Securities and Exchange Commission and allowed Madoff to more easily expand his fraud undetected.

This book at times reads like a thriller, and there were a few occasions when one of the regulatory agencies was about to figure out Madoff’s deception only to have him pull off some trick and walk away unscathed.

Did Madoff’s wife and his two children know about his elaborate scheme? Henriques still is not sure, but no one in the family other than Bernie has ever been charged.

Yes, the man has destroyed so many people, but reading this book you will understand how he also destroyed himself, his family and his closest friends. He has very few visitors in his North Carolina jail cell — even his wife is estranged from him now.

In January, Henriques visited Madoff and found him to be depressed. “My health is as good as can be expected for now,” he told her, “but as you can imagine I miss my family so much I find it unbearable. After more than 50 years of constant togetherness, both emotional and physical, it’s as if I have no soul left. I blame myself for so much.”

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