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Sunday, February 13, 2011

Another piece escapes the FUFO drawer!

A little while ago, I mentioned a drawer full of finished unfinished pieces / objects - FUFOs, as I've heard them called and it got me thinking about actually DOING something with them. Yes, many things I've stitched have been finished and given as gifts, but there are still many more languishing in a drawer in our guest room.

Some of those pieces were stitched by my husband. Technically, I'm not allowed to discuss his stitching, but I am going to ignore that "rule" because I'm quite proud of him. While most stitchers I know are women, there is a handful of men that stitch and my husband happens to be one of them. He does amazing work, and has patience for things I don't, such as massive projects. I might have even said before that he was the one that started us stitching as a way to curb our nighttime snacking habits. He figured we should do something to occupy our hands that wasn't conducive to snacking as well, and stitching fit the bill. We were living in an apartment at the time, and stitching didn't take up a whole lot of room. We started out with pre-packaged kits from places like AC Moore and Michaels, then discovered our LNS, The Strawberry Sampler, where we graduated to charts, overdyed threads, linens and evenweaves.

Since my husband will NEVER start a blog of his own, I'd like to showcase a few of his pieces on my blog. This is one of the first pieces he stitched, and here's a shocker for you - it's a lighthouse!

Nautical Light by Creative Accents (Dimensions)
Stitched on 14 ct. Aida with included threads
Finished 2002 - Framed 2011

The project was in a kit in a standard 5x7 size, making it quite easy to frame with an 8x10 frame and 5x7 mat. This one will be going on display on our living room bookshelves.

I should have taken a picture of the back of the piece, but didn't. I will say it's amazing how far we've both come with technique, especially carrying threads over the back of the fabric. See the whale and the ship off the stitched coastline? Mr. Sweet Pea used one long thread to stitch all of them, carrying the thread across the back. Yikes! We'd never do that now, especially on linen or evenweave. Fortunately, the thread did not show through the Aida fabric, so I let it go.

I did, however, restitch the outlining on the lighthouse. Originally, the outlining on the lighthouse was done with long, somewhat loose threads (Even on the package photo, the outlining is done like this and at the time, we didn't know any better.) But when I went to pull it out for framing, those long threads drove me NUTS and I had to pull them out and restitch the backstitching over single threads. It looks so much nicer, I think.

I should also confess at this point that we were not as careful with the fabrics as we are now. In fact, there might have been some *gasp* masking tape residue on the edges of the piece as we used regular old masking tape to prevent fraying. (I'll give you a minute to pick yourself up off the floor). And before you call the stitching police on me, we're much better now. Most pieces we stitch now are on custom cut pieces of fabric from my new LNS (is it still new after 2 years?) Just Crossstitch in Lederach, where Carolyn serges the edges. On fabric I cut myself, I use a fabric fray check and pinking sheers which works out fine.

But back to atoning for my previous sins. On one hand, the fabric under where the masking tape had been was clean. On the other, that stripe of clean, bright fabric around the edge made me realize how dirty the rest of the fabric was, even though I had washed the piece in cold water and Ivory dish soap before putting it away. I wanted to make sure the piece was as clean as possible before I framed it, but I had concerns about the red dye running. After a bit of google searching, however, I found that many stitchers agreed OxiClean was safe enough to use on stitching and could remove most stains, so off to the grocery store I went for a tub of OxiClean.

Lucky for me, it worked just fine, and I had no bleeding of the red dye. (YAY!) I was quite nervous but it all turned out in the end. The stains were gone and the piece looked much better.

I have a few more pieces from my husband that I will be posting in the future, and I'm hoping to rescue even more FUFOs from the drawer.

mainely stitching said...

It's wonderful, Jennifer!

As for tape, etc. we did what we did. Maybe it wasn't by the rule book, but we had fun - and that really is what it's all about, don't you agree?

Lesleyanne said...

A gorgeous finish by your husband. Look forward to seeing more.

Miss Quoted said...

I am shamed to say, I still use tape. I have always been afraid that anything else would lead to fray-age. Do you promise the fabric fray stuff works?

Carolyn NC said...

Lovely work by your DH - cool!

Blu said...

Gorgeous finish!

I used tape for ages. I stopped when I ran out of tape once and realized that the edges didn't really fray much without it.

Daniela said...

Your DH did some beautiful stitching on that Lighthouse.
Can't wait to see more of your FUFOs

Kathy A. said...

That is a lovely piece Jennifer. The redone backstitching makes it look so much better. That was a good choice.
It is beautiful framed and a wonderful keepsake. I look forward to seeing more of his work.

Carol said...

I think years ago everyone used tape on their edges--I know I did...

Your re-stitching on the backstitching looks great, Jennifer. Tell your husband he sure stitched a lovely lighthouse. Glad it is finally framed and on display in your home. I have way too many FUFOs myself!

Dianne said...

Your hubs is really "Mr Sweetpea", very relaxed and nice. I have met him. ; )
I think everyone grabbed masking tape at one point or another in their early days of stitching. This piece is stitched quite well and looks great in it's frame.
Oxyiclean works wonders! I need to clean my tan carpet with it next.

C in DC said...

Cute piece. Don't beat yourself up about the masking tape - I had some come in one of the kits once!

I'm in shock that you didn't have oxyclean on hand! Add a scoop to your laundry for getting out food stains and other baby grime. The spray works wonders too. The only thing it hasn't worked on was the toner ink from the copy machine at work.

Lynn said...

Your husband does gorgeous work!
I think we all made some of those mistakes when we first started out. I know I was guilty of the masking tape crime too.


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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

ABC debunks Romney's claim of Obama International "Apology Tour"

Fact Checking the Final Presidential Debate

click here for full article

ABC News' team of reporters and producers have fact checked the final presidential debate, which was held at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., and focused on foreign policy. What follows is the team's report on Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's claim that President Obama conducted "apology tours" in the Middle East:
ROMNEY: "The president began what I've called an apology tour of going to various nations in the Middle East and criticizing America. I think they looked at that and saw weakness."

ABC News' Matthew Larotonda has the facts:

Independent fact check organizations have poured over the rhetoric of diplomatic apologies repeatedly during this election, and the results have been mostly in opposition. Most recently the governor has brought it into reference of the administration's response to the attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya.

Further back, the idea of an Obama "apology tour" has been a recurring attack for conservatives for a long time and has its roots in diplomatic travel the president undertook in 2009 shortly after taking office. Romney himself first took up the phrase in 2010 with his book, "No Apology: The Case for American Greatness," and has repeated the theme continuously on the campaign trail.

"In his first nine months in office, President Obama has issued apologies and criticisms of America in speeches in France, England, Turkey, and Cairo; at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and the United Nations in New York City," the book reads in its first chapter.

President Obama never formally regrets American policy during these speeches, rather taking a tone of reciprocal blame at times for diplomatic ties that may have been strained. At other times the president is drawing a distinction between his policies and those of his predecessor, President George W. Bush.

During the 2009 Cairo speech for example, Obama comes close to regretting American actions in Iran during the overthrow of the Shah. But he immediately counters by pointing the finger at subsequent regimes for continued hostility.

"In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government," he said. "Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known."

On his first visit to France, Obama again seemed to take responsibility for declining attitudes toward Americans abroad, for policies that have shown "arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive." But on the flip side he immediately derided Europeans for "casual" and "insidious" anti-Americanism.

"On both sides of the Atlantic these attitudes have become all too common," he said. "They are not wise. They do not represent the truth. They threaten to widen the divide across the Atlantic and leave us more isolated."

All of these remarks fall short of formally apologizing for American diplomacy, but some of the president's most conciliatory remarks have come regarding the detainees of Guantanamo Bay. At the 2009 National Archives speech on terrorism, Obama said the military prison's use was "based on fear than foresight," and that "it likely created more terrorists around the world than it ever detained."

Click to read ABC News fact checking of entire final presidential bebate

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Attend Workshop on Effective Social Media Strategy via Arts Council of Greater Lansing

Workshop on Social Media Strategy
MICA Gallery
1210 Turner St.
Lansing, MI 48906

Driving Directions

Thursday February 2, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Add to my calendar
MSU logo

Join in a panel conversation with social media savvy members of Michigan State University's Cultural Engagement Council Communicators group including Kirsten Khire (MSU College of Communication Arts & Sciences), Kat Cooper (MSU Union) and Mike Jenkins (MSU College of Arts & Letters).

Bring your questions and learn about some effective ways to engage the community in the work of your arts or culture organization using social media!
Please join the Arts Council of Greater Lansing for the fifth workshop in the 2011-2012 series as a part of the new "SmArts Program: A Professional Development Program for Creatives."  The program is generously supported by Title Sponsor Michigan State University Federal Credit Union with additional support from the Capital Region Community Foundation and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Register Now!

Thank you for your support and participation!
Katie Robiadek
Program Manager
Arts Council of Greater Lansing
517-372-4636 extension 3
Arts Council of Greater Lansing | 1208 Turner Street | Lansing | MI | 48906

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Blog Award

Massive thank you to Lynnette from Chatterbox Chit Chat blog for this award. My third, yah me!

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting. (see below)

5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

Okay, 7 possibly interesting things about me...

1. I speak conversational (means I have limited vocab!) French and Cantonese.

2. I scrapbook... I'll admit it... I. SCRAP. BOOK. There. I said it. I am out of the closet.

3. Occasionally I take a cup of tea and my Thesaurus to bed and just flick through words lists. I know. Sad. But words intrigue me.

4. I have a sister, four years younger than me, who I have not seen in over a year. I don't know where she is. Very sad. Makes me very, very sad.

5. Once I owned a chihuahua called 'Wiggie'. Don't ask my husband Matt to back that story up, he refuses to acknowledge the chihuahua we currently own, much less one from years before. I got 'Wiggie' when I was four years old and I was nineteen or so when she died.

6. Heights scare me silly, but I love to climb. One day I would love to walk over the Sydney Harbor Bridge. On one of their tours people, I am not scaling random infrastructures at will :)

7. Poetry is a good friend of mine. I write and read copious amounts of it.

Next... 7 Kreative Bloggers... in no particular order.

1. A Walk in My Shoes- Susan Mills

2. Another Gray Day- Kristin

3.White Platonic Dreams- T. Anne

4. Random Lunacy- Jenn

5. Megan Rebekah Blogs- Megan

6. Katie Ganshert- Katie

7. Comfort writer

  1. I'm so, so sorry to hear about your sister. I can't imagine. :-(

    Congrats on the award! Funny about the thesaurus! And awesome about the languages! I'm so jealous. :-)

  2. Thanks Jessica. Don't be too jealous of the languages. Like I said, 'limited vocab' VERY limited :)

  3. Congrats on the award and thanks for sharing it with me!! I love that you drink tea and flip through a thesaurus at night! I can say hola, that's about all I got when it comes to a second language. :)

  4. I love that this award is helping us all get to know each other a little better. LOL about the thesaurus. I've never known anyone who did that!

  5. No probs Katie. Yeah, I know. The tea drinking thesaurus thing is pretty sad, but .... what can I say :) I almost bought another thesaurus today. That would have been my third. You can never have enough books with word lists right?

  6. Thanks Steph. I think I am the ONLY one who does that! :)

  7. This makes me so want to meet you in person, Tabitha. You are just delightful and down to earth and funny. I am so sorry about your sister. I didn't have contact with my son for five years--it's excruciating. Perhaps one day....I'll hold that thought for you.

  8. Aw, thanks, Tabitha! I'm so very sorry about your sister as well. I cannot imagine. Prayers that she'll come home one day.

  9. Thank you so much! And congratulations to you. I used to scrapbook, too. I haven't done it in a while. I think writing has taken over all of my hobbies.

  10. Interesting to learn more about you. Congrats on the award!

  11. You're welcome. I scrapbook, too. Neat!

    Lynnette Labelle

  12. Congratulations on your award. A sad thing about your sister; it has to hurt.
    I love your Thesaurus reading. I like to click on that function in Word when I'm writing. It can take you new directions.
    I'm so glad you dropped by my blog so that I came on over here. The But Why post is great.

  13. Congrats on the award! And thanks for joining my blog. :)

  14. Yay me and Yay you! LOl about the coming out of the scrap book closet. I think it's fun and hard work too. I'm sorry about your sister. It's so hard when relationships go astray, I've certainly had that. :(

    Thank you for the award!

  15. Hi Tabitha, I keep seeing you at my fave blogs, so I had to check yours out. Congrats on the award! I think Chihuahua's are adorable!

  16. Enjoyed getting to know more about you!! And congrats on the third award!! :)

  17. What fun to learn more about you.

  18. Thanks all for the comments and the kind thoughts about my sister.

    Thanks Jill for coming across to check out the blog. Nice to have you here too fiction groupie.

    Tricia- would you believe that my word doc won't let me do that any more. I am most upset. I used to use it to shot off in new directions too.

    Lazy writer, glad to see you are out of the closet about your scrapbooking. It is nice to revisit some of the things we used to do before writing. I know what you mean about writing taking over though. :)

  19. Thank you the kind words Karen :) If you are ever in my neck of the woods let me know :)

  20. Congrats on your award, so well deserved! Very cool you can speak more than one language. What a bummer about your sister, losing touch with family is so very difficult. I will send out little prayers that she is safe and ok. A 14 year old chihuahua? I didn't think they generally lived that long, how fantastic!

    I am honored you thought to pass this along to me thanks so much :-) This is great, I was wondering what to post today and this will go right in line with my random thought process Thursday theme! Thanks again!


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5 Easy Ways To Save Big On Your Ski Vacation

Everyone loves a good deal, especially when it comes to skiing and snowboarding. Between the accommodations, lift tickets, and gear rentals, the costs of a slopeside vacation quickly add up. But with a little early planning, you can save big on this season’s ski trip.

  1. Visit lesser-known ski resorts.

Resorts like Homewood Mountain Resort near the west shore of Lake Tahoe and Diamond Peak in Incline Village.  These destinations offer incredible views and exceptional skiing for everyone from beginners to experts. An added bonus—both resorts often offer specials and equipment rentals and lift passes.

  1. Buy a lower mountain lift ticket.

If you’re a new or occasional skier, consider purchasing a lower mountain lift ticket, which most resorts sell for half the price of a regular lift ticket or package with basic lessons. These discounted tickets give you access to just the beginner slopes, which is all you really need if you’re starting out.

  1. Attend a ski expo in your area.

Thinking about buying your own gear? You’ll save hundreds of dollars over a lifetime of skiing, and you’ll enjoy the added comfort of wearing perfectly fitted boots. One of the best places to buy gear is at a ski and snowboard expo in the fall or early winter.

  1. Plan your trip for the shoulder seasons.

Go early or late in the season and you’ll avoid the crowds and enjoy savings on your accommodations. Christmas and Presidents’ Day weekend are always popular no matter where you go, so avoid those times if you’re looking for a deal. Gear rentals are sometimes cheaper during the shoulder season, too.

  1. Stay in a timeshare rental.

A timeshare rental is the way to go if you’re looking to save money. These spacious condos and studios typically cost the same as a standard hotel room, but they accommodate more people and give you the flexibility to cook your own meals. For a timeshare rental near your favorite ski destination, look no further than Tahoe Beach & Ski Club.


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Monday 23 August 1965

It was Monday, under the sign of Virgo. The US president was Lyndon B. Johnson (Democratic). In that special week of August people in US were listening to I Got You Babe by Sonny & Cher. In UK Help! by The Beatles was in the top 5 hits. That Funny Feeling, directed by Richard Thorpe, was one of the most viewed movies released in 1965 while Up The Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman was one of the best selling books.
But much more happened that day: find out below..

Or have a look at the whole 1965.

Old Newspapers

Old Newspapers

Have a look at the old newspapers from 23 August 1965 and get them!

Which were the most popular movies released in the last 30 days ?

That Funny Feeling

Directed by: Richard Thorpe

Starring: Sandra Dee, Bobby Darin, Donald O'Connor

Country: United States

More info

Directed by: Richard Lester

Starring: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison

Country: United States

More info

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

Directed by: Russ Meyer

Starring: Tura Satana, Haji, Lori Williams

Country: United States

More info

Directed by: John Schlesinger

Starring: Julie Christie, Dirk Bogarde, Laurence Harvey

Country: United States

More info

The Ipcress File

Directed by: Sidney J. Furie

Starring: Michael Caine, Nigel Green, Guy Doleman

Country: United States

More info

TV Series

Which were the most popular TV series released in the last months ?

The Vital Spark

Written by: Neil Munro

Starring: John Grieve, Walter Carr, Alex McAvoy, Roddy McMillan

Country: United Kingdom

More info

Vision On

Starring: Tony Hart, Pat Keysell, Ben Benison, Wilf Lunn

Country: United Kingdom

Meine Melodie

Starring: Marianne Koch, Lale Andersen, Roy Black, Alexandra

M: Monitor

Starring: Sonia Mikich

Country: Germany

Die Unverbesserlichen

Starring: Inge Meysel, Joseph Offenbach, Monika Peitsch, Gernot Endemann

Find out your future

Find out your future

Get a FREE Numerology report based on the digits of 23 August 1965!

Wish him/her..

Send your special wishes with this personalized page

Send him/her your special wishes with this personalized page

Click here for a personalized message

Historical Events

Which were the important events of 23 August 1965 ?

  • Astrology - Last day of sun sign Leo in the tropical zodiac
  • Swaziland - Umhlanga Day
  • Romania - Liberation Day (1944)
  • RC Saints - Saint Rose of Lima
  • Roman festivals - Vulcanalia
Famous Birthdays:
See other famous people born on 23 August
Famous Deaths:
  • John Bata: Czech shoe manufacturer, dies at 67.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Don't miss our monthly news, no spam guarantee Click here to Subscribe

...and if 23 August 1965 was your Birth Date then Join our Birthday Club!

Make this date unforgettable

Make this date unforgettable

Have a look at our special collection of personalized gifts

Look at our personalized gifts

CD and DVD Birthday Cards

CD and DVD Birthday Cards

CD and DVD cards from 23 August 1965 to enjoy the time of your life

See our collection

Magazine Covers

What news were making the headlines those days in August 1965?

  • SportsIllustrated: Sports Illustrated: no.7936
  • Life: Draft inductees
  • Time: TIME Magazine Cover: Los Angeles Riot -- Aug. 20, 1965

Which were the most popular books released in the last weeks ?

The Rector Of Justin

By: Louis Auchincloss

Fictional Novel, Literary Fiction

More info

This Rough Magic

By: Mary Stewart

When Lucy comes to Corfu to visit her sister, she is elated to discover that the castello above their villa is being rented to Sir Julian Gale, one of the brightest lights in England's theatrical world.

More info

The Horse Knows The Way

By: John O'Hara

New York published Fiction

More info

By: Terry Southern and Mason Hoffenberg

New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1964. First Edition with all first state points, those being - on Jacket: James Jones blurb instead of Nelson Algren's at bottom of back panel; $ 5.00

More info

Remember when

Remember when

Birthday and personalized Football books

Discover our birthday books

Tell the world why 23 August 1965 is such a special date for you!


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Leadership Franklin County announces 2013-2014 class

by The City Wire staff (info@thecitywire.com) 4 views

Leadership Franklin County Director Marci Gage of Ozark has announced the program’s 2013-14 class.

Housed at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, Leadership Franklin County develops current and emerging leaders to work together to improve conditions in Franklin County and surrounding Arkansas River Valley communities.

From August through May, the following 18 participants will be educated and challenged during monthly, daylong sessions as to the needs and opportunities of the regional and dynamics of social and economic change:

Anthony Boen of Ozark, Franklin County sheriff;

Justina Buck of Russellville, associate director of Financial Aid, Arkansas Tech-Ozark;

Yvonne Case of Coal Hill, training unit manager, Department of Human Services;

Ronnie Duggar of Ozark, gas field specialist, Southwest Energy;

Sonya Eveld of Ozark, Ozark city clerk;

Brandon Fisher of Charleston, GIS coordinator, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative;

Jim Ford of Ozark, Ozark School District superintendent;

Mike Gibbons of Ozark, assistant vice president, Bank of the Ozarks;

Rex Heffington of Ozark, owner, Heffington Insurance Inc.;

Luke Holcombe of Altus, winemaker, Post Winery;

Keith Moore of Mulberry, owner, Do Moore Works LLC;

Lauren Robinson of Cecil, accountant, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative;

Paula Shaw of Ozark, item processing manager, Bank of the Ozarks;

Tonya Sneed of Charleston, administrative assistant/project coordinator, City of Charleston;

Ray Spruell of Ozark, chief public defender, Sebastian County Public Defender’s Office;

Jan Stacy of Altus, legal assistant, Capp Law Firm;

Rachel Whitman of Paris, assistant manager of Fiscal Affairs, Arkansas Tech-Ozark;

Gina Wilkins of Lamar, Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce director.

“Last year’s inaugural class was a tremendous success and laid the groundwork for this year’s class, which promises to increase awareness of local issues and develop a valuable communications network within the county,” Gage said. “Also, it will strengthen the participants’ personal leadership skills and prepare them for other leadership opportunities.”


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Talking TV With Ryan and Ryan

Mo and Ryan are back. The title of this podcast is kind of a hint as to what they discuss.

0:00 - 12:37: Intro/Sleepy Hollow

12:37 - 20:00: Dads

20:00 - 27:23: Brooklyn 99

27:23 - End: Breaking Bad

Be sure to subscribe to the new feed for the podcast here if you like to listen on iTunes. You'll see plenty of ways in each post to stream or download MP3s if you hate iTunes with the same passion as the two Ryans hate that they haven't done a "Too Cute!" podcast yet.

Also, we have an email for the podcast now! Click here to email us questions for future podcasts.

Direct download: bbbeholdanddespair.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 10:19pm EDT


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Saturday, September 17, 2011

Loud and Clear

After Claire was born, I apologized to the woman in the hospital room with me because Claire was so loud. Her baby cried in this soft whimper, while Claire rocked the house. Not much sleep was happening anyway with two breastfeeding newborns, but Claire made sure that we were all having an impromptu slumber party. The woman was kind enough to say that my baby had good lungs. She went so far as to say she was jealous. I don’t think I would have been so generous if the situation had been reversed.

At our baby class last week, another baby Claire’s age started crying in a similar whisper of a voice. Like the other baby’s cry, I found it to be such a sweet sound that I was almost lulled by it. Her mother, on the other hand, became instantly distressed. It was hard to imagine that sound being such a call to action, but all moms respond to their own baby’s cry, right?

I talked about whether there’s an evolutionary advantage to loud crying in Bush Babies and Birthdays. I started thinking about it again after this baby class. It’s true that when Claire really gets going, George and I act with efficiency to stop her crying. There’s no time to admire our little darling or work at a leisurely pace. Getting her to stop has an urgency about it that I can’t imagine any soft whining would elicit. On the other hand, although a loud cry and a soft cry probably mean the same thing in baby language, I can’t help but take Claire’s personally sometimes. I’m sure she’s raging mad at me for something I’ve done or haven’t done, instead of expressing a need to be met. There are times when I definitely have to do my best Zen breathing not to enter the fray with her. And times that I just want to put her down and walk away. At these moments, a sweet, soft sound would serve us all better.

But so would a more patient mother. Certainly, moms contribute to evolutionary advantage (or disadvantage) too. It all seems too complex to figure out anyway. At the end of the day, Claire will continue to work on her Opera skills. And I will continue to work on my patience.

1 comment:

  1. One of my baby books informs parents not to take the crying personally - it doesn't mean they are mad at you or you've hurt their feelings or that they are sad. They are just expressing some biological need or feeling. Easy to read in a book. Seems like it would be a bit harder to just let it roll off your back in real life.

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The Velosians were a species saved by the Twelfth Doctor from an invading force. The Doctor took the "four and a bit" invading fleets away from the Velosians' planet and depowered their weapon banks. This, according to the Doctor, would give the Velosians time to prepare to deal with their enemies on their own. (TV: The Girl Who Died)

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Contact Us

New Songs on the Radio for January 2016

New Songs on the Radio
Tasos Katopodis / Terry Wyatt, Getty Images

January is the month for country superstars to announce new songs on the radio if they hope to have an album out by summer. That’s the case for Dierks Bentley. He released “Somewhere on the Beach” in January 2016, with a new album expected sometime this spring.

Tim McGraw makes the new songs on the radio in January list twice! His latest single from Damn Country Music is “Humble and Kind,” and ToC’s critic thinks it could be an all-timer. McGraw also makes a cameo on Big & Rich‘s “Lovin’ Lately,” a track from the duo’s Gravity album.

Chris Young and Drake White are two more artists with new songs to look for this month. Young’s second single from I’m Comin’ Over is the powerful “Think of You,” a ballad with Cassadee Pope as a duet partner. Meanwhile, White has released the foot-stompin, fast-paced “Livin’ the Dream.” Both songs are more contagious than cooties, and both got the ToC Critic’s Pick.

If more songs are released in January, they’ll be added to this list.

New Songs on the Radio for January 2016:

Backroad Anthem, “Torn”
Big & Rich (Feat. Tim McGraw), “Lovin’ Lately”
Chris Young (Feat. Casadee Pope), “Think of You”
Dierks Bentley, “Somewhere on the Beach”
Drake White, “Livin’ the Dream”
The Scott Brothers, “Hold On”
Tim McGraw, “Humble and Kind”

Click to See 10 Albums We Can’t Wait for in 2016

Top 40 Country Songs for January!

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Next: See the Top 40 Country Songs of January 2015

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text:
Almost Like Pollo Pronto's Roasted Veggie Wrap

50 mins (prep 20, cooking 30)
15 ingredients
2 servings
I have been wanting this and I know the restaurant version has tons of fat ans calories in it. So I came up with this recipe. I think it is pretty close, give it a try!

Categories:  <-60-mins , for-1-or-2 , copycat , equipment , cheese , eggs~dairy , time-to-make , novelty , lunch~snacks , easy , sandwich , main-dish , oven , number-of-servings , vegetarian , vegetable ,
Share on Newzsocial

Serving Size (130.48 g)
Servings 2
Amount per Serving
Calories 347.23 Calories from Fat 198.72
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22.08g 67.94%
Saturated Fat 12.82g 128.18%
Trans Fat 0.0g %
Cholesterol 72.75mg 48.5%
Sodium 807.27mg 67.27%
Total Carbohydrate 3.64g 2.43%
Dietary Fiber 1.12 g 8.93%
Sugars 1.21 g %
Protein 33.64g 134.54%
Vitamin A 877.42IU% Vitamin C 0.77mg%
Calcium 999.39mg% Iron 0.64mg%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your diet value must be higher or lower depending upon your calorie needs:
  Calories 2,000 2,500
Total Fat Less Than 65g 80g
Sat Fat Less Than 20g 25g
Cholesterol Less Than 300mg 300mg
Sodium Less Than 2,400mg 2,400mg
Total Carb   300g 375g
Dietary Fiber   25g 30g
Potassium   3,500 mg
Protein   50 g
Calories Per Gram
Fat 9•Carbohydrate 4•Protein 4
*Nutrition information was calculated excluding the following ingredients:
medium zucchini, medium red onion, medium eggplant, light soy sauce, bottled, dash cayenne pepper, fat free, fat-free, mexican seasoning, fat free, fat free sour cream


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Monday, 21 December 2009

Snowed in down South

We were planning to go and visit my parents tomorrow, up in Hertforshire but sadly the weather has changed our plans. The snow up there has stayed since Friday, and it is just getting snowier and snowier with treacherous roads and traffic jams on the motorways. Train travel not possible either; and apparently fights are breaking out amongst the commuters at London Bridge trying to get home.

Misery, misery, misery - oh and Eurostar has been cancelled for three days.

1 comment:

Jenandollie said...

I did wonder when you said earlier that you were going. Thought you were being brave! Still dissapointing though it must be for you all its better to be safe, you could always have a belated christmas party in the new year. Just save some crackers!


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Saturday, May 7, 2011

6AM... How does she know??

Image via here

My 2 year old recently (okay, a few months ago...) went into a toddler bed. She was kicked out of her cot by her little sister... who was kicked out of her room because her parents wanted it back!

So in the beginning, Emily screamed if we tried to put her in bed and then leave (as we had previously done with the cot). So given that it was a new bed, in a new room, and she was now sleeping downstairs alone, we decided to cut her some slack! And then began laying with her (on the floor... not in the toddler bed!) and pretending we were going to sleep. 'We'll just do it for a few days' I said to my husband.... It went of for two months. And here's the problem: sometimes it would take about 40 minutes. 40 minutes of laying there thinking about all the things you could/should be doing. Also, half the time us 'pretending' to be asleep led to us actually being asleep! So there goes the night!

Anyway, once we returned from Easter Break, we decided that was it. No more. So we started putting Emily in bed, having a little chat about the day just been, and what was coming up tomorrow, a kiss and a cuddle, then goodnight! She actually has gone so well! We had a couple of protests and escapes the first few times, but after about 3 days she was fine!

So now she is climbing into bed with me at some random stage through the night. I know I should stop this but we are taking it one thing at a time. And truth be told... I don't mind it too much. Who doesn't like a cuddle?

What I do not like, is that her internal clock seems to be set to 6AM!!! Every morning, give or take 5 minutes she asks mummy to hop up, so we can 'eat', 'drink' and watch 'tv'. I know it could be worse... but it's SO early! How do I survive? Every Sunday is Mummy's Sleep-in Sunday!!!

One more sleep... just one more sleep...

  1. Will's internal clock is set for between 6-6.30am as well which doesn't bother me too much except for mornings like this morning when I've been out till 11pm the night before and could really do with a lie in - ah it kills me on mornings like today. I've also started thinking about a 'big boy bed' for Will, don't know how it will go because he's so active and full of beans I think he'd escape :)
    Have a great weekend Naomi and enjoy your sleep in tomorrow!

  2. I feel your pain. My 4 year old is awake between 5:45am and 6:00am everyday! It would be fine if the 10 month old isn't waking at 4:30am every morning for a for a quick drink and frequently waking overnight. The 10mth old then sleeps until about 7ish all the while my daughter who is 3 happily sleeps through it all and staggers out of bed betwen 7am and 8am. If only all three were like her!


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Thursday, August 4, 2011

random and pointless

random collection of images (of myself) captured with my phone. . . lol

I'm usually snapping pictures of anything I can when I get bored. I have SO many pictures to upload from my 'actual' cameras, but I have either been too busy or too lazy to post them! Once I get caught up, I promised myself I would be better about going so long before uploading :)

Kind of a pointless post, all things considered...

No comments:

There was an error in this gadget


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Monday, September 30, 2013

Breaking Bad meets The Searchers

Well, I'm gonna start in on how great The Searchers is, the classic western that was the strongest influence on my choice of career. You probably already know how I went on about how The Searchers influenced not only me but also Spielberg, DePalma, Scorceses, Lucas and a dozen or so writers and directors.

The scene above is from The Searchers, where John Wayne is ready to kill his niece but his half-breed nephew is protecting her. Very similar to Walter's last act.

So guess how Vince Gilligan ended Breaking Bad, in the final scene with the bad guys going to kill Walter but as we know now, Walter has the edge when his robotic machine gun blasts the warehouse office and anybody in it. Almost anybody.

Seconds before, Walter got the gang to bring in Jessie before the doomed bad guys planned to kill him and Walter leaped at Jessie and in doing so, saved his life rather than having him killed. And in that moment he took a bullet for Jessie.

Where does The Searchers come in? The ending of The Searchers has John Wayne face the Indian attack and wants to kill his niece because she's been "tainted" by the "savages". But at the last moment, he saves the lovely Natalie Wood instead of killing her.

So is this my own opinion?

Of course not, Vince himself said that the ending scenes were right out of The Searchers, modernized of course, but as he added "I stole from the best".

I will miss Breaking Bad as much as I miss the Sopranos and I'm not one to replay old shows, once is enough for me, watching them over will make them less inspiring, in my mind.

And another thing; why did one movie influence so many boomer writers and directors, maybe there's an article in that, there already are some, but what made that movie stand out so much for us.

Monday, September 23, 2013

I got a great idea but...

Back from my 1800 mile roadtrip through the Canadian prairie, seeing old homes and old friends and old highways. Always brings me back to where I came from and what I am.  Still a small town boy.

During that time our effort to raise money for Ghostkeeper 2 died miserably but as I mentioned in earlier posts, I expected that due to the lack of promotion and a fan base that wasn't enough. But I will continue to look for funds the old fashioned way, knocking on doors. And also crowdfunding will get a possible asset when an announcement comes offering investors into the mix.

Basically that means that a Kickstarter or Indiegogo project could get real investors rather than donations and that could be, as they say, a gamechanger.

Because investors want to not only get a return on their money, but also a profit. The announcement is supposed to happen this week.

So that's that.

But back to the title of this blog...

I recently finished a new spec screenplay called The President's Heart, got a great comment on The Black List (if you've never heard of this click on the link to your left). The story is about a U.S. President needing surgery in a foreign country. I thought it had a unique angle but tonight on CBS (Sept 23), at 10pm, a show called Hostages begins.

Okay, not exactly my idea but very close. Hostages concerns a family being taken hostage by "ruthless bad guys" who want the mom, a doctor who has to operate on the President, to accidentally kill him.

There are a lot of similarities but still a lot more differences.

But this goes with the rule I made up years ago and it says this;

Whenever Jim thinks of a great idea, there are at least 5 other writers with the same idea. And they are:

One is thinking of the same idea.
One has started writing the same idea.
One has finished the screenplay.
One has sold their screenplay

And one that completed filming last January (or whatever).

So it just goes to show you how my idea (and most likely yours) has dopplegangers all over the place.

In my case, the reviews on the show are so-so but the one element that will kill the CBS show is that it's a series. And having a family being held hostage for 13 episodes is going to be hard to find ideas to keep it going. In short, it would be better as a feature film. After all how many times can the family attempt escape or chase someone away from their door while the bad guys threaten to kill their family?

Under The Dome was a better idea; have lots of people trapped in a bubble and begin to show the weaknesses of people under stress. But they have cars and roads and lots of places. Hostages has the house mainly and some FBI guys trying to stop it.

So what will I do with my screenplay?

Plan B is to send it to every producer I know and especially foreign producers as my story takes place in Europe.

Here's the Black List comment on the idea:

"The premise of a presidential heart transplant is strong and commercial. It takes a personal need with a ticking clock, and transforms into a global crisis with a journey as its center. It's a smart base for an affordable political thriller which still has world-wide stakes."

I can live with that.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Iceland's Blue Lagoon

We wrapped up our Iceland trip by soaking at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa before heading straight to the airport. Blue Lagoon is a man made lagoon that has pools of water heated by the lava flow underground. The milky white water is rich in minerals and said to have healing properties. The sun was shining and it was almost blinding as it reflected off the white water, steam, and rocks. We soaked for hours among heads covered in white silica mud masks, in between breaks inside a steam room cave. It was the perfect way to relax after days of exploring and before a long flight home.

Blue Lagoon well worth the money and definitely a spot you don't want to miss in Iceland, even if you are passing through Iceland for only a few hours (the spa is only 20 minutes from the airport).

- Julia

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Behind the Scenes of My Haute Photo Shoot in Paris!

Paris is definitely the place for inspiration and fashionable creativity. It's also the place for an amazing photo shoot with the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel, Paris' $30,000 a night suite highlighting the best landmarks of Paris in the distance... and Cafe Marly to add extra hauteness to the equation.

My French Fashion Photographer Stephane Mounet is absolutely amazing; and my dear friend Fashion Designer Kate Mack made it all come alive!

Chanel-Inspired Street Pics in Paris!

The original Chanel boutique on Rue Cambon in Paris is a must-visit for the girls who love all things CoCo! While in Paris, my hotel was right next door and that made it all the more inviting to stop into the boutique to browse the collection. Once I hit the street out front; I was inspire to get some photos wearing a scarf dress that I found in a boutique in Atlanta, while carrying my favorite Chanel tote and wearing the Chanel J12!

A Little Blue Dress in Paris!

When it comes to travel, I always op for colors that pop! I'm trying hard to stay away from black so much, therefore, when I add color; I add something HAUTE! I found this little blue dress and wore it to dinner, while jetting from one place to another in Paris. It's stretchy fabric makes it easy to pack... and pull out when I need something that doesn't require ironing or steaming.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Haute Spot in Paris: Le Bristol's 114 Faubourg

 Hotel Le Bristol receives its fourth Michelin star; I was invited in to celebrate in Paris! 114 Faubourg is one of the most exceptional restaurants in the city of light. Some are calling it the temple of Parisian gastronomy because of its trio of outstanding chefs… Chef Eric Desbordes, mentored by Eric Frechon, Hotel Le Bristol’s Chef des Cuisines and Laurent Jeannin the hotel’s Pastry Chef.

Hotel Le Bristol, set in an 18th Century-style palace with paintings from the old masters along the fashionable rue du Saint Faubourg Honore, offers a restaurant with a contemporary take on French cuisine in an atmosphere of hauteness.

While in Paris, I was invited in to sample some of their most popular selections. My friend Catherine came along as my guest to share in the celebration. It was truly a delightful experience.

Here’s my menu selection:
Champagne Deutz

Lobster from Brittany, Green Beans Salad with Raspberry Seasoning (36 €)

Main Course
Mature Beef Ribeye with potatoes (130 €)

Profiteroles with Coconut Ice Cream and Caribbean Chocolate Sauce (19 €)

After Dinner

Herbal Tea (5 €)

Haute Beauty Tip: drybar Blowouts

When you're on the go but need a quick blowout, drybar in Atlanta maybe the answer. I was invited to try the services and I have to tell you, I really like some of their products like the Hot Toddy and Treatment Oil.

It's really simple, shampoo, condition, blowout and style! No color, cuts or anything else. It's as simple as that for just $35! My blowout wasn't spectacular but it did the job. If you're in a pinch and need a cost-effective way to get your hair done, try a drybar near you.

The salon is also really cute. I love the white decor with yellow accents and vintage glam design.


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19 May 2006

The Key to the Gospel

With an Unexpected Addendum about My Criticism of NT Wright
by Phil Johnson

I've been reading the comments for the past two days, and it occurs to me that someone desperately needs to post something of substance here. So I'm going to do something I've wanted to do since I started blogging last year: This is the start of a series on the doctrine of justification by faith and the principle of imputation.
Second Corinthians 5:21 is one of my favorite verses of Scripture: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

The whole gospel message is contained in embryo in those words. That short statement is crucial to our understanding of the nature of the atonement, the doctrine of justification by faith alone, and the twin principles of imputation and substitution. It teaches great truths about the character of God, the sinlessness of Christ, and the simplicity of salvation. It summarizes the core truth of biblical soteriology. It has important implications for Christology. And it even says something about theology proper, because it plainly assumes the sovereignty of God, the love of God, the justice of God, and the grace of God.

This is one of those crystal-clear verses that helps us make sense of all the rest of Scripture. It helps explain the significance of the priestly and sacrificial laws of the Old Testament. It thoroughly illuminates the meaning of the cross of Christ. It reminds us why Christ is the only way of salvation from sin. It shows why no good works performed by sinners could ever contribute an iota to their salvation. And it demonstrates how salvation was accomplished for us without any of our own works—and yet in a way that completely fulfilled God's law, upheld His justice, and vindicated His own righteousness.

In other words to borrow an expression from Romans 3:26, here is how God can "be just, and the justifier of [those who believe] in Jesus." This text explains how God can pardon sinners and treat them as righteous without compromising His own impeccable righteousness or lowering His perfect standards in any way.

I love John MacArthur's summary of the meaning of this text, and it bears repeating. It's also a pretty good paraphrase of the text itself: "On the cross, God treated Christ as if He had committed all the sins of every sinner who would ever believe, so that He could treat believers as if they had lived Christ's perfect life."

In a series of posts that will probably stretch across the next two weeks or longer, I want to explore further the far-reaching ramifications of this simple verse. I think it's a good corrective for much that is lacking in contemporary evangelicalism's truncated gospel message.

Phil's signature

PS: The Pulpit Live blog now has open comments and an RSS feed. We've put a graphic link in the form of a small ad in our right sidebar to highlight the best of whatever is current over there. But here's something a lot of people missed anyway: Some interesting details about the size and shape of the pulpit at Grace Community Church.

The Wright Stuff

PPS: Somewhat germane to the topic of sola fide and justification by faith, over at Reformed Catholicism, Jamey Bennett posts this critical review of my comments on NT Wright and the New Perspective on Paul. (He's reviewing a chapter of mine from the book Fool's Gold, which chapter was a slightly edited version of a seminar I did at the Shepherds' Conference a couple of years ago.)

I'll say this for Jamey: his comments are measured and reasonable, absent the tone of smug and ill-humored snideness often favored by a few of the regulars over at Reformed Catholicism. He rightly zings me for referring to Wright as an "Archbishop." (But then he commits a similar gaffe by referring to John MacArthur as my editor. Well, OK. On second thought, JM does sometimes edit me.)

Jamey at least did me the favor of reading the chapter before criticizing it, and he interacts with what I actually said (something some better-known critics have egregiously failed to do), as opposed to merely questioning my right to criticize the Bishop at all.

As a matter of fact, Jamey turns the normal defense of Wright completely on its head. Instead of complaining that no one has a right to critique Wright's popular-level books without first doing dissertation-level work on all his scholarly tomes, Jamey acknowledges that he himself has read only Wright's "... for everyone" commentaries. He confesses that he hasn't even read the book I was critiquing.

Nonetheless, Jamey objects to my criticism of Wright's view of justification as an incomplete process which culminates in a "declaration [that] will be made on the last day on the basis of an entire life." My complaint was that Wright seems to smuggle the believer's own works into the justification formula with that definition. But Jamey says he sees no difference between that and John MacArthur's view that salvation (note: MacArthur does not say "justification") is a process that won't be complete until we are glorified.

Jamey's comments reflect a point of confusion—the equating of justification with all of salvation—that I would regard as the source of many evils in the world of contemporary Protestant soteriology. It's the very same error made by the advocates of antinomian no-lordship theology (though they push it to the extreme opposite conclusion from the "Reformed Catholicism" gang).

Anyway, the timing of this is propitious. My current series of blogposts on 2 Corinthians 5:21 will enable me to elaborate on some of the issues Jamey's review deals with.

Even So... said...

Looking forward to it, Phil. While you're at it, please do us all the favor of dispelling the false notions of how He "became sin for us". Wherever the real gospel is, another false gospel isn't far behind.

Sharon said...

Wonderful, Phil! I look forward to the series--it will help me "give an answer to every man" (1 Peter 3:15) as I deal with the characters in the Bible Study Conference I still moderate. I have just about one of each:

the "science proves evolution and Ken Ham is a nutcase" Catholic;

the "I divorced my wife, left my family, and don't attend church because the Spirit teaches me everything I need to know" floater;

the "all we have to do is love one another and we'll please God bcause people have been hurt by pastors" charismatic;

the "Jesus didn't exist, the apostles made stuff up, and God told me all about Himself directly" inventor;

and the "we don't worship Mary and where did you get all that rubbish" Roman Catholic.

An interesting group, eh?

Jeremy Weaver said...

Word of advice...set aside a week or more to discuss Active Obedience.

The Clinging Vine said...

Mercy Maud, Sharon! =8^o

Do you keep a tranquilzer gun loaded and ready? ;^p

Anne, lost in admiration of you

jamey bennett said...

Phil, pardon my unclear words. I realize John M is not your personal editor, that reference was to the editing of that book and an attempt to make clear why I was using MacArthur's words instead of yours. Thank you for dealing with me in kindness. I, too, look forward to your explanation of the glorious doctrine of imputed righteousness!

Sharon said...

Anne: Do you keep a tranquilzer gun loaded and ready?

Believe me, I've contemplated the wisdom in such verses as 2 Tim. 2:23, Titus 3:9, and even Prov. 26:4 many times. Why don't I just hang it up? It's just my little way of keeping myself sharp, buried in the precious Word of God, and, well, to "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks [me] a reason for the hope that is in [me], with meekness and fear."

OTOH, this blog has given me some great ammunition of my own in replying to some of the outlandish posts these guys upload. Some of it truly of the "head-shaking" variety.

SolaMeanie said...

I am glad to see this coming, Phil. With related matters such as the substitutionary atonement coming under fire on a growing level, this series will be very timely and a good reminder.

As to the comments you've been reading, it does no harm for everyone to let down their hair and laugh once in a while. Except me. I don't have enough hair left to let down.

Jeff Voegtlin said...

This reminds me of a post I read by a pastor in Utah. Christ's substitutionary death can be explained but is really unfathomable.

Dr Thomas said...

One thing that I don't see addressed in this post is what the 'righteousness of God' means. This is after all what the whole justification debate hinges on. Allister McGrath in 'Iustitia dei' contends that Luther's understanding of the phrase (a moral righteousness) was somewhat novel. NT Wright takes great lengths to argue that the phrase refers to God's covenent righteousness that is his faithfulness to his people Isreal. NT Wright argues that this is why David can appeal to his righteousness (a faithful righteousness versus moral righteousness) before God (psalm 7:8).

When you read the verse with that understanding of ‘the righteousness of God’, then the passage appears to say that through Christ’s sacrifice, we were returned to the covenant that God made through Isreal.

David Gadbois said...

For anyone interested, Phil deposited some nuggets of wisdom in our combox at our blog: http://mongrelhorde.blogspot.com/2006/05/sixth-circle.html

Keep fightin' the good fight, Phil. I'll keep fanning the flames :)

Phil Johnson said...

"Dr Thomas" (or is it Will again?) suggests that Luther's understanding of the phrase "the righteousness of God" was "somewhat novel."

Short answer: NT Wright's interpretation of the phrase is a whole lot MORE novel than Luther's.

And even if we started with the definition of righteousness you propose, what you suggest the passage "appears to say" makes little sense in this context.

Speaking frankly: what New Perspectivists have to do to this text in order to make fit their system rivals the way Zane Hodges bowdlerized James 2.

Anyway, I'll get to that, I hope. This is the first of a series. Did you notice that? There's a lot more than "one thing" left unaddressed by this short post.

Incidentally, why don't you post with your real name, or at least a more suitable pseudonym? I have the utmost respect for Dr. Thomas, and it's irritating to see you use his name to post ideas that we both know he would find abominable.

Dr Thomas said...

First of all, I honestly have no idea who the 'real' Dr Thomas is. I picked the name at random with no intent on impersonating anyone.....kinda like Dr. Smith....or Dr Wilson....or Dr Johnson (those are probably all professors somewhere).

Second of all, I am not arguing Wright's point of view, I am fleshing out the other side of the argument for my own interest.

Third of all, the anonymity allows for me to ask questions without teaching. Its not that I am trying to teach Wright being correct, I am trying to understand why he is wrong. I would like nothing more for him to be wrong. The anonymity allows me to bounce questions off of a smart guy like you and all of your very smart readers without someone saying "hey, *insert real name* beleives NT Wright is the greatest". I don't want this because I don't.

I will stay tuned for your comments on ‘Iustia Dei’.

Steve said...

Thanks, Phil, for that aside on the interesting facts about the pulpit at Grace Church. There's one additional and personal "special meaning" the pulpit holds for me: It's where I chose to propose to Becky back in 1982. I wanted to chose a place of significance to both our lives, and because the solid Bible teaching at Grace Church meant so much to us, that's where I decided to pose the big question to her.

gegraphtai said...

Thanks Phil for calling out “dr. Thomas.” I was really scared I was going to have to offer up some exegetically driven question to the man I assumed had the audacity to write an exegetical commentary on the Book of Revelation. To my relief we are not talking about the same Dr. Thomas. Nonetheless I find “dr. thomas’” explanation of his truly random name rather disingenuous. For instance the last name “Thomas” does not even rank in the top 10 most common last names. As well I am suspicious of the title he credits himself with; dr. I am more inclined to believe that this is someone who wants instant credibility rather than anonymity. Why not just call himself Thomas, Smith or Wilson. Since Dr. Thomas is well respected in our circle I vote on nicknaming “dr. thomas" “dr. bob” giving him the academic credibility, personal anonymity, and grammar laxity he needs to post successfully.

oh it feels good to be back. Sorry bob

Dr Thomas said...

According to your list, Dr Thomas is #12 on the most popular list. It is more popular that Jackson, White or Robinson. It is also more popular than my other alter ego on my psuedo blog, Dr Stanley. Check out that blog and tell me if you still think I am going for academic respectablity.

DJP said...

"Dr. [Doubting] Thomas" faults Phil for not interacting with (who else?) NT Wright in this INTRODUCTORY essay.

Yeah, Phil -- I was wondering why you didn't say one word about what Parbar means. Or Cain's wife... blonde? Or brunette? And what about the days of creation. Were they EST, PST, or something else? And the little horn in Daniel's vision: could that be a flugelhorn?

Really, Phil; if you keep up this bad habit of not saying everything that could be said in every post you do about anything... well, I just don't know what we'll have to do with you!

< /s >

James Spurgeon said...

Not only that, djp, but I'm not even sure he was sensitive enough of other faith traditions.

DJP said...

Perhaps we should censure him? Or censor him? Or put his posts in a censer? Or run them past a sensor?

Dr Thomas said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lameo Nameo said...

I love John MacArthur.


text:
Home / Civil Rights / Video: DHS Checkpoints. Ask: “Am I Being Detained?”
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Video: DHS Checkpoints. Ask: “Am I Being Detained?”

Written by Gary North on February 28, 2013

Department of Homeland Security stops drivers who refuse to be questioned. These checkpoints were 50 miles from the border.

They have no probable cause. They have no warrants. But they have badges. And they have attitude.

Think of Alabama in 1960. Think these words: “Look here, boy.”

Same profession. Same pool of job applicants. Same IQ. Same attitude.

The DHS is extending its authority. It will do so until it is told by the Supreme Court to cease, or until its budget is cut.

The more people there are on the DHS payroll, the faster existing managers get promoted. The DHS will therefore expand its jurisdiction until it is told to stop.

Here is a question to respond: “Am I being detained?”

Over and over, he answers: “Am I being detained?”

Or this: “I do not have to answer my question.”

Or these words: “Reasonable suspicion.”

Or this: “May I travel down the road?”

One officer asked that he turn off the camera. He refused.

The officers verbally pushed and pushed. But they could not do anything. But they still pushed. They don’t like back talk. They don’t like the law. They like cooperation. They usually get it.

“Do I have to get out of the car?” The driver was polite. He just refused to get out of the car.

“Am I being detained?”

Then he invoked the fourth amendment.

Note: The California checkpoint is legal. They have had fruit-checking for 80 years. They can keep you out of California if you do not let them inspect your vehicle. Cooperate.

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54 thoughts on “Video: DHS Checkpoints. Ask: “Am I Being Detained?”

  1. Jackspraat says:

    Right on! We must stop this gestopo action immediately. Illegal search and ceasure without probable cause is still illegal the last time I checked.

  2. you cannot be stopped or detained on suspicion only, suspicion only gives law enforcement the right to watch you until you break a law. they need probable cause which is actual proof and/or knowledge that a crime has been committed. police usually don't care and will illegally stop you for suspicion because they know they can get away with it. if you don't exercise your rights you will lose your rights. if the police have a valid probable cause then cooperate if not then tell them that they are violating your 4th amendment rights and that you are taking their name and badge number and filing a complaint against them. i have done this many times, they don't like it but i don't care. i care that they are violating my rights and will not let them get away with it.

  3. they also can only pat you down for weapons to insure their safety during a stop. they cannot search you for drugs or anything else like large amounts of cash. just because you have something in your pocket that feels like cash or a bag of drugs does not give them the right to check it. i often carry large amounts of cash when i go out looking for project cars and bikes and antiques/collectables and have been harassed and accused of being a drug dealer.

  4. Fred Campbell says:

    This article is rambling and somewhat inane. What is the point?

    Checkpoints for various reasons have, unfortunately, become "legal". Many of them (see "fruit inspection") have outlived their utility.

    The current fad (at least in the southwest) is to search for "illegals". Recently I saw about 50 cars backed up at the CA/AZ border (I-10) to be "inspected". I suspect that they were checking the papers of "Latinos" (we were not hassled as we were clearly Nordic).
    Do I object to this? Hell yes. There are better (and less abusive) ways to handle the illegal immigrant problem. The SSA could do much to screen for illegal workers. Apparently the SSA has been directed to avoid a) checking either for fraudulent SSNs or b) the screening of applicants.

    There is something corrupting about the power that comes with the wearing a badge. As a "free" people we must be forever on guard against the abuse of this power. Power does corrupt.

  5. I often travel to McAllen TX where my church is. On the way back, there are border checkpoints on both highways 281 and 77. In reality, the checkpoints don't check for illegal immigrants – there is a 20 mi stretch of wilderness between the two checkpoints, and there is another 100 mi stretch of wilderness west of Hwy 281 where there is nothing, no towns, no ranches, just nothing. Whoever is importing immigrants, can drive up to a mile before the checkpoint, drop them there, they can walk up two miles through the wilderness on either side of the checkpoint, and he can pick them up again at the rest area a mile north of the checkpoint. The checkpoint is like a gate in an open field.

    The checkpoints are there for the specific purpose to harass law-abiding citizens.

  6. awkingsley says:

    The problem with this situation is that they are not deporting illegal aliens anyway, so why are we paying for a Border Patrol checkpoint? No self-respecting illegal alien would get caught at the checkpoint. Fruit checkpoints might still be valid if there is some sort of virus or new infestation in Texas or Florida fruit that could be imported to California, but even that seems a little far fetched today.

  7. I grew up in Las Cruces, NM. There were also checkpoints on US-70 between Las Cruces and Alamogordo (in the middle of the White Sands Missile Range) and between Truth or Consequences, NM and Socorro, NM on I-25. Both in the middle of nowhere.

  8. The smell and noise of battle, By God I love it so

  9. I disagree. Wait until TSA sets up a checkpoint under the pretense of 'checking for illegals'. This bullying is to build compliance with the American sheeple. We have guaranteed constitutional rights as citizens. Just what will be your attitude when TSA uses some internal inspection to make sure you're not carrying an intestinal bomb or a breast implant bomb, which have been used to carry out acts of terrorism? 'They're just trying to protect us when they do body cavity checks!' Seriously, mri, xray, or some other internal scanner? Don't poopoo it, it can happen. Our country is marching down the road to this type of abuse of it's citizens. Oh, it's interesting that in the news they reported that there were hundreds of illegals being released, either to force Obama's budget or to tweak the noses of those of us that DO expect deportation of illegals. This type of cr#p (in the video) doesn't accomplish squat, except to tick off the people who care about the abuse of their rights as citizens.

  10. Is there any legal reason, other than “they don’t have to”, that the people under interrogation do not admit that they are US citizens? If they cooperate and say that they are, does this give the officers the legal right to “demand their papers”, and then search their vehicle or detain them further if they refuse? Is there a important legal reason to not cooperate at all in a situation like this? Just curious.

  11. Au contraire! From Constitutional lawyer John Whitehead: http://lewrockwell.com/whitehead/whitehead73.1.ht

    "In April 2012, a divided Supreme Court ruled in Florence v. Burlington that any person who is arrested and processed at a jail house, regardless of the severity of his or her offense (i.e., they can be guilty of nothing more than a minor traffic offense), can be subjected to a strip search by police or jail officials, which involves exposing the genitals and the buttocks.

    "This 'license to probe' is being extended to roadside stops, as police officers throughout the country have begun performing roadside strip searches without any evidence of wrongdoing and without a warrant. For example, Angel Dobbs and her niece, who were pulled over by a Texas state trooper on July 13, 2012, allegedly for flicking cigarette butts out of the car window, were subjected to roadside cavity searches of their anus and vagina. The officer claimed to be searching for marijuana. No marijuana was found."

  12. IamaproudAmerican says:

    About 50 miles from the Mexican border in California there are secondary checkpoints that every car must go through. The only time I had problem was when my car was really dirty and the border agent asked me where I was born. I have a definite American accent, so that didn't take long. I've seen vehicles pulled out of line, vehicles being searched and dogs used to check out them out. I've also seen border patrol agents pull over other cars on roads away from the checkpoints and put people in handcuffs.
    We have drug cartels that use our roads and criminals that pack vehicles with illegals to transport them over the border for a fee. This is reality here, the rest of America doesn't understand what we deal with.

  13. Yes, the reason is if your American U have rights

  14. I consider myself to be a strong proponent of the Constitution.However,it is well known that our southern border is a sieve.Just asking someone if they are a citizen at a checkpoint doesnt seem to violate any of their rights.They arent even asking for a valid id.The border patrol is already hamstrung by the idiots in D.C. and it has to be a terrible job.If they arent even allowed to ask the status of your citizenship if you are coming to a checkpoint presumably from the south in a dusty vech how are they ever going to catch any wetbacks ?? I do understand The illegal search and seizure or detainment aspect but give these Border Patrol officers a break ! Most sane people want a secure border and want to let the Border Patrol do their jobs.Would someone answer me how they can perform their job without checkpoints?? If the checkpoint was in Iowa or someplace inland Id have a problem but they are very near one of the most dangerous borders in the world.

  15. The Department of Homeland Security is a CRIMINAL organization working for a CRIMINAL out of control White House , they are stupid , ignorant , and most of all , totally unconstitutional , I will never drive near any border , or fly , or do anything else that might put me in a situation where I have to deal with that filthy criminal trash .

  16. Your "However" just invalidated you as a strong proponent of the Constitution.

  17. There are boarder check points 30 miles inside the US. I know, I’ve been through them many times even though I didn’t leave the US.

  18. Jack Mieoph says:

    and do you think "just asking someone if they are a citizen" and waiving them through is an effective way to secure the border?

    Chicago is a pretty dangerous town these days. Do you think the Chicago cops should be able to randomly stop people and ask if they're criminals?

  19. I agree!

  20. Obama and EVERYONE in his administration MUST be Impeached, prosecuted and EXECUTED!!!

  21. Carl Long says:

    I dont get why they would be doing these Illegal Checkpoint inside our Border? They just released 500 Criminals in Arizona and now they are checking for citizenship 30 miles across the next Border?? WTF is going on in AMerica!

    Someone needs to call 911 and get them arrested for this.

  22. WesTexan says:

    If you act like sheep, the government will treat you like sheep. If you act like a citizen with Constitutional rights, you might make them angry, but they will not treat you like sheep. Most of the time, they will back down.

    This is a conditioning process. Every roadblock and every checkpoint is part of the conditioning. They want us to expect to get stopped and take the easy way out by complying with their interrogations. As this conditioning gains momentum, the government thugs will be more and more invasive. If you are not willing to resist these injustices, your lack of action will have negative consequences for all of us.

    You don't have to yell and scream. Just politely refuse to comply—and reference the Constitution. I doubt that most of these thugs have even read the Constitution. This article is not complicated, but it is very practical.

  23. nuffsnuff says:

    really???!!! is there really someone left in this God-forsaken (literally) crap hole of a once-great country who hasn't seen enough youtube or local news vids of cops brutalizing the hell out of absolutely everyone to keep spouting the "if the cops are f***ing you over, then you musta did sump ta deeserve it" bullshit?!! the checkpoints are 50 or 60 mile INSIDE the g'damned border!! you don't have to have been outside the U.S. to encounter them!! cops are off the chart out of control and part of the reason they are is because of bootlicking dipshits like yourself. Past time for everyone to stand up for each other and put an end to this outrage.

  24. ccfonten says:

    I don't have a problem with being asked if I am an American. And going through the check points as most of them have been there for years. And most are manned by honest men and women just trying to do a trying job.
    What bothers the heck out of me is that Big Sis Napolitano has let thousands of criminal illegals go free BEFORE sequestration hit (it "hit" with a soft thud….kinda like a rotten tomato hitting the pavement). If DHS was serious about border security, they'd be out there linked arm in arm with land mines, RPG's, tanks, a moat filled with alligators and those nasty little carnivorous fish from the Amazon…………..to PREVENT and boot OUT any illegals.
    This whole thing sickens me with DHS.

  25. That's what Mayor Bloomberg's administration has been doing for years in New York City. They target the usual suspects. Guess what? It works!

  26. Interesting! I'd be willing to bet that most (if not all) of the people that are screaming about Nazi checkpoints and rights of citizens, are the very same people that are screaming for border security. So how do YOU expect border agents to do their job, if they can't even ask simple questions?

    These incidents were clearly staged, and clearly intended to belittle the agents/officers, and make a point. But a side note here is that, now those people that are crossing the border illegally, have been given an instructional video on another way to beat our immigration system. Thanks!

    There certainly is need for the Bill of Rights to be honored, respected, and protected. But how much of a person's rights are being violated by asking them to answer whether they are a citizen or not? Seems pretty innocent and simple to me. But if one is looking to start a fight, I guess refusing to be proud enough to announce that you are an American is one way to start one.

  27. snuggles says:

    That's nothing. Have you been stopped at a DUI checkpoint yet?

  28. snuggles says:

    If they were actually checking for illegals…and then actually arresting the ones they found, I would put up with the checkpoints. But they aren't and theydon't

  29. I have to ask, you know this how? What do they do when they get someone who admits that they are not a citizen? What do they do when an illegal is found? Don't get me wrong on this now, I'm against the illegal, unconstitutional actions of most of our law enforcement agencies.

    BUT! Where in this report or on this video do we see how these agents deal with someone found to be illegal? And is harassing someone doing their job really that necessary. We know their hands are tied by obama and his liberal mental midgets, but do we take it out on those people doing what they are told they can do in order to get a check and feed their family?

    If one were to do some research, I'd bet that those making these videos are the same people that are in the OWS movement. They are anti-everything, and certainly are not concerned about stopping illegals or protecting your rights… They are simply pushing their agenda.

  30. Does anyone realize that most of theseagents have accents that are not english.

  31. I understand the 4th Amendment and the rights we have as US citizens. I don't like to be harrassed either, however, we are being overrun by illegal aliens and refusing to answer the questions is only making it harder for Border Patrol to do their job of apprehending illegal border jumpers. I would refuse to be harrassed, but it is much easier to just answer a few simple questions and be on your way. What the TSA does at airports is far worse.

  32. Michael Lopez says:

    the real problem with this video is that the cops could not articulate any law, local, county, state, or federal that gives them the right to ask for citizenship status. If they could just do that, then they would have been within their rights to say they were detaining. They were so afraid to say yes, they were detaining, that they backed off. Stupid cops. That is why, when I was a cop, I always knew my municipal code as well as the penal code. So, if I got sued, I was completely protected from prosecution. then, if you don't like the law or think it is unconstitutional, you can sue the governmental agency of jurisdiction. But these cops were dumb and couldn't articulate anything.

  33. Michael Lopez says:

    Stupid cops always blow the case. This video clearly demonstrates that.

  34. You talk out of both sides of your mouth, saying you are against "obama and his liberal mental midgets" but then condemning those opposed to his and his administration's destruction of our constitutional rights, as evidenced in these and MANY other videos and testimonies. That makes it hard to believe anything you say. It's your attitude of "I'll bet this" and "I'll bet that" (and statements of "fact" that you can't possibly know, ie, that these were "staged"), that becomes the attitude of those making up and enforcing their own (unconstitutional) laws that then slowly supercedes the real laws of the land. Are you by chance an "officer of the law?" You must realize that there are good and bad cops; law officers that care about people and those that don't give a shit about them; public servants that want to serve and others that simply love the feel of power and use it to abuse; intelligent agents and idiots. That's why they don't get to determine what is the law and what is not. That is why they are UNDER the law.

    The Law doesn't "bet"…it either KNOWS, eg, has some significant evidence for stopping a person or detaining them or searching them, or it DOESN'T know, at which point stopping, detaining, and searching are ILLEGAL, ie, AGAINST the law. It's not a matter of simply "hassling" or "belittling" officers or agents. It's a matter of of their belittling the actual laws b/c they're "betting" that maybe they can "do it better" than the law…ie, are above the law. That's how the laws become nothing and the whims of the politician or of law-enforcement agents/agencies become everything. The process always begins "innocently" enough. We're WAY past innocently now.

    And that is why the development of "black ops" and even groups like the TSA that are basically outside the law becomes more and more "necessary" as a govt grows more and more powerful and suspicious of its people finding out that it only wants to control them for its own good, not for theirs. The govt of this country was to be UNDER the people, not over them. Unfortunately, I don't see this country going back to that without a major collapse or revolution. More likely this country will become more and more a dictatorial police state…and we'll look back at the stuff they do now and consider it "innocent" compared to what it will likely become. We're looking at the evolution of a full police state. Resistance isn't only necessary, if there is ANY chance of stopping it, but patriotic.

  35. But it’s not ‘at the border.’ These are internal checkpoints. When I’m inside of the United States, my right to move freely is protected by the Constitution. Unfortunately, SCOTUS has already allowed unconstitutional DUI checkpoints (Chief Justice Rehnquist even admitted in the majority decision that they don’t meet the standards of 4th Amendment, but were allowed because they contributed overwhelmingly to the ‘Greater Good.’ How long before ICE can legally demand ID with no probable cause, or even articulated suspicion? For the ‘Greater Good?’

  36. RangerInParadise says:

    Some people seem to have no problem with these random harassments. The DHS is simply accustoming us all to dictatorial conduct. It won't get better, it will gradually expand till "Papers please" is as common as "pass the salt please".

    Ok, you find justification for random highway checkpoints. Now find justification for a DHS raid on a high school prom hundreds of miles from any border or sensitive facility. There is none. Except as a method of slowly turning up the heat.

    YOU asked for it, you got it. Now stop your whining.

  37. These checkpoints have been active ever since I can remember. I grew up in South Texas and I lived there ever since 1966 and these checkpoints have been operating, at least, since then. They are looking for illegal aliens and drug smugglers. They have seized millions of tons of illegal drugs and arrested millions of illegal aliens during the time they have been operating. I can’t even count the times I've driven through the checkpoint at Falfurious, Texas. All you have to do is say you’re an American citizen, which is something I happen to be quite proud of and I have no problem saying so. As much as I despise Obama, he is not responsible for this. Here is an interesting article on the history of the US Border Patrol: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border

  38. Apparently the SSA isn't doing much screening…look at the illegal, ineligible Kenyan in OUR White House ! Yeah , the one with the forged birth certificate and the fraudulent SS#…yeah, they're doing a GREAT job !!!

  39. The patrol officers are only doing there job. They are trying to protect our country, which I am thankful for. It's to bad that they have low life like this making their job harder for them. Is it really that hard to answer a few questions? There is no respect for athority any more. Remember 911? We never want anything like that to happen again.

  40. They don't know that they are American. That is the whole reason for the checkpoint.

  41. This checkpoint is about 60 miles inside of the US. Read up on the part of Arizona the Gov is telling you to stay out of because of IILEGAl alien and drug taffic that the FEDS wont let Arizona solve.

  42. They want YOU to get used to "checkpoints" ya know like Hitler Germany.

  43. Yes its called the CONSTITUTION . Read the constitution and discover YOUR rights.
    4TH Amendmant.
    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

  44. How about they move the checkpoint to within 5 feet of the border? Then ask the question as the people come over.

  45. Mutantone says:

    Hell I wish they would just do that for the elections.

  46. Cap.America says:

    well do you know that they take your photo as you drive by? In both directions!You need too stop whining and do something about it,or it will never stop!The BP are just doing there job it is the ass holes in the gov.That tell them to do it.

  47. @afc; Show me where I condemnened someone!

    So you're saying it's a violation of an American's "Rights" to ask them if they are an American citizen?

    So what is your solution to allow the border patrol to catch illegals without asking questions or searching vehicles?

    You spoke volumes of your own personal opinions and assumptions, yet where is YOUR solution to this situation.

    I never asserted the "law" bet on anything. I wrote "I'd be willing to bet that most (if not all) of the people that are screaming about Nazi checkpoints and rights of citizens, are the very same people that are screaming for border security." Well are you? Are you screaming for border security out of one side of YOUR mouth and then screaming against the actions taken to protect the border out of the other side? Again, I'll bet YOU are.

  48. If these weren't staged why is it the same people are stopped over and over and over again? The answer is simple. They broke out their camera and kept going through checkpoints in order to film these confrontations. They set these up, and if you can't see that, then you don't want to see.

  49. This action is to "nudge" Americans into accepting this behavior and giving up our Contitutional rights, making it normal. Just like today, it is normal to ALLOW your wife and children to be groped or virtually strip searched at the airport…

  50. Beepster says:

    Uhh, the policeman (woman who did the cavity search), not DPS trooper, has been fired, along with the policeman (male) who called in the policewoman to do the cavity search. They aren't getting away with cavity searches on the roadways, in full view of the passing public. As you pointed out, they can do cavity searches in the proper environment (private room at jail). To do a cavity search there HAS to be probable cause and ordered by a judge.

  51. Beepster says:

    California "fruit inspections"!!! Now, that's a real misnomer. Actually, I think this is strictly state, run by state law. Have no idea if ever court-challenged, but it was in effect the first time I visited Califruitland in 1947. Arizona sometimes runs them competition, just to be cantankerous. What they are "trying" to say is: "Ya ain't a'comin' into California without making a declaration of 'yes/no' to having fruit."

  52. At the botom of the article there is a statement about thre fruit check. Yes CA has had a fruit check by asking if you are bringing fruit into CA. The check point just asked, personal would tell you that you could not bring this or that into CA. None of these rude pushy unconstitutional actions that are on utube,on the tv news and talked about via word of mouth. No matter if you are an inch on our soil and you are a US citizen you still have all of your constitutional god given rights don't give these rights up to anyone no matter what dolt approches you.

  53. MF Burbaugh says:

    Fruit check? By DHS? Get real. That is only covered by the Depts of Agriculture, and Customs. Don't give up your rights or they are lost forever.


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ET GBS: Government and India Inc can together shape India's growth story, say top CEOs

Kumar Birla rated the demographic dividend as the biggest positive for India, that was endorsed by Sunil Mittal later.
ET GBS: Government and India Inc can together shape India's growth story, say top CEOsIn this tough world, can India make it? This was the question put to a panel of high powered global and Indian CEOs at the inaugural session of the Airtel-Economic Times Global Business Summit.

The answer was surprisingly upbeat from all, but more robustly so from those who view India from the outside, in relation to the rest of the global economy, than from their Indian counterparts.

The time is ripe for India to step up investment in infrastructure and improve ease of doing business and the result would be remarkable growth. And much of this depends on executive action, rather than legislative changes.

In fact, so little premium did the assembled CEOs put on fresh laws that some of them, led by Sunil Mittal, expressed the view that most of the needed reforms are already in place and action by the government and India Inc is what is required to realise the growth potential the entire world sees in India.

Present on stage were Sunil Mittal, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anil Agarwal and Uday Kotak, along with McKinsey Global CEO Dominic Barton, GSK Global CEO Andrew Philip Witty, PwC International Chairman Dennis M Nally, GE Vice-Chairman John Rice and US Exim Bank Chairman and President Fred P Hochberg.

Economic Times Associate Editor Anand Mahadevan, who moderated the discussion, set the context by first asking Dennis Nally about the findings of the latest edition of PwC's survey of global CEOs. Nally said while 27% of the respondents expected the world economy to worsen, Indian CEOs were far more optimistic.

While this definitely is a positive, he drew attention to a sobering finding of the survey: despite all the positive vibes about India being the fastest-growing large economy, huge emerging middle class and a young, energetic workforce, India ranked only number five as these CEOs' preference as an investment destination.

He stressed the need for India to improve ease of doing business. Kumar Birla rated the demographic dividend as the biggest positive for India, that was endorsed by Sunil Mittal later. Birla ticked off the other positives: macroeconomic fundamentals were healthy, the rupee was relatively stable, inflation had halved from the double digits of a year ago, financial inclusion was becoming a reality.

Uday Kotak counted low oil and commodity prices, low inflation, the low current account deficit and low interest rates around the world as enabling factors for a spurt in infrastructure creation in India. He thought that needless despondency among Indian industrialists were a bigger problem than any external threat to India's growth. But he did sound an important warning: don't binge on debt, a point that the audience registered volubly.

Vedanta chief Anil Agarwal would be expected to be chastened by the global trend of weak commodity prices, but he remained ebullient as ever, seeing in these low prices and low interest rates a great opportunity to build Indian infrastructure.

He wanted India to meet at least 50% of its energy needs from domestic sources, and step up manufacturing in areas of surging demand, such as electronics. Channel savings into infrastructure, he urged, and wanted, to this end, the normal EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) mandate to be expanded to add finance, and become EPCF.

No country is investing enough in infrastructure, said Hochberg. But the US Exim Bank has financed more infrastructure projects in India than anywhere else in the recent past, he attested. Of course, China does not need external financing for its infrastructure building. He was particularly hopeful about energy, solar and nuclear.

Barton saw in the excitement large pension funds, such as from Canada, are showing about India, a positive message about long-term financing possibilities. Rice expected oil and commodity prices to stay low. Witty stressed the need for and possibility of innovation to produce low-cost solutions in India for people in India and around the world who cannot afford high prices.

When asked about what he wants from the forthcoming Budget, Birla did not dither: stepped-up infrastructure investment, lower corporate tax rates and simplification of rules and regulations. This emphasis on improving ease of doing business and utilising the current global conditions to build vital infrastructure captured the consensus of global and Indian CEOs on what India's current priority should be.

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10 Ways to Make Skyrim a Cooler Place to Hang Out

Deep into The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim? Check out these 10 quick tips to make the game even cooler.

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You’re hours or maybe entire days into Bethesda’s roleplaying opus, probably bleary-eyed, a little edgy, coming out of the weekend like you chugged a case of Honningbrew Mead and fell into a phantasmagoric stupor. Maybe it’s time to step back, take a break and give things a second look, just to be sure everything’s running smoothly.

Like with this list of 10 things that have, so far, greatly improved my quality time with The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim.

Fiddle the difficulty setting

You didn’t know there was one? There is. It defaults to “Adept,” which translates as “middle-of-the-road.” I’m nothing special, gaming-skill-wise, but I have found Skyrim’s battles a trifle simplistic at that setting (with exceptions, mind you, those exceptions being “frost trolls”). You can bump things up two notches, to either “Expert” or “Master.” I’ve been playing on the latter, and while it’s still no Dark Souls, it does force you to think tactically instead of charging in, gamepad triggers-a-blazin’, resulting in much more satisfying wins.

Use your housecarl

By housecarl, I don’t mean some manservant with a setting-inappropriate moniker. No, this is the person assigned to you by the Jarl of Whiterun once you’re to the point where, well, you just might need a little help getting things done. Fear not, you gain skill experience by using skills, not killing stuff, so letting your housecarl tank while you help from the flank or nuke away with ranged damaged can be a great way to get past difficult encounters.

Adjust your TV’s black levels

Skyrim employs a brand new custom graphics engine (dubbed “Creation”), which includes more realistic lighting, though on the LCDs and LED TVs I’ve tested, that can manifest as too much blackness in low-lit, inside areas or when the sun’s out and triggering high dynamic range effects. If your character’s back side looks blacked out in third-person mode when facing toward bright sunlight, for instance, you’ll definitely want to tinker with your TV’s (or game system’s) black level settings.

Don’t grab everything in sight

No really, don’t. Most of it’s worthless junk anyway and just bogs you down. When I’m rummaging, I use what I call the “200 rule.” The 200 rule just means I ignore anything with an estimated value of less than 200 gold. And remember, the value you’re seeing’s only estimated—what you actually get for it depends on where and to whom you sell it as well as your Speech skill rating.

Pay Attention to “Active Effects”

Skyrim’s interface hides a lot. There’s no “diseased” status screen, for instance, though the game’s done a nice job getting people to react to you if you’re sick, e.g. “You don’t look so good,” and so forth. If you want to know whether you’re sick, how it’s affecting your abilities, or anything else about your overall well being, be sure to keep an eye on “Active Effects,” located at the bottom of the Magic menu.

(MORE: 8 Things I Learned After 25 Hours in Skyrim)

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Improv Electronics Announces New Digital Note Taker

Improv Electronics has just announced some new tweaks and changes to its Boogie Board LCD writing tablet. This version has a larger screen, binder-friendly casing, and an accessory for the original 8.5″ screen so you can attach it to a fridge door.

Boogie boards, aren’t the water boards you are thinking of for going to the beach. They’re temporary note-takers that were designed as a digital replacement for note pads. Users can erase whatever is written on the screen with a touch of a button.

New Macbook Airs Coming Soon!

According to a reliable leak, Apple is gearing up to launch updates across its Macbook Air lineup and sources say that the leak is 100% confirmed. This would be a timely update considering the last refresh was way back in December 2010.

The first batch of many will be around 400,000 units, and the most notable change of the new notebook will be Intel’s 32nm Sandy Bridge architecture. The Intel chips will utilize the ultra low voltage Core i5 and Core i7 chips, which feature between 3MB and 4MB of Smart Cache.


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Wednesday, November 05, 2008

The season of sharp elbows
Aspiring political appointee demonstrates the technique

A new administration is coming to town. All those who seek to hold high office in a Democratic administration are maneuvering for position. Look for lots of stories with anonymous sources reporting that so-and-os is being mentioned as the next minister of silly walks, or whatever office they seek. We may easily guess who was doing the mentioning.

For the worker bees this ritual has great importance, yet we are mere spectators. It is going to be very entertaining, but not always edifying.

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