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Today, you will be the epitome of sincerity and a model of punctuality. Weird flex but okay. Whatev the case, caution should be the keyword. Pay attention to the finer details and the finest of prints when it comes to contracts. Prevention is better than cure. Trust us, you do not want to end up in sticky situations that annoy the living hell out of you. FYI, Mammootty is a fellow Virgo as well.
Get set to receive surprise financial benefits (from friends or elders) this week. Your family members will support you to no end. Well, that will come with a price. You may have to incur expenses on them. A bit of friendly advice- do not trust your business partner this week, hell, stay away from all sorts of partnership ventures. Even job-people will have to face a bunch of challenges this week. Students, too, won't have the best of times. Concentration problems, you know? You'll spend on religious activities as well this week. You need to be careful about your health. You may blink, and a small disease can turn into a severe ailment. Learn something from the life and death of fellow Virgo Avicii.
For your mental and physical health, Virgos, the first sixteen days of April will be fantabulous. But, this only means that you'll have to take extra care of your health during the rest of the days. The beginning of the month will feel damn slow for your professional life. But, trust us, things will get better, fo sho. You will get great new opportunities to prove your worth. In fact, things will get so good that your competitors will also get inspired by you and may follow your path. You guys need to be uber careful during the last week of this month. Hear us out and do not ever trust anybody blindly, especially for finance related matters. During the first, second, and the fourth weeks, your income may increase, and you will 100% be able to satisfy your family's needs. Love will creep into all your familial relations, making things sweeter than ever. During 20th April to 25th April, you may feel anxious for your kids; their words may harm you at some point in time. *sad face* Handle the situation with utmost care, cause the will never hurt you on purpose. A lil bit of understanding is the key to solving that mess. Just ask fellow Virgo Rishi Kapoor.
Heads up! You're going to be in for a mix of good and bad experiences this year. Cherish the good ones and learn from the bad ones. At least that's what fellow Virgo Akshay Kumar would do. Good News- career will yield positive results from the starting of 2019 until April. You may get a good hike in your salary. Business peeps will also receive monetary gains. You will feel that you are physically fit and also ready to do some long distance traveling. All the problems pertaining to your ancestral property will also be resolved. Thank your super-cool brains and analytical approach towards most of the things in life, which make you overcome a lot of challenges. No challenges = Easy Success. In spite of having a weak and a less determined mindset (ouch!), you usually take very precise decisions which are always helpful. Warning- This year, you should avoid taking any financial risks. Bad News- The phase between the second week of August till the year-end, will see the gradual development in professional as well as the personal front, although you may encounter a lot of problems in various tasks that you may indulge in. And, that'll delay your results, making you a bit impatient. But, don't worry and go Hakuna Matata. As far as your relationship with everyone is concerned, things will be pretty sorted and in tune until the month of April, but arguments and quarrels are seen between the months of May and September. The period between September and December will give you a lot of opportunities to grow and learn, but other things may try to pull you down and make you dissatisfied. And, because you will not get involved in financial risks, you may face some monetary hurdles. But, that does not give you the license to take those risks. Stay careful!


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text:
Coalition of the Nerds
India's Viswanathan Anand (right) and Israel's Boris Gelfand shake hands before a World Chess Championship match in Moscow on May 18, 2012.(Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images)
Israel and India, dominant at the World Chess Championship last week, share tourists, trade, and values
India's Viswanathan Anand (right) and Israel's Boris Gelfand shake hands before a World Chess Championship match in Moscow on May 18, 2012.(Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images)
So, the conspiracy theorists were right: Indians and Israelis really have been plotting world domination. In a 20-day contest in Moscow that ended last week, 42-year-old Chennai native Viswanathan Anand and 43-year-old Israeli Boris Gelfand battled for the 2012 World Chess Championship. Anand, the defending world champion, held off his challenger, but not before being taken to a tie breaker.
Indians and Israelis ought to savor this rare moment of sporting glory. Not to put too fine a point on it, but try to imagine an Indian-Israeli final in any other sport.
Take soccer, the so-called beautiful game. India is ranked a lowly 158th in the world; Israel last qualified for the World Cup in 1970. Or how about the Olympics? In Bejing four years ago, Israel snagged a single bronze … for wind surfing. With one gold (shooting) and a pair of bronzes (wrestling and boxing), India didn't exactly set the medals table alight either. Indeed, the classic Jewish joke from Airplane! works just as well with Indians. Light reading: Famous Hindu sporting legends. (Cricket, India's national obsession, doesn't count. Only 10 countries play it seriously, among them such sporting giants as Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.)
Chess, though, is another matter. It's the one international sport where India and Israel find themselves in the unfamiliar position of being in the top 10 teams in the world. Between them they have 65 grand masters—the sport's highest rung—and 121 international masters.
But what if you're one of those folks who doesn't think a couple of overweight, bespectacled middle-aged guys hunched over a board qualifies as sport? Well, there's always politics. In 1972, when Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky squared off in Reykjavik for the so-called Match of the Century, the Cold War analogy virtually wrote itself. (Freedom won.) In the mid-1980s, the fabled rivalry between buttoned-down Anatoly Karpov and the flamboyant Garry Kasparov came to symbolize the struggle within the USSR between the Soviet establishment and reformers. In 1985, the brash 22-year-old Kasparov beat the Kremlin favorite to become the youngest-ever world champion.
Alas, Anand v. Gelfand doesn't write itself quite as easily. To begin with, neither player exactly oozes charisma. Though Anand has won the so-called Chess Oscar six times, even his most partisan supporters won't claim that he sets pulses racing among those who can't tell their Ruy Lopez from their Queen's Indian Defense. Your heart goes out to journalists struggling to make him sound interesting. (Hey, did you know he's the only sportsman invited to a dinner by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for President Barack Obama in 2010?!)
As for the low-key and gym-averse Gelfand, even if you forgive him for being born in Minsk it's kind of hard to get over his choice of an Israeli city to emigrate to: Rishon LeZion. (What's wrong with Tel Aviv, Boris?)
But enough naysaying. For supporters of the India-Israel relationship, Gelfand v. Anand reinforces a geopolitical fact: New Delhi and Jerusalem—and by extension Chennai and Rishon LeZion—share a special bond.
In the 20 years since the two countries established full diplomatic relations, two-way trade has rocketed from an anemic $180 million to an estimated $5 billion. A trip to India after compulsory military service is now a rite of passage for many young Israelis: About 40,000 of them visit India each year. (Though it isn't clear how many carry chess boards in their backpacks.) Israeli and Indian technology and pharmaceutical firms have invested in each others' economies.
Four years ago, scientists in southern India launched Tecsar, an Israeli spy satellite reportedly aimed at improving the monitoring of Iranian military movements. The following year, India launched a modified version of the satellite bought from Israel for itself.
Over the past decade, Israel has emerged as one of India's biggest arms suppliers—second only to Russia, by some estimates—and India in turn is one of the Israeli defense industry's largest export markets. Among India's purchases: surveillance drones, surface-to-air missiles, advanced artillery, airborne radar, and sensors to track cross-border infiltration by terrorists into Indian Kashmir. The two countries are also working together on a joint missile-defense program.
For those who found the Cold War-era chill between India and Israel inexplicable, this warmth is only natural. Both India and Israel represent ancient civilizations whose land carries a special spiritual significance for most of its people. Despite living in tough neighborhoods, both have chosen democracy over dictatorship. Though the Arab Spring may change this, traditionally you could drive the 2,500 miles between New Delhi and Jerusalem without encountering another plural society whose leaders are regularly elected to office.
Despite what conspiracy theorists may say, neither country has a quarrel with Islam—both house Muslim populations that enjoy more rights than their coreligionists in many places—but both are threatened by radical Islamist ideology and its cousin, jihadist terrorism. As former British colonies, India and Israel are kissing cousins of the Anglosphere, lands with distinct cultures that benefit from the liberal international order upheld by American power.
Closer to home, the 3-million-strong Indian-American community sees the Jewish-American community as a role model. The Hindu American Foundation has sought guidance from the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League as it battles discriminatory text books and sexy yoga commercials. The lobbying group USINPAC has co-hosted events on Capitol Hill with the influential AIPAC. (It has a ways to go, however, to match AIPAC's influence.) More broadly, many Indians share the belief that, as the Indian-American author Parag Khanna has put it, "Jews and Indians are assimilators, maintaining traditional values but adapting to any national context."
In short, there's a lot more to the India-Israel relationship than a chess face-off. Though if the relationship is to attain its full potential, perhaps it's time American Jews started paying more attention to another area of nerdy achievement: the spelling bee.
Like this article? Sign up for our Daily Digest to get Tablet Magazine's new content in your inbox each morning.
Sadanand Dhume is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. Follow him on Twitter @dhume01
#AIPAC
#Bobby Fischer
#Boris Gelfand
#Boris Spassky
#Garry Kasparov
#Rishon Lezion
#USINPAC
#Viswanathan Anand
Secrecy Is for Losers
byJacob Siegel

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Foot, Richard. "Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 03 October 2018, Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms. Accessed 19 January 2020.
Foot, R., Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (2018). In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms
Foot, Richard, "Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms". In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published August 08, 2013; Last Edited October 03, 2018. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms
Foot, Richard. The Canadian Encyclopedia, s.v. "Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms", Last Edited October 03, 2018, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Article by Richard Foot
Updated by Eli Yarhi
Published Online February 26, 2018
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or simply the Charter, is the most visible and recognized part of the Canadian Constitution. The Charter guarantees the rights of individuals by enshrining those rights, and certain limits on them, in the highest law of the land. Since its enactment in 1982, the Charter has created a social and legal revolution in Canada, expanding the rights of minorities, transforming the nature of criminal investigations and prosecutions, and subjecting the will of Parliament and the legislatures to judicial scrutiny — an ongoing source of controversy.
Copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Before the Charter came into being, rights and freedoms were protected in Canada by a variety of laws, including the 1960 Canadian Bill of Rights. Although important, none of these laws was part of the Constitution and therefore lacked the supremacy and permanence of the Charter. The Bill of Rights also only applied to federal, rather than provincial laws.
A Difficult Beginning
In the early 1980s, as the government of Pierre Elliott Trudeau began the process of patriating Canada's Constitution — taking it out of the hands of the British Parliament — the government also decided to include within the Constitution a new Charter of Rights and Freedoms (see Constitutional History). Along with the wider constitutional debates that dominated politics for much of 1981 and 1982, there were specific concerns about whether the Charter would give courts and judges too much power to interpret its meaning, and how it would be amended once it was in place. There were also deep reservations among provincial leaders that a Charter would restrict the right of provincial governments	to independently make laws as they saw fit (see Distribution of Powers).
The hard work of negotiating and crafting the Charter fell to Trudeau's justice minister Jean Chrétien (later prime minister), who was helped in this task by two provincial attorneys-general, Roy Romanow of Saskatchewan (later premier) and Roy McMurtry of Ontario. Ontario Premier Bill Davis was also instrumental in bringing the Charter to life (see Patriation of the Constitution).
Quebec Premier René Lévesque, however, was less concerned with the Charter. In 1975, Quebec had enacted its own Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, which took precedence over other laws in the province (but was not enshrined in the Canadian Constitution). Lévesque was initially a fierce opponent of any new constitutional arrangement, particularly one that did not honour Quebec's traditional constitutional veto. After he entered into an alliance with other provincial premiers (see Gang of Eight), he agreed to surrender the veto in exchange for a constitutional agreement that prioritized provincial rights over what he called a "rigid, even in some ways authoritarian conception of federalism."
When the other premiers of the Gang of Eight agreed to the new proposal spearheaded by Chrétien and Romanow (see Kitchen Accord), they chose not to seek Lévesque's approval because, in Romanow's estimation, "What the province of Quebec would have done is requested additional amendments or changes, in my judgment, that would have either obfuscated or delayed and thereby killed the process."
Lévesque and his lieutenants objected vehemently to the way the constitutional deal was negotiated in his absence — an event that became known in Quebec as the "night of the long knives."
"What they did this morning is beyond description," Lévesque said. "Maybe second thoughts and further events will make them understand that this could have incalculable consequences." As a result, the Quebec government has never signed the 1982 Constitution or formally endorsed the Charter. However, the Constitution was determined by the Supreme Court of Canada to be legally binding without any of the provinces' approval, and therefore all Quebec laws must respect the Canadian Charter, as well as the Quebec Charter, to be considered constitutional (see Constitution Reference).
In the end, a majority of provinces agreed to support the Charter on the condition that it contain a clause allowing Parliament or any provincial legislature to exempt laws from certain sections in the Charter (on fundamental rights, equality rights and legal rights), for a period of five years, at which point they are subject to renewal. The "notwithstanding clause," as Section 33 of the Charter is known, has been used only a handful of times by various provinces to override Charter rights. The federal government has never invoked the clause. Although the clause is available to governments, its use is politically difficult and therefore rare.
The provinces and Ottawa also settled on an amending formula for the Charter. Any changes require the agreement of Parliament plus the legislatures of seven provinces representing at least 50 per cent of Canada's population. The Charter has been amended twice since its enactment.
After many months of passionate public debate, the Charter took effect as part of the Constitution Act, 1982 when Queen Elizabeth II signed the governing legislation, the Canada Act, 1982, into law on 17 April that year in Ottawa.
Queen Elizabeth II with Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, signing the patriated Constitution, on 17 April 1982.
What the Charter Says
The Charter protects Canadians against the state, and protects minorities against parliamentary majorities. It applies to anyone in Canada, citizen or newcomer, although some of its rights apply only to citizens, including the right to vote and the right to enter and leave the country. Its language is more general than specific, which is one reason why critics fear it gives too much interpretive power to judges.
The principal rights and freedoms it covers include freedom of expression, the right to a democratic government, the right to live and seek work anywhere in Canada, the legal rights of people accused of crimes, the rights of Indigenous peoples, the right to equality including gender equality, the right to use Canada's official languages, and the right of French or English minorities to an education in their language.
In Section 1, the Charter also gives governments the power to limit rights and freedoms, as long as those limits can be "demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society." There have been numerous cases of the courts upholding such limits, such as the 1992 Butler case, in which the Supreme Court of Canada said a law dealing with pornography	was a reasonable restriction on the right of free expression, because it protected society from harm in other ways.
The Supreme Court of Canada building, at night.
The statue Justicia in front of the Supreme Court of Canada building, overlooking the Peace Tower of Parliament in Ottawa.
The court room, showing the nine-seat bench, of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Notwithstanding Clause
Section 33 of the Charter, known as the notwithstanding clause, allows governments to exempt their laws from certain sections of the Charter, but not from democratic, mobility or language rights. While the federal government has never invoked the clause, it has been used a handful of times by various provincial governments to override Charter rights.
Between 1982 and 1985, the Parti Québécois invoked the clause in every piece of legislation passed in the National Assembly and amended all past legislation to include Section 33 wording. This was done in protest of the Charter and not to override any particular rights. However, in 1988 the Quebec Liberal Party invoked the clause to pass Bill 178, a law limiting the use of English-language	signage and advertising.
Beyond Quebec, the clause has been written into five government bills, and passed into law three times. In 1982, Chris Pearson's Progressive Conservative government in Yukon invoked the notwithstanding clause in a land-planning bill that did not pass into law. In 1986, Saskatchewan Premier Grant Devine's Progressive Conservative government invoked the notwithstanding clause in back-to-work legislation that the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal had ruled violated Charter rights (see Court System of Canada). Use of the clause later became unnecessary after the Supreme Court of Canada accepted the government's appeal against the lower court's ruling.
In Alberta, Ralph Klein's Progressive Conservative government used the clause to pass legislation against same-sex marriage in 2000. However, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2004 that marriage legislation was the responsibility of the federal government, which made same-sex marriage legal across all provinces and territories in 2005.
In 2017, Brad Wall's Saskatchewan Party invoked the clause to override a court ruling that would have removed provincial funding from non-Catholic students attending Catholic schools (see also Separate School).
The following year, Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government invoked the clause in Ontario. The Ford government had passed legislation to reduce the size of Toronto's municipal council, a law that was struck down by an Ontario Superior Court judge for violating Charter rights. The Ford government removed the clause after the Ontario Court of Appeal granted a stay of the Superior Court's decision.
A Legal and Social Revolution
The Skapinker case of May 1984, which dealt with mobility rights, was the first Charter case to come before the Supreme Court since the Charter's creation. In its ruling, the court declared unanimously that the Charter "is a part of the Constitution of a nation… part of the fabric of Canadian law… the supreme law of Canada."
Since that time, the Charter has been applied in thousands of court rulings across the country. Constitutional law scholar Peter Hogg has said that the Charter's influence occurs not only through the courts, but invisibly behind the scenes, guiding the work of government lawyers and officials in designing laws and policies that are Charter-compliant.
Although the Charter's impact is broad, in its first three decades (1982–2012) it revolutionized a number of specific aspects of Canadian life, including the work of police and prosecutors. The Charter significantly strengthened the rights of criminal defendants, tightening the rules around telephone wiretaps, protecting accused people from having to disprove presumptions of guilt (1986 Supreme Court Oakes case) and requiring full disclosure of relevant evidence between the Crown and defence (1991 Supreme Court Stinchcombe case) — although this in turn has increased the costs and created huge delays in the administration of criminal justice.
The Charter's Section 7 guarantee of personal liberty led the Supreme Court to strike down the Criminal Code provision against abortion	in 1988, transforming women's reproductive rights (see Henry Morgentaler).
The Charter's Section 15 anti-discrimination clause led to a series of rulings that changed the legal landscape for gays and lesbians, including the Supreme Court's 1998 Vriend decision, which banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (see LGBTQ2S Rights in Canada). That paved the way for the 2005 legalization of same-sex marriage.
Section 23 on minority language education rights transformed schooling for francophones outside Québec, giving rise to a generation of children, called "Section 23 kids," educated in French language	schools where population numbers warrant (see Canadian Parents for French).
Section 25 says the Charter cannot be used to undermine Indigenous or treaty rights. Although such rights don't specifically fall under the Charter (they are covered by Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 ) their interpretation and expansion by the courts was profoundly influenced by the Charter. A prime example was the Supreme Court's 1990 Sparrow decision , which strengthened Indigenous fishing and natural resource rights. Sparrow and similar case law has made consultation of Indigenous communities a necessity almost anywhere resource development is contemplated in Canada.
Judicial Activism Debate
The Charter has elevated the role of the courts by allowing judges to make sweeping social and legal changes through their interpretation of the Charter's meaning. Critics say this has diminished the supremacy of elected bodies such as Parliament and the legislatures, by giving courts the power to dismiss their decisions. Others argue the Charter has initiated a "dialogue" between Parliament and the courts, with judges striking down laws where necessary, allowing Parliament and legislatures to rewrite those laws in ways that are compliant with the Charter.
Others have accused judges of being social activists by "reading in" rights and freedoms into the Charter that aren't specified in the document. In his book Friends of the Court, political scientist Ian Brodie (a former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper) says the Charter has also inspired "business groups, unions, native groups, language minorities, gay and lesbian groups and others" to import American-style public-interest litigation techniques into Canada, pursuing policy-making through the courts rather than through the political system.
In 2012, on the 30th anniversary of the Charter, former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Frank Iacobucci responded to such criticism by telling CBC Television:
"Judges are not Don Quixotes, sort of charging off and expanding the role of interpretation to nullify parliamentary legislation or provincial legislation.… Judges take that job very, very seriously. But the Charter is written in very general language, which some people will criticize because it gives too much leeway to the interpretive function of the courts. But I believe it's necessary. I don't know of any constitution… which doesn't have this general language. So the judges have to, and the lawyers have to, and the governments have to interpret that legislation… I don't regret what my colleagues and I have done as judges."
A Global Model?
The Charter, thought by some to be moving Canada constitutionally towards the example of the United States, may in fact offer a distinctive alternative for other nations to emulate. A June 2012 study published in the New York University Law Review, said the Charter offers a model — widely admired in the English-speaking Commonwealth — of how to balance competing legal interests in a modern, multicultural	society. It said the tools for such balancing are found in three important sections:
Section 1, which says rights are not absolute and can be limited by government as long as there is compelling evidence for doing so; Section 15, which doesn't define equality rights, but leaves them open-ended, allowing new groups, such as gays and lesbians, to be brought under its protection through the passage of time; and Section 33, which says governments may sometimes ignore judges' decisions that strike down their laws, as long as they are willing to spend the political capital. These sections are key features of a constitution that encourages a dialogue between legislatures and the courts — a practice that is becoming the norm in many democracies.
The Charter has proven over the years to be popular even in Québec, despite its lack of official ratification by the Québec government. A 2002 study by the Montréal-based Centre for Research and Information on Canada found that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms "is viewed favourably" in all regions of the country — with the highest rates of approval (91 per cent) in Québec. In 2011, a survey of 1,000 Québecers by the CROP polling organization found that 88 per cent of respondents supported the Charter.
"Canada," wrote US law professors David Law and Mila Versteeg in the 2012 study, "is a constitutional trend-setter among common-law countries."
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Hon. Robert J. Sharpe & Kent Roach, The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 4th ed (2009).
Ian Brodie, Friends of the Court, the Privileging of Interest Group Litigants in Canada (2002).
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms A detailed guide to Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms and related issues. From the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Supreme Court of CanadaThe extensive website for the Supreme Court of Canada provides access to the Court's online library catalogue, biographies of Supreme Court Judges, an overview of Canada's judicial system and related information.


It was Dan Haren bobblehead night at the Big A and I was expecting a big crowd. I was happy to have Michelle with me at this game though–it had been over a month since the last time she'd come to a game with me.
My first ball came off the bat of Howie (I'll never call him Howard) Kendrick. He sliced a ball down the right field line. I was able to position myself perfectly along the wall and scoop it off the warning track. In my notes I wrote: #317-scoop Kendrick hit RF corner pretty colors. The "pretty colors" thing came from the variety of markings on the ball. I took the following photo when I got home that night.
The photo doesn't do it justice but it had green grass stains, reddish-brown warning track dirt, dark green markings from hitting the Anaheim seats, and a lighter brown marking (probably from pine tar/rosin), black bat marks, and blue markings from something else. What causes blue markings on a BP baseball?
Bam! A rubbed-up commemorative baseball. All I had to do was yell out, "Sean!" and flap my glove. He fired a strike right up to me. That was Ball #3 on the day.
Ball #4 on the day came off the bat of Danny Espinosa and he smashed a drive to Section 239 of the pavilion and I ran a section and a half to my right, watched the ball fly six feet over my head, and then snagged it from where it settled in a folded seat. It, too, was a commemorative ball. Score. Why were the Angels hitting/throwing me practice balls and the Nats were hitting/throwing me commemoratives?
See the ball through the webbing of his glove?
But he got his comeuppance.
In case you weren't sure, George, Abe, and Tom started the race. Teddy was hiding in the right field tunnel. He jumped out, threw a shoulder, knocked down the other three, then did a silly dance before taking off for the finish line. Abe was close on his heels and when Teddy got about twenty-five feet from the finish line he fell down. And Abe passed him up for the win. Teddy thrashed around on the warning track for a good thirty seconds before retreating in shame.
I tried each inning to get a third out ball but Michael Morse kept bouncing the ball to someone in the dugout. He did it every time. The only chances I really had were when flyouts ended the innings and folks like Espinosa or Roger Bernardina ended up with the ball. I just wasn't having any luck though.
Michelle snapped a photo of me (left) on my return trip from one such attempt. Notice that I am smiling despite being shut out since the end of batting practice on this particular night.
Gotta keep a good attitude! Also… I could really use a haircut.
And I took a few photos in order to create a panorama of our view through the majority of the game.
I would be heading back the next day!
I'll just come right out and say it: This wasn't my most successful day of snagging baseballs. No, siree.
For those of you that read my previous entry, you know that I began the day sitting on 299 baseballs snagged in my lifetime. I wanted to be sure to pay close attention to the players on the field–who was hitting–who was shagging balls in the outfield–I wanted to know who Ball #300 would come from. Michelle and I arrived at the Home Plate Gate at about 4:40pm, saw some regulars we knew, jumped in line with them… and waited. At 5:03pm the gate opened and I ran inside and headed to left field.
I was hoping that Torii Hunter or Mark Trumbo would clear the bullpens and hit me my first ball of the day. As it turned out, Trumbo did hit one that cleared the home bullpen and most of the visitors' bullpen… it hit the metal "roof" that shades the visiting players while they sit on the bullpen bench. I had the snag lined up but the ball fell just short of the front row, hit the roof, bounced awkwardly over me and to a guy right behind me. If he'd been five feet in any other direction I'd have been able to walk over and simply pick up the ball… Alas, #300 would have to wait a little longer.
I ran over to right field shortly after the second group of Angels finished hitting, knowing that there weren't any batters that could hit many home runs in the last group I'd get to see. I ended up down by the foul pole as Peter Bourjous took his hacks. Bourjos, a righty, was going the other way and flicked a ball down the right field line that took a bounce on the grass, hit the wall in foul territory, and rolled toward the corner–where I leaned out over the wall and plucked it off the warning track in front of Section 1:34. It was 5:23pm on May 20th, 2011. And just like that–I'd snagged my 300th baseball! I remember thinking… at least I know who it came from… and it's a home team player (who I know signs autographs).
When the Braves came out to throw and hit I ran up to the pavilion since they had a few lefties with some pop.
When I got out to the seats it was still fairly empty but it took about ten minutes for anything to come my way… and when Brian McCann started pulling the ball to right field I was all over a homer–until the last second when I realized it was going over my head. I turned my back to the field and watched the ball bounce off a seat two rows up and shoot to my left. I raced over a few seats, climbed over a row, saw Rob closing in, and reached out as the ball headed for the staircase… I missed it! But I didn't give up and the ball bounced down a step and I grabbed it with my right hand a split second before Rob got to it. Ball #301. Here's the view from near where I snagged the McCann ball.
BP ended and I was ready (along with Chris) to race toward the Braves' dugout. I blazed through two sections (and past my wife, reading a book on the Terrace Level) before my left leg caught a bit of an armrest. I was okay… until I took another step and realized I was losing my balance… I comically fell forward. The only thing hurt was my pride… and my hand–I suffered a scrape. And my watch got scratched up. Chris stopped to make sure I was okay (I was) but it meant we were a bit late getting to the dugout. I missed out on getting anything there.
Scraped (and with a bruised ego–it was a silly, embarrassing fall) I sat down next to Michelle. She was concerned that I was hurt–I was concerned that I'd only snagged two baseballs in an hour and a half. But at least I'd hit my milestone–the day couldn't be considered a failure. When the Angels came out to warm up I tried to get a ball from them. I was in the third row as Maicer Izturis warmed up with Alberto Callaspo and when they finished I got Izturis to toss me the ball–but at the last second a fan in the second row stuck his arm up and deflected the ball to an old lady to the left, who promptly kept the ball (it did hit her on the head–I can't blame her).
Cool uniforms, huh? Flashback Friday!
Next, Alexi Amarista and Erick Aybar finished throwing and I got Aybar to toss the ball my way–but get this: a fan in the first row jumped up and made a stellar bare-handed catch in front of me. How frustrating!!! Two warmup baseballs thrown to me… and not a one of them made it to my glove.
And no Braves played catch near their dugout before the first pitch–bummer. Michelle had eaten her dinner during BP and I'd scarfed mine down before pregame throwing–but we were still hungry so we vowed to try to find something healthy to eat–and we would end up succeeding AND finding a few new chow spots at the Big A.
But first, I tried for a third out ball from the Braves after the first–and failed.
If anyone had decided to pull a ball down the line in the middle innings I'd have been all over it! My wife and I were, like, the only people who seemed to care about the game. Everyone in the identical red hats in that photo above was there with some sort of conference/religious group/singles club. We couldn't figure out what the organization was about–but it wasn't a group of baseball enthusiasts, that's for sure.
We're dancing in our seats to Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" and Michelle is blocking her face with her arm–which is holding up her Rally Monkey… in case you were wondering. I know you were.
OK… here we go… my first post now that MLBlogs has converted everything to WordPress… I apologize for all the weird formatting things throughout my older blog posts… and for not getting this one posted sooner. It was a great day at the Big A.
Once I was inside the stadium I committed an error. I was in the right field seats and was the first one there–I saw a ball get hit to where near an Angel was shagging balls in the outfield. I thought it was Jordan Walden and yelled, "Hey, Jordan! Could you toss that one up, please?" The guy looked at me for a moment, then tossed the ball back toward the bucket. In that moment of brief face to face time I recognized him as backup catcher Bobby Wilson… not fireballing closer Jordan Walden. Oops… stupid coverups.
The ball had a black PRACTICE stamp on the sweet spot.
I've decided, after fruitless attempts to catch home runs during the home team's BP in right field, that I'm going to start snagging in the left field seats from now on… there is just no lefty power in the Angels' lineup. I spent most of their BP watching balls just miss being home runs. Ugh. So, in the Halos' last round of batting practice I headed down the first base line and asked a couple of pitchers for toss-ups. Reliever Francisco Rodriguez ended up getting a ball to me in a way I'd never gotten one before. A blooper died on the grass in front of him and he walked toward it. Rodriguez was about ten to fifteen feet from the wall and I was in the third row. As he neared the ball, he flipped it up a few inches with his foot and bounced it to his other foot, then kicked a tailing pop up to me, soccer-style. I moved to my right a little bit and snagged my second ball on the day. It was a standard Selig ball and I ended up giving it away to a kid (the kid in the below photo, actually) a little while later.
That was it for the home team's BP session and the Indians pitchers had come out to run, stretch, and throw. When Chris Perez arrived near the foul line in front of me without a throwing partner he looked back toward the dugout in a way that I would call 'longingly.' I took the opportunity to ask him, "Hey, Chris! You need someone to play catch with?" Then I held up my glove. I'd never actually played catch with a Major League Baseball player before but I'd asked a few–usually they chuckled or just ignored me but Perez responded, "Yeah." I gestured to my awaiting glove and flapped it open then closed. He asked me, "You'll throw it back?" I told him I would.
Then they finished their throws, chatted for a moment… and wouldn't you know it?
Perez threw me the ball. I thanked him and then I labeled it with a '294' (as it was the two hundred ninety-fourth ball I'd ever snagged) and tucked it into my backpack. My first baseball that I'd actually thrown back and forth with a Major Leaguer! Sweet!
I'd missed out on a few chances up in the pavilion while I was waiting for Perez to finish throwing so I bolted up the stairs and through the concourse to the right field seats again to catch the last half of a group of lefties. Shin-Soo Choo drilled a ball high into the air and pretty deep. I moved down a few steps to the fourth row and ranged to my left. I was in Section 237 and got to a spot where I anticipated the ball would land, drifted a bit further to my left while tracking the ball, saw the gloves of other fans come darting in from all sides, reached high up and ::SMACK::–I felt the ball hit the pocket of my glove. Whew… it's always a great feeling to catch a ball on the fly during BP–it's something I don't get a lot of chances to do in Anaheim.
That would be the last ball I managed to snag during BP and the Indians jogged off the field unexpectedly at about 6:20pm. Usually the visitors are out there until at least 6:25… so I was a bit late getting to their dugout and didn't get a toss-up there. I did, however, get Vinnie Pestano's autograph on my ticket stub.
And then I watched as two sets of Angels played catch before the game.
Maicer Izturis ended up with the ball after he and Alexi Amarista finished throwing and he tossed it right to me–almost a brand new ball–just two grey smudges on one side. And a moment later I got my second autograph of the day: Rich Thompson (over at the dugout).
I should take time now to mention that all of my five baseballs snagged at this game so far were standard baseballs–none of them had the Angels 50th Anniversary commemorative logo. I knew I had a good shot of snagging a ball during the game though–so I was counting on getting at least one commemorative before the night was over.
And when Torii Hunter stepped up to bat with two outs I was ready.
Torii grounded out to the pitcher, Justin Masterson, who threw to first for the third out of the inning. Matt LaPorta was playing first base and I got his attention as he entered the dugout and he tossed me my sixth ball of the night. I couldn't help but notice that it was a standard ball with dirt and grass stains all over it–the switch! Some first basemen switch the infield warmup ball with the one that's game used when they come in from the field. LaPorta did this the last time I saw the Angels play the Indians and he was still doing it. I described the situation to a nearby Indians fan and jotted down the following note about ball #298: Hunter grnd out to pitcher Masterson to end 1st – toss – stns grn and brwn – switch game ball – not comm – LaPorta.
And I found out about a week later that he'd decided to have a second surgery on his ankle–so he's out for the season–again. Bummer. Anyway, I took a ton of photos and had a great vantage point for the game but I was striking out when it came to third out tosses. More and more kids caught on to the game within a game and they'd crouch by the dugout every time there were two outs. I had to simply try to get myself noticed… something much easier to do if you're little or a girl. Kids and girls kept getting the toss-ups as the Angels would leave the field.
Beautiful. It was at that moment–my goal for the night accomplished–that I realized I had a shot to break my single game record. I had snagged eight baseballs–something I'd only done once before. And with the game still tied I had a shot for another ball. Also… I was now sitting on 299 baseballs snagged in my lifetime. I could accomplish 300 and set a new personal best for one game.
I figured my best shot would be at the Indians' dugout… less competition. I went over there for the bottom of the ninth–the Angels didn't score. No one scored in the tenth… I couldn't snag the third out ball nor did any fouls come my way. I was hoping that, win or lose, the Indians would toss a ball or two up.
Note the security guard and usher at the bottom of the staircase. They were there to keep people from rushing the dugout and not allowing those in the front rows to be able to leave. Also note that the Angels have two men on… yep… Aybar singled leading off the inning, then Bobby Abreu singled, and Izturis would single to load the bases for Torii with no outs. Well… Torii smashed a pitch into the left field corner to bring home Aybar and the Angels won it! Great for them… but would the Indians feel generous after the loss?
One ball was tossed up from the dugout. And it wasn't to me. And one reliever had a ball in his jacket pocket–but it didn't go to me. So, milestones would have to wait for another day–maybe if so many fans hadn't decided to stick around for the fireworks it would have been a different story.
While most of the remaining fans watched the fireworks show I took a photo of my prizes from the night.
A great game, a great haul, a great time at the ballpark yet again. Thanks for reading.
I was the second one to the right field seats so I didn't bother looking for Easter eggs very thoroughly and instead went up to the wall overlooking the players shagging baseballs in the outfield.
He did–a nice, easy toss to me in the front row–and just like that I was on the board for the day. The ball was a standard baseball and I decided I'd make sure to find a young fan to give it away to before I left that night.
About five minutes later I had a home run lined up and it ended up falling just a few feet short and bouncing toward a player in center field. As it turns out, that player was Francisco Rodriguez and when he retrieved it I asked him in Spanish if he could throw it back up.
He looked up, gestured, and I took a couple steps back just in case his throw was short… it wasn't… and I had baseball number two on the day.
I moved a few sections to my left, closer to straight away right field, and ended up getting Ball #3 from rookie pitcher Tyler Chatwood. He tossed it up to me in Section 238 after he fielded a ball and turned around and saw me waving. I yelled out, "Right here, Tyler!" and that was all it took.
And wouldn't you know it? I didn't snag another ball for the rest of BP. No toss ups from Indians pitchers, no mores caught in the seats from the many, many Indians lefties, no toss up at the end of BP at the dugout… and even though I was near Orlando Cabrera as he finished up his pregame throwing I didn't get that ball, either.
I sat back down with Michelle as the game started up thinking of what could have been… but I looked at the commemorative ball I'd snagged from Chatwood and decided to change my mind. I had some excellent souvenirs and I was at a ball game with my wife–no need for frustration, right?
I gave the Conger ball to a kid before the game started and the Rodriguez ball to a little guy on our way out of the stadium. That made me feel even better… but on to the game!
And did I mention that Dan Haren was throwing a shutout?
And it would end up being a one-hit shutout! And the game was over in two hours and fifteen minutes. The Angels won it, 2-0.
We met up with Randy and Beth after the game to chat for a bit and then headed out to the car–it turned out to be a great night. And… I had tickets to the next day's game!
This would be quite the full day.
It started with me (and Michelle) waking up at the crack of dawn and heading up to the stadium. March 27th was the day of the Angels 5k and Fun Run at the stadium. I's signed up at the beginning of the month for the 5k and I'd been training for it for a couple of weeks. I've always enjoyed running and wanted to make sure I didn't embarrass myself. We arrived at ten minutes to seven and Michelle decided she would stay in the car while I ran. I couldn't blame her–it was early and the weather was less than ideal. There was rain in the forecast and I was just hoping to get through the run before it got too wet.
I started about 500 people back and, though I can't show you through pictures (because I was running), there were easily four times that many people there. I had a clip-on transmitter on my shoe that would track my time–as I crossed the starting line the clock already had counted up to about a minute… and when I crossed the second checkpoint (at the halfway mark) the clock was around 16 minutes… and when I approached the finish line the clock was ticking up toward 30 minutes. I crossed the line at 30:03… my goal had been to come in under 30 minutes and since I knew I could easily take a minute off my time (based on how long it took to get up to the starting line) I was thrilled!
Oh, yes… I grew a beard over the off-season. It has since been shaved off… sorry to scare you there, readers.
At that point it was about 7:45am and Angels FanFest was set to open up at 8:00… but I'd promised Michelle coffee and, quite frankly, I needed a rest. We headed to Starbucks–I changed clothes once we got there–we got breakfast and waited for the rain to pass… it had started drizzling right when I got back to the car after the race.
–which I was kind of disappointed in once I saw it. I mean, we're like six feet from the monkey! C'mon! At least we look cute. That monkey is licking the mini bat at this point, I think.
Anyway, we left FanFest after an hour or so–and went to get snacks for the game that afternoon. We'd need to be back by noon to get free parking for the game and, sadly, we found out once we were back with our snacks that the gates wouldn't open until 1:00. Bah!
While I took those photos I heard someone yell, "Comin' in!" and I looked up, then to my right as a ball smacked off a seat ten feet away from me… surprising since a righty was up to bat.
I met up with Michelle and hung out with her for a bit–and then headed toward the Angel dugout when they came out for pregame throwing. It was nice to see the field up close.
I got shut out there but I went to the Padre dugout after that and got my third baseball of the day thrown to me by Logan Forsythe near the camera well.
I was hoping to get a home run but the only homers hit this day would go to center field. Bummer.
And as the Angels wrapped up the victory I got behind the Padre dugout to try to snag a postgame baseball… but all the Padres went into the dugout without tossin' up a thing… except for the last player to leave the field. A short, Latino pitcher from the bullpen who I later identified as Samuel Deduno tossed me a rubbed up baseball as he headed down the steps for my fourth baseball on the afternoon.
And, though it took him several tries, a nice, elderly usher took a photo of Michelle and I as we left the park.
It had been a long day–lots of running–and we were both exhausted.
Not a bad start to the season,,. a good run, four baseballs, three autographs, some swag from FanFest, an Angels win, and a lot of fun.
My next game would be on April 9th. More to come soon, loyal readers, and happy 2011 baseball season to all of you.
You know, I've got no excuse for not getting these last couple of entries from the 2010 season up… but on the bright side, you get to read a baseball entry about a month early because I fell behind on my blogging!
So, this game on the 25th of September out in Anaheim was the last Saturday home game the Angels would have and the last time I figured there would be guaranteed batting practice going on–so I had to be there. Michelle came with me and, as usual, we got there early, I ran in as soon as the gates opened and I hoped for a successful day of snagging.
The Angels were hitting as I made it to the the right field seats and since there weren't any Easter eggs around I played each of the batters hoping they would go yard. My first chance of the day came after a blooper from one of the other ballhawks in the pavilion. A guy who's a regular at BP had a homer lined up and I was rushing in from his right side. Seeing he was in position for the catch in the second row I put on the breaks and stopped about six feet from him. He had a perfect snag set up but the ball bounced off the heel of his glove and back down to the field. He cursed at himself and walked a section to his left hanging his head… but I could see the ball still sitting on the warning track 18 feet below me. Reliever Michael Kohn walked over to pick it up. I think he must have seen what had happened because after I asked him to toss the ball up he made a comment about making sure I could catch it. I said, "Yeah, gimme your best shot!" He lobbed an easy one up to me and sure enough, it was the bobbled ball (with just one distinct mark on it–from where it had hit the warning track).
In the above photo you can see Kohn in the center of the shot and the spot where I was when he threw me the ball, right there in the first row. I was on the board for the day. I thought briefly about offering it to my fellow snagger but I knew that if someone tried that with me I would have politely refused… so I kept the ball but agreed to give it away to a young fan later that night.
The first group of White Sox hitters were all righties and Juan Pierre (who, in ten years in the majors has hit 14 home runs) so I hung out near the foul pole in right field hoping for a slicer down the line. A few balls came close but they all seemed just a bit out of reach. That short wall is tough to judge sometimes.
Well, eventually I got my shot off the bat of Juan Pierre. The ball went slicing down the line, took a bounce off the wall to my left and skittered to me across the dirt of the track. I leapt up onto the wall, leaned out over, stretched out as far as I could and made the backhanded snag. The ball was worn, with brown and green stains all over it–but it was mine and looked perfect to me.
I've mentioned before that Howie Kendrick and Peter Bourjos end their warmups by throwing knuckleballs to each other. Well, on this warm evening they did just that… and as they finished Howie ended up with the ball so I stood up and yelled, "Right here, Howie! Show me the knuckleball!" Wouldn't you know it? He did… he threw a pretty darn good flutter-ball that arched over the first six rows and settled inside my black Mizuno. Three on the day!
Scott Kazmir was pitching for the Halos and he gave up five runs in less than four innings. Ugh. He'd earn his 15th loss of the season as the Angels, who started out well with two runs in the first, wouldn't score for the rest of the game. Manny laced a double off Kazmir for an RBI. Juan Pierre got an RBI, too. So, that was… good. And I ended up with four baseballs–I gave away two of 'em. But the Angels fell to 75-79 on the year and I knew the playoffs were in doubt. still, a crowd of more than 40,000 came out to cheer on the Halos and that's saying something. Hopefully, 2011 will be a better year.


Reorder my previous design or duplicate a previous order?
Logo designs ordered on the new 2017 Ziplinegolf.com website are retained under your username. They will automatically appear under side1 and side2 logo design options after you sign in to your account.
For logos ordered prior to 2017, email info@ziplinegolf.com or call Zipline at 1-866-475-0254 and tell us what you want to repeat.
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Create logo as best you can using the online ball designer. Then in order comments box describe the logo you want us to copy.
Take a picture of your signature and upload it into the golf ball designer.
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Single logo is positioned directly opposite the side stamp (e.g. Pro V1) and imprinted at a 90-degree angle to the ball brand name (e.g. Titleist). Double logo----the first logo is positioned parallel to the side stamp at the north pole above the ball brand name. The second pole logo is positioned parallel to the side stamp at the south pole below the ball brand name.
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text:
Ashmyany District () is a district in Grodno Region of Belarus.

The administrative center is Ashmyany.

Notable residents

 Jazep Hermanovich (1890, Halshany - 1978), Belarusian Eastern Catholic priest, writer, poet and Gulag survivor
 Zygmunt Mineyko (1840, Zialony Bor – 1925), a leading figure of the January Uprising on the territory of Belarus
 Janka Viarsocki (in Belarusian Янка Вярсоцкі)(1888, Halshany - 1937), Belarusian religious and political activist of the early 20th century, victim of the Soviet repressions

References

Districts of Grodno Region

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Home > About > Our Board
The school is owned and operated by the Illiana Christian High School Association. This association is made up of people that agree with the philosophical and theological basis of the school and have made a financial commitment of some kind to the school. Although the school is closely affiliated with several Calvinist (Reformed) denominations, we are a parent-run rather than a church-run school.
There is a school board whose 18 members are elected from among the parents and Association members after being nominated by the school board. Board members serve three-year terms which can be repeated once. The board has several standing sub-committees including Education, Finance, Building & Grounds, and Admissions which make recommendations to the board.
Generally speaking, the school board sets direction and policy for the school and appoints administrators to carry out those plans and policies. Each year the Association approves a budget for the coming year.
The 2021-2022 Illiana School Board:
Jim DeVries
John Eenigenburg
Camie Hillegonds
Dan Ipema
Pete Lindemulder
Carolyn Mulder
Larry Otte
Fred Schaaf
Wayne Scheeringa
Cal Scott
Paul Smit
Ryan Terpstra
Amy VanDrunen
Janna VanEssen
Kim VanRoekel
Bryan VanRyn
Matt VanWieren
Raleigh West, Board President


In case you didn't know Evanston Magazine is the new publication by the publishers of Sheridan Road Magazine.
Earlier this year I went to review Vienna for Today's Chicago Women magazine and had an amazing time. What I discovered was that this traditional city was experiencing renaissance.
GLOSSED AND FOUND, Spring Line-Up!
CHICAGO TRIBUNE, Is It Spring Yet?
I had the privileged and honor to work with an amazing new designer this week from New York, Brandon Sun. Neiman Marcus invited this talented RTW designer to showcase his signature collection of luxury fur accessories, in Chicago. I along with two other fabulous fashion bloggers, Emma Arnold (Très Awesome) and Carol Calacci (Second City Style), were asked to style a look from Brandon's line for the event.
Carol's mannequin (left), my mannequin (center) and Emma's mannequin (right).
Read my take on the Chicago fashion scene for Cotton Candy, click through for the full article.
My 2011 fall trends report for Cotton Candy, click through to read the full article.
I was asked by Lakeside to take their style challenge for the magazine's Autumn issue and I accepted.
Jessica Moazami, is a self-confessed fashion junkie, working in London and Chicago as an art director, fashion editor, stylist and writer.
Learning from the best, she began her career interning at British Vogue, InStyle, Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan. With over 16 years experience her worked has been published in The Times, Chicago Tribune, The LA Times, Chicago Magazine, Cosmopolitan UK, Conde Nast Traveller UK, Harvey Nichols Magazine, In London, Today's Chicago Woman, You & Your Wedding, Irish Tatler, Irish Independent, The Telegraph Magazine, The City Magazine, The Sunday Telegraph Magazine and Glossed and Found.
Narcissi Rodriguez for him bleu noir eau de toilette, $88 for 3.3 oz, Sephora.
YSL Le Vestiaire des Parfums Tuxedo eau de parfum, $250 for 4.2 oz, Neiman Marcus.
Prada L'Homme eau de toilette, $78 for 1.7 oz, Bloomingdale's.
Tom Ford Sole Di Positano eau de cologne, $225 for 1.7 oz, Tom Ford.
Valentino Uomo Intense eau de parfum, $102 for 3.4 oz, Nordstrom.
Cartier L'Envol de Cartier eau de parfum, $132 for 3.3 oz, Cartier.
18 karat white gold with 38.48 carat Aquamarine and pave diamonds ring, $60,200, Sidney Garber, 118 East Delaware Place.
Swarovski Crystals triangle ring $169 (part of a set), Swarovski, 540 Michigan Avenue.
18 karat white gold and 1 carat diamond criss cross ring, $4,490, James & Son, 1457 N Halsted St.
18 karat yellow gold and.60 carat diamond wraparound comet in ring, $4,990, James & Son, 1457 N Halsted St.
RING FINGER:br /> 18 karat white and rose gold, 11 carat center lemon quartz and diamond ring, $5,800, Pomellato, 41 E Oak St.
Platinum Spessartite 13.24 carat ring, $65,000, Tiffany & Co., 730 N Michigan Ave.
18 karat blush gold, platinum and 1.21 carat center diamond with 49 pave-set .32 carat diamonds ring, $9040, Eve J. Alfillé Gallery & Studio, 623 Grove Street, Evanston.
Sterling silver Prasiolite ring, $1,300, David Yurman, 40 East Oak St.
Honored to be featured on SociaLifeChicago.com with my spring picks.
Thank you Glossed & Found for the invite to your Topshop St Valentine's Day Party!
Shocked to find a picture of me in Daily Front Row magazine!
Honored to be voted 2nd best dressed at the Chicago Bloggers Network Oscar party –but definitely think I should have won ha!
I'm truly honored to be featured on Racked Chicago along with Très Awesomeand Red Soles Red Wine.
Thank you SocialBliss I'm honored that you included me!
Thank you to Très Awesome and Second City Style for featuring me on your sites, it was a fun day!
Click through to read the full articles tresawesome.com and secondcitystyle.com.
Thank you Très Awesome I'm honored to be featured on your website.
Thank you CS Magazine for featuring me in the August issue.
I had the pleasure of contributing a quick quote to Today Chicago Woman magazine, click through to read the full article www.tcwmag.com.
Thank you Glossed & Found for featuring my blog on your website!
TOP TO BOTTOM: Mischa Lampert chunky-knit wool pompom trapper hat, $395, Neiman Marcus. Canada Goose duck down filled freestyle vest, $350, Nordstrom Eugenia Kim chunky wool hand-knit headband with white pearl-edged cat ears, $125, eugeniakim.com. Anna-Karin Karlsson sunglasses, $690, Neiman Marcus. Sorel quilt duck boot, $140, Nordstrom. Rabbit fur sneaker boots, $1960, Moncler.
In case you missed it my 2016 pages for SHERIDAN ROAD MAGAZINE.
It's been a crazy busy summer that I haven't had time to post all my new work with the Chicago Tribune. In case you missed it in print here are my spring and summer pages.
If you haven't seen DKNY's spring/summer 16 collection than you must! The brand has had a makeover and who's now at them helm? None other than the duo behind Public School, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne. Stop by Neiman Marcus, to see the collection.


Before his marriage to (and subsequent collaborations with) Catherine L. Moore, Henry Kuttner was a frequent contributor to the pulp magazines that specialized in the weird, supernatural, horror, and science fiction genre. Beginning in 1936, with the minor classic "The Graveyard Rats," Kuttner launched a steady stream of short stories aimed at Weird Tales, Strange Stories, Thrilling Mystery, and others.
At this point in his still-young career, Kuttner had cracked the science fiction market and was steadily publishing in Thrilling Wonder Stories, Fantastic Adventures, Science Fiction, and made his first sale to the new prestigious fantasy magazine, Unknown.
In the course of writing the stories collected in this volume, Kuttner married Catherine Lucille Moore on June 7, 1940 (in New York with artist Virgil Finlay as Best Man).
THE WATCHER AT THE DOOR is the second volume in a three-volume "Early Kuttner" set collecting many of Kuttner's earliest stories, most of which have never been reprinted.


As part of the ongoing quest for a new terminal building at the Armstrong Airport in New Knoxville, the Auglaize County commissioners met for a presentation with IAP Government Services Group to explore the possibility they could serve as the third-party administrator on the project.
Account manager Doug Smith said with IAP, the county could save time by piggybacking off their state contract as opposed to the regular public bidding process. Those contractors in the prequalified state contractor network in the area would be able to bid on the project.
Smith said that if local contractors wanted to become prequalified, the paper work turnaround time would take between two days and two weeks depending on motivation. He said the project could be out to bid 10 days from their final bid meeting. Smith said his company would not be owed a cent until a shovel is put in the dirt, and their fee would be 8.5 percent of the cost of construction.
Commissioners would need to pass a resolution to engage with the company and would be able to decide appropriations after bidding. Commissioner Doug Spencer entertained the idea of having a concurrent bidding process, with an architect build and a design build.
Smith assured commissioners his company would function as the construction manager after the bidding process. Commissioner John Bergman asked about basements.
"Are basements that terribly expensive?" Bergman asked. Smith nodded. He said that because of a tight job market and steel prices, average costs in the past two years have risen 20 to 30 percent for projects.
Commissioners did not take immediate action. They also met with Ted Bergstrom, manager of the airport, for a monthly update.
The main focus was the obstruction lighting issues on a runway on the west side of the airport. Bergstrom said based on the Federal Aviation Administration review, a whole grove of trees on the west side of the airport there will be an issue for a glide path for night approaches for one particular runway.
Initially it was thought part of one tree would be an issue. The trees aren't on the county's property and Bergstrom and commissioners were set to meet with the landowner to explore options for mitigating glide path issues Thursday night.


by Staff OPB Nov. 8, 2016 8:45 a.m. | Updated: Nov. 9, 2016 12:13 a.m.
Follow along with NPR's political team as they update this live blog with news from around the country on Election Day. And for Northwest coverage, don't forget to bookmark OPB's results and Election 2016 pages for the latest results, news and reaction that matters to voters in the Northwest.
Where Do I Drop Off My Ballot In Oregon?


[Milton-L] Not Milton, but a Miltonist in the NYT . . .
That's probably right.  I apologize to the list for misusing it.
Subject: Re: [Milton-L] Not Milton, but a Miltonist in the NYT . . .
I would like to second James Rovira's hope that this list is not about to descend into the "lower deep still threatening to devour" that is a discussion of this election and either of these candidates.
No good can come of it, I fear.
Subject:Re: [Milton-L] Not Milton, but a Miltonist in the NYT . . .
Oh dear God, not this!  I won't respond to the range of assumptions implicit in the words "get things done" or "not attempting miracles." Thousands of people are on the streets yelling "HELL NO DNC WE WON'T VOTE FOR HILLARY" because they believe democracy has been terribly compromised. That's not the kind of thing we want to "get done."
Some things shouldn't get done. The kinds of things that you can accomplish in collusion with the current GOP majority in Congress probably shouldn't get done. Obama can't pass reasonable gun control regulations, which he very much wants to, and which should get done, but he has been able to get support for every military engagement he's wanted, along with a blank check on drone strikes, which maybe shouldn't be done.
Surprise: The Poetics of the Unexpected from Milton to Austen by Christopher R. Miller. I've just completed the introduction and Milton chapter and found it to be an engaging, instructive read. So far as I can tell, it could have been written in 1966 as easily as 2016 in terms of its approach, which is largely an intellectual history. It could have come from Abrams or Lovejoy. But it doesn't feel at all irrelevant or dated, and the writing is truly engaging. I'm happy to say that most of the academic books I've read lately have strived for readability, and this book is among the best on that point. I'd love to hear what Miltonists have to say about his reexamination of being "surprised by sin" in Paradise Lost.
Good article EXCEPT it's turn to taking back its praise for Hillary.  The "both candidates are uninspiring" seems to me a bad position.  I think Hillary is a good candidate, and that she works, and will work, within the realm of actual politics -- where plenty can be done, if one is not looking for miracles.
Subject: [Milton-L] Not Milton, but a Miltonist in the NYT . . .


Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. Anirban (guy giving the presentation) shares his wonderful experience of internship days.
I have specialization in Astrophysics and I always look for summer schools and internship programs on astronomy and astrophysics. Luckily, this summer Cotton College State University conducted a summer school on the same. I got to know about that through their website and wrote an email in order to apply.
After a week or so, when I saw the selection list, I was delighted. I joined the school after my end semester, and their first class was awesome – right from the formal introduction to the basic knowledge about the subject. They had teachers from NCRA (National Center for Radio Astrophysics), RRI (Raman Research Institute), and TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research). All the teachers were friendly, motivating and are masters in their field of work.
Our classes used to start at 10 a.m, then followed by a break with light snack and cold drinks, as it was very hot. After the break there would be some interactive classes followed by Lunch break and again classes. We even had tutorials on image processing of sky, galaxies, radio astronomy techniques etc. We used to talk with different research people from all over the world through skype and learned a lot from their work and experience. During tutorials we were worked on IRAF, to measure the flux from a supernova remnant, and we also had classes on photometry. Sometime we used to sit in galleries or canteen and had interactive sessions with the teachers and research people and discussed all the questions that popped up during the day long lectures.
We visited Planetarium and enjoyed a very nice show on "life beyond earth". We also had the privilege of being amateur astronomers and looked through the night sky with a telescope and even located some sun spots. We had loads of photo sessions and even watched documentaries which were very fascinating. On our last day we were asked to present a seminar. I gave a seminar on Supernova and it was a great experience to present such a huge thing in front of the experts. The seminar was followed by some question answer sessions and we learned a lot from them (how to present a seminar, maintaining posture while delivering the matter). We celebrated the last day with cake, snacks and also felicitated our teachers. We got our certificates from the Vice Chancellor of the University and best wishes to carry forward our journey on this subject. This was my story about my first summer school and I really look forward to attending more of them in the future.
I really hope that all the students will attend such schools and internship programs, not for the stipend or a vacation outside their hometowns but to learn something from the great minds of our country.
If Anirban's experience motivates you, you can check the latest internships in Guwahati.


Keaau High School Principal Dean Cevallos leads a group of parents through the school hallways during a community outreach program.
One of Mary Correa's toughest assignments as a local school superintendent on the Big Island of Hawaii: finding a leader for Keaau High School just outside Hilo.
But Ms. Correa saw a spark in a middle school principal, Dean Cevallos, and persuaded him to take the job. On his first day—and he still keeps the pictures on his digital camera to prove it—vandals spray-painted 5,000 square feet of profane graffiti on nine of the 10 buildings on the 930-student campus.
The mess cost $40,000 to clean up. Because of federal Race to the Top money—and because the Kau-Keaau-Pahoa complex area where the high school is located is a "zone school of innovation," a particular emphasis under that program—Mr. Cevallos got special access to state facilities funding. The walls were repainted within days.
But then the birds came. A structural flaw in the relatively new high school left an opening in one building's roof, which provided an inviting home to 90-some birds and the biting mites that came with them. Faced with an epidemic of bird-mite bites among his students, Mr. Cevallos had to fix that quickly, too.
"Fixing up the school was huge for us," said Mr. Cevallos, whose school has now been featured by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top high schools in Hawaii. "It shows you care. That kids are safe when they come to school. You have to start there before you can start teaching them."
"Putting Common Core to Use at Hawaii School," December 11, 2013.


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Huntsman Hall at The Wharton School
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Whether you're interested in the exhibits or just looking to re-enact that timeless scene from "Rocky," the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a must-see.
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Braishfield Beer Race is one of my absolute favourites. Which is odd because it is undulating. I hate hills. That said, I love short running. I've never been a distance runner and it is a pretty 5 miler out the back of Romsey. It is a couple of loops although they aren't the same and it is so scenic, there were so many baby cows (calf never sounds as attractive).
My journey to Braishfield took me via my Grandparents house. Although I see a lot of them they are constantly teaching me things. I found out today that true Romsey people call Braishfield 'Braaaaaashfield'. It does feel a little like deepest darkest Hampshire and being a very small race it has a wonderful community feel.
The start is on the village cricket pitch which as you would expect is a lawn of perfect bounce and cut. For some strange reason I was dragged into a warm up by Mr Dunlop. Being an 'athlete' of inconsistent delivery I rarely warm up. This may say a lot but today's run around the cricket field with my friends and some newer club members was highly amusing.
We held a minutes silence at the start and then we got underway. After the lap of the cricket pitch you head out to the village and up hill towards Timsbury. This is great for me as I am really terrible at pacing so I always go off too fast. I started with Carol and Sheryl but after 3 miles I couldn't keep up with them. Both ladies are really on form and I had to eat their dust.
The second loop is a shorter version of the first and I'll admit I walked the hill. We got into the recreation ground which is where the finish lies and did the loop of the field. Its easy to forget this loop as the finish line lies right in the middle so if you are anything like me it is really easy to start your sprint finish too early. Thankfully, I know this race so I didn't sprint until the last turn and then I totally went for it.
I love a sprint finish. I can't always manage it any more but I tried today. I was raced by a man (pictured in purple) and he pipped me to the line but at least I gave it a good go.
It's a great race, short and sweet, rewarded with an ice cold beer and cake. I'd encourage anyone to have a go.
I didn't have particularly high hopes for the D Day 10k. After a week of not feeling 100% and a rubbish parkrun the day before, I had even questioned whether to go to the race. In the end I decided it would be nice to see the Hedgie gang and just have an easy plod. The sun was shining, it's a flat course (albeit a lot of around a car park) and a Starbucks just next to the finish. Might as well give it a go!
A bunch of us Hedgies did a half a mile gentle jogging (something I rarely do but we had time on our hands) and then we headed to the start.
We held a minute's silence in respect for the victims of the London attack the night before just before the start, which was a sombre but respectful thing to do. Then we started. As I weaved around people in front of me and got into my stride I found that I felt quite good. Nothing like the heavy leg and fogginess I've felt on my other runs this week. I checked my watch and was surprised to see 7:15min/mile pace. I genuinely wondered if my Garmin was playing up but decided to just go with it.
I actually couldn't believe how strong I felt and yet how quick (for me) I appeared to be going. So I decided to see what I could do. If I crashed and burned then so be it, but right then I felt comfortable.
The course itself at D-Day is a bit dull. I've done it before a good few years ago but it's changed vastly. It's unrecognisable to what I ran previously. I knew there were three laps but I couldn't work out where that would happen. I just kept focused on the runners ahead of me and gradually picked a few of them off.
As I got into mile two, now down to 7min/miles, I was still wondering where this speed and ease of running had come from. The course was super flat and the wind, fairly gentle, seemed to be mostly going sideways at us or as a tailwind. Occasionally we'd run against it but it was only brief moments. Everything seemed to be on our side.
I passed Steve Whitehead who is normally miles ahead of me and wondered if he was just plodding it or having a bad day (I later found he was using it as a training sessions: first 5k easy, and then 1k sprints - wow!). I continued to pass runners and had no one pass me, which gave me confidence. Though to be fair, it's not a particularly big race.
At halfway there was a water station and I grabbed a drink. I wasn't terribly thirsty but it was hot so I swigged a good few mouthfuls before tossing it to the side (always a delicate operations to a) not hit other runners, b) not hit any spectators, c) not throw it somewhere really obscure that it can't be cleared away later).
I hit four miles and now the effort level was high. I was in the zone of "stay with it, keep pushing" while all the time wondering when I was going to blow or have a wobbly. I felt the energy slowly being sapped out of my and I cursed myself for not having breakfast. I wondered if that would have given me more energy. Who knows.
The last mile down that gravel path was tough. I found myself alone now. The runners ahead too far away to catch and no one behind me giving chase. Mentally it was tough. Physically it was tougher. My watch beeped 6 miles and I told myself to just hold on for a few moments more. A "400m to go" sign appeared and I could see the finish ahead. Ah, smile for the camera (I'm sure that was a grimace...), "200m to go", keep going, keep going. Annnnnd finish!
I'm over the moon with an (Unofficial) time of 43:13! Just 23 seconds off my PB. Not too shabby for initially questioned whether to show up or not. And from speaking to other Hedgies, quite a few excelled themselves so there were a lot of smiles at the finish line. Well done everyone!


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Located on the second floor of the Campus Center, the Emerson Suites serve as one of the most adaptable and popular events venues on campus, hosting year-round activities such as student performances, trade shows (from Educational Technology Day to job and internship fairs), late-night social events, and conferences.
Congratulations to all our honorees and retirees! Thank you for your dedicated service to Ithaca College!
Everyone was really nice and energetic.
Food was plentiful and good. Different types for everyone to enjow.
We are so fortunate to have the incredible benefit package and access to them at Ithaca College. After being in hospital settings and private sector the benefit package is the best I have encountered.
Concise and informative event! The big picture (plans for future, financial outlook and history, leader steering the ship) were presented in open and stable fashion. Opportunities for involvement repeatedly offered, seems transparent.
It was a very good speech by the Captain and amazing what he endured!


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Home / Life and Times of the M60
Life and Times of the M60
10 August, 2011 · by admin · in History, Interviews, V1N1
Developed in the aftermath of WWII and fielded in 1957, the light and handy 7.62mm NATO caliber M60 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) has been alternately praised and cursed by GIs who have carried it combat from Vietnam to Iraq and beyond.
Inspired by the WWII German MG42, the M60 was intentionally designed for mass production – cheap and fast on a stamped sheet metal receiver that houses a clever gas operated, carrier-cammed bolt mechanism first seen in the Lewis Gun of WWI. It replaced the Browning-designed M1919 series, built on heavy riveted steel receivers with lots of machining required for its beefy, recoil operated internals.
When the original M60 is good, it is very good; appreciated for its compact size, good handling, mechanical simplicity, quick change barrel, and effective operation from shoulder, hip, bipod, tripod, or vehicle/watercraft/aircraft mounting.
But when it's bad it deserves its 'Nam nickname "The Pig." Punishing combat use in Vietnam's tropical climate was hard on men and unforgiving of their weapons, adversely affecting all US arms which had been designed primarily for land warfare in Europe. The M60 was lightweight, but correspondingly flimsy, prone to damage and relatively quick to wear out critical parts like the bolt and op rod.
Special emphasis on parts is called for here. With spares and replacements supplied in later decades by unevenly performing, lowest-bid subcontractors, the gun itself can't be blamed for problems arising mostly from user abuse, poor maintenance and extreme environmental conditions.
Despite its handicaps, the Sixty performed rather well when light weight and mechanical simplicity were preferred vs. the heavy M1919 series .30 caliber guns. Determined to phase out all those old Brownings, the Army began a series of modifications to the basic M60. The M60D came first, a helicopter door gun characterized by its spade grips and prominent ring sight. The solenoid-fired M60E2 was developed about the same time, a coaxial gun for tanks and helo gunships.
The M60E3 followed, dropping five pounds in a major overhaul demanded by the Marine Corps. Easily recognized by pistol grips fore and aft and a receiver-mounted bipod freed from the barrel, the weight loss unfortunately came with poor durability and reduced performance.
Over on the Navy side, SEALs liked their regular M60s, used since 'Nam with sawed-off barrels and no front sights. Some even utilized clever backpacks fitted with flexible feed chutes, capable of delivering a thousand rounds or more when things got particularly hairy. Yeah, the 5.56mm Stoner LMG and the M249 SAW had their place, but there's no substitute for hard-hitting 7.62mm rounds. Unfortunately, the troubled E3 wasn't up to the job.
In the early 1990s, SACO responded to Navy Special Warfare's unique requirements and specifications, developing a retrofit parts package they called M60E4. Quantity deliveries of new guns and E4 parts kits to SEALs and other NAVSPECWAR units began in late 1994, receiving the Navy designation MK43 Mod 0.
Still reasonably light but significantly more reliable and durable than the despised E3, SEAL Team MK43s can be recognized by a distinctive "duckbill" flash suppressor and a positive lock gas cylinder extension that is stubbier and thicker.
SAWing Off The Sixty
Over on the Army side, the 5.56mm M249 Squad Automatic Weapon began taking the automatic rifle's place in regular infantry units in the mid-1980s. This boost in firepower resulted in official Army doctrine being modified to reduce the number of M60s used in the traditional role of "General Purpose Machine Gun" in most infantry formations. On the other hand, vehicle and aircraft 60s were unaffected by this ruling and continued soldiering on.
While there have been and continue to be fierce debates about the wisdom of all aspects of this, Infantry Board documentation from the period asserts that the Belgian-designed mini machine gun would make up for lack of reach and penetration with one-man portability and high volume of fire.
It is no exaggeration to say that this radical change wasn't warmly received by all members of the infantry community.
Yes, bootborne movement to contact in offensive operations is faster with the lighter SAW, but once the firefight begins there is little to recommend using anything smaller than 7.62mm. Same deal in defensive operations where bipod and tripod-mounted Sixties have significantly superior accuracy at longer range and decidedly deadlier terminal effect than the M249.
At the same time, users of multitudes of aging M60s in tanks, helos and other tactical platforms were developing serious envy for their counterparts in the US Marine Corps. Leathernecks were beginning to get another Belgian designed weapon, the 7.62mm M240, marveling at its astonishing reliability and durability.
Against this background, sufficient pressure was brought to bear in favor of retaining a 7.62mm belt fed weapon for infantry combat. But the burning question was which medium machine gun would be best?
The process of finding an answer began with Fort Benning's Dismounted Battlespace Battle Lab (DBBL, commonly pronounced "dibble") preparing a detailed list of what the ideal weapon would have to do. This drove specific requirements for technical testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground and more general operational testing at Fort Campbell.
Trial by Fire: Sixty vs. 240
The Army's big 7.62 belt fed shootout kicked off in January 1994 under the interesting program title of Medium Machine Gun Upgrade Kit. This name actually fits rather well because the only two significant competitors – M60s and M240s – were modified versions of weapons currently in the Army inventory.
SACO's "Enhanced" M60E3 guns were fitted with a number of product improved parts and the FN 240s were coaxial guns from M1 Abrams tanks, converted for dismounted ground combat with buttstocks, bipods and such; hence the "Upgrade Kit" moniker for both.
Each manufacturer submitted eighteen guns and more than a year of technical torture and tactical trials ensued. This ended in December 1995 when the Army declared the M240 victorious.
Not surprisingly, there were strong critics of the decision then and now, raising objections and citing shortcomings in the process with varying degrees of credibility. Sadly, by keeping a close hold on details of the test regimen and tabulated results, the Army hasn't helped dispel inevitable misinformation.
What is a matter of public record is the much-cited test results table quantifying two key performance areas; Mean Rounds Between Stoppages (MRBS) and Mean Rounds Between Failures (MRBF). Stoppages are jams and failures are parts breaking – both are essential indicators of combat serviceability.
50,000 rounds were fired through both the M60 and the M240. The 240 was a runaway winner in averaging 2,962 MRBS and 6,442 MRBF. The Sixty limped along at 846 MRBS and 1,669 MRBF.
Determined to find and report more facts of the matter, we went right to source, Program Manager Soldier Weapons at Picatinny Arsenal. Naturally, our first request was for hard copy of test documentation.
Sorry, came the official answer, "We can't release any test paperwork until your request goes through legal." Seems the specter of defamation lawsuits still looms darkly even after a dozen years have past and even where tabulated test results speak for themselves.
OK, we pressed, how about an interview with Ed Malatesta, the individual who was Product Director/Program Manager for the process? Although since retired from government service, as luck would have it he's now an independent contractor working at PMSW. A phone interview was agreed to and arranged by officials in surprisingly short order.
In a conference call and subsequent email exchange Malatesta was very emphatic on the following:
SADJ: What major factor(s), in your opinion, led to the decision to phase out the M60 in favor of the M240?
Malatesta: Reliability was by far the major factor. The M60s were always breaking and this doomed them almost from the beginning.
SADJ: How is this shown in program documentation?
Malatesta: In data reporting the various test results. Based on this, the Army Source Selection Authority, a general officer, wrote in summary, "In view of the above discussions (Reliability, Probability of Hit, Human Factors and Price) and based on an integrated assessment of the above findings (Developmental Tests, Operational Tests, Human Engineering Testing and a Price Assessment), I conclude that Saco (M60) has no reasonable chance for award and should be eliminated from the competitive range, and that a competitive range of one, Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing, Inc. (M240) be established."
Our candid discussion with Malatesta, coupled with additional research, clearly shows the fundamental problem that, in his words, "doomed" the Sixty. Put aside all the "Enhanced" M60E3's niceties of lighter weight, portability, balance, controllability in assault fire, easy to parachute with, already in the inventory, tons of spare parts, existing instructional materials, lots of experienced armorers, etc., etc.: SACO's Sixties broke down way too often while FN's 240s didn't.
And the Army moved out smartly to fully equip the force with a new machine gun that – despite being considerably heavier – was vastly more reliable. When you need it to shoot, it shoots.
by Robert Bruce on 10 August, 2011.
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