Super Bowl advertising event is very famus in US. Different advertising companies sale their adds through this event. According to my openion it is very good advertising event.
The Super Bowl is the premier advertising event with an U.S. audience of 100 million viewers, many of whom watch closely during game breaks for the debut of entertaining, big-budget commercials. The ads have sold for between $2.4 million and $3 million per 30-second slot this year.
These advertising milestones show the power of the NFL brand and the strength of the Super Bowl as a TV property in this economic climate,” said Jeff Zucker, president and CEO of NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co. “The Super Bowl has become one of our country’s biggest holidays, a uniquely American day, and advertisers recognized the value in being a part of it.”
Thirty-two advertisers in all will showcase their products during Super Bowl coverage.
NBC said the ads featured during the game also will be available for viewing almost immediately after they air at Web sites including NBC.com, Hulu.com and Superbowl.com.
UFC 94 round by round updates
Thansks for wisting my site to know the final results about UFC 94 round , official results and tonight winners.
1st visit the results about
UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn II
Tonight's pay-per-view show features the long-awaited rematch between UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and lightweight title-holder B.J. Penn. Top light heavyweight contenders Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva also meet in the co-main event.
Live coverage of the preliminary card begins at 7:45 p.m. EST (4:45 p.m. PST), and the main card kicks off at 10 p.m. EST.
You can chat about tonight's event in our official UFC 94 discussion thread, or meet up with other fight junkies in the MMAjunkie.com MMA Forums.
Also, stay tuned to MMAjunkie.com after the show for full post-event coverage, including UFC bonus winners, gate and attendance information, and other breaking news.
MATT ARROYO VS. DAN CRAMER
Round 1 - Arroyo with an early leg kick, but his shot is stuffed by Cramer. The second, though, is successful, and Arroyo is able to pull guard, reverse the position and immediately take mount. Cramer reverses, but Arroyo quickly secures an arm and tries for the armbar. Cramer escapes and works from inside guard. The fighters catch a breather before Arroyo works elbows from below. Cramer's punches from above are easily deflected. However, Cramer finally gets through a couple elbows and then a big right and blows to the body. Cramer sits up before the blows, but despite telegraphing them, Arroyo can do nothing to stop them. Cramer lands a stiff right, but Arroyo grabs the arm again and works for an armbar. Cramer survives and then batters him with more rights. After standing, Cramer doesn't allow Arroyo to do the same and then smothers his opponent when Arroyo tries to get to his feet. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Cramer.
Round 2 - After a touch of the gloves, Arroyo misses on a lazy right and is put on his back after a spinning back kick misses widely. Cramer takes the dominant top position as Arroyo works butterfly guard. Cramer stands over his opponent and then rains down some right hands that connect. Arroyo quickly secures full guard and defends against more right hands from Cramer. Back to butterfly guard for Arroyo, who throws elbows from below. They have little on them, and Cramer again lands some rights from above. Cramer again stands over his opponent, and as he awaits his opening, the crowd begins to boo. Cramer returns to his opponent's guard. Arroyo throws elbows while Cramer patiently looks to connect with big rights. The pace slows as both fighters look to have tired. Referee Steve Mazzagatti halts the action when Arroyo kicks Cramer in the face, and a warning is issued. Back to action, Cramer again stands over Arroyo, and the crowd again grows restless. Little action in the final 30 seconds of the frame. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Cramer.
Round 3 - Arroyo has a major black eye as the left side of his face swells. The fighters trade blows in the center of the cage, and Arroyo finally secures a takedown of his own. Cramer, though, looks for the triangle choke, but without the position, he allows Arroyo to take sidemount and then his back. Arroyo climbs onto his back and sinks in a rear-naked choke. Cramer won't tap and breaks free of the choke, but Arroyo still has his back. After throwing some punches from behind, Arroyo again attempts the choke as he locks in a body triangle. Cramer wiggles free and is able to turn free and take top position. Now working from inside his opponent's guard, Cramer rains down elbows. The pace slows as Cramer works elbows. Mazzagatti steps in and restarts them. Arroyo shoots lazily, and Cramer collapses on top of him and immediately rains down elbows that find their mark. Arroyo looks for the triangle choke, but Cramer pulls back and frees himself. With a sense of desparation, Arroyo looks for a submission, but Cramer closes out the round with a flurry of ground and pound. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Cramer in what should be a clean sweep of a decision. Dan Cramer def. Matt Arroyo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
mourns another murdered
Muratov is a famous news reporter of russia. He offten writes at crime cases. Today he was in an understandably foul mood. He says that It is not easy to put a paper out these days.
There's usually a lot of jokes, laughing, talk about ideas. But our batteries are totally spent," says Muratov, 47, billows of pipe smoke filling the long pauses. "How can there be any sort of (normal) frame of mind when a journalist is being buried?
That journalist was Anastasia Baburova, a 25-year-old cub reporter. She and a human rights lawyer were shot execution-style by a masked man with a silenced pistol as they walked together a few blocks from the Kremlin.
In a country considered one of the most dangerous for journalists, no Russian newspaper has suffered like Novaya Gazeta. In a country where most media have been cowed into submission, no other newspaper publishes such probing investigative articles and acid commentary about government corruption, police-state politics and Chechnya war abuses.
"Every two or three years, we lose someone," says Elena Kostyuchenko, a 21-year-old investigative writer for the paper. "But you just have to write, write, write and keep writing. You have to."
Some 16 journalists have died in contract-style slayings or under suspicious circumstances in Russia since 2000. Many more have been assaulted or threatened.
Under Vladimir Putin, who became president in 2000 and now is prime minister, the TV networks watched by most Russians were taken over by the state, their news operations highly sanitized. Big-selling newspapers are either sympathetic to the Kremlin or owned by Kremlin-allied business groups.
Of the many free-spirited papers that sprang up when the Soviet Union collapsed, Novaya Gazeta — meaning New Newspaper — is a rare survivor.
Its most high-profile loss was Anna Politkovskaya, a reporter who savaged the Kremlin for its conduct of the war on Chechen separatists. Her shooting outside her Moscow apartment in 2006 provoked worldwide condemnation and major embarrassment for the Kremlin.
Three Chechens — two brothers and a former police officer — are on trial but the prosecution is not offering a motive or identifying any mastermind, leading Novaya Gazeta and others to claim the trial is a cover-up. Putin has claimed the killing was hatched abroad to discredit Russia.
GOP Governors Press Congress
Most of Govrners have broken with their GOP colleagues in Congress and depending on
President Barack Obama's economic aid plan that would send billions to states for education, public works and health care.
It is not a Positive step, it can be become dangerous in future.
Their state treasuries drained by the financial crisis, governors would welcome the money from Capitol Hill, where GOP lawmakers are more skeptical of Obama's spending priorities.
The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, planned to meet in Washington this weekend with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other senators to press for her state's share of the package.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist worked the phones last week with members of his state's congressional delegation, including House Republicans. Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, the Republican vice chairman of the National Governors Association, planned to be in Washington on Monday to urge the Senate to approve the plan.
"As the executive of a state experiencing budget challenges, Gov. Douglas has a different perspective on the situation than congressional Republicans," said Douglas' deputy chief of staff, Dennise Casey.
Not a single Republican voted with the majority last week when the House approved Obama's $819 billion combination of tax cuts and new spending. The president's goal is to create or preserve 3 million to 4 million jobs.
Republicans led by House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio complained that the plan is laden with pet projects and will not yield the jobs or stimulate the economy in the way Obama has promised.
Obama Promises New Strategy to Revive Credit Markets
It is a positive step of Mr. Obama's Administration to discover Black Sheeps and stop their un leagle activities. According to my own openion it is really bold step of Mr. Barack Obama's Administration.
Mr. President Barack Obama informed that his goverment is working on a plan through which they unlock credit markets and lower mortgage rates, and also viewed that company executives will be stopped from siphoning money intended for economic recovery.
Obama said today in his weekly radio address that Soon my Treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, will announce a new strategy for reviving our financial system that gets credit flowing to businesses and families
We’ll help lower mortgage costs and extend loans to small businesses so they can create jobs,” Obama said. “We’ll ensure that CEOs are not draining funds that should be advancing our recovery.
Obama expressed outrage earlier this week after the New York state comptroller reported that Wall Street firms disbursed $18.4 billion in bonuses last year as the U.S. sank into a recession. While the figure represents a 44 percent decline from the previous year amid record losses in the securities industry, the bonus pool was the sixth-largest ever, the comptroller said in a yearly report.
Geithner will “have something to say about” bonuses as early as next week, Obama’s senior adviser David Axelrod said in an interview yesterday on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt.
McCaskill said that We have a bunch of idiots on Wall Street that are kicking sand in the face of the American taxpayer.
Storm may leave thousands in darkness
This news article is about an icy winter storm. It was very dangerous. It destroy homes, buildings, offices etc. The people face a lengthy wait for electricity to come back.
President Barack Obama signed requests late Wednesday from Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe for federal emergency declarations. Crews — even the National Guard in Kentucky — worked around the clock to resurrect power lines downed by thick ice.
At a mall turned into a staging area in Barboursville, W.Va., crews in hard hats met alongside piles of poles, generators, wire and other supplies to find out where to go first. A convoy with crews from as far away as North Carolina was there to help.
"We're attacking it head on," said Appalachian Power spokesman Phil Moye. "As long as the ice is still on the trees, the storm is still here."
Utility officials estimated more than 1.3 million homes and businesses from Arkansas to Ohio were powerless, and warned it could be mid-February before some customers had power.
Various charities opened shelters across the region, but with the power out nearly everywhere — including at some radio stations — it was difficult to spread the word. Some deputies went door to door and offered to drive the elderly to safety.
Some huddled next to wood-burning fires and portable heaters to fend off the frigid air. Communities urged people to conserve water because the outages could limit supplies. Those who stayed put in their homes relied on gas stoves to cook food, and emergency officials feared the crisis could escalate as temperatures plunged.
President Barack Obama signed requests late Wednesday from Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe for federal emergency declarations. Crews — even the National Guard in Kentucky — worked around the clock to resurrect power lines downed by thick ice.
At a mall turned into a staging area in Barboursville, W.Va., crews in hard hats met alongside piles of poles, generators, wire and other supplies to find out where to go first. A convoy with crews from as far away as North Carolina was there to help.
"We're attacking it head on," said Appalachian Power spokesman Phil Moye. "As long as the ice is still on the trees, the storm is still here."
Utility officials estimated more than 1.3 million homes and businesses from Arkansas to Ohio were powerless, and warned it could be mid-February before some customers had power.
Various charities opened shelters across the region, but with the power out nearly everywhere — including at some radio stations — it was difficult to spread the word. Some deputies went door to door and offered to drive the elderly to safety.
Some huddled next to wood-burning fires and portable heaters to fend off the frigid air. Communities urged people to conserve water because the outages could limit supplies. Those who stayed put in their homes relied on gas stoves to cook food, and emergency officials feared the crisis could escalate as temperatures plunged.
Americans receiving jobless benefits hits record
According to the labor department A number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits at all-time record.
There are number of people receiving unemployment benefits has reached an all time record, the government said, as layoffs spread throughout the economy.
The Labor Department reported that the number of Americans continuing to claim unemployment insurance for the week ending Jan. 17 was a seasonally adjusted 4.78 million, the highest on records dating back to 1967.
A department analyst said that as a proportion of the work force, the tally of unemployment recipients is the highest since August 1983.
The total released by the department doesn't include about 1.7 million people receiving benefits under an extended unemployment compensation program authorized by Congress last summer. That means the total number of recipients is actually closer to 6.5 million people.
Meanwhile, the tally of Americans filing new jobless benefit claims rose slightly to a seasonally adjusted 588,000 last week, from a downwardly revised figure of 585,000 the previous week.
There are number of people receiving unemployment benefits has reached an all time record, the government said, as layoffs spread throughout the economy.
The Labor Department reported that the number of Americans continuing to claim unemployment insurance for the week ending Jan. 17 was a seasonally adjusted 4.78 million, the highest on records dating back to 1967.
A department analyst said that as a proportion of the work force, the tally of unemployment recipients is the highest since August 1983.
The total released by the department doesn't include about 1.7 million people receiving benefits under an extended unemployment compensation program authorized by Congress last summer. That means the total number of recipients is actually closer to 6.5 million people.
Meanwhile, the tally of Americans filing new jobless benefit claims rose slightly to a seasonally adjusted 588,000 last week, from a downwardly revised figure of 585,000 the previous week.
Judgment Day
Blagojevich said I am here to give you my side of the story. How can you through out a governer from office on a criminal complaint when you haven't proven any criminal activity.
Please allow me bring in my witnesses and show you my innocence.
Speaking to CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine as he entered the Capitol, Blagojevich conceded that he was sad it might be the last time he was walking into the building.
"That's life, you know. You've got peaks and valleys, and there are ups and downs, and there are moments of triumph and there are moments of disappointment, and there are times when you experience great joy and there are times of great sadness," he said. "This is not at all unique to me, and I'm not giving up hope. I'm going to fight for the people of Illinois."
When the hearings resumed at 10 a.m., House prosecutor David Ellis began his hour-long closing argument. He said Blagojevich has proven "a pattern of abuse of power."
Ellis said Blagojevich saw President Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat as a "golden goose, as a bargaining chip leveraged for his own future and political well-being." He quoted Blagojevich's alleged words on taped conversations outlined in a federal criminal complaint: "It's an f-ing valuable thing. You just don't give it away for nothing."
Blagojevich countered, saying that having an FBI agent verify the accuracy of the details in that criminal complaint during the trial does not prove anything.
Ellis also played wiretapped conversations between Blagojevich and lobbyist Lon Monk, who were talking about a campaign contribution from racetrack owner John Johnston in exchange for the governor's signature on a bill to aid the racing industry.
"Those four tapes [played at the trial] don't prove anything criminal,'' the governor said.
Ellis also addressed the allegations claiming that Blagojevich threatened to withhold funding to help the Tribune Company sell Wrigley Field unless Tribune editorial writers who opined against the governor were fired.
At 2 p.m., the Senate is expected to begin deliberations on whether to remove Blagojevich from office. If the governor is removed, which is likely, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will take over.
Please allow me bring in my witnesses and show you my innocence.
Speaking to CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine as he entered the Capitol, Blagojevich conceded that he was sad it might be the last time he was walking into the building.
"That's life, you know. You've got peaks and valleys, and there are ups and downs, and there are moments of triumph and there are moments of disappointment, and there are times when you experience great joy and there are times of great sadness," he said. "This is not at all unique to me, and I'm not giving up hope. I'm going to fight for the people of Illinois."
When the hearings resumed at 10 a.m., House prosecutor David Ellis began his hour-long closing argument. He said Blagojevich has proven "a pattern of abuse of power."
Ellis said Blagojevich saw President Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat as a "golden goose, as a bargaining chip leveraged for his own future and political well-being." He quoted Blagojevich's alleged words on taped conversations outlined in a federal criminal complaint: "It's an f-ing valuable thing. You just don't give it away for nothing."
Blagojevich countered, saying that having an FBI agent verify the accuracy of the details in that criminal complaint during the trial does not prove anything.
Ellis also played wiretapped conversations between Blagojevich and lobbyist Lon Monk, who were talking about a campaign contribution from racetrack owner John Johnston in exchange for the governor's signature on a bill to aid the racing industry.
"Those four tapes [played at the trial] don't prove anything criminal,'' the governor said.
Ellis also addressed the allegations claiming that Blagojevich threatened to withhold funding to help the Tribune Company sell Wrigley Field unless Tribune editorial writers who opined against the governor were fired.
At 2 p.m., the Senate is expected to begin deliberations on whether to remove Blagojevich from office. If the governor is removed, which is likely, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will take over.
wagyu steak
This news article is taken from ABC News.
Drinks Are On the (White) House
Here's the list of President Obama's invited guests to the White House cocktail party tonight essentially the bipartisan bicameral leadership of the House and Senate.
Six House Democrats, six House Republicans, six Senate Democrats, six Senate Republicans. Their spouses are invited as well.
Hors d'œuvres -- chicken curry, wagyu steak -- will be served in addition to drinks.
President Obama, it should be noted, is not a particularly big drinker, though he has been known to enjoy a vodka martini time and again.
In addition to the congressional leaders below, several senior White House staffers will be in attendance, including press secretary Robert Gibbs, senior adviser David Axelrod, senior adviser Pete Rouse, and deputy chief of staff Mona Sutphen.
The party will come after the House passes the president's stimulus package with almost no Republican support, which could make for some interesting cocktail party chatter.
Drinks Are On the (White) House
Here's the list of President Obama's invited guests to the White House cocktail party tonight essentially the bipartisan bicameral leadership of the House and Senate.
Six House Democrats, six House Republicans, six Senate Democrats, six Senate Republicans. Their spouses are invited as well.
Hors d'œuvres -- chicken curry, wagyu steak -- will be served in addition to drinks.
President Obama, it should be noted, is not a particularly big drinker, though he has been known to enjoy a vodka martini time and again.
In addition to the congressional leaders below, several senior White House staffers will be in attendance, including press secretary Robert Gibbs, senior adviser David Axelrod, senior adviser Pete Rouse, and deputy chief of staff Mona Sutphen.
The party will come after the House passes the president's stimulus package with almost no Republican support, which could make for some interesting cocktail party chatter.
gary dell abate house
This news article is about Gary Dell’Abate
For over 20 years, my morning routine has had only one real constant. Howard Stern. I did not realize the impact of the habit until a couple of weeks ago, when Howard was on vacation and a special called “The History of Howard Stern, Act II” ran over two weeks on his eponymous Sirius Satellite Radio stations. And I loved every bloody second.
I heard bits, gags and tirades I had not heard since the 80s. The show had a very raw quality back then. Howard was hungry. He never seemed to stop talking. I could not wait to hear the next show when one would end. I began to tape the shows so I could listen after school.
Howard Stern changed the way talk radio is executed. The airwaves are chock full of imitators. Some are handsomely paid and damned great in their own right, too. But none would exist without the trails blazed by the fearsome Jew who grew up in Roosevelt and Rockville Centre. We have taken a ride through life with Howard and his co-host Robin Quivers. We have seen them be celebrated and reviled and become quite rich in the process.
Howard sounds like a wild man on those tapes. His voice is about three octaves higher and he is frantic in his quest to become the King of All Media. The equipment was not as good, the acoustics imperfect and the pace of the show faster and rebellious, like a petulant teenager. Howard was still a married man. He was dancing on the line of sin with his on-air exploits with strippers, porn stars and other people who from the proverbial dark side of life. Listening was exciting.
I am a fan of improvisational music, and listening to some of these shows was not unlike listening to a perfect jam session. In the background, without us knowing, Jackie Martling was scribbling genius one-liners and the ever-incredible Fred Norris occupying his un-Earthly position on the show, dropping in sound effects, impressions and raw insight. For the record, I love Fred.
These recordings took me back to exact places and times, and I can place myself to the exact point when I heard some of them. I can remember what was happening in my life. The lasting impressions of some of them were not obvious at the time. For example, when producer Gary Dell’Abate said Baba Booey for the first time, I had no idea it would be legendary.
And as I listened to the show day after day, my life was changing. I went to college. Started working. Got married. Had a kid. Bought a house. Got divorced. All that time, Howard was there. Every weekday I could hear his voice. I was so pissed at Howard when he got divorced. Selfish, sure but it was a blow to know that he could not make it last. Plus, it would change the show.
For over 20 years, my morning routine has had only one real constant. Howard Stern. I did not realize the impact of the habit until a couple of weeks ago, when Howard was on vacation and a special called “The History of Howard Stern, Act II” ran over two weeks on his eponymous Sirius Satellite Radio stations. And I loved every bloody second.
I heard bits, gags and tirades I had not heard since the 80s. The show had a very raw quality back then. Howard was hungry. He never seemed to stop talking. I could not wait to hear the next show when one would end. I began to tape the shows so I could listen after school.
Howard Stern changed the way talk radio is executed. The airwaves are chock full of imitators. Some are handsomely paid and damned great in their own right, too. But none would exist without the trails blazed by the fearsome Jew who grew up in Roosevelt and Rockville Centre. We have taken a ride through life with Howard and his co-host Robin Quivers. We have seen them be celebrated and reviled and become quite rich in the process.
Howard sounds like a wild man on those tapes. His voice is about three octaves higher and he is frantic in his quest to become the King of All Media. The equipment was not as good, the acoustics imperfect and the pace of the show faster and rebellious, like a petulant teenager. Howard was still a married man. He was dancing on the line of sin with his on-air exploits with strippers, porn stars and other people who from the proverbial dark side of life. Listening was exciting.
I am a fan of improvisational music, and listening to some of these shows was not unlike listening to a perfect jam session. In the background, without us knowing, Jackie Martling was scribbling genius one-liners and the ever-incredible Fred Norris occupying his un-Earthly position on the show, dropping in sound effects, impressions and raw insight. For the record, I love Fred.
These recordings took me back to exact places and times, and I can place myself to the exact point when I heard some of them. I can remember what was happening in my life. The lasting impressions of some of them were not obvious at the time. For example, when producer Gary Dell’Abate said Baba Booey for the first time, I had no idea it would be legendary.
And as I listened to the show day after day, my life was changing. I went to college. Started working. Got married. Had a kid. Bought a house. Got divorced. All that time, Howard was there. Every weekday I could hear his voice. I was so pissed at Howard when he got divorced. Selfish, sure but it was a blow to know that he could not make it last. Plus, it would change the show.
whale penis
This article is about the whale penis, it is unbelieveable that the Blue Whale has largest penis at around 11ft.19".
A YouGov survey says we reckon sex is the best bargain pastime – with a third of folk admitting it is their favourite cost-free craze.
Now JAMES MOORE has put together these sizzling sex facts to stoke the fiery passion of hard-up Brits even more. Enjoy...
1.The average man sees five women a day he would like to sleep with.
2. A whopping 72% of blokes admit to fantasising about their workmates.
3. Man has the biggest penis size relative to body size of all the primates.
4. Lovemaking can unblock a stuffy nose – sex has been found to be a natural antihistamine.
5. Casanova, played on telly by David Tennant, 37, boasted he made love to the same woman 12 times in one day.
6. The typical person spends about 600 hours having sex between the ages of 20 and 70.
7. Oysters, lean meat and seafood improve your sex life.
8. Timmie Jean Lindsey, 30, from Texas, was the first person to get silicone breast implants in 1962.
9. Mallanga Vatsyayana, the writer of the Kama Sutra, was rumoured to be celibate.
10. His book describes 529 different sexual positions.
11. Foreplay for the average married couple usually lasts between 14 and 17 minutes.
12. Globally, people have had an average number of nine sex partners.
13. Chocolate spread is one of the top three foods women would most like to lick off partner’s bodies.
14. Experts say sex at least once a week boosts immune systems.
15. Cherry is the most popular flavour for edible undies.
16. The first couple seen in bed together on primetime TV were cartoon faves Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
17. The man is the most likely partner to be tied up during sex, a survey revealed.
18.The Blue Whale has the world’s largest penis at around 11ft.
19. In medieval France unfaithful wives had to chase a chicken through town naked.
20. Men think about sex, on average, every seven seconds.
21. Women who read romantic novels have sex twice as often as those who don’t.
22. A man’s beard grows fastest when he anticipates sex.
23. Kissing keeps tooth decay at bay.
24. June is the most common month to lose your virginity.
25. A sex toy was mistaken for a bomb causing an Aussie airport to be shut.
26. At any given moment 2,000 couples are having sex.
27. The part of a man’s body woman admire most is his buttocks.
28. The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.
29. In Ames, Iowa, a law says a husband may not take more than three gulps of beer while in bed with his wife.
30. The word sex first turned up in English in a 1382 translation of the Bible.
A YouGov survey says we reckon sex is the best bargain pastime – with a third of folk admitting it is their favourite cost-free craze.
Now JAMES MOORE has put together these sizzling sex facts to stoke the fiery passion of hard-up Brits even more. Enjoy...
1.The average man sees five women a day he would like to sleep with.
2. A whopping 72% of blokes admit to fantasising about their workmates.
3. Man has the biggest penis size relative to body size of all the primates.
4. Lovemaking can unblock a stuffy nose – sex has been found to be a natural antihistamine.
5. Casanova, played on telly by David Tennant, 37, boasted he made love to the same woman 12 times in one day.
6. The typical person spends about 600 hours having sex between the ages of 20 and 70.
7. Oysters, lean meat and seafood improve your sex life.
8. Timmie Jean Lindsey, 30, from Texas, was the first person to get silicone breast implants in 1962.
9. Mallanga Vatsyayana, the writer of the Kama Sutra, was rumoured to be celibate.
10. His book describes 529 different sexual positions.
11. Foreplay for the average married couple usually lasts between 14 and 17 minutes.
12. Globally, people have had an average number of nine sex partners.
13. Chocolate spread is one of the top three foods women would most like to lick off partner’s bodies.
14. Experts say sex at least once a week boosts immune systems.
15. Cherry is the most popular flavour for edible undies.
16. The first couple seen in bed together on primetime TV were cartoon faves Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
17. The man is the most likely partner to be tied up during sex, a survey revealed.
18.The Blue Whale has the world’s largest penis at around 11ft.
19. In medieval France unfaithful wives had to chase a chicken through town naked.
20. Men think about sex, on average, every seven seconds.
21. Women who read romantic novels have sex twice as often as those who don’t.
22. A man’s beard grows fastest when he anticipates sex.
23. Kissing keeps tooth decay at bay.
24. June is the most common month to lose your virginity.
25. A sex toy was mistaken for a bomb causing an Aussie airport to be shut.
26. At any given moment 2,000 couples are having sex.
27. The part of a man’s body woman admire most is his buttocks.
28. The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.
29. In Ames, Iowa, a law says a husband may not take more than three gulps of beer while in bed with his wife.
30. The word sex first turned up in English in a 1382 translation of the Bible.
wstw
This news article is taken from The News Journal. It is about the Philadelphia Eagles fan.
It's probably not a good idea to pump up a Philadelphia Eagles fan beyond the state that they're already in heading into Sunday's NFC Championship Game with the Arizona Cardinals.
Birds fans, as you might have heard, get a little bit excited at game time.
But Stanley's Tavern, 2038 Foulk Road, Brandywine Hundred, is going to do it anyway with a Pep Rally that gets underway at 7 a.m. - that's right, 7 a.m. - on Friday.
It all starts with a breakfast buffet that’s free with a donation of a canned good (all donations benefit the West End Neighborhood House food pantry).
WSTW and WDEL will broadcast live with appearances by former Philadelphia linebacker Bill Bergey and the Eagles Pep Band. All-day specials include $2.25 pints of Miller Lite, Coors and Yuengling and drawing for finalists in a car give away.
Stanley's will, of course, be showing the game on Sunday along with food and drink specials.
But there won't be any crazy promotions going on once the game gets started at 3 p.m., owner Steve Torpey said.
"We found out in the past that if you do too much during the game you (tick) people off," Torpey said.
It's probably not a good idea to pump up a Philadelphia Eagles fan beyond the state that they're already in heading into Sunday's NFC Championship Game with the Arizona Cardinals.
Birds fans, as you might have heard, get a little bit excited at game time.
But Stanley's Tavern, 2038 Foulk Road, Brandywine Hundred, is going to do it anyway with a Pep Rally that gets underway at 7 a.m. - that's right, 7 a.m. - on Friday.
It all starts with a breakfast buffet that’s free with a donation of a canned good (all donations benefit the West End Neighborhood House food pantry).
WSTW and WDEL will broadcast live with appearances by former Philadelphia linebacker Bill Bergey and the Eagles Pep Band. All-day specials include $2.25 pints of Miller Lite, Coors and Yuengling and drawing for finalists in a car give away.
Stanley's will, of course, be showing the game on Sunday along with food and drink specials.
But there won't be any crazy promotions going on once the game gets started at 3 p.m., owner Steve Torpey said.
"We found out in the past that if you do too much during the game you (tick) people off," Torpey said.
blackwater
This article is about the Blackwater Worldwide operating license. Iraq’s Interior Ministry said January 29, that it will not renew an operating license for Blackwater Worldwide, a contractor for the U.S. State Department that has been accused in the deaths of civilians. The contract already has expired
brooklyn decker
Brooklyn Decker, the stunning fiance of seventh-seed Roddick, watched on as her beau was handed victory when Robredo retired.
with encouragement from his fiancée Brooklyn Decker -- shifted to a healthier diet, this transformation is just as much about conditioning as it is about weight. Roddick bumped up his interval work on the track at home in Austin, Texas, with strength and conditioning coach Lance Hooton, who has worked with a number of elite athletes, including superlative Olympic sprinter Donovan Bailey.
with encouragement from his fiancée Brooklyn Decker -- shifted to a healthier diet, this transformation is just as much about conditioning as it is about weight. Roddick bumped up his interval work on the track at home in Austin, Texas, with strength and conditioning coach Lance Hooton, who has worked with a number of elite athletes, including superlative Olympic sprinter Donovan Bailey.
andy roddick
Federer beats Roddick
Federer beats Roddick to reach Aussie Open final.Roger Federer has advanced to the Australian Open final.
The Swiss star overpowered American Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 Thursday in the semifinals. He'll play either top-seeded Rafael Nadal or Fernando Verdasco in the final — the two Spaniards will play their semifinal on Friday.
Federer, who lost the French Open and Wimbledon finals to Nadal last year before beating Andy Murray for the U.S. Open title, will attempt to equal Pete Sampras' career Grand Slam mark.
Federer beats Roddick to reach Aussie Open final.Roger Federer has advanced to the Australian Open final.
The Swiss star overpowered American Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 Thursday in the semifinals. He'll play either top-seeded Rafael Nadal or Fernando Verdasco in the final — the two Spaniards will play their semifinal on Friday.
Federer, who lost the French Open and Wimbledon finals to Nadal last year before beating Andy Murray for the U.S. Open title, will attempt to equal Pete Sampras' career Grand Slam mark.
measurement lab
Google intoduce a measurement tool from measurement lab. Google challenges other Internet services proveder with measurement tool.Now Google is clearly protecting its cloud computing kingdom.
Google opened a new front in the network neutrality war between content providers and ISPs Jan. 28 by offering measurement tools to help computer users determine why their Web applications are balky.
The search company created Measurement Lab, an open platform upon which researchers can deploy Internet measurement tools, in conjunction with the New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute, the PlanetLab Consortium and academic researchers.
Google Chief Internet Evangelist Vint Cerf, one of the Internet's founding fathers, wrote in a post explaining M-Lab:
When an Internet application doesn't work as expected or your connection seems flaky, how can you tell whether there is a problem caused by your broadband ISP, the application, your PC, or something else? It can be difficult for experts, let alone average Internet users, to address this sort of question today.
Cerf added that while researchers today are working on tools to let users gauge their Internet connection speeds and see if their ISP is choking certain Web applications, so far they lack the computing, connectivity and collaboration resources to do so with any authority.
To address this gap, Google will provide researchers with 36 servers in 12 locations in the United States and Europe. Data collected from M-Lab will be made public for researchers' use.
The move is a warning to ISPs that prefer to manage their users' Web connectivity and fight with content providers over this on one of the biggest Internet battlefields: network neutrality.
Part of the House Stimulus Package approved today, net neutrality calls for service providers to have no restrictions on content, sites or platforms, and on the kinds of equipment that may be attached and the modes of communication allowed. It also calls for communication not to be stifled by other communication streams on the Web.
Google, as company whose livelihood and success is predicated on connecting users to content as quickly as possible through its search engine and on delivering quality Web applications to users, is a staunch network neutrality proponent, as are most content providers.
Google opened a new front in the network neutrality war between content providers and ISPs Jan. 28 by offering measurement tools to help computer users determine why their Web applications are balky.
The search company created Measurement Lab, an open platform upon which researchers can deploy Internet measurement tools, in conjunction with the New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute, the PlanetLab Consortium and academic researchers.
Google Chief Internet Evangelist Vint Cerf, one of the Internet's founding fathers, wrote in a post explaining M-Lab:
When an Internet application doesn't work as expected or your connection seems flaky, how can you tell whether there is a problem caused by your broadband ISP, the application, your PC, or something else? It can be difficult for experts, let alone average Internet users, to address this sort of question today.
Cerf added that while researchers today are working on tools to let users gauge their Internet connection speeds and see if their ISP is choking certain Web applications, so far they lack the computing, connectivity and collaboration resources to do so with any authority.
To address this gap, Google will provide researchers with 36 servers in 12 locations in the United States and Europe. Data collected from M-Lab will be made public for researchers' use.
The move is a warning to ISPs that prefer to manage their users' Web connectivity and fight with content providers over this on one of the biggest Internet battlefields: network neutrality.
Part of the House Stimulus Package approved today, net neutrality calls for service providers to have no restrictions on content, sites or platforms, and on the kinds of equipment that may be attached and the modes of communication allowed. It also calls for communication not to be stifled by other communication streams on the Web.
Google, as company whose livelihood and success is predicated on connecting users to content as quickly as possible through its search engine and on delivering quality Web applications to users, is a staunch network neutrality proponent, as are most content providers.
federer roddick
This news article is about the victories of Roddick. He is well experienced playre.
He gain another dominating victory, ousting Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 Thursday to reach the Australian Open final.
He undertook a rigorous offseason training regime designed to help him beat Federer and top-ranked Rafael Nadal, was in good form.
But the second-ranked Federer outplayed him in every phase of the game. Ripping winners from all over the court and usually forcing Roddick to hit more than one good shot to win a point, he even had more aces than the hard-serving American, 16-8.
Federer, seeking his fourth Australian title, will face the winner of Friday's semifinal between Nadal and fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
The women's final matchup was set earlier in the day. Serena Williams was calm, collected and cool — with the Rod Laver Arena roof closed to keep out Melbourne's oppressive heat wave — to end Olympic champion Elena Dementieva's 15-match winning streak with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
All that stands between her and a 10th Grand Slam title is third-seeded Dinara Safina, who is hungry to take home her first major trophy to go along with the two that brother Marat Safin has earned. Safina ousted fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the other semifinal. The winner Saturday also will rise to the No. 1 ranking.
By the time Federer and Roddick were on court in the evening, temperatures had dropped to 91 degrees from 112 in the afternoon — news reports called it Melbourne's hottest January day since 1939 — so the retractable roof was open.
That would seem to have given Roddick, who grew up in the heat of Texas and Florida, an edge. Against a hot Federer, it didn't matter. A behind-the-back hit right to the ballboy after a Roddick fault in the first game was a dead giveaway.
Although Roddick won their last meeting, Federer held a 15-2 edge over him coming into the match, and this one played out like many of the Swiss star's previous victories.
Blunting Roddick's blistering serves, Federer broke twice in the first set. Adding to Roddick's frustration was a call that went against him as Federer served at 4-1.
A Federer shot was called out, but he successfully challenged. Chair umpire Enric Molina ruled that Roddick couldn't have gotten to the ball and gave the point to Federer. Roddick argued he stopped running when he heard the "out" call, and he had a running dialogue with Molina during several changeovers.
He gain another dominating victory, ousting Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 Thursday to reach the Australian Open final.
He undertook a rigorous offseason training regime designed to help him beat Federer and top-ranked Rafael Nadal, was in good form.
But the second-ranked Federer outplayed him in every phase of the game. Ripping winners from all over the court and usually forcing Roddick to hit more than one good shot to win a point, he even had more aces than the hard-serving American, 16-8.
Federer, seeking his fourth Australian title, will face the winner of Friday's semifinal between Nadal and fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
The women's final matchup was set earlier in the day. Serena Williams was calm, collected and cool — with the Rod Laver Arena roof closed to keep out Melbourne's oppressive heat wave — to end Olympic champion Elena Dementieva's 15-match winning streak with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
All that stands between her and a 10th Grand Slam title is third-seeded Dinara Safina, who is hungry to take home her first major trophy to go along with the two that brother Marat Safin has earned. Safina ousted fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the other semifinal. The winner Saturday also will rise to the No. 1 ranking.
By the time Federer and Roddick were on court in the evening, temperatures had dropped to 91 degrees from 112 in the afternoon — news reports called it Melbourne's hottest January day since 1939 — so the retractable roof was open.
That would seem to have given Roddick, who grew up in the heat of Texas and Florida, an edge. Against a hot Federer, it didn't matter. A behind-the-back hit right to the ballboy after a Roddick fault in the first game was a dead giveaway.
Although Roddick won their last meeting, Federer held a 15-2 edge over him coming into the match, and this one played out like many of the Swiss star's previous victories.
Blunting Roddick's blistering serves, Federer broke twice in the first set. Adding to Roddick's frustration was a call that went against him as Federer served at 4-1.
A Federer shot was called out, but he successfully challenged. Chair umpire Enric Molina ruled that Roddick couldn't have gotten to the ball and gave the point to Federer. Roddick argued he stopped running when he heard the "out" call, and he had a running dialogue with Molina during several changeovers.
confickr
Confickr is just 2 weeks old and infected more than nine million machines. The officials said that tha situation is unique because worms weren't considered as an effective way to make money in cybercrime.It is a challenge for experts to handle this type of issue. However the hackers behind the massive worm have devised an innovative way to spread the attack, making it hard to catch and quarantine.
Instead of using spam emails, the worm initially attacked the Microsoft MS08-067 vulnerability in Windows, allowing it to infiltrate network security. This allowed the worm to spread through open network shares, weak passwords and removable USB drives.
The Microsoft vulnerability had a patch, released last October, that halted the attack. However, the added element of the USB drives made it possible for the worm to infiltrate patched machines as well.
Some businesses and organizations that have tried to update their antivirus product have also run into problems. Confickr prevents already-compromised machines from getting fixed by blocking access to Microsoft's websites and disabling the automatic update function.
Instead of using spam emails, the worm initially attacked the Microsoft MS08-067 vulnerability in Windows, allowing it to infiltrate network security. This allowed the worm to spread through open network shares, weak passwords and removable USB drives.
The Microsoft vulnerability had a patch, released last October, that halted the attack. However, the added element of the USB drives made it possible for the worm to infiltrate patched machines as well.
Some businesses and organizations that have tried to update their antivirus product have also run into problems. Confickr prevents already-compromised machines from getting fixed by blocking access to Microsoft's websites and disabling the automatic update function.
everlasting love lyrics
This article is about Different types of lyrics such as sappy, disingenuous, corny and cliched.There are too many emasculated, blue-balled crooners on the radio right now with no true identity. But Fennessey overlooks a larger point: R&B isn't just ineffectual right now; it's pointless, derivative and boring.
Though always something of a hodgepodge, R&B was once a formidable format, a combination of soul, gospel and funk whose best artists didn't hesitate to experiment with style. But in the '90s and '00s, R&B became pigeonholed. Attempting to piggyback on hip-hop's popularity, its artists use rap beats and hire MCs for guest verses, resulting in a sound that's virtually indistinguishable from rap. (Try turning off the vocals of Ray J's "Sexy Can I," for example, and see if you can tell the difference.) In fact, one of R&B's biggest names, Akon, is so strongly associated with hip-hop that he's sometimes mistakenly referred to as a rapper.
Fusing genres was traditionally a big part of rhythm and blues — Ray Charles initially made a career out of it. But since New Jack Swing injected a street mentality and rowdy back beats in the late '80s, R&B has shown little desire to evolve or take creative risks. Its crooners have become largely segmented onto urban radio stations, inspiring one mildly successful format-following clone after another.
The watering-down of the genre is one reason it's been disparaged as "Rap & Bullshit." Another is because it's artistically moribund. The vast majority of R&B lyrics are sappy, disingenuous, corny and cliched. Enough already with promises of everlasting fidelity sung by men sleeping with King models, and to female empowerment anthems written by women with multimillionaire husbands. The contrast with hip-hop is especially stark considering rap's creative breakthroughs of late. Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and plenty of others are challenging the status quo; for proof, look no further than 808s & Heartbreak, West's top-selling, experimental elegy.
Though always something of a hodgepodge, R&B was once a formidable format, a combination of soul, gospel and funk whose best artists didn't hesitate to experiment with style. But in the '90s and '00s, R&B became pigeonholed. Attempting to piggyback on hip-hop's popularity, its artists use rap beats and hire MCs for guest verses, resulting in a sound that's virtually indistinguishable from rap. (Try turning off the vocals of Ray J's "Sexy Can I," for example, and see if you can tell the difference.) In fact, one of R&B's biggest names, Akon, is so strongly associated with hip-hop that he's sometimes mistakenly referred to as a rapper.
Fusing genres was traditionally a big part of rhythm and blues — Ray Charles initially made a career out of it. But since New Jack Swing injected a street mentality and rowdy back beats in the late '80s, R&B has shown little desire to evolve or take creative risks. Its crooners have become largely segmented onto urban radio stations, inspiring one mildly successful format-following clone after another.
The watering-down of the genre is one reason it's been disparaged as "Rap & Bullshit." Another is because it's artistically moribund. The vast majority of R&B lyrics are sappy, disingenuous, corny and cliched. Enough already with promises of everlasting fidelity sung by men sleeping with King models, and to female empowerment anthems written by women with multimillionaire husbands. The contrast with hip-hop is especially stark considering rap's creative breakthroughs of late. Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and plenty of others are challenging the status quo; for proof, look no further than 808s & Heartbreak, West's top-selling, experimental elegy.
Barack Obama's foreign policy
The Administration of Barack Obama has draffted a letter to Irani president aimed at unfreezing US-Iranian relations and opening the way for face to face talks.
It is a possitive step of Obama's government. The US state department has been working at drafts on the letter since 4 November last year.
It is in reply to a lengthy letter of congratulations sent by the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on 6 November.
Diplomats said Obama's letter would be a symbolic gesture to mark a change in tone from the hostile one adopted by the Bush administration, which portrayed Iran as part of an "axis of evil".
It would be intended to allay the suspicions of Iran's leaders and pave the way for Obama to engage them directly, a break with past policy.
State department officials have composed at least three drafts of the letter, which gives assurances that Washington does not want to overthrow the Islamic regime, but merely seeks a change in its behaviour. The letter would be addressed to the Iranian people and sent directly to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or released as an open letter.
One draft proposal suggests that Iran should compare its relatively low standard of living with that of some of its more prosperous neighbours, and contemplate the benefits of losing its pariah status in the west. Although the tone is conciliatory, it also calls on Iran to end what the US calls state sponsorship of terrorism.
The letter is being considered by the new secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, as part of a sweeping review of US policy on Iran. A decision on sending it is not expected until the review is complete.
In an interview on Monday with the al-Arabiya television network, Obama hinted at a more friendly approach towards the Islamic Republic.
Ahmadinejad said yesterday that he was waiting patiently to see what the Obama administration would come up with. "We will listen to the statements closely, we will carefully study their actions, and, if there are real changes, we will welcome it," he said.
Ahmadinejad, who confirmed that he would stand for election again in June, said it was unclear whether the Obama administration was intent on just a shift in tactics or was seeking fundamental change. He called on Washington to apologise for its actions against Iran over the past 60 years, including US support for a 1953 coup that ousted the democratically elected government, and the US shooting down of an Iranian passenger plane in 1988.
The state department refused to comment yesterday on the draft letters.
It is a possitive step of Obama's government. The US state department has been working at drafts on the letter since 4 November last year.
It is in reply to a lengthy letter of congratulations sent by the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on 6 November.
Diplomats said Obama's letter would be a symbolic gesture to mark a change in tone from the hostile one adopted by the Bush administration, which portrayed Iran as part of an "axis of evil".
It would be intended to allay the suspicions of Iran's leaders and pave the way for Obama to engage them directly, a break with past policy.
State department officials have composed at least three drafts of the letter, which gives assurances that Washington does not want to overthrow the Islamic regime, but merely seeks a change in its behaviour. The letter would be addressed to the Iranian people and sent directly to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or released as an open letter.
One draft proposal suggests that Iran should compare its relatively low standard of living with that of some of its more prosperous neighbours, and contemplate the benefits of losing its pariah status in the west. Although the tone is conciliatory, it also calls on Iran to end what the US calls state sponsorship of terrorism.
The letter is being considered by the new secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, as part of a sweeping review of US policy on Iran. A decision on sending it is not expected until the review is complete.
In an interview on Monday with the al-Arabiya television network, Obama hinted at a more friendly approach towards the Islamic Republic.
Ahmadinejad said yesterday that he was waiting patiently to see what the Obama administration would come up with. "We will listen to the statements closely, we will carefully study their actions, and, if there are real changes, we will welcome it," he said.
Ahmadinejad, who confirmed that he would stand for election again in June, said it was unclear whether the Obama administration was intent on just a shift in tactics or was seeking fundamental change. He called on Washington to apologise for its actions against Iran over the past 60 years, including US support for a 1953 coup that ousted the democratically elected government, and the US shooting down of an Iranian passenger plane in 1988.
The state department refused to comment yesterday on the draft letters.
hamilton county snow emergency
Plenty of salt to shake around
Most counties say they have enough salt on hand to weather the storm and can get access to more if needed.
Cincinnati has about 18,500 tons of salt, which should be more than enough to get through this storm, said Meg Olberding, a city spokeswoman.
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"When temperatures go below 20 degrees, with this kind of accumulation, salt isn't as effective, and we mainly just plow," she said. "And salt isn't the only thing in our tool kit."
The city will use a combination of salt brine with beet juice and calcium chloride to treat the streets, depending on temperature and road conditions.
Meanwhile, Olberding said, residents need to move their vehicles from emergency snow routes. The city started towing vehicles around noon Tuesday.
In Hamilton County, about 8,000 tons of salt remain and "should be enough to get us through the winter," said Steve Mary of the Hamilton County Engineer's Office.
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At this point, he doesn't expect crews to use that much salt since they want to leave a thin coat of snow on the ground. If freezing rain hits bare pavement, it will get slick and streets will be harder to treat, he said.
There is plenty of salt north and east of the city in Butler and Clermont counties.
While Butler County officials weren't sure of the exact figure, they say it's on track with what's normally used by this time in a typical winter.
Most counties say they have enough salt on hand to weather the storm and can get access to more if needed.
Cincinnati has about 18,500 tons of salt, which should be more than enough to get through this storm, said Meg Olberding, a city spokeswoman.
• School closings, delays
• Cincinnati snow emergency routes (no parking permitted)
• Latest traffic conditions
• Current weather conditions, radar, forecast
• Get weather updates, road conditions and more on Twitter
"When temperatures go below 20 degrees, with this kind of accumulation, salt isn't as effective, and we mainly just plow," she said. "And salt isn't the only thing in our tool kit."
The city will use a combination of salt brine with beet juice and calcium chloride to treat the streets, depending on temperature and road conditions.
Meanwhile, Olberding said, residents need to move their vehicles from emergency snow routes. The city started towing vehicles around noon Tuesday.
In Hamilton County, about 8,000 tons of salt remain and "should be enough to get us through the winter," said Steve Mary of the Hamilton County Engineer's Office.
• Photos: Winter weather blankets region
• Photos: Digging out, bracing for more
• Send us your snow photos
At this point, he doesn't expect crews to use that much salt since they want to leave a thin coat of snow on the ground. If freezing rain hits bare pavement, it will get slick and streets will be harder to treat, he said.
There is plenty of salt north and east of the city in Butler and Clermont counties.
While Butler County officials weren't sure of the exact figure, they say it's on track with what's normally used by this time in a typical winter.
man kills family
In the Wilmington neighborhood, Los Angeles man kills his 5 children, wife and himself.Police find the family shot to death at their home.
Watching his family's new, two-story home being built in 2001, Ervin Antonio Lupoe appeared to be riding a wave of hope and excitement. He dropped by each week to check the progress, one construction worker recalled.
But in what authorities believe was a gruesome burst of anger after he and his wife lost their jobs, the burly 40-year-old X-ray technician turned that same Wilmington home into a family tomb, officials said Tuesday.
billy powell
This article is about the Matt Soergel Billy Powell, a longtime keyboard player for Lynyrd Skynyrd. He died at his Orange Park condo early this morning.
Orange Park Police Chief James Boivin said Powell called 911 from his condo in Club Continental and was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m. after rescue crews performed CPR on him. Boivin said he was told Powell had an appointment with his heart specialist Monday but never made the appointment.
Current Lynyrnd Skynyrd singer Johnny Van Zant spent 22 years with Powell in the band. He said the took the news of Powell's death hard.
"You know, they say they've got one hell of a band up in heaven. My brother Ronnie up in heaven is probably saying, 'Billy, what took you so long?' I'm sure they're catching up on things in heaven."
Powell, who went to Bishop Kenny High School, joined Skynyrd in 1972 after working for the Jacksonville band for a couple of years as a roadie. He was seriously injured in the Oct. 20, 1977 plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant and five other people.
Johnny Van Zant said his brother invited Powell to join the band after he heard him playing piano during a rehearsal of "Free Bird." "Ronnie said, 'What's that?' and Billy said, 'That's the introduction to 'Free Bird.' Ronnie said, 'I like that. You're in the band.'"
The piano introduction to the song became a highly anticipated part of the band's live show, though Johnny Van Zant said Powell was sometimes relucant to jump into the spotlight with it.
"He'd say, 'I don't want to do that, I'm embarrassed to do that,'" said Van Zant. "I'd make him do it: I'd say, 'Come on, it'll make their night.' It made mine."
Earlier this month, Powell and the band took a four-day cruise, called the Simple Man Cruise, on a ship out of Miami with "4,000 crazy Skynyrd fans," said Van Zant.
The band had recorded several songs for a new album and had upcoming gigs in Lousiana, Mississippi and Orlando. They will be canceled, said Van Zant.
"We've got to lay our brother to rest," said Van Zant. "That old saying, the show must go on, always counts. Unless you die.
Orange Park Police Chief James Boivin said Powell called 911 from his condo in Club Continental and was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m. after rescue crews performed CPR on him. Boivin said he was told Powell had an appointment with his heart specialist Monday but never made the appointment.
Current Lynyrnd Skynyrd singer Johnny Van Zant spent 22 years with Powell in the band. He said the took the news of Powell's death hard.
"You know, they say they've got one hell of a band up in heaven. My brother Ronnie up in heaven is probably saying, 'Billy, what took you so long?' I'm sure they're catching up on things in heaven."
Powell, who went to Bishop Kenny High School, joined Skynyrd in 1972 after working for the Jacksonville band for a couple of years as a roadie. He was seriously injured in the Oct. 20, 1977 plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant and five other people.
Johnny Van Zant said his brother invited Powell to join the band after he heard him playing piano during a rehearsal of "Free Bird." "Ronnie said, 'What's that?' and Billy said, 'That's the introduction to 'Free Bird.' Ronnie said, 'I like that. You're in the band.'"
The piano introduction to the song became a highly anticipated part of the band's live show, though Johnny Van Zant said Powell was sometimes relucant to jump into the spotlight with it.
"He'd say, 'I don't want to do that, I'm embarrassed to do that,'" said Van Zant. "I'd make him do it: I'd say, 'Come on, it'll make their night.' It made mine."
Earlier this month, Powell and the band took a four-day cruise, called the Simple Man Cruise, on a ship out of Miami with "4,000 crazy Skynyrd fans," said Van Zant.
The band had recorded several songs for a new album and had upcoming gigs in Lousiana, Mississippi and Orlando. They will be canceled, said Van Zant.
"We've got to lay our brother to rest," said Van Zant. "That old saying, the show must go on, always counts. Unless you die.
nassau county school closings
This news article is about nassau county school.
With a dramatic reduction in sales tax revenue, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi said he will propose layoffs or some reduction in employee work hours to lawmakers that could save the county $20 million.
Suozzi recently called for an emergency meeting of the 19-member Nassau County Legislature on Feb. 2 to talk about the county's finances.
"I'm looking at layoffs, but I don't personally like layoffs," Suozzi said in an interview yesterday.
Suozzi said he is looking at various other options, including shutting down non-health and safety work every other Friday or closing at noon every Friday. He said he is also considering closing the county down early every day, or shutting down the equivalent of 26 days a year.
With a dramatic reduction in sales tax revenue, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi said he will propose layoffs or some reduction in employee work hours to lawmakers that could save the county $20 million.
Suozzi recently called for an emergency meeting of the 19-member Nassau County Legislature on Feb. 2 to talk about the county's finances.
"I'm looking at layoffs, but I don't personally like layoffs," Suozzi said in an interview yesterday.
Suozzi said he is looking at various other options, including shutting down non-health and safety work every other Friday or closing at noon every Friday. He said he is also considering closing the county down early every day, or shutting down the equivalent of 26 days a year.
nyc school closings
Some schools are closed or delaying the start of classes becauses of a storm expected to dump of snow on some upstate areas.
Only a handful of school closings are reported Wednesday morning in western New York, where up to 4 inches had fallen and up to 12 inches is expected. Most of the closings are in the eastern half of the state, where forecasts predict 8 to 16 inches of snow in the Adirondacks and up to a foot in the Albany area by Wednesday night.
Highway closures were reported in the Hudson Valley after accidents occurred during snowy conditions. The southbound Thruway lanes between exits 18 and 17 and the eastbound lanes of Interstate in Putnam County have since reopened. No details on the accidents were immediately available from state police.
Only a handful of school closings are reported Wednesday morning in western New York, where up to 4 inches had fallen and up to 12 inches is expected. Most of the closings are in the eastern half of the state, where forecasts predict 8 to 16 inches of snow in the Adirondacks and up to a foot in the Albany area by Wednesday night.
Highway closures were reported in the Hudson Valley after accidents occurred during snowy conditions. The southbound Thruway lanes between exits 18 and 17 and the eastbound lanes of Interstate in Putnam County have since reopened. No details on the accidents were immediately available from state police.
memphis city schools
This news article is about the Memphis City Schools. Different parents give thier own openion about new technology.
Optional School enrollment begins Friday and Memphis City Schools is trying to eliminate the long lines with a new system. For this year's Optional School enrollment, MCS is utilizing new technology to ease the process.
"I'm all about new technology, especially when you can use a computer to do everything," said parent Rosalind Cohen.
And that's the goal of the district's new bar code system. Parents can now go to the Board of Education building and sign up for a bar code for their child's Optional School enrollment.
"It allows the parents to hold their place in line," said William White with Memphis City Schools. "It serves as a virtual line."
White said the new system goes beyond holding your place in line as the ticket system did last year. This year, once they get a bar code, parents can file their application online and eliminate a trip to the school on Friday.
"If you are a Memphis City Schools student in grades one through ten your parents can go online and submit the application so you don't have to come back when you submit a barcode," said White.
More than 1,000 parents have already taken advantage of the new system and, so far, there are great reviews.
"I'd usually have to stand in a long line," said parent Linda Whitelow. "This process is much easier.
Optional School enrollment begins Friday and Memphis City Schools is trying to eliminate the long lines with a new system. For this year's Optional School enrollment, MCS is utilizing new technology to ease the process.
"I'm all about new technology, especially when you can use a computer to do everything," said parent Rosalind Cohen.
And that's the goal of the district's new bar code system. Parents can now go to the Board of Education building and sign up for a bar code for their child's Optional School enrollment.
"It allows the parents to hold their place in line," said William White with Memphis City Schools. "It serves as a virtual line."
White said the new system goes beyond holding your place in line as the ticket system did last year. This year, once they get a bar code, parents can file their application online and eliminate a trip to the school on Friday.
"If you are a Memphis City Schools student in grades one through ten your parents can go online and submit the application so you don't have to come back when you submit a barcode," said White.
More than 1,000 parents have already taken advantage of the new system and, so far, there are great reviews.
"I'd usually have to stand in a long line," said parent Linda Whitelow. "This process is much easier.
94.3 the point
This news article is about the Wintrust Financial Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2008 Results.Here you can find the progress report of Edward J. Wehmer, President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Wehmer
Wintrust Financial Corporation ("Wintrust" or "the Company") (Nasdaq: WTFC) announced quarterly net income of $2.0 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the period ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $0.15 per diluted share, compared to the $2.5 million loss, or ($0.13) per diluted share, recorded in the third quarter of 2008. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2007, earnings per diluted share decreased $0.63 per diluted share, on a $13.7 million decrease in net income.
Edward J. Wehmer, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We have completed a very difficult 2008 by recording a profit of $2.0 million in the fourth quarter and $20.5 million for the full year. While these levels are not acceptable under normal circumstances, given the current global economic conditions recording a profit during these periods is atypical in the banking industry."
Mr. Wehmer noted, "We recorded $9.9 million of net loan charge-offs and $14.5 million in provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter. Both of these are down significantly from the amounts recorded in the previous quarter. The Company continues to aggressively manage its impaired loan portfolio. Distressed real estate valuations continue to impact this process as values become more distressed due to lack of sales activity, large property inventories, decreasing numbers of potential buyers and other factors. Nonperforming loans increased moderately in the fourth quarter. However, we are focused on resolving existing problem credits and working to identify potential problem credits."
Wintrust Financial Corporation ("Wintrust" or "the Company") (Nasdaq: WTFC) announced quarterly net income of $2.0 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the period ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $0.15 per diluted share, compared to the $2.5 million loss, or ($0.13) per diluted share, recorded in the third quarter of 2008. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2007, earnings per diluted share decreased $0.63 per diluted share, on a $13.7 million decrease in net income.
Edward J. Wehmer, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We have completed a very difficult 2008 by recording a profit of $2.0 million in the fourth quarter and $20.5 million for the full year. While these levels are not acceptable under normal circumstances, given the current global economic conditions recording a profit during these periods is atypical in the banking industry."
Mr. Wehmer noted, "We recorded $9.9 million of net loan charge-offs and $14.5 million in provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter. Both of these are down significantly from the amounts recorded in the previous quarter. The Company continues to aggressively manage its impaired loan portfolio. Distressed real estate valuations continue to impact this process as values become more distressed due to lack of sales activity, large property inventories, decreasing numbers of potential buyers and other factors. Nonperforming loans increased moderately in the fourth quarter. However, we are focused on resolving existing problem credits and working to identify potential problem credits."
koco
This news article is taken from NewsOK.com.
"Samantha Who?” 8:30 p.m., KOCO-5. When Sam starts dating rock star Tommy Wylder (John Taylor of Duran Duran), Andrea and Dena’s reactions become embarrassing.
→"Trust Me,” 9 p.m., TNT. Friends who work together at the same ad agency find their friendship tested when one is promoted.
"Samantha Who?” 8:30 p.m., KOCO-5. When Sam starts dating rock star Tommy Wylder (John Taylor of Duran Duran), Andrea and Dena’s reactions become embarrassing.
→"Trust Me,” 9 p.m., TNT. Friends who work together at the same ad agency find their friendship tested when one is promoted.
lauren townsend
This article is picked up from KTNV Las Vegas:
Security preparations are underway for the presidential inauguration, and have been for some time.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is giving the Secret Service some much needed help, and some of it comes from right around our region.
"He has found eleven live devices so far to date, thousands of firearms, and i couldn't even begin to tell you how many rounds of ammunition," says Special Agent Lauren Townsend about her partner, Joe.
That's a lengthy resume for an ATF agent who has only been on the job for seven years.
But Joe isn't your average agent.
Joe is a Labrador Retriever, specializing in explosives detection.
They showed Action News how Joe's colleagues will be working for at the presidential inauguration.
They'll conduct security sweeps.
"Typically, since we agents across the country, and we have a lot of resources," says Townsend.
And a lot of that training.
Agents hid several explosives amid a sea of cars in an undisclosed junk yard on the outskirts of Las Vegas.
"He was in the truck, three hundred yards away," says Townsend.
Methodically, Joe and Lauren begin their search, and then, the tell-tale change in behavior, usually, Joe sitting.
Of course, we can't give away trade secrets, but Joe can find even explosives fragments, like in the Luxor bombing.
He also sweeps major events, like the PBR, an assist for local law enforcement.
"We're all looking for the same thing. Ultimately, our goal is to make sure everyone is safe," says Townsend.
And at only 9-years-old, it's almost time for Joe to retire after a job well done.
ATF typically retires dogs at nine-years-old.
On one of Joe's exploits in the valley, he found a live pipe bomb along with twenty guns.
Agents say that without question, he has saved lives in the Valley.
veatrice rice
This article is about Veatrice Rice. A webstriker user giving his comments about webstriker.
Hee is Jimmy Kimmel's
Uncle Frank, who is well-known
to any watchers of The
Jimmy Kimmel Show on ABC.
Uncle Frank Potenza is
Jimmy's real-life uncle, and
is a security guard for the show,
but also a member of the
nightly cast. A former
New York City cop, he used
to do security detail for
Frank Sinatra. He was at
the big newsstand at
Hollywood & Cahuenga in
Hollywood, buying about 15
copies of some magazine
which had a story about him,
which he was proudly
displaying. He was on his
way back to the theater,
which is in the old
Masonic Temple on
Hollywood Boulevard
across from the
Chinese Theater, the only
TV show to be broadcast
directly from Hollywood
Boulevard each night, and for
that I love them. And
Uncle Frank is great.
Funny and warm. For years,
lots of TV shows and movies
claim to be made in
Hollywood - when many
are made beyond the
real boundaries of real
Hollywood. But this show
is right on the old
boulevard, right in the heart
and soul of our
Hollywood.
secret life of the american teenager
The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a television series that debuted on ABC Family on July 1st,2008.
The teen drama focuses on the relationships between families and friends dealing with the unexpected pregnancy of character Amy Juergens, portrayed by Shailene Woodley.[1]
Secret Life ranked number one with the network's key demographic in its debut time slot versus cable television shows.[2] The show earned the Teen Choice Award for Choice Summer TV Show during its premiere season.
Season One had a total of 11 episodes. Season two debuted on January 5, 2009, with a total of 13 episodes planned.[3] The show has also been picked up by Canadian Broadcaster Citytv, which started airing Season 1 in Canada on September 3, 2008.
The teen drama focuses on the relationships between families and friends dealing with the unexpected pregnancy of character Amy Juergens, portrayed by Shailene Woodley.[1]
Secret Life ranked number one with the network's key demographic in its debut time slot versus cable television shows.[2] The show earned the Teen Choice Award for Choice Summer TV Show during its premiere season.
Season One had a total of 11 episodes. Season two debuted on January 5, 2009, with a total of 13 episodes planned.[3] The show has also been picked up by Canadian Broadcaster Citytv, which started airing Season 1 in Canada on September 3, 2008.
phi helicopter crash
Phi helicopter is crashed.
it was carrying two pailots and seven passengers.
Eight people were killed and a ninth was reported injured after a helicopter bound for the offshore oil fields crashed Sunday in marshlands about 100 miles southwest of New Orleans.
The helicopter, operated by PHI Inc., crashed about 3:30 p.m. shortly after taking off from PHI's base in Amelia, said Richard Rovinelli, a spokesman for the company. The cause of the crash was not clear Sunday night.
Rovinelli did not know the model of the helicopter or its exact destination. But he said the helicopter was carrying two pilots and six passengers. Identities of the victims were not released.
it was carrying two pailots and seven passengers.
Eight people were killed and a ninth was reported injured after a helicopter bound for the offshore oil fields crashed Sunday in marshlands about 100 miles southwest of New Orleans.
The helicopter, operated by PHI Inc., crashed about 3:30 p.m. shortly after taking off from PHI's base in Amelia, said Richard Rovinelli, a spokesman for the company. The cause of the crash was not clear Sunday night.
Rovinelli did not know the model of the helicopter or its exact destination. But he said the helicopter was carrying two pilots and six passengers. Identities of the victims were not released.
dunbar
This article is about dunbar functions
after reading this article your concepts about dunbar will be caleared.
The study of eudaimonic community sizes began with a seemingly silly method of calculation: Robin Dunbar calculated the correlation between the (logs of the) relative volume of the neocortex and observed group size in primates, then extended the graph outward to get the group size for a primate with a human-sized neocortex. You immediately ask, "How much of the variance in primate group size can you explain like that, anyway?" and the answer is 76% of the variance among 36 primate genera, which is respectable. Dunbar came up with a group size of 148. Rounded to 150, and with the confidence interval of 100 to 230 tossed out the window, this became known as "Dunbar's Number".
It's probably fair to say that a literal interpretation of this number is more or less bogus.
There was a bit more to it than that, of course. Dunbar went looking for corroborative evidence from studies of corporations, hunter-gatherer tribes, and utopian communities. Hutterite farming communities, for example, had a rule that they must split at 150 - with the rationale explicitly given that it was impossible to control behavior through peer pressure beyond that point.
But 30-50 would be a typical size for a cohesive hunter-gatherer band; 150 is more the size of a cultural lineage of related bands. Life With Alacrity has an excellent series on Dunbar's Number which exhibits e.g. a histogram of Ultima Online guild sizes - with the peak at 60, not 150. LWA also cites further research by PARC's Yee and Ducheneaut showing that maximum internal cohesiveness, measured in the interconnectedness of group members, occurs at a World of Warcraft guild size of 50. (Stop laughing; you can get much more detailed data on organizational dynamics if it all happens inside a computer server.)
And Dunbar himself did another regression and found that a community of 150 primates would have to spend 43% of its time on social grooming, which Dunbar interpreted as suggesting that 150 was an upper bound rather than an optimum, when groups were highly incentivized to stay together. 150 people does sound like a lot of employees for a tight-knit startup, doesn't it?
Also from Life With Alacrity:
A group of 3 is often unstable, with one person feeling left out, or else one person controlling the others by being the "split" vote. A group of 4 often devolves into two pairs... At 5 to 8 people, you can have a meeting where everyone can speak out about what the entire group is doing, and everyone feels highly empowered. However, at 9 to 12 people this begins to break down -- not enough "attention" is given to everyone and meetings risk becoming either too noisy, too boring, too long, or some combination thereof.
As you grow past 12 or so employees, you must start specializing and having departments and direct reports; however, you are not quite large enough for this to be efficient, and thus much employee time that you put toward management tasks is wasted. Only as you approach and pass 25 people does having simple departments and managers begin to work again...
I've already noted the next chasm when you go beyond 80 people, which I think is the point that Dunbar's Number actually marks for a non-survival oriented group. Even at this lower point, the noise level created by required socialization becomes an issue, and filtering becomes essential. As you approach 150 this begins to be unmanageable...
LWA suggests that community satisfaction has two peaks, one at size ~7 for simple groups, and one at ~60 for complex groups; and that any community has to fraction, one way or another, by the time it approaches Dunbar's Number.
One of the primary principles of evolutionary psychology is that "Our modern skulls house a stone age mind" (saith Tooby and Cosmides). You can interpret all sorts of angst as the friction of a stone age mind rubbing against a modern world that isn't like the hunter-gatherer environment the brain evolved to handle.
We may not directly interact with most of the other six billion people in the world, but we still live in a world much larger than Dunbar's Number.
Or to say it with appropriate generality: taking our current brain size and mind design as the input, we live in a world much larger than Dunbar's Function for minds of our type.
Consider some of the consequences:
If you work in a large company, you probably don't know your tribal chief on any personal level, and may not even be able to get access to him. For every rule within your company, you may not know the person who decided on that rule, and have no realistic way to talk to them about the effects of that rule on you. Large amounts of the organizational structure of your life are beyond your ability to control, or even talk about with the controllers; directives that have major effects on you, may be handed down from a level you can't reach.
If you live in a large country, you probably don't know your President or Prime Minister on a personal level, and may not even be able to get a few hours' chat; you live under laws and regulations that you didn't make, and you can't talk to the people who made them.
This is a non-ancestral condition. Even children, while they may live under the dictatorial rule of their parents, can at least personally meet and talk to their tyrants. You could expect this unnatural (that is, non-EEA) condition to create some amount of anomie.
Though it's a side issue, what's even more... interesting.... is the way that our brains simply haven't updated to their diminished power in a super-Dunbarian world. We just go on debating politics, feverishly applying our valuable brain time to finding better ways to run the world, with just the same fervent intensity that would be appropriate if we were in a small tribe where we could persuade people to change things.
If people don't like being part of large organizations and countries, why do they stick around? Because of another non-ancestral condition - you can't just gather your more sensible friends, leave the band, and gather nuts and berries somewhere else. If I had to cite two non-regulatory barriers at work, it would be (a) the cost of capital equipment, and (b) the surrounding web of contacts and contracts - a web of installed relationships not easily duplicated by a new company.
I suspect that this is a major part of where the stereotype of Technology as the Machine Death-Force comes from - that along with the professional specialization and the expensive tools, you end up in social structures over which you have much less control. Some of the fear of creating a powerful AI "even if Friendly" may come from that stereotypical anomie - that you're creating a stronger Machine Death-Force to regulate your life.
But we already live in a world, right now, where people are less in control of their social destinies than they would be in a hunter-gatherer band, because it's harder to talk to the tribal chief or (if that fails) leave unpleasant restrictions and start your own country. There is an opportunity for progress here.
Another problem with our oversized world is the illusion of increased competition. There's that famous survey which showed that Harvard students would rather make $50,000 if their peers were making $25,000 than make $100,000 if their peers were receiving $200,000 - and worse, they weren't necessarily wrong about what would make them happy. With a fixed income, you're unhappier at the low end of a high-class neighborhood than the high end of a middle-class neighborhood.
But in a "neighborhood" the size of Earth - well, you're actually quite unlikely to run into either Bill Gates or Angelina Jolie on any given day. But the media relentlessly bombards you with stories about the interesting people who are much richer than you or much more attractive, as if they actually constituted a large fraction of the world. (This is a combination of biased availability, and a difficulty in discounting tiny fractions.)
Now you could say that our hedonic relativism is one of the least pleasant aspects of human nature. And I might agree with you about that. But I tend to think that deep changes of brain design and emotional architecture should be taken slowly, and so it makes sense to look at the environment too.
If you lived in a world the size of a hunter-gatherer band, then it would be easier to find something important at which to be the best - or do something that genuinely struck you as important, without becoming lost in a vast crowd of others with similar ideas.
The eudaimonic size of a community as a function of the component minds' intelligence might be given by the degree to which those minds find it natural to specialize - the number of different professions that you can excel at, without having to invent professions just to excel at. Being the best at Go is one thing, if many people know about Go and play it. Being the best at "playing tennis using a football" is easier to achieve, but it also seems a tad... artificial.
Call a specialization "natural" if it will arise without an oversupply of potential entrants. Newton could specialize in "physics", but today it would not be possible to specialize in "physics" - even if you were the only potential physicist in the world, you couldn't achieve expertise in all the physics known to modern-day humanity. You'd have to pick, say, quantum field theory, or some particular approach to QFT. But not QFT over left-handed bibble-braids with cherries on top; that's what happens when there are a thousand other workers in your field and everyone is desperate for some way to differentiate themselves.
When you look at it that way, then there must be much more than 50 natural specializations in the modern world - but still much less than six billion. By the same logic as the original Dunbar's Number, if there are so many different professional specialties that no one person has heard of them all, then you won't know who to consult about any given topic.
But if people keep getting smarter and learning more - expanding the number of relationships they can track, maintaining them more efficiently - and naturally specializing further as more knowledge is discovered and we become able to conceptualize more complex areas of study - and if the population growth rate stays under the rate of increase of Dunbar's Function - then eventually there could be a single community of sentients, and it really would be a single community.
after reading this article your concepts about dunbar will be caleared.
The study of eudaimonic community sizes began with a seemingly silly method of calculation: Robin Dunbar calculated the correlation between the (logs of the) relative volume of the neocortex and observed group size in primates, then extended the graph outward to get the group size for a primate with a human-sized neocortex. You immediately ask, "How much of the variance in primate group size can you explain like that, anyway?" and the answer is 76% of the variance among 36 primate genera, which is respectable. Dunbar came up with a group size of 148. Rounded to 150, and with the confidence interval of 100 to 230 tossed out the window, this became known as "Dunbar's Number".
It's probably fair to say that a literal interpretation of this number is more or less bogus.
There was a bit more to it than that, of course. Dunbar went looking for corroborative evidence from studies of corporations, hunter-gatherer tribes, and utopian communities. Hutterite farming communities, for example, had a rule that they must split at 150 - with the rationale explicitly given that it was impossible to control behavior through peer pressure beyond that point.
But 30-50 would be a typical size for a cohesive hunter-gatherer band; 150 is more the size of a cultural lineage of related bands. Life With Alacrity has an excellent series on Dunbar's Number which exhibits e.g. a histogram of Ultima Online guild sizes - with the peak at 60, not 150. LWA also cites further research by PARC's Yee and Ducheneaut showing that maximum internal cohesiveness, measured in the interconnectedness of group members, occurs at a World of Warcraft guild size of 50. (Stop laughing; you can get much more detailed data on organizational dynamics if it all happens inside a computer server.)
And Dunbar himself did another regression and found that a community of 150 primates would have to spend 43% of its time on social grooming, which Dunbar interpreted as suggesting that 150 was an upper bound rather than an optimum, when groups were highly incentivized to stay together. 150 people does sound like a lot of employees for a tight-knit startup, doesn't it?
Also from Life With Alacrity:
A group of 3 is often unstable, with one person feeling left out, or else one person controlling the others by being the "split" vote. A group of 4 often devolves into two pairs... At 5 to 8 people, you can have a meeting where everyone can speak out about what the entire group is doing, and everyone feels highly empowered. However, at 9 to 12 people this begins to break down -- not enough "attention" is given to everyone and meetings risk becoming either too noisy, too boring, too long, or some combination thereof.
As you grow past 12 or so employees, you must start specializing and having departments and direct reports; however, you are not quite large enough for this to be efficient, and thus much employee time that you put toward management tasks is wasted. Only as you approach and pass 25 people does having simple departments and managers begin to work again...
I've already noted the next chasm when you go beyond 80 people, which I think is the point that Dunbar's Number actually marks for a non-survival oriented group. Even at this lower point, the noise level created by required socialization becomes an issue, and filtering becomes essential. As you approach 150 this begins to be unmanageable...
LWA suggests that community satisfaction has two peaks, one at size ~7 for simple groups, and one at ~60 for complex groups; and that any community has to fraction, one way or another, by the time it approaches Dunbar's Number.
One of the primary principles of evolutionary psychology is that "Our modern skulls house a stone age mind" (saith Tooby and Cosmides). You can interpret all sorts of angst as the friction of a stone age mind rubbing against a modern world that isn't like the hunter-gatherer environment the brain evolved to handle.
We may not directly interact with most of the other six billion people in the world, but we still live in a world much larger than Dunbar's Number.
Or to say it with appropriate generality: taking our current brain size and mind design as the input, we live in a world much larger than Dunbar's Function for minds of our type.
Consider some of the consequences:
If you work in a large company, you probably don't know your tribal chief on any personal level, and may not even be able to get access to him. For every rule within your company, you may not know the person who decided on that rule, and have no realistic way to talk to them about the effects of that rule on you. Large amounts of the organizational structure of your life are beyond your ability to control, or even talk about with the controllers; directives that have major effects on you, may be handed down from a level you can't reach.
If you live in a large country, you probably don't know your President or Prime Minister on a personal level, and may not even be able to get a few hours' chat; you live under laws and regulations that you didn't make, and you can't talk to the people who made them.
This is a non-ancestral condition. Even children, while they may live under the dictatorial rule of their parents, can at least personally meet and talk to their tyrants. You could expect this unnatural (that is, non-EEA) condition to create some amount of anomie.
Though it's a side issue, what's even more... interesting.... is the way that our brains simply haven't updated to their diminished power in a super-Dunbarian world. We just go on debating politics, feverishly applying our valuable brain time to finding better ways to run the world, with just the same fervent intensity that would be appropriate if we were in a small tribe where we could persuade people to change things.
If people don't like being part of large organizations and countries, why do they stick around? Because of another non-ancestral condition - you can't just gather your more sensible friends, leave the band, and gather nuts and berries somewhere else. If I had to cite two non-regulatory barriers at work, it would be (a) the cost of capital equipment, and (b) the surrounding web of contacts and contracts - a web of installed relationships not easily duplicated by a new company.
I suspect that this is a major part of where the stereotype of Technology as the Machine Death-Force comes from - that along with the professional specialization and the expensive tools, you end up in social structures over which you have much less control. Some of the fear of creating a powerful AI "even if Friendly" may come from that stereotypical anomie - that you're creating a stronger Machine Death-Force to regulate your life.
But we already live in a world, right now, where people are less in control of their social destinies than they would be in a hunter-gatherer band, because it's harder to talk to the tribal chief or (if that fails) leave unpleasant restrictions and start your own country. There is an opportunity for progress here.
Another problem with our oversized world is the illusion of increased competition. There's that famous survey which showed that Harvard students would rather make $50,000 if their peers were making $25,000 than make $100,000 if their peers were receiving $200,000 - and worse, they weren't necessarily wrong about what would make them happy. With a fixed income, you're unhappier at the low end of a high-class neighborhood than the high end of a middle-class neighborhood.
But in a "neighborhood" the size of Earth - well, you're actually quite unlikely to run into either Bill Gates or Angelina Jolie on any given day. But the media relentlessly bombards you with stories about the interesting people who are much richer than you or much more attractive, as if they actually constituted a large fraction of the world. (This is a combination of biased availability, and a difficulty in discounting tiny fractions.)
Now you could say that our hedonic relativism is one of the least pleasant aspects of human nature. And I might agree with you about that. But I tend to think that deep changes of brain design and emotional architecture should be taken slowly, and so it makes sense to look at the environment too.
If you lived in a world the size of a hunter-gatherer band, then it would be easier to find something important at which to be the best - or do something that genuinely struck you as important, without becoming lost in a vast crowd of others with similar ideas.
The eudaimonic size of a community as a function of the component minds' intelligence might be given by the degree to which those minds find it natural to specialize - the number of different professions that you can excel at, without having to invent professions just to excel at. Being the best at Go is one thing, if many people know about Go and play it. Being the best at "playing tennis using a football" is easier to achieve, but it also seems a tad... artificial.
Call a specialization "natural" if it will arise without an oversupply of potential entrants. Newton could specialize in "physics", but today it would not be possible to specialize in "physics" - even if you were the only potential physicist in the world, you couldn't achieve expertise in all the physics known to modern-day humanity. You'd have to pick, say, quantum field theory, or some particular approach to QFT. But not QFT over left-handed bibble-braids with cherries on top; that's what happens when there are a thousand other workers in your field and everyone is desperate for some way to differentiate themselves.
When you look at it that way, then there must be much more than 50 natural specializations in the modern world - but still much less than six billion. By the same logic as the original Dunbar's Number, if there are so many different professional specialties that no one person has heard of them all, then you won't know who to consult about any given topic.
But if people keep getting smarter and learning more - expanding the number of relationships they can track, maintaining them more efficiently - and naturally specializing further as more knowledge is discovered and we become able to conceptualize more complex areas of study - and if the population growth rate stays under the rate of increase of Dunbar's Function - then eventually there could be a single community of sentients, and it really would be a single community.
strangers in the night
Strangers in the Night, The Valentine Effect.
i have chosen this topic form Daily Californian.
it is very romantic topic, i hope you will enjoy it.
By Stefanie Lee
Contributing Writer
Would it be too much to expect chills from watching your first performance of "The Phantom of the Opera"? After all, there's a lot of long-standing socially-constructed gravitas swirling around this theatrical work. A masked, angry dude pining after a beautiful soprano? A chandelier with a mind of its own? Sequins (in general)? "Phantom" is the complete entertainment package, or so they say. "All I Ask of You" is a pop culture staple, transcending stage origins and popping up as a cell phone ringtone. Yet while the latest San Francisco installment of this timeless story, performed by the Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc. at the Orpheum Theatre, brought the occasional shiver, those consistent chills were nowhere to be found.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" is a theatrical anomaly. It's the longest-running Broadway show, having overtaken the reign of "Cats" in 2006, yet it hasn't aged a bit since its debut in 1986. The story is still interesting, the costumes are still flashy and the chandelier is still freaky as hell, but there's something stagnant about it. It's hard to place the origins of that missing element. Is it the quality of this particular performance? Or is the work itself an impossible standard to reach?
Although the set as a whole fit comfortably into the Orpheum Theatre's ornate backdrop, its individual parts formed something of a mixed bag. On the plus side, the black-and-gold frame for the stage created the illusion of an impressionist painting. And, if the chandelier wasn't enough, its moving parts allowed the Phantom to haunt his theater (and ours as well) from above the stage.
But the cup of cons runneth over. Years ago, someone came across the problem of simulating several fiery explosions-necessary to the plot, but obviously risky to the venue and the audience. The solution was and still is unimpressive. It's hard to tell where the weak "fireball" comes from, but the most obvious answer is 1986. The good news is that even viewers in the back row can feel the quick heat wave.
Simulation is actually a theme in this production. The use of smoke to recreate the Phantom's watery path to his lair is convincing for a few minutes, but as soon as it hot-boxes the orchestra pit, sympathy for the instrumentalists outrules the cheap showcase. And, speaking of music, perhaps it was this play that taught the makers of "A Knight's Tale" to take guitar riffs and snare drums out of their rightful historical context. Then again, in 1986, there was a first time for everything.
The strongest performance in the cast was arguably the one that needed to stand out. Trista Moldovan as Christine Daae gained vocal confidence as the play progressed, culminating in two musical high points: an emotionally-grabbing rendition of "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" and a powerful duet with the Phantom in "The Point of No Return." The problem was that it took the pair this long to establish any trace of chemistry. Prior to this moment, it was impossible to sympathize with the Phantom's morbidly dreary life, even though we're taught as members of entertainment-hungry society to love him in spite of his faults. John Cuida, who played the Phantom, also improved throughout the show, but there was something incredibly anti-climactic about the mask-removal moment. Remember Dr. Brown from "Back to the Future"? Remove even more hair from his head and he'd bear a striking resemblance to the Phantom. Now that's chilling.
i have chosen this topic form Daily Californian.
it is very romantic topic, i hope you will enjoy it.
By Stefanie Lee
Contributing Writer
Would it be too much to expect chills from watching your first performance of "The Phantom of the Opera"? After all, there's a lot of long-standing socially-constructed gravitas swirling around this theatrical work. A masked, angry dude pining after a beautiful soprano? A chandelier with a mind of its own? Sequins (in general)? "Phantom" is the complete entertainment package, or so they say. "All I Ask of You" is a pop culture staple, transcending stage origins and popping up as a cell phone ringtone. Yet while the latest San Francisco installment of this timeless story, performed by the Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc. at the Orpheum Theatre, brought the occasional shiver, those consistent chills were nowhere to be found.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" is a theatrical anomaly. It's the longest-running Broadway show, having overtaken the reign of "Cats" in 2006, yet it hasn't aged a bit since its debut in 1986. The story is still interesting, the costumes are still flashy and the chandelier is still freaky as hell, but there's something stagnant about it. It's hard to place the origins of that missing element. Is it the quality of this particular performance? Or is the work itself an impossible standard to reach?
Although the set as a whole fit comfortably into the Orpheum Theatre's ornate backdrop, its individual parts formed something of a mixed bag. On the plus side, the black-and-gold frame for the stage created the illusion of an impressionist painting. And, if the chandelier wasn't enough, its moving parts allowed the Phantom to haunt his theater (and ours as well) from above the stage.
But the cup of cons runneth over. Years ago, someone came across the problem of simulating several fiery explosions-necessary to the plot, but obviously risky to the venue and the audience. The solution was and still is unimpressive. It's hard to tell where the weak "fireball" comes from, but the most obvious answer is 1986. The good news is that even viewers in the back row can feel the quick heat wave.
Simulation is actually a theme in this production. The use of smoke to recreate the Phantom's watery path to his lair is convincing for a few minutes, but as soon as it hot-boxes the orchestra pit, sympathy for the instrumentalists outrules the cheap showcase. And, speaking of music, perhaps it was this play that taught the makers of "A Knight's Tale" to take guitar riffs and snare drums out of their rightful historical context. Then again, in 1986, there was a first time for everything.
The strongest performance in the cast was arguably the one that needed to stand out. Trista Moldovan as Christine Daae gained vocal confidence as the play progressed, culminating in two musical high points: an emotionally-grabbing rendition of "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" and a powerful duet with the Phantom in "The Point of No Return." The problem was that it took the pair this long to establish any trace of chemistry. Prior to this moment, it was impossible to sympathize with the Phantom's morbidly dreary life, even though we're taught as members of entertainment-hungry society to love him in spite of his faults. John Cuida, who played the Phantom, also improved throughout the show, but there was something incredibly anti-climactic about the mask-removal moment. Remember Dr. Brown from "Back to the Future"? Remove even more hair from his head and he'd bear a striking resemblance to the Phantom. Now that's chilling.
sonny boy
This artical is about the american blues harmonica player williamson john lee curtis williamson,
Hope you will enjoy this artical.
Sonny Boy Williamson John Lee Curtis Williamson 30 March 1914 — 1 June 1948) was an American blues harmonica player and the first to use the name Sonny Boy Williamson.
His Career
He was born near Jackson, Tennessee in 1914. His original harmonica recordings were considered to be in the country blues style, but he soon demonstrated skill at making harmonica a lead instrument for the blues, and popularized the instrument for the first time in a more urban blues setting. He has been called "the father of modern blues harp".
His very first recording, "Good Morning, School Girl", was a major hit on the 'race records' market in 1937. He was hugely popular among black audiences throughout the whole southern U.S. as well as in the midwestern industrial cities such as Detroit and his home base in Chicago, and his name was synonymous with the blues harmonica for the next decade. Other well-known recordings of his include "Shake the Boogie", "You Better Cut that Out", "Sloppy Drunk", and "Early in the Morning". Williamson's style influenced a large number of blues harmonica performers, including Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, Sonny Terry, Little Walter, and Snooky Pryor among many others. He was easily the most widely heard and influential blues harmonica player of his generation. His music was also influential on many of his non-harmonica playing contemporaries and successors, including Muddy Waters (who had played with Williamson in the mid-1940s) and Jimmy Rogers (whose first recording in 1946 was as a harmonica player, performing an uncanny imitation of Williamson's style); Rogers later recorded Williamson's songs "My Little Machine" and "Sloppy Drunk" on Chess, and Waters recorded "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" in September 1963 for his Chess LP Folk Singer and again in the 70s when he moved to Johnny Winter's Blue Sky label on CBS.
He was popular enough that by the 1940s, another blues harp player, Aleck/Alex "Rice" Miller, who was based in Helena, Arkansas, began also using the name Sonny Boy Williamson. John Lee is said to have objected to this, though no legal action took place, possibly due to the fact that Miller did not release any records during Williamson's lifetime, and that Williamson played mainly around the Chicago area, and Miller seldom ventured beyond the Mississippi delta region until after Williamson's death.
Williamson recorded prolifically both as a bandleader and a sideman over the entire course of his career, mainly for the Bluebird record label, with many early sessions taking place in the ballroom on the top floor of the Leland Hotel in Aurora, Illinois; most later sessions were recorded in Chicago. His final recording session took place in December 1947, backing Big Joe Williams. On June 1, 1948, John Lee Williamson was killed in a mugging on Chicago's South Side, as he walked home from his final performance at The Plantation Club at 31st St. and Giles Ave., a tavern just a block and a half away from his home at 3226 S. Giles. Williamson's final words are reported to have been Lord have mercy.[1]
His legacy has been overshadowed in the post-war blues era by the popularity of the musician who appropriated his name, Rice Miller, who after Williamson's death went on to record many popular blues songs for Chicago's Checker Records label and others, and toured Europe several times during the 'blues revival' in the early 1960s.
Williamson is buried at the former site of The Blairs Chapel Church, southwest of Jackson, Tennessee. In 1991, a red granite marker was purchased by fans and family to mark the site of his burial. A Tennessee historical marker, also placed in 1991, indicates the place of his birth and describes his influence on blues music. The historical marker is located south of Jackson on TN Highway 18, at the corner of Caldwell Road.
Hope you will enjoy this artical.
Sonny Boy Williamson John Lee Curtis Williamson 30 March 1914 — 1 June 1948) was an American blues harmonica player and the first to use the name Sonny Boy Williamson.
His Career
He was born near Jackson, Tennessee in 1914. His original harmonica recordings were considered to be in the country blues style, but he soon demonstrated skill at making harmonica a lead instrument for the blues, and popularized the instrument for the first time in a more urban blues setting. He has been called "the father of modern blues harp".
His very first recording, "Good Morning, School Girl", was a major hit on the 'race records' market in 1937. He was hugely popular among black audiences throughout the whole southern U.S. as well as in the midwestern industrial cities such as Detroit and his home base in Chicago, and his name was synonymous with the blues harmonica for the next decade. Other well-known recordings of his include "Shake the Boogie", "You Better Cut that Out", "Sloppy Drunk", and "Early in the Morning". Williamson's style influenced a large number of blues harmonica performers, including Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, Sonny Terry, Little Walter, and Snooky Pryor among many others. He was easily the most widely heard and influential blues harmonica player of his generation. His music was also influential on many of his non-harmonica playing contemporaries and successors, including Muddy Waters (who had played with Williamson in the mid-1940s) and Jimmy Rogers (whose first recording in 1946 was as a harmonica player, performing an uncanny imitation of Williamson's style); Rogers later recorded Williamson's songs "My Little Machine" and "Sloppy Drunk" on Chess, and Waters recorded "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" in September 1963 for his Chess LP Folk Singer and again in the 70s when he moved to Johnny Winter's Blue Sky label on CBS.
He was popular enough that by the 1940s, another blues harp player, Aleck/Alex "Rice" Miller, who was based in Helena, Arkansas, began also using the name Sonny Boy Williamson. John Lee is said to have objected to this, though no legal action took place, possibly due to the fact that Miller did not release any records during Williamson's lifetime, and that Williamson played mainly around the Chicago area, and Miller seldom ventured beyond the Mississippi delta region until after Williamson's death.
Williamson recorded prolifically both as a bandleader and a sideman over the entire course of his career, mainly for the Bluebird record label, with many early sessions taking place in the ballroom on the top floor of the Leland Hotel in Aurora, Illinois; most later sessions were recorded in Chicago. His final recording session took place in December 1947, backing Big Joe Williams. On June 1, 1948, John Lee Williamson was killed in a mugging on Chicago's South Side, as he walked home from his final performance at The Plantation Club at 31st St. and Giles Ave., a tavern just a block and a half away from his home at 3226 S. Giles. Williamson's final words are reported to have been Lord have mercy.[1]
His legacy has been overshadowed in the post-war blues era by the popularity of the musician who appropriated his name, Rice Miller, who after Williamson's death went on to record many popular blues songs for Chicago's Checker Records label and others, and toured Europe several times during the 'blues revival' in the early 1960s.
Williamson is buried at the former site of The Blairs Chapel Church, southwest of Jackson, Tennessee. In 1991, a red granite marker was purchased by fans and family to mark the site of his burial. A Tennessee historical marker, also placed in 1991, indicates the place of his birth and describes his influence on blues music. The historical marker is located south of Jackson on TN Highway 18, at the corner of Caldwell Road.
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