Next James Bond 007-car? Next year Aston Martin will release this supersport car. The name of this beauty is One-77 and it will be produced in a limited edition car of only 77 examples. Be one of the owners!

Staff reports
Originally published 05:31 a.m., August 19, 2008
Updated 3:01 p.m., August 19, 2008

Click here to view live Vipir radar of the area

3:01 p.m. Southern Brevard County is under a flash flood warning until 6:30 p.m.

2:56 p.m.: The center of Tropical Storm Fay was just northwest of Lake Okeechobee. The eyewall of Fay is associated with very heavy squalls as it moves north at 10 mph, according to the National Weather Service. A band of hurricane-force wind gusts between 70 and 80 mph and torrential rain will move across southern Okeechobee County and the town of Okeechobee through 4 p.m., the Weather Service reports.

2:44 p.m.: A tornado touched down just north of the Indian River County line in Barefoot Bay about 1:40 p.m., causing damage to residences, and injuring two people.

2:22 p.m.: The National Weather Service has extended the tornado warning for northeastern Indian River County until 2:45 p.m. The warning includes Sebastian, Winter Beach, Wabasso, Vero Beach, Indian River Shores and Gifford. The cell is moving northwest at 33 mph.

2:20 p.m.: The center of Tropical Storm Fay is over the western shore of Lake Okeechobee.

1:59 p.m.: Eastern Indian River County is again under a tornado warning, until 2:15 p.m. Doppler radar indicated a tornado was 3 miles northeast of the Fort Pierce Inlet at 1:47 p.m. Wind gusts of 80 to 85 mph are associated with this cell.

1:31 p.m.: Vero Beach Police report a whale was beached on the shore near South Beach in the city. The whale is 10 to 12 feet long. Harbor Branch officials were called to the scene. No further information was released.

1:28 p.m.: Southern Brevard County is under a tornado warning until 2 p.m. Doppler radar indicates the storm is near Micco and the Sebastian Inlet, moving northwest at 38 mph. It is expected to be near Palm Bay by 1:45 p.m. At 1:25 p.m., Doppler radar showed a line of strong storms from 17 miles east of Grant-Valkaria to 8 miles east of Micco. Besides the tornado threat, the other concern will be lightning and gusty winds of 60 mph.

1:05 p.m.: There was a possible tornado touchdown on Selvitz Road, said St. Lucie County Fire Rescue spokeswoman Catherine Whitaker. Buildings were damaged and vehicles were overturned at 3904 Selvitz Road at 12:45 p.m., she said. No one has been reported injured as of now. Selvitz Road is between Edwards Road and Midway Road, just west of Fort Pierce.

12:46 p.m. A tornado warning is in effect for southeastern Indian River County and north central St. Lucie County until 1:15 p.m. This includes Vero Beach and Indrio. The immediate danger of a tornado is high in this area.

12:45 p.m. The National Weather Service reports that wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph are expected to hit Okeechobee County between 1:30 and 3 p.m. Near Tropical Storm Fay's center at 12:35 p.m., an almost eyewall-like feature was producing a 30- to 60-minute period of sustained, tropical storm-force winds with frequent damaging gusts of 60 to 70 mph and blinding wind-driven rain squalls. These squalls are headed for the Okeechobee area. Okeechobee County residents are advised to prepare for these squalls and treat the feature as you would a tornadic storm. The Weather Service advises staying indoors on the lowest floor, away from windows, and not to be outside or driving.

12:32 p.m.: The National Weather Service extended its flash flood warning north into Indian River County. All of the Treasure Coast now is under a flash food warning.

12:21 p.m.: The National Weather Service reports strong squalls are affecting the Treasure Coast and are moving north about 25 mph. The primary threat will be gusty winds of 40 to 45 mph.

10:40 a.m.: A tornado has touched down at the Shell gas station on U.S. 1 near Monroe Street just south of Stuart. A vehicle flipped over and power lines are down. FPL workers are en route. Southbound U.S. 1 traffic is reduced to a single lane.

10:28 a.m.: National Weather Service radar indicated squalls across the Treasure Coast counties moving northwest at 29 mph. The primary threat will be occasional gusts to 40 to 50 mph. Periods of torrential rainfall can be expected, causing some road flooding.

9:52 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for Stuart, Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound until 10:15 a.m. At 9:51 a.m., radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable ot producing a tornado 6 miles southeast of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, moving northwest at 35 mph. It will be near Jupiter Island by 10 a.m. and Hobe Sound by 10:05 a.m.

9:48 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Jupiter and Tequesta areas until 10 a.m. At 9:34 a.m., radar indicated a possible tornado near North Palm Beach moving north at 49 mph. At 9:47 a.m, it was reported near Jupiter moving north at 48 mph.

9:03 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for eastern Martin County until 9:30 a.m. Radar indicated a severe storm capable of producing a tornado near Hobe Sound moving northwest at 11 p.m. It will be near Port Salerno and Rocky Point by 9:20 a.m. and Palm City, Stuart and Jensen Beach by 9:30 a.m.

9:02 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for east central Palm Beach County until 9:30 a.m. At 9:01 a.m., radar indicated a possible tornado near Village of Golf moving north at 49 mph. It will pass near Greenacres, Royal Palm Beach and North Palm Beach General Airport.

8:31 a.m.: National Weather Service radar indicates squalls moving into Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee and Brevard counties. The storms are moving north at 20-25 mph. The primary threat will be occasional gusty winds of 35 to 45 mph, which can cause unsecured objects to blow around, snap tree limbs or cause power outages and blinding rainfall. Periods of torrential rainfall can be expected, causing ponding or some road flooding.

8:01 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for northeastern Palm Beach County until 8:45 a.m. Radar indicated a possible tornado near North Palm Beach at 7:56 a.m., moving northwest at 32 mph. Another was indicated 4 miles southeast of West Palm Beach moving at 32 mph. The tornadoes will be near Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Beach, Jupiter and Tequesta.

7:32 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for northeastern Palm Beach County until 8 a.m. Radar indicated a possible tornado 6 miles southeast of Lake Worth moving north-northwest at 33 mph. Another possible tornado was located 3 miles east of Haverhill.

7:29 a.m.: Radar indicated a strong squall 9 miles west of Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County, moving north at 30 p.m.

7:15 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for north central Palm Beach County until 7:45 a.m. At 7:14 a.m., radar indicated a possible tornado near The Acreage moving north at 33 mph.

7:10 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for east central Palm Beach County until 7:30 a.m. Radar indicated a possible tornado near Hypoluxo moving north at 33 mph. The tornado will be near Lake Worth and West Palm Beach.

7:10 a.m.: A tropical storm coastal water advisory was issued from Daytona Beach to Jupiter Inlet. Strong winds and isolated thunderstorms will produce seas of 8 to 11 feet until Wednesday morning.

7:05 a.m.: A tornado watch was extended until 4 p.m. for Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee and Brevard counties.

6:48 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for central Palm Beach County until 7:15 a.m. At 6:46 a.m., radar indicated a possible tornado in Wellington moving north at 41 mph. The tornado will be near Royal Palm Beach and the North Palm Beach General Airport area.

6:45 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for northeastern Martin County including Stuart, Palm City and Jensen Beach until 7:45 a.m. At 6:39 a.m., radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Rocky Point moving northwest at 33 mph. The storm will move into St. Lucie County by 7 a.m.

6:28 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for western Martin County until 7:15 a.m. Radar indicated a severe thunderstorm 8 miles south of Indiantown moving northwest at 30 mph.

6:28 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for northwestern St. Lucie County until 7:15 a.m. At 6:26 a.m., radar indicated a storm capable of producing a tornado about 7 miles west of White City. It was moving northwest at 33 mph. It will pass over State Road 70 around 6:45 a.m.

6:12 a.m.: A tornado warning remains in effect until 6:30 a.m. for southeastern St. Lucie County. At 6:07 a.m., radar indicated a squall line capable of producing a tornado located in central Port St. Lucie. It was moving northwest near 35 mph. It will be near the northern side of Port St. Lucie by 6:20 a.m. The Port St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant reported a wind gust near 55 mph at 5:55 a.m.

5:59 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for eastern Palm Beach County until 6:30 a.m. Radar indicated a possible tornado near Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge moving north at 34 mph.

5:50 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for southeastern St. Lucie County until 6:30 a.m. At 5:44 a.m., radar indicated a squall line capable of producing a tornado 7 miles south of Walton moving northwest at 35 mph. It will pass Port St. Lucie River Park by 6 a.m. and White City by 6:05 a.m.

5:50 a.m.: A flood watch is in effect for Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Brevard counties until Wednesday morning. Fay is expected to produce extensive rainfall across east central Florida, the National Weather Service advised.

5:49 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for north central Palm Beach County until 6:15 a.m. Radar indicated a possible tornado one mile southeast of Canal Point moving northwest at 31 mph.

5:29 a.m.: A tornado warning was posted for west central Palm Beach County, southeastern Glades County and northeastern Hendry County until 6 a.m. A a possible tornado was reported near Clewiston moving northwest at 44 mph.

5:23 a.m.: A special marine advisory was posted for Lake Okeechobee until 6:45 a.m. A thunderstorm capable of producing a waterspout was reported over Lake Harbor moving northwest.

A tornado watch remains in effect until 8 a.m. for all of South Florida.

I do a lot of it.  Sometimes, I worry I read too much.  What if I take in so much information from books that I forget my first Christmas.  Haha, not truly, but you never know, it could happen.  

Other times, I worry that I'm not reading productively.  Should I be reading more Hemmingway and Wollestonecraft and Marx instead of more modern writers?  Probably.

Lately, I've been religiously rereading George RR Martin's fantasy epic, "A Song of Ice and Fire."  Are series' supposed to be quotationed or italicized or underlined?  I'm not sure.  Anyway, Martin's series is nothing short of amazing, and it blows any traditional fantasy shamelessly out of the water.

I know, I know.  You're probably thinking, "Who fucking reads fantasy?"  And I agree; the genre is pretty dead.  The original men and women of fantasy; Shelley, Tolkien, Lewis, all wrote the genre and distorted reality and literature as the world knew it.  Tolkien flippin' invented entire languages to bring his series to life.   He compiled notes and notes of backstory, despite the fact that no one would ever see or read it.  What I'm saying is that the original intention of fantasy or science fiction literature was to take a unique take on the real world, on the human experience.

Not anymore, though.  Now, the pages of fantasy literature are little more than buxom, Amazonian-esque Half Elves travelling with wizened, Obi-wan figure #9 and Christ-figure #6 to defeat trecherous villain #5.  It's a whole load of BS, where the protaganists can do naught but succeed, where every plan comes to fruition, and success is only a training montage away.

George RR Martin has, thank all that is holy, shattered these rules and thrown them out the window in his series, "A Song of Ice and Fire."  Set in a quasi-medieval, polytheistic (but not really) society, A Song of Ice and Fire is everything fantasy was meant to be originally, and more.  Martin continues the legacies of writers like Shelley, Tolkien, and Lewis while others only bastardized the latter's works until their collective iconic corpses rolled restlessly in their graves.

A Song of Ice and Fire is gritty, dirty, and mean.  It's a sharp kick in the balls from a size-16 foot.  The world of A Song and Ice and Fire is one where a pretty little girl has her notions of chivalry and honor destroyed by a burnt-faced knight who relishes in slaughter and alcohol; where an innocent eight-year-old boy is thrown from a tower window for merely climbing around and accidentally stumbling on high treason and incest.  A world where a man plagued with dwarfism falls in love with whores who only love his coin.

The world of ASOIAF is one where seasons last for years, sometimes decades.  It is a world brewing with political intrigue, warfare, and romance.  Martin effortlessly juxtaposes scenes depicting crude violence and lewd sex with those that remind us of the innocence of childhood and the love and importance of family.

The series is unique in many ways.  What you'll first notice is the unique way in which Martin presents his story.  Each chapter is from the point of view of a different character, allowing for a seamless story where over twenty very different (yet refreshingly three-dimensional) characters are all protagonists in their own right.  The range of characters is pleasantly broad, from the aforementioned dwarf, Tyrion Lannister, who makes up for his stunted frame with his quick wit, quicker tongue, and unsatiable taste for political intrigue to the Lady Catelyn Stark, matriarch of the Stark Family, the veritable "good guys" of the story (for the first few chapters anyway) with a whole slew of loveable and hatable men, women, and children in between.  In addition, no character is safe in Martin's series.  Heroes and honorable men die while those guilty of crimes as horrible as rape and infanticide continue to thrive, and Martin makes no apologies.  This makes Martin's work all the more exciting and enjoyable, his realistic, believable writing slaps traditional fantasy in the face, starkly reminding it that, in the real world, the ruthless and vile usually triumph.

As of this writing, A Song of Ice and Fire has four books released, with a fifth long overdue and likely to be out within the next few months.  The titles are (with the last two being tentative):
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance With Dragons
- The Winds of Winter
- A Dream of Spring
I highly reccomend that anyone with a mature vocabulary and a strong stomach pick up the first book.  You'll likely get hooked.  Just note that the books are rife with foul language, and descriptive scenes of both sex and violence.  Sometimes, even I find the books too intense and have to put them down.  Also, be aware that the books are typically in the range of 900 pages, so be prepared for a lengthy addiction.

The other bit of reading I've been doing is Lesley Choyce's, "The Republic of Nothing."  I've never read this novel before, but I've heavily indulged in Choyce's other works many times.   His coming-of-age, thin novels such as "Good Idea Gone Bad,"  "Wave Watch," "The Dark End of Dream Street," and many other similar works, (banded together, atleast in the additions I read, by their similar, colourful title pages and artistry.)  These books were critical aspects of my formative years, opening my young, pre-teen eyes to issues like women's rights, environmental concerns, drug abuse, and poverty.  It seems to me that "The Republic of Nothing" is simply an extension of those previous novels of Choyce's, and I mean that in the most positive way.  It explores similar issues, albeit in a more poetic, mature manner.

Set on the fictional (?) locale of Whalebone Island, Nova Scotia, the Republic of Nothing opens with Mr. Everett McQuade, a simple, fisherman-turned-anarchist commemerating the birth of his son, Ian McQuade, by declaring the tiny Whalebone Island an independant nation, affectionately called "The Republic of Nothing." 

As the years go on, and protagonist Ian McQuade grows, more and more people come to the island to settle; pseudo-doctor Ben Ackerman from New York City, heartbroken and disturbed by the fact that he could not save the multitudes of sick and dying waifs in the concrete jungle of NYC; loving family of three, the Phillips:  the ingenious nuclear physicist Tenessee Phillips, his movie-star wife, and their daughter, the lifetime love interest of Ian, Gwendolyn Phillips. 

While the immigrants of the Republic are loveable and refreshingly believable, this is no less true of her native denizens.  The McQuade Family are a tapestry of eccentricities:  Everett and his desire to "save the world,"  Ian and his saint-like nature, Mrs. Dorothy McQuade, lost as her Oz-ian namesake; a mermaid of a woman, washed up from sea years ago without a memory to speak of, and Casey McQuade, the esoteric daughter who speaks to the moon and dreams of dragons and becoming a singer, (an African-American one, no less.) 

The novel talks about issues like creating and destroying, love and hate, freedom and slavery, conformity and individuality. It speaks of abortion, women's rights, elderly old men who dream of being privateers, the anti-war movement, and the civil rights movement.  But most importantly, the novel is about the sea, and as a Nova Scotian lad, I simply can't get enough of it.

I highly reccomend Lesley Choyce as an author; go pick up the Republic of Nothing from a bookstore, a friend, or a library.  Whether or not you grew up near the ocean, you'll appreciate it.

If anyone feels I haven't done these books justice in my rambling of a review, then, please feel free to comment your little hearts out.  If anyone has any questions regarding these books, again, feel free to comment or reach me by e-mail.  I simply would love to talk about them.

Per evitare lo scandalo l'artista Lois Anvidalfarei avrebbe dovuto scolpire anche le mutandine. Oppure, trattandosi di padre Adamo e dei figlioli Caino e Abele, almeno una foglia di fico. Le statue che da tre settimane campeggiano nelle strade di Ortisei hanno turbato la calma dolomitica del centro altoatesino proprio perché mettono in evidenza i genitali. Per alcuni, anzi, lo scultore si sarebbe concentrato solo su quelli, cesellati con precisione, trascurando il resto. Una provocazione che ha spinto il parroco a capeggiare le rimostranze di turisti e fedeli. Il sacerdote ha fatto pressione su Comune e Azienda di soggiorno, e alla fine ha strappato un compromesso: le opere spariranno una settimana prima, il 4 invece che il 12 ottobre, in modo da non turbare la processione del 5.

A Ortisei è come se si fosse riformato il fronte «antirana», che a luglio ha costretto il Museion di Bolzano a confinare lo strano crocifisso di Martin Kippenberger in una stanza al terzo piano. Esponenti della destra separatista e vertici della Curia arrivarono a mettere in dubbio le vacanze del Papa a Bressanone. Stavolta in palio c'è il rossore di qualche pudibondo, ma evidentemente la sensibilità comune in Alto Adige è cambiata: «Non discuto l'arte, ma se poi i miei fedeli parlano di porcherie piazzate sulla pubblica via sono costretto a intervenire», sostiene don Vitalis Delago, il parroco leader della contestazione. E allo stesso modo la pensa Pius Leitner, ex comandante provinciale degli Schuetzen, gli autonomisti che marciarono contro la rana verde messa in croce a Bolzano: «Io sono per la libertà d'espressione — premette — ma è proprio necessario esporre in strada opere che turbano la moralità?». Come ha raccontato il Corriere dell'Alto Adige, il consigliere comunale di Ortisei Marina Demetz ha ricevuto un sms inquietante: «Adesso hai la tua rana». E il clima, insomma, è quello della crociata contro i dissacratori della famiglia. Anvidalfarei è meravigliato: «Non mi sarei mai aspettato tutto ciò». Mentre Aron Demetz, altro artista coinvolto nella mostra, taglia corto: «I nudi nell'arte sacra esistono da 600 anni. In Alto Adige siamo tornati ai tempi bui in cui il pisello faceva paura».

Corriere della Sera

 

     Maybe I should start by compiling my first official rant. I mean a lot of bloggers do it, so I figured I'd join the bunch since so much goes on in the world on a weekly basses that really catches my attention, whether it be positive or negative; little or big. So here goes nothing...      

The Good:

      For starters, I am extremely elated and content that Usain "Lightning" Bolt has won the 2008 Beijing Olympic Men's 100 Meter Final with a New World Record Time of 9.69 seconds winning Jamaica it's first Olympic Men's 100 meter Gold Medal. Usain is an outstanding athlete and is a great inspiration to all sprinter alike. Whilst Bolt took the Gold Medal, Richard Thompson of Trinidad took the Silver Medal, and Walter Dix of the United States took the Bronze. Check out some pictures and a short "Unofficial" Video clip with more specific details below... 

Alan Abrahamson of NBC writes, "In the most outrageous display of speed to ever burn across the Olympic Games, Usain Bolt of Jamaica rocketed to gold in winning the men's 100m dash in 9.69 seconds -- not only a new world record but the first time in the history of human beings a man has run the distance under 9.7 seconds without a significant tailwind. 

Incredibly, Bolt, 21, could have gone faster. With a full seven strides to go, he dropped his arms and let them fall outstretched to his sides, appearing almost to run sideways as he played to the sold-out crowd of 91,000 at the Bird's Nest.

Just before the finish line, he started high-stepping and, for good measure, executed a chest-thump. All that, and still -- 9.69 seconds. Bolt simply ran away from the rest of the best of the world."

      With Usain Bolt making history on the men's side, the Jamaican women also made history as little-known Shelly-Ann Fraser won the 2008 Olympic Women's 100 Meter Final running a 10.78, and was followed up by her fellow country mates Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart, who both finished in 10.98 and both collected silvers medals giving Jamaica the first sweep of medals in a women's 100 by any nation at any Olympics or world championships.

"I was speechless yesterday for a while. Today I cried," Jamaica's minister of sport, Olivia Grange, said Sunday, after watching Fraser win. "Little Jamaica - our country is blessed with some of the best, if not the best, talent you can find."

These outstanding and impressive displays of hard-work pose, determination, and athleticism gave Jamaica the first sweep of men's and women's 100 golds at any Olympics since 1988.

AP Sports writer Howard Fendrich reports that The United States protested the results in the women's 100, asking that the race be reviewed because of a possible false start by American Torri Edwards - who wound up last. The appeal was swiftly rejected, and the biggest consequence was that the Jamaican women would have to wait until Monday to receive their medals at a postponed ceremony.

"Not that a ruling for the U.S. would have made much of a difference. The Jamaicans, particularly Fraser, were so much better that it's hard to imagine the outcome being much different if the race were run again." - Howard Fendrich

More Good...

      Secondly, over the past week I have seen numerous advertisements for some of televisions hottest and most intriguing shows (many of which happen to be my personal favorites) previewing their new up and coming seasons scheduled for this Fall and early 2009, and I am glad to say that I am very excited and can't wait to see what's in store. These are some of the shows that most certainly make television worth watching regularly in our day and age: LOST, House, Heroes, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 24, The Office, etc.

      I am particularly a big fan of the shows LOST, House M.D. and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and am slowly growing into a big fan of Heroes, and The Office, and not much of a big fan of 24 (though it is a great series). The only down side it that I  as well as other fans have to wait until January 2009 for the new season of LOST (which is my favorite), but will soon have some of my television show cravings filled by the new seasons of House M.D. and Heroes this September, and am currently satisfied and kept at bay with the current season of CSI (Season 7) which is definitely another great season thus far.

       With a whole new line up of seasons launching this coming Fall and in Early 2009, two brand new television shows will be introduced to the mix; NBC's Crusoe and Fox's Fringe. Both show previews really caught my attention and interests and I'm looking forward to seeing these two new shows and what they are all about; as they both look pretty interesting and seem to have fairly compelling story lines and structures and also seem to bring something new to the table.

Hopefully they live up to the high expectations and provide good quality viewing pleasures and add to the mix of great television shows. Check out the preview trailers for the new up and coming shows Fringe and Crusoe below...

FRINGE

When an unlikely trio uncovers a deadly mystery involving a series of unbelievable events, they discover it may be part of a larger, disturbing pattern that blurs the line between science fiction and technology on FRINGE.

CRUSOE

Crusoe follows the novel and it's treasured tale of adventure; this high-action, fast-paced, thirteen part series will combine for the first time the pace and energy of network television while remaining faithful to the authur's original classic story.

The Bad:

I am extremely disappointed with NBC's Olympic Coverage. They have in my mind without question displayed some of the most biased, selfish, and unfair broadcasts and coverage of the Olympics time and times again. For one thing, they act as if there aren't other athletes and countries participating in the Olympics other than Americans. Yes, it is important and necessary that a country high light and focus on it's own athletes and representatives, but it is also important to take given time to high light the accomplishments of other athletes and countries.

      The United States embodies a very braggadocio approach in almost every situation and in common fashion regularly down plays other country's athletes and put their own athletes on a towering pedestal of supreme greatness. Yes, Michael Phelps is indeed an outstanding and great athlete and has performed the unthinkable on countless occasions, but there are numerous other athletes who have waited their entire lives to perform on the Olympic stage and deserve their rightful moment of fame and glory. It seem like every single time I turn on the television or log onto the net I am bombarded with Michael Phelps Media. Michael Phelps this, Michael Phelps that, Michael Phelps here, Michael Phelps there...It's as if NBC and the media are trying to permanently brand Michael Phelps into the minds of viewers and have them only remember him and his accomplishments and no one elses......It is all honestly really starting to get extremely annoying and redundant (I bet even Michael Phelps himself is tired of all the hype and would like some breathing space).

      Secondly, the 2008 Olympic Games are taking place in Beijing, China which is 1 days times ahead of the United States, which then means that almost all of the Olympic Coverage we see on NBC (who owns the Olympic Broadcasting Rights) has already taken place, been recorded and then re-broadcasted here in the United States. So NBC purposely decides to show us what they want when they want and I find this to be highly unfair and inappropriate. How is it that NBC will have Live Coverage of a Swimming race that lasts 15 minutes long, but not show (at a respectable time of day) recorded Track & Field Events that last only a mer 10 seconds each...??? I waited all day to watch the Men's 100 Meter Heats and Final, and along that wait I must have seen Michael Phelps at least 50 times both in broadcasts and commercials...I sat through entire medal ceremonies of Bronze Medal American Athletes (particularly swimming), saw cameras focused sharply on American Athletes who didn't even win their events placing in third, fourth, fifth and below, or even qualify for final events (cough, Tyson Gay...) etc, etc. But couldn't catch one glimpse of the Medal Ceremony for the World's Fastest Man Usian Bolt, or many other events where the Unites States did not win. But NBC and a host of fans, athletes, representatives and supporters don't see anything wrong with this..............Who knows.........Maybe it's just me................

The Ugly:

      Some things just never change and it seems like the "Pants Hanging Below Butt" trend will never remove itself from our society. It is totally disgusting to see males of all ages and races walk around with their pants hanging below their butts in a bold fashion statement supposedly said to be considered as "cool"......(Shaking my head) It is really a sickening sight and very disappointing. 

      However, authorities (particularly those of Flint, Michigan, and places in Atlanta and New Jersey, etc.) have also been growing tired of this ridiculous disease like trend and have set new laws into place in hopes of cracking down upon and putting an end to sagging pants.

From: The Fashion eZine

TRENTON, N.J. – It's a fashion that started in prison, and now the saggy pants craze has come full circle – low-slung street strutting in some cities may soon mean run-ins with the law, including a stint in jail.

Proposals to ban saggy pants are starting to ride up in several places. At the extreme end, wearing pants low enough to show boxers or bare buttocks in one small Louisiana town means six months in jail and a $500 (U.S.) fine. A crackdown also is being pushed in Atlanta. And in Trenton, N.J., getting caught with your pants down may soon result in not only a fine, but a city worker assessing where your life is headed.

"Are they employed? Do they have a high school diploma? It's a wonderful way to redirect at that point," said Trenton Councillor Annette Lartigue, who is drafting a law to outlaw saggy pants. "The message is clear: We don't want to see your backside."

The bare-your-britches fashion is believed to have started in prisons, where inmates aren't given belts with their baggy uniform pants to prevent hangings and beatings. By the late 1980s, the trend had made it to gangster rap videos, then went on to skateboarders in the suburbs and high school hallways.

"For young people, it's a form of rebellion and identity," Adrian "Easy A.D." Harris, 43, a member of the Bronx's legendary rap group Cold Crush Brothers. "The young people think it's fashionable. They don't think it's negative."

But those who want to stop them see it as an indecent, sloppy trend that is a bad influence on children.

"It has the potential to catch on with elementary school kids," said C.T. Martin, an Atlanta councillor. "Teachers have raised questions about what a distraction it is."

In Atlanta, a law has been introduced to ban sagging and punishment could include small fines or community work – but no jail time, Martin said.

The penalty is stiffer in Delcambre, La., where in June the town council passed an ordinance that carries a fine of up to $500 or six months in jail for exposing underwear in public. Several other municipalities and parish governments in Louisiana have enacted similar laws in recent months.

At Trenton hip-hop clothing store Razor Sharp Clothing Shop 4 Ballers, shopper Mark Wise, 30, said his jeans sag for practical reasons.

"The reason I don't wear tight pants is because it's easier to get money out of my pocket this way," Wise said. "It's just more comfortable."

Shop owner Mack Murray said Trenton's proposed ordinance unfairly targets blacks.

"Are they going to go after construction workers and plumbers, because their pants sag, too?" Murray asked. "They're stereotyping us."

The American Civil Liberties Union agrees.

"In Atlanta, we see this as racial profiling," said Benetta Standly of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia. "It's going to target African-American male youths. There's a fear with people associating the way you dress with crimes being committed." (The Fashion Ezine)

Ben Schmitt, Free Press Staff Writer says, "Flint Police Chief David Dicks has said he will not back down from his policy of filing disorderly conduct or indecent exposure charges against those whose saggy pants allow too much underwear or their bottoms to show on city streets (see diagram, above)."

“It took Pleasure to make me and Pain to give birth to me…” - Kev

Capacidad de observación y asombro, lógica absurda, autocompasión, paranoia, ironía son algunos de los elementos que conforman ese cóctel explosivo llamado CUAL ES SU GRACIA? -humor Stand Up.

Acción y reacción es la clave de una
relación vertiginosa entre el monologuista y su público.

Cada semana es una nueva oportunidad para ofrecer su original visión de las cosas cotidianas con las que todos nos identificamos.

CUAL ES SU GRACIA? - Stand Up, una forma de re-conocernos, en clave de humor, a nosotros mismos y nuestra sociedad con nuestras grandezas y pequeñeces.

"¿Cuál es su gracia? Humor stand up", un espectáculo que fue visto por más de cuarenta mil personas transformándose, en estos cuatro años ininterrumpidos de permanencia, en uno de los íconos del género en el centro porteño.
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RESERVAS [15] 6540 4455
CORRIENTES 1660
CABA 1425
AR

Am Dienstag (12.8.) besuchte ich mit meinen Eltern und meiner Schwester Victoria ein Konzert von Katie Melua in der Arena in Trier. Victoria und ich hatten Stehplätze und suchten uns eine ganz nette Stelle mit recht annehmbarer Bühnensicht. Pünktlich um 20 Uhr begann die "Vorband" Matthias Kellner, der mit Gesang und Gitarre einige Liedchen vortrug. War gut, wenn auch etwas eintönig... Nach einer (m.E. vermeidbaren) Umbaupause betrat Katies Band (mit der Besetzung Klavier - E-Gitarre - Bass - Drums - Hammondorgel/Violine etc.) die Bühne. Ein sehr bluesiges Instrumentalvorspiel ging nahtlos in "Crawling Up A Hill" über, als die in Georgien geborene Londonerin die Bühne betrat. Erstaunlicherweise war ein großer Anteil des Sets sehr jazzig oder bluesig angehaucht, und Katie machte richtig Stimmung. Sie spielte einen sehr gelungenen Querschnitt durch alle Alben, und von "The Closest Thing To Crazy" über "Spider's Web" bis zu "Perfect Circle" waren alle meine Lieblingslieder dabei. Musikalisch überzeugte das Konzert voll und ganz: Katie sang fantastisch, und ihre Band war ausnahmslos richtig gut, besonders Gitarrist und Pianist spielten eine ganze Reihe fantastischer Solos. Katie Melua ist live absolut zu empfehlen!

Das Konzert am darauffolgenden Mittwoch (13.8.) hatte nichts mehr mit den sanften Balladen des Vorabends zu tun: in Wiesbaden spielten Killswitch Engage. Zusammen mit Helena, Martin und Flo (alles Innuendos) sahen wir uns die unumstrittenen Könige des Metalcore an. Als wir im Schlachthof ankamen, spielte bereits eine lokale Supportband. Nach Geschäften am Merchstand und der Pipibox standen wir rechtzeitig zum Beginn der nächsten Band im Publikum. Das waren immerhin die dann doch recht bekannten As I Lay Dying, die schon ein sehr ordentliches Konzert ablieferten, und von "94 Hours" bis "The Sound Of Truth" alle besonderen Kracher spielten. In der Umbaupause nutzten wir dann die Gelegenheit und gingen nach vorne. Wie zu erwarten, begannen Killswitch mit dem absolut fantastischen "Daylight Dies" als Opener. Das Publikum hielt nun nichts mehr auf ihren Plätzen, und Flos Brille hielt nichts mehr auf der Nase, weshalb er nach deren Rettung den Rest des Konzerts von etwas weiter hinten verfolgte. Derweil spielten Killswitch einen Hammersong nach dem anderen, und bei uns in der zweiten Reihe ging es ziemlich ab. Mit Songs wie "Rose Of Sharyn", "This Is Absolution" oder "My Last Serenade" feuerten sie eine Breitwand nach der nächsten ab, und brachten die Menge zum Kochen. Alle fünf bewiesen dabei großes musikalisches Talent, und ihr Livesounds ist mit der Beste, den ich je gehört habe. Ein ganz besonderer Höhepunkt war wohl "The End Of Heartache" das wir mit Innuendo auch schon ein paar mal live gespielt haben. Zur letzten Zugabe "Holy Diver" warf die Band Partyhütchen ins Publikum und ließ ihre Roadcrew auf die Bühne, um das Ende der allerletzten Headliner-Show vor der Aufnahme des nächsten Albums (ja, ein historisches Konzert! ^^) zu feiern. Dann traten wir nass geschwitzt und heiser geschrien, aber glücklich den Heimweg an.

Ein Fazit der Kontrast-Konzert-Tage: bei Katie war es ja schon richtig geil... aber Killswitch Engage haben alles übertroffen und haben Iron Maiden vom Platz 1 der ewigen Konzert-Bestenliste verdrängt.

I had a CruiseCam running and that has helped me analyze my mistakes. Raddy thought I was braking a little early and not hard enough. He also noticed a few times when I was crossing over on the wheel instead of shuffling my hands (you can see this on the video). I know to shuffle but have temporary memory loss when things get moving fast. The video turned out cool because I was able to cut the CruiseCam tape together with a tape my son made using an external camera. Check it out:

I taped a bunch of my MINI friends on the course and will be putting together a highlight video soon.

I'm getting a set of holies and Falken Azenis from Raddy and they will be my race wheels. Just got a deal on a set of Koni FSD struts on ebay for $485 new in the box. And I'm planning to get  Ireland fixed camber plates, TSW springs and Megan lower control arms from Dustin at AutoXCooper.com in the next month. It will be interesting to see if those changes will make a dent in my times or if I'm just going to have to wait for my skills to develop.

Another call came in. My cell phone started ringing off the hook. The employees at what is called Martin Manufacturing but really goes by the name Fecheimer, thought they were going to be negotiating some issues in their contract.

Instead, it was more of "we are closing in 60 days."

Another 150 jobs lost in an area that has already lost several plants. The factory makes uniforms and is what we call a "needle and thread" plant.

It was the last of them here. We are supposed to get the "official" word today but the employees told us yesterday afternoon. There were tears and fear of what will happen next. Somebody may be able to pull something out of their hat here but I'm not optimistic.

The company is owned by Berkshire Hathaway whose CEO is Warren Buffett. Fecheimer was founded in 1842.

This is just another huge loss for this community.

Det känns nästan lite kusligt att se på bilden, som att se in i framtiden på hur Sebastian kommer att se ut om bara några få månader. Håret, ansiktet, kroppen, så otroligt likt! Inget tvivel om vem som är far till Basse inte!

VÍA CHA - ÉPILA

Épila, 12 de Marzo de 2008

El pasado domingo 9 de marzo, una vez conocidos los resultados electorales, coincidí con ud. en el programa especial de elecciones de Onda Local Épila. Lo que debía ser un programa de valoraciones de los resultados desde el punto de vista de los partidos en Épila se convirtió, de una manera más o menos premeditada, en un debate improvisado sobre nacionalismo y la presencia de Aragón en el congreso. O más bien debería decir en un ataque directo a CHA, al nacionalismo que propugnamos y al trabajo y a la persona de José Antonio Labordeta, diputado de CHA desde 2000 a 2008. Y eso fue así porque ud. lo quiso. En lugar de limitarse a valorar los resultados y sus consecuencias aprovechó para dar un mitin, aunque ud, mismo advirtió que la campaña había acabado. Mucha gente que le estuviera escuchando a esas horas no se sorprendería de su reacción. A fin de cuentas ud. aprovecha cualquier ocasión que se le presenta para dar mítines (cenas de asociaciones, encuentros entre bandas de música. Inauguraciones de Valga, etc…). Es una lástima que no se le haya pegado nada del talante del candidato y vencedor de las elecciones, Rodríguez Zapatero, y aproveche cualquier ocasión que se le presenta para machacar y hacer leña de los adversarios caídos. Y esta vez con la inestimable ayuda del Presidente de la agrupación local del PP. Por la situación en la que me encontraba después de perder nuestro diputado, por encontrarnos en directo en la radio, por prudencia y porque no era el momento de hacerlo no respondí a algunas de sus provocaciones. Permítame que lo haga ahora.Habla ud. del buen trabajo realizado por el PSOE esta legislatura. Y de su buena campaña. Mire ud, han apretado tanto las tuercas a los votantes de izquierda alentando el voto del miedo, abusando del llamado voto útil, beneficiándose de la ley D’Hont, que lo que han hecho es reducir la presencia de la izquierda en el congreso: permanencia casi testimonial de IU, debacle de ERC, CHA y EA y mantenimiento por los pelos de BNG y NA-Bai. No nos engañemos: el PSOE sólo ha obtenido una victoria simple, a los puntos, que le obligará a negociar y pactar con los dos grupos nacionalistas que se han salvado, CIU (burguesía catalana “independentista”) y PNV (plan Ibarretxe), o con el PP. O sea se cargan a la izquierda para pactar con la derecha. ¿Es eso socialista y de izquierdas?En Épila a ud. le salió bien, pues obtuvo mayoría absoluta y CHA, la única fuerza de izquierda, quedó fuera del ayuntamiento Con esta táctica destructiva. Sr. Llanas, conseguirá que si alguna vez uds. necesitan de alguien para evitar que la derecha gobierne en Épila, es posible que entonces no haya nadie.Ud. se burló de una manera zafia del trabajo de Labordeta en el congreso, reduciendo su actuación a la anécdota del “váyanse a la mierda”. Es una pena que ud., siendo un hombre importante dentro del aparato de su partido en Zaragoza, no tenga más información del trabajo realizado por nuestro diputado en esta legislatura puesto que gracias al apoyo de Labordeta, entre otros por supuesto, Zapatero ha podido ser presidente y ha podido sacar algunas de las leyes más importantes de esta legislatura. Pregunte si no al Sr. Membrado cuál ha sido el trabajo de Labordeta. Tal vez ese apoyo, esa coincidencia en muchos de los planteamientos con su partido hayan sido una de las claves de la pérdida de nuestro diputado. LEER TODO!

What is one thing Aston Martin and Porsche have in common? This is easy, their desire for speed, beauty, and exhilaration, which is displayed in their pulse pounding sports cars. The two companies compete in the exotic tier of sports cars with price tags as high as some mortgages, but I do have to say they both make one hell of a sports car. Aston Martin and Porsche have decided to mix up the exotic tier by making their 2 door rocket cars grow, literally. Both companies are planning to launch 4 door super sedans that share the same blood lines as their coupes. Aston Martin is launching their new concept named the Rapide, that has been in the works for the last couple of years. The main idea is to make a practical, beautiful, and superlative performer. The sedan's architecture is derived from Aston Martin's flagship DB9. The Rapide resembles a longer DB9, and is powered by a similar V12 engine boasting 480 brake horsepower. Porsche is launching the brand new Panamera, which is derived from Porsche's previous endeavor into the SUV market. The Panamera will share very similar platforms to the Cayenne including its engine choices. The Porsche Cayenne (SUV) has been critiqued for being a sport derived SUV that has created a new performance market in SUV's, and has also provided the funding for Porsche to further extend their line up. Porsche is known for its legendary Carrera Sports car, but has looked at making Porsche a more "practical" super car brand,

 The Panamera will be the first sedan developed by Porsche and will be looking at a V6 or V8 engine. Porsche is also in the works for developing a hybrid engine that will first be found in the Porsche Cayenne, and later following in the Panamera, which plans on creating another new super car market. These new sedans are demonstrating a new era in sports car with the main objective being "practicality". These two new concepts will be battling it out with other luxury sedans, but in the end hoping to have the edge being backed by legendary sports car's names.

Clifford Martin also has a website at http://www.clifford-martin.com and another blog at,
http://clifford-martin.magix.net/blog

Clifford Martin loves to improvise freely at the piano. Clifford Martin loves to improvise over classic standards. Here Clifford Martin is improvising over rhythm changes. Cliffords short piece in this video is based on a Charles Godin piece. Cliffords short pieces create an enjoyable and creative practice process. Clifford martin believes that practice has to have a practical approach to it so that cliffords students can play in reality. Cliffords short pieces provide an excellent method for this. Clifford Martins compositions provide the piano student with a solid method for quick hothouse style learning. Clifford Martin is seen inprovising above.

                                         CLIFFORD-MARTIN http://www.clifford-martin.com

"The 175th anniversary of our company represents a profound milestone. Our signature product and Martin's seamless tradition of quality to this day remain a significant source of pride for my family and all of those who are involved in crafting these extraordinary instruments," said Martin Guitar Chairman and CEO Christian Frederick Martin IV. "Since 1833 musicians have connected with audiences everywhere the world over, showcasing their talent and virtuosity over all genres. Martin's significance and cultural impact over 175 years is simply immeasurable."

In honor of their 175th Jubilee, C.F. Martin & Co. will kick-off a year-long campaign in honor of the acoustic guitar - an instrument that has helped define virtually all genres of music from classical and country to blues, folk and acoustic rock. Special events include an auction at Christie's of exquisite Martin prototypes, pulled from an archived collection, to benefit the Martin Foundation in late 2008. Additional initiatives include introducing a line of limited edition guitars, the publication of several books, a CD compilation featuring the performances of Martin artists, the introduction of an in-depth online photo gallery chronicling the company's vast history, as well as significant recognition locally, statewide and nationwide for the company's accomplishments and cultural contributions over the last 175 years.

Since, C.F. Martin & Co. has survived a wide variety of economic, social and political upheavals including the Civil War, post-war turmoil, influxes of immigrant populations with varying tastes and customs, World War I, the "Roaring '20s," the Great Depression, World War II, The Vietnam years and the technological revolution. Through it all, Martin not only survived, but its reputation and outreach ultimately improved and increased, earning an unparalleled reputation for dedication to exceptional quality and focus on one product - superbly well-crafted acoustic guitars. In recent years, despite the global economic downturn, Martin has set company sales records, crafted their millionth acoustic instrument, undergone a complete renovation and expansion of the Martin factory and unveiled an impressive new museum and visitor's center at their headquarters in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

Responsible for creating a number of industry standards through the years, C.F. Martin & Co. developed "X-bracing," the 14-fret guitar and the "Dreadnought" size - all of which have been copied by virtually every acoustic guitar manufacturer in the world. This past year Martin Guitar was honored by Readers Digest ("America's 100 Best") and heralded by the New York Times ("Saving Trees is Music to Guitar Makers' Ears") for helping pioneer the guitar industry's eco-movement by developing instruments crafted from sustainable woods and innovative alternative materials - ensuring the future of Martin Guitar for generations to come.

If there was a real Sorting Hat, it would have had to put me in Slytherin this weekend.

I was not a very nice person to be around from Friday to Sunday.

I was terminally irritated, slightly snarky and not very tolerant.

this makes for a not-very-fun-to-be-around Deirdre.

What made it particularly frustrating was that I KNEW I was being awful even as it was happening and I just couldn't seem to shake the mood.

I prayed for at least an hour on Saturday morning. Not just for myself, but for friends and family whom I knew had needs and I enjoyed praying for them. But the minute I had to get out of bed and deal with the general public again......

I went right back to terminally irritated, slightly snarky and not very tolerant.

Anybody want to suggest a verse or two to help when you know you have an attitude issue and you need help getting out of it?

Fortunately my long suffering, gracious, and kind husband is an angel who puts up with me when no other human being would. I think he is practicing modeling God for our future daughter.

See honey, This is what it looks like to be loved no matter what.

Oh Lord, thank you for Martin. And thank you for your Son who died for me to cover my sins. The big sins and the little ones. Jesus, I'm sorry for the way I added to your pain this weekend. so sorry.