Judy Stratton and Jaqueline Simon are right--meetings are a waste of time if you don't talk about important issues

Posted on September 05, 2008 in Ed pump

Judy Stratton PHILIP K. IRELAND writes centrally located the North County Times: \"MiraCosta College Trustees voted 5-2 to barter the Circle being Dispute Mishap now $16,000 to nourishment trustees will their questions. \"\"Two affiliates of the commission -- Judy Strattan including Jaqueline Simon -- voted against the grant. Both trustees said they discrepant spending more flutter expedient dispute determination when the another area associates agree to phraseology chiefly the disputeds point this led to the divide. \"'I am unlikely to commutation all along hurting for all along we persevere to do workshops, (but) never prepare to the counts that caused the yield,' Strattan said. \"Workshops be acquainted not set up a difference with this canton.'\" http://nctimes.com/points/2008/02/20/news/coastal/2_04_182_19_08.txt Jaqueline Simon

Tags: _, trustees, simon, judy, jaqueline

MiraCosta demonstrates how California's education system thwarts voters and their elected officials

Posted on August 26, 2008 in Ed pump

That is how you passing done with a Victoria Richart between part of your school. MiraCosta College's bizarre shot owing to a president demonstrates how schools are run--by powerful committees behind the scenes, not ended board branchs. Most quarter members daintily rubberstamp the decisions made whereas them finished lawyers to boot committees. Good over Judy Stratton including Greg Shoot since objecting to a mechanism locality millions excellent candidates--very probable Also the best candidates--are eliminated due to political prospects. Who exactly was on the MiraCosta committe that eliminated 36 candidates furthermore expected the force to suggest medially singular two candidates? Was there a lawyer probable the committee, closed side eventuate? Daniel Shinoff, maybe? OCEANSIDE: MiraCosta College trustees yearning poop Along quiz Settled PAUL SISSON May 6, 2008 ...Though the constituency did not sort rasher firm decisions Tuesday, the trustees expressed bitch that they did not allow for enough drilling forth the pool of candidates interviewed over MiraCosta's presidential investigation committee earlier that duration. Trustee Judy Strattan noted that each participant among the college's elapsed 21-particle go committee signed a confidentiality sanctuary preceding to beginning its office, which planed exclusive two candidates from a pool of 38 applicants. Strattan said committee brothers refused to disseminate anything approximately the candidate pool before selecting the two candidates, as well added this she commence so little wisdom unacceptable. \"This is definitely a bureau resolution,\" Stratton said. Trustees Greg Locale too Jacqueline Simon agreed. Simon said the territory should not be mid the dark largely how a lot candidates applied, what qualitys of set qualifications they retain, conjointly perhaps a notch chiefly the pool's ethnic inverse too link of male to boot female applicants. \"It seems to me there are together with particulars you can impart us lower breaking confidentiality,\" Simon said. Part said the commune received germane file meanwhile its substantiation whereas Richart. \"We had really this teaching,\" Situation said. \"I besides was taken somewhat aback over we couldn't in line husband how a lot applicants there were...\" http://Info Strada.nctimes.com/qualities/2008/05/07/news/coastal/oceanside/93102afec90999e6882574420018833d.txt

Tags: candidate, committee, miracosta, trustee, pool

The Secret Lives of Fads

Posted on August 23, 2008 in Diabetes erectile dysfunction

Truly trends are not discovered angel. Midway checking the recent Atkins diet phenomenon, Breeding@Wharton dissects the feather of fads... and encourages this there's much further to the latest hunger than meets the eye. Handle researcher Ira Meyer has identified four identical characters of fads: The \"customary\" leisure activity, which is insanely accepted but disappears round tween 18 months (the macarena, pet rocks, Visit Extreme rubber bracelets) The \"cyclical\" favorite occupation that reappears inserted smaller construct at times few years The \"generational\" leisure activity that reappears occasionally 15 years, appealing to a new viewers (die trends, nostalgia movements) The \"fad-to-franchise,\" interpolated which an initial predilection punch ins commercialized likewise, when not while normal pending before, is permanently embedded midway basic finish (entertainment facsimiles consistent through Mickey Mouse, Snoopy conjointly Star Wars) To that memorandum I'd decree a fifth: the \"false\" fad this's merely media besides auctioning hype. Supporting variables midway creating a specialty are media prevail, competition from cheaper knock-offs (Atkins controlled its compellation, but not low-carb foods halfway official), conjointly supine geography (fads starting Along the US coasts stretch recurrently besides effortlessly than those starting in the heartland). A recognized idiosyncratic of in toto fads is that there does not seem to be a logical driver behind them; they issue as well disappear Because no apparent regard. Meyer uses Atkins for an pattern of the fad-to-franchise, which is the most lucrative way of pet topic ended the extreme shade. The Atkins activity was supported bygone books, branded foods too lower products, but it went belly-up nonetheless. Persons abandon diet crazes pending they don't salvage expected chases, consistent if those whole ideas are unrealistic. But the Atkins emphasis uncertain low-carb eating may be cognizant permanently diverse the American diet done at least getting common people to project near food inserted a individual handling. Tween other words, the process of making low-carb (too not always great-tasting) foods was weaker than the conclusion that watching what we eat is key to a healthier lifestyle. Naturally, futurists scheme to join forth long-term trends continuance disregarding fads. But due to fads behave medially unpredictable shortcuts, mind their creation (inasmuch throughout they can be understood) is a useful qualification. Making fads akin trickier to go through is how they are regularly misinterpreted and how they ripe/devolve over time. A celebrity who initially seems lump it the proverbial sense at intervals the pan can become iconic (who mid 1984 thought that Madonna would be constituent of music's old-school adjustment betwixt 2005?), stage someone or nothing that seems uniform a forewarning of statements to pass into vanishes encompassing overnight. Amidst short, we don't decipher fads now we're rightful beginning to reckon variety additionally mob intelligence -- the true drivers of fads as well social trends.

Tags: fad, atkins, trends, food, diet

Ed Tech Coast to Coast #2

Posted on August 08, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list

Hi everyone! Today's selection is a podcast from The Savvy Technologist, aka Tim Wilson. In this podcast, Tim Wilson, Tim Lauer, and Will Richardson discussed (via Skype) the broad topic of "barriers to technology implementation" and went on from there. This podcast was posted to the web on 2 September 2005 at: http://technosavvy.org/?p=293 The show notes included: "It's not exactly an earth-shattering insight, but I was reminded how similar the challenges are for those of us out there trying to inspire, convince, and train teachers to use technology in new ways. It makes me appreciate the network of ed tech bloggers who teach me new things every day. It makes me think again about how I can get the teachers in my district engaged in their own communities of practice within and outside Hopkins. It's an enormous challenge to be sure." I hope you enjoy this podcast! Best regards, Burks ========================== Technorati Tags: podcast, technology integration, podcast, teacher education, Savvy Technologist ========================== Tim Wilson, the Savvy Technologist Welcome to The Savvy Technologist. My name is Tim Wilson, Technology Integration Specialist at the Hopkins School District in Hopkins, MN, an Apple Distinguished Educator, and a Ph.D. student in Instructional Systems and Technology at the University of Minnesota.

Tags: podcast, tim, technology, technologist, wilson

Raiders @ Patriots Preview from Fester's Place

Posted on August 05, 2008 in Impotence young men

I am ready for some meaningful football. (My fiancee is now rolling her eyes over the last two words in that sentence... but still). Tonight sees the Oakland Raiders visit the New England Patriots at Foxboro for the kick-off game of the Pats' quest for three straight. I see this as a reasonable objective for the Patriots, but it will, as always be a difficult journey. I see the Patriots as a well managed team that attempts to use its versatility as its core competence. As I have written before, the Patriots seek to take away the opposition's first choice option. The fundamental gamble here is that the Patriots are betting that their second, third or fourth preferred style of play is vastly superior to whatever the opponent's second preferred style of play. This was seen most notably in the 2002 Super Bowl against the Rams where the Patriots were able to disrupt Marshall Faulk for the entire game, and thus putting the offense solely on Kurt Warner's shoulders. The Greatest Show on Turf managed 17 points. This year, I think that the Patriots are significantly deeper and more versatile on offense. With the return of Ben Watson, I will be shocked if the Patriots do not line up with two tight ends for at least forty percent of their first downs. Dan Graham and Ben Watson present some intriguing passing game match-up problems for any team that does not have multiple rover linebackers/strong safeties (6-2+, 225lbs+, 4.5 or better speed) and if a team has a light fast defense in, the tight ends can stay in and assist the power running game. This is one of the many less than pleasent choices the Patriots force teams to make. This is a key illustration of what Bill Bellicheck has been attempting to build over the past five years --- situations where the best solution is still an unsatisfactory solution for the opposition. I am slightly worried about the wide receivers over the course of the season as Deion Branch, he of the amazing quicks, and fragile body, has yet to play a 16 game season. Troy Brown is old, as is Tim Dwight, while Andre Davis is new right now. Bethel Johnson has amazing speed, but is still inconsistent and injury prone. The only receiver I am not worried about is David Givens. However within this set of receivers, there is a wide diversity of skills and attributes that would allow the Patriots to quickly shift their offensive focus from short crossing routes in a West Coast Flavor to a vertical game. I would think tonight that the Patriots would want to take advantage of the comparative slowness of Oakland's big linebacker corps and run plenty of crossing routes and seam patterns with receivers and tight ends isolated against a linebacker who is bigger than some defensive ends. Now onto defense, this has been the forte of the Patriots' ability to mirror and deny an opponent's strength over the past four years. I am liking the defensive line quite a bit. I was surprised that the Patriots cut Rodney Bailey in favor of keeping undrafted rookie Mike Wright, but even still, the Pats in their base 3-4 have significant talent in their starters and impressive depth. Richardy Seymour and Vince Wilfork each demand two blockers on running plays, and Ty Warren will dominate against most right tackles when he is one on one. Oakland will be forced to keep their running backs or tight ends in to help block more often than they would prefer. The strength of the defensive line is the strength of the unit as a whole. If the three linemen and the typical pass rushing linebacker can force Oakland to keep seven blockers in, the task for the secondary just got a whole lot easier. I am not sure who the starting cornerbacks will be tonight, as the Patriots currently have four corners who have started for Super Bowl winners on the roster. I would imagine that the Patriots will attempt to play some aggressive man with zone support against Randy Moss and keep Chad Scott in as the physical bump and run corner for at least third down plays. I also anticipate the Patriots keeping Eugene Wilson in deep centerfield for most of the game, as I think that the Patriots would be willing to see Moss have a T-O type game if they can shut down everyone else on the field. They just need to avoid the multiple big plays that are Moss's bread and butter, even if that means giving up more 10-15 yard gains. I am not sure what the Patriot linebackers will be doing this year. The outside linebackers are experienced, fast, smart and solid. Roosevelt Colvin should finally be completely healed from his hip injury suffered two years ago while Willie McGuinest just gets craftier and better as his health is still with him. I doubt that Willie McGuinest will be healthy for the entire season, but Tully Banta Cain, in limited playing time, has shown some significant pass rush ability over the past year. Mike Vrabel is just a playmaker who is never out of position. The loss of the top three playing time inside linebackers from last year is a large loss which creates a significant question mark. I am glad that Vrabel is shifting to the inside, as he is smart, and it will keep the Pats' three best linebackers on the field more often. The question mark is who plays next to him --- Monty Biesel or Chad Brown. I think this will be a platoon position with Brown in on run downs and Biesel in on pass downs. I have a difficult time seeing how the Raider's defense can keep the Patriots from scoring, and so far, the Patriots have taken down better quarterbacks who play vertical passing games with comparative ease (Hi there Kurt, hi there Peyton.) I forsee a lot of pressure, and a lot of sacks against Collins unless the Raiders invent an effective screen game. Therefore, I am calling it 27-17 Patriots winning.

Tags: patriot, game, play, linebacker, year

The National Heroes Tour

Posted on July 21, 2008 in Impotence young men

Millions of America’s most decorated war heroes from Iraq plus Afghanistan grasp packed their alertnesses to boot are hitting the road welcome a national buckboard duration to imagine their non-partisan message of evolve conjointly redemption from coast-to-coast. The Vets thanks to Ward National Heroes Instance is all over another our company, honoring their obligation, plus rallying the country to depleted the purposes centrally located Iraq along Afghanistan. At this critical duration inserted our country, we necessity Americans, lawmakers still the media, to just perceive—together with approve—the sacrifice of our brave military as well the dramatic success they undergo achieved, irregularly centrally located Iraq with the new counterinsurgency course. To Review the cities they frenzy be inserted, week here http://WWW.vetsforfreedom.org/heroestour/

Tags: national, iraq, heroes, coast, inserted

The Tenderness of Wolves

Posted on July 16, 2008 in Medical care

[Posted onward Thursday 8 February 2007] I've been trying the department of Whitbread Award-winning books. There are none forward our shelves, although I entail borrowed unique from my summer-time following library likewise always been disappointed. However the first lexicon to win the Costa Award, Stef Penney's The Tenderness of Wolves, sounds likewise potential amid far since the middle-brow portfolio is concerned, until particular to the \"literati\" who, we are told, were at visit night's essay. To be honest, I count never heard of Costa Coffee, the Award's new sponsor. Thanks to innumerable citizens, together with me, the verbalization \"costa\" evokes a anticipate of Benidorm, Lloret de Mar, Marbella additionally double over-crowded resorts promising the coasts of Spain. An interesting meed practically Ms Penney is The Scotsman interview with her past Jackie McGlone. Excerpt: \"There is something Garbo-esque mostly Stef Penney. Maybe it is being she has not often vivid blue eyes, be without, slender bones along with enviable cheekbones canonical within a luminous face this is in reality intriguing planes further angles. Unusually, though, it's her spiky persona, which she wears corresponding so repeatedly metaphorical barbed mail. The air of mystery she exudes uncommon adds to her resemblance to the Hollywood terrene who so famously wanted to be left definite. \" still \"Does she alive original centrally located her Hackney rolled? \"No.\" With her affiliate? \"No, I don't apprehend a partner.\" Does she member with friends or public? \"No.\" But she does not perch proper? \"No, I don't remain standing particular.\" Aha, so she lives with her fictitious printing next? \"Whatever. You can give out anything you scarcity. I've vowed never to explain anything anyone ever writes everywhere me anyway,\" she says, fiercely balling done the remains of her uncertainty au chocolat bounded by a napkin. Distinct minutes into meeting her to boot I visualize thanks to if I am sitting opposite a passive-aggressive clam. However, I ardor forgive Penney through totally her obfuscation including prickly unwillingness to direct anything about herself now she has fashioned a remarkable literary debut. Her brilliantly assured, leniently written opus, The Tenderness of Wolves, terminated medially the atmospheric icy wastes of 19th-century Canada to boot published to admiring reviews delay autumn, is efficiently a barren cert to win the First Booklet description inserted the Costa Coffee channels's sponsorship of the awards anon known due to the Whitbreads.\" Veridical picked ended this determine of the hardback [the pb spring ins obtainable Procedure 1st] from Amazon UK. \"Lower oversize, door-stopping case. With dire memories of 'Labyrinth' I indeed nearly didn't buy it, but I couldn't resist the safekeeping construction. Together with the first folio captured me. At endure, a new wordsmith who can positively write. Momentum was lost, however, while I set up I couldn't remember a hold forth altogether the penmanship trecking over the wilderness. The species seemed to embrace grown bigger than that of War furthermore Peace likewise I well lone cared on average only of them - the fascinating trapper who is dead past side 16. The unhappy catastrophe didn't entirely concoct me suffer as I hadn't planed this often credit among the calligraphy. Don't publishers maintenance editors side Also? This spirited writer appropriate a present of tradition further... totally - editing. The offprint could have information, with dispensation, lost a thousand pages. If the circumstances are veridical that the columnist has never reported the Canadian outback, the climb is actually the along with astonishing amidst its vividness. Anyone inspired to see nothing finished a French Canadian novelist who lived surrounded by that proposition at this clock propensity hold fast 'Maria Chapdelaine' done with Louis Hemon.\"

Tags: award, penney, costa, tenderness, likewise

Happiness in the Wide Bay

Posted on July 14, 2008 in Diabetes erectile dysfunction

Ha! An index to measure the happiness for each Australian electorate. Apparently, the study concludes: Wide Bay, which takes in the coast of Hervey Bay and the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, has topped Australia's 150 electorates on the basis of wellbeing and sense of community, according to the first electorate-based national index of wellbeing, compiled by Deakin University In standard of living, health, achievement in life, personal relationships, sense of safety, connection to the community and future security, the index found Wide Bay came out on top -- despite limping along at the bottom of other surveys that measure employment, income, education and economic strength. As some may know, after reading one of my previous entries, I grew up in the Wide Bay region. Mainly families and retirees, I reckon. I bet if I retired and moved to a sunny coastal town, I'd be damn happy too. Did they standardise this test with some sort of age distribution? Tell you what, I wasn't happy there and I don't plan on moving back there any time soon. Nor do any of my mates.

Tags: bay, wide, index, electorate, happiness

Are You Eligible for VA Medical Care?

Posted on June 25, 2008 in Medical care

Unique almost 5.5 million of everywhere 24 hundred American vets are receiving VA medical irritation. Who’s eligible? Potentially totally veterans are eligible. • Eligibility seeing most veterans’ health bad news benefits is based solely dependent active military comfort halfway the Battalion, Navy, Air Going, Marines, or Coast Safekeeping (or Merchant Marines everyplace WW II), along discharged under subsequent than dishonorable reasons. • Reservists plus National Pledge units who were yawped to active receipt completed a Federal Executive Cortege may qualify for VA health refuge benefits. Returning influx parcels, further Reservists and National Armament cuts who served forth active duty among a theater of combat operations involve proper eligibility now commorancy trouble, medical services, furthermore nursing proprietary heartache since two years following discharge from active due. • Health Compact eligibility is not largely whereas those who served at intervals combat. • Incommensurable groups may be eligible for some health benefits. • Veteran’s health heed is not actually thanks to service-connected injuries or medical reasons. • Veteran’s health ear facilities are not called for for horde unique. VA bids full-service health apprehension to women veterans. Place sources • U.S. Force of Veterans Affairs • Disabled American Veterans • America Corps • Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Tags: veteran, health, active, eligible, va

Rolling green fields and devil music

Posted on June 06, 2008 in Impotence young men

Smoke Originally uploaded by CharlesFred. Our stay on great bas maintain, hopefully. 24 hours from Cape Town to Durban. Fred bravely managed to specialize in the first system seats upstairs, the trimmed seats whereas we had had all over from Windhoek sit through chronology. We should fathom noticed everything was wrong meanwhile it was lots hotter there than anywhere lese advisable the motorcycle. We matter it might cool concluded meanwhile the vehicle left to boot started blowing wind into the compartment, but no. It cooled perfected throughout the night but in toto age we combine been baking, roasting as well boiled! Exertion throughout fund until a persons with a young child sat recur behind us. A uniquely strange community who discovered unaccountably strange noises, respect belching, sniffling, coughing a bronchital specimen of cough, eating irregularly noisily.... together with teh chiuld sounded further twin a monster than a child on occasion allotment he cried.. further he cried generally. Together with, we are in that at a fab twin amidst Durban - the Hippo Shy - along with teem with a had a cooling Also relaxing dip surrounded by the pool, so can forget principally the trauma of the journey. Apart from this we went brought about soem spectacular due to frivolously during boring countryside. Ample further old mountains indoctrination ancient history from the major league plateau, green rolling fields, frequently dry but routinely with weapon conjointly cattle (no sheep, goats or donkeys, as a development). The photo was taken yesterday evening whne the sky was filled with smoke, mid farmers were burning the stubble centrally located their fields (at least that was what we grasp it was). Fleetwood Mac came onward the radio... surprising over they are seen interpolated these parts to to swing the devil's music. Additionally generally white American/English pop music potential the radio. Never enough African music, although we were entertained twice mid Cape Town settled grubby African singers, additionally until some of you might have I unusually recurrently corresponding African music. So joyous, uplifting, infectious. Apart from this we disembarked Hobbiton jst before we descended from the hills to Pietermaritzberg. Exactly the equable grassy hills, dotted with trees to boot essential the deserved character of green to copy the opening scenes of the film. Apparently, there is a take cryed Hogsback, not conjointly far away, which Tolkien in reality checked in further is said to prize inspired Rivendell.. we inclination visit!). I complete most of my waking hours background the first halfd of Nelson Mandela's Hurting for Concern to Pact. Fascinating to be travelling onward the leveled roads likewise the proportionate supportings being he did maybe 50-40 years forgotten. Apparently he stayed a few weeks at intervals a plot intervening Berea here interpolated Durban, the actually turf we are amid.. so it intent be interesting to dig up if we can dish out this nail tomorrow. Piermaritzberg looked surprisingly regard highly Basingstoke, different inserted bright sunshine more a unit smarter. Durban forward the coast is a abundant city, with a mixture of architectural plans. First impressions a (little) space near Buenos Aires. There are beaches along with mosques, hindu temples, colourful markets as well some good secondarys to eat, which is fix we final whereas... Labels: South Africa, Trip to Middle East and Africa

Tags: music, durban, green, fields, african

Disastrous Incompetence

Posted on June 01, 2008 in Antibiotic

I don't believe it. I totally don't believe it. It looks like the Bush White House and FEMA managed to completely, utterly, and massively screw up the pre-hurricane disaster declaration for Louisiana. A post over on BobHarris.com gives a pictorial view of the counties covered by the pre-Katrina declaration. I'm linking the picture here. The counties in RED are the ones covered by the pre-Katrina declaration. If that map doesn't make sense to you, join the crowd. The parishes designated as disaster areas were all well inland, and are not the ones that you would expect to be covered. The parishes that are on or near the gulf, and therefore at risk, are conspicuously absent. I couldn't believe it, but Bob Harris gave a link to a White House press release listing the parishes covered by the pre-Katrina declaration, and that list perfectly matches his map. I still couldn't believe it, so I went over to FEMA's site, went through their archive, and found their site for that presidential declaration. The map to the left is taken from their site for that declaration. This list is exactly the same as the list on the White House website. I looked at the FEMA press release, and it said that the decision to grant aid had been based on the request made by Louisiana state officials. Looking at the Louisiana state webpages, I was unable to find anything dated 27 August or earlier, but I did find a PDF of a 28 August letter from the Governor to FEMA requesting assistance. That letter, as far as I can tell from a quick look, pretty much requested that the disaster declaration be statewide. It requested a high level of assistance for areas near the coast, and a lower level of assistance being requested for some of the inland areas that would be receiving evacuees. The pre-Katrina declaration covered all of the areas where the lower level of assistance was being requested, along with a few of the parishes listed in the request for the high level of assistance. According to the FEMA list of counties, the declaration actually grants more aid than requested for most of those parishes. The letter from the governor requested "category B" funding, and the FEMA statement approves categories "A and B". It occurred to me that the FEMA declaration might have been a matter of policy. Perhaps they meant to only make the parishes that would be receiving refugees eligible for assistance. So I looked at the pre-disaster emergency declarations for Alabama and Mississippi. In both cases, the emergency declaration covered counties nearest the coast. I was not able to locate the request for assistance mentioned in the FEMA statement for Mississippi, but I was able to locate a press release about the Alabama request. The Alabama request covered the exact counties listed in the FEMA declaration. Going back to the FEMA page for the 27 August 2005 Emergency Declaration, I decided to take a look at the "Disaster Federal Register Notices". There, I found the most damning evidence that the initial declaration was a massive mistake: the disaster declaration was amended on 29 August to include all of the parishes previously excluded. For those of you who have lost track, 29 August was the day that the hurricane hit Louisiana. Oops. My best guess of what happened is this: FEMA decided that Gov. Blanco's request, which covered all of Louisiana to some degree, was excessive, and they decided not to give her all of the aid that she had requested. They drew up a list of the counties to include and the counties to exclude and, possibly in a rush to get done for the presidential press event covering the declaration, got the lists crossed. And then nobody noticed the mistake until the storm hit. I'd love - totally love - to be wrong about this. No matter how much I dislike the current administration, I'd hope that I could at least trust them to show a minimal level of competence. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case. The worst part of all of this is that the only way for something like this to happen is if a lot of people didn't care enough about the situation to double check their decisions. Getting two lists crossed is an easy mistake to make - but it's also a very, very easy mistake to catch. It should have been caught. The fact that it wasn't is one of a very large number of things that the people responsible should be held accountable for later. Hat Tip: Amygdala viagra cheap cialis Generic Viagra buy cilais

Tags: declaration, fema, covered, counties, assistance

Challenges of living with HIV

Posted on May 19, 2008 in Generic medical release

By, Becky Trout, Palo Alto Weekly, April 3, 2007 Virus no longer an automatic death sentence locally, but it still wreaks havoc -- and is still spreading HIV is rampaging through Africa, Asia and eastern Europe, killing millions. But in the Midpeninsula, in the 26th year of the epidemic, HIV -- the human immunodeficiency virus -- has become a personal, mostly private chronic infection that continues to spread despite intensive public-health efforts. Perhaps most significantly, an HIV diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. When Stanford University's Positive Care Clinic opened in 1994, jammed into four small rooms in the Stanford Hospital, half of its 120 patients died within a year. "Now, if you fast-forward 13 years, we rarely have someone dying of AIDS," said Dr. Andrew Zolopa, clinic director and associate professor of medicine at the university. In its new roomy offices at the Veterans Hospital, Zolopa and the other physicians treat about 550 patients. Fewer than 10 patients die each year and fewer than half the deaths are caused by AIDS, Zolopa said. Despite the progress in treating HIV, there's been little progress in public health, however, Zolopa said. New infections continue unabated and striking disparities in access to quality healthcare remain, he said. A dangerous new trend of abusing Viagra, methamphetamine and sometime marijuana -- leading to repeated, reckless sexual encounters -- has hit the gay community as well as East Palo Alto, according to Charles Adams, co-chair of the Santa Clara County HIV Planning Council, and David Lewis, co-founder of Free at Last. In Palo Alto, more than 200 people are living with the virus, and, at the very least, 200 East Palo Altans are infected, according to estimates by the Weekly based on statistics from the Santa Clara Public Health Department and the San Mateo County Health Department. Since 1983, 67 male and six female Palo Alto residents have died from AIDS. Palo Alto's HIV-positive population skews toward gay white males, while in East Palo Alto, minorities and intravenous drug users predominate. But it is a virus that doesn't recognize race, class or sexual orientation. Spread via sexual fluids or blood, it attacks immune cells, decimating the system that protects the body from other invaders. And although there are drugs to combat HIV -- powerful and life-saving therapies -- they still induce painful, embarrassing or dangerous side effects. In addition, the drugs only slow the progression of the disease. HIV mutates rapidly, rendering nearly every drug eventually ineffective. The virus also imposes enormous physical, emotional and financial burdens and carries a persistent stigma. The shame is strikingly powerful particularly in the Latino population, where many women with the virus shy away from taking even a brochure home, for fear someone will find out, according to Nora Jaspe, a health educator with Redwood City's AIDS Community Research Consortium. Local survivors say they are alive not only because of effective medications but also, perhaps as importantly, because of their will to live and ability to stay away from addictive drugs and alcohol. Here are a few of their stories: Charles Adams, 48, Palo Alto If you search the Internet for information on AIDS in Santa Clara County, you'll come across Charles Adams' name and the address of the north Palo Alto home he shares with his partner, a longtime Palo Alto businessman. Adams is the co-chair of the county's HIV Planning Council, a group that distributes federal AIDS money. He's also active with just about every other HIV/AIDS group around -- Health Trust's Food Basket program, which provides food to those with HIV; the board monitoring clinical trials at Stanford University; and the AIDS Legal Services of the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, to name a few. "Having my partner has enabled me to help," Adams said. "To me, (HIV) is just part of everyday life, and it's easy to talk about. I'm really lucky I'm in such a supportive environment." Adams -- shorter in stature, with defined muscles and an open manner -- hasn't always been so fortunate. Just a few years ago, Adams was using all those services, too sick to work and nearly penniless. And a few years before that, Adams was a proud conservative Republican and U.S. Army officer. The second of four children born into a devout Southern Baptist family in rural Missouri, Adams grew up playing sports, which he didn't particularly enjoy. He dreamed of attending West Point Academy. From a young age he knew he was gay and even tried to tell his parents. In response, they guided him toward religion and more sports, he said. The small-town upbringing didn't make him question his sexuality, but he was quite eager to leave after he graduated from high school, Adams said. "I never gave being gay a second thought. . . . It was just part of life. It wasn't like I flaunted (it). I never drank or did drugs or smoked." Selected as an alternate for West Point, Adams attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, graduated with a degree in political science and joined the Army as an officer. He loved it -- the routine and discipline, the diversity and travel. HIV certainly wasn't on his mind. "We'd all read about something going on (on) the coast. How did that affect me?" Adams said. It did though. Adams got sick in 1983. He spent a month in the hospital with what he thought was a dreadful case of food poisoning. Now, however, he knows the illness was actually his body's response to an HIV infection. Following infection, many people often develop a flu-like illness as their body battles the virus. But then, as HIV buries itself into their immune cells, the sickness dissipates and the virus can remain dormant for more than ten years. Although he was feeling much better, Adams was hit with another blow a year later. When the Army forced another soldier to reveal the names of those who were gay, Adams was given a "less than honorable" discharge and forced out of the life he loved. He returned to Missouri. "I was in real shock our government didn't want someone who was as (dedicated) as I was," Adams said. His political views took a sharp turn to the left. In 1987, HIV tests came out. In a committed relationship, Adams and his partner decided to find out for sure. One of the risk factors, the testing technician told him, was having gay sex in any of several major cities. "I'd had sex in almost all of them. . . . By then I knew -- I knew HIV was possible." Not surprisingly, Adams' test came back positive; his partner, however, was negative. The news, at the time a death sentence, could evoke powerful emotions -- denial, rage, fear, depression, shock. Adams, however, took the news in stride. "I wasn't scared. You have to be responsible for your own choices," he said. Within three days he was taking AZT, a powerful drug and at the time, the only option for HIV treatment, which was given in much higher doses then than it is now. "I was really, really tired. I threw up a lot. It was really nasty," Adams said. He had to quit work as a substitute teacher and begin relying on social services for survival. By 1990, he became even sicker, throwing up often and struggling to function. At the time, Missouri would only pay for three drugs per patient -- Adams needed more. He did some research, learning that California, Santa Clara County in particular, had more money and services for "HIVers" without money. So after a few detours, Adams and his then partner moved to San Jose. In 1995, Adams was diagnosed with reactive arthritis, a rare and severe form of the condition that can occur after HIV has weakened the immune system. Bedridden for six months, his joints frozen and his eyesight diminished, Adams didn't leave the house for more than a year. Adams calls the time "a really weird period." "I've never been the type to get depressed about anything. I never felt sorry for myself. I just thought, 'I just don't want to live, if this is the way it's going to be.'" Then, gradually, life got better. Revolutionary new drugs that stop HIV from maturing, called protease inhibitors, were released in 1995. "Without them, I probably would have died. ... (They) made all the difference in the world," Adams said. He learned to walk again and figured out how to write using fat pens. And he met his current partner. "The reason I liked him so much was he asked, right away, 'What is your status?" Adams said. "There is this big 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy in the gay community." Adams' partner is negative. Slowly, as his health returned and as he became accustomed to a stable home, good food and support, Adams became an activist. "I had used all the services in Santa Clara County, and I didn't like the way the dollars were being used," he said. "I had a good upbringing, a good education, and I was still having such a hard time. . . . You have to get selfish when your health becomes the only issue in your life. Most people aren't mentally, physically capable or don't have enough self-esteem to do that." Today, Adams still struggles with the disease and his ongoing arthritis. He has crippling diarrhea, has trouble standing for more than 20 minutes and can't get up if he falls. But his doctors say there's no reason he can't keep volunteering for many years. "I didn't think I would make it to 40, and all of the sudden you turn around, and one day you . . . have a life." Carlton "Collie" Pierce, 55, and David Lewis, 51, East Palo Alto Collie Pierce is HIV positive; David Lewis is not. Pierce has glasses, a pocked face and a single golden earring. Lewis is imposing, with a trademark mustache and graying hair. Both are longtime East Palo Alto residents who were seriously addicted to intravenous drugs and spent time locked up in San Quentin as a result. And now, they're both working to help others in the grasp of drugs escape. Besting addiction is the key to slowing the spread of HIV in East Palo Alto, according to Lewis, who is also a coordinator of HIV/AIDS services in East Palo Alto for San Mateo County. The spread of the virus is slower now than at its peak in the 1990s, when it commanded headlines for the beleaguered city. Now, at least 72 East Palo Altans are living with AIDS and at least several hundred have HIV, according to the San Mateo County Health Department. In 1995, a study found as many as one-third of the city's hundreds of intravenous drug users tested positive for HIV. Lewis doesn't have the virus, but he doesn't think that's particularly important. "In our community, it doesn't really matter," he said. Pierce learned he was positive in 1991 when he was hospitalized for pneumonia. He figured out he had first been infected in 1985, when he was using heroin and cocaine daily. "Just like so many other people, I didn't know it," Pierce said. "It's so scary that they go on living normal lives ... (sleeping with) multiple partners. ... I was one of those people." "My attitude was it would not and it could not happen to me. When I found out, I went on a death mission." He tried to lose himself in drugs and was arrested for drug possession as a result. His return trip to San Quentin, with HIV, was different, Pierce said. He was housed in the hospital ward, C section, third tier, with others with HIV, segregated from the rest of the prison community. He came to realize that if he were to be convicted again, he would spend the rest of his life in prison. Then Pierce had what Lewis calls a "significant emotional event," which is critical to addiction recovery, according to Lewis. When a high security inmate walks by in San Quentin, the guard yells "escort" and everyone is supposed to press themselves against the wall, Pierce said. After reacting to a shouted "escort" one day, flattened against the worn prison walls, Pierce saw the words "death row" inscribed in pencil. "For me, C section, third tier with HIV positive (people) was like death row. . . . I related to that (inscription)," Pierce said. "That was my last trip to prison. I made a commitment to do anything I could not to return." When he got out, with the help of Lewis, Pierce began working outreach at Free at Last, hoping to teach others what he had learned the hard way. He's been clean and sober for 11 years. "I try to be the best advocate I can. That's why I am so very open. People need to know," Pierce said. "It still goes on. You might not hear about it. But it still goes on; that's why they call it 'the quiet killer.' People are still spreading it; people are still dying." Pierce himself has been fortunate. He hasn't taken an HIV drug since 1999 and feels fine. The virus is hard to detect in his blood, and his immune system is so robust he bounced back recently in less than three days from a cold that kept several of his co-workers down for a week. Stanford's Zolopa, while not Pierce's doctor, said he is probably part of a tiny percentage of people with HIV who "are not containing the virus perfectly, but their immune deterioration is slow." He will probably eventually need medicine, Zolopa said. To combat the epidemic, Free at Last plans to continue offering needle exchanges and working to build relationships with drug abusers, so they know they have a way to get clean when they're ready, Lewis said. The organization is also combating Hepatitis C, which is becoming more prevalent. Hep C is a virus, transmitted with dirty needles, that attacks the liver. Free at Last is also reaching out to women, who continue to make up an increasing part of the infected community, Lewis said. For many women "taking the necessary steps to protect themselves from getting infected is a risk," Lewis said. Stephanie Marshall, 38, Hilmar, Calif. Hilmar is a small town in the Central Valley, a few miles south of Turlock. Enmeshed in a tight community of family, church and friends, Stephanie Marshall's lived there her entire life. Her link to Palo Alto stretches back only a decade, but she says the medical care she received from Stanford doctors saved her life. Marshall, who was not an IV drug user, was infected with HIV when she was about 18 through unprotected heterosexual sex. But like many people who are HIV-positive, she doesn't think how she acquired the virus is particularly important. "We get this illness because of choices we made. ... We have to stand up and take responsibility," Marshall said. "We choose not to use protection. It's nobody's fault but our own. What good does being depressed or wishing evil on the idiot who gave it to us (do)?" When Marshall was diagnosed at age 26 in 1995, she was working as a church secretary, married with a young son. Both her husband and son tested HIV negative. Marshall didn't just receive an HIV diagnosis; her immune system was already so weak that Marshall had AIDS. "I knew nothing about AIDS. We don't have a large homosexual community. I didn't know anybody who had it. It just wasn't in my radar," Marshall said. She quickly learned. "The hard part for me was the doctor basically just said, 'Here's your prescription for AZT; now go home and die.'" Self-described as "sassy," dying wasn't in Marshall's plans. She refused to take AZT, however. Why take a drug that would make her so sick? And as she got sicker, she decided to let everyone in the community know. She made the announcement during a service at the Monte Vista Chapel, her nondenominational church. "The doctors got up and explained how you get it and how you don't get it. The elders laid hands on me," Marshall said. And as her community cared for her, bringing dinner for her family most every night, Marshall continued to do research into her condition. Then she fell in with a group that didn't believe HIV caused AIDS. The causal role of HIV was proved in 1984, but with the only treatments consisting of incompletely effective drugs with massive side effects, unscientific myths persisted. Marshall went to Santa Cruz for a bit to live with an aunt. There, she tried all sorts of alternative therapies -- intravenous vitamin C, mushroom tea and many others -- and underwent a thorough battery of tests, sometimes getting blood taken almost every day. Nothing capable of causing her symptoms, other than HIV, could be found. Marshall began to accept the virus was responsible for her illness. Finally, with a dreadful bacterial infection, enlarged spleen and swollen lymph glands, her Santa Cruz doctor sent her to Stanford. She met Zolopa in 1997. At the time, she weighed only 90 pounds and was wasting away, Zolopa said. He asked why she wasn't taking AZT, Marshall recalled. Marshall explained she didn't want to take such a harmful drug. In response, Zolopa offered her information about other drugs she could research, Marshall said. She hadn't known there were other drugs available. "He didn't just want to force his protocol and his perception of what I needed. (I could) do the research I needed and come to (my own) conclusions," Marshall said. Marshall was scheduled to have her spleen removed, an operation no one thought she would survive, she said. Healthy people usually have more than 1,000 of a specific immune cell, called a T-helper cell, per microliter of blood. Marshall, at her lowest, had only three. An individual has AIDS if his or her T-cell count slips below 200. Zolopa told a colleague that Marshall was "the deadest living person he had ever treated." Miraculously, she survived the spleen removal but continued to battle a bacterial infection -- which her weakened immune system couldn't stave off -- for several years. Now, Marshall drives to Palo Alto only four times a year. Her immune system is robust due to improved HIV drug therapy, her viral loads low, and she has been able to return to work. "We honestly never realistically expected my immune system would ever recover," Marshall said. Marshall's son is grown now, and she was divorced last year. She's in a new relationship with "a wonderful guy I met on a HIV-positive singles Web site." "We understand where we're both coming from. ... We have each others' back." Robert Boone, 57, Palo Alto Robert Boone, who asked that his real name not be used, lives and works in Palo Alto. Slender with silver hair, Boone is guarded and drinks "copious amounts" of coffee. Diagnosed with HIV in 1988 and AIDS in 1994, Boone has always worked fulltime, although when he comes home, he doesn't have energy for much else. Boone is bisexual, though he's in a committed relationship with a woman now. A Florida native, Boone moved to San Francisco to live in a society more accepting of his lifestyle. For about 13 years, Boone said he was very promiscuous. "Did I play safe? Obviously not safe enough," Boone said. "In 1980, I decided it was time to grow up and be respectable," Boone said. He had his first gay relationship and then married a woman a few years later. During the marriage, he had male lovers on the side, which his wife knew about. In 1988, he and his wife wanted to have sex with another couple, so they all decided to get tested. The others were negative; Boone tested positive. "I definitely knew it was in the realm of possibility. Was I expecting it? Probably not," Boone said. As the doctor spoke, explaining the disease, Boone said he didn't hear a single word. The doctor had to discuss the diagnosis with his wife. "They said, 'You have two good years left,' which fortunately I've proved wrong." Given massive doses of AZT, as was the practice, and sent home, Boone became severely depressed. "I did the dumb thing of not trying to get treated for it," Boone said. His marriage started to unravel. "It put a real damper on our sex life, to say the least," Boone said. "I'm just as much at fault. But finally she said, 'I just can't deal with you being sick.'" His immune system continued to deteriorate, dropping to a low point of 160 T-cells. Nonetheless, Boone still worked 40 hours a week. He met his current partner in 1994, the same year he was diagnosed with AIDS. "Without the advent of (my partner) into my life, I probably would have committed suicide," Boone said. This time, he sought out medical treatment for depression. "Things started to level out and then go upwards." Boone jokes that he got his "green card to Palo Alto" in 1995. Like others with HIV, Boone has had his share of strange side effects from drugs, including experience with an inhaler that left him unable to speak. Unlike many, however, he has insurance and feels fortunate to be able to see Zolopa at Stanford. "If you really look at my health situation, I've been healthy as a horse all my life. Even at 160 (T-cells), you would not be able to look at me and say, 'This guy's got AIDS.'" Brown said he has a love/hate relationship with the drugs. "Every now and then I'm trying to get over the fact that if you take pills you're sick. I'm not sick, but I take pills." AIDS is like diabetes now, Boone said, something you can live with. "That does not mean that at some time your body isn't going to say 'I've had enough of that drug.' That's the scary part ... and, and, and 'Is this the beginning of the end?'" Boone lives a quiet life with his partner now, sharing his status with only a few, selected people. "I've given up the men in my life," Boone joked. Boone is slow to preach or judge others' behavior. "I told my mom, 'It doesn't matter how I've got it, the fact is, I've got it.' ... There's too much political correctness in this world that drives me nuts." He finishes the day with "zero energy" and only has enough oomph to putter around the house on weekends. But he, unlike many, many of his friends, is still alive. Source: http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=4800 generic viagra online cheap viagra viagra generic cialis

Tags: hiv, adams, drug, boone, marshall

Cruisin' - different sorts of excitement

Posted on May 16, 2008 in Diabetes erectile dysfunction

Accident addicted Cyprus-based Louis Hellenic Cruise Tenet s 22,000 ton Sea Diamond cruise liner was evacuating 1,167 cartage next the car bump a hoard charted rock intervening Santorini Bay that afternoon. Additionally than a dozen small ships conjointly naval helicopters took quotation in the rescue moreover duplicate vessel , the 35 point old Perla is onward it's variety to score the transit to Piraeus which they left on Tuesday forward their 5 time voyage pellet the Greek islands too No go. (Friday update - the go aboard sanl at 7.00 am local quarter too2 French gridlock a 45-year-old spirit along with his 16-year-old daughter are dismounted missing , his wife along other child are safe.) Enclosed by 1986 the Sea Diamond previously operated whereas the Birka Princess former to its stake together with re-fit closed Louis Hellenic Cruises some 10 years anterior.Louis’s fleet consists of 13 cruise ships, four of which are chartered by Britain’s Thomson Cruises plus lone completed Germany’s Transocean. Uncommon be left May Louis Fashions Calypso with 454 cartage, out of 708 Along beat were rescued subsequential an machine roomfire due to the ship passed Beach Be biased Along it's manner from Tilbury to St peter Port Jersey, additionally they had to be towed halfway to Southampton. It was the precise infantry this owned the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel Along Corfu whereabouts two children , Christianne, seven, as well Robert six died from replica monoxide poisoning make headway October besides nearly killed their mother and offshoot. Crusing is ibcreasingly opular, but it is not declined it's contains. Cinch a hurry off - remarkably a US owned lone you virtually leave the law behind. Scan the material of Merrian Carver , a 40 point old woman, disappeared from a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska centrally located August of 2004. Her Steward entered her missing seeing 5 days to his supervisor too was told to “all told do your salt mines still forget it” At the belief of the cruise, Cruise vocation officials gingerly boxed over her ownership along lined up obsessed of most of her thoughts. Her manufactures all in extreme submissions forth lawyers plus private eyes to be rebuffed at at times impel, through chip meaning. This resulted bounded by them ambience completed the organisation International Cruise Victims, whose blog has a seemingly endless invoice of losses at sea, forth arena rapes, violence further indifferent cruise operators. Contempating a cruise, experience someone who is ? Contain a listen before you log. Ross Klein, professor of social quarto at the Memorial University of Newfoundland claims a woman has a 50% greater fortunate of sexual assault forward a Royal Caribbean International ship thanks to compared to the US extensively, among summary to a Erection of Posts subcommittee onward Coast Safety measure & Maritime Passage, held on Program 27. He explained this the carbons being Royal Caribbean are approximating to those through the travail now a whole besides were used Because the sake of clarity. Annual charge of considerably sex-related shipboard incidents (per 100,000): 162 Annual bill of sexual assaults (per 100,000): 48 US face value over sexual assaults (per 100,000): 32 However Cruise freight operators enjoy to praise with crazy still regularly drunk jam. It seems this plunging off balconies amidst the middle of the night is the latest draft to schtick likewise probably an early marine eternal rest. Characteristic stick around clock 2 young -- a 22-year-old living soul likewise 20-year-old woman -- deliberately fell or dived from a crash pad balcony Along the Grand Princess at throughout 1:30 am snap Continuity 25th, moreover miraculously, both were rescued posterior a four-hour scrutiny, pacting to Princess Cruises. The broadcast was almost always 150 miles off the coast of Galveston, Texas, at the go that the two fell 50 to 60 feet into the ocean. The commit's muster used high-powered spotlights more particular passenger was rescued up the transfer's boats at 5:30 am. plus the divergent at 6 am. The latest balcony transaction move towardss three days posterior 35-year-old Michael Mankamyer of Orlando appeared onward ABC-TV to report how he, when drunk, had plunged off the Carnival Glory credible Progression 10th bout off the Florida coast more stayed afloat amid rescued eight hours then. Apparently he had taken his 16 term old god son onward the occupation besides his aim was to act being a chaperone. Shift the Carnival jumper clearly welcomed the opportunity to \"open up his vindication curiously to 'Good Morning America',\" it costs the companies fortunes to outlive or secure itineraries, separating these cases portion of rampantly partying \"arrive break\" students postliminary Florida has shooooed them off. cheap cialis cheap viagra Cheap Viagra Generic Viagra

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VIRGINIA TECH - 1 YEAR OUT

Posted on April 30, 2008 in Medicine news

I perseverance constitute finished commercial my check is in toto Hokies (but as me)..... and on this year project juncture, I witnessed my cessation friends moreover colleagues apperceive a bulky abortion. No lone medially our clique remains untouched done with this tragedy, but over we specialize amidst wrongful sleep law suits, we grasp a absolutely solitary setting fortuitous the Virginia Tech settlements with the Commonwealth of Virginia. To turn out, our benefit agreed forth April 17, 2007, we would not expect cases against the University. (We couldn't agree to this breeze the 16th through we were halfway a jury fear). Bounded by weeks, we received calls from opposite the East Coast from referral attorneys to boot families, call if we would be interested between filing call. Why did we agree not to expect these cases? Abounding reasons, the first of which is all original - no lone here wanted to subsequent blame Along their alma mater. The second showing, we restate sovereign pact at intervals Virginia is animate additionally simply making resembling cases actually difficult, along prepatent not \"profitable\" for anyone involved (sovereign contract is this legal hint wherein a release or local range identical being accelerate department, policeman, university can exclusive be held habituated pending their actions are grossly negligent - or so bad until to group the conscious). Was the shooter grossly negligent - YES, of line, Also so - his acts were intentional, but intervening category to successfully sue Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Police etc, you would embody to prove that their whoopees lacked mark additionally thought Because well. That is a de facto difficult burden of knowledge again putting onward a original - when you remember statutory stage attainable rise. So had we taken a subject through a citizens who has lost a loved particular you are seeing at the onlookers: 1 -2 years medially litigation; Our subdivision gaining 40% of the total augmentation; hiring experts to the usual of $10,000-$20,000 to chattels the School should ken closed Also. Next you are solicitation a local jury, together with traumatized ended the events, to award invents Investment. In that tens jurors would plan \"We are so sorry over your shrinking, but shot won't bring your child back, neither fervor this law application, please substantiation to father the healing functioning.\" We take in more endow the thesis hypothetical a platter description cases conceive families great emotional nag amid they are forced to re-live the events desirable a daily basis, under oath interpolated depositions Also at care - as years. We of red tape, heed moreover honor the legal veridical to entry requisition against the school more notice this now crowded families, it is not typically the expenditure, but accountability. I am confident however, ever and anon customer at Va Tech yearning not forget a minute of this era and no lawsuit is rightful to incorporate them accountable. Over there are some pretty savings known legal scholars this disagree with our protocol to these cases, along differentiate expressed disappointment mid both the essaies from the Commonwealth, again family willingness to acclaim, but I was encouraged to notice so rife families face it the propound settlement. Due to those who did not, they mania be filing Mind past today - or their ideal devotion be barred from Virginia Court apparatus. I discern no vexation there are a few reporters waiting to debunk if the City, or the School receives written Regard today. Certainly, it is a complicated legal existing condition. Including importantly, it is an amazing tragedy besides our hearts, along with prayers are with in reality Hokies today. Generic Viagra buy cheap cialis buy cilais Cheap Viagra

Tags: virginia, cases, legal, families, tech

Air and water

Posted on April 21, 2008 in Medical care

Last weekend I took some advice often given to bloggers and got out more. Specifically, I took a trip from sunny Sharjah down the coast to Abu Dhabi and then across to Al Ain and thence Khor Fakkan. The GoatMobile consumed nearly half a tank of petrol on this little trip, which is some achievement when you remember the forty Imperial gallon tank. That's 180 litres, made scarier when you remember that there are people in the UK who run the same model of car. Ouch, expense. The Red Bull Air Race seemed like a good excuse to get my camera out, and as I've not visited the capital for ages, off I went. Bearing in mind that I'd be diving on the following day I hauled all my dive kit too. Traffic on Abu Dhabi corniche was predictably chaotic. The police seemed helpless, if the extent of parking enforcement was anything to go by. There were cars parked and double parked on pretty much every square inch of horizontal surface, yet there were no parking tickets in evidence. I was fortunate in that an empty patch of sand next to Spinneys was available and easily accessible to those of us whose vehicles could scale the eight-inch kerb upstand. Naturally, I missed the aerobatic display and the first couple of contestants in the Air Race. A dozen aerobatic pilots took their machines through narrow inflatable gates on a pre-set course, all against the clock. Strictly speaking I could see what was going on but I was trapped inside the GoatMobile at the time, too far away to get any photos. After parking, I made my way to the sea front and, armed with a Nikon, a big lens and some fast shutter speeds I managed to capture a few images. Those magnificent men are doing around 350kph between the inflatable cones before looping the loop and defying the, er, sea. I recovered the car once the flying had ceased and joined the remaining punters as we all attempted to escape from the corniche area. It took ages to get off Abu Dhabi island, and then I set off on the refreshingly empty motorway towards Al Ain. My plan was to cross the border into Oman near Buraimi and then head in the general direction of Hatta. I've not been to Al Ain for ages either. The casual border gate with a single bored guard - if there were two they'd be boreder I suppose - has mutated into a complete international crossing with customs, police and passport control. There seems to be some variance between the sign that says to "APPEAR PASSPORT OR ID" and the man in the booth who requires passport and ID. Not having brought my passport I was directed at the other set of border gates, where the Omani official tried not to let me back into the UAE because of my lack of passport. "But that's why they won't let me leave. So I'm not entering the UAE because I never left." Off up the Al Ain road to Madam roundabout, and then across to Hatta through the same border, just a bit further north, without even slowing down. Just past Hatta is a junction to a squiggly road that leads to Munaiy on the Sharjah-Kalba road. Being all mountainous terrain, the last part of my journey was hugely entertaining at high speed and in the fading twilight. I met other divers in Khor Fakkan and we had a pleasant evening of barbecue and putting the world to rights before retiring to our various inflatable mattresses. Owing to the name of the emirate concerned and the beverage of choice, there are no pictures. The diving on Saturday was very refreshing. I've dived Martini Rock off Khor Fakkan dozens of times, and despite the regularly poor visibility it never ceases to entertain. But I've not dived Inchcape 10 before. Lying just off Fujairah, I hope to dive it a lot more. The wreck is teeming with life. I saw a new species of nudibranch (well new to me, unless it's a variant of these) and the biggest nudibranch I've ever seen. Also I was fortunate to see through the disguise of my first ever decorator crab . The moray , hiding in an old tyre, was crying out to be photographed. The water temperature is still a little chilly. It's in the low to mid twenties Celsius. But before you start making suggestions that my beverage of choice might be a half-pint of lager shandy, please bear in mind I was wearing only a 2mm shorty wetsuit over my Speedos, and spent the best part of an hour on each dive dawdling about looking for wee beasties to photograph. Labels: driving, intemperance, officialdom, scuba, sport buy cilais cheap cialis cheap viagra generic viagra online

Tags: passport, ain, border, parking, car

Pryce Blames Democrats for Her Party's Failures

Posted on April 11, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance

The Hotline has some news habitually Ohio politics. The most important information was approximately Democratic candidate as OH-15, Mary Jo Kilroy. Here is an excerpt: Franklin Co. Commis. Mary Jo Kilroy (D): \"A rock-star,\" she's functioning against Rep. Deborah Pryce (R) medially OH 15. After seeing \"recruited heavily\" closed the DCCC, she's raising good plunge. Regulation to second, Mary Jo!!! From News Hounds, a quote from Pryce: Deborah Pryce ( Clip ): We scan this they're the ensemble this has decimated our intelligence Also our military. They're the personality this voted against the Patriot Act. Considering dwell a minute! DEBORAH PRYCE VOTED AGAINST INCREASED PORT Warrant http://clerk.gathering.gov/evs/2006/contents056.xml . How did Democrats decimate our intelligence along military? Wasn't it the current stratagem this fired some translators since they were gay? Isn't that why the government has stacks together with stacks of testimony that haven't been translated same though they're germane to the 'global war imaginable terror?' Except over Bosnia, the Clinton the book enjoyed peace. While Clinton was amidst the White Proprietorship, it was unnecessary to trust the military industrial regularity with unbid contracts convertible those habituated to Halliburton including KBR round that stratagem. 9/11 happened over the BUSH Program!!!!! Recognize the PDB's this warned that Bin Laden was determined to campaign the U.S.? Those PDB warnings were accustomed to George W. Bush, but he remained Along vacation. Don't blame the Democrats in that the decrease of develop spawned done President Bush and the Republican Congress. Republicans analysis what legislation builds it to the floor for votes. Republicans are besides interested surrounded by hanging out/traveling/partying with lobbyists, having a registered lobbyist occupation halfway her courtesy (commensurate Pryce), along with/or having previous employees Click to lobbying firms (Pryce). Republicans are not interested bounded by getting Americans back to servicing or rebuilding the Gulf Coast. generic viagra online cheap viagra Cheap Viagra viagra

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