The LLVLC Show #236: 60 Minutes With Leading Low-Carb Researcher Dr. Jeff Volek

"TNT Diet" author Dr. Jeff Volek talks low-carbohydrate nutritionPeople often ask me if I think there is a resurgence happening with low-carb diets and my response is usually that the great preponderance of low-carb research that has been coming out over the past few years makes it impossible for a real renaissance of healthy carbohydrate restriction to be ignored. And the men and women who put themselves on the front lines of the low-carb debate are leading a strong charge with the evidence to back them up. Names like Dr. Richard Feinman, Dr. Eric Westman, Dr. Mary C. Vernon, and others immediately come to mind, but my podcast interview guest today is also a part of the upper echelon of this low-carb movement. In Episode 236 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," at long last we hear from low-carb researcher Dr. Jeff Volek from The University of Connecticut who co-wrote with Adam Campbell the Men's Health TNT Diet: The Explosive New Plan to Blast Fat, Build Muscle, and Get Healthy in 12 Weeks. Although I've previously interviewed one of Dr. Volek's proteges Cassandra Forsythe at my podcast show and even had a blog interview with Dr. Volek himself in September 2006, this was the first time we've ever heard from him on my podcast show and he offered over an hour jam-packed with some incredible insights on low-carb nutrition. He addresses the state of low-carb research, the studies he has been involved with, what exercise is best when you are on a low-carb diet, his disagreements with some of his fellow carbohydrate restriction peers, the impact of various sports supplements like creatine, the benefits of whey protein, defining keto-adaptation, and so much more. I have no doubt you will find this interview with Dr. Jeff Volek one of the most fascinating interviews of 2009! Sit back, relax, and ENJOY!There are FOUR ways you can listen to Episode 236:1. Listen and comment about the show at iTunes:2. Listen and comment about the show at the official web site:3. Download the MP3 file of Episode 236 [66:34m]:4. Calling (818) 688-2763 to listen via PodlinezSubscribe to the RSS feed or you can click on the "Subscribe" button at iTunes. If you are having trouble, then watch this video tutorial from my producer Kevin Kennedy-Spaien. Now that you've heard from Dr. Jeff Volek sharing about carbohydrate restriction, what did you think about what he had to say? Share your comments in the show notes section of Episode 236. Pick up a copy of The TNT Diet, read my 2006 blog interview with Dr. Volek, and listen to this previous teleconference from Atkins Nutritionals featuring Dr. Volek. Special THANK YOU to Dr. Volek for sharing so willingly in the longest interview of the year! I look forward to seeing him again at the Charleston, SC ASBP conference.Coming up on Thursday, I'll have an interview with Dr. Michael Ozner who wrote a book called The Great American Heart Hoax: Lifesaving Advice Your Doctor Should Tell You About Heart Disease Prevention (But Probably Never Will). You'll immediately notice he is no Dr. Volek with his insistence on promoting (HIMSELF! and) a high-carb, Mediterranean-styled diet that runs counter to what many low-carbers would say is healthy. It's not all bad information, so you DEFINITELY need to listen. That's coming up later this week. PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF THIS SHOW! If you have not already done so, please go to the iTunes page for my podcast, click on "Write a Review" and share what my podcast means to you. And if you'd like to financially support this podcast, then please consider clicking on the "Donate" button on the side panel of the podcast web site. We appreciate your generosity and support!

Mammatus Clouds

10 Simple Steps to Landing More Gigs

We know all about the rewards of working as a freelancer. Flexible schedules, a variety of projects, little or even no commuting. But this lifestyle doesnt come easy. Finding success as a freelancer requires a steady stream of paying gigs. Obtaining new business through referrals is great, but referrals alone wont keep your schedule packed with paying jobs, especially when youre just starting out. Online classifieds such as Craigslist and the FreelanceSwitch job board are great places to generate new business leads. In this economy, the competition for work is fierce. To stay ahead, you must combine two key elements in your approach: Quantity: The more jobs you respond to, the more potential leads you create. Quality: Present yourself well and stand out from the crowd. Here are some tools and tips to help you land more freelance gigs: 1. Keep a Polished Resume & Portfolio Make sure your resume is up to date and in tip-top shape. Create a PDF version to attach to your email cover letters (more on this below). If you have a website (which you should), make sure its updated and presentable. Show off your attention to detail by creating a well-designed and professional web presence. 2. Write Effective Emails Take the time to craft a well written and concise email cover letter to use as your response to online job postings. It should include a short pitch about you (similar to your elevator pitch), along with a link to your website or online portfolio. Try out various approaches and phrasings. See which emails generate the most responses. Once you have perfected your email cover letter, use it as a template for future emails. That brings us to the next tip. 3. Use Gmails Canned Responses Feature If you use the Gmail, turn on the Canned Responses feature. In Gmail, go to Settings > Labs > Canned Responses, and click Enable. Canned Responses allow you to save the body of an email as a template so you can quickly insert your message in future emails. If you dont use Gmail, you can simply save your email in a text file for easy cut and paste. Do not send the same generic email response to job postings. The job poster will sense this immediately and trash it. Heres what to do next: 4. Personalize and Tailor Your Message for Each Job Read each job post in its entirety to gain as much information as you can. Extract as much information about the job and employer as you can. Then use this information to enhance your email cover letter. Modify or add to your email template with a note about why you are a perfect fit for their specific need. For example, if the job post is for a t-shirt retailer in need of a website, you might mention that you specialize in e-commerce web development. You could also provide a few links to online stores you built for other clients. But dont stop there. 5. The Importance of Email Subject Lines A single post in a popular job board can generate hundreds of responses in just a matter of days or even hours! Its easy for your email to get lost in the mix. It might not even get opened. Stand out from the crowd by crafting a subject line thats relevant and speaks to their specific need. If the job calls for a copywriter who can work on-site in New York City, you might use the subject line: New York-based Copywriter. If its a blogger seeking a web designer to create a custom WordPress theme, you could try the subject line: Web Designer (WordPress Expert!). 6. Maximize Your Job Search With RSS Many online job boards offer RSS Feeds for job search results. This can be a powerful tool in your job hunting arsenal. Search for a keyword that applies to you, such as composer, HTML, or designer. Then add the RSS feed for that search to your feed reader of choice. Mine is Google Reader. With Google Reader, you can view multiple feeds at once by grouping them in a folder. Doing so allows you to search several job boards simultaneously. This is the best way to stay on top of the most recent job postings from across the Internet, giving you a head start against the competition. 7. Extend Your Reach Beyond Local Jobs Lots of freelancers have the ability to work remotely via email and over the web. So why limit your job search to your local city? Expand your reach by going after jobs in other markets, even internationally. RSS feeds are very useful here, especially for Craigslist job hunting. On Craigslist, you cant search across multiple cities in a single search. But you can combine Craigslist search feeds using your RSS reader. Choose 10 major cities and visit the Craigslist sub-site for each city. Search the Gigs or Jobs section for your keyword or field. Then grab the RSS feed for each of the 10 city searches. Group these 10 feeds in a folder in Google Reader. Now you can view Craigslist job postings from all 10 cities at once! Heres a look at my nation-wide Craigslist job search: 8. Persistent, but Respectful Follow-up Emails Once you are in a dialogue with your potential client, you want to keep the discussion alive in hopes of closing the deal. If they dont respond to you in a few days or a week, send a short follow-up email as a reminder that youre available to address any questions or concerns they might have. New clients often need a little extra motivation to get them to pull the trigger. Hopefully your extra effort will result in their business. If you still dont hear back from them, dont sweat it. Move on. Do not send additional emails. Do not add them to your newsletter without their permission. This will only annoy them and ensure that they wont consider you for future projects. Its also a waste of your valuable time. 9. Dont Stop Hunting For Your Next Gig The key to remaining busy for the long-term is to continuously be on the hunt for your next gig. That means keeping up your job search efforts even when your current plate of work is full. Dont put off your job search just because youre swamped this month. If you do, you could quickly find yourself in a slow period. Avoid this by always keeping new business leads active and moving forward. Remember, it often takes a few weeks (if not months) to close on a lead. You need to balance your time between working on actual projects, and pursuing new business. 10. Professionalism, Honesty, and Confidence Professionalism - Communicate clearly. Return every email and phone call promptly. Compose emails with proper spelling and grammar. Always offer a positive and constructive attitude. Honesty - Dont make promises you cant keep. Display your expertise where applicable. If you dont know the answer to a question, dont make something up. Assure them you will look into it and get back to them. Then do it. Be yourself, and earn their trust. Confidence - Speak clearly and definitively when conversing with potential clients. Draw on your past experience, and address each of their questions with straightforward and informative answers. Show them that you have what it takes to meet all of their needs. Then exceed their expectations. Brian Casel is a freelance web designer and music composer. He writes at Serve The Song, a blog about songwriting, music production, and online promotion. Follow him on Twitter @CasJam.

The Mexico-US border: Fear of violence

But still pretty safeon the northern sideIS MEXICOS drug war moving north? In Maricopa County, which encompasses Phoenix, officials are alarmed by a spike in kidnappings for ransom and other Latin American-style violence. Rick Perry, the governor of Texas, wants the federal government to deploy 1,000 National Guard troops and six helicopters in his state. A spokeswoman for the governor said that the request, which the administration is considering, is to prevent the situation worsening. But many mayors along the border say that troops are not needed, at least not yet. They dismiss such talk as alarmist. The sky is falling? Well, here comes more funding, says Chad Foster, the mayor of Eagle Pass. He says that his town, on a rugged stretch of the Texas border, is fine. He crosses the border to Piedras Negras daily, even though his sister in Los Angeles called and warned him not to go to Mexico. ...

black orchids

Soundless, unseen, the plants of the Northern Hemisphere are mobilizing resources. Spring is a time of stimulation: the environment stimulates trees and bulbs to burst into bloom; and these colourful signs of life born anew in turn stimulate the senses. Gardeners have been preparing for the new planting season, eager for some green to break the monotony of winter. Soon, pink will be everywhere.However, we can find much inspiration in the fashionably monochromatic shades of winter. Bright days and garish planting schemes can be countered with something a little more subdued, perhaps a little bit Gothic. Deviant blooms smoulder in the humid depths of the greenhouse to satisfy the erotic nightmares of even the most ardent Transylvanian. Truly black orchids are sexy and mysterious creatures, all the more sought after because of their purported elusiveness. For those who like their orchids on the kinky side, (E&E)² presents five sultry seductresses who will tempt you with their dark beauty. And then probably bite your head off. Cattleya aclandiae. Orchids that lay claim to the 'black' epithet are not, exactly, black. Orchids do not produce black pigments, instead relying on combinations of red and purple anthocyanins to darken their petals. The effect is obvious in this little Cattleya, which has waxy petals splashed with dark red pigments over a green background. The result is probably more akin to the colour of dark chocolate than true black. Nevertheless, it flaunts a curious colour scheme. Its outrageous hot pink labellum and shiny PVC-like surfaces would not look out of place in the closet of a well-equiped dominatrix. In reality it thrives in the balmy seabreezes blowing through forests on the Brazilian coast. Dracula roezlii. Names can be deceiving. This abomination does not stalk the dark forests of Stoker's Romania, but the high cloud forests of Colombia. They are related to the more brightly-coloured Masdevallia, but Dracula orchids can be distinguished by the inflated labellum in the centre. This structure kind of resembles the gills of a mushroom; the flowers are often visited by small fungus gnats, the presumed pollinators. Because these orchids require cool temperatures and very high humidity, they are notoriously difficult to keep alive, let alone flower well. They are almost never exhibited at orchid shows, altough I've heard stories of intricate terrariums with in-built fans and misters specially constructed to display them in. Their sinister appearance always attracts attention, as the names given to other members of the genus attest: D. vampira, D. nosferatu, D. diabola, D. chimaera, and D. lotax (well, clowns are scary). Maxillaria schunkeana.Discovered as recently as 1993 in the coastal rainforest of Brazil, this miniature orchid packs a wicked punch. The name of the genus describes the way the labellum is fused to the column, thereby resembling a jawbone. Traditionally, the Maxillarias are a rather neglected group of orchids - do not expect to see one at your local florist anytime soon. In Victorian times, when jungle-collected orchids went up for auction labeled as 'misc.', you could bet your last guinea they would all be straggly, unimpressive Maxillarias. M. schunkeana is set to change all that. Wouldn't you want a tray of these at your next séance? Paphiopedilum Colorbox x (sukhakulii x Joanne's Wine). Man likes to adapt Nature to his own aesthetic. The proof lies in the seedless watermelon, the chihuahua, and the hundreds of thousands of registered orchid hybrids. A breeding goal especially prevalent among slipper orchid enthusiasts is the creation of ever darker, ever more grotesque (in my humble opinion) Paphiopedilums. These Vinicolor (wine-coloured) slippers are popular subjects at any orchid show, eliciting intakes of breath bordering on the orgasmic from many a septuagenarian. I cannot deny that the black warts and faintly pubic hairs are impressive, although they have so far failed to inspire in me the impulse to buy. Perhaps future breeding efforts will create a Paphiopedilum flower that does not overtly proclaim itself to be the plant's genitals?Fredclarkeara After Dark 'Feuerbach'. What you see here is the current culmination of black orchid breeding, from a master of the dark arts of the Catasetinae: Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids, located outside San Diego, California. A rather incongruous setting for the practice of black magic, granted, but what results! Fredclarkeara is an artificial genus, a hybrid encompassing the natural genera Catasetum, Mormodes and Clowesia. Many species in the Catasetinae group have very dark flowers, but none match the jet-black, inky blossoms of Fredclarkeara After Dark, a grex created by the skillful hybridization of Mormodia Painted Desert and Catasetum Donna Wise. Four selected cultivars of the majestic F. After Dark have received First Class Certificates, the highest award bestowed by the American Orchid Society. This is a totally unprecedented achievement, confirming just how coveted truly black orchids still are. Demand far exceeds supply, of course, making black orchids a sensual luxury. Consider selling your soul to own one. The Devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape.Photography credits: Cattleya aclandiae © Ed Merkle; Dracula roezlii © Eric Hunt; Maxillaria schunkeana © Eric Hunt; Paphiopedilum Colorbox x (sukhakulii x Joanne's Wine) © Matt Pedersen; Fredclarkeara After Dark 'Feuerbach' © Fred Clarke. Please visit these esteemed photographers for more chocolatey goodness.

cipria

Cute Puppies

Many people would love to nurture puppies..Labradoodles is the breed of dogs that was developed Labrador Retriever and the Standard Poodle and now they are a breed of their own. Cute and curly well describe the Labradoodle of today. Labradoodles were first developed in the late 1980s by Wally Conran of Guide Dogs Victoria in Kew, Victoria, Australia as assistance dogs for the physically challenged. In the 1980s two breeding and research centres were created to try to generate a consistent outcome for the Labradoodle: Rutland Manor Labradoodle Breeding and Research Center Australia and Tegan Park Labradoodle Breeding and Research Center Australia. Labradoodle Breeders have the desire to create the perfect pet: a dog that has the sturdiness of a Labrador Retriever and a non-stedding coat, is intelligent, has a great temperament and has a teddy-bear appearance that holds him dear to many hearts. The Labradoodle is considered a “trotting breed” like the Poodle, meaning that he should appear as though floating through the air when moving. The price of a well-bred Labradoodle varies according to the dog’s conformation, colour and desired traits. Labradoodles Puppies are great with children, as they are high-energy and very social dogs. They can easily accept other dogs and new people. What is important about Labradoodles is their intelligence. It is equal to that of a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd, regarded as among the most intelligent breeds. Physically, Labradoodles can withstand very extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. Their coats will protect them against both extremes. Along with their energy and love of activity, Labradoodles also like to rest at the owners’ feet. They love to be touching their human companions. They readily partake in anything, provided it is with their families, to which they are very loyal.

on choosing a college

January 11 at Trinity UMC in Murfreesboro TN, March 15 at Columbia FUMC in Columbia TN and March 22 at Springfield FUMC in Springfield TN.PULASKI, Tenn. – United Methodist families throughout middle Tennessee who have questions about getting their children – and their finances – ready for college are invited to attend “College Prep 101,” a two-hour information session from 2 to 4 p.m. by Martin Methodist College and the Cal Turner, Jr. Center for Church Leadership. Youth groups are invited to bring their members to one of these sessions as a service to the college-bound youth.A session will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at Trinity UMC in Murfreesboro. There will be two additional sessions offered at different Methodist churches in 2009.The purpose of College Prep 101 is to equip youth of all ages and their parents as they prepare to go through the college selection process and to be a particularly key resource to those college-bound United Methodists in the Tennessee Conference.“We recognize there are many questions that must be answered in order for a high school senior to identify the perfect college,” said the Rev. Mary Noble Parrish, director of church relations for Martin Methodist College. “‘How much will college cost and what financial assistance is available?’ ‘How far from home do I wish to travel?’ ‘What major should I select?’“As the college of the Tennessee Conference, we at Martin Methodist College extend ourselves as a resource to the youth from the churches of our conference as they make this important decision regarding their higher education,” she said. Rev. Parrish points out, “this is not simply a recruiting effort for Martin Methodist, focusing solely on its campus and program. “It will be beneficial to anyone in their college search,” she said.Lisa Smith, director of admissions, said the Martin Methodist College staff will bring plenty of experience to College Prep 101. “Learn about the admissions process with the help of our admissions team,” Smith said. “With years of experience from our staff, you will feel confident about your future college plans. From college visits to the application process to financial aid, come and learn at one of the College Prep 101 sessions.”For more information, contact the Rev. Mary Noble Parrish at 931-363-9834 or 1-800-467-1273, ext. 3834, or e-mail her at mparrish@martinmethodist.edu. Also contact Lisa Smith, 931-363-9805 or 1-800-467-1273, ext. 3805 or e-mail her at lsmith2@martinmethodist.edu.

the Yellow-vented Bulbul

There are several species of birds in Malaysia that are often seen flying in pairs. Some pair for life, some for several seasons and some just a single season only. The Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pyconontus goiavier) is just about the most frequently seen paired resident species in my area and this particular pair catches my eye for some particular reason (below). They became frequent visitors and nesters in my private garden balcony the last few years that we decided to name them Laurie and Laura. The birds took up residence besides a family of White-rumped Munias (Lonchura striata). Every hanging fern species that thrives in the balcony carries a nesting history. Some of the nests were made over from previous season. Last year, no nesting was observed. While the environment remained peaceful and conducive to raising their brood, Laurie and Laura did not bring in any nesting materials. I began wondering why and soon found out.Since last September 2006, tinkling sounds, ‘tink.-tink-tink’ were heard coming from the driveway. Initially I passed then off to be a dribbling garden tap with droplets of water hitting a hollow tin can. It continued intermittently during the daytime and for several consecutive days until the sounds got into my nerves’ edge and I simply had to investigate.A fascinating and entertaining observation of endearing avian showmanship followed. It was Laurie, the male Yellow-vented Bulbul who flew into the driveway and became fascinated with the winged mirror of my parked vehicle (above). He perched and stared so hard onto the shiny chromed mirror as though to say, ‘I wish, I wish… mm… Am I the most handsome guy in town?’ Laurie was not alone. He flew in with Laura but she decided to take to a more discreet and observation perch on the Christmas tree, about 15 feet away. Laurie with his broad and black loral stripe, stared into the mirror and saw another competitor, a look alike and furiously began pecking vigorously at the chromed mirror. He was pecking at a brown feathery bird - his own reflection! Over the period of weeks, Laurie became extremely obsessed with the winged mirror – his competitor. He continued relentlessly to impress Laura and showed off his skills of showmanship by roll flying around the mirror, performing balancing tricks, tap dancing and doing the flamenco, ballet and butterfly stance to just name a few (above). He was working and trying very hard to be the hero. Occasionally, Laurie would pause to await and listen for the approval of ‘Bravo! Bravo!’ coming from Laura’s chirping calls (above). Laurie would courteously give a bow showing his broad striped dark crown and threw a deep side glance at his ‘competitor’ as if to say, ‘Hey! This is my territory and that’s my gal, so clear off! Laurie did not fail to soil the mirror to get the message over and would end his performance by shining his yellow vent at my scope to ensure I did not miss out his bright rear plumage (above). Is this a kind of challenging courtship display or is Laurie a weirdo with an obsession? I wonder if Laura is tired of seeing Laurie’s repeated performances. He was unperturbed by the family’s pet dog who had seen them all and more often than I had witnessed. She would just lie in the garage, her right ear cocked up and eyes rolled to the rhythm of Laurie’s performances just 8 feet away. At times, I could hear her sighed aloud as if to say, ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake not again, bird!’My camera certainly did not give up that easily but provided additional silhouette shots through my spotting scope to look like an evening performance of a Yellow-vented Bulbul, romancing his beau with a repertoire of courtship tap dancing! I found out these birds disliked my ornamental Chinese bronzed bells with red tassels hung in the balcony garden, beginning of last year. I had them removed recently. Soon enough, they both flew in to prospect a new nesting site.It was ‘Home Sweet Home….’SUBMITTED BY: DAISY O’NEILL, PENANG, MALAYSIA.21st January 2007Check out our earlier postings on how birds react when they see their reflections on a mirror: (1 and 2).

News Roundup: 4/13/2009

Randy Cain, a founding member of Philadelphia soul pioneers the Delfonics, died Thursday April 9 at his Maple Shade, NJ home. With brothers William and Wilbert Hart, Cain formed the Delfonics in the early 60s, shaping the smooth sound that spawned hits like La La Means I Love You and the Philly Soul movement. Cain was 63. [Yahoo.com] YouTube and Universal Music Group have revealed Vevo, a joint venture that includes a premium music video website as well as a dedicated channel on YouTube. The companies expect Vevo, which could include long-form and original programming as well as conventional videos, to be the largest music video site in the U.S. when it launches later this year. [PaidContent.org] A decade after their classic album Blackout!, Method Man and Redman will release Blackout 2. The album, which features production work by Erick Sermon and Pete Rock and cameos by UGK and Raekwon, arrives May 19, but the duo leaked the music video for Ayo late last week. [Spin.com] Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band and the Beastie Boys are among the first headliners announced for this years Outlands Festival, which will take place August 28-30th at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The date marks Pearl Jams first U.S. show this year and their first major festival date since 2008s Bonnaroo. [RollingStone.com] Not only are the New York Dolls collaborating with Todd Rundgren on their upcoming album Cause I Sez So, Rundgren will also join the seminal band on a few dates of their May tour. [Billboard.com] With any luck, diehard Prince fans saved enough money buying LotusFlow3r at Target to splurge on 21 Nights: The Prince Opus, a limited-edition set that documents his 21 show stand at Londons O2 Arena in 2007, which costs $2100. For that chunk of change, fans get an iPod preloaded with the Indigo Nights live album, a 40-minute film and a 280-page book that is nearly two feet wide. Financing options are available. [Guardian.co.uk] Regina Spektors upcoming album Far features four very different producers: ELOs Jeff Lynne; Mike Elizondo, better known for working with Eminem and Dr. Dre (as well as a more logical connection, Fiona Apple); Strokes collaborator David Kahne; and Garrett Jacknife Lee, producer to REM, Weezer and Bloc Party. No word on whether or not Far is going to be an art-pop/hip-hop/garage-rock mashup, but its due on June 23. [NME.com] The Rock Band version of Chinese Democracy is arriving much faster than its inspiration did: The album that took 15 years to make only needed 6 months to be translated into a video game (which hits stores on Tuesday). [Spinner.com]

Ben Reed: KDE 4.2.2 in Fink Unstable

I've just committed all of KDE 4.2.2 to Fink Unstable. There's still a lot of rough edges, but it's definitely at least beta quality, and a lot of apps work great. It includes a number of fixes, including updated scripts to register all of the desktop files properly with ksycocoa on post-install, case-sensitive filesystem fixes, and a number of other packaging fixes. I've also finished packaging all of the "core" KDE distribution. I've got Amarok working in my experimental tree, I just need to do a little more testing before I can release it (It's based on a snapshot of what will become Amarok 2.1.0, since 2.0.x has some build issues on Mac OS X that are difficult to resolve). Also, the KOffice folks just put out a release candidate that I'm working on finishing up packaging on. Hopefully I will have that out soon. As always, please let me know if you run into issues. I've test-built on 10.5/i386 and 10.4/ppc so I'm sure some 10.4/i386 and 10.5/ppc users will give bug reports soon. ;) Comments (2) Comments on this Entry: (anon on Apr 4, 2009 4:09 AM) This is very cool :) But what exactly do you mean with "Fink"? There's nothing in incoming.debian.org... can you help me out? (Benjamin Reed on Apr 4, 2009 9:21 AM) Fink is a distribution for Mac OS X. If you're looking for debian packages, you'll have to wait for debian to update them. :)

A battle between two long arms

The shadow-boxing between Israel and Iran moves from Gaza to SudanGIVEN the ferocity of Israels onslaught on the Islamist militants of Hamas in the Gaza Strip in the first three weeks of January, it stands to reason that Israel would also be doing everything in its power to stop them getting more weapons. Only now is a murky story emerging of how far (about 1,400km, or 870 miles) Israel was prepared to go. Who needs to know, knows, said Ehud Olmert, Israels outgoing prime minister, thereby tacitly confirming a flurry of media reports that Israeli aircraft and/or unmanned drones had destroyed a convoy of 23 lorries carrying Iranian arms destined for Hamas in mid-January in north-east Sudan. After some confusion, the Sudanese government admitted that such an attack, probably by Israel, had indeed taken place just north of Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Exotic but unverifiable claims in various media aver that Israels Mossad intelligence service got a tip that the arms were going to be smuggled into the Gaza Strip via Sudan and Egypt; that Israels air force had only a few days to prepare its raid; and that 40 or so people in the convoy, including Iranians, may have been killed.

a

b

The experts found a square pillow will lead to shoulder and neck muscle tension.

Easily hurt by large fashion shoulder bag.

Relax the shoulder(b) and neck(a):

the college years

Buddy TVs Meghan Carlson tackles this issue: College admissions time—its a stressful time for any high school senior. Its also a time when youre forced to make choices that will change the course of your entire life. On last nights episode, “Youve Got Yale,” Blair, Serena and Dan all grapple with big anxieties about the changes that go along with college: Blairs got a case of Senioritis (and a tad of an entitlement issue) that threaten her dead-set hopes on Yale, Serena tries to decide which Ivy is the best fit for her, and she and Dan both worry about how choosing different colleges will affect—or possibly end—their relationship. The thing is, Im less worried about the characters attending the right school and being happy where they end up. I have faith that the Gossip Girl writers wont force Blair into a community college, or send Serena following Dan to New Haven to salvage their already ailing relationship. That just wouldnt fit their characters. Blair will either end up at Yale, or change her mind and go somewhere else—shes just not one to settle. And, while Id love to be happy for her, what Im worried about is how going off in all these different directions next season will affect Gossip Girl as we know it. Read more at BuddyTV.com

Japan incredible shrinking economy

Japan is in danger of suffering not one but two lost decadesTO LOSE one decade may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose two looks like carelessness. Japans economy stagnated in the 1990s after its stockmarket and property bubbles burst, but its more recent economic performance looks even more troubling. Industrial production plunged by 38% in the year to February, to its lowest level since 1983. Real GDP fell at an annualised rate of 12% in the fourth quarter of 2008, and may have declined even faster in the first three months of this year. The OECD forecasts that Japans GDP will shrink by 6.6% in 2009 as a whole, wiping out all the gains from the previous five years of recovery.If that turns out to be true, Japans economy will have grown at an average of 0.6% a year since it first stumbled in 1991 (see top chart). Thanks to deflation as well, the value of GDP in nominal terms in the first quarter of this year probably fell back to where it was in 1993. For 16 years the economy has, in effect, gone nowhere. ...

Situational devices and synchronization

CloudAve reviews the CrunchPad browsing device, and concludes that these days, a single computer is just not enough for all our needs: A tablet for lazy surfing, a netbook for travel, an iPhone for when we don’t even want to carry that much, a full laptop for everyday work, and even a full desktop as the multimedia workhorse: at these price levels we may very well have 5-6 or purpose-designed computers, situational devices. Pick up one, continue on the other as you move around – the switch should be seamless, our computing experience is becoming to device-independent. While the idea of a universal communicator is appealing, the multi-device situation is more practical. However, pick up one, continue on the other is still more wishful thinking than reality. Even if you keep all your data and applications in the cloud, you still face the issue of having to find and open the various browser tabs when you switch devices. Mozilla Weave is a browser synchronization tool for the upcoming Firefox 3.5 that will hopefully help here, at least on all computers where you can install a browser: Weave Sync, a prototype that encrypts and securely synchronizes the Firefox experience across multiple browsers, so that your desktop, laptop, and mobile phone can all work together. It currently supports continuous synchronization of your bookmarks, browsing history, saved passwords and tabs. Having solved this, we still face the problem is that cloud locks your data behind proprietary software run in data centers of multinational corporations. While data portability and standardization slowly help giving users control of their own content, the better free software response would be relying on data synchronization and peer-to-peer connections. Via Internet Tablet Talk. Technorati Tags: crunchpad, dataportability, midgard, weave, synchronization