Obama’s friends and supporters have always been his biggest Achilles’s heel… I won’t even bother repeating the list of shady associates. The left (including 2 of my brothers) constantly try to play it all off as chance associations or no big deal, but even my eleven year old has already learned the hard way that we are judged by the company we keep.
This all came back to mind as I read two different articles delivering messages to Obama from two of his most ardent, long-time supporters: Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan and Commie extraordinaire George Soros.
I know the test just confirmed I was a Libertarian, but why can’t this be enough to send him back to Europe…he wasn’t born here?
“The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.”—George Soros
But I digress, Soros wants Obama to “take the health care back to Congress and overcoming the filibuster — the 60 percent vote requirement” which isn’t all that radical but apparently what he wants most is the banks nationalized. (source)
Not to be outdone, Farrakhan spoke to Obama straight from the pulpit:
“Your people are suffering. You can’t ease their plight, but you can use your bully pulpit. Speak for the poor. Speak for the weak.”
He said helping the Nation of Islam, which has worked to reform black inmates for decades, would also be an answer.
“Put some money on back of us,” he said. “We can reform our people.”
Farrakhan continued his praise of Obama Sunday, and said the nation’s first black president was manipulated into disavowing Farrakhan.
He would not say if he and Obama had ever met on the issue.
“They all want to know did I ever meet with him and what did I say or what he say,” Farrakhan said in the speech. “I ain’t going there.” (source)
I realize that you can’t stop people from admiring you, but you certainly can stop taking their money…
JOLIET, Ill. (STMW) – A teenage boy angry about being deprived a trip to Dairy Queen called the police and fabricated a story about his father punching him in the back of the head and kicking him out of the house in southwest suburban Joliet.
The 15-year-old called 911 shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday and imparted this tale of woe, police said. But when officers arrived at his Nowell Avenue home, they heard a different story from his parents.
The boy’s father told officers his son “was upset about not being able to go to Dairy Queen,” according to a police report.
The youth was apparently so upset, police said, that the troubled teen “threw a snowball at his dad.” The boy’s father then “shut the door on his son so he wouldn’t attack” him.
The precocious child returned to his house “after he cooled down,” the report said.
“…A 27-year-old woman who gave a running commentary of her abortion on Twitter says she is astonished by the backlash she has received.
Angie Jackson claimed she did it to “demystify” abortion. But opponents have been outraged by her decision to go public and by the graphic nature of her Tweets…” (source)
Her own website goes into a bit more depth about her decision to take the Abortion Pill (RU-486):
“…My birth control failed, and I am pregnant. I have been in physical pain for days, and I think a certain amount of the emotional distress (read: suicidal depression & panic attacks) I’ve been under has been caused by hormone fluxes and my body being taken over. I can’t *afford* to have all nutritional resources diverted elsewhere, and I’m not ready to be the mom of two kids.
Hell, I’ll never be ready for that. I decided about ten minutes after my son was born that he was the only one in the world for me. As it became clear he had special needs, this decision cemented. I honestly believe that being an only child will be the best thing for HIM, in no small part because I feel at least somewhat capable of being a good mom to him, but not of being a good mom (certainly not a great mom) to two special needs children…” (source)
“…Ms Jackson claims she has always spoken about controversial topics online after being raised in a fundamentalist cult [Mormon] and suffering sexual abuse…” (source)
I empathize with the ‘health of the mother’ argument, but my question is: If she KNEW that she only wanted one child. If she KNEW a special needs child demanded all she could give. If she truly did almost die during the first birth. And if doctor’s truly did advise against any more pregnancies –why didn’t she have her tubes tied or why wasn’t she using an implant of some kind? I realize her birth control is her issue, but she’s trying to play this off as if she’s a responsible role model here…taking care of her business by 4 weeks gestation. But if she were responsible she wouldn’t have conceived to begin with –especially given the finality of her decision to be one and done “ten minutes after her son was born.”
(I didn’t want to belittle the seriousness of the subject matter with comments about Angie’s liberally-applied blue eyeshadow but please know that it took all my self-restraint. Thank you.)
***I shouldn’t even have blogged about this as she’s really just a cam-ho who obviously has serious issues separating online life from real life and I shouldn’t be feeding into that with more traffic***
If you already have Street Fighter IV, will a few new characters be enough for you to spend US$ 40 on Super Street Fighter IV? Unlike the path Capcom took with Resident Evil 5, players won’t have
On Glenn Beck’s FNC show that aired Friday, he had everyone answer 10 questions to determine their political philosophy. I have been trying to get onto the site since Beck mentioned it, but it crashed and burned shortly thereafter. However, it is new and improved and now handling the traffic with a larger, 100% dedicated server. (I can’t find the props to Beck for the traffic boost though…the site creator describes himself employed and should be thanking his internet juju for this gift from Glenn….)
Personally, I feel like the survey is much too sparse and elementary to actually accurately reveal your ideology. As you can see, the chart put me firmly in the Libertarian camp, but questions about abortion were absent. Also nothing about legalizing drugs.
As reported yesterday, Audi today unveiled its new A8 Hybrid concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. While it’s known as a ‘technology concept’ for now, this is most likely the same model that will enter production and go on sale by late 2011.
Power comes from a 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder engine making 211-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to an electric-motor (fueled by a lithium-ion battery pack) making 45-hp and a peak torque of 156 lb-ft. Working together the two systems produce 245-hp and a maximum torque of 354 lb-ft. That allows the Audi A8 Hybrid to go from 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds with a top speed of 146 mph.
Audi says that even with those performance figures, the A8 Hybrid will return an estimated fuel-economy of 38 U.S. mpg. Audi says that the A8 Hybrid is also capable of running on electric-mode at speeds of up to 40 mph for more than 1.2 miles.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Lexus LS Hybrid, BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid have met their competitor from Ingolstadt.
Hit the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.
Audi A8 Hybrid Concept:
Press Release:
The efficiency standard – the Audi A8 hybrid
Power like a big V6, fuel economy like a modest four-cylinder unit – Audi presents the A8 hybrid as a technology concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Its two propulsion units – a 2.0 TFSI and an electric motor – develop a total output of 180 kW (245 hp) of system power and 480 Nm (354.03 lb-ft) of torque. This enables the Audi A8 hybrid to accelerate in 7.6 seconds from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) and to achieve a top speed of 235 km/h (146.02 mph). Yet its average fuel consumption amounts to only 6.2 liters (37.94 US mpg) per 100 km – the CO2 equivalent is 144 grams per km (231.75 g/mile).
The technology of the Audi A8 hybrid The combustion engine of the Audi A8 hybrid is the 2.0 TFSI – a high-tech powerplant. This four-cylinder unit, which has been named “Engine of the Year” five times in a row since 2005, is an example of Audi’s downsizing philosophy. It combines direct fuel injection with turbocharging and the AVS Audi valvelift system, which regulates the valve lift in two stages. In combination with the adjustable intake camshaft, the Audi valvelift system improves cylinder charging and ensures spontaneous and powerful torque build-up. The 2.0 TFSI delivers 155 kW (211 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft); the torque value remains constant from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm.
In the crankcase of the four-cylinder unit, which has a displacement of 1,984 cc, two balancer shafts offset second-order inertial forces to ensure virtually vibration-free and pleasantly quiet operation that goes well with the luxurious character of the A8. All components are optimized to minimize friction. The flow-rate-regulated, pressure-controlled oil pump further reduces fuel consumption.
Electric motor with ample propulsive power A hydraulically operated wet clutch links the 2.0 TFSI with the electric motor. Its control requires the utmost precision, and a great deal of know-how has been expended to achieve its smooth, precise and swift operation. The synchronous motor, which is continually excited, also serves as a generator that develops 33 kW (45 hp) of power and 211 Nm (155.63 lb-ft) of torque. Its full power is available practically right from standstill and contributes to a sportily powerful start-up. Since an electric motor also develops heat, its housing is furnished with cooling ducts. Interposed between the electric motor and the wheelset of the eight-speed tiptronic, which is controlled entirely by electronics, is an additional cut-out clutch. In conjunction with the electric unit, this functions as a torque converter. The propulsive power of both drive systems is applied to the road through the front wheels.
Lithium-ion technology – the battery The energy storage system of the Audi A8 hybrid is mounted in the rear section. This state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery is more compact and weighs less than other types but is substantially more powerful. It is protected by a high-strength housing, and a ventilation module ensures that it always operated within the ideal temperature range. Yet the A8 hybrid also provides ample luggage space of 400 liters (14.13 cubic feet)
Several subsystems that operate on engine power in a conventional car have been modified right from the start for use in the Audi A8 hybrid. The compressor in the climate control system runs entirely on electric power. The steering system is electromechanical as well. The brake booster too is supplied by a demand-controlled electric vacuum pump. During electrical – i.e. recuperative – braking actions, a sophisticated control system ensures that the ABS and ESP functions operate properly.
The power electronics unit manages the interaction of the systems. Its pulse control inverter regulates the interplay of the battery and the electric motor. The DC-DC converter supplies power to users on the onboard network. The power electronics unit, which is connected to the battery and the electric motor by high-voltage cables, is located in the engine compartment.
The smooth interaction of these components and their high level of integration attest to the specialized know-how Audi has accumulated. The technology architecture already provides a glimpse of a future production model – the Audi Q5 hybrid, which will be introduced later this year.
Driving experience The Audi A8 hybrid, which weighs 1,885 kilograms (4,155.71 lb), drives as if it had a big six-cylinder gasoline engine or a TDI under its hood. From zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) the vehicle accelerates in 7.6 seconds, and it can continue to accelerate up to 235 km/h (146.02 mph). Yet its fuel consumption according to the EU cycle is only 6.2 liters per 100 km (37.94 mpg), corresponding to 144 grams CO2/km (231.75 g/mile). In city traffic, the hybrid drive uses about 20 percent less fuel than a conventional drive. Both the car’s performance and its fuel economy benefit substantially from a major advantage of the A8 model series – its lightweight aluminum body based on the Audi Space Frame principle (ASF).
The hybrid drive is designed for fully electric-powered driving up to 65 km/h (40.39 mph) and for a distance exceeding two kilometers – especially well-suited for driving in the city or residential suburbs. When conditions permit, the driver can also select the electric mode by actuating a separate e-key in the cockpit. Both the display screen of the instrument cluster and the large monitor of the MMI operating system on the dashboard present all momentary power flows in brilliant graphics.
When the Audi A8 hybrid starts moving, both of its engines interoperate closely to suit varying power demands. Above 65 km/h (40.39 mph) the combustion engine alone does all the propulsive work, while the electric motor supplies onboard users and recharges the battery.
When the driver lets up on the gas, the combustion engine is disconnected from the drivetrain, so the Audi A8 hybrid ”sails”. In braking and slow-down phases, the e-motor functions as a generator – recuperating energy efficiently and feeding it into the battery.
When the driver floors the pedal, the engine management temporarily controls the entire system power, and now the electric motor is boosting power. 180 kW (245 hp) and 480 Nm (354.03 lb-ft) endow the big sedan with enormous thrust. The intermediate sprint from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 to 74.56 mph) in fifth gear for instance is accomplished in 7.5 seconds. The Audi A8 hybrid is an extremely dynamic car – with a fuel efficiency that is setting new standards. This is especially true in everyday user activities. Even its looks betray the power of this near-production concept car with its big 21-inch wheels and their 265/35 tires. Efficiency and sportiness are no paradox at Audi – they go hand in hand.
The design of the Audi A8 hybrid This near-production concept car has 21-inch, two-colour wheel rims styled with highly three-dimensional surface areas. The exterior paint job of the A8 hybrid is in “Prism Silver” with “Spectra Flair” as an accent color – a rainbow effect that’s accentuated in reflected light along creases and seams on the body. The prominently located “hybrid” lettering on both front fenders leaves no doubt about what kind of car this is. The accentuation of its width by a prominent low horizontal spoiler edge and a chrome strip conveys the vehicle’s solid stance on the road.
The engine compartment cover with its high-gloss finish and the glass cover of the battery in the trunk also provide visual links to hybrid technology. And the illuminated doorsteps bear the “hybrid” insignia as an elegant touch to underscore the electric aspect whenever the doors are opened – using LED technology to minimize energy consumption.
The passengers also see the prominent hybrid logo displayed on the dashboard. The “Powermeter” in addition shows the energy flow in the instrument cluster.
The equipment and data specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.
Most agree that the majority of General Motors’ recent products are easily on par with the competition in terms of design, quality and performance. And having shed much of its legacy costs in bankruptcy last year, GM should be making money on those products. However, sales of many of its newest, greatest products have languished and the blame seems to have fallen – according to Jim Hall and Peter Delorenzo – on marketing.
After bankruptcy, the general managers for each division were primarily left with the responsibility for sales and marketing, and while Chevrolet and GMC have made progress in recent months, Cadillac has not. Last summer GM promoted Brian Nesbitt from the design department where he led North American styling to be Cadillac’s general manager. As of this morning, not any more.
Following its monthly sales conference call this morning, GM is planning to announce executive level changes in its sales and marketing staffs including the possible release of Nesbitt. It also appears that GM president Mark Reuss is consolidating more of the sales and marketing responsibilities and reporting to himself. Marketing boss Susan Docherty still reports to Reuss, but several people who formerly reported to Docherty will apparently now directly report to the president.
Cadillac communications manager Nick Twork declined comment on the whole matter. We’ll know more later in the day.
Chris Harrison at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, along with Dan Morris and Desney Tan at Microsoft’s research lab have created a system that allows users to use their own hands and arms as touch screens by detecting the various ultralow-frequency sounds produced when tapping different parts of the skin.
An armband houses an array of sensors that collect the signals generated by the skin taps and then calculates which part of the display you want to activate.
The system closes the loop using a pico-projector to show menus and other selectable media on your arm and the complete system has an accuracy of 95.5%.
It is unlikely the system will find implementation in our smartphones any time soon, but I do wonder if the accelerometer in our current devices are sensitive enough for a crude version that can do volume up, down, pause and start? Any developers interested in giving it a try?
Nearly a year ago, we wrote about how a YouTube presentation done by well known law professor (and strong believer in fair use and fixing copyright law), Larry Lessig, had been taken down, because his video, in explaining copyright and fair use and other such things, used a snippet of a Warner Music song to demonstrate a point. There could be no clearer example of fair use — but the video was still taken down. There was some dispute at the time as to whether or not this was an actual DMCA takedown, or merely YouTube’s audio/video fingerprinting technology (which the entertainment industry insists can understand fair use and not block it). But, in the end, does it really make a difference? A takedown over copyright is a takedown over copyright.
Amazingly enough, it appears that almost the exact same thing has happened again. A video of one of Lessig’s presentations, that he just posted — a “chat” he had done for the OpenVideoAlliance a week or so ago, about open culture and fair use, has received notice that it has been silenced. It hasn’t been taken down entirely — but the entire audio track from the 42 minute video is completely gone. All of it. In the comments, some say there’s a notification somewhere that the audio has been disabled because of “an audio track that has not been authorized by WMG” (Warner Music Group) — which would be the same company whose copyright caused the issue a year ago — but I haven’t seen or heard that particular message anywhere.
However, Lessig is now required to fill out a counternotice challenging the takedown — while silencing his video in the meantime:
While you can still see the video on YouTube, without the audio, it’s pretty much worthless. Thankfully, the actual video is available elsewhere, where you can both hear and see it. But, really, the fact that Lessig has had two separate videos — both of which clearly are fair use — neutered due to bogus copyright infringement risks suggests a serious problem. I’m guessing that, once again, this video was likely caught by the fingerprinting, rather than a direct claim by Warner Music. In fact, the issue may be the identical one, as I believe the problem last year was the muppets theme, which very, very briefly appears in this video (again) as an example of fair use in action. But it was Warner Music and others like it that demanded Google put such a fingerprinting tool in place (and such companies are still talking about requiring such tools under the law). And yet, this seems to show just how problematic such rules are.
Even worse, this highlights just how amazingly problematic things get when you put secondary liability on companies like Google. Under such a regime, Google would of course disable such a video, to avoid its own liability. The idea that Google can easily tell what is infringing and what is not is proven ridiculous when something like this is pulled off-line (or just silenced). When a video about fair use itself is pulled down for a bogus copyright infringement, it proves the point. The unintended consequences of asking tool providers to judge what is and what is not copyright infringement lead to tremendous problems with companies shooting first and asking questions later. They are silencing speech, on the threat that it might infringe on copyright.
This is backwards.
We live in a country that is supposed to cherish free speech, not stifle it in case it harms the business model of a company. We live in a country that is supposed to encourage the free expression of ideas — not lock it up and take it down because one company doesn’t know how to adapt its business model. We should never be silencing videos because they might infringe on copyright.
Situations like this demonstrate the dangerous unintended consequences of secondary liability. At least with Lessig, you have someone who knows what happened, and knows how to file a counternotice — though, who knows how long it will take for this situation to be corrected. But for many, many, many other people, they are simply silenced. Silenced because of industry efforts to turn copyright law into something it was never intended to be: a tool to silence the wider audience in favor of a few large companies.
The system is broken. When even the calls to fix the system are silenced by copyright claims, isn’t it time that we fixed the system?
Last week was patent week, apparently, as both Facebook and Google were granted some pretty important patents. Facebook got a patent for its News Feed, certainly a useful one to own as a social network, and Google got a patent for location-based advertising, which could prove a very lucrative market in the coming years.
2011 Volvo S60 – Click above for high-res image gallery
American automakers are streamlining, big time. But we’re looking at a Swedish car. In Switzerland. So what does this have to do with Detroit? Well, a lot. But not for long. Volvo‘s about to change hands from Ford to China’s Geely, and (like fellow Swedish automaker Saab now under Spyker‘s wing) if it’s going to survive, it’ll need a solid product. This could be it.
Previewed in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show, the production version of the new Volvo S60 made its debut here at the Geneva Motor Show. A few details inevitably had to change on the bumpy road from concept to production, among them the anteater nose of the show car which was thankfully reshaped due to pedestrian impact requirements. And when it comes down to it, that’s what Volvo’s all about: safety. So it comes as little surprise that the new S60 also debuts the company’s new Collision Warning system that will, if necessary, fully engage the brakes.
The S60 makes its debut in T6 guise, packing a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. More engines will be on offer worldwide once new S60 car reaches the market over the course of the coming months, but you can check out our live shots right now, and the full details in the press release below the fold.
General Motors long ago set the launch date for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt for November 2010; however, when Chairman Ed Whitacre became CEO of the company, he planned to push the Volt extended-range electric to customer’s garages prior to November.
According to the Free Press, Whitacre’s ambitions are running into hurdles. Executives familiar with the plans said that they’ve run into some challenges that are complicating the push.
The idea has “a number of problems, and the car isn’t one of them,” one executive said.
Insiders are concerned that if the Volt is sold before the official launch date, it could require early tweaks and changes that are routine to prepare a vehicle for official rollout. If those tweaks and changes are misunderstood, it could create PR problems for GM, which is counting on the Volt to boost its image.
Tuner AC Schnitzer has gotten its hands on the latest model from BMW – the 5-Series Gran Turismo. Besides a bunch of visual and aerodynamical upgrades that make the 5-Series Gran Turismo look like its on steroids, AC Schnitzer upgraded the 245-hp of the 6-cylinder 530d to 286-hp.
The 5-Series GT by AC Schnitzer is available with Type IV in 19-inch or the BiColor Version in 19-inch and 20-inch. Also available are the AC Schnitzer wheels Type VII in silver and BiColor in 22-inch and the alloy forged wheels in Type V in 20-inch and 22-inch. If that’s not enough wheel for you, Schnitzer is also offering Type VIII rims in 19-inch or the racing forged alloys Type VIII in 22-inch
Hit the jump for the press release for more details and the high-res image gallery.
BMW 5-Series GT by AC Schnitzer:
Press Release:
Comfort meets Power: Grand Tour with the 5-series GT by AC Schnitzer
“Gran Turismo” means “Grand Tour”, and this is the principle behind the 5-series GT by AC Schnitzer. The performance upgrade from 245 to 286 HP for the six-cylinder 530d already gives the standard car more pulling power and racing flair, which is demonstrated externally by the AC Schnitzer engine styling with capacity logo.
Yet the 5-series GT by AC Schnitzer doesn’t just bring a gleam to the eyes of BMW fans, but acoustically it delivers what the aesthetics promise at first glance. The AC Schnitzer twin sports rear silencer is the ideal tuning product for drivers with an appreciation of engine sound, to whom design elements such as the chromed “Sports Trim” tailpipe trims and the chromed “Racing” tailpipe trim are equally important.
Impressive comfort in driving behaviour, even on dynamic driving on twisty roads, is achieved by the AC Schnitzer suspension spring set. The tuning by the Aachen specialists makes the 5-series GT convincing in every speed range thanks to its superb agility. Two tonnes of unladen weight are irrelevant when the car is glued to the tarmac by the AC Schnitzer front and rear spoilers. Bonnet Vents with chromed centre web combine individual design with sophisticated engineering. The side lines are subtly emphasised by the AC Schnitzer side skirts, and the flowing dynamics of the coupé-like roof line are further enhanced by the AC Schnitzer rear skirt.
The comfort of the Gran Turismo took priority in the fundamental architecture of the BMW 5-series GT. So the specialists at AC Schnitzer completed the stylish elegance of the interior with a cover for the i-Drive System Controller, foot rest and pedal set in aluminium. Behind the frameless doors, velours footmats and boot mat welcome the driver.
To enjoy a “Grand Tour”, the passengers must be well supported, so the silver AC Schnitzer wheels Type IV in 19″ or the BiColor Version in 19″ and 20″ provide the perfect conditions technically and visually for an extraordinary trip. With the AC Schnitzer wheels Type VII in silver and BiColor in 22″ and the alloy forged wheels in Type V in 20″ and 22″, the drive is even more firmly planted. Another ideal choice is the brand-new Type VIII rims in 19″ or the racing forged alloys Type VIII in 22″. The new wheel with its double spokes in BiColor Finish is an evolution of the well-known Type VI wheel. All wheels are available with suitable tyres.
Driving comfort and performance at the highest level – that’s the promise from the 5-series GT by AC Schnitzer – a promise which is guaranteed to be kept on the next “Grand Tour”.
2011 Mini Countryman – Click above for high-res image gallery
There were no surprises at the Mini press conference today in Geneva when the covers were lifted off the 2011 Countryman. We got our first look at the brand’s first crossover back in January, and we can now fill you in with the full details about the mini-ute. The Countryman is obviously Mini’s largest vehicle at just over four meters in length, and its optional ALL4 all-wheel drive system is a first for the brand as well.
Looking at the car in person, not too much has changed in the front of the cabin for the Countryman compared to its two-door counterparts. Aft of the front seats, however, the second set of doors opens up to two individual buckets that should be relatively hospitable for normal sized adults. Leg room doesn’t seem to be in abundance, but this is a Mini, of course. A variety of gas and diesel engines will be available in Europe, but American customers can expect the same 1.6-liter inline-fours available in the current Mini range. Check out our live photos in the gallery below or get more details about the Countryman in the press release after the jump.
Mozilla has been running a competition asking the community to come up with ideas on how the new Firefox 4 home tab should look like and function. Quite a number of submissions came in, but, after two rounds of voting, Mozilla is ready to announce the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.”
This is a guest post by Joseph Matthews from Art of Approaching, a hands-on guide to picking up any woman.
On our ongoing quest to help all you single guys, we last talked about figuring out what kind of girl you want to meet. The next step, after knowing what you want, is to ask yourself: Where can I find the type of women I want to meet?
This is really important. Different places attract different types of women. Depending on where you go, you will get a different category of women.
Notice, I’m not saying you can’t meet a nice, stable girl who’s ready to settle down at a nightclub. But your chances of meeting a wild party girl who’s just into hooking up with a guy at such a venue is much greater. So if that’s what you’re looking for, a nightclub is a good bet you’ll meet that type of girl there.
If you’re looking for a girl who’s a little less wild, maybe more intellectual, where would you meet these types of women? Figure out the places where a certain type of woman would congregate. In this instance: museums, book stores, art galleries, and libraries come to mind.
Once you know where the type of girl you want to meet will be, it will be far, FAR easier to meet them! Just think of all the time and effort you’ll save by skipping the venues where the women you don’t want dominate.
Of course, you should always be on the lookout for the type of women you want, so don’t dismiss all women just because the venue isn’t right. But typically, if you’re on the prowl, the location will dictate the type of women you’ll find.
Get Yourself Ready
Now that you know what you want, and where to find it, it’s time to look at what you’ll be presenting the world. Namely – YOU!
Let’s face it, certain types of women are attracted to certain types of men. Depending on how you look, you will attract a certain type of girl.
Notice, I’m not talking about your physical looks here. We can’t control how good looking or ugly we are physically. But we CAN control our appearance. This includes our hairstyle, our skin, our facial hair, our weight, and our clothing. We can groom ourselves to project a certain image that will attract the women we’re after.
Let’s take an example of this. Let’s say I want to attract a stripper, and strippers are all I want to date for the rest of my life. Now, I know from experience that strippers are very easily attracted to “Rock and Roll” types. This doesn’t mean you can’t date strippers if you like to wear suits or simple t-shirts and jeans. But if you grow your hair long, have tattoos, smoke cigarettes, and like to wear a lot of black clothing with chains attached, you’re going to have an advantage approaching strippers because they typically like that type of man.
So now that you know what you want, figure out what the woman you’re after wants, and tailor your image to suit that. It will make your job much, much easier when it comes time to meet them.
But regardless of your image, you should always make an effort to look your best. Things like showering, brushing your teeth, and working out regularly go a long way not only in attracting women, but in your general sense of health. Always try to look your best whenever you’re going out in public, because you just never know when that girl you’re looking for will be there.
Archaeologists have unearthed a massive red granite head of one Egypt’s most famous pharaohs who ruled nearly 3,400 years ago, the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities announced Sunday.
The head of Amenhotep III, which alone is about the height of a person, was dug out of the ruins of the pharaoh’s mortuary temple in the southern city of Luxor.
The leader of the expedition that discovered the head described it as the best preserved sculpture of Amenhotep III’s face found to date.
“Other statues have always had something broken: the tip of the nose, the face is eroded,” said Dr. Hourig Sourouzian, who has led the led the Egyptian-European expedition at the site since 1999. “But here, from the tip of the crown to the chin, it is so beautifully carved and polished, nothing is broken.”
The red granite head of King Amenhotep III, part of a larger 3,000 year-old statue, was discovered at the site of the pharaoh’s funerary temple in Luxor, Egypt’s culture ministry said in a statement.
“The newly discovered head is intact and measures 2.5 metres (8.2 foot) high,” antiquities chief Zahi Hawass was quoted as saying.
“It is a masterpiece of highly artistic quality and shows a portrait of the king with very fine youthful sculptured features,” Hawass said, adding there were still traces of red paint on the head.
The artefact belongs to a large statue of the king standing with his hands crossed over his chest and holding the royal insignia, said Hourig Sourouzian who headed the team of archaeologists that made the find.
The hologram, technically known as augmented reality, has been nothing but a dream until a few years ago, when a group of developers led by Philip Lamb developed a C-powered library (ARToolKit) able to handle dynamic viewpoints and then redraw a 3D object accordingly. Less than a week ago, on February 24, German .NET developer Rene Schulte released the… (read more)
Don’t erect the tombstone for Oak Lawn’s Brandt School just yet.
Although the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 board voted unanimously last week in favor of closing the early elementary school and science center, the board now has issued a statement saying it will “reconsider” the issue at a special board meeting tonight.
The Oak Lawn-Hometown District 123 board voted unanimously last week in favor of closing Brandt School. At a special meeting tonight, the board will reconsider the issue.
(File photo)
The meeting was called after a week of mounting criticism from parents and teachers who say they were not given adequate notice of the meeting or the proposal to close the school.
Oak Lawn mother Karen Craven has filed a complaint with the state attorney general’s office alleging the board violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Craven, who had planned to send her 4-year-old daughter to Brandt School, says the board failed to give adequate notice for the Feb. 22 meeting.
The board released the meeting agenda to the SouthtownStar two days before the meeting but refused to answer questions or comment about the pending closure of Brandt School. According to the attorney general’s office, the notice should be given two business days in advance of the meeting.
Although the board did allow for public comment before and after the Feb. 22 vote, there was no debate or discussion among board members about the merits of closing the school, leaving critics to believe the decision was a done deal before the meeting convened.
“These decisions are about my property level, my kid and my quality of life. And these decisions were all made behind closed doors,” Craven said.
Faced with a $1.5 million budget shortfall, school officials have said the closing of Brandt will save them from cutting more-critical programs.
The district’s teachers union said it also took issue with the lack of discussion over the closing before the vote, but was encouraged the board called tonight’s meeting to revisit the issue.
“I do believe it is the intent of the board to take a step toward becoming more transparent,” said Elaine Barlos, president of the local representing District 123 faculty. “I applaud them for reconsidering and hope they have a dialogue with teachers and community about their rationale.”
The attorney general’s office confirmed it received Craven’s complaint Feb. 24. The office has until Friday to respond to Craven and decide if the complaint will be dismissed or if it merits further review.
Reached by telephone Monday, board member Theresa Roche referred media questions to board President Joseph Sorrentino, who could not be reached for comment.
The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School.
Calling all buff and tan Southlanders who love to party.
A Chicago-based casting company is looking for the next Snooki and The Situation for a “Jersey Shore-type” of reality show based on Chicago’s South Side.
“We’re looking for people who represent what a South Sider is,” said Joan O’Connor, casting producer for O’Connor Casting Co.
What exactly that means hasn’t been defined yet, she said.
“It’s difficult to qualify because everyone is so unique,” O’Connor said.
But they’ve got some idea of what they want.
The casting firm’s online ad says: “Are you buff, hot, sexy, crazy, fun, outgoing, love to make things exciting and up for an adventure? If so, then we want you, your friends, your total awesomeness.”
“Jersey Shore” is an MTV reality show that follows the lives of eight housemates spending the summer in a New Jersey beach town.
But O’Connor was mum about the details of the South Side-based show she’s casting because her firm simply is hired to look for the next reality star – not produce the show.
She said there’s no guaranteed way to catch a casting director’s eye, though she did have one tip for South Siders interested in becoming famous.
“They have to represent who they really are,” O’Connor said.
The casting call is open to men and women ages 19 to 27 who live on Chicago’s South Side and in neighboring suburbs.
To apply, e-mail three recent photos and “a brief description of your awesomeness and why you would be a great reality star” to [email protected].
Casting will continue through the end of this month.
Last week was patent week, apparently, as both Facebook and Google were granted some pretty important patents. Facebook got a patent for its News Feed, certainly a useful one to own as a social network, and Google got a patent for location-based advertising, which could prove a very lucrative market in the coming years. 
Mozilla has been running a competition asking the community to come up with ideas on how the new Firefox 4 home tab should look like and function. Quite a number of submissions came in, but, after two rounds of voting, Mozilla is ready to announce the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.”
The hologram, technically known as augmented reality, has been nothing but a dream until a few years ago, when a group of developers led by Philip Lamb developed a C-powered library (ARToolKit) able to handle dynamic viewpoints and then redraw a 3D object accordingly. Less than a week ago, on February 24, German .NET developer Rene Schulte released the… (