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Agme designs and manufactures special purpose machines for assembling links to tubes by tube end forming processes. After the parts are loaded, the two forming units assemble the links to the tubes by beading the tube on both sides of each link.

This special purpose machine includes the following devices:
– Base frame
– Two tube end forming units for beading the tubes on both sides of the link with: clamps for holding the tube, fixtures for postioning the links, AGME hydraulic presses PH-50 (50 tons) and beading fixtures.
– Unloading unit with slide chariots
– Fixture lubrication system

This type of machines are capable of performing many other operations in tubes: roll beading, 90º form flange, flanging, single flaring, flare in, radius flaring, doming, angular flaring, end reducing and end expanding.

Pipeline Isolation Valves for a Wide Range of Process Applications. Valves can be fitted with customer choice of Actuation. The parallel slide gate valves are produced in a wide range of sizes and designs (including Venturi and full bore) for fluid isolation duties on steam raising plant and process systems throughout industry. The outstanding feature of the parallel slide design is that of maintained fluid-tightness without the aid of wedging action. No mechanical stress is exerted between the discs, and the valve is not subjected to dangerous strains on opening or closing.

Established over 160 years ago, Hopkinsons products are renowned for long and dependable service life. They can be found on installations ranging from shell boilers to the highest capacity units within electricity generating stations.

GAMM presents the range of indexing plungers model PNAX. Threaded stainless steel body with rest position. Stainless steel pin. Stainless steel spring. Mat black thermoplastic knurled knob. Knurled knob of different colors upon request. We can also provide the version with Stainless Steel nut. For more technical information you can visit our web-site.

MANCHESTER, CT – May 25, 2010 – Lydall Performance Materials, a division of Lydall, Inc. (NYSE: LDL), today announced the launch of LyPore Defender-C microglass filtration media series designed to achieve maximum filtration performance while eliminating static discharge in hydraulic, lube oil and fuel systems filtration processes. LyPore Defender-C is an extension of the Lypore Defender filter media series introduced in 2008 which is known for its superior dirt holding capacity and longer filter life. LyPore Defender-C combines the performance characteristics of the LyPore Defender series with a proprietary blend
of fibers designed to dissipate electrostatic energy.

Static discharge during filtration can result in harmful varnish and lacquer buildup on internal metal, rubber and synthetic material surfaces leading to costly damage to components. Additionally, static discharge can lower a filter’s effectiveness by creating holes in the filter media thus degrading the filter’s particulate removal capability.

Dale Barnhart, CEO of Lydall, Inc. stated, “A key element of our growth strategy is through new product development. The launch of LyPore Defender-C demonstrates our ability to respond rapidly to a market need with an innovative solution as we execute on this strategy.”

“Due to the growing use of low conductivity synthetic oils by our customers, static discharge has become an increasing problem. Our customers have asked us for a filter media solution to eliminate damaging static discharge. That is exactly what LyPore Defender-C is designed to deliver. We are excited about this breakthrough in media design which addresses a long standing problem for our customers,” stated Stu Krupnick, Market Manager for Lydall’s Fluid Power and Transportation Filtration Markets.

LyPore Defender-C conductive filter media contains no metals and eliminates the need for additives, aftertreatments or continuous electrostatic oil cleaners. LyPore Defender-C conductive filter media is available in 3, 6, 10 and 20 micron efficiencies with acrylic latex binder or an optional high performance epoxy binder for expanded fluid compatibility and higher working temperatures.

Lydall, Inc. is a New York Stock Exchange listed company, headquartered in Manchester, Connecticut. For more information, visit http://www.lydallfiltration.com.

Ingersoll Rand wins 2010 World Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Enhancement – Oil-free compressor market !

Ingersoll Rand has been awarded the 2010 World Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Enhancement in the rotary, oil-free compressor market. Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated excellence in implementing strategies that proactively create value for its customers with a focus on improving the return on the investment that customers make in its services or products. Ingersoll Rand’s oil-free compressors, certified to ISO 8573.1 Class 0, are designed with industry leading features targeted at increasing energy efficiency.
“The proactive nature of the organization in understanding customer needs and quickly translating them into products has won significant loyalty and mindshare among global end users,” said Anand Gnanamoorthy, Research Analyst, Frost & Sullivan. “The fact that Ingersoll Rand is one of the top two companies in the oil-free compressor market highlights the ingenuity of the organization.”
The oil-free compressor market has unique challenge as these compressors are used in many critical applications, such as power generation or oil and gas sectors. In such applications, air quality is paramount and uptime is critical. Ingersoll Rand’s oil-free compressors include many features and enhancements that provide customers with the peace of mind needed within these markets. Ingersoll Rand’s stainless steel second stage rotors and patented UltracoatTM rotor coating increases airend life and performance. Additionaly, the Nirvana oil-free variable speed compressors with Hybrid Permanent MagnetTM motors and IntelysisTM microprocessor controllers, enable reduction of losses leading to significantly higher efficiency and reliability.

“The recent launch of our new C1000 centrifugal oil-free compressor is the next step in our commitment to meeting the reliability and efficiency needs of our customers,” said Cary Collins, Ingersoll Rand vice president, air products. “We continue to reach out to our customers for their feedback and input and take the steps needed to ensure their needs are part of the ongoing design and enhancements of our oil-free compressors. The C1000 is the most energy efficient 7500 cfm (cubic feet per minute) plant air compressor on the planet – all in direct response to our customer’s needs.”

New grinding wheel generation with integrated vibration reduction system excels through optimised running characteristics.
VIB STAR – Your health is our concern!

The TYROLIT innovative multilayer wheel system VIB STAR reduces vibration and is user and machine friendly for professionals. The innovative design of the wheel reduces vibration on the user‘s body. The new VIB STAR technology works against occupational illnesses such as muscle and bone damage, neurological diseases and blood circulation problems.

VIB STAR – convincing benefits: Significantly reduced vibration levels
Optimised running characteristics Increased machine tool life

Ogura’s electromagnetic clutches are designed to provide a quick engagement and disengagement of hydraulic and other pumps used on gas and diesel engines. Clutches are mounted between the engine and the pump and are made for either a belt input or direct drive via a universal joint flange. Clutches are available in 200, 400, 1,000 and 1,500 lb-ft. All clutches use a bidirectional armature so they can operate either clockwise or counter clockwise. Clutch bores are constructed for direct pump shaft input and are available in a variety of straight and splined bore sizes. Bearings in the Ogura clutches are larger than some competitive clutches providing longer life and can easily handle engine vibration.
Clutches are activated only when the pump or other component drive is required to engage, allowing for a complete disconnect when the component is not required, significantly increasing overall life. But more importantly, since the driven component is not running all the time, there is less energy consumed. Many times this fuel savings alone will more than pay for the cost of the clutch assembly.
Ogura has been producing clutches and brakes since 1938. Over that time, we have developed over 5,000 different models of clutches and brakes. Although Ogura primarily produces electromagnetic clutches and brakes, we also produce magnet particle, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and a variety of specialty products. Ogura is the world’s largest manufacturer of electromagnetic clutches and brakes. Current manufacturing capacity is over 30 million units per year. To provide localized support, we have fourteen manufacturing plants spread throughout the world in Asia, The Americas, and Europe. All manufacturing facilities are ISO recognized and conform to the ISO 9001;2008, ISO 140001, and ISO/TS 16949.
If you would like us to build a special product for you or to modify one of our existing standard models, please contact us at 732-271-7361, and we will assist you in finding a product that will meet your needs. Or if you prefer, please visit our website at www.ogura-clutch.com for immediate information. Ogura Industrial Corp. Somerset, NJ.

Aerotech’s nano Motion Technology (nMT) range expands further with new rotary and Z axis direct-drive nanopositioning stages

Aerotech’s nano Motion Technology now includes linear, linear vertical, rotary and goniometric positioners with best-in-class specifications including 1 nanometre positioning resolution, speeds to 500 mm/sec and acceleration to 5 g – for unparalleled high throughput

Following closely behind the recent launch of single-axis and dual X-Y axis ANT series linear nanopositioning stages as a part of Aerotech’s nano Motion Technology (nMT) range, two new rotary and two new vertical translation variants have now been introduced. With Aerotech’s direct-drive ANT series now covering 95 mm and 130 mm wide linear and vertical-linear translation stages in addition to rotary and goniometric angular positioners, users can now specify long travel range, multi-axis nanometre resolution mechanics for high throughput production and demanding test and research applications. The new stages perfectly complement the outstanding precision, nanometre level precision and high dynamic performance offered by the landmark nMT range.

The new ANT95-R and ANT130-R rotary stages comprise 95 mm and 130 mm diameter models with a positioning resolution of 0.1 arc sec and with a calibrated repeatability of just 2 arc sec. They both utilise Aerotech’s specialised direct-drive motor technology for extremely smooth motion with in-position stability to within a staggering 0.5 arc sec. Both sizes are available in angular travel ranges of 20°, 180° or continuous 360° rotation and maximum speed and acceleration for the latter is up to 200 rpm/400 rad/sec2. Direct axial load capacity is 2 kg for the smaller diameter stage and 3kg for the larger stage. The error motion performance across both sizes of rotary stage (tilt, axial and radial) is in line with the outstanding overall specifications and suited to demanding high throughput manufacturing applications such as disk-drive fabrication, fibre optic device alignment, and MEMS sensor manufacture and test.

The nMT range has been further enhanced with the ANT95-L-Z and ANT130-L-Z series vertical stages which have nominal widths of 95 mm and 135 mm respectively and a calibrated positioning resolution of just 2 nanometres. Supplied complete with vertical mounting angle brackets and integral pneumatic counterbalance mechanisms, the ANT95-L-Z is available in vertical travel ranges of 25 mm and 50 mm whilst the wider ANT-130-L-Z offers 35 mm and 60 mm travel. Within each travel range a high performance –PLUS option is available which increases the repeatability by a factor of around 30%; for the ANT95-L-Z-PLUS this yields a bidirectional repeatability of +/- 75 nanometres.

The design of these new vertical translation stages is derived from the single axis and X-Y linear ANT stages with anti-creep cross roller bearings and a centre driven brushless/non-cogging linear servomotor for ultra smooth performance characteristics and in-position stability of just a few nanometres when driven by Aerotech’s ultra low-noise linear stage amplifiers. Aerotech’s specially developed 40 MHz linear encoder processing ensures such high resolution and together all of these features ensure a dynamic performance and precision which is much improved over traditional leadscrew driven stages or ceramic motor types. The overall speed and acceleration performance of the new vertical stages is up to 200 mm/sec and 1 g – which though not as high performing as their horizontal plane linear positioning counterparts at 500 mm/sec and 5 g – are still eminently suited to high throughput production and test applications.
All ANT series stages are protected with a durable black hardcoat finish, and exceptionally long working life and low maintenance is guaranteed by the non contacting direct-drive linear and rotary motor technology and non contacting optical encoders used in the design.

The exceptionally high performance specifications for the ANT range are in part attributed to the advanced motion control and drive technologies available as a part of complete motion system solutions from Aerotech. With all cabling included and with fully assembled stages that are thoroughly tested and calibrated in Aerotech’s state of the art clean room facilities, complete systems can encompass custom designed machine frames with highly stable granite base and gantries to support customer supplied equipment such as lasers or metrology apparatus. Aerotech’s advanced motion controls include algorithms, data acquisition and analysis tools that counteract the minute disturbances that influence positioning stability and dynamic performance at sub micron levels and optimise overall performance.

Motion control options include the software only A3200 Automation Platform with DSP based Npaq drives or the Ensemble™ series rack or desktop system for multi-axis positioning systems, whilst the Soloist™ series is especially suited to demanding single axis applications. Servo drive technologies include PWM amplifier stages for highest dynamic performance in addition to wide bandwidth and ultra low noise linear servo amplifiers for best in-position stability/lowest jitter performance.

Aerotech motion controllers also feature advanced software commands that are designed to simplify interfacing with customers own systems such as the PSO command that synchronises laser firing with real time position. Comprehensive analogue and digital I/O and GUIs are also available along with a broad choice of diagnostic, set-up and programming tools are available for fast and trouble-free system commissioning. Supported programming languages include AeroBASICTM, Visual Basic® C, and C++ with optional advanced application support covering Windows® based ActiveX components and .NET class libraries.

BURBANK, CA – April 29, 2010: Haskel International Inc., a world leader in providing low, medium and high pressure gas, hydraulic and fluid power equipment to the oil and gas industry, today announced that it is exhibiting its new compact IRCD at the 2010 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas.

The new compact IRCD is a unique system for the multipoint injection of chemicals into oil and gas production systems. One of the major advantages of the Haskel IRCD system is that it only needs one operative air or electric-driven pump per chemical, no matter how many injection points the system has. significant savings are achieved by using the IRCD flow distribution system from Haskel International in place of multiple metering pumps for chemical dosing.

The revolutionary design can handle flow rates from as low as 0.5 L/hr up to 320 L/hr (85 USGPH) with injection pressures up to 15,000psig and flow turndown of up to 50:1 (flows up to 6,000 L/hr can be achieved with larger models)

The IRCD solves the immediate need for savings on space weight and costs through lower installation and maintenance costs and the ease of adding units to an existing system. It can be supplied individually or in a panel configuration. It contains no moving parts and features ceramic contact parts that last longer and need fewer spares. 316 Stainless steel body and perfluroelastomer O-rings minimize environment al and chemical attack.

Compared to similar units in the market, Haskel Compact IRCD is a more reliable unit that more closely meets the markets demands, providing fewer blockages thanks to new metering valve design, greater control at the point of injection, and smoother flow for better chemical performance . In addition, by using a biased dome regulator to maintain a constant differential pressure across the flow control valve, a constant flow is provided throughout the system, if the flow control valve isn’t changed. This ensures that the fluid flow throughout the Haskel IRCD will only change if the flow control valve is adjusted.

Haskel enjoys a strong reputation in the Oil and Gas Industry and with the capability of the new Compact IRCD, it is sure to be welcomed by the Chemical Injection Market.

Now the variable displacement axial-piston pump, type V30E-270 from HAWE Hydraulik SE, Munich, is suited to a broader range of demanding applications in mobile hydraulics. The redesigned housing extends the range of applications for this pump, for example concrete pumps, harbor cranes or large hydraulic excavators.

A new feature is the mounting flange SAE E conforming the standard SAE J744. This version now comes as third mounting flange variant on top of the existing versions conforming DIN ISO 3019-2/SAE J744 D and SAE J744 E. The shaft versions were also extended by another spline shaft variant according to SAE J744. This way HAWE Hydraulik can offer its customers a wide variety of combination options for the drive shaft and mounting flange, each finely tuned to the specific application.

If the pump is used as tandem combination, i.e. two pumps of the type V30E-270, the load increases. The end housing for the first pump was therefore newly designed to ensure safe transmission of higher drive performances from the first to the second pump. The user can flexibly select the second pump, irrespective of whether he wants to deploy the combination in mobile or stationary applications. The combination with HAWE Hydraulik’s variable displacement axial-piston pumps is ideal. Like all other pumps from the V30E series, the V30E-270 type can also be combined with the manufacturer’s radial piston pumps, for example to generate a second high pressure level.

The V30E variable displacement axial-piston pump is designed as swash plate built. It is sturdy and generally suited for open circuits both in mobile as well as industrial hydraulics. The purpose-built followers, swash plate bearing and control plate provide the pump with longevity. The extensive controller program supports its many deployment options. The pump model also excels through its low noise level.

The V30E-270 has been designed for an operating pressure of up to 350 bar, with a peak pressure of 420 bar. The volume flow clocks up a maximum of 400 liters at 1.500 rpm, with a geometric displacement of 270 cm3/rev.

Combined with HAWE Hydraulik’s proportional directional spool valves and electronic controls the pump easily extends into a fully-fledged and customized hydraulic system. The new nominal size 7 of the proportional directional spool valve is ideally suited for the tandem combination of two V30E-270 pumps. This new nominal size is also newly presented at bauma 2010.

The Lee Company offers two types of miniature precision nozzles: the Spin Jet and the Lubrication Jet. Both types are constructed entirely from stainless steel for compatibility with most industrial and aerospace liquids. Both incorporate the unique installation and retention principle used in the already proven and qualified Lee valves and restrictors. Their small size and light weight make them extremely cost effective.

All Lee nozzles can be installed in any attitude; you simply install the insert in a reamed hole, and lock and seal it by pressing the pin in the insert. This easy installation eliminates costly assemblies, seals, and threads, yet the nozzles can be readily removed whenever necessary. Lee nozzles are the most compact, economical, and reliable nozzles available anywhere.

LEE SPIN JETS
Lee Spin Jets utilize unique vortices and flow passages to provide a finely atomized hollow cone spray pattern. When used with most normal fuels, Spin Jets produce a 70° cone angle spray with differential pressure in the 50-200 psi range. With liquids having surface tension in the 0.002-0.005 lb./ft. range, the droplet size is typically less than 150 µm. Four convenient part numbers, spanning the range from 6000 to 18,000 Lohms, are available, each with a safety screen to protect against rogue particles. The recommended maximum service temperature is 700°F (371°C), and for continuous service is 400°F (204°C).

LEE LUBRICATION JETS
Lee Lubrication Jets generate a straight, well-defined stream of fluid to a predetermined target with differential pressures of 10 to 200 psid. These units are ideal for directing streams of lubricating oil at critical bearings, or cooling oil at meshing gears, or fuel at the inside of vaporizing tubes in aircraft combustion chambers.

The recommended maximum temperature for using Lee Lubri-cation Jets containing integral safety screens is 700°F (371°C) short term, and 400°F (204°C) for continuous service.

The production range of our company includes several typologies of filter cartridges, available in different sizes and offering a lot of solutions, either following the current standards in force or made to customer specifications.
It is a strong point of our company to manufacture products suitable for either batch or medium-large mass production, by applying customized solutions that assure the best results at lower costs.

Imagine if the letters on your keyboard faded away, the coating on your glasses came off or the numbers of your dashboard disappeared. This can happen if the manufacturer does not properly treat the plastic surface.
It is often necessary to print, coat or glue plastic materials as part of the manufacturing process. In order for liquid adhesives, glues, coatings or inks to adhere to the surface of moulded or extruded plastics, it is necessary to increase the surface energy to improve the surface wettability, thereby promoting stronger adhesion.

Corona & Plasma Surface Treatment
The polymer composition of plastics presents considerable challenges when designing materials that will bond with or decorate plastic. Surface treatment improves wettability by raising the material’s surface energy and improving the adhesive characteristics by creating bonding sites. The most advanced and successful methods of surface treatment are based on a principle of corona or plasma discharge through air or under vacuum.
Specialized corona and plasma systems treat almost everything from syringes to dashboards.

Surface energy
The phenomenon of surface energy is based on the relative energies of the solid substrate and the liquid in contact with it. Determining the surface energy of a polymer surface is critical to ensuring proper coating and print quality, as well as the adhesion properties – particularly important with the growing popularity of water-based inks, coatings, and adhesives.
Practical measurements of surface energy involve the interaction with a test liquid to determine wetting tension of solid materials as a measure of surface energy – a so called dyne test.

Tantec Corona and Plasma Treaters make things stick
Although there are numerous theories explaining the principles behind the process of corona and plasma treatment, the most commonly accepted theory appears to be the theory of high-speed oxidation. This theory states that the energy of the discharge breaks the molecular bonds on the surface of the non-polar substrate. The broken bonds then recombine with the free radicals in the discharge environment to form additional polar groups on the plastic surface. These polar groups have a strong chemical affinity to the polar inks, coatings and adhesives, resulting in improved adhesion. Similarly, this results in increased surface energy for the polarized surface, which correlates to improved wettability.

Not surprisingly, the Nikkei is leading the world higher in early Friday trading.

But while Japan may be playing catch up to our mega-rally, other markets are showing some signs of sogginess.

US futures are down a touch. The Aussie dollar is down a little. So is the euro.

It’s nothing major, and doesn’t say anything too significant about what’s going to happen Friday.

After rising by 7% during the day, BP has fallen about 1% after hours, perhaps as investors realize that they’re not nearly out of the woods yet.

See a recap of the US trading day here.

Join the conversation about this story »

I’m not familiar with the vagaries of UK politics, specifically the new “coalition” government and the implications of the latest election, but this is a good move no matter what party you’re in. The national ID cards, a grievously flawed part of a crippled program, are to be completely abolished within 100 days. For a state that has invested so heavily in surveillance, this about-face comes as rather a surprise — though a pleasant one, to be sure. Rejoice, UK cousins!

The lady in the video has the most inscrutably satisfied tone towards the end, there. Cracks me up.

5to1, a company founded by former Fox Interactive executives including Ross Levinsohn, is out raising funding again. The San Francisco-based startup helps publishers find better ads for their sites, and has raised the first $68,000 of what looks to be a $3.45 million convertible note, based on an SEC filing from today. 5to1, which launched last year at the TechCrunch50 conference, has mostly kept quiet except for filings popping up about its multiple funding rounds.

Former Fox Interactive chief strategy officer Jim Heckman is CEO of 5to1, while Levinsohn, who is a managing partner at Fuse, is a co-founder and co-chairman. The two-year-old company had previously raised $6.3 million from Fuse Capital and Prism VentureWorks in multiple bits and pieces across the last couple years. (Om likes to call startups with venture capital habits fundinistas.)

In response to TechCrunch commenters who doubted 5to1 for raising so many little chunks of money, Heckman said in December that it was all part of a master plan. His strategy was to avoid founder dilution as the company found traction:

The smart thing to do in this environment is to take small chunks, BEFORE needing it – and prior to B round (B’s today are a cap-table-destroying meat grinder).

To avoid dilution and distracting process by “extending” runway is a proven way to go – especially if you’re venture is showing promise.

5to1 allows publishers to personally pick ads that they like or seem likely to do well on their sites to fill remnant slots. It remains an invite-only service. The company said in December it had 400 million uniques across 30 distribution partners.

Related research from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

Report: Monetizing Digital Content

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Chicago pool report #1
By Anne E. Kornblut
White House Correspondent
The Washington Post

Shortly after takeoff, a surprise gaggle on Air Force One: with Bo, the
presidential dog.

His owner was just a few steps behind.

President Obama watched and smiled as Bo ran down the aisle past a throng
of cooing reporters. Obama cracked the old joke about needing a dog in
Washington – since there’s no such thing as a real friend.

Someone told him that Bo had been spotted at the airport interacting with
his bomb-sniffing relatives. “I didn’t want him getting into it with the
Secret Service. I’ve seen them training,” Obama said.

Coat jacket off, Obama seemed happy and relaxed during his brief foray to
the back of the plane. (Credit to deputy press secretary Bill Burton for
orchestrating the rare visit on a moment’s notice).

Like owner, like pet. Bo tired quickly of the media, and headed back to the
front of the aircraft. Obama followed suit, but not before assuring us that
the dog was just going to see someone who feeds him regularly. Neither one
took questions.

Bo made another spin through the press cabin a few minutes later, solo.

Uneventful trip otherwise. Wheels down 7:02 PM CST.

Anne

————————–
Anne E. Kornblut
White House Correspondent
The Washington Post

by Ashley Braun.

Now, we at Grist don’t like to encourage contests of “who art the greenest of them all,” but we think this tote bag (made of recycled cotton and soda bottles, natch) for the hardcore bike lover really makes a(n uncensored) statement about the iconic Prius and its pious following.

On the other handlebar, it could just be that all that spandex makes you more likely to attend a bike-to-jerk day rally.

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Like what you see? Sign up to receive The Grist List, our email roundup of pun-usual green news just like this, sent out every Friday. And help keep puns in environmental news by donating a Lincoln to
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Related Links:

Couple buried alive under the weight of their own junk

Global warming vs. biblical armageddon: How will we all die? [VIDEO]

Public service announcement: Don’t spit on the people transporting you

I woke up this morning with a craving for leftover Indian food. It had been sitting in the fridge for a few days, but I just warmed it up and it was actually a delicious breakfast.
Normally I crave sweet food in the morning, but today I wanted savory.

Before I even woke up, I debated with myself whether or not I would do my run in the am or pm. If I postponed it until tonight, would I even go? I might lose motivation!
Around 9, I decided to just suck it up and get my ass out to the trail to begin Week 5, Day 1 of the Couch to 5K! This is the week I’ve been…dreading? I think dread is too strong of a word. Let’s just say intimidated.


But first, on the way to the trail, driving down the incredibly busy road that I live on, I saw a red-eared slider turtle in the middle of the road, literally inches from tires as they zoomed by. He was about a foot long, just trying to make his way to the other side…which happened to be a median! yikes! I drove past in the lane next to him and immediately did a U-turn and parked back into my apartment. I ran down the street and into the road when it was safe from speeding maniac cars and grabbed the turtle. He shut himself quick into his shell and gave a little hiss.
I wasn’t scared because as some of you may not know, I had a slight obsession with turtles growing up. My first red-earred was named Asik. He lived about 2-3 years.  I was 10 and didn’t know much about proper care, but Asik went everywhere with me. He would sit in my pocket as I road my bike and swim in the pool with us!!
Over the years I had numerous box turtles and more red ears and yellow belly turtles.
When I was in my early 20’s, I also had some turtles. They grew pretty big and I eventually had to give them away when I moved away for nursing school. Luckily, I found a nice guy who owned a fish store who took them in for me:

Let’s just say I have rescued numerous turtles from the streets of Florida.

After that fiasco, I almost gave up on my run, but convinced myself, “I never regret doing it, but will regret if I don’t.”

The plan was to run 5 minutes, walk for 3, run 5 minutes, walk for 3, and then run for 5.
I honestly felt strong. Even though it was sweltering hot and my entire outfit was drenched in sweat, there was not one time during the way that I thought, “omfg, please let this last minute hurry up.” I mostly just enjoyed myself and thought about how far I’ve come since that first run.
The other cool part of my run was the dolphin! During the first 5 minute run over the bridge, I saw him come out of the water and then it helped to distract me during the run. Dolphins are powerful and I convinced myself I was a dolphin!

I am actually growing pretty fond of running because I am seeing results. Honestly, I did not think it would ever get easier or I would progress, but I am. Slowly, but surely, I am gaining stamina. And I am not completely out of breath after running 5 minutes.
However, I still get envious on my way to a run when I get to the trail and see someone unpacking their road bike. I love cycling first.

—
On Monday, my lovely Mirza turned 25 and we celebrated with cake at his house. His mother is a wonderful baker (and RN, like me!). His sister helped to decorate.

Lindsay Lohan is giving fans their first look at her in character as adult film legend Linda Lovelace.

The carrot-topped star — who’s masquerading a blonde these days — appears in two theatrical posters promoting her lead role in Lovelace’s buzzed-about biopic, Inferno.

The posters were snapped by photographer Tyler Shields and uploaded to his website on Thursday.

(Sidebar: Shields, as you’ll recall, was the brainchild behind the blood-soaked, gun-totin’ images of LiLo that lit up the blogosphere last month.)

Naturally, the Inferno posters leave a bit more to the imagination: Lindsay is featured as the Deep Throat star, with one poster done in all yellow in homage to the original promo for Lovelace’s X-rated 1974 movie.

Inferno, directed by Matthew Wilder, is set to begin shooting later this year.