Backyard Activities for the Home Improvement Lover

Backyard Activities for the Home Improvement Lover

When we think of backyard activities, sports often come to mind. While sports are a great way to spend your time outdoors, they are not all that backyard activities include. In fact, while you may not necessarily think so, backyard activities also involve the completion of projects. If you are a home improvement lover, it is quite possible that your next backyard activity could involve the building or the remodeling of a structure.

In the United States, backyards are filled with millions of different things. Many homeowners have pools, barns, work sheds, or garages. If you already have these items inside your yard, you may want to think about remodeling them. Remodeling projects are ideal for those who wish to update or expand their backyard structures. Summer is the perfect time to complete many remodeling projects, especially those that are outside.

While many homeowners make the decision to remodel, there are others that choose to build. If you don’t have a barn, garage, or work shed, but you would like to have one, now would be the perfect time to start construction. In most areas of the United States, summer has the prefect weather conditions for many backyard projects.

The first step in building or remodeling a backyard structure is to develop a plan. If you already know what you would like to build and how you would like to build it, you are well on your way to a completed project. However, if you are unsure what you would like to build or how to build it, you may want to think about doing a little bit of research before you start your next home improvement project.

Perhaps, the easiest way to get ideas or directions on how to build a garage, work shed, or barn is to visit your local library or book store. In these locations, you should be able to find a number of books that will not only offer you suggestions, but give you directions on how to get started. Libraries are nice; however, you will only be able to keep the materials for a short period of time. If you are interested in saving your resource guides for another project, you may want to consider purchasing your own books.

Once you have decided on a structural design, you will need to obtain the necessary building supplies. The supplies that you need will all depend on what you are building or remodeling. Despite the fact that different projects will require different supplies, there are some supplies that are common among all backyard building or remodeling projects. These supplies may include wood, metal, saws, and many other common household tools.

As previously mentioned, summer is ideal for most construction projects. Even though the weather will most likely be cooperative, it may still be a good idea to check your local weather forecast. If you are doing a project that requires perfect weather, such as roofing or painting, you will want to plan your project around the projected weather forecast. With projects that require more than one days worth of work, you may want to wait until the weather forecast predicts steady weather. This will prevent you from having to stop your building or remodeling and then startup again later.

Although building and remodeling projects are great backyard activities, not everyone is able to do them. If you are inexperienced in construction, you may find it difficult or impossible to do the work yourself. If this is the case, professional assistance may be just what you need. Completing your own home improvement projects will save you money, but only if you know what you are doing. Poor building or remodeling jobs may not only need additional, costly repairs, but they may also be unsafe.

With something as large and important as most home improvement projects, you are advised against taking any unnecessary chances or risks. Whether you make the decision to perform your own home improvement project or sit back and watch a professional do it, you will still be outside, enjoying everything that your backyard and the beautiful weather has to offer.

Stock market doesn't flinch despite economic data

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Government releases triple dose of poor economic data; stock market doesn't flinch

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Bad news was no news to the battered American economy Tuesday.

The government released a triple dose of discouraging data: The economy shrank over the summer even more than previously believed, and consumers reduced their spending by the largest amount in 28 years. During the same period, home prices fell to levels not seen since early 2004.

"Consumers and businesses were like deer in the headlights ... frozen," said economist Ken Mayland, president of ClearView Economics.

Most of the numbers were updates of previously released figures, and the revisions indicated that economic conditions were growing worse.

But Wall Street barely flinched and actually recorded its third straight day of gains, something that had not happened since the financial meltdown began almost 2 1/2 months ago. The Dow Jones industrials closed up 36 points, following a two-day rally in which the major indexes soared more than 11 percent.

The updated reading on the economy's performance from the Commerce Department showed the gross domestic product shrank at a 0.5 percent annual rate in the July-September quarter.

That was weaker than the 0.3 percent rate of decline first estimated a month ago, and it marked the worst showing since the economy contracted at a 1.4 percent pace in the third quarter of 2001, when terrorists attacked the U.S. and the nation was suffering through its last recession.

GDP measures the value of all goods and services produced within the U.S. and is considered the best barometer of the country's economic fitness.

The new GDP figure matched economists' expectations, but nevertheless underscored just how quickly the economy deteriorated as the housing and credit crisis intensified. The economy logged growth of 2.8 percent in the second quarter.

White House press secretary Dana Perino called the lower GDP figure "troubling" and said $800 billion in new government efforts announced Tuesday should help spur more consumer spending by expanding the availability of loans and credit cards at cheaper rates.

Meanwhile, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said the list of banks it considers to be in trouble shot up nearly 50 percent to 171 during the third quarter -- the highest level since late 1995.

The FDIC also said that commercial banks and savings institutions suffered a 94 percent drop in third-quarter profits to $1.7 billion. Except for the fourth quarter of 2007, it was the lowest profit since the fourth quarter of 1990.

The FDIC does not reveal the institutions on its "troubled" list, but on average, about 13 percent of them end up failing.

Nine banks failed in the third quarter, reducing the FDIC's deposit insurance fund to $34.6 billion from $45.2 billion in the second quarter. Both figures are below the target minimum level set by Congress.

Twenty-two banks have failed so far this year compared with three for all of 2007, and more failures are expected.

Elsewhere, the New York-based Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index for November rose to 44.9, from a revised 38.8 in October. Last month's reading was the lowest since the research group started tracking the index in 1967, and Americans' views on the economy remain the gloomiest in decades as they grapple with massive layoffs, slumping home prices and dwindling retirement funds.

To revive the economy, President-elect Barack Obama says a top priority will be working with Congress to enact a massive stimulus package that he says will generate millions of new jobs.

The new, lower third-quarter GDP reading mostly reflected an even sharper cutback in spending by consumers and slower sales growth of U.S. exports.

American consumers -- the lifeblood of the economy -- slashed spending in the third quarter at a 3.7 percent pace. That was deeper than the 3.1 percent cut initially reported and marked the biggest reduction since the second quarter of 1980, when the country was in the grip of recession.

Consumers have grown nervous about spending because of job losses, declining investment portfolios and sinking home values.

Underscoring the strain, the report showed that Americans' disposable income fell at an annual rate of 9.2 percent in the third quarter, the largest quarterly drop on records dating back to 1947. The government's initial estimate had showed a record 8.7 percent decline in disposable income for the quarter.

Sales of U.S. exports grew at a 3.4 percent pace in the third quarter. That was lower than a 5.9 percent growth rate initially estimated and marked a sharp slowdown from the second quarter's blistering 12.3 percent growth rate. The deceleration reflects less demand from overseas buyers coping with their own economic problems.

Home builders slashed spending at a 17.6 percent pace, marking the 11th straight quarterly cut and fresh evidence of the depth of the housing slump.

Also Tuesday, a report on home prices and downbeat earnings results from homebuilder D.R. Horton showed further deterioration in the housing market. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index said that home prices tumbled a record 16.6 percent during the third quarter from the same period a year ago. Prices are at levels not seen since the first quarter of 2004.

Fort Worth, Tex.-based D.R. Horton Inc. reported a nearly $800 million loss in its fiscal fourth quarter on slower home sales and more than $1 billion in charges amid a battered housing market.

To help revive the economy, the Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates when its meets on Dec. 16, its last session of the year. Last month, the Fed dropped its key rate to 1 percent, a level seen only once before in the last half-century.

So far, though, the Fed's rate reductions -- a $700 billion financial bailout package and a flurry of other radical actions -- have been unable to break though a dangerous credit clog, restore stability to financial markets and help the sinking economy.

The nation's unemployment rate is at 6.5 percent, a 14-year high, and is expected to climb. Employers have cut payrolls every month so far this year. The total number of unemployed in October was just over 10 million, the most in 25 years.

Given all the bad news, consumers are likely to make still more cuts, probably ensuring that the economy continues to shrink for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009.

Hannity and Colmes split up

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Fox News announced that after 12 years, Alan Colmes will be leaving the top-rated "Hannity & Colmes" at the end of the year.

“I approached Bill Shine (FNC’s Senior Vice President of Programming) earlier this year about wanting to move on after 12 years to develop new and challenging ways to contribute to the growth of the network," Colmes said in a statement. "Although it’s bittersweet to leave one of the longest marriages on cable news, I’m proud that both Sean (Hannity) and I remained unharmed after sitting side by side, night after night for so many years.”

Sean Hannity said Colmes was "a remarkable co-host," "great friend," and "skillful debate partner.”

Colmes will remain a Fox commentator, and continue hosting "The Alan Colmes Show" on Fox News Radio. Also, he's developing a weekend show.

So will it just be the "The Sean Hannity Show" (as on the radio) or take the name of the weekly Fox show, "Hannity's America?" In the release, published after the jump, there's no mention of Hannity seeking a new liberal co-host, so I assume he's on his own, but can't say for sure. I've put the question to Fox and will update when available.

UPDATE: A Fox spokesperson said it has not yet been determined, but the NY Times hears that Hannity may go it alone. Also, Hannity talks up Colmes on his radio show.

ALAN COLMES TO DEPART TOP RATED HANNITY & COLMES

FOX News Channel’s (FNC) Alan Colmes will relinquish his role as co-host of Hannity & Colmes at the end of the year.

In announcing his decision, Colmes said, “I approached Bill Shine (FNC’s Senior Vice President of Programming) earlier this year about wanting to move on after 12 years to develop new and challenging ways to contribute to the growth of the network. Although it’s bittersweet to leave one of the longest marriages on cable news, I’m proud that both Sean (Hannity) and I remained unharmed after sitting side by side, night after night for so many years.”

Colmes will continue to have a presence on FNC as he will serve as a liberal commentator on a variety of FOX News programming, including Foxnews.com’s The Strategy Room and continue hosting his radio program, The Alan Colmes Show on FOX Talk, a division of FOX News Radio. He will also begin developing a weekend program.

Shine said, “We’re very sorry to see Alan reach this decision but we understand his desire to seek other creative challenges in his career. We value his incredible hard work in making Hannity & Colmes the most successful debate program on cable news and we’re going to miss him on the show. Thankfully, he will begin developing a weekend pilot for us.”

FOX News Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Roger Ailes added, “Alan is one of the key reasons why FOX News has been such a remarkable success. We’re sad to see him leave the program but we look forward to his ongoing contributions to the network.”

Hannity & Colmes is the only FNC program which has remained in the same timeslot for 12 years, catapulting to number one in 2003 and never relinquishing the top spot. The second highest-rated program in cable news behind only The O’Reilly Factor, Hannity & Colmes averaged 3.3 million viewers nightly for the Nielsen month of October and is poised to mark 60 consecutive months at number one at the end of November.

Hannity added, “Not only has Alan been a remarkable co-host, he’s been a great friend which is rare in this industry — I’ll genuinely miss sparring with such a skillful debate partner.”

Throughout his 12 year tenure on Hannity & Colmes, Colmes has interviewed numerous key political figures, including: President Elect Barack Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), DNC Chairman Howard Dean and former Vice President Al Gore.

FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour general news service covering breaking news as well as political, entertainment and business news. For nearly seven years, FNC has been the most watched cable news channel in the nation. Owned by News Corp., FNC is available in more than 90 million homes.

Favre, Jets hand Titans first loss of season

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Brett Favre gave the Tennessee Titans a painful reminder Sunday. He will pick apart the best NFL defenses when given too much time.

Favre threw two touchdown passes, Leon Washington ran for two scores and the New York Jets served notice they will be a factor in the AFC this season by routing the Titans 34-13, ending the perfect start by the NFL’s last undefeated team.

“I’m not going to sit here and say we’ve established ourselves as the best team in football,” Favre said. “All it says is I think we beat the best team in football today, definitely if you go by record and the way that they’ve played. They have been the best team in football.”

The Jets (8-3) came in atop the AFC East after a victory over New England at Foxborough. They have won five straight for the first time since October 2004 and seven of their last eight. The win also pulled them within two of Tennessee (10-1) with five to play in the race for home-field advantage through the playoffs.

Jets linebacker Bryan Thomas called it a statement to the rest of the NFL.

“Now people are going to start looking at us and say, ‘They are a team you have to reckon with,”’ Thomas said.

New York coach Eric Mangini said he was proud of his team for playing, and winning, in a challenging environment. The Titans sold out their 101st consecutive game.

“We’ve been down here the last three years. It’s loud, and it’s always been a tough place to play,” Mangini said.

The Titans had won 13-straight regular-season games dating to Dec. 16, 2007, in becoming only the 11th team since 1970 to win its first 10 games.

“It was a great run, and we’ve got to win our next game,” Titans coach Jeff Fisher said of playing Detroit on Thursday.

This time, the NFL’s stingiest scoring defense that had been allowing 13.1 points per game had no answer for Favre and the Jets, even with the return of defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch.

The Jets spread out Tennessee, Favre threw fast and often, and they wore the Titans’ defense down by keeping it on the field for more than 40 minutes. New York overcame two turnovers and two sacks in the first half by outgaining Tennessee on offense 409-281.

“We really didn’t have an answer for it today,” Vanden Bosch said. “Favre had a really good game. Give him credit. We knew what to expect from him. He’s a great player, and he beat us today.”

Not that they got any help from their own offense.

“It felt like we were on the sideline forever just watching Brett Favre play,” Titans fullback Ahmard Hall said. “The defense, I felt bad that we on offense couldn’t get anything going and keep them off the field.”

This was only the third game in NFL history featuring two starting quarterbacks with more than 100,000 yards combined yards passing in Favre and Kerry Collins.

Favre threw for 224 yards and had much more help than Collins, whose receivers dropped at least five passes in the first half, including one by Bo Scaife in Jets territory with room to run. Favre took advantage of a Titans’ secondary featuring Chris Carr starting at cornerback in place of Nick Harper, and he was flagged twice on one drive for pass interference.

With the win, Favre broke a tie with Dan Marino for victories in the most NFL stadiums by winning in his 32nd at LP Field.

Washington scored on runs of 61 and 4 yards in the fourth quarter as the Jets padded their lead. Jay Feely also kicked two field goals.

The Jets led 10-3 at halftime and could have had an even bigger margin if not for two turnovers—the first at the Tennessee 21 at the end of the first quarter. Favre could not have started hotter as he completed his first eight passes for 89 yards, the sixth a 10-yard TD pass to Thomas Jones on the opening drive.

The Titans went three-and-out on three of their first five drives and had only 55 yards offense until a final drive just before halftime when Rob Bironas finally put Tennessee on the scoreboard with a 43-yard field goal. Bironas added a 49-yarder in the fourth quarter.

By the time Collins tossed a 6-yard TD pass to Hall, it was too late. They finished with just 45 yards rushing.

“We are a very confident team anyway, but coming in here and doing this and getting it done, that can only help us,” Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said.

Clinton Is Said to Accept Offer of Secretary of State Position

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WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to give up her Senate seat to become secretary of state in the Obama administration, making her the public face to the world for the man who dashed her own hopes for the presidency, confidants of Mrs. Clinton said Friday.

The accord between the two leading figures of the Democratic Party was the culmination of a weeklong drama that riveted the nation’s capital. President-elect Barack Obama and Mrs. Clinton fought perhaps the most polarizing nomination battle in decades, but in recruiting her for his cabinet, Mr. Obama chose to turn a rival into a partner, and she concluded she could have a greater impact by saying yes than by remaining in the Senate.

Her selection is still to be formalized and will not be announced until after Thanksgiving. It would be yet another direction in the unlikely journey of a onetime political spouse in Arkansas who went on to build a political base of her own and become a symbol of achievement to many women.

The role, though a supporting one, would make her one of the most influential players on the international stage, and it would represent at least one more act for one of the nation’s most prominent public families, as former President Bill Clinton would also become an ad hoc member of the Obama team.

The sometimes awkward dance between Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton in the eight days since he invited her to Chicago for a meeting culminated in a telephone call on Thursday. Before the call, Mrs. Clinton was skeptical about the prospect of joining the cabinet, said her confidants, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the situation. But Mr. Obama addressed her concerns about access, personnel and other issues, leading her to conclude she should take the job, they said.

“She’s ready,” one of Mrs. Clinton’s confidants said. The first meeting in Chicago “was so general” that she needed to have a better sense of how she would fit into Mr. Obama’s administration, and the call helped her “just getting comfortable” with the idea of working together, the confidant said.

Mr. Obama’s advisers said that although no offer had been formally accepted, her nomination was “on track” and would probably be announced after the holiday. Mrs. Clinton’s Senate office broke a week of silence to acknowledge the talks but cautioned that they had not been made final.

“We’re still in discussions, which are very much on track,” said her spokesman, Philippe Reines. “Any reports beyond that are premature.”

Mr. Obama wants to announce the members of his national security team at once. Advisers said he was weighing whether to make retired Gen. James L. Jones, a former Marine commandant and NATO supreme commander, his national security adviser, installing a formidable counterweight to Mrs. Clinton. The president-elect was still trying to decide whether to keep Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on an interim basis or install another choice to run the Pentagon right away.

The choice of Mrs. Clinton pleased many in the Democratic establishment who admire her strength and skills, and they praised Mr. Obama for putting the rancor of the campaign behind him. “Senator Clinton is a naturally gifted diplomat and would be an inspired choice if she is chosen by President-elect Obama as secretary of state,” said Warren Christopher, who held that job under her husband.

REIT Industry Honors Leland Speed and Martin Cicco

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The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts® (NAREIT®) presented its 2008 Industry Leadership Award to Leland Speed, chairman of Parkway Properties, Inc. and EastGroup Properties, Inc. Martin Cicco, head of the investment firm MJC Associates, was honored with the Industry Achievement Award.

Washington, D.C. (Vocus/PRWEB ) November 20, 2008 -- The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts® (NAREIT®) presented its 2008 Industry Leadership Award to Leland Speed, chairman of Parkway Properties, Inc. and EastGroup Properties, Inc. Martin Cicco, head of the investment firm MJC Associates, was honored with the Industry Achievement Award. Both awards were created in 1992 to honor NAREIT members who have displayed excellence in their contributions to the real estate industry and to the programs of the association. Since 1996, they have been bestowed in memory of past NAREIT Chair E. Lawrence Miller.

The Leadership Award is presented to a REIT executive who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the growth and betterment of the industry. Industry professionals whose acumen and integrity have helped heighten awareness of REITs and publicly traded real estate are eligible for the Achievement Award.

Leland Speed is a pioneer in the REIT industry, beginning his career in 1978 when the industry was constituted primarily of mortgage REITs.

"Leland built an enterprise through the acquisitions of a series of mortgage REITs through the 1980s," explained NAREIT President and CEO Steven A. Wechsler. "In the 1990s, he was one of the first to see the potential for the publicly traded equity REIT."

With that vision, Speed founded Parkway Properties and EastGroup Properties, making them among the first public equity REITs that launched the "modern REIT era."

Prior to launching his own investment firm, Martin Cicco was a leader in Merrill Lynch's investment banking operations, where he became vice chairman of global commercial real estate. While at Merrill during the 1990s, he worked with many REITs, counseling them and helping them structure their IPOs.

"Like Leland, Marty had a vision of the potential of a new REIT era," Wechsler said. "And through his knowledge and the resources he was able to bring to the table, he was instrumental in creating it."

The two awards were announced Nov. 19 during NAREIT's Annual Convention in San Diego.

The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts® (NAREIT) is the representative voice for U.S. REITs and publicly traded real estate companies worldwide. Members are real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other businesses that own, operate and finance income-producing real estate, as well as those firms and individuals who advise, study and service those businesses. Visit our Web site at REIT.com.

NAREIT does not intend this press release to be a solicitation related to any particular company, nor does it intend to provide investment, legal or tax advice. Investors should consult with their own investment, legal or tax advisers regarding the appropriateness of investing in any of the securities or investment strategies discussed in this publication. Nothing herein should be construed to be an endorsement by NAREIT of any specific company or products or as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. NAREIT expressly disclaims any liability for the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of data in this publication. Unless otherwise indicated, all data are derived from, and apply only to, publicly traded securities. Any investment returns or performance data (past, hypothetical, or otherwise) are not necessarily indicative of future returns or performance.

IntoThe Blue Lines up Quarter Million Pound Gift Giveaway

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Experience day provider IntoTheBlue is launching a 2-for-1 offer, giving away a quarter million pounds in gifts for Christmas.

New York, NY (PRWEB) November 19, 2008 -- IntoTheBlue, the UK's leading gift experience retailer, has announced that it will be giving away up to £250,000 in gifts this Christmas as part of a unique 'extra gift' giveaway.

The offer means that anyone buying gifts from IntoTheBlue.co.uk will be able to add another gift completely free, which comprises of either a paintballing day or a make-over photo-shoot.

IntoTheBlue originally began as a specialist provider of flying experiences (www.intotheblue.co.uk/flying-experiences/) such as flying lessons across a range of different air craft, from modern Cessna planes to World War 2 Tiger Moths.

The company has also lined up a set of special hot air balloon rides for Christmas shoppers.

The company has since expanded into being one of the biggest gift experience retailers in the UK, providing more than 550 gift vouchers for experiences such as tank driving, watersports, off-road driving, balloon flights, archery lessons and spa experiences.

The gifts are aimed at people of all ages, with gifts for men and women provided.

The special offer opens on November 19th and will be available throughout the run up to Christmas.

Rob Holmes, Marketing Manager for IntoTheBlue commented, "This is an excellent way IntoTheBlue can offer great value to online shoppers this Christmas, by giving an extra experience day in their shopping basket that they can either use themselves or give to a family or a friend as a gift."

More at IntoTheBlue's website: http://www.intotheblue.co.uk/

Contact:
Bob Taylor
Brite Media
Email: bob @ britemedia.co.uk
Tel: 44 1959 578100
REF: ITB0011

Donovan McNabb didn't know that NFL games could end in ties

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Donovan McNabb's team tied the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday, an outcome which came as a complete surprise to the 10-year NFL veteran:

What did ... I mean ... how can ... wow. That's it, wow. He didn't know that games could end in a tie. You know who knows that games can end in ties? Everyone. Even Tony Siragusa knows that. Yet a quarterback who has led his team to four NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl didn't know. I mean, it's not like the referee says it before every overtime session! (And to those who think he's joking, he's not. Donovan laughs at his own jokes more than Jon Stewart; his demeanor was far too serious for that to be a joke, despite what his inevitable excuse is today.)

What did Donovan think that "T" section in the standings was next to the "W" and "L"? Was he confused when he had to run a hurry up offense with two minutes left? And in 2002, when his team played the 9-6-1 Falcons in the playoffs, did McNabb think those numbers represented the Atlanta area code?

Maybe athletes' lack of knowledge about the sports they play is more widespread than we know. (This would explain Joe Morgan.) A friend of mine who played college football had no clue that there wasn't a two-minute warning in the college game. But I just emailed him and even he knew that NFL games end in ties.

I Just Want To Celebrate By Rare Earth

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On a rare, positive sorta-traffic-related note:

On our way home Sunday night, at the last toll booth of the day ($2 at the Baltimore tunnel), I stretched out my arm with the two dollars and saw an extraordinary sight: a tollbooth operator with a huge grin on her face. I don't know about you, but it's something of a game to see if I can get a tollbooth operator to be pleasant to me at all. Here, she was looking right at me and grinning from ear-to-ear!

Tollbooth operator: She paid for you.

Me: What? Who? Really!?

Someone, now long gone, had paid my toll as well as their own. Now we all had huge grins.

Tollbooth operator: So you can go.

Me: Here. Pay for the person behind me. Let's keep the good karma going.

It certainly was a wonderful surprise from a complete stranger that I couldn't even thank. I'd heard of this but I'd never experienced it. It had never occurred to me what effect it might have on a tollbooth operator. It really seemed to make her night!

And, so, in the interest of not being my usual hyper-critical Debbie Downer all the time, I'd like to show a little appreciation. Here is Rare Earth's "I Just Want to Celebrate", complete with lyrics so you can sing along.

I'm sure I'll be grousing about something tomorrow and, though our world is very flawed, it's not a bad idea to stop now and then and appreciate: there are wonderful small and large things that are within our power and they are happening all the time.

I Just Want to Celebrate

I just want to celebrate another day of livin'
I just want to celebrate another day of life
I put my faith in the people
But the people let me down
So I turned the other way
And I carry on, anyhow
That's why I'm telling you

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah
I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah
Another day of living,
I just want to celebrate another day of life

Had my hand on the dollar bill
And the dollar bill blew away
But the sun is shining down on me
And it's here to stay
That's why I'm telling you

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah
Another day of living, yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of living
I just want to celebrate another day of life

Don't let it all get you down,
Don't let it turn you around and around
And around and around

Well, I can't be bothered with sorrow
And I can't be bothered with hate, no, no
I'm using up my time by feeling fine, every day
That's why I'm telling you I just want to celebrate
Aw, yeah
I just want to celebrate yeah yeah
Another day of living, yeah yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of livin', yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of life

Don't let it all get you down, no, no
Don't let it turn you around and around,
And around and around, and around
Around round round
'round and around round round round
don't go 'round

The Story Air Bud Movies

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When Josh Framm, a 12-year-old boy, finds himself in a new city with no friends, he's too shy to try out for the basketball team. However, while practicing, he meets Buddy, a runaway Golden Retriever, who surprises him with his ability to score baskets. Josh and Buddy eventually make the school team, and the dog's extraordinary talents spark a media frenzy - one that attracts Buddy's greedy former owner, who wants to cash in on the dog's notoriety. Boy and dog must keep one step ahead of the brute - while at the same time rallying their school team to the state finals!

After being abandoned by his comically mean clown owner (Michael Jeter), playful golden retriever Buddy meets Josh (Kevin Zegers), a depressed 12-year-old whose father has just died and mother has just relocated the family to a new town. The town holds all sorts of secrets for a curious kid -- a basketball court hidden behind overgrown vines and the dilapidated fence of an abandoned church, a basketball legend lurking behind the calm exterior of a school janitor, and, most important, a rare and talented dog who can make baskets. Buddy is talented at a lot of things, but his most important talent is that he draws Josh out of his shell. The two form a fast friendship, and when Buddy makes a basket at one of Josh’s games, he becomes the team's mascot. All is well until Buddy's mean owner finds out about Buddy's talent and comes to claim him. Then Josh must decide whether to let Buddy go or try to save him from abuse.

Hyperion Hydride Reactor Not Extra Large

Hyperion Hydride Reactor not Extra Large from Uranium Hydride reactor. This information about Hyperion Power Generation, News about Barbara Hyperion Hydride Reactor, Information about Hyperion Power Generation, latest news about Uranium Hydride reactor.
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The Los Alamos based company Hyperion Power Generation is developing a new power source called the Hyperion Hydride Reactor, a sealed fission reactor that can supply power to a small community. Although the portable nuclear reactor is the size of a hot tub, when it's hooked up to a steam turbine, the reactor can generate enough electricity to power a community of 25,000 homes for at least five years. As it is self-contained and involves no moving parts, the reactor doesn’t require a human operator and is considered "extremely safe". Some experts, however, are still questioning the logic of using even this relatively safe kind of nuclear energy. These experts are worried about the pollution created in the process of extracting the radioactive ore,
and by the storage problems of the spent nuclear fuel.

One of the largest problems in the energy industry today is the transmission of power from the large power generating facilities to distant locations. The Hyperion Hydride Reactor is small and portable. According to its developers, the device provides the long-awaited solution to the need for cost-efficient, practical power sources in rural or remote locations. The module is sealed at the factory and is not opened until it needs to be “refueled” (the reactor has a uranium hydride core, surrounded by a hydrogen atmosphere). The manufacturer claims refueling should take place approximately every five years. The precautionary measures of containing the reactor and of completely burying the module at the operating site are designed to minimize the possibility of human incompetence or hostile tampering.

As water is not used in the process, there is no danger of polluting the local water sources. The Hyperion does not produce any greenhouse gases and produces only a tiny fraction of the waste produced by other types of reactors, making it relatively “cleaner”. The energy generated by a single Hyperion Hydride Reactor is approximately 27 MW. This is more than five times the output of the strongest wind turbine in the world, which measures 120-meters (394-feet) in height and has a 61.5-meter (200 feet) long rotor blade. However, an important advantage of the Hyperion Hydride Reactor over 'green' power sources is that unlike wind turbines or solar cells, it can continue to supply electricity constantly and will not stop producing energy when the wind stops or when there is no sunshine.

Hyperion Nuclear Batterie conceptual drawing (Credit: lanl)

While the Hyperion looks like the perfect solution to many problems, anti-nuclear advocates are not convinced by the claims that Hyperion advertises. They state that the financial costs of mining and enriching uranium and of nuclear waste disposal are never completely factored in the calculations, and that having more nuclear materials around might lead to sabotage and theft attempts by terrorists. Despite the criticism against it, the patent for the nuclear fission reactor won the “Outstanding Technology Development” award in October 2003. Hyperion plans on opening a factory in New Mexico by late 2012, where about 4,000 of these reactors will be produced.

In 2006, TFOT covered a new concept for developing a battery-like device with a core of (radioactive) americium 242. Scientists in Israel suggested that the device be used in the International Space Station. More recently, TFOT covered the Japanese Space Solar Power Systems Project aimed at creating the world’s first space based power generation system.

Hyperion Hydride Reactor Not Extra Large

One of Al Gore’s frequently used sound bites to explain his skepticism about the potential for nuclear power to address energy and climate change challenges is that the plants come in only one size - “extra large”. The last time I heard him say those words was during an interview by Katie Couric just a couple of weeks ago. Web denizens, Navy submariners, former Army Nukes, and others have always recognized that the former Vice President’s comment does not provide a full picture of the possibilities. While it is certainly true that vendors like GE, Areva, Rosatom, Siemens, and Mitsubishi have chosen to limit their model line-up to the very largest plants, the technical fact is that nuclear reactors have always been available in multiple sizes ranging from petite to XXL.

Techrockies has an interview with John Deal, the CEO of Hyperion Power Generation. Below are the highlights with some new information. Hyperion Power generation is trying to make a factory mass produced uranium hydride molten core reactor which will generate 70 MWt and 27-30MWe. Hyperion Power Generation plans to sell and build the first 4000 reactors over the first ten year period or less. [2013-2022] They have orders from Romania and Czechs and are now talking to developers in the Cayman Islands, Panama and the Bahamas. 4,000 reactors over ten years is an average of 400 per year or 10-12 GW per year.

Information About Security Pacific Bank

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Death of Jennifer Hudson's nephew ruled homicide

Police have discovered the body of the Julian King, missing nephew of "Dreamgirls" star Jennifer Hudson, who had not been seen since his grandmother and uncle were found murdered, officials said Monday.(AFP/NCMEC-HO/File)

CHICAGO – Chicago authorities say the 7-year-old nephew of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Cook County spokesman Sean Howard tells The Associated Press that in Tuesday's autopsy the county's medical examiner ruled Julian King's death a homicide.

Howard declined to say where the child suffered wounds or how long he had been dead, citing an ongoing Chicago police investigation.

Julian's body was found Monday in a white SUV, three days after the bodies of Hudson's mother and brother were discovered in their home on the city's South Side.

An Amber Alert was issued for Julian on Friday.