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Source: http://twitter.com/Israel/statuses/229905429793218560
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Taking care of adolescent or adult dogs can be very demanding for a foster carer. But it can also be gloriously rewarding for both dog and human fosterer. Here are three golden rules from pet food brand, Hills Pets? dog experts.
1.??? Clear Routines
Dogs are pack animals and they thrive best in situations with a clear pecking order. The foster carer is the pack the leader, and the dog her subordinate. Clear routines such as going for walks at the same time each day, feeding at the same time, eating the same food (e.g. sticking with a Hills Pets prescribed diet over supermarket brands), etc. can be very calming for a dog, especially in an unfamiliar environment.
2.??? Consistent Training
The golden rule of pet ownership, full stop; a consistent approach to litter training, treats, affection, punishment and encouragement makes it clear to the dog what is and isn?t acceptable behaviour. This will be a godsend once the dog is up for adoption, as it makes them far easier to control and acclimatise.
3.??? Management of Separation Anxiety/Behavioural Issues
Dogs are often sent to foster carers because they have unique care requirements or behavioural issues that need to be rectified. Separation anxiety is common and usually caused by overdependence on an owner or companion. For a dog fosterer to be effective, such behaviour issues need to be addressed and dealt with appropriately in order for the dog to be rehomed with the right new owner.
This guest blog post is written by Webmaster of www.hillspet.no, offering Hills pets services!
No related posts.
Taking care of adolescent or adult dogs can be very demanding for a foster carer. But it can also be gloriously rewarding for both dog and human fosterer. Here are three golden rules from pet food brand, Hills Pets? dog experts.
1.??? Clear Routines
Dogs are pack animals and they thrive best in situations with a clear pecking order. The foster carer is the pack the leader, and the dog her subordinate. Clear routines such as going for walks at the same time each day, feeding at the same time, eating the same food (e.g. sticking with a Hills Pets prescribed diet over supermarket brands), etc. can be very calming for a dog, especially in an unfamiliar environment.
2.??? Consistent Training
The golden rule of pet ownership, full stop; a consistent approach to litter training, treats, affection, punishment and encouragement makes it clear to the dog what is and isn?t acceptable behaviour. This will be a godsend once the dog is up for adoption, as it makes them far easier to control and acclimatise.
3.??? Management of Separation Anxiety/Behavioural Issues
Dogs are often sent to foster carers because they have unique care requirements or behavioural issues that need to be rectified. Separation anxiety is common and usually caused by overdependence on an owner or companion. For a dog fosterer to be effective, such behaviour issues need to be addressed and dealt with appropriately in order for the dog to be rehomed with the right new owner.
This guest blog post is written by Webmaster of www.hillspet.no, offering Hills pets services!
No related posts.
Source: 3 Golden Rules for Dog Fosterers ... Reprint this article ... Comment on this article (links are dofollow).Source: http://thebitbot.com/animals-pets/2012/07/3-golden-rules-for-dog-fosterers/
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JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's cabinet approved a package of tax hikes and spending cuts on Monday aimed at reining in the budget deficit, which analysts say will give the central bank room to resume monetary easing to support a weakening economy.
Ministers voted 20-9 in favor of the measures in a victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been under pressure from the central bank to maintain credible fiscal policies at a time when the economy is slowing and tax revenues are falling short. He also hoped to avoid drastic measures that could upset a public already angered by the high cost of living.
"This is a responsible step to protect the Israeli economy and jobs for its citizens," Netanyahu said after the vote that was opposed by two of the five coalition partners - the ultra-Orthodox Shas and centrist Independence parties.
Israel's economy weathered the global economic crisis well until a year ago when exports began to slow as a result of a downturn in Europe and the United States - Israel's two largest trading partners. Exports account for about 40 percent of Israel's economic activity.
The new measures include raising income taxes by 1 percentage point on those earning more than the average salary of 8,881 shekels ($2,198) a month starting in 2013. Taxes on salaries over 67,000 shekels a month will go up 2 percentage points. Income tax rates in Israel range between 10 and 48 percent.
Value-added tax (VAT) is also set to rise to 17 percent from 16 percent on August 1, most ministries' budgets will be trimmed by 5 percent and the tax authority is targeting tax evaders to collect billions of shekels. Last week, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz ordered immediate tax hikes on cigarettes and beer.
The Finance Ministry said the measures would add 14.4 billion shekels to state coffers next year.
Parliament will debate the steps next week.
Economists forecast economic growth of around 2.5 percent this year, slowing from 4.8 percent in 2011 and resulting in a tax revenue shortfall that will push the budget deficit closer to 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). That would be well above an initial target of 2 percent.
The government last month opted to raise the 2013 deficit target to 3 percent of GDP from 1.5 percent, leading Bank of Israel chief Stanley Fischer to warn that interest rates may have to rise since fiscal loosening is inflationary. Without the new austerity measures economists say the deficit could reach 5-6 percent of GDP.
ATTACK ON MIDDLE CLASS?
Netanyahu and Steinitz have defended the austerity steps as crucial to preventing the economy from deteriorating and requiring more severe measures.
Prior to the vote, Netanyahu told ministers that governments - in a reference to some European countries - that did not act promptly and responsibly caused great harm to their citizens in the form of crumbling social systems and mass unemployment.
"We will not allow that to happen ... We need to act responsibly," he said, stressing that populist measures that involve large public spending lead to economic collapse. "We will maintain the Israeli economy and Israelis' jobs."
Still, details of the plan have dominated the news in recent days, with commentators, opposition leaders and some government officials criticizing the government for attacking the middle class at a time when the public has been protesting the high cost of living.
Welfare Minister Moshe Kahlon, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party, voted against the plan. "My heart wouldn't let me vote in favor when I know there are people making 2,100 shekels a month ($519) and this deducts another 70 shekels from it, which is their budget for chicken and vegetables," he told reporters.
Netanyahu said the measures would help put more money in the pockets of the poor although some officials believe the economy will suffer more under the weight of higher taxation.
One of Netanyahu's few supporters is Fischer, who on Sunday called the fiscal steps "brave and essential" to improve Israel's budget situation.
Last week, the Bank of Israel held its benchmark rate at 2.25 percent, after cutting it in June for the first time in five months, with some analysts citing concerns over the budget as a key reason for the central bank staying on hold.
"If progress is made towards improving fiscal prospects, the Bank of Israel will likely cut its base rate 25 basis points to 2.0 percent at its next meeting" on August 27, said Barclays Capital emerging markets economist Daniel Hewitt.
($1 = 4.04 shekels)
(Additional reporting by Allyn Fisher-Ilan; Editing by Susan Fenton)
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Recent reports on remaining free agents have indicated the Indiana Pacers are in the market to add a guard to the roster. Josh Howard and Jodie Meeks are among the players the Pacers have supposedly shown interest which makes sense.
Ideally the Pacers wing rotation is already set with Gerald Green and Lance Stephenson as the first and second wings off the bench. I say ideally because while the Pacers may be ready to give Stephenson a full go in a backup role, they surely would like a little insurance on the bench.
George Hill can also slide to the shooting guard spot to play with D.J. Augustin but G3 will primarily play point guard. Currently, that just leaves rookie Orlando Johnson who would be an even bigger risk than Stephenson in his rookie season. So an inexpensive wing with experience would help further solidify the roster.
I'm sure the Pacers would like to bring back Leandro Barbosa in that role, which would include less minutes and money, because of what he brings on the court and in the locker room. But Barbosa is looking for as many minutes and as much money as he can get on the open market. As denggoy1 mentioned, there are some inexpensive options still on the market and ultimately relying on any of these players would mean the Pacers are going through a tough season.
But as insurance to get through minor injury issues or fluctuations in youthful confidence, finding the right player to fit on the current roster would make for a worthwhile addition for the Pacers.
Check out a few links after the jump, including Frank Vogel commenting on the Pacers offseason.
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Thanks so much for coming by; we have had a few new linkers and I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little about them. It is fun to find a grandparent blogger we had not known about before isn't it? I think there must be lot of us?out there! So with that, here we go! Can't wait to see what you link up this time!
Be sure to add yourself to the Grandparent Blogger Directory if you haven't yet. Remember, if you are of grand parenting age and blog, you are eligible here even if it is not about grand parenting; please just keep it family friendly :)
Add your link here every Saturday at Grandparent's Say It Saturday.
Copyright? Family Home and Life 2012 All Rights Reserved
Source: http://www.familyhomeandlife.com/2012/07/grandparents-say-it-saturday_28.html
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Source: http://peterscarlo816.typepad.com/blog/2012/07/family-home-and-life-grandparents-say-it-saturday.html
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Source: http://frankgands.blogspot.com/2012/07/family-home-and-life-grandparents-say.html
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I am from the Northeast, where barbecue is something that happens to other people. Sure, I?d had the odd experience visiting my grandparents in North Carolina, but as a general rule I always regarded barbecue as the sort of exotic fare that is better to read about than to actually eat, like Turkish delight or head cheese.
When I moved to Missouri, I was pleased, if somewhat surprised, at the ubiquity of proper barbecue ? which is to say meat that has been cooked long, slow, and smoky. I would not say that I?ve become a connoisseur, but I?ve certainly become a fan. I also find myself married to a man who is on the verge of banning me from the kitchen altogether, since he seems to regard all non-smoked foods as a waste of time and entropy. Any occasion on which people gather for a meal seems to him a fine opportunity to fire up the smoker; I will not be surprised if we end up having pulled pork this Thanksgiving. I may have to learn how to make cocktails or something just so that I can feel as if I am contributing; in the meantime I just enjoy the ride.
This evening we had some friends over for dinner, which was, for Josh, merely an excuse to try out his smoking technique and a variety of sauces. His earlier experiments have paid off: the meat was tender, flavorful, and more or less falling apart, with crispy burnt ends that guests couldn?t help sneaking from the platter and eating with their hands. The sauces, which represented several different regions, sparked some lively debate among our guests as to which was the best. I favored the Lexington Dip, which was extremely vinegary and hot, but the South Carolina mustard-based sauce also had its proponents. All three were delicious ? and all I had to do was wash the dishes.
Note: All of these sauces should be prepared well ahead of time so that the flavors can meld. Three or four days ought to do it. You can use these sauces as a marinade, mop them onto the meat as it cooks, or just serve it along with the meat as a sauce.
LEXINGTON DIP
1 1/2 cup white vinegar (do not use cider vinegar)
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup apple juice
? cup hot sauce, such as Sriracha
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
Whisk together all the ingredients and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
SOUTH CAROLINA MUSTARD SAUCE
2 cups prepared yellow mustard
2/3 cup cider vinegar
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Sriracha
? cup brown sugar
? cup white sugar
1 chicken bouillon cube
2 teaspoons dried rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon celery seed
3 teaspoons mustard powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Mix the wet ingredients together in a bowl. Crush the bouillon cube with a spoon in a bowl add it to the bowl. Crush the rosemary leaves and celery seed in a mortar & pestle or in a blender or coffee grinder and add to the bowl. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
EAST CAROLINA KISS
1 1/2 cups of distilled vinegar (white or cider)
1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Sriracha
2 tablespoons sugar (white, light brown, or dark brown ? we used brown, which I recommend)
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons finely ground black pepper
Pour all the ingredients into a jar and shake.
--All three sauces were adapted from http://www.amazingribs.com/
Source: http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/community-kitchen/2012/jul/23/barbecue-sauce/
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It is very easy for a business office staff to become satisfied. They can fall into the routine where these people become very self-sufficient and rely on their particular fellow workers less and less. While this may seem like the best thing, many office responsibilities can be accomplished quicker and better when the team really does them as a whole instead of relying on the input of only one person. In case a business is in Toronto, team building events activities from a firm like XPEERience Group can help create that ?we? mindset again.
This company specializes in Keynote Speaker Canada activities in a number of settings. Choosing the proper team building events activities is important when setting up an event such as this as it is important to be sure all staff members are happy with the events. All things considered, it would not serve a reason to alienate staff during a team building pursuits as you want everyone to sign up in the events.
One of the most popular packages with regard to Toronto team building activities is the Ultimate Xpeerience. This bundle encompasses low bodily impact activities including dodgeball, water balloon chuck, and volleyball along with more demanding team development activities like the inflatable obstacle course and also the outdoor rockwall. Most employers will have a pretty good thought of what their employees are capable of and can choose the team building activities that may work best for their staff.
The beauty of an outing such as this is that the majority of employees forget exactly why they are actually there in the first place. They are getting so much fun, they naturally form a greater bond with their other workers and improve the teamwork frame of mind that has been missing from the office. So how really does all of this actually incorporate itself back into the business office?
Something that a lot of companies will do is have a personnel meeting to discuss the outing the next time the whole staff is together in the office. Keep it very informal and talk about the various events and how your winning teams were able to perform so well. Preserve stressing how they employed each person?s strengths to aid the team perform greater.
Once this topic gets rolling, begin to bring up examples of assignments around the office that have been delayed because the ?team? had not been working together. Keep in mind this is not a disciplinary meeting, just a reinforcement of how successful it is to work together. From that point, hand out exactly the same assignment to both of these people and teams. Allow them to have a limited time to develop them and then carry a meeting later within the day to monitor development.
While there may be many people capable of pulling off of the upset victory, most of the time, the teams will be able to present a better and more complete project. This is when management can bolster the idea of how important it is to work as a team whenever possible instead of operating alone all the time. It certainly won?t be long before the entire business office benefits from the Toronto team development activities they liked during the outing.
For more information about Team Building Toronto visit our website.
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The system has multiple hard disks plus the new SSD and up until today I have had no issues with the boot process.
I bunged in the Windows 7 DVD, rebooted and installed to the new SSD drive naively assuming that Windows Setup would simply add a dual boot entry to the exist BCD database used by my old system.
That's when the boot issues started!
It reboot straight into the new version of Windows but there was no dual boot menu to boot into my old version of Windows on a hard disk.
I used BCDEDIT to rebuild the multiboot menu? and I can now access both installations.
The trouble is my BIOS points to the original harddisk as the boot device (which is what I wanted) but the new install has built a new boot setup on another irrelevant drive.
I want to keep the original drive as the boot device and ultimately make Windows on my SSD the default boot from that partition. The reason for this is that hiberfil.sys has to remain on the drive with the boot sector (according to MS) and I use a UPS that requires hibernation to be enabled. The system has 32Gb of memory so I definitely do not want hiberfil.sys on the SSD as it would eat 25% of the drive on it own.
A number of questions:
1) How can I make my original drive the source for the boot process again? It has a hidden MS 100Mb partition specifically for this but the installation process of the new version of windows ignored it and has put the Boot stuff on a Green drive which makes start up slow - also I don't want multiple bootable partitions.
2) Once I get it booting from where I want how do I ensure that the only hiberfil.sys file is on the system boot disk and not on the SSD - I read a number of articles from MS suggesting that hiberfil.sys has to be on the boo drive but even so windows has created one on the SSD anyway - wasting over 27Gb of space.
Any ideas appreciated.
Source: http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=31785.0
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LAUDERHILL, Fla. ? ?A fugitive featured on "America's Most Wanted" is being held in the Broward County Jail on a charge of attempted felony murder.
Jail records show 27-year-old Amos Isaac remained jailed Saturday without bond. It was not immediately known if he has an attorney.
A sheriff's office press release says Isaac was wanted for nearly beating a 20-year-old woman to death with a shovel on Jan. 10th. He eluded authorities for months until investigators received information that he was in the Lauderhill area. He was arrested after a foot chase.
The TV show featured the attack earlier this year.
Source: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/gNkqt8NtwNk/
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| Job ID:? | 28483 |
| Location:? | Information Technology |
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related field and ten years of related experience.
Additional experience may be used on a one-to-one basis to offset the educational requirements. The university offers market competitive
salary and benefits. Grade EI
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with secure delivery of information in a
health sciences context is desirable.
Position Description
Information Technology is seeking a highly motivated,
experienced individual to lead and manage portal development for applications in bioinformatics, health sciences data and healthcare
analytics. Oversee the installation, maintenance and problem analysis on operations system hardware and software across all enterprise
systems and act as Project leader on high level projects. Position will provide technical project leadership for development of innovative
applications of portal technology, including integration of custom applications and dynamic content identification, isolation and resolution
of complex enterprise academic and research computing systems incidents, including operating systems, storage, networking, and applications.
Perform configuration, management, and maintenance of IBM power based virtual and physical server infrastructure.
Oversee and manage system availability, system performance, capacity planning and system tuning for all university Storage Area networks and email systems. Assist Data Center Manager in data center facilities operations and management. Employ industry best practices for data center management, layout, and physical security. Perform problem identification, isolation, analysis and troubleshooting for complex enterprise academic and research computing systems, including operating systems, storage, networking, and applications. Position requires an extensive background in ADF components, web technology and portal development, healthcare analytics and bioinformatics. (90016066)
How To Apply
-Staff Positions
To apply for this position, follow the "Online App. Form" link below and then click on the "Apply Now". You
must answer all required fields and submit your application by clicking the "Submit" button. Detailed instructions are available at
louisville.edu/jobs in the "My Career Tools" section. Vacancies are routinely removed from the jobs portal around 7:00PM each
Monday.
Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 1980 Arthur Street - Louisville,
Kentucky 40208.
For more information, please contact us by email at employment@louisville.edu or by phone 502-852-6542.
If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, you may schedule an appointment at (502) 852-6542 with Employment Services at the Human Resources office located at 1980 Arthur Street, Louisville, KY 40208.
Source: http://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=175653826
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Jake Shields doesn?t care what people think about him. Throughout his whole life, Shields has been criticized. He has learned to not only take this criticism in stride, but allowed it to create an unbreakable level of self-belief. While the positivity of his loyal teammates at Caesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu motivates Shields to train hard, it is truly the criticism of his detractors that gets him out of bed in the morning. It always has been.
Growing up as a lifelong vegetarian, Shields was always told he couldn?t be successful, as he recalls, ?All throughout high school and college everyone told me I couldn?t be an athlete, so I wanted to prove them wrong.? Prove them wrong he did, as Shields became a two-time all-American wrestler at Cuesta College. However, the criticism didn?t stop there. Upon becoming a martial artist, he was criticized for his style and approach. Mixed martial arts critics have written him off as ?conservative,? while the jiu-jitsu community has doubted his ability to succeed outside of their traditional standards. Shields also proved these detractors wrong. He has reached an unprecedented level of success in mixed martial arts and submission grappling, utilizing his unique brand of ?American jiu-jitsu? to capture multiple world championships in two different weight-classes, and defeat some of the world?s greatest athletes in the process.
As Shields prepares for his upcoming fight with Ed Herman at UFC 150 this August, he finds himself as confident as ever. Fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Yoshiro Akiyama in Japan this past February, it is easy to see why his confidence should be soaring. Surprising many critics who predicted Akiyama to dictate the stand-up action, it was Shields who was able to keep the notoriously tough judoka at bay with a steady dose of stiff jabs and leg kicks. Shields sealed the deal with a slick takedown in the third round, taking Akiyama?s back for much of the final frame, and forcing the resilient hometown favorite to fend off rear-naked choke attempts until the end of the fight.
The markedly improved stand-up displayed in the Akiyama fight impressed many in the MMA world, and he while he emphasizes that this remains a strong focus in preparation for Herman, he is also quick to add that he has not forgotten the base of his success. ?I am really focusing on my stand-up, but I am also going back to my roots and doing more wrestling. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is my strongest point, but it?s hard if you can?t get it to the ground where you want to be, so I am definitely going back to a lot of wrestling.?
Jake is quick to acknowledge his upcoming opponent?s grit and versatility. ?Herman is a well-rounded guy. His biggest strength is probably his jiu-jitsu, which is also my biggest strength; he also has good hands and good wrestling. He is tough everywhere, so I am not taking him lightly.? While Shields is definitely wise in not overlooking the gritty veteran, he also views the match-up to be stylistically favorable to his skill set, and is confident in his ability to finish Herman. ?I think it?s a good fight, we both have great ground skills, so hopefully I will take it there, and I am planning on submitting him.?
The Herman fight also marks Jake?s return to the middleweight division, a weight class he says he feels much more comfortable competing in. ?I fought there before and felt stronger. Fighting at seventies, I felt that when I dropped the last five or six pounds I was a little weak. I decided to move up to one eighty five-a weight I am undefeated at. I beat guys like Dan Henderson. I figured I had done so well there, so why am I cutting all this weight??
As Shields is moving up a weight class, strength-training is very important to him in addition to his rigorous MMA workouts. ?Everything is going really good. I?m in the early fight prep. Just doing a lot of fundamental striking and wrestling. Lifting a lot of weights. I am trying to bulk up, because I am moving up a weight class.?
Along with strength and conditioning, Shields finds himself eating much more liberally as he prepares for his return as a middleweight. ?I work out so much so I have to make sure I eat a lot. I try to eat about six meals a day. I take a couple protein shakes. I use Sunwarrior protein. I drink one shake in the morning and one at night, and just try to eat as much as possible.?
For Shields, his decision to partner-up with Sunwarrior came very naturally as the company?s products provide him the quality of nutrition he demands as a professional athlete, while also abiding by his ethical beliefs as a lifelong vegetarian. ?I am a vegetarian, and mostly vegan; I am not strict on the vegan, but I try to eat a mostly vegan diet. It gets tough using protein, because a lot of them use whey, not to mention a lot of chemicals and all kinds of stuff I don?t like putting in my body. Sunwarrior got in touch with my manager, and said they had a product out to try. It?s great. It?s all vegan, and doesn?t have a bunch of additives I don?t want in my protein. I started using it, and it is all I have used ever since.?
Unlike many vegetarians who face criticism from family for their decision to abstain from eating meat, Shields was blessed with a father who raised him on a plant-based diet. ?Being a vegetarian is great. I have always grown up this way, so it?s not even something I really think about too much. I think a lot of people have to make the decision whether they want to do it or not, but for me it?s been easy; I never even really thought about eating meat, it?s something that always seemed a little gross to me, especially with the way animals are treated and what not. The older I got, the more I started doing a little research, and started realizing all the health benefits as well.?
?Now Shields says he sees others looking at his success and reconsidering their own lifestyles. ?Now that I have done it even longer, everyone is starting to switch my direction and realize that ?Oh it?s actually better to be a vegetarian or vegan.? So it?s good to see a change in how people view things.? While his peers as a youth criticized his decision to abstain from meat, many of his sparring partners at Caesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu have embraced Jake?s plant-based diet. ?It?s cool a lot of my friends I train with have become either vegan or vegetarian, or at least close to it now. So it?s good to see them do something I have been doing for so many years.?
While Shields acknowledges the impact he has had in influencing other fighters to convert to a plant-based diet, he also sees the lifestyle gaining popularity within the MMA community, and the influence that others have as well. ?I?m not the only person who has an influence, but I do think I have been a big help, because, at least as far as I know, I was the first vegetarian fighter, and I think the fact that I have been a life-long vegetarian shows that you can actually grow up this way and do fine. I think other athletes started seeing this. Guys like Nick Diaz, who did some research on his own, realized he didn?t want to eat all this stuff, and he is very strict on his diet. Guys like him, Jon Fitch, more guys started seeing it and switching over, and the more people see successful guys like this doing it, they will realize that they can also be successful doing it.?
Along with being raised a vegetarian, Shields was very physically active growing up, something he feels has attributed greatly to his success as a martial artist. ?I grew up about three hours out of the Bay Area, up in the mountains; out in the middle of nowhere. There wasn?t a lot to do, and being a kid with a lot of energy, I ended up doing a lot of physical stuff. I got into mountain biking, rock climbing, snowboarding, and I think that all those extreme sports pushed me into the direction of fighting. It isn?t a big transition going into fighting when you grew up snowboarding and mountain climbing all the time.?
While the transition to fighting came easy for Shields, his road to the top of the sport was anything but. For over ten years, Jake fought around the world in various mixed martial arts promotions and competed in hundreds of grappling tournaments, before finally signing with the UFC. While he has dealt with an immense amount of adversity to get to this level of the sport?being broke, not having insurance, and raising a daughter as a single father, to name a few of his obstacles?he has attributed his ability to succeed and overcome these obstacles to the strength and loyalty of his team around him.
It is commonplace in MMA for fighters to switch gyms and change affiliations between fight camps, but Shields and his teammates at Caesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu have remained devoutly loyal to one another over the years. The ?skrap pack? which consists of Shields, UFC fighters Nick and Nate Diaz, and Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, is arguably the most successful fight team in MMA today. Jake attributes the diverse styles and contrasting skill sets each of them brings to the table to the high level of success his teammates have each had individually in the sport. ?I think it helps a lot, because we do all have very different styles. We are able to push each other, and we prepare each other to fight guys with different styles. We train together all the time, and we have all managed to adapt our own styles, and I think it just shows that we are all our own people, and that is why we are such a great team.?
Shields? forearm is covered with a tattoo depicting an eagle clutching the Great Seal of the United States and a banner which reads ?American jiu-jitsu.? This tattoo is bearing homage to his particular brand of martial arts that was developed through his years of sparring with the team.? ?American jiu-jitsu is my brand of grappling. Originally, I was an all-American wrestler, collegiate style, and then I got my black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Both are phenomenal styles of grappling, but I try to blend the two together. I never used a gi in jiu-jitsu, so American jiu-jitsu is kind of just blending the two together. It?s aggressive and constantly attacking like wrestling, but a little more technical and relaxed like Brazilian jiu-jitsu.?
Shields has proven the efficiency of his American jiu-jitsu by submitting opponents on the largest stages of mixed martial arts, and defeating numerous world-ranked grapplers in jiu-jitsu competition, but the martial arts community has not always been embracing of Jake?s unique style. Jake won the 2005 Pan American jiu-jitsu tournament in a gi with basically never having trained in one prior to the tournament. Many fans view this accomplishment as one of Jake?s greatest, but when asked about his gold medal, Jake shrugs it off, recalling the criticism he endured in order to earn it. ?Caesar Gracie gave me my belt, and a lot of people were saying, ?Oh you can?t possibly be belted without ever having trained in a gi.? So I wanted to prove all the haters wrong. I went into the tournament and tapped out and beat a lot of the best guys in the world just to prove a point.? His point has certainly been proven, as Shields now bolsters one of the most impressive resumes in submission grappling, including victories over Jon Fitch, Vinny Magalhaes, and Diego Sanchez.
Jake only sees more to come from Caesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the future, and hopes that some of his less-publicized teammates will be given the spotlight as well. ?We have a lot of guys to look out for. Josh McDonald is a very tough guy. There are a lot of great up-and-comers, and hopefully some of these guys will break out. Me, Nate, Nick, and Gil have really been the ones to make a name for our team, but hopefully in the next year or so, some of these other guys will be able to get out there and do the same as well.?
While Shields has reached great heights in the sport, it is hard for him to nail-down an exact moment or achievement as his favorite. ?It?s hard to say because I have had a lot of good moments. Winning the Shooto belt in Japan was quite an accomplishment, because that was before I was a big name. I won the Elite XC belt. I won the Rumble on the Rocks tournament, and that was a completely stacked tournament. Even guys like Anderson Silva were involved in that, so that really means a lot to me.?
Along with the glory of victory, the Rumble on the Rocks tournament brings on a humorous memory for Shields. After defeating current UFC interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit, Shields advanced to the finals to take on the world-ranked Yushin Okami. This was all in the same night, mind you. Earlier in the night, Shields had told the DJ he would like some ?old punk or metal music? to be played during his entrance. As he was getting pumped up and poised to make his walk-out, he was thrown for a loop as ?All the Small Things? by Blink 182 came out of the speakers. Shields became furious, and almost did not even want to walk-out. Good thing he did, as he would go on to defeat Okami and be crowned the tournament champion. Defeating two top-ten fighters in a single night, with both fights going the distance, is an amazing feat in this sport, and one certainly worth enduring a less than desirable entrance song for.
Shields now laughs looking back on the escapade, saying, ?Nothing against Blink, they?re okay and all, just not exactly what I would look at as old punk music. I had asked for old punk or metal, and they were definitely not what I was looking for, but, oh well, I guess I definitely learned I have to be a little bit more specific about punk music.?
While on the subject of music, Shields mentions that he enjoys an eclectic variety of artists, and cites several from his native California as being some of his favorites. ?I listen to a huge variety of music. Lars Frederickson and the Bastards and Rancid are some of my favorite bands. I listen to other stuff as well; I listen to some reggae, Sublime, you know I switch it up, really it just depends on my mood.?
While Jake has accomplished many things and won many world championships, he is still in pursuit of his ultimate goal: a UFC world championship belt. ?Capturing the UFC belt has always been my dream, so I am still after that.? However, he knows that to accomplish that goal, it is imperative for him to be focused on the current task at hand. ?First getting through Ed Herman, and then I would like to get another fight this year for sure. After Ed Herman, I would like to fight one of the top contenders; I don?t really care who, I just want to get back into title contention again.?
As Jake Shields prepares for his next run for championship gold, the competitive fire inside him burns stronger than ever. At thirty three years old, and after over thirteen years in the sport, Shields has amassed a record of 27-6-1 and defeated some of the sport?s biggest names.? While many competitors would be content to call it a day, Shields will not be satisfied until he fulfills his goal of becoming a UFC world champion. Even then, it is unlikely that he will be itching for retirement, because as long as haters keep hating, Shields will continue to find the motivation to prove them wrong.
Read more by Dylan Falduto
And check out Jake Shields? site!
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About Us: Mid-Plains Community College, a legislatively designated 18-county district in West-Central Nebraska, is a comprehensive, open access, public, two-year community college system that offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. MPCC consists of three campuses, one located in McCook, Nebraska, (chamber website: http://www.aboutmccook.com/ ) and two located in North Platte, Nebraska (chamber website: http://www.northplattechamber.com). Additionally, there are extended campus sites in Broken Bow, Imperial, Ogallala and Valentine with satellite classrooms located throughout the Area.
Qualifications: Minimum of Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required. Master's degree preferred. Specific knowledge of all areas of student life. Ability to work as part of a team and as an individual with limited direction. A minimum of three years experience in student affairs/student life functions preferred. The ideal candidate will have CPR and First Aid skills and certifications, be an independent thinker and able to work independently. Computer and people skills are required.
Application Instructions: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To guarantee consideration, application materials must be received by August 17, 2012. Applicants should send a letter of application addressing the applicant's position qualifications and interest in Mid-Plains Community College, a current resume, unofficial transcripts of all relevant coursework and degrees, and a completed MPCC application form (available at www.mpcc.edu) to MPCC Human Resources, 1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte, NE 69101. Only complete application packets will be considered.
An EEO Employer/Educator
Source: http://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=175653280
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Technology companies have been lining up to milk the London Olympics spotlight for all it's worth. BMW isn't shy about taking its turn, but it's not looking to cash in -- directly, we mean. The automaker is instead using its just-opened i Store to showcase everything electric and hybrid for downtown visitors who aren't busy watching the cycling. Its centerpieces are unquestionably the i3 and i8, which won't even go on sale until many months after the summer games' closing ceremonies; the i3 on the floor is closer to the street model, though, and will tease EV drivers with BMW's option packs. Should that make your bank account cringe far too soon, the i Pedelec scooter and the i Wallbox charger will be hanging around as well. If you didn't book a ticket to Heathrow in time, don't panic: the i line is going on a world tour this year that starts in Rome, swings past the US and Japan, and comes full circle to London in 2013.
Filed under: Transportation
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The beloved host hits the ground with the Olympians! Plus, check out more stars' cute, candid and crazy Twitter photos
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LONDON (AP) ? Around the 2012 Olympics and its host city with journalists from The Associated Press bringing the flavor and details of the games to you:
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WILD ONE
Michael Phelps is a singular sensation in the pool. Outside of it, he takes bad pictures just like the rest of us.
Phelps' photo on his Olympic credential shows an unsmiling, wild-haired man with a scraggly beard. It was taken earlier this summer during high-altitude training in Colorado.
"We're not allowed to show teeth. That was the rule," he said. "I think I actually did just wake up from a nap. That's why the hair is all over the place and I look a little out of it."
?Beth Harris ? Twitter http://twitter.com/bethharrisap
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NICE REWARDS
Dominican athletes will be heading home a lot richer if they can get on the podium in London. The government will pay 10 million pesos ($256 million) to gold medalists, 6 million pesos ($154,000) for winning silver and 4 million pesos ($103,000) for bronze.
?Dionisio Soldevila ? Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dSoldevila
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SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE
Diary of a newly arrived American: It appears that Londoners don't just drive on a different side of the street than us Americans. They walk on the other side as well.
Can't even count how many times I've had to do the dodge and weave with folks from across the pond while trying to walk on the right side and them going left.
But, interestingly enough, most of the golf carts visible in Olympic Park have the steering wheel on the left side and not the right.
?Jon Krawczynski ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/APkrawczynski.
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WOMEN'S SOCCER
The women's soccer has started and the goals are flying in. France is beating the United States 2-1 and England has taken a 1-0 lead over New Zealand.
?Mattias Karen ? Twitter http://twitter.com/mattekaren
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CELEBRITY ALERT
LONDON ? The Olympic athletes' parade is two days away, but the celebrity parade has already begun in London. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are among the stars expected at London's Victoria & Albert Museum on Wednesday night for a charity gala honoring boxing great Muhammad Ali. The 70-year-old boxer is expected to attend the Sports for Peace event, while other rumored guests include David Beckham. Tickets started at 2,500 pounds ($3,900) and will raise money for the educational Muhammad Ali Center and for research into Parkinson's disease.
?Jill Lawless ? Twitter http://twitter.com/jilllawless
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THE FLYING SQUIRREL
U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler Ellis Coleman has become known as the "Flying Squirrel" for his unusual signature move of the same name. When faced with a deficit late in a match, Coleman will often do a standing flip over his opponent's head and grab his waist on the way down. The move has earned Coleman plenty of fame through YouTube clips of him using it at the 2011 Junior World Championships.
Instead of trying to move past the notoriety garnered for a trick move, Coleman has embracing the "Flying Squirrel" moniker so much that he even went out and bought a real flying squirrel to keep as a pet.
Coleman found the squirrel, which he named "Rocky," at a mall near the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. All told, Coleman figures Rocky has cost him about $500.
"I keep him in a cage. He just hops around," Coleman said. "He sleeps every day so it's pretty easy."
?Luke Meredith ? Twitter http://twitter.com/LukeMeredithAP
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OLYMPIC DIPLOMACY
Nobody's talking about a thaw in relations between Iran and Israel, but it was interesting to see what the head of the Iranian Olympic Committee had to say when asked how his country's athletes would respond if the IOC calls a minute's silence in memory of the eleven Israelis killed at the Munich Games in 1972.
Bahram Afsharzadeh says his delegation would "respect" such a call
He also made clear there would be no question of Iranian teams boycotting events against Israelis, as has happened in the past.
Afsharzadeh's pledge regarding the memorial is unlikely to be put to the test as IOC chief Jacques Rogge has ruled out a commemoration at the opening ceremony. But the very fact that he spoke in such terms will not have gone unnoticed by Israeli officials.
Mood music matters, as diplomats like to say.
?Martin Benedyk ? Twitter http://twitter.com/mbenedyk
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MAKING THEMSELVES AT HOME
Today is podium training for the men. Training on the competition floor might not sound like a big deal, considering gymnasts have the exact same equipment in the training gym. But the competition floor is on a raised podium ? about 4 feet off the ground ? and that changes the feel and response of the equipment.
The equipment is bouncier, for one thing. And just as there are different makes of shoes or swimsuits, there are different brands of gymnastics equipment and each brand has its own peculiarities.
Podium training gives gymnasts a chance to get used to all of that before the scoring starts for real.
?Nancy Armour ? Twitter http://twitter.com/nrarmour
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STADIUM STYLE
Will Olympic stadiums forever be in the shadow of Beijing's Bird's Nest?
In the wake of that architectural marvel, some have called London's Olympic Stadium plain and uninspiring.
Not Louisa Gummer, though. The volunteer was gushing to a friend on the phone about how wonderful it looks.
"It never was going to be the Bird's Nest and that's what makes it so brilliant," Gummer said. "It's a legacy project that will be useful long after the Games are over."
Gummer has been inside, and she said she likes the more intimate feel.
"You can sit on one side and look across the way and see the faces of those on the other side," she said. "It's so intimate and it doesn't feel big until you're standing right in the middle of it."
?Jon Krawczynski ? http://www.twitter.com/APkrawczynski
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SO ? TOSS A COIN?
No matter how much you've prepared, there are always questions at the last minute. Just two hours before today's U.S.-France women's soccer game in Glasgow, the venue managers are debating which national anthem should be played first.
?Joseph White ? Twitter http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP
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HEY ... JUDE?
AP's Jon Krawczynski reports from Olympic Park:
I'm sitting on a bench outside Olympic Stadium, and I'm not going anywhere. Macca is holding court.
I can't see Paul McCartney. I can only hear him. And that's the most important thing anyway, right?
As I wandered around the park to get the lay of the land, I heard some music coming from the stadium. It was "Hey, Jude," stopping and starting several times.
A sound check? Sure sounded like it. Could I get in? Security was having none of that.
A dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday night, so the chances of McCartney holding a sound check were real.
Alas, this isn't that.
A quick swap of emails with McCartney's agent, Stuart Bell, reveals that Sir Paul had been here on Tuesday but is in Liverpool on Wednesday attending a graduation ceremony.
The Beatles were long broken up by the time I came around in 1979, but instead of being raised on kids music, I got the Fab Four. My parents are the biggest Beatles fans I know, my father in particular. The chance to see McCartney put on a show here in London was something we talked about often leading up to this trip.
This was a close call. I can't imagine what it will be like when he hits the stage for real.
?Jon Krawczynski ? Twitter http://twitter.com/APkrawczynski
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PUTIN IN AN APPEARANCE
That guy next to you at the judo competition, the one surrounded by security? Could well be Russian President Vladimir Putin. Don't mess with him; he's not only well guarded, he's also a black belt in judo.
Putin has said he plans to come to London in a private capacity and watch the judo. He's often been filmed practicing and once recorded an instructional judo DVD.
Judo at the 2012 games starts Saturday.
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SCOTTISH SOLDIERS
Scottish soldiers are roaming Olympic Park in full camouflage gear, with an Army green beret that has a little puffy ball on the top.
The hats also have a dark green leafy attachment that looks like a stubby Christmas tree sprouting from the side.
The look doesn't quite strike fear into the hearts of men the way the blue face paint did for William Wallace back in the day, but I'm still not going to mess with them.
?Jon Krawczynski ? http://www.twitter.com/APkrawczynski
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GOING COUNTRY
The five members of the U.S. men's road race team are staying this week near Box Hill, well away from the hustle and bustle of London, at a quaint hotel where they can step out the front door, hop on their bikes and train on the circuit that could well decide Saturday's race.
The loop for the road race goes past some of the iconic sights of London, such as Buckingham Palace, and will finish on the Mall ? a dream come true for television cameras and local visitor bureaus. But Box Hill, in the countryside south of the city, is where fans will have the best view of the race, and where the first gold medal could be won or lost.
That's because riders will traverse the hill multiple times ? nine for the men, three for the women ? and that could ultimately shatter the main field and prevent the widely expected sprint finish.
There are a half dozen team buses parked outside the hotel, with all manner of equipment at the ready. The roads around Box Hill are popular with local cyclists, too, so for every toned Olympian with virtually no body fat, there's at least five more folks who have managed to squeeze their girth into spandex so they can take on the same course.
?David Skretta ? Twitter http://twitter.com/APdaveskretta
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CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
Open-water swimmers may have to contend with ducks and reeds as they race the in Hyde Park's Serpentine lake.
That's pretty quaint though when you think of previous games. There were jellyfish the size of dinner plates in Australia and swimming took place just outside the shark nets in Hong Kong.
Britain's Kerri-Anne Payne was the first athlete to try out the Serpentine course Wednesday, and was full of enthusiasm. "It was really nice to get in there," she said of her morning swim. "I had to fight with a couple of ducks though to get round the buoys."
And the reeds?
"I kept getting a little tangled in them, but I've overcome that now."
?Elena Becatoros ? Twitter http://twitter.com/ElenaBec
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ROBOTIC CAMERA
Here's an angle worth looking at: Photographer Mark Duncan has just made the first AP Olympic image shot with a controllable overhead robotic camera. He did it at the Aquatics Center, where AP will be producing imagery shot with such cameras throughout the Olympic games ? both underwater and above. See the photo here: http://apne.ws/Q2M8gC
?Ted Anthony ? Twitter http://twitter.com/anthonyted
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SKY CORRIDOR
In the Netherlands, parts of the sky are being cordoned off for the Olympics.
Airspace above North Brabant province usually is used by Dutch F16 pilots as a training area, but authorities say the Top Guns are going to spread their wings elsewhere over the country and the North Sea to make way for London-bound Olympic flights carrying athletes or spectators.
?Mike Corder ? Twitter: http://twitter.com/mikecorder
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A TECH HEADACHE
Just over 48 hours to go, and there's a scramble to finish work at many of London's venues.
Miles of cables have been installed by news organizations and some have been inadvertently damaged in the rush by builders to get everything ready. At the hockey venue inside the Olympic Park, new fences were fitted for safety reasons ? and they've damaged crucial wiring.
Worst-case scenario: Major cabling damage could theoretically close off an entire venue in terms of data transmission ? whether text, photos or TV images.
Technicians are being sent back repeatedly to check that everything's OK ? and they're worried. Wednesday is the last day anyone's officially allowed to wire things up and yet there's potential for damage for several more days.
?Stephen Moyes
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FRIES WITH THAT?
Spotted at the Olympic Park McDonald's: a camera crew interviewing a cashier about the delicacies under the Golden Arches. Must be a slow news day.
Let the games begin, already!
?Jon Krawczynski ? http://www.twitter.com/APkrawczynski
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GOODWILL GAMES?
A strike by airport immigration workers has been called off. Now, taxi drivers are postponing a protest.
The reason: "To avoid further inconvenience to Londoners; we don't want to make a bad situation worse," according to a statement by "Cabbies Against Boris" (a reference to London Mayor Boris Johnson.)
The drivers are angry at the Olympic Lanes which they say will cause chaos in an always-busy city. The lanes are there solely to allow "an elite few which seems to be mainly comprised of Corporate Sponsors to travel quickly at the expense of the majority of hardworking Londoners," the cabbies say.
?Corrin Grant ? Twitter http://twitter.com/cosgrant
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RACING THE CLOCK
The games begin in 48 hours, and London is still putting on the finishing touches.
Chainsaws were blaring at the equestrian venue in North Greenwich and an industrious Games staff member spent the morning walking around The O2 Arena (home of the gymnastics) with a roller dripping with purple paint, dabbing a little here, a little there.
No "Do Not Touch" signs, though.
?Will Graves ? Twitter http://twitter.com/WillGravesAP
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CRUMBLING CHINA?
Four years ago, the Chinese men's gymnastics team soared to seven gold medals in front of the home crowd in Beijing. It could be a much different result in London.
The team looked sloppy during podium training on Wednesday and lacked their usual swagger.
Teng Haibian, who won gold on pommel horse in Athens in 2004, struggled on every apparatus and is dealing with a left arm injury. He wore an ace bandage and had serious issues whenever going through a move that required upper body strength.
?Will Graves ? Twitter http://twitter.com/WillGravesAP
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CHANGE OF PACE
For three Summer Olympics, Adrian Croitoru competed as a middleweight in judo for Romania ? placing as high as fifth in both the 1992 Barcelona Games and again in Atlanta in '96. That's why his new gig as coach of the Armenians is quite a change of pace ? and still a little bit strange, too.
"Now, it's more difficult for me as a coach," Croitoru reflected as he arrived at Heathrow Airport early Wednesday with several athletes.
"I'm Romanian. I coach the Armenians," the 41-year-old said with a smile as everybody's bags were piled on one sled-like cart before they made their way off.
?Janie McCauley ? Twitter: http://twitter.com/JanieMcCAP
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SOCIAL MEDIA
The London Olympics has been dubbed the social media games, and it's already living up to the moniker.
A spokeswoman for Twitter says there were more tweets about the Olympics on a single day last week than there were during the entire Beijing Games. The number of daily tweets about the London Games has been on par with the numbers during the Vancouver Winter Olympics, and the opening ceremony is coming up on Friday night.
?Jay Cohen ? Twitter http://twitter.com/jcohenap
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LESS FLESH
The women's beach volleyball uniforms have gone politically correct this year, with shorts and sleeved tops replacing the bikinis.
The move was made to respect the cultural beliefs of players from different countries and updates the dress code that has been in effect since the sport became a medal event in 1996.
The American women said they'll wear more clothing in London if it's cold during their night matches, but bikinis would've been their first choice because that's what they're used to wearing. Still, they unanimously applauded the relaxed dress code.
"We want women of all different religions to be able to play our sport," said Jennifer Kessy, "and to not be able to play because of the gear is not OK."
?Jenna Fryer ? Twitter http://twitter.com/JennaFryer
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QUEEN'S HAT
The latest tempting bet: The color of the queen's hat at Friday's opening ceremony.
The shortest odds ? at 3 to 1 ? are on blue. Or will she go for the patriotic number and have the red, white and blue of the Union Jack? That fetches an eye-catching 50-1 at one bookmakers.
?Ian Phillips ? Twitter http://twitter.com/phillipsian
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LIVE MUSIC SURPRISE
There will be live music acts at more than 650 sporting events, organizers say, but they're refusing to say who and where. Among the surprise bands: Pet Shop Boys, Scissor Sisters, Rita Ora, Sub Focus, and Rizzle Kicks.
?Maria Sanminiatelli ? Twitter http://twitter.com/SanMin68
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IN-EAR COMMENTARY
Struggling to understand the rules of an obscure sport? Too much going on all at once at track and field? London organizers are selling small ear devices that will walk you through what's happening out there. Cost: 10 pounds ($15)
?Maria Sanminiatelli ? Twitter http://twitter.com/SanMin68
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LESS ATTENTION, BUT IT'S OK
The American beach volleyball players walked into their news conference Wednesday lean, fit and the center of attention. But when the bulk of the questions were lobbed at the women players, a reporter gamely asked the men if they felt overlooked.
"I'm perfectly OK with it. They are way prettier," said reigning gold medalist Phil Dalhausser, recognized most for his 6-foot-9 frame and bald head.
?Jenna Fryer ? Twitter http://twitter.com/jennafryer
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TALKIN' TRASH:
Minnesota Timberwolves teammates Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio are suddenly rivals.
Love plays for Team USA while the injured Rubio is cheering on his native Spain in the Olympics. Rubio tweeted before the two teams played an exhibition game on Tuesday night in Barcelona, "(at)kevinlove are you ready to lose to Spain tonight?"
Then the Americans put a 100-78 thumping on the Spaniards and Love tweeted him a simple and stinging retort. "How'd that work out for you, buddy?"
?Jon Krawczynski ? http://www.twitter.com/APkrawczynski.
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A PRINCE AMONG VOLLEYBALLERS
Beach volleyball appears to be the trendy sport right now, with London abuzz that Prince Harry apparently has tickets to some matches.
Count the young American duo of Jennifer Kessy and April Ross among those stoked about his possible presence. Kessy pumped her fist in excitement when told Harry is rumored to be going to the venue.
"We've been tweeting," Ross said, laughing.
"We've been putting his name out there for some time, but no contact yet," Kessy chimed in.
Both women said they'd be in favor of any members of the royal family attending, and they'd welcome a photo opportunity.
Added Ross: "Harry or Kate, especially."
?Jenna Fryer ? Twitter http://twitter.com/jennafryer
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LIFEGUARD CHAIRS
Overnight some new furniture has arrived In the Olympic Park. High chairs with pink seats have popped up along the walking routes. They look exactly like one used by lifeguards and even have covers to protect the occupant from the sun or rain. See a photo here: http://www.whosay.com/fergusbell/photos/207017
?Fergus Bell ? Twitter http://twitter.com/fergb
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HELLO FROM BARCELONA
AP's Eddie Pells checks in from a former Olympic city:
Hello from the Olympic City. Wait, did I get on the wrong flight? I'm in Barcelona.
OK, it's a small vacation before heading to London for the real action, but it's hard not to think "Olympics" here in what has arguably become Spain's hottest tourist spot over the past 20 years, since the Olympics changed the way that both the world views Barcelona and Barcelona views the world.
As one tour guide put it to me: Before the Olympics, Barcelona used to live with its back to the water; after the Olympics, it faces the water. Likewise, before the Olympics, Barcelona lived with its back to the world, and since the 1992 Games, the city welcomes the world.
All this becomes clear while touring the famous Sagrada Familia ? the still-unfinished church designed by the iconic architect, Antonio Gaudi ? or by taking a stroll along the Plajita de la Barceloneta, which, pre-1992, was underused waterfront that was redesigned and turned into a beach in anticipation of the Olympics.
Spain, as we all know, is suffering these days. A look at the latest headlines tells us about an unemployment rate nearing 25 percent and a growing number of state-like regions, including Catalonia, where Barcelona is the capital, that can't afford to maintain all the infrastructure that has sprung up over the last two decades or so.
Sad news. And these days, there are big questions as to whether Barcelona can afford to keep its arms open to the world and remain the city it grew into when the Olympics came to town.
?Eddie Pells ? Twitter http://twitter.com/epells
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THIS WAY
London's supremely helpful Olympics staff and volunteers are taking nothing for granted. Everyone in the sprawling media center knows the way to their office by now ? but this man shows no sign he's going away any time soon, despite the heat. See the photo here: pic.twitter.com/CVTRDhhx
?Neil Neusten ? Twitter http://twitter.com/capt_nimmo
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THE QUEEN WILL BE GETTING HIGH
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is about to scale new heights.
Royal officials say the queen will whiz to the top of London's Orbit tower during a visit to the Olympic Park on Saturday.
The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, will take in the panoramic views from atop the 115-meter (380-foot) landmark. The tower ? a ruby red mass of twisting steel that some have likened to a crushed rollercoaster ? has divided opinion: some say bold, others eyesore. The queen will be accompanied by her daughter Princess Anne ? but not by her oldest son Prince Charles, a vocal opponent of edgy modern architecture.
The royals also are due to meet competitors and catering staff at the athletes' village.
?Jill Lawless ? Twitter http://twitter.com/jilllawless
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NO-TWITTER ZONE
What's Britain's star gymnast Louis Smith doing now that he's sworn off Twitter? Shaving his head, apparently.
Smith, who's become a crossover star since winning Britain's first Olympic medal in 80 years in Beijing, showed up for Wednesday's podium training freshly shorn, sporting a military-style flat top. Looks like he's cleaned up the facial hair, too.
Smith said Monday night that he's keeping away from Twitter for the rest of the games.
?Nancy Armour ? Twitter http://twitter.com/nrarmour
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VANTAGE POINT
There are always things happening in the athletes' village, but unless you have the correct accreditation you have no chance of seeing it.
Shoppers at the mall next door, though, have found a little loophole.
One of the entrances is elevated and faces out over the village. This means a constant crowd of shoppers and loiterers standing around in the prime position for a sight of the goings on.
?Fergus Bell ? Twitter http://twitter.com/fergb
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REMEMBERING MUNICH
Widows of two Israeli Olympians killed by Palestinian gunmen at the 1972 Munich Olympics hope silence will speak volumes at Friday's opening ceremony.
Ankie Spitzer and Ilana Romano are asking spectators to stand and hold a minute of silence when International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge rises to speak at Friday's ceremony. They say they want to show the IOC it was wrong to deny the athletes a spot on the program.
"They were killed at an Olympic venue. They should be honored there," said Spitzer, widow of fencing coach Andrei Spitzer, who died in the Munich attack.
They have gathered more than 100,000 signatures for the moment of silence and count President Barack Obama among their supporters.
The IOC has decided against holding a moment of silence during London's opening ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the attack by Palestinian gunmen that killed 11 Israeli team members. Israeli and German government officials and the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee have urged the IOC to hold such an observance.
?Danica Kirka ? Twitter http://twitter.com/danicakirka
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NO STRIKE
Lots of people are coming to London from overseas, and it now looks like they're going to have fewer problems getting in.
A British union has just called off a strike planned for Thursday by immigration staff at London's Heathrow Airport. Authorities had feared a walkout over pay and job losses would throw the Olympics into turmoil. Authorities this week urged the workers to consider the damage such action would inflict on Britain's image with the world watching.
?Raphael Satter ? Twitter http://raphae.li/twitter
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CARTOGRAPHIC CONUNDRUM
When it comes to the Olympics, geography can be politics.
Georgia's National Olympic Committee is fuming over two Russian athletes, born in what was then the Soviet Union's republic of Georgia, describing their place of birth as breakaway republics that Georgia and the international community do not recognize.
"Politics should not meddle in sports," says Georgiy Asanidze, a member of Georgia's Olympic Committee.
The games' official website lists Russian wrestler Besik Kudukhov's place of birth as "South Ossetia, Russia." The place of birth of another wrestler Denis Tsargush, born in the town of Gudauta, is also listed as Russia. Abkhazia and South Ossetia threw off most Georgian control in separatist wars in the 1990s, but Georgian authorities retained control of swaths of South Ossetia and a small piece of Abkhazia until the 2008 war with Russia. Afterward, Russia recognized their independence, as did Nicaragua, Venezuela and a handful of tiny Pacific nations.
?Misha Dzhindzikhashvili, Batumi, Georgia
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THE GREATEST
Will he? Won't he? British newspapers have buzzed with speculation that Muhammad Ali may have a role in London's Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday.
The 1960 heavyweight boxing gold medalist and former world champion is in town this week, but looks far too frail to play a significant part in director Danny Boyle's spectacular on Friday night.
At an award ceremony on Tuesday, Ali was helped onto stage and sat largely motionless. Parkinson's disease has stolen the 70-year-old's once-world-beating strength and quick reflexes and frozen his beautiful face into a mask. Ali did not speak at the ceremony.
Among those who hope Ali will make an appearance, however brief, at the Opening Ceremony is Tyrone Monaghan. His father, Paddy, a bare-knuckle boxer, struck up a long friendship with Ali when both were younger. On visits to Britain, Ali regularly would drop by the Monaghans' house ? to drink tea, chat and even spar with Tyrone.
"There are so many great things about him," Tyrone says of Ali. "You can't sum it up in one sentence."
?John Leicester ? Twitter http://twitter.com/johnleicester
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WEASLEY'S TORCH
At least he'll be right at home with fire.
Among Wednesday's Olympic torch carriers through the streets of London: Rupert Grint, who played Harry Potter's faithful friend Ron Weasley in the Potter movies.
Grint, 23, will be carrying the torch briefly at Middlesex University shortly after lunch.
?Danica Kirka ? Twitter http://twitter.com/danicakirka
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ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Wednesday marks the first day that London's usually aggressive drivers have to respect the unpopular "Games Lanes" ? known informally as Zil lanes, after the Russian limos ? or face a stiff fine.
There were fears of massive tie-ups as two-lane motorways were effectively cut in half to make way for the "Olympic family" vehicles allowed to use the special lanes, so many commuters seem to have switched to public transport to avoid the hassle.
On the A40 highway into central London, rush hour traffic was lighter than usual, and the Zil lane was completely empty save for a few black BMWs and a couple of truck drivers who didn't seem to have got the message.
As the road spilled onto Marylebone Road near Madame Tussauds wax museum, a large electronic sign told motorists they were free to use the Games Lanes at that point, but few ventured over the imposing double-width, solid line painted on the roadway for the Olympics period ? despite the reassurances, they were apparently afraid that London's ubiquitous traffic cameras would cause them to be fined.
Eventually, as traffic slowed and a second sign said all lanes were open, drivers crossed the line and normal traffic patterns resumed.
?Greg Katz ? Twitter http://twitter.com/Gregory_P_Katz
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EDITOR'S NOTE ? "Eyes on London" shows you the Olympics through the eyes of Associated Press journalists across the 2012 Olympic city and around the world. . Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item, and get even more AP updates from the Games here: http://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/eyes-london-wild-phelps-cash-culture-shock-170512509--oly.html
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