Saturday, April 30, 2011

Caterpillar Leads Dow Higher

NEW YORK—Blue chips closed out their best month of the year on Friday, as first-quarter earnings reports sent indexes to fresh multiyear highs.

Blue-chip stocks stepped higher Friday, as Caterpillar's earnings overpowered mixed economic data and the Dow Jones Industrial Average wrapped up the best month of this year. Kristina Peterson has details.

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 47.23 points, or 0.4%, to 12810.54, the highest close since May 2008. The measure surged 4% in April to extend the win streak to a fifth straight month. The Dow is up almost 11% for the year.

Powering the move was Caterpillar's climb of $2.77, or 2.5%, to 115.41, after the maker of construction and mining equipment's earnings and revenue blew past expectations. Merck rose 18 cents, or 0.5%, to 35.95, after the pharmaceutical company's results topped forecasts. Chevron rose 63 cents, or 0.6%, to 109.44, after the oil company's earnings jumped, boosted by higher oil prices and stronger refining margins.

Microsoft sank 79 cents, or 3%, to 25.92 after reporting a decline in sales of its Windows computer operating system.

The Nasdaq Composite Index edged up 1.01 point to 2873.54, the highest close since December 2000. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index rose 3.13, or 0.2%, to 1363.61.

Paul Vigna and John Shipman discuss how earnings are impacting today's trading, why U.S. officials are unfazed about the big slide as well as earnings from Caterpillar and RIM, the maker of BlackBerry.

Investors said the market's monthly rise was sparked by the steady flow of better-than-expected first-quarter earnings reports, which have largely drowned out lingering concerns about the labor market and rising oil prices.

"This rally is being driven by corporate earnings," said Joe Quinlan, chief market strategist at U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management. "That's exactly what we need, because the corporations have the cash and the consumers need to continue to deleverage and get their houses in order."

U.S. economic data were lukewarm on Friday, as Americans' incomes rose 0.5% in March but their spending slowed from a month earlier. When adjusted for inflation, consumer spending rose 0.2% last month.

Separately, a Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan index of consumer sentiment at the end of April came in a hair below the expected 70 reading and the Chicago Purchasing Managers' index for April came in just beneath forecasts.

"There is a recovery in place, but it's going to be sluggish," said Michael Yoshikami, chief investment strategist at YCMNET Advisors. "I do expect you're going to start to see a slowdown, particularly as QE2 goes away in June," he said, referring to the cental bank's bond-buying program. Still, he said the market was finding fresh momentum from the rush of encouraging first-quarter earnings reports.

Research in Motion tumbled 7.94, or 14%, to 48.65 after warning of slack BlackBerry sales.

SunPower jumped 5.57, or 35%, to 21.69, after announcing that French energy giant Total plans to acquire a 60% stake in the U.S. solar-panel maker in a deal that values the company's equity at $2.3 billion and will provide access to credit over the next five years. U.S.-listed shares of Total rose 43 cents, or 0.7%, to 64.23.

Crocs slid 1.18, or 5.5%, to 20.11, after the shoe maker's first-quarter profit more than tripled, but its second-quarter forecast came in slightly below the Street estimate.

Expedia added 34 cents, or 1.4%, to 25.02, after the online travel agent's first-quarter earnings fell 12% on cost increases as the online travel agent's adjusted profit inched lower than expected, but revenue topped analysts' expectations.

Crude-oil prices rose $1.07, or nearly 1%, to $113.93 a barrel, the highest settlement price since September 2008. Gold climbed $25.20, or 1.7% to a record settlement of $1556 a troy ounce.

Demand for U.S. Treasurys rose. The 10-year note rose 5/32, or $1.5625 for each $1,000 invested, pushing the yield down to 3.298%, as prices and yields move inversely.

The U.S. dollar touched the weakest point since July 2008, before rebounding. The euro moved to $1.4810 from $1.4821 late Thursday in New York.

Write to Kristina Peterson at kristina.peterson@dowjones.com

chief market strategist, nasdaq composite index, private wealth management, blue chip stocks, dow jones industrial average, dow jones industrial, john shipman, rising oil prices, highs and lows, corporate earnings, earnings reports, computer operating system, quarter earnings, blue chips, s trading, dow jones, bank of america, mining equipment, windows computer, win streak

Online.wsj.com

Rue Poncelet - Paris (France)

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Rue Poncelet - Paris (France)

Rue Poncelet 07/04/2011 16h11
The market at Rue Poncelet is a favourite neighbourhood market in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. The Rue Poncelet market is particularly inviting as it is a combination of fruit, vegetables and produce stalls lined up alongside some of the best food stores in the city.

Rue Poncelet
Arrondissement: 17me
Quartier: Ternes Plaines-de-Monceau
Dbut: 10 Avenue des Ternes
Fin: 1 Rue Rennequin
Longeur: 370 metres
Largeur: 10 metres
Dnomination: 1868
Gocodification: Ville de Paris 7550 - DGI: 7593
(Source: Wikipedia - Rue Poncelet)

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April

2011

Meteorry

rue poncelet, fruit vegetables, wikipedia, ternes, paris france, arrondissement, food stores, best food, neighbourhood

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Friday, April 29, 2011

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Crest liquor store

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Crest liquor store

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america

continent

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diego

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Where Has Megan Fox's Tattoo Gone?

Megan Fox is known for many things. Her oozing sex appeal, her recent marriage to hubby Brian Austin Green (we support anyone who can wear guyliner proudly), and of course, that big 'ol Marilyn Monroe tattoo. Which is why when we saw this report on the case of Fox's disappearing tattoo, we were surprised the sex symbol would possibly go through laser removal to take off that trademark mug on her arm (especially when it doesn't appear any of her other tattoos are fading with Marilyn).

Related: Expert Q&A Covering Up a Tattoo with Makeup

Fox told Maxim in 2007 regarding her ink, "I’m not kidding when I say that if I ever lose a role because of my tattoos, I’ll quit Hollywood and go to work at Costco." So why the change of heart now?

Related: The A to Z Guide to Great Skin

Are you happy Fox is growing up or did you like her that edgy side to her? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

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Get the Look: Behind the Scenes at Glee's Heather Morris's Flirt! Cosmetics Video

Celebrity Inspiration: Boho Beauties

On Trend: Ponytails with a Twist

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

hearst communications inc, hubby brian, megan fox, costco, brian austin green, laser removal, ponytails, change of heart, sex symbol, glee, maxim, marilyn monroe, many things, tattoos, heather, tattoo, inspiration, amp, cosmetics, marriage

Shine.yahoo.com

White cliffs of Dover

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White cliffs of Dover

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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

113473758OdNxdK_ph

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113473758OdNxdK_ph

Markets of PNG

global-citizen-01.blogspot.com

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new

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Learn to Fly

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Learn to Fly

Trua, doing a bit of "superbaby" posing.

Believe - seaworld Orlando
24th February 2011

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world

seaworld

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superbaby, seaworld, ebook download

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Port or Starboard?

<a href=photo" width="640" height="430">

Port or Starboard?

Photo taken with nikon D300S camera.
Location: Europa Point - Gibraltar

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Nicholas Ferrary

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europa point, camera location, nikon, photo

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Schalke v Manchester United: mascot takes the mickey out of English culture in semi-final build-up

Schalke v Manchester United: mascot takes the mickey out of English culture in semi-final build-up

Schalke&rsquo;s mascot has greeted Manchester United’s fans to Germany by mischievously suggesting they are all called Paul, boast glamour model wives and carry a set of darts with them at all times.

Rory Smith

By Rory Smith 1:01AM BST 26 Apr 2011

Follow Rory Smith on Twitter

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The mascot, a fan called Erwin Koslowski, has used his usual column in the club’s Auf Schalke programme to launch a withering – if not entirely serious - attack on all things English.

“The typical Manc is called Paul,’’ he writes, tongue firmly in furry cheek.

“He always carries his darts in his left trouser pocket and a picture of his bulldog in his right pocket. He has his hair cut to 2mm. His wife is called Samantha and you can find her on Page Three.”

Manchester as a city is pilloried, too, with Erwin - a caricature of a Schalke fan who looks not unlike a camel - suggesting that men and women live apart.

“Men live in Manchester, women in Womanchester,” he informs his readers. “There is a normal Chester, which is made of cheese.”

His targets, though, extend far beyond weak puns, with his attentions turned on subjects as diverse as English cooking, the Royal Wedding and the national football team’s persistent shortcomings.

“Gastronomically, England is far behind everyone,” he says. “The typical national dish is lamb with mint sauce or potatoes with mutton and is always on the menu at every party.

"Weird: they have their chips with vinegar but no froth on the beer. But their beer glasses are bigger - now that’s a good idea.

“The English are really celebrating a wedding this week. No, it’s not Katie Price again. It’s Prince William! Anyway, England is the motherland of football. But they still haven’t got the hang of taking penalties.’’ Fair point: Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher missed them here in the 2006 World Cup.

Schalke insist the column - published in every programme - is intended as humorous. “The man who writes it is a huge Anglophile,” said a club official.

“It is something we do every home game. Everyone in Germany knows it is a joke and that these things are not true.”

national football team, jamie carragher, frank lampard, steven gerrard, mint sauce, national dish, glamour model, beer glasses, rsquo, trouser pocket, english culture, prince william, manc, koslowski, royal wedding, katie price, froth, motherland, mutton, attentions

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Monday, April 25, 2011

Father, mother and son

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Father, mother and son

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the jesus principle

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the jesus principle

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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Anzac Day March, Yarra Junction

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Anzac Day March, Yarra Junction

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Anzac Day
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UitC 2011 323

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UitC 2011 323

Native American Council dancer

The events at the Unity in the Community 2011 celebration at the university of wisconsin, River Falls

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unity in the community, wisconsin river, university of wisconsin, celebration

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Saturday, April 23, 2011

1942 General Diesel Electric 45 Tonner

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1942 General diesel electric 45 Tonner

It is a diesel electric with two 150 HP Cummins diesel engines and two electric traction motors

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Tonner

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T413

photo

T413

T413, hauling the "train of knowledge" passes through South Geelong at 08:30am on the 28th of July, 1978.

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Turbulence

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Turbulence

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Friday, April 22, 2011

Virtual wine region map of Australia

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Virtual wine region map of Australia

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instagram app

square

square format

iphoneography

Normal

virtual wine, wine region, map

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Ah! comme la neige a neig...!!!

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Ah! comme la neige a neig...!!!

Prs de ma rivire sauvage...!!!

Near my wild river...!!!

Title inspired by a poem of Emile Nelligan.

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IMG_1778

neige

snow

tree

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mile Nelligan

Nelligan

poetry

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pome

emile nelligan, wild river, poem

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Never stop thinking

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Never stop thinking

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art

artistica

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ile-de-france

less

colour

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white

blanco

y

negro

b/n

b/w

b

w

paris

rue

de

rivoli

musee

du

louvre

museum

street

calle

museo

multiple

buildings

edificios

gente

people

alpha

sony

a350

lens

lightroom

preset

photoshop

processing

girl

beauty

portrait

chica

mujer

belleza

retrato

never

stop

thinking

nunca

dejar

pensar

mind

interesting

curious

europe

union

travel

trip

vacation

city

live

friends
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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Island in the Sky

photo

Island in the Sky

Canyonlands NP, 2011

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America

Canyonlands NP

Canyonlands National Park

Island in the Sky

Mesa Arch

Stati Uniti

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USA

United States

Utah

np, parkisland

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Libya: France sends military team to rebel territory

Libya: France sends military team to rebel territory

France has sent military advisers into insurgent-held eastern Libya, with Britain and Italy to follow suit, as Tripoli warned foreign boots on the ground would prolong the conflict.

Libya: France sends advisers to rebel territory

Rebels engage soldiers loyal to Col Gaddafi inside a house in Misurata Photo: AFP/GETTY

5:27PM BST 20 Apr 2011

The developments come as the besieged rebel-held city of Misurata desperately pleaded for help against Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces, who have been pounding it for more than six weeks.

The bombardment continued on Wednesday, with loud explosions heard mid-afternoon in Misurata, where there was heavy overnight fighting and from which thousands of people are trying to flee.

And two French Mirage fighter jets believed to be involved in operations against Libya were forced to make emergency landings in Malta on Wednesday after running out of fuel, civil aviation sources said.

In Paris, France's foreign ministry spokesman said: "France has placed a small number of liaison officers alongside our special envoy to Benghazi who are carrying out a liaison mission with the TNC [Transitional National Council].

"The precise objective is to give the TNC essentially technical, logistical and organisational advice to reinforce the protection of civilians and to improve the distribution of humanitarian and medical aid."

The TNC has so far publicly rejected any suggestion of foreign troops on the ground as Nato warplanes enforce a US-mandated no-fly zone designed to protect civilians.

Government spokesman Francois Baroin said "fewer than 10" officers are involved, and repeated France's position: "We are not envisaging troops on the ground, in any shape or form."

Mr Baroin also said France was not seeking a new UN Security Council action that would give the allies a broader mandate to intervene in Libya.

"We are not taking the initiative to seek a new Security Council resolution. The French position is stable and unchanged on this problem of applying Resolution 1973," he said.

The resolution permitted the use of force to protect Libyan civilians, but explicitly forbids a "foreign occupation force" - a phrase some states interpret as banning any ground intervention at all.

The announcement came the day after Britain said it would send advisers to help organise the stalled rebellion.

William Hague, the foreign secretary, said Britain would send 12 military advisers to eastern Libya, but that they would not be involved in training or arming the rebels, or help in planning operations.

"They're not boots on the ground; this is not British ground combat forces going in ... There is going to be no ground invasion of Libya," Mr Hague said.

Mr Hague said the advisers would help rebels develop organisational structures, communications and logistics and coordinate humanitarian aid and medical supplies.

Ignazio La Russa, the Italian defence minister, said his country would also send 10 army advisers to aid the rebels. "There is a clear understanding that the rebels have to be trained," La Russa said.

France and Britain, which launched the first air strikes on March 19, have struggled to convince allies to intensify the air war while NATO commanders are scrambling to obtain even more ground-attack jets.

Abdelati Laabidi, the Libyan Foreign Minister, said: "we think any military presence is a step backwards, and we are sure that if this bombing stopped and there is a real ceasefire we could have a dialogue among all Libyans about what they want - democracy, political reform, constitution, election.

"This could not be done with what is going on now."

He added that if the bombing stopped, after six months there could be a UN supervised election that would cover "whatever issue is raised by Libyans", and that anything could be on the table.

foreign ministry spokesman, col muammar gaddafi, mirage fighter jets, muammar gaddafi, francois baroin, security council resolution, eastern libya, emergency landings, french mirage, loud explosions, libyan leader, government spokesman, fly zone, french position, military advisers, military team, benghazi, liaison officers, un security council, civil aviation

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Claret cup, Echinocereus triglochidiatus

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Claret cup, Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Photographed along the Many Pools route, Zion National Park, Utah.

Photo #3490

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Cactaceae

Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Echinocereus

claret cup

cactus

wfgna

red

6petals

Many Pools

trail

route

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national

park

UT

Utah

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United States

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Hanging Around

photo

Hanging Around

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Paragliding

flying

hanging around

monochrome

black & white

peaceful

coast

Porlock

Porlock Bay

sea

west country

Somerset

Nikon

D50

black & white photos

amp ebook download, photos

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York Railway Station

photo

York Railway Station

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York

Western Australia

Old Machinery

Railway
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How Sky Sports became one of the most influential sports broadcasters over the last 20 years

How Sky Sports became one of the most influential sports broadcasters over the last 20 years

Sit down to watch sport on television in the pre-Sky era, and what did you get? It wasn’t always a box of delights.

How Sky Sports became one of the most influential broadcasters over 20 years

Lights, camera, action: Sky Sports has enjoyed a meteoric rise as a broadcaster Photo: PA

Simon Briggs

By Simon Briggs 9:23PM BST 18 Apr 2011

Follow Simon Briggs on Twitter

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On April 13, 1991, the last Saturday before the launch of Sky Sports, Bob Wilson opened Grandstand with – drum roll, please – the Carlsberg Basketball Championships from Birmingham.

The 1980s may be remembered as a halcyon time for TV sport, but the reality was more complicated.

Until 1989, Test cricket was filmed by one fixed camera allowing a fine view of the batsman’s backside when the bowling was from the wrong end. Football was an occasional visitor to our screens.

In the 1986-87 season, the BBC carried only seven live Division One games, plus seven more from the FA and Littlewoods Cups. Most Saturdays in winter seemed to be filled by Eddie Waring and the rugby league Challenge Cup.

Viewers subsisted on kaleidoscopic multi-sport shows, often having little idea what was coming next.

On Grandstand there might be a 12-minute burst of hockey, followed by a news bulletin and 15 minutes of cricket before the next race from Newbury.

Over on ITV, you had World Of Sport, with Dickie Davies chuckling at the anti-sport known as professional wrestling.

Then, 20 years ago on Wednesday, a brash newcomer arrived in the middle of this cosy garden party. A newcomer with an American accent, at that.

Sky Sports may have been owned by Rupert Murdoch, an Australian media magnate, but its initial ventures into football reeked of transatlantic hype and hubris: fireworks, cheerleaders and pop concerts at half-time.

Today, the trappings may have gone, but Sky Sports has gone on to become one of the greatest media success stories of our age.

That original mould-breaking channel has grown into five (one of which is dedicated to sports news). Sports subscriptions now provide a high proportion of BSkyB’s profits (which were up 26 per cent for the second half of last year, to £520 million).

“I had spent 10 years covering football in Glasgow,” says Andy Melvin, Sky Sports’ deputy managing director, “where everyone looked down on sports broadcasting as an irrelevance.

"TV then was dominated by luvvies and by news junkies, neither of whom had the slightest interest in sport. But then I joined Sky and felt we had been given this incredible opportunity.

“I went in to see Dave Hill, this flamboyant, larger-than-life Aussie who had been brought in to run the channel, for a production meeting about how we were going to cover football. He presented me with a blank sheet of paper and said, 'Just make it ------- good!’”

Teething troubles

Looking back, it would be easy to imagine that Sky Sports was always destined to rule the world. And yet, that first year was a nervy time in Isleworth. Between 1988 and 1992, ITV held the rights to Division One football. Murdoch’s newbies had to make do with cast-offs like the ZDS Cup and Autoglass Trophy.

“What’s the difference between Sky and the Loch Ness Monster?” ran a joke of that period. “Some people have seen the Loch Ness Monster.” Losses were mounting up at £14 million per week and subscriber numbers were anaemic.

Matthew Engel, who is editing a new book on TV sport, has described how, in 1990, the Pittsburgh National Bank came within a couple of hours of foreclosing on a £5 million loan that could have brought the whole structure crashing down.

“The chairman of this piddly little bank refused to speak to Murdoch,” Engel said. “So Murdoch spoke to the chief loans officer instead. He begged. And he prevailed. The debt was rescheduled.”

It is interesting to speculate what might have become of British broadcasting if Sky had been forced into liquidation that day.

But it wasn’t, and in May 1992 Sky reached its defining moment: the £304 million deal that claimed live rights to the five seasons of Premier League football, while handing highlights to the BBC.

“When the Premier League came along, Murdoch took all the chips, put them on black, and said, 'Right, spin the wheel’,” says Melvin.

“It was a huge gamble, and the sceptics said, 'This will be ---- TV, real lowbrow stuff’. But we were a team of football people, making programmes for football people, and we were determined to make it work.”

A BROADCASTING REVOLUTION

Terrestrial sporting output had traditionally been based around highlights (hence the famous Likely Lads episode of 1973, in which they tried to get through the day without discovering the result of an England football international).

Sky quickly saw that the real mileage was in live events, which it had the luxury to be able to carry in full, with two-hour build-ups and lengthy post-match punditry.

With Grandstand, the clue was in the title: the viewer was meant to feel that he or she was watching from the stands. Sky, with its far bigger budgets and technical know-how, gave you the kind of view once restricted to the players themselves.

TV professionals on other channels groused about what they would be able to do with all those extra resources (Sky’s outside broadcast units were running 16 cameras to the BBC’s five from the start of the Premier League).

But it was more than sheer financial grunt that marked the newcomers out; it was innovation too.

Back in 1992, Hill himself was responsible for placing the clock and scoreline – a simple but incredibly effective device – in the corner of the screen during football games.

The same year saw the introduction of “Steadicam”, the stabilising bodysuit that allows cameramen to rush up and down the touchlines without making viewers feel sick (and which is now used in big-budget movies like the Harry Potter series).

More recently, cricket’s executive producer Barney Francis (who has since been promoted to the role of Sky Sports’ managing director), had the idea of adapting the ultra-slow-motion cameras used for crash-testing vehicles.

This was soon nicked by Channel Four, whose Ashes coverage of 2005 was studded with images of Shane Warne’s arm inching its way towards the vertical.

All these ideas have now been adopted across the board. Can you imagine watching a football match today without a clock and scoreline?

Steadicam operators brave Rooney-esque rants at every football game, whether carried by Sky or anyone else. Ultra-slow-motion was all over the recent cricket World Cup.

You might say: “This has nothing to do with me, I won’t have Sky in the house.” But whether you own a dish or not, it would be futile to deny that Sky Sports has been a game-changer.

That brash, American-inflected upstart now calls the shots for British sport.
Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

crayon

photo

crayon

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France

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Canon

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Chased by an Elephant

photo

Chased by an Elephant

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Monday, April 18, 2011

Los Angeles City Hall on Sunday's sunset

photo

Los Angeles City Hall on Sunday's sunset

To best appreciate this photograph, click on the picture to view it large on black. You'll be glad you did!

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Col Gaddafi refuses calls for ceasefire

Col Gaddafi refuses calls for ceasefire

Col Muammar Gaddafi is refusing United Nations calls for a ceasefire to allow aid into the beleaguered city of Misurata according to a senior envoy.

Col Muammar Gaddafi is refusing United Nations calls for a ceasefire to allow aid into the beleaguered city of Misurata according to a senior envoy.

A baby hit by shrapnel in Misurata Photo: GETTY

Ben Farmer

By Ben Farmer, Benghazi 4:44PM BST 18 Apr 2011

Follow Ben Farmer on Twitter

Baroness Amos, the UN&rsquo;s head of humanitarian relief, said she had personally asked ministers in Tripoli to end fighting so supplies could enter and trapped civilians could leave.

Misurata has been cut off and shelled for two months and rebel leaders told the Daily Telegraph aid ships were refusing to enter while the port was being hit by Col Gaddafi’s artillery.

Baroness Amos said: “We got no guarantees with respect to my call for an overall cessation of hostilities to allow people to move and allow people to deliver supplies.” The former Labour minister said her delegation had met the Libyan prime minister, foreign minister and health minister in Tripoli on Sunday for talks.

They had agreed to open a UN humanitarian office in the Libyan capital and said an assessment team could travel to Misurata to judge the aid needed.

“Different parts of the city are controlled by different people and we have very little sense of what’s going on,” she said.

At least 4,000 refugees, who are mainly African migrant labourers, were still waiting to leave the town.

However, it was unclear if the United Nations team could enter while the town was engulfed in fighting which doctors estimate has killed at least 600 and left 3,000 wounded.

Baroness Amos said: “We will try to carry out that needs assessment as quickly as possible, but you will know that the security situation is such that that may be difficult to do.” Her comments seemed at odds with the Gaddafi regime’s declaration on Sunday that it was ready to allow humanitarian assistance to reach the city of 500,000.

The port district of Ghasr Ahmad has been under barrage from loyalist Grad rockets in recent days killing dozens of civilians and damaging port buildings and ships according to reports.

The city’s only lifeline is a trickle of fishing boats carrying supplies and arms across the Gulf of Sirte from Benghazi and occasional international aid ships sailing from Turkey, Malta and Qatar.

Dr Suleiman Fortia, Misurata’s representative on the rebels’ national council, said: “The harbour is under shelling which is frightening the humanitarian vessels.

“They come near to the port and then they find the situation is not safe so they go away until it’s suitable.” Last week, the Daily Telegraph saw Misurata’s defenders were well-organised and holding their ground, but short of medical supplies. Power was rationed and food stocks were also dwindling they said.

muammar gaddafi, gaddafi regime, baroness amos, libyan capital, migrant labourers, united nations team, labour minister, misurata, rsquo, daily telegraph, rebel leaders, assessment team, humanitarian relief, health minister, humanitarian assistance, security situation, shrapnel, ceasefire, hostilities, tripoli

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Dialed In looms one to beat

Trainer Nick Zito got some good news and some bad news following last Saturday's final round of major prep races for the May 7 Kentucky Derby, the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

The good news: Zito's colt Dialed In will be the Derby favorite, somewhere in the 4-1/9-2 range, looking to give the Hall-of-Fame horseman his third victory in the Run for the Roses, and his first since Go for Gin in 1994.

The bad news: Dialed In will be favored for the Derby in a year when the Triple Crown trail is littered with favorites who flopped in major preps: Uncle Mo in the Wood Memorial, Soldat in the Florida Derby, Brethren in the Tampa Bay Derby and Tapizar in the Robert B. Lewis, to name a few.

The Factor, 4-5 in the Arkansas Derby, and Santiva, 2-1 in the Blue Grass, were the latest victims. The Factor, trying a mile-and-an-eighth for the first time off front-running wins in the San Vicente and Rebel, never made the lead this time, chasing the quick pace set by JP's Gusto. He made a move on the far turn under Martin Garcia but flattened out in the stretch to finish seventh.

Trainer Bob Baffert speculated that The Factor flipped his palate early in the race and could not get his air. Whether he'll still run in the Derby is undecided; but if he goes, it's hard to see him winning off this non-effort.

Two late-blooming colts did emerge from the Arkansas Derby looking like late-running threats on the first Saturday in May. Archarcharch, third in the Rebel after his chances were compromised when the horse next to him flipped in the starting gate, closed resolutely to take command in the final furlong, then held off the furious late charge of Nehro, who fell short by a neck for the second time in a row after just missing in the Louisiana Derby. The final time was a solid 1:49.34.

Santiva, who in his only other start this year was second in the Feb. 19 Risen Star, was also making his first start at a mile-and-an-eighth. He also had a rough trip ("bothered at the start" . . . "pinned up in midstretch," reads the Equibase chart footnote) and trailed home ninth. His Derby status is also undetermined.

As is often the case since Keeneland switched its main surface to Polytrack five years ago, horses with proven form on synthetics and/or turf dominated the Blue Grass. Brilliant Speed, 19-1 off a pair of photo-finish losses on the Gulfstream lawn, won by the bob of a nose over 24-1 Twinspired, third last out in the Spiral on Polytrack at Turfway Park, with the good grass horse King Congie, 13-1, a head back in third. Following a much slower pace than in the Arkansas Derby, they went the distance in 1:50.92.

ed.fountaine@nypost.com

trainer nick zito, trainer bob baffert, blue grass stakes, oaklawn park, final furlong, nehro, louisiana derby, arkansas derby, prep races, rough trip, run for the roses, first saturday, hall of fame, horseman, kentucky derby, san vicente, triple crown, last saturday, palate, soldat

Nypost.com

Manchester City v Manchester United: Dimitar Berbatov fails to rise to the task

Manchester City v Manchester United: Dimitar Berbatov fails to rise to the task

There was no Wayne Rooney and no Carlos Tévez but there was a raw, gripping contest in which, emphatically, Manchester United missed their main striker more.

Dimitar Berbatov - Manchester City v Manchester United: Bulgarian fails to rise to the task

Sitter: Dimitar Berbatov buries his face after missing a golden opportunity to put United in front Photo: Action Images

Jason Burt

By Jason Burt 10:20PM BST 16 Apr 2011

Follow Jason Burt on Twitter

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The way things have gone of late at United suggest their title hopes lie with Javier Hernández, not Rooney, yet the young Mexican was placed on the bench as Sir Alex Ferguson put his trust in Dimitar Berbatov.

It didn’t work, though it maybe should have done. After all, Berbatov is the Premier League's top-scorer, with 21 goals, two ahead of Tévez. Yet he wasted two gilt-edged chances and contributed little. If Berbatov endured a difficult evening, however, United's defeat was also a collective failing.

Paul Scholes, playing almost certainly his last Manchester derby, and still crazy even in his 37th year, will have to look long and hard at his behaviour after an utterly avoidable dismissal at a vital time.

His partner in central midfield, Michael Carrick, played the kind of flaky pass that has undermined his career and handed Manchester City the winning goal. That came just as Carrick seemed have recovered his confidence in recent weeks.

Patrice Evra had a torrid game, John O’Shea contributed little, Nani and Antonio Valencia failed to penetrate. It was that kind of contest for the champions-elect, the Champions League semi-finalists and formerly the Treble-chasers.

It wasn’t a capitulation but by the end City, who had started so weakly, were worthy winners and probably should have won by a more convincing score.

How delicious this victory is for them. It doesn’t win a trophy but it takes the honours. Manager Roberto Mancini had talked grandly of changing history and, as impossible as that is, everyone knew what he meant. He had talked the talk and last night his players delivered, albeit aided by their opponents.

Maybe the exertions have caught up on United. Maybe Rooney, who sat on the bench, shifting his weight nervously, with the players who had missed the cut for the match-day squad, was missed too much as he served the second game of his two-match ban for swearing into a television camera.

He has become the play-maker, the orchestrator with Hernández working wonderfully with him. It is, right now, an irreplaceable pairing in the big matches. The absence of Ryan Giggs was also, perhaps, underestimated.

Maybe Berbatov was suffering from ring rust. He certainly gives that impression at the best of times and his biggest crime yesterday wasn’t the misses, his sluggish play nor, amazingly for him, the lack of surety in his first touch. The offence was how he allowed his head to drop after those misses and how he therefore let his team down.

His contribution revolved around the events of the 15th minute. Twice Berbatov should have provided United with an early advantage. First, they capitalised, wonderfully, with quick one-touch football, after Gareth Barry’s terrible back pass, to carve the striker free only for Joe Hart to save superbly. The slick inter-play between Carrick, Scholes and Ji-sung Park was exceptional. Then Nani turned sharply to cross low and Berbatov stole in front of Aleksandar Kolarov, only to steer his shot over from about four yards.

Had he scored with either chance, the sense was that City, struggling to gain a foothold in the tie, would have been overwhelmed and condemned to a defeat that would have reverberated throughout the club, undermining Mancini and their ambitions.

But the misses hurt Berbatov, who was also feeling sore when he reached a header but his nose crashed into Pablo Zabaleta’s skull. The United striker had cotton buds stuffed up his nose, even though there didn’t appear blood to stem, and seemed to lose a little heart. He was distracted. Maybe, with a lack of support, he was also let down by those around him. His lack of pace was evident as he ran on to Nani’s first-time pass, only to be easily held off by the excellent Vincent Kompany while soon after he was played out wide, only to screw his cross behind the goal. Then, Berbatov brought the ball down with a typically precise first touch only for the ball to bounce off his knee and out of play.

Ferguson’s response to Yaya Touré’s goal, appallingly set up by Carrick with a lazy pass aimed for Scholes, was to send out his substitutes to warm up, with Anderson and Michael Owen joining Hernández.

Soon the Mexican was on but after Hart brilliantly pushed Nani’s free kick on to the crossbar, United were hamstrung by Scholes’ red card for a studs-up challenge planted into Zabaleta’s right thigh. Retribution for an earlier lunge by the City defender, it was utterly stupid and also led to Berbatov’s substitution.

Predictably, Hernández was making a difference and Ferguson would not have been the only one in the stadium thinking that this striker would have taken at least one of those two chances presented to Berbatov.

Hernández wriggled free down the right. His shot was blocked but, down to 10 men, United were struggling to gain the kind of momentum they needed to force back a team as organised and physically imposing as City.

United were spent. They failed to threaten and that will have hurt Ferguson the most. Last night belonged to his noisy neighbours.

sir alex ferguson, dimitar berbatov, patrice evra, michael carrick, central midfield, roberto mancini, paul scholes, alex ferguson, jason burt, wayne rooney, top scorer, worthy winners, vital time, photo action, action images, semi finalists, title hopes, capitulation, manchester united, golden opportunity

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Clark Gardens 041711 191

photo

Clark Gardens 041711 191

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Texas

USA

Miguel Mendoza

Clark Gardens

Botanical Park

Weatherford

Mineral Wells

Secret Garden

Parque Botnico

Jardin Botnico

Botanico

Jardin

Jardin Secreto

Texas Gem

Texas Jewel

Nature

Naturaleza

Minolta AF 100mm F2.8 Macro (D)

Sony

Alpha

A700

Sony Alpha A700

Ave

Bird

Pjaro

oiseau

Vogel

aus

pssaro

Pajaro

uccello

птица

guinea Fowl

Gallina de Guinea

100mm, guinea online

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Courval - IMG7712

photo

Courval - IMG7712

Canada Geese on the frozen river near Courval, SK

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gmpentaxfan

Courval

Saskatchewan

Canada

spring

water

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson blames Paul Scholes' 'red mist' for FA Cup semi sending off

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson blames Paul Scholes' 'red mist' for FA Cup semi sending off

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Paul Scholes had another of his "red-mist moments" after the midfielder was sent off in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester City.

Alex Ferguson - Alex Ferguson blames Paul Scholes' 'red mist' for cup semi sending off

Costly errors: Alex Ferguson bemoaned individual mistakes for Manchester United's FA Cup semi final defeat Photo: REUTERS

By Telegraph staff and agencies 11:48AM BST 17 Apr 2011

Scholes was dismissed for a thigh-high lunge on Pablo Zabaleta as United tried to fight their way back into Saturday's clash at Wembley. The red card proved costly, with City holding on to win 1-0 to end their arch-rivals' treble bid and reach their first cup final for 30 years.

United manager Ferguson insisted Scholes' sending off "didn't kill the game" because the 10 men piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

The Scot said: "We've seen over his career Paul has had unbelievable moments – he's one of the greatest players this club has ever had. But he has his red-mist moments – he caught the boy on the thigh."

Ferguson blamed the defeat on the slack defending which led to Yaya Toure's winner, as well as two misses from Dimitar Berbatov.

"The first 15 minutes after half-time cost us the game," Ferguson said. "Slack moments. Edwin (van der Sar) had a bad kick out and Michael Carrick couldn't hold it and it was a goal.

"From then on, they were defending apart from a couple of counter-attacks. It's disappointing as we should've been ahead in the first half as we were the better team.

"The chances that Dimitar missed – there was a great save by the goalkeeper but the second chance, from under the bar, if he'd have scored there, I had a feeling whoever scored first would win the match."

Ferguson challenged his players, who had won their previous seven matches, to bounce back in Tuesday night's Premier League game at Newcastle.

"It's a major game on Tuesday up at Newcastle," he told MUTV. "We're getting recovered to get ready for the game on Tuesday. It doesn't matter when you play, you know you've got to recover and get on a winning streak again."

United defender Nemanja Vidic echoed his manager's sentiments that all focus must now turn to Tuesday's league match.

The Serbia defender said: "We lost a moment's concentration and conceded a goal in the process. Then when you go down to 10 men it difficult to get many chances against City.

"In the first half we played some good football. We had two or three chances but didn't take them. Then in the second half when we lost a goal, it was difficult to take. Obviously when you are playing with 10 men you are chasing the game.

"We have to think about the next game against Newcastle especially after losing the semi-final to City. It will be a very important game for us.

"We still have many games to play. Obviously the next one is the most important one. We have to play the best we can and win that game."

sir alex ferguson, dimitar berbatov online, edwin van der sar, alex ferguson, michael carrick, paul scholes, pablo zabaleta, telegraph staff, arch rivals, red mist, costly errors, van der sar, league game, manchester city, manchester united, goalkeeper, midfielder, lunge, second chance, slack

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Friday, April 15, 2011

Frog or Toad Sculpture

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frog or Toad Sculpture

A set of water Sculptures at Brickfield Pool Nature Reserve in Rhyl, North Wales.

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April

Spring

Nature

Wildlife

Brickfield

Pool

Reserve

Sculpture

Water

Lake

Frog

Toad

water sculptures, pool nature, north wales, rhyl, nature reserve, toad, frog

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Rolleinature 06

photo

Rolleinature 06

Rolleicord Va

Ilford Fp4+ @ 125
Kodak HC-110 Dil. B

zoso74.blogspot.com/

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staccionata

legno

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fp4

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120

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squared

medio formato

medium format

kodak

hc110

pellicola

film

negativo

bianco

nero

black

white

analogico

analog
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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Schalke manager Ralf Rangnick still looking for goals despite holding 5-2 first-leg lead over Inter Milan

Schalke manager Ralf Rangnick still looking for goals despite holding 5-2 first-leg lead over Inter Milan

Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick wants his team to dominate the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against holders Inter Milan as much as they did the first, which they won 5-2 at the San Siro.

Schalke manager Ralf Rangnick still looking for goals despite holding 5-2 first-leg lead over Inter Milan

Feeling confident: Ralf Ragnick was feeling understandably confident ahead of the visit of Inter Milan thanks to his team's 5-2 first-leg lead Photo: AFP/ GETTY IMAGES

By Telegraph staff and agencies 7:27PM BST 12 Apr 2011

Rangnick has injected a winning mentality since taking over, following the triumph in Italy by erasing the club’s Bundesliga relegation fears with a win against Wolfsburg last weekend.

“We are leading 5-2 at half-time. Now we have to go out and be equally dominant as in Milan. We will play as if it is 0-0,” said Rangnick, who took over late last month after his predecessor, Felix Magath, had steered Schalke to the last eight.

Inter became the first team defending the European Cup to concede five goals in a match home or away, adding to the pressure on coach Leonardo, the second man in the hot seat since José Mourinho after Rafa Benitez’s departure in December.

Schalke have won all of their three games under Rangnick and the 52 year-old said they could triumph again as they attempt to reach their first Champions League semi-final.

“We are very near,” he said. “Inter have a great offence but are vulnerable at the back. Because Inter will come out attacking we will have spaces. We want to use them.”

Defender Benedikt Höwedes said: “We have taken a lot of confidence from our win against Wolfsburg. Now we have the necessary calm for the game against Inter.”

Hoewedes is again expected to be partnered in central defence by rookie Joël Matip instead of former Germany international Christoph Metzelder.

Rangnick will likely use 19-year-old defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos in a holding midfield role just as he has done in the past two matches, while Brazilian Edu, who scored twice in the first leg, should again partner Raul up front.

Inter restored some pride after an awful week by beating Chievo 2-0 in Serie A on Saturday but the holders know they have a difficult task in Gelsenkirchen.

Striker Samuel Eto’o has not given up hope though, according to coach Leonardo.

“Inside I believe that anything is possible,” the manager said. “I believe it and the players believe it too. Eto’o perhaps believes it more than anyone.

“He has plenty of comeback tales and he has played a part in lots of them. He told us all about them and they were great to hear.”

Inter’s Argentina defender, Walter Samuel, has been included in their squad after missing the last five months because of a cruciate ligament injury.

Doctors had expected the centre back to be out for the season after reconstructive surgery but the 33 year-old, who suffered a similar problem in 2007, has quickly recovered having collapsed to the ground in agony against Brescia in November.

Playmaker Wesley Sneijder was included in the squad despite a bout of flu Cristian Chivu, sent off in the 3-0 derby loss to AC Milan earlier this month, is banned following his red card in the first leg but Lucio is available after serving a European suspension.

Schalke (probable, 4-4-2): Neuer; Uchida, Hoewedes, Matip, Sarpei; Jurado, Farfan, Papadopoulos, Baumjohann; Edu, Raul.

Inter Milan (probable, 4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Ranocchia, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Motta, Cambiasso; Stankovic; Eto’o, Milito.

christoph metzelder, felix magath, rafa benitez, san siro, telegraph staff, ralf rangnick, inter milan, central defence, papadopoulos, second man, hot seat, mourinho, relegation, three games, midfield, bundesliga, champions league, mentality, offence, predecessor online

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Itsy Bitsy

photo

Itsy Bitsy

My write up on photographing the new Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas here

On the weekend of November 20-21, 2010, I was invited to photograph the new Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas prior to their opening December 15, 2010 in Las Vegas NV.

This set of images represents my efforts that weekend to showcase this newest resort property opening up on the Las Vegas Strip. Thanks to David Scherer from The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for showing me around, to Miiko Mentz at Katalyst Films for helping to arrange the shoot, and to my wife for modeling for me.

To learn more about The Cosmpolitan of Las Vegas, check out their website here or their Facebook page here.

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Clark County

Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan Hotel

Las Vegas

Nevada

The Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan Hotel

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

USA

United States

United States of America

Vegas

pool

swimming pool

david scherer, katalyst films, cosmpolitan, mentz, vegas strip, cosmopolitan, vegas nv, las vegas, showcase, pool, images

Flickr.com

Child & Dolphins

photo

Child & Dolphins

Madrid
April
2011

Don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my permission.
© All rights reserved.

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Dario

Erreeigriega

Geaerreceia

Erre

Eigriega

Rey

Garcia

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Aplha

550

zoo

zoologico

zoologic

park

parque

animal

fauna

vegetation

vegetacion

nature

naturaleza

madrid

spain

espaa

dolphins

delfines

nia

child

kid

girl

chica

water

blue

agua

azul

spectacle

espectaculo

jumping

saltando

jump

salto

vuelo

fly
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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Mimic @ Circular Quay

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Mimic @ Circular Quay

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Australia 2010

Circular Quay

Sydney
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"Come Back Here!"

photo

"Come Back Here!"

Fulica atra

A rather annoyed Coot, which was chasing another.
It's interesting how they would run along the top of the water rather than fly.

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Coot

European Coot

Fulica atra

Fulica

Atra

Rail

Bird

Birds

Water

Splashes

Running

Reflection

EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

coot, fly

Flickr.com

Josephine Ford

photo

Josephine Ford

Richard E. Byrd claimed to have flown over the North Pole in the Fokker F.VIIa/3m Josephine Ford on May 9, 1926, a few days before Roald Amundsen accomplished the feat in the airship Norge.

Press L for a larger view

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mi

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Dail Beag Beach

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Dail Beag Beach

Beag means small - Mor means, well more. This is the delightful small beach on the Isle of Lewis has so much interest - great sands, beautiful waves, a little stream and many rocks of all shapes and sizes.

This was one of my early pictures of the beach on a Light and Land tour. A brilliant experience

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craigwilliamsgallery

craigwilliams

canon50d

beach

canon

20mmf28usm

seaside

sea

IsleofLewis

LightandLand

DailBeag
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Monday, April 11, 2011

Manchester United v Chelsea: Sir Alex Ferguson's prayers answered with Rio Ferdinand's return

Manchester United v Chelsea: Sir Alex Ferguson's prayers answered with Rio Ferdinand's return

For all of Rio Ferdinand’s fitness problems in recent seasons, one statistic underlines precisely why Sir Alex Ferguson admitted to ‘praying’ that the Manchester United defender would return from his ten-week injury lay-off in last Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea.

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TelegraphPlayer-8443395

Mark Ogden

By Mark Ogden 11:00PM BST 11 Apr 2011

Mark's Twitter

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Prior the 1-0 first-leg victory at Stamford Bridge, Ferdinand, cursed by back, knee and calf injuries for the past two years, had made 20 appearances for United this season and emerged unbeaten in each one.

Wayne Rooney’s goal six days ago ensured another game was added to Rio’s run, but the 32-year-old defender’s unflappable performance alongside Nemanja Vidic was the foundation on which United’s potentially decisive victory was built.

“That was probably one of Rio’s best performances in a United jersey,” Ferguson said. “He was absolutely magnificent.

“But I knew it would happen because all the incentives were there. The adrenaline of coming back into the team, the importance of the occasion, it was perfect for Rio.”

Since sustaining a calf injury during the pre-match warm-up prior to United’s defeat – their first in the league this season – against Wolves at Molineux on Feb 5, Ferdinand has endured one of the darkest periods of his career.

Relieved of the England captaincy without so much as a phone call from Fabio Capello, Ferdinand also had to contend with Ferguson’s public admission that he feared the player’s injury would end his involvement this season.

Doubts over his long-term future for club and country had resurfaced, but Ferguson insists that Ferdinand’s experience and authority remain priceless commodities when the £30m is fit.

Ferguson said: “Chris Smalling’s performances this season have been brilliant, but I was praying Rio would be fit for last week's game because of what he give us in composure and talking to the players around him.

"We don't expect Smalling, at 21 years of age, to be directing and instructing players, but Rio does that really well. He has composure on the ball, doesn't panic and handled everything.

“That's why I was confident when he said to me, on the Sunday, that he was ready to play. He came across on a (golf) buggy to a youth team game and I said, 'this bugger wants to play, I can tell.’

"You drive half a mile from the training complex to the youth team game for one reason, and I was really pleased."

Ferdinand’s ability to cope with United’s demanding fixture list remains an issue and Ferguson’s decision to rest him against Fulham at the weekend was significant.

Next season, if Ferdinand’s fitness enables him to remain at Old Trafford, the former Leeds defender can expect more of the same, with his appearances tailored to suit, and protect, his physical condition.

Smalling is likely to be given the opportunity to continue to his progress, with Ferguson keen to add another central defender to his squad, but Ferdinand insists he is able to quickly find his feet after absences from the starting line-up.

“As the manager has said, the players know the club, and our roles, inside out.” Ferdinand said. “Just because you are injured, you don't lose sight of what you are doing at the club.

“You keep your eye in, you watch the matches here at Old Trafford. It is just about going out there and putting it into practice. You don’t lose sight of where you’re at.

“I had a few good days training with the team and, when you’re playing around quality players like we have here, it makes it easier.

“I think you just have to have confidence in your own ability. I deemed myself fit to play and from then on, it is all about having the confidence in your own ability to go out there and perform.”

Ferdinand concedes, however, that he felt the need to convince Ferguson of his fitness ahead of the Chelsea game. “I actually did go over there just to watch the youth games to be honest with you, but when I saw the manager's grey puffa jacket, I did make a bit of a beeline to him.” Ferdinand said.

“Just to make sure there were no grey areas and he knew I was definitely feeling I was right.

“A lot of people do that. I’m sure the boss has had loads of people come up to him and say 'Listen I am fit if you are in two minds about whether you are thinking of playing me'. I wanted to make sure he knew that.”
Telegraph.feedsportal.com

WELCOME TO 5POINTZ

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WELCOME TO 5POINTZ

Help me naming atwork and artists
************************************
Just blocks from P.S. 1 is 5 Pointz, the Institute of Higher Burnin'. Not a museum or gallery, 5 Pointz is a living collage of graffiti art covering a converted warehouse full of artist studios. The art of famous and novice graffiti artists covers the building's facade, all done with the encouragement of the building's owner. It's a well-known sight from the elevated 7 subway, which runs behind 5 Pointz.
Admire the art all around the outside, or head upstairs to the roof for more graffiti and great views of LIC and Manhattan.

Visiting Times: Informally open mornings and afternoons during the week and on weekends. Occasional events on the weekend.

Cost: Free

Address: 5 Pointz, Jackson Avenue at Crane Street and Davis Street, the whole block, Long Island City, NY 11101

queens.about.com/od/thingtodo/ss/lic_art_2.htm

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5 POINTS

5POINTZ

5PTZ

FIVE POINTZ

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GRAFF

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GRAFFS

New York

NEW YORK CITY

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STREET ART

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USA

graffiti art, crane street online, graffiti artists, head upstairs, open mornings, occasional events, artist studios, jackson avenue, atwork, facade, afternoons, collage, encouragement, long island city, long island city ny, novice, long island, subway, manhattan, ss

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