Earlier this month, a Houston police officer put a gun to his head and killed himself.

The suicide, the fourth by an HPD officer this year and the 42nd since the department began keeping records in 1971, is evidence of the challenge the department’s Psychological Services Unit faces.

“It reminds us that suicide is still a serious issue,” said Dr. Verdi Lethermon, director of the center since 2005. “And we’re more committed to improving the mechanism that would get them here.”

Lethermon said the unit’s rules ensuring confidentiality do not allow her to confirm whether any of the four officers had come in for counseling.

But she noted that 90 percent of the 33 officers who committed suicide since 1979 did not seek help at the city-funded unit, an indication of the aversion officers have to seeking psychiatric help.

“There’s still a huge stigma we have to overcome about coming to this office to get treatment,” said Lethermon, a clinical psychologist. “Officers are very worried, and to some degree fearful, that their job security might be in jeopardy and their fellow officer might think less of them. We reassure them about the confidentiality and emphasize it takes courage to come to counseling.”

The unit was established in January 1979, by former police Chief Harry Caldwell after six officers killed themselves in two years.

The four male officers who died this year “had all lost something,” Lethermon said.

“The losses included relationships, reputation, health, identity — those are the big four,” she said. “Suicide doesn’t occur without warning; people just don’t always see the warning signs.”

HPD officials say it appears the suicide of a 39-year-old officer who shot himself this month was related to marital problems.

Service is free

The Psychological Services Unit is housed in an airy office building in north Houston, where police officers, their spouses and children receive free counseling services.

In addition to individual counseling, Lethermon and five other psychologists teach classes to cadets and classified officers, screen recruits for psychological fitness, and perform mandatory sessions with officers involved in shootings.

Lethermon said most clients struggle with the same problems as the public.

“Police officers aren’t cut out of a different cloth that makes them immune to the kinds of ordinary problems everybody deals with,” Lethermon said. “They have the marital difficulties, the child-rearing problems, they have the anger management, stress management kinds of problems, they get depressed, anxious.”

Embarrassed to get help

Gary Blankenship, president of the Houston Police Officers Union, said the unit does a good job but agreed that officers often are reluctant to go there.

“Because of the shift work and all the traumatic events officers witness on a day-to-day basis, those things bleed over into your home life,” he said.

“There’s a lot of stress. Sometimes these guys get to a breaking point and need to sit down with a professional and get some help.”

Blankenship said the unit has a good reputation within the rank and file, but many officers are embarrassed to seek counseling.

“The obstacle to getting help is the fear by officers of what their peers might think, that they’re weak or there will be an adverse reaction in the workplace if there is a psychological problem,” he said.

Mandatory assistance

Counseling after a shooting is mandatory, and officers say it helps.

“Just having the resources, that if you need them they are available, that helps a lot,” said officer John Miller, who killed an armed suspect in the late 1980s.

Miller went to an apartment complex in northwest Houston to investigate a call about a disturbance with a firearm.

When he opened the door of his patrol car, he said, he saw the gunman and heard the shots fired that killed the gunman’s wife and her teen-age daughter.

“I pulled my weapon and yelled at him,” Miller recalled. “He turned to me and shot three times, and I shot once and hit him.”

Miller said the post-shooting counseling was “a routine deal,” adding that psychologists asked if he was troubled by the shooting and warned that he may have problems dealing with the incident later.

“It was something that I didn’t have time to think about. It just happened real quick,” Miller said. “It was something I had to do, and I’ve never had any negative reflections on it since.”

By James Pinkerton

LINK

Thanksgiving was yesterday… I am still awestruck because it was actually a lot of fun. For the first time in many years I enjoyed the company of my mothers side of the family. It was a traditional thanksgiving dinner but my Cuban mother threw in some good Spanish dishes. The food was all fabulous … I gave my sister a hug and a kiss before I left and it was also for the first time in a long time not forced. Her boyfriend was there his name is Will and I expected him to be a total creep…. But he was actually really nice, he has a bit of a speech impediment but he at least seems like a nice guy. My step dad stayed pretty much out of the way of everything and did not have the autocratic presence he usually does. This is also the first family function I have been to since I escaped from my moms house last year… Yeah escaped. My next thanksgiving is with the Millers out in the boondocks, I have the car ready to go and now I am just waiting for the call from Lexie. I have already eaten to much…. I can’t believe I was able to enjoy thanksgiving. I guess it is true what they say about space fixing family problems =).
Well I jsut woke up around 12:30am it is still “today” so I have time to get this blog entry in! Last ngiht with Lexie was a lot of fun, I drove her and her siblings way out into the boonies to her uncle Steve’s place. The car ride there was funny Eli showed us he can’t count very well and Xylie just kinda laughed at him. I found it funny that I was going 80mph down a dark curvy road just to keep up with Lexie’s parents ><. When we finally got to steve's place everyone was there and there was a ton of food. I was already pretty stuffed from the night before and couldn't eat much. Haze the puppy (not actually a puppy per say) was adorable and calm as usually, sonny the doxin was also cute as can be. It is sad because you can tell that both dogs are still getting over Lincolns death… The time at Steve's house as a whole was pretty fun right as uncle Pete and aunt Sandra were leaving Lex and I took off, but not before she beat my high score on paper toss.
What happened next was strange, Lex navigated me back to Gainesville; which is typical because I have no sense of direction, and we found a dark place to well… "watch the submarine races." Long story short after some fancy positoning the sex was FANTASTIC, Lex was really into it and it was hot and heavy like it is suppose to be =). Afterwards Lex and I just lied down with each other and cuddled in the warm slightly humid SUV… Yeah I have a big car so no worries. I drove her home and watched the godfather with her and her parents for a bit and then drove home and fell asleep.
So I wake up this morning and I go out to the mail box and find that I have two things in the mail for me. A slightly late package from Lexie and a letter from Mandi. Both were great and I can't wait to write back. Chemistry class is trying to have a reunion sometime this week and Rachel wants me to see New Moon with her and creepy Zach kid. We will see how things turn out. I certainly had a lot to write today, I am happy to say my week is just getting better =].

MC300-MS7 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection
Description (page 121)

If you are interested in any of these files then please contact the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.

“The documents in this series were kept by two brothers, William Henry Street and John Ambrose Sherman Street, who were born in Burton, Sunbury County, the sons of Hon. Samuel Deny Street and Abigail Freeman.  They were educated at public schools in Burton and Fredericton.

William Henry Street was born April 11, 1793.  After completing his education, he engaged in the mercantile business in Saint John.  He was twice mayor of Saint John (1835-1836 and 1848-1849) and served in the militia.  In the General Election of 1842, he ran for Saint John City and, after protest, was awarded the seat.  He sat until the dissolution of the House in 1846 when he retired from politics.  W.H. Street was married twice: in 1824 to Mary Bruce, and in 1847 to Sarah Boyd Orr.  He died in Saint John on April 4, 1875.

John Ambrose Sherman Street was born September 22, 1795.  He studied in his father’s law office and was admitted to the New Brunswick Bar on February 22, 1817.  He practiced law at Chatham, Northumberland County, and in 1823 married Jane Isabella Hubbard.  He was elected to the Assembly as a Conservative member for Northumberland County at a by-election in 1833.  He sat in the House almost continuously until his defeat in 1856.  He then moved to Fredericton and unsuccessfully ran for York County in 1861 and 1865.  He was made a member of the Executive Council in 1851, and served as Attorney-General until 1854.  He died in 1865.

The Street Records pertain to the legal and business affairs of the brothers.  The material is catalogued alphabetically according to client’s name.  The types of documents found here include: indentures, deeds, declarations, bonds, assignments, correspondence, and leases.  The material dates from 1812 to 1863.  This series measures 9 centimeters.”

1 Bedell, George A.; Woodstock, 1855-1862.

2 Betts, David and Levi; Newcastle, 1831.

3 Bowman, William, and Daniel Campbell; Liverpool England, 1845.

4 Chisholm, Patrick; Northesk, 1828.

5 Clarke, Alexander; Nelson Parish, 1828-1831.

6 Clarke, Richard Samuel, High Sheriff, for land of William Matchett to Oliver Stringer; James Vye to John, Alexander and James Fraser; Charles McDonald and Ronald Davidson to James McDonald and William Ravinscroft.  Dennis Cochran, Samuel Porter to James D. Berton; William and Elizabeth Murray; and Thomas and Alexandra Wilson; Northumberland County, 1825-1832.

7 Crookshank, Robert W.; Saint John, 1826-1852.

8 Cunard, Henry; Newcastle, 1836.

9 Davidson, Allan, William, John and Phineas; Newcastle Parish, 1824-1847.

10 Hooper, Nehemiah Story; St. Mary’s Parish, 1851-1857.

11 Jardine, Alexander, Robert Jardine and Barnabas Tilton; Saint John City, 1849.

12 Johnson, John M, High Sheriff, for lands of Patrick Flannigan, and Alexander Clarke; Northumberland County, 1841.

13 Kerr, George, of Newcastle, for lands of John Kerr, John Mayes, and Jane Matthew to John Walker; Jeremiah Newman; Alexander Fraser Jr., George McGuigor, and Joseph Saunders; Andrew and James Grant; William Henry Moore; Northumberland County, 1828-1843.

14 Kirk, James; Saint John City, 1847.

15 Matthew, George; Saint John City, 1812-1850.

16 Mersereau, Jacob; Blackville Parish, 1831-1837.

17 Miller, Edward, High Sheriff, and William Grigor for lands of George A. Munro; York County, 1843.

18 Mitchell, Peter and Barbara, and William and Isabella Masson; Newcastle, 1828.

19 Moore, William Henry, and Patrick Keho and Alexander Fraser Jr.; Parish of Chatham, 1824-1826.

20 McDermott, John; Blackville Parish, 1842.

21 McKay, Donald and Zilpah; 1825.

22 McLaggan, Alexander; Blackville, 1850-1862.

23 New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Land Company for lands of George Barrett; Stanley, 1847.

24 Rankin, Alexander, (William Bedell, W.H. Shore, Francis Ferguson, George and John Monroe); Miramichi, 1833-1855.

25 Spencer, John; Ludlow, 1841.

26 Spahn, Justin; 1856.

27 Small, Otis; Saint John, 1845.

28 Street, Louisa Isabella; William Woodbridge Street; Rev. Charles Frederic Street; John Ambrose Street; and George D. Street; Newcastle, 1845.

29 Sutter, Byron, John Connelly, Allan Lyons, and Alexander Davidson; Miramichi, 1839.

30 Walker, John, James Robertson and Mary Green; Saint John, 1840.

31 Worrall, George William; Saint John, 1847.

32 Young, James, Alexander McLean, Alexander McLaggan, and Neil McLean; Nashwaak, 1852.

33 Miscellaneous items; 1847-1863. 

Atlanta Thrashers vs. Detroit Red Wings

November 25th 7:30pm, Joe Louis Arena

Game Notes:

1. Khan is reporting that Patrick Eaves will be out of the lineup tonight. This is an interesting decision since Eaves has the best +/- of any Red Wing forward and is 2nd on the team to Lidstrom.  Perhaps Babcock thinks that May might have to get in a scrap tonight, otherwise I would have figured Eaves stays in.
2. On the flip-side of Eaves watching from the press-box for a night is Kirk Maltby being in the lineup and Drew Miller being bumped up to the 3rd line.  Tonight we’ll get to see what a Draper/Helm/Miller line can do.  I’m ok with this and I think rewarding Drew Miller for being one of the only Red Wings to fully show up on monday is a good thing.  It lets the whole team know where things stand and that the players that work hard are going to get the better playing time.  Congrats to Drew, maybe he’ll even work up to a scoring line if he keeps this up.  Can we all smile a bit and say once again, what a great pick up by Ken Holland as usual…
3. The Thrashers have the 2nd best Power-Play in the East.  The Wings have the 3rd worst Penalty-Kill in the league.  Special teams will be key.  C’mon Brad McCrimmon, earn your freaking paycheck.
4. Ilya Kovalchuk is ridiculously good.  I wish the Red Wings could have him on the wing of Datsyuk.  Seriously though.  14 games and 21Pts is mighty nice.  He’s also +1, so he’s not a total defensive liability.
5. Rumors continue to swirl about Atlanta being a team that could be re-located relatively soon if things do not turn around there.  Considering their play this season, if they continue to have strong outings and make a run at the playoffs, my guess is these rumors die down.  I don’t think Atlanta should necessarily have a team, but now that they are there, I think the Thrashers can have success in Georgia.  Even if the entire state probably has 2 snow-plows.
6. Jimmy Howard is back in net.  Almost time-share status with Ozzie at this point.  It’s good experience for the kid though, and for the most part right now, he’s earning the time as much as Ozzie is.

Bold and Stupid Predictions:

1. The Red Wings power-play gets back on track and they score 2 on the man-advantage.
2. Ilya Kovalchuk scores a hat-trick.  Yes.  He hasn’t scored in 2 games and he is definitely due.
3. Darren Helm is finally able to have a big night with a goal and an assist.  2 points, count it.
4. As you can tell, it will be an offensive battle-royale.  Which probably means it will be a 1-0 slug-fest.
5. Final Score Red Wings Win 6-4.

Black Jacaranda Striped Micro Suede Luxury Bed in a Bag Comforter 6 piece Bedding Set – Queen Size Review

Check Price Now!

I had issues with the comforter after laundering it. I would recomend line drying the larger sizes. I did contact customer service and was pleased that I got a replacement for free. I do love the bedding. It is warm and supper soft. I also bought the matching curtains and love those too. As for the white threads, they didn’t bother me and are hardly noticable unless you really look for them. Over all good for the money.

Black Jacaranda Striped Micro Suede Luxury Bed in a Bag Comforter 6 piece Bedding Set – Queen Size Feature

• 6 Piece Bed in a Bag Set: 1 Comforter, 2 Pillow Shams, 1 Bed Skirt, 2 Decorative Throw Pillows
• Machine Washable Soft Micro Suede Fabric
• Dimensions: Comforter-King(104″x90″) Queen(88″x90″), Sham- King(20″x36″) Queen(20″x26″)
• This set also comes with two embroidered throw pillows and a corner pleated bed skirt.
• Stylish Black, Chocolate, and Camel Color Pallet

Black Jacaranda Striped Micro Suede Luxury Bed in a Bag Comforter 6 piece Bedding Set – Queen Size Overview

The Luxury Jacaranda striped micro suede bed in a bag Collection from Miller Home Fashions will create a rich and relaxed mood for your bedroom. Add the classic touch of warmth and style to your bedroom with this designer set that uses the softest of micro suede to create a soothing and luxurious bedding set. The rich color stripes of our new micro suede bed in a bag comforter set give you the look and feel of real suede, yet it?s practical in that it?s machine washable. This luxurious 6 piece bed in a bag set is a wonderful solution to your decorating needs.

Black Jacaranda Striped Micro Suede Luxury Bed in a Bag Comforter 6 piece Bedding Set – Queen Size Specifications

Miller

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 25, 2009 00:35:04
Softest Comforter Ever. – Amanda Livingston – Utah, USA
I knew when I read the description for this item that it would be soft. But wow. When I got it I swore I would be sleeping on top of the bed from now on. The price was a little higher than I normally would spend on a set and to make it worse some of the seams started coming apart in some places. I am pretty good with a needle and thread and didn’t worry too much about it. But for those who might not want to deal with that then be forewarned.
No REAL Surprise Here – Mick’sMom – SouthernILLINOIS
Tho it is advertised as “Black Jacaranda Striped Micro Suede Luxury Bed in a Bag COMFORTER 6 piece Bedding Set”, there is no COMFORTER – mearly a duvet COVER. Hence the price markdown from 249.99 to 129.99 – the price of a 0 COMFORTER to slip into the duvet cover – my guess.

Other than that, I like it just fine. It looks wonderful in the newly remodeled room and looks expensive. Stitches are fine, fit is fine, pillows are nice, etc.

HP MediaSmart Server EX495

Skąd ta burza medialna wokół zmiany konstytucji? Niby znam powód, ale za nim stoi kolejny – sensowniejszy. Grzebiąc dalej wreszcie docieramy do momentu, w którym okazuje się, że jest to zwyczajny szum medialny. W myśl zasady „klasa hałasuje, a ja podpowiadam”.

„Ja wolę system kanclerski! Ja prezydencki! Władza dla premiera! Nie dla prezydenta!”. Ech… I po co te przepychanki. Według mnie jest dobrze tak jak jest, choć wszyscy w koło wpierają, że potrzeba zmian. Czasem wydaje mi się, że ludzie po prostu boją się powiedzieć, że jest dobrze. Jeśli jest dobrze to, co można na ten temat powiedzieć?

Niewiele: „Jest ok”, „Podoba mi się aktualny system”, „Sądzę, że obecne rozwiązania konstytucyjne są optymalne”. Do tego jedno-dwu zdaniowe uzasadnienie i temat się wyczerpuje. Tak niestety być nie może. Gdzie ja się popiszę swoją wiedzą o polityce, elokwencją?! Zgodzić się na utrzymanie status quo to jak dobrowolnie wyłączyć się z debaty publicznej. Minus 10 z lansu jak mawia pokolenie MMORPG.

Przecież system z dwoma organami władzy wykonawczej jest niemal idealny. Już starożytni demokraci nie byli tak głupi, by władzę oddawać jednej osobie. Mamy zresztą klasyczny przykład na to, co się dzieje, gdy jednostka może zbyt wiele. Juliusz Cezar – dyktatorem został obrany na 10 lat (choć mógł tylko na 6 miesiecy), a zasiedział się na stanowisku tyle, że po nim musiał je przejąć, już jako cezar, jego syn, wnuk, prawnuk (adoptowani, ale jednak) i tak przez ponad 200 lat (kiedy to wymyślili, że nie ma co udawać, że ktoś oprócz nich ma władzę i zlikwidowali senat). Świetlana przyszłość.

Pominąwszy jednak to, że system jest dobry, to w pomyśle Tuska mamy klasyczne manipulowanie masami. Cała Polska emocjonuje się planami Tuska próbując wybrać między systemem kanclerskim, a już dawno proponowanym przez Prawo i Sprawiedliwość systemem prezydenckim. Politycy sprytnie podzielili Polaków na dwa obozy. Jak wiadomo, gdzie są tylko dwa przeciwne poglądy, tam żaden nie ustąpi. Zarówno jedni jak i drudzy są bardzo liczni. Tak nakręca się debata publiczna z pominięciem sił o słabszym głosie w mediach. Ci, którzy są niezdolni do indywidualizmu przechodzą do jednego z dwóch obozów, by czuć, że są w stadzie, wśród swoich. Mniej więcej w ten sposób PiS i PO wygrywają od lat wybory. Nic nie robią. Wystarczy, że stawiają wyborcę przed „koniecznością” wybrania jednej z dwóch opcji.

Jednak w końcu dochodzimy do sedna całej burzy medialnej. Jak zauważa Leszek Miller przytaczany przez Obserwatora Tusk zapewne nie chce zmieniać konstytucji, ale na rękę mu jest, by o tym mówić. Biorąc pod uwagę to, że dzisiaj przesłuchiwano Boniego i Kapicę, to jest to ruch całkiem logiczny.

Tänään tulee kuluneeksi tasan 150 vuotta siitä, kun Charles Darwinin teos Lajien synty julkaistiin. Se myytiin loppuun julkaisupäivänään, joten kyllä tieto kulki aika vauhdikkaasti jo paljon ennen internetaikaakin – jopa siis ennen kuin puhelimet edes oli kunnolla keksitty. Toinen painoskin saatiin markkinoille jo tammikuussa. Kustantaja oli lyönyt hakkunsa varsinaiseen kultakaivokseen, sillä uusia painoksia otetaan edelleen ympäri maapalloa. Harva tieteellinen kirjoitus on kestänyt aikaa näin hyvin ja harvasta teoksesta on kiistelty niin paljon kuin tästä.

Eihän Darwin ollut ensimmäinen, joka kyseenalaisti kristillisen selityksen jumalallisen luomistyön tuloksena syntyneiden eliöiden muuttumattomuudesta. Mutta hänen evoluutuoteoriansa oli se, joka katkaisi kirkollisen manipulaation pitkän perinteen. Darwinilla on kunnia olla jumalilla ratsastavien vallanpitäjien riisuja, vapaan ajattelun merkkipaalu. Darwinin erityisansio on, että hän teki valtavan määrän työtä teoriansa varmistamiseksi ja että hän pystyi esittämään lajien muuttumisen mekanismin syyksi luonnonvalinnan. Sen hän oli oivaltanut jo vuonna 1838 lukiessaan Thomas Malthusin teosta An Essay on the Principle of Population.

Oikeastaan voidaan pitää ihmeenä, ettei näin yksinkertaista asiaa ollut kukaan muu tullut aikaisemmin ajatelleeksi. Tai ehkä näin ei voi sanoa. Kaikki asiat on varmaan ajateltu moneen kertaan ennen julkituloaan, mutta kaikki ajatukset eivät jalostu tarpeeksi pitkälle. Pelkkä ajatus ei vielä todista mitään. Tarvitaan sitä raakaa työtä, jota Darwin teki lähes 30 vuoden ajan ennen kuin uskalsi panna aivojensa työn tulokset julkisesti arvioitaviksi. Ja siitä hetkestä alkoi biologian voittokulku, jonka tahti koko ajan vain kiihtyy. Vasta nyt olemme siinä vaiheessa, että ihmisen itsensä käyttäytyminen uskalletaan oikeasti panna samalle viivalle muun luonnon kanssa. Vasta nyt olemme oikeasti ymmärtämässä inhimillistä käyttäytymistä ja eloa, kiitos geenitutkimuksen, evoluutiobiologian ja evoluutiopsykologian.

Jos Lajien synnyn ensi painos suorastaan riistettiin myyntipöydiltä, samaa kiihkeyttä on saatu odottaa sen uppoamisessa syviin kansankerroksiin. Vielä 150 vuoden jälkeen voimme törmätä sellaisiin ihmeellisyyksiin, että Darwinista kertovan elokuvan esitys kielletään USA:ssa. Tai että 55 prosenttia yhdysvaltalaisista suhtautuu evoluutioon kielteisesti samaan aikaan kun 82 prosenttia uskoo jumalaan ja paholaiseenkin 62 prosenttia. Eivät taida nämä viimemainitut luvut olla Suomessakaan paljon lohdullisempia.

Kolmasosa suomalaisista pitää evoluutioteoriaa vääränä. He kai siis uskovat joihinkin luomiskertomuksiin. Tässä suhteessa Suomi on vallan surkealla tasolla muihin sivistysvaltioiksi itseään kutsuvien listalla, sillä 34 maan joukossa edustamme keskikastia. Ei siis mitään syytä olla rinta röyheänä koulujärjestelmämme kehumisessa. Kun muissa Pohjoismaissa sentään yli 80 prosenttia pitää evoluutioteoriaa oikeana, meillä vastaava luku on vain 65.

Monestihan toimittajat tekevät aivan uskomattoman typeriä kysymyksiä kuten uskotko evoluutioteoriaan? Mitä tähän nyt sitten pitäisi vastata? Eihän se ole mikään uskonasia. Eihän kukaan enää tosissaan kysy sitäkään, että uskotko maan kiertävän aurinkoa. Toimittajat paljastavat tällaisella typeryydellä vain oman hölmöytensä. Tai sitten he kuuluvat siihen porukkaan, joka väsäilee adresseja evoluutioteorian opetuksen kieltämiseksi kouluissa. Ihan totta, sellainen nettiadressi on oikeasti olemassa. Joku Teemu Niskanen on katsonut velvollisuudekseen pelastaa ihmislaji kadotukselta. Allekirjoittaneiden lista on vakuuttava. Sieltä löytyvät sekä Jeesus Nasaretilainen (Taivaasta) että Adolf Hitler (JumalanSylistä)…

Lajien synnyssähän ihmistä ei käsitelty ollenkaan, vaikka Darwin toki ymmärsi, että myös ihminen on evoluution tuote. Tämä varmaan oli strategisesti oikea valinta, sillä jos soppaan olisi sotkettu vielä ihminenkin, itse lajien kehitys olisi jäänyt turhan polemiikin ja vielä suuremman uskonnollisen kauhistelun varjoon. Toki Darwin myöhemmissä teoksissaan vielä ehti käsitellä ihmisenkin evoluutiota, mm. kirjassaan The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872).

Mutta mitä pitäisi ajatella siitä, että tämä evoluutiopsykologian perusteokseksikin mainittu kirja ilmestyi suomeksi vasta tänä vuonna! Kiitokset siitä Terra Cognitalle, joka jaksaa julkaista korkeatasoista globaalia ajattelua suomenkielellä – sekä tietysti myös suomentajana tomineelle elävälle legendalle, Anto Leikolalle. Vielä olisi tehtävää jäljellä, sillä Darwinin sukupuolivalintaa käsittelevä kirja The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871) odottaa yhä suomentamistaan.

Geenimutaatiot ovat viime kädessä evoluution polttoainetta. Uudet lajit syntyvät vähitellen mutaatioiden ja luonnonvalinnan seurauksena. Eri lajeilla esimerkiksi hemoglobiinimolekyylit ovat hieman erilaisia ja niiden perusteella voidaan laskea lajien sukulaisuuden asteita. Hemoglobiinin muuttumisnopeus on ollut keskimäärin yhden aminohapon verran 10 miljoonassa vuodessa ja tämä nopeus on ollut suhteellisen vakio kautta aikojen. Esimerkiksi gorillan hemoglobiinin beetaketjussa löytyy vain yksi ero ihmisen 146 aminohappoon verrattuna. Hevosella eroja on jo 25 ja sammakolla 67 [1].

Perustan geeniteorialle loi Gregor Mendelin vuonna 1866 julkaisema tutkimus herneiden ominaisuuksien periytymisestä. Mendel havaitsi, etteivät ominaisuudet periytyneet sekoittuen vaan tiettyjen sääntöjen mukaan. Tanskalainen biologi Wilhelm Johannsen antoi perinnöllisyyden yksikölle nimen geeni sata vuotta sitten eli vuonna 1909.  Meillä on siis parhaillaan meneillään myös geenien juhlavuosi. Mutta Darwinilla on tähänkin termiin pieni omistusoikeus. Hän nimittäin puhui “pangeenistä” (pangenes), vaikkei vielä itse geeneistä mitään tiennytkään eikä hänen käsityksensä sekoittuvasta periytymisestä pitänytkään paikkaansa.

Geenit sijaitsevat kromosomeissa, kuten meidän kaikkien pitäisi maailman parhaaksi mainostetun koululaitoksen käyneinä tietää. Mutta ei tämäkään taida olla niin yksinkertaista. Meillä vaikuttaa yhäkin vanhoillinen kovaääninen (naaras)vähemmistö, jonka ainoa agenda on väittää, että sukupuoli on kulttuurinen tuote eikä biologinen ilmiö. Mitäpä tällaisen idiotismin edessä voi tehdä? Tietysti voisi aiheellisesti todeta, että kulttuurikin on perustaltaan biologiaa ja kehittyy evoluution lakien alaisena. Mutta aiheuttaisiko tämä tieto minkäänlaista aivosolujen aktivoitumista. Tuskinpa.

Y -kromosomi on pienempi kuin X -kromosomi ja siinä on vähemmän geenejä. Tästäkö jo alkaa urosten surkeus ja epätasa-arvoisuus naaraisiin verrattuna? Ainakin perinnölliset vajavuudet, kuten värisokeus ja verenvuototauti riivaavat siksi pääasiassa uroksia. Ehkä se ei olekaan testosteroni vaan geenien vähyys, joka altistaa urokset ääri-ilmiöille…

Ihmistieteilijät ovat asettuneet raivokkaaseen siilipuolustukseen omien reviiriensä säilyttämiseksi. Niinhän niiden evoluutioteorian mukaan pitääkin tehdä. Typeryydelläkin on siis luonnollinen selityksensä. Valitettavasti moinen itsekkyys tyhmentää ihmiskuntaa tai ainakin estää sitä kehittymästä älyllisempään suuntaan. Kaikkea pitänee kuitenkin sietää, sillä eihän maakeskeisestä maailmankuvastakaan kovin helposti irti päästetty. Ehkä siis pitäisi vain rauhallisesti odottaa ja sietää höpötyksiä sukupuolisensitiivisestä kasvatuksesta, kulttuurievoluutiosta ja pakollisista isäkuukausista? Kaikki ne kun ovat yhtä kaukana todellisuudesta.

Viime aikoina mediassakin on seurattu evoluution ja ”kulttuurievoluution” kädenvääntöä [2]. Filosofian professori Petri Ylikoski on niin huolissaan oppialansa tulevaisuudesta, että puhuu luonnontieteiden imperialismista. Mutta evoluutiotahan tämäkin vain on. Paremmin ympäristöönsä sopeutuva eliö (tässä tapauksessa luonnontieteilijä) menestyy muita paremmin. Ihmistieteilijöiden on siis syytäkin vavista. Kulttuurievoluutiotahan ei oikeasti ole olemassakaan. Termi on keksitty aikana, jolloin tietämys ihmislajin biologiasta oli vasta aamunkoiton asteella. Käsite voidaan nykytietämyksen perusteella nakata surutta roskikseen.

Ihan vaan huvin vuoksi kerron tässä yhden esimerkin, joka sattuu liippaamaan aika läheltä seksiä. Ei tietysti mikään sattuma, sillä seksi pyörittää maailmaa, pidämme siitä tai emme. Mitä mahtoikaan sanoa evoluutiopsykologi Geoffrey Miller, kun häneltä kysyttiin viimeaikojen huippupäivästään? Vastaus oli tällainen: se kun näimme sylitanssitutkimuksemme ensimmäiset tulokset – sen kuinka saatoimme todistaa kuukautiskierron vaikuttavan seksityöntekijöiden ansioihin.

Tämä vuonna 2007 julkaistu tutkimus [3] on jo käsite sinänsä ja paljastaa ihmislajin todellisen luonteen ja kuinka kiiman vaikutus ihmisyhteisössä voidaan todistaa taloudellisilla mittareilla. Paitsi että urosapinat “haistavat” tanssijoiden ovulaatiohetken ja palkitsevat siitä ylenmääräisillä tipeillä, he myös pitävät luomunaaraita keskimäärin e-pillerin käyttäjiä seksikkäämpinä.

Ihmisen käyttäytymisen salat avautuvat vain todennäköisyyksien maailmaa tutkimalla. Millerin tutkimuksessa n eli tanssien lukumäärä oli yli 5000. Ihmistieteilijöiden ongelma on, että he mieluummin askartelevat mahdollisuuksien maailmassa. Jos he olisivat tutkineet sylitanssijoita, he olisivat “syvähaastatelleet” enintään kymmentä urosapinaa ja kysyneet heiltä, onko tanssijan ovulaatiolla merkitystä. Kaikki olisivat tietysti sanoneet, ettei missään tapauksessa, sikäli kuin olisivat edes ymmärtäneet koko kysymystä. Ihmisapina todellakin on paljon monimutkaisempi kone kuin mitä pelkkiä “roolimalleja” tuijottamalla saattaisi ikinä kuvitella. Ehkä Millerin tutkimusta kannattaisi lukea kaikkien niidenkin, jotka ovat huolissaan ”naisen eurosta”.

Darrell Walker quit midway through the Raptors’ hellish 1997-98 season, earning himself the status as Most Useless Coach in team history (and yes, that includes Kevin O’Neill). Nevertheless, I tip my hat to him for this never-before-seen tirade, which seemingly indicates he cared a little, at least.

The footage comes from a Raptors-Pacers game — see where I’m going with this? Yes, the Pacers are in town Wednesday night for a date at the ACC.

For more Random Raptors Moments, check the archive here.

No fear of consequences should ever drive us to do a wrong thing.

It is better to suffer any loss, any cost, any sacrifice–than be eaten up by remorse!

Better be hurled down from a high place for doing right–than win worldly honor by doing wrong.

Better lose our right hand–than lose our purity of soul.

Better to rot in prison–than to sin against God!

It was the prayer of a young queen, which she wrote with a diamond point on her castle window, “Keep me pure; make others great.” That is the lesson of Joseph’s victory over temptation; dishonor, loss, dungeon, death–anything before sin!
-J. R. Miller

Hello from the Millers!  We hope this update finds you and yours doing well.  We returned to Togo from our furlough in September, and since that time we have enjoyed reconnecting with Kabiye Christians and our teammates.  Our ministry role has shifted somewhat as this will be our last term in Togo.  We are focusing on training and equipping our teammates and Kabiye Christians to continue the work.  God has been blessing this process abundantly.  This weekend, Matt helped lead a three-day training for 7 Kabiye leaders who have dreams of planting churches throughout the region.  Please pray that God will empower them to fulfill  this vision!

We are also full of joy because of the recent birth of a new church in the village of Alibi 1, where 34 people were baptized.  This is the first church we have planted in the Central region of Togo, about two hours south-east of Kara. We have uploaded a video of the baptisms that you can watch at the following link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKbqh6eZi2Q  Matt and Andrea are have begun a new weekly outreach to two of our churches, the Hadeteyo and Ajadaa congregations.  We are helping to train these churches to have special teaching times for the many children in their communities using the Kabiye Old Testament children’s Bible that we completed last year.  Please pray that this outreach will help lead these children to Jesus as they grow older.

As a family we have recently enjoyed: a “Fall Festival” Together with our team and other new missionary friends, seeing AnnaMarie become potty trained over the last few weeks (with lots of help from older siblings, Abby and Aidan taking on full laundry responsibilities, and Asher learning to read more and more each day!  The Harmattan winds began blowing this week bringing with them cooler temperatures, which we have enjoyed very much.  What we have not enjoyed, though, is the round of sickness that the dust has brought along.  Everyone in the family has had some form of sickness in the last week, and AnnaMarie is especially struggling with a cold.

Our children are enjoying school and the special blessing of our three teachers Jacque Breuer, Bethany Canon, and Sarah Hug.  We got to know them during our year of teaching at Harding, and are thrilled to have them in Togo with us this year.  We appreciate so much your prayers for our family, team, and the Kabiye churches!

Über amerikanisches Industriebier mag man denken wie man will. Mir persönlich bereitet es keine Freude. Ganz anders aber mit amerikanischen Bierreklamen: jedesmal ein neuer Genuss

Jęki, sapanie, stękanie, warg zagryzanie. A wszystko to z powodu prostytuowania się. I to nie byle kogo, bo polityka, a ściślej pani polityk lub też polityżki (tu ukłon dla feministek). Przynajmniej tak stwierdził Pan P., a na swoim “poletku” tłumaczył się, że to nie on pierwszy “prostytucje” czy może i nawet same prostytutki  na salony polityczne wprowadził, ale nawet i K. to uczynił. Dla jasności J.K. a nie L.K. Czasem warto wiedzieć, który jest który K., a po drugie primo samo K. mogłoby sie z czymś niecenzuralnym kojarzyć gdy mowa o prostytucji.

Tymczasem przypominam sobie, że nawet jeden M. o imieniu na L. przywiązany ongiś do jednej partii jak hippis do LSD tak oto rzekł:  Polityk to jeden z najstarszych zawodów świata obok prostytucji (cytat z pamięci). Pytanie tylko czy poza długowiecznością obu fachów zauważa inne podobieństwa.

Moja znajoma Pani G. twierdzi że nic więcej tych zawodów ze sobą nie łączy, bo prostytutka bierze pieniądze od klienta i daje mu się rżnąć w dupę, a polityk bierze pieniądze od społeczeństwa i rżnie je w dupę.

Tyle tematem prostych i krzywych tutek.

styczeń 2009 r.

Week 7 of the NHL brings both talent and luck to the top of the Conference standings.   Shots on goal, staking claim on the blue line and goaltending has contributed to the unpredictable rankings as we move past the first quarter of the season.

Eastern Conference:

1.

The Washington Capitals top the Eastern Conference despite having lost Alex Ovechkin for a brief stint.  Enter Mike Green, Brooks Laich and Brendan Morrison, among the few who had an opportunity to keep their team afloat.

Goaltending has been a round robin with Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov netting the top jobs, but thirdster Michal Neuvirth stepped into a game this week against Montreal. Neuvirth’s opportunity fell short with a loss of  2-3.

My prediction preseason comments:

Washington Capitals- Alexander Ovechkin rocks, we all know that, but I’ll be watching to see if the young goalie, Semyon Varlamov can hold it together.  Critics doubt the strength of this goaltender for the full-season impact, but what I saw last year in the unraveling of the New York Rangers was impressive.   And, Don Cherry loves to rip on Ovechkin for his grandstanding.  How ironic.

2.

When you talk about the New Jersey Devils, Martin Brodeur gets the high five, but the Devils have a strong base and have climbed up in the Eastern Conference because of good play.   The depth of players such as David Clarkson has proven a wise investment with 7 goals, 8 assists and 33 PIMs.  Zajac and Parise have held a stake in the play, but new faces have emerged as pickups in the fantasy world due to productivity.  Right-winger Niclas Bergfors has 5 goals and 9 assists. Defenseman Andy Greene nabbed 3 goals, 6 assists, not the highest stats, but a name that is popping up more frequently in commentary during the game.

Goaltending by Martin Brodeur has been consistent and spot on with a 12-5-1 record.   With a 98% ownership in Yahoo leagues, he’s expected to be great and it’s showing.

Preseason scoop:

New Jersey Devils- So I’m more of a fan of those New York teams, but I have to give it up for the Devils.  Despite Brodeur, I like most of the players.  Travis Zajac, Zach Parise and David Clarkson have all caught my attention like no other New Jersey team in the past.  I’ll be watching and drafting from this team.

3.

The Buffalo Sabres should have won the Stanley Cup in 1999, and I still have issues with that, therefore I am elated to see the Sabres sopping it up in the Eastern conference sitting in third.  Players like Thomas Vanek, Derek Roy and Jason Pominville have provided a base, with Tim Connolly and Drew Stafford being picked up in fantasy leagues more frequently.

Ex-Michigan State Spartan Ryan Miller has been stellar for the Sabres.  His play has put the team where they are. His record stands at 12-3-2 with a GAA of 1.97 and two shutouts.

Didn’t see the Sabres as contenders but were interested in the team on my own accord.  My recommendations for Buffalo revolved around the D in Craig Rivet and Steve Mantador who have proven to keep the lanes clear for scoring.   Talent hidden in the depths of Buffalo

4.

Pittsburgh Penguins sits in 4th carrying a ton of injuries.  Sidney Crosby has done his best, but one man cannot carry it all. There are some lucky charms being utilized. Actually it’s amazing that they are holding on, but expect the Penguins to rise as soon as everyone is healthy.  Fleury could step it up a bit as his stats state 11-7-0 and a shaky GAA of 2.67.

My New York teams sit in 9^th and 10^th.  The NY Rangers were expected to perform better, but their talent is not delivering. One exception for the Garden is Michael Del Zotto with an impressive debut showing 4 goals, 11 assists, and14 PIMs.  The NY Islanders put a great deal of hope in rookie John Tavares and that has proven to keep the team as swimmers, not bottom feeders so far.

Western Conference:

1.

In the Western Conference many fans out west would like to see the San Jose Sharks break their bad playoff karma once and for all.  This year may be it by the hardcore play and dedication towards the playoff run.  That is said every year, but acquiring winger Dany Heatley was a gamble that has paid with 17 goals, 9 assists and 18 PIMs.  Center Patrick Marleau has 14 goals and 12 assists, then you have veteran Joe Thornton with 30 points. This type of scoring creates star power.  Plus, add great depth players in Manny Malhotra, Joe Pavelski, and a strong blue line headed by Dan Boyle co-starring Jason Demers and M-E Vlasic wins games.

Evgeni Nabokov gets respect because he can complete the task in net.  So far he’s achieved 13-3-4 but needs to gain ground in his 2.2 GAA.  Not bad, but could do better.

This was my scope for the Sharks preaseason:

The San Jose Sharks-Because who won’t be watching? Now that Dany Heatley is in, and ineffectual Jonathan Cheechoo is out, the team may have a chance.  Players like M-C Vlasic, Ryan Clowe, and of course, Joe Thornton will try to gain back the fierceness in the Shark Tank.  All hope is on Heatley.  But that may not be enough.  I’m watching from afar.  I’ll be keeping track of Dan Boyle’s stats.

2.

Now that everyone is using the title of young guns for the Colorado Avalanche, seems the team is losing some ammo power slipping to second place. Much hype has revolved around the new overhaul and future accomplishments of the new and improved Avalanche.   Panic attack or another victim of injuries?  J-M Liles was on rotating IR for a few weeks, T.J. Galiardi was out, Adam Foote was out, and so on.  The Avs reportedly have the one of the lowest SOG and GAA stats.  Good defense and goaltending has helped keep the Avs in place.  And they’ve gotten some lucky shots due to Matt Duchene’s accuracy.  Fantasy owners were warned about picking up Wojtek Wolski , but lucky owners have benefited with 9 goals and 11 assists.

Peter Budaj was out with the flu, but did that really matter?  The star of the Avs is Craig Anderson who hit a 12-6-3 record, but a 2.52 GAA, which has slipped.

No one can dispute the Colorado Avalanche are performing well, but so many would like to see them fall down.  Is it that unbelievable that a better mix of players and management can make that much difference?  If you can get the right chemistry, there’s no telling what you can do.

3.

Chicago is a great town and an awesome sports town, so it’s a plus to see one of the Original Six teams doing well. In 3rd for the race, the past is the past and the Chicago Blackhawks are here in the now.  Though Marian Hossa is out, the Hawks have the train rolling.  Great players and I’m a fan.

My thoughts on the team preseason:

Chicago Blackhawks- Take no prisoners.  Out for blood.  Now that the Hawks have Marian Hossa the team should be amazing.  Right?  Let’s hope so after all the hoopla surrounding the team or Toews, Kane and Keith and some other good players that don’t get noticed as much: Dave Bolland, Andrew Ladd, and Brent Seabrook.  Deep dish pizzazz or digging deeper into a cheesy situation.

4.

Fourth place goes to the Los Angeles Kings who I enjoy seeing kicking the sand in everyone’s face.  A beach team has caught my eye with players like Anze Kopitar, Jarret Stoll, veteran Ryan Smyth and numerous guys I had never seen but introduced to by their notable play: Michal Handzus, Jack Johnson and Wayne Simmonds. Goalie Jon Quick is holding up with a 12-7-2 record, but will need to turn up the heat on his 2.62 GAA.

The St. Louis Blues got lost on their way to practice and sit in 13thplace.  David Backes has been a late bloomer and goaltending problems have been a shock to everyone.

Surprises?  The Detroit Red Wings rank 8^th, while the Phoenix Coyotes are ahead in 7th.

Luck can be an amazing helper for teams with mounting injuries and sloppy shooters, but all teams have lucky games.  True skill and talent lie within all teams but don’t produce if the alignment is off or non-existent.  One top scorer can carry a team, but it’s the teams with depth taking it to the playoff run.

February 18^th, 2010. That’s the deadline for trades in the National Basketball Association and it has been a while since we had that many big names with the possibility to move before that date. For various reasons, we have a lot of teams trying to get free of who used to be their franchise players.

The first name that comes to mind and fit all those qualifications is Tracy McGrady. It’s not crazy to say that the Houston Rockets are ready to quit on T-Mac. His injuries throughout the years and his inability to play well during the playoffs series probably made them realize that McGrady won’t be the one to lead them to a championship and add that to the fact that the team always react well when he’s not there like they were better off without him. McGrady just underwent micro fracture surgery and a feud between him and the franchise about his comeback has been reported. The Rockets do need somebody who can create his own shots on clutch moments and T-Mac can be a nice trading asset for them to get that guy.

Another big name that can be on the move is Michael Redd. Redd, who was part of the Redeem Team, underwent another knee surgery last season and when he returned this year, couldn’t last two weeks before he needed to rest again. With the emergence of Brandon Jennings, questions about the coexistence of those two have been raised. It’s hard to imagine that Jennings can be this good if from now on he has to share touches with Redd and I believe won’t he have to, if somebody will have to take the backseat, it’ll be Redd and although he doesn’t seem to be the guy who makes a big deal out of it and with that backcourt they have a shot to make the playoffs, maybe the Bucks could be more comfortable without the controversy and trade him. Maybe Milwaukee is ready to move on.

Underrated players to move before the deadline are Stephen Jackson and Andre Miller. Jackson was just traded this week from the Warriors to the Bobcats but we shouldn’t rule out him switching addresses again still in the ongoing season because this is a trade that never made any sense anyway. Golden State gave Jackson a terrible contract, 3 year $28 million dollar extension, and nobody should be stupid enough to take it, even more Charlotte whose franchise is for sale and didn’t want to take on long term deals. Miller is on a similar situation. Portland had cap space free on the offseason and tried to sign a couple of big men, Paul Millsap and David Lee, however it didn’t work out and they had to go for the next best thing which was Andre Miller but the fact is that Miller doesn’t fit well in the Blazers backcourt, he’s a Guard that needs the ball and so does Roy who is better completed by a shooter, Steve Blake. Insiders believed that the Trail Blazers did the right thing by using the cap space to sign him because now they have an asset to trade and since Outlaw can be gone for the remainder of the season, they might need to get a Forward for their second unit.

The most likely player to move is Elton Brand. The Brand experiment hasn’t work so far in Philadelphia. The team only made the push to the playoffs last season after he went out and they were able to get back to the Iguodala Isotope. This season hasn’t been different. He’s a non factor there and a very expensive overpaid one.

This season’s trade deadline will be an exciting, promising one. Not all of these guys will be moved, although all of their teams would be better off without them. Trades in the NBA are all about dumping salary which makes tough to believe those guys will be gone however there’s always that team willing to make a move to try to get to the next level (or in the Bobcats’ case, somebody really stupid) and those players are the missing pieces of a lot of teams out there.

Check More At: MVN

Dallas Stars vs. Detroit Red Wings

November 18th 7:30pm, Joe Louis Arena

Game Notes:

1. Jimmy Howard is once again starting in net.  Osgood is still battling the flu, so Daniel Larsson has been recalled from Grand Rapids to fill that bench-warming, face-off counting, backup goaltender spot.
2. Khan reports that the same lineup from the last 3 wins will be on the ice tonight. This means that while Maltby is healthy, he will be seeing some press-box time while Brad May and Drew Miller stay in.  This has to eat at Maltby a little bit.  Hopefully when he gets back in he’ll be pissed and playing for a more permanent spot.  This competition is good I think.  I can see why Babcock is sticking with the lineup though…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
3. Marc Crawford is coaching the Dallas Stars now. Yes the man who brought hockey a new respect for hair-spray and general freak-outs while bench coaching.  He coached Colorado during the first few years of the hey-day of that rivalry.  He also was the coach who was accused of ordering our own Big Bert to sucker punch Steve Moore in the back of the head while coaching Vancouver.  Great track record…
4. Dallas has been mediocre so far this year, but Marty Turco has been turning it on of late.  The former Wolverine goaltender is 5-1-1 in his last 7 starts with decent peripheral statistics.  Fortunately, Joe Louis Arena has always seemed to be his kryptonite.  He manages to look so good elsewhere, and then be non-existent when he plays here.  Yay for home games.
5. The Red Wings do not have a regulation loss at home yet this year…dang it…hopefully I haven’t brought about a change tonight to that statement by mentioning it here.
6. Drew at NOHS has his Pointless Preview up again.  Always worth it.

Bold and Stupid Predictions:

1. Marty Turco plays well and keeps the game close for Dallas.  (Yes, in JLA this is very bold.)
2. Brad Stuart decides he is fed up with Kronwall getting all the offensive love and pots a goal of his own tonight.
3. Jonathan Ericsson is not solely responsible for a goal tonight.  Miracle.
4. Brad May does NOT get in a fight.
5. Final Score: Red Wings win 5-3.

http://www.millerwelds.com/fabtech/pro/

Above is a picture of beauty and photographer Lee Miller in Hitler’s bath.

In this video Tony Penrose, son of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose, introduces some of his mother’s work and remembers life with her at Farley Farm, Sussex.

Each audio answer will open in a new window

Am I “Called” or Just Talented?

Candy Business Thrives During Economic Down Times

Don’t forget:
No More Mondays Cruise
48Days.net

I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but after getting denied and ignored so long, the Miller in me just couldn’t stand it anymore. I didn’t think that my complaint was really and truly an ethics complaint, so did something else.

I e-mailed the Vice-President of Student Affairs.

I got the name of yet another person, but she was on the ball. A tiger! I sent her e-mail last night, and she responded within an hour.

And then today – I got an e-mail with an apology and an offer to take a make up class starting November 16, with my Internship to start on January 16th. I really didn’t expect this at all. Of course, I accepted and have already paid for the class.

The victory is bittersweet, however. One of the ladies I started the courses with is graduating next month. Another woman I work with who started almost a year after I did will graduate a few months after me. But that doesn’t really matter, right? What matters is that in a few months, I will have my M.Ed.

Now I just have to get back to working on that portfolio. Hah. I took a look again it it today, and it’s not completely scarce. Also, I’m racking up lots of experience that I can use – writing curriculum projects, presenting in-service to the school, textbook committee, writing the ELAR newsletter, Superintendent’s Advisory Council - that sort of thing. I think I’ll have way more hours than I actually need. I’m an overachiever.

I really wasn’t planning on walking, but then thought Mom and Dad would really want to see it. So, I’ll swallow my pride, get a cap and gown, and walk across that stage. Since I did it all on-line, it really doesn’t feel like I did when I graduated from Sam or even SoHo. I don’t have any friends who are walking with me. I don’t even have many people who will show up. I wonder if they will make the distinction between people who earned the degree in a traditional setting and the people who did it on-line? Again, no matter. I’ll be there with my family and I’ll be happy.

 And how do I celebrate this victory? Why, with a burnt pot pie and a MIA husband! Gregg’s at the HOA meeting right now, concerned about the Klein 2008 Bond project. We’re a teensy bit worried that when the district rezones (and MOVES the location of the high school), that’s we’ll end up on the wrong side of the road to feed into the high school we want to feed into.

I’m a little cranky about this new development, because we waited to buy a houseuntil AFTER the bond passed and there was a plan developed. So we bought a house right next to the high school. Now the plan has changed (or at least, it will) and we’re going to be left wondering for some time. I guess it’s better to start talking now and let the KISD Board of Trustees know that we don’t want to be rezoned into a different high school.

I was never political until we bought a house and started thinking about a family. Now, I’m starting to get more and more vocal about what politicians are doing (or not doing). I’ll have to post more on this later – right now, I want to breathe a little. Get away from the computer – I think I sit incorrectly when I’m typing and it hurts my back.

Armstrong & Miller – WWII RAF Sketch 2.Only just clocked how funny this was since the new series started. “That’s totally random”.

Losing three of four has cooled the Northeast Division-leading Buffalo Sabres, so the return of Ryan Miller might be just what they need.

Miller figures to be back in net Wednesday night when the Sabres try to avoid a season-high third straight loss in a matchup with the visiting Edmonton Oilers.

Buffalo (9-4-1) opened this season 8-1-1 to climb to the top of the Northeast after missing the playoffs for a second consecutive time last season.

The Sabres, however, haven’t been quite as sharp lately. They’ve dropped three of four after falling 4-2 at Boston on Saturday following Friday’s 5-2 defeat to Philadelphia. Despite those two losses, Buffalo and New Jersey are tied with a league-best 33 goals allowed.

“The greater issue is our game has lacked energy the last three games,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “I think the old me might have gone irate and done something a little bit stranger.”

Ruff will likely insert Miller after he was rested in favor of Jhonas Enroth, who made 33 saves in his NHL debut Saturday.

Miller has been a big reason for Buffalo’s success, ranking among the league leaders with a 9-2-1 record and a 1.89 goals-against average while recording two shutouts in 12 games.

The goaltender, however, didn’t fare too well in his last start, giving up a season-high four goals on 36 shots against the Flyers. He should get a chance to improve on that against Edmonton (8-8-2). UPDATE FROM BUFFALO Sheldon Souray continues to skate and recover from a concussion he suffered on Oct.8 … Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky rejoined the team in Ottawa and Hemsky is a game time decision against Buffalo. Horcoff, who also has an injured shoulder, will not play … Nikolai Khabibulin will start in net.Miller has helped the Sabres win their last three meetings with the Oilers, posting a 1.33 GAA. Buffalo hasn’t lost to Edmonton since a 4-1 road loss Oct. 16, 2003.

The Sabres took the lone matchup last season on Jan. 27, as Miller made 36 stops and Drew Stafford notched a hat trick to spur a 10-2 victory at Edmonton.

The Oilers are 2-6-1 since a 6-2-1 start but the team feels it’s showing improvement after Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss at Ottawa. That came two nights after a 5-3 win over NHL-leading Colorado snapped a five-game road losing streak.

“It was probably our best three periods in a long time, and we maybe (could have) had a better result but we didn’t,” coach Pat Quinn said. “And in the shootout we couldn’t score.

“I don’t like the goals that went in on us again … But overall, thinking in terms of improvement, we were a little better in Colorado than we have been and this was a better effort. Hopefully that will continue.”

Jeff Deslauriers made 22 saves in a rare start Tuesday, paving the way for Nikolai Khabibulin to return Wednesday. Khabibulin, who ended a personal three-game skid with 34 saves against Colorado, has a 1.39 GAA in his last five starts against Buffalo.

Dustin Penner has been one of the bright spots for the Oilers this season, leading the team with 11 goals and 22 points after posting 17 and 37, respectively, all last season. The left wing has a goal in each of the last two games, while also getting an assist against the Avalanche.

Penner saw all seven of his shots stopped by Miller on Jan. 27, failing to record a point in his only game against Buffalo.

EDMONTON BUFFALO 

FORWARD Vanek-Roy-Stafford 

FORWARD MacArthur-Connolly-Pominville 

FORWARD Hecht-Kennedy-Grier 

FORWARD Ellis-Gaustad-Kaleta 

DEFENCE Butler-Rivet 

DEFENCE Tallinder-Myers 

DEFENCE Sekera-Montador 

Khabibulin Miller 

Horcoff will miss a fourth straight game. MISC, INJURIES 

Raul wants Euro successSabres send Paille to Bruins for draft picks

I’ve watched a bit of sports in my day, but I have to say this was the closest call I’ve seen in my life. It really could’ve gone either way, so I’m guessing the savvy, motivated crew of NBA refs had their money on Denver from the get-go. Hey, I’m not gonna fight it — any loss by a mediocre Eastern Conference team benefits the Raps.