Sí. Un lenguaje que al fin dirá lo que tenemos que decir. Porque nuestra palabras ya no se corresponden con el mundo. Cuando las cosas estaban enteras nos sentíamos seguros de que nuestras palabras podían expresarlas. Pero poco a poco estas cosas se han partido, se han hecho pedazos, han caído en el caos. Y sin embargo nuestras palabras siguen siendo las mismas. No se han adaptado a la nueva realidad. De ahí que cada vez que intentamos hablar de lo que vemos, hablemos falsamente, distorsionando la cosa misma que tratamos de representar. Esto ha hecho que todo sea confusión y desorden. Pero las palabras, como usted comprende, son susceptibles de cambio. El problema es cómo demostrarlo. Por eso trabajo ahora con los medios más simples, tan simples que hasta un niño pueda comprender lo que digo. Considere una palabra que remite a una cosa: “paraguas”, por ejemplo. Cuando digo la palabra “paraguas”, usted ve el objeto en su mente. Ve una especie de bastón con rayos metálicos plegables en la parte superior que forman una armadura para una tela impermeable, la cual, una vez abierta, le protegerá de la lluvia. Este último detalle es importante. Un paraguas no es sólo una cosa, es una cosa que cumple una función, en otras palabras, expresa la voluntad del hombre. Cuando uno se para a pensar en ello, todos los objetos son semejantes al paraguas, en el sentido de que cumplen una función. Ahora, mi pregunta es la siguiente: ¿qué sucede cuando una cosa ya no cumple su función? ¿Sigue siendo la misma cosa o se ha convertido en otra? Cuando arrancas la tela del paraguas, ¿el paraguas sigue siendo un paraguas? Abres los radios, te los pones sobre la cabeza, caminas bajo la lluvia, y te empapas. ¿Es posible seguir llamando a ese objeto un paraguas? En general, la gente lo hace. Como máximo dirán que el paraguas está roto. Para mí, eso es un serio error, la fuente de todos nuestros problemas. Puesto que ya no cumple su función, el paraguas ha dejado de ser un paraguas. Puede que se parezca a un paraguas, puede que haya sido un paraguas, pero ahora se ha convertido en otra cosa. La palabra, sin embargo, sigue siendo la misma. Por lo tanto, ya no puede expresar la cosa. Es imprecisa; es falsa; oculta aquello que debería revelar. Y si ni siquiera podemos nombrar un objeto corriente que tenemos entre las manos, ¿cómo podemos esperar hablar de las cosas que verdaderamente nos conciernen? A menos que podamos empezar a incorporar la noción de cambio a las palabras que usamos, continuaremos estando perdidos.

Ciudad de cristal / Paul Auster / 1985

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Since you’re here, you’re at least overweight, if not downright obese.

You’ve come to the right place.  This blog’s for you.

I’ve been told that, in order to gain your confidence and then your loyalty as blog readers, I need you to identify with me. That notion conflicts with my very, very strong feelings about personal privacy. So, I’m confronted with a hurdle right out of the box.

I’ll do my best and I hope that that’s good enough.  Where I’m not explicit, I hope you’re savvy enough to infer.  I’ll try not to be too subtle so that those slouching down in the back of the class can take part.

I realize that the only way you can identify with me in this context is for me to tell you that I’ve been overweight all my life and that that life spans more than 60 years. From as early as I can remember in grade school until today, my weight has always defined me to me and, I’ve always suspected, to everyone else, including siblings.

If you haven’t already inferred the following, you need to pay closer attention:  my history gives me street cred to deal with all issues of weight and obesity for chunkies of all ages.  However old you are, I experienced what you’re experiencing at the age you are now.  It’s all a well-traveled road for me.  Been there, done that.  I’m out of clichés; let’s move on.

I suspect that my youth—indeed, most of my life—has not been happy. I can only suspect because my memory of almost all personal emotional events in my life is non-existent or, at the most, dim. My recollection of all sorts of facts and figures, including trivia, is quite good, so I must have purged or at least repressed memories of my personal life.

First, we'll look for repressed memories of malpractice suits.

Since I’m intelligent (Mensa member, IQ 159), I must have had good reason to purge and repress and, since that’s probably the case, I’m not going to dredge up what my psyche has slain and buried. (Psychiatrists and psychologists are gnashing their teeth as you read!)

I don’t recall how much I weighed in grade school, but I know that I weighed more than 300 pounds as a ninth-grader (15 years old) and things didn’t change until the summer between my freshman and sophomore years at college. I don’t know how I lost more than 100 pounds in those three months, but I did; that I didn’t die doing losing so much weight so rapidly is testimony to the innate stamina with which youth, even morbidly obese youth, is blessed. I do recall that my weight loss involved a lot of dieting and walking during the hot, hot summer.

I worked in a warehouse and walked 1.25 miles to work, 1.25 miles home for lunch, 1.25 miles back to work, and 1.25 miles home in the evening; that’s five miles a day, five days a week, for three months.  A lot of walking in the hot, muggy summer.  I think I followed The Doctor’s Quick Weight Loss Diet authored by Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman that surfaced in the late 60’s.

Bigger than I've ever been, but not bigger than I thought I was. You get the idea.

My blog is based on my 45 years’ yo-yo dieting experiences coupled with my current (since 30 April 2009) very effective, very organized, amazingly easy, well-thought-out, irrefutably healthful, undeniably tasty (to me) diet regimen. In three months, I’ve lost 25 pounds. And, believe me, if I didn’t live in a rural area, the weight loss would be even greater—but it’s hard to bicycle on gravel-dirt roads.

If your goal is only to lose weight, you’re not as focused as you should be. Your real goal is to lose fat. Understanding that is absolutely necessary to doing it. Certainly, by losing fat, you lose weight; however, you don’t want to lose muscle and you don’t want to lose other tissue. You want to lose only fat. It’s a complex process that can be more convoluted than The Da Vinci Code by slim and trim Dan Brown, so pay attention and you’ll learn how to do it.

All the basics—and they’re really quite simple, despite the immensity (pun intended—gird your loins, there will be a lot of them!) of our common problem—will be laid out in the next few days, but they don’t tell you how to achieve your goal, i.e., how to achieve your ideal weight.

My regular blog will do that.  Stay tuned.  Comment.  Spread the word.  Keep me honest.  I’m smart as hell, I’m arrogant, and I’m surprisingly reticent, but, despite my education and experience, I don’t know it all, so it’s up to you to clue me in when I wander off, okay?

Connecticut Department of Transportation officials and leaders of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce have formally unveiled plans for an extensive traveler advisory system for drivers along the busy Route 9 and Route 66 corridors in central Connecticut.

Work is beginning on the installation of variable message signs (VMS) and cameras to create an “incident management and traveler advisory system” for motorists approaching the landmark Arrigoni Bridge, which carries Route 66 over the Connecticut River between Middletown and Portland, and along Route 9. The new equipment will also be linked to the DOT’s Highway Operations Center to allow better monitoring.

An estimated 34,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day, while another 70,000 vehicles travel through Middletown on Route 9 on a daily basis.

“This system will alert motorists to potential delays or accidents, and suggest alternative routes to get to their destinations,” said DOT Commissioner Joseph F. Marie. “Anything we can do to provide advance information will help drivers and help us manage our highways better.”

 “This is a great day for all of us,” said Middlesex Chamber President Larry McHugh. “We have had a terrific working relationship with DOT – especially John Carey and Ken Lussier who have worked closely with us to help alleviate the traffic problems that occur with the Arrigoni Bridge.”

 Commissioner Marie and Mr. McHugh thanked a number of state and local officials who were instrumental in keeping the project moving forward, including State Senator Paul Doyle, State Reps. Joseph Serra and James O’Rourke, Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, Portland First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield and the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Arrigoni Bridge Committee.

The overall administration of the project will be under the direction of David Lavado, District 1 Engineer, and the project engineer is James Ruitto. The work is being done by A.M. Rizzo Electrical Contractors and the $3.2 million project is expected to be completed in August 2010.

I say bright, not because they were smart, because let’s face it, that is about as rare as a Wayne Gretzky rookie card. I say that because there was a lot of lighting up done today.

The Penguins, who are still relatively unhealthy, routed the Flyers with a 7-1 win. I don’t know if the Flyers are really intent on making the playoffs, but as of right now, if they don’t get their shiat together, they aren’t going to make it. With 2 losses in a row, things are looking dim as they hit the stretch run.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Florida Panthers are rattling off wins like there is no tomorrow. Maybe because if they don’t… there is no tomorrow. They have now won 7 in a row and sit 2 points behind the Flyers, but have played more games than all of the other teams on the cusp.

Speaking of rattling wins off, the Sharks finally lost! They went down to the Oilers tonight, in a shoot-out (go figure). Before tonight they had won 11 games in a row on their way to the Pacific Division lead, and with two games on hand on the Ducks, they are looking good to lock up 2nd in the West.

Finally, the other bright spot tonight was Joe Corvo, who lit up his former team. Corvo recorded a hat-trick in his first game against the Senators since he was traded just prior to the trade deadline. With Carolina climbing comfortably into the division lead, and playing much better hockey than the Senators, one might think that Corvo is happy with the trade that had him and Patrick Eaves sent to Raleigh for Commodore and Stillman.

Again, with every passing day, the play-off picture is starting to clear up, and I look forward to it. Look for my predictions as soon as the match-ups figure themselves out.

[in case you haven't noticed, I'm still figuring out the formatting features of this blog site.  I know the interwebs community is a patient bunch so I'm taking my time] 

Hang on folks…it’s the day after/before St. Patty’s day (St. Paul celebrates on the closest Saturday to the actual day) and this is going to be as disjointed as the Senators’ play today.

Joe Corvo hit someone….sure, it was Vermette, but still.  Redden finally hit someone; it was Eaves.  Seeing a pattern here?

 Kinda funny watching Commodore go after Ruutu all day.  “Let’s see, which of these guys am I not friends with?????  I guess I could hit Eaves, but some of the guys really like him.  Oh yeah, this guy Ruutu is a bit of a jerk; I’ll just beat on this chump all day.  Let’s see….how many penalties do I want to take; I think I’ll shoot for 5″ 

Do you think Corvo wants to stick it to the Senators if for no other reason than to raise a middle finger to the Ottawa media?  Understatement of the game….”Joe Corvo has fit in nicely here in Raleigh”; hattrick, Corvo!

Nice to see that Stillman wants to stay with the Senators.  He’s making $1.75 million this year, which is a bargain for a crafty vet like him.  He’s 34 now so he likely has a few more productive years in him.  I’m hoping he’s willing to work for $2 million or so.  I may well be dreaming in that regard; kinda like this gem of a dream I had last night.  I was playing football (soccer for some of you) for Tottenham Hotspur (the side I support) and it was me playing; not some good soccer playing version of me.  I was playing the striker position and the keeper for the other team kicked a bad clearing right to me.  Instead of catching the ball with my foot (since I’m not good at the sort of thing) I caught it with my hand and went around my back like I would dribbling a basketball and then fired it home.  Unfortunately, that pesky referee caught the handball thing.

I’ve lost all patience for Randy Robitaille.  He’s just not an effective hockey player.  He’s an ok skater, but he doesn’t do much else except for get in the way.  When he’s not getting in the way, you don’t notice him at all.  I can’t remember the last time I saw him lay a check, get in on the forecheck, backcheck, sidecheck, or bouncecheck.  I’d much rather see McAmmond, or for chrissakes Vermette, taking up the ice time on the top line.  Is it just me or has Vermette had bunny loads of jump lately?  It’s like he got a license to carry a concealed rabbit; like he has a trampoline in his pocket; a bungee chord in his pants…..er…..too bad he can’t seem to find the back of the net.

I really really really really (picture another 20 really’s) don’t want to be that guy, but I went back to the boxscore for the Ducks game to see if Bill McCreary was the referee that day.  Don’t get me wrong; I think he’s a very good official, but I was just wondering if there wasn’t some subconscious residual punishment being heaped on the Senators for the abuse Murray gave him that day.  Yup, I’m overthinking again; McCreary wasn’t involved in that match.

Does Dany Heatley have to complain everytime he gets called for a penalty?  I kinda like it when he gets nailed.  We get to see him clear his nose in the box.  That’s neat!!  The man leads the league in phlegm.

In the dictionary under Bad; a picture of three Senators below the line after the puck when trying to kill a 5 on 3.  Definition 2:  The Sens’ chemistry today….YUCK! 

In case you don’t know, we lost.  In the careful what you wish for category, would we want to open the playoffs against Carolina? 

Today is the last day of the first month of a new year, and a leap year at that! I have managed to knock-off a few of my 101 Things. Here is a list of a few I have checked off the list, for now. 

I’ve started running 1x/week.

I’ve bought and read a few Ellen Dugan novels.

I’ve begun incorporating vegetarian meals once per week.

I’ve continued to do daily devotions to self and inner-self reflection.

I continue to delve into the realm of animal totems. I have done everything I can think of, wishing for a non-cliche animal. However, with all of my wishes the raven seems to still send me messages throughout the day. Which is a good thing considering my name is “d’ Corbeau.” From what I have gathered, as of now, the ladybug, rabbit, snake, cat, and birds of all sorts seem to come to me when ever I am out and about. There is a strange connection I am with felines, that is just uncanny. Perhaps I should embraise the cliche, and empower it.

Today is also a perfect day to prepare for St. Brigid’s Day, Candlemas, or Imbolg (whichever you call it). Remember to add a touch of whimsy to spark creative magick in your life. Use this time to gather candles, annointed or charging them with various purposes for the coming festival. Making out a schedule of things to get, foods to prepare and crafty things to do, including wise words to write.Everything else aside, I have to read a Shakespeare work and cook/eat an exotic food for the month. Procrastination pays off in some ways as it makes way for a very interesting evening, wherever I may be. 

I am astounded at the peace and clarity that comes from distance. As I step back and look over the events of this last year I am reminded of something that my mother used to tell me constantly. “Hindsight is 20/20.” Life is full of “shoulda, coulda, woulda’s,” and it is what we do with those things in moving forward that determines our character and our ability to learn from our mistakes. The following question was asked on my friend Becky’s blog and I feel that it would be helpful to all those who have been following me and my friends in our on-going involvement in this saga if I answer it here on my own journey blog.

“But I was focused on my own success and never considered that others would take the plan to the extreme. I have read Christin’s blog and accept that she is sorry for her part in the deception.. what I can’t understand is, if she had medical problems as a result of the diet, why did she accept the offer from WW and why did she later accept the position as PR Director? 20,000 members looked to her success and trusted her advice. But I suppose I should direct those questions to Christin.”

I appreciate your acceptance of my apology. Your first statement there says a lot about my own journey as well. I guess Kimmer was right in one thing when she called me “naive.” Yes, I was naive. I had never low carb dieted before Kimkins. I accepted what I thought was a solid plan. I did not know until I began working with Kimmer that there was no doctor’s approval for the program. I had assumed that because it was a published program that I paid money for it had to be legit right? I know better now…. I’m not so naive anymore.

In regard to my health issues that I encountered… honestly, I again accepted them at the time as minor issues that would correct themselves in time. When WW called, I had only just reached my goal of 100 pounds lost. I was the latest success story. I was thrilled as you can imagine anyone would be at finally FINALLY being “normal.” Those of you who have struggled for years and years with your weight know what a rush that can be. At that time, my hair issue had just begun, and it had been explained to me as “normal.” Same with my menses. When we lose fat we lose estrogen, therefore our bodies have to “regroup.” I explained it away to myself too.

I accepted the PR position because I still believed in the program. I still do – as a base. After researching extensively on the programs which Kimkins was based on (Atkins 72 and Stillman’s Quick Weight Loss Program), I learned quite a few differences, classified as Kimmer “tweaks.” These tweaks were addressed in my questions to Kimmer, as I began to realize that there were specific medical reasons that both of these doctors included things in their programs. I do still agree with the concept of a low carb/lean protein program. But notice the emphasis on LOW carb, not NO carb.

The basic Stillman’s plan does incorporate even fruit and dairy, and Dr Atkins included other healthy veggie carbs too. Both plans emphasise the importance of hydration and water. While the basis for Kimkins tweaks centered around a disagreement with Dr Atkins theory of “Be shockingly UNafraid of fat,” I believe there is an opposite extreme as well for people to “be shockingly AFRAID of fat.”

You are right and it a tremendous weight on me to know of the thousands, well millions, of people saw my face and read my testimony. Thousands joined because of my story. They trust me and look up to me. This is almost overwhelming to me. I am just a mom…. just a mom from a little town in Texas. It was, and still is my desire to help those who are hurting. Why did I accept the offer from WW and the PR position? To help. To give hope. To let those who are hurting and struggling know that they don’t have to live like that.

What does this to me now? I’d still like to hope that I am helping. Woman’s World didn’t just show people a plan… it showed them me. I want to encourage you and the rest of my readers in this. I am still here. I did lose the weight and I am still maintaining it. Let my loss inspire you, not just the way I did it. There is no one magic cure-all for obesity. If there was, we would all be skinny and not have the need for inspiration and encouragement. I am here because I understand the pain. I understand and will continue to blog and email and do whatever I can to help anyone achieve their goals no matter what program they chose to follow. All I ask is that you do it safely. Like I said over and over within the Kimkins forums. Learn to listen to your body… but not just where food is concerned as well. Pay attention to other physical cues that your body may be giving you. I should have listened to mine, and fortunately my side effects that came about were easily corrected. But each person is different. That is why there is no “cookie cutter” program. Each person will tweak and embellish to their own body’s needs.

I’ve probably said a lot more here than you wanted to know… but this is me. This is who I am. Did I answer your question?

Yuma City Hall (Parks and Recreation) Mural

Harris Elementary School Library Murals

Sammie Lee Hill a well known Defensive Tackle from a small college known as Stillman has rocketed his draft status to a mid round pick and as a raw player who has shown signs of being great at some times, there are lots of Broncos fans very interested in drafting him in one of the middle rounds. To find out more about this small school prospect read the draft profile below!

Name: Sammie Lee Hill

Position: Defensive Tackle

School: Stillman

Height & Weight: 6-3 / 329

Class: Senior

What I Think: Sammie Lee Hill is thought by many to be the best small college prospect at Defensive Tackle. The experienced four-year starter lined up at Defensive End as a junior and senior, but with explosive burst penetrating the gaps and wide frame, many teams feel that he is better suited to play inside at tackle at the next level (his original college position). Hill has outstanding size and bulk as well as very long arms that he uses to help control Defenders. With his huge size it would surprise you that he is actually quite quick and agile or at least it seems that way on the field. His 40 yard dash was very low actually. He seems to be a high character player and person too. Hill and two other Stillman players were heading back to campus when they saw flames and smoke coming from a house. A young woman was frantically trying to flag down help. When they backed up and stopped, Cassandra Webb told them that her father, Curtis Webb Sr., was inside according to CBS SPORTS. Then he apparently ran in there, covered his mouth and attempted to rescue the man. Their attempt was successful and nobody was seriously hurt. I can’t say that I wouldn’t like to have a man of that character on my team. Personality aside though, he still is very stout at the point of attack and can push the pocket very well. My FAVORITE thing about him is that he can occupy multiple blockers, something that is needed in a 3-4 defense which I think he would be most prolific in. He also has nice hands too and was very productive at Stillman. But as any small school prospect will be criticized for, he did not face elite talent and has never played any Top 25 teams and barely any Division 1 teams anyway. He is also not overly tough or physical which really makes me nervous at the position of Defensive Tackle. Nor does he have a killer instinct of any sort. He just seems to play the game, not with any passion. You will find no use for him in the pass rush game but in the run game he makes up for it. He is not explosive off the line of scrimmage either. There are a lot of good things about Lee Hill but I still have my doubts…

Draft Grade: C

Chain reaction of proliferation

(EN) The history of atomic age isn’t over yet and this infographic, published on New York Times, is based on a new book describing “the interlocking web of influence and espionage behind the proliferation of nuclear technology”. The authors of “The Nuclear Express, A political history of the bomb and its proliferation” are Thomas C. Reed, a former nuclear weapons designer and Danny B. Stillman a physicist with decades of experience in nuclear design, diagnostics, and testing. Quite intriguing expecially with the recent nuclear revival...

—————–

(IT) La storia dell’era atomica non è ancora finita e questa infografica, pubblicata sul New York Times, si basa su un nuovo libro che descrive “la rete interconnessa di influenza e  spionaggio dietro la proliferazione della tecnologia nucleare”. Gli autori del libro intitolato “The Nuclear Express, A political history of the bomb and its proliferation” sono Thomas Reed, un ex designer di armi nucleari e Danny Stillman un fisico con anni di esperienza nel design e testing nel nucleare. Piuttosto intrigante specialmente con il recente revival del nucleare…

So we are now a quarter of the way through the NHL hockey season and it is time to take stock of each of the teams and re-rank everyone on how they performed in the first 20 or so games of each of their season. Being a fan of Eastern Conference teams (and being those are the majority of games I get to watch) this will be a crit primarily of them as the pre-season predictions get re-aligned.

Not a lot separates many of the teams and the parity the league was looking for with the salary cap continues to dominate the play. As the season progresses, there will surely be a few run-aways, but in the meantime the pogo-stick standings will continue with early surprises and some interesting storylines.

I’ve written about the teams in the order I think they are playing right now and included their current standing, my original prediction and my revisted prediction.

Brues
current: #1 NED #2 AC – preseason predict: #10 EC revised predict: #2 NED #4 EC
Ok, so far, I was off in my prediciton about the Bruins not being able to hold up the powerful ending to their season and are showing they are a much stronger team than originally thought. They passed some critical early season tests including a 10 games in three weeks run against some tough teams. The forwards play well together and the goaltending acts as a solid backstop. They are also one of the teams both the injury bug and lockerroom chaos has not hit and that benefits them greatly in their early run. If they continue to play as a team they should continue to roll along

Habs
current: #2 NED, #5 EC; preseason predict: #1 NED, #3 EC revised predict: #1 NED, #3 EC
There is still a lot of time left for the centenial celebration to fully come together in the standings beyond the early dominance and the huge all star voting shows. The biggest challenge with the Canadians is in consistancy. When they play well, they play very well. However, when they are off the mark, they look terribly average, especially considering the talent. If they can convert better on the power play and cease taking unnecessary penalties it might help, but mostly, it is about playing a full game each game that will improve their standing and ultimately put them in the position to win that cup necessary to continue being the last team in professional sports to win consistantly once a decade in every decade of their existence. I still say this is a team on a mission and a franchise to be reckoned with, especially after putting to bed the ghosts of Pat Roy.

Pens
Current: #2 AD #4 EC; – preseason predict: #1 AD, #1EC revised predict: #1AD, #1 EC
Pens are better than what their record says in the standings and they are managing to put up really good road numbers early on. Last season ended when they couldn’t springboard plays successfully out of the defensive zone and control the puck and the loss of Gonchar seemed as if it was going to plague them this season with him being the biggest asset for that, but they seem to be figuring out to move the puck effeciently and effectively. A recently injury to Flury also doesn’t seem to be hurting them between the pipes and the aversity will only serve them that much better through the season.

Rangers
Current: #1 AD #1 EC; preseason predict: #2 AD, #4 EC revised predict: #2 AD, #5 EC
Their rank in the standings is a little misleading because of the extra games they’ve already played comparred to the rest of the league but even that said, they are still underrated in the balance and poise they show night in and night out. The loss of the big names in the off-season only made them stronger, but they teeter on the balance of not carrying a lot of depth and in the end are only one injury away from going from first to medocre in their quest to redefine the franchise.

Caps
Current #1 SED, #3 EC; preseason predict: #1 SED, #2 EC revised predict: #1 SED, #2 EC
Seven men out including a good part defense (Poti, Green, Ernskine, Scultz and Pothier) plus Federov and Semin on the offense and their captain Clark, combine with a platooned corps between the pipes and it is hard to believe the Caps are not only in first, they are putting distance between them and the balance of the Southeast. Ovechkin got off to a slow start too, but the rest of the team (specifically Semin before the injury) carried on well and Fleishman is becoming a force along with the thundering resurgence of Kozlov are helping create balance. If the team can find a way to create stability and focus through a full 60 minute game night-in and night-out they will be a force to be reckoned with. If not, it could be a tumultous season finding an identity to build upon.

Flyers
Current: #3 AD, #6 EC; preseason predict: #3 AD, #5 EC revised predict:#3 AD, #6 EC
They are not as physically dominating as what they would appear to be, but they are finding ways to win with finesse and determination and a little help from the Devils faltering while the other divisions struggle to find competitors above the division leader role. Injuries to key players thus far including Briere, Hatcher, Richards and others created inconsistency within the lines but the aversity seems to only force the Philly team to focus more. If they can figure out the post-Hextal goalie curse the way they figured out the Palin curse and a rocky start they will continue advancing and a confident Flyers team could be trouble in the EC.

Devs
Currnet: #4 AD #7 EC; preseason predict: AD #4, EC #7 revised predict: #4 AD #8 EC
Unsung. Despite a severe lack of offense and a thinning defense, the Devs are still right in the thick of things. They also played the least number of games of all the top teams and are doing it without their most important asset, Marty Brodeur. Add in losses to Rolston, Maddan, Holik and others is not helping provide consistency. As unlikely as it seems the Devs are putting together wins and finding out who they really are as a team and if they get back everyone healthy they are poised to show a new face to an oft-critisized franchise.

Sabes
Current: #3 NED, #9 EC; preseason predict: #3 NED, #8 EC revised predict: #3 NED, #7 EC
There is not a lot really wrong with the Sabres, but there is not a lot right either. They subsist. Winning games and losing games in fits and bursts without much of a personality, including the defense which was touted to be a foundation for them to build upon. The lack of scoring looks hauntingly like the Devils but that winning mentality the Devs have it is difficult to really rally to success in the short term. Given the opportunity, there is potential for the Sabes to come into their own.

Canes
current: #2 SED, #8 EC; preseason predict: #2 SED, #9 EC revised predict: #2 SED, #9 EC
About where I anticipated them to be, but not quite how I expected them to get there. After the slow start, it was anything but a surprise bring back Paul Maurice and fire Peter Laviolette, but the real question is, will the coaching change spark the surge they need, or will they need to fill in desparate gaps in their transitional play and special teams going through mid-season. The tighter defense Maurice should bring is not only desparately needed for the ‘Canes, but a key for all teams in the East to differentiate themselves (save maybe the Devs), but can a team not built on that foundation learn it quick enough to overcome.

FLA
Current: SED #3, AD #9; preseason predict: #4 SED, #11 EC revised predict: #3 SED, #10 EC
Certainly did not see this one, though, I did say they would be a surprise. There is more to this team than meets the eye and with Anderson in goal making most people shake their heads it only lends itself to the astoundment. Continuing this trend will mean finding goals now that Richie Zednick is out along with gunners Horton, Stillman and Booth, but considering how the team continues to perform without the normal expectations it is an anything is possible scenario.

Sens
Current: #5 NED #12 EC preseason predict: #2 NED, #6 EC revised predict: #4 NED, #11 EC
Only NJ played as few games as the Sens and they are averaging a point a game. Considering the lockeroom strife the team is enduring and the monumental collapse of this franchise time-and-time again, it isn’t difficult to understand how they’ve fallen from grace. Personally, I thought the fall would be slower and less pronounced but they are performing at about the level one should expect considering what they have to work with to begin with.

Leafs
Current #4 NED #12 EC preseason predict: #5 NED #12 EC revised predict: #5 NED #12 EC
Surprisingly better than initally predicted. Schenn has been a bright spot, Wilson has worked the teams weaknesses into strenghts/ The lack of Mats Sundin did not have the negative effect some anticipated. Any chance the team completely collapses is thin, if they can find a way in the front office to develop for the future there’s something to build upon. The real question is if the front office is really ready for that.

Isles
current #5 AD, #13 EC preseason predict: #5 AD, close to last revised predict: #5 AD, close to last
To say the Isles are overachieving is disrespectful to the teams under them. The franchise balances on one name only, DiPietro. And in as such, no Rick means again, no Isles season. And here we are again, debating on how low they can go and still be above teams that are trying to find ways to lose. Should they be worse then they are, probably with with a Southeast as bad as it is, they are finding a way to scrape together the necessary wins to not flounder but they are languishing at the bottom about where they belong.

Botls
Current #4 SED, #13 AD preseason predict: #3 SED, #12 AD revised predict: #4 SED, close to last
Swiss cheese, just like they were supposed to be. Holes all over the D. No backstop between the pipes. No consistancy on offense. Already through a coaching change. Need we say more?

ATL
current preseason last and last predict: last and cose to last revised predict: last and last
Exactly were they were expected to be, pulling up the rear. There’s nothing to say that hasn’t already been said, a team devoid of any identity and even when handed the occasional win they still find a way to relinquish it and give up even the point for a tie.

So we are now a quarter of the way through the NHL hockey season and it is time to take stock of each of the teams and re-rank everyone on how they performed in the first 20 or so games of each of their season. Being a fan of Eastern Conference teams (and being those are the majority of games I get to watch) this will be a crit primarily of them as the pre-season predictions get re-aligned.

Not a lot separates many of the teams and the parity the league was looking for with the salary cap continues to dominate the play. As the season progresses, there will surely be a few run-aways, but in the meantime the pogo-stick standings will continue with early surprises and some interesting storylines.

I’ve written about the teams in the order I think they are playing right now and included their current standing, my original prediction and my revisted prediction.

Brues
current: #1 NED #2 AC – preseason predict: #10 EC revised predict: #2 NED #4 EC
Ok, so far, I was off in my prediciton about the Bruins not being able to hold up the powerful ending to their season and are showing they are a much stronger team than originally thought. They passed some critical early season tests including a 10 games in three weeks run against some tough teams. The forwards play well together and the goaltending acts as a solid backstop. They are also one of the teams both the injury bug and lockerroom chaos has not hit and that benefits them greatly in their early run. If they continue to play as a team they should continue to roll along

Habs
current: #2 NED, #5 EC; preseason predict: #1 NED, #3 EC revised predict: #1 NED, #3 EC
There is still a lot of time left for the centenial celebration to fully come together in the standings beyond the early dominance and the huge all star voting shows. The biggest challenge with the Canadians is in consistancy. When they play well, they play very well. However, when they are off the mark, they look terribly average, especially considering the talent. If they can convert better on the power play and cease taking unnecessary penalties it might help, but mostly, it is about playing a full game each game that will improve their standing and ultimately put them in the position to win that cup necessary to continue being the last team in professional sports to win consistantly once a decade in every decade of their existence. I still say this is a team on a mission and a franchise to be reckoned with, especially after putting to bed the ghosts of Pat Roy.

Pens
Current: #2 AD #4 EC; – preseason predict: #1 AD, #1EC revised predict: #1AD, #1 EC
Pens are better than what their record says in the standings and they are managing to put up really good road numbers early on. Last season ended when they couldn’t springboard plays successfully out of the defensive zone and control the puck and the loss of Gonchar seemed as if it was going to plague them this season with him being the biggest asset for that, but they seem to be figuring out to move the puck effeciently and effectively. A recently injury to Flury also doesn’t seem to be hurting them between the pipes and the aversity will only serve them that much better through the season.

Rangers
Current: #1 AD #1 EC; preseason predict: #2 AD, #4 EC revised predict: #2 AD, #5 EC
Their rank in the standings is a little misleading because of the extra games they’ve already played comparred to the rest of the league but even that said, they are still underrated in the balance and poise they show night in and night out. The loss of the big names in the off-season only made them stronger, but they teeter on the balance of not carrying a lot of depth and in the end are only one injury away from going from first to medocre in their quest to redefine the franchise.

Caps
Current #1 SED, #3 EC; preseason predict: #1 SED, #2 EC revised predict: #1 SED, #2 EC
Seven men out including a good part defense (Poti, Green, Ernskine, Scultz and Pothier) plus Federov and Semin on the offense and their captain Clark, combine with a platooned corps between the pipes and it is hard to believe the Caps are not only in first, they are putting distance between them and the balance of the Southeast. Ovechkin got off to a slow start too, but the rest of the team (specifically Semin before the injury) carried on well and Fleishman is becoming a force along with the thundering resurgence of Kozlov are helping create balance. If the team can find a way to create stability and focus through a full 60 minute game night-in and night-out they will be a force to be reckoned with. If not, it could be a tumultous season finding an identity to build upon.

Flyers
Current: #3 AD, #6 EC; preseason predict: #3 AD, #5 EC revised predict:#3 AD, #6 EC
They are not as physically dominating as what they would appear to be, but they are finding ways to win with finesse and determination and a little help from the Devils faltering while the other divisions struggle to find competitors above the division leader role. Injuries to key players thus far including Briere, Hatcher, Richards and others created inconsistency within the lines but the aversity seems to only force the Philly team to focus more. If they can figure out the post-Hextal goalie curse the way they figured out the Palin curse and a rocky start they will continue advancing and a confident Flyers team could be trouble in the EC.

Devs
Currnet: #4 AD #7 EC; preseason predict: AD #4, EC #7 revised predict: #4 AD #8 EC
Unsung. Despite a severe lack of offense and a thinning defense, the Devs are still right in the thick of things. They also played the least number of games of all the top teams and are doing it without their most important asset, Marty Brodeur. Add in losses to Rolston, Maddan, Holik and others is not helping provide consistency. As unlikely as it seems the Devs are putting together wins and finding out who they really are as a team and if they get back everyone healthy they are poised to show a new face to an oft-critisized franchise.

Sabes
Current: #3 NED, #9 EC; preseason predict: #3 NED, #8 EC revised predict: #3 NED, #7 EC
There is not a lot really wrong with the Sabres, but there is not a lot right either. They subsist. Winning games and losing games in fits and bursts without much of a personality, including the defense which was touted to be a foundation for them to build upon. The lack of scoring looks hauntingly like the Devils but that winning mentality the Devs have it is difficult to really rally to success in the short term. Given the opportunity, there is potential for the Sabes to come into their own.

Canes
current: #2 SED, #8 EC; preseason predict: #2 SED, #9 EC revised predict: #2 SED, #9 EC
About where I anticipated them to be, but not quite how I expected them to get there. After the slow start, it was anything but a surprise bring back Paul Maurice and fire Peter Laviolette, but the real question is, will the coaching change spark the surge they need, or will they need to fill in desparate gaps in their transitional play and special teams going through mid-season. The tighter defense Maurice should bring is not only desparately needed for the ‘Canes, but a key for all teams in the East to differentiate themselves (save maybe the Devs), but can a team not built on that foundation learn it quick enough to overcome.

FLA
Current: SED #3, AD #9; preseason predict: #4 SED, #11 EC revised predict: #3 SED, #10 EC
Certainly did not see this one, though, I did say they would be a surprise. There is more to this team than meets the eye and with Anderson in goal making most people shake their heads it only lends itself to the astoundment. Continuing this trend will mean finding goals now that Richie Zednick is out along with gunners Horton, Stillman and Booth, but considering how the team continues to perform without the normal expectations it is an anything is possible scenario.

Sens
Current: #5 NED #12 EC preseason predict: #2 NED, #6 EC revised predict: #4 NED, #11 EC
Only NJ played as few games as the Sens and they are averaging a point a game. Considering the lockeroom strife the team is enduring and the monumental collapse of this franchise time-and-time again, it isn’t difficult to understand how they’ve fallen from grace. Personally, I thought the fall would be slower and less pronounced but they are performing at about the level one should expect considering what they have to work with to begin with.

Leafs
Current #4 NED #12 EC preseason predict: #5 NED #12 EC revised predict: #5 NED #12 EC
Surprisingly better than initally predicted. Schenn has been a bright spot, Wilson has worked the teams weaknesses into strenghts/ The lack of Mats Sundin did not have the negative effect some anticipated. Any chance the team completely collapses is thin, if they can find a way in the front office to develop for the future there’s something to build upon. The real question is if the front office is really ready for that.

Isles
current #5 AD, #13 EC preseason predict: #5 AD, close to last revised predict: #5 AD, close to last
To say the Isles are overachieving is disrespectful to the teams under them. The franchise balances on one name only, DiPietro. And in as such, no Rick means again, no Isles season. And here we are again, debating on how low they can go and still be above teams that are trying to find ways to lose. Should they be worse then they are, probably with with a Southeast as bad as it is, they are finding a way to scrape together the necessary wins to not flounder but they are languishing at the bottom about where they belong.

Botls
Current #4 SED, #13 AD preseason predict: #3 SED, #12 AD revised predict: #4 SED, close to last
Swiss cheese, just like they were supposed to be. Holes all over the D. No backstop between the pipes. No consistancy on offense. Already through a coaching change. Need we say more?

ATL
current preseason last and last predict: last and cose to last revised predict: last and last
Exactly were they were expected to be, pulling up the rear. There’s nothing to say that hasn’t already been said, a team devoid of any identity and even when handed the occasional win they still find a way to relinquish it and give up even the point for a tie.

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An especially special friend of mine spoke with me about the uselessness of primary care physicians. And almost had me, but something came to mind when I read an article in the July 2, 2008 edition of the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) by Dr. Michael Stillman. My friend presented me with the idea that general care physicians are not always very knowledgable about ailments or certain health problems that specialists would know. I had a personal experience that comes under this category. However, when the patient of a primary care physician is ill or injured, the primary care physician will know the patient well. One of the most important aspects of health care that is commonly overlooked is knowing the patient. Often such luxury is not possible with the busy schedule of doctors, or the lack of need to see certain doctors. Nonetheless, it can influence care dramatically. Dr. Stillman gave an example in his article where the medications of a patient had been changed to a more expensive regimen without his knowledge. The prescribing doctor would not have know that the patient could never afford those medications, but Dr. Stillman knew and prescribed the original, less-costly, and equally effective regimen.  A number of other issues come up as well when identifying the importance of primary care physicians. When making an important medical decision, trust between a patient and the doctor becomes essential. Patients, even if are under the care of a specialist may want to consult a phyiscian with whom they are familiar before making an important decision. Primary Care doctors may not necessarily save lifes, but they can certian help people maintain the highest quality of life possible. So with the greatest level of respect possible, I disagree with my friend [I will convince her I am right, and if she happens to read this before I try the art of persuasion...] (citation: JAMA July 2, 2008 p.21-22).

(Update: This piece has been selected to participate in the 11th annual “Art on the Streets” competition in Colorado Springs this summer. It was one of 13 works chosen this year from a record number of submitting Artists from across the country and abroad. The opening reception is scheduled for 6/26/2009.)

This sculpture was entirely hand formed and fabricated from just a few of the most basic steel elements, those being steel sheet, rod and pipe. Standing at about 11′ tall, as you move up the undulating trunk it diverges into two large branches. From these branches emerge a number of smaller branches that move outward and support both leaves and large “flowers” that also resemble propellers. From these branches, all of its “flower-pellers” spin, and its leaves flutter, in the slightest breeze, (as the “flower-pellers” are balanced and spin on bearings, and the leaves are hinged to their respective branches).