Monday, April 1, 2013

White House Photographer Offers a 'Front Row Seat' to the Presidency

This week, our Sunday Spotlight shines on Eric Draper, who documented eight years of history as the chief White House photographer for President George W. Bush.

With unparalleled access to the president, Draper captured the full scope of Bush's time in office - from the intensity of 9/11 and visits with wounded veterans, to quiet moments on his family ranch in Crawford, Texas, or praying with the family of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"My job was not to be a distraction. My job was to purely document," Draper told ABC News. "That was a very unique role in the White House ? to have that much access to the president ? and not to be a participant in the meetings, but to be an observer."

Draper selected from nearly four million images for his new book, " Front Row Seat: A Photographic Portrait of the Presidency of George W. Bush."

See the stories behind some of Draper's photos below:

"The cover of the book has an image of the president outside the Oval Office, walking through the colonnade," Draper said. "There's definitely some intensity in his expression. There's something thoughtful going on at that moment."

"This was a moment in between meetings early in the morning, and the light just was perfect. And I just had to go out and follow him. Typically, I would try to kind of gauge when I would kind of intrude on his personal time, and he went out for a breather, but the light was just too beautiful. And I had to go out and make the picture. And he walked by me without even looking at me."

"The president and the First Lady are sitting on this very large couch in Buckingham Palace. And what's neat about Buckingham Palace is that it's just like the White House, except everything's bigger," Draper said.

"They were like kids, they were having fun," he said. "They were guests of the Queen, and they're about to leave for a black-tie dinner that night. So they were walking around, and they were like, 'Oh, Eric, come over and take our picture on this couch.' And so it made for a fun moment."

"One day in the Oval Office - I believe this was in 2002 - a box arrived, and it was a gift," Draper said. "This is early in the morning, no one else is around. He opens the box and he pulls out this boxing robe ? and on the back, it had his name, 'George W. Bush.'"

"Of course he tries it on. And he's looking around for someone to show it to," Draper said. "In that image, he's opening the Oval Office door looking through the hallway to see if anyone's walking around, because he really wanted to show it off ? A lot of those moments I had to wait, just hang out and wait, and luckily I was there to capture that funny moment."

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/white-house-photographer-offers-front-row-seat-presidency-152017141--abc-news-politics.html

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Not Just A Pretty Face: Celebrities With Brains & Looks!

Not Just A Pretty Face: Celebrities With Brains & Looks!

Claire Danes photosIt’s nice to be attractive, but we all realize looks don’t last forever! Especially in the celebrity world! We have compiled a list of Hollywood celebrities that have not only good looks, but are also really smart! Let’s take a look! Natalie Portman “Black Swan” star Natalie Portman had a 4.0 in high school and ...

Not Just A Pretty Face: Celebrities With Brains & Looks! Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News

Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2013/03/not-just-a-pretty-face-celebrities-with-brains-looks/

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Happy World Backup Day! Go Backup Your Stuff! Seriously.

hard driveHard drive backups are like the socks of gifts you give yourself. They're initially about as unexciting as gifts can get, only to become the best gift ever in a pinch. Got a meeting in 20 minutes and your normal sock reserve is empty? Thanks for the bag-o-socks, Uncle Steve! Your HDD just exploded, taking the past 3 years of your digital life with it? Thanks for the backup, past-me!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/iXtL68clwt0/

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2 in China first known deaths from H7N9 bird flu

BEIJING (AP) ? Two Shanghai men have died from a lesser-known type of bird flu in the first known human deaths from the strain, and Chinese authorities said Sunday that it wasn't clear how they were infected, but that there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

A third person, a woman in the nearby province of Anhui, also contracted the H7N9 strain of bird flu and was in critical condition, China's National Health and Family Planning Commission said in a report on its website.

There was no sign that any of the three, who were infected over the past two months, had contracted the disease from each other, and no sign of infection in the 88 people who had closest contact with them, the medical agency said.

H7N9 bird flu is considered a low pathogenic strain that cannot easily be contracted by humans. The overwhelming majority of human deaths from bird flu have been caused by the more virulent H5N1, which decimated poultry stocks across Asia in 2003.

The World Health Organization is "closely monitoring the situation" in China, regional agency spokesman Timothy O'Leary said in Manila.

"There is apparently no evidence of human-to-human transmission, and transmission of the virus appears to be inefficient, therefore the risk to public health would appear to be low," O'Leary said.

One of the two men from Shanghai, who was 87, became ill on Feb. 19 and died on Feb 27. The other man, 27, became ill on Feb. 27 and died on March 4, the Chinese health commission said. A 35-year-old woman in the Anhui city of Chuzhou became ill on March 9 and is being treated.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted tests and confirmed Saturday that all three cases were H7N9, the health commission said.

Scientists have been closely monitoring the H5N1 strain of the virus, fearing that it could mutate into a form that spreads easily among people, potentially sparking a pandemic. So far, most human cases have been connected to contact with infected birds.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/2-china-first-known-deaths-h7n9-bird-flu-092118642.html

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Man rams car into Calif. Wal-Mart, 4 injured

Police cars maintain a perimeter around a San Jose, Calif., Walmart after a motorist drove through a store entrance and began assaulting shoppers on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Four people sustained injuries during the attack according to a police spokesman. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Police cars maintain a perimeter around a San Jose, Calif., Walmart after a motorist drove through a store entrance and began assaulting shoppers on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Four people sustained injuries during the attack according to a police spokesman. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Unidentified women leave a San Jose, Calif., Walmart after a motorist drove through a store entrance and began assaulting shoppers on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Four people sustained injuries during the attack according to a police spokesman. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Walmart workers gather outside a Walmart in San Jose, Calif., after a motorist drove through a store entrance and began assaulting shoppers on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Four people sustained injuries during the attack according to a police spokesman. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

A worker cleans up damage at a Walmart in San Jose, Calif., after a motorist drove through a store entrance and began assaulting shoppers on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Four people sustained injuries during the attack according to a police spokesman. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

(AP) ? A man in a large red sedan hit two cars in the parking lot of a San Jose Wal-Mart before ramming the car through the front of the store then assaulting customers inside, officials said. The attack injured four people, one of them seriously.

The man crashed the Oldsmobile Cutlass through the storefront near the pharmacy Sunday and collided with a beer display before stopping, police and witnesses said.

The unidentified driver then got out of his car and used a blunt object to attack people, San Jose police Officer Albert Morales said. The driver was arrested when officers arrived.

Investigators have not determined how fast the driver ? described as a man in his 30s ? was going at the time of the crash but the car went about 20 feet into the Wal-Mart Supercenter that had about 70 people inside in San Jose, Morales said.

One person suffered what Morales described as serious injuries. He did not know the extent of the injuries to the three other people but said they were not life-threatening. The injured included a store employee.

There was no immediate word about what motivated the suspect.

Customer Sharon Kaye told the San Jose Mercury News the driver sideswiped her car as he made several runs around the parking lot before driving between poles at the entrance and crashing into the store.

"At first, I thought I may have done something to anger him while driving," she said. "But then I realized he was out to get into the store."

After the crash, the entrance to the Wal-Mart was roped off with yellow police tape, and workers put up large boards covering the automatic doors where the car had entered.

A Wal-Mart spokeswoman told the Mercury News that the store remained shut down for several hours, and an employee was among those hurt.

"We're obviously very concerned about the associate who was injured," spokeswoman Kory Lundberg said.

Shopper and witness Tianna Doan told the newspaper the employee was a cashier who was hit with the object and had a head injury.

Calls to the store by The Associated Press went unanswered Sunday.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-04-01-Wal-Mart%20Crash-Attack/id-0fb29b800c1b47ba8e43d243fbdb5fe3

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Tiger Sharks Relationships | Internet dating Tips for Men

Whenever we step into the world of online relationship it can appear to be we?ve slipped into another universe completely, where we no more communicate with people but with mystery creatures who solely possess a virtual existence.

However we?re not. We are talking to real individuals and social manners as well as etiquette, including from the dating kind, don?t (or at least shouldn?t) differ therefore greatly from the real-world. Except that we don?t have to worry (yet) about who is going to foot the bill. It?s just two people possessing a chat, getting to know one another and seeing exactly where things will go. That?s not so scary right now, could it be?

As much as I hate to say it according to contemporary heterosexual relationship rules men, generally, should still take the lead. It?s just the way matters roll. Therefore it could be the case that a few online dating tips for men go a long way, and if you feel just like you need some then you?ve come to the right place!

1) Show initiative
Such as real life if you like someone, show this. Not with over the top actions and unwarranted declarations associated with love but through giving attention, showing interest and making that extra special effort. Do not leave it an age to reply to messages and do not be dismissive within your response. Everybody knows that ?I?ve been busy at work? actually means ?I just could not become bothered?.

2) Time it right
Once you?ve moved beyond the ?how?s it going? ? stage as well as decided you?d love to take things a step further make your move and ask to meet upward. Do it early enough; do not leave it too long or interest subsides and the ship will sail. Remember online dating is recommended being a platform right into a real partnership, not as an alternative to this.

3) Allow it to be personal
Not all people are identical. Take the time to get acquainted with your target and find out who they really are. Do not just lump someone right into a category according to their sexual intercourse, age, origin, occupation and so forth etc . It bugs, and it will get you no place.

4) This simple
If you are \ planning your day keep it straightforward and asking someone you?ve not really met to go on the mini-break to Paris is not going to earn any points. A drink is okay, dinner probably. And even an easy walk over the river. Honestly, that?s all it requires.

5) Help your choice, as well as stay with it
Shop around online go ahead and, however be subtle regarding it. Ice-breaker kind messages are fine to begin with but once you?ve decided who to choose start drawing attention to your approach appropriately (see ?keep this personal? over! ). Dating in the first stages doesn?t have to be special but it should be thoughtful.

These types of online dating tips for men are designed to help get a web based relationship on the right track. But most importantly be real, be respectful and become yourself; that?s always the absolute right place to start.

Resulten Master

Author @ Datinghut. com

I have already been writing regarding dating hut for a few years right now. Helping give advice and unbiased online dating sites reviews

therefore people can flourish in online dating!

Dating Hut is an impartial, impartial guide providing you the best online dating sites reviews. Discover all the best UK online dating sites.

Source: http://tigersharkswimclub.com/online-dating-tips-for-men/

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Cliff(y) Goes Dining: SIN: Box n Sticks

Tiramisu with Japanese whisky!


We often hear that the Japanese are nice people. Well, it seems that the owners of the restaurant strives to be like the Japanese haha... It's written on the window of the restaurant: "We are nice people. No GST. No service charge." Anyway, I went there for the weekday Lunch Promotion (11.30am - 4.00pm). By topping up S$3.80?with any order of a main course, you'll get two side dishes and a drink to complete your meal.


Hiyayakko?(Set Menu)

Taste:?7.5/10

The first side dish that came to the table was the cold, smooth tofu in soy sauce broth, topped with katsuoboshi (Japanese dried bonito flakes) and fried garlic bits. While it was refreshing and definitely a healthier choice, I found that the broth was a tad too salty for my liking.

Chawanmushi?(Set Menu)

In contrast to the cold tofu, the other side dish chosen was the piping hot egg custard with shiitake mushrooms, crab sticks. The egg was smooth and appetising, and the mushrooms were pretty juicy. Too bad there weren't any, say, chicken meat inside that would otherwise make it more savoury.

Curry Katsu Don?S$9.80

Taste:?7/10

For the main course, I chose the pork cutlet with curry and rice. The curry had a bit of carrots and potatoes in it, and I was quite surprised that it was much spicier than most Japanese style curry I've eaten in Singapore. It was a pity that the pork cutlet wasn't that crispy, and they didn't use short-grain rice. Besides that, the miso (Japanese fermented rice, barley and/or soybeans)?soup was so-so.

Carbonara?S$10.80


A friend of mine, a small eater, decided to order just a main course. We've heard people saying that the cream pasta with a poached egg, bacon bits and seaweed is good, but I felt that it wasn't truly creamy. I've ?had better elsewhere, for example in The Spaghetti House. Having said that, the egg was poached perfectly.

Koohii Tiramisu?S$5.80

Taste:?8.5/10

A cup of tiramisu wouldn't harm, would it? Homemade with what's claimed to be Japanese whisky as written in the menu, I truly enjoyed the wet, coffee-infused cake with quite a strong alcoholic taste. I'd definitely love to give a higher score for this one if they were to use a much creamier mascarpone cheese.

Taste:?7.5/10

Ambience:?7.5/10

Service:?7.5/10

Overall:?7.5/10

Anyway, the drink that I had was cold Japanese green tea which was a bit diluted, but I better not complain since I kept asking for refill haha...?Pika's advice: Just for fun! They have their own way of saying that the consumption of outside food and/or drinks isn't allowed in the restaurant. Do look for the sign when you happen to dine there!

Box n Sticks

14 Aliwal Street

Singapore

(Mon-Thu: 11.30am - 11.00pm; Fri: 11.30am - 12.30am; Sat: 6.00pm - 12.30am)

*Prices quoted are nett prices.

Have a nice meal,

Cliff(y)

Source: http://cliffy-goes-dining.blogspot.com/2013/03/sin-box-n-sticks.html

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