Anthony Jones’s homepage

Classic Toys That Are Worth The Money

photo by believer9 reader sarah asks, “i’ve been thinking about getting rid of some toys. … however, since this is our first child, i’m always challenged on what we should keep throughout future kids, or what we should go ahead and get rid of. i detest toy chaos! what toys do you keep around?” excessive call in, … common posts:

How to turn a wire hanger into a laptop stand.

All you need is a wire coat hanger and a few well-placed bends and you’ve got yourself an ergonomic laptop stand.

It starts with a small bend in the middle of the hanger’s lower bar. Then, you fold each corner 30 to 45 degrees, about three inches up from the corners.

After that, it’s just a matter of adjusting the bent corners to fit your laptop.

Xstrata

For more pictures of the entire process, check out this link.

Related posts: Cranberry relish recipe, Forever 21 stores, Erector, Fedex field, Liberty league international

Editorial: Balancing the economy

These are hard times and the numbers show it. Unemployment is rising. Housing values, stock prices and consumer confidence are all sinking.

Numbers don’t lie, at least those statistics most often used to measure economic activity. But they can disguise the true picture of the economy by being too broad. We are not all in the same boat, rising and falling equally on the waves of economic fortune. Nor is the economy a pendulum, swinging back and forth between poverty and prosperity for all.

A new study by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center illustrates these oversimplifications. The center’s data on the most recent business cycle found that between spring 2001 and the beginning of the current recession at the end of 2007, real wages for the lowest-paid 20 percent of the workforce actually fell while the income of the other 90 percent grew. The hourly wages of the lowest 20 percent fell by around 50 cents during that period, but those in the top 20 percent saw their wages grow by almost $5.

These figures match the growing income inequity across the country, which the authors contend is higher than it has been since 1928. They also reflect shifts in the Massachusetts labor force. Massachusetts continues to lose jobs in most economic sectors, with the exception of health and educational services and leisure and hospitality, where wages tend to be lower. The state has lost nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs since 1991, a trend that continued despite a 1995 tax cut that was intended to stem the losses.

The good news in the MBPC study is that Massachusetts workers continue to be among the nation’s best educated, with nearly 44 percent holding bachelor’s degrees, up from 32 percent in 1990. Our educated workforce is one of the few things the Bay State economy has going for it, and it’s a resource state and local officials should exploit as a tool to recruit employers.

The downside of the business cycle is the time for government to make economic development plans. State officials should use the data in this study to inspire a comprehensive strategy. We need to manufacture new medical treatments in Massachusetts, not just invent them. We need all kinds of well-paying jobs, not just jobs requiring an advanced degree. New jobs must be spread across the state, not just clustered in Boston and MetroWest.

While the national economy struggles to climb out of its current hole, and as a new administration in Washington promises to invest in job creation, this is the time to plan a long-range economic development strategy that will, when the business cycle turns once more, deliver for all the state’s residents.

Related posts: Espn gameplan, Gamereactor, Manta ray, Forever 21 stores, Home depot hours

Word of the Year 2009 & Giveaway

are you new to tip junkie? if so, check out our faq.i’m doing talk to me tuesday a day early this week due to my back surgery on thursday. i’m completely inspired by the word of the year and i hope you’ll participate in the challenge and giveaway.

can you home in on a unattached word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2008?i principal discovered the report of the year in 2007 by michelle, kristi, and lisa and was immediately inspired by the idea originated by alli edwards:”a single word can be a powerful mania. it can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. it can be agile and penetrating or rich and soft and slow.”

so for today’s talk to me tuesday i’d like to impugn you to pick a brief conversation that sums up what you want for yourself in 2009? to encourage Dick to pick their bulletin, i’m giving away a custom tassel necklace with your word for 2009, compliments of tabetha over at reminisce heirlooms.

contest rules:to make sure that i pick the correct winner (and i don’t miscount), i’ll be using mister linky instead of the comments.1. in a post announcing your word of 2009 and a affiliation back to tip junkie.com. if your blog is private, go ahead and enter but be sure to kick the bucket our winner episode to socialize with if you won!if you haven’t acclimated to mister linky prior to, here’s the low down (a.k.a rules). another plus side of using mister linky is that it should bring you some traffic from blog-joggers. more accurate title-holder and more traffic to you - win/win.

p.s. are you looking for a word that speaks to you? check incorrect last years posts for inspiration:word for 2008word for 2008 - giveawayword in the course of 2007

Jon and kate plus 8 new house

Related posts: 7 pounds will smith, Carving a turkey video, Football championship subdivision, Chip saltsman, Cranberry relish recipe

On Wall Street, nobody’s home today but a few hungry bulls

The world’s stock markets are off to a strong start in the new year, after the crash of 2008.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 228 points, or 2.6%, to 9,004 at about 12:10 p.m. PST — the first time the index has breached the 9,000 mark since Dec. 8. UPDATE: The Dow closed with a gain of 258.30 points, or 2.9%, to 9,034.69, its highest finish since Nov. 5.

Green mile

It’s just too bad that there are so few people working on Wall Street today to enjoy this. Trading is very light, with most investors making a four-day weekend of the New Year’s holiday.

“There is no institutional presence whatsoever,” said Dan McMahon, head of equity trading at Raymond James & Associates in New York.

And that means any significant market move today, up or down, would be suspect. Better to wait until Monday to see what the big money really thinks about stocks in 2009.

Still, McMahon says, “There is a lot of cautious optimism” about the new year, after last year’s collapse.

The Dow plunged 33.8% last year, its worst decline since 1931. But the blue-chip index has been working its way higher since bottoming at 7,552 on Nov. 20.

The Standard & Poor’s 500, which slumped 38.5% in 2008, was up 2.8% to 928.89 at about 12:10 p.m. PST, and closed up 3.2% to 931.80. That lifted its gain since Nov. 20 to 23.8%. Winners were outnumbering losers by about 5 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Buyers were paying no attention to the dismal report on U.S. manufacturing activity in December, which suggested the economy continued its cliff dive.

Battered foreign markets also lured investors today. The German market gained 3.4%, British stocks rallied 2.9% and Hong Kong surged 4.6%. The Brazilian market is up 7.2% so far.

Meanwhile, some investors are selling the hot asset of 2008 — Treasury bonds. The yield on the 10-year T-note has jumped to 2.42% after ending last year at 2.25%.

All in all, it’s a far better start for stocks than what we saw at the outset of last year: The Dow tumbled 221 points, or 1.7%, to 13,043 on Jan. 2, 2008, setting the scene for the massacre that would follow.

– Tom Petruno

Photo: Jason Decrow / Associated Press

Related posts: Forever 21 stores, Susan summers, Cbs c, Alonzo bodden, Facebook francais

PATIENT EVIL - An R.J. Godlewski / Right Truth Blog Exclusive - Chapter Forty-Six

Colts message board

PATIENT EVIL

An R.J. Godlewski and Right Truth Blog Exclusive eBook

Chapter Forty-SixEnse et aratro

    Jonas shook his head softly, nervously. ???I don???t think drowning the guy is going to get him to talk.???

    ???We???re not drowning him.??? replied the General coolly.

    ???I could almost understand having him go around feet first, but backwards ??? head first ??? doesn???t give him much time to react.???

    ???That???s the point.??? interjected Seth Carmassi, standing within the darkened corner partially oblivious to the plight of the Arab terrorist presently enduring the ride of his life. ???He can???t prepare. His mind is worn out and so he can???t focus on time. His ???punishment??? is coming faster and faster as he???s losing his ability to concentrate.???

    ???Still, that water???s got to be damn cold.??? Jonas turned away from the prisoner and retreated towards his partner.

    ???Warm water would actually kill him about now.??? explained Seth, taking a swig out of a whiskey flask borrowed from General Hulderich. ???The cold shocks him back into reality.???

    ???We???re not barbarians.??? The General???s voice drifted in from the distance. ???We calculate everything. Especially victory.???

    Jonas glanced briefly back towards the prisoner tied to the large, wooden wheel. ???I???m just an analyst, mind you, but I don???t see how we???re supposed to get anything useful out of him.???

    ???He???s not our target.??? Seth prodded his overweight and compassionate friend out through the door. ???We just want to freak him out enough to go running back to his masters.???

    Jonas sensed that the full treatment imparted upon the Arab prisoner left much to contemplate. He couldn???t understand the ends, much less the means. If the goal was merely to break adventure movies the prisoner???s will, that much had been accomplished back in Ukraine when they trailed him high above the country behind a speeding aircraft.

    This treatment seemed to serve no purpose but to dehumanize the man. An elaborate if sadistically orchestrated function designed to humor others at the prisoner???s expense.

    ???Now, we start working on young Haytham.??? Seth motioned Prinkler towards a red metal door near the end of the stone hallway.

    Jonas fully expected to witness another horrendous spectacle but found himself struggling to believe his eyes when his gaze fell upon the young Arab, seated comfortably at a dining table, wolfing down a sizable plate of pasta. A can of Diet Coke sat next to him, beads of condensation slowly draining down the silver container towards the Formica table.

    ???Well, Haytham.??? Seth???s voice seemed almost motherly in tone as he straddled a chair opposite the student. ???You won???t be abused by Mahmoud anymore.???

    The young Arab paused briefly, suspiciously, before continuing with his meal.

    ???That man in there wanted you dead.??? Seth continued, feigning interest in the cleanliness of his fingernails. ???You know that. And for what? To kill others? Mahmoud wanted you to blow yourself up and it wouldn???t have done a damn thing. You might have killed dozens, even hundreds of Christians but we???re too large a group download fantasy movie to stop. We went to the moon, for God???s sake. You don???t think that all we???d have to do is push a button and the likes of you guys would cea

Related posts: Steven jackson fantasy, Jo de la rosa and lucas, Football championship subdivision, 7 pounds will smith, Erector

Batman Stash East Signing!

kevin smith and walt flanagan present batman: cacophony number 1 at jay & silent bob’s secret stash the details: date:saturday, november 8, 2008 mores:2:00pm - 5:00pm finding:jay & aphonic bob’s secret stash35 broad streetred bank, nj 07701 (732) 758-0508 info: accompany writer kevin smith and artist walter flanagan on saturday november 8th as they first culmination 1 of their 3-issue series batman: …

Pharmalot Is On Vacation? Seriously

Carmen electra nude

hard to believe, yes? but even we take a hardly days off now and then. while we induce our laptop with us and require, periodically, check on interesting developments, hourly posting will not come to this week. we apologize for any inconvenience, but we promised mrs. pharmalot and the short people (that renowned, non-existent ’60’s group) …
Related posts: Home depot hours, Espn gameplan, Justin tranter, Erector, Henry silverman

Lowe Unimpressed By Mets’ Offer

Derek Lowe was “hardly overwhelmed” by the Mets’ three year $36MM offer, Mike Puma of the New York Post heard from a baseball source. Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe heard from a source of his own that Lowe’s “likely to continue shopping for a more desirable offer.”

It’s uncertain who would make such an offer, since Massarotti writes that the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies are not currently interested in Lowe.

Uss grunion

As a result, the Mets could end up in what Puma calls a “protracted stare down” with Scott Boras and his client.

Related posts: Jo de la rosa and lucas, Football championship subdivision, Steven jackson fantasy, Alonzo bodden, Jane fonda christian

Peter Chianca: That was the year that wasn’t

As regular readers of this column know, this is the time of year when I like to look back on my predictions from 12 months ago to see whether my keen journalistic insight served me well in prognosticating the major events for the coming year. And those same regular readers are probably asking, “What keen journalist insight?,” because they know me.

So let’s see what I had to say about 2008:

1) The economy will continue to soar, and with it the value of our investments. If you haven’t yet put money in reliable stalwarts like Lehman Brothers or Madoff, better do it now! Clearly I was a little overzealous with this one — hopefully nobody actually listened to me. In retrospect, I’m sure glad I didn’t have any money to invest.

2) After a rough couple of years, President Bush will leave on a high note after successfully ending the war in Iraq, shoring up the economy and finally reforming Social Security. Not sure what made me think Bushie could pull it out — maybe I just felt sorry for him, being in so far over his head all these years. I should note that I also predicted he wouldn’t be hit by any shoes, which was correct, albeit just barely.

3) Once again, nothing interesting or even remotely noteworthy will come out of Alaska. Cut me some slack on this one — who could have possibly predicted Sarah Palin, or even the kafuffle over Sen. Ted Stevens, for that matter? This would have been an accurate prediction during any of the last 50 years, so you can’t really blame me for throwing in a gimme.

Yellowstone earthquake swarm

4) Comic book superheroes will rule the roost at the box office, led by a blockbuster sequel about a dark crusader for justice — “Punisher: War Zone.” OK, I was close on this one. I still think the only reason “Punisher” tanked was because it didn’t have Heath Ledger and was based on a comic book character that nobody ever heard of. Also, it kind of sucked.

5) Madonna will reinvent herself once more and launch her “Middle-Aged Matron” tour, performing standards from the American songbook while wearing tasteful sweaters and pantsuits, and not engaging in any controversial extramarital relationships with younger men, especially baseball players. Damn you, Madonna! Must you always defy expectations?

6) Audiences will cheer as Rosie O’Donnell single-handedly revives the variety show format, earning herself the title “The new Sonny and Cher.” Apparently I was the only one eagerly anticipating the variety show revival … and even I didn’t watch Rosie’s show. But I was right in my prediction that Jay Leno’s time slot would be changed, although I predicted they’d move him to 3 a.m. and broadcast him in Spanish.

7) The Jonas Brothers will be proven by an investigative team from E! to be animatronic creations designed by Disney scientists. Yes, I agree that this one was kind of far-fetched. E! doesn’t even have an investigative team.

Several forward-thinking Chinese corporations will introduce the latest sensation for kids: toys you can suck on. OK, so it turns out that sucking on Chinese toys would be bad. But I was right in my prediction that tomatoes would prove dangerous this year, even if I said it would be due to them falling on people from great heights.

9) The Patriots will face the upstart N.Y. Giants in the Super Bowl, where Tom Brady will crush them between his powerful, manly thighs. Hmmm … I think all those pictures of Tom in G.Q. were starting to cloud my judgment.

10) Barack Obama will be elected 44th president of the United States. Actually, I was just kidding about this one. But I’ll take it!

Peter Chianca is a managing editor for Gatehouse Media New England. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/pchianca. To receive At Large by e-mail, write to info@chianca-at-large.com, with the subject line “SUBSCRIBE.”

   
Related posts: Fox news las vegas, Cbs c, 7 pounds will smith, Fedex field, Fred hampton

Chargers-Broncos: How the West Will Be Won

It has come to this. For the Chargers and their fans it all comes down to one game. One game against the Denver Broncos.

Hogan west virginia

Philip Rivers, the league’s leading quarterback in rating and touchdowns, will take the field against their division rivals, the Denver Broncos, who will be lead by QB Jay Cutler.

Cutler who has said he is better than Elway has proved he is. Better at losing that is.

Three weeks ago, the Broncos practically had the AFC west wrapped up. All they needed was a win or a Chargers loss to clinch the division. So much for counting on the Bolts to lose!

The Chargers have won their last three coming into Week 17. Two of them not so beautifully but the last convincingly. This sets the stage for the Broncos and Jay Cutler to get a spot in history.

The spot will be the one of the only team to ever blow a three game lead with three games left download animation movie and get knocked out of playoff contention.

The San Diego Chargers are looking to revitalize adventure movies themselves. With a win Sunday they will be the only team to ever come back from 4-8 and enter the playoffs.

The San Diego offence is on the air attack. Rivers must continue to play at this level to win Sunday and beyond.

So how will the West be won? By Rivers through the air.

Chargers 41

Broncos 28

Related posts: Football championship subdivision, Campari calendar, Turner gill auburn, Forever 21 stores, Justin tranter

Peter, Paul, Mary and a magic negro

scrap saltsman, longshot candidate republican country-wide committee chairman, had a loyal construct: he’d send cds of liberal-bashing air parodies to every member of the rnc. parodies like this one, sung by a whitish guy impersonating al sharpton!barack, the magic negro, lives in dc.the la times, they called him that, ’cause he’s not authentic like me.yeah, the guy from the la paper said he’ll affect ashamed whites feel good.they’ll desire support for him and not after me because he’s not from the hood.reid wilson has the story, the first of who knows how many incidents of a republican stepping into a racial around while trying to jab fun at the arriving president. in fairness to mr saltsman, the song parody (by paul shanklin, who contributes to rush limbaugh’s announce show) was a take-off on an opinion piece about the “magic negro” in pop culture. in fairness to everyone else, no one who thinks the republican party needs to take its cues from talk radio can premier them to anything but another electoral defeat.mr saltsman was not tipped to win—his key achievement was outstanding mike huckabee to an underfunded third position finish in the presidential primaries—and this story won’t help him. it means that the republican chairman race pits two black candidates against a guy who formerly belonged to a whites-only provinces club and a dude who laughs at songs involving “magic negroes.” oh, and two other white guys.

P2p eu

Related posts: Brazile: DC to host event of a lifetime, Fox news las vegas, Football championship subdivision, Jackrabbit, Fedex field