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Post by Michele on Oct 18, 2008 1:18:23 GMT -5
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Post by dzero on Nov 5, 2008 14:06:47 GMT -5
www.etonline.com/news/2008/11/67369/Very sad news. Prolific novelist and "ER" creator Michael Crichton has passed away. He was 66. Perhaps best known for being the author of Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World, which were turned into a hugely successful movie franchise, his numerous books have sold over 150 million copies worldwide. In what his family calls an unexpected death, it was revealed that he was waging a private battle against cancer. "While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us -- and entertained us all while doing so -- his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes," his family tells ET. "He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget." www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/features/people/e3i2998df2f8111f6a8072275df15d2dd14Michael Crichton (AP photo) Michael Crichton -- whose books were made into films including "The Andromeda Strain," "Jurassic Park" and "Twister" -- died Tuesday. He was 66. The author died "after a courageous and private battle against cancer," according to his Web site. Despite his illness, a statement on MichaelCrichton.net said Crichton died "unexpectedly" in Los Angeles. The "in memoriam" posting added: "While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us -- and entertained us all while doing so -- his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes. He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget. "Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand. "He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves behind the greatest gifts of a thirst for knowledge, the desire to understand, and the wisdom to use our minds to better our world. "Michael's family respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time. A private funeral service is expected, but no further details will be released to the public."
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Post by Michele on Dec 10, 2008 18:11:45 GMT -5
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Post by Michele on Feb 19, 2009 21:24:37 GMT -5
the city Auckland has been getting alot of power cuts for some reason. Auckland
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Post by Michele on May 8, 2009 4:24:50 GMT -5
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Post by Michele on Jun 1, 2009 1:34:02 GMT -5
big power cut in NZ today June the 1st.
Genesis Energy's prepay system leaves electricity customers in the dark Mon, 01 Jun 2009 5:54p.m
Customers relying on Genesis Energy’s prepay electricity system found themselves left in the cold and dark, after it broke down during the weekend's cold snap.
A software problem meant customers could not buy power to heat their homes.
There are 10,000 prepay clients around the country, and several contacted 3 News.
As a cold front swept up the country today, Genesis Energy customers who prepay for electricity were told they could not do it, and would have to make do without power.
Genesis says it had a software problem, but some customers say the system should default to power being on, not off, if the company's systems fail - because in winter customers are just too vulnerable.
Temperatures dropped to below freezing in Fielding overnight. Tineke Chapman is grateful they have a wood burner because her prepay power ran out and Genesis told her she was not able to buy a top-up today.
Ms Chapman, 43, says the system does go down quite frequently.
“We've been in the house two years now and it's been down a good ten times,” she says.
She spent 45 minutes trying to get through to Genesis on the phone, to be told, “we are overloaded.” The pre-recorded message also encourages customers to “call 111” if it is an emergency.
There are 40 outlets in New Zealand where customers can use the prepay system. Ms Chapman usually tops up at the local Video Ezy.
She is then given a number to enter into her "in charge" system at home.
When Ms Chapman finally got through to Genesis she says she was told they had no idea what was wrong or how long it would take to fix.
“We had to make alternative arrangements,” she says.
Genesis would not tell 3 News how many of their 10,000 prepay customers throughout NZ were affected - or how many calls they had received.
In nearby Palmerston North, the Stone family was told by their local BP last night that they could not top up, so they too rang Genesis.
“They said don’t worry it would be fine, your meter won’t cut out, it will just go into overdraft,” says Anna Stone.
But at 8 o'clock this morning the money ran out - and the power went off.
“My husband put on the BBQ this morning in the garage to heat up some water which was only partially successful,” says Ms Stone.
“I really worry about all the other people,” says Ms Chapman.
“The type of people that get pre-paid power are the type of people that can't afford for their power to go off.”
She remembers the case of Folole Muliaga in Mangere two years ago, who was on an oxygen machine and died two hours after her power was cut off by Mercury Energy.
“Their system should be that if it fails for any reason and people can't top up, it should default back to everybody gets power,” says Ms Chapman.
Genesis finally got the top up payment system back on line this afternoon.
3 News
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Post by ML Fan on Jun 25, 2009 18:45:21 GMT -5
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Post by Michele on Jun 25, 2009 23:01:56 GMT -5
both of those were a shock. Turned on TV today and there was a big story about Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Both were young. RIP Michael and Farrah.
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Post by Aerie on Jun 25, 2009 23:06:50 GMT -5
Like a fool I was driving home and wasn't listening to the radio so didn't hear about Michael Jackson's death. The freeway and all the streets were glogged with cars full of people trying to get to UCLA hospital. I don't really understand that mindset of people that want to get as close as they can to the body. I couldn't even get to my house for hours. Luckily there was a bar close by.
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Post by spikeloud on Jun 28, 2009 16:01:08 GMT -5
my band plays an MJ song once and a while..however i wouldnt want to be around the circus at the hospital ether..seems that there is a better time and place for fans to pay their respects that being said.........the bar is a good choice
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Post by shywriter on Jul 12, 2009 11:19:46 GMT -5
Some very very good news for a change -- at least for some of us! (FINALLY a vice with benefits! ;D ;D) Studies: Coffee May Lower Alzheimer's Risk Researchers Think Caffeine May Reduce Inflammation in the Brain, Preventing Memory LossTwo new studies have found that your morning cup of coffee might help treat or even prevent memory loss. Dr. Jennifer Ashton stopped by "The Early Show" to discuss these latest findings. As Dr. Ashton explained, the studies were done on mice. "Researchers gave the equivalent of 500 milligrams of caffeine per day to little lab mice, who have been induced to have the same kind of memory changes we see in Alzheimer's disease, and they found a very positive effect on their memory and thinking actions over a two-month period. So put another one in the column of a good effect of caffeine," she explained. The human equivalent (how much a human being would have to drink to have a similar effect) would be about five medium-sized cups of coffee. "It looks like a lot, but it's important to realize that now, when we go to a deli or a Starbucks, this could actually be just the equivalent of 2 1/2 large or Grande cups of coffee a day. While it's a little bit more than most people have in the morning, it's actually not such an excessive amount," she said. Asked how quickly this effect was detected in these mice and how long it lasted, Ashton said, "They saw it over a two-month time period, and they're still following them. It's not yet known whether the changes appear to be permanent or not. "Their thinking is that actually the caffeine worked by decreasing the inflammation in the brain, cuts down on the buildup of protein we see in the brain of people with Alzheimer's disease." The studies appeared in the July 5 online edition of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Ashton said the findings are very encouraging. "People are affected by Alzheimer's. While it's important to remember that caffeine is a drug, this is something that's readily accessible in our environment practically. It's in people's day-to-day, and something that can have an effect like this is very important and very encouraging." Ashton notes that some caution is advised. Caffeine is a drug, and can be associated with increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, jitteriness, palpitations and dehydration. "For people who have irregular heart beats, hypertension, women who are pregnant or those who are sensitive to the effects of caffeine, coffee, tea or soda should be consumed in moderation." These people should also discuss caffeine consumption with their health care provider. Asked if she'd encourage people to drink more coffee, Ashton said, "It's important to see the coffee didn't have a healing effect but more of a therapeutic effect. More studies are on the way." © MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.(with my coffee habit, this means that my brain will be up and running for about the next 800 years!!)
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Post by mari on Jul 12, 2009 11:46:31 GMT -5
Some very very good news for a change -- at least for some of us! (FINALLY a vice with benefits! ;D ;D) Studies: Coffee May Lower Alzheimer's Risk Researchers Think Caffeine May Reduce Inflammation in the Brain, Preventing Memory Loss ;D ;D Now I just need to remember where I read about the beneficient effects of Marzipan lately... ;D
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Post by Michele on Jul 15, 2009 21:11:35 GMT -5
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Post by dzero on Jul 15, 2009 23:42:59 GMT -5
Was it fun? or scary? I've always thought they were kind of fun , except for the one earthquake when a bunch of bottles fell down on my head
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Post by Michele on Jul 16, 2009 4:00:33 GMT -5
I didn't know it happened until I turned on the TV. lucky no one was killed or hurt, South Island are getting after shocks.
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