Japan consists of the four large islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushua and about three thousand smaller islands

CYBEX INTERNATIONAL RECALLS TREADMILLS

Cybex International, Inc., of Medway, Mass. is recalling 33,719 Cybex or Trotter Treadmills.  Overheating and ignition of dust inside the treadmill's hood can cause a fire hazard if dust is allowed to accumulate.  The firm has received five reports of fire resulting in property damage to the treadmill. The treadmill is black with gray coloring and has rectangular uprights. It is 69" in length and 30" in width and has a small display panel.  The brands and models "Cybex 400T," "Cybex 410T," "Trotter 510," "Trotter 525," or "Trotter 535" are written on the display panel.  "CXT+" is another recalled model but does not have the brand Cybex or Trotter.  The treadmills were sold at Cybex dealers and direct from Cybex International, between September 1993 and October 2001, for about $4,000.  Consumers should stop using the treadmill and contact a certified Cybex service technician for a free repair.  Call Cybex toll-free at (888) 678-3846 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at    www.cybexintl.com.

A walrus has about 400 to 700 vibrissae, or whiskers, in 13 to 15 rows on its snout. Vibrissae are attached to muscles and are supplied with blood and nerves. A walrus moves its snout through bottom sediment to find food. Abrasion patterns created by their tusks show that they are dragged through the sediment, but are not used to dig up prey

LIVING IN LOS ANGELES COSTLY               
It costs $58,000 a year for the average family of four with two working adults to pay the basic bills in Los Angeles County. Researchers for the California Budget Project find the $58,000 needed for family of four is nearly triple the federal poverty standard of $18,244, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The study challenges federal poverty standards that don't take child care and the soaring cost of housing in California into account, according to the Sacramento based organization. A single parent with two kids must earn $48,000 to achieve a modest standard of living.

After Janus withdrew, two of Wolfe's co-defendents complained about the process by which the province is attempting to find them lawyers who will take their case."No one has talked to us," said Dale Donovan. "We're still in the dark, and (the Crown) and legal aid are in the backroom having meetings that we're not a party to."

Despite Leonoff's assurances that prosecutors have nothing to do with the process, Donovan also found fault with the province's choice for an independent third-party enlisted to canvass other lawyers who might be willing to take on the bikers' case. It's the bikers understanding that task has fallen to lawyer Bill Olson, who also does work for the province and the Winnipeg Police Service.

"He doesn't have our best interests in mind," Donovan said.

Leonoff agreed to provide the bikers with a list of five lawyers who have shown interest in the case. Queen's Bench Justice Holly Beard promised to keep the canvassing process separate from her continued deliberations over the funding dispute.

the following is stolen from my good friend Jake
New Biker 10 Commandments

1) WE DO NOT HOLD!  (purses, beers, coats and other peoples shit, etc.)

2) WE DO NOT WAIT!  (for phone calls, slow people or losers)

3) NO FREE RIDES!  (some type of payment is expected)

4) ALWAYS AVOID ASSHOLES AND PEOPLE WITH PROBLEMS!  (red necks in big trucks, 18 wheelers, and don’t get cut-off by sleds, fences, and holes larger than thy front tire)

5) HOLD NO OTHER BIKE HOLY OTHER THAN THY HARLEY-DAVIDSON!  (You may wave at riders of rice burners, however you must help a “brother” in need)

6) BE KIND TO OLD PEOPLE, CHILDREN AND ANIMALS!  (also don’t litter and “Don’t mess with Texas” remember the Guadalupe River Flood in October l998, water rights are free to everyone, not just land owners)

7) HONOR THY FODDER AND MUDDER AND TO THY OWN SELF BE TRUE!

8) ACCEPT THAT THERE IS A “HIGHER POWER” THAN OURSELVES!  (and He rules.  Ask Him to “show you the way” to serve Him every day of your life)

9) DO NOT STEAL, LIE OR KILL! (except if hungry, answering your old lady or fighting)

10) HONOR THY BROTHERS AND YOUR COLORS! (Our Colors Don’t Run)
independentfreedomriders.com

There was an attorney who got home late one evening after a very taxing day trying to get a stay of execution for a client, named Wilbur Wright, who was due to be hanged for murder at midnight.  His last minute plea for clemency to the state governor had failed and he was feeling tired and depressed.

As soon as he got through the door his wife started on about, "What time of night do you call this?  Where the hell have you been?" and so on. Too shattered to play his usual role in this familiar ritual, he went and poured himself a very large whisky and headed off to the bathroom for a long hot soak -- pursued by the predictable sarcastic remarks.

While he was in the bath the phone rang, which the wife answered to be told that her husband's client had been granted his stay of execution after all.

Realizing what a day he must have had, she relented a little and went upstairs to give him the good news.  As she opened the bathroom door she was greeted by the sight of her husband's rear view as he bent naked over the bath cleaning the tub.

"They're not hanging Wright tonight," she said, at which the attorney whirled round and screamed hysterically, "For crying out loud woman, don't you ever stop?"

diaphanous \dye-AF-uh-nus\ adjective

1 : characterized by such fineness of texture as to permit seeing through
*2 : characterized by extreme delicacy of form : ethereal
3 : insubstantial, vague
Example sentence:
"The very mist on the Essex marsh was like a gauzy and radiant fabric, hung from the wooded rises inland, and draping the low shores in diaphanous folds." (Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness)
Did you know?
Can you guess which of the following words come from the same Greek root as "diaphanous"?