But then a new chapter starts: a better manager: more money: real success with a decent team: the hateful arrogance of twenty years ago re-surfacing : THE POSSIBILITY OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE AT ANFIELD. AAAAGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! So what's a Manc to do? Enjoy and gorge on the vast and immediate pain, or pray for a little more drawn-out suffering that a win and renewed hope might bring El Beard? Am I a would-be executioner or torturer?" Meanwhile Barrie has calmed down. "Yoga is a wonderful thing," he lies. "I'm interested to hear your take on things at Anfield. Since you seem to think Rafa is for the chop, who would be your preferred replacement?" Why you're in any way interested in my opinion is beyond me, Barrie; I should refer you to the second paragraph of this report. Though since you're asking, and seeing the Reds need someone with the nous to antagonise and destabilise a nearby larger and richer arch-rival...

Trane Reports 2007 Record Results, Provides 2008 Outlook

PISCATAWAY, N.J., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Trane Inc. (NYSE: TT) today announced fourth-quarter income from continuing operations (Trane Air Conditioning Systems and Services) of 32 cents per diluted share, down from 36 cents a year ago. Fourth-quarter 2006 results included a benefit of 10 cents related primarily to the sale of some operations in Australia and tax items. Adjusted income from continuing operations was 33 cents per diluted share, up 27 percent from 26 cents a year ago. Adjusted income excluded various costs and benefits that are detailed in the financial charts that follow this text. Sales from continuing operations were $1.82 billion, up 14.2 percent (up 11.9 percent in local currencies). Both the company's former Vehicle Control Systems (WABCO) and Bath and Kitchen segments are classified as discontinued operations.

Heat Pumps 'Go With The Flow' To Boost Output

ScienceDaily (Jan. 29, 2008) — Air-source heat pumps typically deliver 1 1/2 to three times more heating energy to a home than the electric energy they consume. This is possible because heat pumps move heat rather than convert it from a fuel (as combustion heating systems do). National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) researchers are working to improve the performance of these energy superstars even further by providing engineers with computer-based tools for optimizing heat exchanger designs.

Catalytic converters targeted by North County thieves

The loss is just one in a recent rash in thefts of the costly anti-smog devices that police say are sold to scrap metal recyclers for cash.The rash of thefts began in early January, and since then, more than a dozen catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles in North County, police said. All of the thefts target late-model Toyota trucks and sport utility vehicles, they said."They pick those because they sit higher off the ground," making it easier for thieves to crawl underneath and remove the converter, which is attached inside the exhaust pipe, Escondido police Lt. Bob Benton said.The converters are stolen for the small amounts of precious metals they contain, including platinum, rhodium and palladium, and can fetch up to $100 at scrap metal yards, authorities said.The thefts do not cause serious damage to the vehicles, but can cost victims up to $3,500 in repairs, said Jennifer Baray, assistant service manager at Toyota of Escondido.Like pilfered copper pipes and wiring, police began seeing catalytic converter thefts when the price of the metals increased, authorities said."There's always some hot valuable that's being stolen because of its scrap value," said Fiona Everett, crime analyst for the Carlsbad Police Department.Frank Scafidi, spokesman for the National Insurance Crime Bureau, said there are no hard statistics on the frequency of the crime, which has grown into a nationwide problem."We started getting reports of these things early last year.

No, we’re not related

But instead of one of my usual, meandering deals about life on the road in the NBA, I'm going to yap basketball for the umpteenth day in a row (sooner or later we're going to stray off topic, for real).

After watching these guys practice for the first time it became painfully obvious to me that Josh Smith, Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia and Solomon Jones comprise the entire frontcourt rotation the Hawks will use for the final 33 games of this season - starting with tonight's game against the Lakers - and possibly beyond.

Alaska Air Group Reports 2007 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results

A summary of financial and statistical data for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found on pages 7 through 11.

This report contains forward-looking statements that are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.