text: Silent Battle Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Brittany Naylor Recipient of the Inspire Award Large breasts are what women strive for not struggle to accept. That's not always the case, and it is a subject that gets swept under the rug instead of talked about. I wanted to be that person to represent women with naturally large breasts who does struggle. There are many challenges – always having to special order supportive bras, not being able to wear certain clothes, back pain and for me scars. Over the years I have gotten scars, indentions and bruising from my bras. And because one of my breasts is larger than the other one of my shoulders is lower. This personal struggle for me began at 7 when I started to develop. And it has been a lifetime process for me but I embrace them; this is the way God made me. And I am not alone. I see other women struggle with it too. I wanted to be a light for them. – Brittany Fierce Strength Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Beth Hawkins Growing up, I never felt good enough – pretty or smart enough I joined the Air Force soon out of high school, partially to get away from my parents but also so I could be in charge of my own destiny. Seeing my daughter grow into a happy, self-assured, headstrong and outspoken young woman makes me feel strong inside. When she takes up for others that are bullied for being different, when she befriends others who have very few friends because they are gay or bisexual, I feel such a sense of pride. When I feel proud, I feel strong. When I see her take up for the underdog I know she got that from me. She is beautiful inside and out and that makes me feel beautiful. – Beth Unapologetically Strong Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Jennifer Frankic Powerlifting has given me freedom: freedom to be unapologetically strong, to defy the standards society and mainstream media put on women, to push my body and mind past self-imposed limitations, to be fearless and, if only for a few moments, from the stress of life. Competing on the platform gives me an opportunity to celebrate with other women who are doing the same thing. Powerlifting and training are hard. As competitors we are all strong and fearless, together. Regardless of age, size, physical strength or even gender, powerlifters become teammates at a competition even though only one can actually move the weight. – Jennifer Cut the Negative Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Jessica Stout SOLD Nothing makes me feel uglier than having someone get inside my head and cut me down. There are far too many women cutting each other nowadays. I believe in building other women up and filling their "cup." I feel most beautiful when I'm home with my children. I'm always their Wonder Woman. – Jessica Flaws and All Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Keajani Carter Embracing your body means loving yourself for you and all of your flaws. Embracing yourself is important because you are unique and beautiful in your own way, and no one should ever feel like they aren't. I want young girls to know that embracing your body may be hard, but once you do, your life will be much easier. I can struggle with focusing on negative things and comparing myself to other people, because in the society we live in, you are deemed less beautiful if you do not meet the standards they set for beauty. I feel most beautiful when I show kindness to others. — Keanjani Fighter Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Sarah Bowen SOLD I felt a lump in my breast but ignored it, for months, too afraid to go to the doctor because I knew what they would say. I couldn't bear hearing, "You have cancer." But now, as weird as it sounds, cancer may have been my friend in disguise. It changes a person. It's up to you on how you let it change yourself I'm more patient, cry at everything, everything makes me happy – I've turned into a sap. I laugh a lot more now; I feel good; I feel strong. I don't think I've ever felt strong before. And even though my body is covered in scars from a double mastectomy and everything else, I still feel beautiful. It's been tough, but my kids are the reason I fight. They are my strength. – Sarah Breaking Free Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Kelly Ingle I'm still working on getting comfortable with myself. It took leaving my ex-husband to regain the confidence I have now. I couldn't dress how I wanted; I couldn't do anything without him being with me, and he hid me from family and friends. I was never pretty to him, and in the last year he was sure to tell me daily that no one would ever find me attractive and that he never thought I was attractive or beautiful. I'm still working. – Kelly Through my daughter's eyes Photographer: Rhonda Taylor Model: Katie Perkins My daughter has helped me evolve into the person I am today. She has special needs, and I fight every day for people to accept her yet I spent so much time struggling to accept myself. She has been so instrumental in helping me embrace and accept myself. – Katie Shadows of the Past Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Anne McKim As women, we are so often defined — and define ourselves — by our bodies. I developed an eating disorder at 14 in order to control that definition of myself. But instead of doing that, my life was controlled by the illness for the next nine years. Although treatment included intensive outpatient therapy, and eventually, hospitalization, the most difficult part of this chapter or my life was how much I wanted to be a strong woman but felt I could not. In my mind I was too weak, too sick, too screwed up to be of any value. I still face struggles with both my body image and sense of self, but participating in Embrace Your Body was an incredible reminder that by stripping down to your most honest self — literally and metaphorically — always allows for the greatest growth. – Anne Shelter Photographer: Cliff Ingram Models: Jennifer and daughter Taylor My daughter shows me every day what it means to be beautiful and strong. It hasn't been easy though. I left Taylor's father when she was just 8 months old. I knew I could give her a better life without him, the drinking, fighting and verbal abuse. He told me I wouldn't be able to keep Taylor safe all the time. Keeping her safe and happy was my reason for living. But I thought letting Taylor see her father was the right thing to do. His words though were always in the back of my mind. I did all everything I could to keep her safe, even when Taylor was out of her sight. But some people are just monsters. Two days before Taylor's fourth birthday her father molested her. It's been difficult but she is my hero; I want the world to know that. – Jennifer Owning Myself Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Tecora Momon Tercora's mom has been telling her since day one that she is gorgeous and that she can do anything if she sets her mind to it. But it wasn't until recently that she actually believed her. Tecora has struggled with being comfortable with herself, but putting herself out there in this photo has changed that. "It truly boosted my confidence. It was empowering and really has changed me." She's loving the feeling of being more comfortable in her own skin and hopes to encourage others to do the same. – Tecora Leading by Example Photographer: Rhonda Taylor Model: Melanie and Olivia Fairchild SOLD I like to lead by example. Staying active and fit is an important part of my life. Health is everything. I want to set a positive example for my daughter, 2, and start her out at an early age so physical activity becomes a regular part of her life. Working out has not always been part of my life. I've always been pretty fit, but I think that has a lot to do with genetics. I started Crossfit when my daughter was 9 months old. Ever since she was born, I used the excuse that I had just had a baby. I figured that excuse was not going to work anymore since she was almost 1. I look forward to going to the gym and lifting heavy stuff – it makes me feel strong and confident. I love the way my body is changing. – Melanie Wonderfully Made Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Sonya Duff You don't hear from too many people with brain tumors because the majority of them die. I am a miracle – God's miracle. I am a survivor of a chondrosarcoma. Even with this diagnosis, I fear not for my life but instead for the life I am not living while I am here. I no longer will be defined by man or this changing culture. I am a child of God. I am His daughter who is fearfully and wonderfully made. Even though I have suffered with many side effects and sometimes feel as though they have stolen my outward beauty, I refuse to allow my "looks" define my value as a person. Outward beauty fades but our inward beauty can continue to grow. – Sonya Able to be Desired Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Nannette Stump SOLD Nannette has Cerebral Palsy but she's never let the disease – impacting mobility – stop her. In her younger days she loved to snow ski, hike in the Rocky Mountains and canoe on the French Rivera. As her disease progressed, her mobility declined leaving her unable to do those things. With a decline in mobility has come a decline in functional independence and an increase in dependence on others. Now she walks with forearm crutches. It has become increasingly difficult to embrace her body each time she comes face to face with things she can no longer do. Initially Nannette wanted to be a part of Embrace Your Body to "prove I could do something that leaves me feeling naked and vulnerable. Ultimately I wanted to demonstrate that people with disabilities can see themselves as attractive and desirable. If we do, others will see them similarly." – Erin Expressions of Power Photographer: Erin McCracken Models: Jennifer Frankic, Amanda Smith, Stacey Godbold, Gretchen Schnautz, Dana Forzley and Kari Duncan. Amanda Smith wants to live an active lifestyle not only for her health but also to teach her two daughters the importance of being healthy and always pushing yourself and body to meet your goals. After years of being fit, Amanda wanted to find a new challenge. She started powerlifting competitions because she believes a certain level of competition within yourself is "healthy and keeps you from getting too comfortable." Powerlifting makes Amanda feel like a strong woman who is different and refuses to be part of normal. She's learned to embrace herself and her body by loving herself for all her talents, quirks and faults while still striving to be the best version of herself. – Erin Balance Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Jeni Juhl Yoga has helped Jeni step back and find peace with her body. When she first started working out it was all about working hard and trying to get super strong. But after years of injuring herself and watching others get injured she realized it doesn't have to be so intense. "It gives me a chance to step back, slow down and figure out what is going on. It is an opportunity to see how my body is changing and really pay attention." Slowing down has allowed her to realize she's a lot stronger than she thinks. – Cliff Longevity Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Adilene Wallace SOLD Adilene Wallace is happy to be 108. She has said she's "not amazed" but "always thankful" that God has spared her allowing her to embrace the body he's given her and to live a "quiet and peaceful life." Longevity II Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Adilene Wallace She's spent her entire life living for God and putting everyone else before herself. As a member of Line Street Church of Christ, Sister Adilene rarely misses a Sunday. When she lived on her own, her house was a gathering place for those at the church to fellowship. She cooked for the young, old, sick and shut-ins even taking the bus at 100 to deliver meals to those in her church family. Longevity III Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Adilene Wallace Friends say she always puts others needs and wants ahead of her own. And because she's blessed so many in her life, friends think that is why God has blessed her with such a long life. — Erin Breaking Stereotypes Photographer: Rhonda Taylor Model: RaeLynn Monroe SOLD You can be a tall biracial girl with blonde hair and blue eyes who is girly and gets dirty while playing tough. Even at the age of two, RaeLynn breaks stereotypes on beauty and what it means to me girly. I want to celebrate these things all the stages in her life, embrace early! As she grows, I want her to know all of these things make her unique and beautiful, but her best attributes are in the way she is so compassionate and concerned for others. She is able to stand up for herself and voice her opinion already; everything she does is with gusto. So it is only fitting that she be as unique as she is. God made her to defy the odds and break barriers. – Jennifer (RaeLynn's mom) Graceful Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Aspen Mossberger, 15 SOLD At only 15, Aspen has already had struggles with accepting and loving what she sees in the mirror. As a dancer she has a muscular build and said in middle school she was teased and told she looked like a boy. "That was tough. But I accepted it and tried not to let it get to me as much." Dancing, something she's done for the last five years, has helped her embrace her body, it's what makes her feel beautiful and fierce. When she's dancing she feels graceful, beautiful and strong. Aspen said she wants to encourage other young girls to "embrace you. You are the way you are for a reason." Artificial Confidence Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Amanda Long Amanda has lived with a prosthetic leg since 12 after a battle with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. But it took years for her to embrace and accept this new part of her life struggling for years to accept how she looked and wearing mostly pants and shying away from others to avoid judgement while still in school. When approached to participate in Embrace Your Body, Amanda was quick to sign on. "I wish I would have had something like this when I was younger to help me through it. I kind of had to figure all this out on my own." Amanda is excited about the chance to share her story with hopes to contribute to healthy conversations about body image and acceptance. – Cliff Not from a Box Photographer: Rhonda Taylor Model: Jennifer Monroe SOLD I felt like I stuck out when all I wanted to do was blend in. My curls made me feel like I was "Sixteen Candles" in a "Clueless" world where curly red heads were always the nerdy girl who never got the cute guy. My battle with myself actively ended when I realized I couldn't hand down my self-loathing to my kids. I wanted my daughter to see what a strong woman was, but I noticed that impact on my son was even greater. My hair and freckles come from my grandma, one of the most beautiful and strong women I know. It cannot be replicated form a box. I wanted to do this event to show beauty is in the things that make us different not that make us the same. – Jennifer The Ladies of Cloverleaf Photographer: Michael Webster Models: Peggy Klinginberrg, Yvonne Boyer, Kathleen Cape, Norma Harper, Winnie Randall and Anna Cotner As our bodies age, it can be more difficult to get around. These women from the Cloverleaf Housing for the Elderly and Disabled in Mount Vernon struggle to cope with these changes. "Although our bodies have limitations and usually hurt in one way or another," Kathleen said. "We still enjoy being with one another and doing things." In addition to coping with changes in their bodies, they also have to cope with a society in which many people show lack of compassion for the elderly when they feel they get in their way by driving slowly, using handicap spaces or motorized scooters in shopping centers. "A lot of people are just assholes," Yvonne said. "They think we should just stay in our apartments all the time. Sometimes it just hurts.- Micheal Not Giving In Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Laurie Snyder Laurie doesn't hide her scars; she's earned every one she has. And she knows with the health battles she continues to fight she will get more. She's had 23 total surgeries, 18 of them in the last 15 years. She has thoracic outlet syndrome along with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. She's had three of her ribs removed, her neck cut from front to back to remove muscles, rods on each side of her spine to stabilize her and her spine is completely fused from C2 to T4. "To look at me, I look normal. But everything I do has to be scheduled. But I will NOT give into this disease. I actually embrace it and what it has given me." There are days where she gets frustrated and doesn't love this broken body of hers, but Laurie said more often this disease and her struggle are reminders to be grateful. Rising from the Depths Photographer: Michael Webster Model: Erin Mitsdarffer SOLD Erin started suffering terrible pain and nausea in 2010. A year later they discovered endometriosis and earlier this year she had two more surgeries – one a hysterectomy at only 27. "Near the end of last year, I decided to make some changes. I wasn't happy with the way I was externally. I was overweight. I'd been in a few emotionally abusive relationships. I would never leave the house without makeup on." But now Erin has changed her diet and lost 51 pounds. Since she met her husband she almost never wears make up. "Being in a good relationship in which I'm not being told every day that I'm a worthless piece of shit makes me feel so much stronger. Though I'm still a mess internally, I feel so much better about myself externally." Erin says she has much more confident now than she used to. – Michael Unstoppable Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Hannah Whitehead I feel most beautiful surrounded by family. It is amazing what surrounding yourself with people who unconditionally love you can do. Their love and support alone makes me feel flawless and unstoppable. I'm your average, every day mom, wife and coworker. I am finally content with how I look, act and feel and couldn't be happier. I don't strive to be anything but myself despite the judgement I may receive. Some look at me and may think negatively. But I am who I am, and people's opinions will never change that. You don't have to be a size 0 with flawless skin and a nice rack to be beautiful. If you accept and embrace yourself you've already won. – Hannah Rebel, Inside and Out Photographer: Michael Webster Model: Kylee Katterjohn Kylee's faced obstacle after obstacle – she was abandoned by her father, had a strained relationship with an overbearing stepfather and lost three friends in one year to suicide. She reacted and rebelled in the usual destructive ways – drinking, drugs and blowing off school. She also started cutting herself trying to work out the emotional pain through physical pain. Eventually she replaced the cutting with tattoos and piercings. "I rebelled against anything and everything. I hated any kind of conformity, especially when it was about the way I was supposed to look. She embraced her body by inflicting pain on it. She said getting tattoos is a great stress relief and helps her deal with emotional pain feeling 100 percent better when she leaves joking that it is cheaper and more effective than a therapist. — Michael Gravity Photographer: Michael Webster Models: Cheryl Woolsey Jenny and Nancy Chandler Patrick High school friends Cheryl and Nancy have done a lot together – including gastric bypass surgery on the same day. "I knew I couldn't cope with the weight," Cheryl said. "I weighed 357 pounds at the time of the surgery. It was going to kill me." The friends were doing water aerobics together to escape the crippling weight of their obesity. "When we were in the water we could do any exercise much easier," Nancy said. "But when you are obese and get out, it's like picking up a heavy laundry basket full of wet clothes." Cheryl said she feels now on land like she once felt in the water. "Back then, the water gave me freedom. Now losing so much weight has given me the same freedom outside of it." Cheryl and Nancy hope their experiences can have a positive impact on others suffering from obesity. – Michael Together Photographer: Cliff Ingram Models: Noni Roberts and daughters Madison, 15, Malorie, 12, and Macie, 9 The girls find beauty and strength in diverse places – Madison is a race car driver and finds strength in being behind the wheel; Malorie, who has Asperger's and Mitochondrial disease, said she feels most beautiful when she's given compliments, and Macie, 9, feels most beautiful when she's looking in the mirror and "when I pick up heavy stuff." – Cliff Bonded beauty Photographer: Cliff Ingram Models: Noni Roberts and daughters Madison, 15, Malorie, 12, and Macie, 9 I feel the most strong and beautiful being there when my kids need me. Historically the women in my family are very bad at being moms. I am glad my girls haven't had to survive or deal with many of the things I have; but I can't shield them from everything. I think this opportunity will help sway all of our perspectives of ourselves and it won't just be beneficial for us but maybe to someone else too. Strong, beautiful women talk all shapes and sizes. – Noni i AM beautiful Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Terri Krieg I don't like my body; I've never considered myself beautiful. I always try to hide my flaws. But I decided to do this, to bare all, to see that I am beautiful and I am strong. My ex-husband took a lot of my self-esteem away from me but I'm saying it is time; it is my time to shine, to see myself in a different light. It is time to be able to look at myself and smile. – Terri Ambiguous Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Jacob Sisco People think gender is just black and white. I refuse to live my life like that. My gender doesn't define me as a human. I am what I want to be. I won't live by society's rules or by what others expect me to be. You only have one life; just live it to the fullest. Love yourself, and others will love you. I was photographed outside the men's bathroom because I wanted to make people step out of their own mind and think: "Which bathroom do I use? Why the men's bathroom? Is that a guy or a girl? What is this picture supposed to me?" – Jacob Learning to Love Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Judy Beyer I never liked being a red head. It means fair skin, freckles and the inability to tan. I always hated the sight of my freckles growing up. And each year more and more freckles seemed to appear making me even more self-conscious. But as much as I hated those freckles and red hair, those were the things people were quick to compliment in telling me I was beautiful. I didn't feel that way to me though. It has taken a while, and at times I'm still struggling, to be confident but I'm learning to love all the things about me, many of them that I once saw as flaws. I realize those things are part of who I am and part of a link to my family heritage as well. – Judy Unwavering Strength Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Jeni Juhl Jenni, like many women, has had seasons of her life where she got caught up in focusing on her weight or size. It took becoming a mom to daughters to realize that focus isn't a healthy one. "That really changed my whole outlook. I thought it was really important to be a good role model for them that you don't' have to look a certain way. You should love yourself regardless of what you look like or what size you are." Jenni said she was much bigger when she was younger and as she's aged she has become more active. But it isn't about her weight or a size, instead it is being healthy. – Cliff The Golden Child Photographer: Michael Webster Model: Caitlin Crisp Caitlin was always smart and beautiful, but she had to suffer and overcome challenges before she could see it. She placed in a special education class far below her intellectual abilities. She was bullied both at home. And to add to her challenges, in high school she had a severe choking incident in a packed cafeteria tearing her esophagus. She was hospitalized for 22 days and on a feeding tube for two months. This trauma led to drug abuse, self-harm and eating disorders. But she worked hard to turn her life around and became the first in her family to get a bachelors and masters. She travels the world, runs half-marathons and works to help get abused women and children into shelters through her job at the YWCA. "I went from being the ugly duckling to being the Golden Child. And I struggle with that, because I was always who I am now, it was just that other people could not see it." Caitlin struggles but is winning those struggles leaving the junk from her past behind. – Michael Far from "Average" Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Jacqueline Dente When I was pregnant with my children I felt more beautiful than I ever have in my life. I felt like a goddess. I weigh 30 pounds more now than I did before I had kids. I will never look the way I did before, even with diet and exercise. I was underweight for most of my life, and now I am "average." Buying clothes is challenging because of my height and short legs; many of the styles popular now make me look short and wide. I actually feel more beautiful without my clothes on. – Jacqueline New Mission Photographer: Molly Bartels Model: Leah Voss I have never been, and may never be, thin. I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. After accepting this painful verdict, a new mission solidified in my head — healthy and happy no matter my shape or size. When I think back on all the experiences my body has carried me through, I am so grateful to be mobile, to be able to crawl around on the floor with my 3-year-old nephew, run the incline of a bridge that provides a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean or balance two heavy DSLR cameras on my shoulders every day for my job as a newspaper photographer. I am strong, and I love myself. – Leah Inner Truth Photographer: Molly Bartels Model: Mindy Salvin-Fetterman Beginning at 7, my body was used for someone else's sexual pleasure. My identity and purpose was tied up in violence, destruction and deception since before I could even understand what sexuality was. I have been manipulated, used, drugged and broken causing me to be disgusted by my own flesh and reflection. Now, 40, I'm a survivor. Molestation, abuse and rape are my past. I have reclaimed my body. I have reclaimed my power, and –finally – the last to come, I have reclaimed my sexuality! I am a strong, sexual, sexy, feminine and deserving woman. Through the work of The Inner Truth Project and strength of fellow survivors sharing their shame and stories and offering their unconditional support, I have finally come out of the shadows. I have released the guilt that doesn't belong to me. – Mindi, founder/director The Inner Truth Project Best Friend & Worst Enemy Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Ashly Williams Ashly Williams was in college, stressed and struggling. Her coping mechanism was to fixate on food. She began to critically watch everything she ate losing a lot of weight concerning family and friends about an eating disorder. Ashly got help and overcame the disorder and two years ago gave birth to her son Jensen. Ashly is reminded of what her body can do when it is healthy even though it's changed. "I realize that whether I'm 100 pounds or 150 pounds, I'm still going to struggle with my image and see a distorted view of what my body really looks like." Ashly's goal though is to remain healthy for her family. With a degree in nutrition, cooking with her family and instilling healthy eating habits is her biggest joy. She hopes to teach others struggling with eating disorders to get help and appreciate all the things a healthy body can do. – Erin My House Photographer: Molly Bartels Model: Liza Hughes Being a mom, wife and lifestyle coach to women around the globe requires me to be in top shape. It can be overwhelming most of the time, and the only way I can manage it is to be in tune with my mind, heart and spirit. My body connects those things, it houses who I am. I must protect my house. Physical training keeps me focused, strong and gives me clarity in thought. It energizes me and fuels my passion and purpose. The aesthetic result is just a bonus. – Liza Uncovered Beauty Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Kelly Tretter-Martin Beauty is different for everyone, but it is always there; sometimes you just need to uncover your opinion of it. Confidence makes me feel beautiful. I used to be scared of aging but the closer to 50 I get the more I realize I'm beautiful without all of my makeup. I know who I am and what I want; that makes me feel stronger and more beautiful. – Kelly I am Not My Scar Photographer: Michael Webster Model: Brooke Weisling Surgeries as a child left Brooke with scars the entire length of her back. And for many years she was ashamed of them struggling to wear a bathing suit. "I was very self-conscious. But, I realized that even though I was born with this condition, it did not define me. I want to show people that you can be happy with yourself, despite the scars or whatever else you may have that society tells you isn't beautiful. Now I embrace it. I can't change it, so I might as well be happy with it." She enjoys going to the pool and realizes she is beautiful because of her scars, not in spite of them. "I've had people look at my scars and say, 'That's so cool,' or, 'That's really awesome.' When I thought they'd say something more like, that's really disgusting." – Michael Free Spirit Rising Photographer: Michael Webster Model: Hannah Whitfield Growing up, Hannah said she was always the fat girl. "Kids were cruel, hateful and mean. I was depressed all the time and got into drinking and drugs. I had very low self-esteem, did terrible in school and was always very angry and constantly fighting." The birth of one son and death of another helped her turn her life around and put her on a path to greater spirituality. She lost one of her twins at five months and giving birth to the other prematurely weighing four pounds, three ounces. While watching him struggle in the NICU she searched for whatever spirituality or God she could find, anything for hope. Those alternately horrible and happy experiences helped her embrace her body and made her a stronger person. "After it was clear my son was going to live, I realized that life could be amazing if you make it amazing," she says. "Over the years I've learned to accept my body for what it is and love myself no matter what." – Michael My Memories Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Hannah Slough I have tattoos; they're art, and I think they are beautiful. They are my memories, not my resume. I notice that I get judged for my tattoos; people have a negative attitude toward me without knowing me just because of them. They don't know anything about me or my life. They don't know I was raised by a super hero, my mom. As a single mom she raised me and my sister who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at a young age. She worked at a factory and took night classes so she could get her bachelor's degree. And if they don't take the chance to get to know me they will never learn that I'm nearly done with school to be a special education teacher so I can help people life my sister who has helped me survive in an unforgiving world. – Hannah Finding a purpose Photographer: Michael Webster Model: Brenda Goodman Brenda went to Afghanistan as a civilian contractor in 2011 and worked there for a little over two years. She struggled with being a large woman in a country where there aren't large people. But it turned out that Brenda became even more secure with who she is overseas. "I felt I had a purpose. I was doing something worthwhile, and my weight was not the focus. It was more about staying alive and helping people who were out there in the war zone. It was about living every day fully, not worrying about how I looked or whether or not people accepted me. I knew they did because we were a part of a team. We took cared for, and took care of, each other. It wasn't about how much anyone weighed or what they were wearing." Working with others for the common good gave her a feeling of freedom from negative stereotypes she hadn't felt before. – Michael The Caregiver Photographer: Michael Webster Model: Mary Neale and Norma Bodkins Mary has never been the type to let anyone put her down or mistreat her. And even though she's had her fair share of struggles, being comfortable with her body has given her the strength to fight for others who may be struggling as well. "I accept myself for who I am. I love myself no matter what. I was teased in school; the kids were always making fun of me for being overweight. Now people look at you when you go places like you're lazy, or don't care about yourself." She's lost 128 pounds and is feeling much better and hopes to return to work as a caregiver soon. Norma is one of her former clients who she's remained close. – Michael Proud Photographer: Rhonda Taylor Model: Flora Arzanipour It wasn't easy to get where I am today. I moved to the U.S. from Iran in 2000 and work here as an acupuncture specialist. It wasn't easy to get where I am now; it was hard and challenging. But I made it out proudly. I wanted to be a part of a movement that encourages women to love their body, accept who they are and keep a positive attitude and language, things that can change their life in a way I could never imagine. – Flora project reveal_logo project reveal_logo_final background1 REveal-photos REveal-diariesf Inspiring Strength Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Abbey Howes I feel the most beautiful in the gym making myself physically and mentally stronger everyday so I can be up on stage looking my best and inspiring others to do the same. Getting compliments on my physique or dedication and hearing, "because of you I didn't quit doing…" makes me feel beautiful and strong inside and out. I've learned to be a confident person because I'm finally happy with who I am. I've learned to be strong, happy and confident. I love my body. I want to show others it's great to work to be what you want, look like you want and do what you want. You can do anything! – Abbey Celebrating Different Photographer: Rhonda Taylor Model: Kenzy I like my hair and how it looks and how it's different. I can do different things to it. I think people should be happy with who they are! – Kenzy Just Dance Photographer: Erin McCracken Jenny Aliotta started taking Zumba classes as a chance to have some time to herself and a break from chasing her two step daughters and twin sons. She'd let the music take hold of her and she could forget everything else. Zumba quickly became more than just a class for Jenny; it became a passion so she got certified to teach. "My favorite part of teaching is inspiring my students. I love being a part of helping them achieve their fitness goals and improve their self-esteem. Zumba has also changed me growing my confidence, becoming healthier and embracing my body and who I am." Basking in Beauty Photographer: Cliff Ingram Model: Sallee Barnett Facing all the challenges life has given me makes me feel beautiful. I could have laid down in defeat but instead I have faced the obstacles head on. I am a survivor of sexual assault and stand up for what was done to me. I didn't stand up to be called a martyr; I did it because it was wrong. I don't want anyone to make me feel less important. – Sallee Beautiful and Loved Photographer: Erin McCracken Subject: Martha Mae Langerak Martha Mae is like any four year-old – happy kind, observant, adventurous and a bit mischievous. The only difference is she has an extra chromosome. Although Martha has Down syndrome and may not ever be at the same developmental levels as her brothers and peers, parents, Joe and Julia Langerak want to provide her with all the skills she needs to be a strong and independent girl and woman. One of the programs helping to teach her this is Riding for Hope. Beautiful and Loved II Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Martha Moe Langerack Martha will always look a little "different" than the average female. As she gets older she will begin to recognize this fact but her parents hope to instill such a strong self-confident foundation in Martha that she'll never even think twice the differences. "We want her to always know she is beautiful and loved and that we are blessed to have her in our family – just the way she is," Joe said. – Erin Through Her Eyes Photograper: Rhonda Taylor Model: Patty Clutter Patti is embracing every moment she can. She is already blind in her left eye and her right eye will soon meet the same fate. In the meantime she's capturing as many pictures as she can. She wants to be sure her grandchildren will have the opportunity to see the world that she sees. – Rhonda Freedom to Move Photographer: Erin McCracken Model: Patty Fontenot Patty has always loved being active. Growing up she was into fitness and working out. As she aged, she took a water aerobics class and fell in love with water exercise. She got certified and for over a decade taught several classes a week at the local YMCAs. It was a part of her weekly routine and regimen to stay healthy. Two years ago, Patty became ill and had to give up teaching and exercise for a time. Being out of the water was harder than she imagined. Her goal has been to get healthy and return. So far she is only substituting for instructors but dreams of having her own class again. She loves being in the water and helping people who may have mobility issues or struggle with ailments workout and strengthen their body in the water. – Erin Fish out of Water Photographer: Michael Webster Model: Jocelyne Boumba Central African native Jocelyne said when she lived in New York City she fit in, disappeared in the crowd. But then she moved to southern Indiana. "People stare; you stand out. It takes some getting used to." She doesn't think much about it anymore but said sometimes living in an African body brings more than stares. She said sometimes people will judge without knowing her – security following her while shopping, more questions during a merchandise return, people assume she's poor and uneducated. "Sometimes you feel bad and it's hard not to feel bad about yourself. … At this point in my life, I don't take it personally anymore. I don't have the time or energy any more to care about other people's negativity. It's my body. It's my skin. What can I do?" Jocelyne said she's not an expected black activist but does so in her own way by setting an example in her workplace. – Michael 2015 Embrace Your Body Photos 2015 Embrace Your Body Photos Inspire Women…Share it! Inspire Women... Share this:FacebookPinterestTwitterTumblrLinkedInEmail


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Windows 8 officially launches at 12:01am tomorrow, which means that in just a few short hours the madness begins. In addition to the new operating system October 26th means the availability of dozens, if not hundreds, of new computers in all manner of form-factors. The standard clamshell laptop will still exist, but the chance that it will have a touchscreen will increase dramatically and, at the same time, consumers will have any number of other options to choose from. One day soon an average Windows user might find themselves using a tablet, flip, convertible, hybrid, or even a portable all-in-one.
Even the most fervent Windows 8 (or Microsoft) doubter, can't deny the size of this release. Case in point: Microsoft is calling this their operating system "for the next billion". The company sold 670 million Windows 7 licenses and Windows 8 runs on every one of those machines, supposedly better than Windows 7. The sheer inertia of the Windows ecosystem means this release is colossal, and that doesn't even account of the massive amount of marketing Redmond has planned or the fact that the company just made a significant investment in their first ever PC.
Today Microsoft opened up the doors to their NYC launch event. It's a huge space filled with over 300 Surface RT tablet PCs and it'll be open to the public all weekend. This morning industry partners, analysts, and members of the press were invite to come by, see the space, watch keynotes, and get hands-on time with Microsoft's new hardware. Speakers included Microsoft's key Windows people: Steve Ballmer, Steven Sinofsky, Julie Green, Mike Anguilo, and rising star Panos Panay.
Geek.com was on the scene and took pictures so those of you who aren't in NYC would be able to get a glimpse. Today's highlights included the attendance of a huge swatch of the tech industry, more Surface RTs than will ever again be collected in the same location, an incredible scale model of New York City with people-sized buildings (Microtropolis), and all manner of Windows 8 computers.
What was missing? More than a few people pointed out the lack of key Windows Store apps, like Twitter and Facebook, as well as the Surface Pro tablet, which wasn't mentioned at all. And, despite over 90 minutes of keynote speaking, not a single partner got on stage — no one from HP, Samsung, Intel, Nvidia, Acer. Many people from these companies were at the event, but they were faces in the crowd, showing their support, trying to get a few minutes with the Surface, and trying to figure out what the release of Windows 8 would mean for them.
Check out the gallery below or read on for more Windows 8 coverage.

subset: commoncrawl


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The IKEA effect is the tendency for people to place a disproportionately high value on objects that they assembled themselves, such as furniture from IKEA, regardless of the quality of the end result (Wikipedia definition).
Unfortunately the same effect appears in many improvement projects I encounter, no doubt due to the same issues. After the investment of over coming the complexities of getting the thing working, the emotions involved, the panics, the restarts, etc etc, it's inconceivable there could be anything better. It's also inconceivable to throw it away and start again or replace it within living memory.
If the project has a great result, then that's just perfect. However, where the result is less than good, it's this IKEA effect that comes into play and makes the problem difficult to resolve. It's also known as inventoritis - when we fall in love with our inventions and lose the ability to customise them on the basis of feedback.
Do check your improvement work today. IKEA effect?
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
IKEA effect for improvement projects
Posted by Sarah Fraser at 06:23 No comments:
Labels: IKEA effect, improvement, inventoritis, project
Monday, 19 May 2014
The outdoors is my preference for a classroom
Sometimes a short walk around the grounds of the hospital is enough, or a half hour stroll through the neighbouring streets can get the minds shifting into another gear. Or we can be a bit more ambitious and go for a walk into the Chiltern Hills or around the grounds of a National Trust property where I can lead a small group through some high level and detail of analogies in organisational change. There's a great deal to learn from plants, insects, the weather, trees etc. - and that's before the bodies have loosened up and the brains have been given permission to be a bit more creative.
Appleacre Adventures is a division of my company. If you're feeling really adventurous I can lead you on a two week expedition through the desert in Namibia - or maybe an overnighter on canal boat reflecting on the large scale change theory and practice of the Victorians and the applicability of their principles for the public sector in 21st Britain will suffice for you... Or maybe you'd prefer a few hours of guided personal reflection "on the hoof"?
What I've learnt is that outdoors, the quality of the learning and the radicalness of the thinking is significantly increased. And it's not just a walk - for those of you who know me - I've invested a great deal in ensuring I understand how to leverage the benefits of outdoor learning.
Posted by Sarah Fraser at 11:57 No comments:
Labels: adventure activities, appleacre adventures, boating, canal, expedition, explorer, learning, namibia, outdoor learning, outdoors, senior explorer, walking
Monday, 12 May 2014
When over efficiency means less productivity
You can read about this cost saving exercise here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-property-strategy-cuts-millions-in-costs If you want to see the NHS business case document on how it is built into cases then you can find this here (item 23): www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/.../11/five-cse-bus-mod-chck-lst.docx
Now I am all for cost saving and inefficiencies but there's something not working if someone is trying to do their job balancing their laptop on the corner of a desk, wires trailing, knees wrapped round edges etc. Apart from anything it's not respectful. I'd not put up with it, but then, even in the administrative areas of the NHS, there's fear and concern for jobs.
I've not blogged for a while. I was waiting until I had something I really wanted to say. I think it's time to speak out and to speak up. So I'm going to start doing just that.
Posted by Sarah Fraser at 12:38 No comments:
Labels: agility, efficiency, NHS, productivity, speaking out
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Jake's birthday was Sunday July 10th and he turned 32! Holy cow we are getting old. At least according to our children we are! So honey here are 32 reasons why I love you! Happy Birthday!
1. You make me laugh(even when I don't want to).
2. After 10 years of marriage you are more good lookin than when we first met.
3. You are a great father!
4. You know what I need and when I need it!
5. You work really hard at your job to provide for your family.
6. You have a strong testimony.
7. You support me in all my decisions(even the not so good ones).
8. You make me feel beautiful.
9. You gave me 3 beautiful boys!
10. You know when my MS is acting up and you pick up my slack.
11. You love your calling(and you do it well).
12. You make time to take me on dates.
13. You give me massages!
14. You watch chick flicks with me.
15. You think I'm so talented(I so have you fooled!).
16. When you come home from work, you ask me what you can do to help me.
17. You think it's cute when I cry(which is A LOT).
18. When we were first engaged and my mom didn't like you so much, you went out of your way to serve her and you won her over!
19. You married me for time and all eternity.
20. You eat ice cream with me(even when I shouldn't have it).
21. You clean and do laundry without being asked.
22. You take all 3 kids and go places with them.
23. You put God and family first in your life.
24. You know when to say "I'm sorry."(I'm still working on that one.)
25. You let me be right(even when I'm wrong).
26. I love the way you laugh.
27. I love the way you do your little scream.
28. You torture our children, because you can.
29. You are a mean parent too!
30. You call me just to say hi and see how my day is going.
31. You don't mind when I go out with my girlfriends.
32. You love me more than I could have ever imagined.
Babe, we've been married for 10 1/2 years and they have been the best and hardest years of my life. I am so glad the Lord gave me you to have for eternity! Here's to the next 10 1/2 years and many more after that! I love you!


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While most orders are processed within 24 to 48 hours, please allow up to 10 -14 business days to receive your shipment.
Our goal is to have 100% customer satisfaction. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase for any reason, we will be happy to refund your purchase (less shipping cost). Please contact us by email if you are not happy with your purchase and we will do everything we can to resolve your issue. Most of our items are shipped in USPS Flat Rate boxes. If you need to return and item, please use the box that it was shipped to you in (or one like it). This will provide you with insurance and tracking information. Once we have received your returned item (in it's original condition) we will issue your refund.
If, after measuring your candle covers, you find that the new ones that you have chosen don't come in the exact size that you need, don't worry. All of our candle covers can be trimmed to fit your socket. Just choose a size that is slightly longer than you need and use a sharp serrated knife, hack saw, scroll saw or rotary tool with a cutting wheel and trim to the exact size you need.


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Jcb123 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de botón o icono y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 85 diseños de 31 diseñadores freelance.
Barcode Rockstar
Barcode Rockstar is an interactive scavenger hunt game that leads players on a chase for retail products found in major retail chains across the country. Several hunt games run concurrently in several different categories including electronics, grocery, books, toys and wildcards. A series of clues is displayed one at a time, starting with general clues about a product. As the hunt progresses the clues become more specific to allow users to zero in on the specific item.
Users "submit" their answers by scanning the UPC barcode of the products.
Barcode Rockstar will initially be available on the Android mobile phone platform.
We would like an icon designed to be used as the Android Launcher icon (used in the same way as the iPhone's "app icon").
Google has guidelines for the icons that should be adhered to:
We'll need separate icons for low-, medium-, and high-density screens, as described in this document. This basically means one 72 x 72 px png, one 48 x 48 px png, and one 36 x 36 px png.
We're thinking something that incorporates both a UPC barcode and something "rockstar"-y, but we're open to your creativity. We're intending to go with a black and red color scheme for the app, but again open to your ideas.
We'd like the icon to take up the available space, so a rounded-corner square icon would be best. No circles without transparent backgrounds.
Remember this is a game for all ages, so we'd like the icon to be fun.
Have fun with this!


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English | Espańol
All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 6
It takes everything we've got to live the Christian life. If we don't make our relationship with Jesus our "all in all" (see Lk 14:26), if we don't take up His cross daily (Lk 14:27; 9:23), if we don't renounce all our possessions (Lk 14:33), we will not have what it takes to build the tower (Lk 14:28), fight the war (Lk 14:31), or run the race of the Christian life (2 Tm 4:7). If we successfully complete the Christian life, we will have crossed the finish line with nothing to spare. It takes every ounce of strength, every second of time, and our last penny — all that we have. "Our God is a consuming Fire" (Heb 12:29). If we give anything less than everything, we will fall short of what is necessary to obtain the kingdom of God (Mt 13:44-46).
Therefore, amazed that the Lord would accept our little "everythings," let us pour out our lives "like a libation" (see 2 Tm 4:6). Let us love Jesus as He loves us — with all our hearts, with all our souls, with all our strength, and with all our minds (Lk 10:27). With great joy and thanksgiving, let us give the Lord our "all"; constantly, daily, till our dying day. Let us drain our lives to the last drop in imitation of Jesus, Who poured out His blood and life for love of us.


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A Nossa Companhia
About Ria
Ria was founded in 1987 and is one of the largest money transfer companies in the world today, with a global agent network spanning 300,000 locations in more than 149 countries and territories worldwide.
In addition to money transfer services, Ria offers an array of financial products that include: Currency Exchange, Bill Payment, Mobile top-ups, Prepaid Debit Cards and Check Cashing. This list of services will continue to grow as we identify unmet needs, and endeavour to innovate more practical solutions to help our consumers and business partners prosper.


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Hey Guys.
I've been non-stop busy this week and I'm exhausted. I only have a little bit of time to do a post before i help my boyfriend burn wood (cut from the trees) and clean up, hence the title. But thought I'd post a quick little update, I am going to aim to get another Haul post done by today or tomorrow.
I've been working all week which is really hard at 8 months pregnant but I'm getting through, I'll be taking my maternity leave once my baby girl is here so I can spend lots of time with her. She has everything she needs now so thats a whole load of stress I'm now free from.
Its my sisters 22nd birthday tomorrow. She left with her friends this morning from Paris, where she will be spending it till Sunday night. I'm a little sad as me and my boyfriend were spose to be going (I've only been once!) but of course this was planned before i was pregnant and at 8 months i don't think it would be the best idea. I wrapped her pressie in this cute paper which matched her card..
Thats about it for now. I wont bover talking to you about what i brought this week as I'll do a post on that..


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Main idea, word analysis, analogies, cause and effect, inferences, drawing conclusions... when you need to target specific reading skills these books are for you! We've done the work for you! With this series you won't have to waste time searching through stories and activities to find one that targets the skills you need to include in your lesson plan. Each high-interest book features intriguing stories followed by activities, which are labeled according to the specific skills targeted. There's even a quick reference chart that links specific reading skills to their accompanying stories! A valuable resource and a terrific time saver! 48 pages, reading level 5-6. Enhanced This enhanced PDF gives you the freedom to copy and paste the content of each page into the format that fits your needs. You can also access text for screen reader devices, export individual pages, make student copies, and more.
Skills-Based Reading Level 5-6 Enhanced eBook
- Brand: Remedia Publications
- Product Code: EREM 953
- Availability: In Stock
Tags: Skills-Based, Reading, Level, 5-6, Enhanced, eBook, Skills, Based, Remedia, Publications


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At Longevity Centres of America, we've witnessed the benefits of hormone pellet implants time and time again for patients who are looking to regain their youthful vitality and combat many frustrating aspects of aging. For postmenopausal women, this anti-aging treatment has been shown to help manage the symptoms of this hormonal imbalance and leave them feeling rejuvenated. And, according a recent study from Stanford University, a certain segment of this population may stand to benefit even more from pellet implants.
A press release from the university states that women with a genetic biomarker called ApoE4, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease, typically experience "accelerated biological aging" – meaning their physical and mental abilities decline at a greater rate.
"We know from numerous studies that ApoE4 is a major genetic risk factor for cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease and early mortality," said Emily Jacobs of Harvard Medical School, who contributed to the study.
"Estrogen appears to have a protective effect for middle-aged women who are carrying this genetic risk factor," Dr. Natalie Rasgon, Ph.D, a co-author of the study and professor of psychiatry, added in the press release.
The researchers reportedly discovered that estrogen replacement therapy had a beneficial effect on telomere length for recipients with ApoE4. Telemores are essentially the ends of linear chromosomes, and their length has been shown to be an indicator of aging longevity.
Whether or not you carry this genetic marker, if you have gone through menopause and feel that the transformation has impaired your quality of life in general, estrogen pellet implants may be able to help. The anti-aging doctors at Longevity Centres of America have practiced this treatment for years, and can answer any questions you may have about hormone replacement therapy and how it can help you age gracefully.


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She seeks vengeance for the wrongs of her life.
Nu gui are the ghosts of women who committed suicide, especially those who were wronged or abused while alive. As ghosts, they are draped in long white or red dresses, with flowing black hair. They take their revenge upon the living, sucking out life essence as they wreak their revenge. They often go after lecherous men, seducing them and then leaving their corpses behind. Very little esle is known about them – perhaps because few have survived their scorn!
Image from The Beijing Family


text: Ascension Mass Schedule May 31, 2011 Liturgy In the Diocese of Fargo, along with other dioceses, the Ascension of the Lord is not celebrated on Thursday but on celebrated on the following Sunday (June 4 / 5). Our mass schedule is Saturday, 5:00 pm and Sunday, 7:45, 9:15, and 10:45 am. Tags: Ascension Of The Lord Mass Schedule Other Dioceses


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At Logica, free diagnostics has been a company rule since 2005. We feel it is essensial for the client to know and understand what the issue is, what we can do to fix the issue permanently and how much all services come out to without obligation or money up front.
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|All Artists: The Youngbloods
Title: Elephant Mountain
Members Wishing: 10
Total Copies: 0
Label: Edsel Records UK
Release Date: 6/16/1994
Album Type: Import
Genres: Pop, Rock
Style: Folk Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
|The Youngbloods
Elephant Mountain
Genres: Pop, Rock
Elephant Mountain, the magnetic third album by the Youngbloods, is commonly looked upon as the pinnacle of the legendary Bay Area combo's abundant eight-year career. From its spine-chilling opening track--the strains of a ... more »
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Album Description
Elephant Mountain, the magnetic third album by the Youngbloods, is commonly looked upon as the pinnacle of the legendary Bay Area combo's abundant eight-year career. From its spine-chilling opening track--the strains of a somber Appalachian fiddle permeating "Darkness, Darkness"--the listener is inexorably sucked into psychedelic quicksand by the haunting vocals of Jesse Colin Young, whose plaintive cry to "hide the constant yearning for things that cannot be" proves mournfully irresistible. In addition to Young's songwriting masterpiece, the 1969 album also spotlights a sharp, country-rocking vocal duet ("Smug") by Young and recently-departed singer Jerry Corbitt, as well as the jazzy interplay between electric keyboard whiz Banana and the locked-in groove of drummer Joe Bauer during magical instrumental "On Sir Francis Drake." More songwriting gems loom like sacred totems on this landmark longplayer, including Young's signature ballads "Sunlight," "Quicksand" and "Ride the Wind." It's the Youngbloods at the top of their game, indelibly writing their names in the ledger of consummate San Francisco rock `n' roll.
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CD Reviews
Elephant Mountain is primo! da kine!
Whamo | San Clemente, California | 07/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I always liked the Youngbloods. They're "Get Together"; "The Wine Song"; and "It's a Lovely Day" are great tunes, found on other albums. But I was lucky enough to catch them live at U.C. Davis, and actually sit on-stage behind the drummer. I was so close I could see the tracks on their arms. But they played a mostly "Elephant Mountain" set. Donovan once predicted, "Electrical banana, bound to be the very next craze...", but it never happened. It should have. This album was one of the best. I like to listen to it before I fall asleep. I liked it back in the day, and I like it today, decades later. It's eclectic music: jazz, rock, and whimsical musings thrown together in a tight, light weave. Buy it!"
William R. Nicholas | Mahwah, NJ USA | 07/25/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"You have to admire Jessie Colin Young. He wrote folk rock music that fit naturally on both AM and FM radio, without pandering to either. He was not just strumming his guitar, but gave his well written songs, that never rested on stock ideas, the careful arrangements they deserve.
Elephant Mountian shows this. All the songs have great melodies, and origonal chord progressions, showing that Young either had musical training or great insticts. Just listen to "Darkness Darkness," or "Beautiful" to hear how he takes folk and comes up with a spin that his uniquely his. You are never going to mistake his work for a Richie Havens song. His craft is top notch.
Young also had jazz notions: these are less sucessfull. The second track here is a Fendor Rhodes romp: nice enough to listen to, but it is primative by early Chicago or even Tim Buckley standards. There was a flawed notion in the late 60s that if you plunked around on an electric panio or with a upright bass for a few minutes, you were playing jazz. A lot of bad filler got onto otherwise good albums during this late 60s experimental euphoria. Still, you have to admire the impulse.
Ironically enough, Young used a lot of jazz on his solo albums, and this works quite well.
But Elephant Mountian is a increadibly enjoyable album with lots of high calabre work. It might not be an out and out masterpiece, but it is definately a 60s corner that should never be lost or overlooked."
"Electrical Banana, Bound to be the very next craze"
Whamo | San Clemente, California | 06/07/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"sang Donovan. It never happened. Musically, it happened, but as far as popularity goes, some categorize the Youngbloods, mistakenly, as one-hit wonders, a result of "Get Together" becoming a hippie anthem.
Make no mistake, the time in rock music history when "Elephant Mountain" was created was incredible. The Beatle's "Sgt. Pepper" pushed experimentation to the outer limits, inspiring Frank Zappa's masterpiece, "We're Only In It For the Money"; "Good Vibrations" by the Beachboy's Brian Wilson; "Satanic Majesties Request" by the Rolling Stones, and last, but not least, and perhaps the best, "Elephant Mountain" by the Youngbloods.
None of the Youngblood's other recordings approach it's level. Why? Banana went wild with a big recording budget -- that's why. Bless his soul for it. Banana, besides exploring sound like an astronaut in the studio, hired the best musicians in town, in the big city, in Los Angeles, where quite a few professional musicians hang their hat. Who did he get? Joe Clayton for the trumpet on "Smug"; tenor sax legend Plas Johnson for the end of "Beautiful"; David Lindley on fiddle (he's currently touring with Jackson Browne) on "Darkness, Darkness" ; and Victor Feldman on vibes for "Ride the Wind" and Banana conducted an 18-man studio ensemble.
The experimentation with sound? Remember, this was the time of Jimi Hendrix "Electric Ladyland" -- and Hendrix raised the stakes with feedback. Banana had a few tricks up his sleeve. Banana took ouput from and EQ unit and put it into another, and then took that output and put it into another, and in Banana's own words: "...made things real weird and distorted..." Don't think the engineers didn't object either. The producer, Charlie Daniels, kept the suits off Banana's back. The band, too, remember them, sprinkled brief streaks of melodic experimentation throughout the album. Banana wrote the music for this gem by hand with an old Wurliztzer elecric piano. When the album was done Banana climbed a mountain -- a real one.
What's the result? A dreamy, electric neon-lit jazzy, country, rock, and ragtime doze off to miracle, something unique, something different, and something to cherish.
I got to see this band, live, at their peak, at U.C. Davis. I even got to sit on the back of the stage. It was incredible. They played "Elephant Mountain" and a few other of their other usual suspects. Some of this other stuff isn't bad either. There's "Get Together", which everybody knows, but there's also "The Wine Song" and "Grizzly Bear" for example.


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I've been getting messages that the software could not start for some unknown reason. I decided to download the latest from their website. Unfortunately, when installing 2.4.0 it wants to use the old 2.2.7 installer to uninstall the version I was running., which I overwrote when I downloaded the new one. I can't use control panel uninstall for the same reason so now I'm stuck. Can anyone email the older installer? I'll send my personal email via a PM here if you can help. Thanks!
Never mind, Acronis support helped me get the file from backup and I was able to unistall 2.2.7 and install 2.4.
Good to hear. I've been fairly impressed with Acronis support, although the app itself being a bit more intuitive & explicit wouldn't hurt.
Agree, Daiwa.
As for Cybereason? Installed 22.214.171.124 no probs, and didn't ask me for a different installer... Maybe your uninstall wasn't complete? Or, maybe you should have rebooted after the uninstall because perhaps the prior version still had files running in RAM and that interfered with the install?
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Not to hijack this thread too much, but as an example: I recently needed to delete some backups from my destination drive to free up room & after the knowledge base instructions got me nowhere, the procedure the Acronis support tech had me go through bore no resemblance to the knowledge base instructions (even violated them in one aspect) and involved temporarily disabling a feature in the app before backup files could be deleted, something mentioned nowhere in the knowledge base link.
That sort of thing.
The uninstaller is also the installer. When I overwrote the old install msi with the new one so went my old uninstaller. Once it was recovered it used the old installer to unistall the old version. Must be part of its own protection against being uninstalled by third party means. And of course 2.27 would not recognize the 2.4 installer/uninstaller.
In my case Acronis did not recognize any of its backup files. It kept saying can't find version 3, then version2 then version 1 and back again.
I am having issues with this myself can anyone link the needed folder or application to a basic computer user to fix this?
What issues are you having?
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your system!
CursorFX is a utility which allows you to have much more flexibility in the cursors
you use to interact with Windows. CursorFX users can create and use cursors that
look and feel far superior to anything you've ever seen before! Best of all, it's
really easy to create your own super-charged cursors!
DesktopX is a program that lets users build their own desktops. It does this by
giving users access to desktop objects. These objects can come in all sizes and
shapes. They can have scripts attached to them, they can be combined together to
form mini applications or turned into an entire desktop.
Stardock DeskScapes extends Windows 10 with the ability to run spectacular animated wallpapers (Dreams) on your desktop. Choose your Dream from our extensive library to personalize your pc.
IconPackager is a program that allows users to change nearly all of their Windows
icons at once by applying "packages" of icons. A package of icons contains
icons to replace most of the common icons on your Windows PC.
Icons for applications and folders.
LogonStudio is a free program that allows users to change their Windows 7, Vista
and XP logon screens. It comes with several logon screens to choose from, along
with thousands that are available online.
ObjectDock™ is a program that enables users to organize their shortcuts, programs
and running tasks into an attractive and fun animated Dock. By allowing users to
have more control over how they organize their desktop, users can take control of
their desktop icons and shortcuts to have them be available when where and how they
need them.
Rainmeter allows you to display customizable skins on your desktop, from hardware usage meters to fully functional audio visualizers.
You are only limited by your imagination and creativity.
Rainmeter is open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU GPL v2 license.
Show off your favorite desktop configuration by uploading a screenshot of your desktop!
SoundPackager brings customization of your auditory experience to Object Desktop!
Users can now choose from "sound packages" to enhance their Windows desktop
experience. Over 30 different system sounds are supported; unique new Stardock Design
sound packages are included with the package.
Microsoft Windows® 8 is shipped without the "Start" menu. Stardock heard the cries from Windows 8
users. We put the "Start" menu back in Windows 8. We accurately recreated the most used desktop
feature billions of users depend on every day and packed it with additional functionality.
Theme Manager is a program that changes the look and feel of the entire Windows
environment. It works by talking to existing desktop enhancement programs and then
applying a MyColors or Suite file. In short, Theme Manager is a front-end to other
desktop enhancement programs to simplify the user experience.
The finest collection of desktop backgrounds on the Internet!
Winamp is a one of the best media players for Windows, macOS and Android, originally developed by Justin Frankel and Dmitry Boldyrev by their company Nullsoft, then acquired by Radionomy in 2014.
WindowBlinds changes the look and feel of your Windows desktop by applying visual
styles to your entire Windows environment. When a visual style is applied, they
change nearly every elements of the Windows GUI such as title bars, push buttons,
the Start bar, menu and more.
Winstep Extreme is a powerful suite of applications that merge incredible usability and performance with breathtaking eye candy. Add your own Menus, Docks, Tabbed Docks, Taskbar and Widgets with this Windows User Interface Replacement!
View a list of all of the different galleries available in WinCustomize, which you
can then browse individually.
Explore all available galleries on WinCustomize.
This option is only available for subscribers of WinCustomize. If you are a subscriber
it will allow you to select which categories you would like to see in this menu
from a list of all galleries available on the site. This information will be stored
on your account for all your future visits.


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Apparently my mom was adamant that someone had stolen her pants. Out of sight on the other end of the phone, I rolled me eyes. Someone stole her pants. How ridiculous, I thought.
|Elaine Pereira
By Elaine C. Pereira
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Not to make light of memory loss issues and exhaustive caregiver efforts to patiently redirect an agitated and/or bewildered individual, but dementia has a funny side too.
Some stories border on unbelievable were they not so real.
As a former caregiver, in my case for my mom, I have experienced the gamut of emotions that accompanies talking to - operative word here is "to" as sometimes it is not a reciprocal talking "with" conversation - someone with significant short term memory loss.
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Many times I cringed as Mom asked me to repeat something yet again, totally oblivious to the fact that she had already asked and I had already answered the exact same question a hundred times before; well not a hundred, but it sure felt like it - ten for sure. It wasn't even so much that she couldn't absorb the information, as she was clueless to the fact she was recycling the same question over and over.
"My God, woman!" I thought to myself; fortunately the words rattled around in my head, or maybe one or two leaked out from underneath my breath, but I did not say them aloud! Not to her anyway. "Don't you remember what I just said?" I kept thinking.
Well no, actually she didn't and therein was the problem in the nutshell.
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As a coping strategy I considered getting a tape recorder and just hitting the playback button every time Mom repeated a question, but I didn't. I just dutifully answered it over and over again and popped the cork on a bottle of wine. (For me, not her, although either would have helped.)
I can't speak for everyone who is or has experienced dementia, but in the early stages Mom was just savvy enough at times to bluff her way through uncertain situations.
Her "tell" was her laugh, a subdued but distinct chuckle. I knew it well. It was her signature telltale sign that she was pretending to understand and process a conversation when in fact she wasn't. It was always accompanied by a smile and a nod.
In time though her charming avoidance response gave way to more sinister and paranoid behaviors. My first encounter with her deteriorating persona was in the spring of 2008.
The Brown Pants Caper: I received a call from an employee at the senior complex where my mom lived. She explained that she was in Mom's apartment helping her "look for two pair of brown pants" that Mom had reported missing. How strange, I thought.
Apparently my mom was adamant that someone had stolen her pants. Out of sight on the other end of the phone, I rolled me eyes. Someone stole her pants. How ridiculous, I thought.
I quickly visualized a masked thief, slithering into her third floor apartment during the cover of darkness to confiscate two pair of brown pants. Mom had thousands of dollars of gold and gemstones and someone stole pants! Absurd. I held back my laughter, but inside I was busting at the seams. A week later when I visited her, I also rummaged through her closet looking for pants that weren't there and that I was certain Mom had donated years before.
"I think the cleaning ladies took them," Mom insisted.
You've got to be kidding Mom, I thought. Why would anybody take size-four petite pants? I shook my head repeatedly as I simultaneously visualized either of the very tall or the short, overweight cleaning women swiping brown slacks and inconspicuously stuffing them into their carts. I had to suppress an inappropriate chuckle at that visualization also.
There were many other ludicrous "stolen items" reflective of Mom's deteriorating paranoia. Although reasonableness and logical thinking were waning fast, humorous stories abounded.
Mom reported someone had stolen the houses-for-sale advertising section of the newspaper. She wasn't going to buy a house so what difference did it make if someone did take it.
Someone else stole her nail file. Seriously, a nail file?
Then one day I was met at the door, even before a "Hello," with "I had a piece of lint right here and now it's gone." Mom punctuated her words by thumping the table repeatedly with her finger. "Someone stole my lint." As hard as I tried, I couldn't suppress the giggles and burst out laughing. Lint?
Lint. Stamps. Newspaper ad insert. Old brown pants. A Pair of shoes. Keys.
I'm sure every family member, every caregiver, every friend of every memory impaired person can recount a story or three about something they said or did that was funny.
Hold onto those stories and smile, as they help get us through the harder times when our tolerance runs perilously thin and we are faced with the sad reality of what dementia is doing to our lived one.
Elaine C. Pereira is the author of I Will Never Forget - A Daughter's Story of Her Mother's Arduous and Humorous Journey Through Dementia, and a finalist for the Best New Non-Fiction USA Book Awards & The Hollywood Book Festival.
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Original content the Alzheimer's Reading Room


text:
Randy Gambill
IMDb: 5.1
96 min
The rivalry between two former college friends comes to a head when they both attend the same glamorous event.
Country: USA
Actor: Sandra Oh, Anne Heche, Alicia Silverstone, Justin Ahdoot, Dylan Baker, Tituss Burgess, Jordan Carlos, Catherine Curtin, Justiin A. Davis, Eva Dorrepaal, Annie McCain Engman, Randy Gambill, Stephen Gevedon, Giullian Yao Gioiello, Emmy Harrington
Observe and ReportHD
IMDb: 5.8
86 min
Ronnie Barnhardt lives with his alcoholic mother. He's chief security guard at Forest Ridge Mall, where he's in love with Brandi, a cosmetic sales clerk, ...
Country: USA
Actor: Seth Rogen, Ray Liotta, Michael Peña, Anna Faris, Dan Bakkedahl, Jesse Plemons, John Yuan, Matt Yuan, Celia Weston, Collette Wolfe, Randy Gambill, Alston Brown, Cody Midthunder, Debra-Jayne Brown, Aziz Ansari


text:
Any material that enters municipal storm drains flow untreated to our streams and rivers,
and then to Lake Ontario. It is for this reason that the City of Mississauga has enacted the
Storm Sewer Use By-Law (By-law 259-05) in order to help ensure that catchbasins are used to
collect storm water only.
The Storm Sewer Use By-law prevents the discharge of any of the following materials into the
storm water system including:
Pesticides, herbicides or fungicides
Oil or greases
Paints and solvents
Hazardous wastes
Any other material that may impair the quality of the water system or the structure of the
storm water system
For a full list of substances restricted or banned by the Storm Sewer Use By-Law refer to the
full document below.
The maximum fine for failure to follow this By-Law can result for an individual up to $10,000
for a first offence and up to $25,000 for any subsequent offences. For a
Corporation or business, the a fine can be up to $50,000 for a first offence and
$100,000 for any subsequent offence.


text:
Extreme's electromagnetic telemetry system offering precision Inclination/Azimuth, Full MWD, gamma ray logging, and Bore/Annular Pressure While Drilling (PWD) – Exceptional performance in overbalanced and underbalanced applications. *High Voltage option available for specific depth applications.
- Ideal MWD tool for all directional drilling applications.
- Suitable for all applications from vertical monitoring to horizontal drilling with full MWD functionality.
- Ability to switch from Survey on Connection™ to full steering mode.
- Optional gamma ray logging capability, supported by the Extreme 24/7 Command Center.
- No risk of catastrophic lithium battery failure in air drilling applications.
- Superior performance in air drilling and high LCM environments.


text:
Let's induct one of the very best into the GOJR hall of fame and that's Jo Jones a band leader and pioneer in jazz percussion working with the Count Basie Orchestra 1934 to 1948. " Jo Jones brought a 'smoothness' to the swing pattern which had previously been 'chunky' or 'two-beat' in it's feel. He was one of the first to develop what is now known as the "ride" cymbal pattern, and also began to move the hi-hat from just playing on '2 ' and '4 ', to playing on '4 ' only, or '4 ' of a measure and then on '3 ' of the following measure, as illustrated in the musical example Sweet Georgia Brown,("The Jo Jones Trio")
King of the Drums?
The role of the drummer has changed as jazz music evolved. By the 1950's and '60's, the role of the jazz drummer began to shape the music that they were playing in a more melodic and interactive manner. Drummers such as Paul Motian of The Bill Evans Trio, Connie Kay of The Modern Jazz Quartet and Sam Woodyard of The Duke Ellington Band were still involved in their time keeping roles, but in a way that allowed them to play more interactively and expressively. Also during this time the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor and Albert Ayler, along with others, began to demand that the drummer play a very interactive role.


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Other Instrumental Teachers
Mandy Brown (Harp)
Available Sun. & Thurs.
Mandy Brown is an active teacher and performer in the Washington DC Metro Area. She teaches a variety of musical genres including classical, musical theater, pop, jazz, and gospel. In addition to teaching, Mandy has an active operatic career.
Esther Haynes (Banjo)
Available Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.
Esther is a versatile singer, rhythm guitarist, and banjo player. She has won the Washington Area Music Award for best jazz vocalist multiple years in a row.
Moe Nelson (Harmonica & Upright Bass)
Available Wed.


text: Your Own is an up-and-coming sandbox game and the precursor to the MMO Sandbox of the same name. It is being developed by an Indie development studio based out of Russia. The primary difference between Your Own and the planned "MMO version" of the game is that Your Own will focus on a single player and privately owned server experience. The game features strong sandbox elements like hunger, terraforming, farming, and in-depth crafting. It also features a more action-based combat system that is often described as similar to Mount & Blade. Though it originally got off to a slow start, Life is Feudal is picking up and thousands of players have already bought the game, simultaneously testing and enjoying the game. Graphics The graphics in Life is Feudal are awe-inspiring. The realistic style truly brings to life the game world in so many ways. Whoever worked on the art in this game deserves an award, in my opinion, as this is honestly the first time I have been so captivated with the graphics in a multiplayer, let alone MMO, game. The textures are of a high quality, the models are incredibly detailed, and the animations are smooth as anything I've seen. I hope this game works in support for the Oculus Rift because I can only imagine how amazing the game would be with VR. Heck, I already find myself logging on to simply walk through the game and admire the sights. It's not that Life is Feudal has the highest quality graphics I've ever come across; its graphics are just composed more like a painting than a game. I'll get into greater detail on that later in this article, but first I need to talk about one of my favorite components of the game, the structures. They simply provide a look and feel for player cities that I've never seen in a sandbox MMO before. The trees are beautiful, too. All of the fauna is beautiful. I hope the level of quality currently available will survive the optimization phases of development later in the year. Right now, I can chug along at around 30 FPS at my preferred settings, but if I take part in larger servers, I can see myself needing to lower those settings.


text:
Modern Poke
At Poke House, we're firm believers of feeling great after eating great food. Our unique take on Hawaiian Poke and seasonally changing menu is made in house and prepared fresh every day. Our mission is to capture California's spirit and adventure about food while supporting local small businesses and our environment.
Amazing home made house sauces from accomplished chefs, and hand picked veggies
Local seasonal ingredients make up the bulk of our Poke bowls and salads
We only source from sustainable & fairtrade vendors, a bit more expensive but well worth it


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Homeowners Insurance Coverage For Personal Property
Staying insured has become way too mandatory, these days. Having your possessions insured always keep you calm from inside, as you know that you have a financial backup in case any mishap occurs.
Are you planning to rebuild a house, congratulations, but do make sure that you have enough homeowners insurance to rebuild a house of comparable quality or change your belongings in the event of a solemn disaster.
While picking a homeowner's insurance cover, do checkout for all the deeds that you can took up. Take help of insurance companies in long island NY as they will able to better guide you on the whole:
List of incidents usually covered in Home insurance policy:
- Fire or lightning.
- Power outage.
- Wind or hail.
- Theft.
Coverage offered by Homeowners Insurance policy in case of Personal Property damage:
Everything comes last, first get a homeowners insurance that offers enough and reliable coverage to rebuild a house of similar quality and/or replace your belongings in the event of a serious disaster, contact home insurance long island for details.
• Real cash value: Replaces belongings at their current value, abstracting decrease for items you have owned or operated for a long period, up to your insurance policy limit.
- Alternative cost: Covers the existing cost of swapping your possessions, without the depreciation deduction, up to your coverage limit.
- Definite replacement unit cost: Covers the prevailing cost of upgrading your possessions, without the depreciation deduction, up to about 20 percent above your insurance policy limit.
Do get through this post to find out more about the benefits associated with homeowner's insurance coverage.
Normally, personal property is defended between 40 and 75 percent of your structure's rebuilding value. While this is a satisfactory starting point for many individuals, your own needs for personal property insurance can vary greatly.
Though it can cost about 10% more to buy alternative cost coverage, many homeowners appreciate the security that it includes.