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Sherene Baugher, Richard F. Veit. The Archaeology of Cemeteries and Gravemarkers. American Experience in Archaeological Perspective Series. Tampa: University Press of Florida, 2014. 276 pp. $69.95 (cloth), ISBN 978-0-8130-4971-7; $24.95 (paper), ISBN 978-0-8130-6193-1.
Reviewed by Christopher Heaney (University of Texas Austin)
Published on H-War (March, 2017)
Commissioned by Margaret Sankey (Air University)
Sherene Baugher and Richard F. Veit's The Archaeology of American Cemeteries and Gravemarkers suggests that the dead remain a talkative bunch, provided that we find right and respectful ways to hear their histories. Among the many examples offered by this survey of recent academic scholarship and unpublished reports on American mortuary landscapes is New York's eighteenth-century African burial ground, discovered in 1991 by cultural resource management (CRM) archaeologists employed by the US General Services Administration (GSA). New York's African American community pressured the GSA to halt development of the site and hire a team of archaeologists and biological anthropologists from Howard University, who, with the permission and collaboration of that community, excavated 419 bodies. The dead's study yielded new insights into the resistant adaptation of enslaved Africans' mortuary beliefs in colonial Anglo-America before their reinterment in Ghanian mahogany coffins at what became the African Burial Ground National Monument.
The African Burial Ground project is today a "model for other scholars working with descendant communities" precisely because—as Baugher and Veit note—its execution was such a departure from past archaeological practices (p. 31). If the field's raison d'être for much of its history was the interpretation of human and material remains encountered via excavation, that work in America is mapped onto clear hierarchies of race, class, and colonialism. Unlike Europe, where nineteenth-century archaeologists interpreted the often anonymous remains encountered in comparable urban excavations in national, ancestral terms, their contemporaries in America—to a man, white—focused on interments of Native Americans, whose remains were confiscated and made subject to the racialized hierarchies of pre-national history, and whose mourning descendents were actors to confound, not to seek for collaboration. Non-indigenous mortuary interments, by contrast, were mostly ignored, out of respect for European American descendants whose Christian cemeteries were protected by the law or, also disquietingly, out of a lack of interest in other ethnic groups.
The Archaeology of American Cemeteries and Gravemarkers is a synthesis of professional and CRM archaeologists' last half century of attempts to correct for those past occlusions by involving descendant populations and shifting the spotlight of research onto European, African, and other non-indigenous burial sites. The authors discuss what has been learned without excavation, by attending to aboveground gravemarkers—"the ultimate historical artifact: ... part material culture and part document" (p. 2). Baugher and Veit write primarily for archaeologists, providing a detailed accounting of the developments in that field's literature and methodological concerns. Their historical conclusions are not earth-shattering—that changes in gravestones and cemeteries reflected shifts from colonial European American understandings of death as a great equalizer, to a nineteenth-century opportunity to display one's individual or familial material success, to a twentieth-century distance from death's increasingly abstract bite. But The Archaeology of American Cemeteries and Gravemarkers is also an eminently useful resource for historians interested in lesser-known research on questions of acculturation of non-European ethnic groups to European practices, and, still more tantalizingly, the reverse, such as archaeologist Ian Brown's observation that "a significant number of pioneer cemeteries" were started atop "prehistoric American Indian burial grounds" (p. 11).
One of the book's chief contributions, then, is its collation of research that warns against generalization. The authors show—per the scholarship of Ian Hodder, in particular—how seemingly identical memorial practices can mask or naturalize massive cultural and economic differences, whose alternate patterns emerge via attention to differing groups' experiences of assimilating pressures, before and after death. Historians keen to interpret cemeteries, gravemarkers, and mortuary monuments in terms of their material and culture will therefore find much in its pages. In the case of abandoned graveyards—particularly those containing the dead of American military encounters—this book could also be used by public historians as a primer for recognition, interpretation, and ongoing care.
Between an introduction and conclusion, Baugher and Veit offer five chapters that suggest that there is "such a thing as an American cemetery, burial, or grave-marking tradition" (p. 205)—an argument perhaps most successful in the observation that while Europeans bought burial plots for a specific period of time, European Americans regarded burial plots "like any other type of American individually owned land—it had no time restriction" (p. 12). Non-European afterlives radically diverged, however, and chapter 2 explores how historical inequalities of race and class shaped past belowground mortuary archaeology, prompting calls for its ethical renovation. Put simply, the cemeteries best remembered but also least studied are those of Europeans wealthy enough to afford stone markers, and, until the 1990 passage of the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), state laws protected European American burial grounds in ways that Native American burial grounds were not. The latter had been subject to looting from the Puritan excavation of indigenous New England graves in the seventeenth century through the racialized skull hunting of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and this chapter surveys the history of American mortuary excavation that dug "without the permission of or input from the descendant community" (p. 18). It then traces the more respectful anthropological interactions that undergirded NAGPRA, the dedication of the African Burial Ground, and current collaborative best practices.[1]
Chapter 3 discusses the religious, cultural, socioeconomic, and gender-linked insights yielded by the belowground archaeology of seventeenth-, eighteenth-, and nineteenth-century American interments. Examination of bodies, coffin hardware, and grave goods can reveal significant divergences between gravemarkers—located in the public sphere—and the private, material culture of interment, where bones can reveal the pains of economic and racial exploitation, and seemingly similar materials might embody multiple meanings. Much has been made of a coffin in the African Burial Ground, for example, whose heart design with interior scrolls has been interpreted as the Akan people's Sankofa, a symbol for remembering ancestors, but, as Erik Seeman has observed, was also not uncommon on Anglo-American coffin lids.[2] Similarly, the work of Edward Bell at the Uxbridge Almshouse in Massachusetts suggests that attributions of socioeconomic rank based on coffin hardware should be questioned, given that nineteenth-century mass production and a cross-class beautification of death meant that the poor could "buy up" for the dead, imparting them with "a sense of socioeconomic stature otherwise not attainable" aboveground (p. 38). Most interestingly, the authors summarize recent archaeology of non-European ethnic groups in the colonial and early Republican eras: the burials of Catholic Indians who retained grave goods, and the Protestant Indians who did not; of enslaved Africans in rural Texas; and of mid-to-late nineteenth-century Chinese laborers in California, who, when they could afford it, exhumed their dead to ship their bones back to China, leaving partially backfilled graves containing offerings for the afterlife.
The following three chapters on aboveground archaeology cycle back through that terrain, extending it to the twentieth century. Chapter 4 surveys the literature of early European American gravestones and cemeteries, a field that largely began with James Deetz and Edwin Dethlefsen's application of seriation studies to colonial gravestone carvings in Massachusetts. Their classic argument—that an apparent shift from Death's Heads, to cherubs, to urns and willows as the most common images on eighteenth-century New England tombstones reflected changes from "harsh" Puritanism, to the supposed liberalization of the Great Awakening, to greater secularism—has been complicated by subsequent archaeologists and art historians. Continuities in Death's Heads, a wider repertoire of symbols, regional variation beyond the Northeast, and the reproduction of cherub imagery on the gravestones of Jews, Catholics, and Quakers suggest that variations were also a function of carvers' material networks and competitive styles and extra-religious culture. Tellingly, the interpretation of aboveground colonial markers has highly class-based limitations, given that gravestones, rather than less lasting wooden markers, were only within reach of people with means.
Chapter 5 explores the shift from more simple but congregationally organized colonial burial grounds of eighteenth-century agricultural America to the sprawling, highly planned, family-oriented cemeteries of the industrializing, consuming, upwardly mobile nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Here, Baugher and Veit look less to archaeologists than to historians, art historians, geographers, and other scholars who have chronicled how concerns over cemetery overcrowding and sanitation in North Atlantic cities contributed to the development of carefully landscaped—if not yet manicured—"rural" cemeteries just outside or within the bounds of cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn. These cemeteries became a place to display new wealth by commissioning outdoor sculpture and elaborate, highly symbolic mausoleums. In their use of green space, they anticipated public parks—"burial places for the dead and gathering places for the living" (p. 134)—but, through the twentieth century, remained highly segregated by race and class.
Of particular interest in this chapter and the next is how the Civil War changed the material culture of death. The war was the occasion of the federal government's first foray into purchasing cemetery grounds for fallen soldiers, who each received government-issued stone markers. These markers redrew national belonging. In "many instances ... the first formal markers one finds in Northern African American burial grounds" date to the Civil War, when the government issued gravestones for the "United States Colored Troops" who bled along with white compatriots for the cause of Union and the abolition of slavery (p. 176). Confederate soldiers who died in Northern prisons also received funds for headstones, but only in 1906, and with different designs. The US government has continued to pay for gravestones for all veterans since 1879.
Chapter 6 is the book's most interesting. It examines how differences of ethnicity, race, and class found varieties of new expression in nineteenth- and twentieth-century cemeteries, just as Anglo-American cemeteries became increasingly uniform. Given how past belowground archaeology has disproportionately focused on the structurally disenfranchised, such as Native Americans and the poor, this is where the field's new approaches are most necessary—including the choice not to investigate—and its insights most exciting. Craig Cipolla's historical archaeology in collaboration with the Brothertown Indian communities of upstate New York and Wisconsin, for example, interprets the shift from anonymous to increasingly individualized headstones, from communal histories to family monuments, as a reflection of a conversion to Christianity and as ethnogenesis in the face of extraordinary settler colonialism. Surviving nineteenth-century gravemarkers of African Americans suggest the possibilities of resistance against racialization by whites: tombstones erected by masters emphasized blacks' status as "faithful" servants or chattel, while those erected by free individuals for their family members rarely mention race. The layout of the aforementioned Chinese American cemeteries demonstrate principles of feng shui, and Jewish gravemarkers suggest both assimilation and internal, class-based differentiation between earlier German and Spanish immigrants and later, more orthodox eastern Europeans. Summaries of other groups—Spanish Catholics, Mexican Americans, Romany, and Italian Americans—are included, though in far less detail, to suggest where more work could be done.
Whether and how it should be done is a question that the authors entertain as well. This, in a nutshell, is the promise and challenge of such a volume, that theoretically could include the afterlives of anyone who lived and died within the bounds of what is today America. Burial is, by its nature, the ultimate drawing of privacy's veil, even if gravemarkers maintain a social identity aboveground. To focus on the gravemarkers of advantaged northern Europeans reproduces old tendencies in American history, but to extend that attention beyond those groups in an ethical manner asks for complementary meditations on consent from the less advantaged. As Baugher and Veit extend into the twentieth century, discussing the interments of groups and individuals whose descendants are manifestly findable, they ask whether "we [should] use oral histories?" (p. 205). It is a rhetorical question, I presume, whose answer for the authors, given their prior meditations, is clearly "yes." Yet the scope of such an undertaking suggests a paradigm that has far more in common with history or ethnography than of archaeology—an observation that opens the volume, and the field, to the critique of not having cited a particular work from the rapidly growing field on American deathways, consideration of the rich theoretical literature on non-European groups' mortuary practices, or a still more urgent call to engage with modern mourning.[3]
This is less a mark against the work, which has one or two more apparent issues—its recursive nature means that certain scholars are introduced and reintroduced several times over; a tighter editorial hand would have been appreciated—than an example of an opportunity for collaboration of a less fraught sort: with historians, whose work has transformed and has the potential to be transformed by the labor of archaeologists. As Baugher and Veit sagely note, if a gravestone makes no note of a free person of color's race or former enslaved status, that stone's interpretation solely on its own material culture is woefully limited. By the same token, a historian's meditation on how someone lived but not how they died and were then buried—as a name, an individual, no longer recognized by the color of their skin—is its own missed opportunity to observe one final last act of resistance or, perhaps, resignation. The Archaeology of American Cemeteries and Gravemarkers is a fascinating and welcome invitation to that sort of collaboration. At the very least, it should make not a few historians consider leaving their offices to commune with the dead down the street.
[1]. See Christopher Heaney, "A Peru of Their Own: English Grave-Opening and Indian Sovereignty in Early America," William and Mary Quarterly, 3rd ser., 73, no. 4 (October 2016): 609-646 for the argument that the English excavation of indigenous graves was a key heuristic and militant tool of the colonizing project, reflecting both Protestants' "reformed" relationship to mortuary idolatry and desires to reproduce Spanish success at grave-opening in colonial Latin America, Peru most particularly.
[2]. Erik Seeman, "Reassessing the 'Sankofa Symbol' in New York's African Burial Ground," William and Mary Quarterly 67, no. 1 (January 2010): 101-122, esp. 118.
[3]. For example, Ann Fabian's excellent The Skull Collectors: Race, Science, and America's Unburied Dead (Chicago: University Press of Chicago, 2010) would have been a useful reference not only for the ethics of Euro-American interventions in indigenous and African American graves but also as a way to mark how the Civil War transformed Euro-American expectations of burial and intimacy with the dead.
If there is additional discussion of this review, you may access it through the network, at: https://networks.h-net.org/h-war.
Christopher Heaney. Review of Baugher, Sherene; Veit, Richard F., The Archaeology of Cemeteries and Gravemarkers.
H-War, H-Net Reviews.
March, 2017.
URL: http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=44320
|This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.


text:
No. Enc.: 2d4 (4d6)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 120' (40')
Fly: Varies, see below
Armor Class: 8
Hit Dice: 2
Attacks: 1
Damage: 1d3
Save: L1
Morale: 12
Hoard Class: None
Zombees are winged mutants of flying creatures that have been parasitized by giant mutant Apocephalus borealis flies. They are typically fairly weak, but are dangerous because they occur in small swarms.
While they do consume other species as food sources, they will primarily only attack winged creatures and mutants. If there are not mutants with wings present among those encountered, they will only attack for food on a roll of 1 on 1d6.
Mutations: Wing Development, revised see below
No. Enc.: 1d6 (2d8)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 90' (30')
Armor Class: 6
Hit Dice: 3
Attacks: 2 (claws)
Damage: 1d8/1d8
Save: L1
Morale: 9
Hoard Class: Special, see below
GHULs, or "Ghastly Humanoid Underground Lifeforms" are believed to be devolved pure humans who survived the apocalypse by seeking shelter of elaborate cave systems. They will attack and eat any humanoid creatures that enter their lairs.
While GHULs can be found primarily in large cave systems, they are also encountered deep in the pre-apocalypse subterranean systems of major cities (e.g. sewers, subway tunnels, basement, underground facilities, storm drains, etc.). They may also rarely be encountered at night on the surface near their lairs.
GHULS have an odd hoard class, as follows: CP - 1d00 (70%), SP - 1d00 (5%), GP - 1d00 (5%), Artifact - 1 (25%) drugs, chemicals, and foodstuffs and junk.
Mutations: Natural Weapons, Troglodytism (NEW)
Waste Husk
No. Enc.: 1d4 (1d12)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 120' (40')
Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 4
Attacks: 3 (2 claws, bite)
Damage: 1d4/1d4/1d4
Save: L2
Morale: 10
Hoard Class: XIX
Waste Husks are the dessicated remains of desert wanderers who have been driven mad by the harsh desert environment coupled with whatever toxins, mutagens, biologicals and radiation they've come across in their travels. They appear as humanoids suffering from extreme hunger that have their skin torn and abraded by the desert sands and heat, clad in rags and castoff clothing.
Eternally hungry, these creatures roam the wastelands that formed them, searching for any signs of life that they can consume. They often attack by running down their prey, rather than ambush, however, since they are immune to the sand storms and other weather that wracks these wastelands, they may be able to surprise victims on a roll of 1-5 on 1d6 during any weather that could conceal their approach.
While they generally wander the wasteland, they occassionaly can be found lairing in sand-swept or partially buried ruins out among the wastes, as well as sources of water such as an oasis or well.
Mutations: Energy Absorption (Heat) (CoTW), Natural Armor, Predatory Scent
No. Enc.: 1d10 (4d10)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 60' (20')
Swim: 120' (40')
Armor Class: 8
Hit Dice: 5
Attacks: 1 (weapon)
Damage: 1d6 or weapon type
Save: L2
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: XXII
Death Sailors are the waterlogged corpses of drowned seafarers. They appear as bloated, dark blue or purple, hideous-looking humanoids with wild, kelp-like tangles of hair, sharp teeth, and eyeless heads.
These creatures have an intense hatred of those who still sail on the surface of the sea, and will attack any vessel they think they can overwhelm. Death Sailors are typically armed with nautical weapons. Roll 1d12 to determine what weapon they have: 1 - Belaying Pin, 2 - Boarding Axe, 3 - Grappling Hook, 4 - Cutlass, 5 - Harpoon, 6 - Trident, 7 - Hawaiian Sling, 8 - Boarding Pike, 9 - Speargun, 10 - Harpoon Gun, 11 - Polespear, 12 - Marlin Spike.
Mutations: Increased Strength, Aquatic Mutation (NEW)
No. Enc.: 1d4 (1d4)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 90' (30')
Armor Class: 8
Hit Dice: 6
Attacks: 2 (laser, electricity)
Damage: 6d6/4d6
Save: L3
Morale: 10
Hoard Class: None
Cybones are what you get when a Cyborg Commando's biological parts have been damaged (generally by toxin, poison, or radiation) to the point where there is little drive left in the biological portion of the cyborg. The result is a slower, slightly weaker version of the Cyborg Commando, with only the barest of machine intelligence operating the body.
Mutations: Thermal Vision, Increased Physical Strength, Energy Ray (electricity)
No. Enc.: 1 (0)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 120' (40') when not mounted
Mounted: As per stead, mount, or vehicle
Armor Class: 7
Hit Dice: 7
Attacks: 1 (weapon)
Damage: 1d6 or by weapon type
Save: L3
Morale: 10
Hoard Class: XXII
Jack Lanterns are headless humanoids. They can take on a variety of appearances, typically dressing in leather outfits and carrying a 'head.' The head carried varies constantly, roll on the following table to determine what head is carried each time a Jack Lantern (even the same one!) is encountered:
|Head Type
|Jack O' Lantern
|Tree Stump
|Decapitated Humanoid Head
|Robot Head
|Decapitated Animal Head (roll on any animal table to determine animal type)
|Wooden Log carved to look like a face
|Carved Turnip
Jack Lanterns wander the decaying highways and roads of the wasteland searching for a suitable head. No one knows what criteria they use to determine what makes a head suitable, but any Jack Lantern that succeeds in finding a suitable head disappears and is never seen again. They will attack just about any creature in search of a suitable head. They favor edged weapons with which to decapitate their victims.
A wide variety of mounts, steads, and vehicles are used by Jack Lanterns for transportation. While there is no way to be specific, given that any campaign will have different creatures and vehicles present, this quick table will give GMs the basic mount for each Jack Lantern encountered: Roll 1d4: 1 - Common Riding Animal, 2 - Motorcycle, 3 - Hovercycle, 4 - Uncommon Creature used as a stead.
Mutations: Aberrant Form (Detached Limb) (NEW), Fuse Body Part (Head only) (NEW)
No. Enc.: 1d4 (4d4)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 90' (30')
Armor Class: 6
Hit Dice: 8
Attacks: 1 (cold touch or by weapon)
Damage: 1d10 or by weapon type
Save: L4
Morale: 10
Hoard Class: XXI
Vault Draugr are the result of imperfectly cryogenically preserved pure humans stored in cryogenic vaults to avoid the apocalypse. They generally appear as pale, ice-covered humanoids. Essentially brain-dead, they have only the bases instincts.
These creatures tend to attack any other creature they encounter for food, or possibly mating, occasionally both. While they cannot operate complex artifacts, basic melee weapons are well within their capability.
Vault Draugr tend to lair near the cryogenic vaults they were revived in, and are rarely found wandering the wastes.
Mutations: Energy Touch (Cold) (as per Energy Ray, but range is touch), Energy Absorption (Cold) (CoTW)
No. Enc.: 1d4 (1d6)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 120' (450')
Armor Class: 2
Hit Dice: 9
Attacks: 3 (claws, bite)
Damage: 1d6/1d6/1d10
Save: L5
Morale: 10
Hoard Class: XVII
Sanguine Fiends are mutant blood-drinking humanoids. They generally appear as pale humanoid mutants, with sharp teeth or fangs. They may also have other abnormal features, such as pointed ears, glowing eyes, being completely hairless, or having long, pointed fingernails.
These foul beasts hunt other mammalian mutants in order to drink their blood. However, due to their Epidermal Susceptibility, they can only hunt at night.
Sanguine Fiends lair in dark places not easily invaded by sunlight, such as deep caves, completely windowless buildings and structures, or deep in the darkest portions of ruined communities.
Mutations: Increased Physical Strength, Epidermal Susceptibility (Sunlight), Dietary Requirement Change (Blood) see CotTW, Natural Weapon
No. Enc.: 1 (1)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 120' (40')
Armor Class: 0
Hit Dice: 12
Attacks: 1 (weapon)
Damage: 1d6 or by weapon type
Save: L6
Morale: 12
Hoard Class: XV
These animate corpses are generally considered the most intelligent of all the post-apocalyptic 'undead.' They essentially died (cannot regenerate biological material (i.e. heal) by normal means) due to their exposure to massive amounts of radiation.
Radiation Kings are generally uninterested in feeding on other creatures, preferring instead to increase the amount of radiation they are able to absorb. However, if their activities are disturbed, they are quick to deal with opponents with any means at their disposal. Vitims are usually dealt with by the radiation field the creature continually radiates. This field does Class 10 Radiation damage within 10', Class 7 Radiation Damage from 11-20', Class 4 Radiation Damage from 21-30', and Class 1 Radiation Damage from 31-50'.
Radiation Kings lair in highly radioactive areas, though they can sporadically be found wandering the wastes in search of radioactive objects and areas.
Mutations: Energy Field (Radiation, see above), Energy Absorption (Radiation), Extended Lifespan, Dietary Requirement Change (Radiation)
Aberrant Form (Detached Limb) (New; Beneficial Physical Mutation)
The mutant can detach one of it's limbs, randomly determined by the following table (Roll 1d4: 1 - arm, 2 - hand, 3 - leg, 4 - head). The limb can be commanded as if telepathy exists between the main body and the limb. Such limbs are limited to one half the movement rate of the main body, have 1/4 the hit dice, and have one meager 1d4 attack per round.
Aquatic Mutation (New; Beneficial Physical Mutation)
This mutation generally manifests as the development of webbed hands and feet, allowing the creature to be able to swim at double land speed. In addition, the creature takes half damage from cold attacks. This mutation does not proved the character with the ability to breathe underwater. Due to the nature of this mutation, the mutant suffers from the effects of Epidermal Dependency (Water) as per Creatures of the Tropical Wastes.
Fuse Body Part (New; Beneficial Physical Mutation)
This mutation allows a character to meld any body part or body part-like object to their body, and use the body part as per the Aberrant Form (Xenomorphism) mutation. The type of body parts that can be fused include arms, legs, wings, heads, tentacles, vines, eyestalks, claws, talons, pincers, prehensile tendrils, stingers, tails, wings, horns, etc. within the limitations of the GM. Roll on the following table to determine how many additional body parts can be fused to the mutant (Roll 1d6: 1 - one, 2 - two, 3 - 1d4, 4 - 1d6, 5 - 2d4+2, 6 - 1d20).
Troglodytism (New; Physical Drawback)
This genetic change generally occurs in creatures who have evolved to live underground. Creatures with this drawback will be very reluctant to venture above ground, and any time they are above ground, whether the sun is out or not, they must make a Saving Throw vs Stun Attacks or flee as far underground as possible at full movement for 1d4 rounds. Additionally, the being is highly sensitive to light, and suffers a –2 penalty to hit when in daylight.
Wing Development (Revised)
The mutant has developed a full set of wings. The mutant may fly while carrying only 25% of his body weight. Roll on the table below to determine type.
Creatures weighing between 150 and 300 pounds lack the utility of Full Wings, but can travel long distances by drifting on air currents (speed depends on wind conditions). The creature can fly 500 miles without rest, but must sleep after landing. The mutant must have at least 1,000' feet of clear ground or 50' of elevation to build the necessary take-off speed. Landing requires a large open space.
Creatures over 300 pounds cannot use these wings for flight, but they leap to a distance of 120', with a maximum height of 80'.
Mutants with Bone Wings or Elytra can use them to make one physical attack per round, causing 1d6 damage. Bat Wings and Pterosaur Wings have tiny hands or barbs located on the top joint. With the ML's permission, the hands can be used as manipulator limbs; or, they could both be used in combat, where they do 1d4 damage as either a bash or barb.
Wing Type Table
1 Elliptical Bird Wings This is the most common type of bird wing, often found among passerines. These type of wings are short and rounded, allowing for tight maneuvering and rapid take off when evading predators. With these wings the character can fly with a movement of 120' (40').
2 High Speed Bird Wings Wings that are short and pointed, requiring rapid wingbeats to provide high speed but with high energy expendeture. This type of wing is found among the fastest birds, such as the peregrine falcon. With these wings the character can fly with a movement of 480' (160').
3 High Aspect Ratio Bird Wings These wings are longer than they are wide, and are used by birds that generaly soar or glide, such as seabirds. The length of these wings means that the creature requires a longer taxi in order to become airborne, at least 1000' of clear ground or 50' of elevation. With these wings the character can fly with a movement of 90' (30').
4 Soaring Bird Wings Shorter than high aspect wings, these wings have slots at the end of the wing to reduce drag, allowing the avian to have shorter take off characterstics. Wings of this type are commonly found among the larger inland birds, such as eagles and vultures. With these wings the character can fly with a movement of 180' (60').
5 Bat Wings These wings are thinner than those of birds, which allows mutants with these wings to maneuver accurately and more quickly than birds. With these wings the character can fly with a movement of 120' (40').
6 Pterosaur Wings Wings similar in design to bird wings, but much more leathery, and generally larger. With these wings the character can fly with a movement of 180' (60').
7 Dragonfly Wings The mutant's two pairs of wings double her flight speed to 240' (80'). However, they are very fragile: any hit from behind or while flying has a 50% change of tearing the wings, and making them useless for one week. But they do heal, unlike insect wings.
8 Beetle Elytra These wings have a protective case, which could be anything from bone or chitin to leathery skin flaps. When the mutant initiates flight, his Elytra open to reveal the more delicate wings beneath. Flight speed is slow, 60' (20'), but without the chance of being damaged in ground combat. If the mutant is flying, there is still a 50% chance the wings are damaged and made useless by a ranged attack. These wings often buzz loudly, which can be heard for quite a distance.
9 Fly Wings These insect wings are a single pair of membranous and transparent wings. They can be damaged as per Dragonfly Wings. With these wings the character can fly with a movement of 120' (40').
10 Bee/Wasp Wings While at first glance, these wings appear similar to Fly Wings, they actually consist of two pairs of wings held closely together by hooks. They can be damaged as per Dragonfly Wings. With these wings the character can fly with a movement of 150' (50').
11 Butterfly/Moth Wings With the most diverse variety of shapes (and coloration patterns) in insect wings, these pair of dual wing sets are generally coupled together, with the forewing forcing the hindwing to move in the same direction. These wings are covered in scales which makes them somewhat more resistant to damage than other insect wings. With these wings the character can fly with a movement of 180' (60').
12 Bone Wings These wings are extensions of the mutant's skeleton, making them heavier and tougher than most wings. A strong interlacing web of fine bones connects the support structure, allowing the mutant to fly. Due to her rugged wings, the mutant gets a 2-point AC bonus when attacked from behind. But the weight reduces flight speed to only 90' (30').

subset: commoncrawl


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Join us for November's food book club as we read and discuss The Seasons on Henry's Farm with special guest - author, Terra Brockman. This event is free to attend!
Henry's Farm, run by Henry Brockman, is in central Illinois - considered some of the richest farming land in the world. There, he and his family five generations of farmers, including sister Terra, the author - have bucked the traditional agribusiness conventional wisdom by farming in a way that's sensible, sustainable, and focused on producing healthy, nutritious food in ways that doesn't despoil the land. Terra tells the story of her family and their life on the farm in the form of a year-long memoir - with recipes - that takes readers through each season of life on the farm. The story beings with garlic planting in November - making it an appropriate read for this time of year.
Please feel free to bring a small dish or snack (from or inspired by the book) so we can have a small community meal to share together. Drinks will be available for purchase from Beermiscuous. We will be meeting downstairs in their Cellar Room.


text:
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By The Staff on June 1, 2016
The NBA Finals are here, and we at Red Nation Hoops couldn't be more excited. This year we're being treated to a rematch of the new, healthy, and improved Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2015 NBA Champs themselves in the historically great 73-9 Golden State Warriors.
The Cavaliers are coming off an absolutely dominant 12-2 playoff run heading into the Finals and the Warriors just finished capping off a 3-1 series comeback against a tough Oklahoma City squad. It's safe to say that this is the definition of a compelling matchup.
In light of this momentous occasion, we decided to get together and give our picks and opinions for the series.
in 6 games Salman Ali
in 6 games Taylor Pate
in 7 games Alykhan Bijani
in 6 games Paul "Harden's Intellect"
in 7 games Jorge Flores
Salman Ali: It's tough considering how good the Cavs have been in the playoffs, but as good as they've been, they've only posted a defensive rating of 102.9 in the playoffs (good for 8th in the postseason which is mediocre at best). The Warriors are just so good at exploiting every team's major weaknesses and I think that's what's going to happen this series.
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love will be attacked for their deficiencies in defending the PnR and pindowns. LeBron will be given free reign to shoot. Also believe it's going to be tough to find a solution at the power forward for Cleveland that'll matchup with Draymond Green unless LeBron finally caves and plays the 4 with Love to play center.
Taylor Pate: What this basically boils down to is home court advantage. Cleveland lost two games in Toronto and looked really bad in the process. As good as Bismack Biyombo looked in that series, Draymond Green ain't Bismack. Ultimately, I just don't see Cleveland stealing one in Oakland. Warriors in 6.
Alykhan Bijani: Very hard to pick against either team. Both have had great seasons and are clicking at the right time. Feel as if Cavs can be exposed in a few more ways than the Warriors. Key matchup will be the Bigs for Cavs versus small-ball of GSW. Can the Cavs offense dominate and lessen net rating of Death lineup.
Paul "Harden's Intellect": The Cavs have had tremendous success with their lineup featuring both Love and Frye. That lineup will be eaten alive by Golden State. Love might be ran off the floor. Warriors in 6
Jorge Flores: This is a difficult decision to make because both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors are absolute juggernauts and the Warriors are on the verge of completing what could be considered the greatest season of all time. However, fatigue has clearly set in on the Warriors, as gunning for the single season wins record (73-9 is still unbelievable) and Curry's knee injury against Houston slowed the team down.
Also, the Warriors have shown that they are susceptible to scoring point guards. Damian Lillard averaged 31.8 points per game in five games against the Warriors, and Russell Westbrook averaged 26.7 points per game in seven games. This is good news for Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving, a creative scorer with insane handles and a very good outside shooter. The Warriors will have a tough time stopping Kyrie, on top of having to try and contain LeBron James and Cleveland's other weapons.
Who or what is the biggest 'X-Factor' in this series?
Salman Ali: To me, it's clearly Kevin Love. He has to try and find a way to remain viable in this series. The Warriors are a smart enough team to attack him in PnR situations every time he touches the floor and he has to defend to the best of his ability and offensive rebound.
Taylor Pate: I'd say Klay Thompson. When he's hitting 3's at a historic rate, the Warriors are unstoppable. At the same time, when he's off, the Warriors look human.
Alykhan Bijani: Biggest 'X factor' will be the ability for Cleveland to sustain offensive production when Lebron is resting.
Paul "Harden's Intellect": Kyrie Irving. Kyrie has to be about as lethal as ever if the Cavs are to win this. He has to try and make Curry work.
Jorge Flores: Kevin Love famously missed last year's NBA Finals run after Kelly Olynyk of the Boston Celtics locked him in an armbar Ronda Rousey would've been proud of, dislocating his left shoulder. He's the 'x-factor' in this series because of what he can add to a team that already has the greatest player in the world and a point guard that will undoubtedly get his shots up. Love controlling the glass will obviously help, but he needs to convert on his three point attempts because it will stretch the defense away from the basket, allowing LeBron and Kyrie more room to operate.
Salman Ali: Offensive rebounding. Both of these teams will obviously launch a ton of threes, but Cleveland needs to dominate the offensive boards if they stand to compete with the Warriors.
Taylor Pate: LeBron James' 3-point percentage. If he's a threat from there, it opens up Cleveland's offense.
Finals MVP?
Salman Ali: It's got to be Steph Curry.
Taylor Pate: My instinct says Curry. But I'm going with Klay Thompson.
Alykhan Bijani: Steph Curry.
Paul "Harden's Intellect": Steph.
Jorge Flores: LeBron James will win the Finals MVP award he probably should have won last year, in addition to finally bringing a major sports championship to the city of Cleveland.
It's going to be a fun series.


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Welcome from Human Resources
The Human Resources department would like to personally welcome you to our district. We are continuously redefining our business processes to meet and exceed our key customer needs. Our Human Resources business model strategically focuses on innovation and integrating all of our St. Lucie Schools departments to link to the district's mission and vision. Every employee plays a critical role in ensuring that our students have safe and caring schools and enhancing academic success. This is the St. Lucie Way!
Substitute Teaching Just Got Better!
Rates as high as $100 per day
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Take a closer look at SLPS…..You'll like what you see!
St. Lucie Public Schools has opportunities for qualified candidates to join our substitute teaching team. Interested candidates will hold a minimum of an Associate's Degree or 60 college credits and must agree to work at least one day per month.
· Substitute teachers in Long Term Assignments (21 days or more) earn $100.00 per day.
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We value our substitute teachers and provide free tutorials and guidance to those individuals who wish to pursue teaching as a career.
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Monochrome Jute Tote Bag
Monochrome Jute Tote Bag
This large black and white tote bag is ideal for the beach or a trip to the market.
It is handmade in Bangladesh using traditional artisan weaving skills through a fairtrade organisation, its easy relaxed style & practicality is hard to resist.
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Other Information
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It is real easy to tire within the whiners in society – and a lot more I learn Muslim groups having their feelings hurt, the more I for you to vomit. Fitted. Just grow up, toughness is a characteristic. Nobody really cares, OK?
Good solid reasoning here, I ultimately. Moore's "open letter" continues for another thousand or thereabouts words, all designed in Michael Moore's highly abrasive manner, to inflame the passions of both sides involved ultimately controversy your proposed building of fresh York islamic mosques near Ground Zero.
Nearly lots of years earlier, the Catholic pope rallied leaders and commoners alike with a rousing call to a Christian-style "jihad" – to steal a condition from the Islamic terrorist playbook; a holy rivalry. From the Christian perspective, Muslims were the infidels who had taken the Holy Land countless years just before. Their occupation was defined to be the ultimate and intolerable blasphemy. The Holy Land in order to be reclaimed for Christ. Within months of your pope's call, 100,000 people had "taken the cross" to reclaim the Holy Land for Christ. For perspective, a comparable movement today would involve more when compared to a million people, all dropping everything to follow to struggle.
I challenged Bridgett Gabriel to a public debate, to show me where it says what she claims. Do you know what happened? I was told she doesn't islamic studies point. But I've seen her debate. The reality is she doesn't debate you aren't credentials.
From what i have learned, I would be required to say that Deaf people value American Sign Language the most in their culture. American Sign Language is the natural language within the Deaf the actual Deaf culture revolves in. Language and culture go hand in hand–without American Sign Language, there might possibly be no Deaf culture. My way through Deaf culture comes from the nature of yank Sign Language–their values, beliefs, behaviors, and socialization. If there wasn't any sign language, Deaf people would n't have their own culture–they would only develop into a small, isolated part within the hearing marketplace.
After the battle of Badr, about 70 of the unbelievers was captured as compared to the prisoners of war. Lots of Muhammad's companions wanted to slay those pagan captives. Muhammad knew that those captives were educated individuals. Muhammad announced whenever any undoubtedly one of them would teach ten Muslim children how posted and write they were freed. This had been the first school your market history of Mohamed Attawia islamic center will be delivered at next gathering rrn which all of this students were Muslims, putting of the teachers were from the enemy position.
During the writing of Hudaibiyyah treaty, the Prophet dictated these words: "This is from Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah." The Pagans of Mecca delegate raised objections over these words stating that they don't admit that Muhammad can be a messenger.
Now you have got looked back on the path that you have made clean, look forward and start picking up some more trash. If you are like me there in order to trash to throw out there.


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Loading Map...
Written on: Sunday January 22nd, 2012
A journal entry from: S.E. Asia 2012
We happened to be on Siboya for Children's day, a fête that happens all over Thailand on one particular day. We went up to the school to watch. It is like a sports day combined with a birthday with everyone receiving a beautifully wrapped present and copious amounts of ice cream. We next went to the island of Koh Jum which is a short boat ride away. It's far more developed than Siboya but still a lazy backwater relative to other resort areas in Thailand. There we were able to rent bikes, a great way to get away from the coast and see a little of the local village life. Our friends Bruce and Carel Featherstone joined us there and we spent an enjoyable time with them having drinks at sunset and trying some of the local cuisine.
For our next stage of island hopping we hit Koh Lanta, a somewhat larger island we visited 4 years ago. Things have changed here and it is busier than ever full of many new resorts. We, however have managed to put ourselves in a very cute grass/wood bungalow at the end of all the mayhem.. We have a nice Thai/French restaurant in one direction and a beautiful beach in the other. Not hard to handle.


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The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne
James Williamson Bell
The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne
Watercolour on paper
62 x 38.5cm (image)
76 x 57cm (framed)
Bell's subject matter was as diverse as his style. As one of the first members of the prestigious Society of Wildlife Artists (and for a long period, the only member in the North of England), he produced finely detailed studies of native and exotic birds. As his reputation grew, Bell was able to travel more widely, spending many months in China where he developed a fascination with Chinese brush painting. The technique strongly influenced his painting, as suited to capturing the inky river darkness and soaring cranes of the shipyards as it was to the lantern-lined Shanxi streets and shrieking cockerels of the Far East.
Bell exhibited his work as far afield as Paris, New York, South Korea, Nairobi and China, but it was the River Tyne and industrial North East which provided the rich source of imagery that he returned to again and again. Towering cranes at Wallsend, characterful North Shields pubs and crowded Newcastle bridges all feature in his work, alongside exquisitely detailed wildlife studies and energetic travel sketches. Taken together, these images create not just a portrait of working life on Tyneside, but of an artist overflowing with creativity and a drive to capture the world around him.


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Blackbeard is perhaps the best known of the pirates who haunted our coast in the 1700s. But did you know that the bloodiest pirate battle in North Carolina history did not involve him? Rather, it was at the hands of one of his protégés in the waters off what is now Southport, N.C.
Stede Bonnet gave up a life among the planter elite on Barbados to become a pirate in 1717. He was known as the "Gentleman Pirate," not so much for the way he behaved, but for his dress and for the way he launched his piratical career. Instead of capturing a vessel, he purchased and armed a ship, naming it the Revenge, and he hired a crew – yes he paid them. I wonder what that job interview was like?
The novice pirate entered the North American shipping lanes and began plundering. Blackbeard, partnering with Bonnet, captured the ship that he would call Queen Anne's Revenge while commanding Bonnet's Revenge. The two joined forces a few times; in fact, Bonnet was aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge during Blackbeard's weeklong blockade of Charleston, S.C. Following Blackbeard's grounding of the Queen Anne's Revenge, Bonnet returned to solo pirating, capturing over a dozen ships.
In August, 1718, he established a base near present-day Southport, since the Cape Fear estuary offered a secluded place to rest and re-outfit. Because of the Charleston incident, South Carolina's governor sent ships in search of pirates. They found Bonnet on September 27. A fierce battle ensued, ending with the surviving pirates' surrender after six hours. Stede Bonnet was hanged on December 10, 1718, effectively ending the "Golden Age of Piracy" in North Carolina.
You can see the historical marker about Stede Bonnet, placed near a creek and a neighborhood sporting his name in Southport. The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport features a display about him. But, one of the coolest ways to spend an evening is with Southport's Captain Bert Felton, who will take you out in his restored 1938 workboat to where the battle took place. He offers a fantastic, history-filled cruise.


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As we approach the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation I am curious where the re-formation will go next. The one holy catholic Apostolic Church has never been quite "one" with it's many divisions but we have been single minded and untied when it comes to Jesus. We love Jesus but it's also Jesus that we can't agree on. Was he a social activist or the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sin of the world and calls us to a deep spirituality that awaits his coming again and in the meantime evangelizes the world. One thing you can't be when it comes to Jesus is neutral. He was either the Savior of humankind or a crazy prophet – a religious lunatic. He is a social activist but not just for the sake of being swayed by the ever changing cultural norms.
Martin Luther really wanted the Church to hear the Gospel clearly and each individual to have a relationship with the Christ. The Reformation was both deeply individualistic and a corporate shake-up empowering everyone to take their "call" seriously. Yet, in 500 years we still have vast church hierarchies and bureaucracies that span the globe but have at the same time lost the balance of the Law and Gospel. We have heard the "good news" without the personal responsibility and accountability to the law. Discipleship does not seem to cost anything. Christianity-lite goes with our beer and schedules. And if the Law is preached we may be accused of not being sensitive to people's needs and emotions.
What is the cost of discipleship? Consider this: "Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship)
It will cost us more in the next 500 years and I wonder whether people will be willing to pay the price. What are your thoughts?
Be Well…


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Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan, #16
Narrator: Linda Emond
Published: August 2013, Simon & Schuster Audio
Length: 11 hours 37 minutes
Source: Library
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with her sixteenth riveting novel featuring forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan, whose examination of a young girl killed in a hit and run in North Carolina triggers an investigation into international human trafficking.When Charlotte police discover the body of a teenage girl along a desolate stretch of two-lane highway, Temperance Brennan fears the worst. The girl's body shows signs of foul play. Inside her purse police find the ID card of a prominent local businessman, John-Henry Story, who died in a horrific flea market fire months earlier. Was the girl an illegal immigrant turning tricks? Was she murdered?***Short & Sweet Reviews are short, quick reviews. These will mainly be used for series books where I have already done full reviews on some of the earlier books or for books that I feel will suffice with a quick review. These will not be used for review requests or blog tours.
The medical examiner has also asked Tempe to examine a bundle of Peruvian dog mummies confiscated by U.S. Customs. A Desert Storm veteran named Dominick Rockett stands accused of smuggling the objects into the country. Could there be some connection between the trafficking of antiquities and the trafficking of humans?
As the case deepens, Tempe must also grapple with personal turmoil. Her daughter Katy, grieving the death of her boyfriend in Afghanistan, impulsively enlists in the Army. Meanwhile, Katy's father Pete is frustrated by Tempe's reluctance to finalize their divorce. As pressure mounts from all corners, Tempe soon finds herself at the center of a conspiracy that extends all the way from South America, to Afghanistan, and right to the center of Charlotte. "A genius at building suspense" (Daily News, New York), Kathy Reichs is at her brilliant best in this thrilling novel.
My thoughts: One of my favorite things about this series is that I not only do I get to catch up with a favorite character, but I feel like I get a little bit of an education as well - on so many different things, depending on what case Tempe happens to be working on. Sometimes it's forensic-based and sometimes it's history-based, but it's still all fascinating.
Another thing I've come to appreciate after reading every book in this series is that no detail is unimportant, so when Tempe is working on what seems like unrelated cases, somehow, someway, things end up coming together and I love watching to see when they finally do. I also love trying to guess at the conclusion - though usually I'm wrong, but that's ok.
Once again Slidell is back - I just love the banter that goes on between him and Tempe. They have such a love/hate relationship sometimes. Tempe seems to be caught in a little bit of a love triange at the moment between Pete and Ryan - is she going to sign the divorce papers and how is she going to deal with Ryan's habit of going MIA? Things are quite complicated on the relationship-front for her.
I have really enjoyed going back to the beginning of this series to catch up - and now that I'm almost caught up - 1 book to go - I think I might have to re-listen to the ones I already read just to keep the character development straight in my head...have you ever done that?
Audio thoughts: Linda Emond does such a good job with the narration of this series...her voices for the characters are great and her pacing is perfect. I've really enjoyed listening to her narrated so many of these books.
Books in this series:
- Deja Dead 14. Flash & Bones
- Death du Jour 15. Bones are Forever
- Deadly Decisions 15.5 Bones in Her Pocket
- Fatal Voyage 16. Bones of the Lost
- Grave Secrets 16.5. Swamp Bones
- Bare Bones 17. Bones Never Lie
- Monday Mourning 17.5. Bones on Ice
- Cross Bones 18. Speaking in Bones
- Break No Bones
- Bones to Ashes
- Devil Bones
- 206 Bones
- Spider Bones


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As Valentine's Day approaches, computer users should beware as malicious programs are being distributed via Valentine's e-mails.
Information security analysts said several e-mails are being distributed, with subject lines including "I give my heart to you," "Wanna kiss you," "I belong to you" and "You are the ONE."
Clicking the links provided in these e-mails will download and install malicious programs that allow the user's computer to be remotely controlled.
Virus security firm Trend Micro said it had detected a worm named WORM_WALEDAC.AR this month that was being spread via e-mail. The links in the e-mail redirect users to a heart shaped Web page.
Clicking on the page will initiate the download of a worm, which will then install itself on the computer.
Trend Micro technical consultant Hsu Yi-chen (?? said that once the worm is installed on a computer, it will open a communication port and await orders from a remote user, thus jeopardizing the security of the computer system and data, perhaps even turning it into a zombie to be used as a jumping board for attacks on Web sites.
Hsu said the worm did not appear to have caused major problems in Taiwan, but people should refrain from clicking any links in e-mail from unknown senders or download files from unknown Web sites.
Virus programs are already capable of detecting this virus, so anyone suspecting that their computer has been infected should visit their anti-virus program manufacturer's Web site for information on how to detect and delete the worm.


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A Bodhi-Pearl Welcome!
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Category Archives: Chuang-Tzu
Food for the Turtles
The Mystic by Tania Marie The Turtle Zhuangzi was once fishing beside the Pu River when two emissaries brought him a message from the King of Chu: "The king would like to trouble you with the control of all his … Continue reading
Posted in Chuang-Tzu Tagged Chuang-Tzu, Dark Spirit, Spirit, Zhuangzi Leave a comment
One who knows does not speak, one who speaks does not know
WHEN KNOWLEDGE WENT NORTH Knowledge wandered north Looking for Tao, over the Dark Sea, And up the Invisible Mountain. There on the mountain he met Non-Doing, the Speechless One. He inquired: "Please inform me, Sir, By what system of thought … Continue reading
Posted in Chuang-Tzu Tagged gnosis, imageless, Knowinghood, Lao-Tzu, Mind, Only Don't Know, The Cloud of Unknowing 1 Comment
The Tao of Qi
The Zhuangzi says, "Pure spirit reaches in the four directions, flows now this way, now that: there is no place it does not extend to. Above, it brushes the sky; below, it coils on the earth. It transforms and nurses … Continue reading
Posted in Chuang-Tzu Tagged Black Dragon, Black Dragon Ch'an, DEEP, Ouroborus Dragon, Qi, Tao, Thomas Merton 8 Comments
Oftentimes we encounter writers who are on the quest for a new Spiritual-Religion. Chuang-Tzu himself transcended the ordinary categories of just what constitutes common notions of such a quest. One of my resources in this series is a book by … Continue reading
Posted in Chuang-Tzu Tagged Confucius, Nietzsche, religiosity, Toeless Man, Zhuangzi 3 Comments
Tree of Heaven
Master Hui said to Master Chuang, "I have a big tree people call Tree of Heaven. Its great trunk is so gnarled and knotted that it cannot be measured with an inked line; its branches are so twisted that squats … Continue reading
Posted in Chuang-Tzu Tagged Heaven, Inner-Chapters, Outer-Chapters, Tòsui, Tree of Heaven, Zen, Zen Master 2 Comments
And Butterflies are Free to Fly…
I Dreamed I Was A Butterfly by Alice McMahon White Chuang Tzu's Taoism is perhaps the most profound in the Taoist Treasury; although he would be the first to state that his positionless-teaching was no form of "ism", but rather … Continue reading
Posted in Chuang-Tzu Tagged Chuang-Tzu, Lankavatarian, Tòsui, Zhuangzi Leave a comment


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Working Paper 726
Monetary Policy and Dutch Disease: The Case of Price and Wage Rigidity
Published June 8, 2015
We study a model of a small open economy that specializes in the production of commodities and that exhibits frictions in the setting of both prices and wages. We study the optimal response of monetary and exchange rate policy following a positive (negative) shock to the price of the exportable that generates an appreciation (depreciation) of the local currency. According to the calibrated version of the model, deviations from full price stability can generate welfare gains that are equivalent to almost 0.5% of lifetime consumption, as long as there is a significant degree of rigidity in nominal wages. On the other hand, if the rigidity is concentrated in prices, the welfare gains can be at most 0.1% of lifetime consumption. We also show that a rule - formally defined in the paper - that resembles a "dirty floating" regime can approximate the optimal policy remarkably well.
Published In: Series in Central Banking of the Central Bank of Chile (Vol. 22, Chapter 2, 2016, pp. 51-90)
Download Paper (pdf)


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Horizon Info
Horizon is a retro-style space arcade shooter. Destroy the asteroids and enemy ships in Horizon and try not to die inside the black hole.
There are 25 levels to complete which count down as you play. Destroy all the asteroids and ships to move on to the next.
Don't lose too many lives though, or you'll run out before you can get further into the game.
Inspired by Asteroid and SpaceWar, Horizon is a test of coordination as you battle not only against enemies but also against gravity.
Controls: Use the keyboard to play (press Space to start) and the arrow keys to move. Press down to launch or use items, and P to pause. M to mute.Julian Cheatle updated this game on 17 Apr , 2016.
Our Horizon Review
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Sustainability and Awards
In harmony with nature, Ceusa's products are intended for consumers who wish to combine quality convenience and esthetics, along with the latest trends and colors of the global market. All of this in constant concern with the welfare of the people and the environment.
The industrial waste is recycled and the water needed for the manufacturing of the pieces is totally reused in the same process, with the discharge of effluents in nature. Moreover, modern equipment are used for dust collection, which ensures retention of the particulate material.
The strict environmental control results in recognition through national awards such as the Ecology Expression, the Febramec and the Frits Müller.
Human Enhancement
Ceusa also seeks the satisfaction of its employees through professional enhancement programs. The staff is comprised of employees with middle school education, and 46% (Ceusa) and 33% (Novagres) have already graduated or are studying at the university.
In 2011, Ceusa was recognized by Sesi as one of the best companies of the state of Santa Catarina in Quality at Work and it was ranked among the top 90 nationally.
It won, in 2012, the Prêmio Ser Humano (Human Being Award) from ABRH-SC, in the category People Management Cases.
Ceusa measures its growth also from the awards.
Check out the list of awards won over the last few years.
A Cerâmica e o Ceramista do Ano (Ceramic and Ceramist of the Year) - 2016
⋅ Category: 15th Mundo Cerâmico Magazine Award
⋅ Theme: Best Ceramic Tile Company and Ceramist of the Year 2016.
25th Anamaco Award -2016
⋅ Category: Best average in quality aspect
⋅ Theme: Porcelain Tiles and Ceramic Tiles
4th Aspacer Design Awards - 2016
⋅ Category: Porcelain tiles (1st place)
⋅ Theme: Olive wood
4th Aspacer Design Awards - 2016
⋅ Category: Special Pieces (1st place)
⋅ Theme: 3D Tiles
23rd Expressão Ecologia Awards - 2016
⋅ Category: Conserving Mineral Supplies
⋅ Theme: Using waterproofing material in ceramic base.
24th Anamaco Award - 2015
⋅ Category: Best average in quality aspect
⋅ Theme: Porcelain Tiles and Ceramic Tiles
17th Fritz Müller Awards - 2015
⋅ Category: Environment
⋅ Theme: Conserving Production Supplies - Mineral Resources
Prêmio Ser Humano SC - 2012
⋅ Category: People Management Case
⋅ Theme: Professional Development Attraction and Retention of Y Generation
19th Expressão Ecologia Awards - 2012
⋅ Category: Conserving Mineral Supplies
⋅ Theme: Development of Ceramic Tiles with Digital Printing Decoration, in SuperSlim Porcelain Tiles and Inspired in Natural Tiles.
´SESI Qualidade no Trabalho Award (Quality at Work) / Troféu Fiesc - 2011
⋅ Category: Medium-sized Company
⋅ Theme: Development Education
⋅ Project: "Internal Development Plan"
Febramec Award - 2011
⋅ Category: Raw Materials and Solid Waste - Ceusa
⋅ Project: Reutilization of Granulated Items
CNI/FIESC – SENAI Awards - 2010
⋅ Category: 1st place Design – Medium and Large Size Company - State Round
⋅ Theme: "Development of Ceramic Tiles with Decoration and Digital Printing and Inspired in Natural Tiles".


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Makings of a Champion/
The following is an excerpt from the November "The Champions Issue" of Amplified Soccer Athlete magazine. What does it take to be a champion? This is the question that we explore in this issue of Amplified Soccer Athlete. We have pulled together insights from World Cup, MLS, NWSL and NCAA champion players and coaches. Content contributions come from some of the top professional training, nutrition, mental-game and fitness leaders in the industry. We know you'll enjoy your experience. Subscribe Today!
By Ross LaBauex, 2009 NCAA Champion at University of Virginia and 2010 MLS Champion with Colorado Rapids
For as long as I can remember I have had an affinity for sports. Soccer, football, baseball, tennis and everything in between, I was sure to be watching or playing.
I love sports for many reasons, but particularly due to the undeniable power sports have to influence individuals, groups and even entire societies in positive ways.
We see businesses closing early to gather with fellow countryman to support teams in the Olympics. Nations come together to support their women's national soccer team after a tsunami, and entire wars cease-fire during the World Cup.
Sports will always be one of many driving forces that bring people together. This has long appealed to my sensibilities and influenced many decisions and events throughout my life.
I grew up in Chicago, where sports are a significant ethos of the city. I've personally witnessed the greatness that was Michael Jordan and the 90's Bulls, the tough times (and current rise) of the Cubs, the very unpredictable seasons of "Da Bears", the dynasty on ice that is the Blackhawks, and the inaugural season of The Chicago Fire that took home an MLS Cup in 1998.
The city's sports teams are winners, and those winning moments are very nostalgic for me. I can remember where I was when Michael Jordan crossed Bryant Russell to make the winning shot of the NBA finals against the Utah Jazz.
I remember watching Peter Nowak and the Chicago Fire hoist the MLS Cup trophy after beating DC United at a packed Rose Bowl in 1998. I remember all these moments as a fan, but I also remember thinking that I wanted to know what that feeling of being a champion would be like as a player. I wanted to know it badly.
Reliving these moments in my head was a daily pastime for me in childhood. I wanted to win and be a champion like those I looked up to. I wanted to hoist a trophy with my teammates so we could prove that all of the blood, sweat and tears into the season mattered. My goal was that some little kid would look at me the way I idolized my sports heroes and legends. I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me; I wanted to be a part of sports history.
Fast-forward a few years….
It was not an easy path, but thorough years of training, honing my soccer skills and total preparation in the soccer recruiting process the first step in achieving my dreams started with my acceptance to the Division I soccer program at University of Virginia.
During my first few days on campus, I knew that I had to make the most of this unbelievable opportunity. It was going to be a privilege to play for one of the best college soccer programs in the country, and I wasn't going to waste these next four years.
Over the course of my time playing soccer at University of Virginia I made memories for a lifetime, but the work that was put in by my teammates and me was immeasurable.
The early morning practices, the extra running, the summer workouts that were optional (but mandatory) were tough, but the commitment of a group of guys that wanted to win more than breathing is what made everything we did worth it.
**Authors note: If you are just beginning your college soccer recruiting process (or are lost as to what you need to do next) here is a link to a great free resource http://perfectsoccerrecruit.com/get-your-mock-letter
Get the rest of this article in the November "The Champions Issue" of Amplified Soccer Athlete. What does it take to be a champion? This is the question that we explore in this issue of Amplified Soccer Athlete. We have pulled together insights from World Cup, MLS, NWSL and NCAA champion players and coaches. Subscribe Today!


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If you were committed to getting into physical shape, one of your first steps would be to write out a plan of attack: when you'd go to the gym, how much time you'd spend there, which exercises you'd do, and what other life habits would need to change to maximize your workout. You'd follow this predetermined plan to keep you accountable (on the days you didn't feel like working out) and to track your growth.
Now think about this: God wants to shape you more and more into the image of His Son. One of the primary ways God does that is through His written Word, the Bible. Not only does God give us direction in life through His Word, but the truth we discover there also guards our hearts and minds from error – specifically, from the Enemy's deceptions. We demonstrate our trust in God by reading, learning, knowing, and obeying God's Word.
If you are committed to following Jesus, then you should select a plan of attack: when you'll spend time in God's Word daily, how much time you'll spend there, what you're going to read, and what other life habits need to change to maximize your time in God's Word. This could be anything from toning down how much social media you consume, all the way to eliminating a destructive and sinful habit you've accommodated for a while. The key is this: having this plan established will keep you accountable and also help track your growth, as God continues to shape you into the image of Jesus.
We've put together a few different plans for you to choose from. Remember: the key is spending daily, quality time with God – not just trying to absorb content or check off a box. Choose a plan that will lead you into that quality time, and consider inviting a friend or family member to join you in that same plan.
- 5x5x5 New Testament Plan.
5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, with 5 suggestions for how to retain what you're reading. If you've struggled in the past, this would be a great place to start. You will read through the entire New Testament in a year. (Get plan here: 5x5x5)
- Book-at-a-Time Plan.
This plan is great for its variety. The first reading alternates between Old and New Testament; the second reading selects from the Wisdom books (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs) or Isaiah. You could read both selections together or split them up between morning and evening. You'll end up having read the whole Bible in a year. (Get plan here: Book-at-a-Time)
- Genesis-through-Revelation Plan.
January 1 starts in Genesis 1, and December 31 ends in Revelation 22. This plan journeys straight through the pages of Scripture, requiring about 3 chapters per day (sometimes more, sometimes less). A segment of this plan is what we include in each Monthly Bulletin you receive at The Chapel. (Get plan here: Genesis-through-Revelation)
- "Read the OT and Dig into the NT" Plan.
This plan is a bit of a hybrid, doesn't have a cool name, but if you're looking for a change of pace, this plan may help you. Bottom line: you read through the Old Testament in its entirety in a year, but for the New Testament books, you read one book (or one lengthy passage) repeatedly each day for a month. Since most of the New Testament books were written as letters, they were meant to be read in their entirety. Sometimes we lift verses from the Bible completely out of context, and to our own detriment.
As an example, read through the letter to the Philippians. Most people can read it in fewer than 10 minutes (or quicker if you leave your phone in another room). Read that letter every day for 30 days and you will really begin to have a grasp for what Paul is communicating. You'll discover the major themes of the book and of each chapter, and you'll finally see what Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all things…") is really about – and that it's not a carte blanchemotivational verse to help you ace that test or finish that 5k.
The goal is that you will embrace the message of the Old Testament while discovering the fulfillment of all things in Christ through the New Testament. You won't settle for a cursory, surface-level reading of the Bible, but instead will want to uncover the rich truths of Scripture – with the intent of actually doing what it says! (Get the plan here: 3-year plan)


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Who has won more caps for Germany: Per Mertesacker or Franz Beckenbauer?
Guus Hiddink has never won the European Cup or Champions League. True of false?
Who is the only Gabonese player to appear in the Premier League to date?
Which Scottish Championship side plays its home games at Palmerston Park?
Which manager gave David Beckham his first England cap?
Name these four Football League grounds.
Name the six Dutchmen to have scored a Premier League hat-trick.
Who are the only team to have featured in two shootouts in the same World Cup and won both?
Which Premier League midfielder's name is an anagram of 'ambushed mice'?
For which two Dutch clubs has Luis Suarez played?
Question 1
Mertesacker (104 to Beckenbauer's 103).
Question 2
False, he won it with PSV in 1988.
Question 3
Daniel Cousin.
Question 4
Queen of the South.
Question 5
Glenn Hoddle.
Question 6
Deepdale, The Valley, Spotland, Bramall Lane.
Question 7
Bergkamp, Overmars, Hasselbaink, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie, Kuyt.
Question 8
Argentina in 1990.
Question 9
Muhamed Besic.
Question 10
Groningen and Ajax.
How'd you do? Share your score via Twitter and Facebook.


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Commentary: Bashar al-Assad's dangerous regime
The Syrian people have good reason to feel let down by those around the world who claim to believe passionately in human rights and democracy. The international community has shown misguided restraint in condemning Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's slaughter of his own people. In trying to prove he should be allowed to stay in power, Assad has shown exactly the opposite.
On June 5, the world saw just how much more dangerous he has become. Assad wanted the events of that day to prove that his fall would create more risks than his survival does. We already had evidence of the unspeakable brutality he has deployed against his own people. Now we have seen that Assad is willing to risk a new war in the Middle East to prove he should be allowed to destroy Syria's pro-democracy opposition without international interference.
To make that point, the regime allowed, encouraged or perhaps helped orchestrate a protest at the Israeli-Syrian border in which more than 20 Palestinian protesters reportedly died. Damascus happily let the international media point a finger of blame at Israel. The facts, however, show this was no simple march for freedom.
The warning had come earlier. In an interview with The New York Times, Assad's cousin and Syrian regime insider Rami Makhlouf declared, "If there is no stability here, there is no way there will be stability in Israel. ... God forbid, anything happens to this regime."
June 5 was a time to illustrate. The date marks the anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War, known by Arabs as the Naksa, the setback. Normally, government security forces keep the border with Israel quiet. Nobody approaches. This time, protesters arrived in buses, waved through checkpoints by Syrian soldiers. Syrian state television had already staked positions and ambulances took their places. Israeli officials, having had the experience during protests marking the anniversary of Israel's founding, had vowed to prevent anyone from breaching the border, but to do it with minimal use of force.
Israeli loudspeakers told protesters in Arabic to disperse. As they kept approaching the border, throwing Molotov cocktails, Israelis fired tear gas. When some tried to break through the border, they fired over their heads and later at their legs.
When it was all over, Syrian officials claimed more than 20 protesters had been killed by Israelis. Incredibly, the international media unquestioningly quoted the regime's figures and facts.
The protest took place in a disputed border dotted with landmines, where a war was fought. Israeli officials said troops fired very few bullets, saying firebombs started a brushfire that ignited mines, setting off explosions that killed protesters.
Israel filed a complaint at the United Nations accusing Damascus of "dangerous provocations." This risky Syrian gambit could trigger a war.
Journalists didn't have to accept Israel's explanation at face value. But it's astonishing they accepted Syria's without a second thought. That's especially true considering events in Syria. Two days before the border clashes, Syrian human rights groups say the regime massacred another 60 pro-democracy demonstrators. The Sunday of the border battle, they killed an additional 30 protesters.
The atrocities are causing seasoned experts to shudder. A Human Rights Watch report on Syria is called, "We've Never Seen Such Horror." The regime has killed more than 1,000 civilians, arrested thousands more. Look up the story of 13-year-old Hamza Ali al-Khateeb for a story of torture one can scarcely comprehend.
Assad has good reason for wanting to warn off the West from applying sanctions, and he would like nothing more than to distract his own people and the rest of the Arab world by stoking rage against Israel rather than contempt for Damascus and its axis.
This is not just about Assad. Syrian demonstrators have been chanting "No to Assad," but also "No to Iran, No to Hezbollah!" The protests threaten the Iran-Syria-Hezbollah-Hamas bloc. There is much at stake here not just for the regime in Damascus but for the entire region. Syria and Iran have kept Hamas and Hezbollah stockpiled with weapons. Without Damascus, the structure would wobble; perhaps fall.
The lesson from the border protests is that Assad leads an exceedingly dangerous regime. If his brutality against the Syrian people was not enough, his willingness to trigger another regional war - with the support of his allies in Tehran, Beirut and Gaza - should convince the international community to impose stern sanctions, and work for his removal.
Frida Ghitis writes about global affairs for The Miami Herald. Readers may send her email at email@example.com.


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"We are in the process of acquiring land in Tamil Nadu for setting up power supply manufacturing unit. We expect land title to be transferred to us by November. First set of investment of $150 million of the total commitment will be made next year," Delta India Electronics Managing Director Dalip Sharma said at Renewable Energy India Expo.
The investment is part of the $500 million investment commitment made by the company's CEO Ping Cheng at Digital India event held in July.
Sharma said that Delta will hire 5,000 people for working at this plant over period of next five-seven years.
"We expect to approach Department of Electronics and IT for approval under MSIPS by end of this year," Sharma said.
The Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS) provides subsidy for investments in capital expenditure, which is 20 per cent for investments in special economic zones (SEZs) and 25 per cent in non-SEZs. It also provides for reimbursement of countervailing duty or excise for capital equipment for the non-SEZ units.
The company already has a manufacturing unit at Rudrapur in Uttarakhand.
The company is in process of setting up a research and development centre in Bangalore that will work on software data analytics solution and high power technologies.
"We are at final stage of acquiring land for the R&D center. Delta will invest another $75 million on this centre and would be hiring 400 engineers for it. Hiring will start from mid of next year," Sharma said.
The company deals in energy solutions, digital surveillance, solar inverters, industrial automation, projectors and commercial displays.
Sharma said that Delta India Electronics registered revenues of Rs 1,000 crore in 2014 and expects to clock growth of about 35 per cent by end of this calendar year.
"We are cash flow positive and registering profit. This year we expect our revenue to be around Rs 1,350 crore. We have been following stable business model. Now we see time is ripe is to scale up our business with fresh investments," Sharma said.
Cheng committed that investment in India will be made over period of next 10 years and will create 20,000 new jobs in the country.


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What Do You View As Failure?
Posted by Mitch Mitchell on Dec 16, 2011
Last night I saw a link to a post on a blog called Engage, which looks like it has multiple writers. In this case the writer's name was Andrew Hanelly and the post was titled 5 Lessons From my Biggest Blog Fails of 2011. In the post he talked about articles he'd written this year that didn't get much attention and how it was his own failure that caused it.
I commented on it, then decided to write about it more here. This concept of "failure" is a tough one for me to deal with because of its strong negative connotations. While some motivational and sales training types try to turn the word into something that helps you become better, I find that having words such as failure linger too long in one's mind, such that you'll concentrate on it more than you will the good things you did.
I thought about posts I've written in the past on the subject, in its own way. Years ago I participated in something titled 34 Questions and my answer to #17, which was "What Do You Fear The Most", was failure. I also wrote a post titled The Fine Line Between Blog Visitors Success and Failure where I was saying just how you never know when good things will happen based on something you do and how others react to it.
We all see failure in our own way. For instance, this guy talked about 5 posts that didn't generate the publicity he expected they would, then examined why he thought they didn't work as he had hoped. I wrote in my comment that no one hits a home run with every single post they write. I alluded to my recent article about 14 Favorite Posts and said how I looked at over 280 posts to come up with 14 that I thought were somewhat superlative. I decided that, in my own mind at least, I didn't come close to failing with this blog because I'd written so many posts here, and on my other blogs, in the past year and other years.
When you're putting out a lot of material, you always try to do your best, and there's a lot of good stuff out there, But let's do a short comparison between Mozart and Beethoven, if I may. Mozart wrote more than 600 compositions that we know of; Beethoven wrote 200. Mozart was a "staff writer", if you will; he was employed to write music, pure and simple. When whichever benefactor he was working for at the time said music was needed for something, he wrote it. Sure, he wrote things on his own as well, but sometimes he had to write something really fast, in less than a week. I used to write music and songs would come to me fast, but I was on my own time; I'm not sure I'd have been able to have the kind of output Mozart had.
Beethoven was different. He was a professional composer, one who lived at a time when musicians were finally being seen as artists and not lower class workers. Because of this, Beethoven got to take his time writing, and he was known as a perfectionist. And yet, even as a perfectionist, he had his flops. His opera Fidelio flopped, even after many revisions, and it bothered him the rest of his life. Some of his sonatas connected with audiences while others threw them off. Of all things, his 9th Symphony, considered one of the greatest works of all time now, had a grand opening, mainly because of the respect he garnered, then failed miserably with every other performance until the 1900's.
Or did it fail? As I said, these days its seen as a major triumph, especially when we consider that he was deaf when he composed it. The same with Mozart's music; do we consider any of it as "failed" music because he couldn't take all the time he might have wanted while composing it? For the rest of us, if we produce consistently, can anything we do really be considered as failure, even if it doesn't all resonate with the masses?
This is why I've written in the past, and need to reiterate again now, that most of us have to realize that we need to think of ourselves when we write. I've read those who write about how to make money that we need to write for the customer, write to their level so that they understand and will buy your product. I tend to believe that unless you're hired to do something specific you have to like what you do in order to give your writing personality. If you do that, you can never say you've failed at anything. Maybe it didn't do as you'd hoped, but failed… never!
Now, if your favorite football team goes 0-16… well, we'll save that for another time. lol


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"…We would like to thank you for your participation in the Renaissance Rally on Oct. 18 as our DJ extraordinaire! As you probably know, there were a lot of "good vibes" that day, and your music & interaction with the students truly helped to make the program exciting. I am sure you are aware that the event was viewed as a huge success by students, teachers and administrators alike. Your time and talents were most appreciated…"
Verified Vendors
What is a "Verified Vendor" you may ask? And you may answer yourself: "Isn't it just a list of people that you like and agree to send business to?" That's a partial answer. We feel that referring a client to another professional requires more than just a mutual agreement. Each of the vendors here represent someone we've actually worked with; seen their work first-hand or bought/used their product. We feel they would be a good fit for our clients and we like them. You may notice several in one category and few in another. The reason is when you look for quality, integrity & professionalism in the people, products & servies you refer - you may find difficulty in locating several people in a particular category. We encourage you to read about & contact any of these services to add to your overall event experience.
Entertainers - Additional Fun for Your Event
Budderball the Clown
Will you have young or the young at heart at your celebration? Then consider adding some clowning around. From face painting, balloon animals & sculptures to puppets & comedy magic Budderball adds a fun dimension to any party or event. And - as a fellow entertainer - we'll work together to create fun and interactive times for all the guests. Contact Budderball at 707-778-7320 or budderball1 [at] gmail [dot] com. Visit her website at www.budderballtheclown.com.
Floral Design / Flowers
Bella Vita Event Productions
Bright, fresh and beautiful arrangements for your wedding day, corporate event or other special occasion can be yours. Christina Zegrean covers all these events as well as offering specail "Themed" events. She not only provides flowers but has many creative decor ideas to add that extra special element of personalization that says YOU! We had a recent opportunity to work with Christina at a wedding themed for the 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. Call her at 888-839-3950 and visit them at www.bellavitaevenproductions.com. Ask about their photography packages as well!
Photography / Videography
Photo Booth Sonoma
If you're looking for a unique way that both you & your guests will have fun with and remember for a long time - check this out. More than a PhotoBooth - Your guests can leave video messages, dress up for photos & even caption them. You'll even receive a CD of all the video & photo images taken at your event. Give them a call at 707-539-4175. Visit here for a video clip and detailed information!
Star Shots
Star Dewar has been a working photographer since 1991, has her own studio in the Wine Country and is professional, fun and easy to work with. She has even provided Dansations with some of event pictures! Contact Star at 707-539-8974 and at www.stardewar.com
Custom Image
Chris & Jules Berggren have been in & around the Wine Country for nearly 20 years. Dansations has worked with them at many weddings in the Sonoma area. They create photo memories for your wedding, reunion or High School portrait. Contact them at 707-935-3191 or at www.customimagesonoma.com
Once you are a contracted client, we have several other vendors available to you. We have traditional vendors as well as some specialty ones you may not have thought of. Just ask!


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Now that the weather is truly heating up it's time for coast trips a plenty. I did my first trip for the season last weekend with my dog Loui. Loui adores the beach and his favourite activity is chasing the waves and biting the crap out of them which results in a lot of diarrhoea… lovely.
What goes hand in hand with my beach loving ways is my addiction to swimwear. Each year without fail I will purchase several new bikinis and my collection well exceeds 20 pairs! That is a lot for a girl that does not have a backyard pool and lives hours from a beach!!
One thing I have learnt from my collecting is that swimwear does not have to cost the earth to look fabulous. As with all clothing, the most important thing to look for is a great fit.
Check out where I shop for swimwear bargains:
Ruffle bikini in bright orange by KMart – $20
The great thing about this bikini is that I was able to buy the top and bottom separately ($10 each) ensuring the perfect fit for your body type. The tie sides also allow further adjustment and the ruffled top is great for smaller bust 😉
Basic triangle bikini's by Ice – 2 for $20 (or $15.95 each)
An absolute bargain! I went halvsies with a friend so they ended up being only $10 each. A perfect bikini for tanning due to the simple, minimal cut. I quite dislike the store ICE however they make some fantastic swimwear and about 40% of my swimwear collection come from there.
|ICE basic triangle bikini in bright blue
|ICE basic triangle bikini in bright coral
My next tip for swimwear shopping is eBay. Now this is quite tricky as you cannot "try before you buy" and I wouldn't recommend this for girls that have special fitting needs. Fortunatley for me I am a pretty standard size however it is still a bit of a hit and miss at times. You also need to be careful of the pictures used by eBay stores. Don't be fooled by Victoria's Secret professional photos that are used by many of the stores to advertise their products, look for stores who have REAL photos of their products with minimal photoshopping.
My number 1 pick for the best eBay swimwear store is Sheridyn Swim. She is such a lovely girl and her store reflects her professionalism and dedication to her business. Each item has multipl photos of her swimwear, many of which she models herself. She always has a large range of pieces on sale too and her items come in separates for a great fit.