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Better Storytelling Secrets
Authors discuss their writing techniques.
Hi, I'm Mark O'Bannon. Welcome to this rare look into the secrets of storytelling from published authors. Today, I'm joined by, Steven Erikson, the author of the epic fantasy series, "The Malazan Book of the Fallen," which begins with the novel, "The Gardens of the Moon."
Life as a Writer
How did you get into writing?
A: In my early twenties, while at university, I worked for a time writing on a faculty newspaper, which was good fun; but I was primarily involved as an illustrator, doing editorial cartoons and a couple strips. Increasingly, I found that the narrative implicit in my art began to override the drawing element. I then took an elective course in Creative Writing, and that set me on my way.
When did you first realize that you have what it takes to be a writer?
A: Hard to say. I worked a lot of other jobs, but never stopped writing, never stopped trying to crack the publishing wall. Even doing archaeology, which I loved, was never quite as fulfilling as writing. As with most writers, I suspect, it's all down to doing as much writing as possible, and never giving up. So, what 'it takes' is nothing more than stubbornness.
Where do you get your ideas from?
A: Most early works in an author's career possess autobiographical elements (this is often why a first novel makes a serious impact, only for subsequent novels to struggle, as the author mines him or herself out). I made full use of my archaeology/travel experiences when writing my first collection, and a subsequent novel was a coming of age story drawn heavily from my own youth. That said, there was always a wild side to my writing, an urge to push a story into outrageous realms, so I did a fair bit of what's normally called 'Magic Realism' but which were, for me, more tall tales than anything else. I think you have to leave your own backyard (inspiration-wise) as quickly as possible.
Ideas are easy – what one needs to learn is to be ruthless in weighing their worth, before plunging into an enormous exercise in writing them out. For beginning writers, this is very much a hit or miss exercise, but I would always advise a beginning writer to go easy on themselves, should an idea not pan out. The effort has value, and some aspect of all that you have done will show up later, in some other work, like a last piece to a jigsaw puzzle. The important thing is to keep writing, keep hammering away at the craft of narrative – most discoveries are initially stumbled upon, and that's fine and very much part of the process. The whole cliché of being one's own harshest critic is one of dubious worth: sure, you need to have a clear eye when looking upon your own stuff, but pay attention to what that clear eye achieves. If you lock into a pattern of trashing yourself after every line, every paragraph, every page or every story, what is that inner critic achieving? Does it leave you depressed? Ready to quit? Does it crash your self-esteem? If so, then the critic has ulterior motives which have nothing to do with writing: it plays mind-game that digs a deep rut and likes cycling you through bouts of sheer misery. Well, that critic is not your friend, does not have your best interest at heart, and is only out to prove you're not good enough and never will be.
Conversely, if that critic says 'all right, it's okay, I suppose, but you can do better, and here's how,' then you have with you a most valuable friend. If being harsh drives you to work harder, perfect. That's a direction with value.
How do you develop your ideas into a story?
A: I look for resonance in an idea. If it makes ripples on deep water, if it offers up mystery and only the barest hints of what that mystery might be; if it's daunting, audacious; if it's challenging to my own cherished set of beliefs and attitudes; if it rears up to challenge all my assumptions – about how the world works, about how people are; if it looks me in the eye and calls me a damned liar, and then sets out to prove it. That's my notion of a decent idea.
So, how to develop it into a story? Throw people at it. By that, I mean, characters. Characters who are prepared to challenge the idea, sometimes on your behalf, sometimes just to spite you by being the devil's advocate – both types need to be in there, otherwise you are at risk of writing propaganda (if every line of your story comforts you, you're in trouble; if you write to convince yourself and presumably many others, of the truth of your opinions, then you're being dishonest, not just to your readers, but also to yourself).
Ideas need lots of room (rather, the best ones do). They need to be ornery, cussing creatures, as likely to snarl at you as smile (and never trust the smile). They should feel too big, too heavy, so you totter and stumble with it in your arms. It should scare the crap out of you, and keep scaring you till the very end. Small ideas? Really, why bother? Go for the biggest throat you can wrap your hands around, and start squeezing.
As you might imagine, I'm not one for modest little stories, not one for the barest whiff of epiphany – all that stuff the literary critics cream over. Sure, subtle is good, but not for its own sake – there needs to be resonance, reverberations that can, potentially, reach through to the soul. Your soul, as writer, first; then the soul of the reader, and you can't achieve the latter without first achieving the former.
I recall fighting against the tide when at the Iowa Writers' Workshop: that attitude that sniffed and said 'drama? Hmph, melodrama, you mean!' As if the two were synonymous. They aren't, and the former is damned hard to achieve (which is why the trend was veering away from it in literature at the time. Maybe still is – I admit to having stopped paying much attention to that genre these days).
The idea has to haunt you. Writing is the art of grappling with it, and not letting go until at least one of you is down on the ground, gasping, exhausted, worn out.
What kind of stories do you enjoy working with?
A: You can't have stories without characters, and for me, it's in characters that I draw the most pleasure. The plot has function – it is the machine that propels those characters – but it is there for context, for physical manifestations of what matters to the characters (and, by extension, to the writer her or himself). If a writer ends up manipulating characters to serve the plot, they've ended up on the wrong end of the beast. You devise a plot to manipulate the characters, to drive them ever forward.
So, what I love the most is forcing characters into impossible situations (not impossible plot-wise, but impossible emotionally, spiritually, intellectually), and then watch them fight their way out. This is the human condition, and the sole purpose for writing anything is to explore the human condition. There are all kinds of triumph, after all: and some of them feel like defeat, like utter failure. Some of them can be reduced to merely surviving, pressing on, not giving up.
In a way, every fictional character is recreating the author's own struggle for meaning, and worth, and fiction is the exercise whereby authors find new and ever-fascinating ways of tracking that spiritual journey. Readers, witnessing this, come away with a sense of recognition (even if unpleasantly so for some characters, for some paths revealed by the story), and this is at the core of the dialogue between writer and reader: the only honest dialogue available to us (since usually writer and reader are complete strangers to each other, and likely will never meet).
People often ask me if, in the writing of tragic or emotionally charged scenes, I feel the same distress that they did when reading them. I have always answered that I as the author have to go through the wringer as well – if I don't, then why would I ever expect my reader to? All writing is, in this narrative sense, is the author going through hell one step in front of the reader. Whatever you feel as writer, chances are the reader will feel the same. Use this as a guiding principle. Even when you set out to mess with the reader's head, you have to mess with your own first.
Is it all worth it? Who knows. But then, does that question even matter?
What genres would you like to explore in the future?
A: I leave genre distinctions to critics, academics and whoever else finds the distinctions important. Though I write Fantasy, and Epic Fantasy at that, I make use of many other genres in the process (mystery, horror, romance, comedy, tragedy, literary, etc). I've done some Science Fiction and enjoyed it, so I may do more, someday.
Do you work from an outline?
A: My outlines are works-in-progress throughout the period in which I'm writing. I adjust as I go along, although I usually have a fair idea of where it all ends, and where certain characters need to be, and the things that need to happen on the way there. But I'm not obsessive about outlines – they're notes for guidance, and always malleable. Characters can take charge of scenes and they need to be free to do so – in a novel you can always steer them back eventually. In a short story, less so, but the idea behind the story needs to remain protean anyway, so a character taking up the pace and running off the track might be a sign that the idea you thought you were working with isn't the idea exploding on the page in front of you. Humbling, but always enlightening.
How do you build your story?
A: I have closing scenes, and I work them in my head until they haunt me day and night, and writing is just the task of getting my characters to those closing scenes: and the more care I take in precisely how they get there, the more emotional impact I should achieve when those scenes finally arrive. This notion can be extended across very big novels, and indeed, across an entire series. The key, for me, is to not rush things, because without all that groundwork laid out before those final scenes, the emotional impact would be less, even non-existent.
I advise inhuman patience as a virtue to strive towards, as a writer. That, and serious cagey-ness – a reluctance to reveal too much of anything, an aversion to explaining too much, either in expositional narrative or through the mouths of characters. Every scene needs a sense of mystery, of things barely in focus on the edge of peripheral vision, things just off-stage (this all relates to resonance that ripples right off the page, floating around the head of writer and the head of reader both). So, what does that inhuman patience achieve?
Pressure. You want to build pressure, in you as writer, and in everyone who reads. You as writer want to lead the reader along a cliff's edge, skirting it, edging along as if you were both blindfolded. You whisper to your friend, 'Trust me,' but even you aren't sure that's a wise thing to do (though you'd never admit as much to anyone). There's a frisson of frustration to build in that reader, kept barely appeased by doling out tidbits along the way, just enough to get by on, until it's time to step into those final, killer scenes.
For you, what makes a great hero?
A: heroism is a theme I explored at length in my Fantasy novels, posing the question: if someone does something heroic, is it heroic if no-one else sees it? Is not heroism a value judgement? Does it not require a witness? An audience? Is not fiction the presentation of deeds, imagined deeds, to an invisible audience? An audience the characters cannot be aware of? Or, do people imagine an audience – invisible, godly – in every act they do, in every gesture they make? What of the godless? The non-believer? The person who must face the notion of true, absolute, solitude? Solitude in an indifferent world?
The notion of heroism obsesses me, because something about it is relentless, and so terribly human – in a sad, piteous way, and in a stunning, breathtakingly beautiful way. If it has a secret, that secret lies in the gesture made – by character, by author (perhaps), by the reader: by the fusion of all three.
In a way I cannot answer your question, because I'm still exploring the notion, and I might continue exploring it, in my fiction, until I tap out my last word. For me, however, and off the cuff, I would suggest there can be no hero, no heroic act, without the risk of failure. Which makes Superman a ridiculous hero, in my mind (and why they needed to create Green Kryptonite). And so, if one thinks of the two notions intertwined: heroism and failure, then it should become clear, eventually, that in this world or in any other, there is no shortage of heroes in the world. Which I find heartening.
If one of your characters were to describe you, what would he/she say?
A: "That manipulative, vicious bastard."
How much time do you spend researching the setting for your stories?
A: I read nonfiction, of all sorts, and so the 'research' is kind of ongoing, kind of amorphic (A word my computer doesn't recognise, but sod it, I won't bow to a damned machine), and potentially random.
What settings would you like to explore in the future?
A: Well, they're all internal in the end, aren't they? I can't predict or even iterate the next setting I'll stumble into.
Do you like to know the purpose of your story before you sit down to write it?
A: Yes, and I use those themes to unify the story, via the language, imagery, tone and so on. That said, from what I've been told by other writers, my approach is kind of uncommon. Most people, writers and otherwise, have only a vague sense of theme as an integral element of narrative structure. In writing-workshops worldwide teachers and students both will often run for the hills at the mere mention of the word. Others hold it to be sacrosanct, as if to invoke the word will send the muse flying away never to return. To my mind, this is all nonsense. What is more often the case (and I see this when I teach writing), the author of a certain work is woefully unaware of whatever theme they happen to be exploring in their piece. It's not down to 'what's at stake?' either. Theme courses like blood in the veins and arteries of the work. It's always implicit, and only erroneously made explicit. But just because it hides under the skin of the story, doesn't mean it's somehow sacred, or vulnerable, or even hand's off when it comes to analysis and critique. So: theme is nothing more than some aspect of the human condition unified by a story. And good stories can hold more than one, like feeder roots reaching out from the tap-root.
A writer should be prepared to be challenged on their themes – it's all fair game. Accordingly, it's probably a good idea for the writer to a) be able to identify the themes their work is exploring; b) have already thought through the theme/themes and its/their implications (what exactly is it that you're saying about humanity?); and c) be prepared to defend those positions (aesthetically and/or ethically).
I gather that most writers, if they bother, tend to identify themes after the fact – by looking back on their story; as part, perhaps, of the editing process when they're thinking in terms of symbols, foreshadowing, and subtle tinkering here and there. Oddly enough, I do the opposite: I think about it first. Not in terms of conclusions, or bold statements, or assertions or whatever, but in terms of 'here's what I want to explore … wonder what I'll find?' Once the seeds are lodged in my brain, I begin writing, knowing that what I write will in some way feed those notions; that the language I use, the rhythm, pacing, sentence structure, settings and so on, will all in some way hover round those thematic notions.
I suspect that this may be rather atypical. Or not.
Do you have any favorite lines from your stories?
A: Well, dialogue is like the cocaine of writing – it can fall madly in love with itself, and is never aware of the moment when it becomes the most boorish guest at the party.
I don't really look back at my stuff for the purpose of plucking out favourite lines: sensibilities change over time, and what might have worked then (for me, creatively) might not work now. I know that dialogue from my novels and novellas get quoted by fans, and all that, but even there it's mostly the one-liners that get trotted out.
The dialogue that I have written that I remain pleased about is generally the tersest kind. The massive understatement. The line with a hundred volumes hiding under it, pages ready to explode but all, somehow, held back, contained. Exchanges where all parties skirt around what's really going on. Evasions and the like.
Do you have a routine? A certain place to write? Do you listen to music?
A: I write in cafes, four hours a day, five or six days a week. I used to write to music but I don't anymore (not sure why that is).
How do you deal with writer's block?
A: I have no idea since I've never experienced it. I had enough obstacles getting in my way getting to this point, why would I invent a new one?
Story Development
How do you go about fixing a story?
A: When I teach in workshops, I begin with listing and defining the terms of narrative structure (plot, setting, dialogue, exposition, pace, atmosphere, theme, tone, diction level, psychic distance, sentence rhythm, character, foreshadowing, subtext, point-of-view, style, voice…). And I go on to advise that, when composing, all these things need to be deliberately forgotten, as bearing them all in mind when composing will tie you up in knots. Instead, use your understanding of those terms whenever something goes wrong, when in the editing stage, or when reading someone else's work (critically).
Seat-of-the-pants, gut-instinct writing is all very well, but if something goes wrong, you don't know how to fix it. The elements of narrative structure will help you find out what went wrong, and will guide you toward fixing it. It will also, alas, alter your reading for the rest of your life, as long-held favourite works can suddenly pall on re-read (this has happened to me all too often). Once your eyes have been opened, you can't close them again. Fair warning.
How do you know when to stop?
A: That's a tough one. Make use of your inbuilt shit-detector.
Words of Advice
What words of advice would you give to new writers?
A: 1: Finish what you start.
2: When a scene drags, when it gets brutally hard to get out the next line, the next word; when blood starts beading on your forehead, don't switch scenes, don't shift characters, don't do any of the running-away things you might be inclined to. Push through. Everything up to that point was the lead-up to this moment, and this moment is when you learn – you learn how to write, what it is to be a writer, and all the reasons you possess for being one. That tight, claustrophobic place, is your call to courage. Don't evade, don't back away, don't shift laterally. Keep going, until it hurts.
3: Finish what you start.
Zombie Apocalypse
So, what is YOUR plan for the zombie apocalypse?
A: Up and running at the moment. What, it hasn't happened yet? That's what you think, mate.
Final Thoughts
What's the best thing you've ever written?
A: The last thing I wrote. When that stops being the case, I'll quit.
What are you working on now?
A: Stuff I can't talk about (NDA). After that, the second book of the trilogy.
I'd like to thank today's author, Steven Erikson for being with us today.
I'd like to thank you as well. Please check out the other great interviews in this series with authors, and remember to keep writing! The next published book could be yours.
– Mark O'Bannon
About the Author
Steven Erikson is the pen-name for Steve Lundin. Born in Toronto, he now lives in either Canada or the UK, depending on where he is in the Five Year Plan that seems to alternate between the two. He is the author of the ten-volume Fantasy series, the Malazan Book of the Fallen, as well as numerous novellas. His next novel, Forge of Darkness, is the first in a new trilogy, and is out in August, 2012.
Websites: www.StevenErikson.com, www.Malazanempire.com.
Essays on Writing: www.Lifeasahuman.com


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It's time to (craft) party!! Every year, people from around the world come together on the same day in locally organized Etsy Craft Parties to create art and inspire each other. In 2013, more than 11,000 people took part in Craft Parties in locations across the globe.
This year I am super excited to be co-hosting the Gatineau party with my friend Krysthle of Krythle Designs. It will be held at the most adorable Chorizo et Chevre Noire at 150 Rue Principale, Gatineau (Aylmer Sector). They have the most amazing sandwiches and treats.
Our theme is Recapture your old photographs. We will be offering 3 small workshops (Each will be $5): the photo embroidery workshop, the photo paint workshop and the scrapbook page workshop (to put your new fabulous pictures on and make them frame worthy!) They should be a lot of fun and we hope that those of you in Gatineau/Ottawa can join us and meet some crafty cohorts in your own community!
To sign up and get further information you can head to Evenbrite and register here. Please note you do not have to pay immediately to register. Just click on the "Show other payment options" which will allow you to pay at the door.
What to bring:
the photo embroidery workshop: 1 or 2 pictures, black and white (recommended) or color
the photo paint workshop: 1 or 2 pictures, black and white (recommended)
the scrapbook page workshop: nothing really except the dimensions of the frame you might be using to frame your masterpiece once it is all finished. Recommended sizes are 8.5 x11 or 12×12 inches.
Other ideas to bring rather than an original photograph:
Hope to see you at our creative and affordable Etsy Craft Party!!

subset: commoncrawl


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|By Maureen O'Gara
Article Rating:
|February 25, 2009 01:05 AM EST
Google is ready to start charging for its App Engine cloud platform.
For the 10 months it's been in preview it's been free to use but limited to 500MB of persistent storage and enough CPU, bandwidth and whatnot to support about five million page views a month.
On Tuesday Google said it was ready to follow through on its intention to offer additional computing resources for a price and allow apps to scale beyond its free quotas. It said it's been its most requested feature.
However, it's going to lower its free thresholds in 90 days, claiming it overestimated the resources developers needed to get started. It thinks the free resources will still support five million page views a month.
Under the new regime, it says developers can set a daily budget for their apps representing the maximum amount they're willing to pay for computing resources each day. They allocate this budget across CPU, bandwidth, storage and e-mail, and they pay only for what their app consumes beyond the free thresholds – prorated "to the nearest penny," it says.
Mind you there are still no service level agreements to reimburse users if App Engine went down.
Google figures the resources paid for will scale to around 500 requests per second (qps) or more than 40 million queries a day, which is enough to handle traffic from being Slashdotted or Dugg. "In extreme cases," it says, "(e.g. your application has been featured on Yahoo's homepage), you can request additional CPU."
Undercutting Amazon a trace, it's proposing to charge 10 cents per CPU core hour and says the price covers the actual CPU time an application uses to process a given request, as well as the CPU used for any Datastore usage.
It'll cost 10 cents per GB bandwidth incoming, 12 cents per GB bandwidth outgoing, which is supposed to cover traffic directly to/from users, traffic between the app and any external servers accessed using the URLFetch API, and data sent via the Email API.
It'll also cost 15 cents per GB of data stored by the application a month and a thousandth of a cent per e-mail recipient for e-mails sent by the application.
Google warns users that they may notice an increase in the amount of data stored by their applications and listed in the Admin Console.
Seems data stored in the datastore incurs additional overhead, depending on the number of indexes, as well as the number (and size) of associated properties. It says this overhead can sometimes be significant and it's been underreporting it.
So it's doubling the free storage quota to 1GB.
Google wants the bills paid through its PayPal-like Checkout system (add VAT in the EU). And it says you can't use multiple applications to avoid incurring fees.
There are reportedly 45,000 apps currently running on App Engine.
- The i-Technology Right Stuff
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- "Virtualization Is Now a Key Strategic Theme," Says Citrix CTO
- Cloud People: A Who's Who of Cloud Computing
- As IBM Jumps On Board, There's Just No Stopping AJAX Now
- Cloud Computing Expo 2009 West: Call for Papers Now Closed
- Cloud Expo New York Call for Papers Now Open
- Cloud Expo Europe 2009 in Prague: Themes & Topics
- Bill Scott: Real-World AJAX Was a Blast


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I wouldn't class myself as a sophisticated user of training aids like HR monitors and GPS.
I know what I'm looking for in HR zones, and I like to see elevation profiles and distances covered. But I'd be lying if I said I was a slave to my watch.
One of the things that I enjoy about running long distances is running to the feedback my body is giving me. I find occasionally that when I run to a watch I'm looking at the pace constantly, and that sometimes takes away my enjoyment.
I've had a Garmin Forerunner 305 for a long time, and I love being able to switch it easily between a bike and my wrist; but it has a relatively short battery life for multi day races. I've also had a Suunto Vector for over a decade, and I love navigating with this.
I had assumed I wouldn't be logging my Marathon des Sables run because the run time is likely to be around 30 hours.
Enter the Suunto GPS pod.
At 55.5mm in diameter, 18mm thick and weighing in at just 35g this is my kind of size technology!
Add to this one button and a battery life of either 100 hours or 24 hours depending on how often it takes a position fix and this looks like a serious tool for tracking movements outdoors.
Supplied with an elastic armband, it can also be attached to any strap by removing the 'ring' and reattaching it with the material trapped. Or, as I have tried just dropping into a pocket that has a good view of the sky.
The Suunto interface, Moveslink is easy to use and changing settings on the pod really easy to do. There are only a few variables- how often a fix is taken (1 second or 1 minute) and whether the GPS automatically starts taking a fix when it's turned on, or whether you start it with the big red triangle button. There is also the ability to turn the audible notifications on and off, but the little beeps are so quiet I don't know why you'd switch them off.
Two lights tell you whether there is a GPS fix and how the battery is doing, and that's it really for the unit.
Recharging is taken care of by a crocodile clip style USB lead that also attaches it for data transfer. A nice touch is knowing the state of battery charge to 1% through Moveslink. First charge took about 3 hours and keeping it topped up now is easy every two or three runs.
Turn it on and track your position. It integrates with other Suunto watches, but I can't comment on pairing as I haven't tried it. I expect it too is a very simple process.
As a committed Strava user I wanted to compare Movescount. There are lots of things that are good about both platforms. Categorising is easier on Movescount, and I think the uploading process is a little easier than my wired technology on Strava. Graphically I prefer Strava, and as I've said in previous blogs, the Strava segments are a great motivation and performance check.
Exporting moves from Movescount is easy, with a variety of format types available. Exporting as a .GPX means that Strava can be easily uploaded too. This is what I do.
I wanted to see the effect of 1 minute fixes, and whilst the tracklog is good, the effect of uploading a .GPX to Strava seems to confuse it. Looking at Strava and Movescount side by side with a 1 minute fix shows that Strava thinks you're stationary for a lot of the time between taking fixes and this means that the pace data is flawed. This example shows a session time of 2 hrs 16 minutes on Movescount, where Strava shows 49 minutes. Interestingly Movescount shows a much greater elevation, and Strava is correct on this one.
Switching the fix time to 1 second makes the two agree much more closely on elevation.
The moving time discrepancy seems to large to me for opening and closing gates. Digging a bit deeper in the .GPX file it seems to be where in deep woodland there are a couple of minutes here and there where fixes didn't happen. This would happen with most receivers.
As with all electronics there is a wide spread of prices available on the web. The RRP is £100 and at this price the unit is an excellent way to store any of your adventures. Because the unit doesn't give any data on position, I can see on Navigation events, such as the OMM it is a realistic way to log your track without gaining an unfair and rule breaking advantage.
If you want to accurately log your position for long days, or multi days this has to be the bit of kit to take.
I'll be taking this little unit to the Sahara to log Marathon des Sables. You'll see the results by the end of April.


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I just read a letter I wrote to Andy, my husband over at TheSometimesPreacher.com (ha!) written while we were dating. I read it with a smile but I thought about that young girl and I just wanted to take her to coffee. To a shop that stayed open late and wasn't too popular because I would know, of course, there would be tears, there would be laughter, there would be joy and there would be hope.
As I asked her for coffee she would oblige happily, with a giggle because she was like that with people. And she would, of course, be thrilled to add another friend into her life. She loved people. And she loved when they loved her back, for her inward beauty that she didn't know much about back then.
As I sit her down, she's happy to talk of her young love, the church she would plant with her future husband and friends that would reach many broken people. She would mention the 4 kids she would have and how she was always going to be a stay-at-home momma. She would say that she would always have the same friends and maybe add a few more. Toledo was her forever home and that she was blessed.
After she was done sharing her future, I'd look at her and my eyes would get filled with tears, but I wouldn't blink. It wasn't quite time to let her in on the sorrow to come. She would get a little uncomfortable and wonder why I wasn't agreeing with her clearly written future. How it was all going to be so smooth sailing. How it was all going to be so good. How, planting a church was difficult, but is was definitely not the hardest thing she'd face. My silence would unsettle her.
I would then take her hand and look her square in the eyes and ask if she believed God was good all the time. And she would quickly reply, "Of course!"
I would ask her that if her plans were not the same God had for her, would she be okay with that? She would start to get a little anxious wondering how life would be that much different than what she had planned. She would then very naively say, "Whatever God gives me, it's what I can handle with HIM!"
I would then say, "Sweet Breena. You are so loved. God is for you. Always know this. Always hold on to truth no matter what comes. When life doesn't look as you thought it would, know God's doing big things and wants to use you to share more of Him. Ya see, He knows what is best for all of us. He isn't out to get glory. No. He is concerned for our hearts, our souls. He knows He is best for us and He will want to use you to show that to others.
And the younger Breena would say, "Oh yes! I want God to use me! I want others to know Him more!"
And I would reply, "Good. He knows that, too. But it's not always easy to share the most powerful story in time. It's messy and challenging. It's brutal and unfair. You'll get hurt and so will those whom you love and will learn to love. People you do not even know now. They will suffer, too but God is so good at taking the brokenness of the world and using it to get the attention of those who aren't listening for Him. Those who have walked their own path, not the path of the righteous. He wants to bring others to Him and He wants to use you. Will you stand firm in your faith? Will you let God use your hardships to bring others to Him? Will you love Him through it all? Will you believe in the unbelievable?
At this point, Breena is crying. She's scared and confused. Through her sobs she says, "What do you mean?! What's going to happen?! Who is going to die?!"
That was her biggest fear in life. Losing a loved one. She's sure that is what is in her future.
I say, "Oh dear, Breena. You'll learn to find the joy in the trials. You'll learn to love more like Jesus. You'll learn what it means to be a sister in The Body of Christ more than your blood relatives. You'll learn that this world isn't your home and you'll want to share all of these things with everyone you come in contact with, because, you'll learn the importance of following Jesus through it all."
And she'll say, "Who is it?! Who is going to die?! Please tell me so I can prepare myself! So I can tell them I love them!"
And I will hug her and say, "Everything will be okay. God is with you always. He is stronger than your fears and stronger than sickness and death. Your tears will be used to clear the dust off the eyes of many, so they may see the truth. The only truth that matters in this lifetime. You just have to say yes, through your tears. Over and over again. Keep saying yes to Him. He'll do the rest."
And she'll look down at her very wet tissue, through her tears and say, "Okay. I will. I'm so scared."
And I'll say, "I know. You'll learn to overcome fears by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside you. And you will learn many other things. You'll learn to do things you didn't think you could do. You'll see God has gifted you in ways you would have never uncovered without going through some stuff. You see, God is making you new. You can either let Him and through the pain hold on to that truth, or you can continue to get consumed with the world and recover what God's trying to uncover. We all have this choice. Stand firm not in your own strength that is bound to fail you, but in the strength of your Heavenly Father who loves you with an unshakable love."
And she'll look up and I'll be gone, and she'll find herself in her bedroom not really remembering what it was that she dreamt but she'll have a sense of peace.
The same things God says to Breena, He wants to say to you. Are you listening? Will you follow Him?


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An equally important mission of the UAB CFAR is the dedication to our community outreach programs in HIV/AIDS education and awareness with the surrounding community. Owing to the stigma of HIV, especially in the South, and the general uncertainty and fear about HIV in the community at large, a critical effort of the UAB CFAR at its inception was the establishment of effective outreach and community-engaged programs into the Birmingham and Alabama communities. These groups are coordinated by Ms. Kelly Ross-Davis, who serves as a facilitator, as well as a liaison, among these community groups, the CFAR and the 1917 Clinic and clinical trials research leadership. Contact Kelly for more information about access to services, serving on advisory boards or other volunteer opportunities at the UAB 1917 Clinic. Check the 1917 Clinic website for information on meetings.
Complete details and contact information for HIV patient healthcare, HIV testing, clinical trial participation, and HIV/AIDS patient support programs are found on the websites for The 1917 Clinic and below. Links to information on specific programs can be found on the tabs below.
Community Advisory Boards
Since its inception in 1987, the UAB CFAR and its affiliated clinics established and fostered meaningful relationships within the community. The formation of a specialized HIV Clinic in 1988 was driven by requests from patients and their families for a dedicated facility focused on the provision of HIV-specific care, social services, and access to research. Since its onset, the UAB 1917 Clinic has included community volunteers who serve as 'clinic hosts', greeting new patients and orienting them to the clinic and its operation. In 1989, the clinic community formed a Patient Advisory Board (PAB) that meets monthly and provides suggestions, feedback, and assessments of services and quality directly to the clinic director and the clinic leadership. The PAB allows consumer-members to function as the 1) voice of the consumer (patient) to clinic administration, 2) face of the clinic to the community, and 3) planners of educational resources for other consumers.
Shortly thereafter, the CFAR initiated the Community Advisory Board (CAB) as a specialized group to more directly engage and educate the community about NIH-sponsored trials via the national trial networks. The CAB has continued to provide critical feedback on all of our trials from the perspective of the research participant. This input has helped create scientific protocols that answer key scientific questions of interest to the community and that are acceptable to potential volunteers. The CAB and a Clinic Patient Advisory Board (PAB) formed a close-knit relationship sharing ideas during meetings and implementing them to attain mutual goals.
More recent formalization of a "United" UAB 1917 Community Advisory Board (UCAB) includes all community and consumer boards and initiatives involved in patient care, research, and prevention. The UCAB strengthens each of the individual networks through collaborative efforts and the sharing of resources. Under the new structure, CABs meet quarterly as a group, followed by time for individual CABs to meet separately. As many members serve multiple CABs, the UCAB brings together shared personnel and membership, promoting further cross-collaboration. The UCAB promotes ways to address common concerns in all networks by working together.
An outgrowth of the PAB and CAB has been the creation of outreach support groups that rely largely on consumer involvement. Some notable support groups include:
1917 Clinic
The UAB 1917 Clinic provides comprehensive and compassionate health care for people with HIV infection. This is accomplished through specialty clinics for HIV patients with needs in dermatology, dental, oncology, neurology, addiction recovery, and palliative care and social service support.
By the time the 1917 Clinic had formed in 1988, a sufficient number of researchers and physicians were already in place. The Clinic provided a specialized environment in which to treat patients and study HIV. The blood and tissue samples collected over the years have been used to learn how HIV causes disease, and have contributed to the development of increasingly more effective treatments.
The clinic also facilitates interactions between laboratory scientists by providing clinical specimens from well-characterized patients and conducting clinical trials of new approaches to treatment. By participating in a clinical trial a patient has the chance to receive an experimental drug or treatment before it is widely available, the opportunity to receive regular medical attention and other services at little or no cost, and the satisfaction of contributing to scientific knowledge about the disease and improving existing treatments.
1917 Clinic
Support Team Network Resources
The AIDS Support Team Network has proven to be a powerful mechanism for introducing care and HIV-education initiatives into the communities of Alabama. The Support Team Network teaches communities how to begin, train, and sustain Support Teams through a Support Team Initiative.
Support Team Network Resources
SHAPE (Sexual Health Awareness through Peer Education) involves college students and people living with HIV to provide grassroots and real-life sexual health messages to adolescents and young adults. HIV Educators (people living with HIV) are trained in sharing their personal stories in living with HIV. People living with HIV, who are able to share their personal story, continue to report that the positive health effects of sharing their story.
GENEius & LabWorks!
In 2006 the UAB CFAR teamed with the UAB Center for Outreach Development (CORD) to support the CORD GENEius and LabWorks! Outreach programs. GENEius provides hand on molecular biology experience to high school students. LabWorks!, is similar to the GENEius program in that it is housed within the McWane Science Center and is visited on a field-trip basis by students from schools in the local community.
GENEius & LabWorks!
Mary Fisher CARE Fund
The UAB CFAR works closely with the Mary Fisher CARE Fund in its efforts to support long-term, outcomes-based research for the care of people living with HIV disease. The CFAR, in conjunction with the UAB Mary Fisher CARE Fund, has recently focused on using outcomes data generated from our electronic medical records (EMR) system to inform National HIV/AIDS policy.
Donate to the CARE Fund
More Information about the CARE Fund
These groups are coordinated by Ms. Kelly Ross-Davis, who serves as a facilitator, as well as a liaison, among these community groups, the CFAR and the 1917 Clinic and clinical trials research leadership. Contact Kelly for more information about access to services, serving on advisory boards or other volunteer opportunities at the UAB 1917 Clinic. Check the 1917 Clinic website for information on meetings.


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The Cooper Hawks have a lot to be proud of at the end of their season. They finished it up in classic fashion with Seniors scoring the goals on Senior Night. Jay Tonsager, Joe Lavalier, Tom Monteiro & Dustin Schultz crafted the four goals that gave them their 4-1 victory over the Vikings. Schultz got the #1 Star of the game with a three point performance.
The remaining seniors are Alex Johnson, Sam Morgen & John Lewis. All of them deserve congratulations for their hard work and perseverance.
The Hawks finished the season with 9 wins, 14 losses and a tie. The highlight of the season was winning the holiday tournament in Silver Bay. The low point was a humiliating loss at the hands of the Red Knights. Through it all they were a cohesive team. Sure, there were squabbles and disappoinments along the way, but there were also the good times celebrating a few wins, reminiscing the overtime thrillers and the priceless locker room atmosphere that is privately theirs, but surely a source of great memories.
The road ahead is tough, with a play-in game next Tuesday up next, the Hawks will muster their "A" game to try to win and move on. There's a large brick wall after that if they move on. Playing the #1 seed in section 6AA (Minnetonka) would not be the choice of any team in the state, much less Cooper. They'll take it one game at a time and do their best.
Good luck Hawks!


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If you don't mind using a beta browser, you can surf the web a wee bit faster on Android(s goog). Google announced its Chrome 32 Beta for Android this week and among the features is more speed. How Google did that though may not go over well with all Android users:
"Starting this release, responsive mobile websites will get a performance boost in Chrome for Android because we've disabled double-tap zoom. Previously, to support double-tap zoom, Chrome had to delay every touch event sent to the webpage by 300ms to allow the user to tap a second time. Now mobile-friendly sites that are already formatted to automatically fit in the page width will receive click events instantly and can respond to user input more quickly. "
The removal of double-tap zoom appears to be only for responsive websites, i.e.: those that dynamically adjust their layout based on the device…
View original post 170 more words


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Across the U.S., there are more than 21 million veterans. While veteran unemployment in general is low, it is widely agreed upon that the skills and talents that veterans offer should play a significant part in our economic efforts.
How is RECON Different?
In corporate discussions, we talk often of ensuring that each employee is in the right "fit" for their job—that they are happy and fulfilled in their position, not simply employed. The RECON Network aims to take that same focus to the veteran population, with an intensive conference that focuses on their transition and addresses topics like roles, identity, personal purpose, and future goals, and then plugs these veterans into the local community—not just for a "perfect fit" career, but also for community engagement. We at The RECON Network believe that the entire state can benefit when our veteran population is both purposefully employed and "plugged in" to their own community.
In short, we've created The RECON Network to provide purpose-based career planning for veterans and their spouses in career transition, with a focus on both workforce and community involvement.
RECON isn't a job fair—it's an intersection of resources, leadership, and information, with the purpose of helping service men and women set goals, discover their gifts, assess their talents and skills, and establish their own value in their next career, and into their future.


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Info55284 needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 26 designs submitted by 6 freelance designers.
Blue Skies Partnership
Accountants and business advisers to TV, Media and Creative Arts industry.
http://inserviowebsolutions.co.uk/ - like the fact that the navigation is not the usual block style, like the fun, cartoony, funky design style and also the way that as you click through the pages the images at the bottom tell a story
http://www.mycubi.com/ - like the way the background is animated and the centre area is kept for the navigation/main content of the site and particularly like the television on the top left for video content.
http://www.smeaney.com/ - like the fun and funky design styles
Homepage - prefer to try a left hand vertical navigation of which some will also have subnavs. ..
main nav ---------------subnav
---------------SERVICE 3 etc
Other things to include in the template:
Video - most important is that the video should appear on the homepage and should also be accessible from all other pages.
Testimonials - it is important to have testimonials appearing on the home page, possibly as part of the animated background.
News/blog - on the current site we have quite a large scrolling news area and although we don't want to lose this from the home page of the new design we would like it to feature on a smaller scale i.e. perhaps a person pulling a length of news reel or an animal pulling something across the screen which would feature just the titles or possibly title and very short intro and then read more link. The idea being that the news would scroll across the bottom or top of the screen in a tickertape style, taking up less space but fitting in with the overall design.
Social media icons
Live Chat - we would like to incorporate live chat into the new website design, perhaps making use of one of the characters from the video (images uploaded with brief)
Newsletter signup
Inner Page - should include video, navigation, social media, live chat, newsletter signup.
Possible ideas for background...
Characters in situ i.e. cameraman in studio, model on runway, tv presenter presenting a programme, singer/band on stage etc....these people, like most are so busy with their work that they don't have time to be keeping their accounting up to date but this worry is always in the back of their mind, maybe the design could reflect this.
If we can include a hot air balloon in the design somewhere that would be great as this is an element of our current website that we quite like.
***important note: design must take into account that the content area will need to be extendable
We have recently had a video created that we are very pleased with and feel that it represents our company well and feel that the current website does not fit with this and so needs to be redesigned to fit around the video as we feel that the video will be a great marketing tool. We would like to possibly use the characters from the video in the new website design (images included with the brief).
Our current website, we feel is cluttered and we are looking to decrease the amount of written content in favour of a more image lead design although still keeping enough text area for seo purposes i.e. 250 words on home page and 250-300 on inner pages.
Our target audience is the media and creative arts industry, i.e. actors, tv presenters, cameramen, film directors, models, musicians etc.
Please see video below...
We would like anyone wishing to submit a design to watch the video before starting the project.


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Cheap Vibrators
Price doesn't always determine quality. When it comes to personal massagers, vibrators and sex toys, it is a good idea to keep quality in mind over price. Some of the best sex toys are less expensive than you think.
How do I know if a toy is good quality?
No matter how much you are paying for a sex toy, the quality will never be determined by the price. In fact, not even the brand name can guarantee quality. Always read the reviews of a toy the toy you are interested in buying. The opinions of other users will give you a good idea as to what to expect. Most users will talk about the quality and feel of the toy.
What must I look for in a sex toy?
The first thing you need to consider is the material used. Today, the most common material is silicone. You need to ensure your sex toy is made from 100% pure, medical-grade silicone. If not, you should avoid using that product. It will deteriorate faster and may cause health problems. Medical-grade silicone gives you the freedom to get the toy wet. This makes it safer to use and easier to clean. You can use water-based lubrication, but avoid using silicone lube because it will damage your toy.
Battery life is also a good thing to consider. Just because a toy comes with a hefty price tag, doesn't mean it will have a decent battery life. Remember, the number of vibration patterns and speed settings will have an effect on battery life. The best way to determine battery life is to fully charge the battery. How long did it take? Then play with your toy and establish how long use time is. There is no point in buying a product that takes the whole day to charge but can only be used for an hour. A good ratio is 2:1. If the sex toy charges for 90 minutes and gives you 60 minutes of play time, you have a decent battery life. Comparing your vibrator battery life with a smart device isn't advised. A vibrator uses a lot more power in one sitting. A smart device only uses a few short vibrations when your best friend calls to discuss your latest purchase.
How about a guarantee?
Think about it. Would you like to buy a sex toy that was returned because of a "satisfaction" guarantee that was unfulfilled? Is a "satisfaction" guarantee logical? Being satisfied by a sex toy is a subjective experience. The user might be using it wrong or the toy might just not be their taste. Those toys need be sold again, and this is when you see "opened box" deals. Do you really want to buy a second hand toy?
The only guarantee or warranty you must consider is the return policy for a faulty or broken toy. These are usually very strict, so you must think about the type of pleasure you want before making a purchase. Price does not determine good customer service or a decent warranty.
So which one must I buy then?
Always look for the best product for you. Then look at the price. There is no use in spending more for something you won't like. If you've heard about a toy or seen one you like, the best idea is to research before buying. There are loads of different brands and toys available. Avoid buying a brand name simply because you are familiar with it. Sometimes unknown brands come from the same factory as a known one.
The best advice: figure out what you want from a toy, research as much as you can and then find the best possible price.
No products were found matching your selection.


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Cabbagetown - the village in the middle of the city. The "Thing" about Cabbagetown is it's a small town in a big City. It has its own shopping area, park, schools and everyone knows their neighbour.
Restaurants are plentiful as well as ethnic diversity in food. I've decided to share some of my local favorites. Feel free to share your favourites in the comments, good food suggestions are always welcome!
Address: 454 Parliament St, Toronto, ON
Opening Hours: 11:30 – 02:00
Source: Facebook
Purveyors of Fine Fare, Libation & Diversion.
House on Parliament is one of the few places where you're encouraged to dine with your bare hands. It actually says so on the menu, which is divided into four categories, according to the type of utensils the meal demands: Fork and Spoon, No Cutlery Needed, Utensils Optional, Silverware Required, Sweet Spoon.
The meal selection at HoP is what you would expect to find in a normal pub. What is more, Now magazine said House of Parliament serves the best pub food in Toronto. And I couldn't agree more!
Source: Facebook
I work a lot of evenings, I am here for brunch or lunch at least once a week. I consider this place the original gastro pub! And in the summer, make sure you enjoy your meal on their top floor deck! Great outdoor eating experience!
And the vibe at the House on Parliament in perfect balance with the Cabbagetown neighbourhood – it's quirky, artsy, historical, comfortable, and friendly. We've covered the restaurant before on Torontoism.com, so if you're not convinced yet, don't leave without reading our full-scale review here.
Source Facebook
Address: 521 Parliament St, Toronto, ON
Opening Hours: MON-THU, SUN 17:00-21:00, FRI-SAT 17:00-21:30
Source: Salt & Tobacco
If you want to do something, like propose to the love of your life, and you aren't into waiting for a seat then call us - we can work with you on that.
Salt & Tobacco is the newest addition to the Parliament food scene. The location is central, the food is excellent. They're already famous for their great service and a welcoming and bright ambience.
One important thing to note, this restaurant is small and has limited seating, only a couple of benches. And because of their popularity, even their website says "you're likely to be sharing a table when you arrive. Don't worry, everybody is nice". And you shouldn't worry indeed. The seating allows for a very friendly atmosphere to enjoy their speciality pizzas.
Source: Salt & Tobacco
And as far as pizza goes, it doesn't get better than Salt & Tobacco. The crust is like a super model – thin and crisp. Wash it down with craft beer or sparkling water on tap. It's your choice, but do choose this place as it deserves your attention!
Source: Salt & Tobacco
Address: 195 Carlton St, Toronto, ON
Opening Hours: MON-FRI 11:00-01:00, SAT-SUN 10:00-01:00
Source Facebook
All of our meat is locally raised without the use of any hormones and antibiotics. NEVER FROZEN.
Local is not only a word at Irv's, but a commitment: "It is very important for us to give back, its not only a part of our business model but it is a part of who we are." And you know a restaurant is serious about its ingredients when it uses caps lock to emphasize it.
I think the best description of this neighbourhood eatery would be "a great spot for relaxed eating of comfort food."
Source Facebook
The Irv Gastro Pub is a Cabbagetown favourite for its coziness, informal setting, sports broadcasting and overall friendly atmosphere. There's no reason to believe otherwise when the place averages 4,5 on Yelp.
Their sandwiches alone do a great job promoting the chefs but don't hesitate to come for brunch. Wash your meal down with local craft beer and craft cocktails.
Also, their patio is great. I must admit to being a patio sitter, and Irv has a really nice patio! I love the ambiance there and the street views.
Address: 12 Amelia St, Toronto, ON
Opening Hours: MON-FRI 17:00-22:00, SAT-SUN 11:00-14:00, 17-22
Come and visit - your taste buds will thank you!
The great thing about big cities is their diversity and what it brings to the table. In F'Amelia's case, it is Northern Italian cuisine and wine.
Located on the Amelia St in our lovely Cabbagetown, the name seems to hint at a playful combination that sounds like 'Familia' meaning family. The homelike place is praised for its service, wine and authentic food. Often times you will notice it is called a hidden gem. This is because Cabbagetown is one of those neighbourhoods that don't feel busy, yet there's no shortage of business.
Source: Facebook
F'Amelia accommodates their guests on the patio, or in the cozy interior.
And it's always a good choice, for any occasion, whether you're celebrating something, or you're just in the mood for some delicious Italian food. They have wonderful bread, tasty Italian food and the atmosphere at the restaurant is Cabbagetown at its best.
Source: Facebook
Address: 307 Wellesley St E, Toronto, ON
Opening Hours: MON-SUN 11:30-22:00
Rashnaa was first opened in 1990 in the heart of Cabbagetown, Toronto.
Almost three decades later and Rashnaa is still one of my neighbourhood favourites. Rashnaa means Tasty in Sanskrit, a language associated with India.
What is it you can find here? Spicy Indian and Sri Lankan meals. More than on the fancy interior, the place is focused on good quality dishes. Don't worry, though, the ambience is very authentic even without overwhelming decorations. Less is more when it comes to this place!
Source: Facebook
Rashnaa offers Great Sri Lankan delicacies, but it's not for the light eater. Make sure you have lots of water near you! Kothu Roti is one of the most popular dishes. If you have never had Sri Lankan food before I encourage you to try it here. They're also a great choice for take-out or UberEats.
Source Just Eat


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As Baby Boomers continue to age and Millennials start families, it's more apparent than ever that there are very distinct differences in the generations you serve in a medical facility. The technology each generation has grown up with is different—we all learned to interact with the world, and each other, in different ways. This trend is in no way slowing down; late teens about to become adults will be increasingly tech-savvy and perhaps increasingly impatient. This can present challenges to different departments in your hospital or medical facility that are responsible for communicating with this wide array of patients. There are strategies, however, that can help you bridge the gap and communicate effectively with all generations.
Monthly Archives: August 2015
The Underinsured and Their Struggles with Medical Debt
Recently, The Commonwealth Fund released a report that states that over 31 million people with health coverage in the United States were underinsured in 2014. To be considered "underinsured," you have to have had health insurance for at least a full year, but have high deductibles or out of pocket expenses relative to income.
Continue reading The Underinsured and Their Struggles with Medical Debt
5 Things Good Call Center Reps Do that Makes a Difference
When you're outsourcing your self-pay accounts receivable, you're trusting that the partner you've chosen can not only handle the work, but perform it at the same level you expect from your employees. Continue reading 5 Things Good Call Center Reps Do that Makes a Difference
Predictive Dialers and the FCC
On June 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed a ruling that further limits how businesses can use automated calling. Consumers are now able to revoke their consent to be called or texted at any point. Continue reading Predictive Dialers and the FCC
Outsourcing Accounts Receivable & Bettering Your Bottom Line
Cash flow is something that every business deals with daily, and those in the healthcare industry are no different. After working with insurance companies to collect their payments, collecting the rest from patients can be time-consuming and complicated. Continue reading Outsourcing Accounts Receivable & Bettering Your Bottom Line
Data Security: Keeping Your Data Safe and Your Patients Happy
A recent study by the Ponemon Institute revealed that 90% of health care organizations either exposed their patients' data or had it stolen during 2012 and 2013. Continue reading Data Security: Keeping Your Data Safe and Your Patients Happy
3 Ways Patient Satisfaction Strategies Help You Get Paid
For many hospitals and healthcare facilities, patient satisfaction has recently become a higher priority. As the healthcare and insurance markets continue to evolve, patients are making more informed decisions, basing where they choose to seek medical care not only on the provisions of their network, but also on where they believe they're being treated best. Continue reading 3 Ways Patient Satisfaction Strategies Help You Get Paid


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Galaxy S8+ with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is getting a much-needed price cut in India
Samsung is rolling out its first price cut to the Galaxy S8+ variant with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage.
Samsung introduced the Galaxy S8+ variant with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage last month in India, and the company is now offering a 5% discount to those looking to pick up the phone. The device launched at ₹74,900 ($1,155), and is now available for ₹70,900 ($1,090).
The standard Galaxy S8+ is available in four color options, but if you're eyeing the 6GB model, you're limited to the Midnight Black color variant. The Galaxy S8+ is our pick for the best phone in India thanks to its bezel-less Infinity Display, 10nm exynos 8895 chipset, and class-leading QHD Super AMOLED display.
The standard model is still priced at ₹64,900, making the 6GB variant that much more enticing. Interested? Head on down to Samsung India 's e-store to get your hands on the Galaxy S8+.


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The article about Disney's "Let it Go", by David Nova, perfectly captures the subtle difference in understanding between those who practice profound versions of shadow work and those who are using "Let it Go" as a means of avoiding their pain, past, shadow, etc, to stay positive and upbeat. The Sedona Method uses the term "Letting Go" as a conscious means of integrating the experiences of the past, along with the patterns that accompany those experiences; and according to the website for their "Letting Go" movie:
Letting Go of…
- Traumatic experiences from the past
- Limiting thoughts and beliefs
- Day-to-day anxieties
- Your inner fears
- Sadness from a lost love
- Financial woes
- Deep-rooted anger
- Frustration with your career
- Struggles with addiction
David also delineates the difference between conscious detachment and unconscious detachment, where those in the first category are able to connect deeply in intimate relationships and are more detached from expectations, while in the latter is detached from emotional intimacy to avoid having their expectations shattered.
By Deus Nexus | David Nova | The Conflicting Message of "Let it Go"
What is Unconscious Detachment?
But isn't living in the moment a good thing? Isn't focusing on the positive a healthy attitude? It depends. Are you doing it consciously or unconsciously?
Unconscious detachment is just another form of avoidance – the avoidance of any thought or emotion that might be considered painful or upsetting. It is an avoidance of facing what has been termed "the shadow side." We all harbor negative thoughts and feelings. How we deal with them is the key to the issue.
Unfortunately, popular psychology and New Age philosophy too often tell us to avoid these negative thoughts and emotions, to focus only on the positive and push anything negative out of our mind, to bury and suppress it, as if sweeping it under the rug makes it magically disappear – "out of sight, out of mind."
Would we recommend this course of action to someone dealing with a disease or a serious illness? Of course not. A serious illness will only get worse the longer we ignore it. Even a simple paper-cut might become infected If we don't attend to it. Then why do we think ignoring our negative thoughts and emotions will work any better? Because we underestimate their message. Often when we have a negative thought or emotion it means some aspect of our lives needs to be addressed, usually an internal belief or attitude.
The problem is, we're not making it disappear by ignoring it. We're merely shifting the negativity from our conscious mind to our subconscious/unconscious mind. When we bury emotional negativity, often we are simply stuffing it into our physical, emotional, and etheric body, creating a petri dish for more illness and disease. When we bury negative thoughts, we're creating a new script for our subconscious mind to work off of. Then we may find ourselves manifesting some unintended results. We may also be accruing many more soul lessons in the future. The Universe (and our higher self) doesn't want us to ignore our problems or our negative thoughts; it wants us to face them and overcome them. Only then will we become whole and free.
I have an old friend who has lived her entire life by this "Let It Go" principle. Every time she faced a serious breakup or some personal disaster she crawled into her shell, cried about it for a few days, then emerged from her cocoon and quickly brushed it off as if she were Superwoman. She returned to life with blind determination and an irrepressibly positive attitude – until she was confronted with the next personal disaster, which she inevitably brought upon herself. Everyone around her recognized her pattern, but not her. This cycle continued for decades until she was finally faced with a life-threatening illness. Cheating death, she is only now beginning to become more introspective about her life and her own role in it, acknowledging some of the blind spots that lead to her troubles. As a coping strategy, avoidance never works out very well, not in the long run.
Read the whole article at The Conflicting Message of "Let it Go"


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The secrets to becoming successful in your multi-level marketing career are focused entirely on selling, however, not selling a product, selling yourself. There are many different strategies concerning how to sell yourself rather than this product. This product comes later. These tips will reveal different methods to target yourself instead of this product.
There's one magic word in internet promotion: "fast". Potential customers today are looking for a speedy means to fix their problems, and provided you can try to incorporate the phrase "fast" into your sales copy and website they are prone to buy. Tell them that you can solve their problem and it is possible quickly.
To discover interesting products, you may use sites like CB Engine. CB Engine lists new releases from Clickbank and ranks the ideal-selling products. Clickbank features a large variety of items: read through it to find something to get going with then, additional products to market for the same niche.
Surround yourself using the items you sell. You don't always have to supply a connect to everything you discuss inside a post. You'll have readers asking what products you will be using. When you make your things in the discussions, readers will seek out the info and earn you some cash.
When dealing with property internet promotion, your site needs both traffic along with a lead generation system. A lively website with no path for lead generation will never boost your business. Visitors will travel inside and outside, and definitely will never leave much behind which is of real value to you.
A FAQ (frequently asked questions) section on your internet site is a convenience that your customers will appreciate. It can help you answer any questions your prospects probably have more quickly and efficiently which solves their problem and increases the amount of satisfaction they feel. In case your potential customer is able to perceive possible benefits easily, it will probably be very helpful for your needs.
Encourage user interaction by building a blog to your website. By updating your blog frequently, you will maintain the reader's attention, and they can visit the site on a regular basis. Should you offer RSS subscriptions, your potential customers will probably be notified whenever the blog is updated, another strategy that will keep them returning for more.
If your product appeals to teenagers, install several types of fun games on the website. This can generally require Flash, and will be a terrific way to boost your customer's overall experience on your own website. The better fun they already have, the better chance they will likely get a product out of your site.
The web is a great marketing tool, however it will only be beneficial to you when you use it right. On account of the advice provided in this post, you're now equipped with the information to help make your web marketing successful. You'll be able to reap the rewards of your own marketing right away.


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Que mi gente vaya a hacer surf: La historia de un escalador itinerante by Yvon Chouinard (paperback book)
£ 20,00
£ 20,00
Additional Information
The tale of an itinerant climber. Sales from this book benefit 1% For The Planet® (http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org).
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Part memoir, part manifesto -- legendary climber, businessman and environmentalist Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia, Inc. describes his life and his start in business as an itinerant climber selling pitons from the back of his car. Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman offers a look at the guiding principles that Chouinard used to build Patagonia into a global business -- a business that has an environmental mission and is a fun place to work.
- Published by Ediciones Desnival
- 288 pages
- Softcover
- In Spanish
- Printed on recycled paper that contains 35% post-consumer waste
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Cinnamon Sugar Fried Apple Wedges
Happy birthday America! May your seasides shine as bright as the 50 stars on your flag.
For any birthday usually there's cake. But would a cake really be sufficient for America? I think not! Maybe an apple pie would be more fitting. Honestly, what's more american than an apple pie? Oh yeah–fried apple pie! These cinnamon sugar fried apples are as close as it gets to a fried apple pie.
But I have to warn you that they are delicious! Crunchy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside, makes the perfect combo for a cinnamon sugar dusting. And because these apple wedges are fried (just like everything else in America) they are super quick and don't need much prep which makes them AWESOME for a 4th of July dessert!
To create the super crunch that caresses dem sweet apples, you first need to make a batter. I tried to keep it as simple as possible by just mixing water and flour. If you'd like more of a doughy coating, I suggest using pancake batter to coat the apples before frying.
Any apple will work for these, just be mindful of if you'd prefer a more sour or sweet taste.
Cinnamon Sugar Fried Apple Wedges
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 apples sliced
- cinnamon
- sugar
- oil for frying
- Pour oil into a large pot and heat on high (I used about 1 liter of vegetable oil)
- Slice apples into wedges
- Mix flour and water together adding more as needed to make a thick batter (similar to pancake mix)
- Coat apple wedges in batter and fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Remove wedges from pan, placing them on a dripping rack or towel lined plate to absorb the extra oil.
- Immediately coat with sugar and cinnamon. Enjoy!
For more awesome recipes for BBQ's check out Dad's Crockpot BBQ Beans and Veggie Slaw and Sweet Basil Lime Dressing.


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Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
Be the first PennLive.com user to add photos or videos of A Moon & Sons Contracting
A Moon & Sons Contracting can be found at Germania St 413. The following is offered: B2B Contractors. The entry is present with us since Sep 9, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Williamsport there are 47 other B2B Contractors. An overview can be found here.
A Moon & Sons Contracting is located at 413 Germania St, Williamsport, PA. This business specializes in Kitchen Cabinets & Counters.


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- Super Strong Hold
- High Shine Finish
- Water Soluble Easy Wash
- Cologne Scent
- No hair flakes
- Local Brand - Support Local!
Contents: 80ml
APESTOMEN™ COLA POMADE is a super strong hold, water based pomade that is great for slick or clean styles. The passion put into this pomade is not to be overlooked. Made from a blend of high quality ingredients and fragrances, the texture is easy to distribute evenly through the hair and gives a classic high shine. This strong hold pomade is complemented with an everlasting Cologne scent that is bound to attract the sweetest ladies from a mile away.
This pomade is free from parabens and nasty chemicals, suitable for all hair types.
How to use: Rub small amount of product onto palm and work in with a comb for best results. Apply to dry hair for strongest hold. To restyle, add some water to reactivate pomade. Washes off completely with just water. Be smart external use only.
Ingredients: Water(aqua), Ceteareth-25, Glycerin, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, propylene glycol, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, fragrance(parfum), DMDM hydratoin caramel, simethicone, PVPV, PEG-8 Beeswax, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate20, Chlorphenesin
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1. Orders will ship out by next working day as per the est. delivery timeline stated in the table above.
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If you've ordered on a Sunday or a public holiday, shipment preparation with payment confirmation will be done on the following Monday and shipped out on Monday.
Important to take note1. We do not ship to P.O Box addresses.
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Other Shipping Information1. All of our web site prices are in SGD.
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How can I check my order?Once your order has shipped, you will get an email from us with tracking details
Customer Reviews
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The disclosures applicable to your accounts at Lanco Federal Credit Union are available below and are accurate as of 5/16/2019. If you have any questions or would like to request a copy of current disclosures, please call (717) 569-7180 or visit any branch.
- Account Disclosures
- Contents: Notice for New Accounts, Joint Share Account Agreement, Checking Account Agreement, Funds Availability Policy, Overdraft Coverage Options: Overdraft Transfers and Overdraft Privilege, Regulation D, Regulation E (Electronic Funds Transfer Agreement & Disclosure), and Truth-in-Savings Disclosures
- Rate and Fee Schedule
- Privacy Notice
- Lanco Federal Credit Union Online Banking Service Agreement
- Lanco Federal Credit Union Mobile Banking Service Agreement
- Truth in Savings Disclosure for Certificates
Dormant Account Information
Lanco FCU would like to make you aware that if your account has not experienced activity for at least 12 months, it is classified as dormant (inactive) and is subject to a Dormant/Inactive fee of $5.00 per month. You may easily reactivate your account and avoid this fee by making a deposit or withdrawal to your account. State law requires that account balances be surrendered or escheated to the state if the owner has not generated account activity within three years.
Transaction Limitations Under Regulation D
Federal Regulation D limits the number of pre-authorized, automatic, or electronic transfers (including online banking and telephone banking) from your deposit accounts (such as savings, club, and money market accounts) to another account of yours or to a third party to no more than six per account per month. These limitations do not apply to checking accounts. Learn more about Regulation D on page 9 of the Account Disclosures.
Website Accessibility
At Lanco Federal Credit Union, we are improving the accessibility and usability of our website for our members and potential members. Our efforts are based on the standards for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. It is our policy to ensure that persons with disabilities have full and equal opportunity to benefit from the services on our website and on other online services. If you have any questions or need help with any content on our website or online services, please contact Janine M. Rispoli, HR Manager/Compliance Officer at (717) 569-7180 ext. 118 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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You are now playing» 06081Bomb It 2Toggle Lights
Bomb It 2
Bomb It 2 is believed to be a cool edition with more remarkable graphics and thrilling challenges. Have never played it before? No time to waste anymore! Come here!
Like the previous chapter, this game will be split into different levels from the ease to difficulty. At that time, each level is designed as an exciting maze full of obstacles, enemy robots, and precious items, i.e. frogs, shields, gloves, mega-bombs, speed boosters, flame throwers, double shotguns, race cars, hammers, and more. Your objective is to drop bombs along the roads of the maze to eliminate the blocking obstacles for getting several beneficial items. Plus, setting up the bombs must be smart & strategic so that the enemies will be explored right after moving along the roads.
Now, everything is ready for your action. Hit to play Bomb It 2 instantly!
How to play
Avail the Spacebar to drop bombs.
Utilize the ASDW/arrow keys to move.


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An application will be available via email after checkout. Please email us your application when completed.


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|Project Name:
|Nelson City Council
|WR Andrew Ltd
|Project Manager:
|Contract Type:
|Contract Sum:
|Subcontractor Works:
|Contract Period:
|8 months, 2007/2008
Saxton Soccer Pavilion
The Saxton Soccer Pavilion is a 600 sq.m multi purpose sports facility. It features reinforced concrete block wall construction with a 24m wide timber truss roof. The exterior, four change rooms and four utility rooms are permanent and hardwearing with plywood ceilings and painted blockwork. The interior features more comfortable finishes, with a large lounge, toilets and a commercial kitchen. The project ran smoothly resulting in a high end finish – a project Coman Construction is proud of.


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For the second time a client came back to me to ask for a translation from English into Hungarian, which I gladly accepted.
Inviting tourists visit Croatia
The text displays the splendours of Croatia, inviting tourists visit Croatia. Sea lovers and those who love the continental climate are the intended reading public. Deadline; 3 days, some 1800 words. Very benevolent deadline.


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The Martha's Vineyard Of France
In the new French movie "Bicycling with Molière" — terrific fun, by the way — the actors Fabrice Lucchini and Lambert Wilson bicycle around a picturesque French island while trading barbs and lines from Molière's play "The Misanthrope."
The island, Île de Ré, may be unknown to most Americans. But this 18-mile spit of land north of Bordeaux and south of Brittany is a classic summer resort — the Martha's Vineyard of France, you might say.
Île de Ré has a surprising lot in common with the Vineyard. Both islands share a north Atlantic maritime climate, milder than their respective mainlands; and their residents boast of microclimates that allow grapevines and even (on Île de Ré) palm trees to flourish.
The landscapes, too, are eerily similar. Low-lying and tranquil, both islands feature salt marshes that glow a brilliant green in the late-afternoon sunshine; clear turquoise waters with long sandy beaches; quaint fishing villages; and the kind of wide-open stretches of sea and sky that make painters set up easels.
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Like villages-turned-resorts everywhere, the Île de Ré and the Vineyard also host a mix of old farming and fishing families, more recent retirees and an annual influx of moneyed vacationers and artsy types — like Wilson's character, a hot-shot soap actor — who clog up the summertime roads. Tourists head to both islands for the same gentle, time-honored lures: licking an ice-cream cone while strolling along the harbor, splashing about on uncrowded beaches, and eating fresh fish washed down with local wine in one of the well-preserved villages.
Unlike the Vineyard, however, Île de Ré built a bridge back in the '80s, making it relatively easy to visit — if you happen to be in northern France. (A high-speed train, or TGV, whisks you in just a few hours from Paris to the port of La Rochelle, on the mainland directly opposite the island.)
Lucchini and Wilson bike around the island in the cold, damp off-season; since the island rarely freezes in wintertime, locals have long favored the bicycle over other forms of transport, and it boasted a network of bike paths long before they were trendy elsewhere. In fact, a bike is the only sensible set of wheels upon which to navigate the narrow, winding alleys of Saint Martin, the island's main town.
More than a few Parisian Jews call Île de Ré home in summer, but the mainland's La Rochelle nearby has the more established Jewish history — and its medieval harbor is worth a day's touring before you move offshore. The provincial capital, La Rochelle rose to prominence about 800 years ago, which is when a Sephardic Jewish population established a community known for its scholarly bent. As in much of Europe, the Jews there suffered a turbulent history and periodic expulsions.
La Rochelle is home to a modern-day congregation that offers regular services and communal activities, as well as a historic Jewish cemetery. Meanwhile, on the Île de Ré, the main claim to Jewish fame is the memory of Alfred Dreyfus, who was briefly imprisoned in its citadel of Saint-Martin de Ré on his way to a prison sentence in French Guyana.
That citadel, and the old walled city within it, are today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Saint-Martin, the fortress, and the surrounding beaches where German soldiers built bunkers during World War II are all considerably less important to world events than they once were. But if the remains of those bunkers are less-than-exciting, the 17th-century churches and villas within Saint Martin hardly fail to enchant.
As on the Côte d'Azur, one of the chief pleasures of the Île de Ré is the café scene along seaside terraces. In Saint-Martin and La Flotte — a smaller village that is consistently named one of France's loveliest — families settle into tables around lunchtime, lingering over crepes, grilled fish and wine with a view over the sailboats. (Speaking of that wine: there are several vineyards sprinkled around the island, and local whites are considered quite good.) In Saint-Martin especially, there is the usual profusion of clothing boutiques and art galleries, though gentrification is more low-key here than on the flashier Mediterranean.
But this isn't an island where you plunk down in one town, shuttling back and forth to the beach. The string of jewel-like villages was once a series of separate landmasses; each has its own architectural gems and its own specialties to offer to the weekend market.
To take it all in, do as Lucchini and Wilson did and hop on a bicycle, and peddle alongside potato fields, heron nests and crumbling abbeys. Quoting Molière is optional.


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Issue 04 : 19 June 2017
Welcome to my weekly digest, covering things I've been reading, and interesting fact, my favourite posts on Instagram and a few things I've spotted that are on my shopping list.
The weather here in the UK has suddenly become too hot – perfect temperature for me is about 20 degrees celsius, and today it has been 31. I'm literally melting and I don't think I have sweated so much in my entire life. I am dreading the tube journey tomorrow.
It's a little sad that every week I've been writing my newsletter, something terrible has dominated the news. Sadly again this week there was another shocking accident in London, when Grenfell Tower caught fire and many residents perished. Hundreds of others found themselves homeless. When I came into work the morning after, you could look across to where the fire services were still working hard to put out the flames, hours later. I spent the day in shock, imagining what it must have been like, how they felt. I cried reading stories of mothers throwing their children out of windows to try and save them. The fallout has been just as heartbreaking as it turns out that the cladding used in a £10m renovation last year was not even fire-proof. If only people's lives were worth more than the money saved by using a cheaper, poorer product.
I don't really want to talk too much about it as I still feel quite upset. London has responded amazingly though; donating money and clothing, and quite rightly asking why the government has failed to address buildings like Grenfall, where the fire risk has been continually raised by residents and ignored. I hope this means that the government and property developers can ensure that this kind of accident can be avoided in the future.
Benjamin P. Hardy : '35 Things You Need to Give Up to Be Successful'
Alex Hunt and Brian Wheeler : 'Theresa May: 10 reasons why the PM blew her majority'
The secrets to a truly restorative vacation'
Danielle Kent : '23 Men From 18 Different Countries On What They Think Of Catcalling'
Zoe Russell : 'Bodies are not bargaining chips'
Anthony Lurcher : 'What Sessions did (and didn't) tell us'
I was rudely awoken a number of times this week by the birds, sitting outside the window, having a morning sing-song. Which is great, if you like that sort of thing, but I very much like sleeping. And I don't think 5am is a reasonable time to get up and have a happy chorus with your mates – and if all this wasn't bad enough, my morning alarm is birdsong so that alone has been pretty confusing for me this week. "Alarm? Why you mysteriously go off at 5am?" "It wasn't me!"
All this early morning tweeting and whistling, and the fact that they just WON'T SHUT UP, has been making me tired, grumpy and irritable. Why won't they just go back to bed?! And that in turn got me thinking: I've never seen a bird asleep. Where do they go? Do they have little nests? Do ducks sleep in trees? Do they snuggle?
I can't really get a decent answer on the last one, so let's just assume that birds are super cuddly little dudes and you should definitely hug the next sparrow you see.
I did a little bit of research, and it turns out that…bird sleep is AWESOME. I warn you – there may be more than one fact this week because our chirpy little friends are actually super cool.
Some of us might have seen geese or ducks having a cheeky nap in the sun, but I'll bet you haven't seen a blackbird having a kip. It turns out, much like humans, birds like to sleep in places that protect them from being eaten in the middle of the night. (I guess in that case, the ducks you see having a snooze along the river are like intoxicated humans and will just sleep anywhere, regardless of the possible danger.)
Interesting fact one: Most birds don't actually sleep in nests. It turns out that once they've laid eggs in there, and the hungry chicks have grown up and left home, it's a pretty stinky place to be; covered with bird poo (no, they don't always aim for Uncle Jeff's car or your shirt on interview day; they do sometimes poo in their own home too) and sometimes infested with mites. Sounds pretty minging.
Instead, most birds find hedges and dense foliage, or bird houses, a cliff edge, or a small cave to sleep in. Generally they sleep off the ground, which is safer. Even wild turkeys roost in trees. (See this video!) So it isn't really all that weird to imagine a partridge in a pear tree, really. Thanks Christmas. Thanks for not all being lies.
Second interesting fact: Wading birds, and those that live on the water, just float into the middle of the water for an evening kip. Any disturbances on the water immediately wake them up, meaning they get advanced warning of any approaching predators. Smart move, but what if the wind blows you to the water's edge whilst you're asleep, and you get gobbled up by a passing fox?
This is where a bird superpower known as unihemispheric slow-wave sleep comes in. Basically, this is a state where only half the brain is asleep, and one eye remains open and one half of the brain alert, meaning that they can respond very quickly to any immediate threat. They don't always sleep like this; if a bird feels protected, it might drop into a deeper and more complete sleep. If it's having a quick kip in the bush, it's probably only half asleep.
USWS is probably most useful to migrating birds, who literally sleep whilst they're flying. Very little has really been scientifically studied, but it looks like swifts and albatrosses use this to fly so far in one stint. Which solves another mystery of how birds can fly so far without needed to stop. I feel like I need a little USWS in my life.
Third interesting fact: The Spruce tells me that some birds sleep in flocks, for protection and warmth:
"Sleeping in flocks is another defensive strategy many birds use. By roosting communally – with some species creating nighttime roosts of thousands of individuals – there are more birds to notice predators as well as more targets should a predator attack, giving each individual bird a greater chance of survival. In winter, many birds, particularly small passerines such as chickadees, tits and bluebirds, roost together in confined spaces to share body heat and survive lower nighttime temperatures."
These defensive strategies aren't just used in sleeping. It also happens when flocking birds are awake, as seen in this viral video showing some turkeys circling a dead cat. Animal behaviourists have suggested that the turkeys perceive the cat to be a threat, and they are trying to intimidate with their numbers and prevent it from singling one out. It also has the added consequence of freaking out humans, which means the tactic works, right?
Last interesting fact: The last thing to mention is the physiological aspects of a birds body that helps it sleep. A bird's talons, or feet, are constantly being worked, as their natural muscular position is to be tightly locked, meaning that the muscles are relaxed when gripping onto, say, a branch – meaning they don't just fall off their perch when they fall asleep. It does instead mean that when they splay their toes out as they walk, they are actually contracting their muscles and it is much harder work for them. You can see why they prefer flying right? (I mean, other than flying being REALLY COOL.)
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Excuse me if I don't get too excited when people say there are more female MPs than ever before. It's creeping up so slowly that at this rate we'll have to wait until 2086 for equality. 👩🏾👩🏼👩🏽👩🏻👩🏿 = 👨🏾👨🏽👨🏿👨🏻👨🏼 Source: House of Commons Library (my forecast is based on the numbers from 1918 to 2017), #datasketch #ukelection
Dolly and Dotty is a relatively new brand on the pin-up scene, but they've got a fantastic range of items on the lower end of the scale, offering a range of prints in various styles. These styles often have cute names – this is the 'Anna' dress; I own a 'Cindy' and an 'Annie'. Most of their dresses are lined, and of a nice quality, but sadly for me a little less than generous in the bosom department. That said, I've still got my eye on this navy/white striped 'Anna' – at £34.99 I'm not sure how long I can keep telling myself I just don't need it. That striped skirt!!
This style often sells out, so if it isn't available in your size, you can always sign up to find out when it's back in stock. This dress comes in UK sizes 8-24.
> 'Anna' Adorable Striped 50s Swing Dress in Navy/White
Lady Vintage was the first company I bought from when I was making my first foray into 50s clothing, back in 2015. I love their tea dresses; cute shorter dresses with a v-back, and now – pockets!! I am so thrilled to see that pockets have been included in the newer styles, and I'm head-over-heels in love with the flamingo border print range from their SS17 line. This blue one has particularly taken my fancy, and I am gutted it is sold out in my size! Here's hoping there is a restock soon… The flamingo border print tea dress is £55 and comes in UK sizes 8-22.
> Lady Vintage Flamingo Tea Dress in Blue
I love this chunky charm necklace from Sourpuss; a summery nautical design, but with a slightly gothy vibe! I love my acrylic jewellery, and for only £12 from Collectif Clothing, this is an absolute bargain.
> Sourpuss 'Anchors Aweigh' charm necklace (via Collectif)
Is there anyone out there who doesn't like the Wizard of Oz?! Even if you're not a fan of the amazing West End performance, or the 1939 film, you MUST at least love the fact that it has introduced red glittery shoes into mainstream fashion?
Lulu Hun's shoes are a little small in sizing for me, so I always size up – which is why I am so annoyed I didn't buy these beauties when I first saw them on the Collectif site as they have now sold out of my size! These really are selling fast, and as of writing only UK sizes 3 to 5 are available via Collectif currently priced at a mere £41.75.
> Lulu Hun 'Dorothy' Block Heels (via Collectif)
No, YOU are obsessed with dinosaurs.
I can't get over just how incredible this bag is! Origami? Mint? Dinosaur? In one perfect bag?? I KNOW, I KNOW. It's still available from Thunder Egg, for a slightly pricey (but totally worth it) £39.95. I just dino if I can hold myself back from buying it.
> House of Disaster Origami Dinosaur Bag (via Thunder Egg)


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Irvine Valley's women's badminton team defeated San Diego Mesa, 18-3, on Wednesday in its first Pacific Coast Athletic Conference match of the season.
The Lasers won 10 of 12 singles matches and four of five doubles matches.
Freshmen Jurate Foes, Deepthi Rao, Peihong Jiang and Jessey Wang each won both of their singles contests.
Foes, who plays No. 1 singles for the Lasers and won the singles title at the opening Grossmont Tournament last week, won her two matches, 21-5, 21-10, and 21-8, 21-8.
Rao came away with 21-15, 21-6, and 21-11, 21-12 victories, Jiang won, 21-14, 21-17, and 21-16, 21-7, and Wang won, 21-12, 21-17, and 21-17, 21-11.
Sophomore Karen Wang and freshman Evan Chen each split singles matches.
Wang lost to Mesa's top player in three sets.
In doubles, Foes and Karen Wang teamed to win, 21-11, 18-21, 21-12, and 21-3, 21-10, at the No. 1 position.
At No. 2 doubles, Rao and Jiang won, 21-12, 21-17, and 21-14, 21-4.
IVC dropped the No. 3 doubles match.
Irvine Valley plays another conference match next Wednesday, traveling to Grossmont.