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As I sped down the road towards Austin away from Sherman in my rented red Ford Focus. The mile peeled away under the cloudy sky, clouds like white pillows or cotton balls rallied around me, billowing out in all directions under the wide open spaces of Texas: through the greenery of rolling hills of North East Texas, the towers and tangled express ways of Dallas that then gave way to Highway 35 and the arid flat lands of South East Texas that eventually opened to Austin. To say the least it's a long drive to the largest Interactive/Film/Music convention in the world. The traffic thickened after Waco making it more a challenge to reach my destination in a timely manner. This was my third year at SXSW. Foursquare called me a sophomore, not knowing of my first outing 3 years earlier when I stayed with my gracious host Mary Kate. This year's event loomed large and rather intimidating for me with over 120 RSVPs locked in and 5 artist I wanted to catch while I was "down in it" in Austin for the weekend.
I was fortunate enough to network through Christine, a social buterfly from Dallas, I had the pleasure to meet while having sushi in Silverlake with Doug and Johnny. We had made contact originally through Facebook. It so happened she popped in on us while she was visiting LA when we dined on tasty Sushi and enjoying multiple sake shots together. She's a marvelous ball of fire and quite the conversationalist. I was working a number of Austin options that appeared to be on the fade when Christine came through and introduced me to Mike. Mike had opened his home to me for the few days I'd be staying in Austin. I would come to know as time passed and as this story unfold that Mike and I share some similar connections that go back to Dallas a city I lived in for 2 years. I arrived in Austin with all the deets to crash at Mike's place and set up camp.
I set out from his place to find The Victory Bar & Grill where Karen organized and set up Miles Davis House. I finally deciphered the layout of The Victory Bar & Grill. Among the distractions set before me I decided to head down a long hallway that led into a large back room. It was dark and I immediately saw the stage to the left and booths to the right. I nested in the booths. Thankfully, it wasn't long before I saw some familiar faces. Earl E. Gibson III (an exceptional photographer) and Erin Davis (Miles son), both came up to say hi and made me feel at home. Soon Karen was in the mix. We visited for a while and Vince Wilburn Jr. came up to give me a big old hug. Vince always puts a smile on your face. It was good to see him. Karen pointed out that Left Over Cuties were playing at the moment. I was amazed how much they had improved from the summer at El Cid and Sunset Junction party. I had arrived late and I had missed the only viable time to catch The Magnetic Fields, a band I yearned to see and the prospects for Fiona Apple were looking grim. While these unsatisfied expectations were on the back burners at the moment I couldn't resist exploring The Victory Bar & Grill before I headed out. I landed outside where I met 2 young and talented musicians Alexandra Lee of Alexandra and the Starlight Band and Zachary James of Zachary James and the All Seeing Eyes. We all had a great little chit-chat. I got them to pose for a few shots and then Stuart Johnson, the drummer for Left Over Cuties, jumped in to add energy and kookiness. From there on the group shots explored their interpretations of Metal poses with all the gravitas of Rock gods. After all this passion I took the time to shoot a few shots of Vince and Erin outside The Victory Bar & Grill before I jaunted over to see Fiona.
I left the Victory Bar & Grill to arrive near the Austin Texas Central Presbyterian Church where a host of showcases were taking place besides Fiona Apple's. One of the brutal truths of SXSW is if you arrive too late for a show, YOU ARE TOO LATE! No badge, no connections, no begging will lift you through the threshold to magically transport you to the center of the action. I came upon the badge line first. An exceptionally long line to arrive at 10 minutes after 8pm. Fiona was on at 8pm. I knew all was lost. But to make sure I cruised over to the wrist band line to see my hopes utterly dashed upon the steps of that Presbyterian of the church. This was a tough blow, although, I think of Fiona Apple as a nice second to say The Shins or The Magnetic Fields. Having 3 and 1/2 hours sleep under my belt I decided not to squander my flagging energy waiting in a line: a line that I'll never see the virtue of being inside the sanctuary to see the barefoot chanteuse. I decided to hit South Congress to do something more than snack as I had The Boiling pot earlier on my arrival. I love downtown Austin but I've longed over the last few years to get a grip on what South Congress is all about. So I headed to yet another axis of the SXSW experience on South Congress. I wanted tacos! I found a spot near Home Slice Pizza and Güero Taco Bar. Güero's is always crowded and that's year after year at this time. As I walked to the corner to cross the street bands were blazing out the Rockin noise at Home Slice with a Boho crowd clustered around the popular pizza joint listening to music and eating copious amounts of pizza. Once across the street and inside Güero's I found the place full but the bar area was available. After some thought I figured it was in my best interest, time wise. to plug into the bar. I sat next to 2 gentlemen in the middle of their meals and waited to be served. One of them decided to ask me if I were press. I was surprised by the question because I always try to keep that stuff on the down low. Then it dawned on me that I was wearing my Fader Fort Presented by Converse Press wrist. So I admitted I was press. We spoke in between my ordering and eating about his love of Punk Rock. He told me he followed the Ramones like a deadhead would follow The Grateful Dead. His friend to the left of him endorsed the comment and I laughed at the idea. Our conversation continued in-between my bites. The tacos were nice Tex-Mex fare, the red beans were, well, red beans and the Mexican rice was the worst I had ever eaten. So I passed on the rice. The guys bid their adu and the weight of possibly missing Semi-Precious Weapons were taking their toll in my mind on my drive to catch some new exciting bands.
I sped over to The Victory Bar & Grill just in time to catch Semi-Precious Weapons in search and destroy mode. I don't think I've seen more action on stage since Wendy O'Williams of The Plasmatics or Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks. Thankfully, Justin Tranter can't lactate like Wendy did: although, he played with his nipple while on stage. But the show was amazingly messy. Everyone in the group was jumping , crawling, crashing, playing , singing, spewing liquids as if they were a bunch of crazy monkeys on speed. I said on my Facebook fan page as a comment they put on a show, show, show! The fans, yes the fans, were as out of control as the band blew up and played off the crowd. You could honestly say their fans were as much of the show as the band. The fans were giving out the energy and the Semi-Precious Weapons were giving it right back at 'em! This eclipsed into over 20 minutes of magical mayhem of performance by the group. Later I headed outside. Semi-Precious Weapons geared up for more photo opportunities with Erin and Vince by Earl. Karen and I had time to catch up as the Semi-Precious Weapons were in interviewed by Beta Records TV. Karen with Erin and Vince's help put together this ambitious all day event for Mile Davis Estates with a host of new talented acts. All the while interweaving the legacy of artistry and innovation Miles Davis represents and carries on by his son Erin and his nephew Vince with these new breeds of entertainers. Miles Davis House shook The Victory Bar & Grill for a history making SXSW inaugural that sets a great foundation for next year's blow-up event in Austin. We sat there for a while and talked about the day at hand, when Greg my roomie from last year, pulled up on his bike and joined in the fun. It was nice to see my homeboy after such a long time. Then Karen then had to run. Greg and I had a bromance drinking beers and yakking about all that had happened in the last year. Greg still had party left in him but it was after midnight and the fade was hitting me pretty strongly. I had only three and half hours of sleep and a 6 hour drive under my belt I felt it was time to melt into my digs. In Austin you got grab your sleep while you can when you're playing in the SXSW Hipster Olympics.


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There is a reason we call it classic rock, and we were reminded of just how great it is on Sunday night at Darling's Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor, Maine when the United We Rock tour came to town with Don Felder, Styx, and REO Speedwagon. For me, these legendary rock artists bring back memories of a time when the smell of a brand new vinyl LP was a beautiful thing and the unmistakable sound of the needle finding the groove for the very first listen was perfect expectation. Now, so many decades later, seeing these artists that wrote so much of the soundtrack to my life is still a thrill.
I have to be honest, writing a review for artists of this caliber isn't easy. There are only so many ways to say "they were really great." And of course they are. I mean, seriously – these guys wrote THOSE lyrics, THOSE riffs, and nailed down THAT sound that helped to build rock music history. They know how to put on a show that has you singing, dancing, and forgetting that you are now nearer to retirement than you ever thought was possible.
Don Felder started the show with a ten song set of Eagles' hits with his fan favorite "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" as a bonus. Noted as one of our greatest rock guitarists, Felder is like watching velvet on the stage. Happy, working the crowd, and jumpstarting the energy of the show, Felder is divinely understated perfection. The songs are shifted just the slightest bit, so it seems, and feature a signature Felder grooviness. Joined on stage by Styx' Tommy Shaw on banjo for "Take it Easy," the crowd was on their feet and singing along. Before we knew it, the white double neck appeared, and it was time for "Hotel California." Joined by David Amato of REO Speedwagon, the crowd was thrilled. This was, as expected, a fantastic set.Styx was up next, and hit the Waterfront stage featuring Lawrence Gowan on vocals for "Gone, Gone, Gone," from their latest release, The Mission. I was happy to see this. Gowan has been stealing the show for years and featured heavily in the set list. He is a tremendous presence and talent – and he'd have to be to keep up with Tommy Shaw and JY Young. As fast and furious and compelling as always, Shaw and Young nail every step and note. They are amazing. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Grand Illusion, the set was heavy with cuts from that album. Also included was "Light Up" from their 1975 release, Equinox. Completing the night with "Come Sail Away," "Rockin' the Paradise," and Tommy Shaw's "Renegade," the crowd was in rock and roll euphoria. As always, Styx gave the fans a terrific performance. REO Speedwagon was spot on to their usual performance. Starting out with their hit, "Don't Let Him Go," and sailing through a long list of fan favorites, Kevin Cronin gives it all he has. Featuring the heavy rotation hits like "Can't Fight This Feeling" and "Time for Me to Fly" the crowd enjoyed the show, singing along and reliving memories. A highlight of the show, as always, is Bruce Hall's "Back on the Road Again," and early REO rocker "Ridin' the Storm Out." REO always pleases their longtime fans, and fills the night sky with Bangor's Waterfront choral society.

subset: commoncrawl


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I remember the incredible panic when our toddler son went missing for a few seconds in a large department store. I first yelled his name then took off running toward the front door. My fear was that someone had taken him. Luckily, after another few seconds, he appeared from behind a clothing rack.
That feeling stuck with me until he was old enough to wander around a store alone.
However, that lesson learned stuck with me and when it came time to watch our granddaughters in a store or anywhere out in public, my eyes were constantly watching them. I always know where they are. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to them under my watch.
I recently came across a Facebook post shared by a friend from the website, Fabiosa. The article was "10 Things You Should Teach Your Kids to Keep Them Safe." I like to read those types of articles as a reminder to be diligent and to learn about child safety.
The 10 things were:
1. Create a password. Should a stranger tell your child that he or she was asked to bring you home or should come with them, the child should ask the stranger for the password (created by the parent and child). It could ward off the stranger.
2. Teach your child his or her address, home phone number, and names of the parents. In case they get lost.
3. Don't talk to strangers. This can't be repeated enough.
4. Teach your child to be cautious with social networks. This one worries me as the granddaughters get more and more into the internet.
5. Let you know. You are not invading their privacy if you insist on knowing where they are at all times. You are trying to keep them safe.
6. Say "no." Teach your child to say no if they feel uncomfortable around anyone.
7. Don't leave home alone. Times have changed. Don't let your child go someplace alone.
8. Don't take anything from strangers. To quote the website: "Teach your kid to never take anything from other people without your permission, even if they know this person."
9. Home alone rules. If your child has to be alone, due to unforeseen circumstances, teach them about surveying the home, keeping the door locked and not answering strange phone calls or visitors, and, never open the door.
10. Teach your child important phone numbers.
The article concluded with some sage advice: Use these tips so your child will be better protected.
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Like Boyz II Men once sang, "Although we've come to the end of the road, still I can't let go," coming to grips with the end of the footy season is a difficult thing. And though it is definitely unnatural to not have footy on between the end of the season and the start of the finals, one thing's for sure: CT & THE CHEF's appetite for hot footy content is as raging as ever.
This week we run through one of the most exciting final rounds in AFL history, and dish out the 2017 iteration of the revered PRESSURE COOKER END OF SEASON AWARDS. Who will take home the prestigious Golden Hoof?
The Pressure Cooker with CT & The Chef - Season 2017 Episode 19 - End of Season Awards [ 1:03:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download


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In a near-party-line vote, the Assembly turned down billions of federal dollars for the unemployed Monday. A bare-bones version of a bill to bring California's Unemployment Insurance (UI) system into compliance with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – and help the state's long-term unemployed – was defeated by a single vote. The bill in question would have enabled jobless Californians to receive an estimated $2.5 billion to $3 billion for Extended Benefits – with the state on the tab only for what the Assembly Floor analysis estimates as "likely minor" costs of payments for workers laid off by the state and schools.
This vote, absent future action, means that workers who run out of both their regular UI benefits, a maximum of 26 weeks, and special federal "emergency" benefits, up to 33 additional weeks, and are still out of work will miss out on up to 20 more weeks of benefits. The National Employment Law Project projects that more than 168,000 unemployed Californians will be in that boat by June. The Legislature's action also means that local communities will miss out on the economic impact that billions of federal UI dollars would have as the unemployed use their benefits to buy groceries and pay their mortgages.
— Vicky Lovell


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Check out our Feature in BC Parent Magazine's Summer 2017 Issue
Eliminating 'Summer Slide'
By Tara Haddad of Aspire Math Academy
After a long break from watching your favorite TV series, one thing remains constant; Preseason recaps are a necessity!
Students leave their classes in June to a summer of leisure and fun, only to return to school a few months later with no 'preseason' recap and significant content loss.
Even more alarming, a study in the Review of Educational Research found that students lose 2.6 months of Math content learned the previous year over the summer break.
What would this gap fall to if students participated in developmental activities throughout the summer? A study has shown that 2 to 3 weeks of an educational summer blitz would prevent the 'Summer Slide' of learning retention. Students would be ready to return to school, happy, confident and possibly even ahead of the curve. This problem is prevalent throughout the core subjects of Math and Reading/Writing. Students of all ages lose educational content during the summer break; however, this loss is more apparent in students at the elementary level. Research has found that elementary students do not have the long-term memory skills to allow them to retain academic facts for months without continual reinforcement.
In conclusion, what do we know? Students unconsciously disregard a significant amount of fundamental, scholastic skills over summer break. The traditional summer holiday breaks the rhythm of instruction, which contradicts the fact that children learn best when the educational material is presented continuously. The effects of 'Summer Slide' will accumulate unless mitigated by summer learning intervention. It is not just a problem for your child's next school year; moreover, a problem that will persist throughout a student's entire educational career.
The 'Summer Slide' is preventable and only takes 20 minutes per day, or 2 hours per week!
With some parental support students, should not have to experience this educational downturn. Results of a research synthesis conducted by Cooper et al. (2000) revealed that summer activities that focused on remedial, accelerated or enriched learning have a positive,
lasting impact on student education.
With summer right around the corner, here are some fun and effective ways to promote Summer learning and stop the 'Summer Slide' phenomenon:
–Register for Active Learning
Experiences: We live in an era of what we like to call "babysitting
camps". Do your research and find an EDUCATIONAL DAY CAMP.
Educational camps are a great way to keep your child's mind active and
engaged. They will serve as your child's video recap of the previous year.
–Visit the local library frequently
Summer is a glorious time for all students to improve their reading
education because they have the freedom to choose the books they find
interesting. This is sure to keep your student engaged and reading
throughout summer.
–Instructional Support
For struggling students, summer is the best time to provide your child
with direct instruction. Some school districts offer special remedial
programs during the summer. Alternatively, an educational organization can
facilitate your student's specific needs with a personalized program plan.
–Summer Learning Contract
Help your student set summer learning goals. For students who
need a little extrinsic motivation, create an award system.
–Encourage Writing
Give your child the opportunity to have a summer pen pal, whether it be a cousin in
a different province or a friend responding in character. The goal is to
have them put "pen to paper' this summer break. Aspire Math Academy is
currently accepting new pens pals and will respond to all letters sent to
200-1497 Marine Drive, West Vancouver B.C. V7T 1B8. Other ways to
encourage writing are; keep a vacation journal, creative writing prompts, pass
out friendly notes around the neighborhood… be creative!
Tara Haddad is the Founder of Aspire Math Academy, where they are passionate about eliminating 'Summer Slide' learning loss throughout the community. They also have a
summer goal! They will provide any student in need of remedial learning to make an appointment with them to receive complimentary, academic consulting.


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Welcome to the education CHANGE
You have made a wise decision. Here you get the fourth episode of the education CHANGE.The program is designed to provide knowledge and tools to develop intuition, increase flow and free up time. To feel better!Give yourself the right conditions for the best results and the most beautiful experience of the education. Unplug the phone jack, turn off the cell phone, sit back and take some deep breaths.Remember that it is you who are the boss, and it is you who decide!
The education CHANGE part 4 (video 1 of 7)
You will receive simple assignments to perform the various sections. To get the full effect, we recommend that you perform all assignments.You can see the video as many times as you wish. The training is for you only and it means that the videos are for you only. Thank you for respecting that.Do you have any questions during the training, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com regards,Mikael Engström, Trainer and Publisher of TilliT Happy email@example.com


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Kaye Wienk - Ray White
Wanting to sell but don't know where to start? The first thing to do is call Kaye... Kaye's forte is helping owners and investors achieve the top price for their properties by suggesting small and inexpensive upgrades – you sometimes need to spend money to make money! Kaye's portfolio of "before and after" are testament to her professionalism and experience. She will micro-manage your property - step-by-step - with her contacts of tradesmen e.g. painters, plumbers, electricians etc., - right down to stagers, window cleaners and gardeners – Kaye definitely takes the stress out of selling! Well versed and practiced in the time management, multi-tasking and organisational skills required to deliver a truly professional real estate service, with design flair thrown in for added value. Property and business knowledge and an extensive network of contacts throughout the construction industry, are key assets that Kaye brings to the "team" at Ray White Newmarket. Having sold many properties both on the Shore (including several apartments in Takapuna) and over the bridge – East, West and South - Kaye is adept to customising the marketing and strategic planning required for the different demographic make-up of her listings – she will list and sell anywhere. Known for her high integrity, friendly and caring nature, she thinks "outside the box" and coupled with her innate ability to stick to deadlines and "make things happen", Kaye is a valuable person to have on "your team" when buying and selling.


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The future looks bright for Liverpool. No one doubts the verve and nous of Jurgen Klopp and the youngsters showed plenty of guts and class over the two matches versus Exeter.
The present still looks a bit of a muddle though.
No player has scored more than seven goals this season in all competitions. This is as big an issue as their current injury crisis.
Christian Benteke tops that scoring list, but clearly something is wrong. Fellow Dutchman Divock Origi has been consistently preferred, when available.
Firminio – a No.10 – has filled a misshaped hole the rest of the time.
You can't help wondering if comparisons with another Belgian, employed on the other side of Stanley Park, are adding to Benteke's burden.
Romelu Lukaku looks a stronger, quicker, more complete striker and is three years younger. Where would Liverpool be with his 19 goals this season?
Lunchtime hosts Norwich are unbeaten in five at home, keeping three clean sheets. They slugged out a draw when Liverpool had Sturridge, Benteke and Ings in their ranks. No fear here.
Prediction: A repeat of the Anfield scoreline. 1-1
The stats
- Liverpool have scored just once in their last four away matches (W1, L3).
- Norwich have exactly the same record as they did after 22 matches when they were relegated in 2013/14 – W6 D5 L11.
- Only bottom club Aston Villa (10.2%) have converted a smaller percentage of their shots than Liverpool (10.3%).
- Norwich have conceded 14 goals from crosses this season – most in the PL.
- Since joining the club in 2013, Daniel Sturridge has played just 60 PL matches (52%).
- Liverpool have scored 22 goals in their last six PL meetings with Norwich. Luis Suarez scored 12 of them.
Team news
No fresh injury concerns for Norwich, who will add new signings Steven Naismith and Ivo Pinto to their squad.
Naismith arrived from Everton this week while Pinto has spent the last two weeks acclimatising, having joined earlier in the window from Dinamo Zagreb.
Alex Neil will make a late decision on Timm Klose, who has trained only twice with his new team-mates.
Matt Jarvis will continue to deputise for the suspended Gary O'Neil.
Predicted XI: Rudd; Bassong, Bennett, Martin, Brady; Hoolahan, Redmond, Tettey, Jarvis; Howson; Naismith.
A muscular problem threatens to rule Adam Lallana out of the trip to Carrow Road. The midfielder will face a late fitness test. Jordon Ibe is one possible replacement.
Jurgen Klopp must decide if Christian Benteke deserves a start following an encouraging performance in the FA Cup. The only other option would be to play Roberto Firmino with Sturridge and Origi still sidelined.
Steven Caulker played for the Under-21s midweek, but defensive duties are likely to fall to Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho once again.
Predicted XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Sakho, Toure, Moreno; Henderson, Leiva; Ibe, Firmino, Milner; Benteke.
TV Times
BT Sport 1 – 12pm (12:45pm kick-off)
BBC One – 10:25pm for highlights


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Envartis Digital Wacom Signature PAD captures signatures digitally,seamlessly integrating the signature into the Envartis Digital web-based signature capture application.The web-based application also integrates into client existing systems.
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Cedar Court Apartment Kandy is an exclusive 7 unit apartments in Kandy Sri Lanka. The property developer approached Envartis Digital to develop the website and all corporate branding with Digital content and exclusively be the marketing company for the property.


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Down for the Count Swing Orchestra
The Down for the Count Swing Orchestra faithfully bring the sounds of the Swing Era back to life, with a contemporary and energetic show celebrating the best music of the 20th Century.
Featuring big band favourites from the likes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and many more.
The UK's hottest mini big band and vintage dance orchestra.
Friday 12th October at 7:30pm
Ticket Prices
Tickets: £19.00
Pensioners: £18.00
Premium Club Price: £17.00


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|A Walled Cemetery somewhere in UK
|Somewhere in UK
Until next time ....
|A Walled Cemetery somewhere in UK
|Somewhere in UK
Love the wall around the cemetary.
And the second one looks really dangerous :))
Your daughter had a fine vacation :)
Have a great day!
Thanks, Knipsa. She had a great time. She and 3 of her friends went there after graduation. They stayed with the aunt of one of the girls while in the UK, then they went to Paris and stayed with the sister of one of the other girls...downtown. Then they went to Amsterdam and stayed with Katie's 2nd cousin in his loft on a canal. They got to stay in some really cool places and see amazing sites.Delete
Oh my what lovely country, where ever in England it is! Excellent of you to share with us.ReplyDelete
Pretty scenic views and fence scene.. Happy Thursday!ReplyDelete
beautiful scenes! look at all that green! and i like how the fence points mimic the spires in the last shot. :)ReplyDelete
I agree, Theresa! Katie really got a great shot using those elements.Delete
I love the way the second fence shot leads you eye to see the lovely sceneReplyDelete
Me too, Margaret. Just love that fence and then seeing the rest of the shot. Katie has a good eye for setting up a shot.Delete
Your "somewhere in the UK" made me smile! Great photos, though!! Love you, my friend!ReplyDelete
Maybe, someday, I'll make it over there to see these beautiful buildings and landscapes for myself....somewhere in the UK ;) Love you, too, dear friend...mwah!Delete
stone walls are wonderful and so is the second fence.ReplyDelete
Oh how I love pics of England. Gorgeous. I love your frame in your DOT post - that is AMAZING.ReplyDelete
I really love that frame, too, Allie. I have two of them! Can't wait to get something in them that will be appropriate.Delete


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Many people take the tube everyday through necessity rather than choice. The journeys are already unpleasant, what with delays, cancellation and overcrowding all due to factors beyond our control. Blame TfL for that. But there are things we can do to make life easier on the tube. Here are some suggestions from City Breaks 101 to improve the life of your fellow commuter. But why should you bother? Because others could show the same consideration, or lack thereof, to you next time.
Let people off first
The most obvious one comes first! You see this all the time, you hear it all the time and you probably read it all the time but you still see people trying to get on the carriage before everyone has got off first. I see this nearly everyday. If you are one of these people, and judging by the number of people guilty of doing this, there is a high chance you are, do the maths. If the carriage can accommodate 50 people in total, there are 40 people in the carriage, 5 want to get off and 15 want to get on, if you don't let the 5 off first, there will never be enough space for 40 + 15. So once again, let people off first, so you get more space for you.
Don't crowd near the door
Probably nearly everyone does that, judging by how crowded it is near the doors and how empty it is in the middle of the carriages. Unless all of you enjoy being squashed like sardines and feel hot, why not simply move down. If I'm seated, I take great pleasure in looking at how squashed people are near the doors. If all the seats are taken and I'm near the doors, I'm usually that person who pushes his way through roughly to the middle and leave the rest of you crowding near the doors. Move down for god's sake!
Your bag doesn't need a seat
You see this all too often too. Someone sits and puts his bag on a seat next to him, taken up an extra seat. I admit I do that too as I don't want my bag being on the dirty floor and I don't want a heavy bag on my lap. But don't do it in rush hour or when there are few seats. There are some people who actually look for seats with bags and ask to sit there even if there are plenty of other free seats. Just to make a point!
Backpack off your back
You take too much space and too often you forget that you have an oversized back sticking out and you end up hitting the person behind you in the face or chest. So if you don't want to be shoved forward roughly, take off your backpack and make space for everyone. The carriages are small enough already.
No feet on the seats
Especially on a rainy day. Young people are usually guilty of that. They think they look too cool. Remember, someone had put their feet across on the seat where you are sitting right now. Not so cool anymore, init? I've never seen anyone older than 40 do that. Maybe they don't have the flexibility? Or they have the maturity?
Stand to the right…
…When on the escalators. There are even signs in front of all of them so you don't have to know English. Don't blame tourists. I see people in group (of just 2) too busy talking to pay attention to the fact that they are blocking everyone on the elevator. Fortunately, a stern 'excuse me' gets them mooving.
So fellow commuter, you might think you've taken the tube long enough but you might still make these rookie mistakes. Don't be one of them.


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Local Community Programs
Past projects
Upcoming Events
*Solstice* Community SING! with Penny Schultz
Sunday, December 15, 2019 -
5:00pm to 6:30pm
|One Sunday a month, Earthdance Co-Founder and community member Penny Schultz brings us together to raise our voices in joyful harmony. Songs from around the world celebrate the earth, love, and community. No singing expertise is required, and people of all ages are invited to join! Special...


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Welcome to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ at Yonder Hill
… A beautiful Maine Campground and RV Park!
The Foss family would like to welcome you to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Yonderhill, located in Madison (Skowhegan), Maine. This family owned and operated campground sits on 35 acres of wooded land and offers roomy, somewhat private sites. Whether you are looking to pitch a tent, tow your own RV, or rent one of our four unique cabins, (including a treehouse cabin) we have a spot for you.
We take pride in providing a clean and safe place for your family to have fun, while creating memories to last a lifetime. Our focus is on friendliness, cleanliness and quality, while providing an affordable family camping adventure.
With a full activity schedule during the summer and weekend activities in the spring and fall, our campground is an ideal place to bring the entire family any time of the year. In addition to participating in our activities, enjoy relaxing by the pool or shopping downtown Skowhegan's quaint little shops. At the end of the day, kick back by the campfire with your loved ones, tell stories and eat s'mores, all while under the stars.
Whether you are playing for the day or staying with us we encourage you to enjoy all of the amenities we offer:
For your convenience, we have WIFI, 24-hour laundry facility, dish washing stations, clean washrooms, free hot showers, sewer dumping station, propane filling station and a stocked camp store, complete with YOGI BEAR™ souvenirs. We are also a pet-friendly campground, so bring your furry family members!


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Dunnes Stores staff to get 3pc rise next month
MORE than 14,000 Dunnes Stores workers will get their first pay rise in six years next month. The supermarket chain has told staff they will get a 3pc increase – worth over €600 a year – according to their union Mandate.
The company, which has traditionally refused to negotiate with trade unions, did not turn up for a Labour Court hearing after staff lodged the pay claim yesterday.
Nevertheless, Mandate said the company had told staff they would get the wage rise from the second week of February.
The union filed the pay claim on behalf of its 4,000 members at the chain nine months ago. However, it said the wage increase would apply to all 14,000 staff.
It is worth over €600 to full-time staff, who earn in the region of €23,000 to €24,000 a year.
The union referred the claim to the Labour Court after the company failed to attend talks.
Its assistant general secretary, Gerry Light, said staff had not had a rise since December 2007.
"Many retail workers have foregone pay increases over the last few years – some indeed have taken cuts and have given considerable flexibility to their employers," he said.
"Indeed, even in companies where pay rates haven't been cut many workers' incomes have declined because of significant reductions to their working hours and they have also been badly affected by rising prices, tax rises and the cuts to public services and welfare payments like child benefit."
However, he said most retail companies remained highly profitable and estimated that Dunnes Stores was generating sales in the region of €3.8bn a year and significant profits.
Dunnes Stores refused to comment.
More than 3,000 Marks & Spencer and 13,000 Tesco workers got wage increases worth up to €700 a year in 2012.
Debenhams recently agreed to a 2pc pay increase from September 1 after its 1,400 staff accepted plans to extend a pay freeze, which has been in place for two years.
Irish Independent


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Blog Archives
A Year in Review: 2014
This year was one of my most eventful years ever. Here are some of my favorite memories, pictures, things I learned, etc. Enjoy a sneak peek into my life this year, and here's to a New Year filled with new adventures, friends, and an unforgettable journey. 🙂
Being the 3rd wheel or 5th wheel almost everyday. This happens when 2 of your best friends get boyfriends.
Learning how to say goodbye because when most of your friends are internationals, they're most likely not going to be in college all 4 years with you.
Traveling to places I never thought I would be able to go to.
Starting and teaching an ESL class over the summer.
Working 3 on-campus jobs to pay the bills. This meant learning how to be responsible, to manage my time and finances well.
Knowing that friends I can always rely on are invaluable.
Learning how to be open-minded, to think for myself, that it's okay if my opinions differ from others'.
Making mistakes and learning from them.
Taking the time to Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Viber family and friends hundreds of miles away. It takes effort, but my favorite times are when I can talk to my best friends living halfway across the world.
Creating memories and living spontaneously because I don't want to think, "What if…?"
Learning how to grade homework at a college level and finding out the key differences between students who try and those who don't.
Sticking with a job even though I hate it because paying the bills is more important. Calling people and asking them to donate money to the University isn't exactly a fun job, but the fun part is laughing over the bad calls after shedding a few frustrated tears, of course.
Discovering how much I love cooking and crocheting.
Finding out that hard work pays off, and no matter how much I talk about dropping out of college…especially right before Civ exams…, I'm in it for the long haul.
Getting the balance between eating healthily and working out. Both pays off, and isn't difficult with the right motivation.


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It further mentioned that pick-up in construction & mining activity post the monsoon season and expectation of revival in consumption-driven sectors owing to rural recovery as well as favorable impact of 7th pay commission and OROP on disposable incomes will also help in the sector's revival.
The CV demand is also likely to benefit from stricter compliance with respect to overloading (i.e. Government is proposing to implement norms with respect to load carrying capacity of trucks to be in line with rated payload).
The growth momentum in commercial vehicle (CV) demand appears to have slowed down over the past couple of months as reflected by only 1.9% growth in June 2016 and a decline of 7.6% in July 2016 (on YoY basis). The sudden contraction in M&HCV (Truck) sales can be explained by a confluence of factors including a) waning of replacement-led demand, weak cargo generation from industrial sectors and slowdown in construction & mining activity owing to severe rainfall in some parts of the country.
'Given the weak industrial activity and seasonal impact (on account of monsoon), the demand for CVs is likely to be subdued in the near-term. In addition, the growth in percentage terms would also be influenced by high-base effect as sales in Q2 FY 2016 benefitted from pre-buying due to the implementation of ABS from October 2015 onwards', says Subrata Ray, Senior Group Vice President at ICRA ratings.
As a result of low demand from key sectors, freight rates have also not kept pace with the increase in diesel prices over the past 4-6 months. As a result of higher diesel cost, the profitability of fleet operators has also come under pressure on a sequential basis. However, in comparison to the past couple of years, the current situation in much better.


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What the Candidates Need to Know About Yucca Mountain
The final presidential debates take place Wednesday in Las Vegas. Given the location, a controversial issue sure to come up is that of a nuclear… Read More
The final presidential debates take place Wednesday in Las Vegas. Given the location, a controversial issue sure to come up is that of a nuclear… Read More
The Obama administration has just allowed a stated enemy of the United States to have the capability to enrich uranium. As part of the Iran… Read More
In the final days before the charter of the Export–Import Bank (Ex–Im) is set to expire, supporters of its export subsidies are claiming that Congress… Read More
After several years of treading water, there has been significant movement on nuclear waste management, though when it comes to the Obama Administration's plans, the… Read More
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) yesterday completed the last two of five volumes in its safety evaluation report on a nuclear waste repository at Yucca… Read More
Energy Commentary
After six years and several court cases, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has finally released the report that every American has paid for and could… Read More
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) voted to finalize its "continued storage" rule, establishing a general recognition that onsite storage of spent nuclear fuel is safe… Read More
While the Export-Import Bank struggles to find reasons to justify its reauthorization, some have begun claiming that the U.S. nuclear industry needs Ex-Im to compete… Read More
The Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee yesterday unveiled its energy and water spending bill, which includes an egregious tax on utilities for uranium… Read More
Tonight President Obama will stand before Congress to take stock of where we've been as a nation and where he envisions America going. After five… Read More


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Step 1Heat the broiler.
Step 2Cut the tomatoes in half and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper to taste and the olive oil. Broil until blackened, 5 minutes on the skin side and 10 minutes on the cut side.
Step 3Place half of the tomatoes, the cilantro, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and the granulated garlic in a blender and blend until smooth. Remove the sauce to a bowl. Puree the remaining tomatoes until smooth and add to the tomato sauce. Set aside.
Step 1Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a shallow baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrot, green and red peppers and onion and cook over medium-high heat until slightly softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Step 3Combine the beef, eggs, tomato paste, chopped bacon, bread crumbs, salt, cayenne and black peppers, garlic, herbes de Provence, flour and the cooked vegetables in a large mixing bowl. Mix together well. Shape into a loaf in a shallow baking pan and cover the loaf with the bacon slices.
Step 4Bake until a meat thermometer inserted into the loaf registers 155 degrees, 1 hour, 15 minutes. Then, if needed, place the meatloaf under the broiler to brown the bacon, about 2 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with Roasted Tomato Sauce.


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A special year-end fifth Friday footnotes, follow-ups and far-flung fripperies:
• Analysts wonder why violent crime rates continue at record lows, despite the sour economy and high unemployment. Until the bad guys develop a pocket-sized device to jam our cell phone signal, we're safer on streets than we have been in decades. It's a new weapon in the pockets of potential victims, but also among potential passersby. "Grab a purse in an instant, star on Youtube in the next."
• I don't miss bowling, but I do miss being on a bowling team.
• Our Thanksgiving-Christmas feasting traditions have somehow held their own with surprisingly little reliance on cheese.
• Given Americans' demonstrated love of mixing holidays with tangentially related sportscasting, it's a wonder that ESPN hasn't declared the day after Christmas as Boxing Day.
• I've noticed that tea-drinking countries almost always are slower-paced and focused inward. As a nation steps into the world economic maelstrom, its people switch to coffee. Or is that reversing cause and effect?
• If you don't push on it, a lever is nothing but a stick.
• Our smart phones have ushered in a new age. But forget to dial "1" first and the recorded voice will sound like June scolding the Beaver in 1959. Doesn't that voice know that she's not our only Ma anymore?
• You can take the pizzeria out of Chicago, but you can't take the pizza out of the Chicagoan.
• Each time I return from the other side of the planet, I'm sad to report that roughly half the first questions people ask concern jet lag.
• I had my colonoscopy last month (just after returning from one of those long trips.) Half the questions I heard afterwards focused on the required fast. I've just allowed a team of people to insert a camera as deeply inside me as it'll go and people ask me if I want a sandwich.
• The new Thai bistro in south Eugene discounts its menu every weekday between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. That's off-peak discounting is common in London. Watch for it to become more popular here.
• There are deodorant people and anti-perspirant people. Once you've chosen, it's hard to change.
• New Zealand may have found the next gourmet comfort food craze, after donuts and cupcakes. Popsicles.
• Australians hardly ever cuss. Not even at sporting events.
• Australia and New Zealand don't promote tipping. Unlike America, their forefathers didn't import that vestige of aristocracy.
• The other day, I tried to touch my horn for a quick alert, when a driver ahead of me didn't see the light had changed. But I lacked the fine motor skill and held the horn just a moment too long, sounding angry. (If that was you, accept my apology.) Now that we've got cars that show us maps and find us music and warm our coffee, could we please have a "light beep" button beside our regular horn?
• We should do less multi-tasking and more multi-asking. Is it necessary? Must it be done immediately? Is beginning more important right now than completing? Managing tasks is easier for many of us than managing loss — and every completion constitutes a loss.
• I suspect people who love to type "LOL" don't laugh out loud very much.
• Spending many hours watching film could be the only shared habit of football players and their fans.
• I never feel older than when I'm struggling to remember one of my online passwords.
• Procter & Gamble is abandoning the middle, segmenting its product lines into "economical" and "expressive." It seems the fabled Invisible Hand of the market is dividing us into haves and have-nots. Or, in this case, the Invisible Hand's lotion.
• I almost don't want to jinx it, but I think most of us are over having vanity ring tones on our phones.
• "Jinx" would be a great word when playing Hangman, almost better than "rhythm."
• A man with an earring and a hearing aid on the same ear — get used to it.
• I don't understand why the largest word on No Trespassing signs is often "POSTED."
• "Howdy" just sounds friendlier than "hello" or even "hi."
• Remove the male factor from malefactor and what's left?
Don Kahle (firstname.lastname@example.com) writes a column each Friday for The Register-Guard and blogs.
Tags: comedy · one-liners · quips · wryNo Comments


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Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Of bags and other things ...
Before Christmas I caught up with Amanda's Chocolate Marshmallow sampler blocks, and put the flying geese sashing on all the Threads of Memory blocks so they would be ready for a quick finish in the New Year, alas I forgot about the flying geese that I needed for two of the sides so there was no quick finish for me.
After receiving this lovely Boxy Pouch (the one on the right) from Sheila I thought I would have a go at making one too. The tutorial is here, I also looked at this tutorial here as well. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to make once I had decided on my fabric, I used a Parlon iron-on batting and used grosgrain ribbon for my tabs at each end as I couldn't be bothered making them the way the pattern showed, I also made mine an inch longer. For some reason my bag ended up slightly larger than the one Sheila gave me.
While the bag making mood was in full swing I also decided to attempt the Sew Together Bag (a digital pattern available from Craftsy. In addition to following the pattern instructions I followed the Quilt Barn sewalong and I also put tab ends on the pocket zippers as shown here. I didn't time how long the bag took to make as I spread it out over 3 days, I cut the fabric and interfacing one day, constructed most of the bag the next day and finished it off today, probably at least 8 hours all up.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed making both bags, it was a bit of a change from machine piecing and I think another couple of bags are on the sewing horizon.
6 comments:
Lovely work. A change is as good as a holiday as they say!ReplyDelete
Wonderful blocks Pip!ReplyDelete
Both of those bags are terrific.
Thanks for sharing the tutorial links.
Wow, the bag looks really complicated... but a great finish! xxxReplyDelete
I love the blocks you are working on! Such cute bags. I especially like the one with the zippered sections. I might have to trey that one.ReplyDelete
Your block looks amazing Gray mix of fabric. I don't seem to have the patience for bag making at the momentReplyDelete
Love your sew together bag. I have the pattern on my to do list. The outer fabric is perfect.ReplyDelete
Thank you for taking the time to comment, I'll try and reply in a timely manner, usually by email, if you are a no-reply commenter then I will reply directly to your comment which means you will have to come back to see it :)


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The constellation sensor used to track the head position of the Oculus Rift also tracks the hand poses of the Oculus Touch controllers.
For installations that have the Oculus Rift and Oculus Touch controllers, there will be at least two constellation sensors to improve tracking accuracy and help with occlusion issues.
The SDK uses the same
ovrPoseStatef struct as the headset, which includes six degrees of freedom (6DoF) and tracking data (orientation, position, and their first and second derivatives).
Here's an example of how to get tracking input:
ovrTrackingState trackState = ovr_GetTrackingState(session, displayMidpointSeconds, ovrTrue); ovrPosef handPoses[2]; ovrInputState inputState;
In this code sample, we call
ovr_GetTrackingState to get predicted poses. Hand controller poses are reported in the same coordinate frame as the headset and can be used for rendering hands or objects in the 3D world. An example of this is provided in the Oculus World Demo.


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Previous Lecture
Complete and continue
Content Creation Pro
Module 1: Business Model Overview & Content Basics
Course Intro (9:41)
Complete Overview (7:50)
The Benefits of Different Content & the Passive Income it Provides (3:23)
Why I Spend the Majority of My Time Building These Forms of Content (6:11)
Recommended Camera, Equipment, & Software that Can Help You Create Better Content (19:39)
How to Use a Teleprompter to Come Off More Professional to Your Audience (3:33)
Full Video Editing Tutorials (Adobe Premiere Pro & Shot Cut) (2:58)
Content Kings Mastermind Group (5:29)
Module 2: Udemy
Module Welcome & Overall Insight (15:03)
Business Model Overview (14:11)
Identifying the Right Niche (5:46)
Benefits of Creating Courses & Content Compared to Other Business Models (7:49)
Why Udemy? (10:00)
How Much Can You Expect to Make (18:22)
Start a Course with this in Mind to Double Your Revenue (At Least!) (11:52)
Where to Begin if You're Stuck (10:54)
Different Ways You Can Film & Create a Course (9:04)
Importance of Scripting, Outlining, & Overview for Courses (9:26)
Creating & Ranking Courses on the Platform (21:26)
Optimizing Your Courses for More Sales (54:49)
Utilize Bonus Lectures to Your Advantage (5:06)
Getting More Students into Your Courses (18:30)
Getting Endless Reviews & the Importance of Ratings (17:19)
How to Price Your Content to Make More Money (12:46)
Using the Udemy Promotions to Your Advantage (8:10)
How to Use Coupon Codes to Make More Money (8:32)
Building Relationships with Your Students & Why it Matters (9:38)
Building a Brand & an Email List (4:22)
Collaborating with Other Instructors to Grow Exponentially (4:56)
Things to Remember About the Most Successful Courses (8:05)
Market Research & Targeting Great Opportunities (18:30)
How to Immediately Get More Sales on Your Course (9:39)
Test Groups & Pre-Launch Strategy (2:54)
How to Get Better Reviews & Change Negative Reviews to Positives (8:23)
Best Strategy to Launch Courses & Rank Them (7:36)
Educational Announcements vs. Promotional Announcements (& How to Use Both to Your Advantage) (20:32)
Free Coupons Recap (Benefits & Drawbacks) (2:51)
Appealing to a Broad Market (2:47)
The Secret to Consistency (13:00)
Recommended Lecture Length & Speaking Speed (6:25)
The Importance of Your Course Thumbnail (16:20)
Passive Income from Multiple Ranked Courses (1:22)
Adding to, Updating, & Improving Your Courses (1:42)
Scaling Up (Rinse & Repeat) (3:03)
Negative Reviews I've Gotten (5:06)
How to Remove Negative Reviews (9:13)
Module 3: Skillshare
Differences Between Skillshare & Udemy (13:06)
Important Information to Understand (6:18)
Uploading Process (8:46)
The Key to Promoting Skillshare Courses (9:24)
Creating Courses Strictly for Skillshare vs. Repurposing Content (9:22)
Ideal Length of a Skillshare Course (8:36)
How to Make More Money on Skillshare (4:20)
My Skillshare Revenue Report (10:50)
Adding Thumbnails (2:41)
Skillshare Payment Month 10 (4:22)
Skillshare Payment Month 11 (1:55)
Module 4: YouTube
This is NOT the Basics (3:32)
Different Ways to Make Money on YouTube (& Forms of Passive Income) (62:38)
The Best Way to Start a New Channel & Grow it Quickly (3:57)
Different Ways to Come Up with Content Ideas You Know Will Be Successful (14:24)
The Quality vs. Quantity Debate (2:43)
Should You Have a Normal Uploading Schedule (8:39)
EVERYTHING You Need to Know About Clickbait (5:36)
How to Rank Videos (6:20)
My YouTube Secret Weapon (9:11)
Best Way to Approach Thumbnails & Titles (1:44)
The 5 Major Algorithm Ranking Factors (22:54)
My Secret Growth Strategy (9:12)
EVERYTHING You Need to Know About Buying Subscribers, Views, Comments, & Likes (4:30)
Does Your Subscriber Number Actually Matter (16:51)
How to Triple Your Ad Revenue Immediately (9:28)
YouTube & Facebook (23:11)
YouTube & Instagram (6:31)
YouTube & Driving Sales Off YouTube (6:15)
EVERYTHING You Need to Know About the Description Box (10:39)
EVERYTHING You Need to Know About Tags (8:29)
Optimal Title Length for Maximum Views (4:32)
Keyword Phrases (10:50)
Calls to Action (9:49)
Responding to Comments (3:34)
Taking Control of Your Audience (3:20)
Importance of Scripting Your Videos (9:02)
3 Important Things EVERY Major YouTuber Has (6:54)
Tips for More Ad Revenue (9:45)
Enjoying the Process (1:14)
When to Use the Comment Method & Why I Stopped (9:09)
10 Ways to Get Your YouTube Videos to Perform Better (18:00)
8 Mistakes New YouTubers Make that Will Kill Your Channel (23:12)
How to Use Posts to Increase Engagement (4:35)
Module 5: Amazon Video Direct
Module Welcome (2:04)
How Much Can You Make Uploading Videos to Prime Video Direct (4:09)
Repurpose Content or Make New Content for Prime Video Direct (2:56)
Standalone vs. Episodic (4:20)
Images for Thumbnails (14:50)
Downloading SRT Files & Uploading Captions (3:34)
Important Things to Focus on When Creating Content for this Platform (2:16)
How to Upload Videos to Amazon Video Direct Tutorial (10:41)
Why the Difficult Barrier to Entry is a Good Thing (2:15)
How to Scale (2:01)
Why This is Such a Huge Opportunity (3:03)
Amazon Video Direct Terms of Service & Important Reminders (2:46)
Ratings Update (1:10)
Module 6: Multiple YouTube Channels & How to Turn YouTube Playlists into Courses
How to Turn Playlists to Courses (7:22)
Course Intros & Outros (1:30)
How to Turn it into a Free Course (3:39)
How to Turn it into a Paid Course (2:36)
Importance of Repurposing Content & Why You Should (3:01)
Multiple YouTube Accounts & Udemy Profiles for Many Income Streams (18:19)
Stack Commerce
Why Should You Upload to Stack Commerce (7:39)
How to Apply to Stack Commerce (4:20)
How to Upload a Course to Stack Commerce (4:14)
How You Get Paid on Stack Commerce (2:33)
Where Does Stack Commerce Sell Your Courses (2:48)
How Much Can You Expect to Make on Stack Commerce (5:41)
Module 7: Facebook Video
Facebook Video
Module 9: Now It's Up to You
Now It's Up to You (9:17)
Differences Between Skillshare & Udemy
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The NSA and the End of Privacy
- The NSA and the End of Privacy
- Public Opinion
This might be the end of the end of privacy. By releasing one warrant, four slides, and a few minutes of video about his motivation for doing so, Edward Snowden has opened up a firestorm of debate about what personal data is out there—and who's looking at it.
We confess our most private thoughts to search engines, broadcast our location for free drinks, let our cars be tracked for an insurance discount, and snap sexts trusting they'll be deleted, yet now we find ourselves suddenly howling with outrage over our privacy.
The fact that two major entities—government and multinational corporations—are interested in data comes as no surprise. What has been a jolt is just how much data is shared between them. Documents from Snowden detailed of a secret court order compelling Verizon to give the National Security Agency (NSA) its call records, and a still shadowy program called PRISM, in which gatekeepers of private communication—Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Yahoo, and Skype among them—have been handing over vast quantities of data to the NSA.
Two of a Kind
The New York Times has highlighted the revolving door between Silicon Valley and the government; in 2010 Facebook's then chief security officer Max Kelly left the company to work for the NSA. Other times the affinity was merely suspected, such as last year when Skype introduced supernodes to improve performance—and, many believed, allow easier access for law enforcement. Silicon Valley and the government's interest in data increasingly overlaps. Just three years ago, Google reached out to the NSA for assistance investigating an attack believed to have originated in China that targeted Chinese human rights activists' Gmail accounts. When the Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a Freedom of Information Act request for more details about Google's alliance with the NSA, a federal appeals court upheld the government's right to keep it secret.
Despite these past ties, many companies named in the PRISM leak have challenged Snowden's assertions. First was their near-universal, carefully worded (and extremely similar) denials that the NSA has direct access to their servers, as depicted in the slides used for training NSA analysts. Then Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, and Yahoo disclosed the number of customer data requests they've received overall (without NSA requests broken out, which are classified). Google is petitioning the NSA for the right to reveal the specific number of requests it's received. In a Congressional hearing the White House, several Congressmen, and the NSA stressed that the Verizon data does not include the content of calls, which is true as far as it goes, but omits how much about you can be determined by metadata, including your relationships and habits.
Snowden, in an open-forum Q&A on the Guardian site, held firm to his initial charges that the collaboration between tech companies and the NSA is more extensive than either have admitted. But while the extent to which they collude is in contention, the public is pushing back.


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Firstly, thank you all for another wonderful year. It's been a privilege to write for you all again in 2017, as it has been for each of the last five years. I wish you all the best for your Grand Finals this week. May you not only win, but win well!
Sam Docherty $522K (-$68.7K) AVE 116.0 – If you don't have him, you've surely just got to get him in for the last game of the year, despite being against the rampaging Swans. You've waited all year for this! Coming off a 144 and priced at his lowest for the season. 15 marks against Hawthorn last weekend was his best effort for 2017, collecting loose ball here there and everywhere.
Dayne Zorko $530K (-$62.9K) AVE 110.8 – Who could forget the 196 points he scored v Geelong in R16? The Magician has only been this cheap once this year, back in R8 and was back to some form with 115 in the game against the Dees. Grab him now for the wooden spoon decider v North Melbourne.
Rory Sloane $526K (-$65.0K) AVE 109.2 – 140 points now means Sloane has gone MASSIVE in three of his last five. As we know, he could be a big winner or a big loser for your side in your Grand Final.
Zach Merrett $488K (-$117.5K) AVE 108.0 – In some ordinary form it must be said, reaching 120 only once since R14, but he comes in at an affordable price point for that final trade if the money doesn't allow the pricier types. Coming up against the traveling Dockers, who looked disinterested against the Tiges on Sunday, the Dons could be in for a huge day with everything on the line.
Stefan Martin $477K (-$10.3K) AVE 99.1 – The cheapest of the five rucks who have managed over 95 ppg this year. If cash doesn't allow for Kreuzer or Ryder, Martin could be your man. He's up against the Roos in the final game of the round. With Goldstein in some shaky form, I'd back Martin to come home with the chocolates.
Elliot Yeo $474K (+$64.9K) AVE 103.3 – It was surprising to many that Yeo kept up a relatively solid level of consistency this season after burning a lot of coaches in previous years. 124 v the Giants last week was his biggest score since R7 with 30 disposals and 8 marks. Will that form continue in the do or die clash for the Eagles at Domain v the league leaders, Adelaide?


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This week we will be working with a distinction between two kinds of textual work: poetics and hermeneutics.1 This distinction is described well by a professor who teaches at Cornell University, Jonathan Culler, in his elegant little book Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction:
Poetics starts with attested meanings or effects and asks how they are achieved. (What makes this passage in a novel seem ironic? What makes us sympathize with this particular character? Why is the ending of this poem ambiguous?) Hermeneutics, on the other hand, starts with texts and asks what they mean, seeking to discover new and better interpretations. (61)
Most literary criticism will draw on the resources of both kinds of work when working on a text. We might be reading a short story, for example, and identify (or sympathize) with a character we might discuss how that identification would determine the meaning of the story (hermeneutics or interpretation). At the same time, we might discuss how the language of a story creates associations that undermine a narrative point of view or how a controlling metaphor reinforces gender associations (poetics).
When you are interpreting a text to determine what a text means you are involved in hermeneutics. This kind of writing in literary studies, as Jonathan Culler reminds us, comes out of law and religion, fields in which people are working to establish authoritative legal or religious interpretation to guide action (Literary Theory 61). The other interpretive project is poetics. This kind of writing, associated with linguistics and contemporary rhetoric, sets out to examine how texts are made, as well as to account for how the structure of a text (a sonnet, for example) achieves the effects that it does. Culler describes this basic distinction well. "Taking meanings or effects as the point of departure (poetics) is fundamentally different from seeking to discover meaning (hermeneutics)" (61).
Remember that attention to how the text is put together (poetics) will help you make a persuasive case; in fact, your interpretive writing will be in part judged by how well you reach your interpretive conclusions—what you are able to do with the elements of the text you highlight and use to support your conclusion.
Note The term poetics is used to talk about the theory or principles of making poems and, more broadly, in reference to the aesthetic principles of any subject or inquiry (Gaston Bachelard's The Poetics of Space comes to mind.) Poetics also refers to a body of writing that elaborates on these theories and principles, such as Aristotle's Poetics, Edgar Allen Poe's "Philosophy of Composition" or William Carlos Williams' "The Poem as a Field of Action." The term hermeneutics refers to principles employed in the interpretation (or exegesis) of religious writing or in the field of law ("legal hermeneutics"). The work often discussed in accounts of the hermeneutic tradition include Friedrich Schleiermacher, Wilhelm Dilthey, Hans Georg Gadamer and E.D.Hirsch.
Work Cited Jonathan Culler, Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford UP, 2007. Print.


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All Issues > Volume 16, Issue 5
Jesus told His disciples that He would be betrayed and even suffer the agony of crucifixion (see Lk 9:22). When we hear overwhelming news, we naturally feel like running away from reality. Thus, the apostles "were afraid to question Him about the matter" (Lk 9:45).
However, Jesus gave to His first disciples, and His disciples today, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is another Paraclete, Who comes to our side to comfort us and help us face reality (see Jn 14:26). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, Who lives within us and will always be there for us (Jn 14:17). With and in the Holy Spirit, we can face the reality of pain, rejection, persecution, and even death. In the Spirit, we will rise victorious (Rm 8:11) and live forever in the ultimate reality of seeing Jesus face to face in heaven. We can rejoice, come what may, when we pray: "Come, Holy Spirit!"


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Diamond Circle Excursion from Akureyri | Myvatn, Dettifoss, Asbyrgi
Witness the stunning landscapes of North Iceland on this guided Diamond Circle tour from Akureyri. Anyone looking to experience the volcanic landscapes and powerful waterfalls of the North should not let this opportunity pass.
Your adventure begins as you get picked up in a 4x4 vehicle in the morning and set out from Akureyri, Iceland's Capital of the North. The first stop will be at the majestic Goðafoss (the Waterfall of the Gods), named so because an Icelandic high chieftain thew his statues of the Norse Gods into the cascading falls to mark the nation's religious conversion to Christianity 1000 years ago.
Goðafoss is one of Iceland's most grand and powerful waterfalls, boasting a width of no less than 30 metres and a drop of 12 metres. Prepare to feel the rumbling beneath your feet as you feast your eyes on this natural wonder of the North.
Next up is the area around Lake Mývatn, where you will visit the boiling mud pits close to Námafjall Mountain. The landscape is that of great natural catastrophes as well as mysterious beauty. You will also be treated to a short stop by the crater Víti which sits by the infamous Krafla Volcano.
After having explored the Lake Mývatn area, you will continue to the waterfall Dettifoss, which surpasses even Goðafoss in size, boasting a drop of 45 metres and a width of 100 metres. Watch as the muddy glacial water cascades into one of Iceland's most impressive canyons below.
After visiting Dettifoss, your excursion continues alongside the Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon until you reach the scenic Vesturdalur Valley. From there, you will be brought to the echoing cliffs of Hljóðaklettar, known for their stunning basalt rock formations.
It's safe to say that you should bring an empty memory card since you will want to take an endless amount of photos of everything you see on your journey. The next stop of the tour is at the horseshoe-shaped canyon of Ásbyrgi, dedicated to the Norse Gods through the legend of Óðinn's horse Sleipnir who is reputed to have stepped his hoof down there from the heavens.
After all this incredible sightseeing, you will be treated to a lunch stop in the charming village of Húsavík before heading back to Akureyri, where you can reminisce about the sights you just saw with the rest of your travel companions.
Don't miss out on this incredible chance of witnessing some of the most celebrated pearls of North Iceland. Check availability by choosing a date.
Quick facts
- Available: Jun. - Oct.
- Duration: 10 hours
- Activities: Sightseeing
- Difficulty: Easy
- Languages: English
- Attractions: North Iceland,
North Iceland is a beautiful region, hosting some of the best attractions on the island.
Home to the Lake Mývatn region, the town of Akureyri (otherwise known as the 'Capital of the North'), the whale-watching hot-spot of Húsavík and the northern parts of Vatnajökull National Park, the North attracts visitors throughout the year.
It is divided by fjords and mountain ranges into many beautiful regions.
Within the bay of Eyjafjörður is Akureyri, a town of 17,000 inhabitants. It is the largest settlement outside of the Greater Reykjavík Area.
It is easy to reach via the Ring Road, and many cruise ships land in the port of the town.
The older part of Akureyri is particularly worth a stroll, as it contains many historic buildings. The town is also home to many interesting museums, galleries, and the world's northernmost botanical gardens.
If you like skiing or snowboarding, one of the best skiing sites in the country is located nearby.
Siglufjörður straddles the border of Eyjafjörður and Skagafjörður and is most famously home to a charming settlement of the same name.
Other than its natural beauty, with huge cliffs bordering the town, Siglufjörður is renowned for its fascinating museums.
There is a folk music museum, which comes alive during an annual festival, and the Herring Era Museum. The latter is the only Icelandic museum to win an international award and is much more interesting than it sounds; it explains how Iceland managed to survive a millennium in such harsh climes by relying on the seas.
The Vatnsnes Peninsula
The Vatnsnes Peninsula gets its fame for two reasons. Firstly, it is the best seal-watching location in the whole country, with colonies hauling out throughout the year. In the town of Hvammstangi, you can visit the Icelandic Seal Centre to learn more about these animals.
It is also famous for hosting the coastal rock formation of Hvítserkur. This bizarre feature is said to be a troll frozen by the light of the morning sun, but to most, it appears to be more like an elephant drinking from the ocean.
Þingeyjarsýsla county is home to many incredible sites, particularly due to the fact that the Lake Mývatn region is nestled within it. This beautiful area is renowned for its lava formations, pseudocraters and rich birdlife.
Near Mývatn is the impressive lava field Dimmuborgir, which was featured in the Game of Thrones series. There is also the incredible waterfall Goðafoss, a beautiful feature between Lake Mývatn itself and Akureyri.
Húsavík is a nearby town, considered the whale watching capital of Europe. In summer, many operators see Humpback Whales every time they leave the port.
The Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon is home to some of Iceland's most beloved natural attractions; the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum runs through it and holds several waterfalls including Europe's most powerful, Dettifoss. Nearby to here is the spectacular, horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon.
Far north, straddling the Arctic Circle is Grímsey island, the northernmost inhabited territory of Iceland, with a population of about 100 people. It is renowned for its fishing, its rich vegetation and birdlife, particularly puffins.Húsavík,
Húsavík, by Skjálfandi Bay in North Iceland, is a town of just over two thousand people. It is considered to be one of the best places in Europe for whale watching in the summer.
Whale Watching in Husavik
Húsavík is often nicknamed the whale watching capital of Europe, due to the fact that throughout the vast majority of summers, tour operators have 100% sighting rates.
Humpback Whales are the most common species in Skjálfandi Bay. These gentle giants are renowned for being possibly the most entertaining of the great whales to observe, due to the fact they always show their tail before a dive, and exhibit many other behaviours at the surface, such as breaching and fin slapping.
Other animals that reside within the bay include White Beaked Dolphins and Harbour Porpoises. It is not at all unheard of, however, for Fin and Blue Whales to be seen, nor Orcas or Belugas.
Many whale watching tours also include a puffin-watching component.
Other Activities in Husavik
Húsavík is home to the Húsavíkurkirkja church, a beautiful wooden structure built in 1907 and the civic museum for culture and biology, which amongst other things features a stuffed polar bear and ancient boats, bearing witness to the history of seafaring in Iceland.
There is also an Exploration Museum on the spirit of discovery, from early explorations to space missions.
Near to Húsavík is the Lake Mývatn area, a place of diverse, natural beauty, with a wealth of geological features. It is also close to the capital of the North, Akureyri.
In Húsavík you'll also find cute cafés and restaurants offering tasty treats, and you'll have a gorgeous view over the Skjálfandi Bay. There is a wealth of accommodation options available, from nice hotels to cabins and hostels.
History of Husavik
Húsavík means 'the Bay of Houses', as according to legend, it was settled before the official 'settlement date' of 874 AD.
Garðar Svavarsson was a Swede who wintered in Iceland in 870 AD. According to legend and Sagas, he left a man called Náttfari and two slaves to tend a farm here. It is said that the town was named after their houses.Ásbyrgi,
Ásbyrgi Canyon is a spectacular horseshoe-shaped depression in the northeast of Iceland, steeped in folklore.
It is found only fifty miles east of Húsavík along the popular Diamond Circle route.
Geography of Ásbyrgi Canyon
This beloved natural feature measures approximately 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) in length and 1.1 kilometres (0.7 miles) in width. It is only a small corner of the extensive and dramatic Vatnajökull National Park, but undoubtedly one of its most breathtaking.
Visitors to Ásbyrgi will quickly take note of the canyon's 100 metre (328) feet high cliff faces, as well as the thick woodland of birch and willow below, creating an area quite unlike that found anywhere else across Iceland.
Other tree species here include spruce, larch and pine, and there is a small lake called Botnstjörn which visitors can hike to. One of the canyon's most distinctive features is Eyjan ("The Island"), a 25m rock formation that divides Ásbyrgi for almost half its length.
Formation and Folklore of Ásbyrgi Canyon
Geologists estimate that Ásbyrgi Canyon began to form roughly eight to ten million years ago, just after the last Ice Age, following a catastrophic glacial flooding of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river. This flooding likely occurred due to a volcanic eruption beneath the ice-cap, Vatnajökull glacier.
Later, only 3000 years ago, this process repeated itself, further sculpting the soul-stirring, spectacular gorge that we know and love today.
With that being said, Icelandic folklore dictates an alternative theory, as it does with many of the landmarks around the country. Given the canyon's horseshoe shape, legend has it that Odin's eight-legged steed, Sleipnir, placed one of his feet on the ground here, leaving a deep imprint on the earth, as it sprinted across the sky.
A wealth of art and literature has depicted Sleipnir as Ásbyrgi's true creator. Other myths claim that Ásbyrgi is the capital city and true home to Iceland's 'hidden people', the Huldufólk and elves. Many of Iceland's folk stories revolve around these strange, magical people and the bizarre punishments and plots.
Self-professed psychics have claimed that they can see and hear these mystical beings living in cracks and ravines of the canyon. Much more likely to be hidden in the woodland, however, are Arctic Foxes.
Attractions near Ásbyrgi Canyon
Thankfully, a number of other fascinating attractions are easily accessible from Ásbyrgi Canyon. One could visit Hljóðaklettar, a strange and enchanting cluster of columnar rock formations located in the neighbouring Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.
Nearby, there is also Europe's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, a striking and mighty spectacle for any observer; glacial water from the Jökulsá á Fjöllum cascades 44 metres (144 ft) over the lip of the falls, culminating in a misty, roaring spray.
The video below shows one of Iceland's most famous post-rock bands, Sigur Ros, who chose to play an outdoor concert at Ásbyrgi in 2006, only adding to the area's rich and ethereal atmosphere. This and the rest of their performances can be seen in the film Heima (2007).Goðafoss,
Goðafoss waterfall is located in the river Skjálfandafljót in north Iceland, the fourth largest river in Iceland. It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country, falling from a height of 12 metres (39 feet) over a width of 30 metres (98 feet).
History of Goðafoss
The name Goðafoss means either waterfall of the gods or waterfall of the 'goði' (i.e. priest/ chieftain). The reason for this is its fascinating history.
When Iceland was first settled in the 9th and 10th Centuries, the vast majority (who were not slaves, at least) were Norwegians who followed the Old Norse religion, worshipping deities like Thor, Odin, Loki and Freya. However, after the Commonwealth was established in 930 AD, pressure to convert began to push from Christianising Europe.
By 1000 AD, it seemed that Norway would almost certainly invade if the country were to stand by their pagan beliefs. The issue was thus discussed at Þingvellir, where the parliament met once a year. The lawspeaker at the time, the Ásatrú priest (or goði) Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, was given the responsibility to make the decision.
It is said he sat beneath a birch for a day and a night in silence, praying to his Old Gods for the right decision. Eventually, he emerged and said, for the good of the people, Christianity would be the official religion, but pagans could practice in private.
To symbolise his decision, he returned to his home in north Iceland and threw idols of the Old Gods into a beautiful waterfall. Since then, it would be known as Goðafoss.
Getting to Goðafoss
Goðafoss is located in north Iceland, on the Ring Road that fully encircles the country. It is considered part of the Diamond Circle sightseeing route.
This trail also takes visitors to the Lake Mývatn area, Dettifoss Waterfall, Ásbyrgi Canyon and the town of Húsavík.
Mývatn is a beautiful lake, filled with a wealth of birdlife, and it is renowned for it incredible surroundings, which include fortresses and of lava, geothermal areas, craters and basalt pillars. Dettifoss is another waterfall, and though it does not have the history of Goðafoss, it has much more power; it is, in fact, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
Ásbyrgi Canyon, meanwhile, is also linked to the Old Norse Gods. Its perfect horseshoe shape was said to have been created by the stomping of one of the hoofs of the eight-legged steed of Odin. The final destination on the Diamond Circle is Húsavík, the best place for whale-watching in Iceland.
Outside of the Diamond Circle, Goðafoss, is easily reached by travelling for 45 minutes east by car from the capital of the north, Akureyri.
This is the largest settlement outside of the Greater Reykjavík Area and is a perfect place to stay for those travelling the circle around the country. It is a renowned cultural centre, with many museums, galleries and the world's northernmost botanical gardens. Many tours depart from here.
Goðafoss can be reached throughout the year, although drivers in winter will want to be sure that they rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle.Dettifoss,
Dettifoss is a waterfall found in North Iceland, said to be the most powerful in Europe. It is regularly visited on Diamond Circle tours and should not be missed by any visiting the region.
Dettifoss is fed by the powerful glacier river Jökulsá á Fjöllum which flows from the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull. The thunderous falls has an average waterflow of 193 metres cubed per second (6,186 cubic feet). It is 100 metres (330 feet) wide and plummets 45 metres (150 feet) down into Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.
This canyon is in the northern part of the greater Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in the country, thus Dettifoss is well protected.
Also within this canyon, fed by the river of Jökulsá á Fjöllum, are two more impressive waterfalls, Selfoss (not to be mistaken with the southern town of the same name) and Hafragilsfoss.
Surrounding Sites
Dettifoss is located north of the Ring Road that encircles Iceland, bypassing only the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the west. There are two routes that connect the Ring Road to Dettifoss. However, traversing those in the winter can be difficult, even with a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
The most significant settlement near Dettifoss is the town of Akureyri, or 'the Capital of the North'. With over ten thousand people, it is the largest town outside of the Greater Reykjavík Area. It is an excellent place to stop and rest for those visiting the North or encircling Iceland.
Another town of significance in the area is Húsavík, a coastal town that claims the title of the best whale watching town in all of Europe. In summer, operators usually have 100% success rates in terms of sightings. The most common species are humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises, although blue, fin, sei, beaked, pilot, beluga and killer whales are seen on rare occasions.
Between Akureyri and Dettifoss is the Lake Mývatn area. This beautiful expanse is renowned for its wealth of flora and fauna, particularly its birdlife; dozens of species can be found here, particularly ducks.
It is also renowned for its spectacular geology, with its pseudocraters, basalt pillars, and the lava field of Dimmuborgir which is said to be the home of Iceland's thirteen 'Santas', who are traditionally vindictive trolls more than they are jolly gift-givers.
Dimmuborgir and Mývatn were both used as a set in the Game of Thrones franchise, for many scenes North of the Wall. Dettifoss, meanwhile, was used in the opening scene of the 2012 film Prometheus, where the black rocks and dramatic scenery allowed it to represent an alien landscape.
Another waterfall sits on the Ring Road between Akureyri and Mývatn: Goðafoss. Though not as great as Dettifoss, its history is deeper; it was there in 1000 AD that Iceland's lawspeaker symbolised the country's shift from believing in the Old Norse Gods to believing in Christianity by throwing idols into the waterfall.
North of Dettifoss, one can find the incredible canyon of Ásbyrgi. This canyon is shaped like a giant horseshoe and filled with verdant greenery. It is so perfectly formed and dramatic that it was originally believed to have been created by the stomping of one of the hoofs of the eight-legged horse of the Old Norse God Odin.Hljóðaklettar,
Hljodaklettar ('Echo Rocks') is a distinctive cluster of columnar rock formations, located by Jokulsargljufur in Vatnajokull National Park.
Hljóðaklettar stand at the entrance to Vesturdalur, down by the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum. The columns lie at all angles and derive their name from the strange echoes created by the numerous caves and uncommon rock formations.
Taking a walk through the circular trail of this area will show you some of the most famous formations.
The first rock you will see is called Kastili or 'the Castle.' This sits on the opposite bank of a river, with two main pillars giving it a fortress-like appearance.
The next formation is Tröllið 'the Troll.' Many rock formations in Iceland were believed to be trolls who are turned into stone if they are touched by sunlight.
The next is Kirkjan, 'the Church.' This formation is an almost perfect arch which is actually the entrance to a cave.Jökulsárgljúfur,
Jökulsárgljúfur is a canyon in Iceland that was once its own national park; now, it is part of the greater Vatnajökull National Park. This ravine is best known for holding spectacular waterfalls.
The Waterfalls of Jökulsárgljúfur
Jökulsárgljúfur canyon is best known for being home to the most powerful waterfall in Europe, the almighty Dettifoss. With a waterflow of 183 cubic metres (1970 cubic feet) per second, it is awe-inspiring, throwing off great plumes of mist and drenching those who get too close. Besides its strength, it is impressive in terms of its scale; the falls are about 100 metres (330 feet) wide, and 44 metres (144 feet) tall.
The river that Dettifoss is a part of is called the Jökulsá á Fjöllum, the second longest river in Iceland. It holds two more waterfalls within Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon. Upriver from Dettifoss is Selfoss, not to be confused with the town of the same name in south Iceland. Downriver is Hafragilsfoss.
Other Sites in Jökulsárgljúfur
Jökulsárgljúfur has many features that draw guests besides its waterfalls. Particularly of note is the 'Rock of Echoes', Hjlóðaklettur, where the lava twists into beautiful shapes and carries the sound in a mystical way. Rauðhólar, or the red mountain, is also worth visiting, due to its beautiful, vivid colouration.
Just north of Jökulsárgljúfur is Ásbyrgi. This incredible feature is a vast, horseshoe-shaped canyon, filled with verdant forest. It is so dramatic that those who believed in the Old Norse Gods thought it was created when one of the hoofs of the eight-legged horse of the god Oðin came crashing into the earth.
Jökulsárgljúfur is best visited by those staying in east Iceland, in a settlement such as Egilsstaðir, or in north Iceland, in Akureyri, Husavík or Lake Mývatn. Those travelling the Ring Road between these two destination will pass by it, and absolutely should make the detour to see it.Skjalfandafljot,
Skjálfandafljót is a glacier river that has its source at Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. It is 180 kilometres long, making it the fourth-longest river in Iceland.
The water in the river is not solely glacial, much springwater pours into it from the Ódaðahraun lava field, hence there is much trout and salmon in it. Several beautiful waterfalls are found in Skjálfandafljót, i.e. Aldeyjarfoss, Hrafnabjargafoss and Goðafoss. The river is also highly popular for rafting.Selfoss (waterfall),
Selfoss is a beautiful waterfall in north Iceland, often visited on Diamond Circle tours.
It is not to be confused with the town of the same name in Iceland's south.
Selfoss Waterfall
Selfoss is much wider than it is tall; its height is eleven metres (36 feet) while its width is around 100 metres (330 feet).
It is fed by the Jökulsá á Fjöllum, a glacier river with its routes in Vatnajökull glacier. Though the waterflow decreases in winter, Selfoss is very powerful throughout the year.
Those who get too close will get wet, and visitors are warned to be careful of the slippery rocks around it.
Surroundings of Selfoss Waterfall
Selfoss waterfall is sadly often overlooked in favour of its neighbour, Dettifoss. Just slightly downstream, Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and four times as tall as Selfoss.
Downstream from Dettifoss is Hafragilsfoss, another beautiful falls.
All three of these rivers are located in the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, an area so beautiful it was once its own national park. Since, it has been enveloped into the greater Vatnajökull National Park.Víti in Krafla,
Víti is an explosion crater in the Krafla fissure area of north Iceland.
Wikimedia, Creative Commons, Photo by Christian Wirth
The Two Víti craters
It is one of the two most famous Víti craters in Iceland, the other being Víti in Askja. The name of both means' hell', in reference to the violence in the past.
This particular Víti was formed in 1724 by a massive eruption in part of the Krafla volcanic region. This event lasted, in its entirety, for five years, and was called the Mývatn Fires. Jets of lava shooting in the sky were said to have been visible from the South Coast.
The 18th Century had several major eruptions throughout the country, including the notorious Laki, the ash cloud of which plunged Europe into famine.
The diameter of the crater is around 300 meters; it is much better known, however, for the aqua blue water that sits within it year-round. This vivid colouration is due to elements brought up from the geothermal activity in the area.
Like other explosion craters in the country, such as Hverfell, Víti in Krafla was formed by a sudden, powerful ejection of magma from right beneath the surface.
Víti in Krafla
The Krafla volcanic area, which is 10 kilometres wide and 90 kilometres long, is one of the most active parts of the country, with at least other twenty eruptions since settlement. This is comparable to other notorious volcanoes like Hekla and Katla. Krafla sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and is what provides the popular Lake Mývatn Region with popular attractions such as its hot springs, lava fields, and other craters.
One of Iceland's most beloved poets, Jonas Hallgrimsson, wrote the poem 'Víti' inspired by the crater, which was later set to choral music by Icelandic composer Jon Leifs. This impressive piece now has a record performed by the Icelandic University Choir.
Víti can be easily visited on tours from Akureyri and Mývatn, although usually only in summer. Some operators include it in their Diamond Circle sightseeing tours.Námafjall Geothermal Area
The Námafjall Geothermal Area is located in Northeast Iceland, on the east side of Lake Mývatn.
At this area, also known as Hverir, you will see many smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots, surrounded by sulphur crystals of many different colours. This sulphur gives the area an overwhelming smell of egg.
The soil in the area has little vegetation due to the acidity caused by these geothermal processes.
Around the area is a small hiking trail up to Námaskarð pass and Námafjall mountain, which returns to the highway and the parking lot.
In 1969 a geothermal power plant was built west of the Námafjall Area. The plant currently produces 3MW of geothermal energy.
Concerns have raised over current plans to expand the plant to 90 MW. In particular, there have been worries in regards to the effect of the plant on the delicate ecosystem of Lake Mývatn. The head of an environmental NGO has recently called for a new environmental impact assessment on the plans, and the matter continues to be debated.
Pickup time : 07:50.
Please be at your pickup location in time for your departure. Should your pickup location be at a bus stop and you need assistance finding it, seek guidance in your Hotel's reception or contact your tour provider directly.
English guide
Transportation in a 4x4 vehicle
Lunch (we will stop at a café in Húsavík)
What to bring:
Warm clothes
Good shoes
Good to know:
Please consider that even though the tour has no age limit, it is approximately 15 hours long which might not suit the stamina of very young children. We recommend bringing snacks or packed lunch for the journey, as well as bottled water, but we will also stop at a café in Húsavík before heading back to Akureyri at the end of the tour.


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Bay of Pigs Museum
Bay of Pigs Museum © Panther
In April 1961, the United States (under the auspices of the CIA) launched an attack on Fidel Castro's government, attempting to overthrow it by securing the beach-head at Playa Gíron. The 'Bay of Pigs' invasion, as it has come to be known, was a humiliating failure for the US, only serving to strengthen the Cuban people's support of Castro.
Today, the fascinating Bay of Pigs Museum (Muséo Playa Gíron) stands as a simple record of the Cuban force's victory. Visitors can view maps and displays detailing the course of events as they transpired, as well as actual planes flown by the Cuban army during the siege, fragments of shot-down enemy planes, tanks, mortars and machine guns used in the battle, plus much more. There is also a touching exhibition of photographs and biographies of the 156 Cuban soldiers that were killed during the invasion.
Anyone with even a passing interest in modern history - or how US foreign policy has shaped the world in which we live - will find the Bay of Pigs Museum utterly enthralling. Budget at least two hours to take it all in.
Address: Playa Gíron