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Dan Prock on Leading Lean Projects
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:34 — 14.5MB)
For this episode of the Tom on Leadership podcast, I interviewed veteran Lean expert and coach Dan Prock on the topic of Leading Lean.
Same Blueprint, 30% Cheaper, 50% Better
Dan's first exposure to Lean came when he worked at Cummins making locomotive engines.
Their Japanese counterpart, Komatsu, made locomotive engines using the same blueprints, but Komatsu's were being made at 30% lower cost, and 50 to 60% better quality. Dan's boss figured that Cummins had five to 10 years before Komatsu put them out of business — long enough for Cummins to figure out how to learn from the Japanese.
And Cummins did, and Dan was part of that Lean Journey. That led Dan to get a Masters and PhD, and uncover the limits of what engineering can do to make production and improvement work.
Command and Control does't work. It harms people's ability to find their own intrinsic motivation. An ideal size for a shop is 200 people. As organization size grows, we almost inevitably create silos, which ignores the flow of value creation to the customer.
If not Command and Control, then what?
The Lean approach is coaching. A Lean coach won't give you answers, but will guide you to find your own answers, and will ensure you become an answer-creator in your own right.
The Coaching Kata
There are these basic steps to improvement.
Dan suggests one start with a measurement — using metrics that areprocess oriented. (Most traditional management metrics won't work.) For example, you might notice that lead time on producing something is, say, eight days. And we ask, what's a reasonable target to go for? Suppose you target six days.
Second, with the measurement chosen, you now go look at what's stopping you from being at six days. You use the scientific method.
You go to wherever the work is, and look at what's happening. In manufacturing, you look at the steps to process the materials, assemble them, and so on. In service work you look at the steps to deliver the service. What's taking the longest? What's the bottleneck? Where is there delay or rework?
Third, you analyze each process step that might be slowing you down, and problem solve. Can we run a second shift on this one machine that's our bottleneck? Is it breaking down a lot? Can we cross train people to increase bandwidth? Re-engineer this process to take less time?
And each week you ask, are we better than last week?
No Big Assessment
The Kata says, don't bother with an assessment period. Assessments generally result in a long list of things to fix, and 95% never get fixed. So creating that list is waste. Don't bother. Look for a large improvement opportunity, and fix what you find. Simplify things.
Each time you hit a goal, you can step back and ask, do we want to reduce time more, or work on quality now, or what? And you pick what's most important to fix or improve.
Leaders Don't Give Answers
A good leader who is coaching, acts a little like a cast for a broken bone. The cast holds the two ends of the broken bone in alignment, close to each other, not moving. The natural healing action of the bone can then knit the break.
As a leader who is coaching, you hold your people and the work close to each other. You don't let people wander away. You don't reach into the gap and take their work away from them. You hold them in your focus, so they hold the problem in their focus. The natural desire of the worker to improve their work, plus some training on how to solve problems, allows workers to do the work and solve the problem and fix the process.
A good coach has what Dan calls "kaizen mind" or a psychology focused on purpose and presence.
The coach always knows what purpose or intent she has for each meeting, each conversation, etc.
Then the coach has awareness and is fully present with the other person or people. With practice, one can maintain presence under pressure. That's vital because under pressure one becomes tempted to break the Lean culture and revert to Command and Control.
No Grasping
When one focuses on excellence and process, and lets go of any particular outcome, one can avoid the ways that grasping harms the mind.
Grasping disturbs the mind in three ways:
- You're not fully present. The grasping mind is half in the future.
- You're unable to see clearly. The desired thing seems artificially good, and you ignore risks, flaws, tradeoffs, and drawbacks.
- You feel separate from the thing you grasp for — as if, without it, you yourself are incomplete.
You can have the good parts of ambition without the downsides of grasping. To do that, become focused on the excellence of the work process, not on the work outcome.
It's no surprise that Coach John Wooden never asked his players to win a game (an outcome) but only on whether they were doing their best in the moment (process).
Or as David Marquet would ask, "Looking back at it tomorrow or a year from now, what will we wish we'd done?"
As Dan puts it, "Every day do continuous improvement. All others, case by case." Even if you do break your process to ship order X, come back the next day and return to your focus on continuous improvement.
Leading Lean and the School for Problem Solving
If you try to copy Toyota, you'll fail. That's because Toyota is not an organization focused on making cars. It's a school for solving problems.
What we see as The Toyota Way (of making cars) is nothing but the output of the Toyoto School for Solving Problems.
If someone were to give you a perfect replica of someone else's Lean production process, you couldn't sustain it. (The track record of people sustaining Lean after copying the Toyota Production System is about 10%.)
When you transform the workplace into a school for solving problems, Lean results. And it's sustainable.
You have to be a gardener. Lean is not mechanical – it's grown organically through Leading Lean.
About Dan
After a BS in engineering and a Ph.D. in Psychology Dan interned at AT&T. He worked as an internal facilitator at Cummins Engine and later consulting for the Kaizen Institute of America and Optiprise Consulting. He led hundreds of kaizen events at manufacturers including GM and Robert Bosch, and in services at Hertz Rental Car, Citco financial, and others. He has coached leaders in value stream transformations and in the coaching skills of Toyota kata. He is currently available at senseiway.com, the web site of his forthcoming book.


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It's not that everyone operates like this, it's just that I was always content with Pineapple Chicken prior to 2006, which doesn't really even count as Chinese food.
I once ate at the Indian buffet when we lived in DC and it didn't ring my bell. "Too stewy," I said. Like a fool.
Long story short, GIVE ME ALL THE INTERNATIONAL CUISINES.
And if it sounds too complicated, it's totally not. You probably just need to go to bed earlier tomorrow night or take a mental health day. WE CAN MARINATE CHICKEN IN AROMATIC OIL. I promise we can.
Grilled Tandoori Chicken Thighs
Indian-Style Stir Fried Cabbage
Mango Salsa - Dice one mango and one peeled cucumber. Stir together with the juice of half a lime, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro.
Since food and books pair together like, well, food and books, I'm going to go ahead and blab about what I've been reading.
Example: "Mom, if you could be the daughter of any of the Greek gods, who would you pick?"
These seem so odd to me. There are a bajillion. Sports fairies. Flower fairies. Science fairies. Gymnastics fairies. (???) Weather fairies. (Not even playing.) Baby Animal Rescue fairies. Rock-and-Roll fairies. School fairies. Not to be outshined by...the Green fairies. (Again, ????? To all of it.)
That's what we're eating and reading.
How about you?


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Add to history
Spy serial in seven episodes from the novel by John Le Carre. Pym has disappeared, setting off a massive man-hunt. One of Britain's top spies, Pym is also searching - for his true identity, hidden beneath a lifetime of deception. His quest takes him from his relationship with his con-man father to his betrayal of everything close to him: his wife, his country, even the high-ranking Eastern agent whom he befriended. Pursued by his agency and his enemies, Pym must find himself before his hunters find him.


text: It's silky smoothness leads the way to an extraordinary rich nutty flavor. We start with fresh cream from pastured cows and add our unique culture blend, perfectly enhancing the natural flavors of the cream. We merged the best of Irish fresh cream butter and French cultured butter to come up with this tantalizing rich home style spread. Just like the wives of dairy farmers in Ireland have done for centuries, we hand-churn each batch. The result is a delightfully fresh and creamy butter, bursting with flavor.


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Hello boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen… and welcome to our Best Drones Under $1000 article. Today, we will be focusing on premium models that, you've guessed it, have premium price tags to their names. But, don't despair if your budget isn't that deep – there are a few models that go for much less than $1000… but still, provide somewhat of premium-grade performance.
Table: 10 Best Drone Under $1000 :
|Best Price
|22 min
|See best offer
|9. DJI Spark
|15 min
|See best offer
|8. Parrot Bebop 2
|22 min
|See best offer
|7. Yuneec Q500
|20 min
|See best offer
|6. GoPro Karma
|20 min
|See best offer
|5. DJI Phantom 3
|22 min
|See best offer
|4. DJI Phantom 4
|25 min
|See best offer
|3. Yuneec Typhoon H
|23 min
|See best offer
|2. Autel X-Star
|25 min
|See best offer
|1. DJI Mavic Pro
|25 min
|See best offer
On the other hand, for all of you who just want to buy the very best drone out there so they can play with it and fly it around wherever they want… my oh my, we have a couple of special treats for you… But, before jumping straight to the list, first, we have to make sure you get your expectations straight. That's why I came up with a couple of introductory chapters that will guide you through the most important aspects.
If you are looking for a great mid-tier drone with a solid camera, GPS and great flight speed, then AEE AP11 is the right one for you. Before jumping to the explanation of this drone, I must warn you that it's not a mainstream model. It's made by AEE, a rather unknown company… but a company that did a fairly good job with their lineup of AP drones.
In addition to this one, there are also AP9 and AP10, both of which offer pretty solid value for money. But, today we'll be focusing on AP11 so let's jump straight to action and see what's it all about!
Not only does AEE AP11 have an exceptional camera that records 16MP still images and FHD footage at 60 frames per second, but it also possesses a great 3-axis gimbal stabilization system that ensures optimal image and video stability. 6800mAH LiPo battery is in charge of its operations and, quite frankly, it does its job really well by offering up to 25 minutes of flight time on a single charge. I doubt you will need more than that for casual use. Add roughly 500 meters of operating range to the equation and you'll realize what a great mid-tier choice AEE AP11 is.
Features wise, this little fella comes with failsafe function, auto return to home and (as we already mentioned) GPS. All things considered, it is a solid looking drone with more than good specs and features. It definitely has what it takes to give you a ton of drone-flying fun!
9. DJI Spark
Truth be told, when I first started making the Best Drones Under $1000 list, I wanted to place DJI Spark on a much higher position than this one… But then it hit me – people want to see more expensive models on this list so they'll hate it if there's a $500 sitting at the top. That's why I pushed it back to the 9th spot and am introducing it as a great value for money alternatives…
For those of you who don't know about this little birdie, we're talking about the newest drone made by DJI which is, size-wise, on a completely different level than all previous models… Heck, even DJI Mavic Pro seems like a big bulky chunk of electric circuitry in comparison to this little fella. As a matter of fact, it's so tiny you can easily place it into your front pocket – as simple as that.
It's pretty much why people love it so much – DJI Spark is insanely easy to carry around. Plus, it has some serious power underneath that stylish hood. We're talking about roughly 15 minutes of flying time and cca 2 kilometers of operating range if you pair it up with its dedicated controller. Furthermore, it's also noteworthy to add that DJI Spark incorporates a miniature FHD camera with 2-axis gimbal for optimal image stabilization.
So, needless to say, this little birdie is a genuine aerial photography platform. Even more so considering it has excellent features to go alongside its already magnificent overall performance. You see, DJI Spark comes with full DJI GO app support which means it has access to a ton of handy features including ActiveTrack and TapFly. Moreover, it also has a couple of specialized ones such as PalmLaunch and PalmControl. You've guessed it – what these features do is they essentially allow you to take full control over the Spark by using only hand gestures.
8. Parrot Bebop 2
Parrot is yet another extremely popular drone manufacturer. Their collection includes awesome drones such as Bebop and AR, but just recently they came out with an upgrade to their Bebop flagship. It's the second generation of that model so it is only logical that they give it the name Bebop 2. But, what is this upgraded version capable of? Well, why don't we take a closer look and see what's it all about!
On the outside, Bebop 2 looks quite similar to its predecessor. There are a couple of design tweaks here and there but most of it has remained the same. On the inside is where things are much different. Take battery, for example, Bebop had a 1200mAh one that could last up to 11 minutes in the air while Bebop 2 has 2700mAh one and it can last up to 25 minutes.
Bebop 2 is significantly faster than its predecessor and has a superior flight range. This is especially true when paired with the Sky Controller which boosts the range up to 2 kilometers which are, how should I put it lightly… spectacular!
And last but not least, the camera, and believe me when I say that it's not to be taken for granted either. Bebop 2 sports a full HD wide lens camera that is able to capture quite the aerial shots. If you are looking for a solid all-around drone with great specifications, it is quite clear that you cannot go wrong with Parrot's Bebop 2!
7. Yuneec Typhoon Q500
Yuneec is one of the most popular drone manufacturers nowadays. Some would say they go shoulder to shoulder with DJI, even though I am not sure whether that's true or not. But, what I am sure about is the fact that Yuneec Q500 is an excellent choice for all of you who are looking for a great aerial photography platform. Is that really so? Well, there's only one way to find out…
First of all, let's start with photography. At an unbelievable price, Yuneec Q500 offers a breathtaking experience with its 4k camera capable of providing you with FPV flight. Moreover, it also comes with an excellent controller featuring a large LCD display for FPV purposes. Additionally, it also sports GPS as well as other interesting features including a return to home and altitude hold.
All things considered, Yuneec Q500 seems like a proper refreshment in the higher end drone market with its spectacular performance… and we haven't even gotten to its respective specifications!
With over 800 meters of range and up to 25 minutes of flight time is some serious power. Even though it still cannot be compared to Phantom 3's (and above) specs, the Q500 manages to compensate for that in other aspects such as the build quality. All things considered, Q500 is a great drone that will continue making a name for itself on the market.
6. GoPro Karma
Truthfully, GoPro took much longer to enter the drones' market than I initially expected. But is their Karma drone any good? Well, that heavily depends on what sort of experience you want from your next drone… and quite frankly, Karma gives out an outright unconventional one. Why is that so? Well, here's the thing…
Even though it was supposed to be a direct competitor to DJI Mavic Pro, GoPro Karma had a particularly tough launch due to technical issues that ruined its chances. Luckily, that's all fixed now… but it still cannot go anywhere near DJI's foldable masterpiece. However, what GoPro Karma does better is provide more versatility to its users with included Karma Grip, a specialized stabilizer which can either be handheld or body-mounted. With Karma Grip, it's obvious that GoPro aims not only at drone enthusiasts but at professional photographers as well…
And they're making that quite clear with 3-axis gimbal in combination with one of their HERO action cameras. With such exceptional imaging solutions, there's no doubt GoPro Karma can capture extraordinary aerial footage. But, when it comes to specifications, that's where it lacks the most… at least in comparison to DJI Mavic. GoPro Karma has an operating range of up to 3 kilometers and its battery lasts approximately 17 minutes.
It's a bit bulkier than Mavic Pro too, but it's nothing drastic. The foldable format keeps it out of the dirt and rounds up what seems to be a decent package… but nowhere near DJI Mavic Pro!
5. DJI Phantom 3 Professional
After that miniature DJI Spark, it is time to go for the golden middle… and this time around, that place belongs to none other than DJI Phantom 3 Pro. The third installment in DJI's Phantom lineup is nothing short of spectacular. Especially the Pro edition which has some good upgrades including better camera (4K at 30fps), longer flight range, Lightbridge video downlink and GPS/GLONASS dual positioning modules.
All of this makes the Professional version a much more versatile drone that can be used for a wide variety of possible applications. When it comes to build quality, I am sure you already realize that DJI did not let anything bad slip away under the radar. The quality is perfect as expected, even though there aren't that many changes in the entire Phantom lineup.
As always, DJI takes good care when it comes to features as well so it is no surprise to see that DJI Phantom 3 Professional has a whole plethora of them. Needless to say, these are just some of the reasons why this drone is considered one of the best ever made.
Even though time has obviously taken a fair share of toll, DJI Phantom 3 Pro is still not falling too short from newer models… at least when it comes to specifications. To elaborate, DJI Phantom 3 Pro has approximately 25 minutes of flight time and roughly 5 kilometers of the range which is, you'll have to admit it, pretty good for an aging drone…
4. DJI Phantom 4
Even though it is pretty difficult to find this drone under $1,000 (then again, it is on sale frequently), we decided to place it on our list because let's face it, what kind of a list would it be without DJI Phantom 4, the God among drones… This little fella has it all. In other words, if you are looking for a premium drone and money is not an issue, then this is definitely what you are looking for.
For those of you who aren't familiar (although I don't think there's too many of those reading this) with DJI or their awesome Phantom 4 model, I'm going to give you a brief 101 in the next few paragraphs.
First of all, with its 4K camera, 3-axis motorized gimbal, a whole bunch of smart features, obstacle avoidance and more, there is no doubt that Phantom 4 is one hell of a drone. And that's just for the starters! So, obviously, its features aren't the only thing awesome about it – specifications are too! With 27 minutes of flight time, 45mph top speed, and roughly 7 kilometers of operating range and an ultra-responsive controller, there really are only a few drones that are worth comparing to this beast.
Still, as I already mentioned in the first sentence of this short review, it is not that cheap. It comes in a wide variety of bundles that will give you a bunch of accessories, spare parts, extra batteries and so on and these can go up to more than $2,000. Still, if you are lucky enough, you might just be able to find the drone itself bundled together with just its controller and battery on sale for just a bit less than $1,000.
3. Yuneec Typhoon H
Ranging on the upper margin of our price tier today, Typhoon H sure has a ton of features to talk about. With brand new technologies being implemented in this little birdie (and by that, I mainly think of Intel RealSense which could stir up the entire market) and an aggressive price tag that could interest both casual and professional users, Yuneec Typhoon H is ought to make it good out there on the market…
This bulky, powerful hexacopter comes with an ST16 controller and sports a CGO3+ camera capable of providing you with FPV live feed. More importantly, this camera supports 4K resolution and is mounted on a motorized 3-axis gimbal that is going to give it all the stability it needs, even during the stormiest of flights.
The great thing about this model is the previously mentioned Intel RealSense module which is unlike anything we had the chance to see thus far. It is basically a collision-avoidance system that enhances obstacle avoidance by providing real-time detection from all directions. It is pretty clear that this is an innovative technology and it really makes this drone stand out in front of the competition.
Features-wise, Yuneec Typhoon H comes with everything you'd expect from a drone with this price tag. Autonomous flight modes are here, and so is altitude hold, GPS and all that good stuff. Combine that with awesome specifications (1 mile of flight range and cca 25 minutes flight time) and you will understand why people are going crazy about it.
2. Autel Robotics X-Star Premium
And the title of the second-best drone under $1000 goes to X-Star Premium by Autel Robotics. In fact, this is the only drone that can be mentioned in the same sentence with DJI Phantom 4 and DJI Mavic Pro without me feeling bad about it. I swear it's true! Come to think of it, the two are pretty similar in terms of both design and specifications, but the X-Star Premium is much cheaper than DJI's flagship. But, can its performance match that of DJI Phantom 4? Let's take a closer look and see for ourselves!
With its 4K camera that's, of course, mounted on a 3-axis gimbal, this drone effectively captures the very essence of aerial photography and produces extremely smooth recordings and crystal clear still images. The remote controller that comes bundled with the drone is quite good and allows for seamless connectivity up to 1.2 miles away from it. This is especially praiseworthy considering the live FPV feed works without any issues over the entire length.
When it comes to airtime, you can be sure that the included 4900mAh battery works exceptionally well. Believe it or not, this thing can last up to 25 minutes on a single charge, almost to the point of beating DJI's flagship. To top it all off, it is also worth mentioning that it's packed with smart features such as GPS+GLONASS navigation systems, magnetic interference protection, auto takeoff/landing, hovering, return to home and more.
1. DJI Mavic Pro
Feast your eyes, ladies, and gentlemen, because we have finally reached the best drone that you can purchase under the $1000 mark. Of course, there wasn't any real competition for DJI Mavic Pro, an absolutely magnificent foldable drone that isn't shy when it comes to showing off its abundance of features. So, without much further adue, let's check this baby out and see why exactly is it considered the best under $1000 drone currently available on the market!
Surely the best thing about DJI Mavic Pro is its incredibly compact design. Furthermore, it's foldable as well, allowing you to pack it with ease and transport it wherever you please. The fun starts with the fact DJI Mavic Pro does not have any compromises in terms of specifications due to its incredibly small size factor. On the contrary, it is an outright beast. With up to 7 kilometers of operating range and roughly 27 minutes of airtime, DJI Mavic Pro can go head to head with the best out there.
Moreover, DJI Mavic Pro also bears an incredible number of features at its disposal. We're talking about several autonomous flight modes, GPS, obstacle avoidance, altitude hold, facial recognition and many more. Combine all that with a fully-fledged 4K camera with its own dedicated 3-axis gimbal and you'll begin to understand why it's the favorite drone of choice for aerial photographers all around the globe. And for that reason, DJI Mavic Pro deservedly stands tall at the number 1 spot!
READ LATER : Drones under $500 / Drones under $300
Average specifications of drones under $1000
If you're looking to buy a drone under $1000, I'll presume you're aiming at somewhere around $700-$1000. Luckily, there are plenty of models in this price range and you will have a lot to choose from. Ultimately, that does not have to necessarily be a good thing since some of you won't be able to make up their minds. This is due to an incredible number of top-flight models, all of which have somewhat similar performance…
With that in mind, you should still be on the lookout for "scam" drones which look pretty, have good reviews… but fail miserably when it comes to performance. That's why I've decided to give you some general insight about what to look for while purchasing your drone. So, let's jump straight to the action!
If you are looking for an amateur aerial photography platform, then you have to make sure your drone has an above-average camera. By above average, I mean that it should at least have a solid 12MPX sensor that's capable of recording in FHD or 4K. Make sure your drone has a CMOS and not CCD camera – it will give you a much better image quality. On a side note, if you're serious with your aerial photography, it might be good to examine image stabilization solution of your drone-to-be. Look for 3-axis or 2-axis gimbals because typical software image stabilization isn't exactly the best method.
Frequently asked questions about drones under $1000:
UAVS Under $1000 Review
- Flight time
- Range
- Camera
- Design
In the end, I hope that you now have a much better understanding of the drones' market. As you had the chance to see for yourselves, there really are plenty of drones under $1000. Truth be told, there are many over $1000 as well, but those drones are not aimed at casual audience. Nope. They are primarily aimed at professionals who are looking for ways of implementing drones within their business, allowing it to thrive even more so than before. With that being said, if you would like to get yourself a high-quality drone just so you can fly it around the neighborhood and take a couple of pictures here and there, then picking any one of the models listed above will surely leave you satisfied!


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How to be Well-Organized When Writing a Doctoral Dissertation
Writing a dissertation is a harrowing process. It can seem daunting. However, there are a few key skills and tips which you can employ to make your life easier.
Time management.
It's important to set aside time each and every day. Make a habit of putting a few hours aside for 'work time.' You can overcome a block by forcing yourself to write. It doesn't matter if what you write is good or bad, so long as you get into the habit of putting words on paper
Have an objective word count in mind for each day. If it's only 500 or a 1,000 words, it doesn't matter, so long as you get it down each day, every day.
Give yourself mini-awards. Tell yourself, 'If I write 1,000 words in the next three hours, I can get a coffee, or have a cigarette-break, or check my facebook.' Be vigilante. Do not cave until you hit your goal for the day.
Before you begin, organize a detailed schedule. Break it down into chapter headings, synopsis, and detailed paragraph ideas. When you feel you don't know what to do next, go back to your plan, pick something you can do, and smash it out. A plan keeps you focussed, it keeps you on track, and it keeps you writing.
Don't Overwork
While it's important to keep your head in the game, you don't want to suffer burnout. If you find yourself rambling or losing your way, take a ten or fifteen minute break. Go for a walk, meet a friend, talk about something that is completely off topic. When you come back to the desk, you'll be able to immerse yourself again.
Edit Later
The most important thing is to get your first draft out the way. If you start pruning too soon you'll lose focus and lose faith in yourself. Remember, in your first draft there is no such thing as a bad idea. So get writing, and when you're all written out get editing.
Second Eyes
When you finish your first or second draft, you'll be sick of looking at your own work. So get a trusted friend or advisor to go through it with a red pen and take what they say on board.
Why Us?
Our team consists of professional writers and PhD holders, so you will receive the first-hand information and learn how to avoid typical mistakes.


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Stealth Tortoise
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux
A Cyborg-Tortoise Trying to escape the evil clutches of the General Mole Lester. You must make your way through endless labyrinths of mine shafts and testing labs to escape his evil grasps.
Stealth Tortoise features
- Intense sneaking abilities to outmaneuver the Moles
- Hide in your cybernetic shell to prevent detection from Moles
- Drop Guacamole to distract Moles and outsmart them
- Find and save the Girl Tortoise
- Endless Stealth Action
☆☆☆☆☆ ING: Best game ever made!!!
☆☆☆☆☆ OGD: The Moles were spectacular!!!
☆☆☆☆☆ PPG: Classic MGS Throwback!!!
Design & Programming: Patirck Shannon @amazingafroman
Design, Art & Animation: Noel kohere @noel_kohere
Additional Work: Luke
Install instructions
- Unzip the file to any location.
- Open the extracted folder.
- Launch the Stealth.exe to play.
To quit the game press Alt+F4, Cmnd + Q, or the close window icon.
- Direction keys - Player Movement
- A - Place Items
- B - Hide
Leave a comment
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.


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The Transfiguration of Our Lord
February 11, 2018 Speaker: Murray Keith Series: Epiphany
Passage: Mark 9:2–9:9
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†††In the Name of Jesus†††
Pastor Murray Keith
Text: Mark 9:2-9
Date: February 11th, 2018; Transfiguration Sunday; Series B
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Today is the last Sunday in the season of Epiphany.
Epiphany is a season of revealing.
The word epiphany literally means a revealing of something that lay hidden, unseen by the world.
The season of Epiphany is about God revealing himself in our Lord Christ Jesus.
The season began with the star leading the magi so that they could see and worship the child Messiah.
In the following Sundays, we heard of the epiphany to the people at the Jordan River as Jesus was Baptized. The Holy Spirit descended on him as a dove and the Father in heaven proclaimed him to be his Son in whom he is well pleased.
We heard the revealing of Jesus as he clearly taught the people at a synagogue that he is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies – he told them plainly that he is the Messiah they were expecting.
We heard of the epiphany of Jesus as he demonstrated the power and authority of his Word that rebukes demons and miraculously brings the sick back to health.
These accounts, these epiphanies, are not meant to simply cause us to think, "Wow, that Jesus is sure powerful!"
No, St. John tells us the true purpose of these accounts when he said, "…these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31).
Finally, today, we hear of the epiphany of Jesus' Transfiguration. When he is in the presence of Moses and Elijah and his appearance is – well to put it mildly – changed.
Just imagine that you are with Peter, John, and James as they accompany Jesus up this mountain to pray.
While praying you look over and see Jesus - and he is as bright as a flash of lightening from the sky! He is so bright that your eyes can hardly bear looking at him.
And not only are you seeing Jesus shining brilliantly like this, you also see him talking to Moses and Elijah! Moses! Elijah!
These men were called by God to play such an important role in bringing about his plan of salvation for humanity. They are heroes!
They died centuries ago - but there they are talking with Jesus!
Then, standing in a daze after seeing these incredible things - a cloud falls on you like a blanket. You can't see a thing.
You hear a loud voice boom from heaven, it says, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him" (Mark 9:7).
As the cloud lifts you see Jesus standing alone, looking like himself again.
If water being turned into wine, miraculous healings, evil spirits being cast out, boat loads of fish - if all of these epiphanies didn't convince you that Jesus is God in the flesh – then certainly the Transfiguration should.
Now, imagine as you are standing on top of this mountain where the Transfiguration took place - you see another mountain in the distance.
Upon this mountain you see 3 crosses. This is mount Calvary.
It is upon this mountain that our Lord was crucified, nailed to a cross, for our sins.
Of course, between the mountain on which we stand and mount Calvary is a valley.
A long expanse of land way down below separating the two mountain peaks.
Today, on the mountain of the Transfiguration, we get to see that Jesus is truly the Son of God, fully human and fully divine.
He is the long-awaited Saviour promised by God!
On this mountain it is made abundantly clear that Jesus is no ordinary man. He is not simply a great teacher or prophet.
He is the Chosen One, full of glory!
Thank God for this epiphany! Thank God for revealing himself to us so clearly on this mountain of Transiguration!
Because from here - it is nothing but downhill.
In the season of Lent we join our Lord as he makes his way down this mountain into the valley of death. We accompany him as he puts away his glory and takes on humility.
In humility our Lord goes down into the valley where he spends forty-days with the devil. There he experiences what it is like to feel painful hunger. There he experiences what it is like to face temptation. There he experiences what it is like to be human.
As our Lord makes his way down into the valley during the season of Lent he continues to perform miracles and teach about the kingdom of God.
But, he is rejected even more by the people. He is disrespected. There are many who want to kill him for what he is doing and teaching.
We make the journey with our Lord into the valley remembering that it is our sin that has caused him to suffer.
It is a reminder that sin is the cause of all of the valleys in our lives.
The valleys that are caused by our relationship problems. When conflict with our friends and family cause such heartache and turmoil in our lives.
The valleys in our lives that are caused by injury and illnesses. When we, or someone we love, are sick or are in pain - the dark shadows of the valley quickly creep in on us.
The valleys in our lives brought upon by death. When those we love die - it can seem like there is no way out. The valley can seem overwhelming.
With our Lord, in the valley, we experience shame and humiliation, pain and suffering. With our Lord, in the valley, we experience life in a fallen and sinful world.
But as we stand in that valley, we look back and see the top of the mountain of Transfiguration where Christ Jesus was revealed in glory to be the Son of God!
We look back and see that he truly is the Promised One who has come to put an end to all pain and suffering and death.
And as we look forward, to the top of mount Calvary, we see the instrument through which he would accomplish all of this for us.
The instrument was a wooden cross that was used by the Romans to punish criminals.
In this valley, as we enter into the season of Lent, we look back and see Christ in glory shining like a flash of lightening.
Then we look forward and see his ultimate act of pain and suffering, his ultimate act of humility as he hangs to die on a cross.
But we also look beyond Mount Calvary, we look forward to Easter Sunday when Christ rose from the grave showing that sin and death are defeated!
How important are the words of our heavenly Father that we heard on top of the mountain of the Transfiguration, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!"
How important these words are in the valley of Lent and in the valley of our lives.
Listen to him; cling to the promises he made personally yours, in Holy Baptism. You are his loved and redeemed child. This promise is yours no matter how deep the valleys in your life become.
Listen to him as he says, "I forgive you for all of your sins." He took upon himself the punishment your sins deserve. You are forgiven. You are set free.
Listen to him when he says, "This is my body and this is my blood for the forgiveness of sins." With these words, with his body and blood, the same Lord who was transfigured in glory, who was crucified for your sin, and who was raised for eternal life, is with you.
Listen to him, for by His Word he remains with you. By his Word he sustains your faith in all that he has accomplished for you. By his Word he brings you out of the valley of death to eternal life. Thanks be to God! Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.
More in Epiphany
March 3, 2019The Transfiguration of Our Lord
February 24, 2019Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
February 17, 2019Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany


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Authorities in Maine say a motorcycle rider was killed after she crashed into a pole.
Chief Deputy William Gagne of the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office says it happened around 7:10 p.m. Sunday in Durham. Police have identified the driver as 52-year-old Beth L. Woodmancy of Brunswick.
Gagne says Woodmancy was traveling north on Route 125 when she failed to negotiate a curve, left the west side of the road and struck a utility pole.
Police say she was not wearing a helmet. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police believe speed was a factor in the crash.
Copyright AP - Associated Press


text: Fig and Olive and Veuve Clicquot Uncategorized|October 1, 2015 I just love a glass of great champagne, don't you? I wanted to share with you that Fashion Island's olive oil oasis, FIG & OLIVE Newport Beach, has partnered with the historic champagne house, Veuve Clicquot, to host three complimentary champagne tasting experiences paired with lively games each Sunday leading up to the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic at Will Rogers State Historic Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015. Guests can join in on the fun during the first three Sundays of Fall, September 27th, October 4th, and October 11th, 2015, between 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. in the restaurant's airy Garden Room. In addition to the tasting, diners will have the opportunity to win tickets to the Classic. Hope you can attend!!! And don't forget to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Bloglovin. Happy reading!!!! No Comments Share


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Use the newsletter template as a starting point for company announcements and ongoing communications with your audience. You can test different headlines, keywords and link structures to determine how your audience prioritizes your content. You can also easily test for hot link zones in your template and analyze how your sales might be affected by putting certain links within those zones.
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CARDIFF CITY ..........3 OLDHAM....................1 GRAHAM KAVANAGH is supposed to have gone into this game under a bit of a cloud, reputedly having been at the centre of a so-called training ground bust-up with Alan Cork.
If that really was the case, may I suggest to the Cardiff City boss that he picks a problem with his skipper every week!
I'm only joking, of course, because whereas no side can win promotion without a bit of spit and fire, first and foremost you need harmony in the camp.
But whether he was extra fired up by the rumours surrounding himself and Cork or not, Kavanagh was captain fantastic yesterday - producing just about as close as you could get to a 10 out of 10 performance as he drove, cajoled and pushed the Bluebirds to a much-needed victory.
Into the bargain Kavanagh scored two goals - one an absolute pearler, the other perhaps the most contentious you will see at Ninian Park this season.
But they count don't they, as did Rob Earnshaw's opener, leaving a smiling Cork to say afterwards: "We needed this one."
He went on: "As for Kav, he did what he is good at. I don't know that he was extra fired up - he just isn't happy about untrue things that are being said about him.
"It's not nice for either him or me having to put up with this sort
of stuff.
"If I wasn't Kav's manager, I would probably be a great friend of his. But you can't be a friend when you're the boss, can you?"
Kavanagh knew that City, needing to close the gap on the teams in the automatic promotion shake-up, simply couldn't afford to slip up in this one.
And, after a slow start when City struggled to get behind a well-drilled Oldham side packing men behind the ball, it was Kavanagh who took the bull by the horns and really got Cork's men going.
When City went forward, Kavanagh was invariably at the hub of their moves; when City had to defend, Kavanagh was invariably back there helping out.
When goals were needed, Kavanagh was either creating or scoring them. It was a real leading-from-the-front performance.
Goal number one came in the 36th minute when Kavanagh, gathering the ball midway in the Oldham half, picked out Peter Thorne's run beyond the defence to the far post and whipped over a pin-point diagonal cross.
Thorne headed back across goal into the path of an unmarked Earnshaw who had the simple task of nodding into the empty goal from a couple of yards.
It was almost a role reversal a few minutes afterwards when a quick Kavanagh free kick sent Earnshaw racing away down the right.
His snap cross was met by Thorne, who unfortunately headed straight at Paul Rachubka.
The moment that really lit up the afternoon came almost out of nothing in the 74th minute when Kavanagh hit a 25-yard screamer beyond Rachubka.
As the ball deflected into Kavanagh's path there seemed no obvious danger.
Then, whoosh, with no obvious back-lift, he let loose as fierce a shot as you'll see this season - so powerful that Rachubka didn't even move as the ball sailed past him and into his net.
It was a wonderful goal, but Kavanagh's good work was almost undone within two minutes when sloppy City defending let in substitute John Eyre to make it 2-1.
That set up a tense final 10 minutes when Oldham, with nothing to lose, threw men forward in numbers for
the first time in the match. The City defence hung on and hung on, although they were grateful to a smart Neil Alexander stop from Carlo Corazzin's snap shot.
Then, as Oldham piled forward, came the moment which sealed the game, and again Kavanagh was at the centre of it.
Every City player was back defending at a free kick, while every Oldham player was encamped inside the Bluebirds' penalty area bar John Sheridan, who was taking the set piece and goalkeeper Rachubka.
The ball was cleared by City back out to Sheridan who was ready to hoist it forwards high again, only for Kavanagh to charge out and block the ball, seemingly with his hands.
Oldham then committed football's No1 error by failing to play to
the whistle.
No free kick was given, so as Sheridan and his team-mates stood and protested by holding their hands in the air, Kavanagh collected the ball, ran totally on his own through the entire Oldham half and coolly slotted past a helpless Rachubka.
The last time I saw anything like that was when Tony Brown scored a famous goal for West Brom against Leeds, who were appealing for offside. That one cost Leeds the title.
"A blind man could have seen it was handball," said Oldham manager Mick Wadsworth.
Asked his version of the goal, Cork smiled mischievously: "Great finish, wasn't it?"
Great finish to a great afternoon for the City skipper, whose week hadn't started so great.


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Alternative Titles
English: Death Note
Japanese: DEATH NOTE
Type: Manga
Volumes: 12
Chapters: 108
Status: Finished
Published: Dec 1, 2003 to May 15, 2006
Genres: Mystery, Drama, Shounen, Supernatural, Psychological
Authors: Obata, Takeshi (Art), Ohba, Tsugumi (Story)
Serialization: Shounen Jump (Weekly)
Score: 8.751 (scored by 137163 users)
1 indicates a weighted score. Please note that 'Not yet published' titles are excluded.
Ranked: #312
2 based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #7
Members: 225,602
Favorites: 26,481


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The following jewelry project tutorials are derived from the five book series, and sold at Etsy as digitally-delivered PDF files.
Spiderchain sells jewelry kits for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd books, as well as jump ring sizes for the 4th and 5th books.
Please review the free tutorials, resources for hand tools used, and the supplies for bead and jump ring sizes.
If you would like to teach these jewelry projects at your local bead store or jewelry studio - learn how.
International Distributors:
In Australia, you can purchasing these kits from Aussiemaille.
In the UK, you can purchasing these kits from the Beadsisters.
In Germany, you can purchase these kits with German-translated handouts at Hanish-Kunstgewerbe.
one star = beginner, two stars = intermediate, three stars = advanced, four stars = expert, five stars = insane


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Motion 20 LPI UV-LF™ lenticular sheets
Our brand NEW Motion 20 LPI UV-LF™ lenticular sheet, EU made product, specially designed with large format digitally printed MOTION images.
The FIRST large format MOTION lens designed and extruded in EUROPE…
we expect the product to be back in stock in December
Our Motion 20 LPI UV-LF™ lenticular sheet has been designed for large format Motion images such as zoom, morphing, … and all kind of animation pictures. With a wide viewing angle of 54° and a thickness of 1.95 mm, this new product will perform ideally for the production of animation lenticular images on digital printers (flatbed printing direct to the lens or lamination). We recommend this product for animation effects ONLY.
Many things have improved since we initiated the development of the new 3D 20 LPI UV-LF™ lens. With our production partners, we could build an interesting experience in the extrusion of large format lenticular.
DPL's Motion 20 LPI UV-LF™ lenticular sheet is produced in the size 122 cm x 180 cm, we also propose other sizes.
Exactly like our 3D 20 LPI UV-LF™ and 3D 28 LPI UV-MF™, this animation lens has been extruded with a specially developed UV protection resin to preserve colors when used in outdoor conditions such as bus shelters. The product also allows indoor use as airports, subway, railway stations…
What is the difference between the 3D 20 LPI UV-LF™ and the Motion 20 LPI UV-LF™? The difference is the viewing angle. The Motion 20 LPI UV-LF™ has a wide angle (54°) allowing the production of animation images.
The Motion 20 LPI UV-LF™ sheets (in large format) are packaged in boxes of 10 sheets and palletized with 100 sheets (10 Boxes) per pallet.
Available from DPLenticular's warehouse and even from 1 sheet and/or smaller sheet sizes – see our small quantities and Order here.
we expect the product to be back in stock in December
|Lens design
|Motion 20 LPI UV-LF™
|Viewing angle
|54 degrees
|Pitch Checker range
|19.96 – 20.05 LPI (dependent upon output device)
|Thickness / Gauge
|1.95 mm nominal = 0.0768 inches
|Indoor + Outdoor
|extruded in EUROPE, stock in Dublin, Ireland
|Order here
|Stock size "VLF"
|122 x 180 cm = 48.03"x 70.9" (lenticules parallel to 180cm dimension), smaller sizes are available see our small quantities page.
|Quantity / BOXES
|10 sheets per box or or minimum 1 sheet see small quantities page Order here
|Gross weight
|60 kg per 10 sheets box
|Gross size
|128 x 183 x 4 cm per 10 sheets box
|Order here
|Quantity / PALLET
|100 sheets per pallet
|Gross weight / PALLET
|610 kg per 100 sheets pallet
|Gross size / PALLET
|128 x 183 x 70 cm
|Standard stock pallet
|two-way entry
we expect the product to be back in stock in December
|Other sizes available:
|you'll find information on our digital & small quantities page and Order here
|122 x 100 cm (lenticules parallel to 100cm dimension) Order here
|61 x 100 cm (lenticules parallel to 100cm dimension) Order here
|61 x 60 cm (lenticules parallel to 60cm dimension) Order here
|Excellent transparency and surface brightness
|Custom sheet
|we can propose other sheet sizes (depending of the quantity), please contact us
|Small Quantities
|min 1 sheet see small quantities page and Order here
|Both sides of the Motion 20 LPI UV-LF™ are protected with a transparent liner
|Optical & Mechanical Properties
|Unique INDOOR + OUTDOOR use, click here for the properties
|it can be laser-cut (Unlike polycarbonate), or on an automatic cutting table, for more information about cutting the sheets, please visit our FAQ page or contact us.
|order our Crystal Clear double side Adhesive here
|Surface tension
|that of natural resin. No coating needed.
|see our regulations page
|Reaction to Fire
|Classification in accordance to the clauses 11 and 14 of the standard DIN EN 13501-1 2010: B– s2,d0
|PetgUV – Polyethylenterephthalate copolymer sheet with UV protection – 100% Recyclable
see resin specifications
|ISO 9001:2008 and 14001:2004 Certified


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AceShowbiz - Rumor that %cDr. Dre% and %cJay-Z% have teamed up on a new song has been confirmed by Interscope Records Chairman Jimmy Iovine. The label boss talked about the joint track in a launch party of new Red Sox edition of "Beats by Dr. Dre" headphones.
" 'Under Pressure' it's a brand new single from Dr. Dre and Jay-Z," so Iovine said at the event taking place at Boston's Fenway Park on April 4 during the opening day of the 2010 Major League Baseball season. He didn't disclose when the song will come out, but report suggests it will be released sometime soon.
The song is likely to be included in Dr. Dre's next studio album "Detox" because the producer/rapper has hinted the collaboration since October last year. He told MTV, "Well, actually, Jay-Z's just been in the studio doing some writing. -- Hopefully I'll get him to perform on the record. Jay, come holler!"


text: People seemed to freeze in their movements as my son, Frankie, ran through the parking lot screaming "Nooo!" I avoided eye contact and hurried to catch him before we provided the store's entertainment for the day. I tried not to show fear and kept a straight face as I hurried to catch him. If I […]Continue reading


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Horchata, a Healthy Drink Made from the Local Tigernut in Valencia
Design studio Estudihac serving horchata. Photo Credit: Petz Scholtus
If you ever find yourselves in Valencia, have an horchata (or watch some polystyrene sculptures burn!). We were served plenty at the Valencia Design Week and grew quite fond of this healthy local drink made from the tigernut. Being a fan of local food, I like it when food comes with a season, or geography. Horchata is a summer drink, served nearly exclusively in and around Valencia in Spain. I guess that makes this milky sweet vegetable drink quite special, and the fact that its high contents of oleic acid and Vitamin E, have an antioxidant effect on fats and help with cholesterol. Plus it's suitable for people with lactose intolerance and diabetes.The Arabs brought the tigernut to Spain at the beginning of the 10th century and horchata is now a very popular drink in Valencia. The tuber of the plant, is mixed with water and sugar to create the refreshing drink. It is said to be recommended for people with digestive problems and is a rich source of minerals, phosphor, calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamins C and E. If you ever get a chance to try horchata, have it with Fartóns, a spongy pastry that you dip into the ice-cold drink.
More from Valencia Design Week 2011
LZF Lamps, A Charming Visit To Their Factory
Dvelas. From Boat Sails To Furniture
Sonno, The Slow Alarm Clock Lets You Sleep The Hours You Need
Fresh Products from Valencia; These Designers Know How to Upcycle
Simple Rustic, Designer Guillem Ferran Takes on IKEA
Ethical Rugs by GAN Make Any Space Cosy
New Sink Lets You Recycle Your Greywater & Saves Space
6 Great Wooden Flat-Pack Designs Spotted at Valencia Design Week
5 Little Designs That Make Life Nicer, Fresh from the Valencia Design Week
Hand-Made EcoDesign: A Magical Table, A Napkin Vase And An Elegant Flower Pot
Sancal's Natural Collection; Good Furniture Locally-Made in Spain
The Valencians Have A Problem: The Falles, Culture vs. Environment


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Miss Teen Top Model UK
Questions & Answers
We are looking for the average ever day teenage / Junior girls to take part.
We have no size, height or weight restrictions, we want all teenage & Junior girls to celebrate their individual personality and model looks and have great FUN on the Model Search UK catwalk at the UK final.
is it judged?
do I have to wear?
one evening dress is required throughout the show. We advise all girls
to wear something they have hanging in their wardrobe at home, maybe a
dress you bought for New Years Eve or a Prom dress, you wore for
your school graduation or party, as buying new
evening-wear or shoes for any model or beauty competition can be
expensive. Model Search UK wants the show to be a FUN experience for the
girls taking part. Evening-wear can be formal or informal evening
dress or gown, long or short: anything you like, as long as you feel
comfortable in it. We advise all UK finalists must not
dress provocatively on the catwalk.
Junior finalists are asked to wear, trendy hats / caps, jeans, sweat shirts or T shirts for round 1, and evening wear / party wear for round 2,
We advise no make-up or false tan etc.. on the Junior finalists.
I have to perform a talent?
will I need to bring?
Does it matter that I haven't modelled or been in a beauty pageant before?
at all, In addition, We are looking for the average ever day teenage
or Junior girl you
see in your town centre to
take part, we have no
height or size restrictions.
whether you are an aspiring model, or a
pageant queen, or you have those next-door model girl looks
you are invited to enter. Plus!
you do not need any modelling or pageant experience, to enter the Miss Teen
/ Junior Model UK.
We also have NO restrictions on competitors that have children or marital status restrictions. everyone is welcome to get on our top catwalk! It's open to all female applicants meeting our terms and conditions around the UK.
is the difference between a beauty pageant and a modelling competition?
The winners of Miss Teen / Junior Model Girl UK must show themselves to have more than just good Looks.
Some beauty pageants, are competitions that focus mainly on female or male physical beauty.
We are
for a confident model girls.
The Miss Teen / Junior Model UK is different and exciting, we are a trendy modelling competition and pageant all rolled in to one, so we are also looking for model looks, personality, confidence, intelligence, charm, charisma, which are all needed for working as a model as well.Over the past 16 years, Model Search UK has helped lots of our Model Girl and Model Guy winners to full fill their model dreams. They have appeared on BBC, ITV, channel 4, sky TV programmes ( Radio) to mention just a few! Our UK model winners have also done a great deal of catwalk and promotional work all over the UK (Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser, The Body Shop, Tucci, Nike Fashion) and lots of work for catalogues, UK media newspapers and magazines and dance videos. On top of all this success we have also given out thousands of pounds' worth of prizes to our Model Girl winners!
Dreams do come true!!
Top model winner Jade Thompson - Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model strut her stuff on our MODEL SEARCH UK catwalk first and won! so dreams.. do come true :)
If you have any further questions, please feel free to email our Model Search UK team Today:
Please read all our rules T's & C's before entering!
All grand finalists must find a sponsor to take part in the UK final.
Policy: All company
sponsorship fees paid to Model Search UK (Miss Teen / Junior
Model UK 2020 competition) are non-refundable and non-transferable.
|Model Search UK, Office 7, 1, Didsbury Park, Manchester M20 5LH
Tel 0161 438 2547
|yell modelsearchuk


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How to join PTA
- Print and complete the PTA Membership Form (below).
- Please include your name, along with the name of your child(ren) and their teacher's name.
- Return the form and payment to Pine Trail Elementary in an envelope labeled "PTA Membership"
- Include $7 cash or check (payable to Pine Trail Elementary PTA)
Funds have been used for:
- $30,000 iMac Lab
- $10,000 in portable technology for students to share
- $10,000 to teachers, annually, for their "Teacher Wish List" to buy supplies & activities
- Benches for students at parent pick-up
- Sunshade structure on PE grounds
- After school clubs and tutoring


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LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Robert Maltbie, Managing Partner of Millennium Asset Management, announced the release of Millennium's Under covered Small Cap Values opportunity report for 2015, "Each year we canvass analysts for their most under covered new ideas as a means of continuing to add value for our clients. Over our 15-year history, Millennium has demonstrated a superior track record adding alpha by finding quality investment ideas that have been overlooked by Wall Street. Our 'Under covered Values' report seeks to spotlight below-the-radar special situations overlooked by traditional Wall Street research. We also have significant new investment positions in these ideas for our clients across our investment platform, as they possess key, attractive investment characteristics such as strong fundamentals, lack of Wall Street coverage and are under owned by institutional investors."
This year's report includes eight companies from an array of different industries, reaching from integrated circuits to shipping to insurance. Our Best Ideas for 2015 list includes the following companies: Core Molding Technologies (CMT), Atlas Financial Holdings (AFH), Sparton Corporation (SPA), Global Ship Lease (GSL), Female Health Company (FHCO), Nova Measurement Instruments, JMP Securities, and Vertex Energy.
Robert Maltbie, CFA is the Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager at Millennium Asset Management. Robert has over 30 years of experience in money management. Manages/advises over $110 million in assets. Millennium is sub advisor for a specialty Long-Short 40 act mutual fund. This mutual fund provides investors access to top performing hedge fund expertise with innovative risk management strategies. Millennium is also GP to Argonaut 2000 LP. Fund, a superior performing hedge fund with a strong 10-year track record. The Argonaut Fund was recently added to the HFRI index in Q3 2014.
For a current complimentary copy of Millennium's Under covered Small Cap Values opportunity report for 2015 contact:
Amiel Traynum
Director of Investor Relations
Millennium Asset Management
Mobile: 310.404.3912 / 818-222-6915
Email: email@example.com
Millennium Asset Management
Robert Maltbie Jr, 818-222-6915
Source: CNBC.com


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For anyone with a penchant for anything meaty, steak is the ultimate luxury food. The great enjoyment that comes from steak is that it's equally great to cook and to eat. It is also a versatile dish – there are many ways of preparing it. Each method produces gloriously different results and can play many parts in a meal, depending on your needs.
Either it is the main star or can be cut up as part of a side dish, such as a salad. However you like it, one thing is for sure – there is a joy in having a perfect steak. But how do you get to that point? Much has been said of cooking the perfect steak, and many people seem to have varying opinions on the matter. Nobody can claim to be the overall master, but there are some generally accepted notions which help any cook to produce an amazing steak. If you are keen to discover just how, then read on.
Choose your method
One of the best things about the perfect steak is how many options you have for how to cook it. Depending on the method, each will produce wildly different results. That's why it's important that you choose which method you would like to use. This might depend solely on what you have available; however, there are some preferable options here. Grilling is a real favourite for many people, as it tends to produce a tender steak with a robust exterior. For an idea of what grill to use, see this review of the Traeger Junior Elite. Alternatively, you could adopt the simple pan-fry approach. Less fancy, but the results are still delicious.
The Right Oil
Many people make the mistake of thinking that the oil does not serve an important role. Nothing could be further from the truth. The oil you use makes a considerable difference to the overall result, so choose carefully and wisely. Some of the professionals suggest using groundnut oil to cook steaks, as it has a mild flavour but can withstand high temperatures. However, vegetable oil or olive oil will suffice if it is all you have available.
Dressing the steak
Whether or not to dress the steak really depends on your beef philosophy. If you are someone who likes the taste of the meat just as it is, then you might decide that naked is the way to go. However, there is much to be said for making your steak well-dressed. The kind of dressing you use does, of course, make a huge difference. This decision will at least in part be decided by the overall meal, and what other tastes you have going on. Honey and mustard, or a balsamic glaze, are both viable options which tend to work well. However, don't forget the simple yet important act of seasoning the steak with salt and pepper too.
How to know when it's done Cooking
Now it's time to cook the steak. Everybody has their own preference for how well-done they like their steak. Indeed, this is the one meal which people tend to be quite fussy about! However, there are many people who don't know know how to achieve that perfection they are looking for. So what is the secret? How do you know when your steak is rare, medium or well-done? The easiest way to tell is by prodding the steak with your index finger. As a general rule, this should be sufficient to tell how cooked it is. A rare steak will spring back immediately against the finger. Medium, will bounce very slightly. And a well-done steak will be quite firm to the touch.
The Rest Period
Many people completely overlook this, (I have) and yet it is one of the most important stages of the entire process. After you've cooked your steak, it is important not to serve it up immediately. For a steak to be properly done, it needs to rest first before serving. Why should this be the case? Actually, it's quite simple. During the rest period, the fibres in the steak reabsorbs the juices that have left. This results in that moist and tender finish which everyone looks for in their steak. Your steak should rest for around five minutes. Don't worry about the heat being lost – for a significant amount of heat to be lost takes around ten minutes or more. Follow these steps, and you are bound to find yourself with the perfect steak! Now it's just a matter of perfecting the rest of the meal.


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I'm raking in the coals of memory again.
An aunt had given us books as presents for Christmas. I got Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
They were all abridged versions, and must have been from one of those cheap imprints where the classics cost a pound each. The covers were off-white and upon opening, already had that musty, ancient book smell – they must have sat upon a shelf in a warehouse for some time.
But the enchantment contained therein was rich and potent. I had classics in my hand and I would read them all. I would smell them and read them, and stare for what seemed like hours at the cover images before I even dared to open them and suckle at the dark nipple of gothic romance.
And, despite what christians will tell you, Dickens' Christmas classic is the 'Greatest Story Ever Told' – a tale of self-discovery and redemption that never gets old, and which is constantly re-told and re-invented. Stephen King's utterance on books being a kind of 'portable magic' never rang so true as in my days and weeks with those volumes.
While visiting my parents, I found two of the books amongst dozens, possibly hundreds from my childhood on some shelves in the basement. They were part of the 'Minster Classics' range, and my missing version of Frankenstein is still available online second-hand (just ordered myself a copy!).
Another realisation (for classic horror movie fans only), is that the cover image the Minster edition of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde seems to be a combination of Fredric March's Dr. Jekyll from 1932, and John Barrymore's Mr. Hyde from 1920 – currently available to watch for free.


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Posts Tagged 'grabcar premium'
GrabTaxi – GrabCar Promo Codes as of September 2, 2015
NEW GRABCAR PROMO CODE for September 14-18, 2015 – CLICK HERE.
GrabCar Promo Codes — As of 3:27 AM – 10 Sep 2015 Update Tweet from @GrabTaxiPH — There are no promo codes at the moment. For now, enjoy GrabCar's more affordable rates. We've lowered our fares by 30%!
However, GrabTaxi Promo Codes EGG or CHICKEN still works.
NATASHA doesn't work anymore but TASHA works. Thanks to Daphne for commenting on it.
It's funny that a lot of the searches going on in digital land happen to be related to the current promo codes of GrabTaxi and GrabCar. The popularity of this taxi service is increasing and social media is fussing on the latest promotion codes. Well, here is a source I got.
Updated GrabTaxi – GrabCar – GrabCar+ Promo Codes as of September 2, 2015:
Source: Source
Written by Raffy Pekson II
September 3, 2015 at 9:33 am


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RIBA UK House of the Year 2017 Announced
RIBA has announced its House of the Year for 2017. Designed by James Macdonald Wright and Niall Maxwell, Caring Wood re-imagines the traditional English country house. The UK's official house of the year is inspired by the traditional oast houses of Kent – the agricultural buildings for kilning hops.
RIBA's UK House of the Year, Caring Wood, comprises of four distinctive towers with interlinking roofs, which each tower echoing other oast houses in the surrounding area. The house also revives local building crafts and traditions, including locally sourced handmade peg clay tiles, locally quarried ragstone and coppiced chestnut cladding.
Though the home does reference the area's past, Caring Wood is also very much a contemporary home with an interior design reflecting its modern purpose. It's these contrasts that earned the house the accolade as announced as part of Channel 4's Grand Designs: House of the Year, presented by Kevin McCloud, Damion Burrows and Michelle Ogundehin.
Caring Wood fought off competition from the likes of 6 Wood Lane, an urban contemporary home which contrasts tightly planned functional spaces with generous living spaces to maximize daylight and views. We particularly love the mezzanine office space with panoramic windows which comes highlighted in bold primary colours.
The Quest by Magnus Strom was also a strong contender. The single-story family home features flexible deep open plan living – perfect for the home's owners and their disabled daughter – and comes with stunning views out to the south west of their old farmhouse and the surrounding hills.
Check out more about RIBA's House of the Year, Caring Wood, as well as all the other home shortlisted over at the Architecture Website.


text: It was a beautiful Arizona day when Abby Marie posed and flexed her beautiful body wearing her sexy bikini. She started to flex her ripped up biceps, triceps, back and abs. She pulled out her big breasts and then untied her bottoms showing her nice shaved pussy. She bend over and exposed her hard ass and toned back. Abby stood naked and looked and flexed her sexy body once again.


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Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to chat: chat room
chat (someone) up
1. To engage someone in lighthearted banter or casual conversation. I love chatting up tourists visiting our city, it gives you such diverse and interesting perspectives!
2. To engage in flirtatious conversation with someone, usually in pursuit of romantic or sexual purposes. I was chatting up this cute guy at the bar last night and managed to get his phone number! I hate when people chat me up in bars. I just want to have a nice time out with my friends!
flat chat
1. adjective Very busy; preoccupied with many different things at once. Sometimes hyphenated. Primarily heard in Australia. Sorry I couldn't make it to lunch today, I've been flat chat with the kids all day. I've been so flat-chat at work that I barely have time to see my kids anymore.
2. adverb At the greatest possible speed, efficiency, or power. Sometimes hyphenated. Primarily heard in Australia. We drove that car flat chat out of town. The whole team is working flat-chat to get this project finished and perfect.
A computer program that is able to interact with users and simulate human conservation. Is there any way for me to talk to an actual human, instead of a chatbot?
chat about (someone or something)
To talk about something, often casually or informally. Oh, you're not interrupting, we're just chatting about our kids—come on in! Do you have a minute to chat about this issue in the code?
See also: chat
1. verb To talk in an idle or casual manner. We're just chitchatting, come on in.
2. noun An instance of idle or casual chatter. We're just having a chitchat, come on in.
chat about someone or something
to talk idly or informally about someone or something. We need to chat about Molly. I want to chat about your expenditures a little.
See also: chat
chat up
1. Talk flirtatiously to, as in Leave it to Charlie to chat up the girls. This usage is mostly but not entirely British. [Late 1800s]
2. Engage in light, friendly talk, as in He was soon chatting up all the board members. [Mid-1900s]
chat up
1. To engage someone in light, casual talk, especially in order to gain his or her favor: The salesperson chatted us up for an hour before we finally decided to buy something. I chatted up the director, hoping to get a part in the film.
2. To talk amorously to someone, usually without serious intentions; flirt with someone: Many people go to the bar just to chat up the attractive bartenders. By their false smiles, we could tell they were coming over to chat us up.
chitchat(ˈtʃɪt tʃæt)
1. n. talk; idle talk. That's enough chitchat. Please get to work.
2. n. a short, friendly conversation. I'd like to have a little chitchat with you when you have time.


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After Mr. Panetta's remarks on Thursday night, American officials described an emerging shadow war of attacks and counterattacks already under way between the United States and Iran in cyberspace.
Among American officials, suspicion has focused on the "cybercorps" that Iran's military created in 2011 — partly in response to American and Israeli cyberattacks on the Iranian nuclear enrichment plant at Natanz — though there is no hard evidence that the attacks were sanctioned by the Iranian government.
The attacks emanating from Iran have inflicted only modest damage. Iran's
The attack under closest scrutiny hit Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company, in August.
The virus that hit Aramco is called Shamoon and spread through computers linked over a network to erase files on about 30,000 computers by overwriting them. Mr. Panetta, while not directly attributing the strike to Iran in his speech, called it "probably the most destructive attack that the private sector has seen to date."
Until the attack on Aramco, most of the cybersabotage coming out of Iran appeared to be what the industry calls "denial of service" attacks, relatively crude efforts to send a nearly endless stream of computer-generated requests aimed at overwhelming networks. But as one consultant to the United States government on the attacks put it several days ago: "What the Iranians want to do now is make it clear they can disrupt our economy, just as we are disrupting theirs. And they are quite serious about it."
The revelation that Iran may have been the source of the computer attacks was reported earlier by The
The attacks on American financial institutions, which prevented some bank customers from gaining access to their accounts online but did not involve any theft of money, seemed to come from various spots around the world, and so their origins are not certain. There is some question about whether those attacks may have involved outside programming help, perhaps from Russia.
Mr. Panetta spoke only in broad terms, stating that Iran had "undertaken a concerted effort to use cyberspace to its advantage." Almost immediately, experts in cybersecurity rushed to fill in the blanks.
"His speech laid the dots alongside each other without connecting them," James A. Lewis, a senior fellow at the
Iran has a motive, to retaliate for both the American-led financial sanctions that have cut its oil exports nearly in half, and for the cybercampaign by the United States and
That campaign started in the Bush administration, when the United States and Israel first began experimenting with an entirely new generation of weapon: a cyberworm that could infiltrate another state's computers and then cause havoc on computer-controlled machinery. In this case, it resulted in the destruction of roughly a fifth of the nuclear centrifuges that Iran uses to enrich uranium, though the centrifuges were eventually replaced, and Iran's production capability has recovered.
Iran became aware of the attacks in the summer of 2010, when the computer worm escaped from the Natanz plant and was replicated across the globe. The computer industry soon named the escaped weapon
Iran announced last year that it had begun its own military cyberunit, and Brig. Gen. Gholamreza Jalali, the head of Iran's Passive Defense Organization, said the Iranian military was prepared "to fight our enemies" in "cyberspace and Internet warfare." Little is known about how that group is organized, or where it has bought or developed its expertise.
The United States has never acknowledged its role in creating the Stuxnet virus, nor has it said anything about the huge covert program that created it, code-named Olympic Games, which was first revealed earlier this year by The New York Times.
In advance of Mr. Panetta's speech in New York on Thursday, senior officials debated how much to talk about the United States's offensive capabilities, assessing whether such an acknowledgment could help create a deterrent for countries contemplating attacks on the country
But Mr. Panetta carefully avoided using the words "offense" or "offensive" in the context of American cyberwarfare, instead defining the Pentagon's capabilities as "action to defend the nation."
"We won't succeed in preventing a cyber attack through improved defenses alone," Mr. Panetta said. "If we detect an imminent threat of attack that will cause significant, physical destruction in the United States or kill American citizens, we need to have the option to take action against those who would attack us to defend this nation when directed by the president. For these kinds of scenarios, the department has developed that capability to conduct effective operations to counter threats to our national interests in cyberspace."
The comments indicated that the United States might redefine defense in cyberspace as requiring the capacity to reach forward over computer networks if an attack was detected or anticipated, and take pre-emptive action. These same offensive measures also could be used in a punishing retaliation for a first-strike cyberattack on an American target, senior officials said.
One senior intelligence official described a debate inside the Obama administration over the pros and cons of openly admitting that the United States has deployed a new cyber weapon, and could use it in response to an attack, or pre-emptively.
For now, officials have decided to hold back. "The countries who need to know we have it already know," the senior intelligence official said.Continue reading the main story


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As the end of the year draws closer, it's common for people to start mentally winding down, get into the festive spirit and look forward to the new year.
Each new year brings new hope, new possibilities and the chance to do things differently.
So many people want to make a change and do something different with their lives. It is not uncommon at the start of a new year for people to make New Year's resolutions. It is debatable whether those resolutions actually last and end up making a difference. To start a new venture or to do something different will require a new you.
5 Keys to a New You in the New Year
If you are looking to make a change, here are five keys to a new you in the New Year.
- Be clear WHY you want to make a change. You may have heard the saying, "Why comes before how." Unless there is a compelling reason why you want to do something different, whether that is a new career, relocating to another state or country, or attaining a new qualification, the chances of you sticking with it once the initial excitement fades away will be slim.
Form a clear picture in your mind of what this new venture will bring to you. What will the benefits be? There has to be an emotional connection to the new change you desire for it to last long term.
- Clarify what you're passionate about. If you have a desire to do something different, is it something you love to do? Would you be willing to do it for free just because you love it?There is a simple exercise you can do which is to create a Joy List. Make a list of 20 things you enjoy doing. It could be as simple as going for walks in nature, jogging or travelling.
Once you have your list of 20 things, now start thinking about ways you can monetise those things. Are there others who are monetising doing the things you'd love to do? Can you learn from them or model what they are doing? This is the easiest and fastest way to transition to doing what you're passionate about.
- Surround yourself with positive people. While change itself can be challenging, oftentimes it causes others to look at what they're doing with their lives. If you do not surround yourself with people who are supportive and who want you to succeed, people may drag you down or discourage you because any change you make may also affect them.
Generally people want you to succeed but they do not want you to leave. Any change you make may cause them to think they will be left behind so it is easier for them to discourage or even ridicule you. Therefore being around people who will support you no matter what, is a vital step when making a change.
- Be willing to start all over again. Depending on how big a change you want to make, it may be necessary for you to start at the beginning. This is especially relevant if it's a total career change. Starting out at the bottom should be seen as a necessary step towards the big picture.
This is why being passionate about what you do is vital to your long-term success and enjoyment. Starting all over again may mean investing extra hours reading books, attending seminars or training programs, or listening to educational programs. Any investment you make in yourself will pay off in the long run.
- Create a mastermind group. A mastermind group is like your support team. You need to have two – five people you can confide in and who will also hold you accountable to do the things you've agreed to do.
Having a mastermind group is one of the core principles of success. Your mastermind group can also offer ideas and solutions to challenges you may face. If you don't have one, start one within the next 60 days. The benefits will be incredible.
It is a natural human quality to want things to be better and to continually improve ourselves. Having the awareness that change is required is the first step. Then it's a matter of applying these five keys as you start the process of creating a new you in the New Year.
Question: What are some other things that must be taken into account when making a change in your life?
You can leave a comment by clicking here.


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The problem with basically every blog I've ever written is that I end up getting behind a little bit. And then something happens that I want to write about, but I'm behind a bit, so I don't do it yet, and then things just pile up and up and all of a sudden my blog is dying.
So, uh, I haven't posted anything about my life since leaving Africa basically… Whoops!
So, here, I'll try and summarize the last 5 months since returning.. I'd much rather have done separate posts about the 5 races I've ran since (Pacing my friend Lisa for Calgary Half-marathon, Racing Chinook Olympic Tri, a relay segment of the 100-mile trail race – Sinister 7, Ironman Calgary 70.3, and Challenge Penticton), but I just know that's not going to happen… Especially when you add in all the posts I wanted to do about training in Calgary and Penticton this summer. Oh, and in Europe. Jesus, this is going to be a big post. Whatever, right? I just need to catch up so I can move on and hopefully be more consistent!
So, clearly a big summer! I got back from Africa April 22 and tried to start training pretty immediately. I jumped back into Talisman Centre's Triathlon Club workouts, Monday nights on brick, Tuesday nights doing Run Strength, Thursday mornings swimming…
Danielle and I pretty much roughed out a schedule that worked for us and kept at it most of the summer. Probably roughly 20 hours a week, two sports a day… Probably 3 swims most weeks (Tues, Thurs, Sunday), 4 rides, and 4 runs if we could. Including brick runs. Definitely biking saw the most time, with every weekend spent doing a 5-7 hour ride west of Calgary.
In mid-May we did the Golden Triangle, a 3 day ride I'd done the year before too, with Meghan and Martha, two new-to-me friends, and got rained on 2 of the 3 days. Day 3 was stellar like it was last year, but day 2 was a slog. Slog slog slog. So wet, so cold! The 100km days though, those felt like nothing after the extremeness of Africa. I mean, even 11 degrees and raining was better than 47 degrees and 166+ km of the same same scenery. 🙂 Not bitter at all! hehe. Actually, as time passes I feel better and better about my Africa experience. I've always felt glad I did it, but I'm beginning to remember more and more of the good and less and less of the bad now. I probably shouldn't read this blog's archive.
June 1 saw me doing the half marathon at the Calgary Marathon event instead of my planned 50K, mostly due to inability to run much in Africa. Whether or not this was a great decision, it was at least a good one… I paced my friend Lisa to (hopefully) a 2:00 half, but she missed it a bit this time. Alas, but it was still fun to run with her for the race!
That week Danielle and I bought Tri bikes! Something I'd thought of doing the year before but didn't. She had her eye on one for a while and I had my friend at Speed Theory that could get me a deal, so everything just worked out well. Danielle's bike is a Trek Speed Concept 7.5 and I got an Argon 18 E-116! Both definitely helped our speed, training, and just general excitement about getting out there more on the bike. Gotta tell you, it was a huge change from the steel-framed Surly Long Haul Trucker I had in Africa! So light and aero. 😀
Later in June was the Chinook Olympic Triathlon… I think it went pretty good! I took a lot of time off my previous year's effort, 15 minutes or something. My swim was nearly identical, but I gained about 10 minutes on the bike (thanks Africa and new bike), and was able to put in a lot better effort on the run too, which amounted to only 3ish minutes, but I felt a lot better on it. I think I ended up around 2:29? Something like that.
Early July had us going to Crowsnest pass and competing on 2 different teams for Sinister 7. I was leg 6 and Danielle was leg 3. We both had a ton of fun! My leg started at about 10pm, so it was mostly in the dark. I tried to stay dry for the first few km, but about 5km in there was 600m of deepish water covering the whole trail… Wet it was! It was super fun though, and I think I did fairly well. It's inspiring for certain, to see the solo people doing the whole thing themselves! I'd love to do it some year… next? 😉
At the Calgary Ironman 70.3, I saw another good increase over last year, finishing just under 5 hours, which was a goal of mine. I remember the swim being pretty fast and the bike being windier than last year (oh, and 4km longer, I think!)… Then the run just went all kinds of better for me this year. Last year it was all cramps and foot numbness and everything… This year, just general soreness, no cramping, no walking. Was nice to see so many TCTC friends (and UCTC friends from the year before) on the out and back on the run.. Saw one of our coaches, Grant, finish 5th while I was starting my run too, very cool!
Early August saw us going to Europe for some friends' wedding (Niccole & Ben), some of you may know them! We went to Nice, France and Davos, Switzerland (with a tiny bit of time in Zurich as well). It was awesome! We did a lot of training there too, renting bikes in Nice and cycling along the coast, through Monaco, up into the mountains along the Col de la Madone, a training ride that Lance Armstrong often did during his TDF prep days. Then off to cooler temps in Davos where we did more running and tried out windsurfing, something we determined later that we are not very good at. 🙂 Overall a really fun trip though, and though we were worried about getting our training in pre-Challenge, we did it well I think!
After that it was just some tapering and boredom until Penticton! Race day!! Omg, it was so much fun. Honestly! It was so so many feels crossing that line after all the work we put in this summer!
The swim started off well, and according to my watch's GPS I was on fire, moving really quick… But around 2/3 into it, I started feeling pretty ill… Like pukey ill! I couldn't keep it together and ended up puking twice in the water (sorry swimmers behind me – though I was off to the side and no one was behind for 20ish metres, lol)… But then I felt good! I was slower, but I finished it, 1:19:45! Exiting the water, I ran quickly to the change tent (missing my family and friends cheering for me off to the side) and changed into bike clothes. This was the first tri that I changed completely between events, but it felt reasonable given how long everything was. A quickish 5:11 (there was a few hundred metres of running to cover too) and I was out on the bike.
Overall things went pretty good there. I had a lot of these Hammer brand electrolyte tablets along the way, mostly since I was so worried about having puked up sodium and breakfast, and lots and lots and lots of Honey Stinger chews. Probably 12 packs of them, which is like 2000 calories of gummies. haha. The early bits were really crowded at times, mostly with half-distance racers, and actually most of them were in huge pelotons, which is ridiculous… Where were the marshalls? After they turned off though, it got pretty quiet! Richter pass was tough but totally doable, and I saw my parents along it, which was awesome. I really loved having them there (and Danielle's family and our friends!), really made something to look forward to. Probably the worst part on the bike was the out and back around Keremeos, ugh! It was rainy for this bit too, and just demoralizing… Seemed uphill both ways! After that it was Yellow Lake hill climb, which I'm really glad we did back in June, since I knew pretty much exactly how long it was. Getting over the top, it was lightning fast downhill back into town, where I saw some of the top runners already on their way back from the Marathon out-and-back. Off the bike in 6:13:45 and through another change of clothes and back out to the run in 3:24!
I started out much too quick here… 4 minute kilometer?! Slow down, self! I ended up trying to maintain about 5:30 for the run, which had varying degrees of success… At each aid station, I'd take ice, water, and Heed, and hold the ice, dump the water on my head and drink the heed, while walking a bit. I think this walking is what made me running late for my 4h marathon goal. At 26km or so I got to see Danielle's family and our friends again, a surprise, since I thought they'd be off eating at that time, and literally minutes later the battle began… My legs really didn't like me anymore! I fought through though, and got a big boost from seeing Danielle at about 30km in (she was 15km in and though happy to see me later admitted she was swearing at me for being so far ahead, haha… All of our training was together, it's shocking that I could still be faster after doing all my training miles at the same pace, more or less). With 4km to go, I was within reach of my 4 hour goal but it was going to be close and my legs were dying quick. I almost walked a bit and gave up the goal, but I was too close and had come to far to miss it. The thought of waiting year(s) to do another one to get that 4 hour ironman marathon was enough to push me through! Especially the last km down main street with people congratulating me along the way and the finish line in site! It was my fastest km for sure! 3:45 or something ridiculous!! I made my goal with 3 minutes to spare, somehow! 3:57:08! For a total time of 11:39:13! Incredible!! 😀
Thanks SO SO SO much to our friends and family that came out to cheer or were cheering from home! It means a lot!
After Penticton, we lounged around for a few days there doing a lot of beach and wineries… Then headed down to Spokane, Coeur D'Alene, Heyburn State Park (Idaho), Whitefish, and Glacier National Park (Montana)… Very fun trip! Coeur D'Alene is so so nice! And so cheap for real estate! Live there one day? Maybe!! They have a wicked 72 mile long cycle track too. Here's a bunch of pics from those days…
Since then, we've mostly been running. We signed up for the Grizzly 50K again this year (Danielle's first ultra), and that's in a couple weeks. I got a new job at a company called iConnectivity doing iOS, Windows, and OSX development for their MIDI related hardware… Oh, and I bought a (town)house! Weee. Life is good! Training is good! And now I'm caught up and can blog again in realtime!!
Hope you enjoyed… This took a few weeks of writing here and there and an evening of sorting pictures to finally get posted!