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It's Friday, and that means free flash fiction. I'm really digging the new job and schedule - this whole having time to write is pretty nifty. I even managed to see Deadpool with the family. Great flick, by the way, though all the hype about Ryan Reynolds doing a full frontal scene was totally overblown. Trust me, if there'd been something to see I would've paid the price for several more tickets. *wink*
That said, this week's piece was inspired by 1950's Hollywood, and my favorite film comedy of all time. Not saying anything else - if you're into vintage cinema (or you watch a lot of TCM) you'll recognize it.
* * * *
DRIVING SEX; by Tucker McCallahan:
"Wake up, Lanch."
The voice coming from the walkie-talkie startled me. Swearing under my breath I took one last drag from my Winston and crushed it out in the ashtray. I grabbed the box and keyed it with a thumb.
"Nobody does that, 'Over and out,' stuff anymore, old man."
Chuck was laughing at me again. Little turd.
"D'you radio just to pick with me, or is she ready to go? Over."
"She's ready."
"Rolling; over."
The motions were automatic. One week on this set and I could've driven through it blindfolded. The Hotel del Coronado was nice enough, but San Diego was so damn close to Mexico it gave me the scratch. All I could think about was a run across the border, and the cherry 58' Buick they had me driving for her was sweet temptation.
The back seat was huge.
I gave Chuck a middle-finger wave as I rolled past him. He shot it back just as Evelyn and Sandra came out of makeup. They looked scandalized, and I was still laughing when I pulled up to the door.
They must've been looking for the Buick, because she came out immediately. She'd put sunglasses on, but not her scarf. I leapt out and grabbed the door.
"Thank you, Mickey."
I controlled the wince. Everybody called me Lanch. Everybody but her and my grandma, and my grandma had been dead for twenty years.
I climbed back into the Buick and we took off. Most of the cast and crew were at the Coronado for the duration of the shoot, but she, Jack and Tony all had houses down the beach. The studio took good care of their stars.
Two minutes later we pulled up in front of her place. I glanced in the rearview mirror. She was pouting.
"Something wrong?"
"Arthur said he'd be waiting for me."
"I'm sure he's inside." I pointed to the driveway. "The other car's here."
"He's mad at Billy, so he's mad at me."
That breathy little-girl voice damn near punched right through my guts. I controlled the urge to storm into the house and drag Art's sorry ass outside. I had no idea what she saw in the guy. I could generally find something to like about any guy–even if it was only for fifteen minutes or so. Not the case with Miller. Guy just rubbed me wrong all over.
As usual, I didn't know what to say to her, so I held my tongue.
The front door opened and Art paced out. Maybe she was right. He looked harassed and irritated. I jumped out and opened her door before he got to the car. Two seconds later he was next to me, bending into the Buick to help her out.
"Thanks, Mickey."
"My pleasure, ma'am."
She threw a sweet smile over her shoulder as he led her toward the house. The instant the front door closed I knocked another Winston free and lit up. Just for kicks I headed back to the set. If they were done shooting Frank would be free. He'd be ready for a shower, cards, whiskey, and a quick fuck–not necessarily in that order. I didn't particularly care. That list in any order sounded swell to me.
Instead of finding Frank packing up cameras, I found Chuck. He was going full tilt; his arms looked like a windmill. I rolled up and turned the engine off. Tucking my smokes in my breast pocket, I climbed out and stretched. Sitting in the Buick all day made my legs stiff. I strolled over.
"–any idea what those cost? Sweet virgin Mary!"
"Whoa, watch that language." I gestured toward where a group of young girls huddled, obviously hoping for a glimpse of Tony. Chuck glared at me.
"Unless you're gonna dump him in the trunk and drive away, mind your own business, Lanch!"
I got a look at Chuck's latest victim and did an abrupt double-take. Christ, it was a kid. A boy, actually, and if he was eighteen I'd re-enlist for another tour with Uncle Sam. He had a good 'ol boy look: square jaw, sandy hair, slight squint. He also looked more bored than upset. Good for him; he'd already figured out Chuck was all bark and no bite.
"Sure." I scowled at the kid. "Told you if you welched I'd find you."
The kid's eyes, as blue as the California sky, widened. Chuck glanced between us.
"He owe you money?"
"Promised it this morning."
Chuck shook his head. Turd was laughing again. It was pathetic that anybody could be so easily manipulated. I kept my mean face on anyway.
"Feel sorry for you," Chuck said to the kid. "Everybody knows what a loan shark Lanch is."
I lit another cigarette.
"You done? Me and him, we need to have a little talk."
"Don't hurt him too bad. Frank will pitch a fit if cameras are short-handed tomorrow."
Somehow I wasn't shocked to hear the kid was on Frank's crew. That man had an eye. Chuck was already walking away. The kid gazed at me, interest and uncertainty pouring off him in equal doses.
I turned and headed for the Buick. He followed me.
"What'd you bust?" I asked, once we were inside.
"Lighting rig."
"Why were you carrying zaps if you're on Frank's crew?"
"Chuck told me to."
"Figures. Where's Frank?"
"He owe you money, too?"
The kid's look was way too knowledgeable. I drew on my cigarette and let my eyes run over the kid the way most men looked at her. Boy wasn't dumb; he knew the score. I offered the kid a Winston and lit it after he stuck it between his lips. The dimple in his chin was perfect. Yeah, Frank had an eye. The kid rolled the passenger side window down and cocked his head.
"How long you been a driver?"
"Since before you were born."
"I'm twenty-five."
I gave him the hairy eyeball, and a faint blush stained his cheeks.
"You're not a day over eighteen." I blew a plume of smoke out and started the Buick. "If you're even that old."
"I'm old enough."
He looked around, taking in the swank interior, and his eyes got huge.
"This is her car!"
I nodded as we rolled off the set.
"What's she like?" he asked.
"Didn't you just spend an entire day watching her?"
"Jack and Tony take bets on how many takes she'd need to get her lines straight?"
He nodded.
"Who won?"
"The costume guy."
This time my laugh was genuine. The kid joined in and for the first time since I'd started driving the Buick, I wished it was a convertible and not the hardtop.
"You staying at the hotel?" I asked. We'd already made a circle of the joint. I wasn't about to keep driving around the place with the kid in the front seat.
"Yeah, got a room with a couple of the C-crew. What about you?"
"I'm solo."
"How'd you score that?"
"Gotta be available twenty-four hours for her."
"Cause that's what her contract says."
I pulled into space number twenty-one and turned the big V8 off. We got out and walked inside the Coronado with nary another word spoken.
The knock on my door came at just before midnight.
"It's open," I called.
The door opened and the kid walked in. His hair was damp. I motioned him over to the table where I sat.
"Wasn't sure you'd show."
He stood beside me and shook his head when I pointed at the other chair. I stood.
"What time's your call?"
I nodded. I was pretty sure he wouldn't be here past one. I crossed to the bed and let my white hotel towel slip to the floor. When I turned to sit, he was right in front of me, shirt gone, belt undone, fingers working to get his heavy denim jeans unbuttoned. I grabbed the material at the sides and yanked it down, taking his shorts with the jeans.
I don't know if I leapt or he pounced, but we landed in a tangle of arms and legs in the center of the narrow bed. He smelled like smoky lemons and tasted like spearmint. I could've spent hours just touching his skin.
The sex was over too quickly.
I rose and stalked over to my cooler. I got a beer and looked back over my shoulder. The kid stretched out on the bed, his sandy hair tussled and a silly grin on his face.
"You want a beer?"
"I want another go."
I dropped the beer back into the cooler and contemplated grabbing some ice to cool the kid off, but felt a grin as silly as his spread across my face. Another go sounded great, and after all…some like it hot.


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Chasing Pluto's shadow in a Boeing 747
Telescope to go (Image: NASA/Jim Ross)
Read more: Click here to read the original, longer version of this story.
THE race is on. In a few hours, Pluto's shadow will tear across Earth's surface at 25 times the speed of a bullet. Our task: to manoeuvre a jumbo jet through the night sky so that it crosses the shadow's path at the point where we will get the best view of an exceptional astronomical event. And the latest calculations suggest we are going to fall 332 kilometres short.
Ted Dunham of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, appears worried by the news. "It's an unexpectedly large shift."
We are in SOFIA, a converted Boeing 747SP that is the largest airborne observatory in the world. The refitters have been busy: gone are the familiar rows of airline seats and overhead bins, ripped out to make room for a multitude of computer monitors – and a 2.5-metre telescope. There are no flight attendants, no movies, no free whisky. I even had to bring my own food.
SOFIA is flying for a special reason. Tonight – 29 June – Pluto will pass in front of a star in the constellation Sagittarius. As it does so, the weak starlight that normally reaches Earth will fade and temporarily disappear. The event is called an "occultation".
Astronomers can use this change in starlight to learn about the pressure and temperature at various altitudes in Pluto's extremely thin atmosphere. "These measurements nicely complement the observations that NASA's space probe New Horizons will carry out when it flies past Pluto on 14 July," says SOFIA deputy project scientist Tom Roellig.
Making the measurements isn't easy, though. Earth's orbital motion around the sun will take us through Pluto's shadow at high speed – somewhere in the order of 85,000 kilometres per hour. The occultation will last 90 seconds.
But SOFIA's total flight time will be almost 8.5 hours. We took off from Christchurch International Airport in New Zealand late in the evening, eventually heading to the south-west. So far, most of the 30-plus scientists and engineers on board have spent the flight testing and calibrating their instruments. I walk around and take pictures, although the rear of the cabin, where the most sensitive instruments are located, is forbidden territory.
Calm before the storm
Now, as midnight ticks by and SOFIA flies above the ocean somewhere between New Zealand and Antarctica, comes the news that has unsettled Dunham. Instrument scientist Jeffrey Van Cleve has been in contact with astronomer Amanda Bosh at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to get the latest fix on the precise location of the "central line" of the occultation, where astronomers hope to observe a flash of refracted starlight at mid-eclipse.
From measurements of Pluto's position made just hours ago in Arizona and Chile, Bosh calculated that the line lies 332 kilometres further north than had been thought. "I hope Amanda is right," says Dunham.
Mission director Karina Leppik works out a new flight plan. Despite network problems, a lost memory stick and a printer that has run out of paper, it reaches Jeff Wilson, the navigator on the flight deck, in time. SOFIA changes course.
Next comes what Roellig calls "the calm before the storm", as SOFIA works its way towards the new interception point. With little to do but wait, some people take a nap. Leppik plays on her iPad.
A few hours pass, and the tension increases again. Then, as we approach 4.53 am, it's all eyes on the computer screens. Pluto and the star already appear as one blob of light. Then, at the predicted time, the star starts to dim. "Amazing! This is so cool!" exclaim scientists all around me.
The show is soon over – and the analysis begins. A plot of brightness measurements made by the telescope's guiding camera shows a beautiful central flash, indicating that SOFIA was smack in the right place. The plot also reveals two short-duration blips.
"The telescope's guiding camera shows a beautiful central flash, indicating we were in the right place"
"In principle, they could indicate the presence of ring arcs around Pluto," says Dunham – although he thinks the blips are probably a spurious artefact.
For 15 minutes or so, I secretly hold the hope of having witnessed the discovery of a Plutonian ring system. But then data from one of SOFIA's main instruments comes in, confirming Dunham's hunch: there are no rings. There is another surprise, though: a possible sudden temperature change at a certain altitude in Pluto's atmosphere. It's too early to know what it might mean, says MIT astronomer Michael Person.
One hundred minutes after the occultation SOFIA touches back down at Christchurch airport. "Let's make some history," pilot Ace Beall had said as we took off. And we have done. But there's more to follow on 14 July. How I'd like to be on board New Horizons during its Pluto fly-by.
This article appeared in print under the headline "Chasing Pluto's Earthly shadow"
More on these topics:

subset: commoncrawl


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News Release 13-127
Study Reveals Increase in Bandwidth at Academic Institutions
July 16, 2013
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
According to a recent report published by the National Science Foundation, cyberinfrastructure resources at academic research institutions have increased substantially since 2005. The fiscal year (FY) 2011 Survey of Science and Engineering and Research Facilities reveals that bandwidth increased significantly during the FY 2005-2011 timeframe.
In FY 2011, 59 percent of academic institutions reported bandwidth of at least 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), compared with 21 percent of such institutions in FY 2005. The percentage of academic institutions with network connections of 10 Gbps or greater increased from 2 percent to 25 percent during this period.
Academic institutions continue to gain greater access to high-speed bandwidth through a network of national and regional providers. This increase in connectivity ensures reliable and efficient data transfer at the schools and laboratories.
For more information on this report, please contact Michael Gibbons.
Please visit the NSF's National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics for more reports and other products.
Media Contacts
Deborah Wing, NSF, (703) 292-5344, email: email@example.com
Program Contacts
Michael Gibbons, NSF, (703) 292-4590, email: firstname.lastname@example.com
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2019, its budget is $8.1 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 50,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards.
Useful NSF Web Sites:
NSF Home Page: https://www.nsf.gov
NSF News: https://www.nsf.gov/news/
For the News Media: https://www.nsf.gov/news/newsroom.jsp
Science and Engineering Statistics: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards Searches: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/


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Alan Ramsden completed his Bricklaying Apprenticeship in November 2013. The three years he spent as part of this journey was a great success – and an inspiration to young people who are considering an apprenticeship in bricklaying.
Over the three years, Alan's hard work, creativity and the skills he developed as a bricklayer paid off in ways that have made the ABBTF very proud.
Since starting his apprenticeship, Alan has collected a large number of awards for his work. In 2013 he competed at the International WorldSkills Competition in Leipzig, Germany, winning the Medal of Excellence.
Prior to this, Alan was awarded Best MBA/ABBTF Bricklaying Apprentice (2011), Best 1st Year HIA Bricklaying Apprentice (2012), Best 2nd Year HIA Bricklaying Apprentice (2013), and very recently in June 2014, Alan was awarded the Best 3rd Year HIA Bricklaying Apprentice, Best 3rd Year Overall Apprentice and Best HIA Apprentice for 2014. When asked about his most recent win, Alan stated he feels "more proud and honoured than ever".
As for the favourite part of his apprenticeship, Alan stated that the entire journey has been incredibly enjoyable, "It's taken me across the world", he said. He also pointed out his physical health and fitness have improved and strengthened over the years of his apprenticeship due to the nature of the work itself.
Manager of ABBTF Western Australia, Dean Pearson, describes Alan as the "most current champion" of ABBTF, a hardworking and skillful young person who now has a fantastic trade to forever be able to use.
Since completing his apprenticeship, Alan has continued to work for his host but will be going out to work for himself in the next few months. His next great ambition is to join the Australian Defence Forces in the Special Air Services SAS/Commando Division. Despite this, Alan knows that bricklaying is what he will always come back to. Good luck Alan from ABBTF, we look forward to hearing about your future achievements.
To young people considering a bricklaying apprenticeship, Alan says "Go for it. Have fun. It's great money and so much freedom."
Geoff Noble


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Sewer Line Replacement By Henco Plumbing Services
Sewer Line Replacement – Get The Information You Need
Plumbing pipe line repair and replacement can be a serious project for any home owner. Our team performs several sewer line replacements each month. You must hire an experienced licensed plumbing contractor for this kind of work. A broken sewer pipe can cause extensive damage that may require professional remediation. There are important sanitary considerations when a sewer line requires repair. We feel this type of home service is not well suited for a do it yourself approach. If something goes wrong, you could find yourself in violation of community legal rulings.
If you have a sewer line problem, we can perform a main line scope to find the damage, then let you know what needs to be done to correct the damage. Call us at (360) 773-8039 to schedule an appointment for a thorough sewer pipe inspection.
An article in Sewer Solutions by author Matt B. has some interesting material on this topic. Drain excavation and repipe services are now a major specialty for plumbing services. Technology and techniques have become more important to ensure a clean and safe service.
What Should You Know About Drain Excavation And Pipe Replacement
Trenchless sewer repair and video camera inspection services have revolutionized the plumbing industry. Jobs that you still require a lot of time effort and money can now be quickly and effectively repaired and just a single day without tearing up your yard or excavating pipes. That means that you can uuickly get diagnosis and repair accomplished and get back to your life. When looking for a company to take care of these services, you will want to make sure that they have end up knowledge and experience regarding these types of procedures.
Ensure that you hire a company that has taken the time to train their technicians on how to provide these types of services and all of the latest techniques and technology. Also, be sure to check whether or not the company is adequately licensed and insured in case of any mishaps. A good company will normally offer to come out to your home or business and give you an estimate regarding the price of the project as well as the estimated time to completion. Be sure to ask any questions you may have while they are on site to give you your estimate. You should also inquire as to any additional cost that could potentially arise so that you can be prepared in case of any setbacks.
The preceding article emphasizes using a company that employs trained personnel for your repipe or repair for your sewer line. We know the importance of taking care that structures and landscaping are not destroyed in the process. Henco Plumbing Services, LLC recently completed a full sewer replacement for a home in Vancouver, Washington. Here's an image, below, that shows just some of the work necessary to correctly perform this service.
Notice the clean trench that was required for this replacement. We use a backhoe to make the pipe trench as small as possible, while ensuring proper depth for the pipe installation.
What causes sewer backups that can be so damaging? The staff at The Plumbing Info consumer information site discuss the three main problems causing sewer issues in the article below. We've included the first cause: clogs, here. If you are interested in reading the entire article, click on the link at the end of the excerpt. There are some quick fixes available, too. Most often clogs simply require some cleaning. However, a clogged sewer can also be related to a break in the sewer line.
3 Common Sewer Backup Causes
A sewer backup is never a fun thing to deal with. Not only are they messy, but there is also a multitude of different sewer backup causes that you will have to consider. This article is going to explore three of the most common sewer backup causes. It is also going to offer some inexpensive, quick fix options that can clear most blockages at home.
#1. Clogs
One of the most common sewer backup causes by far is clogs. Clogs are the result of a type of material causing a blockage in one of your drain pipes within your house. They generally develop over time and have a variety of different causes.
Some of the most common causes of clogs include:
Hardened grease.
Baby wipes.
Small toys (Legos and small action figures are prime examples).
Dental floss.
Cotton swabs.
One of the first signs of a clog is when your drain begins working very slowly. However, some clogs that are caused by things like small toys and non-flushable baby wipes may cause a sudden and complete blockage.
As you can see, there are several reasons for a clogged sewer line that results in a backup. If you have a clogged sewer, try the home remedies first, however, if the problem does not resolve right away, you need professional help. Continuing to pour drain cleaner down the drain could simply result in more chemicals pooling in a break area, complicating pre or post repair work.
Also, tree roots and broken sewer lines are two major reasons for sewer line clogs. Often, the tree causing the sewer clog needs to be removed before the sewer line can be repaired or replaced. Sewer lines sometimes break because the pipe is old, or shifts in the ground cause the pipe to burst.
If you have a sewer line problem, whether a clog or a suspected sewer line break, contact Henco Plumbing Services, LLC, at 360-773-8039 as soon as possible and we will set up an appointment to examine your sewer line as soon as possible.
Resources: Sewer Service


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Anja Rubik can be found on the cover of Vogue Portugal this month. For the July 2014 cover, the model wears a rather slinky silver number from Paco Rabonne and is shot by Patrick Demarchelier. Assuming the usual supermodel position, what we have termed "the super slouch," Anja is giving some serious eye to the camera. While we aren't huge fans of he dress in the cover shot, we are over the moon about the hair. Excuse us while we head over to Pinterest to look up a how to on sleeked back hair. Super summer, no?
Anja Rubik covers Vogue Portugal (we're loving the hair)
posted on: Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Labels: Anja Rubik . Cover . July 2014 . Patrick Demarchelier . Vogue portugal


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Joel Klein has resigned as chancellor of NYC Schools, terminating an eight-year stint in one of the toughest jobs on the planet. Perhaps the resignation liberates his commentary a bit:
As the debate rages over public unions and, in particular, over their role in school reform, an unfortunate dichotomy about America's teachers has emerged. On one side, unions and many teachers say that teachers are unfairly vilified, that they work incredibly hard under difficult circumstances and that they are underpaid. Critics, meanwhile, say that our education system is broken and that to fix it we need better teachers. They say that teachers today have protections and benefits not seen in the private sector – such as life tenure, lifetime pension and health benefits, and short workdays and workyears.
Both sides are right.
Not true, but you can see a glimpse of Klein's political skills there. He did succeed to push the unions back an inch or two, but the oppressive weight of the rules and the heavy chains of regulations remain firmly in place. E.g., in the coming layoffs it is sensible to retain strictly on the basis of first in last out? As Klein says "that's nuts".
But that is exactly the obsolete factory-labor scheme favored by the unions. "Don't talk to us about competence – only seniority matters!"
(…) Whatever the criteria, the key point is that we must evaluate and differentiate – with consequences. We do teachers an enormous disservice by perpetuating the myth that we can't evaluate their performance and that, consequently, neither excellence nor poor performance matters. Teachers are far too important to our students and the future of our country to treat them as interchangeable cogs or widgets.
For an illuminating Klein interview I recommend the Freakonomics Radio "Exit Interview".


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Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Beyoncé is revealing more details about her surprise self-titled album, particularly the whopping number of songs she recorded for it.
"When I started picking the songs that I gravitated towards, because I recorded about 80 songs, it was the songs that were more effortless for me that stuck around that I still love that I loved a year ago when I recorded them," she said on the third informational video for her album called, "Part 3 Run 'N Gun."
She went on to talk about how she recorded "Drunk in Love" and had a party with her hubby Jay-Z when they recorded the song together with producers Timbaland and Details, drinking a little Dusse while they were at it.
"I kind of freestyled the verse, and Jay went in and he started flowing out his verse…we just kinda had a party," the songstress said. "It was so great, because it wasn't about any ego, we weren't trying to make a hit record…we were just having fun…and I think you can hear that in the record."


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A traditional Chinese Martial Arts class. You will train the mind, body and spirit with a strong emphasis on application and combat. This 2 hour class incorporates open hand and weapon forms, fitness, sparring and meditation. The curriculum draws from both the Wuji Xiaoyao system from the Omei teacher Master Liang Shou-Yu and the Southern Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu.
Monday and Wednesday at 5:30pm and Saturday at 11:00am
A fitness class for all levels compiled by our experienced trainers who draw on their many years of functional training. Equal parts fun and challenging, you will perform a variety of ever changing exercises at each station with intervals in between. With consistent attendance to this class you will loose weight, increase strength and cardio vascular function and above all have fun! An efficient and effective 30 minutes on weeknights and 45 minutes on Saturday.
Tuesday at 6pm, Thursday at 6pm, Saturday at 12:15pm.
This Southern Shaolin style Kung Fu system is world famous and well respected. Hung Gar's focus is on five animal and five element training. This class is taught by Sifu Tony Bujas, a renowned martial artist with decades of experience. Sifu Tony is an old school teacher with an old school approach. The vanishing world of traditional martial arts is something to be experienced before it is gone forever.
Thursday at 6:30 pm.
Striking, wrestling and submissions are all covered in this efficient one hour class. Rooted in Chinese Freefighting or Sanshou ('San-Show') this class adopts a fluid approach to mixed martial arts. All disciplines are taught together and not broken up into separate classes. Our top instructors are decorated coaches and fighters who have travelled the world to compete in combat sports.
To train the mind and nourish the soul allows us to build a better body. Our Martial Method Movement Class combines centuries of martial arts techniques and principles with modern movement exercises.
This class is a playful and energetic hour and is taught in such a way as to awaken your latent aptitude for natural movements and remind you of the play you enjoyed as a child.
The techniques offered will help you reclaim the spacial awareness and natural movement that we have long forgotten in our modern world of paved roads and elevators. By training in the Martial Method you will see an increase in the overall quality of your life.
Available as Private Sessions Only
Most of our training at Wuji Systems is classified as Yang. Strong, hard workouts, high intensity, so we all need to slow things down for both our body and mind. This is why Yin Yoga is an important addition to our curriculum. Our Yin class focuses on the hips and lower back using a minimal amount of poses and holding for a maximum amount of time in stillness. Meditative and restorative this class is what keeps our students vital and ready to train the next day.
Available as Private Sessions Only
We have numerous parks in Vancouver close to our training studio, but we also have the highest level of drug addicts living on the streets and parks. We offered a MovNat class last year but had to move indoors due to the unfortunate amount of needles in public parks. As a result we have created an indoor movement based training class. This class combines the fundamentals of MovNat with Kung Fu in an entirely new system that centres around 7 animals found within British Columbia. As Kung Fu is based on animals in China we found it appropriate to follow this template but reimagine it as residents of this beautiful land. Bear, Cougar, Wolf, Eagle, Snake, Orca and Raven are the animals in this system and for each animal there are exercises, movement drills, stretches, meditations, qigong and self defence. This is a complete system and will keep you limber, healthy and strong.
Available as Private Sessions Only


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BY Ysabell On Aug 23, 2018 Apartments
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Stretch Banksia Top9:36 am
(The other great shop is Leons in Chorlton, )
This top went together easily, apart from one minor hitch when my overlocker decided to have a hissy fit when attaching the collar. Please tell me it's not just my overlocker that has tantrums mid project for no discernible reason?
Some sewing friends and I were chatting about this weeks episode of the Great British Sewing Bee and wondering if they have technicians on the show to thread the overlockers? Most of those contestants had never used an overlocker, but the overlockers seemed to be behaving perfectly....maybe they knew they were on telly! ( tell me I'm also not alone in thinking my overlocker has a conscience! At least she isn't completely evil like my old embroidery machine.....)
Anyway, back to the top. I'm fairly happy with it, not sure it's really me. I don't think I like wearing knits if I'm honest.
I think I look rather matronly in it. I possibly could've sized down as well as taking out the placket and bust darts, relying more on negative ease, maybe if I make another I will.
8 comments
Two amazing fabric shops nearby - sounds dangerous! Another gorgeous make,the colours are fabulous and Iike the style. Overlockers are evil in my experience xReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Grace. I do love living near two great fabric shops, but yes it can be rather too tempting at times.Delete
I love the fabric Jeanette. Also I did catch up with the Sewing Bee and really enjoyed it. Having just mastered straight lined on a normal machine, the overlocker looked like a fearsome beastie. Actually since it trimmed the fabric as it went (I did not know that prior to watching the show), I think I would give it a wide berth for the foreseeable lol. V xxxReplyDeleteReplies
Glad you are enjoying the GBSB, I am too, so fab to see sewing on the telly!Delete
I think it looks very pretty, but you are right some negative ease might make it even better. Also think you are right about the GBSB, it's a bit suspicious to think you could master an overlocker like that! Mind you have the problems I have are due to me being stupid, like forgetting to return the blade to the right position!ReplyDeleteReplies
Yes, I was afraid of making it too fitted, but think if I make another a touch tighter would be better.Delete
I think it looks really. The colour is lovely on you. My overlocker is actually incredibly well behaved even though I probably don't treat her as well as I should. I did hoover her and oil the other week though but she could probably do with a service.ReplyDeleteReplies
Glad to hear I'm not the only one who hoovers out her overlocker! :)Delete
Hi, I love to hear from readers, hate to think I'm talking to myself here, so don't be shy say hello!


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Men's Sperry x vineyard vines Authentic Original Plush Boat Shoe
$68.99 Sale $125.00
2019-12-10T03:57:03.814Z 2020-12-09T03:57:03.814Z USD 68.99InStock
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Big news: Our Authentic Original has just met its preppy match, Vineyard Vines. Better yet, with a super-light blown rubber outsole this one weighs in at 40% lighter than its iconic sibling. Nautical nirvana? We think so too.


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Energy think-tank, Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) is warning the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) might be negatively affected if government delays with the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)'s compact II programme.
ACEP wants the government to meet with the Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) to resolve outstanding pertinent issues over the agreement.
ACEP's Executive Director, Benjamin Boakye told Joy News Tuesday, a further delay of the compact II programme will erode efforts to retool ECG to deliver quality service.
"We have a September deadline to ensure that the arrangement goes through and it is so short a time, so the earlier the stakeholders came together to resolve the pertinent issues there, the better for us," he said.
The implementation of the Ghana Power Compact agreement signed between the MCC and Ghana government in 2014 has stalled following some misunderstanding.
The Compact was to open the country's energy market to independent power producers (IPP) and to improve the management of ECG.
Former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper signing the agreement in Washington as former President John Mahama and former US Secretary of State, John Kerry looked on.
This came after the country was hard hit by an erratic power supply that plunged the nation into what came to be known as dumsor.
Many local businesses collapsed because their owners could not afford to fuel generators to power production, experts have said.
The compact was to invest an amount of $350 million out of the total $498.2 million into the revitalization of ECG but it hit a snag after PUWU criticised the agreement for lack of transparency amongst others.
Some ECG workers demonstrating over the concession agreement
The Union said government's decision to privatise the company because of so-called inefficiency is ill-informed because the failure of state institutions to pay debts owed ECG for power consumed is the main problem facing the power distributor.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his May Day celebration speech Monday assured no worker of the company will be laid off under a renegotiated agreement.
He told the workers who had gathered at the Black Star Square his government had taken a second look at the agreement to eliminate clauses that could lead to job losses.
PUWU General Secretary, Michael Nyantakyi told Joy News the ECG workers were still not comfortable with the arrangement.
He maintained PUWU wants government to consider listing ECG on the Ghana Stock Exchange to raise the needed funds instead of giving it out on concession under the MCC programme.
But ACEP said the "back and forth" between government and PUWU is dragging the arrangement expected to inject some vibrancy into ECG.
Mr Boakye cautioned that rather than "talking about the big pointers, government should get the stakeholders together."
He said an agreement with a broader framework on how to attract private capital into ECG has to be reached in the coming days.


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A brace of sporting victories for Bromley High
By GDST
Bromley High School is celebrating a brace of sporting victories at the recent GDST Sports Rally which took place on Tuesday, 3rd October 2017. The school's 1st XI hockey team left the school at 5:30am bound for the GDST sports rally at Northampton High School.
With standout performances by Rachel Cawker, Head Girl, and Alice Prentice, the 1st X1 made it through to the semi-finals with decisive victories along the way against Nottingham High, Birkenhead High and Northampton High in the quarter finals.
Thanks to amazing work from Amelia Ward in defences, the team was victorious against Newcastle in the semi finals and went through to the final, overcoming Norwich High to take the victory.
It was a fantastic performance by the team, who did not concede a single goal throughout the whole day! Tammy Falshaw, the team captain, said, "We felt very proud to be bringing the trophy home for a second consecutive year."
However, it wasn't just on the hockey pitch where the school dominated, but on the netball court too.
After playing all of the teams in the pool stage, they had completed 11 difficult matches, losing only one and drawing two, placing them in the semi-finals against Streatham and Clapham High. Following an 8-4 triumph, they were through to the finals against Putney High.
With a closely-fought and well-deserved 9-6 victory, the team took the title of Trust Netball Champions! Special congratulations to Sofie Williams who was their player of the tournament and to the U14's Lucy Baker, Honey Watson and Evelyn Davis who stepped up to support the team.


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Today was my last long run before the Disney Marathon. Although I have 4 weeks before race day, Jeff Galloway scheduled my longest long run today. The next several weekends will be in the 6-10 mile range. During my mid-week runs I will continue to work on speed work in preparation for my April half marathon.
My alarm went off around 3:45am and I was greeted by 25F temperatures outside and impending snow. I was out the door by 4:15am dressed in many, many layers in an effort to stay warm. Jeff Galloway wanted me to walk the first 10-13 miles of my run since my longest run in this cycle was 20 miles. I was a little worried about being cold during the walking portion so I chose to run 10 sec and walk 50 sec for the first 8 miles and then did a run 15 sec/walk 45 sec for the next 8 miles. My final miles were at run 20 sec/walk 40 sec.
The snow started sometime around 5:45am and started to really pick up around 7am. By 8am the sidewalks had a decent layer of snow on them and were starting to get slippery. The road had a thin layer, too. I was regretting the fact that a new pair of yaktrax are wrapped and under the tree rather than on my shoes. I decided after 14.1 miles that it was better to finish on a treadmill than to finish by slipping and falling and getting injured.
I fully admit to being a wimp. Having a decent treadmill in my basement makes it very easy for me to move my runs indoors on cold or inclement days. I realized during the outdoor portion of my run this morning that I have never run in 20F temperatures before. I've definitely run in 30F but 10 degrees makes a big difference. As I was philosophizing and running, I came up with some lessons that I learned today.
1. Diamonds may be a girl's best friend but if that girl has to run in 20F temperatures, a pair of $1 hand warmers are probably more useful. Having hand warmers in my pockets made a HUGE difference this morning as I am prone to Reynaud's (where your fingers turn white in the cold). I have decent running gloves but I still needed the hand warmers.
2. Remember in high school chemistry class where we learned that the freezing point of H2O is 32F? Apparently that holds true for water in a water bottle while you running…. There have been many 80F days where I'd have been thrilled to have ice spontaneously appear in my water bottle. In 20F that is much less appreciated. The next time I run in 20F, I may add Nuun or electrolytes just to lower the freezing point!
3. 10 days before Christmas Eve at 4am in 20F temperatures, there are almost no runners out. Except me. At 8am in the snow there were several other runners out. I saw one woman wearing capri running tights and one man wearing shorts with zensah calf sleeves. Which leads me to wonder…. Am I crazier than they are or are they crazier than I am? You don't have to answer. It's rhetorical.
4. Snow is much less wet than rain. At least when you're outside in the cold. Once you move indoors the snow melts and becomes wet. I was surprised that the snow didn't really make my clothes feels wet while I was running outside.
5. A thin layer of snow on the sidewalk is very slippery. If I had stuck it out and waiting for the snow to accumulate, it would likely have become much less slippery. I didn't stick around to figure this one out.
6. Consistently the coldest parts of my body when running in cold weather are my butt and thighs. I had 2 layers on and was still very cold in this area. Thank goodness my daughter is buying me toasty buns shorts from Athleta to wear over my tights for my next cold weather run!
7. The problem with the butt/thigh cold thing comes when you need to go to the bathroom. Cold hands trying to remove multiple layers from cold butt/thighs is challenging at best and disastrous if you really, really have to pee. Just like when you were a kid playing in the snow with snow pants and then it took forever to get undressed and use the bathroom…
8. Early, cold, miserable long runs are best done with company, even if it's virtual company. I had a running buddy (Nate Wagner – yay!) texting me while he ran 20 miles and another running buddy tweeting me (Thanks Kurt Bower!). Then several friends checked in with me via Facebook. It definitely kept my spirits up and entertained me.
9. It's not the last 6.2 miles that are really, really hard for me. It's those darn middle miles – say 14-20 – that destroy me. Not sure why. Today I struggled from about 16-20 and then it got easier. Or closer to the end. Either way. During NYC Marathon it was the same. I really struggled starting around mile 14-ish and then seemed better after mile 20. If anyone has brilliant insight, please share!
10. There's a reason the half marathon is more popular than the full marathon. Running 14 miles in training is do-able. Almost reasonable. Running 27 miles in training is just crazy.


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"For such was the miracle in her, that her eyes always changed; some whispered there was not only mortal blood in her veins. And she was of a silent, calm nature, yet kind to everyone, so even hardened warriors felt unsure and shy around her."
The fate of Celenia has been described fully in the Legend of the Arrow.
Mythical impact
Celenia is the symbol of innocence destroyed by a cruel world. A woman in the bloom of her youth, touched by love but never embracing it fully, she is the romantic hero of many a noble daughter, who would seek to imitate the charisma of her calm ways. The story does not speak of open resistance to her family, still, her tragic ending does not make for suggested reading for young women. But it is well known anyway, it was read many times, and many tears were shed on her behalf. Strangely, noble daughters of little education may know the Legend of The Arrow better than any knight of today.
Every bard worth his lute will know a song or two about the first meeting of Celenia and Nevario, or a gentle re-telling of the tragic ending. Seducers of repute know to win a girl's heart with mentioning their likeness to Celenia at a proper moment, or his own torment to be akin to the hero.
Lastly, given her supernatural ancestry, Celenia may also be associated with a fitting goddess of nature; not as a saint, but a symbolic character of the legends.
Were it not for the eyes, she would be simply nice, but not of the kind men kill each other for instantly. Darkly brown hair envelopes her round face, with medium height and slender built, she can hide for a while between other women of her innocent age.
Dressing simple, she is depicted wearing white robes with few ornaments that fit her well. A small brooch contains a strand of her mother's hair.
Then there are her eyes.
The best painters create an image with slightly glittering eyes, that change their colour if the viewer moves. (A little magic can help in this regard especially well.) It is a matter of proud understatement that their true beauty can never be captured in fullness.
The Power
It is firmly believed now, that her mother was gravely wounded while still pregnant. Loosing precious blood, she prayed to the Goddess of Nature, the Mother and Protector. She prayed not for her own life, but for the unborn baby, her only child to come. The wound has closed, and no blood seemed to be lost. As people whispered from then on, the Goddess borrowed her own blood. Celenia's mother has died at birth, loosing what she has been borrowed. But the child survived, and was marked from then on.
Her eyes percieved the world as it is, not deformed by illusions most people tend to see. She might have seen things visible as invisible, ghosts even when others wouldn't notice them.
While she may see a lot on people's outside, she will not see much of their inside, a fact she has learned from a few nasty experiences, and considered her weakness. Over time, she would notice of what nature people are, but she is helpless in this regard as anyone else.
That she noticed the glimpses of the spirits of people in their bodies, was felt by them in turn and could disquiet many. Were it not for her kind presence, she would literally spook people as a ghost (interestingly enough, ghosts would avoid her as well).
Sages theorize until today, that the powers of their eyes varied according to the colour of the moment, but that detail is lost to the sands of time. It appears though, that she had little control in that regard.
Some even argue, that hers was the gift of foresight, and she knew of the fate before her, but could not stop it.
She was liked by many, though few knew more than her outside. Born a curiosity, a thing to be seen and talked about, having almost learned to ignore the glances and stares, she only tried to keep her privacy, a lost battle indeed.
A few young men have build up the courage to flirt with her, and boast of it, but not a single one has actually thought of starting anything serious with her. The marriages were offered for political reasons, or of curiosity. Then came a man along, that was not afraid of her strangeness… the rest, they say, is history.
And personally? What was it really like to be her? Did she feel like a chosen for a special fate? A simple girl paralysed by destiny, that could not avert what happened around it? A freak of nature? A child of a greater power that did not reveal its intentions? Some things will never be known.
What if she is reborn? (plot hooks)
What if there is a child born, that has the same changing eyes? Chance or fate, both would produce turmoil.
- Will the Legend repeat itself, or is it just a chance? Will the Arrow be drawn to her, and kill her, possibly never working again? Or does she have the power to destroy it? If someone wants the Arrow, she has to be watched.
- Could she be "used" to produce another artifact, a dangerous weapon perhaps? A maiden with godly blood is something the typical villainous archmage would gladly pay (or kill) for. A strong element of fate is also welcome.
- "Find me a way to see through that protection, _any_ way. I will pay you… "
- A sentient monster is so horribly deformed, that it drives people mad with but a look, or even scares to death. A legend claims that it (or a large treasure) can be freed, if someone can endure the look. Sounds like an adventure.
- The warlord XY long sought something really exotic for his haarem. Will you help to return her to the desperate father, before she is dishonoured?
- Insert random prophecy concerning the child of a certain deity of Nature. Could she be the, at least indirect, child that makes the good thing or bad thing happen?
- Alternatively, powerful, otherwise not possible rituals may only succeed in the presence of such a child. Think of potent regenerative spells, even Raising Dead if it is not available in the game world. What a mad race could it provoke… entire wars might start if the chance looks real enough.
As in her first life, she would be more a plot-attractor, than an actor.
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Manufacturing costs vary internationally due to currency conversion and the cost of living in different countries. whether it is massed produced or uniquely specialised, Chinagy team blends the culture differences and knows how to make China a successful venture for your business.
Avoid the risk of translation issues, messy contract negotiations and supply chain delays by letting Chinagy arrange all this for you. Our Chinese speaking team have built up strong relationships with all of the key production partners to ensure all of our customers get the best deals possible.
sample/prototype is an early model built to test a concept or to act as a thing to be replicated. in oversea manufacturing, production samples are provided to our customer to test functionality, design characteristics, chemical content and compliance with US safety standards.
Once you approve samples, manufacturing begins. Each Chinagy project team is experienced in all phases of manufacturing from steel forgings to medical products, wood toys to electronics. Chinagy demonstrates to the factory those critical elements that must be monitored in production.
Chinagy conducts in-process and final product inspections to ensure that each product/component meets your exact specifications. Inspection procedure is jointly created by the customer and Chinagy to ensure satisfaction.
Chinagy determines the most efficient shipping options, depending on volume. Products are guided through the customs maze, all the way to your warehouse if requested. Most shipments are received within 90 days after final approval of the production sample.
For first-time customers, Chinagy manages start-up challenges like sourcing, tooling and sampling. For experienced companies, Chinagy creates new efficiencies and reduces costs.
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Chinagy team helped me with a startup company, helped me develop a product and stepped me through the importing process. The whole group at Chanagy Sourcing was unbelievebly helpful. I could not have gotten off the ground without Chinagy…"
– Stephen Pinson—President UniProdUSA LLC


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When you have gone through the 18 months with your class, you are bonded to these people for the rest of your life because you've experience a program that is so life-changing and challenging. The only way to get through the program is to work together. The tight network of friends that you developed during program is for life.
- Position:
- Managing Director
- Company:
- pathfinder TALENT SOLUTIONS
- Office Location:
- Hong Kong
- Class of:
- 2010


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My Five Favorite Travel Items
I am not a good traveler and I get whiny and irritable when I'm the least bit uncomfortable.
Even more so than usual.
There's nothing I like better than tucking into my own bed every night and arranging the jumble of pillows just-so in my own very-special configuration. So unlike the rest of America, I sympathize with Paris Hilton and am not keen on sleeping in strange places or being cooped-up either.
But unlike Ms. Hilton, when I'm not comfortable, I don't have any fancy lawyers to call so I have to fend for myself. Since summer travel season is revving up, I thought I'd share my top five travel items that I find indispensable for sleeping and keeping yourself in the best shape possible on your journey to Paris, or wherever else you might be heading.
Tempur-Pedic Eye Mask
If you're a light sleeper, chances are just the slightest amount of light will wake you up. There's lot of flimsy eyemasks on people's faces out there, but they don't fit very well and if you're like me, any morning light entering can jolt you into an early-morning reality that you might not be reluctant to deal with.
The Tempur-Pedic Eye Mask is made out of that fancy memory foam and after wearing them for a minute or so, they conform to your face and block out every single itty-bitty morsel of light. If you're trying to block out the world and get some sleep, to adjust quickly to the local time, get yourself a pair of these. Pronto.
Noise-Canceling Headsets
While they're yet to come up with a model that will eradicate the noise of all those people screaming into their cell phone at the airport, strap these over your head and prepare to sink into a world of bliss. You never realize how loud those airplane engines are until you switch on these headsets, and most annoying noises (the airplane engines, not the jerks on their cell phones) simply disappear.
Seasoned travelers swear by the Bose headsets, which are great (which I learned from swapping mine for a moment with the passenger across the aisle from me last week), but there a few less-expensive options. I have a pair from Sennheiser, which are lightweight and compact, and pack easily. But I'm looking forward to losing them so I'll have an excuse to upgrade to the superior Bose. Either way, I won't get on a plane without a pair of these in my carry-on.
Excedrin PM
I'm not a big fan of taking pills, which puts me in the minority with the Paris crowd. But I am a fan of getting a lot of sleep. (Which puts me in the majority in Paris..as in Paris, France.) And there's nothing worse than trying to sleep when you're uncomfortable sitting on a plane, crammed in coach with some knucklehead fast asleep next to you hogging the armrest or drooling on your shoulder.
I've tried a few prescription drugs, which puts me in the majority in France, and Hollywood, but even the heavy-duty Ambien doesn't work for me. But Excedrin PM always does. (Actually, I take Target PM.) I take one pill and it puts me out pretty well. Two if I really want to get really knocked out. Some people report it makes them feel goofy the next day, but I haven't had that problem. Or perhaps that just my normal state.
(Of course, first check with your doctor to make sure before taking any medication or pills.)
Pad & Pen
I can't tell you how many times I've led guests through Paris (France) or met friends that are traveling who invariably pump me for local advice and shopping tips. When I start reeling names off, they panic and start ripping through their bags and purses looking for some scrap of paper to write it all down. Since I like to practice remaining calm while other people panic, even if I have paper and pencil, I don't offer it and instead use this time to reflect on my very personal Zen koan—"Why do people ask a question when they are unprepared to deal with the answer?"
I love my sturdy Moleskine notebook, but I'll often buy a few cheap spiral-bound note pads just for jotting things down, like addresses and phone numbers, which I can tear out and jam in my pocket to refer to later.
Big, Strong Zip-Loc Bags
Frankly, it's just plain dumb to go anywhere without these. They take up less than .00001% of the space in your suitcase, and allow you to buy mustards, olive oils and wine while your traveling, and get them home with relative safely.
I use mine, doubled-up, for packing everything from Spanish olive oil to elegant chocolate…although they won't properly contain the aroma of French cheeses. And you don't want to get off the plane and have an "Oh my God!" moment.
I put everything I can into Zip-Loc bags. While I'm not a big fan of lots of plastic, I re-use them over and over and over again and I am certain I have a few circa 1994. And don't be stingy and buy the cheap bag either: the best are the thickest ones intended for deep-freezing.
A few other things I pack along: A bar of good dark chocolate, Bach® Rescue Remedy, David Somerset's Shaving Oil, homemade trail mix with chocolate chips, a Bucky buckwheat neck pillow (which is bulky but oh-so-comfy), and, of course, a trusted Sharpie or two.
What are some of your favorite travel must-haves?
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28 comments
Sadly most of the things I used to take with me on flights are no longer permitted through the checkpoint at Dublin Airport. They used to be (for travel to South Africa):
a 2l bottle of water
a prepacked meal (KLM food sucks)
snacks (for the midnight munch)
two good books
a notepad and pen (always get ideas on flights)
a mp3 loaded with music and fresh batteries
a camera (to capture the tropical storms over central Africa and for when we are circling over Table Mountain).
For shorthaul flights I stuck with
a bottle of water
some snackfood (all airlines flying out of Dublin charge for everything)
a book to read
a notebook and pen
the mp3 player
the camera (for crossing the Alps – taking pictures of snow covered mountains has become something of an obsession).
I always thought the little pillow was a great idea but I always think twice of it when I see the price…
Since all the travel restrictions were put in place I now travel with the mp3 player, a book and I buy water and snacks once through the security at the airport.
You are such a pastry chef! Pads and pens and organization…you crack me up. Hope to meet you at some point while you're here at your many events in the Bay Area.
Tylenol PM (probably does the same as Excedrin.) Eye drops and hydrating nose spray (ew, gross, but it's good on long flights.) Water, water, water. Moisturizer and chapstick. Cozy sock and loose fitting clothes for long flights. FLEECE.
For me it's all about sleep and hydration, and everything else falls into place.
This should be 2 lists: 1 for the flight and 1 for the travel.
For flights: earplugs, hand-sanitiser, moisturiser, a loaf of sourdough bread (to settle the stomach of nervous travellers).
For travel: who doesn't carry pens and paper always? -Maalox, a "soothing face mask" for when you don't sleep, and a stain stick of some sort (I'm partial to Spray and Wash).
I do hope you will post a picture of you in the eye mask.
Thanks for all the wonderful education.
My husband is a pilot and he never leaves the house without his own down pillow.
When he is a passenger on an airplane, he uses the little foam earplugs as soon as he takes his seat.
Enjoy your trip.
Nice list! Good to see we have quite a few in common (headphones, Moleskine, ziplocs). I would add the following:
– special pair of socks (especially if wearing sandals and/or large boots) to keep your feet warm/clean
– (moist) makeup remover/face wipe for a pre-landing touch-up
1.Unisom sleeping pills (gel-caps work fast!) but I only do deep sleep on west-to-east flights.
2. Targus noise-cancelling headphones (remember to take both jacks — airlines have one-hole or two-hole inputs)
3. Yes, the disgusting nose moisturizer – mine is called "Flight Spray" and a pharmacist in NYC insisted that I buy it. I owe her big time.
4. Air-Borne fizzy vitamin C tabs that you add to water. Who knows if it really helps fight those plane germs, but it can't hurt to drink more and more and more water. If you bring a small empty water bottle the attendants will usually fill it up for you.
5. Warm old socks that I throw out at end of flight (who wants to re-pack something with plane-floor mung all over it?)
Bon voyage et bon retour–
Target PM?!?
In case I'm stuck behind a 7 year old brat kicking my seat, I bring along a cattle prod…i mean chocolate to scare the shit…i mean…bribe him to stay still
A nice pair of travel slippers always makes me feel so clean and civilized when in a hotel room. Also, I always take a pashmina on a plane to cover up with (I don't like putting those airplane balnkets near my face).
what do i LIKE to take on a trip? I'd like to take a lot, but I am already packed as a mule with all the stuff for the little ones ;-)
on long-haul flights, i always take an inflatable ball on which i rest my feet (they keep your extremities moving and thus are supposed to prevent DVT), as for sleeping: i don't like medicine at all, so i always go for the homeopathic way: coffea (yes, that's coffee for you) is a great remedy.
i also take a face spritz (body shop orange is my favourite), not only does it refresh, you can also fend off annoying fellow passengers ;-)
and since i someimes struggle with the pressure in my ears, i always have chewing gum for landing, the constant masticating keeps the ears from tapping.
Well! Since I'm now stuck in the Richmond, Virginia airport for an unexpected three hours, which will leave me overnight at JFK until an 8 am flight home to Seattle (the nation's worst travel day, some news organizations are calling it)?
I'd have to say wi-fi, so I can pull out the computer and read this entry.
Thank you, sir.
I would add crossword puzzles, crappy entertainment magazine or a Harper's, and ipod to the list. I generally try to catch up on periodical reading – sleeping on a flight is a terrifying idea to me …
But like most of the others, water and skin/lip moisturizers are by far the most important items for me.
I can't fly without my Earplanes earplugs (I use the child size). I suffer horribly from the pressure changes and these work wonders.
I also love the Moleskine notebooks. And I make sure I have a good, reliable pen.
My husband and I just came back from 16 days in Italy and here's a few items we were glad we brought:
– a compass (got a little one on a key ring to attach to my bag. used it a million times)
– individually wrapped wet wipes
– small roll of travel toilet paper
– crocs!
– blister pads
– body glide (for feet)
– packets of woolite
thanks for all the tips, especially the excedrin pm! I'm about to go on a long trip and also don't sleep well on planes.
I take a nice big book of Kakuro. I take books too but never end up reading them, and just end up doing the Kakuro.
Steamy Kitchen: Yeah, i'm wondering if i can sneak a blow-gun with tranquilizer darts through security!
Steamy Kitchen: Good idea. Do you think it would work on the moron in front of me who jams their seat back (for some unknown reason) at full-force?
Jill: A compass is a great idea. There's company that makes travel maps that embeds a compass in the corner of the map! (Here's the one for Paris.)
Shauna: Boy, I wish I could travel with WiFi. I was stuck without access all last week. You Seattle folks are so techno-saavy : )
Clotilde: I'd be happy to take a picture of myself wearing it, but I think it'd be too difficult to do completely blindfolded!
Musicalchef: Well, this knucklehead in front of my at security today was all miffed they wouldn't let him take his Swiss Army Knife on the plane, so I think tranquilizer darts would be another no-no.
Johanna: The ball is a great idea. I wear compression socks and I love 'em. There's a store in Paris that specializes in, well, specialty socks—all kinds, makes, and models. It's not on most people's itineraries, but it's one of my favorite places in Paris!
One more tip: I bought my Tempur-Pedic eye mask on Ebay for less than Brookstone outlets at the airport, but I couldn't find a link. It really is one of my favorite things, though.
(Oh..and one more: Burt's Bees Carrot Cream moisturizer. It's rich and thick so it keeps your skin nice and hydrated.)
What a FUN post!
I never leave home without my…
Those decompression earplug thingies for takeoff and landing.
Those horrid black decompression sock things on board
A small paint box to keep the air hostesses amused…
My real dice bracelet to divert the attention of the customs officers-always works.
And an apple for breakfast…
Love the 'real dice bracelet idea Carol!
: )
After living in Switzerland and travelling to five other countries, and spending a great deal of my time on the various trains, I worked packing down to a fine science. My trips were always short, just for the weekend, so everything that I took was in my northface backpack. Some of the most crucial things that I took despite my location were: an ipod (to commence sleep on a train), a great pair of walking shoes, my moleskin (which inevitably contained a great bit of research of the location that I was going to), an understanding of how to at least say please and thank you in the native language, breakfast, (for the trains, because as I found out the hard way, if you leave Brussels and are bound for Luzern, the first stop you will make that allows enough time for you to get food is five hours away), preferably something that I picked up at the saturday farmer's market in which ever city I was in, my U.S. Cingular phone, for emergencies, because as I quickly find out, those orange click phones don't work outside of Switzerland, and of course my digital camera. Also, if I was travelling on a night train or at least at night to the destination, whom ever I was with and I would always go to Migros and get some cheese, crackers and vino for the ride.
Other than the regulars…earplugs, moleskin, tide stick, lipbalm, etc. I'll add…
I always pack a foldable, collapsable bag in my suitcase. This way I can fill up on treasures and not have to worry about fitting things in my suitcase.
I also use an eye mask that works pretty well..it light and compact too…called '40 blinks mask' by Bucky.
I pack several small travel candles, so my hotel room can always smell nice…if in fact it smells 'funky' when I get there.
Happy travels!
To pass the long hours in the air — going to or from the airport (it seems to take more than 1 hour to get to most airports these days from the city center) — I bring a file folder filled with Sunday SF Chronicle Magazine crossword puzzles by Merl Reagle (and the answer key!). I have a routine for each Sunday: look at the usually worthless articles in the Sunday magazine, notice that the food critic has once again reviewed a place in the Wine Country (doesn't SF, the Penisula, or East Bay have any restaurants?), then tear out the puzzle and key.
I have also taken to tearing out potentially interesting articles from magazines and putting them into my travel folder. When I'm finished with the articles, I either toss them or leave them with my hosts at the other end. The New Yorker is an especially good source because I can never finish an issue before the next one arrives!
My must-have for sleeping in unfamiliar places is a travel-sized white noise machine by Marsona. They even have a dual voltage model so all you need is the little plug adapter to use in US/Europe.
I have to have an eye mask and ear plugs which are both helpful for the plane and anywhere you find yourself that you wish you weren't. My husband calls me sensory deprivation woman and he's right…and always a little envious when I'm able to block out the screaming baby in the next room and he's not. I've also started using an expandable suitcase. I make sure it's zipped down when I begin the journey and it's always such a relief when I'm packing for home and find I've purchased one too many souveniers to be able to pop it up a few extra inches and store my stash. I also carry a corkscrew because you never know when you'll find yourself under perfect people watching tree with a bottle of wine…
The last five years I have flown 150K miles, both long and short haul.
ipod with nc buds
airborne or some such
lip balm
comfortable pants
advil or tylenol
sudukos (usually the calendar pads)
notebook (moleskine works fine)
mechanical pencil with extra lead and new eraser
sharpie and heavy duty ziplocks for addressing the collismo xls we send back from Paris
eye shade from amenity kits if we're in coach
small desertspoon if I can cadge away a bespoke yoghurt in the lounge between flights
an extra pair of smalls and socks
toothbrush and toothpaste
sense of humor
Always make sure your cell phone is charged and you have your airline number already programmed.
Oh, other than chocolate and other comestibles, I stopped buying geegaws when I travel and now only buy socks.
I'm forever flying between Heathrow & South Africa & I have to say that if I could inflict lasting pain on anyone it would be the guys who hatched the liquid bomb plot – they have made long-haul flights a lot less comfy for me!! Ideally I want:
a LOT of bottled water (can't take it with you if you are flying from London via a European city to SA – damn!)
Aspirin (don't want DVT now, do we!)
Nivea hand cream
Blistex Lip Medex lip balm (the absolute best)
Vitamin E oil (for the unhappy skin around my eyes)
my favourite huge red pashmina
foam earplugs
a hairbrush (because nobody looks good after a night of vigorously rubbing the back of their head against an airline seat…)
a good book
my compact camera (because you never know what you might see…)
pen & paper (I'm forever writing a scribbled journal or blog ideas down on planes!)
I also always have Ziploc bags with me, as well as a collapsible bag in my suitcase for extra purchases. I'm off on a trip home in a week – yippeeee!
Great tips here! I just got a small MP3 player, and plan to load it up with my favorite NPR podcasts and "This American Life" episodes to listen to. I just have to find some headphones I like.
One of my 'gotta-haves' is a good manicure kit with a decent nail file- nothing annoys me more than having a snaggy nail I can't do anything about. I also have my lip balm and hand sanitizer.
I carry a laptop computer with me, in a very roomy Targus backpack, which gives me room for a change of clothing, TSA-approved toiletries, the latest computer and science magazines, a couple of novels, and a bag of trail mix to snack on. I tend not to eat much during in-country travel, and just drink water and maybe have a snack. Airport food is way too expensive for me.
I've discovered that ginger Altoids are great for air-sickness. Or, barring that, crystallized ginger.
With all the craziness over that guy with the antibiotic resistant TB, I think I might add an N95 mask to my boarding bag, too- especially when I'm flying during cold and flu season.
"Why do people ask a question when they are unprepared to deal with the answer?"
Because it looks so vulture-like to hover with pen-in-hand in the hope – often unfounded – that the questionee will answer.


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Summit County Air Quality Services
Are Your Allergies Acting Up? We Can Help!
Dust, pollen, smoke, dander, and other pollutants can infiltrate your castle easily. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency states that indoor air is actually 5 to 10 times as polluted as outdoor air. If you find it hard to breathe or your living environment is not just as pleasant as it used to, you may want to pay attention to your air quality. WeatherKing Heating and Air Conditioning is proud to be one of the leading companies to offer proven air quality services in Summit County and throughout the Medina, Akron, and Cleveland communities. We understand the real threat that poor indoor air quality can pose to you and your family's health, and we stand ready to provide you with a line of defense to keep your castle safe and comfortable.
Contact our team of experts at (330) 325-4993 so we can solve your air quality problems right away!
Tried & Tested Solutions to Improve Indoor Air Quality
At WeatherKing Heating and Air Conditioning, we are very detailed in what we do. That's why we first provide you with an indoor air quality test to determine the different factors affecting your air and recommend the solutions you need based on actual findings.
In addition to the presence of air pollutants, other factors that cause poor indoor air quality include:
- Humidity level
- Proper ventilation
- Indoor climate
While some homes or offices can solve their air quality troubles with simple air filter changes or system tune-up, others may have to install air purification systems or humidifiers/dehumidifiers to improve their indoor air quality. Rest assured that our Summit County indoor air quality techs never recommend services or products that you don't need. We pride ourselves on doing honest work, from our recommendations to our price estimates, workmanship, and more.
To get started, call WeatherKing Heating and Air Conditioning and schedule an appointment for air quality services!


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A picture tells a thousand words as they say, but sometimes what they say can be ambiguous.
This image, taken last March at the Barton Moss anti-fracking protest, and chosen by the Huffington Post as one of their images of the year from the Press Association, shows the utter terror in Vanda's eyes as she is arrested for the second time. This second picture, taken a few minutes earlier, shows why. My Press Release for the day gives some context:
Former Happy Monday's star Bez joined Protectors at Barton Moss today and was witness to some of the most brutal policing yet seen on Barton Moss Lane.
GMP used considerable force in moving Protectors down Barton Moss Lane. Thirteen Protectors were arrested, including 37 year old mother-of-five Vanda Gillett, whose pain can clearly be seen in these images available here from Getty Images.
FFGM does not know why Vanda was arrested as she was not obstructing vehicles at the time. Vanda has previously been assaulted by GMP, as reported in the Manchester Evening News.
There signs today that the increasingly violent tactics were causing disquiet amongst the ranks of GMP. One Police Liaison Officer told a Protectors "we asked the police on site if it was going to be peaceful and they replied, no, we're going to do our thing".
Bez's comments about the day's events were reported by the Salford Star Newspaper.
Martin Porter said "The press must stop hiding behind a false sense of 'balance' and report this. These are not 'clashes' or 'scuffles', this is violence being used against peaceful protesters with no legal justification."
Why Greater Manchester Police decided every day to deploy enough riot police to quell a major uprising to a protest by a few dozen peaceful eco-warriors is still a bit of a mystery.
Maybe it was just a police benefit gig, maybe it really was just the Tactical Assistance Unit "doing their thing", but most likely it was an attempt to frighten people away from the blockade and kill off the anti-fracking movement before it got off the ground.
the stoicism of the Protectors for surviving a harsh winter under in a makeshift camp, or the local people who rallied round to support them, or the dangers of fracking or the thousands of people who marched to demand the Labour Party ban this dangerous new fossil fuel.
But perhaps this image tells the story best after all. For we live in a world in which the state allows 'corporate persons' to pollute with impunity but sends the full force of the law against real persons who try to stop them.
Greater Manchester Police traumatised Vanda, but they haven't stopped her campaigning. We need more people like her if the human race is to survive this century.


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Prof. Iván Werning
Spring 2003
The unifying theme of this course is best captured by the title of our main reference book: "Recursive Methods in Economic Dynamics". We start by covering deterministic and stochastic dynamic optimization using dynamic programming analysis. We then study the properties of the resulting dynamic systems. Finally, we will go over a recursive method for repeated games that has proven useful in contract theory and macroeconomics. We shall stress applications and examples of all these techniques throughout the course.
Werning, Iván. 14.128 Dynamic Optimization & Economic Applications (Recursive Methods), Spring 2003. (MIT OpenCourseWare: Massachusetts Institute of Technology), http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/economics/14-128-dynamic-optimization-economic-applications-recursive-methods-spring-2003 (Accessed). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
For more information about using these materials and the Creative Commons license, see our Terms of Use.


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Mobile devices, and especially smartphones, are an area where we have a lot of choice right now. Technology is improving at an exponential rate and smartphones are innovating at every new product release. One of the newest smartphones out there, Samsung's Galaxy S III, introduces a number of new features in the smartphone arena.
The first one you will notice is its gorgeous 4.8″ SuperAMOLED display. While it is one of the largest screens you can get and the first 4.8″ one, the phone size isn't much greater than other smartphones thanks to a slimmed down design. It also has a massive 2GB of system RAM, the most available in a North American phone.
Moving back to our mention of competition, Samsung's not-so-friendly competition with Apple continues and they have just released their "S Voice" feature, offering powerful voice control of your phone, much like Apple's Siri. Being a Galaxy phone that isn't being sold on Verizon's rather locked-down network, you can expect extensive developer support for the more daring of you out there.
The rest of the SG3's features are of course class-leading, including a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, Android 4.0 OS, Near Field Communication, LTE support, and up to 32GB storage with microSD expandable storage, too.
This popular new phone has only been out for a few weeks, but we've already got a deal that is $50 below AT&T's asking price. Existing customers can snag the SG3 for just $149.99 with free 2 day shipping, though new customers will pay $189.99 (still $10 cheaper than AT&T). Amazon also includes $25 worth of free apps from their app store.
Visit LogicBuy for the Samsung Galaxy S III Smartphone deal or browse more Amazon deals & coupons


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All students within the Sixth Form will be supported through a programme of Careers Advice and Guidance.
We recognise that you will need careful support and specialist information to enable positive progress through the complex issue of pathway choice and personal progression.
As part of the process of application and entry to any of the centres working within the Sixth Form, you will be seen individually on several occasions through their Year 11 so that the choices which you make are relevant and appropriate to both your academic ability level and your personal qualities.
Once you have enrolled in their individual Sixth Form course, you will become part of the Core Entitlement programme, which will have Careers Education, Information and Guidance as an integral part of your weekly entitlement.
For Year 12 students, the focus will be on choosing your progression route at the end of that academic year. For some, it will be into the world of work, and work experience will be a valuable part of this plan. For others, you will look to completing the second stage of your chosen course, so you will then be able to look at Higher Education or Higher level entry into employment.
The Sixth Form will work closely with the local relevant agencies to support all our students in career planning and applications.
Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance and Provider Access.
Copies of the Academy polices and Careers Contacts can be obtained from the individual academy websites here.


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February 19, 2009 | Comments Off on Fading signs in Modelbuilder
As promised in my last scratchbuilding project, i wanted to show you my method of fading a sign for use in Modelbuilder.
I used Paint Shop Pro version 9 for this but you could also use the free Gimp software. The functions might be in a different name but will perform the same function. And as in any project, play with the effects/numbers to see what feels right for you.
The tutorial plays itself except in some slides, you will need to click the "arrow" button to proceed. Click on the picture for the video tutorial:


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Cruising: Expedition cruises are a wonderful way to explore. This includes Antarctica cruising, Patagonia cruising, Galapagos Islands Cruising and Amazon River Cruising. Discover some of the more remote regions and aquatic wonderlands on a small ship adventure.
Wildlife: Have a wildlife encounter like no other in the continents of different climates and landscapes ranging from glaciers to deserts. South America is a perfect breeding ground for different animal species including three-toed sloths, giant otters and others.
Central America Adventure by sea
From the National Parks of Costa Rica to see sloths, monkeys, turtles and more, through to the Panama Canal


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Creamy Broccoli & Penne Pasta
This is one of those very quick dinners that can be thrown together in not time at all. I love it, the kids love it, even the man in the house enjoys it. I am sure if I served it to the pets, they would enjoy it as well...hahaha.
We just had this on it's own last night, but a salad would go nice on the side as well.
Creamy Broccoli & Penne Pasta
Serves 4
1 lb of penne pasta
1 small head of broccoli, cut into small florets
1/2 Onion, roughly chopped
2 Garlic cloves, crushed
Small bunch of fresh chopped basil
Small bunch of fresh chopped parsley
1 Cup/100 grams of freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 Cup/240 ml of cooking cream
3/4 Cup/180 ml of vegetable stock
1 Tablespoon of olive oil
1 Tablespoon of butter
Salt and pepper
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the onion and cook over medium heat until soft and lightly browned.
Cook pasta according to package. Drain and set aside.
Blanch the broccoli and add it to the onions. Continue to cook for a few minutes to lightly sautée the broccoli. Move the broccoli and onions to the side of the pan and add the butter and cream. Bring to a simmer and add in the vegetable stock. Stir as the sauce thickens and add in the pasta, herbs, salt, pepper and cheese (reserve a little cheese for topping the pasta). Stir to combine and serve topped with a little extra parmesan and fresh basil.
Click the downloadable link below to print recipe!
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Hello and thanks for stopping by. I'm Julia and I have a passion for wholesome fresh food. Here you can find what's cooking in my Spanish kitchen, with inspiration from my Newfoundland roots!
Search for your favourite recipes here!
December 2019
What's New!


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Sandra Baer
Chief Marketing Officer
CIVIQ Smartscapes
Throughout her career, Ms. Baer has been a champion of creative collaboration between the public and private sector. She has worked with city leaders and smart city companies, worldwide, for over 20 years, helping them discover the power of partnerships to build trust and create prosperous communities.
"CIVIQ's mission to connect is at the heart of city transformation – and that has been the focus of my work for over a decade," said Ms. Baer. "I am honored to have the opportunity to work with an amazing team of innovators who are all focused on energizing communities, and making them safer, smarter and more connected."
Prior to CIVIQ, Sandra was the president of Personal Cities, a smart city company focused on stakeholder engagement and the acceleration of digital technology investments. She is the former Senior Director for Alliances at the Smart Cities Council, and has led business development efforts at the Discovery Channel, Nextel/Sprint, Ridge Global and Bloomberg Government. She serves as a board member and advisor on several professional and civic organizations, including Cityzenith, Nektria, The GreenBiz Group, the UN Foundation and the Washington Bach Consort. As a professional speaker and moderator, Ms. Baer has spoken at Smart City/Digital Out of Home conferences in the US, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
"We are excited to welcome Sandra to our team to help us deliver a new model of engagement to cities and communities around the world," said Gerry Burns, President, CIVIQ Smartscapes. "Her ability to build and nurture relationships, her extensive experience and track record in the smart city arena, and her passion for helping cities get smarter are assets that will make her a great addition to our team."


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WHO: Ivana J. of Fashion Quite
WORE: Asos jacket, Zara shirt, skirt, bag and shoes
WHY WE LOVE IT: While the basics of Ivana's ensemble may be monochrome, she brightens them up with an electric blue jacket. We'd wear this one-of-a-kind topper to the next round of holiday parties in an instant.
Love Ivana's outfit? See her full post here.
Check out today's top looks from our favorite personal-style bloggers on Teen Vogue's Fashion Click.


text: Text BOOM to 71007 to join our mobile text club. Reply HELP for Help; STOP BOOM to Cancel; STOP to End All; Message and Data Rates May Apply; 7 messages per week. By joining the text club, you agree to receive blast texts from us or our advertisers for informational or advertising purposes. Text club membership is not a condition of using or purchasing any products or services advertised.


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The city of Uniara is in Rajasthan's Tonk district. Being a historical city, it has a palace and a 250-year-old temple worth visiting. The best months to visit this place are between November and February. Some of its nearby cities include Lakheri, Tonk and Sawai Madhopur. Its capital city, Jaipur, is 132 km away.
Places to Stay
When it comes to accommodation, Uniara has very few facilities. However, Tonk, which is 38 km away, has a number of options for tourists like Daulat Guest House (Tariff –Rs. 500), Sharma Hotel (Tariff –Rs. 600) and Ambika Hotel (Tariff –Rs. 600).
The main languages spoken here are Hindi and Rajasthani.
Holi and Gangaur festivals in March, Teej in July-August, Dussera in September-October and Diwali in October-November are some of the major festivals celebrated here.
Places of Interest
Uniara has a palace and a 250-year-old temple worth visiting. Tonk, which is 38 km away, also has numerous attractions for tourists.
How to Get There
The closest airport from this city is the Jaipur International Airport (126 km).
Uniara has no railway station of its own. Jaipur railway station, which is 133 km from here, is the major rail head connecting this place to other cities.
Buses are available from nearby cities like Lakheri, Tonk and Niwai. State-run buses cater to passengers travelling on this route. There are a number of bus ticket booking sites like Ticketgoose.com from where you will get good offers and discounts while booking your tickets.


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Arthouse present a range of children's designs under the Imagine Fun brand. A compilation of wallcoverings and home decorative products, using beautiful encased glitter effects combined with multi-coloured prints, bringing a unique finish to this truly exciting collection. From a child's nursery, all the way up to the pre-teenage years, personalities changing along with design styles. This collection offers girls and boys different options, whether it be dreaming of becoming a princess, digging in the garden looking for bugs, or even travelling to outer space. There is most certainly a design to inspire any imagination, with co-ordinating cushions, wall art, height charts, clocks and more, we offer the perfect solution for decorating a child's bedroom.
- This wallpaper is suitable for all living areas, excluding the kitchen and bathroom.
- Each roll measures 33ft (10m) in length and is 21″ (53.1cm) wide, and has a 26.5cm offset match.
- Full hanging instructions are supplied with each roll.
- Please order enough rolls to complete your job as batch numbers cannot be guaranteed on a subsequent purchase.
- Should you require a particular batch number, please contact us and we will always do our best to achieve this.
If traveling to one of our stores to purchase this item, it is advisable to call ahead first to ensure goods are in stock and available, as not all stores stock the same range.


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Sisterchicks in Sombreros
€ 8,93
Punti Premium: 9
Venduto e spedito da IBS
Scaricabile subito
Gaia la libraia Vuoi ricevere un'email sui tuoi prodotti preferiti? Chiedi a Gaia, la tua assistente personale
Two Canadian sisters inherit beachfront property in Mexico and take off on an adventure to claim their inheritance. They travel opulently by cruise ship to Ensenada and survive a rocky trip through Baja California, only to be shocked when they arrive in San Felipe. Their beachfront property is, indeed, on the beach, but the "structure" is a cement slab and the Airstream trailer their uncle parked on the property in the early 1960s! With the help of a few locals, the Canadian cuties figure out what to do with their less-than-desirable legacy. The true gift, they find, is that they are reconnected as sisters and discover that everything that happened along the way was part of God's plan.
Say Olé the Sisterchick Way !
SISTERCHICK TM n.: a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you're being a brat.
Canadian sisters Melanie and Joanne are stunned to hear they've inherited their uncle's beachfront summerhouse in Mexico. With a snap, a trip is planned: They'll travel opulently by cruise ship to Ensenada, zip over to San Felipe, sign a few papers at the bank, and the tropical hideaway will be theirs.
What they don't expect is a spa treatment gone loco, snails and cactus on their dinner plates, risky ocean dips, a cross-country desert drive, a dishy doctor, or a Federale who doesn't speak English! Fortunately, some problems really can be solved with coconut cake and, if necessary, a water fight. The beachfront property—and what it takes to get them there—becomes a gift beyond their wildest wishes as these Sisterchicks relinquish themselves to the dreams God has for them...all under the sombrero of His grace.
Story Behind the Book
A year ago in July, an associate from my publishing house walked up to my friend and I and said, "You need to go on a cruise." She grinned and told us that she had a cruise package she couldn't use and it would be her delight to see my editor and me go to Mexico on a Sisterchick adventure. After we got over the shock, we gratefully made arrangements to go cruisin' in December. What a time we had! Was it research or was it recharging of our creative efforts? Both! The result is the third Sisterchicks novel, Sisterchicks in Sombreros! I love it when God does His God things. His eye is on the sparrow, or in this case, Robin and her Sisterchick friend!
Gaia la libraia Vuoi ricevere un'email sui tuoi prodotti preferiti? Chiedi a Gaia, la tua assistente personale