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Wonder why they put the Mechanic's area up the hill. Get the rider off then a TERYK race up the hill
Not a fan of the rollers behind the start, seems you saw more cool drag races up the start straight when you could swing wide and try get a run on someone. The rollers and the sharp left right thing has made it a bit more follow the leader and closed off the likelihood of getting a pass at the top.
see the cherry picker right at the edge of the track in the sand whoops?
Hi Josh!
Boats in supercross, cherry pickers in outdoors!
Let's go riding next weekend!
Do you really think it'll be there for the race weekend?
I'd imagine not but it's there now, and there's bikes on the track!
Why always so cranky GuyB?
Probably because he has to keep all of us in line haha.
That's going to be a long walk for the mechanics from the starting line
I know why. Cause Vital mx (forum) people are 99% d*ldos like watsson would say. Not saying that you are one, but alot of stupid comments wich makes for a buttery answer.


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These Are The Best Shows To Watch Now
Finally. After waiting for waaay too long, the new season of Game Of Thrones is eventually out now! The first episode, "Dragonstone" aired last Sunday on HBO and Sky Atlantic HD the day after. But the teasing continues as the show is scheduled to conclude only on August, 27th. Meanwhile there is enough time to more than just sneak a peek at some other show. Binge watchers and serial-junkies might even manage to squeeze in a whole season. Diehard Game Of Thrones fans may call to mind the happenings of the past and re-watch season 6. But also those who are not declared devotees of fantasy-drama-killing-marathons won't come up short because there are some other cool TV and Netflix shows that are worth watching. Below some shows that totally justify avoiding the heat and spending the evening on the couch.
The Man in the High Castle
what? a scary, Nazi-reigned world scenario
where & when? season 1-2 on Amazon
who? DJ Qualls, Rupert Evans, Alexa Davalos
what? a ridiculously funny undead Drew Barrymore
where & when? season 1 on Netflix
who? Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant, Thomas Lennon
what? a Marvel adaption par excellence
where & when? season 1 on Netflix
who? Krysten Ritter
what? a Tina Fey sitcom for when you need a good laugh
where & when? seasons 1-2 on Netflix
who? Ellie Kemper, Carol Kane
what? mini movies, depicting controversial issues around new technologies
where & when? season 1-3 on Netflix
who? Jon Humm, Rupert Everett, Bryce Dallas Howard
where & when? seasons 1-4 on Netflix
who? Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Michael Kelly
what? the backstory to Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho"
where & when? season 1-5 aired on A&E, Netflix
who? Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore
The Handmaid's Tale
what? dystopian drama, based on the novel of Margaret Atwood
where & when? season 1 on Hulu
who? Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Alexis Bledel
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
what? a candy for lovers of Tim Burton movies
where & when? season 1 on Netflix
who? Neil Patrick Harris!!!
Teaser Image via Phanmem

subset: commoncrawl


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Apple Brown Betty Recipe
3 Macintosh apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1/4″ thick
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 cups fresh breadcrumbs or plain cake crumbs (such as from sponge cake or pound cake)
1/4 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1-1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground ginger
Pinch ground cloves
Pinch salt
1/3 cup apple cider
Step 1: Heat oven to 375°F. Using 1 tbsp of the butter, liberally coat a 1-1/2-quart shallow baking dish. In a medium bowl, toss apples with lemon juice to coat.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine cake or breadcrumbs with 4 tbsp melted butter. Add remaining ingredients to apples and toss thoroughly to combine. Spread 3 tbsp of the crumb mixture onto the bottom of the baking dish and top with half the sliced apples. Drizzle cider over apples and top with half of the remaining crumbs. Dot with half of the remaining melted butter. Repeat with the remaining apples, crumbs and butter.
Step 3: Bake for 30 minutes. Raise oven temperature to 450°F; continue baking until top is golden brown and apples are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven; cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm with scoops of vanilla ice cream.


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Catching people's attention with a few episodes of "Doctor Who" before going on to create and serve as showrunner on "Broadchurch," Chris Chibnall is coming home again soon.
As we know, he'll be taking over showrunner duties on "Doctor Who" from Steven Moffat ("Sherlock") with the show's eleventh season which will serve as a mini-reboot – a new Doctor, new companion, and a new tone.
With his appointment, many are expecting the series to try a serialized, season-long arc for example with no standalones. Sharing some early thoughts with RTS this past week about the direction he intends to go, Chibnall said he wanted to try a "daring conceit" and The BBC were happy with him exploring it:
"I had ideas about what I wanted to do with it. When I went to them and said, 'This is what I would do', I actually expected them to say, 'Ooh, let's talk about that', but they said: 'Great!'"
He adds The BBC was after "risk and boldness" to the new season approach. He also had to be pushed into the job: "I resisted it for a very long time, and [the BBC] really had to woo me."
Another collaborator, director James Strong, suggests there's a plan in place that goes well beyond the next season:
"Any reticence would be about the scale and length of the commitment. It's a five-year project. That was a huge decision. He's in his absolute prime and could have done whatever he wanted, writing-wise. It's an absolutely wonderful result for Doctor Who. I think Chris, essentially, writes emotional thrillers, and that's perfect for that show."
Indeed, BBC Worldwide seemed to confirm last month that they're thinking ahead as a deal with Shanghai Media Group (SMG) Pictures will give Chinese audiences access to all previous ten seasons, the upcoming eleventh, and with a first-look option all the way through a fifteenth season.
"Doctor Who" wraps up its current tenth season with a two-part finale which sees the return of both the Mondasian Cybermen and John Simm's version of The Master who will share scenes with the current incarnation played by Michelle Gomez. Check out the promo for it below:


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Originally posted in January of 2011
We just survived a tough two weeks with the trauma (which is now triggered regularly by full-on puberty). I understand why the therapists encourage us to work our tails off on the healing before puberty, if at all possible. Our kids are already onions, with many, many layers of issues and hurts. Puberty takes that onion, genetically modifies it, and turns it into a County Fair prize winner.
A freakishly bigger onion, but still an onion. You take it one layer at a time.
One morning, in particular, things could have gone south in a hurry. You get what I mean. You see it in their walk, their voice, and even in the way their face hangs on their cheeks. They come out of their room already there. Already in that mode. Already shutting down. Hormones don't need a trigger. They ARE the trigger and they just show up, unannounced, doing that roller coaster thing they do.
I don't remember what the gentle correction was, but I do remember that I was being SO playful (I remember, because I didn't want to be and kept saying to myself, "Do the opposite of what you feel like doing!"). It ended up sounding something like this:
"Mom, I don't want the rest of my oatmeal."
This kid still has a hint of food issues. Never doesn't finish anything (nice use of the double negativity there). Like … ever. So, it was their way of saying, "I am having big feelings and I know this will upset you." I did my therapeutic, "That's cool. Why don't you just relax at the table for awhile. You haven't even eaten a bite, yet. Give yourself a minute. That way if you are hungry in a little bit, you can still eat."
That's when I saw it. It's the look of "I want a fight. I will get a fight, and here we go."
"I'm not hungry." *slight tears* "I don't want my oatmeal."
Now, one approach here is to say, "I didn't say you wanted to eat it right now. I hear that you don't want your oatmeal. Just take a break at the table. Grab a book and read for a bit. If you're still not hungry in about ten minutes, then we can put it away." However, I knew in that moment, we were past that. It would have turned into a louder, "I don't want to stay at the table."
I just knew. Been around this block a few times.
So, I did what I WAY did not want to do.
"That's cool. I hear you. You don't want your oatmeal. Why don't you bring it to me."
And they did.
"I'll eat it for you, and I don't mind washing your bowl and spoon, either. Why don't you go find something fun to do. Love you." No sarcasm.
My child had prepared their oatmeal in a way I do not care to eat it (my kids get to add their own "stuff" to plain oats). They knew that. But by golly, I ate that bowl of oatmeal. I washed the bowl and the spoon and put them away. My child took themselves to their room and did not emerge for a half hour. But when they did, they were regulated – for the most part. They rejoined everyone else. Not another word was said. The early morning yuck was behind us.
We moved on.
When you smell a fight and you know it's beyond a mild therapeutic intervention, if you can find it in you on that day (not every day, but maybe that day) don't bow up against it. Dance with it. Buy it flowers. Maybe even give it a good night kiss and cop a feel.
(photo by Moi Cody, used with permission)
Tags: pacing yourself


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- A person/family enrolls with Youngevity TeleCare on this website and activates their account through our special portal (instructions provided to you in the welcome email).
- Each family member completes the Medical History questions.
- When needed, patient contacts Teladoc via toll free number, smart phone app or online and provides credentials.
- The patient consents to the telemedicine visit.
- The patient is routed to a doctor through the call center or the patient can schedule the appointment through their portal to "see" a physician in the appropriate state for a video or telephonic examination.
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Bach Collegium Japan resident in Utrecht
Renowned Japanese period intrument ensemble Bach Collegium Japan take up residency with their director Masaaki Suzuki at the Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht next week. Their concerts will include works by Kuhnau, Zelenka and Bach's Magnificat. Shortly afterwards, the ensemble make a return visit to Musikfest Bremen, where last year Suzuki received the Musikfest-Preis Bremen given annually since 1998 to internationally recognised artists, who have particularly enriched the Festival's programme.
More information and a preview of the residency in Utrecht can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSoqUj-qMa8&feature=plcp


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Ravi runs a tattoo shop in Palika Bazaar, a gigantic, gloomy underground market in central New Delhi, home to hundreds of tattooists of dubious skills and more dubious hygiene standards. Ravi is a devotee of Shiva, Hindu god of creation and destruction. If you want your godly tattoos rough and ready like Ravi, Palika Bazaar is the place for you. Tattoos then, are perhaps the last personal expression left to otherwise powerless people. The government can't take them from you. Your mother can't rub them off.
You gotta thrill my soul, all right
Roll, roll, roll, roll and thrill my soul
"Roadhouse Blues" – The Doors
Spiritually refreshing to see a ghost doing a Gary Oldman impression inside Angkor Wat amidst thousands of selfie stick wielding, golf visor wearing Chinese package tourists, digitally overfed suburban backpackers in $2 elephant pants, Buddhist monks from around the region armed with tablets and pretending to meditate, and American physics teachers looking to use their moral guidance to help underage girls grow up.
God loves the poor.
This Desia Kondh woman is sitting on the floor of a catholic church made of mud in the back of beyond of Odisha, clapping along to the psalms, waiting for Jesus to free her from large scale mining businesses taking her land, proselytizing missionaries taking her beliefs, the Hindu majority dictating their fashion and a hostile government taking her identity. The Desia Kondh women believe that face tattoos serve as identity markers in the afterlife. This woman's younger sisters have been talked out of the tradition by god men and the authorities. They've been told that they won't need their markers once they have reached the footstool of the Almighty, that a headscarf will make them respectable, and that they won't get a job in the market economy with chess boards on their cheeks.


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This week I've been playing house. Which is good. Because playing house usually means cooking.
It's been wonderful to not answer phones or emails, to take time off from life and just...sit.
From where I'm sitting at the kitchen counter I can see the chickens scratching for worms, the dogs lazing on the lawn and the cows sitting under a tree.
So while life moves at a slower pace, I decided to try and make Almond Cheese.
Turns out it's pretty easy. And tastes nice too. Remember, however, it won't taste like normal cream cheese as it's not dairy. But I do think it's a great alternative for those who can't tolerate dairy.
Almond Cheese
Place 1 cup of raw almonds in a bowl and cover with cold water. Put aside for 2-4 hours or until the almonds just 'pop' out of their skin when you give them a squeeze. Soaking the almonds is also supposed to 'activate' them and make them easier to digest while releasing more nutrients.
Blend the almonds in a food processor, or Thermomix, with 1/2 cup water, 3tblsp olive oil, 3 tbsp of lemon juice and a pinch or two of sea salt. If you don't have sea salt, normal salt will do.
At this stage you can also add some herbs or a clove of garlic for taste. I tend to use the garlic that comes in a tube in the refrigerated section with fruit and veggies. I also like to add some rosemary that also comes in those handy-dandy tubes. Whoever invented those needs a big hug!
This may take up to 5 minutes so don't stress and try and hurry up the process.
Once the mixture is blended until lovely and smooth, place it in some muslin or cheese cloth. Give it a gentle squeeze or two to remove moisture.
Place the bundle in a colander with a bowl underneath to catch any liquid that may drain out. Leave it in the fridge over night.
The next day, open the bundle and place it smooth side up (upside down) in an ovenproof bowl. This then goes into a 180C oven for around 30-40 minutes until golden brown.
I've opened the one I just made so you can see the creamy white texture inside.
All you need now are some crackers or celery to spread this cheese onto. The crust can also be eaten so don't waste it.


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Store tour : Pop Up 'Things I Like Things I Love
One dream of mine is to have a pop-up shop with all different local hand made items that can be used in your interior. I'm still working on that one, but it so cool to visit stores like this one I found on my trip last October. I took a trip to downtown Amsterdam, but just when I arrived, it started to rain. My god...so not funny. Rain and cold is not a good combo. But I felt all warm and fuzzy inside when I saw the light coming from this store. I was in love people. Welcome to the pop-up store of 'Things I Like Things I Love'.
'Things I like Things I love' is a concept store with beautiful pieces that are fashion and lifestyle related. The first thing what caught my eyes where all the plants you see when you enter the shop. Because it was raining outside I couldn't enjoy the plants outside very well, but when you get in you'll just love the plants greeting you in.
This sign is a good one for the ones who indulge in their retail therapy. And they are right. How many times do you go into a store, you love something, but go away without buying it and then sitting at home like damn it I should have bought that?! When on vacation that is not something to do. You see something you like, just buy it. You'll be so happy at the end :)
I seriously loved the pillows and throws. So deliciously comfy. This was a great light in a rainy gloomy afternoon in Amsterdam. This pop-up store is still there until January 2017. So, please go and indulge yourself with beauty of all sort.
The store is located at the Gasthuismolensteeg 10, in the middle of the downtown of Amsterdam. I would so love to take a little trip again to the Amsterdam..*sigh*...
Hey guys, thanks for stopping by again and enjoying this store tour with me. I wish you all a very exciting but safe weekend. Till next time again!
6 comments
I love pop up shops! You can find such unique items from around the world. Those blankets do look comfy!ReplyDeleteReplies
They sure felt like that also.Delete
That pop up shop looks like an amazing shopping destination. I love all that succulents.ReplyDeleteReplies
Yes, totally loved those.Delete
I should get a plant for my house. I don't have any plants, but than again it would have to placed high up because I'm afraid my pet pig would get into it, LOL.ReplyDeleteReplies
Pet pig?! I can just see him gripping and off he goes :)Delete


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Chiang Rai Holidays
Often overlooked in favour of its neighbour Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai holds its own charm. Boasting jungle treks, temples, and a fascinating history, Chiang Rai is worth a venture.
Things to Do in Chiang Rai
- Like her big sister Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is a great base for exploring the surrounding jungles and visiting the local hill tribes. If you really want to experience ethnic Thai culture a homestay is more than recommended.
- Wat Rong Kun, or White Temple, is one of the most intricately beautiful buildings in Thailand. Designed entirely by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the work he put in becomes obvious the closer you get.
- Located about an hour from the city, the Hall of Opium museum delves into Chiang Rai's fascinating past as a major opium producer in the Golden Triangle.
- Our favourite Chiang Rai haunt, Cat Bar has a laid-back atmosphere, vintage rock music, free pool, and two lovely owners.
- Many of the hill tribes surrounding Chiang Rai sell their crafts at the Night Market – usually on the Saturday – making this a great way to support these ethnic groups while getting something nice for yourself.
Best Time to Visit
May-Sep: It's generally quite warm all year in Chiang Rai, but this would be the best time to avoid the heavy rain. Cool season runs from November to February, hot season runs from March to May, while monsoon season runs from June to October.
Visit late December/early January and watch the Saun Mai Ngam Park transform into a rainbow of flowers and flower figurines at the Chiang Rai Flower Festival.
Why We Love It"Chiang Rai is basically a smaller Chiang Mai, but it's still worth a visit. It's so laidback and the markets are great for picking up some souvenirs".
Mary Dargan, Sales Executive
Customer feedback


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2013 Extreme Flight Championships
The 2013 Extreme Flight Championships was a very fun contest :) I enjoyed seeing friends and flying. I was able to place 5th again in two years in a row. There were many great pilots. This year had a new site for the contest (still at the AMA headquarters) but the contest was better than ever! I would like to say thank you to all the people who helped get the new aileron servo in the airplane Sunday morning right before my flight :) It was literally seconds before I took off, we got it in the airplane! Here is the lowest part of my XFC flights: ;)
This picture was snapped late and in the video you can see I was even lower! I even have grass stains on the rudder!:
Here are some flights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pMYhPERjNo Jase Dussia Sunday Afternoon Final Unknown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbjBRYgaVIk Jase Dussia Saturday Morning Known
Here is the XFC website link: http://www.xfc-rc.com/


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Racheal & Edward
"Purchased our first home, which we love"
My husband and I met Françoise Pollard in spring of 2015, at the time she was having a seminar for first time home buyers. By her presentation alone, we could tell she is very passionate about her job, and loved helping people. Our experience with her was excellent, she not only educated us about the process; she walked us through it. Her services extended to connecting us with other professionals that helped us get a mortgage, our home inspection and the closing of the sale agreement.
Françoise was very honest, personable and forthcoming. She kept us focused on our goals and we appreciated her opinion and expertise. Within 6 months of working with her, we purchased our first home, which we love. This was all due to Françoise's hard work, commitment and professionalism.


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Welcome. We gather here on God's beautiful beach to celebrate the joyful union of this man, (Groom) and this woman, (Bride) in Holy Matrimony.
- (239) 248-4851
- Email: [email protected]
The pictures are so beautiful! We feel so blesssed to have meet you. Having you help us renew our vows was absolutely perfect. It was so peaceful and special. It will be a memory we will cherish forever.... Oh, also, the Renewal Program that you made is such an added treat, thank you for that...
We received such a special treat in the mail today! Thank you so much for the newspaper clipping, it is just beautiful!! I am going to put it in a pretty little frame.. I frame everything!! Ha/Ha!!! It really is so nice to have!! Anyhow, I hope all is well with you. We should be there around the 19th of August with my parents, maybe we can attend a service at your church. I will be in touch.
Kesha & Pedro Aristud
Renewed vows: July 14, 2007


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Friday, 11 May 2012
FENDING OFF THE NEXT DARK AGE by John A. A. Logan
21 comments:
- Susan Price said...
'Manuscripts don't burn.' A wonderful post, John. Thank you. You've almost written us a manifesto!
- 11 May 2012 at 08:17
- Dan Holloway said...
What a marvellous, moving post. And I can feel your gently insistent presence in every sentence. Wonderful.
- 11 May 2012 at 09:03
- Linda Gillard said...
People don't even have to read THE SURVIVAL OF THOMAS FORD to see what a brilliant writer you are, John. They only have to read this.
A timely, inspiring & moving post. Thank you. Off to share it on Facebook...
- 11 May 2012 at 09:40
- Dennis Hamley said...
John, that was indeed a marvellous post. Hardy's refusal to write any more novels after Jude got such a terrible reception is completely understandable. And he also said words to the effect (I haven't got the exact quotation by me)that he was ashamed at how poor a thing it was compared with what was in his mind. We all know about that as well.
You are living proof of the rightness of your own post. Yours are inspiring words. And I think to myself - I have had at least two books published of which I'm thoroughly ashamed. They didn't work, they're ill thought out and their plots are manufactured and faked. In retrospect I'm horrified that they were accepted, though at the time I was of courseoverjoyed. They didn't sell, went out of print incredibly quickly and certainly won't be revived on Kindle. Publishers 0, Public 1 I think. And I have at least another two unpublished novels, plus endless proposals, which I believe in so completely and gave me that amazing feeling of being charged up when our imaginations are in full flow. But no publisher has touched them. Well, now's my chance. It seems a big jump from this to saying that we can help to ward off the coming teraccenew Dark Age but nevertheless, that's what, in our small way, we're helping to do.
- 11 May 2012 at 10:10
- Jan Needle said...
i agree with every word, john - and yet. i read the confederacy of dunces when i was young and very receptive. and it bored me rigid. i was given bulgakov's black snow as a birthday present by my friend, the dear departed playwright mike stott (funny peculiar) who told me it was the funniest book he'd ever read. i hardly managed to finish it. and, lazy git that i am, therefore never read the master and margarita. and to get nearer to home (don't take this badly; it's a discussion) i got two of my closest human beings to read your thomas ford because i thought it was so fantastically brilliant, and have said so in print as you know. neither of them liked it much at all.
so where does this leave us? clearly, the people who turned down your cited books (and all the others that hit the scrapheap) didn't JUST do it for commercial reasons, but because they didn't rate the books. and some of us think marlowe's a better playwright than old shakespeare by a pretty large margin, and while jude the obscure suits me, i recognise why it brings others out in spots.
it's complicated, criticism. there's a tendency to think our opinions are by some mystery correct. see f.r.leavis for the apotheosis of arrogant crappery.
which leaves your panegyric to electronic books absolutely spot on. if someone turns you down - get it out there and let the kindler be the judge. i stick my books out at 99p for that reason among others. the fact that amanda hocking sells a million may not mean that she is crap. i've met people who even enjoy jeffrey archer. the importance of electronic books is because they make it possible. everything.
and i still think your book is a massive tour de force, and an inspiration. and now i've got to DO SOME BLOODY WORK!
- 11 May 2012 at 10:11
Excellent post, John. How heartbreaking to think of Lampedusa reading rejection letters on his death-bed ... could there be any sadder end to a writer's life? But I love the idea that we've been handed the baton. And can run with it in new ways.
- 11 May 2012 at 10:12
- Kathleen Jones said...
Bravo John!! You've said it for all of us.
What's going on in publishing now is a form of censorship (capitalist censorship) as rigorous and damaging as anything under repressive regimes. I always remember Solzhenitsyn's incredulity, on coming to the west, that -yes, you can publish almost anything you want, but first you've got to find someone who wants to publish it! He discovered that, as we all know, it's P D difficult.
- 11 May 2012 at 10:34
- madwippitt said...
I love the Master and Margarita: I first read it in my impressionable teens and it's one of the few that made a massive impression on me then and which I still love just as much today. I've only met one other person who has heard of it though, so I'm excited to see it mentioned here - I never knew about the burning of the manuscript though, which gives that quote such additional meaning.
- 11 May 2012 at 12:13
- CallyPhillips said...
Oh no, a load more books I have to read. THAT is one of the great things about our Revolution.... finding writers and writing we'd never have found before.
I agree with everyone about John's writing style - it shines through in posts, in emails as well as in his literary output.
And Kathleen, I cheer your comment on publishing (well, your view, not the fact of it) To the barricades.
To that end, this morning I sat down and JUST DID IT. Tomorrow is World Fair Trade Day. I believe in Fair Trade (it'd be nice to see it applied to writers) and I have 5 short fair play dramas which have been kicking dust since performance in 2008. Not any longer. A morning of sweat, formatting and the rest and TOMORROW they'll be available FREE for the world. That's some power isn't it? Don't worry, I'll be shouting out the links as soon as it's actually out there.
But mainly, thanks John. You are the literary equivalent of a kick up the arse and yet, such an eloquent kick up the arse!
- 11 May 2012 at 12:50
- Christine Miller said...
Excellent and inspiring post, John, I agree with your analysis and can feel your passionate commitment to the subject matter.
As Linda Gillard says, your gifts as an author shine through here, and I join you in picking up the baton to ensure publishing remains open and accessible now. No More Dark Ages!
- 11 May 2012 at 12:58
- Catherine Czerkawska said...
John, thanks for a wonderful inspirational post! And how very right you are. Over the past year or so, I've read and loved a number of books from only ten or fifteen years ago which people in the know - and I believe them - have told me 'wouldn't ever find a publisher these days.' Miss Garnet's Angel was the most recent - I loved it, but I could see that no, it wouldn't find a publisher now, because it's main protagonist is an elderly woman and it has a genuinely spiritual quality that wouldn't slot neatly into any particular genre. I read The Master and Margarita years ago - my dear late dad handed it to me and told me that I MUST read it, so I did, and loved it. Laughed and cried, was mostly gobsmacked by its originality and daring. Thanks so much for such a brilliant rallying cry!
- 11 May 2012 at 13:00
- julia jones said...
- 11 May 2012 at 13:28
- Roz Morris aka @Roz_Morris . Blog: Nail Your Novel said...
Great post. It's funny how these spurned books are the books we most value as readers - and the ones we are most hungry to learn from as writers. Here's to more disruptive, wonderful influences in our new e-age.
John, I've especially enjoyed your company here today as I'm 80% through Thomas Ford .... and wondering how on earth I'll concoct a review that does it justice. A pleasure to know you, sir
- 11 May 2012 at 14:02
- Pauline Fisk said...
Thank you. Am dashing off to Facebook with this now.
- 11 May 2012 at 14:39
- Alison Wells said...
A really super post. Yes we are privileged to live in this age and let the reader decide, especially when we write stuff that's in-between.
- 11 May 2012 at 22:37
- Ann Evans said...
Wonderful post, John, and so touching to learn of these writers' struggles. I wasn't aware of John Kennedy Toole and his terrible despair over rejection. I wonder if Epublishing has already saved lives of other unknown authors as passionate as he?
- 12 May 2012 at 16:00
- Lee said...
It's a fine post, but I wish I could be as optimistic about the life-saving potential of ebooks as you. In a world where anyone can publish, rejection takes other forms. And as someone who has seen suicide a little too close up, I'm rather careful about oversimplifying its causes.
- 12 May 2012 at 17:46
- Stu Ayris said...
It's posts such as this and fine people like yourself John who keep drunken dreamers like me going. Cheers mate for everything. Keep on keeping on and long may you flourish!!
- 12 May 2012 at 18:09
- Anne Stormont (@writeanne) said...
Wonderful post - says it all
- 13 May 2012 at 14:27
- Hunter said...
John, what a great article! I'm friends with Cory MacLauchlin, JK Toole's biographer, and he pointed me to this great article today. I love it. In fact, I've order "The Leopard" today, just because of it.
I'm also a novelist. I've submitted two novels to agents in NYC and have been receiving rejections for four years running. It's obscene how many times I've been turned away from an agent's door.
In consequence, I have finished my third novel and started my fourth. While I'm seeking publication, I will not stop writing. It's in me like blood. I can't NOT do it.
I related so much to Toole's bio ("Butterfly in the Typewriter) because of his struggle to be heard. Here's the review I wrote of it: http://deepsouthmag.com/2012/05/new-orleans-would-have-its-bard-yet/
Thank you for your insightful article and here's to the future of writers!
All best,
- 9 June 2012 at 21:04
- Elizabeth Jasper said...
Interesting, pertinent and thought-provoking. Now all I have to do is find enough time to read more to expand my horizons further.
Thank you for your insight.
- 11 June 2012 at 21:26


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Local shopkeepers and major retailers have been cooperating with the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership in restricting the sale of flour and eggs over the Halloween period.
Neighbourhood policing teams and council trading standards and enforcement officers have been visiting shops in the run up to the celebrations to seek the support of shops.
Many have agreed to take products including eggs and flour off their shelves for the duration of Halloween, and instead have them for sale behind the counter.
They have also agreed to place posters in their windows and by their till-points to advise customers of the restrictions.
The move is part of Operation BANG (Be A Nice Guy), which sees the police, council and fire service work together to ensure Halloween celebrations are enjoyed by everyone.
The key message is to have fun, but be safe, and considerate to those who do not wish to take part.
Cllr Pam Palmer, Chair of the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership, said: "We are very grateful to all local shops and big retailers who once again are cooperating with us in our efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour.
"We want to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable Halloween, whether they want to celebrate or not."
Free downloadable posters have also been produced for residents who would prefer that trick or treat callers give them a miss.
Plenty of information is available online, including a full What's On guide of organised events, and safety tips. Visit the partner websites for further information, and keep an eye on their Facebook and Twitter feeds (@CarmsCouncil, @DyfedPowys, @mawwfire) following #OperationBang.
Carmarthenshire County Council
Comments are closed.
Dafen Weather Forecast
February 2016


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PB CAREERS: Toys "R" Us – Manager, Global Brand Production
Position Summary:
The Global "R" Us Brands Team is responsible for developing Private Brand merchandise for the Toy, Apparel, and Juvenile segments which are grouped into several globally recognized brands, as well as marketing that merchandise to our stores around the world. The Manager of Global Operations lives within the disciplines of Supply Chain, Sourcing, IT, Finance, and Product/Brand Development. This position reflects high-quality performance in process improvement, analytics, systems & tools, training, and change management. The Manager must succeed in implementing operational initiatives that support the organization's objectives and financial goals.
Production Management:
- Play a key leadership role in critical projects aimed at continuously improving and driving the Global Private
- Brand business processes to achieve flawless execution and growth across global markets.
- Support coordination and adherence to Global Toys R Us procedures with all cross functional teams and own first point of escalation for identified issues. Partner with PD, GSO, Supply Chain, IT, Merchandising, & Vendors to solve quality, safety, and delivery issues.
- Work with Merchant and MP&A teams to improve PO Writing accuracy and drive PO Change Management
- Compliance disciplines. Monitor item setup in all markets, assist where appropriate, and mitigate any issues.
- Regularly prepare aggregate Global PO reporting and communicate findings to key leadership stakeholders.
- Provide level-2 support for vendor issues and drive compliance by monitoring and responding to emails while engaging other TRU departments as needed.
- Coordinate necessary resources to resolve any quality control issues to QA team for domestic items and international items.
- Support the tracking of all seasonal calendar milestones to help the business meet its objectives and avoid product delays.
- Leverage cross-functional involvement to perform ad hoc analysis on private brand performance metrics.
- Analyze vendor issues, interpret data, spot trends, and direct Global Sourcing Office follow-ups to drive compliance.
- Analyze Merchant projections to identify allocations, quantities, and understand delivery priorities
- Provide input on report requirements and mockups to support business process operations and critical decisions.
- Drive and support strategic initiatives through detailed and accurate reporting.
Process Improvement:
- Assist in projects aimed at continuously improving and driving the Global Private Brand business processes to achieve flawless execution and growth across global markets.
- Participate in the mid-range and long-term business plan development process and communicate to the
- department regarding issues.
- Assist the organizations and vendor community's process adoption and adherence by anticipating, escalating, and effectively resolving any roadblocks.
- Learn and support best practices and process discipline necessary to grow the Global "R" Us Brands business.
Systems and Tools:
- Provide support for Private Brand systems & tools including FlexPLM, EDQ, RMS, WebPDM, and APLL.
- Support R Brands business practices through the creation and maintenance of systems and tools. Assist in the development of templates, tools, and dashboards to streamline critical Production Management tasks.
- Contribute to the creation of system requirements through the enhancement of existing or the introduction of new capabilities.
- Support user testing and deployment activities for Private Brands owned systems.
- Support training sessions on systems, tools, and processes.
- Aid the standardization and consistency in training across TRU by soliciting feedback from the training audiences and key stakeholders.
- Facilitate various training programs to support Private Brand and overseas partners.
- Assist in the creation of internal and external onboarding programs to foster deeper understanding of all Toys R Us business process.
- Work with multiple internal/external organizations to build effective cross-functional relationships.
- Promote flexible and open communication to facilitate harmony and foster teamwork.
- Continuously explore opportunities to learn and grow throughout the Toys R Us organization.
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain or equivalent experience required
- Experience in Production Management or Supply Chain
- Familiarity with freight, transportation and shipping Logistics
- Working knowledge of purchase order management processes and tools
- Ability to travel globally is a plus
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills and an ability to manage multiple initiatives with shifting priorities while adhering to strict deadlines
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint to support data analysis.
- Familiarity with web-based collaboration tools.
Toys "R"Us is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment or discrimination. All employment decisions are to be made without regard to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, pregnancy, national origin
[aio_button align="none" animation="flash" color="blue" size="small" icon="none" text="APPLY TODAY!" relationship="dofollow" url="https://tru.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/TRU-Jobs/job/5905-Global-Resource-Center-Wayne-NJ/Manager—Global-Brand-Production_JR01354?nt=1&bid=&src=JB-10300″]


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Jeff Cahn watches Champ go for another ball off the board.
Dogs and owners were able to have some wet fun during Dog Dayz at Scott Carpenter Pool in Boulder on Sunday. Dog Dayz will continue through September 7, check http://www.BoulderParks-Rec.org for the daily schedule.
Cliff Grassmick / August 23, 2009


text: Manuel LaFontaine spent time imprisoned in California, and now works for All of Us or None, an organisation led by former prisoners who advocate for the human and civil rights of prisoners [Isaac Ontiveros/Al Jazeera] Thousands of prisoners in the US state of California have refused meals for more than a week as part of a hunger strike against the use of "group punishments" and for authorities to follow legal requirements for maintaining their mental and physical health.Prisoners housed in the notorious Security Housing Unit of California's Pelican Bay State Prison started the strike on June 1, but it has since spread to at least a third of the state's 33 prisons.Their demands include an end to the interrogation process which is used to claim prisoners' gang affiliation, an end to long-term isolation along the recommendations of a US Commission on Safety and Abuse in Prisons report, and access to healthy food, programmes and privileges. "The basis for this protest has come about after over 25 years, some of us 30, some up to 40 years, of being subjected to these conditions. Of our 602 appeals, numerous court challenges have gotten nowhere," Pelican Bay hunger strike leader Todd Ashker said, in a statement released by lawyers of the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity coalition. "A lot of us are older now, we have serious medical issues coming on … And there's a core group of us who are committed to taking this all the way to the death, if necessary." A key concern for advocates and lawyers working on the strikers' behalf is their access to medications during the strike. Reports are coming in from prisoners to the solidarity coalition and to family members that medication is being denied. Inmates can issue a directive which stops prison doctors from force-feeding them at any point. If there is no directive, the doctors are expected to use their best judgment. The California Department of Corrections (CDCR), the administrator of the state's prison system, said that in the first weekend of July, 6,500 prisoners in ten prisons participated in the strike. CDCR spokesperson Terry Thornton told Al Jazeera that the number has since decreased, as "intelligence now shows 2,100 [strikers] in nine prisons". But advocates working in solidarity with the prisoners say CDCR is downplaying the numbers, and that thousands of prisoners are participating in the hunger strike, and have been for different periods of time, depending on their health concerns."What's important to note," Molly Porzig of the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity coalition told Al Jazeera, "is that whatever their participation, these prisoners are in solidarity with each other across hundreds of miles, in situations where basic communication is denied, and across racial lines often used to divide prisoners." The SHUPelican Bay State Prison was opened in 1989 and included more than 1000 cells in a Security Housing Unit or "SHU" (pronounced "shoe"). Cells in the SHU are eight feet by ten feet, made of smooth concrete and have no windows. Often, fluorescent lights are kept on 24 hours per day. Armed guards control entrances and exits electronically and are strategically located to be able to fire on prisoners at any time. "Each prisoner is afforded 90 minutes on the [recreation] yard," hunger striker James Crawford told Al Jazeera through a lawyer. "The concrete yard is 26 by 10 feet, with 20-foot high walls and a security camera to watch you. We get no trees to see, hardly no sun. If you're lucky you'll see it five times a year." Conditions inside Security Housing Units have come under criticism and condemnation from US and international organisations. A US Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons (CSAAP), headed by a former US attorney general and a former chief judge of the US court of appeals stated: People who pose no real threat to anyone and also those who are mentally ill are languishing for months or years in high-security units ... In some places, the environment is so severe that people end up completely isolated, confined in constantly bright or constantly dim spaces without any meaningful human contact - torturous conditions that are proven to cause mental deterioration. Prisoners often are released directly from solitary confinement and other high-security units directly to the streets, despite the clear dangers of doing so. The Commission went on to point out the disturbing growth of "high-security" facilities, noting that, "between 1995 and 2000, the growth rate in the number of people housed in segregation far outpaced the growth rate of the prison population overall: 40 per cent compared [with] 28 per cent". Demands not metOne of the five hunger strike demands is an end to Pelican Bay's "debriefing process". Prisoners claim that the prison administration uses the debriefing policy to force them to name themselves or others as gang members or leaders - using access to food, or further isolation in the SHU as a threat. Their "validation" as a gang member then follows them throughout their sentence, as well as into their parole - if they are released. "They literally say that those of you in the [SHU] will die in the [SHU] unless you debrief and 'tell us what we want to know' … The debriefer is encouraged to fabricate lies against the non-debriefer, which is what allows the [prison gang investigators] to retain prisoners in SHU indefinitely," said hunger striker James Crawford.But Thornton defended the practice, saying: "Debriefing is just the name of a process by which an inmate decides to walk away from a gang," and that SHU confinement "doesn't have to be permanent, if the inmate doesn't want to be there". Of the prisoner's other demands, the CDCR claims various prisoner and outside concerns have been dealt with through various legal channels and oversight mechanisms within its own mechanisms. Thornton says: "SHU is not solitary confinement. There is a great deal of scrutiny over Pelican Bay and all of the conditions of their confinement have been litigated numerous times."'The worst of the worst'Manuel LaFontaine spent time imprisoned in California, and now works for All of Us or None, an organisation led by former prisoners who advocate for the human and civil rights of prisoners, former prisoners and their families. He is also an organiser of the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity coalition. "The CDCR spends a lot of time and money trying to convince us that prisoners in the SHU - or even prisoners in the general population - are subhuman, the 'worst of the worst'. Fear mongering around gangs and gang violence is part of this," he told Al Jazeera. "What they are keeping from us is that many people locked in SHUs are there because of their political activities inside and outside prisons, and if we look at the rapidly deteriorating conditions across the entire California prison system, we will see more and more prisoners organising in stronger and stronger ways to change their conditions." Indeed, in May of this year the US supreme court upheld a lower court's decision saying that a sentence in California's prison system is, in itself, cruel and unusual and therefore against the US constitution.When that case, Brown v Plata [PDF], went to court, California's prisons were filled to 200 per cent of design capacity, which is a risk to the physical and mental health of all prisoners.The ruling requires the state's prison population to be reduced by at least 33,000, lowering the overcrowding to 137.5 per cent of design capacity, according to Rebekah Evenson of the Prison Law Project, one of the two co-counsels to Plata.In an earlier interview with Al Jazeera, she explained that the case was about protecting prisoners' health "so you're not essentially charging them with death". Supporting 'a more humane world'The hunger strike is spreading across California's prison system, and some incarcerated in the SHU at Corcoran State prison, located 600 miles from Pelican Bay, joined the strike and issued a statement, saying, "Many lawsuits have been filed in opposition to these conditions, yet the courts have repeatedly re-interpreted and misinterpreted their own constitutional law to support the state's continued use of these torture units. It is important for all to know the Pelican Bay is not alone in this struggle and the broader the participation and support for this hunger strike … the greater the potential that our sacrifice now will mean a more humane world for us in the future."The Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition formed to publicise the strike and aid the prisoners in winning their demands, and are working with organisations and individuals to plan solidarity actions across the United States and other parts of the world. "This is definitely an international issue," Carl Small of the Hunger Strike Support Committee in Montreal, Canada, told Al Jazeera. "What's going on at Pelican Bay is particularly horrific, and the groundwork for such conditions exists in Canada, too, as we can see at our own SHU at Sainte Anne des Plaines as well as in isolation wings throughout the country."The protest comes after recent hunger and work strikes in prisons in the US' midwest and southern regions. In December 2010, thousands of prisoners in the US state of Georgia used mobile phones to organise the largest prison labour strike in US history, in at least six prisons across the state. Shortly thereafter, prisoners on death row in Lucasville, Ohio, went on a hunger strike and won some changes in their conditions. The California and Pelican Bay hunger strike comes just months from the 40th anniversary of the 1971 Attica prison uprising in New York State, when more than 2,000 prisoners took control of the prison. Attica came amid general social unrest in the US during that time - and was put down by state police who killed dozens of prisoners. Ten prison guards were also killed. The Attica revolt was partially in response to the killing of George Jackson at California's San Quentin prison. Imprisoned for petty theft, George Jackson became a member of the Black Panther Party and an internationally renowned author before being killed by prison guards during an uprising at San Quentin in August of 1971. Hugo Pinell, a political organiser and fellow prisoner of Jackson participated in that uprising. He has been imprisoned even since, and has been held Pelican Bay's Security Housing Unit for the past 20 years. Though the prison continues to bring in inmates, the issue of gang affiliation remains at the heart of the matter. For inmates, however, such interrogation has resulted in collective action: the hunger strike. Isaac Ontiveros works with for Critical Resistance, a national grassroots organisation working to abolish the prison industrial complex. Critical resistance is a member of the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy. SOURCE: Al Jazeera ABOUT THE AUTHOR Isaac OntiverosIsaac Ontiveros works for Critical Resistance, an NGO working to end the prison-industrial complex. US & Canada Canada United States


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Another newcomer to the scene has made its way in to our review section. Well newcomer is perhaps not the most apt word to describe this tequila as there's quite a bit of history behind how this brand made it to the market, tracking all the way back to 1923 where Feliciano Vivanco tended his agave field and became somewhat of a local hero. Under his watchful eye and loving care, his fields of beautiful blue agave became known, far and wide, for their exceptional quality and sugar content. But you're not here for a history lesson...
Tequila Details
Name: Pura Vida (Blanco)
Distillery: Feliciano Vivanco y Asociados, S. A. de C. V.
Location: Highlands - Los Altos
Website: http://www.puravida.mx
Review Notes
As you'd expect from a blanco, Pura Vida is crystal clear in colour. The aroma is strong and vegetal with floral undertones. Pura Vida themselves speak of mint aromas, but I'm not picking up on that myself. As I sip I'm once again picking up those vegetable and floral undertones, along with a good hint of agave. There is a level of astringency to this tequila which I find personally to be pleasant. Now, astringency is not a characteristic that a lot of people will always talk about in a positive light, astringency essentially creates a dry feeling in the mouth similar to the effect that occurs when you eat tart fruit. Personally I have more of an issue when this occurs in the aftertaste, thereby leaving me with more of a parched feeling. However, I digress, the flowery presence in this tequila is more pronounced on the palate than in the nose. The finish is easy going and it's not tearing out my tonsils, although for me it could do with just a bit more fuerte in that finish. The aftertaste is bang on the money however.
I'll be honest here and say that when I first tried this I was somewhat on the fence regarding how I felt about it. However, over the last month I've poured countless glasses and now I'm a fan. Perhaps this is a good indication that sometimes you might not 'get' a tequila on the first glass and that it's always a good idea to give it the benefit of the doubt and dive back in to it another day. Pura Vida Silver is clearly a good quality tequila and I think in the correct flight this could make for a very interesting and discussion filled start. It's definitely worth picking up and trying for yourself.
¡Salud y'all!


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Our showroom is currently filled with beautiful shades of one of our favorite colors: BLUE! We're loving all shades of this magical, soothing hue and wanted to share a few snaps of this lovely tone accenting our floor!
Have a look!
Do you love blue as much as we do? It just such a happy color that goes with so much!
We hope you're enjoying the last couple of weeks of summer before school starts back! Thanks for stopping by today! It means so much to us! XO!


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Calories Burned in an Aerobic Pole Dancing Class
Fitness should be fun, and make you feel good. Pole dancing definitely fits this criteria and burns calories.
Pole dancing is the workout to do if you want to exercise to get fit, feel good about your body and do something fun. You might not want to tell your mom this is your ticket to weight loss, however. The number of calories you burn depends on how intense your routine is, your size and how long you keep up the workout 2.
How Do Fitness and Pole Dancing Mesh?
Aerobic pole dancing is a form of group fitness aerobics which ramps up to a moderate level of exertion, both in the cardiovascular and resistance realms. You learn to dance, swing and strengthen around the pole so it works the body in a way that's similar to a combination of yoga and Jazzercise 1.
You'll perform dance moves on the floor around the pole as well as learn to use the pole as a prop to work hard while you look sexy.
Calorie Burn
Pole dancing doesn't burn a set number of calories. Most women can expect to burn between 200 and 350 calories in an hour depending on their size and the intensity of the session. If your pole dancing session makes your heart rate increase and raises your breath rate, chances are it's burning in the higher range of calories.
Body weight is a major variable in calorie burn. The more you weigh, the more effort every activity requires. So, if your carrying a little extra love — you'll burn more calories than someone who is super light.
More than Calories
The benefits of a workout aren't just in the number of calories burned. If you love pole dancing and want to go back again and again, then it's a great fitness option for you and better than higher calorie burners that you avoid. Plus, you may just feel inspired to watch your calorie intake and food choices a little more carefully so you do create a body you can't wait to show off on the pole.


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Indie Spotlight: Puneet Gabriel McCorrison
One of my favorite singer songwriters is a friend of mine, Puneet. His music should definitely be all over the radio. You can support him by subscribing to his YouTube channel here: The Puneet Gabriel Channel.
For now, feel the magic in his new jam, Through the Morning Mist:
Through the Morning Mist
by Puneet Gabriel McCorrison
Through the morning mist
Light plays tricks on the eyes
Shadows like ghosts all around
The trees watch my steps
Light rain falls, kisses my skin
In my heart I know its You
On the winding road leading home
Climbing higher
Many burdens
Left along the path
Mind goes on laying traps
Memories like ghosts all around
At the altar
In the temple of my heart
Where I pray every day,
'Let me not lose my way'
On the winding road leading home
Climbing higher
BRIDGE: If I get weary,
Will You pick me up and carry me?
A baby in Your arms
Never let me come to harm
Into the clouds
The path leads on
Don't recognize the valley below
What a world You show
Always walking with me
Said You've always been
Closer than I know
May Your light lead me on
On the winding road leading home
Climbing higher
Song and Music Credits:
Music & Lyrics by Puneet Gabriel McCorrison
Inspired by the life & teachings of Amma
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Puneet Gabriel McCorrison
Cello – Jake Charkey
Backing Vocals – Tejasvini Alana Kearns-Green
Backing Vocals – Deepti Kirsi Ranto
Backing Vocals – Rohan Kymal
About the author
6 Comments:
Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
This is lovely! Thanks so much for the video link. The words are great and hearing the music for them even better.
Absolutely ~beautiful~ Brother Puneet!!! I am blown away, -&- had NO idea you could sing like that. I am SO lookin forward to hearing more… Thank you for continuing to share your gifts! Love -&- miss you…
Samala Hirst


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A pair of security researchers have some worrying news for Dropbox users: they've managed to reverse engineer the desktop app. Once they laid its Python-powered inner workings bare, the real fun began.
The duo of Dhiru Kholia and Przemyslaw Wegrzyn were then able to bend Dropbox to their will. They managed to intercept SSL traffic flowing between the Dropbox client and its cloud servers and even gain access to user accounts.
Big deal, you say. You've got your account secured with two-factor authentication, which Dropbox enabled last year. Your files are still safe, right?
Wrong. Kholia and Wegrzyn were able to bypass two-factor authentication. They were also able to hijack a user's account by clicking the launch Dropbox website link from the Windows system tray icon. Fortunately, that particular hole was patched in a recent update.
It's not all doom and gloom, however. With the Python code exposed, it's possible that some enterprising Dropbox users could hack together an awesome open-source client with all kinds of cool additional functionality.
It's also possible — and probably much more likely — that criminal types might code an impostor Dropbox app that steals users' files. That's a frightening prospect when nearly one billion files are handled by Dropbox every day.
Fending off reverse engineering attempts is a cat-and-mouse game. Now that Dropbox appears to have lost, it will be interesting to see how the company responds.
It's not as though there's any truly immediate danger to Dropbox users. If you're running the latest version of the official client, you should be perfectly safe. If, however, you've installed some kind of "enhanced" app that you discovered in some shady corner of the Internet… well, you're probably screwed.
Update 8/29/13: We just received this statement from a Dropbox spokesperson:
We appreciate the contributions of these researchers and everyone who helps keep Dropbox safe. However, we believe this research does not present a vulnerability in the Dropbox client. In the case outlined here, the user's computer would first need to have been compromised in such a way that it would leave the entire computer, not just the user's Dropbox, open to attacks across the board.


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Social media is without doubt the latest battleground for brands at Christmas, each brand is looking to make an impact and create some "Social Buzz" around their products in the run up to the festive season. In fact it's now so big the whole hype for Christmas marketing now starts in November, below are a few campaigns that have stood out this year.
John Lewis – Monty the Penguin
Without doubt one of the most successful companies at this is John Lewis, who have yet again won the Christmas social battle with their #MontyThePenguin campaign. The campaign got so much buzz that it organically trended on Twitter as it set about attaining 10 million YouTube views in under a week, it's currently had over 19 million views, and continues to create buzz across various platforms, a great look at what makes the campaign so successful can be found here.
Watch #MontythePenguin:
Coca Cola – #HolidaysAreComing
Coca Cola have had a pretty strong Christmas strategy for years, and they've enhanced this by the use of the #HolidaysAreComing hashtag. For many people, Christmas doesn't start until they have seen this advert and Coca Cola know this. By using the hashtag alongside a nationwide tour of the truck it carries the brand awareness much further and guarantees thousands in attendance for each city they visit, with numerous images shared across various social media campaigns, it also gains them plenty of free advertising.
The Oakham Christmas Tree
A smaller one that will fly under the radar is the case of the Oakham Christmas Tree, after a rather sorry looking Christmas tree was erected, a Facebook campaign was set up that led to it being replaced. This highlights the power of communities within Social Media, from a small beginning the campaign has now received national coverage and exposure for a small East Midlands Country town. Once again showing Social can make you big very quickly, and brands should never underestimate the power of a community.
Visit the Facebook page here.
ASOS – #Instadvent
ASOS have been one of the brands to best utilise Instagram amassing over 2.5 million followers, and for Christmas they have opted once again to exploit the platform with a simple but effective idea. The @asos_advent account is very much on brand, and utilising hashtags to encourage engagement and make it easier to track for themselves and the users to get inspired.
Post Office – #allwrappedup
Perhaps one of the most unique combinations of brand and platform with a succesful social media campaign comes from the Post Office and Vine. They've partnered with Vidsy, a crowdsourcing video content platform, to create a series of short videos which see's users pass a parcel from left to right across the screen in a variety of ways. Once again this campaign is underpinned by a hashtag, #allwrappedup, and is a very unique and modern approach for a traditional brand.
View the #allwrappedup Vines here.
Each brand above has a very unique style but what they all have in common is that they are exploiting the reach and power of social to maximise their exposure. No matter how big your brand there is a variety of tools at your exposure to bring festive cheer to your marketing campaigns.


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If you're a company who extends trade credit, or is at least considering doing so, you know it's no simple business operation. You are essentially allowing your business to act as a bank. Surprisingly, the facts show that this doesn't make small businesses shy away from it. Choosing to extend credit is a big decision, however, a smart one. Here's everything you need to know about trade credit, and why you should be extending it if you aren't!
Trade Credit: Everything You Need to Know
60% of companies who use credit, use trade credit.
"Small businesses using trade credit are larger, more liquid, of worse credit quality, and are less likely to be in the services industry".
The Top 4 Reasons to Be Extending Trade Credit
- Sales – Trade credit is a powerful sales tool. If a customer has more time to pay, they are naturally able to purchase MORE from you. Trade credit enables your customers to have a bigger buying bower, allowing you to make larger sales.
- Customers – If customers know you trust them to pay, it will automatically make them more loyal. Giving someone the opportunity to be more flexible with their cash flow is immeasurable, not to mention a great way to say thanks to customers for their business.
- Brand – If your company extends credit, it says two thing: "I am financially stable and I believe in my product." If you are willing to sell someone something and then wait on the cash, it shows that you run a financially fit business and that you know your customers will love your products. It's a great way to gain trust and build your business' reputation.
- Competition – Not all businesses are extending credit. Therefore, those that are gain an immediate advantage. If a customer has the option of doing business with someone who extends payment terms vs. those who request payment upfront, they will always choose the option of flexibility (given the products and services are comparable).
Knowing if Trade Credit is Right For You
Trade credit isn't right for everyone. Your business has to be in a healthy financial position to consider it (unless it's industry standard). Ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the credit exposure my business can afford?
- What is the infrastructure of my company like? Do I have the administrative abilities to support trade credit efforts? (It is something you can handle yourself if you're a one man show, but it's all relative to the amount of business you're conducting.)
- On average, how many transactions do I have and what is their value? (If your company is dependent on many small transactions, extending credit might be more challenging from an administrative point of view. However, it is less risky because your risk is more diversified over a larger customer base.)
If your business can afford a certain amount of credit exposure and you have the infrastructure in place to effectively extend trade credit, then you certainly should be doing so. If you can't afford much exposure or you just don't have the resources to manage the process, then you should consider other options, such as cash up-front for everyone or only extending credit to the most trustworthy customers.


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In a bishops interview we are asked if we are living the principles of the Gospel. That is, praying, paying a full tithing, attending our meetings, living a chaste life if unmarried, observing God sanctioned sexual behavior within the bounds of marriage between one man and one woman, observing the sanctity of the Sabbath, reading the scriptures daily, regular temple worship for those with a recommend and so forth. Yet I have yet to talk with anyone who espouses the former-Mormon-turned-anti-Mormon point of view who kept the vows they made with God when they entered the waters of baptism, received confirmation and took upon themselves Temple covenants.
The very manifestations of the Holy Ghost that we so regularly need are based on how well we live the promises we make to God. When we make these covenants we essentially agree to live by a higher standard than others do. We chose to rise above the normal human understanding of things and seek to understand God by changing the natural man. We acknowledge that the natural man is an enemy to God and promise to work towards being a more holy person and that we desire to be a Son of God in the biblical sense Paul talks about – that is, more Christ like. When we break our covenants we give up the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost. In fact I suggest we regress to a point of no promise. In essence we loose our faith.
We lose it for a variety of reasons but I suggest it is mostly due to sexually inappropriate behavior brought on by pornography which in turn leads to other worldly behaviors, adhering to worldly ideas and rejecting the counsel of the prophet and apostles. We kind of go our own way. One really devastating thing I see among some members is a commitment to the "intellectual honesty" meme. My reasoning is based on twenty five years experience working with dysfunctional people on a professional basis. These people got into trouble because they came to a place where they felt entitled to their behavior and believed they could get away with what ever they wanted to do. They bought off on the big lie.
The purpose in clinging tightly to our covenants is not to force people into a way of thinking but rather to open up the pathway to heavenly communication. The Gospel does not aim to dictate how to live but to make it so God can enter our lives and direct us. But all is hinged on us living the principles of the Gospel and rejecting the worldliness we see all around us. Worldliness is not normal for holy beings but it is normal for the natural man who is God's enemy.
Some are going to say that they can do all the things I mention above in any other faith. Of course others outside the Church can elevate themselves to a higher level of living and become more Christ like. But they can only go so far. No other faith has the authority to bind on earth and make it binding in heaven too. No one else can prepare people for a celestial existence. No one else has the authority of the priesthood. Only Christ has that authority and only the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has the Gospel in its fullness. If you reject this after having made the covenants of baptism and the additional covenants found within the temple I suggest you are in deep trouble. You don't go back to a state of just not knowing as we see in the other non-members who don't know. You have in fact rejected God. That is different than merely not knowing Him.
Some say they left the Church because they found God as a member of something else. But when you examine their lives you see a completely different human being than they portray to the public. More often than not you see a public "Christian" and a worldly real person underneath. I have never found it to be otherwise. But then I have only worked with a few hundred members, former members and their families. I could be wrong. One caveat – being a member in name only does not automatically include a person in the ranks of those I talk about here.
So, what does all this mean? Does it mean all good Mormons should reject those who have fallen away? Should we act coolly to them and their families? Certainly not. If anything we are required to show an extra measure of love and kindness to them in hopes of welcoming them back into full fellowship. But the reality is that some of these folks can do a lot misinforming and damage to Christ and the Church. They have placed us in a precarious position. On one hand we are admonished to encourage them and even be anxious for their full fellowship. On the other hand we are encouraged to inform the misinformed of the disinformation some spread about us. And so it is my sense that the honest of heart in the former member ranks make every attempt for re-instatement into the Church. They should call upon God for His guidance and follow it. But by no means should we as members be shy about correcting the damage others inflict on the Church keeping in mind the Saviors words that doing unto the least of our brethren is like doing unto Him.
(Note: More Mormons are disciplined in the Church for illegal and inappropriate sexual behaviors and financial misdealing than any other reasons according to one source although I am not aware of any publicly available statistics to support my contention. I found that to be the case with the population I supervised as a case manager too. Disciplining means being disfellowshipped or excommunicated.)


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Hello! I am new to the forum but I've been collecting hostas for a few years. I have tried to consistently be on the lookout for the signs of HVX showing in any of my hostas since some of them do come from bigger box stores. Sure enough, the ones from less reputable places are showing some suspicious markings and I would love some help identifying if this is HVX. I may be overreacting but would love to get these out of my bed if they are infected.
I will post the following pictures in order:
Queen Josephine hosta - only two leaves showing these odd ripples.
Lakeside Banana Bay - several mature leaves showing cellular damage along veins. Have not seen this in the younger leaves.
Stained Glass - A few mature leaves showing cellular damage.


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Wednesday 23 January, 2013
46b Espresso Hut – Hackney
I found this great little cafe when I was out on by bike early the other day trying to find somewhere open to shelter from the snow. It's a lovely little place, it's amazing what some people can do with a very ordinary space, 46b is effortlessly cool and quirky. They have a nice menu, including Square Mile Coffee, e5 Bakehouse bread, granola, yogurt, fruit and cinnamon, some good sandwiches and salads and of course croissants and a few cakes. It's definitely popular with locals attracting all sorts from the types who have been in Hackney for years to the local cafe bloggers.
46b Espresso Hut, 46 Brooksby's Walk, London, E9 6DA
Click here to view map
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- Card Style:
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Westward, ho!!! On the trail of Quetzacoatlus, the winged . . . serpenty thing.
I know I should say that the greatest "draw" for me as I prepare my westward journey is my grandson, Cooper. And my daughter. And my son-in-law. But . . . I know me.
There's another:
It is one of the most exciting and recent fossil discoveries!!! This fossil shows us the skin, the ridges, the scales, and the feathers of a nodosaur, a reptilian-serpenty thing..
I'll show you the head in a minute, but, first, a few comments — and I'm gong to be very, very sketchy and abbreviated in my words. You've either speculated on this stuff, or you haven't. *
Here's another view of the Quetzacoatlus:
They're winged, they're feathered (more feathers than this artist gave them) , and they perhaps fly.
The Native peoples of Mexico await the return of the Winged Serpent, whom they call Quetzacoatl. Snouted, not beaked. (Taxonomers seem not to care.)
Interaction with human beings. Forbidden interaction.
Who is that Nachosh spoken of in the Bible; that Shining One; that Reptilian-Serpent Thing that interacted with the first humans in their protective Garden?
Forbidden. Deadly.
Quetxacoatl again – (also known as the head of a nodosaur) —
What are these things and when did they live – and what is this . . . interaction? It was a time not made for human beings. But forbidden spiritual interaction is not my point today. And there's plenty of evidence for the physical interaction of humans and "dinosaurs" depicted in artwork: pictures, objects (like ancient little toy dinosaurs), and in weaving and sculpture. But that's not my point today either.
It's this — Fossils and Footprints!
That's a MAN lying in a dinosaur FOOTPRINT! The silhouette of the dinosaur is below the photo, and the silhouette of the man is that teeny thing under the tail!
More three-toes dinosaurs, smaller ones:
One time I was in Carson City NV with Cooper, in the dinosaur display room in a children's museum. At two and a half years old, I wasn't sure if he understood why I was so excited about seeing the display of three large dinosaur footprints. He didn't say much, but he walked away, came back with three little plastic toy dinosaurs, and he placed one toy dinosaur in each footprint.
He got it.
So, yes, "westward" — into dinosaur country. I've got my route planned from museum to museum!
Here's a footnote to the Michael Crichton book I wrote about yesterday, just to be honest: The main character about whom the story is told — didn't exist, much to my surprise. The minor characters who were paleontologists did exist: Professors Cope and Marsh — and, of course, Wyatt and Morgan Earp and assorted famous outlaws.
The places in the book Dragon Teeth really exist too. I've been to many of them, and reading this book was like having a movie played before my eyes.
Reading and living!
I'd like more of both, God willing.
.* To enjoy some quite plausible speculation, you can't do better than the series called "West of Eden." (Although I suspect modern "environmentalists" would not be on the side of the humans." It's a clear clash of technologies.)


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Say congrats with style and class. Custom made plaques and awards are the perfect way to recognize achievements and milestones or celebrate important events. At Minuteman Press, we can help you preserve that diploma or honor an accomplishment in a way that will last a lifetime. If you're throwing a party for the honoree(s), let us design invitations that are equally exciting and celebratory. Our experienced staff will work with you to preserve special memories and important moments however you see fit.


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Practice Overview
Our Fertility Team
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Office Location & Hours
Visiting Coastal Fertility
Causes of Infertility in Women
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IVF – In Vitro Fertilization
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Coastal Fertility Medical Center (CFMC) has been Orange County's leading provider of reproductive care to infertility patients since 1982, and for good reason. CFMC and its dedicated staff are widely recognized for their compassions, as well as their special attention to the individual needs of their patients. Founder Dr. Lawrence B. Werlin is widely recognized as Orange County's top fertility guru and one of the nation's most notes Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) specialists. The compassionate and skilled physician is a pioneer in the user of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGS/PGD), and is considered a nationally noted expect in its application.
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Join us February 12th for a free monthly fertility seminar hosted by Dr. Werlin.
Learn about the low and high technology of fertility treatment options.
Join us in January for our next free quarterly egg freezing seminar.
Learn about the process and benefits of freezing your eggs.


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Customer Testimonials
"The entire team was so awesome!!! Greg and Brandon treated me like I was their only customer, not only did they sell my home quickly, but they found the perfect new home for our family. Brandon negotiated extra closing cost help to make settlement easy. We can't stop raving about Greg, Brandon, and Tracy."
-The Williams Family
"When you place a project in Greg's hands, you won't need to worry about the results. Our home required several repairs before placing it for sale. Greg recommended professional tradesmen to perform the work. The repairs were completed on a timely basis at a much lower cost then we expected."
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Angie and I would like to thank your team for all your efforts in making our first home buying experience a breeze. We learned more from you in the one hour during our first meeting than we did in one month with a previous Realtor. We are especially pleased with your rapid response to every question and/or concern we had. You worked for us and we never had the feeling that you were imposing your opinion thought on us. We were impressed how you pointed out some areas of concern during our first walk through the house we ultimately purchased. I am so glad that my close childhood friend recommended you and your team to us. The purchase an negotiations with the seller were surprisingly easy with you representing us. Thank you again Greg for all your time and patience given to us and you'll be our first recommendation for home buying or selling."
-AJ Connelly and Angela Rivera
"We learned there are significant differences from one agent to another. We were first time home buyers and were dissatisfied with our original agent. Greg made the process much easier to understand. We made an offer that was accepted and when issues arose during our home inspection, Greg successfully negotiated a reduced offer, making it an even better deal for us!"
-The Moyers
"Settlement was smooth and quick due to Greg and Tracy's preparation and knowledge. The sellers could not receive our offer until late in the evening. Greg worked past midnight to successfully negotiate our offer. Greg made sure certain home inspections issues were properly addressed, providing confidence in our purchase."
-Bart and Michelle Albert
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While nearly all of our services are covered by Medicare they are no longer Bulk-Billed.
As a result, for a full comprehensive consultation up to 30 minutes your minimum out of pocket cost will be $20. Once you've made payment in full on the day we can process your Medicare rebate immediately through Medicare Online and it will be deposited to your nominated bank account, usually within 1/2 an hour, leaving you with that $20 out of pocket cost.
Specialist tests, such as: Lacrimal Lavage, Corneal Topography and OCT (Ocular Coherence Tomography) are to be patient funded, included in the fee schedule below.
Full Cost Minimum Out of Pocket
Comprehensive Initial up to 30mins $77.70 $20*
Brief Initial/Subsequent up to 20 mins $38.90 $10*
Comprehensive Initial LONG up to 45mins $87.80 $30*
Visual Fields HFA $68.80
(rebate $57.70)
Corneal Topography (per eye) $38.00
Lacrimal Lavage (per eye) $38.00
OCT scan (one eye) $49.00
OCT Scan (both eyes) $84.00
*Reduced fees apply for most concession holders and school age children. Veterans Affairs will continue to be Bulk-Billed.


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A new poster has debuted for We Need to Talk About Kevin, which expanded to theaters nationwide on January 13 after a successful run in limited release. Tilda Swinton stars as the mother of a mysterious child named Kevin (Ezra Miller), in a story that follows her family's horrific plight through both present day and flashbacks. Take a look at this retro 1-sheet below, which is reminiscent of horror poster designs from the 1960s.
We Need to Talk About Kevin Retro Poster
- —
- in Movie News


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We offer a 360ᵒ service at competitively affordable prices, which will usually begin with a free, no obligation consultation offering design advice and ideas. Whether the scope of the project is large or small, you will be greeted with a warm, friendly, personal and professional service. Most designers you will meet, start at the beginning of a project, forming designs as they progress. At Saxton Interiors, we turn that completely on its head, starting with forming a vision of the end result and working backwards to the starting point. This we feel extremely passionate about, every detail is meticulously planned before the commencement of any works, ensuring there is a designated plug socket for your favourite lamp, or space for those curtains you have always dreamed of.
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Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Fifth Annual Beyond the Book
Honan-Allston Branch
Boston Public Library
300 North Harvard Street
Allston, MA
March 26-May 7
Opening Reception: March 26, 2-4 PM
I'm happy to have two Spirit Books in this exhibition of work selected by Marjorie Kaye of Galatea Fine Art in Boston. Thanks to Curator Ronni Komarow for beginning this wonderful tradition and seeing it through in great style for five years!
I won't be at the reception but hope to attend events which will be scheduled later.
Bookmark/The Kitchen Madonna
Rumer Godden. When I first read it, it was the touching story of an odd boy who makes a kitchen Madonna for Marta who takes care of him and his sister while his busy architect parents were at work and misses her childhood home in the Polish Ukraine. It is a wonderfully unsentimental story of love, but also one of creative problem solving and using recycled materials. It's a great companion to the Flowers from the Collage Box project.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Flowers from the Collage Box
The book above started with a piece of recycled copy paper folded in half with the writing on the inside. The bottom started with the front or back panel of a grocery bag cut in half the long way.
My collage box is probably my favorite thing in the studio. When Jean Van Hutl in an interview in The Artful Parent asked me if I could encourage parents to do one bookmaking activity, what would it be, I answered:
The thing I would say is that every house needs a collage box filled with bits and pieces of paper. Mine has been a source of hours of joy for me and those who come to my workshops. I cut up any interesting paper that comes my way- wrapping paper from a package, paper bags, the inside patterns on security envelopes, origami paper, art papers, etc.--into squares about an index finger long (no more inches). I find that the smaller size wastes less paper and seems to stimulate creativity in a way that large pieces of paper don't.
Written Directions
In Spanish
Planting a Rainbow is a vibrant and beautiful book of collage flowers by Lois Ehlert.
The Parts of a Flower
Flower parts worksheet with a link to print a worksheet for students without the names.
Flower Parts
This site goes into more detail. I like it because it illustrates the parts with photos.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
South Carolina School Library Conference
The pre-conference workshop was fast-paced and fun. The librarians worked with kids from 3 through high school so it was a diverse and lively group. As usual, we used grocery bags, cereal boxes, and used copy paper. We made at least seven books, five from the grocery bag. It's always hard in a two-hour period to get in as much as I'd like without being overwhelming but I think we did well.
On the day of the conference, I gave a talk called The Community of the Handmade Book from Ancient Egypt to Your Library. I originally put the word "community" in the title because it was the theme of the conference but the more I thought about it, the more appropriate I decided it was.
Although reading is a personal and private activity, I always do feel a sense of community when I sit down with a book—with the writer of that particular book, with authors through time, and with the rest of the world of readers. And the same is true for the making of books. In workshops, there is always a great feeling of togetherness as we all work on our books. With educators and librarians, there is also the community of purpose, knowing that what takes place in the room will be shared many times over with children.
After viewing books through history and around the world, a small collection of artists' books, and lots of examples of books to make with kids, we closed the session by making two simple books, each from a piece of recycled copy paper with writing on one side.
I did have time to do a little exploring of the city of Columbia. My hotel was in the Vista neighborhood which is full of restaurants and art galleries. SCASL was so kind to make sure I had company for dinner every night and I tried the local dishes of she crab soup and shrimp and grits (twice each) which I loved. The gift basket that was waiting for me in my hotel room contained a package of grits which I look forward to making at home. I got lots of advice about preparation.
I love old buildings, cemeteries, and trees and had lots to inspire me. The State Capitol Building was a short walk from the hotel and a beautiful building. The grounds had massive southern magnolias, palmetto palms, and blooming redbuds. I couldn't help but gather a small amount of material for possible use in a future Spirit Book. Across the street was Trinity Church Cemetery—old and beautiful.
View some of my photos from Columbia, SC.
Monday, March 14, 2011
St. Patrick's Day Cross
For St. Patrick's Day, I wanted a project that wasn't about shamrocks or leprechauns and had traditional roots in Ireland. I found this in The Year in Ireland: A Calendar by Kevin Dannaher. The book is out of print but can be found on half.com and other sources.
Young girls and small children wear on the right shoulder "a St Patrick's Cross", consisting of a single or double cross formed of pieces of narrow silk ribbon stitched to a circular disk of white paper, nicked at the edge, and measuring from 3 to 4 1/2 inches in diameter. At the ends of the arms of the cross a very small bow or rosette is stitched and one a trifle larger at the junction of the arms; the more and the brighter the colours of the silk, the more handsome is considered the St Patrick's Cross.
Journal of the Kildare Archaeological Society 1908
I made my cross from a piece of white shirt cardboard. I used pieces of plastic bag instead of silk ribbon. Even though I make an effort to carry a bag with me shopping, plastic bags do seem to multiply. I went through my bag of bags before I took them back to the supermarket and selected ones with color to make the ribbons and bows. I cut narrow strips and tied them into bows. The plastic bag I used for the center wasn't long enough to tie a bow so I just shaped one. I stitched the plastic ribbons and bows onto the circle but you could also use a stapler.
Monday, March 7, 2011
A Photographer in Old Peking
Hedda Morrison was raised in Germany and in 1933, at age 25, went to Beijing to manage Hartungs Photo Studio. She lived and worked in China until 1946 and recorded the time and place through her black and white photographs. She photographed temples and palaces, street life, art and crafts, and food and entertainment in Beijing and also ventured further afield in China. In the book-related department, there are pictures of papermaking, bookmaking and selling, seal carving. The photographs are introduced by her straightforward text which gives a sense of the world she saw around her and reading between the lines, the open and intrepid spirit that she brought to her life in this foreign city.
Two places to learn about Hedda Morrison and her work are the websites of:
The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia
Harvard-Yenching Library in Cambridge, MA
Butterfly Stick and Elastic Book
Stick and elastic written directions (English and Spanish)
Video directions
Friday, March 4, 2011
10 Tips for Raising Readers
thegoodstuffguide.com. I do believe making books can be a key component in developing literacy and a love of reading. Not to mention all the fun!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
PoeTree at Rhythm of the Home
PoeTree at Rhythm of the Home
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Bookmark/ A Freewheelin' Time
Susan Rotolo is a book artist who was Bob Dylan's girlfriend in the early 60s when she was know as Suze Rotolo. She has written a warm and generous memoir about those days called A Freewheelin' Time: A Memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties. While it is very much about a time and place and a certain group of people, there is much that speaks to the journey of growing up and understanding one's place in the world as a woman, an artist, and a human being. She concludes the book by saying "The creative spirit finds a way."
Susan's Book work
NY Times obituary
Guardian obituary (I think this is most complete)
Rolling Stone remembrance (by a friend and more a sense of her as a person)
Her own voice on Fresh Air with Terry Gross
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"Moore and Janiczek combine transcendent intensity with finely judged pacing in Messiaen's Theme and Variations, placing this firmly among the best accounts on disc."
- BBC Music Magazine
Latest Recording
See the Piano Duo on film, in two short documentaries produced by the Borletti-Buitoni Trust - click here.
'I have not heard any better recording of these works.'


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Images courtesy of Holi One
Next Saturday the Holi One Colour Festival is coming to Manchester and I can't wait! If you've not heard of the Holi One Festival it's currently making it's way around the biggest cities in the UK and spreading lots of love and colour. The festival is all about people coming together and experiencing fun, colour and music at a really memorable event.
The idea is to wear white on arrival and leave the festival covered in colour. The powder itself is provided at the festival and is made from rice flour and food colouring, so is allergy free and will not stain most clothes. Every hour on the hour the powder is thrown in a celebration of colour whilst enjoying the live acts and entertainment.
I've never attended the festival before but I will be at the event next week, so do let me know if you're going. For those wanting tickets, the event takes place at Heaton Park in Manchester from 12pm on 2nd August and you can find tickets and more info here. I hoping to get some fab photos too, so expect a post after the event!