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2015 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, WestLands
WestLands Pinot Noir is our nod to capturing the essence of the West Sonoma Coast. In the 2015 vintage, three vineyards were selected from the very cool climate driven regions of West Sebastopol and West Petaluma Wind Gap. O'Connor Vineyard is an old apple orchard planted to Pinot Noir clones over 25 years ago (we source Pommard and Clone 115 from this site). This, along with another very small, highly dense, private vineyard nearby on Barlow Lane (planted to Pommard and Swan Clones), share the magic of Goldridge soils and one of the foggiest climates of the region—superb for growing Pinot Noir. Mariani Vineyard balances the trio. Located in the western edge of the Petaluma Wind Gap, Mariani enjoys the stresses the wind brings to the vines along with the affects Of cooling fog and mineral rich soils. Combined, these three vineyards add graceful texture and nuance to the wine.
Pretty aromatics jump out of the glass—raspberry, ripe cherry, anise and inviting Christmas spices. The vibrant palate is filled with nice layers and beautiful texture. Fresh Bing cherries, ripe cranberries and spice are expressive in this energetic wine.


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Hardboiled Inc. is a boutique style custom screen printer and promotional products distributor located in the unique Kensington Market neighbourhood in downtown Toronto. Since 2001 we have been providing our customers the attention to detail they want with the quality and workmanship they deserve. Contact us by telephone or email us today with any questions you might have about our available products, pricing systems, or printing methods. Additionally please feel free to contact us with any concerns you might have over the quality or formatting of your art files and we will only be too happy to help!
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 416-203-3373
Open Monday to Friday:
9:00am – 5:30pm
Or alternatively come visit our show room in person:
Hardboiled Inc
82 Nassau St, Kensington Market
Toronto, Ontario

subset: commoncrawl


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Buy Vs. Lease Puyallup WA
What You Need To Know About Financing Your Vehicle
Kia Motors Finance Company* and your independently owned and operated Kia dealer care about helping you have the best vehicle purchase experience possible. We want you to be an informed consumer to make the best choices about purchasing and financing a vehicle. This brochure provides essential information about vehicle financing. We hope it will help enhance your vehicle purchasing and financing experience.
*"Kia Motors Finance Company" and "KMFC" are business names used by Hyundai Motor Finance Company where permitted by law pursuant to an agreement with Kia Motors America, Inc. Financial services are not offered under the "Kia Motors Finance Company" and "KMFC" names in Kansas, Massachusetts, Vermont, or Wisconsin.
Steps To Take Before You Go To The Dealership
1. Know your credit worthiness -- it may affect your cost of credit
Creditors generally use the same kinds of objective measures of creditworthiness. The better your credit report and score, the lower the interest rate you may obtain.
- Most creditors emphasize your credit payment history as shown in a credit report and credit score from a credit bureau, such as Experian (888-397-3742 or www.experian.com), Equifax (800-685-1111 or www.credit.equifax.com) or TransUnion (800-888-4213 or www.transunion.com).
- Your credit report shows credit information about your existing and past debt, the outstanding amounts, monthly payment amount, and whether you have paid on time, or if you have not repaid debts.
- Your credit report does not include information unrelated to your credit, such as your race, ethnicity, religion, or medical history.
- Your credit score is a numerical value assigned to information in your credit report.
- Your credit score can vary by bureau, because not all creditors report to all three credit bureaus.
- You should obtain a copy and read your credit report before you apply for credit.
- You may be entitled to an annual free credit report. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com to order your copy from each of the credit bureaus.
- You may be entitled to a free credit report under other circumstances. (For more information, go to the FTC's website at www.ftc.gov.)
- You may also purchase your credit score for a reasonable fee.
- If your credit report contains errors, you have the right to get them corrected free of charge by the credit bureau.
- You may be turned down for credit or pay a higher interest rate if your credit report reflects negative information such as a repossession, bankruptcy or history of slow payments.
2. Improving your credit worthiness
Take an active role to manage your credit score as you would any financial matter. Your credit score can be improved by developing long-term habits that include:
- Pay your bills on time, every time. Credit scoring models reward prompt payments.
- Don't apply for credit you don't need. Scoring systems often view numerous loan applications or unused lines of credit as signs that you are overextended or could become overextended.
- Make sure your credit report is accurate. Check your credit report at least once a year and have any errors corrected immediately.
- Contact the credit bureaus for more ideas on ways to improve your creditworthiness.
3. Consider other factors that may determine your cost of credit
- If the vehicle you are purchasing secures your loan or retail installment contract, your cost of credit may vary based on the amount financed, the amount of your down payment, whether the vehicle is new or used, and the vehicle model.
- Your income, down payment and debt to income ratio may also affect the interest rate you obtain.
- The total number of payments (term), such as 48 months or 60 months, may also affect your cost of credit. Lower interest rates may be available for shorter repayment periods.
4. Decide how much you want to pay each month
- Consider what monthly payment fits within your budget, based upon your income and your expected expenses.
- Remember to allow for insurance, taxes, title, registration and vehicle maintenance costs when estimating the costs of ownership.
5. Do your homework
- You may finance your vehicle by entering into a retail installment contract with your Kia dealer or you may seek a loan directly from a bank, credit union or other source. It's your choice.
- Understand how retail financing generally works -- by reviewing this brochure or material from other sources.
- Find out what interest rates are currently available. Different creditors may offer credit at different rates and terms. Creditors usually offer their best interest rates to applicants with the best creditworthiness, with higher rates for less creditworthy applicants.
- Understand your cost of credit. It is measured in two ways: (1) The Annual Percentage Rate, or APR, is the cost of credit on an annual basis and is based on the interest rate as well as other charges for the credit. (2) The Finance Charge is how much the credit costs expressed in a dollar amount.
- Learn about possible special low interest rate programs (such as 0.0% APR), which may be offered for a particular make or model.
- Sources of information include your Kia dealer, the Internet, newspapers and magazines, the library, your family or friends, and other creditors.
6. Gather items you may need to make a credit application at the dealership
Have the following items available with you to assist in the application process.
- Driver's license for identification purposes.
- Employment and salary information, including paycheck stubs.
- Information about other sources of income, including alimony, child support or retirement income.
- Information about your bank accounts, credit card accounts and other debt you may have.
- Personal references with phone numbers and addresses.
- Proof of insurance.
- Sometimes you'll need your prior address information and employment history.
At The Dealership
1. Understand your options
- Your Kia dealer can tell you about the financing sources that the dealer may use.
- Ask the dealer about current interest rates.
- Ask the dealer whether there are any manufacturer supported special financing programs available for certain vehicle models.
2. Making and financing your Kia purchase
- You and the Kia dealer agree upon the price of the vehicle, the value of your trade-in, the cost of any extra features, and the APR of your contract. These terms are negotiable.
- Remember that the total cost of credit will be based on everything you finance, including taxes, vehicle service contracts, credit insurance, GAP premiums, and other options you choose.
- The monthly payment should fit your budget, but should not be the only factor in deciding on credit. Consider all terms of your financing and purchase.
- Confirm your APR.
- The dealer can help you look at several options if the monthly payment amount is too high:
- Make a higher down payment to reduce the amount financed
- Choose a different vehicle model
- Reconsider the vehicle accessories or insurance products
- Consider leasing the vehicle rather than purchasing
- It's up to you to let the dealer know what features or aspects of the vehicle or financing are important to you. The dealer wants you to be satisfied with your purchase and financing. The dealer has access to several credit sources, including some creditors that consumers cannot finance with directly, and may be able to find rates and terms that might be better than you could find on your own.
How Retail Financing Works At The Dealership
You make a credit application
To finance the purchase of your vehicle at the dealership, you will make an application for credit with the dealer. You will give the dealer permission to see your credit report and obtain other credit and employment information.
You enter into a retail installment contract with your Kia dealer
You will enter into a retail installment contract directly with your Kia dealer. The dealer is the seller/creditor and you are the buyer/debtor. You should review and agree to all the terms of the contract, including the amount financed, the APR, the number of monthly payments and the monthly payment amount.
Consider your cost of credit
Your Kia dealer may be able to provide competitive rates to finance your purchase, because there may be several credit sources competing for the dealership's business.
Your dealer may sell the contract to Kia Motors Finance Company ("KMFC"), or another creditor
After you and your Kia dealer sign the contract, the dealer may sell the contract to KMFC or some other financing source. Some dealers may keep the contract and have you make the monthly payments to the dealer, but most dealers sell their contracts. If your contract is sold, you will make the monthly payments to the creditor who buys the contract. This creditor is also called the "assignee" and the sale of your contract is referred to as an "assignment." Except for changing the creditor you make payments to, selling your contract will not change its terms.
Your dealer is a locally owned, independent business
Your Kia dealer is an independently owned and operated business, part of your local business community. The dealer is not part of the manufacturer or any financing source and is not required to sell your contract to KMFC or any other financing source.
The dealer may be paid a fee for the contract
The financing source that buys your contract from the dealer usually pays the dealer a fee for your contract. This amount may be a flat fee or a percentage of the amount financed. This fee is sometimes called "participation."
This payment is between the creditor that buys the contract and the dealer. It does not change any of the contract terms that you and the dealer have agreed upon. The fee compensates the dealer for its time, effort, resources, and overhead as well as for services performed on behalf of the purchaser, such as recording the lien on the vehicle's title. In some cases the fee compensates the dealer for taking on a financial risk, because after a contract is assigned, under certain circumstances, the dealer may be obligated to buy it back. In addition, the dealer offers you the convenience of financing with the dealership directly. For these reasons, the dealer is compensated by the purchaser. Most states do not limit the fee paid to the dealer, although some states have limits.
Preparation is the key.
Financing a vehicle purchase can be done in the convenience of your Kia dealership. Being prepared and understanding the process will enhance your financing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is my APR [Annual Percentage Rate] determined?
Your APR is set between you and the dealer. Your creditworthiness and the other terms of your contract (such as the number of payments, your down payment, the amount you are financing) may affect your APR. The fee that a potential purchaser might pay to the dealer to buy your contract can also affect your APR.
The dealer asked me to sign a credit application, which says Kia Motors Finance Company can look at my credit information. Why?
The law restricts who may access your credit information. The dealer has obtained your consent so that KMFC can review your credit information. Based upon KMFC's response to your credit application, the dealer may sell your contract to KMFC.
My retail installment contract has a logo for Kia Motors Finance Company at the top. Does this mean that Kia Motors Finance Company is the creditor?
No. The dealer may or may not assign your contract to KMFC. Often, creditors supply forms to dealers, some of which contain their logos, as a way to remind dealers to consider them as possible purchasers of the contracts.
Doesn't the finance company set my APR?
No. The APR, like other contract terms, is determined between you and the dealer.
Does the finance company or bank pay the dealer for the contract?
Yes. The dealer usually receives a fee for the contract. This may be based upon a percentage of the APR or it may be a flat fee.
The dealer is making money on my purchase. Why does the dealership make money on my financing?
The fee compensates the dealer for work that is not involved in a cash sale or where a customer has arranged for financing directly from a lender.
My dealer sent my credit application to a financing source before we even wrote a contract. Why?
The dealer may begin to look for potential purchasers for your contract even before the contract is complete. That permits the dealer to make sure the terms of the contract will make it saleable.
My brother and I got different rates financing the same model car from the same dealership in the past couple months. Why?
There can be many reasons for the difference. Probably there are differences in your creditworthiness such as existing debt, for example, even if your incomes are similar. Interest rates may have changed, or special financing programs were available. Other terms of your financing, such as the number of payments, may have differed, too.
How do I know the APR, Amount Financed, etc.?
These terms are set apart on your contract in the "Truth in Lending" box. The dealer will give this information to you to review before you sign your contract. You should take the time to be sure you understand these terms.
Does the Truth in Lending box show the price paid to assign the contract?
No. This box shows the cost of credit to you. You are entitled to disclosures of the credit terms you agreed upon. The Truth in Lending box does not show the business arrangements between the dealer and any potential purchaser. Some contracts contain a reminder that the APR may be negotiable with the dealer and that the dealer may be retaining a portion of the finance charge. Kia Motors Finance Company voluntarily includes this reminder on contract forms it provides to Kia dealerships.
Can I finance directly with Kia Motors Finance Company?
No. Kia Motors Finance Company provides financing only through vehicle dealerships like your Kia dealer. Kia Motors Finance Company is an "indirect lender" it does not make financing available directly to consumers.
What You Need To Know About Leasing Your Vehicle
Leasing generally offers the advantage of little or no down payment and low monthly payments. Leasing can allow you to drive a better-equipped vehicle than you might have been able to purchase using cash or credit. Leasing usually results in lower monthly payments than purchasing over the same term. Generally, leasing is a win-win for most drivers. The exceptions are those that want to keep their cars for a while or those that put a lot of miles on their vehicle each year.
A lease is actually a payment for the use of a vehicle over a specified period of time, rather than a purchase. Your payments cover the vehicle's depreciation over the term of the lease. Because this amount is usually much less than the full purchase price, the payments can be less. You (referred to as the "Lessee") agree to maintain the car during the lease and only put the number of miles specified in the lease agreement. At the end of the lease, you return the vehicle or may take advantage of the option to purchase it.
Is Leasing Right For Me?
Are you a driver that takes care of your car and puts between 12,000 and 15,000 miles on your car a year? If so, you might find that leasing makes good sense for you by offering lower payments and an opportunity to drive a new car every two to three years. On the other hand, if you put a high number of miles on your car (in excess of 20,000 miles per year) or tend to drive your car for 5 years or more before trading it in, leasing may not be the right option for your needs. Your Kia dealer is knowledgeable about both plans, and can provide you with specific details about the car you are interested in.
Leasing Terms
Balloon Note: This is very similar to a lease. The difference is the vehicle is registered and insured in the customer's name. This allows customers, in states where leasing is not popular, to enjoy the same low monthly payments as with a lease.
Net Capitalized Cost: The amount used to determine the lease payments. This includes destination charge, acquisition fee, and security deposit (refunded at the end of the lease) minus any discounts from the vehicle's residual value at the end of the lease, and any capitalized cost reduction (down payment).
Capitalized Cost Reduction Payment: A payment made to reduce the net capitalized cost and therefore the monthly payment amount.
Conventional Financing: A financial note or installment credit that pays for the principal (the value of the car) and the interest. At the end of the note period or installment term, the full amount has been paid. Longer terms (66 and 72 months) are used to lower the payment, but typically customers trade their vehicles before the note comes due or the contract is paid in full. The payoff amount for longer-term financing will most likely exceed the value of the vehicle.
Depreciation/Residual Value: The amount the vehicle's value will decline over the length of the term. For example, a vehicle may be worth 45% of its original MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) at the end of 36 months. Therefore, its deprecation would be 55% and its residual value would be the 45%.
Money Factor: Equivalent to the interest rate on a loan. It is the interest rate divided by 24 (regardless of term).
Term: The length of the lease. Typically, most leases are written for 24, 36 and 48 month terms.
Advantages of Leasing
Lower Payments: With a lease, your monthly payments will almost always be lower than with conventional financing because you are paying for only a portion of the car's full value over the lease period. This gives you the option of driving a nicer car for the same monthly cost.
Manufacturer Incentives: In tough times or in a new model year, manufacturers may offer very attractive terms such as below market interest rates and high residuals that have the effect of lowering the monthly payment.
Lower Up-front Costs: Unless you decide to make a large cap reduction payment, initial costs for most leases will be limited to a refundable security deposit (typically one monthly payment rounded up to the nearest $25), sales tax depending on your state, title and registration fees, environmental fees (i.e., battery and tire disposal fees), and finally, your first monthly payment. As a result, leasing ties up less of your capital, freeing cash for more lucrative investments.
Taxes: With the phasing out of deductions for interest on car loans, leasing may now compare more favorably against conventional financing from a tax standpoint. Although most individuals will not save taxes with a lease, some businesses may enjoy certain advantages with leasing. Consult your tax advisor for more information.
Hassle-free Disposition: At the end of the lease you can simply give the car back to the dealer, satisfy your lease-end obligations, and walk away. No need to worry about selling the car or haggling over its trade-in value. If you decide to buy the car at the end of the lease, you'll have an idea how much the cost will be (no more than the residual value).
No major repairs: Kia new vehicles are covered by a factory warranty for the duration of your lease contract. However, regular maintenance is your financial responsibility. Some leases allow you to add this to your monthly payment so you will not have to pay for it later and in larger amounts. It is also helpful to have your maintenance done at a Kia dealership. They will keep a record of your visits, which is excellent proof of your maintenance for the recovery of your security deposit.
Disadvantages of Leasing
Early termination: Depending upon the contract, there might be penalties for terminating before the end of the lease. This is due to the term being the key factor in calculating the lease payments.
Mileage limitation: Leasing contracts have annual mileage limits. The mileage is one of the key factors used to determine the residual value. Therefore, the higher the mileage, the lower the residual value. Typically, there is a 2% point difference between 12,000 miles and 15,000 miles. If you plan to drive more than the mileage specified in the lease you can pay for the excess mileage up front, or at the lease termination. Typically, paying for up-front mileage is less expensive.
Higher insurance coverage requirements: Leases generally require higher insurance coverage limits for liability insurance and you must purchase comprehensive coverage.
Calculating The Monthly Lease Payment
Lease payments are based on the capitalized cost, which is the MSRP, including destination charge, acquisition fee, and security deposit (refunded at the end of the lease) minus any discounts from the vehicle's residual value at the end of the lease, and any capitalized cost reduction (down payment). The monthly payment is determined by dividing the depreciation (net capitalized cost, less the residual) by the term of the lease, and adding the cost of the money (the money factor times the sum of the net capitalized cost and the residual). States vary on their charges for documentation fees, license plates and taxes and amounts must be added to the payment. Additionally, if you owe more on your trade than it is worth, this amount can be added to the net capitalized cost and paid down through the monthly lease payments.
The residual value is based on the vehicle's resale value at the end of the lease. This is influenced by its popularity as a used car. Residual values are set at the time of the lease (which make the lease a closed end lease as opposed to an open end lease where residual values are not set beforehand - open end leases are very rare today.
Do's and Dont's of Leasing
Your Homework - Learn as much as you can about leasing. Be sure to understand how a lease works and the meaning of the terms.
Read the Lease Contract - especially the fine print - BEFORE you sign it. Be sure to understand your obligations and liabilities for early termination.
Make Sure All the Figures Add Up - Calculate the monthly payment yourself. If it doesn't match with the payment on the contract, ask questions until you understand why.
Know the MSRP for the vehicle you are leasing.
Be Prepared to Go the Distance on the lease - Early termination of any lease is almost always costly. Make sure that your personal situation will allow you to fulfill all of the obligations of the contract.
Maintain and Insure Your Leased Vehicle - The insurance is required, and taking care of the vehicle will save you dollars at termination.
Lease Without GAP Insurance - For just a few dollars a month, you protect yourself from a big loss in the event of forced termination such as a thief or accident where the vehicle is totaled. All leases through Kia Motors Finance Company come with GAP insurance automatically.
Lease Without Full Disclosure of the money factor, residual value, and the capitalized cost.
Accept an Open-End Lease - Remember, in an open-end lease the payment is based on an estimated residual value. If the actual value is less at the end of the lease, you must pay the difference.


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As much as I am very big into my beauty treatments, eyebrow treatments aren't a thing I have experimented with before. Facials, tanning, nails, lashes… I'm a pretty big worshipper of them all, but I guess I always thought my brows were manageable enough for me to take care of myself. However, after learning a lot recently about Treatwell – formally known as Wahanda – I decided to book a brow treatment using the beauty site, treating myself to something different.
For me, when it comes to booking beauty treatments, Treatwell takes the hassle away. It is one of the most simple search type websites I have used, with the added benefit that it works by focusing on all hair, skin, nail, lash, and body salons and spa's around the UK. If I want to book in for a spray tan close to my work office, I'll type in the specific postcode/area and see who offers the treatment within the closest vicinity. On this occasion, I wanted to book in for a HD Brow effect treatment in Manchester, but with a budget of £25. Treatwell managed to search all the options, finally bringing me to book in at Urban Oasis Spa inside Debenhams, close to Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester. So… what did I think of my first brow experience? Here's the 'before' shots…
As you can see, my 'before' eyebrows aren't too horrendous. Don't get me wrong, I don't love them, but hate is a strong word and they aren't that bad. They have a prominent shape and are naturally dark, which is strange for a girl who is naturally dark blonde! However, I had a lot of hairs growing underneath which I was getting sick of plucking, and I just found the shape to be getting a little unruly. I also noticed lots of little hairs towards the start of the brow that were light and whispy, not really 'contributing' to the brows of any kind.
The treatment I booked in for was the Hi Brow Hi Impact HD Brow effect, for £25. It is a complete salon eyebrow service combining expert techniques of tinting, threading, waxing, shaping and styling to create a perfect brow. I'm more than aware of how much eyebrows are the 'face framer' feature, so I was looking forward to the therapist working her magic and neatening them up.
The treatment takes around 45 minutes, but I had the threading side of the treatment missed out because I didn't really have any 'spare hairs' above the brow line. So I was possibly in the treatment chair for just over half an hour. I underwent a process of waxing, tinting and shaping, starting with the wax which I have never had done before. My hairs were then trimmed (mine are so long), tinted and shaped, resulting in smooth, shaped and neat looking brows.
The photos above show the finished result, but it's worth popping in here that the inner corners of my brows are slightly penciled in here because that is where I kind of have a little gap. Grooming my brows in the morning now takes so much less time- literally just have to brush them into shape and just add a touch of pencil to the top inner corner for that more squared off, fuller look.
Have you ever experienced a HD Brow type treatment? If so, what were your thoughts? Feel free to share in the comments below!


text: Researchers are developing stem cell therapies to restore neurons and repair optic nerve injuries, which cause severe visual impairment and eventual blindness. Currently, optic nerve injuries are untreatable, due to the neuronal death that renders the nerve non-functional following a traumatic injury. This study investigates how periodontal ligament stem cells [PDLSCs] can improve retinal ganglion cells' (RGC) survival, responsible for the optic nerve's function. In an animal model, three weeks after an injection of PDLSCs, researchers observed inflammatory responses indicative of increased RGC survival, as well as regeneration of nerve connections, with no adverse effects.


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Biden to sell debt ceiling deal during trip to China, Japan
Vice President Biden will tout the debt ceiling deal during a trip to China and Japan, two holders of huge amounts of U.S. debt.
Biden will travel to top lender China on Wednesday and to Japan, the second-biggest holder of U.S. bonds, on Aug. 22. The vice president "will be in a good position to talk about the very strong deficit package that we concluded here recently," Undersecterary of the Treasury Lael Brainard told reporters Monday in comments previewing the vice president's visit.
The debt-ceiling deal signed by President Obama could cut up to $2.5 trillion from budget deficits over the next decade, but it was a smaller package than the grand bargain Obama flirted with striking.
Standard & Poor's downgraded the nation's AAA rating to AA+ a few days after Obama signed the legislation. S&P had called for a $4 trillion package, and said it was left uncertain that U.S. politicians could agree to a larger deficit-reduction package. source – The Hill


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The Combat is proof that an affordable hang-on stand need not be cheap. The steel Combat features a premium powder-coated finish for long-lasting durability and a roomy rock-solid steel 21"x27" platform that's welded at ALL contact points to create a stout one-piece base.
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FEDERAL Parliament may see its first politician of Filipino descent if the Liberal Party wins the western Sydney seat of Greenway, where two Filipino-related candidates are vying for preselection.
Australian-born Jayme Diaz, 34, is a lawyer and the son of the Blacktown councillor and lawyer Jess Diaz. He is up against another Filipino, Venus Priest, 40, who runs her own business. She stood unsuccessfully for Blacktown council in 2008.
Preselection will be decided on Saturday, with Mr Diaz believed to be in the stronger position at this stage.
Labor has a notional 5.8 per cent margin in Greenway following a recent electoral redistribution which wiped out the Liberal Party's winning 4.5 per cent margin at the last federal election.
Greenway is held by the Liberal Party's Louise Markus, but following the redistribution she has switched to the seat of Macquarie. The online betting service Centrebet has Ms Markus evenly placed with the ALP's candidate, Susan Templeman, to win the seat.
Also to be decided on Saturday is preselection for the nearby seat of Parramatta, where the Liberal Party has flagged that it sees the ALP as being vulnerable.
As president of Parramatta Central branch, the largest in the electorate of Parramatta, the local businessman Charles Camenzuli may have a head start over his rivals for preselection. But with as much as 40 per cent of the vote for preselection held by those outside the electorate, the outcome is uncertain.
His rivals are Edwin Bouvet, also a member of the Parramatta Central branch, and George Giovas, who lives outside the electorate. No one is willing to call the outcome ahead of the vote, in part due to the sway that Liberal Party head office may choose to exert over the outcome.
Earlier this week, the party chose Fiona Scott to stand in Lindsay, which takes in much of the state seat of Penrith, where the ALP suffered a 25 per cent swing against it at a recent by-election. Ms Scott, 33, is the same age as the incumbent, David Bradbury. The ALP holds the seat with a 6.2 per cent margin.


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I'll cut to the chase. Short hair is in. Yup. Short hair. If you made the big chop into last summer's LOB, then it's time to try on the new pixie.
It's longer in the front, creating a sweeping fringe to be worn either side. It's fitted in the nape, but textured throughout. Wear this pixie sleek and cleanly parted with a nineties feel, or soft and wavy and or messy and beachy. Of course, the modern look has a disconnected side or undercut side, but keep it classic to get your feet wet. Once you see how feminine , and versatile this cut is, then have some fun. Blonde, brunette or pastels, this look loves a solid colour. Or add a little dimensional colour in the long fringe. No more high maintenance colours , as this cut will need trimming every 6 weeks to keep its shape.
Go ahead, go Hollywood ! See why all the stars are chopping their locks.
Blog contributor: Elissa Wolfe, JCI HAD Instructor
Hair Stylists and Colour Technicians are sought out in some of the most exciting and fast-paced industries in the world including film, fashion, TV and photography. The Hair Art Design Program at JCI is the only accredited hair school in BC approved for a 520-hour curriculum. The program is 20 hours per week and offers the option of morning, afternoon, evening or weekend classes so that students can work at their current jobs while retraining for a new career. Our faculty is comprised of top working professionals and guest instructors whose focus is on the future of hair. This is a modern program providing a strong foundation of cutting and colouring techniques.


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When referring to business-related projects, one usually has to spend a fantastic bargain of cash flow. He borrows money from here and there and soon enough, he finds himself inundated with debts which have to be utilized care because of. With the assistance of business debt consolidation loans, one can do products in having to manner. With online services being made available 24 hours a day, there is not any trouble almost all in getting advances. Anybody can make utilization of these loans at whenever you wish at every one. People who to be able to save money can also apply for such loans as lenders do provide cheap borrowing options.
You heard it here first: This so-called banking crisis at present officially previously mentioned. There is just no longer any need to bail out AIG, Citibank or every other troubled financial organization.
Please recall the accessories that besides you in the markets, along with the other side always have BIG Player also playing the same game like Banks, Commercial Companies, Central banks, Forex fixing, Hedge Funds, investment management definition Firms and also soon. They usually trade with a tremendous amount and inside a position to support or resist the market movement in shortest time period time.
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My motivation was brief. I had no long-term vision for staying on the financial market. I was already building a brand business I'd entered – NLP and development. Actually, I needed a buyer for my investment services examples business. The exams were a real inconvenience if you ask me and just necessary removed my license until a buyer was found. To cut a long story short, 4 months before examination I designed revision plan and didn't stick the idea. Two months later, I revised the plan because Experienced done nothing and Worry me at first stick to the new plan either. The previous day the exam, I thought 'I would like a miracle to successfully pass this exam'.
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The top trends for June 2018
Summer's almost here, and people are more than ready. We're seeing Pinterest searches climb for the usual staples like BBQs, swim parties and vacation plans. But it's not all about routine: people are looking to put a twist on their fun. Here are some emerging trends for Summer 2018, from accessories to entertainment.
Why throw the same old bash when you can try something new? For this new party trend, people are looking to the stars—literally. Stargazing parties are up 192% this year as friends gather to peep at stars and meteor showers.
Great parties need great drinks, and white wine slushies seem to be this year's frosé. The boozy, refreshing slushies are up 3037% since last year.
Swim season means a whole new set of fashion trends. This year we're seeing lots of love for off-the-shoulder suits (+212%), plunging necklines (+153%) and one-pieces (+132%). Popular fabrics include gingham (+313%), florals (+178%) and stripes (+124%).
People are brushing up on sauce recipes to prep for their summer shindigs. The top sauces on Pinterest right now range from this classic BBQ Sauce, to Cowboy Butter and Boom Boom Sauce.
People have their eyes on orange sunglasses this year. They're up 154% since January 2018, and orange-tinted lenses are up 368% since January.
There are over 2 billion tattoo Pins, and there's always something new. Some of the latest trends include elegant tattoos (+126%), quote tattoos (+152%) and coordinate tattoos (+91%). Don't want to commit to ink? No worries: temporary tattoos are also on the rise (+163%).


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THE popularity of television programmes such as Silent Witness and Crime Scene Investigation has led to a surge in applications to do pathology and forensic science at university, academics said yesterday.
The trend was spotted by Brian Heap, author of Degree Course Offers, a guide to UK university entry requirements, and confirmed by several former polytechnics.
The growing interest in the scientific aspects of crime-solving led Teesside University to establish Europe's first degree in crime scene science, with 60 places, last year. It also offers a degree in applied science and forensic investigation, said a spokesman.
"There's a lot of popular interest stimulated by the current rash of crime fiction and many students mention programmes like Silent Witness as a reason why they've been attracted towards the course," he added.
The university has already received 150 applications for 60-80 places this year.
Staffordshire University said it got more than four applicants for every place on forensic science degree courses, which can be combined with criminology, psychology or legal studies.
Dr Graham Harrison, head of chemistry and award leader for the forensic science courses, said it was a good thing that programmes like Channel 5's Crime Scene Investigation made students aware that there are courses in forensic sciences in universities.
But such programmes presented a "glorified" view of what the life of a pathologist was actually like, he stressed. "We have to warn them that it is not like that, that the life is more tedious."
The University of Glamorgan said applications to do forensic science almost quadrupled between July 1998 and July 2001, from 54 to 208.


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We're cruising- the quality may be dipping just a tad, but I don't think anyone will really notice.
Nah, I kid. V4 is moving faster because we're able to devote much more of our time to working on it.
Back during Volume 3 production, it was important for me to spend long hours guarding parking lots from evil. If danger ever rears its ugly head again, I may resume my duties as Parking Lot Protector- but at present, we're burning rubber on art.
|Don't tell anyone- but Rumour has been imported directly from an old black and white film.
One bump in the road when it comes to my speed is going to be the Prelude book collection on Kickstarter- I need to shift focus to that so we can launch it this summer, and hopefully hit our goal and bring a big, beautiful, full-color Prelude collection to life.
There are some fun extras in the works for that- I'm quite excited to get things ready to unveil!
In the meanwhile, check out some recent Dreamkeepers fun!
A Mace skin for Minecraft: http://www.minecraftskins.com/skin/354062/mace/
A Volume 3 review by Fred Patten on Flayrah: http://www.flayrah.com/4977/review-dreamkeepers-volume-3-intentions-entwined-dave-liz-lillie
And another review by Jay Naylor on Furaffinity: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4671010/
Much kudos to these guys for helping spread the word about Volume 3- if anyone else posts a review up you'd like us to feature, drop me a line and I'd be happy to do so!
'Till then, strap yourself in- it's going to be a fun summer.
|You might want this.


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Some days I am a little sick of the stereotyping inflicted on me as a Plastic Surgeon, so I am here to put all the urban legends to rest. There are plenty of myths about plastic surgery from both public ignorance and misconceptions established by shows such as 'Nip Tuck'.
Myth #1 We use plastic.
Once I had a young tradesman whose face was smashed up by the windscreen in a truck rollover. Just before he was put to sleep (and this is after I have spent an hour explaining to him how I was going to put his face back together), he asked me, 'So doc, where do you put the plastic?'
*Insert eyeroll*
I have lost count the number of times I have been asked that question. Plastic surgery doesn't mean we play with plastic or put plastic in people. In fact, if we were to use any form of prosthetic device, it is usually silicone. The 'plastic' in plastic surgery is derived from the Greek word plastikos. It means to change shape, or to mould. The aim of plastic surgery is to change the shape of any part of your body, for cosmetic or functional reasons.
So, sorry folks, we don't shove blocks of plastic into people.
Myth #2 We can perform surgery without leaving a scar or we can remove scars
Here's a couple of frustrating conversations I have regularly with patients every week.
Scenario one:
Me: We have to make a cut around the skin cancer on your face to remove it. Once we stitch it up, it will leave a straight line scar.
Patient 1 (outraged) : A scar? But you are a plastic surgeon; I have come to you to have this done so there will be no scars.
Scenario two:
Me: I hope you have recovered from your fall last month. Your cut lip has healed really well since the stitches came out, it looks great.
Patient 2: I hate it. I can't believe you put a scar on my lip; I want you to remove it.
Ok people, I know plastic surgeons are incredibly good, but we can't perform miracles. Where there is a cut, there will be a scar. We can't remove scars either. If you want scarless surgery, you should have had your surgery done when you were a foetus – that is the only way to perform surgery without leaving a scar. And if you want us to stitch up your injuries, it was not me who had created those scars; it was your stupidity in falling into a window whilst you were pissed.
So what makes us better than others in scarring? We stitch differently to other surgeons, we use finer sutures, we know how to hide and minimise scars. We have techniques which can camouflage or improve scars. We have the knowledge and means to treat bad scars.
So, apart from making people look hot, we can make your scar look sensational too. But unlike God, we cannot remove history which has been carved onto your body.
Myth #3 All we do are boob jobs, facelifts and buttock enhancements
'I don't understand why I have to come to see a plastic surgeon to have my skin cancer cut out, it's not like I want a facelift or something,' said the man sitting in front of me with a fungating growth coming out of his nostril. Unfortunately, I was the one who had to break the bad news to him, that the cancer in his nose was so big that we would have to amputate his nose. Any surgeon would be able to remove his cancer, but he would be left with a hole in the middle of his face. The reason he needed a plastic surgeon was because we can remove the cancer and reconstruct his nose.
The acronym for our specialty is actually PRS – it stands for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. There are two components to our work:
Reconstructive surgery: which is surgery to improve and restore function, to minimize disfigurement and reconstruct structure which was lost due to trauma, disease, cancer or birth defect. Basically, our job is to fill up a hole anywhere on the body. Sometimes we excise tumours ourselves, but often we work in tandem with other oncological surgeons such as orthopaedic surgeons who resect bone and soft tissue tumours, ear nose and throat surgeons who resects tongue, nose, throat cancers, as well as breast surgeons who perform breast cancer surgery. The way I see it is that my oncology colleagues are the 'destructive' surgeons and I am the 'constructive' surgeon. I remember when I first started training I was hesitant as to how much margin to take around a tumour. My supervising surgeon took me aside and said, 'Just remember, Tiff, the reason you are going to be a plastic surgeon is because you are not afraid to make a big hole. Unlike other surgeons, you can fix holes.'
Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery: which is surgery to enhance, or to rejuvenate a specific body part, it is designed to improve a person's appearance by reshaping facial or bodily features. So yes, we get a chance to make people beautiful. We make boobs bigger, smaller, perkier or firmer. We lift up butts, thighs, arms and faces (not specifically in that order). We inject, insert, eliminate and suck to enhance contours. There has not been a single part of the human body that a plastic surgeon has not attempted to alter, although I gladly admit that I have had no training or experience in anal bleaching – nor am I interested in expanding my field into that area.
Myth #4 Our work is frivolous and we perform non-essential surgery.
As my husband (who is a heart and lung surgeon) sums it up succinctly, 'Honey, I save lives, you just make the world beautiful.'
Even though spoken in jest, unfortunately it is a view held by many, including hospital administrators, insurance companies and sadly, our colleagues in other specialties. I have had medical students who did not attend their plastic surgery sessions with me at the clinic because they feel that it is not something they need to learn about. I was once told by a second year student that plastic surgeons are not real surgeons who practice 'true medicine'.
People seem to forget that plastic surgery is not just about cosmetic surgery, but that the most important aspect of our role is to improve a person's self esteem. No matter how much the self-help books may claim about not placing too much importance on one's appearance, and to stop using your looks to determine your self-worth, the reality of life is simply – people do judge you by the way you look. And that includes yourself.
It is amazing the difference we sometimes see in our patients. Like the 12-year-old boy who was constantly teased at school for his bat ears – he got it fixed before he started high school. He became a completely different person; he happily went to the barber to have him shaggy long hair removed, started going out with his friends and strutted into my office at 8 weeks postop as if he owned the world like a typical 12-year-old boy. My favourite last month was a 30-year-old mother who had a nasty burn scar over her neck and chest from a childhood hot-water scald. The scars stopped her breasts from developing properly and distorted whatever little breast tissue that did develop. After surgery to correct the deformity and implants to provide shape, she swapped her oversized jumpers for tailored dresses, and started becoming more involved in mother's groups. She wore a pink singlet with a pearl pendant dangling in her new cleavage when she came to her appointment, despite the visible old burn scars which covered her neck.
Surprising it may be, we do perform surgery that saves lives and limbs. We are often called upon to join small blood vessels under the microscope for organ transplantation in children. We reconstruct the neck after throat cancer, so that the patient can still eat, drink and breathe. We put fingers back on after they have been accidentally severed, and we transplant soft tissues into smashed up legs that otherwise would have had to be amputated.
Unfortunately our work often goes unrecognised, as throughout history, we have had to repeatedly fight for our patients' right to access plastic surgery. When hospitals have budget cuts, our operating lists are often the first to be cut. Breast reconstruction after cancer was the last one they slashed from our hospital, because once the cancer has been removed, it is no longer considered life-saving surgery. Health insurance companies which exclude plastic surgery cover leave their members with a policy which pays for the cancer removed, but not the plastic surgical procedure to reconstruct or repair the hole.
Admittedly I sound like I am trying to justify our existence, but I truly believe that even though we are not saving lives every day, our work makes a siginificant difference in people's lives.
Myth #5 We date our patients
There seems to be a misconception that we fall in love with our creations. I explored this particular issue with my male colleagues. The answer was a categorical no, although they have had plenty of invitations from patients to cross that line. Not only is it ethically wrong and fraught with medicolegal implications, it is also rather disturbing that someone would fall in love with an image they have created, which may have nothing to do with the actual person underneath.
Myth #6 We make lots of money because we charge ridiculous amount of money
I am not blind to the fact that as a plastic surgeon, I am often the target of many sarcastic jokes about money. This not only comes from patients, the general public, but sometimes our own colleagues in the medical fraternity. When I was sitting my specialist board exam, one of the candidates for general surgery taunted me, 'I think your essay question would be on whether a Maserati is better than a Lamborghini.' I was not shy to show him the finger as I sweetly replied, 'well, I do hope you know the answer to your essay questions, which hole to put your finger up.'
Once I was leaving work, and one of my patients walked past me as I was putting my bag into the boot of the car. He took one look at my ten year old Toyota Corolla and shook his head. 'Oh, doc, you need to get a new car, people would think you are not very good if they see you driving that car.' I just shrugged and said, 'Don't worry Mr B, I leave my Ferrari in the garage for weekends.' At his stunned look, I had to tell him I was joking.
It is not uncommon sometimes for our patients to comment on the cost of surgery, especially if it involves cancer surgery. For some reason people seem to think that we should do their surgery out of the goodness of our hearts if they have cancer….. but that's another story altogether. One of the reasons that plastic surgery costs a lot more money than most other surgery is the rebate from health funds are low (because our procedures are not deemed to be a necessity), but also our practice has a lot of overheads, especially with wound care, garments, implants and dressings. We also employ a greater number of staff than other specialties, because there is a lot more patient contact time pre and post operatively. Plastic surgery patients and procedures are more complex to organise, and often requires various number of phone calls and coordination. Not to mention, our patients are usually high maintenance and requires constant reassurance.
Yes, some of us drive Aston Martins, stay at 6 star hotels, wear Gucci and walk in Louis Vuitton, but we work hard for it, and our responsibilities may not be life and death, but there is still a lot of stress involved in our surgery because we know the end result will have a life-long impact on our patients' life.
Myth #7 We drive fast cars, hang out with celebrities, party like animals, snort cocaine and have the most glamorous life of any doctors
This is simple. We drive fast cars, because we have very busy lives and have places to get to. That's my excuse and I am sticking to it. And trust me, my Corolla is pretty fast.
The only celebrities we hang out with are those that come for treatment. As I don't perform a lot of cosmetic procedure, most of the celebrities I have contact with are those who have injured themselves or need reconstruction for cancers. They don't usually act anything like celebrities when they are in my office and the last thing they need is for me to ask them for a selfie.
We try to party like animals, but often our job stops us. We are notorious for pulling out of social commitments at the last minute. One of the worst thing about being a reconstructive surgeon, is that our colleagues take all day to remove the cancers, and we have to sit around waiting for them to finish (or we may have to watch them so they don't destroy our reconstructive options whilst cutting out the cancer). Once they are done, they piss off to enjoy their evening, while we start our work, usually at the unsociable hour of 4-5pm, working well into the night to patch up the 'mess' they have left behind.
What glamorous night life?
As for cocaine, yeah, I know colleagues who do it at parties, but honestly, it usually doesn't take long for the Board to find them. It is rare that a plastic surgeon is stupid enough to risk their career and reputation to develop such an expensive habit.
Myth #8 We all have had some 'work' done on us
I would not deny that some plastic surgeons have had work done, but not all. Although I can't say the same for the wives or staff! Personally, I don't trust anyone enough to have plastic surgery done on myself and it is a little difficult perform a facelift on yourself when you should really be asleep throughout the procedure. I know colleagues who inject themselves in the mirror, but I have this unusual need to close my eyes when I see needles coming towards my face, so the results would be rather questionable if I went down that path.
Most of my staff have injections, not because I force them, but it is something I offer them if they want it. And who could say no to free Botox? Because I am very conservative in my treatments, my staff are actually free advertisements of my work. When one of my staff admits to having treatment, the patients are reassured that they won't look like Jocelyn Wildenstein when they leave my practice.
But, truthfully, the greatest benefit in giving my staff Botox is its efficiency in stopping my practice manager frowning at me and my receptionist frowning at my patients.
Myth #9 Our practice staff are picked for their looks
So, supposedly, this means that our staff should be beautiful young girls with faces full of injectables and look-at-me enhanced breasts. I mean, it is free advertising after all, and who would't want to be surrounded by luscious females?
Truth number 1 – Most surgeon's practices are run by their wives. So, which wife would be stupid enough to surround her husband with gorgeous young things?
Truth number 2 – Young girls who are obsessed with their looks don't usually have the right personality nor the prioritisation skills to run a business well.
Truth number 3 – Experience comes with age. So unless you want to be surrounded by rookies who have no idea what they are doing, you would pick more 'mature' staff members to make your own life easier.
Truth number 4 – Patients and clients sometimes find perfection intimidating. They are more comfortable talking about their inadequacies to someone who has flaws as they feel that someone would understand what it is like to be 'ugly'.
Myth #10 We can make Queen Latifah look like Heidi Klum and vice versa
This is the ultimate myth. I always know it is going to be a difficult consultation when a 5'3, 200+lb person walks in and slaps a picture of Gisele Bundchen on my desk.
So here's my spill:
- I cannot make you taller – go see an orthopaedic surgeon or stick to your heels
- I cannot make you a natural blonde – you need a hairdresser or a beautician
- Neither can I change the colour of your skin – that's a disease called vitiligo
- Lipsouction is not a form of weight loss – get a personal trainer and stop eating junk
- A tummy tuck will not give you six-pack if you haven't got one to start with
- I cannot turn back time to make you look 40 years younger, maybe 10, without the pimples
- I cannot make your woo-hoo look perfect nor make you a virgin again (yep, this is a genuine request, apparently Dr Google says it is a great anniversary present for your husband, or wedding present if you are marrying a younger man.)
- I cannot reverse gravity with a cream, it is called surgery
- And of course, I cannot perform scarless surgery
- Oh, and I cannot execute plastic surgery which will make your husband stop sleeping with his 20-year-old secretary, unless you want me to ask my Urology colleague to do a quick operation on your husband.
So, we may be Plastic Fantastic, but we are really just like any other regular surgeons. We cannot perform miracles, and we cannot change who you are. You need to speak to either God or a Shrink about that one.


text:
Export 83 results:Author Title [ Type] Year
Filters: Author is Nina Khanna [Clear All Filters]
National Level Co-Control Study of the Targets for Energy Intensity and Sulfur Dioxide in China. . Lawrence Berkerley National Laboratory, 2011. LBNL-5253E..
Potential Energy Savings and CO2 Emissions Reduction of China's Cement Industry. . Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2012..
Prospective Evaluation of the Energy and CO2 Emissions Impact of China's 2010 – 2013 Efficiency Standards for Products. 2016. LBNL-1005921..
The Role of Chinese Cities in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction. Stockholm Environment Institute and Bloomberg Philanthropies, 2015..
The Role of Chinese Cities in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction. 2015. LBNL-1001680..
Status of the Local Enforcement of Energy Efficiency Standards and Labeling Program in China. . Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryChina National Institute of Standardization, 2011. LBNL-5289E..
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Open Evening at 7:30pm on Tuesday 22nd November at Helsby High School.
The Marshes Community Benefit Fund (MCBF) will shortly be accepting applications for funding of projects which can demonstrate a community benefit within the MCBF area.
The MCBF was established by Frodsham Wind Farm Limited and will generate a community benefit fund of up to £3 million over the 25-year life of the wind farm. A maximum of nearly £1 20,000 each year will be available to eligible community projects in Frodsham, Heisby, Elton and certain surrounding areas.
If you are interested then come along to the informal open evening to meet the MCBF Panel and learn more about the application and award process.


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***Well, I always did wanna know exactly what kind of a "libertarian" I am, so I went to this site (which I discovered via the EX-ARMY LIBERTARIAN NATIONALIST blog) to find out! The results of this rather interesting quiz can be found directly below, and to be honest and truthful like I always am I must admit they don't surprise me one bit, even though I am glad to know that I am most definitely not the kind of libertarian Jay Hinman puts himself forth as. Heck, I should have guessed the results right off the bat since for years I've been fancying myself an "anarchist," and a real down-to-earth-and-not-a-pretend-anarchist-who's-really-a-communist like many of you readers have been for quite some time! Yeah, I know that you can probably take as much stock in a test like this as you could some "What Kind of Sex Animal Are You?" quiz found in an old issue of COSMOPOLITAN, but I wouldn't doubt that there's at least a shred of truth in what is brought out. Maybe a tiny shred but something I can latch onto with muddled glee. Maybe I can quibble with the results a bit even if I don't even consider myself a total believer in free markets as they stand these days, but like I said it's just a test, and for the second of these political quizzes that I took on-line I must say that I did get a better result'n the one where I tried to discover whether or not I was a fascist (they told me to get lost, and you can bet I felt disappointed!):
You Scored as Anarcho-capitalist
Anarcho-capitalists are libertarians who oppose the state entirely and propose to have a free market in the provision of security and arbitration. The term anarcho-capitalism derives from Murray Rothbard to describe a stateless society based on the principles of laissez-faire or the philosophy in support of such a proposition. Anarcho-capitalists may tend to still associate more with the political right and make use of the political process, unless they are agorists or left-libertarians at the same time.
"Small L" libertarian
Libertarian socialist
So readers, what do you stand as if my own fabian socialist-sniffing Geiger Counter wasn't clicking away like a pair of amphetamine-riddled castanets!
***Well here they be, this weekend's big batch o' reviews! Not as big a batch as you would have hoped for, but given how the past week did progress at a particularly slow if not dirge-like pace I guess I should be glad that I made it outta the thing alive! All but the first writeup are from Cee-Dee burns that were sent to me by readers both grateful and not, and considering how I'm running out of opportunities to purchase the kind of platters that I think I would enjoy here in the 'teens (that combined with the lack of produce I'd like to pick for my sound salads---boy I am getting woozy!) I'm more than thankful for these unsolicited handouts! So w/o further a-doo-doo, here's this week's list of tracks to twist (or something like that):
The Kinks-PRESERVATION ACT 1 CD (Koch)
I bought this one for purely teenage throbdom reasons that would have absolutely positively nothing to do with any smart set type who tunes into this blog. Y'see, when I was but a mere pimplefarm I used to prowl through department store record racks and look at the album covers just dreaming that I could own the whole lot of 'em (well, I wasn't too keen on the Don Ho ones), and unlike many of the people I went to school with I sure did remember the Kinks! Back when the original British Invasion was plowing everything in its path into the mulch the Kinks sounded, looked and snarled better'n the Beatles and Rolling Stones combined! Not only that, but the occasional Kinks "oldie" being spun on the just-recovering from the '69/'70 doldrums AM dial sure came off better in light of a whole load of the goop that was being spun, and come to think of it they sure fit in with the good trackage being played during that brief resurgence as well. Not only that but, unlike many of the mop top faves of a good eight/nine years back the Kinks were still together and putting out albums...sheesh, one would have thought they woulda combusticated ages ago when the music scene began to take a turn for the teenybop/hippydippy worse.
Do you think that I still have the same teen tingles over getting a copy of this 'un in the here and now that I would have had if I had latched onto one back when it first hit the racks? Well, not quite, though I will say that my general nerves and emotion nodes have been deadened over time just like my tastebuds have after having eaten too much Szechuan. Repeated spins of VINCEBUS ERUPTUM can do that to you, but I was still able to muster up a little bit of teenage oompah over this '73 platter. The feeling did come back a bit, like the one that I got after originally looking at the cover way back when getting the impression that the Kinks had turned into a fourteen-piece band and actually allowed gurls into their ranks. Hmmm, the Kinks certainly were entering into the seventies with that all-inclusive mindset that was so in vogue with the folks who were running ROLLING STONE, that's for sure!
As far as the music to be heard goes, well I really gotta say that I have more mixed emotions over this 'un 'n the time I was tempting Sam with treats during one of his barking rampages and he didn't know whether to be angry or gluttonous. It is clear that the specter of cockier seventies rock modes had unfortunately clutched its way into Ray and Dave's style while that old fuddy duddy English Music Hall bounce that might have sounded great on "Sunny Afternoon" just comes off tiresome and worn. (Speaking of "Sunny Afternoon," "Sitting in the Midday Sun" might just be a middling yet pleasant enough sequel.) However when they get into a more hot pop flash mode custom-made for the early-seventies AM pop rebirth the Kinks are cooking pretty good to the point where I even dig their fifties nostalgia paen "One of the Survivors," a number which'll make anyone forget the gassy "Cricket" in a flash.
Dock a buncha points for this being a concept album and the first of who knows how many parts, but at least the Kinks came out smelling better despite all the amputations. True they weren't the Kinks of yore, but they sure weren't as embarrassing to the feeling and movement of teenage sounds as James Taylor mewling in his heroin-induced stupor while straight-as-an-arrow gals were thinking he was singing directly to them.
But then again, had I heard this one back when it came out I get the feeling that, given my ever-budding and distorted teenage tastes, I would have written the Kinks off for good for being such brassy old timer music shucks or somethin'! Shows what sort of a stupid Special Education mongrel I could have been and in many ways do remain. Maybe if they wore shrunken heads around their waists and carved each other up with Bowie knives...
***Walter Brennan-HE'S YOUR UNCLE, NOT YOUR DAD CD-r burn (originally on Key Records)
Yes, tee-vee's Amos McCoy (best not to mention THE TYCOON in his presence!) lays it all out on the table as what was wrong with Ameriga in the mid-sixties, and it was even recorded "live" in the same studio the Seeds probably recorded their live album in, if you get my drift! Bill probably lifted this one from WFMU's "Beware of the Blog" (which is where I lifted the snazz cover on the left!), and although the guy who writes for them is so obviously full of snark sanctimony given his pithy if lofty East Coast liberal-cum-radical putdown of this platter (why, this man actually has friends who participated in ACT UP's trashing of St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1989 which was such a success bringing attention to the fact that anal penetration and rimming are such healthy practices which should be protected by the bludgeoning club of the law!) I take quite a different approach to the genius and down-to-earth common sense that Walter Brennan puts forth on these two sides.
On this outing for the "Key" label, Brennan tackles just about everything from the de-evaluated dollar to foreign aid and civil unrest and although the message he tosses out won't jibe with people who still think that fifty years of gimmedom has benefited the poor or that the average mid-Amerigan is nothing but a glorified pack mule I find Brennan's whole approach a whole lot more refreshing than I would listening to any alternate Great Society type with their newspapers or broadcast forums telling me just what a rat I am for being able to merely scratch out a living and coming off so suburban!
True Brennan's patriotic appeal just doesn't make it with this anarcho-capitalist type (and thankfully he doesn't get into his anti-Jewish rap---after all Brennan himself said that Irving Pincus and Sheldon Leonard were the only two decent Jews in Hollywood and the rest...feh!), but the Academy Award winner who's lucky his statuettes haven't been taken back sure comes off like a glass of clear water after being forced to drink the Koolade that then-contemporaries like, say, Bill Moyers have been glugging down our throats for years! And although Brennan's old time right wing savvy has been surpassed by the likes of Jim Goad, Gavin McInnes and even that neoconnish Kathy Shaidle it's sure great listening to some still pertinent commentary that doesn't grate or come off so paternalistic like just about every shard of controversial tee-vee these past fortysome years has.
As I've been sayin' all along, it's speak-to-you, not AT you, and that really makes a difference if you're interested in getting a passel of disinterested parties to even lend ear to you in the first place. Not only that, but Brennan's sure a master of elocution, cornballus-if-funny jokes and just about everything that would have made him a real hoot at any smoker you could imagine. If you don't think this 'un makes me wanna snatch up the entire run of THE GUNS OF WILL SONNET on DVD I dunno what will!
***Ray Martin and his Orchestra-UP-UP AND AWAY CD-r burn (originally on RCA Camden)
Bill Shute sez "want to feel like you are in the middle of a 1968 Dean Martin variety show...or a 1968 John Davidson special (and who doesn't)? This album TAKES YOU THERE." It mighta took Bill there, but all it did for me was dredge up memories of my pre-double digit days when one of my biggest concerns was how to spend the eighteen cents I had in my pocket without feeling too guilty because my dad said I should put it in the bank. Cheezoid renditions of the day's hits straight outta the Ding-a-Ling Sisters songbook done up to sound nice and mod even though you know your folk woulda hated them hippie sounds, true blue Guy Lombardo fans they who used to blanch when his band would do equally hokum covers of contemporary hits on New Year's Eve. The aural equivalent of those psychedelic neckerchiefs Oliver used to wear.
After getting burned on some not-up-to-snuff Japanese underground platters o'er the past few years I was kinda wary of this 'un. Thankfully this '94 effort featuring the warbling and guitar playing of the one named Shizuka is highly in collusion with the post-Rallizes underground mindset that made the past decade a li'l more bearable than it was. A strange mixture of slow, introspective music that reminds me of Pink Floyd's "Green is the Colour," with occasional girly-girl sing-songy vocals punctuated by sonic blasts of feedback-laden guitar that seems right out of the Mizutani Takashi school of broken eardrums. Speaking of Mizutani, the additional bonus track Fadensonnen burned on to this for me is a live track from '95 sporting the presence of the soon to be MIA Rallizes guitarist and as many a people would say, it's gosharootie!
Mildly engaging one-man jazz/folk sorta tossout that evokes everything from Sandy Bull to even one-time label-mate John Fahey. Obvious hip influence glomming abounds with a load of Ornette here and Lacy there done up in a proper boho way which, thankfully, doesn't reek either of hippie pretension nor whiz kid showoff. And with Yost's real-life albums (be on the lookout for BENT CITY after you snatch this one) costing an arm and a leg via the usual sources it's best you keep on the lookout for a free download somewhere here onna web, or better yet get a friend to do it for you like Bill Shute did it for me!
As you may know I am extremely wary of some of these newfangled psychedelic hard punk rock 'n roll groups making their presence known, but Endless Boogie is one that pretty much kept me entertained throughout this disque's bevy of extended jamz. Kinda funny/strange/GRANDE that there'd be a group cranking out these Hawkwind-styled drones and chords here in the mid-teens but there is, and these guys crank it out like it was 1969 and there were was nothing to look forward to in the coming years except late-night UHF TV! Even has some Stoogian input that wags used to call "Acid Rock" because they didn't know any better. Stuff like this keeps me from pulling the trigger on my boss, and not only I but boss should be really happy about it.
This collection of thrift store tracks I never saw in any thrift store I stepped foot in has a more Golden Age of Instrumentals feeling to it, not only because of the inclusion of the Wailers' boffo '59 tit-squeezer "Driftwood" but some mighty powerful tracks courtesy such forgotten acts going under such now-dated yet power-packed names as the Vaqueros, the Fatimas,and the Sound Breakers. And hey, I'm sure a good portion of 'em could give Bill Justis a run for the guitar twangy moolah had these records only made it outta the closet like they shoulda! Of course Bill put on some of that old-timey country and western wang-a-doodle (such as Jim & Edith Young's "Hill Billy Moon"), but since nobody's around to call me a hick for playing it I'll listen to it all without fear of embarrassment, ultra-sophisticado image I have and must retain. As an added bonus, Bill even put an end to this 'un with a couple of country tracks taken from an ancient (78 rpm) Peter Pan Record, so let's just say that it's the next best thing to crawling through a flea market without having to put up with an antique ice cream cone adhering to the sole of your sneaker!


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I decided to make a build thread for the bike that i am doing for Born Free 4 that way you guys can watch it come together and get all excited to see it at the show this summer. Last year it came down to the wire and I ended up running around like a mad man to get it done. I hate rushing stuff like that so i have been doing a bunch of late nights now to get ahead of the ball. here is a link to the thread. i always love your comments, and criticisms so don't be afraid to let me have it! BF4 BUILD
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
BF4 Bike
Posted by andy at 2:16 PM
1 comment:
Always make sure your beach cruiser is locked up with the proper lock.
Also make sure you lock your tire to the frame of the bike, and the bike frame to the bike rack.
bike lock
- November 23, 2011 at 11:02 PM
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Happy November! Got some unusual recs this month, no actual print books. Well, kind of. Webcomics and music and games, oh my!
Darths & Droids
Hey, who's excited for Star Wars? Truth be told, I'm way more into Krampus, but that one got vetoed so I'll have to wait till it hits Netflix or something. Star Wars, meh. I liked the prequels??? *ducks*
But there's this great webcomic that looks at all the movies as if they were a roleplaying adventure, and it's hilarious. I stopped reading a few years ago, school just made it hard to keep track of much else and it dropped off my radar. But it's still going! So I started reading it again and I'm happy to say it's as funny as I remember. And in fact way better now that I actually have roleplaying experience, which I didn't when I read it the first time.
It makes sense of a lot of the silly things from the movies that clearly just weren't fully considered. Good way to get re-acquainted with the story before jumping into Episode VII without actually having to watch any of the movies. Or to get some GM/roleplay advice! I've made several mental notes in the past few days reading this.
I recently saw Semisonic discussed as a one hit wonder for their song "Closing Time." I was shocked. One hit wonder!? Come on, that's not even their best song. And I'm sure I've heard "Singing in my Sleep" on the radio a lot. I think. My husband says I just play it all the time. Google Play says only twice, but it also says I've only listened to "Secret Smile" three times and that is a lie. I listen to it a lot.
I suppose it comes down to what a "hit" means, I guess maybe the other songs were sort of known but not quite as popular? I've always thought of one hit wonders as bands you never hear of after that one song, and Semisonic has SO MANY GOOD SONGS that I could swear I've heard all over the place.
Regardless. If you're not familiar with them, or only familiar with that one song, you should listen to more. I have three of their albums (which is apparently all of them) and I can't even pick a favorite because they're all so great for different reasons. Some favorite songs, though. "F.N.T" and "If I Run" from Great Divide, the already-mentioned "Secret Smile" from Feeling Strangely Fine, and "Bed" from All About Chemistry.
Since I recently listened to an (unrelated) album that was recommended but had some really offensive content that I couldn't stand, I should probably give a slight warning here. Sexual themes are common in their music. "Bed" stays juuuust this side of friend-zone-y whining but still comes across as kind of manipulative. I think that's about it, apologies if I missed anything.
My sister might do her first tabletop RPG soon. Yay! New gamers are always cause for celebration. (Okay, she was already a gamer and in fact plays more board games and video games than I do, but whatever. New medium!) My husband suggested she should play Savage Worlds because it's best for beginners.
In all fairness, he's spent a lot more time gaming than I have and knows both systems better, so there's probably some truth to that. And Savage Worlds seems like a good meeting point between the mechanics heavy systems and the open narratives. But as a narrative-based gamer who hates complicated stats and crowded character sheets and excessive use of dice, I've gotta go with Fate.
Wide open in terms of setting and skills and such, easy rules, and only four dice that are all the exact same kind of die. This is the game for me, and I think everyone interested in this sort of gaming should try it at least once. At least read the thing and think about it! Seriously, it's all available online for free, you've got nothing to lose.
But if you decide you like it enough to spend money on a physical copy, there's a couple of options to start. The hardcover full version (titled Fate Core) is beautiful and has all kinds of great examples and explanations and suggestions. I recommend this for more serious gamers who want it for a collection or want to explore the system deeper (although again, this info is all available online if that sounds good but you're not sure yet or don't have the money right now).
For first-time or more casual gamers, a refresher, or people who just want to check it out as quickly and easily as possible, check out Fate Accelerated Edition. Same basic rules, same open system, waaayyyy easier read. I flipped through the whole thing last night in about 20 minutes while deciding for sure that it was as good an option as the core book.
Now I honestly think it's better. There are a few sections that were a little fuzzy for me and I would go online and look up details for those, but overall it's pretty easy. And actually I think I made those sections more complicated than they were, I forgot how simple this system is and how much it tries to stay out of your way so you can just have fun.
The one thing I can think of that might hold people back is the specialized dice. It is only one kind, but they're Fate dice, made for that system and unlikely to already be sitting in your house. My recommendation if you're not sure enough to rush out and buy them? Just reassign the numbers on a regular d6. (For non-gamers, that would be the six-sided die you probably do already have in your house somewhere if you play board games at all.) Technically you should have at least four of them, but if you don't? Just re-roll them and keep track on paper or something.
Lots of fun here. Any recommendations for me?


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No picture (forgot to take one), so this is really just a record so I can remember what I sent. 2 mini-pitas from Whole Foods stuffed with turkey & cheddar cheese (they're each about the size of a silver dollar, so 2 of them is the eequivalent to about a half-sandwich made on regular bread), red grapes, 1 homemade granola bar (almond, cashew, craisin, apricot, choc chip).
Yesterday was a salami & cheese sandwich cut into the shape of a stegasaurus, red grapes, and a container of strawberry yogurt.