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Chapter 24
The Lamanites come against the people of God—The Anti-Nephi-Lehies rejoice in Christ and are visited by angels—They choose to suffer death rather than to defend themselves—More Lamanites are converted. About 90–77 B.C.
1 And it came to pass that the Amalekites and the Amulonites and the Lamanites who were in the land of aAmulon, and also in the land of bHelam, and who were in the land of cJerusalem, and in fine, in all the land round about, who had not been converted and had not taken upon them the name of dAnti-Nephi-Lehi, were stirred up by the Amalekites and by the Amulonites to anger against their brethren.
2 And their hatred became exceedingly sore against them, even insomuch that they began to rebel against their king, insomuch that they would not that he should be their king; therefore, they took up arms against the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
3 Now the king conferred the kingdom upon his son, and he called his name Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
4 And the king died in that selfsame year that the Lamanites began to make preparations for war against the people of God.
5 Now when Ammon and his brethren and all those who had come up with him saw the preparations of the Lamanites to destroy their brethren, they came forth to the land of Midian, and there Ammon met all his brethren; and from thence they came to the land of Ishmael that they might hold a acouncil with Lamoni and also with his brother Anti-Nephi-Lehi, what they should do to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
6 Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against their brethren; nay, they would not even make any preparations for war; yea, and also their king commanded them that they should not.
7 Now, these are the words which he said unto the people concerning the matter: I thank my God, my beloved people, that our great God has in goodness sent these our brethren, the Nephites, unto us to preach unto us, and to convince us of the atraditions of our wicked fathers.
8 And behold, I thank my great God that he has given us a portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have aopened a correspondence with these brethren, the Nephites.
9 And behold, I also thank my God, that by opening this correspondence we have been convinced of our asins, and of the many murders which we have committed.
10 And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that he hath aforgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and taken away the bguilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son.
11 And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to atake them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain—
12 Now, my best beloved brethren, since God hath taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren.
13 Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our swords that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; for perhaps, if we should stain our swords aagain they can no more be bwashed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins.
14 And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our asouls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the bplan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations.
15 Oh, how merciful is our God! And now behold, since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords are made bright, let us ahide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day, or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us bclean thereby.
16 And now, my brethren, if our brethren seek to destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords, yea, even we will bury them deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright, as a testimony that we have never used them, at the last day; and if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall ago to our God and shall be saved.
17 And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man's blood, and they did abury them up deep in the earth.
18 And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they anever would use weapons again for the shedding of man's blood; and this they did, vouching and bcovenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would cgive up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.
19 And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to abelieve and to know the truth, they were bfirm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.
20 And it came to pass that their brethren, the Lamanites, made preparations for war, and came up to the land of Nephi for the purpose of destroying the king, and to place aanother in his stead, and also of destroying the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi out of the land.
21 Now when the people saw that they were coming against them they went out to meet them, and aprostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword.
22 And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a athousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God.
23 Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand or to the left, but that they would lie down and aperish, and bpraised God even in the very act of perishing under the sword—
24 Now when the Lamanites saw this they did aforbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had bswollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done.
25 And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them.
26 And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were asaved.
27 And there was not a wicked man slain among them; but there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth; thus we see that the Lord worketh in many aways to the salvation of his people.
28 Now the greatest number of those of the Lamanites who slew so many of their brethren were Amalekites and Amulonites, the greatest number of whom were after the aorder of the bNehors.
29 Now, among those who joined the people of the Lord, there were anone who were Amalekites or Amulonites, or who were of the order of Nehor, but they were actual descendants of Laman and Lemuel.
30 And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once aenlightened by the bSpirit of God, and have had great cknowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have dfallen away into sin and transgression, they become more ehardened, and thus their state becomes fworse than though they had never known these things.


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Village programs and services that help you manage your home and property.
Join a solar array and support clean energy generation
Detailed information on solid waste regulations and rates
Information for disposing of mown grass, leaves and brush
Information on the utilities you'll need to contact when moving to Glenview.
Follow these tips to prevent water pipes from freezing in cold weather.
Our coordinator provides information and specialized services for older adults and their families.
Here's an overview of the taxes paid by Glenview residents.
Information about parkway tree planting, removal, trimming and preservation.
Residents can choose the types of trees to be planted on the parkways in front of their properties.
Information about how to register and vote on Election Day.
Information about Glenview and services helpful to families and neighborhoods.
Good things happen when you pedal around Glenview.
Find information on utilities, houses of worship and local media in Glenview
Sign up to have our weekly electronic newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Residents of The Glen are asked to participate in the annual TIF census.
Find ways to recycle, reduce, reuse and be environmentally responsible.
Honor and recognize the men and women from the Village of Glenview who have served in any branch of the US Ar
Find information regarding community room reservations in municipal buildings
The definitive book on all things Glenview.
Find maps for zoning, train parking, school districts, snow plowing, legislators and much more.
The Village of Glenview Report is published 10 times per year and mailed to all properties.
Information for navigating Glenview roadways and parking -- during construction and inclement weather.
Service improvements have been proposed on the Hiawatha line between Chicago and Milwaukee
Payment options for parking at either of Glenview's two train stations.
Street, sidewalk, sewer and other capital improvements are prioritized and scheduled annually.
The Village is responsible for keeping Village-owned roads clear of snow and ice in winter.
The Village takes care of pothole patching, sweeping, sign maintenance, snow plowing and sidewalk repairs.
Information about parking permits and bans, traffic requests and speed enforcement.
Issues pertaining to fire, police and ambulance services; flood and pollution control; food service; and public health.
Did you receive a citation? Find out about the Administrative Adjudication process.
When you should call 9-1-1 and other emergency information.
Here's information about paramedic and ambulance services, billing and patient care reports.
Sign up to be notified about emergencies at home, on your smart phone or by email.
Find information regarding K-5 grade fire safety education, station tours and fire apparatus appearances.
The Fire Department provides 24 hour fire suppression from all five fire stations.
Protect yourself and your property from the risks of flood waters.
Information on paying and contesting tickets and participating in Administrative Adjudication
Find information regarding social services, curfew, animal control, child safety seat inspections and more
Information on food safety and inspections, disease control, fuel tanks and more.
Learn about environmentally-friendly practices and how to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff.
The Village is responsible for providing properties with potable drinking water and taking away wastewater.
How to keep Glenview's drinking water free from impurities and health hazards.
The Water System Strategic Plan is a thorough review of the entire water system facilities and operations.
Information on rainfall amounts and water levels can be found here.
Work on the road map that prioritizes flood control and sewer backup elimination projects.
Information about maintenance of water and sanitary service laterals.
Current water and sanitary sewer rates for Glenview customers.
Information about the Lake Michigan water flowing through Glenview taps.
The Village is required annually to produce a Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report.
Information for new resident service, payments and charges and fees.
Certain events and developments require registration and/or permits. Check here first.
Register your bike. In case it's stolen, the information will be stored in a data base.
Before planning a block party, contact us about a permit, barricades and staging.
Requirements for fees, bonds and other required documentation are outlined here.
Information on various codes, permits and fees for construction, fire alarms, tree removal and accessory structures.
Dogs and cats are required to wear an ID tag provided by the owner. They do not need to be registered with the Village.
Permits are required for street fairs, charity runs, grand openings and temporary banners.
A permit is required to remove or do work likely to damage a landmark tree.
Check here first to learn about Village requirements for residential projects.
Do you need a permit for a residential project? Check here first.
The Inspectional Services Division enforces Glenview's Building Code.
Check here for engineering requirements related to your residential project.
This ad hoc committee is charged with recommending designs and plans for signs marking destinations and attractions.
Start here to learn about Village requirements for proposed land uses and development projects.
Village inspections are required for building, plumbing, HVAC, utility and electric work.
Home Residents Pay Online

subset: commoncrawl


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The 5 R's of Water Damage and Repair
Nobody expects a disaster. Making sure that your homeowners are prepared will go a long way to helping them when something catastrophic happens. Here's some information you can pass on to homeowners about water damage and repair:
When it comes to water damage what you don't know really can hurt you! Water damage can result in increased insurance rates, decreased resale value of home and property, and even health issues for years to come if not properly – and promptly – repaired. Learn how to protect yourself and your family from water related damage with these quick tips:
1. React Fast. Time is of the essence. When water damage takes place it is imperative to contact a water damage and extraction company as soon as possible. Don't wait until the next morning – search for providers that offer 24/7 support! Mold and mildew can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours!
2. Remove. Until all the water is extracted and the humidity levels returned to normal, it may be necessary to remove furniture and other items from the area even if they aren't in direct contact with the water. High humidity and general unsanitary conditions may contaminate other items. Work with a reputable water damage repair service that provides relocation and storage assistance for your belongings.
3. Report. Extensive water related damages often require the financial support of insurance – after all, that is what insurance is for. Don't risk the health and security of your family and investments by trying to do it yourself; instead, locate a reputable water damage and restoration company that works with insurance to help you begin the process of restoring your property.
4. Renew. Sometimes it is necessary to eliminate contaminated items – especially if the water damage is due to sewage overflow, flood waters or other potentially harmful water sources. The rule of thumb is "if in doubt – throw it out". A qualified water restoration expert can assist in providing valuable information on whether or not your belongings are safe to keep and capable of being cleaned.
5. Review. Water damage can impact the entire home including air quality, drywall, upholstery and even hardwood flooring. Save time and money by dealing with a company capable of providing full service when you need it. When searching for a water damage repair, water damage restoration and water damage extraction company, consider a full service company that provides carpet, wood floor restoration, air vent cleaning and upholstery cleaning with just one call. It saves valuable time and money so you can get your home – and life- back to normal.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1237586
Christian Rovsek


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Of all the occurrences out there, the most annoying are those from people that should know better - one of these people is Chef Al Rosas, the self-proclaimed Organic Chef.
If you visit his site (wwwDOTorganicchefmonthlyDOTcom) you'll notice he has trademarked and copyrighted his content and then you'll notice a photo of something he calls Chef Al's Rabid Raisin Rice Pudding.
One looked oddly familiar - why, yes it is. That's my photo
Last night I sent my email demanding its removal & informing them that I will file DMCA's if it isn't and woke up this morning to this response by Erin Rosas
"FIrst (sic) of all your mediocre photo is all over the internet. You go ahead and seek further action, if you have time to do that you probably are still looking for work. Don't threaten me and I'd govern yourself accordingly when calling people names and making allegations or you might find yourself on the other end of a libel suit you petulant starving artist."
Needless to say since my photo is still there, DMCA will be filed today. I'll let you make up your mind about their ethics.
As of this afternoon, the photos have been removed from their servers. Their behavior remains on record.
As is the case with most photo thieves, they don't just do it once. If you need a reminder just check out the behavior of Chef Jasper J Mirabile.
As mentioned by Towser in the comments below, the Rosas' have taken material from Bee of Rasa Malaysia - do read her post
As Cath also notes the other rice pudding photo is also stolen - this time from Delicious Wisdom.
If I could take the time to make this request. If your content or photo has been stolen DO NOT simply let it pass and let them get away with it with an offer to credit or link to you. All that does is justify their actions. The principle involved is worth much more than a link.
*Update 2:*
Further articles about this issue:
The Kittalog
Use Real Butter
Rasa Malaysia
Well Done! Chef!
Spread the word.


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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - The New England Patriots found a way to turn Arian Foster from punishing runner into powerless bystander.
All they did was charge to a 28-0 lead, make the Houston Texans throw and keep the ball away from one of the most dangerous rushers in the NFL.
A month ago, the Patriots scored touchdowns on their first three possessions and routed the Texans, 42-14, as Foster gained just 46 yards on 15 carries.
Vince Wilfork, though, figures on a tougher challenge in Sunday's rematch on the same field in a divisional playoff game.
"I expect to see the best," the Patriots defensive tackle said Tuesday.
Something, perhaps, like Foster's brilliant performance in Saturday's 19-13 wild-card win over the Cincinnati Bengals - 140 yards on a season-high 32 carries, to go with eight catches for 34 yards and the game's only offensive touchdown.
That made him the first NFL player to rush for at least 100 yards in each of his first three playoff games.
Not bad.
"Last week, you saw why this guy is one of the top offensive players in the game, not just a back, but a top offensive player in the game," a rested Wilfork said after the team's bye week. "The things that he can do with the ball in his hands, in the pass game and running it ... and he's a great blocker when they ask him to block. I mean he's a special player and we understand that."
If he gets a chance to show it. He didn't on Dec. 10 at Gillette Stadium.
Foster rushed 12 times for 44 yards in the first half, which ended with the Patriots leading, 21-0. He had just three carries for two yards after that - and none after he scored on a 1-yard run with 6:12 left in the third quarter - as the Texans tried to preserve time by throwing the ball.
But New England (12-4) knew they would have to focus on that.
"Any time that you can get a team one-dimensional, that's a big plus. Every team tries to do that," Wilfork said. "It just bottles up a bunch of things ... knowing when you can expect the pass, you can expect this and you can expect that.
"But when a team is on track and when they are running the ball good, and throwing the ball good, and the play action is good, and the special teams are good, it's tough."
The Texans (13-4) can be dangerous when they go to play-action, as well, faking a handoff and then throwing. The Patriots know they can't fall for it and leave a receiver open while going after a runner who doesn't have the ball.
They must be disciplined.
"Just fundamentals. Just read your keys and just pay attention," linebacker Brandon Spikes said. "Everybody has a job and my job is to pay attention to the run."
That means focus on Foster.
He was sixth in the NFL with 1,424 yards rushing and eighth in yards from scrimmage with 1,641. He also was the leading scorer among non-kickers with 102 points - posting 15 rushing touchdowns as well as two on receptions.
"That was really a great example this past weekend of how they like to play football down there - be physical, be aggressive, run the ball, control the clock and really just do a good job of just handling the game," Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said. "The run game going the way they have it going, obviously it sets up the play-action pass game."
For Wilfork, a key is recognizing when Houston's offensive linemen use cut blocks.
"That running back sees it and he hits it right off that cut block. So, up front it's going to be very important for us to try to stay on our feet," he said. "Any team that runs the ball the way they run the ball and has the play-action and the bootlegs and all the stuff that comes after that, it's a big challenge for us.
"But we've faced it."
The Patriots, the NFL's highest scoring team, will need their usual productive offensive game to offset that and force the Texans to throw.
They've already done it once, right?
"They didn't play their best game. They know that and we know that," Wilfork said. "It starts with their running game. It starts with Foster. The more touches that he gets, in the passing game or on the ground, the better that team is."


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VA claims: A question of accuracy?
Allison Hickey, under secretary of benefits for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), answered many questions put to her by senators at a Dec. 11 congressional hearing about progress being made in the department's benefits claims system.
Recently, The American Legion challenged VA's statistics for claims processing accuracy at its regional offices (VAROs), which stands at about 90 percent. The Legion testified to Congress on Dec. 4 that its own research indicated accuracy rates for claims processing at many VAROs were substantially lower.
For example, out of 75 claims files reviewed last March by the Legion at the Baltimore VARO, 48 of them were found to have errors or were improperly developed – an accuracy rate of only 36 percent. At the Oakland, Calif., VARO, 26 of 36 claims examined in May had similar problems – an accuracy rate of 27.8 percent.
Hickey, testifying before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, was asked by its chairman, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., if she was confident that VA could still meet its 2015 goal of processing benefits claims in less than 125 days with 98 percent accuracy. Barring any budgetary or funding problems – including full funding of the department's fiscal 2014 information technology budget, the under secretary said that VA is "on track" to achieve that goal.
Hickey came under fire from Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., over VA's data showing 90-percent accuracy in claims processing. He noted the discrepancy between VA and American Legion accuracy numbers.
Burr referred to last week's testimony by The American Legion, which noted that claims accuracy percentages posted online in VA's Monday Morning Workload Report did not reflect the Legion's data, based on its recent examination of claims files at several VAROs nationwide. Of 260 cases examined, 55 percent had errors or were improperly developed, according to the Legion's review.
"Are they wrong?" Burr asked Hickey.
"It's an apples-and-orange(s) discussion, if I may have a moment to clarify that," Hickey said. "First of all, let me just state for the record ... we will not trade production for quality ... but there is a very different way the (VA Office of Inspector General) and others are looking at issues than the way we do ...."
Before she could finish, Burr interrupted her. "Let me ask my question again. Are they wrong?"
"They are right for the way they look at it, we are right for the way we measure it, which is statistically valid," Hickey said.
"I asked a very simple question," Burr responded. "Are they wrong? And I guess the answer is yes, because you're saying your statistics are different than what their review has been."
"They have a different process, senator," Hickey said.
Sanders asked Hickey about how well VA was performing in Vermont. She told him the VARO in White River Junction has reduced its claims inventory by 25 percent and reduced its claims backlog by 34 percent. "The days that your veterans are waiting ... for their decisions, they've reduced it by 127 days," she said.
Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., told Hickey that "we really do appreciate (VA's) efforts. This is a difficult situation. I know you're working really hard." He visited the VARO in Little Rock, Ark., last week "and they have a good story to tell. They're working very, very hard. They mentioned the partnerships with the (veterans service organizations), the great job that they were doing ... and also our county veterans service officers."


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This was supposed to be a great post, a post on an off-day when we would be two games away from advancing to the World Series. But with two out in the ninth inning last night, storylines change. Series change. Hairstyles change.
I'm going to postpone words on our third anniversary here at Sons of Steve Garvey, for when...make that IF, we cross the 1,000,000 hit threshold. It would be presumptuous for me to think we're going to get there, even though IMHO, we have written some of our best content this year, and in kind enjoyed the best-trafficked year in our short existence. I'm very proud of what this blog has become, of the Sons with which I share an office, and of the great community that we've been able to build here at SoSG. But for now, I'm feeling pretty bummed out, just as our team must feel, down three games to one. I need a moment, please. And I promise I can encapsulate better and more insightful thoughts than I can this evening.
Happy third anniversary, Sons of Steve Garvey. And please excuse me if right now, I don't feel much like celebrating.


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Apartments in South Arlington
Eager to get a fresh start in a new locale? Well rest easy because finding South Arlington apartments for rent has never been simpler! Hi, I'm Trey, your Official apartment living guide at ApartmentHomeLiving.com. We've assisted thousands of residents find Arlington apartments for rent in South Arlington and the other areas of the city and we're looking forward to helping you too! As your Arlington apartment search experts we want to make your apartment shopping experience stress-free by showcasing the best apartments near South Arlington in Arlington, TX and providing you with accurate information on each one, updated every single day.
Of course, Apartment Home Living is about so much more than just helping you seek out the perfect apartment that matches your tastes - it's also about helping you get the most out of your apartment life once you've moved in! There truly is nothing that rivals how incredible apartment living is. Why get locked into a mortgage for the next three decades, deal with ever-rising property taxes, or risk being married to neighbors whose hobbies include nude sunbathing, loud polka music and questionable 'lawn art'? Apartment life is all about two vital elements of happiness that both so happen to begin with "F": freedom and fun! Living in South Arlington apartments only adds to the "F"abulousness. Attractions, excellent night-life, shopping, dining options and much, much more entertainment can be found in almost every corner of Arlington.
Looking for high class amenities to go with the new-found freedom your South Arlington area apartment grants? No worries, as most rentals here offer spacious floor plans, onsite laundry facilities, beautiful and well-maintained swimming pools, and even state-of-the-art fitness areas. Whether you are looking for a 2 bedroom luxury apartment with your sweet lady or a comfy studio at a certain price, you can filter our listings to find the option that fits you best. You'll be moving into an apartment you love in no-time!
In this day and age, everyone knows saving money matters more than ever. With a large number of apartments in Arlington's South Arlington and the other surrounding areas for you to choose from, you'll be firmly in the economic driving seat when it comes to having a wide variety of lease options, floor plans and convenient services at your fingertips. With all of the money you'll be saving, odds are good you'll be able to splurge on tickets to the big game, take that special someone out for a fine dining experience they'll never forget or just sleep that much easier at night knowing you've got the financial security that apartment living allows.
So what are you waiting for? With so many awesome South Arlington apartments waiting to be discovered, the possibilities are practically endless...as you can see from the options just below! So dive into the multitude of listings of Arlington apartments for rent near South Arlington at ApartmentHomeliving.com and discover just how amazing apartment living in this great city can truly be.


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NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 4/18/18
If you're new to daily fantasy basketball -- maybe you started your DFS journey during the MLB or NFL seasons, or maybe basketball is your sport and this will be your first year giving it a shot -- you're in for a treat. The NBA scene changes hugely on a week-to-week, day-to-day, and -- depending on injury news -- even a minute-to-minute basis, making every slate a unique one that requires an ever-changing approach.
With so much changing so quickly, we're here with plenty of tools to help you out. We have daily projections, a matchup heat map, a lineup optimizer, and a ton of other great resources to help give you an edge.
We'll also be coming at you with this primer every day, breaking down a few of the day's top plays at each price point.
Let's take a look at who you should target on today's three-game slate.
Best of the Best
To read all premium content, upgrade to a Premium account with numberFire
If you're not a Premium subscriber, it takes just a few seconds to sign up. You'll get access to all of our insider information, game projections, handicapping advice, DFS tools, advanced statistics, and more.


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Picking the best mouse to use is a pretty personal decision—it often comes down to taste and how the mouse feels under your hands, but there are definitely some stand-out models that most of us would recommend to friends if they asked us. Well, we asked you which desktop mouse you thought was the best, and this week we're going to take a look at five of the best, based on your nominations.
Earlier in the week, we put out the call for the mouse you thought was the best. You answered, giving us well over 400 nominations and dozens of different models and manufacturers. Like we said in the call for contenders, we had to consolidate some models that were like one another or successors of each other to keep things interesting, but sadly, we only have room for the top five:
The poll is closed and the votes are counted! To see which of these five great mice you crowned as the all-out winner, head over to our weekly hive five followup post to see and discuss the winner!
Logitech Performance Mouse MX/MX Revolution
The Performance Mouse MX ($99.99 retail) is Logitech's flagship non-gaming mouse. The MX Revolution, its immediate predecessor, and the MX1000 just before that all share some of the same basic features and design, but the Performance Mouse MX was the first to roll them all into a neat and tidy package. The MX sports a Darkfield sensor on the bottom that can track on reflective and glass surfaces, a thumb-switch that activates Expose in OS X and a Expose-like app in Windows that Logitech ships with the mouse, a charging system that lets you use the mouse while it's charging, a long-lived battery, and a tiny Unifying Receiver that's designed to just be left in a USB port and forgotten while you use the mouse wirelessly. It's a pricey product, but it's the mouse of choice for most of us at Lifehacker HQ because it's just so comfortable and has just the right number of buttons.
Logitech MX 518
The MX 518 ($98 at Amazon, no longer available from Logitech) is a model that stands out on its own. Many gamers consider the MX 518 the peak of Logitech's gaming mice, and while Logitech has been trying to push it aside in favor of the Logitech G400 (its design sucessor), the MX 518's incredible popularity keeps it on store shelves in a number of places. Its 1800 dpi sensor has been outmoded by newer models, but its on-the-fly resolution switching, thumb buttons and scroll buttons, and its completely smooth, curved design have earned it a bit of a cult following. It's not going to win on features, but I can't count the number of gamers—especially FPS fans—who just prefer the feel of the MX 518 over the G series that came after it. Grab it while you can though, odds are it won't be available much longer.
Logitech G-Series (G5/G500/G700)
We had to consolidate much of the G series, partially because otherwise many of them would dominate the top five, but also because some of the models were sucessors of others—the G500 ($69.99 retail) descended from the G5 (which descended from the MX 518, mind you) and the G700 ($99.99 retail) descended from the G7 (itself a wireless version of the G5.) Still, the G500 and G700 feature Darkfield-enabled laser sensors with switchable resolution up to 5700 dpi. The G500 is wired, and the G700 can be used wired while charging or completely wirelessly, and both models feature programmable buttons, on-the-fly dpi switching. The G500 also features a weight tray and ship with an array of small weights so you can tune the heaviness of the mouse to your preferences. The G700 sports a few extra programmable buttons on the surface and large and smooth feet so the mouse glides across your mousepad or desk surface.
Razer Naga
The Razer Naga ($79.99 retail) turned heads at first because it seemed to have a ridiculous number of buttons on the side, but it caught on really quickly with MMO fans and productivity nuts alike. Both groups adore the dozen-plus programmable buttons on the side of the mouse that can be programmed to in-game macros or complex actions in almost any application, from browsers to your word processor to your email client. The Naga also features interchangeable side panels so you can get a comfortable grip, a 5600 dpi laser sensor with switchable resolutions, and more. If the Naga isn't enough for you, you can always pick up the Naga Epic ($129 retail), a wireless version with a slightly altered grip, or the Naga Hex ($79.99), a version of the Naga with its side-buttons arranged in a hexagonal pattern designed for MOBAs (multiplayer online battle arenas) like League of Legends and DOTA.
Saitek Cyborg R.A.T. Series
If you're looking for a mouse that you can completely customize and tweak to fit your specific hand, the Cyborg R.A.T. line (ranging from $59.99 for the R.A.T. 3 up to $149.99 for the R.A.T. 9, retail) is for you. Each model gives you some control over how the mouse is shaped, with a number of dials and toggles that let you extend a thumb-rest if you like, change the overall length of the mouse so it fits in your hands or work with your preferred grip, sports a set of weights in the underside that you can use to change the heft of the mouse, and a precision laser (variable dpi based on the model you buy) sensor with switchable dpi settings built-in. The mouse ships with interchangeable palm rests and grips, programmable buttons and programmable mouse-wide settings that you can switch with the touch of a button, and more. It may look scary at first glance, but it's an incredibly powerful—and customizable—mouse for the money.
Now that you've seen the top five, it's time to put them to an overall vote to determine which you think is the best:
Honorable mentions this week go out to the Logitech MX1000, which is no longer widely available, so even though a great number of you liked it, we pulled it from the top five. If you want an experience like the MX1000, pick up the Performance MX or MX Revolution—the two mice that came out directly after the MX1000. Also worth noting is the Razer DeathAdder, which many of you praised for its affordability, comfort, and availability in both left and right-handed models. Trackball fans weighed in with support for the Logitech Wireless Trackball M570, perhaps the best—if not one of the few—richly featured trackballs still widely available.
Have something to say about one of the contenders? Want to make the case for your personal favorite, even if it wasn't included in the list? Remember, the top five are based on your most popular nominations from the call for contenders thread from earlier in the week. Make your case for your favorite—or alternative—in the discussions below.
The Hive Five is based on reader nominations. As with most Hive Five posts, if your favorite was left out, it's not because we hate it—it's because it didn't get the nominations required in the call for contenders post to make the top five. We understand it's a bit of a popularity contest, but if you have a favorite, we want to hear about it. Have a suggestion for the Hive Five? Send us an email at [email protected]!
Photo by Erik Charlton.


text:
Class Central Tips
Manipulating big data distributed over a cluster using functional concepts is rampant in industry, and is arguably one of the first widespread industrial uses of functional ideas. This is evidenced by the popularity of MapReduce and Hadoop, and most recently Apache Spark, a fast, in-memory distributed collections framework written in Scala. In this course, we'll see how the data parallel paradigm can be extended to the distributed case, using Spark throughout. We'll cover Spark's programming model in detail, being careful to understand how and when it differs from familiar programming models, like shared-memory parallel collections or sequential Scala collections. Through hands-on examples in Spark and Scala, we'll learn when important issues related to distribution like latency and network communication should be considered and how they can be addressed effectively for improved performance.
Learning Outcomes. By the end of this course you will be able to:
- read data from persistent storage and load it into Apache Spark,
- manipulate data with Spark and Scala,
- express algorithms for data analysis in a functional style,
- recognize how to avoid shuffles and recomputation in Spark,
Recommended background: You should have at least one year programming experience. Proficiency with Java or C# is ideal, but experience with other languages such as C/C++, Python, Javascript or Ruby is also sufficient. You should have some familiarity using the command line. This course is intended to be taken after Parallel Programming: https://www.coursera.org/learn/parprog1.
Note that this version of the course uses Scala 2.13. You can find a more recent version of the course that uses Scala 3 here: https://www.coursera.org/learn/scala-spark-big-data


text:
Section 58
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 1, 1831. Earlier, on the first Sabbath after the arrival of the Prophet and his party in Jackson County, Missouri, a religious service had been held, and two members had been received by baptism. During that week, some of the Colesville Saints from the Thompson Branch and others arrived (see section 54). Many were eager to learn the will of the Lord concerning them in the new place of gathering.
1–5, Those who endure tribulation will be crowned with glory; 6–12, The Saints are to prepare for the marriage of the Lamb and the supper of the Lord; 13–18, Bishops are judges in Israel; 19–23, The Saints are to obey the laws of the land; 24–29, Men should use their agency to do good; 30–33, The Lord commands and revokes; 34–43, To repent, men must confess and forsake their sins; 44–58, The Saints are to purchase their inheritance and gather in Missouri; 59–65, The gospel must be preached unto every creature.
1 Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give aear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you, and also concerning bthis land unto which I have sent you.
2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that akeepeth my commandments, whether in life or in bdeath; and he that is cfaithful in dtribulation, the ereward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
3 Ye cannot behold with your natural aeyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the bglory which shall follow after much tribulation.
4 For after much atribulation come the bblessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be ccrowned with much dglory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may alay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.
6 Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be aprepared to bbear ctestimony of the things which are to come;
7 And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the aZion of God shall stand;
8 And also that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the apoor; yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the blees well refined, that the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail;
9 Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all anations shall be invited.
10 First, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble;
11 And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the apoor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the bmarriage of the Lamb, and partake of the csupper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.
12 Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.
13 And that the atestimony might go forth from Zion, yea, from the mouth of the city of the heritage of God—
14 Yea, for this cause I have sent you hither, and have selected my servant aEdward Partridge, and have appointed unto him his mission in this land.
15 But if he repent not of his sins, which are aunbelief and blindness of bheart, let him take heed lest he cfall.
16 Behold his mission is given unto him, and it shall not be given again.
17 And whoso standeth in this mission is appointed to be a ajudge in Israel, like as it was in ancient days, to bdivide the lands of the heritage of God unto his cchildren;
18 And to judge his people by the testimony of the just, and by the assistance of his acounselors, according to the laws of the kingdom which are given by the bprophets of God.
19 For verily I say unto you, my law shall be kept on this land.
20 Let no man think he is aruler; but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own bwill, or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat.
21 Let no man break the alaws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.
22 Wherefore, be asubject to the powers that be, buntil he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.
23 Behold, the alaws which ye have received from my hand are the laws of the church, and in this light ye shall hold them forth. Behold, here is wisdom.
24 And now, as I spake concerning my servant Edward Partridge, this land is the land of his aresidence, and those whom he has appointed for his counselors; and also the land of the residence of him whom I have appointed to keep my bstorehouse;
25 Wherefore, let them bring their families to this land, as they shall acounsel between themselves and me.
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is acompelled in all things, the same is a bslothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be aanxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are aagents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their breward.
29 But he that adoeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with bdoubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is cdamned.
30 Who am I that amade man, saith the Lord, that will hold him bguiltless that obeys not my commandments?
31 Who am I, saith the Lord, that have apromised and have not fulfilled?
32 I command and men aobey not; I brevoke and they receive not the blessing.
33 Then they asay in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their breward lurketh cbeneath, and not from above.
34 And now I give unto you further directions concerning this land.
35 It is wisdom in me that my servant Martin Harris should be an example unto the church, in alaying his moneys before the bishop of the church.
36 And also, this is a law unto every man that cometh unto this land to receive an inheritance; and he shall do with his moneys according as the law directs.
37 And it is wisdom also that there should be lands purchased in Independence, for the place of the storehouse, and also for the house of the aprinting.
38 And other directions concerning my servant Martin Harris shall be given him of the Spirit, that he may receive his inheritance as seemeth him good;
39 And let him repent of his sins, for he seeketh the apraise of the world.
40 And also let my servant aWilliam W. Phelps stand in the office to which I have appointed him, and receive his inheritance in the land;
41 And also he hath need to repent, for I, the Lord, am not well pleased with him, for he seeketh to excel, and he is not sufficiently meek before me.
42 Behold, he who has arepented of his bsins, the same is cforgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will aconfess them and bforsake them.
44 And now, verily, I say concerning the residue of the elders of my achurch, the time has not yet come, for many years, for them to receive their binheritance in this land, except they desire it through the prayer of faith, only as it shall be appointed unto them of the Lord.
45 For, behold, they shall apush the people together from the bends of the earth.
46 Wherefore, assemble yourselves together; and they who are not appointed to stay in this land, let them preach the gospel in the regions round about; and after that let them return to their homes.
47 Let them preach by the way, and abear testimony of the truth in all places, and call upon the rich, the high and the low, and the poor to repent.
48 And let them build up achurches, inasmuch as the inhabitants of the earth will repent.
49 And let there be an agent appointed by the voice of the church, unto the church in Ohio, to receive moneys to apurchase lands in bZion.
50 And I give unto my servant Sidney Rigdon a commandment, that he shall awrite a description of the land of Zion, and a statement of the will of God, as it shall be made known by the Spirit unto him;
51 And an epistle and subscription, to be presented unto all the churches to obtain moneys, to be put into the hands of the bishop, of himself or the agent, as seemeth him good or as he shall direct, to apurchase lands for an binheritance for the children of God.
52 For, behold, verily I say unto you, the Lord willeth that the disciples and the children of men should open their hearts, even to purchase this whole region of country, as soon as time will permit.
53 Behold, here is wisdom. Let them do this lest they areceive none inheritance, save it be by the shedding of blood.
54 And again, inasmuch as there is land obtained, let there be workmen sent forth of all kinds unto this land, to labor for the saints of God.
55 Let all these things be done in aorder; and let the privileges of the lands be made known from time to time, by the bishop or the agent of the church.
56 And let the work of the agathering be not in bhaste, nor by flight; but let it be done as it shall be ccounseled by the elders of the church at the conferences, according to the knowledge which they receive from time to time.
57 And let my servant Sidney Rigdon aconsecrate and bdedicate this land, and the spot for the ctemple, unto the Lord.
58 And let a conference meeting be called; and after that let my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., return, and also Oliver Cowdery with them, to accomplish the residue of the work which I have appointed unto them in their own land, and the residue as shall be aruled by the conferences.
59 And let no man return from this land except he bear arecord by the way, of that which he knows and most assuredly believes.
60 Let that which has been bestowed upon aZiba Peterson be taken from him; and let him stand as a member in the church, and labor with his own hands, with the brethren, until he is sufficiently bchastened for all his sins; for he confesseth them not, and he thinketh to hide them.
61 Let the residue of the elders of this church, who are coming to this land, some of whom are exceedingly blessed even above measure, also hold a aconference upon this land.
62 And let my servant Edward Partridge direct the conference which shall be held by them.
63 And let them also return, preaching the gospel by the way, bearing record of the things which are revealed unto them.
64 For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be apreached unto every creature, with bsigns following them that believe.
65 And behold the Son of Man acometh. Amen.


text:
[tipping hat] Well played, master Wreckerator. Well played.
Megan A., Desiree C., & Amber T., I wouldn't recommend zooming in on that "soda" unless you're on a diet.
- Related Wreckage: Merci!
When professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong.
Other than wincing at the sheer enormity of the (?)dog-riding clown's crotch, I really have nothing else to say....
Except "don't eat the yellow snow".
A maniacal clown riding a poop dog. *shudder*
I don't even know if these are wrecks. They're more of a surrealist art form. Blue-iced cupcakes with sticks of gum on top? Wow.
"Soda"? I think we've just moved into some parallel universe.
thinking they were going for movie popcorn with the soda one perhaps? or maybe that is just giving too much credit!
WTF???? Are they dropping acid while decorating?
My question is not so much WHAT they are doing, but WHY!!! Would THEY take that cake home? I remember walking by the bakery in the grocery store and being amazed at all the beautiful cakes...sometimes my amazement is now something totally different, as you well point out. :-)
I just don't understand, what is it about poo that makes cake decorators use it so much.
Woo hoo a clown riding a poop Yorkie?? to the finish line? Yea pass whatever your having..I wont even get into the yellow ball soda cup floating in poo YUCK
dear gawd almighty.
come on poopie! hurry up! we're almost to the finish line!
perhaps the trident is to help remove the blue icing stains on your teeth after eating those cupcakes?!
moldy yellow globs of god-knows-what?! it's beyond comprehension.
great wrecks today. just great.
Laughing hysterically makes you squint a bit - thus the gum on the cupcakes looked a bit like bacon to me.
Blueberry and Bacon - YUUUUMMMMM!!!!
WV - demsh
Demsh be shome nashty cakesh dude!
Yay Mystery cake! I suppose the idea is to solve the mystery perhaps?
Well, those cakes sure are making me thirsty for some soda. And then I can chew some Trident gum to get the poo dog out of my teeth!
For one brief, shining moment I thought, "well, they did a good job with the cup, anyway." Until it occurred to me that why yes, someone *would* in fact put a real disposable cup onto a cake as decor.
Lovely. How come the last one looks like it has peep bodies?
I'm pretty sure the yellow junk with the soda cup is meant to be popcorn. So clearly, it's a cake of a movie theatre floor.
Yellow soda might have been better.
At first glance, I thought the cupcakes had bacon on them, so gum actually doesn't seem so bad.
I like how they labeled the Styrofoam cup.
Maybe the gum one is for a dentist party? They'll eat the sugar and then use the gum to feel better about it?
Maybe I'm reaching here, but could the last one be a bucket of popcorn and a soda for a movie-themed party? Am I reaching too far? Yeah, I probably am...
Honestly I thought the gum was bacon...lol
The first one is clearly a clown riding a bantha.
Is there really any flavor of gum that *would* jive with blueberry icing?
I don't understand. Please tell me their were special pills that made them do it. A dog-riding clown race? Trident topped cupcakes? A styrofoam cup on a bed of mold?
Blueberry, gum cupcakes? A bargain at $7.49? Apparently a "different" kind of smoking break at that bakery..
I too thought the gum was bacon at first- cupcakes for hipsters riding the bacon band wagon. But upon closer inspection, is it just me or does the cinnamon gum/blueberry frosting look like it's on top of chocolate cupcakes? How many flavors can you get in one "treat"? Scuze me while I barf now...
My first thought on the blueberry cupcakes was bacon (no...it can't be...), then my second thought were those fat pretzel sticks (oh come on...why would they put pretzels on cupcakes?). I was forced to zoom in on the image and gazed in silent wonder at GUM on cupcakes. Gum!! I just don't get the whole cupcake decor thing at all. My kids love it when they get toys and rings on cupcakes, and I shudder when I see them cheerfully sucking the frosting off their plastic toys so they can play with or wear them.
This post and the one from yesterday just go to prove something: just because you can hold a pastry bag and own an airbrush does not mean you have any clue as to what a good cake looks like or how to make one. There are some decorators out there that should just be slapped.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who thought the gum was bacon, heh. I am also glad I wasn't drinking my milk as I waited for the page to load. I've learned my lesson there!
I'm thinkin' that these cakes were done as therapy in a mental hospital. Or maybe I'm just hoping that they were....
Can that first monstrosity even be considered a cake? It looks like a mound of frosting topped with insane clown horror.
Wow,these are so bad!!! I can't get past the scary bloated clown atop a poo-Yeti.
And what's with the gum?!
Just how much cake is under that poo-dog riding clown? Is there anything actually THERE?
BRB, throwing up
"ingstica" - the sound I made while retching after looking at these vakes
I'd like to beg you to admit you are making these cakes up.
I think I'd feel better about the future of the planet. :)
When I first glanced at the second pic, I thought the trident strips were pieces of bacon. In which case it would not be a wreck, it would be an awesome. Alas, after my eyes focused I saw they were trident strips. So yeah: wreck.
At least they wouldn't have to throw away all that gum when it expires next week.
Noooo Jen, I don't think it's cinnamon flavored, it's like this orangey citrus called "Tropical Twist". I'm like 90% sure on this. At least it makes more sense than cinnamon.
A Yorkie won the Westminster dog show...I doubt his owner was a part-time clown...but...you never know.
funny... I thought the gum was bacon also!
and the yellow stuff looks like melted peeps to me
That first one looks like a nightmare after a night of bad pizza.
WEIRD...that's all I've got to say.
Imagine, if you will, a shelf full of creepy clowns... all riding different poo animals... racing towards a finish line that never seems to materialize...and you realize that you have entered the Twilight Bakery Zone.
Cupcakes, gum, soda, and popcorn are available at our concession stand...enjoy the race!!
A garish drunken clown monster riding a poop dog?
- I'll have one of whatever the baker's on please
One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all
Go ask Alice
When she's ten feet tall
And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you're going to fall
Tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
Call Alice
When she was just small
When men on the chessboard
Get up and tell you where to go
And you've just had some kind of mushroom
And your mind is moving slow
Go ask Alice
I think she'll know
When logic and proportion
Have fallen sloppy dead
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen's "off with her head!"
Remember what the dormouse said;
"Keep YOUR HEAD
Keep your head"
Dog? That's obviously a canine-centipede hybrid--that, or the kitchen has some serious radioactivity contamination.
I want to know where the bottom half of the clown went. Is this some sort of new Karnie Special Olympics event?
Based on the picture plus the comments, the last one makes me want to see what happens when you pour soda over peeps.
So when I was in college, a friend of mine and I started to use the word "cake" instead of "clueless" (long story, I'll share it with you some other time if you're interested) as in, "I'm totally cake about what that professor wanted for that assignment." It stuck, and my husband & I still use it to this day.
Now, today, it takes on a whole new meaning and gravity. I am totally cake about these cakes.
According to my 10 year old daughter:
1- I think it's a clown... on a pig?
2- Bacon on cupcakes???
3- Supposed to be movie themed... like popcorn and soda. I have no idea.
hee hee kids are great.
What on earth inspired the wrapped sticks of cinnamon gum??? On a cupcake with blueberry icing!?!? What the frick!! WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!??!?!?
The 'soda' cake - a new low in putting cruddy plastic crap on cakes.
The 'clown' cake - a bad dream I once had when I mixed illegal pharmaceuticals with Red Bull and baked beans.
The 'gum' cake - bacon would have been an improvement . . .
And to think I was shaking my head in amazement at the wreck at my Wal-Mart last week (didn't have my camera - pout) that was a CCC shaped and painted to look like a fire hydrant. That was high art compared to these.
Cakewrecks - the only thing that can wring a smile out of me these days, thank you Jen and all the wreckers out there!
I think these are all exhbiits for a new modern art museum. Yeah... that's it.
Ok, I think I may understand the concepts:
The clown riding the pooh Yorkie and the blue cupcakes with gum on them are either some sort of private joke or symbols of an unknown holiday [like festivus] that are going to break out any time.
The third picture is a poorly rendered popcorn--perhaps some sort of movie cake? Which may be better or worse than those 'Twilight' cakes you posted earlier...perhaps they ran out of black and red frosting.
I think it's time we all would have better understood *actual* bacon on the cupcakes. It'd be like an art project then.
As for what gum flavor does go with blueberry frosting (not cinnamon) - I vote for BlueBerry gum (Lotte). That has always been one of my favorite. Though I don't like frosting and would just go for the gum.
And all these years I kept thinking "I could have done that a little better" when in reality I just needed to get a job at a bakery!!!
I have to come clean. I admit. I would be tempted to buy these for the sheer hilarity of it. It's the same reason I love to watch the men figure skaters and their interesting choice of outfits.
That first one WOULD be an excellent way to celebrate a recently potty-trained kid or someone battling constipation?? ("Yay! You finished!")
I suppose the Trident gum is all right...after all, doesn't it help your teeth after a sugary snack?
...just sayin'. But still, that's weird. 0_o
WV: Moosess--a female moose XD
That soda cake just helped me a lot since i gave up soda for Lent.
Perhaps I'd give it up permanently if i actually had to eat it.
I think I figured out the gum topped blueberry cupcakes. I may be going out on a limb here, but my brain aches for some sort of logic. They were supposed to be ocean themed cupcakes. Perhaps someone ordered them wanting tridents on them for their Under the Sea party. So naturally...our dear ol Grocery Store Wreckerator put Trident on them...oh 2 pieces since it did say Tridents!
I thought you were joking about the mold on the last cake, and that the flecks were just green frosting. Until I viewed the enlarged image :(
Truly a WTF moment from the bakery.
Oh my. I love that that last one looks like it's in a petri dish. Because, really, that needs to be put under a microscope and studied! :)
I want to know who is buying these cakes. I want names, numbers, and sizes for the straighjackets.
Seriously, blueberry icing? (look at the research...blueberries are GOOD for you.) And a two-fer dessert for the after dinner gum. (cinnamon? really?)
And what pray tell happens to the dog when it gets the psycho clown to the finish line?
Not even sure what to do with the soda.
WV - Parasaxes
A tool used by a paradox.
The thing that particularly horrifies me about that first cake is that not only does it feature a legless clown jockey on a poop dog, but the poop dog appears to be racing in what I can only hope is supposed to be a mud puddle.
Also, why is the cake on a floor?
All I want to know is in this economy, how are these people getting and *keeping* their jobs?
Poo dog. If they know they can't make a dog look realistic, why do they even bother?
WHERE are you people shopping that you find these things??? I hope the deals you are presumably getting are worth it! :)
Oh Jen, why did you have tell us NOT to zoom in on the "soda"?
Cos guess what I just had to do....
I can just picture the back story of the blue cupcakes. How many bets they were supposed to have multi-coloured gum balls placed on top? How many bets they ran out of gum balls in their supplies? I'm picturing the baker asking the supervisor what do do because they'd run out of gum balls, only to be told "We're in a grocery store... go find something". Picking up sprinkles from the cake aisle would mean thinking... so the baker went to the candy aisle and picked up the only gum they have in a grocery store... a multi-pack of Trident LOL
I get a kick out of this blog since I work in a bakery.
Cupcakes "assorted 12 pack"--assorted cupcakes or assorted gum? the cupcakes look the same. I thought they were bacon too. either way, duh-yuck.
Styrofoam cup labled "soda" smooshed into a moldy peep pile (on a poop discus?)
did anyone notice there's no price on that one? how can we be sure that really is a cake? what if they just put the plastic cover on it to "contain" the mess. i like the theory that's a specimen of the movie theater floor....
the crazy, puffy, half clown riding the poo-dog with silly string reins. to a "fiwish" line. is it some sort of special olympics circus? with only one competitor? with poo issues? and why is the "cake" on the floor? (thanks for pointing that out...i didn't notice the carpet at first.)
reminds me of "Better Off Dead" when Lane's mother's food was always slightly alive. the iridiescent goop with raisins crawled off his plate....maybe they expect the same of this "dog" clown hybrid thing...
wv. teldax--what you need after you eat pooh dogs, clowns, moldy peeps and blueberry icing.
btw, I LOVE the theory about the ocean themed cupcakes with "tridents". sheer genius!
Well, it didn't help that I was reading the clown cake upside down, either. "HSNIY"? Wazzat?
Of course, now that I see it says "FINISH" I'm really no more enlightened than I was before.
Yup, soda cup, peeps stomped into brown painted cracked cement flooring, green mold spots. Real appetizing. Oh. and label the styrofoam cup w/black marker just in case someone gets the insane idea it's fondant.
Time to hit I-Hop and order some blueberry crepes w/a side of bacon
WV: Biert > beer + art + more beer + frosting bag.
where do you find these things? The first one makes me cringe..eww
What ARE they doing in the bakeries? Crack?
The real question here is that with high unemployment, bakery managers should be able to be very picky about who they staff. It looks like they are hiring anyone with a pulse.
Please, people, if you are that bad with a tube of icing, get a different job. Like delivering newspapers or something.
*insert emphatic whinning, likened to that of a two year old, here* "No, no! Cake Wrecks! You have it *all wrong*! The first picture is a melting clown aboard an over-fed centipede, the middle one is blueberry topped with, *yes*, bacon strips -adorable and marketable, huh?!-, and the last is a hoplessly distorted styrofoam cup surrounded by molding hard boiled egg yokes that could've used refrigeration...like...decades ago." So see? It's all about perspective!!! :) Three cheers for cakes are so gross the decorative interpretations are endless; forget about wondering about the *actual cake* inside. Yeah. Good stuff. Hee hee.
Uhm... bzuh?
RE the last one, I thought at first it was supposed to be a bunch of tennis balls, but even if they were, that doesn't explain the random styrofoam cup...
I really don't know wth that last one is supposed to be, but I'm guessing the mold is unintentional. Or maybe I'm hoping. One or the other.
And I, too, first thought the Trident on the cupcakes was bacon. Flashed back to the scene in Better Off Dead where the mother boiled the bacon...
You lot are just cracking me up, as usual - but please, from someone outside of the USA who's just dying to know - what are 'peeps'?
OMG, has that clown been disemboweled?
The last one looked like someone had accidentally spilled a cup full of half melted "peeps!"
And, I'm just not convinced that the poop dog isn't really a George Lucas creation...
Here is a link to a great photo using Peeps as pop art:
Essentially, Peeps are marshmallow blobs formed into chick shapes (or bunnies) then dusted with fine colored sugar in various colors. Google "Peeps" and look at some of the images. Jen even did a Peep wedding cake some time back. They are a solid hit of Easter time sugar for little kids.
For Anonymous not in the US: Peeps are brightly colored, usually pink or yellow, sugar coated marshmallows shaped like baby chickens (the baby chickens are called peeps). Rabbits or bunnies are also available... these are seasonal items for Easter. I think they are digusting, but not any worse than that cake.
At first look, after I gagged, I thought it was a soda cup with popcorn..BUT WHY????? would there be a cake decorated like THAT?
These cakes are beyond bizarre!
I'm with Michelle P. I was sure it was blueberry frosting with either bacon or mini roasted hot dogs...
So getting fussy here, but FINISH is facing the wrong dang way! C'mon people! Reality check!!
Baby Mowhawk Carrot Jockeys are soooooooo yesterday. They have passed the torch to the Drunken Clowns on a Poo Pile.............nah, still like the Mohwawk Babies...........
Ahhh... "What are Peeps?" someone queried...
ANSWER: What AREN'T Peeps? They are impossible to explain..they are ethereal beings from Indestructibleland...enduring,everlasting..incorruptible...
The thing fairy tales are woven from...but we can't tell you; you simply MUST procure some, at any cost, and experience them for yourself. ((SIGH))
Now, to the Anon who made a reference to men's figure skating: I find some of the costumes simply heavenly--my favorite skater is Johnny Weir. He is SO AWESOME!!! Totally HIMSELF. Beautiful!
Finally-- mystery solved, guys: the foam cup was not *supposed* to be there!
I KNOW, because when I walked by that cake in the store, I had just finished drinking the soda, and couldn't find a trash recepticle handy...
("Ahhhhh, so THAT was it!" you all exclaim.)
I get headaches while reading this blog from laughing so hard, while trying to silence my laughter, so that my husband doesn't think I have lost my mind! The commentary is priceless. You are BRILLIANT!
Yeah, I thought someone was feeding soda to a bunch of thirsty peeps.
I think that would have been a better cake anyway, with little peep beaks open, clamoring thirstily for (probably) generic soda....
Look at the first one. Was that joker? lolz ;D
The Brown Mestizo
When I think blueberries and gum, I think Willy Wonka. "You're turning Violet, Violet!"
But I digress. I cannot think of any circumstance where I wish I had a cupcake with blueberry icing...much less topped with gum!
Holy cake wrecks, Batman... so glad that I don't have to sift through your e-mail, you guys...
Hahahaha! Hey, let's drop acid and make some cakes!
I love the comments in here today, but I have to suggest that if one were to drop acid, look at any of these cakes, and then do anything related to Alice in Wonderland, one might never be able to find the way home again. :D
A creepy clown riding poop?
Somebody somewhere just lost a bet. I'm pretty sure the bet was "I can make a cake more inexplicable than you can." As such, the winner is now laughing hysterically while posting a video of the loser doing something very unbaker-like such as actually eating the poo dog clown combo. (or the blueberry trident cupcakes) I'm pretty sure the soda one is radioactive.
At least I hope these are the result of a really bad bet compounded with large quantities of alochol, (or whatever).
Now instead of just a fear of clowns thanks to Stephen King.. I fear clowns riding poop dogs and any bakery that can possibly think I would want to eat that..
Is is sad that all I can focus on is the fact that those very bizarre cupcakes are sold by the pound?
Was the wreckerator trying to make them weigh more by adding the gum on top?
My husband took one look at the clown-riding-poo-dog, started belting out "Ride of the Vakyries" (kill da wabbit!!) and said, "I'm not kidding - it's the clown of the apocalypse!"
How can I argue with that?
They do random drug testing at my bakery/place of employment. Probably to prevent this kind of thing.
Somehow getting really stoned around all that icing sounds really fun!
And what exactly is the giant poo dog riding clown torso "finishing"?
As a cake-whore who is currently trying not to eat sweets...these cakes make it very easy :)
I really, really, really, really, really, really, REALLY, don't get that "soda" cake. I have nothing else to say. I'm baffled.
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAH!!!!. That clown, racing the dog(?)bunny (?) hairy monster (??) I can't stop laughing.
I'm gonna go ahead and say this is the most WTF worthy post in CW history. Ho.ly. crap.
I am not a fan of clowns to begin with...so clown wrecks certainly don't help with that! :)
I...I have no words. Except those. Thank you for making my day just a little more surreal.
FYI, Trident does in fact have a blueberry flavored gum (Wild Blueberry Twist) which I'm thinking is what is on the cupcakes. That said, it still is not an excuse to put gum on a cupcake. Eww. Bacon would almost be better.
I also am wondering what the poo-hound clown duo is racing or running from. Maybe attack of the moldy popcorn/soda poo platter?
These are disturbing... and that last one almost looks photoshopped it is so mind-blowing.
A clown riding a poo-dle!
I like how they labeled the cup, but evidently that isn't what needed to be labeled. They shoulda labeled the yellow junk.
A clown riding a Dog. Why o why? Crazy stuff. What were you smoking? lol xx
My four year old and I have been looking at all the "professional" cakes here and he's coming up with some great ideas about these cakes. The clown riding the giant dog across the finish line is for "'Clown Day' celebrated only by people in the circus, because that's the only place you can see a dog that big"
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A Cake Wreck is any cake that is unintentionally sad, silly, creepy, inappropriate - you name it. A Wreck is not necessarily a poorly-made cake; it's simply one I find funny, for any of a number of reasons. Anyone who has ever smeared frosting on a baked good has made a Wreck at one time or another, so I'm not here to vilify decorators: Cake Wrecks is just about finding the funny in unexpected, sugar-filled places.
Now, don't you have a photo you want to send me? ;)
We don't have any copies of Cake Wrecks for sale here, autographed or otherwise. We decided the shipping and handling costs would be too high to make it worth your while. So instead, buy your copies locally or online and then order personalized bookplates: it's cheaper, easier, and I think even looks a bit nicer.
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Welcome to Dragon Cave! Dragon Cave is an online adoptables game. Collect eggs, raise them to adulthood, and then breed them to create interesting lineages. New dragons are added regularly!
Rosebud Dragons are a fun and social breed found most often in the spring. The petal-like feathers that grow on their sides spread their sweet and floral scent. Although they have poor eyesight, they have ribbon-like extensions that extend their olfactory abilities to help create a map of the area around them. When flying, Rosebud dragons tend to hover, using their wings to fan their scent throughout the air. A widespread breed, they go to great effort to visit as many flowery fields as possible.
Dragons are highly-intelligent reptilian creatures that—from a human perspective, at least—appear to live forever. Many different varieties of dragon exist, each with their own unique qualities, habitats, and behavior. Adolescence in dragons is usually marked by the growth of a hatchling's wings, although not all breeds of dragons grow wings and some breeds have other traits that indicate the beginning of maturation. In Galsreim, dragons and humans coexist peacefully.


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Tonight's NCAA title game is about history. Either
(The Ohio State-winning angle is great, too: OSU winning would be the absolute affirmation of the NBA age limit, at least in terms of proving that NBA-quality 18-year-olds can dominate college hoops. Whee!)
I want to refine a few points inspired by Saturday night's post:
Remember how when Oden went out against
In short: The match-ups remain difficult for OSU. But here's one in their favor: Mike Conley is playing out of his mind right now; UF's Taurean Green is playing like ass. So OSU's X-factor is Conley -- at both ends.
Tournament Challenge: In the uber-competitive, 1,200-player "Daily Quickie Readers" group, it's down to two guys. If
If you used the National Bracket to make your picks, you would be beating 91 percent of the other competitors right now. (But you would have had to root for
I'm currently running in the 68th percentile, with a chance to move up slightly if
(Amazingly, my 10-month-old son's entry -- filled out by his mom -- is in the 96th percentile, 49th overall out of more than 1,200. That's not as good as his in utero finish last year, when he came in tied for 30th out of more than 10,000 entries, but this year's finish ain't bad.)
MLB Opening Night: Mets thump Cards, 6-1, reminding everyone that regular-season "rematches" of deciding playoff games are not the same thing.
I'd like to know from Mets fans (or a fan of any team ever in the Mets position): Is there ANY extra meaning to the win? Or does it make the previous season's ending even more bittersweet?
(I will say this: As an indication of what's to come THIS season, it looks like the Mets offense is ready to carry what seems like shaky pitching – though not so shaky last night.)
MLB Opening Day! I'm going to put up a standalone post later this morning beginning my belated MLB preview coverage. Needless to say, if you're in a fantasy league, there's no instant history like the first day, when unclaimed FA's suddenly get snatched up off of great Game 1 performances.
MLB: Cubs to be sold after '07 season. Given the brand value and simply the cachet of owning this team, forget the astronomical number. Who will be the buyer? Mark Cuban? Somone more local? This will be one of the Top 5 biggest intrigues of the season.
Women's Final Four:
College Hoops Coaching Carousel:
NBA Injury Good: Dwyane Wade will return to practice with the Heat today. Given the Heat's secure playoff position, if I was him I would focus on rehab until Miami faces a playoff elimination game, then come back -- healed enough -- and lead them to a repeat title.
NBA Injury Bad: Well, that's the end of the Wizards. A team that was already faltering down the stretch lost All-Star "Robin" Caron Butler to a broken hand. Longtime Bullets/Wiz fans knew this was bound to happen.
NBA Sunday Wrap: How lame and worthless is the end of the NBA regular season? So lame that a game between the Mavs and Suns was an off-the-radar snoozer.
Is there any sport where the two biggest contenders in the league can play in the final stretch of the regular season and have it be a complete non-event?
(Between this year and last year, the Suns will have a healthy Amare and the Mavs will have an unretired Kevin Willis. Given that, who do YOU give the nod to in the playoffs between them?)
Michael Phelps Watch: The final tally? Seven gold medals. Five world records. Ridiculous. Bring on
LPGA: Morgan Pressel is the new Michelle Wie. The 18-year-old Pressel became the youngest winner ever of an LPGA major, and I expect her status to skyrocket.
(A few years ago, I remember watching her as an amateur in the hunt at the 2005 US Women's Open, and I just remember she was so freaking competitive, she made Tiger look tame. Oh, and with this win, she takes over as the greatest active Jewish athlete.)
Speaking of MLB, the blog Rumors and Rants had a thing where they asked people for their favorite all-time MLB player. My answer: Ryne Sandberg.
It was interesting that I immediately filtered the question as my favorite CHILDHOOD player, as if your favorite player back during your formative years of fanhood (ages 10-14 or thereabouts) have greater weight than a player you may develop a love for as an adult.
So, obviously, I want to know who was YOUR favorite MLB player? (Or "is," if that's the case.)
Big Picture's "Would You Do?" Tournament reaches title game: It's 1-seed Erin Andrews vs. 6-seed Stacey Dales. I expect yet another title for the Gators. Vote here.
Ballhype.com launches! Another great site for Jason Gurney, impresario of the lowpost.net- striketwo.net-faircatch.net empire. Ballhype.com tracks the action on more than 1,600 sports blogs, and I highly recommend as a bookmark and regular stop in your rotation. Congrats on another terrific product, Jason and Co.
Happy Passover to those of you who are celebrating tonight. It goes without saying that we're having a mellifluously nicknamed "Gator Seder."


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CHICAGO – Lance Armstrong said he finally cracked after he saw his son defending him against allegations from anti-doping authorities.
Not while expressing deep remorse or regrets, though there was plenty of that in Friday night's second part of Armstrong's interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Armstrong didn't break over the $75 million in lost sponsorship deals, or after being forced to walk away from the Livestrong cancer charity he founded and called his "sixth child." He didn't crack after his lifetime ban from competition.
It was another bit of collateral damage that Armstrong said he wasn't prepared to deal with.
"I saw my son defending me and saying, `That's not true. What you're saying about my dad is not true,"' Armstrong recalled.
"That's when I knew I had to tell him."
Armstrong was near tears at that point, referring to 13-year-old Luke, the oldest of his five children. He blinked, looked away from Winfrey, and with his lip trembling, struggled to compose himself.
It came just past the midpoint of the hourlong program on Winfrey's OWN network. In the first part, broadcast Thursday, the disgraced cycling champion admitted using performance-enhancing drugs when he won seven straight Tour de France titles.
Critics said he hadn't been contrite enough in the first half of the interview, which was taped Monday in Austin, but Armstrong seemed to lose his composure when Winfrey zeroed in on the emotional drama involving his personal life.
"What did you say?" Winfrey asked.
"I said, `Listen, there's been a lot of questions about your dad. My career. Whether I doped or did not dope. I've always denied that and I've always been ruthless and defiant about that. You guys have seen that. That's probably why you trusted me on it.' Which makes it even sicker," Armstrong said.
"And uh, I told Luke, I said," and here Armstrong paused for a long time to collect himself, "I said, `Don't defend me anymore. Don't.'
"He said OK. He just said, `Look, I love you. You're my dad. This won't change that."
Winfrey also drew Armstrong out on his ex-wife, Kristin, whom he claimed knew just enough about both the doping and lying to ask him to stop. He credited her with making him promise that his comeback in 2009 would be drug-free.
"She said to me, `You can do it under one condition: That you never cross that line again,"' Armstrong recalled.
"The line of drugs?" Winfrey asked.
"Yes. And I said, `You've got a deal,"' he replied. "And I never would have betrayed that with her."
A U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report that exposed Armstrong as the leader of an elaborate doping scheme on his U.S. Postal Service cycling team included witness statements from at least three former teammates who said Kristin Armstrong participated in or at least knew about doping on the teams and knew team code names for EPO kept in her refrigerator. Postal rider Jonathan Vaughters testified that she handed riders cortisone pills wrapped in foil.
Armstrong said in the first part of the interview that he had stayed clean in the comeback, a claim that runs counter to the USADA report.
And that wasn't the only portion of the interview likely to rile anti-doping officials.
Winfrey asked Armstrong about a "60 Minutes Sports" interview in which USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said a representative of the cyclist had offered a donation that the agency turned down.
"Were you trying to pay off USADA?" she asked.
"No, that's not true," he replied, repeating, "That is not true."
Winfrey asks the question three more times, in different forms.
"That is not true," he insisted.
USADA spokeswoman Annie Skinner replied in a statement: "We stand by the facts both in the reasoned decision and in the `60 Minutes' interview."
Armstrong has talked with USADA officials, and a meeting with Tygart near the Denver airport reportedly ended in an argument over the possibility of modifying the lifetime ban. A person familiar with those conversations said Armstrong could provide information that might get his ban reduced to eight years. By then, he would be 49. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing a confidential matter.
After retiring from cycling in 2011, Armstrong returned to triathlons, where he began his professional career as a teenager, and he has told people he's desperate to get back.
Winfrey asked if that was why he agreed to the interview.
"If you're asking me, do I want to compete again ... the answer is hell, yes," Armstrong said. "I'm a competitor. It's what I've done my whole life. I love to train. I love to race. I love to toe the line -- and I don't expect it to happen."
Yet just three questions later, a flash of the old Armstrong emerged.
"Frankly," he said, "this may not be the most popular answer, but I think I deserve it. Maybe not right now ... (but) if I could go back to that time and say, `OK, you're trading my story for a six-month suspension?' Because that's what people got."
"What other people got?" Winfrey asked.
"What everybody got," he replied.
Eleven former Armstrong teammates, including several who previously tested positive for PEDs, testified about the USPS team's doping scheme in exchange for more lenient punishments. Armstrong said in the first part of the interview that he knew his "fate was sealed" when his most trusted lieutenant, George Hincapie, who was alongside him for all seven Tour wins between 1999-2005, was forced to give Armstrong up to anti-doping authorities,
"So I got a death penalty and they got ... six months," Armstrong resumed. "I'm not saying that that's unfair, necessarily, but I'm saying it's different."
Armstrong said the most "humbling" moment in the aftermath of the USADA report was leaving Livestrong lest his association damage the foundation's ability to raise money and continue its advocacy programs on behalf of cancer victims.
Originally called the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the cyclist created it the year after he was diagnosed with a form of testicular cancer that had spread to his brain and lungs. Doctors gave him 50-50 odds of surviving.
"I wouldn't at all say forced out, told to leave," he said of Livestrong. "I was aware of the pressure. But it hurt like hell. ...
"That was the lowest," Armstrong said. "The lowest."
Armstrong's personal fortune had sustained a big hit days earlier. One by one, his sponsors called to end their associations with him: Nike; Trek Bicycles; Giro, which manufactures cycling helmets and other accessories; Anheuser-Busch.
"That was a $75 million day," Armstrong said.
"That just went out of your life," Winfrey said.
"Gone?" Winfrey repeated.
"Gone," he replied, "and probably never coming back."
So was there a moral to his story?
"I can look at what I did," he said. "Cheating to win bike races, lying about it, bullying people. Of course, you're not supposed to do those things. That's what we teach our children."
Armstrong paused to compose himself before a final mea culpa.
"I just think it was about the ride and losing myself, getting caught up in that, and doing all those things along the way that enabled that," he said. "The ultimate crime is, uh, is the betrayal of those people that supported me and believed in me.
"They got lied to."


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A Good Thing
As for the group, I've joined, and let's face it, anything with Susanna Perkins is a good thing.
– Joe Burnham
Excellent WordPress Guru
"She is an excellent WordPress guru/ instructor and web designer."
– Savia Muhammad
Thornton Reformer Gazette
Thank You for the Great Work!
Thank you for the great work updating EngineerYourCopy.com!
You helped me wade through dozens of WordPress theme options and choose the right one for my website. Then, you took care of all the technology details – the hosting, the WordPress databases and the right plugins.
As somebody who has managed multi-million-dollar IT projects, your project management skills were excellent. From your Trello board to how you kept the project moving forward despite obstacles, I appreciated your professionalism.
I sincerely appreciated your Zoom walk-through of the updated site. You showed extensive WordPress knowledge, along with knowledge of brand-new features of the theme and Genesis framework. And it helped me understand the new Genesis framework and very different block-based page structure.
I can confidently recommend you to anyone who needs to update their WordPress website or build one from scratch… in fact, I expect we'll be working together on another site update soon!
– KATrimels
Doak Ewing
Susanna took the weight off my shoulders transferring content from my 20-year-old website to a clean, modern WordPress version. She gave patient support and encouragement throughout. She was always available to answer questions and I know if I stumble, she'll be there to help me get up. I highly recommend Susanna to anyone needing help with WordPress!
– Doak Ewing, Naperville, Illinois
Trent Daly
Thank you so much for all your help in building my first website. Thank you also for your patience and persistence in dealing with a novice such as myself.
It's been an enjoyable learning experience and I appreciate all your time, effort and expertise in helping me to bring my site to life. You truly are an expert when it comes to WordPress and websites and nothing was ever too difficult.
I would highly recommend your services to others and would not hesitate to use your services again.
Many thanks.
Persistence and Attention to Detail. . .
That's one of the MANY things I like about working with you: persistence, attention to detail, desire to make a positive difference.
Wait! That's three things instead of one…
Well, I can't put the genie back in the bottle!
SO, please accept my heartfelt thanks for solving the HTTPS issue … and all the other "pesky" ones that led to project successes!!
– Rod Harkins
Shea McNaughton
Updated April 27, 2020
Thanks a million, Susanna, for helping me out. This has gone so much smoother than previous web builds, thanks to you!
Warmest regards,
I was in the process of trying to launch a new business, and I had known for months that I would need a new website. I had once built a blog from scratch and thought how hard could it be to build a website.
WELL. Maybe it's not impossible, but it was technical enough that I found out quickly that it would take more time to get it up and running than I wanted to spend. A LOT more time.
I had discovered Susanna's services in the course of learning my new business, and so I called on her to help me out. She took the reins and built a fantastic website, leaving me to the business of creating my business. Never having built a website, I knew NOTHING about it and constantly asked her opinion. Being the pro, her opinion was extremely valuable, and I have a beautiful website to show for it.
After the site was finished, Susanna handed the reins back to me with the assurance that she would be available for questions should I have any (which I did). Her website, WPBuildingBlocks.com fills in the blanks for me as I move forward with my business and continue to build my site with content.
Susanna took a huge load off my mind when she built my site. I had so much going on that I just couldn't spare the time to build it myself. Not only that, her prices were completely reasonable. I had done the research with other design companies and had resigned myself to limping along with an "eventual website" in mind. But Susanna rescued me with her skill and sheer know-how when it comes to building a professional website. She is FANTASTIC.
Thanks so much, Susanna, I will recommend you to anyone and everyone who needs a webmaster / designer / builder.
Anne McDonald
Susanna is a great teacher. Her knowledge of building and using websites for professional and personal use is extensive, and she shares her expertise willingly. I am so grateful for her presence on this forum. Thank you, Susanna
Erlinda Tom
I know Susanna from Money Making Website Groupsite Forum. She always gives helpful advice and suggestions. She's very knowledgeable…the proof is in her website "WordPress Building Blocks".
Thanks, Susanna.
Murray Landa, B.A., LL.B.
Susanna saved me enormous amounts of time and aggravation. She answered all questions promptly and kept the project moving forward. I highly recommend her.
Sue Waterworth
Susanna did a great job working on some websites for me. She was fast and efficient, and very easy to work with. The job went without a hitch, and was well-priced. I would highly recommend her for any website or writing work.
Pat White
Dear Susanna,
Your knowledge and expertise in helping me develop my website has been invaluable. My technology skills and confidence have grown a great deal with your help. But I am sure I will need further guidance, and I will look to you for direction again.
As you know, I am a "do-it-yourselfer", so for those who want to learn how to get started and to have direct input into the process, you offer just the right amount of direction.
I am grateful for your patience in the overwhelming projects of building my two websites (Patricia White Copywriting and Healthy Avatar), and for your willingness to lead me through all the steps from beginning to end.
Your prices are so reasonable for the guidance and amount of setup you
Roseanne Beers
I first checked Susanna out because she and I were both AWAI members and had both taken a class on Money Making Websites. When I saw her website, I was really impressed. Then I saw another website she had designed and loved it too, so I scheduled a consultation with her to talk about helping me.
Susanna is extremely knowledgeable about the products she recommends and CSS coding. And, she was very patient with me regarding my lack of technical background and my delays getting information to her because of my lack of understanding how to make decisions she needed me to make, and ultimately because of unexpected health issues that stopped me in my tracks. She was generous in understanding what I was going through and a resulting change in our plans.
Shawn Vincent
Here's the deal with Susanna: she gets it.
As a business owner, the thing I value most about Susanna is that she manages up, helping me line up the resources I need for her to do the job. As a result, work gets done quickly, with a minimum effort from me.
Michelle Detlaff
I wish they would let me add more attributes instead of only 3. They all apply to you Susanna. I am so grateful to work with you. Blogging and copywriting are so important to my business and I don't always have the time to do these tasks myself. The best part about working with you is that I KNOW you will get job done right with very few edits (if any).
I'm very satisfied with the great results you've provided. I consider you an expert in your field and you are extremely creative and personable. Your writing carries a sense of humor which I appreciate (and my clients appreciate because they have also commented on it)
Keep up the good work.
Thank you,
Erlinda Tom
Susanna is very professional, her response to my question ASAP reflects her quick action and good communication skills towards her clients. ..
Misty S.
Susanna is extremely knowledgeable about the WordPress platform and has sharp insight into which themes to use. Her step-by-step instructions really make setting up a WordPress site fast and painless.
I appreciated her friendly attitude and willingness to help me quickly find a theme I like. She went above and beyond what I expected.
Her Wordpress Building Blocks system is easy to understand and follow. I highly recommend her!
Aisha Ashraf
I contracted Susanna to move my site to a self-hosted platform. Right from the start she made herself available on various mediums to discuss my requirements and help me understand the process. Her advice was clear and precise; with step-by-step instructions that never failed to deliver.
Her product knowledge is excellent in a field where updates are a constant and her calm, humorous approach was a real help when my nerves kicked in or indecision struck.
I'd work with her again in a heartbeat and have no qualms in recommending her to friends and colleagues (in fact I've already done just that!)
I Move Pilates
Susanna worked with my marketing person to help us move my unhosted Pilates website over to a host she recommended, and get me up and running with a brand new theme. All the content, pictures and layout transferred over without a hitch thanks to her WordPress wizardry! And, she did this on a very tight deadline.
Deb Svanefelt
Susanna has been an awesome support for designing 3 websites for me – she has Superpowers when it comes to knowing her way around WordPress – or finding her way in new areas with flexibility and creativity. She's been incredibly patient with getting answers to my many questions, has been cheerful and calm [even when I've been tech-anxious – gotta love that in a person!]
Her work is fantastic – she thinks of stuff I have no idea about, and adds it in for me. I trust her work and skills implicitly, and I'll continue to use her skills, and recommend her to other friends and colleagues. She's just the best – like I said, the Super Woman of website designs!! 🙂 🙂
Panama Relocation Tours
Susanna Perkins, of WordPress Building Blocks, helped to redesign my web site www.PanamaRelocationTours.com. This is a wordpress web site which had the same look for more than 3 years so it was time for a facelift.
Susanna helped me identify a good word press theme, installed it and got it all configured. She has a keen eye for the little details that make a site look more professional and run more efficiently.
Good communications are essential during a web site project, whether it is a new design or a rebuild. This is the only way the "vision" for the site can come together. Susanna took time to understand what I wanted to accomplish with the site and made it happen seamlessly. She kept me informed via email during every phase of the redesign process. She made excellent recommendations for plugins which made the site look and work better.
I am very pleased with the results and with Susanna Perkins. My redesign came in on time and on budget. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs a web site built or redesigned. She knows what she's doing!
Jackie Lange