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After years of teaching face to face, many instructors are able to begin teaching a traditional, classroom-based course without having the entire course laid out ahead of time. This approach doesn't work very well in the online classroom where careful planning and course design is crucial to the success of online students.
Good online course design begins with a clear understanding of specific learning outcomes and ways to engage students, while creating activities that allow students to take some control of their learning. It also requires a little extra effort upfront to minimize two of the most common frustrations of online learning:
- confusing course organization (how course elements are structured within the course); and
- unclear navigation (what links or buttons are used to access these elements).
Online Course Design: 13 Strategies for Teaching in a Web-based Distance Learning Environment
When learners can't find what they need or are confused about where to go and what to do, it is harder for them to learn. Being an online learner is challenging enough without these additional barriers. Plus, frustrated learners tend to either drop out or drive the instructor crazy – neither of which is an outcome we want.
If you're looking for best practices in developing online courses, you'll want to download this FREE special report Online Course Design: 13 Strategies for Teaching in a Web-based Distance Learning Environment.
You'll get course design tips for enhancing online teaching and learning
Online Course Design: 13 Strategies for Teaching in a Web-based Distance Learning Environment is a great resource for anyone who's involved in online learning revolution. Just look at the insightful articles featured in the report:
- 10 Tips to Extend the Shelf Life of Your Online Course
- Subdivided Courses Help Students Learn in Small Increments
- Adaptive Hypermedia for Individualized Learning
- To Plan Good Instruction, Teach to the Test
- Posting Handouts Online Introduced Instructor to Online Learning Possibilities
- Empowering Students to Become Self-Directed, Engaged Learners
- Web-based Video Lecture Courses Meet High Demand, Allow More Learner Control
- The Seminar as a Good First Venture into the Online Classroom
- A Guide to Creating Modular Courses
- How to Eliminate Sources of Frustration for the Online Learner
- Using Pre-admission Assessments to Help Online Students Succeed
- Usability Issues That Impact Online Learning
- The Importance of Intuitive Navigation in Online Course Design
Whether you're an experienced online educator or course designer looking for fresh ideas, or someone who's just getting started with online classes, this free special report gives you proven strategies that you can use right away.
Online Course Design: 13 Strategies for Teaching in a Web-based Distance Learning Environment is yours free when you sign up for Faculty Focus, our new online information resource for faculty in the higher education industry.
Faculty Focus contains a wealth of valuable material – not just about online course design, but all of today's hot button issues that are important to faculty and administrators. It's a rich repository of ideas, best practices, analyses and other information you can use on the topics that impact your students, your school and your work, including:
- Instructional Design
- Faculty Development
- Distance Learning
- Classroom Management
- Educational Assessment
- Faculty Evaluation
- Curriculum Development
- Effective Teaching Strategies
- Trends in Higher Education
- Learning Communities
- And much, much more.
If your last online class was a lesson in frustration for you and your students, you'll want to get your hands on Online Course Design: 13 Strategies for Teaching in a Web-based Distance Learning Environment, a special report on the best practices for eliminating many of the common pitfalls of online teaching and learning.This report was published in March 2009.


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subset: commoncrawl


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IDPs Return to Qayyarah - AP
Work covering the civilian convoy traveling from Dibaga Camp to their homes in Qayyarah, Iraq on Tuesday for AP. As fighting between Iraqi forces and the Islamic State group continues, some villages like Qayyarah are now back under Iraqi government control and open for civilians to return. (All images copyright Cengiz Yar/AP Photo)


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I started a blog a few years ago (that you've probably never heard of) that went nowhere at all. When I started this blog, I made one conscious decision to use more of one particular word – and that I believe has made all the difference.
Is it possible that a single word could generate more blog subscribers and make your content more engaging, more interesting, and more linkable? I think so – and it is something that anyone can do. But using this word is not a matter of simply copying it and pasting it into your blog posts. Using this word requires a completely different mindset – a new way of approaching topics and writing.
That word is: "I"
When I started my very first blog I wrote wimpy content. I mean, the posts were ok, but they weren't unique. I didn't inject enough of my own personal experience into the posts to make them interesting or useful.
I didn't like reading blogs like mine. I wanted to read blogs from people who had first-hand experience with what they were writing about. I wanted to read about the real trials and tribulations that went on behind the scenes in order to get to the end result. When I started Self Made Chick, I decided that I would only write about things that I had first-hand knowledge about and I think this has produced a completely different outcome.
Why I Was and Why Many are Afraid To Use the Word "I"
Writing about our own experiences and perspective requires accountability. There are good reasons why I was and why many people and businesses are hesitant to be held accountable for their words:
- Afraid of being wrong
- Worried about not being perceived as authoritative
- Afraid that their opinion is not valuable enough
- Afraid of turning readers off by sharing a story or opinion
- Afraid to admit mistakes
- Afraid of appearing too small
- It feels uncomfortable
- Our English teachers told us not to
- Afraid that one person's views will reflect those of the entire company
Anyone who has done anything personally has the authority to write on that topic. Even if you tried something and failed at it, you have the authority to write on that topic. There is a lot that can be learned from a failed attempt. A post titled "10 Marketing Ideas I Tried That Got Absolutely No Results," would definitely capture my attention and could be incredibly useful.
Furthermore, speaking from a personal perspective makes your content more linkable. Bloggers, news sources, and other content publishers are more likely to link to the source of the information.
According to Blog Herald, there are more than 50 million blogs online, but luckily there is only one of you. One person with your experiences. One person with your personal failures and successes. One person with your unique perception of the world.
Injecting First Person Perspective to Your Writing
There are numerous ways to bring a first-person perspective to your writing:
Do Your Own Experiments: Constantly try new ideas and document how they worked or didn't work. If you tried something new to get a client and it worked really well, write about it! If you tried 5 new internet marketing ideas for your clients and 1 of them worked and 4 of them failed – that makes for very informative reading. Combine your list of experiences into a list format with your personal commentary and the results can be amazing! This popular post by Kim Roach at Zany Pixel of 100 Link Building Strategies she has tried, woven together by personal commentary, is one that I've Stumbled, Dugg, Sphunn, linked to, bookmarked and passed along to colleagues.
Conduct Interviews: One of the best ways to create authoritative content on topics that you may not be an authority on, are to conduct interviews with people who have been successful in the area you want to write about. Be sure to ask questions that you are burning to know the answers to – readers are probably wondering the same thing.
Collect Data: Marketing Sherpa is a great example of a site that collects their own data for others to use. This site has become practically invaluable to those that do internet marketing.
Analyze Your Own Thought Process: Conrad Hees did a great job of this with his post The 7 Questions Each New Visitor Asks Themselves When Deciding Whether or Not to Subscribe. Conrad realized that he had his own thought process when deciding whether or not to subscribe to a blog, analyzed and deconstructed that process, and wrote about it.
Writing Attention Grabbing Headlines By Leveraging the "I" Effect
Presented with each of the following sets of post titles, which are you more likely to click?
How to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing
How I Made $4,000 in 14 Days With Affiliate Marketing
How to Use Press Releases to Grow Your Business
How I Landed a $75,000 Contract with 1 Press Release
How to Write More Diggable Posts
How I Got On the Digg Homepage 7 Times
All of these are good post titles, but the second in each set implies that the author has walked the walk. That the author is writing from a point of authority verses perhaps rehashing existing information that is already available somewhere else.
I don't think the title needs to have the word "I" in it, but I tend to click on titles that imply that the author has a personal experience with the topic.
The Impact of Storytelling
Storytelling is a powerful way to really pack a punch with the above suggestions.
"When you hear a powerful story, you internalize it. Your imagination makes it your story, and that's something that will stick with you." — Jay Cross, Internet Time Blog
Many of the greatest authors, speakers, and bloggers use storytelling as a way to draw readers in and really get them to internalize the message. Authors like Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, and Robert Kiyosaki share their personal stories as a way to teach others how to achieve what they've achieved.
Storytelling makes for powerful copy whether you are trying to gain blog subscribers or trying to sell products or services. Andrew Goodman, author of Storytelling as Best Practice says: "Whether you work at a small nonprofit, large foundation, or any public interest organization in between, storytelling remains your single most powerful communications tool."
From watching my stats and from the feedback I've received about this blog, I believe that storytelling is the single biggest reason that the subscriber count has grown so quickly.
I also tend to gravitate toward books and blogs where the author their personal perspectives and stories on the topic.
Some blogs that do a great job of storytelling are:
- Shane and Peter
- Freelance Folder
- Itty Biz
- Dosh Dosh
- Skelliewag
- Remarkablogger
- Steve Pavlina
- Lynn Terry
- Conrad Hees
The Elements of a Compelling Story
Every good storyline has 3 critical elements:
- A Problem
- A Conflict
- A Resolution
Until you explain the problem, the resolution doesn't have nearly the same impact. The conflict is what makes it exciting, but can also be the most difficult thing to write about. It can feel uncomfortable – especially when you are the subject!
It was a bit uncomfortable to talk about my own fears in the post How I Made $100,000 with $0 and 25 Minutes, but it I felt it was essential to tell the full story. It wasn't particularly comfortable to write about being so broke that I didn't have enough money to do laundry and one night sat on the mountain of dirty clothes and cried in the post What's It Really Like to Take the Plunge Into Entrepreneurship – but it was a necessary part of the conflict that exists in any good story.
Even writing this is uncomfortable because I feel like I'm tooting my own horn and we've kind of been taught not to do that. But that is not the intent. The intent is to give real examples that I have personally seen of posts that have been successful and why I believe they have been.
Though there are certainly exceptions, after writing for blogs that have either failed or exceeded my expectations and comparing the most successful blogs against those that are struggling, I've discovered what I believe to be the most magnetic word in blogging.
Your Turn!
Do you have a story about the impact of storytelling? What has worked for you to increase visibility or subscribers?
Read the original comments discussion here (97 comments)


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Just in Time for Spring & Easter: A Hop to the Music Giveaway from Disney Music
The most exciting blogger opportunities I receive are the ones that allow me to share the fun with Y O U! In conjunction with both Entertainment New Media Network and Disney Music, I received an awesome 4-pack from the Disney Hop to the Music collection containing the following titles:
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1
- Into the Woods 2-Disc Deluxe Edition Soundtrack
- Frozen: The Songs
- Disney Junior Dj Shuffle 2
A great alternative to candy, music from the Hop to the Music collection would be a welcome addition to any Easter Basket this spring. Mine came cleverly wrapped in clear cellophane with a cute colorful polka-dotted ribbon and multi-colored confetti.
A 12-track collection of classics from the 1970s, the Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 is definitely my favorite from this collection. In the film, Peter "Starlord" Quill carries around a Walkman with mixtape his mom made for him before she passed away. The music is an escape for Quill, and this sweet soundtrack plays an integral role in the movie.
The Into the Woods 2-Disc Deluxe Edition Soundtrack is fantastic. The Broadway musical was finally brought to life on film and the soundtrack does not disappoint. The casting is superb and the liner notes with the detail and lyrics are my favorite. Musicals are so much fun to listen to when you can follow along. I really love this deluxe edition.
The Frozen: The Songs CD was a favorite in my house because it features 10 original tracks from the film as performed by the original cast members. Kids (and adults) want to sing at home what they sing in the theater, and this disc has everything they need!
Featuring a whopping 30 tracks, Disney Junior Dj Shuffle 2 contains music from Disney Junior TV favorites like Sofia The First, Doc McStuffins, Henry HuggleMonster, Sheriff Callie, Jake and the Never land Pirates and Miles from Tomorrowland. My daughter's younger siblings went crazy for the music and were so happy she shared it with them. If you have Disney Junior fans at home - this disc will make them very happy. The songs are tons of fun!
Want to win a Disney Music Hop to the Music collection of your own? Enter below! Be sure to enter before April 4, 2015.
If it comes to this blogger's attention that the winner of this giveaway has won on an additional blog for this same prize, this blog reserves the right to chose another winner. Prize will be mailed directly to winner from sponsor. All entries must be received by 11:59pm PST on April 4, 2015. Winner will be randomly chosen at 12:00am PST on April 5, 2014.


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Hans Hallier
Hallier, Hans
Born June 6, 1868, in Jena; died Mar. 10, 1932, in Leiden. German botanist.
Hallier worked in the herbaria of Bogor on the island of Java, in Hamburg, and in Leiden. At the same time as the American botanist C. Bessey (1845-1915) he established a new phylogenetic system for angiospermous plants. (He considered the most primitive plants to be those with bisexual insect-pollinated flowers, a developed perianth, and spirally located flower parts.) This system lies at the foundation of most modern systems.


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Mobile Billboards
RL Signs owns Trailer A-Frames that we hire out to clients for short-term billboard style advertising purposes. Trailer A-Frames are particularly good for promoting new or moved business premises, and upcoming special events. RL Signs designs, manufactures and installs full colour digital printed banners to the double-sided A-Frames then transports them to a chosen, council-approved advertising site. RL Signs removes the Trailer A-Frames on completion of the promotion period.
Contact RL Signs to hire a Mobile Billboard.
Delivering to Geelong, Melbourne and Regional Victoria.


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Service in Marietta
Services Products
Soft Touch Medical now offers a home ventilator program. We provide both the LTV 1150 and the Respironics Trilogy for the complex care of our patients. We utilize the expertise of our Respiratory Therapists with over 50 years of ventilator experience and work as a team with our patients and their families to create a comfortable home environment. We are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our customers. At Soft Touch Medical – you are a part of our family.
We also Provide:
• Oxygen systems
• Concentrators
• Portable systems
• Portable systems
• Conserving devices
Respiratory Therapy:
• Nebulizers
• Compressors
• CPAP and BiPAPs
• Suction machines
Patient Room Equipment:
• Hospital beds
• Patient lifts
• Trapezes
• Wheelchairs
• Cushions
• Overbed tables
Specialty Mattresses:
• Low air loss
• Gel/foam
Bathroom Equipment:
• Commodes
• Transfer benches
• Bath seats
• Elevated toilet seats
Ambulatory Aids:
• Walkers
• Canes
• Crutches
• Rollators
Bariatric Equipment:
• Heavy–duty walkers
• Extra–wide commodes
• Transfer benches
• Wheelchairs
• Beds up to 1,000 pounds
Enteral Feeding:
• Portable feeding pump
• Feeding pump backpacks
• Nutrition
• NG/G-tube supplies
Medical Travelling services
• Traveling Services


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Felting by Koseli
Our handmade felt products are created by talented artisans using traditional wet and dry felting techniques.
The raw wool comes from Australia or New Zealand. After cleaning, carding and dyeing the wool, it is carefully shaped and moulded by hand using hot soapy water before being left to dry in the Nepalese sun.
Needle felting and hand sewing add the finishing touches to create a unique, hand crafted product.
Caring for your felt product
Our felt is 100% natural sheep wool and as such requires careful cleaning techniques in order to preserve its shape and texture.
How to treat wet felt
If your felt product gets wet or has been cleaned, keep it in its original shape and leave to dry naturally on a flat surface (preferably on a clean towel).
How to clean felt
- Brush off any excess dirt using a small toothbrush.
- Using a small amount of detergent on the brush and a little lukewarm water gently rub the soiled area to remove the dirt or stain.
- If necessary squirt water through the cleaned area to remove lingering soap, before leaving to dry flat..


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Kristin Gallegos x So It Goes: Tennessee Thomas
There aren't many ladies out there who can crush a drum solo, curate an amazing one-of-a-kind shop in the East Village, and also be a very vocal activist when it comes to social and environmental issues, but Tennessee Thomas (@tennesseebunny) ticks all the boxes. You can usually find her at her shop, The Deep End Club (@thedeependclub) which turns into a hang out spot that hosts pop-ups, art shows, and performances or playing drums for the Nikolai Fraiture-fronted band, Summer Moon (@summermoonband).
Where do you currently live?
East Village, New York
Where are you originally from?
Just outside London
What do you do?
I have a shop called The Deep End Club. I play the drums. I'm a DJ & an Activist.
Any upcoming projects?
My shop just started making our own clothes & are about to launch an Activism website. And I am playing the drums in a new band called Summer Moon.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
To be surrounded by my friends and family having fun! Also, swimming in a tropical ocean!
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Hippies, Situationists, Punks, Rebels, Revolutionaries, etc.
Dress: The Deep End Club
Which living person do you most admire?
Anyone standing up against authority for Justice . I think Vandana Shiva and Kalle Lasn are cool.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
What is your greatest extravagance?
A massage
What is your favorite journey?
Going home
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
On what occasion do you lie?
To be Virtuous (see above)
Which living person do you most despise?
The 85 richest people who have combined more money than the 3.5 billion poorest.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Oh my lord.
What is your greatest regret?
Maybe not going back to University? It's never too late!
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My parents
When and where were you happiest?
Dress: The Deep End Club
Which talent would you most like to have?
I'd like to be clever enough to cause a Consciousness Shift which would lead everyone (especially those in power) to prioritize working to solve the world's environmental and human rights issues together.
What is your current state of mind?
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Have limitless energy
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Getting to do what I love as my job.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
I'd like to be a butterfly.
What is your most treasured possession?
My teddy bear
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Where would you like to live?
Treehouse, canal boat, or gypsy caravan
What is your favorite occupation?
What is your most marked characteristic?
What is the quality you most like in a man?
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Dress: The Deep End Club
What do you most value in your friends?
Who are your favorite writers?
Milan Kundera, Vladimir Nabokov, Greil Marcus, Buckminster Fuller and Jay Griffiths.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Alice in Wonderland
Who are your heroes in real life?
Buckminster Fuller, John Lennon, Martin Luther King, Amy Winehouse
What is it that you most dislike?
How would you like to die?
In my sleep, in my bed.
Your favorite painter?
My friend Theodora Allen.
Your favorite musician?
John Lennon
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite flower?
Sweet pea
What natural gift would you most like to possess?
To sing!
What is your present state of mind?
What is your motto?
No dream is too big!


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Ok, I understand what's going on in the world. I even somewhat understand what needs to be done to remedy the situation . . . but I am just one person, what in the world can I do about it? How can one person have any affect at all when it comes to real honest to God change in this society?
Well, that's the question we all ask ourselves when we consider this stuff. Who needs even one more prophet of doom wandering the halls of cyberspace anyways?
Truth is nobody wants your wisdom . . . nobody wants your knowledge . . . nor does anybody particularly need it. (assuming you actually have any to begin with)
They have all spent a vast amount of time building up the particular facade you are now attempting to destroy, and are actually quite annoyed when you begin chopping away at it. Truth is most people find it much easier to blame others for their problems anyways, so forget about it.
People in this country crave diversion, they flock to it like beetles running to a freshly laid dog turd. You want popularity? You want a large readership on your blog? Stick to the simple stuff, throw in as much sex as you can, and you will someday become king of blog hill.
People in this country live in fear. Many don't even recognize the fear, they are just simply not ready for what you have to give them. You will just make it worse for them.
So back to the question: How can one person have any affect at all when it comes to real honest to God change in our society?
The simple answer is that you can't. The only power you really have anyway is the power to change yourself, and the good news is, you can start doing that right now, this very moment.
Forget about the preaching. Drop the visions of grandeur. Forget about all that outward bound bullshit and just simply shut up and begin to work on changing yourself. Once you do that, in all earnest, you will come face to face with a power you never knew existed . . . YOU.
It's not difficult either, you can start the awakening process with just one simple thought in mind . . . BE KIND.
Forget about all that religious or new age stuff. Forget about buying tickets to the latest emotionally charged seminar or retreat. You heard it all before, right? Why continually waste your time and money learning how to be a spiritual phony anyways? Get off the rat wheel.
Forget about everything out there and begin the work in here, that quiet inner place you've avoided for so long. That work will make a huge difference in your life, for you, as well as others.
As your vibration changes, people will stop seeing you as an annoyance and enjoy hanging with you. Your quietness will attract more attention than your demand ever did. All that good stuff happens by merely taking one 'KIND' step at a time.
Of course you may have to force it at first. Instead of giving the finger to the guy crowding you on the freeway you may have to force a smile, or open the door for the lady who just bumped you with her grocery cart, but . . .
The good news is that on any given day you will have many opportunities to force yourself to be kind, and you know the old saying: practice makes perfect!
Keep forcing and one day it will become natural. You will realize it and you will be proud of your hard work. This will give you the incentive to go further down that road . . . until one day love will no longer be an attention drawing emotion, but a way of life.
Imagine yourself like that, imagine a group of people like that, imagine a city full, a state full, a country full, a world full. Sounds crazy doesn't it?
Even if it never happens, even on a small scale. If it happens for you, you will depart this planet knowing you were a great success at living.
I have an idea you will be taking your kindness with you too. Because the only things you can take with you are the things you have given away . . . anyway.


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The neurobiology of dreaming
What are dreams, and why do we have them? People have probably been asking these questions since the dawn of reflective thought, but it wasn't until the 1950s that scientists first identified neurophysiological correlates of dreaming. A classic paper by Aserinsky and Kleitman1 in 1953 marked the discovery of what we now refer to as Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep (Figure 1). Together with non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep, REM sleep if one of the two major sleep states that humans and other mammals pass through multiple times during each sleep episode. REM sleep is the state associated with the vivid, hallucinatory dream experiences that we (sometimes) remember after waking.
Sleep scientists typically monitor brain activity during sleep using electroencephalography (EEG), which measures large-scale electrical activity in the brain and can be used to determine the different stages of sleep that a human or animal subject passes through. If you record EEG activity from a normal, healthy adult, you will find that they begin a night's sleep by entering NREM sleep. They pass through four stages of increasingly deep NREM sleep before entering the first bout of REM sleep. As the night progresses, each successive bout of REM sleep becomes longer and each bout of NREM sleep becomes shorter, until will finally awaken from one last bout of REM (Figure 2a).2
The experiences that people report when awoken from NREM vs. REM sleep are very different (Figure 2b). In the original Aserinsky and Kleitman study, 20 individuals were studied several times each and, when awoken from REM sleep, "... 20 [out of 27 awakenings] revealed detailed dreams usually involving visual imagery; the replies to the remaining 7 queries included complete failure to recall, or else, 'the feeling of having dreamed,' but with inability to recollect any detail of the dream." In striking contrast to this, "Of 23 interrogations during [NREM sleep], 19 disclosed complete failure of recall, while the remaining 4 were evenly divided into the other two categories."
The original 1953 study established that two very different brain states seemed to be occurring during normal sleep, and each was accompanied by very different patterns of brain activity, body movement, and conscious experience. While it is well-established that this is true, and that the vivid, bizarre dreams that we all often experience occur during REM sleep, it is still unknown and debated among neuroscientists what the normal biological function of dreaming is (if anything at all). In a future post, we will explore the biology of sleep and proposed functions of REM sleep and dreaming in more detail.
- Aserinsky, E. & Kleitman, N. Regularly Occurring Periods of Eye Motility, and Concomitant Phenomena, During Sleep. Science. 118(3062):273-4 (1953).
- Hobson, J.A. REM sleep and dreaming: towards a theory of protoconsiousness. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. 10(11):803-13 (2009).


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About this Cycle Tour
This 13-day tour explores the majestic mountainous regions of two magical countries: Vietnam and Laos. Vietnam, where our adventure begins, is a land of stunningly varied landscapes - shimmering rice fields, mysterious jungles, and radiant beaches - compose Vietnam's postcards, but the northwestern region is home to spectacular mountains and valleys. Amidst the crests rests Indochina's highest peak, Mount Fansipan, as well as the fascinating hill station of Sapa, a colonial retreat created by the French.


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Parents And Schools To Be Compensated Over Meals Fiasco
Published by The Wessex FM News Team at 8:14am 23rd October 2014.
Parents and schools in Dorset will be compensated for major failings with the free school meals scheme that left some children going hungry.
Parents and schools in Dorset will be compensated for major failings with the free school meals scheme.
Chartwells have agreed to give schools £2,100 each for out of pocket expenses.
It's after failings by contractor, who served up poor quality lunches, with some children going hungry.
The council awarded a large, single contract covering 107 schools and more than 11,000 pupils in Bournemouth, Poole and the rest of Dorset in response to the Government's announcement of its universal free school meals policy for key stage 1 pupils. The aim of this agreement with Chartwells was to ensure remote rural schools received the same service as schools in urban areas.
At a "call to account" on the issue, Audit and Scrutiny committee members last week heard from council Cabinet members, officers and school meal providers in Dorset in a bid to establish what went wrong and how a similar situation can be avoided in future.
The committee also heard from the contractor, Chartwells, which is responsible for the supply and delivery of the food. They apologised for the failings and pledged that the opening of a new production kitchen in Poole would fully resolve the problems after the half-term holiday.
The Cabinet were told that Chartwells have agreed a compensation package for both parents and schools. Letters have been sent to parents explaining that they can receive a refund for everyday from the beginning or term until 9 September and compensation for missed or late deliveries between 10 September and 30 September.
Cllr Spencer Flower, leader of the county council, said:
"We have taken on board the findings from the audit and scrutiny committee. It is imperative that we produce a comprehensive action plan to address the issues that have been identified."
The action plan will be produced in the next three months and will consider the contracting process, communication channels between the contractor, schools and the council and remedial actions that could be put in place should problems arise in the future.
Caroline Morgan runs Bridport based award winning company - Local Food Links - she thinks Chartwells bit off more than they could chew.
"Instead of one large contract that in the end only one large company could go for, I would like that to be broken up, and I do believe that that will happen in the future, as there are very good small local providers in Dorset."


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Description of 7033 Maybank Highway, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
In the beautiful town of Rockville with the live oak canopied roadway dripping with Spanish moss sits this lovely home just waiting to surprise you. Well built rancher with all oversized rooms. Formal dining room, eat-in kitchen with all appliances including copper clad stove and oven and granite counter tops. Exceptionally large living room with plenty of room for family and friends plus. Entrance foyer with terrazzo floors big enough to display your prized possessions even bring along your piano. Oversized bedrooms easily dividable for more space. Screened porch looks over lovely back yard with marsh view. Planting area, chicken coop and one garden/tool shed included for your enjoyment. Home plus 2 additional lots included in this price.
Property Features of 7033 Maybank Highway, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
Single Family Detached
Wadmalaw Island
|Elementary school: Frierson
|Middle school: Haut Gap
|High school: St. Johns
|Central air
|Heat pump
|One car garage
|Two car carport
|Detached parking
|Off street parking
|Brick exterior
|Storm windows
|Storm doors
|Screened porch
|Lot acreage is: 2.14
|Marsh front
|Lot has stream
|Level lot
|Lot size: 3 lots
|Subdivision: Rockville
|Cable television available
|Ceramic tile flooring
|Eat-in kitchen
|Wall to wall carpeting
|Terrazzo flooring
|Kitchen island
|Separate dining room
|Walk-in closet(s)
|Asphalt shingle roof
|Slab Foundation
Rooms & Dimensions
|Laundry room
|Utility room


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Gun-loving pastor to his flock: Piece be with you
Louisville, Kentucky:
A Kentucky pastor is inviting his flock to bring guns to church to celebrate the Fourth of July and the Second Amendment.
New Bethel Church is welcoming "responsible handgun owners" to wear their firearms inside the church June 27, a Saturday. An ad says there will be a handgun raffle, patriotic music and information on gun safety.
"We're just going to celebrate the upcoming theme of the birth of our nation," said pastor Ken Pagano. "And we're not ashamed to say that there was a strong belief in God and firearms — without that this country wouldn't be here."
The guns must be unloaded, which sort of defeats the purpose. But Murdoc notes that a gun with no mag and a loaded magazine is an "unloaded gun."
Predictably, not everyone is thrilled with the idea:
John Phillips, an Arkansas pastor who was shot twice while leading a service at his former church in 1986, said a house of worship is no place for firearms.
"A church is designated as a safe haven, it's a place of worship," said Phillips, who was shot by a church member's relative for an unknown reason and still has a bullet lodged in his spine. "It is unconscionable to me to think that a church would be a place that you would even want to bring a weapon."
Two words: Colorado Springs.
Rev. Phillips has an opinion based at least in part on his own personal experiences. Parishioners of New Life Church in "The Springs" probably have their own opinions about the issue based at least in part upon their own experiences.
UPDATE: David Codrea is not impressed by the requirement for guns to be unloaded (as I mentioned a possible work-around) and the fact that police will be providing security:
The idea that police are the "only ones" who can be entrusted with loaded firearms should be offensive to everyone who believes in the right of the people to keep and bear arms. And while I get the symbolism and perception Pastor Pagano is trying to convey, I challenge the notion that encouraging deference to and reliance on official elitism–along with actual defenselessness– is an effective or desirable way to "promote responsible gun ownership and gun safety."


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I finally took a few minutes to tweak the Legotron to make it focus to infinity. This may not sound like much but it really opens up what I can shoot with this camera.
Turns out I was really close to it being to infinity already, but I had to rebuild the back side of the inner chamber in order to get that much closer to the film plane. I'm shooting a 127mm lens which translates to exactly 5 inches which translates to exactly 16 LEGO units (dots). I rebuilt the inner box to be shorter and let it line up flush with the outer box...which is 16 dots deep (to the ground glass). I added little wings on each side to help bring the focus out from infinity and also notice this shot has the camera on the LEGO-based Tripod mount (which is just a bunch of flat pieces crammed together with a paddle drill bit hole in the bottom, then with one of those brass thread adapters screwed into the plastic as hard as I could get it).


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Monday, April 16, 2012
Losing Baby Weight
Its been 4 weeks since I gave birth to this little one, and I have to admit, I am already brainstorming the best way for me to shed my lovely leftover baby weight...especially considering that I now have 2 children, and going out for a daily jog is just not going to be as easy this time around (I don't even own a double jogging stroller).
It's funny, because I really was feeling pretty good about my current weight loss until I started trying to fit back into some of my old clothes (I should have just stayed in stretchy sweat pants forever!).
With my first pregnancy, I decided I could shed the last 15lbs or so of baby weight by training and running a half marathon. Go figure, even though I worked by butt off and trained for the race in about 3 months, I didn't loose a single pound! I attributed this to the fact that running 5-10 miles 5-6 days a week made me incredibly hungry, and I wasn't watching my diet as closely as I should have been.
Around 8 months post pregnancy, I had had enough of wearing the same "get me through" clothes and I finally kicked things into gear and really started watching what I was eating (which was no easy task) and I continued to exercise daily. I never did get quite back to my pre-pregancy weight, but I could fit into all but 1 pair of my pre-pregnacy jeans and that was good enough for me.
This time around, I gained exactly the same amount of weight as I did with my 1st and I dropped a little over half of my total pregnancy weight 2 weeks postpartum (which I also did with my 1st child). Like I said before though, the amount of exercise I did with my first most likely isn't going to happen this time so I'm going to need a little extra help (or will-power I should say).
Any advise? Or do you know of any good blogs I could read on losing baby weight?
I would love to hear your thoughts!
Photo Source: Via
18 comments:
i am 30 weeks pregnant, and this is already on my mind since it also took me quite a while to get back into my pre-pregnancy clothes after my first. i don't know if it will work, but my strategy is to start juicing and eat lots of raw fruits and veggies. stick to whole, natural foods, and your body with loooove you for it. : ) i've also been working out a lot right now and i'm hoping that will pay off, too. let us know if you come up with some great ideas! i'm all ears!ReplyDelete
For me, sadly, nursing doesn't shed the lbs like it does for some. My body holds on those extra lbs until I'm all done nursing. I think the biggest thing to weight loss is what you eat. And that is hard bc I also have the worst cravings when I'm nursing. I think weight loss is at least 70% what you eat and 20% your exercise. So eat right! A few months before I got preg our family had totally changed our eating habits. We didnt eat sweets, or any junk food, or white breads or pastas. We also cut eating a meat dinner to once a week. Ty and I both lost lots of weight and really it wasn't that hard! I had my menus all planned out and after about 4 or so days I had no desire for the junk food anymore. It was a miracle! Then i got sick when I became pregnant and all that went out the window. Ooops. I am hoping to try that again after the move. It made us feel so much better!ReplyDelete
As far as exercise goes...I don't love to exercise. I mean I like the way it feels when I'm finished but being so busy it isn't always a first priority. I dont' have time to go to the gym and sometimes it's hard to get out to run. I had great success with some home work out dvds. I Love the Jillian Michaels dvds. 30 day shred and then some new one she has out I love too. I love her workouts and seriously see results quickly. Right before I got pregnant I was eating well and was doing her videos 6 days a week and went down 2 pants sizes in a about 3 weeks. Her videos are 20-30 min so I can squeeze them in the mornings and even do them in my pjs. My kids even started doing them with me haha.
Ok sorry this is so long but that is what has worked for me. I can't wait to start losing this weight too! I guess I have to have this baby first! Less then 2 weeks, yippeee!
I have found MyFitnessPal.com has really helped me. It is FREE. You can go on there and log your daily food intake and it will tell you how much calories you havae ate. There is also a forums board where you can talk to others trying to lose weight. I am a mother of 3 plus I keep kids in my home. I do not have a lot of free time. I have also started the Beachbody 10 Minute Trainer with Tony Horton. He also does P90X. In 10 min. Trainer he has taking certain things from P90X and put it into 5 different 10 min. dvds. Let me tell you, those are the longest and hardest 10 min of my life. My heart is really going. I like that I can do one, two or three 10 min. exercise. Whatever my schedule is for that day. So far I have only done one 10 dvd a day. They really are a workout, plus I am really out ofshape. lol. If you go to MyFitnessPal look my up. My scene name is Twilightobession. I have lost almost 10 pounds since I started logging on MyFitnessPal. Hope to see there. Good luck.ReplyDelete
I am so scared about losing the weight this time around... Last time I lost all the weight in about 3 months just by nursing (and honestly I think I was so busy I didn't eat as much at home - I was too lazy to make myself food very often). I have a feeling I will really have to "try" to lose weight this time and it's something I've never had to do before. I already plan to exercise by going for lots of walks when I can with the new baby (plus I'll need to get out of the house) and trying to watch what I eat when I eat focusing on healthier choices. I'm nervous but I feel like it's doable... and last time I had the mentality that I would slowly lose it over 9 months, so I'm going to keep with that this time too because I don't think it's fair to try to compare last pregnancy with this one. I'm two years older, and 3 months just seems a little unrealistic this time around.ReplyDelete
You can do it, Andrea! :) I've also found that a calorie counter helps, and have one for my iPhone called MyNetDiary. If you find that it's tough to get out for exercise, I recommend buying DVDs (Physique 57 is a great one) or buying a few online Amazon instant watch videos (Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and Fat Burner are two of my faves)- I just watch them from my laptop and exercise in my living room. These will at least get your blood pumping and some of them are only 30 minutes long, which you could do while baby is napping (hopefully). :) Stick with it, you got this!!!ReplyDelete
how did I miss your sweet little one!?? CONGRATS!!! She is perfect. I am adjusting to life w/3 I have zero energy by the end of the day so currently it is all about eating and portion control!ReplyDelete
Pilates...ever tried it? rent one from the library my oldest loves to "try" the moves along with me :)
OH yeah and 70 plus 20 equals 100 ya know.... :)ReplyDelete
I'm sort of new to your blog, and I am so impressed and inspired by the projects you've put on here. Thanks for your hard work in posting all of these projects with nice pictures and instructions. As far as losing baby weight, I found I didn't lose mine until I was done nursing. However, I didn't gain anymore weight while nursing because of drinking lots of water, eating good food in small portions, and exercise. I might even add that if you add/focus on weight training, your muscles will use up the fat (as long as you're good about food portions and what you eat). Along with that, work on all muscle groups, not just the ones hiding behind the fat. Weight training 3 times a week and doing different muscle groups each time is great, don't feel like you have to weight train all of your muscles every time you go to the gym. It may also be a good idea to look into a personal trainer or see if your gym does free assessments, then they can show you how to use the equipment and make a program that will work for you. Just so you know, once I stopped nursing, I lost almost 27 pounds in 4 months, that's almost 7 pounds a month (the recommended amount is 4-8 pounds/month). Most importantly though, love your life, and don't stress out the weight loss too much, just make a plan and stick with it, so you don't have to obsess about it. I hope this helps.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousApril 17, 2012 at 1:26 PM
First of all your blog is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your inspirations.ReplyDelete
Regarding the baby weight. My girlfriend and I both have 14 month old babies. This was our second pregnancy, so getting the baby weight off was a little more of an effort. However, we have been religious about bodyrocking. Sounds funny, but it works. Check out bodyrock.tv. As a mother of two and working full-time, my workout routine was tiring me out. Then I found body rock. The great thing about it is, it's free, plus you only have to commit to 12 - 20 minutes a day. So manageable and attainable. I found this out one year after the baby. I've been doing the workouts for three months and have already lost a combine total of 9.5 inches and am down to 119. Try it - you only have baby weight to lose!! Best of luck.
I like my elliptical I got for Christmas. : - )ReplyDelete
Great blog. Try to get out for walks with the kids, and watch those sweets. So hard, but it's worth it. Hope it goes well! I know how it feels!ReplyDelete
I nominated you for a Versitile Blogger Award. See my blog for details. LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. Cant give you any advice on the Losing baby weight other than stay away from the processed sugars and flours. That's how I've finally gotten rid of about half my baby weight after 20 years. ...That and determination.......ReplyDelete
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
Absolutely love your blog! Congratulations!ReplyDelete
Natasha x
Being a momma is not for the faint-hearted:) Hang in there! You have a beautiful family!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMay 4, 2012 at 3:34 AM
Write down EVERYTHING you put in your mouth each day, along with the approx calories - keep it under 1800 a day (or 1600 if you're keen!) and you WILL lose it. Weight yourself regularly and at the same time - I weight before breakfast each day. Good luck!ReplyDelete
I know this post is several weeks old but......I have gone from a size 10 to a 2 in two months using Hcg drops from Omnitrition. My good friend is my distributor. She's the one who told me about it after she had lost 83 lbs. It's a very restrictive diet but very effective. Most people lose about a pound a day. I've lost over 32 lbs in that time. Let me know if you're interested in hearing more about it. If not that's okay too. Good luck with your weight loss. http://kamsmomusa.blogspot.com/ https://www.omnitrition.com/tracysaemanReplyDelete
Very nice article, exactly what I needed.ReplyDelete


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I have tried a few different brands and types of protein treatment but by far the best and most convenient for me is the Aphogee product line. I use the Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor weekly or bi-weekly depending on what I'm focusing on that wash day. I also use the Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment every 6-8weeks. Check out the video below to see why I love this Product line.
Which Protein Treatment do you prefer?


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Extinct Ancient Societies Tierra del Fuegians
About the Tierra del Fuegians, history of the extinct society, how they were destroyed and the last of them.
Their Society: The large island of Tierra del Fuego with its countless offshore islands and islets was the home of a number of small Indian tribes, including the Ona, Haush, Yahgan, Chono, and Alacaluf. Lying directly south of South America, Tierra del Fuego is the southernmost inhabitated region of the world. It is an inhospitable land with year-round rainfall.
The tribes of this region formed two different cultural and linguistic groups. The Ona and Haush lived on the plains and in the forests of the main island. Land-oriented, they hunted the guanaco, a relative of the llama, and the tuco-tuco, a gopherlike rodent. Organized in loose bands, these Indians observed strict territorial boundaries and lived in branch-framed, skin-covered tents. The other major group, consisting of the Yahgan, Chono, and Alacaluf, inhabited the coastal areas and many small nearby islands. They derived their living from the waters of the Strait of Magellan. Canoe-borne nomads, the men of these tribes caught otter and seal and snared birds, including geese and swans. The women dived into the frigid ocean waters for shellfish. These Indians wore skirts and greased their bodies to protect themselves from the sea and spray and from the continuous rains. Over the centuries they had physically adapted to the cold climate.
How and When Destroyed: The Ona and Haush tribes were decimated shortly after the first permanent European settlement was established in Tierra del Fuego in 1871. Gold miners and sheep ranchers invaded the island and pursued an extermination policy, but it was ultimately measles and smallpox that destroyed the Ona and Haush.
The Yahgan, Chono, and Alacaluf fared better for a time, since the Europeans had no economic use for their barren homeland. However, during the 1860s, Anglican missionaries settled among them and introduced diseases that proved fatal to the Indians. In 1884 Argentina decided to establish a government station in Yahgan territory and dispatched 20 men to set up the post. The Yahgans welcomed the Argentineans, and seven Indians went aboard their ship. Within hours the seven were infected with measles; when they returned to the land, the disease spread throughout the population because the Yahgan had no natural immunity to it. This first measles epidemic killed over half the population. The well-intentioned missionaries also contributed to the demise of these tribes by insisting that they wear clothes. The grease that the Indians used on their bodies protected them from rain and ocean spray, but their new clothes were perpetually damp; therefore, outbreaks of pneumonia, influenza, and tuberculosis soon became commonplace.
The Last of the Tierra del Fuegians: In 1870 there were roughly 2,500 to 3,000 Ona and Haush, but by 1910 there were only 300 still alive. Fifteen years later, the Ona population had fallen to 100 and the Haush had become extinct. Today, there are two Ona--Pablo Pacheco and Rafaela Ishton--still living in Tierra del Fuego.
Among the coast-dwelling groups, the small tribe of Chono became extinct early in the 20th century. The Alacaluf population has been reduced from around 1,000 in 1870 to the 3 or 4 old people who are still alive today. Their deaths will mark the end of their people. The Yahgan numbered approximately 3,000 in 1881, but three years later only 1,000 still survived. In 1902, 130 Yahgan Indians remained, and that number dwindled to 40 by 1933. Today the Yahgan have been officially classified as "presumed extinct." The last Yahgan may have been an Indian named Domingo, who still lived a nomadic life with his wife and seven children in the mid-20th century.
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If a garden is well kept and designed, it's a real plus. It makes the property stand out and people would probably pay more for a really well designed garden. It might add from 5 to 10% on the price of a house
Jan Hytch, President of the National Association of Estate Agents
The online advice site Propertypriceadvice.co.uk agrees with this estimate, commenting, "A well-designed garden will add around 10% to your home's value. A landscape garden designer can help you come up with a unique design that will incorporate value-adding improvements."
Jonathan Haward from County Homesearch went a step further and said, "A nice garden will always attract interest and could add up to 20% to a home's value. But nobody wants to be a slave to it because of extensive maintenance."
For most buyers, a house with a garden is more attractive than one without. However, although everyone is in agreement that buyers like plenty of outdoor space, they don't always enjoy the maintenance it can entail.
Beware the prospective buyer who is mentally calculating the man-hours needed to tackle your garden!
Match your garden to your property
The sort of buyer that's likely to be attracted to your property should have some bearing on your garden design. A grass lawn and safe environment for children are popular in a family home, whereas a young professional couple are likely to be looking for low maintenance.
Retired people tend to enjoy more leisure time, and may want beds to grow flowers and vegetables. But no matter how green-fingered you are, a garden that requires a vast amount of attention is likely to be off-putting.
It's important to think about the practicalities. The garden of a town house that contains a lawn means you need a mower and somewhere to store it. It may be simpler to have a paved garden in those circumstances.
Create a relaxing entertainment space
Young or old, nearly everyone is looking for a space in their garden where they can relax and socialise. A patio area that can accommodate table and chairs or a barbeque is always popular as it can act as another outside room in the summer months.
Many people incorporate lighting and patio heaters to extend the amount of time they can spend in their garden. Some have even invested in a covered terrace and heating, so they can enjoy being outdoors throughout the year.
Enhance a new build garden
With a new build home, you may be starting from scratch. If the garden has yet to be laid you could be faced with the prospect of paving, turfing or levelling the ground.
By creating a garden to match the style of your property, you instantly give your new home the personality it may have been lacking. An attractively designed garden will add more value than a featureless space.


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Every year we dedicate one day to giving thanks. Why stop there?! We can enhance our well-being every single day by cultivating and nurturing an attitude of gratitude.
1. Write it down. When we start acknowledging positive aspects of our daily lives, we tend to move away from the easy habit of dwelling on the negatives. To start, try writing down 5 things that you feel grateful for every single day. Not only will you build an abundance of positive memories but you will see over time how your attitude changes! Science has found that gratitude can significantly increase happiness and protect us from stress, negativity, anxiety, and depression.
2. Smile. Showing compassion is possible in a lot of ways, but a smile is the best place to start. Simply smiling can disarm negative emotions we feel within or dissolve the negative energy projected by others. Giving your time to someone else can boost your own sense of well-being and a smile is the first step to connecting with others. Research shows that even a fake smile makes us feel better, reduces stress, and uplifts others.
3. Play more! Daily routines can drain the fun and spontaneity out of our lives. When life feels like a daily grind, we lose sight of the little things that matter and need to make time for play. Idle play and games can boost creativity, help us think outside the box, improve our health, and bring us back to the present moment. Play with your kids or play games with friends. Try to have a good laugh and find the joy that is present in every day.
4. Stop chasing happiness. The more value we place on happiness the more likely we are to fixate and ruminate when things do not go as planned. Research has revealed that happiness is driven by the frequency of positive emotions, not the intensity of how happy we feel. Aiming for positive emotions can lead to disappointment, while aiming for contentment allows us to accept our emotions as we experience them. Sometimes it is important to sit with negative feelings so we can practice being gentle with ourselves. Let our feelings flow naturally, and we may find gratitude in the full spectrum of emotions we experience.
5. Body Scan. Meditation is an important component to happiness, and finding awareness in our body can help us feel grateful. It is so easy to walk around in life just reacting to everything, getting stuck in patterns and repeating dramas. Cultivating awareness and spaciousness in our minds promotes a calmer sense of self. Spending just a few minutes every day to notice our own physicality brings us closer to our own center. This is a time to thoughtlessly feel tension, breathing patterns, heart beat, and digestion. Sitting up straight or lying down we simply close our eyes and focus our attention on every region of our bodies until we have experienced the whole. We can find gratitude in the healing we have achieved in certain areas or the steady breath that gives us life.


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TL;DR – Will Shirwin Eu be #SureWinYou the second time around?
The wait is over. Since the David Ong saga, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) had declared their interest to field Dr Chee Soon Juan (53) in the Bukit Batok by-election, up against the People's Action Party (PAP)'s Murali Pillai (48). Both men had been seen in the ward getting the residents warmed up to them.
The writ for the Bukit Batok by-election has been issued on Thursday. Nomination Day will be on 27th April (Wed) and the Bukit Batok residents are heading for the polling station on 7 May (Sat).
Here, the details of what happens when, courtesy of ChannelNewsAsia.
Since the writ was issued, only one individual had turned up to collect the nomination forms at the Singapore Elections Department (ELD). However, soft copies of the nomination forms can also be downloaded online.
What had previously looked to be a straight fight between the incumbent party's Murali Pillai and the SDP's Chee Soon Juan might now be 'upset' if the individual who had picked up the forms successfully submitted his nomination forms come Wednesday.
According to media reports, the individual was private taxi driver Shirwin Eu.
So, just who is Shirwin Eu?
If he sounds familiar, it's because he was quite 'outstanding' during GE2015. Back then, the Uber driver was actually the first to collect a nomination form. When he first spoke with the media at ELD last year, he had said he hoped to talk about transport issues in Parliament due to his work experience.
He had tried to contest in Bukit Panjang SMC during GE2015 as he lives near the ward. I said 'tried' as he was eventually disqualified after he failed to garner the required 10 signatures to support his candidacy in GE2015. (You really gotta read this funny piece about how he had failed in his GE2015 attempt!)
If you still cannot recall who Shirwin Eu is, this video might help. You can consider this to be his 'debut' video as this interview was done right after he collected the nomination forms for GE2015 last year.
Reporter: What issues will you be, er, you know, fighting for?
Uber driver: Er, most likely transportation.
Reporter: Is this the first time that you are nominating yourself or have you been in other elections?
Uber driver: Erm no.
Reporter: And why do you actually want to join in this elections this time?
Uber driver: Because I hope to be elected.
Reporter: What do you think you can offer the people, the residents… the Singaporeans?
Uber driver: Erm, policies. That's my strength I believe.
Here's another clip of him being interviewed by the media during the GE2015 nomination day.
SGag also published a couple of posts about Shirwin Eu during GE2015. In fact, they even gave him the fantastic name of #SureWinYou
What's even more miraculous is that SGag took an Uber ride some seven months ago, and the driver was none other than #SureWinYou!
One other tidbit about Shirwin Eu is that he's either a friend or supporter of Amos Yee.
Follow Sherwin Eu on Facebook here.
Meanwhile, let's hope he gets better with experience and files his nomination papers successfully this time around! Good luck, #SureWinYou!


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24th April 2019
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A timetable of the deadlines is attached below.
If you have any further questions with regards to delivery dates, please don't hesitate to contact the Transmission team on email@example.com or call 0207 208 8066.


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Your S.W. James No. 4
View size guide and measurements
Handmade for you in 3/4 weeks. Delivered free.
Our S.W. James No. 4 Chesterfield Sofa in leather
our most comfortable chesterfield sofa, made for lounging on lazy days. Exclusively by s.w. james
An introduction to our S.W. James No. 4
Descend into unadulterated comfort & relaxation in this gorgeous combination of our most scrumptious cushion offering, vintage leathercontemporary herringbone wool and 'super sprung' base. With the S.W. James No.4 we have worked hard to create, what we hope is the comfiest Chesterfield sofa around. Every step of the production process has been meticulously completed by hand to achieve the most sumptuous results.
Prices start at
Available in: Chair, 2 Seater, 3 Seater, 4 Seater & 11 different upholstery variations
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Heritage Leathers
This, beautiful leather is our very finest leather. It is distinctive due to the fact the carefully selected hides are in their most natural state. These natural features add individuality and personality to the finished chesterfield.
Herringbone Wools
A more modern and contemporary twist on the classic chesterfield look - our British sourced wools are of the finest quality and provide the perfect blend of comfort, longevity and style that help bring a new angle to our sofas and chairs.
Looking for more options?
Take a look at our Tailoring section for options and ideas or simply get in touch.
We can tailor finish to your precise specifications and taste - the personalisation options are endless.
Design Features
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Hand Made For You
Proud to be british made
Why Choose an S.W. James Chesterfield No.4
made by experts, made in britain,
made just for you
The No. 4 is our new Chesterfield range that thanks to an oversized frame, deeper, softer cushioning and a super sprung base is by far the comfiest Chesterfield that can be found. We feel the No. 4 is a truly beautiful and sumptuous Chesterfield for a modern, busy lifestyle. For this Chesterfield design we have also spaced the deep buttoned diamonds and increased the width of the scrolled arms to give a more relaxed feel. With the No.4 we have created unrivalled comfort in a Chesterfield sofa.
S.W. James No.4
Made for Comfort
Our warm vintage leatherscontemporary herringbone wools are truly beautiful. From day one these leatherscontemporary wools achieve the 'lived-in' look and feel and look a hundred years old, even though the leatherherringbone wool is brand new. Our vintage leathers achieve even more character as they age, allowing the natural beauty of the hides to mature over time.
S.W. James No.4
Simple Design Features
For a slightly more contemporary feel, we decided not to use any studs on the No.4. This has allowed us to create a cleaner, more straightforward look on the arms and the bottom border.
We feel this more relaxed look will be a welcome change for some customers.
S.W. James No.4
Deeper, more relaxed buttoning
To give the No.4 even more of a relaxed feel, we have spaced the buttons further apart. This is unique to our No.4 Chesterfield and has been exclusively designed by the team at S.W. James.
S.W. James No.4
More springs, more comfort
With a 'super sprung' base created exclusively for the No.4, we have squeezed as many springs into the seat base as we can.
It would be presumptuous (and probably a little brash) to claim our No.4 "The most comfortable Chesterfield in the world", but we've sat in many Chesterfields on our travels and our No.4 is by far the comfiest we have sat in so far. We think you'll love it.
Made by Experts
We believe in firmly honouring design, craftsmanship & traditional production methods
Made in Britain
A collection of hand designed & hand built English Chesterfields, made in the north of England
Made just for you
Every S.W. James Chesterfield sofa and chair we create is lovingly hand made just for you
Luxuriously finished
covered in the upholstery of your choice
Personalise your sofa or chair by choosing an upholstery that's perfect for you. We have a range of upholstery options, starting with our warm, lived in vintage leathers (pictured). We also have a range of beautifully waxed and oiled heritage leathers. Alternatively, if you don't feel leather is appropriate, we offer a beautiful, robust herringbone Wool range. Each leather and wool is presented in four lovely colours.Learn more
Quality cushioning and springs
Built for Comfort
We are always in the pursuit of perfection when it comes to comfort.
We continuously work to refine our levels of comfort and we offer a range of cushion options, from firmer foams to the most scrumptious feather & down fillings. We chat with our customers to understand how we can constantly improve.
An eye for quality
Attention to every detail
The detailing added to our Chesterfields throughout the handmade production process defines their character. From the hand tapped pins to the hand stitching & buttoning. Each S.W. James in our range is meticulously crafted.Learn more
British Craftsmanship
Built by Hand in England
Every Chesterfield S.W. James create is built by hand by a member of the team in the production house based in Greater Manchester, England. We are proud to keep a British tradition alive and we are proud our small team is able to create Chesterfields in the same manner they always have.Learn more
Design Features
hand picked leathers, feathers & fabrics
Every leather and fabric chosen for the SW James collection has been hand-picked by the team. Selecting the perfect leather and fabric ranges to represent S.W. James has been a true labour of love. We have spent countless hours perfecting our choices.
S.W. James – Leathers
All leather chosen for the S.W. James collection have been hand-picked by the team & sourced from Italian tanneries
S.W. James – Feathers
Our feather wrapped foam consist of wonderfully soft foam surrounded by a scrumptious feather wrapping
S.W. James – Fabrics
Our wonderful fabric ranges have been crafted by some of the longest-standing working wool mills in England
Distinctive, Elegant and incredibly soft
Our heritage leather range
Adding an extra layer of elegance to our No.4, this waxed and polished finish brings out a refined touch and adds to our already striking design by bringing out the leathers natural beauty. This is the softest and most luxurious leather in our range and compliments our already super comfortable No.4 perfectly.Learn more
Contemporary Living
Our herringbone wool range
Our range of Abraham Moon & Son wools provide a beautiful and modern finish to our already striking No.4. We think you will love the combination of fine knit wool and chunky styling as they meld into a stylish modern piece whilst still retaining the distinctive chesterfield roots.Learn more
Brimming with Character
Our vintage leather range
Our vintage leather oozes character and elevates our No.4 into an even more enviable piece. With its warm lived in look, brimming with scars and wrinkles the leather feels almost alive. Soft to the touch and oh so comfortable it makes the perfect upholstery for our No.4.Learn more
Tasteful shades
4 shades to compliment our No.4
Sourced from the oldest wool mill in the UK, our herringbone knits weave multiple colours to create its overall shade. The result is a stunningly detailed and intrinsic finish that covers our No.4s strong bold frame like a glove. Long lasting and stain resistant our wool upholstery makes a great break from the chesterfield norm.Learn more
Rated 4.8/5 On TrustPilot
Absolutely delighted with our new sofa
Absolutely delighted with our new sofa, sofabed and chairs! Superb quality in design, manufacture and materials, looks stunning, and soooo comfortable. Could not recommend more highly. British craftsmanship at its best! Thank you for the excellent service and advice.
Helen Oliver
Thank you Warren and your excellent team of craftsmen
When our sofa maker went bust we searched the internet and found SW James and asked whether they could help us with a Chesterfield sofa bed. The service we received was fantastic...they produced exactly the same sofa for us and even hand delivered it through an upstairs window and it is perfect! We would recommend this company to absolutely everybody we know. Thank you Warren and your excellent team of craftsmen.
Piers Smart
Even better than expected
Warren called me as soon as I'd made my order on the site. He was really helpful and informative. I was impressed by his friendly and informed approach, he explained how the order was going to be made for me by hand and how the sofa will be delivered. The delivery team were excellent on the day of delivery and had my sofa in place really quickly. I simply love our new no2 sofa. This is my first Sw James and I'm so happy with it. I recommend this company. I will return again soon.
SW James are fantastic I cannot fault the service
SW James are fantastic I cannot fault the service I received from them. Warren is a Gent and goes that extra mile.
We had oiginally ordered from another company that subsequently went bust. Warren did everything he could to help us from our initial contact and custom made a piece to our specification. He kept in touch every step of the way.
I would never consider another company when buying a chesterfield. Beautiful, handcrafted furniture with faultless service. Thanks for everything
Jamie Overson
I ordered a chesterfield sofa from s w…
I ordered a chesterfield sofa from s w James they were so helpful and couldn't do enough to help.When it arrived I was so please with the workmanship that went into making the sofa. I'm so happy with s w James that I have now decided to purchase a matching chesterfield armchair I would with out doubt recommend this company. Mrs Rawlings
Mrs Paulette Rawlings
Great service from order to delivery
It is rare in this day and age to receive a quality of product as this ( 3 seater no. 10) with brilliant communication and a delivery team who overcame a tricky obstacle to get this into my home. Absolutely superb from start to finish.
Sunil Patel
A uniformly excellent experience from…
A uniformly excellent experience from first website view to post-delivery email. Superb.
James Woking
Simply wonderful service and products. The highest of recommendations.
The company has consistently delivered high quality customer support through frequent communication informing me of the delivery and care of the products. They have also maintained a human feel through treating me as a Person and not another number. The quality of the furniture is wonderfully high and every visitor has commented on their finish and comfort. I would highly recommend this company and I hope to be ordering more from them in the future.
These guys go above and beyond and I…
These guys go above and beyond and I would certainly shop here again without hesitation.
Musson Family
My experience of SW James was wonderful…
My experience of SW James was wonderful from beginning to end. Their customer service, obvious love of their products and dedication to their business was very apparent and made choosing and purchasing my sofas and the bespoke window seat cushion they designed and produced for me a joy. We are delighted with the Chesterfields and wouldn't hesitate to recommend SW James to anyone.
I can't recommend S W James highly enough
I can't recommend S W James highly enough. We've been absolutely delighted with the service from start to finish - professional, transparent and attentive. Warren was so helpful, and either on the end of the phone to answer questions, or would call back very quickly if we couldn't get hold of him straightaway. He made us feel like we were his only customer - not easy when you're as successful and busy as S W James are! Everything that has happened has done so exactly how and when they said it would, including making one of the sofas slightly smaller to fit the space. The customer service has been outstanding. The delivery team also exceeded expectations, and were polite, informed and handled our gorgeous new chesterfield sofas with care. The sofas themselves, and a matching footstool are unbelievably beautiful and comfortable. I can't stop looking at them!! And sitting on them!!! I looked at a lot of Chesterfields before buying, and these are by far the best I've seen. Thank you to Warren and all of the team.
Nick and Mel Jones
Ordering With Peace Of Mind
so easy to order your new s.w. james
Free Swatch Samples
feel the quality before you buy
with our free swatch samples
Sizes and Colours
The S.W. James No. 4 sofa is available in over 44 configurations...
S.W. James No. 4:
4 Seater sofa in Light Grey Hessian Herringbone Wool
S.W. James No. 4:
Chair sofa in Honey Light Brown Vintage Leather
S.W. James No. 4:
2 Seater sofa in Dark Brown Vintage Leather
S.W. James No. 4:
Chair sofa in Ebony Black Heritage Leather
S.W. James No. 4:
Chair sofa in Bridle Light Brown Vintage Leather
Our S.W. James No. 4 sofa size guide
Overall Dimensions
1400mm(W) x 970mm(D) x 800mm(H)
FREE: 3 - 4 weeks (made to order)
Starting From:
Seat Dimensions:
900mm(w) x 640mm(d)
Seat Cushions:
Signature Comfort Blend
Back Cushions:
Sumptous loose filled back cushioning.
Frame Construction:
Oak Hard Wood
SofaBed Option:
No Border
Tub Feet
No Pins
Due to the hand made nature of our items, please allow for a tolerance of +/- 20mm on the final sofa size.
Overall Dimensions
1800mm(W) x 970mm(D) x 800mm(H)
FREE: 3 - 4 weeks (made to order)
Starting From:
Seat Dimensions:
1300mm(w) x 640mm(d)
Seat Cushions:
Signature Comfort Blend
Back Cushions:
Sumptous loose filled back cushioning.
Frame Construction:
Oak Hard Wood
SofaBed Option:
No Border
Tub Feet
No Pins
Due to the hand made nature of our items, please allow for a tolerance of +/- 20mm on the final sofa size.
Overall Dimensions
2200mm(W) x 970mm(D) x 800mm(H)
FREE: 3 - 4 weeks (made to order)
Starting From:
Seat Dimensions:
1760mm(w) x 640mm(d)
Seat Cushions:
Signature Comfort Blend
Back Cushions:
Sumptous loose filled back cushioning.
Frame Construction:
Oak Hard Wood
SofaBed Option:
No Border
Tub Feet
No Pins
Due to the hand made nature of our items, please allow for a tolerance of +/- 20mm on the final sofa size.
Overall Dimensions
2600mm(W) x 970mm(D) x 800mm(H)
FREE: 3 - 4 weeks (made to order)
Starting From:
Seat Dimensions:
2100mm(w) x 640mm(d)
Seat Cushions:
Signature Comfort Blend
Back Cushions:
Sumptous loose filled back cushioning.
Frame Construction:
Oak Hard Wood
SofaBed Option:
No Border
Tub Feet
No Pins
Due to the hand made nature of our items, please allow for a tolerance of +/- 20mm on the final sofa size.
Will your new Chesterfield sofa fit?
It is extremely important to us that we ensure your new S.W. James will fit snuggly into your home before we start the handmade process of building your chesterfield. As a result, after you have placed your online order we will need to check in with you and make sure there are no potential delivery or access issues.Learn more
Tales from the S.W. James Family
Living with an S.W. James Chesterfield
Simply wonderful to come home to ready for a relaxing night
Dom & Family
(with his new No.5 Chesterfield in Vintage Dark Brown Leather)
Hi Warren and the guys at S.W James. I just wanted to mail you to let you know how much we love our new Chesterfield. We've just had a lovely dinner whilst admiring our No5 at the other side of the kitchen as the night draws in, it takes on such a different look and feel as the light changes in the room. Its such a sumptuous piece of furniture and an absolute credit to everyone who has made it as beautiful as it.
Why we love it:
Feels to be getting better
"Everytime I sit down it gathers a little more character and seems to become more comfortable."
Smells truly beautiful
"The smell of the leather has completely filled the room, I love it. It's like therapy!"
Ordering with total peace of mind
stress free shopping
Ordering and receiving your new S.W. James Chesterfield should be as relaxing as sitting in one.
Delivered free into your home
We work with a trusted delivery team that has a proud heritage spanning six decades in the specialist field of furniture transport & delivery. A white glove team will make sure your new S.W. James is nestled perfectly in your home for you.Learn more
28 Day Returns
We couldn't imagine why, but if you don't love your new S.W. James when it arrives, you can always return it. Live with it, lounge on it, if you don't love it, we'll understand. to find out more click hereLearn more
The only place you can buy your S.W. James. Every Chesterfield in our range is unique to S.W James
Stress free delivery
We will ship your S.W. James to you free of charge, and keep you posted with updates as its being built
Peace of mind
28 days return should your new S.W. James Chesterfield sofa or chair should it not meet your satisfaction
Got a question?
talk directly to the team
S.W. James. – Co-Founder
Ordering your own Chesterfield is a very personal decision so you will have questions. Don't worry, we are here to help. We're a passionate team and love to talk about our Chesterfields. We will look after you every step of the way and ensure you are happy with your new Chesterfield.
Our office hours are Mon- Fri 9am to 6pm, Saturdays 10am to 3pm. Feel free to call any time. If the office is closed just leave a short message and we will call you back as soon as possible. Alternatively email us any time you like.


text: The woman next to me on the plane this evening spent about 45 minutes meticulously constructing a map of North America from individual state and province components in Visio. She had Canada and the United States almost completed by the time we landed. It looked as though she was doing it as a way to pass the time rather than for a presentation or project.


text:
EcoOils' primary role is to manage recovery and recycling of residue generated by the refineries palm industry in order to develop new industrial products and applications. We recover vegetable oils that are used to formulate products for industrial applications.
As all final products produced in our plants have both industrial use and commercial value, we at EcoOils are proud of our energy and resource saving efficiency in transforming previous waste products of the palm oil refining process, into desirable end products, whilst producing almost no waste along the way.
We currently have two production plants in Malaysia, with plans to establish a new plant in Sabah.


text:
Flight Of The Hungry Hippo.
For those of you that have been around a pregnant woman, or have been pregnant yourselves, you may have witnessed the phenomenon that can be a pregnant woman's appetite. No matter whether she's full on a small or large amount of food for many women there is the moment their body signals not the plain old hunger they've known all their lives but an all consuming ravenous bestial HUNGER! My husband has learned two key survival tricks: Don't ever get between a pregnant woman and her food/water supply. And don't get between a pregnant woman and the nearest toilet.
My HUNGER beast comes out approx every two and a half to three hours, but I'm eating smaller amounts than I did before. Leading up to the red-eye flight out on Christmas Eve I'd been worried about getting enough sleep on the trip because I never sleep on planes. (Mouth breather and the air is too dry.) The food I never worry about. We always take a good variety of snacks on the plane, both carbs and protein, but I admit this time we did neglect to take any bread products like pretzels or chips. Since these days everyone has to be at the airport hours before a flight actually leaves, we usually end up eating a smallish meal at the airport. I say usually because this trip that was not the case.
I don't know how much things were different because it was Christmas Eve or it was simply because this particular terminal acts more like a municipal airfield than a large international airport--We've noticed previously they close earlier than the other terminals' restaurants—but all of the restaurants in this particular terminal were closed by the time we got there. So closed in fact that the cleaning staff were almost finished their stint. Just after 10pm. Not only were the restaurants closed but so were all the refreshment kiosks. And not a vending machine in sight. In a terminal that has flights leaving until 1am!
I will half grant them the fact that there were two water fountains available, but not everyone can drink from those and we're no longer allowed to bring water through security. There went not only any chance of purchasing the food I wanted but also the water and Gatorade I'd need to drink on the plane. I do believe I had a full thirty seconds of mental screaming in panic. Thankfully, none of that translated to the surface nor did the running around in circles. I made sure to scout the entire length of the terminal. . .not even the Duty Free Shop sold water.
At this point I wasn't thirsty because we'd each finished off a whole 600ml bottle of water while standing in the security line. I knew I was gonna be hungry soon though. All I'd fancied to eat all day was cold roast chicken sandwiches, so each meal was one of those. For this meal my body was demanding something hot and filling. No such luck, kiddo.
So I queued up in front of the desk at our gate to ask one of the airline staff about supplies available to be purchased on the plane. The line was only five people deep (me in the third position) when a guy angled in from the side and cut in line between one person leaving the desk and the other person waiting to be called forward. Not quite realising what he'd been doing till he'd already asked his question all we could do was watch him ask his question and then leave. A question involving whether or not our delay of less than thirty minutes would effect him catching his next plane which was due to take off an hour and a half after our new arrival time. A question that was important to him, yes. But I fumed inwardly. I mean, c'mon! The line is only five deep and it's moving quickly plus it was still an hour till the plane would take off.
As the line crept forward after each subsequent person asked their own questions, I watched the guy who was fifth in line start to inch forward and sideways to do the same procedure. Hell No, buddy! I thought.
And when he stepped forward to cut me off, I said in a polite but VERY firm tone, "There's a line you know!"
He replied, "I know, but I only have a question."
And my tone got firmer, "We ALL only have questions. Wait your turn."
"All right, just relax!"
The airline guy beckoning me forward silenced any retort I may have come back with. But on the way back to my seat in the lounge I thought, RELAX! he says. I'm worried about whether I'm gonna be able to eat and/or drink on the plane other than a soda and some pretzels, YOU'RE jumping the queue, and you're telling ME to relax! You rude fuck! Was he THAT shocked that a short, fat woman spoke to him in a firm tone, without being rude, aggressive or swearing at him thereby leaving him no other option than to be embarrassed by being called out on his actions? LOL Idiot. Relax? WTF!
I ranted to Alaskaboy for a couple of minutes about it and then realised I was all of a sudden hungry. (Not yet HUNGRY) Trying to make the best of the situation I nibbled on some dried mango strips, some unsalted dry roasted peanuts and some choc-coated raisins. It wasn't satisfying but it did shut the rumbles up. It also put me in a better mood. By the time we were on the plane and taking off I was miserable. SO thirsty that I was wishing I'd given in and drunk from the fountains. L.A. tap water is so hard it tends to give me an upset stomach, but an upset stomach later HAD to be better than perishing of thirst while we waited for the flight attendants to be released to bring us a drink.
At one point I turned to Alaskaboy and asked, "Haven't they usually begun the beverage service by now?" And if I'm to be honest that question had more whine in it that a roomful of toddlers could manage. He showed me the time, and we'd only been in the air for fifteen minutes. I would have sworn it was closer to 40 minutes. Crap! Then, when the seatbelt signs went off, someone sitting a few rows in front of us called the attendant straight away, and lo and behold they brought him a cup of water. My hand was up to catch his attention licketty-split.
Not sure if the water was from the airplane's tank or not, same end result as L.A. water, I sipped very cautiously. I managed to get through half of it by the time they pulled the cart up past us. Then I saw the big bottles of spring water perched on top. GULP! The rest was gone.
When they got to us, I asked to purchase two of the bottles of water. They couldn't sell them to me. But when I informed her that I usually drink two litres during the flight, she poured me three cups of water without question and told me to ask for more when I needed it. Which I never needed to ask because she was always back offering me three more as I was finishing off the last one. Much friendlier than other flight attendants I've had who've begrudged pouring me a water and a soft drink at the same time before.
Thirst quenched, my HUNGER stopped waiting its turn and roared out of hiding. I've always refused to buy those snack boxes they have on the planes. 1) Because the snacks we bring on are usually enough and 2) Just put the price of the tickets up already and bring back "free" luggage and inflight meal service! $5 for a little box of nothing! Bugger that!
This time I was begging Alaskaboy to ask them what was in the snack boxes. PLEADING with the universe that there was at least some sort of cheese-like product in there and some crackers plus anything else I may be able to eat. Fruit and nuts weren't cutting it anymore, were in fact making me nauseous at the thought of eating them. When the stewardess got to the first items on the list and they were cheese and crackers, I said, "I'll take two!" She only heard me agree to take a box, and then tried to give Alaskaboy back the second five dollar note he handed to her. No, no, no! TWO!
Finally, I had a box of food in my hot little hands. I couldn't get that plastic wrapper off fast enough. When I opened the lid and the first things I saw were a small bag of pita chips and a small can of tuna, my heart stopped under the weight of all that hope. When I saw it was a kind that contains wild caught tuna, I may have fainted in delight. And the swoon only got deeper as I uncovered a bag of cookies AND two kinds of REAL cheese plus two packets of crackers.
It took my suddenly wobbly hands forever to peel the ring pull lid off the can. It didn't help I was afraid I'd pull too hard and that precious mother lode would fly out of the can and go splat on the window or the head of the guy in front of me! Drowning in a combination of heavenly lemon pepper scent and the flood of drool it produced, I lifted that first mouthful to my lips. I know for a fact I would have done a porn star proud with the sounds I made as I slid the little plastic fork back out of my mouth.
Crappy little five dollar box of nothing? Let's call it the best five dollars I've ever spent! And thanks to my inability to judge my meal sizes still, I was full after the one box. Full as in stuffed to the gills. So, I turned to Alaskaboy, "I'm really stuffed. Here, you eat this." I said, holding out the second box to him. He got a little wild-eyed and said, "Do you think I'm crazy or something? We still have hours to go before breakfast yet. You keep that in case you need it."
I guess the survival lessons have sunk in bone deep. LOL


text:
bullion - "say goodbye to what" (stream only)
Some more nasty Bullion beats. This UK producer is best known for his Pet Sounds: In The Key of Dee release, which combined samples from the Beach Boys classic Pet Sounds release with beats & samples from the late J Dilla. He's recently released a new 7" called Say Goodbye To What on One Handed Music. If you like this track, support the man by heading over to his Bandcamp page to purchase the mp3, or over to Boomkat to purchase the limited 7".


text:
Sequin Fabrics
24 Items
- Sequins on Mesh- Onyx #2492US$16.88 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$13.50 /yard
2-Way Stretch Sequin on Mesh- Obsidian #24912-Way Stretch Sequin on Mesh- Golden #24902-Way Stretch Sequin on Mesh- Smoky Quartz #24898mm Alternate Square Sequin- Cerise PinkUS$6.96 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$5.56 /yard
6mm American Sequins- PinkUS$5.56 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$4.45 /yard
Biggest Blooms Sequin Spandex Mini Roll- OrangeUS$5.52 /roll
BUY IN BULK: US$4.42 /rollCosmic Disco Sequin Mesh #1800US$12.01 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$9.61 /yard
Biggest Blooms Holographic Sequin Spandex- OrangeUS$8.96 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$7.17 /yard
Biggest Blooms Holographic Sequin Spandex- CoralUS$8.96 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$7.17 /yard
Mosaic Embroidered Sequin NetUS$18.71 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$14.97 /yard
Holographic Sequin Tulle- WhiteUS$7.46 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$5.97 /yard
3mm American Sequins- CeriseMini Embroidered Sequins- FrozenUS$14.96 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$11.97 /yard
Waterfall Embroidered Sequin Mesh- RedUS$14.96 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$11.97 /yard
3mm American Sequins- Copper on Pink/BlackSpaced 6mm American Sequins- Cerise/Black6mm American Sequins- Lilac3mm American Sequins- Copper on Purple/Black6mm American Sequins- Red with Silver8mm Square Sequins- Lime on SilverUS$11.95 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$9.56 /yard
3mm American Sequins- MagentaUS$7.95 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$6.36 /yard
3mm American Sequins- Red on BlueUS$7.95 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$6.36 /yard
8mm Square Sequins- Cerise on LilacUS$11.95 /yard
BUY IN BULK: US$9.56 /yard
View as Grid List
24 Items
Designer Sequin Fabrics
This section is showing our designer range of sequins, where the quantities available will vary and once sold out they normally aren't able to be re-ordered. The Remnant Warehouse also has a stock service sequin fabric range is always available* meaning that we are able to re-order as required and fulfil bulk / wholesale fabric orders. Our stock service range is most suitable for dance groups, troupes & costumes if the fabric may be required more than once, as the fabrics in this section are generally gone once they sell out. If you are looking for sequin trims, stretch sequins, or slung sequins, please see our sequin trims section.
*Always available refers to having the ability to re-order from a supplier. Please note that sometimes a fabric may be on back order, resulting in delays, or the supplier may have dropped that line without notice, in which case we will contact you to discuss fabric and delivery options.


text:
Jinx (my thoughts) was one of my favorite reads of 2013. I fell in love with the characters and the world they inhabited. It is always a bit scary when you go back to characters and a world you love so much in a sequel. Exciting too though. And lovers of Jinx, Simon, and the Urwald have nothing to fear from Jinx's Magic. Sage Blackwood outdid herself in this one.
If you haven't read Jinx yet, go and do that NOW. Then come back and read this.
Jinx knows he can do magic. But he doesn't know why he's being stalked by a werewolf with a notebook, why the trees are starting to take back the only safe paths through the Urwald, or why the elves think Jinx and the evil Bonemaster are somehow connected.
Jinx's perilous search for answers takes him to the desert land of Samara, where, according to the wizard Simon, he just might find the ancient magic he needs to defeat the Bonemaster and unite the Urwald. But Jinx finds himself in a centuries-old conspiracy that places the Urwald in even greater danger.
In book one Jinx went from being a child to an adolescent. His independent streak is growing, he rolls his eyes a lot at the adults in his life, and he is questioning many things. He is still a boy who is confused by many things in life and needs help. He wants to know the people who care for him are still around. He is exactly everything a thirteen year old boy should be. I enjoyed watching his character grow more and how he interacted with the people around him. The first part of the story involves Jinx getting Reven out of the Urwald as he promised he would. Reven continues to be conniving, manipulative, and obnoxious and I loved when Jinx finally had enough. Elfwyn plays a role in this story as well. I really enjoy what is happening with her character and am eager to see where it will lead.
I continue to adore Simon oh so much, particularly in his relationship with Jinx. Jinx looks up to him so much, but is also annoyed with him. He wants Simon to allow him to do what he needs. Simon has other ideas about what is needed. The push and pull between these two is so utterly genuine that any one who has ever grown up and had to deal with the changing dynamic with their parents will get it completely. Simon is often telling Jinx in various ways to "drop his attitude". Jinx's attitude's not going anywhere. And every conversation between these two is funny and yet filled with emotion too. Sophie also returns in this book and is still lovely and wonderful. I hope we see even more of her in the next book.
Two new characters are introduced as well. Jinx meets both Wendell and Satya in Samara. They are his friends when he desperately needs them even though he doesn't completely trust Satya. Wendell is my favorite of the secondary character in the book now. I enjoyed his outlook on life, his loyalty, and his courage.
The story continues from where the first book left off. The Bonemaster breaks free of his bonds, Reven and his "kingdom" are a threat to the Urwald, and the trees keep telling Jinx things he doesn't understand. Also some troublesome elves make a mysterious appearance that does not bode well for our hero. Half of the story takes place in the Urwald where Jinx is contending with the demands on the Listener, Simon, and the Bonemaster breaking through his wards. The other half takes place in Samara where Jinx is contending with learning as much as he can while also navigating the political intrigue and secretive workings of the Temple. The Urwald and Samara are very different and both are described so well. The imagery Blackwood uses and how well thought out the world-building is makes me feel like I'm actually there. I could not put the book down. Every page had some piece of information, some wonderful piece of dialogue, or some adventure to keep reading on until I was finished far too fast. It was one of those experiences where I turned the last page, sighed because there was no more to read, and then hugged the book.
To say that I'm excited for the third book would be an understatement. Of immense proportions.
I read an ARC won in a giveaway from the author. I also received an e-galley from the publisher, Katherine Tegen Books, on Edelweiss. Jinx's Magic comes out on January 7.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Jinx's Magic
4 comments:
- Charlotte said...
I am so so so going to the bookstore on January 7!!!!!!
- December 30, 2013 at 6:29 PM
- Brandy said...
It will be worth it!!!
- December 30, 2013 at 8:39 PM
- KateCoombs said...
Excellent! I liked Jinx very much, so between that and your review, I've clearly got to get the sequel. By the way, I haven't been over here for a while, but I love your new (to me) background!
- December 30, 2013 at 9:35 PM
- Brandy said...
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
(And thanks!)
- December 30, 2013 at 9:44 PM
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