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Uh oh, I've fallen behind! Now I'm tasked with remembering, writing, and organizing 3 weeks of my life in an entertaining manner for y'all. I can't even imagine how hard it would be to write a memoir or autobiography. Luckily life ain't that busy here so it shouldn't be too hard, though I have had a couple of exciting weeks!
Life's good, it's relaxed here. I'll admit, I had a relatively relaxed life back in Chicago too… but in the back of my head there was always that little voice telling me I should be doing something more, being more productive or out and about because there's 1432 things going on. Here, I still get that voice… but when I tell him to shut up, he listens. It helps that everyone* around is relaxed, and there's not much to do so it's way easier to avoid FOMO (fear of missing out, my greatest ailment). Sure they still need to work, and stress isn't completely avoidable anywhere, but life here's not expensive and I know many a person taking a month or even the winter off from work (granted for many businesses it's just pointless to stay operating). Generally speaking the difference in overall chill-ness is hugely noticeable
With all my free time I've had a chance to read a few books!
I had seen the trailer for this movie, so I knew it was a mystery/thriller of sorts, but that was it. I was pleasantly surprised when I read the book and discovered the unique style in which it was written (alternating perspectives, not always telling the reader the whole truth, etc.) I started this book on a friday and by that Sunday was at that point where the book can't be put down and all other responsibilities get ignored until the last page has been read. Which it was. I was really satisfied with the book and I'm excited to see how the film compares.
I heard about this book from Rieke, the german student who was in Menorca interning* here for the summer and stayed her last few weeks at my AirBNB, who had borrowed it from Marta and Wayne, a Spanish and Australian (respectively) couple who just moved here this summer and opened a bar/art gallery down by the port. The book is about, as it title implies, a "yankee" (she's from california actually) in Menorca; it is a memoir of sorts by Lana Johnson, a woman who moved here with her [Spanish] husband and lived to tell the tale. I really enjoyed the book. There was much I could relate to, and more importantly there was lots that she talked about that I now look forward to and/or wouldn't have heard about before but now am excited to do. It's a short and light book, and if you enjoy reading my blog and want another [more-experienced] expat perspective on life in Menorca, I recommend giving it a read.
*she interned at a winery, because she goes to wine university. There's such thing as a wine (and beer) university! How cool is that? She's studying the business of wine, but you can study its production there too.
I had a 4-day weekend over Halloween, which perfectly overlapped with my friends' (Kristen and Katie from the good ol' USA) trip to Paris, so off I went! After returning I waited 3 or 4 days, until I could deposit my paycheck, to take a look at my bank account. Now that I have seen the damage done, and it's not as bad (or rather not worse) than I expected, I can happily relive and write about this trip without the fear it was my last!
The weather was ideal for 3 of the 3.5 days. The city didn't seem nearly as crowded [with tourists] as it could be. The crepes were as delicious and ubiquitous as I remembered. The tremendously long line to enter Versailles was down to a 5-min wait after we checked out the gardens. The bar where [after just having one after-dinner drink] I forgot my camera [which I didn't notice until I was packing to leave for the airport] had held on to my camera and I was able to pick it up and make my flight home. Here are more highlights:
My parents often played the greatest hits of this wonderful genre when I was growing up and I was really excited by the idea when my mom recommended we go to hear some live. Her initial recommendation was Le Lapin Agile, an old cabaret where struggling artists like Picasso used to hang out. Sounds really cool, but upon seeing the €25 entrance fee, and that's not counting wine, it was outside our budget for the evening. Instead we found another recommended spot on trip advisor, Le Vieux Belleville.
AHHHHHH I couldn't have dreamed a better evening. We wrapped up a wine/cheese/meat dinner on the Eiffel Tower lawn and arrived just on time to grab one of the last remaining tables in this small restaurant (20-30 capacity max). The musician was an older woman, with more spirit and energy than the 4 of us combined. Before each song she would pass around sheet music so we could sing along, sometimes lingering to explain the theme of the song or some of the lyrics. Then she would walk around the restaurant playing her accordion and singing. Unfortunately while wine makes me more confident speaking other languages, it has no apparent effect on my ability to read french and I struggled greatly trying to sing along, soon giving up on all but the choruses. We stayed for a few hours singing laughing and enjoying, eventually asking for our bill at what we thought was the end of her performance (but we found out was just a break, hence her having more energy than us).
Shakespeare and Co.
In preparation for this trip, I watched an episode from one of Anthony Bordain's series called The Layover. In this episode he has a 48 hour "layover" in Paris. There was plenty of delicious food that I knew I couldn't afford or find, a few recommendations on landmarks to see and skip, and two things that I wrote down: an ice cream shop, and a bookstore. I didn't make it to the ice cream shop, but I'm very glad I decided to make it out to the bookstore on my last day. It's small, cramped, seems arbitrarily organized, and despite a primarily english selection they didn't have the book I wanted to buy (i've been meaning to re-read Devil in The White City) and I loved it. Upstairs they have a large poetry selection… and a library! A "big" (relative to the store) room with floor to ceiling bookcases on all walls filled with a huge selection of books new and old. One of those libraries with character that you can't help but wishing wasn't here at this public place, but was just another room in your house you could go to any time you wanted. There were 8 or so various forms of seating scattered around the room, and I plopped myself down in a wooden chair and stayed a while. This was the aforementioned .5 day of not so good weather, all my friends had left the city already, and I was in no rush. It was quiet. In the end, I almost fell asleep. Not a good sign for the book I was reading, helping me decide not to buy it. More info here
I visited Versailles on a previous trip to Paris with my parents. In my memory, the castle was huge and the gardens an afterthought. I couldn't have been more wrong. The gardens are HUGE, we spent 2-3 hours and only saw a portion, on the other hand 1 hour in the castle was enough. We were also lucky to go on a day when they have the "musical gardens" aka classical music playing throughout, occasionally themed to the fountain sculpture or even better, accompanying a fountain show. If you're planning a visit, check which days the music is on!
Bombardier Pub
Have to give these guys a shoutout for safekeeping my camera overnight! It's a nice spot for a drink too. Young crowd, students from the locality as well as some studying abroad. Tried a "cloudy cider" called Old Rosie's which I really enjoyed!
I had a goal of eating two a day. I succeeded. From your avg €3 street fare to your fancy-pants (and delicious) sit-down €10 crepe, they were all delicious and reason enough on their own to visit.
Kristen and Katie tried this place before I'd arrived to the city and highly recommended it for it's "crack coffee" so I made my way there on my last afternoon exploring alone. How did they not mention the sweets?! Half of the place is a pastry shop, with a hell of a line, and the other half a really cool looking' bar. I sat down for a coffee and something with the word hazelnut. It turned out to be a toe-curling taste-bud-overwhelming smooth-but-crunchy layered cake-thing that I'd trade all the Kinder Buenos (my other vice) in the world for. It's called a Millefeuille Praliné. Millefeuille means "thousand leaves" and is also known as Napolean cake. I knew it tasted familiar! If you haven't been blessed with an opportunity to try it, my grandma makes the best Napolean out there. This praline version I tried in paris is definitely the 2nd best. Upon further research, Ladurée is all over Europe and has a few different brands including one for beauty products. Learn more here
Walking Tour
I love walking. I love tours. I love walking tours, especially when they are free. Sandeman's New Europe is a great company that provides free tours (don't forget to tip though!) in 18 different [mostly european] cities (I've used them in Prague previously). They have additional paid tours, tickets for landmarks, etc. and I bet they are great too. I like to take a tour as soon as possible in a new city so as not get a good overview of what I could return to see in more detail, and learn a little of the city's history to give context to the rest of my trip. We took the tour on Friday afternoon (I arrived thurs night) and were lucky to have a great guide with a lot knowledge and enthusiasm. Here are some of the fun facts i remember:
- Horse statue symbolism. The guide told us that the hoof position of modern equestrian statues is symbolic for how they died. If the horses front two feet are raised, the rider fought and died in battle. If one front foot is raised, the rider fought in battle but did not die there. If all four feet are down, the rider died of natural causes. If one front foot raised and one back foot raised/bent, it means assassinated (as in the case of Henry IV's statue where he told us about this). Upon further research, this may not actually be true in many cases, but it will be a fun exercise to research every equestrian statue I see and test the theory.
- The Mona Lisa. Why is it famous? Publicity. Before the early 1900's it hung in some far off corner of a random wing in the Louvre. I always knew there was a reason it was famous, that wasn't directly related to any artistic or aesthetic quality, but I didn't know what. Now I know - it was stolen (and eventually found)! And they accused Picasso which just added to the media frenzy, talk about buzzwords. The real thief had worked at the museum and stolen it out of Italian pride (although I'm not sure how patriotic it is to then just go off and sell the stolen art to a dealer instead of trying to have it displayed at an italian museum). Full story here
- Taxes, ugh. Taxation was at 75% starting with Louis XIII. Holy shit. And it stayed the until Louis XVI when the French Revolution happened. That's 4 generations that put up with that shit, wow.
- The birdcages. Louis XV you dog. That's all I'll say here. Read more here
- The Love Bridge and combo locks. We've all seen pictures of bridges with locks on them, I assume. Here's a few facts I learned: 1) This started with a Russian tradition 2) The specific bridge that [was] popular and known as the Love Bridge, only gained this title and popularity from the season finale of Sex in the City 3) French guys dating temporary residents (aka american girls studying abroad looking for their very own parisian love story) will save themselves money and buy a combo lock so that they don't have to get a new lock for every new girlfriend (or so the tour guide said, probably speaking from experience :p).
- Making it home - Besides running to pick up my camera before my first flight (and not having to resort to any taking of taxis/uber), I was cutting it close on another part of my journey home. My flight was to land at 7:50, and I had to be in class by 9:00. Buses were at 7:55 and 8:25, and it's just a 10 minute ride from the airport back to home. Well… The plane landed a few minutes early and I got to the bus station right as the 7:55 pulled up. I managed to stop by my new place to take a look (finishing touches were being done while I was gone; it smelled of paint and was beautiful), stop by my old place for coffee and breakfast, and make it to school on time for the 1 hour of work followed by a 4 break until my next one (aka SIESTA TIME).
More paris pictures below! Hover for captions!
(p.s. thank you Katie and Kristen for sharing some of your photos with me!)
I'm not done with this blog post yet (not even close)...
If you come and visit me make sure to bring an umbrella and an empty stomach, cuz i've been cooking' up a storm! Okay a storm is a bit hyperbolic, but I've recently prepared a few dishes without the usual "is this safe to eat?" "Is it supposed to take like this?" "Shit, I've got to text mom and figure out how to salvage this". Some of the new things I've cooked recently:
- Bean and Chorizo soup - this was my 2nd time making it, but this time out right delicious. Now, next time I can splurge for some quality chorizo (not this €2 non-sense I've been eating)
- Pizzzzaaaa - pretty tasty, but I still need a few more tricks here to shove up my sleeve if anyone has any ideas… The store bought bases are tasty but come out soft, borderline not-yet-done, on the bottom while browning on top. The sauce could be thicker, but they don't have tomato paste here and reducing it down on the stove each time seems like a lot of effort (and if that is my only option, I might as well be spicing it up a bit while i'm there)
- Bouillon (chicken stock/soup) - finally mastered the simple act of not starting with 2x the water needed and then having to reduce for about a year and compensate for flavor with salt.
- Katleti and Hamburgers - My second time making Katleti they turned out much better, ahh the power of seasoning. Hamburgers are sold in patties so that one was quite easy, and done with a group setting. I wanted to bring it up because, once again, I noticed that ground beef here most definitely has a different, sweeter?, taste. I've tried researching it and have found no particularly helpful information beyond some obvious non-specific answers on quora. If anyone can help me figure this out, I'd love to know!
- Any sort of snack involving jamon curado and bread. maybe some goat cheese, maybe some avocado. a few drops of olive oil. you really can't go wrong
- Crepes - After my 2-a-day diet in Paris I've been fiending for some. Luckily I was able to get the recipe from the creator of the best crepes I've ever had - my grandma! Now, mine definitely weren't as good as hers, but for my first attempt i was pretty impressed
**After reviewing the food photos I was going to post... I decided they might contradict the above delicious descriptions so I will have to follow up once I improve my plating skillz**
New Apartment!
I finally got my own pad. 2 bedroom, recently remodeled with new appliances, kitchen, living/dining area, little patio, and for less than 1/2 the price I paid for a tiny room in the US. Perfect location too. The first month it's all mine and in December I should have a roommate (he's been a little flakey so I'm not considering it a done deal until he starts moving in) which might make it a little more cramped in here, but hopefully less boring. We don't have heat, but that's true for 99% of apartments here, and hopefully indicative of the weather in the winter. I moved in the day I got back from Paris and I love the place. I've already hosted some friends for dinner and am excited to do that more! I'm hoping to do "intercambios" where my spanish friends can practice their english... by teaching me how to cook a spanish dish [in english].
Island Exploring!
My new apartment came with a mountain bike, so I was able to pass my rented bike onto Max, a fellow language assistant. We took our respective new bikes out for a test drive Friday afternoon to Sa Mesquida, a village on the northern coast that is closer and with a nicer beach then Es Grau (the other place I biked last month).
It was a great choice! The landscape was one of my favorites so far, and we even got to explore an old bunker built into the side of a hill. We also witnessed a guy walk his bike up said hill and ride it down - it looked like so much fun and maybe with a helmet (andknee pads, elbow pads, bulletproof vest) I can try it too some time too. I can't get over how much I love biking around the island! Here's more pics:
Other highlights:
- I turned in all my paperwork for my TIE, including a copy of every [blank] page of passport -_-. The TIE is my residency card, and what I need to stay here legally once the visa in my passport expires (it's only good for 90 days).
- I got a library card! Well actually, I got a library piece-of-paper with account number on it - since it's temporary they didn't give me a real one 😔. After finishing the above two books I came back and grabbed 4 more, including 2 spanish ones (from the kids section :D).
- I opened up a spanish bank account! I had been using my Simple account here because there aren't any international charges or atm fees, but I learned that in order to deposit international checks I'd have to mail them in… and I'm not a man known for his patience. I'll go into more detail about my banking experiences another week
- The 1st grade of secondary school (aka 7th grade in US) surprised me with a presentation on Ukraine! They made and presented a powerpoint, and put together this poster too! I don't know much about Ukraine to be honest so there were definitely a few facts I learned, as well as a few clearly-copy-pasted-from-wikipedia slides that with their edits made little sense, but it's still an A for effort! On a different day I helped them correct some of the mistakes and I believe it will be up on the school blog sometime soon which I will share with y'all. I'm excited to see their presentation on Chicago too, but shhh… i'm not supposed to know about it :p
- I haven't had too many instances of utter miscommunication, there's always a way to rephrase what I'm trying to say or kindly ask whoever I'm speaking with to slow it down and explain. One of the few times that does come to mind occurred when I was playing tennis. I showed up to play in a tournament and was enquiring about the format since I know they sometimes stray from the norm to ensure a speedier tournament / make time for more games. "Doce de cuatro" I'm told by one of the coaches/organizers. "Qué? Cuantos?" Twelve sets of 4 games, that seems odd. 4-game sets (as opposed to the usual 6) seem to be the preference at this tennis club, but 12 sets? That's crazy talk. "Doce de cuatro" "Que?" this went on for about a minute until it was mutually understood that I would just go and clarify the rules with my opponent. And clarify I did: we were playing DOS SETS de cuatro. Two sets up to 4. DUH. I forgot that because tennis is an english sport, they keep the english terms (for some of the terms).
- The week before that I had another tennis miscommunication regarding whether we were playing with or without advantage at deuce (aka win by 2 at time-game 40-40 or not). On the 2nd set my opponent asked me if I wanted to play with "punto de pro," the golden point, which for whatever reason I assumed to mean with advantage. I answered in the negative (since we had already played one set advatange-less) and after another confusing conversation at the last point of the game, the best time for a language barrier to be an actual barrier, I finally sussed out that playing with "punto de pro" meant no advantage at deuce. We were playing "normal" which meant with advantage, and I was the one with the disadvantage, but in all fairness I had to admit that I had not meant to play with Ad and my opponent had already won. Sorry if that was confusing for non-tennis players
- Two pro tips for y'all:
1) Don't wear cashmere sweaters with no undershirt to an indian restaurant.
2) In Spain "spicy" is comparable to "healthy" in American fast food (i.e. it might be printed on the menu but that doesn't make it any less of a joke)… this does NOT apply to Indian restaurants.
That's it. I learned the hard way. Chicken Vindaloo + cashmere sweater = me, red-faced, sweating and crying. hey ladies.
- Before settling on my apartment I went to check out a possibly-available room in my friend Max's apartment. The room was cool, but I had to test myself out with two of his roommates before I could make a decision. I touched them all over, put my face right up to theirs, made sure to let their aura get all up on my personal space. What a shame, I'm allergic to siamese cats. I know I'm allergic to some cats, here's another breed to add to the no-no list in case you're considering my health in your pet-purchasing decisions. Just make it easy and get a pup! And wait til I'm back in the US so I could watch it grow up please! (ahem! Lily's family got a puppy Shibu Ina and Taco will be all grown up by the time I'm home)
I'm Going to Barcelona on Thursday to meet Lily and her parents, and then she'll be here with me in Menorca for a few days… so expect another novel of a post later this month :)
Bonus pic - Mr. Dank!


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By Julie Moir Messervy
Do you want to make your outside residing areas a gorgeous, useful extension of your place? domestic outdoor offers you all of the vast photo layout thoughts you want to create an out of doors paradise -- and all of the step by step information to carry your imaginative and prescient to lifestyles. Acclaimed panorama clothier and award-winning writer Julie Moir Messervy takes you thru seven key recommendations which could assist you rework your panorama -- and your way of life. •Pleasure floor •Lay of the Land •Big strikes •Finding Your convenience area •Making It circulation •Placing the items •Sensory Pleasures for each a part of your house, the writer is helping you spot it throughout the eyes of a clothier -- explaining techniques in easy, comprehensible language and delivering nice information for pulling all of it jointly. Youll the way to create a entrance backyard thats hot and alluring to pals and friends. A yard thats pleasant, practical and stress-free for any type of unique. And for these quiet moments you'll want every now and then, youll how you can create peaceable areas that believe like your personal inner most sanctuary. With all of the insights of Julie Messervy, 358 photographs and seventy two drawings, domestic outdoors grants every thing you want to make the good outdoor a massive a part of your place.
Read Online or Download Home Outside Creating the Landscape You Love PDF
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Additional info for Home Outside Creating the Landscape You Love
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B. Talk over your garden design with others? Part II 6. Are you concerned with: a. Making the details of your landscape work? b. Envisioning the overall aesthetic of your landscape? 7. Do you prefer choices that are: a. Tried and true? b. New, different, and cutting edge? 8. Do you like to: a. Make small changes to your existing landscape? Transform your surroundings into something completely different? 9. Would you prefer to plant and maintain your landscape by yourself ? b. Would you hire help to do the work for you?
Your private landscape expresses your inner world and experiences. (8–10) You're a Conceptual Designer You're an abstract thinker who loves the imaginative, conceptual world of patterns and theories. You are a bit unconventional and love anything inventive and new. Your landscape planning focuses on the concept and not its application. You work toward the future and are open to change. Part IV: (5–7) You're an Orderly Designer You prefer an organized, structured life that includes careful planning for all events.
4 Stainless-steel pegs in the wall form water droplets when it rains, diffusing the traffic sounds and bringing movement to the surface of the pool. the LAY oF the LANd 49 Big Moves 50 HOME OUTSIDE A t the heart of any good design is one or more "big moves"—a set of organizing strategies that pulls the different parts of a landscape together. In this chapter, I explain what form these strategies can take and how to use them to make effective design decisions for your landscape. It's amazing but true: When you know what big moves you'd like to make on your property, then all the details begin to fall right into place.

subset: commoncrawl


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Reflections on Year One
Reported by Chrish - July 1, 2005
Realizing we've been at this for a year has brought up a lot of emotions and memories. Here are some thoughts on the time we've spent from the people we've grown to love:
It's hard to believe that a year has already passed since the launch of the good ship News Hounds. It has been a wonderful, fulfilling, and exciting experience. I'm so humbled to be part of such a thoughtful and caring community and at the same time proud of all of us for making it happen.
Watching our stats grow, training a new pup, adding features to the site, earning the recognition of other progressive bloggers...all these milestones have been so energizing. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have met up with Deborah, Donna, Ellen, Judy, Marie Therese, Melanie, and Nancy and look forward to many more years of working with them.
I have a special place in my heart for our blogfather, Jim Gilliam, whose sweetness, patience, and diligence have made this all possible. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for making this whole adventure a reality, and for reminding us to have fun with it.
Hope to see you same time next year.
You can call it devotion, obsession or total commitment. My life now revolves around the News Hounds. We are making a difference and I feel so blessed to wake each morning with such a strong sense of purpose. My anger has turned to unbending resolve and I am continually amazed at my boundless energy for my work on this Blog.
On this anniversary I want to thank Jim Gilliam who is our brilliant and wise spirit guide on this exciting journey and Robert Greenwald who continues to astound us with his good works.To the News Hounds, I will say that you are my true sisters and I can't wait to see what the year ahead will hold.
A special Happy Anniversary to the News Hounds from a newly minted Junior News Hound. I began reading News Hounds almost a year ago and really felt like I had found a home. A very special place where like minded people were. After several months, I was invited to become an apprentice at News Hounds. I've been covering Studio B for about six months now and have really enjoyed my experience here. The News Hounds are welcoming as are the posters. The posters, what can I say? I learn something new, each and every day from them and have really begun to think of us all as family. So, thanks to each News Hound and thanks to each poster. It really has been a pleasure and I hope we have many more anniversaries to come.
The past year? Let's see ....
Hundreds of hours of monitoring.
Sleep requirement - 4 hours a night.
Writer's cramp.
Typist's cramp.
Hurling a glass at my television, watching it shatter, and living since then with a damaged screen - penitence for a moment of absolute, searing anger as I realized that the village idiot had actually won this time!
Horrific post-election depression and anger, healed by the support of the incredible women I work with here and the wisdom of one equally incredible man, Jim Gilliam, our indispensable blogfather.
The decision to fight on, to use the blog to expose FOX News for what it is - a wooden-headed dummy sitting on the knee of Karl Rove.
Exhilaration as our stats kept rising and rising. Dumbfounded awe at the level of the commentary so faithfully recorded by you, our readers. A year like no other and one I wouldn't trade for all the gold in Fort Knox!
A year? Already?
People ask me how I do it. They wonder how I tolerate watching Fox News five hours a week. I tell them I believe our country is suffering, weeping actually, from the lack of a vigorous and fearless press - the very foundation of a democracy. I tell them I can't not watch. I tell them I've got to do something, anything. I tell them I am so frightened about the future of this country that I can't sit still. Monitoring Fox, and doing my teeny, tiny bit to help expose how Fox works to steer good and trusting Americans toward a culture of ignorance, militarism and corporatization is my way of expressing my love for this country.
To my fellow News Hounds, thank you, thank you. You are passionate, strong, good and kind women. You have enriched my life in ways I can't begin to express. You are part of my heart now. To our readers and loyal commentators, thank you. To those who nurtured, encouraged and trusted us, even before we were the News Hounds, XO.
Bring on our second year! I'm ready.
Wow! Our first year has been a roller-coaster ride as we've learned (more or less) to cope with a gazillion different issues involved in maintaining a blog, from the picky technical aspects to dealing with freepers, spammers, & other assorted no-goodniks. You, our readers have provided moral & financial support, news tips, fascinating links, terrific insights, useful info, humor & sometimes profoundly moving commentary -- I can't begin to thank you enough for *all* of that. I know it sounds trite, but you really do make it all worthwhile.
And last, but not least, a few words from our extra special Blogfather,
The one thing I'm most proud of is my involvement with the News Hounds. What they have accomplished in the last year is truly profound and remarkable. Eight women with no connection, coming together from all parts of the country to do a job no one would ever want... watching Fox News... and then KEEP ON DOING IT. It has given me hope for our future, that yes, people really can make a difference if they sacrifice and work their butts off. It's been an amazing, emotional experience working with these women -- all of whom could be my mom (that's meant with love, ladies!).
I cannot stress this enough... little by little, eight women are CHANGING THE FOX NEWS CHANNEL...with a website. That's a big deal, and year 2 is gonna be wild!


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The Surprising Way a Poem Changed an Airman's Life
Bob Witwer
Bob Witwer is vice president of Advanced Technology for Honeywell Aerospace, where he defines the technology strategy and leads the development of advanced technology for all Honeywell Aerospace products. His more than 30 years at the organization include work on the A320 Flight Management System, Boeing 777 Airplane Information Management System (AIMS) and Honeywell Primus Epic avionics system. Bob is also the Chairman of the Board for Arizona Technology Council and serves as an officer on the Board of Directors for the Challenger Space Center in Arizona in Peoria, AZ. Bob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. He is the author of several technical publications. He is Green Belt and Design for Six Sigma certified.Contact Information


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Many consider card games as entertainment, a useless occupation, but this is not entirely true. Of course, people often play cards for fun, to pass the time, spend an evening with friends. But apart from the obvious benefit in the form of fun, card games also have other positive properties.
First, card games favorably affect the sphere of relations. A deck of cards is one of the simplest ways to gather a company of friends. Positive experience, well-spent time and emotions — bring together. If you are in an unfamiliar company, a card game is an effective way to establish contact with new acquaintances and get to know them better. Card games allow you to learn a lot of new and old friends and cronies. Playing cards, situations of frustration, risk, success are simulated, so at the table, you can see a significant part of the spectrum of human behavioral reactions.
In addition to the fact that playing cards beneficially affects personal relationships and social ties, it generally develops communication skills and emotional sphere. As already mentioned, the card game allows you to simulate different situations that you can face in life, and therefore also allows you to work on your reaction, your behavior, emotions. The game of Bridge, in particular, is a very good opportunity to train in the ability to cooperate.
Some card games particularly well develop emotional intelligence, namely the recognition of other people's emotions and the management of their own. The emotional component is one of the main in such games as poker for example. In poker, you need to not only monitor the cards but also analyze the behavior of rivals, as well as control your own emotional state (check Best Classic Poker Tables)
Another positive effect of playing cards is the development of mathematical and analytical abilities. Poker, bridge, preference and other card games require the player to analyze and evaluate the probability of falling out of cards, composing combinations, scoring points and other mathematical and
analytical operations.
In many games it is necessary to estimate possible variants of development of events, to think several moves ahead. It is also a good training for memory: memorization of the cards that came out of the game is a good strategy for many games.
Recently, card games, due to the positive effect on various mental functions of a person, was increasingly used in the prevention and fight against various diseases, as well as in rehabilitation.
Scientists have proven that some card games help to recover from a stroke. Of course, the game of cards is used only in addition to traditional measures, such as physiotherapy, but due to the training of motor skills of patients (in the snap, players need to quickly turn over the cards), the dynamics of rehabilitation improves.
At a conference on Alzheimer's disease, it was stated that games such as poker are one of the preventive measures that reduce the risk of developing this disease.
Poker helps to preserve brain structures and cognitive functions that are destroyed by Alzheimer's. Card games are also used for working with people suffering from dyscalculia (a syndrome of a person's inability to count and solve mathematical problems).
People with this disorder experience great difficulties with the solution of the simplest examples and generally with an understanding of the category of "numbers" (in particular, with a visual assessment of the number of objects). For the development of mathematical skills in people with dyscalculia (along with the usual card games) card games with modified or lightweight rules are often used, as well as solitaire (i.e. card games for one person). In the game form, they allow teaching addition, subtraction, operations by definition of more or less number, the compilation of a numerical series.
Do you believe in the beneficial effects of card games on the mental and physical health of a person? Do you think they are more useful or harmful? Share opinions, talk about personal experience and give practical advice.
Iren is an editor of Game Table Zone. Iren likes to write reviews on different game tables and about the benefits of Board games.
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Eight days of cinematic events around Leamington Spa kick off today with our Zero Effect/Unlock Sherlock and Desert Island Films at North Hall today.
Both events are just £5 on the door.
ZERO EFFECT/UNLOCK SHERLOCK – Doors 4.00pm, Starts 4.30pm sharp
A screening of the cult detective drama 'Zero Effect', starring Ben Stiller who tweeted that he wished he could come along! preceded by a panel discussion about the history of Sherlock Holmes on screen Featuring Nic Pillai from Warwick University and Mike McCahill who writes for Moviemail and The Guardian.
DESERT ISLAND FILMS – Doors 7.30pm, Starts 8.00pm
A panel of film critics, bloggers and academics discuss and defend the one film that they would take away with them to a Desert Island – before opening it up for the audience to get involved.


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I'm Kelsey Anne and I'm a YA book blogger, but I do read the odd horror, mystery and thriller novel. I have only just started this new blog January 1st, as my old one I had to pay for. I started this blog because I love reading and want my opinions to be shared with others and to encourage others to love books as well. I read all books to the end even if I don't like it, it's the only way to give a fair and honest review. I do accept ARC's and finished copies from Authors or Publishers. I hope you can stop by and check my blog out and maybe even follow me if I'm lucky :D
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Country: United Kingdom


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Reductio Ad Absurdum
We have seen the Bayesian schema inform us about how to update our beliefs, and the likelihood analysis schema disregard the priors and instead tell us about relative evidential strength. While it is possible to set up decision criteria thresholds, such as "Bayes factor above 4" or "likelihood ratio above 32", an argument could be made that these approaches do not support behavioral, binary decisions very well – such as confirming or rejecting a hypothesis – because, conceptually, wise decision-making should not necessarily be based on beliefs or relative evidence. Rather, the top priority could be to control how often, on average, we will make the wrong decision. This is the logical basis of the methodologically more complex yet by far most widespread statistical procedure, known as the Neyman-Pearson approach, or "Null hypothesis significance testing". It was institutionalized in the 1950s and often described as a backbone of statistics, when, in reality, it is just one instrument of many in the toolbox that is statistics.
Central to this logic is the notion of the testing procedure itself being part of an infinite population, called a "reference class". For example, the toss of a coin could be considered as a sample from a collective of all possible outcomes. If, in this reference class, "head" occupies 40%, then this will be reflected in a 40% long-run frequency of heads. This long-run frequency is what defines probability, such that a single event cannot meaningfully be said to have one – only the reference class has a probability attached to it. This idea is often described as meaning that probability is "objective", but how the reference class is conceived is dependent on our subjective information. If we knew the aerodynamics surrounding the coin, the reference class would be narrowed down to the indefinite number of realizable tosses with those particular wind conditions.
More importantly, this conceptualization implies that, because a hypothesis has no reference class (it is not part of a well-defined space of possible hypotheses), it does not have an objective probability. It is either true or false. Our test's reference class meanwhile, has one, so our decision as to whether a hypothesis is true or false will have a long-run error attached to it. In essence, therefore, we calculate "If we were to conduct the exact same test and procedure again, with the same amount of subjective ignorance and information, an infinite number of times, how often would the true/false test give the wrong answer?".
The true/false test in question is performed not on the hypothesis we are curious about, called the "alternative hypothesis", but on the "null hypothesis". This is occasionally defined as the one that is most costly to reject falsely – our default explanation that we don't abandon unless we have to, because it is simple and approximates well. In practice, it is often, but far from always, the hypothesis of no difference (a nil hypothesis such as "all the samples from different conditions come from the same population").
As such, the test is somewhat equivalent to a mathematical type of proof known as reduction ad absurdum, in which a statement is assumed to be true, and if it is legally manipulated so as to result in self-contradiction, this means that the original statement must have been false. Except, instead of self-contradiction, the rejection-criterion is now based on extreme improbability. In other words, if the outcome is very improbable by happenstance, i.e. to have occurred as a result of chancy fluctuations, then this suggests that the experimental manipulation (or some other, unknown nonrandom influence) must be held accountable for it. We may say that an observed difference is significant, meaning that we reject the null, without directly quantifying the probability of alternative hypothesis, since – given that only reference classes have probabilities – this would be meaningless.
We thus actively seek disconfirming evidence, and place the burden on the alternative explanation, which costs more in terms of parsimony compared to the default ("it's all due to chance" is more parsimonious), something that we intuitively are very poor at. Rejecting the default hypothesis on the basis of low probability means that we again are concerned with a conditional probability.However, whereas in Bayesian and likelihood approaches, we calculated the likelihoods P(observed difference| hypothesis is true), holding the observed difference constant and letting the hypothesis vary, we are now concerned with the conditional probability P(getting as extreme or more extreme data | null is true), in which the hypothesis is fixed as null so that we don't consider every single parameter value, and the "possible data" is allowed to vary.
Moreover, we are no longer interested in the heights, but in areas, since the probability of the obtained data for a continuous density function is infinitesimally small, so we are interested in a low-probability range. Somewhat arbitrarily, this "rejection region" has by convention been set to 5%. This refers either to the two extreme 2.5% in both directions, in which case the test is two-tailed, or the most extreme 5% in one direction, in which case the test is one-tailed, and any effect in the other direction won't be picked up. This makes the calculated probability dependent on unobserved things (choice of test), so that identical data can result in different conclusions. In effect, these are two different ways of calculating the conditional probability P(getting as extreme or more extreme data | null is true).
Decision Thresholds
We – given the population distribution – calculate the probability of obtaining our sample or a more extreme one, and if probability, called the p-value, is less than 0.05, then if we reject the null now when actually the null is true, we will do this mistake only 5% in any future replications of this test. The 5% level, called alpha, therefore is an a decision criterion set by ourselves in advance that gives us the number of false alarms we would get if we were to perform this test again and again if the null were true. It is an objective probability. The long-term behavior, alpha, is everything we know. Note that it is not correct to define alpha as "the probability of false alarm error", since this could be interpreted to mean the probability of false alarm after rejecting the null. If you obtain p < 0.011, it is a mistake to say that "My false alarm rate is less than 1.1%" or that "98.9% of all replications would get a significant result" or that "There is a higher probability that a replication will be significant", since a single experiment cannot have a false alarm rate. Alpha is a property of the procedure, not of one particular experiment.
Confusing the p-value with the probability of a fluke is called the "base rate fallacy". It ignores the fact that the probability of a significant result being a fluke depends on the prior distribution of real effects. If you perform 100 tests at alpha=0.05, then you would expect 5 false positives. However, in total you obtained 15 significant results, so the fraction of them that are truly false (a number known as the "false discovery rate") would be 5/15=33%. The lower the base rate (the fewer cases in which the null is true), the more opportunities for false positives. Therefore, in data-heavy research areas like genomics or early drug trials, because the base rate is so low, the vast majority of significant results are flukes.
There is a similar risk of failing to detect real effects, called beta and expressed as P(accepting the null | null is false). Like alpha, beta is an objective probability decided upon in advance of the experiment. Given the beta, the expected effect size, and the expected amount of noise, you can calculate the sample size required to keep the beta at this predetermined level. Because large sample sizes normally are expensive, the relationship between alpha and beta is usually a tradeoff: we can reduce the probability of false alarms by requiring a p-value below 1%, but only by increasing the probability of missing a true effect. Though in practice they often are, alpha and beta are not meant to be picked as a mindless ritual, but carefully chosen based on an experiment-specific cost-benefit analysis. False alarms are typically presumed to be more costly, but this is not always the case: in quality control, failure to detect malfunctioning is often a higher priority.
The complement of beta (1 – beta) is the probability to pick up an effect of the expected size. It is called "power" and can be thought of as the procedure's sensitivity. Usually, a power of 0.8 or higher is considered sufficient, but in practice it is seldom achieved or even calculated. We mentioned previously that the hypotheses tested in the most common statistical tests tend to be low in content, because they only predict "there will be no difference" without specifying the effect size. The effect size is therefore not only needed for power-calculations, but also makes the theory more falsifiable. In neuroscience, the median study has a power of only 0.2, with the hope that meta-studies aggregating the results will compensate for it. A non-significant result in an underpowered study is meaningless, because the study never stood a chance of finding what it was looking for. Underpowered studies also run the risk of "truth inflation" – true effect sizes vary randomly, and if the power is low, only effects that by chance are very large will be statistically significant. By reporting the effect size, you are over-estimating its future magnitude, when it regresses towards the mean.
Detailing the Reference Class
The essence of null-hypothesis testing thus is to control long-term error, and to do this, the test procedure needs to be specified in finest detail, so that the reference class – the infinite number of replications that never happened – is well-defined. This includes the number of tests for different hypotheses we perform as part of the whole testing procedure – the "family" of test. Each test does not stand on its own. The reference class is then comprised of an infinite number of replications of this whole family, so if we still wish to have false alarms in only 5% of our replications, then we need to provide for the fact that several tests increase the chance of a misleading significant result being found somewhere in the procedure. This fact, known as the "family-wise error rate", can be understood by how, if for each test in the family, the probability of not making an error is (1-alpha) and the probability of making at least 1 error in k tests is the complement of (1-alpha)k, i.e. 1-(1-alpha)k, which increases with k. Thus, the overall long-term false alarm rate is no longer controlled. Intuitively, by exposing ourselves to more chance events for each trial, there is more opportunity for chance to yield a significant result, and to curb this, we enforce much more conservative criteria. The most common and least sophisticated way to control this error rate is to let each test's alpha be 0.05/k, something known as Bonferroni correction.
The presence of multiple comparisons can be subtle. Consider, for example, how in neuroscientific studies, you test for increased activity in every 3D-pixel of the brain – the required multiple comparison correction is massive. There is, furthermore, an intuitively disturbing aspect to the concept of a test family. Bonferroni correction reduces statistical power dramatically. If the researcher had planned a priori to only perform one comparison (and pre-registered her statistical protocol), then the reference class can be re-defined as "Collect the data, perform the planned comparison at the set alpha and then perform the other tests for curiosity's sake, Bonferroni-corrected". Also, if the same comparisons had been part of different experiments, there would be no need for correctives. Again, the reason for this eerie feature is that the reference class needs to be well-defined.
Another reference class specification is that of when to stop testing, "stopping rules". Suppose we recruit subjects gradually and perform tests as we go along – a procedure known as "sequential analysis". On the one hand, it is obvious that testing until you have a significant effect is obviously not a good stopping rule, since you are guaranteed to get a significant effect if you wait long enough, but in medical research this is often ethically required, and certain correctives are used to account for multiple testing. Still, we cannot tell whether we stopped due to luck or due to an actual effect, so the effect is likely to be inflated. Notably, whereas in the Bayesian and likelihood approaches, we could continue to collect data for as long as we wanted, now, if we get a non-significant result for our 40 subjects and decide to test another 10 subjects, the p-value would refer to "Run 40 subjects, test, if not significant, run another 10". This p-value is doomed to be above 0.05, since at n=40, there was a 5% chance of false alarm, and at n=50 there was another opportunity for false positives. Meanwhile, if a colleague decides to test 50 patients in advance, there is no need for adjustments, because his test is member of another reference class. Different stopping rules that coincidentally agree to stop at the same size can thus lead to different conclusions.
Interpreting the Results
The p-value is the probability for obtaining such data, the probability of the t-statistic. Therefore, if very small, this does not indicate a larger effect size. A small difference can be significant while a large difference is insignificant. Nor is the p-value a measure of how important it is. Another frequent mistake is to interpret a p-value as a Bayesian posterior (as a probability of the hypothesis being true), or as an indicator of evidential strength. Both the virtue and weakness with the Neyman-Pearson approach lies in just how mercilessly binary it is. If p=0.051, accept null. If p=0.049, reject null. If p=0.00.., reject null too. There is no such thing as "different degrees of significance", and you are not justified to switch alpha to 0.001 if you get a p-value below that value, as this would undermine its purpose. For the Neyman-Pearson framework, the p-value contains no information other than whether it is past the critical threshold. Because it depends on things other than strength, such as stopping rules and whether the test is one-tailed or two-tailed, it cannot be used as an index for evidential strength. If you decide to test more after a non-significant result, the p-value would increase, indicating less evidential strength, even though intuitively evidential strength also would also increase.
Another important aspect is that two tests, say A vs. C and B vs. C, cannot be interpreted as "A was significantly better than B, while B was not significantly better than C, thus A is better than B" without directly comparing A and B. This is because of the arbitrariness of alpha-level (one could be slightly below, the other slightly above) and the statistical power is limited.
There is an alternative, more informative and straightforward reporting strategy known as "confidence intervals". By calculating the set of mean values that are non-significantly different from your sample mean at your chosen alpha, mean +- 1.96 S.E., you will obtain an interval that, 95% of times that you replicate the procedure, will include the true population mean. In essence, it gives you the range of answers consistent with your data. If it includes both the null-predicted mean and the alternative-predicted mean, the result is non-significant, but it also tells you directly that the sensitivity is insufficient. Moreover, the width of the interval indicates your precision. If it is narrow and includes zero (null), the effect is likely to be small, while if it is wide the procedure may be too imprecise to make any inference. Widths, like data, vary randomly, but at the planning stage of the experiment, it is possible to calculate required sample size so that the interval will be of a desired width 95% of the time (a number known as "assurance"). Confidence intervals are particularly useful for comparing differently sized groups, since the certainty of a large sample size will be reflected in that interval's precision. For these reasons, confidence intervals are preferred, but even in a journal like Nature, only 10% of the articles report confidence intervals, perhaps because the finding may seem less exciting in light of its width, or because of pressures to conform.
A number of criticisms have been raised against the Neyman-Pearson approach. One is that an internally incoherent hybrid-version is often taught, in which p-values are reported as p=0.0001, even if the alpha a priori was set at 0.05, which is the only thing that should matter. Another is that the hypotheses it tests are typically low in content. A third is that it invites cheating, since the Bonferroni penalties of collecting more data after a non-significant result means a lot of expensive data may be wasted. Also, because it is poorly implemented without prior power-calculations, and the "truth inflation" phenomenon means that reported effect sizes that are exaggerations of real effects may be unfairly dismissed, because the replication will have a power based on the initial effect size, not the degraded one, and consequently be underpowered.
A fifth is that the binary nature of the Neyman-Pearson approach also invites "publication bias", in which both scientists and journals prefer unexpected and significant results, as a kind of confirmation bias writ large. If an alpha=0.05 experiment is replicated 20 times, 1 of them will be significant due to chance. If 20 independent research teams performed the same experiment, one would get a significant result, simply by chance, and that team certainly would not feel very lucky. If journals choose only to publish significant results, neglecting the 19 insignificant replications, it fosters something like a collective illusion. Moreover, it is not unusual to tweak, shoehorn and wiggle results – be selective about what data to collect in the first place – to make it past that 5% threshold, "torturing data until it confesses".
How can we unravel this illusions quicker? How can we attain maximum falsifiability, maximum evolvability, to accelerate progress?
- Meta-research: There are statistical tools for detecting data-wiggling, and a lot of initiatives aiming to weed out dubious results.
- Improving peer-review: Studies in which deliberately error-ridden articles have been sent out for peer-review indicate that it may not be a very reliable way to detect errors. Data is rarely re-analyzed from scratch.
- Triple-blindedness: Let those who perform the statistical tests be unaware of the hypothesis.
- Restructuring incentives: Replications are extremely rare because they are so thankless in an industry biased towards pioneering work. Science isn't nearly as self-corrective as it wishes it were. We must reward scientists for high-quality and successfully replicated research, and not the quantity of published studies.
- Transparency: To avoid hidden multiple comparisons, encourage code- and data-sharing policies.
- Patience: Always remain critical of significant results until they have been robustly and extensively validated. Always try not to get too swept away by the hype.
- Flexibility: Consider other statistical approaches than Neyman-Pearson.
But ultimately, we have to accept that there is no mindless, algorithmic slot-machine path to approximate truth. Science writer Jonas Lehrer put it as follows: "When the experiments are done, we still have to choose what to believe."


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New construction w/ waterviews of Town Creek & the ICW. Home includes either a deep water slip(6' MLW), 48 x 21.5 (longer vessels allowed) w/ a full length finger pier or a smaller slip w/ 12,500 lb. lift. Walking distance(4 blocks) to Beaufort's waterfront restaurants, galleries and shops. Double porches on the front & 2 porches on the back for your waterviews. Open floor plan featuring wood floors, white shaker style cabinets w/ quartz counter tops in kitchen & baths. First floor has a 2 car garage & In-Law/guest quarters/apartment (w/full kitchen-quartz counters & gray shaker cabinets & appliances) 3 stop elevator. Home also has rights to 2 visitor parking spaces via an easement. House plans and specs are listed under documents. Docks are insured.
Listing courtesy of Eddy Myers Real Estate.
Copyright 2019 NCRMLS. All rights reserved. North Carolina Regional Multiple Listing Service, (NCRMLS), provides content displayed here ("provided content") on an "as is" basis and makes no representations or warranties regarding the provided content, including, but not limited to those of non-infringement, timeliness, accuracy, or completeness. Individuals and companies using information presented are responsible for verification and validation of information they utilize and present to their customers and clients. NCRMLS will not be liable for any damage or loss resulting from use of the provided content or the products available through Portals, IDX, VOW, and/or Syndication. Recipients of this information shall not resell, redistribute, reproduce, modify, or otherwise copy any portion thereof without the expressed written consent of NCRMLS.


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Malmberg provides full-service bus repairs at 1621 Michael St, Ottawa. For more information on our bus repair services please contact us at (613) 741-3360.
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Contact us to book a Bus repair service appointment.
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Why us?
Having worked with Michèle and Roger on the launch of Christmas Glow Barrie, I can't say enough about the team's depth of experience and effectiveness at landing us prime national, regional and local publicity. As seasoned professionals, I found their creativity, reliability and intuition really drove our media results. Working with them in future is high on my list.
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strong media relationships = results
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our team
Roger Dundas
Managing Director
Publicity | Social & Digital Media | Web Designer | Publisher
Michèle Newton
Director & Corporate Secretary
Media Relations | Public Relations | Communications | Writer


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Solar electric to charge my EV Chevy Volt
I'm in the wiring stages in my tiny house and need to wire for an 220v plug (saw the video we're good now) & have 110v for general house stuff (a couple lights and outlets with USB chargers). So does the solar battery banks need 2 units for each line (110v & 220v)? A controller to regulate when the Chevy Volt needs more juice than the house?
in progress 0Electrical 2 years 1 Answer 497 views 0


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Happy Monday - a fresh new week has landed! Every Monday I'm sharing a reading for the week to see what energy is at play and how we can work with it, along with some extra added guidance at the end of the post. I hope you enjoy these weekly readings as much as I do! This week I'm pulling a cards from the Mystic Mondays Tarot and Äkta Spåman Podcast Oracle - two decks I also need to review here soon. I'm majorly behind, haha!
The energy this week is coming from the 3 of Wands and I love this card! It's one of my favorite cards to see show up in a reading - it encompasses preparation and expansion for me. The 3 of Wands tells us that it's time to get your creative ideas off the ground and into focus. You are ready to take the next few steps towards your vision but may have a few things to look at before you are fully ready. I like to use the energy of this card to proof read any writings I have in my drafts, double check over projects to be sure I'm not missing something, or to make sure I have all the tools needed to move forward (this includes study and awareness on what I'm working on). So use this week to dot your i's and cross you t's!
When moving forward with something there will always be a struggle of some kind whether it's with people in a group, someone expressing their opinion, or even just internal conflicts with yourself (ahem, doubt can do this). The 5 of Wands is a good reminder to not waster our energy in dealing with feuds that really have no point. Yes, it's totally healthy to have arguments and a conflict of interest, but not when tension comes to the party. No need for this to turn ugly! We can all put in our own two cents while still acting responsibly and respectfully. If someone does raise hell, move on and don't look back.
Extra Guidance
I pulled a card from the Äkta Spåman Podcast Oracle for some extra added guidance this week. "Don't throw pearls to pigs" is such a true statement and really ties in with the 5 of Wands I pulled above. Just like I said how we don't need to deal with feuds that have no point, we don't need to feed into them either.
Sometimes it's best to just let people be and ignore their behavior all together. By continuing to feed into a negative situation, we are still involving ourselves and it's not helping anyone. This can be like trying to get in the last word or struggling to explain yourself... just move on and let them be. If they are genuinely reaching out for help, that's one thing. But the second someone turns ugly, don't waste your breath and just keep moving.
What do you have going on this week? Let me know in the comments!


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There are seven major "leave no trace" principles. Number four is "leave what you find." I broke the rule.
Backpacking into a remote subalpine lake was a joy – until we reached the camping area and discovered huge bough beds hacked by a careless backcountry visitor from nearby conifer trees at the lake edge.
I couldn't leave the boughs sitting there, giving the idea to future campers that this was acceptable practice. So I removed them and scattered the evidence in the woods.
Leave what you find doesn't mean not cleaning up messes left behind by less-than-caring campers. It means giving others the opportunity to discover somewhat pristine environments.
Leave No Trace Principle Number Four:
- Minimize site alterations (e.g. don't dig trenches for tents, construct lean-tos, table or chairs)
- Avoid damaging live trees and plants (e.g. cutting boughs for beds = minimum benefit + maximum impact. Always use lightweight and comfy sleeping pads).
- Leave natural objects and cultural artifacts (e.g. enjoy antlers and arrowheads, but leave them where you found them).
© 2011


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"In small places, close to home—so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
—Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Chair of the United Nations Commission that wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948
Join us for a pot luck lunch and a reading of all 30 articles of the Declaration of Human Rights.
Free and open to the public. Please bring a dish to share with others. Soup, salad, casserole, dessert. Stay for the Tiny Instruments Show at 2 PM!


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Today Parliament voted overwhelmingly for equal choice in marriage for all Australian couples. This happened not because of Malcolm Turnbull 's efforts but in spite of his hypocrisy , delays and cruelty. Shouldn't have taken our politicians so long. But celebrate now because it's done.
From Ruth Green Vice President PFLAG, NSW


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The BRCA is pleased to announce the 2012 National Championship for 1/10th Scale F1 and GT10 cars!
This year a 4-round series has been agreed, with events spread across the country as follows;
- Sunday 6th May – Ardent Raceway, Derbyshire
- Sunday 10th June – Maritime Raceway, Kent
- Sunday 1st July – Teesside Radio Car Club, Teesside
- Sunday 2nd September – Chesterfield, Derbyshire
The aims of the series are;
- To provide regular club racers with a recognised BRCA national championship to compete in
- To support and bolster club level racing of F1 and GT10 cars
- To encourage competition between clubs and participants that may not occur otherwise
- To encourage new drivers to take part in organised events across the UK
As was the case last year, the series will be organised and run by the BRCA 1/12th scale committee under the BRCA 1/10th Electric On-Road banner. However, if the series is a success and continues to prosper then there could be an opportunity for a new BRCA committee and stand-alone class to be created.
For more information about classes, rules and contacts, please visit the F1 & GT10 pages on the BRCA website here.
Booking in will be open soon and will be managed via the BRCA Website.


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Destruction and creation, the eternal opposites, one ceasing to exist without the other. If you view making art as growing a culture, as you would in a laboratory, there are countless analogies. Maturation processes, introduction of stimuli, culling specimens... basically any manner of manipulation to to promote desired change, And when you're on a journey of discovery, there are no mistakes, simply surprises and happy accidents. The rest you paint over.
What is my point here? The last batch of paintings, Gaea Bellum, took considerably more time and effort than I had anticipated. That's not a bad thing. I've been cultivating (there it is) a new style for months, and this is the first major iteration in what will be a new muralism aesthetic for me in the future. And the chance to include a historical/cultural narrative with commentary on conflict and nature? Well, the goddamn thing practically paints itself.
The real trick was in the laborious layering of these elements on canvas. By constructing an isometric viewpoint for the helmets I can create symmetry, only to eliminate it with the layering of florals. Strangely enough, the 3D design of the helmet pieces was inspired directly by my recent work exploring symmetry and form with wire art. And it meant considerable more thought in placement and rendering for everything involved. For every bit of quality on the canvas, I painted over considerable other beauty whose only mistake was being in the wrong place or depth. I must be comfortable becoming a ruthless executioner of beauty. Only then can I create it. Put the mask back on, prep another slide, grow another art.


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Our Approach
In Uganda, there are many 'supply' side programs working to improve the planning, coordination, and delivery of district-level health services. But the country lacks complementary 'demand'-side programs concentrated on strengthening citizen engagement. In response to this gap, USAID launched the Advocacy for Better Health project in July, 2014. Implemented by PATH and Initiatives Inc., Advocacy for Better Health aims to empower Ugandans with the skills, tools, and systems to effectively advocate for accessible, high-quality health care.
Specifically, Advocacy for Better Health works to more fully engage communities in the planning and monitoring of health services. The project strengthens the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to represent citizen interest and conduct advocacy. This results in stronger policies, budgets, programs, and services that ultimately improve the health and well-being of Ugandans.
Across 35 districts, 479 sub-counties, and at the national level, more than 20 local CSOs and hundreds of community groups are demanding change and holding duty-bearers accountable for health-related goals and commitments—from the facility to the highest-levels of decision-making.
Advocacy for Better Health's model emphasizes three distinct but interrelated strategies: citizen mobilization and empowerment, social accountability, and policy advocacy. Capacity building underpins the success of this model—it is not only intended to accelerate project outcomes, but to leave behind a legacy of skilled CSO partners able to sustain a locally-led health movement leading to measurable and meaningful change.
This portfolio was created for health advocates interested in learning more about, or replicating, the Advocacy for Better Health model. It is a practical toolset, rooted in established advocacy practices and the experience of the many participants of the project. It contains tools, templates, and resources used by the project.
Watch this in-depth video to get a glimpse of how the Advocacy for Better Health program works to mobilize communities and strengthen the institutional capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to implement long term sustainable advocacy projects. It provides more information about ABH's priority issue areas and contains interviews with program leaders, district health officials, and CSO partners about how and why the program is so successful.


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Alannah Hill
Alannah Hill is an iconic Australian fashion label, with an ever-evolving yet instantly recognisable style. Radiating sophistication, elegance and a touch of drama, each highly crafted Alannah Hill design is built to transcend trends and enchant your world. Alannah Hill is a story, a lifestyle, a mindset and a belief.


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The Challenge
Open the 6th folder of photos
Select the 6th picture
Post the picture on your blog with a description
Invite 6 friends to join the challenge
Link 6 friends to your blog post
Ha, cute little birdie. :o)ReplyDelete
The 6/6 challenge made it's way to me a few weeks ago. I had such fun with it, and it appears you did too.
The seagull made me laugh. Having lived in WA State most of my life, they were common companions on early morning walks along Tacoma or Seattle's waterfront.
Have a lovely day,
Happy Easter! Great photo too.ReplyDelete
Hi sis Mary! That sounds like a lot of fun-the photo challenge. That's nice you are sharing it with us. That bird seemed like it enjoyed the pic taking! May God continue to strengthen and comfort you and your family. Have a blessed Saturday! I enjoy your frequent visits and thank u so much for that. It encourages me so much! Love you in Christ-RoselReplyDelete
Love the picture of the beach and seagull! So happy that you participated in my 6/6 challenge!
Happy Easter,


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Underwater camera under $100 – Waterproof camera for kids
Are you looking for an underwater camera under $100 that you can use outdoors no matter what the weather conditions are? If you don't want to spend too much, we found these cheap models for you are perfect for occasional snorkeling, as a waterproof camera for kids or great as GoPro alternative. Capture your family's underwater moments on a beach holiday and while having fun in the pool!
Table of Contents
Take photos everywhere! – Underwater camera under $100
For regular snorkelers and divers, we always suggest buying cameras for snorkeling from big reliable manufacturers. But we understand there are situations when you need to find cheaper solutions. An underwater camera under $100 won't give you top quality photos, but these simple models come with easy operation, therefore they can be a good choice for users that don't want to spend time on learning settings. Moreover, it is recommended to buy them as a first waterproof camera for kids! They can get used to the feeling of photography without making parents worry about damaging their expensive devices. A cheap underwater camera under $100 will be your travel buddy in wet, dusty or snowy conditions!
Tip: find here our underwater camera cleaning tips!
CAMPARK Waterproof 4k action camera
Buying a GoPro Hero 7 for snorkeling is always a good choice but you might find it too expensive. If you want to find an underwater camera under $100, this great GoPro alternative will be the solution. The CAMPARK waterproof 4K action camera has many awesome features at an affordable price. This waterproof action camera features a Sony sensor to record video footage in 4K/30fps and capture 16MP photos. You can follow the action on the 2-inch HD screen while the Wi-Fi remote control allows you to control it from your phone. The CAMPARK Waterproof 4K action camera is perfect for water adventures like snorkeling, diving, surfing by putting in the included waterproof case. On the top of these, it comes along with a multifunctional accessories kit!
CAMPARK waterproof 4k action camera key features:
- Image resolution 16M
- Video resolution 4K/30 fps
- 170-degree wide angle lens
- Time lapse
- Slow motion
- Loop recording
- Built-in WI-FI
- Waterproof up to 98 ft in the included case
- Supports micro SD card up to 32GB
- Accesory kit included with mounts, bandage, clips, and cable
- 4K 30fps video resolution, 16MP photo quality
- 2-inch HD screen
- 170-degree ultra wide view
- with mounting accessories and WIFI remote control
- waterproof up to 98 ft while in the case
GoPro for kids
Combine the GoPro Session design with low price and get an underwater camera under $100 that is perfect to record your children's memories even in wet or dusty environment. Imagine how cool feeling will be for your kids having their own GoPro like the big ones? This durable, easy-to-operate waterproof camera for kids made from non-toxic materials. Simple switching between photo, video and playback modes. Durable withstands drops and can be taken underwater up to 33 ft (10m) if placed into the IP68 certified case. Thanks to the power saving mode this GoPro for kids turns off when there is no action resulting longer battery life. The waterproof camera for kids comes with tons of accessories in a gift package! Ready to serve as a perfect birthday or Christmas present too!
Ourlife GoPro for kids key features:
- Main functions: video mode, photo mode, playback
- Photos up to 5MP
- HD videos
- USB 2.0 port
- 1.77 inch screen
- SD card support up to 32 GB – 8GB card included
- Rechargeable Li-battery (1.5 hours continuous recording time)
- Underwater case, mounts, strap in the package
- 5MP photos and 1280X720 HD videos
- 1.77 inch LCD screen
- easy-to-operate system
- waterproof up to 33ft when in the case
- made of non-toxic materials, safe to use for kids
Vtech Kidiizoom kids action cam
Turn the little ones into videographers with the Vtech Kidiizoom kids action camera! Another good underwater camera under $100 option that is versatile, durable and waterproof up to 6ft while in the case. It will be a tough adventure partner while exploring, playing or on pool parties. The included mounts make it easy to fix on skateboard, bicycle or helmets. On the top of normal photos and videos, it is also possible to record in time-lapse and stop motion modes, Built-in fun photo effects and frames will allow your children to be creative with photo editing! Moreover, Vtech Kidiizoom kids action camera comes with learning games.
Vtech Kidiizoom kids action camera main features:
- 640X480 videos
- 1.4 inch LCD screen
- Waterproof up to 6ft in the case
- Time-lapse and stop-motion modes
- Fun photo effects, filters, frames
- Li-ion battery (rechargeable) with 2.5 hours battery life
- Micro memory card up to 32GB
- 640X480 video quality
- durable and tough construction
- 1.4 inch LCD screen
- waterproof up to 33 ft (with case)
- recommended for kids from 4 to 9 years
Waterproof camera for kids
This underwater camera under $100 will let your kids enjoy taking photos and recording videos everywhere while you don't need to worry that they will accidentally break an expensive device. Compact and smart, easy to hold and operate. Durable and able to withstand youth activity, can be used around the house, in the bathtub or pool. Selecting the mode is super easy by simply pressing the mode button. Although this lightweight yet durable cheap waterproof camera for kids comes with a fun design, but of course it can be used by adults too to take photos while snorkeling or swimming. The preprogrammed scenes help to get better footage at special conditions like at night or on the beach. Built-in flash helps to capture good images even in low light. The 2-inch screen gives the option to follow what you are pointing or recording.
Kids camera key features:
- 5 MP image resolution
- 4X digital zoom
- Video resolution: 1280 x 1080P HD
- Self-timer mode
- Waterproof up to 3 m
- Dustproof
- 2 inch LCD screen
- Supports Micro SD card up to 32 GB
- Preprogrammed effects: night/beach/sport/underwater/portrait/party
- Supported languages: English/French/German/Italian/Portugal/Spanish/Dutch
- 5MP photos
- 1280x720 videos
- 2-inch LCD
- waterproof up to 10 ft without additional case, IP68 certified
- cute and funny design in bright yellow color


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In September 2017, journalist Gracie Bonds Staples of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution profiled five black gay men in Atlanta. In the series we shared our thoughts and ideas about how HIV impacts our communities. Join the Counter Narrative Project and partnership with the the LGBT Institute of the Center for Civil and Human Rights as we revisit the series. The event is free and open to the public.
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: December 1Feast On Equality
Later Event: March 9An evening with Sarah McBride: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality


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Constable (Pioneer)
Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP)
Address: Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), Post Box No- 33 GPO
City Shillong
State Meghalaya
Educational Requirements: Matriculation or equivalent from a recognized Board with - One year's experience in the trade of Mason or Carpenter or Plumber or Electrician or Welder or Painter.
Details will be available at: http://itbpolice.nic.in/eKiosk/writeReadData/RectAd/Dte_ItCellrecrtAd.pdf
No of Post: 197
How To Apply: Eligible and interested candidates should send their Applications (duly filled in Hindi or English only) complete in all respects and Candidate's Admit Card duly filled, in the prescribed proforma as per Annexure 'I' and Annexure 'II'. The application, either type written or neatly hand written in ink/ball pen, on one side only on full size plain paper with passport size photographs affixed on application should be sent alongwith application fee, and enclosures to the designated Post Box No. as mentioned against each post at para- 4 above. The application must to reach on or before the prescribed last date i.e. 22nd April, 2013 for all States except for Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Ladakh Division of Jammu and Kashmir State, Lahaul-Spiti District and Pangi Sub-Division of Chamba District of HP, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep for which last date is 29th April, 2013.
Last Date: 22nd April, 2013


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New Music party! We'll be picking up a brand new record or a few, fresh out of 2018. Come down and have a listen! BYO new vinyl! This month is the 2018 RSD edition. We have tons of new Record Store Day titles to hear!
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: April 21Record Store Day
Later Event: May 11Visit and Listen with Immanuel Pathways


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**new music** drunk in love
"I didn't want to release my music the way I've done it. I am bored with that. I feel like I am able to speak directly to my fans.
There's so much that gets between the music, the artist and the fans. I felt like I didn't want anybody to give the message when my record is coming out.
I just want this to come out when it's ready and from me to my fans." -Beyonce


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The value of good advice on your retirement benefits
Once you have bought a guaranteed life annuity you cannot move to another annuity
You should definitely consider the cheaper pensions that your retirement fund can secure for you but also take care not to make your choices without proper financial advice that takes into account all your savings and your circumstance, as many retirement decisions are irrevocable, the South African Independent Financial Advisers Association warns.
At a recent SAIFAA seminar, Derek Smorenburg, the founder of the independent adviser association, said when you consider an default annuity option offered by your retirement fund it is in your best interests to engage an independent financial adviser to ensure that you get comprehensive holistic and ongoing analysis and advice that takes into account all your assets and liabilities, and not just the amount that you have saved in your retirement fund.
Regulations under the Pensions Funds Act oblige funds from March next year to provide you with an annuity chosen by your trustees as the default pension. These same regulations also oblige funds to give you retirement benefits counselling – information, but not advice - about, among other things, the pension options open to you at retirement.
Smorenburg says you can paint yourself into an irrevocable situation if you get the wrong advice at retirement.
Once you have bought a guaranteed life annuity – a pension that guarantees to pay a predetermined pension for the rest of your life - you cannot move to another annuity. If you buy a living annuity – an investment portfolio from which you draw a percentage as a pension each month that is dependent on the returns you earn in the market - you can switch providers and/or convert your annuity to a guaranteed annuity, but only in full – not just a portion of it, the seminar heard.
Smorenburg says if you choose a living annuity or a hybrid guaranteed for life and living annuity your decision is not a once-only one, one on which you will need to continually have access to ever-changing advice.
Daniel van Andel, a product development manager at Allan Gray, agrees that retirees should be made aware that retirement benefits counselling may be inadequate under certain circumstances, and that some people may be better off speaking to a financial adviser who is better positioned to take all aspects of their financial situation into account when recommending an appropriate plan for retirement.
Barend la Grange, an actuary at Sanlam Employee Benefits, says Sanlam expects more people will get advice on their annuities as a result of the information they get from benefits counsellors. The counsellors will make them aware of their options but for advice on which are suitable they will need an adviser.
He says one employer has asked Sanlam to contact all the members of its employer-sponsored fund who are due have not saved enough to guarantee a good pension – they have low income replacement ratios relative to their current salaries – and alert them to their predicament and the action they can take to remedy the situation.
La Grange says although the regulations will only require funds to offer retirement benefits counselling from March next year, Sanlam already has it in place on its umbrella fund and has seen the number of members making use of trustee-endorsed annuity strategies doubling.
He says if members need advice instead of just the counselling the fund can provide, funds can decide whether to refer members to a panel of trustee-approved advisers or to make use of the Sanlam's salaried retirement benefits adviser.
Retirement benefits counselling is causing funds to rethink their communication strategies with members, he says.
Sanlam has developed a robo-advice tool, RetireMate, for members of its funds.
Katherine Barker, head of Funds at Work, says Momentum also has a tool, Smart Counsel, that members and their advisers can use to improve their understanding of the consequences of their choices at retirement and encourages members to work with their advisers.
SAIFAA has asked the eight biggest umbrella funds whether they will enable members to appoint financial advisers to assist them with default annuities.
Questions you should ask
Smorenburg, says the questions you, as a member, or your adviser, should ask about the default annuity options your fund provides include:
- What is the range of investment portfolios offered under the infund default living annuity product offering;
- What is the format and range of life annuity and hybrid options
- What are the total costs of these default in-fund member options including administration fees, asset management fees, performance fees, capital guarantee fees and whether these costs at institutional or retail levels;
- What are the competitive advantages of the default in-fund member option.
The Association of Savings and Investments of South Africa had introduced a new measure, the effective annual cost, to help you compare the costs of products like annuities across providers.
It has extended the EAC to umbrella funds but funds offering in-fund annuities are not yet required to provide an EAC for these pensions. Retirement funds will be required to make full disclosure on their costs but as this disclosure is not yet standardized across providers, comparisons may still be difficult.
If your fund's default annuity is one that is outsourced to a financial institution or the umbrella fund's sponsoring company, however, you should be provided with the EAC when you obtain a quote.


text: karachidude 91 Posted January 23, 2017 hey peeps, long time no see, i would like help selecting a new laptop, i was wondering which company is usually more durable in its makes, i have a few laptops in mind and my budget is around 500$. i wont be using it for gaming or anything too intensive but still want it be sufficient enough to aid me in the years to come as new software become more processor and memory hungry, these days even Samsung Kies hangs my old dual core 4GB DDR2 computer. I also want to ask if DDR3 is OK or should i buy one with DDR4 and is the 5th or 6th GENERATION OK or should i go for the 7th GENERATION, does it make a big difference.Some i can buy here in Pakistan are as following. Dell Vostro 15 (3559) Notebook • Intel® Core™ i5-6200U • 4GB Memory • 500GB Hard Drive • Windows 10 • 15.6" Anti Glare HD Display 720p Lenovo Ideapad 110 (15") Laptop • Intel® Core™ i5-6200U Processor • 4GB DDR3 • 500GB Hard Drive • AMD Radeon R5 M430 (2GB GDDR3) • Windows 10 Home • 15.6" HD (1366 x 768) TN Dell Inspiron 5559 Touch-Screen Laptop - Silver • Intel Core i5-6200U Processor • 8GB DDR3L 1600MHz • 1TB 5400RPM Hard Drive • 15.6" LED FHD Touch Display (1920x1080) • Windows 10 Home (64-bit) • Backlit Keyboard In the link bellow is the list of all the options i have between 40000 to 50000RS(400$-500$) http://www.czone.com.pk/laptops-new-pakistan-ppt.74.aspx#Results Any help or guidance would be appreciated! special shout out to leetpirate! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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1. The English Patient
2. The Usual Suspects
3. Taxi Driver
4. Love Actually
5. Everything by the Coen Brothers - If I had to chose - the Big Lebowski.
6. Early Woody Allen - esp Annie Hall
7. Lord of the Rings
What are your favorite 7?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Blogtoberfest day 11 - 7 movies I like
Posted by planettreasures at 8:22 PM
Labels: blogtoberfest, cinema, films, movies
1 comment:
- Kirrily said...
Ohhh this is hard to keep short!
Badlands (my absolute favourite)
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
Girl Interrupted
Stand by Me
Apocalypse Now
Annie Hall
Pretty in Pink
He died with a felafel in his hand
Run Lola Run
- October 11, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Middle Kindling Audio Collection
Middle Kindling Audio Collection
A collection of audio meditations, delivered quietly to your inbox. A 4 week prescription of gentle, soulful, deeply spiritual meditations, "kindling" to stoke a creative recovery, delivered Monday thru Friday for four weeks.
This particular collection will include a pretty, downloadable PDF transcript, AND some bonus art instruction video, all aimed at you experiencing your very own, very personal, creative recovery.
We all encounter seasons, whether short or long, when the creative well seems to run dry. We all experience those difficult weeks, months, and sometimes years, when the fire we carry on the inside flickers and fades. In those times, we need someone - someone who has been there, someone who understands - to make us know for certain that blessing and fire are always right around the corner. It takes a "certain woman" to make other women certain that inspiration is still there.
You will make art again, whatever your art form may be! You will write again, paint again, make music again, cook and bake again, dance again. The finished work of Christ on the cross makes your creative recovery sure. The fires will burn brightly once again, because the entire Godhead has conspired in love to breathe life back into you, and give you white-hot beauty for ashes.


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Applying for a business loan can be a daunting task for business owners. The mounds of paperwork and documents a financial institution must review can create lengthy bottlenecks and burdensome process taking weeks if not months to complete.
Introducing the Digital Business Lending Center, a new online application portal that allows credit unions and community lenders to cost-effectively originate small business loans and compete with online lenders.
With this easy-to-use, 24/7 tool, borrowers are guided step-by-step through the application process and can upload any required loan documentation themselves. In just a few minutes, the portal transmits the completed application to Lucro for expedited processing. Lucro will provide a condensed-format credit memo complete with recommendation and risk rating for you to decision the loans.
The application portal can also be used by branch employees to originate loans while the member is in the branch! The step-by-step process ensures an easy, professional, in-branch experience for your borrower and employee.
Whether you're already offering small business loans or would like to get started, the Digital Business Lending Center is a convenient, efficient complement to your existing products/services and/or provides easy entry into this market.
To learn more contact Business Lending Center Manager Heather Bosenko: email@example.com or 850-701-4073
- Online borrower application
- Automated document collection
- Digital credit application file
- Condensed credit view
- Pre-qualification filter
- Expedited credit processing by Lucro
- Reduces application time from 30 hours to 30 minutes
- Increases your standing in the business lending market while simultaneously bringing transaction costs down
- Reduces staff time and costs by 50%
- Built with regulations and compliance in mind
- Online and in-branch applications available
- Assistance from Lucro with the loan-review process
How it Works
The Digital Business Lending Center quickly screens each borrower automatically before processing a full loan application. Based on a few simple credit metrics (loan amount, collateral, time in business and credit score) the application is routed to a score only or score plus financials workflow. Then, digital banking and financial records are gathered from secure electronic sources. Lucro will receive a consolidated application file that includes all the supporting documentation, and will produce an expedited credit memo to your credit policy.
Lucro partners will receive one of two credit packages based on borrower qualification/scoring of the loan:
- Credit memo only (no financials provided): The familiar Lucro format, which includes loan and collateral details and a risk rating, as well as a Lucro summary and recommendation.
- Credit memo with cash flow (financials provided): In addition to the credit memo, the credit union will also be offered a Lucro-prepared, abbreviated cash flow on the borrower.
Learn More
A demo video and due diligence documents are available in eVault for partners. To learn more contact Business Lending Center Manager Heather Bosenko: firstname.lastname@example.com or 850-701-4073