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So You Think You Can Propose?
Ok, so you're probably wondering what is going on here? Who are these peeps and what is this blog all about? Well, hopefully you've checked out the "About Us" page along with our "About Her" and "About Him" posts (if the "About Him" post isn't up yet, it's because Darren has been busy finishing the house we are building so it's presentable for family coming over on Christmas - it's coming - promise!). Basically, we are passionate about living our best story and we want to share it with you in order to inspire you to live yours. We both thought that we'd start off by revisiting some of our favorite stories from our time together. This way, we can get acquainted for upcoming adventures and stories! So without further adieu, let me tell you the story of how Darren proposed.
"So, if we do the boat tour on December 30th, it will cost about half as much as taking the same tour on New Years Eve? Done...December 30th it is!" As I hung up the phone with the Disney travel concierge, Darren and I both peered at each other in excitement. We had been planning to take a magical holiday trip to Disney in 2009, leaving just after Christmas and staying through the new year. What better way to spend your holiday than surrounded by magic, fireworks every night and lots of fun adventures and rides at each Disney park? Well, there are obviously lots of ways to spend a holiday that I would love to do, but for 2009, this what what our hearts desired. After that phone call, all was planned and in place - flights, resort, meals, events...all we had to do was pack.
Our visit to Disney was incredible. I absolutely love the holidays, so being surrounded by more lights, wreaths, garland and bows than I could possibly count only added to the thrill of eating at great little restaurants and acting like kids as we rode our favorite rides. Side note - if you haven't been on the Toy Story ride at Hollywood Studios, you need to. Seriously. Wake up early to get to the park before the gates open, speed walk (or jog) from the gate to the Fast Passes and snag one, or twenty. Then, go back at your designated time and have a blast! You can thank me later.
Fast forward ahead to December 30th. As you know from earlier, we had booked a boat tour on the lakes in front of the Magic Kingdom for that evening. The boat left from the magnificent Grand Floridian hotel and we snuggled up with blankets (just the two of us) while our tour guide showed us around, telling us the cool history of the park and lakes. The highlight of the boat tour was that we got the most premium spot for viewing the evening fireworks display. I freakin' love fireworks and boy, was this a show! Mid-way through the show, though, Darren gets our from our blankets. I'm wondering what the heck he's doing because 1) it's cold, and 2) Um...we're mid-fireworks man! Little did I know that he had something even more amazing planned for me as he dropped to one knee, held out a ring box and asked me to marry him. My brain literally did not comprehend what was happening for a few seconds. First, I was looking at Darren, on one knee in front of me. I knew why - this is a very traditional stance that pretty much everyone knows what it means - but I didn't know WHY...who me? Us? What? Second, I saw the ring box. As my eyes tried to adjust with the night sky and fireworks, I searched for the ring to start to connect the dots in my head - knee, ring...you get it. The only problem was, I couldn't see a ring. So what's a girl to do than to start asking relevant questions? - Seriously? Are you serious? Are you Serious? Seriously? Does my mom know? Wait... but...are you serious? (All perfectly logical questions in my opinion).
By this time, Darren is shaking both from the cold and his raging nerves as he waits for the women he loves to run through her 50 questions before answering HIS question. He answers my line of questioning as patiently as he can, but then panics. "Are you gonna answer my question, or not?" "Oh, oh my gosh, yes...YES! Of course I will!"
It's at this point that Darren goes to take the ring out of the box to place it on my finger, when he realizes that the box is upside down! No wonder I didn't see a ring! Realizing his error, he then flips the box to reveal the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. It's so me- bold yet simple and just...fits me perfectly. Little did I know that he spend months designing that ring just for me and planning this moment meticulously - well, minus the upside down box, I'm sure. As he removes the ring and places it on my finger, we snuggle back up under the blankets to attempt to watch the remaining fireworks in an absolute daze. Our sweet tour guide snapped some pics of us after the fireworks and took us back to the Grand Floridian, still gushing and madly in love. We exited the boat and entered the spectacular hotel, only to find that it had now been make even more enchanting with a live jazz band playing holiday classics. Still a bit giddy, we went up to enjoy some champagne and the jazz band as we recapped the evening's events. After some great music, we wondered around the hotel and it's cute little shops. We stumbled upon a small soap shop that had a bar of soap with a silhouette of a bride and groom! How freakin' cute! I pretty much had to have it and at the checkout, I busted out with the joyful news to the sweet, quiet cashier. Luckily, we were at Disney, so everyone always has magical smiles and loads of cheer.
I don't remember much else other than getting back to our resort and walking through the firefly lite wooden path to get to our room. I don't think I slept a wink that night and I will never forget Darren's magical, mysterious, somewhat clumsy but eternally precious proposal.


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Kitty Hawk Pier | Dance Portraits
Kitty Hawk Pier | Dance Portraits
Eden Shows off her moves on the beach
Kitty Hawk Pier.
Eden has a dance recital coming up and so we met at the Kitty Hawk Pier at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk, NC to show off her gorgeous outfits and dance moves! Her spine must be made of Jelly! She can bend, spin, jump and flip all while taking direction and making sure she has a smile on her face! Kitty Hawk Pier.
Eden's mom Christen was a huge help with all the outfit changes and hair do's. Christen is the ISR swim lady on the OBX. You may see here around on the OBX with her students underwater pictures on her windows.
I love the difference in the way the sun hits Eden in that red dress. Such a pretty contrast with the greenish water we've been having on the Outer Banks.
Break a leg at your recital Eden!!!

subset: commoncrawl


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So Pantone released the 2014 colors for Spring. I know, I know . . . that is a long way off. But in the design world, we are never working on the current holiday or the current season. It's all about planning ahead.
So with that, here are the colors you will see for Spring. Looks like it is going to be a season of pastel paired with vibrant. Here is a snippet from Pantone's Report:
Designers take a modern twist on the traditional for spring 2014 by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad and strong, confident women, designers use color to refresh, revive and defy conventional wisdom.
"This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations."
To read the full article from Pantone, click here.


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SEO is about attracting non-paid search traffic to your website. The idea is that a person searches the Web using Bing or Google, etc. and your site comes up in the non-paid search results. To that end, it's important to make sure your website is easily understood by both people and machines.
- People = your target market, your ideal website visitors.
- Machines = search engines like Google and Bing.
It's a problem if your website confuses people and they can't easily find what they're looking for. Or they can't smoothly accomplish the tasks they want to complete (or you want them to complete).
But did you know it's also a problem if your website confounds machines? It's common for websites to have technical roadblocks that create problems for machines trying to understand or even find pages on your website.
Does your site need a makeover? Find out using…
The Portent 2014 SEO Website Makeover Checklist
Compare your website to this checklist. It's not in any particular order so you can jump in and start your makeover pretty much anywhere on this list. You'll be able to figure out if a checklist item is meant to make it easy for machines or for people. If not, just hit me up in the comments section at the end.
- Does your home page instantly and clearly communicate what you offer? Are you sure?
- Does each page have a page-relevant unique title tag?
- Does each page have a page-relevant unique meta description?
- Does each page have a clear and concise headline?
- Do your page URLs convey an indication as to the topic or content of the page?
- Do your pages use interesting unique images and make use of a relevant image ALT attribute?
- Does your page content truly inform or engage?
Don't just answer "yes!" to the above questions, be objective and honest. The above list could keep you busy for quite a while… but here's more:
- Are any pages on your website duplicates of any other page on your website (either by accident or on purpose)?
- Are any pages on your website duplicates of any other page on other websites you have (either by accident or on purpose)?
- Do any pages on your website contain text that is duplicated on any other website on the Internet (either by accident or on purpose)?
- Are topically related pages of content logically linked together in a way that's useful to site visitors?
- Are any of the links on your site leading to "404 page not found" error pages?
Your content should be 100% unique on the Internet. Not 50% or even 99% unique, 100%. Broken links frustrate visitors and provide dead ends for machines so be sure to fix those. Got all that done? Let's keep going…
- Is your site navigation easy to find, understand, and use?
- If someone landed on any page of the site, would they be able to instantly figure out where they were in the site hierarchy?
- Does your site have clear calls to action?
- Is your site rife with jargon and technical terms you use all the time but your target market does not use or understand?
- Do your site visitors get a clear indication of what will happen if they fill out a form, click a link, or take some recommended action?
- Do you provide a sitemap of pages in case someone wanted to see a complete "menu" of your website?
Here's more stuff you need to attend to:
- Do your site pages load in a browser in less than 3 seconds?
- Do you have an XML sitemap?
- Are you making proper use of a robots.txt file?
- Are you making appropriate use of structured markup? (See schema.org for more info.)
- Have you set up Google+ authorship and/or publisher cross links?
- Is your site displaying well and is it usable on a smart phone?
- Are you putting content in technology that machines can't understand like Flash or iFrames?
Got all that done already? Now check the following:
- Does your site code have huge blocks of JavaScript that could be moved to an external file?
- Does your site code have blocks of CSS that could be moved to an external file?
- Are you 100% sure that you have your analytics tracking tags deployed properly on each and every page of your site?
- Are you providing site search functionality to your visitors? Does it provide frustratingly irrelevant results?
- Does http://www. display in front of your domain name and also http://?
- Are all of your site's links hyperlinking directly to the target URL, or do any of them pass through redirects?
Don't stop now, you're on a roll!
- Does Google Webmaster Tools report crawl errors you need to fix?
- Does Google Webmaster Tools report HTML improvements you need to make?
- Are images compressed?
- Are images properly scaled?
Wrap up & TL;DR
This is not meant to be an "all-inclusive SEO checklist." There is no such thing because every site has specific needs, problems, target markets, and technology stacks. When it comes to making your site better for both humans and machines, you want your distance from perfect to be as close to zero as possible.
I guarantee that by using this website makeover checklist you will find at least 3 things you need to fix or otherwise attend to with your team.
You're welcome.


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The business and marketing world evolves every day and staying on top of the latest trends can be challenging. Read our blog for easily digestible content marketing guides, access to author insights, and examples of how we've helped our clients stay ahead of the curve.
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Over the last 30 years, Paolo Gallo has been Chief Human Resources Officer at the World Economic Forum in Geneva; Chief Learning Officer at The World Bank in Washington DC; and Director of Human Resources at the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development in London.
Business success is reliant on being able to get on with people. No matter what the role in an organization, the ability to influence, persuade, motivate and encourage others to act effectively is vital.
We talked to Ian Hallsworth, the Publisher for Bloomsbury Business, about the power of print, and why readers, authors and organisations still love print books.
Ian MacRae is an organizational psychology consultant and psychometrician and writer who works internationally. Ian has conducted research with tens of thousands of participants in over 40 countries. He has written 4 books about practical work psychology. He is an advisor at Thomas International, Research Manager at Sage Transitions in Canada, and Director of High Potential Psychology Ltd.
Content can motivate your employees by involving them in your company's success and making them feel proud to have played a role in achieving it.
Bloomsbury author John Adair is one of the world's leading authorities on leadership and leadership development. Since 2006, he has been Honorary Professor of Leadership at the China Executive Leadership Academy in Shanghai. In 2009, he was appointed Chair of Leadership Studies at the United Nations Staff College in Turin.
But how do you go about choosing an agency? What makes an agency a good fit for your business?
Creating content around the theme of diversity for our client.
Sleep specialist Vicki Culpin offers an accessible guide to how sleep works, the consequences of poor sleep and the practical ways of mitigating against, and reducing the impact of, compromised sleep in organisational environments
As digital marketers, it's important to stay on top of the trends and keep an eye on what everyone else is doing in the industry.
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I love one-trick food festivals. They bring out my penchant for taking a single food ingredient to levels I would never envision on my own.
Take chestnuts. They are sold just-roasted, in little packets, in Basel's Old Town. I enjoy munching on still-warm chestnuts while strolling around wintry streets. But it took a festival devoted to all things chestnut— a one-day sweep of the annual fair in Ascona, Switzerland in canton Ticino —to broaden my horizons.
Ascona's Sagra delle Castagne
My best "finds" at the fair were chestnut honey and cookies.
First, at the friendly stand of tigusto SA, a local "bio" firm which also sells La Pinca chestnut products, I bought cookies. They were made with a recipe from Hildegard von Bingen, one of my saintly heroes. She was elevated just yesterday to "Doctor of the Church" by Pope Benedict, but I admire her for her forward-thinking medical and pharmacological practices.
Later, I tasted chestnut honey, its flavor not very sweet and with an almost bitter aftertaste. The vendor assured me the honey cures a cough, which is good, but I have lustier plans for it. I will use the honey as a topping for a sandwich of walnut bread with Gorgonzola and arugula, a preparation Serious Eats celebrates as food porn; and in the Tuscan way, drizzle it over a piece of Pecorino with fresh pears.
For centuries the chestnut was a primary source of nutrition in the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean, where grains did not grow well. The Romans cultivated chestnut trees in the Alps. Well into the nineteenth century, chestnuts were the mainstay of a diet for an impoverished rural population. These days, its traditional uses are on show for tourists, along with fancier preparations. Ascona's fair, Sagra delle Castagne, offers all things chestnut, from pastas to beer, to jams and marmalade, to desserts like vermicelli, or simply roasted—and all accompanied by strolling brass bands and folk music.
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This post is my contribution to a photo essay blog carnival sponsored by Monika Fuchs.


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Flu Update 10/23/18
Who Should Get a Flu Vaccine?
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older to get a yearly flu vaccine. If you have questions about whether the flu vaccine is right for your patients, or family and even yourself, we encourage you to research the facts and utilize our resources for HCW.
The flu vaccine is a yearly vaccine to help you build immunity, each year, to the the active strains of influenza for the season. To learn more about the flu vaccine, what is happening with flu season this year and more visit What You Should Know for the 2018-2019 Influenza Season.
Where to go for your shots has information and resources for you to locate a vaccine for yourself and other family members. You can also call your doctor or visit your local pharmacy to see if they carry and cover the flu vaccine or other vaccines you may need.
Provider Resource Links -
ADHS influenza surveillance – click here
ACIP recommendations – click here
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Resources for Health Professionals – click here
Influenza Tool-Kit for Long term Care Employees – click here
Influenza Vaccination Information for Health Care Workers – click here
Free Training on Emergency Mass Immunization - Register HERE


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You're sitting there in your yoga pants sipping your favorite hot beverage and reading a Reddit article on your phone. Seems pretty mellow right? For the most part it is. But on a sensory level, your brain isn't resting. There are still tons of pieces of information your brain is processing and staying on top of. Now picture all the information that your brain takes in as you ride down the busy escalator to the packed subway on your way to work. No doubt your brain is working double-time!
Fortunately, your brain is expertly equipped for both situations, and all situations in between.
So let's pause a moment and give your brain the props it deserves. Nice work brain, keep it up!
Thank goodness too, that your brain isn't the complaining type. From a cognitive perspective, information is costly to take in, store, manipulate and retrieve. The more information it is presented with, like the subway station during rush hour, the more taxing. Don't be fooled just because your brain makes it look easy. It's not.
The way your brain is able to function efficiently during even the most stimulation-dense situations is through various short-cut systems it has at its' disposal. One of the most common is the use of narrative.
Narrative, or the way you explain things to yourself, fill in the blanks when you don't have facts, and the stories you tell yourself, creates patterns. Patterns are easier for your brain to recognize and manage than tons of disparate bits of information or things that don't make sense.
There are many types of patterns your brain relies on.
Causality, that is logically progressing from cause to effect, makes for an efficient narrative and is a common 'go-to' pattern for our brains. A story that progresses logically in this manner is easier to neatly package than one that takes wild twists and turns and may not wrap up nicely. It's no surprise that an overworked brain likes causality. And no surprise then, that we quickly come up with answers for everything, explain anything that comes across our paths and try to avoid uncertainty at all cost!
We feel better when we know the why of things and when things 'make sense' to us. We even feel better when we totally make things up that fit that bill. We end up telling ourselves a lot of stories that increase our impression of understanding, without needing them to be based on reality.
Your brain's 'Causality Narrative' pattern building is essential for continuing to function at the high level you do. But in order to make sure this short-cut is helpful and doesn't lead you astray, it's important to do these 5 things:
- Become aware of the cause-and-effect stories you tell yourself
- Become aware of the ways you fill-in-the-blanks when you don't know the facts
- Become aware of the ways your wishful thinking or pessimistic thinking influences that way you explain things
- Become aware of how your stories fail to respect the facts that you actually know
- Increase your comfort level with uncertainty so you don't automatically explain things you don't know.
The more you understand how your brain works and practice fine tuning it, the higher performing your brain will become without negatively effecting its' efficiency.


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"In the majority of situations lost property is never returned due to the fact that the rightful owner cannot be identified or contacted"
Please report lost property as soon as possible by: calling, sending a text message, or completing an online report via our website. Whichever you prefer, you can rest assured that our dedicated team of lost property experts will do everything they can to assist in finding and returning your lost items as quickly as possible.
When lost property is found our staff are the first point of contact and will liaise on your behalf. Whether it is a member of the general public, baggage handling agent, airline personnel, airport security, rail operators, taxi companies or the police, we are there to help quickly identify and secure your property.
Using your unique identity number, we can instantly identify and contact you to arrange either a convenient time and location for you to collect or the delivery of your item/s where and when you want them.


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Ready to speak with us about a legal matter?Get Started Click to Call
Are you – or is your child – facing adverse action as a result of truancy? Our team of education law attorneys can guide you through the process and help ensure that your rights and reputation are protected. Each case is unique and each student may face individual challenges in getting to and attending school. For students with disabilities, schools are required to look into the root cause of absenteeism to ensure that special educational needs are not being overlooked. We can help ensure that you and your child are getting the help and protection you need. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
What is truant? The term that is given to a minor who is absent from school and does not have his parents' permission to be absent. See Black's Law Dictionary.
Definition of truancy: an act or instance of playing truant: the state of being truant. See Merriam Webster Dictionary.


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Read Me
I was commissioned to create an animated GIF for Read Me's website landing page to celebrate the launch of their product. The GIF needed to show Read Me as a centre console communicating with multiple services and products whilst providing accurate realtime data and analytics.
Creative Direction: Matt Wilson
Animation/Design: Matt Wilson


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The Old School is situated on the A49, just 7 miles from Hereford and 9 miles from Ross On Wye. Free Wi-Fi and free on-site parking are provided, and the Hereford Trail walk passes just outside the entrance.
You can check in between 14:00 - 21:00. You can check out between 10:00 - 11:00.


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Sku: HZS101
Get in touch and we will try our best to match it or even beat it! firstname.lastname@example.com
You must be logged on to use the reminder option.
Over time, the parts of your Pond Filter need replacing to ensure the Filter remains at its best.
The Hozelock Bioforce 1100 Annual Service Kit contains all you need when peforming those regular checks.
Included in the kit is a replacement 5 Watt PLS UV bulb, a single foam and a selection of replacement O rings.
All you need to keep your Bioforce running for the next year
Fits BioForce 1100 (pre 2002)
Foam Size: 19cm Diameter - 5cm Hole
Bulb: 5 Watt PLS
Simply enter the details required and press "Tell a Friend".


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Major Trauma Service
The Alfred Trauma Service was founded in 1984. We are the largest and most active Trauma Service in Australasia. We are one of three Victorian Major Trauma Services (The Alfred, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The Royal Children's Hospital) and we treat over half of all major Victorian trauma cases.
What we do
The Trauma Service includes:
- an onsite helipad
- four major trauma emergency resuscitation/theatre bays
- a 44 bed Trauma ward (2 West)
- state-of-the-art 36 bed ICU with 10 designated trauma beds
- a Hyperbaric service
- the Victorian Adult Burns unit
The Alfred Trauma Registry
The Alfred Trauma Registry was established in late 1988, and serves to detail all major and selected minor trauma work undertaken at The Alfred.
The Registry collects patient information from:
- all major trauma admissions
- all trauma ICU admissions
- all trauma hospital transfers
- all deaths after injury
The main functions of The Alfred Trauma Registry are to chronicle trauma activity at The Alfred, monitor quality and service delivery and to supply information to the Victorian State Trauma Registry.
Who we care for
We are a state-wide service and care for people throughout Victoria who have suffered major and minor trauma injuries.
What to bring
Every time you come
- Medicare card
- Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
- Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
- Medicines you need to take while you are here
- List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
- Glasses, hearing aid, walking frame
For an overnight (or longer) stay
- Dressing gown and slippers, or comfortable day clothes and shoes
- Personal hygiene items, such as shampoo, shaving cream, shaver, toothpaste and deodorant
- Something to do, like a book, a magazine or an iPad/tablet with headphones
Don't bring (for an overnight or longer stay)
- Your handbag, wallet, purse or large amounts of cash
- Valuables, such as jewellery or watches
Our clinics
|Clinic name
|Multi Trauma Clinic
|The Alfred
|99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004


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Shop Love - St. Frank Textiles in San Francisco, CA
Designers can be pretty territorial and secretive about their source so to preserve their individual style and I can understand that. But every once in a while you find a store/source that is just so good that you have to share.
I remember walking by St. Frank on Sacramento street about a year and a half ago while pregnant with Willa and pressing my face against the glass like a kid peering into a candy store. The store wasn't open for some reason and I took a photo of the sign to stalk it at a later date. It wasn't until several months later than I had the opportunity to pop in an see all the treasures.
This shop is filled to the brim with the most eclectic and well-curated mix of home decor you can imagine. I stop by often if for nothing else other than a little inspiration. You can shop most of the collection online but for the vintage pieces you have to make the trip and I recommend you do. The custom re-upholstered pieces move quickly and the found furniture is always beautiful and in great condition (so therefore pretty pricey).
The concept behind St. Frank is one I love and can happily get behind: to give back and support the artisans that produce these amazing goods. Read about their mission here.
You can get all of their amazing prints in fabric by the yard and some of the prints in wallpaper (I know, I die). Everything is made to order in the USA, so be patient!
St. Frank has been popping up all over (East Hampton this past summer, currently Manhattan and coming to Palm Springs soon). I highly suggest you follow them on Instagram and stop into the store if you are in San Francisco! And if you want to fill your home with all things St. Frank call me, lets work together ;-)


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Well, this Sunday morning was pretty fun for me. My photography goal for the day was to take some drone footage of a unique building that is not too far from my home. The building is called the Furniture Land South Building in High Point North Carolina. Actually, the building is less than a mile from my home and I have always wanted to photograph it but never really got around to it. Of course, since I now have a drone I finally took the time to go get a little drone footage this morning and finally shoot the building. It is funny how one becomes more eager to get out of bed to shoot drone video footage when they have a drone.
The building is massive and used when the furniture market that comes to our town. Visitors from all over the world come to look at furniture in the showroom throughout town and the Furniture Land South building is stop that all visitor makes. What really stands out about the building is the large dresser that leads to the entrance of the building. You can't miss it. I wanted to do two things this morning. I wanted to get both still photos and of course, videos with the drone. I was pretty lucky this morning. I actually thought I would have some issues with getting a good location to launch the drone and getting some good angles for my shots. Even though the place was closed on Sundays I was still able to launch the drone and get some nice images from a variety of angles. That is the beauty of drone photography and videography, we have better access from above our subjects and the skies are unlimited (unless you violate FAA guidelines). If you are a drone pilot, don't do that.
I was able to get some nice still images and a nice "pull away" shot of the Furniture Land South Building. Below are the images and video.
This morning I was able to accomplish the goals I set out to do. I try to establish daily goals when it comes to my photography and building my photography business. Now, I need to decide what's next on my agenda.
Until next time, keep shooting!


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No. 3 USC Moves To Second At NCAA West Regional
May 8, 2009
Freshman Jennifer Song fired a 67 while junior Belen Mozo and sophomore Lizette Salas also carded below par rounds as the No.3 USC women's golf team tied for the low round of the day and solidified its spot near the top of the standings on the second day of the 2009 NCAA Championships West Regional at the Karsten G.C. in Tempe, Ariz., on Friday (May 8).
USC, in the process of defending its 2008 NCAA title, moved from a tie for fifth to second place with a 5-under 283 and is now in second at 4-under 572 (289-283). Troy trails Arizona State, which is playing on its home course to the tune of 20-under 556 (273-283). UC Irvine is the only other team under par at 3-under 573 (289-284).
The top eight teams in each of the 21-team NCAA East, Central and West Regionals (plus two individuals from each field) will advance to the championship round, scheduled for May 19-22 at the Caves Valley G.C. in Owings Mills, Md.
Song's 67 is her sixth round in the 60s on the year, tying her for team-high honors with Salas. The freshman's efforts on Friday included a 4-under front 9 (that started on the 10th tee) and 1-under on the back 9. She is now in fifth at 5-under 139 (72-67).
Mozo meanwhile is tied for second at 8-under 136 (66-70) after a 2-under second round in which she was 1-under on the front and back 9. She is one shot out of first. Her best finish so far this year is third.
Salas moved from a tie for 34th to a tie for 13th and is now even at 144 (73-71). Looking to keep her season streak of top 10 finishes alive, she used a 2-under front 9 to propel her to a solid round.
Sophomore Caroline Kim tightened up her game a bit, turning in a 3-over 75 second round. She is now tied for 72nd at 10-over 154. Freshman Inah Park is tied for 80th at 11-over 155 (78-77).
Action concludes Saturday
TODAY | 2:00pm PTLive
Airing on:
- Pac-12 Network
- Pac-12 Oregon
TODAY | 4:00pm PTLive
Airing on:
- Pac-12 Network
- Pac-12 Los Angeles
- Pac-12 Washington
Pac-12 PlaylistTODAY | 6:00pm PTLive


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More great PRESS! LYF SUP in the News & Observer
A GREAT BIG thank you to Joe Miller for the surprise mention in the News & Observer! Joe also writes the terrific GetGoingNC.com health and fitness blog and is author of the just-released "Adventure Carolinas" (UNC Press). Go check out Joe's great blog now!
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/05/26/3879080/choose-your-adventure-from-mellow.html#storylink=cpy


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CGNU Life Assurance Ltd
CGNU Life Assurance Ltd was established on October 23 1837 as the Protestant Dissenters' and General Life and Fire Assurance Company with a deed of settlement sealed on May 9 1838.
Company History
The company commenced business on 25 December 1837 as a life insurer offering special rates for ministers and those "connected with the great body of Protestant Dissenters". Reverend Thomas Price DD, one of the main founders, was appointed the company's first manager.
A special committee had already met in November 1837 to consider the running of the company and recommended entering the fire business and setting aside a proportion of profits for a "Ministers' Fund" to benefit ministers and their families. At first, the company limited itself to insuring nonconformists. However, it became clear that more profitable business could be gained from ending this limitation.
General Life prospectus, 1910
In March 1838, the company issued its first life policy. By 1839, the year the company issued its first annuity policy, it had underwritten 446 policies. On April 3 1840, an act of parliament about the company gained royal assent, allowing it to change its name to the General Life and Fire Assurance Company on March 18 1847.
Among the first fire risks undertaken was one for £6,000 on Baker's Chop House, a well-known coffee house in Change Alley, London. The fire business was sold in 1892 to the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company after losses in major conflagrations at St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada and Sundsvall, Sweden. On June 29 1893, the company changed its name again, this time to the General Life Assurance Company.
In 1925, the company became a subsidiary of the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Ltd. On December 20 1927, the company was incorporated as the General Life Assurance Company.
The next few decades saw many changes. On January 1 1969, the company changed its name to the Yorkshire General Life Assurance Company and again, in 1970, to the Yorkshire-General Life Assurance Company, after taking over the life business of General Accident's subsidiaries, Yorkshire Insurance and the Scottish Insurance Corporation. On January 1 1985 the company was renamed General Accident Life Assurance Ltd. On October 1 1998 it became known as CGU Life Assurance Ltd and, finally, on October 2 2000, the company was renamed CGNU Life Assurance Ltd.
Key dates
|The General Life and Fire Assurance Company is established as the Protestant Dissenters' and General Life and Fire Assurance Company
|The company issues its first life policy
|Name changes to the General Life and Fire Assurance Company
|The fire business is sold to the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company
|Name changes to the General Life Assurance Company
|The company becomes a subsidiary of the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation
|The company is incorporated as the General Life Assurance Company
|Name changes to the Yorkshire General Life Assurance Company
|Name changes to the Yorkshire-General Life Assurance Company
|Name changes to General Accident Life Assurance
|Name changes to CGU Life Assurance Ltd
|Name changes to CGNU Life Assurance Ltd
Did you know...?
- Dr Thomas Price, the first manager and secretary, was a well-known Baptist divine, editor of the Eclectic Review and founder member of the British & Foreign Anti Slavery Society, which organised the first World Anti Slavery convention, held in London in 1840. A painting of this convention, featuring Dr Price, can be found in the National Portrait Gallery.
- Rowland Hill, inventor of the penny post, was a company auditor from 1838 to 1840.
- In 1851, when the first International Exhibition was held in London, the company gave each member of staff two days off to visit the exhibition and 10 shillings for the entrance fee.
- W S Champness, the original publisher of the Insurance Blue Book and Guide in 1873, was assistant company secretary from 1859 to 1882.
- Henry Ward, manager and secretary from 1886 to 1892, was married to the daughter of W Baddeley, inventor of fire extinction systems.
- Former director John Pirie was an alderman who later became Lord Mayor, a knight of the realm and director of the South Australia Company. The third pioneer ship to arrive in Australia, Schooner John Pirie, was named for him.
Subsidiaries and constituents*
|Company name
|1846 - 1857
|British Empire Mutual Fire Assurance Society
|1832 - 1890
|Subscribers Annuitant Society of Bristol
|1961 - 1970
|General Development Property Company Ltd (transferred from General Accident)
|1969 - 1970
|Niger Insurance Company (Nigeria) (transferred from Yorkshire Insurance Company, sold in 1973)
|1874 - 1970
|Bloomfield Land and Building Company Ltd (transferred from Yorkshire)
|1884 - 1970
|Lancashire and Yorkshire Reversionary Interest Company (transferred from Yorkshire)
|1941 - 1970
|White Star Trust Ltd (transferred from Yorkshire)
|Yorkshire General (Pensions Management) Ltd
* Please note the first date given is the date of the establishment of the company and the second date is the date the company was acquired or became a subsidiary. Where only one date is given the company was established as a subsidiary of the parent company. Where one date is preceded by a hyphen the date of the establishment of the company is not known.
Staff and officials
|1837 - 1867
|Dr Thomas Price (also manager)
|1867 - 1886
|George Scott Freeman (also manager)
|1886 - 1892
|Henry Ward (also manager)
|1892 - 1917
|John Robert Freeman (also manager)
|1917 - 1924
|Albert Burton Nye (also manager)
|1924 - 1928
|J Mayhew Allen
|1928 - 1933
|J Caven Irving
|1933 - 1936
|Dudley North
|1936 - 1937
|L Morton-Butt
|1937 - 1945
|E J Corse-Scott
|1945 - 1956
|L V Beard
|1956 - 1968
|H S Edwards
|1968 - 1969
|G N Dingsdale
|1969 - 1976 at least
|A Cade
|1837 - 1867
|Dr Thomas Price (also secretary)
|1867 - 1886
|George Scott Freeman (also secretary)
|1886 - 1892
|Henry Ward (also secretary)
|1892 - 1917
|John Robert Freeman (also secretary)
|1917 - 1924
|Albert Burton Nye (also secretary)
|1924 - 1932
|J Mayhew Allen (title to 1928 actuary and secretary)
|1932 - 1954
|S Norie-Miller (general manager; managing director from 1947)
|1955 - 1956
|Alfred H Pearson (managing director)
|1956 - 1968
|H S Edwards (general manager and secretary)
|1968 - 1976 at least
|C R Fisher
Directors (1837)
General Life policy header, 1889
- Thomas Challis (later Lord Mayor)
- Thomas Piper
- Andrew Caldecott
- George Bousfield
- John Edgar
- Joseph Fletcher
- Richard Hollier
- Charles Hindley MP
- John Pirie
- Thomas Bridge Simpson
- Charles Pelham Villiers (longest-serving MP, 1835 - 1898)
- John Wilkes
- Edward Wilson
- William Beeby
Head office premises
|1837 - 1838
|17 Cornhill, London
|1838 - 1880
|62 King William Street, London (formerly known as Great Eastcheap and adjoining Rat Alley)
|1880 - 1925
|103 Canon Street, London
|1925 - 1956
|General Buildings, Aldwych, London
|1956 - 1960
|52 Pall Mall, London
|1960 - 1968
|4 & 5 Grosvenor Place, London
|1968 -
|2 Rougier Street, York
Home branches and agencies
General Life illustrated branches, 1886
- Edinburgh (by 1846)
- Bristol (by 1846)
- Glasgow (by 1846)
- Norwich (by 1846)
- West of London (by 1879)
- Bedford (by 1879)
- Belfast (by 1879)
- Birmingham (by 1879)
- Bradford (by 1879)
- Gloucester (by 1879)
- Hull (by 1879)
- Leeds (by 1879)
- Leicester (by 1879)
- Liverpool (by 1879)
- Luton (by 1879)
- Manchester (by 1879)
- Sheffield (by 1879)
- Stirling (by 1879)
- Swansea (by 1879)
- York (by 1879)
- Lancashire District (by 1879)
Overseas branches and agencies
General Life prospectus for Hamburg, 1898
- France (by 1886)
- Hamburg, Germany (by 1898)
- South Africa (by 1917)
- Belgium (by 1927)
- Egypt (by 1927)
Published history
A Century of Progress by Arthur Champness. Tillotson & Son. Bolton, 1937.
In the archive
The Aviva archive contains records relating to the running of the General Life and Fire Assurance Company between 1838 and 2004. The collection includes board minutes, committee minutes, policy books, prospectuses, share registers, revenue accounts, cash books, deeds of settlement, board of trade returns, proposals and salary registers.


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Gaming 101: A Beginner's Guide to Collecting for the PlayStation 2/
Welcome to the wonderful world of video game collecting for the PlayStation 2, a place where the lines between hobby and hoarding are blurred.
All kidding aside, there's a lot to love when it comes to the venerable PS2, launched all the way back in the year 2000. In fact, I've recently started rebuilding my PS2 game collection and it's been an enjoyable experience revisiting old titles and playing through games I missed the first time around.
With more than 150 million units sold, the PlayStation 2 is the best-selling video game console of all-time. Nearly 4,000 games were released on the system worldwide, of which there are more than 1.5 billion copies in circulation.
What this means for collectors is that unlike older and more coveted consoles, supplies of PlayStation 2 consoles and games are both plentiful and affordable.
Many of the staples of the console, games like Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3, Final Fantasy X, or God of War, can be easily acquired complete with manual for under $10 apiece. Needless to say, this makes it a great time to be a PlayStation 2 collector.
Below you'll find a comprehensive guide answering all of your PlayStation 2 collecting questions. We'll help you figure out which PS2 console version to choose, what games are worth playing, where you can find games and accessories, and much more.
Ready to learn how to collect for the PS2? Let's begin.
Why Collect For The PlayStation 2?
The PlayStation 2 is a veritable goldmine of '00-era gaming's greatest hits. Don't just take my word for it - there are three primary reasons why gamers of all ages and experience levels should consider collecting PS2 games:
It's still quite affordable.
PS2 games are easy to find.
The PS2 game portfolio is massive AND high quality.
For the $60 you'd spend on a AAA modern release, you could instead purchase a literal armful of masterpiece PS2 titles. That's a whole lotta bang for your buck.
Parents, take note. You can walk into practically any used or vintage game store (like my local favorite, VIP Gamestore) and find a plethora of titles on the shelf suitable for any age range, most of which are priced in the $5 - $10 range.
So now that you're on-board with the awesome console known as the PS2, where do you start?
The PlayStation 2 Console
[Note: If you've already nabbed a PlayStation 2 console, you can of course skip ahead to choosing which games you want to play.]
Not all PlayStation 2 consoles are created equal. There are two main iterations of the PS2 hardware: the original PlayStation 2 (often called the "PS2 Fat") and the slimline model (sometimes called the "PS2 Slim").
Both are capable of playing CD-ROM and DVD-ROM media and are backwards compatible with original PlayStation games.
Deciding on which version to get will mostly boil down to personal preference, though I will of course highlight any advantages or disadvantages below. Opinions vary in the community, but the main differences come down to the following:
Original PS2
Contains a 3.5" expansion bay for internal hard disk drives (HDD). This allows partial game installs and backing up memory card data.
The larger case accommodates more third-party mods.
Memory card and controller slots are spaced apart and this makes it easier to plug and unplug them.
Requires an internet adapter for online connectivity.
Older models have disc-tray ejection motor reliability issues.
While it's capable of standing upright, the disc-tray design can damage discs. With the original PS2 discs are unsecured and may be jostled and scratched during use.
No integrated IR port for pre SCPH-500xx models. Requires dongle to use DVD controller.
Slimline PS2
Quieter fans and performance.
Significantly smaller console.
Built-in ethernet port.
No motorized disc-tray. The tray's lid pops open instead.
Was designed to safely stand vertical w/ a stand without damaging discs. Discs are secured directly onto the spindle beneath the disc tray lid.
Integrated IR port for DVD remote controller.
No 3.5" HDD expansion bay.
Unless you have model SCPH-70000, no slimline consoles possess the circuitry required to connect a HDD.
More difficult to modify as the case is smaller.
Memory card and controller slots are placed very close together. It saves space but can make them more difficult to unplug.
Both the original and slimline models received several hardware revisions. These increased laser reliability, changed board configurations, and generally improved upon each model in small but helpful ways.
I currently own a silver PlayStation 2 slimline that I purchased brand new at GameCrazy before the company went out of business. I've since modified it with a flip-tray to facilitate disc-swapping imported games. While I have owned the original PS2 before, I prefer the slimline for how compact and quiet it is.
At the end of the day, you should attempt to find the newest version of whichever you choose (original or slimline) to take advantage of these hardware revisions and get the most longevity out of your console.
Console Alternatives
Perhaps you're feeling adventurous or simply don't have access to a PlayStation 2 console. There are alternatives available - but each are situational depending on what hardware you currently have available.
The main alternatives to the PlayStation 2 console include:
PlayStation 3
We won't go into a lot of detail here, but there is a backwards compatible version of the PlayStation 3 that will play most PS2 games. These include the 60GB and 20GB launch versions of the PS3, whose emulation is accomplished by containing actual PS2 "Emotion" chips inside of them.
The 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle WAS backwards compatible, but it was only through emulation software and is no longer functional.
Tracking down a backwards compatible PlayStation 3 will likely prove to be a pain, but if you do manage to find one (or already have one) it can be a convenient way to cut down on space in your entertainment center.
If you don't have a functioning PlayStation 2 or backwards compatible PlayStation 3, there's still another option: emulation.
As long as you're providing a PlayStation 2 BIOS from a lawfully purchased PS2, it's perfectly legal to emulate lawfully purchased PS2 games on your computer.
The most popular option for PlayStation 2 emulation is PCSX2. The main advantages to playing your PS2 games on the computer is significantly improved resolution and downsampling options. Virtual memory cards with save states and widescreen hacks also add to the appeal.
Emulation plays an important role in preserving the rich history of gaming, though this guide you're reading is primarily focused on collecting original PlayStation 2 hardware and software. If you want more information about emulating PlayStation 2 games, I recommend reading this helpful article by Wes Fenlon for PC Gamer titled, "Why you should play PS2 classics on PC, not PS4."
...Back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Which PlayStation 2 Games Should I Get?
Now that we've got the hardware out of the way, it's time to move onto games. The PlayStation 2's catalog of games is overwhelmingly vast (4,000+ titles worldwide), especially if you haven't had the pleasure of immersing yourself in it before.
Before I get into specific title recommendations, there's something else you should take into consideration: game condition.
Is it important to you that the game has the original case and manual? Does the disc have any significant scratches? These can affect the price (and value) of your chosen game. All the games I purchase are pre-owned and my criteria is that each game should be in good condition and complete with box, art, and manual. It's a personal decision, so find what works best for you as a collector.
Now it's time for the games themselves. To make the process easier, below you'll find my recommendations of titles that every PlayStation 2 owner should try at least once. These are not necessarily the "best" games on PS2 and tastes will vary, but it is a great place to start as you begin to explore all the titles the system has to offer. Check back periodically as this list will continue to be expanded.
Without further ado:
Final Fantasy X
Price Range: $5 - $10
Final Fantasy X is a role-playing game (RPG) set in the fictional world of Spira. The game chronicles the adventures of a young man named Tidus as he and his companions battle to stop the rampaging monster who destroyed his hometown.
The game is rendered in 3D and is the first Final Fantasy title to feature voice acting. Gameplay is standard RPG fare, which each character taking turns performing an attack or action. Characters earn experience and level up as you battle enemies and progress through the game.
The first time I played Final Fantasy X was 2002, a year after it was released. This was the first Final Fantasy title to be released on the PlayStation 2 and it became both a critical and commercial success.
I consider it to be one of the greatest video games of all time and is a worthwhile addition to any PlayStation 2 collection. I re-purchased the game for $7.49 on eBay. It is in pristine condition and comes with the disc, manual, and original case art.
God of War
Price Range: $5 - $10
God of War is the myth-based story of a Spartan warrior named Kratos and his journey to claim vengeance against Ares, (you guessed it) the God of War. The game was released in 2005 and is a third-person action-adventure for one player only.
This title features hack-and-slash combo-based combat, puzzle solving, and platforming elements. In the game, players will battle a variety of mythological enemies in multiple locations of ancient Greece. You'll meet multiple Olympian Gods - some friend, some foe - in your quest for revenge.
God of War was critically acclaimed upon release and sold more than 4.6 million copies worldwide. The sequel, God of War II, was released in 2007 and is also one of the console's most acclaimed titles.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Price Range: $10 - $15
Metal Gear Solid 3 was the second game in the series to be released on the PlayStation 2. Subsistence is a re-release of the game that features a new camera system that vastly improves the gameplay experience.
Set in the 1960s, this stealth-focused prequel explores the origins of a U.S. special forces operative codenamed "Naked Snake," as he attempts to sabotage an experimental super-weapon with the power to slaughter untold millions. He's assisted from afar by various advisors and allies. The story is primarily told through cutscenes and radio conversations.
Players will camouflage themselves and sneak through a Soviet-controlled jungle, battle Soviet soldiers, and face a variety of challenging boss fights that require careful strategy and preparation. Throughout the game, Snake will suffer injuries that must be treated by the player. In addition Snake's stamina will continuously decrease, forcing players to forage for food in order to maintain his strength.
Metal Gear Solid 3 is one of my favorite games of all-time and I highly recommend it. The retro-theme, stealth action, challenging bosses, and Snake's unique sense of humor all combine to form a compelling and entertaining gaming experience.
Resident Evil 4
Price Range: $5 - $10
Resident Evil 4 marked a dramatic shift in both gameplay and storytelling for the landmark horror franchise. Gone are the tank-like controls and locked camera angles in lieu for a more action-centric third-person game. Originally intended to be a Nintendo GameCube exclusive, the PlayStation 2 port was later released in October 2005. This title reached the PlayStation 2 with the added bonus of a side mission titled "Separate Ways" that wasn't featured on the GameCube release.
Players assume the role of Leon Kennedy, a former cop and one of the main characters from Resident Evil 2. Six years have passed and Leon has become a special agent tasked with rescuing the U.S. President's kidnapped daughter. Throughout the course of his investigation in an unnamed rural area of Spain, Leon discovers that the local population has been infected with a strange but deadly mutating parasite.
You'll battle a variety of monsters (no zombies this time) and parasite-controlled villagers as you search for the President's daughter, uncovering a sinister plot in the process. Players acquire and upgrade new weapons throughout the game, battle bosses, attempt to survive a truckload of quick-time events, and make it through the other side unscathed.
Resident Evil 4 is intense, innovative, and ultimately an entertaining ride worth taking. Have an open mind - it ushered in a new era of over-the-shoulder third-person action games in the mid to late 2000s.
"Leon, help!"
Shadow of the Colossus
Price Range: $10 - $15
Shadow of the Colossus is challenging and haunting, yet certainly proof of the artistic talent that goes into video game development. This 2005 action-adventure classic puts players in the role of Wander, a young man on a journey to revive a woman named Mono. He makes a deal with a powerful entity who promises to restore Mono's life, but only if Wander successfully locates and defeats the sixteen colossi that reside throughout the world.
Each colossus is a towering beast with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Battling and defeating each is no small feat. Accompanying Wander on his quest is a horse named Argo who serves as transportation and a useful ally against the colossi. These boss fights require trial and error as well as patience and careful timing.
The art direction and graphics themselves are stunning. Landscapes stretch out in the distance and convey a sense of loneliness as you fulfill the monumental task of slaying the sixteen colossi practically alone. Shadow of the Colossus is a difficult and beautiful game. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but is certainly well-worth the price of admission to find out.
A remake of Shadow of the Colossus is released on February 6th, 2018 for the PlayStation 4.
Viewtiful Joe
Price Range: $10 - $15
Viewtiful Joe was one of 2004's most colorful PS2 releases, blending cel-shaded art with its old-school beat-'em-up roots. Movie-buff protagonist Joe is sucked into his favorite superhero film (like The Last Action Hero, but better) and is given the power to become the crime-fighter known as Viewtiful Joe.
Thrust into the leading role, Joe must battle a collection of motley villains in order to rescue his girlfriend who was kidnapped from the real world. Viewtiful Joe is a love-letter to both the beat-'em-ups of the 80s and 90s, and classic Japanese superhero TV shows of the 70s and 80s (like Kamen Rider).
This side-scroller game is over-the-top, visually appealing, hilarious, and above all a blast to play. While it was originally a GameCube exclusive, I'm just glad that Viewtiful Joe and its sequel made it to the PlayStation 2.
"Henshin-a-go-go, baby!"
Where Do I Buy PlayStation 2 Games?
Hunting down PlayStation 2 games is half the fun because most titles are so plentiful. I personally keep a digital list of my current PS2 library along with my list of games I'd like to try or own.
There are four primary ways I've found to locate PS2 games. Each have their own inherent advantages and disadvantages. These are local buying and selling listings, game stores, thrift stores, and online shopping.
Local Buy / Sell Listings
It's a common on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and other similar sites to find someone trying to offload an old PS2 console and a handful of games. Prices vary wildly. Some sellers have no clue of the value of their games and just want to offload them as soon as possible. Other sellers over-value their titles and will try to nickel-and-dime you to get as much as possible. All this is to say that your mileage may vary.
From personal experience and anecdotes from our good friend Conrad, I would avoid buying a big box of games if most of the titles aren't ones you want. Sports games are notoriously difficult to re-sell as their value is so low.
Bring your best negotiation skills to the table and you may be able to work out a sweet deal!
You can see the games / console in person to determine condition.
Bartering may help you score a good price.
Instant gratification and no waiting for delivery.
Your likelihood of finding a particular game is limited by geography.
Sellers may seriously overprice their items. This may be due to ignorance of actual worth or sentimental value.
Local Game Stores
When I say local games stores I am referring to small local businesses rather than large chains like GameStop. It's good to support small businesses in your community, but I also specify because most corporate retailers have long since discontinued carrying PS2 games. Some with a more retro focus may.
Local games stores are a great way to browse large offerings of PlayStation 2 titles, and they may even carry multiple copies of popular titles. This allows you to choose whichever copy is in the best condition.
You can browse (hopefully) a wide selection of games.
Prices may be cheaper than online retailers or auction sites.
You can likely trade in other video game related products in exchange for in-store credit to use toward PlayStation 2 games.
Potentially difficult to find uncommon or rare titles depending on how actively the store receives trade-ins.
Prices can be higher than online. Local businesses sometimes raise prices above market value to stay afloat.
Thrift Stores / Pawn Shops
Your success level with thrift stores and pawn shops will vary wildly because neither specializes in in borderline "retro" video games. It's all the luck of the draw. You never know what someone will pawn or donate however so it can be a highly effective method of scoring of scoring PlayStation 2 games and accessories cheaply.
On a related note, I know of one person who found a legitimate copy of Castlevania: Dracula X on the Super Nintendo at a Goodwill thrift store for 99 cents. That game routinely sells for $150+. Talk about the find of a century.
When you do find games, prices are generally well-below market value.
Pawn shops are a good place to find rarer and more valuable titles because the money the pawner receives directly correlates to the value they provide.
Difficult to find any particular video game title at thrift stores since they're donations.
Disc-based games donated to thrift stores are often in poor shape.
Pawn shops tend to only buy valuable games - this typically means newer releases and not vintage or near-vintage. The only usual exceptions is if it's a large lot sold together or if the game is particularly valuable (ex. Rule of Rose).
I love shopping online because of how easy it becomes to find practically any console and game imaginable. This is what makes it the most obvious method used by gamers to find specific video game titles. Market standard rates for games do fluctuate over time and you can track the value of any particular game at Price Charting.
The two primary marketplaces online are eBay's auctions and Amazon's third-party fixed-price listings. Both can be excellent methods to find PS2 games of all rarities.
Widest selection of PS2 games possible. If it exists, you can probably find it online.
Prices (especially on auction sites) vary and you can get lucky and nab titles below market value.
Counterfeit video games are common online, especially on auction sites. For PS2 all you really need to worry about are resealed games sold as "new" or reprinted booklets and cover art. These can typically be spotted if you're observant.
Descriptions of game condition or damage are not always accurate. Don't bid on or buy anything without high quality pictures that document the condition.
What About PlayStation 2 Accessories?
The PlayStation 2 is compatible with a wide variety of accessories. These include mostly controllers, cables, and others like memory cards. Depending on the quality and function, they can each have an impact on the enjoyment you have with your PS2 gaming experience.
Whether you choose first-party Sony controllers or a third-party option, you're gonna need a controller to play. You can even find modern improvements like bluetooth adapters or wireless controllers, which I'll go into further.
DualShock 2 Controller (and Alternatives)
The DualShock 2 is Sony's standard controller for the PlayStation 2. It's comfortable, reliable, and well-made. At 7.8t ft (2.4 m) in length, the DualShock 2 is generally sufficient for most gaming spaces. Generally speaking, if you're going to use a wired controller with you PS2 I recommend sticking with Sony's offering. Generics from MadCatz and the like are of a cheaper build quality and in my opinion aren't as comfortable as Sony's design.
If you need more range or don't like the idea of using a corded controller, there are in fact wireless alternatives. For example, Cacella offers a 2.4Ghz wireless generic equivalent of the DualShock 2 on Amazon. If you'd rather use Sony-branded controllers, there's a way to do that too.
Sold by Gam3Gear, the Brook Super USB Adapter will allow you to connect your PS3 or PS4 wireless controllers to your PS2. The first time you use it you've gotta connect your controller via cable, but afterward it will sync to the dongle wirelessly. This is a convenient option if you prefer the quality of Sony's official controllers.
Arcade Sticks
If you're a fighting game aficionado, few things in life will bring you greater joy than an arcade stick. These large blocky controllers feature arcade accurate sticks and buttons. They're accurate, durable, and nostalgic. Hori is the most recognizable manufacturer of such arcade sticks, though MadCatz has offered some in the past.
You can either find an arcade stick specifically designed for the PS2 or use the Brook Super USB Adapter I previously mentioned to get PS3 / PS4 arcade sticks to function on the PS2.
An affordable yet good quality alternative is the Mayflash Universal Arcade Fighting Stick. It features a USB cable in addition to the proprietary PS2 plug. I particularly enjoy using arcade sticks for games like the Street Fighter Anniversary Collection or Capcom VS SNK 2.
Other Peripherals
Here's where things start to get interesting. Music / rhythm games, dance games, driving games, and more all often require specialized controllers to play.
Your most common types of controllers for music / rhythm games are microphones, guitars, and drums. These are used for games like Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Singstar, and other similar games. Each game was often originally bundled with the necessary controller.
If for whatever reason you don't have the controller, your best bet to locate one will likely be to look locally at a game store or order one online. Some controllers are console specific so be careful when purchasing one otherwise it may not be usable with the PlayStation 2.
Dancing games are similar - franchises like Dance Dance Revolution typically come packaged with a dancing mat controller. Replacements can be found online or in person. If you get one secondhand, I recommend trying it out first to guarantee that it is fully functioning. It's not uncommon for a game mat that's been repeatedly stomped on to eventually break down and cease functioning.
In the case of driving games, it is more uncommon to see steering wheel controllers packaged with the game itself. These are often optional but available for players who don't mind shelling out the extra cash to improve the realism of the game or gain enjoyment from the simulated driving experience.
Most other peripherals are only useful on a case by case basis. These can include the EyeToy, Buzz! Buzzers, and a few other random ones. As always, check the back of your game's case to see what controllers it requires or is compatible with.
A/V Cables
The composite cable is the standard red / yellow / white cable that comes with the console. You're probably familiar with it if you have a Super Nintendo, N64, GameCube, PS1, or any other older console. The visual fidelity is acceptable if you're playing on an old CRT television, but on any type of HD television I wholeheartedly recommend upgrading ASAP. Don't throw away your composite cables, however, as they're a necessary evil if you want to watch DVDs or play PS1 games.
Component cables (also called YPbPr cables) are in my opinion the best audio-visual option for playing games natively on the PS2. Most televisions still have component inputs but some newer TVs manufactured post-2016 do not, as I found out the hard way. Component cables will allow you to enjoy PS2 games in 480i, which is the highest quality video mode the PS2 is capable of out of the box.
I already said it, but it's worth repeating: you can't play PS1 games on the PS2 while using component cables or PS2 to HDMI adapters. All that'll show up is a blank screen, so it's a good idea to hang onto your composite cables if you plan to take advantage of the backwards compatibility.
PS2 to HDMI Adapter
Amazon stocks a variety of PS2 to HDMI adapters that you can plug directly into the back of your PS2 that allows you to use an HDMI cable with the console. This allows you to get component cable quality without having to purchase the component cable itself.
The usefulness of this is situational. In my particular case, my 4K television doesn't have component inputs so I was forced to find a different solution. I wasn't about to suffer through the blurry mess of using composite only.
There is a trade-off to using these adapters. It requires external power through a micro-USB cable (which is included) and that can be plugged into any USB port of the PS2. In addition, this adapter protrudes approximately an inch and a half out of the back of the console.
If you're using a PS2 slim, the placement of micro-USB input is annoying as it gets in the way of the power cable input. Definitely a poor design decision. Since my PS2 never moves from its place on my entertainment center, this isn't much of a hassle but it is something to be aware of if you don't have a lot of space.
If you're feeling like trying something different, you can also find RGB SCART and S-Video cables that are compatible with the PlayStation 2. The usefulness of either cable will be situational for the average PS2 player.
In my experience, RGB SCART cable does make certain colors appear more vibrantly, and is especially noticeable in comparison with composite cables where colors may be more muted. Visual clarity is also improved - you'll have a similar experience using a PS2 to S-Video cable. (Fun fact: S-Video inputs can still be found on a variety of computer monitors.)
To be fair, both options provide a better visual experience than the standard composite cables but finding modern televisions that will support these is challenging unless you use a SCART to HDMI converter box.
Other Accessories
Memory Cards
Memory cards are one of the most essential accessories for anyone who wants to play PS2 games. Sony's official memory cards were only ever produced in 8 MB, which is not a lot. As your game library grows you may even find yourself running out of space.
You can find officially licensed third-party memory cards in 16 MB and 32 MB. If you don't mind dabbling in unofficial third-party memory cards, I've seen some sellers online offer as large a capacity as 128 MB. Beware if you see any card online touting credentials as "official Sony product" if it's above 8 MB.
In my current setup I use two Sony 8 MB memory cards. I've dabbled in third-party memory cards but generally stick to my tried-and-true Sony PS2 memory cards, model SCPH-10020. There's a practical reason for my decision: higher capacity third-party cards often use compressed memory and as such are more liable to suffer data losses. I've experienced this while using third-party cards for both my PS2 and GameCube and it's incredibly frustrating to get "data corruption" or "please insert memory card" messages.
Your mileage may vary, but in my case two Sony 8 MB memory cards is enough space for me generally. When I lose interest in a game or finish it I'll typically delete most of the associated saves. Some games take up more space than others, especially sports games with large rosters or career modes. It wouldn't be nearly enough space I wanted to have save files for all 60+ games in my collection all at once, however.
Ultimately it comes down to personal preference. Less storage space per card means you'll need more cards to store all of your save data.
Hard Disk Drives (HDD)
Introduced in models SCPH-30000 and SCPH-50000, the original PlayStation 2 console contains a 3.5" expansion bay that is designed for both the network adapter and HDD.
[Note: It's worth mentioning that earlier models were only released in Japan and contained a PCMCIA slot instead. All U.S. release original PS2 consoles contain the expansion bay. This expansion bay was removed completely from the slimline.]
The PlayStation 2 HDD requires a network adapter, as it connects to and draws power from it. Once the combined HDD / network adapter assembly is inserted into the back of the PS2, it's secured externally with two screws.
Sony's official HDD has a capacity of 40 GB, though you can use different capacity hard disks that aren't Sony brand. "Official" usage of the HDD allows you to primarily do two things: backup memory card data and partially install games to reduce loading times. Only 35 North American games support this installation feature.
"Unofficial" usage of the HDD allows you to accomplish a lot more. I won't get into too much detail, but it is possible to use unofficial software and methods via HD Loader and HD Advance to copy games to the HDD and play them without the discs. From a legal standpoint, this is viewed similarly to ripping your own games to create ROMs for use with emulators. You should of course already own the game you're copying.
Further hacks of the HDD allow modders to launch homebrew software, play games from any region, and access a wider variety of audio and video files. You can find more information about performing this mod in the PS2 HDD Modding Tutorial at The ISO Zone.
For most beginning PS2 collectors, the HDD isn't particularly necessary unless you're going to playing one of the 35 games that supports installation.
Depending on your model of PlayStation 2, there are a variety of Sony and third-party stands available. Both can technically be operated either vertically or horizontally. In my opinion, the original PS2 is best left horizontal in order to project your discs. When the console is set upright, gravity can has the disc to bounce around during operation or if the console is bumped or knocked over. These movements over time can cause scratches to your disc. This is due to the design of the disc tray.
The slim PS2 doesn't have this problem. Discs are secured directly to the motorized spindle inside the disc tray, so there's no way for gravity or anything else to bounce the disc and scratch it up. It's like the difference between a DVD player or a portable handheld CD player: one sits loosely and the other is locked into place.
Just to be on the safe side, never switch the orientation of your Playstation 2 (either model) while it is running. Be sure to turn off the console completely before changing from vertical to horizontal or vice versa.
In either case, I would recommend snagging an official Sony stand if possible. Both consoles have two variations: one that's shaped like an underlined letter U where you set the stand upright inside of it. The other is flat and is attached to the bottom of the console with a screw. This is the type of stand that I have for my PS2 slim. I found one for about $16 (including shipping) from a Japanese seller on eBay.
Network Adapter
If you plan to play any PS2 games online (yes, people still do this in 2018) then you'll need either a PS2 with existing ethernet connectivity or an adapter. You'll only need an adapter if you're using an original PS2, as Slimline models include ethernet connectivity right out of the box.
As I said, the original PS2 doesn't have any built-in ethernet connectivity and must use an adapter which attaches to the back of the console. There are third-party adapters available, but generally I recommend sticking with official Sony products and the PlayStation 2 Network Adapter is no exception.
Most official Sony DNAS servers for the PlayStation 2 went permanently offline back in 2012 (with the last going down in 2016), but in some cases there is a way around this.
Alternatively, games that used GameSpy's servers and didn't require you to be logged into the service can still be played through OpenSpy, an unofficial server.
Playing your PS2 online via Local Area Networks (LAN) is still an option for games that support it. There are two LAN options depending on the game.
The first is what Sony called "System Link" and it requires physically connecting at least two PlayStation 2 consoles together, up to a max of however many the specific game supports. To accomplish this you'll need two things: an original PS2 and a 4-pin FireWire cable. The reason you need an original PS2 for this is because the slimline doesn't have the necessary "I-Link" FireWire 400 port. It is possible to connect more than two PS2 consoles via FireWire with the use of a FireWire hub.
The second method (and only LAN option for the PS2 slimline) is LAN over IP. There are two different ways you can go about this. You'll either need two standard Cat 5 ethernet cables and an ethernet hub to connect it to, OR an ethernet crossover cable. For more than two players, you'll need to go with the ethernet hub option. For only two players it's perfectly fine to use the specialized crossover cable to directly connect your two PS2 consoles.
[Note: Crossover cables may LOOK like standard ethernet cables but aren't. Crossover cables are designed for connecting two devices directly. You can tell the difference by looking at the ends of the cable. If both ends have identical wire color orders, it's a standard ethernet cable. If the color orders don't match, then you've got a crossover cable.]
Once you've got your PS2 consoles connected for LAN gaming through any method, you'll need to setup the network connection. This is typically accomplished from within that particular game in the multiplayer menu. Follow the prompts to create network settings, which can then be saved onto your memory card for use next time.
I have fond memories from the summer of 2003 playing 007: Nightfire with 4-players via the multitap. You see, that's the thing about the multitap: it's only useful if you have friends who want to play too.
Assuming you've got some buddies and want to play the PlayStation 2 in glorious 4-player action, you've got to find the correct multitap version for your particular console model. There were two official releases of the multitap for the PlayStation 2. One was created specifically for use with the original PS2 and the other (you guessed it) is for the slimline PS2. They're not cross-compatible without modification, so your best bet is to just get the multitap you need for your specific console.
Assuming you want official Sony products, the original PS2 requires multitap model SCPH-10090 while the slimline PS2 uses model SCPH-70120. I should probably mention that #10090 doesn't work with backwards compatible PlayStation games, while the slimline's #70120 does. If you plan on playing Crash Team Racing or some other 4-player PS1 game on your PS2, you're gonna need to keep this in mind.
Your best bets for finding either model is to check out your local game stores that still carry PS2 accessories or head to eBay. Search with the specific model number and you'll be in business.
If you plan on playing any PlayStation 2 games online or in separate rooms from your friends, you may just need a headset. The PlayStation 2's headsets are all USB-based. Most USB headsets work, but to be on the safe side I would only get one that specifically says it is compatible on the box or is otherwise branded for the PS2.
The first game I recall seeing packaged with a headset was the original SOCOM game. Being able to communicate with your teammates verbally will help you coordinate your actions and of course trash talk. Headsets can also be used with some singing, karaoke games, and band games.
Some PS2 games like Konami's Lifeline require a headset or microphone as the entire game is controlled by speaking scripted commands.
Parting Thoughts
Thank you for reading! My hope is that this guide will be a useful resource to you as you begin and expand your PlayStation 2 collection. The PS2 is a wonderful console that I believe still deserves to be played and enjoyed by gamers of all ages and experience levels.
I'd like to take a moment to thank Evan Amos. Without his contributions to the public domain, many of the high quality photos currently in this guide would not have been possible. Thank you!
If you have any questions about anything PS2-related that was or wasn't in this guide, please feel free to comment below or reach out on social media. Please check back periodically as I continue to update and expand this guide.


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Check out all this cool stuff! "I ❤Local Dirt" & "Local Dirt Local Worth" gear, marked June 9th 2018 to commemorate the launch of our new market! Hats, t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, buttons, stickers, canvas patches and canvas bags. You can deck yourselves out while also supporting the new Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market through our Kickstater campaign! We'll have examples of the gear to show you at our June 9th market launch. And there's even an opportunity to buy a fancy farm dinner at McLean Berry Farm!
Kickstarter News Articles, June 2, 2018.


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Easter Sunday
I really Really REALLY look forward to any opportunity where I get the chance to dress up my twins without looking like a crazy mom. What better opportunity to dress the whole family up than for Easter?! My mom made these outfits for us during her last trip to Nigeria and I absolutely love it! My dress was designed by my younger sister (Thanks babe!).
Usually for Easter, we would go to church and have Easter lunch with my parents and siblings after Mass. However, this Easter, everyone was unavailable. My hubby and I both agreed that we couldn't just end our Easter Sunday so quickly, so we decided to have our own little family brunch at a restaurant by the ocean in Marina Del Rey, CA. The restaurant location was beautiful! The food was wonderful and we somehow got a whole room to ourselves that looked out to the ocean, allowing the twins to run, frolic, and act crazy (without embarrassing me).
What I'm wearing: Maxi dress - Made in Nigeria
What Hubby is wearing: Tunic top - Made in Nigeria \ Pants - Zara \ Loafers - Roberto Durville
What Twins are wearing: Dress and Tunic - Made in Nigeria


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An Evening in NYC with The Mount's Interiors Committee
On October 19th, The Mount hosted a fundraising event, What do Decorating and Composing Have in Common? with decorator Michael Simon at the The National Society of Colonial Dames in New York City.
This event was presented by The Mount Interiors Committee and proceeds will establish a fund to aid the re-creation of the original style and ambience of The Mount's interiors. The Interiors Committee is chaired by Pauline C. Metcalf and includes Inge Heckel, Michael Simon, Kate Wharton, and Gertrude de G Wilmers.


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They tell me that the first part of an adventure is the first step out the door.
Bilbo Baggins tells Frodo that once you step onto the road, there's no telling where you might be swept off to.
Boy, if that isn't the truth.
For the last two years, my life has been devoted to one overarching mission: get into graduate school.
And finally, at long last, it has happened.
I am going.
At the time of this writing, I'm not yet sure how or when.
But I am going.
And let me tell you: it is freaking me the heck OUT.
I have lived in Lubbock for five years, and now I suddenly cannot deal with my big feelings about oh my gosh – I'm leaving.
I am unable to connect. I find myself in my own company more often than not, afraid of what will come out around other people.
I'm sleepy, because I'm not sleeping.
Part of that is from the decision-making process; another part is that I just like to be awake and do things.
I like for my hands to be busy.
But I find that I am no longer listening.
I am not paying attention to the life around me.
I am looking for what I want to see, but the small things? The details?
I am not noticing them.
I am filling my life with chatter and song and -- it reminds me of Italian recitative.
We sing it in Mozart opera, especially. Mozart and Handel, in case you were interested.
It's basically pitched dialogue, sung at speech tempo. It requires a knowledge of Italian phrasing and syntax and the ability to at least pronounce Italian like you are an actor in a straight play. It's one of my favorite things about opera; I get better and better at it every day.
My life feels like recitative.
Like a patter song: lists of things at very quick tempo and very quick rhythm. A lot of the time the notes are so fast there isn't time for the singer's voice to vibrate.
You know what vibrato is?
My voice teacher in undergrad (is it not trippy that I can say that phrase?) told me once to make a fist and clench it HARD. I did. He pointed out, "Now, if you do that long enough, your arm will begin to shake." Freshman Sara nods. "Do you know why that is?" Freshman Sara shakes her head. "The muscles are trying to relax. Your vocal folds do the same thing. There's so much air passing over them that they have to vibrate to relax" – especially up higher, in my most comfortable range.
There are things about my life that feel shaky.
This is my big step out the door. Me putting my foot onto the road.
I do not fear I will be swept away. I don't. Because this has been my dream for so long.
But my life here is beautiful. It is a gift. I could not have built it better if I had tried.
And leaving it is sad to me.
In a few months' time I'm pulling apart the room that has been mine for three years, taking all my personality off the walls, packing it into my little white car, and driving away.
I don't know if I will ever come back to stay. I have lots of hopes to come back to visit -- there are several things that would bring me back here for weekends -- but to stay?
in the long run, who can say except God? But I will tell you that it does not look that way.
I'm in the weird place of seeing that my life is good here and wanting to keep it, and also knowing that if I stayed I would not be happy.
Because y'all.
I get to go to graduate school.
The more I say it the more excited I become.
The more I tell people, "I'm moving to North Carolina," the more I can feel a slight thrill bubble up inside my chest.
Because I'm moving! This is an Adventure -- a real, live Adventure!
Even as I type that, I am overjoyed. What a gift.
I find myself saying that phrase more and more these days: What a gift.
The issue is, I don't know that I see it as a gift. I don't know that I always believe that it is a gift to me. I am waiting for it all to come tumbling down around my ears.
But God is kind, and He has given me something here that is difficult (though not impossible) to leave, as well as something exciting and beautiful to look forward to. Two gifts, as it were.
Sometimes I'm just writing without a real goal. Today is one of those days.
I'm not really sure what to say.
This liminal, in-between space has no conclusion. It's just that: in-between.
We are waiting and we are poised and we are not yet and we are already.
And we are here.
We are now.
And right now -- that's where I want to be.
Here, in this town that's been my home for five years.
Here, in this place that I've come to love.
Here, with the group of people I adore.
Here, doing the work that's been given to me for now. For the time being.
Here is where I want to be.
The moving part comes later.
Now, here is where I want to be. In stillness, in expectation, yes -- but not particularly in any hurry to go anywhere.
Because, you see, my life is beautiful.
And I have come to love it.


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McGill's faculty of arts plans to offer up to 100 fewer courses for the 2013-2014 academic year by reducing the number of faculty and course lecturer positions, according to an announcement at last Wednesday's faculty meeting.
The faculty offered 1,200 courses this year. Funds made available by the 8 per cent reduction in courses are slated to go towards internships, advising, and increased numbers of positions for teaching assistants (TAs).
According to Dean of Arts Christopher Manfredi, the decision has been under consideration since September 2012.
"Students have consistently indicated that they want more access to our full-time, permanent faculty," Manfredi said. "This process will bring more students in contact with full-time permanent professors without significantly increasing average class sizes in the faculty."
Manfredi said courses will not necessarily be "cut," but that fewer will be offered each academic year. Each department will individually decide how to reduce the number of courses they offer—for example, courses with lower enrollment may be rotated on a two or three year basis.
"In the very unlikely event that a student finds him or herself unable to meet program requirements for this reason, accommodations will of course be found," he said.
Manfredi reiterated that these changes will not increase class size.
"We're focusing on [reducing the number of] very small classes so we can reallocate those resources … to make the courses that are already large slightly smaller," he said. "Then we will provide more teaching assistantships so we can reduce the ratio of students per teaching assistant."
AGSEM—the union that represents McGill TAs, invigilators, course lecturers, and instructors—was not given any prior notice of the decision, according to AGSEM President Lilian Radovac. Radovac expressed concern at the suggestion that lecturer positions can be filled by TAs.
"They're really demoting the idea of what course lecturers are, and devaluing what we do," she said. "A [TA] may only have a BA, as opposed to someone with a Ph.D in their field. Is that the same quality of education?"
In addition, some students have suggested that the move will be detrimental to their educational experience at McGill. Arts Senator James Gutman criticized the university for reducing the amount of human interaction in the classroom. He pointed towards universities in other provinces that have made more courses available online as a possible long-term result of this attitude toward teaching at McGill.
"If you look at what's being cut, it's [the] smaller courses, and so there's already a move in that direction," he said. "I don't think there's a big leap between being in a class of 300 and just doing your research online."
However, there could be more immediate consequences of the decision. While Manfredi said the decision will reduce total enrolment in arts courses by no more than three per cent, students already face long waitlists during course registration. For example, 286 waitlist positions were occupied in the department of political science alone on Monday—the day before Add/Drop period ended this semester.
Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) Vice-President Academic Tom Zheng said he was "saddened and concerned" by the announcement.
"Fundamentally, I believe that the variety of courses offered in Arts needs to be protected," he said. "While putting the money saved from the cuts into funding for full-time faculty members and TAs is a sound action, it should not come under the expense of sacrificing course diversity in [the faculty of] arts."
Tonight, the AUS will hold a Town Hall, where Manfredi will discuss the decision and answer questions from students.
Manfredi emphasized that the faculty's decision is purely structural. He told the Tribune that the restructuring has nothing to do with the provincial government's $19 million cuts to McGill's operating budget. According to Manfredi, the provincial government announced the budget cuts months after the faculty began discussing this step.
"Budget cuts, if any, would have real consequences [on the faculty], but the faculty would face those consequences whether or not it was engaged in the current process of streamlining its teaching offerings," he said.
Gutman noted that the university was unclear about the motivations behind the reductions. He said Manfredi addressed the arts reductions and the recent budget cuts in the same speech, but didn't connect them directly.
"The worst case scenario is that they're going after [course and faculty lecturers] for ideological reasons," he said. "I asked during the meeting if this was punishment for unionizing [in August 2012]. Manfredi said 'no.' "
Radovic, however, said she was skeptical about the administration's claim that the budget cuts are unrelated to these reductions. Quebec universities, including McGill, claim to have had no prior knowledge of the budget cuts before they were announced on Dec. 6, 2012.
"It seems very unlikely to me that the university would have had no knowledge of any kind of forthcoming education cuts prior to when they were announced in December," she said.
Radovac also questioned the sudden reallocation of funds towards TAs, when the university has consistently decreased TA hours for years. She added that the reallocation of funds to internships and advising would ultimately "take money out of the classroom."
"If the university, as it claims, has no choice but to implement these radical cuts, at least be honest about it—say students are going to get less teaching support," she said. "Don't try to make it look like you're going to make up the difference in another area."
Radovac said AGSEM is currently working to raise awareness about the decision and will work with students to have the cuts revoked.


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Changed Lives, Renewed Hearts, Innovative Ideas
"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
A Return to What Mattersread more
Deepening unity with others takes intentionality. God desires us to live in unity. How might that actually look on a team of people who come from different cultures and backgrounds?
Fade in.
Our scene opens on a group of people looking out over a city at dawn, silhouetted by the morning light. The group - normal people, given unique abilities and new eyes with which to see the world. The city - their own. They have been charged to take the city for the Kingdom of God. Alone, they saw many problems. Together, with hope and purpose, they can change their world.
Congratulations! You made it to February! We may be in the beginning of a new year, but many of you have just started the second half of our year...the school year. You are in the middle of your race, the finish line still unseen. Your legs may feel unsteady and your breathing may be laboured. So here is a cup of water to refresh you so you can finish this race strong.read more
Agape Europe works to make Jesus known so lives are changed and Europe is transformed. Through personal interactions, events, humanitarian aid projects, sport, music, the arts or online – we desire to help people experience transformation in every aspect of their lives and in their cities.MORE ABOUT WHAT WE DO
Agape Europe is a non-profit organisation that brings spiritual hope and help to millions of people around the world. Agape Europe is the Western European branch of Campus Crusade for Christ International.


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How to make shoes yourself
Bit boring do you find your summer shoes? Do you fancy something new? Yes, sure, so incredibly many shoe designs are available on the market. If you but still not want to dispose of your old sandals and ballerinas, we have some clever DIY ideas, from which you can benefit in any case. Here, you need simple tools and a few decorative items, without problems, see your craft store. Especially a little imagination and hand skills are necessary but, to successfully complete your shoe project.
We start with the first idea. As you have seen above, talking about trendy leather tassels, which you can customize. Here is the guide of infamous. A pair of scissors, glue and leather pieces are the only thing you will need for the production.
Dramatic ballerinas in black lacquer
If you want to really spice up your black ballerinas, the use of silver chain would be a great way to do that. Viewing the picture instructions below. The materials in this case are again scissors and glue, brush, the desired chain and a thin leather Strip. As a supplement, you can add Rhinestones, also depending on how far you want to go.
For a subtle retro look, you get a gold spray and using paper stencils, you decorate your leather shoes with fancy shiny heart. Of course you can improvise and take rather than gold, silver or copper. It is entirely up to you.
Little effort and great effect
Refresh your summer shoes with decorative tassels!
Quite simply we continue also. For this clever idea below, you need only one fabric color of your choice and tape. Just leave after applying the color completely desiccate the shoes about 24 hours.
It couldn't be easier
Tape-variation with gold spray
If you have shoes like these below, a neon PIN is the right choice for you
Beautify your patent ballerinas with studs to suit your taste. Depending on the outfit you can use gold, silver and copper rivets. The fix is very easy and very fast to pull. Go easy!
A few materials – great result
Glittering brooches are simply ideal for your shoe decoration
Slightly more luxurious we continue with these elegant black summer shoes below. Here, they can cause miracles only with a piece of gold lace, a few Rhinestones, glue and PIN. Only in a few steps, you get a pair of new shoes that fascinate with pomp and glamour.
Combine with a chic women's bag and be proud on your creation
All of these ideas are of course only hints that can be accepted as a basis for your shoe decoration. These you can extend or change all. Use our practical tips as inspiration and create yourself your very special summer shoes. Much success!
Wafer-thin, white network will make your white ballerinas seem still delicate
Timeless, polka-dot shoe design for real connoisseurs


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How Philosophy for Children Supports a Collaborative Classroom
Wednesday 20th November 2019 - 9:00am - 3:00pm
£75 per delegate
Abbeywood First School RSA Academy
This course offers an overview of the principles of Philosophy for Children and the impact this has had on children's learning in a first school setting.
Practical ideas to create a collaborative community of enquiry in the classroom.
Exploration of the use of different stimuli to engage children in debating.
Opportunities to see Philosophy for Children in action.
Reflection time to consider how Philosophy for Children can be adapted to meet the needs of the children in your own setting.
If you would like to book a place, please complete a copy of our booking form and send to:
Notes: Lunch & light refreshments will be provided
Enquiries: email@example.com