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Tuesday, May 1 2012
There were 2 others riding in the arena so space was tight but we all managed to work together. One girl had a jump set up and Cooper & I would watch when she jumped. It was funny, Cooper was really watching her jump too. We did about 20 minutes on the ground, some changing eyes stage 1 and some circling. He wanted to be in close to me tonight. I had him do some transitions from walk to trot to walk, more walking. We did falling leaf to the back of the arena while 2 others rode around. We then did some giving to the bit. I got on and rode at a walk for about 10 minutes. I tried to hold my stomach in and push in my right stirrup to keep myself straight. I was also trying to keep my legs back and trying not to fling them forward the way I seem to do with them. Practice, practice, it will get better.
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Tuesday, May 29 2012
95th ride, I almost didn't go because I was too hot but there was a very nice breeze that felt wonderful. We did circles in the corners on one end of the arena and even did some posting trot. Cooper was pretty good until he decided it was time to quit which was only about 15 minutes into the ride. He started running out at his shoulder again, trying to head to the gate sideways, mostly in the far corner opposite the mounting block. He's very stubborn with the whoa too. I don't think I'm being firm enough with the outside rein and I really have to learn to release when he does as I ask (always had that problem). I was a little tense when I first got on, otherwise I was feeling much more confident on him. Every time I watch my old videos of lessons I start to feel a little more confident and it transfers into riding. I watch them and think to myself that I was doing very good back then, I was keeping balance a lot better than I am doing now, just have to keep at it. When he would raise his head to look at something I made him look to the inside and pay attention to the work we were doing. He spooked one time by the gate, there were a few cars parked and a trailer parked there that weren't there before. Not too long after that the neighbors starting roaring around on a dirt bike and he was getting jittery so I walked him out a little more and when he was calm I got off.
Saturday May 25 2012
Our 94th ride, getting close to the 100 mark! We followed another horse out to the outdoor arena and Cooper did better again. I had the rope halter and 12' rope on and also his bridle with the full cheek copper dee snaffle so didn't let him stop to eat any grass and I think he was a little upset, but he got over it quickly. We did about 10 minutes of ground work, some falling leaf pattern and a few circles and he was very calm so I decided to skip the long groundwork and get on him. Only thing, Al was in the barn fixing the tack box so I had to ask for help from one of the other riders. She was fantastic helping me get on, Cooper stood quietly and I actually did a good job mounting with her help.
We walked around, going over poles and past a few scary objects, a bunch of poles stacked together and some of the jump standards. I remembered to keep my leg in and stretch them down into my heels. I would tip his eye to the inside when we were coming up on the scary things and he did better. I practiced some turn on the haunches and my foot fell out of the stirrup a few times, really must remember to get the elastics put on my feet. We then tried a bit of trot circles. He was running out at the shoulder again and I used the outside supporting rein to straighten him up and stay on the circle. He would quicken his pace and I tried to hold pressure and release when he would slow a little. We did a lot of stops and back ups. I did a little of the serpentine exercise and some shoulder over work.
The other riders asked if I wanted to take a walk around the scary end of the arena. The 3 of us walked with Cooper & I in the middle. He shied one time and I tipped his nose and eye to the middle and he settled down. There was a little rabbit in the far corner which I don't think Cooper saw and I was trying not to look just in case his gaze went that way also. It was a very nice night.
Sunday May 26 2012
A girl I rode with in lessons came out today and rode Cooper. He tested her at the beginning but she was very confident riding him. She's been riding since she was eleven and is a very good rider but lately has not had the funds for lessons so this works for both of us. She had him doing circles keeping his shoulders up and he started to get soft in the bridle. He still has a bad stop, we have to really work on that. I really think this will be good for all of us, having someone else put some work on him and she knows the Lyons methods so that's good. She decided to try a lope and the first one he gave a buck and then smoothed out. This was going to the left, that is his bad side and he bucks the first time loping on the lunge line too. The right way was a lot better.
She is going to come out and ride him a few times a week, mostly on weekend because of her work schedule. He is going to quickly be back to the stage he was when we left our lessons, I am so thankful that she is doing this for us.
Thursday May 24 2012
93rd Ride. We did falling leaf, c-pattern to the back door of the arena then headed out to the outdoor arena. He's getting a lot better at walking around outside. Everytime his head went up I would have him lower it and walk quietly beside me.
Walked around edge of arena for about 20 minutes doing c-pattern and some squeeze game letting him stop occassionally to grab a bite of grass, he enjoyed that. We alternated between the outside edge and the middle of arena. There were some poles set up and we walked and trotted over those and did some touch it with the barrels.
I rode with the rope reins and full cheek copper bit tonight and did some of the beginning lessons that we learned when taking lessons. Circles, inside rein up, outside rein pulled back slightly towards my hip hip and he started to get it. I wrote a lot of notes from the lessons that I have on video to follow. I still was crossing over his neck with the reins which I have to stop doing. When asked for a trot the first few times again he would run out at the shoulder and not want to listen. I would stop and back him up then continue on. I tried to keep my legs relaxed, breathe and to keep my real leg, the right one, in closer to his side. I must remember to start using the elastics on my feet again to keep them in the stirrups as I relearn to lengthen my leg. We walked and trotted and got a few slower jogs at times, a few, not many, but it's a start. The bugs were out biting me and I had the veil on Cooper again so he wasn't tossing his head as much from them.
Monday May 21 2012 We went out to the barn around 6:30 and the horses were just being brought in for their dinner. Cooper only gets a handful of grain now, so he thinks he doesn't think he is being left out. I worked our way to the back of the arena on the 22' rope then walked around the scary areas out to the outdoor arena. We did about 20 minutes of groundwork around the edge of the arena. When we got the far end of the arena he started to get spooked at a flock of geese in the front paddock. There were honking loudly then a bunch took off in flight and scared him and he bolted. I let him work it out and talked calmly and had him do some approach and retreat to the scary part. I also had the bag on the end of the carrot stick, which he was concerned with at all. Another rider came in and asked if I could put the bag away as her horse was spooking at it as soon as they came in the arena.
We worked our way to the mounting block and I decided to get on. I didn't feel completely confident about it but got on anyway. Cooper moved away from the mounting block a few times with his head raised high. My heart was thumping and still I got on, maybe not the smartest thing to do. He had more go than whoa, again. I had him walk a lot before attempting a trot. Again, too fast so just went back to a walk again. I also had the german martingale on which I felt he did not like at all tonight. He was running out sideways at the shoulder in the opposite direction I was trying to go. He was tossing his head and this time I knew it wasn't the flies bothering him. I decided to take the martingale off and just work with the reins and he was much better.
I tried to do trot again and some circles, which were not working. I have to review all my notes and videos from the beginning lessons again and work all over with him. When he went fast my brain was just saying whoa, whoa! So we did a lot of whoas the back to a walk again. I then tried to do some of the serpentine exercise, we got a few half circles in at a very fast pace and he started to slow down a little. I have watched the clinic videos over and over, I hope that I can get back to that, when I was more confident. I did some one rein stops and some more whoa and back up work then got off. I rode him for about half an hour and I was wiped out just trying to control him. One of the other boarders said it looked like we were doing great, I guess I sure hide my emotions well while in the saddle.
We did lots of grooming and I settled down and we ended the evening with some flexing, which he is getting very good at as soon as I lift the rope. There a lot of things I have to work on again, slight set back but maybe that is what we need right now. Sure hope to get my confidence back while riding, the groundwork is getting good though.
Sunday May 20 2012
I didn't get out to see Cooper all week. We went out for our bithdays, my daughter on May 17 & myself on May 15. Then the other nights we were looking around and test driving cars with my daughter. Saturday I had a headache and tummy troubles and didn't make it to the barn.
The heat was bothering me when we were at the barn yesterday. When we brought Cooper into the barn he was spooking at everything, we hadn't been out for 6 days. I took him into the indoor arena with the rope halter & 22' rope and as soon as I asked him to move out in a circle he just wanted to go. So I let him gallop at the end of the line until he slowed down on his own and started to lick and chew. I had Al do the umbrella at the front end of the arena and we worked our way back up as he opened and closed the umbrella. It didn't bother Cooper at all, he was more worried about things going on outside the open arena doors.
I then walked him out back arena door and around all the scary cars on our way to the outdoor arena. He was good about that and when ever he raised his head I would have him lower it and pay attention to me. We walked around the edge of the outdoor arena doing the squeeze game and c-pattern. We walked into the middle of arena and did some circling, change of directions and transitions, walk, trot and lope. He listened very well and didn't go off on a crazy gallop like indoors. We did some trot and lope over some poles that were set up outside. We stayed outside for about 45 minutes.
After both of us were pretty sweaty and I gave him a bath in the indoor wash stall. He was jittery, moving back and forth as it was feeding time and his pasture mates were all coming in for dinner. I took him back outside after his bath to dry off and watched another boarder riding. The bugs were starting to come out and the temperature had dropped. I had a veil on him for the bugs but they weren't out earlier. This was the time I should have come out, even though the bugs were out it was much nicer weather, then I could have rode. We were there about 4 hours and my legs and back were killing me from all the walking around.
I woke up with a headache again today, Monday, and won't be going out to see him. Tuesday night we are picking up the car for my daughter and Wednesday is physio, so guess we won't see him now until Thursday. I just might try to get out to see him on Wednesday though if there is time after physiotherapy.
Monday May 14 2012
91st ride. We went outdoors again, another gorgeous evening. I followed a boarder as she rode her horse out of the arena and around parked vehicles to get to the outdoor arena. Cooper was a lot better today walking out there. Everytime he raised his head high in the air I would have him lower it.
We walked all around the edge of the arena again with the 12' rope and rope halter, doing squeeze game, falling leaf pattern and touch it on some barrels. He was jumpy this time at the far end of the arena. We haven't been going over there as it has been too wet but is finally drying up. I let him eat the grass in that area and all along the far side as we slowly walked around. We did some changing eyes stage one when we got to the end where the mounting stool was.
I got on and we walked around for a bit, he was walking fast again at the beginning but slowed down. Did some one rein stops, going around and around in a circle making me dizzy again before he finally stopped and relaxed. We tried to do some jogging and again he wanted to go too fast. I tried to trot around the barrels that were set up and he would push out with his shoulder and not listen to me when trying to turn. I still have a lot of fear and my heart goes in my throat when picks up speed.
I did pretty good trying to keep my leg in closer to balance out with the prosthetic one. I was trying to keep my hands and seat quiet. The sun was going down and the bugs were coming out and they were bothering Cooper. He was tossing his head and flipping his ears around a lot. I walked around a little more and got off at a relaxed moment when there was no head tossing so he wouldn't think if he did that then I would get off. We were alone walking back, he did very well and I took him over near the manure pile where the grass grows nice and let him graze. He would grab a mouthful then lift his head and snort at the pit then eat again.
I might not go to see him on Tuesday as it is my birthday and my daughter and spouse might take me out for dinner.
May 12 2012
90th ride. We went outdoors again, it was a beautiful windy day. Walked all around the edge of the arena with the 12' rope and rope halter on doing the squeeze game, falling leaf pattern and touch it on some barrels. He was a little jumpy near the truck and trailer parked by the arena and again in the far corner of the arena where some machinery is stored but calmed down quickly. It took us about 20 minutes to walk around and when we got to the end where the mounting stool was we did some changing eyes stage one.
I got on and we walked around for a bit, stopping and backing up. Also did some yielding of the hindquarters which he was not very good at to start. He kept going around and around in a circle making me dizzy before he finally stopped and relaxed. We did some jogging and again he wanted to go too fast. The wind was whipping dirt around and whenever someone loped past us he wanted to go. I tried to trot around the barrels that were set up and he would push out with his shoulder and not listen to me when trying to turn. He has a lot of energy but we did well with the control. The boarder who is a coach was also riding and offered me some tips. I have to try to keep my real leg in as I hold it out from him. That way he will have both legs laying on him as I can't keep my prosthesis out. Also my hands and seat are very busy, I am moving around too much in the saddle on his back and he is getting mixed signals. Sore again today when I got off but I did do a very good dismount for a change.
89th ride. We followed 2 other horse and went outside, it was a nice night. We did some c-pattern (falling leaf) all around the arena for about 15 minutes before getting on. The barn managers husband helped helped me get on as Al had gone to get something to eat and was gone for a long time. Cooper was a little fast walking at the beginning, speedy Gonzales.
I tried to get him to jog but he just wanted to trot fast so we did lots of walk, stops and back up. I was also trying to be more aware of my prosthetic and trying to keep the pressure off of him.
There were 5 of us riding in the outdoor arena today, it is huge out there.
Thursday May 10 2012
We were going to go outside but by the time I had Cooper tacked up it was getting dark out so we stayed indooors. There was a private lesson going on and we had to stand and wait for it to be finished. We did some lunging with the bridle and bit. I tried to use the German martingale tied to the saddle horn but the reins were too stiff and kept coming loose so just took them off. We did walk, trot transitions for about 5 minutes in both directions and he listened very well. He was a little fast at the beginning and broke into a lope a few times, but it wasn't a crazy out of control lope, it was slow and he listened when asked to transition back to a trot.
I put the German martingale reins back on and we did some Lyons giving to the bit around the inside of the arena.
I got on and rode around for about another 20 minutes at a walk and some trot. The german martingale was attached but it was on the loosest setting and we were only working off of reins and not the draw rein part. He keeps a very good head set on his own with what we have already learned, I don't know if I will need to go to the next setting on the martingale.
We walked around a lot at first following the other horses around that were in the arena. There were 3 others riding in the arena and we all managed well. At one time all 4 of us were at the same end of the arena and it looked like we were in unison as we all made the turn from close to the wall to the middle of the arena. That must have looked so neat but my camera man did not get it on film, so sad. We managed to get 2/3 down to the scary end of the arena by following other horses. I felt him tense up and he raised his head when were getting close to the back of the arena near the feed room door. I steered him in the direction I wanted to go and tried to ignore this, hard for me, but we managed and went on around the arena several times.
I tried to get him to jog but he just wanted to trot fast so we did lots of stops and back up. One time when asked for a whoa I breathed out, sat deep and said whoa and he stopped perfectly, he actually started the stop before I even said whoa, what a good boy! I was trying to be more aware of my prosthetic and trying to keep the pressure off of him which was making my back and legs sore, not used to it. I really couldn't get comfortable in the saddle either so must remember to do a few more exercises on the ground and while in the saddle before moving off. Have to keep this up and I will get stronger.
We tried to do some turn on the haunches and he was getting confused, so was I, probably giving the wrong signals, I will have to look it up to review the steps. Heading back up tonight to try this all over again :)
Tuesday May 8/12
We got to the barn with plenty of daylight but the outdoor arena was wet so we worked indoors. We did some lunging in the indoor arena with side reins on very loose, 2 holes on outside, 5 holes on inside rein and they were still loose, but looked tight on the outside but I knew they weren't. We did walk trot transitions, he did really well.
Then we did some giving to the bit around the arena. We went out the back door and the side door. He was spooky out the back door so I made him pay attention to what we were doing with hindquarter gives and back ups, then forward and sideways before going back inside. When doing hip, shoulder, shoulder work he wanted to trot and I brought him back down to a walk. He was tossing his head and not wanting to cross his back legs and give his hindquarters or back up on his left side, he was more concerned with the noises on the outside of the arena than our lesson. Tonight would have been a good night to get the tarp and plastic bag out as we mostly had the indoor all to ourselves, but forgot until we were finished. Oh well, next time.


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Health & Science
A Viking Wonder Woman
Historical accounts of female Viking warriors are often discounted as myths. But new DNA tests of a warrior buried in Sweden more than 1,000 years ago provide the first genetic evidence that some women held powerful, high-status positions in Viking culture. The 10th-century grave site, which was uncovered in the 1880s, contained a sword, arrows, a battle knife, a spear, shields, and two horses. The Viking, who stood 5-foot-6, was also buried with a set of game pieces—an indication of the deceased's expertise in battle tactics. The archaeologists who uncovered the grave 130 years ago assumed it belonged to a high-ranking male warrior. "I think that's a mistake that archaeologists make quite often," archaeologist Becky Gowland tells The Guardian. "When we do that, we're just reproducing the past in our image." A recent DNA analysis revealed that the Viking leader lacked a Y chromosome— confirming that "he" was actually a "she."
The extinction of parasites
Climate change could wipe out up to onethird of the Earth's 3.5 million known parasite species over the next 53 years. That might sound like a good thing, but scientists warn that the extinction of pests such as tapeworms, fleas, and ticks could dramatically alter the delicate balance of ecosystems around the world, The New York Times reports. An international team of scientists mapped the global distribution and habitats of 457 different species of parasites and analyzed how climate change could affect them. Up to 30 per cent of parasite species, they concluded, may be extinct by 2070. A mass die-off could produce many undesirable consequences: Where parasites help control their hosts' populations, those populations could grow out of control, the way deer did when wolves left their habitats. Other parasites might flourish in the absence of competition. Still others could migrate to new ecosystems, invading new species. An example: the mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus spreading north into the U.S. Colin Carlson, lead author of the study, said parasites are "a huge and important part of ecosystems," and warned that extinctions will hav e consequences we can't foresee.
Yoga's brain boost
Yoga and meditation are becoming increasingly mainstream activities in the U.S., and new research helps explain why. Daily sessions of either practice can have dramatic effects on brain function. Scientists asked 31 healthy people to engage in 25 minutes of hatha yoga, mindfulness meditation, and quiet reading in random order. Mental tasks completed before and after each session found that yoga and meditation led to greater improvements in the participants' energy level, mood, executive function, and ability to control thoughts and emotions. "Hatha yoga and mindfulness meditation both focus the brain's conscious processing power on a limited number of targets, like breathing and posing, and also reduce processing of nonessential information," the study's co-author, Peter Hall, tells ScienceDaily.com. That mental training, he said, apparently enables people "to focus more easily on what they choose to attend to in everyday life."
Health scare of the week
The toxins in tattoos
Tiny toxic particles from tattoo ink can travel through the body and accumulate in the lymph nodes, which could have longterm health consequences, according to a new study. In addition to pigments, tattoo ink contains molecules from preservatives and contaminants such as nickel, chromium, manganese, and cobalt. To track where these molecules go, scientists targeted one of the most common ingredients of tattoo ink: titanium dioxide, a white pigment that is often mixed with other colors. The researchers used X-ray fluorescence to analyze the lymph nodes of four deceased people who'd had tattoos. Lymph nodes serve a critical role in the immune system, filtering toxins and cancer cells and storing immune cells that fight infection. The tests confirmed the accumulation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in lymph nodes, which suggests contaminants collect in them, too, Smithsonian.com reports. It's unknown how deposits of microscopic contaminants could affect the lymph nodes and the immune system. "When someone wants to get a tattoo, they are often very careful in choosing a parlor where they use sterile needles," says the study's co-author, Hiram Castillo. "No one checks the chemical composition of the colors, but our study shows that maybe they should."
NASA, Hjalmar Stolpe/Evald Hansen, Newscom ■

subset: commoncrawl


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Team Ryan Automotive was named as a Finalist in the Rising Star category in 2015 and then Winning in that category in 2016. We have been honored to be a Finalist in the Small Business 0-5 employee category in 2017 and 2018. Hoping to bring home another win next year!
To See All Finalists including Team Ryan Automotive click here. To See All Award Winners click here. Many respected and aspiring Gwinnett Chamber businesses were in attendance at this years award luncheon and conference.
I hadn't heard of Jesse Itzler before hearing his keynote speech at the Gwinnett Chamber Small Business Summit this year , but after hearing the enthusiasm and clarity in which he has pursued life, he is definitely on my radar now. His honesty about self doubt and overcoming it make him even more believable.
JESSE ITZLER only eats fruit 'til noon, loves Run-D.M.C., and enjoys living life "out of the box." In fact, he doesn't even have a box. The author of the New York Times bestseller, Living with a Seal, cofounded Marquis Jet, the world's largest private jet card company which he and his partner sold to Berkshire Hathaway/NetJets. Jesse then partnered with Zico coconut water, which he and his partner sold to The Coca-Cola Company.
He's a former rapper on MTV and wrote and performed the NBA's Emmy Award-winning "I Love This Game" music campaign and the popular New York Knicks anthem "Go NY Go." When he's not running ultra-marathons, eating vegan food or being a dad to his four kids, Jesse can be found at the NBA's Atlanta Hawks games, where he's an owner of the team. He is married to Spanx founder Sara Blakely. To find out more, check out: https://jesseitzler.com/
If you are curious about who the other speakers were at the conference, click here.


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What to Look for in Mobile Roadworthy Servicesoptimax | January 22, 2018 | 0
Nowadays, it is easy to get a new car on the road. Secondhand cars have become a trend and getting a "new" car every so often at the fraction of the cost becomes inviting to many individuals. However, these may … Read more
Why is a Car Inspection Needed?optimax | January 11, 2018 | 0
Even in second-hand cars, it's easy to get fooled because of the excitement of purchasing one. However, before you get the keys, it is important that you go and take the vehicle to a car inspection company first. Here are … Read more


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Restaurant of the Month: Wright Brothers, London
This month we take a look at the Wright Brothers restaurants, London.
Back then, in the UK, oysters were eaten by a select few in expensive restaurants. It was all very stuffy and formal and not much fun.
We approached the best chefs and told them about oysters. The word spread and more chefs started to use us as their oyster supplier.
We then decided to create our own oyster farm. In 2015 we decided it was time to prepare and serve oysters the way we wanted to. That's when we opened our first restaurant – Wright Brothers Borough. We poured our sea to plate passion into this and now have four restaurants in London, each with their own character.
Our aim is and always will be to serve the best seafood in London. By best, we mean the freshest, the most accessible and the most fun.
Our restaurants are all unique. An Asian twist here, a classic feel there and a contemporary take or two in between. We get our seafood from our very own wholesale company and fisheries around the UK. In fact, most of it hails from the British Isles.
Why do you do what you do?
Desire for everyone to eat lots of oyster and seafood and realise all the great benefits of this.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
My work is very varied and there is so much variety. People are a big thing for me. I love all the people we work with including all our wonderful staff, guests and suppliers.
What's do you enjoy the least about your job?
As a business grows, one can become removed from the hands on and everyday direct experience of which is the exciting and working end of the business
What achievement for the restaurant are you most proud of?
We opened our first restaurant in Borough almost 12 years ago, over the years we have had some wonderful review and won some awards which we are really proud of.
Angela Hartnett said we were her favourite restaurant in London (The Observers 'The 40 best restaurants in Britain'). She is a great chef so we were very proud of that.We were voted one of the top 100 best restaurants in the UK by OpenTable (2015/ 2016)
The Telegraph named Wright Brothers one of the best restaurants in London to eat oysters
Tatler also named Wright Brothers as one of their best oyster bars to visit in London
Do you use British Produce?
British produce is core to everything we do and accounts for the bulk of wholesale sales and what our guests eat in our restaurants.
What do you think is best about using British Produce?
Certainly when talking about British seafood and shellfish, it rates as some of the best in the world.
Why should people buy British?
Jobs and business in Britain depend on us buying British. We are an island surrounded with amazing products from the sea and we should all embrace that.
What is your most popular dish?
Oysters, it's what we are known for. Our seafood platters are also very popular.
Latest Producer of the Month
- Producer of the Month: Gelston Lamb
- Producer of the Month: Magnificent Microgreens
- Producer of the Month: Hillfarm Oils


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Comic Review: Ultimates Squared #4/
If it is possible to both adore and hate something simultaneously without causing severe cognitive dissonance, then there might be hope for me and this comic. Yet, if two contradictory ideas can not abide the same space for extended periods of time, then I and this book are in trouble.
Maybe I shouldn't look at it in such Manichean terms, maybe I need to be more Taoist: more Yin and Yang. I might have to see a little bad in the good and a little good in the bad.
But enough of this metaphysical mental meandering, you came here for a review, and I'm going to keep it very simple:
This is a good book, but only because the writing is fantastic. If you read my other Ultimates reviews than you know I love Al Ewing. I LOVE HIM! He is the second coming of Hickman and I couldn't be happier. The problem I have is with the art of Travel Foreman. IT IS AWFUL. Don't believe me? Look below.
Just look at that panel. I feel as though I could draw that. What angers me is that I know he can do better. Take this panel from Ares as an example:
That is the same artist. What happened, man. Are you trying to undermine Marvel from the inside?
Wait... Are you? Because if you are, that is brilliant.
I love this series so much and it is all because of the writing. It's smart, it's pithy, it's meaningful to comics and even has philosophical underpinnings. It's great. But I have a hard time recommending it because of what you get to look at.
I still do though, but maybe you should pick this up in trade paperback instead of buying all the single issues.
Rating: 5.5/10 Naked Black Panthers


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Property Location
When you stay at West Bay Beach-A Delamar Resort in Traverse City, you'll be on the waterfront, just steps from Grand Traverse Bay and Front Street. This beach hotel is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Clinch Park Beach and 0.6 mi (1 km) from Traverse Area District Library.
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Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including a nightclub, an outdoor pool, and an indoor pool. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, an arcade/game room, and gift shops/newsstands. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the complimentary area shuttle that operates within 8 mi.
Grab a bite at CWs Blue Water Bistro, one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Breakfast is available daily for a fee.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Traverse City? This hotel has 6700 square feet (603 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and a meeting room. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary (available 24 hours).


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There is a fashion for negative Facebook and other social media stories. Today, for example, Indonesian extremists turn to Twitter to fuel acts of terrorism. The story does go on to note:
Amid a tepid response by authorities to the phenomena, civil society groups such as the Provocateurs for Peace in Ambon, a multi-religious group led by Pastor Jacky Manuputty, have started using social media and SMS to counter the continuing allegations and rumours trying to stir up trouble in Ambon.
"We know how powerful this social media can be and how it can help our movement fight back," he said. "The authorities and police here need to do better. There is no centralised place to co-ordinate [combating the rumours] so we just do it ourselves. We could not wait for the government."
And good for them!
So often stories about the evil done by Facebook or Twitter seem tantamount to blaming the wall for the graffiti.
Then we hear from time to time that Facebook is on the way out… Duh!
I rejoice in Facebook. Here are several good reasons:
All those people are real. Some I am related to. Some I only met through Facebook. Some I once taught. Some I didn't. Some live in Australia. Many do not. Some even live in Assam, where I have a number of mathematical friends… And then there are people from my past, some as far back as fifty years.
I call it wonderful. Don't you?
Recent "friends" visualisation


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Created by a specialist tools and hardware company (so not a toy!) Teeny Turner is designed to suit tiny tasks with our smallest handle, the Teeny Turner is loaded with 3/16" hex bits—perfect for servicing eye glasses, jewellery or small electronics. The micro-sized, 1" slim 3/16" hex bits are precision-machined to fit the smallest screws and expertly hardened to stand up to years of use.
Comes standard with seven 1" long 3/16" insert bits. Bits are precision-machined for reliable bit-to-screw fit. Rare earth magnet firmly holds working bit in the shank
All Picquic screwdrivers are built in Canada and come with a manufacturer's lifetime guarantee.
Please note: this product is a loose item and is not packaged.
Item code: 06001b-grn
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Vegaflex 61 - Guided Wave Radar (GWR) Level Transmitter
The Vegaflex 61 Guided Wave Radar (GWR) Level Transmitter can be universally used for measurements of liquids and light-weight bulk solids. Independent of ambient influences such as dust, vapour, buildup and condensation, the sensor delivers precise and reliable measured values. The Vegaflex 61 is the economical solution for various level measurements.
- Minimum time and cost expenditure thanks to simple setup without medium
- Simple instrument selection, because unaffected by product features
- Low maintenance costs, because wear and maintenance-free
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A few tried and tested bites of inspiration for your practice!
What if, from now on, the only way for people to understand what you do is for them to experience the power of your coaching?
This works for anything really. As a baker, would you rather talk about your bread or let people taste it? A baker who talks too much about his bread likely doesn't have very good bread. This helps you better in creating clients and in improving your practice.
Business is laziness
The world is FILLED with 'busy' people. However, you often find that many of them don't really make it, even though they're constantly 'busy'. This is because the 'busy' mindset is chaotic and rarely produces quality thinking. A lot of the time, being 'busy' means you're doing a lot of side tasks rather than what's actually important to you. All this hurrying is like a fly trying to make it to it's future by constantly smashing against the window. It doesn't work.
Slow down - some people are like puppies fervently accelerating on the kitchen floor tiles but going nowhere.
Take time to slow down. Look at your to do list and ask yourself 'What's REALLY important here?'. Once you narrow it down, remove as much as you can of the rest and focus 80% of your time on those important tasks - with patience, playfully. Most of the other things will fall into place.
Every job is a blue collar job.
Many coaches treat their jobs as different from your regular job. They treat it like 'it's special' and they let their activities fall prey to their moods. That is a one way ticket to not getting anything done. Truth is, any occupation must be treated with a certain discipline and daily dedication for it to grow.
Ever tried, ever failed, no matter! Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
Failing is not a problem you will face, failing is how you will get there.
Build your self-esteem (keep the compliments you received).
When creating & coaching clients on a regular basis, you don't have the luxury of being insecure too often. For this reason, reminding yourself of the impact you had on other people's lives is key to keeping your spirits and confidence up.
Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem - hence why it is so hard.


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I took my drawing portfolio students to the BMA yesterday and we spent a long time in the Sondheim Artscape Finalist show. I asked them to pick who they wanted to win. I was happy to see such interest in contemporary art with these high school kids. It probably helped that everyday we viewed a new contemporary artist through the Art 21 series. Anyway, I recommend that everyone go see this amazing show. You will notice more video, interactive and sculptural pieces than paintings. And for a painter, who's always jokes about my favorite painting teacher, Joyce Stillman Myers' definition of a sculpture being something you back into when you're looking at a painting, I have become more of a sculptor, installation artist and appreciator.
I loved Nate Larson's twitter geo-scape quotation photographs. But got was absolutely blown away by Matt Janson's sculptures. Their beautiful three dimensional paintings that oozed of cake icing appeal and reminded me of my favorite 40's aesthetic.
Many of the pieces that Janson creates express a tension between lightheartedness and danger. His work frequently incorporates mirror fragments, which have a sparkly quality that appeals to viewers, while the mirrors' sharp edges warn them to keep away.
Other artworks have a thick, gooey texture that simultaneously brings to mind frosting and viscera.Tonight they announce the winner at a special reception at 7 tonight. The show will be up until August 1...and its FREE!! with great air conditioning. So, no excuses! Oh yeah, my students pick a variety of these superior artists, but Janson got the most votes.
photo from BMA Flicker page


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Courtney Skye
The story of my VBA2C and the birth of Courtney Skye Cassiani……
Our 1st baby was born in Jan 2005 via emergency c-section for fetal distress, no movements and poor ultrasound results at a daily stress test.. In the month leading up to his birth, I was monitored for small measurements for dates and then the week before his birth borderline high blood pressure and his heart rate not elevating high enough during movements. He was born little but healthy, he had one night stay in the nursery as his blood sugar was low but he still breastfeed as well as had formula to regulate his blood sugar. By the early morning on Day 2 he was all healthy aside from jaundice.
I felt immediate guilt and disappointment for not being able to deliver my baby naturally. I had adverse reactions to all the drugs I was on and couldn't get out of bed as they didn't remove my catheter for 24hrs. I went on to breastfeed (some could say successfully as I did it for a year but I would say more of a necessity to a screaming, unsettled baby) and never had post partum depression. After testing on my placenta, the results were: poor placenta but nothing that should re occur in subsequent pregnancies and I was given the all clear for natural births.
Our 2nd baby was born in Perth in 2007 but most of my antenatal care was in Canada with midwives who were focused on a natural, vaginal birth. There was never talk of a repeat c-section based on a healthy pregnancy. The pregnancy was completely normal and I was healthy. At my 1st appoint in Perth when I was 7mths pregnant with a private OB at SJOGS, I was given oodles of paperwork telling me of the risks and stats of unsuccessful VBAC's. The OB told me that 1 in 2 VBACs end in c-sections. When I asked for his advice, he said he couldn't give his opinion but if I were his wife, she would be having a repeat c-section. After much thought I figured if I had a strong chance of having drugs and needles, I would prefer to avoid the trauma which I went through in the 1st c-section birth so I would book in for elective c-section. The OB wouldn't believe my dates which were a result of a dating scan in Canada at 10 weeks, rather based the EDD on an ultrasound taken in Perth at the late stage of my pregnancy. So by my dates, the c-section was booked in at 38weeks. Disgusted at myself for bowing down to pressure and the guilt at taking the easy road and not allowing my body to do what it was designed for, I kept my decision a secret. I told my husband only 2 weeks prior to birth and told my parents whom we were living with at the time, only on the day of the surgery. I had a healthy baby boy and went on to breastfeed successfully. Although never diagnosed, I am positive that I did suffer PND for at least a year.
When I turned 30, I decided that I would love to help women who have just given birth on a psychological level and so I wanted to study to be a midwife. In order to get the process started I did the Australian Doula course. Only during that course, did I realise the grief I hadn't yet dealt with of my own births.
After much education, serious thought and many discussions with my husband, I decided (supported by my husband) to try for a 3rd, which would be my "healing birth". We were content with 2 healthy children and no real desire for a 3rd child, but I couldn't move on without the chance to heal from never being able to have the opportunity to birth a baby naturally. So hear is how our little Courtney arrived………
My 3rd pregnancy was similar to the 2nd aside from me being a little more active and a whole lot fitter. I taught Zumba for at least 5mths and did yoga for the last 3mths. We did hypnobirthing and I practised positive affirmations and shut down any negative or doubtful attitudes surrounding me very quickly. I was under the antenatal care of an Independent midwife. She was very supportive and positive about my success. My intention for the birth was to labour at home as long as I possibly could before delivering at KEMH. As standard practice, I had to book in at KEMH for 1 appoint in my pregnancy. Not happy about this, I went along disapprovingly and probably was a little short with the staff on the day. The OB was more concerned about drawing pictures on what would happen during a uterine scar rupture than she was on giving me any antenatal care. My file was covered in "homebirth" stickers and I was advised to have the baby in hospital following standard procedures. I was so confused by all the homebirth stickers and I didn't really say anything, just lots of uh huh and mm hmm's. I went home extremely angry at the OB and annoyed by this unnecessary appoint.
1 month later at my next midwife appoint, she told me that the OB I saw at KEMH had reported her to the Head of Midwifery for potentially homebirthing me. My midwife was then flagged and watch dogged for all births and was told if she attended my house whilst I went into labour, she would be de-registered. I was FURIOUS! So out of courtesy and respect to my midwife, I discontinued my antenatal care and was forced to look for alternative antenatal care.
I decided after hearing about Joondalup Public's great VBAC success rate to birth there. My 1st antenatal appoint was much more pleasant than KEMH and I was advised all the standard VBAC stuff and just nodded and assured them I am educated in my decision and happy to VBAC. At my 2nd antenatal appoint I was told that no VBA2C's were allowed at Joondalup hospital, public or private and I would have to deliver at KEMH. Given what happened during my last appoint, the OB at Joondalup agreed to see me antenatally.
Only 1 week prior to my EDD did I decide that when I went into labour, all going well, I would take my chances and go to Joondalup. If I felt something was not right, I would go to KEMH. So I booked in nowhere and went with the flow.
From 37weeks onwards, I was encouraged to have stretch and sweeps, all of which I turned down. I was given the opportunity to go until 41 weeks before having to make some kind of "management plan" for delivery. All along my decision was NO induction under any circumstance, at 41 weeks we could disucss a repeat c-section. I knew if it got that far and the bub was fine, I would push to wait until 41 +3.
My EDD was 12 April, which came and went. I was going to regular pre labour acupuncture appointments, had a few reflexology appointments, went for long walks etc…. but this bubba was too comfy. I was generally positive and enjoyed every moment of being pregnant and was comfortable with being overdue. I was getting a little anxious at the thought of confrontation or having to be assertive at my next Antenatal appoint if I hadn't gone into labour. At my 40week appoint they told me to go get CTG monitoring at 40 + 3 days.
All was fine with the monitoring and the midwife was so excited that I was a VBA2C and so supportive. I went home feeling positive about my upcoming labour.
My labour started the night before my 41 week appoint. I had a few contractions on the 17th April but as I had never been in labour before, thought it was probably just the beginning of early labour or nothing at all. By that evening, the contractions became regular and closer together and made me need to focus on them. My mum came to take the kids to her house and my support partner, Tam, came over. My husband, Renz was plodding along, going about his business not really sure on what to do.
At first I wasn't quite sure what to do with each contraction and I think maybe I read and listened to too much! So each contraction I did something different, walked, hip rolled, swayed, listened to music, burnt candles, got in the bath, listened to affirmations, asked for back rubs. I think maybe one could say an 'ADD' approach to early labour.
Walking was great but I was over the corridor in my house. Tam and I went for a walk while Renz went to sleep. It was much easier to get through each contraction; I closed my eyes and walked very slowly. Tam tagged teamed with Renz and this was when I discovered he was best given the role of go getter rather than support partner. He often let me walk unguided in the night, let me cross roads blindly and kept bumping into me as he was still half asleep. When we got home, I told them to both get some sleep as the contractions were fading and I would try and sleep. There was something humbling about being in labour during the night but I think I should never have made the comment that it must be so disheartening to labour all night then see the light of day and go into the night again……
By sunrise my contractions had backed right off and a new day began. No one wanted to leave me, so we hung around home chatting and laughing and wondering if this baby would ever show its face. By the afternoon, it was even less of a labour, so Tam went home to run some errands and Renz took me to the shops to get my eyebrows threaded (one still needs to look beautiful). Contractions became more regular but no closer than around 10mins apart. They did get more intense but with such long rest in between, they were completely manageable. I found my sync; I found a wall, stepped my feet and Tam massaged my lower back. I listened to my birth affirmations continuously. This went on all night and morning. Tam was amazing, I hardly had to say anything, and she would see my ritual and knew how to help me through a contraction. Renz recorded each contraction on his ipad application and became very good at Solitaire! The labour was coming along slowly but I felt like it was gentle on my body so that the baby could come at the right time and when my body was fully prepared. I had a bit of bright red bleeding in the night but after a few hours of homeopathic remedies, it stopped completely. I was getting bored between contractions but couldn't really focus on anything, so decided it was time to wax the underarms, straighten the hair and beautify myself. Tam was perplexed as to why I had to do this stuff now, but it was a great mood breaker and distracted me from the tediousness of early labour.
By mid morning contractions had intensified but still no closer than 10mins apart. I was completely content with how things were going but had a feeling I was making more progress than it showed. Tam suggested and I agreed we should go to the hospital soon. We wanted to give ourselves time incase we got sent to KEMH or had to deal with any political complications.
We got to Joondalup just after noon. The midwife was not convinced I was in labour but as soon as I said it was my 3rd baby but 1st labour, she quickly set me up on a bed for assessment (giggles!). I was prepared to have a VE in order to have a stronger chance of delivering at Joondalup. Upon assessment she was shocked that I was 6 almost 7cm with bulging membranes. They tried desperately to monitor the fetal heart rate with the continuous monitoring but my baby was not partaking. The midwife was lovely and so excited I had come to hospital. Then an OB walked in. She was so nervy and panicky and was at this stage not wanting to transfer me as she was convinced I would deliver on the way. She said we're going to set you up on the monitor and get an IV cannular. WHOA! I said, no cannular for me and no belts on my belly. She was shocked! She was pressuring me for an IV cannular and couldn't comprehend why I was refusing. So then she told the midwife (Without asking me) to get a fetal scalp electrode. WHOA! Again I said, not a chance! She was again shocked, responding with we have to blah blah blah! . The OB went on to tell me if something when wrong not having enough time to get iv's set up if I had no cannular etc.. and that they could probably save the mum but maybe not the baby. She was so nervy and sounded like she was hyperventilating as she was speaking. I told her I was happy to sign any form necessary to say I take full responsibility for any decisions I make and any consequences that may arise due to those decisions.
Then I had my 1st contraction in 2 days lying down on a bed. The baby's heart rate flipped and the OB went bananas "Sonja, Sonja, the baby's not liking this, it's not happy!! Sonja see, this is really dangerous." Tam piped up as I was unable to speak and told them the baby has never endured a contraction in this position, so it's telling us, it doesn't like it and doesn't know what is going on. Yay Tam! Once my contraction was finished, I said I am not lying down for anymore contractions. I rolled over and bub was happy and back to normal. However, I needed to follow their protocol in order to deliver there, so I told them I was happy to go to KEMH.
Seeing as I was almost 7cm, they said I would need to go in an ambulance. I consented until they came back and said I would need a midwife escort, so Tam and Renz couldn't come along. I refused ambulance transfer. The OB was practically chsing us out the hospital, begging us to stay and do it their way.
We drove happily in our car to the Hospital, making a toilet stop along the way and go figure, no baby arrived (said with sarcasm). At this point I was feeling a lot of pressure on my hoo hoo and had a feeling that I may need my waters broken, so decided that if we came across any confrontation at the hospital I would use that as a compromise on intervention.
On arrival at KEMH, everyone was lovely and I was admitted to the labour ward. We got there about 2pm. The midwife who greeted us was delightful. I was having closer contractions so while I was contracting; Tam was filling the midwife in on what had been happening and the reason for the transfer. The midwife was lovely and straight away asked for the birth plan. She told us all the legalities and knew we were going to refuse them but was very supportive of our decisions.
Then the OB came in. She didn't believe I was that far along in my labour, she was not okay with me not following standard management practise, she gave me the run down on how I would have to be pushing in 2hrs or they would start intervention. Her reasoning was that a study showed that 90% of women fitted into the "normal" labour or progressing 1cm per hour. So I decided to keep her happy I would have another VE. She was proud to say I was only 5cm along (I thought great! That means I have more time before they start wanting to come back and interfere) and she desperately wanted to brake my waters as she had full confidence then that my VBAC would be successful. I politely told her my VBAC is going to be successful anyway and that I was doing great this far. However, fine I will meet her halfway and let her break my waters. She was so happy and chuffed, she left the room and never came back! (well, according to Renz, she tried to but the midwife had a word with her outside and she never came in).
My labour progressed very quickly after this. I went from having a great break between contractions to rolling contractions with no break at all. I got in the shower but didn't like contracting in there at all. So got my labour Kaftan on and paced the birthing room. Renz was sent out to get me a hairdryer as both my labour support people left mine at home. I was addicted to my hairdryer as the warmth relaxed me and the sound was soothing.
The birthing affirmations got thrown a mile once the contractions got more intense and everything became kind of a blur, all I remember next was the pushing stage. Well this was like every book said it would be. I fell asleep between contractions and felt with every push that the baby was getting closer. But far out was it taking its sweet merry time! The thoughts running through my head were hilarious…. "hmm, maybe I could just shove my hand in and pull it out, I understand why people use vacumms, how the hell could anyone contemplate doing this more than once…." I even asked for a suppository (this was more of a joke which the midwife missed!), you know the theory that I could give it a nudge a long seeing as I was feeling constipated, lol! Then that lovely ring of fire…… But I knew that meant my bubba was on its way and my labour was coming to an end. The midwife told me I could feel my baby's head if I wanted too as this helped some women get through to the end. I couldn't think of anything more disgusting, but as I got more into the pushing, I instinctively reached down and felt it. Funny enough, it made me push harder and longer when my body said too. I always thought I could "breathe my baby out" but at that time, I couldn't think of anything more impossible and my body said push, grunt and scream (last part out of sheer frustration for the baby to hurry on out). I found my place hanging onto the bars on the side of the bed and squatted down with every push.
Finally out she popped and I was so relieved. It was very surreal and I didn't even have the urge to want to hold her. I was just glad I didn't have to push anymore! The midwife was an angel and passed her up to me and I couldn't believe it… I did it! No dramas, no medical problems, no thoughts of pain relief or worries or concerns. It just all happened how it was meant to and she came out how she wanted to and I felt so great. It wasn't how I knew a baby to be born. I had only experienced drugs and handed a cleaned up baby. Now I was dripping in sweat, my legs were like jelly, I stayed true to everything I believed in, stood up for myself and I was dressed in my own clothes holding my own slippery little angel whom was only a few hours earlier, dancing up a storm in my uterus.
When I checked on the sex, I thought she was a boy, but after being told to check again, a couple times, I was shocked that we had a little girl! Again, surreal, I only knew what to do with boys……
I got to lie down and snuggle my little girl, the midwife never mentioned anything about third stage until what seemed like hours later. With a few pushes the placenta came out, I cleaned up and was ready to pass out with my little girl surrounded by some of the most amazing people in my life. And that is how our little Courtney Skye Cassiani arrived into this world.
A tribute owed to the midwife who was like a ghost in the room and respected my space, my goal and did her job beautifully. To my friend Tam, who took her role as my support person to another level and did her job perfectly. And my husband, who lived up to everything I thought he would be….. I couldn't have done it without all 3 of them…..
1 Comment
I read and hung onto every single word of your story, so so beautiful, I am now 100 percent convinced that I can do this, I have had two cesarean's and really really want to try for a vba2c, your story has encouraged me to go for it, thank you😍


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Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and if you're like many single women in Orange County, you're probably scrambling through your closet to find the perfect outfit to impress your date. If this is your first date, perhaps you and your date are just going out for a casual evening, or perhaps you want to shine bright on this romantic night and plan to look like a supermodel in a fancy dress downtown. Regardless what you have planned for this year, our Orange County matchmakers have some Valentine's Day looks you don't want to miss. Hey, we've been helping single women in Orange County for nearly 30 years, and we're not going to stop now!
Whether you choose to go for the classic red or go with the runner-ups of pinks and purples, these Valentine's Day outfits will have your date's eyes lighting up, and that's a guarantee! We are not the leading matchmaking service in Orange County for no reason.
1. Did someone say red mini dress?
Should we even say more? When it comes to jaw-dropping Valentine's Day looks, you simply can't go wrong with a red outfit, especially if it's a dress. A red mini is the perfect choice to work your magic and have your date's mouth dropping to the floor the minute he sees you. A red dress will make you elegant and classy and have you standing out.
Although the length of your dress will be up to you, if you have nicely toned legs, you can always show a little more. But believe us, you will not go wrong with a sizzling red dress.
2. Go with a midi dress.
While mini dresses are ideal for showing off your toned legs, a midi dress focuses more on your figure and silhouette. You might not be comfortable with keeping your cleavage all tucked away for the night, but believe us, there are more ways to entice your date. If you have a nicely shaped body, your date is going to love this midi dress, as it will accentuate your body like nothing else. Sometimes, not knowing what's under something is more enticing than seeing it.
For a more modest yet very elegant look, you can go with a long-sleeve midi dress, as this will focus more on your legs.
3. There's always the maxi dress.
Is your Valentine's Day date at an upscale restaurant on the town? Then you simply can't go wrong with a beautiful, flowing maxi dress. Not only is this the perfect outfit for a romantic dinner, but you'll feel like a princess all night long.
This style is perfect for many reasons. Similar to the mini dress, the maxi dress can be worn with or without straps and will have you feeling fabulous. The dress cinches at your waist, will help you show your figure, and accentuate your curves.
4. Go casual.
Are your Valentine's Day plans on the casual side? Well, you still make this date amazing. For women who still want to wear red, you can always create a red outfit by pairing a nice top with red jeans or trousers.
A great pair of jeans is essential for showing off your nice legs and curves, and jeans are ideal if the weather is chilly. You can pair your red jeans with your favorite pumps and a classy blazer.
Prefer your favorite denim instead? Don't worry, you simply can't go wrong with your favorite pair of blue jeans a nice red blouse or top. You'll gain instant confidence and feel ready for a wonderful Valentine's Day.
5. There's always pink.
Although red will be the most common color you see on Valentine's Day, as it symbolizes love, you can't go wrong with pink. Blushed tones are very popular today, so you can wear a nice pink dress for this evening.
For a more casual look, you can always pick your favorite blue jeans and rock a pink blouse. Pale pinks are also great and will work flawlessly in your favor. You can pair them with black jeans and your favorite pumps.
6. Wait, don't forget about purple.
When Valentine's Day comes around, you'll notice red and pink everywhere you go. But there's another color that could be showing up more, and that is purple. If pink and red aren't your thing, then there's always purple.
For a unique and beautiful Valentine's Day look, you can choose to wear a purple jumper, as it will make you stand out from everyone around and get you enough compliments to make you feel like a queen. A jumper will automatically make you look taller and leaner without losing your body shape.
7. Don't neglect white.
One color that is always elegant, sleek, and bold is white. It might not sound like it would go for such a romantic day, but it does. White is a timeless choice that you can't beat.
You'll look phenomenal in white and stand out from other single women in Orange County on this red-filled holiday. You can always use red accessories to give off a fiery look.
8. Silver is fabulous too.
Do you want to sparkle and steal the eyes of everyone in the restaurant, especially your date's? Then you can say forget the red and say hello to silver. Get a dress with sequins and you have by-standers stopping with their mouths open to check you out. While silver dresses might be a little difficult to pair, go with white pumps and a sleek clutch and you'll be ready for an elegant evening for two.
9. Did someone say gold?
Do you want to dazzle, shine, and stand outside the box? Then you can't go wrong with gold. Not only will you be the only one in the restaurant wearing gold, but you'll look and feel like a Greek goddess.
Whatever you have planned for this Valentine's Day, our Orange County matchmakers want you to make it a special day by using one of these classic and fiery looks that are sure to impress.
If you are like many single women in Orange County who can't find a Valentine's Day date on her own, contact our expert matchmakers here at Orange County Singles Dating Service today so we can assist you on your search. Fill out the private form at the top of the page to reserve your FREE 90 minute matchmaking consultation to start meeting relationship-minded men today!
So, what do you think? What's the best look for you this year? We want to hear what style you're planning this Valentine's Day, so share with us on Facebook!


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Andre Galvao v Jorge Patino
Round two found Galvao rebounding and taking the fight to Patino. Patino took a lot of punishment from the Brazilian.
Round 3 will decide it.
And it does. Galvan takes Patino to the mat and delivers a series of hard unanswered strikes.
WINNER-GALVAO by TKO in 3
Daniel Cormier v Jason Riley
Cormier rocks Riley with a big punch. Riley goes down and takes a flurry of unanswered punches.
1:02 winner by tapout from strikes - Cormier.
Bobby Lashley v Chad Griggs
Bobby Lashley looks to continue his undefeated streak and transformation into a legit heavyweight contender. Griggs wants to be the man to hang that first "L" on his record.
Quick takedown for Lashley followed by side control. Griggs is patient and gets back to his feet. Lashley slams him back down. Griggs lands some knees. Ref seperates them. Lashley with another slam. Lashley is bleeding from a cut on his left eye to end round 1.
Another big Lashley slam to start round two. Lashley to full mount and some hard punches!
Lashley sure looks like he's laying and praying to me. Griggs pounds Lashley mercilessly as the seconds tick out.
Bell rings then we see Griggs celebrate?
Bout stopped at end of round 2.
Winner-Griggs by TKO!
It must have been the Elvisian sideburns!
Up next?
KJ Noons v Jorge Gurgel
BJJ v striking. The heart and soul of modern MMA. Will local product Noons be able to keep the fight standing or will Gurgel take the fight to the mat?
Gurgel lands some strong kicks...mainly to Noons' head. Gurgel had the round until the bell. That's when Noons landed a big punch that floored him.
Noons knocked Gurgel down to start round 2. Noons then ko'ed Gurgel. The ref stopped the fight and THEN Noons kicked Gurgel in the face.
Winner - Noons by KO in round 2
Time for our first title fight.
Tim Kennedy v Jacare Souza
For the Strikeforce Middleweight Title.
Souza is pounding Kennedy despite the Duggany "USA" chants. Kennedy knocked Souza down.
Both fighters seem tentative to start the 2nd round. Now they are standing and banging. Long slow round that Souza takes in the closing seconds with a strong head kick and a punch.
Into round three and the fight is creeping. Souza likes the push kick. Kennedy forces a takedown. Looks like Kennedy is bleeding to end the 3rd round.
Round four gives us our first groin kick of the night and not much else. Kennedy's cut has reopened. There was a clock issue. The USA chants begin anew at 3:35. Kennedy seems to be spending a lot of energy on punches he's too far away to connect with.
Round 5
Kennedy keeps on punching. 1:15 and they continue to dance. Kennedy with a slam to end the fight. We go to the judges.
And the winner is Jacare Souza by unanimous (?) decision. The crowd is not pleased.
Muhammed Lawal v. Rafael Calvacante
Time for our main event, the light heavyweight belt is on the line.
King Mo had the entrance of the night and is having his way with Feijao in the opening moments. Feijao throwing some hard knees. Mo does some showboating that draws boos. Time for round two.
King Mo gets knocked out early in the third in dramatic fashion!!! Feijao is your NEW light heavy champ!


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By G.D. Zaney
Reproductive Health (RH) is defined by the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action (PoA), as "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes."
The definition was accompanied by a call on all countries to promote greater partnerships in the implementation of innovative programmes aimed at making quality RH services accessible and affordable to all by the year 2015.
It was in September 1994, in Cairo, Egypt, when representatives from 179 countries participated in discussions to finalize a PoA on population and development for implementation, lasting a period of 20 years.
The primary recommendations of ICPD PoA were the call to link the provision of sexuality education and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services; build awareness, acceptance and support for youth-friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) education and services; address gender inequity in terms of beliefs, attitudes and norms; and target the early adolescent period (10-14 years).
Member countries were, therefore, required under the ICPD PoA to strive to meet the educational and service needs of adolescents to enable them to deal in a positive way with their sexuality.
In addition, ICPD PoA also underscored the importance of accessibility to reproductive health services through primary health care systems to individuals of all appropriate ages, including adolescents as soon as possible and not later than the year 2015.
As part of an enhanced approach to reproductive health and rights, PoA advocated making family planning universally available by the year 2015, provided estimates of the levels of national resources and international assistance that would be required and called on governments to make these resources available.
In 2012, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) also made a policy statement on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (ASRHR), the key elements of which included the right of young persons to Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE); the right to decide on all matters affecting their sexuality; right to access SRH services, including the right to abortion, where legal, and the protection, and promotion of the rights of young persons to control their sexuality, free from violence, discrimination and coercion.
Why is the health of adolescents considered as critical as to receive the attention it is being accorded? One may ask.
The answer is not farfetched. Adolescents face peculiar health risks which are not only detrimental to their immediate future, but also for the rest of their lives.
Indeed, adolescent health constitutes a large proportion of the global disease burden while higher maternal mortality and morbidity rates, and the increased risk of induced abortions—largely illegal and unsafe— are known to be the direct results of early childbearing.
Recent studies have also shown that as a result of pregnancy and childbirth, diseases affecting adolescents constitute 23 per cent of the general disease burden.
The studies reveal that young women aged 15 to 19 years give birth to an estimated 16 million children annually while girls aged between 12 and 15 in low-income countries give birth to 2.5 million children every year, and that of the estimated 22 million unsafe abortions that are registered every year, 15 per cent have been found to occur among women aged 15 to 19 years while 27 per cent are registered among those aged 20 to 24 years.
Other implications for adolescent health include gender-based violence which increases the risk of negative SRH issues such as unintended pregnancies, Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection, alcohol abuse, mental health disorders and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates indicate that an estimated 3.3 million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM in Africa, every year, one million young persons aged 15 to 24 are infected with HIV while globally, young women comprise over 60 per cent of all young people living with HIV, with the corresponding number in sub-Saharan Africa as high as 72 per cent.
Ghana, therefore, had no choice but to respond to the call by ICPD POA and the policy statement of the CPD on ASRHR by developing and implementing interventions to make quality SRH services accessible and affordable.
A report by the National Development Planning Commission which was strategically selected to co-ordinate the ICPD review process in Ghana indicates that over the past 20 years, Ghana has made significant progress in the implementation of the ICPD PoA, with far-reaching improvements in institutional mechanisms as well as policy frameworks for women's empowerment, the promotion of gender equality and equity, health care, including family planning and reproductive health services, and the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
The report indicates that access to health care and services, and geographical coverage, especially in the rural areas, have also increased through the expansion of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS).
According to the report, there has also been the continuous expansion of functional CHPS zones in all Regions in Ghana, increasing from 868 in 2009 to 1,675 in 2011, bringing primary health care and reproductive health services closer to the people, as a result.
Furthermore, the report shows, the maternal mortality ratio in Ghana has shown a consistent decline since 1990 to 350 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010 and was projected to fall to 185 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2015.
To further reduce this before 2015, several mechanisms, including the implementation of the Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA), an initiative of the African Union Commission, were initiated to curb the continent's high rate of pregnancy-related deaths.
Family planning centres, the report reveals, have also been set up to counsel people on family planning and the prevention of sexually transmitted STIs while the Ghana Health Service (GHS) also conducts annual reviews of its operations to manage performance and determine where new or improved strategies are required for better maternal health outcomes and service delivery.
The report mentions the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) as having, over the years, expanded its operations to cover a whole range of SRH services and delivered services and programmes through 1,356 service points including 11 permanent clinics, 54 mobile clinics and over 1,000 Community-Based Service Points (CBSPs).
In terms of the development of health infrastructure, the report says, government began the construction of fifteen (15) polyclinics costing €37 million euros.
Additionally, the report adds, Government launched the MDG5 Acceleration Framework (MAF) in 2011 to guide national interventions to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality in the country.
It is important to note that the gains have not been made by Government alone and that the private sector has also contributed to improve access to health care services— one example of which is the Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality (R3M) programme in Ghana whose objectives are to support government to achieve a 39 per cent contraceptive prevalence rate and reduce maternal mortality resulting from unsafe abortion.
Indeed, the R3M partners have provided Long Acting and Permanent Methods (LAPM) to 106,126 women, comprehensive abortion care services to 133,291 clients as a result of which 254,000 unintended pregnancies, 1250 maternal deaths and 161,000 unsafe abortions were averted.
Currently, the health sector seeks, notwithstanding the challenges, to improve upon SRH services by expanding the coverage of existing reproductive health programmes and strengthen governance and administration through systems structuring, planning as well as performance monitoring at all levels.
The health sector is also committed to the reduction of inequalities in health outcomes across regions through bridging the gaps of geographical and financial access, ensuring increased access of the population in hard-to-reach areas to maternal and SRH services in order to address the needs of diverse sub-populations.
In addition, the health sector also seeks to expand the cadre of providers, train more staff to deliver services, ensure better monitoring of staff and undertake initiatives to improve Emergency Obstetric and New-Born Care (EmONC).
While the health sector continues to play its mandated role in the promotion of ASRHR, others are also making strenuous efforts in that direction in view of the fact that the challenges of recognizing and fulfilling the reproductive and sexual rights of all young people, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, and ensuring access to health education and services, including safe and legal abortion, remain as formidable as ever.
The 7th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights, which took place in Accra on the 8th of February to the 12th of February 2016, was, indeed, one of such efforts which are in consonance with the recommendations of ICPD.
President Mahama who delivered the key note address at the opening ceremony of the 7th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights, reassured Ghanaians of the commitment of the Government of Ghana to working in collaboration with other African leaders for the total reduction of the incidence of HIV and AIDS on the continent which form part of ASRHR.
Ghanaians are equally reassured at the conference of the personal commitment of Dr Mrs Lordina Mahama, President of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) and the commitment of OAFLA as an organization, in ensuring the removal of all the barriers— maternal mortality, early and forced marriages, teenage pregnancy, HIV and AIDS— impeding the full potential of the youth.
Certainly, these efforts cannot be in vain. The goal may look distant, but it, surely, is within reach.
All stakeholders should, therefore, be guided and encouraged by the words of Dr Babatunde Ahonsi, Country Representative, United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), who accurately describes the conference as part of a long-term process of building and deepening the discourse and moving forward, after 2015, of the agenda of addressing the challenges of policy gaps in promoting SHRs—and this is to say: this agenda requires relentless and painstaking efforts as well as tremendous financial investment.
The writer is an officer of the Information Services Department.


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Featuring Tsaurah Litzky, Mario "Poncé" Pagán, and John W. Snyder
Hosted by Thomas Fucaloro
Plus open mic
$3 suggested donation. Two drink min, alcoholic or non.
Tsaurah Litzky, a long time trendsetter in the margins, is a widely published writer of poetry, fiction, erotica, memoir and commentary. However, poetry is her heart. Her publications include the poetry collections, Baby On The Water (Long Shot Press) and Cleaning The Duck (Bowery Books) as well as fifteen chapbooks. Her most recent chapbook is a book of yoga poems, Full Lotus (NightBallet Press). Her writing has been included in numerous anthologies among them the Best American Erotica series eight times, all the Unbearables anthologies including most recently From Somewhere to Nowhere: The End of the American Dream, as well as The Careless Embrace of the Boneshaker (great weather for MEDIA), UP IS UP BUT SO IS DOWN, The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry, Jews: A Peoples History of the Lower East Side Volumes 1 & 3), Bowery Women Poems. Her novella The Motion of the Ocean, was published by Simon & Schuster as part of Three The Hard Way, a series erotic novellas edited by Susie Bright. Tsaurah's most recent publication is the book Flasher: A Memoir published by Unbearables/Autonomedia. Tsaurah lives on the Brooklyn waterfront where she can see the Statue of Liberty, icon of Free Women everywhere, from her kitchen window.
Mario "Poncé" Pagán is founding member of the Titere Poets. A writing collective that explores the boundaries of masculinity, vulnerability and male trauma. He is the guy in every Boricua neighborhood that everybody knows: commenting on people, politics, the news, the hood rumors, the universe's mysteries, and stories from the past. Mario follows in the tradition of Nuyorican and Black arts movement. Mario has featured at Capicu Culture People's open mic, the Loisaida Community Center: ¡Presente! The Young Lords in New York, The NYC Poetry Festival, Boricua College, the Queensboro Lit-Crawl and a 3 time feature and has hosted for Great Weather for Media. He is a LaSopa NYC alumni. His work has been published on Sofrito for your soul.
John W. Snyder is a Pushcart Prize nominated poet from Staten Island. He is also a member of the 2018 Advanced Slam team. He has recently published a chapbook with NYSAI Press Where the Knife Landed. His work can also be found in postPorn from Mad Gleam Press, and on In Between Hangovers.


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Syracuse men's basketball head coach Jim Boeheim struck and killed a man while driving on Interstate 690 in the upstate New York city late Wednesday night, the Syracuse Police Department confirmed in a statement obtained by CitrusTV News.
Jorge Jimenez was pronounced dead in hospital after being struck. The 51-year-old had been walking on the highway after a single-vehicle crash. He was the passenger in a car that hit the guardrail.
Field sobriety and alcohol-sensor tests, which were administered to both drivers, came back negative for impairment. The coach is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Boeheim released a statement through the university Thursday, saying he is "heartbroken" at the events that transpired.
Boeheim had coached the Orange to a 69-49 win over Louisville at the Carrier Dome just hours earlier. The 74-year-old is in his 43rd season in charge at Syracuse.


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#categoryNav { margin-top:0px; }
Cuzco, an exciting historic action/adventure thriller, takes our characters on a dangerous and harrowing quest to the Andes and the forbidden land of the Incas. The expedition team is dispatched by an anxious U.S. Government with a mission to search for a priceless treasure and an indescribable entity vital to the national security of the United States. Pursued by a team of ruthless French mercenaries trained to kill, the Americans must find the object of their search before their adversaries do—the fate of the world may depend on it. Their journey exposes the group to incredible challenges and perilous confrontations as they journey deep into the sacred lands of the Incas and to the mysterious ancient citadels hidden deep in the land of the mists. The startling ancient mysteries they discover will change history books. All of this leads to an explosive and unimaginable conclusion.
Paperback | ISBN 978-1-937565-63-3 | 354 PagesFICTION / Action & Adventure


text: The Dometic CoolMatic CB 36 is the go to fridge for tight spaces. With solar power capability and a detachable cooling unit, there are plenty of features to be enjoyed on this 36 l fridge. A handy 1.5 m lead gives flexibility of position and its temperature range of +10 °C to –12 °C allows varied use. Crucially for avid travellers, the CB 36 perform best in a moderate climate.


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Storied Books Series: Signed 11"x14" Print of Your Choice
Storied Books Series: Signed 11"x14" Print of Your Choice
Please note:
1) This is a Giclée, a.k.a. "archival pigment" print of a photograph from the Storied Books Series, Part I or Part II.
2) 11"x14" is the outside dimensions of the print. The image area will be smaller, with a white border around it. Signature will be in the white border.
3) After clicking the "add to cart" button, there will be a text box in which you specify which image you would like. Please indicate your choice's position on the Storied Books thumbnail pages (here is link to Part I, here is link to Part II) and give a brief description of the image. Before sending, I will confirm by email that I have the right image.
Thank you!
Add To Cart


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Instagram Now Up for Grabs in Beta Form on Windows 10 Mobile
Despite revolving around the Universal approach, Windows 10 still lags in terms of its app library volume. Novelty of the OS is certainly acting as a small barrier here, that even the apps that have been present in previous Windows versions are now taking their time to make the jump.
But Windows 10 is surely showing signs of progress, and users will be delighted to know that their favorite image-centric social media is stepping up to show on the platform.
We are speaking of Instagram, as the Facebook owned image-hosting platform has just announced its entry into the Windows 10 ecosystem through Windows Store.
Instagram will be available only in the beta version as of now, just like how it began its journey in Windows Phone three years back. We can expect the final product to be arriving soon after continuous assessment and upgrades.
But right now, users will find a slight difficulty in using the beta version as it's not void of bugs and crashes which can occur during Facebook login attempts and while using 'Share To' feature.
The app does carries forward many features from the other version like custom-designed filters, creative tools, advanced follow suggestions, private photo and video message sharing etc. The in-app support for camera is also enabled in the beta version, which was not the case in the previous beta versions of Instagram.
According to the reports, users of Lumia 950, 950 XL, 650, and 550 models will be the ones who will receive Instagram on their Windows 10 mobile devices. It will also be available alongside on the devices running Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview version.


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I wanted to devote a whole blog post to the lovely ladies at the Dragonfly Village. We are a collective of women who are working together to bring services to Stillwater and the surrounding areas. What kind of services, you ask? Well, I'll tell you a little bit about them.
Dragonfly's website is here if you want to check it out.
Lissette Minges-founder and (most awesome lady ever) Lactation support
- Lissette is the founder of our awesome village. She has this to say: "At Dragonfly Village, we all feel a woman should not endure pregnancy, birth, and motherhood on her own. All of the providers at Dragonfly Village have been lifted up by their own communities at those times of need, and felt love and support. The unique thing about us is we found each other and united our communities to provide a space for any woman to feel at home. Our mission is to empower women through support and education during those years of childbirth and parenting. For more detailed information about our individual services and providers, we would love for you to visit our website at www.dragonflyvillage.mom
Laken Shipley-Postpartum Doula
- Laken is a mama who has lived through the best and worst of what motherhood has to offer. She is passionate about the quality of mother's postpartum experience and strives to provide a safe refuge with her presence for new families to relax and grow together. Contact her at Laken at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Kylee Abel- birth doula and childbirth educator
- Kylee is a birth doula and childbirth educator in Stillwater Oklahoma. She provides a variety of packages to best serve the surrounding birth community. Kylee offers birth plan advisement, childbirth classes, birth attendance, mother blessing ceremonies, and everything in between. Her goal is to provide a service to fit everyone in planning the birth of their child. Click here to check out her awesome website.
Jackie Garcia - The Treehouse
- Jackie is the owner of The Treehouse. Her Facebook page is here and Her website is here. Make sure you check them out. The Treehouse is a convenient, affordable and fun drop off play zone in Downtown Stillwater. The Treehouse will offer Parents Night Out, Snow Day Care and a three hour parent free play for the parent that has an appointment, wants to shop, or is in desperate need of a quiet cup of coffee. You have to schedule ahead of time, so go to her website to schedule your date.
Jamie Euteneuer-
- Jamie is the Massage Therapist at Dragonfly Village. She offers Reflexology, Swedish, Prenatal, and Postpartum Massage. She's currently taking appointments for Mondays and Fridays with times from 9:00-1:30. Prices start at $60 for a 60 minute massage. Email her with questions or for scheduling at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Brittney Bay- sonographer at Miracle Within
Brittney is a sonographer. She offers gender reveal scans and also parties! We're excited to be offering this to Stillwater!
Now booking gender reveal scans!
Just Gender package: $75
15 min 2D session
6 black and white (2D) prints
CD (10-15 images)
Gender determination (if desired)
Schedule your gender reveal party today!
Includes ultrasound reveal for family and friends and party room for guests reserved for 2 hours.. Reveal the gender of your baby live!
And then there's me, Katie Lewis. If you're coming to this blog post from Dragonfly Village, welcome! Please take some time to look around and check out my website. I offer new life photography (maternity, birth, newborn and up). I have a studio space in Dragonfly Village, and I'm so excited to be there. I would love to chat with you if you're interested in a session. Contact me at email@example.com.


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High School Sports
Gig Harbor girls soccer edges state power Issaquah in 4A state quarterfinal
A game of inches, the Gig Harbor girls soccer's magical run continued on Saturday following a 1-0 victory over state power Issaquah in the 4A state quarterfinals.
The Tides found their game winning goal in the 46th minute as sophomore Leahi Manthei got on the end of a corner kick that squirted just outside the box, where Manthei was waiting to half volley it back into the net.
Issaquah junior goalkeeper Anna Miller made an attempt to clear it from danger, but her diminutive frame kept her just out of reach from making the save.
"This is the third year we've faced Issaquah in state and they've beaten us both times before. Third time is a charm," Gig Harbor coach Dani States said. "I believe they're the top team in the state. The history is there and they're just solid. They're a phenomenal team. To be able to beat them finally, especially in the quarterfinals, it's amazing."
Although it was the Tides advancing to Friday's semifinals , a case could be made that the Eagles had the better opportunities on goal.
Gig Harbor will face Central Valley, who defeated West Valley of Yakima, 1-0, earlier in the day.
The Tides bend-but-don't-break defense gave Issaquah numerous looks from outside the box, including a couple that have to be parried over the crossbar. The most dangerous shot on goal came from senior Lyrik Fryer, a Florida International commit, who made attacking runs throughout the defense.
Despite the opportunities, Gig Harbor junior goalkeeper Jordan Bertram came up big for the Tides. Defensive standouts Emery Wallerich, who is committed to play for Oregon State next year, and junior Cara Tallman also played a big part in holding down the mighty Issaquah squad.
"Our defense all season long has been very composed," States, now in her eighth year of coaching the Tides said. "They're not frantic, they can handle the pressure and Emery is a great leader and that composure for us. Jordan is the same way. Their personalities are mellow and they're not fazed by pressure."
With the final stages of the state playoffs ahead, Gig Harbor will make their second trip to the final four. The last came in the 2011 season when they were knocked out by Bellarmine Prep.
For seniors Wallerich, Rachel Ross and Sarah Hashman, this will be their second trip to the semifinals.
"I told the girls before the game, what about a book ending finish for the seniors," States said. "They started at the final four as freshmen and they were all varsity, and to be able to finish their senior year at the final four, that's pretty great."
At Jackson 2, South Kitsap 0: Jadyn Edwards' goal off a Timberwolves' corner kick in the 46th minute shut the door on the 4A Narrows champions in the state quarterfinals at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Jackson (15-4-1) advanced to play Skyline in one 4A semifinal Friday at Sparks Stadium.
Kristina Serres gave the Wesco 4A champions a 1-0 lead with her goal in the 28th minute. Callie Vanaelst earned the shutout in goal.