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By Mark Mattison-Shupnick, ABOM
Release Date: August 15, 2012
Expiration Date: July 25, 2014
Mark Mattison-Shupnick, ABOM is currently director of education for Jobson Medical Information LLC, has more than 40 years of experience as an optician, was senior staff member of SOLA International and is a frequent lecturer and trainer.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, the
participant should be able to:
Credit Statement:
This course is approved for one (1) hour of CE credit by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO). Course STWJM515-2
Athletes depend on their gear to perform to
their personal best. For example, if you're a
cyclist, your performance is heavily influenced
by the bike maker and construction, sprocket
ratios, derailleur, shifters, seat and tube, wheels,
fork, pedals, shoes, jersey, arm warmers and others. Each part of the bike and the clothes you
wear contribute to your safety and performance.
For cyclists who wear prescription eyewear,
the right outdoor eyewear is as important as
the bike or cycling gear. Nonetheless, presby-opes had to compromise their vision, potentially limiting their sport performance by wearing regular, general purpose multifocals.
General purpose multifocals are designed for
common daily activities such as driving, walking and working at a desk. Athletes have different visual needs for their unique sport. Oakley
True Digital is the first progressive lens that
further differentiates into a suite of sport-specific progressive lenses to deliver optics
designed for cycling, golf and fishing.
Developed as a personalized progressive lens
solution for cycling, golf and fishing, each new
Oakley lens is designed with the activities and
visual tasks the sport demands. Using Oakley
True Digital technology to create these three
designs, lenses can be optimized for the needs
of each specific sport. When combined with
complementary colors (sport-tuned filters),
coatings and protective properties, they provide a comprehensive sport solution for the
presbyopic athlete.
Sport-specific lenses are the sum of their component parts. They are made up of: 1. Optics:
A progressive lens that delivers optics required
for the way in which an athlete uses the lens. 2.
Color: Tints and filters that boost color contrast to enhance performance in each sport's
environment. 3. Coatings: Automatic back surface AR, which virtually eliminates the backside reflections that can hide important objects
and affect split-second decisions. They also
repel dust, water and oil for better visibility
while providing longer surface durability. 4.
Protection: Provides improved impact resistance and absorbs 100 percent UVA and UVB
radiation, and 5. Finishing: Ensuring a close and aesthetically appealing fit, which can
be enhanced by features like venting to
reduce the occurrence of fogging.
You may be wondering why I would suggest a lens tuned for the athlete when a
patient only sometimes plays golf or rides a
bike recreationally. My answer is always the
same. I can provide eyewear that is "adequate," i.e., does the job like a car that gets
you there but doesn't have leather, an iPod
dock, GPS or heated seats, or I can suggest
products that provide excellence in eyec-are, describe the benefits and let the
patient make the choice. Usually when
there's a clear set of benefits that defines
value, patients make better choices. Further, these patients tend to tell their friends
and family about my practice, and they
become loyal customers.
When talking to presbyopes and also
serious cyclists, I hear that cycling glasses
must be easy to use, provide vision as natural as the way a cyclist uses any of their
other equipment and must not add any
additional work for the rider. That's logical
since any rider, serious or recreational,
doesn't want to have to work to see clearly
especially when riding where traffic is
already present. Recommend sport-specific
designed lenses with the right colors and
coatings. They provide the best mix of protection and performance.
I can talk personally since I'm a cyclist and
a progressive wearer. Riding a road bike
typically places my chin higher than when
walking or sitting when I ride leaning on
the tops of the handlebars. This position
is even more extreme "in the drops," with
hands on the lowest portion of the bullhorn handlebars. I certainly don't use the
lens like a general purpose lens while
walking around. That means lens utilization is completely different.
Fig. 1 defines a variety of specific areas
of use and a cyclist's bike position when
viewing through that point on the lens.
Above the lens midline, good distance
vision is required for a range of head/chin
up positions. At the midline and below, the
cyclist benefits from improved clarity.
Oakley True Digital Road Cycling is designed
with the cyclist's riding positions that change
head/eye position and the approximate time
spent there. This allows the optician to deliver a lens with a large clear distance, long
intermediate, narrow near with increased
mid and far peripheral clarity.
Riding zone (distance and far periphery): A clear distance portion is needed from the
fitting cross to almost the top of the lens. A
clear periphery is necessary lower because
of the chin up riding position and awareness of riders or traffic near you, and for a
good road view.
Electronic zone (near/intermediate): Finally, that fast glance at the computer
requires a narrow near spot low in the lens.
This design also provides a long intermediate that helps to provide a softer periphery.
Lower Periphery: In road cycling, the rider
uses the entire lens to see who is pulling
out or breaking away from the peloton as
well as any traffic that may be of concern.
For all-day rides, it is not uncommon to be
riding in and out of the shadows, through
tight shady corners. As a result, dark gray is
too dark. Therefore, consider Oakley OO
Red Polarized as an example of a color
designed for the cyclist for all-day riding. It
is cycling-specific because as a dark red/
rose tone, it enhances contrast and is less
dark, transmitting about 18 percent light.
In the graph, note that both red and gray
absorb the blue wavelengths to reduce
scatter but then differ. The red transmits
green through red, which enhances contrast and increases average transmission. It
is not as dark as a dark gray so it works
well in the shadows. Other considerations
are the gray of the road, colors of cars or
other riders around you, polarized for
reflections off the asphalt riding early
morning or at dusk. AR is automatic on the
back. Add a mirror and the mirror will
darken the lenses about another 10 percent
for riding in brighter conditions.
As most presbyopic golfers will tell you,
the reading portion (addition) of their
glasses gets in the way while putting, and
the peripheral blur of a progressive or the
segment of a flat top obscures their vision
when addressing the ball at the tee. Either
the correct intermediate power is needed,
or the full power of the add is in the
wrong place. Also, from the tee or fairway,
sighting of the flag and the pin requires
clear vision while the eyes and head rotate
to look from ball to flag.
A golf lens (Fig. 3), requires clear vision
in a large enough distance zone vertically
and horizontally to see the flag while at the
tee. At the tee, the chin is down and the
ball needs to be seen clearly, yet about that
same distance is required when putting
with the same clear vision demand. During
head turn, the corresponding eye rotations
through the lens near the midline require
clearer vision to follow the ball when driving, with eyes and chin up. Finally, full add
power is needed for scoring and reading
the menu in the clubhouse.
Oakley True Digital Golf is designed with
a wider distance, while increasing the availability of the intermediate. The rate of
power change is stabilized for a longer
intermediate. The rate of change is slow,
ramping to only about half the add power,
about 13 mm below the fitting cross. This
is more consistent with golf's "far mid-range" requirement, i.e., seeing the ball
clearly while putting or at the tee, about
four to five feet away. It then finishes with a
small add for scoring or reading.
For lens color to be golf-specific, consider
the surrounding environment. In the
environment of grass (green), sand (beige)
and sky (blue to gray), and the requirement
to follow a blue white ball, the contrast-enhancing colors of browns, purples and
roses have been preferred. In addition, to
increase depth of field, i.e., to ensure that
all the twists of contour on the greens can
be made visible, slightly more light transmission than a darkest gray ensures three
things. First, the flattening of colors that a
gray lens produces is changed for the
color enhancing tone of browns and roses.
Second, a smaller pupil provides increased
depth of field. Third, these colors absorb
the shorter blue wavelengths, which produce haze and scatter. The G30 Iridium
lens is about 15 percent transmission,
absorbs more blue, transmitting yellows
and reds for a brown-appearing color.
Polarized lenses? There seems to be personal preference here since polarization can
mask some of the shadows created by individual grass blades especially where different kinds of grasses are used based on local
growing requirements. Let patients choose
based on their own likes and dislikes.
Do fish get presbyopic? Fishermen/
women do. That means difficulty when
tying flies, seeing fish when wading and
casting placement, all when the lenses
worn might add blur where blur gets in the
way. Sunglasses for people boating and fishing are essential, so here's an opportunity
to personalize them for the way they fish.
If one were to create a presbyope's lens for
fishing, the tasks and the eye's position
would help define the design. In the upper
portion, for distance vision, a scan of the
horizon while traveling on the water and a high clear zone for head/eye movement
when casting are required. Below the fitting
cross, enough clear intermediate is needed
for the safe use of fishing gear or wading in a
stream. Finally, a large enough near zone
and the right add power is required for for
all the near tasks like baiting hooks quickly
and safely.
Oakley True Digital Fishing is optimized for
a wide distance for a broad area of visibility
and a large near for baiting while balancing
the design to provide enough intermediate
and overall clarity for boating tasks. By
extending the length of the intermediate,
peripheral clarity can be enhanced while
controlling usefulness of the near.
Lenses must be polarized for water activities since reflections off shiny water surfaces become polarized and obscure vision.
Reflections also increase ambient brightness so being on the water is brighter than
with just the sun shining down. To reduce
reflections and eliminate blinding glare to
be able to see below the water surface,
always use highly efficient polarizing lenses. Very light tints that are also labeled
polarized typically have little polarizing
efficiency. Choose the best lens color since
they are different for each patient's type of
fishing. Streams and flats require high
contrast browns and ambers. These colors
filter blue wavelengths and as a result,
improve contrast and highlight details
below the surface. Browns and ambers
work well in overcast conditions but in full
sunlight, your fisherman may prefer a
darker gray lens.
Consider the variety of fishing conditions:
early morning surf fishing in overcast conditions, the middle part of the day when a
full sun is overhead or at dusk when details
are masked by fading light. A variety of
lens colors in a frame with interchangeable
lenses are in order. In fact, many fishermen
I spoke with had more than one lens color
sunglass and used them for various conditions. For daytime deep-water fishing, the
sun can be intense when reflecting off the
water, especially when fishing outside all
day. A dark gray, polarized and mirrored
lens is recommended here. The right sun
lens color improves comfort so the angler
can concentrate on fishing rather than
discomfort or glare.
For the next patient, ask: "What do you
wear for outdoor eyewear?" The silence
will cause patients to think about it and a
simple answer from them of "sunglasses"
allows you to then ask, "Do you like them?
What could they do better? What do you
use them for outdoors?" Using these questions lets us understand how we can open
the discussion for personalized and sport-specific progressives. A direct question
asking, "Are you a cyclist (golfer, fishing
enthusiast)?" gets to the heart of it sooner.
Fit a sport-specific lens like any other progressive, i.e., dot the pupil center and then
verify the lens when the glasses are
returned from the Oakley lab. The fitting
cross is located at the pupil center. The lens
has been designed for its optics to be fit at
the pupil center. When dispensing,
describe to your patient that the variety of
clear zones have been tuned for their sport
vision requirements. Verify distance prescription using the reconstructed power
(this will be on the job ticket returned with
the job from the lab). Verify the add power
by the engraving.
Looking for a better way to add that elusive second pair? Stop thinking of them as
seconds. Find your cyclists, golfers and
fishermen/women, and they'll thank you.
Tell them about the new Oakley True
Digital sport-specific progressives, and
how they will become part of their essential
gear for the best in sport vision.
© Copyright 2017 Jobson Medical Information LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


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"Del Mar Designs incorporated in 2003, when industry veterans from Miami, Florida decided to strike out on their own. Originally, we only sold brand name ceiling fans, but soon expanded to include high end lighting fixtures for the whole house. Our first showroom was in South Daytona, Florida. While selling through the showroom to shoppers and designers alike, we started to sell product online. Known for great service, we quickly grew and begin hiring more and more to facilitate an ever growing family. In 2007, we outgrew the original site and acquired a much larger property in Ormond Beach, Florida a short distance away. This gave us the ability to house an increasing inventory of product, our growing family and to continue to satisfy more and more customer demand. We have grown every year, and we are looking to keep growing."
For my review I chose the Emerson Spanish Bay Brushed Steel 52" Ceiling Fan with Light. This fan looked really nice in the picture on the DelMar Designs website, but let me tell you, the picture does not do it justice, it is a beautiful fan. When the fan arrived, I was so excited to see what it looked like. I knew I had to wait for the weekend so my husband could install it, but I couldn't help myself. I had to peek in the box, The blades on the fan are 52" blade, mahogany and the finishes on the fan are brushed steel. I love it! Now to decide which room to use it in. After making the rounds through the house, I decided that I would put the fan in my son's room. We have a fan in our living room and in the master bedroom, so this was the perfect destination for the fan.
When we were ready to put the fan up, it took my husband around an hour to put the fan together completely and about another 15 minutes or so to hang it. Everything was included in the box to hang the fan, so we didn't have to go out and look for "other" tools to hang it.
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Moda Spana Zola Reptile Sandal
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First and foremost, I'd like to clarify how silly I was for;
1. Not bringing my own camera - I forgot to take it as I woke up at 6am to pack and the camera miss the spot in my luggage. T___T
2. Losing the official photos' CD - Everyone was given a CD of the official photos taken by the official photographer. It was given during the bus ride towards the Kuantan airport. Since my luggage (the only bag I had), was in the luggage compartment, I temporarily placed the CD behind the seat I was facing (you know, those nets that can let you keep things 1?) Yea. I freaking forgot about it when I left the bus. FML
Thus, all the photos you'll be seeing in this post would be from photos I take from other bloggers/journalists. And since I'm like the laziest person on earth, I'll probably not give credit. LOL
Alright back to the drive. It's called the TSI and DSG experience. TSI refers to the 'twincharger' (turbocharger plus supercharger) and Fuel Stratified technologies in the engine of the car. Laymen terms - If you want the car to accelerate to a higher speed within a short time, you'd love this tech. DSG refers to Direct Shift Gearbox, an electronically controlled dual clutch multiple-shaft manual gearbox, in a transaxle design - without a conventional clutch pedal. In other words, two separate manual gearboxes (and clutches), contained within one housing, and working as one unit.By using two independent clutches, a DSG can achieve faster shift times, and eliminates the torque converter of a conventional epicyclic automatic transmission, resulting in better torque = awesome driving experience.
The 3 heroes of the drive was the Volkswagen Polo, Golf and Scirocco.
The drive was set to from Saujana, Subang after a short speech by the good people from Volkswagen (not forgetting the generous breakfast).
All the participants (journalists and bloggers) took a group photo with the organizer right before we depart. Can anyone spot me in there?
And then we were off!
Basically we were split into groups of three. The journey will be a drive from Subang all the way to Hyatt, Kuantan for lunch, before aiming towards Tanjung Jara Resort as our final destination. The course was charted by the experienced organizers in the industry, YS Khong and Ivan Khong, which was of course, filled with excitement and windy roads to show off the power of the cars. Along the routes, each group will be given a chance to try each car, and there will be 2 driver shifts stop to allow each participant to get their hands on the car as well.
In other words, everyone gets to drive a Polo, Golf and Scirocco during the drive. :D
My team got the Scirocco first. I have to admit, the car is a bomb on the road. Acceleration is super fast and the drive is smooth. The slight drawback for me would be the back of the car, the design isn't something I fancy too much. Comfort rating might also be a bit lower because the seats (especially back seats) ain't that roomy and comfortable. But then again, the Scirocco is a sports car, so I guess that won't matter much to the audience they are aiming. Retailing at about RM180,000 , I think sports car fans might wanna consider this.
The Scirocco = a horse at its peak. Stylish, energetic and not for the faint hearted.
Then, we tried the Polo. The sensation was so limited at first. Reason? We were driving Scirocco which had a better engine and much more of a beast than a Polo previously. However, when we drove on, the Polo is just as good as the other Volkswagen cars. It handles pretty well and not to mention, it's much more comfortable than Scirocco. For a retail of RM108,888 for an imported car, this is not bad at all.
Polo, the upcoming star
After driving the Polo, we reached our lunch destination at Hyatt, Kuantan. Man, that place is romantic. The beach is so inviting (despite the hot sun) and we were having lunch right by the seaside. As most of us were new, the participants took the opportunity to talk and learn more about each other. Pretty neat people I met back in the drive. :)
Suanie and Cindy with a new friend! Forgot his name cause I'm really bad with names
With our tummies filled, we were off to Tanjung Jara! Driving the Golf, heading north of Kuantan, my team and I agreed that we liked Golf best. Reason? We felt that it was just as fast/powerful as a Scirocco (not tested though), handles well and not to mention, it's much more comfortable and inviting to have guests in the car than a Scirocco. At the retail price of RM140,000 , I totally recommend friends to consider the Volkswagen Golf if they're looking for an imported car that performs well and lighter on the wallet.
Golf, definitely the all rounder in my books
And then we reached Tanjung Jara Resort. I got to tell you this is the part that I feel really pampered when I go for these drives. The room you get is usually huge (for family of three minimum) but you're staying there all by yourself (no complains, sharing room with new friends might not be the best idea, but if you get to bring a date then... yea...)
Check out the room in Tanjung Jara that Volkswagen booked for each of the participant;
Crazy, right? The washroom/bathroom is as big as the living room of where I'm renting now. LOL. Psst, got bath tub some more. LOL.
Anyway, the drive was pretty much over from there on. We were given a lot of time and space to socialize with each other and enjoy the facilities of Tanjung Jara. A very nice dinner was prepared for us by the beach again and some of us certainly did get a bit overdosed in alcohol, as usual.
The next day, we packed up and headed towards Kuantan airport for a flight back to Subang. It was a smooth sailing thanks to the organizers' effort in making sure none of us got lost. LOL.
A million thanks to Volkswagen for giving us the TSI and DSG experience through Polo, Golf and Scirocco. The experience is priceless and we would definitely like to do it again in the near future. Many thanks to Nuffnang for the invitation as well.


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Chapter 1 Summary
Sophie Amundsen lives with her mother in a suburban house. Her father, an oil tanker captain, is seldom home. Her mother works outside the home and comes home late in the afternoon. To make up for being alone some much, she is given several animals, including a cat called Sherekan.
Coming home from school one day, she looks in the mailbox and finds a letter (without a return address or stamp) addressed to her. Inside is a note with one question: "Who are you?" This perplexes Sophie, who takes the letter to her secret hiding place in the hedge that she calls her "den." She ponders over the question, coming up with several answers, none of which she thinks is satisfactory.
Thinking that perhaps there might be another letter, Sophie checks the mailbox again, and indeed does find another letter, this one asking "Where does the world come from?" Again, Sophie muses of the possible answers, both scientific and religious. She realizes that the universe must have come from something, but at what point does something come from nothing?
Checking the mailbox again, she finds a postcard, addressed in care of her to Hilde Knag Moller. It is a birthday card from Hilde's father, apologizing that he could not be there for her birthday, and also for sending the card through Sophie, because it was "the easiest way."
Sophie is completely confused at this point. Where did the letters come from? What were the answers to the questions in the letters? Who is Hilde?
Chapter 2 Summary
Sophie is preoccupied with the questions she has received in the mail. Sophie returns home to find a large brown envelope in the mailbox. It is addressed to her and labeled, "Course in Philosophy. Handle with care." She takes it to her "den" and finds typewritten pages asking, "What Is Philosophy?"
The letter presents her with the idea that the only thing necessary to be a philosopher is to have a sense of wonder, both about the world and about oneself. The writer states that most people lose this capacity as they grow older.
The philosopher compares the universe to a white rabbit pulled out of a top hat by a magician. While we as observers are filled with wonder at the trick, more than anything we wonder, "How did he do that?" We want to know how and why. That is the basis of all philosophy.
We as individuals are microscopic insects burrowed deep in the rabbit's fur. A relative few crawl up the hairs. Most are content to remain in the depths of the fur, or else, having climbed to the top, crawl back down into its safety. The true philosopher climbs up the hair to look into the eyes of the magician.
Sophie is overwhelmed by this thought. She has never thought so hard in her life. When her mother comes home from work, Sophie asks her if she has ever wondered where we came from and why we are here. Mrs. Amundsen is concerned, not liking the tone Sophie has taken. She asks Sophie if she is taking drugs. Sophie just laughs.
Chapter 3 Summary
Sophie finds another packet from the philosopher, this time on the ancient myths. The philosopher states that, in all cultures, people wanted explanations for why nature worked the way it did. Rather than coming up with a scientific explanation, they developed myths, which in turn were either based on religions or gave rise to religions.
The myths first wanted to explain natural phenomena, such as why it rains. They invented stories of the gods and goddesses and their fights against evil forces. The philosopher gives examples from Nordic mythology.
In the same way, ancient Greeks developed myths to explain the seasons, weather, and so on. Homer and Hesiod were the first to write down the myths around 700 BC, thus enabling people to discuss them. With the coming of slavery, citizens were freed to concentrate more on politics and culture.
Eventually, ancient Greek philosophers began to question the myths. They began to think that the gods acted too much like human beings, thus stating that the myths were simply inventions of humans. These early philosophers began to look for explanations not found in cultural myths or religious beliefs. They began to question politics and culture and how man should be governed. Contemplation went from being founded on myths to being established on reason.
Sophie is intrigued about the myth-makers. She imagines that she knows nothing about science and creates her own mythological explanation for the changing of the seasons.
Chapter 4 Summary
In the next lesson, the philosopher asks Sophie questions concerning the basic substance of the natural world. He then introduces her to the natural philosophers.
He explains that all philosophers have a "project," a specific question they want answered. The natural philosophers were focused on the processes of the natural world. They believed that something cannot come from nothing. They believed that there was a basic substance from which all things were made. What that substance was is where they disagreed.
Thales, the first philosopher, thought that all things come from water. Anaximander believed that there was something called the "boundless" from which all things had their origin. Anaximenes taught the source of all things to be air.
Around 500 BC, the Eleatics flourished. Parmenides thought that everything that exists has always existed, and nothing can change. He believed that reason, rather than senses, are more reliable. On the other hand, Heraclitus believed that everything changes, and that our senses are reliable.
Empedocles refined the philosophy of both Parmenides and Heraclitus. He taught that things change, but their basic substance does not. He taught that there are four basic substances: air, water, earth, and fire. Different combinations of these made up all of nature.
Anaxagora believed that there was an even more basic substance—"seeds." From these seeds everything existed, bound together by a force he identified as "love."
Chapter 5 Summary
Sophie receives a new question the next morning: "Why is Lego the most ingenious toy in the world?" That afternoon the lesson arrives: "The Atom Theory." The philosopher discusses the last of the natural philosophers, Democritus (c. 460-370 BC), who believed that transformations in nature could not be caused by any fundamental change, but rather a rearrangement of some type of basic "building block" (like Legos), which he named "atoms." Democritus believed that these atoms were indestructible and eternal. He also believed that they were solid and of varying shapes and can be combined in different forms.
The philosopher points out that scientists have discovered that Democritus was more or less correct, though we now...
(The entire section is 232 words.)
Chapter 6 Summary
When Sophie receives the next envelope, she notices that it is wet around the edges, with two holes in it. Inside are three questions: "Do you believe in Fate? Is sickness the punishment of the gods? What forces govern the course of history?"
Sophie writes a letter to the philosopher in return, inviting him to her house when her mother is home. She sneaks out and puts it in the mailbox at night.
In the middle of the night, Sophie looks out the window and spots an old man in a beret putting a letter in her mailbox and taking the letter Sophie had written him. She goes to the mailbox to retrieve the letter.
The topic of this lesson is Fate, or fatalism, which the Greeks held in the matters of...
(The entire section is 266 words.)
Chapter 7 Summary
Sophie receives a letter from the philosopher, who reveals his name as Alberto Knox, declining her invitation with regrets. Sophie also learns that the reason some letters are wet with two holes in them is that they are brought by Knox's dog, Hermes.
The next lesson concerns Socrates. Before Socrates, a group called the Sophists taught philosophy for money. Protagoras taught that "Man is the measure of all things," meaning that a thing is good or bad only in relation to a person's needs. They did not believe in absolute norms for what is right or wrong.
Socrates (470-399 BC) was born in Athens of a midwife. Of unattractive appearance, he is nevertheless an intriguing person. What is known about Socrates...
(The entire section is 258 words.)
Chapter 8 Summary
When Sophie next visits her den, she finds not a letter but a videocassette. When she views it, she sees scenes of Athens, with a short, middle-aged man with a black beard and blue beret, whom she knows is Alberto Knox.
Knox proceeds to show Sophie the sites in Athens. First, they visit the Acropolis, where the temple of Athene is. He then shows her the Dionysos Theater, where the early Greek dramas were performed. He gives her a short lesson on ancient Greek dramatists such as Sophocles.
Knox then takes Sophie to the Areopagos, where the high court of justice was held. It was here that Paul preached in the first century AD.
The next site is the agora, the old...
(The entire section is 248 words.)
Chapter 9 Summary
Sophie awakens the next morning, still incredulous of what she saw in the video. When she retreats to her den, Hermes arrives with a new lesson, this one on Plato's Academy.
Plato, Socrates' pupil, founded a school on Socrates' teaching, called The Academy. Philosophy, mathematics, and gymnastics were the subjects taught.
Plato taught that there were two worlds: the temporary material world and the eternal world of ideas. The world of ideas contained the ideas, or "Forms," from which all material things were patterned. Thus, though our senses may deceive us and give us an incomplete picture of material things, through reason we can comprehend the ideal world.
Plato also believed that man...
(The entire section is 244 words.)
Chapter 10 Summary
Sophie decides to travel down the path that Hermes followed to find out where he goes. She comes to a lake with a rowboat. On the opposite shore she spies a cabin. She climbs into the rowboat and rows across the lake. After pulling the boat up on the shore (though not very high up), she goes to the cabin. When she receives no answer to her knock on the door, she enters the cabin. She realizes that this is the home of Alberto Knox and Hermes.
On the wall Sophie sees a picture of a house and garden. The picture is labeled "Bjerkeley." Beside it she sees another picture of an old man. This one is titled "Berkeley."
Sophie looks into the mirror on the wall and is surprised when the girl reflected in the mirror...
(The entire section is 240 words.)
Chapter 11 Summary
Sophie receives a letter from the philosopher, saying that he understands her curiosity and is not angry, but he will now have to move.
Included is a lesson on Aristotle, who was a pupil of Plato's. Aristotle disagreed with his teacher as to objects in the natural world having an "idea" existing on another plane of existence. Aristotle believed that there was indeed a "form," but it was within the object itself and was recognized by humans through the senses and then categorized.
Aristotle believed that each thing had a form that was specific to its unique characteristics.
Aristotle was also concerned with finding the causes of existence. There was the material...
(The entire section is 235 words.)
Chapter 12 Summary
Sophie discovers another postcard to Hilde from her father, but she notices that it is postmarked June 15. She remembers that all the other postcards carried the same date, even though it was a month away.
The next lesson from Alberto Knox is on Hellenism—Greek influence that covered religion and science as well as philosophy. In religion, the focus was now on salvation from death. Many religions and cults, including Christianity, were born in this climate. Science advanced tremendously, with Alexandria in Egypt being the center of study.
During this time, the Cynics arose. This school of philosophy believed that true happiness did not lie in material possessions, wealth, or even health. Stemming from...
(The entire section is 230 words.)
Chapter 13 Summary
Since there is no school because of a national holiday, Joanna proposes that she and Sophie take a camping trip. Sophie has not heard from Alberto Knox for several days and is reluctant to be gone from home for very long, in case he should leave another message or lesson, but she agrees.
Sophie suggests a camping spot near the major's cabin. Sophie leads them to the cabin, which is abandoned. On closer inspection, Sophie finds the key to the door and enters with Joanna. All is empty, but Sophie lights a candle found on the stove. Sophie convinces Joanna to look into the "magic" mirror, but they see only their reflections.
They spot a box on the floor, which turns out to be full of postcards. Sophie is...
(The entire section is 267 words.)
Chapter 14 Summary
The philosopher teaches Sophie about the two most influential cultures on modern society, the Indo-European and the Semitic. Indo-European culture is reflected in that of ancient Greece, with its emphasis on sight. The visual representation of the gods was a major focus, resulting in visual arts—painting, sculpture, and so on—that are still evident. The Semitic culture, mainly through the Jews, was centered around hearing. The Scriptures speak about "hearing the word of God" and discourage visual representations of the holy.
Knox then reviews with Sophie the history of Israel, as portrayed in the Old Testament. The covenant they made with God was repeatedly broken by the Israelites, so history was changed by the...
(The entire section is 234 words.)
Chapter 15 Summary
A postcard to Hilde is blown against Sophie's window, telling Hilde that Sophie still does not understand how it all hangs together. Then Sophie receives a phone call from the philosopher, stating that there will be no more letters. They must meet in person because "Hilde's father is closing in." Unsure of what this sinister warning means, Sophie agrees to meet Knox the next morning at St. Mary's Church.
After the fall of Rome, culture declined throughout Europe, leading to the Dark Ages. The Church closed Plato's Academy at Athens, leading to a break between Christianity and Greek philosophy. However, Greek culture, especially in the sciences, was preserved in the Muslim culture and in the eastern Greek...
(The entire section is 255 words.)
Chapter 16 Summary
After the "sleepover," Sophie returns home to take a nap. She dreams about a girl on a dock, who leaves behind a gold crucifix. When Sophie awakes, she finds the identical necklace on her bed.
Following Hermes downtown, Sophie meets Alberto Knox in his apartment, where Knox now teaches her about the Renaissance, a time in which the ideas of antiquity are "reborn."
In the field of science, man's understanding of the universe is drastically revised. It is the sun, not the Earth, that is believed to be the center of the universe. This shifts man's belief in himself and his position in the cosmos. The scientific method is also developed, with experimentation becoming...
(The entire section is 238 words.)
Chapter 17 Summary
Sophie continues to find postcards from Hilde's father, but she does not know how they are getting to her. She tells her mother the entire account of Knox and his philosophy lessons. She and her mother then plan a birthday party for her on Midsummer's Eve.
When Sophie returns to Knox's apartment, he teaches her about the 17th century's Baroque period, the name of which comes from a term describing an irregular pearl. It was a time characterized by extremes—a life of luxury and a life of spiritual seclusion. The ephemeral nature of life was a focus, with the motif of the theater often recurring, particularly in the works of Shakespeare. The main question of the period is "what is real and what is but a dream?"...
(The entire section is 227 words.)
Chapter 18 Summary
Sophie discovers that Descartes was similar to Socrates in that they both believed that all they knew for sure was that they knew nothing for sure. Descartes held that it was reasonable to doubt everything in principle because of this. He believed that only true knowledge could come from reason. The fact that he was able to think proved to him that he existed ("I think, therefore I am"). In the same way, he believed in God because his imperfect mind could only conceive of a perfect entity if that perfect entity was outside of his own imperfect self.
Descartes also believed (contrary to many in the Baroque period) that life is not a dream, but a reality outside of and independent of oneself. There are only two realities:...
(The entire section is 230 words.)
Chapter 19 Summary
Knox and Sophie discuss Spinoza, a Jewish philosopher of the 17th century. Spinoza believed that both Christianity and Judaism were kept alive only by the regulations and rituals of the organized church. He was the first to interpret the Bible with the historical-critical interpretation, denying its inspiration by God. He believed that the teachings of Jesus were the religion of reason, but Christianity had corrupted them by its rigidity.
Spinoza believed that it was essential to see things from the "perspective of eternity." He believed that nature was not God himself, but in God. In a sense, therefore, he was a pantheist, but not in its strictest sense. Everything can be reduced to a single entity that he called...
(The entire section is 248 words.)
Chapter 20 Summary
When Sophie returns home late, she decides to show her mother the video of Knox in Athens in order to calm her fears. Mrs. Amundsen is intrigued and once again pacified.
As Sophie is next going to visit the philosopher, Hermes (who is accompanying her) speaks, saying, "Happy Birthday, Hilde!" She is furious that Hilde's father is interfering more and more in her world.
Knox tells Sophie of the empiricists, who believed that what is known is derived only from the senses. The primary empiricist was John Locke, who believed that people are born with a blank slate ("tabula rasa") on which are imprinted all that they subsequently learn. Locke wondered how we get our ideas. He believed that we take in simple...
(The entire section is 210 words.)
Chapter 21 Summary
The conversation about the British empiricists continues as Knox tells Sophie about David Hume, who lived from 1711 to 1776.
Hume believed that all experiences were the bases of perceptions, which can be either impressions (based on external reality) or ideas (the recollection of such impressions). These perceptions started out as simple ideas. For example, a person may perceive a human body and also wings. By combining these simple ideas into the idea of an "angel," he has created a complex idea, based not on reality, but on a "cut-and-paste" idea. In short, the mind cannot create that which is not real: it can only mix simple ideas.
Because of this, Hume rejected Descartes's proof of the existence of God....
(The entire section is 230 words.)
Chapter 22 Summary
Knox tells Sophie about George Berkeley, an Irish bishop and philosopher who lived from 1685 to 1753. Though Berkeley felt that the current philosophy was a threat to Christianity and faith, he was one of the most consistent of the British empiricists. He did not believe that the material world is the only reality. He believed that matter cannot truly be perceived; instead, we can only perceive the sensations caused by matter. The actual cause of reality (including ourselves) was ideas in the mind of God. Berkeley also questioned whether time and space had any absolute or independent existence outside the mind of God.
With the discussion of Berkeley, Sophie begins to get some idea of the scope of her existence,...
(The entire section is 239 words.)
Chapter 23 Summary
The point of view shifts to Hilde on her fifteenth birthday at her home called "Bjerkely." Hilde has awakened on her birthday. She finds on her bed a birthday present from her father. On opening it, she discovers a binder filled with typewritten pages. It is a book written especially for her by her father. It is called Sophie's World. Hilde begins to read of Sophie's adventures.
The history of philosophy is briefly reviewed as Hilde reads the book. She reads again the postcards her father had sent her in preparation for the book. She recognizes items from her own life that her father has inserted: a lost scarf, her lost money, the mirror in which Hilde has at times tried to catch her self blinking, and...
(The entire section is 270 words.)
Chapter 24 Summary
Hilde discovers that her mother had found her crucifix down by the dock a few weeks before and mentioned it to Hilde's father. However, when she goes to return it to Hilde, she discovers that it is missing.
Hilde continues reading her father's book, in which Knox now informs Sophie of the Enlightenment. Centered in France, the Enlightenment focused on seven ideas. The first was its opposition to authority. The Enlightenment ideals led to many revolutions, such as the French Revolution of 1789. The acceptance of rationalism was another key point. Man's reason was paramount, and all must be judged by reason. The Enlightenment movement itself began to spread, first in England, then to France, and lastly to Germany....
(The entire section is 243 words.)
Chapter 25 Summary
Hilde's father calls her on the night of her birthday. She is enthusiastic about her present, but she objects when he says that Sophie and Alberto do not really exist. Before retiring, Hilde reads about Immanuel Kant.
Kant believed that time and space are two forms of intuition, which precede all experience. Before we experience anything, we can know that we will perceive it as a phenomenon within time and space. Yet he believed that our reality did not exist separately from us. We can never know of the material world before we perceive it, which must be based on the internal conditions of each of us.
Kant also taught that, contrary to animals, we focus on causes rather than effects. He also believed that...
(The entire section is 251 words.)
Chapter 26 Summary
Hilde continues to read about Sophie, who is now planning her birthday party. When she meets again with Knox, they discuss the Romantic period of the late eighteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth century. This was the last time that Europe took a common philosophical approach.
Beginning in Germany, Romanticism was a reaction against the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason. The Romantics focused on feelings, experience, and imagination. They personified nature, holding it to be an evolving organism all its own.
Romanticism affected many areas of life. In the arts, the music was keenly in tune with emotions, from passion to yearning. In literature as well Romanticism focused on being one with nature...
(The entire section is 246 words.)
Chapter 27 Summary
Hilde reads about Hegel, who lived from 1770 to 1831. Hegel believed that there is no universal truth. Instead, truth is subjective, dependent on the person and the time in history in which he is born. Each period in history had its own "truth," with man's search for truth progressing every higher to an eventual complete self-knowledge. The "world spirit" is gradually coming to a consciousness of itself and its own intrinsic values. Thus, history is purposeful.
In philosophy, an idea (thesis) is put forward, stating an extreme. In reaction to this, another thesis is put forth that is completely opposite to the thesis. This opposite is called the "antithesis." The third and final stage of knowledge results when...
(The entire section is 242 words.)
Chapter 28 Summary
Hilde begins to formulate a plan to join Sophie and Knox against her father.
Sophie and Knox discuss the first existential philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard reacted strongly to Hegel's views. Sophie and Knox are interrupted by Alice in Wonderland, who gives Sophie two bottles. One bottle allows her to experience the extremes of Hegel's connection to everything, in which Sophie is all there is. The other represents Kierkegaard's individualism, causing Sophie to see the wonders in the smallest objects.
In defining his philosophy, Kierkegaard stressed that each person's existence was the starting point. All truths were subjective in that they were...
(The entire section is 237 words.)
Chapter 29 Summary
Hilde calls her family friend Anne in Copenhagen and arranges the surprise revenge on her father as he passes through there on his way home.
Sophie and Joanna continue to plan for Sophie's birthday party. Later, Knox calls her and invites her over for some more conversation. On her way there, Sophie encounters Scrooge (representing the capitalist) and the Little Match Girl (representing the proletariat of the Communist philosophy).
Knox explains to Sophie the teachings of Karl Marx. Marx expanded Hegel's philosophy into historical materialism. He believed that material, economic, and social relations are the basis of society. The way a society thinks is its superstructure.
The most basic...
(The entire section is 219 words.)
Chapter 30 Summary
Hilde reads the next chapter, in which Knox explains to Sophie the ramifications of Darwin's theory of evolution.
Darwin was born in England in 1809. After graduating from Cambridge with a degree in theology, he sailed on a five-year voyage on the HMS Beagle. This trip went around the world, with Darwin collecting wildlife specimens. Examining the variations in each species, Darwin developed his theory of evolution of all species from a single source, though he did not publish his work, The Origin of Species, until many years later. Darwin proposed that over time, small variations in a species provided traits that enabled it to survive better in its environment. Some variations were harmful, thus...
(The entire section is 238 words.)
Chapter 31 Summary
In response to the chapter on Darwin, Hilde is upset and feels meaningless and unimportant in the vast universe.
After an encounter with the Emperor with No Clothes, Knox tells Sophie about the findings of Sigmund Freud. Freud believed that man is not driven by reason alone, but by his needs. A baby is born as totally pleasure driven (what he called "id"). As he grows older, he learns to repress those needs in conformity to society's demands (the superego). Sexual desires especially are repressed. Once driven into the unconscious, these repressed needs affect his daily behavior, causing problems and neuroses. Through psychoanalysis, these repressed feelings are confronted and dealt with, allowing him to move on....
(The entire section is 240 words.)
Chapter 32 Summary
Hilde awakens recalling a dream, similar to Sophie's experience of sitting on Hilde's dock and finding the crucifix.
On her way home, Sophie tries to distract the major by climbing a tree. She is met by a goose who magically whisks her around the countryside, returning her to the base of the tree
Knox calls, wanting to meet Sophie in town at a café. This setting is used to relate various philosophical movements in the twentieth century. Existentialism was the foundational movement of much philosophical thought and art. The German philosopher Nietzsche declared that "God is dead," meaning that he considered religion and prior philosophy to be denials of man's responsibility for his actions. Jean...
(The entire section is 264 words.)
Chapter 33 Summary
Sophie shows her mother a book that Knox had bought for her in town; the book is called Sophie's World. On the way home, they pass a group of protesters with signs warning of the major's return.
Sophie and her mother prepare for the party. The guests begin to arrive, some friends of Sophie's from school, as well as Joanna's parents. Knox has not yet arrived. Sophie wants to wait, but her mother insists on beginning. Just as she sits people at the table, Knox arrives. Sophie's mother introduces him to the other guests.
Odd things begin to occur. Joanna kisses one of the boys, and they eventually go off to the bushes to make love. Her parents are surprised but accepting.
(The entire section is 244 words.)
Chapter 34 Summary
Hilde tries to find out what happened to Sophie and Knox after they left the party. She continues to read.
Sophie and Knox make their way to Oslo, only to discover that they cannot converse with the real world. They eventually escape, find a car, and take off for Hilde's home.
Major Knag arrives at the Katsrup Airport in Copenhagen. There he finds a series of letters placed around the airport. The letters are from Hilde, giving him instructions on things to buy. Knag is mildly angry, though he realizes the Hilde is just giving him a taste of his own medicine. She is manipulating him just as he manipulated Sophie and Knox in Sophie's world.
Sophie and Knox continue driving furiously,...
(The entire section is 264 words.)
Chapter 35 Summary
After the celebration, Knag and Hilde sit on the glider and discuss the universe. The major tells Hilde about the immense size of the universe. Because of the distance, the light from distant starts takes many years to reach Earth. Therefore, when one looks at a star, one is seeing it, not as it is at that very instant, but as it was when the light rays left it, which may have been millions or even billions of years ago. In the same way, any intelligent being looking at Earth would not see it as it is now, but as it was in the past.
The major also tells Hilde about the Big Bang, in which all matter in the universe was gathered at one point and then exploded. The stars and planets and other matter in the universe are now...
(The entire section is 277 words.)


text:
The Land
Cities & Suburbs
Boom & Bust
Patriotic Duty
At Ease
Theme: Boom & Bust
Artist: George GITTOES
Birth/Death: 1949
Title: Combustion
Credit Line: Collection of the Artist, George Gittoes
'The men who work on the top of the coke ovens at the Newcastle and Wollongong steelworks are called lidsmen The heat of the ovens, over which they work, is so great they strap wooden soles onto their already thick industrial boots. The atmosphere above the ovens is thick with yellow sulphur fumes and columns of flame rise metres into the air, making it a hellish place to work in. One day at Newcastle a one-armed lidsman told me the horrific story of how his arm had been swallowed by one of the devices on the kiln. This led to other men joining in with even more horrific stories, including one in which a man was seen to vaporise. I began to reflect on the image of industry consuming those who work in it like the raw materials of coal and iron ore and finally arrived at the image of a lidsman being vaporised with only his boots, wooden soles and part of his jeans remaining, still smouldering.'
George Gittoes, c1992
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text:
Bare Traps Hawna Winter Boot
Sorry, this item is sold out!
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Item # 254716
Bare Traps SDS, or Stay Dry System, offers weatherproof technology for water repellency and breathability. Flexible soles and soft linings are styled for maximum comfort and provide added warmth. Keep your feet warm and stylish, all in one with the Hawna boot!
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- Imported
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love these boots
"in jan 2013 bought these in brown colorfell in love with the comfortand in nov again bought these in blackloving it :)"
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text:
2x Retro Sunglasses£9.99 instead of £97.03 (from Wowcher Direct) for two pairs of retro sunglasses - pick from 10 stylish colours and save 90%
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Full Details
Traditionally used for shading the eyes from the sun, sunglasses are now just as useful for sparing your friends from looking at your hungover eyes, and making you feel like an A-list celeb as you stroll through the airport…
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text:
Jack Frost Christmas Windows
Another frugal Christmas idea!
First, clean your windows. (Just do it... it'll be worth it!)
Dissolve 4 heaping Tablespoons Epsom salts in one cup of beer. It'll foam. Let set for 45 minutes.
Use an old wash cloth and wipe the mixture over your window. Take a piece of toilet tissue and wet it with the mixture and then go back over the glass with it just dabbing here and there... sort of like sponge painting. Let dry!
I like to put this on the little window in my front door. Not only does in look like Christmas, but it gives us a little extra privacy as well!


text:
Sperry Top-Sider Biscayne Boat Shoe
Sorry, this item is sold out!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Item # 251198
Ready for boating season or just want to take on the nautical trend? Sperry Top-Sider brings you the Biscayne with a fun, updated print that will make a splash at all of your summer events.
- Glitter fabric upper
- 2-eyelet lace-up
- Flexible rubber sole
- Imported
- View more Women's Sperry Top-Sider Shoes
By: GreenEyesIrish
Location: North Carolina
April 12, 2013
Sparkley Sneakers for Adults
"I love these! They are sparkley shoes for adults! Normal size fits perfect and they are BEYOND comfortable! I highly recommend these!"
By: Kristin1992
Location: O'Fallon, MO
January 05, 2013
So cute!
"I ordered black online and then I saw these ones in store and fell in love with these more! So I got these and I love them! They match almost everything I wear and are very sparkley!! They fit true to size for me!"
By: JaxRod
Location: Orlando, Florida
October 23, 2012
"I find that the Sperrys run about a 1/2 a size big for me. I wear 7 1/2 normally and ended up having to exchange these for a 7. The 7 fits great. It is pretty comfy, it does bother my back heel a bit when walking for a long time tho. I wear little half socks with them to help that. Very very cute shoe. Really glitters in the sunlight."
By: Laurabethandy3
Location: Florida
September 25, 2012
"Got these for my wedding.. to wear after my heels hurt to bad; they are super cute, fit well, and fun!"
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Psalm 66
Praise and worship the Lord—He tests and tries men—Sacrifices are to be offered in His house.
1 Make a
2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies
4 All the earth shall
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our
10 For thou, O God, hast
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through
13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not
19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.


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While I enjoy a nice, juicy ball or patty of ground beef as much as the next person, sometimes I'm just not in the mood for all that delicious fat (we all know fat tastes good, so shut it). This change of pace is usually suggested and/or requested by that little shoulder devil reminding me about eating healthy and taking care of myself. And yes, it's a devil because I definitely don't have shoulder angels. Heeding the devil's advice, I usually switch out the ground beef for ground turkey and continue on my merry way. You can just substitute in that turkey, right? Wrong.
Ground turkey just lacks the flavor of ground beef--it's decidedly dull and boring and requires a lot more work than beef. So unless your beefed up recipe features a lot of spice and flavor, you're going to have to do some tweaking. This, of course, is where my recipe comes into play. I actually use this recipe for meatballs--the flavors of my beef meatballs just didn't meld well with the turkey. It's full of garlic, basil, onion, oregano and panko. Trust me on the panko--it absorbs the little fat that the turkey contains and keeps the meat nice and moist, which is another problem that plagues ground turkey. I would have made meatballs this evening if it weren't still 70F out and the new barbecue wasn't calling my name. Instead, I am regaling you with my kicked up Italian-inspired turkey burger. Don't fret--it may be healthier than most burgers, but it tastes insanely good.
Now, what's going on in that picture up there? First, we have a perfectly grilled turkey burger filled with garlic and basil. Then there's some tangy soft goat cheese (yes, they make and eat goat cheese in Italy). After that, some barbecue-wilted spinach and homegrown tomato. To follow that up, I spread homemade tomato-basil pesto on the bun. Amazing. So if you're trying to figure out how to improve the plight of ground turkey, try out these burgers during grilling season or whip up some meatballs when you're craving pasta. I promise you'll thank me.
Makes 4 Patties
|Burger Needs
|11 oz. 93% lean ground turkey
1/3 cup yellow onion, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup panko
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
|1/8 cup pesto
1-2 oz. goat cheese
2 cups spinach leaves
1 tomato, sliced
bread for buns
|Hello, my name is Goat Cheese & I photograph horribly.
Grill bread to toast, and melt cheese on top of burger. With spinach, a minute before you remove bread from grill, place half a cup on bottom half of each bun. Close lid and let wilt for a minute. Serve burger on top of wilted spinach, add pesto to top half of bun, and add tomato. Devour.


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|Posted by Scott on December 18, 2003 at 09:08:40:
My toilet has not been flushing well for the past 12 hours. When flushed, it will fill (sometimes overflowing) and then slowly drain. Then it drains too far...almost empty.
When it was allowed to sit overnight, the first flush of the morning worked fine. The second flush (minutes later) did not.
I have checked the vent pipe on the roof and nothing is clogging it for the first 5 feet. Any suggestions would be great.
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Sakroots Neon One World Rain Boot
Sorry, this item is sold out!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Item # 248327
Spring into rainy season with the Neon One World rain boot from Sakroots! This printed rain boot is fun and unique, just what you need on a gloomy day!
- Waterproof rubber upper
- Adjustable buckle
- 12" shaft height, pull on
- 15½" calf circumference
- Rubber sole
- Imported
By: laurasw
Location: Pennsylvania
August 09, 2013
Great Pattern
"The pattern was slightly more vibrant than I was expecting, but I love it! They goes really well with jeans and I've gotten so many great compliments on them. Such a cute pair of rain boots!"
By: OneShoecrazygal
Location: VA
November 22, 2012
"love the rain boots"
"Is what I constantly hear when I wear these boots. I will say they take time before they feel completely comfortable. My first wear in these made me wonder if I should send these back, glad I decided not to!"
By: sandy27876
Location: long island, ny
September 22, 2012
Rain Boot - Sakroots neon
"I just got these today and I want it to pour tomorrow, lol. They are so comfy--it did rain today by the way. The colors are bright and the shape is very stylish. I originally bought Mossimo boots for 3xs the price but returned them due to poor fit. I'm glad I ran into these."
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|Posted by Gary Swart on August 29, 2002 at 18:39:34:
|In response to Re: Washer overflows waste piping
I think you your problem is the drain line is too small. The way it should be set up is a 2" drain with a pee trap into the main drain. If there is no pee trap, you have another potential problem to deal with. If the drain is going into a large pipe, you need to go to that point install a sanitary tee with a 2" outlet side, then a pee trap, and then the drain pipe. There's just too much volume for that small pipe to swallow all at once. The pee trap prevents sewer gas from coming out of the sewer.
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Very lightly used pearly original Champion Monster at 166 grams!
Flight info below from Innovadiscs.com:
Speed 10 / Glide 3 / Turn 0 / Fade 5
The Monster is one of our most stable, powerful, wind beating distance drivers. It's made for people who can turn over other discs into a stiff headwind. The Monster can fight some of the fiercest wind out there. We have not tested it in hurricane force winds... yet. The Monster is best suited for more advanced players.
Classification: Distance Driver
About the Monster
About INNOVA's Champion Plastic
CHAMPION - 165 to 175 grams
Looking for:
Wonderful disc for stability and length. This is my driver into strong winds. I also use it for sweeping hyzers. When started with anhyzer, for an "S" Curve. I also use this disc for forehand rollers.
Five Time Senior Grandmaster World Champion - Peter Shive


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Regardless of your reasons for returning to school, our office is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. From admissions to registration to graduation, we're here to help you complete your degree. Grand Valley offers more than 200 majors and academic programs, some of the following are either designed specifically for adults or offered at our Regional Locations. Curious about the types of resources available at Grand Valley for adult learners? Degree seeking students can access resources here.
Want to learn more? Please contact the Center for Adult and Continuing Studies at (616) 331-7180 or request information now.
Please visit our regional locations in Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon and Traverse City for program information.
Grand Valley offers graduate degrees at each campus. Visit the The Graduate School site to learn more. If you're looking for more information about graduate programming offered at our regional locations, contact us.
Already have a bachelor's degree? Looking for a specific skill set? Browse through Grand Valley's Certificate Programs that offer academic credit.


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7 for All Mankind Master Platform Sandal
Sorry, this item is sold out!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Item # 277095
Fringe is in this season! Check out the 7 for All Mankind Master, a versatile sandal that is unique and stylish.
- Suede upper
- Ankle strap with an adjustable buckle
- Fringe detail at heel cup
- 1" wooden platform, 4¾" heel
- Leather sole
- Imported
Tell us what you think!
Everyone has an opinion. Here's your chance to share yours! Be the first to write a review of this product and help your fellow shoppers pick the best of the best.


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PORT NEWARK, N.J. -- A shipload of badly needed rock salt is expected to land at Port Newark on Thursday, to be followed by a second ship scheduled to dock by the middle of next week, said officials from the region's largest salt supplier.
"There are several shipments en route and one of them is scheduled to arrive at Port Newark (Thursday)," said Mary Kay Warner, marketing manager for International Salt Company of Clarks Summit, Pa.
After weeks of non-stop winter storms, the state Department of Transportation as well as towns and counties are running out of salt, with many agencies mixing it with sand to stretch supplies. Most officials said their salt supplies would last for one more storm.
The ship scheduled to arrive Thursday will take several days to unload, Warner said. She declined to say how many tons of salt will arrive. The salt is mined in Chile.
"The demand is way up," she said. "One of the reasons is demand from areas which don't normally receive winter weather."
RELATED: Federal law strands salt bound for N.J.
International serves 12 states northeastern region between North Carolina and New England.
"We're seeing a lot of increased demand from the Southern states," Warner said. "The demand is great due to the robust winter and the record-setting storms."
Meanwhile, state Department of Transportation officials are awaiting the first 9,500 ton barge shipment out of 40,000 tons of salt the state purchased in Searsport, Maine.
DOT officials had planned to load all that salt on a larger, foreign flagged vessel bound for Port Newark, but then learned that, under federal regulations, only American-flagged vessels can transport cargo between U.S. ports.


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Carl Delmer Hagan, 72, of Harrisburg, died 3:28 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
He was born on Feb. 11, 1940, in Saline County to the late Jessie Albert and Alma Isadora (Cash) Hagan.
He married the former Earlene Spangler on Jan. 23, 1960, and she survives.
He was an Army career veteran of 21 years and retired as a dispatcher for the City of Harrisburg. He was a member of the Harrisburg Masonic Lodge, Ainad Shrine and the VFW.
Survivors include his wife, Earlene of Harrisburg; three daughters, Sheila A. Hagan of Rosiclare, Carla E. Hagan of Harrisburg and Alma J. Hagan of Harrisburg; two sons, William R. Hagan of Harrisburg and Albert E. Hagan of Harrisburg; five grandchildren, Frances Hayes, Emily Hayes, Colohun Hagan, Andre Hagan and James Ewing; and a twin brother, Roy Elmer (Wilma) Hagan of Harrisburg.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, J.D. Hagan.
Per his request, cremation has been accorded and a memorial service will be held at a later date with burial of cremains in the Ingram Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills.
Location, ST | website.com


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Synopsis (from mangaupdates)
You can read it here or download it hereWhen the Wischtech threatened to invade the fiefs of Szaalanden, the Emperor dispatched fourteen youths. Of these, the Seven Heroes halted the invasion to herald a time of prosperity while the four Lances of Betrayal were supposedly defeated.
Two decades later, the Lances of Betrayal have reappeared and formed a bandit militia near the frontier fief Gormbark. A man with a black sword and a scar over his left eye slays an entire troop of that militia. He is identified as the boy, Kóinzell, and becomes as much an object of fear as of hope even as his own past, motivations, and purpose are a mystery to those he meets on his journey.
Some colour pics and pages (tiny spoiler warning)
I rarely find myself this interested in a manga, but Ãbel Blatt has whatever it is that makes me love manga. The story while not wholly original has some nice touches to it to make it a truly interesting and ultimately unpredictable affair.
The characters I find are quite straight forward, you love the good guys (the females especially ;D) you really really really really hate the baddies, and the stupid masses you damn to hell.
So overall like I said, I find this story really enjoyable, partially because of the story and characters and partially because sometimes the scanlation process can be slow (but if it means having Ãbel Blatt in good quality who am I to say anything negative) and I really do hope many more people read this.
Oh and a small warning for anyone who is wary of this kind of thing but there is a moderate level of nudity in this manga (you don't expect them to do it with their clothes on now do you?) so if you're at work or school or amongst others reading Ãbel Blatt, you've been warned.


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Directions to Anixi Boutique HotelAddress: 17 Marathonos Avenue, Anixi, Athens, Greece
Average rating: 60%
Rooms from: US$ 0
Directions to Anixi Boutique Hotel
We Offer: - Free delicious buffet breakfast to All guests including (yogurt, fresh bread, Coffe, tea, Orange juice, Homemade marmelades, cereals, fresh fruits, ice tea, eggs, cheese, halva, olives) - Free Wifi not only in the lobby area but in the rooms also - Free popcorn for movie nights - Free towels and linen - Free maps of the City We provide: - Laundry service with new washers and dryers that take 7 kilos loads to save you money and get it clean very fast. - Luggage storage allow you to leave your bags safe whilst you are out and about or on the Islands. - Roof Terrace where you can chill out with one of the most magnificent views. Just sit back, relax and enjoy . - Bar/Restaurant - 24 hours reception. We are always open for you. There is always someone here to welcome you with a smile to help you.


text:
Exclusive RAA Member Access
Login in to myRAA to gain access to exclusive Member only features.
See how much you've saved being a member, view and update your details, view your RAA product holdings, enter competitions and more all in myRAA.
Log in or Register for myRAA
Learning to drive is an important and exciting milestone, but RAA wants to make sure you do it safely.
Follow the links to find out how to get your licence, practice for your L's test, and a range of driver training options.


text:
A 29 year old from Ferron, was in court on April 18 for arraignment on a charge of alleged sexual abuse of a child. At the arraignment, a plea of no contest to a third degree felony charge of attempted forcible sexual abuse was entered, and was advised of rights and penalties and waived preliminary hearing. Judge Bruce K. Halliday ordered a presentence investigation. He also ordered Adult Probation and Parole to prepare a presentence report.
She was ordered not to have any contact with the victim and to have no unsupervised contact with adolescents. The sentencing is scheduled for July 18 at 1:30 p.m.


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|Posted by Terry Love on November 07, 2002 at 22:21:56:
|In response to Re: DRAINAGE TO SUMP PUMP NOT WORKING?
: We have a sump pump in our 1/2 basement that ran like clock work for 7 years, then my husband added on a master suite w/crawl space to the back of our house, which is located approx. 6 feet from the sump pump downstairs, and now the pump rarely runs and there's water coming up in the new crawl space. We put corregated pipe around the footer of the new addition and "Y'd" it into pipe that runs to the street, but some how water is still coming up through the floor of the crawl space when we have a hard rain.
: Q: What I don't understand is how we're getting standing water in the crawl space and why this water isn't draining down the wall of the original foundation and making it's way to the sump pump in the basement.
: Q: Can we run a pipe into the ground to the foot of the foundation of the existing wall to help the water drain out? Or can we drill holes in the side of the new crawl space and hook a pipe onto that to alleviate some of the water when it rises?
: Q: If we have to put a sump pump in the new crawl space, is there an easy way to do that since the addition has already been completed?
: Q: Do you know of a web site that offers a visual of how the whole sump pump draining tile thing looks? I'm having a hard time visualizing this who process.
: So many questions, so little time....
: Signed, Perplexed and frustrated.......
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|There are none.


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|Posted by LonnythePlumber on June 21, 2003 at 23:31:31:
|In response to Re: Wall Hung Toilet Geberhit Pre Wall Carrier
: We have, or had a Kohkler wall hung unit. The Waste hole is at the top, 6 inches from the floor.
: We are trying to install a Geberhit, pre wall carrier. The lowest setting, allows the waste hole to be 8 inches from the floor. Not including the 2x4 it will be installed on.
: Supposedly, if the holes were lined up I woul;d not have a problem, but they are not. Since waste will flow down hill, it there an attachment I can get from the pre wall carrier to the present waste hole.
: Failing that I have been told the plumber will have to drill a hole in the floor for the waste line, but their is floor joist in the way. I have also been told to open up the wall, cut out the old carrier, intall a new one that is higher and inline with where I want to have the carrier connect, 17-19 inches off the floor.
: Help
The face of the carrier should be adjustable. This allows us to put four carriers in a row all 3/4" lower than the previous one, but to have all the toilets at the same height. I would cut open the wall, adjust the carrier face and repair the wall. LonnythePlumber
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|There are none.


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Starcraft II ReviewBy Morgan Webb - Posted Jul 29, 2010
StarCraft II is what I've always wanted out of an RTS - fantastic graphics, well integrated story, interesting units, and wildly different factions. It manages to be thoroughly modern while remaining true to its roots, and creates an engaging and utterly replayable experience.
The Pros
- Campaign skirmishes correlate well with story
- Incredible mission variety
- Replayable single player
The Cons
- No Zerg or Protoss campaigns
- No disk spawning or LAN party support
- Forced to use Battle.net and RealID system
StarCraft II is what I've always wanted out of an RTS - fantastic graphics, well integrated story, interesting units, and wildly different factions. It manages to be thoroughly modern while remaining true to its roots, and creates an engaging and utterly replayable experience.
Time to Man Up
The storyline is oddly macho. Think Gears of War style characters with overly deep voices and a taste for whiskey. The difference is that in Gears of War you're chainsawing aliens in the face, while in StarCraft II you're trying to collect enough sparkly crystal (umm...minerals...whatever) to begin construction on a new unit type.
There is a sense of humor in the game. For example, you can watch an iPistol commercial with a dancing space marine, and one of the unit types has a voice that sounds like your drunk buddy's lame Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonation. The problem is you can never quite tell if the humor is meant for comic relief from the serious storyline or if the entire uber-macho thing is supposed to be ironic and funny. The graphics are so good, and the dialogue is so bad--all the title headings are real examples of dialogue from the game--that it's a bit confusing.
The plot is a mix of Mass Effect and Halo: you're searching for artifacts while dealing with spectres, religious zealots, and the Flood (OK, the Zerg). The story is basically a mix of easily recognizable gaming tropes (I suppose I could generously call them archetypes), but the characters are interesting and, unlike Halo, at least I could tell you the plot after I finished the game.
Be Wary My Friends, the Hounds of the Void are on the Hunt
In most Real-Time Strategy games that actually bother with a story, you watch a cut scene or listen to a fake news report, then play a skirmish that has no real relationship to what you just watched. What StarCraft II does so well--what it does absolutely flawlessly in fact--is integrating the story with the gameplay. You actually feel like you are winning specific battles that are important to the story. Each mission introduces a new unit or a new concept, and allows you to hone specific skills. For example, an early mission has you attacking bases during the day, and defending your base against constant attack at night. This allows you to practice both skills while the ticking clock keeps you interested.
Each mission gives you a set of primary objectives, such as collecting more minerals than your opponent, and a set of secondary objectives, such as locating a number of artifacts hidden around the map. These secondary objectives are not foregone conclusions, as you will need to go out of your way, make extra units and explore the map in order to complete them. Doing so will often give you access to Zerg and Protoss research bonuses, which allow for powerful upgrades to your structures and units. You can also earn achievements by completing certain objectives on higher difficulty levels, or completing objectives under a time limit. The challenges are especially helpful. These are directed missions meant to teach certain skill sets, like how many of what type of unit will defeat a certain number of a different unit. This additional training is great for both the new and advanced player as StarCraft II is easy to pick up, but truly impossible to master.
In addition to the Zerg and Protoss research bonuses, you earn money to purchase special mercenary unit types or small unit upgrades. You could choose to spend your money and upgrades on more defensive or more offensive gear, depending on your play style, and there is some nice strategy to the choices you make. Several times in the game you are asked to make what appear to be moral choices, but really they boil down to which type of unit or bonus you want as a mission reward, and it is just another method to encourage campaign replay.
StarCraft was always known for its multiplayer, and of course StarCraft II has a robust offering. You can start out by playing up to 50 unranked practice matches, which help the new player get up to speed. You can also play cooperatively against the computer. It remains to be seen whether or not the multiplayer will be as popular as it was in the first game. I cannot predict whether it will appeal to the professional StarCraft community as I am personally not in their league, but it will be a staple of my own online RTS play for the coming months and likely years. Unfortunately, its large-scale adoption faces a number of major obstacles as outlined later in this article.
The Day of Reckoning Draws Near
StarCraft II is almost flawless. It is what most Real-Time Strategy games hope to be: incredibly fun, huge variety, and lots of replayability. There are, however, some major issues with the way Blizzard allows people to play their game.
The first issue has to do with the game's enforced use of battle.net. This is basically a version of DRM in that you will need to link a Battle.net account to the CD key in order to play the game. (Yeah, you can forget about selling that game used.) Additionally, in the original StarCraft, you could spawn your disk, meaning that your friends could install the multiplayer component of the game without having to purchase it for themselves. This is one reason StarCraft became so popular in Internet cafes across Asia and LAN parties across the world. Now with StarCraft II, players will need to own their own copy of the game, which is linked to their personal battle.net account. There is no LAN support, so you will have to play this game online through battle.net even if everyone is in the same room.
The second issue also relates to Battle.net. Blizzard is heavily pushing their Real ID system for StarCraft II, and while they abandoned its use for their forums, it remains to be seen if they will back off of it for StarCraft II. If you add a friend in StarCraft II using their Battle.net email address or the Facebook import utility, they become a Real ID friend and can see your real name--first and last--and so will any of their other Real ID friends, just as you'll be able to see theirs. This is a huge problem for a lot of people. I don't know if Blizzard is trying to turn Battle.net into a social network, or if they are just trying to make a moral stand on Internet anonymity, but it is something to be concerned about. You can remain anonymous online and add a "character friend" which does not share private information, but you need to be aware that Blizzard is dying to share your personal information.
While I do agree that Blizzard's insistence on Battle.net and Real ID are strange and self-defeating, it does not change the fact that the game itself is great. The game gets a 5, while the framework gets a 1. In the world of X-Play, that does not average out to a 3. The game is fantastic and deserves its score, but I do hope people read the reviews and understand what they are purchasing so they are not upset by what they receive.
I also want to mention a more personal problem with the game. I take issue with the holographic stripper in the background of every shot in the cantina. There are normal female characters in the game, but every time you go to one area of your ship, the only thing moving is an undulating hologram of what looks like a blood elf with a boob job. Maybe they didn't expect women to ever play this game, but they've created a self-fulfilling prophecy. She's distracting, completely unnecessary to the story or atmosphere, and makes me think that Blizzard needs to hire more women.
The Fate of Creation Hangs in the Balance
If you have always hated RTS games, StarCraft II is unlikely to change your mind, but if you like the genre, StarCraft II is a must play. A great single player campaign, a well integrated story, and a robust multiplayer all round out the experience. Unfortunately the game is burdened by the enforced use of an unfriendly Battle.net system that may do Blizzard more harm than good. If you can get past Battle.net and are careful about maintaining your anonymity online, then StarCraft II is a great game worth every penny.
Editor's Note: We updated the above content after publication to more accurately reflect the scenarios presented by Real ID.


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Rachel by Rachel Roy Mitzi Flat
Sorry, this item is sold out!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Item # 242242
The Rachel by Rachel Roy Mitzi is the epitome of sophisticated style. This cute flat can be paired with denim or skirts for a trendy, feminine look.
- Textured suede upper
- Oversized suede & mesh flower at almond toe
- Synthetic sole
- Imported
- Online Exclusive!
By: kinglm
Location: Los Angeles, CA
September 12, 2013
"Great, comfortable, cute shoe! Word to the wise: use stain-resistant spray before wearing."
By: TanyaShoppingDietBlog
Location: Virginia
October 29, 2012
Not so great
"I was disappointed when I opened the box. They run way too short and the flower was very puffy. Sadly, returned."
By: pkhnts
Location: Michigan
October 24, 2012
Soft and comfortable
"I love this flats. They are classy, soft and beautiful."
By: Betrl8
Location: NC
July 21, 2012
"I wear a size 8 1/2, which is usually sold out, so I'm always excited to find my size. I ordered these in 8 1/2 in the beige color and when I put them on they were very short, more like a 7 1/2 or 8. The other problem is that the bow isn't pretty like it looks in the picture on line. The edges aren't rounded and it looks like it's made out of cardboard. At first I thought they had put a piece of cardboard around it to protect it during shipping, until I realized that, no, that actually was the bow!"
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