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The Atlas Mountains are a magnet for trekkers, mountain bikers, enthusiasts of Amazigh (Berber) culture and anyone in search of solitude. There are three ranges: the Middle Atlas, with its cedar forests and birdlife, the seldom-visited Anti-Atlas and the soaring heights of the High Atlas, culminating in 4,167-metre Jebel Toubkal.
Most visitors head for the High Atlas, whose foothills can be reached in a one-hour drive from Marrakech. In recent years visitor opportunities in the High Atlas have increased considerably. A five-star skiing resort is under construction at Oukaimeden. Trekking, paragliding and quad-biking are all on offer. Or you can hole up in a mountain retreat with a swimming pool and a hydro-jet massage.
As you drive up the winding roads, one of the first things you see are men standing by the road selling fossils and minerals. The Atlas is a showcase for the geology of the Jurassic and Cretaceous eras and you can buy stunning trilobites, ammonites and geodes for a few dozen dirhams (don't forget to bargain!)
On a shorter timescale, this is the heart of Amazigh (Berber) countryside where the way of life has changed little in a thousand years. A network of paths and mule tracks lead through forests, hunting reserves and fields sown with barley, corn, maize, turnips and alfalfa or planted with olive, orange and lemon trees. Only 80 years ago these places had never been visited by Europeans, and they still possess an other-worldly quality. To the east, lies the Ait Bouguemez valley, home of the oldest-established tribe in the region. The valley is the starting point for hikes up to the massif of Jbel M'Goun, site of some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Morocco.
The Middle Atlas has an altogether different atmosphere. Often called 'the Switzerland of Morocco' it is a placid, mid-altitude region dotted with lakes and forests of cedar, cork and holm-oak. In the 1930s, the French built the Alpine-style resort of Ifrane, complete with red-roofed chalets and ski runs.
The Anti Atlas stretches from the Atlantic Ocean at Sidi Ifni to the 3,304-metre high volcanic massif of Jebel Siroua. The mountains offer dramatic trekking through gorges, lush valleys and isolated villages. In the centre of the region is the village of Tafraoute, surrounded by red granite mountains and the famous 'blue rocks' of Belgian artist Jean Verame.
A brilliant holiday...
Dear Max
I have never written to thank you for organising such an amazing holiday for myself and Sharon in Marrakech. I returned home to problems with the health of my 90 year old mother along with catching up with work and I have never got round to contacting you.
Anyhow it was a brilliant holiday and we would never ...
Novelist Anna Stothard travelled to Essaouira with Lawrence of Morocco in August 2012, writing for the Observer Magazine.
Thank you for taking time to look at this site. Our site is a culmination of my 30 years and my fathers 50 years of experience in Morocco. We really know Morocco and have had the pleasure of making many people's dream trips become reality over the years. It has been my privilege to be asked to manage holidays, weddings and productions for so many fantastic and discerning clients. We remain small and dedicated to providing excellent honest advice to enable you to sit back, relax and enjoy the fun bits without having to manage the unpredictability of this fascinating country.
If you want it done right, look no further!


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Before embarking on Cross Game I kept wondering how it might be any different to Major, that other baseball show I adore. And the answer is, in every single way. Major's Goro Honda is a dull-brained baseball maniac while Cross Game's Kou Kitamura has wit and no especial love for the game. Goro wouldn't recognise a woman if one happened to burst from his rib, but Kou has a best friend who is cute, intelligent, perfect for him, and he knows it. In Major, baseball comes first and drama second; in Cross Game, the drama circumscribes the baseball.
Having reached that conclusion roughly nine minutes into the first episode, I decided to stop comparing the two. This would be a completely different experience. This would be smart and witty and subtle - and hell yes maybe even a little arty with all those contemplative gazes everyone keeps throwing each other. The show starts slowly, deliberately holding back on Kou's incredible talent while dropping definite hints that viewers should not take their eyes off him. Kou himself may feel apathetic about baseball but his team mates look to him as the secret weapon, even going to extraordinary lengths to hide his training from opponents. And that's generally the kind of steady confidence viewers can expect for the remainder; most of the time, Cross Game stews with a tension that builds and builds and peaks victoriously during rip-roaring baseball games.
Original creator Mitsuru Adachi's (Touch, H2) preference for subtle, extended characterisation in the context of fragile romance is very much in evidence here. The characters live in a stable suburban environment and their core beliefs are never challenged, giving Adachi much room to languidly reveal their facets through delicate reactions and quirky humour. Kou's will-they-won't-they romance with resident heroine Aoba Tsukishima benefits greatly from this as their complex personalities clash and meld in all the right places. The result is an emotional double-pronged plot comprising cute romance and visceral baseball tournaments.
Unfortunately, no matter how ingenious a series, there is always room for things to go tits up. If any show struck home this truism, it's the beautifully crafted yet bafflingly clumsy Cross Game.
There are omens of its decline beforehand, namely the frequent references to Kou's friend, Wakaba. Despite her loose relevance to the immediate events at hand, Adachi is never quite able to get rid of her. At least every other episode, she will pop up in flashbacks or photographs or someone will mention her in a conversation; she ends up haunting the narrative with the subtlety of a poltergeist, rattling our patience and marring an otherwise graceful record.
What strikes the decisive blow, though, is An Almighty Twist around the thirtieth episode that manages to be both tactless and wholly unbelievable. At that point, Adachi's refined sensibility and intuition seemingly evaporate into nothing and the narrative, theretofore flying on wings of homely drama, swiftly sinks like a slider. It doesn't all fall apart, exactly, but the narrative's store of unconditional trust gets exhausted and the developments thereafter never feel as convincing.
Adachi's concept design of monkey-eared, baby-faced pretty kids is endearing and expressive but also highly limited. From Touch to Short Program, his protagonists look identical, and Kou seems to be yet another clone. Apart from that, the realistic, muted colour tones and simple environments create an attractive understated effect.
No one will remember Cross Game for its soundtrack because most of the scenes prefer to go au naturale. Mostly, the music stays away until called upon to add zest to the action, and then it does so while on repeat. The various opening and closing themes, on the other hand, work well as catchy and emotive bookends to the drama in between. I wouldn't buy any of the songs, but rarely did I skip them either.
Just before a big game that will decide their dreams for Koushien, Aoba asks a friend Yuuhei Azuma whether they can rely on Kou to deliver.
Azuma: He does seem usually unreliable. But…
Aoba: But?
Azuma: He's too much of a mystery.
Kou's mystery, his lackadaisical stoicism, is precisely what generates much of the show's subtler intrigue. Miyu Irino plays Kou with a level-headed and highly likeable irony: he delivers dead-pan asides and faces both friends and foes with a neutral friendliness that gives nothing away. More so because his rare unguarded moments actually reveal that, behind his slacker persona, the cogs are sturdily turning. Even if he appears to be indifferent to baseball itself, he still has a powerful reason for playing. He makes for an intriguing mix of the traditional shounen hero who glides over adversity with trained aloofness and the modern man who is nonetheless intelligent and self-aware.
Aoba's heroic, hot-tempered passion thus makes for an instantly engaging contrast. She plays second fiddle to no one, becoming Kou's mentor and a key trainer of the Seishuu team. She represents not just Kou's love interest but the other half of Cross Game, bringing an intelligent, strategic passion that Kou struggles to express. Adachi creates in her that rare shounen female character who is as capable and dedicated as her male counterparts. Kou's understated charisma and her trained expertise play off each other wonderfully and form the pillar propping the show's overhanging charm.
A few of the secondary characters, notably straight-talking Azuma and comic relief Senda, make their own unique impression. But there is also deadweight. Cousin Mizuki arrives at Aoba's household one fine day with the intention of winning her heart… and then mills around uselessly in the background like a tired gag for the rest of the time. Mizuki and his pointless ilk frustrate only because Adachi shows great talent when creating other engaging walk-ons like Aoba's sister Momiji, Azuma's brother Junpei, and the highly feared baseball opponent Mishima.
Cross Game delivers gently rolling romantic drama spiced with baseball games that will send viewers flying from their seats - and all this driven by quaint and lovable characters. Although Adachi seems to forget what to do with it all two thirds of the way, Cross Game nevertheless turns out to be a rare, multifaceted experience that shounen fans should grab at the next opportunity.
Basically, it's about these two:
Namely, Kitamura Kou and Tsukishima Aoba. If you're not a fan of anime you're just about to dismiss this as a post about cartoon characters and stop reading. Thanks for stopping by. For the rest of you who've already figured out that animation doesn't mean the same thing in Japan that it does here, I'll tell you why these two people are worth 20 hours of your life.
Really, this is a post about a guy named Mitsuru Adachi. He's a manga-ka (that's a manga writer, if someone from the first group decided to stick around) who burst onto the scene in Japan 30 years ago with a manga called "Touch". While not his first published work, it was the one that introduced him to the Japanese consciousness. It wouldn't be wrong to say "Touch" became an integral part of Japanese life - during the 80's, the two most popular boys' and most popular girls' name in Japan were the three main characters. It spawned a TV series, several animated and live-action films, and a career.
Adachi is a living legend, if not the commercial dynamo he was. He's written several series since (how's that for alliteration) "Touch", most of them sports themed in some way and always about teenagers. But here's the trick with Adachi - sports is just the hook, the easel on which he paints. The real art here is the people, and the way they interact with each other. And what is it about Adachi that makes him special - that elevates his work above weekly magazine reading for the trip to work on the Yamanote line and raises it to the level of art? He knows the secret that eludes writers everywhere - the more emotion is inherent in a situation, the less you have to spell it out.
The premise of Cross Game is really impossible to describe without entirely spoiling the wonderful first episode (or volume, if you choose to read the manga first). Like all Adachi plots, it's deceptively simple but packed with hidden emotional trauma - childhood playmates growing into young adults, tragedy, struggle against injustice. But all this is played out against a backdrop of everyday life. it unfolds at a leisurely pace, because it has to - Adachi isn't going to tell you what the characters are feeling. Not in words, anyway - but in the their actions, and in what they don't say as much as what they do. In the way they slowly change in their perception of each other and themselves. In this way, the observer subtly becomes aware of the changes before the participants themselves seem to - much as often happens in real life. Adachi is all about an economy of emotion - a look, a word, a laugh can carry more meaning than an entire episode of dialogue from a typical show.
Without spoiling too much, the other thing that makes Cross Game so spectacular is the two people above. Complex, flawed, not entirely honest with themselves or each other. They become incredibly real as the story slowly progresses. Kou, especially, is Adachi's greatest creation - a seemingly normal kid dealing with unusually harsh circumstances, his intelligence, courage and competitive spirit is slowly revealed over the course of the story. And Aoba is his match, his perfect foil. They play off each other in myriad and amusing ways, only over time exposing the raw and powerful nature of their relationship.
I could go on and on about the other reasons why this story is so special - the incredible supporting characters, the music, the ending... But this is already a very long post. Quite simply, go watch it (or read it) with all possible haste. Even if you're not an anime person, or not a "sports manga" person, allow yourself to be surprised. You won't regret it.
NOTE: This review was posted on a forum I am active on in a thread about anime. Parts of this review may be affected by that. This review was written on October 2, 2010. It contains ever-so-slight spoilers for the animes Clannad and Toradora!
This category is going to depend a lot on the viewer's interpretation of the story. Some could dislike it because it's just about a high school baseball team trying to make their way to Koshien--but I think that's too shallow-minded (lol ucwidt). The story is indeed about a baseball team trying to go to Koshien, but you have to also remember that there are many other sub-plots, much like Clannad, and the show is pushed by the characters in combination with the storyline. Much like I expected, trying to say that Cross Game is about baseball is similar to saying that Clannad is about the drama club... yes, Cross Game has much more baseball in it than Clannad had drama club, but that's only one side of the story. I am trying to both stay out of the area of Character and stay clean of spoilers, but really, what pushes the team (or at least Kou, Aoba, and Akaishi) to keep going and to do their best to make it to Koshien... it's Wakaba! She's the one that is pushing them to go for it in her own special way.
Later in the show, as well, more sub-plots are added with Yuuhei, Junpei (Azuma), Akane, Risa (Team coach/actress), Mizuki (Aoba's cousin), and even Mishima (Ryuou's best batter). All these people bring their own mini stories into the picture, and add that in to the overall connection they all have through baseball, and you've got quite a story going.
One of my favorite parts of the series was in episode 30, when they just replayed the first episode over again. Things were much more emotional after 28 episodes of connecting with these characters and then seeing what happens in the first episode.
A final word about the story is this: Cross Game does a 100% FANTASTIC job at keeping you clueless as to what the next step is. In every single baseball game it's not like you can say, "Oh, this is TV, and they're the good guys, so they're going to win." NO. It's not like that at all. They do an amazing job at keeping you totally clueless as to who's going to end up with who, what's going to happen to so-and-so, and most of all, who's going to win this game of baseball. I found myself cheering for Seishu Academy more than I've ever cheered for any sports teams... even in real life. And that's saying something. It's completely believable that the team might lose this game and the story will still continue on. There really is no way to tell for sure what's going to happen in the future... that's what got me most about Cross Game. You never know what's next and you're not sure what the final outcome is going to be. With Clannad, you knew that the end would be Nagisa on stage... with Toradora! you knew that ______ would end up with ______... It was not that way with Cross Game. You really didn't know how things would end up, at all. And that's probably what I loved about Cross Game the most other than the characters.
I loved the way everything in Cross Game was drawn. At first it was kind of strange to me: just the way the faces looked, but after 10 episodes you learn that those faces are much more and you start to love them. There's not much I can say about the animation, but I did pick up on some excellent work every now and then when a batter would swing, especially during the Woman's National Baseball Team try-outs. That animation was excellent. Other than that, more memorable animation was during the first and second episodes, as well as the final game that Seishu plays in the show and the final scene at the train station. Great work on the animation; nothing completely outstanding, but nothing to be (k)nit-picky about.
I have only a few complaints about the sound, mainly the sound when they pitch kinda sounds a little over-dramatic. Instead of just swush it's SHWSHHHHHHH! Yeah he's throwing crazy fast pitches but it just kinda bugged me. Otherwise, I didn't really like the third ending song, but the opening and the first and fourth endings both make up for that. I absolutely love the opening. LOVE. It's a great song.
I remember making a mental note that the sound effects were really good when it came to background noise. Crowds cheering, cicadas hissing, and in general around-the-house and at the Tsukishima batting center, they had background sounds that just kinda stuck out. I normally don't pay any attention at all to those kind of things so I don't have any idea whether or not it was better than anything else, but it just kinda stood out to me near the end of the series. :p
Like I said before, the characters are the highlight of this series when combined with the storyline. Even the characters like Azuma and Akaishi who I absolutely hated at the beginning I grew to love over time. Another series with outstanding characters. It feels like I'm repeating myself for the eighth time or something because all the anime I've watched so far has great characters. But it's true.
Kitamura Kou - My favorite character in the series. I don't know what it is specifically that makes me like him so much... but I just love him. xD I like how he's reserved and quiet and keeps his feelings to himself, but not to a giant extent, and so he's still upbeat and light-hearted, and his jokes with Aoba are great. I loved when he grabbed her that one time and he had such a srs bzns face on, and then asks if he can use a pot of her's. Hahaha that was great. If you just look at the picture at the top of this post it basically portray's Kou's personality underneath.
Tsukishima Aoba - Such an awesome girl. I love her snobby personality, and her last line in the series that she actually speaks summarizes her character so well... I'll avoid actually saying that for spoilers' sake. But her attitude toward guys in general is hilarious. They always piss her off so much and she ends up slapping them.
Azuma Yuuhei - As I said before, I didn't like him much at first. I didn't dislike him, but I didn't have anything that made me root for him or anything, especially when he was with that Daimon jerk. For quite a while after that I didn't like him just because he was so bleh and plain, but later on, especially near the end when his character starts to really show through, especially through him giving up his own interests for his friends, I really started liking him a lot. His subtlety and quiet nature on top hide a courteous, loyal, and selfless gentleman who's a great guy to have on your side.
On top of these three characters, there are many, many more supporting roles such as Akaishi, Akane, Junpei, Ichiyo, and the Seishu Baseball Team Coach. All the characters play a great role in the story, and are loveable at every moment.
Overall, Cross Game was a very pleasant anime and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves calm, laid-back shows.
Story [5/10]
Cross Game is a fairly slow paced, light-hearted sports anime that focuses a lot more on the characters and their relationships rather than the actual base ball itself. A lot of the episodes are pretty much fillers and not many real challenges arise for the protagonist Ko. Unlike a lot of character-obsessed animes we don't get many story arcs at all (arguably none) and few relationships recieve any development despite the anime being fairly lengthy. It's hard to explain how effectively every episode wastes its time but the best way to explain apart from how much attention minor characters recieve is that many scenes are constructed to get across one idea such as: Ko is a good athlete or Ko is a nice person and these scenes can be from 5-15 mins and they happen all the time. Not only that but we need at least 5 5-15 min scenes to convey the same one idea. This idea isn't interesting or complex, it can only really appeal to you if you see something in the scenes besides it teaching us something about one of the characters. For a while I managed to think like this but eventually I got tired of it and skipped a few episodes.
The storyline wouldn't be bad if it were a 13 episode anime or something but you can make ur own judgements about whether need constant plot/character development or whether you like slow paced animes.
Animation: [5/10]
Ko had enormous ears, Aoba was so kawaii and some characters had extremely questionable appearences and so I have mixed feelings overall. The quality compared to other modern anime is horrible though, even by older anime standards it's pretty bad. I didn't really care because animation doesn't bother me that much but you might want to consider that.
Sound: [4/10]
I didn't like OP/ED, OST was rarely memorable and same goes for voice acting.
Characters: [5.5/10]
Extremely one dimensional for the most part, I liked Aoba because i'm a sucker for tsunderes but honestly very simplistic characters with very little to offer.
Overall: [7/10]
Despite how badly I've rated all of these sections (and they should probably be rated worse) this anime had a real charm to it for me. It was corny, predictable and repetitive but somehow it kept me interested for the most part. I think If I had watched this anime expecting something good then I would have hated it but I just wanted to watch a decent anime and I felt at the end of the day that's what I got. Sorry that I don't have much to say about the anime but there really isn't that much to say about it and I'm tired.
I became aware of an anime called Cross Game years ago and I just finally got around to finishing it. I started watching Cross Game hoping to see a genuine slice of life show about baseball, with a good mood and a relaxing atmosphere. For the most part, I got what I expected and was overall satisfied, although it wasn't the smoothest journey to the end. Despite the great presentation, I actually dropped Cross Game early on and I thought I was done with it. Some weeks later, I had a sudden urge to watch it again and it was 2nd time watching that got me hooked on the anime. I don't review many anime, but I like to review the unpopular ones from time to time. Thus, here's a non-spoiler review of Cross Game.
***Firstly, if you haven't seen the anime, or have seen it and disagree with my assessment, just note that I'm not here to dictate or change anyone's minds. I'm here to simply share my perspective of this anime and I only hope that you find it helpful in someway.***
The story of Cross Game is a character driven sports slice of life, with elements of comedy and a touch of drama and romance. The premise is that there's these two families that are well known to each other, due to their sports services and close locations. The main protagonist, Koh, is a part of the Kitamura family and frequently spends his childhood happily hanging out with two daughters of the Tsukishima family, Aoba and Wakaba. Everything is going well until an accident happens that affects everyone. Fast forward a few years later, Koh, Aoba, and his other friends are in high school playing baseball and not much else happens. The plot is as slice of life as it gets. The entire plot is a bunch of high schooolers playing baseball and interacting with each other through their day-to-day routines. Real life isn't dramatic, so don't expect some thriller story filled with unexpected plot twists. The plot progression was logical for a slice of life, meaning there wasn't any bullshit or deus ex machinas. There were a few plot conveniences sometimes, but they were all plausible and don't break immersion. The pacing, in my opinion, was the strongest element of the story telling. Even though the show is episodic in nature, there wasn't any filler and the episodes always flowed very nicely together, making it feel like a real genuine slice of life. The pacing never felt rushed and always took its time in being slow and subtle. While the plot and pacing are great, the engagement factor was not that high. The slice of life moments and character interactions were fine, even if they were repetitive. However, when it came time for playing baseball, I have to say it was boring. After watching other baseball anime, like Diamond no Ace and One Outs, the baseball games in Cross Game really bored me. Though to be fair, the whole baseball thing is more of a back drop anyways. I just wish watching them play would've been satisfying, even if it's just a game. Another thing was that the sub-plots and character interactions got a little repetitive. Though me saying the story and events are repetitive isn't a flaw or criticism of the anime. Real life is filled with repetitiveness as well, so it can be excused here. I just wish it was a bit more entertaining. Overall though, Cross Game has a compelling and serviceable story line that's slow and subtle achieved through great pacing and presentation.
Even though the character designs scream "ANIME TROPES", the character personalities whisper "genuine people". Not to say that these anime characters aren't anime-like at all. The entire character cast have their weird personality quirks, that make them likable and easy to identify, but also have a more human side to them too, that make them more relatable and compelling. The entire character cast aren't just anime tropes to stimulate the audience, but rather genuine people that are meant to be cared for on an emotional level. They have their own dreams, ambitions, and motivations that carry them throughout their young lives. The characters are enjoyable to watch through all the interactions they have with one another, while also being compelling from all the depth and development they are given through flashbacks and other subtle visual details. Cross Game is one of those anime where the supporting characters are just as strong and enjoyable as the main characters, which is a good thing with slice of life anime.
In terms of aesthetics, this is not a "style over substance" anime. In saying that, you probably shouldn't be expecting much from the artistic aspect. Cross Game has that dated, low-budget look, that looks very mid-2000's, where the outlines look rough and the colors don't stand out much. Despite that, it has a simplistic style, that helps create a relaxing atmosphere and is appealing enough to look at. The art doesn't play to the audience with super detail of the environment and it doesn't really empathize touchy or dramatic moments too much. However, the anime is all about the characters. Cross Game doesn't need to rely on art to create a mood; they do that well enough with just the raw emotions of the characters. It's really all that's needed and it works quite well, in my opinion. Probably the best part of the overall aesthetic package was the mood. This show has a very lighthearted and relaxing mood, that makes the anime very satisfying to watch. The overall presentation was great too. Like how the story was treated as a genuine and subtle slice of life story with no melodrama or cliche scenarios. There was also some visual story telling used as well, shown through subtle character gestures, instead of unnecessary monologues and exposition. Overall, Cross Game was presented, directed, portrayed, and executed well. I would recommend this to slice of life lovers.
I'd recommend this anime in this order:
First as a genuine lighthearted slice of life anime
Second as a romance anime (There's a lot of shipping possibilities)
Third as a baseball anime (The sport is portrayed well, but not as engaging as some other baseball anime I've seen)

subset: commoncrawl


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Brand New Bungalow Close to it All!(18 Reviews)
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- Minimum stay:3-4 nights
- Sleeps:2
- Bedrooms:1
- Bathrooms:1
- Property type:Bungalow
- Internet:Yes
- Pets considered:Yes
- Wheel chair accessible:No
About the Property
Your modern, quiet, gorgeous bungalow is ready for you.
As featured in Apartment Therapy.
Click on this link to see the Apartment Therapy Tour of the Bungalow.
California living in a clean, modern, bright aesthetic with a 455 square foot deck; outdoor seating; located in an idyllic quiet garden setting; from the white on white bathroom, with radiant floor heating, to the 10 foot vaulted ceilings every detail is designed for you:new gas bbq; chemical free water system throughout (no fluoride) queen bed (natural latex mattress topper; HD flat screen TV (comcast HD cable), high speed WiFi; washer/dryer combo; wireless speaker system(bluetooth); ceiling fan with remote; fully equipped with bedding, towels, kitchen place settings for four; hair drier; Breville toaster oven broiler combo (induction burner); plenty of closet and storage; walk in shower. Think Scandinavian meets Moroccan aesthetic. Wake up to fresh coffee on the sunny deck, or in the evening relax with a glass of wine and music. Or after a day of hiking, bike riding or a visit to the wine country, come back and chill out with you favorite tunes as you fire up the grill.
Member since: 2015
Property Type
- Bungalow
- 325 sq. ft.
House Rules
- Max. occupancy 2
- Events Allowed
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
- Long-Term Renters Welcome
- Wheelchair Inaccessible
Bedrooms: 1 Bedroom, Sleeps 2, Beds for 2
- Bedroom 1: 1 queen
- Queen size bed with natural latex mattress topper. Natural and organic cotton bedding. Lots of storage to keep your things. Large custom closets with auto lighting.3 speed koa-wood ceiling fan with bedside remote. Pullout drawers under bed; HD Fllat Screen TV with cable premium channels. Shades for every window. ...moreless
Bathrooms: 1 Bathroom
- Bathroom 1: toilet, shower
- Walk-in white tile shower with spa shower head. Heated tile floor. White 100% cotton towels. Lots of hooks and shelving.Beautiful vanity with plenty of storage. Modern wall hung toilet. Sound insulated walls. Beautiful paneled pocket door adds to the generous space of the bath and bungalow ...moreless
Other Amenities
- The essential Marin County location where you can walk to the Marin Lagoon area, wildlife and wetlands or stroll up to the outdoor Famers Market; easy on and off freeway access, quiet and gorgeous locale surrouned by foothills. The wine country is only a gorgeous 45 minute drive. Sunny, healthy, and near it all, your modern bungalow is a visual treat and a wonderful way to unpack, relax, and take in the best of Marin....moreless
JBL Wireless speaker that you can use inside and out. Just sync up your music with bluetooth....moreless
- Away From It All
- Romantic
- Spa
- Sports & Activities
- Botanical Garden
- Churches
- Cinemas
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Library
- Live Theater
- Marina
- Playground
- Recreation Center
- Restaurants
- Synagogues
- Winery Tours
Local Services & Businesses
- ATM/Bank
- Babysitter
- Fitness Center
- Groceries
- Hospital
- Laundromat
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Services
Leisure Activities
- Bird Watching
- Gambling Casinos
- Miniature Golf
- Photography
- Scenic Drives
- Shopping
- Sight Seeing
- Walking
- Wildlife Viewing
Sports & Adventure Activities
- Basketball Court
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Wind-Surfing
Lovely English Pine table that will seat 4 Or dine alfresco on the 450 sq ft. deck....moreless
- Dining Area
- Seating for 4 people
Clothes Dryer:
One machine washes and drys-wow! We also have a wall mounted retractible clothes line for non-dryer items- just outside the kitchen door and away from sight....moreless
- Fitness Room / Equipment:
- Hair Dryer
The state-of-the-art hydrolic wall heater keeps the bungalow warm and cozy. Never drying or "hot spots" this is even, comfortable heating using the most compact, advanced wall heater technology....moreless
- Internet:
- Iron & Board
Linens Provided:
Two sets of cotton sheets , organic white matelesse coverlet, non-down comforter with cotton duvet cover. 4 pillows with liners. Extra cotton blankets washable mattress pad....moreless
Living Room:
Open studio style with soft leather chair and ottoman to watch tv, read a book or take a snooze....moreless
Coffee Maker:
Bonavita electric teakettle with drip coffee cone and natural filters...moreless
Dishes & Utensils:
Modern and vintage settings for 4. Lovely cotton linens, Every utensil needed to cook a great meal. French waiter's wine opener, Wustof knives, Platters and bowls, Pepper grinder, steak knives- ...moreless
Marble backsplash with dimmable under cabinet lighting. Stainless sink w/ flexible arm faucet. Wood countertop. Under sink garbage and recycling. Step out the door to the gas BBQ with gas side burner...moreless
Breville toaster oven - this wonderful machine bakes, broils and toasts. You won't miss your conventional oven. Comes with a cutting board that sits on top and off the counter...moreless
Pantry Items:
Sea salt and pepper, raw sugar, paper napkins and towels. Welcome coffee, to get you started. ...moreless
- Refrigerator:
Deck / Patio:
Lovely private deck , 450 sqft, Sit in the shade provided by a moveable sun screen or the olive tree. Cypress, Climbing Roses and grapes, herbs pomegranate surround. Landscape lighting or stars....moreless
Lots to choose from .. Peacock Gap, McInnis Park Golf Center,San Geronimo National Golf Course, Presidio Golf Course......moreless
- Kayak / Canoe
Lawn / Garden:
Gravel path leads to the bungalow, through the willow gate, step onto the deck surrounded by a garden of herbs and flowers, roses and grapes. Plenty of seating and room for a small gathering....moreless
RatesCurrency Conversion
|Weekend Night
|Monthly *
Nov 20 - Nov 26, 2017
3 night min stay
Christmas 2016
Dec 22 - Dec 31, 2017
4 night min stay
My Standard Rate
3 night min stay
Additional information about rental rates
Fees and Rental Conditions:
- Property Damage Protection $59
- End of Stay cleaning $100
- Pet Fee $100
Owner's cancellation policy:
50% refund for cancellations more than 30 days before check-in date.
100% refund for cancellations more than 60 days before check-in date.
Don't forget your vacation protection! Get protected now
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Car: Recommended
Marin Farmers Market is a reknowned open air festival of organic produce, food, and crafts; China Camp is a historic beach front that's family friendly and nearby mountiain bike trails and hiking for the naturalist; local birdlife, wetlands, flora and fauna; golf is nearby with three courses: McGinnis, Peacock, and San Geronimo; Cinemas abound; downtown San Rafael with restuarants, nightclubs, local stores and shopping; nearby Larkspur Country Mart features upscale shops, yoga studio, restaurants, kayaking, SUP boarding; 40 minute drive to Stinson and Bolinas beaches for surfing, beachcombing, trails, hikes, picnics, and family outings; Bolinas and Stinson feature surfboard and wetsuit rentals; our location is a jump off point to the wine country only 40 minutes to Sonoma and Napa wineries; Jewish Community Center for workout and pools for serious lap swimming or fun. Larkspur Ferry to San Francisco is only 7 miles away. Shopping, dining, museums, nightlife, recreation, and the popular Marin Civic Center by noted architect Frank Lloyd Wright is right here. Sunny weather, warm days, easy access to the major 101 freeway. Even the library is up the street. We're close to three major shopping malls: Northgate, The Village and Town Center with Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Macy's, J.Crew, Restoration Hardware, Book Passage, Barnes and Noble, REI, and many others. Restaurants include Farm to Table, Bel Campo, El Huarache, La Toscana, LeChalet, and assorted ethnic and vegan cuisines. Dog owners will enjoy dog friendly Bolinas. Dog parks are nearby as well, with the nearby Marin Lagoon and wide open spaces with plenty of trails.
Oakland and San Francisco airports are only 45 minutes away.
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2015
About the owner: We love Marin County and the location of sunny San Rafael; close to it all, yet away from the bustle, our new, modern bungalow is truly an oasis. Yes we are dog friendly so bring fido along! Small, hypoallergenic dogs only (less than 30 lbs).
Why the Owner Chose San Rafael, CA, USA:
Close to everthing so you can enjoy anyhting you like; our bungalow is a total retreat yet a pleasurable and gorgeously designed contemporary dwelling where nothing has been overlooked for your stay. Sunny, warm, the oasis of California Living. If you want to bike, hike, shop, dine, club, antique, golf, swim, surf, and get into the best of Marin, start here, we have your bungalow ready and waiting.
The Unique Benefits at this Bungalow:
Cozy, intimate, classic Californian with designer touches that speak to the modern aesthetic of clean, simple, and beautifully considered details.
Contact us
Send email
Links to more information:
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
View from wardrobe out to kitchen, french doors, and deck.
View from kitchen to bedroom.
From bedroom, bed, toward bathroom and kitchen.
fruit trees, honeysuckle vines, herbs and flowers from bedroom window
Bedding, linens.
3 drawers with pullout shoe rack
Wide shot of bathroom, completely furnished with all towels, soaps, etc.
Exterior deck, french doors open wide for indoor/outdoor living.
Larger view of deck with covered brand new gas BBQ; antique french garden table
mixture of collected and new dishes make
Walk in, toss your keys, phone and turn up the JBL bluetooth speaker-
Antique mirror reflects outside garden off deck.
Interior view from kitchen and table
Fagor Washer- Dryer combo behind linen curtain
Bedding, queen bed, teak tray.
Large, well lighted, spacious wardrobe with pullouts; both sides open.
Bathroom, matt black mirror closes, dimmable lighting
Bathroom day, classic, clean, modern.
shower shampoo cubby; antique English tiles.
Deck on a sunny day; quiet and clean, an oasis.
Deck, sunny, warm, and quiet - wide open sky
It's all here. taken care of, your complete kitchen set; all cooking needs.
Dining or working, doors open or closed...
This listing was first published here in 2015.
Date last modified - Sunday, April 23, 2017
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It is inevitably causing a huge amount of disruption to the transport industry and, in particular, car manufacturing.
There are two fundamental changes that are taking place:
- The first concerns the issue of ownership. Almost since its invention, the car has been synonymous with status. In the beginning, simply owning a car demonstrated wealth and a certain social standing. Now, with car ownership nearly universal, it is the brand that does the talking. In the last couple of years, however, an interesting trend has emerged. For the first time in their history car sales in the west are trending downwards.
- The second big shift is the move towards driverless cars. In the last year or so these have shifted from theory to reality with companies like Nissan embedding a new level of automation into their vehicles and Uber has announced the launch of a range of self driving taxis.
Generation Rent
The downward trend in car ownership is being driven by the under 25s.
This younger section of the Millennial segment appears far less interested in owning a car. They are just as interested in being mobile, but less attached to the idea of ownership. For this generation of renters, the car seems to be losing its status as the must have accessory.
We all know people who insist on travelling everywhere in their car – partly because having spent a not insubstantial amount of money on it, they want to get their money's worth – but also because they see themselves as 'car people'. That is starting to change.
The younger generation are much more likely to select the vehicle(s) most appropriate to the journey, rather than plan the journey around their choice of vehicle. Hence the reticence around owning a car. It is a big expense for something that you don't plan to use all the time.
It's all about the journey
Alongside (and helping to drive) this change are the new, innovative approaches to travel that are springing up – from car shares, like Zip Car, to urban bike rentals, bike pools and lift sharing sites.
Now there are more options for the traveller than ever before. This has encouraged a change in mind-set. It's inspired a shift in thinking away from the vehicle itself and towards the journey.
We've turned route-planning on its head. We look at the path we need to take and then work out the best form (or forms!) of transport to use. Journeys are more likely to be 'multi-modal'. Travellers might take the train and then pick up a car or bike from the station, for example.
Digital Disruption (what else!)
Behind all of this is digital technology.
Digital has enabled new services that are being launched almost daily. At any time, anyone with a mobile device can see in real time what options are available to them. They can see whether bikes are accessible at the nearest stand (and in some instances even unlock them via an app). They can see if car club vehicles are based nearby, how close a bus is, or whether a cab is round the corner.
It is not hard to see why these recent trends are creating a bit of a headache for car manufacturers. Their business is based on the need, or at least the desire, for new cars. Now, suddenly, that demand has diminished. But while digital advancements have closed off some old avenues; they've also opened new doors.
Destination innovation in transport
Some manufacturers have got on the front foot and are actively looking at the new revenue streams that digital technology can provide.
- Toyota have invested in Uber.
- BMW, for example, have launched their own car share operation, Drive Now, with Sixt.
- Others, including one manufacturer that Fluxx have worked with, are exploring the idea of car clubs – membership schemes where the customer pays an annual fee and has access to a range of cars over the course of a year.
It's not just the car manufacturers that are having their traditional revenue streams disrupted. Car hire companies are suffering too. Fewer people are looking to hire cars for one week or two week blocks. They want the ability to hire vehicles for however long (or short) a time they need them. Europcar have invested in Ubeeqo, which delivers "urban mobility" on a far more flexible basis.
Of course, by their nature, trends come and go.
There is no guarantee that the move away from ownership will continue. But one thing is for sure, digital technology will continue to enable change to happen quickly. Not only does it make more things technically possible, but it makes the journey from concept to reality much faster. It allows for more ideas to be born in the first place, and even more of those to take flight and find their feet.
The companies in the transport sector that will thrive will be the ones who get on the front foot and continue to innovate. They may not know what is coming next, but, by being open to change and equipped to embrace new thinking, they can secure themselves a part in an uncertain tomorrow.
We're currently helping Atkins to change their mind-set towards innovation: to develop an appetite to be more adventurous and more curious about the future. To find out more about how we've been doing this, visit our Digital Incubator page.


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Since our chapter's inception in 1984, we have granted over 7,800 wishes and during our fiscal year 2016 we granted 488 wishes.
It takes a committed, skilled team to bring life to one of the world's most-beloved children's charities. Learn more about our Make-A-Wish® staff.
The Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana Board of Directors ensures that our chapter operates according to the highest standards of brand and financial stewardship and that we remain focused on continuing to grant more wishes every year.
We take seriously our responsibility to steward supporter contributions wisely. Learn how we make the most of every dollar.
Do you want to help make wishes come true? Join our team and help wish kids make memories to last a lifetime!


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The Led Lenser H14R.2 offers up to a massive 850 Lumens of focusable light, is USB rechargeable and can be removed from the strap for flexible mounting options.
The Advanced Focus System(AFS) provides a focusable beam of light from a pivoting head, and is dimmable via the multi function scroll wheel on the battery pack. Smart Light technology(SLT) enables 3 light programs and 5 light functions, and a switch lock ensures your light stays off during transport.
Extra comfort is provided by a third strap over the top of your head and the battery pack and lamp are easily removed for mounting on a chair, clothing or bike. With a 300 metre beam, the H14R.2 is a powerful light source for those that expect the best.
Delivery to
Exciting news, your order has left our warehouse! If you'd like to keep an eye on it's journey, click the button below.
Oh and don't forget to copy your tracking number.
Tracking number:


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Every year the LA Progressive conducts surveys to get reader feedback. This survey collects feedback on the performance of the Obama administration during its first year. This survey closes at end of day on January 3, 2010. You can participate by clicking here.Click here for reuse options!
Copyright 2009 LA Progressive


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Curejoy Expert Claude Butler Explains:
Muscle fasciculation (twitches) are fine movements of a small area of muscle. Twitches can occur in the arms, feet, fingers, hands, head, legs, stomach, eye muscles and other parts of the body
Involuntary muscle twitches can be can be exasperating at times. Usually Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed. Some are common and normal. Others may be an indicator of severe forms of health conditions such as a stroke, traumatic brain injury and nervous system disorder.
Twitches may be short-lived or permanent. There are several causes for muscle twitches that vary significantly in severity. Minor twitches may be caused due to caffeine consumption or dehydration. Some twitches may be the result of a neurological condition or traumatic brain injury. For some, the cause of twitches remains unknown, hence some of the important causes include:
- Autoimmune disorders such as Isaac syndrome
- Dehydration due to an imbalance in the electrolytes in the body
- Lack of sleep.
- Side effect of certain drugs such as corticosteroids, or estrogens
- Medical conditions such as potassium deficiency and kidney disease/uremia.
- Vitamin deficiency
- Excessive stress or anxiety
- Nervous system conditions such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Weak muscles (myopathy), Spinal muscular atrophy and Neuropathy (damage to the nerve).
Natural Remedies to Manage Muscle Twitching:
Natural remedies are very effective in managing muscle twitching if your condition is benign. Magnesium and sea salt are two of the best treatment options.
- Magnesium:Food rich in magnesium such as spinach, broccoli, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds should be included in your diet.
- Sea Salt: Salt intake can help your muscles and nerves communicate more effectively and reduce muscle twitches.
- Reducing Caffeine intake: In order to avoid twitching from dehydration, opt for fresh fruit juice and water instead of drinking tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks.
- Exercise: Incorporating 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily will be helpful in reducing stress and also for inducing a healthy sleep.
- Relax and de-stress: Practicing yoga, deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques helps combat stress-related twitching.
- Massage therapy: Will be helpful in managing and reducing muscle twitches.
- Good quality sleep: Making sure that you get adequate sleep and maintaining a good sleep routine is very important.
Seek a professional opinion from your health care provider if your twitches are persistent. As immediate medical diagnosis and evaluation can help in deciphering more details about this unique medical condition.


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AFC Liverpool Sponsorship Opportunities 2016/17
AFC Liverpool is now seeking sponsorships for the forthcoming season with the launch of our new sponsorship brochure 2016/17, featuring offers to suit all budgets .
We want to build partnerships with businesses across the Liverpool City Region, and for you and employees to feel part of the club you are helping to support.
The club can offer various types of matchday advertising and hospitality packages, and with over 11000 twitter followers, we have the largest social media reach in the Hallmark Security Football League (North West Counties League), equivalent to teams several divisions higher. Our website gets over 100,000 unique visitors every year, so we are well placed to promote your business effectively at a very reasonable cost.
Please click on the link below and see what we have to offer you:
AFC Liverpool Sponsorship Opportunities 2016/17 PDF
Match Reports
AFC Liverpool 0-2 AFC Darwen Wednesday 29th March 2017
Upcoming Fixtures
Barnoldswick Town
Away -
Thu 27th Apr 2017 - 19:45
Hanley Town
Home -
Sat 29th Apr 2017 - 15:00


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300-950 Granville St.
Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 1L2
Canada View Map>>
hyperWALLET delivers secure, global-grade payment technologies to organizations who require a simplified way to access or leverage the global financial network. Since 2000, we have become a leading provider of online and mobile payment, international payments, card products and financial technology solutions to world-class customers in Canada, the ... more
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$75 Million
Senior Vice President, Global Sales
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Executive Assistant - Treasury and Accounting
Senior Vice President, Global Risk Management
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Search the Criterion site
Leaves. Code ref: 29.
Chinese opalescent glass mosaic in an unusual rectangular format (10 x1.5 cm), but in UK more readily sourced as a square 1.5 x 1.5 cm:
30x30cm sheet size
Back to Contemporary collection
Criterion Tiles are please to announce the opening of a new trade counter at our warehouse. Criterion Trade will stock tiles for both the floor and wall as well as adhesives and grouts.
We've been updating our ranges at Criterion and so if you're thinking of a change, come in and have a look at what we can offer.
Alpha Stone - a best seller
The tile is deceptively good-looking in rustic or hi-tech surroundings.
South London Showroom:
196, Wandsworth Bridge Road,
London SW6 2UF
Tel: +44 (0)20 7736 9610
Fax: +44 (0)20 7736 0725


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Position: Serving Beer Samples
First Shift Time: 2pm to 4pm
Please read the following list of guidelines:
- All volunteers must check in 30 minutes prior to their shift at the volunteer check-in table located in the "Textiles Building" (Red barn next to the Youth Building) at Exposition Gardens. Please look for signs.
- ALL volunteers are REQUIRED to attend a brief mandatory training before their shift. Volunteer packets can be picked up AFTER your shift. You will need to return to volunteer check-in to receive your bracelet and volunteer packet.
- At the end of your shift, please DO NOT leave your station until your replacements have arrived. If you are still waiting after 15 minutes please report this to a crew chief. We do not want to leave a table empty.
- Prior to serving alcohol to any patron, confirm that they have a wristband. Anyone asking for a sample without this wristband must be refused and then reported immediately to the crew chief.
- All beer served must be served in the official sample glass or the official plastic backup cup only. NO OTHER GLASSES ARE ALLOWED TO BE FILLED. You will be dismissed if this rule is violated.
- ALL SAMPLES GIVEN OUT MUST BE PAID FOR BY THE OFFICIAL BEER TICKET ONLY. You will be dismissed if this rule is violated. These special tickets will be displayed to you prior to your shift so you know what they look like. If someone tries to use an unauthorized ticket, or is persistent in free samples, report it immediately to your crew chief. Take the beer ticket, tear it in half and place it in the proper disposal bucket. Do not take money for samples.
- If someone is obtaining several samples and pouring them into a larger glass, please contact your crew chief prior to serving several samples.
- Due to Peoria County Health Department rules, beer servers are NOT allowed to consume alcoholic beverages while working their shift. Also, please do not open the first beers until after the air horn signal indicates that it is time to pour! This applies to 1st shift only.
- As a volunteer for this event, you have the right to refuse service to anyone. If a customer is too intoxicated or is being obnoxious, report them immediately to the crew chief in yellow, IBF Security in red, or the attending Peoria Police Officers.
- Do not hand out beer bottles, empty or full, to anyone.
- Keep your area clean. Put empty bottles back in the cases. Contact your crew chief for help.
- Volunteer packets may be picked up after your shift.
Contact your crew chief (Yellow shirts) with any questions during the event.


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Syracuse Orange men's basketball boasts of one of the most consistent scoring threats in the Big East Conference in senior guard Brandon Triche. He has attained double-figures in points in 19 of the team's 23 games.
But an action outside of Triche can aid the senior guard to more success as he moves forward throughout the season.
The return of forward James Southerland offers the Orange another option from long range, an area where Triche has also excelled at times this season.
Triche and Southerland are the only Syracuse players to have made 30 or more baskets from beyond the arc in the 2013-14 campaign.
Both are the only seniors on the floor for the Orange as well.
When asked if the return of Southerland means better team chemistry, Triche said, "I don't know if it gets better 'cause we always had team chemistry. It's not the chemistry that gets better. Our team just gets better, just to our abilities. He stretched the defense out. I don't know if he hit four threes, but he hit three threes [versus St. John's]. He's just gonna make it a lot easier for the guards. Gonna make it a lot easier for everybody else."
"Just with him, having that option," Triche continued. "Now when you come off the pick, if it's a pick and pop, then a big guy can help all the way. So, it's definitely gonna make it easier for us guards and everybody else."
Not only being a teammate, but a friend of Southerland's, Triche offered his take on the six-game hiatus of the man that came onto the Orange with him. "It was sad just for him, just 'cause he worked so hard, four years, especially being a senior," Triche expressed.
"We was roommates my freshman year, so just being close friends with 'em," Triche added. "Seeing him work so hard and finally having a great season, playing a lot of minutes, finally having a great season and something happen like that, it's bad. You almost feel bad for 'em."
Working to be a leader for Syracuse in his last opportunity for a national championship, his care for those around him is inevitable, including toward Southerland. "One thing he didn't do was get down on himself and that was the biggest thing that I'm happy for," Triche shared.
The dual deep threats with the most collegiate experience join together next when they travel to Connecticut to take on the UConn Huskies with the rest of the Orange on Wednesday, February 13th, at 7pm ET.


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When did you last sing," I asked Marti Pellow, "in front of a live audience?"
"Last night," he said.
"And the venue was the Glasgow Empire?"
"No, I was visiting my father in Clydebank, and took him for a pint, and I did a bit of karaoke in a bar called The Cleddons."
"What did you sing?"
"I did a few Sinatra songs, because the bar was egging me on. I did 'My Way'. It was the first thing that came up on the screen and I thought, OK, gimme a shot at that."
You study Pellow's handsome, lined face for signs of pathos, but there are none. He genuinely sees nothing ironic in the thought of a man who shifted £15m-worth of records in the 1980s and 90s, who had 26 hit singles - as singer with the band Wet Wet Wet - and hogged the number one slot for months at a time, reduced to serenading pub drunks with the kind of song chosen by self-important retired MPs on Desert Island Discs. Pellow doesn't care. He has done plenty of singing this year, he says, "but in bars like the Half Moon in Putney, just bringing a few friends together, grabbing a couple of acoustic guitars and having some fun". There's something slightly disingenuous about Pellow's down-home ordinary-blokeishness. Because when he's not being the modest fellow in his dad's local, he's out to conquer the world. Again.
Marti is in a frustrating place right now. He's in a reverse-holding pattern, like a 767 taxiing around Heathrow, unable to take off. At several moments this year, he's been on the point of making his début on Broadway, stepping out in a tuxedo and a slimy smile as Billy Flynn, the crooked lawyer in Kander and Ebb's transatlantic smash-hit musical, Chicago. He's played the role in London for several months with marked success, but to knock Broadway on its ass is an ambition he's held (as we shall see) from the earliest days. Unfortunately, his New York début coincided with a strike by the Musicians' Union which closed the show for 18 performances and, having no cast to rehearse with, he flew home. At several moments this year, he's been scheduled to go on a nationwide tour with a new CD of cover versions of favourite songs, recorded over a year ago in between cutting his solo CD, Smile. But that never happened either. All this waiting is enough to turn a musician to drink and drugs but, as he revealed earlier this year, Pellow has been down those mean streets as far as anyone can go, and has no intention of doing so again.
The future is looking good. He is, barring accidents, going to hit Broadway in the spring. The CD, entitled Between the Covers, is out later this month, and his tour dates have rescheduled to February. But meeting Pellow now, as he teeters on the threshold of fame and glory for the second time, you can appreciate he may be a tad concerned. Detoxed, rehabilitated, re-energised, and cool as a breeze in a £1,000 electric-blue Ozwald Boateng suit, his frame is skinnier, his face smaller, his brow more lined and his accent more broadly Clydeside, than you'd expect. He is friendly and outgoing, but his discourse is larded with phrases from some 12-step programme: "my journey to sobriety", "going down that road", "a sense of connection", "it was very positive ...". All this hanging around, waiting for things to take off again - you can almost hear his nerves jangling and his fingers drumming. You can sense his determination not to screw up this second shot at the title - not to throw his life away as spectacularly as he did six years ago.
What he did was simple. He told his band that he was, in effect, leaving to spend more time with his heroin habit, and retreated to an isolated cottage in Florida. He tried to wean himself off heroin with methadone and Librium, but tried, ill-advisedly, to accelerate the process with litres of vodka and the Italian witches' brew, Strega. When he collapsed in the Conrad Hotel in February 1999, the whole story came out. Fans were shocked. Whaaat? Marti, the sweet, thoughtful-looking charmer with the million-dollar grin who sang "Ah feel it in mah fingers/ I feel it in mah to-hoes"? How could he possibly?
"Really, it's a very positive story because I did manage to stop," he says today. "It's the most important thing in my life, the thing I'm proudest of, that I got over it and did it myself." And did it His Way. He's prouder of kicking the smack habit than of selling millions of records, "because it was really bad. It got so bad, shaving became a big problem, because I had to look at myself in the mirror and I couldn't stand to. I was starting to know about the disease and understand what it was doing - little moments of clarity where you catch yourself and realise that you're not 12 stone any more, you're nine stone. And that you're pasty-grey, and you hope you don't have to walk out in the sun because you're so skeletal, you're afraid you might see your internal organs. Mostly you don't choose to see that, and when you do suddenly see it, it's like, 'What am I doing?'."
What indeed? If ever a chap from the grainy backstreets of the Clyde seemed to have won all the glittering prizes, it was Mart. Apart from the success and material riches, he was blessed with a truly exceptional voice. Hearing it today, as he swoops and croaks through the pop standards and singer-songwriter classics on Between the Covers, you think: my God that's it. This is the voice that all the little male wannabes on Pop Idol - the Wills and Dariuses, and the new intake of Leons and Marcs - are trying to sound like. Listen how high up the scale he begins James Taylor's "Fire and Rain", as if showing off that he can go an octave higher. Listen to that whispery emoting on Joni Mitchell's "I Wish I had a River".
Then you realise there's a big fat thematic link between the songs. Neil Young's "It' s Gonna Take a Lot of Love", Paul Weller's "Brand New Start", then James Taylor's little hymn (which goes "Won't you look down upon me Jesus/ You gotta help me make a stand/ Just got to see me through another day"), the Genesis classic "Follow Me", with its endless inter-looping chorus of togetherness. The album ends with Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" (which is, among other things, about learning to trust your lover) and the Beatles' shouty "Don't let Me Down". It doesn't take a genius to work out that the whole album is saying, to family, fans and friends, "I'm OK now, you can stop worrying". So, was this his rehab chill-out CD?
"When I was just starting out on my journey to sobriety," says Pellow, "some songs were a real help, like 'Brand New Start'. I remembered the power of music. It's awe-inspiring. You hear something that's right on the money, that's f exactly how you're feeling - that line, 'I'm going to clean up my yard'. It was simple, direct, I got it."
Simple enjoyment is something Marti brings up a lot. He has an ideal in his head of the twinkly troubadour making music with friends, whether in Glasgow or Memphis, Tennessee - a city he's visited for many years ("I know a lot of musicians who live there and play on Beale Street, and people just come by and sing. I love going back, getting together with people and going to BB King's place"). But there's another picture in his head, a more complex encapsulation of enjoyment. He admits that the happiest moments of his childhood were spent curled up on the family sofa, watching old black-and-white Hollywood musicals on BBC2 with his mother. "It was the glamour, the singing, the quirkiness of it all, and the positive endings. I liked the way the star always got his girl at the end. It just left nice feelings." Did his mother encourage him to sing? "Always. Mum was a singer herself, she used to sing show tunes in the clubs," says Pellow fondly. "She liked Julie London and Vicky Carr, and she introduced me to Burt Bacharach and Hal David. But it wasn't just the musicals I liked. The Ealing comedies did it for me too. I associate them with grey skies, rain outside, and the warmth of my Ma, as we're watching these movies and laughing. It's just good times. It's powerful imagery for me."
Marti's mother bulks large in his family reminiscences, rather larger than his father. Perhaps significantly, he took his mother's maiden name as his stage name. His father was a slater in the building trade in Clydebank, and Marti grew up surrounded by the clang and surge of heavy industry. "There was John Brown Shipping, and Singer Sewing Machines, and it was the place where they made the big ocean-going liners before they went down to Southampton to be fitted out. What I remember most is the bunnets - the working-men's flat caps. You'd be looking at a sea of them, thousands of them, when the big siren sounded to start work." He got a job early, selling newspapers. "I'd stand in the bar, selling papers, and I'd see trays of whiskys and beers all stacked up; then at 12 noon, thousands of people would come out and have their pint and a half, and I'd sell them a paper. They only had an hour, so the drinks had to be pre-pulled and stacked up. There was a great sense of community, before the shipyards closed down. It made me find a form of escapism in music."
It was the idiotic days of glam rock that galvanised young Marti with ambition, when he stood transfixed by the sight of David Bowie, in full Ziggy Stardust rigout, playing "Queen Bitch" on Top of the Pops. "I was like, 'Wow - can I have some of that, one day?'" With the insouciance of Michael Heseltine sketching out his entire political career on the back of an envelope, he planned his pop-star strategy. "I thought, 'Right, I'll join a band, I'll get into a band, and then we'll get a record deal, and then we'll cut a record and then we'll appear on Top of the Pops' - and that's exactly how it was. There was a real naïveté about me which I still have, I think. But there was an awful lot of hard work as well."
Which explains his rise with Wet Wet Wet, but not his drug-raddled fall. For that, people have looked at the strange solitary little boy he was when in short trousers. He admits he didn't have many friends, by choice. "Aye, I was a bit of a loner. I remember spending a lot of time by myself. I had an older brother but he had his own friends. I loved that sense of awe about discovering things by yourself, when nobody else is there with you." His idea of a fun time might not have been everyone's: "In railway tunnels, there are trains going by in opposite directions, and in the arches between, there's a space about three feet wide where you can sit between them as the trains are coming both ways. You'd hear the rush of the train coming, the roaring and then all you'd see would be lights. It was a blast. Dangerous? It was dangerous as hell, man. My mother would have had a heart attack."
Here's an odd thing. On the new record, it's noticeable that many of the songs are from the early heyday of the singer-songwriters who flourished in the years 1968 to 1972: Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Neil Young. Those were precisely the years when young Marti was a solitary, mooching, impressionable eight-year-old, playing perilous games with trains and basking in the soft cocoon of maternal love and Hollywood musicals. Success, it seems, took him away from this intimacy, surrounded his naturally solitary nature with strangers who waited on him hand and foot. His response was a drug. "Heroin is so insular. It puts you into this little cocoon of warmth and nothingness and peace. It was dark and easy to romanticise about." So, what was he escaping from? "It wasn't what I was going from. It was what I was heading for. That became the addiction. When I took heroin, it anaesthetised me beyond belief, into a sense of nothingness. It was a warmth like your mother's arms. But it gave me a completely false sense of connection."
Here he is now, the suave stage crooner, the perfect Billy Flynn (a lot more convincing, and a much better singer, than Richard Gere, who plays the role in the movie) hoping to make it, Sinatra-like, in New York, and find a new audience back home for his post-Wets charisma. At 37, he'd just love to have a life in musical theatre, just like the heroes of the Hollywood movies he used to devour in his mother's sofa-bound embrace. He's currently being considered for the lead in a musical version of It's A Wonderful Life, the Frank Capra movie about a man saved from suicide by an angel showing him how badly his town would fare in the future without him around. ("I get really excited about the prospect, it would be really awesome. I'm up against Ewan McGregor, and he can carry a tune. I've not a bad word to say about Ewan.") He mentions, wistfully, there's talk of a new movie of Guys and Dolls. So tell me, Marti, after being a pop star all those years, have you always secretly yearned, were you always cut out to be, a tuxedo'd smoothie like Sacha Distel, born to croon surrounded by foxy chicks in ostrich feathers? "You know, that might be true."
These days he's a non-drinking vegetarian, though he still smokes a lot, and drinks lots of coffee. After 15 years, he is still with his long-term fiancée, Eileen Catterson, who is beginning to sound like Miss Adelaide, the well-known fiancée in Guys and Dolls (in which, by the way, he yearns to play the lead part of Sky Masterson). He has a big mansion in Kent, another in Memphis, and has just bought a house in Brighton overlooking the sea ("I like to think that, if England is invaded, the first house they come to will be a Scotsman's"). He dresses expensively in Ozwald Boateng and Comme des Garçons suits, and Oliver Sweeney shoes. He is doing very nicely, thank you. "I'm rich in many things," he says with that mildly irritating trace of sanctimony, "I made some money from Chicago, but there's a different richness I got from it. It wasn't just financial gain." Did he think his addictive personality has an up-side that could be turned to good account? In making him a perfectionist, say? "Yeah, I think there was an element of that, you keep on doing something until you get it just right. You push yourself to write a perfect version, and then you think, Christ, let's go and get something to eat. Suddenly the penny drops, and you realise there's more going on in life than whether you've got the ultimate chorus for a song. Perfection? No thanks. I like things to be a little bit funky and a little bit tattered round the edges. It just feels better." E 'Between the Covers' is out now on UmtvReuse content


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Move an app from Facebook to Mobile (Android and IOS)
This project received 11 bids from talented freelancers with an average bid price of $37 USD.Get free quotes for a project like this
Project Budget$10 - $30 USD
Total Bids11
Project Description
URGENT!! I need someone to move an already developed game on Facebook to Mobile. So it will be an app on mobile phones. For Android and IOS phones. The link to the game is [url removed, login to view]
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Christmas Appetizer Tray
The idea of this Christmas appetizer tray is probably one of the most simple ideas that I have ever put on my blog but it might be one of my favorites! I just adore how it turned out, but most of all I love how simple it was to put together! It's always nice to …continue reading
Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa on Stick
Is it getting colder where you live? Welcome to December! I love the winter holidays and I am so happy to be here and share with you one of my favorite winter treats! Hot Cocoa. I love hot cocoa. I love putting all kinds of yummy additions to my hot cocoa when I was creating …continue reading


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Our firm has listed this convenience store business for sale located in metro New Orleans, Louisiana. Store has been open for over 15 years in a busy high traffic location. Real estate is included in the sale of the business.
The business can be purchased for $50K separately without the real estate if desired. Owners are willing to help negotiate a fair lease for new tenants if they choose to not purchase the real estate. Daily store does a large take out business of food prepared to order and there is strong sales of liquor and tobacco products throughout the week. Business is open 6 days a week and could be expanded to seven to help increase revenue.
Owners have decided to sell to pursue other interests and have priced the business to sell. Sellers will help train new owners on this easy to own and operate business. Owner will consider some seller financing for a qualified buyer with a reasonable down payment. Contact us today for more information on this convenience store business for sale!
Financials (USD)
Asking Price $170,000
Sales $127,000
Profit $68,000
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Townhomes at Meadowbrook Village
115A Crestview Lane Fitchburg Massachusetts 01420
Are you the property manager?
1, 2 & 3 bedroom townhomes.
Other Apartments Nearby
|1 Bed
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Zip Codes Near Fitchburg, MA
Cities Near Fitchburg, MA
Neighborhoods Near Fitchburg, MA
Colleges Near Fitchburg, MA
- Regis College, MA
- Framingham State University, MA
- Middlesex Community College, MA
- Salter School Tewksbury, MA
- Atlantic Union College, MA
- Rivier College, NH
- St Joseph School of Nursing, NH
- Fitchburg State University, MA
- University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA
- University of Massachusetts Worcester, MA
- Salter College, MA
- Quinsigamond Community College, MA
- Daniel Webster College, NH
- Mount Wachusett Community College, MA
- Anna Maria College, MA
- Assumption College, MA
- Becker College, MA
- College of the Holy Cross, MA
- Rob Roy Academy, MA
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA


text: We're off to SENTA in a few weeks, and I was considering going to Dinas Rock for an evenings climbing. Alas 160Bgd have put the kybosh on it because it's not an "approved" route. This is ar$e as it appears the only approved climbing in the area is a quarry beginning with "M" and ending in "Orlais" - which is OK, but I really wanted to get the cadets on Dinas due to the varied routes. Does anybody know whether 160 will ever extract a digit and allow climbing in other locations, or will it forever be limited to Morlais?


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Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli insists he is working harder to become more of a threat in the penalty area but would prefer a partner to play off up front.
The Italy international may get his wish for greater support, with Daniel Sturridge set to return from a thigh injury against QPR this weekend after missing the last seven matches.
In his absence Balotelli has toiled alone up front with just one goal - against Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets - to show for his efforts since a £16million summer move from AC Milan.
The 24-year-old has often frustrated fans with some of his performances and he accepts he is still learning how manager Brendan Rodgers wants him to play.
But he is focusing on breaking his Premier League duck and knows he can only do that by getting into the right areas.
"I can see already that the Liverpool fans really like me, although I know that maybe they are a little upset because I don't score," he told Sport magazine.
"I see they appreciate that I am working hard, though, which is nice for me.
"I know I have one goal in the Champions League but in the Premier League I have to start with one.
"After that I might set myself a target but I swear right now my first league goal is my first and only objective.
"I need to get in the box more. I don't do it enough but it is something I am working to try to do more.
"I have never been a real, out-and-out striker - I have always been someone who goes around the pitch.
"If it was my choice, I would always go with two strikers. It's the way I like to play, but Brendan asked me to play as the first striker.
"I understand that when the ball comes from wide on the left or right I need to be in the box otherwise there might be no-one there at all."
Balotelli's stuttering start has matched that of his new club, who have won three of their first seven league games.
Balotelli Sits On Things
Balotelli Sits On Things
1/8 Super Mario
Balotelli takes the place of his namesake for a battle with Luigi
2/8 Balotelli Mahoney
The Liverpool man tries his hand at a bodyslam
3/8 Buckaroo
Balotelli's in the wrong bull park...
4/8 Rocket man!
... and risks setting his house on fire once more after an incident with fireworks in 2011 singed his manor.
5/8 Up and away
He's a wizard on the football field, but we've never before seen Balotelli in this get-up
6/8 Delivering the goods
Balotelli has scored once since his Anfield move
7/8 Definitely Mario
Why always him? The Italian steals the headlines despite Liverpool loss
8/8 Seeing double
No getting away if you pick a fight with Mario. Lesson learnt Adrian?
However, the striker is confident things will improve and believes a strong English core can only help on the domestic front.
"I didn't really know much about the club before coming here, but I've been really surprised," said the Italian, who spent two and a half years at Manchester City before returning to his homeland.
"I knew they were a very good team but I didn't know they were as good as they are.
"Of course we need to improve many things because we have started off not very good but I think the players here are amazing.
"It's good to see young English players here too: (Raheem) Sterling, (Jordan) Henderson, (Adam) Lallana. I think the more players you have like this, the better.
"Maybe over time you have got used to not seeing so many good, young English players like that but now we are seeing some - it's good that they are in my team."
The best English player in the striker's eyes remains Steven Gerrard, however, whom he compared to his veteran Italy team-mate Andrea Pirlo.
"Gerrard is an amazing player. I had really not seen much of him before this season, apart from for England, but wow!" Balotelli said.
"I think of him as being at the same level as Pirlo. Vision, technique, but he is powerful as well. Stevie can do anything.
"It's going to be very difficult for the team to find another player like him in the future."Reuse content


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Top Linksmain detailsbiographyby votesphoto galleryquotes
Filmographiesby yearby typeby ratingsby votesby TV seriesby genreby keyword
Did You Know?photo galleryquotes
Remy Graff (Character)
from Earthquake (1974)
Alternate Names:
FilmographyEdit Credits
- Earthquake (1974) Played by Ava Gardner (as Remy)
Archive Footage:
- The Making of 'Midway' (2001) (V) Played by Ava Gardner
Additional Details
Fun Stuff
Remy Royce-Graff: [shouting] God damn it!
Stewart Graff: Your last words to me last night; your first words this morning. Ever thought about expanding your vocabulary?
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You may correct errors and omissions on this page directly. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.


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American Shipper has launched a short survey to collect feedback on how the industry expects to be affected by the new ocean carrier alliances that launched at the beginning of the month.
MacroPoint announced its partnership with API provider Banyan, while FourKites unveiled its enhanced integration with supply chain software provider JDA.
However, the Baltic and International Maritime Council said the performance of the new ocean carrier alliances that set sail at the beginning of the month will be key in 2017.
Registration takes less than 1 minute.
One intermodal chassis provider, however, the North American Chassis Pool Cooperative, will maintain its current pricing for both pool and premium chassis despite increased labor costs and inventory and fleet enhancement efforts, NACPC said in a statement.
The U.S. Department of Justice served several container shipping lines with subpoenas last week in Sausalito, Calif., where their top executives were attending industry meetings.
Freight invoicing errors are bleeding shippers, NVOs and even carriers, one small cost at a time.


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Technology Professional Development
Preparing Teachers for One to One
Two Models Inform FNWSU Technology PD
Teachers use the TPACK model to integrate technology, pedagogy and content
to achieve the most effective learning environment
Ruben Puentedura's SAMR model describes the 4 levels of technology integration
The higher 2 levels help transform all learning allowing students to create and
communicate in ways not possible without technology
All 4 levels support differentiated and individualized learning
FNWSU has been a Google Domain for Education for 5 years. Our Google Domain provides a suite of apps, such as documents, spreadsheets, presentations and forms. It also provides tools such as calendar, video, Drive file storage and a user administration control panel. All Google apps and tools have powerful collaboration and sharing capabilities.
FNWSU teachers use Google tools everyday. Now through the power of Google Scripts these tools become the core of an educational digital workflow. The workflow allows teacher assignments and learning resources to be shared out to students electronically with a script called Doctopus. Students work on and complete assignments and return their work electronically as well through shared folders in their Google Drive. Teachers can even grade these assignments with a rubric electronically through a script called Goobric. Google Scripts even has an automatic quiz grader called Flubaroo that saves teachers time. Another time saver is called gClass Folders and Hub, which allows teachers to create a shared file structure for students in a few minutes. The names are fun but the functionality adds ease and efficiency to our digital workflow. These tools are the core of FNWSU teacher technology professional for 2013-2014 school year, for one to one classrooms and all classrooms with increased access to student technology.
Google in Education – Google provides numerous additional resources and tools for creation and exploration for educators


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Kidney Walk
• 249 Sherk St. Leamington ON
This years annual Kidney Walk will place on Sunday, September 25 at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex. As always, this event is open to all ages, making it a welcoming environment for all to enjoy. Registration begins at 8:30am and the Walk begins at 10:00am. There will be plenty of childrens entertainment, including character visits and a complimentary Mad Science presentation. Following the Kidney Walk, all will enjoy a pizza lunch, fresh fruits and vegetables and prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers and the top fundraising teams. After the Walk, why not head on over down the road to Colasantis for the annual Apple Fest and make it a true family fun day!
Raise $75 and receive a coupon for one free large, three-topping pizza from Dominos! Raise $125 or more and receive two of these coupons! Dominos is also matching the top TWO fundraising teams total donations!
We would love to have you participate! Did you know that The Kidney Foundation has invested over $10 million in Ontario based kidney research since 2010? We fund research and so much more to help people living with kidney disease. All of our fundraising efforts really add up.
Visit www.kidneywalk.ca to register and start fundraising today.
Cant walk or wont be in town that weekend? Dont worry! We have a virtual walk you can participate in as well. Walk or ride wherever you may be at any time during the months of September and October. Go to www.kidneywalk.ca, click on Walk Locations and Walk Anywhere for more information.
If you have any further questions or need help registering, please contact Erika at email@example.com or 519-977-9211. We really hope to see you out this year!
Location Information
249 Sherk St. Leamington ON


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FOOD: I've had breakfast at the OSU Medical Center once before, about three years ago. We loved the experience so much, we decided to go back. The service is simply amazing, and the accommodations are very comfortable. The breakfast is surprisingly complex. We expected mainly jello and ice chips, but found a full menu that includes eggs, pancakes, turkey sausage patties, home fries, oatmeal, coffee, and juice. It's all delicious.
Ohio State Medical Center
Rhodes Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
Date of Visit: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.
But my favorite item is the new breakfast burrito. His cheeks in particular are very munchable.
Our burrito is called Owen Samuel Dekker. He joined us on August 21st at 9:00 a.m. He, his mother, and his big brother Will are all doing very well.
What a sweet photo. Congratulations to you and your family.
What a neat post! Congrats on the cute little guy!
Congratulations, etc.
Congratulations. It's funny that we (HSH members) were joking with Beth at the SoHud project about her delivering the next day following all that running around. Good thing we didn't make her climb the scaffolding 🙂
Ooh, yummy!Congratulations!
AHH!!! I love it!!!
*hugs* and congratulations to your entire family!I'm a new resident to Westerville and stumbled upon your blog. Thank you so much for your reviews – I'm looking forward to reading more and following you on your adventures and trying some of these places out. Good luck on your book and with the baby!


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About Us
Dave Hakstol Not to Blame For Flyers' Sub-Par Play
By Adele Tippett Hot off an overtime win on Saturday against the Sharks, the Flyers hoped to clinch a win in regulation against the Flames. Wayne Simmonds, scoring his first overtime goal, vaulted the Flyers to a 27-22-7 record, putting them 5th in the division behind the Rangers. It might be easy to attribute Saturday's win to the force that is Wayne Simmonds; but it's not as easy to place the blame on the lackluster performance the team has been putting on since the win streak back in December. Many blame the sub-par defense and lack of secondary scoring, more blame the coach, Dave Hakstol. So what's the problem? There are a multitude of reasons, but the blame cannot fall entirely on Hakstol. You can blame him for his excessive line scrambling or for sitting players for an unreasonable amount of time. To blame him for the average to downright poor performance the team has been putting on, starts to downplay the bigger reasons. It's no secret the Flyers weren't a serious cup contender this season. Despite their record, which is streaky at best, the Flyers have no depth. Without depth, the team is unable to adapt and when that happens, the same mistakes are made repeatedly night after night. It's impossible to rely on 2-3 people to carry the team because eventually, those players become burnt out. The reason for the hot streak was simply because the team itself was hot. No depth and no consistency creates the streaky play we have been subjected to and people have had enough. Despite that, we have a short-term memory here in Philadelphia, while not always a bad thing, when it comes to a few wins after a line of losses, cup chatter starts up again. The Flyers will not win the cup this year or even next year I wager. Trust the process of our young players' development and the plan that Hextall and Hakstol have in place for the future. An expression comes to mind somewhere along the lines of putting lipstick on a pig. The excessive line changes and sitting players is all the lipstick that Hakstol is trying to put on the current roster he has been dealt. How it's been handled and the effectiveness of those moves varies on the night and the player. My opinion is to just ride out this season and look for better times ahead. Where the future is concerned, Hextall has us covered and my faith is in his hands.


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In my MFA in Creative Writing program we take three kinds of classes: craft courses, seminar courses, and workshop courses.
In the craft courses we focus in a particular area of craft. In my most recent poetry craft class we concentrated our study on the line, the element of poetry that makes it most unique from other types of writing. You usually know a poem when you see it because instead of letting the margins of the page determine line lengths, the poet determines the length of the line.
In the seminar courses we focus on reading and studying the type of writing we want to produce or the body of writing from which our contemporary works were born. Next term I'll be reading a lot of great poetry from the "middle generation."
In the workshop courses our time is devoted to writing and responding to our own work. I generally write a new poem each week and submit it to my professor and classmates before we meet. They each take the time to read and respond to my draft – marking strengths and weaknesses, challenging each word choice, asking questions to clarify my meaning or the poem's situation. I do the same for each of them.
Then in class we take turns putting our poem "up for workshop." During this time the other students and the professor discuss my poem while I sit quietly and take furious notes. I'm not allowed to talk because what I want is to get their impression of the poem without my clarifications. I want to hear what a fellow poet sees in my poem as it is on the page.
I feel like the workshop classes are one of the things about my program that I can't replicate on my own. I can read any number of fantastic books (assuming I have the motivation to do so) on craft. I can stay up-to-date on contemporary poetry by subscribing to journals, visiting the library, or even being online. I already have a recommended reading list full of "essential poets" that is longer than I will ever have time to finish. I can do all of this alone, technically. (I have to admit, if I wasn't able to sit in class each week with my classmates, I would miss the conversations surrounding all of this reading though.)
What I can't do alone is read my poems from an outside perspective. It's kind of astonishing to me, really, how different a poem reads to someone else. Almost without fail, if I go into workshop feeling confident about a poem, it gets deconstructed in a pretty major way. And likewise, often when I feel that I have a weaker offering it amazingly finds a more positive response. (More about all of this another day.) My writing as improved the most as a result of these workshops. I love and hate them. But I wouldn't be as proud of my improvement as a writer if I didn't have them. I know that much.
And even though I can't replicate this part of my MFA alone, that doesn't mean it can't be replicated outside of an MFA program. It certainly can. Just not alone. Good writers become good writers with help: a circle of friends, a classroom of peers, or even an online community of strangers. (More about this later as well.) It can be replicated outside of the MFA program, it just can't be replicated alone. You can't be your only reader.
It is a great myth of the writing world that writers do their best work in solitude. Maybe that is true at certain stages of the writing process: I can't get a word typed on a new poem if my husband is looking at my screen! But the entire process can't be navigated alone unless you only want to write for yourself. Then it would probably work just fine, although I'm much happier with my own writing after someone else has had a look at it and I've made revisions according to the best combination of our thoughts. It's a fascinating form of semi-collaboration.
Do you let others read what you write? If you aren't in a formal program, do you think you could find a workshop substitute? What would it look like?