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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The U.S. dollar rallied against key rivals on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve released meeting minutes suggesting the pace of labor-market gains is getting quicker.
Improvements in the jobs market may pull forward the timing of hikes to key lending rates, the minutes of the last policy meeting indicated. Nonetheless, the minutes showed a growing divide among Fed officials in the assessment of the pace of those gains, and any improvement continues to depend on new data.
On Friday, Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen will give a speech at the Jackson Hole economic symposium, which may add further color on the jobs market.
The dollar bought 103.76 Japanese yen USDJPY, -0.02% on Wednesday jumping over ¥103 for the first time since April. The currency pairing traded at ¥102.91 late Tuesday. The yen fell earlier in the session when Japan logged a larger-than-expected trade deficit in July.
The euro EURUSD, -0.0176% fell to $1.3264 on Wednesday from $1.3321 late Tuesday, closing firmly below $1.33.
"This relatively marginal hawkish shift has reinvigorated the rally in the greenback, taking the EURUSD down to test key Fibonacci support in the 1.3250 area, while USDJPY bulls look to target previous resistance in the 104.00 zone," said Matt Weller, senior technical analyst at Forex.com, in a note.
Also read: When PIIGS fly, everything you know about euro crisis is wrong, says Matthew Lynn
The U.S. dollar index DXY, -0.13% , which measures the greenback against key rivals, rose to 82.222 from 81.876 on Tuesday, marking a fresh 11-month high.
The British pound GBPUSD, +0.1150% changed hands at $1.6598, down from $1.6621. Minutes released by the Bank of England showed dissent among policy members about when the central bank should begin raising rates.
Also read: Inflation may still hold back BOE rate hike
Providing critical information for the U.S. trading day. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Need to Know newsletter. Sign up here.


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Saturday, March 6, 2010
My Cantina - 5 Mar 2010
While my sister did have somewhat of cold room it was quite small and could not fit the amount of food and drink that serve to keep my father entertained (and my mother busy) for many months of the year. Of course, it wasn't long before they discovered that my little home had the perfect Cantina and so, each year, for at least a few months, I inherit the salami's while they cure.
Salami's of course include cappicola's, sausages, prosciutto's and just about any other dried and cured Italian pork meat you can think of. Once dried, my parents vacuum seal some of the meats (because putting them in oil is no good for the "colestraolo") and they slice the rest throughout the year as company comes over.
6 comments :
- Lynn Palermo said...
Thanks for your post, it brought back great memories of my mother-in-laws cantina. My mother also had one but being a 5th generation Canadian family we called it the fruit cellar. I remember seeing Nonna's and thinking how much more exotic her's was then my mother's or even mine today.
- March 6, 2010 at 9:23 AM
- nuccia said...
Mine is not as great as my Mom's was either but all things considered it is serving it's purpose! lol
- March 6, 2010 at 10:28 AM
- Thomas MacEntee said...
Wonderful! Well I guess my Irish great grandmother had something of a cantina in the basement but her products were different:
anything canned from peaches to green beans even pie fillings like rhubarb
sauerkraut in the crocks - I remember on hot days when they would explode from the fermentation
pickles in similar crocks or canned (bread and butter style were the best!)
- March 6, 2010 at 10:57 AM
- nuccia said...
I would have loved to be in that Cantina Thomas. I remember canning peaches the first year we bought this house. They were so good! Unfortunately the tree fell over the following year so good bye peaches!
- March 6, 2010 at 11:42 AM
- NickMGombash said...
That's awesome! If I wasn't sick to my stomach I'd so be craving salami right now.. haha
- March 7, 2010 at 1:11 PM
- nuccia said...
I heard you were sick Nick. Thought it was strange when I didn't see you online Saturday morning. Feel better *sending hugs*
- March 7, 2010 at 8:49 PM

subset: commoncrawl


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Celebrating illustration, design, cartoon and comic art of the mid-20th century.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Fred Ludekens on Clarity and Content
Q: What is the most important element in a good advertising illustration?
A: I believe that the basic picture requirement is clarity, and simultaneously, the right content. Clarity and content are synonymous. It little matters how beautiful, compelling and interesting the surface of a picture might be if it does not say the right thing and say it clearly.
The volume of advertising is tremendous. The differences in most products minute. Attention is a major problem. Any time you can "write copy" in a picture using three quarters of the space - or in television clearly demonstrate or explain the idea visually - you are way ahead. You get attention and you get it centered right on the idea.
This takes illustration beyond its role of illustrating words. It becomes a language in itself. It can however only be "successful" if the picture maker is sympathetic, knowledgeable, and objective in his thinking in order to fulfill the requirements of the problem. He is interested primarily in communicating to his audience clearly and convincingly - the promise and benefit of the idea. The means by which he does it should always be planned to do only this, not to dilute the idea.
Q: What, in your opinion, is the value of the picture to the total creative effort in advertising?
A: Offhand I would say it is the instant communication of the idea. In advertising, the picture should be good copy. I believe it should do more than illustrate. It should appeal to the mind and have something to say of substance and meaning.
Often text is written describing the picture, usually saying what the picture has already said. In advertising, I think the picture has a job to do and the text should only say what the picture cannot - the reason, the benefit, the price, and so on.
Q: What contribution does a good illustration make to an advertisement?
A: Content! Content is what you are drawing. That is more important than how you draw. I observe that at this time we are on a "technique jag," which gets in the way of clear communication.
Q: How much of the fundamental copy job rests on the picture?
A: As much as possible. I believe the right picture can be very clear and convincing in setting up sales proposition and interesting people. For the average product little text is necessary. People in advertising are basically copy minded and their idea of a picture is something to illustrate their words. A good picture man with advertising sense can make an outstanding contribution to advertising.
Continued tomorrow.
* My Fred Ludekens Flickr set
10 comments:
Very interesting post, Leif. Thanks.ReplyDelete
I've been giving thought lately to the subject of narrative ambiguity in art content, and clarity is certainly the other side of the coin. For story illustration or advertising it's critical, but less so for "fine art" where allowing multiple levels of interpretation in a single work is often a primary concern.
Hi Fred Ludeken fansReplyDelete
I am the lucky owner of a FL illustration of a paddleboat bruning—Prairie Queen. I'm hoping some of you may have seen the publication this ran in.
You can see it atthis link, and I appreciate any help you can provide.
Interesting comment dclemons. If the fine artist's objective or goal is clarity, those that are successful at accomplishing that, would be narrowed to very few. It has always annoyed me that fine artists seem to be able to get away with bad drawing, bad design, bad communications, bad ideas, and bad art, in the name of innovation, creativity, expression, etc. I am aware that there are some excellent painters in the field today, however... and there seems to be a market for quality fine art that the public can easily relate to.ReplyDelete
I don't think art school's and many art instructors have ever been very good at teaching effective communications through art. When I was studying illustration in the late 50's and early 60's, composition, design, technique, degree of looseness and finding your personal style, was the emphasis, not communications and content, so much. Much of what they were teaching had little value when I started working at my first job in a full service art studio, and had to deal with the real world of illustration. Later, when I was teaching part time, I tried to teach my students real world illustration. About half of them were disappointed and some even resentful, because they felt learning to do illustration assignments that communicated an idea clearly, became restrictive and not much "fun".
Tom Watson
db; I think you're right about that - although I think good editorial art can include multiple levels of interpretation and a certain amount of ambiguity as well and perhaps that's why so many illustrators who wanna be fine artists (but not the starving type) seem to migrate to editorial.ReplyDelete
You know what I found really interesting about Fred Ludekens' emphasis on clarity and content is how much it reminds of John Buscema's "chalk talk" from The Comics Journal #226, Aug 2000. Buscema told young artists "Your problem is to tell a story the best possible way, the fastest possible way."
That's a philosophy he learned as a comp and storyboard artist at Cooper studio rival, Fredman-Chaite. Buscema was what Ludekens called "a good picture man with advertising sense".
Another interesting parallel between Ludekens the ad artist and the storytelling mission of good comics art: Ludekens says "I think the picture has a job to do and the text should only say what the picture cannot"
That sentiment echoes everything I've ever learned about sequential art storytelling.
Ludekens: "I observe that at this time we are on a "technique jag," which gets in the way of clear communication."
Bro-ther! Does that ever sound like what's happened again and again in comics in the last couple of decades!
Anyway -- just my observation that there are (at least according to fred Ludekens) some interesting similarities between these two forms of illustration.
From my own art school experiences I can recall students for whom content was important who struggled to find ways to be as vague as possible with the imagery in their work. The reasoning was that this piece would hopefully hang on someones wall for years, and if too much was told right off the bat then it would be less appealing in the long term, if that makes sense.ReplyDelete
I'm not sure how effective that strategy was since I'd be just as happy with a clear straight forward Ludekens on my wall as anything less so. It's a form of communicaton, so I think the viewer brings their side of the story with them to an extent.
One could certainly go back to the 19th century and further to find content driven art that was presented in an obvious manner. It may be a vanishing discipline, however, at least where "fine art" is concerned.
This blog is great! I'm really happy to have stumbled onto it. I appreciate your dedication to it.ReplyDelete
Thanks for sharing.
db; I'll be curious to hear what you think after reading today's (Wed.'s) installment where Ludekens addresses questions about the influence of fine art on illustration.ReplyDelete
saskia; its from the Saturday Evening Post. If you follow the link to my Fred Ludekens flickr set at the end of each day's post you'll get all the publication info for each image I present.ReplyDelete


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Editors' note (June 19, 2015): Apple has discontinued the 2012 iPad Mini reviewed here as of June 2015. You should instead consider the 2013 iPad Mini 2 or 2014 iPad Mini 3 models.
The tablet landscape, at the smaller-screened end, has become about pricing. Or so it seems. Don't tell that to the iPad Mini. Apple's long-awaited, and finally real, tinier tablet is remarkably thinner and lighter than its big-boned, newly arrived
Certainly, the tablet playing field -- especially when it comes to media -- is leveling. The Kindle's book, video, and app ecosystem is impressive in its own right. The Nook has made gains with its apps and services. Android has Google Play. Regardless, none of these can truly compare to the breadth of content from Apple's App Store and iTunes. The App Store is Apple's great gold mine, and the iPad Mini's price seems to be banking on you knowing that. And, in that sense, the iPad Mini may be worth its price.
But, the original iPad hit a sweet-spot $499 price that few competitors could match. The Mini's price is about $130 higher than many similar 7-inch tablets that undercut it. It's even more expensive than some newly arriving 8.9-inch tablets from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
The iPad Mini is really a shrunken-down
What's unique about the Mini? Without a doubt, it's the design. It's cute, it's discreet, and it's very, very light. It feels like a whole new device for Apple. It's light enough to hold in one hand, something that wasn't really true of the iPad if held for extended periods of time. It's bedroom-cozy. Other full-fledged 7-inch tablets feel heavier and bulging by comparison.
This is a new standard for little-tablet design. It makes the iPad feel fresh. After a week of using the iPad Mini, it seems to find a way to follow me everywhere. It's extremely addictive, and fun to use.
But oh, that screen. It's not bad, not at all, but it's not a Retina Display. It's not even as high-res as screens on other 7-inch tablets. If you're obsessive about crisp text, you'll notice the fuzziness. If you're comparing the Mini with a laptop, you won't. I wanted that display to be as good as the one on the
Is the iPad Mini worth its premium, at nearly $130 more than some of the competition? If you're looking to get an iPad for the least amount of money, the answer is yes. If you're investing in iOS-land for the first time, this is a very good starting point.
A Retina Display and a lower price would have made the iPad Mini perfect. The fourth-gen iPad, in contrast, is a superior device under the hood, with much faster performance and a better-quality screen. Still, for many people, the Mini will be preferable because it's less expensive and perfectly portable. For others, it'll be the second iPad -- the kid iPad, the beach iPad. I love this iPad; I'm just not sure I need to own it.
(Editors' note: Updated on November 30 with an added section after testing the LTE version of the Mini.)
Regardless of your feelings about the Mini's price, or its A5 processor and non-Retina 7.9-inch display, here's what you'll notice when you pick it up: it's really shockingly nice to hold.
The iPad Mini is a design shift from the iPad, and perhaps the biggest one in the iPad's entire history. Despite how popular the iPad's been, it's not really a device that's very comfortable to use when you're not sitting down or at a desk. It's a use-when-you-get-there device, or use-when-comfortably-seated. An iPhone or iPod Touch is truly mobile, and the iPad is only halfway there.
That's not the case for the Mini. The iPad Mini is an extremely easy-to-hold tablet that, despite its wider form, feels as light as a Kindle. Not a Kindle Fire, but a Kindle. At 0.28 inch thin and 0.68 pound (0.69 for the LTE versions), it's the slimmest and lightest 7-inch-range tablet around, although it has a larger footprint (7.87 inches by 5.3 inches). It's thinner than an iPhone 5, and seems proportionally as razor-thin as the new iPod Touch.
In fact, the iPad Mini feels very much like the new Touch, even down to the curved wraparound aluminum shell and flat back. It lies down far more flatly than the fourth-gen iPad, more like a wafer. The headphone jack at the top and Lightning connector and speakers at the bottom are carved into less tapered, more curved side edges. Around the front glass is an angled aluminum bezel like on the iPhone 5.
The white model, which I reviewed, has a standard aluminum back. The black model has a slate-colored anodized aluminum, giving it that same "stealth" look as the iPod Touch.
The iPad Mini's extremely whittled-down side bezels are much less conspicuous than the larger iPad's bezels, which always made it resemble a MacBook screen that had floated away from its keyboard. The Mini truly feels like a large iPod Touch, which is exactly what we used to call the iPad back in 2010. It's far more apt now.
You probably won't think that, though, because the iPad Mini won't easily fit in your pocket, or even your jacket pocket. It's more of a purse, small bag, or large-coat-pocket device. It'll fit wherever you'd fit a softcover book.
The construction feels solid, stellar, fun to hold. The home button clicks crisply. It doesn't feel like a lower-priced product in your hands. It might be, in terms of form, the most addictive iOS product in existence. And it's perfectly sized for kid hands. It's far more suited for use in cars and traveling.
But the Mini shouldn't be a surprising product. A device smaller than the iPad that can run apps? That's always existed. That's called the iPhone. The really impressive feat of the iPad Mini, the surprise, is that it seems to handle all the iPad's normal duties while being shrunken down. All except effortless onscreen typing, although it comes close.
Gripping, swiping, and typing: Thumbs and fingers
So, what about that smaller bezel? Holding it suddenly becomes a delicate-seeming proposition. I worried I'd accidentally start an app with my big palms, or turn a page by accident. That didn't happen to me. Apple has worked finger-rejection technology into the hardware and software of the iPad Mini that's context-dependent. All I know is that when reading books on the Kindle app or iBooks, I found holding on the side wasn't a problem. When I typed, the entire edge-to-edge surface became sensitive to my entire hand.
In landscape mode, the longer and thicker top and bottom bezel come in handy: it offers more of a grip when viewing videos, and I found that it also helped make the iPad Mni comfier when playing games.
The tweener size of the Mini means you can hold it in portrait mode and thumb-type like on an iPhone or iPod. It works pretty well, for the most part. I was even able to thumb-type in landscape mode, with a little stretching. Typing more traditionally works better than I expected, although I became more of a finger hunt-and-pecker than a spread-finger typist. The 7.9-inch display certainly isn't as wide as the average laptop keyboard, and the virtual keys, while well-sized, require a bit of adjustment to use.
You can also hold the iPad Mini in one hand and thumb-swipe, but I wouldn't recommend it. It's not as intuitive as on an iPhone, although it could be fine for simple page-turning taps.
The screen: Retina-free
Your feelings about the iPad Mini's screen will all depend on how much time you've spent with Retina Displays or high-pixel-count devices. If you own a recent iPhone or the last iPad, you'll feel that this screen is blurry. Text isn't as sharp. The pixels per inch don't even match what's available on a Kindle Fire HD or
All three cost considerably less than the iPad Mini, and all three have much higher, denser pixel counts. The iPad Mini's 7.9-inch screen has more physical real estate in terms of square inches (let's just call it an 8-inch screen, because it very nearly is), but fewer pixels per inch. You're trading size for high-res crispness.
So, the iPad Mini not only has a lower-resolution screen than much of the competition, but it's probably the least impressive screen of Apple's 2012 stable of iOS devices. The iPod Touch, iPhone 5, and fourth-gen iPad all seem brighter, more vibrant, and far higher-definition.
However, if you've used an iPad 2, the text is crisper. It's readable, even with smaller fonts such as those used in e-mail. With games and videos, you won't notice quite as much because graphics and videos are often in constant motion. Even there, though, I could see a clear difference playing HD videos and a variety of games. The IPS display has excellent wide-angle viewing, and it's very bright. It may not be as good as a Retina Display, but it's every bit as good as the iPad 2's screen. I held both up side by side and found the colors and vibrancy to be similar, although the iPad Mini is less bright at its highest setting.
In deeper, in-depth tests using CNET's TV-testing equipment, the iPad Mini's display was revealed to indeed be less bright at its highest setting, but also less color-accurate than the nearly-perfect Retina Displays on the iPhone 5 and third and fourth-gen iPads. When looking at photos or movies, you can definitely tell the difference side-by-side.
Even if, for all the incredible design that the iPad Mini has going for it otherwise, that screen feels like a comparative letdown, there's big ace in the iPad Mini's hole. A huge one, actually. It has to do with aspect ratio.
This 7.9-inch display isn't 16:9 like the iPhone 5 or most Android tablets. That means the screen width is wider, more like a page of a book. It's the same as on the iPad, but on this smaller screen, with the iPad Mini's shrunken-down side bezels like an iPod Touch, it feels extra-wide. Web pages fit more across the screen, allowing the text to be bigger. More importantly, digital magazines and illustrated books can be rendered without squishing down too much.
Apple's made a big deal of this, but let me tell you the real killer apps here: the future of digital publications. Textbooks. Basically, any layout-sensitive graphically intensive e-books. The iPad Mini doesn't squish that content down like what often happens to it on 16:10 7-inch screens. An iBooks version of DK Publishing's "Dinosaurs" looked wonderful and engaging. So did the kids' book/app "Bobo Explores Light."
Maybe most impressively, nearly every larger iPad app I've thrown at it feels usable and comfortable at this smaller screen size. Board games with tiny buttons, media-editing apps, games with virtual control pads, and even using the onscreen virtual keyboard. It's book-size, but the apps feel largely the same.
iPad Mini as e-reader
You could be of two minds about this. Yes, the non-Retina Display means text that's less sharp. It feels like a miscalculation on a device so clearly targeted at reading. Yet, hold the iPad Mini back a foot and increase the font size, and you probably won't notice.
The more booklike 4:3 aspect ratio and its more natural compatibility with PDF files, comics, magazines, and layout-sensitive graphic novels give the iPad Mini an edge over other 7-inch tablets. For pure text, the Mini may not be the best. For other media, it has its advantages, even without a Retina Display. I never found myself unable to enjoy a magazine or book, although I did find myself wishing the resolution were sharper (reading the "Dark Knight Returns" comic, in particular).


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We pride ourselves in being a small program in which every faculty member knows every geology major personally.
Our students are our primary focus. We have seven geology faculty members, each specializing in one of the major branches of geology. All classes and all labs are taught by faculty members.
Our geology program requirements were designed with students' futures in mind. We prepare our students with enough fundamental understanding of geology to succeed in graduate school, and provide the practical field experience needed to succeed as career geologists. Our course requirements were chosen to parallel the subjects on the Professional Geologist licensing exam.


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Michelle Sponseller needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 20 designs submitted by 8 freelance designers.
Dickens' Christmas Festival
Downtown Mt. Pleasant...in downtown Mt. Pleasant you'll find something for everyone from charming specialty shops to fantastic dining options to amazing special events. Whether you're looking for a day out with friends, planning your next business lunch or a romantic night out on the town, make downtown Mt. Pleasant your next destination!
All ages. Family oriented.
Please note that although we call this event "Dickens' Christmas Festival" we have many elements to the event that are not "dickens-ish" such as a lighted Christmas parade, pancake breakfast with santa, and community Christmas sing. So, feel free to design outside the traditional dickens-ish realm.
Should include event dates - December 4 & 5, 2009 and location - downtown Mt. Pleasant.
Full color. Not too busy. Original art only. No clip art.
Artwork will be used on posters, flyers, brochures, etc.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Law School Discussion
Specific Groups => Minority and Non-Traditional Law Students => Topic started by: azoraraine on January 10, 2008, 05:14:33 PM
addenda - too many?
Post by:
January 10, 2008, 05:14:33 PM
Hi all,
I am getting ready to submit my app to my one and only dream school, and I'm at the 25th for LSAT, so I'm trying to dot every i. One problem I'm having is that I'm nearly 40 and have lived a sort of non-traditional life, even for a non-trad. I tried to be a painter for a while (supported by my my ex husband, a lawyer), I took a semester of computer courses after UG, which I totally bombed...I guess I am wondering, how many addenda should I really write for all of this? Do they expect some blips on the resumes of people my age, and do I really have to explain every year of my life to these folks? I am happy to provide the information, but I do not want my application to land with a thud. My P.S. is quite strong at this point, my LORs are great, I have a high-powered part-time job that I've had for 4 years (through 3 babies in 17 months, a kid born with problems, domestic abuse, divorce - oh, my P.S. is quite juicy). I feel like the general impression I give is of someone who had academic promise but lost their path, had kids - and then got their poo together for the common good.
So...Do I write an addendum for the semester of computer courses? The years of trying to paint landscapes? The couple years of waiting tables to support my law student husband?
Thanks for any help. I am stressed.
Re: addenda - too many?
Post by:
January 10, 2008, 06:33:26 PM
Yeah, but my PS is already full of BS;-) I think you're right, though, if I want to address the spotty work history, that's where I'll need to do it. Still don't know about the computer classes, though. It obviously didn't affect my LSAC GPA, but it makes me look even flakier than I really am:( I'm not a natural-born spinner, so this stuff is killing me. Thanks for the help!
Re: addenda - too many?
Post by:
January 10, 2008, 07:45:05 PM
For what it's worth I do not have quite as colorful a past, but have spent 25 years since my first 3 years of college and finishing (this year). I chose to focus my PS on who I am today. I sent one addendum which then talked about my life and how and why (and what I learned) there was a two decade hiatus between junior and senior year. I didn't specifically address individual issues but talked about the experience of "growing up" as kind of single continuum. Take this with a grain of salt, however, since I only recently sent in my apps and haven't gotten in anywhere yet.
Re: addenda - too many?
Post by:
January 11, 2008, 05:16:35 AM
This sort of situation has to be pretty common for non-trads. Unlike most applications right out of college, we've had a life that we've lived. I know few people at our age who still work in a position related to the degree in the field that got their undergraduate in, and who don't have multiple jobs and growth and set backs in their lives.
Turn your lemons into lemonade. State that this is what you've done, and put a positive spin on it. Then also stress how you can bring these experiences to benefit the class room and your law degree. You have experiences that virtually none of the college grads will be able to bring to the table. Depending on what area you wan to focus on, that can be a powerful enhancement IMHO.
For reference, I designed my PS to be a reflection of where I've been, the right and wrong choices I've made, where I want to go, how I can bring my experiences to be beneficial to the other students, and how what I've done and where i want to go are still related to the course of law I want to study.
Of course, I haven't gotten any acceptances or rejections yet, so this approach could be completely the wrong way to go.
Re: addenda - too many?
Post by:
January 11, 2008, 07:29:36 AM
Remove the BS from your personal statement and replace it with substantive material. I am ten years younger, but I played on my diverse interests and multiple colleges/majors (I have five on my report, although only 3 were involved in my undergraduate career, it isn't that obvious) past as a strength showing that I have pursued my interests even if they did not pan out to be a career path that I chose to follow. Reflecting on this and then showing how I have focused on a certain aspect in the last few years, while utilizing bits of my diverse history to assist with perspective, I hope, reveals that I possess the consistency that I did not when I was 20. I also hope it makes me look like I will add to the diversity of the school.
Re: addenda - too many?
Post by:
January 11, 2008, 08:14:58 AM
Well, I say BS, but I focused on what I am most proud of, keeping my high-stress job as the managing editor of a start up scientific journal (which is flourishing) while having 3 kids (one who was born with a disability) - while also having a husband who slid into substance/domestic abuse, divorcing, etc. I will probably delete this in a few days, as that's TMI, but I'm having problems finessing this and could use advice...I have been told by people with some knowledge of my school's preferences that my unusual family situation would probably give me an edge, so I am sort of loathe to mess with that stuff at this point.
I have about 200 words left, where I could perhaps talk a little about my circuitous path, or I could put that stuff in an addendum or diversity statement. Any thoughts?
Thanks so much for the help so far. Still freaking out. My ex has lost his job, so getting into school means so much more - health insurance and diapers, for instance;-)
Re: addenda - too many?
Post by:
January 11, 2008, 08:53:13 PM
I grew up in Chapel Hill in the eighties, so I am familiar with that record cover;-) Thanks for the advice - Hoping to get some time away from the kids this weekend, bc if I don't send this app in soon I will surely need to be confined to an attic.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I was hanging out on boards with younger applicants, and there was a problem with scale. They were worried bc they got a B+ on a paper once, and missed a frat charity breakfast or something, and I'm missing entire YEARS, lol.
Re: addenda - too many?
Post by:
Moe Zhust
February 02, 2008, 02:42:15 PM
Anna Ivey's book has the best advice I've seen on addenda.
Briefly: if you have a glaring weakness, address is straightforwardly and succinctly. You don't want to sound like a whiner, nor do you want to call attention to multiple problems. Raises the question, well, what CAN this person do right?
Secret to a good PS is focus. Don't try to address too much. Pick ONE of those life-changing struggles, challenges, and triumphs and write about it vividly and frankly.
Good luck!
"Never apologize, never explain." -- Hunter S. Thompson.
Re: addenda - too many?
Post by:
February 02, 2008, 07:35:06 PM
Thanks, Matt.
I stuck to one addendum for something that really needed addend-ing;-). I didn't alter my PS too much - - just mentioned that my life had taken a few turns here and there. Unfortunately, I found a comma splice in that part after I sent it, but what's done is done.
Thanks for taking the time to answer! The next month of waiting is going to kill me...
Simple Machines


text:
When you think of customer service, you immediately might picture your salesperson helping secure available rebates or choose the perfect appliance for a tricky space.
And you'd be right.
But our delivery and install crews also deserve much credit for our stellar reputation for customer service. We offer free delivery and freestanding installation in the metro for orders $499 and up, but you get way more than you pay for.
Some purchases are routine replacements with nothing special in terms of selection or installation, but I love the emails from customers who've experienced our expertise in more complicated situations (especially when they come with photos).
Here's a recent email that Susie sent to her salesperson at our Apple Valley appliance store:
I had to take a moment out to again thank you for all your help. It seemed so hopeless when we started to replace the Jenn-Air microwave, but with your help I was encouraged. I never dreamed it would turn out so well. These fellows were priceless.
Quickly they assessed the situation and made a few modifications and soon we were in business.
Unless you had seen the Jenn-Air in place you would think the KitchenAid was made to order. I'm so thrilled we could use the old trim plate.
We are very happy with the new unit and truly appreciate all you did to make it possible. Thanks again, –Susie & Jack


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Moderator: Tuefish
stubby wrote:Looks like I got out just in time, that's where I spent most of the last decade. You can check to see if LUGOLA is still kicking around, although I'm not sure if any of the cool guys show up anymore now that I left.
stubby wrote:Speaking of the yahoo site, I've been trying to figure out how to cancel my membership for ages, I get constant LUGOLA spam to my inbox but I don't seem to be signed up under any of my usual email accounts.
RoC77 wrote:Nice to meet you Daniel, yeah there are a few of us brikwarriors here in LA/OC county areas. Too bad you didn't pop up a week earlier, you just missed a big scrimmage between Natalya, Tuefish & me. I'm still waiting for Natalya's battle report(which will be pretty sweet btw...)
Yeah, there's also the LUGOLA group, don't go to lugnet site, go to their yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LUGOLA/ I was able to snag a few collectable figs from peoples updates.
NatalyaAF wrote:Any of y'all up for another battle before I head back to Atlanta? I'm looking at the weekend of July 10th or the 11th...
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Moderators: Jenise, Robin Garr, David M. Bueker
NOT David Caruso
Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:17 pm
Albany, New York
NOT David Caruso
Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:17 pm
Albany, New York
Covert wrote:we have to enable criminals so that we can vicariously flaunt authority.
I meant to write "flout," not "flaunt."
Achieving Wine Immortality
Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:07 am
Portland, OR
Achieving Wine Immortality
Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:07 am
Portland, OR
Known for his fashionable hair
Mon Mar 20, 2006 5:43 pm
Sacramento, CA
Hoke wrote:Look's like you can be depraved without alcohol. Who'da thunk it?
In the SF Chronicle today there was a report on the man in Santa Monica who drove his Buick through a crowded farmer's market, killing 10 people, and injuring more than 70. He was convicted on 10 counts of felony manslaughter, and could receive up to 18 years in state prison (or get probation).
At least one juror directly cited the man's attitude as a significant part of why she voted guilty. Apparently, after the incident, wherein he continued to plow through people, knocking them down left and right, he said to one of the victims, "You saw me coming, why didn't you get out of my way."
But here's the kicker: it wasn't alcohol related; it was age related. Every news report cited the man's age of 89 and mentioned the controversy over aging drivers and whether restrictions should be placed on them.
So...is it different when you take alcohol out of the equation, folks? Is the action more...or less...heinous when one is drinking and kills people, as against just being old and cranky?
Wine guru
Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:39 pm
Franklin Lakes, NJ
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Our Fitness Blog
The days of flat butts are long gone, (along with feathered bangs!) and instead, a firm curvy butt is now a sought after feature. Are you happy with your rear end or have you been accused of taking the following prescription:
Rx…..No-assitol pills?
If the latter, never fear…the perky butt solution is here!
9Round does not fail to hit that backside, hence perking, firming and lifting that booty! Lunges and squats are automatic butt lifters. These muscles work the legs, yes, but they also target the glutes… big time!
Targeting the glutes, or buttock muscles, is obviously important for a shiny new hiney. When you do squats and lunges, make sure you are keeping form correct. This is critical or you'll get HALF THE RESULTS, so listen up:
When coming UP from a lung or squat, keep all the weight in the HEELS of your supporting foot or feet. This engages the butt muscles and makes them do the lifting. As you get stronger, you'll notice you can squeeze your butt muscles all the way down and up, thus, making your butt do 80% of the lifting, and getting a better return on your sweaty investments. I like to think of the butt as two smiles, one on each side. If you focus squeezing those "smiles" going down and up during squats and lunges, you'll get stronger, faster!
Now, there's a lot of other ways 9Round disguises butt exercises into the circuit:
Lunge hops and squat hops as well as sidekicks on the heavy bags and butt blasters under the station 7 bag (aka donkey kicks).
Here are a few more upLIFTing tips: when doing sidekicks and donkey kicks, also focus on the HEEL hitting the bag. Your butt will be burning hot! In more ways than one…
When you are doing any squats or lunges with a medicine ball or any weights in your hands (for instance at station 2) remember to go as heavy as you can and still safely and complete the reps with proper form. Heavier weights are going to build more muscle and give you a higher, rounder derriere!
Combining this knowledge with the already amazing full body workouts you're getting at 9Round could possibly cause side effects such as: extra attention when you're leaving a room. Remember, full body workouts are key because the smaller your waist and legs, the more your butt muscles will have the chance to stand out and show. A smaller waist emphasizes a great butt, and a proportioned body is really key to make your butt one of your best features. Working all muscles in harmony, and CONSISTENTLY, is the ticket to head to toe confidence. It has worked for me, a mom of two kids and NOT a person genetically gifted in the rear end area!
For glutes that salute, think 9Round!


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This tandem is just mid-blowing. With a 44cm captain's seat tube and 42cm stoker, this bike has the lowest standover for any tandem this side of a Bike Friday. Judging by the components, I'd say that Landshark's John Slawta built this bike in the mid-1990s. If I had a girlfriend who was a) really into cycling and b) even shorter than me, I'd buy this tandem. It's steel, has one of Landshark's crazy paint schemes, and weighs just 34-lbs with pedals. 23mm tires are awfully skinny for a tandem though, but Terry Cycles markets some 650Cx28mm rubber. Or maybe I'd build up some 26" wheels and use longer reach calipers with some 26×1.25" Panaracers.
Post to Match.com:Seeking former gymnast for a fast relationship.


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Dr. Ben Braun, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kentucky will present the departments' final Fast Talk of the semester on Friday, November 8 at 3:30 p.m. in Olin 114.
From Egyptian Fractions to the Riemann Hypothesis: The Mysteries of Unit Fractions - Many of the deepest questions in mathematics are rooted in what seem the simplest of objects. In geometry, circles lead to the number we call Pi, while triangles lead to the Pythagorean Theorem and its failure in non-Euclidean geometry. In number theory, the desire to divide natural numbers into equal parts leads us to rational numbers, the simplest of which are of the form 1/n, called unit fractions. In this talk, we will explore some of the fascinating properties of unit fractions, starting in the ancient world and closing in the 21st century. Along the way, we will see a selection of long-standing unsolved problems that are deceptively easy to state.


text: ODU Sports Early Overtime Goal Lifts Radford Past ODU 1-0 September 01, 2013 By ODU Athletics BOX SCORE NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion University women's soccer team (0-4-0) lost a hard fought 1-0 match in overtime to Radford (2-0-1) on Sunday afternoon at the ODU Soccer Complex. The Lady Monarchs and the Highlanders appeared to be evenly matched throughout Sunday's contest. At halftime, ODU led the shot count 4-3 but trailed the corner kick count 6-2. In the second half, ODU was able to create a lot more opportunities. The Lady Monarchs fired off a total of 10 second half shots and eight corner kicks; however, they just could not find the back of the net all day. Old Dominion's defense made halftime adjustments as well, as the Highlanders were only able to attempt three shots and a mere one corner kick in the entire second half. At the end of regulation, the score remained even at 0-0. In overtime, it was the Highlanders who struck quickly to end the match. Playing for a little over a minute in overtime, Radford managed to create a free kick opportunity from 38 yards out. It was then and there that Sydney Golden scored her first goal of the season by sailing the ball over ODU's freshman goalkeeper Meredith Lenox and into the top left portion of the net. Radford, back-to-back Big South champions, was selected as the favorite in the 2013 Big South Conference Preseason Poll. The Highlanders have appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times in the past five seasons. Senior goalkeeper Che' Brown earned the 2012 Big South Defensive Player of the Year award and was named the 2013 Preseason Big South Defensive Player of the Year a couple weeks ago. Brown finished the 2012 campaign ranked No. 11 in the nation with an .880 save percentage and a Big South record 13 shutouts. Radford's senior keeper was also named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's 'Preseason Top 10 Division I Goalkeepers to Watch List'. The Lady Monarchs will return to action this Friday, September 6, at 7 p.m. against George Washington at the ODU Soccer Complex. Be sure to keep up with all the latest news regarding ODU Women's Soccer on Facebook; as well as follow @ODUWomensSoccer on Twitter! SCORING SUMMARYRADFORD - [91:44] GOAL by GOLDEN, SydneySTATSShots: ODU (13), Radford (8)Corners: ODU (10), Radford (7)Saves: ODU-Meredith Lenox (3); Radford-Brown (3)


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The Dogon people of Mali perform ceremonial dances dressed in striking masks and costumes. One such dance honours the dead: every morning and evening for up to six days, masqueraders dance in the village and surrounding fields – even on the deceased's rooftop. Today, the Dogon also perform dances to entertain tourists.
West Africa, Mali
Africa: West Africa, Mali


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Utility and offroad vehicles compose two related segments of the U.S. auto market. SUVs are considered utility vehicles. Although many have offroad capabilities, they are popular with families or people who live in regions with challenging winter weather. These vehicles are unlikely to be frequently driving offroad. Offroad vehicles are a portion of the SUV market, but are primarily marketed to weekend warriors and adventurers who plan to drive unpaved, rugged mountain roads on a regular basis.
About Utility and Offroad Vehicles
Offroad vehicles are capable of driving on paved as well as unpaved surfaces. Most of these models come in four-wheel or all-wheel drive. Vehicles of this kind initially became popular after World War II when a flood of military jeeps found their way onto the market. Drivers appreciated the utility of jeeps and soon, driving offroad emerged as a recreational activity.
Jeep began to produce commercial models of the vehicle, and it wasn't long before a number of other manufacturers entered the market. During the 1950s and 1960s, Jeep competed for market share with vehicles like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Range Rover, and Ford Bronco.
Utility and offroad vehicles remained fairly rugged throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. However, in 1984, Jeep introduced a model that would effectively turn the market on its head: the Jeep Cherokee XJ. This innovative vehicle was widely regarded as the first modern SUV. A compact offroad vehicle that was equipped with the comforts of a plush station wagon, the Cherokee XJ struck a resounding chord with drivers across the U.S.
The success of the Cherokee XJ set the stage for the SUV era. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, more and more families began choosing utility vehicles as alternatives to the station wagon, which was popular for decades. Upscale manufacturers soon began producing luxury sport utility vehicles, expanding the market even further.
Used military Humvees found their way onto the market for several years until maker AM General introduced the consumer Hummer in 1992. General Motors then purchased the brand and began manufacturing the vehicle in 1998. The car was popular for several years, but its high cost and poor gas mileage led to its demise in 2010.
Modern drivers appreciate SUVs for their durability, versatility, and the high vantage point they provide when driving. They also offer ample space for passengers and cargo. Offroad enthusiasts appreciate their durability and ability to handle rough terrain.
Utility and Offroad Brand
SUVs come in a variety of brands and styles. Offroad enthusiasts are more likely to prefer less luxurious versions of the SUV. The Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Bronco, and Jeep Wrangler are popular off-roading vehicles. The military Humvee is also prized, but is only available in the used market.
Luxury SUVs dominate a huge share of the market. Popular models include the BMW X6, Volvo XC90, Lexus LX 570, and Cadillac Escalade.
There are also a number of popular Japanese models such as the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Toyota Highlander. Nissan also makes several popular SUVs including the Xterra SUV, Pathfinder, and Rogue, whereas Honda produces the CR-V, Pilot, and more-compact Element.
American auto manufacturers are also responsible for several of the better selling utility and offroad vehicles on the market today. Examples include the Chevrolet Tahoe, Jeep Cherokee, GMC Yukon, and Ford Escape Hybrid.
Who Drives Utility/Offroad Cars?
While they have generally been regarded as rugged vehicles for exploring the great outdoors and off-roading, today's utility and offroad vehicles offer something for everyone.
SUVs have largely taken the place of the station wagon as the standard vehicle for many families with children. While it offers the space for passengers and cargo that station wagons do, it has added advantages of a higher vantage point and greater durability in challenging conditions.
Despite being designed to drive better in difficult weather conditions and over rough terrain, utility and offroad vehicles also make excellent cars for commuters. Many of today's models are as spacious and well-appointed as luxury cars. Their high vantage point and smooth suspensions make them ideal for making your way through traffic. Of course, the Jeep Wrangler will always be the vehicle of choice for outdoors enthusiasts who use their utility/offroad vehicle for what it was truly intended to do.


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This photo taken by Mitsu before all the entries were displayed shows just how many cupcakes there were:
Thirty four entries meant there was a lot of tasting to be done...luckily, we don't shirk from a challenge...we simply grab a fork and get stuck in:
What a tour of the world the cupcakes took us on; from Japanese green tea to Moroccan spices, there were cupcakes representing 19 real countries and one fictional (Oz!). The night was also educational – before cupcakes showed us the way who knew that Ghana's main export was cocoa? Or how to write "vinegar" in Chinese? I can see an ICL 'big book of facts' materialising before long…..
After a mammoth tasting session (by which I mean there were a lot of entries to taste…no one actually submitted mammoth flavour cupcakes…maybe if we ever have an "Ice Age" theme?) that teased and tantalised the taste buds the votes were tallied and the top three on the night were declared…drum roll please:
Winner – June's Japanese Matcha and chocolate cupcakes with Matcha cream cheese frosting
These cupcakes were stunning – to describe them fully they were matcha and chocolate cupcakes filled with a bean paste mousse topped off with matcha cream cheese frosting. Up until tasting all the Japanese themed cupcakes entered, I would have said that I didn't like green tea…but the ICL bakers changed my mind. The flavour was delicate and perfectly matched the soft, spongy cupcake. June's very simple presentation mirrored her Japanese theme and the little pink flower was the perfect topper.
Here's June looking (rightfully) very happy to be declared the winner:
Second place – Marisa's Swiss truffle cupcakes
Topping a rich, gooey, delicious chocolate themed cupcake with a whole Swiss truffle is never going to hurt your chances where I'm concerned and the voting public agreed! This was the sort of cupcake that you bite into then just have to go "Yummmmm" in a very satisfied way! Marisa even made the cute little Swiss flag. Sometimes an intense hit of chocolate makes everything right…these should be available over the counter at Boots!
Here's Marisa being awarded her runner's up prize:
Third place – Eloise's German black forest cupcakes
Eloise almost managed to be the first person to successfully defend the ICL title – close, but not quite! These were a triumph of contrasts – the sweet cherry cutting through the rich chocolate all topped off with a lovely whipped topping. Intense and delicious.
So, that was our top three as voted for by all attendees on the night. Here are the rest…there really is something for everyone so have a drool..I mean read… and see which three you'd have voted for!
Emma's French chocolate and fleur de sel salted caramel cupcakes
I'm a recent convert to salted caramel and love the way the flavours tease the palate and come through at different times. Emma got the salting just right – first you got the rich chocolate and your mouth felt sweet and sticky, then the salt cut through it all but still retaining some sweetness. All this was offset with thick frosting – having sampled four of her entries now, I can categorically declare that Emma makes awesome frosting!
Claire's Canadian Maple and pecan cupcakes
A classic combination that never disappoints this was packed with flavour. The so-whipped-it-was-frothy frosting was divine and worked beautifully with the cupcake. Sometimes, when you use viscous ingredients such as maple syrup the result can be sticky or heavy – not here! The pecans on top provided some texture and we all fought to get them!
Elaine's South African Koeksisters cupcake
If you're wondering what a koeksister is it's a small fried syrup coated doughnut – these were dipped in ginger sauce and cinnamon. Have you noticed the plaited design Elaine worked into it? These cupcakes combined pretty much all my favourite things into one – there was the cinnamon and ginger cupcake topped with Swiss meringue buttercream (like velvet!) topped off with the magnificent koeksister. We all gasped when Elaine started plating these up!
Elaine's South African Rooibos and chocolate cupcakes
Elaine did South Africa proud at ICL! Rooibos is red bush tea (as favoured by Ma Ramotswe in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency). The rooibos and chocolate cupcake was topped with a rooibos Swiss meringue buttercream that had a delicate flavour. The first flavour you got was chocolate then the rooibos came through leaving a lovely, almost bitter, taste that was most refreshing. I'd not tasted rooibos in a cake before and think it was a triumph.
Elaine's South African Peppermint crisp, caramel and coconut cupcake
The cupcake was coconut and topped with a peppermint crisp and caramel cream, with peppermint crisp sprinkled on top. This provided a lovely contrast of textures. I've never teamed coconut with peppermint before but will now – the sweet flavour and texture from the coconut came first, then the peppermint came through and the combination was gorgeous!
Fiona's Japanese Dark chocolate and green tea sushi cupcakes
When I set the "cupcakes of the world" challenge I thought of it solely in terms of ingredients. I love that Fiona took the theme through to the visuals too, topping her cupcake with individual pieces of "sushi" (not really fish – but beautifully modelled sushi from sugar paste and fondant; I mean, just look at the detailing on the prawn!) sitting on sticky rice. The delicate green tea lifted the rich chocolate – quite a delightful combination.
Fiona's French Champagne cupcake
Pretty as a picture and with all the lightness and fizz you'd expect from a glass of good bubbly! These were a stark contrast to Fiona's chocolate and green tea entry – so delicate. In fact, the right term – seeing as they contained champagne – is probably quaffable!
Chrissy's Magical world of Oz
Now this one took me by surprise! I didn't anticipate that we would have entries representing fictional countries! This entry is, of course, in homage to the famous scene in the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy's house squashes the Wicked Witch and only her legs and feet are visible. I think I'd prefer this witch's fate and have a divine chocolate and cherry cupcake fall on me! Stunningly inventive visual aside, the chocolate Ganache on this cupcake was amazing – so smooth and rich. The cherries were juicy and sweet and it was a perfect combination. One lady saw this cupcake being photographed and got concerned as she thought that Dave, our star camera man, had trashed the cupcake! When we pointed out to her it was meant to be like that she visibly relaxed!
Katy's Greek Yoghurt and honey cupcakes
Classic Greek ingredients combined to make a cupcake so fluffy and with frosting so whipped that I could've eaten loads of these! I particularly loved the way that the acidity of the yoghurt cut through the honey meaning that both flavours were so clearly defined in your mouth.
Abi's Caribbean coconut cupcakes
Can you see what Abi's done here? The topping is part beach, part ocean – how cute is that? I am a coconut addict and never find things coconuty enough – these were perfect. I loved the crunch from the 'beach'. My nephew Max, who won't ever touch coconut, tucked into this without knowing what it was and thought it delicious. When I told him it was coconut he smiled and said "but it's lovely!" I noticed his fork heading back to it time and time again! Thanks Abi – you've helped to create another coconut-lover!
Hannah's Indian Cardamom and pistachio cupcakes
This was an extremely popular cupcake within my tasting group as the flavours were subtle but distinct. I always like the colour that pistachio adds to a cupcake and Hannah cleverly picked out the colours of the Indian flag for her decoration for a very elegant look.
Heather's Zambian Honey cupcakes
I had no idea that Zambian honey was so prized for it's smoky taste or that honey was such an important source of income for Zambians. I've said it before and I'll say it again - cupcakes are educational. This cupcake captured everything about honey – the sweet flavour, the sticky texture, the gorgeous amber colour. It also left a beautiful taste in your mouth to savour!
I gather from reading her blog that Heather is soon heading back home to the US, so I'd like to take this opportunity to thank her for her attendance and entries at Iron Cupcake London and wish her well for the future.
Rosie's Chinese sweet and sour cupcakes
Apparently – and I'm trusting you here, Rosie – the word on the cupcake is "vinegar" representing the more general concept of sourness. The sweet was provided by ginger, the sour was lemon. These had a lovely crumbly texture which worked really well with the zingy flavours. I love it when flavours come through at different times and the ginger hit first before the lemon cut through. I bet Rosie never thought her Chinese degree would be put to such good use!
Amanda's Moroccan orange and cardamom cupcakes
OK, let's start with the Fez. Have you ever seen anything cuter in your life? The cupcake was a heady mix of Moroccan flavours. The cupcake and the curd filling were both flavoured with orange and cardamom and the almond buttercream topped it off. This tasted exotic and one bite made you imagine yourself walking around a busy market place buying carpets and lanterns!
Amanda's Spanish Cinnamon and chocolate cupcake
This shows how food is similar yet distinct around the world. Similar in look to Elaine's Koeksister, but quite different in taste, this cupcake cleverly used the elements of churros. The cinnamon and chocolate cupcake was filled with the type of chocolate sauce you'd dip your churros in, the delightful churro sat atop of the cupcake nestling in a sea of Ganache.
Amanda's American Peanut butter and jelly cupcakes
The first inkling you got of these was the intense peanut aroma – it made me want to hasten the fork to my mouth! I have to confess to not being a peanut butter fan when it's on toast or in a sandwich but in a baked item it's lovely, somehow tasting more peanutty than peanuts! Special mention must go to the dinky little American flags topping these cupcakes – so beautifully modelled out of sugar paste.
Kat's Jamaican ginger cupcakes
These were everything that a good Jamaican ginger cake should be – dark, glossy, and so juicy that it's sticky. The rich ginger cake was complimented perfectly by the lighter frosting which lifted the whole taste. I am a sucker for a good ginger cake and this was a very good ginger cake!
Eric's Japanese Green tea cupcake with sweet red bean frosting
Firstly, kudos to Eric for being only our second ever male entrant! Secondly, kudos to Eric for the origami bird on top of the cupcake – I did ask whether it was edible (it wasn't) to avoid any potential embarrassment of Eric seeing me trying to eat his paper bird. Thirdly, kudos to Eric for the cupcake – I had no idea what to expect from the red bean frosting as it's not a flavour I recognise but the overall effect was divine – delicate and exotic. Green tea works so well in baking – I am such a convert!
Nikki's Indian Chocolate curry with creamy Korma coconut icing
Possibly the most shocking of our entries – by which I mean it's the most challenging and outrageous. But it worked! This was an extremely inventive and clever piece of baking because it tasted unmistakably of curry, yet was sweet and so obviously a cupcake. I am not a curry fan as I find the flavours overwhelming and too strong; that wasn't the case here – the spices were flavoursome and tasty. I don't know how Nikki achieved it – she is clearly a mistress of the spice cupboard! My nephew Max described it perfectly, "shocking, but in a really good way".
Katherine's Mexican Chilli and chocolate cupcakes
If we had an award for the blingiest cupcake then no doubt this would win it! I've never seen edible glitter used to such beautiful effect – it was the cupcake that Goldfinger would choose on his visit to the bakery. Katherine spiced these perfectly so that the initial hit of chocolate gave way to the warmth of the chilli. The chilli continued to come through and ended up quite strong but in a lovely warming way.
June's Mexican Coconut cupcake with mango cream cheese frosting and guava jam
This was a heady cocktail of sweetness and tropical flavours. The whipped cream cheese frosting was a triumph and soooooo easy to eat! The frosting was dusted with cinnamon sugar which added a nice contrast to all the fruitiness.
Kayla's American Burger cupcakes
Stunning in look and flavour – how cute (and effective) was it to sprinkle sesame seeds over the bun? The 'bun' was a vanilla cupcake and the 'burger' was a chocolate brownie. The textures were possibly my favourite aspect of this cupcake as I loved biting through the light sponge and then hitting rich, fudge-like brownie. Again, I have to defer to Max's opinion here: "best cupcakes ever"!
Kayla's Japanese Green tea cupcakes
As you are probably realising, Japan was the most popular country choice on the night and I'm not surprised as Green tea and sponge works so well together – the lightness of the sponge compliments the delicacy of the green tea in a way I would never have imagined. These cupcakes tasted so refreshing, which is an unusual thing to say of cakes…but they did!
Kayla's American Peanut butter cupcakes
I think Kayla was spot on to make these as mini cupcakes as they were such an intense hit of flavour that it was nice to treat them like a shot! The rich cupcake topped with the salty peanut butter frosting was quite different to the other peanut butter entries that we had and that's the great thing about ICL – the same ingredients produce such different results for each baker. I love the way Kayla piped the frosting for these – for some reason I see Marge Simpson's hair!
Kate's Ghanaian Cocoa and orange cupcakes
I was further educated with these – Ghana's main export is cocoa. Who knew? Apart from Kate, obviously who told me! Both flavours were instantly identifiable and well balanced. Decorated simply with a slice of chocolate orange that disappeared into Max's mouth in seconds followed by a "yummmm, I love chocolate orange"!
Kate's Sicilian Lemon cupcakes
Packed with juicy lemon and interestingly sweet and sour. Sometimes lemon can be over sweetened and become almost syrupy, or else it will be so tart that you feel it's burning off your tooth enamel – this was neither. It had a real lemony punch and Soo, my lemon loving friend, kept nudging me saying "that is really good. I mean reaaaaallllly good"...maybe they'd made her an offer she couldn't refuse?
Mitsu's Japanese Matcha and chocolate cupcake
Mitsu's entry was 100% vegan friendly. Often you think of such food as being different to 'normal' food but Mitsu proved that is not the case. Her creamy chocolate frosting was divine and I loved the way she layered it with the sponge to create a stunning pagoda of tastiness! I can't wait to see what vegan delights Mitsu creates for future challenges.
Emma's American Peanut butter and strawberry jelly
That's not just a slice of strawberry on the top – oh no, can you see what Emma's done? It's a pretty little heart. Awwwww! The frosting was intensely strawberry and a gorgeous texture. The initial flavour was the strawberry but then the peanut butter came through. I found it a lovely combination as the flavours were strong but not overpowering.
Kelly's American Boston cream pie
What's not to love about a Boston cream pie – sponge, custard and chocolate! Ticks all the boxes! The chocolate Ganache was deliciously rich and smooth and all the flavours worked so well together. A classic cake turned into a classic cupcake!
Eloise's Caribbean Pineapple, coconut and lime cupcakes
I have been lucky enough to visit the Bahamas on several occasions - one bite of Eloise's Caribbean cupcakes and I was back there. Each of the flavours was separate but complimentary. The texture of the shredded coconut topping was divine and the little sugar paste flower – I'm sure it's a Hibiscus – finished the look perfectly.
Alisha's Nepalese (via Starbucks!) Chai tea latte
I have never tasted chai tea before so wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was a scrumptious whipped frosting with a delicately spiced cupcake. Soo, who was a huge fan of the Starbucks chai tea latte and still laments its demise, thought that the cupcake perfectly captured the warmth of the flavour of chai tea. And don't fret – Alisha warned everyone that it was a cinnamon stick and not a flake…not that it stopped Max having a gnaw on it!
So there you have it – all 34 entries. The cupcakes took us on a whirlwind trip around the globe and invited us to dip our taste buds into other cultures. I know we're four challenges in now so I should know what to expect but I still marvel at the inventiveness and quality of the entries.
Thank you to all the talented bakers who entered their miniature works of art, and thanks to our appreciative (and hungry!) eaters for attending so loyally. Without the bakers and the eaters there would be no Iron Cupcake. I think this proves how well all the entries were enjoyed:
Of course one person cannot run such a big competition alone, so I must extend my heartiest thanks to my ace team of Soo, Paul, Max and Dave. Hopefully they can recover and dust themselves off for the next challenge…
As usual, all photos (except where indicated) are the property of Dave Shipman and are reproduced here with his kind permission.
Here's to the October "booze" challenge on Monday 5th October…further details to be announced shortly…
I leave you with our winner and runner up:


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We love to pit one high-end Italian car against another in this series; we've had Ferrari 250 versus Lamborghini Diablo, Espada versus Espada, Ferrari Mondial versus Maserati Coupe, among others. Up until now, however, a Lamborghini has never vied with a Maserati for a place in your Garage Of Eternal Suffering. We've managed to find a couple of quite affordable classics from those two manufacturers, so it's time to triple the size of your tool collection and buy some asbestos coveralls!
You don't see too many Lamborghini Jaramas around, and for good reason: only 327 were built. Yes, 327... so it stands to reason that you could never hope to own one. You can give that pessimism a big negatory, good buddy, because BZR has found this 1974 Lamborghini Jarama 400GT for us. It's been stored since 1986, so that means it's really only 13 years old! Skeptics might ask why it was stored for so long. It seems that there's some crankshaft damage; the seller states only "All parts with the vehicle. Engine rebuild required! Crank scored!" Probable translation: every engine component, down to the smallest fastener, will need rebuilding and/or replacement. You could always drop in a good ol' Chevy engine, but you might as well build a Fieroborghini as do that!
When you think "cheap Maserati," you're probably assuming the next thing you'll see will be the Maserati Biturbo, or maybe the Chrysler TC, and you'll groan "that's not a real Maserati!" Not this time, you pack of Gloomy Giuseppes, because A_Benz_Apart has found us a 1981 Maserati Quattroporte with the Geo Metro-like price tag of just 1,500 bucks! Unlike the Metro, however, this car isn't known for its gas mileage (the mean ol' EPA claimed 8 MPG), but that won't be an issue until you manage to get it to run... which might take some effort. The seller, a master of Hell Project understatement, says only "Sitting for 6 years. Was running. Needs work." What else is there to say? It was running! That means it should be possible for it to run again, right? How hard can it be?


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Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Corn and Clam Chowder with Oyster Cracker-Biscuits
The biscuits come together easily, and you can make them in a food processor or by hand. Since it's such a small amount of dough, I made it by hand and skipped having to wash the parts of the food processor. Flour, salt, baking powder, ground cumin, and ground coriander were combined in a bowl. I worked in two tablespoons of butter by hand until the mixture was crumbly. A half-cup of milk was added and stirred to form the dough. The dough was kneaded briefly on a floured surface and then rolled to a quarter-inch thickness. One and a half-inch biscuits were cut and placed on a baking sheet. I brushed the biscuit tops with water and sprinkled with salt and pepper before baking at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes. As the biscuits cooled, I started on the chowder. First, the clams were steamed in white wine to which I added a big pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. When the clams opened, they were removed to a plate, the wine was strained into a cup and set aside, and the pan was rinsed and placed back on the stove. Next, butter was melted in the pan, and shallots and celery were cooked for a few minutes before chunks of potatoes were added with a bay leaf. The reserved wine was added along with a half-cup of water since I needed a little more liquid to form a soup rather than a sauce. I left the potatoes to cook for about ten minutes. Then, two cups of corn kernels were added along with one and a half cups of milk and one cup of cream. The soup was left to simmer until the corn was tender. The clams were returned to the pot to warm through before serving.
This time I got it right. The chunky potatoes and sweet kernels of corn with the clams were what I wanted all along. And, the little, barely puffed, cracker-like biscuits were perfect on the side. I guess I don't mind meandering around various recipes as long as a craving is eventually satisfied.
20 comments:
A fabulous chowder! I've never had clams, so I find this dish quite intriguing.ReplyDelete
It has been years since I've cooked with clams and mussels myself, but this looks absolutely wonderful!ReplyDelete
The chowder and biscuits look almost too pretty to eat!ReplyDelete
Lisa, with the weather changing, all I'm craving is soup soup soup. I LOVE corn chowder and I can never say no to homemade biscuits;)ReplyDelete
Happy fall to you,
i've become obsessed with corn. love the biscuits too!ReplyDelete
Lisa, this looks absolutely delicious!ReplyDelete
I love chowder!ReplyDelete
Corn, clams and creamy soup, this looks so delicious, and I love the idea to serve it with cracker. :)ReplyDelete
I love seafood and this soup sounds like culinary heaven to me,Lisa!ReplyDelete
The biscuits look so good and work perfect with this dish.
A heavenly chowder, Lisa. And I love those oyster crackers too.ReplyDelete
What a magnificent dinner! The photos are scrumptious! A perfect transition recipe as we stumble into autumn.ReplyDelete
I've never made oyster crackers (or biscuits) and have had them on my "list" forever! Need to do that someday. Great looking chowder, too - great texture, tons of flavor. Good stuff - thanks.ReplyDelete
What a great wholesome seafood chowder :)ReplyDelete
Choc Chip Uru
This does look very good. I've never made those crackers before and I'm sure they're sensational with the chowder xxReplyDelete
Absolutely amazing job, Lisa! Really, really nice!ReplyDelete
Worthy of a dinner party for special guests...
Stunning photos and lovely recipe.ReplyDelete
I love the way you think Lisa. Especially when you are creating just the right recipe. This chowder is certainly amazing but what is more intriguing is the method you used to arrive at such goodness.ReplyDelete
It's literally been years since I've even opened a clam no less had a good clam chowder. Not an easy thing to get here in central PA. I sure can dream though and if wishes came true, your Corn & Clam Chowder with those tasty oyster biscuits would surely make me one happy camper!!
Thank you so much for sharing, Lisa...
I was so sure those crackers were going to have oyster in them that I popped over to check out the recipe. They look great anyway as does that delicious-looking chowder.ReplyDelete
My husband is not a fan of clams so I never cook them. I surely would like to try this dish,ReplyDelete
Oyster biscuits! That is so cool!!ReplyDelete
I have never tried clams and your dish looks so beautiful that I wish I could lay my hands on those :D


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The Dragstrip at Heartland Park Topeka
One of the great things about the sport of drag racing is that you don't have to be an expert to enjoy watching the races. And at Heartland Park Topeka, we have a number of events to choose from. So, whether you're a seasoned drag racer competing for a championship or a fan just getting interested in the sport, we have a quality experience for you both on and off the track.
Our 1/4-mile drag strip was once the fastest drag strip in the world and continues to be a place where speed records are set. This provides hours of exciting racing action. With plenty of seating and the opportunity to go into the racers' pits, fans can get right in thKingoftheTRACK_Summit_4ce middle of the action. Combined with affordable ticket prices and reasonable concessions, the experience is well worth it.
Our drag racing track hosts the NHRA Summer Nationals every year, featuring some of the top drag racers in the world. Along with other unique events such as diesel drag racing, Heartland Park Topeka also promotes local and regional drag racing through a weekly racing series. The provides a number of opportunities for fans to choose from. Regardless of the events you choose to attend, you can be rest assured that there's not a drag strip in the world like Heartland Park Topeka.
Our Street Legal Series gives anyone the opportunity to drag race on our drag strip! Bring out the car you commute with or a high performance machine you want to test on the track. Bottom line, the Friday Night Street Legal Series is all about fun and having the experience of a lifetime!
Check out our schedule of events and come experience what all of the excitement is all about. We look forward to seeing you at the drag strip!


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Guided tour: Duomo tour with Rooftops
Join the only skip-the-line tour and discover the Cathedral of Milan.
The tour starts from the Archaeological Area underneath the Cathedral to discover the Baptistery of St. John and the Church of Santa Tecla. You will see a magnificent example of octagonal early Christian Baptistery and learn about the life in Milan during the Roman Age.
Just a few steps above you will reach the inside of the Cathedral. With its 3400 statues, 55 stained glass windows, beautiful altars and paintings, the Duomo is the most important example of Gothic style in Northern Italy.
The elevator takes you up to the roof, where you will see spires and sculptures from a close-up. Climb the 50 steps to reach highest Terraces and walk near the main spire, which hosts the golden statue of the Virgin. She opens her arms to the whole world. Look around yourself and enjoy this magnificent view of the city.
Guided Tours: at 3.00 pm
Tour duration: 1 hour and a half approx.
Information and reservations: tickets' cost is € 26,00 for adults and € 18,00 for children aged 6-12 and includes guided tour, radio headset and Duomo Pass A.
Meeting point: 15 minutes before the visit starts at Sala delle Colonne in Piazza Duomo 14/A
Please note that in the unlikely event of weather-related closures of the Terraces, the guided tour will include Duomo Museum, Cathedral and Archeological Area
For further information:
Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo
Via Carlo Maria Martini, 1 – 20122 Milano
Tel.02 361691


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ReviverSoft needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 32 designs submitted by 9 freelance designers.
We are re-launching our company and need a new identity. We market high school athletes to college coaches in order to maximize scholarship opportunities and chances to play college sports. There are no particular aspects of the old site that need to remain other then the company name and the recruit me now button. We want to see designs for our home page and our different sport pages.
We will provide a lot of feedback on the designs as they come in. This is an opportunity to have your work seen by 100,000's of people a year. Please see our logo design competition as well.
We want our site to be professional and appeal to the student athletes, parents and coaches.
The home page needs to provide easy navigation for young athletes and their parents coming to the site and give them easy access to both signing up for more information and also for reading through the information for services they provide.
Let you creative juices flow here, we are open to all ideas and themes that incorporate sport and schooling!


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Become an Aquarist Apprentice, watch sharks during a feeding or explore the salt marsh in a canoe on an exciting tour or adventure. Check out the Aquarium's Free Daily Programs, too!
12/20/2017, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location:NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher map
Description:The Lower Cape Fear Hospice hosts this beloved tradition amidst the inspiring backdrop of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Thanks to the generosity of the presenting sponsor First Citizens Bank, visitors delight in dozens of dazzling, decorated trees in a unique aquatic setting. All visitors who purchase a general admission ticket to the Aquarium will also experience this festive event!
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Clyde Carson, Traxamillion, Mista Fab On CBS Speaking On The Hyphy Movement [2006 Old Interview]
Clyde Carson and Traxamillion hit up the CBS 5 studios in the Bay Area to explain the Hyphy movement. (June 2006).
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Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation was founded in November 1965 in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the Foundation is to support health, education, social services, and arts and culture. Grants are considered for IRS-qualified organizations located in the U.S., including museums, cultural, performing and visual arts programs, schools, hospitals, educational and skills training projects, programs for youth, seniors, and the handicapped.
Organizations seeking grant support may submit a letter of request, NOT EXCEEDING THREE (3) PAGES, to The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Suite 414, Washington, D.C. 20007. The letter should set forth a brief description of the purpose of the organization and a brief outline of the program or project for which funding is sought.
To ensure your organization is a qualified grantee under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, a copy of the IRS classification letter setting forth Section 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt/not a private foundation status, should be included with the letter of application.
Typical grants range from $1,000 to $20,000
Grants are issued in March, June and October of each year;
For March grants, submit your proposal between July 16th and November 10th
For June grants, submit your proposal between November 16th and March 10th
For October grants, submit your proposal between March 16th and July 10th
John Hager, Chief Operating Officer (202) 337-3300
or firstname.lastname@example.com
The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
2233 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Suite 414
Washington, D.C. 20007


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Follow RFF News on your cell phone. Text follow rff to 40404 you will receive txt messages with RFF News
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BUT, what did I say about putting flowers on your head for your cast photo. NOOOOOO?!?!
So many teams misread clues, including you. What happened? Were you in a hurry?Naina: This is actually what happened. We knew we were last and when we arrived at the boating, the other teams were finishing up. We knew it was the end. We did read the clue incorrectly at first ... but what happened was we realized we had read the clue incorrectly, but my dad told me to do it because we knew it was the end and he wanted me to do something. It was actually deliberate that I got into the boat.
IDK. I have re-watched the episode, and it doesn't seem like that. Anyways, I'll believe them.
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Sociological abstracts
Abstracts and indexes the international literature in sociology and related social and behavioral sciences disciplines. Provides abstracts of journal articles and citations to book reviews drawn from over 1,700 serials publications, and also provides abstracts of books, book chapters, dissertations, and conference papers. 1963 to present; records added after 1974 contain in-depth and nonevaluative abstracts of journal articles.
ULI development case studies
Contains development details on completed projects from 1985-present.
Avery index to architectural periodicals
Indexes architecture, archaeology, city planning, interior design, landscape architecture, and historic preservation in over 2000 journals published worldwide, with coverage on most journals back to the 1930s, and on some journals back to the 1860s.


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BRISTOL — The 20th annual Three Day Stampede, a community event headed up by the Bedard family to collect money for cystic fibrosis research, raised $120,000 this past weekend in and around the Bristol Recreation Park.
"It was a record-breaker," said co-organizer Bonita Bedard. "Last year we made $105,000 and the year before that was our biggest year, $110,000. This year just blew that number out of the water."
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BRISTOL — Two Bristol bridges — the one-lane bridge on Route 116 south of the village and the bridge on South Street just down the hill from downtown — are on track to get some much-needed construction.
BRISTOL — Anne Myrick's sprawling property off of Route 17 west of Bristol village is covered with intricate gardens, wide fields and a pond.
In recent years, her son Tony Myrick has added to the view. Myrick, 39, has been farming on a few acres near his childhood home and selling what he produces at the Bristol Farmers' Market for four years. Yore Fare Farm, as he titled the enterprise, is turning a profit this year for the first time.
BRISTOL — Mary's Restaurant this Sunday will host a community event to benefit the Vermont Land Trust's "Gateway to Bristol" project. The project will conserve the historic Fuller and Farr farms on Route 116 (just down the road from Mary's) by purchasing it, then selling it at a significant discount to local farming family Trent and Abby Roleau with conservation easements.
ESSEX JUNCTION — Among this year's inductees into the 11th annual Vermont Agriculture Hall of Fame are Addison County resident Sam Cutting III, of Dakin Farm in Ferrisburgh, and former Addison County resident John Deere, who was inducted posthumously. The awards will be presented at the Champlain Valley Fair in August.
BRISTOL — The Bristol Farmers' Market is poised to undergo what some board members said are some necessary changes in order to improve its structure in the coming months.
STARKSBORO — Twelve years ago the property on Robert Young Road purchased by Price and Marijke Niles for their retirement was full of grass, brambles and brush.
"It was so bad, the real estate agent told us not to buy it," Marijke Niles, 67, recalled. "But we fell in love with the big rock, the view and the pond, and I wanted a big open space where I could garden."
BRISTOL — A major restructuring of the Mount Abraham Union Middle School is in the works for the start of the 2014-2015 academic year, and school officials are seeking community members to form an advisory board as the changes are developed and implemented.
The Internet can be an amazing resource. It breaks down the limitations of time and space, putting you in touch with people around the world and making most information immediately accessible to anyone who can use a search engine. The Internet is a connector, and it enables dialogues and associations that would never have happened otherwise.
MONKTON — For Monkton natives Galen and Moriah Helms and Starksboro native Sara Paule Koeller, what began as a quarter-acre garden on a family property in Monkton four years ago has expanded into a burgeoning farming and foraging business called Mountain Warrior.
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Just a little reminded that I will be speaking at the D-Day Museum in Portsmouth this coming Remembrance Sunday.
The Museum is open from 10am. I will be speaking at 12noon and 2pm, giving a short talk on my forthcoming book, 'Portsmouth's World War Two Heroes'. Entry to the Museum is free all day, and there is no need to book.
I'm just putting the finishing touches to my notes. If you come down, feel free to say hello and ask me anything you like!