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The Southwest Florida "Eagle Cam" has received more than 19 million views over the past couple of years.
People from more than 150 countries logged on last year alone to watch a parent pair of American bald eagles tend their two babies as they hatched, grew from nestlings to fledglings, and then took wing.
We had to check it out and did, quickly becoming enthralled.
If you missed it, you have another chance this year to join the fan club. Ozzie and Harriet, aka dad and mom, are the proud parents to two new, fluff-covered eaglets, still unnamed, that were born Dec. 23 and Christmas day.
Both babies can be seen moving about the nest as the majestic - and protective - parents tend their young.
As those of us who have visited the site repeatedly have learned, it's, well, kind of addicting.
That is, no doubt, the reason the live feed at www.dickpritchettrealestate.com is drawing repeat visitors by the hundreds of thousands each day.
As it was last year, the cam is made possible through landowner Richard Pritchett, whose property off Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers has been home to the nesting pair for more than 20 years. The birds have laid eggs numerous times but last year's hatch was the first caught via the soundless camera. Mr. Pritchett had hoped the eagle cam would provide a learning experience for those interested in the live version of our national symbol.
It did all that and became an international sensation to boot.
The nest is readily visible from the road but viewers are asked to visit online so as to better protect the eaglets.
We thank Mr. Pritchett for again making the cam public.
And we invite you to log on again this year - it's certainly a sight to see.
- Breeze editorial


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7'' Unfinished White Oak Character Grade
7'' Unfinished Character Grade White Oak Hardwood Quality Floors Direct is proud to offer a true Character Grade Oak. This is not a #1 common or #2 common or a mix as some other companies try to push, this is a true character grade. Selected by hand to offer the natural beauty of the flooring with a selected choice of clear, select and knotty to bring the country charm to your home or business.
Browse All Products in This Category
MTL 7'' Unfinished Character Grade White OakModel: MTLWO7UC Call For Pricing
Construction: Solid Wood Color: Light Carton: 22.1 Sq.Ft

subset: commoncrawl


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During a Clippers-Nuggets preseason game yesterday, commentator Kevin Harlan brought up the fact that Basketball Prospectus, a highly regarded, stats-driven site, had chosen the Nuggets to win the Western Conference this season. As Harlan says, BP made this prediction based on many reasonable factors: Denver's depth, the acquisition of Andre Iguodala, what should be an improved defense and George Karl's superb coaching abilities.
Color commentator Reggie Miller did not like this prediction, for some reason. He attacked BP by calling the group a bunch of "lab geek rats" with "pocket squares" (?) and "laptops." Miller also claimed that although all those stats were nice, stats "don't play basketball games for you. Humans play basketball games for you."
It's easy to get angry about Miller's insults, but we're now too busy thinking of how adorable little mice with glasses and fine suits (complete with matching pocket squares) would be. Aw, look! They just chose Ricky Rubio to be Comeback Player of the Year!


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The safety and efficiency of our highway system is directly related to the number of driveways and intersecting roadway. Consequently, SDDOT was authorized by the 2000 South Dakota Legislature to create administrative rules governing access to state highways.
Rules: 70:09
Final Reports of Completed Access Management Studies
Reference Links
East River
Brooke White, 5316 W. 60th St., N., Sioux Falls, SD 57107
605.367.4970, Ext. 2120; Fax: 605.367.5685
West River
Stacy Bartlett, 2300 Eglin St., P.O. Box 1970, Rapid City, SD 57709
605.773.2268 or 605.394.2244
Studies without a link are available upon request from Steven Gramm, P.E., Data Analysis Engineer / Engineering Supervisor, 605-773-6641.


text:
Metastatic Melanoma in Dogs
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"
I have just learned that my 3-year-old chocolate lab has melanoma. I thought melanoma was skin cancer, however, hers is between her heart and her lung. I do not understand this. Thank you for any information you can provide.
Lili Duda, VMD, Section Editor of the OncoLink Veterinary Oncology Menu, responds:
Melanomas in dogs fall into two categories: melanoma of the haired skin, which are usually (but not always) benign, and melanomas of the oral cavity and mucosa, which are very aggressive and highly malignant cancers that spread to draining lymph nodes, lungs, and other sites usually within a few months of diagnosis. There are no known predisposing causes of melanoma in dogs, but when cancer occurs at a young age, a genetic predisposition is sometimes a factor. Consultation with a board-certified veterinary oncologist is strongly recommended.


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I have done a search of the forums with little luck so I thought it worth posting a topic.
Has anyone been to this area of Sudan recently?
I'm interested in what the situation is like on the ground...it all seems pretty quiet from normal news channels.
I'm going in a few weeks to explore some of the massive granite domes from a climbing point of view.


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The Special Interest Group on International Information Issues (SIG-III) of the American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) is pleased to announce its eleventh competition for papers to be submitted for the 2011 Annual Meeting, which will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 7-12, 2011. ( http://www.asis.org/asist2011/am11cfp.html )
Building from the overall conference theme, the theme for this year's paper contest is:
"Bridging the Gulf: Communication and Information in Society, Technology, and Work". Papers could discuss issues, policies and case studies on specific aspects of the theme from a global and/or international perspective. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following core areas:
1. Intercultural Information Ethics: Critical reflection on the ethical challenges related to the global and cross-cultural production, storage, and distribution of information, as well as the ethical dimensions of the global development and implementation of information systems, infrastructures, and policies.
2. Information Behavior: Information needs, information seeking, information gaps and sensemaking in various contexts including work, interests or every-day life activities by individuals or groups.
3. Knowledge Organization: Indexing, index construction, indexing languages, thesaurus construction, terminology, classification of information in any form, tagging (expert, userbased, automatic), filtering, metadata, standards for metadata, information architecture.
4. Information Systems, Interactivity and Design: How people use and communicate with information systems; the design, use and evaluation of interactive information technologies and systems, including interfaces and algorithms; search and retrieval, browsing, visualization, personalization.
5. Information and Knowledge Management: Information and knowledge creation, transfer and use at the personal, group, organizational and societal levels. The management of the processes and systems that create, acquire, organize, store, distribute, and use information and/or knowledge. Selected papers will be published in the International Journal of Information Management.
6. Information Use: How people re-purpose existing knowledge from a variety of sources (scientific, humanities, news, family, friends, colleagues), forms (articles, books, video, audio, tweets), locations (work, home, in transit) and mediums (cell-phones, PDAs, digital libraries) to advance knowledge, solve problems, improve information literacy, and learn.
7. Information and Society: Economic, Political, Social Issues: Copyright issues, policies and laws; national and international information policies; privacy and security; economics of information, personal rights vs. freedom of information; surveillance; globalization and the flows of information; computerization movements; social informatics.
Selection Criteria
There will be up to six winners who will be selected by a panel of judges including: Maqsood Shaheen (IRC, US Embassy Islamabad), Johannes Britz (UW-Milwaukee), Maria Haigh (UW-Milwaukee), Hong Xu (University of Pittsburg), Catherine Johnson (Western Ontario), Anindita Paul (University of Missouri), and Borchuluun Yadamsuren (University of Missouri).
The judging criteria will be based on:
1. Originality of paper in the developing world and global information ecosystem (originality of the project described, etc.)
2. Relevance to the paper contest theme
3. Quality of argument, presentation and organization
Eligibility & Information for authors
Only papers by a principal author who is a citizen of, and resides in a developing country are eligible. Winners in the 2007-2010 contests are not eligible. The papers should be original, unpublished, and submitted in English. We encourage submissions from librarians, information and network specialists, and educators involved in the creation, representation, maintenance, exchange, discovery, delivery, and use of digital information.
The award for each winner is a two-year individual membership in ASIS&T. In the case of multiple authors, the principal author will be awarded the ASIS&T membership. In addition, depending on SIG III fundraising for this competition, the first place winner will be rewarded a minimum of $1,000 toward travel, conference registration, and accommodations while attending the ASIS&T Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 7-12, 2011.
The international paper contest committee requires that submissions follow the International Information and Library Review instructions to authors. Detailed information is available under the heading, Guide for Authors at:
Publishing opportunities
Submitted papers will be considered for inclusion in a special issue of the International Information and Library Review, subject to the usual peer refereeing process, for that journal.
ASIS&T Copyright Policy
ASIS&T will have the non-exclusive right to publish any of the papers submitted on its web site or in print, with ownership and all other rights remaining with the author.
Deadline for submission of full papers: Authors are invited to submit manuscripts, not to exceed 5,000 words, by May 31, 2011, to Maqsood Shaheen at ShaheenMA [at] gmail.com, preferably as Microsoft Word or PDF attachments.


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How Remodeling Has Transformed in the Past 20 Years/
As a remodeling contractor on Cape Cod for nearly 20 years, we have seen many changes in the remodeling industry. As with many industries that have embraced the information age, the Internet, and new technologies, we believe the the home remodeling industry has improved significantly. However, it's also been our experience that homeowners don't necessarily see how the industry has changed for the better, and thus some of them do not fully appreciate the value of a professional remodeling contractor in 2015.
The Good Ol' Days?
Back in the 1990s, and unfortunately this still exists today, homeowners didn't have very high expectations of home improvement contractors. Maybe you would talk with a couple local contractors, have them in for a walk-around and measurements, and they would give you either a verbal estimate or something scribbled on a yellow legal pad.
Over the next few weeks, they would show up intermittently in a beat up old truck and do their work. They never really seemed to have a schedule or defined way of doing things. You were never quite sure when they were coming and going and when your project would be completed.
But maybe you didn't care about the project timeline or how perfect everything was in the end, because the remodel likely didn't cost you a whole lot of money.
Home Remodeling Today
It's an understatement to say that many things have changed in 20 years. One of the key aspects of consumer behavior today is that consumers are more discerning than ever. With a world of information at our fingertips, we demand more from the companies that provide us with products and services.
Homeowners today want to be involved in the process as much as possible. They want to research different remodelers, they want to look at websites and Houzz profiles, they want to see reviews and testimonials, and when it comes time to design their kitchen or bathroom, they want to pick out the finishes, products, and materials.
They also demand a higher level of professionalism. They demand timelines and payment schedules. They demand cleaned work areas at the end of the day. They demand perfection when it comes to their home renovations.
And rightfully so.
You work hard for your money, and when you're spending a sizable chunk of it on a remodeling project, you want a professional experience and a first class end result.
Today's Professional Remodeler
A professional remodeler who is going to provide you with a best in class experience and remodeling project is different from the remodeler you hired in 1996.
Today's professional remodeler has:
- The proper insurance
- A valid contractor's license
- Increased accountability
- Higher safety and cleanliness standards
- Better tools
- Better and more products to choose from
- Laws and regulations they must comply with
- Multiple reliable work crews and subcontractors
- Thorough written contracts
- Multi-year warranties
- Project timelines and payment schedules
All of those things translate into an overall better remodeling project for you and your family.
But all of those things also may translate into a higher price point than you were conditioned to paying 20 years ago.
Let's use the metaphor of the auto industry. That industry has vastly improved over the past couple decades - higher safety standards, more efficient cars, more luxury items included at base price, etc.
The difference is that you purchase a new car every few years and you're generally aware of the prices of cars.
When it comes to home remodeling, that's something you may only do once or twice in your lifetime. So you're not generally aware of what things cost. In order for a professional remodeling company to communicate the value that they bring to the table, they need to spend more time educating homeowners about processes, prices, expectations, and the lifetime value of a newly remodeled home.
Homeowners who hire a remodeling company strictly based on price, without doing much research or allowing themselves to be educated about the process, run the risk of getting a sub-standard project in the end. As with most things in life, you rarely get a high quality outcome from the cheapest price.
A home remodeling project is a big deal, so you want to make sure you spend the proper time and money to do it right the first time.
At @designREMODEL, our tagline is Elevating the Cape Cod Remodeling Experience. We have developed the systems and the workmanship to not only provide a beautiful new room or whole house remodel, but also as much of a stress-free experience for our clients as possible.
The Bottom Line
If you're researching different options and receive multiple quotes or estimates from Cape Cod remodeling contractors, you're going to see numbers all over the place. Some contractors are still operating like its the 1990s and their prices may be lower. But you should expect a more complicated homeowner-remodeler relationship and a lower quality end result.
Some companies, like us, will present estimates that provide us with the resources to deliver to you an excellent product with the experience that you deserve.
Price is what you pay. Value is what you get. ~ Warren Buffett
The remodeling market is very robust these days. Homeowners with higher standards are choosing to invest in their homes. When thinking about your next Cape Cod kitchen or bathroom remodel, we recommend that you take a little more time up front in the research and decision-making phase to ensure that you're getting the best possible value for your budget. Although you may be tight on time, allow yourself to be educated on your different options available to you and the outcomes you can expect from those different options.
"Working with John Clark was a complete pleasure. From the very first time we met John we felt very comfortable trusting him and his team to guide us with design selection to update our 35 year old bathroom. Everything John prepared us for before the work started was 100% accurate. During the demolition process we were amazed at how neat, clean, and professional everyone was. Communication was very open and there were no surprises. The finished product exceeded our expectations and we plan on working with @designRemodel for future projects. We highly recommend working with John Clark and his team of professionals!" ~ Hillary DiFilippo, Cape Cod MA


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Earn FREE Gifts with Highlights Classroom Rewards Program.
Not only do you earn FREE Gifts for your classroom with the Highlights Classroom Rewards Program, but when you send an offer from Highlights home with your students, you're also sending home an amazing Fun with a Purpose™ value for your students and their parents! Along with special low rates available through schools, having Highlights at home can help your students get a step up for standardized testing.
Already Enrolled?
Submit Your Student Orders Now
You can locate your Teacher ID and Promo Code as shown in the example here.
Teacher ID#
The Teacher ID must be 10-11 characters.
Product Promo Code
The Promo Code must be 8 characters.


text:
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Epoch Holding Corp. ephc said Thursday it agreed to be bought by TD Bank Group TD, +0.23% for $28 a share in cash, or $668 million. The price values the corporate parent of Epoch Investment Partners at a premium of 28% over its closing price of $21.91 a share on Wednesday. TD Bank said the acquisition will "broaden our offer for institutional and retail clients and will immediately strengthen our U.S. wealth business."
Epoch OK's $668 mln buyout by TD Bank
Quote References
+0.12 +0.23%


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Three things we learned about the Nuggets vs. the Thunder
Andre Miller can give you a boost on the post-up: At 6-2, 200 Andre Miller has the size to be effective in the post against opposing point guards. But against Oklahoma City he was near unstoppable on the block, posting up bigger players in James Harden and Reggie Jackson on a near regular basis. He had five post-ups in the game and here were the returns – foul, foul, score, score, turnover – an 80 percent success rate. Now, that turnover was the traveling call in overtime as the Nuggets specifically went to him in the post down by three at the time, so that matters most. But Miller on the block was a good idea, and will be in the future. He has not posted up a ton this season, but when Miller has – he's 11-of-23 (47.8 percent) – he's generally been good.
Chris Andersen was actually Nuggets' best player off the bench: No, it doesn't look the same anymore. Pretty much done with the high-flying and arm-flapping. It doesn't mean the Birdman was any less effective. Andersen has quietly played good basketball lately and, at a whopping +17, was the Nuggets' best plus/minus player of the game against OKC – by far. He was 5-of-6 from the field for 11 points, had six rebounds and three blocks, and just generally found himself in the mix all night long. Andre Miller's double-double of 21 points and 10 assists was gaudiest stat line among Nuggets reserves, but Andersen, in 29 minutes was the team's second-highest points per possession player (1.57) – only to Kosta Koufos, which leads us to…
… An Aggressive Koufos is the best Koufos: Kosta Koufos was benched against Memphis last Friday for ineffectiveness. He was benched again for the entire second half until overtime on Sunday for…well, we don't know why because he was the Nuggets' best points-per possession player at 1.67. He was the Nuggets' best running big man, constantly beating Oklahoma City defenders down court for uncontested looks at the basket. Everything he accomplished was going toward the rim, whether it was filling the lane or cutting to the hoop or crashing the boards when the shot went up. And decisiveness worked. He did not waste time when received the basketball, he got it up to the rim. It all resulted in 13 points on 6-of-7 from the field with nine rebounds in 13 minutes, making Koufos the Nuggets' most efficient player of the night.
Follow Chris Dempsey on Twitter @dempseypost or email him at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Crumble for Cockatiel, Lovebird, Budgerigar, Conure, Canary, Parrotlet, Neophema.
Ingredients: Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Soy Oil,Soy Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, DL-Methionine, L-Arginine, Niacin, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Silicon Dioxide (carrier for liquid antioxidants), Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source of Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Yucca shidigen Extract, Hydrated Sodium calcium Aluminosilicate, Dried Yeast, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Zinc Oxide, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine, Mpmpmotrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Cyanocobalamin (Source of Vitamin B12), Sodium Selenite (on Calcium Carbonate), Propionic Acid, Ammonium Hydroxide, Acetic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Tartaric Acid, and Natural Apple Flavoring.
Guaranteed Analysis:
All of the Roudybush Daily Maintenance and Specialty diets are formulated by avian nutritionist Tom Roudybush, M.S. In his 16 years of nutritional research at the university of California, Davis, 10 of which specifically focusing on the nutritional requirements of pet birds, Tom has become a leader in the avian nutrition field. His work is the basis for most of the published nutritional research in pet birds that are available today.
Ethoxyquin Free
No Food Coloring
What does this mean for you and your pet? It means that when you purchase Roudybush you know you are providing your bird the best possible nutrition so they can live their lives to the fullest.
Customers who bought this product also purchased...
© Copyright 2016 by Bird Buffet N Things, LLC


text: This insightful biography reveals new information about the powerful leader, Hirohito, and shows how he was influenced by both the modern scientific worldview and imperialistic tradition in the 60 years he reigned over Japan. Herbert Bix tells of Hirohito's role in the invasion of China in 1937 and in World War II. Several chapters describe the emperor's agonizing decsion to surrender to the Allies in 1945 and the sucessful partnership with General MacArthur during the post-World War II period. The thoroughly researched biography is useful in understanding Japan's role in World War II and the period that followed.


text:
TAMPA — It will be a replay of one of Tampa's most tragic events.
Cortnee Brantley, 24, of Seffner, the girlfriend of a man accused of killing two Tampa police officers in 2010, will be back in a federal courtroom today to be retried on a charge that she failed to fully help investigators during the manhunt for her beau.
Jurors deadlocked during her first trial in July, so a judge declared a mistrial.
It was the early morning of June 29, 2010, when Brantley's boyfriend, Dontae Morris, killed Tampa police Officers Jeffrey Kocab and David Curtis after a traffic stop on 50th Street because of a missing license plate, prosecutors say. Morris was a passenger in the car, which was driven by Brantley.
Curtis discovered a warrant for Morris' arrest on a bad check charge and called for backup. Morris, who had been questioned previously in a murder investigation, may have thought he was being arrested in that case instead.
Prosecutors say he pulled a gun and shot the officers in the head as he exited Brantley's Toyota Camry.
Morris ran from the scene, triggering the biggest manhunt in Tampa history. He was captured after four days and awaits trial on first-degree murder charges.
Brantley fled in her car. Prosecutors have not argued that she had any advance knowledge of the shooting.
The killings were caught on the dashboard camera in Curtis' cruiser, and jurors were shown the video at Brantley's first trial.
Brantley refused to identify Morris as the person responsible for the killings during questioning by police. That led investigators to charge her with an obscure federal crime called misprision of a felony — failing to report a felony to authorities.
Surprisingly, the shooting of the officers is not the felony Brantley is accused of failing to report. It's that Morris was a felon with a gun and ammunition. But to win a conviction, prosecutors must prove Brantley took steps to conceal that information from police during their investigation of the shooting.
Jurors at the first trial appeared confused by the charge and asked for a definition of the crime during eight hours of unsuccessful deliberations. Jurors declined comment afterward.
Neither Brantley's attorney, Grady Irvin Jr., nor prosecutor James Preston would comment for this article. The families of the officers, who attended the first trial, have previously declined to comment while the case is pending.
Irvin argued at the first trial that police knew Morris' identity within minutes of arriving at the scene and didn't need Brantley to identify him. Irvin said Brantley drove away because she was afraid of Morris.
Irvin has portrayed Brantley as a convenient scapegoat in a case charged with emotion.
Prosecutors said Brantley didn't fear Morris at all, noting Brantley called Morris' cellphone within seconds of the shooting.
"I think the rarity of charge illustrates how desperate the government is to obtain a conviction on her," said defense lawyer John Trevena, who has no ties to the case. "They want justice for the officers who were killed. There's not going to be any quarter given to (Brantley) at all. No mercy."
U.S. District Court Judge James Moody had dismissed the charge against Brantley in October 2010, saying prosecutors could not prove that Brantley tried to conceal any felony being committed by Morris. But an appeals court later reinstated the charge, saying Moody had dismissed it before hearing evidence at trial.
Moody seemed close to dismissing it again during the trial, but in the end, he allowed the case to go to the jury.
The judge had said the fact that Brantley refused to identify Morris as the person who killed the officer was not enough, by itself, to convict her. Prosecutors, he said, most prove an act of concealment.
Misprision of a felony is a charge that traces back to England in the 1300s.
John V. Hurd, a Massachusetts lawyer, said in a 2008 Suffolk University Law Review article that misprision of a felony is related to the ancient duty of English citizens to "raise a hue and cry" upon witnessing a crime in the days before police forces.
In English common law, the responsibility was limited to men between the ages of 15 and 60.
Potential jurors in the retrial will no doubt be asked by lawyers whether they saw any of the media coverage of Brantley's mistrial.
The judge has barred the news media from sitting in the courtroom during jury selection, citing a lack of space. Instead, reporters would watch those proceedings remotely by video.
The Tampa Tribune filed a motion Jan. 7 seeking access to the courtroom during jury selection, noting that access to court had also been restricted during other parts of the trial.
Moody denied the motion.
William R. Levesque can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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This week is going to be a crazy busy bee week as I am hosting an important event at my company, and then I am off to San Francisco for more work.
My regular recipe posting will be taking a hiatus while I juggle my professional life (and shmooze and mingle with the corporate kinds). Instead, I will be serving up some food porn for your ogling pleasure.
I hereby kick start my food porn series with these savory Chinese biscuits filled with chopped scallions. They are called 蟹壳黄, or literally yellow crab shell, and yes, chopped scallions do make a fantastic filling! I love these biscuits; they are my favorite weekend munchies…
They are available at my favorite Taiwanese joint here in Irvine, California:
A & J Restaurant (半亩园)
14805 Jeffrey Rd # D
Irvine, CA 92618
There are branches in San Jose, California, too.
For more food porn, click here for my food photography. Happy President's Day!


text:
- Who We Are
- What's ON
- The Waterfront
- Learning
- Support Us
What's On Calendar
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Spring Visual Arts Exhibitions 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
12:00pm 6:00pm
Six must-see exhibitions explore the private and public events that comprise our country's heritage.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
2:00pm 9:30pm
Experience a "Soul Journey to Bulgaria," featuring a unique blend of traditional Bulgarian culture and modern artistic expression. Co-produced by Bulgarian Arts Festival.
The Dietrich Group - Paris1994/Gallery
Saturday, April 28, 2012
D.A. Hoskins uses dance as the material for visual art in a moving work by this provocative Toronto company.
Paper Laced with Gold - Paper Laced Productions
Saturday, April 28, 2012
In this new musical, a daydreaming waitress stuck in a truck stop has a fateful run-in with a juvenile delinquent with a familiar face. By Paper Laced Productions and featuring Belle and Sebastian's Stevie Jackson.
For details, inquire at the Info Desk or call 416 973 4000.


text:
Swimming Pool Blog
by Rob Cox, June 22, 2011
Swimming Pool Lighting: Care & Repair
Q: How many pool guys does it take to change a pool lightbulb?
A: None, because you can do it yourself!
With just simple hand tools, you can do your own underwater pool light repair. When you need pool light parts, we have them in stock!
POOL LIGHT CARE: Fortunately, swimming pool lights require very little in the way of maintenance or regular care. There are some best practice in using your pool lights, however:
- Submerge before lighting. The heat buildup inside of a pool lamp is so great that the lens will burst if the pool light is left on while water is not covering the lamp, to keep it cool.
- Keep submerged during winter. This prevents the lens gasket from drying out. Keep the water level above the top of the lens to avoid pressure from the pool surface ice sheet that forms during winter.
- Use Light only as needed. Saves energy and reduces time between bulb changes.
- Maintain the light cord junction box clean and in good repair.
POOL LIGHT REPAIR: You will usually need a phillips head screwdriver to remove the screw that should be at 12:00 on the face of the bezel, or light ring. This one screw will allow you to remove the pool lamp from the light niche. The installers leave enough light cord rolled up inside of the niche to allow you to bring the pool lamp up on deck for inspection or repair.
- Replace Pool Light Bulb. Probably the most common repair. After pulling the lamp out of the niche (described above), Remove the clamp band (or in some cases, there are many small nuts or screws to remove. Use care with old, soft brass screws. Spray lubricant first, and use the proper size screwdriver, so as not to strip the head or even break off the screw head.
Once the clamp or nuts or screws are removed, you will need to separate the lens/gasket from the lamp housing. Use a large flat head screwdriver, inserted betweent the gasket and the lamp housing. Pry the lens/gasket from the housing. If you don't have a new lens gasket, use care with the gasket. It is considered best practice to replace the pool light lens gasket at the same time as replacing a bulb, but if you need to, you can probably reuse the existing gasket.
After removing the lens, check the bulb to see if it is screwed all the way in. Use a small cloth for safety. If the bulb is broken, use a thicker cloth. Push the cloth down into the base, and unscrew the broken bulb. This part is easy - everyone knows how to screw in a light bulb, right? Make sure the bulb is tight, and then before reassembling, test the pool light - for only 1 second!
Reassemble the pool light lens, making sure that it sits fully into the rim of the housing, and the gasket is properly positioned. Replace the clamp band, or the screws/nuts. Use a star pattern on screws/nuts when reinstalling, and make equal torque to all of them. For clamps, tap the band as you tighten, once or twice, to make sure the clamp is fully clamped around both sides - housing and lens.
Hold the lamp under water for a minute to test for leaks. A few bubbles will pop up, but if you see a steady stream of air bubbles, then you have a bad seal, and the light will quickly fill up with water. If not, then you are ready to install the pool lamp back into the niche. At the 6 o'clock position on most lights is a tab, insert the light into the tab first, then line up the screw hole at 12 o'clock. This can be a feat, since you are laying under the diving board, shoulder deep in water. Wearing a mask or goggles can be a big help at this stage. Screw in the screw at 12:00, and you are done!
- Repair leaking pool light niches Could be the second most common repair? Inground concrete and vinyl pools use a light niche that resembles a sideways bucket with a small hole in the upper back for the light cord to run through. This threaded port on the light niche is connected to gray pvc conduit, usually 3/4" diameter. This conduit runs up towards the deck, then runs under the deck to a point where it can turn upwards and come up to a junction box, where your pool light cord meets the power wires from the breaker panel.
Over time, the conduit can begin to leak, due to shifting pool or ground, or freeze damage. The conduit cracks or becomes separated from the niche. If you open your pool every spring and your pool water level is at the top of the light - your pool is leaking water through the pool light conduit.
Fortunately, there is a remedy to a leaking pool light. In the old days, we would use a big handful of pool putty, about half a package, to build a cone around the point where the light cord exits. Another method is to use a silicone product, but this cannot be done underwater. If you use silicone, be careful not to shoot too much into the conduit, as it makes a future pool light replacement difficult. The modern method however, is to use a cord stopper. These small rubber corks with a hole in the middle and a slit down the side are easy to install and remove.
Light niches can leak in the shell as well, especially older, copper niches. Pinholes can develop in older light niches, which can be patched for a time with pool putty or a silicone product. You can use a dye tester to determine if a suspected hole is actually leaking.
- Pool Light Power Problems Before you go pulling the lamp out of the pool wall, you may want to have a qualified electrician check for proper voltage reaching the light. This is most easily tested at the Junction box, the place where the pool light cord joins the power wires. Located directly behind the light, off the deck, and raised above the ground. Remove the lid, and test with a multi-meter or light tester device for 110-130 volts, or 11-13 volts for low volatage states like Maryland. If you have good power here at the j-box, the problem is likely the bulb.
If you find the power at the j-box to be low or non-existent, you can have a qualified electrician test the other legs in the circuit, running from the j-box back to the breaker panel, possibly through an outlet or light switch. The problem lies where the power dies, as the old saying goes. Breakers and switches can go bad, especially in an outdoor environment.
Another common problem is a popped GFI outlet. Electrical outlets at the equipment pad or near the pool are often run off the pool light circuit. Check the TEST buttons on these outlets, and push the RESET button.


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East of Twin Arrows is Two Guns and Canyon Diablo. Really Two Guns is what remained of the town Canyon Diablo. The town of Canyon Diablo gets its name from the nearby Canyon which bears the same name. Canyon Diablo was once considered an impassable canyon until the Santa Fe railroad built a bridge that crossed it. The original town of Canyon Diablo was founded in 1882 along the railroad. The town at its peak had 2,000 people along the railroad. The town of Canyon Diablo was considered one of the most lawless towns in the old west. By 1903 the town had gradually died and all that was left was the Navajo Trading Post that became Two Guns. It is very evident by examining the ruins of Two Guns that the town of Canyon Diablo last much longer than published accounts suggest. There are ruins of the town site everywhere along US 66 and next to the Trade Post itself. Some of them are actually very creepy suggesting that caged mountain lions were housed in a building as a road-side attraction near the Canyon. What is more interesting was the large pentagram someone spray painted, seemed very fitting. All that really remains of 2 Guns and Canyon Diablo is the abandoned gas stations on I40 exit 230. From 2 Guns the road east goes to Meteor Crater.
It's commonly mistaken that Canyon Diablo town is the same thing as Two Guns, but that's not the case. Canyon Diablo town was about 3 miles north, and all that remains there today are the ruins of the Volz trading post. Though a small, violent "town" existed there up through the 1930s or so (the heyday, with about 2000 people and lowlifes, was 1880-1882), it was mostly gone by the time Two Guns was founded (as Canyon Lodge) in the early 1920s. Two Guns sits on the edge of the canyon, which is how it likely gets lumped together with the older town in peoples' minds. Two Guns' first manifestation (above the Apache Death Cave and south of the canyon) has several stone ruins and dates to the ten years or so after the big concrete bridge over Canyon Diablo was built in 1914. Two Guns boomed as Route 66 was designated in 1926. In 1937, Route 66 was rerouted north of the canyon (the much smaller concrete bridge over the new alignment, west of the site, is still there) and the town was essentially rebuilt on the north side (where the famous "Mountain Lions" building sits). It survived as a Route 66 stop through 1971. As the freeway exit was being built, a massive fire burned most of the town to the ground. The KOA campground post-dates that, and closed sometime in the 1990s. I remember finding old receipts in the check-in kiosk from 1993 or so.
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While working on your New Year's resolutions, did you promise yourself a great vacation in 2014?
If you need some ideas, here's a list of the hottest travel trends.
The annual travel survey by the Travel Leaders Group found European river cruises to be the single hottest travel trend. Only three years ago, European river cruises ranked 21st. Based on actual booking data, the survey suggests this is the next big thing.
"If Europe could find a way to create additional scenic rivers, the travel industry and, in particular, our agents would be sending even more clients on European river cruises," said Travel Leaders Group CEO Barry Liben.
Many travelers don't realize the biggest river cruise company is based in Woodland Hills. Viking Cruises was recently named "Best River Cruise Line" in Cruise Critic's 2013 Annual Editors' Picks Awards.
Viking says unprecedented consumer demand has made it the company's biggest year to date. Almost all of its 2013 itineraries were sold out as well as more than half of all 2014 staterooms. And the company is responding with more ships, said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic.
Viking will add 14 new Longships this year. Last March, the L.A. cruise line set a Guinness World Record by christening 10 ships in a single day.
Viking's fleet will grow to 51 vessels by the end of 2014. This includes 30 new revolutionary Longships in the last three years alone.
The overall top international destination for 2014 is the Caribbean. Every cruise line has ships plying the warm, blue Caribbean waters.
Disney Cruise Line has added its special touch to the competition. Its ships are specially built for families with extra storage and special areas for each age group.
Beginning this month, all four Disney ships will sail out of Florida to the Caribbean and Bahamas. The Disney Wonder will sail from Miami, while the Disney Magic, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sail from Port Canaveral.
Evily Giannopoulos of Disney Cruise Line said the ships will offer a variety of itineraries. Every cruise from Port Canaveral includes a stop at one of my favorite places, Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.
With publicity from high-profile films like "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," New Zealand scored big in the survey. The island nation is one of the adventure travel centers of the world. We recently completed our travel series with exciting adventures ranging from zip lining to jet boating.
Australia came in second, but this small continent offers a wealth of travel experiences. From Little Italy in Melbourne to the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Sydney, tourists can then try tropical Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.
"Also exciting in our results are the unique destinations that are starting to gain a foothold with our Travel Leaders Group clients as the next great place to visit," said Liben.
Up-and-coming European destinations include Croatia and Iceland. Croatian friends brag about the Dalmatian coast.
Every travel writer seems to love Iceland. Residents brag about their land of fire and ice, fire from active volcanoes and the ice of a Nordic country.
Delta Air Lines began serving Iceland's capital of Reykjavik in 2013 and will resume summer service this year.
Peru came out on top of the Central/South American trends thanks largely to Machu Picchu. Brazil came in second because it is hosting the 2014 World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympic Games.
Vietnam is the hottest trend in Asia/Southeast Asia. Burma/Myanmar was second.
"At one time, Burma seemed off-limits due to its former government," Liben noted. "But since its peaceful transition in 2010 to a civilian reformist government, this still relatively isolated nation is really opening up to tourism, and a growing number of American travelers are responding to its truly exotic allure."
And what about domestic destinations? Travel agents were asked to list the top five destinations already booked for 2014.
For years, Las Vegas has battled with Orlando for the top spot. This year, bet on Vegas — it is first on the list.
Alaskan cruises tied with Maui for third place, followed by New York City and Honolulu. San Francisco and Los Angeles also joined the top 10. Fort Lauderdale and Hawaiian cruises rounded out the domestic destinations.


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Considered deeply uncool at one point, music from animated movies is back — and singing along is now not only OK for kids, it's something adults record themselves doing on their phones and share on YouTube.
The boom in popular songs from animated movies comes after a long fallow period when the form yielded few hits in the music world, despite box-office juggernauts like the "Toy Story," "Shrek" and "Ice Age" franchises. Though all incorporated music in their films, it was rarely the kind that had come to define the genre at Disney Animation in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when it was making music-driven hits like "The Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Mermaid."
"You had this shift ... where there were very successful animated movies but their soundtracks weren't," said Ken Bunt, president of Disney Music Group. "Their scores were important, but they weren't musicals and the music in them wasn't something that gets played on radio or that you're singing in your car."
A sign of the shift: For the first time in 20 years, a soundtrack from an animated film has been No. 1 on the Billboard charts for 10 weeks.
This week, Disney's fairy tale "Frozen" displaced 1994's "The Lion King" to become the top-selling animated movie soundtrack of all time. It's not the only music from an animated film that's hot right now: "Happy," Pharrell Williams' ubiquitous mood booster from "Despicable Me 2," has been No. 1 on the single charts for eight weeks and appears everywhere from Fiat commercials to kids' choir homages.
Earlier this year, "The Lego Movie" popularized a catchy electronic parody song called "Everything Is Awesome," and the just-opened "Rio 2" is receiving lots of praise from critics for the quality of its eclectic, Brazil-influenced soundtrack.
In some cases, as with "Frozen," the music helped drive the box office, as audiences started learning songs from the radio before they saw the film; in others, as in "Despicable Me 2," the song's hit status came well after the film's box-office release and evolved into a story of its own. Regardless, the cloud on animated musicals has clearly lifted.
"There hadn't been a musical in such a long time," said Bill Damaschke, chief creative officer of DreamWorks Animation, which has a Bollywood-style musical composed by A.R. Rahman and an Australia-set project from Tim Minchin, the composer of the Tony Award-winning show "Matilda the Musical," in development. "A really great one came out ['Frozen'] and it hit a nerve. Everybody's asking, 'What are fresh, original ways to use music in animated movies?'"
One of the key features of the "Frozen" and "Happy" phenomena has been social media. According to Bunt, fans have uploaded more than half a million versions of the "Frozen" empowerment ballad "Let It Go" to YouTube. Oprah Winfrey recently brought Williams to tears by showing him a collection of fan-made "Happy" videos from around the world.
"It's sort of like a community singalong in the virtual town square," said Tom Sito, a professor at USC's School of Cinematic Arts who was an animator and storyboard artist at Disney Animation in the 1990s. "And it keeps the material fresh in people's minds."
That's a marketing device that synergy godfather Walt Disney didn't have available when he released the first commercial movie soundtrack — animated or live action — in 1938. The collection of songs like "Some Day My Prince Will Come" and "Whistle While You Work" hit record stores with the wordy name "Songs From Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (With the Same Characters and Sound Effects as in the Film of That Title)."
Ever since, Disney animated movies have been a key part of the American Songbook, with multiple generations of children growing up on songs by such composing teams as the Sherman brothers in the 1960s and '70s and Howard Ashman and Alan Menken in the late 1980s and early '90s.
Particularly as live-action films veered away from musicals and toward realism, animation became even more important to the world of musicals, according to Sito.
"For a while, animation was the lifeboat of the American Broadway musical," Sito said. "The natural surrealism of an animated film makes a setting for a musical more gettable for a general audience. We accept characters breaking into song."
But, as so often happens in Hollywood, Disney started giving theatergoers too much of a good thing. Sito recalled a test screening for the 1995 movie "Pocahontas" in which audience members audibly groaned as the first musical notes began to play.
"By the late '90s you could sense the exhaustion of the audience, that the musical had overstayed its welcome," Sito said. "We were very sensitive to that. We were like, we've got to cut back on the number of musicals."
What followed was the ascendance of startup animation studios Pixar and DreamWorks, which, while they collected Oscar nominations for such songs as "You've Got a Friend in Me" from "Toy Story" and "Accidentally in Love" from "Shrek 2," didn't make full-on musicals or generate mainstream hits.
By the time director Carlos Saldanha pitched the first "Rio" movie to his studio, Blue Sky Animation, in 2006, it was still considered unusual to make a song-heavy animated film.
"My pitch was, 'I cannot think of Brazil without thinking of music,' " Saldanha said. "But it was an experimentation." That movie, which 20th Century Fox released in 2011, became a surprise hit for Fox in part on the strength of its music, which paired composer John Powell with Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes.
On "Rio 2," which traces the path of a family of rare birds as they fly from Rio to the Amazon jungle, the studio embraced the format of a musical wholly, Saldanha said.
"Rio 2's" 14 songs are as diverse as the country in which it's set, including performances by R&B artist Janelle Monae, rapper B.o.B, Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth and "Flight of the Conchords" comic Jemaine Clement, who delivers a particularly amusing cover of "I Will Survive" as the movie's villain, a sadistic, flightless cockatoo.
In addition to the Rahman and Minchin musicals it has in development, this year DreamWorks will release "How to Train Your Dragon 2" with two songs by Jonsi, the frontman from the Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós, and "Home," an alien invasion movie with a character voiced by pop singer Rihanna, who is writing a concept album for the film.
"For us, music is a big focus right now," Damaschke said. "I'd expect to see more and more of it."


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The Centre County Bar Association Board of Governors meets monthly to discuss organization business. CCBA Members can email Executive Director, Hollyce Winters, at firstname.lastname@example.com with any issues for the board to consider.
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Next Episode of The Royal is
not planed. TV Show was canceled.
Spinning off the successful series, Heartbeat, this show focuses on the lives of the staff of the local hospital, The Royal, during the 1960s.
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St-Jean de Maurienne – Annonay Davézieux
Distance: 226km
Highest point: 1,188m
Category: Medium mountains
Complicated for the sprinters
The sprinters will have been quiet for a few days now – and some of them may well have fallen by the wayside – but this one could go their way depending on how the first 80km goes. Some riders are sure to view the Grand Cucheron and Granier as the ideal opportunity to break clear and perhaps build a stage-winning advantage. It's the kind of day Thomas Voeckler will appreciate if he's not in overall contention. After the climbs, though, the sprinters have got plenty of terrain on which to set their rouleurs to work. The final cat 3 climb might foil the sprinters, especially after 200km and two weeks of racing.
Janez Brajkovic:"This is somewhere that a break can stay away all day and take the stage victory. If the day's break hasn't gone by the first climb it will be pretty hard to go after that. I don't think there will be major changes to the GC here."


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earlier post, I want to use Tuesdays as an at-home work day (catch up on lesson plans, grading, and correspondence) in order to give myself Thursdays to focus on spiritual renewal and creative endeavors. After reading Jennifer Louden's book, I became inspired to set aside a portion of each Thursday to relax with purpose in the form of a private retreat. Today is my first retreat.
But as is my typical MO - I have spent far too much thinking about the "perfect" first retreat: so many options and such a great desire to make every minute count. Apparently the Martha in me runs deep. But in thinking through the options I have come to discover (or rather admit) that I am an academic. I love to learn. And I am energized when I am researching a new subject. So it occurred to me that if this is truly what feeds my soul, why fight it?
The three subject areas that fuel this desire are travel - writing - and photography. And I am consumed by the idea that I can marry these three interests into one life long hobby. I find such pleasure in planning a trip - and sometimes I enjoy the anticipation more than the actual vacation. I have a burning desire to not only visit Europe, but to return to a few select locations multiple times. I want to experience being a true part of that culture and not just a one week visitor. I have several books on London (where I have been twice), Paris (where I have been three times), and Italy (where I have yet to visit). How delightful it would be to spend a few Thursdays as an armchair traveler to any of these destinations.
I am currently taking Dave Fox's online travel writing course, which will allow me to revisit my summer trip to Paris. I journaled about this trip on this blog, and I am now ready to take these "immediate" drafts and put them into more cohesive essays. I find that a few months' distance provides a new perspective and some hidden insights.
I am also tempted to register for Patti Digh's new online writing course: VerbTribe. Two years ago I read her book, Life is a Verb, and actually developed a few writing prompts that I shared on this blog. I like her writing style and her outlook on life. I like her sense of humor. I would imagine that she is a very kind and compassionate teacher who would encourage students rather than discourage them. I just don't know if I should add the class to this semester's schedule where I am supposed to rest and relax. Would that be another Martha move?
365 project is helping a little bit - and the Find Your Eye course is teaching me how to see the world up close and personal. I have also registered for the Slice of Life project that will begin in early February. Yes, I even pursue the creative subjects with an academic mindset - but I am learning to accept it. I recently found a book that I think I need to add to my personal library: Storytellers by Jerod Foster. How serendipitous is that? A book about photography that teaches me to view the picture as a narrative story? If that doesn't sound like the perfect marriage of writing and photography, I don't know what is.
So while it is nearly 9:00AM and I am still not exactly sure how I will spend this retreat Thursday, I do have a direction. And I am excited to see where the journey takes me.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Retreat Thursday
Posted by My Cozy Book Nook at 8:46 AM
4 comments:
That sounds like a blast of a plan! I often spend my days off wringing my hands and thinking... what should I do, what should I do? And then wasting much time. Good luck with all your time! It sounds awesome!ReplyDelete
With so many interests, I can see why you have trouble deciding. I wish you much luck with your retreats.ReplyDelete
You are so organized. I'm more of a wing-it kind of person. I really admire your approach.ReplyDelete
Hooray for your retreat day! And for the great book suggestion - I'm so enjoying the Woman's Retreat Book. Sounds like you had a great day - love the poems you've shared. Two favorite writers of mine:) Very inspiring!ReplyDelete
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Vista Caballo Letterpress Stationery
Vista Caballo is a ranch retreat with a special connection to horses in Dove Creek, Colorado. We worked with Thinktopia to design this stationery system for the client. They already had a logo design and needed stationery developed using the existing mark. One of the things often overlooked in design is the choice of materials. This is something we strive for in our own design work. Material selection can be a central component for building the look and feel of a brand. In this stationery system we use a variety of brown toned papers to compliment the tactility of the letterpress printing and echo the desert landscape of the location. Kind of like making a color palette, instead we made a material palette. Each piece is printed with the same brown PMS color.
Letterhead is French Paper Speckletone Kraft, Envelope is French Paper Speckletone Chocolate, Business cards and Note cards are Crane Lettra Pearl White 220lb, Labels are Strathmore Soft White crack and peel stock, Journal covers are Fibermark Suedetex Tan 25pt with Smart Genesis Husk 70lbT gutt.
Richness of materials makes this stationery unique.


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Latest media releases
Disclosure of shareholdings as of 27 December 2007 (2)
Based on the revised regulations of the federal law on stock markets and stock trading (BEHG) effective 1 December 2007 UBS AG, Bahnhofstrasse 45, 8098 Zurich, received the following information from Credit Suisse Group, Paradeplatz 8, 8070 Zurich for publication.
As of 1 December 2007 Credit Suisse Group held a stake of 3.08% of acquisition positions (proportion of voting rights) of UBS registered shares. These comprised 10,866,275 (0.52%) UBS registered shares with voting rights and 24,660,726 (1.19%) acquisition rights and 28,320,730 (1.37%) written disposal rights on UBS registered shares with voting rights.
At the same time there were 3.77% (78'082'316) disposal positions (proportion of voting rights) of UBS registered shares. These comprised 37'284'795 (1.80%) disposal rights and a further 40,797,521 (1.97%) written acquisition rights of UBS registered shares with voting rights.
Credit Suisse Group directly and indirectly holds the following acquisition and disposal positions through the following companies:
Credit Suisse Group indirectly through its subsidiary Clariden Leu Holding AG, Bahnhofstrasse 32, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland (indirectly through Clariden Leu AG, Bahnhofstrasse 32, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland) and Credit Suisse, Paradeplatz 6, Postfach, 8070 Zurich, Switzerland, directly and indirectly through its subsidiary Credit Suisse Holdings (USA) Inc. Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010, New York, USA (indirectly through Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, New York, USA) and Credit Suisse International, One Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4QJ, England, and Credit Suiss Life (Bermuda) Ltd., Argyle House, 41 A, Cedar Avenue, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda, and Credit Suisse Life & Pensions AG, Mühleholz 3, FL-9480 Vaduz, and Credit Suisse (International) Holding AG, Bahnhofstrasse 17, 6300 Zug, Switzerland (indirectly through Credit Suisse Investments (UK), One Cabot Square, London E14 4QJ, England, indirectly through Credit Suisse Investment Holdings (UK), One Cabot Square, London E14 4QJ, England, indirectly through Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited, One Cabot Square, London E14 4QJ, England), and CSPB Non-Traditional Investments Ltd., The Bahamas Financial Centre, 3rd Floor, P.O. Box N-3023, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, Nassau, Bahamas.
This disclosure is being made pursuant to the simplification of the reporting requirements through the Disclosure Office of the SWX. With advance notice, details about the acquisitions and the disposal positions can be viewed without cost during normal branch opening hours at the head office of UBS, Bahnhofstrasse 45, 8098 Zurich (UBS Investor Relations, +41 44 234 41 00).


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Ghosts and UFO's (by SedonaLeigh)
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Ghosts and UFO's
A blog by SedonaLeigh1908
A Fable and a bit of silliness from a series I wrote called Compound Desert Cove – an apartment complex in the barrio of Sunnyslope, Arizona where I lived for six years. Despite the drugs, gang bangers, freaks, alcoholics, witches, bikers – this was the most closely knit community I ever lived in.
The Arborist
An arborist lived at CDC. As we had an aged and somewhat scummy landlord, things like taking care of the landscaping were not in the works. But the arborist didn't mind. He skinned the palm trees, tended the hedges, acquired a vast collection of succulents and other native flora found in his beloved desert and set out to rehabilitate two spindly citrus trees that gasped for life in the center of the common courtyard.
The arborist was a study in contradictions. An egotist, who reveled in superior brain power that intimidated the average human and kept them away. A holder of rage that promulgated like a faucet that never turned off. He built things, drew maps and painted to wheedle away the solitary hours. In another turn, a selfless soul who loved to feed the poor and cut lawns for the elderly. He would stop for disabled motorists to help them; including an instance where he held the hand of a dying motorcycle driver who met his end in front of a Circle K at the hands of a distracted SUV driver. These moments of help and hurt affected him deeply. As he aged, the greater the effect until pain became the demon he fought with all the ill-gotten methods at his disposal. It was a sad and prolonged losing battle with mental illness; the beauty of life faded away from his sight.
He tried for several years to cure the disease that wrecked the citrus trees, preventing them from thriving and giving fruit. As his own soul was darkening from demons and abuse, his determination to save the trees deepened. And after immense patience, care and deep root fertilization, the trees began to thrive again.
In his final year, the trees blossomed and gave so abundantly that their limbs dragged to the ground pregnant with lemons and grapefruits, respectively. The entire complex received grocery bags full of fruit and still there was plenty to spare. The arborist enjoyed his lemon aid and morning grapefruit as the spoils for the efforts he had so patiently given.
They buried the Arborist when he was 27, in the desert foothills of Virden, New Mexico. In the distance, a river feeds the pepper farms and his mother's childhood home stands in silhouette - a testament to his pioneering ancestors who settled there and gave that region of the United States their shape. Mount Graham watches in the distance - an ecosystem surprisingly diverse in contrast to the arid flatlands surrounding it. Wild raspberries grow there and bears occupy the forest that dwells in the high altitude.
They say that in the years to follow, the citrus tree, even without his physical tending continued to flourish, growing to shelter the bedroom window of the apartment he once dwelt in, giving the inhabitancy bushel loads of fruit each year. They say that as the evenings of the desert chill into winter, he can be seen looking over his tree in ghostly form and sitting to rest below its limbs; a permanent dweller and benign caretaker to his small legacy.
UFO's - March 1997
Most of the strange and unexplainable things I've seen throughout my life I've attributed to my sophomore year in high school. That year I dropped more acid than supposedly allowed to maintain the status quo of the sane and stuffy. As residue of the drug lodges itself in fat and brain tissue, it never completely leaves your body. I still enjoy nice tracers to this day and have an easy out when I see something that makes me shake my head and look again.
But in March of 1997, I had an experience with all of my neighbors at Compound Desert Cove. That is was a shared viewing, and later reiterated on the evening news as something that 'damn near everyone with eyes saw', I feel less weird talking about it now.
News Report
At the summoning of my gang-banger next door neighbor proclaiming that there was something 'freaky as shit in the sky', we all gathered and proceeded to climb onto the roof of the apartment complex to take a look.
Traversing slowly over the northern mountains of the city heading south, there was half a dozen lights, evenly spaced to form a flying wing. Sure, Luke Air Force Base was home to a couple of stealth bombers, similar in shape to this phenomena, last I checked the specs didn't include that such a thing was half a fucking mile across.
We watched as it lumbered its way clear of the mountains heading in a pretty straight trajectory along the path of I-17 slowly heading south east towards Central Avenue. We are were all pretty amazed and sorta struck dumb as the vast hugeness of the object and weirded out that the sonic sound of engines never came. Attention spans being what they are, after about twenty minutes, someone went and got some beer. The object slowed and stopped over the horse track about six miles south of us. The lights blinked a bit, an ice breaker to what we were witnessing.
Someone started to whistle the tune to 'Close Encounters'.
"Hell of a fuss to place a bet on a horse, doncha think?"
"Phone Home Motherfucker! Phone Home!"
"I may be too high for First Contact."
Independence Day had come out the year before, so conversation headed toward the wisdom of trying to take a shot at it and the great humor at the possibility of Will Smith coming to save the day (we had cigars just in case.) We also wondered why Luke AFB hadn't scrambled something up to take a look at this thing.
After it passed over the Cave Creek Mountains, we couldn't see it anymore and all went in to watch it on the news. It passed over the entire city over a two hour period of time and was last seen hovering around the Paloverde Nuclear station before the lights disappeared completely.
I think the Phoenix Lights remains one of the most witnessed strange events in recent history. I have no idea what we saw....flares and balloons tend not to blot out stars nor remain synced to each other for a two hour period of time. Whatever it was, we had a good party and ET is just as good excuse as any for comradery and a good laugh.
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ZombieQueen112.54K •
This is in my personal list of "Best Blogs of 2016"
Well fucking done sexy momma, now where can I dl "Compound Desert Cove "
TaliesinSA724 •
The Arborist actually had me shed a tear ... Even though you are on the other side of the world from me the story hit very close to home... - thanks... Well written
As for the UFO story... Well... The USA had its "Project Blue Book" back in the day, South Africa had its "Project Iron Horse" back in the day and since all of it involves X-files from both continents - I'll say no more on THAT subject...
SedonaLeigh1908 •
Under normal circumstances, Occam's razor would fit. But we saw something roughly the size of 5 Galaxy C5's side by side wing tip to wing tip. To the best of my knowledge (after working as a civvie at AFBs most of my life) C5's cannot hold formation for two hours+ running silently. If they could in 1997, then Skunkworks has some technology that basically rewrites everything that is known about aviation. But that sure is one possibility. I honestly don't know what I and most of Phoenix saw that night. And every year, the local media brings it back up and tries to figure it out.
SedonaLeigh1908 •
Thanks, darling...I have a blogspot and a tumblr...but they are untidy and need to be consolidated...I will post a link on my profile when I decide to get my head out.
(I hate paperwork)
All Comments
fryerider562 • Show comment
Re: The UFO
The US government knows. But they're not telling!!!
(And the pilot of that object now hears "Hail to the Chief" when he [it?] enters the room.)
Klawhammer1196 • Show comment
Hmmm, very interesting. Will there be more? Sounds Perhaps you would like to listen to Some Linda Moulton Howe. Or just maybe you already have....
cue spooky music.
watertiger3914 • Show comment
Fascinating - thanks for sharing, Sedona!
The story of the arborist recalls a tale I read long ago about a couple who loved plants so much that when they died in their house, the plants of their so carefully tended garden united to bury them along with their house underneath an impenetrable splendour of flowering fragrant greenery. Way to go...
Last edited by watertiger, 20 hours ago
watertiger3914 • Show comment
Nothing wrong with a dose of melancholy as long as it's not life-arresting...
analogkid610363.91K • Show comment
I only read the first one it was so good. I will save the 2nd for later. Well done.
Good writting in the blogs section is like a overgrown garden: Among the weeds that spring up every day a Rose will appear.
I like telling stories and I really love it that people like to read them. Thank you!
amagai20003655 • Show comment
The Truth is out there ...
vahgar11.65K • Show comment
You are an exceptional writer and this was so engrossing.
Loved this blog.
Kamrov325 • Show comment
wow, this piece of writing is good. the arborist was exceptional :D
dfblast12.77K • Show comment
Very well written and interesting
anija0071013 • Show comment
Such a wonderful writing ..
dascubadude22.58K • Show comment
Thank you SedonaLeigh1908 for a great blog ,everything from flash backs to UFO's, Hope to see more of you in the future.
The thanks really goes to Star.Sapphire9728 for lending me the blogspace. I really enjoy our blog roll and like to contribute.
analogkid610363.91K • Show comment
When you get to post it IS a contribution as opposed to the usual daily dreck. Thats not fit for a tabloid or wrapping fish oh you cant even do that with it. (not paper)


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MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 18.5 Years
CAREER: Became a member of the Major League staff in 1999...has umpired the Division Series (2000, 10, 13) and the 2005 All-Star Game at Comerica Park...worked the ALDS between the Rangers and the Rays in 2010...was behind the plate for Roy Halladay's perfect game on May 29, 2010 at Florida...attended the Jim Evans Umpire Academy in 1991...previously worked in the Arizona League (1991), California League (1992), Texas League (1993-94), American Association (1995), Pacific Coast League (1996-98) and Arizona Fall League (1997-98)...umpired in Japan's Central League in 1997, becoming the first American umpire to work regular season games in Japan...his father, Lou, was an American League umpire from 1963-82 who also wore number 16 during his career...Lou was behind the plate for Jim Palmer's no-hitter on August 13, 1969...Mike and Lou are the only father-son tandem ever to have both served as a plate umpire in a no-hitter.
PERSONAL: Born in October 1967 in New York state...resides in Colorado...married and has three children: Megan, Cross and Michael...graduated from the University of San Diego with a B.A. in Communications (1990)...is a licensed commercial pilot...enjoys swimming and reading...was inducted to the Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, AZ) Sports Hall of Fame for swimming...co-founded an organization called "Blue For Kids" with fellow umpire Marvin Hudson in 2004; the organization is now part of Umps Care Charities (umpscare.com), which provides financial, in-kind and emotional support for youth and families in need...enjoys piloting.« Back to umpire roster


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"Family Food"
"Memory Monday: Sopping the Bowl" (wherein you learn that my family's taste for sweets was so voracious that we sometimes ate them "raw")
"Advent Calendar Day 14: Fruitcake"
"Memory Monday: I'll Have Mine with Sugar"
This last post reveals how truly absolute my family's addiction to sugar was. I mean, a family where major breakfast selections are cinnamon toast and peanut butter with syrup - that's ... extreme.
There is even a post dedicate to a sweet drink: "Memory Monday: Iced Tea." My entry for the GeneaBloggers Cookbook is a supercharged combo of fudge and oatmeal cookies called simply "Snack Bars." Maybe I should just call this blog "Greta's Genealogy and Sweets Bog."
The sweet tooth was inherited from my father, and his was ferocious. Or, come to think of it, part of it might have come from my mother's mother ("Grandma Moore, Banana Pudding, and the Telephone: An Evening of Terror"). Even my brother had a weakness for sugar cookies that landed him in the humiliating situation of having to ingratiate himself with his little sister (me - see "I'll Have Mine with Sugar" above).
As I have gotten older, the need for a high sugar content has leveled off somewhat, and my tastes have shifted toward subtle/subdued rather than rich. Even so, there are a few sinful, luscious, and adipose-adding items that are still irresistible: my Aunt Rene's Candy Balls, my mother's Easy No-Cook Divinity, and my Ho Ho Cake (adapted from a recipe given to me by a friend at church). Here are the recipes:
Mix together 1 stick oleo, 1 can Eagle milk, 2 boxes powdered sugar, 2 cans coconut, 4 c. pecans; chill 2 hrs. Take out & roll into balls. Rechill. Melt in double boiler 2 packages chocolate chips, ¼ lb. paraffin. Stick toothpicks into balls & dip them into hot chocolate. Rechill. Dip them over as long as there is any chocolate left. For variety, dip balls into cherry juice before dipping in chocolate.
In small mixer bowl, combine frosting mix (Fluffy white Betty Crocker dry mix), 1/3 cup corn syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/2 cup boiling water. Beat on highest speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Transfer to large mixer bowl; on low speed, blend in 1 lb. confectioner's sugar gradually. Stir in 1 cup nuts. Drop mixture by teaspoonsful onto waxed paper. When outside of candies seem firm, turn over. Allow to dry 12 hours or overnight. Store candies in airtight container. Makes 5 to 6 dozen candies.
1 box German Chocolate Cake mix (pudding in the mix)
1 bar Baker's German Chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
8 oz. sour cream
1/3 C. oil
1 C. water
6 oz. chocolate chips
Mix cake mix, chocolate, sour cream, oil, and water together. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into greased and floured pan (I use a 13x8 glass pan). Bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees. (I leave it in the pan.) Cool completely.
5 Talespoons flour
1 8-oz. stick butter, softened
1/2 C. Crisco shortening
1-1/4 C. milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 C. granulated sugar
Cook flour and milk in pan until thick. Let cool. Place in mixer bowl with softened butter, vanilla, Crisco, and sugar. Beat on high until light and fluffy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Spread evenly over cooled cake to about 1/4 inch from edge of pan. Chill.
4-1/2 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate
1-1/2 sticks (12 ounces) butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
2-1/4 cups powdered sugar
6 Tablespoons light cream
1/8 teaspoon salt
Melt 1-1/2 sticks butter and chocolate. Let cool. Add vanilla and salt to it in mixer bowl. Heat cream slightly, add, and beat. Add powdered sugar gradually. Beat until smooth; don't let it get lumpy. Spread evenly over filling.
Keep cake refrigerated.
This Memory Monday was written in response to a prompt from Amy Coffin's 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History:
Week 13: Sweets. What was your favorite childhood candy or dessert? Have your tastes changed since then? What satisfies your sweet tooth today?


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There was a lady, who had a dog that she loved, and he followed her everywhere. One morning she woke up, went to the bathroom, came out, and realized that her dog wasn't at her feet. She found him in his bed ''sleeping''. She called his name, but he didn't get up. So she took him to the vet and told the vet that her dog wouldn't wake up. So he looked at her dog and said, ''Your dog is dead''. She asked the doctor to perform another test to be sure.
The doctor went into another room, and came back with a cage. In it there was a cat. He let the cat out, and she walked arund the dog, sniffed, and went back in her cage. The doc put the cat back in the other room. He came out and said again, ''Your dog is dead''.
She was like ''Ok, how much do I owe you?''
The doctor said ''$300''
She said, ''What!?!? How could it cost that much??''
He said ''$15 for me to say he was dead. Then $285 for the cat scan''


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Sports highlights
Moose Lake Area girls get by Golden Bears
The Moose Lake Area girls hockey team beat Eveleth-Gilbert 2-1 on Tuesday, January 22.
The Rebels outshot the Golden Bears by nearly a two to one ratio at 35-17. Kaitlyn Greene, sporting a .911 saves percentage as of Thursday, got the win in goal as she stopped 16 of 17 shots.
There was no scoring in either the first or the second period.
Eveleth-Gilbert scored first at 3:42, but Andrea Youngberg, assisted by Erin Mollberg, tied it at 1-1 at 9:26. Jessica Bird, with 28 points as of Thursday, got the game winner at 11:59, assisted by Haley Radel and Youngberg for the 2-1 final.
MLA ties I-Falls
The Moose Lake Area girls hockey team tied the International Falls Broncos in Moose Lake on Saturday, January 26. Jessica Bird scored, assisted by Jamie Bird, for the first goal of the game. Jamie Bird scored unassisted. The game went into overtime, with Kaitlyn Greene in goal, and ended in a 2-2 tie as the Rebels went to a record of 11-7-3 on the season.
MLA beats Princeton
On Friday, it was the Rebels beating Princeton by a score of 5-3. After a shorthanded goal, it was 1-1 after one as MLA clicked on the power play, with Haley Radel scoring, assisted by Jessica Paull, at 13:09.
The second period had the Tigers scoring first again, and again MLA answering. It was an unassisted goal by Paull for 2-2 at 3:24. Hannah Dougherty put the Rebels up 3-2 on a power play goal, assisted by Jessica Bird and Erin Mollberg, at 10-40. The goal would hold up to be the game-winner as MLA added two goals in the third period.
Bird was assisted by Dougherty at 10:16 before Princeton got a goal at 16:02. Dougherty capped off her fine three-point outing with a goal at 16:59 that was unassisted.
Kaitlyn Greene had a great game in goal as she faced 39 shots and made 36 saves (.923 saves percentage).
Rebels nip Mariners
The Rebels beat the Silver Bay Mariners 3-2 to improve to a record a 12-7-3 on Monday, January 28. Andrea Youngberg scored unassisted at 9:35 of the first period. Jessica Bird scored at 8:32 of the first period, assisted by Jessica Paull and Erin Mollberg. Jessica Bird scored nine seconds later, assisted by Jamie Bird and Mollberg, for 3-0, Rebels.
Silver Bay scored a goal in the second period and a goal in the third period for the final 3-2 score. The Rebels improved to 12-7-3 with the win. Kaitlyn Greene made 28 saves of 30 shots.
The championship U12B banner from last hockey season was also presented to the rink.
MLA boys blanked
by Webster Siren Area
The Moose Lake Area boys hockey team was blanked 9-0 by Webster-Siren Area on Tuesday, January 22. Gage Mohelsky faced 72 shots while the Rebels had only seven shots on goal.
Rebels avoid shut out
against Greenway
Despite being out-shot 47-12, the Rebels, with a goal by Zach Paull, assisted by Tyler Hoffmann and Gabe Douglas, avoided a shutout at 8:57 of the first period against Greenway on Thursday, January 24. Gage Mohelsky had 38 saves for MLA.
Moose Lake-Willow River mangles Marshall
The ML-WR girls mangled the Marshall Hilltoppers by a score of 57-28 on Friday, January 25 by a score of 57-28. Shaelyn Halverson, with the Rebels' only two threes, led all scorers with 19 points. The Rebels went to 12-4 with the win and stayed in the hunt for a possible Polar title.
Taylor Miller made the double digits with 10 points. Morgan Prachar scored eight points. Hannah Race had five points. Jodi Michalski and Holly Mattison each had four points. Dana Olson had three points. Kayla Radel and Hayley Johnson had two points apiece.
Rebels crush Marshall
The Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels crushed the Marshall Hilltoppers by a score of 98-29 on Tuesday, January 22. The Rebels led by 50 points at the break and put 12 players in the score book. Tony Adamczak, with one three-pointer, led all scorers with 17 points. Brad Fossum, with 13 points, hit three three-pointers.
Michael Pender and Matt Mach each had eight points, with Mach hitting a three-pointer. Ike Pederson, with seven points, hit one three. Jake Disterhaupt had six points as did Ezra Szczyrbak. Trenton Autio, with one three-pointer, had five points, as did Zach Schaumburg. Jay Duffield also had five points. Charlie Adamczak hit a three-pointer and John Zinter added a free throw.
ML-WR drops Gobblers
The Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels dropped the Aitkin Gobblers by a score of 60-44 on Thursday, January 24. The Rebels had three players with a dozen points.
Tony Adamczak, Brad Fossum and Ike Pederson each had 12 points and each hit two three-pointers in the game. Jake Disterhaupt and Ezra Szczyrbak had nine points apiece. Matt Mach, with the Rebels' other two threes, had six points.
Rebels topple McGregor
The ML-WR Rebels no trouble toppling the McGregor Mercuries on Friday, January 25 with a 72-23 win. The victory keeps the 10-4 Rebels in a tie for Polar points with Barnum.
Tony Adamczak and Ike Pederson each scored 11 points, with one and two three-pointers, respectively.
Matt Mach nailed three threes for his nine points. Trenton Autio had eight points. Jake Disterhaupt scored six points, as did Brad Fossum with his two three-pointers. John Zinter had five points, including a three-pointer. Zach Schaumburg and Charlie Adamczak each had four points. Ethan Hibke added two points.


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"we're both significan liars. So crush me baby, I'm all ears." -"You Know How I Do"
"I wanna hate you so bad, but I can't stop this anymore than you can." -Bike Scene
"You've got this silly way of keeping me on the edge of my seat. But your only counting the clock against the train and I'm miserable." -Bike Scene
"You've got me right where you want me. Let's never talk about this again, because.. I don't want it to mean that much to me." -Bike Scene
"Why can't i feel anything from anyone other than you?" -cute without the e
"I'm not one for complaining, but I love the way you'd roll excuses off the tip of your tongue as I slowly fall apart." -great romances of the 20th century
Sunday, April 11, 2010
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May 3, 2010
Hieroglyphic Being - The Ninth Root EP
+++ 05
A1. The Ninth Root
A2. Syllogism
B. Pythagoras
Posted by . at 12:00 AM No comments:
Labels: hieroglyphic being, vinyl
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"Mathematics is the body of sound knowledge centered on such concepts as quantity, music, structure, space, and change – and also the academic discipline that studies them. Mathematics is the first stage of this concept on the academic disciplines of classic house, rhythmic noise, industrial jazz, acid house, ragtime electronics, new age, ambient and classical structures." – J. Moss


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Dr Berney and Dr Marshall discuss some of the positive things that come from the symptoms of ADHD.
DISCLAIMER – Some of our contents and links are sponsored. Psychreg is not responsible for the contents of external websites.
Psychreg is mainly for information purposes only. Never disregard professional psychological or medical advice, nor delay in seeking professional advice or treatment because of something you have read on this website. Read our full disclaimer.
We run a directory of mental health service providers.


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Note: This item is more than seven years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.
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News Release
Media Contact: TPWD News, firstname.lastname@example.com, 512-389-8030
March 29, 2012
Falcon ShareLunker Produces Large Spawn
ATHENS—Toyota ShareLunker 531, caught from Falcon International Reservoir March 16, spawned more than 44,000 eggs March 29.
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) hatchery staff removed the eggs from the spawning mat, counted them and put them into a hatching jar. The eggs will hatch in three or four days, and the fry will be raised to about 1.5 inches in length before being stocked.
A video of the processing of ShareLunker 531's eggs may be viewed on the ShareLunker program Facebook page.
ShareLunker 531 was caught by Gary Wingate of Amarillo and is the first ShareLunker to spawn this season. Multiple spawns from the same fish are not uncommon. Six of the current entries are pure Florida largemouth bass and are being held for spawning. Those fish came from Lakes Falcon, Austin (two fish), Fork, Ray Roberts and O.H. Ivie.
So far this season 12 ShareLunkers have been caught from six different lakes: Falcon, Austin, Fork, Toledo Bend, Ray Roberts and O.H. Ivie. Each lake producing an entry into the ShareLunker program during the season receives a portion of all the fingerlings produced.
Pure Florida ShareLunkers are paired at TFFC with pure Florida males that are themselves the offspring of ShareLunkers. This selective breeding process is intended to result in offspring that have the best possible genetics. Appropriate measures are taken to ensure that genetic diversity is maintained.
DNA testing allows Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to determine the parentage of and relatedness among ShareLunker offspring.
The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.
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» Tires » Pirelli » Scorpion STR
Price start from $99.99 + Tax
Light Truck and SUVs / All Season / Highway
Offering two tread designs (STR & STRA), this new all season product achieves new performance levels for the latest generation of Sport Utility, Light Truck & 4X4 vehicles. The STR design is characterized by round shoulder blocks and an open tread design, whereas the STRA has a "squarer" and a more robust shoulder area with full shoulder blocks, and aggressive tread design for increased stability and performance especially with larger vehicles. The Scorpion STR offers exceptional street performance with excellent balance in off-road conditions and delivers a quite and precise ride, while providing superior comfort and handling. The Scorpion STR also meets the severest international standards in terms of safety.


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Where to Watch the 90th Academy Awards in D.C.
It's officially summertime in the city, and we can't think of a better way to cool off from DC's heat and humidity than with a cold, boozy cocktail in...read more ›
Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to ...read more ›
Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›
If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›
Whether you're a wino or a wine novice, DC is home to a number of wine bars perfect for casual sipping or for expanding your palate. ...read more ›
This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›
Patio weather has arrived! Grab your friends, stake a spot at the bar and take advantage of these outdoor spots for drinking and dining. ...read more ›
In a huge move for the American craft beer community, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have agreed to a merger valued at $300 million dollars. ...read more ›
Here are some of our top picks featuring awesome beverage choices in addition to serving up delicious eats - burgers, Korean, Japanese and more - all ...read more ›
A new, high-end blend of Jack Daniel's whiskey, known as Jack Daniel's No. 27 Gold, which was previously only ...read more ›
Coopers' Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon has debuted an entirely new label design, has expanded to more states...read more ›
Where to drink bourbon? Check out our top picks below for places to sip the barrel aged spirit....read more ›


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I am a Front Desk Agent
With this small bit being said, it was a new manager who has come into the Front Office department that decided to share a little something with the staff. As managers we try to keep the employee morale up, and this was a nice little introduction into his style and sense of humor. I share this with everyone because if you have never worked a front desk, you might finally understand what it's like after reading this. If you have worked the Front Desk in a hotel before, then this will be like music to your ears. After reading it I thought that finally, someone else had put into words how it is. Enjoy!
I am a Front Desk Agent
I have advanced degrees in Accounting, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, and Swahili. I can also read minds.
Of course I have the reservation that you booked six years ago even though you don't have the confirmation number and you think it was made under a name that starts with "S".
It is completely my fault that the blizzard shut down the airport and you have to sleep in a warm king-size bed while 5000 of your co-travellers are sleeping in benches at the airport. I am sorry.
It is not a problem for me to give you seven connecting, non-smoking, poolside suites with two king beds in each, four rollaways, 3 cribs, and yes, I can install a wet bar. I know it is my fault that we do not have a helicopter landing pad.
I am a Front Desk Agent. I am expected to speak all languages fluently. It is obvious to me that when you booked your reservation for Friday on the weekend we're sold out that you really meant Saturday. My company has entrusted me with all financial information and decisions, and yes, I am lying to you when I say we have no more rooms available. It is not a problem for me to quickly construct several more guest rooms. THIS time I will not forget the helicopter landing pad. And it is my fault that everyone wanted to stay here. I should have known you were coming in, even though you had no reservation. After all, you stay at our brand of hotel all the time, 300 nights a year, and this is only the first time you've ever been to our city.
I am a front desk agent. I am quite capable of checking three people in, two people out, taking five reservations, answering fifteen incoming calls, delivering six bath towels to room 625, plunging the toilet in room 101, and restocking the supply of pool towels, all at the same time. Yes, I will be glad to call the van driver and tell him to drive over all the cars stuck in traffic because you've been waiting at the airport for 15 minutes and you've got jet lag.
I am a front desk agent, an operator, a bellhop, houseman, guest service representative, housekeeper, sales coordinator, information specialist, entertainment critic, restauranteur, stock broker, referee, janitor, computer technician, plumber, ice-breaker, postman, babysitter, dispatcher, laundry cleaner, lifeguard, electrician, ambassador, personal fitness trainer, fax expert, human jukebox, domestic abuse counselor, and verbal punching bag. Yes, I know room 112 is not answering their phone. And of course I have their travel itinerary so I know exactly where they went when they left here 9 hours ago, and what their cell phone number is.
I always know where to find the best vegetarian-kosher-Mongolian-barbecue restaurants. I know exactly what to see and do in this city in fifteen minutes without spending any money and without getting caught in traffic. I take personal blame for airline food, traffic jams, rental car flat tires, and the nation's economy.
I realize that you meant to book your reservation here. People often confuse us with the Galaxy Delight Motel, Antarctica. Of course I can "fit you in" and yes, you may have the special $1 rate because you are affiliated with the Hoboken Accounting and Bagel Club.
I am expected to smile, empathize, sympathize, console, condole, upsell, downsell (and know when to do which), perform, sing, dance, fix the printer, and tell your friends that you're here. And I know exactly where 613 Possum Trot Lane is in the Way Out There subdivision that they just built last week.
After all, I AM a Front Desk Agent!


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Spartan Blades are some of the finest fixed blade tactical and combat knives produced within the United States. Their designs are simplistic, elegant, and most importantly ultra-functional. Spartan Blades use the highest quality components, materials, and steels to produce a product second to none. Every detail is scrutinized thoroughly from blade grind and swedge shape, to sheath material and even the included or excluded lanyard. Military professionals, combat personnel, and collectors around the world turn to Spartan Blades for the utmost functionality in a beautifully designed package. You can see their new designs at www.knifecenter.com.
More From Spartan Blades: Continue Reading


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Rebuilding A Four-Speed Transmission
It goes back to the root of who we are. It's part of the core of our souls. It was the drive of the earliest shade tree mechanics. It's in the makeup of every motorhead. I'm talking about the desire to do-it-yourself. We all know the deep satisfaction that comes from successfully tackling a project we've never done before. We take great pleasure in being able to say, "I did that myself." for most of us, there is also the need to know the job was done right. After all, no one cares as much about your project as you do.
Of course, things have changed a lot since the early days. We need a lot more than a box of basic hand tools today. There's more specialty equipment and special skills needed now. Who would have ever dreamed that some of us would be tuning our musclecars with a laptop computer? whatever skill level you possess, there will always be things that are best left for a professional. Still, there are a lot of basics that will always stay the same, so we want to take you back to those basics and show you one of the things that most anyone can do.
For you old timers, this will be a good review of something you might not have done in a while. If you are new to Mopar muscle, this may be just the thing to get you started down the road of a very satisfying hobby.
We put the word out we were looking for a back-to-basics-type project we could detail for our readers, and John Balow, owner of Muscle car Restorations, was quick to respond with the offer of an A-833 (Hemi four-speed) rebuild. He was kind enough to wait for us to get out to his Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, shop so we could follow one of his expert technicians through each step of the teardown and rebuild.
Probably the best advice we can give you is to take your time and to carefully notice how each part or subassembly goes together. Keep everything in order as you go and especially keep all the slider assemblies together until you are ready to replace whatever you need to. if you do one at a time you'll have the other one for a reference. It's also a good idea to take some photos just in case you need to step away from the job for a while.
Zumbrota Bearing and Gear in Zumbrota, Minnesota, supplied the parts necessary for this rebuild. They also provide countershafts for the cluster gear and can rebuild the input shaft to good-as-new condition.
Another service Muscle Car Restorations takes advantage of is their transmission dyno. They are able to thoroughly test a transmission, simulating in-car conditions, so when it's finally installed in your car you know it will work perfectly.