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Everything you thought you knew about H2 Photography has changed! Well, except that we love to have fun sessions, have amazing photographs, & awesome clients!
Creative Fees
The creative fee covers our time on-location, post production of your images, and your online gallery. Together we'll plan the perfect scene to capture your session! All H2 Photography portrait sessions include a private, password protected online gallery for sharing your images with family and friends, 10 retouched images, & approximately 40-50 photos from your session in a downloadable gallery. (image number is an estimated based on typical conditions and can vary due to unforeseen circumstances). H2 Photography services the East Valley, locations outside photographers 30 min radius will be charged a $50 travel fee per half hour. I want you to love your images, which is why I let you choose a location that means something to you! I want to see into your world!
For your convenience the session may be paid via Venmo, Cash, or Credit Card. A $100 non-refundable retainer is due at time of booking to hold your date and time.
*Prices subject to and do not included required state and local sales tax (7.8%)
{Newborn Portrait Session | $400}
Newborn photography sessions include 3 hours with Holly in her home studio. During that time she will capture the beauty and newness of your little one! We'll explore several different scenes and posing options to assure unique and gorgeous images of your pride and joy! Within 14 days of birth for newborns. (please inquire about an in-home session)
{Children Portrait Session | $250}
Children photography sessions include 1 hour with Holly. This session focuses on your child at this very moment, preserving their precious faces forever in portraits. The child session includes coverage for up to 3 children under the age of 17.
{Senior Portraits Session | $375}
For your teen as they begin their journey into adulthood. Sessions may last up to 2 hours and include both natural light and studio photography. Multiple clothing changes & close locations are welcomed and encouraged to allow a variety of proofs to be shown. Feel free to bring props.
{Family Portrait Session | $350}
The family session places emphasis on creating a beautiful storytelling portrait collection you are sure to cherish for years to come. Attention is placed on capturing the loving bond and unique traits of your family as well as the child(ren) individually. The family session includes coverage for up to 5 people.
*For sessions with more than 5 people, an additional $20 per person is required
{Bumps to Babies (Maternity & Newborn) | $450}
Bumps to Babies with H2 Photography includes two portrait sessions: your maternity session (scheduled during the last trimester of pregnancy) as well as your newborn session (scheduled before 4 weeks of age) and 25* custom designed birth announcements.
The first Bumps to Babies session focuses on celebrating the natural beauty of the expecting mother. Then, once your new baby has arrived, you will come to my home to preserve this special time as it pertains to the newborn, both before, and after his/her arrival. I welcome and encourages the partner, as well as other siblings, to play a cameo role during the Bumps to Babies sessions. (please inquire about having parts of the session in your nursery)
Maternity sessions are only offered through the booking of a Bumps to Babies session.
{Just One Year | $550}
Our Just One Year program consists of three custom portrait session for your child, which take place at any time within one calendar year from joining the JOY program. Enrollment is limited and only available on a first come first serve basis.
The JOY enrollment fee of $550 is due upon booking your first session.
A typical session might be held at 3 months, 6 months and one year of age. Another option might be 4 months, 8 months and one year. JOY Sessions are not limited to babies. Perhaps you'd like to document your toddler's growth over a year. Consider the JOY program for spring portraits in his Sunday best, another session in the fall, then conclude your JOY session with a birthday session. Children of all ages are welcome in the JOY program; our only requirement is that all sessions take place in Just One Year.
Each JOY session lasts approximately one hour, taking place at your home or a location of your choice. With the shorter nature of these sessions, we recommend limiting clothing changes, to typically no more than two. Your portraits will be professionally edited by H2 Photography. Upon completion of the editing process you will receive information on viewing your images online and purchase from your gallery.
Your Child's JOY plan is a "single subject in the photograph" promotion only. If you choose, you may add additional family members to one of your JOY sessions. An additional session fee of $20 for each additional person.
Print Pricing
Order from me, order from somewhere else, the choice is up to you. There is no minimum order requirement – I only want you to purchase portraits that you love.
8-Wallets | $7.00
4x6 | $6.00
5x7 | $11.00
8x10 | $20.00
8x12 | $20.00
11x14 | $30.00
Gallery Portraits include 16x20, 16x24, 20x24, 24x30 Prices by request
Square prints and other sizes are readily available
Images are also available on canvas. Please contact for sizes & pricing.
{Digital Negatives | $200}
Are available for purchase. High-resolution files enable you to obtain unlimited reprints of your favorite session images from the lab of your choice. Digital negatives will print nicely up to 11x14 in size.
*H2 Photography retains the copyright of the purchased negatives. Purchased negatives may not be used in contests, sold to third parties, or used in your own promotional materials without our written consent.
[Custom designed Cards]
$50 for a set of 25, *additional sets (of 25) may be purchased at reduced pricing.
As you can see, there are a lot of changes & a lot of new things! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Having worked with children of all ages and adults, we know that occasionally everyone wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, has a bad hair day, or just doesn't feel like smiling. If YOU are not satisfied with the quality of your images, we will invite you back for another session at no additional expense. We want you to leave with those memorable images.


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RuPaul Responds to Criticism of Transphobia
RuPaul and his popular reality show "RuPaul's Drag Race" has come under fire this season for using anti-trans language, like "tranny" and "she-mail," which offended some. Now the iconic drag queen has responded to the controversy in a new interview with comedian Marc Maron.
RuPaul explained on Maron's WTF Podcast that he is not bothered by the word "tranny" and that he loves the word. Maron said that a number of people in the trans community are offended by the use of the word and Ru explained his views on the language.
No, it is not the transsexual community. These are fringe people who are looking for story lines to strengthen their identity as victims. That is what we're dealing with. It's not the trans community, because most people who are trans have been through hell and high water and they know -- they've looked behind the curtain at Oz and went, 'Oh, this is all a fucking joke.' But, some people haven't... You know, if your idea of happiness has to do with someone else changing what they say, what they do, you are in for a fucking hard-ass road.
Ru also talked about the producer's decision to re-edit most of the recently-ended season to cut out the host saying the word "she-mail" in every episode.
My 32-year career speaks for itself. I dance to the beat of a different drummer. I believe that everybody, you can be whatever the hell you wanna be. I ain't stopping you. But don't you dare tell me what I can do or say. It's just words. Yeah, words do hurt... You know what? Bitch, you need to get stronger. You really do, because you know what, if you think, if you're upset by something I said, you have bigger problems than you think...
"You know, I can call myself a nigger, faggot, tranny all I want to, because I've fucking earned the right to do it. I've lived the life.
"I've actually stayed away from this dialogue forever because it's a lose-lose situation. You cannot win with this. I believe what I believe. You believe what you believe. Let's just call it a truce."
Earlier this year, "Drag Race" some found the language on the LOGO reality show to be transphobic and former trans contestants Carmen Carrera and Monica Beverly Hillz spoke out about the incident.
"'Drag Race' should be a little smarter about the terms they use and comprehend the fight for respect trans people are facing every minute of today," Carrera wrote on Facebook. "They should use their platform to educate their viewers truthfully on all facets of drag performance art."
Listen to Ru's thoughts on WTF Podcast below:

subset: commoncrawl


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While many fans directed their love/hate mail to J.J. Abrams during Lost's six-season run, the truth is that Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse were the actual brains behind the day-to-day running of the series. The two were the showrunners for the duration of the show's life while Abrams simply served as an executive producer (though he was crucial to developing the pilot and the overall idea for the groundbreaking series). Lindelof took a fairly prolific route following the series finale with writing gigs on Cowboys & Aliens, Star Trek 2, and Prometheus, but many fans have been waiting to see what Cuse would tackle post-Lost. It appears we have our answer, as Cuse has just joined the A&E series The Bates Motel as an executive producer. Hit the jump for more.
Though Cuse has been busy developing film and TV projects for the past few years (he's working on a super-secretive feature for Hugh Jackman to star and Shawn Levy to direct), The Bates Motel may be the first project we actually see from the writer-producer since Lost. Mark Wolper and Roy Lee are producing the series, which serves as a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's horror classic Psycho. The Bates Motel "aims to tell the story of a young Bates and how his deranged mother and her lover unhinged his mind, eventually turning him into a serial killer." The show is being described as a cross between Twin Peaks and Smallville (that's one hell of a mash-up), and Heat Vision reports that Cuse will executive produce and oversee the writing and production of the show should the pilot be picked up to series.
A&E is initially planning a six-episode "event" run that would lead to additional seasons if it catches on. In addition to Cuse, Friday Night Lights and Parenthood alum Kerry Ehrin is also joining the production crew as an executive producer and writer who will work with Cuse. The premise for the show is intriguing enough, but I'm incredibly encouraged by the addition of Cuse. Though it certainly had its ups and downs, Lost was a wholly unique entity in the television landscape and it's unlikely we'll see such serialized storytelling on network television anytime soon. Obviously one of the most crucial aspects of The Bates Motel will be the casting, so hopefully we hear some news on that front in the next few weeks.


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This is the lounge. You can discuss anything you want, but you will do it kindly. How are you going to type with a baby bat snuggled up to your finger like that?
Status: Heavily Moderated; Previous thread
This is the lounge. You can discuss anything you want, but you will do it kindly. How are you going to type with a baby bat snuggled up to your finger like that?
Status: Heavily Moderated; Previous thread
JAL: Snark, Sarcasm & Bitterness says
Oh, I left out one part. He doesn't have any current rights to Little One because his name isn't on the BC and we were never married. There are people trying to change the way the law works to be more father friendly.
Patricia, OM says
Hot peppers is food for orcs's. Not even fit food for the DumbestChimps. So there. *pfffft*
Richard Austin says
For those who know:
Bryan Singer is directing the next X-Men movie (the sequel to "First Class").
Improbable Joe says
Rev. BigDumbChimp
As per those jokes, I'm not sure what to think. Jamie Weinstein has decades of being a right-wing shill, and maybe three weeks of being a journalist, so there's that. Also, telling a joke about rape victims is bad, but I'm not sure how bad it is to tell jokes at the expense of a political movement with an anti-rape victim and anti-woman agenda. Mostly that "article" seems to be the standard whining to camouflage the fact that the criticism against Republicans is 99.99% justified by finding some 0.009% that so much as puts its toe on the line and the 0.001 that actually crosses it.
I mean, how dare someone call a bunch of sexist, misogynistic homophobes names, and use dirty words too!
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
JAL, I had no idea about those conditions in Arizona. That is why you needed to speak with an advocate. Bitterly funny, the fact that you have been successful in keeping your child safe from your ex makes it easier for your ex to try to place himself in her life.
I was afraid that you might have to move. Not at all fair. But you need to know your options so you can pick what works best for you. At least your advocate gave you something useful. Keep at it.
Lynna, OM says
I feel sorry for Steve Benen, who writes for The Maddow Blog. Back in January he decided to take on the task of chronicling Mitt's mendacity. Now, in his 41st edition of Chronicling Mitt's Mendacity Benen finds that he has documented 917 falsehoods. He is weary.
We can only hope that the election ends his misery. Four years of a Mitt Romney presidency would do him in.
To honor Benen's heroic effort, here are few excerpts from the latest Chronicle:
4. At a campaign event in Doswell, Virginia, Romney said "Obamacare" is "crushing small businesses across America."
There is literally no evidence to support this claim in any way. Indeed, a big chunk of the Affordable Care Act goes to give small businesses a tax break.
14. In a radio ad this week, Romney suggested Obama saved the auto industry "for China," adding that "GM cut 15,000 American jobs" because of the president.
GM itself responded to this by saying, "We've clearly entered some parallel universe during these last few days. No amount of campaign politics at its cynical worst will diminish our record of creating jobs in the U.S. and repatriating profits back to this country."
23. At a campaign event in Tampa, Romney said, "Latin America's economy is almost as large as that of China."
That's actually not true. [Latin America's GDP is $4.8 trillion to China's $7.3 trillion and in Purchasing Power Parity terms it's $6.8 trillion to China's $11.3 trillion.]
31. Romney went on to say, "Energy prices are up in part because energy production on federal lands is down."
Nice try, but no. [The data in the report, which go back to 2003, show that there was indeed a large decline in oil production on federal lands and waters in 2011. But that observation belies the fact that federal lands and waters were exceptionally productive during 2010, outstripping any year's productivity during the Bush administration. Indeed, the average productivity on federal land and waters during the four Bush years, 2003-2008, was 634 million barrels per year. During the three Obama years, 2009-2011, it was 676 million barrels. During the Bush years, federal lands produced roughly 33 percent of the national output on average. During the Obama years, they produced roughly 34 percent. [Columbia Journalism Review, 3/22/12]]
Romney does not know how to vet his sources, nor does he know the meaning of the word "almost," nor the meaning of "double," (as evidenced by his claim that Obama "doubled" the deficit. The deficit was $1.3 trillion when Obama took office. It is now $1.08 trillion.)
Take a break, Steve Benen. We may need you in the future.
Giliell, Approved Straight Chorus says
Fuck, fuck, fuck
That asshole's no father
Can we drum up some money to get you out of state?
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
Trump has proven that Obama was born in Kenya.
Warning, the link takes you to a strange and paranoid alternative universe.
Lynna, OM says
Rev. BigDumbChimp @496 before the portcullis fell:
Romney to be charged with violating the federal Ethics in Government law by improperly concealing his multi-million dollar windfall from the auto industry bail-out.
I wonder how much of this means anything
I posted the text below in the "Romney is a very devout man" thread about Romney's uncharitable "charitable" giving. That was thread was dead by then.
Romney is charitable toward business cronies. He gives them tax breaks and he removes the terrible burden of regulations that are meant to keep the little people safe. At least that's how he operated as Governor of Massachusetts. Now it turns out that Romney Style may have caused the deaths of 25 people. So far.
The fatal meningitis epidemic sweeping the United States can now be traced to the failure of then-Gov. Mitt Romney to adequately regulate the Massachusetts pharmaceutical company that is being blamed for the deaths.
At least 344 people in 18 states have been infected by the growing public health crisis and 25 have died so far.
But the epidemic may also play a role in the presidential campaign, now that state records reveal that a Massachusetts regulatory agency found that the New England Compounding Co., the pharmaceutical company tied to the epidemic, repeatedly failed to meet accepted standards in 2004 — but a reprimand was withdrawn by the Romney administration in apparent deference to the company's business interests….
Beatrice, anti-imperialist anti-racist Islamophobiaphobic leftist says
Oh, so that's the big revelation Trump was promising. Over here, it was reported that he has evidence that the Obamas are divorcing.
Ogvorbis: broken and cynical says
Shit. Be safe and good luck.
Azkyroth, Former Growing Toaster Oven says
George T Stagg Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey is like angles tears
Might go good with pi?
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
Beatrice, that was one of the things that was being speculated about by people who are foolish enough to take Trump seriously. That is so last week, literally.
Funny that this would be a bombshell; Saint Ronald was a divorcee.
Beatrice, anti-imperialist anti-racist Islamophobiaphobic leftist says
Ah, I don't follow news every day, so I'm often behind on sensationalist crap and conspiracy theories.
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
Sadly, sensationalist crap and conspiracy theories makes up the bulk of the presidential campaign in the US.
JAL: Snark, Sarcasm & Bitterness says
So far, no shelters have openings yet but they say keep calling, you never know when one will open up. On the waitlist for some places. Going into the shelter means we can't take the cat or her fish. We're going to let her stay at Grandma's for the night again since Roomie has to work tonight. She'll be kept indoors all weekend until we can find a place to go. She is just going to fucking hate me and throw a fit. I'm going to call the advocate back in a couple hours to update her. She was really nice and concerned. It sounded like it just broke her heart to hear we were finally stable after being in homeless shelters and now have to go back in the system because of stupid fuckface.
rq says
By topic:
Tony @437: if you want to try riding, I could hook you up, but getting over here might be a bit of a hassle for you.
Giliell – would love a pattern for the hobby horse, but I was thinking of going make-shift with old socks and reforming them.
cicely – I don't want to take it to the [Thunderdome], so I will simply disagree with you, and say that horses are the loverliest animalses ever to be evolved on this earth because they ride like the wind. And you don't need to be smart to be loverly.
chigau – I saw the reaction. Nice. The peas, too.
I was almost on your side here, cicely . I used to hate peas and they're still not a favourite, but with this, I present Latvian Delicacy #1 . Sorry there's no English, but the pictures should be more-or-less self-explanatory. Tony , it's kind of like what your'e doing with the bacon and the peas @480. This is about the only way I enjoy peas, and then only on cold, cold winter evenings after several hours outdoors.
hot peppers
I love them, but I can't take too much of them, so I use them sparingly. Lack of acclimatization (Latvians don't do spicy, hey?). But I love them.
And yes, it's true that I haven't had much opportunity to talk about a lot of things for a while. Somehow it's worked out that way without my even noticing it. That's what happens when you move to a different country and life goes about 90 degrees from where you were expecting it to (not necessarily in a bad way) but you discover that your closest friends are moving in different circles, and others around you just don't think the same way you do. I've been thirsty for intelligent conversation for a long time. And no, I don't yet feel that the Husband can understand the things I want to say – sometimes, you just want someone to say 'Yes, I get it' instead of 'I don't undersand, but I'll take your word for it'.
I so wish there was something I could do to help. Even when I'm not remotely connected to a situation like that, it scares the hell out of me. Because it can so easily not end well, and I want it to, very badly. For you and the Little One. :( Hugs?
Today's big news: they had to shut down some major arteries downtown during the day because they dug up two unexploded shells from WWII while digging for water pipes. Happens from time to time, like that time they accidentally rediscovered a medieval graveyard right under the main road of one of the largest cities and had to stop all reconstruction for archaeology.
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
Lynna, it sounds like the Mittbot 3000 is trying to use the National Lampoon Gambit.
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
Using Google Image, I searched buy this magazine or the dog gets it. The first few were on target. After the accurate hits, it get weird.
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
Adam Carolla will never work in Hollywood again!
We will never have pure comedy like
The Man Show again.
When will Daniel Tosh join him in self imposed exile.
rq says
I also just remembered that my godmother lives in New York. I remembered when she posted on Facebook that everything is fine for them, besides no heat and no power and water, water, everywhere…
I think it's time I became a better goddaughter, since she's also one of the people I really miss in my life. (I'm just glad she's ok.)
Improbable Joe says
You know… The Man Show was actually kind of OK for what it was**… which you can tell if you compare the original show with the season where they replaced Carolla nd Jimmy Kimmel with two guys who appeared for all the world like "Trent the Likely Date Rapist" from Michael Bay movies. Of course, it became obvious over time who the more talented person of the duo is… that dude who could drink a beer in a half-second.
Adam Carolla is a sexist, racist, homophobic narcissist with an inflated sense of his abilities in general, when his only specific skill is finding other terrible people and convincing them to give him money.
**I'm not saying what it was is something I can defend.
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
Good news, the New York City Marathon has been cancelled.
Maybe all of the food, water, generators and all of the diverted human resources can be used for the people in New York and New Jersey who needs it.
rq says
Anyhoo, good wishes all around to those who most need them and to those who just want them, and a good night to all.
Tony–Queer Duck Overlord of The Bronze– says
Dear President Obama:
I voted early today. For you. If you win this term, no more torture. No more drone strikes. Tax cuts should go to the middle class. Don't just endorse gay marriage, fight for it. Stand up to Republican asswipes.
Don't let me and hundreds of millions of Americans down (for that matter, don't let the rest of the world down).
memegene says
In comparison to the struggles of people affected by Sandy, this is small in comparison. But I wanted to pass on this unfortunate story of octopus-abuse that recently happened in the Seattle area:
Summary: two divers were photographed with a giant pacific octopus that they were hitting before throwing it into the back of their truck. The observers saw that they took it off an egg cluster – implying that this was a brooding mother octopus. Although the law wasn't broken (it was outside a preserve area), there is a movement among local divers to ban the hunting of octopus in the area, and especially to restrict this type of abuse by putting pressure on the local WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife Commission, which is meeting in a couple weeks to review laws.
Pteryxx says
…Holy shit JAL. I'm sorry, and Arizona can go the rest of the way to hell.
For what it's worth, I'm in Texas and can make long drives more or less on a whim. If you form a plan to get out of there I might be able to take this car and help.
ednaz says
JAL – It's good to read you're getting some assistance. My wish is that you and Little One stay safe.
Tony–Queer Duck Overlord of The Bronze– says
RIchard @1:
That's good news. I read about that earlier this week and was pleased. I wish Singer had done X-Men 3, rather than Brett Ratner. That said, I thought Matthew Vaughn did a very good job directing X-Men First Class. It was probably the best of all the X-Men films, IMHO.
Lynna @4:
Steve Benen isn't the only one who needs a break.
I'd say you've earned one as well.
Out of curiosity, has anyone compiled a list similar to Mitt's Mendacity for President Obama?
Beatrice @8:
Forgive me for asking, but where are you speaking of when you say "over here"?
Fuck, I really wish we could provide some sort of assistance for you JAL. You and your daughter absolutely deserve stability and freedom from your abusive ex.
rq @15:
I hear Latvia is lovely this time of year. :)
(I pulled that out of my ass. I have no idea what it's like over there. But you're there, and you're good people. So that's a plus.)
ednaz says
FossilFishy @ 392 – Thank You for that beautiful piece. My heart is warmed.
My world had become very small, but thanks to the many kind words from The Horde, I am remembering kindness still exists.
rq says
Tony @27
Smiles for you. :) Latvia's pretty terrible this time of year, unless you enjoy rain, thick cloud cover, dampness, mist, fog, and light festivals. (The light festival is about the only good thing going in this season.) Things improve once we get some real snow down for the winter, but that seems to be hit-and-miss these days, too.
We'll be even better people when we have a house. It's in the works. Hopefully this winter.
Ok, I got caught up reading about quanta over there, but now I'm really leaving; it's late. Good night!
ednaz says
Lynna OM @ #486 – Thank You for "The Obama Conspiracy-o-rama."
Tony–Queer Duck Overlord of The Bronze– says
Does PZ have any idea what he's started in the Quantum thread?
JAL: Snark, Sarcasm & Bitterness says
Thanks again everyone and especially you Pteryxx. I might be taking you up on that offer in the near-ish future. I've been looking into places that help abuse victims flee the state they are in. My parents are willing to move with us as well, and they are going to talk to their case workers and programs to see what help they can get. Going into a shelter here really is only a temporary solution. He's never going to stop and there's always the chance of him finding us again. Moving to another state – preferably a blue state that is you know, helpful and sane – would be far more safer. Of course, it's a lot of planning and co-ordination we need to do to make it work but I'm done living here. I hate it anyways and he's only been able to find us out of sheer dumb luck and proximity since we've been moving through shelters but not far enough away.
If all the programs aren't able to help us, I'll jump ship with just the Little One to another state temporarily if I have too. If you're still willing at that time, I could look into shelters there – either near your or anywhere you're willing to take us.
If I'm going to run, I'm going to run.
JAL: Snark, Sarcasm & Bitterness says
And obviously still looking into a shelter here because it at least helps immediately until I find a way to move states.
thunk, Blob Alert! says
I'm very sorry. If only I could help. I live in a blue state!
*many, many hugs* *and wishes that abusive ex will stop*
Alethea H. "Crocoduck" Dundee says
Hugs and all the best wishes to JAL!
I'm having some fantasies on your behalf – some kind of scam involving a faked paternity test so BadMan loses his rights. And possibly some sort of set-up trap involving you wearing a wire, and police snipers and ninjas and falling anvils.
Improbable Joe says
I'm hoping and wishing things work out for you, and having fantasies like Alethea, except involving my parents letting you and your kid occupy their old house rent-free through the winter while you figure things out.
JAL: Snark, Sarcasm & Bitterness says
I'm having some fantasies on your behalf – some kind of scam involving a faked paternity test so BadMan loses his rights. And possibly some sort of set-up trap involving you wearing a wire, and police snipers and ninjas and falling anvils.
Your fantasies are far more entertaining than mine. Mine are just the plain "When he comes back, I hope he accidentally walks a cement block with his head or a wall falls on him or a meteorite hits him". Anything involving a car, makes me feel bad for the people that own the car.
In other more happy news, my Little One won first place in the pumpkin decorating contest. All the kids got trophies and kids that places got a really nice looking certificate.
I know I talked about it before but you guys may have missed it and not remember. I did a review for a Christian paranormal romance book and it was a negative one. The author had two of her friends, one of them another author at the same publisher, make comments on my review. They trashed me and my review. They quickly shut up and dropped it though because I was arguing back and pointed out their comments just put my negative review at the top of the list. So it doesn't matter how many good reviews the book has, mine's the first people see. Well anyways, another author from the same publisher messaged me and wanted to know that she did not agree with such silencing tactics and found all authors like that shameful. She wanted to assure me that not all authors at the publisher were like that and she offered a copy of her book to read. She only just found out about the nasty comments and has no connects to that author. I don't think the Christian wing and the Gay wing of the publisher have much contact. I found it all extremely heartening and thankful she reached out.
Makes me wish I had a safe way like a blog to give her props.
Pteryxx says
If all the programs aren't able to help us, I'll jump ship with just the Little One to another state temporarily if I have too. If you're still willing at that time, I could look into shelters there – either near your or anywhere you're willing to take us.
JAL: Understood. My gmail is my nym and I'm watching it now if you'd care to contact me about the prospects. Otherwise I'm kind of intentionally difficult to reach; the quickest ways would be via IM or IRC or through the A+ forum. Let me know and I'll make sure to keep my presence up.
Unfortunately I'm in Texas which also hates everyone and keeps cutting social services. I know nothing about restraining order laws here but I don't expect they'd be any friendlier. However, if worst comes to worst I could get to you in roughly 24 hours and be at your service to, say, drive somewhere else entirely.
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
Pteryxx, like you told JAL, if you are to get involved, contact an advocate so you know just unfriendly the laws in Texas. If anything, if JAF is staying around where you are at, it will make it less unlikely that her ex will find them. Breathing space while a new plan is put in place.
I am sure you already realize everything I have just suggested but I want to make sure just in case you do not.
Good luck to JAL and her daughter. And good luck to Pteryxx if you get involved. A childhood where one fears that one parent will harm an other is a childhood to be avoided.
FossilFishy (Νεοπτόλεμος's spellchecker) says
With apologies to, well, everyone…
I like chill-ee's and peas!
I do!! I like them, Steve-I-be!
And I would eat them in a shoe!
And I would eat them with ragu …
And I will eat them with your brain.
And in the pub. And in the rain.
And in a shoe. And with baby.
They are so good so good you see!
So I will eat them in a hole.
And I will eat them with a vole.
And I will eat them with marmalade.
And I will eat them with a tardigrade.
And I will eat them downunder there.
Say! I will eat them ANYWHERE!
I do so like
chill-ee's and peas!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo says
A thought:
It would be a considerable outlay, but it may be possible for there to be a Horde Fund To Get JAL Out of Dodge. Enough for a pair of one-way tickets to someplace that is not Phoenix and start-up money for a new place (1st month rent, security deposit, etc). I would be willing to contribute to such a fund. I am on the other side of the country, so there's little I can do otherwise (except sending e-hugs and moral support).
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo says
…incidentally, my googling informs me that air tickets from Phoenix to where I live (to pick a place at random) for one adult and one adult less than five add up to ~$250. Not saying that JAL needs to come here, of course, but if that's the sort of outlay we're talking about, that is rather doable if enough people chip in.
FossilFishy (Νεοπτόλεμος's spellchecker) says
I'm in for whatever I can afford at the time, should a get-JAL-the-hell-away-from-the-asshole fund be set up. I can't promise much, but at least the conversion rate is good at the moment.
Improbable Joe says
Esteleth, I was thinking the same thing, and if it can wait until Wednesday I can chip in a little towards it. I wish I could do more.
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo says
Here's what I'm thinking (using numbers from my city for the sake of argument)
-airfare for JAL and Little One: $250.
-1st month rent and deposit on an apt: $1200.
-Starting-up cash: $1500, to tide JAL and LO over until they get settled.
For a total of ~$3950. Round to $3000. Which, indeed, is a hefty chunk of change. But how many regulars do we have here, anyway? A few bucks here, a few bucks there, and that could actually be achievable in (relatively) short order.
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo says
Obviously, my math @45 is wrong. But my point stands.
Ing:Intellectual Terrorist "Starting Tonight, People will Whine" says
Word just came in that gas rationing is goingting to be enforced tomorrow
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo says
Where are you in the area, Ing, out of curiosity?
chigau (棒や石) says
Gasoline or natural gas for heating?
Improbable Joe says
On the other hand, if JAL picks a place where multiple Hordelings live, the $1500 start-up money might drop down to a couple of hundred after donations of physical goods.
And I'll talk to my parents about having someone "housesit" their home for a month or three and see what they say. There's power and heating oil and propane for the fireplace, and it is just sitting there empty but semi-furnished and will probably never sell.
Improbable Joe says
I don't want to say where my parents live beyond "east coast" because it would certainly be an excellent hideout without a lease or a credit check or announcing online where they live.
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo says
Absolutely, Joe, totally agreed.
And the cost of rent might also be highly variable – having a Hordeling in the area who can go and vet apartments, meet landlords, etc can help see if that cheap place is worth taking. Also, people who know local landlords who are amenable to arm-twisting of the "discount on rent the first few months" variety would be helpful.
FWIW, my landlord is both a decent chap and I know he has some empty units – and a mountain of random furniture.
cicely says
rq – We will simply have to agree to disagree; and I promise not to hold your obvious moral degeneracy against you.
I would pitch in to a Rescue JAL & Little One fund; my contribution wouldn't be much, but it does add up.
Improbable Joe says
I should mention that when the Horde-Signal went up for me, it totaled a figure that was large enough to make me uncomfortable even talking about. And I wasn't in any specific danger, and there
were no children involved. Plus, I'm not even particularly liked or likable.
I can imagine that JAL's predicament would merit more attention than mine did. Plus, I'm finally going to be in a position to help.
Rev. BigDumbChimp says
I'm not even particularly liked or likable.
cicely says
Plus, I'm not even particularly liked or likable.
Untrue! Two counts!
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo says
Plus, I'm not even particularly liked or likable.
When JAL returns to the Lounge and if she indicates her willingness for some sort of plot to help her get out of Phoenix and some sort of idea of where she'd like to go, I can take the lead in gathering donations.
Improbable Joe says
Back at ya. Considering all the factors, including my relative recent arrival here, and tendency towards semi-suicidal meltdowns, I'm not exactly the most sympathetic person here. Not excusing myself, but FFS I know a single mom with a kid and an abusive ex beats me. The fact that I can and will spell it out makes me more of an asshole than not. And whatever my likability might be, JAL's kid should win every goddamned time, right? I know I think so.
Improbable Joe says
I can take the lead in gathering donations.
Email me at my nym with no spaces at the gmail thingy if/when you get something set up.
Esteleth, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo says
I was probably going to use paypal, which is set up at my nym at google's mail bot.
FossilFishy (Νεοπτόλεμος's spellchecker) says
Joe, it ain't no contest. Each case is it's own thing, and unless there are two situations at the same time that require resources I flat out refuse to compare them.
And as far as being likeable, well, you willfully and maliciously chose to disregard my recommendation for Teh Hoard Hammer, and somehow I managed to still like you.
PZ Myers says
Yikes! I've been busy, but at last, here is a NEW THREAD.


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Dark Summary
Latest Updates
Kalypso announce DLC for DARK, new 'Cult of the Dead' mission this December
Sneaky vampire Eric Bane will be returning this December as new DLC is announced for DARK. A new mission is added that takes place after the events of the main game as Bane explores vampiric origins.
The new content has us after the Book of the Dead and we're up against a cult and its leader. Five new challenge maps are include to test our stealth skills for December 5th.
Dark shows off Eric Bane, the Sam Fisher of vampires
What if Sam Fisher were a vampire? Kalypso has released a new E3 2013 trailer for their vampire stealth action game, Dark, showing off protagonist Eric Bane's skills.
Kalypso releases new Dark video showing off more vampire skills
Kalypso has released a new gameplay video for their upcoming vampire stealth action game Dark. The video shows off more of the protagonist Eric Bane's possible skills and moves, and how to apply them.
Kalypso releases new trailer for DARK, shows off cel-shaded stealth and action
The vampire secret society is exposed a little more with Kalypso's latest trailer for DARK, from developers Realmforge. It's an action-adventure title with RPG elements, divulges the official blurb.
We play as Eric Bane, a new-born vamp with a surprisingly familiar voice. It's due out for Xbox 360 and PC this Q2. We'll be picking dialogue, developing skills and drinking blood.
Gamescom 2012: Day One
Jamie, why am I so tired?


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Relationships with
Photo Credit: John F. Kennedy's picture is courtesy of Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin. Photographic illustrations of John F. Kennedy are copyright © by their respective holders. The images are published with permission or as allowed by the copyright law's fair use or quotation provisions. If any copyright holder objects to an image being included, please notify us and it will be removed immediately.
Disclaimer: This information about John F. Kennedy is derived from astrological interpretation of John F. Kennedy's date, time, and place of birth.


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Fabric Composition: 62.5% Viscose, 37.5% Nylon
Please allow 5-15 working days for delivery of this product. You will be issued with a tracking number that will allow you to track your package online.
Please note, for all Christmas deliveries, please ensure that you place your order no later than 3 December.


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Hi Nation,
I was wondering if anyone has subscribed to nfl.com to watch the Steelers? I see where you can just order your team (Steelers) for $34.99. My other questions would be if the stream is quality and I would guess that you just log in with username and password to nfl.com on game day then proceed to your game? Any info would help. I'm stuck in Bear's land and I'm getting sick of having to listen on the radio. Thanks in advance.


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Friday, December 10
Share Our Strength's NO KID HUNGRY Progressive Dinner
This holiday season will not be festive for all Americans. Consider this:
1. Over 15 million Americans are currently unemployed.
2. Over 50 million Americans are currently on food stamps.
3. Over 1 million American children go to bed hungry each night.
What can you do? You can support Share Our Strength's NO KID HUNGRY campaign to ensure that no kid in the US goes hungry. NO KID HUNGRY has made a commitment to end childhood hunger in America by 2015, and they need your help.
Here's how you can help:
1. Visit the Share Our Strength's NO KID HUNGRY website.
2. Click on "Take the Pledge."
3. Act now by choosing any of the options provided.
4. Click here to make a donation.
5. Spread the word. Tell your friends and family about it. Are you a blogger? Visit Share Our Strengths' Blogger Resource Center to find out how you can help.
I'm helping to spread the word about ending childhood hunger in America by partaking in a Share Our Strength Progressive Dinner. Michelle Stern of the blog What's Cooking with Kids?, Gaby Dalkin of the blog What's Gaby Cooking? and Clay Dunn of Share Our Strength, have united 50 food bloggers who will create a virtual dinner. Each day from December 6-14, we will offer family friendly, vegetarian, gluten-free and gourmet recipes ranging from appetizers to desserts. (Click here for the complete list of bloggers.)
Today, Gaby of What's Gaby Cooking? and I are sharing recipes for gourmet entrees. Since the holiday season leaves many us harried, I wanted to share a recipe for a fuss-free gourmet entree. Rather than a labor-intensive stuffed pork tenderloin recipe, I chose a quick and simple pork medallion recipe that still impresses: Pork Medallions with Maple-Balsamic Apples and Pomegranate Arils. The sweet-yet-tangy marinade renders the pork tender and succulent, while earthy rosemary, tart apples and zippy pomegranate arils lend complexity of flavor. Easy yet elegant.
Pork Medallions with Maple-Balsamic Apples and Pomegranate Arils
Makes 4 servings
Printable recipe.
Pork Marinade:
1 1/4 pounds pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2-3/4-inch thick rounds
2 rosemary sprigs
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon butter
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 medium apples, with skins, sliced into wedges, preferable a mildly tart variety such as Pink Lady doused with lemon juice
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary, plus a few sprigs for garnish
2 tablespoons fresh pomegranate arils
1. Place pork and rosemary sprigs in a large Ziploc bag or air-tight container. In a small bowl whisk remaining marinade ingredients. Pour into the bag. Seal and shake the bag until the meat is well coated. Place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour or up to 4 hours. When ready to cook, remove meat from the bag and discard marinade.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add marinated, drained pork medallions. Cook for 4 minutes without touching. Once well browned, flip and cook 2 minutes more until slightly pink inside. Transfer to a plate.
3. In the same skillet over medium-low heat add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Add onions, and saute 5-6 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add apples and saute 4-5 minutes until softened. Return pork to pan. Add maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, salt, black pepper and chopped rosemary. Cook for 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated through. Arrange on a plate, sprinkle with pomegranate arils and garnish with rosemary sprigs.
Be sure to visit these other bloggers for more fabulous entrees!
Gaby of What's Gaby Cooking (gourmet entree)
Niki of life, in recipes (family friendly)
Amber of Blue Bonnets and Brownies (family friendly)
Lydia of The Perfect Pantry (vegetarian)
Chris and Karen of The Peche (vegetarian)
Nancy of The Sensitive Pantry (gluten-free)
Ali of Nourishing Meals (gluten-free)
13 comments:
- Heather (Heather's Dish) said...
what a great way to celebrate this amazing organization and mission!
- December 10, 2010 at 7:24 AM
- The Italian Dish said...
Seriously beautiful dish, Susan!
And a great cause.
- December 10, 2010 at 8:06 AM
- Lexie's Kitchen said...
This dish is LOVELY! Well done! So glad to be a part of this event with you and other super talented foodies.
-Lexie | Lexie's Kitchen
- December 10, 2010 at 8:35 AM
- The Short (dis)Order Cook said...
Thanks for posting these links . I think it's a wonderful thing you're doing.
Love this pork dish too. You can never go wrong with pork and apples.
- December 10, 2010 at 8:39 AM
- Michelle (What's Cooking with Kids) said...
Thanks for participating in this, Susan! This looks delicious! xoxo
- December 10, 2010 at 9:23 AM
- Carol Peterman/TableFare said...
The pork medallions look beautiful and nothing adds a little holiday sparkle visually and flavor-wise like pomegranate arils!
- December 10, 2010 at 9:53 AM
What a great combination of flavors. I, too, am delighted to have participated in this event as well. Thank you for sharing!
- December 10, 2010 at 8:27 PM
- SMITH BITES said...
it's been so much fun to follow my fellow bloggers in this event and i'm thrilled that i was a participant. finding new blogs to read has been an added plus - and even though we met at BlogHer Food '10 in SF, it's still nice to connect in other ways. great recipe!
- December 11, 2010 at 4:19 PM
- The Urban Baker said...
i love being part of this wonderful cause with all of you fabu people! lovely post!
- December 12, 2010 at 8:52 PM
- We Are Not Martha said...
Oh man, this looks amazing!! I used to think pork was so boring until dishes like this started popping up. I made a pork dish with pomegranate not that long ago and I LOVE that this has maple-balsamic apples. Yum!
- December 13, 2010 at 10:40 AM
- Cookin' Canuck said...
I am always looking for new ways to prepare pork recipes and you hit the mark with the this one. Plus, it's for a great cause, so you can't go wrong.
- December 13, 2010 at 7:53 PM
- Jeanne @ Cooksister! said...
Oh Susan, that dish is too gorgeous! I have some pomegranate arils in my fridge right now but never thought to use them with pork medallions. Thanks for the inspiration :) Share our Strength is such a great cause - thanks for highlighting this. Festive blessings to you and yours! x
- December 16, 2010 at 4:59 AM
- Culinarian said...
Awesome. This just sounds really great.
- January 5, 2011 at 3:48 PM


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July 29 - 30, 2013 - The Hotel Kabuki, San Francisco, California
Join us in San Francisco July 29-31, 2013 at the 4th e-Waste Management Summit, an event that has been designed to address the specific challenges of OEM's nationwide. To operate at maximum efficiency and remain compliant, there must be consideration of present e-waste practices and how they can be improved in order to remain competitive and environmentally friendly. This event will focus on rolling out cohesive strategies to collect end-of-life electronics, secure removal of sensitive data, maximize asset recovery where possible, improve brand awareness and help you "go green" without making your bottom take the hit.
Download the Brochure
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Become a Energy IQ Member and receive our weekly newsletter!
Mark Your Calendar
Tell a Colleague
Questions? Contact us on 1-800-882-8684 or email [email protected] now! © IQPC


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|Moya Triad
Moya Triad (モヤ三人衆, Moya sannin-shū, Literally meaning: Haze Triad)
|Naruto Episode #101
|Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2
|Appears in
|Anime, Game
|Team Info
The Moya Triad or the Moya Brothers are a trio of "ninja" (though they lack the skill of even the most feeble shinobi). The eldest brother named Aniki is the smartest, but that is not saying much. They each have a stylised haze cloud symbol on their forehead protectors that almost resembles a question mark. They claim that they are very wealthy.
Aniki holds a grudge against Kakashi Hatake for coming to the aid of a girl he had been stalking, and then leaving the trio tied up in a bundle hanging from a tree while the girl left with Kakashi.
Part I
When Team Kakashi went on a mission, the Moya Triad tried to get revenge on Kakashi, which consisted of hiccup drug in the food and laughing darts, which will make him hiccup and laugh until he dies from it, respectively. Both attempts failed horribly. The Triad were ultimately lured out unintentionally by Kakashi's three students, who wanted to unmask their teacher, but was mistaken by the Triad to be enemies of Kakashi as well. Taking advantage of this misunderstanding, the three reveal themselves with a bottle of poison that will make Kakashi cry forever to death, only to be shocked that Kakashi informed them he already knew of them stalking him all along, and had been waiting for them to come out. The rest of Team Kakashi, who had been tied up by their teacher, falsely stated that they disguised themselves with the stolen Moya ninja uniforms to lure the three brothers out, in order to cover up their own attempt to unmasking their teacher. Kakashi then advanced on the Moya Triad, and, ignoring their fearful begging for mercy, beat them up and left them tied up and hanging again on the barn house, all the while revealing that he did not remember who they are to begin with, much to their chagrin.
Blank Period
Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding
The Moya Triad were seen disguised at Tomiya Inn. They were welcoming Shikamaru Nara and Temari to the inn alongside Okami.
- They also appear in Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2, and fighting them gives the most experience out of any enemy in the game.


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Enfamil cries copycat, files suit
Mead Johnson, maker of Enfamil baby formula, has filed suit against PBM Products in Gordonsville, claiming PBM's packaging for the store brand infant formula it sells in Sam's Club infringes on Enfamil's "trade dress" by using the same distinctive cylindrical cannister, golden yellow background, and royal blue banner. With its Sam's Club sales seriously slumping, Mead Johnson charges that PBM embarked on "an unlawful campaign to lure customers into purchasing their infant formula in the mistaken belief it is Mead Johnson's Enfamil."
PBM has manufactured store-brand baby formula since its launch in 1997. "This is not about consumer confusion," said Paul B. Manning, CEO of PBM Products in a release. "We believe consumers clearly understand that store-brand formulas provide high quality nutrition equivalent to national brand formulas."
Plus, the store-brand cannister is bigger, another way PBM "exacerbates" the harm, contends Mead Johnson.
1 comment
Who's the crying baby in this case? Sounds like Enfamil can't handle the fact that a generic has come along. Well, guess what, little crybaby Enfamil-- advertise yer dern product, like Coke and Pepsi and Lamisil do, and then the generic won't roll away with yer perambulator!!!!!!!!!!!


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'Unconventional' doesn't really do These Arms Are Snakes singer Steve Snere justice – the man regularly appears possessed while on stage, week in and week out, night after night after night. About him, a trio of musicians grind out electronica-tinged alt-rock from another dimension – elements of hardcore can be identified, but this is no chest-beating knuckle-dragging act. TAAS are innovators; they operate on a purely proactive level, resistant to writing their music in a reactionary fashion. Appropriately, they're never likely to be vogue; this is music of few compromises, of jagged angles and twisted edges.
Yet in person – off stage – Snere is an absolute gentleman: in a north London pub he's all smiles with DiS as said band mates – Brian Cook (bass/electronics), Ryan Frederiksen (guitar/electronics) and Chris Common (drums) – lazily sip drinks before yet another headline show, another exercise in executing the unprecedented. Hours from now Snere will be singing from atop a step ladder; at the moment, though, he's entirely down to earth.
"We love it here," says Snere of the UK, a country the band are steadily building a sizeable fanbase in. "We've toured the States so many times that we know people in every town, and they're able to take you around to all the good bars. Here, we love London, and Exeter, but we don't really know what to expect from anywhere. Sometimes we can play a town to loads of people, but return there months later and play to nobody. I just don't know what that's about. It can be really weird."
Seattle-born TAAS are returning to the UK this month for a 'co-headline' tour with Chicago instrumentalists Pelican – click here for our interview with them. Although billed as a co-headline tour, obviously one band will play last, and in this instance it's the Hydra Head-signed lyric-less quartet. But attendees in prior to the main event are sure to be entertained: TAAS don't do subtle at their shows.
"I think we are picking up new fans," says Snere. "I'm seeing people at our shows these days that I've never seen before, especially since the release of Easter. We've almost always gone on tour as the support act, with bigger bands, so it's taken a while for us to realise who our fans were."
"It's way nice to be able to play to loads of people at larger shows," continues Cook, "but you're never certain what percentage of those people care about you. That is changing, though. We did six weeks in the States with Isis, and that was cool."
The aforementioned Easter, released last year, is the band's second album, and the first to be recorded with the current line-up; its 2004 predecessor, Oxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home, saw the kit manned by Minus The Bear's Erin Tate (production was handled by Matt Bayles, at the time also a member of MTB). Previous to that, the band released an acclaimed EP, with yet another line-up, called This Is Meant To Hurt You, and a split with Harkonen. The split aside, all the listed releases emerged via Delaware's Jade Tree label.
"Even at this point, we're never just going through the motions," says Cook, returning to the subject of touring. "We never take anything for granted. I guess it is repetitious – you're always out of your comfort zone – but we never wake up and just go through a series of motions. We have peaks and valleys – a lot of the time I think everything sucks, but then I'll wake up one day and we're in New York and it's, like, waaaheeeey. Although we do associate Florida with that feeling of urrrrgh, I wanna go home…"
"We are used to travelling now," says Snere. "I feel totally at home coming over to the UK."
"We constantly remind ourselves of where we are," says Cook. "Some days, we've got it made. I could complain because we're not playing sold-out theatres or that shit, but the Pelican tour will be our fourth time in Europe, and we've been to Australia and Japan and New Zealand… so when you think about it, everything's cool."
Easter is where much of the band's current set is drawn from – as their latest LP, this would seem obvious, but anyone who has seen TAAS live already will know there's a feverish demand for their older material at each show, particularly for tracks from This Is Meant To Hurt You. While TAAS have been known to sate the appetites of said hardcore contingent, rarely are songs played straight: the epic 'Drinking From The Necks Of Your Loved Ones', the EP's closer, is drawn-out and distressed, Cook and Snere contorting its frame into something significantly more nightmarish. The soundtrack to serene dreams these songs most certainly are not.
"We were surprised at how well Easter was received," comments Cook, "although it did seem to split opinion more than the first album. I actually remember seeing a piece on DrownedinSound, with all these pictures. I don't remember what it said, though! I just remember the pictures…"
The mixed reception to Easter was easily predictable from a fan's perspective – the band's slightly altered line-up is obviously a factor in slight alterations in sound, but more than anything else TAAS are a band in a state of perpetual development. Their backgrounds – members served time in Botch, Nineironspitfire and Kill Sadie – imply that they're unlikely to write music that repeats itself from record to record. It's a truly tough record to second-guess on a first listen, even if you're familiar with what it's following.
"Some people get it, and some people don't," remarks Frederiksen. "It's kinda balanced out. It is a record that I think people will come back to after leaving it after those first few listens. It's tough to judge, really."
"I am really, really happy with it," says Snere. "I know people who have told me that it's tough to take first time, unless you're concentrating. It's very different to what's come before – we have a different line-up, and we had way more time to work on it. We had three months to really decide where we wanted to go, and having our own drummer was obviously amazing. We managed to determine what sucked before going into the studio, where we also had way more time. This time we had a proper idea of what we were going to lay down in the studio, whereas for the first album we were a lot more vague – that was really just about us getting this material we had on tape, just flushing things out."
"For Easter there was more time to experiment. I'd be like, 'Oh, I want to try this pedal,' and I would," adds Cook. Common worked as producer on Easter alongside his band mates, meaning that the four-piece were able to work flexibly, without being in a room with a producer with ulterior interests, or rather with less of a vested interest in the eventual recording.
"We have made a record that you need to sit down and be engaged by," concludes Cook, "and we deliberately made it more mysterious, more weird or harder at times. You have to shift yourself, and you do either get it or you don't. It is a record you have to invest time in, and we're excited that it works on that level. It's not as immediate as the live shows, but the songs do take on other guises live – we're totally different beasts when on a stage."
Witness the band's awkward to pigeonhole alt-rock in the flesh later this month when they tour with Pelican – click here for full dates and here for the band's MySpace page. Photograph by Robin Laananen.


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Meals-on-Wheels provides hot nutritious meals to older adults and chronically ill persons who are unable to provide meals for themselves.Volunteers will be working on the meal packaging assembly line!
When: Monday, January 27th from 5:30 -7:30pm
Volunteers needed: 10
Event Leaders: firstname.lastname@example.com
Where: 670 Harmon Ave., Columbus, OH 43223
Where to meet: Enter the 3rd door near the dock area. Someone should be there to let you in. If not, try pressing the door buzzer.
What to Wear: Please wear long pants and no open-toed shoes.
After the Event: For our #socialtwist, we will have dinner/drinks somewhere to celebrate our volunteering!
Cancellation Policy: Due to the nature of our events, an accurate headcount is important. Please contact one of the event coordinators if you have RSVP'ed but are unable to attend this event.
About LifeCare Alliance: LifeCare Alliance provides services to assist older adults or chronically ill residents in Franklin and Madison Counties. These services include home meal delivery, homemaker and home health aides, and health services from RNs at our Wellness Centers. The primary goal of each of their services is to help seniors remain in the comfort of their own homes with dignity, which is where 100% of them want to be.
About #CbusGivesBack: Columbus Gives Back coordinates group volunteer events with local non-profits, organizes philanthropic happy hours to raise support and awareness for our non-profit partners, and participates in other philanthropic events while emphasizing our social twist: to have fun with volunteers new and old during and after events in the hopes of creating a culture of community engagement amongst our target audience of young professionals.


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Last edited: 1 March 2011
From England, we run a clinic in a remote village in north-east Bangladesh, see: http://www.thewearsurmaclinic.com/
Over the past year, we have become conscious of the very real problem that villagers have sourcing firewood. All my investigations indicate that little (or nothing) has been done to promote Solar Cooking in Bangladesh. We are just a tiny outfit, operating our Clinic on less than US$10.000 a year.
We are, ourselves, convinced that the ovens are very efficient. Despite the fact that England is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a sun rich country, I have cooked a tasty chicken my garden in northern England in about 18c of sun and in less than 3 hours with a simple Cookit!! I believe that I am the first person in England to cook a meal in a solar panel cooker.
The British Government (and all our Media) is trumpeting about the concern over environmental issues and the need to constantly investigate new "Green" projects.
Through my MP, I tried to enlist the support of the British Government (Department for Overseas Development) to invest in Solar Cooking for Bangladesh. He did try to support this, but the DoD was not interested. I have also tried to enlist the support of some other environmental organisations in UK, but without success so far. I will keep trying!
We are going to Bangladesh in July 2007 and will take some Cookits with us to try and demonstrate them in the village. Unfortunately, this will be the Monsoon season, not the best time of year to demonstrate Solar Cooking!
Still, watch this space!
News and recent developmentsEdit
- February 2011: A photo of making parabolic solar cookers in Sylhet, Bangladesh Jan/Feb 2011
- July 2009: Terry Elliott reports that he and his wife Carole have been busy raising solar cooker awareness in the village of Boroudha, where Carole founded the Wear Surma Child Health Clinic in 1992. While at the clinic, the Elliotts became increasingly aware of health problems caused by traditional indoor cooking fires. Children are often burned in these fires, and the smoke causes respiratory illnesses. Firewood is also expensive, whereas solar energy is free. In addition to demonstrations at hotels and in the village, the Elliotts solar cooked a meal of fish, vegetable curry, lentils and rice for several local Rotarians. "To say that the group was impressed is an understatement … they are hooked!" says Elliott. The Rotary Club of Jalalabad in Sylhet has proposed to set up a workshop to manufacture 1,000 solar cookers and hire trainers to teach solar cooking in a number of villages in northeastern Bangladesh. The budget for the project is about UK £6000, and a matching grant may be requested from Rotary International.
- January 2009: Terry Elliott reports: We gave a demonstration of solar cooking to Garden City Rotary club. They are keen to use this fuelless method used , and they will be kicking off the idea in a small village close to Sylhet. There is also some interest in supporting some of the Baroudha projects. They took us to lunch (the hospitality has been outstanding) to a Chinese restaurant. We were interrupted by a TV camera crew filming us from all angles. And me without a shave! After I had followed my dream and made it to the top after X Factor, my one worry was the intrusion of the media into my private life. I like tried to cover my face but they go 'nah, Ken, just gives a bit of leg'. Terry wishes now that had hadn't agreed to let Hello magazine photograph his house. The perils of celebrity! Max Clifford did warn me. It appears that Rotary thought that the joint venture was newsworthy. If it is accepted, it certainly will be. The improbability of cooking using only the power of the sun and a bit of cardboard and tinfoil seems close to that of Gulliver's Lilliputians generating sunlight from cucumbers. We left to the usual crowds, applause, lights and traffic jams.I can almost smell the greasepaint!
External linksEdit
- September 2006: A life-changing experience - Sutherland Echo
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com


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Genomics throws species definition in question for microbes
Until a decade ago, scientists categorized microorganisms almost exclusively by their physical characteristics: how they looked, what they ate, and the by-products they produced. With the advent of genomic sequencing and genetic analysis in the 1990s, our understanding of the relationships between different microorganisms fundamentally changed. In light of this new knowledge, what exactly is the definition of a microbial species, and how should microbiologists be categorizing microorganisms?
These questions are the focus of a new report released by the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) entitled Reconciling Microbial Systematics and Genomics.
"It is clear that the current system for designating microbial species is somewhat functional, but inadequate in many ways. It is unclear whether this system should be replaced or renovated," says Richard Roberts of New England Biolabs, one of the authors of the report.
The report is the result of a colloquium convened by the AAM in September 2006. Participants with expertise in microbial taxonomy, systematics, ecology, physiology and other areas described the history of microbial taxonomy, the state of the field today, and how work in the field should proceed in the future. The report is a record of their comments and recommendations.
In the late 1800s, in order to make sense of the vast diversity of microbiological organisms, microbial taxonomists developed a system of placing microorganisms into categories in which each organism was granted a "genus" and "species" designation. At the time, physical (or phenotypic) properties were the only means of describing microorganisms, so the system was based on measurable and observable characteristics of the organisms, not genetic traits.
In the late 20th century, molecular biology uncovered the genetic relationships between microorganisms, and some of the secrets of microbes that had yet to be cultured in the lab (and hence phenotypically characterized) were revealed.
"Much of this new knowledge was incorporated into species descriptions, but difficulties in classification persisted and novel issues arose," says Roberts. "Conflicts exist between phenotypic and phylogenetic information, the means for classifying non-cultured microbes are limited under the current paradigm, and microbial species do not always demonstrate the phenotypic or genetic cohesiveness expected of them. For these reasons and others it has become clear that the species classification framework in use today is not capable of fully portraying and organizing microbial diversity."
The report contains an in-depth review of the myriad issues and conflicts involved in the classification of microbes in the post-genomic era, including a discussion on the definition of the term "species." It ends with a set of specific recommendations including, but not limited to:
-- The establishment of a subcommittee within the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes to consider a paradigm shift in the species definition.
-- The need for more thorough study of the mechanisms of speciation before a more meaningful and practical species theory can be developed.
-- The need for more comprehensive and systematic data to uncover whether microorganisms are organized into robust, definable, biologically meaningful clusters that adhere to the concept of species.
-- The acquisition of draft-quality genome sequences for all type strains to help advance the integration of genomic information into our understanding of microbial diversity and enable researchers to map phenotypes to genomes.
Source: American Society for Microbiology
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This may be an odd question. I can't bring up an example now that I'm looking for it, but often, I have seen software displayed on a Mac monitor on a site in a screenshot. When you click on the monitor the screenshot enlarges so you can get a better look.
This can be replicated by some photoshop and some JavaScript, however, I was wondering if this is a common widget.
Thank you for your help.


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Two new classes, Fundamentals in Art and Beginners Ballet, come to Waimea March 1-22, 2013, continuing the arts program series presented by Waimea Artists' Guild (WAG) in partnership with KALO.
Professional designer George Detchev brings 15 years of teaching experience in Santa Monica, CA to Waimea for his Fundamentals in Art class. Encouraging each individual's talent, Detchev will work with students in watercolor and pastels to seek out the creative spark, to discover the artist in everyone.
Ballet instructor Youlia Doneva has danced, taught and achieved prestigious awards in Bulgaria, Italy, and the United States during the last 25 years. Employing Russian Ballet techniques to highlight the graceful and exquisite dancer in each student, Doneva teaches a wide range of dance steps, basic ballet movement, position coordination, stretching and creative dance.
"We are so thrilled to have George and Youlia join our community," said Beth Mehau, Executive Director of The Pantry, of which WAG is a component. "They are so generous with their talents and they are bringing an amazing enthusiasm and energy into the programs. If you have ever wanted to try your hand—or your feet—at art or dance, this is a great opportunity to work with highly-skilled teachers, right here in our own backyard."
Both Fundamentals in Art and Beginners Ballet classes will be held on Fridays, March 1-22 at Kanu o ka 'Āina New Century Public Charter School in Waimea. Cost is $85 per person for four weeks of instruction. To register, please call The Pantry at (808) 887-2289.
Fundamentals in Art Program by George Detchev
Fridays, Fridays, March 1-22
Keiki 6-10 years old, 4 to 5 p.m. (12 Maximum)
Age 11 years and up, 5 to 6 p.m. (12 Maximum)
$85 per person for 4 weeks of instruction
Beginners Ballet with Youlia Doneva
Fridays, Fridays, March 1-22
Keiki 6-10 years old, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (12 maximum)
Age 11 years and up, 5 to 6 p.m. (12 maximum)
$85 per person for 4 weeks of instructions
Kanu o ka 'Āina is a free public school for grades K-12 with focus on Hawaiian culture, located in Waimea. To reach the school, turn onto Kamamalu Street at the "Taco Tako/Waimea Brewhaus" intersection; pass the Police Station on your right; stay on this road through a sharp left bend and look for the campus on your right.
The Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which includes Waimea Artists' Guild, the Friday Night Crew youth group, and Mama's House Thrift Store. WAG is an association of professional artists whose intent is to produce art and promote education in their community. For additional information, contact: Beth or Tom Mehau at The Pantry, 887-2289.
Related articles
- "The Hawaiian Tattoo" Now Available in Waimea (damontucker.com)
Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Community, Education, Entertainment, Health, Kids | Tagged: Ballet in Hawaii, Russian Ballet, Waimea Artists Guild | Leave a comment »


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Columbia Native Strives for Olympic Goals
COLUMBIA - Being named an Olympian is one of the top honors an athlete can earn. One Columbia native has made what might have been an obstacle into an opportunity to realize a dream of joining Team USA.
Every morning, you'll find the Missouri wheelchair basketball team practicing on the courts of Mizzou Recreation Complex. On that team - you will find Carter Arey, a Columbia native who dreamed of playing for Mizzou since he could remember. But that dream was going to have some challenges along the way - the earliest one coming when he was four.
Carter was born with proximal fimeral focal deficitony - which means he was had short right femar. Arey explained, "they could either lengthen that bone with a series of surgeries or they could amputate my right foot and give me a prostetic leg. I never really looked back." Carter didn't let the prostetic leg slow him down - he competed with everyone else and played three "able body" sports all the way up until he graduated from Rock Bridge High School.
Finally, with a little luck, Carter got an opportunity to play for the school he loved. He told us, "one day I headed into -- I snuck into the Mizzou rec, which was a great mistake because I met Coach Ron Lykins." Lykins explained, "it was by chance actually, we had another recruit on campus that day. As I was walking down the stairs I saw this kid with a prostetict leg. Big, tall athletic looking kid and I was like ok, I'll go find him later.. And then I thought, I better talk to him now. A couple days later we were working out at together at one end of the court and he was playing basketball and he came down and said 'yeah I'm kind of interested."
Arey said, "I talked to him that week and I said -- I remember clearly saying 'I'm not going to do this if I don't do it all out. Looking back on it, I don't think there could be a bigger day in my life that could have directed me in a different path like that day did."
For the past three years, Carter has been a part of the Mizzou wheelchair basketball team. This past season, carter led the team in 13 different categories and set new school records in three of those. Carter now holds the school record for number of field goals made at 251, number of free throws made at 71 and points in a season at 591. "This is the funnest sport I've every played and it's hard. It's the hardest sport I've ever played and that's kind of what has been driving me so much the last three years just cause I wasn't as good as and that bothered me to the core."
Coach Lykins said, "each year he's gotten better. He's only played three years and it's really a remarkable rise that this kid has had. It goes to show the talent level that he has and shows how hard he works at it. He's not near reaching what his potential is yet." In January, the National Wheelchair Basketball Association named Mizzou Coach Ron Lykins as the Head Coach for the USA men's team.
Four months later, Carter got a chance to join his coach at the next level when he was invited to tryout for Team USA. "It's exciting," Carter said, "to go to the Olympic Training Center - which is beyond words cool for me because grew up thinking about Team USA. You know every kid lays on their floor watching the Olympics and and drooling over how fast Michael Johnson is or how cool it is to see that on their chest and what it represents and the national anthem and all that. Then you get a flood of emotions and then to get an opportunity to do something that neat, that special would be an honor."
Tryouts for the USA Men's Wheelchair Basketball team will run Tuesday through Sunday in Colorado Springs.


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A retired Army Lieutenant General, John B. Sylvester maintains that, unlike in previous years and under previous presidents, hundreds, if not thousands, of veterans, their families, friends and others, were turned away during their simple attempts to honor their fallen comrades and family members on Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, commonly referred to as The Wall, in Washington, D.C. This would appear to confirm an earlier blog report at Thoughts from a Conservative Mom blog.
The claim is that a decision by the Obama administration put a political speech meant to bolster his chances at re-election, above the desires, traditions and practices of many Vietnam-era military members and their families, who have been coming together at The Wall on Memorial Day for decades, now. No notice was given regarding the closing due to Obama's decision to use The Wall as backdrop in his Memorial Day speech.
Sources insist it remained closed for hours, until most simply grew frustrated and went away. For decades, individuals have been coming together there on Memorial Day to perform simple acts and observances in keeping with America's established Memorial Day tradition.
Lt. General Sylvester had written the following in an e-mail:
I just wanted a bunch of you to know about this travesty. When we were turned away from The Wall, I went to lay wreaths on my Mom and Dad and Brother and Sister's graves at Arlington. Guess what? They had that closed for the great man too!!! Not sure who his canned audiences were at either place, but not many veterans like the thousands of guys I saw going away pretty angry.
According to an update in an initial blog report, "'The National Park Service, Public Affairs, and Vietnam Veterans of America all confirmed the shut-down when contacted by phone. VVA said that all the guests had to be pre-screened for security reasons, and it would have been "very difficult" to give advance notice to all the families and vets who arrived to find it closed.'"
Reactions from veterans who were turned away for lack of a White House pass from the Obama administration, range from outraged to saddened when read, or heard for this report, based on multiple confirmed, seemingly reliable sources. Unlike the mainstream media, the blog that did report on the reality of events of this Memorial Day caused me to take a closer look.
Below some additional reflections taken from emails shared with me and approved for publication.
I saw this first hand and I bet you won't hear about this from the Liberal media… Vietnam veterans and the families of Vietnam veterans killed in action whose names are etched on the Wall were denied access to their memorial today, of all days, Memorial Day. The Vietnam Memorial was shutdown, cleared and secured for approximately 5 hours prior to Obama, his cronies and hand picked veterans for a 15 minute appearance by Obama. It's obvious it was all for show.
Hundreds if not thousands of Vietnam veterans and families of Vietnam veterans killed in Vietnam stood in disbelief as Secret Service, Park Police, Washington DC Police, etc., blocked all access to the Vietnam Memorial and kept everyone approximately 100 yards away from their memorial for the first time in the history of the Memorial so Obama could get some photos of him at the Wall. Veterans in uniforms stood in the heat angered as Obama makes them wait. It was a photo op at their expense and families of those killed in Vietnam.
To point out the obvious political nature of the visit, Riehl noted how, in years past, Obama had not made a practice of participating in Memorial Day events or speeches. It was another day to golf. I can only think of two other times Obama has given Memorial Day speeches. One was thrown together as he headed to Chicago for the weekend at a nearby cemetery, and even God sent showers of displeasure. In 2008, Obama proved he didn't know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, as he appeared to reference the ghosts of fallen vets in attendance.
Those Veterans and their families deserved more respect from this raging, narcissist President than what they got instead. Memorial Day should only be a day to remember the fallen, and for their families, friends, fellow Vets and a grateful nation to honor them. It should never become just another campaign stop for any President, especially one who wants to slash their benefits while claiming credit for the success of the bin Laden raid.


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Unity Through Music: Nas to Perform at this Year's ONE Musicfest
After much anticipation, Atlanta's annual ONE Musicfest returns late this summer for their fifth installment of live music and entertainment. The one-of-a-kind outdoor music experience features today's biggest artists playing three stages complete with VIP seating and party deck reservations, while also offering fans the opportunity to enjoy a variety of food trucks, merchants, gaming, and more. Seeking to bridge the gap between Atlanta's diverse communities, ONE Musicfest showcases a wide variety of musical talents spanning race, age and genre.
This year, Nas, who is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album, Illmatic, will headline the festival, which takes place September 13th at their new venue, Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood. Other artists scheduled to perform include Amel Larrieux, Method Man, Redman, Alice Smith, Daley and more acts to be announced soon.
Tickets for the event are on sale now.


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CFP: Tamkang Review Special Issue "Cetacean Nations" (abstract due on Jan 15, 2011)
CFP: "Cetacean Nations." Special issue of Tamkang Review.
Co-editors: Sun-chieh Liang, Professor and Chair, Department of English, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan; Michael Lundblad, Director of Animality Studies and Assistant Professor of English, Colorado State University, U.S.A.
For this special issue of Tamkang Review, the co-editors seek abstracts of papers that would explore representations of cetaceans (including whales, dolphins, and porpoises) in contemporary literary and cultural texts, focusing on nations and cultures surrounding the North Pacific Ocean: Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Russia, Canada, the U.S., and many other countries equally concerned with the issue of cetaceans. Critical work from a variety of fields will be welcome, including animal and animality studies, ethnic studies, ecocriticism, Native American studies, postcolonial theory, transnational cultural studies, and critical theory.
Texts to explore could be drawn from a wide variety of sources, such as literature, film, television programs, commercial whaling discourses, indigenous traditions, animal advocacy discourses, legislative initiatives, as well as intersections with oil, shipping, and fishing industries, military operations and discourses, and ecological issues. Possibilities might include: the work of Hong-Ji Liao, Ke-shiang Liu, Hsia-man Lan-po-an, Linda Hogan, Barry Lopez, and David Rothenberg; films such as The Cove, the Free Willy series, and Whale Rider; U.S. television programs such as "Whale Wars" and various Animal Planet series; theme parks such as Sea World; organizations such as the Taiwan Cetacean Society (http://www.whale.org.tw/en/), the American Cetacean Society (http://www.acsonline.org/), Greenpeace USA (http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/), the International Whaling Commission (http://iwcoffice.org/); and various initiatives advocating for cetacean rights, such as Paola Cavalieri's recent work (http://cetaceanconservation.com.au/cetaceanrights/).
Please send an abstract (less than 500 words) and a c.v. to both Sun-chieh Liang (email@example.com) and Michael Lundblad (firstname.lastname@example.com) by January 15, 2011. If your abstract is accepted, your essay would need to be completed by June 15, 2011. This special issue of Tamkang Review will be published in December 2011. Inquiries welcome.