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Next time you hear a politician banging on about productivity consider this. And scoff.
The federal and NSW governments have been told, by their own top advisers, that without a second Sydney airport the economy of the state and the nation will be stunted.
They have been told - in a report delivered earlier this year - that increased traffic will mean Sydney's noise-sharing agreement won't work any more and aircraft noise will rise to the levels considered unbearable in the 1990s.
And they have been told that roads around the airport will be gridlocked and that there will be increasing flight delays, throughout the Australian aviation system.
That's an economic and productivity disaster, right there.
All those hours sitting in a stationary plane on the tarmac, sitting in stationary Sydney traffic, sitting in other airports around the nation suffering knock-on delays are non-productive hours. All those international flights landing in Melbourne or Brisbane because their airports are open for business and expanding and are full of travellers who won't base their holidays out of Sydney.
If we keep on like this by 2060 we'll have lost $60 billion in spending and 78,000 jobs, the report said, and the biggest losses will be in Sydney and NSW.
The federal Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, read the report and immediately started work on a scoping study at Wilton, south-west of Campbelltown, one of two possible sites identified by the report.
He couldn't start work on the best and most logical option - Badgery's Creek, where the land for an airport still sits, unused, having been bought by the Hawke government in 1985, because he is still bound by Labor's silly, short-sighted 2003 decision to rule out Badgery's Creek. But at least he started work on something.
Barry O'Farrell didn't just refuse to start any work - his government set about undermining the viable options, and even the unviable one that they claimed they supported.
According to the NSW Premier there was only one option for a second airport, Canberra - 300 kilometres away. (The report categorically ruled Canberra out, on the grounds that it's, you know, not near Sydney).
But despite Canberra being the Premier's preference, the NSW government has also approved a rezoning to allow 2000 houses at South Tralee, under Canberra Airport's curfew-free flight path.
Since no one except for O'Farrell really thought that Canberra would ever become Sydney's second airport, this is more a political embarrassment for the NSW government than an actual policy failure, although it does raise serious questions about Canberra Airport's plans to use its curfew-free status to become a big freight hub.
But the NSW government is also actively encouraging plans for 12,000 houses to be built by four developers at Wilton.
Two weeks ago Wollondilly Council - in response to a call for new housing developments by the NSW government - gave the green light to a formal public consultation on plans for a new ''city'' at Wilton.
It will be jointly constructed by four big developers, and include schools, childcare centres, shops and community centres to service the new housing. The council is also strongly backing the already active ''No Airport for Wilton'' campaign.
Local communities have every right to lobby for what they see to be their local interests, but state and federal governments are supposed to take sometimes difficult decisions in the state and national interest. And it is clearly in the state and national interest for a second airport to be built - somewhere.
But for 27 years they've been squibbing it. Privately both sides of Federal Parliament understand they can't squib it for much longer.
The Wilton scoping study should be finished by early next year and it is then that the government will have to say which of the two viable options it is supporting.
Not unreasonably, Tony Abbott has been reluctant to take a lead on the problem from opposition. But importantly, despite O'Farrell's ridiculous position, the Coalition leader hasn't ruled out support for a second airport. He says he is waiting for the specific proposal from Labor.
Many federal Coalition MPs are all too aware that they will inherit the problem if they win government - and that by then the noise and congestion problems in Sydney are likely to be becoming acute. They are also frustrated with O'Farrell's head-in-the-sand stance.
The shadow treasurer, Joe Hockey, who has previously described the NSW government's position as ''absurd'' said this week that it ''does seem odd the state government would approve additional residential housing around Canberra Airport, when it says that should be the second airport for Sydney''.
''The Premier is entitled to his views but we should really be honest and deal with this issue in the Sydney Basin,'' Hockey said.
Many of his colleagues agree, but aren't brave enough to say so on the record.
But the Qantas chief, Alan Joyce, is. He said last month of O'Farrell's position: ''He is wrong on this and we all know he is wrong on this.''
And the Premier's infrastructure adviser, former premier Nick Greiner, is. He said a second airport was necessary, Badgery's Creek was the logical site and there were plenty of reasons why residents might welcome the development.
''Politicians on both sides are running way behind the community,'' he said.
The real question now is how much pain from not building an airport - how much noise, congestion and delays - politicians can endure before it outweighs the political pain of deciding on a site and starting to build the thing.
So far the answer seems to be, a lot. When we finally reach the political pain threshold, the question will be whether politicians can find a way to backtrack from nearly three decades of stupid promises and build it at the most obvious site - Badgery's Creek - or whether they will choose Wilton because it's politically less difficult.
So far we have been waiting more than 27 years. And for all that time politicians have been telling us productivity and economic growth are their abiding concerns.


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Is Olympic Slopestyle Too Risky?
Is slopestyle too dangerous? Last week a high-ranking member of the IOC said it may be.
Lars Engbretson, IOC's head of medical sciences points at the discipline's Olympic debut in Sochi. As reported by the Associated Press, Engbretson said, "The injury rate as it was in Sochi was too high to be a sport that we have in the Olympics."
Although Engbretson did not provide the number or rate of injuries, there were frequent and notable injuries in the ski slopestyle and halfpipe events, including those that stymied U.S. athletes Lyman Currier and Maggie Voisin.
Despite Engbretson's call to examine the future of slopestyle in the Olympics, the decision to add or drop a discipline is ultimately up to the IOC Executive Board. Engbretson isn't a member of that board.
We asked pro skier Grete Eliassen for her take on the safety of Olympic slopestyle events.
"The only way to [avoid] injury is to make the jumps more safe—build them correctly. And you don't have to build them that big to have a good show," she says. "I think they went way out of proportion when building that course."
In the same AP interview, Engbretson said he had a "gut feeling" that the slopestyle events would get one more chance in 2018.
(Jake Koltun is a college student at CU, and a Skiing Magazine intern.)

subset: commoncrawl


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Nancy Baker Cahill
My work represents the human body as a complicated abstraction, corporeally real, yet forever unknowable. I make drawings, videos, airbrush paintings, installations and collaborative projects that treat the body as a site of spatial and temporal violence. My often large-scale images include sinewy folds of fabric-like flesh, explosions of hair, internal landscapes that are microcosmic and macrocosmically extraterrestrial. My intention is to evoke powerful empathic experiences in viewers as they consider their own bodies as transitory– filled with vulnerability, comfort, discomfort, and the realization that they, too, are made of meat.
Medical technology's approach to "knowing" the body became important to me when my mother was diagnosed with cancer, my daughter with a heart (and later, brain) condition, and when doctors discovered a benign, football-sized tumor in my abdomen. These experiences shape my understanding of the body as an unpredictable and unrepresentable place. For my "Fascinomas" series, I employed the visual language of ultrasounds to produce a disruptive moment in our expectations of "truths." I created images by "scanning" sculptural objects with spray paint, capturing their absence on paper. I further developed this idea in "Virgil," my drawings of disembodied viscera. The imagery is both abstract and anatomically specific, beautiful and abject, erotic and a-sexual. Each drawing explores the dynamic tension between extremes, flipping from stasis to motion, decay to regeneration, void to form. I want to dissect the meanings we bring to our own bodies, while suturing a formally generative wound that never heals.
The website will be permanently closed shortly, so please retrieve any content you wish to save.


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But before garnering feedback on these questions, let's 1) note that RememberGhajini.com just went live (for Aamir Khan's upcoming pure masala film), 2) check out this video of Aamir speaking very rationally on the Mumbai terror attacks, in which he alludes to subdued Eid festivities (almost non-existent -- that was the case at the mosque I attended here in Los Angeles today as well, with black armbands; black is the last color worn on happy occasions) as he also discusses he's really not in the mood to release a film, and 3) go through some of the masala ingredients (as noted in the lists referenced above, in no specific order) and identify specific instances in the film, primarily with respect to the unsung hero of Lagaan, its background score.
The score is brilliant and as significant as any other component of the film in transporting the audience to Champaner of 1893. A. R. Rahman directs it, and this post is dedicated to his loyal sound engineer H. Shridhar, who passed away last week. I'm assuming you have seen the film and refer to characters and not actors (there is this series of posts with more, including notes on the cast).
A special note of thanks to Suresh Kumar for allowing me to use the wonderful audio clips -- if you're interested in background scores, you'll enjoy his blog. His extensive (and fantastic) breakdown of the Lagaan background score is available at this link. Thank you Suresh!
1. Strong, bright, sunny, competent heroines
Gauri and Elizabeth qualify in each of these categories. They are competent enough to influence those around them, and are afforded background music consistent with their roles throughout the film.
Gauri demonstrates courage on many occasions, such as with the forgiveness of Lakha (more on him later). Moreover, she makes her confidence in Bhuvan known early and often. Here's, "bharosa hain mohe, tujh pe, tori himmat pe" (I trust you and your courage). This is complemented by the tune to Mitwa in the background.
She is introduced alongside members of the village, and is a fine integrator but also a traditionalist who believes in palmistry!
Elizabeth is the chief catalyst for Lagaan XI's mere comprehension of the game of cricket, let alone the outcome. She understands, in her own words, that "this is not fair," and makes Champaner's problem her own. Her introduction comes courtesy her brother Captain Russell, as he introduces her to Raja Puran Singh. The flutes in the background give her one phenomenal theme after another. Sample this:
2. Incredibly 'good looking' hero who is also 3. an orphan
Our strong, bright, sunny, competent (and I would add stunning) heroines make the decision on Bhuvan's looks easy. Add to the mix that Bhuvan has some noteworthy leadership qualities (outlined in this character sketch), and it's a win-win all round. Bhuvan is introduced during a deer hunt in which he tries to play protector. Immediately, we realize the background score to the action will be top-notch.
4. Criminal intrigue
The essence of Lagaan is the message: 'sach aur saahas hai jis ke mann mein, ant mein jeet usi ki rahe' (one whose heart carries truth and courage is who is ultimately victorious). Leading a film to this conclusion requires portrayal of the opposite of goodness. The British Raj drives injustice in the Indian sub-continent around 1893, but it is Captain Russell who takes the intrigue to above and beyond what is considered even by his leadership as adequate and acceptable (but within authority). His introduction comes alongside Bhuvan's in the deer hunting sequence, his theme bleeding arrogance:
Yardley is a member of the cantonment, and is charged with inflicting physical damage (a crime in a gentleman's game, punitive per the sport's rulebooks) on the cricket field. His theme complements the objectives of the film:
5. Unrequited love
The Gauri-Bhuvan-Elizabeth love triangle is incredibly well integrated throughout a film that is hardly a love story at its core. Gauri's jealousy theme is indicative of her growing concern of the bonding of Bhuvan and Elizabeth.
And Elizabeth's growing love for Bhuvan is consistently leveraged, courtesy the beautiful orchestral version of 'My heart it speaks a thousand words'.
A similar vibe is eventually incorporated into her admission of love for him.
This from the very last scene almost always reminds me of how "life is not fair" :'(
6. 'Ridiculous' plot
The head of a cantonment challenges a group of villagers to a cricket match, the outcome of which would determine the extent of revenue the cantonment would generate from the region. Even with minimal risk, *that* is ridiculous by every definition. The background score is effective in setting the scene when the challenge is issued by Captain Russell and accepted by the naive villager who dared to dream. It really is as dramatic as the previous sentence indicates! :D
7. Buddies and 8. Henchmen
Bhuvan's best buddy is the mute Bagha, who is among the first to join the team (coincidentally, the persons who play Bhuvan and Bagha are very good friends in real life). Bagha portrays emotions through his dhols (drums), and the score fits in.
The antagonists have their share of buddy relationships -- Russell and his henchmen do the honors.
9. Dishoom Dishoom
There is not as much of this as in a typical masala film, but it does exist at a few key junctures, not the least important of which is when Bhuvan touches the ball by the boundary lines.
This is also the second meeting between Russell and Bhuvan, here are the soundbytes.
10. Family Drama
We could probably have a post and list dedicated to what family drama really is as well. If it is defined as drama around families, it is there.
If it is defined as drama family audiences can enjoy, it is there. If it is defined as drama that involves a greater family that is a community of villagers in a greater region, it is there. A natural extension to the ridiculousness of the plot, the themes in the climax capture the drama well, complete with the Ghanan Ghanan theme, most fitting.
11. Reunions
A key ingredient of the climax is the reunion of sorts between Bhuvan and Gauri. They shared a lot before, but here is where we see their most intimate physical display of affection (listen to clip under #10 above), following the song O Re Chhori (here's the fantastic theme) earlier in the film:
12. Tears
I swear the first time I saw the cricket match in Lagaan, it was no less engaging as a real intense cricket match. You know, the kind in which the Indian team makes us shed tears of sorrow and joy, all in a few hours. The kind that gets us to cheer each shot or wicket. While the film has plenty of tears from start to finish (no rain in an agricultural society that has to pay taxes despite not being able to afford food would do that), let's just focus on the cricket match here. The blood, sweat, and tears that go into the preparation for and execution of the three days worth of play were well connected. The background score is effective in conveying the many moods associated with the match. There is bhangra when Deva the fast bowler from Punjab takes the final wicket...
...but moments of despair abound. Every time a wicket falls for or runs are scored against the Lagaan XI, there is music that invokes sympathy, such as this:
Bagha the drummer's wicket has very specific music for the purpose, consistent with his favorite instrument:
13. Children
It is only fitting that the first recruit to Bhuvan's team comes courtesy a friendly practice session (his first) with a child named Tipu. Tipu bowls, and Bhuvan's first hit is long and high enough to strike the bell at the temple atop a hill (the music portrays the joy in that specific instance). This gives the team Bagha. Here's Tipu's theme, which includes the tune to the fight song Chale Chalo:
Tipu also serves as an alternate runner (for Ismail) in the match, which leads to some of the most crucial moments. Here is his theme from the match, which segues in seamlessly as the Lagaan theme from the original soundtrack is integrated into the score.
14. Disguises
There are more that just freedom fighters in the guise of cricketers in the film. How about the cunning Lakha as he goes to the enemy to tell of the 'gori mem' (white madam) who secretly helps the villagers?!
Here's his theme:
He is eventually forgiven, and redeems himself in the match. But he does suffer a brutal blow for his loyalty switch.
15. Villain's lair
When it isn't the headquarters...
...it was Russell's abode. #4 above has the theme music to go with this.
16. Antics/Comic side plot
Antics guide comic relief here, and the music backs them up. Examples include Bhura and his chickens, and Goli and his unique bowling style (imagine a baseball pitcher with that action!) -- here's Goli's theme from the match:
Another example is Kachra, whose unique bowling method is also used to induce light-hearted moments which are delightfully used:
17. Impassioned speeches on behalf of the poor, outcast, or disabled
Kachra is crippled and it's this trait that he uses to the advantage of the team. He does not get his place in the team until an impassioned speech partly related to his physically impaired state (and having more to do with his caste) convinces everyone else to let him play alongside them.
This theme from my favorite song of the decade, Mitwa, follows the speech.
18. Quaint villagers living in harmony
This is exactly what the song Mitwa calls for. Unite and believe. They must live in harmony (if only during those last two days of the match) to achieve so much.
19. Religious Symbolism
Lagaan XI has a spiritual leader who is introduced in the same scene as Gauri (see section on heroines above). But Guran the fortune teller is only one of the avenues of religious symbolism. The cricket ball (in #11 above) strikes the bell at the temple. Captain Russell asks the Raja to consume meat, despite knowing of religious prescription recommending against it. Lakha seeks refuge inside the temple. The fight song Chale Chalo, in which the team is shown training, flows into the temple. The case for truthfulness and justice is made in context of religion. And recruits to the team such as Ismail, a Muslim, join the team upon realizing, as dialogue suggests, that 'they are not oblivious to the value of their prayer'. Again, the tune to Mitwa is selected to hit home the message of integration -- indeed, Lagaan XI does have representation from various religions and ethnicities.
20. Devotional song
The film has one of the best Bhajans (they're all great, but full marks to its integration here) in recent memory (perhaps ever), O Paalanhaare, with vocals by Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan.
21. At least one weeping mother
22. Amulets
See Lakha and Bhuvan under #s 12 and 15 above, respectively.
23. Great Songs
The music to Lagaan is brilliant, but you knew that already. Here's a post dedicated to the soundtrack. Each song carries an independent identity but is collectively in sync, if that makes sense, especially in the context of the film, during which it is seamless.
The question:
While there are some items noted in the source lists that do not apply to Lagaan (e.g. cabaret/item number, outrageous/shiny sets and costumes, double roles, misplaced family members) there are enough to ask whether it is:
- a masala film,
- an art house film,
- neither, or
- both.
There are plenty of masala ingredients, but the coordination of the film, its resolute meaningfulness in over three and a half hours, its attention to detail, and its unwavering commitment involving controlled and dignified chaos is well beyond what we see in masala film.
What do you think?
Lagaan has obviously earned overwhelming success in all markets. Art house cinema lovers have enjoyed it tremendously, as have masala lovers. It is the best-selling Bollywood film DVD of all time, and it's only fitting that the film that carried that distinction in the past -- Sholay (1975) -- is one of the biggest ever pure masala blockbusters, and stars arguably the King of Masala film, Amitabh Bachchan, whose voice is the very first we hear in Lagaan. The background score only contributes to the brilliance of a complete film, one that is legendary in its greatness.
Hope you are all having a great week. Many best wishes your way for a happy Eid! And hope that you enjoyed bits of this fantastic background score. It really is the secret ingredient, as Po's dad in Kung Fu Panda (2008 -- it's great and out on DVD) would say!
And finally...
I never describe Lagaan as a film on cricket (that's not what makes me like it, as much at least), but I am a sports fan, and this past weekend I was at the Rose Bowl for this. The stadium has hosted several Super Bowls and college football title games, and even the final of the World Cup of soccer. If you're a sports fan and have a chance, go!
On a related note, there's nothing quite like having our federal income lagaan dollars sponsor the upcoming Rose Bowl game, is there?


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No. 1 Bobcats edge out Liberty
October 26, 2012 | Lynchburg, Va.
The Liberty Flames Division I men's hockey team faced off against No. 1 ranked Ohio University at the LaHaye Ice Center Friday night, falling short to the Bobcats 3-2, bringing its current streak to six-straight losses.
The Bobcats struck first three minutes into the game as Nathan De La Torre scored his third of the season off an assist from Nicholas Hudeck. Eight minutes later Ohio increased its lead to 2-0 when Hudeck put one in off an assist from Michael Harris.
Cam Bakker got the Flames on the board with five minutes to go in the opening frame off a pass from Rick Turner on the power play, cutting the deficit in half at 2-1.
Tom Whetsel regained the two goal spread for Ohio as he managed to sneak one past Flames goaltender Blair Bennett, giving the Bobcats a 2-1 lead two minutes into the second.
Turner brought the Flames back to within one midway through the second period off an assist from Kyle Garcia.
Both teams had numerous chances in the third, including a McCombe shot that rang off the crossbar with 30 seconds remaining, but the Bobcats were able to hang on and get their 11th straight victory.
Fedor Dushkin made 32 saves to get the win, while Bennett took the loss with 26 saves.
Liberty will get another shot at the Bobcats Saturday night. Puck drops at 7 p.m.


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Carrie Fisher has confirmed she will reprise her Princess Leia character in the much-anticipated "Star Wars" revamp.
The actress and co-stars Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill were each approached by the sci-fi films' creator George Lucas and the franchise's new bosses at Disney and asked to be a part of "Star Wars VII," and now Fisher tells Palm Beach Illustrated magazine she is onboard the next film, which will be directed by J.J. Abrams.
When asked what she thinks her updated Leia will look like in the new film, she jokes, "Elderly. She's in an intergalactic old folks' home. I just think she would be just like she was before, only slower and less inclined to be up for the big battle."
The news is a big boost for Fisher's fans after the actress suffered a psychiatric breakdown during a performance on a cruise ship in the Caribbean last month. The star, who is bipolar, was hospitalized while doctors adjusted her medication.


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Click here to read Mopar Muscle Magazine Article.
All Hop Not products are designed to be true bolt on upgrades. There's no need to drop the rear cradle or be concerned about rear alignment issues when installing any of our products. Installing the Stage 1 spacer plates to one side at a time prevents any potential movement, thus maintaining wheel alignment.
Brief product description; Our Stage 1 kit eliminates the unwanted movement at the OEM rubber cradle mounts with the use of four proprietary CNC produced spacer plates. Click on the "Wheel Hop Problem" tab at the top of the page to see the extreme amount of movement at the OEM rubber cradle mounts as captured with under car video equipment. Stage 2 includes the horizontally mounted stabilizers (standard or lowered ride height must be selected when ordering) and proprietary CNC produced upper and lower mounting brackets. Stage 2 can not be installed on any vehicle without first having had Stage 1 installed because the upper stabilizer mounting bracket used for Stage 2 replaces the rear spacer plates previously installed with the Stage 1 kit. You'll lack the two front spacer plates if attempting to install Stage 2 as a stand alone kit…the vehicle must never be driven without all four cradle mounts installed (see the warnings about this in the Stage 1 description page). Our "Total Kits" include Stage 1 and Stage 2 and are available at a reduced cost as compared to purchasing each kit separately. The only difference between the auto and six speed kits is the addition of the "Adjustable Sway Bar End Link" in the six speed kits. Standard or lowered ride height must be selected when ordering these kits as well. Note; the only difference between a standard height kit and a lowered height kit is the stabilizer itself. If you choose to lower your vehicle at a later date, the stabilizers are the only item that will need to be replaced.
Please have a look around our site. Feel free to contact us should you have any questions or need help with any of our products.
The wheel hop or often referred to as power hop issue has the tendency to be a touchy subject for some, but understand, it's not a problem that only Chrysler/Dodge is having.
The new Camaro, Corvette, certain year models of Mustangs, and several more are experiencing the same wheel hop issues.
Today's auto makers have a broad range of expectations to live up to as compared to the old school versions of these cars. Back in the day people were concerned about straight line performance. Most of the cars we grew up with and love so much didn't have the best handling features; many didn't even have sway bars, air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, or power anything for a matter of fact.
Take the '70 Challenger for example; it came with extra leaf springs on the passenger's side for big block and Hemi powered cars and the torsion bars were adjusted to somewhat level the car back out. Fast forward to today's Dodge Challenger, Charger, Magnum, and Chrysler 300; The IRS (independent rear suspension) systems used under the rear of these cars is to meet the expectations of modern day muscle car owners.
I don't mean that in a bad way, I enjoy the ride quality offered with IRS, but the solution to wheel hop is a much greater task. It's no longer just a matter of bolting on a set of traction bars. It's a fine balance of controlling the hop while maintaining the ride quality the designer worked so hard to achieve.


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Just came across hostspy.co.nz - it's one of those "Review" sites except in this case the reviews are bias and normally badmouthing other companies, first off it's hosted at Hosting Direct on one of their core servers and they don't do web-hosting anymore, also it's breaking the magical NZ rule regarding whois details:
registrant_contact_name: Host Spy
registrant_contact_address1: Auckland City
registrant_contact_city: Auckland
registrant_contact_postalcode: 0123
registrant_contact_country: NZ (NEW ZEALAND)
registrant_contact_phone: +64 9 4125874
registrant_contact_email: email@example.com
admin_contact_name: Host Spy
admin_contact_address1: Auckland City
admin_contact_city: Auckland
admin_contact_province: ACT
admin_contact_postalcode: 0123
admin_contact_country: NZ (NEW ZEALAND)
admin_contact_phone: +64 9 4125874
admin_contact_email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Third, it's operated by Ben himself.
I find this totally disgusting, I know this is a old site but why still host such a thing?
Guess this is why we can't trust those online reviews on webhosting anymore..


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Product Detail
Pink Poppy Princess NecklaceProduct ID: 9321268070941
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Get DVD Talk Feeds
Although I proudly consider myself a huge fan of David Cronenberg's films, I sometimes get the notion that I'm not exactly ... brainy enough to get all the themes and subtext that he's tossing around. Oh sure, I can tell you that The Fly is not just an amazingly tragic horror movie, but also a stunningly effective metaphor about how the human body degrades under the influence of age and/or disease. (Then again, an intelligent 12-year-old could also figure that message out quite easily.)
Whether or not I always fully "get" what Mr. Cronenberg is saying in his movies is kind of beside the point; the fact that any filmmaker is trying to elevate the horror genre through challenging and literate methods ... well, that's something worth admiring. So while I enjoyed the hell out of movies like Naked Lunch, Videodrome, and eXistenZ -- I'll be the first to admit that much of the subtextual stuff just boggles my brain. Boggles in a good way, of course.
Jeremy Irons, in easily two of the very best performances of his very excellent career, plays Elliott and Beverly Mantle, identical twins down to the smallest hair on their heads. And back when I used to try and force my friends into seeing movies more enlightening than, say, Friday the 13th Part 5: A New Beginning, I would describe Dead Ringers like so:
"It's about identical twin gynecologists who share sex partners with each other, and their unseemly manipulation of women ultimately leads to drug addiction, psychosis, and the creation of the world's creeeeepiest surgical instruments."
(The few friends who fell for this ploy and rented Dead Ringers generally popped up two days later with a "WTF??" look on their faces.)
Basically, though, that is what Dead Ringers is about ... and a whole lot more. It's about the fear of separation (be it emotional or physical) and the way in which men are often horrified of women. (Watch one character's reaction to the simple word "period" and you'll know what I mean.) Dead Ringers contends that knowing something "from the inside out" is not nearly the same thing as "understanding it completely," that co-dependence can be a truly dangerous thing, and that two halves do not always equal a whole.
Dead Ringers is a sterile and somewhat cold movie, and one that benefits greatly from Peter Suschitzky's gorgeous cinematography and Carol Spier's fascinating production design. A feast for the eyeballs, basically, is what it is -- which, along with the movie's numerous thematic undercurrents, brilliant performances, and tragic twists, makes Dead Ringers a perfect candidate for repeat viewings.
Utilizing some of the very earliest technology of this sort, Cronenberg is able to deliver Jeremy Irons in both roles onscreen at the same time. Oh sure, it's a stand-in when Ben and Elliott need to hug each other or something like that, but when it comes to the numerous scenes in which Bev & Elly converse with one another ... wow. You just won't be able to spot the seams, and after about 12 minutes of the movie have gone by, you'll just stop trying.
And if you think the technological merits of Dead Ringers are something pretty impressive, just wait until you get a chance to focus on the work of Mr. Jeremy Irons. The actor creates two distinct personalities with only the most subtle changes in facial expression. Only two or three scenes go by before you can easily spot the differences between Beverly and Elliott -- it's all right there in Irons' face. (Late in the film, Cronenberg ups the ante just a bit by intentionally confusing the audience here and there. As the brothers' combined fate is slowly sealed, they become a bit more indistinguishable!)
No worthwhile review of Dead Ringers would be complete without at least five pounds of praise for actress Geneviève Bujold. The French-Canadian performer has shown generous flashes of brilliance throughout her underrated career, but her work in this film is just staggeringly good. You think it's tough for a actor to play two identical twins at the same time? Try playing the woman who's being used and abused by the both of 'em ... and doesn't even know it yet! Ms. Bujold runs the gamut here: from scared & vulnerable to shocked & furious to warm & loving -- and pretty much everywhere in between. Impressive enough that the actress even took on such a dark and bizarre assignment, but her performance is the absolute heart of this movie.
Dead Ringers is a phenomenal piece of filmmaking, easily one of Cronenberg's very best works -- and this is a filmmaker who rarely (if ever) makes a BAD movie, so please do feel free to rank Dead Ringers right next to The Fly, Videodrome, and The Dead Zone. But fair warning: This is not really a horror film; forced to categorize Dead Ringers into a sub-genre, I'd call it a "psychological medical thriller / character(s) study / tragedy." But who even needs to "genrify" every unique and offbeat movie that comes down the pike? Dead Ringers defies simple categorization, and that's a great thing for a film to do. All you have to know, going in, is that it's unlike anything you've seen before -- and it's a film that you'll have a hard time forgetting.
The DVD
Video: Warner Home Video affords Dead Ringers an all-new Widescreen (1.85:1) Anamorphic transfer and while it's certainly not a flawless reformat, the film still looks pretty darn solid. I do know that previous DVD releases of Dead Ringers have been met with lukewarm reception, and I expect that there will also be complaints about this transfer as well. Darker scenes, in particular, suffer from a little grain here and there, while flecks & specks from the source material are still noticeable here. Research indicates that Dead Ringers was originally shot in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which may help to explain why this widescreen transfer is not as sterling as it could be. (I've been told I'm way off-base with this supposition, but it was just a theory...)
Audio: Choose between Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0. An early score by composer Howard Shore really finds a groove in the 5.1 track, but the movie is almost all dialogue, so you can get away with the 2.0 and still have a good time.
Previously released as the the Criterion Collection's 21st "spine," Dead Ringers now belongs to the Warner Bros. vault, which means that the hardcore Cronenberg fans might want to hold onto that now out of print DVD. Aside from one small exception, none of the Criterion features have been carried over to this release. But there's at least one piece of good news for those fans...
Lead actor(s) Jeremy Irons contributes an all-new solo audio commentary to this release, and it's precisely the sort of studious and informative track that you'd expect from a guy like Jeremy Irons. The actor discusses all sorts of production minutiae, from the difficulties inherent in playing a pair of identical twins (be they emotional or technical difficulties) to the costume & production design and several stops in between. One fair warning, though: Mr. Irons has a voice that can best be described as "sonorous," which means you might not want to enjoy his commentary while you're lying down on the couch. That this commentary put me to sleep one night is not a criticism; it's just that Irons has such a mellow and relaxing voice!
There's also a 7-minute Behind the Scenes Featurette, which I believe is the only extra to be found on this DVD and the Criterion release. This brief glimpse at the film comes from 1988 and houses a fair share of interview segments and production peeks.
One all-new piece of supplemental material is the collection of Cast & Crew Interviews: Jeremy Irons, David Cronenberg, producer Marc Boyman, and co-writer Norman Snider share their thoughts about the project. Seemingly produced as promotional pieces for the film's original release, the interview segments seem right at home alongside the Behind the Scenes featurette, and it makes for a nice piece of archival material for the Cronenberg faithful. Watched in one "Play All" block, the interview segments run approximately 17 minutes.
Also included is the original theatrical trailer for Dead Ringers, several cast & crew biographies, and a rather silly Dead Ringers Psychological Profiler that asks you to fill out a questionnaire before applying to be a gynecologist. Weird.
Final Thoughts
I know plenty of folks who have no patience whatsoever for this particular movie, but I say Dead Ringers is a bona-fide masterpiece from a filmmaker who's already created a solid handful of masterpieces. It's not a fun or particularly upbeat film, but it does grab you by the collar and sucks you right into the screen. If you're in the mood for something stark, sobering, and more than a little fascinating, I'd Highly Recommend you give Dead Ringers a shot -- especially if you saw it years ago and didn't really dig it.


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Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling (30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936 / Bombay)
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The Feet Of The Young Men
Now the Four-way Lodge is opened, now the Hunting Winds are loose --
Now the Smokes of Spring go up to clear the brain;
Now the Young Men's hearts are troubled for the whisper of the Trues,
Now the Red Gods make their medicine again!
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1841 $1 MS65+ Certification #21659042, PCGS #6927
Owner's Comments
The Fairfield specimen. Bold and beautiful! Frosted devices are set against semi prooflike and slightly striated fields. A hint of golden toning and a sharp strike complete the picture.
Expert Comments
Q. David BowersThe following narrative, with minor editing, is from my "Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia" (Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., 1993).
Coinage Context
Silver bullion a problem: As noted under 1840, the United States had but a small domestic supply of silver bullion. This continuing problem was the focus of a commentary in the 1841 Annual Report of the Director of the Mint:
The principal mint and its branches have all been in good condition throughout the year, there has been no unusual interruption in their operation; but, in consequence of the small supply of bullion, they have been only partially employed, so that the amount of work done by them has fallen far below what they are able to execute. The whole coinage of all the mints was less than two and a quarter million; while the Philadelphia Mint alone is capable of coining 12 million, and in 1836 did actually coin more than seven and three-quarters.
The same report showed the main sources of silver:
Bullion from North Carolina worth $4,198 Foreign bullion $210,546
Mexican dollars $272,320
Dollars of South America $14,292 European coins $55,692
Silver plate (Tableware and other wrought items, often dented or otherwise damaged.) $5,398
The above figures totaled $562,446, in comparison to a total silver coinage (of all denominations from the half dime to the dollar) for the year of $577,750. However, the total supply of bullion had little to do with silver dollar coinage. The number struck depended solely on the bullion deposited by those specifically asking for dollars. (Of course, had there been more bullion, proportionally more dollars would have been struck.) Others deposited silver bullion for dimes, half dollars, etc. This changed after the Act of February 21, 1853, when minor silver coins could no longer be requested for bullion.
A potential North Carolina source: In this year for the first time deposits of silver were received at the Philadelphia Mint from native mines ill the United States, coming in this instance from argentiferous carbonate of lead found in Davidson County, North Carolina. The proprietors of the mine informed Robert M. Patterson, director of the Mint the future silver output would be "largely productive." The amount of silver produced must have been small, for later Mint reports did not mention silver from this source.
Numismatic Information
Circulated grades: The mintage of 1841 was fairly high, but the availability of circulated specimens belies this. In general, fewer circulated 1841 dollars appear on the market than do those dated 1840, although nearly three times as many 1841s were struck. The explanation for this is not known. Such mysteries are intriguing to contemplate; they contribute much to the mystique of the Liberty Seated silver dollar series. How much more interesting this is than if everything were known! While R.W. Julian, Walter H. Breen, and others have examined many Mint and other government records, there are still many nineteenth century publications and documents that await the careful scrutiny of the scholar. More research has been done on Liberty Seated silver dollars in the past 25 years than in the preceding century. The enthusiasm of numismatists today augurs well for the future, and, undoubtedly, many more discoveries remain.
Mint State grades: In Mint State the 1841 is very rare because virtually all coins were placed into circulation (or perhaps there is another explanation; ah, sweet mystery of numismatics!). There is no record that any were saved by the Mint or Treasury.
The 1841 dollar in Mint State is an excellent example of a condition rarity. 1841 dollars are common in worn grades but are rarities if Uncirculated. Until certification arrived (with PCGS in 1986), pieces described in auction catalogues and fixed price lists as Mint State or Uncirculated were often apt to be EF or AU, sometimes even cleaned and polished. Even dollars which the American Numismatic Association Certification Service officially graded as MS-60 in the years before 1986 were found in some instances of later regrading by tightened interpretations to be in the AU range. (This unreliability of old catalogue data was mentioned earlier under Proof dollars of 1840.) "This is very underrated in Mint State…," reported Chris Napolitano in 1992. (Letter to the author, June 26, 1992.)
Circulation strikes:
1-2. Normal Date: Breen-5426. Obverse: Circulation strikes occur with at least two minor variations in date position, indicating at least two obverse dies must have been employed. As is true of the entire Liberty Seated dollar series, no exhaustive study of die variations has ever been published (exhaustive in the sense of what Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis have done for the Morgan and Peace dollar series).
Estimated quantity melted: Unknown
Characteristics of striking: Striking varies; some have flatness in areas, including stars and/or denticles.
Known hoards of Mint State coins: None
While 1841 is very common in worn grades, in Mint State or Proof it is a rarity.
Christian Gobrecht
38.10 millimeters
26.73 grams
90% Silver, 10% Copper
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More than 3,600 pets have gotten sick. Close to 600 have died. Jerky treats appear to be to blame, federal safety regulators have warned — so what do you need to do before you give your pet such a snack as a reward?
Veterinarians still aren't sure why exactly so many dogs and cats are falling sick. "This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered," said Bernadette Dunham, the Food and Drug Administration's veterinary director.
Vets do, however, have some advice for pet owners.
U.S. & World
What's to Blame
The treats include ones sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes or dried fruit. Most of the jerky treats implicated in the spate of illnesses are from China, the FDA says, though pet food manufacturers aren't required to say where all their products' ingredients come from.
It's unclear what brands are included, but there have been voluntary recalls of brands like Nestle Purina PetCare Co.'s Waggin Train and Canyon Creek Ranch treats, plus Del Monte Corp.'s Milo's Kitchen Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers The FDA has a long list of some of the treats that have sickened pets so far this year, too. (Warning: Large PDF file.)
But it's unclear what's in the treats that's causing the trouble. Antibiotics? Metals? Pesticides? Salmonella? The FDA is testing treats for all of those things and more, in its efforts to get to the bottom of the illness. So far, FDA inspections of Chinese factories linked to the problematic treats haven't yielded any answers yet.
What to Look Out For
Pets affected by the sickening jerky treats could exhibit any of the following symptoms:
- decreased appetite
- decreased activity,
- vomiting
- diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus)
- increased water consumption
- increased urination
Some have also had more severe problems, including:
- kidney failure and/or a rare kidney disorder
- gastrointestinal bleeding
- collapse
- convulsions
- skin issues
What You Can Do
If your pet becomes sick with any of the above symptoms, even the mild ones, stop giving it the treats, save the remaining ones and their packaging for possible testing — and consider taking your pet to the vet, the FDA says.
Also, if your pet gets sick and you think jerky treats might be to blame, you can also help the FDA with its investigation by providing it information on your pet's symptoms, as well as the lot number of the treats you fed it. You can also let the FDA test your pet to find out what's making it sick.
And in the meantime, if your pet is still healthy, consult your vet before feeding your pet jerky treats, the FDA advises.


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An endoscopic sinus exam allows the doctor to see all the
structures inside the nose and the sinuses.
Before inserting the
endoscope, the passages inside the nose are opened up
with a decongestant medicine and numbed with an anesthetic. The endoscope is
guided up through a nostril and into the sinus opening, but it is not able to
be inserted into the sinus itself.
The test is usually done by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT)
specialist (also called an
otolaryngologist or otorhinolaryngologist). It can be
done in the doctor's office and takes 5 to 10 minutes.
An endoscopic sinus exam may be used if:
Findings of an endoscopic sinus exam may include the
Bones and soft tissues appear normal.
An endoscopic sinus exam is the best method of examining the nasal
passages and sinus openings because it can detect small growths in the nose
(polyps) and other problems that may be missed by routine examination.
Complete the medical test information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this test.
Last Revised:
September 12, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine & Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
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Three sisters say they were kicked out of a popular Pennsylvania mall after refusing to remove profanity-laden hats expressing their hatred of breast cancer.
Zakia Clark, 29, and Tasha Clark, 27, had been at the King of Prussia Mall on Sunday shopping for funeral dresses with a third sister, Makia Underwood. Their mother, Jackie Underwood, died last week after battling the disease.
Zakia and Tasha Clark were wearing hats that had a one-word profanity, the F-word -- with a pink ribbon substituting for the third letter -- before the word cancer. Zakia Clark says it's the only word strong enough to defeat the word "cancer."
U.S. & World
"That's how we feel. It took our mom away. It's a demon. It's the devil," Zakia Clark told the Daily News. "There are no other words you can use to explain how you feel. You want cancer to get cancer and die."
Security asked them to remove the hats. They were ejected after refusing.
Mall manager Robert Hart says he sends condolences to the sisters, but that the mall is a family place where the code of conduct does not tolerate profanity.


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Your first wheels. The freedom, the fresh air, the cards in the spokes going thwak, thwak, thwak. Ride your bike again. It's something you never forget how to do, so why not try it again? Instead of driving, get out your bike and go for a ride. Bike riding is a great way to get exercise and help reduce traffic congestion and pollution. Contact Orange County Transportation Authority at (714) 560-5599 for information on bike routes in Orange County.
Want to save money, wear and tear on your personal vehicle, and eliminate the frustration of a stressful commute? Join a carpool/vanpool! Ride to work with folks who live in or around your neighborhood and who have a similar work schedule. Catch up on some extra reading time or visit with another passenger. You'll also enjoy the benefits of saving time on the freeway, as well as money that would have been poured into your gas tank or spent servicing your own car. Contact Orange County Transportation Authority at (714) 560-5599 for more information.
You would have more time on your hands if they weren't on the wheel. Take the train. You could save money, the air and a little time for yourself. Instead of fighting traffic, you have time to sit back, relax, read or even just daydream. Plus, you could save money and help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. Contact Amtrak at (800) USA-RAIL or www.AMTRAK.com; or Metrolink at (800) 371-5465 or www.Metrolink.com for more information.
Remember how you used to daydream on your way to school? You can do it again. Take the bus and you'll have a little extra time to yourself. When you drive, you have to concentrate on the road, the traffic, the real world. But when you ride the bus, you can escape into a world all your own. Far from stress and pressure. Plus, you can save money and help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. Contact Orange County Transportation Authority at (714) 636-7433, ext. 1, or 1-800-636-7433, ext. 1 for more information.


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Jai Jones (Feat. YungTripSix) - Swag Season [Unsigned Artist]
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I don't know bumpkis about baseball.
Never have. I prefer sports where guys hit each other at high-velocity (football, hockey), or where the mere act of finishing a game is near-miracle of aerobic survival skills (soccer). As for all of the numbers that flash up on the screen when someone comes to bat? I don't call that fun with stats, I call that torture; forget beating or water-boarding, you wanna get details on terrorist attacks from a suspect, submit them to an endless series of baseball games… that ought to get them talking in a hurry.
But Phillies fever is (rightfully and deservedly) sweeping the local populace out my way, and I do appreciate how hard it is to hit a baseball thrown in the major leagues – it might be the most difficult thing to do in all of professional sports. So I know the value of a homerun – and "home run" is an apt descriptor for the results of the recent Frederick Wildman twitter tasting event with Burgundy producer Olivier Leflaive.
I have such a troubled history with Burgundy; in my opinion, there is no more inconsistent a wine experience on offer for so much money as there is in the vinous produce from rolling hills of the Burg'. At this point, I think I'd have better luck in playing craps than in buying Burgundy wines, and to this day it is just about the only wine region that I won't touch with my own money without a close friend experienced in Burgundy wines at my side in the wine shop (fortunately, I know a lot of experienced wine people).
And yet, there exist producers like Olivier Leflaive that can steer you so right so often – for a (sometimes steep) price, of course. But if you have the cash, you're in for a treat when it comes to Leflaive, particularly the 2008s…


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Reef on the Road
Feb 23, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every 1 week(s) on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday that begins at 2019-02-23 11:00 am and lasts 0 day(s) and 4 hour(s), the last of which will begin on 2019-02-23 9:00
Event Navigation
Alvin Historical Museum will be hosting "Reef on the Road," a travel exhibit on the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Includes three stand-alone units with video displays on one side and an interactive element on the other. It depicts the underwater beauty and diversity of the reef, as well as reasons for action to conserve our fragile planet. Ongoing now until February 2019. Museum hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 281-331-4469 or email [email protected] The museum is located at 300 W. Sealy in Alvin.


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Quentin Bacon
Buffalo meat can be very red, even when cooked to medium-rare. Don't be alarmed — this is a naturally occurring phenomenon that has to do with the animal's diet and how little fat is marbled through the muscle. While testing this recipe, we learned that buffalo meat varies in quality; the purveyors whose meat we like best are Wild Idea Buffalo Company (866-658-6137; wildideabuffalo.com), Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Company (800-543-6328; jhbuffalomeat.com), Arrowhead Buffalo Meats (877-283-2969; arrowheadsteaks.com), and D'Artagnan (800-327-8246; dartagnan.com).
Before you begin roasting your buffalo, roughly calculate the total roasting time: Plan on about 16 minutes per pound once the oven temperature is reduced to 350°F (20 minutes per pound for beef), but start checking the temperature of either type of roast about 30 minutes before you think it will be done.
Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 5 1/4 hr (4 3/4 hr for beef)
- Yield
- Makes 8 servings
- Active Time
- 40 min
- Total Time
- 5 1/4 hr
- 1 (7- to 8-lb) bone-in buffalo prime rib roast or bone-in beef prime rib roast (sometimes called standing rib roast; 3 or 4 ribs), brought to room temperature (allow 1 hour)
- 4 1/2 to 5 cups water
- Orange balsamic glaze
- For jus
- 2/3 cup dry red wine
- 1/4 cup Madeira (preferably Sercial)
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- Special Equipment
- a V-rack for roasting; a meat or instant-read thermometer
- Cook roast:
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- If using beef, trim all but a thin layer of fat from roast. Generously season buffalo or beef with salt and pepper. Roast buffalo, fat side up, on V-rack in a 17- by 12- by 2-inch flameproof roasting pan in middle of oven 15 minutes (use a 13- by 9- by 2-inch flameproof roasting pan for beef, which is taller and narrower than buffalo).
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and add 1/2 cup water to roasting pan, then continue to roast meat 30 minutes more. Brush meat with some of glaze and add 1/2 cup water to pan, then continue to roast, brushing with glaze and adding 1/2 cup water to pan every 15 minutes, until thermometer inserted into center of roast (do not touch bone) registers 125°F, 2 to 2 1/4 hours more (115°F for beef, 1 3/4 to 2 hours more). Transfer meat to a large platter and let stand, uncovered, 25 minutes. (Meat will continue to cook as it stands, reaching about 135°F for medium-rare buffalo or 130°F for medium-rare beef.)
- Make jus while meat stands:
- If using buffalo, straddle roasting pan across 2 burners, then add red wine and Madeira and deglaze pan by boiling over moderately high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 2 minutes. Add broth and boil until reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, about 3 minutes. (If using beef, pour pan juices into a 1-quart fat-separator pitcher or glass measure and skim off fat, then pour juices back into pan. Straddle roasting pan across 2 burners and deglaze pan by boiling juices over moderately high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until reduced to about 2/3 cup, about 8 minutes. Add red wine and Madeira and boil until reduced to about 2/3 cup, 3 to 4 minutes. Add broth and boil until reduced to about 2 cups, about 6 minutes.)
- Stir in any buffalo or beef juices accumulated on platter and season jus with salt, if necessary. Pour jus through a fine-mesh sieve into a gravy boat and keep warm, covered.
- Carve roast and serve with jus.


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What Makes a Business Social?
A social business could be most simply defined as a business which engages with it's customer base socially. It used to be all businesses were social. You made friends in the neighborhood and responded to their interests or you failed. Today we may think it has to mean they use social media, but there's more to it than that. Just having millions of followers, fans and "interactions" on social networks doesn't make you social.
Talking to your customers, listening to what their concerns and ideas are and responding to them is what being a social business is about. You don't actually need social media (gasp) to do that. You could make your business more social by talking to them directly at the point of transaction, calling them on the phone, doing door to door interviews or focus groups. All of these are social activities too. The problem is, they're labor intensive, expensive and not very scaleable. This kind of interaction can also severely impact the ability of your business to expand past arm's length.
Social business and evangelism
Sure, your customers will still tell other people how cool it was you reached out to them and actually listened to them. Those friends will tell their friends and you will gain some customers and maybe even an evangelist or two. But the exponential growth experienced by companies large and miniscule using social media can't be denied. Social media enables you to reach more people more often and with better reach to their extended networks. It also creates a way to drive genuine organic traffic to your website through the value of social SEO.
The old adage that you have to "touch" someone 7 times before you convert them to a customer still holds true, but now you can do it efficiently and effectively through sharing carefully targeted information with your networks to encourage them to share that information too; thereby reaching extended networks you may never have seen much less been connected with.
Now before you jump on all the social sites spewing out canned marketing messages in the vain hope people will see them and flock to your business let me reiterate. You must talk to your customers. Engage them, inform them, entertain them. They couldn't give a flying crap about your marketing message. At least not if it doesn't solve a problem for them.
A truly social business is constantly listening to social media for opportunities to engage potential and current clients. Start there and you're well on your way to a social business.
The Social Business infographic created by Online MBA
photo credit: postaletrice via photopin cc


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Check out the latest RPG news | Podcasts | Twitch Streams
The smell of the box.
Quote from: Jotacon on June 19, 2013, 03:08:51 PMThe smell of the box.Before I got my licence, I loved being driven home from the mall and reading the instruction book.
What is it about videogames that makes us want to buy more and more games, more so than we ever will have time to play?
RIP, Tony Soprano.You'll live on as the star of one of the better TV shows, and certainly what helped break through the ham and cheese of the 90s.
Also, Starmongoose, having brazillian in me, I can vouche that we do walk around with kawaii pigs (not really, but i'd like think that's one of our stereotypes ).


text:
Why Buy New
A Global Issue
Throughout the scientific community, the political world and the public at large, the general consensus is that global warming is a reality and is here to stay.
The need to act now cannot be overstated; scientists estimate the world could grow warmer by nearly six degrees by the end of the century. In 1997 Britain signed up to the Kyoto Protocol and committed to an ongoing process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and we all have a role to play in making this happen.
The Challenge of Building a Better Future
Approximately half of all the European Union's energy consumption comes from its buildings, so the construction industry must assume responsibility for reducing the carbon footprint of its products wherever possible.
While tighter EU directives and Government targets are setting increasingly stringent standards for new dwellings , developers themselves are reacting by integrating improved transport links, recycled materials and energy efficient technologies into their schemes, helping to make them more energy efficient and sustainable. And Countryside is among the leaders.
Green from the Word Go
At Countryside we take sustainability very seriously.
We operate a stringent environmental management system and are members of the NextGeneration initiative which promotes and measures sustainability in the construction industry – in 2007 we were ranked as the leading privately owned housebuilder. In fact, in the last six years we've won over 60 awards for sustainability. We go even further; by building on brownfield sites we're even recycling derelict ex-industrial land to create new communities complete with green open spaces. So if you want to be green, buy new – the average new home is around 6.5 times more energy efficient than one built just 30 years ago.
Make your Home your Own
Replacing a previous owner's idea of "interior design" can be a costly and time-consuming process. Move into a brand new home on the other hand and you have the perfect blank canvas just waiting for you to make your mark on. Whatever you want to do to your new place, you know you won't have to worry about uncovering and rectifying any previous D.I.Y. disasters before you can get started, saving you untold time and hassle and making it easier to make your new home your own.
Nothing up my Eaves
Buy a new home from Countryside and there'll be no nasty surprises or extra costs waiting for you. Buy a second-hand home, and who knows what you could be faced with? A survey should show up any major structural problems, but more cosmetic things can still run into thousands and thousands of pounds. If the kitchen, bathroom, windows, flooring or any one of a dozen things aren't up to scratch, you could be looking at a lot of work and a lot of money. Buy a brand new home and all these will be avoided, plus you'll have the peace of mind of a ten year NHBC or Zurich guarantee. No expensive surprises, guaranteed!
A World of Choice
Having trouble finding your perfect home? Beginning to think it doesn't actually exist? Finding the perfect new home is a good deal easier than finding a perfect second-hand one.Instead of trawling countless estate agents trying to find what you're after, just check out the huge range of Countryside homes. We offer everything from studio apartments to large family homes and everything in between, in great locations all over the country. Whatever sort of new home you're looking for the chances are Countryside are building it. Visit our list of developments to find out more.
First Time Lucky
Getting a foot on the property ladder is becoming increasingly hard for first time buyers ; the average buyer needs around £15,000 of savings just to get started. But buying with Countryside makes huge financial sense; on selected properties we can offer a range of incentives to help you with your buying costs and get you moving fast.You won't get that sort of help in the second-hand market. Buying new means you spend more on your dream home, less on fees and legals.
Home Exchange and Move Fast
So you've found your perfect home, but are having trouble selling your current one? Half of the stress of buying a home can be selling your previous one; there are plenty of horror stories concerning broken chains and broken promises. With Countryside Home Exchange Service we might be able to buy your current home from you and get you moving quickly and easily.
10 Years Peace of Mind
Unlike a second-hand home, each new Countryside home comes with the peace of mind afforded by a 10 year NHBC, or Zurich guarantee, to cover you against any major structural damage to your home. For the first 2 of these 10 years the Customer Services department will also be on hand to assist you with any issues that you may have. If something went wrong in a second-hand home, could you really afford to get it put right?
A Name to Trust
At Countryside, we have an enviable track record for building great new homes and indeed great new communities, and it's won us over 40 awards in the industry.
We work with leading architects, planners and interior designers to bring you homes you can be proud of for generations to come. If you're in the market for a new home, see what Countryside can offer you. You'll be glad you did.


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July 22-23 is our annual Summer Leadership Conference–this year held virtually. Be sure to mark your calendar so you don't miss this great summer opportunity. Details available at neoea.org/SLC.
NEOEA Day represents your dues dollars at work. Attending NEOEA Day programs, most of which provide growth opportunities at lower-than-usual prices, is an excellent way to get some of your NEOEA dues dollars back! For more information, click the link below.NEOEA Day Page
NEOEA President Rob McFee
6001 Landerhaven Drive, Suite D
Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124-4190 (map)


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Tag Archives: heavenly secrets
Angels really do live on top of puffy white clouds!
Usually, when artists depict angels, they are shown to reside and operate on top of puffy white clouds. To me, this high altitude lifestyle would seem to get boring really fast—especially over an entire eternity—and the image provided a rather … Continue reading
Posted in god, Inner growth, Life after death, psychology, Reality, religion, spirituality, symbolism, unity Tagged angels, Bible exegesis, Emanuel Swedenborg, heavenly secrets, higher meaning, Revelation, second coming 4 Comments


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for Sunday, April 12, 2015
We should all know that movements begin often with great accord and a
common approach to living. Then, as movements begin to mature, there come
questions and differences and then conflicts. This early Christian
community was no different. In the Acts of the Apostles today we read of
the wonderful harmony and sharing among the followers of Jesus at the
beginning. It is the same book, the Acts of the Apostles, that will also
record the beginnings of disharmony and conflict. The fact that the
majority of the followers of Jesus still keep some harmony among themselves
is one of the miracles of history. We know that the history of our
Christian faith is also marked with the differences and conflicts that have
arisen over the centuries. The challenge for you and for me is to keep our
eyes on the Lord and on His love for us.
This harmony that we can have is based in the second reading today: In
this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey
his commandments. The victory that conquers the world is our faith.
We are always trying to narrow the love that we must have. It is clear
from Jesus, however, that He died for all, without exception. That means
that we must love all, without exception. So historically there have been
claims to killing others is really loving them, that forcing others to the
truth is really loving them, that all types of actions against others are
really a sign of our love. Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, calls us to
seek ways of loving others without compromise: respecting their life,
their freedom, their peculiarities, their ways of thinking, and so on. In
the midst of that, we must remain faithful to all that Jesus taught us,
personally and through His Church.
So we come to Gospel of John today and the story of the Apostle Thomas. We
are all probably most like the followers of Jesus who have met Him in one
way or another and sort of believe. Yet there are always some like Thomas,
who refuse to believe until something extraordinary happens. This reality
is reflected in our daily lives as well: openness to seeking the Lord or a
reservation in seeking Him; openness to seeing Christ in others or a
reservation about His presence in others; openness to encountering Jesus in
those who do not believe or an openness to His presence there in the center
of unbelief.
The Gospel does not condemn Thomas! Jesus, on the contrary, simply speaks
of the belief of Thomas and praises those who can believe without seeing.
Whichever model is closer to our own lives, the important reality is
simple: believe and follow the Lord! May this Sunday of Divine Mercy help
us know that mercy in our lives and share it with others. He is truly
risen. Alleluia.
Reflections are available for the following Sundays:


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Lowe Antique Fern Prints 1856
While our images are electronically watermarked, the antique prints themselves are not.
Dicksonia LOW45 $39
Each print measures
approximately 6 inches wide by 9 ½ inches long
We are very pleased to offer prints from the first edition of Ferns: British & Exotic by EJ Lowe, Esq. This lovely work was published in London, by Groombridge and Sons. From about 1855 on Groombridge was the principal publisher for the renowned Benjamin Fawcett, the greatest color printer of the 19th century. Fawcett pioneered a system of wood block engraving from multiple wood blocks that resulted in vivid finely colored works such as this marvelous book. This process was called chromoxylography (color wood engraving). A History of Ferns was Fawcett's first large project that was almost entirely color printed, with a little hand finishing.
Edward Joseph Lowe was an independently wealthy naturalist and member of the Royal society, who also published other works such as Beautiful Leaved Plants, in 1861 & A Natural History of British Grasses in 1862. A.F. Lydon was the artist and supervised the color engraving of the plates, & funding for the enterprise likely was provided by Lowe himself.
References include Benjamin Fawcett, 1988 p17.
It is a comprehensive and beautiful work on ferns from all over the world. The prints are in excellent condition, with a superb elegance that lends itself to very contemporary as well as traditional environments. The paper is quite thick & creamy and each print measures approximately 6 inches wide by 9 ½ inches long, with a little foxing on a few prints as shown. The prints are accompanied by the ORIGINAL text whenever possible & a copy of the title page. Please review the photos carefully as they are very accurate. All our prints are guaranteed to be original antique prints and these prints are almost 150 years old.
We accept credit cards & PayPal. Florida state residents pay Florida state sales tax. Shipping for this item is $8.95. Items can be combined to save on postage. International shipping starts at $25 for any number of prints, but may be more depending on the size of the prints and the country. Buyers are responsible for all customs duties. Our environment is smoke free. We pack professionally using only new materials. All items are beautifully wrapped and suitable for sending directly as gifts. You may return any item within 7 days if not satisfied. To order, you may call us at 1-888-PANTEEK, or send email to firstname.lastname@example.com
PANTEEK is a registered trademark
Click to Order
Click to Contact
Return to the Prints


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Maliuga Point ( Eastern )
American Samoa Islands : Flag of State
Maliuga Point is a place of kind Cape belonging to the County of ( Eastern ).
The closest populated place is that of Alao that is0.51 miles far from Maliuga Point.
Maliuga Point is also 1,000,000.00 miles far from the closest airport or heliport, the .
The weather forecasting are available for the town of Pago Pago , that is 19,017.37 miles far from Maliuga Point .
The Zip Code of Maliuga Point is 96799.
Besides Maliuga Point in the County of ( Eastern ) there are the following places of kind Cape . These are reported in what follows in alphabetical order:
Agaoleatu Point - Agasavili Point - Alofisau Point - Anapeapea Point - Anapeapea Point - Anasosopo Point - Asasama Point - Aualili Point - Ava Point - Avatele Point - Breakers Point - Cape Fogausa - Cape Larsen - Cape Matatula - Cockscomb Point - Coconut Point - Craggy Point - Faalogologotala Rock - Faasouga Point - Faataaga Point - Fagailiili Point - Fagasa Point - Falaseeitoafa Point - Faleoteine Point - Fatuelo Point - Folau Point - Gatia Point - Goat Island Point - Lafiga Point - Lalofutu Point - Leanamanu Point - Leanaopou Point - Leanaosaualii Point - Leasi Point - Lepua Point - Leutu Point - Leva Point - Lifalifa Point - Logome Point - Maatulaumea Point - Malo Point - Mataae Point - Matalesolo Point - Matautu Point - Matautuele Point - Matautuloa Point - Matuli Point - Maugaopea Point - Motusaga Point - Mulinuu Point - Muliulu Point - Mulivaisigano Point - Namumeaavaga Point - Niuloa Point - Nuuoleniu Cove - Nuutoga Point - Nuututai Point - Olotina Point - Oti Point - Pagaitua Point - Palau Point - Papaloa Point - Pisiula Point - Puaneva Point - Puputagi Point - Saafelo Point - Salevatia Point - Samituutuu Point - Siliataligalu Point - Sinatau Point - Siufaga Point - Siufagatele Point - Solo Point - Tafagamanu Point - Tapisi Point - Taugamalama Point - Tiapea Point - Tifa Point - Tolisi Point - Trading Point - Tualiliu Point - Tulutulu Point - Uea Point - Usi Point - Utulaina Point - Ututafa Point - Vainuu Point - Vaiola Point - Vaisa Point - Vaitele Point - Visa Point .
Where to stay: Hotels and other Accommodation Maliuga Point
Please find in what follows the full listing of the Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and other accommodation available in Maliuga Point.
A lot of pictures and fully detailed descriptions are available for the Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and other accommodation, along with the ratings assigned by the guest of the same Hotels. The ratings are divided by age, sex and much more.
American Samoa Islands : Emblem of State
- Capital : Pago Pago
- Inhabitants : American Samoan
- State's Motto : Samoa, Muamua Le Atua
- English translation : Samoa, Let God be First (Samoan)
Map and road map of Maliuga Point
View the interactive maps of Maliuga Point and get road maps, satellite maps and much more. The maps cover a wide area centered on Maliuga Point .
On each map are available: a selector scale, on the bottom right of the map,a menu for choosing different views of the same map, placed in the upper left corner of the map, a free text search field for locating any business activity within the map itself, placed at the top center of the map.
The videos about Maliuga Point
It is proposed a first video: clicking on the PLAY button the video will start. Inside the video window there are several commands and a Playlist button. Press the Playlist button to access the complete listing of available videos, along with their titles. It will be sufficient to scroll through the list using the cursor to select any of the videos. You can use the << and >> keys to scroll through the videos. Each video can be displayed in full screen.


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So, I sent Curtis to the store the other day to get popsicles for the kiddos, and here's what he came home with! Someone is a genius! Wish I knew so I could thank them! Way to go Popsicle company! Curt you're a genius too, for picking them out, gotta give ya props! Everyone in Texas needs these for the summer heat we have!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
One of Summertime's Best Inventions
So, I sent Curtis to the store the other day to get popsicles for the kiddos, and here's what he came home with! Someone is a genius! Wish I knew so I could thank them! Way to go Popsicle company! Curt you're a genius too, for picking them out, gotta give ya props! Everyone in Texas needs these for the summer heat we have!
Posted by Jara at 3:22 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Labels: popsicles summer 2008
Swim Lessons
Kaden and Kinsley started swim lessons this week. I am amazed at how quick they are learning! Kaden has no fear and swam a little by himself today, Kinsley was afraid to put her head in the water at first but today she did beautifully! They make me proud!
Posted by Jara at 3:14 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: swim lessons summer 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Pool Party at Angie's!
Our sweet friend Angie invited all of us over the other day for a pool party for our Moms and Kids Club at church. We had so much fun eating an playing at her house, and splashing at the pool. Here's pics of all the kiddos in the hot tub, Adam and Kinsley (best friends), Angie with sweet baby Sarah, Stephanie and Kayden, and Kaden! Such fun!
Posted by Jara at 6:40 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: pool at angie's
More Disney Pics
Posted by Jara at 6:19 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: disney 2 july 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I can't even begin to express how much fun we had in Disney World! The kiddos truly LOVED every minute of it! The first day we went to Magic Kingdom - where I relived my childhood through Kaden and Kinsley's eyes, then on to Hollywood Studios - the former MGM studios for more fun! Highlights of the trip were dinner with Cinderella, the precious duck parade at the hotel, seeing the kids faces light up a million times a day, and feeling like a kid again for a short time! This slide show is kinda long - view it when you have time to sit and enjoy! We hope to go back again soon with the whole family!
Posted by Jara at 10:25 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Labels: Disney July 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Happy Birthday Kaden! Where did the last 5 years go?
Seriously, who took my little pudgy baby and turned him into a thin little boy or should I say big boy???? Kaden turned five today - whew! It's hard to believe this smart little boy that can read, loves superheros, talks like an adult, and asks a million questions was born on this day just 5 VERY short years ago! Kaden I love you so much - here's a few reasons why - agian...I could never list them all! Happy birthday my precious baby boy!
1. You are so smart - stinkin' smart. You have a photographic memory and we are so proud you are already reading before you get to Kindergarten! It's amazing how fast you catch on to things!
2. You are so boy - superheros, (RED) power rangers, race cars, etc., you are IN TO it all!!!!
3. Your questions about God and heaven are so sincere and so innocent - if only I could keep you here for the rest of your life - I'm praying you always keep searching and wanting to know HIM more!
4. You love your sister - you are such a sweet big brother when you want to be - you always look out for Kinsley whether it be helping her out of her car seat, getting an extra piece of candy for her when someone offers, packing toys especially for her when we go to friends or Grammy's house, or when you see things in a store you know she would like:)
5. You love me and dad - you have always been our little cuddle bug - I pray it never ends - I know some day it will change but I'll take all the hugs, kisses, and cuddles I can get until then.
We love you TONS! Love Mommy and Daddy
Posted by Jara at 7:35 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Happy Birthday Kaden 5 years old
Sunday, July 6, 2008
This post has been a long time coming! I meant to do it for Father's Day but at that time I did not have a good picture of Curt and the kids. I love Curtis for so many reasons, that I could devote a whole blog just to thanking him for all he is and all he brings to my life, and still never say all I have to say. But...for time sake I'll try to sum it up in 5 reasons!
5 Reasons I love my husband:
1. He is so patient, I know we drive him crazy sometimes but he is so gentle and kind to us no matter what! He has a heart of gold!
2. He really does have a heart of gold. His heart is FULL of compassion. He can't stand to see people hurting or wanting for anything and he always does his best to help others. He is truly sweet! He is loving and just plain precious!
3. He has some of the most beautiful eyelashes I've ever seen! I call them Snuffalupagus (from Sesame Street) eyelashes. They are long and full and beautiful! And I love to look in his eyes every chance I get!
4. He's a wonderful father. He has always enjoyed our kids, through every stage. He is very involved with them and enjoys spending quality time with each of them. You can tell they love him every bit back too, by the look in their eyes and how their little faces light up every time they see him.
5. He is the spiritual leader of the household. My hubby is a strong christian man. I had a list of what I wanted in a husband that was pretty hard to fulfill and God thankfully, fulfilled every wish I had in this man! Nothing is sexier than that!
I love you Curtis! Thanks for being you!
Posted by Jara at 5:17 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Curtis I love you
July Fourth with the Downs Family - 2008
Posted by Jara at 4:12 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: July Fourth with the Downs 2008
Fun in the boats on the Fourth!
Posted by Jara at 4:04 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: boats on the fourth
Cute Cousins - 4th of July Weekend
Kaden and Kinsley enjoyed playing with their cousin Corbin so much! He is such a cutie-patootie! They swam with him, gave him lots of hugs, made him laugh, and especially loved his interpretation of an elephant! We love you Corbin!
Posted by Jara at 3:58 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Corbin, Kaden and Kinsley
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Hurst Water Park
Posted by Jara at 4:48 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Hurst Aquatic Center
GREAT FRIENDS and a precious baby!
Posted by Jara at 4:43 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Erin and Cale, Matt
Look what boredom can do!
Posted by Jara at 4:38 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: summer fruit cabobs


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The health insurance system in the United States works great, as long as you stay healthy. It's only people who need medical care who have problems.
The basic story is that however bad the system might look on paper – we pay twice as much per person as people do in other wealthy countries, yet have worse health outcomes, and still have 47 million people without insurance - it is much worse in practice.
Let's start at the most basic level. You go to the doctor, paying directly, and then send your bill to the insurance company for reimbursement. The insurance company sends you a form letter rejecting the claim. It happens all the time.
Persistent people call their insurer and demand to know the reason the claim was rejected. The insurer gives you a form that your doctor must fill out. After the doctor returns the form, the insurer still has not paid the bill.
Very persistent people call the insurer and demand to know the reason the claim was rejected. The insurer tells you that they never received the form from the doctor. Under protest, the doctor is persuaded to fill out the form again, but the bill is still not paid.
Extremely persistent people call the insurer and demand to know the reason the claim was rejected. The insurer tells you that the doctor filled out the wrong form.
OK, my wife and I actually enjoyed this set of exchanges with our insurer. At the end of the day, we got them the form they wanted and were reimbursed as provided under our plan. But, we are extremely persistent, well-educated people who know our rights under the insurance contract.
Suppose the denial had gone to someone who is not very well educated, speaks poor English or does not have the physical or mental wherewithal to fight back? That person might just have assumed that the insurance company was right to turn down their claim and not contested the issue. Or, if they contested it once, they might have let it drop after the first round or the second.
From the standpoint of the insurance company, the denial of a claim is almost a no-brainer. For the price of a letter, they can save themselves reimbursements that can run into the thousands of dollars. In the worst case, they encounter persistent people who demand that the company honour its contract. In that case, they only end up paying what they would have shelled out in the first place and make money on the float until they do. They don't face any fines or penalties for wrongly denying claims.
Insurers don't generally give out the basis under which they deny claims. Nor do they generally reveal how often they deny claims. How can a person intelligently decide between insurers if they don't even know how likely they are to see a claim denied?
This is not the only information that you won't get from your insurer. In most plans, when people go "out of network", insurers reimburse an amount that is 70-80% of the "reasonable and customary" rate. Typically your insurer will not disclose in advance their customary and usual rate, so patients will not know how much a trip to the doctor will actually cost them until after the doctor submits the claim. In addition, the insurer is free to change their reimbursement rate at its own discretion. It can also, at its own discretion, change what procedures are and are not covered.
The current law basically gives insurers a free hand to abuse patients. It is equivalent to handing over a $12,000 check to a contractor to repair the plumbing and electric in your house and then leaving it to the contractor to decide which repairs they want to do. A contractor that fixed a few pipes and then skipped out would be prosecuted for fraud. An insurance company that effectively did the same thing, by denying care to policyholders, would be paying big bonuses to the CEO.
The next president must have healthcare reform at the top of the domestic agenda. Reform should provide subsidies that make healthcare affordable to all. It should also offer a public insurance option modelled on Medicare that everyone can buy into. Unlike private insurance, the public Medicare plan has predictable costs and benefits. You can see virtually any doctor, and Medicare reimburses the doctor directly, protecting you from needing to pay upfront. In fact, if your claim is denied, it is your doctor who is financially liable unless you are warned in advance that Medicare will not pay.
Reform should also include more balanced regulation of the private insurance system. Insurers should be forced to disclose the treatments they cover and under what circumstances, as well as their full schedule of fees. They should be limited in their ability to change the terms of their coverage, and they should be publicly accountable for the conditions under which and the frequency with which they deny claims.
Most businesses don't get to write their own rules. There is no reason to make an exception for insurers, especially since they typically are dealing with people with serious health problems, the most vulnerable segment of the population.


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Welcome to Watch List, where we identify five things on TV to watch while you stay at home and weed the fridge. LET'S GO!
BOARDWALK EMPIRE – 10:00PM Sunday (HBO) This is the big one. HBO's first gangster series since "The Sopranos" went off the air comes from Terence Winter, who was a writer on that show. Let's hope Winter follows Matthew Weiner's lead and creates a show that's full of intrigue while cutting away all the vagueness and purposeful red herrings that old boss David Chase adored torturing audiences with. Your executive producer (and pilot director) is Martin Scorsese, and something tells me that "Boardwalk Empire" will end up resembling the movie "Gangs of New York" really should have been. Steve Buscemi, who is awesome, plays the lead role here, which is a gift all to itself. He plays Nucky Thompson, a bootlegging crime lord in Atlantic City in the early 20th century. Expect plenty of shady doings and perhaps the occasional shooting. This is probably the most anticipated new show on HBO since "Rome." Probably more so, given its pedigree. ANTICIPATION: BIG!
STAR WARS: CLONE WARS – 9:00PM tonight (Cartoon Network) It's the season premiere of this animated Star Wars series. I have a four-year-old. I have gone to great lengths to shield her from all Star Wars content that is not the original trilogy. But let me tell you, it's impossible. Every Star Wars book for kids has cruelly intermingled characters from the original trilogy with characters from the horrid prequels, along with this show. It's not right. It's designed to get my kid to like the prequels more than the originals and take more of my money, and it makes me want to punch George Lucas in the beard. NO MORE PREQUEL INTEGRATION! ANTICIPATION: CLONEY!
MAD MEN – 10:00PM Sunday (AMC) I wasn't wild about last week's "Mad Men," in which we found out Don Draper is kind of a terrible writer who likes to swim. But every show is good for a dud episode now and then, and I have a strong feeling we're about to go on a stretch run of memorable episodes. Also, I'm still waiting for Paul Kinsey to magically reappear. You know it's gonna happen. ANTICIPATION: SCOTCH!
BILL BURR: LET IT GO – 11:00PM Sunday (Comedy Central) The "Chappelle's Show" veteran gets another standup special all to himself. He's very funny, as all bitter ginger kids should be. ANTICIPATION: FUNNYNESS!
BLOWING UP HISTORY: NAZI SUPER BOMBS – 9:00PM Sunday (NatGeo – NBC/Universal Network) Like the title alone isn't enough to get you to watch. I'd watch this blindfolded. Blowing stuff up? Nazis? Bombs? SUPER bombs? I'm there. ANTICIPATION: NAZIS!
Weekend Watch List: Scorsese And Buscemi Are Here. Playtime Is Over
Welcome to Watch List, where we identify five things on TV to watch while you stay at home and weed the fridge. LET'S GO!


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Ah, the Google Doodle. Here for your Pac-Man enjoyment, sure, but also to remind you of your crippling loneliness as you click "I'm Feeling Lucky" over and over in hopes of finding a highly relevant soulmate. Mashable takes a walk back through every Valentine's Day Doodle from 2000 onward.
They range from adorable (two little bears!) to sassy (a lipstick-smudge XO!) and are in tune with the season I guess. Except where's the one of me crying alone in the shower? [Mashable]


text: Strawberry Leisure's display at Pendennis Castle Posted on March 4th, 2012 under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Post a Comment Click here to cancel reply. Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked * Name* Email* Website Comment


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Boost your productivity with Corel PDF Fusion, an all-in-one PDF creator that lets you view files, plus assemble, edit and create PDFs. View more than 100 different file types just by dragging and dropping them into the Welcome Screen. Take pages from multiple files, including documents, spreadsheets and presentations, and combine them into a single PDF to share with anyone.
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Many years ago when DCF was first founded, we had some bowling shirts made for everyone. While they looked great, those shirts ended up being a little uncomfortable to wear on warmer days (which is most of the time). In the years since, we have had quite a few DeLorean owners and enthusiasts join our group, and I have been asked by many of them if they could buy a club shirt for car shows and gatherings. I'm happy to report that, after a lot of searching and deliberating on breathability, color, overall comfort, and so on, we have found the right shirt! Those who attended the Celebration Exotic Car Festival this year were able to see them first, but now it's your chance to check them out!
*(Our lovely models, Robert and Derek, are not included in your shirt purchase.)
100% Polyester & Dark Grey in color, these polos feature the DCF logo embroidered in silver thread on the left breast and a DMC logo on the right sleeve. Mens and Ladies sizes are available, and are $45 each.
You may be asking: How do I get my own DCF Polo? As it turns out, it is very simple. I will be placing an order next Friday, April 29th, so that gives you a couple of weeks to submit your desired style (Mens or Ladies), quantity, size(s), and payment to me. These shirts are being custom embroidered for us, so payment will be required up front. You can send it via PayPal to morpheus34711(at)yahoo.com, but be sure to classify it as a gift to avoid any fees. If you aren't local to the Orlando area, please include an address for shipping.
Any questions can be asked in this thread or via PM.


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|Phidal Publishing
|Super Sticker Books
| 9782764304273 (Elmo's World)
9782764304280 (Sesame Street)
Phidal published two Super Sticker Books in 2007 -- Elmo's World Super Sticker Book and Sesame Street Super Sticker Book. The oversized books include 48 vinyl pages, and eight pages of stickers. The stickers include both photographs and illustrations of Sesame Street characters.
Elmo's World Super Sticker Book
The "Elmo's World" Super Sticker Book has four sections:
School Days
Elmo packs his backpack and goes to school with Ernie, Big Bird, Zoe and Cookie Monster. He learns how to count with Count von Count.
When I Grow Up
Elmo imagines that he's a firefighter, and Zoe imagines life as a doctor. Farmer Grover shows Elmo and Ernie about life on the farm. Elmo also imagines himself as a bespectacled businessman, counting on an adding machine. Future chef Cookie Monster bakes a batch of cookies with Little Bird.
Let's Eat!
Elmo goes to the grocery store, and eats lunch in the school lunchroom with Bert.
Animal Friends
Elmo learns about animal tracks, and where animals live. At night, he snuggles up with his doll, David, and dreams about nocturnal animals.
Sesame Street Super Sticker Book
The Sesame Street Super Sticker Book has four sections:
Team Sesame
Cookie Monster and Bert play soccer, Ernie and Elmo play football, and Big Bird and Elmo play basketball. Zoe tries to slide into home, but Oscar the Grouch says she's out.
School Rules!
At school, Elmo, Ernie, Bert, Zoe, Cookie Monster, Baby Bear and Abby Cadabby play on the playground.
Sesame Seasons
In spring, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Telly Monster play in the park. In the winter, Elmo, Zoe and Oscar skate on a frozen river.
Sharing and Caring
The reader helps Ernie, Bert, Cookie Monster and Prairie Dawn find their favorite things. Grover reads a book to Abby Cadabby, and Big Bird helps Cookie Monster learn to skate.