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It's beautiful man!
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I liked Lost Boys and Flatliners.
Shumacher's worst film, however, was Batman and Robin. I'd rank that just under Dune as the worst movie I've ever seen.
I'm not mean; I just don't like you.
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This guy is not a fan.
Les Miserables Taught Me How to Hate Again
Last night I went to a showing of Les Miserables. And when I say went to I mean hogtied and dragged at gun point by my wife, her sister and her mom. By the looks of many of the other men in that crowded overheated theater, I was not the only hostage victim in attendance. In fact I saw one dude commit Hara-kiri while shouting death before dishonor in the parking lot prior to the screening. At first I thought he was slightly overreacting. And then the movie started.
I have to say, after watching the entire film, it was actually a thousand times worse than I could have imagined. Les Miserables will stand forever as the most miserable cinematic experience Ive ever suffered through. And this is coming from a guy who saw Christmas with the Kranks in theaters, so that should tell you something.
Let me run through a few points about this excruciating horror show for anyone, especially any man, who has not yet been forced to endure it.
Les Miserables apparently holds the Guinness world record for longest musical about a minor parole violation. It tells the utterly pointless tale of an ex-con as he tries to elude a bumbling parole officer for 20 years. This is also, it should be mentioned, the first film to show two decades pass by in real time. So if youre heading to the theater tonight make sure to pack a change of clothes. My wife told me afterward that the movie, despite its torturous running time, actually CUT OUT several scenes from the original play. Too bad they didnt cut out more scenes. Like every scene. Of course it didnt have to be that long. Hugh Jackman, the criminal guy, could have just, you know, MOVED OUT OF THE FREAKING CITY IF HE DIDNT WANT TO BE CAUGHT. Instead this whole game of cat-and-mouse between Jackman and Russell Crowe takes place in one neighborhood. The dumbest criminal of the millennium vs. a law enforcement officer that makes every Leslie Nielsen character look like Sherlock Holmes in comparison.
Oh. But it gets worse. Much worse. They sing. Dear God do they sing. They sing EVERYTHING. Look, I know its a musical. I get it. Ive seen Fiddler on the Roof and The Sound of Music and West Side Story. They sing in those films/plays also. But then they break up the musical numbers with normal dialogue. But thats just too simple and not nearly irritating enough, according to the maniac who wrote this tornado of crap. Every single line in the movie is sung. It doesnt matter how pedestrian the dialogue, they have to put it to music: Pass the salt, Hang on I gotta take a leak, etc. All put to song. My sister-in-law cried throughout the whole movie. I cried tears of blissful joy when Russell Crowe threw himself off a bridge at the end because it meant hed finally stop singing. BUT EVEN THAT DIDNT STOP HIM. All the dead people had to come back before the credits for one last encore. By the way, Crowe, youre the guy who played the gladiator but now you will live in infamy as the most awkward casting decision in Hollywood history. You reminded me of someones dad who was tossed into the school play at the last minute after his son came down with laryngitis on opening night.
But lets talk about the big musical numbers. You dont need to buy the soundtrack. Ill sum up every song in the movie. Here you go: Im so lonely, Im so alone, look at me my life is hard, Im alone, Im on my own, theres this empty chair here, its empty because Im alone, Im lonely, all this bad stuff has happened to me because of my inexcusably stupid life choices, Im alone, I feel so alone, on my own, on my own, on my own, did I mention Im on my oooooowwwwwn?
Not a dry eye in the house after we heard that one. For the 40th time.
Vapid, shallow, predictable, self indulgent and emotionally manipulative. BUT ITS A CLASSIC! No. No its not. Who cares if the play has been around for a while? Malaria has been around for a while. Just because something is old doesnt make it a classic.
And I havent even mentioned the fact that half the characters in this flick which is set in France have an inexplicable limey British chimney sweep accent. That would make sense for Mary Poppins but not this. Incidentally THATS a musical Id sooner watch 5 times in a row before being subjected to another 3 minutes of Les Miserables.
Then, two thirds of the way through the movie, we get the obligatory tragic love story. Heres how it goes: a young French revolutionary spots a blonde chick across the street. The two lock eyes and literally THAT NIGHT the dumb desperate loser is singing about how hed die for her. Really? And Im supposed to become psychologically invested in a plot device that has just reduced the beauty, joy, pain and sacrifice of romantic love to something you can catch like a cold or fall into like a puddle? I know Hollywood has been peddling that nonsense for ages but this was simply too much to cope with.
To make matters worse were all supposed to be super impressed because the songs (and by songs I mean every single word uttered during the course of the entire picture) are performed live instead of being recorded in a studio and dubbed into the film. GEE WOW IM SO ENAMORED WITH YOUR ARTISTIC INTEGRITY. Is that the reaction Im supposed to have? I dont know because my initial reaction was something like Man, this sounds awful. Instead of lip syncing pre-recorded songs, the actors sputtered out of key while choking back tears and gasping for breath. It was like listening to someone sing karaoke while being chased by a swarm of African killer bees. Coincidentally, that is the actual premise of a reality show on TruTV. Except that show likely has more depth and intelligence. I dont care if the lets do it live move was revolutionary. Not all revolutions are good. Just ask France.
I could go on. But I wont. I hated Les Miserables with a violent passion. Lets leave it at that.
And at this: my wife now has to watch four mob movies, three war movies and two History Channel documentaries with me.
Thats the exchange rate.
Sorry, honey, I dont make the rules. But I will enforce them.
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A walk through Pine Grove Cemetery in the Whitinsville section of town is a walk through the history of the Blackstone Valley.
Established in 1878 by sons of textile magnate Paul Whitin, who endowed the nonprofit Pine Grove Cemetery Association with 27 acres and a superintendent's house, the prominent burial ground marks the generations who built and worked in the region's once-flourishing mills.
There are Paul (1767-1831) and Betsey (1777-1868) Whitin; families of John C. (1807-1882) and Charles P. Whitin (1809-1887); Swifts; Tafts; Fletchers and other founding mothers and fathers.
Farther along the winding paths, names of more recent Armenian and Dutch immigrants, such as Arakelian, Baghdasarian, Devries and Bloem, become apparent.
"I think the people in Whitinsville know Pine Grove Cemetery is a civic asset," said seventh-generation Whitin descendent Alexander Whiteside of Milton. "It's certainly something worth fighting for and preserving."
A fight to preserve Pine Grove Cemetery is just what Whitin descendants and others in the community find they might be in for.
Mr. Whiteside was recently alerted by local residents concerned about Pine Grove Cemetery Association's financial condition and rumors that the cemetery might be transferred to the town or to St. Patrick Parish, which is rapidly filling its cemetery across town, or sold in part to abutting Whitinsville Christian School. Now he is looking for answers.
"Our family has put a lot into this cemetery," Mr. Whiteside said. Six generations of Whitins are buried there. "We probably owe it to them to make sure that what's being done wouldn't make them turn over in their graves."
Even after meeting with cemetery trustees last week, he hasn't found an explanation or a plan.
"They did say they've done everything they could, but they didn't say what they have done," Mr. Whiteside said. "There's no reason for this to be a secret. They have that obligation to be open and forthright. It's not their cemetery. They're basically trustees."
The trustees aren't talking publicly, either. Charles E. Broadhurst of Uxbridge, president of Pine Grove Cemetery Association, said, "I'm afraid we're not interested in participating (in a newspaper story)."
However, a statement faxed at the last minute to the Telegram & Gazette read in part: "Over a number of years, the cemetery's operational costs have exceeded its income partly due to a limited number of burials. The trustees are being proactive to search out and investigate alternative sources of revenue as well as other long-term plans to insure the perpetual care of the existing graves and continued benefits for the community. The trustees of Pine Grove Cemetery want to assure all concerned that the trustees have and will continue to act to preserve and protect this valuable community resource."
The cemetery's financial trend is clear, according to IRS Form 990s filed for tax-exempt organizations. In each of the three most recently reported tax periods, ending in October 2011, 2010 and 2009, the association incurred a net loss of roughly $80,000 to $100,000.
Total net assets at the end of 2011 were $408,057. Three years earlier they were $696,902.
In 2011, the cemetery association's revenue was $81,223, including $45,860 in cemetery sales. Expenses totaled $185,562, of which $145,691 was for salaries, wages and payroll taxes for four employees.
The Pine Grove Cemetery Association has tried to raise money.
In 2008, it sold the caretaker's house for $227,000, according to documents filed with the Worcester District Registry of Deeds.
And there have been fundraising mailings. Association secretary and bookkeeper Judith M. Yerka confirmed that solicitations brought in $14,345 in 1996, including $5,000 from Whitin descendant Priscilla Mason, who died in 2012 at age 98. Subsequent fund-raising letters yielded $11,750 in 2000, $9,000 in 2004 and $6,100 in 2006, including another $5,000 donation from Miss Mason.
"Even though we get money in, it's not what we need," Ms. Yerka said.
Mr. Whiteside, who said he never received a fundraising letter, said the board members "wouldn't confirm or deny" reports about selling or transferring cemetery assets to another organization.
Northbridge Town Manager Theodore Kozak had no comment about discussions to transfer the cemetery to the town.
But Selectman Charles D. Ampagoomian Jr. said it was part of a discussion in executive session about six to eight months ago.
Describing the meeting as informational, he said, "As far as I know, there's no formal proposal to the town. There's nothing on the table."
The town currently operates the small Riverdale Cemetery on Route 122.
When asked about potential plans to buy open land from the cemetery, Lance Engbers, headmaster of Whitinsville Christian School, declined to comment. "I don't know that much about it," he said.
The Rev. Michael Broderick, pastor at St. Patrick Parish in Whitinsville, did not return phone calls inquiring about rumored plans to acquire the cemetery.
Diocese of Worcester spokesman Raymond Delisle said that he probably wouldn't hear about it until an agreement was signed, if there were one.
He said that there were rules about how a Catholic cemetery could be managed, such as barring non-Christian symbols. But in such a hypothetical situation as managing a non-denominational cemetery, the practices would only be applied to burials after the acquisition.
"The bottom line is, when we operate a cemetery we have an obligation to maintain it. We see it as holy ground," he said.
As a private cemetery corporation, Pine Grove Cemetery Association would have to notify the secretary of state's office of any change in its organization, according to Brian McNiff, an agency spokesman.
While it is tax exempt, a cemetery corporation is not a public charity and therefore not subject to oversight by the state attorney general's office.
Without further information from cemetery association officials, it is difficult to say whether the financial difficulties are primarily a result of the recent recession or of a slowness to respond to cultural shifts.
Thomas P. Daly of Westwood, cemetery consultant and chairman of legislative and consumer affairs for the Massachusetts Cemetery Association, said: "Cemeteries are changing. It's not just all in-ground burials; we now have more cremations. Family traditions have changed too — not everyone does traditional burial (with family gravesites)."
The increasing popularity in cremation, which in 2011 approached 50 percent across New England, according to the Cremation Association of North America, contributes to lower demand for cemetery plots.
Cemeteries may offer above-ground niches for disposition of "cremains," or allow typically two sets of cremains to be interred in one burial plot. Cremains might even not be buried at all.
Mr. Daly said also that families of veterans increasingly have their loved ones buried in a veterans' cemetery, which reduces demand on regional private cemeteries.
Mr. Daly said he has worked with a few groups that offered to turn their cemeteries over to municipalities. "It can be done, but it takes some prudent direction to do that," he said.
"A lot of cemeteries, I've found, are so behind the times," said Brian K. Killelea, general manager of Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton and secretary of the Massachusetts Cemetery Association.
Mr. Killelea was not familiar with Pine Grove Cemetery's situation, but said his family-run memorial park, on 100 acres, has tried to keep up with practices by being among the first to have a website and online database.
The memorial park hosts free estate-planning seminars, Memorial Day cookouts for families who travel to visit their loved ones' graves, walking groups and recently, a "Good Grief" social support group.
"We have to pay attention to the living just as much as to the person who passed," Mr. Killelea said.
Mr. Whiteside said he believed there was still time to turn around Pine Grove Cemetery if the matter is addressed head on.
"The issue is, what is the current situation? What can be reasonably done?" he asked. "There are things that people in town should be involved in. It should be done in a public way."
Contact Susan Spencer at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanSpencerTG

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Institutional Assessment Council
Welcome to the Institutional Assessment Council Website.
The IAC is made up of faculty, staff, students, and administrators who understand and are passionate about student learning, and who care deeply about people being prepared to live, work, and contribute in the 21st century and beyond. Our task is to promote and oversee the continued implementation of assessment across the campus.
We invite you to explore our website, make comments or suggestions, offer examples, and share your experiences with student learning assessment.


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This one is worth sinning for! Eat it and go straight to heaven...
Please do not be put off by the length of ingredients - it is actually quite simple, and if you do not want to make it in one go, you can freeze the mousse before making the next layer. Serve in either martini or fluted cups or tall glasses... (Yield really depends on the size of the cup you use, if using tall glasses, this recipe will make 4 - 6.)
4 - 6
- White Mousse:
150 gram white chocolate
¼ cup milky whipping cream
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs, separated
1 tsp caster sugar (fine sugar)
- Chocolate mousse: (middle layer)
150 gram brown milk chocolate
¼ cup milky whipping cream
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs, separated
1 tsp caster sugar
- dark mousse:
150 gram bitter chocolate
¼ cup milky whipping cream
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs, sparated
1 tsp caster sugar
A note about serving containers... Tall glasses are perfect as they don't narrow towards the stem, however martini style glasses look very elegant, but use up less mousse on the bottom layer than the top. Use a pouring jug to pour mousse into glasses for perfect layers.
Also before you start each layer, Please make sure to check how much butter is needed as each layer uses a different amount and it is easy to look at the wrong layer...
White mousse:
1. Melt the chocolate and cream together on a bain marie. Remove from heat and mix smooth.
2. Mix in the butter and the yolks.
3. Whisk whites and add sugar. Fold into chocolate mixture.
4. Pour into glasses, leave to set a while or freeze until making next layer.
Chocolate mousse:
1 - 4 as above. Pour over white mousse and refrigerate 45 minutes or freeze until ready to make dark mousse.
Dark mousse:
1 - 4 as above. Pour over chocolate mousse.
Can decorate with a chocolate leaf (simply melt some dark chocolate, spread over a washed leaf, leave to set, peel off leaf and angle the chocolate leaf in the top layer of mousse.


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PRWeek understands Rolls-Royce's director of external comms Josh Rosenstock is to join the global tech giant in the coming weeks.
It is thought Rosenstock will join Apple as director of corporate comms for the Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA) region in a newly created role.
One source with knowledge of the move said the 'heavyweight' hire was a reflection of Apple's desire to grow its corporate affairs capabilities as it becomes increasingly drawn into global regulatory and political issues.
The brand has been involved in a high-profile, multi-jurisdiction legal battle against Samsung over a range of intellectual property rights issues. Various cases have gone through courts in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and The Netherlands.
Apple has also been dragged into the corporation tax debate in the UK after it emerged the company had paid less than two per cent corporation tax on its profits outside the US in 2011/2012.
Another senior comms source added: 'This is an acknowledgement from Apple there's a need for wider horsepower when it comes to links with Whitehall stakeholders. 'As Apple becomes an institution in its own right it needs to upskill in this area.'
It is thought Rosenstock will report to Alan Hely, senior director, corporate comms, EMEIA, Apple Europe.
Rosenstock has worked at Rolls-Royce Group for more than four years and was previously head of corporate comms at financial tech firm Misys and head of comms at RWE Thames Water.
Apple said it did not 'comment on appointments'. Rosenstock could not be reached for comment, while Rolls-Royce did not respond to calls.


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My professional work experience is in the hotel industry. As the manager of a few different small properties I hired and trained a great deal of housekeepers. Some people may think that being a hotel "maid" is a simple job that anyone can do. This simply isn't true. Sure, almost anyone can TRY to clean a motel room but only the dedicated will succeed. From time to time I am given the opportunity to draw upon my past work knowledge to hire and train one of my husband's new employees. This task was much easier when I was still working because I had so many useful resources, not to mention that I did it regularly so it was very natural. Now things are more difficult.
As I was trying to recall the room cleaning processes required by my employees of the past I began to realize how useful these techniques would be for cleaning a personal home. Hotel chains requires their rooms to be cleaned in about 45 minutes for a large room with many amenities (such as a Hampton Inn) and about 25 minutes for a small room with few amenities (such as a Motel 6). Motel housekeepers are typically required to clean 10-15 rooms per day. How do they manage it? To be successful they must have a system.
Here is the daily cleaning checklist I gave to the housekeepers at the motels I managed. I believe we will be more successful on cleaning day if we have a plan. I know I don't have 15 bathrooms in my house but if a motel housekeeper can clean that many bathrooms in one day I should be able to clean my house from top to bottom in only a few hours.
1- 1- Clear out all trash and dirty linens (in a personal home changing linens on Laundry day makes for one less thing to do on cleaning day).
2- 2- Clean the bathroom:
a. Spray the shower walls and the bath tub with a mild disinfectant spray. Wipe with a clean DRY rag (never use water to clean a bathroom - except the INSIDE of the toilet- !).
b. Use a toilet bowl disinfectant to clean the inside of the toilet, especially underneath the rim. (I prefer to use a rag and scrub with my -gloved- hand, toilet brushes gross me out!)
c. Spray the entire exterior of the toilet with disinfectant, including the pedestal connecting to the floor. Wipe with a clean DRY rag.
d. Spray the counter top and sink with a disinfectant spray. Wipe with a clean DRY rag.
e. Clean mirrors, sink faucets and bathtub faucets with window cleaner.
f. Mop floor, being careful to remove all hair.
i. General instructions: use a clean rag for each section of the bathroom.
ii. Never use water except on the inside of the toilet.
iii. Keep all dirty rags wrapped tightly to prevent hair from falling out.
3- 3- Dust furniture
4- 4- Make Beds
5- 5- Vacuum yourself out of the room.
The key to cleaning your house as if it was a hotel is to have all the "stuff" put away. That means all toys, clothes, junk mail, shoes, and clutter. Hotel maids aren't required to clean around stuff and neither should you. Our houses should be junk free for a few hours at least once a week.
I am also a large supporter of having someone help you with the dirty work, especially the floors and bathrooms. Many people assume it must cost a fortune to hire someone to come into your home to help, but if you keep your eyes peeled you can find someone to help you for 10-15 dollars per hour. Unless you have a monstrous house with 7 or 8 bathrooms you should need only 2-3 hours of help every other week. That is between $40 and $90 per month, a small expense when you take into consideration the increase to the value of your house. Bathroom fixtures will last a life time if they are cleaned regularly, however they may need to be replaced after only 5 – 10 years if they are not properly taken care of.
I realize for some people this may be an expense that simply does not fit into their budget. That's okay! I suggest finding a friend who feels the same way you do who would be willing to swap a few hours of work each week. On the first and third week of the month spend 2 hours cleaning one house; on the second and fourth week of the month spend 2 hours cleaning the other house. Work is always more fun with a friend and you will get twice as much done. Just knowing you have a friend coming over to help will force you to de-clutter so the rooms and bathrooms can be cleaned like a hotel. Focus on cleaning the bathrooms, the floors, and doing a quick surface dust.
The average size of a house in the United States is 2330 square feet with 2 ½ bathrooms. The average hotel room is 450 square feet and most housekeepers are required to clean about 12 rooms per day. That means they are cleaning 5400 square feet of floor space, 12 bathrooms, and making 12-24 beds all in about 6 hours. This seems like an incredible work load but they manage it because of a few very important issues:
1- The bathrooms are cleaned REGULARLY (daily at a busy property) which means there is rarely any heavy build up on the plumbing fixtures.
2- They aren't working around clutter, toys, trash, food, etc. There is nothing to 'put away', if there does happen to be some food or trash in the room they throw it out.
3- They have a system that includes a logical path of travel throughout the space and they do NOT clean with water.
A clean house is like an organized house; a CONSTANT work in progress. My house is nowhere near as clean as it could be (I once had a housekeeper tell me, "everywhere I look everything is just SO dirty!!"). But I do dedicate my Tuesdays to making it clean and I have a cleaning schedule (click HERE to see the schedule I have hanging on my broom closet door) that works well for me and my life. I figure one day the kids will be smart enough to use a door knob instead of the glass and their aim to the toilet will improve (or they will learn to sit down!). And perhaps they won't continue to eat ketchup with every meal or wear their muddy boots in the house. Until then I will do my best to provide a comfortable place for my family to live. I challenge you to do the same! I firmly believe this is something we can all do to drastically increase our value of lives.
Check out my post on having a "Clean Kitchen"
Interested in purchasing the cleaning products I use, check out the SHOP page
Cleaning is nearly impossible if you are having a difficult time 'Managing Clutter' - start with first things first!
Laundry got you down? There is a correct way to do that too! How to Do Laundry
I found your blog via Pinterest and love your tips. What do you do with the rags that have all the hair on them? Do you just throw them into the wash with the others and just clean the filter? Thanks!
Might I introduce many of you to the amazing capabilities of straight vinegar and a dry, cut up, cotton t-shirt on mirrors, chrome, hard water, soap scum, counters, and pretty much every other thing out there. The smell of the alcohol dissipates as it dries. Soon, all that's left are the smells of the flowers and candles we put in that space. I've had so many people ask how my fixtures still look brand new. Not to mention, vinegar is safe and non-toxic. As for vinegar's anti-bacterial properties, it is actually quite powerful as almost no living organism can sustain life at such an acidic pH level.
I have actually done that before, like using 409 and a little elbow grease. It seems that if you let the disinfectant or cleaner sit for a few minutes and then wipe it with a dry rag, it seems to work really well. Great post, and thanks for all the additional cleaning tips!
I love this post! I recently went from being a FT mother of three to working PT which I thought would magically make all of my difficulties with keeping a clean house go away. NOT TRUE! I find it very difficult to achieve a clean house and am trying to put just as much effort & focus towards learning how to clean my house as I do at my job. This post was the most comprehensive I have found! Thinking about it in terms ofa hotel housekeeperh as made it very easy to wrap my brain around the process. Am I actually a little excited to go clean right now?? Wha?? Who am I? ;) Thank you!
"Hotel maids aren't required to clean around stuff and neither should you." Uh that's because the patrons take all their stuff with them when they leave. How do we clean up the stuff?
Any ideas on a schedule for a mom that works full time and gets home at 6pm mon-friday??
I have this first summer off in a long time because I taught Kindergarten this last year. At the advice of my friend with 6 kids, and the encouragement of my husband, I am finding that I too am so glad when I've done the cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping on Monday and Tuesday. Then I do have the rest of the week to play and work as I choose with freedom. I used to nanny and would watch the cleaning lady to just the same schedule that you are doing, finishing with the cleaning of the kitchen. Thanks for these tips! Happy Summertime!!
I just stumbled upon this from Pinterest of course! I absolutely love the idea of disinfecting without water! However, for the floors I have bought a shark vacuum and mop. The Vacuum is cordless and only needs to be charged like once a month! I find it SUPER easy to go through and vacuum daily! The mop isn't cordless but it disinfects with just steam. Its very easy for disinfecting and you don't have to worry about chemicals on the floor. The vacuum runs about $30 and is a very good investment!! The Shark Mop is $80 but defiantly worth it if you have a lot of floor to disinfect, and it can also be used to disinfect your carpet!
Love the tips
Thanks for these tips. Why are dry rags used and not damp/wet ones to clean the bathroom?
The Scrubbing Bubbles site says their product needs to be rinsed or at minimum for some of their products wiped with a damp sponge or cloth...? Comments?
I couldn't open your Tuesday cleaning schedule. Is there another way you can post it?
I clean fully equipped cabins and have for 10 years. You are dead on with your tips!!!
I attempted to view your personal cleaning schedule but it's on Microsoft Office 7 and I don't have that version. Is there another way for you to post it or that I could see it?
My husband has always had a beard, he places a towel across the sink and when he is finished he takes the towel outside and shakes it out, then to the laundry. If he wouldn't I would suggsest waiting until the sink was dry and then wipe it out with a dry towel and take it outside.
i love this page! i fate cleaning the bathroom, now i feel kind excited!! thank yoou!
I am VERY excited to try your method and suggestions.
Now I can do it and still have time for a life! Thanks so much for these ideas!!!
Why shouldnt I water when cleaning bathroom...i use tilex mildew cleaner in shower, and scrubbing bubbles on sinks...how do i not use water with these products?
I do know how hard a housekeeper for a hotel works. I was one for about 1 week. It was painful on my back, constant bending over the beds. Anyway, I learned the technique you discuss and thought that it was the perfect way to clean. However, the hotel head housekeeper did not use dry rags and she would clean the tub walls and toilets with the same brush. Bath walls first, then toilet, then place the brush in disinfectant. I thought that was nasty, but she uses the disinfectant which she thinks makes it okay. I know this technique works and I plan to start using it. Thanks for the pin.
Love your cleaning ideas!
Love this! I never thought of not using water to clean the bathroom...I guess it would be a lot easier. I also like the idea of using different rags for each fixture, that's my biggest peeve about cleaning is I feel like I'm no longer cleaning towards the end, just wiping crud all over....
definitely putting this to good use!
Quite good entry at all! I think all these information are very helpful to me. really i was looking forward to read about this. Thanks for this allocation. :lol:
I love all your tips they have saved me a ton of time. One I'd like to add is if you have a vacuum with a detachable hose you can just vacuum hair off bathroom counters and even out of the shower and tub if they're dry :) I hate touching loose hair and this does the trick.
i like to use paper towels when i do the toilet, then i can just throw it away!! (i use the paper towel i use on the mirrors. Another great bathroom cleaner is Lysol bathroom cleaner. Another tip is if one has tiled walls to dry them after a shower. this really helps the grout stay nice!!
I would like to add a fabulous disinfectant is white vinegar. If the bathroom surfaces, not the toilet, are not visible dirty, try using white vinegar on them to cut down on the cleaning product used. Also in my hotel management days I instructed my housekeepers to use black and white newspaper on all the mirrors and faucets. This creates a fog free mirror and super shiny chrome. again using the white vinegar in a spray bottle
What do you like about your bamboo flooring and keeping it clean? Also, you mentioned tile can be difficult to keep clean because of the grout. We are educating ourselves on products as we are building a home in the nex year or two. We love the look of hard woods, but the home we just sold had them throughout the main floor and I found them noisy. What are your thoughts? Thanks for this blog!
A few months go my dad had surgery and I stayed at his house for few days. While there I was looking for things to clean his bathroom. When he saw what I was doing, he took me to his laundry room where he had a whole bunch of old white tshirts and white towels ( clean of course). We grabbed two products and he told me to do exactly what you said to do.
Once I was done, he asked me to take the towels directly to the washer and wash them in hot water with detergent and clorox. The towels and t-shirts came out white and clean looking. Then i put them back in a basket he kept all his rags. He said not to fold them because they are in the laundry room, no one sees them and they are confined to the basket
On a side note, all his towels on all his bathrooms are white also He says that way he can always use bleach on them and they look crisp and clean. I am slowly replacing all our towels with white ones and stole quite a few of my husbands white cotton undershirts.
I admit. I had to read over this post three times. Can cleaning the bathroom really be so simple?! I am psyched! Thank you for sharing this. Now I'm curious about your other quick cleaning methods. I'm a stay-at-home mom who works part-time as a substitute teacher. There are days my bad hip is out, and the house cleaning as to be simple. We have a 5 bed/3 bath split level, and I hate spending all day cleaning! Many, many thanks!
I honestly didn't read all the comments and replies because there is so many but we have a dog that is simply not potty trained and he urinates throughout our house and we have tile throughout the whole place. The bathroom is the worst because of the grout. Do you have any input on what to use and how to clean it up to avoid the messes again and the smell. I cannot get the smell out of the bathroom and the potty training has gotten much better so the urinating should lessen if not stop all together.
So, correct me if im wrong, but if your using a disinfectant and spray over the entire surface your cleaning, shouldn't that kill the germs that are there. Then once you wipe over them your not really spreading any germs because they would be gone. Therefore, using a wet rag isn't really spreading the germs around.
You just changed my life! Thank You!
You mentioned somewhere wiping up hair in the bathroom with a dry rag. How do you get rid of the hair then? Throw out the whole rag, shake it out or something else? Or did I misunderstand?
I've worked as a housekeeper in a big hotel so this makes total sense! I didn't dislike my work at all, the routine really helped. But cleaning my own house is just different: it takes me much longer and my motivation is much less. lol!


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Keyboard ALT + g to toggle grid overlay
New and enhanced Revit features enable consistent, coordinated, and complete modeling for multidiscipline design that extends to detailing and construction.
Use a Navisworks file as a lightweight context to work with others on your project. (video: 1:26 min.)
To better understand and quantify your project, create schedules of links and groups in the model. (video: 1:12 min.)
Embed design intent with project-wide parameters that now work with radial and diameter dimensions and equality constraints. (video: 1:30 min.)
Provide user input directly in the Player interface to make project-specific adjustments to scripts. (video: 0:49 min.)
You now have more control when creating railings. Includes hosting railings on topography, automatic adjustment to stairs, and post placement. (video: 1:30 min.)
Revit lets you model sloped pipe, part by part, and use multipoint routing for fabrication elements. (video: 2:03 min.)
Manipulate the circuit pathways, define your own space types, and include outdoor air requirements. (video: 2:08 min.)
Quickly create and modify multi-story buildings by connecting stairs to the levels in your project. (video: 1:21 min.)
Distribute rebar along multiple face segments in 3D views for modeling and detailing of reinforcement. (video: 1:49 min.)
Complete model definitions faster by editing rebar logic in 3D views with in-canvas graphical manipulation. (video: 1:04 min.)
More than 100 new connections. Now you can create connections for custom, user-defined families. (video: 1:59 min.)
Flow and pressure-drop data is now connected to the pump, and to the computation processes in the background. (video: 1:49 min.)
An open, graphical system for design and form-making, and the basis for all building components designed in Revit.
Contributors from multiple disciplines can share and save their work to the same centrally shared file.
Create a tabular display of model information extracted from the properties of the elements in a project.
Revit imports, exports, and links your data with commonly used formats, including IFC4.
Extend Revit functionality with API access, add-ins, and an expanded content library on the Autodesk App Store.
Communicate designs more effectively with WYSIWYG editing, and features that let you control text appearance.
Expand and optimize BIM workflows with an open-source graphical programming interface that installs with Revit.
Revit optimizes hardware usage and performs processes in the background.
Optimize building performance with centralized access to performance data and advanced analysis engines.
Explore, validate, and communicate designs. Render more quickly and accurately with Autodesk Raytracer rendering engine.
Produce photorealistic visualizations without tying up your desktop or using special rendering hardware.
Connect laser scans directly to the BIM process to author an as-built model.
Share data for conceptual designs that were created in FormIt with Revit to continue to develop designs with BIM.
Add architectural elements to the building model, including walls, doors, windows, and components.
Create a physical model for coordination and documentation, and an associated analytical model for structural analysis.
Perform cloud-based static and gravity analysis while you work in Revit or run parallel analysis. Explore and visualize results within Revit.
Create 3D reinforcement designs. Produce reinforcement shop drawing documentation with rebar schedules.
Model connections with a higher level of detail using a variety of parametric steel connections in Revit.
Create an accurate and detailed structural documentation of multimaterial designs.
Integrate analysis results into the BIM process and work in an iterative design workflow.
Interoperability between Revit and Advance Steel helps provide a seamless BIM workflow from steel design to fabrication.
Dynamo gives structural engineers tools to develop optimized structural systems using computational logic.
Revit includes an expanded library of wastewater-system content based on the American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards.
Insight lets you optimize building performance with centralized access to performance data and advanced analysis engines.
Use the Design to Fabrication tool to convert design-level model elements to construction level-of-detail elements.
Document model layout more effectively. Revit offers features that let you document, schedule, and tag fabrication elements.
Design complex duct and pipe systems to express intent, and model duct and pipe systems with mechanical design content.
Design, model, and document electrical systems. Keep track of electrical loads throughout the distribution system.
Create sanitary plumbing systems with sloped piping and layout piping systems to design and document intent.
Create fabrication-ready models in Revit. You can model and coordinate MEP LOD 400 components.
Derive construction insight from design models. Split and manipulate wall layers and concrete pours, and prepare shop drawings for fabrication.
Upload Revit models into BIM 360 Glue and sync with BIM 360 Layout. View and share point sets in the BIM 360 Glue web interface or the BIM 360 Layout iPad app.
Link to Advance Steel for steel detailing and fabrication to help accelerate design-to-steel construction.
Convert design level-of-detail model elements to fabrication level-of-detail elements for detailed coordination, fabrication, and installation.


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Style # 197505
Exude glamour in this bebe cocktail dress, featuring a blend of complementing hues and sequin-embellished stripes. Offers full lining, hidden zipper and adjustable straps. Finish it with a studded crossbody bag and sky-high black sandals. Center back to hem: 24"/61 cm.
- 95% polyamide, 8% spandex
- Spot clean
- Imported
- Model is 5'9" and is wearing a US size S


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Happy Valentine's Day! 10 Unforgettable Hip-Hop Love Songs
It's Valentine's Day and we've put together some of the best hip-hop love songs. Rappers are always putting on this tough image, but they're human like everyone else and deal with love just like regular people. From DMX rhyming about a special lady, to Ja Rule "harmonizing" about that woman who completes him.
Listen to the tracks in the gallery below!


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Considering a career in the social impact sector? Grad school might be your way forward. But it's not for everyone. The articles here offer advice and insights on how to explore your educational options, whether grad school is right for you, how to finance your education, and much more.
Below you'll find links to the thematic groups of articles. Don't forget to check Idealist Careers to learn how make your education lead to your dream job.
Getting Started
- Good Reasons for Going to Grad School
- Not so Good Reasons to Go to Grad School
- Considering Grad School Because You Don't Know What to Do With Your Life? Reconsider.
- Are You Ready For The Lifestyle Changes?
- Improve Your Chance of Getting Into Grad School as an Undergrad
- What If My Undergraduate Degree is Unrelated to What I Want to Study in Grad School?
- The Grad School Campus Visit
- Building Relationships and Networking to Get Into Grad School
Degree overviews
- Going to Grad School Full-Time
- Going to Grad School Part-Time
- Joint-Degree Programs: An Overview
- The Difference Between a Masters and a Doctorate
- Working Full-Time and Studying Full-Time: Is It Possible?
- A 12 Month Timeline for Applying to Grad School
- Where to Apply for Grad School
- Conducting Informational Interviews
- Preparing to Fill Out Your Grad School Application
- Filling Out Your Grad School Application Forms
- Taking the GRE and Other Grad School Admission Tests
- Preparing for the Grad School Admissions Interview
- The Importance of Sharing Your Story with the Admissions Team
- Grad School Financial Aid 101
- Are You Financially Ready for Grad School?
- Leveraging State Residency Tuition Breaks
- Building Good Credit for Grad School
- Finding the Best Grad School Scholarship Options
- Grad School Loan Strategy
- Navigating Student Loan Options for Grad School
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Based Repayment
- Finding Grad School Campus Jobs
- Reasons to Wait Before Applying to Grad School
- Have a Plan B if Your Grad School Plan Doesn't Work Out
- Going to Grad School as a Current or Former Service Program Member
- What To Do If You Don't Get Into Grad School
- What To Do If You're Waitlisted From Grad School
- Certification as an Alternative to (or Part of) Grad School
- Individual College and University Courses Instead of Grad School
- Professional Development Instead of Grad School


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There are no Upcoming Shows listed for this comedian.
Jacob Shuda
Jacob Shuda (Music Director) is ecstatic to be at The Second City. Jacob began his musical career as a six year old drumming in his grandpa Ray's basement, and turned to the piano at sixteen. He began studying improv in high school and has engaged in all sorts of mash-ups of music and theatre since, including his own three man musical improv team, illocal Comedy. Jacob studied jazz and Music Composition at UWEC before moving to Chicago. He has performed as an improviser and pianist at the iO Theater and has just begun as a Music Director at The Second City.
Jacob Shuda's Upcoming Shows
Jacob Shuda is Known For


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To report an emergency in progress, call 911.
December 13, 2010
District Attorney
10810 Justice Center Drive, Suite 240
916 543-8000
For Immediate Release
Art Campos
Public Information Officer
916 543-8076
Scott Owens
District Attorney-Elect
916 543-8000
Thomas K. Bennett's inability to curb his temper with female partners will cost him seven years in state prison.
Calling Bennett a "danger to women," Placer County Superior Court Judge Mark S. Curry handed down the prison term Friday after reviewing the 61-year-old Auburn man's record, which showed a history of criminal convictions for domestic violence.
Prosecutor Karin Bjork of the Placer County District Attorney's Office urged the judge to impose the seven-year sentence.
"This defendant has three prior convictions for domestic violence," Bjork said. "Plus, he threatened one other victim. I think Mr. Bennett has gotten all the chances that he should."
Curry was in agreement.
"He is now 61 and his behavior is not abating," Curry said. "He doesn't seem to understand his violence toward women."
Bennett's latest conviction came in October when a trial jury found him guilty of inflicting corporal injury upon a cohabitant and of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, both of which are felonies.
Evidence in the trial showed that Bennett beat and choked a cohabitant during an argument at an Auburn apartment on March 24, 2010, and that he put his hand over the woman's mouth as if to suffocate her.
Judge Curry added that Bennett had admitted to special allegations that he had previously been convicted of domestic violence and had served prior prison terms for those, meaning that a judge could tack on extra years in prison for his latest conviction.
Bennett spoke briefly to the court, saying he was "devastated" by the outcome of his jury trial.
He asked whether people in the courtroom had ever been in the position of having to prevent injury to both a partner and themselves, and he indicated that it sometimes calls for extreme methods.
"It's difficult," he said.
But Curry said he had a problem with Bennett's record of trying to deal with situations.
"He has violence toward women," he said. "I feel he is a danger to women, regardless of his statement to the court."


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Save a lot of money with this ultimate pack ! This is a Collection of all my best-selling motivational corporate music tracks. These 8 tracks express a lot of positivity and strong confidence !
They will bring your business the Success it deserves!
You can save 50% too here with these other packs !
Just choose the one that suits you best :
. Confidence and Success Music Pack
. Confidence and Success Music Pack 2
For any customization, don't hesitate to contact me via my profile page.


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Personal injury lawyers in Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre, Pa, focusing on representing the victims of car and truck accidents, medical malpractice and work-place accidents. We fight for the injured!
Address: 1650 Market Street, Suite 3602, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 575-9237
Aggressive litigation firm focusing on personal injury and workers compensation matters.
Address: 1913 Greentree Road, Suite C, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Phone: 856-751-7676
I will personally handle your case from start to finish, keep you informed by answering all your questions as promptly as possible. I have reputation with insurance companies as a serious personal injury lawyer. Call me Today at 800-322-5529 !
Address: 55 Madison Avenue, Suite 400, Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone: 800-322-5529
Martindale-Hubbell has been rating lawyers for over one hundred years. Martin Kronberg has been rated "AV" which is the highest rating possible for over 25 years.
Address: 2401 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Phone: (973) 313-0100
Injured? Trust our nationwide personal injury lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to represent you through the difficult matters. Call us today to learn more.
Address: 368 W. Huron Street, Suite 100, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (800) 297-4555
Serious lawyers for serious cases. No fees unless we win. Free case evaluation. Houston based trial law firm that handles personal injury, mass torts, truck wreck cases, auto accidents, work injuries, hail storm claims, and oil & gas disputes.
Address: 2500 E TC JESTER, Suite 525, Houston, TX 77008
Phone: (713) 864-1941
Based in Houston, Texas, the legal team at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC represents hard working men and women throughout the United States.
Address: 2610 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. Suite 200, Houston, TX 77042
Phone: (713) 850-8600


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It's been a while.
Posted February 3rd, 2013 at 3:36 PM by Thomas
Ugh, I haven't been he in forever. I always go through this though...ever since I joined. I always get really active for a few months and then get really inactive for a few months. It usually coincides with my intrest in Pokemon (I recently just picked up White 2 again after not playing it for a while).
Anyone else do this?
Anyone else do this?
Posted in UncategorizedViews 1477 Comments 2
Total Comments 2
Posted February 3rd, 2013 at 3:46 PM by antemortem
Posted February 5th, 2013 at 10:03 AM by Justanothertrainer


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What is the only fish that has a neck?
What playwright once put on a play called "Closed For Remodeling"?
How many acceptable 2 letter words are there in Scrabble?
Why did telegrams used to say stop at the end of a sentence?
What band performs their songs in a made up language?
What color was Oscar The Grouch during the first season of Sesame Street?
Why does the term "love" mean zero in tennis scoring?
1. What is the Wheel of Death?
2. What's after a Gigabyte? What's after that?
3. Give me some idea about the scale of a Blue Whale to a human being
4. Describe ONE of the BILLIONS of amazing facts about Brian Blessed
5. How do you turn your Furby Evil?
6. How many people did Jesus feed at the Feeding of the 5000?
7. If I were to set a course for wind of fortune, what would I hear the voices say?
8. Do we veiw colors the same?
9. Write me a Limerick
10. Pretend to be a Snooty English Gentleman with me
11. Bad Genie
12. Hit me with a Shakesperian insult
1) Who was the first host of Jeopardy!?
2) How many questions are asked in each round of Jeopardy!?
3) What was the Original name of Jeopardy! when it was created in 1964?
4) "Most of this company's 40,000 white-collar employees work only four months a year."
was the question that defeated Ken Jennings 74 day reign as champion. What is the answer?
5) Who holds the record for most money won from Jeopardy!?
6) Who played Alex Trebek in Saturday Night Live's famous Jeopardy! sketches?
7) Who wrote the Jeopardy Final Jeopardy! countdown music? Bonus: What is the song called?
8) Mustache or no mustache? Show your work.
9)What is the most amout of money it is possible to win in a game of Jeopardy!?
10) What was the name of the Computer that defeated two of the most succesful champions
in Jeopardy! history in a three day tournament?
11) Name one catagory that "Sean Conory" mispronounces in the SNL Jeopardy! sketches.
1. Why are hula hoops called hula hoops?
2. The Swiss Army Knife was originally designed for what use?
3. What is a "high gravity lager?"
4. How does the "Kyrie" section from Mozart's Requiem go?
5. What was Chairman Mao's first name?
6. What is both a part of a watch and a part of a music festival?
7. The "Number Two" designation of a pencil indicates what about it?
8. What is gesamtkunstwerk?
BONUS: What about weltanschauung?
9. In the song "I Like Bananas," why does the speaker like bananas?
10. What kind of song is a "patter" song?
11. What are those Russian fur hats with the earflaps actually called?
12. Why is the return key called "return?"
13. What are top hats traditionally made of?
14. Who was Emperor Norton I of the United States?
15. Please describe the plot of the film "Memento."
16. Translate one of these latin phrases: "Et in Arcadia ego," "Habeas corpus," "Pro bono publico," "amicus curiae," "tempus fugit," "persona non grata," "ars gratia artis," "in vino veritas," "deus ex machina."
BONUS: Name another common Latin phrase in English.
17. What is a tintype?
18. What decade did Queen Victoria take the throne?
BONUS: In which decade did she die?
19. What does a millennialist do or believe?
20. What would one use the Stanislavski System for?
21. Name something only one of us has read, heard, or seen.
22. Heads or tails.
1. The parents in "Coming to America" play what other African monarchy?
2. How many beers must one drink before receiving a free glass and beer from their passport at the Ale House?
3. What day is trivia night at the the Cyber Cafe?
4. What is the name of Little Pete's tattoo in the TV show "The Adventures of Pete & Pete?"
5. Joel or Mike and why?
6. What was Comedy Central before it was Comedy Central?
7. In the show "Bored to Death" what is Jonathan Aymes' proper profession?
8. Who is the protagonist in Logicomix?
9. How many cats live in Fat Cat Comics?
10. Name a princess from Adventure Time.


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Turquoise oceans, coconut trees, beautiful sandy beaches, reliably warm temperatures and the steady refreshing trade winds make the Caribbean islands a vacationer delight. Though the Caribbean Islands stretch over 15 degrees of latitude and 20 degrees of longitude, they have a rather similar climate throughout thanks to ocean waters that are warm throughout the year. The waters stay warm because of ocean currents that transport the warmth from the equatorial regions.
The best time of year weatherwise is the time when vacationers from the northern climates are most in need of some tropical sunshine and warmth, the winter months. The region is strongly influenced all through the year by the Atlantic subtropical high pressure belt. This brings a steady diet of northeasterly winds called the trade winds. In winter the high is close by and the result is sinking air and sunshine. In summer the high shifts north and the equatorial cloud and shower belt known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone shifts north. Daytime showers (brief but intense) are more frequent and tropical waves and storms moving westward in the trade wind belt bring occasional rainy periods and the risk of tropical storms and hurricanes. Hurricanes can bring very heavy rains and damaging winds. Most places get significant rains from spring and summer showers and the occasional tropical wave or storm every year, but may not get a direct hit from a strong hurricane for several years.
Islands that are mountainous see more showers in the summer on the northeast facing slopes where the moist trade winds are forced to climb. On the back (leeward - often southwest) side of the mountains, the weather is often drier. Unfortunately that side of the islands doesn't enjoy the benefits of the trade winds as much.
Temperatures are kept from extremes by the maritime influence. Temperatures over 100 are almost unheard of and readings below 60 are experienced only in extreme cold outbreaks and are usually restricted to Cuba or the northern Bahamas. Even then the air is much modified in transit over the warm water.
The wet season is May through October when these tropical waves and storms occur. The greatest risk of strong hurricanes is August and September. The dry season begins in December and continues until spring.
The best time for travelers to vacation in the Caribbean is the period from December through April, when the risk of hurricanes is low, rain is less frequent and temperatures are a bit more moderate. If you vacation in the other months, expect more heat and humidity and more frequent rains, and, be prepared for hurricanes.


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Malcolm's DIY & Vintage Mix
Like this entry? Favorite it below!
- Name:
- Malcolm
- Location:
- Arlington, VA
- Square Feet:
- 650
- Division:
- Little
- What I Love About My Small Home:
- I love the originality of the apartment. At about 75 years old, the apartment boasts tons of interesting character that is unique to my space. I try to compliment that originality with vintage finds and DIY projects. I also dig the awesome light that my apartment (specifically the bedroom) gets in the morning.
- Three of My Best Tips and Tricks for Creating a Successful Small Space::
- 1. Try to only have objects sitting out that you need/use on a regular basis. It's SO easy to clutter up a small space in no time, so practicality is key.
2. I like to maintain a pretty neutral color palette with only a few moments of strong color sprinkled throughout the apartment. Without much wall space to work with, keeping most of the space neutral will help it feel a little bit larger, in my opinion. That doesn't mean it has to be boring, though!
3. Go vertical. I like to hang items on the wall that are oriented vertically (like the ladder in my bedroom). I think that it makes the ceiling feel a little higher, which makes the space feel bigger overall.


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Thank you for visiting our past auction result archives. If you have an item identical (or similar) to this auction lot, please call, write or contact us to discuss. We will be able to help you.
Lot # 1382 (of 1743) < Previous Lot | Next Lot >
1985 Rod Carew California Angels Game-Used Road Jersey
Starting Bid - $500, Sold For - $1,880
California Angels road jersey worn by seven-time American League batting champion Rod Carew during his final Major League season in 1985. Graded A10 by MEARS. The gray-knit jersey is lettered "Angels" across the front and features the number "29" on both the left breast and reverse. "Carew" is lettered on the reverse above the number. All letters and numerals are appliquéd in red on navy tackle twill. A California Angles team patch appears on the left sleeve, while an Angels "25th Anniversary" patch adorns the right sleeve. A "W. A. Goodman & Sons 42" label is located on the left front tail. The jersey is completely original, with no alterations, and displays moderate wear throughout. This jersey once resided in the famed Barry Halper Collection and is accompanied by an LOA from Barry Halper, dated 5/9/91, attesting to its provenance. A member of baseball's elite 3,000 Hit Club, Carew was one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. In 1977 he flirted with the magical .400 mark for much of the season before finishing with a league-leading and career-high average of .388. 1985 marked Carew's final season in baseball. Even at the age of forty he managed to appear in 127 games, finishing the season with a .280 average. He retired with a career .328 average and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991. Graded A10 by MEARS. This is one of only nine Rod Carew jerseys listed in the MEARS census and one of only five grading A10. LOA from Troy Kinunen/MEARS. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000/$1,500. SOLD FOR $1,880
(Click the smaller thumbnails to the left and right (if any) to cycle through each photo in the gallery of images for this lot.)


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Williamsburg Regional Hospital Board of Trustees is ready to take the next step in improving women's health. The board's approval to allow the CEO the authority to sign a lease/purchase for a digital mammography machine has been the hospital foundation's goal for the past few years. Williamsburg Regional Hospital and Williamsburg Regional Hospital Foundation have worked in tandem to bring digital mammography to Williamsburg Regional after two years of fundraising and planning.
Digital systems are the medically-recognized standard for mammography; digital mammography eliminates film and chemicals used in analog machines. The images are immediately available and can be transmitted from one physician to another. On the local level, Williamsburg Regional Gynecologist and Professor Emeritus of MUSC Dr. James Carter and Chief Medical Officer/Family Practice Physician Troy Gamble, now can send their patients directly to WRH instead of sending them elsewhere for mammography services. These patients, who previously have had to travel elsewhere for digital mammography, now can have prescriptions written to have the service performed locally.
The foundation raised $80,000 in donations that will be used as a down payment on the $280,000 digital system. Foundation Director Debbie Ipock believes that the community was integral in the success of this process. "Over the past two years, the foundation has had two dances, Party on the Porches, and several book and jewelry sales. In addition to these organized fundraising events, hundreds of unsolicited donations came from individuals, sororities, churches, schools, police/fire/city employees, and in the form of honorariums and memorials. This community made this happen, and we thank everyone who gave support."
Williamsburg Regional Hospital Radiology Director Johnny Bowen is excited to move forward with this life-saving technology. "We have had our room measured, and we have picked out a brand-new, state-of-the-art machine for the hospital. We are keeping up with latest technology in detecting breast cancer."
In other business, CFO David Kline had good news. He reported that in-patient revenues for January 2014, was $2.3 million. The average for last year was $1.7 million or an increase of $600,000. Outpatient revenues are up $56,000 verses the prior year. The total gross charges have historically run between $4.3 million to $4.6 million range; however, the January report showed $5 million in total gross charges. "For the first time that I've seen our total gross charges equal $5 million," said Kline. In addition, net revenues of $1.8 million reflect a positive change from $200,000 over the previous year. Kline also pointed to accounts receivable that, over the past five years, has seen increases. The improvements allow for the hospital to pay bills and come closer to stable financial ground. However, positive growth is a two-sided sword.
As a Critical Access hospital, the challenge is to balance strict guidelines with growth or get hit with a retrospective settlement. This year the hospital's good fortune was rewarded with a bill for about $377,000. Medicare determines reimbursements through a methodology. Since the volumes have increased tremendously, the cost to patient ratio formula used by Medicare to determine costs actually hurt the hospital.
Hospital CEO Sharon Poston explained that even though the actual overall costs did increase, Medicare's cost to patient ratio formula says the cost per patient decreased. Therefore, the hospital's costs were not increased but decreased due to the use of this methodology. "It doesn't take into affect the additional nursing and ancillary hours needed for the increased number of patients nor does it take into affect the additional medicines, food, heat, electricity and general overhead," said Poston. "The formula says our costs are more spread out due to the increase of patients. If we had no increase of expenses (like listed above), this would be a true statement. However, our costs increase as the patient volume increases due to increase of staff and materials. CMS determines what costs are valid for our cost report."
Administration has been discussing the possibility of converting back to Acute Care status. If the hospital converts back to Acute Care status it must be able to sustain itself financially for three months during the re-certification phase with Medicare. The cost over the three-month period is estimated to be between $4 and $5 million.


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Leading a Best eCommerce Web Developer in Mumbai
Good Website Design attracts visitors, visitors increase conversion, conversion ensures your business growth in Khopoli. In short, the growth of your business depends upon the Website Designing as it plays the most important role in making or breaking your brand image. As we all know every great journey starts with a single step and building your own website is your first step to cover the journey of miles.
Best Website Developer
The Difference Between Web Designers and Web Developers
If you've ever worked in, on, with, or around the Internet, you've undoubtedly heard the terms "Web Designer" and "Web Developer". Oftentimes, the two phrases are used interchangeably by someone who is not familiar with the industry. Perhaps the concept is irrelevant to a client who just wants to get their website up and running. Or to a server administrator who has his concerns in the silicon, steel and software that power your website. And what about the nice lady over in Human Resources who blotches up the job posting during the hiring process? I mean — designer and developer — they're the same thing, right?
Let's face it, if you have the word "Web" in your euphemism, you've probably been hammered with questions from both sides of the playing field. Designers will hear things like "how can we add a database to the website?", while developers struggle to answer questions about layout, color selection, image placement, and font styles.
This is why many underfunded, poorly planned Web-based projects fail. Most of the blame can usually be attributed to the fact that not a lot of people actually understand what the difference is between a Web Designer and a Web Developer. This includes everything from skill sets to the actual role each position plays in the formation of a Web-based project.
Perhaps the most effective way to differentiate between the two positions is to establish a clear line that separates the roles and responsibilities of each position in the context of a Web-based project. This will, of course, vary from project to project and from person to person, but we can define a reasonable boundary which the average Web Designer and Web Developer will be comfortable with.
What Exactly is a Web Designer?
The best Web Designers are of the creative type. They have a knack for getting inside of their clients' heads and realizing their clients' vision. They take this vision and masterfully convert it into an aesthetically pleasing, artistic design that aims to impress millions of potential viewers. Some designers study typography, user interface design, and usability. Most include tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and DreamWeaver in their arsenal and frequent sites such as iStockPhoto, Kuler, and a long list of CSS galleries.
It is common, albeit arguable, that a designer's role should also include slicing images, writing (X)HTML, coding CSS, and drafting or editing copy. For the most part, you can think of a Web Designer as a creative expert.
What Exactly is a Web Developer?
Although Web Developers are sometimes referred to as programmers, their skills usually exceed those of a conventional software developer. Think of a Web Developer as more of a technical expert with programming skills.
What About People That Do Both?
As suggested earlier, it is actually quite common for Web Designers and Web Developers to be expected to take on tasks that are outside of their personal skill sets. In my experience, I would only consider a very small number of people that I've worked with to be proficient in both design and development. In most cases, you'll find a cocky developer that thinks his designs are the greatest thing that ever hit the Internet when, in reality, they're mediocre at best. It's far less common to find a designer who thinks he can code up an entire Web application.
So, Which One Should I Choose?
Which one you choose depends on what exactly you are trying to do, but in many cases your project will require skills from both. If you're looking to start a new website or to redesign your old one, you'll want to look for someone with design talent. If you're looking for some kind of database, E-Commerce solution, or integration with another application, you'll want to look for someone with strong development skills.
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We are Best Website Design and Development Company. Choosing the right website designer is the foremost important thing for your business. It requires creativity for a designer to understand the requirements of a client, so that he can come up with the most effective strategy for business. Sometimes, disputes arise between the clients and designers due to miscommunication between them. A common issue faced by them is the differences in cultures, mostly when the client belongs to a foreign country. But a good web designer overcomes such problems by providing quality work along with timely submissions.
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We are Best Blog Website Designing and Development Company . Website Designing attracts visitors, visitors increase conversion, conversion ensures your business growth. In short, the growth of your business depends upon the website designing as it plays the most important role in making or breaking your brand image. As we all know every great journey starts with a single step and building your own website is your first step to cover the journey of miles.
How to Decide Between Being a Web Designer or Developer
Way back in 2013, when I first started to get interested in learning to code, I remember being confused about something: Was I training to be a web designer or a web developer?
Being a web designer sounded ideal: I'd get to create beautiful things for the internet, and use up all my creative juices on typography pairings, color schemes, and giving websites that certain je ne sais quois. At the same time, though, I worried I wouldn't have what it takes to be a web designer. With no history in graphic design, or any design training at all, I wondered who would ever trust me with the aesthetics of their site.
And when I thought about web development, I though: "This is what I should want to do. I'll make a ton of money and have all the power in the world to build awesome websites and web apps. But what if it's boring?"
But as I learned HTML and CSS, met more designers and developers, and started working on my own freelance websites, I realized that I had it all wrong. It's not that you don't have to make a choice between web design and development. Really, the issue is that my idea of the differences between web design and web development were pretty off the mark. This is the blog post I wish I could have read when I first dipped my toe in the technical waters.
In this post, you're going to get:
A rundown of the biggest myths about web designers and web developers, so you can make an informed decision about which path is right for you,
A comprehensive infographic breaking down EXACTLY what skills and tools web designers and developers use,
A breakdown of the basic skills ALL techies need,
A framework for figuring out which path fits your personality best,
But before I dive in, I want to let the cat out of the bag. The truth is, it doesn't matter one iota whether you choose to start out in web design or web development! Getting digital skills will position you to make more money and have some of the most in-demand skills out there, regardless of whether they fall into the category of web design or web development.
This guide is based on general personality characteristics and a synopses of day-to-day tasks. If some of it seems oversimplified, that's because I want to make it super simple for you to make a decision. In reality? There is a TON of overlap between web designers and web developers, and there's no right or wrong starting point!
Step 1: Dispel the Myths
Before you can make any decisions about what kind of tech career you want, you need to make sure you know exactly what web designers and developers do.
If you're like me, you've probably been socialized to define "web designer" and "web developer" in ways that don't represent what it's actually like to be one, and you've never even talked to a real-life web designer or developer.
My biggest misconceptions about designers and developers had to do with how much money they make, how steep the learning curve is, and what kind of work they actually do. I mistakenly believed the myths that:
Some assume that because development involves higher level programming, it will be harder to learn than design. Others see design as more difficult because they think that it requires more innate (rather than learned) creativity.
In fact, when you're starting from scratch, any new skill is a challenge. Web development and web design aren't inherently more or less challenging—your strengths and weaknesses will dictate which is the path of least resistance for you.
If you look at average salaries, it does appear at first glance that web developers make far more money than web designers:
Web designer: $66,000
Web developer: $87,000
*Indeed salary search for the US.
But if you start searching more specific areas of web design, you'll see that the salaries are competitive:
Interaction designer: $93,000
Mobile designer: $92,000
User Experience designer: $92,000
*Indeed salary search for the US.
It's true that on average, developers make more money, but as a beginner this isn't something you'll have to worry about. Whether you start learning web development or web design, you probably won't be a senior full-stack developer (and make the very top salary) within a few months, since that usually requires several years of experience.
And besides, web designers make plenty of money. Since both are lucrative options, it's better to choose what will make you happier rather than what you think will pay more.
On the contrary, web designers write HTML and CSS code. And some (!) even use a CSS preprocessor like Sass or LESS and write JavaScript. For example, say they need a smooth scrolling site—some designers (we call them unicorns!) can code it up themselves.
Now, there are some designers out there who don't code, particularly print designers and some digital graphic designers, but most WEB designers can turn their designs into working prototypes using HTML and CSS. The best way to make good money AND be able to deliver what clients and employers want most, is to be a whole package of designing and coding magic.
Web designers who can code, especially those that have next-level skills like Sass and JavaScript, are in HUGE demand. We call them unicorns. And, if you start out with the Troika Tech Web Designer Blueprint, you can take Troika Tech 102 as an individual class after that to learn JavaScript and jQuery and become one of those elusive unicorns!
But I'm getting ahead of myself. You need to know what designers and developers actually DO all day!
Step 2: Figure out exactly what designers and developers do.
Now that you've gotten some of the myths cleared up, you need to know how designers and developers actually spend their time.
The first thing to note is that both designers and developers can build a site from scratch. Designers lean more towards the careful planning, and developers are stronger in implementing designs, BUT they can both build a fully functional site.
Which is the Top Website Designing Company in Khopoli Mumbai ?
However, there are certain things that a client needs to work on, for getting clarity of the exact requirements of web designing. This involves creation of a sitemap by the client. A sitemap is like a rough estimate of the pages and links that are to be included in the website. This can be better understood with the reference of a company's website, which includes different pages like- company's profile, products and services offered, contact us page etc. The client can create a brief of company's background including the pictures of company, its products etc. In order to have a better understanding of your preferences and for the website designer to know your taste, creating a list of sites that you like is of utmost importance. Professionalism- Another important factor to be considered while choosing a website designer is his professional attitude. He should be able to stand to his commitments and must deliver the project timely. Delay in work is not a good sign! • Affordability- The cost involved in the process of website designing should be in accordance with the standard and fair prices set for this task. It's a long term investment, so spend wisely! We hope the above information helps you in future projects.
It works as a mirror that reflects your personality to the customers and gives them a reason to get connected with your brand. However, just to save some penny, people take the risk and create their website at own and lack of professionalism may actually cost them the way higher than they even think. Some Website Designing Traps in which people get trapped and simple tips to avoid them. No Optimization Means, No Growth: Search Engine Optimization or SEO is crucial and people who think they don't need to invest their precious money into it are the one who are in the dicey situation.
Top Best Dynamic Website Designing Company
As if your website is not optimized for search engines that mean it has no presence in the eyes of Google and if anything not visible on Google's first page means there is no way to grow. So, you should start it right away in an order to save your brand value. So, now you know what are the major slip ups – don't you? Make your path and focus on avoiding them, so, you can attain the goal you want to.
Web Design And Development Services
Despite the fact that this writing strives to define the difference between Web Designers and Web Developers, the reality is that you're bound to find designers who know at least a little bit about development and developers who know at least a little bit about design.
Web Development Companies
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Although both are very different positions which provide entirely different skillsets, the fact of the matter is that most designers and developers have, or will at some point, become factotums — at least to a certain degree. Some may never bother to differentiate themselves as one or the other.
Perhaps the most important aspect of managing a Web-based project is being able to determine what skills a particular project requires, and who is the right person for the job. In this industry it is very clear that, despite a reasonable separation of roles and responsibilities, an individual's job title is not always a reflection of their personal expertise. It is, alas, more often an indication of their position in terms of demand and naivety.
Best Web Design And Development Services
Web Design Company
There are many people on internet who call themselves as web designers and web design companies. Many people do it for fun, as a hobby or part-time. Web design companies full-time operations are way to go.. Web design companies doing it for living will take your project seriously. Make sure your web design company has done enough research on internet technologies.
A good web design has a potential to engage the visitors & convert them to potential buyers. A website is said to be serving its purpose if it has the potential to generate online leads. Nowadays, it has become mandatory for the business houses to have an online portfolio in the form of websites. The webs provide them the flexibility to reach the targeted audience. But converting targeted audience into potential buyers & customers is certainly a challenging task. Your website plays a crucial role in this. If your web has a good design, then it can easily serve that purpose. The most pertinent question is how to design a good web. Presented below are some of the points that will help you in this.
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Attractive Theme: The theme or the webpage design of any website is very important. It is recommended to use the theme which perfectly manifests your business. For example, if you are selling natural products, then you can select any of the themes which match with your products. If you are into the fashion industry, then colorful themes would be considered as appropriate for your business.
eCommerce Website Designing Company


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Veterans' liaison appointed in New London
New London — After struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and trying to navigate a complex bureaucracy to get help, David Pressler says he wants to give back to veterans who are facing similar challenges.
As the city's new veterans' liaison, Pressler will answer questions from veterans in City Hall. Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio swore him in to the volunteer, unpaid position Thursday.
"There are a lot of resources out there, finding them is hard," Pressler said.
One of the biggest problems, he said, is that service members are trained to go overseas and fight as warriors, "but we don't train them to come back.
"We expect them to integrate into society but they come back with wounds and they're not always on the outside," said Pressler, who was a sergeant in the Marine Corps.
Finizio said the recent tragedy in Waterford "reminds us the stresses and issues confronting our veteran population are serious and suicides among our veterans have reached epidemic levels."
A former Marine, Justin Eldridge, of Waterford, killed himself during a standoff with police Monday night at his home. Eldridge, 31, who was the first commandant of the Thames River Detachment of the Marine Corps League in Quaker Hill, was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to his friends.
"Having someone at the local level that New Londoners can call and talk to, who not only can give them guidance in terms of where to go to get the services they need but also can actually relate to what they're going through, is so important," Finizio said. "And I think that having this type of a person serving the city is certainly fortunate for us, but it's going to be very fortunate for veterans and it may, in fact, in the end save lives."
The state mandated that cities and towns designate a veterans' service contact person, who can go to an annual training course and help veterans get the services and benefits they have earned. Each municipality had to pick someone by Oct. 1. The bill Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed was one of several new initiatives designed to improve the lives of the state's veterans and service members.
Pressler, 42, who lives in New London, served in the Marine Corps from 1989 to 2002 and deployed to Iraq in 1991 and 2002. He is studying communications at Mitchell College. He speaks Spanish and Arabic.
State Veterans Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz has said her office needs someone in each municipality to call when there are changes in services that veterans need to know about. Most veterans are not using all of their benefits, she added.
"I think of it as a Connecticut safety net for veterans," she said after Malloy signed the bill. "Just knowing someone to contact in your own town is an important step to getting what you need."
The state department plans to hold trainings in each part of the state on the basics of how the federal and state systems work and how claims are processed. The veterans' service contacts will learn how to connect veterans to the correct state or federal offices and help those who are not computer savvy print out the forms they need.
Finizio said he could foresee making the veterans' liaison a paid position one day, but couldn't do so now because of budget constraints. As a military community, he said, "we want to be ahead of the curve in how we treat our veterans, not behind it."
Pressler can be reached at (860) 857-0189 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Report: Ivanka Trump used personal email for government work; messages went to DeVos, McMahon
Catching up with a millennial baby with a peaceful name: Serenity now


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My First "Flea"
Richard Dawkins labels any book written against his book as a "flea." I now have one too! Fred DeRuvo's book, The Anti-Supernatural Bias Of Ex-Christians: And Other Important Topics, deals with mine in the 5th-7th chapters. Check out the back cover. Fred sent me a copy and I've read it. There is nothing there that seriously engages my arguments even though he tried to be fair with them. Of my book he says: "It is a fairly well written and certainly a thoughtful and insightful treatise..." (p. 60). He also admits: "John does not seem to be purposefully unfair in his assessment of Christianity, or of the Bible and or of God." (p. 84) Fred has a Masters in Biblical Studies from Tyndale Theological Seminary.
I know of at least one more flea coming.
I know of at least one more flea coming.


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The American punk rockers Alkaline Trio add a unique take on a Fender California acoustic to bring us their Signature Model. Remember the cover of AT's 2011 acoustic album, Damnesia? Fender takes the classic '60s-era-sun-and-fun Malibu folk-style acoustic and dress it up with a graceful heart-shaped rosette designed by the band which can be seen on the front cover of Damnesia to bring us the very exciting Alkaline Trio Malibu.
Features of the Alkaline Trio Malibu include a richly resonant all-mahogany body with the AT-designed heart-shaped rosette, scalloped X bracing, C-shaped maple Stratocaster neck with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, body and neck binding, rosewood bridge with synthetic bone compensated saddle, chrome hardware and gloss neck and body finish.
An Alkaline Trio Timeline
The Chicago based punk rock band date back to the 90s - with their first EP release, Sundials making its debut in 1997. Their first two full albums, Goddamnit and Maybe I'll Catch Fire were released through independent record label, Asian Man Records in 1998 before they signed to Vagrant Records to release their third album, From Here to Infirmary - the bands first record to enter the Billboard top 200 Between 2001 and 2009 Alkaline Trio arguably reached their peak, with a further 3 album releases Good Mourning (2002), Crimson (2009) and Agony & Irony (released 2009, reached #13 on the billboard charts). In 2009 the band decided they wanted to depart from a major record label to set up their own. In collaboration with Epitaph Records, the bands label 'Heart & Skull' was founded and they released their highest charting album, This Addiction through.
The album in which you can see the Alkaline Trio Malibu featured on, Damnesia, is the bands eighth studio album consisting of a selection of beloved fan favourites of the bands catalogue and presented in an intimate semi-uplugged format. Two new songs "Olde English 800" and "I Remember a Rooftop" as well as a cover version of The Violent Femmes "I Held Her in My Arms" feature on this spectacular album.
To support the album the band have planned a 15th anniversary tour in the US - and in May 2012 they'll be in the UK!We've managed to get our hands on a few of these beauties and will be in stock soon. You can pre-order yours now or take a look at the Alkaline Trio Malibu product page for more info here:
A Dolphin favourite featured on Damnesia (originally from the album Agony and Irony)...


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One of my resolutions for 2017 is to increase my wordiness. I don't enjoy writing, especially about live music. There is no way I can properly convey the sheer energy, enjoyment or spectacle with my verbage. First of all, I have no business critiquing any live performance. However I do want to share my enthusiasm in some way.That's why I take photos. In case you haven't figured it out yet, that's what this whole FOH deal is about!
I didn't do a count of all the shows I covered this year, but there was alot. My travels took me to the deep south in Tennessee to our beautifully bland nation's capital, brought to life by the likes of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and remaining two Monkees! Between the clubs, arenas, theatres, main stages, tents and radio stations, I've been everywhere, man.
As i stated above, I do not like the written description of live music. I will probably cut and paste this whole preamble across the 4-post recap. The photos chosen represent some of my favourite acts, experiences, visual performances and just the general vibe that i took away from 2016. This isn't a ranked list, and all acts get equal billing. That's not to say there aren't a few personal highlights.
Sometimes I have to pinch myself in the middle of a set because the experience is so surreal. Not only bearing witness to, but being privileged to capture some of my musical heroes and world icons, well it's beyond words. Robert Plant, The Who, Noel Gallagher, Pearl Jam, Flea, Stevie Nicks…musicians I have admired and enjoyed for decades in various forms, I can add them to my ever-growing collection of digital memories.
The standout of the year has to be, no shocker, The Tragically Hip's Man Machine Poem Tour. Much as been said about Gord Downie's work over the year and I do not intend to dilute those words with my own. The experience and privilege was to say the least, humbling.
I've already said too much! Just look at the photos. If you like what you see, please feel free to share, tag, reblog or fax them around. Another year goes by and another year I am thankful for all of the readers, followers, friends, supporters and outlets that have allowed me to keep on rollin'. Special thanks to A Music Blog, Yea?, Q107/Edge 102.1, Spill Magazine, Canadian Musician, and Polaris Music Prize for the opportunities and trust.


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You had no one to blame but yourself.
You forgot, you ignored, you missed out. You broke a promise, maybe a spirit, feelings were hurt, and apology is long overdue. There is no defense because you admit it: It's your fault.
Guilty as charged, and now's the time when you wish you were a kid again. At least you'd have someone to point a finger at, but in the book "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend" by Matthew Dicks, a pretend friend did more than just take the blame.
Budo doesn't remember when he was born. One day, when Max Delaney was four, he started imagining Budo and just like that, Budo "popped into existence," knowing only what Max knew.
Still, Budo knows he's lucky. Max imagined him with arms, legs and a face, and he can go places without Max, which is handy for eavesdropping. He's also been around for almost five years, which is a lot longer than most imaginary friends. He's around because Max needs him and vice versa: As long as Max believes, Budo survives.
Nobody really knows what's wrong with Max, although some say he has Asperger's. He hates to be touched, though he likes people from far away. Budo likes Max's family and most of Max's teachers, but he doesn't like Mrs. Patterson. She's not really all that nice and she makes Max keep secrets from Budo.
As the school year progresses, Budo explores the neighborhood while Max is asleep, he meets other imaginary friends, and he protects Max from a boy who's bullying him at school. The bully, though, isn't Budo's biggest worry; Budo's more worried about Mrs. Patterson because she likes to take Max out in the parking lot to sit in her car. They don't go anywhere. They just sit.
But one day, they don't just sit, and Budo's sure that Max knew about that. Max might even admit to knowing, but Budo can't ask because he can't find Max, which means the grown-ups can't either.
Max is gone, but Budo knows Max is still alive because he's still alive, too.
How long that will last, is anyone's guess…
Flat-out, hands-down, no doubt, "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend" is a wonderful, wonderful novel.
Some 65 percent of adults had an imaginary friend once upon a time, and author Matthew Dicks will make you remember the one you loved before you grew up. The difference is that here, Dicks allows the innocence of childhood to butt against the harshness of delusion and the emergence of reality. His own imagination soars in creating Budo; we peek into a world we'd never usually see and it's incredibly captivating. Then Dicks chills us to the core just before he breaks our hearts.
This is one of those novels that takes you by the hand on Page One and doesn't let go. It's sweet and sad and I think you'll love it, so grab "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend" and have a seat. Miss it, and you have nobody to blame but yourself.
Terri Schlichenmeyer has been reading since she was 3 years old, and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.


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Masala Vada Recipe – Ingredients
Recipe Category: Snack | Recipe Cuisine: South Indian
Channa Dal – 1 cup
Small Onion – 10 or Big onion – 1 big sized (finely chopped)
Rice flour or Rava – 1 tbsp
Coriander Leaves – 3 to 4 tbsp finely chopped
Oil – for deep frying
Salt – to taste
To grind:
Fennel Seeds(Sombu) – 1 tsp
Red Chillies – 2
Garlic – 5 cloves chopped finely
Ginger – half inch piece
- Wash and soak channa dal for 2 to 3 hrs. Then drain the water completely and keep aside. Grind together the ingredients listed under 'to grind' to a coarse paste.Set aside.
- Then grind channa dhal to a coarse mixture make sure it should be thick…Few dhal as whole here and there is fine. Then transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add onions, sooji, coriander leaves, salt, garlic fennel paste and mix well.
- Do not add water, it will look crumbly but will get together easily. Make equal lemon sized small balls out of the mixture, and pat them on your palm to form a circle to medium thickness.
- Arrange them in a plate ready to deep fry. Heat oil in a kadai and deep fry them till golden brown, turning over both sides. Drain it on a tissue paper.
Hope you are all set for the festive mood. I am all set to prepare/try new sweets this time. So stay tuned to check the festive specials for this diwali.
My Notes:
- The method is very easy, the only thing to note down is the consistency and texture of the batter. It should very thick and in coarse form.Sprinkle little water while grinding ONLY if its too dry.
- I usually add small onions as it gives nice taste to the vadas, You can alternatively use big onions too.
- Rice flour is added to give nice crispness to the vadas. If your batter becomes runny also, this rice flour comes to our rescue, so add in more than the above mentioned quantity incase your batter is very runny. Rava/Sooji also gives a good amount of crispiness so use either rice flour or rava.


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College students are gearing up to go back to school. And that means shopping for gear that can provide some of the comforts of home. Consumer Reports has several products it has tested that are top grade for any dorm room or student apartment.
A mini-fridge is a must. However, Consumer Reports has found that some compact fridges have trouble keeping their cool. But not the $220 Frigidaire FPH44M4. It has a decent-sized freezer, too.
And then there's that must-have jolt of caffeine first thing in the morning. How about a coffee pod machine? The DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto EDG455T for $130 is top-rated. The machine is quick to brew the first cup, and pods are easy. No messy coffee grounds to get rid of. And its compact size is a real "perk" for small spaces.
And this one's a little outside the box—a breakfast sandwich maker for hunger attacks, whenever they hit. Consumer Report checked out the $30 Hamilton Beach Sandwich Maker 25475C. All you do is build your ingredients, press a button, and minutes later … a nice egg sandwich.
And don't forget the microwave. Consumer Reports recommends the $180 Panasonic Genius Prestige NN-SD681S. But make sure you check the rules for your campus dorm to be sure they allow microwaves. Some colleges ban appliances or set wattage limits.
Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports' website.


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A diverse group of Chicago faith leaders announced Thursday that it would provide spiritual support for city students, as part of crime-fighting efforts.
The Chicago Clergy Coaltion met at West Side Rev. Ira Acree's Greater St. John Bible Church where they announced the initiative.
The group will set up a citywide prayer line for students that will be coordinated by Rev. Barbara Ellzey of Apostolic Faith Church, the group announced in a written statement.
Next month, the clergy group will travel to the state capitol to urge Illinois legislators to adopt "sensible" gun legislation. The faith leaders plan to deliver petitions with 50,000 signatures on the trip to Springfield planned for March 13.
Ministers will also plan to visit with legislators from both the state House and Senate.