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March 4, 2021
For more information, please contact:
Yaël Ksander, City of Bloomington Communications Director, [email protected] or 812-349-3406.
Mayor Hamilton Announces Don Griffin, Jr. to be Next Deputy Mayor
Bloomington, Ind. – Mayor John Hamilton has announced that he will appoint lifelong Bloomingtonian Donald C. Griffin, Jr. as Deputy Mayor, succeeding Mick Renneisen, who has announced his retirement effective April 23. Griffin is a Bloomington native with decades of community service and leadership. He founded, owns and leads Griffin Realty Holdings, Inc. As Deputy Mayor, Griffin will coordinate and oversee 16 City departments and 850 employees working to implement the Hamilton administration's policies and goals, including job creation, affordable housing, quality of life improvements, and efficient and transparent basic governmental services.
"I am extremely pleased to welcome Don Griffin to the team," said Mayor Hamilton. "Don's personal energy and experience, his demonstrated commitment to the community, and his deep roots in neighborhoods and in so many civic institutions and efforts, all bode very well for our community's future."
During nearly three decades as a real estate professional, and 18 years as a realty owner, Griffin has gained a deep understanding of Bloomington's neighborhoods, residents, and wider community. Griffin's professional work is complemented with a long and extensive record of civic engagement in the areas of racial justice, community development, and the arts. He currently serves as president of the City's Redevelopment Commission (RDC) and president and co-founder of the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus, and is past vice president of the Monroe County Branch of the NAACP. Griffin has served as a member of the board of numerous local nonprofit organizations, including current appointments to the boards of the Eskenazi Museum of Art, the Monroe County History Center and The Project School, and past service on the boards of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, Lotus World Music Festival, and the Bloomington Board of Realtors, among many others. Griffin also contributed to the development of the City's Growth Policy Plan and has served on the Bloomington Hospital Revitalization Committee. Griffin is the recipient of the Indiana University Bicentennial Award (2020), the City's Black History Month Visionary Award (2019), and the City's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award (2017). Griffin studied architecture and building construction management at Hampton University in Virginia. Griffin's family includes his wife Nicole, who is the Director of the Indiana University Visitor Information Center, and son Dexter, a sophomore studying classical voice performance at the IU Jacobs School of Music.
"I love this community and I'm ready to be a part of the next chapter," said Griffin. "I was raised here and have watched my community change and grow. I relish the challenge of helping steer our community forward while also acknowledging our great past. I would like to thank Mayor Hamilton and the rest of this incredible staff for inviting me to join the team. Let's go!"
Griffin will assume the office upon Renneisen's departure and earn an annual salary of $112,073.
Don Griffin (courtesy photo)


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Sonnetarium So Punny Collection Swatch and Review
PR sample
Hello loves!
Here's a fun collection to share with you by an Indie brand I fell in love with long ago! Sonnetarium Snowfall (part of their core collection) remains to this day one of my all time favorite polishes. So I was honored when she asked if I would swatch these lovelies! I'm showing you the six shades that make up the So Punny Collection, which are available now. Check out their facebook for updates and shop at www.sonnetarium.net
Overall, I like this collection a lot, and appreciate the range of shades, great for Summer. The formulas were all good and easy to work with, despite needing more than 2 coats for opacity. And in fact, the last shade shown, Pink About It, I would recommend layering it over white for the neon to pop, and for better coverage. As I'm a sucker for white based glitters Pigment of Your Imagination would be my top pick :) How about you?
All the best,
*Product(s) provided for unbiased review consideration.

subset: commoncrawl


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Hi Dr Justin,
I am divorced and my 6 year old lives with her dad. He recently got married but my daughter does not know about our divorce. We live in different cities so we told her we have jobs in different cities and that's why we live separately.
How can I tell her about her second parent? She is so confused. What should I explain to her? I am so confused and upset about how I can make her understand the whole situation. My ex does not understand how to this to explain to our kid.
Please help. Thanks
Dr Justin responds:
The first thing I thought of as I read your request was the famous couplet from Marmion,
Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive.
It seems that we live in a world where people are regularly deceptive. The reasons are many and varied, but it seems that nearly everyone lies. Particularly parents. The reasons I see parents lie to their children usually fall into a handful of obvious categories:
- we are trying to protect our children from information that may hurt them;
- we are trying to manipulate their behaviour (if you don't be a good boy, Santa won't come);
- hiding things from them (like when they ask, "What are you eating? as we hurriedly swallow the chocolates we're sneaking, and we respond, "Nothing.")
These responses, while often (though not always) well-meaning, are not what children need from their parents. So my suggestion is pretty simple: tell her the truth.
Five Reasons Honesty Counts
Our children rely on us to tell them the truth. When we do not tell the truth, the consequences are significant:
First, children whose parents lie to them are shown to be significantly more likely to lie. We set the example. We show how we value honesty by our fidelity to it. If our children see us being dishonest it should come as no surprise that they will similarly have a flexible arrangement with the truth.
Second, telling lies deprives children of the opportunity to grow and develop through the adversity we are "protecting" them from by lying. While we don't need to dump the whole truth on them in one unflinching load, they do need us to deliver truth in age-appropriate ways. They need us to be supportive as they come to terms with some things, but lying to them will typically only offer short-term relief.
Third, lies can actually create worse anxiety and pain for the child than being told the truth. Put yourself into your child's shoes for a moment. While your motivation has naturally been to protect your daughter, how confusing has the situation become for her? When she sees one of her parents being 'unfaithful' to the other parent by spending time with others, what does she think?
There may be short-term protection or benefit from dishonesty, but ultimately truth demands her dues. The anxiety and confusion that come from dishonesty bring a burden heavier than the short-term alleviation of pain justifies.
Fourth, if your child lied to you, there is every chance you would punish her for her dishonesty. Aside from the fact that research shows punishing children doesn't work – especially when we punish them for lying – we simply expect our children to tell the truth. Our society and our families function on trust. It seems hypocritical that we accept dishonesty in ourselves, but refuse to tolerate it in our children.
Finally, and poignantly, when we lie to our children we are actually lying to ourselves. We may say, "I'm lying to them to protect them." But the truth is we are lying to protect ourselves. We don't want to see the look of pain or betrayal in their eyes as we tell them something we know will hurt them. We are acknowledging by our lie that we don't want to deal with the distress or anger or confusion they'll feel if we are honest with them. Our lies betray our personal pride. They teach our children that it is not ok to be vulnerable. Such attitudes harm our growth and development, and that of our children.
What do we do?
In saying all of this, please remember: our children do not need to hear the full truth to every question they have spelled out in R-rated detail. Our responses to them should be truthful, but they should also be age appropriate.
If a couple is separating, then parents should be truthful about this separation with their children. But the degree of disclosure regarding the separation depends on the age of the child. Discussions of issues that might injure a child's relationship with one parent should be approached with consideration. If infidelity, or pornography, or gambling, or drugs are the cause of a split, the parents might divulge that they are separating because they didn't treat each other well, and leave it at that. The extent to which additional information is shared may change as the child gets older.
You have been through a lot, and are right to want to protect your daughter. But right now it is time for you to come clean with her. A lie is like a wound dressing. If we put it on, it has to come off at some point. If it doesn't, the wound will fester and become infected, leaving many more deep problems than if we had treated it appropriately at the outset.
Your conversation should include the truth. You should answer her questions to the extent possible without unloading baggage, and you need to remember her age. Your daughter also needs you to apologise for not being honest sooner. Then your little one needs love, reassurance, and ongoing honesty as you rebuild trust in your relationship with her, and as your ex-partner does the same.


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2] our additions for readability in [brackets]3] glyphs or terms in (dark green);
4] doubtful words, contexts or lines slanted ;
5] all smooth-running lines in normal yellow font;
6] notes about text: end of page;
7] divisions within stanzas marked with -;
8] apparent continuing stanzas suffixed by a +.
9] when quoting directly from Budge,quoted text is in orange color .
though we can read sharper, the different coffins vary in using either II ('double'), or
\ \ ('magically-dangerous'), as two total different meanings; when not sure we used (double \ \ ),
until that certain concept will have proven itself;
# perhaps open new tab for notes
h] [by] he. the speech. [of] the by me owned adamite-soul., existence (matrix), [through] the torso. [to] me. to return.,
[and so] to give. speech. to complete. the word.; to recite.; (note)
g] the island of the double-flame to make speech (via ad.soul) (nsrsr+). of [=as,by]. the divine he the torso. the word. to make (ár).,
[for] existence (matrix). [by] the opened-word-inside. [by which] I am.;
f] [by] the most-beautified-soul-adam's "One". [for,as] the divine "One". [by which] I am.;
e] [using] the prisoner (śu,Cain). [for to] me. to give. the speech. nót.;
d] [and] my. word. he (=prisoner). to give. [for] the speech. nót.; (note)
c] [but instead, by] the divine gift of place-T of hail (or 'divine completed-light'; t'em-rã)., +
[as] existence. [by] the blossoms of the word of hail of throne-G (gáu+). [through] place-T-eden to give.;
[for] the speech of the an-face (eden's). [by] my. torso (outer-court).;
to become (áu). +
b] [by] the double cherub-wheel [make new-root]. [for] thou. (doubled) dimensional mirrored backside (ph'). [of?] the [an-] face (north).,
[through?] the place-T of vulture-rule (at+).;
to become (áu). +
a] [by?] the lights by place-T of user-power [to make speech]. [by?] all [of]. the abomination [-T of eden-word for solarplane] (but). +
[now for?] the great pillar. to be hail.; (note)
f] [for] sekhet áaru (above cube). [of] the words of adam-within.,
[through] the offered aspects (at the island) at place-T of h'etep. [of] the doubled-place-T as the acquired field. +
of [=as?]. this. my. torso. [for] he. the opened-word-inside.; (note)
e] [by] the Ennead (9 constructs). existence. this (to connect to). place-T of existence (by which is). the foremost (kh-house). +
[by which] I am.;
d] [and] this (pu). my. torso. [as] place-T of the dimensional foreground [of saturn] (h'at). [for] my. word.,
[as] place-T to be carried-off. [from solarplane?]. nót.;
c] [but instead, by being] the Khemenu mountain ('8',ssnnu). [now as,for] the mouth (=in Õn).,
of [=by]. the lights of eden-willpower [by sh-pool] ('sand', shã+). [for] thou. existence. to come the root to the kh-house (khnp).;
to become (áu). + (note)
b] [fór] the divine [an-] face (north). the dimensional-width (uskh). [through] the house of saturn (h'et).,
of [=by] (means of). the torso. [of] the word of totality.,
[as] existence. [by] thou. place-T of existence. to make the new-root (via ad.soul); (note)
—- [as] existence. [by] the k-axis. [for] place-T of existence. to make the new-root (via ad.soul) —-
a] (+and that new-root) [as] thou. existence. my. existence. to give. speech.;
to become (áu). +
f] thou. existence. [by] to be the tooth as? the new-hand (t'beh'+). [for] the word of hail (áu). +
[as] thou. double willpower. [for] speech., [through] to come the branch [as doubled-place-T for the kh-house]. to be hail.;
e] he the Self (tchs-f). [bý?] the prisoner (śu,Cain). [for?] he. to weep [eye-essence of speech for M-realm] (rem+).,
[as?] my. speech. he. the speech (eden's?). to dwell [in].;
[through] this. my. torso. +
d] [for] he. the speech. [of] the [an-] face (north). to be the word of voice [of speech and nature] (kher-u).,
[and by] he (=voice). existence (eden's). to seize (sht').; (note)
c] [and by] the divine place-T of great speech (in hand where adam is). to inverse [as action] (sa).,
of [=by]. he (=hand). the island of sight for matrix-existence of willpower (ãn+; serpent-hand?). +
b] [as?] the divine Set-dog tile (s-t+). [for] he. existence (matrix). [of] sight (maa).;
[being] the word of hail (áu). to be the doubled-word of the heir (adamite-originals).; (note)
a] [and this all by] the bones-poles (q-axis section). to destroy [to make the serpent-hand] (via ad.soul) (s-tch+).,
[to be?] the foreign land of Punt [place-T to become new as the new-root].;
[as] existence. to become by the doubled-place-T for the dimensional side (gestt+). [of] the divine white saturn-light.,
[in order for?] the root to fly-up for hail (=by that light?);
[through?] the doubled shoulder (remn+). [of] the [an-] face (north?). [by?] + (note)
e] the double cherub-wheel [to make the new-root]. [as?] the divine star succeeded to acquire and by the wick-H' to make to inverse (orion).,
[by means of] the thigh at place-T of the adamite-throne to reap (ma-ást+). + (note)
d] [for] he. the speech (eden's). [by] the by my owned adamite-soul. existence. torso, to dwell.,
[and so] to give. the speech. [in order] to complete. existence (matrix). [by] the mouth (eden's).;
- – line h] by speech,
the line appears to say that "by the speech of the soul, existence returns",
the 'to give' usually follows upon a cause, yet 'to return' can hardly be 'given',
- – line d] prisoner not,
the word is from the watercourse and speech from the q-axis (so cherubs);
but he is addressing how they "learned to acquire those", they needed some means
to acquire those – through the prisoner.
We don't pretend to understand the technics, but by dissecting his post-eden-body
they must have found how it interacts with 'speech and the word';
remember they sent Cain as their fish-soul into that body, to acquire it,
– line f] branch double-T
envisioned as "an upright branch between torso and head", see pic, described in Ezekiel as "false branch" (page), as an 'inbetween-branch', feeding upon the eden-root yet having (polluted) eden-fruits in it's top,
- – line e] the Self and weep
in 99%, the prisoner is "used", as object; but the Self as TCH+S, "adamite-soul+serpenthand" is sometimes writtin with -Ś, cain-fish-soul+serpenthand, and the question is where did the Self originate from. We are not sure if the 2nd speech is eden's, since "to dwell" usually is following a concept of theirs,
- "O knees of Orion which are on the shoulders of him who flew up and destroyed a full half of Punt,
the breaker of bones who wailed when he saw Seth, who was bright behind the Great One
and who made disturbance when he saw: This heart of mine sits down against me and it weeps for itself.
Withdraw (?) your hands which beg for you, and you have been alotted to Him who is joyful (?)
in the mansion of Him who is broad of face. I present to you sand from the gate of Khemennu,
and this heart of mine has not forsaken me. [continuing]"
- As you know we leave it in the middle whether Faulkner was of good will, or else;
point is here that you will be able to trace back the used words in text; compare it side-by-side with opened tab;
and it but proves again how much context is included in each single glyph,
and that our grasping of their causal type reasoning depends on all these factors;
ass Crucial for understanding object and subject;
or we too would create a text which is contradictory in itself, already, let alone getting the themes right;
- – while composing this one,
the local radiostation broadcasted the below, which i haven't heard in years (it's from '85);
i have been asking for a guiding dream – yet woke without nothing, and down;
—— until this one; and the soul started singing with it
- …do you know that experience?
Same as the start of the 40 days in december (hence the context),
but now again:
and i promise you, by all that is dear, that the message is True,
Tryin' to put one foot in Eden (Eden, Eden)
One step
One step away from you
I'm only one step
One step away from you


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Kansas City, MO – Police are looking for the two suspects in this video who committed armed robbery in the 4600 block of Warwick the evening of Dec. 14, 2016. As shown in the video, one suspect assaulted the female victim and took her bag, and off camera, the other suspect took the man's wallet at gunpoint. The second half of the video shows the suspects approaching and then running away from the scene.
December 24, 2016 Crime No Comments


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Artist's Bio
Radhika Khimji
15 July, 2022 to 25 July, 2022
Take me away to better days – Benefit Auction Showcase
In collaboration with ArtScoops and Agenda Culturel, AD Leb is hosting an art and design auction at the Sursock Museum on Wednesday, July 20th, to raise funds for the Gaïa Fodoulian Association, an organization that supports and provides shelter for animals in need. Unique or limited edition works by 28 artists and designers will be exhibited at the Sursock Museum on July 15-19, ahead of the live auction which will be conducted by auctioneer Edward Rising. Explore


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04/13/21-WAIMĀNALO BEACH USERS CAUTIONED TO STAY OUT OF THE WATERPosted on Apr 13, 2021 in Aquatic Resources, Main, Media, News Releases, Shark, slider, Whale
News Release
For Immediate News Release: April 13, 2021
Tiger Sharks Feeding on Whale Carcass
To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/536579188
(Waimānalo) – At least three large Tiger sharks have been spotted feeding on the decomposing carcass of a Hawaiian Humpback whale, just off-shore from Waimānalo Bay Beach Park. Shark warning signs are up, and lifeguards and law enforcement officials have been warning people to stay out of the water.
The whale carcass was spotted by Honolulu Ocean Safety Division lifeguards at around 9 this morning; originally an estimated 300-yards from the beach. Lifeguards on a jet ski went out to investigate and have seen at least three sharks in the 12-13-foot-long range feeding on the carcass. Throughout the day the carcass seems to be drifting closer to the beach, at one point an estimated 100-150 yards from shore.
In addition to warning signs lifeguards and officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) are stationed on the beach or patrolling it to ensure people do not enter the water.
Tissue from the carcass began washing onto the beach yesterday afternoon. There are reports that dogs are eating some of the tissue and owners are asked to keep their dogs on leashes and away from the material, so they don't get sick. It is against both federal and state laws to remove any body parts or bones from protected marine species, like Humpback whales.
The City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation will be closing Waimanalo Bay Beach Park an hour and a half earlier today, beginning at 7 p.m., to limit nighttime access to this beach. This includes closing the access gate earlier. The beach park is normally closed from 8:30 p.m. through 7 a.m., nightly.
DLNR and NOAA are in the process of determining what to do about the carcass. Options include, towing it out to sea or letting currents bring it to shore. Native Hawaiian practitioners will be engaged in either case, to provide cultural protocols.
# # #
Media Contact:
Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager
(808) 587-0396
[email protected]


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Good Good Father
Inspired by the #1 hit worship song by Chris Tomlin, this precious story teaches children about our Father Gods unconditional love and acceptance and that the only gift God wants is our hearts.
Grammy Award-winning music artist, Chris Tomlin, and Pat Barrett (Housefires) team up to tell the story of a little bear named Tucker whose life is forever changed when he learns just how great the Kings love is for him. When Tuckers friends need help, he journeys to see the King who lives in a castle where the door is always open. Along the way, Tucker encounters a variety of humorous animals filled with ideas about what the King is like. Then finally, he meets the King who runs to him with open arms.
This read-aloud storybook for 4- to 8-year-olds:
- Shows young children the character of God through a fun adventure story
- Teaches that God loves His children no matter what
- Encourages kids to have a relationship with their Heavenly Father and to ask for His help in prayer
- Sparks family discussions about who God is
- Makes a calming bedtime read with its warm message of Gods caring heart
With whimsical art created by Lorna Hussey, this inspiring story will leave children, young and old, reassured that God is a good, good Father, and they are loved by Him.
Product Details
Author: Pat Barrett, Chris Tomlin
Language: English
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: 2016-10-04
Pages: 32


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In thhe Media
Vein & Cosmetic Center of Tampa in the media
Vitae Occaecati Ut
Be treated
like family
Experience the transformation at Vein & Cosmetic Center of Tampa Bay. Schedule a consultation today and embark on your journey to beauty and confidence! Or if you would like to call us yourself!
Call us
For any questions or concerns,
give us a call at (813) 550-2450.


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China is interested in Pole dance, a sport that mixes gymnastics, acrobatics, and ballet. A challenging sport that combines ground and height movements, tricks (static figures), and spins (figures around the pole) demanding both strength and flexibility. The technical nature of this sport does not discourage Chinese athletes, who are more and more numerous every year to try that new discipline.
Is Pole Dance being sulfurous? Let's discuss it
The number of classrooms and fitness clubs adding Pole Dancing to their activities increased, every major Chinese city has at least its dedicated school. Athletes like Meng Yifan, Yao Song, or national team coach Yuan Biao already provide China with a solid reputation for competing at the highest level. From there to say that Pole Dancing becomes the new Chinese gymnastics?
In any case, Pole Dance represents a new market to be exploited in China, concerning sportswear, equipment, and sports education.
Burns and bumps, not to mention falls and ligament injuries … Dancers know the difficulties in the discipline, where displaced back and cervical involve regular visits to an osteopath. Pole Dance first developed in North America before reaching Australia and Russia, but the mentality evolution in Europe was gradual before considering it as a sport in its own right.
The discipline is now facing the same problem in China: its image is associated with pornography and highly controversial. Like Europe, China only sees the exoticism of pole dancing, whose movements with sexual connotations made all of the striptease clubs. Competitions, however, highlight the academic side of Pole Dance, where each figure is codified.
The athletes themselves do not dare to talk about their sport to their loved ones until they have won some medals in competition, preferring to believe in the follow-up of singing lessons or gymnastics. Their practice of an "indecent" sport can, therefore, be excused on the condition of their athletic success! The gap between younger generations and their parents is huge, not only in the practice of Pole Dance but in societal values such as the right age to marry or the perception of filial piety.
China targets medals
The image of Pole Dance begins to improve with the World Pole Dance Championships held in Tianjin in 2015, where the Chinese national team honored her country. Tianjin is, by the way, organizing the next championship for May 2018!
The organization of this competition resulted in the creation of this Chinese national team and an official training center in Tianjin, China Polar Training and Sports Center (CPDSTC), as well as the annual China National Pole Dancing Show in the same city. The 16 official athletes hope to change the public's view of their sport through their performances.
China has always strongly encouraged its fellow citizens to compete, and gymnastics is a discipline where Chinese athletes shine particularly. There is no question of considering Pole Dance as a hobby: the discipline is an open door for Chinese gymnasts wishing to diversify into the competition, who may be unsuccessful to rank up into the rude national competition of classic acrobatic gym.
Why can Pole Dance be a lucrative market in China?
The younger generations of Chinese are inspired by American and European models to define their personalities. Pole Dance, a discipline made in the USA, is fashionable and makes it possible to distinguish oneself from others. To stand out is indeed a constant search in a country so populated, where the competition is fierce.
Girls reject the image of the traditional Chinese woman who must be virtuous: they want to be independent and muscular, the new model is a healthy body and it goes through sport. Pole Dance is a discipline that appeals because it helps to keep fit and build the whole body quickly. Chinese are looking for effective solutions to achieve their perfect body goals.
Finally, Pole Dance is a variation of gymnastics, a popular Olympic sport in China. The Chinese circus with dance and acrobatics is a large part of the national culture. Pole Dancing, despite its controversial image, is very close to it. The image of the discipline must evolve along with its expansion in China.
Any inconvenient? It is an expensive sport, starting from at least 25 € per class in all the international big cities.
A market for sportswear and equipment
A foreign brand wishing to market sportswear for Pole Dancing (such as Dragonfly brand that is a reference in the field) and equipment (gel grip, X-pole or Lupit pole, mattress) must be established now before the market is flooded by low-end copies and that it is no longer enabled to distinguish the quality from the rest.
As the equipment in Pole Dancing is very expensive, copies will be tempting for beginners or less experienced practitioners. In its communication campaign, it is necessary to bet on the quality of its products to convince buyers to invest. For a pole barn, it must highlight its good grip, safety in contrast with the risk of falling or destroying the ceiling. Making people aware of the risks of using bad equipment allows the buyer to understand that he is making a good investment.
Pole Dance is also an educational market
Summer camps and workshops in schools already exist abroad, exporting the principle to China would then be an excellent idea. These camps often feature foreign athletes who have excelled in high-level competitions.
Chinese have the culture of following an example and the model athletes are particularly highlighted in each sport. The United States and Russia are pioneers in the field. As such, we find in first research on Youku the benefits of the iconic Karo Swen, Maddie Sparkle, and Anastasia Sokolova, but also the tutorials of Chinese coaches or foreign ones like Bendy Kate.
Do not forget that, like in Europe, many females practice secretly at home with a pole ordered over the Internet and learn through online tutorials, rather than going openly to a dance school. This practice is common for former dancers or gymnasts who manage to learn without a teacher!
Towards a successful implementation of Pole Dance in China
To convince athletes, the sulfurous side of Pole's underwear is to be banned. Although Chinese women want to feel sexy and emancipated, the image rendered in society is essential to keep face and can not disappoint their family. If we want to democratize sport, we must start by giving it credit as a serious and mixed discipline, and sweep its image associated with pornography. For a good sports practice, sports bras and underwear should be similar to those used for boxing and riding: reinforced, fitted, and breathable.
It should also be remembered that the Pole Dance competitions in China are strict on clothing, only the body parts used in the catches – such as the hip or the elbow bend – are exposed, resulting in specific holes in the clothing.
Marketing your sportswear for Pole Dance in China
To seduce Chinese buyers, Pole's clothing must highlight technical materials: the Chinese are particularly fond of new technology in sports practice, the use of which accredits more the seriousness of their training in the eyes of those around them. The bar grip and the perfect length for skin grips, two keywords of your sportswear speech for the Pole.
All this does not mean that the clothes design is to be sober at all costs: as the Pole Dance recalls the artistic dance of the Chinese circus, it would be nice to add small aesthetic touches reminiscent of circus codes. One can think of outfits for teams competing, embroidered with the national flag or distinctive signs by provinces.
The image of the Pole Dance through your communication in China must, therefore, highlight competition, diversity, a serious sport whose intensive practice leads to dazzling results, feminine emancipation without any vulgarity, and the technical side of equipment that sales very good and justifies at the same time their high price.
Not to mention… communication on social networks
To reach Chinese customers, it is essential to be known on their social networks: your school must have a WeChat account where students can subscribe by scanning your QR Code, you must be active by posting videos of your choreography on Youku or Weibo.
Because dancing is graphics, you must also advertise your product through videos on Youku, post advertisements on your Wechat account. Making yourself known by offering tutorials for learning is a very good start. You can spotlight top Chinese stars to awaken national pride, but also Russian and American whose reputation is worldwide.
Gentlemen Marketing Agency can help you!
Do you want to make yourself known in the Chinese market? discovers our services and China marketing solutions for sports brands.
That's good, our agency specializes in communication and SEO on Chinese social networks.
We can help you choose the best media tools to boost your communication in China.
Feel free to contact our experts or find more information on our blog


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Dallas Bridal Show
The Dallas Bridal Show Podcast is all about all things weddings! Drawing on her 30 years of experience in the wedding scene through Bridal Shows Inc., Ruthie sits down with experts, entrepreneurs, and most importantly, Brides, to talk about the business of getting hitched!
Closer Look into the Dallas Bridal Show Podcast
On her first episode of The Dallas Bridal Show Podcast, Stivers talked with representatives from several of the 300 businesses present at the 30 year anniversary of the Dallas Bridal Show.
She first talked with Ms. Lisa Stengel, representative of Mary Kay. First, Stivers asked why a bride would choose Mary Kay:
"When a woman chooses Mary Kay, she's choosing to work with an entrepreneur who is a trusted advisor for her skincare regiment. She will receive a customized skincare regiment that is perfect for her situation and her skin because we have all the skincare supplements and lines that are necessary to give her the bridal glow."
Next, Stengel presented products from Mary Kay's skincare line that will be showcased at the bridal show.
"Right now, we are wrapping up building a 150 million dollar manufacturing plant in Lewisville, Texas. Our products are made in the good old state of Texas. Mary Kay does over 500,000 tests on our products to make sure the highest standards of quality, safety, and performance."
She then went on to present the TimeWise 3D skincare line, with a 4-in-1 cleanser, day and night creams, with sunscreen and anti-aging ingredients respectively, and eye cream for the bride to be.
After over a hundred bridal shows, Stengel esteemed that she keeps coming back because she "love[s] the relationships I've built with the brides and the women who are also involved in the bridal show."
Next, Stivers brought in the 'celebrity' wedding planner Donnie Brown to talk about the wedding planning process. She opened by asking what the advantages of having a wedding planner were.
"Would you do dental surgery on yourself? … The wedding industry is a complex creature, and there's a lot of details and stuff that goes on. So a wedding planner takes care of all of that for you. They also get you better deals than you can get on your own. I send a lot of weddings to a photographer, so he cuts me a better rate for the service than he would for you because I'm a repeat customer."
What are some overlooked expenses?
"When you go to a hotel or a venue and they tell you 'this is your food and beverage minimum,' clients come in all the time thinking, 'well, that's all it's going to cost.' That's not what it's going to cost; that's just the minimum you have to pay.
Plus, there's a 22% service charge/gratuity plus tax, so you're looking at 30 percent on every dollar in addition to what it says the total is."
Not everybody has to come to your wedding. Every person dilutes the budget [and] reduces the value of the wedding. So just bring the people you care about, and don't be afraid to tell somebody 'you can't bring a guest.'"
Finally, she sat down with Butch Stivers of Delicious Cakes in Addison, Texas, to talk about wedding cakes.
"Today, wedding cakes are really the ultimate vehicle for self-expression. Most brides like to see a cake that ties nicely with the decor."
He also explained some of the new trends in the wedding cakes:
"In the Dallas/Fort-Worth metroplex, there are a lot of new venues pop up on the outskirts of town, and a lot of those are doing country themes. So we see a lot of what I call "Country Chic" wedding cakes, where they're naked [and] decorated with fruit [and] flowers."
In Podcast and In Health
Lisa Stengel
Listen Now!
Find The Dallas Bridal Show on Spreaker, Youtube, and Facebook.


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Your Ultimate Barbiecore Vacation in St. Pete/Clearwater
Want to celebrate America's favorite beach babe? "Think pink" and follow our Barbiecore itinerary…
Accessibility Guide to St. Pete/Clearwater Attractions
From lush botanical gardens to the St. Pete Pier, our attractions are open for everyone to explore…
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Unearth the hidden gems that are the unique, quirky and quiet places to visit in beautiful St. Pete…
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New Year's Eve Fireworks in St. Pete/Clearwater
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Family Travel Influencers Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
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Accessible Parks in St. Pete, Gulfport and Tierra Verde
If you love getting outdoors but have mobility challenges, read this accessibility guide to parks…


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The festive season should always be an exciting time for all of us but please remember to consider the health and happiness of your four-legged family members too, being aware of, and avoiding, any potential seasonal hazards.
A perfect example of one such hidden danger is harmless-looking shiny, sparkly, tinsel. Easily ingested by playful pups and curious kittens tinsel can become tangled up in their intestines, often requiring major (and expensive) surgery to fix. Fairy-light wires may also be seen as fun toys but can cause shocks and burns to inquisitive pets, especially young animals including house rabbits.
When dressing the Christmas tree fragile glass baubles must hang safely well out of reach of your pet as if they are disturbed and fall, broken fragments are likely to get stuck in paws and pads causing pain, infection risk, and an unplanned trip to the emergency vet.
Never offer your dog chocolate, in fact keep any chocolate (including wrapped presents containing chocolate) well away from pets, as it contains poisonous theobromine which can kill if ingested in sufficient quantities, especially dark chocolate.
Any grapes or raisins (including fruit cake, mince pies, etc) must also be kept strictly off your pet's festive menu as they can result in fatal kidney problems. The same goes for onions (or anything containing them), with turkey carcasses and bones bagged-up responsibly then safely disposed of and certainly not fed to your pet, as if swallowed can cause life-threatening intestinal perforation or obstruction, constipation, even pancreatitis.
Accidental ingestion of popular Christmas plants e.g. holly, ivy, poinsettia, lilies, and mistletoe can also cause serious toxicity to your pets. Antifreeze, which is extremely palatable to pets and often kept in garages and outbuildings, must be kept safely away from harm too, as spillages can often result in pets licking it off their paws, which can kill even with just tiny amounts consumed.
Make sure pets are always respected when unfamiliar guests are visiting during the holidays, as their normal routines will be upset. In particular please warn strangers (especially young children) about how to approach your pet correctly, if at all, thus helping to prevent any unforeseen bites or scratches.
When spoiling your pet rotten with gifts and hugs spare a thought for lonely rescue animals spending Christmas behind bars in your local rehoming centre without a happy, excited family fussing over them. Why not make a donation, either sponsor or give the gift of sponsorship, or drop off some old blankets, food, treats, newspapers, or even toys?
Finally, never give any pet as a Christmas present as most puppies and kittens on sale at this time of year have been irresponsibly bred; please wait until New Year to contact a responsible breeder (where you'll always see puppy interacting with its mum), or better still make your New Year's resolution to save a life by adopting a rescue pet instead.
Happy and safe Christmas to you and your pets!


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When visiting an animal shelter, it can be heart-wrenching to know that not all of the loving cats, dogs, and other pets will be lucky enough to be adopted into warm homes. Often, though, this is simply because each animal's unique and special personality doesn't have a chance to shine through.
To combat these missed opportunities, one charitable pet care program is doing their best to help cats "put their best paw forward" when meeting potential adoptive parents.
The "Cat Pawsitive" Program
The "Cat Pawsitive" Program was the brainchild of Jackson Galaxy, host of "My Cat From Hell," a show on Animal Planet. Having worked at animal shelters before, Galaxy knew that those animals who had that extra little "spark" (who could sit on command, jump to catch treats, or shake hands, for example) were often the first to get adopted.
With "Cat Pawsitive," Galaxy hoped to inspire and teach shelters across America how to uncover tricks and special talents in their own animals and help them get adopted faster. The program teaches staff and volunteers at shelters how to train their animals to do easy, positive tricks and other behaviors. Cats can learn how to sit, do high-fives, spin, do head bumps, jump through hoops, and more.
Cat Care at Its Best: Helping Cats Open Up
Shelters are often frightening and stress-inducing for cats. It's not uncommon for even the most special, well-trained, and sweet cats to recoil with fear and not show their fun and friendly personalities. Unfortunately, this means they may not be readily adopted when potential new owners come around.
In the United States, approximately 3.2 millions cats enter shelters each year. Of those, 860,000 are euthanized.
Ultimately, "Cat Pawsitive" aims to help shelter cats open up and "put their best paw forward." It's been an immensely successful program, with excellent results for both shelter cats and their new owners.
Watch This Moving Video About The "Cat Pawsitive" Program
Video credit GreaterGood.org
To learn more about the "Cat Pawsitive" Program, click one of the logos below.
To check out a short guide to clicker training with your own cat, click here.
Do You Have a New Cat?
If you've recently welcomed a new cat into your home, schedule your furry friend for their first pet exam at Sunset Veterinary Clinic. Our caring and experienced veterinarian staff will give your pet a comprehensive exam and answer any questions or concerns you may have about their health, behavior, diet, or overall care. Ready to book your kitty's first appointment at the veterinarian? Give Sunset Veterinary Clinic a call today at (405) 844-2888.


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EMike posted a topic in Purchasing EnpassI have emailed support but haven't heard back yet. Is there any way to get a confirmation your current model of local storage and syncing to third party cloud storage will be the long term direction of your product. I am moving to your product and want to recommend it to my clients currently using a competitor that is now changing directions to sync all data with their own proprietary cloud. I just can't get behind that model. Your currently model is awesome and just looking for confirmation it will remain this way. Thanks very much!


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Ed's Award Winning Chili Recipe
It's fall, the weather is cooling down and it's chili making time. My taste buds are acting up just thinking of the scrumptious taste of good chili. And because I'm humble (word used loosely) I won't mention that my chili is in fact Award Winning Chile. haha. For four years straight I submitted this recipe in a(…)


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Allah Ta'ala has created in us emotions/feelings/sentiments. From all these sentiments, love is the most dynamic.
There was a deep unparalleled love in the hearts of the Sahabah (radiyallahu 'anhum) for Allah and Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam). This enabled them to practice the commands of Allah and Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) without hesitation.
Here is a talk by My Beloved Father; Moulana Haroon Abasoomar saheb (rahimahullah) on the topic of loving Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam).
May Allah Ta'ala bless us all with this bounty.


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Chronic Hookah Instant Light
Posted November 1, 2012 by HookahRev Staff in Instant Light
Charcoal: Instant Light::::::::
Positives::The only instant light coconut coal on the market.
Negatives::Terrible ashing issues, foul odor when lit, doesn't stay lit as long as a natural coconut coal usually does. Causes slight odor after fully lit.
Full Article


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This post with fun facts about Thailand is part of the series of facts posts I do for every country I have articles about here on WonderfulWanderings.com. I hope you'll enjoy them!
89 Fun Facts About Thailand
This post is part of a series of fun facts posts I'm doing for every country I have articles about here on the blog. Given their nature, these posts are research-based and even though a lot of time has gone into them, it's still possible a mistake has sneaked in. If you see something that looks incorrect while going through these Thailand fun facts, please let me know at wanderer [at] wonderfulwanderings.com and I'll look into it. Thanks!
1. Thailand is a relatively new name for the country. Thailand's name before 1939 was "Siam" and it was Siam again during the period from 1946-1948.
2. The official English name for the country is "The Kingdom of Thailand".
3. The term "Siamese twins" originated here when the country was still known as Siam. Two brothers, Chang and Eng Bunker were joined at the chest and their life inspired the term, which has now been replaced by the preferred term "conjoined twins".
4. The blue-eyed felines, Siamese cats, are native to Thailand.
5. The Southwest and Northeast monsoon winds are the key influencers of Thailand's climate.
6. Thailand has three "seasons" – wet, cool and hot. Typically, 6 months of rain, 3 months of dry, cool temps and 3 months of heat are seen annually.
7. While tap water is not safe for drinking in Thailand, local beer is. The high level of alcohol content in Thai beer kills the germs and it costs as little as a bottled water, making it a popular beverage around the country.
8. Thailand is the second-largest exporter of rice in the world, the most esteemed being Jasmine Rice which is indigenous to the country.
9. Rice is a staple at all meals, including breakfast and dessert. Rice is so important that in Thai, when one says they are hungry, the words literally translate to "I want to eat rice".
10. Shaking hands is not common in Thailand. A typical Thai greeting is the "Wai". Place your hands together and raise them upwards towards your face while lowering your head in a slight bow.
11. The higher you raise your hands during the Wai greeting, the more polite. It represents the status of the person you greet. For example, hands should be raised all the way to the bridge of your nose when greeting the elderly, but only to your chest for a peer.
12. Man-eating sharks are not native to the waters of Thailand, but poisonous jellyfish are.
13. The Tuk Tuk, an open air 3-wheel vehicle, originated in Thailand and is a common mode of transportation in Bangkok. The name "Tuk Tuk" is an onomatopoeia, mimicking the noise of the 2-cycle engines commonly used in the vehicles.
14. Bankok is currently the world's most visited city, coming in first place in both 2016 and 2017.
15. The geography of the country is incredibly diverse, with mountains, rivers, plains, woodlands, waterfalls, beaches and islands all featured throughout Thailand's six regions.
16. In Thai, the word "ko", meaning "island", precedes the name of the island. When saying or writing the name of an island in English, either leave "ko" off (Phuket Island) or leave "island" off (Ko Phuket). If you say "Ko Phuket Island" it is redundant as it would translate into "Island Phuket Island".
17. Thailand is the world's 50th largest country, just slightly larger than Spain.
18. The current government, adopted in 1932, is similar to England – a democratic system with a Monarch sitting as Head of State.
19. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European country.
20. The most prominent religion of Thailand, which is also the national religion, is Theravada Buddhism with other Chinese indigenous religions and Hinduism also being practiced.
21. Thailand is generally known as "The Land of Buddhism", and depending on the year, it ranks in the first or second spot as "country with the largest percentage of Buddhist population", with about 95% of the country practicing. Other countries it trades spots with on the list are China and Cambodia.
22. Buddhism is so highly regarded in the country, it is tradition for men to become monks at some point before they are 20 years old, even if it's just for a short period of time.
23. The typical duration as a monk in Thailand is about 3 months.
24. If you're looking for fun facts about Bangkok: In Bangkok, you can spy Buddha reclining in the temple of Wat Pho. This gold-plated statue with mother of pearl decorated eyes and feet ranks as one of the most magnificent giant Buddhas in the world.
25. Bangkok is also home to two Buddhist universities with several thousand monk students.
26. "Wat" is the word for a Buddhist monastery or temple.
27. There are about 35,000 temples in Thailand. Remember, to visit these holy sites, modest dress is required. No shorts, no sleeveless tops!
28. Visitors can learn the fundamentals of meditation (a key principle of Buddhism) at wats across the country, and some wats in Chiang Mai allow visitors the opportunity to chat with monks to gain a better understanding of Buddhism.
29. Not all Buddhists are vegetarians. According to Theravada, the Buddha allowed monks to eat pork, chicken, and fish if the monk knew that the animal was not killed on their behalf.
30. Meat in Thai dishes is traditionally served in bite-size pieces in order to abide by the Buddhist custom that no whole animal be cooked and served.
31. Spirit or phi houses are common to find outside of Thai buildings. Gifts and offerings are presented to take care of the spirits so they don't bother those living in close proximity.
32. During the full moon in February, the entire nation celebrates the festival of Makha Puja – one of the most important dates on the Buddhist calendar. Candlelight processions at the temples occur after sunset and are quite beautiful.
33. Songkran is a Buddhist festival that tourists can participate in. During the hottest month of the year – April – friendly water fights and parties take place in the streets for all to join. The water signifies washing away all the misfortunes of the past year, so grab a super-soaker and join in!
34. Looking to learn the art of massage? Wat Pho (the temple with the reclining Buddha) has a massage school teaching traditional Thai massage on its grounds.
35. The temple of Wat Bang Phra sees thousands of people each year for the purpose of receiving the traditional Sak Yant tattoo, believed to offer protection against danger and death, and bring luck, power, and courage.
36. The traditional method of creating a Sak Yant tattoo involves using a two-foot-long bamboo needle, but not to fear, other tattoo artists around the country will create these designs using electric machines.
37. Avoid offending locals when getting inked in Thailand. Don't get a tattoo below the waist as the further you go from the head, the more disrespectful and DO NOT get an image of the Buddha.
38. The Grand Palace in Bangkok is one of the most frequented attractions in the world with an estimated eight million tourists visiting each year.
39. Don't forget athletic shoes when visiting Chiang Mai's temple of Doi Suthep – the staircase to the temple has over 300 steps.
40. Floating water markets were once commonplace in the capital of Thailand, prior to the construction of roads. If you venture outside the city center, some of these colorful boat markets still exist and are quite the experience to visit.
41. The Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is one of the biggest in Asia, with aisle upon aisle of vendors selling just about anything you can imagine – perfect for any shopaholic. Not to mention, its got a few great scores for foodies as it's known for dessert vendors, especially those selling coconut ice cream!
42. The more you use the Thai language in market bartering, the less likely you are to be ripped off. Knowing a few numbers and the phrase thao rai (how much) will get you far.
43. Khao Yai National Park, protected by UNESCO, was the first official national park established in the country.
44. Many visitors dream of spending time with elephants, monkeys, and tigers, but not all sanctuaries are created equal. Ethical sanctuaries that are rescuing and rehabilitating animals, like the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai or Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary in the province of Sukhothai, give visitors a chance to interact with rehabilitated animals responsibly. Do your research before booking!
45. Elephants are a symbol of Thailand, and at the start of the 20th century, over 300,000 existed in the wild. Today, estimates of 6,000 elephants remaining, with half in captivity, highlight the urgent need for conservation and change in elephant tourism.
46. Both the smallest mammal, the bumblebee bat, and the largest fish, the whale shark, are found in Thailand.
47. With whale sharks being frequent visitors to Richelieu Rock and Hin Daeng in April of each year, divers looking to swim with the giant fish often have Thailand on their bucket list.
48. Logging is completely banned in Thailand. Only about 1/4 of the forests that once existed still remain.
49. Want to eat a scorpion? Khao San Road is the place to go. Popular with backpackers, this stretch of road is home to budget-friendly, unique grub!
50. While plenty of red light districts can be found throughout the county, prostitution was actually banned in 1960. That being said, there are still loads of seedy and risqué establishments in these districts for locals and tourists alike.
51. Muay Thai is the national sport in Thailand and is like what football is to the United States or soccer (football) is to Europe. Muay Thai matches are even considered sacred.
52. To greet someone in Thai, use the word 'sawadee' followed by 'kah' for females and 'kraap' (soft r) for males.
53. To avoid being labeled as rude, don't point at another person with your index finger or your feet.
54. Chopsticks are not typically used in Thailand, except when eating Chinese dishes that have become part of the cuisine culture. Forks and spoons are the utensils used most frequently, but if you need to cut something, don't expect a knife. Thais use the side of their spoons to cut and forks only if it is absolutely necessary.
55. Don't dish up one of each type of food on your plate at the beginning of a meal in Thailand as this is considered to be rude. It is more polite to take a helping of rice along with one to two dishes, then try a few more as the meal progresses should you still be hungry.
56. To let someone know you enjoyed a meal, it is polite to leave a small bite or two on your plate. This signifies it was tasty and that you are full, as a clean plate implies there wasn't enough to eat.
57. If you are invited into someone's home, remember to step OVER the threshold when entering the door and not on ON it. It is believed that a spirit lives in the threshold, and thus is respectful not to stomp on it.
58. Another tip when visiting someone's home – do not sit with your legs stretched out in front of you. In homes, it is customary to sit on the floor, with women tucking their legs to the side and men sitting with their legs crossed.
59. As Buddha is such an important figure in Thai culture, it is important not to stand above any image of the Buddha. The same is true for images of the king!
60. As the image of the king appears on Thai currency (also know as Bahts), it is actually illegal to step on money in the country.
61. Speaking of money, one of the most common scams is the Baht Scam. Shopkeepers claim the baht you hand them is fake, they take the bill out back to "inspect" it, swap it with an actual counterfeit baht, then give you the counterfeit money and make you pay with a different form of payment. You can avoid this by inspecting the serial numbers at the bottom of the baht prior to handing it to the shopkeeper, and make sure the shopkeepers sees you doing it!
62. Another scam to note is the Sombondee Restaurant Scam. Tuk tuk and taxi drivers get a kickback for delivering you to the Sombondee Seafood Market with it's inflated prices instead of the popular chain restaurant known as Somboon Seafood. Make sure you are clear as to where you want to go!
63. Movie buffs will be thrilled to visit the waterfall where Leonardo Dicaprio takes his famous leap in the movie The Beach. Haew Suwat Waterfall is a stunning sight at 20 meters tall just inside Khao Yai National Park.
64. Along the border of Myanmar, reside Thailand's largest park, Kaeng Krachan National Park. This is often listed as the best bird watching location in Asia, not to mention it's a place to see elephants, leopards and gibbons in the wild.
65. At 700 meters high, Krok E-Dok Waterfall in Saraburi is both the highest and largest fall of central Thailand. There are seven cascading falls that make up its entirety, but be warned, it takes almost a full day on the trail to view this splendid sight.
66. While most Thai laws are similar to other countries, a few interesting laws to keep in mind are 1) Wear underwear when leaving the house and 2) Wear a shirt when driving a car. Forgetting those garments of clothes are against the law!
67. You may know a bit more about the Thai language than you think. English phrases have been adopted into everyday conversation. These words are called tap sap and have slightly different pronunciations, but include words like guest house, hotel, computer, taxi, disco, and clinic.
68. If you enjoy Red Bull energy drinks, you can thank Chaleo Yoovidhya of Thailand. Chaleo introduced an energy drink named Krating Daeng in Thailand which inspired Austrian Dietrich Mateschitz to create a similar recipe that would suit Westerners' tastes. In partnership with Chaleo, the two founded Red Bull GmbH in Chakkapong, Thailand.
69. Tuk-tuks are a fun mode of transportation in Thailand, but anything over 30 minutes is uncomfortable, so have other means of transportation in mind for long-distance journeys.
70. In the category of not-so-fun Thai facts: rail services in Thailand are notoriously late, we're talking 3-4 hour delays late. If you have an urgent place to be, consider a plane.
71. With logging banned, the future of Thailand's distinctive long-tail boats are at risk. Timber to create the hulls must be imported and now a hull for a boat that used to cost about 3,000 baht (US$83) is now 200,000 baht (US$5,500). This has led to more speedboats on the waterways.
72. Traditional long-tail boats are made using techniques passed down through families and no designs are used in their creation – it's completely up to the master builder!
73. As spirits are an important part of Thai culture, captains of long-tail boats paint their vessels with colors they feel pay the most respect to the water spirits. This in turn is to ensure safe travels and nets full of fish.
74. Lotus flowers and colorful silks also adorn the bowspirit of the long-tail boats as respect to Buddha. It is therefore one part of the boat you should not touch.
75. The Siamese Crocodile is nearly extinct in the wild, but a few can still be spotted in Pang Sida National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park.
76. Most people in Thailand like to drink their beer on the rocks. They will order beer with nam keng (ice).
77. To drink the Thai way, order a bottle of spirits to share. A bucket of ice and a variety of mixers are also ordered and restaurant staff will refill the bucket of ice throughout the night as you enjoy.
78. Another interesting fact about Thailand is that to "cheers" in Thai, you should raise your glass (not too high), smile and chone gaow (touch glasses).
79. Locals will find it amusing to watch a foreigner try to handle a shot of the local moonshine made from fermenting, you guessed it, rice! Known as lao khao, it is made both commercially and brewed in villages.
80. Bangkok was once a city on stilts above canals or khlongs. Waterways were used to transport and travel throughout the city, similar to Venice. The canals have since been built over and are roads in the current day.
81. Do you like scavenger hunts? In Bangkok, you can hunt down all the temples stamped in the baht coins. They are all found in the city and can be located over the course of a day.
82. When greeting or thanking a monk, give them a higher wai — the prayer-like gesture with slight bow described earlier— than usual. But don't wait for a monk to return the gesture – they are not expected to.
83. To take a photo of Buddha or not in Thailand? Unlike Japan, it is generally acceptable to snap a shot of Buddha in temples unless a sign instructs otherwise. Do keep in mind, taking a selfie with your back turned to Buddha is highly frowned upon though, so be respectful in your photography.
84. Some temples sell trinkets to raise money, and while it's not illegal to purchase a small Buddha statue in Thailand, taking it out of the country is.
85. There are five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Thailand, with three being cultural and two natural.
And for some final Thailand Trivia:
86. Ever wondered what Buddhist hell is supposed to be like? You can walk through a garden of statues depicting the various levels of pain at Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden near Bangkok. Be warned, it's a bit gruesome!
87. The Durian, a fruit of Thailand, is so pungent it's banned from hotels, trains and public places, and we can't blame them. It's smell is that of rotting sweet onions and lingers on clothes. However, the fruit itself, is similar to marshmallow and whipped cream, making it a popular ingredient in many Thai desserts.
88. If you love desserts, Thai khanom are popular treats made of flour, sugar, and coconut, popular for their fun shapes and colors. The most unique khanom is Leum kleun, a version so silky smooth its name literally means "I forgot I swallowed."
89. If you've ever wanted to use a golden restroom, you have the chance to in Thailand. The White Temple, Wat Rong Khun is not only stunning in the moonlight with its white walls and glass mirrors, but it is humorously known as being home to Thailand's most beautiful bathroom.
Learn more interesting things about Thailand
And that was it! I hope some of this trivia about Thailand was interesting. Are there other things to know about Thailand that I didn't mention? Interesting facts about Thailand in particular – nothing super practical? Let me know in the comments!
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by Elise Paradis
Assistant Professor
University of Toronto
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
& Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine
Scientist, The Wilson Centre
I have recently crossed the street into a new job, leaving my office in the bustling core of the Toronto General Hospital for a new office on the 7th floor of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. As a sociologist, working in a hospital never felt "natural," but landing in a Faculty of Pharmacy is no less strange: Who would ever have thought that a leftie feminist like me would end up here? It surprised me and my loved ones equally; but this is another story.
As a student of the body, who has conducted two ethnographies in apparently different but uncannily similar environments – the boxing gym (Paradis, 2012, 2014a) and the intensive care unit (Leslie et al., In Press; Paradis, Leslie, & Gropper, Under Review; Paradis et al., 2014) –, I have learned to pay close attention to what I used to call "my ethnographic
In our study of care team interactions in the ICU (Paradis, 2014), however, my body and how it was perceived seemed completely beside the point... until I realized that depending on what I was wearing, I was perceived differently. I was seen as a student when wearing jeans and sneakers; as an attending physician (staff physician in Canada; consultant in the UK and Australia) on Tuesdays when I tend to wear a tie; and as a physical therapist the rest of the time for my perceived athleticism and my civilian clothes (see Jenkins, 2014 on clothing and status in healthcare).
In a move parallel to the move from self to identity in sociological theory, these experiences have made me reconsider my relationship to my "ethnographic body." I now see ethnography bodies. This reconsideration is reminiscent of Annemarie Mol's "body multiple" (Mol, 2002), yet the shift here is not ontological: it is not when I take on a different perspective on what is real that my body changes. Rather, it is through its embeddedness into a context – or field, since I am very much a Bourdieusian – that my body crystallizes into one version of itself: the athletic body, the female body, the student body, the physiotherapist body. In fact, I have come to believe that I do not have a bodily self; rather, my body has an identity that shifts according to my location in social space, the actors I interact with, and how they read and value my body.1
In the hospital, I didn't really "fit" in any of the main categories of hospital human resources. I was neither someone who cared for the ill nor an ill person myself. I was not part of the administration, nor part of the maintenance crew. Walking through the halls of the hospital, my discomfort was generally a low hum, muted until it was activated by a passerby who wanted guidance to find the red blood cell disorders clinic, or by someone in line at the coffee shop who shared the story of a surgeon in this hospital who, ten years ago, saved his life through a successful heart transplant. Those experiences made me feel slightly parasitic, aware as I am that my existence in this hospital context has been enabled by a Canadian (if not global!) health research enterprise that values interdisciplinarity and has placed several social scientists and humanities scholars like me into clinical faculties (especially medicine) around the country. Colleagues and I have written about the experiences of these scholars (Albert & Paradis, 2014; Albert, Paradis, & Kuper, 2015, Forthcoming), yet we haven't covered this sense of being physically or bodily out of place, the sense of being neither here (in the hospital) nor there (in a social science department), of living in a liminal space.
Crossing the street into a more traditional academic setting three months ago made me reconsider my bodily identity once again. Strangers generally see me as someone who is in her mid 20s to mid 30s, and I thus stand in an imprecise relationship to the undergraduate students whom I cross in the hallways (and whom I will soon be teaching), and in an even more imprecise relationship to the graduate students, staff and other faculty members who have yet to "learn" that I am one of the new tenure track hires.
On Wednesdays, four different groups of 60 undergraduate pharmacy students in white coats wait for their pharmacy practice laboratories in the hall right in front of my office door, sitting and standing in small clusters, chatting. Every time I have to navigate the crowd, make my way through the white-clad bodies of students who haven't yet met me, I wonder how they see me, how they "bin" me into one of the categories of people who have offices on that floor.2 About a month ago, I put my business card up behind the Plexiglas that holds my name (see Photo). "I might look young, and you might not know me, but I'm legit; here are my creds," I felt defensively as I slid the card between paper and Plexiglas. I will not lie: writing this blog has made me ashamed of this silly, juvenile insecurity, and I took down the card after snapping the attached picture. My invisibility is something that in any other context I value: in the elevator, it allows me to listen to what students say while staying under the radar; for my upcoming ethnographic study of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, I wish I could at once earn students' trust and spy on them freely, but as soon as I start teaching them, deception will become impossible.3 Yet in my new work context, where I am the new kid on the block ensconced in a body that often looks decidedly non-professorial, I felt the need to legitimate my existence.
In conclusion, it is a truism that at the core of contemporary ethnography is an understanding that the ethnographer is the instrument of data collection, and therefore the medium through which information must pass before being acknowledged as important, written up as fieldnotes and then being made part of ethnographic accounts. We show we care about the subjectivity of the ethnographer through emphasis on reflexivity on previous experiences and relationships to the people and topics we cover. Too often, however, the ethnographic bodies have no place in these accounts. What if we considered our bodily identities in our ethnographic research, documenting how they impact our perspectives? What if we troubled the idea of a single, lived experience of the body, and instead worked to document the many bodily identities of our research participants? What would an ethnography of bodily identities look like?
1 Loïc Wacquant and I have been engaging in a conversation about the meaning of habitus and field in print in the context of boxing over the past few years; see Wacquant (2004); Paradis (2012); Paradis (2014b); Wacquant (2014); and Atkinson (2015).
2 Most of my colleagues on the 7th floor are pharmacists whom the Faculty calls "clinician scientists" because they teach undergraduates and conduct research on pharmacy practice. They have shared similar struggles with navigating the sea of white-coat-clad bodies on Wednesdays. On the 6th floor, below, faculty members have their names listed as "Dr. So Andso," while I am "Elise Paradis."
3 A colleague suggested that students do not always self-censor, even in front of faculty whom they know.
Albert, M., & Paradis, E. (2014). Social scientists and humanists in the health research field: A clash of epistemic habitus. In D. L. Kleinman & K. Moore (Eds.), Handbook of science, technology, and society (pp. 369-387). New York, NY: Routledge.
Albert, M., Paradis, E., & Kuper, A. (2015). Interdisciplinary promises versus practices in medicine: The decoupled experiences of social sciences and humanities scholars. Social science & medicine, 126(1), 17-25.
Albert, M., Paradis, E., & Kuper, A. (Forthcoming). Interdisciplinary fantasy: Social scientists and humanities scholars working in faculties of medicine. In S. Frickel, M. Albert, & B. Prainsack (Eds.), Critical studies of interdisciplinary research. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.
Atkinson, W. (2015). Putting Habitus Back in its Place? Reflections on the Homines in Extremis Debate. Body & Society, 1357034X15590486.
Jenkins, T. M. (2014). Clothing norms as markers of status in a hospital setting: A Bourdieusian analysis. Health:, 18(5), 526-541. Retrieved from http://hea.sagepub.com/content/18/5/526.full.pdf
Leslie, M., Paradis, E., Gropper, M. A., Milic, M. M., Kitto, S., & Pronovost, P. J. (In Press). A Typology of ICU patients and families from the provider perspective: Towards patient centrism. Health Communications.
Mol, A. (2002). The body multiple: Ontology in medical practice: Duke University Press.
Paradis, E. (2012). Boxers, briefs or bras? Bodies, gender and change in the boxing gym. Body & Society, 18(2), 82-109.
Paradis, E. (2014a). Skirting the issue: Women boxers, liminality and change. In lisahunter, W. Smith, & e. emerald (Eds.), Pierre Bourdieu and physical culture. New York, NY: Routledge.
Paradis, E. (2014b). Sociology is a martial art: A commentary on Wacquant's Homines in Extremis. Body & Society, 20(2), 100-105.
Paradis, E., Leslie, M., & Gropper, M. (Under Review). Interprofessional Rhetoric and Operational Realities: An Ethnographic Study of Rounds in Four Intensive Care Units.
Paradis, E., Reeves, S., Leslie, M., Aboumatar, H., Chesluk, B., Clark, P., . . . Kitto, S. (2014). Exploring the nature of interprofessional collaboration and family member involvement in an intensive care context. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 28(1), 74-75. doi:10.3109/13561820.2013.781141
Wacquant, L. (2004). Body & Soul. New York: Oxford University Press.
Wacquant, L. (2014). Putting Habitus in its Place: rejoinder to the symposium. Body & Society, 20(2), 118-139.


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Melbourne warehouse fire under control
After more than 17 hours firefighters have brought under control an explosive, toxic Melbourne warehouse fire but crews are expected to stay there for days.
A steel recycling company was in the process of moving into the tin and asbestos West Footscray warehouse with 44 gallon drums, some of which had grease, oil and acetone residues as well as aerosol cans fuelling Thursday's explosive fire.
"The West Footscray fire is now under control. We expect there will be smoke in the area for some time and crews will remain on scene," the MFB advised shortly after 10pm on Thursday.
"A watch and act advice message remains in place and the community should continue to monitor conditions."
Alerts are in place for 21 suburbs including Altona, Brooklyn, Footscray, Kingsville, Newport, Port Melbourne, Spotswood, Sunshine, Williamstown and Yarraville.
The warehouse was also divided into two by shipping containers, hampering the firefighting effort, MFB acting chief officer Greg Leach told a community meeting on Thursday night.
The asbestos roof of the warehouse had collapsed and firefighters will have to go into the wreckage when safe to take it apart and cool the smouldering mess below.
"That will take time," Mr Leach said. "It's dirty work, but it's got to be done."
Authorities were called to the fire at 5am on Thursday, but Mr Leach said the intensity suggested the blaze had been burning for hours earlier undetected.
About 140 firefighters will remain at the site overnight and they have been rotating shifts regularly to minimise exposure.
"This is one of the biggest (fires) we have seen in Melbourne for a long time," Mr Leach told reporters earlier in the day.
Eleven public schools, 38 childcare centres and eight Catholic schools in the affected areas were closed but are expected to reopen on Friday.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp urged asked residents to stay away from the area unless they needed to be there.
"We don't want to see people stickybeaking. Community safety's really important," he told reporters.
Environmental Protection Authority chief scientist Andrea Hinwood said there were extra air monitors in the area.
Because the plume was sitting quite high, there was not a lot of damage to air quality, but she urged people to heed emergency warnings.
"It's a complex mixture of gases and particles and it's got that acrid smell associated, so it can be irritating to people who are sensitive," she said.
However, water run-off near Stony Creek in the Yarra River and possibly down into Hobsons Bay, around Williamstown, is also a concern and people should not go near or touch the water.
Melbourne Water said in a statement on Facebook it is working with the MFB, City of Maribyrnong and the EPA to "manage, educt and discharge runoff from the fire site and Stony Creek."
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This article is more than 1 year old
Afilias buys out Tucows .Info service
Sales disappoint - Tucows
Afilias is taking operational control for the registration of .Info names by buying out the operations of current service provider Tucows.
Afilias was appointed by ICANN to run the official registry for .Info, the first generic top level domain (gTLD). It had in turn given Tucows an exclusive two-year contract to run and manage its gTLD services.
Tucows said that this business, called Liberty Registry Management Services, had failed to meet sales volumes anticipated when the company put the "infrastructure in place to meet the original objectives submitted to ICANN. These unexpected lower volumes pushed our profitability point beyond the first renewal cycle".
Afilias is buying all the shares of LibertyRMS and the deal is constructed as a technology as well as a share purchase. The price and the colour of the paper - shares or greenbacks - are undisclosed. ®