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Bossies 2017: The Best of Open Source Software Awards
InfoWorld celebrates the leading open source projects for software development, cloud computing, machine learning, data storage and analytics, and security
Open source software isn't what it used to be. The term used to conjure images of the lone developer, working into the night and through weekends, banging out line after line of code to scratch a personal itch or realize a personal vision. But with each passing year—and every new survey of the open source landscape we call our Best of Open Source Software Awards, or Bossies—those images of the lone visionary get a little hazier.
Don't get me wrong—there is still room for personal vision. As my colleague Serdar Yegulalp points out, one of today's most important open source projects, the Rust programming language, began as a side project of former Mozilla developer Graydon Hoare. Many other Bossie 2017 winners—such as Synaptic, Juan Cazala's neural network library for Node.js and web browsers—are likewise the products of individual developers and unquestionably labors of love.
[ InfoWorld presents the Best of Open Source Software Awards 2017: The best open source software development tools. | The best open source machine learning tools. | The best open source cloud computing software. | The best open source databases and analytics software. | The best open source networking and security software. | Stay up on open source with the InfoWorld Linux report. ]
But as you wend your way through our Bossie winners, you're bound to be struck by the number of projects with heavyweight engineering resources behind them. Many of these are handed down to us from cloud giants that are mastering the art of distributed systems, lighting the way in machine learning, or inventing better ways to build applications. Google isn't the only company living in the future and sending messages back to us. Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn, Lyft, Uber, and AOL are also reporting back from the web-scale front lines.
Elsewhere in the open source landscape, valuable engineering resources come together in a different way—through the shared interest of commercial software vendors. There is no better example than the growing family of big data projects at the Apache Software Foundation, which has been a steady source of Bossie winners over the years (including seven this year). It's a different model than the cloud-derived projects, but the result is the same: teams of top engineers creating cutting-edge software that is free for all of us to use.
No doubt the nature and origins of open source software will continue to evolve. Whether the best projects come from the independent developer or the open source industrial complex, you can count on finding them in the Bossies. Follow the links below to read about our 2017 winners:
Copyright © 2017 IDG Communications, Inc.

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Father took me to a place where the angels of God were created. It looked like a sea of stars and portals. A whirlwind of fire surrounded The Ancient One who is the creator of the universe. This event was so holy that I am not allowed to say too much of what happened here. I was undone by the creativity of this creation of the four stars or brothers. In the encounter below, you will read about Lucifer, Gabriel, Michael and the Healing Angel who some call Raphael. I do not claim to know everything, I just see in pieces as many other seers and prophets do.
Long ago, upon the shining crystal sea, lived four great angels. They were called the Four Stars. One was called Lucifer, the Morning Light. Another, Gabriel Messenger of Truth. The third was Michael Glowing Son of Fire. For his hair is like that of a river of fire. The last I do not know his name. But he was crafted with the stillness of the waters and his garments a flowing stream. Today, some call him the healing angel, but he did not say his name. To each of these angels was given great power by the Ancient One—He who numbers the days of man and crafted their souls. It was by His word of power that all things were given life. These Four Stars were crafted by the garment of His robe, thus their appearance was scintillating in glory. The Ancient One gave them dominion over the areas of angelic majesties.
"You will take what is mine and serve me with it," The Ancient One said to each of the angels. To Lucifer, He gave him the gift of sound…to fashion music—he would be a great cherub of light. The catch and guide worship like a ribbon of light. In this angel were vibrant, living, stones of glory. Other angels gathered around Lucifer in bright colors I have never seen before. They were given a multitude of voices that created vibrations in heaven. As Lucifer raised his voice, his golden wings were like the sound of stringed instruments. And He showed them the sounds of heaven by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Then the Ancient One turned to Gabriel and breathed upon the blue-star-like angel. The Ancient one gave this great angel a golden trumpet, and He said, "To all who hear you, may they be blessed. Go and speak truth to the heavens and the earth." Then as it was, a great company of angels surrounded Gabriel and he spoke to them the language of heaven with the mysteries of God. A great flash of lightning-sparked causing a brightness inside them.
Then the Ancient one turned to Michael and asked him, "How consuming is the fire of God?" Michael, whose eyes were like lighting, placed The Ancient One's hands on his heart and The Ancient One said, "Passion I give you Michael, but a gentle spirit will you become. May you stand in my fire and become the prince of the Angels." A crown was given to Michael in the form of a golden band embroidered with glowing emeralds and rubies around his head. His wings were bronze with fire upon them; thus they had become swift! There came to Michael creatures, strange in nature to accompany him. These were the appearance of winged lions and great bird like creatures made of the Glory of God; the Host crafted for war! Some were fiery white dragons of light, and there were winged horses blazing like a sea of diamonds. There were many of the hosts of heaven given to Michael's command, and with his shout, the heavens shook with praise!
Then The Ancient one turned to the last of the Four Stars and said, "Mercy, compassion, kindness, like a gentle river. Be filled with love…" And this great angel became like a rainbow—like mist from the magnificent waterfalls of heaven. He was beautiful with the eyes of an ocean. Then rising out of the crystal sea came angels of great beauty and wonder but you could see fresh water inside them. They smiled with joy! Their number was great while they resembled a fountain of life, healing flowed from their hands. To the great angel, he was given the power of encouragement to heal the broken heart and wounded body.
This was the beginning of the Four Stars…but one had fallen. The great morning light had left its place.


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24 Aluminum Diamond Plate Tool Box Truck Underbody Storage Lock WithKey, Silver
From CA And IN Warehouse. 24 Aluminum Diamond Plate Tool Box Truck Underbody Storage Lock W/Key, Silver. Our tool box is designed to save space and provide extra storage under your truck bed. This tool box is constructed of heavy duty textured aluminum for maximum durability. The door is reinforced with a weather-resistant seal for keeping your tools and items dry and safe. Fold down door provides full access. Built-in lock ensures all items are kept safe and secure. This aluminum underbody tool box is perfect for storing your tools in your vehicle or at home. Features Rigid Construction – Diamond tread pattern strengthens the aluminum for maximum durability Under Body Tool Box – This box conveniently mounts under your vehicle for space saving storage Weather-Resistant Seal – The door features a weather-resistant rubber seal for keeping all items inside dry and safe Protective Lock Cap – The lock features a cap which will keep water or duct from entering the lock, ensuring the locks performance for years Drop Down Door – Drop down door provides full access to the box Lockable – Built-in lock ensures all items are kept safe and secure All Purpose – Perfect for storing your tools in your vehicle or at home. Specifications: Color: Silver Material: Aluminum Position: Underbody Tread: Diamond Plate Key Included: Yes Overall Dimensions: 24″(L) x 16.9″(W) x 17.9(H). Package Includes: 1 x 24 Aluminum Under Body Tool Box 2 x Lock Keys. TheEveryMart is one of America top online suppliers of specialized Home Furniture, Home Appliances, Garden products, and High Quality Aftermarket Car Parts. For over 10 years, TheEveryMart has been providing customers years of insurmountable service. Our highly trained, professional staff provides in-depth knowledge and exceptional personal assistance to customers worldwide. Our number one commitment is to provide unbeatable service at unbeatable prices. Founded in the heart of Los Angeles California, our 400,000 sq/ft warehouse houses thousands of the most comprehensive collection of household tools, home & garden and aftermarket automotive items to fit any of your needs. TheEveryMart works closely with product manufactures, eliminating middlemen so we can pass the savings onto you. We look forward to building upon our tradition of excellence by continuing to provide exceptional products and services. From California – Los Angeles. From Indiana – Indianapolis. Protective packing materials will be added in your package at no cost if needed. Assures our customers that they will receive all orders promptly and exactly as described. Used items will not be accepted for return. Under no condition will TheEveryMart be liable for any damages, and in particular will not be liable for special, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages, or damages for lost properties, revenue or use, arising out of or related to the TheEveryMart account or the information contained within it, whether such damages arose in contract, negligence, tort, under statute, in equity, at law or otherwise. 8:00 P. EST 8:00 A. 5:00 P. We are online only. Who do I contact if I receive a damaged product? If your product is damaged, you may use the contact form provided. We have warehouses in California and Indiana. How long until my order ships? How do I cancel my order? You have 24 hours from the time you place your order to cancel. Do you deliver on weekends? Why isn't my coupon working? Your coupon may have expired. Only one discount applies per order. Are there promo codes / coupons available for me? As a member of the Belleze community, you may receive special discounts and promotional codes from time to time. You may also see discounts on banners and notifications on our web site. Do you have a showroom? We are only online at this time. Do you offer wholesale prices? We do not offer wholesale pricing. Do you offer any installation services? We do not offer installation services. I received an incomplete order missing parts, manual, etc. , what do I do? Why was my order cancelled? This listing is currently undergoing maintenance, we apologise for any inconvenience caused. The item "24 Aluminum Diamond Plate Tool Box Truck Underbody Storage Lock WithKey, Silver" is in sale since Monday, September 16, 2019. This item is in the category "eBay Motors\Parts & Accessories\Car & Truck Parts\Exterior\Truck Bed Accessories". The seller is "theeverymart" and is located in Rowland Heights, California. This item can be shipped to United States.
- color: Silver
- Brand: THE EveryMart
- MPN: Does Not Apply
- Manufacturer Part Number: Not Available


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Bucket List Trip: Catamaran Sailing the Belize Cayes with Raggamuffin Tours, Day Two & Three
Let me continue telling you about my catamaran sail from Caye Caulker to Placencia (north to south along the Belize barrier reef) with Raggamuffin Tours. Yesterday I had left off at the end of day one (here is the post)…we had pitched our tent village on Rendezvous Caye, did a bit of sunning and snorkelling on our own private island…
ate a delicious meal of baked barracuda with vegetables, curried shrimp, coconut rice, potatoes and plenty of rum punch.
I think I fell asleep at about 9pm and even the partying crowd didn't make it much past 10pm. Cruising, sunning, fishing, snorkelling and basically having everything completely taken care of for you is EXHAUSTING.
Plus, you knew that once the sun came up at about 550am, these tents were going to be HOT.
The next morning, coffee was served early and after some more swimming, we set out south for South Water and Tobacoo Cayes just before 9.
We stopped twice for snorkelling and swimming.
We waved to the lobster and conch fisherman who had their laundry fluttering in the wind…we didn't pass many other boats down here…
Spear fishing at a deeper channel (and serious current) through the reef paid off nicely. Here is the captain Jacob with a pretty hogfish.
Jacob has a cool story…half Belizean and half Californian, his mother came down from the states and fell in love with a Belizean in the 80s. He lived in California for much of his childhood but realized that Caye Caulker is the place for him. Great guy.
And then after lunch, we pulled up to our destination, Tobacco Caye. Nestled right up against the reef, this island was used to load and unload tobacco that used to be grown in the Mayan mountains of Belize way back when. Our captain, Jerry, was very good at keeping us informed…
As soon as we jumped off, I did a bit of exploring. There are a few "resorts" on Tobacco Caye. The best maintained and the only one with a room rented (one room) was the aptly named Paradise.
Very pretty and very basic cabins right over the water.
A bed, a breeze and a hammock that swings right over the water.
They do have a website. And apparently the trip to the town of Dangriga is only 30 minutes away. There are a few kids that live on the island and they all go to school in Dangriga.
And this area with cabins…that later I found we were staying in…
There are a few houses and bars…during the busy season, you could probably get a bit of a pub crawl going. There is the beach bar by the dock…
The Fairweather Place and another bar above it.
And then this intriguing sign…
I passed this boy cleaning his days conch catch.
All these seafood scraps attract lots and lots of rays to the caye. I saw eagle rays flapping and even jumping out of the water quite a few times.
Entire sections of the caye are literally surrounded by conch shells…a barrier reef of sorts.
A few more pictures.
The tiny gift shop.
And the tallest, healthiest most beautiful palm trees that I've seen anywhere in Belize. Fat with coconuts that you definitely do not want to stand under!
I really like this island. Super low key and just real. People working, fishing, living life. And see how close the reef is?
But I'll admit, much of my love has to do with the world's greatest dog. Meet Fermin. He lives on Tobacco Caye and is some sort of massive 8 month old Mastiff-Belizean Jaguar mix with paws the size of a grizzly beer. I spent a full hour watching this epic battle – Fermin vs. the White Gloved sand crab. It really could have gone either way.
And Fermin's face when he accidentally killed his opponent was priceless. He actually howled and cried at it. And then freaked out when a frigate bird swooped down and stole it from him!
Tee hee. I'm supposed to be telling you about a sailing adventure and instead you are getting a monologue about a goofy beach dog. I did promise to return for him but George, his owner, refused. DANG! I never should have mentioned that I'd "cut him" (or as we gringos say "fix him"). Fermin got a bit too amorous with some ladies legs.
Okay…just one more. Look at him being such a good dog when we eat…no begging at all. FERMIN! Don't listen to what anyone says…you are regal.
I settled on the dock to watch the sun set. Smelling our dinner lobsters grilling and watching this? Bliss.
Double bliss. The guys on this boat are some SERIOUS chefs. I haven't eaten so well and so much in a long time. And Charles' buttery garlic lobster cooked just enough on the grill? Honestly the best lobster I've had in Belize.
We ate like champions and settled in for the night in our cabins. There was talk of a dance party on the boat but I'm not sure anyone made it.
This time I was sleeping on the top bunk and rooming with my two new British buddies…but with a bit of electricity and a real shower? I was one happy camper.
The sun rise was equally stunning as the previous night's thunderstorm moved out…
We set off under sunny skies…
but as the day progressed clouds were filling it. Many tender sunburns could not have been happier.
Here is Charles…a very cool laid back guy who spent much of his time in the galley chop, chop, chopping to keep us well fed.
We stopped to snorkel around a totally mangrove filled caye and many just hang back to read, sun and relax…
A black cloud was coming and Captain Jacob gathered us onto the boat so we could get to a more sheltered area. Never shy Jerry got into super hero mode to add to the excitement. Sexy. But like he said himself…he can't help it if he's not ugly.
The wind picked up and the rain held off. It was really beautiful to watch the lightening crackling over the Mayan Mountains and over the reef. We ran to the back for the maybe 15 minutes of serious drenching rain but the sun was peeking back out for our cruise into Placencia.
And…sniff…sniff…getting off the boat. We lined up (I am in somebody's pictures) and this one guy was put in charge of 18 cameras.
Good shot.
Goofy shot.
Two ladies from London, a single traveller from Montana, three girls from Norway, an American back from Afghanistan, 2 couples from Germany, a Swede, 2 sets of American honeymooners (including one guy who went by the name "Sanders" after the Ian Ziering character in the TV show "90210"…see if you can pick him out), a crazy crew from Portland, Oregon, these people were easy, laid back and really good times.
These kids were so well travelled and adventurous, I almost felt like a backwoods rube!
And the crew…Jacob, Jerry, Charles and Shane were just the very best. Pros through and through. They were incredibly mindful of your comfort. Tuned in. If someone wanted the music turned down, if people might be thirsty or didn't drink alcohol, if you hadn't had a chance to spear fish or if you were getting a sunburn.
This entire trip is amazingly beautiful. Something that you will never forget. Honestly one of the very best things that I've done in Belize. I wanted the boat to turn around and take me again.
But a little bit of a caveat…you must be easy going, get along well with others and let those people see you at your 6am worst. Don't go unless you are willing to rough it a bit (like sleeping in a tent on the beach).
If you are not prepared to replace a few showers with dips in the ocean or get very very very close with your 15 new besties (who luckily are easy going just like you), then it might not be for you.
For all others? GO ON THIS TRIP! And quickly, here are a few tips.
Things I would suggest packing:
A mini-flash light or headlamp (there is really no light at the first stop and if you don't like feeling your way to the bathroom, this is VERY helpful! If you like reading in your tent, a headlight works great)
A Water Bottle – nice to have to brush your teeth. A small one that you can refill would be just perfect
SUNBLOCK – Don't mess around with SPF 8 or 10, you want to go 30+ and something that you can spray is always the most convenient. There is shade on the boat but with the snorkelling and just moving around, you are going to get a TON of intense Caribbean sun.
Your Music – The first day is a Raggamuffin Reggae soundtrack but then day two, you are invited to plug in your IPod for "International Music Day". If you like to share your tunes, bring them with you!
Beers or Other Alcohol – If, for some crazy reason, you do not like rum…rum punch, rum and cokes, rum and rum. Raggamuffin doesn't bring beers on the trip, I imagine because they would take up SO much room, but they are glad to pack yours on ice if you want them. I even brought my beloved. Sprite Zero.
And that's almost it. A few shirts, bathing suits and a towel and you are good to go. I brought lots of bugspray but didn't need it at all. And for all the details, the evening-before briefing will fill you in and everything you need.
You and your entire family want to book this sail for a family reunion, you and your friends want to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime sail or…you just want to go alone, like I did. Just go.
Check out Raggamuffin tours website for ALL the information and follow them. They have a really fun blog.
I'm still getting down from my Ragga-high.
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At its virtual Cloud Next '20 event, Google Cloud today announced Confidential VMs, a new type of virtual machine that makes use of the company's work around confidential computing to ensure that data isn't just encrypted at rest but also while it is in memory.
"We already employ a variety of isolation and sandboxing techniques as part of our cloud infrastructure to help make our multi-tenant architecture secure," the company notes in today's announcement. "Confidential VMs take this to the next level by offering memory encryption so that you can further isolate your workloads in the cloud. Confidential VMs can help all our customers protect sensitive data, but we think it will be especially interesting to those in regulated industries."
In the backend, Confidential VMs make use of AMD's Secure Encrypted Virtualization feature, available in its second-generation EPYC CPUs. With that, the data will stay encrypted when used and the encryption keys to make this happen are automatically generated in hardware and can't be exported — and with that, even Google doesn't have access to the keys either.
Developers who want to shift their existing VMs to a Confidential VM can do so with just a few clicks. Google notes that it built Confidential VMs on top of its Shielded VMs, which already provide protection against rootkits and other exploits.
"With built-in secure encrypted virtualization, 2nd Gen AMD EPYC processors provide an innovative hardware-based security feature that helps secure data in a virtualized environment," said Raghu Nambiar, corporate vice president, Data Center Ecosystem, AMD. "For the new Google Compute Engine Confidential VMs in the N2D series, we worked with Google to help customers both secure their data and achieve performance of their workloads."
That last part is obviously important, given that the extra encryption and decryption steps do incur at least a minor performance penalty. Google says it worked with AMD and developed new open-source drivers to ensure that "the performance metrics of Confidential VMs are close to those of non-confidential VMs." At least according to the benchmarks Google itself has disclosed so far, both startup times and memory read and throughput performance are virtually the same for regular VMs and Confidential VMs.


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Barbara's Story
Porcelain Veneers
I got eight porcelain veneers on my top front teeth. Prior to this procedure, I received the most thorough cleaning and screening on my teeth that I've ever had. The dental hygienist at Dr. Pollack's office (Kim) was gentle and caring. Kim was also completely thorough in teaching me the best way to brush and floss to take care of my teeth and gums.
The quality and expertise of Dr. Harold Pollack and his whole team are by far the very best I have ever experienced in a dental office. From the very first visit, I felt completely comfortable and at ease.
I am so happy with my smile! The porcelain veneers are beautiful and are so natural looking. Everytime I see my smile in the mirror it makes me feel wonderful! Thank you Dr. Pollack!
– Barbara G.


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- This event has passed.
Event Series: Family Story Time
Family Story Time
January 10 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am CST
Join Mr. Mark for an in-person Family Story Time drop-in program (no registration required). Held in the Board Room, we'll sing, dance, read some stories, and have a great time! Hope to see you there!


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Tips on Understanding Antique Furniture
Buying antique furniture can be a baffling, if rewarding experience, full of quaint spellings, misnomers and confusing names. Understanding what these mean will place the piece into its social context, taking the owner on a fascinating trip back in time.
Many antique furniture definitions are modern. Today, auctioneers and dealers go to great lengths to describe fittings, but in the 18th Century there was no differentiation made between, for example, different handle styles; often, they were only identified by a catalogue number. Manufacturers began naming their products in the 19th Century, when things got more competitive.
Tips on understanding Victorian furniture
While the Victorians were good at naming things, they were good at misnaming them too. A good example is the Grandfather clock, or the smaller, rarer, Grandmother clock. No antique dealer would use this term – both are longcase clocks – but the uninitiated are still more familiar with the name inspired by a famous old music hall song.
The mid-Victorian period saw an explosion of interest in the past, with many English oak pieces produced. Oak antique furniture is surprisingly rich in misnomers, which might have originated from dealers keen to summon up images of a more romantic past or make things appear older than they were.
Ye Olde Antique Furniture Shoppe
The joint stool, a rustic backless chair dating from the 15th Century, was simply listed as a stool in contemporary literature, but these days the full description is used. In old documents joint is often spelt as joyn'd, but both describe the way the chair is constructed. Incidentally, the term Coffin Stool came into vogue during the 1900s, inspired by a passage in the Samuel Pepys Diary, which first appeared in the late Victorian period. A back stool, incidentally, is another term for a simple rustic dining chair.
Another misnomer is the bible box, which is no different to any other oak box. While some were no doubt used to house the family bible, this was not their primary purpose. They were more likely to be used as sewing boxes.
Tips about tables
Anyone familiar with antique dining furniture inventory will have seen gate-leg tables, although the name itself is fairly modern. The correct period description is drop-leaf or falling-leaf table, as described in a 17th century inventory for Tart Hall. Drop-leaf is still in common use today, although not all drop-leafs are gate-legs.
The refectory table is one item of antique furniture that definitely sums up visions of a romantic past, one of mediaeval knights and chanting monks. However, this type of large, solid table remained in vogue long after the dissolution of the monasteries, while the Monks' Bench is entirely spurious.
Fold-away chair advice
Often, certain people or places achieve fame through furniture. The Savonarola Chair is a folding X-framed device named after a notorious 14th century monk who owned one. Yet the chair itself was common in Ancient Egypt and Rome. Likewise, the Glastonbury Chair is not unique to Glastonbury, or the Windsor chair to Windsor, come to that.
Many people buy antique furniture simply because they like the look of the thing, but it is so much more interesting to know the back-story.


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A Letter to the Narcissist – No. 63
76 thoughts on "A Letter to the Narcissist – No. 63"
I wish I could hold you and make things better for you Danny. This is terrifying. Sending Love and healing to you.
Hi Danny
When I read your letter this was my thought:
The girl that endured that is not you in totality. She is a part of you who came forward to protect and show the educated, beautiful, girl that cares but suffered from extreme hope-the REAL Danny, that the world has more to offer her than a complete monster for a husband or a father to your children. Dont be ashamed of her. Be grateful to her and honour her for protecting you enough to maintain the courage to come forward to acknowledge that is not love. Love her as you would love a child-as she loves you. Protect her and never allow her to be called to service to be abused again.
I agree Jasmine. Beautiful words and sentiment, Narc Angel, and very insightful. I hope Danny and other survivors treat themselves with as much gentleness, patience and honour as possible. This acts like an antidote to the poison that narcs infect them with. Logic and knowledge open our minds and eyes, but genuine loving care and honour soothe and replenish our traumatised hearts and souls and help us to see we need to honour our own selves.
My hearts hurts just reading this letter. I do thank you for writing it.How do we let this happen to us?
We don't "let" it happen. It is done to us, tiny bit by tiny bit, by a person we trust because we think they love us, and we do love the person we thought they were, we think we are helping them deal with their hurts.
Instead, they no longer feel those hurts, but do seek to reinflict those hurts on those closest to them.
I do believe that they dump their victimization on those closest, because they cannot be the victim. They must control, or they will be controlled, is their mindset. To be controlled is to be annihilated, so they must annihilate their victim with control over the victim.
The cruel gift the narcissist gives, is the lesson that not everybody has a good heart at their core, and we need to abandon that belief, as painful as that is.
But what they say about us is lies. You are not what he calls you. You are not what he forces you to do. You are not a degraded person, but the Narcissist must make you so in his mind to maintain his tenuous hold on his superiority.
I do recall those days of sitting on the back porch, coffee and cigarettes,never dressing in more than a ratty bathrobe, staring into space, crying, just vegetating with that thought, over and over: what the hell happened to me? how did I let this happen to me?
Yeah, I'm not "full speed ahead, and damn the torpedoes" just yet, but I am getting there. We are all on this journey with you,at different milestones and at different paces. I see you can remember yourself. You'll get there. too.With self love and understanding, you will move on.
Wish it could be now and instantaneous, but this didn't happen to you in an instant. It will take time to recover, bit by bit, as it took to bind you into his "mess".
Dear Danny,
I wish for you to know you are educated, you are tall, you are beautiful, you know how to be successful. You can care. You can feel. You can have hope. And your outlook will become that you now have a better future.
Much love and hugs,
Hi danny,
When a victim allows such horrible abuse, it is always linked to her childhood. I assume u were not loved as a child as u needed to be, thus u allowed it, slowly and gradually. My heart goes out to u. It must have been difficult to write this letter, but u did it danny! A big hug to u sweety💗
heartbreaking … my tears fall reliving so many sexual harassments that I allowed, those that at first seem imperceptible, to which I gave way … and that finally leave you hard wounds to heal … how to caress your soul from a distance Danny? how to tell him that he is not alone and that he is not the only victim of such horrible abuse, he does not feel ashamed to give in, we are involved in a false love of which we do everything possible to prolong at the expense of ourselves .
Dear Danny
Your letter is so heartbreaking that I don't even know where to begin. You are a beautiful person, you didn't deserve this horror and you are blameless. If I had a magic wand, I would wave it around and make it so this never happened to you. Wherever you are in this big-wide-world, I hope you stay here and heal from the nightmare that you endured with this monster. I am truly sorry he did this to you. With kindness and warmest regards, K.
Danny, this is a mantra copied from one of hg's books. It may help you to print out and tape it to your mirror..
1. He never loved me.
2. I loved an illusion.
3. He cannot be fixed, cured or redeemed.
4. He knew what he was doing and enjoyed doing it.
5. It was not real.
6. It was not real.
7. It was not real.
Say it often. Until you understand and believe it. As hg says: "The sooner you grasp these concepts the quicker you will recover. "
I think there is a lot of merit in that. We need to let go of what we thought and believed to be the truth – and REALLY understand that our truth was slowly warped. There is no shame in believing in the best of someone. xo
Danny, so brave a letter.
He was horribly demoralizing to you.
A sexual sadist.
You are correct, he felt powerless and he harassed your love and desire to please to empower himself sexually.
He will never be fullfilled.
You can be.
This letter is your release, a new healthy beginning.
His shame, is not yours to wear.
Hello Danny,
It takes enormous courage to write about the atrocities you suffered at the hands of that vile and repugnant beast. It must be hard to speak about all those humiliating and degrading acts you endured. I am so sorry you have been through this hell.
"…The time you came with me at the beginning of our relationship … and then you whispered in my ear, 'you're not going to recognize yourself when I'm done with you'…"
You can see his abuse was planned from the very beginning. If someone tells you such a thing, believe them and run. It was not something that just developed in the course of the relationship. They start testing our boundaries in a subtle way, one step at a time, and if we give in, they go for more until they have full control of our thoughts and our lives. There was absolutely** nothing** you could have done to stop him or to minimize the abuse. This is why the only way out is to cut off all contact with them and stay out of their lives.
"…good boyfriends and relationships for the most part. One that cheated but I feel everyone goes through that at some point in their dating life. Pretty normal…."
No, this is not normal. Healthy men who love and respect you will not betray you because they know this is wrong and will not want to hurt you. If there is something wrong, they will let you know about it. Both of you will either work on the relationship if there is something to be repaired or you will decide to put an end to it.
Healthy men do not call you names, do not put you down, do not humiliate or degrade you. They treat you with respect. If they ever do something wrong, not only will they sincerely apologize for their mistake but they will also change their behaviour.
The answer to why we choose disordered people to share our lives is in our primary caregivers. There we will find our original wounds and what makes us predisposed to being abused.
You are not to blame for what he has done to you. All the atrocities speak about him. He kept you imprisoned by controlling your thoughts. You say you still see him everywhere so you are afraid to go anywhere. You can get out of this hell. Your body was violated (and you will be able to heal) but your soul (your core) is intact.
I am glad you found this website Danny. Now you know the why and how and, more important, how to stay out of this abuse. Don't feel bad about yourself. Time will heal. I could never imagine that I would get over this (him), but I did. Go or stay No Contact and distract yourself, doing things that make you happy. Take care Danny. Big hug to you.xx
A very very strong, impressive and powerful text, Danny!
The narcissist I am/was involved with went through similar patterns of abuse with me, though part of it only fantasizing on whatsapp…
Urinating on me… (reality)
Calling me whore and slut… (reality)
Shaving me bald-headed…. in reality!!!
Forcing me to drink lots of alcohol and piss it out sitting on a chair while he is watching… (fantasy)
Destroying my clothes before having sex with me…(reality)
Wanting to watch another guy having sex with me… (Why on earth do they want THAT???) (Fantasy, Thank god!)
Wanting to watch me while he is having sex with another woman…(fantasy, Thank god)
I admire your strength in telling your story!
Hello URC!! Nice to see you back. This letter hit me the hardest out of all them. Finding yourself on the receiving end of such dehumanizing psychological abuse. I believe these men dangle whatever it is you hope most for in your relationship, whether a move with a fresh start in a new state, marriage, a baby, and use that as the leverage to have you "listen" and follow their commands in pleasing them, while they continually fail you and lead you to believe you're the cause of the goals and hopes not happening.
Like you, some of my experience, was done during "fantasy" talk, but starting to emerge more in person. It never starts off that way. It was a year 1/2 to two years before he starting asking for some really dark things. But getting called a slut or whore was becoming commonplace.
It's done so gradually, at first you think you're just having some extra naughty sexual play. Surely they know you and your heart and couldn't possibly really think you are really a slut or a whore. But then somehow you feel like you are spinning in a wheel to prove to them you really aren't those things, yet you are "listening" to be good and compliant and going along because you still get respites with loving or affectionate behavior. It is completely demoralizing. I experienced snippets of this and am so relieved to be the hell away from it.
I found Analise13's comments very comforting below "he harassed your love and desire to please to empower himself sexually".
I wish I could warn whoever ends up with my Narc next, but I know that is a waste. I never lived with him, but if this is what is referred to as a sadistic streak, he definitely was trying to cross that threshold with me. It was not to this extent, and that was painful enough.
Annaliese's comment could easily say:….
"he harassed your love and desire to please to empower himself"
..and be true for us all.
The sadistic side shines through when you SEE that they really want to hurt you … It can be because they admit it. You can hear it in their voice, see their actions or the hatred shining in the deep dark pit of the eyes. Evil incarnate
You are admired as well. More reality than fantasy. Hadn't you escape they would all be realities.
I hope and pray we know our value and worth, we are still role models to our youth and ourselves..
Love doesn't hurt, its not confusing, treat ourselves the way you expect others to treat us. Be our own examples.
Hugs and lots of love..
My Shero's…
What I admire and respect the most is the strength of spirit. To experience the horrible event/s and then survive having a balance after that is what that differentiates a mere human from a superhuman.
You don't see your own strength and a balance now, Danny, but believe me, they are definitely there.
Don't be ashamed by your horrible experience. Many women were/are abused in a such way, unfortunately. You aren't alone. Don't be silent. Talk. Share your own experience with other women who were in the same situation. Get rid of the "poison". That's what you do need right now. And then your own very good and very healthy (!) spirit will finish the job. Everything will be alright, girl. You'll shine and smile again soon.
P.S. "…Maybe that's why I allowed it, because I wanted YOU to feel like a MAN…".
I guess, you all understand what that really means, dear girls… Not red, but SCARLET flag.
Danny, It was very brave of you to write this letter! I imagine it all came back to you with each sentence you completed. I am so Sorry for all that you had to endure! Please be good to yourself, stay with all the wonderful people on this blog, they will not judge but will support you. Please reach out to HG! As much as I tease and torment him he knows without him I wouldn't of gotten through this. So yes I'm telling you to trust a narcissist! But not just any narcissist! He has helped more through his blog, books, and consults then any Dr., or counselors out there. You will get through this, your beauty will return, but most of all your heart will heal and you will once again find peace. I will keep you in my prayers. 🌷
Hi danny…first off giving you a (((hug))) you need it and lots of love from people who care about you. Youve been thru an awful lot!! Please do not for one minute blame yourself bc its not about blame its about understanding. Understanding why you would allow this. When you mentioned covert i was shaking my head bc this is outight overt abuse. This man physically and sexually assaulted you. Thats not covert. The things he did to you are some of the worst ive read about 🙁
You had a happy home life growing up? Did both your parents show you love and respect? Im asking bc it scares me to think this can happen without there being something that lead up to you needing someone like this so much that youd allow him to hurt you in the most unimaginable ways. Why did you need and want him so much? You couldnt of had any self esteem to have endured this. I know its gradual and these narcs push thru boundaries one at a time but urinating on you?, slamming your face into a mirror?, mashing your face on the floor? Please look really deep into why you allowed this. Its not blame bc weve all allowed the abuse and its not about blame its about why would we allow ourselves to be abused this way. His abuse wasnt covert it was out and out domestic in your face abuse. He put his hands on you and forced you to physically do things and he degraded you to your core. Step outside of your body and view what happened to that woman what do you feel? Shes not you shes someone else? Do you feel sympathy for how she was treated? Do you think she deserved that? No she did not! That womans you! You did not deserve to be abused that way.
Dont ever ever allow another person to do this ever again to you.
My heart goes out to you danny and i hope youve seeked therapy bc what youve experienced is major trauma. Be good to yourself and surround yourself with people who treat you with dignity and respect ❤ all the best to you!
Ty fir sharing bc this mustve been hard to relive xo
What says HG Tudor on this case? Were you ever this horrid? This narc sounds more like a psychopath
I can relate and I am sorry such a pig had you. My husband used to get off listening to me relive my.rape.story because he wanted to know if his c**k was bigger than the other guy. It is absolutely disgusting to think about this now and to see him as he is in his disgusting evil glow. I pray you find peace. I have the same issues as you describe. God is the only peace I have
Is it just me or other people see that this blog is the document that if true represents a case of punishable offense for torture and abuse? The author is a fugitive and the victims including the authors of the letters he publishes should come together and build the legal case against him. As an externality, you will also test his supreme qualities of "omnipresence and omnipotence."
From what he publishers, he appears to continuously abuse (and enjoy doing it) trust of those vulnerable, lacking confidence or otherwise caught up in a complex life situations. Women who exhibit some level of self-confidence do move on. And those who never look back don't even write the stupid letters. Hence, the "omnipotence" is a false construct along with "absolute power" – both are generalizations beyond imaginable and when corrected, reveal that the king is naked.
I feel that some of these letters are new beginnings for some. Writing about your experience can be very therapeutic. Some of these stories have never been told because some are too ashamed, dont have a strong support system, or have been made to be perceived as crazy by the perpetrator.
Nobody's being forced, they submit and write when and if they feel like it.
HG, I already know what mine would say. The fact that years later I am on some blog discussing the matter with others would only be proof in his mind that I was obsessed and suffered from emotional problems that stemmed long before I met him. He would wash his hands of all of it. He is the victim.
Are you saying that all the letter writers are connected to hg? That's a wild assumption if true
Nobody following this blog is at risk of being abused by HG, nor have they been.This blog is a part of his therapy and a service to those who have been affected by NPD abuse. You should be able to find the disclaimer explaining this.
I think you misunderstood my reply. I did not mean to imply he abuses US.
An HG quote from May:
"I do not choose an abuser as my victim because I am the abuser"
The point I was trying (apparently unsuccessfully) to make: He already admits what he is, there is no subterfuge.
Sorry for the confusion.
Did you even read what this blog was about? Scratch that, dumb question. I'm going to go out on a limb and say you didn't intend make an ass of yourself. It is probably not a habit of yours to comment on topics that you haven't mastered. You've successfully exhibited your ignorance regarding the dynamics of narcissistic personality disorder. Do you want a gold star ⭐ because you haven't had the pleasure of being raised by narcissists or been in love with one….because you can show up on this blog and claim to be so self-confident?
I'll have you know that therapists encourage letter writing without actually sending them to the intended recipient as a therapeutic exercise.
We're all healing here, HG included. My self-confidence will improve and so will everyone else's following this blog. You'll probably always be the same person inserting negative opinions without a lick of empathy.
The audacity you have….and others just like you…I'm so over it.
Now, you can kindly Go f@ck yourself Ms.Self-Righteous-Ann
Although I do not agree with Ann…. she was just expressing her opinion. No matter how wrong she might be she has the same rights you do. To be honest after reading your class act going off speech….I am left with the feeling that you are a bit self righteous yourself….just saying! Even though Ann's comments we're probably totally wrong reading your reply just pissed me off! The Gold Star comment was just going to far seriously. Oh and the Go f@ck yourself! Wonder how you would feel if someone said that to you miss priss!!! I bet your prissy in real life huh? Gold Star! Sorry just expressing my opinion sense you got to tell us how you really feel! The bottom line is we are all on this blog trying to understand what the fuck happened to us!
I find it interesting that the things you took away from what I posted in response to Ann were that I'm "self-righteous" and a "Miss Priss."
My perception was that Ann was not on this site as a victim so I perceived her as judgmental and critical of HG, myself, and everyone else with the lacking self confidence and complex life situations comments. To me, it felt as if she had never been a part of the dynamic and was insulting those of us that have.
The intent behind my comment was to stand up for myself, HG, author(s) of the letter(s), and the victims on this blog. I've put up with more than my share of criticisms, judgments, etc. in my 37 years and I imagine that everyone I felt defensive over has too.
When you call me self-righteous and Miss Priss, I must say, is a change for me. I'm almost certain you meant it as an insult, yet it was almost a compliment as odd as that may seem. I'm used to defending everything I am as a person, ruminating, and never feeling good enough.
Somehow, and I'm not even sure how to explain it….you've reminded me how funny perception is….and to consider looking at myself through other lenses besides my own and all the narcissists I've had in my life. 🧐🤓
This story is so sad this so called man is the lowest of the low I'm lost for words I went through a similar experience with an ex but not nearly as bad I know what it feels like to not want to get out of bed I hope you find healing and don't blame yourself anymore none of this was your fault
The letters to the narc is my fave feature on this blog but this letter made me cry. I am very sorry for what you went through and still going through. You are still a beautiful woman made perfect by God and no reject loser narc will ever dim your light. I can relate to doing anything so that the Narc won't leave. That left me with a lot of shame as well. Each person brings out a character trait in us. With the narc they bring out ugly traits that we didn't even know existed or were capable of enacting. You are exhausted and need to rest. It's ok if you can't make it out to the supermarket. Baby steps. Little bit at a time. I hope you have some support system. I remember being in such a state of anxiety and depression and someone saying to forget about him and think of the poor Syrian refugees instead. For someone who has never been through this it is very hard to understand what it is like. Keep going to therapy and keep reading HG. I tried everything. Therapy, antidepressants, yoga, praying novenas, smoking weed. They all work great. One thing I did change was stop drinking and stop social media. It helps clear the fog, and makes you see things realistically – he is not a man, and nothing you can do can make him feel like a big strong sexy man. He is a lost soul, living a life sentence in his own hell. He cannot feel for anyone- his mother, sister , grandmother no one. I asked my narc once what he would do if anyone ever treated his daughter (19 yrs) as badly as he did to me or worse – what he would do? He was absolutely blank. He had no reply. Think about that. They are just machines. Appliances as well. No feelings.
Hugs and prayers to you tonight. Xoxo
Mannnn! Sounds more like an abductee situation then a relationship or boyfriend. This guy sounds like an abductor who has his victim chained in the basement while he abuses her. This does not sound at all like a relationship. Sounds like a hostage situation. Because I can promise any freak on earth that if you pee on me and I'm not in an actual cage or chained with actual chains, I am out of there! Sorry but I fear the man in this senario would be in danger! Just sayin! I can only imagine the fury that would ignite within me and the pure hatred that would befall his slimy ass existence and he would be wishing he NEVER met me! Fucking promise! To God!
We all have things we wouldn't put up with, or might. I read a letter about myself (to someone else) that described me as "someone that would probably deny it if he had thrown a brick at my head" … harsh, but pretty accurate.
The sad thing about abuse: it sneaks up on you. I think hg describes it well (can't remember which article) but he states plainly: the abuse wouldn't work if they just came out and smacked someone (sic) It's the whole package. The seduction, the magical golden period, THEN the devalue and abuse. It is slow, it is insidious, and yes.. It is cruel.
True once your cognitive dissonance occurs. A person doesnt know if they are coming or going. Its like living in a fog or hazy state. I can easily say if he'd pissed on me i would have done this or that. But, I stayed after broken nose and black eyes lots of physical abuse and the covering up was worst. Lying about the visible scars. Imagine no respite, just continuous abuse.
I have come off as victim shaming in the past. It takes a lot of courage to reveal these most heinous acts. No one should make her feel shame about her experience.
What Danny need is love, support, resources and tons of cyber hugs.
Danny, I admire your strength to put your story together in such a heart wrenching way and maintain your dignity and respect. Turning your mess into a message that i know will help thousands of young women and men around the world.
May the next chapter in your life be filled with all the love and joy your can hold.
I am sorry to hear that you went through that. Im not in any way trying to judge the author of this letter. So sorry if it came off insensitive or like I was judging. I will say to read this letter did however enrage me to the Narc who performed these deeds and although it is true that I have not experienced that level of evil in a relationship thus far doesn't mean I don't feel for this author. Indeed I do feel for her and would have probably done all of the things I said but thats only speaking for myself. Me imagining myself in that scenario.So yeah was just overcome with fury when I read it. But no I do not want to be insensitive or judgmental.
Thank you I will survive.
I totally understand what you are saying. Sometimes when I read these posts by hg I just want to scream!.. and the letters.. they are sooo painful. It's heartbreaking and infuriating, all at the same time.
Hopefully we all will heal, in due time. I worry about the ones still involved.
Best wishes to you ❤
I am not in any way victim shaming! So save the guilt trip, its wasted on me! As I said to Jasmine I was simply describing what I would do in the situation and moved with fury at the Narc. So if your comment to Jasmine was trying to take a jab at me then its a wasted effort. I know what I meant by what I wrote and I was not in any way feeling any negative feelings towards the writer of this letter. I am not in any way trying to insinuate that I would be a better or less better victim!…..ANYWAYS!!!
I am very sorry that you have experienced such horrible abuse. This is not your shame to carry. It's his. The feelings of guilt, shame and humiliation are his. He just doesn't want to face them.
I hope that you will continue with therapy (if you have stopped going) and I hope that you will be able to move on and find peace and happiness.
Hello Danny,
this is a very good letter.
You will get out of this state as slowly and gradually as you have gotten into the abuse. I know it seems like it will never happen or will take forever, but it will with time.
I understand, I know, how it is with the anxiety when going to the store, e. g.. I takes small steps. I'm often surprised when somebody is just being friendly to me out there … but there are nice people, more often than not.
I didn't trust anyone, didn't dare to go anywhere … and when I did, I often got disappointed and hurt. Just remember that you can (learn to) deal with it, and also that noone can read your thoughts or see the inside of you.
You can find safe places, even if it's for a very short while. I, just for example, felt safe with my raja yoga (that is meditation, which I highly recommend) teacher. There were other people at that place, too, who were not good for me, but I knew they couldn't get to me there. So I learned that it is possible to go out there again for a short while, and with time I went to other places, too.
I once took a huuuuge step and told a "friend" about what happened, and he blamed me, believing the exnarc, not me, which didn't exactly renew my trust in other people. But we can all learn to deal with it; and not to feel down etc. because of stupid people. The more you understand about narcissistic ways, you won't have to react anymore.
I had to learn to talk to myself very nicely, to be gently with myself, to take one step at a time, to encourage myself, … sometimes I even told myself that nothing had been real, only a dream, …
There are some tools and tipps out there, I'm sure you've seen yourself stuff on the internet. To me, it's just important to remember it at the right time, like, to take a reminder with me. Also, to tell me on bad days, that it is only for 30 minutes that I had to go to the store, promising myself a reward, …
I have learned to evaluate new people, to see and to test, who I can trust; I also have learned that bad guys have no power over me.
You will, too. Sometimes, it really takes courage, but with each successful step, it gets better, it's a learning process. My boundaries are sky high now, but I decide now consciously, who I let through.
I also did some confrontational therapy so to speak, for myself, as this is one method to cope with anxiety. Like, asking the exnarc about stuff, calling him out, confronting him … going to an event where he was, too, even though I felt sick with anxiety. I also met and tested other narcs in a safe way.
I know, this is easy to say, but over time, I also did stuff again I used to enjoy, and didn't do anymore after narc, like dancing, jogging, … I suppose such activities seem far away, out of reach at the moment, but you will get there.
I think you've done a very good thing to write about your experience, and feelings, and how you feel now and to share it. I hope, you will get your sense of self, and power, and control back soon, as you know yourself: that scum of the earth is not worth it. I'm sure you must find him a very low creature by now, you are so much stronger and infinitely better. So, try to give yourself some love, and be gentle and patient with yourself.
In hindsight, I also think I really needed some time hidden away, it was also a phase of mourning, of understanding, of licking my wounds, … so, don't be hard on yourself.
What you describe about your ex shows a very spineless person with no ability to stand stable on his own two feet at all. What kind of person would need to put someone else down that way? Obviously it took some effort to try to debase someone even lower than he is. You couldn't possibly have known this before he showed this side of him, how could you have anticipated this … You trusted him in a normal way and then he dragged you down bit by bit, … that is his doing, nothing you had asked for, so, I hope that you won't suffer any longer than necessary. That kind of relationship hadn't been your choice, but you can choose now.
Dear Danny,
Wow, what a great letter. Thank you for writing it and sharing your story. My heart goes out to you and I'm so sorry you were treated that way. You deserved so much better. I'd like you to know that you are still educated, tall, beautiful and successful. No-one can take those things away from you, no matter what they do. He is the one who should be embarrassed and ashamed, not you. You hoped and trusted that things would turn out well if you did what he wanted. Please don't blame yourself.
I could fully relate to your feelings of utter exhaustion and not having the energy to leave your bedroom where once you were hopeful, tenacious and full of life. Please know that your tenacity and hopefulness will return and you will regain your energy. When I felt hopeless and exhausted, I found it helped me to focus on self-compassion. There are some good videos on YouTube about self-compassion by Kristin Neff among others. Be kind to yourself and speak to yourself in the same way you would speak to a dear friend.
You've been through a rollercoaster of emotions and to make matters worse, your memories are tinged with feelings of shame. It's a double-whammy of emotional wounds that were inflicted on you.
You are not alone in asking yourself how you let it happen. It happens to so many and as you say, it's slow, subtle and really sneaks up on you. I think it's a lesson empathic people need to learn before they become aware of what narcissists are. Please don't blame yourself.
Thanks again for sharing your story and all the best to you.
Oh Danny! I so relate to your letter, your abuse, your guilt and shame! He was your only Narc? He's certainly seems to be one of the worst sexual and emotional abusers!
My most recent Nex, my most damaging was very similar to yours. I once asked him why he called me a particularly vulgar name and he said, "because I can." He was right. I let him. Accepting his abuse doesn't make me a bad person; he's the abuser! It makes me a good person with bad personal boundaries. Remember, they choose us because of our core Empathetic traits: trust, honesty, decency, equality, fidelity, tenacity, healing and love. Then they abuse us at our core!
I'm so very sorry you experienced that level of abuse! It is horrific, I know. I'm re-reading Exorcism and am finding it very helpful, 3 weeks post disengagement. It describes a process for deleting your Narcissist from your heart, mind and life. I pray we all find strength, resolve and peace after our Narcissists!
Oh no, Danny, when I read about your treatment, it infuriates me and vengeance springs to mind. He degraded you in the lowest form. I hope you recover quickly and well from your horrible experience with that animal. I often ask how people live in silence like this. His new girlfriend will experience the same as you!
I'm so sorry. I feel for you so much. Your story is so familiar. This guy really scares me. He legit sound like he will end up killing someone.
I'm so sorry, Danny. This enraged me. I'm so enraged that I can't think straight – I hate, hate, hate this guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He's a shell of nothingness. And you're a survivor…a beautiful survivor. Wish I knew you in real life, so I could hold you and let you cry, or scream…or just feel what you do, in silence.
You will always be special. You will always know how to care about others, and to love others. He could never take your beautiful soul away.
I usually avoid reading things like this, because I feel like I just can't take it. But I felt I really needed to read your letter, and get through it — in case anyone I know (or encounter) goes through something like this. So you helped me take a step forward, in being stronger for someone else. Thank you, Danny.
You are so very brave.
Much love,
You know what Danny? Your story makes me cry. I feel so sorry for you and for what you've been through. That's horrible and soul wrenching sexual abuse. Your story really gets to me, I recognise a tiny bit of it (mine called me whore and slut as well in an accusatory way that had nothing to do with playing games together; and I was so devastated by those ugly words that I for awhile didn't know how to undress again in front of him) and he liked sexual games as well, but we were both in on it. The thing though that touches my heart is that you saw his insecurity and his vulnerability. I did too. I wanted him to feel wanted, like a man, I wanted to protect him from himself. Who was protecting us?It's so sad. I do hope you're getting the help you need to get through this emotional disaster xx
And that picture; it reminds me of a large bird cage in a hotel here in Sweden where I used to stay sometimes with my ex. It's this kind of decadent French style hotel and my ex used to jokingly threaten to place me in the cage if I didn't obey him. I haven't thought about that until now. Scary image.
You are still educated. He can't erase that. You are still tall. Hold your head up high for escaping this rotten piece of sh*t. Beauty can be restored with rest and a bit of self love. In time, away from that daily, degrading conditioning, your outlook will return as you can embrace peacefulness. You are still raw and coming out of shock as you process what you endured which was exhausting enough just trying to endure while living it.
That was a brutal existence. My heart goes out to you.


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An all-Australian team for the 2009 Tour de France has taken a step closer to reality, local media said on Wednesday, after Australian businessman Tony Smith recently pledged 20 million US dollars [10 million pounds] over a four-year period to help set up the squad.
Australian riders such as Robbie McEwen, Cadel Evans, Stuart O?Grady and Michael Rogers have given the country a high profile in the Tour in recent years. Evans second place overall this summer was the best result ever for his country and the new team is interested in drawing on such a huge wealth of talent.
Sydney?s Daily Telegraph was told in a recent interview with the project?s chief executive, Paul Varcoe, that ?the pieces are falling into place. We always believed it would happen and this [Smith?s pledge of 10 million pounds] is a significant step in proving it will.?
Varcoe said they planned to start negotiations with Evans, McEwen and Rogers. ?It?s something that Australian cyclists have wanted for a long time.? However, another sponsor, not to mention the backing of the Federal Government, are two important pieces currently lacking from the project before it can hit full gas.
National squads are looking more and more viable for the Tour de France, whose organisers, ASO, have already stated they could reintroduce the concept for the 2008 race. British Cycling are investigating the viability of backing a ProTour team, perhaps as early as 2009.
The news about Australia?s future all-local squad broke on the same day that the future of Swedish ProTour outfit, Unibet.com, is due to be decided. Unibet.com have one British rider, sprinter Jeremy Hunt, in their line-up.
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Summer Reading Project
I wanted to post on some of the odd things that I've found at the library lately, but my roommate, who has my scanner hooked up to his computer, didn't scan the stuff right. And I'm not going to go and edit each and every one of them until they are right. I suppose I'll just have to scan them myself sometime. Then I'll be able to post about these odd things.
So, you may have read about my summer plans in the previous post. If you did, or if you didn't (it really doesn't matter), then you can see here that I've made a list of books I plan to read for the summer. My summer reading project is supposed to consist of 12 books for 12 weeks, but I found it hard to narrow the list down. I may have to do a little extra reading this summer. Anyway, here's the list (in no particular order):
- Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities - Alexandra Robbins
- Ecology of a Cracker Childhood - Janisse Ray
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2) - J. K. Rowling
- "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" - Beverly Daniel Tatum
- The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis
- Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream - H. G. Bissinger
- Neuromancer - William Gibson
- Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert M. Pirsig
- The Autograph Man - Zadie Smith
- On Beauty - Zadie Smith
- The Complete Novels of Jane Austen Volume 1: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park - Jane Austen
- The Winter of Our Discontent - John Steinbeck
This is what I've narrowed the list down to so far. I might even read a few extra. I still have a few other books by Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, and a few other John Steinbeck books left also. I've let my to-read shelf on my bookshelf get too full.
Well, I've got to stop typing now because my stupid "L" key on my keyboard keeps messing up and not typing for some reason. I have to hit the key 2 or 3 times for it to work. That's just what I need, a computer problem.
Oh, I got the "L" key fixed. That was a close one. I seriously almost went mad for a few minutes there. L…L…L…L…L…L…LLLLLLLLLLLLL


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The deadline has passed for public submissions to the Scottish Parliament committee who considered the new tail-docking regulations. Over 1000 people signed our petition calling for tail-docking not be introduced in Scotland. Unfortunately, the majority of MSPs voted against public opinion, animal welfare and veterinary organisations and the tail-docking ban will now be weakened in Scotland.
For more information on our current live campaigns click here - http://www.onekind.scot/campaigns


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Naturally, summer is a common time for heat stress to occur. But heat-related health issues can actually occur year-round.
As an employer, you are likely aware that, under the right conditions, heat stress can occur indoors or outdoors at any time of day or night.
Because heat stress is so common, the Ontario Ministry of Labour has released its own handbook of guidelines to help employers comply with Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) regulations.
Here at Shipton's Heating & Cooling, we have learned a great deal about how to protect our staff from heat stress while complying with OSHA regulations. We often consult with employers to ensure temperate and safe worker conditions through optimising commercial heating and cooling systems.
In this post, learn valuable tips to reduce summer heat stress for your workforce!
What is Heat Stress?
The first step to successfully managing heat stress in your workers is necessarily one of education. In other words, if your employees don't know the common early warning signs of heat stress and what to do to alleviate symptoms immediately, the danger to their health increases.
Here is a list of the most common heat stress-related health hazards:
Heat rash
This red, itchy, raised rash often develops on the body in places where clothing rubs against skin and causes friction and blocked pores and sweat glands. Common places include the waist, wrists, inner thighs, under the arms, and around the neck.
Wearing looser clothing can definitely lessen the risk of heat rash, especially if work requires a lot of bending and moving that can cause more friction.
Heat cramps
Heat cramps are actually caused from too little sodium in the body rather than from over-exertion. However, the cramps are most likely to arise in muscles that are being used intensely. The big danger from heat cramps is that they may develop later, long after your workers' shifts are over.
Drinking plenty of water with electrolytes to stay hydrated is the best way to guard against heat cramps. Taking regular stretch breaks during work shifts can also be beneficial.
Heat exhaustion
As its name implies, heat exhaustion occurs when excessive exposure to heat has weakened the body system to the point where it cannot cool or rehydrate itself without help. This is a potentially serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Early warning signs may not initially look like a heat-related ailment—the worker can feel short of breath, nauseated, or even cold. Blood pressure and pulse may be erratic or low. Vomiting may occur. Vision can become blurred. While offering fluids and a cool location for rest can help, a doctor should be called right away.
Heat stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious and dangerous of all heat-related health issues. Simple heat exposure can cause heat stroke, but most workers contract it after intense exertion in high heat or humidity conditions.
With heat stroke, the body's own inner cooling system stops working. The person may pass out or have body convulsions. Emergency medical attention is required if heat stroke is suspected.
How Can You Guard Against Worker Heat Stress?
Not surprisingly, heat stress is less common among experienced workers than among workers who are still acclimating to the demands of a physical job.
This is because experienced workers have learned how to pace themselves, and also because their bodies have had time to acclimate to higher heat and humidity conditions.
Newer workers are therefore at greatest risk of heat stress because they may not even realise they are experiencing symptoms of heat stress. Here, education plus pairing newer workers with more experienced workers can help to reduce the danger of heat stress.
There is much you can do as an employer to reduce employee risk of heat stress.
Control against excessive heat and humidity
- Provide adequate venting of heat sources (hot air, steam) away from worker sites
- Provide increased air circulation and ventilation (floor fans, ceiling fans, heat recovery ventilation)
- Install heat-blocking protectants (radiant barriers, insulation)
- Mechanise assistance (automation of certain repetitive work tasks to reduce physical exertion)
- Provide humidity control (dehumidification)
- Improve air cooling (air conditioning, adequate ducting)
Standardise work uniforms
- Allow lighter-weight, loose-fitting work clothing in warm, humid summer months
- Encourage sizing up when choosing work uniform size
- Light colours are more reflective of heat
- Long sleeves and long pants are more protective to skin
- Sunlight-reflective headwear and clothing can help
- Opt for air-cooled (ice, water, air) protective clothing over vapour-barrier clothing
Stage workflow
- Optimise workflow to schedule highest-exertion activities during cooler times
- Implement mandatory worker rehydration and rest breaks
- Install complimentary water and electrolyte beverage dispensers
- Add to your workforce to reduce exertion per worker
- Educate your workers to detect signs of heat stress in self and co-workers
How Shipton's Heating & Cooling Can Help
Our expertise is in optimising your commercial HVAC system for peak efficiency and affordability.
By doing a thorough analysis of air flow and circulation, humidity levels, ventilation, ductwork and HVAC insulation, we can optimise your existing HVAC system for maximum cooling to protect your workers from heat stress.
We can also make recommendations for low-cost, high-impact additions, such as strategic placement of ductless A/C units in work areas not as well-served by existing HVAC systems. Our commercial-grade dehumidifiers and heat recovery ventilators have also helped many employers control workplace conditions to reduce on-the-job employee health incidents.
Give us a call at 905-549-4616 to schedule your complimentary consultation or visit us online at shiptons.ca.
P.S. Right now, when you purchase any new furnace and A/C combo unit, you will also get a free air duct cleaning!


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I stopped by GoodWill on my way home to see if I might find a cute container or two to package up the baked goods, and I struck gold.
I found a set of six matching little buckets for $2.99...exactly enough buckets to make lil' presents for my department friends at work!
I filled each bucket with shred, and cookies, and added a sweet little tag that I created on my computer, and candy cane striped ribbon. Today we are going out for a holiday luncheon and these are going to make charming little gifties for each of them!


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Omega, Ragnarok is a "Max Level" deluxe release that includes multiple outfit parts so that you can create all of the different looks for his tiered in-game appearances. Ragnarok is part of the Harbinger set alongside his counterpart Valkyrie (who is still the line's lone female figure). Let's check this guy out after the break...
Height: 6 inches
Articulation: Hinged toes, swivel/hinge ankles, double
hinged knees, thigh swivels, swivel/hinge hips, waist swivel,
balljointed mid-torso, "butterfly" pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep
swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, hinged fingers, hinged neck, and a balljointed head.
Accessories: 3 interchangeable face plates, 4 interchangeable hands, 2 bracers, helmet, 2 pauldrons, 2 greaves, chest strap, cape, chest armor, belt, Permafrost harvesting tool, and Thermal Scoped Assault Rifle.
Non-Scalper Price: $30 dollars
* The base figure of Ragnarok is a big, bald, muscular dude with some runic inspired tattoos that kind of look like snowflakes. He's like a weird blend of the German mechanic from Indiana Jones and Jack Frost. He's a fairly basic figure, but that's the point: Just like the old Kenner quick change Batman figures the idea is that you take this basic figure and "level him up" through all of his in-game looks!
* Ragnarok is a pretty rough looking due. He's got blue hair (there's even a light spray on the pate of his head to depict his closely shaved hair) and icy blue eyes. He's also sporting a really cool mustache that just gets more and more epic.
* While the various armored bits will impede his movement some, at this base Ragnarok is incredibly well articulated. Heck, even his hinged fingers (which are the on thing about this line I just don't like) work really well. He's another very well made toy in this line.
* This is Ragnarok's Tier 1 look. It's just the basic figure with a couple of leather straps around his shoulder. The leather straps are one piece but they do look like separate pieces. They also match really with with the sculpted belts on his waist and the leather straps around his wrists.
* For his Tier 2 look Ragnarok adds on an armored cuirass underneath his leather straps, a belt with a padded waistcoat, and new hairdo. The cuirass is made from a very flexible plastic that fits over his arms and easily closes in the back. The belt is much the same: It simply goes around Ragnarok's waist with a hidden peg in the front to buckle it. These fit on quite easily and both look really good on the figure. The size is perfect!
* Ragnarok's new Tier 2 hairdo features a very trendy half haircut (or whatever you call this particularly style) and a nicely shaped longer beard. Again, this is another face plate that simply fits onto the head of the figure.
* I like the viking drinking horn on Ragnarok's belt. It's not removable (it's glued on) but it does add a cool little bit of extra flair to the figure.
* For Tier 3 Ragnarok adds on a few new pieces of armor to the figure as well as a longer beard. Ragnarok has armored greaves that plug into holes on the front of his boots, a second set of armored hands with spiked armored plates, and a spiked pauldron on his left shoulder. Everything stays on quite well and changing the hands out is very simple. The hands feel quite sturdy, too, so I had no fear of breakage.
* Ragnarok's third and final face plate has the same hipster haircut but this time he's rocking a longer beard. It's even braided!
* Ragnarok's 4th tier outfit can't quite be replicated here. He has armored bracers on his forearms (which, looking at it, might actually be part of the 3rd tier outfit) that simply slide over his forearms when you remove his hands and a new cape. The cape is very cool as the outer facing side of the material has a pleather-like feel to it and a cool, mottled texture. It plugs into the hole on Ragnarok's back (the hole is accessible through the cuirass) and it looks fine. There is supposed to be a second plainpauldron added on to the right side, but that plain pauldron isn't included here. That's not too big of a deal, though, as you'll get something cooler in a second.
* For Tier 5 Ragnarok adds on this massive bony helmet. He also now has a translucent beard and long flowing hair in the back (also blue, also translucent), although that's part of the helmet sculpt. You can put the helmet on over his standard face plate but I found it easiest to put the helmet on the figure with no face plate present. This thing looks really cool and definitely makes Ragnarok at least 8 times more fearsome.
* To reach his Tier 6, place the bone armored pauldron on Ragnarok's right shoulder. Boom! Done! This guy looks great, doesn't he? I wasn't a huge fan of Omega, as his armor was a paint to put on, but Ragnarok is a lot of fun to armor up. You can also mess around to give him his own unique looks, too, which is fun. He definitely reminds me of Kenner's various "quick change" figures such as the various Batmans and Robins they made, or even The Shadow. Remember that one?
* Ragnarok, like Havoc, includes the Thermal Scoped Assault Rifle which, at one time,
was one of the rarest weapons in the game. It looks a little bit stubby,
but that seems to be a stylistic choice. The weapon seems like a strange for Ragnarok, but I guess in Fortnite you pick up whatever guns you can find. This rifle actually has a new camouflage paint scheme which makes it even cooler than Havoc's rifle.
* Ragnarok's Permafrost harvesting tool suits him much better than his rifle. It's a fantastic looking weapon with metal spikes and translucent blue blades, giving it an icy look. This is a great weapon for a viking inspired warriors and the paintwork really makes this feel like something special. Seriously, there's a lot of detail on this accessory.
* While most of the time I'm sure the figure will be covered with armor and such, the Ragnarok base body definitely makes the joints various noticeable. I'm not sure what could have been done to disguise these, but Ragnark definitely has that very segmented look that some super articulated figures have.
* Like some of the other figures where the face plate attaches to a regular head, the seam between the face plate and the head is very visible. From the side this is quite noticeable and it just ends up looking kind of off.
* Looking at the character's eyes in the game (or in stills), it seems that Ragnarok's eyes are meant to glow. Here, they look too similar to his beard. If the eyes had more white in them I think it would have helped break things up a bit.
This is the first figure of Ragnarok I've reviewed. For more Fortnite: Legendary Series figures check out the following:
DJ Yonder
Molten Battle Hound
Omega: Max Level (Purple)
Rabbit Raider
Rust Lord
Skull Trooper
Skull Trooper (Purple Glow)
The Visitor
Wild Card
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Sunday, March 1, 2020
Action Figure Review: Ragnarok: Max Level from Fortnite: Legendary Series by Jazwares
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Skinny Roast Potatoes Recipe
By the wlr team
Try this skinny version of classic roast potatoes with your Sunday roast this week. Baked with no oil so there's no extra fat. Low in calories and low in fat.
- Recipe makes: 4 servings
- Prep time:
20 mins
- Cook time: 1 hr
- Calories: 138
per serving
- 700g baking potatoes
- ½ tsp salt
Want to try different ingredients?
You can add this recipe to My Recipes in WLR and swap ingredients to make it perfect for you . . .
Preheat oven to 200°C / Gas Mark 6 / 400°F
- Lightly grease a heavy baking tray or shallow roasting tin.
- Peel the potatoes and cut into pieces.
- Put the potatoes into a pan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Drain the water from the pan and shake the pan vigorously for a minute to fluff the outside of the potatoes.
- Place potatoes on the tray, sprinkle over salt and cook in hottest part of the oven for an hour.
|Calories (kcal)
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You'll find hundreds more recipes for vegetables in WLR, plus you can use the tools to easily calculate the calories in your own favourites, give it a try!
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50 Real Food Recipes for Under 500 Calories. Just cook, serve and enjoy
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Movin' On with Nellie: A lesson for every story
There's a lesson for every movie & story we watch and read.
This weekend I watched the 2016 Disney version of Pete's Dragon with Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, and Oakes Fegley who was the boy named Pete. One of the messages in the film sounded a lot like a message from Moby Dick (any version will do.)
One character in the Disney movie was out for the money and fame that capturing a green dragon would bring him. He was willing to get others to lie, cheat and steal for him. The young boy Pete was enamored with the whole of life and all of nature represented by Elliot, the dragon.
In Herman Melville's tale of a whale named Moby Dick, Ishmael becomes the only soul who respects the great white whale, which represents all of nature in the tale of revenge. Gavin (Karl Urban) the greedy brother in Pete's Dragon is like Ahab in that he too is driven by revenge, money and fame to destroy the dragon.
Both tales are instructive tales about letting greed and narcissism override morality and decency. We see that Pete carries the movement in the story along with his grandfather, played by Robert Redford. Pete is lively, curious and trusting. He is open to the notion of worlds unseen which is exactly what nature is. Worlds unseen.
If you were to ask Bill Nye the Science Guy, I'm pretty sure he would agree because on first glance at any backyard one sees lawn and dirt. Not much to sneeze over or roll around on. It's under closer inspection, perhaps even with a magnifying glass or a microscope, that the young would-be scientist discovers hidden creatures, the creepy crawly kind.
Raccoons, rabbits, hawks, eagles are just some of the wildlife we find in Colorado. But in back yards there are also those worms, "rolly-poly" bugs, ants, dragonflies, bees, caterpillars, butterflies, moths and in some backyards, a praying mantis or two. These species are hidden from our sight until we inspect closely.
Elliott, though mythical, gallops about like any undiscovered creature might and with those human qualities of thriving and growing. Moby Dick, the great white mystical whale, likewise, is swimming around minding his own business when the Pequod, the ship, comes upon him.
Moby is trying to live; but he is being harangued by a madman, none other than Ahab, the captain of the Pequod. Slaughtering the whales for the blubber, the fuel for lamps throughout the world and especially America, is a big operation. The reader finds that the sailors fall into the vat of sperm whale, knead the blubber and quickly wallow into their expensive finds. Herman Melville capitalized on the push to claim all of North America under Manifest Destiny and symbolically portrayed that in these chapters as the men caught and filleted the whales.
This destructive image is found in many tales of greed as in Ebenezer Scrooge counting the coins, King Midas hording, or the king in the story of Rumpelstiltskin. We see this notion in Lord of the Rings, as well, when the characters are pulled into the ring's drama. More recently, we see a similar cautionary tale in Avatar and the destruction of forest.
Now when government movements are to abandon the Environmental Protection Agency and no longer safeguard forests, national parks, animals on the endangered list (and habitat), I find that Pete's Dragon emboldens the cause to protect the earth. And parents, just so you know, this movie probably will make your children more aware of habitat issues over supper tonight.


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Getting Organized for Fall – Part Two
10 Simple Rules for Organizing Closets of all Sizes. Follow these simple steps to create a space where things are easy to see, easy to reach and easy to wear! Whether you have a reach-in closet or a walk-in closet, the closet and storage specialists at Space Age Shelving Burlington are ready to dive-in and […]Read more »


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It sounds like a cliché, but Omanis really are exceptionally friendly. Everywhere we go, people strike up conversations with us. You can't walk past someone without saying hello, and they will often add "How are you?". This afternoon in the pool a small child stopped me to tell me how well I was doing with my swimming, and we had a lovely chat. She admitted that she herself can't swim, but encouraged me to keep practicing!
Wadi Darbat
Wadi Darbat is one of the most popular sites in Salalah, and, during the Khareef, said to be Oman's most spectacular waterfall. We drove inland, up fairly windy roads into the mountains. We knew we had arrived when we saw lots of cars and rows of stalls selling everything from ice creams to insect repellant. What a stunning scene – cascading waterfalls, tumbling over moss-covered rocks, and surrounded by dense forest teeming with birds.
Wadi Darbat Again
Wadi Darbat is quite long, and we had noticed an unmarked road leading towards what seemed to be a lower section of the waterfall. We found a small parking area and followed what started as a path but soon became scrambling over rocks – a little challenging for our aging knees & hips but so worth it. I will let the photos speak for themselves, but be assured the colour of the water is just how it looked. Stunning!
This was the path.Interesting place to fly a kite!
Ayn Athum
With plans to spend the day seeing waterfalls, we headed to Ayn Athum, also promising to be one of the most beautiful and popular waterfalls in Salalah. I don't know whether this has been a particularly dry Khareef season, but the waterfall was entirely non-existent, dry, waterless, absent. Still, it was an interesting visit, as the years of intermittent waterfalls have created striking patterns in the cliff, a so-called Travertine Curtain. The setting was still green and lovely, so although the lack of water was disappointing, it was still worth the trip.
By now we had been chasing waterfalls for around 5 hours, and we were so hot. It's hotter in Doha, but I don't go hiking on summer days there! The hotel pool called us and we spent a delightful afternoon swimming and relaxing by the pool, listening to cricket on the radio. Go Aussies!


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Manglajodi is a remote hamlet in the Khorda district of Odisha. The wetlands of this relatively unknown place is an extension of the Chilika lake, the largest lake of India, and hosts migratory birds who fly from as far as Siberia and Mongolia to spend their winter at the lake. Odisha Tourism with the help of the locals have successfully converted this place into an ecotourism destination and a paradise for bird lovers. I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful place in what would be my first trip of 2019.
How to reach Manglajodi? Manglajodi is about 75 kms from Bhubaneswar which is well connected by air, rail and road routes. From Bhubaneswar you can hire a private taxi. If you are little more enterprising, you can catch a bus going to Balugaon from Bhubaneswar and alight at the Tangi bus stop. From here you can hire an auto rickshaw to the ecotourism center. You can also take a passenger train to Muketashwar railway station and hire an auto rickshaw from there.
Best time to visit? November to March
At Manglajodi, you need to hire a boat (maximum 4 people per boat) which costs 1200INR for 2 hours and comes with a boatman and a guide who help spot the birds and provide some basic information about them. The ticket for the same are available at the ecotourism resort and on spot. The best time to watch the birds is early morning, so try to reach there by 7 AM.
I started late from Bhubaneswar at about 7:30 AM and took a passenger train. Since my train didn't had stoppage at the Muketashwar railway station, I alighted in the next station (Kalupara Ghat) and found my way to Manglajodi from there. I booked tickets from the ecotourism resort and reached to the boating point in an auto rickshaw. By the time I started the ride, it was already 10:20 AM. As the boat ventured into the marshy wetlands, we could spot hundreds of colourful birds, some from very close quarters. The guide had a binocular with him and a guide book which had pictures of the birds, name of the species and other useful information about them. Although not a specialist by any means, the guide was still very useful for an amateur like me. In his and the boatman's absence, I would have never been able to spot the subtle difference between the hundreds of similar looking birds. We also discussed about their lifestyle in the village and what they do during lean months when the birds are not around. It is heartening to learn that the village transformed from poachers to protectors and now for them these birds are a part of their lives. However, this change was not easy and it took few bird enthusiasts led by Nandakishore Bhujabal who formed an organisation called Wild Odisha to bring about this change which transformed Chilika lake for the betterment of everyone.
We slowly ventured deep into the wetlands as the boatman pushed the boat tough shallow water channels using a bamboo pole. The boatman occasionally stopped at places to allow me click some good photographs. At one instance, he halted the boat and pointed at a grey heron holding a fish with its beak. Sailing though the silent, tranquil wetlands you will feel absolutely calm and relaxed. There will be hundreds of egrets, jacanas and herons all around you. Some exotic species of birds that you will definitely come across are brahminy shelduck, purple heron, cattle egret, pheasant tailed jacana, northern pintail, bronze winged jacana, grey heron, etc. along with a host of other migratory and domestic birds. There were some egrets who completely ignored our presence as we approached near them and few even turned to glance at us as if posing for the camera. I was absolutely mesmerized for the entire 2 hours. I clicked lots of photographs of these beautiful winged creatures.
If you are a photography enthusiast, carry the best of the photography equipment with high zoom lenses and you will be in for a treat. If you are one of those you clicks pictures on cellphones, don't waste your time, just absorb the serenity and beauty of the nature.
I was impressed by the conservation and ecotourism activities undertaken by the government to promote Manglajodi as a tourist destination. Most people visit the other side of the lake where there is an island (Nalabana island) to see the migratory birds. However, given the high density of the birds and specialized conservation efforts that island is restricted to the public and visitors have to watch birds from a boat halted about 200 meters away from the island. So Manglajodi is slowly evolving as an alternate destination to watch these birds in their natural habitat from a much closure distance.
After the trip ended, I went to the Tangi bus top and from there, I boarded a bus to Balugaon. There is a famous dhaba in Balugaon named Chilka Dhaba which is popular for its sea foods. I heard quite a lot about this dhaba in the past and since I was there, I didn't mind putting some extra effort to have my lunch there. However, the quality and taste was not as expected and I must say it was an underwhelming experience. I boarded a bus to Bhubaneswar from Balugaon and reached around 6 PM.
It was an eventful day and I had a unique experience. After this trip, I developed a liking and interest in the winged souls and in future I would definitely plan to go bird watching in other natural habitats in other parts of the country. I hope you liked this post. Please share your feedback in the comments section below and more importantly, if you happen to visit Puri or Bhubaneswar in the winter months, please visit Manglajodi as well; you will definitely not regret it.
I would end this post by sharing few more pictures of the beautiful birds that I clicked at Manglajodi: