text:
Oh, the outrage!
Julian Assange should be "hunted down" and killed for revealing American government secrets. WikiLeaks is "illegal." Julian Assange has destroyed America's diplomatic efforts to make the world a better place. WikiLeaks is a "terrorist organization." Julian Assange is (basically) killing innocent people to further his own evil aims.
All this because someone has published some mildly embarrassing information that some people wish hadn't been published.
It's funny how it's all fine and good for the media to publish confidential information that embarrasses people that everyone hates (greedy corporate executives, for example). But when it comes to patriotic American diplomats or soldiers...
Remember the Pentagon Papers?
Aren't you glad the New York Times had the balls to publish them? So are we. And the same with just about everything else that has ever been published that some powerful people didn't want published.
But now WikiLeaks has apparently crossed some Maginot line that now threatens our national security. We are now being told that, thanks to the evil Julian Assange, some American diplomats no longer allow notepads in meetings, for fear that WikiLeaks will eventually publish them.
This, we are told, is hurting America's efforts to make the world a better place.
Unless what is being discussed in those meetings is something that can't withstand public scrutiny (secret cash payoffs, bribes, assassination plots, etc.), our diplomats should have no fear of being "exposed."
As almost everyone noted when those cables were published, there wasn't really anything in them that was particularly shocking or embarrassing. Our diplomats apparently weren't doing sleazy, criminal things to advance our interests. They apparently weren't lying to the public or our allies. They apparently weren't paying mercenaries to kill leaders we don't like. Etc.
Overall, it was a good spot check--a sort of surprise DUI roadblock on a Saturday night, just to make sure that there aren't some folks in this country who consider themselves above the law.
If our diplomats recognize that they might be held accountable for their actions--and conduct themselves accordingly--we'll all be better off. And the same goes for everyone else that WikiLeaks is "exposing" (including the military).
So enough with this gnashing of teeth about how WikiLeaks must be stopped. WikiLeaks is just the messenger here, not the agent. WikiLeaks is just doing what everyone in the press always says is the reason we should have press: Digging up information that powerful people don't want you to know.
(And the fact that it's doing this much better than the press is probably responsible for much of the outrage...).


text:
Find an Arby's in Albert Lea Near You
1 Arby's Fast-Food Location in Albert Lea
Looking for a fast food restaurant near you? The perfect sandwich is ready and waiting right here in Albert Lea. How does a Classic Roast Beef or French Dip sound? Why not make it a meal with one of our perfectly curled or crinkled fries and a crisp, refreshing beverage? Sounds good to us.
Arby's has been serving up mouthwatering meals since 1964—and we're not slowing down any time soon. From the Classic Roast Beef to savory Sliders, your Albert Lea Arby's has everything you've been craving. Need more to love? Snag crispy chicken sandwiches, creamy shakes, or our famous curly fries. Finish your sandwich off with your favorite sauce and toppings, and you've got a winner in your hands. That's right, your search for "roast beef near me" is at an end. Find an Arby's near you in Albert Lea today.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
By Lale Mamaux, Communications Director
and Marlene Kaufmann, General Counsel
In August, staff of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) traveled to Damascus, Syria and Beirut, Lebanon and met with government officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and religious groups regarding the Iraqi refugee crisis. While it is estimated that approximately 1 to 1.5 million Iraqis have fled to Syria and 50,000 have fled to Lebanon, they are not living in camps, but instead are a mobile population scattered throughout Damascus and Beirut as well as in other urban areas. That fact has made this humanitarian crisis virtually 'invisible' to the international community, but not for those Iraqi refugees who remain stranded, jobless, and deprived of essential services with conditions worsening by the day. This deepening crisis threatens to further destabilize the entire region.
As the years in exile drag on, Iraqi refugees are becoming more and more desperate and depressed. Those who fled with some resources have by now seen those assets depleted and are reliant on services provided by international organizations and NGOs working in the region. Syria and Jordan host the largest population of Iraqis and do not permit them to work, although many find jobs in the "informal" sector making them targets for exploitation and abuse. As a result, fewer children are enrolling in school as their parents send them out, instead, to find whatever work they can on the street. More women are prostituting themselves, desperate to provide for their children, and domestic violence and alcoholism among this population are on the rise.
The bombing of the Golden Mosque of Samara in 2006 led to a mass influx of Iraqi refugees fleeing to Syria, where according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 30,000-60,000 Iraqis were crossing the border each month. In October 2007, the government closed its borders to virtually all Iraqis and imposed stringent visa restrictions – requiring Iraqis to apply for visas at the Syrian Embassy in Baghdad. Since February 2008, Syrian immigration sources indicate that the flow of Iraqis has stabilized once again.
According to UNHCR, it has registered over 216,000 Iraqis as refugees. Since January 2007, UNHCR has identified over 7,800 at-risk refugee children or adolescents from Iraq, 95 unaccompanied or separated children, and over 5,900 women at risk. Additionally, in 2008 it identified at least 300 survivors of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
Many Iraqis arriving in Syria are moving into areas such as Masaken Barzeh, Saida Zainab, Jaramana, and Qudssya as well as to other urban localities outside of Damascus (in Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Deir Ezzor, Lattakia, Tartous and Hassaka). Iraqis have placed enormous strains on Syria's economy and infrastructure and caused an increase in the cost of living (i.e. rent, food, fuel, medical assistance). As Iraqis financial resources continue to diminish and desperation sets in, they face homelessness, child labor, early marriage, and survival sex. With many Iraqis too afraid to return to Iraq due primarily to the personal violence they have experienced, there is more pressure among aid organizations to cope with increasing needs.
The Syrian government under the direction of the Ministry of Education allows children from Arab countries living in Syria to attend school. Schools run by the government are free of charge. Currently, according to the government, there are approximately 55,000 Iraqi children enrolled in Syrian schools, a significantly smaller number than was expected.
While the admission of Iraqi students is relatively low, it has nevertheless put a substantial strain on an already overburdened school system. The Ministry of Education estimates that there are now 60 students per class and they are working as quickly as possible to build larger schools in order to eliminate the need for children to attend classes in shifts.
Basic education in Syria comprises grades 1-9 and school is mandatory until the age of 15. However, if a child has been absent from school for two years they are not permitted to enroll. Unfortunately, this is the case for many Iraqi children in Syria who have not attended school since they fled their homes. Other factors contributing to parents' hesitancy to enroll their children in Syrian schools include fear of being located by authorities and deported, harassment of Iraqi children by other students, and the fact that many Iraqi families in Syria are quite mobile, moving frequently among neighborhoods.
With so many Iraqi youth not in school, many NGOs have expressed grave concern about the future generation of Iraqis who will lack an education and who are hanging around on the streets with nothing to do. Clearly, these young people could be susceptible to influence by groups or individuals who may not have their best interests in mind.
Responding to the influx of Iraqi children in school, UNHCR is working in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) to encourage enrollment in school. In addition to providing school supplies and uniforms for Iraqi children, UNHCR and UNICEF are working with the Ministry of Education to train teachers and counselors to work with these traumatized children.
For example, there are reports of some Iraqi students coming to school with knives and other weapons in their backpacks, and of their sometimes "acting out" in a violent manner — symptoms of the trauma they experienced in Iraq and during their flight to safety. Unfortunately, these behaviors generate resentment and sometimes violent responses by other students. Currently, the Ministry of Education is only able to provide one counselor for every 250 students.
Commission staff also attended a graduation ceremony at the Greek Orthodox Ministry in Damascus for 100 Iraqi children, grades 2-7 (ages 6-12). This was a graduation from a summer program where children participated in activities such as arts and crafts in an effort to express themselves and relieve some stress from the trauma they had faced in Iraq and the uncertainty of their situation in Syria. The graduation ceremony consisted of presentations from teachers and counselors as well as singing and skits performed by the students.
Health Care:
Commission staff met with the Syrian Assistant Minister of Health, who described the burdens on the health care system as a result of the influx of Iraqi refugees since 2003. The health care system is comprised of 1600 clinics and 70 hospitals, 5 of which offer services free of charge to Iraqi refugees. The Minister estimated that support for the health needs of the refugee community costs the Syrian government an estimated $150 million per year.
The government is particularly concerned about communicable diseases and therefore has a mandatory vaccination program for all children. Despite substantial contributions from the European Union, UNHCR and UNICEF during the past two years to establish additional clinics and fund vaccinations, the minister estimated that only 5% of the health needs of Iraqi refugees are being met. Particularly critical are the strains put on services for kidney disease, including dialysis, and heart disease. The minister explained that these services were already quite limited for Syrian citizens. Since 2003, according to the minister, anyone needing heart surgery essentially has to "take a number and wait."
The minister indicated that with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO) the government is also trying to address the increasing psycho-social needs of Iraqi refugees. Two hospitals, one in Damascus and one in Aleppo, are offering these services.
Trafficking in Persons/Shelter:
The Syrian government is undertaking initiatives to counter human trafficking and is in the process of establishing a shelter for victims of trafficking. Beginning in 2005, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) began holding educational workshops and invited Syrian officials to attend. A governmental committee was formed in 2006 to address trafficking issues, however progress was slow. In 2007, private sector experts advised the committee on counter trafficking measures and, as a result of this public-private partnership, anti-trafficking legislation was drafted. The legislation was endorsed by the committee in late 2007 and was sent to Parliament in June of this year.
In coordination with other partners, IOM began raising money for a trafficking shelter. The Netherlands contributed $30,000 Euros, and UNICEF gave $30,000 (USD). The Syrian government has allocated a space for the shelter, however it is in need of major renovations, which are currently under way. The shelter is expected to open in the next 3-4 months and will serve all populations, not just Iraqis.
Iraqis, especially women who arrive in Syria as the head of household with no financial resources, are facing extreme circumstances. Since the Syrian government does not allow Iraqis to work, increasing numbers of refugees have resorted to child labor, survival sex, and offering their daughters for short-term or weekend marriages, commonly referred to as "pleasure marriages" to make ends meet.
More women and children are facing Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGVB) by their husbands' or the male head of household. UNHCR, in coordination with partners UNICEF, IOM, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and United Nations Development Program (UNDP), are working together to assist Iraqi women who have been physically or sexually abused and are in detention. UNHCR is also supporting several safe houses located in Damascus that help abused Iraqi women and children.
The Good Shepherd Sisters:
Commission staff also met with Sister Marie-Claude Naddaf of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Damascus in order to learn first-hand of the critical work that she and her community have undertaken in support of Iraqi refugees. Sister Marie-Claude described the suffering of the Iraqi people that she sees every day, those who have fled under threat of violence and arrive in Syria in an already traumatized state. Because of the circumstances and the uncertainty of their situation in Syria most Iraqi refugees, including children, suffer from severe stress and depression.
Focusing on the needs of children, the Good Shepherd Sisters, in concert with UNHCR and other organizations have provided summer camps outside of Damascus for refugee children to play and relax in a peaceful venue and escape the stresses of their daily lives. The sisters also provide extensive educational and recreational programs for adults and children throughout the year in a community center in Damascus, and have taken the lead in establishing a shelter for women and children and a hotline for abused women. Commission staff also visited the shelter and met with several of the women and children who reside there.
Distribution of Food:
Food distribution is conducted by the World Food Program (WFP) and UNHCR. Refugees in Syria receive their food and financial distribution every two months from either the Douma or Saida Zeinab distribution centers. The distribution schedule is communicated to refugees through short cell-phone messages, information posted on boards in the Douma Distribution center, or by postings on the food distribution website: http://unhcr.un.org.sy/food.htm
WFP provides the following basic commodities in their food baskets: 12.5 kilos of rice, l litre of oil, and 2.5 kilos of lentils. UNHCR provides the following complementary items that coincide with the basic commodities provided by WFP: 1 kilo of sugar, 200 grams of tea, 1 kilo of pasta, ½ kilo of tomato paste, 1 kilo of bulgur wheat, and one box each of soap and washing detergents.
In addition to food distribution UNHCR also provides a seasonal distribution of mattresses and blankets. Those Iraqis living outside of Damascus who have registered with UNHCR are able to call a hotline to find out dates and locations of food distribution.
Stories of Iraqis in Syria:
Commission staff met with Iraqi refugees serving as outreach coordinators for UNHCR to gain a better understanding of their hands-on work in the community. The coordinators have a direct line of communication into the Iraqi community in Syria, including with those who have not registered with UNHCR, and they serve as a trusted go between for UNHCR and the community. During the meeting the coordinators spoke of the dire circumstances facing Iraqi refugees in Syria and also shared their personal stories. One coordinator explained that her husband was killed in Iraq and that one of her sons was picked up by U.S. military personnel and another son was kidnapped by a militia group – both were tortured. Fearing for her life, she fled to Syria. Another coordinator told staff that three of her cousins were killed by U.S military personnel because they were accused, wrongly according to the woman, of being terrorists.
In addition, staff participated in a resettlement interview with an Iraqi family at UNHCRs Registration and Distribution Center in Douma. The family had owned a jewelry store in Baghdad and fled Iraq after one son was kidnapped and beaten by his captors. After this incident, the family first fled to another neighborhood in Baghdad where they thought they would be safe. However, shortly after the move their home was raided by militia who gave them three days to leave or be killed. The family then fled to Syria. The father made his way to Sweden, while the mother was left to care for her four children in Syria. During the interview it was revealed that the family has now been in Syria for two years, their savings are almost completely diminished and the mother is working as a seamstress to try to make ends meet. The youngest child suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after a gun was pointed at him during the raid on their home in Baghdad. Only one of the four children has attended school in the past two years and only for several months because she was severely bullied and harassed by the other children.
Lebanon, a small country of 4 million people, has opened its doors to 50,000 Iraqi refugees, many of whom came after the 2006 bombings in Samara. Roughly 51 percent of Iraqis in Lebanon are Shi'a Muslims, 19 percent are Chaldean Catholics, and 12 percent Sunni Muslims. UNHCR has registered over 10,400 Iraqis since June 2008. In 2007, UNHCR resettled 450 Iraqis to the United States, Sweden, Canada, Australia and other countries. They expect to resettle 1500 refugees in 2008.
Iraqi refugees in Lebanon face many challenges, however it is a better economic environment than in other host countries. Unlike Jordan and Syria, Iraqis in Lebanon can work if they obtain a work permit.
The educational needs among Iraqi children in Lebanon are quite dire as 42 percent have not completed elementary school, 40 percent of Iraqi children between the ages of 6 and 17 are not enrolled in school due to the high cost of tuition and the need to help provide for their families. It is estimated that, in 2007, only 1,200 Iraqi children were enrolled in school.
Health care needs among Iraqis remain constant and medical care cannot be easily accessed in Lebanon due to its exorbitant cost. NGOs and other charitable organizations are able to provide coverage for only 24 percent of serious medical cases.
As Commission staff found during a visit to Jordan and Turkey last March, many Iraqis in Lebanon are experiencing psycho-social issues due to the stress of their displacement and the unstable environment they encounter in their host countries. This stress has contributed to a rise in domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse among the refugee population.
Migrant domestic workers in Lebanon are a vulnerable group as well with an estimated 200,000 in the country, approximately 100,000 who arrived illegally. These domestic workers are primarily women from Southeast Asia and Africa – Sri Lanka, The Philippines, Ethiopia, and Madagascar – and are brought to Lebanon by employment agencies working in those countries. These agencies frequently promise "fee paid" employment in a secretarial capacity or in sales. The agencies typically charge the employer $1,500 to bring the domestic worker to Lebanon. Upon arrival, many employers take the women's passports; force them to work long hours, frequently without pay; and often abuse them. Unhappy about how their people are being treated, the Philippine and Ethiopian Embassies have placed restrictions on employment in Lebanon for their citizens.
Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center:
Established in 1994, the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center (CLMC) has as its mission "to strengthen and protect the human rights of migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in Lebanon." To date, the Center has assisted more than 100,000 individuals through services such as social and legal counselling and assistance; humanitarian, medical and emergency assistance; orientation seminars for migrants; temporary shelter and safe houses; summer camps and other recreational activities; vocational training and reintegration programs, as well as advocacy efforts with the public and relevant government agencies.
In the early 1990s, CLMC worked exclusively with migrant populations, primarily Sudanese. Iraqis began to arrive in 1997, primarily from the Shiite and Christian communities, seeking work and resettlement in Europe or Australia. In 2003, the number of Iraqis entering Lebanon increased substantially and many sought assistance from CLMC. With funding from the U.S. government, CLMC began a program to provide medical support to the refugees, many of whom were suffering with cancer and chronic diseases and had no access to public medical facilities in Lebanon. CLMC negotiated with public hospitals and clinics to establish a treatment program for the refugees. They were also able to arrange reduced-cost treatment with some private hospitals, particularly for those afflicted with cancer and heart disease.
CLMC also provides a wide array of educational programs for children and adults. Most Iraqi children are unable to attend school in Lebanon due to the language barrier. Many also frequently "act out" aggressively due to the psychological trauma caused by their circumstances. CLMC provides informal classes and vocational training for children, as well as summer camps where counsellors work with the kids in a relaxed atmosphere to address their unique psychological needs.
CLMC undertakes assistance programs for women as well. To date, they have held 160 seminars to train outreach workers for the migrant worker and refugee communities and as a result now have 800 women working in locations nation-wide. The Center has established a shelter for abused women and one for victims of trafficking (described below).
In coordination with UNHCR, CLMC provides legal assistance to the refugee and migrant worker community. They currently retain two full-time and ten part-time attorneys and have successfully prosecuted a substantial number of abuse cases on behalf of those who have sought shelter with CLMC. In addition, as described below, Caritas, working with UNHCR and other NGOs, successfully negotiated an amnesty for detained Iraqi refugees, giving them the opportunity to seek employment and regularize there status.
Detention Facility Visit:
Commission staff visited a detention facility operated by the General Directorate of General Security (General Security) – the governmental authority in Lebanon responsible for the legal status of foreigners in the country. The facility holds those Iraqi refugees and migrant workers who entered the country illegally and are without documentation. It is located under a freeway in downtown Beirut and was constructed from a parking garage. The conditions in the facility are deplorable, yet are much improved from several months earlier, due in large part to the work of NGOs, such as the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center (CLMC), in coordination with General Security.
The air-intake vents, only recently installed through the efforts of Caritas, circulate air into the underground facility. Unfortunately, due to the center's location under the freeway, the air is filled with exhaust from automobiles traveling above. Inside, fans are placed throughout to further circulate the air into the cells where detainees are held. There is no sunlight, lighting is very dim and temperatures are extremely hot in the summer and cold during the winter. The facility contains 13 cells with roughly 40 individuals housed in each cell. Detainees sit on the floor of the cell on mattresses which also serve as their beds. They are allowed to leave their cells, but not the detention facility, on very rare occasions – such as laundry detail or to receive medical treatment – and never leave the facility until their release. There is a bathroom and a separate shower in each cell which are enclosed; however there is virtually no privacy.
Women are housed together according to their nationality and men are housed alphabetically. The average length of stay can range from one month to over a year, depending on the length of time it takes to arrange deportation or voluntary departure.
CLMC has played an instrumental role in helping to improve the dire conditions of the facility. Prior to their intervention, detainees had no bathrooms, showers or mattresses to sleep on. Furthermore, they were unable to have their clothes washed and were living in utter filth. Working closely with General Security, CLMC now has several full-time staff working 24-hours a day in the facility with detainees. Additionally, CLMC was able to put bathrooms and showers in each cell, provide mattresses for each detainee, purchase a washer and dryer to clean the detainees' clothes and bedding , and provide 3 hot meals per week.
Human Rights Watch released a report in November 2007 entitled, 'Rot Here or Die There: Bleak Choices for Iraqi Refugees in Lebanon,' showing the conditions that Iraqi refugees face in Lebanon if they are without documentation. In response to the report and pressure from other NGOs, General Security agreed in 2008 to release all Iraqis detained for illegal entry and allowed them to go through the existing regularization process once released. UNHCR, in coordination with its implementing partner Caritas Lebanon, supported this directive by assisting refugees with the initial regularization fee of $600, as well as providing legal advice and counseling. After being released, Iraqis have 3 months to regularize their status which requires them to find an employer who will sponsor them for a work permit. The government has recently extended this period to 6 months with the overall number of arrests declining. This decision benefits not only Iraqi refugees, but all foreigners including refugees and asylum seekers of other nationalities who have entered Lebanon illegally.
Visits with Iraqi families:
Commission staff had the opportunity to visit Iraqi families in their homes in eastern Beirut. The families shared their tragic stories with staff and the circumstances in which they are living in Lebanon. While all expressed relief to be safe from the violence in Iraq, they are faced with a great deal of uncertainty about the future and a severe lack of resources. Their compelling stories follow:
CASE A: Hana has 4 children. She is the head of her family since her husband was kidnapped in Iraq. The family came to Lebanon legally in December 2007. Hana's eldest son was in his first year of medical school in Iraq when he received many threats. One day, while walking home from work, her son and his friends were attacked and her son was shot in the arm, his friend was shot in the face. Hana's son was able to make it to the family home; however, they had no medicine with which to treat his wounds. Hana's husband went to the pharmacy for medicine and was kidnapped, never to be heard from again. The family searched relentlessly for him in hospitals and police stations to no avail. With no news, a family member urged them to leave the country immediately for fear of another attempt on the life of the son. Hana's son is currently incapacitated because of his injured arm, however he was able to receive reconstructive surgery in February. Only one family member is currently able to work and the income is insufficient to meet their needs.
However, during the visit Hana informed Commission staff that the family had just been notified by UNHCR that their case was approved for resettlement to the United States.
CASE B: Rita, mother of 2 boys, is the head of the family since her husband was kidnapped in 2006 while she was pregnant. She came to Lebanon legally with her unmarried brother in June 2008. Her husband was a driver for the U.S. military. He received threatening letters, but never took them seriously. Rita's mother had fled to Lebanon before her daughter after her own husband was murdered. Rita's brother was traumatized by his father's death and suffers from psychiatric complications. The family has no financial resources. Just two days prior to the meeting with Commission staff Rita had found a job in a textile factory working from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
CASE C: Rana is a widow and the mother of 3 children. She came to Lebanon legally in May 2008. Her husband was a driver for the Christian Archbishopric in Iraq and was murdered in February 2008. Rana is severely traumatized. She is unable to care for herself and her children or to provide for them financially. Rana's mother, who lives with her, suffers from cancer; she will be leaving soon for the United States. Rana hopes that she and her children can also be resettled to the U.S. with her mother.
Caritas Shelter for Victims of Trafficking:
In 2003, Caritas began implementing a program funded by the U.S. Department of State (G/TIP) for victims of trafficking. The program involves extensive cooperation with the General Security agency in Lebanon. According to Caritas, women migrant workers who are victims of trafficking have access to a safe house where they are able to escape their situation and consider future options, receive medical care, basic needs assistance, trauma counseling, legal aid, and counseling for future options in a supportive environment, and possible return to their country of origin or to a safe work situation in Lebanon. A 2005 survey conducted by Caritas/IPSOS found that 55 percent of migrant domestic workers in Lebanon face physical abuse, 39 percent are verbally abused and 17 percent are sexually abused.
During the visit, staff met with a woman who had been brought to Lebanon to work for a wealthy family and faced unimaginable torture and abuse. As she recounted her story, she trembled with fear of the horror that she lived for five months before escaping. Upon arriving in Lebanon, her passport was taken, she was forced to work long hours without pay and was typically fed very little food. She was locked inside the house when the family for whom she was working was not at home. In addition to facing the aforementioned abuse, family members would take turns holding her down on the floor and burning her bare skin (body and face) with a hot iron. After enduring this severe trauma and torture for months, she escaped one day when the family was not home by jumping from a second story window. She has been living in the Caritas shelter since her escape.
The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC):
ICMC is the U.S. State Department's representative for processing refugees in Lebanon and works closely with the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and representatives of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in the conduct of screening interviews for those Iraqi refugees and others who seek resettlement to the United States. Just prior to the Commission staff visit, a DHS "circuit ride" of interview staff had been in residence at the Embassy compound conducting security interviews under very difficult circumstances – for both DHS and embassy staff. Security concerns require that all interviews must take place on the Embassy compound. Due to substantial space limitations and to ensure privacy for those being interviewed, Embassy and DHS personnel are required to operate in shifts, some lasting late into the night, in order to accommodate all applicants who travell to the Embassy each day. Under these trying circumstances, DHS personnel were nevertheless able to interview 920 applicants in a four week period. ICMC staff expressed gratitude not only for the DHS staff's fortitude under this grueling schedule, but also for their professionalism and compassion in dealing with those being interviewed.
In order to alleviate these conditions, State and DHS should explore the possibility of permanently assigning one or two DHS interviewers to Embassy Beirut and providing additional housing and work space to accommodate their activities.
Cultural Orientation:
ICMC and the United States Refugee Program (USRP) conduct an intensive two day cultural orientation for Iraqi refugees who will be resettled to the United States. The cultural orientation is designed to provide Iraqis with a better understanding of what to expect once they arrive in the U.S. The following topics are covered in the ICMC-USRP cultural orientation training program:
- Cultural differences.
- The departure process and airport regulations.
- The nature of the IOM travel loan and the obligation to pay it back after arrival to the U.S.
- The responsibilities of the Resettlement Agency and the refugee during the first ninety days after the refugee's arrival in the United States.
- Information on a refugee's legal status until the acquisition of citizenship, including rights and restrictions of each status.
- Information on housing and transportation in the United States.
- The importance of learning and obeying the laws of the United States at federal and state level and the consequences of violating U.S. law.
- Information on the child and adult education system in the United States and the importance of learning English.
- The importance of finding and holding a job and understanding work values in the United States.
- Information on the health care system in the United States.
- Information on money management.
Commission staff participated in an afternoon session during the first day of orientation for a group of Iraqis who had been approved for resettlement to the U.S. During the session participants raised the following questions: I have an international driver's license; will that work in the United States? If both parents must work, who will watch the kids? Can I work right away when I get to the United States? Staff asked the group how they felt about relocating to the United States, (e.g. nervous, happy or fearful). Those who replied generally expressed apprehension.
One gentleman said he won't know until he's "on the plane."
In July, Helsinki Commission Chairman, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings introduced the Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act (H.R. 6496), comprehensive legislation that addresses this worsening situation. H.R. 6496 has been endorsed by more than 25 NGOs and religious organizations and does the following:
- Authorizes $700 million for each fiscal year beginning in 2009 through 2011 for the relief of Iraqi refugees and Internally Displaced Persons;
- Increases direct accountable bilateral assistance, as appropriate under U.S. law, and funding for international organizations and non-governmental organizations working in the region;
- Authorizes $500 million to increase humanitarian aid and infrastructure support for Jordan; and
- Urges increased cooperation between the United States Government and the international community to address this crisis.
Iraqi refugees in Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere in the region continue to suffer daily and are faced with unimaginable circumstances. While the American public does not see pictures of 'refugee camps' set up in host countries, there are millions of Iraqis struggling to survive each and every day. On the ground, desperation has set in and only worsened this humanitarian crisis.
The politics of the war must be put aside by Congress and a 'humanitarian surge' must be implemented. This means the provision of substantially increased bi-lateral aid, as appropriate under U.S. law, to countries hosting Iraqi refugees and increased funding to international organizations and NGOs working in the region. A U.S. contribution of at least fifty percent of the amount requested for all UN appeals for funding to assist Iraqi refugees, and IDPs, would show U.S. leadership in addressing this crisis, and hopefully encourage increased contributions by other countries as well. The process for resettling Iraqi refugees to the United States must also be expedited. This is particularly critical for those Iraqis whose lives have been threatened because of their work for the United States.
The United States should also show leadership in encouraging the international community to focus on this humanitarian crisis, recognize it for the potential security threat it poses, and take steps to alleviate the suffering Iraqi refugees.
If a picture is really worth a thousand words, then all one must do is look into the face of an Iraqi refugee who has had a family member murdered, kidnapped, or tortured, and their own life threatened, to know that the United States must respond – security in the region and the future of the Middle East depend upon it.


text:
Peugeot Citroën this morning unveiled a new hybrid drive system unlike anything we've seen outside of a bushy-haired inventor's shed. It's a compressed air and gasoline hybrid. Unlike the other hybrid powertrains we've seen on the road, this one does not use a battery pack whatsoever.
Peugeot Citroën has posted plenty of pretty pictures and graphics for us but have been somewhat miserly with an English-language detailed system explanation. That said, here's what we've been able to piece together from the broken English PDFs that were sent to us: Up front, under the hood, is a three-cylinder standard gasoline engine. Bolted to that is an automatic transmission. On the other side of the transmission is a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor. These power systems propel the front wheels of the vehicle either alone or together, depending on the driving scenario.
Above 70 KPH (around 43 MPH) the gasoline engine drives the vehicle by itself, behaving like a standard gasoline-powered car. Should the driver apply the brake, the system will initiate the hydraulic pump, slowing the vehicle, capturing some of the forward energy, and storing it in the form of compressed air. This is commonly referred to as regenerative braking.
Below 70 KPH, however, the air system is engaged and depending on the driving demands will either power the vehicle alone – allowing the gasoline engine to shut off – or power the vehicle in tandem with the gasoline engine. Peugeot Citroën says a hill climb is perfect example of when the two systems would work together.
Our mechanical instinct tells us that simply using a hydraulic pump for regenerative braking alone won't produce enough energy to propel a car very long. So there must be a way that the gas engine not only powers the car but also the hydraulic pump at the same time, filling the on-board tanks with compressed air. That, unfortunately, was not readily apparent from the Peugeot Citroën press release.
Peugeot Citroën plans to begin selling these new-style hybrids as soon as 2016 and aims to have 21 percent of its entire sales comprised of compressed air hybrids by 2020.
We love this new technology. It's so simple; we can't believe someone else hasn't implemented it before. We've always been wary of hybrids that capitalized on precious earth metals for many reasons but at the same time loved the gas savings they presented. Now it appears we can have the best of both worlds.


text:
Business casual is the popular style for middle management executives and sales personnel. Our promotional polo shirts are selected from the finest manufacturers, and IASpromotes.com makes sure to also stock matching women's sizes so that everyone in your organization will have a matching imprinted polo shirt.
We offer great color selections to make your shopping experience a breeze. Our promotional polo shirts feature the latest styles in comfortable fabrics, and all at great affordable prices.


text:
Monday, October 27, 2008
Chuck, "Chuck vs. Tom Sawyer": Chuck's got the touch
Chuck saves the world. Chuck Bartowski saves the world. Whoa.
What could have been a very cheesey storyline -- particularly since this seemed the most budget-conscious episode of the season, with the bulk of the action taking place inside the Buy More -- instead felt entirely earned. When Chuck stands on that stage, getting cheered on by the geeks for what they think was his big accomplishment (beating Missile Command) while missing the real one (averting World War III) the smile on my face was as broad as the Mississippi.
The follow-up scene, where Sarah rewards Chuck for all his hard work and sacrifice by arranging to get him a real Stanford diploma, was also awfully nice. For such a fundamentally goofy show that requires you to throw logic out the window left and right, "Chuck" can be kind of brilliant in the more emotional moments, can't it? Credit a lot of that to Zachary Levi (and, in this case, to Sarah Lancaster and Yvonne Strahovski), but also to the writers (in this case, Phil Klemmer) doing a much better job at making Chuck's missions in some way reflect on his own life. I know I've complained recently about other shows (particularly about medical dramas like "House") that frequently construct parallels between the procedural and the personal, but it gets annoying there because it feels done with sledgehammer subtlety. Plus, without some kind of dramatic weight -- even something as simple as Ellie worrying what her brother is doing with his life -- "Chuck" might threaten to become so insubstantial that it would just float away, funny or no. I'm always reluctant to make the "Buffy" comparison -- different kinds of shows, plus invoking "Buffy" creates strong reactions from people who hold that show sacred -- but I definitely have the sense that Schwartz, Fedak and company are on some level taking a page from the "Buffy" model by having the weekly villains mean more to our heroes than simple danger.
And I've now spent several paragraphs talking about the dramatic parts of what was one of the funniest "Chuck"s to date, which shows just how good the show has gotten at blending the comedy with the drama with the action. Look at Jeff, who's a walking punchline for three-quarters of the episode -- the mullet and 'stashe in the 1983 flashback, the drinking pants, the "My name is Jeff and I'm lost" business card for use in case of his frequent blackouts -- and then turns into a (slightly) more three-dimensional, even sympathetic character towards the end as Chuck tries to encourage him to make a comeback. Jeff confronting the Missile Command game at the end of the episode could have very easily been played for laughs (ala Dave vs. Stargate Defender in the classic "Arcade" episode of "NewsRadio"), but instead it's this quiet, wistful moment.
"Chuck vs. Tom Sawyer" also featured three superb musical choices, starting with the Rush song from the episode's title. I dislike almost all prog-rock, but dammit if "Tom Sawyer" didn't work as kick-ass accompaniment to both Chuck's video game challenge and Sarah's cool jacket vs. knife fight at the TV studio. Just as perfect -- and even funnier -- was the use of Stan Bush's "The Touch" -- or, as I like to think of it, the love theme from the animated "Transformers" movie -- for the getting pumped montage of Jeff's fans coming out of hibernation. (Question: would people have preferred that they used the Dirk Diggler version?) And "All Out of Love" playing over Jeff's stalking video of Anna made it a cheeseball classic 3-for-3.
(I asked Klemmer about the use of "Tom Sawyer" and whether it was in any way inspired by the people who figured out you could play "The Dark Side of the Moon" along with "The Wizard of Oz" and the two would match up perfectly. Klemmer said, "Yeah, the Wizard of Oz/Dark Side of the Moon overlay is what we had in mind. I was looking for a pop rock song that could conceivably conceal a secret mathematical code that could match the pattern in our video game. I knew that Rush's drummer Neil Pert was famous for using various complicated time signatures (although Tom Sawyer isn't the best example).")
Man, "Chuck" is firing on all cylinders right now, isn't it? I took some heat last year when I put the show in my annual Top 10 list, and even at the time I felt I was doing it as much on potential (and a lack of other more impressive candidates) than for what the show had done to that point. Not anymore. There are few shows I look forward to, week in, week out, than "Chuck."
Some other thoughts on "Chuck vs. Tom Sawyer":
• The brief field trip to Atari headquarters gave us the opportunity to see Casey looking awkward in a Nerd Herd uniform, followed by Sarah looking... what's the opposite of awkward?... in a slutty version of same. I do think they missed an opportunity for both humor and to show Sarah thinking on her feet by not having her cover for her lack of computer knowledge by pitting the different Atari geeks against each other to fix the problem without her. (There was a hint of that, but Sarah mostly seemed flustered.)
• As Emmett Millbarge, the Buy More efficiency expert turned temporary New Ass Man, Tony Hale didn't get to say "Hey, brother," or any of his other "Arrested Development" catchphrases, but it was still a pleasure to hear the fussy contempt in his voice as he uttered phrases like "lewd use of a musical montage" and "What is this abomination?"
• I love that our first glimpse of Chuck in the episode is him waking up with a fake mustache from an unseen mission. As with the climax of "Chuck vs. the Break-Up" where we saw Casey with the bag of money, the writers are recognizing that sometimes they can leave it to our imagination to fill in the blanks. Plus, it created the illusion of an elaborate mission that there was no time or money to show us.
• One night after making such a memorable appearance in the "Mad Men" season finale, Ryan McPartlin is back in Captain Awesome mode talking about how a ginseng protein shake "does wonders for your wang energy." That's versatility, folks.
• Know your '80s references: Emmett Millbarge is an amalgamation of the names of the Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd characters in "Spies Like Us," while Jeff's line to the Missile Command game ("Hey, bud, let's party") is our second "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" reference in two weeks. (Spicoli tells it to a sportscaster in a segment not dissimilar to Jeff's interview at the start of this episode.)
• Two familiar faces in guest roles here: Faran Tahir, who played the terrorist leader in "Iron Man," was a, um, terrorist leader here. (Typecasting!) Meanwhile, '70s and '80s TV Hey, It's That Guy! Clyde Kusatsu played Missile Command designer Morimoto, whom I'm assuming was named for the guy from "Iron Chef" classic.
• Blink and you may have missed writer Phil Klemmer as one of Jeff's many fanboys getting off the couch to watch Jeff take on that fickle machine one more time. (Klemmer's the skinny blonde guy.)
• Not sure I like Chuck being able to carry a big guy like Jeff around on his shoulders so much. Yes, Zachary Levi is more athletic-looking than Chuck's supposed to be, but they've made Chuck's physical weakness into such a good running gag that gets undercut when we see him doing that, even while appearing to strain under the weight.
• Morgan and Lester's panic over seeing Chuck and Jeff bond was amusing, particularly Chuck's pep talk to Morgan about all the ways -- "Mama Mia" roadie for four straight summers, owns his own smoke machine -- that Morgan is cooler than Jeff. I also liked the random diss of the Zune; do you think iPod paid product integration money for the episode?
What did everybody else think?
62 comments:
- Stef said...
Haven't watched the ep yet, but just have to say how darn ticked I was at 8:30 to tune in and see HIMYM was a rerun! I could've been watching Chuck for the whole hour. Phooey.
- 9:03 PM, October 27, 2008
Levi might be a little bigger and better looking than what you'd expect in a nerd, but I know more nerds that look like him. He does a great job looking uncomfortable in his own body and flustered when he has to use social skills.
- 9:17 PM, October 27, 2008
Good lord, that was the greatest nerd-hour of television EVER.
There is but one reference that would make this immaculate. Did the TV station broadcasting the terrorist signal have the same name as the one in John Carpenter's THEY LIVE? If so, this would achieve Explosivo levels of awesomeness. - 9:21 PM, October 27, 2008
- Alan Sepinwall said...
I feel very annoyed with myself, by the way, for somehow getting through that entire review without mentioning "King of Kong," the movie where us non-gamers first learned of the concept of kill screens.
- 9:23 PM, October 27, 2008
- wcdixon said...
Another solid effort, 'Chuck' is making my Monday TV nights fun again (unlike 'Pushing Daisies' which although pleasant enough ultimately gets buried in its whimsy)
- 9:23 PM, October 27, 2008
I really really loved this episode. I was a little wary (and still am) about "saving the world" storyline, especially with a plan as Bond-villian-esque as the terrorist's was but they pulled it off nicely. I just hope every week isn't going to be a "save the world" situation (which it probably isn't).
My biggest laugh was the Zune diss. That just had all sorts of great comedic timing, and pretty awesome geek humor.
Also, this episode gets bonus points for taking nods from King of Kong, the awesome documentary about the Donkey Kong high score. I was kind of hoping there was going to be a Billy Mitchell cameo. If you haven't seen this movie, rent it now. - 9:23 PM, October 27, 2008
To be fair, Chuck was huffing and puffing from the exertion of carrying Jeff around. He's no Captain Awesome.
- 9:24 PM, October 27, 2008
- Figgsrock2 said...
I must say, this might have been the best ep of Chuck yet. The use of "Tom Sawyer" was spot on perfect. Being a former video game nerd (and former on air talent at a rock station in the late 80s through mid 90s) I couldn't help but laugh hysterically throughout. I would love if that clip ended up on Hulu--I'd have to email it to a bunch of old work buddies.
And thank you Stef for saying HIMYM was a rerun--I was wondering why my DVR didn't record it. (I have it set only for new eps.) Now I don't have to call my cable company and complain. - 9:25 PM, October 27, 2008
- wcdixon said...
And you just beat me to mentioning 'King of Kong', a great doc)
- 9:25 PM, October 27, 2008
Funniest part to me. When Casey says all of Jeffs fans would now be forty-something with jobs and wives and it cuts away to Chuck who is just shaking his head at that unlikely scenario:)
- 9:25 PM, October 27, 2008
I totally supported this show on Mo Ryan's blog last year. She ccnnected me to your blog and I'm glad to see you were an early fan too!!! This show is too fresh. BTW your Mad Men reviews are the best
- 9:29 PM, October 27, 2008
- J said...
I thought this one was atrocious. Felt like an endless series of mishandled ideas. Was ready to be wowed from the start with the Jeff opener, but everything felt dumber and more formulaic than it had to be, shallower than this series usually is. I mean: Chuck is supposed to cozy up to Jeff, so instead of spending a night at his house where all of Jeff's stuff is, they decide to get drunk at the Buy More where there's a new uptight efficiency guy lurking around? That's just a blip in a bad plot, but typical of this one.
I hooted for joy when I saw Buster, and I'm going to reserve judgment until he's in a good episode. But while the Buy More end of things has longed for a new Tang, in Milbarge it feels like the show's found a Tritter of its very own.
I know it wasn't presented as such, but the diploma thing felt as much the action of an underminer as Chuck's usurption of Jeff's commander status. Super Spy internship credits? Hail the conquering BS.
Also: Anna upskirt photos? And grass skirt costumes? And prostitute jokes? Seriously? I know Jeff's skeevy, but does the show have to be? If the actress playing her got even a single moment as an active participant in the episode, even a chance to freaking object to her objectification, it might not have come off as reprehensible. The reason it's okay to ogle Sarah (in the show's logic) is that she's almost constantly in control; Anna was just slapped around like a toy. Pathetic.
I've really come to look forward to this show, but when it lays an egg this hard, it makes me want to explore one of the ten billion other Monday night options. Maybe even get a life. Hated, hated, hated this episode. Hated. - 9:29 PM, October 27, 2008
- Bobman said...
Tony Hale didn't get an AD line, but him saying "thanks Michael" to the boss there made me laugh anyway. Talk about shows you really miss when they're gone.
The Zune diss was a great geek moment.
Also, I LOATHE Rush (yes they're musically talented, that doesn't mean they're good) but I do begrudgingly admit that Tom Sawyer worked almost perfectly for this purpose. - 9:31 PM, October 27, 2008
- JakesAlterEgo said...
OK. I realize that I am posting blind here--I'm in the UK and I haven't been able to....come across....this episode yet.
Didn't Futurama also use "Tom Sawyer" when Fry had to defend the Earth from the invading Omnicron-Perseids? I just, you know, thought I should mention that thing that may or may not have anything to do with this episode. - 9:34 PM, October 27, 2008
- Unknown said...
Great reviews Alan. I was pointed towards your site after becoming disatisfied with another reviewer's constantly negative write-ups! Yours are bang-on (or near bang-on, but nobody's perfect! lol).
This was the best Chuck to-date. The Zune bashing/iPod praising line was awesome, and Chuck's word-play on the kill screen code - namely the last letter - was hilarious. - 9:38 PM, October 27, 2008
Wow. the Buffy analogy is dead on. When will this show break out - if not in ratings - then in the critical hosannas that should be coming its way? Zune, Rush, King of Kong, Fast Times - coming off of last week's pop culture bonanza... this is the funniest, coolest, nerdiest show out there. And Sarah in that black tanktop??? Yowza.
This is the most fun, most entertaining, smartest (in a goofy way), least appreciated show on tv. - 10:01 PM, October 27, 2008
- floretbroccoli said...
Just to clarify, Morimoto made the leap from Iron Chef to Iron Chef America. And you could, from where you sit, visit his New York restaurant or his original one in Philadelphia.
He's got you flanked. - 10:07 PM, October 27, 2008
- Karen said...
This was pure deliciousness. I didn't think Anna was exploited; I think she kind of dug it, and I also think she trusts Morgan enough to do what he asks.
Also, it may have been a cheap set-up and pay-off, but I have to say this exchange made me laugh out loud:
Casey: our only hope is burnt to a crisp.
Chuck: no, I meant Jeff.
Casey: so did I.
I suffered through the arena rock era in high school, and was never a fan of Rush, but I have to say I've never seen it used in a movie or TV episode where it hasn't worked. What's that about?
And, for what it's worth, I totally buy it that the CIA and NSA could approach Stanford, describe an agent's skills in favorable terms, and get the equivalent of one semester's credits for it. It's not unusual. When I graduated NYU in 1993, Alec Baldwin was in our graduating class (he marched at commencement and everything), having just satisfied a requirement to finish his own long-incomplete degree, by writing some kind of essay about the acting profession.
It depends on who you are and what you've done, but it's hardly impossible. - 10:31 PM, October 27, 2008
- Mike said...
@pale writer:
"Alright. It's Saturday night. I have no date, a two liter bottle of Shasta, and my all-Rush mixtape. Let's rock."
Fry, from Raiders of the Lost Arcade, from Futurama's "Anthology of Interest II."
Still, this was a great episode of a great show. - 10:38 PM, October 27, 2008
- Eric said...
I do wish we'd gotten to see Casey's interview with Ass Man Buster.
So, on a related note, when's Reaper coming back? - 12:03 AM, October 28, 2008
Though they weren't exactly the same, the kill screen and satellite code reminded me of "War Games":
"Congratulations, Mr. Morimoto. Would you like to play again?" versus "Greetings, Professor Falken. Shall we play a game?" - 12:08 AM, October 28, 2008
And the original, Stan Bush version of "The Touch" is the only choice for this situation.
Bonus nerd points to anyone who thought, "Holy Crap! that song is from Transformers" the first time they saw "Boogie Nights." - 12:12 AM, October 28, 2008
- SJ said...
This show is so great for geeks and nerds. Zune diss, this is the touch and an 80s videogame??
There seems to be product placement on the show. They have shown the Playstation 3 videogame system, but today they showed a Nintendo Wii box. - 12:12 AM, October 28, 2008
- dying alone said...
My favorite moment was when Tony Hale used the surgeon analogy, that the Buy More needs a surgeon who "doesn't mind getting up to his elbows in guts," and Casey has the goofiest grin on his face. I'm looking forward to interactions between these two in future episodes.
- 12:21 AM, October 28, 2008
I feel very annoyed with myself, by the way, for somehow getting through that entire review without mentioning "King of Kong," the movie where us non-gamers first learned of the concept of kill screens.
You need to nerd up for this show, dude. I thought everyone knew what a kill screen is :-)
This was my fave ep of the season so far, both hilarious and touching. What scares me about it, though, is that I knew guys like Jeff (when he was in his heyday) and I admired them. Yikes! - 12:30 AM, October 28, 2008
I think Sarah getting Chuck the Stanford subplot also quickly resolved the issue of whether Chuck would ever go back to school to finish his degree.
Now, of course, the question is what is a guy with a Stanford degree doing working at the Buy More (albeit as more than simply a salesperson)?
Another good episode, though slightly geekier than usual (which naturally led to some awesome dialog--the Zune line was hilarious). I hope some of the new viewers from last week checked it out again this week. - 12:31 AM, October 28, 2008
- Mike said...
Did anyone catch the other 80's reference? Maybe I am wrong, but I think Casey made an awesome Top Gun reference when he said something about "this bogey is bugging out and going home..."
- 12:44 AM, October 28, 2008
- Nicole said...
I couldn't help think what Jason Segel's Freaks and Geeks' character would think of using Rush to master a videogame. Had there been more than one season, I think they would have gone there.
My knowledge of kill screens also stemmed from the "King of Kong" so it was nice to know what they were talking about in this episode.
The "All Out of Love" sequence cracked me up to no end, mostly because that could be the cheesiest song ever.
While not a huge Rush fan, you should check out their recent interview on the Colbert Report. It is quite hilarious. - 12:46 AM, October 28, 2008
- lap said...
Strangely I was just as enamored of Chuck getting to the kill screen as I was that great confessional scene with Peggy and Pete on yesterday's Mad Men. Both somehow speak to everything I love and want in television, just fine, fine writing.
And now two great shows have used Tom Sawyer well enough to make me forget I hate it both times. (Because I can never hear it without thinking of Nick's drum set on Freaks and Geeks). - 1:05 AM, October 28, 2008
- Pamela Jaye said...
temporary New Ass Man - I am somewhat concerned we might have another Tritter/Vogler
aside from that - awesome ep! (though I had to wait a while to see it, as the brother was yelling from the computer room "are you watching unauthorized Chuck?" as he dealt with a spam attack and trying to determine if the rain delay in the world series was permanent. (it was mostly the spam) (so I watched half an ep of Brothers & Sisters still not finished, from last night)
Great shoulder carry, great diploma from Stanford. Awwwwww-some. (and no mooning over Sarah this week - and more Ellie! Yay!) - 1:24 AM, October 28, 2008
- Pamela Jaye said...
oh and my brother noted -
Best Chuck Episode Ever - 1:25 AM, October 28, 2008
- Bruce Reid said...
So I'm the only Chuck fan keeping up with Samantha Who? (eh, the cast spins a laugh out of even mediocre lines). Because it was a Tony Hale double-feature tonight for me.
Rachel: "Now, of course, the question is what is a guy with a Stanford degree doing working at the Buy More (albeit as more than simply a salesperson)?"
At some point the irresistible force of a character who's supposed to be growing out of prolonged adolescence is going to smack up against the immovable object of keeping Chuck's low-key cover. This could be an increasing problem, but I've faith the show can adjust without too many growing pains. (To extend Alan's comparison, see Buffy season 4; which I liked, but no, it wasn't always pretty.) - 2:20 AM, October 28, 2008
- Garrett said...
At one point, I'm pretty sure they showed a computer screen with the Twin Galaxies Web site on it.
(And yes, count me in as another one who learned about kill screens from The King of Kong.) - 5:27 AM, October 28, 2008
Chuck and The Office...I don't need to watch anything else ever.
Great episode...but now I wonder how Chuck will keep his sister at bay regarding his future now that he has his diploma.
My first concert (besides David cassidy, which just doesn't count because I was 7) was Rush opening for Blue Oyster Cult. Yikes. Safe to say my taste in music has evolved.
My husband and I love Boogie Nights, and quote it all the time...so I loved You Got The Touch!!!! I know it wasn't the Marky Mark/Dirk Diggler version, but SNL's Mark Wahlberg Talks To Animals really made me appreciate how hilarious he is (on purpose or not). - 7:20 AM, October 28, 2008
I need to put the "Chuck" DVDs on my Christmas list. What a great show. *sigh*
The Zune line had me laughing out loud HARD. Chuck's disbelieving reaction followed by Morgan laughing response was awesome.
I keep trying to talk my nerd husband into watching this show because it's right up his alley, but he refuses for some weird reason. However, I DID manage to get him to watch a couple episodes of HIMYM recently and he admitted it was pretty funny. - 8:22 AM, October 28, 2008
- Robin said...
My favorite geek line:
"A more elegant solution would be to format the hard drive and flash the bios."
Awesome episode. This has replaced The Office as the show I look forward to most every week. - 10:32 AM, October 28, 2008
- Hal Incandenza said...
That was the Twin Galaxies web site (mentioned here: http://tinyurl.com/5hss5a).
Great, great episode. I really am so fond of this program.
And I'm loving the King of Kong shout outs. Fabulous film. - 11:18 AM, October 28, 2008
So I'm the only Chuck fan keeping up with Samantha Who? ... Because it was a Tony Hale double-feature tonight for me.
Not only that, but it involved some memory "flashes" from its title character as well! - 12:18 PM, October 28, 2008
- Matt said...
Not to get too tangential, but it was nice to see a Samantha Who that gave Melissa McCarthy and Jennifer Esposito a chance to play off each other. Actually, their B plot was much funnier than the A plot.
- 1:02 PM, October 28, 2008
- Pamela Jaye said...
Samantha Who was a possibilty here but the schedule was overloaded as was the DVR which necessitated a dump. Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies are still pending.
- 1:11 PM, October 28, 2008
- pixelwax said...
dez, how does one "nerd up"?
mike, I caught that. Top Gun, I still don't know what to think. Guilty pleasure?
Having missed most of season one, I hope to get caught up with Jane's, er, Casey's back story or hope the show provides it at some point. Adam's my favorite Baldwin "brother" by far. - 1:33 PM, October 28, 2008
- Ted Kerwin said...
Rush is like Jazz, there are moments of musical genius and then the song keeps going. In TV you do not have to listen to the whole thing, good editing makes it work.
- 1:41 PM, October 28, 2008
My goodness I do love this show. In fact, while I freaked out that my DVR wasn't recording HIMYM at 8:30 as well, it wasn't because I wasn't enjoying "Chuck" and "Chuck" has been the better & more consistent show this season than "Mother".
I also loved this show in season 1, so for me, the continued greatness is an extension of the work Josh Schwarz had already put in.
By the way, typical 30-something, 80's Geek male that I am, when Tony Hale introduced his character's name, I paused the DVR to explain to my wife the hilariousness of referencing one of the great 80's comedies, "Spies Like Us". My wife said "great, now press play, please".
And Alan, I wholeheartedly 2nd you on the 'awesomeness' that is Ryan McPartlin. He's also becoming the go to lothario for period shows, since he was in an episode this Summer of the surprisingly fun "Swingtown", and played on an old boyfriend of the swinger wife, Trina, whom he hooks back up with.
My guess is he needed some of that Ginseng shake for his Betty Draper tryst.
But, everything works in this show for me. And it's not just how much fun this show is, while combining it with a heart - it's specifically one of the best ensemble casts on Television. After you get past the usual suspects of "best overall cast" like "Lost" and "Mad Men" (maybe "Battlestar", too), I put "Chuck" right up there.
(I thought Morgan, aka, Joshua Gomez, was a little annoying in season 1, but he's grown on me a lot and I am a fan now). - 2:04 PM, October 28, 2008
- Alan Sepinwall said...
(I thought Morgan, aka, Joshua Gomez, was a little annoying in season 1, but he's grown on me a lot and I am a fan now).
Classic case of the creative team recognizing they were using a good actor in a bad way. As Schwartz put
it in our interview over the summer:
Part of the reason Morgan bumped for people was he was always getting in Chuck's way, he was the thing always jeopardizing Chuck and it became, "Why is Chuck friends with him?" And now he's definitely much more Chuck's, you know, buddy. - 2:11 PM, October 28, 2008
- Mrglass said...
Anyone knows what was the music in the elevator?
In risk of out-geeking everyone, was it from 'Leisure Suit Larry'? - 2:22 PM, October 28, 2008
At one point, I'm pretty sure they showed a computer screen with the Twin Galaxies Web site on it.
Yes, during the montage of the nerds of southern California learning that Jeff would be revisiting his Missile Command.
Big difference between the Futurama episode and this Chuck was that Fry defended the earth from space invaders using, well, Space Invaders, while Chuck stopped a satellite using Missile Command before Casey and missile command shot it down.
I think someone else already mentioned that Morimoto was the one carry-over from the original Iron Chef to Food Network's Iron Chef America.
Buffy is certainly an apt comparison (though I understand the reluctance to make it)-- not only because of the characters struggle with their various demons or identities, but because they're both intentionally cheesy and aware of it. As Buffy borrows from monster movies, Chuck appropriates the cliches of spy movies. We realize that they're cliches. But unlike, say, Heroes, that borrows liberally from every comic book every written, the writers of Chuck are aware that their spy elements break no new ground and use those elements in a way that recognizes that the cliches are cliches.
If you subscribe to Netflix, The King of Kong is available for instant viewing. - 2:31 PM, October 28, 2008
In this version of reality, Stanford is a nest of spies, so hells yeah they take missions as course credit. How else would all those gun-in-backpack-stashing bozos graduate, anyway? That seemed plausible to me.
- 3:32 PM, October 28, 2008
dez, how does one "nerd up"?
Same way as one "cowboys up" or "mans up," I suppose, only with, you know, nerdy things :-) - 4:56 PM, October 28, 2008
As far as pop culture references go, I'm going to assume that the Gas N Sip is a shout out to "Say Anything", what with Josh Schwartz being in love with Cameron Crowe and all.
I wanted the whole arcade game angle to be an homage to "The Last Starfighter" but then it took a bit of a twist. Plus, I'm going to assume that most people probably don't love that movie as much as I do. - 7:24 PM, October 28, 2008
- Karen said...
Oh, bless you, Amysa! That "Gas and Sip" was reverberating in my brain, and I just couldn't place it. But it's the sight of the best scene in that whole movie, when Cusack's friends are telling him how to get over his breakup in the crudest possible way:
"If you guys know so much about women then why are you in the parking lot of the Gas and Sip on a Saturday night?"
[pause] "By choice, man; by choice!"
Comedy gold. First time I ever saw Piven, too. - 7:48 PM, October 28, 2008
How is it that Buster & Big Mike didn't shower Chuck with praise after that? Sure, thevideo game thing was nice, but more importantly, the Buy More was PACKED with single geeky guys in their 40s. The register totals must have been through the roof.
- 10:01 PM, October 28, 2008
I love Chuck. It was quite good last year, but they really have gotten the recipe right this year. I also love Alan's reviews and look forward to them.
Finally, I love and shall now proceed to steal and propagate the term "nerd up." It is a phrase whose time has come. - 10:39 PM, October 28, 2008
- afoglia said...
Alan Sepinwall said...
"(I thought Morgan, aka, Joshua Gomez, was a little annoying in season 1, but he's grown on me a lot and I am a fan now)."
Classic case of the creative team recognizing they were using a good actor in a bad way. As Schwartz put
it in our interview over the summer:
"Part of the reason Morgan bumped for people was he was always getting in Chuck's way, he was the thing always jeopardizing Chuck and it became, "Why is Chuck friends with him?" And now he's definitely much more Chuck's, you know, buddy."
Actually that's my one worry about this season. That the A and B storylines are too separate. Thematically they mesh, but plotwise, there's no overlap. I do think this is more sustainable, but if Chuck and Morgan aren't shown doing something together soon, Morgan will be little more than a friendly Lester.
Most shows can get away with a completely separate A and B story, because the characters in each switch every week. But otherwise it risks becoming the first season of Alias, with a vestigial B story.
It's nowhere there yet, but the characters work so well together that I want to see them have fun. - 11:44 PM, October 28, 2008
I wanted the whole arcade game angle to be an homage to "The Last Starfighter" but then it took a bit of a twist. Plus, I'm going to assume that most people probably don't love that movie as much as I do.
I probably do because I thought of that movie during the video gaming sequences :-)
@jenn., I'm not giving up my intellectual property rights. That's $5 per usage, please ;-) - 12:51 AM, October 29, 2008
So that makes two of us and, maybe, the dude who created it? It's always surprising to me when I'm channel surfing and one of the low rent movie channels is playing it. But, I always stop.
@karen...I think the Gas N Sip scene probably pops into my head more than the "In Your Eyes" scene. Awesome.
@rick...I wondered about the possible sales from the crowd as well. It seemed as though that was a good opportunity to make a bit of money and after last week you would think that at least *one* member of the Buy More crew would have seen the potential in a room full of nerds surrounded by electronics. - 12:47 PM, October 29, 2008
- Pamela Jaye said...
a friend said something the other day about Chuck "burning off" episodes -
the futon critic is listing arcs, thanksgiving episodes and 22 episodes.
Did I miss a pickup?
(or is she right? I can't find anything other than the ratings which would imply she is) - 3:21 AM, November 01, 2008
- Alan Sepinwall said...
Did I miss a pickup?
Yes. - 7:53 AM, November 01, 2008
- Pamela Jaye said...
and you know, if I'd just read the reply *here,* instead of my mailbox (where it appeared without its underlying link) I could have saved myself all that research that you already did. darn stupid choices.
thanks :-)
I guess those pre-season full season pickups don't give me the same thrill that the normally timed ones do. (Either that or I trust who ever is actually in charge at NBC as I do Les "I won't cancel any of our new shows before the end of the year (in November)" Moonves.)
You know I'm really not at all clear on who is programming at NBC. I thought Silverman was out, but I heard his name the other day... - 2:11 PM, November 01, 2008
- Pamela Jaye said...
No Chuck this week? Did they fall behind on production? Did they think a game show would get better ratings? (probably cost-wise, it will) or
did I miss something else (there doesn't seem to be any epic competition...)
Also, do November sweeps start at the beginning of the month, or sometime later? (seems I once read about some other month's sweeps not including a certain week of said month, but no explanation was given.) - 1:40 PM, November 03, 2008
- Dale said...
Chuck wasn't on because NBC decided to air a special election-themed SNL. The next episode (Chuck versus the Ex) is on the 10th.
- 5:47 PM, November 05, 2008
- Pamela Jaye said...
dale - according to my recordings list, the SNL thingie was on from 9 to 11. Doesn't Chuck usually air at 8?
well, it's good to know he'll be back next week, at least (though really, that last ep is a hard act to follow) - 5:55 PM, November 05, 2008
- ThinkDifferent said...
One pop culture reference you missed: the terrorist guy's name is "Farrokh Bulsara", which is Freddie Mercury's real name.
- 8:17 PM, May 01, 2009


text:
Super Petite
8:37 PMIt occured to me today that most people wear clothes to cover themselves. You try on jeans, they fit okay, and you buy them. You try on shoes, they fit, you buy them. I could at this point go on a tirade and say, "IF ONLY I HAD THE LUXURY TO SIMPLY FIND THINGS THAT FIT!" but in all honesty, there are more things that fit me than I actually buy.
The reason is that I buy clothes that not only "fit" me, but also fit my body type. I know I am very short (4'10"!) and very slender. I'm in proportion, but because I am so thin, I have a VERY difficult time finding pants, jackets, and shoes that fit. I'm assuming there are other girls out there with my same problem! So, I thought I'd make a list of basics for super petites and squash some rumors about what you should and shouldn't wear to make the most out of your height.
The most important things to keep in mind with tops is the length and fullness. Either keep tops shorter (an inch or so past the top of your pants) or long (tunics that go to the bottom of your butt). I know long tank tops are in style now, but they do make us shorties look shorter because of the horizontal hem cutting our body line in half! In general, stay away from fuller tops. You want a balanced look on top and bottom so if you want a big fluttery top, wear a thin belt around your natural waist to pull the weight back in. Above all, you want the attention to go upward to your face, not down to short-looking legs.
Good examples
Bad example
Keep jackets to a "cropped" or "petite" length. This will help keep your torso in proportion and you don't lose your leg line. A jacket too long will make your legs look short and a long torso and short legs makes you look even shorter, but a nice-fitting jacket will make you look clean, professional, and put together.
Good example
Bad example
Dresses should either be short or floor-length. Empire waistlines will give you added height, as well as any vertical lines in pattern or fabric draping. Just beware of too much fullness. Sheath and A-line dresses are always a good standby. Always go for a natural waistline over a dropped waist. Never wear a pattern where the main element is larger than your fist, but solids always look good.
Good examples
Bad example
Petite girls are lucky in that they can wear more styles of pants, but keep in mind balance. Try to stay away from a large flare in a light wash, since this will bring the visual focus downward. A light-colored skinny jean with a heel is okay, but darker, slimmer pant cuts are always a safer bet. Thin or wide straight-leg pants are good. For jeans, try to find one where the knee break is higher so your legs look longer. Go with either a very high waist or a low rise. Keep the length past your ankle, always!
Good examples
Bad examples
Finally, keep a closet of good heels with some killer ball-of-foot and heel cusions. Heels always look good on short girls, plus we don't have to worry about being TOO tall like tall girls do. I have size 4 feet (actually more like 3.5) in womens and wear size 2 in kids and excellent stores for small feet are Nordstrom, zappos.com, Amazon.com, and Cinderella of Boston. For flats, I recommend the girls' section at Payless. They are actually pretty comfy and some styles are exactly the same as womens. Some styles do run a bit big, so try them on at the store but I usually fit a 1.5 there.
I hope this helps any of the shorter petite girls out there when they are out looking for what style of jean to buy or if they are getting a new jacket. Just keep in mind, you want the attention to go up, not down, and you don't want too much bulk. All of the examples are from ASOS.com which just goes to show you that many shapes are popular now, but not all are flattering! Now, some rules are meant to be broken but keep this general guideline in your head the next time you are in that fitting room. Good luck shopping!
33 comments
- AnonymousMay 15, 2008 at 6:58 AM
thanks for the advices! it's always good to keep this kind of things in mind while we're shopping to choose the outfits that will fit us the best =)
i'm about 168 cm (is it 5'6?).do you think i can take these advices too for a taller look? Thanks for posting this! I'm five feet short, really thin (but proportional), and always have a hard time finding clothes that fit.
Where do you get your jeans at? I've been on a never-ending quest to find jeans I can wear with flats.
Also, I think it would be really helpful for us petite girls to list our fav places to shop at!
I usually buy tops/dresses from Forever 21-type places, although their sizes seem to be getting bigger and bigger every year.
abercrombie kids/ruehl/hollister is good for denim skirts and shorts.
Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's sells designer denim (7, True Religion) in girl's sizes.
Armani Exchange has nice jackets in XS.- AnonymousMay 15, 2008 at 9:31 AM
OMG jen you are SO AMAZING! I LOVE YOU so much for doing this! even though I'm not short (5'4 and 1/2) I just love how you totally know what you're talking about! this is such a smart post and I hope all the shorties out there listen!! it always irks me when i see a petite girl walkin around trying to do the layered tank top look with LONG ass tanks and shorts, omg they look like they have super short legs and a reeeeally long torso (not a good thing,. unless you're a supermodel with the matching long legs!) i especially love the good examples and bad examples, super informative. you go, jen!!!
ReplyDelete thank you! :) super helpful. i'm going to save it.
do you think some necklaces/jewelry can help?- AnonymousMay 15, 2008 at 6:25 PM
thanks for the advice! :) i'm short too and this helps a lot.
btw, where is this dress? is it still available to buy? it is super cute!
~bunnie Hey Jen, I didn't realize that you were 4'10! You pull it off great even in your full body pics (in Myspace)! I used to tell people I was 5 feet but in reality I am 4'11 lol because we all know that "4'10 is technically a midget" UGH, I hear that a lot from retarded boys. You have made me feel so good and confident about my height (there are so many of us shorties out there and there's nothing to be embarrassed about).
I loved your tips and I wish I had a body type like yours!!! Instead I am curvy and busty (34D at 4'11 imagine that) :( The only thing that looks good on me seem to be the empire babydoll tops. Anyway, kudos for a wonderful blog!!
Also, one added tip: because us petites are small, it's important to always WEAR SMALL PRINTS as well as carry SMALL bags! Small accessories are always a good idea too.cherrygirl: absolutely! you can use any of this advice if you want to look taller, no matter what height you are. :)
lilsweetkaz: Yes, I think it's funny how I look taller in pictures, but it's all about proportion and dressing while being aware of yourself. Haha. Babydoll tops are okay as long as they aren't too long or too full. Like I mentioned before, keep top lengths to the top of your hip or the bottom of your butt. The example pic you asked about, the length is OKAY but an inch or two would be better. See how the white hem cuts straight across her hips against the black jeans? It's that in-between length that we have to be careful about. :P
aquadisia: I get my jeans at abercrombie kids mainly, but I do have one magic pair from wet seal (a 00 that ran small). I get most my tops from f21 and my basics at af or af kids because they run skinny, but their style is a bit boring don't you think? And actually, there are some stylish dressy jackets in the kids department at Macy's.
tiff: Haha. Can you believe "petite" is technically 5'4" and under? That's half of all (if not most) women! Thanks girl. :)
plee: Long necklaces are good for elongating your body, but stay away from chunky, shorter necklaces. They can overwhelm a small frame. Feel free to rock some big earrings though! Just keep it to one big thing. If you have big earrings, wear a modest necklace or none at all. Big necklace, wear studs. And for nicer jewelry, a shorter, thinner chain always looks nice.
Anonymous: I love that dress! You can get that dress at asos.com but I can't seem to find it. It must've sold out since I posted.
Lilli: Petite Pride! My fiance is 6'1" (hehe) and I think the person inside is much bigger than one's stature. I used to say I was 4'11" and my driver's license says 5' but the doctor always says I am 4'10" flat footed. I'm probably more like 4'10.5" but who's counting. ;P
With being small and busty, I recommend you try wearing a collared button-up with a high-waisted thin belt. Halter tops also look better with bigger boobs too. And cropped cardigans! I bet the currently popular safari-style button up dresses look great on you, not to mention wrap dresses. Don't worry, you aren't stuck with just babydolls!
And I agree with the prints and bags. Like I said in my post, never wear a print bigger than your fist and keep bags proportionate. That means small handbags, and our slouchy hobos are actually medium-sized. They just look large when we wear them. It's okay to wear a "large bag" as long as it's actually medium-sized. Maybe I'll do a post just on accessorizing so you can see what I mean about the petite's "large bag."Hi Jen!
I'm drawing portraits of other bloggers. You can see one previous drawing on my blog. Would you like me to draw you?
Contact me if you are interested. Also, tell me what picture you would like me to use as reference.- AnonymousMay 16, 2008 at 11:57 PM
You're so lucky that your slim and in proportion. I'm 5'0 but my body is not in proportion cause my thighs are the largest part of my body. Any advice what kind of jeans I could wear? - AnonymousMay 17, 2008 at 2:54 AM
can you do a post about how your skin cleared up after taking meds? I'd really appreciate it--what products worked for you? And does oral medication really clear your skin up? what are the side effects?
ReplyDelete anonymous 1: I would recommend a pair of dark denim that is a trouser fit, as in going straight down from from your hips/thighs. Wearing this with heels will create a long leg line. You can also wear a bootcut jean, but I would avoid getting anything TOO narrow like skinnies or anything too light. Keept it simple and dark.
Anonymous 2: Sure, I will try to dig up my deep, dark past and post about it. :POmg I love this post!!! Thanks so muuuch for the tip!! And definately like what others said, I never would've thought you were only 4' 10"!!! I'm 4' 10.5" too (even though I also put 5' on my license, lols), and I've always had the hardest time finding clothes that FIT!! x_x I usually shop at some of the places you listed (mainly A&F and a&f kids), and although I do manage to find shirts that fit, pants are still a huge problem to find!!! I've found that a lot of times kid's pants just don't fit me properly and junior pants are usually too large (unless I get lucky and find a 00 that runs small). With kids pants I've commonly ran into the problems of A) Length is perfect, but the width is too large (especially in the butt area usually) B) The overall pants fit, but the length is TOO short C) The legs fit, but the hips and waist are too tight. =S And also, could you recommend any places that sells dress pants that actually fits and doesn't need drastic alterations? Currently I don't own any pairs of dress pants which I'm in dire need of because I simply can't find any that fits. =\
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! This is really informative and refreshing. I'm super petite also and have an extremely long torso and short legs. So I can't wear shirts that are too long or long capris.
ReplyDelete- AnonymousMay 29, 2008 at 7:09 AM
I was wondering if you could recommend some good ball-of-foot and heel cushions =)
ReplyDelete 雪雪: I think we may be close to the same size! I think I was once measured at 4'10-and-1/3 completely flat-footed but those darn doctor's office things always tell me 4'10". My driver's license still says 5' too. For dress pants, there is no one place that is good, sadly. I have one pair I found at Marshall's and hemmed, one from Frankie B in a size 0, and maybe one from bebe. I'd try looking at wet seal in case they happen to have a 00 that fits right. Until then, maybe stick to office skirts since they are easier to fit or taper. I've had lots of luck with forever 21's pencil skirts in xs. Oh, and for the record I wear 12 slim or 10 at af kids but even there I have to try on every single style to maybe find one that fits right. I feel your pain girlie. If you want, I can keep an eye out for you and post items you might fit in my shop. :)
Anonymous: Maybe I should do a post about this, but I really love insolia inserts. As for ball-of-foot, I recommend just getting the cheap foam or fabric kind as opposed to gel because it's a bit more breathable and doesn't get sweaty.- AnonymousMay 30, 2008 at 9:02 AM
i'm 5' 11" and its just as hard fainding clothes that fit!!!
the thing is -- there is no perfect size. Lols, yeah! XD I remember I'd gone to the doctor's office back in 7th grade and she measured me to be 4' 10 1/2", but then those measurements are kind of out of date because that was about 5 years ago. ^^" Yeah, I've tried looking at wet seal a couple of times recently, but lately I haven't been able to find any 00 that relatively fits, a lot of them tend to be really wide, especially the short ones. >.<" Ohhh really? I've always found Forever 21's bottoms a bit large, and especially with their sizes getting bigger and bigger, I haven't really bothered to look there anymore. xD Thanks for hte tip! Omg! XD I wear 10 and 12 slims from af kids too, lols! Yeah, I've noticed that sizes tend to vary from style to style, and sometimes even color to color, which is strange. >.<" I've been meaning to go through the whole store to try on a ton of pants to see what fits, but I haven't done it yet because my BF's always with me when I'm shopping and he gets a bit impatient. Being tiny is such a pain to find clothes in America! XD Oh that'd be wonderful if you could! =D Thanks a bunch hun! <3
ReplyDelete- AnonymousMay 30, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Oh, I absolutely love your blog! I have the exact same problem; 5' on license but technically 4'10. Same difference, right? :) Another place I suggest on buying jeans to fit "super petite" bodies is Hollister. Their jeans fit so well on our bodies; I usually wear 0S or 1S and all you have to do is to get it hem! Anywho, I love reading your blog, Congrats to you -- Happy Wedding girl!
ReplyDelete - AnonymousJune 15, 2008 at 4:00 AM
Wow I just totally stumbled upon this and it helped me a lot. Thanks Jen! I'm 4'10", really thin and I have a very short torso and longer legs (and arms)so I reeeeaaaallly like your advice, lol.
Yay for the super-petite! ^__^ - AnonymousJune 10, 2009 at 10:38 PM
omfg. I just HAD to reply to your post. I'm a 25 y/o asian gal from Orange County, CA and bumped into your blog.
You're gorgeous AND I CAN'T believe you're only 4'10"! I'm 4'10.5" and I feel so much better about myself after reading that you're as tall as me! I could've sworn you were 5'8"!
Keep up with the awesome posts! =D I M Rashi,
I think here the example is wrng (the 1st one only) open shoulder makes a petite looks more skinny if she is under weight.the jeans one looks (bad example) better.also petite should try to elongate upper part of body ad wear low waist with high healsThanks for all the great examples. I am a petite women and its great to see what I would look better in. I have found some great petite shirts here.
ReplyDelete- AnonymousJanuary 18, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Hi Jen!
I'm 5 feet , but a little bit on a curvier side. I love to shop at White House Black Market, they've got sze XXS dresses that fit me perfectly. Bebe is not bad,I've got one xs dress from there. And I recently bought AE jeans 0 short, no need to cut the hem ))) wow thank you :D I'm exactly your size ...lol and my feet are the same size as yours and it is really hard to find a good pair of shoes thanks for the tip
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite as petite in height as you (I'm 5'3") but thank goodness there's someone out there with tiny tiny feet like me :) I can never find cute shoes that don't have glitter craze going on everywhere or light-up barbie detail. Whenever there's a sale on shoes, they never have my size, so I have to pay oodles to get a good pair to fit x_x
Thanks for sharing all these tips :D- AnonymousSeptember 1, 2010 at 12:56 AM
Thanks for this post! I am also super petite, 4'10.5" and size 3.5-4 as well and can relate!
ReplyDelete - AnonymousApril 22, 2013 at 5:59 PM
Just found your blog.. love it so far! I'm 4'10" too and can totally relate with how hard it is to find clothing that fits well. I have to get all my pants hemmed! Thank you for the style ideas!
ReplyDelete this is my first time seeing this and i really love it!(ahhh) i'm still a student so my clothes are mostly shirts and jeans but still this will help me a lot, with my height of 4'7". although i keep telling people i'm 4'10" XD
ReplyDeletethanks for the post. super helpful. ive been shoppin in the wrong section clearly. payless kids in 2 fits me! any other ideas would love if u could share. i am also 4'10" and not quite size 5. love your blog and style!


text:
previous taxon |
next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information) |
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
Perennial, shrub, tree
Stem: bark often peeling distinctively
Leaves simple, generally cauline, alternate, opposite, rarely whorled, evergreen or deciduous, often leathery, petioled or not; stipules 0
Inflorescence: raceme, panicle, cyme, or flowers solitary, generally bracted; pedicels often with 2 bractlets
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; sepals generally 45, generally free; petals generally 45, free or fused; stamens 810, free, filaments rarely appendaged, anthers awned or not, dehiscent by pores or slits; nectary generally at ovary base, disk-like; ovary superior or inferior, chambers generally 15, placentas axile or parietal, ovules 1many per chamber, style 1, stigma head- to funnel-like or lobed
Fruit: capsule, drupe, berry
Seeds generally many, sometimes winged
Genera in family: ± 100 genera, 3000 species: generally worldwide except deserts; some cultivated, especially Arbutus, Arctostaphylos, Rhododendron, Vaccinium
Reference: [Wallace 1975 Wasmann J Biol 33:188; 1975 Bot Not 128:286298]
Subfamilies Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Vaccinioideae sometimes treated as families. Nongreen plants obtain nutrition from green plants through fungal intermediates.
Shrubs, small trees
Stem prostrate to erect; fire-resistant burl sometimes present at base; bark generally reddish, smooth or gray, rough, and shredded; hairs generally alike on twig, inflorescence axis, bract
Leaves alternate, spreading to ascending, evergreen; blade surfaces generally alike, sometimes convex, differing in color (stomata restricted to lower surface) or hairiness; margin flat to rolled
Inflorescence: raceme or panicle-like, terminal; branches raceme-like; flowers bracted; bracts leaf-like, generally flat or scale-like, generally folded, keeled; immature inflorescence present late summer through winter
Flower radial; sepals generally 5, free, persistent; corolla generally 5-lobed, urn-shaped to ± spheric, white to pink; stamens generally 10, included, filament base glabrous or hairy, anther 2-pored, awns 2, recurved; ovary superior, base surrounded by nectary disk, chambers 210, ovule 1 per chamber, style 1, stigma head-like
Fruit: drupe, berry-like, generally ± spheric; pulp generally thick, mealy; stones 210, free, separable, or strongly fused
Species in genus: ± 60 species: North America (especially CA) to C.Am, Eurasia
Etymology: (Greek: bear berries)
Reference: [Wells 1988 Madroño 35:330341]
Observation of hairs requires 10X magnification. Distribution of many species local; hybridization occurs in areas of overlap
Horticultural information: Beautiful but mostly DFCLT due to fungus and often salinity and alkali. Avoid overhead watering in hot weather. CVS are the easier garden subjects.


text:
Integer gravida nibh quis urna
Welcome to Azure, a free responsive HTML5 website template designed by HTML5Templates.com. It features a modern business-oriented design, content-dense layout, and a neutral color scheme. And like all of our templates, it is built on HTML5 and CSS3, has full responsive support for desktops, tablets, and mobile devices, and is 100% free to use personally or commercially under the Creative Commons license. Be sure to check out our website for more awesome free HTML5 templates and follow us on Twitter for updates and new releases! Enjoy!
Quisque dictum. Integer nisl risus, sagittis convallis, rutrum id, elementum congue, nibh. Suspendisse dictum porta lectus. Donec placerat odio vel elit. Nullam ante orci, pellentesque eget, tempus quis, ultrices in, est. Curabitur sit amet nulla. Nam in massa. Sed vel tellus.