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Asus UL20FT-A1 Review
Sleek design with brushed aluminum lid; Powerful speakers for 12-inch notebook; Snappy Core i3 processor; Comfortable keyboard with little flex
Small and very stiff touchpad button; Relatively short battery life
A relatively powerful Core i3 processor, brushed metal lid, and comfy keyboard make this ultraportable worth a look, but it's frustrating to use.
Believe it or not, there was a time when 12-inch ultraportables weren't just considered supersized or supercharged netbooks. It was its own laptop category, mostly populated by business machines for road warriors. The Asus UL20FT-A1 focuses more on entertainment, thanks to features such as Altec Lansing speakers, and there's no question that this laptop has enough speed to be your primary work-and-play PC. You also get a stylish brushed aluminum lid and comfy keyboard. But is that enough to justify its $629 price when you can get the 12.1-inch EeePC 1215N netbook for $130 less?
See our List of Favorite Laptops
Click on one of our top pick pages below to see which were selected as "Best in Class" by our seasoned tech editors.
Design and Ports
Handsome but somewhat unassuming, the UL20FT weighs a light 3.4 pounds and features a sturdy and classy brushed metal casing. You won't have to worry about fingerprints marring this notebook. The EeePC 1215N is the same weight, but its all-plastic chassis doesn't feel quite as sturdy. Inside the Asus you'll find a plastic sliver deck with a subtle cube pattern that looks elegant, which carriers over to the ridged touchpad, and a glossy black bezel.
The left side of the UL20FT houses an HDMI port, USB port, and headphone and mic jacks. A 5-in-1 memory card reader and two more USB, VGA, and Ethernet ports line the right side. Above the keyboard is a small power button on the right, as well as a button on the left that doubles as a launcher for the Express Gate instant-on OS (when the system is powered off) and a way for toggling through various power profiles (when the notebook is on).
The UL20FT managed to keep its cool during testing. After playing a Hulu video at full screen for 15 minutes, we measured relatively low temperatures of 88 degrees Fahrenheit on the touchpad and 86 degrees between the G and H keys. The underside of the notebook got up to 104 degrees by the vent, but the middle of the underside was a reasonable 91 degrees.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Asus doesn't have a reputation for delivering great ergonomics, and the UL20FT doesn't do much to change that perception. On the plus side, the keyboard offers good tactile feedback with minimal flex (much less so than the Eee PC 1215N). Our only nitpick here is the shrunken right Shift key.
However, the touchpad button will be a deal-breaker for some. It's entirely too stiff, and it's also small. We resorted to double tapping the touchpad to make selections, and whenever we had to right-click we were reminded why we avoided the button. The ridged touchpad offered smooth navigation as well as smooth pinch-to-zoom gesturing. Too bad the pad measures a mere 2.5 x 1.5 inches (versus a relatively mammoth 3.3 x 1.9 inches for the 1215N). We wish Asus could combine the keyboard on this notebook with the touchpad on its souped-up netbook.
Display, Audio, and Webcam
Dialogue in the Glee episode was also plenty loud, thanks to the built-in Altec Lansing speakers with SRS sound. An easy-to-use control panel lets you optimize the audio for music, movies, or games with a click. When we played "A-Punk" by Vampire Weekend and "All These Things That I've Done" from The Killers on Slacker, the UL20FT delivered good fidelity for a laptop. But while the front-mounted speakers pumped out plenty of volume, the audio sounded harsh at the max setting.
To test out the 0.3-megapixel webcam, we made a video call on Skype. The other caller said the colors were warmer than usual (in a good way) and the audio sounded clear.
Wondering why this ultraportable costs $629 while other systems its size can be had for $500 or less? It's because the UL20FT packs a pretty powerful low-voltage Intel Core i3-330UM processor running at 1.2-GHz, though it's paired with only 2GB of RAM. In PCMark Vantage, which measures overall system performance, the UL20FT scored 3,929, outperforming most other 11- and 12-inch notebooks by a pretty significant margin.
The $499 Eee PC 1215N, which has a dual-core 1.8-GHz Atom CPU, notched 1,921; and the $436 Toshiba T215D, with its 1.7-GHz AMD Athlon II Neo chip, scored 1,938. The $529 ThinkPad X100e, powered by a dual-core AMD processor, reached a PCMark Vantage score of 2,382. (This system originally cost $569.) If you want comparable performance to this Asus, you'd need to step up to an 11.6-incher like the Acer Aspire 1830t, which achieved a score of 3,824. That notebook costs $699, but the configuration we reviewed had an even more powerful Core i5 CPU and 4GB of RAM. (A Core i3 version is also available.)
Those who want to edit video will also find the UL20FT pretty capable. The notebook transcoded a 114MB MPEG-4 file to AVI in 1 minute and 24 seconds. That showing is a good deal faster than the ultraportable average of 2:06, as well as such competitors as the ThinkPad X100e (2:17) and Inspiron M101z (2:16). The Eee PC 1215N took a leisurely 3:17.
When using the laptop, the UL20FT was fairly responsive. We had seven windows open and didn't notice any lag. You'll especially benefit from its extra horsepower if you perform more demanding chores, like photo and video editing. However, if you're primarily interested in word processing, web surfing, and checking e-mail on the go, this machine's Core i3 processor might be overkill.
Graphics Performance
With Intel's HD integrated graphics under the hood, you shouldn't expect serious gaming chops. Sure enough, the UL20FT mustered only 23 frames per second when playing World of Warcraft--and that was at 1024 x 768-pixel resolution. That dropped all the way to 9 fps at native resolution. In 3DMark06, the ultraportable scored 1,256, which is slightly above the category average (1,165).
The Nvidia Ion-powered Eee PC 1215N runs circles around this notebook in the graphics department, more than doubling the UL20FT's score in 3DMark06 (2,692) and turning in much higher frame rates in WoW (37 fps and 48 fps, respectively.) Still, this laptop is no slouch when it comes to playing HD video, including a 1080p trailer of Tron HD on YouTube.
Battery Life and Wireless
The Atheros AR9285 802.11n wireless adapter delivered fast throughput close to and a good distance from our router. We saw data rates of 40.2 Mbps and 25.1 Mbps at 15 and 50 feet, respectively, both above the category averages.
Software and Warranty
The UL20FT comes with several Asus programs, including LifeFrame (for recording and sharing video), SmartLogon (facial recognition), and Power4Gear Hybrid (for tweaking power settings). Asus also bundles the notebook with trials of Office 2010 and Trend Micro Internet Security, as well as Syncables Desktop and Kindle for PC.
Asus backs the UL20FT with a one-year warranty and one-year accidental damage protection, as well as 24/7 tech support. To see how Asus fared in our tech support showdown, click here.
|1.2-GHz Intel Core i3-330UM
|Operating System
|MS Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit)
|RAM Upgradable to
|Hard Drive Size
|Hard Drive Speed
|Hard Drive Type
|SATA Hard Drive
|Display Size
|Native Resolution
|Optical Drive
|Optical Drive Speed
|Graphics Card
|Intel GMA HD
|Video Memory
|Wi-Fi Model
|Atheros AR9285
|Mobile Broadband
|Touchpad Size
|2.5 x 1.5
|Ports (excluding USB)
|Ports (excluding USB)
|Ports (excluding USB)
|Ports (excluding USB)
|Ports (excluding USB)
|USB Ports
|Card Slots
|5-1 card reader
|1-year Parts and Labor, 1 year Accidental Damage, 30-day Zero Bright Dot Guarantee, 2-way free shipping, 24/7 Tech Support
|11.8 x 8.4 x 1 inch
|3.4 pounds
|Company Website


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subset: commoncrawl


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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post7863331955203800312..comments2019-02-22T13:11:26.835-08:00Comments on Remaking the University: A View from a Science Department: Part 2Chris Newfieldhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-78914772053797041372010-01-03T08:43:15.471-08:002010-01-03T08:43:15.471-08:00Parts 3 and 4 are now posted. thanks for this exce...Parts 3 and 4 are now posted. thanks for this excellent discussionChris Newfieldhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-2430687516769422662010-01-02T21:55:48.964-08:002010-01-02T21:55:48.964-08:00TB: good points. No question that committed super...TB: good points. No question that committed supervision of graduate student research requires time and needs to be accounted for. Should the cost associated with this effort be booked with undergraduate instruction, or with graduate instruction, or with research?

Is the nub of the deal, then, that undergraduates have been asked to subsidize graduate education in the sciences?

Is this what justifies an immediate 30% increase in undergraduate tuition, a continued public representation that undergraduates don't pay for nearly all of their "costs", and somehow that this approach is better than other responses that research universities might make to the reduction of state support?

Thinking about it, and thinking about Charles Schwartz's points.Gerry Barnetthttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-76505200023827302162010-01-02T19:03:01.838-08:002010-01-02T19:03:01.838-08:00As far as I am concerned, not classifying departme...As far as I am concerned, not classifying departmental research as "instruction" is just plain wrong. My evidence may be anecdotal, but from my frequent conversations with a friend in one of the humanities departments I can tell you that the amount of time that the faculty spend mentoring graduate research vary drastically across academic disciplines. In my friend's field, graduate students are expected to carry their research independently, co-authorship is essentially unheard of and, as a result, the faculty mentorship responsibilities hardly exceed approving the research topic and then commenting on the drafts of the final product. In my field (and I do not know how uniform this is across all sciences), I have to meet with my graduate students individially several times a week. The amount of time I spend hands-on directing my students' research far exceeds the time my friend spends teaching one extra class. While there is clearly some research output resulting from the time I spend with my students, from the point of view of pure research this is by far *not* the most efficient use of my time. I would be more productive if I did not take any graduate students. (I have heard a similar sentiment from several of my colleagues albeit it may be not the case for experimentalists who need sheer manpower to run their labs.) Anyway, from my perspective, directing graduate research *is* teaching, and a fairly time-consuming kind of teaching at that. Definitely far more time-consuming that repeating the same introductory undergraduate lecture course over and over again. So suggesting that I buy time for research using my grant money will have an immediate effect of my refusing to take any graduate students, teaching the extra class while using the grant money to hire postdocs. From the pure research point of view this is the most efficient way. And who will be training graduate students in sciences email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-11639246836056510852010-01-02T15:08:37.333-08:002010-01-02T15:08:37.333-08:00Why does a change in accounting necessarily requir...Why does a change in accounting necessarily require a change in teaching load? Why not just a change in the representations made to the state, students, and public for funding? Does anyone really believe a largely fictional but convenient university accounting practice even loosely tracks current research and instructional time commitments? Which is master, the accounting practice or academic governance? What's more important, a public rhetoric built on a financial fiction that supports a convenient way of life, or a public rhetoric that reflects practice, from which a new argument for public support is made?

Put it another way--if the accounting is largely a fiction, and the effect is to support a longstanding claim to undergraduates that they are not paying the full cost of their education, then someone could argue that the university is simply caught out in a kind of self-serving political fraud, or perhaps more closely, a self-deception that few outside the university believe. The rationalizations for this way of doing things appear to include:

a) undergraduates make a better case politically than faculty research for university funding [status: failed for a decade];
b) undergraduates benefit from the research in the form of better instruction so they should pay their share [status: not at all clear this is true to the extent claimed];
c) undergraduates benefit from the status afforded by research and are paying for this status, but we just don't want to tell them that [status: perhaps this is true];
d) the university financial process is too complex to rebuild in a time of acute financial crisis, so immediate sources of revenue must be developed, and undergraduate tuition is a better alternative than others, such as dipping into endowment funds, reducing salaries, or limiting new research activity [status: clearly operational];
e) if anything changes, then forces of evil are unleashed throughout the university pitting everyone against each other in a battle for survival, helping no one, so a possible decades-long slow death with hope for recovery carried for now on the backs of undergraduates in the form of much higher tuition is better than such a battle [also probably true, but readily self-fulfilling and a sad commentary on administration];
f) faculty incentives are skewed heavily toward research over instruction, so even if folks wanted to change accounting and funding sources, it isn't possible until the incentives are changed--but that isn't a viable option [status: awaiting Part 3].

It appears (to me) that general university research activities have not made a meaningful case to the public in a long time. It's been hidden behind the undergraduates so long it has lost its muscle tone, its bone mass, and finally its will to be front and center.Gerry Barnetthttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-8755832295979746872010-01-02T07:56:57.369-08:002010-01-02T07:56:57.369-08:00The logic of no longer classifying departmental re...The logic of no longer classifying departmental research as "instruction" requires a substantial increase in teaching load in order to justify the full-time salary of a professor. Professors could then be allowed to "buy out" teaching time to do research by paying their salaries from extramural funds, but that's not a viable option for many fields.the firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-63268818876585035332010-01-01T13:42:36.446-08:002010-01-01T13:42:36.446-08:00Looking forward to Part 3. Given that competition...Looking forward to Part 3. Given that competition for research faculty appears to be an important driver for salaries, it will be interesting to see a development of apparently higher salaries for faculty in departments doing significant extramural research figures into an examination of the incentives to be involved in research. It would also be helpful to see a careful discussion of the accounting practice/fiction of classifying departmental research as part of "instruction" while placing separately accounted activity in "research".

Happy New Year to all those spending time in the comments sections of this blog, and thanks, Chris, Michael, Jack, and others for your work on this forum.Gerry Barnetthttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-10901963826317450242010-01-01T12:18:21.008-08:002010-01-01T12:18:21.008-08:00My next part (3) will discuss extramural research ...My next part (3) will discuss extramural research and whether it pays for itself. I think it will address some of the issues you raise.the firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-17564499464122822402009-12-31T12:25:22.347-08:002009-12-31T12:25:22.347-08:00Would you say the incentive structure as you'v...Would you say the incentive structure as you've stated it ought to figure significantly in any coherent strategy at UC? That is, is the incentive structure a good thing, a problem, or should it be a non-issue? I would note that UC policy requires extramural research to recover full direct and indirect costs. Yet we find rationalizations for drawing shortfalls in indirect costs from other sources. If the incentive structure--get more grants--actually creates greater financial strain on other funding sources (like tuition), then it would appear that the incentive structure ought to be on the table, at least in the short term, in dealing with the cuts.Gerry Barnetthttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-1110202426038644112009-12-31T08:10:15.135-08:002009-12-31T08:10:15.135-08:00From my vantage point, I see no clear or coherent ...From my vantage point, I see no clear or coherent strategy at the UC or campus level to deal with the cuts, so it's difficult to say whether or not the incentive structure is aligned.the email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-72075529850379911042009-12-30T22:08:13.685-08:002009-12-30T22:08:13.685-08:00That's a much clearer statement of the point. ...That's a much clearer statement of the point. Would you say that the current incentive structure is strongly aligned with UC's efforts to work through adverse effects of the financial cuts?Gerry Barnetthttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-87506218300364686702009-12-30T20:31:56.924-08:002009-12-30T20:31:56.924-08:00Irrespective of the merits of instruction vs. rese...Irrespective of the merits of instruction vs. research, my point is that the current incentive structure at UC strongly favors obtaining more extramural funding rather than doing more/better teaching. That's a factual statement, not a normative statement.the firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-5261980687569846952009-12-30T19:34:50.723-08:002009-12-30T19:34:50.723-08:00"Moreover, every hour spent by a professor on..."Moreover, every hour spent by a professor on teaching is an hour not spent on preparing a grant proposal."

One might ask whether this is true, or intended the way it comes across.

The way it comes across feeds the notion that UC faculty don't care to teach, that instruction is subsidized by (or more valuable than) research, and that the only direction for benefit is that somehow research informs instruction but not the other way.Gerry Barnetthttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-1170716682680204889.post-29082373392574016872009-12-29T05:39:46.734-08:002009-12-29T05:39:46.734-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.college intern onlinehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com


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Hello again!
Hello again and welcome back to QUILTARTNEWS – your free online magazine.
You will have noticed that there was no article for some time and the reason is that I completely overhauled the site to make it more interesting for you.
The menu is really extensive now and makes it very easy for you to find artists, book reviews, tutorials and patterns (most of them free) without searching the whole archive.
Book reviews are in chronological order with the latest review on top. And seeing the cover makes it even easier to find a specific book.
When clicking on "Artists" you will find a list of published artists and groups (in alphabetically order) together with a link to the article(s).
The "Patterns" and "Tutorials" pages will get larger and larger in the next months, so you better check often. The tutorials will always be free and most of the patterns as well.
And the "Events" = quiltshows are organized in a completely new way. You get a monthly overview with all the shows and by clicking on the show you will get more detailed information about where and when together with a map so you can find your way easily.
All the shows are color-coded so you can quickly see where in the world they will take place.
If you don't like the monthly overview you can change to a list or you can see all the shows for one specific day if you select "view as day" and type the day in "events in".
By the way – if you want your show or your guild's show or your friend's show or whoever's show in the events calendar just send me an e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com with dates, title and venue and I will publish it. No show is too small or too big.
And there is a new quilt in the header. A quilt I made for my daughter. A quilt called "Jewels" because of the jewel-tones of the fabrics. And it seems approbriate that this quilt will be the first free pattern to be found in the "Pattern" section of the website. So please come back next Tuesday for the pattern for "Jewels" (or subscribe to Quiltartnews and don't miss an article anymore).
And last but not least please follow Quiltartnews on Facebook for all the interesting snippets, on Twitter or on Pinterest where I collected a lot of beautiful, interesting and helpful things on my boards.
So once again – welcome back and enjoy the new website.


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When Gay Talese raised the question, "Where are the Italian American Novelists?" on the front page of the March 14, 1993 New York Times Book Review, I believed that he might be bringing, for the first time, national attention to the possibilities that there might be a literary tradition that is distinctly Italian American. However, hindered by his lack of familiarity with the vast body of literature created by American writers of Italian descent, Talese reduced the experience of Italian-American writers to his own, and offered a number of explanations which sound plausible, but which, in reality, do not reflect my belief that you are what you read. Since he had not read Italian-American writers, he could only ask the question.
The history of the reception of literature produced by Italian Americans can be seen in microcosm through the Talese episode. From the earliest contributions found in Italian language newspapers to the first appearances of Italian-American writers in mainstream American publications, the poetry and prose produced by American writers of Italian descent has been viewed as singular achievements by anomalies. Why then, in spite of the fact that such prominent American critics as Frank Lentricchia locate the origins of Italian-American fiction in Luigi Ventura's 1886 collection of short stories Misfits and Remnants, did it take nearly one hundred years for a sense of a tradition to be realized? One answer lies in the fact that until recently, Italian-American culture has not depended on a literary tradition for a sense of cultural survival. Yet, it was a literary tradition which literally saved my life.
If it were not for reading, I would have become a gangster. This I know for a fact. I grew up in the 1950s, when the only Italians you saw on television were either crooning love songs or singing like canaries in front of televised government investigations. In my neighborhood, we never played cowboys and Indians. Inspired by television programs like The Untouchables, we played cops and robbers, and none of us ever wanted to be the cops. While there might have been Italian-American cops in our town, there were none on television. It is no wonder then that many of us young Italian-American boys became so infatuated with the attention given to the Italian American criminals that we found our own ways of gaining that notoriety and power.
Once, while I was being chased by the police for disturbing local merchants so my partners could shoplift, I ran into the public library. I found myself in the juvenile section and grabbed a book to hide my face. Safe from the streets, I spent the rest of the afternoon reading, believing that nobody would ever find me there. And I was right. So whenever I was being chased, I would head straight for the library, which became my asylum.
The Godfather was the first book with which I could completely identify, and it inspired my choice of the Mafia as a topic for the dreaded senior-year, semester-long thesis paper that my Irish-Catholic prep school required. One way or another I had been connected to the Mafia since I left my Italian neighborhood to attend high school, so I decided it was time to find out what this thing called Mafia was.
This was the first writing project to excite me. The more research I did, the more I learned about the men I thought I had known. Whenever I saw familiar names I would be amazed that they had done something so important that someone had taken the time to write about them. People never talked, in public at least, about these men.
One night I was in the back room of a restaurant for a private party given by my employers. I was the youngest employee, and as we were being served my boss turned the group's attention to me by proudly asking what I had been doing in school. I told them, quite loudly, that I was doing a research paper on the Mafia. When he asked what I was reading, I blurted out, The Valachi Papers. Everyone stopped talking and turned to me. I was shocked by the sudden silence; my eyes went around the table and I realized that there were men in that room who had their names in that book. Someone changed the subject and nobody said another word about my project.
When I completed that paper I was certain of an excellent grade. The grading committee decided that the essay, although well written, depended too much on Italian sources, and because I was of Italian descent, my writing never achieved the necessary objectivity that was essential to all serious scholarship. I read the "C" grade as punishment for my cultural transgression, and decided to stay away from anything but English and American literature in my future formal studies.
Ten years later, while I was doing research for my master's thesis on Walt Whitman, I got lost in the University of Chicago's Regenstein Library and stumbled onto Rose Basile Green's study, The Italian-American Novel (1974). Her book literally changed my life. I used it as a map to guide my search for Italian-American stories. With every novel I read grew my shame about my past. The same way that books by Mark Twain, James T. Farrell, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, and other American writers had taught me about different worlds, the writings by Italian-American authors taught me different ways of being Italian American.
When I suggested that I might do a dissertation on the subject, I was taken aside and told that the subject would note help my career. I fought it for a while, searching for professors to support my change of plans. But when I could find no help, I gave up, left academia, and decided to do the work on my own.
I kept wondering why it was that Italian-American literature had gained so little recognition and thus little respect in the academy? One answer I found lies in the fact that until recently, Italian-American culture has not depended on a literary tradition for a sense of cultural survival. In my little Italy, stories, never died. As long as a good memory was nearby, the past could always speak to the present. Oral traditions were kept alive through regular and ritual interaction among families and friends. Even though my father died when I was young, there was never a lack of people in my neighborhood who, over a beef sandwich, an Italian ice, or a glass of someone's homemade wine, could tell me stories that made him live again. But as the years went on, the old neighborhood changed. Whole families moved away and with them went the stories. As long as that oral system operated, the need for reading and writing was limited. When that system started breaking down I turned to the writers.
I learned that the first Italian-American writers were immigrants who learned English and responded to their experience in America through poetry and prose more often than not found in the early Italian language newspapers. While these poets have yet to be documented historically, the most significant work was done by labor activist Arturo Giovannitti, whose participation in the great 1912 strike in Lawrence, Mass., landed him and Joe Ettor, president of the International Workers of the World, in jail. As a worker-poet, Giovannitti edited political and literary magazines. His first collection of poetry, Arrows in the Gale (1914), was introduced by Helen Keller. Through Giovannitti, I was able to hear the voices of hundreds of thousands of Italian immigrants who worked their way into status as Americans.
Pascal D'Angelo, who could have been my grandfather, recorded his struggle to become an American poet in his autobiography, Son of Italy (1924). To Americans, as D'Angelo wrote, "I was a poor laborer -- a dago, a wop or some such creature." That a ditch digger could become a poet was beyond belief for most American readers of the time. Accounts of entering America and facing new challenges for survival became the primary subjects of other early autobiographies such as Constantine Panunzio's The Soul of An Immigrant (1921) and as-told-to autobiographies such as Rosa, the Story of an Immigrant (1970). Through these works, I so understood my grandparents that, while they were dead, I felt I had to make up for the ignorance I had about their lives. I began interviewing surviving immigrants, most of whom lived in Villa Scalabrini, a local home for Italian aged. One woman was in tears after she read a story I did about her. She told me: "Grazie, sonny boy. Thank you for saving my life in these words. Now nobuddy is gonna forget me."
But it wasn't until I began to submit my own writing to publications that I realized that disseminating my work would demand political action. All the reading I had done told me that my story could not only be written, but that it had to be written. The reading I had done became the foundation upon which I would build my own career as a writer.
At the base of that foundation was Pietro di Donato, whose first story, Christ in Concrete, which dramatized the early death of his father in a construction accident, had grown into a novel of the same name, and became the main selection of the Book of the Month Club, chosen over John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. I learned that di Donato had never intended to be a writer, but the novel's success placed him in a national spotlight. Published during a time when the worker-writer was often posed as an American hero, di Donato's novel has remained conspicuously absent in critical studies of American literature. Through his novel, I better understood what happened to me after my father was killed, and how I, at the age of 10, had suddenly become the man in the house.
In John Fante I found the Italian-American Hemingway. He wanted to be a writer so badly that he sent stories, accompanied by long letters to H. L. Mencken, then one of the leading voices of American literature. Mencken rejected the stories and published the letters. By 1940, Fante had already published half of his lifetime production of short stories in national magazines such as "The American Mercury, The Atlantic Monthly, " Harper's Bazaar and Scribner's Magazine, and had also published two novels and a collection of his stories (Dago Red, 1940). His four-book saga of Arturo Bandini, of which Wait Until Spring, Bandini! is the first, follows a young Italian Catholic who lights out for California with the intent of escaping his family and its ethnicity by becoming a writer. All of Fante's work spoke to me with a voice that drowned out all the American literature I had read in school.
When I discovered Jerre Mangione's Mount Allegro (1943) I decided I had to meet him and to see if I could get him to read my novel. I ran into him at an American Italian Historical Association (AIHA) conference, and got him to agree to read some of my work. As he was leaving the hotel with his suitcase in hand, I pulled out a 500-page manuscript that I stuffed into his already over-packed suitcase against his shocked protest. Mangione, one of the most celebrated Italian-American writers, took the work and later gave me the most solid criticism I had ever received. Years later, the Library of Congress honored his career with a special exhibit, and I have become his literary executor. His first book, Mount Allegro is the first of four non-fictional books.
When I found Mari Tomasi's Deep Grow the Roots (1940) and Like Lesser Gods (1949), I read, for the first time a work by an Italian-American woman. Her realistic portrayal of the plight of immigrant granite workers in Barre, Vt., made me realize why my grandfather had taken so much pride in his menial work. Through Tomasi, Julia Savarese, The Weak and the Strong, (1952) and Marion Benasutti No Steady Job for Papa (1966), I better understood my own family's struggle to survive immigration and the Great Depression.
All this reading inspired me to try my hand at writing. My first attempt was a novel that received mixed reactions from a number of editors. One suggested that I follow in Puzo's footsteps and heighten the Mafia material that he was certain was lurking under the surface of my story; another suggested that I change the characters' ethnicity because Italian Americans do not read and so could not be counted on to buy the book, and because Italian-American characters could even alienate those who did buy books, unless of course I was willing to tell more about the many murders that occurred in my family's past. Not willing to follow any of these suggestions, I put aside my fiction thinking that before I could do anything with my novel, I had to change the mistaken notions of those editors. I believed that if I could prove there was Italian-American literature beyond Mafia stories, and that it did not depend on a distinctive Italian-American audience, then my own writing would have a tradition and I a place in it.
From my studies in American literature, I had learned that a tradition is built when writers read each other and learn to either extend or escape what has come before. This process requires literary models, something Italian Americans such as Louise DeSalvo could not find. As she tells us in her memoir Vertigo (1996), "Though I had read scores of books, not one had been written by an Italian-American woman. I had no role model among the women of my background to urge me on." For DeSalvo, and other Italian Americans born in the 1940s, a sense of Italian-American culture and identity would come from one's family and perhaps one's neighborhood, but certainly not from school. Without Italian-American models in educational institutions, those, like DeSalvo who would choose to become teachers and writers, would need to look elsewhere. As Alice Walker tells us in her essay, "Saving the Life That is Your Own:" "The absence of models, in literature as in life, . . . is an occupational hazard for the artist, simply because models in art, in behavior, in growth of spirit and intellect -- even if rejected -- enrich and enlarge one's view of existence." And this is what these writers did for me; they enlarged my view of existence as an American of Italian descent. Toward the end of this essay, Walker writes: "It is, in the end, the saving of lives that we writers are about. Whether we are 'minority' writers or 'majority.' It is simply in our power to do this."
Italian-American writers had saved my life by lifting my eyes to the horizons that lie beyond my neighborhood. They had given me a new respect for my culture, but more than anything, all this reading extended my sense of family. In the poets, John Ciardi, Felix Stefanile, and Joseph Tusiani, I found artists who could have been my uncles. Helen Barolini's Umbertina (1979) helped me to understand the women in my family. At most of my family's gatherings, the men would gather in one spot and the women in the other, and Barolini's The Dream Book: An Anthology of Writings by Italian American Women (1985) helped me to better understand why women would shift into Italian whenever I would drift near their side of the room. The anthology, by winning an American Book Award, was proof that the rest of the world was beginning to take Italian-American literature seriously.
Joseph Papaleo's two novels, All the Comforts (1967) and Out of Place (1970) which both deal with the struggle of the second-generation of Italian American to find a respectable place in American society, helped me to understand the passionate life my father led. And when I found Ben Morreale's novels The Seventh Saracen (1958) and A Few Virtuous Men, (1973) I learned about Sicily and what it is like to live on the other side of the Mafia. In Monday Tuesday Never Come Sunday (1977) he recounts 1930s life in a New York Little Italy that defies cinematic stereotypes. And his latest novel, The Loss of the Miraculous (1997), spins a tale of love, art, and loss through an old Sicilian painter. Josephine Gattuso Hendin's The Right Thing to Do, (1986) which won an American Book Award, is a powerful account of the relationship between an old world father and a new world daughter. Hendin helped me understand the story my mother tells of how she had once followed her brother across the railroad tracks, and as punishment my grandfather tied her to a chair in the basement.
At the poetic foundation of my own rebellion in the 1960s, there were a number of Italian Americans, including Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Gregory Corso, and Diane di Prima, who had a profound effect on America's poetry scene through the infamous Beat period of the early 1950s. Di Prima's autobiography Memoirs of a Beatnik (1969) and her forthcoming memoir, Recollections of My Life as a Woman, taught me that Italian-American women can break the hold of patriarchy. This struggle, recounted in the poetry of Maria Mazziotti Gillan (Where I Come From, 1995), and Daniela Gioseffi (Word Wounds and Water Flowers, 1995), made me realize that the world of my aunts was different from what I had thought.
In college I learned that the way to tell if a literature is growing is the arrival of serious humor and parody. I found the most eloquent tragi-comical Italian-American fiction in Valentino and the Great Italians, According to Anthony Valerio. Anthony Valerio elevated Bensonhurst Joes and Josephines, as easily (and as wittily) as he leveled the stature of such household names as Enrico Caruso, Frank Sinatra, and Joe Dimaggio. His earlier fiction in The Mediterranean Runs Through Brooklyn (1982) established him as a major voice of Italian-American culture, but his latest work, Conversation with Johnny will turn Italian America upside down.
What Mario Puzo romanticized in The Godfather(1969), what Gay Talese historicized in Honor Thy Father (1971), Giose Rimanelli parodied in Benedetta in Guysterland (1994). In my early days, Rimanelli had tended to me as though he was my literary Godfather, guiding me in new directions of reading. His Benedetta tells the story of America's flirtatious relationship with Italy and debunks the traditional stereotype of the Italian-American gangster through the love story of Clara "Benedetta Ashfield" and the real-life "mafioso" Joe Adonis.
Two writers who are have become like sister and brother to me are Tina DeRosa and Tony Ardizzone. When Tina De Rosa's novel, Paper Fish, was first published back in 1980, I must have bought 50 copies to give as gifts. The novel, in some of the most poetic prose to come from the hand of an Italian American, tells the story of a young girl growing up and out of a dying Little Italy. Unfortunately, after the press that first published it went out of business, the novel disappeared from those shelves, surfacing occasionally in used bookstores and in conference conversations. As the years went by I would send copies to editors and publishers hoping that one would see its value and reprint it. When I met Florence Howe of The Feminist Press in 1995, she took my suggestion seriously and Paper Fish was resurrected with an important "Afterword" by Edvige Giunta.
Tony Ardizzone, one of the best short story writers around, has been winning literary prizes for years. His Larabi's Ox: Stories of Morocco, published in 1993, earned the Milkweed National Fiction Prize, the Chicago Foundation for Literature Award for Fiction, and a Pushcart Prize. His first story collection, The Evening News, won the prestigious Flannery O'Connor Award in 1986. His latest story collection, Taking it Home: Stories from the Neighborhood (1996) features stories set in Chicago and filled with Italian-American and Catholic themes and characters.
The writing of Italian-American gays and lesbians have taught me much about why my family shows their respect and their fear of some of my cousins through silence. Theresa Carilli's Women as Lovers (1996) and Rachel Guido DeVries' novel Tender Warriors (1986) demystified the notion of the stereotypical, happy and warm Italian family. Her poetry, How to Sing to a Dago (1995) denies the nostalgia of the immigrant myth through lyric reinventions of what it means to be Italian American. Likewise, the fine novels of the late Robert Ferro explore the complex relationships among gay Italian Americans, their families, and straight and gay communities. Rose Romano, poet, editor, and publisher of Malafemmina Press, presents a more politicized persona through her publications and her own poetry. Besides bringing lesbian issues to the forefront, she has also advocated the Italian-American position in the multi-cultural arena through her books: Vendetta (1992) and The Wop Factor (1994).
As my own career in academia grew, I gained strength through reading the criticism of Robert Viscusi whose imaginative memoir Astoria (1995), which can be read as part novel and part cultural criticism, won an American Book Award and established his reputation as one of Italian America's leading writers.
This power of literature to create identity and community has taken a long time for Italian Americans to realize. Louise De Salvo, the winner of the first Gay Talese literary prize, a $10,000 award presented by UNICO, has written: "It is as simple as this, reading and writing about what I have read have saved my life;" those words could be mine, for not only has reading kept me from becoming a gangster, but it has made me a professor who realizes that if reading can save a life, then it must be true that literature can save a culture. If you are what you read, then you are not Italian American until you read Italian American writers.
* This essay was originally presented at The Italian-American Writer 1997, the Fall of 1997 Symposium sponsored by the Center for Italian Studies of SUNY Stony Brook, and is based on an article that appeared in the Spring, 1997 issue of Italian America published by the Order Sons of Italy in America.


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Espa ol
Like her predecessor, idol and, for a brief time, employer Cesaria Evora, Lura found some measure of success not from her initial, pop-inflected efforts, but with an album that embraced traditional music from Cape Verde. Unlike Evora though, Lura was drawn to the more lively and African-based funana and batuku. Those styles (with hints of flamenco, Brazilian and Portuguese music) are again the focal point for this follow-up to 2005's breakthrough Di Korpu Ku Alma. Lura has the makings of a star–rich voice, fluid dancing, and a charming smile. There's a certain bounce in her step, put there in part by the airy arrangements of pianist, producer and Evora's musical director, Nando Andrade, and such accomplished players as Malagasy accordionist Regis Gizavo, flamenco guitarist Pedro Joia and harmonica player Vincent Bucher. Though not a significant departure, M'bem Di Fora is a sprightly offering full of contagious joy.
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Sign Up to our E-Newsletter
Contact Us
About Us
Exhibitions - Whakakitenga
Home Work: Taranaki Art 2017
Hāpai Celebrating Taranaki Artists
Illusion: Nothing is as it Seems
Takapou Whāriki
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Taranaki Naturally
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Museum Refresh Plan
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Puke Ariki has embarked on an exciting project that gives our museum a new look with new things to see and do!
We know that 70 per cent of our visitors live locally, so we want to make every visit you make a different experience by transforming our galleries in the way they look and feel.
Exhibits that have been on show since Puke Ariki opened in 2003 are taking a well-earned rest while treasures from our archives are being given their chance to shine.
The project also gives us a chance to experiment with new ideas, introduce new technology and work with some new people.
It also means we can continue to celebrate and showcase Taranaki and the people who live in the region, telling their stories while embracing different cultures and point of view.
Changes are already happening with an updated display telling the story of oil and gas in the region revealed last year in the Taranaki Life gallery and the Kōkako: Te Kōrero o Tamanui showcase in Taranaki Naturally being extended in the Discover it! Library area. More recently, Ko Taranaki Te Mounga has opened, celebrating our mountain and the influence it has on the region.
Keep a look out for news of more changes happening in upcoming months – in the meantime
take a look at the plan
guiding the decisions being made about the museum.
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Copyright © 2019 Puke Ariki
1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth, New Zealand


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The US Travel Insurance Affiliation (UStiA) is a national association of insurance coverage carriers, third-occasion administrators, insurance companies and related companies involved in the development, administration and advertising of travel insurance coverage and travel assistance merchandise. When you let the chook out of the travel cage whereas in the automobile don't forget to put him back earlier than any passengers open the door. Different economists found that Los Angeles County alone could lose the equal of $736 million in tourism spending over three years because of Trump's travel ban, The New York Occasions reported. An unidentified judge on the 9th Circuit on Friday requested that the courtroom's 25 full-time judges vote on whether or not the short-term block of Trump's travel ban ought to be reheard before an eleven-judge panel, referred to as en banc review, in line with a court order.
The darkish network permits us to time travel into the longer term, but not just any future. Particularly in temperate climates, the climate varies significantly by season and even day-to-day. One of the brightest teams final 12 months, Villarreal's season looks to be in the doldrums. If you need to have the ability to loosen up on vacation with out the threat of monetary catastrophe hanging over your … Travel More


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7/9 at 12:31 p.m. Kelly Fisher, 32, of Dixon Road, Lebanon, was arrested on Veronica Lane by Officer Paul Powers on an outstanding warrant from another agency.
7/8 at 9:34 p.m. Christian O'Connell, 22, of Ledge Road, Yarmouth, was issued a summons on Hunter Road by Officer Matthew Moorhouse on charges of operating with a suspended or revoked license, sale and use of drug paraphernalia and violating conditions of release.
7/11 at 7:25 p.m. Jeremy Brown, 41, no address listed, was issued a summons at Park and Bow streets by Officer Nathan Leger on a charge of possession of marijuana.
7/6 at 7:16 a.m. Alarm call on Kendall Lane.
7/7 at 9:52 a.m. Alarm call on Holbrook Street.
7/10 at 9:48 a.m. Alarm call on Main Street.
7/10 at 8:20 p.m. Alarm call on South Freeport Road.
Freeport emergency medical services responded to 21 calls from July 5-11.


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This morning I turned an old t-shirt of mine into my new favorite pillow.
This was so easy to do and so satisfying!! These would make great last minute gifts.
Talia Christine
eeeeeeeek! i LOVE that pillow!!! definitely going to try this soon!ReplyDelete
That is too cute! Simple, too.ReplyDelete
Aren't you clever! That's so tweet! (you like what I did there?!) JxReplyDelete
I love it! I feel so inspired to get out the sewing machine now...ReplyDelete
Love it and the idea!!!
Thanks for sharing.
What an absolutely adorable pillow! It's a fantastic idea.
{XOXO, Deanna}
Oh wow! That looks amazing - what a great idea - thanks for sharing :)ReplyDelete
I love and appreciate your comments and I try to respond to as many as I can so don't forget to check back! xoxo


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The provisions contained in group term life insurance contracts are more uniform than those found in other types of group insurance. Much of this uniformity is a result of the adoption by most states of the Group Life Insurance Standard Provisions Model Bill developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). This bill, coupled with the insurance industry's attempts at uniformity, has resulted in provisions that are virtually identical among insurance companies. While the following contract provisions represent the norm and are consistent with the practices of most insurance companies, some states may require slightly different provisions, and some companies may vary their contract provisions. In addition, negotiations between a policyholder and an insurance company may result in the modification of contract provisions.
Benefit Schedules
The purpose of the benefit schedule is twofold. It classifies the employees who are eligible for coverage, and it specifies the amount of life insurance that will be provided to the members of each class, thus minimizing adverse selection because the amount of coverage for individual employees is predetermined. A benefit schedule can be as simple as providing a single amount of life insurance for all employees or as complex as providing different amounts of insurance for different classes of employees. For individual employer groups, the most common benefit schedules are those in which the amount of life insurance is based on either earnings or position.
Earnings Schedules
Most group term life insurance plans use an earnings schedule under which the amount of life insurance is determined as a multiple (or percentage) of each each employee's earnings. For example, the amount of life insurance for each employee may be twice (200 percent of) the employee's annual earnings. Most plans use a multiple between one and two, but higher and lower multiples are occasionally used. The amount of insurance is often rounded to the next higher $1,000 and for underwriting purposes may be subject to a maximum benefit, such as $200,000. For purposes of the benefit schedule, an employee's earnings usually consist of base salary only and do not include additional compensation like overtime pay or bonuses.
An alternative to using a flat percentage of earnings is to use an actual schedule of earnings such as the one in Table 1. This type of schedule may be designed so that all employees receive an amount of coverage that is approximately equal to the same multiple of annual earnings or, as in this example, larger multiples with higher earnings. Benefit schedules usually provide for a change in the amount of an employee's coverage when the employee moves into a different classification, even if this does not occur on the policy anniversary date. For example, the schedule in Table 6-1 indicates that the amount of coverage for an employee earning $28,000 would increase from $40,000 to $75,000 if the employee received a $4,000 raise. Some schedules, however, specify that adjustments in amounts of coverage will be made only annually or on monthly premium due dates.
Position Schedules
Position schedules are similar to earnings schedules except that, as Table 6-2 shows, the amount of life insurance is based on an employee's position within the firm rather than on the employee's annual earnings.
Because individuals in high positions are often involved in designing the benefit schedule, underwriters are concerned that the benefits for these individuals be reasonable in relation to the overall plan benefits. Position schedules may also pose problems in meeting nondiscrimination rules if excessively large amounts of coverage are provided to persons in high positions.
Even though position schedules are often used when annual earnings can be easily determined, they are particularly useful when it is difficult to determine an employee's annual income. This is the situation when income is materially affected by such factors as commissions earned, number of hours worked, or bonuses that are based on either the employee's performance or the firm's profits.
Flat-Benefit Schedules
Under flat-benefit schedules, the same amount of life insurance is provided for all employees regardless of salary or position. This type of benefit schedule is commonly used in group insurance plans covering hourly paid employees, particularly when benefits are negotiated with a union. In most cases, the amount of life insurance under a flat-benefit schedule is relatively small, such as $10,000 or $20,000. When an employer desires to provide only a minimum amount of life insurance for all employees, a flat-benefit schedule is often used.
Combination Benefit Schedules
It is not unusual for employers to have benefit schedules that incorporate elements from several of the various types previously discussed. While there are numerous possible combinations, a common benefit schedule of this type provides salaried employees with an amount of insurance that is determined by a multiple of their annual earnings and hourly employees with a flat amount of life insurance.
Reduction in Benefits
It is common for a group life insurance plan to provide for a reduction in benefits for active employees who reach a certain age, commonly 65 to 70. Such a reduction, which is due to the high cost of providing benefits for older employees, is specified in the benefit schedule of a plan. Any reduction in the amount of life insurance for active employees is subject to the provisions of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Benefit reductions fall into three categories:
(1) a reduction to a flat amount of insurance;
(2) a percentage reduction, such as to 65 percent of the amount of insurance that was previously provided; or
(3) a gradual reduction over a period of years (for example, a 10 percent reduction in coverage each year until a minimum benefit amount is reached).


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Hey there, my scrappy friends. I did this page recently for a CSI challenge:
Mum & I at my son's wedding from last year.....my PP goodies include that LOVELY spotty blue fabric button, the CHIPPY...yes, seriously! Me....Lizzy Hill...used CHIPPY from PP in the title!
And I also used some of the tickets in my banner.....they are SOOO easy to use in all sorts of ways! The twine is PP, too:)
Pop on over to the shop HERE & check out the lovely goodies for sale!
Thanks for looking & happy scrapping ~ Lizzy ♥♥♥


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A Service Dog Visits The Prison Where He Was Trained. When He Sees His Old Trainer, Tears!Ashley Maisano
You see it happening more and more where prisons are adding programs where inmates work with dogs. The inmates provide the dogs with care and training, while the inmates in return learn trust, compassion and responsibility. Laurie, an inmate at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, helped train a dog named Pax, who would go on to be a service dog.
Pax was eventually paired with Bill Campbell, a military veteran who suffers from PTSD and memory loss and has a major fear of crowds. When Campbell received Pax, his whole life changed. Having a dog by his side has helped him cope with the horrible effects of war and has made it possible for him to get through everyday life. Aware that Pax also helped other people along the way, like Laurie, before being paired with himself, he thought it would be nice to bring Pax back to where it all began for him. He took Pax back to the facility to visit Laurie, and their reunion was so heartwarming! Watch it in the video below:


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Hi there I'm Min... Im 23 and hail from the Sydney area. I've been overweight for my whole life. I currently weight just under 100kg and that scares me!.
I do go to the gym a couple of times a week, but my workouts arent overly instense. I try to eat healthy but do succumb to the occasional "bad" foods.
Im looking at reaching my goal weight of 70kgs.
Im on holidays for the next 3 weeks and have devised a plan for each day (workout-wise) and am currently seeking some good recipes to try out.
Thought I would try and find some online support and I did...I found you! Im looking forward to getting to know some of you, whilst at the same time, gain some motivation and tips.


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Although the article was authored by yours truly, it owes its title to Keith Miller and its publication to Rachelle Hollander, editor of CACM's ethics column, to both of whom my thanks. It briefly describes three of the presentations at the 2010 PAIT workshop.
The funding period for the project officially ends tomorrow (March 1, 2011).
In the same issue, "Catch me if you can" by Gregory Benford (pp. 112-111)1 traces the evolution of computer viruses and other malware, including Stuxnet. Benford claims that he wrote the first virus. I thank him for the article, but not for his invention.
Ken Pimple, PAIT Project Director
1This isn't a typo; the article begins on page 112 and ends on 111.


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Troxell 05 Universal Tile Saw Foot Switch$64.20Shipping: FreeThe Troxell Tile Saw Foot Switch allows hand free operation of tile, masonry and stone saws with this foot switch. 120v (15amps) and 240v (10amps)
Troxell Aluminum Box Screed-12ft length$104.36Shipping: Standard
Troxell USA Super Soft Knee Pads$24.25Shipping: Free w/ $49 OrderUltra light and washer safe. A great, super comfort knee pad suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Troxell Aluminum "L" Shaped 6 Piece Straight Edge Screed Set$84.79Shipping: Standard
Set of 6 "L" shaped straight edges for laying tile, cutting and floating mud.
TroxellUSA Leatherhead XL Knee Pads$47.95Shipping: FreeThe Troxell Leatherhead XL Knee Pads are a soft-face kneepad with excellent padding, a durable leather facing, and a unique front strap that avoids the pinching and binding.
Troxell Kneeling Mat 21" x 14" (17-MAT)$29.71Shipping: StandardThe Troxell Kneeling Mat is a large - 21" x 14" x 1.25", light weight, heavy duty, thermal molded pad that is ideal for flooring, plumbing, repairs, gardening, and more.
Troxell Microfiber Sponge - Professional Grade 11-MXL$5.58Shipping: StandardThis Troxell Microfiber Sponge is a professional grade, super absorbent jumbo hydro sponge (7" x 4.50" x 2") ideal for grout cleanup and tile polishing.


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Happy Birthday, Deborah Gibson
Photo and autograph courtesy of the G Archives.
Shake your love! Singer Deborah Gibson was born today! I met the 80s pop goddess in California when she was in a stage production of Grease. You'd think she would have played Sandy, but she was Rizzo! She was great in it too! Happy birthday Deborah!
Also born today, amazing graphic designer Jedi Sista, actor Richard Gere, singer Van Morrison and funny man Chris Tucker.


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Items Used:
1. Wool
2. Card board
3. Comb
4. Scissor
5. Glue
6. Any thing for roll the wool ( I used stapler box )
1. Roll the wool for 50 rounds on the stapler box like this...
2. Cut the wool as shown in the figure..
3. Then tie it at the center of it with a small piece of wool.
4. Hold it very hardly at the center when you are combing it.
5. Remove all the extras, cut it in round shape and it will look like a puff.
6. For one teddy we have to prepare 8 woollen puffs.
7. Take a card board and stick the puffs on it.
8. Trim the card board along with the puffs as below..
9. Use the stickers for eyes,nose and mouth of the teddy and tie a satin ribbon to the neck.
10. Take a polythene cover to insert the toy in it and staple the cover.
11. At the top side punch it and tie a thread through the hole to hang OR at the back side use the double side sticker to stick on a door or on a wall.


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This weekend was absolutely fantastic. I loved it sooo much. : ) I spent it with my boyfriend, Adam. We went on a shopping spree, drank coffee and enjoyed the first real sunshine of this spring. Sadly these days are over now and Adam went home... but here are the photos that we took, hope you enjoy it! : )
Kabát/Coat: Bershka
Cipő/Shoes: H&M
Ruha/Dress: G21
És a Glamour-napos szerzeményeim (avagy nem hagytam, hogy a kuponok kárba vesszenek :$)
What I bought this weekend:
Ádám is vásárolgatott kicsit:
By N.


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A scientific base for conflict prevention?: Sustainable peace, development and sciences
The end of the cold war and the aftermath of the Gulf War gave birth to an overoptimistic view on peace and stability. From an ethical point of view, a pacifist tradition is in place chanting the theoretical merits of peace. Politicians, using phrases like "The New World Order", with references to "the End of History" were now fostering the impression that peace was practically feasible. Action researchers engaged in conflict and peace studies were eager to take up the scientific gauntlet. Early warning systems and conflict prevention became serious issues, if not fashionable language. As we are engaged at our institute for quite some time with problems of conflict prevention, the main aim of this article is to save the scientific concept from expectations which cannot be fulfilled. If, for reasons of high ethics, we place voluntarism above realism and emotions above aseptic scientific standards, we could end with politics lacking any moral standards.
Early warning and conflict prevention: Minerva's Wisdom?
The West is characterised by dynamism and moral reflexes to bring about good. Within the world's political domain, the West holds positions of power as well as key economic positions. In practice, the combination of these two factors periodically lead to the former being used to maintain the latter. We need to be aware that this discord will continue to cast a shadow on what – at first sight at least – is undoubtedly a noble aim: to help bring peace and prosperity to the world.
Recent Articles
- Transgression of Human Rights in Humanitarian Emergencies: The Case of Somali Refugees in Kenya and Zimbabwean Asylum-Seekers in South Africa
- Mapping Population Mobility in a Remote Context: Health Service Planning in the Whantoa District, Western Ethiopia
- One step forward, two steps back? Humanitarian Challenges and Dilemmas in Crisis Settings


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A Malaysian tourist was killed after the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a seven-seater van in Tai Mo Shan on Monday morning, while his driver sustained severe head injuries, police said.
The 26-year-old man, surnamed Toh, was not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred, Apple Daily reported, citing a senior inspector from the New Territories South Regional Police Headquarters.
Investigation showed that Toh and a dozen of friends were having a party Sunday night before they went to a tea house in Chuen Lung Village.
After the gathering ended early Monday morning, Toh rode on a motorcycle driven by a 34-year-old friend, surnamed Suen.
As the Yamaha MT-09 heavy bike was cruising down a slope toward Tsuen Wan on Route Twisk at about 8 a.m., it was suspected that the bike lost control at a curve, causing it to swerve onto the opposite lane and collide with a Toyota Picnic van.
The crash threw Toh eight meters away while Suen also fell off the bike with his head hitting the ground.
Toh was already dead when paramedics arrived at the scene, and Suen, who was in a coma with multiple fractures, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later regained consciousness.
The 21-year-old female driver of the van, which was seriously damaged as a result of the accident, was also sent to hospital with minor injuries.
Police categorized the case as deadly traffic accident and contacted the Consulate General of Malaysia in Hong Kong to notify Toh's family.
According to Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) Regulations, both the driver and passenger of a motorcycle are required to wear helmets. Offenders face a fine of HK$5,000 (US$645) and three months in prison.
– Contact us at [email protected]


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Every aspiring author understands rejection is part of the process. However, two rejection letters within days of each other can place a big damper on one's spirits. Many successful authors say they collected binders of rejection letters before their big break. This proves my journey isn't over, in fact, it is just beginning. Nevertheless, the process of pushing myself out into the universe is nerve racking.
Sometimes the hardest part is taking the first step by sending your manuscript out. Other times it is continuing when one agent or editor says your story doesn't connect with her and the market is too saturated. The worst is when you get no feedback whatsoever.
Walt Disney said, "Keep moving forward." And that is exactly what I plan to do. Writing is the cathartic release of my creative juices. So many stories float around in my head and cry out for me to put pen to paper or in my case – fingers to keyboard.
Allowing rejection to shape my future in writing is not only a disservice to myself but to the future audience of my stories. Moreover, it is a fun way to escape the world of wife, mother, and PTO goddess.


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It's time to share some projects I created using the Gossamer Blue May kits. I believe all of the supplies I used for today's cards are from the May Main Kit which is still available. When you click on the link for the Main Kit, you'll notice that the colors displayed with the kit products shown are quite different from what you see in my product picks below.
Tip: What I love about kits is that you can totally use to suit your style. When I get a packaged kit the first thing I do is open the kit and flip through all the products. I immediately turn the patterned papers over to which pattern I like best. This helps me to get a feel for a kit. Then when it's time to work on a specific project using that kit, I pick out a few papers at a time and a few embellishments, all in mixy matchy style. I was totally able to keep my style in mind by choosing the floral paper, the whimsical polka dots, the bright green and some other mixed embellishments. Give it a try, I think you'll get more bang out of your buck with your kits.
Once I had my supplies spread out, I knew I wanted to create some cards. I often will look at what supplies I want to work with then draw out a quick card sketch that incorporates those elements. You'll see with my finished cards that I was able to stay pretty true to the sketch.
Mixed Media Kit (now on sale in the shop) to brush on a swipe of white color using the small flat Studio Brush from the Mixed Media Kit. You'll see on my finished cards what I plan to use the white space for.
Here are the finished cards, my absolute favorites from all of my May Gossamer blue projects. You also see another mixed media card I created. This got thrown into this photo and I'll do another post showing you how I used modeling paste from my Mixed Media Kit to create the fun sentiment area.
I really had a fun time creating these cards. I soooo wish I had more of that delightful floral paper. Okay, off to Jordan's softball game....I'm going to enjoy this marvelous sunshine and warmth. :)


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About Us
|Gibbone Pero
|Tricheco Vischio
Orocrea is born of a collaboration between three Master Italian jewelers who create one-of-a-kind pieces.
To the preciousness of this artisan work is added the result of over thirty years of research in the field of energy coupled with the use of metals: Selfica.
Orocrea emerges from within the spiritual community of Damanhur which cultivates, among many things, the idea that working together and fusing spiritual elements into formed material gives greater meaning to pieces designed and created in a collective context.
Another element which makes each piece unique is the use of traditional Damanhurian symbolism in the form of Sacred Language which applies spiritual meanings to objects, therefore enabling them to become true "symbionts" of the wearer.


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Faculty Profiles
Weigang Liviolin
Born into a family of well-known musicians in Shanghai, Weigang Li began studying the violin with his parents when he was 5 and went on to attend the Shanghai Conservatory at age 14. Three years later, in 1981, he was selected to go to study for one year at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music through the first cultural exchange program between the sister cities of Shanghai and San Francisco. In 1985, upon graduating from the Shanghai Conservatory, Weigang Li left China again to continue his studies at Northern Illinois University and later studied and taught at the Juilliard School as teaching assistant to the Juilliard Quartet. His teachers have included Shmuel Ashkenasi, Isadore Tinkleman, and Tan Shu-Chen.
Mr. Li was featured in the 1980 Oscar winning documentary film From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China. He made his solo debut at 17 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as soloist with Shanghai Symphony, China Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony and Asian Youth Orchestra.
Weigang Li is a founding member and first violinist of the world-renowned Shanghai Quartet since 1983. Now in its 32nd season, the Shanghai Quartet has performed well over 2000 concerts in 30 countries and recorded 35 CD albums, including the complete Beethoven string quartets on the Camerata label.
Weigang Li is on the faculty at the Bard College Conservatory of Music in New York and Montclair State University in New Jersey. He also holds the title of guest concert-master of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and guest professor at Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
Mr. Li plays on the 1600 Giovanni Paolo Maggini violin (ex-Burmester), which is on a generous loan from Mr. Rin Kei Mei.


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Bespoke kitchen fitters Speakman Building & Joinery providing stunning kitchens fitted all over Warrington & Cheshire.
Traditional kitchens fitted by Speakman Building & Joinery throughout st helens and surrounding areas
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Looking for a professional joinery service in Warrington, Cheshire. Speakman Joinery is the company for you, with over 20 years in the joinery and building trade and many satisfied customers we have gained a reputation for quality workmanship at affordable prices with the wide range of services we offer,we can guarantee a hassle free […]
As professional kitchen fitters we pride ourselves on fitting kitchens exactly how are customers need them fitted, the kitchens we have fitted for our customers can range from extra cupboards to large grand bespoke kitchens designed and fitted specifically for the customers home. At Speakman Joinery we cover a wide variety of roles from […]
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Your metabolism determines the rate your body burns calories, which affects how easily you gain or lose weight. While genetics plays a major part in setting your metabolic rate, certain products may help give it a boost. If you think your metabolism may be sluggish, consult your doctor to rule out a medical cause.
Free Weights to Increase Metabolism
Muscle is a major contributor to your metabolism. Working out to build muscle may help your body burn an extra 50 calories a day, according to the University of New Mexico. Whether at the gym or at home, free weights make a great addition to your metabolism-boosting regimen. They can be used to build arm, back, chest and leg muscles.
But before you go and buy a set, consult with a personal trainer to review exercises and form for safety and effectiveness. To build muscle, your free weights need to be heavy enough that the last rep is so hard it's a struggle to finish. You don't have to stop at free weights either. Resistance bands also work well for building muscle and increasing your metabolism.
Sneakers to Burn Calories
Planned cardiovascular exercise is the most efficient way to give your metabolic rate a boost, according to NHS Choices. You don't need to join a gym or take classes to get your exercise; all you need are a pair of sneakers that fit properly and offer good support, and a safe place to go for a walk, which is an effective way to burn calories. A 155-pound person walking a 15-minute mile burns 334 calories an hour. Plus, walking is low-impact and a safe form of exercise for most fitness levels. Be sure to consult your doctor first before you strap on your sneakers to get the OK based on your own personal health.
Metabolism-Boosting Green Tea
Green tea may not give your metabolism as much of a boost as working out, but the catechins and caffeine in a cup can increase both calorie and fat burning, according to a 2007 review article published in the American Journal of Physiology. However, in weight loss, green tea may not be the way to go, according to a 2012 review study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. This study found that while green tea did help people lose weight, the amount lost -- about 2 pounds in 12 weeks -- wasn't significant.
That said, green tea makes a healthy addition to your daily diet, and most adults can safely consume two to three cups a day. You may want to be cautious drinking green tea, however, if you're on any medication such as blood thinners, beta-blockers, birth control, antibiotics or certain over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, because of the potential for negative interactions.
Power of Hot Peppers
If you like spice, cayenne peppers may also up your calorie burning. Capsaicin, the substance in pepper that gives it heat, increases energy expenditure, according to a 2015 review article published in the International Journal of Obesity, and it also helps control appetite.
Add a few slices of hot pepper to soup or salad for a little kick,or, sprinkle the dried powder on your brown rice or baked potato. It may also add a little extra heat to your next pot of chili or baked chicken.
If you have an allergy to bananas, kiwis, chestnuts or avocados, you may also be allergic to red peppers, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, and may not want to use it as your metabolism booster. Also, you might want to careful if you have stomach ulcers or issues with heartburn due to possible irritation from the hot pepper.


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Savage Life [Explicit Content]
- Artist: Webbie
- Format: CD
- Release Date: 7/5/2005
|your cart is empty
Southern gangsta rapper Webbie is 1/2 of the duo Lil Boosie and Webbie. Now he is set to go solo with SAVAGE LIFE. Features the hot single "Gimmie That."
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your version of Flash Player.


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Manuel1910 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 24 diseños de 11 diseñadores freelance.
Eco- House Hamburg
Manuel Schrapers is a Civil Engineer by training from Hamburg, Germany, studying for his MBA part-time, and currently working as a Project Manager in Sri Lanka for an Austrian construction company on a construction project. He's had an ongoing interest in environmentally-friendly construction methods which is the base for his business start- up ambitions.
Market investigation is in progress therefore no specific target group can be named yet. But in general every potential new house- owner who's interested in environmentally sustainable housing, saving of energy consumption costs and preferable lives in areas with either cold winters or hot summers (to gain a higher advantage of the energy- saving design concept).
Target is to create a logo which combines following characteristics:
- Saving of energy
- Environmentally sustainable housing
- Wooden construction method
- Customized design
- German technical background
- The U.S. office will constantly work together with designers and companies in Germany and the U.S.
- Modern but professional (not to fancy colours and shapes)
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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LeAnn Rimes denies writing tell-all book about affair
HollywoodNews.com: LeAnn Rimes received a lot of press when she left her husband for Eddie Cibrian after the two fell for each other on a set while married to other people.
However, while she has tried to clear up many rumors, it seems she won't be doing that through a tell-all book, states UsMagazine.com. It has been rumored that she would be writing a book about her new marriage and divorce, but she shot that down.
"So you all know…there's no 'tell all' book about divorce, marriage and 'my side.' I just laugh at [all] of this!" Rimes posted on Twitter.
Rimes and Cibrian married in April 2011.
Do you think they'll ever write a book about all the drama?
Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.
Hollywood News, Hollywood Awards, Awards, Movies, News, Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News
Image by PR Photos


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Friday, March 26, 2010
that pistol-packin' hermaphrodite
today has been a good day. it was a bit cold at around break, but it wasn't so bad after. got chips and went back to whitmore, mr ford and matt then ate most of said chips. matt then superglued himself to a superglue bottle and a student's work - we took photos. buffed more shoe polish into the boot and then buffed that over with a cloth. my arms ache. sushi dinnnner - yum. then my mum shits all over it by being a moody bitch, but whatever. she was telling some stupid story about my father/me as a child blah blah blah. i hate how she always makes him sound like a cunt. just because he fucked up really badly doesn't mean he was always a total dickbag. it's irritating. and i'm fat.vnefa;bisdkvz b.dfnsl fucking fuck fuck balls. i like food too much. some people quit drinking, i have to quit eating. balls. food is just so delectable. this is why i never went down the anorexia path, but then again it's not like bulimia is a better option. ugh. i feel like shit, and i feel like i want a drink. i just want to lie here and drink and read a book and pass out. things are bad again. even though they were good. i'm so screwy atm with the moods and the feelings and shit. one minute i want to punch something, the next i'm crying my eyes out. or then i feel the urge to ring anyone i have a possibility of getting a shag from. this year has been somewhat turbulent. and my heart hurts.
Posted by vikivandalist at 10:57:00 pm
Labels: food, i feel like shit, i need a drink
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Los Caraballo
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013 | 9 a.m.
A chance meeting three years ago between "Cake Boss" superstar Buddy Valastro and Venetian and Palazzo owner and mogul Sheldon Adelson has led to an unlikely and unique partnership. Sheldon's son wanted a bar-mitzvah cake created by Buddy, whom he watched on TLC shows.
It was about the same time that Buddy flew to Las Vegas to film "Cake Boss" at the hotel. Perfect timing? A meant-to-be coincidence? Buddy thinks it was destiny because they sat for an hour and told each other a similar rags-to-riches story.
Sheldon delivered newspapers as a kid, and Buddy took over his father's bakery as a teen when the patriarch died suddenly. Both had the same self-starter attributes and built successful businesses.
"We had similar stories and hit it off," Buddy said. "I told him that my dream was to one day have a restaurant in Las Vegas. The stars all lined up, and I couldn't have better partners."
The rest is history. Buddy teamed up with Las Vegas restaurant consultant Elizabeth Blau and her husband, chef Kim Canteenwalla, and Sheldon agreed to invest and assist with space at his Palazzo. The new restaurant, Buddy V's Ristorante, his first, opened Monday in the space formerly occupied by First Food & Bar.
Who was the first guest to test the menu at dinner before the restaurant opened? Sheldon and his family.
Buddy flew in with his wife and their extended family for the opening, and for three days beforehand, he oversaw last-minute polishes and test menus. It was a whirlwind because he shot segments for his friend chef Rachael Ray's TV show and hosted a kids baking class, teaching them how to make cakes his way.
Like me, the children marveled at the extraordinary cakes Buddy crafts in unusual shapes, sizes and lifelike re-creations, including a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. He intends to use the new restaurant for his own TV shoots. His "Cake Boss" in 2009 led to "Kitchen Boss," "The Next Great Baker" and the new "Bakery Boss."
First up, though, is to open a bakery directly opposite with takeout and catering to supply those fabulous cakes for weddings and other events. Buddy told me that with six bakeries on the East Coast, including one at sea on Norwegian Cruise Lines, he wants to do similar Buddy V's restaurants across the country.
"I'm not a chef; I'm a baker," he told me. "I love home cooking, though, and that's what we're serving. It's my family's recipes. It's my wife Lisa's recipes. She's far more a cook than I am."
Family friends introduced the couple during what was supposed to be a date-free night, and the rest is history there, too.
"He didn't propose with a cake," Lisa said. "But on our 10th wedding anniversary, he asked me to marry him all over again with an amazing cupcake display. We have four children, and they love his cakes, too."
Buddy, with his arm wrapped warmly around his wife, said with a laugh: "We'll add more restaurants and bakeries in the years to come, but the family is now complete. That part of the kitchen is closed."
In addition to Sheldon, other notable names receiving a sneak preview at the Palazzo location included Elizabeth, Kim, Elaine Wynn, Sirio Maccioni, Brad Brennan, Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis. Kim is the executive chef of Buddy V's, and Matthew Fresinski chef de cuisine.
Forty members of Buddy and Lisa's family flew out from the East Coast for the inaugural weekend. Buddy introduced me to aunts, uncles, cousins and his mom, who told me proudly that her Sunday Gravy (meatballs, sausage, lamb and pork) with pick your favorite pasta is one of the menu favorites — and with her recommended bowl of rigatoni is $25.
Buddy is the first to tell you that his father was the best chef in the family, but he so values the food and recipes made by his mother, mother-in law, aunts and sisters that he flew his kitchen crew back to New Jersey for two days of working with them before they turned on the stoves at the debut.
Lisa scores with her mom's cappellini shrimp scampi, and don't miss out on her own sensational eggplant parmigiana. His dad's bucatini (pancetta with egg and cracked black pepper on spaghetti), Aunt Nina's upside-down mussels, Buddy's favorite spiced sausages and his caprese salad with burrata, Grandma's lasagna al forno and sister Madeline's cannellini bean and tomato bruschetta are all on the menu.
"It's home cooking just like I cook for my own family. We cook from the heart," he said.
Buddy's rise to culinary stardom has been swift partly because of his talents: His XL lobster tail dessert looks like the real thing but is a flaky pastry shell filled with custard cream and seasonal fresh fruit. Don't miss his Italian birthday cake with Rosolio liqueur sponge cake, cannoli filling, chocolate pastry cream and toasted almonds.
Even though he films more than 10 months of the year with his top-rated TLC shows, Buddy still loves to bake.
"It's what I enjoy the most," he said. "I like the television programs we do, and I think there's more to come in that area. I'm thinking of my own TV production company seriously. Eventually, more Buddy V's and maybe other restaurant ideas."
I took a tour with Buddy of the 11,000-square-foot restaurant and patio, which seat 220, with 70 more in the bar and lounge. The ambiance is akin to having dinner at Buddy's grandmother's house with rustic wood flooring, distressed brick and wood-topped tables. The entrance is in metal and glass inspired by the Lackawanna Train Station in Hoboken, N.J., near his grandmother's home.
"We wanted it to give a complete feel of our family gatherings back home along with our classic Italian-American and family-favorite meals. We've stayed true to our baking roots. Look around and you'll spot photos of my family, rolling pins turned into hanging panels and light fixtures made from old whisks and water jugs. Our theme is the best of everything from raviolis to cannolis," he said.
My favorite was the charred octopus because I eat it daily in Italy every summer and always wonder why more restaurants in Las Vegas don't have it featured on the menu. Passers-by spotted Buddy touring his restaurant and began lining up in hope of meeting him for a photo or autograph — even before the official opening. He obliged and then, settling back at my table, summed up:
"It's all a dream come true for the kid from Frank Sinatra's same N.J. hometown. I still can't believe it. I've looked up all these years to Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali and Emeril Lagasse, and now I have a restaurant alongside them in the same hotel. That says it all."
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world's premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.
Follow Sun A&E Senior Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
With top accommodations, first-rate entertainment, high-end shopping and a slew of acclaimed chefs, the Palazzo has positioned itself as one of the most luxurious resorts on the Strip.
More than 3,000 all-suite rooms start at 740 square feet and are decorated in a modern, yet classic, Italian style. Each room features a sleeping area, with a king or two queens, and a sunken living room area with floor to ceiling windows.
A cathedral ceiling tops the Palazzo casino, while a second 80-foot dome brings natural light to the property's lobby. The 105,000 square foot casino features more than 2,000 slots and 80 table games but lacks the stale smell of cigarettes, as the property is LEED certified with smoking off limits in most of the Palazzo — including 50 percent of the casino floor.
Dining at the Palazzo is among the best of the Strip, starting with Wolfgang Puck's CUT. Chef Simon To serves up authentic Chinese cuisine at Zine, while Sushisamba combines Brazilian and Peruvian flavors with Japanese techniques. At LAVO, club-goers can dine on Mediterranean dishes before heading upstairs to the bath house-inspired nightclub.


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Immersive 3DHD conference calls
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Voxeet's state-of-the-art technology uses advanced noise processing to eliminate background noise and echo. Our 3DHD sound mimics the way the brain works in conversation, helping you differentiate each caller's voice.
Never sit through another choppy conference call. Forget the frustration of straining to hear what's said or worrying you may have missed something. Hear every word.
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Japan loves Capcom's series Sengoku BASARA (Devil Kings in the West). It loves it! Sengoku BASARA has spawned manga, anime and even stage productions. And now, cute Kotobukiya big-head mini figures.
Because Japan loves little people with giant heads.
Priced at ¥630 each, they are slated for next February and March.
[コミケ77]コトブキヤブースの小さな『戦国BASARA』の武将達(写真ギャラリー) [Kotaku Japan]


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A week filled to the brim with events, working, and wrapping up with school. A busy week topped off with finishing classes for the semester? I'll take it.
Unfortunately for you however, this means that I won't be home ONE night this week. So...my recipe posting might be a little less frequent. But I'll give it my best shot, alright?
Since I won't be home to actually prepare dinner this week I thought we could focus on lunch for this weeks Meal Plan! Besides, lunch often gets ignored and replaced with a quick trip to the deli or a big greasy slice of pizza. And I don't think lunch likes that too much. It wants to be made, taken with you to work/school, and loved just as much as the other meals.
Question: What are your go-to lunches during the week?
As soon as I make my way home from the coffee shop and before I have to skedaddle off to class, I'm going to make this little salad. It's super simple to throw together and would be the perfect lunch to make ahead and grab on your way out the door. I'll probably add some grilled chicken but any kind of protein would be delicious with it!
Golden Chickpea and Artichoke Salad
-from The Cooking Photographer
Tuesday is going to be my most time crunched day. Solution? The glorious crockpot. Seriously, tell me you own one? You just throw some ingredients in, turn it on, and then come home to a fully prepared meal? Sold. Tuesday, I'll be able to throw everything in before I leave for class and come home by lunch to this delicious barbeque chicken that I can toss over a salad or have with some sliced up avocado. Yum.
Barbeque Shredded Chicken
-from The Kitchn
Huevos Rancheros, I love you. I usually don't have things like this for breakfast BUT for lunch? You bet. I'm planning on having some leftover barbeque chicken from Tuesday to top this delicious lunch off. Want to come over?
Scrambled Huevos Rancheros
-from Cookie and Kate
This past weekend I made pizza on the grill (which was an absolute hit and I'll probably share with you later this week even though I only have pictures via my phone) and I have a ridiculous amount of leftover ricotta and zucchini. And since I have a bit more time for lunch on Thursday I'll have time to bake. Mmm spring galettes.
Savory Zucchini and Ricotta Galette
-from Always with Butter
Friday is a SUPER exciting day for our little household. And that's because Friday night is the My Politic CD release party at Out of the Blue Art Gallery in Cambridge! That's right ladies and gentlemen, My Politic has just released their 4th album, American Will! Over the past year I have been able to sit back and enjoy while they holed up for hours on end to make this album. I'm so impressed with their dedication and skills to bust this thing out in our living room. That kind of thing doesn't happen anymore. If you're around Boston on Friday, April 27th I highly encourage you come out to celebrate with them. It will be a night to remember. I promise. If you can't join us, then you should check out the following links to buy a copy of the CD and stay updated on upcoming events/shows!
My Politic Blog - for more information on the show and upcoming events.
CD Baby - To purchase the new (and old!) album.
Itunes - American Will will be on Itunes soon, so if it's not up quite yet check back in a couple days!
Also, I'm in charge of bringing a some food for the evening. A vegetarian dish to be exact. So I'll be making the above...
Mango Quinoa Salad
-from Our Best Bites
And finally what is a celebration without dessert? In my opinion...it isn't. So these will probably have to tag along.
Salted Caramel Chocolate Bars
-from Brown Eyed Baker


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Golf Lessons
Classes and Schools
H-G Club Fitting
Fit2Aim Putter Fitting
New! aboutGolf Simulator
New aboutGolf simulator has just been installed! Check out new programs starting now.
New! World Golf Tour 9-Hole Scramble League starts now through April 15th.
New! The Art of the Second Shot intermediate class is now on the schedule.
See our Golf Schools page for more information and schedule.
New! Get Golf Healthy is a 3, 1/2 hr. combination of private lessons as a pre-fitness preparation for golf and other activities that require flexibility, endurance and quickness. Great for seniors, new golfers or those who have taken time off from golf. Sign up now and be ready for golf season. Spring Special: $150
Chris Aoki Golf Teaching Philosophy
Welcome to making golf easy and fun. A good swing exists in most golfers, but it may need adjusting to function properly and feel right. In our indoor studio, Chris Aoki Golf Training Academy, we teach easy, incremental swing changes that take about 8-10 practice shots to experience.
A Podcast with Gaylord Rhodes interviewing Chris Aoki
We explain how to make your existing swing work better by eliminating unnecessary movement and adding efficient, powerful ballistic action.
We offer, in-house, personalized MPG lessons (Muscle Performance for Golf) on how to posture and develop awareness to implement joint and muscle movement. Awkwardness, marginal flexibility and confusion are eliminated.
Golf lessons using our state-of-the-art PGA Tour about Golf simulator keeps you apprised of ball flight and video after every swing. Step-by-step, your new, easier and repeatable MPG motion is realized.
We highly recommend back-to-back MPG and golf lessons. This combination allows us to efficiently give you our time and expertise in a way that is most beneficial to you. About 80% of our students take the tandem lessons.
We use our outdoor location at Harbour Pointe Golf Club to apply your swing to short game and on-course lessons. Confidence improves with experience and knowledge. Know the Joy!
Two Locations
Chris Aoki Golf Training Academy
In our indoor studio, we offer video lessons, MPG (Muscle Performance for Golf) lessons, Henry-Griffitts club fitting, Fit2Aim putter fitting, playing lessons and corporate entertainment and training workshops.
Harbour Pointe Golf Club
At our outdoor location, we give driving range, short game and on-course lessons, Chris Aoki Golf Schools, Henry-Griffitts club-fitting and Fit2Aim Putter Fitting.


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Moms Group
Moms Group is a great opportunity for moms with kids of all ages to connect with one another along the parenting journey. There is space to meet people, share stories, find encouragement, have fun, study the Bible, and grow together in life and faith. And your kids will have a blast hanging out with our awesome volunteers. We'd love to have you join us!
When? Every other Monday during the school year
Where? The Larson's House (email for directions)
Questions? Call Courtney Straka at 515-339-8868 or email her at