text:
The 2014 SurveyThe 2012 SurveyThe 2010 SurveyThe 2008 SurveyThe 2006 SurveyThe 2004 Survey
Access is the most
important thing, after you have access, anything else
can be solved. Keeping the network open is also
important. Financial operations are useful but not
absolutely necessary. Cyber-terrorism is over-hyped and
can be solved through the existing services. There is
no need for yet another bureaucracy.
Security must be the
first tack. Without a secure network, the network
can't exist.
The toughest challenge
will be balancing freedom with security.
Universal literacy
would be a good starting place to implement universal
information literacy and to pass along technological
A framework - technical
and legal - must come first.
It's important to
get more people on board, making it a number-one
Right now I don't
think a world network would work - can't rate
We desperately need to
discourage hardware or software monoculture and promote
and support open source technologies.
Understanding that the
dark side of the Internet will continue to dog the
heels of expansion and development, I think we need to
build network capacities and tech knowledge everywhere.
And people should be able to use the Internet as they
want, within established boundaries that protect. As
much as I'd like to see a microcredit system, the
other developments are more important to humankind.
Fixing some of the
problems that we have today will be necessary before we
seek to expand the network. A "watchdog"
organization will hinder the growth of the internet.
Infrastructure and
security first!
Standards and
facilitation of economic activity within a secure
framework are key to the ultimate future of the
The infrastructure
needs to be in place before anything else should be
developed and worked on.
It's not
"build it and they will come" - we need to
teach people not only how to operate $100 PCs but also
how information can be used to improve their lives.
People first.
Open standards rule.
The monoculture will be
the death of us, the death of the system, just as
surely as Monsanto's propagating of sterile seeds
will engineer planetary famine. Those with foresight
will make it a top priority, because without it,
nothing else can exist. The open environment is crucial
and must be accessible, just as surely as FDR's
Tennessee Valley Authority wired the rural South. Every
city should be wireless, and it should be provided as a
city utility like water and electricity. The growing
power of the telcos to create choke points to regulate
the system has to be broken, or else a parallel shadow
system that is open must be developed, like the black
market that sprang up in the Soviet Union's
oppressive command and control economy. Just because
this so-called "capitalist" system is being
run by corporations doesn't mean it is any less
command-and-control with multi-national corporations in
the drivers' seats. We are living in an age of
corporate neo-fascism, and the time has passed when we
can sit by and let it happen. The last two items
frighten me beyond words, and I'd rather not give
them numbers at all.
Getting us all
connected seamlessly and allowing everyone, everywhere
to benefit from the Internet should be everyone's
top priority
Making the capabilities
of the Internet more readily available to a greater
number of people would be the first priority. Making it
easy and safe to use would be the next important level.
Making the Internet
more an economic incentive rather than adding
government restrictions would be more beneficial in the
long run.
The top priority should
be to experiment with 21st century improvements to
democratic systems. Stock markets collect billions of
votes daily on competing leaders, policies and
decisions. The same needs to be explored as soon as
possible as para-political organizations.
Technology is only
widely adopted if it makes sense to the way of life of
the people involved. The current legal and technical
environment of ICTs is very strongly biased toward the
Western culture. To make it truly global, the
assumptions behind the models of users have to vary
according to the culture of those users. Then there is
a problem of infrastructure to be overcome in the
majority of the world. This would be best addressed by
providing training and incentives to local operatives.
Allowing countries to develop networks that are adapted
to the local needs, and not necessarily those that
would be created by external developers. A microcredit
system is nice, but not urgent, and security against
terrorism is only a factor when there is some external
motivation. Crime prevention is a problem, but one that
depends more on the individual user being educated and
properly equipped than it does on the spending of
development funds.
The legal environment
is still in its infancy at the local, state, and
country level, let alone international law…
Microcredit or some sort of internationally accepted
monetary system will help flatten the networked
economy. I don't believe a international security
watchdog is possible or useful until a system of law is
accepted across the network.
Legal and regulatory
issues, even more so than technical ones, are the most
likely to impede adoption of information technology.
After all, the main reason behind the internet's
growth is its open architecture, which everyone from
Microsoft to an individual developer can leverage.
Ensuring interoperability and adherence to open
standards is critical for a truly global internet.
Freedom of expression
is of paramount importance, securing monetary
transactions will build trust in transactions,
protecting it becomes the next priority. By
implementing these tasks you can then afford to connect
those who are currently not online
The legal environment
is very important, and we also must get more people
online. The monetary systems are being developed by
firms, and quite soon we will have several, probably.
We really need to
educate people in a sensitive way first in order for
any other advances to be embraced by the masses.
Access to networks and
information is just as critical as access to clean
water, health care, and so on. If you don't have a
connected world, the other priorities don't really
This seriously
overestimates the place of the Internet and computers
in the lives of the vast majority of the world's
The absence of
competition against giants like Google and Microsoft is
a big threat to the network and to the people. It is
the role of these companies to transform themselves
into monopolies. It is the role of the states to
protect competition and interworking.
I'd err on the side
of promoting open standards and expanding the network,
rather than government regulation.
It is a waste of time
to play this game, as business and politics will drive
the evolution of the Net.
The free market will
work it out.
The world (and the US)
needs a better infrastructure available to support the
wider acceptance and use of technology. Multiple
platforms must work the same way when interacting with
the internet. There cannot be barriers created by
particular software or hardware platforms.
If this is a supposedly
democratizing agent, then those who currently do not
have access should be granted it.
The Internet is at its
best when it's all about the end user.
Sharing technological
know-how with developing countries should be the top
I'm somewhat
worried about an "international security
watchdog." I would love to see the virtual world
more secure, but I would not like to see a virtual
"Patriot Act." Frankly, I think the politics
of this will keep it from happening by 2020.
There are other issues
that need to be considered that impact the order of
priority and importance.
Cybercrime has enabled
the rise of a techno-mafia that will eventually
threaten existing organized crime syndicates. This will
eventually unleash the cyber-equivalent of Pearl Harbor
- an attack that will empty the bank accounts of
millions within hours, triggering mass panic and
hysteria. The government will do nothing as major
financial institutions teeter on the brink of collapse
- all brought on by a flood of packets unleashed from a
single computer. The President will release a video on
the Internet, saying "Who knew that the Internet
was vulnerable to attack"? Everyone will laugh at
him, but it will not make us feel better.
CT's? Global secure
micropayments would be higher on my list if you
didn't use the example of funding foreign farms.
I'd like a simple micropayment system to buy an
interesting movie download from Asia. Maybe such a
system is already in development via Visa/Mastercard or
Paypal. But the global "flat world" economy
you've mentioned earlier will need a payment system
for routine business, not just occasional funding.
The question seems to
presume that all four alternatives are desirable. They
are not. (But this respondent does not elaborate.)
Let the system develop
It is essential to work
to help those who are disenfranchised to become better
integrated in any and all resource networks.
Wealth is important for
every person.
Don't necessarily
trust watchdog outfits. "Who watches the
Internet should be
developed without adding to Microsoft monopoly, or
other similar ones. Local applications and initiatives
need space to thrive.
I'd love to
(explain and add to my answer), but I'm doing this
at work, and the elaboration to this question would
take an hour!
The last one (4) seems
like the only one I'd want anything to do with.
Numbers 2 and 3 are
unnecessary. Number 4 would be a Bad Thing.
No way on 3 and 4.
Avoid #4 at all costs.
Without 1 first there
is no need for the rest; the rest supports 1.
Equalizing the
experiences of the most vulnerable would be my top
priority. Then comes safety for the rest.
The internet is not a
social-engineering tool. We can deal with the
terrorists, but keep the government out. Don't
trade human rights for security.
The promise of the
internet to be a means of improved human communication
needs to be encouraged at all levels of society. Unless
and until people are allowed to have access to this
incredible tool, the historical record of suspicion and
conflict will continue forever.
The network should be
central to commercial and banking activity, whatever it
takes to support that transformation should proceed.
decentralization, and participation are not just
trends; they are the reality of technological
I would leave the
microcredit thing off the list; we can do that now
(except for the US, because our banking system is off
the grid.)
I like the idea of
supporting other people in other nations.
Private networks, such
as banks and maybe even the World Bank, will establish
and operate global microcredit functions.
Since we are already
shopping globally an international monetary unit would
really help. However, given the undervaluation of some
currencies, this could be difficult to implement.
My first is a
no-brainer. It's important that those with little
or poor access be encouraged and helped to get access
(systems, training, support). It's also really key
that technology be used to help offset the evils
technology can be used for (child pornography for
All of these choices
are only marginally positive. As for "building the
capacity of the network," that's what is being
done now. What will happen is that religious and
political groups will take the knowledge and build
their own segregated network, thus cutting off global
knowledge from their population. As for "creating
a legal and operating environment," legal for who?
The whole world? Impossible. The world is too
segmented. As for "developing... international
security watchdog," again, it would only be
recognized by a few countries, at best. Not possible in
today's political climate. And, as for
"establishing ... monetary microcredit,"
again, it won't be recognized by majority of
countries. Religious and political strongarms will
prevent this from happening, unless they get a cut of
the action. What do we need? Well, an invasion from
outer space might help ... at least until we beat them
(or are beaten). Then things would be back to what
passes as "normal" ... continuous religious
and political strife.
Developing and arming
an international security watchdog org seems a bit too
Orwellian for my liking! I believe our biggest priority
now should be access and knowledge.
Despite fears of
"Big Brother," the rise of terrorism will
result in the developing and "arming" of an
effective international security watchdog organization
to preserve and protect certain ways of life. The
competitive advantage of those nations with the
Internet will encourage us to separate themselves from
the have-nots of the globe. It will not bring us
Better and more
widespread access is the key to the future, but we also
need to find a way to deal with the myriad of legal
issues surrounding copyrights and intellectual property
before we drown in lawsuits. I would say the monetary
system is number 3, but I think there is already enough
ability to conduct business in the appropriate currency
to push that down a little in the priority list.
1) Given the current US
congressional discussions over potential "ISP
favoritism," i.e. providing better data throughput
or access to paid partner's content, as well as
various issues of browser interoperability, and the
EEUU issues with Microsoft monopolistic browser/media
player technologies, without this the rest is toast! 2)
Ditto, with the stipulation that it read
"enable" rather than "force." There
would be no eBay without a Paypal equivalent. I can buy
a book from Japan or UK as easily as my own country,
and I do. As access and payments become easier, it
might be just as easy to buy my recycled silk sari yarn
directly from Nepalese weavers rather than through a
retailer, doubtless increasing the producer's
income. 3) With the additional goal of open information
transfer and intellectual freedom. 4) Fraud is an
increasing problem and will need increasing policing
and enforcement. It is tempting to put it higher, but
without the structure to support it, it's not going
to be effective anyway.
Access is important,
but it is also important that we don't make a deal
with the devil and cede control over the future of the
internet to large corporations in exchange for access.
Access needs to happen under a paradigm of open,
democratic control of the network. Security and
economic growth are important priorities also, but if
we allow the internet to become a privately controlled
network, the internet as we've come to know it will
no longer exist in any meaningful way.
The order should be
4,2,1,3. Number 3 is jurisdictionally unlikely as some
sort of international body that would ever be
universally accepted... it already exists anyway as a
cooperative effort among various national governments.
I listed
"Developing and 'arming' an effective
international security watchdog organization" last
because I believe this is counterproductive. Anytime an
individual or group takes it upon itself to decide how
the others shall live/work, trouble surely follows.
Even when the original goal is meant to be helpful, it
can become self-serving and exclusive. The Christian
church comes to mind.
1) Leaving the Internet
open will help with greater dissemination of ideas,
continued innovation, and economic competition that
will help keep the costs down. Openness benefits
everyone, especially people in developing countries. 2)
Although access by itself will not ultimately alter a
society, it is only first step to become a player in
the global community. Education, training, and business
skills will also be necessary. Access will be the first
step in a society towards greater fundamental change,
which might be resisted or in the least take at least a
generation or two to occur. 3) Individual investments
on a global scale can really change the dynamics of
global economics. However, this type of change comes
with a lot of political, economic, legislative, etc.,
baggage. The benefits of this change would be difficult
and not immediately apparent. 4) The first question
that comes to mind is who will monitor the watchdog
organization? There is too much room there for
corruption, using the organization to push political
agendas, and traipsing over people's rights.
I wish one of these
options had been: finding a way for individuals to
reduce the commercialization of public space and the
loss of privacy that is accompanying this. This seems
at war with option one which I chose, but I was
identifying with the last sentence of that choice.
I would spend my money
encouraging the development of a global public network
instead of the privately held one we currently are
forced to accept.
These choices would not
be my top priority. I would 1) ensure continued
innovation as the keystone to continued global
benefits; 2) ensure Internet users have basic freedoms
to connect any device, access any information, or use
any software over the Internet; and 3) spur telecom
competition as a way of driving down broadband prices,
and increasing consumer choices.
Number 4 suggests that
the Internet is only about commerce, and if that is the
case, what would be offered online that people who earn
$100 a year could afford? Although 3 is ideal, I doubt
it would be effective. Number 2 is also something of a
problem because "technical ability" may not
have anything to do with the reasons why people
don't use the Internet. So the item I ranked first
is the only one in the list that I think should be
We may not know the
answers, but people from other cultures may have ideas
that could contribute to the other three elements.
Furthermore, they would not be left behind.
Undertaking any of
these things will take vigorous work at the grassroots
level. Therefore building capacity is most critical.
Enabling the flow of funds is also hugely important
because of the impact of small money movements and the
importance of ... what's it called when people send
money home to their home countries? This should be easy
and inexpensive.
Capacity building has
to come first if we are to move from today's
fragmented divided access to universal access and use.
Establishing monetary and legal operating environments
are the next steps. Although I marked the development
and "arming" of an effective security
watchdog organization 4th, that's not where I'd
spend effort. We have no models of effective
organizations of this sort and because I don't
think that our current nation-state organizations will
be transformed by then, I cannot envision that within
less than 15 years we can build an organization that
everyone (or anyone) could trust.
The monetary
microcredit system seems too idealistic in our current
global economy. There would need to be major economic
change before any such thing could hope to be
The highest two
priorities are guaranteeing anonymity, and scanning the
world's documents on line, particularly the older
documents being rotted away in people's private
collections. The third highest priority is backing up
the internet so that stuff does not disappear the next
In the hierarchy of
needs, I put security over connectivity, then follow
with software utilization over unification of monetary
I actually believe that
only number 1 is important. I would have put 4 in the
other three choices.
By establishing a
"monetary microcredit system" first you
enforce change and increase the population in
developing countries. This is in my opinion an
excellent starting point for new markets. That is why I
put "opacity of network..." on second place.
"Creating a legal and operating environment"
would be my third choice as I see that it takes the
most time to succeed. By prioritizing the other tasks
we strive for a faster success. I put "an
international security watchdog organization" in
fourth place, as I think everybody is responsible for
their own behavior on the internet. Though there should
be checks on illegal behavior on the internet it is my
opinion that you cannot secure everything. People
should start learning that you cannot prevent bad
things from happening.
"microcredit" thing sure is out of left
field. Did you mean to say "micropayment"?
Enabling easy commerce between anyone and anyone will
produce FAR, FAR more benefit than enabling easy tiny
loans to developing countries.
Number one is far more
important than the other three. Computers are not the
only solution to the world's economic problems.
Hmmm. 1234 is the
obvious order - some bias here.
"Build it and they
will come" (Field of Dreams).
I believe in general
technology is good and everyone should have access to
it. The rest, not so sure about any of them. Regarding
security, if the Internet becomes too dangerous, then
having everyone with the opportunity to be online is
irrelevant because no one will use it except the bad
If I could, I'd
drop my 4th-ranked priority to, oh, about 10th. I'm
concerned about the free-speech/expression implications
of an "international security watchdog
I question if the last
two of these priorities should really be priorities at
I am not sure that
these are even the right four statements - in fact
I'm sure they aren't - wouldn't even put 3
and 4 on the list
An effective
international security watchdog? Who are you kidding?
I gave "arming an
effective international security watchdog organization
a zero/0 because it is a 0. Start with improving how
national entities cooperate, and then cross network
with each other. Creating an international
"watchdog organization" is a threat to
privacy, and unfortunately, doesn't address the
concerns you started with." So, no. Nada... give
me a break.
Getting people online
and having them do what they want is more important now
then safeguarding everything. That will happen more if
there are too many "accidents." Information
wants to be free, other services will be paid for, but
a new international monetary microcredit system will
not help (and I don't believe we will ever see one
that most people will agree on).
I believe my #1 is the
sine qua non for all the others.
Paying attention to
security is underrated in many people's minds. For
me, it is a serious issue as it is the one issue most
likely to undermine the continued globalization of
infrastructure and its use.
"Cultivation of
universal infrastructure standards" is another
word for monoculture. So second item is politically
correct but paradoxical.
There are only 3
pillars for development: Health; Education;
Infrastructure. This is the role of governments the
rest is the role of the civil society.
Without popularity, it
is meaningless to do other things. When the network is
secure, monetary activities can be implemented easily.
Now is the time to
start developing the security measures. If we pack the
functionality before thinking through the security, it
will take longer than 14 years to work through all of
the bugs to make it secure enough to be effective. The
others flow in a natural order.
The global network
needs to be available to as many people as possible
before we can even think about the other three options.
What good is a system that possibly might need to be
restructured after other are brought online. Seems like
putting the cart before the horse - you don't
develop systems and regulations for something that is
not close to being finished.
The free market will
determine what gets developed where. If people want to
protect personal info, use the software they want or
share knowledge with the less fortunate, they should do
so themselves, it may not be government or business
appropriate to develop. The more people blog, contact
companies & governments with opinions and make
decisions in their life in line with their ideals, they
will affect things in the way they feel is progressive
and right. People's privacy may be at risk, but
public opinion will monitor and respond in a way that
meets the needs of the majority of people. I am also
excited about the internet technology working in two
directions to deliver real-time info on everything you
need in your daily life and allow you to have two-way
communication with all of it, making us less couch
potatoes, and more participants in the world.


text:
|Help create a new Vectorzoa game!
In 2007/8 Vectorzoa will be releasing another original game concept for Vectrex. The anticipiated title will be "Spike's Sea Snap Safari" and will combine relaxing imagery with original arcade action gameplay. The game will involve a variety of exciting graphics combined with concepts such as swarm (shoal) modelling. The exact date that SSSS will be released will depend upon the number of aquatic characters Vectorzoa receives to use within the game. See below!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Murray Lagoon camping area
The island's largest freshwater lagoon is a peaceful haunt for birdwatchers, nature photographers and wildflower enthusiasts, especially after winter rains. The camping area is off Seagers Rd, 46 km south of Kingscote. Cooking is gas/fuel stove only.
Who to contact: Parks SA (08) 8553 4444
This campsite is located in Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park
This vast chunk of coastal heath, dune hollows and mallee is mostly untracked wilderness. Coastal headlands and beaches overlook D'Estrees Bay, while experienced bushwalkers occasionally trek to the cape itself. Nearby Murray Lagoon is the island's largest freshwater enclosure and a great place to spot birds, while Seal Bay Conservation Park is a world-famous haven for Australian sea lions. Get your permits from the Murray Lagoon ranger station.
Want to see your campsite photos featured here? Send us your photos.
Nearby Campsites
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text:
Subject: [ecasound] Re: [alsa-user] Re: [linux-audio-dev] Theater Sound FX with Linux [was Re: playingthree sources at one time]
From: Kai Vehmanen (firstname.lastname@example.com)
Date: Mon Jul 24 2000 - 10:40:04 EEST
> but i think the problem is that you must be able to start a sample
> "on visual cue", i.e. you don't know in advance when it's going to
> happen.
> is there anyway to do this with ecasound ?
Not with the current interfaces. You'd either have to code a new
ecasound interface (specifically for this purpose), or perhaps better,
use other apps. As I see it, you could either use a sampler
(SoundTracker is already usable for this), or use a soundserver like
aRts to mix individual samples.
-- Kai Vehmanen <firstname.lastname@example.com> ----------------- CS, University of Turku . . audio software for linux ... http://www.eca.cx . . armchair-tunes mp3/wav/ra .. http://www.wakkanet.fi/sculpscape . -- To unsubscribe send message 'unsubscribe' in the body of the message to <firstname.lastname@example.com>.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b28 : Mon Jul 24 2000 - 09:41:49 EEST


text:
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
NOTD: Icing Birds of Paradise
9 comments:
very girly and pretty color and sparkle :)ReplyDelete
- AnonymousAugust 16, 2011 at 9:04 PM
freaking awesome!!!ReplyDelete
An amazing shade. But...where to buy Icing? For us in the boonies - no idea.ReplyDelete
So sparkly! I like it.ReplyDelete
Lovely, so nice and girlyReplyDelete
I picked this up a while ago (along with Epic Winning and a few other glitters!) and still haven't used it...it's so pretty!ReplyDelete
I bet it would look nice in a marbling!ReplyDelete
Hi,My name is Nathane. I loved your blog very, very well organized, has great tutorials, great shots and very well written text. I am Brazilian and here we are also crazy about nail polish ..ReplyDelete
I used the google translator to be able to send you this comment .. because I know nothing in English! kkkkkkk
I would love to keep in touch with you!
msn: email@example.com
e-mail: email@example.com
Would appreciate a response so we can better understand the
Good night ^ ^
I love this color! And your nails have grown so fast. I am jealous. I had to trim mine down a few days ago. *sob*ReplyDelete
<3 Shannon


text:
Having a bath with my kid. We spent 45min filling and emptying buckets of various sizes. I got a "tank-you" every time I helped her fill one of hers. Loved it!!
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Highlight of my day
Posted by Michelle at 8:51 pm 3 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
I've been experiencing a lag, a lack of motivation to blog. Nothing major wrong, just been the same old stuff. Doing ok, just happy to sit in the background and read for a bit. I'm sure it won't last to long, it never does!!
Posted by Michelle at 8:34 pm 0 comments Links to this post
Friday, January 20, 2006
What's with that?
Someone mentioned to me today that all the blogs had seemed very down lately. I stopped and thought about that and it's true, mine too. I think a lot of us are struggling right now and use their blogs as an outlet, I know I do. But how come when I have a good day, moment, or thought I don't feel compelled to write but if I'm having a bad day I feel the need to vent? I'm not saying there is anything wrong with venting but I personally need to find a balance. My life certainly isn't all bad, it's not even close to being bad. Somethings are hard yes but there are so many good things as well. I certainly don't want to give the woe-is-me impression all the time...YUCK!!
Have I become so accustomed to the good things I have in my life that I take them for granted. The very thought horrifies me. I think I need to re-program some optimism and thankfulness back into myself. I love to laugh and have a good time, why doesn't my writing imply that? I don't feel my personality comes across well, reading back over some of the other stuff I wrote I find myself thinking do I even have a sense of humor anymore? Maybe I really am in trouble!! LOL!! Am I letting people in? Sometimes I think I get to personal, divulge to much about myself when in actual reality I'm being very selective about what goes out there. You get a crumb not a cake. Maybe I really do need to clean out my fridge!!(quoting Cari) ...or at least open it up and let it air!!
Posted by Michelle at 10:36 pm 1 comments Links to this post
Thursday, January 19, 2006
My daughter and Andrew are in Payton's room, having a dance in the dark with flashlights. And of course the door MUST be closed!! There's a whole lotta giggling going on!!
It's really very cute...but....when do I start to worry about such things???
Posted by Michelle at 6:41 pm 0 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Tis the season
Well, I've been sick. YUCK!! I hate being sick. I have that really nasty cold that's been going around. Today is the first day in forever that I feel halfway normal. Still tired, and have my cough, but so much better than I was. YEAH!! So now I've got to take care of myself so it doesn't sneak back!
And clean my house, which seems mysteriously to get messy when I'm out of commission....I wonder how that happens??
Posted by Michelle at 9:06 am 2 comments Links to this post
Saturday, January 14, 2006
As much as I always look forward to weekends, they always seem to be a let down. I think it's my fault in that I build them up, expect to much from them. Then when another weekend is gone without meeting my expectations I always feel bad, mostly mad about myself for not utilizing the time I had more efficiently. I need to let it go and just enjoy the time I have, time with my husband, time with my daughter, time away from home, just enjoy the break not put to many expectations on it. I do that though, have high expectations, for everything. It seems to be my undoing so often. I build things up only to crash when they crumble. The good news is I've been working on it, maybe not lowering my expectations per say, but making sure I don't have unrealistic expectations.
Overall it seems to make me a happier person, and that's what I want. To be more content where I'm at. Am I where I thought I'd be by 26? Nope, is that ok? Most of the time(can't say yes, that wouldn't be completely true). The truth is I'm not where I thought I'd be but I also have so much more that I wanted. There is a much bigger world out there, much more important things than having the dream career, a big house, and money to spare. I've met many well off people, they weren't any happier than we were, some were downright miserable. We have so much more under our little, cluttered two bedroom suite than many people have in mansions. We have family, we have love, and we have God. What else is important? I'm sure the other things will come with time, but maybe they won't and I can't let myself be wrapped up in material things.
I am thankful for what I have.
-I am thankful for a wonderful husband(who let me sleep in this morning because I'm not feeling well even though he's tired too).
-I'm thankful for a beautiful rambunctious daughter who constantly reminds me what lives all about.
-I'm thankful for family who loves us and watches over us.
- I'm thankful for friends who are more like family, with whom I can share with and feel safe doing so.
-I'm thankful Rod has a job.
-I'm thankful to be able to stay home with my daughter.
-I'm thankful for landlords who are friends and care about us, not the money.
-I'm thankful for our health.
-I'm thankful for a God who loves us no matter what and will always take care of us.
I'm thankful for my life.
Posted by Michelle at 10:09 am 0 comments Links to this post
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Mama is tired. She has being really relaxed about making you sleep through the night. She can't stand the thought of not going to you when you cry at night, wondering why isn't my mama coming? She can handle getting up once at night to sooth you and cuddle you, you are growing so fast she doesn't want to miss a moment. She doesn't know if you've got more teeth coming, aren't feeling well, or are just taking advantage of her softness but you can't keep getting up 6 times a night. She will reach a breaking point and will be forced into a decision you won't like. A tired and sick Mama can't handle that many night time interruptions for very long. You are turning into a big girl and are perfectly capable of sleeping through the night, we know as you have done it before. So please PLEASE give your Mama a break and let her get some rest. She loves you very much and doesn't want to be forced into anything drastic!!
A very loving Mama
Posted by Michelle at 9:26 am 0 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Trust and Pray
It has been mentioned to me that I should blog. I guess I forget that some people check up with me on my blog and like to be kept up to date!! Apparently if I go to long without blogging people worry(you know who you are!!). It's nice to be loved!!
Everything is moving along, there has been some resolution to problems and stresses, and others we are still waiting and praying about. I have no idea what this year is going to hold but I hope I can hang onto God's desires for us instead of mine.
I realized yesterday that my "baby" is almost a year and a half!! That's insane, it feels like just yesterday that we had her 1st birthday. I feel sad when I think that she's never going to be this little again, but so glad that I've been able to stay home so far and enjoy the time I have. I need to remember sometimes the reason we are struggling so much financially was a choice. We felt that God wanted me to stay home and be wife and mother, that this was my new permanent job. What better job could you ask for? We feel that if we can pull it off it is the best thing for our family. I have to trust that if this is where God wants me he will provide.
Trust and pray, trust and pray, trust and pray.
Posted by Michelle at 1:04 pm 3 comments Links to this post
Monday, January 09, 2006
I knew my kid would be a computer geek......
Check it out, Payton started a blog!!
Does anyone know how(or if) her site can have a seperate profile?
Posted by Michelle at 2:15 pm 2 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Posted by Michelle at 6:28 pm 0 comments Links to this post
I'm done. Yup, it's what 4 days into 2006? And I've had enough.
I don't want to spend alot of time complaining about my life as there are so many good things in my life that to complain would belittle that. At the same time there are some aspects that are stressful, but as anyone knows life comes with stress, it's a package deal.
And there are some things that drive me absolutly insane. Some of it we've let happen, we should have known better, but had a desire to help. Some of it hasn't anything to do with us except through relation, but is very much a part of our life right now through association. Some of it affects us directly and is adding weight brick by brick to my shoulders, and to my mental health. We have enough problems of our own to be worrying about someone else's crap.
I'm worried this will start causing strain on our marriage, and cause me to be less availiable to my kid. What I really want to do is hide, no that's not quite it, the desire is to run. Go away somewhere where I can figure out my own crap and let the other stuff settle itself out in my absence. It's not possible I know, I am far to responsible for that, but oh wouldn't it be nice??
So I guess I did complain, blah blah blah. Just needed a vent, an outlet. Now the decision is to post or not to post.
Posted by Michelle at 8:58 am 3 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Organization or should I say disorganization?
I'm not organized by nature, but I think I can learn. I think if I can get somewhat organized it may help me from going insane. Maybe not, but it's worth a try. So what I need is help, and although I'm sure there is many areas I could use advice in, let's stick to hints on making your life organized and keeping it that way. Any ideas?? What help makes your day run smoothly? How do you manage to fit everything into a day? How about organizing a small space? Or children's spaces(toys ect)? What has helped those other disorganized people out there?
Posted by Michelle at 9:44 am 4 comments Links to this post
Monday, January 02, 2006
It's a New Year.
Somehow I lack the motivation to get excited by starting a new year. I spent the minutes leading up to the countdown to 2006 folding laundry. Exciting I know, I was equally as enthralled. I was pondering what that could mean about the coming year? Is it to be The Year of the Laundry? The year that I stick my head out of the piles of laundry and housework only when I can't breath anymore. The year that I feel neck deep in sticky fingers, and temper tantrums. The year that I lose myself completely in trying to make everything work out.
I'm sure that will be part of it, it is after all an inevitable part of having kids. And some how there is still a desire to have another, so I guess it can't be that bad. I've been spending a lot of time pondering last year and looking at what I want to happen in 2006. Trying to find my enthusiasm for tackling the next year. I want to make the most of it, regardless of what gets thrown at me. I need to find my faith. I think once I can coax it out of the dark corner that it's taken refuge in everything will become clearer.
Anyways, I should go. My "other" kid, the one who takes residence on my couch isn't going to sleep as long as I'm here typing away. She says she isn't tired, I bet I hear a different story when I try to get her up in the morning.....
Posted by Michelle at 9:13 pm 0 comments Links to this post


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A guest blog by Chris Hinze
I'm proud to share pictures of Malcolm McDowell's El-Aurian costume from Star Trek: Generations. The costume was used during the opening scene of the movie when the Enterprise B is saving the refugees from the Nexus.
The costume is a complete hero with a long coat which is very heavy, a green shirt and trousers. It also has green painted shoes. The costume is distressed and they made it to appear bloodied due to trauma occurring aboard the refugee ships. It's awesome.
There are more photos on his blog post at:
Chris Hinze
Check out all of Chris' collection at http://trekprops.blogspot.com/


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We took a train from Venezia Santa Lucia to Susegana. I decided to sit by the window, and there I witnessed the light from the sun slowly painting the sky with beautiful hues. Sunrise marked the start of a beautiful day. Halfway through our destination, it started to snow. Oh how unpredictable and magical life can be.
Not long after, we heard a voice announcing our stop.. I think someone told us that the platform was not long enough. And because we were sitting at the far end of the train, we had to hurry and move! So there we go again, running for our lives, together with our luggage. It felt like we were in an action movie, really. Imagine a vigilante-catching-the-villains-on-the-train scene. We were the villains trying to get away. We are skilled so we got off the train in one piece. Haha. Then, we met our Italian guy, Marco Bozzo!! It was a breath of fresh air seeing him after all the hardships we went through. Ahhhh, finally, we would have some rest in the Italian countryside!
P.S. Marco lives in Farra di Soligo, a commune in the Province of Treviso in the Veneto region, Northern Italy. If you'd like to pay him a visit, do let me know! Haha. Kidding aside, he has a very cozy Airbnb room where he let us stay for free. Well, that's what friends are for. Haha thanks Marco!
Exploring the North
A taste of paradise
It was a beautiful sunny (but cold) day, so to make the most out of it, Marco took us to a peaceful and incredibly beautiful place called La Rondine located in Santo Stefano village, in the town of Valdobbiadene. My goodness, it is a paradise! A paradise of vineyards! The view was incomparable. I was happy to be there, taking in that moment of plain bliss. I felt nothing but genuine happiness.
We met Marco's family friends and owners of La Rondine, Nadia and Vittorio. They're the best! A lovely happy couple! They warmly welcomed us with wine and more wine. White and rose, why not??! Not only that, they filled our tummies with GOOD food. It was heavenly.
A taste of history
Marco the tour guide took us to our next destination – Asolo.
Trivia 1: Known as "The City of a Hundred Horizons," Asolo is a charming medieval town surrounded by lush mountains and hills. It was once ruled by Queen Caterina Cornaro who married the king of Cyprus, James II. Venetians wanted to take hold of Cyprus, but Caterina fought in resistance. Real queen, ey? However, she eventually surrendered the island after ruling it for almost 16 years. In return, she was given the town of Asolo, where she established a court for poets, scholars, and artists.
Trivia 2: Freya Stark, Ernest Hemingway, and Robert Browning lived in Asolo!
It was an unforgettable first day exploring Italy's other side! The best way to end it? Eat delicious pasta; have some more wine, cheese, and meaningful conversations. Cin cin!
Oh by the way, I'd like you to meet papa Tony, Marco's dad. He's a very funny guy! I remember that moment when he scared me wearing a creepy mask! I almost had a heart attack. Lol. Oh, Tony!
A taste of (more) history
On our second day exploring, Marco took us to Abbazia di Santa Maria and Castel Brando. Oh what charming and lovely places! I felt like I was living in a fairy tale.
Trivia 3: "In keeping with the custom of the Order of Cistercians, the Abbey of Santa Maria in Follina stands near a water course, between a mountain and a plain. The monastic complex has been a national monument since 1921 and dates back to the 12th century. In 1915, the Servants of Mary settled in the Monastery of Follina and they still live there today." (Source)
Trivia 4: "Set on a promontory overlooking Valmareno, with a mild climate typical of the Treviso hills, Castel Brando is a splendid example of the historical and artistic restoration of one of the largest castles in Europe." (Source)
We ended our day cooking for Marco and his family before we set off for Venice and Rome. Nara made her specialty Russian salad (I miss this huhu). Trang cooked beef strips with pineapple chunks, paprika, and broccoli (Missing this girl's cooking </3). And I cooked nilagang manok (Filipino boiled chicken soup).
A taste of heaven
After Venice and Rome, Trang and I came back to Farra di Soligo for our trip to the Dolomites!!! I was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited! That's a lot of o's, I know. Our early morning road trip was amazing! Talk about good friends, good music, and good conversations. Okay, I think I've overused the word good. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. Oops.
Trivia 5: One of Italy's many UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Dolomites, constitute the eastern part of the Alpine Mountain Range.
"The Dolomites have always had an enormous impact on the imagination of all those who have seen them. No one has remained immune to their extraordinary fascination, to the extent so that they are universally considered 'the most beautiful mountains on Earth.'" (Source)
Now, the challenge. Hiking in winter. At first, it was easy peasy, but as we progressed, I didn't think I could make it to the top. But did I have a choice? NO. </3 I wanted to give up because my legs were telling me to do so, but I had to go on and push myself. I must admit, there were moments my heart skipped a beat just by looking at how high I was from where we took off. I have fear of heights, but I didn't let that break me. That's the spirit, right? Haha. After moments of doubt, I finally did it! I reached the top!!! The view??? SURREAL. INCREDIBLE. MAGICAL. What I used to see in movies, photographs, and paintings was there RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES!!! Did you ever have that moment when you feel your eyes glowing because of seeing something so beautiful for the first time? That happened to me. A lot of times.
"..since all things are new, you see only the beauty in them, and you feel happy to be alive." – The Pilgrimage (Paulo Coelho)
The way down was kinda slippery, but nonetheless, fun. Having hot cocoa after that hike was a treat. Life's good!
Why I love the Italian countryside
I think it's natural for me to feel a strong love for the countryside because I was born in one. It gives me a sense of peace and belonging.
I don't like crowded places. Hence, exploring the Veneto region, where there are definitely more locals than tourists, was extra splendid! Another good thing is you get to discover hidden gems! I feel a deeper sense of connection to places not a lot of people have been to, places not everyone is talking about. And of course, nothing beats the laid-back vibe, the alleys, the fascinating nature, and the terrific food and wine of the Italian countryside!
P.S. If you ever go to Italy, live with the locals. Your tummy will be happy with all the hearty food and overflowing wine. Not to mention, you get to learn some Italian too. 😛


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Though not mentioned in this blog, the months leading up to the birth of my son were so often for me, a quest to funnel all of my nervous energy about becoming a parent into the seemingly noble search for the *perfect* parenting approach. I read all Dr. Sears and the Baby Whisperer had to offer, checked out message boards about ferberizing vs. the joys of sharing sleep, trying to decide and develop my whole, pure, parenting method in advance.
I visited a friend whose diehard, toddler-breastfeeding attachment, if you will, to attachment parenting really freaked me out. I was only 4 months pregnant and I cringed with fearful anticipation as I saw my friend as a parent for the first time. Her life seemed grossly imbalanced and lacking in any sort of adult stimulus. She called herself an attachment parent. I was mortified. While I had not found the perfect method of parenting in a book, I was certain I had found what not to do. To me, attachment parenting became a bad word, a word meaning total loss of identity, social life, and marital pleasure.
The baby needed to fostered into independence. He needed to sleep in his own crib. I needed to breastfeed, but only as long as was necessary, and then I would make the transition …I needed to get back to work.
Then I had the baby. I gently laid him down in his crib, hushing him into sleep. I hushed and hushed and cooed and sang songs I never thought I would sing. After 2 hours of cycling through my new mommie repertoire of calming antics, Nikos finally drifted into a passable form of sleep. I crept back into my bed and thumped my exhausted head against my own pillow. As if my presence in my own bed tripped an alarm in his, baby boy started to freak. The cycle began again, and by 6 am, I had plucked the angry little baby from his bed and did what I had been told not to (and what I had vowed not to do). I carefully curled him in my arms, and fed him in my bed. We both fell asleep and slept for hours, blissfully uninterrupted.
That was the beginning of my accidental attachment parenting. I realize that most things are better when intentional, but I found my way to attachment parenting (nearly all aspects) by accident. Nikos has been a great sleeper ever since, and is one of the happiest babies I have ever witnessed (and he is no angel baby by nature– but we have found out how to be supportive of his needs and he responds amazingly)… and I am thoroughly satisfied with my life as an adult, a wife, a mother, and an individual. Have any of you similarly stumbled upon your method of being a parent?


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Germany quartet miss training
ERASMIA - Germany coach Joachim Low was forced to skip training and stay in bed on Friday, a day before his team's third place playoff against Uruguay, after coming down with a flu virus, the team said.
Low, whose future as Germany coach will be decided after the World Cup, will, however, travel to Port Elizabeth with the team for Saturday's match.
Captain Philipp Lahm was also down with the flu while Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose and second choice keeper Tim Wiese were also missing from the training session at Atteridgeville near Pretoria, recovering from minor injuries.
Germany lost 1-0 to Spain in their semi-final on Wednesday and will play Uruguay, who were defeated 3-2 by Netherlands.
Germany manager Oliver Bierhoff said it was not yet clear who would play against Uruguay but said the team was determined to help Klose, should he play, level Ronaldo's World Cup goal record of 15. Klose has scored 14 in three tournaments.
"I think there is a big drive within the team and also his wish to move higher up the list. It would also give the team some pride," Bierhoff told reporters.
He said it was also not clear whether Germany would field a full-strength team or if substitutes would start.
"On the one hand we want to win this match and then there is the thought to thank the substitutes, who have been exceptional in training, throughout all this period.
"We want to end this tournament on a high note."


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I try to choose a savory recipe for SRC since I never have any trouble coming up with a new sweet recipe to make! I love Chicken Enchilada's. When I saw this recipe for Chicken Enchilada Pasta, I decided that was the recipe I was going to choose. I omitted the red peppers (none on hand) and used some leftover cream cheese instead of the sour cream. This recipe tastes just like chicken enchiladas. I think next time I might try adding a few black beans, more protein and more color.
I am linking this to On The Menu Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Miz Helen's Full Plate Thursday and Foodie Friday.


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County: Routt
Location: Wolf Mountain Ranch is located about 5.5 miles east of Hayden and north of Hwy 40.
Acres: 15,030
CPW Maps:
Area Maps: USGS Quads - Routt County USGS 1:50,000 – Sheets 3, 4
Species Available: Elk
Elevation: 6,500 to 8,600 ft.
Terrain: The ranch is located in the rolling sagebrush hills that are the lower slopes of the Elkhead Mountains. Upper slopes have some pinyon juniper cover.
Access: Ranch roads provide adequate access to main parts of ranch. These roads can become very muddy during wet weather. ATVs are allowed off-road only for game retrieval. Horses and snowmobiles are not allowed.
Camping: Not allowed on ranch
Game Retrieval Services: Provided - payment required
Guiding Services: Not provided
Overnight Accommodations: Motels are located in Craig, Steamboat Springs and Hayden. There is a KOA Campground in Craig and Steamboat Springs.
Season Dates: Check the Hunter Information page.
There are no antler-point restrictions for any of the ranches. No over-the-counter licenses are offered on these properties. Ranching for Wildlife licenses are open to Colorado residents only. Licenses are only for the season and ranch on the license. For more information on season dates and application deadlines, see the Big Game Hunting Brochure.
Ranch Rules: View the Wolf Mountain Ranch Rules.
Additional Information: Wolf Mountain Ranch is located in an area where elk herds have been over herd objective. It is now at or approaching objective and cow license levels have been reduced in response. This is a migratory elk herd. The ranch continues its work with CPW to assist in achieving herd objectives. Since elk do not always remain on the ranch and harvest levels off the ranch are high, the size of bulls available to hunters should not be considered "trophy" class.
Return to list of Participating Ranches


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Truly Joglo Kudus is your ONE STOP SOLUTION for your Joglo & other wooden house types for your home, villa, resort, hotel or restaurant. Specialized in recycled teak supply & carved Joglo. Our Works speak much in many places mostly in Java & Bali. (Rumah Adat Kudus, Rumah Joglo/Gebyok Ukir, Pendopo, Gazebo/Pergola/Bale Bengong, Rumah Panggung/Geladak) Info: Whatsapp: (+62) 08112724234 Facebook: Arif Joglo Java Bali email: email@example.com
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Masterpieces arts of Carved Joglo Alaya Resort Ubud, Bali by Truly Joglo Kudus
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NEWTOWN --People from Connecticut, across the U.S. and around the world have donated more than $28 million to charities in the wake of the deadly 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, according to a report released Tuesday.
Of that, more than $15 million has been distributed to causes ranging from direct donations to the victims' families to a mission trip to Oklahoma for Newtown teens who helped with tornado cleanup and recovery. The unspent funds have been set aside by various organizations for long-term community needs, including mental health services, scholarships and memorials.
The 66-page report was compiled by the state Office of the Attorney General and the state Department of Consumer Protection. It is based on information compiled from 77 organizations that voluntarily responded to a recent survey about their charitable fundraising activities.
"The generosity of people from all corners of our country and beyond was on display in the days and weeks following that horrible day in Sandy Hook," Attorney General George Jepsen said. "The goal of this report is to document that generosity and provide transparency to the giving public about where their donations went while also developing strategies on how we can better prepare for and respond to tragic events."
Months after the Dec. 14, 2012, massacre, Jepsen and Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein asked individuals and organizations that were identified as actively raising money for Sandy Hook-related causes to complete a survey about their activities. At that time, 43 out of 69 identified charities responded. A second voluntary survey was issued in the fall of 2013 to 80 groups or organizations. All but three responded.
Sixty-four of the groups or individuals are from Connecticut. Thirteen respondents are from other ten other states, including California, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
"The charitable response from the public to this senseless and horrendous tragedy was immediate, worldwide and exceptionally generous," the report said. "Within hours, donations poured in by the thousands as people gave to both national and local charities, some newly created in response to the shootings."
When asked about the purpose of their fundraising efforts, the organizations and individuals gave varied responses. While the most popular category was "philanthropic, volunteerism, grants," the largest number of groups chose "other." According to the report, some that chose "other" are large organizations with missions that touch on multiple categories, such as arts, education, counseling or youth development. But some groups were small, such as Sandy Hook Wrist Bracelets, which raised $940 from selling "Sandy Hook Angels 2012 bracelets." The money was donated to the "Sandy Hook School Support Fund" at Newtown Savings Bank.
Sixteen of the organizations said they plan to continue soliciting or accepting donations for Sandy Hook-related causes. Five of those groups raise funds specifically for families that lost loved ones, as well as other members of the community who were affected by the shooting that left 20 first-graders and six educators dead.
The report found the average cost of overhead for the charities ranged from less than 1 percent to 3 percent. However, two organizations reported higher overhead costs. The Newtown Youth Academy reported 52 percent while the Newtown Youth and Family Services reported 30 percent. According to the report, both groups indicated they misclassified expenses as overhead costs.


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Educators Urged To Integrate Assessments Into Math Instruction
WASHINGTON--Effective mathematics assessment should be seen as an integral part of any instructional program, rather than as "the end of learning'' as is often the case, a report from the National Academy of Sciences concludes.
"Assessment can be the engine that propels reform forward,'' it says, "but only if we make education, rather than measurement, the driving force in the development of new assessments.''
The report, "Measuring What Counts: A Conceptual Guide for Mathematics Assessment,'' was scheduled for release this week by the National Research Council's Mathematical Sciences Education Board.
A policy brief highlighting concepts contained in the report is expected to be discussed at a conference on math and science assessment that the Education Department is holding here next week.
Effective assessments should not only measure what students know, the report states, but also "provide concrete illustrations of the important goals to which students and teachers can aspire.''
By contrast, most math assessments used today tend to test "discrete procedural skills'' that often "distort mathematical reality by presenting math as a set of isolated, disconnected fragments, facts, and procedures.''
Portfolio assessments, in which students compile their work and have it evaluated over time, are one example of an effective method of incorporating testing into the instructional program, the report suggests.
The document also describes the issues of content, learning, and equity as three "fundamental educational principles'' of assessment that support effective education.
Exemplary examinations, the report continues, should:
- Reflect the math that is most important for all students to learn;
- Enhance learning and support good instructional practice; and
- Support every student's opportunity to learn good math.
"Despite their benign appearance, these principles contain the seeds of a revolution,'' the report says, because few tests used today "reflect any of these vital principles.''
A 'Conceptual' Framework
The 226-page report is a companion to "Measuring Up: Prototypes for Mathematics Assessment,'' a document released by the math board last December.
The earlier report contained specific examples of the type of questions the board believes exemplify effective testing. (See Education Week, Dec. 9, 1992.)
The new report should be viewed more as a blueprint for developing effective assessments that could used as a guide by practicing educators interested in advancing reform, said Nancy S. Cole, the executive vice president of the Educational Testing Service, who chairs the board's committee on assessment and testing.
"It's a much more of a conceptual document,'' she said. "But any teacher worried about testing and its impact on teaching would see a lot of value in this report.''
Most importantly, Ms. Cole said, the new document points out that effective assessment often is divorced from the political mandates for accountability and other noninstructional factors that have driven testing in recent years.
"I think we've had a lot of testing in this country driven by needs at least partially removed from the teaching and learning process,'' she said.
She added that "the most important thing this document says is that, even when there are these external purposes for testing, the teaching and learning implications for testing should come first.''
Linda Rosen, the math board's associate executive director, noted that the fundamental issues of equity and content appropriateness stressed in the document have wide application across the curriculum.
"We are writing about mathematics,'' she said. "But I would hazard a guess that almost any discipline would echo these guiding principles.''
Copies of the full report are available for $14.95 each. Copies of the policy brief cost $3.95 each.
Either may be ordered by calling the National Academy Press at (800) 624-6242.
Vol. 13, Issue 02
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Sept cash balances for the OAS and DI Trust Funds were just released for September, i.e. Q3. Since Social Security works on a calender year basis and the Federal Budget on a FY basis you could use these numbers to compare directly to OMB projections (and I will) for now here are just some straight numbers.
The web page for all the Trust Fund Reports (including Medicare HI, Highways etc) is Trust Fund Monthly Reports While generally Social Security is reported for convenience as having a single Trust Fund which will go to depletion (or not) in some future year (currently 2041), in reality there are two Trust Funds which are legally distinct and can have different levels of solvency and so different projected depletion dates. The larger by far (about 10 to 1) is the OAS (Old Age Survivors) TF. Its report can be found at OAS Monthly TF Report. Its smaller companion the DI (Disability Insurance) TF can be found at DI Monthly TF Report These can then be cross checked against the relevant tables in the 2008 Report:
Table IV.A1.—Operations of the OASI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 2003-171 [Amounts in billions] and Table IV.A2.—Operations of the DI Trust Fund, Calendar Years 2003-171 [Amounts in billions]
OAS::Opening balance//Projected year end balance-Intermediate Cost//Y-O-Y Increase//Year end balance-Low Cost//Y-O-Y increase-Low Cost
$2.023 trillion // $2.216 trillion //$193 billion// $2.221 trillion// $198 billion
DI::Opening balance//Projected year end balance-Intermediate Cost//Y-O-Y Increase//Year end balance-Low Cost//Y-O-Y increase-Low Cost
$214.9 billion//$218.7 billion//$3.8 billion//$221.3 billion// $6.4 billion.
Per IV.A2 the opening balance for DI was $214 billion, projected year end under IC $218.7 billion, under LC $221.3 billion
June 30th/Mid-year: OAS $2.140 trillion// DI $220 billion
Aug 31st/Two-thirds: OAS $2.164 trillion// DI $219 billion
Sept 30th/Q3: OAS $2.177 trillion// DI $219 billion
I'll have some more thoughts later and cross-post the expanded post to Angry Bear. But it looks like for the first time since at least 1997 Trust Fund cash balances for the current year will slightly trail projections under Intermediate Cost. Whether this is a 'half full, or half empty' situation depends on how you evaluate 'slightly'.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
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Decorating the family Christmas tree always seems to trigger some tension and dispute over the placement of garland and hanging ornaments. It's not much different in Atwater Village, where the annual tree lighting ceremony, held last week, once again triggered anger and acrimony at the Atwater Griffith Park Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event. Feuding over the cost and style of last year's ceremony lead to the ouster of the organization's longtime leaders by a new generation of business owners, a drama chronicled in the Los Feliz Ledger. There were more problems this year, with charges of gay bashing and a stealth campaign to do away with the pledge of allegiance at the lighting, reports the LA Times.
Photo: Atwater Village Newbie


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In addition to pushing out yet another generation of high-end Android smartphones, Sprint is apparently testing a version of Apple's iPhone for its network. At least, that's the rumor currently drifting around the Web, which has its genesis in a report on the Apple-centric blog 9to5Mac.
"The physical design of the device is akin to the iPhone 4 of today, so this might be the iPhone 4S device with support for all carriers that we have been dreaming up and hearing whispers about," read the blog's June 8 posting on the matter. "Apple is said to have ordered Sprint-compatible cell towers for use on their campus-for testing-in late 2010."
The blog added that the Sprint iPhone in testing "does not feature support for 4G bands."
AT&T and Verizon currently offer the iPhone in the United States. If AT&T succeeds in acquiring T-Mobile for $39 billion in cash and stock, it would make Sprint the only carrier in this country without Apple's bestselling smartphone in its portfolio. Sprint has been arguing strenuously against AT&T's plans.
Further reading
"AT&T is simply seeking a government bailout for problems of its own making and expects the cost of the bailout to be shouldered by American consumers," read a May statement by Vonya McCann, senior vice president of government affairs for Sprint. "Instead of paying Deutsche Telekom [owners of T-Mobile] $39 billion, AT&T could invest a fraction of that amount to expand its LTE deployment to nearly all Americans."
For the past few months, Sprint executives have remained notably tight-lipped about any potential iPhone deal. When asked about that possibility during the carrier's most recent earnings call, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse suggested he was unable to comment on "potential discussions" with any suppliers, before joking: "What is it, like the fifty-fifth time I've been asked that?"
Sprint currently offers a line of 4G smartphones with some unique aesthetics and features. During a high-profile June 9 event in New York City, the carrier introduced two new Android devices: the Motorola Photon 4G, a touch-screen device with a dual-core processor and Android 2.3, and the Motorola Triumph, an Android 2.2 device for Virgin Mobile. Both devices will be available this summer, at an unannounced price point.
The Photon is Sprint's first dual-core smartphone. It features a 4.3-inch screen and a powerful 8-megapixel rear camera. Via the Webtop application (and a special smartphone dock), Photon users can access and create content on a larger screen. It also boasts a kickstand for hands-free viewing, presumably for those smartphone users who like to use their devices for watching movies and television shows while on the move.
Rumors suggest that Apple will ship the iPhone 5 sometime in the fall timeframe, meaning that production for the device will ramp up sometime in either July or August. Sources have also hinted to other publications that the smartphone will hit store shelves sometime closer to the end of 2011.
Rumored features of the iPhone 5 include an A5 processor, more powerful cameras, and perhaps NFC (near-field communication) technology, which would allow the smartphone to act as an electronic wallet. All those features would give Apple the capability to compete more fiercely against the higher-end Android smartphones, whose hardware and software are becoming increasingly robust.


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text: Northern State's Jake Hamik collects top conference honor Northern State senior Jake Hamik collected a huge honor from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference this week. He was named NSIC track athlete of the year. The Aberdeen native has had an outstanding career for the Wolves. At the NSIC indoor championships last week in Bemidji, Hamik won the 400 meters (49.46 seconds) and finished second in the 200 meters (22.54) and the 55-meter hurdles (7.68). Other honorees were Bemidji senior Joe Remitz (men's field athlete of the year); Mary freshman Tyler Zacher (newcomer of the year); Bemidji senior Sheena Devine (women's field athlete of the year); Moorhead junior Ashley Roemer (women's track athlete of the year); Moorhead freshman Anna VanWechel (women's newcomer of the year); and Mary's Mike Thorson (coach of the year). Track: NSU national qualifier Northern State sophomore Amanda Madden (Herreid) has earned a spot into the NCAA Division II National Indoor Track and Field meet March 14-15 in Mankato, Minn. Madden is ranked No. 12 in the nation in the women's weight throw and is one of 15 competitors to make the national field. Her season best throw is 56 feet, 9 inches. She will throw at 1:30 p.m. on March 14. Football: Wolves on TV KSFY-TV will be broadcasting the Northern State football game against the University of Mary this fall. The game will be played on a Thursday night (Oct. 16) at 7 p.m. at Swisher Field in Aberdeen. The game will be broadcast in parts of South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota and can be seen locally on KSFY. In North Dakota, the broadcast can be seen of KFYR, KMOT, KUMN and KQCD. KSFY general manager Kelly Manning said his station will be working with NBC North Dakota News in Bismarck to make this production a reality. NAIA: 3 area track qualifiers Three area athletes have qualified for the NAIA National Indoor Track and Field Meet this weekend at the Memorial Center in Johnson City, Tenn. Black Hills State senior Trent Waage of Aberdeen has qualified for the 5,000 meters as has Dakota State senior Chris Heezen of Miller. The semifinals of that race will be at 6:35 and 7:15 p.m. Friday and the finals will be at 3:10 p.m. Saturday. Black Hills State senior Aubrey Baxter of Redfield comes into the weight throw (4 p.m. Friday) and shot put (10 a.m. Saturday) as the No. 1-rated thrower in the nation. The All-American has won national titles in the past. Basketball: Optimist free throw contest The Aberdeen Optimist Club Family Free Throw Contest, co-sponsored by the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department will be held at Aberdeen Civic Arena on Tuesday. Registration will be from 6-6:30 p.m. with the contest beginning at 6:30 p.m. The contest will have the following categories: boys and girls ages 8 and under; 9-10; 11-12; and 13-14, as well as father/son, father/daughter, mother/daughter, mother/son, brother/sister, husband/wife and family teams. Children participating with parents must be 14 years old or younger. There is no fee for the activity. For more information, contact the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department at 626-7015. Radio: FCA topic of show This week's guest on the American News Internet radio show is Fellowship of Christian Athletes state director Brian Hansen of Sioux Falls. Hansen talks about his organization and its plans to break ground on a 30,000 square feet, $4 million building this summer. About 75 percent of the funds have been raised and the group is looking for more donations (www.southdakotafca.org) to have a debt-free building. FCA plans to occupy about 2,000 square feet of the building that will be near Sioux Falls Christian High School and the Sanford Health Sports Complex. It plans to lease out the rest of the space in hopes of raising $250,000 annually to fund its ministry. The "In The Huddle With John Papendick" show is posted every Friday at www.aberdeennews.com. Hansen was an NFL punter for 15 years. He was a two-time football All-American at the University of Sioux Falls in 1982 and 1983. During his NFL career, he played for five teams and nine head coaches. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1984 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season. He also played for New England and Cleveland before ending his career with the New York Jets in 1998 and Washington in 1999. Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the amateur and professional level to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. The FCA mission statement: "To present to athletes and coaches, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, serving him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the Church."


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IR Weekly Bestseller List for the Week of Nov. 2, 2015
New novels by Theodora Taylor, Natalie Kristen, Lacey Legend, Ursula Renee, Tyra Brown, Mia Caldwell, and CJ Howard are hitting the lists this week. Plus HOT SALE nods for books by Nana Malone, Twyla Turner, Sherrod Story, Ursula Sinclair, and Theodora Taylor!
Click below for this week's list!


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Monthly Archives: November 2012
Cool Cat
Before you say anything, no this has nothing to do with Friz Freleng's Cool Cat cartoons from the 1960's. Also known as one of the last hand full of Looney Tune shorts to be used before the original run ended in 1967. No sir, today we're not talking about the hip tiger that is sadly as forgotten as Bosko and Buddy. Today we're going to talk about a cat used for the Sky company from the UK. This only aired in the UK, so it never aired outside of Great Britain towards my knowledge. It's only one commercial and the only one of its kind from my knowledge so it's perfect for this blog. So I proudly present to you Cool Cat.
The commercial opens with a black and white opening with Cool Cat's face in the center like the same style as the older Disney and Looney Tunes short films. Except it immediately switches to color and Cool Cat breaks into a song which is "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night. He walks down the country side and into a town populated with anime/retro style characters who look like a hybrid of Tetsuka Osamu and Jhonen Vasquez art style. All the buildings and trees are living like something out of Toon Town from Roger Rabbit or H.R. Puffnstuff. While Cool Cat looks like a hybrid of Sonic the Hedgehog and Heathcliff the Cat. So anyways Cool Cat expresses how if he's king of the world he would get rid of the gas-powered cars with more eco-friendly cars to make the air more cleaner. That way everyone would be at peace wildlife animals and humans a like. The commercials ends with a British announcer saying the following "The World is a beautiful place, we'll carry on doing our bit to keep it that way, Sky , believe in better".
Released back in September 2007, The commercial was directed by Richard Bazley with the help of WCRS and Animation Company HRA. The company its advertising Sky is a British enterprise that has multiple roles that helps the lives of the 10 million households in the UK. They are very devoted towards alternate and cleaner energy that can help the environment a whole lot more. Which I think is great that a big company like this is very committed to such a task like using energy-saving light bulbs and hybrid cars. Course in England, an average British citizen either takes a bus or uses a small car to get around. I'm sure you've seen a lot of photos and movies that show how different the cars are over in Europe as oppose to the way cars look in America. Other than the license plates being different and everyone drives on the left side.
I'm totally surprised this character never caught on to the British public. Cool Cat is so likable that he'd be perfect as the PSA mascot of the UK environment. Much like how America has dozens of PSA mascots on the environment. Anyways I felt this character deserves to be heard about so now you all know his existence. And maybe some day Cool Cat will be brought back by popular demand. Enjoy the commercial below and for the next three weeks I decided to do articles on the earlier Twisted Metal commercials.


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Police deployed 300 personnel for peacekeeping in 2016
"We sent over 300 personnel to Mali, South Sudan, Somalia, DR Congo, Liberia and Haiti, including male and female in 2016," he said.He said the Nigeria Police was the largest contributor of female personnel for peace keeping in Africa with 22 female deployed to Mali and 36 to Somalia.
Jimeta said the reduction of UN peace operations led to a drop in the number of personnel deployed.According to him: "Since 2000, the concept of peace keeping had expanded to involve not only the army, police but also all aspects of security and law enforcement generally." He noted that inadequate equipment is one of the challenges confronting the police in peacekeeping operations.
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Dr. Jeffrey Miller, Deltona, will speak to members of the West Volusia Humane Society at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Dickenson Memorial Library in Orange City. Miller, a veterinarian with the Deltona Animal Medical Center, will share information he received at a recent seminar and will discuss the basic care of pets, alerting owners to a pet's behavioral changes. Refreshments will be served.
Puppies and dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds are waiting to be adopted from the society's animal shelter at Plymouth and Grand avenues, DeLand. The dogs will be on their best behavior during the month of October -- Adopt-A-Dog Month -- in anticipation of finding a caring and responsible owner.


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Thursday, April 16, 2015
Design mode, activated
Instead of stopping to diagram each one on the computer, I'm filing them away in my binder for later use. I have sketched each diagram, which only takes about 5 minutes (as opposed to many hours on the computer). This stops me from losing the flow, and keeps me in design mode for a longer period of time.
Here is what I have churned out over the past few weeks:
The bottom two still need a bit of work. They are a variation of the same theme. Here are the top two next to their original concept drawings:
All of these, in addition to the snowflake I posted about before, still need proper diagrams. I'm holding off on that for now because, let's be honest, diagramming is no fun!
What I am having fun with is practicing turning drawings into tatting. I wonder if I will get quicker over time? The experiment continues...
8 comments:
- Madtatter80 said...
Wonderful designs and tatting, I don't care how long it took you :) they are beautiful to look at and when ever you make the patterns, I would to to make them up. Your items are always a great benefit to the tatting world
great post Thank You Robin
- April 16, 2015 at 2:55 PM
- God's Kid said...
Those all look fabulous!!! :) You sure are talented!! :)
- April 16, 2015 at 5:12 PM
- Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...
I would love to be able to draw snowflakes and other patterns, but so far I've had no luck. I think I'll just enjoy what you and others are designing!
- April 16, 2015 at 8:24 PM
- Jenn said...
Gorgeous snowflake designs and tatting :). Love them :). I look forward to when they are available :).
- April 16, 2015 at 9:20 PM
- Jane McLellan said...
Wow, really clever.' Churned out' makes the process seem routine, but these are far from routine and must involve many hours of work and inspiration.
- April 17, 2015 at 3:58 AM
Perfect design... and clever way of drawing patterns.
- April 20, 2015 at 4:38 PM
- Robin Perfetti said...
Thanks everyone!
- April 21, 2015 at 10:53 PM
- Claire said...
I really like your new creations, especially the top left one (on the four tatted pieces picture). Well done!
- May 4, 2015 at 9:38 AM


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Tuesday, May 1, 2012
SuperBear Entertainment: TUB - I See Everything
Voice your comments, suggestions, feedback, etc, in our awesome forum:http://robbcorp.com/forum
SUPERBEAR ENTERTAINMENT (http://sb.xrobb.com) is the commercial and music video (CAMV) production division of ROBB ENTERTAINMENT established on August 12, 2011 by Romane Orlando Robb.
ROBB ENTERTAINMENT ((http://robbent.com) is a New York based Media and Entertainment company that specializes in the production, marketing, and distribution of short and long form entertainment, across multiple platforms. The company was established in 2008 by ROMANE ORLANDO ROBB, and is owned by SIMPLEROBB, INC. - A ROBB CORPORATION COMPANY. For more information, please visit us at ROBBENT.COM.
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It's really just hard-boiled eggs in a curry sauce, so I began by putting on some eggs to boil, while I made a start on chopping and cooking onions for the sauce. When the eggs were cooked, (in fact, a bit overcooked, as I discovered later) I set them aside to cool a bit so I could shell them without burning my hands.
The curry sauce is a basic white sauce with onions and curry added - you cook the onions first, then stir through curry powder, before the addition of flour and then milk, to make a sauce.
I accidentally allowed my sauce to thicken up a bit much - I was concentrating on getting the eggs shelled, halved and laid out in a dish. By the time the eggs were ready, the sauce was very thick and sort of went lumpy when I stirred it.
I attempted to pour my lumpy sauce over the eggs, but it was so thick I ended up kind of spooning it onto each of the eggs.
The result was extremely unappetising. I tried to think of something I could do to make my curried eggs a bit more appealing, and decided that serving them on a salad would improve both the appeal and the nutritional content of the meal.
It only took one taste for me to realise I'd forgotten to season the sauce. Considering it had a whole teaspoon of curry powder in it, the sauce was remarkably bland. I sprinkled extra salt and pepper on top of the eggs instead, achieving a considerable improvement in the flavour.
That's not to say it was a particularly enjoyable meal. If you took a mouthful that was mostly egg and salad, with only a bit of sauce, it was pleasant enough. I have to say that any enjoyment I got out of that meal was in spite of the sauce, not because of it.
It may be a bit unfair for me to criticise a recipe that was in many ways unsuccessful due to my own slip-ups. But even if I had made the sauce to a decent consistency, and had remembered to put seasoning in the sauce instead of on top of it, I still don't think I'd have liked it. Well, at least this recipe is going to have another chance to prove itself. The variation 'salmon curried eggs' is still on my 'to do' list. Let's hope I'm more successful with that one!


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Employee Benefits News examines legal developments that impact the employee benefits and executive compensation employers provide, including federal and state legislation, rules from federal...
May 27 — While employee benefits are often used as a tool for attracting and retaining workers, the growing gig economy is showing that employee benefits may matter less to gig workers at different stages of life, sources told Bloomberg BNA.
"As with all employer benefits, everybody values them differently," Greg Waldorf, chief executive officer at Invoice2go, told Bloomberg BNA May 26. Younger workers tend to see more job flexibility and may consider benefits a "nice to have," he said, while workers with children may be more inclined to seek out jobs with benefits. "It all depends on the context of your life," he said.
People who are independent contractors want more flexibility and greater control over their careers, so they may be willing to forgo traditional company benefits like health insurance and paid holidays, said Waldorf, whose company Invoice2go is an app that allows workers to invoice clients and get paid.
According to a survey conducted by Invoice2go of its users, roughly 31 percent of those responding said that their main concern as an independent worker or business owner was a lack of employee benefits, contrasted with 66.53 percent who said their biggest concern was inconsistent cash-flow.
"I do think that people who pursue this type of work, they're very clear about what they do want," Waldorf said. "They know that they want to have more control over their career and their life and I suspect that they're willing to give something up in exchange for that."
Jo-Anne Bloch, team leader of Mercer's global innovation hub in Hoboken, N.J., told Bloomberg BNA May 26 that she is seeing the same thing from independent contractors. Those at the beginning and the end of their careers tend to value benefits less than those in the middle of their careers, she said.
Mercer came up with its own way to employ independent contractors through a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercer called Mercer PeoplePRO and through establishing that company, they learned a lot of important things about what independent contractors want out of their arrangements, Bloch said.
"We were interviewing people, what do you want, what's going to make it work for you," she said. "We heard very clearly that the training and the ease of doing business was going to be really important. The benefits weren't a big issue."
The lessening emphasis on benefits had something to do with the fact that a lot of the contractors being hired were retirees who were looking to "stay connected" and continue working in a flexible capacity, Bloch said.
"Quite clearly at the end of the career, benefits are much less important," she said. The same goes for those starting out, but Mercer PeoplePro is looking at whether a lack of traditional benefits is a problem for "anyone in between," she said.
Bloch said on a much broader scale, employers will need to start thinking about how they approach benefits for gig workers and all workers.
"I think there is a broader question," Bloch said. "Traditional workers want more flexibility. The flex workers want a little more security and more benefits."
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The Invoice2go survey is at http://src.bna.com/fpy.
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The University of Eastern Africa, Baraton is a Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher learning. It is located at Baraton, Nandi County approximately 50 kilometers from Eldoret or 35 kilometers from Eldoret International Airport


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This link party is for YOU to link up YOUR handmade fiber creations created by YOU!! You can link anyhandmade creation, as long as it is made by YOU - finished items, patterns, tutorials, etc. - paid or free.
Let's take a look at the TOP 5 most clicked on Links from last week's TGIF Link Party!
2 - The Willow Whispers - Peeking Fox
3 - Jesse at Home - Puff Stitch
4 - Posh Pooch Designs - Triple Ripple Chevron Throw
5 - Posh Pooch Designs - Chunky Reflective Yarn
The BEST thing about this link party is - your ONE LINK will be seen on as many as 7 different websites!
The participating websites are (THANK YOU!!):
- PLEASE grab the TGIF Link Party button to the right & display it on your blog page you are linking in the link party. This will link back to the link party from your site increasing the amount of people that see your link.
- If you do not have a blog, then you can link from FB, Etsy, Ravelry or other social media, but PLEASE SHARE this post to get others to see your link. (Sharing will count as placing the Link Party button if you do not have a blog.)
- I would LOVE if you follow me on any of my social media sites (Facebook, Pinterest, Google+) - links at top of my site.
- ONLY fiber related links to your handmade creations will be accepted - any other links will be removed.