text:
The day after school got out, we left Perugia for our longest trip of the year. This morning we're in Ferrara, sleeping in after six days of heavy sight-seeing. Soon we will head to Sardinia for our second week.
Category Archives: monuments
Conquering Rome
Rome is one of the oldest and biggest cities in all of Europe. It is the capital of Italy. It is crowded with tourists, residents, ruins and a whirl of streets, stores and steeples. One of my plans this year was to be able to visit without getting lost. Because Rome's airport brings in most of our guests, we've made several trips to the eternal-ly confusing city. I have sometimes gone through two maps while I'm there. The first can become threadbare after just one long walk.
However, I love Rome. It might be my favorite city in all of Italy. When I'm there I feel happy and energetic and inspired. I always leave wanting more. After each trip, I feel like I've just begun.
This week was my fifth extended stay. I met my friend Stacia who arrived Sunday to begin a summer job sailing around Sardinia. During our three days together, we walked down miles of ancient alleys, past innumerable fountains and impromptu piazzas while frequently stopping for drinks and Roman artichokes along the way.
It was a perfect little vacation. The temperatures soared into the 80s; the monuments glowed; the Romans were good to us; and we never got lost. What a great feeling to finally grasp this place.
I kept my sense of direction by trying to visit familiar sights while keeping track of Il Vittoriano along the way. This giant, centrally located, relatively modern landmark is an unfortunate sore spot among Romans. They snidely call it "the wedding cake" or "the typewriter" and remark that the monstrous, snow-white facade is incongruent with the true Roman style. And furthermore, they complain, it blocks the view of the Colosseum. I've tried to not like this building because I thought it might help me fit in, but I've finally resigned to the opinion that it's stunning (and easy to find.)
One of my favorite tourist stops in Rome is the glass elevator ride to the roof of the Vittoriano. From there, you can see everything. Stacia and I spent time up there taking photos and getting a lay of the land. Since Rome can often dwarf the wide-eyed tourist, we counteracted by playing "optical illusions" with the camera.
Later, we branched out from the safety of the beaming structure to mingle with a few more of Rome's defining iconic anchors. We circled Bernini's sculpture in Piazza Navona, ate gelato in Campo de' Fiori, walked past the president's palace at Piazza de' Quirinale and then, after a look at the crumbling Teatro di Marcello, we ordered the best artichokes ever in the Jewish Ghetto. While we didn't make any time for museums, some artists are hard to miss. Michelangelo, for one, is everywhere. We visited his Moses masterpiece in San Pietro in Vincoli and also climbed the steps to one of his architectural creations, Piazza del Campidoglio. Then we continued on to more picturesque moments in Rome:
Our final walk led us to the Spanish Steps where we played Where's Waldo in the crowd (which does not officially count as being lost in Rome). Here are a couple pictures of Stacia. She's is wearing jeans and a light blue t shirt (see opening photo).
On Tuesday afternoon, we packed up. After parting ways at the train station, I headed back to Perugia. Somehow Rome lingers. I know our traveling days are numbered so I immediately started planning another visit later this month, a quick 24 hour embrace; just one last time to touch the familiar and find something new.
Arsenal and Pickpockets, London and Paris
Last week we met one of our favorite families for our first and only trip outside of Italy. We stayed together in a stable-turned-apartment near Hyde Park. During our four days, we boated down the River Thames, spent a morning in Kensington Gardens, spun a loop around the London Eye, took a peek at the Crown Jewels, and ate at several pubs with names like "The Dog and Duck," "Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese," and "The Queen's Arms." We also rode a double decker bus over the Tower Bridge and past Big Ben.
The most memorable excursion was an evening at the Arsenal vs. Everton soccer match. After an all-day search and a shady rendezvous with a scalper, we finally held what we hoped were eight tickets to the sold-out game. We rode a packed subway and arrived at the stadium full of fans wearing red and white. The weather was good, and we were in England watching real football.
Despite the final score of 0-0 and the surprising calm of the crowd, this was a fun night. We bought Arsenal scarves, we cheered, and we ate dinner in our seats. At 10 minutes before the end of the game, we decided to get a head start on the return trip. As we left the stadium we were surprised to join throngs of others running to the entrance to the Tube. The urgency was contagious. We each grabbed a kid and took off sprinting. It was pretty exciting, and at one point, Grace said, "It feels like we're running for our lives!" Eventually finding a pocket of space to stand on the subway gave us the feeling of victory we had been looking for all night.
The next day we left London (several hours before Margaret Thatcher's funeral). Our apartment in Paris was hilarious. There were just two rooms, each with a tiny loft. There was a kitchen too, but it was in one of the bedrooms. We decided right away that privacy was not much of an option. We put the kids in one room and the adults in another. The tight quarters were the basis for much of the humor during the rest of our stay.
Paris was all about short stops at big sights during the day and long dinners in small restaurants at night.
The most fascinating aspect of Paris, and the one that left the biggest impression (especially among the kids) were the pickpockets. In fact, the week before, the Louvre unexpectedly closed for a day because the problem was unmanageable. We were further warned by many: Always hold your belongings close. Watch out for people holding a "petition" and asking for signatures because while you peruse the paper and write your name, hands will be busy underneath the clipboard empting your purse. Sure enough, on day one, in the middle of a busy square, we encountered a hoard of young women looking for unsuspecting victims. Our tour guide, Jacques, spotted them first and reminded us to be careful. We watched the attempts from a distance. Later, Jacques showed us all his protective measures.
During the rest of the day, the kids tried to weasel belongings out of the adults' bags and pockets. I was horrified when they later offered me back my wallet, my lipstick and my sunglasses. The only defense I had for being such easy prey was that I allow my kids closer than I would a stranger. Still, Matt said he would be more comfortable carrying my valuables.
The last morning in Paris started at 3am when we all woke up and caught rides to the airport for an early morning flight. The Halls returned to Seattle and we came back to Perugia. The first thing we did when we got home was stop for a gelato where some of the other customers were speaking French. Later that afternoon, we noticed a new crepe stand on the street outside our apartment. And for dessert, we ate meringues. It felt good knowing that some of Paris followed us home.
A Tuscan Cemetery
It's impossible to visit a city in Italy without facing centuries of death. It seems that every town is filled with crypts, catacombs and necropolises. Some of the most compelling sites in this country are the graves of illustrious Italians. We've seen the tomb of Michelangelo, Julius Caesar, St Francis of Assisi and Galileo Galilei among many others. Even when the dead aren't famous, their graves sometimes are. They are everywhere.
Beyond the famous burial sites, Italy is filled with cemeteries. There is a "monumental" cemetery in Perugia that Matt and I visited a couple months ago. Some of Perugia's most important families have erected ornate (and fanciful) mausoleums here to house their remains.
Last weekend we were in Cortona, Tuscany. As we were taking in the view from the top of this small hill town, Matt saw a big beautiful cemetery in the distance. We decided to visit it on our way home.
Italy does cemeteries well. The grounds are bright and colorful. Nearly every grave or slot on the wall is full of flowers, flickering electric lights and framed photographs. There is nothing creepy or ghosty about them. The atmosphere is soft and the souls seem tangible. The people look at you from their pictures, and you can't help but want to know more. I can imagine them once living and eating pasta, making wine and gesturing.
We arrived through the main gate with my parents (who are here for a few more days). Once we entered, the six of us separated and wandered through the rows. During our visit we admired the old names and we admired the elegant photos. We tried to find someone who had lived for up to 100 years (with no luck). We found the most recent date-of-death (February 23, 2013). We saw graves of kids. We saw tombstones for entire families, and we discovered many parents who outlived their children.
We finally left the grounds when the wind picked up. Despite the sunshine, we were freezing cold. As we drove away, we talked about the graves and the people who died. Tom and Ray both said that this cemetery was way better than a museum or church.
Then we talked about what we wanted to do with our own remains. The boys are undecided about cremation or coffins. Matt wants to donate his whole body to research, so do my mom and dad (then they want to be buried near Eugene or at their farm.) I think I might want my ashes to be gently tucked away in an Italian cemetery like this one.
With the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, the mythological griffin is found all over Perugia. It's the city's symbol, its emblem, its mascot, and during a soccer match, its nickname.
The city chose this creature as its protector during the Renaissance because of its association with strength, courage and intelligence. The wings give it speed; the claws give it ferocious power. It's a combination of the king of beasts and the king of birds. Around here the griffin is everywhere. Small and large statues guard the entrance to government offices, museums and public buildings. Pictures are found on napkins, coasters, wine bottles and chocolate bar wrappers. Griffins are also painted onto the traditional ceramics of central Umbria. This month, Matt and I went on a griffin hunt to find as many as we could around our apartment in downtown Perugia. Here are some of our favorites.
And just two hours ago, I took a picture of a griffin I hadn't yet seen. Like the saltless bread, this statue represents the Perugian irreverence towards centuries of papal rule. In the clenches of the griffin's right front claw lies the Pope's hat. (And in the right claw is a snake representing the Italian triumph over the fascist years.)
But the griffin that is most personal to me is the one I wear every day. For Christmas, my aunt and uncle visited a local jeweler and had silver griffin pins made for all of us. They give us superpowers. Without them, we'd probably still have the flu.
One Beer in "Perugia" (written by Tom, Jill's uncle)
written by guest blogger Tom, Jill's uncle
I'm Jill's uncle. My wife and I live in Oregon on a hazelnut farm. When Jill and Matt invited us to visit them during their year away from Seattle, we were honored. Even though the price of gasoline had gotten pretty high and Pullman, Washington was a full day's drive from our farm, we thought, why not? It can't be more boring than waiting for the leaves to fall.
The Four Square Church folks are really sweet, and they let Jill use the old theater prop department down in the basement for her blog anytime she wants. Right away, Tom and Ray were excited to give us a tour of the place, "Wait 'til you see the Moon Room!" Turns out this is where NASA filmed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin when they "landed" on the moon in 1969. With a resource like The Cordova, Matt and Jill figured Pullman would be the perfect place to spend their year in "Perugia".
Good old apartment #25. Heidi and I are renting their Bonus Room/Laundry Closet for the next three weeks which is a win-win because face it, there's no money in farming, and Matt and Jill are unemployed for at least a year.
After an Italian breakfast last Sunday, I went with Jill to the basement of the Cordova to watch her work on her blog. She is amazing. Her camera skills are only matched by the rabbits she pulls out of hats with Photoshop. Look at what she did with the picture I took of her family in downtown Pullman.
Get a load of that caption! It's sounds so Italian it hurts. It's pure misdirection, like a good card trick. You see the photo, you read that text and "fish on," you're hooked.
I'm just so proud to be Jill's uncle, and I'm especially proud that she included me in her trip to Italy. Here are the two of us at the Colosseum:
Thank you so much Matt, Jill, Tom and Ray for being the best neighbors in the world. After the cops left.
Florence 23 years later
Twenty-three years ago, I spent my junior year in Florence. This week I took a few days by myself for a little reunion with this incredible place.
Every hotel in Florence claims to be centrally located. This dense city is tightly packed with a wealth of paintings, architecture, food, history, sculptures, craftsmanship, fashion and tourists. I can't imagine a greater concentration of art and admirers anywhere in the world.
During the two-hour train ride from Perugia, I wrote down a list of all the things I wanted to do in Florence. It quickly became apparent that three days is not enough time to get it all done. It was time for an honest talk with myself. Could I return from a stay in Florence without going inside the Duomo? How shameful would it be to walk by the walls of the Uffizzi without going in to awe at Bottecceli's Birth of Venus? Could I possibly pass up the chance to see the David in person? The answer was yes, because when it gets right down to it, eating, shopping and aimless walking sounded like so much more fun. (I can't believe I just admitted that.)
Before setting out, I tried to look up some of the best streets to window shop. As luck would have it, I found the website of Maren Erickson, an American woman offering shopping tours of the finest in Florentine leather, silk, paper and gold. I met her at Piazza Santa Croce. We hit it off immediately. It turns out she is from Seattle but lives here six months out of the year. (In fact, her daughter worked at my husband's real estate company last year.) Bottom line, we had a blast. She took me to some of the most incredible stores where I met some people who have worked in the trade all their lives. It was so fun to breeze by all the tourist traps of mass-produced, cheap goods and find the best that Florence has to offer.
After a couple hours, we stopped for an apertivo and decided to meet later for dinner. So after a long walk through familiar streets and nostalgic piazzas, I met Maren on the site of an ex-prison converted-into-trattoria where we enjoyed a long, long dinner. It was one of those nights where the problems of the world were solved, and I felt sure that I was in the company of a wise philosopher (and at times was one myself). I'm sure it was due in no small part to the bottle of Chianti that we ordered, but nonetheless, we had such a good time that we made dinner plans for the following night.
Big meals were sort of the theme of my stay. The next afternoon I planned my day around a solo lunch at Zeb. A friend from Perugia told me that it's one of the best spots in town. I was the first to arrive at this tiny place and sat at on one of the 15 stools surrounding part of the kitchen. Behind the counter was Alberto and his mom, Giuseppina. They were super sweet to me and called me "tesoro" (treasure) when they dropped off a new plate of food. I went completely Italian on them and ordered every single course offered (pasta, meat, vegetables, dessert, coffee). I managing to finish every bite, more out of appreciation than out of hunger. I loved it all. The best plate was the pici al pesto.
Before dinner with Maren, I took my stuffed self to a couple alternative museums. The Salvatore Ferragamo museum had a really cool Marilyn Monroe exhibit featuring all the shoes she owned by the famous Italian designer. I also learned a couple things about Ferragamo himself. For one thing, he studied anatomy so he could know how to build the perfect shoe. Then I headed to Palazzo Strozzi to peek at a 1930's art exhibit. I don't know much about designer shoes or 1930's Italian art, so both made me feel a little clueless. Then I took a long walk up to Piazza Michelangelo which looks out over the entire city. And who should I see but a copy of the David! I got a little Renaissance art after all.
The next day I had to pack up and head home.
I left Perugia kind of nervous about traveling solo. Sometimes I feel self-conscious when I'm walking around by myself, or especially when I go out to a restaurant alone. There's no one with whom to share the new experience, and there's no one to look at when I eat. Sometimes I had to fight the urge not to think of myself as a bit of a loser.
I decided there are two virtues I'd like more of: courage and confidence. The past few days taught me that courage is a choice. I can identify my fears and consciously face them. (This trip offered some opportunity for that.) Confidence, on the other hand, is not a choice, but is a result of acting courageously. In other words, self-assurance was earned once I confronted my fears.
There, enough big thoughts. Do you like my new leather boots?


text:
There is a story told of the great Rabbi Zusha; as he lay on his death bed, he was crying and no one could console him. Finally, one of his students asked: "Rabbi, what are you so worried about? Surely you will be accepted by God!" To this the saintly rabbi replied: "I'm not worried that God will ask me: 'Zusha, why weren't you more like Abraham?' or Why weren't you more like Moses?' I'm worried that He will ask: 'Zusha, why weren't you more like Zusha?'"
It's not that living up to the "greats" may be cause for worry, after all, if you can't live in the footsteps of Jesus, Buddha, or Mother Theresa, who could fault you? But, what is the excuse for not living up to your truest self, following your talents, and expressing your deepest self to the world?
So ask your self the question now, instead of waiting for your deathbed; Will I be ok with God asking, "Why weren't you more like (your name here)?"
Small Change for the week
Ask yourself the question above.
Remember, as you better yourself you better the world

subset: commoncrawl


text:
On October 15, 1997, the Cassini Probe was launched from Cape Canaveral on a seven year voyage through the inner planets, past Jupiter and the Asteroid Belt, on its way to the Saturnian system.
Here are some amazing photos that Cassini took3on her voyage to Saturn.
- Image One: Saturn in all its heavenly glory
- Image Two: The Hexagonal Storm on the North Pole of Saturn
- Image Three: The Aurora on Saturn's South Pole
- Image Four: Cassini's final plunge into Saturn's Atmosphere
- Image Five: Saturn in all its glory
- Image Six: Cassini Stats
In order to preserve the pristine nature of Enceladus and Titan, and all the other moons and moonlets that orbit Saturn, the choice was made to send Cassini into the atmosphere to insure no contamination of the moons of Saturn for future exploration, and not to contaminate worlds yet explored by microbes that might contaminate pristine worlds so far away. On Friday morning Cassini took its final bow, transmitting all the data in real time to Australia as she streaked into Saturn's upper atmosphere and disintegrated.
The end of Cassini is sad, but what we know today was worth every minute Cassini orbited the Saturnian world.
We have a wealth of Data coming down in data link as we speak. And further research will last for years to come as that data is analyzed and poured over by scientists and researches.
Cassini gave us insight of Saturn and its system, moons and rings that we could not have imagined and found water ice on Enceladus, and methan and ethane on Titan. Maybe one day we might find that, indeed, we are not alone in the universe on some cosmic level.
When that day comes, we can all thank the massive team at NASA and the JPL and the folks in Australia for all their hard work in collecting data that takes 87 minutes from Saturn to reach earth, after the Cassini probe pointed its antenna at Earth from across the galaxy.
We will miss Cassini, at least I will because I have followed this mission since its inception and launch so many years ago.


text:
When you are new to Futura embroidery questions can arise. I advise you to stick to the basics as you learn your new machine so you can develop skills that will help you tackle more advanced embroidery later. Here are some answers to Futura Facebook questions from consumers. Thank you to all who contributed. Sometimes Facebook is a confusing social media to use as a referral, so I will try to compile useful information on this page from Facebook questions. Remember to email Singer if you can not resolve the issue. Email: email@example.com . Other places to look are Singer video lessons, Software lessons by Jenny, Instructional hints and tips and Futura-Support.
Question: I need help I have the singer future quartet , I have it doing embroidery, set on the e for tension , my thread keeps breaking I'm using the net for the thread and rechecked to make sure it's threaded correctly. I've checked the bobbin and everything, what can I do. Is there a manual tension setting I can put it on other than e.
Answer: Nancy wrote: "It could be the design if it's a new design never used before. Run a stock design on cotton fabric with cutaway stabilizer to see what happens with the stitch out. If the stock design sews out without problems, it is the design and time to find another design that stitches out well..stick to well established design sites because can always rely on them to sew out well. In the meantime with the stock design, you regain your embroidery confidence. If you are fairly new to embroidery, you may not be aware that you cannot resize without optimizing the design.
Answer: I have best results if I slow down the speed to 1/2 speed.
I need help, what I'm doing wrong I have a Futura quartet and in trying to applique it keeps bunching at the bottom and I have broken 8 needles and ruined 2 shirts I'm new to this and so frustrated
The key here is top threading. Make sure you set (use some resistance by holding the spool as you thread) the thread as you thread the top of the machine. If you are just laying the thread along the pathway it is doubtful the thread is in the top tension.
I have a new Quintet. The top tension gets so tight that it breaks the needle when it moves to the next section of embroidery. I have tried pressing the decrease button and it starts out sewing ok. But then it get tight again. Have checked the book to make sure it is threaded correctly. This is so frustrating to have a $1000 machine that I can't get to sew right. Is there a phone number for customer service that I can call to discuss this?
Your thread is probably wrapped around the spool pin as it comes off the spool. Make sure you use the smallest spool cap that just covers the spool for a good feed off.
I keep having issues with my bobbin thread bunching up on the bottom when embroidering. What am I doing wrong? How can I fix it?
It is in the threading, review the threading video by Singer. If you have jammed the machine enough it could be a damaged needle plate or bobbin case. Examine them for picks.
just wanted to let you know a friend of mine figured out the problem with my machine (Singer Futura Quintet-pulling bobbin up into design). I had actually already got approved to send it back and was gonna ship it Monday but she insisted on looking at it first. I knew it was a tension/bobbin problem I just couldn't not figure it out and COUNTLESS people in reviews have ad this same problem so i wanted to give you feedback incase anyone else does. Turns out while my bobbin was wound correctly my previous machine was a front load bobbin this was my first experience with drop in and while i read everything about setting it up counter clockwise and watched it on all the videos and i WAS doing it correctly in that sense my bobbin was actually completely upside down like up side down down side up so even though it was going counter clockwise it was wrong because it was upside down ah the curse of being left handed turns out she had another left handed friend doing the same thing with a different machine didn't result in the same problem but was still a problem so just some feedback in case you need it for someone else! Thank you for all your help!
Can you tell me how to reset to standard the singer Futura embroidery 550 XL, I have bunching and threading alarms going off
Turn off the machine, turn of the software. Pull or cut out the fabric, remove any bunching and remove the needle plate and bobbin case to remove any thread, examine both pieces for nicks and holes. Use an fine file to file if nicked. Reassemble the machine. restart the machine and then the software. Reload the design, center and start again.


text:
America is blessed. Truly blessed. Sometimes it is hard to remember how blessed we are, when we don't see and experience things outside our home, school, state, country, or even ourselves. I'm blessed.
I know a lot of people who have seen many awful and heart throbbing things. I know I have... But sometimes even if we have or haven't been out of the country, or even stepped out of our own environment, we forget there is SO much more out there. Outside of me and my social life, outside my deep missing for India, outside my homework, outside my family, my boyfriend, outside spokane...
There is just SO much outside.
Sometimes, I get frustrated with people and their ignorance. I sit there thinking, "They don't even know..." Once I came back from India, I was so frustrated with America in general.
All the materials, petty conversations, and bad attitudes...
People who have been on a mission trip know what I am talking about...You feel changed for a split moment after you return, and then you struggle to reach that ultimate high of contentment and closeness with God (that you once experienced somewhere else) for the rest of your life, but it just doesn't ever quite get there.
It's hard to want to be in America, when I have felt such frustration towards it. It's just that feeling of always needing to "go" because when I am here I am not doing what I NEED to be doing.
But when I am not here, I miss it. When I am "out there" there are a lot of things I miss.
This might sound a little patriotic...but I really do love our country.
I watch the news and listen to the radio and whenever their is a tragic disaster, whether it be in our country, or in Haiti, or Japan, we really do come together.
We have been thrown into this crazy world, where we are constantly surrounded by ugly things, but it amazes me that our countries can use each other for the better, and honestly make the world a better place. The way God intended it to be. Now, that is absolutely beautiful.


text:
He is My Gardener
I spent the weekend working in the yard and sprucing up my garden. I just love being outside surrounded by sun and life. My youngest has an assortment of things he's randomly picked up at the nursery and planted here and there over the years. He calls them his "special memory flowers". What a lover, right?
There's one plant, an annual that blooms bright pink, that is especially guarded.
When we moved three years ago, he dug it up from the garden at our old house and transplanted it here in the new garden. It hasn't been trimmed back since, because he never wants to cut it.
Whenever I'm out there cleaning things up, he'll always find me and say, "Don't cut mine, Mom.", as he doesn't want to damage it or lose any of the branches that hold lovely pink flowers.
It doesn't really grow at all.
It's been the same size since we've moved here three years ago. It blooms, but the few branches it has are sort of limp. They've grown up, but not out.
I found an old journal on my bookshelf.
It's a gorgeous, neglected hard cover book filled with blank pages that beg for words.
I have journaling ADD and often fill a journal only a quarter of the the way before another shiny object of journaling affection grabs my attention. This particular journal was barely filled.
As part of my new goal to be more diligent in my prayer life, I decided to dust it off and get writing.
I ripped out the pages preceding the fresh lines.
In with the old, out with the new.
I was shocked at the amount of time that has passed since the date on the first page.
Many of the prayers and thoughts I wrote about then, could be my prayers and thoughts on this very morning.
What a bold reminder of my walk, my faith, my time.
There are areas of my life where I haven't really grown.
I've stayed the same.
I bloom, but the few branches I have are sort of limp. They've grown up, but not out.
I decided to trim back the branches on my son's annual.
Even though I know he'll be devastated to see his flowers gone and the branches freshly cut and exposed, the plant needed it.
As I trimmed the branches that held bright pink blooms and tossed them in the garbage can, I was a little sad. I know that when he sees his plant, he's going to ask why.
Why would I cut his favorite plant?
I'll have to explain like I have a thousand times before.
If we want it to grow, baby, we have to trim it back.
I'll tell him that new flowers will bloom on fresh branches.
He won't see them for a while, but they'll come.
I promise.
I'm learning to accept the branches that my Heavenly Father has trimmed back in my life.
Even though I'm devastated, freshly cut, and exposed, I needed it.
Why, God?
He'll have to explain to me like He has a thousand times before.
If you want to grow, sweet child, I have to trim you.
He'll promise new flowers on fresh branches.
I won't see them for a while, but I know they'll come.
He promises.
EDIT: April 16, 2014. (The morning this post was originally posted.)
I walked out back today, and look what I found...
God is SO good!


text:
Photography Interview Shotgun Condenser Recording Microphone for Nikon
Product Description:
Photography Interview Shotgun Condenser Recording Microphone for Nikon Canon DSLR Camera
1. Designed for DV photography, interview and other occasions, it is easy to install and fix on the camera to pick up the most accurate and clean sound recording effect.
2. It can reduce the ambient noise effectively by using the unidirectional cardioid to pick up the sound.
3. The sound has a high degree of reduction, bright and clear.
4. The standard universal 3.5mm connection plug is adopted. It is easy to operate and easy to install.
Monomer: back polar electret
Directivity: Cardioid
Frequency response: 50Hz-16KHz
Use of voltage: 1.5V AA battery(Not included)
Suitable for use:
For Canon 5D, 5D2, 5D3, 550D, 6D, 60D, 600D, 7D
For Nikon D300S, D35, D4, D5100, D7000, D800, D810
For SONY A7S, A7II, for Pentax K-5, for OLYMPUS E-5 and so on, all 3.5mm interface / SLR camera
Please allow 1-3cm differs due to manual measurement.
Due to the different display and different light, the picture may not show the actual color of the item. Thanks for your understanding.
Package Content:
1 x Microphone Set


text:
Colorful, graphic and charged, electric socks are the perfect addition to any lively outfit. With highlights of pink, white, blue, yellow and purple, these dark blue socks make a bold statement. High-quality combed cotton means that only the strongest, most durable fibers were used to make the pattern on these socks precise and comfy. Conveniently available in sizes for men and women.
Köp Happy Socks, Electric Sock / Size 9-11 / Women


text:
Certus International provides the most effective Duty of Care systems available for Corporations to achieve their mandated requirements. Our pre-education packages and real-time in-country updates facilitate informed, timely responses to any unexpected change.
In the current climate global travel can be a risky venture for a variety of reasons, if organizations fail to prepare their staff appropriately, it can result in a high impact at strategic level.
Certus International provide thorough travel risk analysis for our clients to tailor effective solutions based on objectives and risk appetites. Up-to-date intelligence reports, news, analysis and location tracking of all personnel is delivered via Certus Eye. We also provide our clients with Alams Aware, a modularized e-learning product that educates travellers on their destination, covering geography, history, demographics, government, safety and security, legal considerations, and cultural understanding. Our e-learning platform mitigates risks to your staff by making them more informed and aware of their environment. It also reduces the probability of an employee committing an act of social misconduct that could result in severe reputation damage.
Years of international experience have enabled us to develop an in-depth understanding of the cultural concerns that may impact travel, allowing us to anticipate any issues that may arise. Our specialists advise our clients on effective risk responses to allow them to deal proactively with crisis situations, including terror incidents, natural disasters and medical evacuation. In the event of any legal issues, support is provided by liaison and negotiation with host country authorities and consular personnel, if required, coupled with the allocation of specific legal representation.
Certus International offer the option to embed our security specialists into excursions, particularly to higher threat locations to provide 24-hour management and assistance, enabling our clients to concentrate on the travel objective. However, we endeavour to educate and train our clients to provide them with the necessary skills to organically manage travel risk.
Key Deliverables from Certus International:


text:
Live updates
Appleby horse fair welcomes thousands of weekend visitors
Appleby horse fair is enjoying one of its busiest days.
The event is the biggest annual gypsy fair in Europe and sees thousands of the travelling community joined by thousands more visitors.
Drivers warned to reduce speed ahead of Appleby Horse Fair
Please be aware of horse drawn vehicles. Keep your speed low #kendalPCSO https://t.co/JaVWg9ZUs7
Police are warning drivers to reduce their speed around horse drawn vehicles in the build up to the Appleby Horse Fair.
This year's fair starts next Thursday and caravans and horses have already begun heading to the town.
- ITV Report
Appleby flood defence wall completed
Workers have finished building a new flood defence wall near Appleby swimming pool. Other defences are still being built.Read the full story ›
Amateur jockey preparing for ride of his life
An amateur jockey from Appleby is preparing to take part in the world's biggest charity race day.
Keith Oakes had no experience as a horse racer, but he began training at a local racing yard around 18 months ago.
He's now saddling up for the Best Western Macmillian Charity Race in York this summer.
It is always something that I wanted to do but never had the opportunity.
I thought I would challenge myself to see if I could get to that level and take part in it and also raise a lot of money on the way for the Macmillian charity."
- ITV Report
Carlisle to Appleby railway closed for 'several months'
Network Rail have released a video revealing more details about the landslip on the railway line between Carlisle and Appleby.Read the full story ›
Appleby landslip closes Settle to Carlisle line
The Settle to Carlisle railway line was shut to all trains last night after aerial monitoring confirmed the scale of ground movement in the railway embankment at Appleby.
Engineers are planning repairs to fix the issue and minimise the chances of further landslips in the same area in the future.
A road replacement service for passengers will be in place between Appleby and Carlisle.
Consistent high levels of rainfall have saturated the ground and caused this slip, which has affected the stability of the railway through the area. Our aerial footage highlighted the scale of ground movement which has led us to close the line as a precaution while we confirm the next steps to tackle this issue. We do know extensive repairs will be needed to fix this."
WATCH: Firefighters tackle blaze at Appleby property
Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.
Police were called at 4.25pm yesterday to a blaze at an Appleby property.
No people were reported to be inside the building.
A66 collision near Appleby
Police are dealing with a road traffic collision on the A66 Appleby road.
They were called at 15.32pm this afternoon with reports of a one vehicle road traffic collision.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area and use alternative routes.
Watch: National Flood Forum trailer visits communities across the region
The National Flood Forum and The Environment Agency are touring some of the worst hit flood areas in a trailer to learn what they can from local residents.
Tim Backshall went to visit the trailer in Appleby. Watch his report here:


text: Opening Address – Day Two, ABARES Outlook 2016 conference Speech, checked against delivery National Convention Centre, Canberra 2 March 2016 It's really great to be here at another ABARES Outlook conference and I thank ABARES for their continued commitment to the conference and to providing quality information for the agricultural sector in Australia - information and research that's recognised both here and globally, and very important. I can recall many hours poring over reports, particularly around agricultural trade, so thank you again for the opportunity to be here. Today, what I'm looking to talk about in my new role - having left the agriculture portfolio in September last year and moved into the Trade and Investment portfolio specifically with responsibility for Tourism and International Education but also the opportunity to represent Australia in a number of forums in the trade and investment perspective - is about positioning Australia, and our deliberate strategy around what I call, and are increasingly being recognised as, Australia's super-growth sectors. Now agriculture is obviously one of those, but so is tourism, international education, gas/energy and wealth management and that's been recognised by a number of key agencies over recent times, in fact some of our best and brightest; Deloittes, McKinseys, BCA, the Future Economy Forum and of course one of our own agencies in Austrade. The size of these five, collectively, match that of mining at its peak. Together these sectors are predicted to add more than $250 billion over the next twenty years. With the right tail winds there is a very real possibility we could see much more than that added to the economy and there is every reason to believe now is the time to capitalise on Australia's advantage. In fact, in my view, we ought to be capitalising on that right now. International engagement removes the constraints for growth in a nation with a population of only 24 million and gives us access to more than 600 million people in our neighbouring countries alone. Of great significance is that this population has age profiles that align to our service strengths, particularly tourism and education, and a growing middle class seeking what we have to offer and that's protein/food, energy and wealth management. The world wants what we have got. And the more we play, the stronger we get. As well as talking today about the success of agriculture exports, I want to mention the intersection of three of the super-growth sectors; agriculture, tourism and international education. They intersect as major contributors to the economy, they intersect as demand for Australia's food and wine offerings continue to skyrocket, and also because agriculture is much more than selling produce. It's also about the world wanting to know how we farm, how we produce such great food, wine, and also Australia's education expertise in agricultural production systems. And in that space I believe we have a huge amount to offer and in some cases we actually don't even understand what we have got. The other intersection point is around international investment. Australian agriculture has performed very solidly in recent years. This is the result of a strong economy overall, on the back of global food demand that is both growing and, at the same time, becoming more discerning. The increasing middle class of our major trading partners means the demand for protein is increasingly rapidly. Farm exports are forecast to reach nearly $45 billion in 2015-16. That's a 37 per cent increase since 2010-11. These figures are edging closer to our top export earner in mining – iron ore currently tracking at $49billion and surpassing number 2 on the list – coal at $37billion. And our exports to Asian markets, in particular, are expected to grow even more as a result of the entry into force of FTAs with our three major markets in North Asia, and eventually the TPP. There have already been major commercial successes as a result of these three North Asian FTAs, which I will come to later. At the same time, there have been success stories in other markets. Our beef exports to the US are a case in point. Last year US demand for Australian beef was so high that export volumes exceeded the US's WTO beef quota. Our producers had recourse to the special beef quota negotiated under the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement for the first time since it came into force. Since 2013 the Government – under the able leadership of my good friend and colleague Andrew Robb – has negotiated Free Trade Agreements at a very steady clip and Andrew will go down, deservedly as, I think, based on the numbers, as our most successful Trade Minister in history. When you negotiate Free Trade Agreements that cover 60 per cent of your trade by reach of the numbers no one can do any better. Bilaterally, we've signed FTAs with Korea, Japan and then China, all of which have entered into force. In addition, the Government has recognised the importance of active implementation and follow-up of these FTAs. It's not simply enough to negotiate a great agreement; we need to explain to producers how to use it. Accordingly, we have invested significant resources in explaining to business the opportunities these agreements have opened up, through FTA information seminars across the country, and through the creation of an FTA Portal which provides easy access to clear technical information on how to use FTAs. We have made good progress in bilateral negotiations with India and reinvigorated negotiations Indonesia. I have to say these are not easy negotiations, but the important thing is that we have the political will to succeed. We have started the process toward a comprehensive and high-quality FTA with the EU and officials have already begun work on an FTA scoping exercise. This is important for the agriculture sector, as the EU is the only one of our top ten export markets with which we have not already negotiated an FTA or with which we do not have FTA negotiations in train. Regionally, the Trans-Pacific Partnership was signed by Australia and 11 other countries on 4 February and TPP countries are working to achieve ratification so that it can enter into force as soon as possible. We have also made good progress in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations. This will build on, and expand, Australia's existing FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand and it complements the TPP, including the involvement of China and India. And I don't think we can underscore enough the importance of having solid, basic frameworks that span across all of these negotiations and agreements that provide similar terms for the management of trade. Those underpinning frameworks, which we are looking at across all our Free Trade Agreements, people understanding a common set of rules make a real difference. At the multilateral level, we have even been able to rack up some gains in a forum that many thought was moribund, to be friendly, some thought dead, the WTO. In December last year, Australia played a key role in securing agreement to end agricultural export subsidies. These subsidies have long been recognised as the most trade-distorting form of support. They are a key piece of unfinished business from the Uruguay Round and, importantly, this will help level the playing field for our farmers. Collectively, these agreements arguably represent the most significant opening of agricultural markets negotiated by any Australian government – and certainly since the Uruguay Round started more than twenty years ago. Just a little bit on the difference they will make for our rural communities and farming communities. The Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) has already seen three sets of tariff cuts since it entered into force in late 2014. KAFTA immediately eliminated tariffs on wheat, sugar, wine, fodder and many horticultural products. Tariffs on beef, cheese, lamb and other products will be eliminated over time. As a result, Australia's beef exports to Korea grew by 30 per cent in 2015. Exports of fresh cherries to Korea have grown ten-fold and the value of bottled wine exports has grown by more than half. All these things are making a real difference. Tasmanian cherry grower Reid Fruits, and you've probably heard this statistic a number of times, saw its exports to Korea grow from 5 tonnes, before the FTA, to 185 tonnes after the 24 per cent tariff was eliminated under KAFTA. And I can tell you, knowing Tim quite well, it's made a real difference to his business. Lismore-based Macadamia Marketing International has seen its sales to Korea grow from 100 to 250 tonnes, and expects to see further doubling each year for the next five years. The tariff on macadamias has now been reduced three times from 30 per cent down to 12 per cent, and will be completely phased out by 2018. The KAFTA outcome was crucial when you consider that competitors from the US, EU and ASEAN already enjoyed preferential access to Korea, and given that Canada's own FTA with Korea entered into force shortly after ours. When we come to Japan one of the things that really has made a difference, and I was fortunate to see that first hand last year, was the look again effect of negotiating these Free Trade Agreements and the impact that they have in those markets. Where there are changed economic circumstances, it really does make those economies have another look at Australia in the circumstance where we would probably all consider Japan to be quite a mature market and one that we've understood very well. Under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement tariffs on exports of fresh beef to Japan have already fallen from 38.5 per cent to 31.5 per cent. They will fall again on 1 April this year, to 30.5 per cent. As a result, exports of fresh beef to Japan grew by 22 per cent in 2015. Queensland-based Australian Agricultural Company, which is the largest vertically-integrated livestock producer in Australia, has doubled the size of its market in Japan in the last couple of years and continues to expect growth as a result of the agreement. The 15 per cent Japanese tariff on bottled wine will be eliminated by 2021 and immediately in the case of larger volumes of bulk wine. Australian bulk wine exports to Japan doubled in 2015. Burch Family Wines, a family-owned winery in Western Australia, has been receiving rising levels of interest from larger Japanese distributors and partners as a result of that process. In horticulture, we've seen a ten-fold increase in exports to Japan of fresh table grapes and shelled almonds between 2014 and 2015; along with increases of 53 per cent for rolled oats and 23 per cent for fresh asparagus. JAEPA was important in a broader sense. As Japan's first real agreement with a major agricultural exporter, it was a key step in the Abe Government's economic reform agenda and helped ease Japan's path to a more ambitious agriculture outcome in the TPP. And I can tell you, having been to Japan in 2005 when we were commencing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement, the first aim was when we actually had agriculture in the negotiations for the Japan agreement at all. So, in that context, the outcome we got, I think, was very good. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement completed the North Asian trifecta. ChAFTA will level the playing field against other agricultural exporters that have FTAs with China and deepen Australian exporters' competitive advantage over key competitors such as the US and Brazil. Under ChAFTA, tariffs on dairy, beef, wine, all of which range up to between 20 and 25 per cent, will be eliminated by 2026, 2024 and 2019 respectively. Although it came into force only nine weeks ago, it is already delivering results. Western Australia's Geraldton Fishermen's Cooperative says it has strengthened its market position as the 15 per cent tariff on live lobster imports to China was cut to 9 per cent for Australian produce and will be completely phased out by 2019. The Cooperative has established a dedicated warehouse for live lobster at Baiyun Airport near Guangzhou – the first time an Australian seafood company has held its produce on Chinese soil. The Cooperative has said that ChAFTA has helped them to forge partnerships to supply live lobsters from Australia to their tanks in Guangzhou in less than 16 hours – one of the most efficient live rock lobster supply chains in the world and they are now positioning themselves to be the market leader ahead of tariff-free trade from 2019. A key outcome of the tariff-cutting commitments we have achieved in these three North Asian FTAs is that they have made Australia a go-to location to invest in, in order to export to North Asia. No other major economy can provide such extensive preferential access into these important growth markets. This, in turn, makes our economy more attractive to international capital looking for growth opportunities. Not just from North Asia, but from all over the world. The same will be true of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. So, with the case for our opportunity built, the story now gets more interesting. To grow we need capital. Australia is a small, open and trading economy with thin capital markets. Australian savings are simply not sufficient enough to fund the investment opportunities and the standard of living we expect. So not only should we welcome foreign investment, we need it. Between now and 2050, Australia's food industry will need up to $1 trillion in additional capital to increase its size, productivity and global competitiveness. We must look both onshore and offshore for capital that drives innovation and, in turn, productivity, jobs and growth. The alternate is to boost our savings by spending less. Spending less is not necessarily an attractive proposal in that space. Recent modelling based on data since 2000 shows that a $1bn increase in international investment would result in the creation of around 1000 jobs. Historically, I think we all understand most of our capital has come from Europe and United states but as the global economy recalibrates towards Asia we have the opportunity to refocus our attention to regions closer to home. It is important that Australians are assured and understand that new money coming into our economy drives jobs and growth but equally we must provide clarity, certainty and transparency to investors. One of the most common questions that I get asked when I'm working internationally talking to major investors in and around our economy and particularly in agriculture, is "are you genuinely interested in investment from us?" We say we are but some of the rhetoric coming out of Australia doesn't necessarily indicate that we welcome it. That rhetoric does resonate and it's heard. In fact I was in the Middle East only in January and it was put to me in those simple, plain terms; are you genuinely interested in international investment? And that comes down to those who criticise the Governments approval decisions for international investment as a 'betrayal' – they should realise that the real betrayal would be foregone jobs and growth, and having Australia's potential growth stymied. We have grown up as a nation that competes internationally and that is what has actually positioned us so strongly. The fact that we are an open economy drives innovation and it drives productivity, and that's why I will back us in any international trade competition because we are such an innovative nation that has benefitted from the fact that we have had to work hard and continue to innovate to be amongst the leaders in the world and that's why I indicated earlier that our knowledge and understanding is such a valuable asset internationally. A couple of different sorts of agriculture opportunities feature in my work in tourism and international education portfolio; two of the other five super-growth sectors. Farm, food and wine tourism figures released today show some amazing trajectories. In addition to almost half of all tourism dollars being spent in regional Australia, 44 per cent, visits to farms increased by 14per cent last year and to wineries, there was a remarkable increase of 37 per cent. So again quality of our food and agricultural offering is actually being demonstrated in the visitation numbers. In my discussions with trading partners during recent Business Week trips overseas what is quite clear is that the new luxury is not about star ratings, it's about experiences – genuine experiences surrounded by natural beauty and unsurpassed quality food and wine. Australia and Australian farming has this in spades, we all know that, we all understand that. And talking to the high-end providers, tour operators and guides – they are the features that are being talked about. When Tourism Australia started its Restaurant Australia campaign a few years ago we were ranked number 10 in the world for the recognition of our high quality food offering. That is now number six and talking to some of the leading players in tourism in the United States last week the thing that they talked about was our food. I don't know how many of you might have seen it but Conde Nast, one of the major international tourism magazines based out of the US did a feature on Australian tourism, naming us as the single destination to attend in 2016 and talking to them last week they said it has been their most successful campaign ever. Interestingly, at the Australian Tourism Awards just a few weeks ago, four of the 26 categories were taken out by food and wine and farm stay businesses. So Curringa Farm Tours in Tasmania, Green Olive at Red Hill, Pizzini Wine Cellar Door in Victoria and Wine and Food Farmgate all featured highly in those national tourism awards. So a huge opportunity, I think, to continue the growth in that space and I've had a number of people talking to me over recent times about their proposed developments for tourism in and around the agriculture space from around the country. The other opportunity that I see for agriculture is in the international education space –Australia's offerings in agriculture education are world renowned. Not only do we already educate close to half a million students onshore here in Australia but the potential to extend our reach offshore through provision of online learning and consortia approaches, particularly in vocational education, is outstanding. Our closest trading partners have identified the need to train millions of people – many in primary production systems. I'm not sure if I spoke about it last year but certainly when I was in India last year talking to their dairy industry in particular, when you consider that their dairy sectors productivity rate is five litres per cow, per day and ours is 25 litres per cow, per day, there are so many things that our farmers, that our industry do by way of everyday business that are done for them in India by government or some other provider. There is a huge opportunity, in my view, to develop an offering there and that's what I mean when I say I don't think we actually really understand what we have. So, in conclusion, we, I believe, have achieved a great deal for agriculture through our trade negotiations so far. There has already been a significant impact, but as the figures show, this impact will grow as agreements achieve full implementation and we continue to do the work with additional resources we've allocated towards some of those particular market access issues that we've still got to resolve. We have a very, very proud history of energy and activity, and achievement in trade diplomacy. We have been a leader in many of those settings and we will continue to play a significant role. Given that agriculture is such as key part of our economy and is one of those five super-growth sectors, obviously it will be foremost in our minds as we continue those international trade negotiations. What we are looking to do is to provide the basis and the frameworks for the agricultural sector in this country to continue to prosper and to grow. We can't achieve success for you but what we can and should do is put the settings in place that provide for you as a sector to be able to do it and that will be the focus of our continuing negotiations and work. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and thank you for your attention this morning. Thank you. Media enquiriesMinister's Office: (03) 6424 5960DFAT Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555


text:
Satya or "Truth" is the second Yama, or ethical/behavioral obligation. The five Yamas from Yoga Sutra of Patanjali can support and ground our entire practice through the way we live.
However, the first Yama is Ahimsa, non-harming. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the truth seemed to conflict with desire to "not harm"? How do we negotiate that conflict?
hope you agree that we need an open mind and heart for this question. Krishnamacharya said that a yoga mind is a young mind, always questioning always learning. And there's a lot to learn! As an old Indian metaphor for truth-seeking has it, we're all like three blind men touching an elephant: one blind man says all elephants are warm and squiggly (like a trunk); the other blind man (at the side) says they are all big and heavy; the last says they're thin and sharp (like a tail).
We're all blind, and yet we're all capable of touching into truth. Let's just pause and make room for a "slow reveal". Before we react we may want to pause and remember that we may not be seeing the whole truth just this second. Please notice and take a breath right now. There. That's a piece of Satya, a small, beautiful piece. Your own aliveness.
The mind can't fix this problem of only seeing a part, when it longs for a wholeness, a truth that is authentic, broad and embracing. A big step in our learning in yoga is when we discover that what we're hunting for is not a truth to impose on others, but a personal truth through the "slow reveal" of embodied awareness. This embodied, authentically experienced truth can bring us as close as possible to purusha, the witness part of our awareness that can see everything and everyone in our life with compassion (karuna) love (maitri) and equanimity (upeksha). When we tap into purusha more and more, we're seeing the whole elephant, and we can support people to tap into their own awareness just by being fully present with love, and with compassion.
So maybe there is no Satya for everyone, except the embodied sense of our inner and social reality, right now, and to act from that place. To see and be seen as truly as is possible with the context of our own process and other people's process, all held lovingly within our awareness.
-Susanna Nicholson


text: I'm frequently asked how I define success. Anyone who has met me knows that I'm all about movement and progress but not at the price of your sanity. I lean into the definition in a gentle yet curious fashion. Your success is a completely different reality and has such different flavor than the person right in front, behind or beside you on the train of life.Read More


text: Even so, there was a very good reason for this apparent oversight. Ferrari never intended to enter the the sport as a factory team, instead opting to take the same sort of role they had done in the past.As with the Michelotto cars, Ferrari wished to sell a bunch of the cars to select privateers, who would only compete in pure tarmac events. This way the factory would have all the publicity with minimal financial and managerial expenses.Read More


text:
AKA So Cal Barbarian Pepi Pizza. Now that's NOT Italian. Another fantastic application for the Cheezzy Parmesan Bread. This method for pizza bread is a game changer and just in time for the NBA Finals.
Garinn Morton
Good Dad Bad Man Food for Thought...
Related Features
Cheezzy Parmesan Bread
Check this out!
Sloppy Tsunami Stack


text:
Welcome to this user forum.
The fact that there is a line already, does not help, unless its still a working line and the previous owner has not yet cancelled it.
If that was the case, then a Working Line Takeover can be slightly quicker, as this would enable the phone service.
If the previous owner has cancelled the service, then all the cancellations tasks have to be completed first, before your phone service can be activated.
At that point, you will be able to see what broadband options are available.
Unless you asked for a later install date the answer is no, you're automatically given the next appointment.
10-14 days is the typical lead time for provisions and upgrades.
@EdoDodo wrote:
I was asked if I wanted to take over the existing line when registering and said yes but then the first available dates were still after 15 days. Is this expected?
Yes, that would be about right, allowing for the minumum 10 day delay that Ofcom require, to reduce the incident of "slamming"


text:
Competitive Croquet Returns to Buffalo
Competitive croquet returns to Buffalo this week for the 3rd Annual Buffalo Croquet Club 6-Wicket Invitational. Over 30 players, coming from New York City, Boston, California, Florida and Canada will arrive in Delaware Park for one of the sport's most popular tournaments.
Some of the country's top players will be in the Queen City, including returning champion John H. Young III, of Bermuda, whose grandfather helped invent this American version of croquet; Chris Patmore, who originally rose through the croquet ranks of Britain; and Rich Curtis, the former president of the U.S. Croquet Association.


text:
Straight Outta Context: Jeremiah 29:11/
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Speaker: Daniel Lavori
Throughout the year, we want to take the time to explore scriptures that are commonly taken out of context and give our students the tools to read and understand scriptures in their fullness.
Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most popular verses to quote and use! But do we take it out of context?


text:
Seismic Micro-Technology, Inc. - SMT
Dec 28th, 2015
SMT, the market leader for Windows-based geoscientific interpretation, allows the geoscientist to focus on the analysis, not on managing the tools. KINGDOM software enables intuitive interpretation, modeling, analytics and data management, in one integrated executable. You can install KINGDOM and interpret data -- the same day. Customers in 95 nations and SMT's global offices, provide clients universal access to user groups and technical support. Whether you want to correlate logs, generate cross-sections, perform petrophysical calculations, make fault and horizon maps, generate AVO attribute volumes - or any of the other steps required to help find oil and gas faster, SMT has what you need.


text:
The Unlimited Rs 149 plan, which will allow free outgoing calls to any telecom network in the country, also offers 300 MB of internet data across all 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity.
In another attractive offer by Reliance Communications, the company had today launched its new scheme with which the users will be able to make unlimited voice calls, across any network at the cost of Rs 149. The Unlimited Rs 149 plan, which will allow free outgoing calls to any telecom network in the country, also offers 300 MB of internet data across all 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity.
The company claimed that the newly launched plan, which will be available across all technology platforms is clearly targeted to pull 2G, 3G and 4G users to the Reliance Communication network.
In a statement to the media, Reliance said,"There are still hundreds of millions of older 2G handset-owners in India, and RCOM is positioning the unique plan to migrate these customers to its network, along with 300 MB of data usage. And with RCOM's high-speed add-on data plans, '149 Unlimited' will also appeal to data-heavy 3G-4G customers, who will benefit from unlimited calling talk-time."
Though the new Unlimited Rs 149 plan by Reliance is similar to a Reliance Jio plan, but this plan would be available to all handsets, unlike the RJio plan which can be accessed only through a 4G VoLTE handsets.
While the new budget scheme by the telecom network would be available in its 17 RCom circles across the country, the service won't be available in West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and Northeast, due to the lack of 2G airwaves.
Get live Stock Prices from BSE and NSE and latest NAV, portfolio of Mutual Funds, calculate your tax by Income Tax Calculator, know market's Top Gainers, Top Losers & Best Equity Funds. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


text:
Saturday, 10/28, 10am-12:30pm: Āsana Names and Ashtanga Mantras
Saturday, 10/28, 2-5pm: Practice and Philosophy
Sunday, 10/29, 2-5pm: Yoga SUtra Chanting and Philosophy
$120/full workshop; $45 single session
Saturday, 10/28, 10am-12:30pm: Āsana Names and Ashtanga Mantras
This workshop is for all levels. We will begin with the opening mantra of Ashtanga yoga, learning the proper pronunciation and discussing its meaning and importance in relation to the Ashtanga practice. I will give a brief introduction to the Sanskrit alphabet and basic Sanskrit pronunciation. We will then go through the āsana (posture) names in primary and intermediate series and break down and discuss their meaning and the stories they invoke. We will also discuss the vinyāsa counting system and how it runs through the practice. We will end by chanting and discussing the closing śānti (peace) mantra. An understanding of the Ashtanga mantras and āsana names will add a new depth of meaning to your daily practice.
Saturday, 10/28, 2-5pm: Practice and Philosophy
In this workshop I will give an overview of yoga philosophy from Vedic times to the present, situating the practice within its historical context. We will look at the ideas of Sāṃkhya and Vedānta, out of which the yoga tradition has emerged, as well as later influences, such as Tantra. I will highlight specific verses from yogic texts, such as the Upaniṣads, Bhagavad Gītā, Yoga Sūtra, and Haṭha Pradīpikā. We will discuss how the yoga philosophy is embedded within our daily yoga practice and how we can draw on and deepen those connections.
Sunday, 10/29, 2-5pm: Yoga Sutra Chanting and Philosophy
In this workshop we will explore the Yoga Sūtra, highlighting key verses from all four chapters. Through chanting and discussion, we will investigate the meaning of yoga, as laid out in this text, and how the sūtras can help us to cultivate clarity, compassion, strength and joy in our practice and in our lives.


text:
'No and No Again' The Rocky US Relationship with Little Austria
Austria may be small, but according to US Embassy dispatches from Vienna, the country causes big headaches in Washington. Not only are Austrian leaders seen as disconnected from international affairs, the country's neutrality means it is willing to do business with America's enemies.
The tone used by the US envoys in their reports to Washington ranges from resigned to openly hostile. Is it possible, they ask in bewilderment, for a tiny Alpine republic only half the size of the US state of Washington to ignore the primary objectives of American foreign policy?
It would seem that it is. SPIEGEL has seen roughly 1,700 sent to the State Department by the US Embassy in Vienna over the last decade. Together, they suggest that, while the Austrian government has always listened attentively to the wishes of its American partners when it comes to issues such as Guantanamo, North Korea and sanctions against Iran, it has been primarily focused on its own interests.
Diplomats stationed at the US Embassy in Vienna were at times "frustrated and extremely disappointed," occasionally "increasingly concerned" and sometimes simply "unhappy" when the Austrians yet again broke promises or refused to go along -- when they continued doing business with Iran and North Korea; when they allowed a wanted leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to leave the country; when they refused to accept any detainees from Guantanamo.
The diplomats did have occasional words of praise for Austria's "professional" European Council presidency in 2006, as well as the "constructive" role it had played in the Kosovo conflict. But Washington's differences of opinion with Vienna were much deeper than those with Berlin -- and US diplomats were often much more forceful. The number of reports classified as "secret" or "confidential" coming out of the Austrian capital was sizeable.
Looking Out for Themselves
Vienna, according to the American diplomats, has two problems. The first is fundamental: "Austria's engagement with the world is slipping and narrowing for many reasons." Embassy personnel sees those in power in Vienna as being only interested in domestic affairs, such as promoting exports, sealing off Austria's labor and agricultural markets, and ensuring stability in the nearby Balkans. All things considered, the American diplomats count the Austrians among the "most euro-skeptical" citizens of any EU member state and describe them as "increasingly isolationist."
The second problem has to do with those in charge. The US reading of the powers-that-be in Vienna is both accurate and revealing.
Shortly after the inauguration of Chancellor Werner Faymann -- who had already earned a reputation for "cultivating excellent contacts with the media" while serving as the minister for transport, innovation and technology in 2007 -- the US Embassy wrote: "It has become clear that Faymann has no personal interest in foreign affairs." Cited as dependable sources for this devastating assessment are senior advisers to Faymann himself as well as veteran officials within Austria's Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger, on the other hand, "seemed to focus largely" on promoting "Austrian economic penetration" of the Black Sea region and the Caucasus. His advocacy for the Nabucco gas pipeline was "of clear benefit to the US," according to the cables.
And then there was Defense Minister Norbert Darabos, the first "not to have served in the military" to hold the office in post-World War II Austria, as US diplomats pointed out. He was apparently just as "uninterested in foreign and international security affairs" as his chancellor, as well as being "openly hostile to deploying Austrian troops on dangerous missions abroad." What's more, the diplomats wrote in a cable to Washington, "military contacts complain that Darabos is unable, perhaps unwilling, to secure increased funding for the armed forces. He is widely perceived as an ambitious politician stuck against his will in one of Austria's less desirable cabinet posts."
The assessment of the administration prior to that of Faymann was more gracious when it came to competence, but less so when discussing the loyalty Austria showed to its allies. The Americans saw Alfred Gusenbauer, the Social Democrat who briefly served as Austria's chancellor between 2007 and 2008, as knowledgeable and open-minded, but also as a loose cannon. As one dispatch put it: "We would not be surprised to see him indulge in confrontational rhetoric when it suits his needs." Gusenbauer had been clear on the issue of missile defense, saying, according to a dispatch, that "the US has to understand that they are not the only ones that are going to determine what is happening in the world."
'Not the 51st American State '
In their reports, the diplomats described in painstaking detail all the nuanced ways in which Austrian politicians have questioned the role of the superpower. Ahead of a visit to Vienna in 2007, then-US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was warned of the "increasingly populist rhetoric" of her Austrian counterpart, Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, of the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). According to the cables, Plassnik had told the Austrian parliament: "Austria is not the 51st state of the US."
Wolfgang Schüssel, for his part, a man who served as Austria's chancellor between 2000 and 2007, was regarded somewhat suspiciously owing to his alliance with the right-wing populist Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ). From the American perspective, Schüssel was the lesser of two evils. He and his coalition partners "rarely went out of their way to poke the US in the eye." In fact, as long as he felt that there was no price to pay in terms of domestic politics, Schüssel "tended to seek ways to support the US."
On the other hand, US envoys sound piqued when reporting on Schüssel's leadership: "In recent years, our leverage over Austrian policy has been extremely limited by the reality that there were very few things Vienna wanted from Washington." To remedy this situation -- which was problematic from the Americans' point of view -- they recommended a "deft" approach: "Austrian officials should receive the message that odds of their obtaining our support will increase if the government (in Vienna) begins to show more concern over issues of top priority for the US."
From today's perspective, it seems clear that this strategy was a failure. As the Americans saw it, "the gap between Austria's self-proclaimed vision of itself in the world, and its increasingly limited performance" had not become any narrower, according to a cable from June 2009.
This is largely due to a lack of coordination in policy areas that, in January 2009, outgoing US Ambassador David F. Girard-diCarlo singled out as the most important on the American-Austrian agenda: Iran, Afghanistan, energy security and cooperation in fighting terrorism.
- Part 1: The Rocky US Relationship with Little Austria
- Part 2: Profit Seeking and Pacifism


text:
School Visits
Here at Hopefield we love to welcome schools down to the sanctuary to help provide them with an education about animal welfare.
We provide a guided tour with a member of staff - these sometimes need to be split into smaller groups, depending on the number of students visiting.
If the group is large enough, we can run the trips Monday to Friday, however, if they're not, then the visit will need to take place on a Monday or Friday when we're open to the public.
The price of the visit will be £4 per student, and accompanying staff are free.
Each student will also receive a free child's voucher to return to the sanctuary.
To book a school visit, or for any enquiries, please contact email@example.com


text:
Fridge cake
- 2 clementines
- 175g (6.17 oz) equal mix of sultanas, dried cranberries and dried mango, roughly chopped
- 100g (3.5 oz) The Groovy Food Company Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
- 100g (3.5 oz) The Groovy Food Company Organic Agave Nectar, Light Amber & Mild
- 200g (7.1 oz) dark 70% cocoa solids chocolate, roughly chopped
- 50g (1.8 oz) cocoa powder
- 100g (3.5 oz) digestive biscuits, roughly broken into 2cm pieces
- 75g (2.6 oz) pistachios, roughly chopped
- Line a 20cm square baking tin or dish with baking parchment. Finely grate the zest of one clementine and set aside, then squeeze the juice into a bowl. Tip 150g of the dried fruit into the bowl with the juice, mix well and leave to soak for 30 mins.
- When the fruit has finished soaking bring a small pan of water to the boil. Put the coconut oil, agave, chocolate, and a good pinch salt in a heatproof bowl and set over the simmering water, (making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water). Stir well until everything is melted and combined.
- Remove from the heat and sift over the cocoa powder. Mix thoroughly, then stir through the fruit and its soaking liquid, the biscuits, reserved zest of one clementine, and half the pistachios. Once everything is combined tip into the tin and level. Scatter over the remaining pistachios, 25g dried fruit and and grate over the zest of the second clementine. Chill for 2-3hrs, or until set, then cut into bars.
Preparation time: 25 mins
Makes: 18 bars
Nutrition: n/a
Change the fruit and nuts you use in this recipe depending on what you prefer.
- Recipe courtesy of The Groovy Food Company
- For more great recipes see Yours Magazine out every fortnight, on a Tuesday.


text:
OLD AND NEW : 8x10
OLD AND NEW : 8x10
45.00 75.00
Cholula, Mexico
Photographer: Morgan Weidinger
Besides the texture and color of this images, I find inspiration in the juxtaposition of the old and the new. The tree is in full bloom, and is in front of an old wall, crumbling at the bottom. It serves as a reminder that we can't fully put the past behind us, but we can always grow and learn from the defining moments.
8x10 framed in natural birchwood
printed on canvas
developed, printed and handcrafted in the USA


text:
A forward contract is a private agreement between two parties giving the buyer an obligation to purchase an asset and the seller an obligation to sell an asset at a set price at a future point in time.
Jacky is the office manager of Hong Kong office. He is expecting to receive 5 Bitcoins from his boss in Canada next week for the local office salary. He cannot risk for selling Bitcoins at lower then HK$40,000.00 each.
As the Bitcoin market is very unstable, he decided to contact us and enter into a forward contract of selling 5 Bitcoins at total sum of HK$200,000.00.
Bitcoins price drops under HK$30,000.00 over the weekend before Jacky can receive the Bitcoins from his boss.
Luckily, Jacky entered a contract with us and was able to sell his 5 of his bitcoin for HK$200,000.00. He is happy he can settle the salary payment.
Forward contract is suitable for customers who wish to fix a exchange rate for future settlement. For example, an business expecting bitcoin payment may lock in the exchange rate for a future receivable.
Forward contract is also suitable for speculating the market. If you expects price drop in Bitcoin in the future period, you may enter a forward contract with us where we agrees to buy BTC at current rate.
Any customer in BTC Shop can enter into a forward contract with us. Please click here to fill in the sign up form.
The maximum contract tenor is 60 days from the date of contract booking.
You may book forward contracts with currency pairs of Hong Kong Dollar against Bitcoin only.
The minimum amount per contract is HKD20,000.00 or its equivalent.
The business hours are from 9am to 7pm from Monday to Friday.
No, you cannot cancel a forward contract once you have accepted. You may choose to forfeit the contract and surrender the security deposit.
Fees varies based on the settlement period or deposit. It is typically between 0.5% to 4% of the contract sum. Click here to see the fee schedule reference.
If you are entering in to a contract which We buy Bitcoin from you, security deposit needs to be paid in Bitcoin. On the other hand, if We sell you bitcoin, your security deposit shall be paid in Hong Kong Dollar.
You may settle the contract at any trading period in between the date of contract and the last trading day of the contract. You execute the contract by settling all remaining payment to us.
No. All the contract is non-transferable.
If you are trading personally, we requires your passport or Hong Kong ID copy, proof of address, the quantity of your trades and the contract period you looking for.
If you are trading as a company, we requires your Certificate of Incorporation, Business registry, person in charge ID, person in charge address copy and the contract details.
Click here for the order form
3 days
7 days
14 days
30 days+
All the contract fees are based on the contract sum.
This fee schedule is for reference only. We can create flexible contract based on your needs. Contact our experts now.
Example 1:
Jacky enters a forward contract which he is SELLING 5 Bitcoins to us for a total HK$200,000 the contract tenor is 3 days . He has paid 30%, 1.5 Bitcoins to us a security deposit.
In this example Jacky's contract fee is :
$200,000 x 1% = $2,000 or
5 Bitcoins x 1% = 0.5 Bitcoins
At any period between the contract booking day and the last trading day of the contract, in this case is 3 days from the booking day. Jacky can send the remaining 3.5 Bitcoins and receive HK$200,000.
Example 2:
Jenny enters a forward contract which she is BUYING 20 Bitcoins from us at a total HK$800,000 the contract tenor is 30 days . She has paid 40%, HK$320,000 to us a security deposit.
In this example Jenny's contract fee is :
$800,000 x 2.6% = $20,800
At any period between the contract booking day and the last trading day of the contract, in this case is 30 days from the booking day. Jenny can pays the remaining HK$480,000 and receive 20 Bitcoins.
Address: Room 1503, 15F, New Landwide Commercial Building, 73 Kimberley Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
Email: [email protected]
Whatsapp: +852 61560846
Tel: +852 26828448


text:
Hi! I'm Alyson! I am a certified, professional makeup artist for over 10 years. I specialize in airbrush and traditional makeup for weddings, sweet 16, proms, BAT Mitzvahs, Kids Facepainting, Fashion, Editorial and ANY other special events.
I want to make you feel beautiful and be YOU! I feel one of the most important things about makeup is to be you. Makeup shouldnt change who you are but enhance how beautiful you ALREADY ARE! I am passionate about that.
I cant wait to work with you on making you feel absolutely gorgeous on your special day!


text:
For about three decades, now, I've kept a journal, so writing about my day, my thoughts, my "here is where I am right now," is indeed the only form of writing I feel truly qualified to attempt; thus so much of my blog here is a tangent, a lark.
I honestly don't know nuthin' about cooking—I've never even taken a basic home ec class. I don't know nuthin' about science—I defer all definitive statements to the specialists. I'm not an authority on Missouri: I grew up here; I left; I came back. But I always feel woefully lacking in an understanding of its history and landscapes. As for Jefferson City, I am a total fraud: I come from across the river, from the rival town and ultra-rival school. I only decided to start learning about this place when I moved here a decade ago. I'm a Columbian, by birth and by culture—that means I'll never really be accepted here.
But I do know how to tell you what's going on right now. I'm sitting on our recently repaired sunporch, and the late-afternoon sun is slicing in. Patches, the original Opulent Opossum, is lying in the middle of the soft new carpet, on her back, her hind legs in the air, snoozing as only she can do.
It's one of those early cool days in September, when the pleasant north breeze is still a surprise, because you're still expecting the Missouri summertime steam bath. It will take several more days like this before our bodies begin to accept that autumn is really here.
Well, it seems that way to me.
Here's the big news today: We said goodbye to two elderly, beat-up chairs and a sofa. But it's only temporary—when we see them again, around the end of October (I understand), they will be transformed into elegant, fine furniture fit for high society: We're getting them reupholstered (and repaired, and refinished).
Here's the history: The sofa is the one Grandma S always had in her living room . . . well, until Aunt Minnie got sick and moved in with Grandma, and her (nicer) sofa was placed into the living room. Grandma's older sofa, more beat up, was demoted to the sunporch, where it's been since Aunt Minnie got sick—when was that? The late seventies?
Here's a picture of Aunt Min sitting on Grandma's sofa; back in the good ol' days. Christmas '75, I think.
Hmmm. I've always liked the old sofa—good memories, good vibes.
And one of the chairs—a "wingback" chair with nice soft arms—had long been my favorite place to sit when visiting Grandma. The fabric was a satiny damask, soft and cool, and I don't know . . . just comfortable. When it was time to sit down and talk, I'd make a beeline for that chair.
Please understand that I'm not insane with nostalgia; when Grandma died and auctioneers were brought in to tote away everything that could possibly be valuable enough to sell—and my parents and uncles and aunts encouraged us to keep the stuff we wanted—I held back.
It's a difficult social calculation: Would I appear greedy if I prevented something valuable from being sold and adding to the estate, just because I "want" it? If I let something be sold that really should be kept in the family for the next generation, then am I being blind, or callous? Would I appear greedy if I held on to such a thing, for that reason?
We kept things that seemed heirloom-ish, like the china cabinet, like the table. We kept some furniture and other objects just because we knew we would use them.
Understand: when they sell stuff at estate auctions, most of it goes for very cheap, sadly cheap; I couldn't feel very guilty for keeping things that might sell for twenty dollars, for which I would have to spend a hundred to replace.
Anyway, there was another category of Grandma's old possessions: Ones that the auctioneer rolled his eyes at and explained were worthless. The sofa and two old chairs we're having reupholstered fit into this category. "They're not even worth carting away."
They were in sad shape. Poor old sofa; it will have to be disassembled and put back together. The chairs, pretty much, too. Our upholsterer helped me to feel better about it: Never were these pieces of furniture abused—they were simply worn out. Fabric ages; springs push through their bindings. It happens after, oh, several decades of use.
Yes, it will cost us some money. We've already purchased the fabric, which of course is no cheap thing right there. And the fabric for the sofa came from a store in St. Louis—so you can add the cost of travel to the expenses.
But I think we've been showered with luck, if my instincts and this fellow's estimate are correct. We had gotten an estimate for the chairs a few years ago, and the prices from that fellow were completely beyond what we could pay. We were heartbroken; the sofa, of course, would have been impossible, if the chairs were already far too high.
We threw a big canvas sheet over the sofa, to hide its thousand imperfections. And the chairs sat in the basement. We considered putting the chairs out by the side of the road, so they could dematerialize, one way that many household items find "new homes" here in Jeff.
But I couldn't bear to do it. You might as well have asked me to leave a box of kittens by a busy highway.
Then, earlier this year, a chance conversation with an acquaintance introduced this new fellow, who is supposed to do fabulous work and have surprisingly low rates.
I finally got around to calling him; he came over, prepared an estimate for us, told us how much fabric to buy, told us he wouldn't be able to start until early September. And meanwhile, it has taken us this time to select and procure the fabrics—which brought us to today.
Of course, it is more complicated that that—we had to disassemble one wall of our screened porch in order to get the sofa out of the house and down the back porch steps. And you know that kind of thing is easier said than done.
But we did it, and we got it all put back (need to touch up some paint now—one thing leads to another). And so here I sit, looking at this room without the sofa. So strange.
I'm slightly fearful—what if this upholsterer is horrible? What if we're appalled, and then still have to pay for the work? We'll be kicking ourselves: Should have checked references! Should have asked to see some of his work!
. . . But sometimes you just trust. My friend said he does good work; and the price was indeed very doable for us. For the cost of buying a fine new sofa and two fine new chairs, we are resuscitating some of my favorite furniture in the world, with fabrics that do them justice, fabrics I'm in love with.
Yes, there's some trepidation—but there's also anticipation. I think we're going to be very pleased in another month and a half.


text:
Travel With Your Best Friend!
Seaborne Airlines will accept domestic cats, dogs and household birds for transportation in the passenger compartment and as checked baggage.
The acceptance of animals is subject to the conditions below:
- When traveling with a pet, please mention to the Reservations Agent at time of booking
- The animal must be harmless, inoffensive, odorless, and require no attention during transit
- The animal must be confined in a container subject to inspection and approval by the Carrier before acceptance
Cabin and Cargo Kennel Size Requirements
- The passenger must make all arrangements, and assume full responsibility for complying with any applicable laws, customs, and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state, or territory to which the animal is being transported.
- Cabin or Cargo pet must travel with a passenger
Helpful Links
Traveling with pets on American Airlines
Traveling with pets on Delta Air Lines
Traveling with pets on JetBlue
Traveling with pets on United
Traveling with pets on Vieques Air Link
- The maximum number of animal containers per aircraft is 2 in cargo and 10 in the cabin (Please call Reservations Saab340B only), in order to ensure the safety and well being of any animal transported
- Carriage of animals is limited to one animal per container, except that two kittens or two puppies under 10 weeks of age, will be permitted in a single container
- Containers for transporting animals must be supplied by the passenger
- Containers must be leak proof, structurally sound, free from all broken wires or protrusions, and properly ventilated
- Containers must be large enough for pet to stand, sit and change positions comfortably
- Containers must never be locked as animals must be accessible in case of emergency
- Animals are not permitted with unaccompanied children
- Animals are not permitted to occupy a passenger seat as cabin-seat baggage
- After passenger check-in, the animal must remain in the container at all times while in the boarding area and on board the aircraft
- The container must be stored under the seat directly in front of the passenger
- Passengers are limited to one animal container each
- For the safety of your pet, you cannot travel with a pet if the current or forecasted temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any location on the itinerary
- Seaborne will not accept snub-nosed or pug-nosed dogs and cats
- Always check with the Contract of Carriage for additional information


text:
Meet and hookup with a BBW in Vacaville on the only website that appreciates the beauty in plus-sized women.
Find a local BBW from California BBW including Vacaville and nearby cities,
Hartley (4 miles), Allendale (6 miles), Fairfield (7 miles), Suisun (10 miles), Dixon (10 miles), Winters (11 miles), Napa (16 miles), Davis (18 miles), American Canyon (19 miles), Yountville (20 miles), Rio Vista (21 miles), Vallejo (22 miles), Bay Point (22 miles), Pittsburg (23 miles), Benicia (23 miles), Esparto (23 miles), Martinez (24 miles), Vine Hill (24 miles), Crockett (24 miles), Woodland (25 miles), Sonoma (25 miles), Antioch (26 miles), Pacheco (26 miles), Concord (26 miles), Walnut Grove (26 miles), Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente (27 miles), Boyes Hot Springs (26 miles).
Find a BBW in Vacaville or browse California BBW for more cities. Registration is completely free and we keep all profiles anonymous.
303 Merchant St
United States
BBW Fairfield | BBW Napa | BBW Davis | BBW Vallejo | BBW Pittsburg | BBW Martinez | BBW Woodland | BBW Antioch | BBW Concord
There are approximately 217 registered profiles from Vacaville. Including surrounding areas of Hartley, Allendale, Fairfield, Suisun, Dixon, Winters, Napa, Davis, American Canyon, Yountville, Rio Vista, Vallejo, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Benicia, Esparto, Martinez, Vine Hill, Crockett, Woodland, Sonoma, Antioch, Pacheco, Concord, Walnut Grove, Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente, Boyes Hot Springs, there are over 2,482 members and growing every day.


text:
It wasn't until Knox spit up the full contents of his last bottle down the inside of shirt that I lost it. I stood in the kitchen eating nacho-flavored tortilla chips as Edie sat on the plastic potty for the third consecutive hour yelling at me that she didn't have to go and that she wants to wear diapers forever and I began sobbing. And through the tears, all I could think of was Jim Gaffigan's stand up bit where he talks about what having kids feels like....
"Imagine you're drowning. And then imagine someone throws you a baby..."
Life feels a lot like that right now. Like I'm drowning in reflux and potty training and weaning and sleep training and sleep depravation and a postpartum identity crisis. I don't want to complain. It feels so ridiculous to complain about such privileged problems, problems I chose to submerge myself in when I CHOSE to stay at home with our children. I want to be able to say that I feel on top of the world and that being a mother is the greatest and that I feel fulfilled by the monotony. But today, I won't say that.
Because, today, I can't say that.
Today, I am going to acknowledge the feelings that nobody wants to talk about because we worry that it makes us look like an ungrateful asshole. And it may make me look like an asshole but today, I don't really give a shit.
Because today, I don't so much like being a mom.
Today I wish I didn't feel like I'm drowning. Today, I wish my life wasn't ruled by monotony. Today, I wish I had a taste of my old, carefree, childless life. Today, I wish I didn't feel like crying into my tortilla chips was my only option. Today, I wish I didn't always smell like one of their bodily functions or that my clothes weren't always stained by one of them wiping their dirty mouths. Today I wish I didn't only buy clothes that are solely functional and "play-date appropriate". Today, I want to know what it feels like to have an identity outside of my kids. Today, I resent how all-consuming it is. Today, I wish I didn't have the responsibility of keeping it together in front of the three people who are the source of why I am struggling to keep it together. Today, I wish I could go on strike and tell everyone in my house to fuck off.
Today, I wish my hair wasn't falling out and I weighed ten pounds less than I do. Today, I wish my boobs didn't look like sad, empty bags of nothing. Today, I wish my idea of a good time wasn't just a nap that isn't interrupted by a toddler jumping on my face. Today, I envy the boozy brunch crowd. Today, I envy the women who don't have chronic hemorrhoids from pushing out three children. Today, I wish I could drop everything and do whatever I want, whenever I want to do it, and that I didn't have to leave a detailed list of directions for whoever I leave in charge of who I'm running from.
Today, I'm allowing myself to resent my husband. Today, I'm allowing myself to say that it isn't fair that he doesn't have to grow, birth, or feed humans with his body or deal with postpartum hormones. Today, I'm admitting that it isn't fair that he never has to look in the mirror and struggle with not recognizing who he sees staring back at him. Today, I'm letting myself be angry that whether or not I stay at home with our kids, the bulk of the day-to-day responsibility of raising our kids will always fall on me. Today, I'm calling it bullshit that he will never have to know the depth and darkness that I experience battling postpartum hormones nor will he ever fully understand it.
Today, I wish it were me leaving the house each morning to escape the noise, the arguing, the tantrums, the ass-wiping. Today, I wish it were me who could go out of town for a week and and eat a hot meal at a hotel bar by myself while I talk to strangers. Today, I wish it were me who has the important job with an official title; the job you can't wear yoga pants to, the job that allows you to consult other adults about things other than whether or not your charges pooped today.
Today, I won't preface these feelings with the I love my kids, I really do speech. Today, I wish I didn't feel an ever-present guilt because of a fucked-up culturally engrained myth of the perfect mother. Today, I don't care that there will always be some aspect of motherhood that I could most certainly be doing better at. Today, I'm not going to acknowledge the persistent anxiety that has attached itself to my experience of motherhood like the fucking life-draining leech that anxiety is. Today, I'm going to admit that sometimes, I don't want to fucking cuddle at bedtime. Or ever, actually. Today, I'm going to admit that when my kids yell at me, it takes more self-control that I ever knew I possessed to not scream back even louder and call them an asshole.
Today, in this very moment, I'm going to admit that I'm struggling.
Today, as I type this, I'm reminding myself that it's okay to not be okay all of the time.
Today, crying into nacho-flavored tortilla chips felt better than eating nacho-flavored tortilla chips.
Today, I will not feel guilty for being human.
Today, I will validate my feelings in the name of self-care.
Today, I feel like I'm drowning.
Today, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.