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Twenty-five years ago today, the Berlin Wall became history. On this day 25 years ago – on February 19, 1990 – East German border guards began the large-scale demolition of the Berlin Wall. http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/vor-25-jahren-berlin-waechst-zusammen-ddr-grenzsoldaten-reissen-die-mauer-ab/11390546.html By the end of the year, most of the Berlin Wall – or the "anti-fascist protection rampart" as it was called in East Germany – was history.
The demolition process that had been started by private Mauerspechte (wallpeckers), was completed by commercial construction crews. The initial teardown began in the area of the Brandenburg Gate. With jackhammers, crews began to remove 570 feet of Berlin Wall that stood between the Reichstag (Seat of the German Parliament) and Checkpoint Charlie (best known Berlin Wall crossing point between East and West Berlin). Trucks carted away the 2.6-ton wall segments. The East German company Limex would later sell them for up to 500,000 marks each.
The same area that was first freed from the Berlin Wall was also the location of the first provisional border crossing between East and West Berlin, hastily created in December 1989. Less than three years earlier, President Ronald Reagan had appealed to the Soviet leader: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." No one had imagined then that those words might soon become reality.
When the concrete elements were finally released from their foundation in February of 1990, most Berliners celebrated the event like a street festival. But not everyone shared their enthusiasm. Also on the day the Berlin Wall began to come down, a group of East German civil rights activists, clergy and politicians came together to discuss potential paths to a democratic transformation of East Germany. The group did not want to join West Germany and hoped to find a different solution. But East Germany was facing bankruptcy and economic collapse. In the preceding weeks and months, Hans Modrow, the last premier of the East German regime, had tried in vain to obtain a 15 billion mark loan from West Germany. At the end of their meeting on February 19, 1990, the group of round table members rejected the plan of joining West Germany and called for a demilitarized united Germany instead. We know that history did not support their decision.
For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl's Journey to Freedom, click "Download a free excerpt" on the home page of http://www.walled-in-berlin.com. Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War.


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Goat Cheese Puddings
Poppy, known for simple, seasonal dishes from chef Jerry Traunfeld, keeps a molecular gastronomist in the pastry station. Dana Cree uses techniques she picked up at the Fat Duck in the U.K. and New York City's WD-50. "I learned to divorce flavors from their original textures to create something new," she says.
Total Time:
Level: Expert
Serves: 8
- 2 c. milk
- ¾ c. heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean
- ¼ c. honey
- Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- ½ c. sugar
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch
- 11 1/2 ounce log fresh goat cheese
- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ tsp. salt
- fresh raspberries
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk with the cream, vanilla bean and seeds, the 1/4 cup of honey, and the lemon zest. Bring to a simmer. Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover, and let stand for 30 minutes. Strain the milk, discarding the vanilla bean.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the whole eggs with the yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Gradually whisk in the warm milk mixture. Pour the contents of the bowl into the saucepan. Bring to a boil over moderately high heat, whisking constantly until thickened, 1 minute.
- Transfer the custard to a blender. Add the goat cheese, butter, lemon juice, and salt and blend until smooth. Pour the custard into eight 3/4-cup ramekins and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour. Top with raspberries and a light drizzle of honey and serve.
More From Recipes

subset: commoncrawl


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Geocaching is a worldwide adventure sport which utilizes GPS devices to hide and seek hidden containers called geocaches. (Learn more about geocaching) To get started geocaching, all you need is a GPS receiver and a geocache location. (Learn more about getting started) You can find a nearby geocache location at geocaching.com by entering an address or town into the search box.
The Manitoba Geocaching Association (MBGA) strives to advance the sport of geocaching through social activities, public education and promotion of geocaching. (Learn more about the MBGA).
*NOTE* The blog posts below sometimes disappear from the first page. Scroll down to the bottom to see previous posts.
We have a few of the limited edition 10-10-10 event Geocoins left over and available for sale in two colours. We also have the ultra nifty Bison Geocoins and the superhero grade MBGA crests available from our online store. Update: 10-10-10 Geocoins Sold Out
10-10-10 Geocoin (Green)
10-10-10 Geocoin (Red)
Milestones achieved in September 2010
Congratulations to the following Manitoba MBGA members who have reached milestones during the past month.
If there are any errors or omissions please let us know as we may have inadvertently missed someone.
Cache of the Month – September 2010
Scooby's Lunch
Scooby's Lunch was the brainchild of goertzen who placed this cache in 2003, nearly a year before we started caching. This unique fun cache was the 3rd container/log book cache that we found and even today it is one of our all-time favorites. In 2005, when the original lunch box had a hole in it, with goertzen's permission, we replaced it with an ammo box. We continued to look after our favorite cache and in 2007, goertzen allowed us to adopt Scooby's Lunch. Any geocacher who hasn't found this cache yet, just doesn't know what they're missing. These are just a few of the comments from other finders: What a great find - one of a kind. This was a very cool cache to find and lots of fun. Wow...great idea. A real interesting cache. Not just your average Hidden Behind a Bush Cache. Great fun. Best fun we've had caching yet. This cache was AWESOME! Very creative. Thanks for a truly unique cache idea! This was a cool cache. Cleverly done! Great concept for a cache.
--Peter and Gloria
Cacher of the Month - September 2010
Flotsom and Jetsom
Flotsom and Jetsom
The first time I had an opportunity to meet Flotsom and Jetsom was at an event held at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in 2008. They worked with the Manitoba Zoological Society (of which, they are members), and with the MBGA to create several themed and educational caches within the zoo, an event, and a challenge. They had cachers roaming around the zoo, attempting to be stealthy with the myriad of zoo muggles also wandering about. The day was a lot of fun, family friendly and very well organized. Since then, they have also hosted and co-ordinated two more Zoo events with new caches and new challenges each year. Many new geocachers are introduced to the sport through these events. I'm very proud to have them as our Zoo ambassadors to geocaching.
Cache of the Month – August 2010
Elk Island Splash
Elk Island Provincial Park was simply a vague rumour to me until 2006. That summer I met a life long resident of Victoria Beach while holidaying there for a few days. Our conversation about the Island piqued my curiousity. I soon checked it out using Google Earth which has very good resolution in the area. That revealed a mile long beach on the Island's western shore. I was hooked and decided I had to visit it. After a couple of exploratory hikes I realized what a beautiful and elusive piece of nature it is; and not a geocache in sight! With the incentive of the 2007 MBGA "Splash" cache hiding event and inspiration from my favourite wilderness cache "Mantario Majestic", I decided to design a challenging multi cache that would give geocachers the opportunity to explore the Island.


text: Are you bored? Is this you? It's not me. I'm NEVER bored. Never-Ever. Not anymore. I used to get bored often and do you know what that means? It means I didn't have enough of the right things going on in my life and had too much of the wrong things going on. Now, don't get mad. As Optimus Prime would say, "Calm down, calm down." This is solely my opinion, but if you often find yourself saying, "I'm so bored," then Houston, you have a problem. I'm currently forty and have been working since I was fifteen-years-old. To fill my time and to make extra money, I often worked a second job. We've never really wanted children, so there weren't any little minions around to keep us hoppin'. While we love kids, it never seemed right to have any. We still haven't grown up ourselves, so trying to force … click here to read the full article.


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BreadcrumbsHome / My Cart / Sounds of Nature / Rain Sounds / Rain 16b.wav
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Rain 16b.wav
Rain 16b.wav
beat: none, only the natural sounds as recorded
Description: natural sound of rain with occasional thunders and birds. The intensity of the rain varies during the track, as it happened naturally during the recording.
Twin files: this track is a higher-quality version of "Rain.mp3"
Loops: no loops were used in this track
Encoding: PCM (wav) 16-bit depth, 44.1 kHz sampling frequency, stereo
Duration: 8:52 min
Site location: University for Peace in the suburbs of Ciudad Colon, San Jose, Costa Rica


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Policy/Procedure: 201.N Relocation
Statement of Policy:
The department may pay/reimburse relocation and/or temporary lodging expenses for new and presently employed personnel assigned to new locations by transfer or promotion. Reimbursement is not authorized for employees appointed as limited term employees (LTEs). The dollar amount allowed for each move must be established and approved by the Divisional Business Office prior to the move. The Relocation/Temporary Lodging Pre-Approval Form may be used in lieu of a letter of approval prepared by the Divisional Business Office. Effective January 1, 2018, all relocation expenses will be reported to the IRS and a W-2 statement will be provided at the end of the year. No more than two relocation reimbursements may be granted to any employee in a calendar year. Unless otherwise authorized by the Divisional Business Office, to be eligible for moving reimbursement, the employee must move no later than one year from the effective date of the appointment or the end of probation, whichever is later.
Note: Sponsored projects (e.g., fund 144 or 133) are subject to the terms and conditions of the specific award, as well as applicable program guidelines, which may restrict use of funds for certain types of expenses. Please contact the RSP accountant for your award with any questions.
Relocation Expenses
- Direct Costs: The movement of household goods and associated moving expenses are considered direct costs and are reimbursable/payable by the University.
- Moving of Household Goods: Personal effects of the employee and their immediate family which may be transported legally in interstate commerce.
- Fees Associated with the Move: Additional fees associated with the moving of household goods that may be listed on the bill of lading.
- Transporting the Employee and Family: The amount of reimbursement for transporting the employee and his or her immediate family (including domestic partners) to the new residence may not exceed the cost of mileage for one automobile at the current rate, regardless of the mode of transportation used. The maximum allowable amount shall be determined using the most direct route possible and shall not exceed the mileage indicated on the bill of lading when a commercial carrier is utilized. Actual necessary airfare may be reimbursed for overseas relocations.
- Indirect Costs: Incidental costs associated with the move may not be paid/reimbursed by the University; however, a discretionary stipend may be used to cover these costs.
Note: For examples of direct and indirect relocation expenses and whether or not they are reimbursable, please see the Relocation Expenses Chart.
A stipend is a sum of money paid to a relocating employee to help defray incidental costs associated with the move. A stipend may be paid, up to the state maximum of $1,000, at the discretion of the Divisional Business Office for relocations as a result of initial employment or reemployment. Any amount up to the state maximum may be paid whether or not incidental costs are actually incurred. For mandatory moves, the employee shall receive a stipend equal to the maximum amount. A stipend may not be paid more than 30 days prior to the employee's relocation date. Receipts are not required.
Contract Vendors
The employee is responsible for selecting a household moving company and arranging the terms and conditions of the move. UW System has a contract with a corporate moving company for substantially reduced rates. If the employee elects not to use the UW's contract vendor, the employee may select any carrier, but payment/reimbursement is limited to the lowest of three estimates. The requirement for obtaining estimates may be waived in situations where the Divisional Business Office limits payment/reimbursement for moving expenses to an amount less than $3,000.
Self Moves
If the employee elects to relocate himself/herself, payment/reimbursement is limited to the actual, reasonable, and necessary costs for any hired labor in loading and unloading the household goods and for the rental of trucks, trailers, moving equipment, or other expenses directly related to the relocation. Neither the employee nor the employee's spouse or dependents may be reimbursed for their labor. The reimbursement claim must be supported by original receipts. Estimates are not required from commercial carriers to support self moves.
Piecemeal Moves
The Divisional Business Office may approve the payment/reimbursement of piecemeal moves. The total cumulative reimbursement of moving household effects on a piecemeal basis may not exceed the amount charged if the move had been accomplished in one trip from the original destination. To make that determination, an estimate showing the cost to accomplish the move in one trip should be obtained and attached to the original payment/reimbursement. Subsequent claims must refer to prior related expenses.
Office/Lab Equipment Moves
Purchasing Services must be contacted in advance to process a requisition for moving office and lab equipment.
Temporary Lodging
A temporary lodging allowance will be authorized by the Divisional Business Office only when circumstances require the employee to establish a temporary residence for reasons such as the temporary need to maintain domiciles in the old and new locations or where permanent housing is temporarily not available upon moving to the work location. Temporary lodging is tax reportable. Reimbursement shall not exceed the location maximum. Temporary lodging may not exceed 45 days and need not be consecutive. Meals during temporary lodging period are not reimbursable.
Payment Methods
The Divisional Business Office will work with Accounting Services to determine the best method(s) of payment. Please see How to Process Relocation Expenses.
Documentation Requirements
Complete supporting documentation for relocation includes the following:
- The Relocation/Temporary Lodging Pre-Approval Form or a letter of approval prepared by the Divisional Business Office
- A detailed receipt (e.g. bill of lading) itemizing the services provided or the products purchased
- Additional documentation is required to support piecemeal moves and the use of non-contract vendors. Review relevant sections above for further information.
Travelers and departmental staff should contact their respective Divisional Business Office for policy and procedural questions.
Divisional Business Offices may contact email@example.com with questions.


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Living in Ridgefield
If Ridgefield looks like a quintessential New England town, that's partly because it is. Not just because of our charming Main Street, but because it's a lively community filled with people who genuinely care about each other.
On any given weekend, you'll find Ridgefielders out and about—playing on our sports fields, hiking through our state and town parks, touring our museums, enjoying our music and theater, shopping our stores and dining in our restaurants.
Ridgefielders generously give of themselves by volunteering to support schools, sports programs, the environment, arts and culture, social causes and neighbors in need.
Ridgefield has repeatedly been named "Connecticut's #1 Town" by Connecticut Magazine. Not just because it's picturesque, but because it is, in the truest sense of the word—in the good old New England sense—a community.
Ridgefield Schools
Ridgefield's public schools (six elementary, two middle, one high and an alternative HS) are among Connecticut's best. US News and World Report ranked Ridgefield HS #4 in the state. SchoolDigger has ranked the district #3 in Connecticut. Parents are active in Ridgefield schools, and more than 90% of graduates attend four-year colleges. Ridgefield is also home to the private Ridgefield Academy (pre k-8), Roman Catholic St. Mary's School (pre K-8) and numerous day-care centers.
Ridgefield's legislative body is the Town Meeting, a form of local government common to New England. Incorporated in 1709, the town is governed by a Board of Selectmen, led by our First Selectman, who is the equivalent of mayor. Connecticut has no county government, and the town assumes a great amount of responsibility under Home Rule. Active volunteer commissions and committees are engaged with the golf course, the historic district, youth, the elderly, conservation—even the historic graveyards.
Ridgefield seniors can avail themselves of Founders Hall, a bustling activity center for residents age 60 and up. It provides classes, social events, trips, speakers and other activities. Next door is the Ridgefield Recreation Center, which offers a gym, a pool, fitness classes and many other programs. All Ridgefielders 65 and older are eligible to receive a free Gold Card, bringing discounts and other benefits at more than 100 Ridgefield establishments.
Health and Safety
Ridgefield is a safe town—it has the lowest crime rate in all of Connecticut. There are doctors of every specialty, many associated with nearby Danbury Hospital, ranked #2 in Connecticut by US News & World Report. Ridgefield's acclaimed Visiting Nurse Association offers home care, clinics and other services.
Where to start? Golf (a highly regarded town-owned course), tennis (municipal courts), 10 state and town parks for hiking, a swimming pond, and Connecticut's only national park facility—even an indoor ice-skating rink. Ridgefield truly has it all. Plus the Ridgefield Recreation Center, offering a gym, pool, fitness center and classes. For kids, the Boys and Girls Club offers programs year-round and The Barn provides teens with fun, safe after-school and evening programs.
Arts and Culture
Ridgefield is the only town its size in Connecticut to boast a professional symphony orchestra. The Theater Barn is home to well-received productions and classes. The Ridgefield Guild of Artists hosts programs and exhibitions at its studios and gallery, while the nationally known Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art hosts exhibitions by the world's most innovative artists. The Ridgefield Playhouse hosts over a hundred shows each year, featuring nationally recognized musical and comedy acts. And on summer evenings, Ridgefielders gather to picnic and enjoy free concerts in Ballard Park, presented by CHIRP. You'll find no shortage of activities to enjoy throughout the town year-round.


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Two books by Celia Green
Celia Green is a figure who should interest some LW readers. If you can imagine Eliezer, not as an A.I. futurist in 2000s America, but as a parapsychologist in 1960s Britain - she must have been a little like that. She founded her own research institute in her mid-20s, invented psychological theories meant to explain why the human race was walking around resigned to mortality and ignorance, felt that her peers (who got all the research money) were doing everything wrong... I would say that her two outstanding books are The Human Evasion and Advice to Clever Children. The first book, while still very obscure, has slowly acquired a fanbase online; but the second book remains thoroughly unknown.
For a synopsis of what the books are about, I think something I wrote in 1993 (I've been promoting her work on the Internet for years) remains reasonable. They contain an analysis of the alleged deficiencies and hidden motivations of normal human psychology, description of an alternative outlook, and an examination of various topics from that new perspective. There is some similarity to the rationalist ideal developed in the Sequences here, in that her alternative involves existential urgency, deep respect for uncertainty, and superhuman aspiration.
There are also prominent differences. Green's starting point is not Bayesian calculation, it's Humean skepticism. Green would agree that one should aspire to "think like reality", but for her this would mean, above all, being mindful of "total uncertainty". It's a fact that I don't know what comes next, that I don't know the true nature of reality, that I don't know what's possible if I try; I may have habitual opinions about these matters, but a moment's honest reflection shows that none of these opinions are knowledge in any genuine sense; even if they are correct, I don't know them to be correct. So if I am interested in thinking like reality, I can begin by acknowledging the radical uncertainty of my situation. I exist, I don't know why, I don't know what I am, I don't know what the world is or what it has planned for me. I may have my ideas, but I should be able to see them as ideas and hold them apart from the unknown reality.
If you are like me, you will enjoy the outlook of open-ended striving that Green develops in this intellectual context, but you will be jarred by her account of ordinary, non-striving psychology. Her answer to the question, why does the human race have such petty interests and limited ambitions, is that it is sunk in an orgy of mutual hatred, mostly disguised, and resulting from an attempt to evade the psychology of striving. More precisely, to be a finite human being is to be in a desperate and frustrating situation; and people attempt to solve this problem, not by overcoming their limitations, but by suppressing their reactions to the situation. Other people are central to the resulting psychological maneuvers. They are a way for you to distract yourself from your own situation, and they are a safe target if the existential frustration and desperation reassert themselves.
Celia Green's psychological ideas are the product of her personal confrontation with the mysterious existential situation, and also her confrontation with an uncomprehending society. I've thought for some time that her portrayal of universal human depravity results from overestimating the potential of the average human being; that in effect she has asked herself, if I were that person, how could I possibly lead the life I see them living, and say the things I hear them saying, unless I were that twisted up inside? Nonetheless, I do think she has described an aspect of human psychology which is real and largely unexamined, and also that her advice on how to avoid the resentful turning-away from reality, and live in the uncertainty, is quite profound. One reason I'm promoting these books is in the hope that some small part of the culture at large is finally ready to digest their contents and critically assess them. People ought to be doing PhDs on the thought of Celia Green, but she's unknown in that world.
As for Celia Green herself, she's still alive and still going. She has a blog and a personal website and an organization based near Oxford. She's an "academic exile", but true to her philosophy, she hasn't compromised one iota and hopes to start her own private university. She may especially be of interest to the metaphysically inclined faction of LW readers, identified by Yvain in a recent blog post.