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On July 2 last year, 76 Hispanic immigrants gathered in Tucson, Arizona city council chambers to become naturalized Americans. Although the brief citizenship oaths and naturalization documents were in English, most of the ceremony took place in Spanish - including the pledge of allegiance, a message from U.S. District Judge Alfredo Marquez and a welcome from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
In essence, these immigrants received their U.S. citizenship in Spanish, the first ever to do so.
'This is multiculturalism run amok,' says George Tryfiates, executive director of the English First advocacy group, and the son of Greek immigrants. 'Will the Immigration and Naturalization Service now conduct ceremonies in Farsi, Serbo-Croatian and Laotian, too?'
The Tucson incident is but one shot in an ongoing fight over the primacy of English in this country. In schools, government offices, voting booths and scores of other places, English in America is rapidly giving ground to other tongues. Inexorably, foreign languages find new ways to replace the mother tongue that gave us the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and [the] Gettysburg Address.
English has long been the glue holding multicultural America together, but now that unity is threatened. Daily, the battle to keep English as America's language becomes more heated.
'America is fast becoming a society divided by language.' says Representative Toby Roth of Wisconsin, chief sponsor of a bill to make English the official language of the United States. Although 14 other nations - from India to Uganda to Vanuatu - have declared English their official language, the United States has never done so.
Naturally, some Americans who speak other languages see things differently. They believe the American government should speak in a multitude of tongues. To their ears, the mingling of languages creates a symphony, not a cacophony. America, they say, is not a homogeneous melting pot, but rather a salad bowl, where each ingredient should retain its distinctive qualities.
'Ethnic communities and their languages and cultures add something unique and very positive to the flavor of the United States,' says Steven Carbo, spokesman for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). 'We should promote multilingual policies, not English-only policies.'
The United States has always been a land of immigrants. Most learned English in a 'sink-or-swim' acceptance of their new home's mother tongue. That attitude still prevails, but many modern newcomers - or at least some of their vocal leaders - believe America should adapt to them instead of the other way around.
This may explain why there are growing numbers of foreign-speaking families in the United States. According to the 1990 census, the number of people living in America who speak a language other than English in their homes jumped more than a third during the 1980s - to nearly 32 million, or one out of eight U.S. residents. America is home to at least 150 different tongues.
The erosion of English is most apparent in America's public schools since the 1960s, when the federal Bilingual Education Act directed millions of children to be taught in other languages - mostly Spanish.
Theoretically, children with limited English proficiency (LEP) will be better students if they study science, math and other subjects in their native languages while learning English on the side. After a year or two, they are supposed to switch to an all-English curriculum.
The only problem with bilingual education is that it is generally considered a failure. The program 'is a flop at what we have asked it to do - teach students English,' say Congressman Roth.
LEP students often remain in native language classes for several years, and some never do learn English. According to the English First organization, it's possible for a teenager to graduate from a public high school in New York City without ever gaining English fluency.
Before the bilingual program started, half of all Hispanic students dropped out of high school. Today, after 25 years of bilingual education, a report by the American Council on Education says the Hispanic dropout rate is still 50 percent - a rate much higher than for either whites or blacks. Recently, The Boston Globe reported that the Hispanic dropout rate in that city is actually higher for students in the bilingual program than for those who don't participate in it.
In California, a 1993 report by the Little Hoover Commission called bilingual education 'divisive, wasteful, and unproductive.' The commission said the number of non-English speaking students in the state today has doubled to more than a million since 1987. However, the commission said the bilingual program annually turns out the same number of fluent English speakers - 60,000 - as it did a decade ago.
Christine Rossell, professor of political science at Boston University, has evaluated 79 different studies of bilingual education's effectiveness. None of these, she says, found bilingual education to be any better than the sink-or-swim method of immersing children in English.
According to the LEAD (Learning English Advocates Drive) organization, some schools even put children into bilingual classrooms solely on the basis of their Hispanic- or Asian-sounding last names - regardless of the youngsters' English skills. One Hispanic mother in Glenwood, California, made five trips to her school before she got her English-speaking daughter out of a class taught in Spanish.
The program even angers parents it is supposed to please. In the book, Straight Shooting, by Boston University President John Silber, Texas ranch foreman Ernesto Ortiz expresses his dismay 'My children learn Spanish in school so they can grow up to be busboys and waiters,' he says. 'I teach them English at home so they can grow up and be doctors and lawyers.'
In one Florida poll, 98 percent of Hispanic parents thought it was important for their children to read and write English 'perfectly.' In another, Hispanic parents rated 70 items of importance to their children's education. Teaching them English ranked third, and teaching Spanish ranked 67th.
Critics say bilingual education continues only because it enjoys an entrenched constituency of bureaucrats, administrators, teachers, ethnic activists and other adults who benefit from it. The program provides jobs for bilingual teachers, and each enrolled child nets the school about $400 in federal funds. Nationally, bilingual education costs taxpayers an estimated $1.5 billion annually.
'I call it bilingualgate,' says Sally Peterson, a long-time California teacher who is the president of LEAD.
English is in retreat on other fronts, too. A federal law requires election ballots and other voter information to be printed in languages spoken either by 10,000 people or by 5 percent of the population in a voting jurisdiction.
Currently, 375 jurisdictions in 21 states run elections in English and at least one other language. Voting materials in San Francisco are available in seven languages. In Los Angeles, the $6 million cost of the 1993 city election included $900,000 - 15 percent of the total - for printing multilingual materials. When Long Beach, California spent $6,200 preparing bilingual voting materials for four ballot measures, officials received only 22 requests for the publications - a cost of $281 per non-English voter.
Federal statutes also require government-funded document translations and courtroom interpreters for non English-speaking defendants in criminal trials. Some jurisdictions extend this service to civil cases.
Hawaii and New Mexico have even granted official status to Hawaiian and Spanish. Although unenforced, New Mexico has a constitutional requirement that all the state's teachers be fluent in Spanish and English.
Nearly 40 states give written and sometimes behind-the-wheel driver's license exams in languages other than English. Michigan offers its written test in 20 tongues, including Arabic, Finnish and Portuguese and, if necessary, will provide an interpreter for the actual driving exam. Its road signs, of course, are not written in 20 different languages.
Nationally, the GED high school equivalency test is available in English, Spanish, and French, and plans are underway to add more languages. Some American colleges also conduct classes for non-English speakers.
California state agencies must accommodate speakers of other languages - even by hiring bilingual employees, if necessary. Depending on the linguistic preferences of local populations, printed information about food stamps, workers' compensation, taxes and other subjects in California must be available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and other tongues.
In 1988, Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis even delivered part of his acceptance speech in Spanish.
Although most Americans probably don't care what language people speak in their homes and other private places, it is difficult not to notice the changing tenor of the marketplace. Everything from Burger King menus to the phone book Yellow Pages have been printed in languages other than English, and many retailers advertise in their primary tongue.
In Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Colorado, California and several other states, radio and television stations broadcast primarily or exclusively in Polish, Greek, German, American Indian, Portuguese and other languages. There are nearly 350 Spanish radio stations in this country. The Los Angeles Dodgers broadcast their games in Spanish, Korean, Chinese and - yes - English.
In the workplace, more and more employees are demanding the right to speak - and be spoken to - in their native tongues. Last year, the Nebraska legislature considered a bill to require every employer with four or more non-English-speaking workers to provide a translator. The bill was tabled.
Jose Fabilia, the son of Mexican immigrants, disagrees with this approach. His California food company employs 103 people. 'You don't have to speak English to work for me,' he says. 'But if you want to be a salesman, front office worker, route supervisor or a driver on our best routes, you have to know English. If I did not speak English, my business would not be as prosperous as it is.'
If there is an epicenter to the language earthquake, it is Miami and Dade County, Florida, where more than half the people consider Spanish their first language.
In 1973, the area's governing body - the Metro Commission - ruled that Dade County would henceforth be bilingual and bicultural. Translators annually turned thousands of pages of English public documents in Spanish and vice versa. Interpreters' voices echoed at meetings and conferences. Radio stations even aired Spanish public service announcements - prepared at taxpayer expense - encouraging better use of Spanish by Miamians.
In 1980, Emmy Shafer, an immigrant and survivor of a Nazi concentration camp, became upset with Miami's extensive use of Spanish. She organized a drive to reinstate English as the only official language, and Dade County voters approved the measure with a 59 percent majority.
But that's not the end of the story. In May 1993, a Hispanic-dominated Metro Commission threw out the 1980 English-only ordinance, returning Dade county to bilingualism. One commissioner has even proposed that many government services be provided in up to six additional languages.
The increasing use of other tongues has triggered a substantial backlash among Americans who think English should be the language of the United States. Various polls indicate that more than three-fourths of all Americans believe English should be the official language of government and anyone who wants to live in this country should learn English.
Eighteen states have made English their official language, and 20 others have considered similar measures. In 1987, Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton signed into law a statute making English the state's official language. In most cases, however, these designations are largely ceremonial, since official English laws often lack enforcement teeth, and bureaucrats seem universally reluctant to implement English-only policies.
H.R. 739, a bill currently under consideration in Congress, would make English the nation's official language. In addition to requiring that all business of the federal government be conducted in English, the measure would repeal statutes that mandate bilingual education and multilingual ballots. A House-Senate proposal, H.J. Res. 171, would amend the Constitution to make English America's official language.
English proponents hope that Congress will at long last heed the advice of President Theodore Roosevelt when he wrote in 1917, 'We have but one flag. We must also have but one language, and that language is English.' ;


text:
The Friday Fangasm: City And Eastern Songs by Jeffrey Lewis
He makes being a working artist still sound pretty romantic»
afarah has written the following articles:
She has been building towards In a Poem Unlimited, and she has arrived here at exactly the right time»
could leave you picking apart layers in the songs for hours»
Once that melancholic beauty sets in it's hard to shake»
If he wants to continue finding new ways to explore these same ideas over and over again, it will be worth listening every time»
The album is filled with a spirit of personal survival»
He makes being a working artist still sound pretty romantic»
Olsen's most ambitious album yet»
The vibe of an esoteric Gorillaz album»
Where it's good, it's almost maddeningly good»
All weirdness has a little sadness at heart»
If you've let it go this long without adding Hookworms' debut to your collection you've run out of excuses.»
Amanda Farah speaks to Petra Haden about her forthcoming performance as part of David Byrne's Meltdown...»
Even if they wrap themselves in prettier packaging, they're as sharp as ever.»
Comparisons to his other bands should be incredibly short lived.»
The Czars were a solidly average band.»
Who knows what The Vaselines will do next.»
Eugene McGuinness hasn't lost it yet.»
A record of future potential, rather than wasted potential.»
To mark the release of Martin Aston's book, Facing the Other Way: The Story of 4AD, DiS celebrates one of our favourite labels with a series of pieces exploring the label's history.»
Smilewound requires something of an adjustment of expectations. But don't get too comfortable; múm'll undoubtedly throw us for a loop with their next album.»
Less the sound of a band losing their edge and more the sound of them finding their zen.»
The bar has been set high, but if this is any indication of what can be expected from Soap&Skin's next, as-yet unannounced album, it's worth getting excited. It's worth getting very excited.»
If Talk Normal are not a guitar band, then they are a noise band, and an intimidatingly good one at that.»
The surreality and absurdity of dance music from the apocalypse is a joyful alternative to the surreality and absurdity of disaster movies and real life disasters.»
Mission of Burma have successfully walked that fine line between being consistent and running out of ideas.»
Unlike artists who rely on personal experiences for their material, there are enough oddities in the world to supply Alex Winston for many albums to come.»
Separations isn't essential listening in the way the rest of Pulp's work from the Nineties is, but its growing pains don't relegate it to the realm of hardcore, forgiving fans.»
Each and every year, there are records which slip through the cracks, that individuals who write for the site absolutely adore, yet few others seem to even be aware of. To help highlight a few lost records, a few years ago we invented the Lost List, and ask individuals to write some words explaining why they love the album in question. Next up, Amanda Farrah gets to grips with what Le Tigre's JD Samson, did next... »
Weights & Measures isn't essential listening, but as consistent as it is with the singles that precede it, it hints that Dry the River's debut full length will be. Enough teasing, let's have the real deal. »
We ought to be grateful that Tori Amos is extending herself into ambitious works of fiction instead of pretending boys are still breaking her heart. »

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Free shipping on orders over $250 in Canada + US
➢ I don't have an account with Au Lit Fine Linens, can I still make a purchase?
Of course, if you're a new customer or you haven't set up an account with us before, continue to the checkout as a guest. You'll be able to register for an account at the end of the checkout process if you like.
➢ Where do I put in my measurements?
If you would like to include your mattress dimensions, please do so in the 'Special Instructions' field in the cart.
➢ I'd like to pick up in store, but the checkout is asking for my shipping information.
Our checkout system does require that you indicate a billing and shipping address, but on the next page of the checkout, you will be able to select 'Pick up in store' as your shipping method.
➢ Can I purchase a gift card for your online store?
We do sell traditional Gift Cards online which can be mailed or picked up from our store. Our gift cards can only be used in store, they are not valid online. Please allow for standard mailing time. Gift Card Terms & Conditions.
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Unfortunately, we do not offer swatches of our embroidery colours. If you'd like to discuss any of the colours, please contact us at 1 800 363 6080.
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Our pillow cases are only available in Standard/Queen and King size.
➢ Why are certain products 'Unavailable'?
If a product is 'unavailable', it usually means that it does not come in the colour or size you've selected. Make sure you select the correct size and colour when you're choosing your item.
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There is no longer a standard mattress depth. When you go shopping for linens, know the depth of your mattress (they vary from 8" − 20" in thickness) and your fitted sheet should be about 4" deeper than your mattress. It doesn't hurt to know the width and length as well. Our regular fitted sheets fit up to a 12" mattress and our Jumbo fitted sheets fit up to a 16" mattress. If your mattress is 17" or deeper, we can custom sew a fitted sheet to suit your measurements. We also encourage you to take a look at our video on Deep Mattresses & Fitted Sheets.
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You want to measure from the top of the box-spring to the floor. Once the fabric is washed, it will shrink by about half an inch, which will be perfect for your skirt. The standard length of our bedskirts is 14", but we can custom sew your bedskirt to suit your exact measurements. For more information, visit Bedskirts 101 and watch our video on bedskirts.
➢ The sides of my mattress are always showing. Why doesn't my duvet hide the entire mattress?
If your mattress is deeper than 12", you not only need a jumbo size fitted sheet, but you may also need a jumbo sized duvet and duvet cover.
➢ How long should my linens last?
This will depend on how you care for your linens and how much you use them. With proper care, Italian made, Egyptian cotton sheets can last many years.
➢ What can I do about my flat pillows?
Fluffing and shaking on a daily basis, and keeping them in their protectors will extend their life span. We generally recommend replacing down/feather pillows every 2-3 years.
➢ How often should I wash my sheets?
We recommend once a week. Not washing your sheets on a weekly basis may result in your natural oils setting into the fabric which causes yellowing.
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There's no need to change the entire bed, but you can freshen up the look by adding a brightly coloured cushion and white coverlet in the spring, or a dark cashmere blanket in the fall. You can also switch to crisp, cool linen sheets during the hot summer months.
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Linen is a natural fibre derived from the flax plant. It has a cool feel and a slightly textured hand which softens over time. The real beauty of linen is in its rumpled look and casual yet sophisticated style. We recommend our Lavato collection.
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Thanks to everyone who attended the Show on August 28th. Whether you competed or came to see everything that was going on, we hope you all had a fabulous day.
If you didn't make it this year, we hope to see you on August 26th, 2012.
All the results from competition classes are available on the right.
[Archive - 2011 Show Schedule]
A big thank you to Tim Evans at www.thirty31photography.co.uk (first set) and Paul Thomson (second set) for the great images below. Copyright Reserved for all photographs.
Put your cursor over either of the large images and click play to view the slideshow.
Alternatively, scroll through the photos using the thumbnails on the right.


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ZedLog is a robust cross-platform input logging tool (A.K.A., a key logger). It is based on a flexible data logging system which makes it easy to get the required data. It features logging of all keyboard and mouse events, a replay simulation tool, logging to a file, and hiding in the background.
This release adds an initial replay simulation tool, saving and opening of log files, a record/pause button, separate mouse pressed and released loggers, a more polished GUI, and a new icon set.
ZedLog â Freecode
Attachment 4991


text: New bite-sized nugget boasts 90% ice content* with only 10% water offering one of the best nugget ratios for maximum cooling and minimal drink dilution Nugget ice consists of small pieces ranging from 3/8" to 1/2" in width and length on average. Offers a 90% ice to water ratio with a softer, chewable texture while still providing maximum cooling effect and great dispensibilty. Up to 261 lbs. standard daily ice production including ice and water content. True Ice production calculates just the ice produced helping end users size their machine and plan for their needs. 20lb ice storage bin built-in New DuraTech™ front panel for easy cleaning and reduced hard water staining in the dispense area. Trouble-free ice dispensing. Simply place cup under chute and activate. Select one of three dispensing settings, "Ice Only," "Water Only," or "Ice and Water" Two ice activation options: activation arm or touchless. Dispense opening (10.50") from grate to chute maximizes clearance for tall containers. Larger drain pan minimizes ice spillage. Blue LED light provides dispense visibility for rooms with limited ambient light. Water and drain connections in back or bottom of unit for flush mounting Manitowoc's patented cleaning technology manages the cleaning process from start to finish Legs sold separately Only 16.25" wide by 24.00" deep by 42.00" tall 115V, 10.3 amp, 1/4 Hp compressor. Pre-wired with a 6' power cord and NEMA 5-15P plug 3/8" N.P.T. Ice Making Water Inlet, 1/2" N.P.T. Ice Making Water Outlet 2 year parts and labor warranty plus 3 additional years on compressor and evaporator parts NSF, cUL, CE listed


text:
AD says Prime Minister has lost control
Alternattiva Demokratika says Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has lost control in light of recent developments and calls for immediate general elections.
Alternattiva Demokratika said that in view of latest political developments, an immediate general election is necessary and guaranteed that MPs elected on its behalf will act in a responsible manner.
During a press conference held in Valletta, AD Secretary General Ralph Cassar said that the currently political situation shows that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has "lost control".
"The Nationalist Party's strategies based on misleading the public on issues such as the 'Mistra' scandal, and its attempt to portray itself as the party of hunters and the party of environmentalists, the party of religious zealots and that of a more liberal attitude, the party of big business and at the same time the party defending residents has backfired and failed badly," Cassar said.
PN's attempt at being everything to everyone is also being mirrored by the Labour Party according to Cassar.
"Like the PN they are the party of speculators, strong lobbies and dirty energy. The fact that the other two parties are wasting everybody's time bickering about petty issues and avoiding discussing real policy issues shows that in fact they are one and the same.
Cassar explained that they are both part of a system that wants to keep the status quo. "The only way to send them a loud and clear message and that we don't want to be part of their silly games is to vote Green."
AD Deputy Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo said that a parliament based on two political parties is unstable as has been confirmed in recent happenings.
"The resignation of Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando from his PN membership coupled with the declarations from Franco Debono that he will not support Government until such time that Austin Gatt remains minister signifies that the last days of this Government will remain characterised with pique and unnecessary conflict," Cacopardo said.
Cacopardo said that this was sending out a message of instability which in the midst of an economic crisis, will not be helpful in creating work or attract investment.
Professor Arnold Cassola, AD Spokesperson for EU and International Affairs, said it was important for all Maltese citizens to be facilitated in their right to vote with upcoming general elections.
"With regards to Maltese citizens living abroad, arrangements should be immediately undertaken to set up facilities for them to vote at the nearest embassy or consulate," Cassola said.
Cassola said that where mobility has become an important feature every citizen's lifestyle, it is 'scandalous' that Maltese citizens are still being taken to court by political parties to be disenfranchised of their vote.
"The PL and any other political party trying to disenfranchise these voters are going against the recommendation of the Constitutional court. Indeed, this issue should have been settled years ago, in March 2003, in the Cassola constitutional case, where the Presiding Judge defined residence 'not necessarily as physical presence in the country but as habitual presence'."
Cacopardo said that as a responsible political party AD in parliament will be loyal to the government's programme agreed upon.
"AD in Parliament will be guided by the national interests and will ensure that its eventual MPs do not act out of spite or pique," he said.
He pledged that Members of Parliament elected on behalf of AD will put forward positive proposals and will shun individualism and strive for teamwork.
"AD considers that the current political situation necessitates an immediate general election which is required in the national interest," Cacopardo said.


text:
List Recorder 2.4.3 Now in iTunes Store. Click here for what's new.
List Recorder Podcasts
The podcast menu lists three catagories of podcasts:
1. Eric's Podcasts - A series of podcasts by Eric Caron covering the basics as well as finer points. Learn to use List Recorder to do specific tasks and get the most out of it.
2. User Podcasts - List Recorder users have created podcasts to explain how they use it. You'll find podcasts from a variety of sources. Most are in English, but there are Spanish podcasts as well. If you know of other List Recorder podcasts, let us know and we'll list them here.
3. Podcast Archives - Older podcasts that we still enjoy listening to.
How to listen to these podcasts
Eric's podcasts, as well as some of the others, are played using the Sixth Mode Audio Clip Player - we call it the "Clipper" for short. The Clipper provides an optimal way to listen to a podcast whether you are sighted, low vision or use a screen reader. Click the "Play Podcast" link in the podcast's entry to experience the rich variety of audio controls on the podcast's Clipper page.
The Clipper page includes visual controls as well as two types of links for controlling audio playback. The links under the "Audio Controls" header include play, pause and positioning functions, as well as a download and help link. The best part is what you'll find under the "Table of Clips" header: a list of links you can click to get right to the described segment of the podcast.
We hope you enjoy the Sixth Mode Audio Clip Player as well as the podcasts you'll find in these menus. The web page below provides additional information about the Sixth Mode Audio Clip Player for both users and web authors.


text:
Rather than just good fortune, the second Etchells was part of a bigger plan. 'We thought it would be great to have a spare boat for other members of the big boat crew and out friends to use. To date the remainder of the crew has not used Bad Doll that much, but our friends sure have! Noel 'Nitro' Drennan used it for the Victorian State Championships at Brighton, Tom Braidwood was in it for the Nationals at Geelong and my friend, Rob 'Shogun' Hanna, used it at the Worlds in San Diego.'
Michael had laid out the intentions early, commenting 'When you boil it down, the best sailors and the best competition is in the Etchells and that is what we were searching for.' So with his eyes firmly fixed on San Diego, Michael's team set about firstly qualifying for and then doing well at the impending Worlds. One of the major hitouts on the road was the hotly contested and wildly differing conditions of the Victorian State Championships in March, where a lot of other big boat drivers also showed up in their 'little' Etchells. 'Our team of Benny Lamb, Mat Johns and I were slowly coming together, with myself needing the most of that coming together', mused Michael. 'We used the qualifiers for the Worlds to really ramp-up our program. After qualifying, Benny was really shaking his head. He is an exceptionally hard taskmaster, who had us working on avoiding bad bottom roundings, keeping the boat straight – you name it. We were working on the lot.'
'We had to do well at the States to make the final discussion. We scraped through, which was great, so our sights were set on the Worlds, but we certainly knew we needed to do a lot of training.'
Now this is where they faced one of their greatest challenges, not unlike many other crews, but they had Michael's already very significant workload increasing, along with some private matters and coordinating all that with getting Benny down from Newcastle at the correct times. 'As the date drew ever closer, yet more discussion took place and in the end we decided that a three week program in San Diego, prior to the Worlds, would be the only way we could get some type of respectful result.'
Like any good program, however, that was not the only component required. 'I also decided that we would try to persuade Steve Peel to operate a chase boat and coach us. He had already played quite a part in helping us prepare the Etchells and then getting them and us up to speed. With this in mind, the Las Vegas side-trip was cancelled and eventually the one to Mexico got sidelined, as we found we were really enjoying the training.'
So, despite missing out on the fun ashore, the team were to find out that they had more than enough to do around and on the water near the San Diego Yacht Club. 'The four of us arrived in San Diego, two days prior to the only lead up regatta, the two-day, Orca Weekend, which comprised of five races. The club also used it as a shake down for the Worlds.'
'As it turns out, our first day was also our only training day, as we had to get the boat from the storage yard and bring it back to the yacht club. We got off to a late start and so decided not to go out to the race area, but rather train around two fixed channel marks. Now these were high channel marks! For the last rounding, either I turned a little early or the kite was up too early and we won't argue about it here. The upshot is that the kite became completely wrapped around aforementioned channel marker. Subsequently, we also be became moored to it, as well. We managed to become detached, eventually, but this involved leaving the kite flagging about said mark! AUS 1278 was not a good look whatsoever, as boats that had been out training, were now slowly coming back in to port. It did not require much deliberation to decide that one of us would have to climb onto the mark and clear it of our not-so-old radial kite. Mercifully, I believe there were only a few photos taken…'
Of the Orca Weekend regatta, Michael said, 'The long start line with a centre start boat was something new for me and also there were about 45 boats competing, which makes it the largest Etchells fleet I had sailed in to date. We pulled a 25th, but it was really tough out there. At the top marks you could lose 12 spots easily within the blink of an eye. Our best result was a 15th, were we did our now becoming very usual, almost last place at the first top mark, only to stage a huge comeback. In short, there were some there were some glimmers of hope.'
Like many a campaign, they made their regatta plan for the Worlds on the back of a San Diego Yacht Club paper place mat. It provided for a long weekend in Vegas and then also a day trip Mexico. 'We had the Monday and Tuesday off sailing, but did quite a bit of boat work instead. Training started again on Wednesday and we were a little surprised to see that there were not many boats actually out there training with us. Chris Hampton was the only other Aussie Boat getting wet. Thursday was OK, as a few of the US Boats came out and we did some short course racing.'
'Training was going OK and we seemed to be doing miles of straight-line sailing. The following week Noel arrived and we put in some really hard yards with him. He was so quick and it appeared that he was always stopping and waiting for us. Steve Peel then really kicked in with observations from both boats. He went about making all the fine tweaks like crew position, trim and rig. The masts started to go so far back that the boom was getting closer and closer to the deck. The upshot was that Nitro wasn't waiting as much for us to catch up! We were getting a little more speed', remembered Michael.
That extra speed paid dividends, for the crew got on the scoreboard early, even being the highest placed Aussies at one point. 'We knew the first three days were going to be tough. In the first race we placed twentieth, which we were extremely happy with. In the second race, we were in the lead, only to be pipped at the finish. We were all so flat, thinking that we had just missed our only chance to win a race at a Worlds!'
Luckily for them the next day provided that magical first place, but 'I think the shock was too great, as we followed it up with a 36th', reflected Michael. On the third day they consolidated with a sixth and eighth place. Michael says simply of day four, 'A bad one'. The very much-required consistency was with them on days five and six, so a top ten result at a Worlds was their reward.
There may have been some tough days at the office early on, but you get the feeling that has only steeled Michael's resolve. The Commodore has his sights on Sydney and I would not mind betting a lot of time on the tiller of Extra Bad Doll. Look out channel markers and the opposition.


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Monday July 20, 2009
Susan Boyle cut a very elegant figure when she appeared on an American TV show this week.
With her hair styled and coloured, and perfectly applied makeup, the Scottish singer's appearance promoted her host to comment on her "gorgeous" look. And the modest Britain's Got Talent sensation replied: "I brush up quite well."
With her touring commitments with the talent show out of the way, Susan revealed she is now busy recording her new album – a musical collection that will "surprise a lot of people," producer Simon Cowell revealed this week.
Asked by Today Show's Meredith Vieira to describe her meteoric rise since her first audition, the 48-year-old said: "I'm having a wonderful time. It's just been unbelievable"
"It's a bit like going on a long journey; you don't know what's going to happen. You don't know where it's going to end."
"I don't want it to end," concluded the star, who will be making her US debut on America's Got Talent on July 22.


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Josiah Day built his house in West Springfield by 1754 on land he had purchased in 1746. The house is the only known solid brick saltbox house of it's period in the United States. The home remained in the Day family until 1903, when it was sold to the Ramapogue Historical Society. It is now a house museum open to the public.
North Center School (1810)
Built around 1810 in the Federal style, the North Center School is a one-room schoolhouse that originally stood in Whately. It was moved to the Eastern States Exposition grounds to become part of Storrowton. The entryway of the building was modified to resemble one in the Federal style, as seen on a schoolhouse in Vergennes, Vermont (since moved to the Shelburne Museum), by Storrowtown's benefactor, Helen O. Storrow.
Captain John Potter House (1776)
Captain John Potter built his house in North Brookfield, at the corner of South Main and Ward Streets, in 1776. Potter was a clockmaker and craftsman who also served as a captain in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. His mansion, which Potter built with his own hands, was started just before and completed just after the interruption of the war. It was constructed around Potter's earlier house and features a faux-masonry exterior, actually made of wood. The house also had a large room for dancing on the second floor and a support pole was used in the dining room below whenever the upper room was used for dancing! Later, the Captain's son, F.A. Potter, ran a shop attached to the house. In 1929, the Potter House, which had passed out of the Potter family's hands in 1920, was moved to Storrowton, the recreation of a classic New England village, as imagined by benefactor Helen O. Storrow, at the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield. It is now open to the public for tours.
Massachusetts Building [Eastern States Exposition] (1919)
The first of the state pavilion buildings constructed as part of the Eastern States Exposition's "Avenue of States" was the Massachusetts Building, dedicated in 1919 by then governor Calvin Coolidge. The building, designed by architect James H. Ritchie, is a replica of the Old State House in Boston.
Henry Vassall House (1746)
The oldest part of the Henry Vassall House, on Brattle Street in Cambridge, may date to as early as 1636, although the date usually given today is 1746. In that year, the property was sold by John Vassall Sr., who had purchased it in 1737, to his younger brother Henry Vassall. John Vassall's son, Maj. John Vassall, built the nearby Vassall-Craigie-Longfellow House. Henry Vassall was a loyalist at the time of the Revolutionary War and the Vassall House is one of several homes belonging to loyalists along the section of Brattle Street known as Tory Row. These homes were either sold by their owners or seized during the Revolution. Vassall had died in 1769 and in 1775, his widow, Penelope Royall Vassall, fled to Boston and then to her estates in Antigua. According to the Historic Guide to Cambridge (1907):
"Just before sailing Madam Vassall petitioned the Provincial Congress, then sitting at Watertown, that she might be allowed to take with her some of her effects. Congress permitted her to take anything that she wanted except "provisions and her medicine chest." The estate was not confiscated, as it belonged to a widow who had taken no active part against the patriots."
The Continental Army at the time had only one other medicine chest besides the one in the Vassall House. "From these two all the regimental surgeons had to supply their needs. The fact that the medicines were here, and that there were twenty available rooms, besides halls and out-houses, may have been the reason that this house became the medical headquarters." In 1775, Dr. Benjamin Church, who was effectively the first Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, was found to be sending secret letters to the British Commander, General Thomas Gage. Convicted of "communicating with the enemy," Dr. Church was held for a time in the Vassall House as a prisoner. The house has remained a private home, with a number of alterations and additions being made to it over the years.


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We are a community of believers who worship, study, serve and fellowship as the body of Jesus Christ. We are a congregation of different people from different backgrounds, different age groups, and different ethnicities who gather as one at the Lord's Table. We are moderate in our theology, traditional in our worship, passionate in our outreach, and joyful in our spirit. If you are looking for a warm, welcoming, and serving congregation, we invite you to visit.
Informal worship 9:00 am
Traditional worship 11:00 am


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We've all heard it before. Communication is the key to a strong, healthy relationship. I always knew that, but what I didn't know was that being upset and using personal insults didn't count as good communication. I mean, I was talking to the other person, right? I didn't know any better, and when you start doing one thing, it's hard to change your ways. Well recently, I met a guy that completely changed the way I thought about communicating in a relationship. I'm here to tell you guys everything that I've been doing wrong in the past four years of dating. That's right. That's how much I love you guys.
My Gigantic Communication Mistake #1: Answering a Question with a Question.
You know what it sounds like. "Who is that girl?" "Why, do you know her?" Or "What's up?" "Nothing, why?". It's never a good idea to answer a question with a question, no matter how tough, rude, or out-of-the-blue the question is. It can only make you sound suspicious, and it reminds me of those cop movies where answering a question with a question means that you have something to hide (and they're usually the guilty one…). I'm sure it's not quite so dramatic, but my point is, answer the damn question when you're asked. It's better that you're upfront and honest than to seem vague and shady.
My Gigantic Communication Mistake #2: Abusing the phrase "okay" and "sure".
Everybody knows that saying "okay" or "sure" is female dictionary code for "I don't like that, but whatever, go ahead because I don't feel like talking about it anymore". There comes a point where using anything too many times becomes ineffective, and I did just that. Eventually, they stop listening to your explanation-less responses and go ahead and do whatever they want to anyway. And that, my friend, is how to destroy communication between two people.
My Gigantic Communication Mistake #3: Talking too much.
I know it sounds stupid – if I talk a lot, I might as well talk a lot because that's just how I am. But sometimes I talk so much that it sounds like I'm not even listening to what my guy is saying. And really, guys want to be heard as much as girls do, so shutting up and listening is really important to do sometimes.
My Gigantic Communication Mistake #4: Attempting to decode somebody that I don't know well enough.
And it takes a lot to know somebody well enough to decode what they're saying. I've known some people for like seven years and I still have no idea what they're trying to convey under the words that they actually say. I'm not over-analyzing, I swear! Sometimes, it is what it is, and they really do just mean what they say. Don't look for subtext all the time because you probably won't find it, and that will only frustrate you further. But sometimes, there's some serious decoding to do, which you shouldn't attempt unless you know them incredibly well.
Now that I have thoroughly embarrassed myself, I think it's time that you list some other communication mistakes for me. What are you going to do to stop them?
Photo found on http://pinterest.com/pin/84935142942209800/
I am the self-proclaimed Queen of creating awkward dating situations. (Okay, I'm the self-proclaimed Queen of a lot of things, and this is one of them.) I have stories about awkward dates that can keep us here for hours, so I won't go into those. What I will do, though, is give you a couple of suggestions for things to say and/or do when you realize that you're really not that into somebody on your date (usually the first one) and have nothing to say. These are for your entertainment only, and note that you will probably end up being one of those "one time I had this weird date" stories. My friends have also chipped in their awkward date stories, so buckle up, because I have some very…creative friends.
1. Start talking about all of your favorite childhood television shows.
Proclaim your love for your chosen Pokemon. Tell them about how you tried to become the Pink Power Ranger. Explain, very seriously, that Digimon will take over and that we should start training now, in case we get lost in a forest and find a refrigerator full of eggs (weirdest episode ever). The most important part about this is to keep on talking. Just watch their reactions.
2. Use your fork as your knife and your knife as your fork.
Try to cut your protein with your fork, and act genuinely confused when it doesn't work properly. When you finally get a decent sized piece of meat, stab it with your knife and eat it. Act like you are doing nothing out of the ordinary. If you really want to take this one over the top, ask them why they are cutting their meat with their knife.
3. Talk about every single one of your habits.
Do you only eat ice cream in the dark? Do you think that Nutella tastes better standing up and straight out of the jar? Do you always start washing your left arm first in the shower? Tell them absolutely everything about your routines. It's funny to start with your morning routine, like how many times you hit the snooze button before you get out of bed, and the precise method that you use to floss your teeth. Just skip the toilet humor…that might be going a little too far.
4. Act overly interested in everything that they say.
I imagine by now that you aren't saying many things to your date, and if they're like most of my awkward first dates, they will ask you random questions that come out of nowhere. Answer each of these with conviction and great detail. "Are you a morning person?" <insert two-minute speech here>.
Awkward dates don't need to be totally boring. You can have fun with it your own way, but you might go down as the weirdest person they've ever met. I haven't used any of these except for the first one (which I use profusely), so there are no guarantees for how these will turn out. Nonetheless, enjoy!
Photo found on http://allwomenstalk.com/10-ways-to-avoid-awkward-moments-on-a-first-date/
It happens, whether it is intentional or not. You become a third wheel when your best friends start new relationships. If your friends are considerate, this will only be a temporary stint of awkwardness. But sometimes, your friends are a little too wrapped up into their new significant other… and you'll have to deal. So here's a guide to surviving as the third wheel!
Communication is extremely important when you are fully aware of your impending third wheel condition. I cannot stress this enough –You've got to let them know (and early) that there are certain acts that are okay and not okay. If you're okay with hand holding, let your BFF know. If you're not okay with them sucking face in front of you, then make it clear! Just because you're cool enough to chill with your friend AND her boyfriend doesn't mean you have to be uncomfortable while you're with them.
Since you're just one short of making it a double date, it's time to plan accordingly. Maybe those trips to the amusement parks might not be the best idea if it's the three of you – someone's always going to be alone. Maybe going to the movies seems a little too date-ish… unless you're going to see something that is couple-free, like action movies or raunchy comedies. Go to the park! Go out for lunch. Go kayaking! Play video games at someone's house – you get the idea!
Once again, communication comes into play. You're going to want to get along with your friend's significant other (well, at least for the duration of your get-together). So come up with topics where everyone can chime in their own thoughts. Current events, pop culture, and general get-to-know-you questions should suffice.
Who says that a third wheeler must suffer alone? Invite another one of your mutual friends to add a sense of neutrality to the situation. If the new guy is a good guy, he'll be okay with it. (And this way, you CAN go to the amusement park and have fun too.)
…Tell your BFF. Sometimes you just want to hang out with your bestie, and only your bestie. You have to let her know that – her telepathic link to you will have a bad connection due to the Honeymoon firewall! When you invite her out the next time, make sure the invite is only for her (and make sure that the clarity isn't being mistaken as bitterness – that can be a problem).
Being the third wheel isn't the worst thing in the world. In fact, I became best friends with my friend's boyfriend just because I stuck with it and made sure I communicated when I wasn't okay with certain things.
From Pamela, a Fellow Third Wheeler
Do you have any other tips on being the third wheel? Comment below!
Photo found on
Okay, I'm not even going to pretend that I don't have a nasty dating reputation. Thanks a lot, high school. It doesn't help that there were only like 100 people in my grade and about 20 of them ended up going to the same university as me. So I was kind of known as…psycho. My friends are very nice and say "you're not psycho, you just know what you want and you demand it". But that kind of translates to psycho. So here's how I survive my dating reputation – hopefully it will help you survive yours.
It's probably not true.
I'm not completely crazy. It's just a fact. I'm not a terrible girlfriend, I'm not a ridiculous person, and I'm not overly clingy. All of that stuff is relative anyway – the older we get, the less it seems to matter. Like how holding hands used to be the biggest deal. Anyway, just realize that whatever people say about you is just that – it's not who you are.
Then again, it's probably true to some extent.
Like I said, it's all relative. People often say that I grew up too fast, and I'm starting to agree with them. I'm not up for flings or hook ups. And it's perfectly fine if you are, too. I just seemed psycho in high school because I wanted (and still want) a long-term relationship, and that's still weird to a lot of my friends. So think about where you stand relative to the people around you. It doesn't define you, but it's good to keep in mind.
You are who you are.
And I don't think you should ever run from that. Being fake in a relationship defeats the purpose of being in one to begin with. You want to be in a relationship where you feel comfortable and accepted for exactly who you are. If you've been with someone for a while and still feel like you need to tiptoe around them, or you feel like there are things that you can't say to them, it's time to rethink where you're going with them.
What's your dating reputation? Is it preventing you from being yourself? Don't let it own you!
Breaking up sucks. What else is new? It's always hard to get over a break up and it can get really rough at times, but sometimes you can be friends again after a while. Some can even be friends right after the break up, which often happens if it was mutual. But sometimes, you break up and stop talking entirely, trying to get them out of your life all together. It might be okay for a while, but then they start to text you again. Awkward.
The way I see it, there are only three things you can do in this situation.
Choice 1: Respond.
Pro: You have the potential to bring another friendship into your life. Really, these are great friendships because you know so much about each other already, and you're comfortable with each other. Alternatively, you both might end up wanting to get back together.
Con: You might end up wanting to get back together, but they won't. Or vice versa. You could also find that neither of you like each other anymore at all. More awkward.
Choice 2: Ignore them at first, then respond when you're ready.
Pro: You'll be armed with the knowledge of what you really want out of your ex. A friendship? A date? You'll know exactly what you're going for, and you won't "fall into" anything by accident. You'll also be less emotionally driven and more logical after waiting a couple of days, weeks, or months.
Con: You might lose them in the time that you ignore them.
Choice 3: Don't respond.
Pro: You really get them out of your life.
Con: It means that you still care about them. That is, their actions still affect you in some way, be it positive or negative. This means that if they double text you, you'll probably cave. And this isn't some Choice 2 response. That is, you probably won't be cool about it. Maybe you'll be like me and send them something really rude like, "What do you want?" Maybe you'll do the opposite and be overly nice and say something like, "Heyyyy! What's up?! How are you?! =D" In my experience, neither of these lead to great conversations.
What you choose to do is really up to you. However, if you're going to reply, don't try to get anything out of them. There could be a lot of unfinished business, and you might feel like they owe you an apology, an explanation, or some other kind of closure. Speaking from experience, you're probably not going to get it. The only apology you might get is "I'm sorry that I hurt you". If you're anything like me, that's the last apology that you want to hear.
So pause for a moment before you respond to that text or throw your phone back into your pocket. What do you really want? Which is your choice?
Leave a comment and tweet @vanessayylam!
Dump, break up, whatever you want to call it. I know how much it sucks to dump and be dumped. Now, I have recently learned that text messaging is a socially acceptable way to break up with somebody. My world promptly crashed. I did my research (read: I asked my friends), and I've uncovered a couple of lines that you aren't allowed to use when dumping somebody. Ever. If any of these become socially acceptable, I might just have to be forever alone.
"Check Facebook."
Do not change your Facebook status instead of actually telling the person yourself. Change your status, sure, but after you formally break up with them. Imagine somebody coming home to see that they are now "in a relationship" and there is no more "with <insert your name here>". Oh, the anger that ensues. The text messages and the phone calls that you will receive. Oh dear.
"It's not me, it's you."
I have legit heard this several times in various forms. The question "Why are you breaking up with me" should never be answered with a list of vague personality traits such as "you're stupid / lazy / annoying". Hopefully this goes without saying, but saying "it's not me, it's you" isn't acceptable either. That's the same as telling somebody that they're just a crappy person. You'd never dump somebody by saying, "Well, you're a crappy person, so I'm out." I hope.
"I've been seeing someone else, and I like them better."
Imagine dating like some sort of Pokémon-like "I choose you!" type of thing. Using this line is like Ash abandoning Pikachu. Not only are you admitting that you cheated, at least emotionally, but you're also telling them that this "somebody else" is better than they are. In their minds, this "somebody else" is already the worst person in the world (or close, in any case), so telling them that they're worse than one of the worst people in the world is not the best strategy. Actually, it's a terrible strategy.
"I love you, but I can't do this anymore."
This is by far one of the most baffling break-up lines that I have ever heard. It actually confuses me to no end. I understand that you can love somebody and not be with them, but that's usually because they don't love you back. Maybe I'm just an idealist who believes that if two people really want to be together, they will be. If anybody has an explanation for this…comment below. Please.
"Let's just be friends."
Contrary to popular belief, using this line doesn't soften the blow. I'm also pretty sure that this only works if neither one of you really liked the other to begin with. Or you dated in high school and are now committed to somebody else. Or you haven't spoken to each other for like fifteen years.
I like honesty, but I think in this case, sugar-coating is acceptable.
About the Author: Vanessa Lam is a first year student at the University of Western Toronto. A big advocate of mental health and social wellness, she loves to give people advice about navigating your own personal health while surviving the social confusion of college relationships. She is an editor at Surviving College.
Photo found on http://landofnoprozac.tumblr.com/post/20747129956
We often talk about getting along well with our partners, and we often talk about fighting with our partners. What I don't often hear about are those in-between conversations. They're those serious conversations that you have when your partner is trying to give you constructive criticism about something that bothers them a little bit. Maybe they want you to text more often, or maybe they don't like it when you hog the blankets when you sleep over. It's easy to take these things personally, but it's important to recognize that your partner is just trying to improve the quality of the relationship. So here are a few ways to take criticism without going crazy. (Because we all get crazy sometimes.)
It doesn't mean that the rest of the relationship is awful.
Don't overgeneralize. Just because you're doing one thing that bothers your partner doesn't mean that you bother them in general. It's like the difference between hating your roommate when they don't wash their dishes, and hating your roommate overall. Overgeneralizing can cause you to feel a lot worse than you really need to, and it's definitely not the goal that your partner had in mind when they started the conversation.
Recognize when you've done something that your partner doesn't like.
Understand your partner's emotions and respond to them instead of simply asking yourself what you would do if your partner did the same to you. We're all different when it comes to what bothers us. You might hate texting and prefer Skype, but that doesn't make your partner feel any better when you don't respond to your texts.
Take it and go.
(Russell Peters and Louis Vuitton anyone?) Change your actions. This doesn't mean change as a person! Just, you know, text more often, or share the blankets. It's the effort that counts, and it will go a long way in showing that you care.
We all do things that bother other people from time to time. That's just a fact. It doesn't mean that we're terrible people, nor does it mean that we're bad partners. Strong relationships come from responding well to each other during and after these more serious conversations, so it's important to be able to take constructive criticism. But remember, it's also important to give constructive criticism too! More on that later, though.
Photo credit http://s1045.beta.photobucket.com/user/ughxoxo/media/couples/11hvvdh_large.jpg.html?sort=3&o=15
And I don't mean with your parents. I mean with your partner. It's true, I think, to talk about your sex life and what you like or don't like can only result in better experiences later on. But that being said there are seriously some times when you need to shhhh-ush up about it and move on for a while.
Right after you do it.
There is absolutely no reason to comment on this immediately afterwards. Let's just pause and imagine this moment, shall we? I will bet you all of my shampoo and conditioner that the situation was not clever or smooth. I will also bet my shower gel that it ends in a very awkward moment.
In public.
I would think this were completely obvious, but it's really awkward for everybody sitting near you on the bus if you start talking about your sex life out loud. This actually happened on one of my transit buses and I didn't know what to do with myself. I felt like I needed to turn my music up louder to give them more privacy, while at the same time, feeling really bad for the guy who felt so awkward. Like, awkward enough for the both of us…for like a month.
When you're focused on yourselves.
We all have those times in the year where we really just need to focus on ourselves. Maybe your partner is upset about something, or really focused on studying for exams and doing well. Whatever the situation, it's never a good idea to give them one more thing to think / stress about. Besides, in this situation, there are other issues to focus on.
…Have fun!
photo found on http://weheartit.com/entry/37621383
So when I was thinking about this week's post, I wondered – what have I experienced often that I can pass on to others? Well it's pretty obvious to anybody who knows me. I have an incredibly destructive dating pattern, and it's all because I just want to be nice. That, coupled with a few misunderstandings. So this is my take on how to survive your own dating cycle.
Stop. Being. Nice.
Uh, last time I checked, the relationship consisted of two people. That means that you're, you know, one of them, which makes you pretty damn important. Don't put your life aside for somebody else, and don't do anything that you don't want to do "because they want me to do it". Terrible excuse. You need to be in the relationship for yourself. It sounds cliche, but you have to want your partner to be happy, which makes you happy. You need to feel loved, confident, and cared about. Sounds harsh, but it's true: if you feel anything otherwise, run.
Be blatant and clear.
I'm not one to sugarcoat. Seriously, I don't have the patience for that. I'd rather be straight up and clear than beat around the bush and have my partner become confused and thinking that I'm being evasive. Examples include my habit of messaging somebody asking, literally, "so do you like me or not?" or "are you actually my boyfriend or are you just dating around for now?". Seems scary to a lot of people, I know, but it's efficient. I have a no-nonsense attitude toward this because I hate to be left hanging. Once, before I spoke so bluntly, I ended up being somebody's girlfriend for two weeks and I didn't even know. This is why I demand clarity. Hey, it works.
"If a guy is treating you like he doesn't give a shit, he genuinely doesn't give a shit."
One of my favorite movies of all time – He's Just Not That Into You. I love it because it's blatant (like me) and true when you think about it. If a person makes you feel bad about yourself, if you don't think that they really care, they probably don't. Avoid waiting around for that call. Run. Just run.
Relationships are supposed to make you happy. Does yours?
The other day I was Skyping my guy and his older brother comes down and starts talking to me too. Oh that's not awkward. No, that's not awkward at all. Cue intense female high-pitched giggling. Somehow, 15 minutes later, I was scheduling a time in my calendar to meet up with my guy and his brother for dinner. I'M SORRY, WHAT?! Please hold as I FREAK THE HELL OUT.
I will admit that meeting siblings is much less nerve-wracking than meeting the parents because they're closer to you in age and generally, have the same kinds of values as the person you're dating. However, depending on who you're dating, the sibling's opinion can be pretty darn important.
Calm the @#$% down.
When it comes down to it, it's just another stranger. You've met strangers before. You've made friends out of strangers before too, and I'm sure you can do it again. Besides, the worst thing that can happen is that they end up disliking you. Which brings me to my next point…
They will probably like you.
If your guy chose well, his siblings will probably like you. Siblings are very similar to each other (they were brought up together, after all!), so they also tend to like the same kinds of people. Just be yourself, because you will never regret that. Or at least you shouldn't. Don't ever let anybody make you feel bad for being yourself!
Alternatively, you might hate each other.
In this case, your guy might too, since you guys are similar. That's okay! Think the opposite of Monster in Law. Like, the exact opposite. Then you're set.
Best of luck!
photo found on http://www.etsy.com/listing/62318703/the-trick-is-to-keep-breathing-large


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The last couple of times I've been to Rome I've had a wonderful salad made of a bitter green I've only seen there called puntarelle. You can see photos of it on my Favorite Rome Markets post. Typically this green is trimmed, pushed through a wire slicer, and then plunged into cold water so the leaves curl and crisp up. It's then dressed with lemon juice and anchovies. Simple yet fantastic, like most food in Rome.
Here at home, I don't have puntarelle, but I do have a surplus of zucchini and yellow squash in my garden (yes, already) and I'm always trying to figure out new things to try with it. I thought it would pair well with this dressing and liven up an otherwise sometimes bland vegetable. I've added the arugula to give it a slightly bitter, peppery kick like the puntarelle. This salad is light and fresh, and a wonderful way to use that early summer zucchini.
Zucchini and Arugula Salad with Lemon-Anchovy Dressing
Printable Recipe in PDF
1 garlic clove
3 oil cured anchovies
1 oz lemon juice
1.5 oz Fonterutoli extra virgin olive oil*
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
8 oz green zucchini (whole)
8 oz yellow zucchini (or yellow crookneck squash) (whole)
2.5 oz arugula
Serves 4 as a starter salad
Crush the garlic in a mortar and pestle*. Add the anchovies and crush them too. Add the lemon juice and combine with the garlic and anchovies and then add the olive oil, stirring it all together to emulsify the dressing.
*If you don't have a mortar and pestle, put the garlic through a garlic press or crush with the side of your knife and then finely mince. Finely chop the anchovies. Put the anchovies and garlic in a small bowl, add the lemon juice and whisk in the olive oil.
If you have a mandoline slicer, (I particularly like the Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer), now is the time to use it. Wash and dry the zucchini and cut off the ends. If the zucchini is less than 7″ or 8″ leave it whole, otherwise cut it in half, making two shorter pieces.
Using the medium tooth slicer for the mandoline, cut julienned strips of zucchini, down to the center portion where the seeds are. Discard the centers or use for something else. When you are done with both squash, you should have approximately 3 cups of julienned zucchini. If you don't have a mandoline, cut the zucchini into very thin strips and then julienne (matchstick) slices.
In a large bowl, toss together the julienned green and yellow zucchini and the arugula. Whisk the dressing if it has separated and then dress the salad with all of it. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
*The olive oil I used is from a company called olio2go.com. It's their Fonterutoli olive oil imported from Mazzei in the Chianti region of Italy which they generously sent me to sample. This olive oil had an almost peppery flavor which nicely balanced the salt of the anchovies and the acid of the lemon juice.
I'm tagging this recipe as vegetarian because if you want to, you can leave the anchovies out of the dressing (but I really don't recommend it).
Note; the site crashed and had to be restored after this was originally posted. Unfortunately, I lost all the comments so if you left one, sorry.
If you're interested in food and travel, make sure you check out Wanderfood Wednesdays on Wanderlust Travel.


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We are a church that seeks to "Love God and Love Others better every day". We make it easy for people to get connected and involved no matter what the age or background.
Every weekend the people of Openwater Church gather for our worship and teaching experiences on Sunday Mornings at 9:30am and 11:00am. There are classes and activities for your children during each service, and a Student service (6-12th Grade) during the 11:00am service.


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In the first series of these reflections last year, I dealt with the first "sacrament of initiation," that is, Baptism. The second one is Confirmation. In this separate sacrament the initial graces of Baptism are completed and strengthened in a special and mysterious way. Just to be baptized, while sufficient for salvation, by itself "is not enough" for the Catholic Christian believer. We yearn for more grace, and God bestows it!
To be honest, we don't really know how or why this is. But from the beginnings of the Church we have shared a special fascination with the powerful initiative of the Holy Spirit. Even before the Christian Scriptures were composed, the community of the Church remembered the wonders of the first Pentecost after Christ Jesus' resurrection. The imagery of mighty wind and tongues of flame reflect the Spirit's impact (see the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2, verses 1-4). The variety of spiritual gifts which God bestows for the good of the Church is impressive (see 1 Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 4-11).
One thing I think all of us should do is try to identify the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. What more-or-less unique spiritual gift or blessing has the Lord granted to you? How has our community of faith been enriched through you?


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|Reviews for I now live in somewhere you don't know
| hama431 chapter 3 . 6/25/2013
Update the next chapter
| CHERRY BLOSSOM chapter 3 . 6/25/2007
Um where are the other pairings?
| CHERRY BLOSSOM chapter 2 . 6/25/2007
Dont say that it doesnt suck i actually really like it.
| CHERRY BLOSSOM chapter 1 . 6/25/2007
you are right i dont like it. I LOVE IT!
| Mint chapter 3 . 12/20/2005
giddy giddy! I feel so happy! Naruto and Hinata! ...but what about Sakura? Wah! poor Sakura! Anyway love the story!
| Mint chapter 1 . 12/20/2005
...oh...no... stupid Mrs. Haruno! sp greedy... sheesh... by the way that is not a flame! I love the story!
| HeartAngel chapter 3 . 12/13/2005
KIA!The cahpter was nice.I love the fic so far so PLEASE write more!
| skuller31 chapter 3 . 11/22/2005
plz plz plz plz continue ur really good ui cant wait for the next chapter
| Ruriko89 chapter 3 . 8/4/2005
It doesnt suck a little weird but doesnt suck.
| kxnl chapter 3 . 7/19/2005
| NEJITENTENLOVE4EVER chapter 3 . 12/23/2004
WHAT HAPPENED TO SAKURA? Where did Neji and TenTen disappear to? What about Sasuke?PLEASE UPDATE SOON!
| crazypurplegirl chapter 3 . 9/18/2004
wow luv that charater! that was good, you should make more charaters! i love NaruHina! right on!
| Wormkaizer chapter 3 . 9/17/2004
Great job~! The only thing I think you need to fix is:"Because I know you don't love me..." answered Hinata right? Not Naruto. I think... Well keep up the great job~! _ I thought it was pretty sweet. w
| NevErEndIngDreAmeR chapter 3 . 9/17/2004
:) Cool! But please the spelling... I know you didn't meant that but please check first... I have that mistakes too you know... Update soon!
| Ria Sakazaki chapter 3 . 9/17/2004
nice! update soon...and from what i've read...there are just some mistakes that you probably didn't see. soo...just keep it up and don't forget to revise before posting!


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I have fixed the XSLT stylesheets which generate the XHTML driver pages for XForms 1.0 SE [1], XForms 1.0 TE [2], and XForms 1.1 [3]. The driver pages are now correct XHTML (strict; tested against http://validator.w3.org ). I tested the result in IE 6, IE 8, FF 3, and Safari 3 and found no serious problems. A few quirks remain: The pages now are all UTF-8 encoded. However, the W3C server delivers all documents in ISO-8859-1. Furthermore, all these pages now appear to have a smaller font size than before although I didn't make any changes to the CSS. This is probably a side effect of the pages now being rendered in standards rather than in quirks mode. Let me know if you encounter any issues. Best, Uli. [1] http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/Forms/Test/XForms1.0/Edition2 [2] http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/Forms/Test/XForms1.0/Edition3 [3] http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/Forms/Test/XForms1.1/Edition1/driverPages/html/ On 28.04.2009, at 12:54, Steven Pemberton wrote: > Someone who is using our test suite to test an implementation has > remarked that it is a nuisance that some parts of the suite (though > not the tests themselves) are not XHTML. The file they pointed me to > as an example was > > http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/Forms/Test/XForms1.0/Edition3/front_html/XF103edTestSuiteChpt2.html > > which contains unclosed meta and link tags. > > Steven > > -- Ulrich Nicolas LisséReceived on Wednesday, 3 June 2009 17:18:59 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Tuesday, 6 January 2015 21:14:01 UTC


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Boeddeker Park
295 Eddy Street
The Tenderloin
Redding School Self Portrait by Ruth Asawa and Children of the School
The Asawa piece is a tribute to Father Alfred Boeddeker. Boeddeker was the Franciscan priest who founded St. Anthony's Dining Room and he is the park's namesake. The 4- by 16.5-foot bas relief wall mural is a portrait of Boeddeker surrounded by children. Asawa was assisted by 100 schoolchildren from Redding Elementary School. The childrens' images were initially created out of pastry dough, then coordinated into an overall design by Asawa. The piece was originally installed in 1985 and is made of glass fiber reinforced concrete.
Ruth Asawa was a favorite of this author, and she has appeared many times in this site. Asawa passed away in 2013.


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