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This article forms part of the series Orthodox Spirituality | |
Holy Mysteries | |
Baptism - Chrismation Confession - Eucharist Marriage - Ordination Holy Unction | |
Three Stages | |
Catharsis/Purification Theoria/Illumination Theosis/Divinization | |
Hesychasm | |
Nepsis - Metanoia Hesychia - Phronema Mysticism - Nous | |
Asceticism | |
Chastity - Obedience Stability - Fasting Poverty - Monasticism | |
Virtues | |
Humility - Generosity Chastity - Meekness Temperance - Contentment Diligence | |
Prayer | |
Worship - Veneration Prayer Rule - Jesus Prayer Relics - Sign of the Cross | |
Church Fathers | |
Apostolic Fathers Desert Fathers Cappadocians The Philokalia The Ladder of Divine Ascent | |
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Monasticism (from Greek: μοναχός, a solitary person) is the ancient Christian practice of withdrawal from the world in order to dedicate oneself fully and intensely to the life of the Gospel, seeking union with Jesus Christ.
The focus of monasticism is on theosis, the process of perfection to which every Christian is called. This ideal is expressed everywhere that the things of God are sought above all other things, as seen for example in the Philokalia, a book of monastic writings. In other words, a monk or nun is a person who has vowed to follow not only the commandments of the Church, but also the counsels (i.e., vows of poverty, chastity, stability, and obedience). The words of Jesus which are the cornerstone for this ideal are "be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Thus, monks practice hesychasm, the spiritual struggle of purification (κάθαρσις), illumination (θεωρία) and divinization (θέωσις) in prayer, the sacraments and obedience.
Precursors of the Christian monastic ideal
The ancient models of the modern Christian monastic ideal are the Nazarites and the prophets of Israel. A Nazarite was a person voluntarily separated to the Lord, under a special vow.
- Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD: He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk. All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body. He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is upon his head. (Numbers 6:2-8)
The prophets of Israel were set apart to the Lord for the sake of a message of repentance. Some of them lived under extreme conditions, voluntarily separated or forced into seclusion because of the burden of their message. Other prophets were members of communities, schools mentioned occasionally in the Scriptures but about which there is much speculation and little known. The pre-Abrahamic prophets, Enoch and Melchizedek, and especially the Jewish prophets Elijah and his disciple Elisha are important to Christian monastic tradition. The most frequently cited "role-model" for the life of a hermit separated to the Lord, in whom the Nazarite and the prophet are believed to be combined in one person, is John the Baptist. John also had disciples who stayed with him and, as may be supposed, were taught by him and lived in a manner similar to his own:
- In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. (Matthew 3:1-6)
The female role models for monasticism are the Theotokos and the four virgin daughters of the Apostle Philip (of the Twelve):
- And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. (Acts 21:7-9)
The monastic ideal is also modeled upon the Apostle Paul, who is believed to have been celibate, and a tentmaker:
- For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. (I Corinthians 7:7-8)
But the consummate prototype of all Christian monasticism, communal and solitary, is Jesus Christ:
- Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)
Additionally, the earliest Church was a model for monasticism. The first Christian communities lived in common, sharing everything, according to Acts of the Apostles.
Origins of Christian monasticism
The institution of Christian monasticism began in the deserts in 4th century Egypt as a kind of living martyrdom. Some scholars attribute the rise of monasticism at this time to the changes in Roman society that had been brought about subsequent to the Emperor St. Constantine's conversion and the legal tolerance of Christianity in the Roman Empire. This ended the position of Christians as a small, persecuted group, leading to the rise of nominal Christianity within the Church. In response, many who wished to maintain the intensity of the earliest years of Christian life fled to the desert to fast and pray, free from the fragmenting influence of the world. The end of persecution also meant that martyrdom was no longer as common, and so asceticism as a form of living martyrdom came to be pursued.
Ss. Anthony and Pachomius were early monastic founders in Egypt, although Paul of Thebes is the very first Christian historically known to have been living as a monk. Orthodoxy also looks to Basil the Great as a founding monastic legislator, as well as the example of the Desert Fathers. St. Benedict of Nursia, who based his own Rule on that of St. Basil, is often credited with being the father of Western monasticism.
From a very early time there were probably individuals who lived a life in isolation—hermits—in imitation of Jesus' 40 days in the desert. They have left no confirmed archaeological traces and only hints in the written record. St. Anthony of Egypt lived as a hermit and developed a following of other hermits who lived nearby but not in community with him. On the other hand, Paul of Thebes lived not very far from Anthony in absolute solitude, and was looked upon even by Anthony as a perfect monk. (When St. Anthony first encountered him, he came away from the experience saying, "Woe is me, my children, a sinful and false monk, who am a monk in name only. I have seen Elijah, I have seen John the Baptist in the desert, and I have seen Paul—in Paradise!") This variety of monasticism is called eremitic ("hermit-like").
St. Pachomius the Great, a follower of Anthony, also acquired a following; he chose to mould them into a community in which the monks lived in individual huts or rooms—cells (from Greek κελλια)—but worked, ate, and worshipped in shared space. This method of monastic organization is called cenobitic ("community-based"). Most monastic life is cenobitic in nature. The head of a monastery came to be known by the word for "Father" in Syriac, Abba—in English, Abbot.
Eventually, a pattern came to be established for some rare monks, having been formed in the communal life, to leave the cenobitic context and undertake the eremetic life. To attempt it without this prior formation is often considered to be spiritual suicide, frequently leading one to fall into prelest, spiritual delusion.
The place of monasticism in society
Beginning in Egypt (with such saints as Anthony the Great and Paul of Thebes) and spreading to the Middle East and then Europe, monasticism became a central aspect of life during the western Middle Ages and the high period of the Roman ("Byzantine") Empire in the East. The first non-Roman area to adopt the system was Ireland, which developed a unique form closely linked to traditional clan relations, a system that later spread to other parts of Europe, especially France.
The golden age of Christian monasticism lasted from about the eighth to the twelfth centuries. The monasteries became an essential part of society, often acting to unify liturgical practice and clarify doctrinal disputes. The monasteries also attracted many of the best people in society and during this period the monasteries were the central storehouses and producers of knowledge.
In the West, the system broke down in the eleventh and twelfth centuries as religion began to change. Religion became far less a preserve of the religious elite. This was closely linked to the rise of mendicant orders such as the Franciscan friars, who were dedicated to spreading the word in public, not in closed monasteries. Religious behavior changed as common people began to take communion and actively participate in religion. The growing pressure of the nation states and monarchies also threatened the wealth and power of the orders. Finally, after Vatican II in Rome, "religious" orders saw a massive exodus of members, and many monastics left off wearing the traditional garb of their orders. On the whole, monasticism is in severe decline in the Roman Catholic Church. Nevertheless, monasticism is still reflected strongly in western culture. Modern universities have attempted to ape Christian monasticism in a number of ways. Even in the New World where monasticism has never been a standard part of societal life, universities are built in the Gothic style of twelfth century monasteries. Communal meals, dormitory residences, elaborate rituals and dress all borrow heavily from the monastic tradition.
In the East, monasticism continued to thrive even after the Great Schism of the eleventh century, becoming a touchstone and unifying center for Christians in the declining Roman Empire, even after the Fall of Constantinople.
Orthodox monasticism today
Today monasticism remains an important and vital part of the Orthodox Christian faith, and major monastic centers such as Mount Athos and St. Catherine's Monastery (Sinai) are seeing a revival both in terms of the numbers of monks coming to take up the life and in terms of the intensity of the life being led. Pilgrims are also becoming more and more frequent, and rebuilding of many ancient centers of monasticism is moving forward at a high rate.
Monastic clergy
Christian monasticism is in itself a lay order, originally not having clergy as a standard part of the community (thus, monks relied on local parishes for sacramental life). However, if the monastery were isolated in the desert, as were many of the Egyptian communities, that inconvenience compelled monasteries either to take in priest members, to have their abbot ordained, or to have other members ordained. A priest-monk is called a hieromonk, and is now generally considered a standard part of cenobitic monastic life. Monastic deacons are also fairly common, and they are referred to as hierodeacons.
In many cases in Orthodoxy, when a bishopric needs to be filled, suitable candidates are found from nearby monasteries. Since many priests are married (before being ordained to the priesthood), but bishops are required to be celibate, monasteries are a good source of celibate men who are also spiritually mature and generally possessing the other qualities desired in a bishop. Numerous saints from the Church's tradition are examples of this practice.
Monastic grades
When one desiring the monastic life enters a monastery, he or she normally passes through three steps or stages:
- Probationer - Novice, Riasaphor
- Monk of the Lesser Schema - Cross-bearer, Stavrophore
- Monk of the Great Schema - Russian Skhimnik
See also
External links
- Monasticism in the Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Maximos (Aghiorgoussis) of Pittsburgh
- Orthodox Monasticism (Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raska and Prizren)
- The Ascetic Ideal and the New Testament by Fr. Georges Florovsky
- Orthodox Monasteries Worldwide Directory


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● Main Stone: genuine peridot, measures 6mm*8mm, about 1.7ct
● Accent Stone: CZ or none
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Barton Perreira
BP Esky
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Cultivate fascination and intrigue in this reimagined distinguished style. Intricately designed in delicately etched filigree titanium surrounded by thin acetate in timeless classic colors.
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1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.


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A 3.5% Buyer's Premium will be added to the final Sales Price. All applicable taxes will be assessed based on the sum of the sales price and buyer's premium.
- has poly bottom wear guards
- lateral tilt
There are no bids for the lot at this time
Farm & construction equipment, trucks, trailers, ATVs, UTVs, RVs, lawn mowers, livestock equipment & large shop equipment. Bidding opens Saturday, July 29th. All items sell regardless of price at online auction.
This is an online only auction, no live auction will be held.
All items sell as is, where is with any and all faults or flaws. Items sell with no warranty stated or implied. Items have not been tested by the auction company unless it is stated in the item description. An item listed as "runs and drives" only means the item's engine started and drove forward and backward on our yard and was not tested by our company in an extensive manor. If there are obvious mechanical flaws we may point them out if we see them, but we do not test every function of every item. Bidders are strongly encouraged to come test and inspect the items themselves.
Bids once placed cannot be retracted! Please read all descriptions and make sure you are prepared to complete the transaction before placing any bids!
Auction closing: The auction will begin closing at 9:30 AM Central Time on Saturday, August 19th, 2023. The first item will begin to close at 9:30 AM Central time and an item will close every 30 seconds after that. The closing time of a lot will be automatically extended by 2 minutes whenever a bid is placed within the last 2 minutes on that lot.
Close groups/linked lots: Some items in this auction are part of a closing group. Items in a closing group can be identified by the words "Close Group #" shown on the lot tile of that item in the catalog. At the close of auction the clocks on the lots in close groups will extend together, if extended bidding occurs on any of those lots in the group to allow bidders to bid on any of the lots during the close. None of the lots in the close group will close until all lots in the close group stop receiving bids. This is very similar to selling "choice" in a live auction. For you as a bidder, a close group can help you when you are interested in one of several items that are in a close group by allowing you to bid aggressively on the item in that group you like the most. Once you've exceeded the most you want to pay for the item in the group you like the most, you can then shift your bidding to one of the other items in the same group if you choose to as the bidding will still be open on the other items in the group.
Item inspection: Bidders will be able to inspect and view items at 4177 HWY V V, Berger, MO 63014 on:
- Monday through Friday from 8-4 while the auction is open for bidding
- Saturdays from 8-noon while the auction is open for bidding
It is highly recommended that bidders inspect the items in person.
Winning bidders may pick their items up on:
- Monday, August 21st through Friday, August 25th from 8 AM until 5 PM
- Saturday, August 26th from 8 AM until 1 PM
- Monday, August 28th through Friday, September 1st from 8 AM until 4 PM
- Saturday, September 2nd from 8 AM until Noon
- ALL ITEMS MUST BE REMOVED WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE CLOSE OF THE AUCTION! Any items still in our yard after 14 days from the close of auction will incur a $20 per day storage charge per item. Any items still in our yard by the beginning of the next auction will be automatically re-consigned to the next auction regardless of payment status.
Item pick up location: 4177 HWY V V, Berger, MO 63014, auction company will have staff and telehandlers on site to assist buyers with loading. Please note that we also have a 48" tall dock and a 30" tall dock.
All items sell regardless of price, there are no reserves or minimum bids.
Shipping: Schneider Auctioneers LLC WILL NOT offer shipping for this auction, we do however have a shipping broker we recommend. Please call Caleb Johnson with Medallion Transport at 419-610-7081. The buyer is responsible for negotiating, arranging and paying for shipping.
Age requirement: All bidders must be at least 18 years of age to purchase.
Buyer's premium: a 3.5% buyer's premium will be added to each purchase. Example: If you bid $100.00, you will be charged $103.50 at check out.
Payment: Buyer is responsible for making payment in full within (7) seven days of the close of the auction. Payment must be made in full before auction items will be released to the buyer or their shipper. We do not automatically charge your card on file at the end of the auction as we do allow buyers to pay in person at the time buyer picks up their auction purchases. All items must be paid for in full by Saturday, August 26th at 1 PM, NO EXCEPTIONS! Schneider Auctioneers LLC reserves the right to charge the credit card on file up to the total purchase price if the purchaser does not pay their invoice in full by Saturday, August 26th at 1 PM.
Forms of payment accepted:
- New buyers (buyers that have not purchased from us before) that spend over $5,000 must pay by bank wire transfer or cash. We will email you our bank wire transfer information after the auction is completely closed.
- Bank wire transfers
- Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express with a 3% convenience fee are accepted for invoices up to $5,000
- Cash
- Personal or business check, checks over $5,000 are not accepted from new bidders
- Full payment must be made when items are picked up or before you send your shipper
- Title & possession of auction items does not pass to bidder until item/items are paid for in full according to our payment terms above
Sales tax: Some items being sold in this auction (items that do not qualify for the agriculture sales tax exemption) require sales tax of 6.975% to be charged and will be noted as such in their description. Titled vehicles may require sales tax to be charged at the time of registration in the buyer's licensing jurisdiction.
Vehicle safety & emissions inspections: All vehicles in this auction sell as is without any safety or emissions inspections. Any inspections required by the buyer's home state are the sole responsibility of the buyer. The seller of the vehicle nor the auction company make any guarantees as to the ability of any vehicle to pass a safety or emissions inspection.
Titled vehicle title assignment & sales tax: Titles must be assigned to either an individual or company at the time the vehicle is paid for and picked up. Schneider Auctioneers LLC will not distribute titles with open assignments. The buyer of any item in this auction that has a title will be responsible for paying sales tax in their home licensing jurisdiction upon registration if applicable. The auction company does not collect any sales tax on titled items. The sale price appearing on title assignment and the Missouri bill of sale is the total purchase price paid. Purchase price is paid = winning bid price + buyer's premium.
Title & possession of auction items: Title and possession of any and all auction items does not pass to the purchaser until all of the items purchased in this auction y the purchaser are paid for in full by the purchaser.
Sellers of items in this auction are strictly prohibited from bidding on their own items or having someone else bid on or buy back their items. If Seller attempts to bid on or buy back their own items or colludes with someone else to run up the price, the Auction Company has the right to void the bids placed. In addition, the rate of commission for all the Seller's items in the auction will double, and the Seller (along with anyone colluding with the Seller) will be prohibited from doing business with Schneider Auctioneers LLC as a buyer or seller in all future auctions. At the Auction Companies discretion, it may decide to remove all of Seller's items from the auction.
Warranty and condition of items sold: All items are sold 'AS IS, WHERE IS, with NO WARRANTY expressed or implied. It is the responsibility of the buyer to determine the condition of the items before bidding and bid accordingly. Descriptions are believed to be accurate but not guaranteed. When you are not certain of the condition or use of an item please bid accordingly. The Auction Company does not test every function of every item, but put potential bidders are welcome to come and test the item in person themselves.
Catalog discrepancies: You are bidding on the described item not the photograph, occasionally the wrong photo may be displayed, always read the item description.
The Auction Company reserves the right to add or remove items from the auction. The Auction Company reserves the right to cancel, suspend, extend or reschedule an individual item and or an entire auction event or to make changes to the auction closing times or inspection or removal times.
In the event a winning bidder does not pay for their items in full by Saturday, August 26th at 1 PM, the Auction Company has the right to sell the items to a back up bidder. Additionally, the Auction Company may at their discretion permanently ban the non paying bidder from doing business with Schneider Auctioneers LLC in all future auctions.
Miscellaneous: All decisions of the Auction Company are final as to the methods of bidding, disputes among bidders, increments of bidding and any other matters that may arise before, during, or after the auction. Auction Company reserves the right to deny any person the right to participate in the auction for any reason, or to ban anyone from the auction who attempts to disrupt it.
Personal and property risk: Persons attending during preview, sale or removal of goods assume all risks of damage of or loss to person(s) and property and specifically release and hold harmless the Auction Company, Auction Staff and Seller from liability or other recourse, therefore neither the Auction Company, nor the Seller shall be liable by reason of any defect in or condition of the premises on which the sale is held.
Auction Company at their discretion may ban any bidders from participating in this or future auctions that do not abide by these terms and conditions or is a detriment to the auction process in any way.
Server & Software Technical Issues: In the event there are technical difficulties related to the server, software or any other online auction-related technologies, Schneider Auctioneers, LLC reserves the right to extend bidding, continue the bidding, or close the bidding. NEITHER THE COMPANY PROVIDING THE SOFTWARE NOR SCHNEIDER AUCTIONEERS, LLC SHALL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A MISSED BID OR THE FAILURE OF THE SOFTWARE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY FOR ANY REASON. Email notifications will be sent to registered bidders with updated information as deemed necessary by Schneider Auctioneers, LLC.
Berger, Missouri 63014
United States
Winning bidders may pick their items up on:
- Monday, August 21st through Friday, August 25th from 8 AM until 5 PM
- Saturday, August 26th from 8 AM until 1 PM
- Monday, August 28th through Friday, September 1st from 8 AM until 4 PM
- Saturday, September 2nd from 8 AM until Noon
- ALL ITEMS MUST BE REMOVED WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE CLOSE OF THE AUCTION! Any items still in our yard after 14 days from the close of auction will incur a $20 per day storage charge per item. Any items still in our yard by the beginning of the next auction will be automatically re-consigned to the next auction regardless of payment status.
Item pick up location: 4177 HWY V V, Berger, MO 63014, auction company will have staff and telehandlers on site to assist buyers with loading. Please note that we also have a 48" tall dock and a 30" tall dock.


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A blog written and sourced by Keeping Current Matters.
If you're a prospective buyer or seller, it's important to understand the current real estate market conditions and how they affect you. The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) just released its Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate report. Here are three hot topics from the list and how they impact today's housing market.
Technology Acceleration and Innovation
The past year ushered in many changes to the real estate industry, especially when it comes to technology. The CRE report elaborates on this:
"Lockdown-driven changes in our work, in the economy, in social structures, and in our personal behavior have pushed our reluctance aside. The acceleration and adoption of technology during the pandemic has impacted everything, and real estate is no exception."
For real estate, innovations like digital documentation, virtual tours, and video chat enable agents to connect with clients no matter their location. These options are ideal for prospective buyers and sellers who aren't local to the area or those that need the added flexibility signing documents online or doing virtual tours provide. That's why many trusted real estate advisors will continue to use these technologies moving forward to best serve their clients.
Remote Work and Mobility
Working from home became the reality for many individuals during the pandemic, and the latest list from the CRE identified remote work and mobility as an important influence on the real estate market. As the report notes:
"…the pandemic universally caused a movement away from urban cores, particularly for those with higher incomes who could afford to move and for lower-income individuals seeking lower costs of living. Most of these relocations remained within their original region—84%—and, while some are returning, it is unknown as to the permanence of these movements or whether they represent a true urban exodus."
With the added mobility remote work offers, where people are moving and where they can ultimately purchase a home is less dependent on a physical office location. This newfound flexibility is giving remote workers the opportunity to move to more affordable areas and buy more home for their money.
Housing Supply and Affordability
Finally, the limited supply of houses for sale and the related affordability challenges also makes CRE's list of key factors this year:
"According to the National Association of Realtors®, the state of America's housing inventory is dire, with a chronic shortage of affordable and available homes needed to support the nation's population."
There is good news. Homes are still more affordable than they have been historically thanks to today's low mortgage rates. And while housing supply is still low, we're seeing steady increases in the number of homes coming to market, which gives hope to homebuyers. As the supply of homes for sale improves, buyers will have more options.
Bottom Line
New technology, remote work, housing supply, and home affordability are key factors in the housing market right now for both buyers and sellers. If you want to better understand how these topics can impact you, let's connect today.


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Brand: Motorsport Traditions
1996 Sabco Racing Puffer Jacket (L)
Condition: Very good vintage condition.
Colour: Blue, red, yellow.
Era: 1990s.
Please be aware that all vintage items will usually show a few signs of wear or fading due to age, but anything visible such as stains or holes will be noted. For any further information on this item please use the contact form and we will be happy to help.
Label size: N/a.
Recommended size: Large.
Pit to pit: 25".
Length of back: 27.5".
How much does shipping cost?
Royal Mail Standard: from £3.00
Royal Mail Express: from £4.20
Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed: from £10.00
Royal Mail International Tracked: from £15.00
Rest of World
Royal Mail Tracked & Signed: from £18.00
Royal Mail International Tracked: from £20.00
How long will my order take?
Royal Mail Standard: 2-4 working days
Royal Mail Express: 1-2 working days
Royal Mail International Tracked: 3-7 working days
Rest of the World
Royal Mail International Tracked: 3-9 working days
Please note customers will be responsible for any applicable import duties & taxes.
How can I pay for my order?
We accept all major credit cards including Visa, Maestro, MasterCard and American Express. We also accept PayPal and Klarna as a form of payment. When you choose 'Pay Later Klarna' as a payment method at checkout, you have up to 14 days to pay Klarna for your order. Full details for Klarna can be found here.
Can I return an item?
Yes, absolutely. See our returns page here.
*Please be aware that shipping rates are calculated by weight, so these rates may be more at checkout. If you require any further information please contact us here.
If you wish to return your order it must be sent back to us within 14 days of arrival to you, that is 14 days after it has arrived at your address. All items can be returned and issued with a refund or a credit note, provided they arrive at our address within 14 days of receipt, 21 days for international orders. Items sent back after that period will not be eligible for return. All returns will be processed upon arrival of the returned goods.
All items must be unused and in the same condition as you received them with the 97th Vintage swing tag still attached, if they are removed then the return will be void. Any goods returned to us in an unsuitable condition will not be eligible for a refund and will be returned to sender.
To process your return, please email firstname.lastname@example.com stating your full name, order number and reason for return so that we can process the return immediately.
Please send all returns via tracked mail as we cannot be held responsible for any lost items.


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Though many advances have been made in the field of dentistry, loss of teeth is still an ongoing problem. In the United States, 26% of adults between the ages of sixty-five and seventy-five have lost all of their teeth. Currently, there are a number of options available for people who have lost their teeth. One of the most versatile and affordable is a set of removable dentures.
Standard full dentures are dentures that comprise a full set of upper and lower teeth. This type of denture uses suction to stay in place. They are made of a pliable material which makes suction easy. However, it is for this reason that standard full dentures require routine visits to the dentist. Being pliable, the dentures are susceptible to shrinkage, thus creating an ill-fitting prosthetic that can result in the atrophy of the jawbone.
Partial dentures are dentures that replace only a limited number of teeth, not an entire set. Partial dentures are a single piece fitting that is supported by the remaining teeth and gums. They are much more secure than standard full dentures and are more comfortable.
Cosmetic dentures, as you can imagine, are made to look as natural as possible. Unlike standard dentures that use a heat curing process which leads to dentures that become ill-fitting over time, cosmetic dentures are made from a special acrylic base that eliminates the possibility of the denture shrinking and warping.
Furthermore, some cosmetic dentures achieve a natural appearance through the use of implants. Implants are installed in the mouth so that the dentures have something to hold onto. The cosmetic denture will either rest on or snap onto the implant. What this does is allow the denture to stay in place without the chance of it moving around, which makes the denture more comfortable than a standard one.
Loss of teeth and expensive treatment options don't have to prevent you from continuing to lead a healthy and happy life. Removable dentures are a suitable course of treatment for many people. You deserve to give yourself the best treatment possible. If you live in or around Union City and need a consultation for dentures, give us a call today.
We are conveniently located located at the heart of Union City and serving areas of Fremont, Union city, Newark, Milpitas, Hayward, San Leandro and Castro valley.
Mon 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Tue 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Wed 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Thu Closed
Fri 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Sat 8:00AM – 4:00PM
Sun Closed


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Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian denomination with 7 million practicing members [1] worldwide.
The group is well known for their door-to-door preaching, non-participation in politics (i.e. not voting), objection to war and military action, and refusal to accept blood transfusions.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that blood is a sacred representation of life and that God forbids its use for purposes other than atonement for sin (sacrifice). They have thus forbidden their followers from eating meat from which the blood has not been drained, food products containing blood, and from receiving blood transfusions, regardless of its medical necessity and of the consequences to their life or health.
Specifically, they are directly forbidden from willingly accepting a transfusion of stored whole blood, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma, on penalty of excommunication and the threat of God's disfavor. Preoperative extraction followed by postoperative re-transfusion of their own blood is also disallowed, though certain intraoperative re-transfusion procedures (such as salvage) are allowed. Organ and bone marrow transplants are discouraged as well, though the final decision is left to the individual. Those choosing to follow discouraged actions are often informally ostracized.
They are directed to follow their own personal conscience in deciding to use other components of blood, or other products derived from or produced in blood (such as antivenins).
One of the controversial aspects of their refusal to accept blood transfusions is in that, against the advice of their doctors and surgeons, they often hold their critically ill minor children to the same rule, who are themselves not mature enough to decide to follow the belief willfully.
In some cases, the religion threatens parents with excommunication, demanding they prevent their child from being given a blood transfusion. In this situation, the parents are generally charged with negligence, and the children become wards of the state. Witnesses have been known to kidnap these children in order to allow them to die, rather than accept life-saving treatment. Parents who refuse to cooperate with the plot to return the children are again threatened with excommunication.
Jehovah's Witnesses claim that, while most churches count their membership by total annual or occasional attendance, they count their membership only by active participation in their ministry. Their membership numbers do not include children too young to participate officially, new members not yet qualified to participate, ex-members, or occasional members who do not submit monthly reports of time spent in the ministry.
While this is perhaps technically true, the statistics made available by the Jehovah's Witness organization are not limited to active membership alone. The statistics emphasized to members of the religion include:
- The number of active Witnesses submitting monthly ministry reports.
- The average number of studies of the Bible being conducted weekly.
- The annual attendance at the observation of the Last Supper.
Notably, the number of Bible studies quoted in the report includes parents formally teaching their children, and the observation of the Last Supper includes anyone who attends.
It is difficult to assess actual worldwide membership of Jehovah's Witnesses, given that none of the statistics provided specify usual or even annual church attendance.
The practice of Excommunication, known among Witnesses as "disfellowshipping" and to some as "shunning", is used as punishment for breaking the tenets of the religion.
Members are prohibited from speaking to excommunicated members of the church, even when the outcast person is a member of their immediate family. Speaking regularly to an excommunicated person is itself a basis for excommunication, though more often (especially in the case of family) the penalty is exclusion from holding leadership positions and from some church activities.
Some exceptions are allowed where regularly speaking with the excommunicated person is required for other reasons, such as between married couples, for the care of minor children, child visitation and financial support, and for shared financial ventures and businesses.
Though an exception is made for existing business ties, the church discourages continuing such ties except as required by law.
Racial prejudice[]
During the early 20th Century Jehovah's Witnesses saw black people as inferior. Black people it was believed had the curse of Ham in their hearts and were fit to be servants. Black people could get spiritual benefits by staying meek and accepting their inferior status. Black people were not encouraged to feel good about being black, rather they should hope to become white. As a special blessing black Jehovah's Witnesses might become white through God's intervention. Black people were uneducated and therefore would not benefit from the tracts and reading material supplied to white congregations.
Prejudice is much less evident in the 21st Century though few Black people have reached the highest administrative levels of the Watchtower. There are suspicions that Hispanics are today considered too uneducated to benefit from intellectual reading material. [2]
Controversies About Jehovah's Witnesses[]
Cult Practices[]
A cult is popularly defined as an individual or organization which employs intensive methods to control behavior, thinking, and emotions of its followers. Included in these methods are isolating the group from standard social interaction and limiting the information available to the group.
While this can apply to many religious groups to some degree, it is not commonly applied to call a religion a cult unless the behavioral control results in harm to the members.
An example of this type of behavioral control within the Jehovah's Witness religion is requiring members isolate themselves from social interactions outside the religion, and then excommunicating ones who do not follow their tenets. The harm caused by this isolation is in that subsequent excommunication causes an almost total collapse of that person's social support structure.
Another example of harm is in their policy forbidding blood transfusions, and their limiting and misrepresenting information about them. This policy has often resulted in the death of the member or a member's child who refused to have (or was prevented from having) a transfusion.
Due to these methods of control being employed and the result sometimes being harm to the members, some consider the Jehovah's Witness religion to be a cult. The Ex-Cult Resource Center considers the Jehovah's Witnesses a cult and has material on them.
Most holidays are of either religious or political origin, which Witnesses consider idolatrous worship of either a false god or the state, respectively. Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate any secular or religious holidays, save the Last Supper and sometimes wedding anniversaries.
Birthdays are officially viewed as a form of idolatry, and the common American custom (getting really drunk at your friends' expense, which is great) contrary to scriptural principles. The celebration of birthdays is therefore expressly disallowed.
However, what a celebration consists of is not explicitly defined by the Jehovah's Witness organization. Some members do celebrate their or their kids' birthday surreptitiously in some deniable or explicable way.
Christmas is considered by Witnesses to be a celebration of mostly pagan origin, observed on a date and in a way that coincides with (and they believe is rooted in) several pagan rituals.
These beliefs are coupled with their belief that birthday celebrations are idolatrous anyway, so they do not celebrate Christmas and generally consider it one of the more abhorrent holidays.
Belief in the pagan origin of Christmas customs and questioning the celebration date is not unique to Jehovah's Witnesses. At least some of the customs thereof are factually pagan [pagan in the sense that they have non-Christian roots], and Christmas as a whole seems to be the evolution of the winter festivals and practices of several cultures and religions. Many post-reformation Christian movements condemn Christmas as an un-Christian holiday.
Easter Easter is seen as especially abhorrent because the Witnesses view it as a perversion of the Last Supper.
Wedding Anniversaries
It is perfectly acceptable for Witnesses to celebrate wedding anniversaries. The idolatrous aspects of admiring and giving gifts to someone on the yearly anniversary of their birth do not apply to admiring and giving gifts to a married couple on the yearly anniversary of their wedding.
Adapted from Iron Chariots


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An #AsoEbiBella is a wedding guest {bella} looking stunning in aso-ebi the fabric/colors of the day, at a traditional engagement or wedding.
How To Submit:
Step 1: Visit www.asoebibella.com. Sign up using your preferred username and password.
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Here are a few styles we love.
Source: BellaNaija


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What is electrical stimulation?
While it may sound a bit intimidating, electrical stimulation really isn't at all! When used correctly and provided under the guidance of a licensed and skilled physical therapist, electrical stimulation is a safe and efficacious modality that can be used to treat a variety of conditions.
While individual units and modes of delivery can vary, the standard electrical stimulation device utilizes self-adhesive electrodes placed around the target treatment area on the body. These electrodes are connected via wire leads to the unit, through which electricity can pass and ultimately interact with sensory and/or motor nerves (depending on the type of current utilized).
What is electrical stimulation used for in physical therapy?
There are several electrical stimulation modes that use different types of currents intended to stimulate different nerves in a variety of specific ways. These include modes such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), interferential, pre-modulated, Russian, and symmetrical or asymmetrical bi-phasic. Don't let the words confuse you, though. Your physical therapist will decide the right one to meet your unique needs.
Our clinic frequently utilizes electrical stimulation in order to provide a variety of beneficial healing effects, including:
- Reduce, eliminate, and/or control pain (both acute and chronic)
- Increase local circulation
- Decrease swelling
- Improve range of motion
- Reduce muscle spasm
- Provide biofeedback (aka improve body awareness)
- Improve motor coordination
- Provide neuromuscular re-education
- Prevent or reverse muscle atrophy (especially after prolonged immobilization, such as a limb being casted as a fracture heals)
Pain control and reduction is probably the most frequent indication of electrical stimulation usage. Specifically, this modality can trigger an innate and completely natural analgesic effect by stimulating specific sensory nerve fibers (including A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers) which both disrupt or decrease the sensation of pain and also elicit the release of certain neurotransmitters which can prolong the pain-relieving effects.
While it's not for everyone (including people with deep vein thrombosis, people who are pregnant, people with pacemakers, and people with impaired cognition) or safe to use on every body area (including on the anterior neck, eyes, or over areas with damaged skin or decreased sensation), electrical stimulation can be used for a wide variety of conditions as indicated, including acute sports-related or auto accident-related injuries, repetitive stress injuries, muscle strains, ligament sprains, and even neurological conditions including stroke.
Does electrical muscle stimulation hurt?
The intensity of the electrical muscle stimulation or sensory nerve stimulation is easily modifiable and ultimately will only be as much as you, the patient, can tolerate. Typically, electrical stimulation will feel tingly or prickly (some patients describe it as a comforting "pins and needles" sensation). Sometimes, as in the case when used for muscle strengthening, the intensity level can be high and somewhat uncomfortable, but it should never cause pain.
What should I expect during an electrical stimulation session?
Our patients' comfort, safety, and dignity are the number one priority. For this reason, we'll ask you to come in comfortable loose-fitting clothes and sturdy shoes when you come to see us for an appointment.
At your initial consultation, expect to be taken through a thorough patient history questionnaire (we'll ask questions about your current, past, and family medical history) and physical examination. Your physical therapist will be able to diagnose your condition and then devise an appropriate treatment plan to meet your unique needs.
If your physical therapist decides that electrical stimulation is an appropriate part of your plan of care, he or she will first educate you about the specific modality. You'll be asked to sit or lie in a comfortable position, your skin in the target treatment area will be cleaned and prepped, and your PT will guide you step-by-step through the entire treatment.
Expect great results!
Are you interested in trying electrical stimulation? Wondering if it can help your pain or dysfunction? Our physical therapy services, including electrical stimulation and other modalities, are evidenced-based, state-of-the-art, effective, and have minimal to no risk of side effects. Come experience the difference and call today at Stevensville, St Joseph and Benton Harbor, MI center to schedule an initial appointment.


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People are living longer and that means more time and savings will be spent in retirement. If you need a tax-deferred product to provide a guaranteed1 stream of income for life 2 or a specified number of years, it might be worth considering a fixed annuity. An annuity is a contract between an insurance company and an annuity owner. In exchange for a purchase payment, or series of payments, the insurance company guarantees1 to pay a stream of income in the future.
There are two types of annuities—Immediate and Deferred.
Immediate Annuities
An immediate annuity is usually purchased with a single premium and begins a stream of income within the first 12 months from the date of issue. You decide when payments will begin within that period and how long to receive income.
- Immediate Fixed Annuity
An immediate fixed annuity provides a guaranteed and predictable stream of income during the payout period.
Deferred Annuities
A deferred annuity is specifically designed to help accumulate assets for retirement. It also offers the ability to turn those assets into a guaranteed stream of income at some point in the future. You decide when payments begin and how long to receive income.
- Deferred Fixed Annuity
A deferred fixed annuity earns interest during the contract's accumulation period. The interest rates are set by the issuing company and are guaranteed not to be lower than the minimum guaranteed interest rate shown in the contract. A contract's accumulated assets can be converted into a guaranteed stream of income for the future.
1 Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing company.
2 One would need to annuitize and select a lifetime payout option in order to receive income they can't outlive.
Annuities do not provide any additional tax advantage when used to fund a qualified plan. You should consider buying an annuity to fund a qualified plan for the annuity's additional features, such as lifetime income payments and death benefit protection.


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Vision therapy, which is also known as vision training or visual training, is an individualized treatment program that can help identify and correct perceptual-cognitive deficiencies that are impacting visual learning, focus, and concentration.
Vision Therapy for Children: Checklist
While individuals of all ages can benefit from vision therapy, it may be especially helpful for young children with learning disabilities. Vision deficits can cause eyestrain, blurred or double vision, and headaches that make it difficult to stay focused while reading, maintain attention in the classroom or focus on close work. Vision therapy can help correct these visual deficits. With vision therapy, children are better positioned to achieve their full academic potential in the classroom.
Could your child benefit from vision therapy? Use this checklist as a guide.
- Your child turns or tilts his head to see
- Your child's head is frequently tilted to one side or one shoulder is noticeably higher
- Your child has poor hand-eye coordination, which may be evident in poor handwriting, motor coordination, etc.
- Your child has problems moving through space and frequently drops objects or bumps into things
- Your child holds a book or object unusually close
- Your child closes one eye or covers the eye with his/her hand
- Your child omits or confuses small words when reading
- Your child reverses words when reading (e.g., "no" for "on") or transposes numbers (e.g., "21" for "12")
- Your child complains frequently of headaches, eyestrain, nausea, dizziness and/or motion sickness
If your child exhibits one or more of these behaviors, schedule them for a comprehensive vision exam.
Vision Therapy for Adults: Checklist
Vision therapy is beneficial for adults who may have difficult focusing on work or reading due to untreated vision disorders. Vision therapy addresses vision problems that include amblyopia ("lazy eye"), strabismus, binocular vision problems, eye movement disorders, and accommodative (focusing) disorders.
Could you or a loved one benefit from vision therapy?
- One eye drifts or aims in a different direction than the other
- You frequently experience headaches or eyestrain while reading, writing or typing
- You skip lines or words when reading or copying
- You substitute words when reading or copying
- You need to use a finger or marker to keep place while reading or writing
- You squint, close or cover one eye while reading
- You tilt your head in an unusual posture while reading or writing
- Your eyes "hurt" or feel especially tired at the end of the work day
- You experience vision blurs at a distance when looking up from near work
- One eye sees more clearly, even with glasses on
- You struggle with hand-eye coordination activities, like playing softball
If you or an adult under your care exhibits one of more of the symptoms, schedule a comprehensive vision exam.


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The unisex heavy cotton t-shirt is the basic staple of any wardrobe. It is the foundation upon which casual fashion grows. All it needs is a personalized design to elevate things to profitability. The specialty spun fibers provide a smooth surface for premium printing vividity and sharpness. No side seams mean there are no itchy interruptions under the arms. The shoulders have tape for improved durability.
Material of Prada sign T-shirt Tee
* 100% Cotton (fiber content may vary for different colors)
* Medium fabric (5.3 oz/yd² (180 g/m²))
* Classic fit
* Tear away label
* Runs true to size
Shipping Cost
* USA: $4.50 (no additional charge for second item)
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Estimated shipping times
* Item location : USA
* United States: 7-14 business days
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* Money back or replacement (buyer's choice)
* Once we have received and inspected your return, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item, as well as the approval or rejection of your refund. If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days
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Shop Prada sign T-shirt Tee with Confident : No Hassle Return – Satisfaction Guaranteed – Secure Checkout. This item will be the perfect gift you fans, friends and family.
Have a problem or have an idea for a great custom t-shirt or need to place a large quantity order? We can do that! Just contact us and let us know what you are looking to do and we'll get right back to you with a quote.


text: Disclaimer: All vehicle specifications, prices and equipment are subject to change without notice. See above for information on purchase financing and lease program expiration dates. The estimated payments may not include upfront finance charges that must be paid to be eligible for the purchase financing program used to estimate the APR and payments. Listed Annual Percentage Rates are provided for the selected purchase financing or lease programs available on the current date. Program expiration dates reflect currently announced program end dates, but these programs are subject to change at any time. Lessees will be financially responsible for mileage beyond the elected quantity and for vehicle maintenance and repairs and excessive vehicle wear. Option to purchase at lease end for an amount may be determined at lease signing. Payments may be higher in some states. You may not be able to combine other incentives with the purchase financing or leasing programs presented above. Residency restrictions may apply. See dealer for details. Listed APR, down payment, payments, incentives and other terms are estimates for example purposes only. Information provided is based on very well-qualified buyers or lessees. The payment information provided here is not a commitment by any organization to provide credit, leases or other programs. Some customers may not qualify for listed programs. Your terms may vary. Lessor must approve lease. Credit approval required. Prices and payments (including the amount down payment) do not include tax, titles, tags, emissions testing charges, or other fees required by law or lending organizations. Price includes $540 closing fee. Security deposit is waived on leases. **With approved credit. Terms may vary.


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A lack of color
Details: Rest day
Date: Feb. 17
Mileage: 24
Time: 95 minutes
Weather: Steady rain, 38 degrees, southeast wind 15-25 mph
Details: Tempo ride; intensity 65-90 percent
So today I'm going to post about two things that I don't talk about very often on my blog - writing and discontent.
I feel like I have to preface this post because I'm not going to talk about bicycle riding, trekking or training today. It's actually still somewhat humorous to me that for the past four-plus years, I have been updating what is essentially a bicycle and photo blog. I found out recently that "Up in Alaska" was nominated for a "Best Sports Blog" Bloggie for the third time (I found out too late to solicit votes, but that's OK, because I didn't stand a chance of winning against Fat Cyclist and BikeSnobNYC anyway.) But, yeah, I have a sports blog. This idea still makes me giggle. And photography! I was essentially anti-photograph four and a half years ago, the kind of person who put her hand in front of her face when cameras came out and had only recently acquired a 2-megapixel Fuji digital camera because I was moving to Alaska and "you have to take photos of Alaska." No, if you asked me on Nov. 3, 2005, what I wanted to do with a personal blog, I would have said that I wanted to be a writer, without the drudgery of actually pursuing a career in writing.
Fast-forward four and a half years. Now I have a sports and photo blog with more than 1,000 posts and I spend some of my free time writing creative nonfiction that I develop in the form of books. Right now I'm in the process of finishing up the "2009 story." I've been polishing up the chapters I've written and for the most part I'm pretty happy with them - even the stuff I wrote while I had the flu, when I managed to evoke more than a few, ah, interesting metaphors (chalk that one up to Nyquil.) I really only have one more chapter to actually write, and I've been avoiding it. I pretty much know exactly what I want to do with this chapter; the reason I've avoided writing it is because I don't want this project to end. Oh sure, there's still tons of editing to do, and that horrible, laborious process of trying to get the thing published (I still haven't decided whether or not I'm going to try, to be honest.) But once Chapter 24 is actually written, that's it. The creative development that has provided me so much satisfaction will be done. There won't be any more opportunities to wholly immerse myself in words and images and shimmering pieces of the past until the present me, the one sprawled out on a bed in a dark little room in Fritz Cove, doesn't even exist anymore.
And this is the part where I want to talk about discontent. A vague restlessness has been needling at my senses ever since I stepped off the ferry on July 16 to rebuild my life in Juneau. This restlessness has been pronounced enough that I haven't tried very hard to actually rebuild my life here. I lived fully homeless until I finally rented my own room in mid-September (not an apartment, a room.) I've pushed away from or been unceremoniously pushed out of every new relationship I started. I won't even buy myself new hiking shoes or a trekking backpack - things I really, really need - because some mental block is preventing me from "accumulating stuff." And I have been surviving rather than thriving at work - mostly because I work at a newspaper in a bad economy; surviving is the most we can do. Meanwhile, I keep trying to do the things I love. I go to the mountains. I ride my bike. On rare nights off work, I go to parties and see movies. Life is still very good, very beautiful and very blessed. But something is missing. Something is definitely missing. I don't know what it is. If I was looking for an, ah, interesting metaphor, I would say that my life is like a half-eaten grapefruit. On the surface it's still whole and dimpled and delicious, but I've already mined the juicy center and what I have left on the inside is somewhat ... hollow.
I am happy when I'm in the mountains. I am happy when I ride my bicycle. I am happy in the company of friends. But if someone were to ask me that ever-vague question, "Are you happy?," my honest answer would be "no."
And I am blogging about this now just because it feels cathartic to admit it. I'm not necessarily looking for life coaching, although I always enjoy the random life-coach advice I receive (unsolicited comments are definitely the best part about keeping a blog, even if it can't be an "Award-Winning Blog" because it always gets stuck in the dang Sports Blog category.) But it is becoming obvious to me that I need to do something different. Make some kind of change. As they say, "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got."
I don't know what the solutions might be. They're as distant and daunting as the Great Divide, as close and uncomfortable as the prospect of finishing my book. My plan is to spend a lot of time in the mountains this weekend, thinking about it. I'm going to think about it.
50 comments:
- LeyonceFebruary 18, 2010 at 3:19 AM
I must say you have some awesome accomplishments that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about. Hope you find answers on your mountain trip.
ReplyDelete I wish you well on your journey and hope that you in some way find the answers you are looking for.
Advice...Change is good and sooner is better than later. You are young so do it now, don't wait 20+ years because it only gets more difficult.
On the lighter side...You looked really good with those Canadian Rockies in the background, hey! I also felt that the photos complimented your blog quite nicely.
You're an amazing person Jill with some amazing accomplishments. You will go far in life and I know you will find what you are seeking, but maybe not in Juneau, AK.
Nigity - "Always keep a smile in your heart."- AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 3:39 AM
By your own admission, your life is good, beautiful and blessed.
But the feeling that 'something is missing' seems to be making you feel less than happy.
Perhaps, though, what is getting in the way of happiness isn't what is missing, but what is there: that feeling.
Change might be what you need, but there's no way to force it. It just happens. All the time. The only thing we can choose is how to deal with it.
My point (finally) is this: We are part of it, not the other way around. And it ain't perfect. But it sure is better than nothing.
Enjoy the mountains this weekend, and do be careful up there.
james Jill,
I know we've only spent face time together once, but I completely understand what you are going through. I felt the same way in Homer last year. I feel a bit better this year in Nigeria, but I still feel like I have no goal or destination in mind ahead of me, especially since I'm a goal and destination kind of gal.
You should come visit sometime. It's hot, bikes are not as fancy, but the photos are everywhere, and hiking is everywhere as well. Steph is here now and will be back in Juneau in April. You should ask her about her time here and considering a short fall jaunt. If not, send me your resume and I'll pass it along. I think you'd like it here, even if it was just a two week trip to the middle of nowhere Nigeria.
Thinking of you. Dreaming of snow.
http://thisnigerianlife.blogspot.com/2010/02/orks.html- AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 4:53 AM
Hi Jill, perhaps it's time to start a big, big travel by bike.
Regards from Spain - AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 6:53 AM
I would recommend you spend some time your local university library- specifically see if they have access to the Harvard Business Journal. Read the articles that discuss career paths and mapping a route to achieve your professional goals
Mary from NC - AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 7:17 AM
Like when you get writer's block trying to figure out how to write a chapter in one of your stories..Just think about this long enough and you will find the right answer to your question. So the mountains are a great idea for some serious thinking.
ReplyDelete - AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 7:21 AM
Those are deep, personal questions and it doesn't seem right to just give you advice. What I can do is tell you how I've found meaning and purpose in life. First, I should say that I relate very much to your quest for adventure and just to be in the mountains soaking in their beauty, while pushing my body to new extremes. That feels like truly living, but it never lasts. While not as exhilarating, I've found more lasting satisfaction in relationships... my wife and kids, my friends and my God. And whenever I'm tempted to worship the beauty of nature and the mountains I remind myself that it is only a reflection of God, and seeking him and the life and relationships he has for me will bring more lasting satisfaction. And I'm free to just be thankful for all of beauty I'm blessed to experience.
Brian This sounds stupid but I'm serious -- do you take vitamin D? 5000-10,000 IU/day has made me much cheerier. Our northern sun, even when it shines, isn't enough to prevent vitamin D deficiency.
It's at least worth considering. Alternatively, I am obsessing about an Annapurna trekking trip. That would cure all, yes?- AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 7:28 AM
Maybe you should try going back to church. That might be the missing link. It can't hurt and if it doesn't work out bag it.
ReplyDelete - AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 7:52 AM
Jill, you make your readers smile, laugh and envious of your endeavors. This comment may not contain any "answers", but it should indeed bring you happiness in knowing that you reach your readers in a magical sense...I look forward to reading about your self-discovery :-)
ReplyDelete - dinglearmFebruary 18, 2010 at 7:55 AM
We all have times when we need to change. What works for some people will not work for others. Unfortunately, you will have to figure it out on your own. But based on reading your blog for some time now, I have no doubt that you will figure it out. Just take us with you!
ReplyDelete I'm just some dumb 50 year old that makes donuts for a living.....but every time you've seemed really happy is when you are around family and friends.
Heck, I've never met you, so I'm hardly qualified to give you life advice but my wife and I have a daughter a couple years younger then you and I'd tell her the same thing :-)- the Pixie PedalerFebruary 18, 2010 at 9:40 AM
Hi Jill, I just recently found your blog and have been enjoying it ever since. I actually found you from a reference Fatty (fatcyclist.com) made to your blog. I wish you good luck in finding the rest of your grapefruit. Mountains are an excellent place to find answers. I've spent many days contemplating life's many daunting questions in the mountains of Colorado. My best to you and your journey. :O)
ReplyDelete - AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Few things....
1) as a practicing Roman Catholic I can tell you God loves you dont worry about it.
2) I nominated and voted for your blog. You're awesome.
3) You need to get laid
hope you find what you're looking for. - AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Tough working in what is a dying industry - it must take its toll. Corny, but I've heard people need three things to be happy - something to do (job), someone to love, and something to hope for. Your job sounds less than ideal, you haven't found a good partner(s) yet. You do have something to hope for (outdoors stuff, races, etc.), but I know from experience that without the first two, the third feels a little hollow. Maybe time to move back to the lower 48 (or Canada) - lots of cool outdoorsy towns with more economic opportunities and more eligible guys. Plus being thrown into a new environment jump starts our brain cells, and enthusiasm. Sincerely - Joe
ReplyDelete - AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Ditto the comment about Vitamin D. I thought I drank enough milk (OK, chocolate milk), but when both my wife and I screened here in Juneau for VitD level, we were astonishingly low. It took a few weeks of mega doses to catch up, and now a daily supplement, but both our energy levels and moods improved considerably.
I would modify the comment about the three things we all need... rather than "something to do (job)," I would say 'some way to give back.' I have always had a high stress job that became nearly my entire self-identity. The best thing I ever did was to act on the realization that when you put all your eggs in one basket, there will come a day when bad things happen. So I joined Capital City Fire/Rescue at age 44 and became a volunteer firefighter. Getting involved with the community and returning good to the world around me has diversified my life portfolio, and the low points never seem as low as they did before. Religion does much the same thing for some folks...
And you gotta have a partner.
Seeya in the mountains,
Ken Para ser grande, sê inteiro: nada
Teu exagera ou exclui.
Sê todo em cada coisa. Põe quanto és
No mínimo que fazes.
Assim em cada lago a lua toda
Brilha, porque alta vive
To be large, be whole; nothing
in yourself exagerate or exclude
Be whole in everything. Put as much
as you are
On the minimum you do
So shines the full moon on the lake
Shines, because high it livesI'm no psychologist, but it sounds a lot like you are suffering from depression. It might do you some good to consult with a professional.
Sorry if that was a bit blunt, but I think you have gotten enough "you're a free spirit, blah, blah, blah" comments that you should be able to handle it.
Things happen in life, somrtimes, with which we need help. You've lost your partner, been spurned by potential partners, failed to accomplish a big goal, etc. etc in the past year, or so. It might be time to look beyond yourself for help dealing with things. There is no shame in that.
Good luck with it.
JonI'm on the vitamin D train too, Jill. Dunno if it makes a difference for me, but Ben says it has restored his ability to dream (while sleeping I mean) on occasion. I received this advice from a friend recently and I pass it on, well, to be another unsolicited therapist :)
"Following your heart is the only way to find yourself anywhere the least bit interesting."
Don't know what that means to you, but I get the impression that you are keenly listening to yourself and that's gotta be good.- AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 1:11 PM
My $.02-- If there's something wrong with your environment, change that. If there's something wrong with you, change that. But don't confuse the two.
ReplyDelete I've thought a lot about your post regarding the discontent. I've been feeling that way, too, lately. On the exterior, everything is good: great partner, kids, job, and running is going well. Yet there's something missing and I can't put my finger on it. Its frustrating, in a way, but in a strange way I don't mind wading through it and letting whatever it is take its course. My guess is that the solution won't pop up anytime soon (if there is a solution). I just have the feeling that this is how life is sometimes. There's not necessarily anything to be done about it. It just makes us who we are.
ReplyDeleteFunny, but I felt that way when I lived in Sitka. I missed two things: the sun and variety, a chance to step into a different environment if you felt like it: the desert, the canyons, the river. In Southeast it is all the same unless you hop a jet. No way to get away from the same climate.
So I moved to Oregon. Life is good.
http://mountainsskin. blogspot.com- Julie in AKFebruary 18, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Jill, a wonderfully honest post. I admire you for writing it and sharing it. I thought Brian and Jon's comments were very apt. I've always wondered how satisfying it can be to be so focused on things like biking/racing/distance events when there is so much more of life to be lived. I always advocate finding a way to escape our own skin and serve others....and the comment on depression is also well worth considering (I have been known to be a sufferer. It saps the joy out of life!. Good luck, girl, in this quest. It is probably not what you are doing now but what you are not doing now that could help...And I don't mean big actions (new job, moving, new boyfriend) but instead, a new approach to life that establishes different goals because you have considered your true purpose in life. Yeah, we're all trying to figure that one out! Good luck, friend.
ReplyDelete - AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 7:39 PM
Get out of your own head and self absorption, go to Haiti, see what suffering is really about, perhaps a focus on others will give you some insight and purpose.
ReplyDelete - AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 7:57 PM
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain
ReplyDelete You know... Utah has mountains too. And family :)
I love you Jill. I want so much for you to be happy. I hope your mountain solace will assist you in making decisions that help you find it. You have so much talent and determination that inspire me. I'm sorry to hear you are having a rough time.
I'm thinking about you and miss you!!- AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Humm, this is the 'second time' you publicly 'asked', I didn't bother reading all the 'comments' this time, shur there are some good 7 not so good ones
Anyway--same basic answer for here--- if you can spend some real time your family, "touch home", what ever that is to you . Then go from there Freakin' bizarre... Just about a half hour earlier I posted the same Mark Twain quote - that another commenter above did - to my Facebook page, mostly because I've also been thinking about something missing in my life, and that some change has to be made (think it might be the job in my case, but possibly a move). Then, for the first time in like 2 or 3 months, I come visit your blog, where you express the same kind of thing I'm feeling, and someone posts the same quote I just had from Mark Twain. Coincidence, I know, but weird...
ReplyDelete- AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 11:37 PM
When I felt that way, about 18 years ago, it was time to leave rural Alaska for a while. It was the right decision :-) Back in AK now.
The commenter a few posts back was a touch rude, but I like his idea: some time spent in service. Maybe Haiti, maybe Peace Corps? Talk about a potential for a shift in perspective.
(If you go, take your camera!) - AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 11:53 PM
The best way to feel good about yourself is to reach out and help others. You spend way too much time thinking about you.
ReplyDelete Thanks for the comments everyone. Even the people who were needlessly rude. I feel like I post so little about my personal life on this blog, that I always get a kick out of the anons who seem to know me personally.
I also find it interesting that no one mentioned anything about writing. A lot of my issues right now stem from this strong desire to be an "artist," which I have pushed on the backburner my entire adult life because it's not a practical way to live. But now I feel this desire more strongly than ever, and I have rebelled against its impracticality by living a fairly spartan lifestyle, as though I'm trying to prove to myself I can live on dirt so why should I be so focused on making a living?
That, and I've been reading Thomas Wolfe again. "Where, Ben, where is the world? Nowhere, said Ben, you are your world."
I'm not saying I'm going to quit my job and go live alone in the mountains and create art. I'm just shocked that, as much as I tried to fish for it, no one suggested it. :-)
But I plan to delve more in depth later. I just wanted to respond.- AnonymousFebruary 19, 2010 at 4:25 AM
I was struck by the plethora of recent narcissistic self-portraits. Are you not happy because the universe is trying to tell you to let go of being absorbed with your own self? May you find your path to happiness!
ReplyDelete If your new book is anywhere near as good as Ghost Trails, I think you could definetly find a publisher. If I were you I'd ditch the desk job and become a travel writer, like Joe Kurmaskie. He travels on his bicycle all over the place and makes his living writing about his adventures. What could be better than that! Hang in there, the answers will come to you.
ReplyDelete- AnonymousFebruary 19, 2010 at 9:00 AM
I read your blog frequently, but that doesn't qualify as me really knowing you. Since you asked for it, my advice from a distance would be lighten up and stop over-thinking things. You do tend to try to wring every bit of meaning from every event that you write about. Life is wherever you are, doing whatever it is that you are doing. You might also try to diversify your activities. Spending hours on end on a bike or hike may be fun and challenging, but it's a pretty narrow focus and limits your interaction with other people and other activities. Finally, as one writer above noted, you need to get laid. Works wonders for the mind and body! Enjoy and good luck.
ReplyDelete I'm a little late to the party here, but it seems to me that less than a year ago your whole life was turned upside down...not just a relationship, but how you defined yourself and everything that you envisioned for the future. That's a major kick in the gut for anyone and a person doesn't get over that and re-orient your whole life in a short time. Some things take time and have no shortcuts. I would suggest that you not make big decisions quickly right now. And as some others have alluded, I believe it takes a genuine relationship with your Creator (not just 'going to church') that gives you the real joy in life that lasts and carries you through. That's been my experience anyway. I want to see you succeed in life and find the satisfaction that you seek.
ReplyDeleteJill, you've got skills. You've got drive, curiosity, humility, beauty, talent, a loving family, many friends and thousands of loyal followers. You are good at prioritizing and balancing your career with your personal interests and accomplishing an impressive amount in each. You have placed yourself in one of earth's most beautiful places which has so much to offer to a trekker/biker/photographer/adventurer such as yourself. There is still much to do there but you HAVE done Juneau justice and earned the right to call it your home. You've managed to survive and excel in an industry that is shrinking in pain. In addition to your job and adventures you manage to write books and finish them! You have been honing your writing/journalism/photography/internet skills to position yourself for your dream gig(s). You're doing great!
(Now for the stranger giving advice portion of this comment)
Being humble while having a strong drive is good. But maybe you need to be more proud and take greater satisfaction of your accomplishments and experiences.
Having true love and building your own family is not an overrated concept. Those of us lucky enough to have that would not trade it for all the peaks in Nepal - especially if we had amazing adventures en route. If you're out there making a good go at life, keeping an open mind and brushing your teeth regularly then you're doing all that you can do to find true love. If you believe in your beauty and sensuality then you will be.
There is truth that to give selflessly is one of the most rewarding things you can do. The trails are sweeter when you've done your part. People who live their life in a way that brings joy or kindness to everyone around them have a twinkle in their eye that you can't get otherwise.
I suspect you will continue to find inspiration and intrigue with your current situation but you're also ripe for change. You are uniquely qualified to travel the world doing extreme races and to make a living publishing your accounts. Or you could keep a cabin just outside of Escalante and freelance to Outside magazine about dive trips in the Bay Islands and mountain bike treks in Patagonia. Dream big and go for it sooner rather than later because what's the worst that can happen if the situations don't pan out?
What the hell gives me the right to dispense advice to you like I know you? Your blog does by definition. And I do know everything that you have chosen to share about yourself in this journal your book which I know is NOT the same as knowing you in the real world but is quite a bit just the same. It's enough to inspire me to rattle on way too long when you do one of your rare personal reach outs but since this is not the most recent post I'm thinking few people will have to endure it, perhaps even yourself.
Good luck Jill of Juneau. I will be with you as long as you keep us along for the ride.
jah- MarcLordFebruary 19, 2010 at 4:44 PM
very complex photograph, beautiful tones, lighting and angles. Reminds me of a character out of Mad Max. No one is ever truly happy
ReplyDelete - Julie in AlaskaFebruary 19, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Jill, I think everyone avoided talking about writing because you already are a writer. I just assume that you will always be writing. It's not a separate compartment, is it? I know you will always find a way to write, and in fact have been doing it a long time now! I think that's why no one called it out in response to you in this post. There's Being a Writer and writing. You are a writer. Simple.
ReplyDelete My advice to me is my advice to you: bail on the career, it will never fill your void. Find something that fills your day with purpose. Go back to school, find a new career, become a camp counselor or a hiking guide, go to medical school, become a teacher, etc, etc, etc. Or write somewhere in an environment that isn't just about surviving.
Bagging peaks and crazy adventures are sweetest when reflecting on them from a position where you life would still be full without them. Sucky jobs suck and filling your life with awesome around the edges of the suck hole doesn't cover the suck.
Yes?- AnonymousFebruary 22, 2010 at 8:52 AM
I think you are maturing. Your carefree 20's are giving way to your 30's. You are asking what do I want out of life? I would think this would include a relationship, home and possibly children.
I noticed that a lot of the 30 something Olympic competitors had a spouse, home and some a child. They still managed to be at the top of their game. A spouse that will support your loves is invaluable.
Maturing is not a bad thing. - AnonymousFebruary 22, 2010 at 8:41 PM
I love that you asked your readers to comment on what they thought would make you happy and then criticized your readers for not validating your desire to be an artist. If you want to be an artist, be an artist - why the need for external validation? Only you know what will make you happy. It sounds like the question you really wanted to ask was whether your readers thought you could succeed at being an artist? If so, another stupid question. Do what makes you happy. The rest will follow.


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Elizabeth Hartman of the popular modern quilting blog, Oh Fransson, has selected twelve prints and three coordinating solids from Fat Quarter Shop to bring you an exclusive Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle! Elizabeth is here today to tell you a bit about her blogger approved bundle!
I love the new Camp Modern collection from Birch Fabrics and used several prints from it to build my winter-inspired Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle. It includes three of the fabulous faux bois prints, plus a few more (including bears!) from Camp Modern. I've also pulled in some tiny deer and other coordinates with pops of orange and bright green. I feel like the orange in particular is a little unusual for winter, but I love having it in the mix.
I took my bundle with me to a sewing weekend with friends, planning to make a wintery quilt, but not yet sure how I was going to go about it. What I ended up with is a stylized interpretation of the trees and mountains surrounding the house where we were staying.


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Editor writes that she was "utterly unprepared" in discovering that a film adaptation of significant British work of literature doesn't have any female characters
Time reports
The Hobbit: Why Are There No Women in Tolkien's World?
It has, at this point, become a bit obvious to point out the lack of female characters in children's entertainment: the Pixar movies, the morning cartoon shows, even the Legos that they play with — unless, of course, the product in question was designed specifically for girls, which raises another set of issues about self-reinforcing stereotypes. But I was not prepared for the extreme skewing of the sexes in The Hobbit, which has been the No. 1 movie at the box office for the past three weeks.
The film opens in the nice domestic setting of hobbit Bilbo Baggins' cozy home. Bilbo has a story to tell his young nephew or cousin — the relationship and intermediary relatives are unclear — named Frodo. We are introduced to the plight of the dwarf king Thorin, who is identified as "the son of Thráin, the son of Thrór." Thorin's precious-mineral-based kingdom was ransacked and occupied by a dragon and he wants it back. A wizard named Gandalf appoints Bilbo to help and soon a whole bunch of short men show up on his doorstep. They all set off into enemy territory, and about two-thirds in we finally meet someone without a Y chromosome, an elf princess played by Cate Blanchett who can read Gandalf's mind. Although she's on screen for only about five minutes, I was so grateful that it didn't even bother me that her main character trait is that she's intuitive. I have since found out that she doesn't even appear in the book of The Hobbit but was added to the movie because, in the words of one screenwriter, "You start to feel the weight of 13 hairy dwarves."
I did not read The Hobbit or the The Lord of the Rings trilogy as a child, and I have always felt a bit alienated from the fandom surrounding them. Now I think I know why: Tolkien seems to have wiped women off the face of Middle-earth. I suppose it's understandable that a story in which the primary activity seems to be chopping off each other's body parts for no particular reason might be a little heavy on male characters — although it's not as though Tolkien had to hew to historical accuracy when he created his fantastical world. The problem is one of biological accuracy. Tolkien's characters defy the basics of reproduction: dwarf fathers beget dwarf sons, hobbit uncles pass rings down to hobbit nephews. If there are any mothers or daughters, aunts or nieces, they make no appearances. Trolls and orcs especially seem to rely on asexual reproduction, breeding whole male populations, which of course come in handy when amassing an army to attack the dwarves and elves.
There are, no doubt, many who know the Tolkien oeuvre much better than I who will protest my complaint. "There are very few women, but those that there are have great power," one such aficionado has reminded me. Others will point out that there are plenty of modern classics with hardly any female characters enjoyed by both boys and girls, from Tintin to The Muppets.
And then there is the argument that none of this should matter, that it's not just fiction but fantasy after all. But Peter Jackson, the director of The Hobbit, has said, "To me, fantasy should be as real as possible. I don't subscribe to the notion that because it's fantastical it should be unrealistic. I think you have to have a sense of belief in the world that you're going into, and the levels of detail are very important." I should think that would include — especially in an intergenerational saga — something as important as the perpetuation of species, whether furry-footed or not.
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