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DC Entertainment is home to the iconic brands DC Comics, Vertigo, and MAD Magazine. Along with chronicling the adventures of Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and many more, DC houses the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.
Since our initial engagement in 2012 for a multi-site Drupal installation, DC Entertainment and its management team at Warner Bros. has relied on Metal Toad to develop and continually improve upon their entire web ecosystem.
Enterprise Multi-Site Content Management
Alongside our brilliant design partners at Sisu, Metal Toad was chosen to help DC Entertainment build four wholly separate websites that could be managed from a single location by a single business unit. The enterprise-class sites for DC Comics, Vertigo, MAD Magazine, and DC Entertainment Corporate had been separate for far too long and the executive leadership team no longer wanted the overhead associated with relying on multiple admins in multiple locations to publish content.
A mutual in-depth discovery with Sisu uncovered DC's desire for a customized admin experience with an eye on future flexibility and scalability. They required an open-source solution that would continue to let them reinvest their budget instead of spending it on proprietary licensing fees. Drupal was the prime candidate for a content management system (CMS) that allowed for a secure, wholly-owned platform.
Metal Toad enabled the DC Team to manage all content across the four sites from a single unified interface while incorporating a thorough brand redesign. The Drupal admin experience was custom tailored to team needs, creating the ideal platform for multi-year iteration. In sum, modules geared towards utility and business needs power DC's Drupal core and the Metal Toad team is constantly consulting with all of DC's business units on future enhancements.
Not only does the DC team enjoy increased efficiency by having a single system for staff to learn and manage, but that unity also communicates a single look and feel to their international customer base.
Third-Party System Integration
DC Entertainment's enterprise sites experience the joys and burdens of high global visibility.
Before contacting Sisu and Metal Toad, DC's current site failed to adequately handle customers' purchase demands. Something had to be done on their new Drupal platform to enable purchase of their multitude of products available in several formats through multiple channels. The existing SaaS solution was fundamentally inadequate.
Early on, it was clear that this project would be ongoingly agile and the discovery phase would be iterative inside all five sprints. With Sisu's designs now in place, Metal Toad quickly uncovered new API features and unexpected testing complications. In true superhero fashion, Metal Toad uncovered a superhuman solution.
This solution began by generating an Admin Upload section in Drupal's backend for products to be uploaded in bulk. This helped ease the management burden associated with their vast product catalog.
Next, on each product page, Metal Toad introduced a Purchase Bar showing the price and availability status and, if the buyer elects to purchase, a collapsable window revealing all available purchase formats: print, digital, or Find a Store. If the buyer chooses to buy the product from a local vendor, the Find a Store button (along with their zip code) directs them to Comicshoplocator.com, where multiple options for comic stores near the buyer are listed. Alternatively, the buyer can choose an independent bookstore using the same process and be taken to Indiebound.org.
DC Entertainment had been looking for a solution to expand the reach of its site to its network of vendors. Not only did Metal Toad's solution positively impact this initial aim, but DC Entertainment's product and purchase paths became far more manageable as well.
As you might imagine, the streamlined purchase functionality has resulted in increased web traffic, sales conversion, and revenue for the DC business team. Leveraging the power of a fully functional, open-source e-commerce platform can take any enterprise web ecosystem to superhero status.
Open-Source SaaS Replacement
As the long-term technological partner for DC Entertainment, Metal Toad was initially brought in to consult on which SaaS application would help DC readers consume product on both desktop and mobile. The DC marketing team needed to integrate an online comic reader into their web ecosystem to provide:
- Event-based new releases,
- Digital-format order fulfillment, and,
- A quality reading experience to deepen brand engagement and a variety of other benefits to build brand goodwill.
The reader had to be responsive and optimized for easy, on-the-go user entertainment. Period. No exceptions.
When discovery was undertaken, Metal Toad narrowed potential solutions to a single existing SaaS product that was built for just this purpose. It incorporated much of the requisite functionality and had a workable user experience. Unfortunately, the solution came with an expensive license and, if DC ever wanted to move off the platform, they would be locked into a contract and face a difficult migration. This ran counter to many of the business aims of DC Entertainment, so they reengaged Metal Toad to build an open-source solution that they could own outright for as long as the technology could be supported.
The solution was simple: offer all the same features of the existing, best-of-breed SaaS solution in a DC-owned software platform with selected upgrades for an enhanced experience.
Multiple viewing options — side-by-side, subframe, and dual-page views — were at the core of the ideal user interface. Animations were needed to move from frame-to-frame and pane-to-pane smoothly; but all this would be pointless if the load times on mobile and tablet devices were too slow. A scalable — and very clever — caching solution was installed to allow for near-zero load time between views, and the project's next step introduced a desktop-optimized reader to complement the mobile and tablet experience.
Due to the vast amount of copyrighted content at stake, piracy needed to be a top priority when constructing the solution. Highly-secure architecture preventing unlawful distribution of DC products was of utmost importance. To do this, Metal Toad integrated the comic reader within DC's main site and utilized many of the security features that had been built throughout the long-standing partnership with DC's web properties.
Additionally, Metal Toad incorporated Livefyre's SocialSync feature, a social platform that allowed for comments and social sharing across the enterprise. Metal Toad engineers made the comic reader's metadata accessible to the DC marketing team in order to provide long-term metrics to measure success criteria against the group's business goals.
On-time delivery of the reader was met with market applause! Upon launch, the DC readership jumped right in and began sharing their experiences online. The comic reader introduced a whole new chapter in DC's online enterprise product marketing, and as for the DC business team, they now have a reader free from licensing costs and a long-term technological partner in Metal Toad who is constantly exploring what is possible for DC's brand.


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Isn't this a cute little guy? He's a sew on or glue on applique from the 1920's. The stamp at the bottom says the company that made him is "Hollander's". Try doing a search on THAT! Not one to give up, I went to my favorite search engine, Google Patents. I put in the work "applique" and voila! (Results after the pics.)
Here is the back. So many choices. Such small pictures.
When I put the work "applique" in the Google Patents search engine I got a whole list of things. I checked the box to arrange them oldest to newest and started browsing in 1828! When I got to the 1920's, to my amazement I started finding appliques done in the same style as this one. The third one was this!
Others in the series follow.
It was Hollander's after all!
These were all designed and patented by Kurt Lehmann for the So-Me-On Corp of New York City. You know me, I had to see if I could find out about this guy. Google yielded way too many current-day Kurt Lehmanns so I went to the 1930 census. I found 3 Kurt Lehmanns in New York. One was 40 and an insurance salesman, one was 15, and one was a 20-year-old carpenter. Hmmmmm. Not to be dissuaded I took of an "n" and tried again. From Manhattan a 30-year-old waiter and a 26-year-old mechanic. Branching out, because maybe just the patent attorney lives in New York I found a laborer in Detroit and a truck driver in Wisconsin. Striking out!
So I went to the 1920 census to see if he had moved out of New York. Looked at the insurance salesman again. Bingo! In 1920 he was a manufacturer of laces. That sounds more like it. Kurt was a 1908 immigrant from Munich who became a citizen in 1914. (They did that back then.) He was married to Sylvia, a native New Yorker, whose family came from Pennsylvania and New York. Son, Kurt Jr, was 5 and they had an Austrian maid.
You will notice that the term of the patent is 3-1/2 years. Maybe after that time he sold the patents and became an insurance salesman. In all I found 21 patents for appliques. When I changed the search to "Kurt Lehmann" I found that he switched to designing fabrics with embroidered designs on it in 1938 and 1939. Evidently insurance didn't do well during the depression.

subset: commoncrawl


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Lol, I have 2 swifties that sorta live by me ones an company driver been with swift going on 1 year and some odd months. The other is an owner operator, his number on his truck starts with a 9. And has a 2012 fright shaker that's been paid for off 3 years I believe last time we talked back in April.
Plus honest quest Mr conspiracy theories. What stops an OO from leaving swift if his or her truck is paid off and swift is starving him or her out of miles?
Good Night From II
Discussion in 'Swift' started by scottied67, Feb 19, 2014.
Page 879 of 1225
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So, after five years with Swift, I *may* be going elsewhere. One of my goals is to own my own truck, and going through Incredibly Expensive Leasing isn't the way for me.
I've been talking with a guy who runs a small fleet leased to Landstar. He trains his drivers to be successful O/Os. It's an incredible opportunity to further my career. I'm not making the move quite yet, though.
We lost the Cleburne, TX Walmart account that I've been running to HUB. They are giving the new company all the loads they can handle, starving us out. So, my part time cohort and full time girl Sunni and I are going OTR on Team Hazmat for a while.
Scipio, UT at the J.
I picked up a load in Worland, WY yesterday afternoon, delivering on Wednesday at 1000 in San Bernardino, CA..
Plenty of time so stopped in Thermopolis and slept a little later this morning.
Between snoozes this morning I had a dream that I got a message on the QC telling me to deliver the load early. I told Leann about it.
Then this afternoon I get a message on the QC telling me to get it there ASAP, the customer wants it early.
Weird , but I can get it there tomorrow afternoon without a problem.
I love 8k can loads.
On the way to pick it up I was sent a message by a planner in Troutdale asking if I would trade for another 'hot' load. I called and was told that it had to deliver at 0900 the next morning in Salt Lake City. I said no, as I would not have time for a 10.
Another driver was picking up at the same time I was, and he also got the same request and gave the same response.
He had also been sitting in Billings, MT, like me, but he sat for 3 days.
For such a hot load, the planners sure dropped the ball - letting us sit for so long when they knew we were available. And we all know that a can load out of Worland is the most likely when sitting in Billings.
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Home again, home again in Burnsville, MN.
A few days off then I trade Leann for Lorelei for a month or so.JOHNQPUBLIC and otterinthewater Thank this.
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Holly Ladies Split Series With Springfield
VPG | Feb 06, 2014 | Comments 0
It was a marquee match-up on paper and the game lived up to the billing when Holly's Lady Wildcats visited Springfield last Friday night. Both teams were right on the cusp of making the top ten in their respective classes, and the earlier meeting between the two went down to the wire. Holly won that first meeting, 44-43, so the Lady Longhorns were looking for payback.
Springfield grabbed a 13-12 lead at the end of the first quarter and the home side would increase its lead to three points by the intermission, 24-21. Every Holly run on the evening was countered by the Lady Longhorns, who took a 36-33 advantage into the final frame, where they outscored the Lady Wildcats, 14-13, to provide the final margin of victory, four points.
The 50-46 loss puts Holly on a two-game skid heading into Friday's home tilt against Wiley. Second-ranked Eads also visits Holly, on Saturday. The Lady Wildcats had last Saturday's game at Cheyenne Wells postponed by weather, and no make-up date had been announced prior to publication.
By Kerry Sherman
Kerry Sherman and his wife, Colleen, moved to Lamar in August of 2013, from Anton, Colorado, to cover Southeastern Colorado high schools for Colorado Preps. Kerry is in his third year of streaming high school sports online for Colorado Preps, and this is his 23rd year of covering high schools for various print and online outlets throughout Colorado. He also has nine years of coaching experience, with the boys basketball programs at Woodlin and Otis.
Filed Under: Entertainment • Events • Holly • Recreation • School • Sports • Youth
About the Author:


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UW-River Falls student found dead
May 4, 2015
Chancellor Dean Van Galen announced in an email to the campus community that UW-River Falls junior Robert "Bobby" Sontag was found dead along the Kinnickinnic River Monday, May 4.
Sontag was last seen at 2 a.m. on Friday, May 1, and was not reported missing until Sunday afternoon.
An investigation swiftly began after he was reported to be missing on May 3, and around noon on Monday, May 4, officials scoured the banks of Lake George as well as the Kinnickinnic River, in which Sontag's body was eventually discovered and recovered.
According to a phone interview with River Falls Police Department Chief of Police Roger Leque, Sontag was initially identified by a wallet found containing his ID which was discovered on the body.
Sontag was a 20-year-old student from Shafer, Minnesota. He was majoring in dairy science at UWRF.
Before his death, he was last seen around the 400 block of South Main Street (around the area of the local Dairy Queen and Junior's Bar & Restaurant).
He and a friend were walking home after a night of drinking and they went their separate ways. Two days later, at roughly 3 p.m., Sontag was reported missing to the River Falls Police Department.
Sontag had a past that involved underage drinking. In November of 2012, a police report revealed that he had been caught and fined for drinking in the then-open Prucha Hall.
According to Leque, police are investigating how Sontag came to possess alcohol despite being underage.
"This is a tragic situation, I want to emphasize that," Leque said. "But because he was underage, we are looking to find out how he got alcohol and from where."
Authorities are attempting to ascertain which bars Sontag visited prior to his disappearance. Leque declined to discuss exactly how much alcohol was found to be in Sontag's body, but did acknowledge that it was there.
Sontag's death is one of several which have occurred in the past under similar circumstances in the Midwest. Reports of students drinking and drowning have been reported at numerous universities including UW-Eau Claire and UW-La Crosse, the University of Minnesota and St. Cloud State.
"There is no information to indicate that would be the case," Leque said in regards to a question about the possibility of the case being a homicide.
Funeral arrangements already have been made. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, at the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Lindstrom, Minnesota. The visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom.
According to Lucas Nadeau, one of Sontag's friends, t-shirts are also being sold to commemorate Sontag. Each shirt costs $15--$10 of which will be given to the Sontag family. They may be viewed and purchased at http://bit.ly/1Rev49T.
Nadeau, a sophomore at North Branch High School in Minnesota, and some friends came up with the idea to raise money for the Sontags. Nadeau met Sontag in 4H.
"We have made close to $2,000 of profit in less than 24 hours to help the Sontags," Nadeau said in an email. "Bobby was a friend and brother to all of us. Thank you for all the support."
Nadeau and his friends also have silicon bracelets for sale at: http://bit.ly/1F1JbKA. The bracelets are $2 each with $1.50 going to the Sontag family.
For people strongly affected by Sontag's death, UWRF Student Health and Counseling Services may be accessed for free at Hagestad Hall. Counseling Services can also be reached by phone at 425-3884.
Sontag is preceded in death by his uncle Robert S. Bahnemann. He is survived by his parents Steven and Lisa; siblings Jill, Sara and Mark; and grandparents Richard and Shirley Sontag, and Milton and Mary Ann Bahnemann.
Sheri Fowler on 07 May 2015: A college student drowns in the river after a drunken night in the bars, and his friends build a makeshift memorial to him on the bridge near the spot where they found his body: with beer cans, whiskey bottles, and flowers. Perhaps if his friends had discouraged his drinking, he would be preparing for finals rather than his parents preparing his funeral. This is disturbing on so many levels.


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Google has released a series of new ads for its Pixel 3a.
One of them focuses on the Night Sight feature, which allows Pixel users to take viewable pictures under low-light conditions. The spot, set to the tune of Donna Summer's hit single "She Works Hard For The Money," shows a comparison between a photo snapped in low-light by Phone X (iPhone XS, priced at $999) and the Pixel 3a (priced at $399).
Other spots highlight the all-day battery, unlimited photo storage, Fast Charge, and Active Edge, a feature that allows users to squeeze the sides of the phone to call up Google Assistant.
The tech giant's mid-range Pixel line also includes Pixel 3a XL. The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are priced at $399 and $479, respectively.
Now, customers can get $100 to spend on the Google Store with purchase, plus, get their new phone for as low as $149 with iPhone and other eligible trade-in.


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Blavatsky Bookstore
Page 1 of 3 Pages
A Very Short Introduction
by Damien Keown
Oxford University Press, 2000, 152 pp.
"This accessible volume covers both the teachings of the Buddha and the integration of Buddhism into daily life. What are the distinctive features of Buddhism? What or who is the Buddha, and what are his teachings? How has Buddhist thought developed over the centuries, and how can contemporary dilemmas be faced from a Buddhist perspective? Words such as 'karma' and 'nirvana' have entered our vocabulary, but what do they really mean? Keown has taught Buddhism at an introductory level for many years, and in this book he provides a lively, challenging response to these frequently asked questions.""Damien Keown, of the University of London and the Royal Asiatic Society, addresses Buddhism past and present, East and West. Keown examines some major questions. For example, is Buddhism really a religion? He looks at seven dimensions of religion and concludes that Buddhism does fit a broader definition of religion. Keown proceeds to look at the origins of Buddhism, the life of the Buddha, ideas of karma and reincarnation, and the central ideas of the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism, etc. There are useful maps, a nice snapshot timeline, and suggestions for further reading, The book is also well indexed and has a useful glossary." Buy from Amazon.com
|The Buddha: A Very Short
by Michael Carrithers
Oxford University Press, 2001, 120 pp."In this valuable introduction, Michael Carrithers guides us through the complex and sometimes conflicting information that Buddhist texts give us about the life and teaching of the Buddha. He discusses the social and political background of India in the Buddha's time and traces the development of his thought. He also assesses the rapid and widespread assimilation of Buddhism and its contemporary relevance. Well-paced and informative, this introduction will enlighten not only those who study Buddhism and comparative religion but anyone intrigued by the remarkable philosophy of one of the greatest religious thinkers."
Concise History of Buddhism
by Andrew Skilton
Barnes & Noble Books, 2003, 263 pp.
"Buddhism is a widely diverse religion, with many traditions handed down through the centuries. The newcomer seeking to understand the sometimes contradictory spiritual texts can find it daunting. Andrew Skilton, a Buddhist and professor at Oxford University, now unravels these varied religious threads and creates a wonderfully clear and compact look at Buddhist history. From the ancient Indian context to Buddhism in countries beyond, from the Mahayana sutras to Tantra, this book presents an account of the religion's development up through the 19th century, its doctrines and its schools. But the study also covers the context in which Buddhism developed, the external events that had an impact on the religion. Using the most recent scholarship available, A Concise History of Buddhism reflects on the Buddha and his teachings, the paths to awakening, the development in the Sangha, the Tripitaka and the Abhidharma, the end of Buddhism in India, and the practice of Buddhism throughout Asia. A truly enlightening guide".
"A mere couple hundred pages in length, Skilton surveys events in brief eight to twelve page chapters that are easy to read without being simplistic. One gains insight into the great sweep of Buddhism across Asia from Japan in the East right over to Persia in the West. There is also a topically organized, extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources to further any interest the main text has raised."
Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism
by John Powers
Oneworld Publications Ltd., 2000, 288 pp.
"A comprehensive handbook that covers an impressive range of terms . . . clear and accessible." -- Rupert Gethin
"From the afterlife to Zen, via Tibet and Theravada, this encyclopedia captures the rich diversity of Buddhism in one accessible and definitive volume. Covering the teachings of the early masters to the growth of the tradition in the West, the succinct A-Z entries supply information on Buddhisms key doctrines, practices and figures. Throughout, Powers balances conciseness with scholarship, explaining complex ideas in a manner that is both informative and accessible. Features include over 900 entries; an 'at-a-glance' chronology; and a substantial and up-to-date thematic bibliography."
|The Experience of Buddhism: Sources
and Interpretations
Wadsworth Publishing, 2001, 2nd Edition, 384 pp."This comprehensive anthology provides translations of texts illustrative of Buddhist philosophy and doctrine as well as descriptive, concrete accounts of Buddhist practices, rituals, experiences and life situations. This approach does not neglect one dimension of the religion in favor of another. The book also covers the development of Buddhism in a wide variety of geographical and cultural areas (India, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, and Japan), and gives a sense of the historical evolution of the tradition in these areas."
"The presentation of primary texts combined with commentary is an excellent presentation of Buddhist thought. Several historical and philosophical strands can be followed easily with this book. The organization and topical layouts allow the reader to move easily through the texts and focus in on areas of interest. Strong maintains acceptable historical objectivity within the context of a sympathetic presentation, allowing the reader to draw independent conclusions. Any student of Buddhism will benefit from this book."
See Table of Contents.
|Buddhist Religions: A Historical Introduction
by Richard H. Robinson, Willard L. Johnson and Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Wadsworth Publishing, 2005, 5th Edition, 368 pp.
"This historical introduction to Buddhism presents students with an engaging exploration of the diversity of thoughts and practices of a wide segment of followers of the Buddha. It covers five main aspects of Buddhism: ritual, devotionalism, doctrine, meditation, practice, and institutional history."
"An overview of the Buddhist Scriptures provides students with a framework for reading the primary sources. A map of regions where Buddhism is largely practiced assists readers in gaining an important geographical perspective. A pronunciation guide and glossary help students gain familiarity with the Buddhist vernacular."
"The book is extensively cross-referenced to The Experience of Buddhism: Sources and Interpretations by John Strong (also published by Wadsworth). The books can be used independently or as a set."
An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and
Cambridge University Press, 1990, 396 pages
"Peter Harvey's Introduction to Buddhism is to be recommended; in its breadth and scope it is without serious rival as an introductory volume...Harvey is to be congratulated on a rounded and sensitive presentation of Buddhist thought and practice." Times Literary Supplement
"This book is a comprehensive introduction to Buddhist tradition as it has developed in three major cultural areas in Asia, and to Buddhism as it is now developing in the West. It is intended to be a textbook for students of religious and Asian studies, but it will also be of interest to readers who want a general survey of Buddhism and its beliefs. Unlike many other general books about Buddhism, it not only explores the world views of the religion but also attempts to show how Buddhism functions as a set of practices. It thus includes chapters on devotion, ethics, monastic practices and meditation. Such practices are related to Buddhist teachings and historical developments. Emphasizing as it does the diversity found within different Buddhist traditions, the book aims throughout to underline common threads of belief, practice and historical continuities which unify the Buddhist world. Dr. Harvey answers questions that are often asked by people on first meeting the tradition, and in his section on Nirvana offers a novel interpretation of this ultimate, transcendent mystery."
"An Introduction to Buddhism is one of the best overall introductions to this vast subject now available, superseding equivalent good books which are by now up to 50 years too old. Harvey combines scholarship including a knowledge of Pali and Sanskrit along with sensitivity to the contexts in which the various scriptures can be seen."
Blavatsky Bookstore
Sponsored by Blavatsky Study Center


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Effects of Excess Progesterone
Excess progesterone is always a result of taking too much supplemental progesterone; the body itself never over-produces progesterone. Symptoms show up after a number of months of consistent usage.
When women consistently use progesterone without taking a break or when using higher dosages than those suggested by Dr. John R Lee ….symptoms can return.
The first signs could include bloating, painful breasts, depression and/sleepiness or lethargy. These would coincide with an estrogen dominance crisis. Women who are still menstruating may have anovulatory cycles, particularly if they are using their progesterone too soon in their cycle and suppressing their own body's production of progesterone.
Initially, most women feel a calming effect when they use progesterone particularly if their saliva test shows that they are quite deficient. However, after five to eight months of high progesterone usage levels of clinical depression may develop. Often times the cause of this depression is not attributed to the use of the progesterone cream.
The bottom line is…. more is not better. Use the correct dosage for you.
The second downside of high progesterone is its effect on active cortisol levels in the body. Progesterone is utilized by the adrenals to produce cortisol. Excessive progesterone usage could cause a significant increase in free active cortisol. High cortisol over the long term can result in hunger and sugar or carbohydrate cravings, weight gain around the waist, reduced muscle mass, bone thinning, food sensitivities and allergies, reduced athletic endurance, yeast overgrowth, reduced thyroid function, insomnia, PMS, and if not corrected, eventual exhaustion and chronic fatigue.
Fortunately, most women (and men) can monitor their hormone levels by simply doing a saliva test if symptoms occur again. If a woman begins to feel worse, it is important to not assume that more progesterone is needed. For women using progesterone creams, taking a saliva hormone test will reveal excessively high progesterone levels if she is in fact not taking a break or using too much.
Helpful points!
1. When using progesterone creams, avoid applying it on areas where there is a layer of fatty tissue under the skin. It is the build-up of progesterone in the fatty tissue that seems to cause the problem. Instead, use thin-skinned areas where veins are easily seen, so that the hormones will be absorbed directly into the blood stream. These areas include the upper chest, insides of the arms, palms and backs of hands, and tops of the feet and the face when using an aloe vera based cream.
2. When possible, select products which are aloe based creams. These creams can also be used intra vaginally to help with vaginal dryness. www.MaxxAlive.com
3. Use a physiological dose. Dr. John Lee stated that he found 20 mg./day of progesterone to be enough to prevent hyperplasia in women using estrogen. Using 1/4 tsp. of a moderate strength product twice daily will give you approximately 40 mg/day. Given that nothing absorbs 100%, still, this amount should be ample dosages for the majority of menstruating women and ½ that dosage for non-menstruating women is adequate.
4. Generally, excess progesterone resolves itself over a few months when the dose is changed and appropriate breaks are taken. It is usually not necessary to stop the progesterone cream entirely in order to maintain balanced hormone levels.
Everyone is different… if your saliva test shows that you need progesterone then it will be up to you to determine the dose that is correct for you.
Lee John R "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause"


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Support Intelligent, In-Depth, Trustworthy Journalism.
Ralph D. Russo, Associated Press
Ralph D. Russo, Associated Press
Southeastern Conference university presidents voted Thursday to invite Texas and Oklahoma to the league and create a 16-team powerhouse on the field and at the bank.
But how soon?
The latest step in a move that has potential to help reshape college sports came two days after Texas and Oklahoma requested to join the SEC in 2025. That's when the schools' media rights agreement with the Big 12 expires.
The SEC said its leaders voted unanimously to extend invitations to the Longhorns and Sooners and bring them into the conference effective July 1, 2025.
Adding Texas and Oklahoma to a conference that already includes such football powerhouses as Alabama, LSU, Georgia and Florida gives the SEC eight programs that have won national championships since 1980.
"Today's unanimous vote is both a testament to the SEC's longstanding spirit of unity and mutual cooperation, as well as a recognition of the outstanding legacies of academic and athletic excellence established by the Universities of Oklahoma and Texas," Commissioner Greg Sankey said. "I greatly appreciate the collective efforts of our Presidents and Chancellors in considering and acting upon each school's membership interest."
Now the process goes back to the schools. Texas and Oklahoma both have board of regents meetings schedule for Friday with conference affiliation on the agenda. Whether the boards will move to accept the invitations at those meetings is unknown, but it is almost certain they will at some point.
Then the question becomes: Can Texas and Oklahoma find a way to join their new conference sooner than 2025? It has the makings of being a messy divorce with the Big 12 that could include ESPN.
Earlier Thursday, ESPN responded to Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby's accusations of attempting to destabilize his beleaguered conference by saying it has done nothing wrong.
"The accusations you made are entirely without merit," ESPN executive Burke Magnus, president of programming and content, said in a letter to Bowlsby that was released by the network.
"To be clear, ESPN has engaged in no wrongful conduct and, thus, there is nothing to 'cease and desist,'" Magnus wrote, adding: "We trust this will put this matter to rest."
Bowlsby sent a cease-and-desist letter to Magnus a day earlier, alleging ESPN was incentivizing at least one other conference to raid the league in an effort to hasten the departure of Texas and Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference.
Bowlsby told AP on Wednesday he had "absolute certainty" ESPN was acting inappropriately behind the scenes and that he suspected ESPN was involved in Texas and Oklahoma's months-long planning to exit the conference.
"It's intentional deception," Bowlsby said of Texas and Oklahoma's actions.
ESPN holds a rights agreement with the Big 12, sharing the conference's football games with Fox, through the 2024-25 school year.
An early exit could cost Texas and Oklahoma a buyout worth tens of millions of dollars — if the Big 12′s other eight schools keep the conference going.
The conference bylaws state that schools departing before the grant of rights runs out are on the hook for penalties worth the equivalent of a year's conference distribution for every year it breaks the agreement.
This past year the Big 12 distributed $34.5 million per member, down from recent years because of the pandemic. Pre-pandemic, the Big 12 annual distributions were approaching $40 million per school.
A windfall awaits Texas and Oklahoma in the SEC. The conference is projected to start distributing about $67 million per year to its members in 2024, when its latest deal with ESPN kicks in.
Those projections don't take into account Texas and Oklahoma, two of the biggest brands and most successful programs in college sports.
ESPN also owns the SEC Network and the Longhorn Network, the cable home of Texas' athletics.
As the College Football Playoff moves toward expansion from four to 12 teams, the SEC will be adding the only Big 12 team to ever reach the playoff in Oklahoma. The Sooners have won six straight Big 12 titles and have four CFP appearances.
Texas won a national championship in 2005 and played for another in 2009, but the program has struggled to consistently contend for Big 12 titles in the last decade.
This offseason the Longhorns hired former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian to be their head football coach, hoping to inject some SEC juice into the program.
Texas is now taking it one step further, relocating one of the wealthiest athletic departments in the country into the most competitive — and potentially the most lucrative — conference in major college football.
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The Hawker School French program is aligned with the Australian Curriculum – French, and is taught to students from Kindergarten to Year 6 by a specialist teacher.
Learning opportunities provided to students are designed around the notions of Teaching for Comprehensible Input (TCI) and Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Story-telling (TPRS). The students participate in whole-class intensive language acquisition where they speak and read a selection of vocabulary with the focus on comprehension rather than decoding.
Additional activities support the language focus including singing, reading, cartoons and film, poetry and games as well as participating in a variety of ACT language competitions.
Students are assessed against achievement standards from the Communicating and Understanding strands of the curriculum.


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- Outdoor Pizza Ovens
- Accessories
- Recipes
- Company
- Resources
Whether you're planning to sell your home or simply want to increase your overall property value, there are plenty of ways to take on home improvement without completely remodeling. Take a look at five relatively simple ways you can boost the value of your home (and your own enjoyment of it!).
One of the easiest ways to raise the value of your property is to add to its curb appeal with beautiful landscaping and/or outdoor recreation spaces. Create a beautiful garden with stone paths and bench seating, a backyard patio with plenty of space for a grill, or an elegant, well-lit front entrance flanked by neatly trimmed shrubs.
Whatever your tastes or lifestyle, there's a way to turn your yard into a comfortable, attractive space that adds value.
Flooring materials like hardwood, tile. and concrete can get pretty cold, especially in regions with cool temperatures and harsh winters. By installing specialized flooring with incorporated heating elements, you can eliminate cold winter feet and warm your home with all-over radiant heat.
According to home value site Zillow, listings in New York City featuring a mention of heated floors or radiant heat sold for as much as 24% above the expected value!
Nothing says "summer fun" like a classic backyard swimming pool. A year-round above-ground pool can certainly add value, though an in-ground pool is the gold standard. This can be an especially valuable addition to your home if you live in a region with hot weather where a pool can be a refreshing oasis.
If you choose this option, remember that your pool will require care and maintenance to keep it clean and functional. A pool with leaks, cracks, or stained tiles can cost you in lowering your home's value.
Homeowners looking to boost home value in more practical ways might consider adding solar panels, windmills, or other features that generate renewable energy. The initial investment required to install the technology can be somewhat steep, but the benefits to your property value and home energy bills can make up for those costs over time.
If the area you live in has a strong community interest in environmental responsibility, adding solar panels to your home could also give it an additional edge over other listings when trying to sell.
If you consider yourself a "foodie" who enjoys cooking and entertaining, a backyard pizza oven can be a perfect way to add value to your home. Fontana Forni wood-fired pizza ovens make it easy to create your own culinary masterpieces with a crispy crust and rustic, smoky flavor using traditional pizza-making techniques. Even if you don't have the space for an outdoor, wood-fueled oven, an indoor model with a gas flame can still be a great added amenity.
At Fontana Forni, we offer a variety of outdoor, indoor, countertop, and portable oven models for your convenience. Learn more about how we can help you increase your home's value by calling us at 877-842-9822.


text:
On Stage
John Norwood Fisher (eb, b, v)
Walter Kibby III (v, t)
Tracey Singleton (eg)
John Steward (d)
|1. Who Do You Believe
2. Nuttmeg World
3. Skankin' to the Beat
4. Karma Tsunami
5. Pressure
6. Sunless Saturday
7. Just Allow
8. Ma & Pa
9. I Wish I Had a Date
10. One Planet People
11. Shakey Ground
|12. Behaviour Control Technician
13. Riot
14. If I were A... I'd
15. Lyin' Ass Bitch
16. Question of Life
17. AIDS & Armageddon
18. Freddie's Dead
19. Servitude
20. The Suffering
21. Party At Ground Zero
© Dave Hudon
© Steve Hurley
© Tom Furdon
© Dave Hudon
Yesterday`s show at the Harper`s Ferry kicked some serious butt i think that everyone that was there will agree(like i doubted it) here`s the setlist there`s just one song i did not know maybe new material?it sounded good though. Who do you beleive Nuttmeg World Skanking Karma Tsunami Pressure ? Sunless Saturday(im not sure i was writing on a napkin) Just allow Ma and pa I wish i had a d...
ya I was chillin in the front. Well not really chillin... I was in that bunch in the front jumping all over the place. I would like to say how pissed I am right now. I had this drawing I did of angelo that's up on the maddvibe site. I wanted to give it to him after the show but when I was walking over to talk to him when one of the staff assholes stopped me! He told me to get the fuck back. after ...
I warn that this will be very long. And cover many things going on in my little miind.
It has taken me a full day to really organize what I want to say about this show. This was the first time I have seen the boys live since the chimm chimm tour. I have been starving to see them again since then. But the outside forces kept foiling me.
Over all, My f...
Live Recordings
Fishbone & Harper's Ferry
|Fishbone played already at Harper's Ferry 3 times.
|>October 25, 2001
|>December 27, 2006
|>November 28, 2008
|Fishbone is not scheduled to play Harper's Ferry anytime soon.


text:
Nov 2014: Most of the ministries of the St. Luke Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Ozan, Arkansas are centered on the needs of children. We have a back to school funfest day every Labor Day on the church ground. On this day we serve food, supply articles of clothing and give out school supplies to children in our community and the surrounding area.
We help children affected by domestic violence by supplying clothing to the domestic violence shelter. The articles supplied were caps, scarfs, gloves and socks. The list changes according to what the shelter needs at the time. At Christmas time we started an adopt-a-family project where we fill the children's wish as well as buying clothes and shoes that are needed. Many of the members along with our pastor participated in each of these efforts. We take these ministries seriously and we will continue to add others.
Last year when we did the adopt-a-family at Christmas project we chose a single mom and her daughter. The mother had suffered a heart attack earlier in the year and was unable to return to her job. We had her and her daughter, who was eight years old, to make out a list of things they needed and then a list of some of the things they desired. The pastor, her spouse and several of the members all made their wishes come true, while getting everything needed by both mother and daughter including a bicycle for the daughter. Each member chose an item from the list they could afford to buy, wrapped it and we presented everything to them the third week in December. We were all so excited about working together and spreading joy at Christmas Time.
St. Luke CME Church
Rev. Anretha Walker, Pastor
Sis. Helen Armstrong, CYF President


text:
Silicone Mold - Bows Set
This product is currently sold out.
Soft Silicone Mold. Great to use with Fondant, Gumpaste, Chocolate. Silicone molds are an excellent way to get your decoration fast and perfect.
Note: Picture is a sample of how the design will look once molded and painted. Not included.
(x1) Brooch Silicone Mold with 6 cavities 2 different sizes:
1" x 1" and 0.75" x 0.75"


text:
'Miraculous recovery': Emergency staff perform CPR on 5-year-old boy for more than an hour
A young boy who received CPR for more than an hour is recovering.
In December, Owen Coulter's heart was attacked by a virus that almost killed him, KTBC-TV reported.
"His heart stopped, and he became unresponsive," Dr. Patrick Ryan said.
Emergency medical providers spent an hour trying to revive him, and he came back about five times, his father, Darin Coulter, told KTBC-TV.
Staff performed CPR for 90 minutes, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
His mother, Kristin Coulter, prayed.
Doctors put him on an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine, which allows blood to be oxygenated without going through the heart and lungs, the newspaper reported.
Eventually, his heart and major organs began to recover.
He's returned home but is continuing to go through rehabilitation.


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Forum switched to read-only as of 2020/06/01
|Latest product reviews
TV Connect
ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery easy install for RK3066 and RK3188 -- TWRP/CWM Flash-Tool and root for RK3288
Please donate to support OMA and CrewRKTablets firmware work, thank you !
Hello there! I'm not a newcomer to the Rockchip tablets, but this thing takes the cake for being the utmost annoying thing I've ever repaired. This one in particular is actually a rebrand of the Chuwi V17HD Gen1 in Croatia by H18 (Mytab something I can't remember honestly). It has direct root access and developer settings enabled by default, which is bad for security reasons.
Essentially I was in the process of finding out and testing why the wifi module didn't work - firmware didn't want to load. The chip is a NM1000AA, firmware NMI1000.
To rule out any hardware mishaps, I resoldered the antenna and cleaned up around the chip with some flux. After reassembling, the device still didn't want to turn wifi on, same errors, except this time around sometimes after formatting /data and /cache it got stuck in a bootloop at random times, but most of the times it booted up. Sometimes it said "Turning on Wi-Fi..." in the settings, other times it got stuck during scanning (timing out most of the time).
So after that, I decided to try some software trickery. I checked the firmware files inside /system/etc/firmwares (IIRC) and they all seemed fine. So the only other option was to try another Android ROM. In the process of downloading Oma's custom roms, I decided to put the tablet to charge. And so it charged, and charged, and charged...
TLDR; - read below
I check one time, 32% charged, other time 64% charged, third time I booped the power button... No cigar. Blank screen. So I unplug it from my computer (was in Windows 10) and I hear the disconnect from Windows. I hit the reset button on the tablet, nothing. I tried bootloader mode, nothing. I unplugged the battery, discharged the device completely, replugged the battery in and still dead. I was like, oh crap, what now? Then I decided to reflow the VRM, nothing.
After doing so, I decided to plug in the RS232 interface and see what it outputs. Lo and behold, I got some clues:
DDR Version 1.04 20140304
init failed
This led me to believe the RAM had died (the chip is a PL023-25BT by some chinese manufacturer), so I reflowed that chip and the results are still the same. Not to mention that the RAM, the SOC, NAND flash and the RK616 are heating up too while holding the power button/plugged in USB.
The only other option that remains for me is to replace the RAM chip with another one if I can find it. (and even then it's not that safe if the replacement will work, BGA resoldering stinks with just a reflow station and nothing else)
This is REALLY unlucky and I'd have to get this repaired (not mine), so if anybody has any ideas, please tell me what to do.
EDIT: Oh, sorry for posting here! Didn't browse the forums much (kept crashing). If mods want, please, move this post to Chuwi forum! :v
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text:
Oil changes, filter changes, routine maintenance. Service and maintenance is what you need to do to get the MAX out of your car.
At Max Auto Sales our Service Department provides repairs and routine maintenance on all makes and models we sell. Oil changes, filter changes, a/c tune-ups, the list goes on. As a business that specializes in pre-owned cars our service department is in some ways better than what you would find at a new car dealer. Our service technicians have to be experienced in several different makes of cars, not just one. We maintain a team of ASE certified auto mechanics to maintain and evaluate all of our used cars before we offer them for sale, and those mechanics and maintenance technicians are happy to offer routine maintenance for all your car needs. On any give day, you will find out technicians working on Hondas, Toyotas, and Nissans, Fords. Dodges and Chevy's. Chances are regardless of what kind of used car max auto sales can fix it! It is not uncommon to find brakes being done on one car, oil changes on another, and new tires being put on a third! Here are just some of the services we do on a regular basis to make sure you get the best used car Max can offer, and the best used car for your money in Lafayette:
- Oil changes
- Brake jobs
- New tires
- A/C repair
- spark plugs
- Power packs and coils
- Suspension repair
- Gauges and cluster repairs
- Check Engine lights
- New engines
Give us a call at 337-989-0078 and schedule your maintenance today!
Show your car some love!
Request Information
Monday8:00am - 5:30pm
Tuesday8:00am - 5:30pm
Wednesday8:00am - 5:30pm
Thursday8:00am - 5:30pm
Friday8:00am - 5:30pm


text: Just a Shave and Some Scripture Please A discussion of the Bible gets intense at McGill's Barbershop. Robert Salley, a regular customer at the shop, quizzes the Rev. W.W. Miller about some scripture in the New Testament. The minister retorts from the barber's chair, stabbing the air with his finger to make his point. WithContinue reading "Just a Shave and Some Scripture Please"


text:
Safety is an under-discussed issue in the world of BDSM. I get that talk of fancy rigging and latex cat suits is a turn on. Here's the Dommely deal: I want You to be wildly, lustfully turned on to have fantastic kinky adventures AND I want You do it as safely as possible! This article contains tips and tricks of the trade from a 24/7 lifestyler and Pro-Domme.
*All the links I provide are to products I actually use Myself. I do not have any deal with any companies. If You want My opinion on something and I think it's terrible, I will tell You it's junk. Trust Me, I have bought junk before and I wouldn't recommend anything I do not find to be of high quality.
Internet Safety
- Never use both your first and last name in a screen name. I wouldn't suggest using either, but it is a personal choice.
- Use a separate email address and instant messenger ID to conduct your kink affairs
- If you are very closeted, don't share face pics online. You can share them person to person once you meet somebody you like.
- Pictureless profiles are creepy. At least put up a body shot or a picture of something you enjoy doing.
- Don't use face with full nudity pictures unless you are ok with anyone seeing that. What is put on the internet is there forever, despite the delete buttons You see. Somebody may have already downloaded and reposted Your pic elsewhere.
- Block irritating and abusive online kinksters. Many people feel needlessly guilty over this. If somebody is rude or offensive, they have earned the ban.
Phone Safety
- You can block your number (from a cell or landline) using *67 before dialing the rest of the phone number. Your call will show up as unknown or private caller. For example: Call 1-800-555-1234 would be punched in as *6718005551234
- Consider using Skype. You can get your own free online phone number and talk there with less risk than using an unblocked personal phone. They have just phone line communication available, in addition to their webcam service.
Travel Safety
- When meeting a new person, consider being dropped off and picked up by a trusted friend.
- If driving yourself, have GPS or maps of the area, if you are not familiar with the location or get lost easily.
- Be sure Your car has at least a 1/2 tank of gas.
- Keep an emergency $20 bill in the car. You never know when it might be needed.
- Be sure your cell phone is charged (even better, remember Your car charger to bring with You).
- Choose a location You know in a comfortable area, if at all possible.
- Have an Emergency Car Kit and Crank Flashlight, plus a spare blanket in your trunk, and/or AAA membership.
- Ensure doors are locked when driving up to parking area of meeting.
- Know how long Your trip will take to and from location (consider rush hour/commute traffic), so You have a reasonable idea of when You will get home. MapQuest is an easy way to do this.
Meet up Safety
- Before meeting up with anyone, I firmly and enthusiastically recommend taking a self-defense course designed for Women. I am a certified self-defense instructor with the RAD program. RAD inexpensive at just $25 for a two week course (5 classes total), designed by police officers, offered internationally, plus has a lifetime return and practice free policy. If you cannot afford the course, scholarships are available. This program will change Your life! RAD's Website
- Have a safe call in place. Give the safe call person a face photo of the person You are meeting. If anything goes wrong, they can call the police and give them the photo.
- Meet in a public place the first few times.
- Snap a cell pic of the person's license plate or text yourself the state and plate number, plus color, make, model of the car. You can then forward this to Your safe call person.
- Carry a stungun/flashlight combo. The flashlight is super useful and bright. Be sure it is fully charged and You know how to use it. It will do You no good at the bottom of Your pocketbook. Carry it in hand when walking alone. I place Mine in an open purse pocket, so I can grab it at any time, or use the holder to clip it to My belt. I have used this exact device on an attacker in a parking garage and can tell You, from personal experience, it will take down a large adult male with one solid zap to the chest. My Stungun
Dating Safety
- There is no need to rush! Take things slow and enjoy them. Never let anyone pressure You into activities You dislike or aren't ready for. As the Dominant, You set the tone and the pace of the relationship. Anyone who disrespects that is a) not genuinely submissive and b) not worth Your time.
- Look out for red flags: a temper, emotionally instability, forming too quick or too deep of an attachment, following every single thing You post online obsessively, IMing/emailing/calling constantly, odd restrictions on times You can call/meet, wedding band tan, only uses cash, will never let You come to their home, etc.
- Be sure to discuss what kind of relationship (if any), You both want and set appropriate boundaries. Is this a one-time hookup? A fuck buddy? (Do You even want sex as part of Your play?) A regular play partner? Are you guys going to be monogamous or polyamorous? Do you want a Top/bottom, D/s or M/s dynamic?
- Talk about Your experiences in BDSM in the past. Why did the past vanilla or kink relationships end?
- Consider sharing a BDSM checklist (particularly if You are new to the scene) Original BDSM Checklist
- Consider contracts, if You wish for a more long term play partner or relationship. Sample Consensual Slavery Contract
- Consider if You and Your new partner are responsible and invested enough to maintain a D/s or M/s dynamic. It takes a lot of work, passion and dedication. Some people are just meant to casually play together, not have a Total Power Exchange.
Play Safety
- Learn CPR/First Aid. A lot of workplaces will let You take this training for free. Find a CPR Class
- Carry an up to date First Aid Kit in Your toy bag. You can buy pre-assembled ones for about $10 at a drug store or online. Remember to check through it once a month to replace used supplies and check expiration dates once a year. Order a Kit Here
- Carry EMT scissors. They can cut through rope and clothing. For kinky fun, use them to remove Your play partners clothing (make sure they are ok with it!)They can be purchased for less than $10 at adult stores or cheaper online. Order Scissors Here
- Keep Your First Aid Kit, EMT scissors and charge cell phone out when playing. You don't want to be frantically digging for them when they are needed.
- Save Your emergency contact in Your cell phone under ICE (In Case of Emergency) and ask play partner to do the same. This is a universally recognized code for EMT's, police and hospitals to find out who they should call, if you are unconscious. For example, the contact in Your phone would read: ICE Jane Doe. Everybody knows to call Jane, should an emergency occur.
- Find out if Your partner wishes You to accompany them to the hospital, should there be an emergency and vice versa. The time ask is before a crisis, not during!
- Negotiate fully. Take Your time here and discuss everything.
- Don't accept a play partner who claims to have no limits. How about the "Unholy Trinity," as call it in the BDSM world, of no kids, no animals and no dead beings? All sane people have limits.
- Use and respect safewords. The most common safeword is Red and this is recognized in any English speaking BDSM community.
- Before getting into a scene, find out Your partners allergies, medical conditions that affect play and any triggers they may have. It is also wise to have them put out on the table any meds they might need (i.e. an inhaler or anxiety medications.)
- If You are using any devices with locks, have a backup set of keys out in the open. Conversely, strong bolt cutters will work if all keys suddenly go missing, but most people don't like giant choppers near their tender bits!
- Learn proper technique for impact play. You must know where the acceptable strike zones are. This diagram does not include breasts or genitals, but these areas may be struck carefully and lightly with appropriately sized implements (I refer to such small floggers as "Titty-Clitties" or "Dick-Flickers"). If You are a newbie, You may want to get some guidance on how to do so safely. Strike Zones
- Test impact play toys on Yourself fist, so You know how they feel. The front of Your thighs or over Your shoulder are good places to test on. You may also wish to have a trusted friend with solid BDSM skills give You a taster session.
- For specialty skills like fire play, electro play, play piercing, etc., You should watch YouTube video demos, take classes, be mentored and/or read in book or online about safe technique. Personally, I like to test things on Myself first. I practiced lighting Myself on fire many times before trying it on a partner.
- Clean all BDSM implements with antibacterial wipes and then for hide items, leather wipes (to condition material).
- Wash sex toys in quality sex toy cleaner. Toy Cleaner (Editor's Note: 5/21/14: Minnesota issues ban on antibacterial ingredient: triclosan)
- Sterilize tools used to scratch or break skin (Wartenberg pinwheels, needles, claws, etc.) before and after use.
- Have condoms, dental dams and sterile gloves available in Your toy bag. Condoms work well to cover toys, as well as their traditional use on penises. Remember; check the expiration date on condoms!
- Use either individual lube packets (great for travel and toy bags) or separate lube containers for each partner.
- Get STD testing every 3 months. Even if You are a mono couple, it is best to be safe. Sometimes people cheat. It sucks to think about that, but it would suck more to get sick. Some STDs have a longer incubation period and don't show up immediately on tests, thus the quarterly testing. Planned Parenthood will help You get tested privately and discreetly, even if You are broke.
- Use contraception, if you are in a heterosexual pairing. Again, Planned Parenthood can help You with low cost or free exams and contraception.
- Be aware of the floor surface You are playing on. High heels and carpet tend not to mix well. Clear the area of clutter, so there is nothing to trip on. Yes, I did learn this lesson the hard way. Hehe!
- Be aware of Your back-swing area. You need the height of the Dominant, plus the length of their arm, plus the length of the toy, plus a few inches wiggle room. If You don't have the space consider playing outside on Your private property or a friend's, away from public view. You can also rent Dungeon space in some areas that have more room and other fun devices of torture!
- If playing with others present, be sure they are safely back from the play area. Nobody likes an unsuspecting whip to the eyeball.
- Clothespins, clamps, CBT bondage, etc. should be limited to 20 minutes on at a time. Otherwise, You can damage skin and nerves. The items can be safely replaced after a 20 minute break.
- Rope knots must always be tied outside the wrist, never inside.
- Handcuffs are poor restraints. They are nice for decorative purposes and help impede a slave doing domestic chores. Leather or vegan cuffs are best.
- Quick release Panic Snaps are excellent to use to connect the cuffs to chains/eyebolts. That way, if Your partner passes out or becomes anxious, You can easily release them.
- Have snacks containing protein and sugar in Your toy bag to rejuvenate a partner who faints or just for aftercare time.
- Know Your partner's physical and emotional limitations. A short and sexy scene is better than a prolonged trainwreck.
- Know Your Own limits and stamina!
- When doing intense scenes, try to incorporate warm up, unless this has been pre-negotiated to be a start to finish harsh scene.
- Have water and towels handy (for spills, bodily fluid/sweat) at all times.
- Tread lightly with humiliation play. A friend described it to Me this way: A house has to have 4 post which hold it up. You can take away every brick and board in the place, but it will still stand. However, if You mess with the core supports, the whole thing collapses. Everyone has some taboo things they cannot be teased about. Be sure to learn what these things are for each unique play partner. Be prepared to give extra-long aftercare.
- Anal play is fun, but You can't just attack a virgin with a jumbo strap on. Lube is Your friend. Consider anal training for Your partner (either solo or together). Basic Anal Training Guide
- Distinguish "funishment" from punishment. "Funishment" is, "Boy! You miss a spot polishing My boots! Now, You have to lick them from top to bottom." Fun for everybody, yes? It is also reminding the partner to be thorough in the future. Punishment is more like this: Your sub embarrassed You at a play party by disobeying You in front of Your friends, so he must take strong lashes from the cane until he cries and go to bed without supper. Punishment is neither sexually or emotionally satisfying. Confuse the two and You will end up with a ill-behaved, Smart Ass Masochist on Your hands. (Great if You like that, but frustrating, if You don't!)
- Explain punishment. What did they do wrong? Why has it upset You? What will happen if they repeat the offense? I find lectures while swinging a menacing implement, are quite effective. A little corner time makes it all sink in.
- Aftercare is important. It is polite to offer it to anyone You play with, although some do not prefer it. Basic aftercare is: providing a blanket, water, snack and cuddles. You might also wish to thank them for playing and discuss the scene. It is customary to get in touch the next day to see if they are experiencing sub drop.
- Top drop is real. If you are feeling depressed or just plain old weird after play (or the next day), get some TLC from Your partner or a friend.
- You will make mistakes because You are human. Learn to genuinely apologize. (Hint: the word "but" has no place in an apology!)
- Have sexy, kinky, orgasmic fun!
Known online as the DivineLadySunna, Sunna Divine, is both a lifestyle Domme and Professional Dominatrix. Ever since Her early days of vanilla dating, Sunna has been both a sadist and a Top…too bad the boyfriends didn't know it! From the very beginning of grade school, She has been known to tie mischievous boys to a tree with a jump rope and tickle them till they pee their naughty pants. Thankfully, age and education led Her to the promised kinkyland of BDSM.
Ms. Divine attends local munches, play parties, conferences and events, such as the Fetish Flea. Always independent, fabulous and vivacious, Lady Sunna chooses to make Her own way in a man's world as a Female Supremacist, BDSM model, business Woman and a Fetish Artist. She strives always to expand Her knowledge of BDSM, improve Her technical skills and make interesting new kinkster friends.
Located in the Portland, Maine area, Lady Sunna offers both live, phone and online sessions, plus photo shoots, for bottom/sub/slave clients. She is known for Her inclusive, judgment free attitude and a special tenderness with gender variant individuals. Her specialties include: Protocol, corporeal punishment, sissy and trans makeovers, service oriented submission training and rough play/DommeHandling.
You can follow Her on Twitter @DivineLadySunna.


text:
You know that feeling of trepidation when you're not quite sure whether you are filled with excitement or fear, as butterflies bubble in your belly? Well, in anticipation ahead of doing my first ever filmed interview, a friend decided to make it all the more troubling by reminding me of this Sigur Ros interview, where they barely responded to the somewhat over-enthused presenter.
DiS never likes to do things by halves and Go, the forthcoming solo album from Jonsi of Sigur Ros, is really-really brilliant, so what the hell, baptism by fire an' all that.
Here is the video of DiS' founder/editor (me, hello) when I threw myself in at the deepend and asked the very affable and thoughtful Jonsi some questions, including some of the ones many of you submitted on the boards and via our @drownedinsound Twitter.
This was filmed and edited by the fine gentlemen from the brilliant Beatcast.tv. Check back in a couple of weeks for the second part of this interview.
Go is released on April 5th. For more info and to pre-order yours visit jonsi.com/go.


text:
22 UniUyo Students Bag First Class
Twenty-two students of University of Uyo will receive first class degrees during its 22nd and 23rd Combined Convocation holding November 4, according to the Vice Chancellor, Enefiok Essien.
Essien, in a Pre-Convocation briefing held in Uyo yesterday, said nine students made first class among the 2013/2014 graduates, while 13 attained the feat in the 2014/2015 academic year.
He said a total of 8,012 students would be conferred with first degrees, higher degrees, as well as Diplomas and Certificates.
Essien, who restated his commitment to excellence, said that he had pursued policies that would make the school one of the best in the world, since he assumed office in 2015.
"When I came in, the institution was ranked 26th nationally; we have tried to improve on that which had resulted into both staff and students winning prizes, awards and honours.
"University of Uyo emerged the overall best in the Nigerian University Research and Exhibition Fair (NURESDEF), held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in 2016.
"We also emerged the overall best from South-South Geo-political Zone in an Engineering Competition in 2016.
"Our petroleum engineering students were overall best in Society of Petroleum Engineers PetroBowl Quiz Competition, Africa Region, in 2017.
Because of that feat, we shall represent Africa at the International PetroBowl in Texas, USA.
"Our Law students also won first position in International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition held this month, in Port Harcourt." (NAN)


text:
Veterans back off efforts to defeat asbestos lawsuits bill
Madison — Veterans opposed to a bill curtailing asbestos lawsuits are standing down on their efforts to persuade Gov. Scott Walker to reject the measure after an aide to the governor told a leader of a veterans group there is no way to stop it.
"We're extremely disappointed," said Jason Johns, the legislative officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart of Wisconsin. "We're not necessarily going to forget about it."
Manyveterans remain adamantly opposed to the business-backed measure because they have found the majority of plaintiffs in asbestos lawsuits have served in the military. Asbestos, which has long been used for insulation and fireproofing, can cause cancer and respiratory illnesses.
On Friday, a day after the Assembly sent the bill to the governor, Johns sent an email urging veterans to call Walker's office to oppose the bill.
Less than two hours later, Johns sent a follow-up email telling them to back off because he said Walker policy adviser Waylon Hurlburt had told another veteran that Walker was committed to signing the bill.
In an interview Monday,Johns said he was passing on information Hurlburt had told Kenneth Rynes, commander of the American Legion of Wisconsin.
"Continuing to put pressure on the Gov to veto, will not make a difference and will only irritate him," according to Hurlburt, Johns wrote in his email.
"'Retreat' is not in my nature, but for the interest of the (Military of the Purple Heart's) future veterans fights, and not wanting to risk affecting those endeavors in pursuit even further of this bill that is going to be signed no matter what. So as a result, I recommend (although I am not happy about it) that we inform everyone to 'Stand Down' on" the bill.
In addition to his role with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Johns is a lobbyist for the Wisconsin Asbestos Victims Network. A former deputy secretary of veterans affairs in Walker's administration, Johns received a Purple Heart in 2011 for injuries he received in Iraq in 2003.
In the interview,Johns called stopping the asbestos bill the top priority of veterans this legislative session.
Lawmakers from both parties for years have been good to veterans, he said. But when it came to the life-or-death matter of asbestos lawsuits, Republicans in the Legislature chose businesses over veterans, Johns said.
The drafting file for the bill shows lobbyist Andy Cook had a hand in writing the bill. Cook's clients include Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state's largest business lobby, and the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council, an alliance of major industries that advocates for limiting lawsuits.
Many of the companies that produced asbestos created trust funds to pay claims as they filed for bankruptcy protection.
Victims can file claims with the trusts and can also sue companies that are still in business. The bill approved last week would require plaintiffs to disclose any actions against trusts that they have filed or plan to file.
Backers cite double-dipping
Supporters say the measure aims to prevent people from trying to collect twice. Opponents say the bill makes it harder for victims to get fully compensated.
The bill would help businesses when they are sued because they could point out to the jury that the plaintiffs had filed claims against trusts. That could bolster their arguments they were not to blame for the asbestos exposure at issue in a particular case.
Walker's Democratic opponent, former state Commerce Secretary Mary Burke, opposes the bill.
"For politicians beholden to special interests to stand in the way of holding companies accountable and making it harder for those affected to seek compensation for legitimate claims is unacceptable to me," Burke said in a statement.
Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said the governor is evaluating the bill, but she did not directly address whether Hurlburt had said Walker plans to sign the bill no matter what.
Patrick stressed that the Department of Veterans Affairs never took a position on the bill.
"This bill is about ensuring transparency in the lawsuit process to stop trial lawyers from double dipping," Patrick said in a statement. "Preventing double dipping will help make sure there will be resources available for the truly injured down the road."
Veterans groups have railed against the measure. The Wisconsin American Legion, Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars and Wisconsin Military Order of the Purple Heart issued a joint statement last week condemning Assembly Republicans for passing the bill.
Renee Simpson, commander of the Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars, said in that statement that Assembly members had "turned their backs" on veterans and their families. Simpson's father died of asbestos exposure.
"After months of good faith negotiations, I am extremely disappointed that (the bill) lacked much needed language to ensure veterans and their families are not left bearing the burden created by the asbestos companies that poisoned them," Rynes said in the joint statement.
Another veterans group, Wisconsin AMVETS, came out in support of the legislation in January, arguing in a letter the bill would protect funds for asbestos victims.
In a statement, Walker's veterans affairs secretary, John Scocos, said his agency took no stance on the measure because it does not specifically target veterans for their military service.
"There are many varying opinions on this topic in the veteran community," he said in his statement.
The Assembly passed the bill 55-38, with all Republicans in favor of it and all Democrats against it. The Senate approved the bill 17-16 earlier this month, with Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) joining all Democrats in opposing it.
Twitter: twitter.com/patrickdmarley
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The New York Times – October 19, 2018
Any reporter who has covered a humanitarian disaster should understand what Stalin is once reported to have said to a fellow Soviet official: The death of one person is a tragedy, but the death of one million is a statistic.
Thousands dead – an abstract notion.
One gruesome MURDER – fires emotion.
One gruesome MURDER – fires emotion.


text: The NCIS team's murder investigation of a man who sold military information leads to the abduction of a doctor whose cutting edge neurotechnology could be developed into advanced weaponry. Team members are interviewed by FLETC to see if Deeks would make a good NCIS agent. Callen tries to have an important talk with Arkady.


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Will Election 2012 deliver a mobile ad breakthrough?
The campaign for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will spend big dollars this summer to deliver ads to voters' iPhones and iPads. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the Romney team will deliver mobile ads in swing states to complement TV ads.
The report (sub.req'd) says that the Romney campaign is the first to buy ads delivered on Apple's (s appl) advertising platform, iAd. The campaign explained the ad purchases to the Journal, saying that mobile devices are "the most personal device you carry. We felt like we wanted to connect with people where they spend their time."
Romney's move also suggests that, in the same way that 2008 was the first social media election, the 2012 campaign will be the first to include widespread adoption of mobile ads.
Both campaigns are predicted to spend $159 million on online advertising, and the mobile portion of that could help shape the extent to which consumers will accept ads on their phones and tablets. So far, mobile advertising has sputtered despite perennial predictions of a big breakout. Skeptics say that mobile screens are too small for effective advertising and consumers find the ads intrusive.
The Romney campaign is betting that the mobile ads will lead to deeper engagement and encourage voters to donate and share the Romney messages with their friends. The Obama campaign and Apple declined to comment to the Journal on Romney's iAd initiative. Both sides have been using Google's (s goog) mobile ad network.
The Republican campaign is also augmenting its mobile strategy with its 'With Mitt' app, an Instagram like tool that lets supporters share photos overlaid with patriotic or pro-Romney images. The app appears to be a clever idea in light of the enormous population of sharing online photos — what Om calls "the basic unit of digital emotion."
The "With Mitt" app, which lets users share photos by email, Facebook (s FB) or Twitter, appears to have smoothed over an earlier glitch in which it misspelled "America." Here's an example, using the "I'm a Mom for Mitt" overlay :
I couldn't find an Obama campaign equivalent to 'With Mitt' but the incumbent's team is touting its official Obama 2012 app that allows users to receive news, donate and more.
(Main image a still from Romney iPhone video via WSJ)


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This is a re-post of the blog entry I wrote for the first Autistics Speaking Day on November 1st, 2010. Ironically, I took that post — and everything else in my blog — down just a week later because of a bully who was threatening to "out" my disabilty status in my department at my university. I was afraid that I would lose my position if people knew more about my struggles so I removed all the content of my blog and went into hiding.
But now I have outed myself and no longer fear what a bully can do to me. I re-read this entry that I wrote for the first Autistics Speaking Day, in reaction to the first Communication Shutdown. And want to share it, both so it can be online again and because I don't feel I could improve on it. I could write something different — and I will next year — but this is one of the better things I've written and I just want to go with it this year.
So here it is: my entry for Autistics Speaking Day 2012:
When I was nine, a poet visited our class. We each had to write a poem for her, titled "I Am." Mine contained the lines:
I am a dove who once knew the range of the cosmos.
Now my wings are clipped and my heart aches for flight, a freedom taken for granted.
I am a nightingale. Scoffed and scorned, I no longer sing.
I am a mountain that fell and became sand.
This is why I instinctively recoiled when I first heard that people were planning to abandon social network sites for one day in order to raise awareness of autism, show solidarity with non-verbal autistics, raise money for autism charities, and experience for a day what it must be like to be autistic.
You will not experience what it is like to be autistic by turning off your computer for one day.
And I am highly offended by the idea that I can only show how important autism and autistics are to me by shutting up. I've been asked, told, and bullied into shutting up all my life. I am tired of being the nightingale who cannot sing, the dove whose wings are clipped, the mountain that has been ground down into sand by prejudice and cruelty and rejection.
I will speak!
If you want to know what it's like to be autistic . . . well, I can't tell you that because we're all different, but I can tell you how to experience my autism for a day.
Be hesitant to leave your house. Your house is the safest place you know. If someone unexpectedly rings your doorbell, jump into the air with a startle reaction and feel your bowels turn instantly to water. Consider disconnecting the doorbell, even though it means people would still come and knock on the door, because the sound is so grating, so loud, so terrifying that you feel adrenaline-ill long after it's been rung.
Leaving your house requires preparation. Not just bathing. Not just selecting clothes. You will have to spend time talking yourself into it. Every day. Every time you go out, you have to start preparing hours ahead of time with self-pep-talks and running through possible scenarios in your head so you will be prepared for every eventuality.
Because of the time and energy this costs, expect to only be able to do one major productive thing per day. If you have to spend hours talking yourself into going to class, don't expect to have any batteries left over for working on homework. If you have to spend hours talking yourself into going to the grocery, don't expect to be able to do dishes or other house work while you're prepping yourself to leave the house. Many people's to-do list is full every day. Some people are more practical and put only three or four things on their to-do list. You are only allowed one thing on your list so make it count.
But it's not all bad here in my life. And it's not all restriction from functioning the way people without autism function. If you want to know today what it's like to be one, specific autistic — that is, me — I have to ask you:
Have you ever spent half the day lost in the beauty of how water moves?
Have you ever thrilled to hear the whisking sound of a crow moving through the grass, the sound penetrating all the noise and chaos around you of people talking and music playing?
Have you ever caused those around you to marvel because you could hear the phone and announce an incoming call before it rings?
Have you ever sat on a high bluff, watching a mountain lion stalking through the rocks and sagebrush, watching the rabbits flee before her like sparks shooting out of a log popping in the campfire?
Have you ever firewalked, overcoming the emotional resistance to walking on hot coals simply and easily with the logical thought that since others were doing it, you could too?
Have you ever solved a Rubik's Cube in less than a minute?
Have you ever heard someone recite a five minute long poem for the first time and repeated it back to them afterwards, perfectly?
Have you ever played in a drum circle of more than a hundred drums, feeling the rhythm pulsing through you so strongly it replaced your own heartbeat, feeling at one with everything and perfectly attuned with the people around you with whom you could never have connected so deeply through the words and gestures of common social interactions?
Perhaps you have felt or done or thought some of these things. But that does not teach you that autism is "just like everybody else." To paraphrase what author Rudy Simone says, "everyone visits sometimes; we live there."
So maybe you know a little bit about what it's like to be me when you get lost driving through a strange neighborhood. But I live that topographical agnosia every day and not just in strange neighborhoods. I get lost in buildings I've been entering for years. Catch me on a bad day and I will get lost in my own living room. No kidding: I've stood there before, thinking, "I know the people who live here" as I looked at my own home, rendered foreign by a combination of exhaustion and unusual brain wiring.
Maybe you know a little bit about what it's like to be me when you stub your toe. But I live that dyspraxia every day and am covered with bruises from falling down or falling against things. I have enough balance to pedal a bicycle but have to use an old step-through frame from the seventies because I can't throw one leg over a bicycle without falling down.
And even if you do know a little bit about what it's like to be me with the autism and the dysgraphia (difficulty handwriting) and the prosopagnosia (can't recognize people's faces) don't make the mistake of telling me, "oh, just keep practicing and you'll get better at that." You have no idea how much practice I have put in. You have no idea how much study and effort I have put in. You look at me and see an unpolished normal person who just needs to work a little harder. What you don't see is the amazing victories I accomplish every day. What you don't see is the way I have risen to challenge and fought the good fight and really pulled myself up by the bootstraps.
Because all the work I have put in has only suceeded in making me appear flawed in your eyes instead of disabled. I have worked so hard and accomplished so much only to be told that if I work a little harder I might measure up to mediocre. This is something you really need to understand if you want to know what it's like to be me, one autistic girl, trying desperately to find a place of safety and comfort in this world.
Understand this: only 15% of us are employed. If you want to know what it's like to be autistic today, my experience is as good as any other — imagine getting a job and working hard, coming to work on time every day, learning your responsibilities quickly . . . only to be fired in a week or two because "it's not working out" or "we hired more people than we needed" (as you see them training someone to do your job when you come to pick up your last check) or "you don't mesh well with our team" or any of countless other non-answers that don't tell you what you did wrong, what you need to try to change.
Have you ever slept in the park? On a loading dock, closed for the night? During the day in a restaurant bathroom stall, sitting up on the toilet and grabbing as much sleep as you can in the safest spot you can find?
Have you ever eaten out of a dumpster? Would you know which restaurant pours bleach on the food before it throws it away so that no one can eat it? Would you know which restaurant throws away a trash bag of sandwiches still in their wrappers?
Have you ever picked up bottles so you could turn them in for the deposits and finally eat?
Have you ever gone days without eating?
Have you ever been so hungry that you waited for the delivery truck to leave bread in front of the grocery so you could steal some, all the while weeping at being reduced to crime in order to survive?
These things can be as much a part of the autism experience as IEPs and mutism. These things have been part of my autistic experience.
Do you still want to know what it's like to be autistic?
How about this? You enter a room of people and they're having conversations and you want to join in but you can't pick the words apart so the whole room is filled with a nonsensical "blah blah blah blah." Someone turns to you and starts talking and you can't understand it past the blah blah of the whole room but you're reading their lips and then halfway through what they're saying, they turn their head away or cover their mouth with their hand and you lose any point of reference.
You try to respond to them anyway, but talking when you can't hear what you're saying is like pouring novocaine into your brain and you can't do it. Oh, and by the way, people are always shushing you, telling you you're talking too loudly. You can't tell, though, because sounds get all muddled together in your brain and you can never properly hear what you're saying with all the noise in the world banging at your head.
You want to listen to the class lecture, but someone coughed and someone else rattled a piece of paper and someone else shuffled their feet on the floor and there's no way you can follow the professor so hopefully the textbook will have everything you need to know.
You want to watch television in the waiting room but the child next to you asked his mother a question and the door keeps opening and closing and people are moving around and someone smells really strongly of some kind of cologne that doesn't smell like fragrance to you — more like having rubbing alcohol poured into your nostrils. And so you can't hear the television and feel too antsy and desirous of escape to even focus on the pictures.
You want to go check your mailbox but there are people out there and you're not ready to face people with their strange demands and their unexpected questions and their judgments and mocking. So you wait until 3 am to go take out your trash and see what mail you got that day. And you savor the chill night air and the bright stars and take note of the position and phase of the moon and wish you could float up into that blue night sky and hover amidst all the beauty and escape the chaos and pain of a world you have never felt you belonged to, not even before you knew what . . . or who . . . autism is.
Because you don't have autism; you are autism. It is not something laid over a normal person, it is your person. It is your brain. It is your thoughts and perceptions and desires and being. You cannot draw a circle around part of yourself and say "here there is autism and everywhere else there is not autism." It is who you are and it is beautiful and painful and joyous and tragic and challenging and fascinating and real. Every day. Every minute.
You still don't know what it's like to be autistic . . . unless you are autistic. But I'm glad you stopped by today because I think you might have learned more about living with autism from briefly stepping into my life in your mind, through my words, than you would have learned in a full month of turning your computer off. Happy Autistics Speaking Day to you and thank you for caring enough to keep your computer turned on today.


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The following Parthian Lamb recipe is based on two different Roman recipes from Apicius (8.6.8 and 8.6.10). The reason it is called Parthian is not because the recipe comes from Parthia (Persia), but rather because it uses a spice called Laser Parthicum, which replaced Lybian Silphium when it went extinct in the 1st century CE. Laser Parthicum is Asafoetida, which originates in Persia. There is an alternative reading in another manuscript of Apicius which reads pasticum (suckling) instead of Particum (Parthian), which refers to the young age of the lamb and not the spice used in the recipe.
Apicius 8.6.8:
Hedus siue agnus crudus: oleo piper fricabis et asparges fores salem purum multo cum coriandri semen. in furnum mittis, assatum inferes.
Rare kid or lamb: rub with oil and pepper, and sprinkle plenty of pure salt and coriander seed all over the outside. Put in the oven. Serve roasted.
Latin text and translation from Grocock and Grainger, Apicius.
Apicius 8.6.10:
Hedum siue agnum Particum: mittes in furnum; teres piper rutam cepam satureiam, damascena enucleata laseris modicum uinum, liquamen et oleum [uinum]. feruens colluitur in disco, ex aceto sumitur.
Parthian kid or lamb: put it in the oven. Pound pepper, rue, onion, savory, stoned damsons, a little laser, wine, liquamen, and oil. Pour lots of the boiling sauce over the meat on a serving dish. Eat it with some vinegar.
Latin text and translation from Grocock and Grainger, Apicius.
- Giacosa, Ilaria Gozzini. A Taste of Ancient Rome. Rand Corporation, 1994, p. 99.
- Kaufman, Cathy K. Cooking in Ancient Civilizations. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006, p. 159.
- Dalby, Andrew, and Sally Grainger. The Classical Cookbook. Getty Publications, 1996, p. 22.
- Grocock, C. W., and Sally Grainger, eds. Apicius. Prospect Books, 2006, p. 270-273.
Parthian Lamb
- 5 lb Lamb Bone-in Leg
- 500 ml White Wine
- Olive Oil Extra Virgin
- Coriander Ground
- Salt
- Black Pepper Coarse Ground
- 10 oz Prunes Pitted
- 4 Onions Large, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Wine Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Savory Ground
- 1 tablespoon Asafoetida Ground
- 4 tablespoons Olive Oil Extra Virgin
- Salt
- Black Pepper Coarse Ground
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare to place the lamb on a roasting pan rack inside the roasting pan.
- Rub the leg of lamb on both sides with olive oil. Then rub with salt, black pepper and ground coriander. The spices will stick to the olive oil and should cover the whole leg.
- A bone-in leg of lamb will roast to medium rare in about 18-20 minutes per every pound. So if your leg of lamb weighs 5 pounds then it will roast in total for 1 hour and 40 minutes. You should weigh your leg of lamb and adjust the timing according to its weight.
- Place the lamb on a roasting pan rack inside a roasting pan with the fat side up and place in the center of the oven.
- Baste the whole leg in white wine.
- Roast the lamb at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes on regular bake mode without a fan.
- After 15 minutes, reduce the temperature of the oven to 350 degrees F. Continue roasting the lamb for another 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Every 20 minutes baste the leg in white wine. Make sure to cover the whole leg with wine. There is no need to flip the leg over.
- Check the internal temperature of the lamb every 20 minutes with a thermometer by poking it in a few places. The internal temperature you are trying to reach is 130 - 135 degrees F, which is medium rare. If you like your meat cooked to medium then keep roasting until the temperature reaches 145 degrees F. The timing specified in this recipe is for medium rare.
- For the last 15 minutes of roasting turn the convection feature of your oven on so that the fan will run. This will crisp up the fat on the leg. If your oven does not have a fan, then just ignore this step.
- Roast the lamb for 5 minutes with the fan on. Then take the sauce that you prepared by now and cover with it the whole leg of lamb. Roast for the last 10 minutes with the sauce on the leg.
- Measure the internal temperature of the lamb before taking it out of the oven and make sure it has reached 130 - 135 degrees F for a perfect medium rare.
- Remove the pan with the lamb out of the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
- Carve the meat of the lamb, slice and serve with the roasted sauce.
- As soon as you placed the lamb in the oven begin making the sauce.
- Place the pitted prunes inside a bowl with warm water. The exact temperature of the water is not important. This will allow the prunes to soften and plump up, which will make them cook a lot faster. Keep the prunes soaking for at least 30 - 45 minutes. The water from the prunes will turn brown and the prunes will become a lighter brown color and soft, which is normal.
- Finely chop all four onions into small cubes. Do not worry about the fact that it may look like you have too many onions. They will cook away in the process and you will need them to make enough sauce to cover the whole leg of lamb.
- Take a large sauce pan and cover the bottom of it with olive oil. Saute the onions in the pan while constantly flipping them with a wooden spoon for 15 minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon of wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of savory, and 1 tablespoon of asafoetida to the onions, and saute for another 15 minutes while constantly flipping the mixture.
- Remove the prunes from the water and add them to the mixture in the sauce pan. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and saute the mixture for 15 minutes, while constantly flipping it with a wooden spoon.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of wine vinegar, and saute the mixture for another 15 minutes while constantly flipping it with a wooden spoon. Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper to taste.
- After about 30 minutes of sauteing the prunes should start to disintegrate and become a mush. The onions will becomes very soft a mushy as well, although they will not disintegrate. The sauce will be done when this mushy consistency is achieved.
- Make sure the sauce is completed at least 10 minutes before the lamb, so that you can place the sauce on top of the lamb as described in the previous section.
- Retsina wine from Greece, which is fermented in pitchers covered with resin, as the original Roman wines were, instead of oak barrels. The Romans most prized wines were from Greece. A good brand of Retsina wine is Kourtaki which is sold in many wine stores in the US, such as Total Wine and Bevmo.
- Wine vinegar from Spain, either Sherry or Sweet Moscatel, which have a stronger taste, or Sweet Pedro Ximenez vinegar, which has a milder taste. All of the above mentioned vinegars are made based on recipes closer to what the Romans would have used. A very good brand of Spanish wine vinegars is Los Villares, which can be purchased in Whole Foods Supermarkets throughout the US.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Greece, especially Crete. Just like wines, olive oil taste varies based on the variety of olives used and the region where they were grown. The Romans imported the majority of their olive oil from Greece, which was considered to be of the highest quality. A few different brands of Greek olive oil can be purchased in Whole Foods Supermarkets throughout the US.