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Enjoy FREE shipping and returns, price matching, and SO much more. see details
Faribault Woolen Mill Co. creates timeless blankets, throws, accessories, and apparel. With a heritage of craftsmanship dating back to 1965, Faribault's woolens represent comfort, quality, and serve as artifacts of American history, proudly manufactured in one of the last vertical woolen mills still in use. Made to endure for generations, and featuring a perennial palette of stripes and patters, all of Faribault Woolen Mill's classic designs are heirlooms in the making.


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Back to school usually means back to school supplies shopping. And some of those supplies are pricey and complicated.
We're talking about computers.
We've teamed up with Ken Colburn from Data Doctors to share his expertise and give us a few tips on how to choose the computer (desktop or laptop) best for your child.
Desktop vs. Laptop
Desktop computers are helpful for younger kids. They're cheaper to purchase, maintain and repair. You also get larger storage and processing power. Laptops allow for mobility and greater accessibility, which is especially needed for college students.
Mistakes to avoid
When buying a laptop, evaluate the needs of the student first. Don't just base it on price or gadgets you think they may need (or not need). Most students now only need basic features that do not require sophisticated devices or software. Check with the school to find out what your child needs.
The main things to look for are access to the internet, a word processor, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint and email.
Some schools simply use Google Docs to avoid problems with software that may fail.
For older students that are going into specific fields such as video game development, video editing or photography, there may be a need for more powerful computers and programs.
Pricing is important
Buying based only on price can lead to mistakes. Low prices may translate into lower quality such as cheaper batteries and future purchase and maintenance requirements.
Look for the differences between laptops and prices. Checking with schools for what students may need can help save you money. Don't let your children make the decisions on what they think they need.
Warranty or no warranty?
Generally, buying an extended warranty on a laptop makes sense, especially if the student is moving away from home or has a clumsy streak.
For desktop computers, warranties may be less critical. Be aware that when filing a claim to repair/ replace/ refund a laptop via the warranty, it may mean sending the device to another state and possibly going without it for several weeks.
Must-have programs
A tracking device is extremely important. If the laptop goes missing or is stolen, it allows putting a lock on the device and alert authorities about its location. Virus protection is also critical. Adding good quality protection software can keep the computer running smoothly.
Money-saving tip: Upgrade
That older laptop or computer you have may help you save money. Upgrading a computer hard drive can save you some cash too. Adding memory can also help improve the user experience without shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars on new equipment.
Beware of refurbished devices
Buying refurbished products can mean buying someone else's non-refurbished problem. Do the research, know what to look for and know that oftentimes refurbished products with big problems are not easy to pinpoint, which could leave you with a useless computer.
For other helpful tips from Data Doctors that can ease the back to school pressure check these out:
How long should my laptop last?
Tips for better tracking of stolen laptops
Colburn also recommends these sites for parents who wish to help their children with their homework:

subset: commoncrawl


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i read orhan's inheritance by aline ohanesian while waiting giving birth and during breastfeeding.
at the beginning of the story, it wasn't interesting at all. i almost quit reading it. but then, there's a mystery in it. why orhan's grandfather inherited their family house to a woman they've never heard of? i learned about armenian genocide here. it's one of history i've never heard before.
now reading: this is where i leave you by jonathan tropper


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MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS A clearly marked road network through Waterfall Forest and a commercial plantation , in the northern reaches of Cata, above the Chalets, is perfect for mountain biking. There are 7 viewpoints along the route and two water points where you cross a stream. Perfect for adventure athletes and nature lovers, the earmarked tracks and spectacular views are guaranteed to thrill. Click here for a map. Bring your own bikes or hire ours at reasonable rates.
HORSE RIDES The community has horses which you can hire from them. A trained guide will take you for a ride through the village and along the roads in the area.
For a full price list of all amenities and activities click here.


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Holly wrote:Lady Murasaki wrote:Holly wrote:Lady Murasaki wrote:I use the zest for my lemon drizzle cake. De luscious!
Obvs not with waxed lemons.
Nice pics Canary, I want that drink.
I have my own lemon tree
Cool. I had a little one from IKEA, in a pot but it only lasted that year.
Wish I had a lemon and orange tree but we don't have the climate like you NZers.
Yes, I guess we are lucky... I have a huge lemon tree, don't know what to do with all those lemons, I keep telling the neighbours they can take as many as they want, as long as they leave me at least 10 on the tree...I also have a big grapefruit tree, can't give them away, no one likes them, including me. The tree was here when we bought the house, so we left it....it's quite decorative looking.
Hiya Holly
Do you make lemonade and lemon curd and stuff? I've always wanted a lemon tree but I don't think it would grow with the climate here in Scotland. I love the smell of lemons (and limes). I've heard the scenery in NZ is a lot like Scotland. How does the climate in NZ compare to Australia? Do you get colder winters?


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Thursday, August 7, 2014 | 39There may be no more polarizing topic about arm-chair MMORPG design than Player versus Player (PvP) combat. PvP system designs range from non-stop to null, and everyone feels like they have a legitimate handle on what system is best suited to their needs.
They're all wrong.
There are really only two PvP systems I believe can be functional, but the best way to show what works is by first explaining why the alternatives don't. Take notes because you will be tested.
The main issue with splitting up the entire population of a MMORPG into opposing groups is... you are splitting your entire population into... opposing groups. This cuts all potential for meaningful conflict by the number of players you're forced to team-up with and opens up loopholes for pointless non-combat griefing. Faction PvP can be broken up even further into two separate categories; both of which are broken.
Examples: (WoW, SWTOR, Darkfall, Planetside 2)
Softcore Faction PvP, or the "WoW model", can be defined as any multi-sided pvp where the combatants incur no risk or reward outside of hurting the other players' feelings. This is the type of system that created the modern MMO psychopath. The problem here is that players who enjoy griefing are the ones with the greatest reward for victory, while all other players are conditioned to launch pre-emptive strikes in order to actually enjoy (or even play) the game. This system sucks.
Examples: (WoW, SWTOR, Planetside 2, Rift)
Hardcore Faction PvP is a more reasonable alternative where players fight for a purpose. The goal here is to pillage and conquer. Once victory is achieved the goal is to get home before someone reacquires your spoils of war. Factions, however, tend to create zergs. Large groups of roving PK's tend to be less inhibited by the risk of losing because losing is so rare. I'm including games like Darkfall Online in this list because, despite allowing for relatively open PvP, the cost of building a home and conquest systems promote super-clans, which are basically factions. Lone-wolf and new player archetypes suffer the most in a system like this because one-on-one combat is incredibly rare. This system sucks.
Examples: (Darkfall, Sort of Shadowbane)
Although Open PvP could also be theoretically split into hardcore and softcore, the drawbacks would be similar, so let's focus on traditional "UO-Model" PvP. In this model, players can construct their own ethics systems on combat with other players. If someone wrongs you, or has things you find appealing, you make a choice to whether the reward outweighs the risks. Because this isn't a faction model, additional risk is incurred because any passers-by can make a judgement call on whether your actions are justified and leap into the fray. Rampant PvP is typically curbed by a karma system of some type, and lawful people far outnumber the unlawful. Player-run guilds and factions could exist, but it's left in the hands of the players to govern themselves.
Ideal open-world games would also avoid features that are completely inaccessable to individual players because providing incentives for zerging can tip an "Open PvP" game into the evil faction realm, which immediately destroys the mass-appeal. The focus of this design should be to facilitate players, not to limit them.
This is my favorite type of PvP system because it appeals to a broad audience, and not just sociopaths. While this system may not provide as much PvP, it will always be more meaningful and entertaining than its faction counterparts due to its expanded and variable nature. Naturally, some people who don't believe in competition will prefer the last style of PvP combat.
Examples: (Classic UO, Mortal Online, EvE Online is borderline)
Like it or not, this is the only reasonable alternative to Open PvP. Games with no world pvp are much friendlier to 10 year olds who just want to play whack-an-orc with their friends. Battlegrounds were created in order to provide some token competition for these types of games, but they're largely unnecessary as PvP in these games is merely a series of repeatable actions with paper-rock-scissors balance.
Examples: (Hello Kitty Online, Any game with PvE servers)
It takes all types...
There are other distinctions that could be drawn, such as safe-zone PvP, Conquest PvP, etc, but these games mostly apply to these categories in some way. Open PvP gets an extremely bad wrap from people who only think about it in passing, but this ignorance only further perpetuates that gamers need to be separated into groups. That doesn't work in the real world, and it CERTAINLY doesn't work in gaming... After all:
Keep in mind that PvP is only one feature of a MMORPG, so games can still be terrible even with solid PvP models. Complain below:


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With s/y Veritas on our tentative leg 8-10 eastwards through The Indonesian Sea, Bali, Flores. Sulawesi then eastnortheast towards Moluk, Pulau Bar, Palau, mid and north Phillipines, Borneo, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, South Thailand, Andaman and westwards to North Europe. Look below for details of the route for the different legs. Weather and time decides the final route.
Write a book, your philosophies or poems. Produce a video or a picture collection. Be a painter, look at moons and stars in the night, sunrise and sunsets, dive, fish, visit many harbours and cities or be creative as you like - at the same time as we sail to our destination.
The Journey with s/y Veritas starts from Split 2016 and ends in Denmark.
The basic contribution as crew for the berth and the journey will be the amount of Danish Crowns DKr. 230,00 per. day per person inclusive Dkr. 10 for the crew foundation. Furthermore your share of provisions (food, water) and supplies is approx. Danish Crowns. DKr. 1500-2500 (for food, fuel and beverages etc.)
The vessel is 50 feet Bavaria cruiser with 10 berths 5 cabins, 3 bathrooms with toilet and shower, stern shower, large galley as well as cockpit on upper deck. 3 cabins are double berths and 2 cabin are with bunk berths all with fan. The Vessel is with modern new Raymarine security and navigation equipment, extra sails, new standing and running rig (New Radar Q24C, 2 plotters/sonar c125 and Dragonfly 7 pro, 2 VHF, 2 GPS, AIS, 2 Satellite telephones Isatphone2 and Iridium Go, Free SMS and email exchange, free phone call sometimes, Echo sounder, Auto-pilot, watermaker, etc. The vessel is very safe and automatic. The vessel has a large Volvo Penta engine TMD 22, 78 HP and is in generel well equiped. Among security equipment there is 2 safety rafts for 10-12 persons plus a rubber dinghy with 2 outbound engines, fire/gas/Co2 alarms, aut. fire extinguisher and Epirb. MOBs - all new equipment. (see below for our basic equipment list). Have to be under running maintenace by crew, captains and professionals to keep the standard.
It will be possible to make tours on land. During the journey it will be possible to visit smaller and larger harbours and islands and to take a hike around when its possible. It is not possible to predict accurate where we will go ashore and anchor, but it will be a part of the journey to harbours as often as it is possible. There will also be plentiful night sailings.
Around the world with s/y Veritas:
Further Terms and Crew Information look at the site: "Terms and practical information"
Equipment list:
Sailing yacht: Bavaria 50 Cruiser "s/y Veritas"
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Slap Dash Lunch with Tatu Bearcroft
Where are you currently based?
Chelsea, London.
Have you led a nomadic lifestyle?
I grew up in Kenya, Thailand, Bali, France, Tanzania and the UK mainly but spent time in many other places including Mozambique, Qatar, Spain, Australia and a few others here and there. So yes would be the answer.
If you could present your food to anybody in the world who would it be?
Anyone who loves good and interesting food, appreciates their health and is hungry. No one in particular comes to mind.
What is your favourite travel destination?
Any place with warm sunshine, sweet mangoes, salty sea and big space.
Do you have a go-to ingredient that can transform a dish?
Oh, this changes from month to month, year to year. Some simple saviours along the way have included the zingy taste of citrus fruits, handfuls of the herb in season, although dill still confuses me, pomegranate seeds, a generous sprinkle of cumin, a hint of tahini, toasted pine kernels, rich flavours of Croatian olive oil... it goes on!
If you were to sit down with friends to watch a movie, what snack would be on offer?
Possibly home made toasted spiced nuts and seeds, tahini marinated kale with sweet smoked paprika and sea salt flakes, or a delightful trio of spiced hummus, homemade chilli babaganoush and crushed avocado.
What is your guilty pleasure, be it the type of music you listen to while cooking or a delicious treat that defies your food philosophy?
Guilty pleasures... I could drink maple syrup! Heavily buttered marmite and honey toast.
How would you describe the state of the modern man's relationship with food?
Distanced, unfamilar and lacking in gentle gratitude of its growth and creation. Many do not cook, let alone grow food, understand the magic and the hard work it takes to feed one human - let alone a city. We eat selfishly, we eat more protein so we can have big muscles; we do not consider the energy needed to grow that protein nor recognise the research that shows we need not eat so much of it. We eat for our own health, vanity and greed without acknowledging the impact it is having on the planet. Exotic health foods flood our markets, yet have been flown half way across the world, grown by people who struggle to feed their families on land claimed from life-giving forests. Then we all dash off to the gym to burn the excess we consume - what a strange existance we live. I am not exempt from this. I would say all humans should attempt to grow something, even if it's a chilli plant on their kitchen counter.
Is there a typically British ingredient that is priceless to you?
The trusty turnip, the sexy swede and the beautious beetroot bring me great delight! Mustard greens in a salad, sorrel, chervil, dandelion leaves, the lost flavours of old. I love to make oriental inspired spiralised turnip salads, spiralised swedes with raw nut bolognaise, grated beetroot with tahini to accompany a fillet of seabass. Plus each of these dishes are all so wonderfully good for you!
Finally, can you give 3 of your top cooking tips?
1) Taste your vegetables individually raw before you cook them, allow the flavour to flow over your tongue, close your eyes and savour the emerging tastes as they change influence by your pH levels, salivary amylase, hydration and mental and emotional state. Knowing your ingredients will give you the tools to play with tastes and textures.
2) Cook less, prepare more. Avoid cooking where possible for two reasons - 1. makes the washing up a doddle, 2. reduces phytonutrient and damage and fibre breakdown.
3) Keep it creative, remember the perfect recipe is often someone elses perfection, be yourself. If at a loss lemon saves most disasters... except over cooked pasta, nothing will save that.
Comments are closed.
About our Blog
We write occasional pieces about our adventures, about our findings related to the Wildfitness approach, about food and we also invite others to contribute.
March 2018


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The UNM Health System takes our commitment to high-quality care seriously. That's why you'll find information on our performance and steps we've taken to ensure you stay safe when you're with us.
Advanced Academic Health Care
As a patient of UNM Health System, you'll benefit from the unique resources of the state's only academic medical center. An academic medical hospital is one where the clinical staff – including doctors and nurses – not only take care of patients, but also teach a new generation of caregivers. Our staffers are leaders in research and medical discoveries, all at the forefront of innovations in medical care.
Dedicated to Quality
The Institute of Medicine defines high-quality health care as "…safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable." UNM Health System strives to ensure the care we provide exceeds these standards. We're national leaders in core measures, particularly for our performance in efficiency and equity.
Patient Safety
UNM Health believes outstanding patient care doesn't happen without a commitment to patient safety. Hospitals are complicated, and during a hospital stay, you may work with multiple caregivers and receive many medications, tests and procedures.
By putting systems in place to standardize care, UNM Health has taken steps to lower the risk of harm or injuries from your treatment. We have launched aggressive campaigns to reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections and pay close attention to hand hygiene and sterile materials, all which have lowered the risk of infections in our facilities. We are also national leaders in preventing blood clots in hospitalized patients, a complication that can be life-threatening.
Access to Care
Because UNM Health is the state's primary safety net hospital and its sole source of tertiary (highly specialized) care, demand for our services is extremely high. We excel at providing high-quality care, but gaining access to these services can be difficult.
To alleviate this challenge, UNM Health has launched initiatives to improve timeliness of appointments, care and emergency services, and the availability of transfer beds. Many of these initiatives focus on processing patients more efficiently so caregivers can see more patients, and more of the appointment time is spent on care, not paperwork.
Quality Data for Common Conditions
UNM Health measures several facets of quality and safety to ensure you get high-quality care. When possible, we report our outcomes; where outcomes data are unavailable, you can read our quality measures process.


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* In stock
Handmade mild steel framed table with reclaimed 35mm thick timber plank top.Traditional natural dye is used to colour the timbers made from crushed hazelnut shells.
The shade is controlled by dilution and can be mixed from a very dark stain, comparable to a Jacobean Oak through to a very light wash which gives a more bleached look.
The timber is then finished with a low sheen water based varnish.
Avaialble sizes:
150cm x 75cm
200cm x 75cm
250cm x 75cm
300cm x 75cm
Please enquire for matching benches and shipping quotes.
*International delivery prices are calculated by enquiry
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I have been meaning to write this for some time now. But, this is one of those posts that requires serious reflection, analysis and questioning and so I have been postponing this for a few days. But today, I decided it could not wait any longer. Does God exist? If yes, what is he/she? Someone sitting up there in the skies and commanding our every action? If no, why does humankind need the concept? Personally, I believe in God. Call it what you may, God, the Almighty, a creature of the nth dimension, an extra-terrestrial with superior intelligence…whatever it is, I believe. Not because I am stupid or naive, but because I need something to believe in. I am human too. I need to believe that there is a power above mine that makes things happen the way they happen. Existential philosophers believed that there is no such thing as God. That is a scary proposition. Because if there was no God, we would have to take responsibility for every little thing in our lives. An accident, a power failure, an illness…we would be responsible for everything. And that kind of responsibility is too heavy for any individual to bear. There is no doubt in my mind that there is God. That He takes care of everything and makes things happen in my life. I don't mean that I can sit back and relax while He does all the hard work. It means that success is 99% hard work and 1% divine providence.
That brings me to the next question. Must I believe in religion because I believe in God? Can I not worship Him the way I deem fit? Will He not listen to me and solve my problems if I ask Him to? Why is there a single acceptable way of worshipping? I spent two years away from India. I lit a lamp something like 5 times in those two years. I did not visit a single temple in that time. But, He took care of me and ensured my physical and emotional well-being. Will all that change because I am now in India and refuse to go to a temple? Yes, I believe in God, but not in religion. I believe that there is a supreme power that makes things happen, but I refuse to get carried away by ritualism and devote my time to pointless worship. Does that make me an atheist? I will worship when I feel like it. I will go to a temple because I want to. I refuse to be forced into performing such rituals to satisfy others. So, is God going to punish me for that attitude? I doubt it. Because, if God really is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, he will understand and appreciate my faith in Him. Why should I pretend for the sake of other mere humans?
The humans in question masquerade as astrologers. They claim they can read God's mind. They claim you have hurt His sentiments or defiled Him by behaving in a certain manner. They also claim He can only be pacified by begging for forgiveness through some elaborate ritual costing a couple of thousand rupees. Excuse me if I sound like an atheist, but I find the whole thing ridiculous. The Vedas prescribe something called the Kshama Prarthana. It involves asking for forgiveness for mistakes committed, knowingly or unknowingly. And it about two lines long and takes exactly 25 seconds to say. Will God not accept that? Will He not forgive? Why do we need these astrologers and fake pujaaris to act as intermediaries in our business with God? I know my questions are pertinent. But my asking them makes me a heretic. It hurts to see that a religion that was once so inclusive and tolerant is becoming increasingly intolerant and ritualistic. But, who is to say? Who is to fight these self-proclaimed guardians of faith?


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If you have always wanted to see the African savanna or jungles that they always show on TV. Provided that you have ever needed to see the animals at the zoo for example lion and elephants out in wild. Then what you are searching for is a wildlife and gorilla safari in Rwanda and Uganda. A safari can help you to see everything that you have been searching for and more. It will take you through the savanna of Uganda to see animals for example Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Statungas, Baboons, zebra, and mountain gorillas in the misty jungles of Bwindi National park (Uganda) and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda.
You can visit with the local people and also see stunning destinations that you never musing you might have the opportunity to see for yourself. Assuming that you need to see and do all of these things then make sure you don't let it pass you by or wait until it is too late. Make sure that you book yourself a place on an African safari today to Uganda and Rwanda in East Africa.
Going on an astounding safari holiday in Uganda and Rwanda will change your life and reveal to you things that you just read about in books and watch on documentaries. While on an safari to East Africa, you will voyage through the jungles and scene of Uganda, and you will get to apprehend a glimpse at some of the world's most attractive wildlife.
There are particular safaris where you can experience the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat of Bwindi and Mgahinga National parks. You can additionally see lions and leopards in the savanna of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National park. It is a fantastic experience.
Accommodations are always the highest standards, and you will be well taken care of. If you have habitually dreamed about taking a safari journey but never really did it, now is the time! Make a safari to Rwanda and Uganda and see a different part of our world! You will love these memories for a lifetime and have astounding stories to tell. Don't forget your camera and extra batteries!
See the Mountain Gorilla Close Up
Mountain gorilla tracking holidays refer to a special type of nature tour that is only found in the three countries of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. In the forests of south western part of Uganda and across the border to the west in Rwanda live several hundred mountain gorillas.
This is a critically endangered specie and there are only 880 individuals left in the whole world. Half of this population is distributed in impenetrable forests of Bwindi national park, Mgahinga and the rest of the population is found in Virunga National Park in DR Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
This is according to the gorilla census of 2011. The mountain gorillas do not exist anywhere else in the wild and they are not found in captivity. Tourists pay money to buy gorilla permits as permission to trek gorillas in the wild and over 20% of that money goes toward their protection and conservation, while another percentage goes to the local community surrounding the gorilla habitats.
All the 3 countries offer gorilla trekking tours and they are done almost exactly the same. Once the tourists are given special instruction in a 30 minutes briefing about Dos and Don'ts while on gorilla tracking, a ranger guide leads small groups of eight or less into the jungles. Once the guide tracks down these gorillas, tourists are allowed to observe them for 60 minutes maximum from a distance as close as 7 meters.
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda cost USD500 and in Rwanda, each gorilla permit costs USD750. Uganda some times has promotional offers on gorilla permits in the month of April, May and November where each gorilla permit cost USD350. Note that, the demand for gorilla permits is extremely high through-out the year. Everyone interested in participating in gorilla trekking adventure is advised to book your trip early and secure your gorilla permit thorough any credible travel agents like African Jungle Adventures ltd and Gorilla Expeditions ltd


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Official Test Scores
Students will receive 2 official copies of their test scores when the test session is complete. TWU will not email or mail score reports to other Texas public institutions. Please contact your institution to request score retrieval from CollegeBoard.
Students may give TWU permission to retrieve their official Accuplacer/TSI test scores from other in-state colleges and universities by completing the Score Release Form* and emailing it to email@example.com.
*Scores may only be retrieved if the form is completed in its entirety.
Page last updated 10:32 AM, November 29, 2018


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Ways To Get Deleted Texts Back From iPhone Without Backup
I'm not really sure what happened. My phone was on the message screen when I'd put it in my pocket. When I took it back out after I'd finished what I had needed to put it away for, the messages were gone from one of my contacts. I don't have any backup for my deleted… Read More »


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Carrot & Neroli Bubble Bath
Style No. 42391839
Infused with rejuvenating carrot oil, this fresh-scented bubble bath is packed with nourishing beta-carotene plus Vitamins A, B, D, and E. Lightly foaming and suited for all skin types, each bottle is handmade with rich avocado oil, smoothing macadamia oil, and conditioning almond oil for soft, replenished skin.
Key ingredients: carrot oil, avocado oil, macadamia oil, almond oil
About The Cottage Greenhouse: Energizing for the mind, body and soul, The Cottage Greenhouse features fresh, wholesome ingredients inspired by the wisdom and simple goodness of Mother Nature.
- Ingredients: water, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamide DIPA, cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, PEG-8 laurate, sodium chloride, laureth-4, glycerin, DMDM Hydantoin, citric acid, tetrasodium EDTA, aleurites moluccana seed oil, allantoin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, daucus carota sativa seed oil, persea gratissima oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, tocopheryl acetate, sodium PCA, daucus carota sativa root extract, macadamia ternifolia seed oil
- Free of parabens and animal testing
- Gluten free, vegan
- Handmade in the USA
16 fl. oz.


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The BMW M4 GTS
The BMW M4 GTS is the most recent addition to the ever popular set of modified street to track cars that big automotive companies keep unveiling. So, with the BMW M4 GTS, will it live up to the high price tags and extra engineering that has gone into its production, or will it fade away in comparison to its Audi, Mercedes and Porsche rivals?
Well, the answer to that question is yes, unless they didn't follow the business route that the company has gone down. The car is obviously impressive but, not as impressive as some of its rivals are. It is quick, strong and looks good but being extremely rare, the car rightfully receives its admiration which it may not have done otherwise. There have been 700 units of the M4 GTS created and only 30 are available in the UK. Therefore, with its exclusiveness, it is then allowed to have a £121,780 price tag? And well, we guess so as the vehicle has already sold out here.
But what actually makes the vehicle so special? And why, except from its exclusiveness, does it merit almost double the price tag of the original M4? Firstly, its driving statistics are very impressive. Utilising a 3.0 litre twin-turbo straight-six engine, the vehicle produces 493bhp, hits top speeds of around 190mph and can get to 60mph from standstill in 3.8 seconds. The chassis has also been altered. With a wider front track, specifically designed anti-roll bars and modifiable coilers, the ride is smooth on both track and road. By also adding carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon-fibre aerodynamics to the body and a water injection system the car in general is an excellent performer but, is it still worth that huge price tag?
The best way to challenge this is to look at BMW's closest rivals and their vehicles in that price range. Mercedes offer the S-Class Coupe, Porsche offer the new 911 Turbo and Audi offer the R8 all for around the same price. Some of these vehicles also have better technical statistics and look better too. So what would you rather get? And do you think that the price is all about joining the 30 strong club in the UK?


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JPRI Working Paper No. 55: March 1999
The Case for an Asian Monetary Fund
by John A. Mathews and Linda Weiss
Whatever else the Asian financial crisis showed, it revealed two things all too clearly: the inability of central institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to prevent investor panic, and the inadequacy of Asia's own regional institutions, such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum or the East Asian Economic Caucus, to step in to fill the breach. Both center and region were found wanting in the crisis. However, as Act I of the drama saw the countries of Southeast Asia lining up for a classic currency collapse that threatened to translate into an economic collapse, Japan stepped forward with a robust solution: a $100 billion standby reserve monetary fund, announced in July 1997. As is now well known, the IMF and the U.S. Treasury briskly dismissed this proposal, insisting that the IMF be allowed to handle the crisis in its own way.
Act II saw what should have been a financial correction in Asia turn into an economic crash that has rocked the region and sent shock waves throughout the rest of the international financial system. Now Act III is unfolding with continued dithering over reforms to the international financial system, despite its manifest shortcomings, as Asian countries emerge from the crisis with restructured national financial institutions that are still exposed to potential external shocks.
The countries of the region are now coming to terms with the fact that their first test of a regional economic setback has resulted in a failure of collective self-help. Although faced with devastating consequences in terms of financial collapse and severe economic dislocation, the individual countries of the region were unable to mobilize an effective coordinated response or self-help program--once the initial Japanese proposal was suppressed. But the crisis also revealed how global institutions, particularly the IMF, proved to be inadequate in a different way. The IMF responses were in general too slow, too biased towards fiscal issues rather than private debt repayment and liquidity issues, and according to several influential analyses, provoked the very financial crises that they were supposed to be preventing. It is certainly widely agreed that the Asian financial crises were far more severe than would be considered "warranted" by their economic problems in the late 1990s--an outcome that cannot be divorced from IMF actions. In the coming year, then, a key issue for the Asia-Pacific region must be the building of adequate regional institutions, particularly for collective financial security and self-help.
Little wonder then that the idea of an Asian Monetary Fund (AMF) refuses to
go away. The case for an AMF remains as strong as ever, and the circumstances
needed for its formation grow more propitious. Public endorsement of the idea
has come from Asian leaders and from Western scholars. For example, the South
Korean Prime Minister, Kim Jong-pil, traveled to Japan in November 1998 and
issued a surprisingly strong endorsement of the AMF proposal. In the course of
a lecture he gave at Kyushu University, he stated: "Today regional
integration is getting stronger in Europe and North America to address any
problems taking place in the regions. Asia should not become an exceptional
case" (Korea Times, November 30, 1998). The respected Asian analyst
Robert Wade and his colleague Frank Veneroso also issued a strong endorsement
in an opinion article, "The Resources Lie Within," published in The Economist on November 7, 1998.
Against these positives must be set a tide of negative, doubting, and
occasionally insulting commentary that has appeared in the international press.
The Asian Wall Street Journal, for example, carried an editorial,
"Beware of an IMF clone," in its December 11, 1998, edition.
"It's back," stated the AWSJ. "The idea of an Asian Monetary
Fund, torpedoed by Washington when it first surfaced last year, is now on the
regional radar screen again. It is probably not a workable idea, for a slew of
reasons." The reasons the Asian Wall Street Journal advances against the proposal are that it would be difficult to get the countries of Asia to cooperate in its funding; it would be difficult for them to cooperate in its spending; and there's no reason to believe that an AMF "would be any better at addressing Asia's problems than the IMF has been." This last insight is backed up by the observation that moral hazard is deadly "wherever it emanates from."
What then is the proposal for an Asian Monetary Fund and what difference would such a fund make to the countries in Asia and to the international financial system? Is it a workable idea that would help the Asian countries to rebuild their shattered economies? Is it really so threatening to Europe and North America? Or can it be argued that, on the contrary, Europe and North America have everything to gain from seeing Asian countries take steps to calm financial turbulence in their own part of the world? Perhaps an AMF could contribute some much needed stability to an over-excitable international financial system.
This article proposes a model of an AMF with a view to advancing a serious discussion of its effects, both positive and potentially negative. We argue that the fear of "moral hazard" that underpinned much of the earlier discussion is groundless because we believe an AMF would exercise strong control over creditors during a potential currency crisis--much stronger control than is exercised by the IMF. Indeed we believe that an AMF promises to offer an institutional means of dealing with the essence of Asia's financial crises. These have to do not with balance of payments issues and other matters of slow adjustment, but with questions of coordination of creditor demands and the restoration of investor confidence. This is what central banks do in a national context (as exemplified by the actions of the U.S. Federal Reserve in the recent crisis caused by the potential collapse of the hedge fund, Long Term Capital Management). But in the international context there is an institutional vacuum with regard to this vital coordinating role. The IMF has never been allowed, by its board or its executive staff, to play the role of coordinator of creditors during a financial crisis. The proposed AMF promises to play a very different role. By promoting financial calm in the Asian region, and exercising discipline over Asian financial institutions, the AMF would contribute to international financial stability. This is fundamentally why the idea deserves to be taken seriously and supported.
The Original AMF Proposal
The Japanese proposal for an Asian Monetary Fund dates back to July 1997, when the Thai crisis was at fever pitch and the IMF was belatedly being approached for assistance. The Thai government was understandably reluctant to throw itself on the mercy of the IMF, given the conditionality clauses that would be invoked, entailing deep intervention into the Thai economy by IMF officials seeking to impose their "one size fits all" approach. Japan then exercised its regional leadership credentials by proposing, behind the scenes, an Asian Monetary Fund that would function like the IMF but in a more forceful and rapid manner, without the IMF-type conditionality clauses. This proposed fund was to be a multilateral revolving facility, involving other Asian countries, notably China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore as well as Japan. It was to be backed by funds of $100 billion, drawn from the combined reserves of the major Asian countries.
Japan took this unexpected step in regional leadership because of its reading of the international response to the Thai crisis. The IMF package finally accepted in August by Thailand, after its foreign reserves were exhausted and its currency had collapsed, involved a supporting line of credit of $17 billion, contributed partly from the IMF and partly from countries in the region, notably Japan (and Australia). This package, and the whole rescue effort, conspicuously lacked any involvement by the U.S. Japan assumed that this absence of the U.S. from the Thai rescue package was a signal that a Japanese initiative would be tolerated.
This however turned out to be far from the reality. The proposal quietly made the Asian diplomatic rounds in August and September of 1997, but it came out into the open at the meetings of the IMF and World Bank held in Hong Kong in October. At these meetings, the IMF and the U.S. Treasury Department fought strenuously to prevent the alternative AMF from being established. The public arguments used (in addition to the private pressures brought to bear) were that the AMF would duplicate the functions of the IMF and that the relative absence of conditionality would enhance the "moral hazards" associated with countries drawing from the Fund.
Japan backed down on its proposal, and by the time of the G7 meeting in Ottawa in November, its Ministry of Finance spokespersons were stating that any Asian fund would work in cooperation with the IMF, and as a supplement to it. By the start of 1998, nothing more was being heard in public about the AMF.
Three factors make the case for an AMF much stronger in 1999 than in 1997, when it was first proposed. First, the European Monetary Union has been declared, and the Euro launched. This event provides a clear precedent for financial cooperation to be undertaken at a regional level, without it being seen as a threat to the world financial order. (The proposed AMF is of course very different in its institutional design from the EMU. The point is that these are both examples of regional cooperation for financial ends, on the model of existing cooperative arrangements for the more familiar trade and military security issues.) Second, the IMF has manifestly failed the countries of Asia, and arguably turned what would have been a severe financial jolt into a protracted slump. Its inappropriate and poorly timed directives have only made the case for a more context-sensitive regional body that much stronger. Third, the world financial community has dithered in making changes to the architecture of the global financial system, thus underlining the need for countries to make regional arrangements of their own.
Why an AMF?
The case for an AMF is clear and straightforward. Such an institution, as outlined by the Japanese Ministry of Finance in July-September 1997, would provide an effective remedy for Asian nations threatened with currency collapse or sudden financial dislocation through external forces. It would provide a collective financial security umbrella, through its provision of standby credits and its credible threat of intervening in currency or other markets to ward off speculative attacks. For the Asian countries themselves this protection would be superior to that offered currently by the IMF, in at least two ways. First, the AMF would act with a greater promptness and better scale of intervention, so that a potential panic might be nipped in the bud--which is what all central banks do for their national economies in times of internally generated crises. Second, the proposed AMF would act without imposing IMF-style "conditions" on any standby credits granted. It would act in each instance on the merits of the case.
Of course, an AMF would not be in the business of dispensing charity or handouts. Since the Asian countries themselves would provide the reserves, they would not look kindly on these being disbursed for inappropriate reasons. Thus the concerns raised by Western nations, particularly the U.S., to the 1997 proposal on the grounds of "moral hazard" are misconceived. If anything, the AMF would likely be much stricter with creditors within the Asian region than the IMF has proven to be. We shall explore why this is likely to be the case below.
But the case for an AMF has wider implications. In itself, it would represent a significant achievement for the Asian countries, and would clearly demonstrate their capacity to cooperate and act for themselves, as a regional grouping, without needing to be protected by Western institutions such as the IMF. The creation of the AMF would also substantially improve the credit-worthiness of Asian borrowers in international capital markets, because it would signal the region's financial soundness and maturity.
One appealing aspect of an AMF as proposed is that it does not impinge on the sovereignty of the Asian nations themselves, nor does it pose a threat to other financial institutions outside Asia. The proposed AMF would be established as a new body, backed by its own reserves as drafted by the founding members, and it would act as a lender of last resort to Asian countries faced with currency or other financial difficulties. Member countries would continue to set their own monetary policies, their own interest rates, and would defend their own currencies with their own reserves. An AMF would provide back-up support and the power of intervention to provide the collective security that has been lacking in times of extreme financial risk--such as Thailand faced in July 1997 and South Korea in November and December 1997. The governance of the reserves controlled by the AMF would be as strict as in the best of the Asian central monetary authorities, such as those of Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan.
The real obstacle in the way of the creation of an AMF is not a question of arguments, pro or con, but of the difficulties involved in mounting collective action in the international domain. It is extraordinarily difficult to get agreement among several countries to act in their own collective interest, even when the benefits may be quite clear as in this case, particularly when they harbor traditional hostilities as, for example, exist between Japan, China, and Korea. It is harder still when the world's superpower explicitly and strongly objects to the proposal. But the evidence indicates that in 1999, the U.S. may be less inclined to make such strenuous objections. And the countries of Asia remain quietly committed to the proposal, with the Korean prime minister in particular going out of his way recently to endorse it publicly.
Would the AMF Be Divisive?
It has been argued that a regional body such as an AMF could undermine existing global institutions and instigate a "beggar thy neighbor" approach to international trade and capital movement issues. But these objections are not well grounded. It is striking how in all the current discussion of reform of the international financial system, it is almost always assumed that reform must start at the global level. But the case for reform at the regional level is just as compelling--and much easier to achieve for a determined group of countries. It surely remains the right of any regional group of nations to take steps to protect themselves against financial destabilization--without asking for global permission to do so. The proposed AMF would offer protection that is superior to that currently offered by the IMF. If the fear is that Asian nations are much more likely to turn to an AMF were they to come under future speculative attack, than to the IMF, this may mean that the IMF would come under pressure to reform its own operations--not necessarily a bad thing for the world community.
The Asian nations have to consider, in establishing an institution like the AMF, whether they are likely to suffer retaliatory action by other nations or regions (i.e., Europe or North America). Retaliatory action would be based on great power considerations, rather than on arguments concerning the validity of the AMF itself. But the very fact of the creation of the EMU in Europe, and the launch of the Euro in 1999, greatly diminishes the likelihood of any such retaliatory action. The U.S. State Department has endorsed the creation of EMU and the launch of the Euro, on the grounds that a "stable and prosperous Europe is good for America." If it is considered unthreatening for Europe to create a huge regional market and regional financial institutions (such as a single currency and a unified central bank) why then should Asian nations not pursue a similar course and create regional financial institutions, with similar benefits for the international community?
An Asian Monetary Fund or an Asia-Pacific Monetary Fund?
Fred Bergsten argues that the AMF would be a good idea if it
were expanded into an Asia-Pacific Monetary Fund, in other words an institution
that includes the United States. He sees ("Reviving the 'Asian Monetary
Fund,'" The International Economy, Nov/Dec 1998) such an APMF as providing a valuable regional complement for the IMF in the same way that the Asian Development Bank complements the World Bank. Mind you, Bergsten does not suggest the U.S. should put up funds as part of this initiative. Its mere presence is perceived as stabilizing, providing the international glue that is seen as being essential if Asian countries are to act in a coordinated fashion. Nor is Bergsten's APMF expected to act contrary to, or prior to, the IMF. Indeed he explicitly calls for it to be subservient to the IMF--to act with the IMF, through the IMF, but not as part of the IMF. In this way, the technical difficulty that Asian countries calling for assistance from the APMF might over-run their IMF quotas is surmounted.
Bergsten's proposals seek to co-opt the vision of an AMF, draw all its teeth, and bring Asian finances--chiefly Japanese finances--to the aid of a new hybrid IMF-APMF. But it misses the core features of the AMF proposed here. First, the AMF we envisage acts quite differently from the IMF. It would have sufficient reserves to provide a credible threat to would-be speculators in Asian currency markets, able to intervene without notice to correct markets and destroy speculative windfall gains, turning them into losses. This the IMF has never done and does not have the power to do. But it is an essential feature of the preemptive role that the proposed AMF needs to have. Second, an AMF also carries a credible threat to intervene in other markets, including Asian stock and bond markets, to correct speculative upheavals. This is what was done by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in July 1998, to uproars of condemnation by the world's press--but with deadly effect against the hedge funds that were double-dipping by shorting both the HK currency market and HK stock market. That the HKMA was in fact restoring a "level playing field" for all investors and removing a market distortion was not lost on responsible commentators. The proposed AMF would carry the same capability with respect to all the stock and bond markets of Asia.
Most importantly, the idea of an AMF represents a long-overdue expression of a capability for collective action on the part of Asian countries that have long been at loggerheads over ideological or historical issues. This is why it should not include the U.S. We say this not out of any anti-American sentiment. No doubt the U.S. would act responsibly within the proposed AMF. But it loses its symbolic value if the U.S. is there as necessary mediator between hostile Asian powers. There is no suggestion that the U.S. needs to be involved in the European Euro system, as mediator, say, between France and Germany, even though the U.S. is a prime member of NATO. The Europeans simply do not see it as "appropriate" for the U.S. to play a mediating role in their own institution. Neither would the Asians see it as appropriate in the case of the proposed AMF.
Would a world of regional financial blocs be detrimental to world trade and development? An unspoken objection to the idea of an AMF is the fear that it may lead down a path towards regional financial blocs, namely one based on Europe, one on North America, and one on a Japan-led Asia. But regional blocs of this kind are not necessarily an obstacle to the free movement of capital. On the contrary, they may facilitate such flows, by removing many of the present obstacles such as wild swings in currency values and credit ratings.
To see how a regional monetary fund in Asia would work to the advantage of the international financial community, consider the related case of regional trade blocs. These can be either inclusive or exclusive. In the first case, a group of nations agree to lower (or remove) trade barriers among themselves, without erecting further trade barriers against nations outside the grouping. This is what APEC seeks to achieve, and NAFTA as well. In the second case, a group of nations lower trade barriers among themselves but they erect trade barriers against the outside world, such as has been practiced over the past half century by the European Community. Clearly the first kind of regional trade grouping promotes the free movement of goods internationally, because it creates an "island" (in some cases a very large island) of free movement in a sea of obstacles. The second case works to the opposite effect. The trade barriers erected by the Europeans since the 1950s have been a continual obstacle to world negotiations over free trade, because they benefit one group at the expense of the rest of the world.
By contrast, a regional monetary fund, like an inclusive trade bloc, promotes financial stability in one part of the world without inflicting any costs on other parts of the world. It does so in three ways. First, it exercises its capacity to intervene in markets and correct market distortions caused by speculative activity and volatile capital flows; this is its preventive aspect. Second, it promotes financial stability through its capacity to mobilize creditors in a potential debt default situation and to organize an agreed debt rescheduling--a "workout" rather than a "bailout." This is what many commentators have called for (at a global level) in the wake of the Asian crisis. Third, if a country is actually hemorrhaging, an AMF can play the role of lender of last resort, providing stand-by credits or actual loans if needed; this is its curative role. In these three ways an AMF would provide benefits to the Asian countries without inflicting costs on the rest of the world.
It is to the benefit of European nations, and North American nations, that economic activity in Asia proceed without periodic financial crises. (This assumes that Europe and North America look favorably on a prosperous Asia, which would be a sensible attitude on their part, in a world where instability can rapidly escalate towards internal war and international terrorism.) The proposed AMF would help to calm financial markets in Asia, thereby contributing to calming financial markets in general. It would do so without creating an exclusive "Asian financial zone" barred to outsiders.
The AMF as a Symbol of Asian Financial Maturity
The case against the AMF, as voiced by numerous commentators, boils down to either a reluctance to seeing a competitor to the IMF or a false concern with "moral hazard," or a deep distrust of autonomous Asian institutions. The real fear is probably that Asian countries might be successful in creating their own regional institution, thereby weakening the global control of the IMF and, through this, the control of the international financial system by the West. But a more enlightened view would be open to seeing the advantages that regional self-governance in Asia would bring to the international system.
There is little advantage for anyone in going through the horrors of another "Asian crisis." However, the difficulties involved in creating a new institution like the proposed AMF should not be under-estimated. Its creation would call for subtle diplomacy in securing agreement among the founder members, and in soothing the fears of those not included. But the achievement would send a strong signal that Asian financial systems have now evolved to the point where they are self-governing. To launch the year 2000 with a newly established Asian Monetary Fund would indeed be a fitting start to the 21st century.
JOHN A. MATHEWS is associate professor of international management in the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Macquarie University, Sydney. He is the author of Tiger Technology on the East Asian semiconductor industry (Cambridge University Press, forthcoming). LINDA WEISS is associate professor of comparative politics in the University of Sydney. An excerpt from her most recent book, The Myth of the Powerless State: Governing the Economy in a Global Era (Cornell University Press, 1998), appeared in JPRI Critique Vol. V No. 4 May 1998.


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Epilators are devices being used in order to remove unwanted hair in the body. In general, this fits easily into the palm of hand and work either by using electricity or battery. This comes with series of tweezer-like pieces that is rotating and pulling each hair out from its roots. In reality, there are 3 well known types of epilators and these include the spring types, rotating disc types and tweezer types. By reading the next lines, you'll be able to uncover the differences of each other.
Number 1. Spring type – in this kind of epilator, it's released first in 1986 in Israel. The design has coil spring that's bent into the curve of coils to be able to make the one side of spring tightly compressed while the other side of coils spread out. It's capable of catching hair into the spring when using this kind of epilator on the skin so by that, it's pulled out easily.
Number 2. Rotating disc type – for this type of epilator, the discs are used in place of the springs. As for the working of the epilator on the other hand, this is actually the same with spring type. These types of epilators are extremely popular and actually, there are a lot of women who prefer buying this than other types of epilators in the market.
The Beginners Guide To Shavers (What You Need To Know To Get Started)
Number 3. Tweezer type – this kind of epilator comes with 2 different heads which is the power adapter and the cleaning brush. The rotating disc design has been reinvented in a way that the plates aren't complete discs. The head consists of series of plates that are made from metal to be able to support the plastic base of the epilator. The tips of plates are moving jointly together with the head and is separated once for each rotation. And when the plates are close to the hair, they are being pulled out and when they're aware from, the hair is released.
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As a simple reminder, keep in mind that regardless of the type of epilators that you want to buy in the market today, just make sure that you do your due diligence in performing research for each type and at the same time, the store that sells such device. This is critical as it's what can help you in ensuring that you are making the right decisions and also, that you're purchasing epilators that are worth of your hard earned money. Prior to deciding which one to get, it will be a very wise move if you would perform a quick comparison of the pricing, warranties as well as features of epilators you are prospecting to buy. You're sure to make a smart purchase by following this.


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Sometimes, merely the description of music as being 'Noise' or 'Noise-Rock,' is enough to scar prospective listeners away. And yeah, in some cases it can be pretty unstructured and highly abrasive, but this old gem from the prolific Japanese Noise artist, MERZBOW (real name Masami Akita) offers much more. With hints of krautrock permeating at various points the 2002 album "Merzbeat' contains some meaty rock guitar riffs and pounding beats and as such probably provides a good 'entry point' into this exciting, inventive and ever-shifting genre.
Here's the whole album – go on ….. knock yourself out!!


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From NPR:
The statement from campaign chairman Paul Manafort comes after The New York Times reported that his name appears in a so-called "black ledger" recording under-the-table payments made by the political party of Ukraine's former pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych.
The newspaper says the ledger lists $12.7 million in payments to Manafort between 2007 and 2012. The ledger is being scrutinized by Ukraine's new anti-corruption bureau, although officials there tell the Times it's not clear whether the payments were actually made.
"The suggestion that I accepted cash payments is unfounded, silly, and nonsensical," Manafort said in a statement to NBC News, adding that any political payments directed to him "were for my entire political team: campaign staff (local and international), polling and research, election integrity and television advertising."
Manafort's consulting work in Ukraine was already under a microscope, given Trump's favorable comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin, an ally of Yanukovych. Trump raised eyebrows last month when he said he would consider recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea. Russia invaded the Ukrainian territory in 2014 after Yanukovych was ousted in a pro-Western revolt.
The Trump campaign also worked to weaken language in the GOP platform on aid to Ukraine's post-Yanukovych government. At the campaign's urging, platform language calling for the U.S. to provide "lethal defensive weapons" to Ukraine was watered down to "appropriate assistance."
Hillary Clinton's campaign seized on the Times story to demand more information about Trump's staff.
"Donald Trump has a responsibility to disclose campaign chair Paul Manafort's and all other campaign employees' and advisers' ties to Russian or pro-Kremlin entities, including whether any of Trump's employees or advisers are currently representing or being paid by them," said Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook in a statement.
Manafort has a long history of working with …


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You can also find more information about Keunfast's entertainment by clicking here 😀
It is always in my smile. It is always in my heart.
It is always one of my sweet memories in life!!!
Wherever I go, whatever I do, I always proud of that time!! 😀 😀
My first time visiting a nice semi-suburb town in Japan made me felt absolutely surprise, fun, joy, and fantastic! Firstly, after packing some necessity as commodities in my nice luggage bag, I dressed up a pullover in a quite fashion, but simple-look as Cambodian guy living abroad for the first time in life, then walking to my appointed place at Educational Center for International Students (), where my host family came to get me for the starting of my Home-stay program. Meanwhile, at ECIS therein, many other foreign students also went there waiting for their host families. Nicely, I noticed a Taiwanese friend of mine also approaching, which then we had a brief, but nice chat with her and her friends in Japanese (of course, I started warming up my Japanese, hahahh). Soon after a few minutes my host family phoned me telling that she arriving just wait for a moment (Actually, I did not mind to wait for I was having a nice chat with my nice friends. hah…). Suddenly, my host family arrived with their two children. Wow.. they look so pretty and nice. We took a photograph in front of my awesome and prestigious university (Graduate School of International Development), then traveled through a flash new and quite expensive car to their home. Of course, when we were about to arrive their home, we stop at the HIPPO family office for welcome party (Barbecue) and had a chat to other home stay visitors with a delicious dinner there (one of the nicest food I ate was Yuki Sobak)
This a view taken at the welcome party for the new visitor of home stay program at the Main office of the Hippo Family members.
The pretty woman is Japanese, and the therenext teenage boy is from Russian, Yuki, me, and Yuki's father. 😀
After a long brief drive about 40 minutes we managed to arrive the HIPPO family office, where other international students also came to have a home visit. There, the BBQ party was held and beside drinking, I could chat and talk with other international students as well as Japanese students. I also taught them Khmer language (simple greeting), and show them some Khmer culture and tourist sites.
My hard time with my rough Japanese. 😀
With the two Japanese school girls, of grade 10, I could practice Japanese with some English! 😀
Secondly, as soon as we arrived home, it was around 8 pm, Yuki and Noriaki showed me my nice decorated bedroom then, we just spent a nice time chatting with each other about Cambodian culture and background (of course, I had to speak Japanese, but fortunately, the father could speak some English so that I can include some English phrase when I get stuck with the Japanese word). Instantly, to begin the talk, I gave them some presents I got from Cambodia, and they opened it with nice surprise saying great to see it. Hahahh, I showed them some postcards about Cambodia too, esp., the glamorous shot of Siem Reap touring sites, mainly the Angkor wat compound, Angkor Thom, Prasat Bakheng, et cetera. And, besides showing the lovely views from the postcard, I gave them a VCD of Cambodian touring show too, which then we played it and watched together Lolzz… After the nice welcome, it was time to sleep. Saying good night to everyone, I found myself comfortably slept in a nice futon blanket and cool quiet room. Hahahh this made me forgot to dream of anything in that cool Haru night. Lolzz… I have to say thank you so much for them, especially, their warmly welcome (いらっしゃいませ) to me. Thank you so much Otosan, Oka san, and especially, Yuki chan and Nriaki. 😀Thirdly, the second day, I got up seeing a lovely view of sunrise from the mountain ranges, and of course, those mountain ranges are not far away from where I was standing taking smooth breath, absorbing fresh countryside air and smiling. Soon, I heard a noise from the door of my room. Hahh, it was Yuki and Noriaki, asking me to take a stroll viewing the nearby scenary of Tam boo (rice field), bam boo (shoots) plantation, tea field, and mountain ranges… With the photo shot by Oto san, we made many lovely shot with memorial smiles of friendship. I did practice my Japanese a lot, and of course, many times I learn the new words from them. Hahh lolzz… Then, we came back having a nice breakfast with the five of us. Of course, I can say Oka san was the great cook of all, since I ate her food at Hippo family. :D))
Here is another fruit plantation. of course it is the TAKHI before getting fully grown up. It needs to be farefull grown and after it grown up people can get its fruit many years by. Thank you Yuki and Noriaki for joing to take a nice and love ly photo with me! 😀
I also took a nice shot in the middle of the TAKHI plantation for souvernir with Yuki. Plus, there is a nice view of mountain behind the plantation too. Of course, I was still carrying Yuki's bag for she was busy carrying her lovely puppy. 😀
Wow… look at this! This is another lovely shot in the big plantation of Oto san`s friend (Yuki's father's friend). These are the famous fruit-eating tree in Japan too, called Takhe. Its season is coming as soon in October this year. I have to eat them a lot too because It is rare to have such a nice chance eating fruit here. hahahaha
Look at this and guess what is it?..
I always love green nature so it is my favourite place to take photo. This is a tea field, called OCHAK field. The field is carefully looked after by its owner because the tea is to be sold with a very expensive price. There are several kinds of tea here, and the most expensive one is called MATCHAK, which is served only for occasions or for the rich family in Japan. The roof is to protect the heat from too much sunlight.
It was a lovely shiny day of HARU season, which is called Spring. It was quite cool and with lovely fresh countryside air and sunshine, I could take off my sweater. Hence, as you can see, Yuki likes her dog very much. So, I have to carry her bag for her when taking the photo.
On the top of the mountain, there still have a large woods of Bamboo.
Yuki, the daughter of my host family likes her dogs so much that she carry her dog up to the mountain because caring that it might take a run around. Of course, I sometimes helped to carry the dog for her too. That is why in the photo I was carrying her bag, not mine. 😀 Noriaki, the son of my host family is showing one of his favourite toy sword.
On the mountain in Kira Chou, Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, Japan
Another thing made me so surprise and amusing is that we have plenty of Bamboos here.. Wow… it makes me feel like I am in Cambodia when I walk into this Bamboo yard. Of course, there are so many bamboo shoot too. I wanted to bring them home some for making Cambodian soup with pig-leg/lamp hahaa (Kor Tompeang Sach Chrouk). Lolz…., but it was so bad to bring, right? 😀 Thank you once again Yuki chan and Noriaki for sharing the nice photographs with me as great souvenir! Your smiles give me confidence in you that you are so brilliant and friendly and surely will become great students in the soon future. Mo Gambaro…!
Nice views at the entrance to the Angkor Wat temple museum in Kira Chou, Nagoya, Japan.
Don't you believe that we have Angkor Wat in Japan? Let's read this… hehehe.. Actually, this is not aiming to show a young guy with handsome body and lovely smile, but just to target those statues at the back, specifically, the two lions, and the Brahma faces. Hahahh… This is the entrance of a national park and museum in the mountain side in Kota-chou, one lovely town in Aichi Prefecture in Japan. Those statues are made of cement and modeled to those that exist in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which one on the right-hand side is male lion and another on the left-hand side is female. At first, I was so surprise and unbelievable to see these statues here. This made me start to feel that Japan has a long connection in history with Cambodia, in terms of sharing architecture style and of course, religion. Then walking into the museum park, I start to see more statues built very close model to those in Cambodia. Of course, I can't wait to take some photograph, since it is one of my interests. Lolzz… Since the park is quite large, I walk in from the entrance with my Japanese host family, and of course, I had to feed my eyes with many nice views along the way and exercised myself under the cool, but not hot sunny day too.. Ha… Finally, we managed to relax in an awesome half-European-Japanese style restaurant to enjoy tasting several Japanese foods and ice-creams. Ohh…hahah…To say the truth, even I find myself as big eater sometimes, I had to tell them please stop order more because I am full will the big dishes of Yuki Soba, Spaghetti, some other food that I could not think up the name, Ochak (tea), and big creamy ice-cream. hahahah…(おいしく手、楽しくて、意朴手、とても憂いしいです)
Next, after chatting for a while for relaxing, it was the time for footing the bill. Hey.. actually, I did not have any right to pay at all, even my own dish that I wanted to pay, because they told me that they paid it already. Lolzz…. After that we went into the museum, and I was so surprise and humorous to see many painting on the walls are about Cambodian heroes, such as Jay Varamann VII ordering workers to build temples, and photos of the Cambodian former kings, and of course Cambodian temples. Moreover, I saw many statues in the glass box and, most amazing at all was the whole temple compound of Angkor Wat temple (Angkor Toch), which looks the same like the current temple in Cambodia. The last thing, made me excited and laughed in mind, is there was a non-stop video play on Cambodian temples touring. Hahaha… of course, this museum is called the Angkor wat temple museum. After that, I started to understand why Many Japanese people know that Angkor Wat temple (beside from the website) is in Cambodia, and that is why whenever I went to Siem Reap I saw many Japanese tourists visiting there.
This is quite long description, for sure, but detail too, right? May be some parts are not so nice coz I am not a professional writer yet. Lolz.. Thus, you can answer the above question, of course! Hahahha…
復近藤ね! 眠い ですから 寝ましょう!


text: Prediabetes is a condition where the blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Memorial's prevention program helps people lower their risk of type 2 diabetes. Participants meet in groups with a trained lifestyle coach for 16 weekly, one-hour sessions and seven monthly follow up sessions. If you would like to learn more about this program, you can attend an orientation on the last Monday of each month from 4-4:30 p.m. at Memorial's Community Education Center at 2506 W. Nob Hill Blvd. No registration is necessary for the orientation


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Canon vs Nikon
I'm a Canon shooter. No, it doesn't mean I work at a fort...that's a different kind of cannon. It does mean that I am squarely on one side of the Canon vs Nikon war. Like most people, it's not because I'm passionate about the superiority of my chosen brand, but merely because that's the side I became used to, bought the lenses for, learned the feel of, and nothing more. The two industry giants seem to alternate back and forth which one has the most advancements at any particular time. The good news is that this battle keeps everyone sharp, and all consumers win as a result.
I happen to like the Canon line. I have a few Canon point-and-shoots, an older DSLR (XTi), and a more modern one (7D). They all take pictures when I push the button on the top. The Canon lighting system is definitely behind Nikon's, but I've compensated by adding a wireless flash trigger (the ST-E2), and the 7D has it built in (although it doesn't do high-speed sync, so it's slightly less useful). We could equally compare low-light performance, etc. but they're both 100x better today than they were a decade ago.
The worst part about the rivalry is the terminology around them. Canon's Image Stabalization technology is called Vibration Reduction on Nikons. Canon's RAW files are called NEF with Nikon. Even their product names are similarly confusing such as Canon's 40D vs Nikon's D40. This is where consumers lose in this war. It's all more confusing than it needs to be. Like the PC vs Mac war (press 'CTRL' on a PC, 'Command' on a Mac), it really doesn't add any value to the conversation.
I think I'll stick with Canon. For new buyers out there, it really doesn't matter on what side of the fence you land. The key thing to keep in mind is that you almost certainly want to land on one side or another. Lenses are very expensive, and not easily transferable between brands. Make your choice and forget about the competition. Of course, there are other players as well (Sony, Panosonic, Olympus, etc.) but let's not worry about the also-rans at the moment.
Which brand do you use?


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It's safe to say, Jeannie doesn't bat an eye when I whip out my trusty ol' phone and start taking pictures. She's use to it and knows I'm always on the lookout for a blogging topic. But when you enter in the people who aren't use to me taking pictures, they give me that odd look. You can see it written all over their faces: 'Why is she taking a picture of that?' Jeannie, on the other hand, will say, 'Hey, you forgot to take a picture of your food!' OR 'Here's a good picture for you take.'
So, to my non-blogging friends, I'm just a little camera happy but that's okay. I capture funny and wonderful memories that make up the pieces of my life.
Filed under: blogging, clouds, friends, happiness, horses, laughter, memories, mother nature, random stuff | Tagged: Blog, humor, Jeannie, Recreation |


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Noise Sessions Ft. Nur, Joey & Moff
Our ongoing Noise Sessions series sees a new generation of up and coming artists leave their mark on Cairo's dance music scene and this time the stage was set for three brilliant sets from Nur, Joey and our freshest pick Moff. The musical day traversed from Nur's obscure funky music selection that took us to Zimbabwe, Cuba and back, followed by Joey's elegant micro house before Moff took over the decks and fucking nailed it high above the city skyline in Downtown, Cairo in the company of Rina Hani'a abstract art. Watch the live stream here.
Photo Credit:CairoZoom
Apr 05, 2018


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Possible Scenario(s):
1. I can't select specific terms when running a report card.
2. How can I omit certain selections when choosing terms?
When running a Report Card as an Administrator, you can select and de-select specific terms by following the steps below:
- Click on the first term you wish to include.
- While holding Control (or Command for Mac) on your keyboard, left click on another term to highlight it.
- To deselect a term, hold Control or Command as you select a highlighted term.


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I've often wondered why the Pierce County ferry seems to wander around the Sound on its way to Steilacoom and back, broaching and sometimes heading directly toward the beach.
There must be some logical reason for this, but one begins to wonder if it's zig-zagging to avoid torpedoes or maybe the crew is playing cards in the wheel house and nobody is actually driving.
I've come to accept the situation, however. Why worry anyway? The issues in the wheel house can't be any worse than the issues in the White House!
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text: It has been said that there is "a time to sow and a time to reap" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). But when is the best time for you to dig deep and actually take a good look at yourself in order to enable the next phase of your life to develop? And how regularly do you actually … Continue reading Winter: A time to 'Take Heart' with Australian Bush Flower Essences


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|Mike Whitney
|Tania Zaetta
|7 Network
Mason Brandt (as Mason Brandt Entertainment
Mason Media Group
Who Dares Wins is an adventure game show in which contestants are expected to complete undesirable tasks in order to win prizes.
The main focus of each episode of the show often revolves around a dangerous stunt of some kind. An unsuspecting contestant, that's been previously nominated by a viewer of the show, is ambushed by Whitney and dared to partake and complete the stunt successfully in order to win a major prize (usually a holiday and spending money).
Most of the runtime of a typical episode is devoted to the preparation of the stunt and the training the contestant receives. Often the stunt would also be demonstrated beforehand by professional stuntmen.
In the climax of the show, the contestant then attempts to complete the dare; if successful, they win the major prize. However, if the contestant fails or decides to drop out, then co-host Tania will then try to complete the dare instead; the contestant forfeits the prize is she succeeds, but if she fails or pulls out herself, then the contestant wins regardless.
Mini Dare SegmentsEdit
During the show, each major dare is bookened by several minor segments in which Whitney travels the streets and shopping malls of Australia by challenging people to complete a lesser dare for a cash prize (usually around $50-$200). This may range from sticking a hand inside a container full of cockroaches or having all of their hair shaved off to more complex dares such as tightrope walking above a mall foyer or driving off a ten meter platform into a pool.
A Board Game of Who Dares Wins was made by Milton Bradley.
In the U.S., the show has been reran on Game Show Network (GSN) for a brief period in 2001.
Official site (via Internet Archive)
Who Dares Wins @ Mike Whitney's Site


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Yes a new name: Windows HPC Server 2008, the successor to Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003,
Common set of HPC productivity tools reaches across desktop and clusters, including new Parallel Computing Initiative for multicore development.
Microsoft Corp. today released the first public beta of Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008, a server operating system and tools designed for the fast-growing high-performance computing (HPC) market. Microsoft also established the Parallel Computing Initiative, a program creating a set of common development tools across multicore desktops and clusters.
Windows HPC Server 2008, the successor to Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003, is based on the Windows Server 2008 operating system and is designed to increase productivity, scalability and manageability. Windows HPC Server 2008 has been renamed to reflect its readiness to tackle the most challenging HPC workloads. Key features are new high-speed networking, highly efficient and scalable cluster management tools, advanced failover capabilities, a service oriented architecture (SOA) job scheduler, and support for partners' clustered file systems. The beta is now available for download at http://www.microsoft.com/hpc; the final version will be generally available in the second half of 2008.
"With the new advancements, Windows HPC Server 2008 can allow customers to achieve the levels of scalability and performance of the most efficient clusters in the Top500 benchmark while making it dramatically more productive to deploy, utilize and integrate the advanced HPC clusters within their environment," said Kyril Faenov, general manager of HPC at Microsoft. "By upgrading to Windows HPC Server 2008 on our 2,048-core production test cluster, we increased the LINPACK performance by 30 percent and were able to deploy and validate the cluster in less than two hours using out-of-the-box software. Expanding beyond traditional MPI-based HPC applications, Windows HPC Server 2008 enables support for high-throughput SOA applications with its advanced Web service routing capability and paves the way for bringing HPC capabilities to a broad range of enterprise applications."
HPC, Windows HPC Server, Release, Microsoft, Press


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PUBLISHED: 07:39 30 July 2018 | UPDATED: 07:39 30 July 2018
A team from Madeira won this year's Budleigh Victory Cup, writes David Roberts.
Played annually, the Victory Cup this year was contested by teams from Phear Park, Sidmouth, Honiton, Ottery and Maderia in a round robin format that always makes for a competitive affair.
The afternoon is also a very social occasion when there is an opportunity to renew acquaintances but also play some serious bowls.
The Madeira team, Steve Stott, Keith Weeks and Ian Thomson, impressively won all five of their matches with a plus twenty score.
The runners-up, representing Sidmouth were Phil Meadows, Stuart Thomson and Peter Mason, who scored plus eight and third was the Budleigh side of Tony Lim, Peter Hillman and skip Gerry Roberts with a score of plus five.
Thanks must go to Marilyn Jackson, Di Dixon and Bobbie Vanstone for a sumptuous tea and to Don Huish for his bar work on the day.
Thanks must also go to club members for their help and participation to make it a very enjoyable day. Prizes were presented by Ron Tyler, a long-standing member, who, over the years has done so much for the club and still maintains a keen interest in its progress.


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Where you instruct us to let your property and we introduce a tenant who enters into an Agreement to let it from you, then our commission will be as follows:
The commission is calculated as a percentage of the total rent payable under the Tenancy Agreement over the whole of the agreed term.
The commission is payable at the commencement of the tenancy.Renewal Fees
Where the parties agree to a renewal, extension and/or enter into a new Agreement relating to the Tenancy, a Renewal Fee of 5% is payable. This is calculated as described in 1.1 above and is payable on the commencement of each Renewal or Extension.Letting and Rent Collection Service
Where you instruct us to let your property and thereafter to collect the rent on your behalf then our fee will total 12.5% (calculated as above) which include:
The above fees and commission will also be payable upon renewal or extension of a tenancy where we continue to thereafter collect rent.Letting and Full Management Service
Where you instruct us to let your property and to thereafter manage it for you, our fees will total 15% (calculated as above) which include:
The above fees and commission will also be payable upon any renewal or extension of a tenancy where we are to continue to manage your property.Landlords Resident Outside the UK
Where you are resident outside of the UK and:
This is in addition to commission and fees payable under paragraphs 2 or 3 above and is payable on completion of such accounts.Additional Property Inspections
Our Management Service will include two inspections of your property by us per year.
Where we are required to inspect it in addition to the above (except for the purpose of letting it) our fee to do so is £ 85 for each such inspection.Deposit Protection
Tenants' deposits will be held by us in a special account and registered on your behalf under the provisions of the scheme operated by Tenancy Deposit Solutions Limited (mydeposits.co.uk). Our fee for dealing with registration is £ 110.
On renewal of a tenancy by/to an existing tenant, we will re-register the deposit. Our fee for re-registering is £80.
C.P.Papas to organise inventory & check in for landlord
All commissions and fees mentioned above are inclusive of VAT.
Do you wish our property center to let and manage your property? If so, please fill in your contact details below and we shall be pleased to contact you shortly.


text:
- Description
- Product Reviews
- Ingredients
UltraFlora® Women's is a unique blend of probiotics taken orally to help maintain a healthy vaginal microflora and support urogenital health. The safety and efficacy of this probiotic combination for women's health is supported by laboratory research and clinical evaluation.
Probiotics Shipping:
As UPS does not deliver on the weekend, some probiotic orders may be held until Monday for shipping so that orders don't get stuck in a UPS warehouse for the weekend during times where certain parts of the country experience extreme heat. We are committed to ensuring you receive your probiotics without the probiotic being compromised by excessive heat. Thank you for your understanding.
Probiotics requiring refrigeration will be shipped with ice packs as a standard from early May to early October. During other months of year, due to mild weather, ice packs are not required. Probiotics need to reach an internal temperature of 122 degrees for over 48 hours before they are compromised.
If you would like your items to be shipped with ice packs from the months of November to April, please indicate that on your order form. Ice packs, on request, are $2.50 per order and we will charge your credit card on file when the order ships.
|Daily Value
|A 50:50 Blend†† of:
|2 billion live organisms†††
|Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1‡
|Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14‡
Other Ingredients: Maltodextrin, capsule (hypromellose, titanium dioxide), microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate (vegetable). Contains: Milk.
Directions: Take one capsule once daily or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
This product is non-GMO and gluten-free.
Caution: If pregnant, please consult your healthcare provider before use.
Storage: For best results, store in a cool dry place or keep refrigerated.
*Daily Value not established.
†Vegetarian capsule
†† Under license from Chr. Hansen A/S and protected by Chr. Hansen A/S patents of the WO 00/35465 patent family, and others.
†††At date of expiration
‡ RC-14® and GR-1® are Trademarks of Chr. Hansen A/S


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Proud to be pagan? Want to see your name in print? Many of our members share such a pride and below is a little about them. ***Note to members: If at any time you wish to edit your profile, just send your new bio to me, Tigerlily. My email is on the "Contact Us" page!***
Tigerlily- Webmistress
~"I was raised Christian, and always followed it because I knew nothing else. I have no qualms with the religion itself, but I did find myself having problems with the rigidity of some of its followers. After many years of not truly believing anything, I read up a little on Wicca and found that alot of the general beliefs of her people correlated well with my own deep beliefs and it generally made sense. So now, unless I find something else that makes even more sense, I consider myself to follow my own, personal version, of Wicca."
Alyssa Mow- Co- President~"Hello, I am a pantheist, meaning I believe in what has yet to be proven not to be. I was raised by methodist wolves until my love opened my eyes to green magic. Then I came to UConn and found PODS and ran with it from there. : )" Catherine "Cat" Brennan- Co-President ~"I generally think of myself on a Druidic path. Basically I'm all about the environment and realizing that everything on this planet has an effect on everything else. Magic comes from an understanding of the seasons and the elements. I believe in a God and a Goddess but basically balance in all things."
Eric "The Younger" Hohlfield- Secretary
"Hello. I am an Eric. The other one is an Erik, and I am Eric The New. I'm a 9th semester Art Major with eyes on California after this semester. I am currently PODS secretary, but I will step down after I graduate this year. For my faith, short answer= 'You're all right.' The fun part, which makes me unique, is trying to understand and explain how. : )
John Tibbets- Co-Treasurer
"My name is John...but call me Tibbets, my friends at PODS do! I never really had any specific beliefs. Most of my family is religious, but never pushes their beliefs. I came to PODS my freshman year with several friends who were already part of the group. Now I'm co-treasurer! PODS is a community I love to be a part of. Come join us!"
Mark Relyea- ~I'm an 8 foot 3 inch, broad shouldered, in shape, 750 pound moose. I've been in PODS a long long time and even though they are holding me captive against my will in a small room (SU 386 every Thursday at 7pm!), I love them all dearly. I am a Pagan, a psych major and commonly shirtless. Anymore information about me can be found at my poorly managed and rarely updated webpage at http://mark_relyea.tripod.com/ Love and light everyone. Michael Patton- ~"Not yet back in school, frantically working to produce the filthy lucre to that I can continue with my education in clinical psychology. I have been a long time practioner of hermetic magical study." Tim Bshara- ~Tim is a junior, majoring in Managing Information Systems and minoring in spanish. "I intensely enjoy Reiki, back rubs/ head scratches/ massages. [I'm] looking for a little cutie who loves my quirks ;)" Nate Boltseridge- ~Nathan is an alumnus of the University, currently applying for graduate programs in the History of Science. His spiritual interests include paganism, Taoism, Discordianism, and other wacky and wild isms to numerous to mention in this short bio.
"Hi! I'm new... I'm very interested in paganism, but I dont' really know much about pagan religions. I pretty much follow basic beliefs of paganism, just not anything specific... For the past couple years, I've kinda been hiding my beliefs and interests from my incredibly conservative parents. So I was SO excited to find that there are alot of people here who share some of the same beliefs as me."
"I'm Matt. I was born and raised as a Roman Catholic. My beliefs were very liberal and individualized. I found that the spiritual content was lost in dogma, and I sought more. Almost a year ago I began to investigate pagan paths of spirituality. I found that many pagan beliefs and practices fit a lot of the beliefs that I already held. All of a sudden something clicked. Afterwards I felt a presence; everytime I gaze at the moon, I feel a warm and welcoming presence. It just feels right. I pursue paths of Druidic/ Celtic and Egyptian spiritualities."
"Yosh'! I'm Malvda. I'm new, but I'm fun. I'm generally pagan and follow the Norse traditions and mythology. I was trying to be Christian for up until a few years ago, and then I had a mystic experience which confirmed my faith in something, but I didn't know much. I tried naming and treating the presence in a Christian manner, but it didn't work, so I tried other paths and found my path in paganism. As a side note, I'm still a member of the United Church of Christ, and my father's a minister, but it's ok."
"Greetings- my name is Joanna. I'm a first semester psych major, and maybe someday I'll get into law. Being from a Christian family and being expected to always believe in the power of Christ, I naturally felt extremely hesitant in seeking alternative beliefs. I couldn't bring myself, however, to stay on the typical Christian/ mainstream path, so here I am trying to discover new things and hopefully shape my beliefs. Aside from a strong interest in the occult, I enjoy poetry, music and Jeff Goldblum."
Julie Wernau-
"I'm bipedal. My name is Julie. I recently had the opportunity to take an incredibly spiritual trip to England, which included running to Glstonbury Tor at sunrise. There were things on that trip that I found difficult to explain with my aetheist beliefs. I'm a slow-growing pagan who believes there is energy in the earth and energy that flows between people. I've always had an interest in various pagan beliefs including tarot, runes, and crystals; however, my beliefs are still not perfectly sketched out."
Lisa Jacobs-
"I'm a garden-variety pagan solitary -practicing witch with both pagan and Zen influence. I gave up catholicism at 13 and have been spiritually seeking ever since. I am strongly affiliated with fire, practice magic and divination, listen to the Universe, and while I don't really believe in a God, I talk to the Universe. I consider sex, energy, and fire to be highly spiritual and consider myself a spiritual person...but I try not to be too serious about it."
Ben Wray-
"My name is Ben. Life is about change, so the answers to any questions you are looking for have probably changed from when I wrote this. But that's cool. Because that's life. C'est la vie."
Matt Stanley-
"I'm Matt. I have a strong love of cheese, but I suppose that's off topic. I was raised a Lutheran, and approximately three years ago my disillusions with the Christian fath overwhelmed me and I've been in theological limbo ever since. I have strong interests in the Nordic and Roman pantheons, and also an interest in Buddhism."


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Looking to upgrade? Kinley's carries only top of the line bowling equipment. Fitting & drilling is free with any new ball purchase. We carry the following brands:
We take the proper measurements to insure your bowling needs are met. Our full service shop can update your old bowling equipment with the latest in bowling supplies.