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I posted on September 30th that I'd spent most of the $50 I alloted for two weeks of groceries but that I was set on chicken breasts and a few other things.
Well, I'm happy to report that I haven't spent any more money on groceries since that date. And I still have chicken breasts, turkey ham and some other things I bought then! Instead of eating as I'd planned I decided to experiment in the kitchen to see just how frugal I could be.
I had scrambled or fried eggs a few times for supper, sometimes with a thin slice of turkey ham and a slice of cheese on a low carb english muffin, made beans twice, chili once, made soup twice, had grilled chicken a couple of times, and used the ground beef I had more as a condiment than a main dish. I even managed to turn one pound of ground beef into six meals. No, they weren't meaty meals but I don't need to have a lot of those, anyway, so that worked out well. I ate plenty of fresh and frozen vegetables and even had a little fruit. I think I did really well and the meals, though not perfectly nutritionally balanced, were pretty healthy.
I imagine I'll do some grocery shopping tomorrow or Tuesday as I'm out of milk, peanut butter, and a few other things and am almost out of several more. But I'm sure I can stretch that into three weeks of eating, possibly more with what I still have from the last grocery trip.
Okay, this might be addictive trying to figure out just how long I can eat fairly nutritious meals on a deliberately tight budget. Yeah, it's a new game for me. That's the ticket!
Grocery shopping for two weeks - success!
I posted on September 30th that I'd spent most of the $50 I alloted for two weeks of groceries but that I was set on chicken breasts and a few other things.
5 Responses to "Grocery shopping for two weeks - success!"
moi aussi
October 15th, 2007 at 02:43 amEating a lot of veggies is probably better than eating a lot of meat. I love eating lentil soup these days.
I need to figure out how to make chili on my crock pot.
October 15th, 2007 at 04:48 amI think eating the vegetables is much better than eating a lot of meat. I know it's better for my blood pressure. And fortunately, I love vegetables so this works well for my tastebuds and my wallet.
I can tell you how I make slow cooker chili. I brown the meat with onion and green pepper, drain any grease, and put the meat mixture in the cooker with some stewed tomatoes, green pepper and spices, including garlic, chili powder and some crush red pepper. I let it cook on low all day and about 30 minutes before I'm ready to eat I add cooked kidney beans and let it cook til the beans are hot. It's great chili.
October 15th, 2007 at 06:59 amIt sounds like you did great! Way to go!
Just like you, I will eat breakfasty foods for dinner as a way to stretch the dollars in addition to having a tasty and fairly nutritious meal that is not hard to prepare.
moi aussi
October 15th, 2007 at 11:25 amooohh thanks. I am gonna try it.
October 16th, 2007 at 04:36 pmscfr, breakfast for dinner is a quick and easy meal and one of my favorites.

subset: commoncrawl


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Many HHS students use their undergraduate education as a path to additional graduate school professional and licensure work.
Undergraduates with a degree in one of the Departments of the School of Health and Human Sciences are committed to improved health, well-being and quality of life for populations, communities and individuals worldwide. They value diversity and inclusion; they focus on sustainable practices and community engagement.
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Just life
March 18, 2010
On the morning of February 12, Clay and I were in the airport for what seemed like the thousandth time in a month, rather than the third. As we waited at our gate, children and bags strewn around us like some breeder's version of an obstacle course, my phone buzzed with a text.
It was my mom. "Terri has been moved to L&D due to 'contracting hard.' I will keep you posted."
Terri is my sister-in-law, married to my only sibling, Josh (or as he calls himself, The One True Josh). She had been in the hospital for two months at that point, trying to keep their second child from being born too early, and on bedrest for a million months before that. And now, at 32 weeks, it seemed it was time for their baby to be born.
I clutched my phone, and for a quick, irrational moment, tried to figure out how I could get on a flight to Phoenix instead of Washington state. But of course I couldn't. They didn't need me there, and we were headed out for Clay's dad's memorial service anyway. I wasn't really needed there, either, but I needed to be there.
I looked out the window at all the planes carrying people away and back. There is life, I thought, and then there is death.
Mom called about twenty minutes later, just before we started boarding. He was here, he was doing well at 3 pounds, 15 ounces. He cried.
And his name is Isaac.
"Okay," I said shoving my bag under the seat in front of me, "okay, thanks. I have to turn my phone off now. I'll call as soon as I can." Throughout the flight I kept pushing down thoughts of Isaac. Couldn't know, couldn't help, couldn't do a single thing. I watched the clouds beneath us and reminded Raphael (again) not to wake Sophia.
When we landed, all through the chaos of herding children and collecting bags and meeting up with family, my phone remained in my hand. I talked to Mom, and we texted back and forth, exchanging information and understanding the best we could. Isaac had some problems with his breathing and his oxygen levels were dropping. He was now on a breathing tube, but he seemed strong.
When we arrived at Clay's parent's house, which was packed with family. It was just the sort of gathering I've come to associate with this family, full of laughter and conversation and warmth. It seemed as though Larry was there, somewhere. He didn't seem gone, but like he was just escaping all the noise in another room for the moment. As I walked through the voices and all the many relationships there that night, I held my phone and waited for news of Isaac and watched for signs of Larry.
It's funny, but I don't even remember who I was talking to when I got the text with Isaac's picture. Somehow I remember the look on her face, though, when I looked at my phone and saw him, so tiny and red-skinned and fragile, and I burst into tears, right there in the middle of everyone. She patted my hand as I apologized and sniffled, and in her eyes there was sympathy. Everyone there knew, for sure, that loving people hurts at times.
I looked around the room at all the people, gathered together in love, and thought of Isaac, just beginning, and Larry, just beginning to be gone. There is life, I thought, and then...
No. There is just life.
Last week Isaac came home from the hospital. He is a powerhouse of a preemie, having spent only 27 days in the hospital after being born eight weeks early. He is over five pounds. He is doing very well.
Since his very beginning, he is so beautiful.


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Wow! Does 4K Ever Pop!
I've been on the road a lot since the beginning of the year and those of you whom I have visited or spoken with on the phone in the past few weeks know that I have been super excited about our announcement this week about 4K Printing Technology. You have heard me give visual descriptions of what this new tech print looks like and what that can mean for our customers—gorgeous flesh tones; rich, bold and vibrant reds and blacks; and beautifully smooth gradations to name just a few great attributes.
Read more…
Pillows… really???
When I'm meeting with customers who haven't known Optima very long it can be difficult to convey all the things we offer and their perception is sometimes, "you guys are digital printers, right?" This is fair, we have multiple print processes under roof and most of what we produce has an element of print involved. However, if you dig a bit deeper you come to realize that a better way of describing Optima is that we have a lot of great options (aka solutions) for branding environments and a couple of recent projects really illustrate what I'm talking about.
Oldie but a Goodie
A band named Shellac played here in STL last night (for the first time ever). I'll admit, I've never been a huge fan – they rock a little too hard for my taste sometimes. But based on the videos and the fact that Steve Albini (famed producer of Nirvana) is the lead singer/guitarist, I thought it might be a good show so I bought tix.
Glad I did. It was remarkable to see such a legend in action. If anything was to be taken away from the show, it's that Steve and his gang truly embodied the punk/math rock spirit. They rocked my face off!
Steve is 54 years old. Shellac was formed in 1992. Yet, they are still very relevant and cool.
So, What's New?
I get this question quite often when I meet with my customers and I'm pretty sure the reason is we all live in a world where the only constant is change and if we don't stay current we'll be left in the dust.
So fortunately, most of my customers have come to rely on me as a resource toward that end and one thing I'm hearing quite a bit is: "It seems like customers are expecting so much more from their investment in their trade show and event displays." Well, here are a few ideas that may help you differentiate yourself from the competition. Read more…
What does it mean to be an artist?
I was trained in college to be a graphic designer and worked in that capacity for many years. I tell people that I am a Neanderthal – that I go so far back that I worked with a chisel and stone. Well not that far back. I started my career in the late 60's and my medium for creating layouts and comps for my designs was markers. I had every color in the rainbow. That was pre-computer days folks.
What's in a degree?
You see a lot of big names get honorary degrees to high profile universities these days (Go ahead and insert a famous name and university).
Many times these people have earned a very successful career just by rolling up their sleeves and applying themselves. They have earned the respect of those around them through results.
I have a friend named Harold that likes to employ a party game whenever a room of loosely associated guests needs more energy. Ask your new friends what they were trained in or what they majored in at university. Then ask what they do now! Works best when you are at least in your thirties!
Recently I thought of this when Optima was recognized as having G7 qualification. We are proud to have this recognition, so don't get me wrong here. It's cool! Very cool!


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Beat-box flute fella:
"Yeah, Aqualung!"
Posted in Art, awesome, Music, tagged baby-makin' music, beat-box flute, Jethro Tull on June 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Beat-box flute fella:
"Yeah, Aqualung!"
Posted in awesome, Music, tagged Badlands, Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, RIP on June 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »
I can handle a lot of things. Clarence Clemons death is not one of them.
No one had a tone like that. No one did more with 8 measures than he did. Rest in peace.
Posted in awesome, Film, Music, tagged reggae album, shooting, Steven Seagal, this is terrible! on June 19, 2011| 1 Comment »
I cannot believe he is on this shooting spree. And there's nothing in the news about it. No outrage, no congressional attention- will no one think of the children?
There's no way I'm buying his reggae album now. Reggae is about peace, AM I RIGHT?
Posted in awesome, Creativity, Creepy as Hell, Music, tagged bunk/skunk, Jesus was a liberal, Sarah Palin battle hymn, Warshington on January 22, 2011| 1 Comment »
"And when she gets to Washington, it'll be cold as hell…"
Two things that I suspect have not occurred to these good-hearted folk: 1. They're chorus thesis hangs on the cultural idiom, "Hell Freezes Over." Which is to say, Hell will never freeze over. Ergo: Sarah Palin will never get to "Warshington." She couldn't finish her term as governor.
2. Commandment Number 2: "You shall have no other gods before me." This song is elevating Palin to Golden Calf status, by conflating "Battle Hymn of the Republic" as a church hymn. Pretty dubious as a church/state conflict, let alone borderline blasphemous.
Hey, man, just sayin'. Besides that, they seem like good church-goin' people who are troubled by the rampant socialism that Jesus preached.
Posted in Art, awesome, Music, tagged J Dilla, Korg Wavedrum, Let this Beat Ride, Lyrical God on January 22, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Some musicians are born, not made:
I'd love to see this dude with a Korg Wavedrum or a J Dilla style set-up, where he could trigger samples with a drum machine. I've never seen an MC drum before- I think it'd be incredible to see him with a hi-tech rig.
Then again, the foot-and-pens thing is pretty damn great on its own.
Posted in Art, illustration, Music on November 2, 2010| Leave a Comment »
This graphic appeared in Wired a few years ago. I was immediately piqued by the fact that I could recognize a few of the characters. Curiosity quickly turned to Obsess Much? as I realized that each figure or ensemble represents a real (presumably) musician. I absolutely love this piece for it's pixel-pushing meticulousness. When I presented it to a circle of my friends, they attacked it with geeker savagery. We are still stumped by a small handful of them. (Highlighted in blue)
Here are our answers. I'm reasonably confident of them – our dorkus-maximus peer-review process required photo evidence and nearly-unanimous-consensus.
Help fill in the gaps!
Posted in Art, Great Painters, Music, Uncategorized on November 2, 2010| Leave a Comment »
This video is a beautiful disaster. It looks like Terry Gilliam was kidnapped by steampunk robots and force-fed a tub of Plasticine and ipecac in the MOMA. It's just lathered in anxious digital filigrees, and I think the whole thing would be a busy failure if it all weren't less interesting than the heavy-lidded charisma of Eugene Hütz. In the past, the lead singer's girlfriend would shake a tambourine or hold a triangle. We've finally disposed of that lie: just sit there and look hot. Slap your thighs to the beat if you feel like it.


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Sunken Garden, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Taken on a Sunday afternoon.
Occupied for a week in a year for the university fair; otherwise, it's pretty much free for everyone to enjoy. The field is great for sports and the surrounding shade is perfect for picnics, studying or just plainly relaxing.
For the weekly photo challenge Relax


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We specialize in crafting brand strategies and brand management systems that transform the destination marketing and economic development performance of small cities and regions.
We excel at simplifying branding and unifying communities behind one powerful brand idea to communicate one message, one voice and one look.
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This keyboard could be a good backup, especially if space in your bag or backpack is an issue. The two powered USB ports and expandability make it an interesting consideration.
Other keyboards only offer one USB port, primarily because the extra cable is a passthrough. The Tizona has a true USB hub integrated into the keyboard, so the single lead cable can support both integrated ports. This is fine for most low-power devices such as mice and flash drives, but higher-powered devices require a bit more juice. The keyboard supports additional power via a separate USB cable , but this cable is woefully shorter than the main cable.
The Tesoro Tizona is rather heavy, as most mechanical keyboards are. The keyboard is housed in dense plastic instead of metal or brushed aluminum as many keyboards implement.
The layout is pretty standard, with the backslash "/" above the Enter key, and the Enter key is single-tall (some keyboards have an oversized Enter key at the cost of a smaller backslash key). The labels are printed on the keys, rather than the laser-etching methods of other premium mechanical keyboards.
The notable features of this keyboard are the extra features such as Media keys and Gamer modes, which are toggled with the Function "Fn" key, which replaces the right Windows keys.
Tesoro took some time to brand the keyboard with their name. The Escape keycap has the "Tesoro" logo on it, and the "Tesoro" name appears on the spacebar.
The font of the keyboard is a blocky style that gamers may like, which is very similar to the Cooler Master QuickFire Stealth.
The bottom of the keyboard has two flat rubber feet at the bottom front, and since they are not rounded do not catch completely when the back of the keyboard is raised. The back of the keyboard has two levers that can be set to two positions, which change the back elevation of the keyboard.


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Online seafood Logo with an illustration of a fish. This logos Particularly suitable for branding sea food restaurant or a Fishing Club.
- Exclusive design rights to the buyer – sole ownership
- This brand also comes with double sided business card
- We Customize your Name & Info Free of charge


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This post first appeared on my En Route blog on the Los Angeles Jewish Journal
By Ruth Ellen Gruber
I spent most of last week in Serbia, on a fact-finding trip to assess the condition of Jewish heritage sites in the towns of Nis and Pirot. I will (I think) be posting on the trip itself, but meanwhile, I am posting some links to pieces I have already published elsewhere.
JTA today ran my article on the new threats to the Jewish cemetery in Nis, nearly 8 years after a well-publicized clean-up operation appeared to guarantee its preservation of this important site.
A historic Jewish cemetery that long has been threatened by the encroachment of a growing Roma, or Gypsy, settlement that occupies one-third of the site is now being threatened by the encroachment of commercial enterprises into the domain of the old Hebrew gravestones.
In the labyrinthine Roma village, or mahala, 800 to 1,500 people live in brick and concrete houses separated by narrow passageways and irregular courtyards. Laundry hangs from the windows, water drips from open taps and some roofs sport satellite TV dishes. At one end is a stable for horses, and at the fence that separates the village from the open part of the cemetery, sheep and goats peer out at the graves.
Eight years ago, a well-publicized cleanup campaign cleared the cemetery of garbage and waste that had covered the tombstones and eliminated the open sewers that had run amid the graves.
But the campaign's success proved to be fleeting and now new warehouses, a restaurant and other illegal construction, including a cut-rate department store, intrude on another third of the cemetery, according to Jasna Ciric, the president of the Nis Jewish community, which numbers just 28 people.I already posted a more detailed report on www.jewish-heritage-europe.eu.


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- The hotly anticipated Kia Stinger sports sedan will go up against the best of the best, from BMW, Audi, and Lexus.
- I tested the Kia Stinger in the San Francisco Bay Area for a few days.
- The Stinger blew me away.
South Korean carmaker Kia is better known for slightly offbeat, value-oriented cars than for high-performance wheels, but that changed last year with the introduction of the Stinger.
It was the toast of the auto-show circuit and a clear play on Kia's part to redefine the brand with a classic "halo" car — in this case, a rear-wheel-drive, go-fast machine with a game-changing exterior design and an inviting price tag, relative to the upmarket competition. We're talking about at least 10 grand less than a German sports sled.
We were salivating over the Stinger, so when I recently traveled to the West Coast and escaped the miseries of winter in New York, I jumped at the chance to spend a few days behind the wheel. And what days they were! Here's how it went:
The power is piped through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Sure, there are paddle shifters so you can go manual, but I found that it was best to just let the auto handle the duty. As an aside, the Stinger has the first joystick-style shifter that I've actually liked.
The Stinger provides multiple drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, Custom. Smart tweaks the dynamics based on your driving style, while Custom lets you do the tweaking yourself.
Sport maximizes all the Stinger has to offer, but in my testing it also clobbered the already marginal fuel economy. That's the price you pay. Official MPGs are 19 city/25 highway/21 combined. I suspect I was getting more like 20 mpg, given that I was engaging in spirited Sport-mode piloting.
Comfort and Eco should help one to better sip the petrol, and on balance they don't detract hugely from performance — I stepped on it in both and was rewarded with plenty of pep. But Sport is where the steering is most taut, the braking most responsive, and the suspension trimmest. Some reviews of the Stinger have complained about body roll when the car is pushed, but I didn't find much of that, although I was driving on public roads rather than a track.
The infotainment system — UVO — is responsive and simple to use. It covers all the bases and is managed through this touchscreen in the center of the dash.
Our tester came with a Harman Kardon premium audio system and SiriusXM satellite radio, which sounded superb. Navigation helped me find my way around the Bay, from the city to Silicon Valley and even over to Fremont, and Bluetooth device pairing was a snap.
Don't get me wrong: Kia makes good cars and SUVs and stands behind them with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It's no longer a risk to own its vehicles; it's proved it can satisfy and delight American customers.
But the Stinger takes things to a whole new level. This is easily the best car Kia has ever made, but more than that, it's among the best cars of its type that I've driven. The comparison that jumped immediately to mind was the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, a 505-horsepower beast that was a finalist for Business Insider's 2017 Car of the Year.
Obviously, the Stinger GT2 that I tested, at 365 horsepower, gives up a lot of ponies to the Giulia Quadrifoglio. But it has a similar light, sporty, vigorous feel, and arguably the horsepower is just right while the Giulia Quadrifoglio's is excessive. Plus, the Giulia Quad is almost $80,000, and you have to spend that much to get the twin-turbo V6 because the non-Quads give you only a 280-horsepower four-cylinder, at prices that compare to the Stinger GTs (the Stinger can also be had with a smaller four-banger).
Sticker-wise, you might stack the Stinger GT2 up against the Audi S4, and the specs are similar. But the S4, while a nice ride, lacks the flair and panache of the Stinger. Yes, you could buy the S4 and be happy. But I'd rather buy the Stinger and be thrilled. (We also thought about the Stinger going up against another BI Car of the Year contender, the Acura TLX A-Spec, but the Acura just doesn't have that juicy Stinger twin-turbo V6 going for it.)
It's an endlessly fun car, a literal joy to drive. It fires up with a pleasing snarl (OK, an augmented one, but still) and growls cheerfully when pushed. It's flat-out fast. The 0-60 time is supposed to be 4.7 seconds, but I thought it was notably quicker than that. And you have to watch yourself at cruising velocities, as the Stinger taps out the legal speed limit in a hurry, but do so with such poise and relative quiet that one can easily overlook the speedometer.
As it turned out, the weather in the Bay Area while I was driving varied between lovely and rainy, so I had the chance to vindicate the AWD system. I wouldn't pay the extra thousands for it myself, but it performed capably. Generally speaking, torque vectoring favors the rear wheels and send grab only to the front if you need it.
Some reviewers have complained that the Stinger suffers from body roll, which is when the car leans while turning. But I didn't notice much of that. Nor could I wring much turbo lag out of the engine.
I found the paddle-shifters to be a bit ticky-tacky, so I mostly skipped them. As a result, in Sport mode while letting the eight-speed auto shift gears, I got to feel some firm downshifts — that might bother some drivers, but I considered it to be in the spirit of what Sport mode should be all about.
The brakes are nice, beefy Brembos and they keep the Stinger in check. I gave them a workout on the twisting roads around Deer Creek. But where I genuinely enjoyed the Stinger the most was on the highway: It's supposed to be a gran turismo, a touring car, designed to recall a time when well-heeled European couples saddled up their elegant GTs and set their sights on beachfront enclaves. The Stinger is a car that craves a weekend road trip to someplace nice.
Some reviewers have also complained that the interior isn't really all that luxurious. It isn't. So what? Do you want to rub the leather all day or drive the car? I looked forward to both looking at the Stinger and sitting in it. And given Bay Area traffic, I did my share of sitting.
It was lovely. The audio system sounds great. The seats are fine, heated and cooled (so was my steering wheel). I could live without race-car bolstering and open-grain wood trim.
I would buy this car tomorrow without hesitation if I were in the market for a sporty four-door. I'd skip the AWD to get the price down closer to $40,000 and laugh at all the Audis and BMWs because my car would be just so, so, so much hipper.
I know I already implied that it's a poor man's Giulia Quadrifoglio, but that's unfair — the Stinger is more than that. Much more. It's been a few weeks since I test drove the Mighty Kia and I still can't get it out of my head.
A brilliant risk for Kia, and one that should be brilliantly rewarded.


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Souffles de vie
Paperback, 162 Pages
Price: $14.64
Prints in 3-5 business days
Manon, 15 ans, atteinte de mucoviscidose et de diabète, raconte dans ce livre son quotidien avec ces terribles maladies. A la fois triste, émouvant, et souvent drôle, ce livre vous passionnera et vous fera prendre conscience de sa différence, qui malheureusement (ou heureusement) ne se voit pas .
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Product Details
- Copyright
- Manon Buffoni (Standard Copyright License)
- Edition
- Première édition
- Published
- September 17, 2008
- Language
- French
- Pages
- 162
- Binding
- Perfect-bound Paperback
- Interior Ink
- Black & white
- Weight
- 0.4 lbs.
- Dimensions (inches)
- 4.25 wide x 6.88 tall
- Product ID
- 3563642
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text: Exit this survey Priority Survey FY2019 MICHIGAN PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICE, INC. PRIORITY SURVEY Each year, Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service (MPAS) seeks input regarding issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities in Michigan. This year we will also be reevaluating our priorities and adjusting them as necessary to achieve desired outcomes. Thank you for your assistance in our efforts to design advocacy services that will enable people with disabilities to live independent, productive lives as fully included members of the community. If you would like to mail or fax the survey you can fax to (517) 487- 0827 or mail to Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc., 4095 Legacy Pkwy, Ste. 500 Lansing, MI 48911. Question Title * 1. To assure that we are reaching a wide cross section of the community, please answer the following. This section is strictly voluntary. There is NO requirement to complete this section. PLEASE DO NOT SIGN YOUR NAME TO THIS SURVEY. I am a: (check all that apply) person with a disability family member of a person with a disability service provider MPAS staff/board member/committee member Other (please specify) Question Title * 2. I think the most important issue facing people with disabilities is: Question Title * 3. Check all that apply.I need advocates to help with: Access to public buildings, programs or information Advance directives Child welfare or juvenile justice issues Community mental health services Early On or preschool Education (through high school) Education (after high school) Employment supports/vocational rehabilitation Employment discrimination Estate planning Health care (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance) Housing discrimination In-home supports Leaving a hospital, group home, or other facility Nursing home care or services Prison or jail issues Public benefits (money or food supports) Stopping use of restraint or seclusion Rights in a hospital, group home, or other facility Rights under guardianship laws Social Security (eligibility) Social Security (other) Something else: (please specify) Done


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I was going to sit on this story for at least a day and wait for my blood to stop boiling, but Rolling Stone released an official statement and I have to respond.
Here is Rolling Stone official statement:
"Our hearts go out to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, and our thoughts are always with them and their families. The cover story we are publishing this week falls within the traditions of journalism and Rolling Stone's long-standing commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage of the most important political and cultural issues of our day. The fact that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is young, and in the same age group as many of our readers, makes it all the more important for us to examine the complexities of this issue and gain a more complete understanding of how a tragedy like this happens."
They don't get it. They just don't get it.
I can tell you how this tragedy happened: this guy is a fucking loser who hated America and kept it a secret from all his friends. Thats it. There is no need to paint this asshole as the victim of some sort of brainwashing or as a guy who slipped through the cracks.
He was a fucking asshole who, along with his America hating asshole brother, decided to kill innocent people. Its not that fucking hard to comprehend.
Rolling Stone questioning how this guy turned into a terrorist makes them no different than those Tsarnaev supporters that we saw outside the Moakley courthouse on the day of his arraignment. The bottom line is, anyone who gives a shit about how he turned into a monster should shut the fuck up. We dont want to hear it.
And there's another layer to him being on the cover of Rolling Stone. Did those friggin morons think for a second that making him look like a rock star may inspire other wannabe jihadists out there? Not one editor thought of that?
They are basically telling wannabe jihadists that if you do what this guy did, you too can be on the cover of Rolling Stone. That is borderline treasonous. I really hope the FBI pays everyone on their payroll a visit and asks them what the fuck they were thinking glorifying this piece of shit
And sympathetically wondering how he became a terrorist isnt journalism. That is propaganda. Rolling Stone deserve every last ounce of outrage that they are getting right now.
Follow @MassholeSports


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The video content on this page requires a properly connected Disklavier to be fully enjoyed. The audio track does not contain any acoustic piano sound. Click here to set up your Disklavier.
Classical Mashup - Grant Wollard
Uploaded On: Thursday March 15, 2018
This clever medley features famous classical themes by over 30 composers in under 6 minutes, interweaving up to four themes at a time! You'll hear melodies from Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Chopin, Schubert, Mendelssohn and many others. The medley was originally recorded by pianist Grant Wollard, and adapted for the Disklavier by Yamaha artist Craig Knudsen.
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Douglas Hofstadter mentions, "… that wonderful tingling of two souls that we curiously call "chemistry", and that the French, even more curiously, describe as 'avoir des atomes crochus', which means having atoms that are hooked together."
Do these phrases mean that we intuitively know that when we are deeply in love with a person there is a deep down change in our bodies at the chemical level (or deeper still, at a subatomic/energy level?) Is it because when we are in love we vibrate to the same frequency or are "tuned in" to each other?
This is a type of connection that is more than the mere physical, it is connection on an energetic level. This is what I wanted to tap into in my book, Naked Morsels; Short Stories of Spiritual Erotica. I was annoyed with erotic stories that were simply "jumping from bed to bed", I wanted my stories to capture the ineffable thrill of real connection. Delighting in one another's body is lovely, but there is so much more!
Author Deepak Chopra talks about the connection between sexuality and Spirit:
"…[an] invitation to open our lives and our souls to ecstasy, recognizing it for what it really is — the experience of our own divinity."
If you think of how the Universe was created in the Big Bang, all that energy flew out, swirling and coalescing into suns and planets and that energy became solid matter and transformed eventually into us. If all of that energy started from the Divine, then we are all limited fragments of the Divine. When we join with another in love, we become larger than ourselves. We feel that connection to the Divine Source… Love.
Robin Rumi


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Manually Upgrading your Software
If your Lifesize Icon Flex is not connected to an outside network, access software updates from software.lifesize.com. You must become a registered user and enter your serial number to access this site.
1. From a web browser, log in to software.lifesize.com and find the software package for your device.
2. Download the upgrade package to your local computer.
3. Connect your local computer (containing the upgrade software) to Lifesize Icon Flex's USB port.
4. Close any video conferencing application.
5. Choose one: If you are using version 2.5.0 or later:
a. Open the Lifesize Icon Flex administrator interface and log in.
b. Go to Maintenance > System Upgrade and click Select File to find the upgrade package.
c. Click Upload. The upgrade can take several minutes. If you close the window before the file upload completes, the upload is canceled. When the upgrade completes, the system automatically reboots.
If you are using a version earlier than 2.5.0:
a. Carefully lift the base of your Lifesize Icon Flex unit and turn it over.
• Do not lift the device using the camera or pivot bracket.
• Do not rest the camera upside-down on a hard surface.
b. Locate the reset button on the bottom of the camera base.
c. Using the tip of a pen or a thin stylus, press and hold the reset button for approximately one second. Wait until an Lifesize Icon Flex entry appears in your computer's external drive list. This could take up to 60 seconds.
d. Locate the upgrade file you downloaded to your computer in step
2. Hold down your mouse button and drag the file to the Lifesize Icon Flex drive in your computer's external drive list, then release it. If your computer prompts you to copy the file to this location, choose Yes.
The upgrade begins automatically. The front LED flashes blue as the upgrade progresses.
NOTE The upgrade may take up to 10 minutes to complete. Do not unplug any cables or reset the device while the upgrade is in progress.
Your Lifesize Icon Flex automatically powers off and back on during the upgrade. When both the front LED and Lifesize Digital MicPod LED are solid blue, the upgrade is complete.
6. Restart your video conferencing application. If necessary, re-select Lifesize Icon Flex as your video and audio device.


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Busy Beavers 3Favorites [+]
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Running Time: 114 minutes
Released: 05/2011
Studio Name: Platinum Media Amateur Xxx
Series: Busy Beavers
Description: This series unwraps some hot and curious ladies who have never been on film with another girl before! We know you'll enjoy the fun, shyness and uninhibited sex that only these fresh AMATEURS can provide. You'll treasure these moments and make them last, because these intimate experiences are something you will NEVER Forget.
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Stars: Dawn
Sex Acts: Masturbation
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Sex Acts: Rim Job, Masturbation, Oral Sex
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Stars: Kaysa (Platinum Media), Britta
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Sex Acts: Breast Play, Masturbation, Oral Sex, Strap-On
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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Intro to Argentina
Trip in
- Choose Country -
- Choose Continent -
Central America
Eastern Africa
Middle East
North America
Southern Africa
South America
At the handsome Argentinean estancia with 7500 acres of unblemished wilderness, avid international travelers can enjoy the spectacular countryside, the proud hills and the rural tranquility on horseback, on foot or simply finding sought after relaxation in estancia's lovely gardens. Due to its convenient proximity to historic locations, you can readily visit the attractions of Ischilin, the Fader Museum, Mount Uritorco and the incredible Saint Catherine Jesuit Convent during your stay. The estancia is very cozy and comfortable: The rooms are spacious and bright, with all the modern day conveniences. Open your bedroom windows at dawn and experience the most breath taking views - a truly unforgettable moment for many guests! The large garden here is a magic location; an ideal spot to enjoy a good book or a drink by the pool after a day of riding and exploring the beautiful foreign lands that this region of Argentina has to offer. The culinary experience is enviable: Using the best in regional products, the chef provides delicious and refined country-style fare, served in a well presented, dining room ambiance or as the popular Argentine-style open fire barbecues.
You can choose to ride only a few hours per day around the vicinity of the glorious property or opt for the day long horseback treks up into the vast hills and the impressive cliff side. For example, you can ride to Moon Ravine and watch the massive condors fly over the peaks of the cliffs which is quite magnificent. The trails are varied; you will traverse mountainside and meadows, cross rivers and visit the waterfalls. There are even some little beaches hidden in this paradise! Bird watching includes eagles, condors and peregrine falcons and often we may catch sight of foxes, hares, wild donkeys and goats. You can even arrange for the unique night ride under the light of the full moon, visiting Aspero hill and Piedra Parada, if the conditions are right! Whether horse riding or simply sitting back to relax and enjoying the hospitality, the positive energy of the estancia and its surrounding wilderness will transform the body, mind and soul.
Guest Ranch Center-based ride
Riding with us is an experience not to be missed, whatever your ability. The adventure starts in the 'monturero', where our staff prepares the horses and the journey begins. Ride through the valley, guided by expert guides and with the best horses and equipment.
There are horseback rides for all levels of experience (even for guests without any experience) and durations, according to the preferences of the passengers. We have a variety of horses and a variety of landscapes, that give us flexibility for each guest to enjoy their ride in their own way. From a ride of a couple of hours, to the possibility of riding between the hills for several days, we ensure each guest has a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience.
Examples of riding excursions: (subject to availability on arrival)
Variety of landscapes and trails Through the Ongamira's clods –warming up!
Duration: from 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty level: low (medium if climbing clods)
Ideal to start visiting the farmhouse area and getting used to the horses, as a first approach to a future longer ride.
A tour around the valley, up to the bottom of the reddish formations that give name to the area. Possibility of climbing one of the clods on horseback to enjoy a breathtaking view.
The Limit – soft views
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty level: medium
Ascent to a considerably high mountain where you will be able to see all Ongamira and a great part of the farm house, accompanied by the strong breeze, typical of the mountain tops. The setting invites to get off the horse and sit on the old low stone walls to enjoy the landscape.
San Javier–See the north
Duration: from 1.30 to 2.30 hours
Difficulty level: low/ intermediate/ high (adapted to rider level)
Departs from Dos Lunas. This horseback ride will take you to the highest points from were you will be overwhelmed by extraordinary views of the valley and of the mountain meadows; you will also see the great salt evaporation ponds from the north of Cordoba province.
Given the diversity of the landscape's topography, this ride could be enjoyed at walk, trot or gallop.
Once we reach a specific place you will be able to sight the source of the Sauces River where usually the flight of a condor or a great-chested buzzard eagle could be watched.
Piedra Parada
Duration:3 hours
Difficulty level:low
Tour around the farm house, through a path made at the beginning of the 20th century by a Russian engineer. Different landscapes boasting infinite ranges of greens and blues. Over the horizon, the great salt evaporation ponds and a few little towns.
The local fauna includes foxes, hares and several bird species.
The Cascade–Summer time!
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty level: medium
Horse riding through the countryside. Up and down the mountains we arrive to a hidden
cascade. Ideal to be enjoyed on warm days and to share a picnic by the stream.
Cerro Colchequín– The Most Desired
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Difficulty level: high
Climb up the hill on horseback following the path where the Comechingones indians fought their last battle against the Spanish army. Panoramic views of the Ongamira valley and of the farm house.
Birdwatching includes eagles, condors and peregrine falcons. On top of the hill, one of the few condor nests outside the Andes mountain range, where condors can be closely seen, mostly on warm days.
Full Moon – The sights of the night
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty level: low
Unforgettable horseback riding under the full moon light, visiting Aspero hill and Piedra
Parada. Return through Puente de Laja.
We do not fix an agenda because we want you to relax, feel at home and tailor as most as possible your experience.
Our experienced Gaucho guides will accompany you in every trail!
Walk, trot, gallop!
--Subject to changes at operator's discretion.--
Córdoba area
Average High Temperature (°F)
Average Low Temperature (°F)
Average High Temperature (°C)
Average Low Temperature (°C)
Average Precipitation (days of rain)
The Cordoba region of Argentina is well known for its pleasant weather and healthy climate - "siempre de temporada" or "always in season", is the old slogan. In Cordoba the climate can vary but is generally sunny and dry. The annual average temperature is approximately 16° C to 17° C, and can vary throughout the year to between 14 and 15° C. The sun is strong all year round, so hats and good sun protection are recommended!
Cordoba's climate is often described as 'Mediterranean', even despite the fact its eastern border is 300 miles away from the Atlantic Ocean, and western edge 330 miles from the Pacific Ocean.
During the summer season the days are warm and the nights pleasant. However, the rainy season usually is in the summer months. Rain amounts hardly surpass 500 cubic millimeters per year, with rain levels in the north western province hardly exceeding 200 cubic millimeters a year. Strong and windy storms are frequent during the months of summer, along with heavy rains and electric storms.
At the beginning of autumn the days are usually hot at noon and during the afternoon. The mornings and the nights cool enough. April is a very dry month and in May the first frosts may appear.
The climate of Córdoba during the winter is cool during the day and cold at night, although there are frequent warm days, due to the influence of the Zonda wind. In winter the climate is drier - but never badly cold.
The temperatures can be hot and from one day to the next they can go down several degrees, even causing frosts at night. Differences between one day and another of up to 15ºC or 20ºC. Just as a sunny day can end a strong hail storm.
Average ratings
(see details below)
The estancia is very cozy 100-year old restored farmhouse. The rooms are spacious and bright and with all the modern conveniences. Open the windows at dawn to experience the view from the house for an unforgettable moment. The large garden concentrates the magic of the location. It is the ideal spot to enjoy nature after horse-back riding or an afternoon at the pool. Most of the bathrooms are shared – one for every two rooms. Two rooms have a private bath.
The culinary experience is unforgettable. Breakfast and tea with home baked bread, fried pastries, croissants, the home made jams of Donna Irene, natural fruit juices and local honey.
Using regional products, the chef offers an authentic refined country-style fare, served in a dinning room ambiance which fosters relaxation after the meal. Argentine-style open fire barbecues by the pool or the option of a large picnic basket to take along on the rides.
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.


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Twice a year at Christ Church we have a Dinner & Teaching Series. Each series is five to six weeks, with one taking place in the fall and one at Lent. We meet on Wednesday nights following the 6:00 service in the Parish Hall, eating dinner together, enjoying fellowship, and learning from Father Dave.
Dinner and childcare is also provided in the Gabard building during the series.
Our 2017 Fall Teaching Series: Grace in Marriage, will begin on Wednesday September 20 through October 18.


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What's the best way to remain competitive in the food processing industry today? A strategic plan. It equips your business with the knowledge, tools and strategies necessary to evolve and adapt to changing marketing conditions and consumer demands. In fact, we'll be hosting a Food Engineering webinar June 23, 3 Key Elements in a Successful Strategic Plan for Growth to dive into strategic plans even further. Last week, we discussed the first step in developing a strategic plan: developing a business plan. This week, we'll discuss step two: conducting a manufacturing analysis.
3 Key Areas to Examine in Your Manufacturing Analysis
Understanding crucial elements to forming a thorough strategic plan
Pork Plants: Best Practices for Effective Quick Chill System Design
Quick chill systems are a viable option for hog chilling thanks to improved efficiency, product quality and yield. But to achieve these benefits, and peak performance, your system must be designed correctly.
Hog Chilling: Why Quick Chill Systems are Worth the Investment
How quick chilling works, improves pork product output
There are more than 68,000 pork producers in the United States alone—competition is fierce. So how can your hog facility remain competitive? By producing the highest quality product possible for consumers, efficiently. And an effective chilling system is key to facilitating the most premium product for your consumers: a flavorful cut of meat with appealing color, firmness and moisture levels. The faster a carcass is cooled after slaughter, the better quality the meat will be. Quick chill systems, specifically, reduce chill time and produce a better cut of meat. While they may be a significant upfront investment for your food plant, this method offers significant advantages and long-term ROI.
7 Ways to Integrate Gluten-free Manufacturing Into Your Bakery Plant
An in-depth look at how to safely produce gluten-free products
Stellar recently exhibited at the American Society of Baking's (ASB) annual BakingTech conference in Chicago. "Gluten-free" continues to be a topic on the rise among the attendees. This isn't surprising, as more and more companies are incorporating gluten-free products into their offering arsenals. However, a common challenge for food manufacturers going gluten-free is preventing cross-contamination, whether it's modifying existing plants or embarking on greenfield projects. Gluten-free products also require specific distribution and processing considerations that may differ from what manufacturers are used to, from mixing methods to storage. So, how do you safely integrate gluten-free manufacturing into your bakery plant?
Cryogenic vs. Mechanical Freezers: The Best Uses for Each Method
Part 2: Process freezing series
Many food plants rely on freezers and refrigerators to store and ship their products. In last week's post, I outlined four variables food processors must understand during process freezing. This week, I want to take a look at freezing methods and equipment, and the applications they're best suited for. Depending on the type and quantity of food, certain freezers are more useful than others.
Process Freezing 101: 4 Variables Food Processors Must Understand
Part 1: Process freezing series
Food plant owners who work with frozen products must have a thorough understanding of the freezing process and what it does to food. Freezing, done well, preserves nutrients and provides a good-as-fresh product for the customer. Done badly — well, we've all pulled a forgotten, frost-encrusted steak out of the bottom of the freezer before. It's not very appetizing. This two-part blog series will take a look at best practices for freezing and the applications of various types of freezers.
[Infographic] 6 Benefits of a CO2/NH3 Cascade System
CO2/NH3 cascade systems offer food processors a practical way to increase efficiency. By using two centralized refrigeration systems working in unison to provide cooling temperatures, they maximize the effect of carbon dioxide and ammonia. The high-temperature system pulls heat away from the low-temperature system, which in turn uses recirculated liquid to cool the evaporators.
Cascade systems that use CO2 as a secondary refrigerant offer unique advantages. Carbon dioxide is nontoxic and nonflammable, and is also less likely to damage food products in the event of a release. For food plant owners, CO2/NH3 cascade systems offer six key benefits, which are detailed below.
[Infographic] 2 Key Questions to Answer Before Your Packaged Refrigeration Equipment Installation
Packaged refrigeration equipment series
For the past two weeks, we've discussed packaged refrigeration equipment: a system that uses ammonia or CO2 and a secondary refrigerant, allowing facilities to reap the benefits of ammonia while also minimizing the charge and risk. We've already reviewed the various ways these systems can benefit food processors and discussed the five different types of these low-charge chillers available. However, if you decide to introduce packaged refrigeration equipment into your food manufacturing plant, there are some key questions you must answer before installation to ensure an efficient, smooth installation process.
[Infographic] Factors That Influence Cold Storage Warehouse Cost Savings
At the close of 2014, data released by the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses showed that the total capacity of refrigerated warehouses has increased 20 percent since 2012. And over the past few months, trade magazines have been honing in on the topic, tapping into our team members at Stellar for insights into cold storage construction, including rising technologies, efficiencies and best practices.
4 Common Misperceptions About Ammonia Processes
Takeaways from the Process Cooling webinar
Recently, Process Cooling hosted a fantastic webinar on ammonia safety, discussing practical advice for industrial refrigeration system operators. As ammonia usage continues to grow with the changing refrigeration landscape, it's important for all of us to understand ways to keep our plants and personnel safe.


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by Jim Shultz
The Democracy Owners' Manual is a unique, hands-on guide for people who want to change public policy at the local, state, national or international level. Based on more than a decade of teaching advocacy to social justice advocates all over the world, the book is a combination of policy and advocacy basics, illustrated with dozens of real-life examples of advocacy in action.
256 pages, 21 b&w illustrations.
"Jim Shultz's manual shows how you can practice democracy and participate in power while enjoying the experiences with your fellow activists." – Ralph Nader
"Jim Shultz's book is a wonderful first step for anyone who wants to be effective at protecting the environment, or fighting for economic and social justice." – Carl Pope, Executive Director, Sierra Club
"For parents and others who want to make a difference . . . The Democracy Owner's Manual lights the way." – Carol Ruley, former vice president, National PTA.
Order the book from Rutgers University Press
Order the Book from Amazon.com
- Part One: Five Key Debates That Democracies Decide
- What Is Government's Job?
- The Rules of Politics
- Taxes and Budgets: Following the Money
- Making Public Rules for Business and the Marketplace
- Civil Rights and Criminal Wrongs: Society's Rules for Individuals
- Part Two: Tools For Democracy's Activists
- Developing a Strategy: Advocacy's Roadmap
- Research and Analysis: Advocacy by Fact, not Fiction
- Organizing: Bringing People Together to Make Social Change
- Building and Maintaining Advocacy Coalitions
- Messages and Media: Democracy's Megaphones
- Lobbying: The Art of Influencing Public Officials
- Initiatives: The Power of the Ballot
Training Handouts and Newsletter Inserts for Advocacy Groups
To help groups with their advocacy work, The Democracy Center has prepared a set of free handout materials, based on The Democracy Owners' Manual, ideal for use with training workshops or as newsletter inserts. Click to view and copy those of interest. Our only request is that groups using this material should credit the Democracy Center and provide a link or reference to our website at www.democracyctr.org.
- Developing Advocacy Strategy
- Policy Analysis – A Primer
- Effective Organizing – The Key Ingredients
- Building and Maintaining Advocacy Coalitions
- Media Advocacy
- Lobbying – the Basics
- Five Rules of Initiative Politics
University Teaching Modules Using The Democracy Owners Manual
The Democracy Owners' Manual was written with students in mind. The author, Jim Shultz, has taught political science, policy analysis, and public administration to both undergraduates and graduate students at San Francisco State University and the book draws from the curricula used in those courses. To aid university instructors in teaching policy and advocacy The Democracy Center has created a set of teaching modules using The Democracy Owners' Manual – from the basic to the more advanced – which can be incorporated into university courses dealing with political science, public health, social work, environmental studies, urban studies and many other areas. View the modules.
About the Author
Jim Shultz is the founder and Executive Director of the Democracy Center. A graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard University, Jim has trained and counseled thousands of citizen activists across five continents and has led a series of winning citizen action campaigns in the U.S. and globally. Jim is the author and editor of three major books, including most recently Dignity and Defiance, Stories from Bolivia's Challenge to Globalization (UC Press, 2009). His writings on democracy and social justice issues have been published in books, magazines and newspapers across the US, Canada and the UK.


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Why people trust CF Lieu & his team even they are staying outside Malaysia and have not even met us in person
Going against the grain of the financial planning industry
My Independence Sets me apart from other so-called "Financial Planners"
I have a firmly rooted belief that financial advice should be given without bias or a desire to earn investment commissions and transaction fees. Advice should be advice—not sales.
I make my advice transparent, conflict-free and in your best interests at all times. I am dedicated to sitting on the same side of the table as you. Any fees you pay to are fees for advice—that is it. Unlike big "name brand" advisers or firms, I am not driven to generate profits for shareholders by selling proprietary solutions that generate the most revenue.
I advocate entirely for you. While many honest people work within the financial services industry, they work within a system that is set up in order for the house to win, not the clients. It's not an evil system – just one created to grow the assets of corporations, not individual investors.
However, now there is an alternative – one that has been created to serve the investor without conflict. It is called an independent financial adviser (IFA). If there is one single step you can take today to solidify your financial position, it's to align yourself with a credible & skilled IFA in Malaysia.
The fact is, everyone can call himself Financial Planner/Adviser nowadays, but only an IFA like Ching Foo, licensed by Securities Commission Malaysia can advise you in an impartial manner and be compensated professionally in the form of advisory fees.
Think About What a Difference This Could Make
Imagine you use our process to finally find the clarity you were seeking. You know it works, because for the first time, you actually have a clear vision of what your financial goal(s) looks like.
What would that mean? Would you be more confident of your financial situation?
Would you be less stressed about your investments and what's going in the market?
Would you be able to focus on doing the things you love, instead of worrying about what market news has to say?
Yes, you would.
For a small, one-time fee, you can take your current financial situation and piece together your desired financial goals….and be totally confident.
Let me explain using the analogy below
The Architect
Imagine undertaking a 10 years mega home construction project . Think of having to manage civil engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, contractors, interior designers, etc on top of your full-time job or business. You need to ensure everything and everyone is coordinated - so that the end result is what you envisioned.
TEDIOUS? We thought so too.
Now, imagine the pivotal role of an architect who fully understands what you need, and manage your home construction project.
IFA like CF Lieu is the Architect of your Personal Finances - making sure it meets your desired outcome. And your Personal Finance is, in fact, a Dynamic Long Term Mega Project.
The Doctor
Imagine you wake up one day and feel prolonged uneasiness in your chest. Do you prescribe your own medication? Or...does it feel right if a medical professional dispenses medication without proper consultation and diagnosis?
NOPE? We thought so too.
Getting the wrong or unnecessary medicine not only worsens your condition, but can possibly endanger your life.
Doctors charge for diagnosis (consultation), and only dispense suitable medicine (solutions) as required. They are billed separately. It should be that way for your best interest as a patient.
CF Lieu believes it works the same way for IFA.
The Mechanic
Imagine a highly-educated you, driving a nice continental car. Do you fix your own car when discover a potential problem - like, a loud rattling sound under the hood?
You bring your car to your trusted mechanic at a reputable service center, because he is highly skilled and trained in this area - although he may not have a diploma/degree.
Can you be your own DIY mechanic? Of course you can - everyone can learn being one, given the time and training.
But you'll find out that it's not worth the trouble, and you can afford to pay the mechanic to get your car fixed in no time. You are smart to leverage on the mechanic's practical experience.
BEFORE engaging an IFA
Click for Enlarged View
AFTER engaging an IFA
Click for Enlarged View
How is CF Lieu different from other CFPs ?
A CFP CERT TM holder means he has the competency and qualification in the 4 main areas in personal financial planning - wealth protection, wealth accumulation, wealth preservation and wealth distribution. It DOES NOT imply whether he is tied financial product agent (who usually has some form of sales quota to meet) or a licensed independent financial adviser (IFA) with NO sales quota to fulfill. The latter role removes conflict of interest.
Lastly, to prove that I know money management well, and really do walk the talk, here's a snapshot of my credit score report.
p/s - you should not engage any financial planners whose credit score is worse than yours!


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Such is the interest in Saturday's Grand National that some 600,000,000 people will watch the race on TV around the world, while one in four adults in UK will have a flutter the Aintree spectacular, hoping to pick the winner from the 40 runners, writes Jack Nixon.
At first glance it would seem like a lottery, selecting the first past the post, but experience tells me that it is not as hard as you might think, given that nearly 30 of the field are not likely to be in contention at the end of the four-and-half miles.
But for the historians among you, it should be noted that the first ever winner in 1839 was in fact called Lottery, followed two years later by a horse called Charity.
In the event, the most likely charity to benefit will be the bookmakers, especially as novice punters will be betting with their hearts and not their heads.
So for what it is worth here are one or two pointers for first time punters, not guaranteed to win a fortune, but enough to put you in with a chance of beating the bookies.
Nearly all horses that have won the race have been in the age bracket of nine to 11 years old, and in the main carry less than 10 stones seven pounds on their brave backs.
For example, it is 75 years since a seven-year-old won the race, so for those of you thinking of backing Unioniste don't get too carried away, give him another two years before investing your pennies, though he might just surprise us all.
More likely candidates are Monbeg Dude, Balthazar King, Rebel Rebellion, and Royal Knight, while you could do worse than getting on AP McCoy's mount Shutthefrontdoor. A win in the champion jockey's last season would be a great send off.
For those of you looking for a 100/1 winner be warned that only five such prices have triumphed in 186 years of running the race.
But good luck and enjoy the eight plus minutes of a roller coaster on Saturday.
My main money will be going on Balthazar King, while I am likely to double it with an each-way bet on Rory McIroy in the Masters.


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Am I a Christian?
In the summer of 1968 when I was a young man, I made the decision to commit myself to Jesus Christ. After struggling for several years to find myself and not living the kind of life I knew I should live, I finally surrendered my will to that of the Lord and put my future into his hands. I changed friends, discarded old behavior and beliefs, and set my life on a new course that has guided me to the present time. That new course has led me to much happiness—a happiness I had never felt before and was unaware that I was missing. It is a joy in God through Jesus Christ, "by whom [I] now received the atonement" (Romans 5:11).
Although at the time I knew very little about scriptural language and absolutely nothing about theological definitions, I believed then and still believe today that I was spiritually reborn. I experienced the sensation of having the heavy weight of my previous life lifted from my shoulders. I felt lighter, safer, and happier. I felt a "joy and peace in believing" that was brought into my life by "the God of hope" (Romans 15:13). Above all else, I felt more free. Indeed, the immediate and lasting sensation was one of liberation. I had been freed from the things that had bound me. I had been liberated from falsehood, confusion, and doubt. And thus having been "made free from sin," I was both able and determined to become a servant of God and to do his will for the rest of my life (Romans 6:18, 22; see 1 Corinthians 7:22). Paul describes well the process by which my old self became dead and my regenerated self walks "in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). I felt changes take place in my life by which I was "quickened" and "forgiven" (Colossians 2:13), and my interests and desires became increasingly set "on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2).
I was spiritually reborn, according to these descriptions and definitions in the Bible. I experienced "a change of heart" (Alma 5:26) "through faith on his [Christ's] name," and I was "born of him" (Mosiah 5:7). So why, then, do I ask, "Am I a Christian?"
Latter-day Saint Christians
In his chapter in The New Mormon Challenge, "Is Mormonism Christian?" (pp. 315–32, 483–89), my friend Craig L. Blomberg concludes with regret that I cannot be a Christian because I exercise my faith within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and sincerely believe all its teachings (p. 330).1 Blomberg's regret is real. In the most courteous and thoughtful chapter in The New Mormon Challenge, he analyzes the Latter-day Saint claim to Christianity from a variety of angles. He concludes that neither we as a church nor we as individuals can be Christians while holding to our uniquely Latter-day Saint beliefs.2 I have observed elsewhere that one person's definition of a Christian may well differ legitimately from another's.3 I agree, for example, that as a Latter-day Saint I am not part of the historic Orthodox-Catholic-Protestant tradition of Christianity that has descended from antiquity. But are there no other definitions of a Christian that include me? Blomberg rejects as too simplistic the definition proposed by Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks: "What made a person a Christian in the first century, and what makes a person a Christian today, is, simply, a commitment to Jesus Christ."4 He views this definition as insufficient because one can profess a commitment to Christ while falling short in other matters (citing Galatians 1:8-9 and Matthew 7:23). Blomberg's own definitions are more specific: What makes a person a Christian, he writes, is whether that person "is genuinely regenerate." The question to be asked, he argues, is "Is such a person saved?" (p. 328, emphasis in original). Indeed, "Christian means 'converted'" (p. 328). To be a Christian, "one must personally accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and allow him to transform every area of one's life" (pp. 328–29). "Anyone can become a Christian by sincerely trusting in the Jesus of the New Testament as personal Lord (God and Master) and Savior and by demonstrating the sincerity of that commitment by some perceivable measure of lifelong, biblical belief and behavior" (p. 329, emphasis in original).
I agree with Blomberg's straightforward and evenhanded definitions. They make good sense. And I believe that most other thoughtful evangelicals would use similar words to describe what it means to be a real Christian. Significantly, but not surprisingly, those definitions are also consistent with the teachings of the Book of Mormon (see, for example, Mosiah 4:1–5:15; Alma 5:2–62; 7:14–16).
But Blomberg's definitions create a serious problem: they make me a Christian too. They make me a Christian because my own life is governed by the very processes that he cites as evidence for one's Christianity. I am a personal witness of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. I have been regenerated, I have been saved,5 and I have been converted. I have personally accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and I have allowed him to transform every area of my life. I trust in Jesus as my personal Lord, God, Master, and Savior and have attempted to demonstrate the sincerity of my commitment since the time of my conversion by living according to Jesus' will. And there are many others like me. I am not the only Latter-day Saint who has "felt to sing the song of [Christ's] redeeming love" (Alma 5:26). Most of my Latter-day Saint friends and neighbors have been similarly changed by the same power. And there are millions more, in every corner of the earth, and each can testify as I have of the converting power of the atonement of Jesus. The problem for Blomberg's definitions is that they include faithful, believing Latter-day Saints. Although we may not describe the transforming process in the same words used by evangelicals, we know it nonetheless because we have witnessed it in our lives and have seen it in the lives of others.
I believe sincerely that many of my evangelical Christian friends, and countless others like them, have been reborn spiritually also.6 The fact that their "hearts are changed through faith on his name" (Mosiah 5:7) is clear in their honest efforts to show the example and teachings of Jesus in their lives. They reflect the character of their Savior, just as faithful Latter-day Saints do. Although I believe that the fulness of Christ's gospel is found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I do not doubt for a moment that the transforming power of Christ is at work in many good people whose beliefs are different from mine. Thus I do not hesitate to call a good person like Craig Blomberg a Christian.
So why, then, am I not a Christian? In order to say I am not a Christian, the authors of The New Mormon Challenge and every pastor or publisher who seeks to find fault with Mormonism must do one of the following two things: they must insist that salvation does not really come through Jesus after all, or they must insist that my own religious experience is not real. If I have been transformed through Jesus and live a life centered in his gospel but am nonetheless not saved because I believe the teachings of Mormonism, then salvation is not in Jesus but in correct thinking. Is this salvation by catechism, rather than salvation in Christ?7 The other option to exclude me is equally unacceptable. They must discount my religious experience and assert that my relationship with Jesus is not real. But I won't let them do that. I can testify of the redeeming power of the atonement because I am a witness of it in my own life and in the lives of people I love. I cannot deny the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Do those who seek to disprove Mormonism really want me to deny that witness? I ask the authors of The New Mormon Challenge and others like them: Do you really want me to deny that witness? If not, then please take it seriously.
An Invitation
I say the following to every honest believer in Jesus Christ: I believe that the Holy Spirit has placed within your soul a true witness of Jesus. Can you believe the same about me? For me and for other Latter-day Saints it is not a doctrinal problem to believe that your relationship with Jesus is real and that he is at work in your life. We accept that and are pleased to call you our Christian brother or sister. And we believe that you will go to heaven. But for you it is a serious problem if my relationship with Jesus is real and if he is at work in my life. That is why people like the authors of The New Mormon Challenge resist the idea as vigorously as they can. There is very much at stake for you, and they know it. Here is why. If you believe that my spiritual rebirth is real and that the Holy Spirit has placed a witness of Jesus Christ in my soul—and I testify that I have that witness—then you need to be aware of some other things as well. The same spiritual processes and experiences that have brought about my spiritual rebirth have also brought about my conversion to the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The same Holy Spirit that has instilled in my heart a sure testimony of Jesus has likewise instilled in my heart a sure testimony that Joseph Smith was his prophet. The same workings that have changed my soul and regenerated me from a fallen man to a disciple of Jesus Christ have also converted me to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the other Latter-day Saint scriptures.
Am I a Christian? Of course I am. Like you, I believe in Jesus as described in the New Testament and in the fact that there is "no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent" (Mosiah 3:17). As yours has, my life has been changed through his saving power. But I believe more than this because I also believe the tremendous things that God has done in modern times. I believe that in 1820 the Lord called a new prophet, Joseph Smith, through whom he restored to the earth the fulness of the Christian gospel. This fulness of Christianity includes Jesus' restored church—a community of people who have come to Christ in the manner described in the New Testament and who endeavor to do his will. The fulness of Christianity also includes the restoration of both the authority and the inspiration of living apostles. Thus the Lord's church in our day has the same relationship to Jesus that the ancient church had under the ministry of men like Peter, James, and John. And thus the channel of revelation found among ancient apostles is open again among modern apostles. The restored fulness of Christianity also includes the restoration of the Book of Mormon, an ancient record that, like the Bible, contains the word of God. It is a second witness of Jesus Christ that teaches in plainness the truths of his gospel and bears a clear and consistent testimony of him. Other books of scripture have been revealed as well. Is this not good news? Should not all Christians everywhere receive these blessings with eagerness and joy?
Blomberg quotes the invitation of Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "Bring all the good you have with you and let us see if we can't add to it" (p. 489 n. 68).8 Another modern apostle tells why we bring our message to you, and he invites you to join us in receiving it: "Through missionaries and members, the message of the restored gospel is going to all the world. To non-Christians, we witness of Christ and share the truths and ordinances of His restored gospel. To Christians we do the same. Even if a Christian has been 'saved' . . . , we teach that there remains more to be learned and more to be experienced. . . . We invite all to hear this message, and we invite all who receive the confirming witness of the Spirit to heed it."9
- Craig L. Blomberg is a respected New Testament scholar and the author of several important works, including Interpreting the Parables (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1990) and The Historical Reliability of John's Gospel (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2002). His commitment as a defender of the Jesus of the Gospels and of the historicity of the New Testament is evident in these and other books and in his published articles. He showed great courage to coauthor with Stephen E. Robinson How Wide the Divide? A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1997), for which he has paid a heavy price within his own faith community. I admire both his work as a scholar and him as a good person.
- This conclusion is not unique to Blomberg. See also Carl Mosser, "And the Saints Go Marching On," in The New Mormon Challenge, 66 and 412–13 n. 25. The common theme of this book is that Latter-day Saints believe X, but Christians believe Y.
- Kent P. Jackson, "Are Mormons Christians? Presbyterians, Mormons, and the Question of Religious Definitions," Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions 4/1 (October 2000): 52–65.
- Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks, Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints (Provo, Utah: Aspen Books, 1992), 27.
- Latter-day Saints typically reserve the language of being saved for the last judgment and do not make claim to salvation in this life. At the same time, however, such language is used with respect to being rescued in this life from sin and evil. See Dallin H. Oaks, "Have You Been Saved?" Ensign, May 1998, 55–57.
- In the most complete sense, being born again includes receiving baptism and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, ordinances that represent and fully activate the spiritual processes (see especially Romans 6:3–4).
- Stephen Robinson suggested the idea in How Wide the Divide? (see pp. 164–65). It seems to me that if proper, orthodox doctrinal thinking is the key to salvation, rather than a life transformed by and centered in Jesus Christ, then this would also exclude from salvation many other Christians, including evangelicals, who—however Christ-centered, faithful, and repentant they may be—hold mistaken ideas or otherwise do not know the proper protocol or vocabulary for being saved. In this there seems to be a fatal defect in evangelical theology. And it is a defect that favors the educated elites—the clergy and the academics—over Christ-loving, Bible-believing farmers and factory workers. See Blomberg in How Wide the Divide? (p. 186, first four lines).
- Gordon B. Hinckley, "Larry King Live" Christmas 1999 television special.
- Oaks, "Have You Been Saved?" 57.


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Kesariya Balam Aavo Hamare Des premiers only on SaharaOne Television
MUMBAI: A folk narrative set in the sand dunes of Rajasthan; Kesariya Balam Aavo Hamare Des is the story of human emotions put in a unique way. It's Rukmini's struggle through life and its various situations.
Rukmini, the eldest of the three siblings, is born in a poor Rajput family from Rajod. She has a younger sister Rasal and a brother Gheesu. The girls are the breadwinners of the household. Rukmini crafts Krishna idols out of clay while Rasal is an official letter writer of the village. An unfortunate incident in their childhood leaves Rukmini's life scarred forever.
Says Mushtaq Shiekh, Creative Director - Sahara One Television," If you look at Indian television drama they usually revolve around two lovers or a tiff between the daughter-in-law and the mother-in-law or even if a plot starts off with a different concept it ends up becoming a love story, leaving audiences salivating for more. But 'Kesariya Balam Aavo Hamare Des' is not your regular drama; it's about Rukmini and her fight with her destiny to show everyone that she has more to her than her deformity. I think everyone will be able to relate to it at some level because everyone has faced rejection and everyone has some flaws to hide."
Meanwhile, the second part of the plot is set in Bhanwar Singh's house, whose family is known for its true blue Rajput nature, full of attitude and life. His family is known for its legacy and its stature created by the ancestors over many, many years. Bhanwar Singh's nephew, Ranveer, arrives in the village. He's a boy who's spent most of his life studying in Delhi. He's an artist by calling, romantic at heart and gets attracted to Rukmini.
We at SaharaOne believe that Kesariya Balam Aavo Hamare Des, produced by Ajai Sinha (earlier made Ghar Ek Sapna for the channel under Ananda Telefilms) will find its calling with the women of the house who we're sure would relate with Rukmini's plight and be part of her journey through life. Jaya Binju who essays Rukmini, we feel, will soon become part of your family and life.
We hope you'll pledge your support and make the show a success.


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We Shall Remain!
Okay, you can all stop this in/out bickering now. The fact is WE WILL REMAIN part of the EU.
How do I know?
I know because we British are scared of change. No matter how green the grass seems on the other side we will always stick with the brown and muddy patch of land that we know. We don't like things to change. We like the familiar.
Why else would we have voted for the Tory party (and a Labour Party that was strikingly blue) so many times?
We may not like things the way they are but the way things are are safe. We know what we have and we know what we don't have.
Change is bad. We enjoy being stagnant. It gives us a sense of belonging in the world.
We will remain in Europe because we think no one really likes us and we are scared no one else will have us.
So, debate over. Let's get on with our lives.
Disclaimer – I've not eaten since midday and just drank two pints of strongish cider. It could be the apples talking.
Oh, my ride is here. Time to go home.


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Categories: Fish and Shellfish, Mains
Step 1Ask your fishmonger to take the fillet off the bone and to remove both the skin and the bloodline. On a cutting board, cover the sole with plastic wrap and, using a flat mallet or the bottom of a pan, gently pound the fillet lightly to create an even thickness.
Step 2Set up a work area as per the rolling instructions at left. Season the fillet with a pinch of salt and lay it vertically away from you on the board with the side that formerly had skin facing up. Roll the fillet into a cylinder and then place onto the plastic and proceed with rolling. Cook in a water bath at 137 degrees for 25 minutes.
Step 3Remove the fish from the liquid and carefully cut the plastic to release the fillet. Slice and serve.


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The halcyon days of muscle beach are over. Where once only suntanned bodybuilders dared to tread, or some diehard spandexed aerobics disciples, is now the haven of retired grandmothers, middle-aged businessmen and working moms. Not that the bodybuilders and aerobics devotees are gone, but today's health club welcomes in a more diverse crowd than 20 or even 10 years ago. And, as the demographics and workout fashions have evolved (remember leg warmers anyone?), so, too, has the facility design. More specifically, club design (which includes everything from the actual architectural choices to interior design to program offerings and equipment) has evolved in order to keep up with the changing (and more discriminating) face of fitness.
"Twenty or 30 years ago, the gym was a box with equipment in it. Now it's an environment," says Rudy Fabiano, founder of Fabiano Designs International in Montclair, NJ, an architect and design firm specializing in health clubs.
"The perception was different then [in the 70s]," agrees Stephen P. Roma, president of the New Jersey-based WOW! Work Out World. "Back then it was about bodybuilding. Now, it's about wellness."
And that environment is increasingly becoming a complex ecosystem in which the message of fitness is "softened" to include health and wellness, as well as social aspects. "We are not as reliant on the [age] 29 and below crowd as we once were," Roma continues.
Statistics support Roma on this as well. The senior market (age 55 or older), now accounts for approximately 7.4 million club members (or 22.5% of the total market), according to the Health Club Trend Report (HCTR). This report — which provided statistics collected from the 14th annual Superstudy of Sports Participation conducted by American Sports Data Inc. (ASD) and sponsored by IHRSA — ranked seniors as the third-largest population in clubs today (behind ages 18-35 and 35-54, respectively).
If you don't know what your club's demographics are, you need to. Many software programs can help break down your membership in terms of ages, incomes, gender and more. Then, you should compare who currently belongs to your club with who actually lives or works in your club's neighborhood (look into contacting a demographic research company for help with this). Is there a discrepancy between the two lists (i.e. 65% of your neighborhood is age 45-plus, yet your membership base is only 10% age 45-plus)? If so, your club's image may need a makeover.
"The biggest change is that we're finally attracting more of the deconditioned," says Ed Tock, a partner with the New York-based consulting firm Sales Makers. Many of these deconditioned or older clients aren't looking to join a club and come out looking like a supermodel, which is not realistic. They join the club to start a new lifestyle.
"The smart clubs out there know this and are selling what the customers want," Tock says. "We really need to continue to listen to the customer and they'll tell us what they want."
The club itself could reflect this shift in perception with softer aesthetics, more open spaces, areas for members to congregate and socialize — creating more of a community club atmosphere — and softer color palette choices. Equipment and program design takes into consideration older joints and high-impact items are limited or even eliminated altogether. The basic shift is away from an intimidating, hard body-only gym, to a more inclusive, welcoming, home-away-from-home.
In designing (and updating) a health club, owners need to concentrate on the social aspects and services. Older clients, especially, are interested in becoming involved with the other members, and since they typically have more discretionary income, and are the most loyal, according to Tock, it makes sense to keep them happy. Consider the following statistic: the HCTR says members over the age of 55 averaged 97 club visits annually, compared to 92 for Baby Boomers and 88 for Gen. X. Senior membership has jumped a whopping 379 percent since 1987, the highest increase for any age group, so If you don't currently have many seniors in your club, you may want to look into uncovering why.
When designing a club for older members, there are some technical considerations to keep in mind. Walkways must have railings, stairs should be shallower, the lighting brighter, a higher ambient temperature, more space in the walkways and locker rooms, and there should be an alarm button connected to the front desk in all shower areas, advises Fabiano.
Women, too, are becoming an attractive niche market for many health clubs. According to Fabiano, his firm has had a significant increase in women's-only facility design jobs. Just a few years ago, Fabiano says, the firm would work on one women's-only club a year. Now they work on 10 to 15 a year.
In a women's-only environment, Fabiano adds, clubs can typically get by on less space than a co-ed gym. For example, a typical co-ed facility, he says, is about 20,000 square feet, while a women's-only is generally half this size. Other design considerations for a women's-only club include leaving room for a communal area, more relaxed aesthetics (not as high-tech), larger and more welcoming entrance area. Also a larger day care component and locker rooms with more private areas and amenities in general.
In addition to the increase of seniors, the deconditioned, and women in the general health club population, and perhaps even because of it, more clubs are eliminating the old-school "bare bones" and "no pain, no gain" approach to physical fitness. Instead, they are concentrating on luxury, privacy, convenience, and increased awareness of the importance of the mind-body-spirit (MBS) mentality (i.e. stretching areas are no longer relegated to an unused corner of the room. "Abs and stretching used to be in a corner. Now they are devoting specific space to it," Fabiano says. "They are starting to legitimize certain things."
Roma discusses some of the alterations and additions he's including or considering in both new and existing clubs: private changing rooms in the women's locker, a "calming room" with massage chairs (but no attendant) and soft music and lighting, Internet kiosks, and in its newest club, a "sofa, coffee table environment as an experiment."
"I could see our next club having a living room area for members," Roma adds.
Likewise, this more welcoming, less intimidating atmosphere has pervaded the design of WOW's sales offices as well. "Our sales offices have also evolved" and include a round table and clear glass that looks out onto the exercise floor, he explains. The prospective client no longer has to feel isolated from the rest of the club by going into an intimidating, closed-door office in the back of the club.
"When people walk into a club, they don't want to walk into a gym. They want to walk into a comfortable atmosphere," Tock says. Older clients especially "don't want to walk into a night club. They want to walk into an upscale hotel."
As an example of the many unique design concepts that can be incorporated into a club environment, take a look at North Cypress Fitness Studio (NCFS) in Baton Rouge, LA. A former bank, the building that was to become a 10,000-square-foot health club was, in the words of President and CEO, Olaf K. Ross, a "rat infested mess." In May, the club won two state awards for Best Facade Improvement and Best Adaptive Reuse of a Building.
"My feelings, when it came to design, is [a club] that will be warm, friendly and very non-intimidating," Ross explains. "Colors, and materials are extremely important in the design concept of NCFS, which is something a lot of clubs do not have. I have incorporated 1,100 square feet of Italian marble, granite counter tops, hard wood floors, cultured marble showers and vanities, hardwood lockers, light color carpet and many unique accents of the historic building.
"The design concept is a blend of the old traditional design (a safe door from the bank that last inhabited the building, etc.) and a contemporary flair with use of cypress, maple, and oak," he continues. "The building has a wrought iron fence to separate the areas. The cafe extends into the weight floor and is the centerpiece to incite members to visit it frequently. The facility is a very functional and exciting place to workout [and] members say they don't feel like they are in a 'gym.'"
Clubs may need to move away from looking like a traditional gym environment, as only 10 percent of the population works out in a health club. Perhaps this is because fitness facilities are unappealing to the vast majority of the population. "There's a lot of non-members out there," notes Fabiano. "Depending on the data, 85 to 90 percent of the population does not belong to a club. Savvy owners… are simply looking at market share."
Tock recommends that club owners look outside the club industry for inspiration on customer service and design. "As an industry, we can learn a lot from the upscale restaurants and hotels," he states.
In order to finance a more upscale look, Tock recommends raising your club dues, and then taking the extra money and refinancing it back into the club. If you think higher-priced dues will be the kiss-of-death to your current members, think again. "Ninety four percent of Americans' buying decisions are not made on price," Tock explains. "People pay for those touches, and as an industry we are not charging enough." According to the HCTR, 46 percent of club members have an average income of $75,000-plus. As an industry, members can often afford higher dues.
"From a pure update point-of-view, there have been some studies that have shown that every three years [owners] should spend between 7 and 15 percent of their revenues on updates (design, equipment, programming etc.)," Fabiano explains. "And every five to seven years, they should spend 30 percent on updates."
For those club owners who would begrudge the extra cost of a coat of paint or extra amenities in the locker rooms, you have to remember that clubs are no longer just selling fitness. While gyms may have gotten by on the bare bones approach in the club industry's infancy, now they can't if they want to remain competitive. "Aesthetically, it's been night and day," explains Fabiano of the differences in a club's design from the 1970s to the modern club of the new millennium. "We moved from selling a commodity, which was workout equipment, to selling an experience. Now it's about lifestyles and experience."
Sometimes it's the little things that mean a lot. Take a fresh coat of paint, for example. New paint on the walls is a relatively inexpensive remodeling touch that packs a large visual impact. But while paint is a bold visual change, its subjective nuances can be extremely subtle. What color do you use? What shade of that color? What color accents do you pair with that color? The plethora of choices available is enough to make you wish you were colorblind. Unfortunately, though it seems like such a small thing, picking the "wrong" color, or color combination can offset an otherwise great interior design plan. It's like pairing a beautiful red satin evening dress with lime green penny loafers. It just leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
Not sure what colors to go with? Pick up a magazine that many of your members read. Magazines are specifically catered to niche demographics. Figure out what demographic you aim to please, and find a magazine catering toward that demographic. "What I start to do is look at the covers of those magazines and look at the colors of the fashions for those groups," advises Rudy Fabiano of Fabiano Designs International in Montclair, NJ.
Jay deSibour, the president of Color Marketing Group, an international association for the color and design professionals, offers his advice on choosing hues according to demographic niches:
- Women: pastels and soft hues are popular with this group, deSibour says.
- Men: slightly darker, richer colors. Men are not quite as experimental in their color choices, he says.
- Seniors: brighter, cleaner colors. "They should not be too subtle or sophisticated because their ability to distinguish between hues diminishes with age," deSibour says.
- Higher-income clients: more sophisticated, mixed colors. Instead of orange, use copper orange. Instead of blue, use blue-green, says deSibour.
- Youth: "They like anything adults don't like. They're much more adventurous and much more inclined to try new colors," he says. As an example, he points out the food market's offerings for kids (i.e. green ketchup).
- Co-ed: "Purple is an androgynous color. It tends to appeal to both men and women," he says.
Color trends on the horizon include the significant rise in the use of color "effects" like metallics, opalescents and colors that change depending on the light sources. "But your basic hues are probably going to be represented from one year to the next," he adds.