text:
Everything You Need to Know about Using Credit Card Bonuses for Free Travel
Published on - December 27th, 2011 (Modified on - June 10th, 2014) (by April Dykman)
The following guest post is by Craig Ford. Craig blogs at Help Me Travel Cheap where he helps newbies turn credit card sign-up bonuses into free travel.
To entice you to sign up for a credit card most credit card companies offer a sign-up bonus.
The sign-up bonus is the life blood for a growing population of American travelers. They scour the web looking for the best credit cards with sign up bonuses. They get the cards, get the bonuses, and turn a single credit card application into a vacation that most of us only dream of taking.
The objective is simple: try to collect and redeem many frequent flyer miles so you'll never have to pay for a vacation again.
Today you'll learn how to strategically get started using credit card sign up bonuses to accumulate free travel.
Why are people hesitant to use credit card sign-up bonuses to accumulate miles?
People who collect frequent flyer points and miles sometimes have a hard time understanding why everyone doesn't use this strategy for getting free flights. There are five common reasons why people avoid credit cards with cash back offers sign up bonuses in an effort to earn travel miles.
- It sounds too good to be true. I'm afraid of getting scammed. Surely there must be a catch that I simply don't understand. My response: Credit card companies play the averages. The average customer who signs up for one of their credit cards will likely keep it and pay the annual fees for a long time, pay a late fee, transfer a balance, or carry a balance. That's why they offer these huge sign-up bonuses; they want you to become a customer for life. Just because they come out ahead most of the time doesn't mean a person can't tactically apply for cards to benefit from the sign-up offers. It's not a scam, but you do need to be disciplined and organized to come out ahead.
- It will hurt my credit score. My response: Without a doubt, it will affect your credit score. If someone is going to make a large purchase and plans to borrow money in the next couple of years, they might want to avoid signing up for credit cards just for the bonus. For most of us, however, the credit score impact will be incremental and won't have a significant effect on our ability to borrow money. Think of it this way: You attend a school that uses a grading system that gives an A for a 91 and above, so a student with a 99 gets an A and a student with a 91 does, too. Interest rates are based on "ranges". A score above 700 might yield one interest rate and a score below 700 another. If you have a 750 credit score, then those few point drops won't even bring you close to dropping below the 700 mark. You can still have a strong credit score and use credit cards to get free travel. Also read how to get your free credit report and take care of your credit score.
- There are too many rules and restrictions that make the points or miles hard to use. My response: This is partially true. Most airlines only allow a certain number of seats to be booked with reward points. As a result, you need to book mileage flights differently than cash flights: You'll need to be flexible, and you'll need to book months in advance — sometimes as early as 10-11 months, depending on how competitive the destination is. You'll need to be educated about fuel surcharges imposed by certain airlines and member airlines partnerships. You'll even need to learn a little bit about each program to know where you should be focusing your time. I'll show you how to do that later in the article.
- The temptation to have a credit card is too much, and I always overspend. My response: Thanks for being self-aware. Nothing I say in this post could or should make you change your mind. Avoid this strategy. You're a wise person if you recognize how dangerous credit cards can be when you aren't able to set some reasonable limitations.
- It's not worth the time. My response: That may be true. It takes a small investment of time to track, apply, monitor, and cancel your credit cards. If you don't have the time to apply for a credit card with a $600 sign-up value, then you probably don't have time to read this post either.
In my case, I'd gladly trade a few hours a month for several thousand dollars worth of (free or very cheap) travel a year.
How many miles can you get by signing up for mileage-based credit cards?
The best way to answer that is by highlighting some of the blockbuster mileage and travel credit card offers that have been available in the last year or so. Most of these offers are no longer valid, so this list simply serves as an example of what could have been. If I could predict the future, I'd let you know what offers are going to come up. But I can't.
None of the offers listed below were targeted, so every US resident would have been eligible to apply.
|Card Company
|Card Brand/ Airline
|Annual Fee
|British Airways
|50,000 bonus Avios
|after you make $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
|Domestic International travel
|50,000 bonus points
|after you make $2,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
|$69 for the Plus card and $99 for the Premier card
|Wanna Get Away? Fare that can be redeemed for 2 round-trip flights
|Sapphire Preferred
|40,000 bonus points
|after you make $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
|Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95
|$500 worth of travel, get a 20% discount if points redeemed through Ultimate Rewards
|Capital One
|Venture Rewards
|10,000 bonus miles
|after you make $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
|Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $59
|Reimburse travel purchases
So does it really work? My trip report
Here's a quick roundup of how I used some of my miles and points in the last year to save money on travel:
- In May 2011, our family of five spent eight days in Auckland and Rotorura, New Zealand. We didn't have to pay for airfare as it was part of a regularly scheduled furlough back to the USA. However, we used Thank You Rewards points to get our first four nights free — a $475 value. Beyond that, we paid another $500 for hotels and rented a car for $250. Those expenses were reimbursed because we had Venture Rewards points from the 100,000 mile-match offer. Total 8 day cost for our family of five (including all accommodations, vehicle rental, meals and activities) was $325.
- In July 2011, I booked two tickets from Phuket, Thailand to Toronto, Canada. We purchased three tickets with cash and used points for two of the flights. The tickets cost 70,000 miles, and we paid $125 each in taxes and fees. That saves us more than $2,000 worth of airfare.
- In August 2011, I flew from Houston to St. Sault Marie. It was a last-minute flight that I was trying to buy five days in advance. The best fare I could find on Delta (the only airline that services the airport) was $900. Instead, I chose to use 25,000 Delta miles and pay $10 for the trip.
In my opinion, the results speak for themselves.
How to get started collecting your miles and jetting around the world
Yes, you do need to be willing to do a little research. Yes, you do need a little background knowledge. But within an hour or two, you should be ready to start mastering the art of nearly free travel. There are a ton of free resources that will help you to get started. If you prefer, there are also some paid options available to individuals.
To help you get started, here are a few resources:
- How to Earn Frequent Flyer Miles from the Comfort of Your Living Room. This is a free ebook I wrote for newbies to help answer all their basic questions. The goal of this book is to help you move from knowing nothing to having a firm grasp on how frequent flyer programs operate and how to start building your own frequent flyer mileage balances.
- Travel Hacking Cartel. Chris Guillebeau has a membership-based program where he notifies participants of the latest deals and offers associated to miles and points. Plans start at $27 per month. It may be worth it, depending on your time availability and temperament. Personally, I've developed my own DIY Travel Hacking Cartel.
- Online forums. Flyer Talk is one of the largest forums that discusses all things related to frequent flyer programs, activities, and promotions. It is an ocean of information, so you may feel overwhelmed if you've never been to the site before. Another valuable forum is Mile Point.
- Travel points and miles blogs. There are a lot of blogs in this niche, but I'll introduce you to some of the blogs that I think will really help you get started. As you start reading these blogs, you'll be able to find others and quickly develop your list of favorites:
- Help Me Travel Cheap and Travel Free Coach (my travel blogs). Help Me Travel Cheap focuses on helping people find and identify the best credit card sign up bonuses. This site is ideal for newbies who want to get the most return for the smallest time investment. Travel Free Coach is where I do free personalized travel assistance. You can fill out any one of several forms on the site, and I'll personally help answer all of your questions free of charge.
- The Points Guy. This is one of the most comprehensive miles and points blogs on the web. In an easy-to-understand way, Brian reports the deals that will help you earn extra miles. He often has educational posts that help you understand different airline award redemption policies.
- Frugal Travel Guy. This blog focuses on credit card rewards and highlights Rick's credit card churning strategies. Rick has been a long time credit card churner and provides valuable insight.
- Million Mile Secrets. Million Mile Secrets is a relatively new, but easy-to-understand blog that posts frequent step-by-step instructions on how to execute or capitalize on certain offers. It's another great site for people who are just getting started.
- View from the Wing and the other Boarding Area Blogs. This blog network may not be ideal as you get started, but as you start reading more travel related articles, you'll want to subscribe to the Boarding Area family of blogs. These blogs provide detailed analyses of program benefits.
Final addiction warning: I've had a lot of friends that I've convinced to start collecting miles and points, and they love it. If you're going to using this strategy to get free travel, you'd better be prepared for a new obsession: It's a fun and profitable hobby. You may want to start packing your bags because you'll be surprised at how quickly your points will add up.
Disclaimer: This content is not provided by any company mentioned in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any such company.
This article is about Credit Cards, Travel
We're not much for travelling, but we are definitely addicted to CC points. Points accrue rapidly if you put your recurring bills on the cc and do the bulk of your shopping online. Our goal this year was to do Christmas entirely on CC points – we fell a little short, but mostly because we used the points to buy items off bridal registries and athletic shoes for the boys' sports.
This is my favourite post I have ever read on this site! PF blogs in general like to tout the advantages of credit card rewards, but this is by far the most comprehensive set of resources I have ever seen in one place. The only downside is, that as a young person looking to make some large purchases in the next couple years I am at the mercy of credit checks, but I am definitely going to keep this article stashed away!
Yeah, and once you have your mortgage applied and secured, you can apply and cancel cards for points and miles.
I've been using CC points to travel for over the last ten years. And like everything else, what was once a good thing has been whittled away with restrictions and find print. Some of the gotchas to look out for include:
1. It's no longer a set amount of points for a flight. The amount of points required directly correlate to the price of the ticket.
2. I recently flew Delta on a free ticket , checked in at the curb just to get to the gate to be told that the flight was oversold and I no longer had a seat. The agent said I was one of the first to get bumped because I was using a free ticket that wasn't directly tied to a Delta CC.
We have multiple travel and other reward cards, but don't pay annual fees so our reward to sign up was smaller. The Hilton one has paid off in free hotel stays for sure – especially when we can be flexible and take advantage of point stretcher stays where the points needed for a particular hotel usually drops by about a third. We got an Amtrak card right as my husband travel for work decreased, so timing was not smart (you get bonus points when using the card to purchase tickets) but have used those points a number of times as well. My united chase card I've probably had the longest – 10 years or so- and just finally have enough for a single roundtrip ticket, so I've been using that one less. I really just keep it so my points don't expire (benefit for some of these cards that is worth it if you don't travel regularly). Lately we have realized how much these points really cost – the credit card fees are hurting our community's small businesses. I try to use cash now when shipping locally and debit when I don't make it to the bank.
We've been happy American Express Delta Skymiles members for more than 3 years. Compared to April, we have only just begun! However, we use the credit card like a debit card (we only use it if we have the money already and pay it off each month so as not to incur interest), so we accumulate miles rapidly. The two of us have pretty much been able to fly once a year for "free". I love this, because before 3 yrs ago, we had only flown once in 5 years. Having the "free" airplane tickets encourages us to travel/vacation more often. Whereas cash rewards, we put to other uses and don't think about travel. We just found out our credit scores are 780 and 786, we already have a house, and we need no auto loans in the future (always pay cash), so I think we could afford the credit score "hit" and look into some of these other cards. Thanks for the informative post and links to resources!
This sounds like a great way to torpedo your credit score. Not for me.
I'm glad that you had sucess redeaming FF points and miles. I built a stash traveling for work and it was a PAIN to redeam them… tiny availability that required me to have long layovers and very undirect flights. Plus, for a free ticket it had a lot of "fees and taxes"… really took away from the savings.
Gimme a good cashback card that doesn't force me to do anything but save my money and spend it where i like, without hassel
Done in moderation, it doesn't hurt. Some people go hard core — one guy did 13 apps in one day.
But a couple of inquiries every few months is no big deal — probably about 5 points per hit.
The "tiering" of credit scores can make this *worse* for your credit than something more gradual. Each application may ding your score 5 points, but if your score was 704 and the cutoff was 700, suddenly you drop to a lower tier and your interest rates go up. You can buy your scores (though I would bet you a dollar that they won't match what the lenders get) but you can't know what the tiers are for every and all lenders.
I am nothing but negativity in my necrocommenting (I guess what I'm really saying when I say "but what about" is "I don't have the inclination to do this").
It does affect your credit score but not "torpedo" it. 13 apps in 1 day is intense because every credit card that gives you a bonus requires some form of spending requirement. So even if they got approved for 13 apps and each card required a minimum of $3k in spending over the next 3 months, they would need to charge $39k in the next 3 months on to those credit cards in order to earn the bonus. For most people that is impossible, unless if you run a business that does a high amount of spending.
I am a little ambivalent about this. Ia pplied for the Chase/British Airways card based on a post by J.D. a few months ago. To date, I have not been able to redeem the miles for anything. I can never find a flight online. I have to call them, wait an eternity to talk to someone and then find out that the dates I want are not possible. Love the concept in theory, esp when reading others' experiences, but somehow have not been
able to quite create a magical free vacation for myself. I have had the best success with the amex. I have used the points for hotel stays and bought the ipad 2 for almost free. So I am back to using it the most often. I will redeem the miles on the Chase card at some point & then cancel it.
If you visit my blog you'll find my contact information there. Get in touch with me and I'll be glad to help you search for availability using your BA miles. I can give you a few tips to be sure you're exploring all your options.
I took my BA points, combined them with some AmEx MR and Chase UR points, and got first class tickets to Asia. 20 hours in the air each way, flat bed, champagne, caviar, lots of fun…
Your BA points (now branded as "Avios") are best used for non-stop flights on one-world (BA alliance, including American) flights.
Thank you both for replying…i will reserach this a bit more.
Dan, i hear you, but i am saying i just can,t seem to get anywhere with the system, so so far, it has not been of much use. Amex on the other hand is easy as pie, so at least i have gotten something out of it. Nothing as grand as you, but i have 100k+ in avios points, absolutely no luck with getting anything from it. As of yet. But i will mosey over to Craig's site and see if i can do any better
What do you *want* from it? BA irritated the US market with the change to Avios. It used to be that the best deals were on partner awards (Cathay, LAN) to Asia and South America. BA flooded the market with points (credit card bonuses, AmEx transfer bonuses) knowing @#$% well that they were going to significantly devalue the best redemption opportunities. You now have to redeem your points one *flight* at a time, making all but non-stop flights to/from One World hubs drastically expensive.
The most cost effective awards with Avios are now pretty mundane short-haul flights.
I find the point cards far easier to use. I've basically outfitted myself for work using the points I earn on my Amex. Go through eBates first and you save even more in the form of cash back. No blackout dates, no restrictions, and my card has no fees.
Is there anyone here who has American Airline points?
Have you held onto your points since they have gone into receivership?
Yup. 300,000 AA points here, not breaking a sweat at all.
One great thing about the Chase Freedom card is that it gives you a host of options. If a person also has the Chase Sapphire Preferred (or gets it after using the Chase Freedom for several years) they can then transfer all of their points earned with the Freedom card to a few airline programs like United, Continental, or British Airways.
This way if you can get a flight with less miles use miles or if you can get it cheaper with cash then cash out your points.
With the Freedom card it doesn't need to be either/or, but both/and.
Regarding your first point – the number of points correlates to the price of a ticket – this is only true of some programs. It is true of Southwest and Capital Venture Rewards, but not true of most major programs. Airlines like Continental, United, Delta, and American still have award charts that are not based on the cost of a ticket.
Yes, airlines will bump you or change your priority in re-booking you based on how much you've paid for a ticket or your status.
I've personally seen a minimal impact on my credit score. For those who are interested I openly track my credit score on the site so people can see the impact.
Redeeming miles can be a pain if a person doesn't have the right expectations. I do some award booking for people and with creativity and a knowledge of the different programs there is usually more availability than most people can find.
I'm all for cash back cards – especially ones that give me the option to transfer to a mileage program if that is a better option.
I LOVE to travel, but I have always had difficuly using my FF miles (through AA, Delta, and BOA credit card). In fact, I have enough miles through American to go to either Europe or some parts of South America for free. However, these miles are basically useless, because I cannot get flights to the destinations I want.
Is it because my preferred airport is smaller (IND)? Is it because I'm too picky about destinations(although even the major hub AMS isn't available)? I don't know, but the deals seem awfully elusive.
I don't want to use all my miles on a flight to a major US hub, because those flights are usually so cheap that I would be better off using cash back.
I also have no interest in fancy pants hotel, because I would rather stay someone local.
Any advice?
Buy the tickets to nearest gateway, and use rewards from there.
My wife and I live in DC, but find ourselves flying Cathay Pacific when we're burning One World miles. Cathay only flies from LAX, SFO, ORD, and JFK, so we've got to get to their gateway. Because of ticketing issues (buying a ticket + reward ticket = screwed if your flight is late) we'll typically fly into the gateway a day or two early and make a mini vacation out of it.
This same principle applies in my many circumstances. Sure it adds to the cost, but hotel points are worth it too.
I tried signing up for the ebook but it wasn't working for me. I kept going in loops without an actual link to the ebook.
I rarely accrue enough miles to actually obtain free flights because I tend to buy the cheapest ticket whenever I travel. After paying $100 in baggage fees over Christmas though, now I realize that I would've saved money with a Delta branded CC. Something to look into for the future.
I think that using an airline miles card would just be a bonus to getting better treatment by the airline and free baggage.
I waited for a special from Priority Club and got their Chase Visa to get 80,000 Priority Club points (roughly 4 nights at a mid-higher level hotel). No fee the first year and only $49 after that, but you get a free night at ANY of their hotels in return for that $49 fee. I figure if we use it at a $200/nt hotel it's worth it, plus you keep accumulating points with purchases.
Golfing Girl,
The 80,000 Priority Clubs is hard to beat. You could get 16 nights if you found a good Point Break location.
I definitely signed up for the Southwest card to get a free domestic flight to New Orleans. My whole trip was free, actually. This was right after I lost my job (actually, flew out the very next day). Takes a little bit of creativity, but there's no reason to drop a bunch of money on travel if you don't have to.
I use my frequent flier mile to travel overseas too. We generally fly business or first class to Europe every other year. It is definitely worth it for us.
I have a Capital One Rewards card (no annual fee) that we used to fly to Boston, then on to England and returned the same way using the points plus we had enough for the hotel in Boston and a rental car. Southwest, which I fly most of the time, sends me lots of solicitations, but I just can't get past the annual fee. I should do the math to see if paying that annual fee for the extra rewards would be worth it, but I have a psychological block against annual fees.
On my Southwest card, you get $50 worth of points each year, and the annual fee is $69 dollars. The actual sign up bonus covers the additional $19 a year for 22 years. So, even if you derived no other benefit from the card, you'd have to keep it for 23 years before the sign up bonus + the annual bonus didn't cover the annual fee. I don't like annual fees either, but it was worth the free trip for me.
(Of course, the terms of the SWA card have changed slightly since I got it in Octoberish. You get twice as many points for your sign up bonus as I did.)
Do you have to spend money to get the $50 worth every year? Or is that just an annual bonus for paying the fee?
Matt is right that the retention bonus really evens things out with the Southwest card. They were having a 50,000 point sign up bonus so if that comes back again I'd say it would definitely be worth signing up.
Credit card sign-up bonuses make sense if you find yourself doling out thousands a year for travel. A family of 4 making a couple trips a year — let's say a week in some sunny locale, a 4 day trip to a ski-lodge, weekend stays here or there to visit family, museums, amusement parks, etc. — can derive huge savings from churning through multiple cards a year.
To each his own, I say. I understand and respect those who don't want to play. The risks and pitfalls are numerous; you need to be organized and diligent about the many accounts you will open.
On the other hand, I can vouch that sign-up bonuses will save my family close to $6000-7000 in fiscal 2012 in terms of airfare and hotels. I book my vacations in advance, choose off-times to go, and bank the savings.
Finally, what are these companies really giving you anyways with these rewards? An empty seat on a plane? A vacant hotel room? It's not like they're coughing up real money. 1% cash back is a joke, considering the price for items nowadays is 3-5% higher to pay the merchant fees and CC infrastructure.
There's a business opportunity here for someone with the expertise. I'd be happy to pay a fee for someone to do the legwork for me, and I bet others would too. I guess if too many people did it there would be changes.
Thanks for sharing this informative post! It can help a lot of credit card holders like me plus make us know that we could actually travel using our CC points. I seriously think the sign-up bonus strategy of most credit card companies can really entice one to sign up for a credit card.
I never leave any comments, but had to chime in this time.First, I am extremely surprised at the negative comments toward the poster. Some
are even questioning the integrity or the morals of so called "point chasers". Well, I am a point chaser and not ashamed of it! I never lie on my credit card applications . In fact, since I became a stay at home mom a few years ago, I can only apply under my husbands name( with his permission), since the credit apps now ask for individual income. Its credit card companies, who make an offer, and I simply take them up on it. Also, my sister-in-law owns a small business and she loves reward credit cards and uses them often. She does well, because she
offers great service and competitive prices, so people keep coming back. I totally agree about trying to keep business local, but only if
prices are competitive. Anyway, back to mileage rewards. they can be a good deal, but only if you are super flexible. I just booked two free tickets for my parents from Europe to USA from miles I signed up for.
I was going to buy them tickets anyway, so to me this was an equivalent of making 1300 dollars. Not bad for maybe an hour of work, I put into it. I am not nearly as good as the poster ,though!
There's this really weird anti-credit sentiment that shows up on this board from time to time. I don't quite understand it, and this comes from a guy who once had his credit wrecked and couldn't borrow a dime.
Credit can be a useful tool, and there were times I would have been screwed if it wasn't for it.
What you wrote here illustrates exactly what's the problem: people confuse credit cards with savings or insurance. Credit is a "tool", but people use it like using a screwdriver to hammer nails or to saw wood– a cure of all of life's little problems. And yes, credit is about "personal responsibility," but decisions happen in a distorted environment where credit is presented as a gateway to an improved lifestyle and a solution to most of life's problems. How many people don't have an emergency fund because they rely on credit cards?
I'm all for credit when it's the productive kind– for capital improvements on a business, for example, or to secure trade. Just last month I took a small business loan for a business project and paid it back in 2 weeks. But consumer credit discourages savings, promotes overconsumption, and fosters financial slavery. Unless you can make a profit to cover the interest on your loan, credit is for suckers, and our diseased economy is proof of it. The average credit card debt per card-owning household in America is over $15,000, and their average APR is over 15%. Servicing that debt takes over 20% of their income. That's the % you're supposed to save and invest, yes?
From a macro standpoint, the biggest problem I have is that increased access to credit => increased demand => increased prices. Above, Sam asked if people in general care about the costs that credit cards impose on businesses and poor people. I took his question to be quite narrow — more or less related to the interchange fees that businesses pay to process credit cards. Those are chump change. What's worse is the people who irresponsibly use credit and drive up prices for us responsible people.
These days, I use my cards and collect my points.
Great tip on #2. It gives a little clarity and thought to a subject that too many blogs I have read just gloss over. It's worth noting that people can stumble into a 700+ credit score or they can purposefully build one. When they act with a purpose and a plan they can keep their great credit and take advantage of reward type offers. It's all about the strategy behind how they use them. Great post!
So which card is best? Also, how do points translate into miles? So I get 50,000 points at sign up, what does that equivalate to? I know this year I will be buying tickets to fly to France (probably $1000+ each). So I was really thinking about opening a card. I noticed most of them have annual fees, is this not a big deal base don the rewards you get? I currently have a citi card, and get only 1% back for all purchases.
The 'best' card is based on your travel preferences.
How points translate into miles depends on the points programs.
Sorry, I know I'm not being helpful! I would suggest you check out my free eBook (How to Earn Hundreds of Thousands of Frequent Flyer Miles) referenced in the post. That will help you answer your question.
If you were to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred you'd get 50,000 points which can be transferred to 50,000 United miles (and others). If you prefer you can use it as $625 towards a ticket purchased through the Ultimate Rewards booking portal.
Many cards waive the annual fee for the first year.
I do think you can do better than 1% back.
A word on the British Airways card… Yeah, I've seen the above.
It's VERY limited.
If you're wanting to go anywhere in Europe except for London, be prepared…
They force ALL European traffic from the US to layover in London.
Not only is this inconvenient, but it also concentrates demand for the points. I'm now in the position of competing with everyone flying out of O'Hare (one or two people here and there) to London, regardless of my intended destination.
I got these points last year and have yet to be able to use them. I was trying to book flights to Paris and Rome 6 months in advance and couldn't get a reasonable flight schedule.
Trying to use the points directly through American (where I ended up flying and where I also have > 100k points) was futile as well. They claim to be part of one-world but if you try to redeem non-AA one-world points (and this was pre-bankruptcy), forget about it.
The ONLY advantage the card has given me thus far is the lack of foreign exchange fees, and you can get that with the HYATT visa card as well that gives you two nights anywhere with the card (it got us two nights in a king suite at the Park Hyatt in Place Vendome, Paris).
Sign up for the BA card if you want, just don't expect to get anything useful in return.
Flying to Europe is the worst way to use BA miles (sounds backwards, right?). I 100% agree with that.
We used our miles to fly to Argentina.
However, it is not true that all One World flights to Europe must go through London. If yo use the miles to fly on American you can bypass London. What you cannot avoid is the fuel surcharge.
FYI – I just booked tickets from HNL to Paris for September and found availability on American.
Collecting points is easy. It's using them that is hard. Is there some forum or service that helps you book flights with all those "valuable" miles?
The other problem is that you have to spend enough per month to accumulate miles. If you don;t spend a lot per month then the annual fees eat away the benefits and it takes forever to accumulate flights.
So the best thing to do would be to sign up for a mileage reward point card with certain airliens like Delta, AA, etc?
Hey Anthony, there are plenty of ways to easily spend the money to earn the rewards points. I just finished a post about how to spend enough to get the 50,000 rewards points for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. That post will be up later today, but my point is, you could use the strategy I detail in my post with other cards as well.
One of the strategies that we have found works best that a lot of people neglect is to simply use the card for all purchases that you would usually pay cash for. Most people find they will meet the monthly or quarterly requirements very easily by doing this. Added bonus, you not only reach your mileage requirements, you also build a great payment history with your card that encourages them to increase your limits faster. Caveat – it does take discipline to make sure you send the cash payment to the card that would have normally paid the bills so that you don't get caught running up limits and using the cash on other purchases.
That is the most obvious strategy and pretty much the first rule of rewards cards. Who do you think is neglecting it?
I agree that it seems to be the most obvious strategy. But I've learned by the thousands of emails we've received that are addressed by sharing that answer, that I can't take anything for granted.
So who's neglecting it? In my experience it's mostly people who are new to the concept of rewards cards and just need a little shift in their financial thinking.
I understand using it for all purchases(at least to the best you can). But the annual fee still makes me uneasy. I'm very conservative with money, so paying a yearly fee of nearly $100 is still hard for me to accept.
@Anthony – very understandable. Do note that many of the best bonus offers don't require an annual fee the first year (including the Chase Sapphire that BradB mentioned earlier). You also may consider downgrading the bonus offer card to a free card between 6 months and 1 year after opening it to avoid the fee while avoiding the potential negatives of closing a credit line unnecessarily (there are pros and cons to that).
For your example, 50,000 Chase Ultimate Reward points convert to 50k united points. USA->Paris on United is 60,000 round trip (assuming you are booking in a time with "saver" inventory). This means that if you
1) already have 10k+ united points
2) are willing and able to open a second credit card such as the Chase Ink Bold ($5k spend for 50k United Points, no fee first year) for business owners (including anyone self-employed)
3) use 30k United points for a one way and pay cash for the way back
4) buy 10,000 miles from United for $376
5) have a friend gift you 10,000 miles with a $150 transfer fee
You are going to Paris for free.
In general, there is a lot of information on how to maximize this on various blogs (such as the ones mentioned in the original article or on mine, the Free Travel Genius).
An update to Dave's comments. The problem is that the Chase Saphire just dropped their bonus to 40K. But it is still a good value.


text:
Gina Zink's Holiday home is not currently considered to be located in a flood zone, but that is changing.
New national flood maps show part of her lawn will soon be in a flood zone. That could mean she will have to fork over extra money for flood insurance to insure her house.
"I really didn't think it was going to turn out this way," Zink said.
Zink isn't the only homeowner finding out their flood zone status is changing.
Patrick Alesandrini, of the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office, says flood maps haven't changed since 1980.
Newer technology is supposed to make the maps more accurate and make sure homeowners have the insurance they need. But it could also cause confusion for homeowners, Alesandrini said.
"There's a chance you weren't in a flood plain before and now you are," he said. "There's also a chance for flood zones to change."
New maps for most Bay area counties are still in the works. Pasco county's map is finished. Alesandrini says thousands of property owners could see big changes in their property's status.
Doug Tobin, Pasco County Spokesman, agrees and says homeowners should look at the new maps closely.
Even if you find part of your property is now in a flood zone, you can ask for an amendment to take your property out of the zone. Homeowners can apply for an amendment from the federal government to clarify that the house itself is not in a high risk zone, and that could keep you from having to buy an expensive flood insurance policy you don't need.
"It could cost anywhere from $100 to $500, but it is worth it because most mortgage companies do accept the federal letter of map amendment," Tobin said.
Zink says she'll look into the amendment because she doesn't feel she needs flood insurance.
"I feel like we don't need to purchase the flood insurance," Zink says. "We've lived here for seven years. We have never had any issues."
Copyright 2014 WFLA. All rights reserved.
A look at Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
200 South Parker Street, Tampa, FL 33606
Telephone: 813.228.8888
Fax: 813.225.2770
Email: email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Several people plunged into freezing cold water today for a good cause.
About 100 daring people dressed up in crazy costumes and did the frigid deed. These courageous jumpers raised money for Special Olympics Michigan.
Spectators and participants gathered at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. The brave jumpers collected donations from friends, family, co-workers and neighbors.
Special guests included: 9&10's Michelle Dunaway, Sara Simnitch and Ann Marie LaFlamme.
There are 28 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunges throughout Michigan February and March.
If you are interested in participating in a polar plunge, click on the link to the left of the story.


text:
Every dad lives for the day he can play catch with his kid, and vice versa. Don't believe us? Then go rent Field of Dreams.
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ABC's media platforms. Learn more.


text:
And here we thought that recalls were left behind in 2010. How silly of us. 2011 is barely a month old and we already have our first recall of the year.
Taking in the honor is General Motors who is recalling 26,751 SUVs and trucks from its 2011 model line-up. According to GM, the problem concerns a defect in the rear-axle cross pins, which were not heated properly and, as a result, could fracture and get displaced within the rear axle, creating an interference condition and, eventually, causing the rear axle to lock. This, in turn, could affect the driver's ability to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
Affected GM models of the recall include the 2011MY Cadillac Escalade , Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche , Colorado , Silverado , Suburban , Tahoe , GMC Canyon , Sierra , Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles.
As is the case with all recalls, General Motors has instructed their dealerships to install a new rear axle cross pin to any affected vehicle at no cost to the owner. As expected, GM's dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge, with the safety recall to begin before the end of the month.


text:
Friends...by Sean Stevens
Friends, everyone needs at least one! Looks don't matter, and size doesn't either. You don't even have to be the same species. All...Read More »
VIDEO: Man Teaches Chihuahua Yoga - Watch Here!by Ben Olson
I don't speak the language either...Read More »
A VIDEO TRIBUTEby Kim Brixton
Make sure you have a hanky handy. A beautiful yet sad story...Read More »
More amazing reef aquariums!by Jason Hillery
The reason why I choose saltwater over freshwater tanks isn't a secret: saltwater aquariums are visually more stunning, the water is...Read More »
Dog Playing Fetch By Himselfby Jeff Frieders
Most say one is the loneliest number, but I think this lil' guy may disagree. YouTube Description: Don't worry guys, the dog has ...Read More »
Introducing, Hairy Hou-doggy!by Jeff Frieders
You like that? Hairy Hou-doggy?? Like that famous magician. You know the one I'm talking about... Yup, David Blaine. :) YouTube De...Read More »
Puppy On A Treadmillby Jeff Frieders
Just your run-of-the-treadmill pup... YouTube Description: A puppy runs on the treadmill. Pfft. Yeah, but, "Do you even li...Read More »
Dog's Thoughts After Bathtimeby Jeff Frieders
Ever wonder how a dog feels after taking a bath? Well, wonder no more, my friend! YouTube Description: A very... wet... dog. Pets n...Read More »


text:
By BOB CHRISTIE
Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) - Republican Gov. Jan Brewer faces 1 of the toughest fights of her political career as she bucks her own party in an effort to expand Medicaid to about 300,000 more poor people.
And the expansion comes under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
Brewer had been a hard-line opponent of the federal law, and her decision to comply has turned allies into foes. There is even talk of lawsuits to stop her.
Meanwhile, Democrats are supporting the governor after years of sparring with her at every turn.
Brewer previously joined several other Republican-led states in a legal challenge that failed last year before the U.S. Supreme Court to have the law turned back as unconstitutional.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
WJBK-TV | Fox 2
Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2014 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | New Terms of Service What's new | Ad Choices


text:
Spring 2012 Grandmasters Hat League
- Details
- Category: Hat Leagues
- Last Updated on 23 March 2012
Hello again GrandMasters Ultimate players,
(Women 35+ years old & Men 40+ years old, at the end of 2012)
Games are Friday nights, April 6th - May 18th, 2012.
- March 30th midnight: sign up deadline
- Week of April 1: teams get announced
- April 6th: 1st game
- May 18th: last game
- English HS in Jamaica Plain (a neighborhood of Boston, MA) (directions)
- Signups are open now, and will close at midnight on Friday March 30th. If don't have a BUDA account, click here to register. Once a member, sign in to your player's page, and click on the "Sign up for Spring Gandmasters Hat League" link.
- Space is limited and time is short, so get your signup in quickly. After the first 90 signups, players will be put on a wait list.
- Captains are needed! Please sign up to be a captain. It's easy – name your team, flip the disc before the game, give inspired halftime talk galvanizing your team to victory, organize post-game activities, rate your players at the end of the season and hand out trophies. Well, maybe not the last part.
- We'll form teams on March 31 and announce them as quickly as possible.
- The league will run on Friday nights, with games at 8PM and 9:15 PM, from April 6th through May 18th. We're making every effort to have all games at 8:00, but we are sharing field space with the Spring Hat League, so you may get a mix of early/late games.
- Games will be 1 hour 15 minutes long.
- English High School has artificial turf, so games are played rain or shine. It's fun to play in the rain, although at this rate we won't get any.
- In honor of the election year, the team name theme is the Presidential Campaign.
- All players MUST have a current BUDA waiver before playing. Waivers can be found on your BUDA Player Page and must either be faxed or mailed. Players without a waiver on file will not be allowed to play until the waiver is processed – so get your waiver in.
- Disclaimer: we CANNOT and DO NOT guarantee anyone a spot on a team, the ability to play in the league, with the person they register to play with. We'll do our best to accommodate requests to play together, but we also want to achieve competitive balance.
- Doyle's after the game. Just sayin' …
See you on the fields,
Robert Herold – Commissioner, BUDA GandMasters Hat League
Dan Lambeth – Asst. Commissioner, BUDA GandMasters Hat League
Tina Woolsten, Yvon Guy, Duane Bronson – Fellow Instigators
Jose Invencio – Ghost of Leagues Past


text:
Rolling Stone Releases Complete Keynote Text
Photo: Courtesy of Rolling Stone
Just in case you would rather read (or skim) Dave Grohl's keynote speech, Rolling Stone has transcribed it for you. Why thank you, Rolling Stone.
First time at SXSW? You're in luck. Peruse our SXSW 2013 Festival Guide to make sure you don't miss a thing!


text:
In this MC2 spinoff, the next generation of heroes find themselves in a new dawning era. It is the year 2032 and the apocalypse of their universe has been averted. Focus now has been set again on finding more universes in need of their help.
Most of the known heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe have retired or met death's grasp. Their children and those coming into their own abilities take up the mantel. Some simply to follow in their parents footsteps others torn from the world they knew to a life they only dreamed about. That dream though to some is considered a nightmare.
After a battle that left half the Avengers dead and the rest ended up disbanding. They set out into retirement but Tony Stark created an android should need of Iron Man come about again. Jubilee tried to reform the group but failed at the attempt. Later though with the help the android Mainframe a new group of Avengers bands together.
The X-Men and Brotherhood are torn apart in a battle of epic proportions. It all came to head when the X-Men were at their weakest. An internal conflict that festered within the ranks broke up the group, some even turning on those they once called friends. Magneto led the assault to pick off the remaining team. The battle though took his life and Professor X.
With the failed attempt at assembling the Avengers Jubilee went on to reform a new group of X-men, the X-People. Together they try to take up the cause that Professor X stood for. It's not easy though especially when a new Brotherhood now called Sisterhood is formed on a foundation of betrayal of some of the team in the works to become new X-People.
Focus now has been set again on finding more universes in need of their help.
In their efforts new alliances will be formed, families will grow or be torn apart; exploration of uncivilized worlds, worlds at war, worlds at peace.
The possibilities are endless when exploring an infinite amount of universes.
OPENING SEPTEMBER 23rd! Submit your applications today!
C | Frank Castle aka The PunisherVigilante; former Special Forces instructor, U.S. Marines
Suggested playby: Thomas Jane
Are you a fan of the Army of One? Well look no further. Marvel Tumblr has an opening for this slot. Get ready to role play alongside heroes and villains he's already came across, such as: Daredevil, Spider-man, Captain America, Wolverine, Deadpool, Ghost Rider, Elektra Natchios, Norman Osborn, Daken and many new faces!
Submit your application today!
Welcome to the Marvel Tumblr Masterlist. This is a roleplay encompassing the Marvel Superhero Movies, comics, cartoons, just the whole Marvel Universe! We're just out to have a fun Roleplay. Join us! You're more than welcome!
We're open now, feel free to send in your applications! Right now these are the characters we are seeking but if you don't see it on the list feel free to apply if the character spot isn't opened yet.
- Alex Summers – Havok
- Alison Blaire – Dazzler
- Barbara "Bobbi" – Mockingbird
- Charles Xavier – Professor X
- Cletus Kasady – Carnage
- Daniel Rand-K'ai (Danny Rand) – Iron Fist
- Elizabeth "Betsy" Braddock – Psylocke
- Eric Brooks – Blade
- Erik Lehnsherr - Magneto
- Foggy Nelson
- Frank Castle – The Punisher
- Gwen Stacy
- Harry Osborn – Green Goblin
- Hank Pym - Ant-Man
- Heracles
- Hisako Ichiki – Armor
- James Barnes – Bucky/Winter Soldier
- Jean-Paul Beaubier – Northstar
- Jessica Drew – Spider-woman
- Joanna Cargill - Frenzy
- Johnny Storm – Human Torch
- Jubilation Lee (Jubilee)
- Lorna Dane – Polaris
- Luke Cage
- Marc Spector – Moon Knight
- Mary Alice Walker – Typhoid Mary
- Mary-Jane Watson
- Maya Lopez – Echo
- Mayday Parker – Spider-girl
- Misty Knight
- Namor McKenzie
- Nathan Summers – Cable
- Otto Octavius – Doctor Octopus
- Paige Guthrie – Husk
- Paladin
- Pietro Maximoff – Quicksilver
- Scott Summers –Cyclops
- Sebastian Shaw
- Shang-Chi
- Silver Sablinova - Silver Sable
- Stephen Strange - Doctor Strange
- Venom
- Victor Creed – Sabertooth
- Viper
- Warren Worthington III – Angel/Archangel
- Wilson Fisk - Kingpin
Apply to Marvel Tumblr Masterlist


text:
Our Price: $25.00
Sale: $16.98 (32% off)
See this Deal
Remaining Quantity: 605
*Additional discounts do not apply
Price valid on in stock items only.
Print the following sections:
Protect your investment with aPlatinum Coverage warranty plan:
There are no products for the condition you selected. Please make another selection.
This instrument or product has been carefully played/used and returned to us in
virtually new condition, however its packaging may not meet the standards set by
the factory. Also, it no longer carries the manufacturer's warranty. If you're looking
for a virtually new instrument in possibly less-than-perfect packaging, this is
a great value. We feel so strongly you'll like what you see, we're including our
60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee on instruments and 30 days on accessories, to this used product making it a no-risk purchase.
Very Good: This instrument or product has been carefully played/used and shows few,
minor signs of use. In most respects it looks and performs like new and may be considered
equivalent to display units found in retail stores. Its packaging may not meet the
standards set by the factory and it no longer carries the manufacturer's warranty.
Condition 2 products are a terrific value and you can buy with confidence knowing
our 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee on instruments and 30 days on accessories applies to this used product.
This instrument or product is in good working condition but has one or more cosmetic
flaws beyond those of a Condition 2 product. These flaws are typical of an instrument
or product that's seen normal wear and tear, including incidental scratches, chips,
dings, dents or other imperfections. It performs just as well as a Condition 1 or
Condition 2 instrument/product. Its packaging may not meet the standards set by
the factory and it no longer carries the manufacturer's warranty. Condition 3 is
a great choice if you're looking for performance and value and not as concerned
with cosmetics. You can buy with confidence knowing our 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee on instruments and 30 days on accessories
applies to this used product.
This instrument or product is not in working condition and needs repair, but can
be brought back to full functionality with replacement of parts or some skilled
repair work. If you are a do-it-yourselfer or know a skilled repair person this
is a terrific value. Condition 4 products are sold AS-IS: they do not come with
a manufacturer's warranty and are not returnable.
This instrument or product has been damaged beyond what we judge is reasonably repairable.
It's best used for spare parts or to practice repairs on, and at this price Condition
5 products are sold AS-IS: they do not come with a manufacturer's warranty and are
not returnable.
Accidental damage, normal wear and power surges are no longer an issue with these comprehensive and affordable plans. We even pay to ship your gear for repairs. More details.
Covers much more than the original manufacturer's warranty:
Limit of Liability: The least of the cost of (1) authorized repairs, (2) replacement with a product of similar features, (3) reimbursement for authorized repairs or replacement or (4) the price that you paid for the product.
*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details
Add Protection
No, Thanks
Behringer BTR2000 2-Channel RACKTUNER and MetronomeThe flexible Behringer BTR2000 2-Channel Rack Tuner and Metronome offers super-accurate tuning for electric and acoustic instruments. This multifunctional tuner with a built-in microphone offers 11 different tuner modes (chromatic, banjo, or open tunings). Choose between manual or automatic A-tone standard pitch calibration from 428Hz-452Hz in 1Hz increments, transposable by a maximum of ±7 semitones for especially flexible tuning. There are 2 separate input channels accessible via front and back connectors. In addition to the tuner capabilities, the BTR2000 features a useful metronome that's adjustable from 30-240BPM, with both an audible and a visual beat indicator. You can also work on-the-fly with the manual TAP tempo function. The integrated, switchable rack light with powerful LEDs gives you absolute control in dark places over the gear in your rack.
Order today with the no-risk assurance of our Total Satisfaction and Low Price Guarantees!
This rack tuner is without question the best for the money.
You can spend a bunch more and not come close to what this unit can do.
Well built and VERY user friendly.
I recently purchased the Behringer BTR 2000 rack tuner, and I love it. The tuning is VERY accurate, and the whole thing is very user-friendly. I love the extra features, such as the built in metronome and the ability to transpose your tuning. I also like how you can set it to chromatic tuning, or to be specific to your instrument (such as guitar, bass, and many more). It also has a built in mic, which is good if you have an acoustic instrument that can't plug into the tuner. The REALLY cool thing about this rack tuner is the four LED lights on the bottom front. They light up anything you have sitting underneath it, and you can turn them on or off. They make my amp head look awesome when they're lit up. This rack tuner only takes up one rack space, which is good. I have a 3-space rack case, with my bass amplifier head on bottom and this rack tuner on top. This is a great product, and I definitely recommend it.
* Price guarantee valid on all new in-stock merchandise sold by an authorized U.S. Dealer. Guarantee does not apply to discontinued, blemished, damaged, closeout, open box, refurbished or auction items. You will be contacted via email shortly after submission of request.


text:
Evolution of movie poster colors
We've seen a number of looks at movie poster cliches, but this is the first time I've seen how the color of movie posters have changed over time. Vijay Pandurangan downloaded 35,000 poster thumbnails from a movie site, counted the color pixels in each image, and then grouped them by year and sorted by hue.
Some thoughts from Pandurangan's designer friend Cheryle Cranbourne:
The movies whose posters I analysed "cover a good range of genres. Perhaps the colors say less about how movie posters' colors as a whole and color trends, than they do about how genres of movies have evolved. For example, there are more action/thriller/sci-fi [films] than there were 50-70 years ago, which might have something to do with the increase in darker, more 'masculine' shades."
There's no mention of the blanked out 1924. That must've been a sad year. Oh wait, there were movies during that year, so there was either a massive ink shortage or it's just missing data.
[via @DataPointed]
13 Comments
One odd thing is the band of less saturated colors at the extreme red end. Is that an artifact of how hue is calculated? Why would the most extreme hues be consistently unsaturated?
Interesting data set and presentation.
I'd love to see this in a form we could analyze more precisely. As a series of 100% Stacked bar graphs, it suffers the common baseline issue. Grouping by major color groups and separating those into multiple line or bar graphs with common baselines could provide a much clearer picture of the changes over time. Generalizing further: splitting it into two sets by grouping by warm and cool colors could make the "increase in darker, more 'masculine' shades" shift stand out even more.
Adding to my previous comment – there appears to be unsaturated bands that hit the red/orange transition, and the yellow/green transition, and maybe also some other points. Seems like an artifact to me.
Hi — thanks for discussing my work on here! The band of less saturated colours at the red end is an artifact of the way analysis was done. For each hue "bin", (each hue's size in the graph is determined by normalized % of the non-grey/white/black image) I display the average lightness/saturation. Since some hues are used primarily with darker colours (there must be some default in some commonly-used program) you see this effect.
I will try to make the data available in a more easy-to-analyse format; this was more of a side project — but I do have some followup work to do.
1924 is indeed a data error; I'm not sure why I didn't get data for that year. I will try to spend a couple of hours this weekend to do a followup analysis on it.
If you look at the graphs that ignore sat and lightness, one can see the colour distribution more clearly:
but it ignores the lightness aspect of this. I'm not a data viz expert, so I wasn't sure how best to control for this artifact in a way that everything can be expressed in 2 dimensions. Tyler Neylon's done some interesting work on this but I wasn't sure how best to integrate that also. Maybe I should separate light versus medium versus dark colours into three separate graphs.
Thanks for the explanation of the artifact, and the re-visualization is interesting. I like the aesthetic of the original better, but the new version really emphasizes the swoosh of blue. I think functionally the original does have an advantage in that it shows actual colors used on posters. I can look at it and imagine posters that have those average colors.
I wonder if you could actually display the posters themselves, squashed down to the right height, and stretched so each poster in a given year fills an equal portion of the horizontal space (ordered in the same way you have here.) This would add character to the plot. Alternately you could give each poster constant aspect ratio and leave empty or average-color space between them in years with sparse data.
First, this is amazing.
How big of a part does content play in this work? It was implied that this is a look across the entire span of movie poster history, but many of the unbelievably important ones are missing. 1939 Wizard of Oz, 1944 Double Indemnity, and so on. I love this, but it's hard to consider the sincerity of the concept when the data (and missing data) is inherently rooted in meaning.
Maybe I'm just thinking too subjectively and missing the point or don't fully understand the rules and parameters of how you gathered data.
Well I don't think it could possibly be based on a sample of all movies ever released, I don't know what method he has used to come up with a representative sample, but it probably implies that he has a good quality method that he isn't singling out particularly 'important' movies. When you're creating a sample, if you start hand-picking items and saying that this one has to be in the sample you run the risk of ending up with a biased sample.
If the data is indeed complete, it would be interesting to examine any correlations to other annual metrics, like economic indicators or necktie width / skirt length.
Ok is anyone else skeptical of this poster i mean if even follows the perfect pattern of a prism of light or a rainbow as in ROYGBIV
I sense you don't quite get it.
I'm skeptical of what this actually says.
There are 5 movies in 1914 and 89 in 2011 (you can see the movies by clicking the link in his comment above). I think blockbusters or at least famous movies are overrepresented in the earlier years because only those movies would have had their posters preserved and scanned whereas today any movie's poster will be available.
We think of blue as being masculine but this is has not always been the case. Red (and even pink) was considered masculine until the 1940s. If all movies are pitched at a "masculine" color level then what we could be seeing is the changing of the color red from masculine to feminine.
I'm also skeptical of the "more masculine movies" interpretation. The 50s and 60s would have seen a ton of WWII movies and monster movies as well as westerns (maybe the lack of reds and yellows is due to fewer deserts?)
Another question is whether the printing process itself has changed significantly over the intervening years (I suspect it has).
Still it would be at least interesting to do a secondary analysis on genre and color shifts.
all i can say is this stuff is so thought provoking…sort of tappng in to my inner geek lol. keep it up!


text:
uni-ball - KuruToga Mechanical Pencil - 0.5 mm
by uni-ball | Item #: 414348 |Model #: SAN1751934 |
This mechanical pencil is engineered to resist lead breakage. As you write, the lead rotates to maintain a sharp point and avoid flat spots on the lead. Perfect for intricate tasks, it's filled with uni-ball diamond-infused lead for smooth writing.
Ask & Answer
Shipping Information
Warranty InformationThis product is covered by the Sam's Club Member Satisfaction Guarantee.
There is no additional information available for this item.


text:
Salpointe Catholic quarterback Andy Cota took the first play from scrimmage and raced 64 yards on the Sabino defense.
It was a harbinger of things to come for the Sabercats as they couldn't stop what looks to be the most dynamic offensive attack in Southern Arizona.
The Lancers rolled to a 49-7 win in their home opener. Their second 40-plus point win of the season.
Jay Williams opened the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run.
On Salpointe's 2nd possession Cota found his new favorite target Kaelin Deboskie for a 36 yard score..
The Sabercats through the benefit of penalties were able to move the ball deep into Lancers territory on their second possession. But on a 4th and 12 play, Sabino quarterback Carlos Martinez's pass was intercepted by Cam Denson who returned it 74 yards for a touchdown.
Cota scored on an 18-yard run with three minutes to play in the first quarter and the rout was on.
The victory sets up an interesting road test next Friday night in Southern California against Encino Crespi. The Celts beat Woodland Hills Taft 67-0.
Copyright 2013 Tucson News Now. All rights reserved.
7831 N. Business Park Drive
Tucson, AZ 85743
(520) 744-1313
FCC Public File
EEO Report
Closed Captioning
FCC Public File
EEO Report
Closed Captioning
FCC Public File
EEO Report
Closed Captioning


text:
Chloe Saltau
Chloe Saltau is the chief cricket writer at The Age, regularly covering international cricket and providing news, comment and analysis on international cricket. She joined The Age as a trainee in 1998 and spent several years writing for general news (chiefly as a social policy reporter covering welfare and family issues) before moving to sport.
Phil Hughes a "100-Test player": Michael Clarke
Chloe Saltau The bullish backing of captain Michael Clarke has given Phil Hughes reason to overcome his disappointment at multiple selection setbacks, after Clarke tipped him for a long and successful Test career.
Phil Hughes smashes double ton in quest for Australian one-day recall
Chloe Saltau On the day Australian cricket marked 200 days until the World Cup, Phil Hughes laid down a marker of his own.
World Cup opening spot in Aaron Finch's reach
Chloe Saltau Big hitter needs to score in the one-day arena for Australia this summer.
Shield runs still count for Test selection, says Darren Lehmann
Chloe Saltau Darren Lehmann insists Sheffield Shield runs are still valuable following the non-selection of Phillip Hughes for the tour of South Africa.
Clarke plays down injury to Marsh
Chloe Saltau Calf injury to left-hander comes just days before Test squad leaves for South Africa.
Australia triumphant again as England crumbles
Chloe Saltau Accidental stumping helps Australia condemn England to another unexpected defeat.
James Faulkner ruled out of South Africa tour
Chloe Saltau and Chris Barrett In-form all-rounder James Faulkner has been ruled out of Australia's tour to South Africa while batsman Shaun Marsh is in grave doubt with a calf strain.
James Faulkner ruled out of South Africa tour
Chloe Saltau Australian all-rounder James Faulkner has been ruled out of the Test tour of South Africa with a knee injury.
Craig Simmons shows spark with scorching century
Chloe Saltau Craig Simmons was fixing power lines for a living when Justin Langer called to offer him a place in the Perth Scorchers' squad.
Exotic Australian squad named for T20 World Cup
Chloe Saltau Australia's squad for Twenty20 World Cup has veterans, a raw youngster and an injured Test squad member.
James Faulkner inspired by cricket great Jacques Kallis
Chloe Saltau James Faulkner doesn't mind admitting he quizzed Jacques Kallis about the secrets to his success.
Ashes boost as Clarke poised for shield return
Chloe Saltau Captain could even be fit for the first-class season-opener against Tasmania.
Michael Clarke in line for match time ahead of Ashes 2013 return
Chloe Saltau Michael Clarke's Ashes prospects have improved markedly since his fitness appraisal of a fortnight ago, and the captain is now hoping to play in the first or second round of the Sheffield Shield.
Doolan has Test in sight
Chloe Saltau Alex Doolan has another chance to impress selectors, for Australia A against England.
England prepares for Ahmed
Chloe Saltau England fully expects Fawad Ahmed to probe its age-old frailties against leg-spin.
Matt Prior injured and may be ruled out of first Test
Chloe Saltau England's Ashes plans have been clouded by an injury to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.
Ashes 2013: Australia's 'pick-and-stick' policy may be tested
Chloe Saltau Australia's selectors were not reading from the Argus review when they picked the squad for the first Ashes Test but that document recedes in relevance each day.
Watson's coup de grace
Chloe Saltau The public could be forgiven for thinking the home cricket summer is over.
Haddin twist - gloveman to be Test vice-captain
Andrew Wu, Chloe Saltau The soap opera that has been Australian cricket will take another twist on Wednesday when Brad Haddin is confirmed as the new Test vice-captain, raising implications for the short-term future of...
Haddin's new role has Wade on back foot
Andrew Wu and Chloe Saltau Soap opera that has been Australian cricket will take another twist on Wednesday.


text:
If you are interested in antique Harley motorcycle parts then you may want to buy Harley Davidson parts listing books. The first parts listing book for this motorcycle brand covers parts that were used in Harleys between 1909 and 1932. This manual will include parts for side car models, twin models and single models of Harleys produced during this time period. The second volume in this parts listing series covers Harley Davidson models that were produced between 1930 and 1949.
Antique Harley motorcycle decals and stickers are another item that you may want to add to your shopping list. Harley Parts are very inexpensive and they are still relatively easy to find. Online auction sites are great places to find vintage Harley decals, as are Harley trade shows and flea markets.
If you are interested in really unique antique Harley Motorcycle parts then you may want to look for one of a kind products. One item that can liven up your Harley collection is a Harley Davidson police siren. Most of the sirens that you can find on the secondary market still work, and those that don't work can usually be repaired.


text: Comments on: Examiner Editorial: JPMorgan is target of New York's newest Eliot Spitzer-wannabe Back to the article » | October 6, 2013 | 12:00 am New York's next narcissist, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, is taking a page from the black book of bank torture written by one of his predecessors, the disgraced Elliot Spitzer, and he's got the U.S. Department of Justice in the bag for him. No surprise there, as this Justice Department is the most politicized in history. By demanding that J.P. Morgan admit wrongdoing in negotiating a... Web URL: http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2536882 Share this article on Facebook or Twitter Print this article


text:
Ken Oplinger, a resident of Blaine, a six-year planning commission chair and president of the Bellingham/ Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said he will run for Liebert's ward one position, which will expire in November.
Oplinger, who moved to Blaine with his family several years ago from Visalia, California, a city with a population of about 100,000, was also the president of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce and served on the city's planning commission. While there, he also helped start a social meet-up group called Viva Visalia.
"We were all fairly new to (Visalia) and didn't know anyone so we started this group," he said. "It died off after about two or three years but it was lots of fun."
Oplinger earned his bachelor of arts degree in political science from Willamette University in Salem, Ore., as well as a second degree from the Institute for Organizational Management at UCLA, and is a self-proclaimed "lobbyist in real-life." Oplinger said he thinks the biggest challenge facing the Blaine community is the substantial amount of growth.
Oplinger said while he wasn't running on any particular issue, he wanted to be onboard when the city advances its downtown development efforts and incorporates the Port of Bellingham and City of Blaine master plans for the marina. He added he was excited about the development of a new freeway off ramp in south Blaine and the hundreds of housing units that are on the horizon for east Blaine off H Street Road.
"I want to see what I can do to advance some of the positive changes that are coming down the pipe for Blaine," he said. "I believe Blaine is on the verge of some important, positive changes and I want to be part of the group."


text: BRIGHTON, MI (WTVB) - A funeral mass for Cullen Finnerty is scheduled for next Tuesday morning at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Brighton. The 30-year-old former Grand Valley State quarterback disappeared Sunday while fishing. On Tuesday night his body was found about a mile and a half from his fishing boat. An official cause of death remains undetermined although autopsy results revealed an enlarged heart. The medical examiner is waiting for toxicology reports before making an official determination.


text:
Pendrell Corp.
Patent Owners And Lessors WA, United States
| Nasdaq: PCO
Similar to: m4e AG
Pendrell Corp. is a fully-integrated intellectual property investment, advisory services and asset management firm. It invests in, acquires and develops businesses with unique technologies that are often protected by intellectual property rights and that present the opportunity to address large, global markets. The company was founded in May 2000 and is headquartered in Kirkland, WA.


text:
Kwame Nkrumah (September 21, 1909 April 27, 1972) was an African anti-colonial leader, founder and first president of the modern Ghanaian state and one of the most influential Pan-Africanists of the 20th century.Add to my favourites Get these quotes on a PDF
We prefer self-government with danger to servitude in tranquility.
Revolutions are brought about by men, by men who think as men of action and act as men of thought.
It is far easier for the proverbial camel to pass through the needle's eye, hump and all, than for an erstwhile colonial administration to give sound and honest counsel of a ...


text:
Cave Aged
Quick View
Regular Price: $21.99/EA
Special Price: $17.99/EAYou may not know it, but Époisses is actually a French word meaning "completely worth the effort"—either that or "stinky but incredibly loveable" because the end result, a custardy bacon bomb, is oh-so-worth-it. One slurp of the intensely creamy paste of this French classic, and you'll know why we go to such lengths to ensure that this unctuous pasteurized cow's milk round, made in Burgundy, France, is so delightfully decadent. After near extinction in France during the World Wars, Époisses de Bourgogne was resurrected in the 1950s by our beloved M. Berthaut. After being carefully hand-ladled into forms and dry-salted, each wheel takes a turn in French cave. Tucked into a clever wooden box meant to ease transport to our fair shores, serving Époisses isn't nearly as difficult as aging it—slice a crusty baguette and dunk away, adding a glass of Burgundian white for terroir-driven perfection. Read More
Quick View
OmaThe von Trapp family farm in Waitsfield, VT has expanded and improved with every generation, most recently with brothers Dan and Sebastian who started making cheese. Their newly tweaked Oma recipe makes an approachably pungent washed rind, rich but well-balanced, with hints of roasted peanuts. Read More


text:
Mayflower 3/8" x 5" Natural Hickory Wirebrush
3/8" x 5" Natural Hickory Wirebrush Engineered Flooring- 15 Yr Warranty
Quick Highlights:
- Solid Hardwood Layer
We caught up with real Lumber Liquidators' customers who volunteered to discuss their floor shopping, buying and installation experiences. In no way did these customers receive compensation for their kind words. (They're speaking straight from the heart.)
Lumber Liquidator$... No one else has hardwood flooring for less!
QUALITY GUARANTEE: This flooring meets or exceeds rigorous emissions standards such as California CARB.
Please click here to download Adobe Reader.
Do you have questions about this product?
AnswerBox - Get answers from Staff Experts and real customers by clicking "Ask a question"
or click here to ask our Customer Service Team
Q:float only, could it be stapled down?
1 answer
A:This product can be nailed, glued, or edge glued and floated. Thank you for your inquiry
Q:I found this flooring via the "Solid Hardwood" menu. However, when I clicked on "Specs," it's listed as "engineered." Can you clarify which this is? Thanks.
1 answer
A:This is a 3/8" engineer floor. Thank you for your inquiry
Q:is this utility grade?
1 answer
A:This product is a natural grade.


text:
"I got to deliver treats 2 troops today. They were thrilled with the packages! It was so fun to watch them open everything. The Fairchild airmen say its the next best thing to being home with their families for the holidays. We leave first thing tomorrow morning. It's been an incredible trip. But I can't wait to get back home!"
-KREM 2's Whitney Ward
PHOTOS: Whitney delivers Treats 2 Troops to Fairchild crews overseas
"The majority of my pictures today are of mid-air refueling over the Hindu Kush Mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan. I also got lots of pictures and a few wing shot videos of the territory. Wow!! We refueled both American and coalition fighter jets at 25,000 feet and 400+ MPH. All of the fighters were providing air support for a ground battle below us. I know - crazy, right?"
-KREM 2's Whitney Ward
PHOTOS: Whitney sees Fairchild crews in action over Afghanistan
"We finally caught up with the Fairchild crew!! The refueling guys you'll see are part of the 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron. And the rest are from the Civil Engineer Squadron. I think tomorrow we are going flying to see our Fairchild refueling crews in action over Afghanistan."
-KREM 2's Whitney Ward
PHOTOS: Whitney meets the 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron
"We met up with a group of 200 coming in from Bagram Iraq. They were going through customs. I got to meet several explosive sniffing dogs. And I found the on base coffee shop!!! The mountains in the distance behind me are part of the Ala-Too range. They run perpendicular to the Himalayas."
-KREM 2's Whitney Ward
"We woke up at 3:00 a.m. and left Lakenheath at 7:00 this morning, then flew all day to reach Manas. The pictures are from the Tarmac in England. Then you'll see quite a few cockpit photos. I was in the jump seat during takeoff so I just took pictures of everything! The sun was rising just as we took off, so you'll see some pretty sunrise shots. I also took a video of our actual takeoff from the cockpit. Then there are two pictures of the KC135 once we landed in Manas. And a few of the Fairchild crew who just arrived for deployment." -KREM 2's Whitney Ward
PHOTOS: Whitney lands in Manas
"You'll see some interiors of the plane and passengers, a few wing shots over the Atlantic Ocean. Then some ground shots once we got diverted to Lakenheath. It's a joint U.S./British Royal Air Force Base. We were scheduled to land in Mildenhall AFB, but it was too foggy. Lakenheath is a high security fighter base about 90 miles from London. I saw (and heard!) at least 10 fighter jets take off while we were standing on the runway. You'll see several pictures and one video of that. And you'll see a few of the military Christmas tree on base near the base entrance. The picture of me on the Tarmac is right after we landed"
-KREM 2's Whitney Ward
PHOTOS: See Whitney's pictures
KREM 2's Whitney Ward left Fairchild Air Force Base bound for England.
SPOKANE, Wash.--Hundreds of packages are headed overseas as part of KREM 2 News' annual Treats 2 Troops campaign.
KREM 2 News' Whitney Ward will be heading to the other side of the world to help hand deliver some of those treats.
Ward will head to the Manas Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday where many Fairchild airmen are based. She will be there as many of them receive the packages you helped make possible with your donations.
Ward will bring back stories with her to share with you and some happy holiday messages from our Fairchild men and women currently deployed,
Ward will also talk about Manas and the fact that it is closing. Fairchild men and women who support the refueling efforts over in Afghanistan will be moving to a new base that has yet to be announced. Ward will find out what it means to the communities around Manas.
Ward will travel with a Fairchild crew on a KC-135 overseas for a seven day journey. Their first stop will be in England and then on to Kyrgyzstan.
You can follow Ward and her journeys on her twitter account (@KREMWhitney) and her facebook page (Whitney Ward Anchor) as well as on KREM.com and KREM 2 News.


text:
Sausage & Mushroom Stuffed Squash Recipe
- 3 medium acorn squash
- 1-1/2 cups water
- 1 pound bulk pork sausage
- 1/2 pound sliced baby portobello mushrooms
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine or beef broth
- 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- 1 cup salad croutons
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (4 ounces) sharp shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place cut side down in an ungreased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Add water. Cover and bake at 350° for 40-50 minutes or until tender.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausage, mushrooms, onion, celery and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add wine. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Stir in the soup, croutons, milk, Parmesan and 3/4 cup cheddar cheese.
- Drain water from squash. Turn squash over; stuff with sausage mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6 servings.
Full-Bodied White Wine
Enjoy this recipe with a full-bodied white wine such as Chardonnay or Viognier.
Reviews for Sausage & Mushroom Stuffed Squash
Sort By :
Made just as recipe is written. I used Bob Evans Italian pork sausage roll. I had never cooked with acorn squash before but now this is one of my favorites. Have made several times. Very good!
very tasty!
This has outstanding flavor! Much better than just a meat mixture baked inside the squash. Followed the recipe as is. I only had 2 acorn squash so I had about 1cup of stuffing left over. I an anxious to use the stuffing for stuffed zucchini. I never made stuffed acorn squash before....but I will definitely be making it again with this recipe. Would also like to try using stuffing mix in place of salad croutons. Another great recipe.....Thanks Taste of Home!!!
Made exactly as written. Whole family loved it.
This was a great recipe to use to introduce my husband to acorn squash, as it includes os many of his favorite ingredients (sausage, mushrooms, cheese, white wine). I used sage flavored Jimmy Dean sausage and we really enjoyed it!


text:
Archived:Synchronisation of PIM data UI behavior changes depending on localization in Series 40 1st Edition (Known Issue)
From Nokia Developer Wiki
Archived: This article is archived because it is not considered relevant for third-party developers creating commercial solutions today. If you think this article is still relevant, let us know by adding the template {{ReviewForRemovalFromArchive|user=~~~~|write your reason here}}.
Article Metadata
Tested with
Devices(s): Nokia 6800 Europe/AmericasCompatibility
Platform(s): Series 40 1st EditionArticle
Series 40 1st Edition
Series 40 1st Edition
Created: User:Technical writer 1 (08 Oct 2004)
Last edited: hamishwillee (10 May 2013)
The Europe and Americas variants of the Nokia 6800 messaging device behave differently when initializing synchronization of contacts/calendar. The Americas variant prompts the user to confirm the synchronization of contacts and/or calendar. The Europe variant acts differently: if the contacts and/or calendar database URI is in place, no prompt is displayed to the user.


text:
Lib Res.
HIS 170: Approaches to the Islamic World
Reference Resources - Encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks and bibliographiesReference or secondary sources are informational resources written by individuals who were not the actual participants in the topic at hand. They may be of value to your research since they often provide greater objectivity and different perspectives as a result of the passage of time. Common secondary sources include encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, and bibliographies.
Please Note: The general call number range for Religion - Islam is BP1-BP253
Search Terminology - Keywords and Subject HeadingsWhen conducting research, always consider alternative keywords and subject headings for your topic. Begin by analyzing your topic or research question, and break it down into its key concepts. What keywords appear? Are there alternative keywords that come to mind?
For this course, keywords may include: islamic, muslim, middle east, muslim diaspora, qur'an, koran, shite, shi'ite, sunni, arab, jihad, hajj, etc. To explore additional keywords and concepts try Grokker.
Subject headings may include: "Islam--Encyclopedias", or "Islamic countries", or "Women in Islam", or "Islam and politics" etc.
How to find books
How to find and locate journal articlesStart by consulting the following electronic resources:
If the article you find is available in full-text, follow the appropriate links. If not, take note of the JOURNAL NAME being cited,
and go to the Journals at F&M page to see if
the library subscribes to the journal. If so, locate the journal in print or microfilm, and make a copy for your research.
For additional article resources, look under the Electronic Resources - A to Z List on the Library homepage.
Don't Forget: Always consult the bibliography at the end of a journal article for additional resources!
For additional article resources, look under the Electronic Resources - A to Z List on the Library homepage.
Don't Forget: Always consult the bibliography at the end of a journal article for additional resources!
World Wide WebThe World Wide Web can be a helpful environment in which to access scholarly information. To search for more authoritative sites, use mediated search directories such as the Librarians Index to the Internet or Google Scholar.
Other "How To's"...
Additional HelpContact Christopher Raab for further assistance or fill out a research appointment request form to meet with a librarian.
Last updated: 9/5/05 cmr


text:
Today's Hours: 10am-9pm
This week at the movies: Idris Elba glowers for two hours as a baddie; a Read More »
Matte lips and skin are hot this season. In this 3-minute tutorial, Charis Read More »
Fashion trends for fall remain consistent no matter your body type or frame. Read More »


text:
Forgot Password? | Not a User? Sign up
Your browser does not support iframes.
A newly formed partnership among the Littleton, Evergreen, South Metro and West Metro fire departments and the Metropolitan Area Communications Center Authority will create the largest computer-assisted dispatch system in the state.
The new group, working under the name Jefferson-Arapahoe Consolidated CAD, will provide dispatch services for more than 1 million people across 23 cities and multiple unincorporated areas, and will handle roughly 66,000 fire and emergency calls annually.
Forecasters fall out
CENTENNIAL — One by one, Chatfield boys basketball coach Steve Schimpeler embraced his players in the locker room.
"It's a special group of guys. It's real emotional. This team will always have a special place in my heart," Schimpeler said.
Jeffco is accepting applications for volunteers who would like to serve on a marijuana task force that will report on retail pot sales in the county's municipalities.
The county enacted a moratorium through February 2015 on marijuana sales in unincorporated areas but wants to know about effects on public safety, health and business communities, said Jeanie Rossillon, Jeffco's director of development and transportation.
Jeffco Public Schools' core leadership team will continue to act as superintendent for the rest of the school year as the Board of Education moves forward with its search for a successor to Cindy Stevenson.
After discussion at the board's meeting last Thursday, no change was made to the previous week's decision not to appoint an individual to serve as interim superintendent.
On Feb. 18, the board voted 3-2 not to make a temporary appointment, with the agreement that the board would discuss the topic again Feb. 27.
County Commissioner Don Rosier was in Washington, D.C., this week lobbying Congress on local issues such as funding for social programs and storm-water regulations.
Rosier went to the U.S. capital as part of the National Association of Counties' legislative conference from March 1-5, where 2,000 county governments from across the country lobby U.S. lawmakers on issues that local governments face every day.
Something's been bugging her
Jeffco sheriff's deputies put out a small grass fire in the Ken-Caryl area Monday afternoon before it had a chance to spread.
The fire, in the 9900 block of Whistling Elk Drive south of Deer Creek Road, started about 4:15 p.m. after a male teenager was playing with fireworks.
Deputies were able to contain the fire to a quarter acre using rakes, shovels and fire extinguishers borrowed from neighboring houses, said sheriff's spokesman Mark Techmeyer.
Evergreen Newspapers had a record-breaking weekend at the Feb. 21 Colorado Press Association awards dinner.
The staff surpassed last year's record total by one, taking home 33 awards at this year's annual convention.
The High Timber Times received a coveted Sweepstakes award for its website. In other categories, photo editor Gabriel Christus led the way, winning 19 awards. Sports editor Michael Hicks won 10, and Clear Creek Courant editor Ian Neligh won five. Many of the awards had multiple winners for design and story/photo combinations.
Sharper than a serpent's tooth
Copyright © 2014
Columbine Courier is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in South Jefferson County, Colo., and the surrounding area.


text:
China Glaze Nail Lacquer- Fairy Dust
Be the First Reviewer
Have you tried this product? Help out by sharing what worked (or didn't)!Write a Review
Nailtiques Nail Moisturizer
A collagen and aloe based nail creme that promotes moisture and flexibility within the nail. It is essential in the winter months to prevent nails from becoming dry. Nails lacking moisture or flexibility are targets for splits or breakage.New Price:
Tweezerman Mini Nail Rescue Kit
Tweezerman Mini Nail Rescue Kit is a portable trio of Tweezerman's top stainless steel nail care essentials.New Price:
China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat .5 oz
China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat increases wear-ability of nail lacquer!New Price:


text:
This is me on day 1 of "Oh My [Hair] Days"
Basically I intend on blogging a picture of my hair length every day (or nearly every day) for a year to try and see how long my hair grows. Instead of messing around with a ruler and being 100% accurate I'm going to do it in pictures because what matters is how it looks. I had it cut last Thursday so it is pretty freshly cut. I really want hair that reaches my collar bone more then anything so hopefully if I keep track of my hair this way I will actually see real progress for once instead of thinking it just never grows.
I take hair vitamins and I try to eat eggs and avocado regularly as I believe they are full of the right vitamins too for healthy hair growth. I have been trying not to blow dry or straighten my hair (so I'll try not to straighten it in any of my hair growth pictures as well!) in order to keep it as healthy as possible. My hair is lightened to this shade of blonde but I am also trying to avoid any colouring if possible. I also like to use dry shampoo on my hair when I can't be bothered washing it. In terms of shampoo I change all the time, but I have been using called Organic Hair Fertilizer quite regularly which is meant to make your scalp a healthy place for hair to thrive.
In terms of my hair type it is fine, slightly oily at the roots and dry at the ends, and it has a natural slight wave/curl to it (as hopefully you can see). Naturally my hair is a darker shade of blonde so in time you will probably see some more rootage occurring! I'll try to take better quality pictures on some days but for the moment this is just a photo using my webcam.
So that's it. Welcome to me and my hair blog!
Day 2
Not impressed! I got caught in the rain today at work. My hair tends to stay wherever I move it to which is why it is sticking out in this picture. You can actually get a better idea of the sort of length I have at the moment though with it like this. Again, it isn't the best quality of photo but maybe I'll take a better one tomorrow with my hair freshly washed, dried and styled (if you can call it that!).
I'm blonde naturally but I really want to go back to dyeing my hair brown. I think my hair looks a lot healthier when I am a brunette and I feel more attractive as well. Blonde just isn't doing it for me!
Do people think it is better to be blonde or brunette?
Day 15
Having blonde hair that never grows is a nightmare. It is funny because so many people waste so much time and money trying to get naturally blonde hair and despite the fact that my current hair is out of a bottle, if I had patience then my hair would indeed be naturally blonde just like they all want.
But I can't help but want my brown hair back but I am also slightly scared that I will do it and wish I hadn't. I know semi-permanent hair dyes will still make my hair go brown permanently as it is unrealistic to expect to wash out and be a pretty shade of blonde again. I just do not know what to do!
I'm going to make a decision on it before I return to university in October. I'm going to be studying for a masters in social work. I used to think that I would like to have my natural hair colour on my wedding photos but the more I have blonde hair the more I think I would look so much better with brown hair on my wedding photos! And normally I wouldn't be jumping ahead with wedding plans as I'm not even engaged yet but my boyfriend seems to be getting closer and closer to the idea so I want to think in advance now!
Day 25
Ready for a night out. Pulling my hair straight you can see how the length is coming along. Today it has been quite curly at the bottoms but I'm just washed and blow dried it so that has straightened it out a little. I can't be bothered getting the GHDs out.
It looks a mess actually. I best do something with it!
Day 28
Hair. It is definitely at that point where it is looking like it either needs a good cut now or it needs to grow ASAP!!! It is definitely getting there now though. I'm hoping that by Xmas I will have hair that is almost the length I ultimately want it to be. I get the feeling that it will hit a wall at some point though so I am considering investing in some new clip in hair extensions when I get paid. The last time I used some was when I had dark brown hair so I threw them out when I went blonde. I should've cut the clips off them at least but never mind, can't go back on it now!
So that's that for today. I'm still ill as well. Boo! Doctor's appointment tomorrow.
Day 29
I've just washed my hair.
How are you finding my silly blog? It must be pretty dull to follow because obviously hair doesn't grow at any obvious rate. Despite it being cleaner on some days, styled differently or wet as it is now, nothing really ever changes.
I'm glad you are following me though. I am grateful :)
Also, my hair gets pretty knotty when it is wet. There is a fact for you. You can also see the different lengths of my hair when it is wet as well. Unfortunately my shorter layers aren't growing as fast as I would like!
Day 35
What is going on with this fringe of mine?!
I have no use of a webcam or SD card slot at the moment to upload pictures as I don't have the internet in my house. I've been using the public library computers and they lack these facilities!
I took a picture yesterday of my hair (and my solution to my fringe problem) so when I get chance I WILL be uploading it to show you. Please be patient! xx
Day 46 & Day 54
(I think I've done my maths right!)
In day 46 you can see the back of my head through the cabinet mirror behind me as well. It is coming along quite alright. My boyfriend has noticed that it is growing and I currently have some noticeable root growth as well. I've been wearing my hair in this fringe plait style because I'm going to grow it as much as the rest of my hair until I get it cut in December. No hair cuts until December as a rule, though I may get the ends trimmed just 1cm or so just to freshen it up a bit. Not until I'm getting desperate though.
Day 70
Wet hair. I seem to have reached a point where my hair doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. Perhaps it is time that I have it trimmed soon?
My fringe doesn't seem to stop growing though!
Day 75
Unless I straighten my hair I have quite wavy hair so I've just straightened it and I have to say, I'm actually seeing progress now!
Just another day!
OK I've not been posting much recently but here is my crimped hair today. I'm off out tonight so I wanted big hair. It is definitely bigger than usual! Normally when you crimp short hair it looks silly, so I think that as my hair is starting to look somewhat acceptable when crimped it must be getting to a better length now!
I do seriously need to have my hair cut though because it is starting to get really knotty all the time. Usually once I've had a trim that sorts that out. I am poor at the moment though so no hair cut for me until December. Knotty hair in the meantime!
Day 118
I had my hair cut last week and I've lost some length. I'm not getting my hair cut until February now. I didn't get my fringe cut properly so I didn't lose much length off that. As you can see from my picture I've got a blunt bob sort of thing going on. The hairdresser said she reckoned my hair would touch my collar bone by Spring. I'm considering clip in hair extensions because I am lazy.
My fringe is uncontrollable. If you can even call it a fringe any more.


text:
Dancing is a great way to bond with your child and burn a little energy at the same time. Join us once a month on the second Monday at 4:00 p.m. for a Song and Dance Party!
Not only are you having fun but you are developing helpful skills. Here are just a few skills children develop while dancing:
Last night the library hosted a memorable Valentine's Stuffed Animal Sleepover. Take a look at the crazy things these animals did after their friends dropped them off at the library.
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
– Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream," 1963
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
Did you know:
-- King's first civil rights action began with a protest of the segregated bus system in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955.
The Keene Public Library is pleased to announce the next meeting of their LEGO® Club is Monday, May 20 from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Interested parties should register by calling 603-352-0157.
1.Gingerbread baby by Jan Brett
Have you read one of the ten nominated Ladybug Books yet?
Lots of kids and families in New Hampshire will be spending the next few months reading each book so that in November 2012 they can vote on their favorite title. Look for these books at the Keene Public Library. And keep watch here on this blog because we will be featuring one of these books each week starting Wednesday August 5.