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America's most accident-prone cities
The top 10 list does not include Los Angeles. Another surprise? The city at the top of the list.
This post comes from Matt Brownell at partner site MainStreet.
About 32,000 Americans are involved in traffic accidents every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If you want to avoid joining them, you might want to take a look at which city you live in.
For the past seven years, car insurer Allstate has looked at its claims data for the 200 largest U.S. cities to see which cities have the fewest car accidents per capita. The latest results show that, for the second straight year, Fort Collins, Colo., is the safest driving city in America. The average driver in the city of 138,000 gets into a car accident just once every 14 years, 26% better than the national average (the average U.S. driver gets into an accident about once a decade).
But not every city is such a peaceful place to go for a drive. Post continues after video.
Here are the 10 cities that brought up the bottom of the list by getting into more car accidents than anyone else. Note that cities in Massachusetts were not included in the rankings, which means that Boston drivers get a reprieve.
10th most accident-prone: Alexandria, Va.
- Estimated population: 150,006.
- Average time between accidents: 6.4 years.
- Increased chance of an accident: 55.9%.
- Just south of Washington, D.C., many of Alexandria's residents spend their commute on the area's infamous Beltway, which we imagine contributes the lion's share of fender benders.
Ninth most accident-prone: San Francisco
- Estimated population: 815,358.
- Average time between accidents: 6.4 years.
- Increased chance of an accident: 57.3%.
- San Francisco has been the setting for some of cinema's greatest car chases, including classic sequences in "Bullitt" and "The Rock." But the reputation for dangerous driving apparently isn't all Hollywood magic, as the average driver there is 57% more likely than the average American to get into an accident.
Eighth most accident-prone: Jersey City, N.J.
- Estimated population: 242,503.
- Average time between accidents: 6.4 years.
- Increased chance of an accident: 57.5%.
- Jersey City is one of two New Jersey cities to make the top 10. That perhaps shouldn't come as a great surprise: Jersey was one of the states included in our worst roads list. If it's any consolation, all those accidents aren't necessarily causing a lot of fatalities, as the state ranks near the bottom in per capita driver deaths.
Seventh most accident-prone: Hartford, Conn.
- Estimated population: 124,060.
- Average time between accidents: 6.3 years.
- Increased chance of an accident: 59.6%.
- Hartford is informally known as the insurance capital of the world because of all the insurance companies that once made their headquarters in the city, and the industry still employs many of the city's residents. Hartford's drivers have done their best to keep all those adjusters and underwriters busy, with the average driver almost 60% more likely than the average American to get into an accident.
Sixth most accident-prone: Philadelphia
- Estimated population: 1,547,297.
- Average time between accidents: 6.2 years.
- Increased chance of an accident: 60.2%.
- Apparently there isn't much brotherly love once people get behind the wheel. Pennsylvania also made our worst roads in America list, though it largely earned its spot on the list for the dismal state of its bridges.
Fifth most accident-prone: Providence, R.I.
- Estimated population: 171,909.
- Average time between accidents: 6.0 years.
- Increased chance of an accident: 66.7%.
- Providence cracks the top five with drivers who get into accidents every six years.
Fourth most accident-prone: Newark, N.J.
- Estimated population: 278,154.
- Average time between accidents: 5.9 years.
- Increased chance of an accident: 70.8%.
- Newark and Jersey City are on opposites side of the famous New Jersey Turnpike, and we imagine drivers in both cities spend their fair share of time on the highway. And while many commuters to New York City choose to take the train into Penn Station, we don't doubt that a lot of these accidents are commuters who opt to drive into the Big Apple.
Third most accident-prone: Glendale, Calif.
- Estimated population: 196,882.
- Average time between accidents: 5.5 years.
- Increased chance of an accident: 80.8%.
- Los Angeles itself finished just outside the top 10, but Glendale, in Los Angeles County, checks in at No. 3 with drivers more than 80% more likely to get into an accident than the average American. Driving is pretty much the only way to get around the L.A. area, to the point that when the I-405 freeway had to shut down for a weekend back in July, local media dubbed the event "Carmageddon." Glendale is also the second California city to make the top 10, so it's no surprise that it's the sixth most expensive state to insure a car.
Second most accident-prone: Baltimore
- Estimated population: 637,418.
- Average time between accidents: 5.3 years.
- Increased chance of an accident: 88.7%.
- We can personally attest that Baltimore is a lovely city to visit, but in some ways it's a tough city to make home. The high crime rate landed Maryland on our list of the most crime-ridden states in America, and apparently it's a tough place to drive, too: Drivers there are almost 90% more likely than average to get into an accident. It's no surprise, then, that Maryland is also one of the states with the highest insurance premiums.
The most accident-prone city in America: Washington, D.C.
- Estimated population: 599,657.
- Average time between accidents: 4.8 years.
- Increased chance of an accident: 107.3%.
- Just 40 miles south of Baltimore is the undisputed champ of bad drivers: Washington, a city whose very existence is defined by the nightmarish highway surrounding it, the Beltway. The average D.C. resident pays $2,146 in insurance premiums a year, and given that they're more than twice as likely to get in an accident as the average driver, we'd say that's pretty justified.
More on MainStreet and MSN Money:
Remember when the only distraction was the A.M. radio, the cigarette lighter and some screaming kids?! Technology killed the safe driver, doesn't matter where you live.
If you have no clue where you are going prior to leaving the house, don't leave - coming to an abrupt stop because you are lost in NOT AN OPTION!!
The Baltimore area is, without a doubt, full of rude, me-first, get-out-of-my-way drivers who can't even manage the basic courtesy of using their turn signals. Remember people, turn signals are for signaling the INTENT to turn, you know, in advance of the actual turn. Flipping the signal switch when you're already half way through the turn is of no use to anybody. (rant over)
High percentage of accidents per capita does not directly correlate to poor driving. Did anybody bother to factor in winter driving conditions? Poorly designed roadways? Insufficient lighting? Rural vs. metro driving? Anything like that?
So, I'm not sure the conclusion--that these cities have the worst drivers--is correct. A more likely conclusion to draw is that these cities have the worst or the most challenges for any driver.
And being a bad (inattentive? unskilled?) driver is not the same as being a rude driver. In my city which will remain unnamed, we don't have lots of bad drivers, though we have our share. But we sure do have lots of rude drivers. Road etiquette has gone straight to Hell in the last 30 years, and I don't see it getting any better any time soon. Turn signals mystify people here, stop signs are a suggestion, Yellow on a traffic light means hurry your **** up, and everyone's speedometers read 5 mph slow--unless you're on the freeway, and then they read 10 mph slow. Horns don't work, but fingers and subwoofers do, and then there are the low riders whose cars won't go over 40 or speed bumps. Tailgating is a highly developed art form, mostly performed by drivers of Hummers, 4WD trucks and large SUV's whose schedules are more important than your life. Drivers here also carry guns: shootings as a result of road rage are not uncommon.
Be careful out there. Don't drink and drive. Don't text and drive. Don't yak on the cell and drive. Pay attention. Just drive. Be courteous and practice good road etiquette. The next driver you cut off, flip off or tailgate may just shoot you for your trouble.
Surprised Las Vegas wasn't #1. I swear every state has sent their worst drivers here. Nevada drivers are great, outside LV city limits, but all the transplants have brought their bad habits with them. No one seems to know what a Stop sign means, and they must have some religious scruple against using their turn blinkers. These are two of the lesser problems.
To RealityChuck funny I didn't see anything on here regards to race, Those cities have a high concentration in people commuting in general. most of which are in in-climate cities. The other stat no shown is that most accidents are in commute to work, hmmm maybe that's why AZ, FL and San Diego aren't on the list - retirement locations.
You also need a leeson on urban development - White flight (running away thats a different topic), But I can take you to communities that they are complete white gettos. Typically when those with money leave communities that were striving so do businesses and community updates, hence the term urban blight. You apparently have other issuse that are unrelated to topic on hand and need to work them out.
I couldn't agree with Idomyownstunts from Vegas more!
I have lived in California, Utah, and Florida, spent time in NYC and Chicago and I can tell you that NOWHERE are the drivers worse than Vegas.
They are the least courteous, rude, most prone to road rage of anyplace I have ever been. Drivers in Vegas have the attitude that "I have to be ahead of you no matter what the cost and I don't care who I have to kill to get there. Turn signals are used as often as windshield wipers are here. Speed limits, especially in residential areas are totally disregarded. 50 is the average speed in 35 mph zones.
Vegas may not have as many accidents per capita as the top listed cities here but Vegas is definitely among the top when it comes to the worst drivers. On the strip it's ever worse...Vacationers and Cabbies are LAWLESS
As the article states: "For the past seven years, car insurer Allstate has looked at its claims data for the 200 largest U.S. cities to see which cities have the fewest car accidents per capita."
This means that they have already taken into account the population density not just the total number of accidents. A smaller population means you have less people to spread the accidents over, while a larger population would have more people to average the accidents over. So those that show up on this list have drivers that on average get into more accidents more often that other large cities period. Maybe Los Angeles and New York City don't show up since more people use public transportation but are still counted in the per capita average.
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Jodie can't imagine life without making things. So it is no wonder that she lists her occupation as "quilting enabler." Jodie's goal is simple: to share the joy of quilting.
As the author of thirty quilting books and a traveling teacher, Jodie looked to the airwaves to reach more people in her mission of spreading the joy of quilting. Right out of the box the very first episode of her first series, "Friends in the Bee," earned Jodie accolades, and convinced Jodie that the Internet offers quilters and the quilting industry the place they needed to control the quilting airwaves. From hosting and developing shows, Jodie soon found herself at the helm of QNNtv.com, the Internet television channel devoted exclusively to quilting.
Jodie hosts two monthly series exclusively on QNNtv.com: Quilt Out Loud! a magazine-style show she co-hosts with Mark Lipinski and Quilt It! The Longarm Quilting Show, a studio show she hosts with invited experts joining her for each episode.
Watch QNNtv.com for Jodie's block-of-the-month series, and QuiltersClubofAmerica.com for her tips and Sew Easy Lessons. It's all about sharing the fun—and you're invited!

subset: commoncrawl


text: aah it's such a pity about the file size <_> It's so smallll The big version can be seen HERE! I meant to colour this but I think I will kill myself hahah…;;Also oh my gog you guys thank you so much for the follows and likes and reblobs! ;v;


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ardenlester00 Wrote:
Oct 20, 2012 8:22 AM
Awesome article! I was looking for a "fresh way" to view these debacles called "debates" (attempts at overthrow/rout)". This IS the outlook I needed to see a bit more clearly. All we need is the wooden clubs and the loin cloth and tribal fire. Thanks for helping me get "basic". Dennis


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Brooklyn-by-way-of-Connecticut post-punk outfit EULA is a force of nature. Incorporating shades of Wire, Bikini Kill, X-Ray Spex, Gang of Four, and Blonde Redhead, singer/guitarist Alyse Lamb, bassist Jeff Maleri, and drummer Nate Rose make an awful lot of noise for three people as they walk the fin ... More >>
Amy Winehouse passed away on July 23. In memory of the people, places, and things that passed away in 2011, here's a collection of links and streaming-video artifacts.
This month has seen quite a bit of ink spilled on behalf of the 20th anniversary of Nirvana's Nevermind. But it's also a moment to remember the ways that lead singer Kurt Cobain's reach went beyond the scope of his band and that recordconsider one of his most beloved influences, the U ... More >>
Like many of her peers, she discovered the sound of being a grown woman
Poly Styrene, whose howl and unwillingness to be "seen and not heard" made her a heroine among many, has passed away after a battle with breast cancer. Born Marianne Joan Elliott-Said, Styrene quickly became an iconic figure as frontwoman of the skronky X-Ray Spex; the way she paired incisive ... More >>
Amy Andronicus, lighter than air. Pics by Willie Davis, more below.Titus Andronicus/Care Bears on Fire Mercury Lounge Thursday, February 10 Consider Amy Andronicus, née Klein, she of magnificent New Jersey punk-rockers Titus Andronicus, and an awfully cheering sight up there onstage, surrou ... More >>
Pic by Sebastian MlynarskiYes in My Backyard is a semiweekly column showcasing MP3s from new and emerging local talent. Brooklyn's Golden Triangle are an art-dance wet-dream-turned-night-terror. They're less a band and more like what John Waters would imagine a band to be--shimmy and grind, ... More >>
Anti-cool outsiders from Eastern Europe to the East Village
TV hospital drama life unfolds to new new wave
Punk's ever-expanding perimeter encompasses two protest bands
19761985: Punk to Pomo, Basquiat to Breakdancing
The Willowz make songs that sound like a place, their styles signs along the road
Sense and Instability
Retro Girls Go Gore Crazy
Dusty Springfield, 19391999


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In recent celebrity news, CHRIS BROWN was photographed with his ex KARRUECHE TRAN just one day after his date with RIHANNA at a website launch party.
What's going on, Chris?
As most of you already know, Chris Brown broke up with the aspiring half-Vietnamese model earlier this month after being photographed on a series of dates with his other ex, Rihanna. But it appears that he's still conflicted by his decision… something that he candidly admitted in a "drunken" confessional video he shared with his fans right after the news broke out that he had dumped Karrueche.
To make their whole love triangle messier than ever, the singer, who partied with Rihanna at the Qubeey Channel Launch Party on Saturday, was photographed less than 24 hours later with Karrueche.
In the photos, the pair is seen sitting together in Chris' snazzy sports car as they drive out of the singer's L.A. home and head off to a nearby recording studio.
It's unclear if this recent reunion means that Chris and Karrueche are back together… but it's more likely that they aren't. After all, how could they be a couple again when Chris and Rihanna were caught kissing and getting all cozy with each other just one day before?
Photo Via Karrueche Tran's Twitter
We'd love to hear your comment but please don't spam, we reserve the right to delete anything which is inappropriate


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The UW Common Book introduces and engages freshmen in the University's academic community. Each year, UW freshmen receive the same book at summer orientation and are expected to read it prior to fall quarter. Through this shared intellectual experience, students are challenged to examine important subjects and build community around significant issues. It is one way Undergraduate Academic Affairs welcomes students to their new academic home and cultivates intellectual inquiry.
You Are Never Where You Are
Since 2006, the University of Washington has chosen a Common Book--a text rooted in contemporary societal issues to welcome freshmen into their new academic community. This year's Common Book represents two major firsts: it's the first time the Common Book focuses on the genre of poetry—and it's the first time the selection committee has assembled an original anthology, rather than choosing a single work. These poems do not appear together anywhere else. The selection committee of faculty, students and staff searched for good poems, imagining what new students might like to read.
The result: You Are Never Where You Are, a collection of 15 poems. It's an extra book, a little go-to guide that doesn't give specific instructions but offers an idea of what it means to be human.
Read the welcome letter from Vice Provost and Dean Ed Taylor >
Read the introduction by Frances McCue >
Buy the book from the University Book Store >
UW Common Book
Initiated by Undergraduate Academic Affairs in 2006, the UW Common Book aims to introduce and engage freshmen in the University's intellectual community. During summer orientation, University of Washington freshmen receive a common text with the expectation that they read it before fall quarter begins.
Centered in Undergraduate Academic Affairs at the UW Seattle campus, UW Bothell and Tacoma may also choose to incorporate the book into their campus curriculum.
The UW Common Book is implemented with the partnership of First Year Programs and the support of the University Libraries, the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, the University Book Store, and UW Alumni Association.
Disability Resources for Students
The University of Washington is committed to providing equal access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability that would impact your ability to read the common book without reasonable accommodation, please contact Disability Resources for Students to request the common book in alternate format e.g. audiotape, large-print, electronic text, Braille.
Disability Resources for Students is located in 448 Schmitz Hall, 206-543-8924 (V/TTY), 206-685-8379 (fax), firstname.lastname@example.com.
UW Common Book Goals
1.To promote a common text to be read by students, faculty, staff, and alumni at the University of Washington to develop a sense of community focused on intellectual inquiry.
2.To offer entering freshmen a focus for conversation and social exchange.
3.To provide students with opportunities to reflect about their roles as learners and leaders.
4.To integrate the text into appropriate classes in a meaningful way, and to extend book-related activities throughout the University.
5.To encourage participation of the wider community at campus events and to develop co-sponsored events with local libraries, businesses and interested organizations.
2010 UW Common Book Selection Committee
Thank you to these individuals who volunteered hours of their time to recommend the UW Common Book:
Gene Edgar
College of Education
Lisa Oberg
University Libraries
Committee Members
Javonna Arriaga
Undergraduate student, Pre-Major, Arts and Sciences
Kirsten Atik
Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Anis Bawarshi
English, College of Arts and Sciences
Christopher Campbell
Urban Design and Planning, College of Built Environments
Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Becky Corriell
Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Shelby Handler
Undergraduate student, Pre-Humanities
Sam Kolodezh
Undergraduate student, Pre-Social Sciences
Kannan Krishnan
Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
Physics, College of Arts and Sciences
Frances McCue
University Honors Program
College of Education
Robert McNamara
English, College of Arts and Sciences
Carol Niccolls
Office of the President
John Sahr
Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering
Undergraduate Academic Affairs
UW Common Book Partners
The 2010 Common Book selection committee gratefully acknowledges the following individuals whose efforts and support made You Are Never Where You Are possible.
Ed Taylor, dean and vice provost of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, supported the Common Book's focus on poetry and the work of the selection committee.
Otis Smith in the University's Copyright Permissions Center cheerfully, skillfully and diligently pursued the permissions for these poems and others the committee considered. Patrick McNelly in the Copyright Permissions Center provided early guidance in this process.
Clark Shores, attorney in the Attorney General's office, helped us negotiate the waters of copyright law and patiently answered countless questions along the way.
Bryan Pearce, CEO, and Mark Mouser, manager, of the University Book Store, both gave key guidance and enthusiasm from the get-go on this project.
Nicole Yeo, UW sophomore who designed the cover of the book, brought a new perspective, freshness, persistence and immense visual creativity to this design challenge.
Rudy Yuly proofread the book and we are grateful for his eagle eye and editorial sensibility.
John Linse and Maggie Keech, both from UW Creative Communications, respectively, designed the interior of the book and shepherded it through the printing process.
Jim Bodeen of Blue Begonia Press, Barry Grimes of Yakima, WA, and John Marshall and Christine Deavel of Open Books: A Poem Emporium suggested poems to committee members.
Alberto Ríos granted speedy permission to use a line from his poem "I Saw You Tomorrow" for the title of this collection.
Selection History
Note: The sites below are no longer maintained and may have broken links.
2009: Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama.
The website for the 2009 UW Common Book is archived here.
2008: The Devil's Highway: A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea.
The website for the 2008 UW Common Book is archived here.
2007: Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change by Elizabeth Kolbert.
The website for the 2007 UW Common Book is archived here.
2006: Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder.
The website for the 2006 UW Common Book is archived here.
"People like poetry like people like music: nobody doesn't. If some think they don't, they just haven't listened to the right thing."
—Richard Kenney,
UW professor and poet
© 2011 Undergraduate Academic Affairs, University of Washington | email@example.com | 206-616-7175
Seattle, Washington


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When you lose 95 or more games, odds are it's not a season you'd like to remember.
On the other hand, it also means you're going to see one of the top picks in the next draft. With the 2013 postseason in full swing and cautious eyes already turning to the next offseason and regular season, it's time to talk about the top talent in the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft.
Scout.com ranks a trio of pitchers as the top three prospects in the 2014 June Draft, which could leave the top five teams vying for rare talent. According to Kiley McDaniel of ScoutingBaseball.com, the arms at the top of this year's class are something special.
This class is better than last year's class and I'd take either of the top two players of last year's top player Mark Appel, who was picked first overall in the June draft. NC State pitcher Carlos Rodon and East Carolina pitcher Jeff Hoffman are potential No. 1 starters and are already among the top pitching prospects in all of baseball.
The 2014 Draft Top 50 report released by Baseball America Wednesday morning concurred with McDaniel's assessment of the draft class, saying that from top-to-bottom, pitching is something that will be widely sought – and available – in the early rounds of next year's draft. They listed the same top three as McDaniel, as well, with Rodon going first, Hoffman second and Tyler Kolek, a high school right-hander out of Texas with a history of hitting 99 mph on the gun, third.
Of the teams with the top four picks in next year's draft – the Houston Astros, Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs – the Cubs have the fewest number of top pitching prospects, according to MLB.com prospect rankings. The Cubs have seven pitching prospects among their organizational top 20, followed by the White Sox with eight, Houston with nine and Miami with eleven.
Houston took the aforementioned Mark Appel with the number one overall pick last year, and as mentioned, the organization will enjoy their third-straight top pick in the draft, as the team continues to rebuild under general manager Jeff Luhnow. However, unlike the past two drafts, there is a clear-cut frontrunner in the draft class, which means that Rodon will be in an enviable negotiating position in terms of his signing bonus, which will likely be the largest signing bonus of the new bonus-pool era of the draft. With that in mind, I still think Rodon will go to Houston with the top pick.
Miami has a crop of pitching talent in both the minors and at the big league level with the likes of ace Jose Fernandez, Jacob Turner and Nathan Eovaldi. For this reason, I believe Miami will look to add an impact bat in the draft, choosing between either shortstop Trea Turner of North Carolina State, who according to Baseball America, "offers bat speed, athleticism and top-of-the-scale speed when healthy" or third baseman Jacob Gatewood of Clovis HS in California. Baseball America says that Gatewood has "a plus arm and arguably the best power potential in the class."
The White Sox put together their worst season since 1970, when the club stumbled to a 56-106 record, by going 63-99 in 2013, narrowly missing the century-loss mark. Despite their lack of pitching in the minors, the organization seems to need just about everything at this point. Seven of the organization's top ten prospects are hitters, according to MLB.com, yet none of those players came close to hitting .300 this year – a sign that an impact bat is desperately needed as the franchise moves forward. Expect the South Siders to take whichever of the players are left by Miami, either Gatewood or Turner. A dark horse candidate for the White Sox could be catcher and outfielder Alex Jackson of Rancho Bernardo HS in San Diego, as Chicago continues to look for a replacement to the departed A.J. Pierzynski, who left for Texas after the 2012 season.
This all brings us to the Cubs. I believe the team will take right-hander Jeff Hoffman of East Carolina. The right-hander went 6-7 with a 3.20 earned run average this season, but has "stuff that isn't far off from Rodon's," according to Baseball America's report. That being said, he also hasn't performed to a comparable level, as noted by the report, as he has tallied just 6.8 K/9 in two seasons. In an ideal world, Rodon slips to four, but I would be absolutely floored if that happens, based solely on the fact that he is clearly the best talent available in this year's draft.
Hoffman will make a nice addition to the organization, joining with the likes of C.J. Edwards, Pierce Johnson and Arodys Vizcaino, as Chicago continues the top-to-bottom rebuilding effort. That being said, the 2014 MLB Draft has the potential to breathe life into an array of struggling franchises.
Tags: Chicago Cubs Chicago White Sox Houston Astros Miami Marlins MLB MLB Draft


text: Watchdog: Follow the Money In Iraq and Afghanistan, companies manage taxpayer money with little oversight | May 5, 2014 | 12:00 am Topics: Watchdog Around the Web Afghanistan Iraq National Security Follow the Money Budgets and Deficits Watchdog,Around the Web,newsgatherr,Afghanistan,Iraq,National Security,Follow the Money,Budgets and Deficits A nonprofit received millions of dollars to do development work in Iraq and Afghanistan and paid top executives generously. Read the rest of this post on the original site » Sign Up for the Watchdog newsletter! Please enter your email address below to begin receiving the Watchdog newsletter. You must enter a valid email address in the field above! Thank you for signing up for the Watchdog newsletter! You should receive your first newsletter very soon. We're sorry, there was an error processing your newsletter signup. Please click here to visit our Newsletter Signup Center to register for this newsletter. Web URL: http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2548041 Share this article on Facebook or Twitter Print this article


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Louisville, Ky. – Attendance at the Kentucky State Fair increased during the 11-day event this year, compared with 2010. The annual summertime event, which is billed as a unique convergence of Kentucky music, art, culture, agriculture and entertainment, was held Aug.18-28 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.
The Fair drew 605,565 people, up slightly from last year's count of 602,897 attendees. The total was the second highest in five years and surpassed 600,000 attendees for the third consecutive year.
"Despite a challenging economic climate, the Kentucky State Fair continues to draw people from across the state and region," said Harold Workman, President and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board. "The Fair offers quality family entertainment and the chance for Kentuckians to celebrate our cultural heritage. We appreciate their commitment to coming back year after year."
The Fair's concert lineup also drew in more people this year than last summer. A total of 46,492 people attended the four evening Main Stage Concerts, up 12 percent from 2010. Country music star Jason Aldean attracted a crowd of 15,493 people, the first Main Stage Concert to sell out since 2009.
According to Triangle Talent, the booking agency responsible for Kentucky State Fair entertainment, the free concert series garnered strong attendance numbers. The Aug. 27 show featuring Luke Bryan and special guest Candy Coburn attracted the largest Fair free concert crowd in Cardinal Stadium.
"In my 38 years of producing shows at the Kentucky State Fair, I have never seen a crowd larger than the one at the Luke Bryan concert," said Dave Snowden, CEO of Triangle Talent. According to Snowden, the stands were at capacity, the concourse was full and a large number of people were on the field.
In addition to attendance figures, successes can be found for all facets of the 107th Fair. More than 30 competitive entry departments brought in more than 50,000 entries. In addition, market animals raised by 4-H and FFA members sold for $139,500 during the live 4-H & FFA Sale of Champions auction, the largest sum raised in its 32-year history. The previous record was set in 2008 when the annual sale brought in $127,250. Also, the Health Horizons area showcased healthy living with more than 5,100 eye screenings and 2,385 hearing screenings.
The 11-day event generates approximately $16.5 million in economic impact across the community and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The 108th Kentucky State Fair will be held Aug. 16-26 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information and continued updates on the Kentucky State Fair, visit the official website at www.kystatefair.org.


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Here you have the second session about pregnant that I shot during last weeks. I used different lighting set-ups to get different results. In this post you can check one lighting diagram that I used.
Lighting diagram:
1.- Strobe with a grid to light the face.
2.- Strobe with a grid to light a bit the belly.
3.- Octabox to light very hard the back of the pregnant woman and light the background just a bit with a soft light.
And finishing the post two couple portraits:


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1. N.- Traditionally referred to as Bukkake. When mutiple men stand around one woman and repeatedly ejactulate onto her face. see snowstorm
2. N.- Heavy snow fall.
2. N.- Heavy snow fall.
1. Look at that bitch caught in a snow storm! Asian porn is weird!
2. Looks like the snow storm cut the power!
2. Looks like the snow storm cut the power!
লিখেছেন- Bexxx 1 de মে de 2004
A large group of white people, generally male.
i.e. Tasse and Lana walked into Cabin, the local country club, and immediately muttered, "there's a snow storm here tonight." They left shortly after.
লিখেছেন- Melana12 28 de ডিসেম্বার de 2010


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Mic Check
Shure Artist Relations narrations from the road
Filtering Posts By: "headphones"
09.28.2012| By Richard Sandrok|
What We Take To Interview Shure Artists
I love doing artist interviews. It's not just sitting down and picking the brains of our endorsers that I find engaging. In a way, it's a bit like doing live sound. We Artist Relations guys often function as interviewer, camera operator, and audio engineer when we go out and shoot …
08.29.2011| By Cory Lorentz|
GRAMMY Camp, Take Two: East Coast Edition
Our friend, Audrey Sahl, wrote this guest blog for Mic Check: I checked out the first ever East Coast GRAMMY Camp last week, and was happy to see just as much talent represented in the East as out West. Converse Rubber Tracks hosted the evening's open mic festivities, so I got a glimpse into the newly opened, community-based recording studio in Brooklyn, NY, and can't wait to hear the recordings that emerge from those doors in the months to come. I arrived just in time for some inspiring words from the GRAMMY Foundation's Senior Director of Education David …
08.15.2011| By Richard Sandrok|
Lollapalooza Day 1 – Friday, August 5, 2011
I had tried to get in a comprehensive write up of Lollapalooza in last week. I got pretty deep in to it one day after work – like 1500+ words in to it – and that only covered one and a half days. That's a bit much, so here's a shorter breakdown of how things went. Day 1 – Friday, August 5, 2011 I entered the park through the main gate at about 12:30 and made my way to TAB the Band at the PlayStation stage. Being a gear junkie (and this being a blog …tagsbackstageheadphonesKidzapaloozalollaLollapaloozaMuseSmith WesternsSRH750DJTab the BandTor HyamsYoung the Giant
10.20.2010| By Richard Sandrok|
Mike Relm::House of Blues Chicago::10/15/10
I've already written about Mike Relm and what he does. You can see what Mike is about on his YouTube channel. He's an internet phenom. But you're only catching part of the show online. He can produce in the studio, but he owns when seen live. Check out some of his live vids if you want to see what i mean. I wound my way down to the House of Blues downtown to see the man himself on Saturday night. We met up before his set and caught up on all things geek and spoke …


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Home » News » Politics
University board freezes tuition for next two years
The system's board of trustees voted unanimously Friday to freeze tuition at current levels, which vary from campus to campus, after lawmakers agreed to boost state aid that was cut in half two years ago.
"I applaud the University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees for taking this important step to make higher education more affordable for our families and students," said Gov. Maggie Hassan, who as governor is a member of the board. "I know that the drastic cuts made in the last budget to our universities have made it more difficult to build a highly skilled work force and to keep New Hampshire's promising young people here in our state."
Under the 2014-15 budget, which Hassan signed Friday, the University System of New Hampshire will receive $153 million over the biennium. Hassan had proposed the system receive $165 million, but lawmakers reduced her request. For the current biennium, which ends June 30, the university system received about $100 million.
"We look forward to partnering with our elected officials to attract New Hampshire's most able students and prepare them for the state's work force," Leach said.
The USNH board of trustees voted unanimously to name Leach chancellor at its quarterly business meeting on Friday. Leach has been serving as interim chancellor since March 2, when former Chancellor Ed MacKay retired.
Upcoming Events
Alleged accomplice in brutal Bedford home invasion, attack on doctor and wife, says his testimony was coerced
Seabrook mom pleads not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder of her two children
Man accused of raping 13-year old in Nashua
Win tickets to see Demi Lovato
Another View -- Sharon Day: The Democrats' claim to be the party for women is just not believable
Win tickets to see Kip Moore
Another View -- Bill Duncan: What did the NH Supreme Court really say about private school funding?
Every vote counts: Here is the proof
USNH's raw deal: Part deux
Keene man charged with assault on 2-year-old
Labor fines proposed on school project


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Look! Wasara Tableware Coming to the US!
Wasara, the achingly beautiful disposable tableware from Japan, is finally on its way to the US! Biodegradable, compostable, made from renewable resources and oh so lovely, Wasara has until now only been available in Asia and Europe. But Branch, an online store based in San Francisco, is about to change that.
Wasara is made from reed pulp, bamboo and bagasse (sugarcane waste which often is burned) and is completely biodegradable and compostable.
Wasara embodies the classic Japanese design aesthetic of simplicity, practicality and functionality. Like a haiku, it is as poetic as it is sparse. The square plate, for example, fits nicely in your hand, its softly undulating corner offering stability as well as elegance. The bottom is slightly rough, the top smooth and pearl-like. You can stack them neatly in a sensible tower or pile them up willy-nilly or fan them into a lovely ripple.
But how does it hold up? I was fortunate to have the chance to test a few samples. For over an hour, I refilled the lovely coffee cup (pictured above) with my morning's hot tea. The cup was both a pleasure to hold and sip from (the thin rim took a little getting used to) and it held up perfectly. I was tempted to rinse it out to use again. OK, I did rinse it out.
I left some ice cold apple juice in one of the tumblers with the same results. The plates also proved to be sturdy and well designed, their beautiful, subtle curves making it easy to balance in one hand.
Currently, there are 14 pieces in Wasara's line, each available in packs of 8 or sleeves of 50. Wasara is a premium product and its price reflects that at roughly $1-1.50 per piece.
But for a special occasion where ecology, beauty and convenience are all top priority, you'd be hard pressed to find anything more perfect than Wasara.
Paul Donald, President and founder of Branch, has confirmed that the first shipment of Wasara is on its way to his warehouse in San Francisco and should be available for sale on the Branch website in early December. Wholesale and bulk packs for large events will also be handled through Branch, the exclusive U.S. distributor.
• For more information on Branch: Branch in the Apartment Therapy Marketplace
• For more information on Wasara, including placing pre-orders, visit the Wasara page on the Branch website.
Related: Look! Green Disposable Plates
(Images: Branch)
5 Comments
oooh these are awesome! i spent a lot of time this summer washing dishes from BBQs b/c i refused to buy disposable ones. this is an excellent option that i would feel (less) guilty about purchasing and using.
Gorgeous! Can't wait to see them in person.
these are so cool!
They sure look nice, but biodegradable means nothing if you don't actually compost the tableware. In a landfill, organic materials must decompose without oxygen, which produces climate-warming methane.
At 1$ per piece, I would assume somebody could find a caterer who would rent reusable tableware. For instance: http://www.locationgmax.com/english/price_list.htm
Unless you only have 8 guests, in which case doing the dishes yourself seems reasonable...
Was that cup actually comfortable to use? It looks awkward. I also wonder if the bowls would be apt to tip over since they have such narrow bases and are so lightweight.


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With so many animals that need our help, we need your support. Your generosity makes it possible to continue our mission. Please consider donating.
Petition for Animal Shelter
For 8 years, the volunteers from PAWS (Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter) have helped animals and owners in Pendleton County. We have offered spay/neuter assistance, financial help with altering cat colonies and help with lost/abandoned/neglected animals.
Hundreds of people contact our voicemail every year looking for help with animal issues. Dozens of pets are fostered for rescue and adoption each year -- but it could be many more if we had a building to work from.
We need a shelter in Pendleton County!
Currently, all stray dogs picked up by the sheriff's department are being sent to Grant County Pound and euthanized in 5 days. We want to offer Pendleton County animals a chance!
Please sign our petition (link below) in support of building an animal shelter in Pendleton County, WV.
Check out our Events page to find out how you can meet our animals!
Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter (P.A.W.S.) is dedicated to helping facilitate the placement of stray and unwanted animals into loving homes; to establish and maintain a safe haven animal shelter that promotes proper health, care and handling of our "guests", and prevent overpopulation and cruelty in our area. We have saved the lives of nearly 500 stray/unwanted animals in Pendleton County since we started in 2005.
We are a registered 501(c)3 animal rescue that is dedicated to help unwanted, neglected, or abandoned animals located in Pendleton County, West Virginia. Our rescue depends completely on caring volunteers and donors that are willing to help with our cause.
We do not receive any government or state funding so we can use your help.
Every year there are 6-8 million homeless animals that enter shelters in the United States, only half of these find forever homes. The rest are euthanized due to no homes being available. Please don't add to this staggering number...spay and neuter your pets.
If you need help to cover the cost for spay and neuter, please
contact us at (304) 358-3644 or email us at:
Note: Every animal pictured on this website are animals that have been rescued through P.A.W.S.


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In an era of soaring income inequality, stagnant wage growth and a dismal job market, the Republican Party has decided that its hard-line, welfare-moc...
Read Whole Story
Ronald Reagan loved to tell stories. When he ran for president in 1976, many of Reagan's anecdotes converged on a single point: The welfare state is...
With a whopping 36 percent of Republicans now saying that it's the people in their own party who are the bad guys, it's getting awfully hard for conservatives to know who to hiss at.
This is not an article about my wonderful dog or our good fortune. It is about the epiphany I experienced during the twenty four hours that he was in the doggie hospital -- specifically, the check-in process.
For Colored Girls is not only for colored girls because it offers a pathway to self-growth, finding our authentic power, and discovering the divine in one's self.
Welfare Queens are portrayed as lazy leeches on society, pilfering money from "hard working people's taxes." In any large group, some will take advantage of the system, but that doesn't mean the system should be abolished.
Michele Bachmann has become well known for her anti-government tea-bagger antics, protesting health care reform and every other government "handout" a...
If Wal-Mart is a good corporate citizen, they will give the windfall back to the taxpayers. If they don't, maybe Oregon shoppers will find the energy to shop elsewhere.
Ronald Reagan took aim at so-called welfare queens as a way to make the wealthy more wealthy. He gutted social security and social programs. Variations of his bait and switch have been going on ever since.
Get top stories and blogs posts emailed to you each day.


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Athens Mini Storage has been serving the Athens community, local businesses and Ohio University since 1981. We offer affordable storage solutions for all of your personal or business needs. We are dedicated to providing our customers with professional and courteous service. Please call us today for a tour of our facility!
Athens Mini Storage accepts Cash, Checks, Money Orders, VISA or MasterCard. Also, an Automatic Credit Card Payment Plan is available for your convenience. This service automatically processes your payment each month.
Please mail payments, including Storage Unit # to:
Athens Mini Storage - P.O. Box 128 - Athens, Ohio 45701
Athens Mini Storage - P.O. Box 128 - Athens, Ohio 45701
Location Athens Mini Storage is conveniently located at 2010 East State Street, Athens, Ohio. We are just 1 mile East of Wal-Mart near the Super 8 Motel and Holzer Clinic.
Map your way to our location. Simply enter your information below, and get driving directions from MapQuest from any location to our facility.
How do I contact you?
Please call us at (740) 594-6464 or e-mail us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Where are you located?
We are conveniently located at 2010 E. State Street in Athens, Ohio.
What are your office hours?
Our office hours are by appointment only. Just call us to schedule an appointment time.
What size unit will I need?
We offer 9 different sizes! Please refer to our "Size Comparison" or let us know what you're storing and we can give you expert advice on the size you need.
Do you charge a deposit?
No, we do not charge a deposit!
Do you charge a sign-up fee?
No, we do not charge a sign-up fee!
Do I have to pay a full month's rent the first month?
No, we will prorate the first month's rent, so you only pay for the exact number of days left in the current month.
How long is the rental agreement?
Rental Agreements are month-to-month during September - April. There is a 4 month minimum rental during May - August. All Rental Agreements automatically renew on the 1st day of each month.
How long does it take to rent a storage unit?
The entire process typically takes less than 15 minutes. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment.
What kind of documentation do I need to rent a unit?
A valid driver's license or a photo ID is required.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, insurance is your responsibility. Please check with your Insurance Agent because you may already be covered by your Homeowners or Renters Insurance.
Do I get a lock when I rent a unit?
Yes, we provide a High Security Disc lock at no charge for you to use during your stay.
Who has a key to my storage unit?
Only you have a key to your unit. We do not keep a key.
What happens if I lose the key to my lock?
A professional will be called in to remove your lock for a $25.00 fee.
When is rent due?
Rent is due on the 1st of each month. A late fee of $10.00 will be charged after the 10th of the month.
What are my payment options?
We accept Cach, Check, Money Orders, VISA or MasterCard.
How do I make a payment?
Please mail payments to Athens Mini Storage, P.O. Box 128, Athens, OH 45701 or call us to pay with a credit card.
Do you offer an Automatic Credit Card Payment Plan?
Yes, you can sign up for our Automatic Credit Card Payment Plan. This ensures your payment is received on time every month.
Will you send an invoice to my business?
Yes, monthly invoicing is an option for businesses.
Do you sell boxes and storage supplies?
Yes, we have a full line of supplies to help protect your items during storage. We offer boxes that are specifically sized to make stacking in your unit easier. We sell tape, furniture covers, bubble wrap, packing supplies and many other specialty items.
Can I change the size of my unit?
Yes, changing your storage size is easy, just give us a call to see if a larger or smaller unit is available.
When can I access my unit?
We offer 24-hour access, 7 days a week.
Do you offer any specials for summer rental?
Yes, we offer a "Summer Special" every year. The special includes the month of April FREE. You pay for May - August only. We start taking reservations on April 1st.
Do you offer long-term discounts?
Yes, if you rent for a year, the 12th month is FREE.
Do you have any packing and storing tips?
Packing Tips:
Do not use printed newspaper for packing as the ink may smudge on your items.
Tightly seal boxes with packing tape.
Label boxes for easy identification.
Fill boxes completely to prevent collapsing when stacked.
Pack books flat and in small boxes so the box is not too heavy. Use lots of packing material to pack dishes and glassware.
Storing Tips:
Place plastic on the floor to provide a barrier between your items and the concrete.
Place frequently used items near the door.
Create an aisle if you need access to all items.
Do not store food, pet food or anything combustible.
Use plastic covers to protect against dust (mattresses, sofas, chairs).
Appliances should be clean and dry with the door ajar.
Stack boxes to take advantage of the unit height.
Stack lighter boxes on top of heavier ones.
Packing Tips:
Storing Tips:
What do I do when I move out? There is no need to sign out or check out, just leave the lock and key inside the unit on the floor and close the door.
Does Athens Mini Storage have a guarantee?
Contact Us To schedule an appointment to rent a unit, tour our facility or to check on availability, please call us today at (740) 594-6464 or e-mail us at email@example.com. We look forward to serving you!


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Health & Pregnancy
What Makes Kids Intelligent?
Brain Food
Eating smarter for better brain health begins in the womb and continues with breastfeeding, especially if Mom follows daily recommendations for vitamins and minerals.
"The real trick is teaching young children to like good foods when they move from breast milk to whole foods," Schoenthaler tells WebMD. "Teaching children to try everything and then avoid foods they do not like for a year or so as taste develops works fine."
Children need five or six daily servings of fruits and vegetables; five servings of whole grains; two or three servings of meat, fish, or poultry; and two or three servings of milk. Smaller-than-adult-size portions will keep children from gaining too much weight. As young children prefer salty and sweet tastes, mothers can "spice up" vegetables sparingly. Children should take a vitamin and mineral supplement at the prescribed dose.
"What the Food and Nutrition Board and the World Health Organization recommend for good health is great for IQ and behavior too," Schoenthaler says.
In his research, children taking the recommended daily allowance of vitamin and mineral supplements for three months learned 14 different academic subjects at twice the rate of children given a placebo. In more than 1 million children given a good breakfast and lunch at school, academic performance improved by 16%, and 76,000 suddenly were no longer "learning disabled."
Build Mental Muscle
"To train young minds, read something together every night. Stimulate your child's interests and curiosity and encourage the child to play an instrument," Ingegerd Carlsson, PhD, tells WebMD. She is a psychologist at Lund University in Sweden, and studies changes in brain function with creativity.
However, the "Mozart effect," in which listening to classical music supposedly improves certain IQ scores, is probably overrated, says Kenneth M. Steele, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.
"Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who grow up in homes where talking, listening, and reading are common tend to have higher IQs and greater success in school," Frances P. Glascoe, PhD, an adjunct professor of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University in East Berlin, Pa., tells WebMD.
Thomas Darvill, PhD, chairman of psychology at Oswego State University in New York, recommends a variety of safe toys that are colorful, noisy, and interesting in shape or texture. Spending more time with your child in their first year can yield big dividends later, both in terms of parent-child bonding and enhanced mental growth.
"Kids left alone to sit and watch TV or play video games on their own won't do as well," Shawn K. Acheson, PhD, assistant professor of psychology at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., tells WebMD. "Encourage active learning and the exchange of ideas."
As they grow, children need time and freedom to play and explore, Darvill says. "If your preschooler is playing in the mud or role playing with you or a peer, he is learning what he needs to learn."


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Chalk Talk Mug 1 1
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Pixelated Pop Stars: It's Mariah Carey!
Answer: Did we fool you? It's Mariah Carey dressed in drag in her 'Obsessed' video! She does double duty in the clip, playing a male fanatic who is totally stalking her normal glamorous self.
See the Next Pixelated Pop Star
Watch the Mariah Carey 'Obsessed' Video


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Do you want to know what it feels like? Have you ever hurt your back so badly that you can't move? Did it hurt so bad that you couldn't even lie down without feeling like someone was cutting you with a knife? Was it a gnawing, throbbing, stabbing, dull aching, pins & needles, deep rooted core pain? Did you try to get from one room to another and the agony was so excruciating that you screamed and wept like a baby? I had that. And I ended up in hospital where they gave me relief. The sweet relief of narcotics and muscle relaxants. And I could walk out of the hospital without screaming out. Well, that's what benzo withdrawal is like. Only there is no narcotic or muscle relaxer that can take away your pain. No one believes you. They think you are crazy and give you more drugs (more benzos, mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics, etc.) because they say you have an "anxiety disorder", or you are "bi-polar". And you get worse, and the pain gets worse, and no one wants to hear. You know people think you are nuts, and so you isolate yourself. You don't want to be seen like this. Imagine if you had that back injury and they forced you to walk, and no one helped, and they didn't believe your pain was real. And they make you suffer through it for years and years and years. THAT, my friend is benzo withdrawal! And it is real. Imagione: with the back pain I was out of coimmission for about 5 days; with benzo withdrawal I was out of commission for 3 full years! And people wonder why we find it so hard to forgive the medical community and the pharmaceutical industry. Get this: my shrink laughed at me!
Click HERE to access the manual.
Click HERE to convert equivalent values from one benzodiazepine to another.
Click HERE to read one week's journal entry to get a feel for what I went through.
Click HERE to see my actual taper schedule from 0.5 mg Klonopin (10 mg Valium) down (I didn't keep a record prior to that).
Presenting a short, "What Worked for Me" dialog and a little history of my experiences in my journey out of "Benzo Hell".
What Worked for Me
My Journey out of "Benzo Hell"
or... My Benzo Nightmare
By Tony Pirog
Last updated March 9th, 2011
- Cross over to Valium.
There is plenty of information in the Ashton Manual regarding why Valium is a preferred drug for tapering off of benzos. Visit: Benzo Equivalency Charts to determine what the equivalency is for changing over from various other benzos. I did the crossover in two weeks, from Klonopin to Diazepam (Valium), half at week 1, and the rest 7 days later. I began my taper once I had completed my crossover from 0.5 mg Klonopin to 10 mg Diazepam.
Summary of reasons for choosing Diazepam:
- Longer half life leads to fewer and less intense symptoms, also less occurrence of interdose withdrawals.
- Reduced potency allows for smaller cuts since Valium is available down to 2 mg (equivalent to 0.2 Xanax, and 0.1 Klonopin).
- Diazepam (Valium) is available in liquid form both in the US and in the UK. If your US doctor disagrees, print the following picture and show it to him/her.
- Smooth Taper
- Rule of thumb tends to be do not taper more that 10 percent in any 10-14 day period
- This does not mean you must taper 10% all in one go every 10-14 days.
- I accomplished it by tapering 1/5 of 10% every two days on average. This means taper 0.1 every day, or 0.2 every 2 days, and so on.
- Click HERE to see my actual taper schedule from 0.5 mg Klonopin (10 mg Valium) down (I didn't keep a record prior to that).
- Anti Depressants
- I was on Effexor through sometime late in '04.
- Several months after I quit the Effexor, I began having horrifying tolerance withdrawals from the Klonopin and Valium I was on.
- I was unable to go back on SSRI Anti Depressants immediately because they caused even greater symptoms of panic and fear.
- After going through the entire gamut of meds my shrink could think of, he sent me for Electro Convulsive Therapy which of course failed to offer any relief.
- Eventually, during a partial inpatient program for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the hospital, being under the supervision of doctors and therapists, I was able to get on an anti depressant and finally settled on Lexapro. I don't believe I could have got off the benzos without the help of the A/D. WARNING!: When in benzo withdrawal, if a patient wishes to start SSRI's they must be very closely monitored by their physician during the first few weeks while the body adjusts to the med. I am absolutely not recommending this option! It's an extremely tough row to hoe, and should not be chosen lightly.
- Deplin
- Go to http://www.deplin.com for more information.
- Simply. sweetly, honestly: I didn't feel better until I added Deplin (a special form of vitamin B9) to my regimen. Without the Lexapro and Deplin I believe I would still be on benzos. Now I am getting my memory back. It works better than it has in 20 years. My confidence: I'm getting to be good at things I thought I was utterly incapable of doing anymore. And my stamina is improving too. Thanks be.
- Support
- Check out Benzo Buddies.
- Please, stay away from "Benzo Island." Most of the highest page ranks point to BI, but only go there if you want to feel worse. They try to control your entire taper, and they make sure you suffer as much as possible. Then after filling you with even more fear and paranoia, they will reject you, and spit you out without any care for your pain or feelings. It is a toxic environment designed to massage the egos of the moderators and administrators. They will deny this, but their actions speak far louder than any words of denial. Be forewarned.
- Why do I call it "Benzo Hell"?
There is a pattern in many cases (I am not trying to explain away all "psychological" problems!), and here is how it goes:
- Patient goes to doctor with minor sadness, grief, or vague feelings of depression or anxiety.
- Doctor prescribes some form of benzodiazepine, most likely Xanax nowadays.
- Patient feels better.
- Patient only goes to doctor from now on for prescription refills.
- Over time the pills don't work any more. Patient gets a larger prescription.
- At some point the "med" no longer offers any relief.
- Patient tries to cold turkey and experiences horrifying physiological symptoms of terror, depression, heart palpitations, sweats, rolling panic attacks and a whole host of other physical symptoms that feel like fear. May even experience a seizure.
- Patient goes to psychiatrist utterly freaked out! Begs for help. Doctor tries anti depressants, anti psychotics, mood stabilizers, MAOI's, just about everything in his arsenal. Also gives the patient Valium or Klonopin "As needed!"
- Patient ends up in a Psych ward. Doctor diagnoses him/her with generalized anxiety disorder possibly even bi-polar disorder. Patient attends CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). It doesn't help! Why? Because it isn't a psychological problem! It's the body's "normal" reaction to benzodiazepine poisoning. It is physiological at its root. The body reacts with all the symptomology of intense terror, and any normal human will interpret the symptoms as irrational fear. I've seen the strongest men and women get felled by this monster. Check out: Benzo Stories for more stories of Benzo suffering.
- Patient never finds out that the problem is benzo withdrawal. God help that patient! He loses his house, wife, family, friends, job. And he never gets better. I wonder how many commit suicide. I know some who tried, and I know of some who succeeded. (I never cease to be shocked by the way the media trivializes benzos.)
- OR... The patient may or may not lose, house, husband, job, etc, but discovers a web based support forum, reads the Ashton Manual and starts slow tapering from benzos.
- Many succeed in getting off benzodiazepines and healing, and they never have that unnaturaly intense anxiety, panic and symptomology again. These patients get their life back together, and are able to enjoy life again. I am one of those success stories.
- My Story, SummarizedIn 1995 I started taking Prozac for depression. I had been taking Xanax on and off the previous 10 years or so. Looking back on it now, I realize that my cognitive skills took a hit as soon as I took my first dose of Xanax, and that caused me to experience more anxiety and depression. I don't remember what made me start the Xanax. But I do know that I lost 20 years of my life to benzodiazepines.
July of 96 I had a religious conversion experience. (It never occurred to me that the high I was experiencing might be from the Prozac. It also never occurred to me that my new-found naivete was due due cognitive fog brought on by benzodiazepines.) I immediately stopped taking the Prozac and my benzos believing that Jesus would now be my protection from depression and anxiety in the future. (It's a wonder I never suffered grand-mal seizures!) I had another massive "breakdown" in July of 97. (It was actually benzo withdrawal I realize now) I had to take 7 weeks off work before I could return reasonably functional. (I was back on high doses of benzos and anti depressants and still had no clue what was going on.) I was seeing a "counselor" regularly.
By '98, I was on Anti Depressants, benzodiazepines, and Adderal (SPEED!) for Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. I was taking benzos at night to sleep, and Adderal during the day. These were all prescribed drugs. I felt like Superman. (A cognitively and emotionally impaired Superman as it happened.
In '04 I decided to get off Valium using a super slow approach. I had learned about what was happening to me and I wanted to get clean. I was tapering 2 mg every couple of months. I would go into withdrawal after 17-21 days and then start feeling better after some time and then I could resume my cuts. At 12 mg I could take it no longer. I had quit Effexor (The anti depressant I had been on.) some while before (HUGE mistake! No one should qute their anti depressant while tapering benzos!) and other than the Valium I was drug free.
I had my biggest breakdown in 05 when I hit the 12 mg low of Valium. In May of that year I started seeing another doctor. I tried to get back on anti-depressants but they exacerbated my anxiety. I was put on the most powerful drug available (An MAOI called Nardil), and that caused other severe problems.
In September of 06 I had Electro Convulsive (Shock) therapy. This caused memory loss and greater anxiety. I was unable to work for over 2 years after that. I was totally isolated at home until January 07 when I started an outpatient program at a local hospital. I started anti depressants during my time at the hospital. They started me on a benzo taper, and gave me neurontin and tegretol to help, but I packed those in a while later because I didn't believe they were helping. I was also given Doxepin for sleep. I quit the 50 mg Doxepin some time later after I forgot to refill it and slept fine without it.
Here's a list of drugs I was given during an 18 month period spanning May 05 to September 06:
D-amphetamine Salts-er
Diagnoses during this time:
Bipolar II disorder
Bipolar II disorder, mixed
Major depression
Dysthymic disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder
And all this to treat the symptoms of benzo addiction. Imagine how you would feel if you were incapacitated for years due to doctor negligence. And consider this: we have no recourse becuase they pretend it's not real.
Mine is a success story. I am completely drug free as of April '08. My cognitive skills have improved dramatically since I got off. My memory is amazing now considering my age and expectations. I was convinced that I was permanently brain damaged but it turns out I was wrong! Never a day goes by that I am not in awe of where I am now compared to how hopeless I was. I have the cognitive faculties of a 25 year old, if not the energy. And I have a perspective that comes with it. No matter how down I may be, I can always remember what I went through and say, it could be a damned sight worse!
November 29th, 2008: I responded a few days ago to a plea for help on http://www.benzowithdrawal.com. Deb was asking for help. She was in a bad way.
Quote from: debtank on November 27, 2008, 10:46:22 AM - "Can any of you relate to my story? Any advice? Kind words?"
Absolutely! It's called catastrophising. And I was the very worst culprit of all. I was going to lose my job, lose my house, lose my sanity, lose my wife and children, lose my friends ... I couldn't face anyone (isolation), was so very deeply ashamed, my skills were deteriorating both at work and at home, all hope was lost, I would never, ever get better, I was permanently brain damaged, the IRS was going to put me in prison, I was utterly terrified 24/7/365. Oh yeah! I can relate!
Fact is now, our expenses exceed our income, I am not paying my mortgage, our credit cards are almost maxed out, my LTD runs out in a few months, we have no savings, my son has DUI problems and depends on us to help him out, the economy is crap so there may be no jobs when it comes time to get back to work, I'm older so it may be tougher to get work because of that too, Anna has possibly had a mild heart attack recently that she didn't get treated, she also has a lump on her breast, I have no pension plan, and if I spent time there's probably more I could add. Oh, the IRS is still looming as is the Illinois Department of Revenue.
I'm not catastrophising! I'm concerned and working to make things better, but whatever happens I will survive one way or another.
You see, people who aren't in the throes of benzo withdrawal cope with stress much better, even if it means ignoring it. People are losing their jobs all over the world without freaking out. They move, they downgrade, they change their lifestyle, they even divorce ... family members die, children get ill and there is so much suffering. But they get up and dust themselves off and move on with life. Circumstances change, life goes on.
It'll happen to you. You'll turn the corner in a year or two and go "WOW! I can cope! This isn't the end of the world as I know it!"
Believe me Deb, it will happen.
My wife just got back from Poland. She visited a very rich family. They lack nothing material. They have loads of money, all the creature comforts. But no joy. They live separate lives, don't share the same bed, don't talk to one another. You see it's not about stuff, or circumstances, but what's inside that counts.
Generally life's circumstances aren't as tragic as they seem. Benzos make it all a thousand times worse, but it's all benzo effect. Remember this: "IT'S THE BENZOS!"
Disclaimer: This will not work for everyone. This is not to be used as a substitute for a doctor. In no way am I suggesting, implicitly or explicitly, that anyone else follow my taper plan. I am not offering medical advice nor practicing medicine without a license.Web Site Provided by: TP Technologies, IT and Repair Services


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Lynne Reid Banks is a bestselling author for both children and adults. She grew up in London and became first an actress and then one of the first woman TV reporters in Britain before turning to writing. She now has more than forty books to her credit. Her classic children's novel, The Indian in the Cupboard, has sold more than ten million copies worldwide and was made into a popular feature film. Lynne lives with her husband in Dorset, England.
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Found April 02, 2013 on It's Always Sunny in Detroit:
PLAYERS: Mark Cuban
TEAMS: Dallas Mavericks
TEAMS: Dallas Mavericks
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Mark Cuban's Dallas Mavericks are an equal opportunity employer to the nth degree. Before the Mavs' game against the Lakers Tuesday night, Cuban said that he would consider drafting 6-foot-8 three-time All-American center from Baylor (FEMALE) Brittney Griner. "If she is the best on the board, I will take her. I've thought about it. I've thought about it already. Would I do it? Right now, I'd lean towards yes, just to see if she can do it. You never know unless you give somebody a chance, and it's not like the likelihood of any late-50s draft pick has a good chance of making it." "She'd still have to make the team. I'm not going to carry her just to carry her. I don't think, anyways. But I certainly wouldn't be opposed to giving her the opportunity." Cuban later acknowledged that even if (or when) the Mavericks do not draft her in June's NBA draft that he would consider letting her play for them in the NBA Las Vegas summer league. Griner scored 3,283 points and blocked 748 shots in her career college. She also had 18 dunks, 11 of them in her senior season. This has nothing to do with basketball. Mark Cuban is a businessman – a very wise businessman. This has marketing ploy written all over it. Britney
Original Story: http://itsalwayssunnyindetroit.com/20...
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The deepening drought is pushing Lake Lanier to its lowest level since 2009. Experts predict it will drop even more. Due to the low water, the boat ramps at Lake Lanier Islands will be closed until further notice.Engineers say the bottom of the ramp is within 3 feet of the lake's level.
35 Skyline DriveLake Mary, FL 32746
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A last-minute scheduling conflict has kept Drake from being able to make his appearance at tonight's Grammy nominations concert, says Drake's publicist. (Who else?) TMZ reports that his publicist cites scheduling complications: "[He's] currently in the middle of his nationwide 'Would You Like A Tour?' and sincerely apologizes to his fans that he can't be there."
There's a wrinkle to this fable, though: He doesn't have a show this evening. Hmph. Maybe he just needs an extra night to rest those pipes.
Tonight's deeply weird concert will feature appearances from Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Robin Thicke, Lorde and Miguel, all hosted by LL Cool J. Yup. Brace yourself. It broadcasts tonight at 10pm on CBS.
[via TMZ]
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text: The military probably does a lot of different things, many things that we know about and many more that we don't. The one thing that we know the military does and does well is blow things up with huge explosions. Supposedly, they do other things well. Marching, for example, is walking made more difficult by trying to sync up with a bunch of other soldiers. The military excels at that. And for that, military, we thank you. Your ability to march and blow things up is what keeps us safe.


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Follow the chisme!
Get Out Of The Lunch-Packing Rut With Some Bento Fun
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Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is the state capital of Sabah which is the main transportation and commercial center of Sabah. There is an international airport here while most would stop at Kota Kinabalu before heading out to other parts of the state. Hence there are many accommodation choices where that range from the budget and more affordable ones to the upmarket hotels and resorts.
In terms of homestays, you could engage MZ Homestay which is an apartment with 2 rooms to offer. Rates start from RM150 per day and it comes with facilities like a children's playground, a swimming pool and others. The Nur Taqiy Homestay provides a condominium with 2 rooms located in 1Borneo Hypermall. Rates start from RM270 per day. The D Putih Villa is another option which is a bungalow house starting from RM100 per day.


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This is our new baby Daisy Lila.
She comes home next week!
I started a blog for her where my boyfriend and I will document all of our moments together with her.
i just added daisy to the list of other corgi blogs that you should follow!
congrats on your brand new short dog!! :3