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Posted at 09:51 PM in Family, Mi Vida, Sports | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 11:18 PM in Mi Vida | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I did not know my hubby when he was young and didn't know him in high school, but I knew his type- bad boy without a care in the world- a rebel with out a cause. I married the bad boy who would cut class and smoke behind the school gym, the kind that girls wonder what values his mother had taught him.
But . . .
this bad boy now wakes up when he hears his son cry out, he climbs into bed with his little one, soothes him and sneaks out when D has fallen asleep.
this bad boy stays up til 1:00 am with his wife, talking and laughing with her as she make her Thanksgiving desserts
this bad boy takes pride in brining, basting and roasting, waking up at 7:00 am to prepare a bird for his family and mine.
My cup runth over with my little one understanding the meaning of this great day. D has been making presents for his loved ones - working on wrapping them and writing cards since last night. He is so thoughtful, as J and i did not mention this to him at all.
My cup runth over with my hubby's support and help during this time, plus he is a much better cook than me.
Last night my best friend and her son came over to sit in the kitchen with us and share, she is ready to deliver any day now, (well according to her weeks but not her doctor, the baby has not dropped yet) and talked about how no one is perfect and there definitely is not a perfect life but we are thankful for what we have.
Happy Thanksgiving
this message is not approved by the alpha man that lives in my household
Posted at 11:29 AM in Celebrations, Family, Mi Estrellita, Mi Vida | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I love family. I love my mother. I love my brothers. And now that I have my own I try very hard to work on it. I love being a mother. I also love being a wife. J and I are so different that it is amazing that we can even be civil. I am crazy about him. Parenting has only deepened our relationship and added to the dynamics.
I love watching J and D play together. They are two peas in a pod, so alike in so many ways. Scary-movie loving, trick playing, detail-oriented, everythings funny spirited boys. It is funny because J wonders why D takes his time with all the details, hmm I wonder where he got that, the man can't buy peanut butter without examining every one on the shelf. I love being with these boys- love just being with family. I love being married to this guy, and both being there to watch D grow and learn. It seems that it is only a parent that feels this true joy, for example D will say something that makes us proud or makes us smile, J and I always look at each other and smile a smile that never had been there before parenting.
Posted at 07:25 PM in Mi Estrellita, Mi Vida | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 11:08 PM in Mi Vida | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 08:38 PM in Mi Vida | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
My hubby big and strong and everything man, likes to leave notes around telling me sweet nothings. LOL this is the funniest because I am sure he never expected me to post this. But I just couldn't pass it up. My favorite one was in a package of gum, inside the stick of gum was a lil "i love u", written on a torn piece of paper. This one ranks too. In fact, I showed him this picture, and told him look what is going on my blog, and he quickly rebutled "Make sure you put that D, wrote it." As if our three year old can write that well, those are his Ds under it . . .
Posted at 07:45 PM in Mi Vida | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
J and I have such rhythm in the evenings. I start dinner, he finishes it, while I unload the dishwasher. We sit at the table and eat as a family. I take D upstairs to take a bath. While he cleans up the kitchen. He comes up and finished the bath. He lays down with D, and then I come in and relieve him.
The pillow smells like my hubby. Of, course bed time does not end without huge negotiations. D can sleep in our bed for now, with his basketballs. We will move him later.
Posted at 09:38 PM in Mi Vida | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 11:10 PM in Mi Vida | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I am a big slacker. HUGE. I never write about what consumed my life before D came into our lives. I never share about my obsession before D. I never say Thank you to the one who (along with me) brought D into the world. And that would be my hubby. So although this is not going to be the Love Letter he deserves (because we have extra kids in our home tonight) and things are a little chaotic. Fun Fun. I am just going to give a little gratitude here.
We had an anniversary okay so a couple weeks ago-and I have been meaning to post wonderful words about him. Proclaiming my love for this wonderful man. But I just haven't. I will. Right now he is in the living room nois-ly (if that is even a word) entertaining D. All I hear is D yelling "Rebound" "Did you see that?" "2 points"
So here is to the love of my life, to the man that has been my glue. My laugh. My love!
These pics are from 2 years ago the weekend before Christmas. I love them because it shows his personality and mine. He is always fun, having a good time and crazy. I am always trying to be put together and look like it take no effort to be as high maintenance as I am. And he always makes me smile with his crazy antics.
We were married 4 years ago, our wedding, our home and our family is more than I ever imagined that I would ever have. I included a pic from our wedding day, too.
It has been a wonderful ride. Thank you for sticking by my side thru it all. I love you and am thankful everyday that I found you.
Posted at 09:47 PM in Mi Vida | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Mimi Doe: 10 Principles for Spiritual Parenting: Nurturing Your Child's Soul
Francis Chan: Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (Christian Large Print Originals)
Mary Sheedy Kurcinka: Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic
Stormie Omartian: The Power of a Praying® Parent (Power of Praying)


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Not for nothing were Father Donahoe, Sister Margaret and Mother Superior jokingly called "The Holy Trinity". They knew everything that went on in school, and in the towns and villages in the area. The school was the only catholic school for miles and children came as far away Newmarket and Felixstowe. They came for two reasons; religious instruction for those children of families of the Catholic faith, and high quality schooling for those pretending to convert for the sake of their children's education. St. Mary's Of The Majestic Holy Lamb was one of the best schools in the country.
When Mother Superior died, it went without argument that Sister Margaret would take over the headmistress's role. She had been in that position since Joe could remember. She was dry, cold, fierce and unapproachable, but Sister Margaret was also an incredible beauty. Every boy who ever went to St Mary's could attest to this; Sister Margaret had probably been their first forbidden object of desire.
A Bride of Christ Sister Margaret may have been, but she knew the men of the area looked longingly at her. Her power over the children that were her charges gave her life purpose and structure. But it was the power over the local men whose eyes fell lustfully upon her, as she walked through the neighbouring villages,that gave fortified her life with a secret and wicked satisfaction.
Sister Margaret never changed, she never aged, she never looked anything less than perfect. And she still ran St. Mary's Of The Majestic Holy Lamb to this day....

subset: commoncrawl


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Track Listing
Very Merry Xmas
Very Merry Xmas -Markus Bogelund's Audio Ninja Remix- (CD only)
Very Merry Xmas -Less Vocal-
White -Less Vocal-
1. Very Merry Xmas
MEHHH, they typical winter song ahead it seems. Of course I already came in with low expectations and boy is this song just kind of cheesy and bland to listen. I think maybe the only time I found something really interesting is the afterchorus haha. I wasn't surprised Yunho led most of the song with Changmin taking a lot of the chorus. Yeah, this song was just not that good.
2. White
I thought we were going to get a ballad from White, but it turns out to be a tune that actually has a solid beat going. I will say that I like this song a lot more than the A-side and the vocals sound less tense than they were in "Very Merry Xmas". Still cheesy, but nice of a song nonetheless.
3. Very Merry Xmas -Markus Bogelund's Audio Ninja Remix-
A remix of a winter song…that's acting a bit shady no? Unlike the jingle bells of the original, the tune gets a lowkey sound mixing with some synths and it blows out in the chorus (to be honest, I was expecting some dubstep here LOL). I mean it's less cheesy, but it's a bit more messy overall. Just not an exciting remix.
*sigh* I figured that Tohoshinki would put out such a typical single for the season and honestly, they've done it before with "Winter" and that was overall a nice single, but they went the wrong way with Very Merry Xmas. White is the only redeeming song but even then it's a little cheesy. The A-side and its remix were just not that good and I would hope it doesn't touch their next album (if it does, hope it's a bonus track).


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We are a group of girls who love reading and would like to explore the vast expanses of the literary universe as much as we can, and learn while doing it.
Miss Felicity Fox– I am the leader of this mysterious society of those who endeavor to keep their noses firmly hidden behind the subtle smell of ink and paper, of those who enjoy getting lost in the stacks, and of those who consider tasty provisions a necessity when enjoying literature.
Julie of the Wolves- Hawkeye + Annabeth + Uriah + Prue + Ginny + Neville + Albert + Hazel Grace + Scout = Who I am (If you know where all of these are from I will love you forever)
Miss Brunette Bronte- I am the greyhound-loving mystery junkie of the group, finding closure in the kitchen and in an English saddle.
P. Star
S. Bob-
Lady Artemis Stormborn- The passionate intellectual of our group, I enjoy contemplating the allegories of both literature and life. Additionally, I am the occasional poet, a lover of orchids, and compete in fierce swordplay in my downtime.
Essalure Lenara
I like chocolate and Lord of the Rings. Have a Very Fine Day. /)


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This vegetable tikki is a ready -in -a -jiffy preparation.All you need is some veggies and cheese.Tikkis taste great with chutneys and some healthy salads
Boiled potato-1 big
Grated carrot-1
Green peas boiled-1/2 cup
Processed cheese cube-1small
Dry mango powder(Aamchur-1 teaspoon(Optional)
Green chilli-1
Chopped coriander leaves-2 teaspoons
Salt to taste
Cornflour-4 teaspoon
Oil-for shallow…
Added by Sunita P on June 25, 2012 at 11:44am — No Comments
Parathas(India flat breads) are a meal by themselves.Make this tasty paratha for your guests or pack them in your kid's lunch box.Serve it hot with a cup of yogurt or any dip and…Continue
Added by Sunita P on June 12, 2012 at 1:49am — No Comments
My son has just started kindergarten and this new beginning is definitely a welcome change for my son.It's a little difficult for me though as i have to wake up at 5:30 am and pack lunch box for him.The first question that comes to my mind is what do i send in my T's lunch box? I did come up with some interesting ideas.Today and in my coming posts I'll share some handy tips and ideas with you.
Today's recipe is a simple yet very healthy for kids.I've used cottage cheese(Paneer),grated…
Added by Sunita P on June 12, 2012 at 1:46am — No Comments
Rajma or red kidney beans are a great source of cholesterol- lowering fibers.They are also packed with protein and essential minerals like potassium,manganese and iron.
This Rajma recipe is simple and very healthy.I have used little oil and more tomatoes which is a good source of lycopene and is good for kids.
Added by Sunita P on June 12, 2012 at 1:30am — No Comments
Simple and Quick Summer Coolers
It's summer time and the temperatures are considerably above normal.Summer is also the time for some refreshing and chilling coolers.How do you beat the scorching heat?Do you prefer aerated cold drinks or make fresh and healthy coolers at home?
Come and explore some refreshing and healthy coolers that are all natural-yes,without any preservatives.
Healthy Ragi Drink:
You will need-
Ragi flour-2…
Added by Sunita P on May 29, 2012 at 4:57am — No Comments
Supermarkets today are flooded with several brands and varieties of cooking oils.All oils have different characteristics like nutritional properties,smoking point and culinary uses.Irrespective of your preference,it is always advisable to choose liquid fat over solid fats like butter and margarine.
Oil Fats
Added by Sunita P on May 25, 2012 at 11:49am — No Comments


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I have sjogrens and have had surgery for breast cancer. I should like to know how treatments effected your sjogrens symptoms, temporarily and permanently? I am particularly interested in learning about
your experiences after having had chemo and/or /Tamoxifen. Also radiation.
It would be also be great to hear from you if, like myself, you are not on medication for sjogrens and so are aware 100% of what your body is telling you and the side effects experienced.
I live in Africa and so, would also would like to know if there are any other breast cancer treatment options available there that are kinder to us with sjogrens?


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What's new, what's hot, what's next in the world of stainless steel chimney liners and do it yourself chimney repairs.
Heating system
heat alternatives
gas vs electric
Should gas furnaces be cleaned?
Furnace types
Furnace Humidifiers
The furnace flue is used to vent oil or gas furnaces.
furnace buying tips
Understanding how a high efficiency furnace works is a simple concept.
Furnace vent pipe: why should you consider stainless steel?
Continue reading "Furnace Vent Pipe: Is There a Flexable Option?"
free standing woodstoves
What are the advantages of a Rigid chimney liner over a Flexible chimney liner? We will do a flexible rigid chimney liner compare.
firewood types
When purchasing firewood there are several different wasy to determine whether or not it is seasoned.
Continue reading "About Firewood: How Do I know if it is Seasoned Firewood?"
Fireplace Safety Tips


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Wow, where has time flown by! These last few weeks have been a doozy as Mgirl started school, the little kiddos are keeping me busy at home and pursuing a possible new adventure in our life... I feel the constant need to keep moving otherwise if I stop I may just go to sleep and hibernate all winter:-) ZZZzzz! SB is putting on a baby shower for a young girl in need of some support... I feel very blest and honored to be able to help put together some of the decorations...
A Sock monkey diaper cake! It was super fun to make and easier too with a few little surprise helpers who just so happened to arrive at my doorstep just as I was rollin' diapers;-) (thanks girlies!)
I thought it turned out quite charming:-)
more yogurt cheese:-) this stuff is has the consistency of cream cheese and is very yummy!
All the little chickadees :-)
Oops! Forgot a few:-)
I found this absolutely adorable as I rounded the corner to pick up my kiddos from gma G's Mbaby in Daddy's old overalls:-) How CUTE!
MGirl Update:
As of last week we are official guardians... which seems like a huge step in a lot of ways and in some ways it doesn't seem like it was. I will say that we are very thankful to have Mgirl in our life and she continues to grow and surprise us everyday. Also a week ago tomorrow... MGIRL has expressed a strong desire to follow Christ and be baptized and to have the support of our church:-) We are filled with joy and can't express how grateful we are to the God who created us all... whether we've come from here or across the seas... or even as a neighbor who just needed love... God sees us for who we are and wants nothing more than to call us His own. It's a blessing to feel security, trust, joy, comfort, and unity. It's been pretty humbling to see not only an adoption of a new daughter but also a new daughter in Christ. WHAT a awesome thing to CELEBRATE!
Enjoy your day!
L1 and family


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Article Text
The recent ruling from England on the case of M is one of very few worldwide to consider whether life-sustaining treatment, in the form of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration, should continue to be provided to a patient in a minimally conscious state. Formally concerned with the English law pertaining to precedent autonomy (specifically advance decision-making) and the best interests of the incapacitated patient, the judgment issued in M's case implicitly engages with three different accounts of the value of human life, which respectively emphasise its self-determined, intrinsic and instrumental value. The judge appeared to be most persuaded by the intrinsic value of life and he concluded that treatment ought to continue. Assessing whether his approach or conclusion were ethically appropriate involves significant substantive and evidential questions regarding where the burden of proof should lie and what standard of proof should be required when decisions are to be made about the fates of patients inhabiting 'twilight worlds'.
- Living Wills/Advance Directives
- Capacity
- Competence/incompetence
- Law
- Neuroethics
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If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center's RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.


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Studebaker cuts costs. Ad
Quantity available: 1
Studebaker cuts costs. Ad was published 4/20/53. Black and white ad of two men loading up there 53 Studebaker pickup truck. Ad emphasizes the positive of owning a 53 Studebaker like enclosed cab steps, and small size for easy parking. In excellent condition. Photo is taken through plastic and may show wrinkles or crookedness that is not in the ad. This magazine tear sheet measures 8 3/16 wide by 11 3/16 tall.
TCAC Mall, Inc.
Walkerton, Indiana
Dealer accepts: Check, PayPal, Cash, Money Order
Shipping: Negotiated with Seller


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I have been doodling and my love as always has taken my doodles and making them into things to share with everyone.
So here they are quick little valentines you can print out, fold in half, and write a message to the people you love.
All you need in cardstock and some ink in your printer:)
(click the image to enlarge)
Hope you have a wonderful night!
xoxo j


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Over the long weekend, I spent what was possibly a shameful amount of time on my couch with my laptop playing escape games. Quite frequently I go through spurts of near obsession with various types of games, music, activities, art projects, or whatever.
I love escape style casual point-and-click games. Because I am a hardcore gamer or whatever, I have spent probably as many hours in the genre as I have spent playing NES games during my childhood. Some games, like the Crimson Room (purported to be the first escape the room game; released in 2004), don't even particularly bother with any sort of plot. The premise is supremely simple: you are locked in a room and must escape.


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Corel Award Recipient Announced June 25, 2013
One applicant was a standout for the jurors this year. Roger Wilson is the recipient of $2,000 from the Award. His project Cinema-bike is a human powered film projector created by taking a regular road bicycle and a 16mm film projector and transforming them into a new age cinema experience.
You can try out Roger's Cinema-bike at the upcoming Lumière Festival.


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5.The CIA Experimented With Mind Control
Possibly after coordinated world domination, mind control may be considered one of the most outrageous conspiracy theories. However, the CIA, along with the US Army Chemical Corps, made attempts to do just that.
也许除了上文提到的"聚会"统治世界, 精神控制也是最令人发指的的阴谋论之一。然而,美国中央情报局,以及美国陆军化学部队,曾试图做到这一点。
Called Project MKUltra, the program began in the 1950s. Efforts to get average people to do the agency's bidding often crossed moral and legal boundaries and may have inadvertently led to the horrible illegal drug crisis facing the world today.
4.The US Government Planned To Commit Domestic Terrorism And Blame Cuba
Another supposedly fringe theory is that a government would do terrible things to its own people to frame an enemy. Horrifyingly, it seems that the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the CIA (yes, them again) would have been willing to do just that.
Designated as Operation Northwoods, the proposed plan would have seen US operatives committing atrocities such as sinking boats containing Cuban refugees and hijacking planes. The idea was that the American public would be so outraged that most would be very willing to support going to war with Cuba.
3.A Fake Attack Was Used To Justify Invading North Vietnam
The Vietnam War has been a source of heated debate for decades. This occurred before it became public knowledge that the "incident" used by US President Lyndon B. Johnson to gain the authority to deploy American forces to North Vietnam never happened.
It centers around the USS Maddox and the USS Turner Joy, two US Navy destroyers that were performing patrol duty by South Vietnam. A confrontation that actually did take place between the Maddox (later joined by the Turner Joy) and the North Vietnamese happened on August 2, 1964, and resulted in the deaths of four North Vietnamese sailors.
Two days later, the Maddox and the Turner Joy (along with planes that had taken off from the famed aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga) began opening fire on apparent enemy targets that had been detected via sonar, radar, and radio signals.
Later, it appeared that there were no enemy vessels and that the signals were false alarms. However, it was this supposed second battle that prompted President Johnson to go on television, looking for the authority to launch a military response. He eventually got it.
2.It Wasn't Hitler's Skull
The horrid acts committed by Adolf Hitler are too many to list here. For decades, it has been widely understood that the final one was the taking of his own life. Not surprisingly, there were also many who believed that it was a setup and that the evil dictator actually sneaked away.
These theories were generally thought to be unfounded. However, those promoting the idea suddenly looked more credible beginning in 2009. This is because tests performed on a skull in the custody of the Russian government produced some surprising results.
Long purported to be Hitler's skull, the tests revealed that the skull was actually that of a young woman. Ironically, the tests were done to lessen the credibility of the conspiracy theorists.
1.The State Department Was Infiltrated By Communists
Although the great state of Wisconsin has produced many fine citizens, its residents tend to view one-time US Senator Joseph McCarthy with much less enthusiasm. McCarthy became a prominent member of the US Senate during the Cold War, using tactics that are now looked upon with shame. (However, many acts mistakenly assigned to him were actually done by the House Un-American Activities Committee.)
He eventually chaired the powerful Committee on Government Operations. It is now known as the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and is now chaired by Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson.
Although McCarthy's claims of widespread Soviet infiltration in the US government were generally viewed as discredited after his popularity declined, evidence has been made public over the following decades that seem to prove his ideas.
Perhaps the most famous example would be the files of the Venona project, made public in 1995. Among those implicated in the files was prominent State Department official Alger Hiss.


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In his fall economic statement, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau said things are looking up. In the past year Canada's economy has grown 3.7 per cent and the projected deficit for this year is $8.5 billion less than the original forecast in March.
It has been a tough few years for Canadians but this statement acknowledges that our fortunes have changed.
Our economy has improved mainly due to a unique set of circumstances that may not carry us ahead in the future. Oil prices have increased significantly and production has come back online since the Fort McMurray wildfires.
For Ottawa to maintain this momentum, and remain committed to its promises to increase child benefit payments, put money in the pockets of low-income workers, and lower small business taxes, we must work together to create a more stable and competitive investment climate.
Despite low commodity prices, oil and natural gas remains Canada's largest net export industry. We generate more value for the economy than any other sector, including automotive and manufacturing. We cannot grow prosperity for Canada's middle class without growing our oil and natural gas industry.
Today, the industry employs more than 425,000 Canadians, contributes $113 billion to Canada's gross domestic product, and supports 24,000 businesses. However, we continue to face regulatory and economic challenges due to evolving and uncertain government policies.
In the past year our country has seen nearly $60 billion in nation-building energy projects fall victim to that uncertainty, such as Enbridge's $7.9-billion Northern Gateway pipeline, Petronas' $36-billion Pacific NorthWest LNG project, and TransCanada's $15.7-billion Energy East Pipeline and Eastern Mainline Project.
As well, Ottawa has placed exploration bans in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut that limit the potential for the economic growth of Northern Canada, and introduced a tanker ban on British Columbia's north coast cutting off a vital trade route to new energy customers in Asia.
"In the past year our country has seen nearly $60 billion in nation-building energy projects fall victim to that uncertainty."
The world's need for energy is only increasing. The International Energy Agency predicts global energy demand, due to an increasing middle class, will rise 31 per cent by 2040 with India and China leading the way.
In its 2017 Crude Oil Forecast, Markets and Transportation report, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers anticipates oil production in Canada will grow to 5.1 million barrels per day by 2030 from 3.9 million bpd in 2016.
We have the energy the world needs. If we're going to be a part of the world's energy future we need to be able to compete, while continuing to be a source of economic security for Canadians.
We can be the world's energy supplier of choice, and still generate economic and environmental benefits in Canada – but only if Ottawa develops our natural resources with competitive policies that attract investment and spur innovation.
Ottawa can help by enabling the right fiscal framework that encourages innovation to enhance environmental performance. We need an accelerated capital cost allowance for clean-technology investments in our oil and natural gas sector.
Knowing our country currently has the fastest-growing economy among the G7 nations is good news, but unless we take measures to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come our success could be fleeting.
It's time our nation began recognizing the importance of oil and natural gas to our collective prosperity and security, and show support for an industry that supports Canada.
Our future depends on it.
This opinion-editorial was published in The Globe and Mail on October 26, 2017.


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Thursday, January 23, 2014
Special Order
Last summer I had a special order (it was actually a barter with the photographer who did my boudoir session) for some adjustable headbands for newborn/toddler photography. I have used elastic headbands before but had never made them truly adjustable before.
The video shows how the adjustable part works. Its all hidden under the flower. I was really happy with how they turned out. And so was the client! ;-)
And that's what's going on in the mind of Wani at 3:51 PM
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Time to take the lights down, recycle the beer cans, shred the xmas cards and get back to what's important.. blogging about games and tech again, and here we are, the dawn of a new decade, the decade of the PS3.. well, until the next console comes out :)
Just copied my video software to new netbook, bunging paintshop on later, already have it 90% set-up to mimic my tower pc, liking the hdmi output that's a nice touch! infact U3S will probably be blogged from this machine over the span of the year.
Seeing as we're into a new year i have to ask, what are the 3 games you are looking forwards to? personally it has to be Gran Turismo 5 (sometime next xmas -haha-) for me, there is no better driving game series in existence. The next game is Army of Two (2) as the first game was fun, under rated and a good laugh, to me that's important, having fun in games is what it's all about. The last choice.. tricky as there are a lot of big names and titles dropping, Heavy Rain, FFXIII, more COD no doubt, but i'm going with Star Ocean: The Last Hope - International because i haven't played a decent Jap game since Phantasy Star Universe on the ps2.
i woke up this morning and had the word to describe MGS gameplay, Clunky. That's not to say i'm giving up just yet, i looked up how to kill Vamp on the intarwebs, what a gyp! hey Hideo, tell us he's suseptable to nano machines in the cut scene before we fight him, not AFTER! you see it's things like that that bug me about that game. i guess if you're really into MGS universe you'd know things like that, hrumph.
I started 2009 playing Mirrors Edge, 2010 is Metal Gear Solid 4, chalk and cheese.


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I have the following suggestion for naming threads in the app_info.xml project forums. Hopefully, this will provide clarity when looking for an app_info for a cruncher's particular needs. If there are no objections we'll need administrative help to rename the ones already posted.
Also, it would probably be a good idea to have a guideline sticky detailing the convention for new threads that users will post. Since it would probably clutter up the forums by discussing app info availability and other app_info topics that don't provide an app_info we should probably leave/move those to the top level forum (sorry for breaking this with my Moo! app_info question). This will eliminate the need for stickys in each individual Project app_info forum. This can also be included in the guideline sticky.
Here is my proposal:
Code:<Project> [app-]<version> (<plan_class>) <arch>/<os> - <nthreads> WU
- project_______SETI, Milkyway (MW), Moo! Wrapper (Moo!), etc
- app__________a project may have more than one app
_____________optional if there's only one app at the project
- version_______the version of the app
- plan_class____ati14, cuda , opencl_ati_100, etc
- arch_________i686, x86_64, ppc64, etc
- os___________win, linux, mac, solaris, etc
- nthreads WU__1, 3, 8, number of tasks at a time
So, using Poem as an example:
Project is Poem. Only one GPU app at the moment, so not specified. The current app_info in the Poem forum is 0.1, so version is 0.1. The plan class for this app_info is opencl, so currently opencl_ati_100. Arch is x86 which equates to i686 in the boinc client. OS for this one is Windows (win). The tasks at a time is 8.
Poem 0.1 (opencl_ati_100) i686/win - 8 WU


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Sea Stories from the Billy B
This section was created at the request of an old crew member. Just send us the story and get published on the web. An html document would be preferred but if you don't know html, just send a Wordperfect or MS Word document and we will convert it.
Letter From the Old Man
A Letter From Captain H. Castle to the Families of Bainbridge Crew Members Prior to Deployment 30 October 1966
30 October 1966
Dear Friends of BAINBRIDGE,
Many of you have just joined us recently, and to you I extend a most hearty "Welcome aboard." To those who have been with us for a while, once again I extend my deepest thanks for your wholehearted support.
Just about one year ago I wrote a letter similar to this as we prepared for transit from the east coast to the west coast via the Western Pacific. As I look around the ship today, I see dozens of new faces among the ships company. There certainly has been a big turnover since we returned in June from our deployment. And now, as you know, we are about to depart again, leaving you to "hold the fort" at home.
If the "Old Hands" will give me just a moment, I want to tell our new friends something about this ship we're so proud of. The BAINBRIDGE, world's first nuclear powered guided missile frigate, was built at Quincy, Massachusetts and commissioned on October 6,1962. She is 564 feet long with a beam of 58 feet and displaces about 8000 tons (or nearly 18 million pounds); this makes us larger than several of the World War II cruisers. We carry Terrier guided missiles, which are of an intermediate range for defense against aircraft and supplement them with two 3-inch/50-caliber twin gun mounts. Our defense against potentially hostile submarines is provided by on of the latest sonars complimented by torpedoes and ASROC ( anti-submarine rockets).
All of this is driven and powered by two nuclear reactors. Either of these is capable of sustaining the ship and often does. Having two reactors just extends the flexibility, durability, and reliability of the BAINBRIDGE.
BAINBRIDGE is four years old now and there aren't many "Plank Owners" left. The years since commissioning have been busy ones. After six months of tests and inspections, BAINBRIDGE deployed to the Mediterranean for duty with NATO and the SIXTH FLEET. Again in April 1964 she deployed to the Mediterranean. This trip set the stage for another world's first as the BAINBRIDGE joined the nuclear powered carrier ENTERPRISE and the nuclear powered curiser LONG BEACH left the Mediterranean Sea in July of that year on an historic round the world cruise. TASK FORCE ONE - as we were called - sailed south from the Mediterranean around Africa, across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and around Cape Horn north to Charleston, South Carolina. This globe-encircling trip again demonstrated the mobility, endurance and independence of the nuclear fleet. After a year of local and fleet operations, BAINBRIDGE left her east coast home of Charleston, S.C., and joined the Navy's forces in the Western Pacific. BAINBRIDGE, and ENTERPRISE made the 14,276 mile trip, in just 33 days, demonstrating a new dimension in readiness. Transiting around the Cape of Good Hope, across the Indian Ocean, through the Straits of Malacca, the ship arrived in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines on November 27,1966. After only three days rest, BAINBRIDGE and ENTERPRISE joined Task Group 77.7, proving again the extension of combat ability provided by nuclear power, in operations supporting the Republic of Vietnam.
BAINBRIDGE'S Western Pacific visit involved almost all work and no play as she spent the holiday season of 1965 directly involved in Vietnam operations. In January, BAINBRIDGE visited Hong Kong, for perhaps at the most pleasant moments of her WESTPAC tour. Back on station, we completed eight months of continuous operations, steaming more than 72,000 miles in 231 days, before returning home to our new homeport of Long Beach, California.
We have had a few pleasant months home and now we are preparing for another deployment. Because we have so many new personnel aboard, we are directing our main effort at this time to training. Nearly every evolution performed on board requires some degree of teamwork. And it is the knitting together of the various teams that makes BAINBRIDGE the efficient fighting unit that she is. You may be sure that when BAINBRIDGE deploys, she will be READY.
Of course we hope to hear from you often while we are deployed and we pray that all the news received will be good news. But, if an emergency should occur requiring the attention of your serviceman, contact the nearest Red Cross representative immediately...his verification of the need for the serviceman's presence is required to grant emergency leave. Emergency leave can be granted by the Commanding Officer only in the event of the death of a dependent or the death of a member of his immediate family. Approval by Relief and various other Navy and Armed Forces agencies will be more than willing to assist you in solving any problems you may have. Our telegraphic address during deployment will be:
Commanding Officer, USS BAINBRIDGE (DLGN 25)
c/o U.S. Naval Communications Station
Stockton, California
Back to a more pleasant note again, our mailing address will be:
(Name, rate, division)USS BAINBRIDGE (DLGN 25)
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California 96601
The quickest and most reliable mail service will be air mail. Air mail transportation is used for first class mail form the fleet post offices to the ship wherever possible. We'll be looking forward to those mail calls.
Captain J. L. Cook, Jr. Commander Destroyer Squadron NINETEEN, has arranged for a briefing for the families of his ships' personnel and has kindly invited our families to attend. This briefing will be held at the Sea and Shore Club on the Naval Station at 9:30 A.M. Thursday , November 10,1966. This briefing is designed to provide further helpful information concerning legal assistance, family referral problems, an other matters which may require special attention by the Navy while your serviceman is gone. In addition if there arises any matter which you feel should receive my personal attention, please feel free to contact me personally.
As you know, our sailing date is November 17th. As we receive additional information on our schedule, it will be announced. Be assured that your man on BAINBRIDGE will be giving his best effort to the cause of world peace as he serves his country on the finest ship at sea today.
For the officers and men of BAINBRIDGE, and with warmest personal regards,
Hal Castle
H. C. Castle
Commanding Officer


text:
Good question, Charles. Why was Kota Kinabalu called Api-Api? Actually, KK was known by a number of names besides Api-Api.
Let me tell you a short history of KK. The city started as a small fishing village. Because there are no written records of that very early settlement we don't know when Bajau fishermen started a kampong there. However, we do know that except for a narrow strip of land hugging the foothills, there was little flat land in Api-Api. And we also know that the Bajaus of the old days were fond of building their houses directly over the water. So KK was just a cluster of attap-roofed dwellings built near or over the water.
|Api-Api circa 1905
The areas all along the coast were covered with mangrove trees. I discovered only recently that there are thousands of varieties of mangrove and that the trees are natural protective cover along the coasts and river banks besides supporting wild life. They also act as filters which release clean water out into the sea.
|Mangrove trees at KK Wetlands
Anyway, to go back to the question 'why Api-Api?' Some people say it was named Api-Api because of the many fires which destroyed the town from as early as 1901—just one year after a few shophouses had been built by Chinese traders who had relocated to KK after their shops were burnt in Pulau Gaya. (The NB Chartered Company started a trading post on the island in September 1882, hence the presence of shops.)
Some say it was because there were many fireflies in Api-Api. A version of this story went like this: A white man, just picking up some Malay words, was walking in the village when he saw this swarm of fireflies lighting the dark night and he exclaimed in his tottering Malay, "Api! Api!" The story about the sighting was spread by the white man's companions. Thus the village got its name.
Don't believe any of them! Didn't the village have a name before the fires? Would the village be nameless if that white man had not uttered 'Api! Api!'?
|Avicennia, a type of mangrove
I tell you what I came across through my search for the answer to this question. A place is usually named by the people who lived in it or frequented it. And they usually choose a name which has something to do with the place… a natural landmark (a mountain, a big tree,) types of plants, etc… because these have been there from the very beginning. Remember Tanjung Aru, Pulau Gaya, Keningau?
So, my dear reader, KK used to be called Api-Api not because of fires or fireflies or some fancy fairy tales but because a type of mangrove called api-api (Avicennia) grew there in profusion.
The British renamed Api-Api 'Jesselton' after Sir Charles Jessel who was Vice Chairman of the NB Chartered Company. Now two questions for you: when was the town renamed Kota Kinabalu and why?


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The roses are from the SSS stamp set Best Mom Ever. I stamped them on watercolor paper and used CTMH Blush and Cotton Candy inks, along with my waterbrush to color them. I used Olive for the leaves in the same manner. The banner is also a stamp from that set along with the sentiment. I stamped them in CTMH Black Ink on White Daisy cardstock. I used Black Shimmer Trim from CTMH to jazz up the banner a little bit. Since I had some sparkle on the banner I decided to add some to the roses with CTMH Prisma Glitter. I mounted the card face on a Black cardstock top-fold card base I had cut. A simple card with a simple design and plenty of sparkle. It was exactly what I was looking for. The inside sentiment simply says, "Happy Mother's Day."
Thanks for stopping by. For all you mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day! Have a wonderful weekend!


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Done for the Papertrey Ink Make It Monday challenge to create a pocket using edger dies.
I used an edger punch instead because I wanted frilly edges. I made the pocket, folded the edges over, then added embossed papers to it to get the look I wanted. I'll stamp a sentiment on the inside when I use this card-it should work for birthdays or weddings. I stuck a couple of ticket stubs from my "stuff to include on scrapbook pages" stash to show the pocket.


text:
An old story, but still worth telling:
February 16, 2007
Other than the recent creation of the Rwandan cricket board, it is hard to imagine an act more calculated to put French noses more out of joint than joining a body so closely associated with the British Empire and the Queen, who always attends Commonwealth summits.
The next summit will be held in November in Uganda.
For years, Paris was so concerned about the creeping influence of the English language that it blindly followed a policy of la défense de la ligne de la francophonie (defence of the French-speaking line) and ended up supporting killers such as Habyarimana.
"The French were obsessed by language," he said. "I remember when I was invited to Paris in 1992 as part of a peace initiative they were angry I could not talk French.
"That night security agents burst into my hotel room and 'detained me', even though I was a guest invited by them."
French policy backfired spectacularly.
The Habyarimana regime was driven from office.
Rwanda's subsequent pursuit of the genocide planners into neighbouring Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, led to the fall of another French ally, Mobutu. He was replaced by an English-speaking exile from Tanzania - Laurent Kabila, father of the current President, Joseph Kabila, who can barely utter a full sentence in French.
Today, the large French Embassy in the centre of the hilly Rwandan capital Kigali stands empty and a heavy padlock and chain bar the entrance of the Franco-Rwandan cooperation centre.


text:
Welcome to performance-based marketing. An affiliate program provides merchants with an online sales force that's paid a commission only for the products or services they sell. Affiliates use a variety of Internet marketing tactics to drive sales to merchants' web sites. An additional benefit to search engine marketers is that the same technology that tracks their affiliates' sales can be used to track their paid listings.
Be Free and Commission Junction are examples of well-recognized Application Service Providers (ASPs) in this industry who boast a large, built-in affiliate network. Merchants who enlist one of these providers will unleash a marketing-savvy team on the Internet immediately. As shown in Figures 17.1 and 17.2, both support an array of services designed to increase performance-based sales.


text:
· The coffin will rest until tomorrow night in the royal chapel of All Saints, Windsor Great Park, when it will be taken to Queen's Chapel at St James's Palace, near the Queen Mother's London home, Clarence House.
· On Friday, the coffin will be carried in procession to Westminster Hall where it will lie in state until the evening of Monday April 8.
·The funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey at 11.30am on Tuesday April 9 and the coffin will then be taken back to Windsor, to be interred next to the Queen Mother's husband, King George VI .
· Buckingham Palace said yesterday that there will be a period of national mourning until the funeral and family mourning will be observed until April 19. Flags at royal residences will remain at half mast until the funeral.
· The palace said charitable donations could be made at high street banks to Queen Elizabeth's trust, which makes grants to the Queen Mother's charities.


text:
DH Baldwin Baby Grand – Model C142 51236
List Price: $14,895
Our Price:$7,975
Company:DH Baldwin
Serial #:51236
Build Date:1994
Color:Ebony Polish
Size:4' 8"
This is a small baby grand offered by Baldwin and manufactured in Korea by Samick. The instrument has barely been played. So, it is mechanically in new condition. The appearance is also attractive showing minimal wear.
It can sometimes be a challenge finding the space for a baby grand. Yet, as students progress, they require the speed that a only a grand type of action offers which uprights can't deliver. So, this piano is perfect for someone who has limited space but wants the beauty and performance of a baby grand in a small size.
Samick is one of the largest piano manufacturers in the world. They have been producing pianos since the 1950's.They also produce pianos under the following names
- Knabe
- Pramberger
- Kohler & Campbell
Our technicians have regulated, voiced and tuned the instrument for even performance throughout all registers. It should provide a nice playing experience for years to come with proper maintenance.


text:
Product Description
No more tripping over cumbersome extension cables or finding your power cable snagged with this well-balanced cordless polisher that puts maximum mobility firmly in your hands. The ergonomic handle design and three-density polishing pad makes achieving a swirl-free finish on vehicle bodywork much easier to attain. Brand: Tonino Lamborghini. Product Code: 126388


text:
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Weird Stuff to Eat
It got me thinking about odd foods. Every area has something they consider normal that is well, odd, to others.
On this Weird Food site, it lists a few unusual offerings.
For instance, a couple from the site are:
* Aussies like beets on their burgers. (Beets? - Pickled yet!)
* Three-fried beans - It made me think of Mexican refried beans, which are well, mushy. But this is from the south which means deep fried. (Why is everything either gravied or fried down south? What are they covering up?)
A few of my own to-be-missed categories:
* Here in Wisconsin, a favorite is biscuits and gravy, something I'd never heard of until I moved here. I don't get it (nor would I want to. Sounds like a dish I'd really have to have gone many many days without food to even consider trying.) Sorry, I know from looking it up that some consider it a delicacy. I guess it's a matter of what you grew up with. Here's a Food Network recipe.
* Hot dogs with Sauerkraut: Some say forgo the hot dogs altogether. I like a hot dog now and then, Chicago style with all the stuff, hot peppers and mustard, too. Nope, no kraut, no ketchup.
* Fried cheese: why? I admit I haven't tried it. It just seems, well, odd.
* Pickled pig's feet: I remember those creepy jars that used to sit on every bar counter. Ick! And no, I wasn't hanging in bars all the time.
* Pickled eggs: Ditto. Make that almost pickled anything.
I know, I know; that too is a kind of "delicacy" to some. (I still ask why?) So here's a recipe. You can get other recipes here if you insist.
12-16 hard-boiled eggs
2 c. cider vinegar
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pickling spices
1 jar pickled beets
Peel eggs and place into large jar. Combine remaining ingredients in an enamel saucepan. Heat to boiling point. Reduce heat and heat for 8 minutes. Pour over eggs and wait at least 24 hours before eating (to give eggs time to pickle and absorb flavor).
* Got your own suggestions of weird or must-be-missed food?
5 comments:
- sweet-komal said...
asian delicacy of fertilised duck egg with the embryo inside fully formed
casu marzu
cheese left outside to rot with maggots laying their eggs inside, then eating it, maggots wriggling and everything
- March 18, 2010 at 4:24 AM
- Chris V. said...
Oh double ick! Now i was only picking out the less gross stuff. You found some jewels. Those two I definitely would never ever touch, no matter what. I would starve!
- March 18, 2010 at 8:13 AM
- sweet-komal said...
yeah me neither and I like to try most things!
I've eaten
frogs legs (like pondy chicken)
snails (very chewy)
sweet fish lollipops (horrible)
chewy dried squid (gross)
bottom two were from an asian supermarket
- March 18, 2010 at 3:51 PM
- Chris V. said...
You're braver than I. And I see I won't be going to any Asian food stores. Ever. haa!
- March 18, 2010 at 4:14 PM
- Dana Fredsti said...
I love fried cheese...
- March 22, 2010 at 2:30 PM


text:
Part One
The Molts
Dolnaraq was only eight winters into existence, but knew the
smell of prey. Oh, and he loved prey. Loved the hunt. Loved the
kill. But this prey would be different. This prey would not warm
his belly. His teeth wouldn't penetrate this flesh. The animal's
blood would not dribble down his chin and onto his chest. No,
this one was reserved for quite a different purpose, something
nearly divine in scope and meaning. "Do you smell him?" whispered
Dolnaraq as he drew in a long, sweet breath.
Tresset nodded, though the young male wore a curious expression.
"Yes. To the east. Maybe over that next rise."
"We must be quiet," whispered Dolnaraq as he moved in the
direction of the scent.
"Dolnaraq," whispered Tresset. "Are you sure?"
Only two winters Dolnaraq's senior, Tresset liked to assume
superiority over his younger friend, over any who would let him,
really. He would organize hunting parties with the young of the
pack and direct their movements, deciding who should flank a
beast and who should charge, which of them should scout ahead
and which should ideally strike the killing blow. But this hunt
belonged to Dolnaraq. He'd contemplated it for many weeks, determining
which type of creature to seek, imagining what that
animal might add to him. He'd thought of how proud his father
would be when he first saw Dolnaraq anew. For Dolnaraq would
have done what even his father feared to do. Oh yes, father would
be proud. He also knew his mother would squeal like a baby pig.
But that was what mothers did. She would adjust. She would one
day approve. She would be forced to concede that Dolnaraq was
no longer a pup, but had entered a state of maturity, which deserved
respect and maybe even awe.
Dolnaraq paused, gazing at Tresset. "Am I sure?" he asked
in response to the question posed him.
"It is a major step. One best come to with the counsel of your
Dolnaraq scoffed. "You never get counsel." He lifted his head
again, sniffing at the air. "The scent grows weak. We must hunt
before the creature finds its hole." Dolnaraq moved slowly toward
the small snow-covered rise, and then glanced back at Tresset.
"Do you come or stay? Either way, I go."
Tresset hesitated for only a moment, then nodded and went
to march past Dolnaraq as if to take the lead.
"No," said Dolnaraq, holding out his arm to block Tresset's
way. "This one is mine. I'll lead."
Tresset paused, narrowed his eyes, and looked to contemplate
the request. Like all reyaqc, the youth's eyes were as mother's
milk, devoid of all color except for the tiny black dot of a pupil
at the center. Even so, this one had a dark intensity in his gaze
that sometimes caused even adult members of the pack to pause.
It went beyond the physical appearance of the eyes to whatever
lay within. Unremarkable, yet anything but, Tresset Bremu was
a strange one. But for all that, in this instance he gave a slow deliberate
nod, allowing his younger companion to pass, taking the
lead in this most precarious hunt.
Dolnaraq sighed within. He was glad the older youth accompanied
him. For all his bluster, this was a frightening thing
he meant to do, and having a companion beside him would bolster
his resolve.
Both youth were accomplished hunters. Their pack was nomadic,
living beyond the confines of the civilized world—of the
human world. Like the prey they fed upon, they moved with the
seasons, for the most part staying well hidden within forested areas.
The land they inhabited was known by humans as Siberia, it
was late in the nineteenth century, though Dolnaraq knew none
of this, nor did he care. He often wondered though, why the pack
did not move further and further south until they'd left this bitter
cold land behind. But Dolnaraq's father insisted the more
comfortable climes were fully inhabited by humans and that
the reyaqc
should fear unnecessary contact with these similar
but very dangerous people. Humans are a superstitious breed,
and could never understand the needs and drives of the reyaqc.
Dolnaraq did not care for humans. There was a need for
them, yes. The reyaqc would always need to dwell within hunting
distance of their towns and villages. But, nothing more than
that. Just within hunting distance. Dolnaraq despised those reyaqc
who called themselves gypsies, wearing human clothing,
singing human songs, living in traveling caravans that skirted
the borders of human civilizations. Most humans thought these
gypsies strange, often believing them to have occult powers. But
they believed them to be human. The majority of gypsies were
human to be sure, but they often traveled in the same caravans
as their reyaqc cousins. Dolnaraq couldn't understand why a reyaqc
would feign humanity, no matter how similar in appearance.
Dolnaraq was reyaqc, and he was about to become even more so.
They were over the rise now, gazing down into a small icy
field. Dolnaraq saw it—the fox. His prey. Oh, how that shiny red
coat gleamed. He could imagine that fur covering his own skin.
How silky it must feel. Those eyes, so bright, so intelligent. And
the teeth. Dolnaraq wanted the teeth as his own.
The two young reyaqc were silent, communicating now only
through hand signals. Dolnaraq indicated that Tresset should circle
around to his left. He saw his companion's expression tighten
at the instruction—Tresset liked giving the orders—but still he
moved accordingly.
Dolnaraq proceeded slowly, never allowing his quarry to
leave his direct line of sight. He was upwind of the fox. The sly
creature would not smell him. All he needed was to remain silent
and invisible. He wondered if the fox would hear his heart beating.
It seemed to be pounding so hard that surly every creature in
the forest would hear its thump. He needed to calm himself. He
knew that. But Dolnaraq had been dreaming of this moment for
so many weeks now. How could he possibly hope to remain calm?
And frightened.
Dolnaraq would never admit this to Tresset, but he was terrified.
Yes, he wanted this—more than anything—but if something
were to happen, if Tresset stepped on a brittle stick and scared
the thing away, well, Dolnaraq would be relieved. He would feel
cheated and relieved at the same time. He'd be angry at Tresset,
but thankful too. This was a huge step, and Dolnaraq wasn't yet
all that huge.
Stop it, he thought. If he remained this distracted he'd scare
the fox away himself and then Tresset would accuse him of doing
it on purpose.
He was almost there now.
Just a little closer.
Just a little closer.
As Dolnaraq was about to lunge, the fox sensed him and
bolted to the left. But, Tresset was there. It scurried right, but
found Dolnaraq. It slipped under a fallen branch and then into
some low brush, but both of the young reyaqc appeared, cornering
it, driving it into their grasps. Dolnaraq lunged but lost his
footing on a small patch of ice. Still, he caught a fleeting grasp
of the tail, slowing the fox enough for Tresset to snatch it in mid
leap. The creature struggled and snapped, piercing Tresset's right
earlobe and drawing a surprising amount of blood. It wriggled
and wormed, its sleek legs pumping frantically against Tresset's
bare thighs, leaving scarlet ribbons across his legs. But still the
young reyaqc pressed the thing close to his chest, using his forearm
and elbow to trap it against his body, while squeezing its
jaws shut with both hands.
"Dolnaraq, hurry! I've got him!"
Dolnaraq moved forward, but slowly. Did he really want this?
There was still time. He hadn't done anything yet.
"Dolnaraq! I can't hold him forever!"
He had to do this. He had come too far. What would Tresset
say if he backed out now? He would be an outcast. The others
would never respect one who boasted of great things and fled the
very same when opportunity appeared. This was his hunt. His
time. There might be no other.
Dolnaraq moved on instinct alone. Almost mechanically, he
scooted forward on the cold uneven ground, extending his right
hand as if to pet the fox. The frightened creature enhanced its
struggles, bobbing forward and back, whimpering, pedaling its
feet as if running, though Tresset had adjusted so that the paws
now found only air.
"Slowly," cautioned Tresset. "Not too much. Not too fast.
Once you begin, there's no need to rush."
The fox's hair was slick to the touch, and cold, much colder
than Dolnaraq would have assumed. But his skin was cold too.
The Siberian climate was not a gentle one for any of its many inhabitants.
Dolnaraq's palm now held the back of the creature's
neck. The time was at hand yet still Dolnaraq hesitated. Maybe
this wasn't right for him. Maybe he was too young. Maybe…
The fox broke free of Tresset's grasp. Dolnaraq's reaction
was immediate. The bed of tiny pin-like spines emerged from
his palm, penetrating the fox's neck at the base of the skull. The
connection was made. The world stood still.
Dolnaraq did not feel himself tumbling over as he drew the
fox close to his breast. He didn't feel the jagged branch slice him
just above his left elbow. He didn't hear Tresset's continued warnings
to be slow, to only take a small amount during this first connection.
No, all Dolnaraq knew was the essence of the fox as it
coursed through his shivering form. He felt fire in his veins and
knew that certainly his limbs must be about to burst open. He
heard the echoing chime in his head, bouncing from one side to
10 The Empty
the other behind his eyes, muddling his thoughts, obstructing all
else. He felt his muscles twitch and cramp and felt his stomach
wretch, emptying its sparse contents onto the whimpering and
terrified fox. He felt every fabric of his person stretch and separate
and then pull together, before stretching yet again and again.
He seemed to be twirling around, around, and yet he was certain
that he remained still. He felt Tresset's pull as his friend sought
to disengage him from the beast, but he clung closer. The fox was
his. The fox was him. He felt the creature swoon, its heartbeat
slow. He felt its breath grow shallow. He knew what this meant.
He knew he had taken too much. He also knew he would never
stop. The fox was him. The fox was him.
Then Dolnaraq knew nothing at all. Only cold, dark nothing.
Dolnaraq awoke two days later, feeling strange—not himself.
His arms jerked when he tried to wipe his eyes, causing him to
strike the side of his own face. Every muscle seemed bound up
in balls. His legs did not want to extend, his stomach was tight
and gurgling. And his vision was strange—somehow the colors
had become less vibrant, the images less true.
"So, you've decided to become a molt." It was his father's
voice, from somewhere just behind him. The voice was as it always
had been, but the tone was unfamiliar. Dolnaraq couldn't
tell if it was anger, sorrow, or maybe even disbelief.
A molt? His father had called him a molt. The term referred
to reyaqc who, in addition to drawing essence from humans, drew
from animals as well, shedding some of their more human-like
characteristics in favor of those of the animal. A molt. Yes. The
fox. Dolnaraq vaguely remembered the hunt, the chase, the experience.
Had he done it? Had he been successful? Had he truly
drawn from the fox? He lifted his quivering arm to before his eyes.
Where was the fur? Where was the sleek coat he'd envisioned?
He rolled his head in the direction of his father's voice. "The
His father moved forward. His skin and hair were darker than
Dolnaraq was accustomed to seeing on him. A band of gypsies
had recently settled in the area and many of the pack had drawn
essence from these dark strangers, causing their own tones to
gradually darken as well. "Yes, the fox," said his father. "It is dead."
Dead! No. He'd taken too much. When first drawing from
a creature one must proceed slowly, taking small amounts of
essence over several days. If too much is taken and the animal
perishes, then another must be found—another of quite similar
essence. Otherwise the reyaqc may become ill, the two essences
not complementing one another, but rather battling for primacy.
Dolnaraq sought to find his voice. It came in a harsh whisper.
"Dead. But, have I…?"
"Changed? Yes, boy, you've changed." Dolnaraq's father closed
his eyes, drew a long breath. "Why?"
"To be strong, Father. To be a great hunter." And then, after
a pause. "To make you proud."
"Make me proud! How could you imagine this would make
me proud?"
Dolnaraq had no words, no response. His young mind could
not fathom the reasoning behind his father's question. Of course
the elder reyaqc should be proud. Dolnaraq had shown courage.
He'd taken risk in order to better himself. Why would a father
not be proud?
Dolnaraq watched through unfamiliar eyes as his father drew
closer yet. "Boy, have you never wondered why I have not become
a molt, why so few of our pack have done so?"
Dolnaraq had assumed it was because his father and the others
were too afraid to take such a bold step, but not feeling comfortable
with this response, he remained silent.
"The reasons are many," began his father when Dolnaraq
failed to respond. "There are risks in the way of the molt."
"Then, you were afraid," said Dolnaraq before he could stop
himself from doing so.
"No," sighed his father. "Not afraid as you see it. The advantages
of animal essence can be either great or minimal. Yes, you
may acquire the hunting skills or the superior sense of hearing
or smell. But you also may degrade your intellect, or you may become
more rash and violent or more skittish and fearful. Your
appearance will change making it more difficult for you to blend
with humans."
"Why would I want to blend with humans? They stink."
Dolnaraq's father offered a momentary grin. "Yes, their odor
can be off-putting. But we need their essence. We need to hunt
among them. Like it or not, we depend on the humans for our
"You're a human lover!" screamed Dolnaraq. He had expected
his father to praise him, to tell him how brave he had been, to say
that he wished he had the same courage as his young son. But,
all he had done was to belittle Dolnaraq, making him feel foolish.
"You're a human lover and a coward." Dolnaraq attempted
to rise from the cave floor, but found he was unable to lift himself
from his bed of straw.
His father watched his pathetic struggle for a few moments,
and then said. "No boy, I am neither. The humans are not so despicable
as you might think. And I am neither enthralled by them
nor a coward, as you claim. But neither am I your father. Not any
longer. You may rest here until you've regained your strength,
and then you must find dwelling of your own."
This was the last conversation the two would have, though the
young reyaqc did hear his father weeping in long, guttural sobs
from beyond the cave entrance and long into the night.
Dolnaraq found his feet. He was now able to hobble unsteadily
about the cave. His head still ached and his stomach would not yet
tolerate food, but at least he was able to move about. Though, why
he'd want to, he didn't know. His father had an old, palm-sized
mirror he'd acquired from a human some years prior. Dolnaraq
had taken this and viewed his image. He had changed, yes. But
not as he had hoped. His nose was now dark, but still shaped
as before with no other fox-like characteristic. His left ear was
somewhat elongated and random shoots of red fur protruded
from it. His left eye—though still milky white—had widened in
comparison to his right. And, within his mouth, one long canine
tooth had grown—again, on the left—and protruded stupidly
from between his lips making it impossible for him to shut his
mouth completely. This also caused some difficulty in speech.
The fingers
on his left hand were shortened and clumsy, and his
left leg felt twitchy and uncontrollable. He had no sleek beautiful
coat as he had imagined. His senses of smell and hearing had not
been enhanced. All in all, he'd become a useless freak. As such,
he'd determined never to exit this cave again. What possible use
could there be for one such as he?
His father had ordered him to leave, but his mother would
care for him, he was sure. And if not his own mother; if she fell
sway to the same repulsion as his father, then one of the other
females father kept, one of the childless ones would certainly
show pity on this freak.
Pity. That was all he was worth—someone's pity.
Dolnaraq rolled over in the hay weeping. It was not supposed
to be like this. He was supposed to be stronger, more able. He was
supposed to be admired not pitied. Maybe he should die. Maybe
he should refuse all food, take no essence whether human or animal,
and allow himself to waste away. It would be painful, yes,
but not so long lasting. He was already weakened, in need of essence.
The process of becoming a molt had drained his system.
In many ways he was already depleted. Surly, it would be a simple
thing to die. Then his father would truly weep. He would realize
what his rejection had done and he would fall to his knees in anguish.
Perhaps he'd even take his own life. This thought heartened
Dolnaraq. He only wished he could be alive to witness it. Maybe
he could hold his breath, pretend to be dead, make his father realize
how wrong he'd been, then Dolnaraq could "awaken." His
father would be so thankful Dolnaraq was alive that he would
hug him and care for him.
Or maybe he would curse him. Maybe he would rather that
Dolnaraq did perish. Then he wouldn't have the embarrassment
of a freakish pup.
Nothing made sense. Nothing was right.
But then came the raid. And everything changed.
The pack from the north attacked on the night of the small
est moon. The minimal light granted them cover as they swept in
from three different points of attack. Reyaqc packs attack one another
for various reasons—food stores, supplies, better positioning
relative to humans and prey, sometimes to replenish their stock
of females and youth, or other times simply out of pure savagery.
The commotion began well after sundown. Shouts and footfalls
as reyaqc raced back and forth about the clearing, growls and
shrieks, the sounds of struggle, the gasps of the dying. Dolnaraq
knew the sound of a raid. There had been many in his short lifetime.
This was part of the reyaqc life. He also knew that even a
pup such as he was expected to defend the pack. If he was old
enough to hunt, he was old enough to fight.
Dolnaraq closed his eyes. It would be an easy thing to simply
lay here and allow one of the raiders to come by and kill him.
There would be no prolonged starvation, no pleas from his mother
to reconsider. What of the others? What of his mother? Already
he could see the females gathering armfuls of food and supplies
and carrying them further back into the depths of the cave. The
females were doing their part. Dolnaraq should do his. Perhaps he
would die in battle. Then his father would be forced to be proud.
Yes. Die in battle. Die a hero. Maybe even a freak could be a hero.
It was not an easy task to rise from his bed as his muscles
curled into tight balls of pain. But Dolnaraq used the cave wall
for support and gradually attained an upright position. The first
steps were particularly painful, but with each his muscles seemed
to loosen. He hobbled some, his left leg remaining numb and
twitchy, but he found he could move about in a slow uneven gait.
The scene beyond the cave was a mass of confusion. The
northern pack had seemingly swept in from all sides, catching
Dolnaraq's clan off guard. Already, bodies littered the cold snowy
ground, many slashed open with entrails leaving streaks of red
upon the pristine white. To his left a young female was thrown
harshly against an ancient oak. Her head made a sharp cracking
sound with each of three successive strikes. When she finally fell
limp, the northern reyaqc bent to clutch her right ankle and then
dragged her into the darkness. Directly ahead, two northern reyaqc—
both molts—descended upon Mynig, the pack chieftain.
These reyaqc had the sharp claws of mountain cats. Mynig did
not cry out, nor attempt to flee. Rather, he bit and clawed until
finally succumbing in a heap on the bloodied snow.
Most of the northern reyaqc were molts. But not molts such as
Dolnaraq had become. These were fierce creatures, many with full
long canines and razor-sharp claws. How had they done this? Why
had they become amazing while Dolnaraq had become foolish?
He knew the answer to this.
In these more savage packs, those who did not achieve some
level of strength or usefulness were simply slain and then consumed
by the pack. In this way, at least, they contributed something
to the well-being of the many. If Dolnaraq were found by
these, he would be murdered. He'd be devoured. Dolnaraq now
realized he didn't want to die, that whatever he had become, he
still had reason to go on. But could he? Could he go on? The pack
was under siege and Dolnaraq was still weak and uncoordinated
from his ordeal.
Two reyaqc fell before Dolnaraq, scraping and clawing, causing
the young pup to scurry to his right. All about him were
scenes of carnage—limbs severed, throats bitten and ripped.
Dolnaraq's pack was not large, only comprising some forty members.
Dolnaraq knew each corpse by name. He had spent hours
with each dying soul. An older reyaqc, Narmon, called out from
where he lay on the icy ground. There was a gash in his side,
and he was trying to force his innards back to within his body.
"Dolnaraq!" he cried in a raspy croak. "Help me to put myself
back together! Help me put these in!"
Dolnaraq stood horrified. What was he to do? Narmon was
obviously beyond repair. How could he possibly expect young
Dolnaraq to fix him?
"Dolnaraq, please!" croaked Narmon one last time. But
Dolnaraq fled with a quick hobble. Still, he seemed unable to outdistance
the carnage. Everywhere, he saw those he'd known for
the entirety of his existence falling to this superior force. There
was nothing he could do, no direction he could turn.
The voice came from behind Dolnaraq. He spun around.
Tresset stood before two males who were breathing their final
"Amazing," repeated Tresset, a broad grin on his pale round
face, a look of shear awe in his milky eyes. "Can you see the strategy,
Dolnaraq? Can you see how they swept in from the east,
forcing our pack to retreat west? Then waves two and three, from
the west and north, encircled us, cornered us against the caves.
We were pathetic, with no plan, no countermeasures. But, these!
These were magnificent. Our entire pack will have fallen within
thirty minutes. It's amazing."
The youth was enthralled, hypnotized by the battle. But
he was also correct in his assessment. Dolnaraq could see that
now. His own pack was doomed. Even now, they were down to
less than half the number of the invaders. The only hope was retreat.
It was not brave to die for dying's sake, for this would only
bring a greater victory to one's opponent. No. It was time to flee.
Dolnaraq didn't know if this was logic speaking, or shear cowardice.
But he knew it was right, that it was necessary.
"Tresset," he called. "Tresset, come. We must flee. Our pack
has fallen. Come. Now."
"Do you see the discipline?" asked his friend. "Do you see it?
Even those few who have fallen do so with grace, with superiority."
"Tresset, please. We need to go."
It was then that a large bear-like reyaqc fell upon Tresset.
The youth went down with a panicked yelp, but no serious injury
had yet been inflicted. Dolnaraq had no time to think, which was
well, because had he had that opportunity he surely wouldn't have
leapt upon the brute, sinking his one long canine into the thing's
neck, clamping it there, pressing it deeper, deeper. Dolnaraq felt
the things talons as it dug into his side. He released his hold, but
the brute of a molt did no such thing. Now Dolnaraq was on the
ground. Those claws raking at him. His own blood splayed across
his foe's gnarled face.
Another joined the fray. At first Dolnaraq thought it might be
Tresset, but the other youth was still on the ground, having scooted
to the side after Dolnaraq had fallen upon the molt. Whoever
it was, he'd somehow pressed himself between Dolnaraq and the
other, and was now grappling with the larger reyaqc. Despite the
molt's injury to the neck, it was still a lopsided battle, and the
outcome predetermined. The molt would be the victor.
Dolnaraq moved to renew his attack but the other shouted
at him. "Dolnaraq! No! Flee into the forest! Flee!"
It was his father's voice. And it was soon forever silenced.
PURCHASE THE EMPTY TODAY AT http://www.amazon.com/Empty-Thom-Reese/dp/1603183620/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346163124&sr=1-1&keywords=the+empty+by+thom+reese
Thom Reese is the author of CHASING KELVIN, DEAD MAN'S FIRE, THE DEMON BAQASH, 13 BODIES: SEVEN TALES OF MURDER AND MADNESS, and THE EMPTY. Thom was the sole writer and co-producer of the weekly audio drama radio program, 21ST CENTURY AUDIO THEATRE. Fourteen of these dramas have since been published for download by Speaking Volumes. A native of the Chicago area, Thom currently makes his home in Las Vegas.
CONTACT ME AT email@example.com for autographed copies or to get on my emailing list to receive notifications on new releases, special pricing, appearances, etc.
Check out the first Huntington adventure, DEAD MAN'S FIRE, at http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Fire-Thom-Reese/dp/1612320244/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335623524&sr=1-1
SEE ALL OF MY BOOKS AND AUDIO DRAMAS: http://speakingvolumes.us/authors_ebooks.asp?pid=40
Copyright 2012 Thom Reese All Rights Reserved.


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Mobile changes everything – your website design, and the search engine page results that will lead a user to your site. Make sure your customers can find your brand via mobile search by learning mobile SEO best practices, as well as tips for making your mobile content user-friendly and conversion-focused.
Within this post, you will learn about key considerations and actionable tips to help your organization prepare for mobile and the future of search, along with insights from a recent presentation that I gave for the DMA here – Optimizing for Mobile & the Future of Organic Search (requires a login or registration).
Your site may be mobile-friendly, but how well does it rank in mobile search compared to desktop? Google data tells us more searches take place on mobile than on desktop in 10 countries, including the US and Japan. With so many searches occurring on mobile, it's important to be aware of the differences between the mobile and desktop search landscape.
A recent study examining top-ranking pages in mobile search has identified important common factors among them. If you're looking to boost your mobile rankings, this is what you should consider:Read More
If you're reading this, there's a good chance you woke up this week to a new reality. After months of warnings, Google has launched a new algorithm that considers mobile friendliness as a ranking factor. This means that Google's mobile results and desktop results will be different for many, if not most, web searches. The sites that will rank via mobile search will be mobile friendly. This is very good news for users who have experienced years of frustration when it comes to mobile usability. For webmasters who have yet to hear the siren's call of mobile, however, this could be an unwelcome reality check.
If you're in the latter camp, you may be wondering if you really have to undergo a complete website redesign in order to conform to Google's standards. And the answer is "no."Read More


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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Truth and Encouragement
I do agree with her, but have found that praise on top of truth strengthens the intent to help. When going over another writer's work, tempering a harsh critique with a positive comment goes further than just the negative alone. Just my opinion. Maybe Rachelle's point is you shouldn't seek it from your agent or editor.
But what about at your critique group?
As a member of two amazing and completely different critique groups, I've witnessed feedback as either bitter reality or sugar-coated half-truth. Do they have to be mutually exclusive? Each can be beneficial for various reasons, but isn't the purpose of attending to get better at writing? Hearing what you've done well can be a wonderful motivator, however, delusion doesn't help anyone. So, where's the balance?
I would rather err on the side of being too honest than not. Of course, I always slip in an upbeat observation, but the heart of my critique is raw truth. My hope lives in the expectation that the other members of the group don't hold back. Thick skin is a requirement in the quest for publication. Perhaps sensitivity bleeds through surface cuts, but positive reinforcement from colleagues can act as a bandage along with increased learning. Armed with feedback and determination, a writer fights to get noticed.
What do you think? Do you find criticism alone encouraging?
3 comments:
If the criticism is flavored with praise (e.g. "I liked this, but this other part needs work") then I find it encouraging.ReplyDelete
If it is pure criticism, only telling me what I did wrong, then I get depressed. But once I get over that and fix the problem - resulting in a product better than the one critiqued - then I am encouraged.
I agree with the above commentator. Begin and end with praise. There's got to be something good there. Spelling most words correctly counts ;)ReplyDelete
I prefer honest upbeat critiques. If someone is just pointing out "errors" (complaining) about my work without providing useful examples of how to improve my work then I'd do two things; file their comments in the round file then suggest they join Toastmasters so they can articulate a coherent response.ReplyDelete


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The Passover paradox
In early March, the United Nations announced that the world is facing — and this is not hyperbole — "the greatest humanitarian crisis since 1945."
If you're thinking Syria or European migrants, you're wrong. Neither of those issues was mentioned once.
Right now, the great humanitarian crisis of our world is food insecurity — a condition afflicting tens of millions of people who have limited or uncertain access to nutritional and safe food.
According to the U.N., an estimated 20 million people will face the threat of starvation and famine this year in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria. The New York Times devoted a special section on April 2 to the stories of 130,000 people forced from their homes by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, who have camped next to a highway in the Niger desert in search of food and water.
UNICEF is warning that "1.4 million children could starve to death this year." And I hesitate to describe the accompanying pictures of children already in peril — their faces sunken, desperate, nearly deformed from malnourishment.
Now comes Pesach, a harvest festival. It arrives every spring when the earth is bursting with blooms, when crops are growing and nature renews itself, offering its bounty.
And yet, it forces us to confront hunger.
The relationship between hunger and the Passover seder is so central to the holiday that reiterating the connection is stating the obvious. Early on, before we do almost anything else, we hold up the matzo, and we sing "Ha Lachma Anya" — behold, the bread of affliction. The central symbol of Pesach literally is the poor man's bread: It is the bread of the persecuted, degraded and displaced who could not afford to waste a single second letting dough rise when the moment for liberation came.
On Pesach, our task is to relive the experience of slavery and its infinite deprivations so deeply, so viscerally, it should be as if each one of us had personally gone out of Egypt.
And yet, when I think of the modern Jewish seder table, I think of abundance. Most of us probably enjoy multiple courses of food, flowing wine, crystal glasses, fine china, luxurious table linens. Others partake of popular Pesach "vacations" with kosher buffets so ample they could feed a king, a queen and their court. And I wonder if all of this abundance on the holiday when we are meant to recall deprivation is missing the point. Slavery is having to do without; but our seder tables sometimes are paradigms of excess.
The year 2016 was the second year in a row in which the Department of Housing and Urban Development named Los Angeles as the city with the most chronically homeless people in the country. An estimated 44,000 people sleep on the streets of our city each night. On Pesach, we'll sing, "All who hunger, you are welcome here," but how many of us will invite a hungry person to eat at our table? How many of us will welcome the stranger, the orphan, the refugee?
Our tradition is clear about our obligation, as Jews, to make the world better. We all understand this. That's why we give to charities, and pay taxes, and support food kitchens, and engage in the fight for political equality and justice. The Shulchan Aruch demands that every Jewish community establish a kupa, a welfare fund to be distributed to those in need. It also prescribes a tamchui, a communal kitchen that provides food for the poor.
But it doesn't end there.
Our tradition also recognizes that something different happens when you invite a hungry person into your home. That it is spiritually elevating to break "bread" with someone who is not like you — who does not share your background, your skin color, your socioeconomic status. The holiday table can become an extraordinary equalizer in allowing us to realize our shared humanity. What makes us human is not what we have; it is what we have to give.
A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to invite one of my mother's former students to spend Shabbat with my family and me. He is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who lost nine family members in a horrendous slaughter. He and his brother, a former child soldier, and a young woman who also survived the conflict sat in my grandmother's living room as we lit yahrzeit candles together and remembered all of the people we had lost. That night, we counted more dead among us than living. It was one of the most profound moments of human connection in my life. A Shabbat meal bound me to refugees as we ate, sang, shared and danced to real African drums.
What would it look like if more families modeled this kind of exchange the way my mother did for me? What is the point of digging into our formative pain as a people if it does not awaken us to the pain of others? It's not enough just to tell the story.
Our communal destiny is to write a new one.
Chag sameach.
Danielle Berrin is a senior writer and columnist at the Jewish Journal.


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What: "SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE."Collection of school supplies to help offset the cost of preparing for children's school year for underprivileged families.
Who it benefits: underprivileged students within St. Vincent Martyr School and in local Diocesan parishes.
When it happens: late August – early September annually.
Time commitment: minimal. Entails purchasing items and delivering them to the parish premises.
Coordinator: Maureen Dorney at 973-765-9662
What: "NEW PARISHIONER WELCOMING TEAM." Volunteers would, via a coordinated effort, personally welcome new individuals or families to our parish. An attempt will be made to match the "welcomer" to the new parishioner with similar characteristics: single, married, widowed, young couples without children, families with young children, teens, empty-nesters, etc.
Who it benefits: newly registered parishioners.
When it happens: On an ongoing basis throughout the year as new parishioners register.
Time commitment: perhaps an hour per new parishioner.
Coordinator: Tom Lewis
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
English as a Second Language
Contact Fr. Darwin for more information.


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- C#/.NET Little Wonders: Null Conditional Operator in C# 6
- Ten Awesome Features of Visual Studio Code
- Strongly typed AppSettings Configuration in ASP.NET 5
- Azure App Service: Logic Apps
- A Step-by-Step Guide to Working with the ASP.NET Web API and AngularJS
- Building Responsive Web Sites with Bootstrap
- REST Cheatsheet
- Why to avoid fat controllers
- What's the deal with Windows 10 for the Non-Technical Friend
With this blog I will try to post observations from all sorts of topics. These observations are just my interpretations of what I read, see, hear or do. Some may agree some may not, but hopefully it will spark good conversation.
Friday, June 05, 2015
Links for 06_05_2015
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Once you've had some good liquor, you'll know it.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee (PRWEB) December 16, 2014
Sugarlands Distilling Company announces the newest addition to its authentic moonshine offerings with Mark Rogers' American Peach moonshine. The launch of Sugarlands Shine American Peach, marks Sugarlands Distilling Company's first 70 proof moonshine. Mark Rogers joins Jim Tom Hedrick as the second legend in Sugarlands Distilling Company's popular Legends Series.
Mark Rogers is a true American hunter, fisherman and woodsman. Rogers has moonshined most of his life learning the trade from his 12 uncles when he was only 8 years old. Mark was taught to slow down and make it right. Rogers states, "Once you've had some good liquor, you'll know it."
Sugarlands Distilling Company, located at 805 Parkway, Gatlinburg, will host Mark Rogers for an exclusive American Peach moonshine launch meet and greet on December 20th 2014 from 4pm – 7pm. Mark will meet with fans and sign autographs in the downtown Gatlinburg distillery. Customers who visit Sugarlands Distilling Company are welcome to sip Sugarlands Shine flavors at the distillery's "Sippin' Posts," including those of the Legends.
American Peach is available for purchase starting December 20, 2014 at the downtown Gatlinburg Sugarlands Distilling Company location. Retail store distribution will begin in mid January of 2015. Sugarlands Distilling Company currently distributes award-winning Sugarlands Shine in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Minnesota, and Florida.
Other Sugarlands Shine varieties available include Silver Cloud Tennessee Sour Mash, Jim Tom Hedrick's Unaged Rye, Appalachian Apple Pie, Blockader's Blackberry, Butterscotch Gold, Old Fashioned Lemonade and Southern Sweet Tea.
About Sugarlands Distilling Company
Sugarlands Distilling Company is a producer of craft quality moonshine and whiskey and is also a popular attraction in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Inside the distillery, guests can taste free samples of authentic Sugarlands Shine, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the production, and purchase a variety of moonshine flavors, mountain merchandise, and apparel. To enhance their experience, guests can enjoy live music, Appalachian storytelling, and book outdoor adventure tours in the Sugarlands, an area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park historically referred to as "moonshiners' paradise." The company is East Tennessee-owned, with a focus on bettering the local community through a variety of events and charitable giving. Sugarlands Distilling Company's phased strategic distribution strategy will be supported through a partnership with TAG USA, one of the most respected beverage marketing/sales organizations in the country.


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Kate DiCamillo never disappoints! This will be a great book to add to my list of books to introduce my students to for our friendship unit.
Bink and Gollie are friends. They are clever. They use great vocabulary.
I don't always list illustrators in my blog posts, but the illustrations are so integral to the story, and so simply amazing and hilarious, Alison McGhee must be mentioned! The illustrations are hilarious and add perfectly to the laughter of the book.
These two remind me very much of my own children. They're differently sizes (and ages?) but still have plenty of reckless fun together roller skating. Gollie, like me with my daughter, tries to tolerate Bink's love for the outrageous (it's socks in this book). They get into crazy messes which are creatively resolved. Yup. Sounds a lot like my house!
"I have brought you half of my pancakes," said Gollie.
"And I have removed one of my outrageous socks," said Bink. "It's a compromise bonanza!"
"And I have removed one of my outrageous socks," said Bink. "It's a compromise bonanza!"
Love love love this book! It is an easy read and also one I would enjoy reading to kids again and again.


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How big data is unfair
As we're on the cusp of using machine learning for rendering basically all kinds of consequential decisions about human beings in domains such as education, employment, advertising, health care and policing, it is important to understand why machine learning is not, by default, fair or just in any meaningful way.
This runs counter to the widespread misbelief that algorithmic decisions tend to be fair, because, y'know, math is about equations and not skin color.
Source: How big data is unfair | Moritz Hardt


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It is time we had an interdisciplinary world. It is time we created a society where all levels of thinking and society can work together – so the individual psychologies can live together in a more integrated society. Interdisciplinary thinking tries to promote environmentalism, capitalism, religion, heroic individualism, and families simultaneously. Beauty, truth, and ethics are united.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I'm Offended -- Where's MY Restitution?
A woman was made to take down her American flag in her office because it "offended" someone. But what if the woman who had to take the flag down takes offense that the other person took offense (as well she should)? Does that mean that the person who took offense at the flag, having taken an offensive position to the woman with the flag, should be fired from her position? After all, one cannot offend anyone. Hold it, wait. Offense is not and cannot be objective. Offense is taken by the other person. It is not up to the person who "offended", but up to the person who takes offense to determine if something is or was offensive. That puts the one who chooses whether or not to take offense all the power. It is an arbitrary power -- so there should not be any sort of laws or rules against "offending" someone. What we end up with are cases like this, where someone has to decide which offended party gets to have their way. They claimed others were also offended by the flag. So what? Never mind all the people who saw it and liked it, who felt good about it? The Kindred Hospital Corporation should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this sort of thing to go on in their hospitals.
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Inauguration Events
A Celebration of Service
Friday, September 9
A Day of Service at Various Locations in the Community
Closing Dinner on The John & Jacquelyn Dionne Green at 6 p.m.
Register Now
University Picnic
Sunday, September 11
Mass at 11 a.m.
Picnic for University Employees Begins at Noon
Retreat Center at Chapman Lake
Inauguration Lecture
Tuesday, September 13, 7:30 p.m.
The Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J., Ballroom
The Patrick & Margaret DeNaples Center
by Rev. Frank Brennan, S.J., A.O.
Professor of Law at the Australian Catholic University
Inauguration Eucharist
Thursday, September 15, 4 p.m.
The William J. Byron, S.J., Recreation Complex
Dinner on the University Commons will follow
Inauguration of Reverend Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.
Friday, September 16, 11:30 a.m.
The William J. Byron, S.J., Recreation Complex
Luncheon on the University Commons will follow
Inauguration Concert
Saturday, September 17, 7:30 p.m.
The Houlihan-McLean Center
Performance Music Choral & Instrumental Ensembles


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Merkel says Islamist terrorism is Germany's biggest threat
Islamist terrorism is the biggest challenge facing Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday in a New Year's address to the nation, and vowed to introduce laws that improve security after a deadly attack before Christmas in Berlin.
Referring to the deadly truck attack in Berlin by a Tunisian asylum seeker, she said it was "sickening" when acts of terror were carried out by people who had sought protection, the BBC reported.
She described 2016 as a year of "severe tests" but said she was confident Germany could overcome them.
"As we go about our lives and our work, we are saying to the terrorists: 'You are hate-filled murderers, but you do not determine how we live and want to live. We are free, considerate and open'," Mrs Merkel said.
Merkel, seeking a fourth term as chancellor in 2017, urged Germans to shun populism and said Germany should take a leading role in addressing the many challenges facing the European Union.
"Many attach to 2016 the feeling that the world had turned upside down or that what for long had been held as an achievement is now being questioned. The European Union for example," Merkel said.
"Or equally parliamentary democracy, which allegedly is not caring for the interests of the citizens but is only serving the interests of a few. What a distortion," she said in a veiled reference to claims by the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) that is stealing votes from her conservatives.
Ahead of the 2017 election, polls put her conservative bloc well ahead of rivals but a fractured electoral landscape risks complicating the coalition arithmetic.
"Election year 2017: For Merkel, nothing is certain any more", ran a headline in Saturday's edition of mass-selling daily Bild.
The paper wrote that for an increasing number of voters the chancellor, 62, no longer appeared unassailable.
gee..who caused that if its true?
shes gone all ultra conservative now as the election looms..she wouldnt have said this 9 months ago..
"Islamist terrorism is the biggest challenge facing Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday in a New Year's address to the nation, and vowed to introduce laws that improve security after a deadly attack before Christmas in Berlin."
22 Responses to "Merkel says Islamist terrorism is Germany's biggest threat"
Teen daughter of European Union official brutally raped and murdered by Afghan refugee "seeking asylum" http://ow.ly/FXYe306REHV
Teen daughter of EU official brutally raped and murdered by Afghan…
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She lets in the terrorists lets them run riot then blames them for terrorism ?
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Friday, May 26, 2006
Trying something New May 26,2006
Well today we tried carrots for the first time. Naturally we captured it on camera for all to see. And without a doubt Sam love every morsal of his new and tasty treat. It will be intresting as the weeks pass to see what he thinks of all the wonderful and new tastes and textures.
Now after you have such a terrific meal you have to just lay down and have some fun with your best bud, Bronwynne. As you can tell they are already friends till the end.
Posted by
Plane Jayne
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