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Soon these pullets will be laying eggs
Right about now spring chickens are no longer the cute, fuzzy bundles they were just five weeks ago. Just like human children, they have begun maturing — at first by bits. Now they look like mini adult chickens.
So it's a good thing most chick purchases are not for cuddly cuteness but for modern homesteading.
For now, new chicks are still dependents, requiring extra attention food, shelter and water. Chicks must maintain a body temperature of at least 90 degrees when brought home, with diminishing temperatures after that. They are pullets, the proper name for hens of this transitioning age, no longer chicks but not yet laying.
Novice chicken farmer Susan Nolan of Lothian has six chickens in her developing flock, two Barred Rock, two Red Stars, one Andalusian Blue and one New Hampshire Red.
From now until early fall, she gives them two heaping scoops of feed a day. Just like the kids at home, the chicks are messy eaters, leaving more on the ground than in their bellies.
By early June, they can leave the shelter of Nolan's home to live in their own residence, the coop.
Around September, they'll be feeding Nolan and her family approximately three to five eggs a week per chicken.
Read more on raising egg hens at:
Honor the holy day. Then celebrate the holiday.
Memorial Day is both a holiday and a holy day.
On the far side of war, it's the holiday beginning summer's season of outdoor living, welcomed with barbecues, crab feasts and pool openings. I'm eager to plunge into that season this week or next, weather permitting. Imagining you are too, all of us here are preparing Bay Weekly's indispensible Summer Guide to tuck inside your June 8 paper.
On the near side of war, Memorial Day is a holy day. Dating back to the Civil War, it began as Decoration Day, when a mourning nation decorated the graves of its lost sons with the flowers of spring.
World War I gave Memorial Day a great boost. America entered the Great War, its working title, 100 years ago, calling 4.7 million into service and sending four million men to fight along war-weary French and British soldiers.
All must have feared what American poet Alan Seeger predicted:
I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air —
I have a rendezvous with Death
When Spring brings back blue days and fair.
The feelings of one of the 4.7 million, Illinoisan
A.L. Dixon, survived the century. I read in his own hand lonely, newsy letters he sent to my grandmother's first cousin, Miss Cora Smith, during his 18 months of service. Safe from the German barrage, spared by spinal meningitis and influenza, Dix served an easy war as a quartermaster sergeant in Camp Taylor, Kentucky. But of course he did not know that going in.
December 13, 1917
Me thinks we will soon see France and I hope so, just to get this over with. I have taken out $500 insurance and Mother may find herself rich some day soon …
April 19, 1918
There are three stars in the home service flag now and I am some what proud of it — there will be a chance of some of us boys in the Dixon family getting shot I think. I can't say that Mother is proud of her best soldier sons, but they are all insured for $40,000 and she had better wish us good luck in this scrap.
November 4, 1918
The flu was sure bad here and some few of our boys "kicked off." It failed to land me this time so you and others will still have to keep on sending letters to Camp Taylor and trust the Huns to get me when I go across.
Then the war was over. Dix and his brothers were lucky. Others were not. America suffered 306,000 casualties.
December 31, 1918
There are lots of the oversea boys here in camp all wounded and all quartered at the base hospital, they must make me bawl every time I see them for some are in bad shape and one can see just what war means.
Of the 306,000, 53,402 died in action. Among them was the poet Alan Seeger. An early volunteer with the French Foreign Legion, he kept his rendezvous with death on July 4, 1916, nine months before America entered the war.
Disease, including the war years' terrible flu, and other causes took 63,114 more lives.
The War to End All Wars did not live up to its billing. Since 2001, 6,886 American warriors have died according to http://thefallen.militarytimes.com. The Religious Society of Friends' count is higher.
Memorial Day seems to serve a lasting purpose.
In this week's paper, we continue our remembrance of World War I, introducing storyteller Elloise Schoettler, who you can hear in person Saturday, May 27 as she recounts Unknown Stories of 64 World War I Nurses from Maryland at Chesapeake Beach's annual Stars and Stripes Festival.
You'll also learn what Dix meant by three stars in the home service flag. For that, turn to Crofton Library's Blue Star Memorial: One of an All-American Chain of Monuments to Peace, also by Diana Dinsick.
Honor this holy day. Then celebrate the holiday.
Sandra Olivetti Martin
Editor and publisher
email [email protected], www.sandraolivettimartin.com
Ridley Scott is more interested in philosophy than chills in this latest sequel
Leaving Earth in search of a habitable planet, The Covenant carries a crew of married couples plus 2,000 colonists and a few trays of embryos. While the crew and passengers hypersleep, android Walter (Michael Fassbender: Assassin's Creed) cares for the ship.
A disaster ends the crew's slumbers.
The crippled Covenant's luck improves when the crew finds a habitable planet nearby. Shall they take a look?
The one voice of dissent is Daniels (Katherine Waterston: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), a just-made widow who is second in command. Her objections overruled, Daniels reluctantly accepts a mission to see if this mystery planet is suitable for humans.
The team finds the planet perfectly habitable yet deserted. The only being they encounter is David (also Fassbender), an android from the ship Prometheus, who has made this empty Earth a lab for his experiments. The crew's curiosity about the missing Prometheus is tabled when xenomorphs show up to eat them.
Where is the thrill? Director Ridley Scott, creator of Alien, seems to have forgotten the elements that made his 1979 film a triumph: tight plotting, interesting characters and a realistic threat that was not easily escapable. Today's Scott is more interested in philosophic debates. It's difficult to take his weighty subjects seriously as murderous xenomorphs pop up. Dialog is so silly that the audience giggled through talk on the meaning of life, the purpose of survival and the quest to discover our origins.
Adding insult to injury, we must wait nearly an hour for the aliens, during which time, Scott fails to develop his characters so that later none of their deaths have impact. The one bright spot is Fassbender, who gives both androids distinct personalities and wants.
Poor Sci-Fi/Horror • R • 122 mins.
Death by herbicide is the first step toward no-till farming
This spring, Chesapeake Country meadows turned from green to the color of straw. It's been a strange sight and one you'll see more of in coming years. No, it's not a symptom of climate change. It's a step in no-till farming.
No-till farming offers many advantages over conventional farming.
Plowing, disking and cultivating destroy soil structure and organic matter and cause soil to compact and to lose moisture, thus requiring ever more energy and more powerful equipment. Turned soil is exposed to wind and water erosion. Dormant weed seeds, which infest our soils, are exposed to sunlight, which can give them the push to germination in a few seconds.
No-till farming, on the other hand, promotes the accumulation of organic matter. With more organic matter, soil needs less fertilizer, keeps its moisture, avoids compaction and is protected from erosion. But the first step, conversion from conventional to no-till, requires greater dependency on chemical weed killers called herbicides.
The quick spring change from green fields to gold means the vegetation was sprayed with Gramoxin. Gramoxin is a restricted-use herbicide used to kill either annual weeds or a cover crop of winter rye or wheat. The applicator must be certified to use Gramoxin.
A more gradual change of color over seven to 10 days suggests the chemical herbicide was glyphosate, pioneered as Roundup by Monsanto. This chemical is used most on perennial weeds.
Weed killers in agricultural use generally have a short lifespan. They are applied in ounces per acre and decompose by light, heat and microbes. As no-till promotes the accumulation of organic matter, there is an increase in microbial activity, which helps keep soil productive.
In no-till farming, the only soil disturbed is a thin slice where both the seeds and fertilizers are injected into the soil. With less soil disturbance, the weed population diminishes with time, thus reducing the need to apply weed killers in the future.
The immediate advantage is most noticeable during drought years. No-till crops are more drought-tolerant because the soil retains more water.
It takes about three years before farmers begin to measure the full benefits of no-till farming. As organic matter accumulates, there is less fertilizer needed to optimize crop yields. With less soil compaction, the roots of crops are able to penetrate deeper for water and nutrients.
Ask The Bay Gardener your questions at [email protected] Please include your name and address.
On these, you did your part
A couple of recent stories have given us just the response we like to hear: You loved them.
Every Wednesday afternoon, we wash our hands of the next day's paper, just as I'm doing today on the paper of May 18, 2017 — which happens to be one of which we're all proud.
When our work is done, yours begins. For newspapering is a partnership among those who make it — writers, editors, photographers, designers, ad reps, advertisers — and those who read it. We and You.
A newspaper without readers isn't even fish wrap.
Our interdependence is just as real on a personal level. Each of us sends our weekly contributions out into the world as foundlings. What will happen to the story we've spent so much time on, which belongs to people about whom we've grown to care? Will you take it into your heart as we did? We depend on you to finish the story.
Ask Diana Beechener, Mick Blackistone, Audrey Broomfield, Jackie Graves, Sarah Jablon and Kathy Knotts, all writers in this week's paper. That's what they'll tell you. (Dennis Doyle we granted a rare week off.) Even Bay Gardener Francis Gouin thrives on your interest and questions.
Or how about that page Alex Knoll or Betsy Kehne wrestled with to make it call out to you?
One of those pages is why I'm smiling as I write. That's our May 5 two-page spread of people and their dogs promenading with SPCA of Anne Arundel County.
Appealing as that page looks, bringing it to you is no walk in the park. Just on our side — for I'm not even going to try to imagine all SPCA puts into this annual event — four Bay Weekly humans and one Bay Weekly dog, turned out for the Walk for the Animals. Audrey Broomfield and her husky Misty took the early shift, starting at 7:30am. She and Alex Knoll and son Jack engaged walkers, while Karen Lambert shot photos. From camera to page, Betsy Kehne took over, straining to arrange the montage that had us all wishing we'd been there to see the fun in person.
By 5pm Wednesday, May 3 we'd put that particularly challenging paper to bed, emailing it to our printer in Virginia, which is a high-tech story of its own. Early Thursday, May 4, 20,000 copies were trucked to us and waiting for their delivery drivers.
What happened then?
Did all those people and their dogs put a smile on your face? I'd still be wondering — except that Lou Carter, a woman with her heart in SPCA, phoned to say she was thrilled. What she had to say, you'll read down the page in Your Say. Because of talking with Lou, I'm smiling, too.
Our May 11 story, The Magic of Song, reaped another kind of reward. All week, emails from fans of that story's hero, Jeanne Kelly of Encore Chorale, have been flooding my inbox. Clearly, the impresario of elder song has built quite the network, for each one sang her praises.
Standing on the wings of appreciation is writer Diana Dinsick, without whom that story would never have been.
Encore Chorale had been a faint blip on my editorial radar screen for quite some time. For years, we'd reported in 8 Days a Week the Chorale's regular releases reaching out to singers and announcing concerts. Fans had encouraged us to do a story.
The spark that turned a good idea into a story came early this spring, in the Chorale's announcement of its May 13 concert at DAR Constitution Hall. Ah-ha! I said, and opened the line to writer Dinsick, herself a Daughter of the American Revolution. The story that pleased all those readers came to be because Dinsick made the calls, did the interviews, listened to performances, researched the science, wrote the story and endured my editing. Now she's smiling, too.
That satisfied smile is usually what happens when we hear from you (unless we've made a mistake!).
The advertisers who bring you Bay Weekly want to hear from you, too. Remember to say, I saw your ad in Bay Weekly!
Mack the Lab is Maryland's chief apiary sniffer
Cybil Preston and her bee dog Mack the Lab are official heroes in the state of Maryland.
Like all heroes and superheroes, Mack rose from a troubled past. He was a puppy in a dissolving family where three small children took up all the time the mother had to give. Preston came to the rescue, sensing Mack had the brains to pick up new skills. He did.
Preston, Maryland's chief apiary inspector, needed a new sharp-nosed dog to continue the nation's longest — and only — canine apiary inspection program. The most famous of the five dogs who held the Maryland job was Klinker, who was featured in a National Geographic segment before retiring in 2014.
Bee dogs, as the apiary inspectors are known, can sniff out a killing disease. The American foulbrood bacterium kills both pupae and pre-pupae in bee colonies. It spreads in a vegetative form as well as through spores, which means if a hive is infected, any tools used even, potentially, the hive itself may have to be destroyed.
American foulbrood gets its name from the country in which it was discovered and its foul smell, "like chicken manure," Preston says. The human nose can detect the scent only if the hive is opened, Preston says, "while Mack need only walk past."
He stops and sits to signal an infested hive.
Mack works only in the cold, below 52 degrees, when bees are dormant, so he isn't stung. One sting on the nose taught handler and dog that lesson. Mack works on the Preston family farm in his free time, at his master's side, sidetracked only by a game of Frisbee.
Quick, cost effective and extremely accurate, bee-sniffing dogs are a key part of Maryland apiculture and agriculture, keeping bees at work pollinating crops.
Mack's sensitive nose helps Maryland's chief apiary inspector Cybil Preston find bee hives infested with American foulbrood.
This mother-daughter comedy is good for a few laughs
Emily Middleton (Amy Schumer: Inside Amy Schumer) is a train wreck. Fired from her retail job and dumped by her boyfriend, she's reduced to posting selfies on Instagram. Her digital success has not earned her friends, so her only willing companion on a non-refundable trip to Ecuador is her mother, Linda (Goldie Hawn: The Banger Sisters), the one person who has never told her no.
A bit of a shut-in who still takes care of Emily's agoraphobic man-child of a brother, Linda reluctantly agrees.
Emily's delight gives way to annoyance at her mother's overprotectiveness and prudish travel rules. Convinced an adventure will chill her mother out, Emily forces her to experience "the real Ecuador."
They are promptly kidnapped.
Alone and terrified, mother and daughter team up to overcome their captors, the unforgiving jungle and their own strife. Are they doomed to be a cautionary tale for other tourists?
Crude, funny and shallow, Snatched is much like Emily's character. Director Jonathan Levine (The Night Before) pushes for laughs that are increasingly outlandish. A slapstick sequence involving a tapeworm would be more at home in an Adam Sandler film.
Schumer has made a career of playing drunken messes, and her role here is no exception. It's a funny character, but one that becomes successively frustrating the more outrageous her antics become. In her previous film, Schumer had something to say about the pressure women feel to fulfil a "cool girl" archetype. In Snatched, she has nothing to say.
Hawn is a bright spot as Schumer's uptight mom. She gamely throws herself into even the most ridiculous gag, wringing laughs out of some truly lame material. It's good to see the comic legend back on the screen, even if she deserves better material.
The movie's real problem is its portrayal of Latin populations. The native people Emily and her mother encounter are either maniacal criminals or simple folk. It's an insulting portrayal and one that reeks of racism.
Cultural ignorance and appropriation aside, Snatched lands many of its jokes. When Schumer rambles like the world's most awkward fish out of water, it's downright fun.
Fair Comedy • R • 91 mins.
With resident rockfish season, fishing becomes catching
Trophy rockfish season ends Monday, May 15. On Tuesday, May 16, the second Chesapeake Bay rockfish season begins. At the change, the size limit changes from one fish of over 35 inches to two fish 20 inches or larger, only one of which may be longer than 28 inches.
Legal fishing areas are limited to the main stem of the Chesapeake from the Hart-Miller Island Dike south to the Maryland-Virginia line plus Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound; and the Chester, Choptank and Patuxent rivers and their tributaries. No rockfishing in other rivers, tributaries or creeks, bays or sounds. The geographical limits protect rockfish that continue to spawn in these waters into June.
Making the transition to angling for resident fish, which will now mostly measure under 30 inches, will mean shifting both equipment and technique.
This time of year begins light tackle heaven. As rockfish forage in shallower water, they can be pursued on medium-weight spin and casting rods. With the spawn mostly done, patterns emerge as to where the fish can be found.
As the average size fish will now be about 23 to 24 inches, in tackle drop down to hooks 5/0 and under, leaders 20 to 25 pound or less and lures six inches and under.
More specifically, trollers should begin dropping back to six-inch sassy shads on their bucktails and parachutes as well as using smaller spoons and swimming plugs. As waters warm, fish begin holding deeper, so additional weight may be needed to present the baits at the necessary depths.
Chumming, chunking and bottom fishing produce better, as stripers form larger schools, hold in one location much longer and start the post-spawn feed. Alewife, menhaden and bunker (all the same baitfish under different names) continue to be the prefered bait for rockfish. Shore-bound anglers can also rely on bloodworms — jumbos if they can be found — to tempt better-sized fish.
For now, shore-bound angling is limited to locations that border the Bay proper, among them Sandy Point, Matapeake and Point Look Out state parks. Note that Jonas Green Park and Romancoke Pier, both popular fishing areas, will not be legal until June 1.
Resident rockfish will now also begin holding on structure such as bridge piers, jetties and along the deeper (five to 10 foot) points and rocky shorelines. This will make them accessible to jerk baits such as Bass Assassins, BKDs, Rapala X-Raps, Rat-L-Traps and similar swimming plugs. At first and last light they will be susceptible to top water baits in the areas along these same structures.
Feed new plants or warm the soil
Like air, soil is slowly warming. When soil temperatures are below 60 degrees, soil microorganisms are rather inactive and plants have fewer nutrients to absorb. As the soils warm, the microorganisms become active and more nutrients become available.
The conventional gardener can readily solve this problem by side-dressing with a water soluble fertilizer such as Miracle Gro or by sprinkling calcium nitrate, ammonium sulfate or a complete fertilizer near the plants and cultivating it into the soil. This practice will stimulate the plants into early growth. Never allow granular fertilizers to remain on the surface of the soil if you want your money's worth, for some of the nitrogen will be lost into the atmosphere.
The solution to cool soil is more complicated for organic gardens, where growth depends on the microorganisms in the soil digesting the organic matter and releasing nutrients.
Organic gardeners can solve the problem by blending blood meal or fish oil with the soil prior to planting. Another method is to cover the area one to two weeks before planting with a sheet of clear plastic, anchoring the edges of the plastic into the ground. The clear plastic will provide a greenhouse effect and warm the soil. At planting time, remove the clear plastic and cover the row to be planted with black plastic strips 12 to 18 inches wide. Using a sharp knife, cut an X and transplant through the plastic, which will help keep the soil warm and smother weeds.
I rely on soil test results in making fertilizer recommendations. However, testing is done at room temperature, so soil may contain adequate amounts of nutrients that may not be available in cool soils. This is why water-soluble starter fertilizer is recommended when transplanting in early spring. Water-soluble starter fertilizer provides instantly available nutrients that early spring-planted crops need for optimum growth.
If you are transplanting plants grown in peat pots, tear away the top of each pot before planting. Allowing the tops of the peat pots to protrude above the soil will result in water being wicked away from the root ball. Plants can die of drought despite the soil surrounding the peat pot being moist. I prefer tearing away the entire peat pot to ensure that the garden soil makes direct contact with the root ball.
If you are transplanting plants grown in plastic pots or cell packs, examine each root ball before planting. If the roots cover the entire outside edge of the root ball, crush the root ball to disrupt the root system. By crushing the root ball, you will be forcing new roots to grow into the garden soil. Allowing the roots to remain undisturbed often results in delayed establishment or stunted plants.
Bats have a colony of mothers
Who knew that bats make excellent mothers? You and I do, thanks to Maryland Department of Natural Resources bat biologist Dana Limpert, who speaks highly of the brown bat.
"They take excellent care of their young. If a baby falls out of the roost or is injured, the mother will recognize its calls and rescue it."
Myotis lucifugus is small, about three and a half inches with a wingspan of nine to 11 inches and weighing less than half an ounce. Their name comes from their long brown fur. Brown bats live throughout Chesapeake Country, especially near water for drinking.
A female bat gives birth to one or two pups every spring, late May to early June, with twins common hereabouts. During pregnancy and after birth, mother and pups reside in a "maternity colony" that can range from five to several hundred of the winged mammals. Think about a Yaya sisterhood on an animal level.
Babies not yet able to fly attach themselves to mom immediately after birth and feed on her milk for the first few weeks. When momma bat gets hungry, she leaves her pups in the colony cluster and goes out to hunt for bugs. Upon return she licks faces, recognizing her pups by scent and call.
In a month or so, pups join their mother in catching and eating bugs.
Recent developments in gene identification have shown that all members of a colony are related. Colonies live in tree trunks, caves and barns. Eventually — in the fall for females and a year later for males — the pups leave their mothers' sides to start their own families. The mothers will rejoin their male counterparts in forming a bigger colony to mate, hibernate and begin the cycle anew.
DNR wants to know if you see bats to help in population studies and preservation of the species, which is under fungal attack: https://tinyurl.com/DNR-bats.
© Copyright 2018, New Bay Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Catcher in the Rye . . . Harry Potter . . . Captain Underpants . . .
Every year, there are hundreds of attempts to remove books from schools and libraries.
Celebrate YOUR freedom to read and right to choose your book during Banned Books Week, September 30th to October 6th.
For more information,
visit http://www.ala.org/bbooks.
Make sure you stop back by tomorrow for my Banned Books Week Kick Off!!

subset: commoncrawl


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The nibble has become a bite! I'll be spending my Valentine's weekend prepping for a phone interview, and I don't mind that one bit.
Another thing I really like is that I'm getting involved with the search process at my own institution for a position that is strongly related to my prior lab gig. The head of the search committee asked me to go to lunch with a couple of candidates, attend their jobs talks, and show them around campus a bit. This is definitely a good opportunity for me to see other people go through the process themselves, and maybe build up some good job search karma.


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The Muslim Brotherhoods: force of change and enemy of the imperialist west?
One year after the beginning of the revolutions, which are still ongoing, in the Middle East and North Africa, the victory of the elections by Islamists in Tunisia and Egypt, as well as in Morocco, have cooled a number of observers and supporters of the revolutionary processes in the region. They now speak of the "Islamist winter" following the "Arab spring".
The Muslim Brotherhoods (MB) are the great winners of these elections in the various countries, Their success or their importance comes despite the fact these parties were not leading the popular movement in their countries and were less involved than other political forces or groups.
In Egypt, the MB, except the youth in opposition to the decision of the leadership, did not join the demonstration in the beginning of the revolution on the 25th of January. In Tunisia, Nahda members were only a small minority in the demonstrations and the strikes that led to the overthrow of Ben Ali.
What are the policies of the MB in their respective countries? Is the MB a political force encouraging change in their society and a challenge to imperialist powers and to neo liberal forces?
I would like to precise before starting this article that this analysis is focusing on a political party and/or movement, and not on a religion or a community. The MBs represent a movement and political parties and not the whole community of Muslims; just as in Europe the Christian Democrats represent a political party and not the whole community of Christians. In the same time we refuse the argument: "they are religious Muslim parties, therefore retrograde" as an analysis in any possible way. This is essentialism and discriminatory explanations close to people such as Bernard Lewis and Neo Conservatives in the USA, and is islamophobic. Our analysis is rooted in materialist elements and based on politics, nothing else.
Let's answer these questions by looking firstly at Egypt
The MB has won 47% of the votes of the elections, in other words assuring 235 seats in the new People's Assembly out of 498. The MB was the largest opposing party during Moubarak era and became the focus point to rally around for the opposition against the dictatorship. Under the Mubarak regime, the MB was formally banned but nevertheless tolerated. The begrudging toleration, however, did not save its members from frequent arrests and trials before exceptional courts. The group achieved its best election result in 2005 with independent candidates allied to it winning 20% of the seats. The government subsequently launched a crackdown on the MB, detaining hundreds of members, and instituted a number of legal "reforms" to make them illegal. During the fraud-ridden 2010 parliamentary elections, the government found pretexts to invalidate the candidacies of virtually all Muslim Brotherhood-linked independents.
In 2009, the organization decided nevertheless to retreat from national politics following the election of a particularly conservative group led by Muhammad Badie. They intended to focus their members on religious observance and community affairs. The Guide Badie declared at this period that the MBs would seek only gradual reform and would not confront Mubarak.
How to explain the success of the MBs in the legislative elections?
The electoral success of the MBs in the legislative elections is due to several reasons. The MBs draw significant support from Egypt's poor and working class sector of the society, despite the fact that the leadership is mostly upper-middle-class.
The MBs was the only established parties with a large network of institutions and a big number of members to manage the transitory period after the Moubarak era in the eyes of many Egyptians. They considered the MBs as a guaranty for stability in a near future. The MBs was the most opposition important party in the past as we have seen above, contesting elections, organizing and dominating many professional associations, while engaging in a host of welfare activities such as supporting schools, clinics, hospitals and youth centers. The MB provided also services ranging from business start-up aid, legal advices and no interest loans. It created an important network of charitable institutions which brought the party large base of support among the lower and middle classes society, in a society lacking public services and which has virtually no welfare state.The uncorrupted image of the MBs was also an important element in the success of the MBs, especially in a country where it is so widespread.
The MBs present it selves as well as an anti imperialist party which is supporting the Palestinian cause. This is actually more rhetoric than practice as we can observe by their will for dialogue with the US and stability with Israel.
Finally, the MBs' reformist stand as viewed by many Egyptians was considered stability for the future of the country.
Position of the MBs towards the revolutionary process
The position of the MB towards the revolutionary process since the fall of Moubarak has been more than ambiguous in many ways.
The Muslim Brotherhood's behaviour towards Security Council of Armed Forces ( SCAF, the ruling army council) since the fall of Mubarak in February has been characterized by collaboration. The MB Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie urged Egyptians on several occasions to support SCAF – and he praised its role in 'protecting the revolution' and 'backing the people'.
The Muslim Brotherhood has insisted that any difference in views should not turn into a confrontation and that there should be co-operation between the military council, interim government and elected parliament. The Muslim Brotherhood has approved of the ruling SCAF's opposition to strikes on different occasions.
The MB position of supporting SCAF has actually been the case since February, as we remember with referendum on the Constitutional amendments which the ruling armed forces put forward. These amendments were the most marginal constitutional changes and they were supported by Mubarak's old party, the NDP, and by the MB. The Army and the MB put forward amendments favoring same system and disadvantaging new candidates in forthcoming elections. Those in the No camp were most of the left and those in the forefront of the revolutionary movement plus the youth sections of the Muslim Brotherhood.
The MB has also attacked the various groups and forces willing to continue the revolutionary process in Egypt at several occasions. On the demonstration of the April 8, the Army launched a violent attack on the protesters killing at least two, while the MB has described those protesting against the military as 'zealots', and has refused to support their demonstrations: 'The Muslim Brotherhood condemns any attempt to weaken [the military's relationship with the people], and especially attempts to cause any split between the military and the people or to pit them against each other.'
The MB repeated this behavior lately in mobilizing for the Tahrir Square rally on 8 July, which hundreds of thousands, but made a pointed exit at 6 pm, defying calls for a sit-in and leveling criticism at the political parties and groups who remained in the square. The group launched attacks as well on the ongoing protest via its website, Ikhwan Online, which on 11 July reported that the sit-in had been infiltrated by "remnants of the dissolved National Democratic Party, the state security apparatus and their Zionist allies".
The call for this demonstration to continue and achieve the demands of the "revolution" was made on the 23rd June. The MB initially refused any participation in the demonstration, but under the pressure of the mass and scared to lose ground even more with the protesters, finally decided to join the demonstration out of fear and self interests more than principles.
In December 2011, the MB and Egypt's state-run affiliated media outlets launched a campaign
to make supporters of the continuation of the revolution look like criminals. The MB accused Anarchists and Revolutionary Socialists of being inciters of violence and propagandists of state demolition. They actually filed a lawsuit against members of these parties.
Recently, The MBs have been the target of criticisms and opposition groups during the last demonstrations from the 25thof January.
On the 27th of January, popular movements organized demonstrations throughout the country. The day was called "Friday of Pride and Dignity". SCAF was again defeated by the massive participation of Egyptians in the demonstrations.
The slogans and chants raised by the protesters demanded the overthrow of SCAF and direct transition of powers to the parliament. The attempts by SCAF to transform the 27th and the 25th into celebrations were a complete failure as we can be witnessed by the mobilizations of the people and their refusal to step down against SCAF.
Some protesters clashed with supporters of SCAF in front of the ministry of defense building. The protesters pushed through the human chain created by the SCAF supporters and chanted "down with SCAF". In Tahrir square, at the arrival of the various marches the main slogans were still directed against SCAF. Demonstrators held up a doll of SCAF leader Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi in the square. The protesters manipulated the doll to have the fake Tantawi say, "We [the SCAF] have protected the revolution. Whoever is in Tahrir is a thug."
The atmosphere started to change at one point when the officials of the Muslim Brotherhood began their speeches and became the target of a large section of the protesters. The dispute began when some protesters marched into the square, raised their shoes at the Brotherhood's stage, chanted and threw rocks at them. After turning up the Quranic verses failed, Brotherhood members instead began chanting against the SCAF.
That did not work, either, so the Brotherhood invited some youths of the 6th of April movement onto their stage to convince the crowd to not attack them. After that failed, the Brotherhood announced that it would remove an anniversary banner from its stage as an affront to the revolutionaries, and draped a cloth over the banner.
The ambiguous position of the Muslim Brotherhood towards the SCAF these past few months and its acceptance of the transfer of power to parliament in June following SCAF are the main causes of the protesters anger towards them. In addition to this, the Muslim Brotherhood presented the day, as well as the 25th January as a day to celebrate and party; while the protesters considered it as an opportunity to say that the revolution must continue.
The protesters threw bottles and raised their shoes in the air against the MBs representatives on stage, while singing chants asking them to leave and accusing them of being liars.
The opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood became the center of attention in Tahrir square, the stage close to it joining the demands of the protesters for the Muslim Brotherhood to leave.
The MBs then brought back a lot of their members to protect their stage and impose their presence in the square.
Large masses of demonstrators are still in Tahrir, chanting for the overthrow of SCAF and demanding a civil state. The Muslim Brotherhood continued to be the target of protesters telling them to leave.
On the 31st of January, once again clashes happened between MBs members and protesters. Four protest marches, each composed of several hundred people, have started their journeys to the parliamentary headquarters, demanding that the SCAF hand over power to the newly-elected legislature immediately.
As some protesters coming from Cairo University approached the parliamentary building, they were faced by members of the Muslim Brotherhood who wanted to prevent them from protesting in the area. Clashes took place between the two groups.
Brotherhood members chanted "the army and the people are one hand," and created a human shield around the parliamentary headquarters. Similar scenes were witnessed at the opening session of Parliament the week before.
Protesters started chanting against the Muslim Brotherhood and accusing them of abandoning the blood of the revolution's martyrs by trying to please the SCAF and refusing the early handover of power to Parliament.
As the clashes started, Social Democratic Party MP Ziad El-Elemy said that about thirty MPs from different parties decided to withdraw from the session in protest at Parliament Speaker and leading FJP member Mohamed Saad El-Katatni's decision not to call on them to speak, and joined the protesters outside the Parliament building.
Fifty-six political parties and movements called for Tuesday's marches on the parliament to demand that representatives support the One Demand initiative raised by those forces.
The One Demand initiative was announced earlier this week, listing certain measures that Parliament should adopt to achieve the stated demands: "No to safe exits for military council leaders, no to a constitution drafted under military rule and no to presidential elections under the military's supervision."
The Muslim Brotherhood called on people to not participate in the calls for a general strike aimed at pressuring the ruling SCAF to handover power to a civil authority, which were triggered by a number of university student unions and adopted by a handful of leftist and liberal parties as well as revolutionary groups. The MBs said that the calls for a general strike were "destructive" and "extremely damaging to the nation's interests and future." It also warned a strike would only worsen the country's poor economic and social conditions, and could "lead to the dismantling and collapse of the state.
The MBs went as far as to declare middle of January their plan to pass legislation granting immunity to the ruling military generals for crimes they have committed since taking power in February.
In Parliament, the MBs continue to try to bring closer relationship with the SCAF and avoid confrontation towards it. The MBs new speaker of parliament, Mohamed Saad El-Katatni, sent a thank you letter to SCAF on behalf of the parliament, despite the fact that he did not have the approval of the deputies, saying: "The People's Assembly commends your historic stances in the great Egyptian Revolution. You have taken the side of the people and their peaceful revolution…and as brave fighters you shouldered the burden of making this choice."
Later on in February, the parliament speaker told the chamber that according to the interior minister, no bullets were fired in the wave of violence between police and protesters in downtown Cairo following the deadly Port Said football match.
The Youth leaves the party
The MB's leadership negative behavior and criticism towards the protesters created more tensions among its members and led to an inevitable split with the youth of the group who where one of the leading parties in the revolution from day one.
Tensions between factions of the Brotherhood youth and leadership were first exposed during the January 25 Revolution, when the group officially boycotted the call for a revolution while its youth insisted on participating.
In June, the youth of the MB finally decided to create their own political party following increasing criticism on the political position of the MB's leadership and disenchantment with their generation's marginalization of the group's leadership. The party is called Hizb Al-Tayyar Al-Masry (Egyptian Current Party) and plays until now an important role in the pro revolution camp.
They were actually part of the electoral bloc of the Revolution Continues, with other leftist forces during the last elections.
Imperialism and Palestine
In relation to Palestine, the MB did not participate in the protest for Nakba day in May in front the Israeli embassy in Cairo, in which the Egyptian police fired tear gas and live ammunition at protesters. Thousands of demonstrators were massed outside of the embassy in the Egyptian capital. The MB did not intervene or criticize as well the SCAF's decision to restrict the Palestinian use of the Rafah crossing to enter Gaza, after announcing the total opening of beginning of June.
In their election manifesto the MB said that Egypt's international agreements must be upheld, In relation to Israel, they said recently existing agreements with Israel should be maintained as long as Israel also keeps to their terms, while they do not seek to end the Qualifying Industrial Zones agreement under which hundreds of Egyptian companies export products with Israeli components duty-free to the United States. Export volumes have been running at around $800 million annually.
In addition, according to Gaza-based analyst Ibrahim Ibrach, the MB privately asked Hamas to "stop military activities and to work on politics. They want the situation to remain calm."
On international issues, the MB have met finally met with US officials in the beginning of this year, following answering positively to a call made by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on 30 June that the US was "re- engaging" with the MB in an effort to promote democracy.
The meeting happened on January 2012 between Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and The head of the political arm of Egypt's MB Mohammed Mursi at the Cairo headquarters of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP). FJP head Mohammed Mursi said his party "believes in the importance of US-Egyptian relations," but stressed that ties between the two nations "must be balanced," in a statement issued after the talks.
The MB shares good relationships with counter-revolutionary Gulf States such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which have been financing the party and salafists groups massively during the elections.
Neo liberal policies
The MB leadership repeatedly declared it supports free-market capitalism, but without manipulation or monopoly. They support private enterprise, a stock market, and engagement with the global economy. They also repeated several time that they wanted "to attract as much investment as possible." They don't challenge Mubarak past pro business policies.
The MBs platform calls for the withdrawal of the state from providing subsidized services to the people and expands the role of businessmen in managing state affairs. Safeguarding the rights of the poor is considered an act of social solidarity rather than a duty to be fulfilled by the state. The MBs as we can see does not espouse the idea of redistribution of wealth, preferring charity instead as a means of combating poverty.
These policies are then presented as "Islamic" to justify them. The MBs political platform says: "Economic activity is to be conducted in conformance with Islamic market mechanisms, which depend on fair competition and restricted free economy [without manipulation or monopoly]. Economic activity will also rely on Islamic investment and funding methods. Ownership will be multiple, with regards to public property and private property, on the condition that property be used to carry out their social function to achieve fair expenditure and establish social solidarity. The state will have a decentralized role."
In June, Cairo investment bank EFG-Hermes brought 14 managers of foreign institutional funds based in the U.S., the U.K., Africa, and the Middle East to see the Deputy Supreme Guide or No. 2 leader of the MB El-shater. The investors declared that they "were positively surprised to find some of the ideas shared by the Brotherhood to be mostly capitalist in nature."
The MB campaigned on a platform to trim the country's budget deficit. The MB proposed to cut spending, sell state-run media, link subsidies to job creation and slow inflation. They have prioritized investment and free markets for encouraging industry and innovation. "The FJP (MB's official party) strongly see the need for a free economic system… and building government institutions that would ensure prosperity and justice," their economic program ambiguously stated.
Speaking to Reuters in November, Hassan Malek, a textile mogul and Brotherhood financier, emphasized that the Brothers "want to attract as much foreign investment as possible … and this needs a big role for the private sector." Just last week, Malek was tapped by the Brotherhood to head up the newly formed "Egyptian Business and Investment Association," a coalition of leading Brotherhood businessmen working to promote private investment.
For his part, Al-Shater has been personally courting select investors and reassuring them in private that the Brothers have no radical plans for the economy.
Malek has even gone so far as to praise the economic policies of the Mubarak regime. "We can benefit from previous economic decisions. There have been correct ones in the past … Rachid Mohamed Rachid [Mubarak's minister of trade] understood very well how to attract foreign investment."
As a reminder, Rachid fled to Dubai after the ouster of Mubarak and has since been convicted in absentia of squandering public funds and embezzlement.
Rachid worked to privatize Egyptian industries, reduce taxes and subsidies, and defang unions. This economic model, adopted at the urging of the IMF and international financial institutions, delivered strong economic growth — nearly 6 percent a year from 2004 to 2009 — but also generated inequality. The gains were concentrated in the hands of Egypt's economic elite, while millions of working-class Egyptians saw their wages stagnate, as rising food prices pushed many to the brink.
The party's political program also included tourism as a main source of national income, but the MB believes that Egypt should focus on a specific form of tourism. A sort of "clean" tourism, which will attract many tourists and investors who would like to take part in it". They are notably seeking to enhance trade with Muslim and Arab countries in particular.
An economic political program that can hardly be differentiated from past economic policies in many ways, the MB have actually not supported but opposed socio economic demands of the workers and public servants. A senior official in the MB recently said that the party would consider supporting a deal to obtain emergency aid from the IMF, providing there are no conditions attached and alternatives are explored first.
In addition to this, the most powerful man in the Muslim Brotherhood is Khairat Al-Shater, a multimillionaire tycoon whose financial interests extend into electronics, manufacturing and retail. A strong advocate of privatization, Al-Shater is one of a cadre of MB businessmen who helped finance the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party's impressive electoral victory this winter and is now crafting the FJP's economic agenda.
At Al-Shater's luxury furniture outlet Istakbal, a new couch costs about 6,000 Egyptian pounds, about $1,000 in U.S. currency. In a country where 40 percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day, Istakbal's clientele is largely limited to Egypt's upper classes.
Although the Brothers do draw significant support from Egypt's poor and working class, "the Brotherhood is a firmly upper-middle-class organization in its leadership," says Shadi Hamid, a leading Muslim Brotherhood expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
The MBs are definitely not puppets of the SCAF, there are tensions between the two forces. It is also a certitude that the first target of the protesters should be without any doubt the transfer of power to the parliament and the people, as well as putting out of power the SCAF. This said, the MB will nevertheless not be the force to deliver the demands of the revolutions and they will not pressure the SCAF if a strong popular movement is in the streets pressuring them to fulfill the demands of the revolution. The victory of the MBs in the last democratic elections does not give them a blank check to rule as they wish.
The MBs should therefore not be left out of criticisms and opposition in the course of the revolution, as we have seen above in relation to their policies and especially because of their counter revolutionary behavior and speeches against the popular movements and the continuation of the revolution.
The contradictions of the MBs have come to light for those who had not seen them before. The MBs do not argue for the continuation of the revolution and radical changes in their society. Their slogan of the past, "Islam is the solution", is no longer present and has almost disappeared from the Arab street to be replaced by revolutionary slogans of the revolution "freedom, social justice and independence."
The revolutionary process is ongoing and any forces opposing the forces of change will pay the price. Viva the permanent Revolution.
CommentsOne Response to "The Muslim Brotherhoods: force of change and enemy of the imperialist west?"
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[…] are well known by the revolutionaries (see previous article on policies and dynamics of the MBs https://cafethawrarevolution.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/the-muslim-brotherhoods-force-of-change-and-ene…). The people have actually witnessed the their counter revolutionary behavior and this can be […]


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Saturday, September 1, 2012
September Meeting!
Good Afternoon Friends! We will be meeting on Sep 4th to discuss Attachment Parenting, what it is and how to go about doing it :-) There was a hot article out recently in Time magazine that had some interesting views on what attachment parenting is. We will be discussing extended breastfeeding of course but that is not all that attchment parenting is or means.. Lets put some of the "crazy" thoughts aside and talk about parenting from the heart and following our instincts. We hope to see you all there after you enjoy a relaxing Holiday weekend! If anyone wants to bring a snack please do, we meet in Rm 275 at Christ United Methodist Church on Shroyer Rd.
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Name: Ryan Muszak
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I am currently a high school student attending Mother Theresa Catholic Secondary School here in London. There, I am a high achieving student who is actively involved in extra-curricular school activities such as Football and Baseball. I have a fascination for politics and a passion for the various issues facing our local and global community. I would consider myself a fiscally conservative and socially liberal individual who is always willing to learn and willing to open my mind to different perspectives. Some of my hobbies are playing and watching all sports (especially football), computer programming, and of course, politics. Overall, I am a hard worker with a great support system of family and friends who is willing to do what it takes for my community to prosper.
Why do you want to be a Youth Councillor?
I would like to become a youth councillor because I believe it is important that young voices are heard in the realm of politics. I believe that I posses the necessary social and intellectual skills to make an impact in our community. I feel it is my civic duty to be involved in politics and the best way to do that at my age is to run for youth council. Being a student in high school in the 21st century, I believe that some politicians are out of touch with societal advancements as it concerns to our youth. I believe government should be fiscally responsible and that's the mentality I would like to bring to the council
Identify three community issues you find important:
1) Youth employment & Entrepreneurship: I believe every teenager in my ward and in this city should be given the ultimate incentive to want to work and become successful. I believe in programs that will encourage youth to go out and find a job.
2) Public transportation: In my community and my ward, I have seen first hand how London's public transportation frustrates constituents. I believe our bus system should be ran more efficiently and other measures should be put in to facilitate our transportation.
3) Illegal Drugs: The third issue i consider to be very important and which has a direct effect on my ward is the presence of illegal substances within our youth communities. Although I believe in more lax laws when it comes to the legality of certain drugs, I still believe these substances have no place in our youth community and more steps should be taken to rid them of our schools.
You can find Ryan on:
- Snapchat: ryan5109811
Name: Lujane Al-Azem
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I am a very dedicated and motivated person. I attend the school A.B. Lucas, and am in my final year of high school. I am on the exec for Model United Nations and the Muslim Student Association. I am currently the chair of my Relay for Life and nothing makes me happier than knowing that I am part of something beautiful and helpful.
Why do you want to be a Youth Councillor?
I want to be a youth councillor because I think it is very important for the young people in the community to be just as involved in whats going on in the city of London. A couple of weeks ago, I helped a PC candidate run for his nomination in London North Centre and was upset that most of the turn out was comprised of people over the age of 40. It is so important to motivate young people to fight for the best London and to not stand back and watch others make choices for them.
Identify three community issues you find important:
1) Bullying: The first community issue that I consider important is the issue of bullying within schools. Although most people seem to think that bullying has died down in recent years, I think it is just the opposite. I think in this new age, teens are using new ways to put others down, in ways that admin and other students don't even see. I think it is important to continue to tackle the issue of bullying because we need to build up the youth in our community, in order for them to feel like they are capable of change.
2) Sexual Assault Cases: The second issue that I find important is the sexual assault cases that have come to the attention of the entire city after alleged lack of professionalism. I think that this issue is important because these cases don't just reflect specific people, they represent London as a whole. Are we a safe city? Is this a place that parents want their kids to go to for university? Do young girls feel protected and safe in London? I think that is crucial that every individual within London feels respected and cared for at all times.
3) Poverty: The last issue that I have been seeing occur more frequently in my area, is the increased rate of impoverished individuals asking for money. I think it is so upsetting that there are so many people who don't have money and I think it is super important that we understand why and try to help who we can with what he have.


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Mom Margo Caught Red Handed Measuring Teen Kaylee's BF's Dick Using Her Milf Mouth
Posted on 28 de March de 2012 by spicyharcore
Mom Margo successfully seduced amateur teen Kaylee's boyfriend while this teener is out shopping. Milf Margo assumed that Kaylee would be out all day so she took her time on giving this dude a sensual and very slow blow job. But Kaylee headed straight back because she forgot her cards… and sees Margo nose deep sucking on her BF's big wang! Margo let out a weak excuse on just measuring the guy's prick with her mouth! Kaylee was having none of that, mommy Margo doesn't have the right to give her BF bjs! If she wants to suck him off, this mom will do it with her! Watch as this mom and teen feverishly slobbers on this lucky guy's rod until they both take a massive facial! Download the full photo set inside See Mom Suck, and see more smoking hot amateur moms sucking dicks in front of teen nymphos!


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Being a presence and a voice
Effective chaplaincy is characterised by being a presence and a voice. By being present in the workplace and along the waterways chaplains build relationships.
Confidential and trustworthy support
Working to high standards and ethical principles our Workplace Matters chaplains provide a confidential listening ear and moral and spiritual support. While chaplains function in the workplace they are independent providing care for welfare and spirituality sharing the joys and sorrows of the workforce.
Chaplains do not proselytise but they are more than a mere presence – becoming a voice to staff and management, speaking out against poverty and injustice, teaching the design and dignity of work and when invited sharing the Christian faith. At times of significant crisis their support for staff and organisations is priceless.
Signposting to other support services
Chaplains equip themselves with the knowledge of other professional services and signpost to these services when appropriate.
Good team working is critical to the success of Workplace Matters. We intend to create a cohesive team of staff and chaplains built on mutual trust for all our stakeholders (supporting churches, chaplains, organisations we work with, and other chaplaincy organisations).
By sharing a common purpose this will contribute to growing mutual trust and thereby benefit all who need our support and services in good and bad times in their lives.


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Saturday, July 11, 2015
3 comments:
- Nishi said...
Why people want to destroy everything without realizing that they are destroying only themselves.
- July 11, 2015 at 9:25 AM
- The Gardener said...
I watched the live coverage of all that was going on outside the temple in the night of scheduled Nabakalebar on the 15th June. I stayed up late and again started watching the live coverage from 2 AM onwards. Traditionally, all the lights inside the temple are switched off during the process. Lights around the temple were switched off at 3.26 AM. The view showed a large number of devotees - men, women and children - sitting on the Bada Danda adjacent to the temple, with lighted earthen lamps, chanting bhajan. This went on till morning when I switched off my TV. I presumed that the holy and secret ritual of Bramha Paribartan was going on inside the temple.
It became known on the 16th was that what was going on during the sacred time of the night of June 15-16 was not Bramha Paribartan but verbal duels and even fist-fights among the warring daitapatis! What a betrayal of the bhajan-chanting devotees sitting up all night on the Bada Danda and millions of believers of the Jagannath culture!
- July 13, 2015 at 8:39 PM
- Mina Dan said...
It is too sad that power and betrayal coexist in every sphere of life without any shame!
- July 13, 2015 at 9:28 PM


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Survey and VCRIS Basics: Highlights what a cultural resources survey entails and guidelines for using VCRIS when conducting a survey.
VCRIS Quick Guide (revised Sept. 2017): Provides guidelines for using VCRIS for data entry and preparing architectural survey materials for submission to DHR.
Additional Information: Architecture Data Entry for VCRIS
Updated 10.19.17


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A couple of months ago, I treated myself to the Leon Baking and Puddings Book. Although we have a copy at the library where I work, I decided that I must own this lovely book so I could get it as fruit-stained and chocolate-smeared and well-loved as I liked. It's a really beautiful book, with nostalgic snaps of Leon's extended family members, quaint illustrations and beautiful photography.
The book has two sections: 'Everyday' and 'Celebration'. The first part covers breakfast, power snacks, puddings and cooking with children, amongst others, while the second part contains those show-stopping recipes perfect for birthdays, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and even ghoulish biscuits for Halloween. It has quickly become one of my favourite baking books, and my copy now has a few dozen yellow post-it notes poking out of the top, waiting for a rainy day.
A couple of weeks ago, I turned to the very last section of the book, entitled 'Extra Helpings', to help me out with a friend's birthday. Sue is wheat intolerant but loves cherry pie, so I opted for 'Claire's Cherry Pie'. The recipe uses sour Morello cherries and shortcrust pastry, so I decided to simply swap the normal plain flour for wheat-free plain flour. I realised too late, though, that the reason pastry is roll-out-able is because of its gluten content. Whoops! This made rolling out the non-gluten pastry pretty tricky. As usual Jim came to the rescue, rolling the pastry between two sheets of clingfilm, which helped it to stay together. He also had the idea to cut out squares for the top of the pie, instead of long strips for latticework, as suggested in the recipe. We didn't think our pastry would stretch to strips!
I was a bit nervous at serving this pie up to 12 hungry bellies at Sue's birthday dinner. But it turned out great! Proof of this were the empty plates left at the end of the meal. If you are going to have a go at gluten-free pastry, just be patient, be gentle and stay calm. You can of course use normal plain flour for this recipe, in which case I'm sure you will sweat a bit less. In both cases, above all be mindful of the beauty of a pie you're going to have at the end. I'll leave it up to you whether you want to share it with 11 other people.
Claire's Cherry Pie
from the Leon Baking and Puddings Book
300g shortcrust pastry (see recipe below)
500g fresh or frozen sour cherries, preferably Morello (I got mine frozen from Asda, they worked great)
200g caster sugar
4 tbsps cornflour
a pinch of salt
1 free-range egg, for glazing
a little milk
– Heat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Butter a 20-23cm pie dish or fluted tart tin and set aside.
– Roll one half of the pastry out into a circle large enough to line the pie dish with some excess. Place the rolled-out circle of pastry in the dish, pressing the pastry down well. *With the gluten-free version, we ended up pressing most of the pastry into the dish with our fingers.*
– Roll the other half of the pastry into a rectangle 3mm thick and place it on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Place both in the fridge while you prepare the filling.
– Put the cherries, sugar and cornflour into a bowl and add the salt. Toss to coat the fruit evenly.
– Remove the pie dish from the fridge and fill it with the cherry mixture. Remove the rectangle of pastry from the fridge and use a small knife to slice the pastry into 2cm strips (or squares, like we did). Arrange the strips/squares of pastry over the cherries in a lattice/chess board pattern – if doing a lattice save 3 strips for the edge.
– Crack the egg into a small bowl and add a few drops of milk. Whisk to combine. Using a pastry brush, carefully coat the lattice with the egg wash. If making a lattice, use the last 3 strips to cover the rim, then brush this with the egg wash aswell.
– Place the pie in the oven for about an hour, with a piece of kitchen foil underneath to catch any drips. The pie is ready when you see the fruit filling bubbling through.
Shortcrust pastry (makes 300g):
200g normal or wheat-free plain flour
a pinch of salt
75g unsalted butter, cut into rough 1cm cubes
2½ tbsps cold water (or about a cup-full for the wheat-free version)
– Sift the flour and salt and add the butter. Mix gently until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
– Sprinkle the water over the mixture and mix until it forms a cohesive ball of dough.
– Wrap the pastry in clingfilm and allow to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before using.


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Love hearing females that can rap actually rap so I really liked this cypher.
With Myverse and E Hart on here it has 2 of my favorite females on there. Jaz is arguably one of the top in the game and Star Smilez is slept on 1 body away from being the next chick.


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Baby Name Poll Results
Lillian Laura vs. Lauren Lillian vs. Lillian Louise
Which one for my baby girl? Lillian is after my mother in law and Laura is after my mother. Lauren and Louise are names we like. It's a family tradition to have L names. Thanks :)
The Top Baby Name is...
Lillian Louise
Lillian Laura
Lauren Lillian
Poll created: Apr 28, 2014
Total Votes: 13
Post a Comment:
Please keep your comments positive and helpful.
Even if you don't like the names. Thanks!
For all baby name poll questions, complaints, or improvements
contact firstname.lastname@example.com.


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6.17: co.net.youtube.com/AdaCore05:
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A House Divided
Kalek Garren
High Cleric of The Old Man
Kalek is the highest ranking cleric within the Temple of Armed Conflict, achieving the rank of Colonel. This rank is surprising high given the surrounding population due to the nature of Bet Dodera, that of continual warfare with it's dwarven neighbors. Kalek served a mandatory 20 year term in the Duke's army, rising in it's ranks almost as quickly as he accomplished within the temple. Upon his release from the army, he continued to serve in an unofficial capacity, both as a strategist and battle healer for another 10 years before focusing entirely on the training of the fighter/clerics within the temple. He has maintained the rank of Colonel since the passing of the previous high cleric three years ago. Kalek is 46 years old, the youngest Colonel in the Temple of Armed Conflict as well as the youngest high priest of all the temples of Bet Dodera.


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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Party People
But here, in no particular order, are some of the Survivor party highlights:
1) it was 106 degrees and people were melting. I was astounded at the number of people who showed up nonetheless, and many even came out from the air conditioned house to enjoy Michelle's spectacular yard. In the first photo is STACEY ALDSTADT, LAUREEN PITTMAN and RORYANN CLEMENTS, aka part of the world's greatest party planning committee. They had been working for 2 days straight by the time this photo was taken. (Oh, and Rory refused to be considered "staff" so she didn't wear her "Survivor" t-shirt; she's all management, all the time).
2) The travelers (photo #2) were author LORI LACEFIELD (Denver, Co; buy her book The Seventh Survivor!!), MICHAEL WAKEFIELD (Portland, OR), and JANE GIDEON (who drove down from foggy, cool San Francisco and withered in the heat but never stopped smiling)
3)We managed to avoid it for 5 years, 1 month, 1 week and a few hours...but eventually, Chris's parents met my parents (or a sub-set of "parents" anyway--my father and his beautiful wife Nancy). There are no photos of this monumental occasion as Chris and I both stood rooted to the ground unable to move in fear that there would soon be a breach in the time/space continuum. There wasn't.
4) Many friends from my many years on this planet showed up and melted with me. Photo 4 is from left to right, my dad JIM MCELHANNON (please don't mention that his shirt is hot pink; I gave him the shirt for Father's Day and told him to wear it to the party. He's color blind. He may think he was in a very sophisticated navy blue.) TOM DEGREZIA (dine at Pizzaioli and buy all your wine from Napacabs.com because they're good people and it's good food and wine!!), RICH GOLD and GARY BERG (Gary has been my friend for longer than BRIEN CLEMENTS--the awesome chef of Omakase--has been alive; but we tried not to discuss that fact!)
5) Beautiful young girls who I've known since they were born showed up and smiled when all of us old people gasped at how much they'd grown (that's MIMI DEGREZIA and LOREN DEGREZIA--my goddaughter, god help her!)
6) Not to be outdone by the group that broke through the Orange County curtain to appear in Riverside, there was an L.A. contingent making a strong showing. In the left photo: DAVE and JUDY DEL BOURGO (buy his book Prague Spring now!!), the good and great DR. AMER KARAM (yes, he is old enough to be a surgeon and apparently pretty outrageously tattooed; I'm still wondering how all the ladies at the party knew this!); and EILEEN AUSTEN (a fellow breast cancer survivor!). The photo to the right-ish is ASHLEY SMITH (who ran the LA marathon recently. Seriously!!) and COURTNEY KERN (Chris's sister, who nicely covers the Orange/ LA divide by being raised in the OC but living in LA currently).
7) And then there were my nieces, ELISHA on the left and NATASHA on the right, who were perfectly willing to accept pink cupcakes (with, ahem, Good 'n' Plenty centers that made them look suspiciously like boobies...in the cold. Thanks, RORYANN CLEMENTS!!), but did wonder where the pinata was, thus making us realize we had overlooked one awesome Survivor party opportunity: The Boobie Pinata. But, really, haven't the girls been through enough?
(Special programming note:there was indeed a significant Riverside contingent; and yes, JACK CLARKE appeared and closed the party down again. Those photos will have to come later as others were acting as photographer and I am anxiously awaiting the results. As is Jack, I'm sure. Let's just say the "hair-off" was a close call, but there was a clear cut cleavage winner. Enough said.)
3 comments:
That looks like a lot of fun! (being british I cannot even imagine what 106 feels like...) Maybe I should have a Survivor party. i love the idea.ReplyDelete
What great pictures of the participants! So, did Dr. Karam leave with anyone in particular? You know...."Wanna get outta here and get some coffee?" He's kinda cute! :o) Well, it's great to see all those smiling faces in celebration of a great gal and her closure (for the most part) of a ridiculous life "detour". Congrats again for the millionth time and here's hoping for a lifetime of continued health and happiness. And that's exactly what I would have said had I been there holding up an nice glass of something. Hugs!ReplyDelete
Stephanie--you must definitely have a Survivor party! I don't know why more people don't do it. I can't think of a better reason to celebrate. It's a little like being able to be at your own funeral, without all that dying and sadness! Plus, all those people who wanted to come see you or do something for you but couldn't figure out what or how, can now come celebrate your survival...and many of them will come bearing champagne!ReplyDelete
Laura--I know you were with us in spirit. Thanks for all your warm thoughts and wishes throughout!


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While in the zodiac sign of Leo, Mars slows down, comes to a halt, and prepares for retrograde motion on December 20 until next year on March 10. With the shadow period, the complete retrograde cycle is October 18, 2009 to May 17, 2010. It's December now...What lessons have you learned since mid-October? With both Mars and Mercury retrograde as the New Year begins, learning from the actions of the past keeps from making similar mistakes or being disappointed by similar events/issues in the future (Mercury is retrograde beginning December 26 to January 15, 2010).
Mars is the planet of action. He represents our drives, motivation, aggression, and assertiveness. When Mars is retrograde, our energy level may be lower as our focus turn inward. Projects are stalled from initiating or newly begun projects may suffer delays from completion. Aggressions may initially be suppressed only for them to finally be impulsively expressed and with much greater intensity than if they were never held back to begin with. Those with natal Mars in a water sign may internalize anger or frustration more so than usual, which is not healthy as raw emotions unexpressed leads to stress levels increasing.
As with any other planet that becomes retrograde, this Mars retrograde period from December 20, 2009 to March 10, 2010 is best spent reviewing certain aspects of our lives, reflecting upon how we normally handle anger or frustrations -- do we blow up and move on? do we hold it in and let it fester?; re-examining what the motivations are behind our actions or decisions -- do we act because we're in control? or do we act because we need to react? do we typically initiate and are self-motivated? or do we take steps when we've had reassurance or feel supported?; and perhaps re-evaluating how we do things, how we make things happen -- do we plan then act? do we rush to act?
During this retrograde, Mars will retrace his steps from 20 degrees, all the way back to zero degree in Leo. Although we are all influenced by this retrograde, those with natal planets or house angles between these degrees in Leo or the other fixed signs (Aquarius, Taurus, Scorpio) may feel the effects more strongly.
Mars retrograde occurs approximately every other year for about two and a half months. Mars was last retrograde on November 2007 to January 2008.
As I wrote on the original Mars in Leo post, Virgo-Rising, although Leo rules my natal 12th house of the subconscious, much of Mars in Leo and this retrograde occurs in my natal 11th house of friendships. Mars will enter my natal 12th house late May 2010. As a Cancer-Sun, this retrograde slows down action in my solar 2nd house of income. Totally uncool since Saturn's move into Libra (rules my natal 2nd house) also brings challenges in the same area for me as a Virgo-Rising. So, that's a double ouch for me the start of 2010. I better re-budget the budget.
How will this Mars transit influence your chart? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Leo. Match the sign and degrees. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the Leo zodiac sign on your birth chart then click here for an explanation of Mars transiting those houses.
For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and Rising signs below then click here for an explanation of Mars transiting those houses.
- Aries-Sun or Aries-Rising ~ 5th house
- Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 4th house
- Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 3rd house
- Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 2nd house
- Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 1st house
- Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 12th house
- Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 11th houses
- Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 10th house
- Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 9th house
- Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 8th house
- Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 7th house
- Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 6th house
Related articles:
- Transiting Mars in Natal Houses
- Mars in Leo ~ October 16, 2009 to June 7, 2010
- Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn ~ December 26, 2009 to January 15, 2010
- Mars Direct ~ March 10, 2010
*Learn more about the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum.
Z for Mars - Photo credit and copyright to Tunc Tezel, composite of images tracing the 2005-2006 Mars retrograde motion. Courtesy of Astronomy Picture of the Day.


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Friday, July 18, 2008
7/18/08 - Why Writers?
My significant other read "Flight" by Sherman Alexie, and, while impressed, had a complaint that I often share - namely, the main character was obsessed with books. As she put it, it's not really realistic to think that this kid is obsessed with books, but it's eminently believable that the author is obsessed w/books and reading, because, well, he's an author. This is symptomatic of a widespread epidemic - literature obsessed characters in literature.
The truth is that most people are not book-obsessed, and the overt concerns about literature are reserved for a subset of self-selecting individuals. There are eight million stories in the naked city, as the saying goes, and surely 7,999,000 don't involve protagonists carrying around dog-eared copies of the Book That Changed Their Life. Stephen King is a good example of this - his stories are varied and his plots are remarkably diverse (much more so than reputed), but he has an abundance of writers as central characters. It's an insular world in which books are loved so fiercely, but the fact that belonging to this world is practically a requirement for a writer of literature gives the aggregate landscape of novel protagonists a protruding hump in the topographical category of "Writer/Book Lover".
Because writing is what writers do, the vagaries of the activity/profession often bear a greater weight of scrutiny than other professions and art forms. After all, communicating one's ideas through painting requires a specific set of skills involving brush and palette, but it is rare to find a painting that documents or critiques brush selection, or stroke technique, or what have you. In music, phrases are sampled and quoted, and lyrics can be used to critique other bands/artists (see Pavement, "Range Life", re:Smashing Pumpkins). It is not common for a band, in wanting to criticize or critique another band, to use certain chords as criticism. In hip-hop, maybe, when the form of attack is delivered in the form of that which attacks, but that's the closest to the solipsism of the writing profession.
Look no further than the overheated rhetoric accompanying season 5 of "The Wire", in which David Simon extended his critique of the modern city to journalism. All of the sudden, journalistic work on "The Wire" was everywhere, much of it delving into the question of the specific axe that Simon had to grind with his former colleagues at the Baltimore Sun. The consensus among journalists was that Simon's animus towards his former editors led him away from the shades-of-gray approach so evident in the first four seasons of the show, and that season 5's depiction of the newsroom storyline was too simplistic narratively.
Something about a lady and protesting? Oh, what was that quote...
The truth is that "The Wire" featured characters drawn in harder shades of gray approaching black or white in previous seasons (Officer Walker in S3, the Lester Freamon of S1), but where the hell was the impulse to devote the whole journalistic machine to analyzing Simon's treatment of cops (S1), union workers (S2), city government (S3), or schools (S4). Nowhere, because it wasn't their own being scrutinized. Cops, union workers, municipal employees, and teachers all have jobs that don't entail commenting on TV's views of their chosen profession, nor do they have a place to share those thoughts in a way that is looped into the public megaphone. Journalists do. So all of a sudden when Simon's acid vision was turned onto the fourth estate he's got all kinds of hidden biases in his way that hurt his narrative. A little too suspicious, methinks. "The Wire" has an axe to grind, and that's clear from the opening episode of the first season. To cry foul when it trains its harsh gaze on those with the loudest voice seems more than a little off.
Off it may be, but such is the power of written work - it priviledges and empowers the point of view of the person wielding the pen, for good or ill. So it may not be the worst thing in the world that writer's champion reading in the written word, but it does lend a little less credence to attempts at versimilitude, to the representing modern life's vast indifference to most literary endeavors.
2 comments:
- Jon said...
interesting, but i'm not sure if i agree with other artistic communities not being self-referential in the same way. velazquez is a good example of the painting process, or the affect it has on its subjects, being projected into the work. or the whole genre of still life (how many apples and vases must we see).
even on tv/movies, we get a confluence of characters who are 'writers' or photographers. as these forms tend to have a larger group creating and editing them, i think it contributes to some diversity, but you definitely see some groups oversampled.
the interesting question is whether this phenomenon changes as the barriers to entry are lowered. but bloggers tend to be a largely insular community, and youtube videos are, for the most part, videos of self. it'll be fascinating to see how those develop...
- Croz said...
I would agree that most artistic communities are self-reflective or have self-reflective elements - I guess the point that I left somewhat unclear is that I think writing has the closest 1:1 relationship between production & consumption of the form. Still lifes are apples and vases repeated ad infinitum, but why aren't they oils and canvases?


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When was the last time music made you really smile? Not just that moment of recognition or a private memory – we're talking music that jumps out of the speakers with that lightning in a bottle sparkle that hits all the right spots. Been a while? Well, Brisbane's CKNU are just what you need.
While they may slide effortlessly across the genre map, CKNU make music that when stripped back, exists to make you have a good time. This is soul with a sly grin.
From start to finish their thumping new EP 'Louder' is pure joy. Of all their recordings to date, this is the one that captures the band's now stellar live show. There's that bottom end rooted in funk and hip-hop; that playfulness that finds them slipping from reggae to R&B; and right out front those stunning harmonies that have become a signature sound led brothers Sah and Tito.
Largely recording in a home studio the brothers, alongside bandmates Big Daddy T, Jay Jay and George Waqairagata, took their time to get the songs and the sound just right. Experience and maturity as a band helped them understand there was no rush – and first single 'Can't Get Enough' is testament to their commitment and growing songwriting smarts.
That deeper connection as a band has been built off countless shows including numerous headline shows alongside appearances at festivals including Clancestry, Pacific Sounds and the national BIGSOUND music industry showcase.
"This band looks the part of a damn fun crew, and that vibe completely comes through."
Maggie Collins, triplej
And it's not just this country where people are finally catching on to what this band have to offer. In early 2016 the band packed up and headed to the Northern Hemisphere after being in invited to showcase at Canadian Music Week. As the event's Senior A&R consultant Gary Taylor put it: "Pure love and positive energy. They are what the whole world needs! Recording is damn good. Great arrangements. True artists and creators."
The trip, the first for a band of Torres Strait artists, saw them play a run of packed showcases, collaborate with Canadian First Nation artists, and win plenty of friends and admirers in the process. And while 2017 will see the band extend it's Australian touring, heading back overseas is now firmly on the agenda.
Prolific writers, CKNU have already pulled together a new brace of songs with a follow up to 'Louder' already starting to take shape. For now though the band are just happy to be hitting the road to celebrate their finest record to date. As a band CKNU have well and truly stepped up and want to take you for a ride.


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Edmonds will be patient while teammates, fans adjust
Dave van Dyck, 12:30 p.m.
On his first day with the Cubs, Jim Edmonds was playing a somewhat familiar center field in Wrigley Field, although he wasn't sure of the reaction now that he was wearing Cub blue instead of Cardinal red.
"I'm scared about that," he said, only half joking. "I'm just going to go out and do everything I can and hopefully I can get [the fans] on my side eventually and play well."
Of course, Edmonds -- plucked off waivers from San Diego -- has spent the last few years as the arch enemy.
"It's all part of the rivalry," he said before meeting the Padres Thursday. "I think [the media] make more of it than the players do, but that's what it is all about. That's what made it so special. It will be interesting to be on the other side of it."
Edmonds will bat sixth behind another left-hander, Kosuke Fukudome, in the lineup. Manager Lou Piniella said that wasn't etched in stone and that right-hander Reed Johnson probably would start against Pittsburgh's southpaw pitchers this weekend.
Edmonds, 38, hit just .178 for the Padres after his trade from the Cardinals, missing part of spring training with a calf injury. He will wear No. 15.
"I was starting to swing the bat a lot better," he said. "My legs were underneath me. I've been running better this year than I have in five or six years. Obviously I got off to a slow start and that's the way it goes. I've always had the comfort of the benefit of the doubt to keep playing and this year I didn't. So I'll make the best out of a new opportunity."
Edmonds and Carlos Zambrano made a point of hugging each other in front of media in the Cub clubhouse. They have a combative history, dating back to 2004 when Edmonds hit a home run and Zambrano smacked him with a pitch.
"We talked [Wednesday] night," Edmonds said. "It's been over with for a long time. That's just part of the game. There's guys out there who hate each other more than he and I do."
He also said he was "just trying to fit in" with his new teammates.
"I know a bunch of the guys because I've been playing against a lot of them for a lot of years," he said. "I got a nice welcome when I got here and I feel pretty good about it, so I'm just going to treat it like a job and got out and play hard. Now I'm a Cub and am going to try to win the division and the World Series."
As expected, Felix Pie was sent back to Triple-A Iowa for more seasoning to clear a roster spot for Edmonds.


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What is the road that leads to eternal life? You will come to realize that peace in your heart and soul, initiates the doing of charitable acts.
You will love your God and neighbour when you do not allow sadness, agitation or any trouble to burden you, invoke My Holy Spirit immediately and know that I will give you the peace and tranquility you need.
I will see to it that you recover your calm, your peace, that your thoughts may once again resume its work and all its activities according to My Will.
Do not be discouraged My work in you takes a lifetime, for you were created to house Me, yes, in My Image were you created and I am constructing this house, in your interior calm.
As humility is its foundation, your heart must not be enslaved by anything, as you desire something, it must not consume you if your project should fail, it should be as if this were My Will all along.
Should you become ill, should you be persecuted, whatever the circumstance you are to carry My happiness in your heart, for these things contribute to strengthen My peace and increase happiness in you.
You rest in My Arms and in My Heart, I give you My peace, did I not leave you My Peace in My farewell, why should you fear, I am with you always until the end of time.
In dying to self, you give lifelong prayer to Me and in this way fulfill My purpose for your life, in that you concern yourself with the welfare of your brothers and sisters, uniting all for the Kingdom.
You will experience a greater knowledge of My Love, essential to growth in faith and love, each of you will personally be given moments of consolations, known only to you.
Prayer is the pivoting point that permeates your whole life leading to divine action, you have been given freedom to act or to remain within yourself, but in doing My Divine Will, you reap greater gains.
You must grasp the concept of My great Love for you, in this way your heart will always have the peaceful contentment and happiness that you are indeed being formed into My Image, in patient obedience, My children you go forth.


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http://www.homemakerspensieve.com/2010/04/02/broken-arm/ Surgery went fine. He's doing fine. He hasn't even asked for pain medicine since he got home, even though he says it hurts! Geesh, he's tough! Never expected that from him…I've hardly ever seen him injured so I didn't realize how he would react. I'm glad to know that he doesn't have the tendency to overuse drugs!
The surgeon said that the handle on the wooden screwdriver broke during surgery! They thoroughly cleaned him up, but she prescribed an antibiotic just in case (not that I'm thrilled with that, but I'd rather be cautious on this one). But can you imagine? What kind of flimsy tools are these guys using? I was pretty surprised that she even told us, cause I know a lot of places would probably just cover up that little problem.


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So my challenge began on Sunday, and so far I have attended 2 classes. This is quite normal for me, as I tend to do yoga pretty often during the week (hence my last post explaining that the challenge would not be the actual attending of class).
The first class I attended was an "Anusara-inspired Yoga Class." For those of you who don't know, Anusara is basically this: "The highest intention of practicing Anusara yoga is to align with the Divine. As we deepen our alignment with the Supreme, we step deeper into the flow of Grace." (http://www.anusara.com/) Although challenging, this was a slower moving class very focused on alignment. What I liked most about it, however, was the mind exercise that was tied into it. Our teacher, Buffy, started off the class with the theme of "You are beautiful" and carried that tagline throughout the class. What a feeling I had when I walked out of there!
Tuesday night I attended a Vinyasa Flow class in a heated room with the most amazing teacher, Billy. He reignited my love for yoga a little less than a year ago, and I am truly addicted to his class. He pushes you further than you believe you can go, but also comforts you when things may get a little too hard. His class is hard for me to describe because the feeling I have when I am there is unlike any other, and I know I'm not the only one who feels this way because his classes are always mat to mat.
I have no news as to where I am with the intentions I set at the beginning of this challenge. I believe it is too early to tell. I will say, though, that I am going into these classes more conscious of my intention and will be learning a lot along the way.


text: I am absolutely in love with fairies and magical creatures of the forest..and NO I am not too old for that lol...It is a beautiful thing to be able to believe in something that can momentarily take you out of the real life chaos and allow you to live your magical fantasies..! So for my second and most likely my final look for Halloween this year I've decided to let out my inner child and dress up as a beautiful fairy princess for Halloween. If you would like to see how I achieved this look then please don't forget to check out my YT video on my channel.. This also happens to be a collab vid with Cindy aka Lovestory13 from YouTube.


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"Eiffel Group is primarily into plot development. In realty parlance, plotted development means a developer sells large tracts of land after building basic infrastructure like sewage systems and roads.
Online PR News – 05-January-2012 – – As the second home phenomenon gains currency in the industrially-developed Mumbai-Pune- Nashik belt, realty player Eiffel Group has earmarked Rs 300 crore over the next three years to launch more projects in the region, referred to as the state's 'golden triangle'.
"Eiffel Group is primarily into plot development. In realty parlance, plotted development means a developer sells large tracts of land after building basic infrastructure like sewage systems and roads. "Theywill be investing around Rs 300 crore for acquiring land as well as building the necessary infrastructure in this area. Besides, they may also develop certain residential facilities here, which they can promote as second homes," Eiffel Group director Shirish Mulekar told news agency.
"Investment in real estate is the best option today. There is an enormous appetite for plots situated within 90-100 km radius of the Mumbai-Pune-Nashik belt, both for ownership as well as an investment," Mulekar said.
He said, areas such as Pen, Neral, Khalapur and Pali, near Mumbai, are a part of the golden triangle and therefore are on the cusp of rapid development as several infrastructure projects are coming up in the vicinity.
"Buyers are looking for investing in prime home projects in the city and its vicinity, as prices are on fire in the city. But a property, with lower ticket price gives an opportunity even to a common man as well as investors," he said.
Moreover, Maharashtra has laid huge emphasis on infrastructure in the golden triangle, such as Panvel-Karjat rail connectivity, Murbad highway and Sewri-Nhava Sheva transharbour link.
"These projects make the area ready for aggressive development," he said.
The company has already acquired 500 acre in the area for plotted development and plans to acquire another 2,500 acres over the next two years.
In August 2011, the company had entered into an agreement with India Realty Excellence Fund (IREF), managed by Motilal Oswal Private Equity Advisors, to undertake plotted development projects at Karjat.
"We have already tied-up for Rs 100 crore through the IREF deal. Eiffel will be pumping in Rs 100 crore. Besides, we will tie-up with other financial institutions for another Rs 100-150 crore," he said.