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(© 2013 by Michael J. Cahill)
Goin' for a ride in a shopping cart
And I'm sure Mom will think it's all right.
I'm goin' for a ride in a shopping cart
And my brother, Chris, he's gonna drive.
We'll take some quick lefts and a last minute right
Then a screech and a spin and a slide.
Then, in the meat section, Chris'll build up momentum
And hop on to join in the ride.
Now we'll just miss the canned goods,
Zoom past the vegetables, bargains, and cash-saving deals.
When we get near the eggs, we'll just hang out our legs
And 'round the corner we'll go on two wheels.
What a wonderful rush as we pass the Orange Crush
And the Cracker Jacks, oatmeal, and Pop Tarts —
As the customers stare at and point at and glare at
Two grown men… riding aisles… in a shopping cart.
There's nothing quite like bending the rules well beyond anything that was intended. I personally consider it a mortal sin to relegate to the realm of toddlers and pre-teens all our youthful, wide-eyed wonder about how the world around us works. When was the last time you saw a truly enthusiastic grown up behaving with truly enthusiastic enthusiasm?
I'm not suggesting you sacrifice your maturity. But some of the most mature grown ups I know are unabashedly blessed with a playful nature despite the strictures of many social standards.
I remember in 1989 when I was Christmas shopping and got thrown out of a Toys R Us in Houston. They had these miniature shopping carts for toddlers. One-third scale versions of the real thing and solid metal. Really cool. I couldn't resist. I put one on each foot and started roller-skating up and down the aisles. The 9-year-olds who had watched me were grinning as I was escorted out. I could tell they liked the idea and, sure enough, a couple minutes later as I was getting in my car, these same kids were being strong-armed out the front door by security. I gave them a thumbs up and they smiled and fired back their own.
No laws were broken and no lives endangered. Yes, I realized the irresponsible nature of such a potentially dangerous example. But it was a calculated risk on my part. For instance, had my four-year-old daughter been with me at the time, I absolutely would not have set such an example. But adolescent boys — hell, yes. I had been one myself some 30 years before and I knew a fun idea when I saw one. Plus I always had extra energy and used to be a stunt man in my 20's.
Something I've always recognized, especially early on, was that most people just need more genuine fun in their lives. I know everyone thinks they want it, but they truly don't realize how much they absolutely need it.
To this day, whenever I'm in the furniture section of a department store, I still take a running start, jump as high as I can, and land butt first in the middle of a display bed. If a 20-year-old did that, people would just be annoyed. But I'm 58 and folks are actually impressed. It's incredibly fun. And it never fails to turn heads. Those mattresses have to be checked out, you know. Who better to do it than a potential customer? If the bedding is soft and the point of impact provides suitable resistance, I might just ask them to wrap that sucker up for me. Hey, you don't buy a car without test driving it. Furniture should be held to the same strict standards.
In 1983 when my wife and I moved to Houston, Hurricane Alisha had us trapped in our 2nd floor apartment for four days with heavy rains and flooding. Our front door faced the parking lot on the inside curve of a horseshoe shaped building and on the third day the wind had died down quite a bit. None of the plumbing or electricity worked and all the residents were out on their porches watching each other try to cool off in the sticky humidity. We were all miserable and sick of the rain.
That's when I noticed that rainwater was just pouring out the holes in the gutters where the drain pipes had been blown out. I ran inside, stripped down to a pair of cutoffs, grabbed the soap and shampoo, and headed down the steps to the flooded parking lot. My wife at the time knew me well enough to be automatically mortified without any idea what I was up to.
I stepped into the nearest downspout deluge, lathered up and started scrubbing. My wife of course was utterly humiliated with all the neighbors watching me take a shower. She went inside and stayed there.
It wasn't a full minute before a dozen other residents took my lead and lined up at the other downspout waterfalls to take their own showers. Hey, a good idea is a good idea and none of us had bathed in three days. It just made perfect sense to me. And, damn, that shower felt good!
I'm a pragmatist at heart and if something makes good, simple sense to me then I'm all over it. And if it happens to amuse and entertain the odd passer by, then all the better. One thing I've observed with some consistency in my life — people will never cease to be amused by their fellow man caught in the act of simply being their fellow man.
MORAL: Be an advocate of your own fun. Never leave it up to others.
When you get a chance to ride that shopping cart, just be safe, hold on tight, and make the management give you at least three warnings before you thank them with a polite smile and leave. Trust me, even the most humorless and overworked shift manager will be dying to tell everyone she knows about some idiot cart-surfing in the frozen foods section. Plus you'll have brightened her day a bit as well. Everybody wins.
Or, at the very least,…….. you win.
And that's all that really matters in the end.


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The collected opinions of an august and aristocratic personage who, despite her body having succumbed to the ravages of time, yet retains the keen intellect, mordant wit and utter want of tact for which she was so universally lauded in her younger days. Being of a generation unequal to the mysterious demands of the computing device, Lady Bracknell relies on the good offices of her Editor for assistance with the technological aspects of her journal.
About Me
- Name: Lady Bracknell
- Location: Bracknell Towers
Friday, January 25, 2008
2 Comments:
- said...
Hee -- Bertie! He is such a cute little rolling hug.
- Lady Bracknell said...
If you tickle his tummy when he's in that sort of position, he'll grab your hand with his front paws and give it a good wash, while purring like a little engine.
It is hugely endearing.
If a tad spitty.

subset: commoncrawl


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What more beautiful and clever use of a reflective surface than in this shoot by Warren du Preez and Nick Thornton? The styling by Franck Benhamou points to the same creature as does the shoot's title: Nymphe. At times looking the water nymph in azure blue or sequins, at others Eniko Mihalik is swathed in ruffles or fresh flowers appearing as a mythological sprite of the mountains or woods. The mirrored surface not only makes for a neat photography effect but also draws parallels of Echo – that famed nymph cursed to only repeat the words of others – and her reflection-loving Narcissus.
Stunningly shot for issue 133 of Numero Magazine, you can view the full shoot of Eniko Mihalik at the gallery above.


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Harley Qwednesday :: Suicide Squad Harley Quinn and Joker ReAction figures
As for blind boxes. I avoid those as a rule. I'll just rely on buying a much-needed figure second-hand if/when they become available.
Then there's the latest in 'taking your money': Blind subscription boxes. These are the absolute worst. You don't know what you might even end up with until you end up with it. Are you insane?
Anyways, like with blind boxes, when I find out there is something awesome in a blind subscription box, I just either try to get it for a good price second-hand, or forget about it because the price is too damn high.
Fortunately when I found out about the recent DC Legion of Collectors subscription box that included a ReAction styled Suicide Squad Harley Quinn and Joker and went looking for them second-hand, I was able to score both (honestly I'd have been happy with just Harley) for less than one would have cost me at retail...shipped!
I've read online that a full line of ReAction Suicide Squad figures are set for release, and as a fan of the movie I may be tempted to complete the team in ReAction form. But if I don't get any more I'm glad I have these two (or at least Harley.) This Harley is definitely a highlight of my Harley Quinn collection. And thankfully I didn't have to sign up for a bind subscription box to get them!
5 comments:
If I ever found them down here I would repaint them into something else. I hate these modern designs.ReplyDelete
These two have increased articulation compared to the other ReAction figures. I wonder if that's just for this line, or if it's something that will carry over to the rest of the figures.ReplyDeleteReplies
Interesting, I had not noticed that!Delete
They have more articulation and better sculpts because they are part of their 9 POA line. This line includes Game Of Thrones and the upcoming Suicide Squad line! In fact Reaction is no longer being made by Funko as they gave that name back to Super 7 as Funko will now be focusing on the 9 POA line instead.Delete
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Some of the most iconic cycling climbs from the Giro d'Italia are within a hearty few days' ride of Milan. True bike lovers will probably want to fly with their own bikes, but hire options are available in Milan (www.rentalbikeitaly.com). Boast to your friends once you've recovered from the Passo del Stelvio, Cipressa and more. I love that it is possible to ride Passo del Stevio's 48 hairpin bends at the weekend and be back at your desk at home on Monday. It's the second highest pass in the Alps.
Level of Difficulty: Hard.
What to pack: You'll need to decide whether to travel fast and light - riding with a credit card and paying for accommodation along the way, or whether you'd prefer to carry a pack of light camping gear. If you'd rather go for a more organised approach than just following your nose round the mountains from cafe to cafe then you can join an organised ride over the mountains from Milan to Geneva - www.ride25.com/cycling-tour/geneva-milan.
Best time to go: spring or early summer.
Fly to Milan for a long weekend climb of Monte Rosa, whose summit lies in Switzerland. It's a really difficult adventure, usually requiring three days on the mountain plus a couple of preparation days. With guides the summit is achievable for most fit hill-walkers, but its 4634metre summit is an awesome achievement to be proud of. You'll need a decent head for heights for the summit reaches of the mountain are steep and exposed.
This is a proper mountain, and you will be suitably happy with your epic summit photo. You can book with a company such as http://mountaintracks.co.uk/trip/monte-rosa-climber. You will start by taking the aerial tramway to the Klein Matterhorn, but after that the climbing begins in earnest. - See more at: mountaintracks.co.uk/trip/monte-rosa-climber
Level of Difficulty: Extreme.
What to take: discuss this with your guide before travelling.
When to go: late Summer
If it's style and sophistication you're after then look no further than Milan; Italy's largest city has it in abundance. A fantastic holiday and city break option all year round, Milan is a city that never slows down. Whether you come for a bit of sightseeing, world-class shopping, or to sample the varied nightlife, you won't go home disappointed.
There is over two and a half thousand year's worth of history in this city, so you self-confessed culture vultures out there are in for a treat. If you like your cathedrals Gothic, your castles Renaissance and your palaces Neoclassical then look no further. Even the shopping comes with a historical twist in the form of the 19th century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele arcade. Now that is what we call shopping in style. And this is of course the real reason you came to Milan isn't it? If you want to satisfy that shopping bug further, then head down to the picturesque Brera district with its winding streets, flower-draped balconies and expensive little boutique stores. Or, for an even more upmarket experience, then head to the Quadrilatero d'Oro, or Gold Quarter to you and me.
Cheap Flights to Rome | Low Cost Flights to Verona | Flights to Lamezia | Bari Flight Deals | Milan Airport Guide | Visit Italy
*Prices shown are per person based on two people flying on the same booking. Fees & charges may apply. Min 4 seats available per flight, one way inc. taxes.


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The U.S. homeownership rate is at a 50-year low with another 3.8 million borrowers closer to losing their properties, a report from John Burns Real Estate said Monday.
The real estate research firm claims the true homeownership rate is 62.1%, with that number including all borrowers who are 90 days or more delinquent and at high-risk of default.
This figure stands in stark contrast to the Census Bureau's 65.5% homeownership rate.
"The 65.5% homeownership rate published by the U.S. Census Bureau greatly overstates the real level of homeownership in the country, as the Census Bureau counts all 3.8 million homeowners who are 90-plus days delinquent on their mortgage as homeowners," wrote Sean Fergus, manager with John Burns Real Estate. "Despite herculean efforts by the administration to save homeownership for these people, most of them are really just renters in waiting."
Fergus says on average the difference between the actual, real homeownership rate and the published rate is one-percentage point. But today, the spread between the two is much higher due to the steep financial crisis, understaffing at banks, which is hurting the loan modification process, and government intervention in lending and servicing. Not to mention, many borrowers are figuring out how to live rent-free for years after falling behind on their payments.
"We are confident homeownership will come back," Fergus noted. "Our survey of 20,000 consumers, and many surveys by others, confirms that the American dream of homeownership is as strong as ever."
He added that in states like Arizona and Texas, where foreclosures are more streamlined, foreclosed homeowners are now back in the market shopping for properties after losing their homes three years ago.


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Making the decision to move to the Eagle Ridge™ community may be one of the easiest you make. But packing up and actually moving can be more of a challenge. To help you out, we've put together an easy to view map of the Spokane area, facts about Spokane and handy relocation information.
and get updates, invites, and more!
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ST565™ Wide Base Tire (BFGoodrich®)
- Offset shoulder block design helps improve traction in soft soil.
- Deep circumferential grooves channel water to help improve wet road traction.
- Size specific bridging (high bridges in 385, low bridges in 445) define smooth ride and high traction where necessary.
- Variable pitch wall angles designed to reduce the risk of stone retention and stone drilling.
- Wide-protector ply for resistance to penetrating objects.
- Chip and cut resistant compound.
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Please see a list of commonly asked questions. If you cannot find your answer here, please feel free to contact The Hammock Man.
Q: Are there any shipping costs?
There are no additional charges for shipping using ordinary post counter-to-counter any where in South Africa. This service takes 5-7 working days and you will receive all the tracking information once the hammock has been sent.
If you need your hammock sooner, say for Christmas or birthdays, we can send your hammock using either a door-to-door courier service or speed services counter-to-counter through the post office. These services are charged as follows;
Speed Services 4 day counter-to-counter - R80
Courier Service door-to-door - R180
Q: What are the colour options?
Our Mayan hammocks come in a variety of striped colour themes - Aqua, Earth, Sun or solid natural cream. Because they are all hand made, the multi-coloured hammocks all have slight variations. When you choose your colour, you must specify your theme preference and we will match it as best we can.
Our Ticket to the Moon parachute hammocks come in a variety of colours. Singles and doubles come in two colours – army green/khaki or navy blue/grey or burgundy/gold. The King TTTM hammocks come in one colour – army green or navy blue or light grey.
Q: How do I attach my hammock?
1) If it is indoors and to be attached to the wall, then you will require 2 eye bolts, 2 raw plugs (to fit the eye bolts) and rope (any boating or mountaineering rope will do - as long as it holds 500kg). The rope will go through the eye bolts and attach to each end of the hammock.
2) If it is used outdoors, then only the rope is required. Usually we recommend 2 x 5m lengths, so that most tree spans can be accommodated.
Our Ticket to the Moon parachute hammocks come with stainless steel hooks, to which you attach your rope. The rope then attaches to the trees or eye bolts.
Our Mayan/Mexican hammocks have strong loops at each end, which the rope can be attached to. Alternatively you can purchase 2 'S' hooks from any DIY store, which attach to the ends of the Mayan hammock and the rope.
Q: What are hammocks made of?
The body of the Mayan hammocks is handwoven from 100% cotton, which gives superior comfort especially in hot, humid weather. The endstrings are nylon for greater strength.
The Ticket to the Moon hammocks are made from high grade strong parachute silk, triple stitched. They also come with stainless steel hooks.
Q: How long will it last?
With common sense care, your hammock should last for many years. They should not be left outdoors for long, especially in the rain or direct sunlight. Cut, broken or burned cords can be repaired by knotting the ends.
Q: What are the difference sizes?
The single hammock is perfect for one person and great to pack for camping. The double hammock is spacious for a single person and can sleep two, this can also be used as a couch to sit in. The king hammock will sleep two easily and seat as many as you can fit into it ( 6+ for the Mayan hammocks!), and is ideal for indoor use as a couch, a bed, or anything else you can think of. It's great to take with you when you go camping or picnicking, for sleeping and lounging.
Q: Are they washable?
Yes, grasp each end loop and stretch the hammock to its full length. Bind the end cords and body at about six inch intervals to keep them from tangling. Put into a pillow case and put into the washing machine, alone with mild detergent and cold water.
All Ticket to the Moon parachute hammocks and other TTTM products are machine washable in 30°C water.
Q: How should it be hung?
There are many ways to hang a hammock and it depends on the surface or object you are hanging from. For concrete, a good method is to secure eye screws by drilling into the concrete, and then use spring hooks to attach the hammock loops to. If the space is too wide, use additional ropes to bridge the gap between the surface and the hammock. For wood surfaces, the same method can be used, using specific eye screws for wood.
Q: How do you use it?
For sleeping, lie diagonally to the long axis of the hammock. This allows you to lie flat and supports your body horizontally to the ground, with no bowing of your back as in other hammocks.
Q: Can you fall out in your sleep?
Not likely. The crosswise, or diagonal position in the hammock means that no matter how restless you roll or toss and turn in your sleep you will have plenty of hammock material stretching over your sides. Since these hammocks do not use spread bars, they are not tippy and will not flip you onto the ground like regular flat spread bar hammock.
Q: How do you store it?
To store your Mayan hammock, grasp end loops and twist each end in opposite directions until the entire length of the hammock is twisted tightly. You can do this alone - with one loop attached to the hanger - or with a partner. When it is twisted, hold it above your head, so that it is clear of the ground and it will spin and wrap around itself like skein of knitting yarn. You can then hang it by the end loops from one hook ( if it is indoors ) or tie with cord in a couple of places, tuck in end loops and store. Ideally, store the hammock in the free bag the accompanies the purchase of your Mayan hammock.
To store your Ticket to the Moon parachute hammock, simply stuff into the small integral pouch and away you go!
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An Amazing MonthSaturday, May 19th, 2012
It has been a bit of a drought here with my blog posts. So much has happened in the past year or so since my husband's death, that life overwhelmed me for a while there, but now I'm beginning to fight back. Part of what has helped the process is a recent trip I took to Hawaii. This was a trip my husband and I had planned before he got sick. It was to be the honeymoon we never had 39 years ago when we got married. Sadly, he didn't last long enough to make that trip, so I made it for both of us. I didn't go on my own. I took a very good friend, writer Lyn Cash, with me. Missing my husband so much, I never expected to find any real joy in the trip, but I surprised myself. The people of Hawaii are wonderful, very spiritual and warm people. The landscape is unbelievably beautiful and really touched my soul. After speaking with a very loving and wise woman over there, I had another funeral for Brian. A private one. Doing it the Hawaiian way, I walked out into the ocean and cast a flower out for every one of the family members left behind. Every flower was washed out to sea, enabling my husband's spirit to flow towards the light, or at least that's what this wise woman assured me. At that moment, as the sun broke over the horizon, I could believe it and it gave me a great deal of peace. Although I'll always grieve for my soulmate, I came home with a lightened spirit. Now it really is time to start looking to my future as a single woman, although in my heart I'll always be married.
Waikiki Beach taken from the hotel balcony


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This summer has been a crazy one for rapid weather changes, alternating between extreme heat and awkward cold. My skin has been very unkind to me this summer and I have been using more face masks than usual, and recently I have added a newbie spot treatment to my routine….I absolutely love it!
First off we have the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal 10 Minute Mask ($22). I was lucky enough to find this face mask at Winners as my local Sephora does not sell this brand. I have heard of this mask before from the blogger Lily Pebbles from Whatiheartotday.com. It is a very nice, hydrating mask which has tiny oatmeal grains which I guess lightly exfoliate, but I use it primarily to hydrate my skin as often spots come from skin being dehydrated. This mask is lovely and effective, though it does feel like putting porridge on your face, as Lily so hilariously put it!
Next up is Super Facialist by Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Brighten & Refine Facial Scrub ($20). Ok, so I'm not the biggest fan of the rose scent, it makes me think of old lady perfume and potpourri. I can look past the rose smell though as this scrub brightens and brings back radiance to the skin, and it's specially formulated for sensitive skin types! It's great to exfoliate your skin regularly, maybe 2-3 times a week as dead skin cells can clog pores and spots will develop. This scrub is wonderful to use and I believe it's extremely cheap in the UK as it's a drugstore product. I had to pay more for the product to have it shipped here which totalled about $20 CND. This is better than some Origins scrubs I have tried, and that says a lot! I can't wait to try out more from this brand.
Oh Origins, is it so obvious that this is my favourite skincare brand? I love pretty much everything from this brand. This Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask ($27) is definitely more on the "intense" side, and it has quite a particular scent that many may not like. It is however very effective on problem areas. I apply this to parts of my face that are breaking out and I leave it for 10 minutes so that it can work its magic. It reduces spots and makes the skin feel clean. Though this is a clay mask, I would not use it as an overnight spot treatment. I would also not use this on any parts of your face other than problem areas, as it can be quite drying and it does nothing for blackheads.
Last but not least is this ahhhhmazing Super Spot Remover Treatment by Origins ($17.50). This is the most effective spot treatment I have ever used. I put the tiniest amount on a Q-tip and I gently dab it on a spot and leave it overnight. It goes on clear which is nice, and when I wake up my spot is reduced in size and the redness is virtually gone. It's a great spot treatment to have, and at $17.50 I feel like this will go a long way as you have to use so little.
So this little routine has been helping my summer skin quite a bit, and I am happy to report that with Autumn on its way, my skin will go back to normal as this heat has just been killing me! What are some of your favourite spot treatments?


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A long, long time ago — in internet years, anyway — usability pioneer Jakob Nielsen codified ten general principles for interface design. Nielsen had the then-new Web in mind, but some 20-plus years later these principles continue to be relevant.
My favorite of Nielsen's principles has always been this:
User control and freedom
Users often choose system functions by mistake and will need a clearly marked "emergency exit" to leave the unwanted state without having to go through an extended dialogue. Support undo and redo (emphasis mine).
I've been thinking a lot about these principles, because I recently replaced the nine-year old WiFi router in my house. At the same time I changed the network name and password to make access to the router more secure. If I had done this a few years ago, I'd have told my family what the new network name and passwords were, they'd have connected their smart phones (because smart phone makers long ago figured out how to support undo and redo), and all would have been well.
But now I've got a bunch of smart home devices — thermostats, security cameras, air quality monitors, smart lights, and more — and getting all of them to play nice with the new WiFi network has proven to be, well, adventurous. In this first of a series of blog posts, I'll highlight the easiest, least frictional experience I had with one device that sets a high bar for the others, user-experience wise. That device is the Logitech POP Home Switch.
First, though, an acknowledgement: not all smart devices are the same. They do different things and require different levels of security regarding changes made to them. The steps I need to take reconfiguring my front porch security camera should be different than what I need to do to the POP Switch. Yet the reason I'm highlighting the POP Switch experience is because it is well-done and elegant, and security and elegance are not mutually exclusive. More "complicated" smart devices can learn lessons from it.
The POP Switch Experience
Logitech's POP Switch comprises two parts — a bridge, which plugs directly into a wall outlet, and a switch, a 2.5" square rubberized controller that can work with things such as smart lights. Pressing the switch in various ways allows you to change lighting scenes (for example) without getting out your smart phone and using an app. Truth be told, it's a sweet product.
But what makes it especially nice is the way it behaved when I fired up my new router with new credentials. The bridge immediately started blinking (because it was now offline), and finding where to go in the POP app to get the bridge back on line was a snap. And if a good interface captures 1) the task you're performing, 2) instructions on how to accomplish the task, and 3) the status of what's going on, the POP app hits it out of the park. Here are the sufficiently brief steps I had to take to get my POP Switch onto a new network, as experienced through the app:
It probably does without saying that my experience with other smart home devices in my house didn't go as smoothly.
Why Is This Important?
Good design is always important. But it's desperately needed in the still-new world of smart home devices. As the department within the National Association of REALTORS® that is most focused on smart home technology, CRT Labs has a responsibility to help shape the nascent world of smart home tech, both for homebuyers and for the REALTORS® they hire. IBM's Security Intelligence blog recently pointed out in a thoughtful piece that many design decisions are made for the first owner of something, and that the needs of subsequent owners are often neglected.
"The needs of subsequent owners" sound a lot like the needs of a homebuyer, don't they?
Over the coming months I'll continue to document my experiences with smart home devices and changing configurations, documenting as best as I can which ones are painful and which ones are relatively painless. More and more smart devices will be included in real estate transactions, and the smart home industry has a lot riding on "support redo and undo."


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HERE in Arizona's premiere resort playground, consider the dizzying number of hotel rooms -- 55,000, about as many as in all the Hawaiian islands combined -- and you may wonder how it could possibly stand more palm trees, pools and cabana boys.
I wondered too. And wondered even more after the recent openings of the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, Westin Kierland and Sheraton Wild Horse Pass. Did Phoenix, Scottsdale and environs, already home to more than 10 high-end resorts, need another, much less four?
The hint of an answer came a couple of months ago, when I flew to Arizona to check out these newcomers. For comparison I also paid a brief visit to a 14-year veteran in town, the Ritz-Carlton, a plush province of butler-drawn baths and $369-a-night rooms. Visualize this exchange at the front desk:
Me: "Would it be possible to see one of the rooms?"
Clerk: "I can't show you a room because I'm the only one here."
Me (pointing to two bored bellmen in a deserted lobby): "Could one of those guys help?"
Clerk: "Why do you need to see a room? It's just your standard hotel room. There's a bed, a little living area and a restroom."
Me: "I'm familiar with the concept. I just want to compare it to other places I'm considering."
Clerk: [Blank stare. Silence.]
The moral of this story: Amid venerated resorts such as the Phoenician and the Boulders, a Four Seasons, a Fairmont and, yes, a Ritz-Carlton, one thing was clear: There may not have been a room for me to see, but there obviously was room for improvement.
Fortunately, the four newest resorts proved more welcoming. They're also as varied as cars on an L.A. freeway, so I spent a week test driving them.
For comparison I also took a spin around two dozen other resorts, inspecting rooms and logging 400 miles around greater Phoenix. By week's end I was running on empty, figuratively and literally. But after feasting in fine restaurants, snoozing by umpteen pools and taking in Arizona scenery, I couldn't complain. These four spots were mostly one long joy ride.
JW Marriott Desert Ridge
Resort & Spa
If one were to liken resorts to cars, 11-month-old Desert Ridge would be a Hummer H2: big, bold and expensive, its pretensions proudly displayed.
With 869 rooms and 81 suites, the hotel is Arizona's largest, and although the five-story building is sand colored, there's no camouflaging its bulk.
Guests enter a lobby that looks like a giant living room. Monolithic limestone pillars lined with alabaster light fixtures cast an ethereal glow. Leather club chairs and potted palms stretch farther than a football field.
Outside lies more excess: a lazy river and three swimming pools (one sporting a miniature waterfall pavilion with rooftop bonfire), plus an Olympic-sized pool for customers of the 28,000-square-foot spa. If one tires of swimming and sunning, there are eight tennis courts and two golf courses (one designed by Arnold Palmer, the other by Nick Faldo).
At every turn, the resort shouts for attention, from the classical music broadcast in the parking lot to the vibrant yellow, green and red palette in the comfortable guest rooms.
This cheerier-than-cheery, bigger-is-better brand of luxury may be a bumpy ride for those seeking serenity. While I was inspecting a room at the Four Seasons resort a few miles away, a young, polite bellman frowned when I said I was vacationing at Desert Ridge.
"Vegas without the slots," he said, shaking his head.
My only beef was personal service, or lack thereof. I could muster only the weakest of smiles when an overly exuberant front desk clerk shrieked, "How is your evening?" at me three times in an hour, clearly not remembering that I was "Just fine, thanks."
The next morning by the pool, as a harried mom gingerly maneuvered down stairs with a double stroller in one hand and a crying baby and a pitcher of water in the other, a uniformed staffer breezed by without as much as a glance.
But no matter. Most guests seemed thrilled. The morning of my departure, I shared an elevator with a beaming Chicagoan.
"It's something, ain't it?" he said. "Last night I saw the most amazing sunset -- incredible, best of my life!"
I had seen the sunset too. It was pretty but hardly spectacular. I guess Desert Ridge had dazzled him so much that even the sunsets seemed more striking.
Sanctuary on
Camelback Mountain
Sanctuary was different from the JW Marriott in almost every way: smaller, more intimate and stylish -- a sleek and shiny black Porsche Carrera GT.
You'll see a fair amount of hipster black here. Enter the lobby and you can cross the black quartzite floor, sit on a black leather loveseat and watch black-clad waiters strut through the restaurant like models on a runway. The resort's other signature color? An electric saguaro-green.
Homey it's not. Then again, if I want homey, I'll stay at home.
The stark design here makes for an Asian-inspired retreat with a streak of rocker rebellion, a sort of desert Zen-meets-Led Zeppelin ambience. The crowd is equally eclectic, a few older couples peacefully coexisting with a steady stream of young guests in their best slacker-wear. Nothing like watching a couple in ripped jeans and thrift-store T-shirts check into a $330-a-night room.
Hollywood celebrities have long been part of the scene in Paradise Valley, a town of 14,000 sandwiched between Phoenix and Scottsdale. Sydney Chaplin, Charlie's son, was one of the property's original investors in the 1950s. The resort, known as John Gardiner's Tennis Ranch until the 1990s, changed owners and fully reopened last year as an uber-modern oasis of cool.
Some guests are drawn by the bar, Jade, and the 12,000-square-foot spa. They're small but smartly designed, with an intimacy and exclusivity that one might expect at a high-end retreat.
Despite the buzz about Sanctuary's trendiness, most guests still prefer traditional decor, a resort spokeswoman told me after I checked out. For these folks the resort offers 74 less expensive "mountain casitas," older concrete-block buildings refurbished in Southwestern motifs.
My mountain casita had a dynamite view, but its Asian accents felt contrived. The black Frette bathrobe and complimentary bamboo slippers made me look like a wayward Buddhist monk.
Others come for the 24 "spa casitas" best described as bomb-shelter chic. With their clean lines and smooth surfaces, the rooms have an artful, industrial look. Polished concrete floors and counters are offset by eye-popping fabrics -- cobalt blue and sunflower yellow in the unit I saw. Sheer drapery hangs like lingerie.
For all the emphasis on style, the spa casitas have substance too: generous space (650 to 850 square feet), floor-to-ceiling windows, fireplaces and outdoor Philippe Starck-designed bathtubs.
What sets Sanctuary apart most, though, is the setting, below the red-rock humps of Camelback Mountain. The nighttime view from Elements, the resort's window-wrapped restaurant, was a stunner. The lighted infinity pool below glittered baby blue, and in the distance, the sky glowed pink over Paradise Valley.
Westin Kierland
Resort and Spa
Forget a thrill ride in a sexy sports car. The Westin Kierland, opened last November, is the Volvo station wagon of this group -- a safe choice tailored to upscale, mainstream tastes.
The emphasis here is functionality over fun. My room, one of 735, had the comfortable, contemporary styling typical of the Westin chain.
Quality bed? Check.
Plush towels? Check.
Style? Nothing as ostentatious as Desert Ridge or as imaginative as Sanctuary -- which is a good thing to some.
The most noteworthy detail of my room was the carpeting, cleverly patterned to mimic golden ridges of wind-swept sand. It was a modest nod to nature in a room where all the furniture was oriented around the TV rather than the landscape beyond the balcony door.
Builders of this Westin, though, wanted the hotel to impart a sense of Arizona's land and people, so in the public spaces you'll find Western bronzes, landscape paintings and 19th century photographs of Geronimo and other historic figures.
Much of the year, business travelers and groups account for about three-fourths of the hotel's clientele, so it's not surprising the place can feel like a sterile corporate lobby. But leisure travelers predominate in summer. Many are families that take advantage of two large pools, a 110-foot waterslide and 900-foot lazy river, 27 holes of golf, a volleyball court, a full-service spa and a nearby shopping center.
The much-hyped nuevo Latino restaurant Deseo, developed by James Beard-honored chef Douglas Rodriguez, delivered a fine (if expensive) combination plate: beef churrasco paired with delicate Cuban pork tenderloin in a black bean sauce and avocado chutney.
There wasn't anything particularly objectionable about the place. It just didn't stand out among the others. Desert Ridge had a better pool complex, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain boasted a more interesting design and better views, and the last hotel in the group -- an unassuming Sheraton -- had the most soul.
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass
Resort and Spa
This year-old hotel was the surprise of the trip, more akin to the Little Engine That Could than to any automobile. The rough-around-the-edges setting on the 600-square-mile Gila River Indian Community south of Phoenix make it the kind of place that not everyone will love, but I was won over even before I arrived.
One week before my trip, a hotel representative -- unaware I work for The Times -- called me at home to double-check my date of arrival, nightly rate and room preferences (nonsmoking, king bed, high floor).
Upon my arrival, a valet politely asked for my name, sped my suitcase to the reception desk and got my check-in started. By the time I caught up, a clerk had room keys ready -- no waiting.
My room was a pleasant surprise for a midscale chain. The furniture, all custom designed, included a leather chair and a dresser adorned with the woody ribs of dried saguaro, a nod to the desert surroundings.
I liked the public spaces best, including the lobby's rotunda ceiling, decorated with 10 vibrant murals of Indian life and lore that shimmered at night thanks to the room's lighted waterfall.
In the lounge below, a display said the Gila River Indian Community was composed of two tribes, the Akimel O'odham (also known as the Pima) and the Pee Posh (also called the Maricopa), both historically agricultural. But in 1928 their lifeblood, the Gila River, was dammed about 50 miles away.
The tribes eventually realized that their future lay in economic diversification. A new 2 1/2-mile artificial river symbolizes hopes for renewed prosperity, running from the Sheraton to the resort's golf club and casino.
Though the 500-room hotel is managed by a multinational chain, the tribe's ownership is apparent at every turn, partly through staffing (tribal members make up 30% of the workforce) and partly through art. Tribal members' original oil paintings, textiles, sculpture and cultural artifacts are displayed to great effect throughout the property.
The hotel, spa and golf courses cost more than $160 million to build, or about $320,000 per room -- a figure matched by "only a handful" of new resorts each year, said Elaine Sahlins, San Francisco-based director of lodging analyst HVS International. "The magnitude of that investment puts it in the top tier of what's being developed today."
The diversions outside are a class act: a pool and a waterslide built to resemble the renowned Casa Grande Ruins to the south, a beautiful 17,500-square-foot spa with 17 treatment rooms, and 36 holes of golf managed by the same company that oversees the Four Seasons' courses.
The resort is named for about 1,500 mustangs that roam the reservation, so it makes sense that recreation options include horseback riding. My 1 1/2-hour guided trail ride wasn't across the most exciting terrain, and we saw no mustangs. But as I rode past a coyote's burrow under lightning flashes of an approaching storm, the open desert acquired a stark, wild beauty.
Dinner that night at Kai, the resort's signature restaurant, was even better. Beef tenderloin came wrapped in pancetta and draped with pasilla, haricots verts, wild mushrooms and a pomegranate glaze. From amuse bouche (seared ahi with roe on a cucumber wedge) to the treats that accompanied the check (chocolate-dipped lavender shortbread cookies), the food and service were stellar, easily the best of the trip.
The morning of my departure, I rode a little ferry along the simulated Gila River, passing the spot where the tribes plan to break ground on a promenade of restaurants and shops. I never would have guessed my favorite moment of a trip would be a boat ride on an artificial river flowing toward a casino where I wouldn't gamble a dime. But it was. The river was a reminder of the past, a glimpse of the future and, with the desert sun beating back the clouds, a reminder of how bright the present can be.
Basking in the Valley of the Sun
From LAX, nonstop service to Phoenix is available on US Airways, United, America West and Southwest, and connecting service (change of planes) also is available on Delta and Frontier. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $58.
Nightly rates at these resorts vary by season. Brochure rates for fall are listed.
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85054; (800) 835-6206 or (480) 293-5000, fax (480) 293-3600, www.desertridgeresort.com or marriott.com/phxdr. Vibrant, colorful playground with big pools, lazy river and sprawling grounds. A good choice for fun seekers. Doubles from $339.
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253; (800) 245-2051 or (480) 948-2100, fax (480) 483-7314, www.sanctuaryaz.com. Smaller, quieter and hipper than the other resorts. Good views, nice Asian-inspired spa, excellent service. Mountain casitas with traditional Southwest decor from $280, distinctly modern spa casitas from $330.
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85254; (800) 937-8461 or (480) 624-1000, fax (480) 624-1001, www.westin.com/kierlandresort. A 735-room hotel catering largely to business travelers but with amenities leisure travelers may appreciate: good pools, lazy river, golf, spa. Doubles from $489.
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd. (P.O. Box 94000), Phoenix, AZ 85070; (800) 325-3535, (602) 225-0100, fax (602) 225-0300, www.wildhorsepassresort.com or www.sheraton.com/wildhorsepass. Owned by the Pima and Maricopa tribes, built on their reservation and infused with Native American culture. Equestrian center on site; boat on artificial river delivers guests to golf club and casino. Top-notch service. Doubles from $279.
Elements, Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain. A stylish space with fantastic views and an executive chef, Charles Wiley, formerly of the posh Boulders resort. I had a watercress and Asian pear salad topped with a wedge of goat cheese; for an entree, surprisingly filling carrot-millet pot stickers served with sugar snap peas and a ginger coriander sauce. More traditional dishes, such as beef filet, roasted duck and grilled salmon, fill out the menu, which changes monthly. Entrees about $20-$30.
Deseo, Westin Kierland. Nuevo Latino cuisine. My trio palm salad was composed of hearts of palm, coconut gelle, dates wrapped in bacon and a shallot-thyme vinaigrette. A fine but expensive meal -- one mojito, salad, a nice beef churrasco-Cuban pork combination plate and tip: $75.78.
Kai, Sheraton Wild Horse Pass. My favorite. Excellent Southwestern restaurant with Native American touches, incorporating olive oil (pressed on site), citrus and other ingredients grown on the Gila River reservation. Restaurant's name means "seed" in Pima, appropriate considering that a tribal farm propagates near-extinct seeds, some of which are used in dishes. Entrees $19-$35.
Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau, 400 E. Van Buren St., Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85004; (877) 225-5749 or (602) 254-6500, fax (602) 253-4415, www.visitphoenix.com.
-- Craig Nakano


text: Duke Lacrosse Accuser Lady Goes Wild 7.15K Hamilton Nolan 02/18/10 10:13AM Filed to: Crime Crime Duke Karma Crystal Mangum Violence arson Fire bathtubs Appic Crystal Mangum, the North Carolina woman who falsely accused those Duke lacrosse players of rape, has been charged with arson and attempted murder for setting her boyfriend's clothes on fire in a bathtub(!) and threatening to stab him. Goodness.


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Heart for Art 2018
July 1, 2018 Sunday
Stephen Avenue, Calgary, ABClick here to register...
Our mission is to support, develop and bring sustainability to vulnerable (persons with disabilities, homeless, low income individuals, refugees and aboriginals) artists.
We believe that art has the power to enhance people's lives. Our vision is to help create a strong community that supports and provides opportunity to artists; where the artists are able to use their talents to improve their lives and inspire others through our FACES approach:
F reedom: Using art as a form of self-expression
A rt: Supporting artists to develop their craft
C ommunity: Building bridges between artists and non-artists
E mpowerment: Providing opportunities for artists to become economically self-sustainable.
S uccess: Helping artists to realize their full potential.


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A little light refreshment after naps. This was a pretty blah photo in color, but I love it black and white.
Sometimes on hot afternoons I fill a big bucket with water and let the boys splash around in the driveway.
Dash playing his piano/guitar. Check out that concentration!
Tuck and Grandpa engrossed in a book.
I think this is sedum. It has these pretty purple blossoms this year.
We had a picnic in a nearby park on Saturday. This was the view above our heads. (This and the next photo were taken with my iPhone. We had a busy, fun weekend -- the kind where you're already hauling around a lot and the camera bag is just one bag too many.)
We spent Sunday evening at Mount Vernon. This is the view of the Potomac River from George Washington's lawn.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!


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Applying weed controls in the spring can be tricky, said Bob Scott, weed scientist with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Many Arkansas wheat growers who would normally apply herbicides in the fall had to shift the activity to spring due to wet weather, late planted wheat and late emerging ryegrass.
Scott said cold spring temperatures can be trouble.
"When it gets cold, many enzyme-inhibiting herbicides, such as Osprey, don't work as well. It's better to wait until temperatures are above 55 degrees for two or three days before and after application."
Osprey's label warns that injury may occur if nitrogen fertilizer is applied within 14 days of an Osprey application, Scott said. Osprey at the full rate is effective on larger ryegrass and does a fair job on bluegrass, many broadleaves and vetch in late January and early February. It can be tank-mixed with Harmony Extra for garlic.
Axial or Hoelon is a good option for spring ryegrass control if the ryegrass isn't Hoelon-resistant. Use the full labeled rate of either herbicide for best results, Scott recommended, but don't tank-mix broadleaf herbicide with Hoelon.
Wild buckwheat and vetch will cause major harvest problems. Harmony Extra is the industry standard for garlic and onion and many of these other broadleaves.


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Three Bruins Compete at 2008 World Junior Championships
July 14, 2008
BYDGOSZCZ, Poland - Rising sophomore Dylan Knight of the UCLA men's track and field team and incoming freshmen Camilla Dencer and Ryann Krais of the UCLA women's track and field team concluded competition over the weekend at the 2008 IAAF World Junior Championships (July 8-13).
Knight finished ninth in the final of the men's 3000-meter steeplechase, posting a time of 8:52.90 on Sunday, July 13. In Knight's initial heat, the rising sophomore raced to a sixth-place finish with a time of 8:53.67.
Krais finished ninth overall in the women's heptathlon with a personal-best 5,457 points. Krais recorded first-place performances in her heats in the 200-meter (25.04 seconds) and 100-meter hurdles (13.73). She finished third in each of her heats in the 800-meter (2:19.15) and high jump (1.72 meters).
Additionally, Krais finished sixth in the long jump (5.72 meters) and posted 10th-place finishes in both the javelin (31.88) and shotput (10.56).
Dencer registered a ninth-place finish in her heat and finished 30th overall in the women's 800-meter race, posting a time of 2:10.32 in the prelims on Tuesday, July 8.
TODAY | 6:00pm PTLive
Airing on:
- Pac-12 Network
- Pac-12 Oregon
Pac-12 PlaylistTODAY | 9:00pm PTLive
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National Leader of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, which celebrated its 26th anniversary as an independent nation in 2017, has quickly emerged as one of the leading and most dynamic states in the wider Caspian region and beyond. Azerbaijan has a vibrant economy endowed with skilled human capital and rich natural resources. The country is a regional leader in economic growth. With a multi-billion dollar GDP, Azerbaijan represents the majority of the South Caucasus economy. Azerbaijan's strategic location with key links to Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Central Asia makes it an important transportation hub for the entire region. To position the country a key point on the resurgent Silk Road, Azerbaijan is implementing major infrastructure projects to upgrade the country's highways and railroads as well as its air and maritime facilities. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and TANAP/TAP pipeline designed to export Azerbaijani natural gas to Europe are nearing completion.
As the next logical step in Azerbaijan's success story, efforts to promote economic diversification have seen significant growth also in the ICT, agriculture, and construction sectors. The Azerbaijan Investment Company (AIC), a state-owned joint-stock company, has been set up with a primary goal of facilitating the FDI flow in the non-oil sector in Azerbaijan through various forms of partnerships with international shareholders.
Azerbaijan prides itself on having one of the most favorable legal frameworks for investment activities. The Government succeeded in opening up economy for international business and introducing investment-friendly legislation. A foreign investor is welcome to enter the Azerbaijani market with a "green-field project." This is particularly attractive bearing in mind the geographic location of the country as the transportation hub for the Caspian region and Central Asia and the proximity of regional markets.
Azerbaijan has successfully implemented the process of de-nationalization of state-owned enterprises and property – the private sector accounts for 84.5% of the country's GDP and employs 70% of population. Currently, the second stage of privatization is underway and covers medium and large-scale enterprises in the strategic sectors such as transport, communication, construction, chemical and heavy engineering industry, among others.
Azerbaijan has an extensive network of trade partnerships with over 140 countries. Two important factors have contributed to this: exports of increasing amounts of Azerbaijani crude and oil products and the expanding internal market which led to the rise in imports of manufacturing equipment and consumer goods in the country. In recent years an average annual growth in foreign trade has exceeded 20%.
Azerbaijan has a well-developed legal and policy framework on environmental protection, and is a party to most multilateral environmental agreements. Azerbaijan is in the process of accession negotiations to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Azerbaijan's population of 9.9 million and already well-established education sector mean the quality of human capital is also ticking all the right boxes for foreign investors. Azerbaijan has a young and steadily urbanizing population, with an average age of only 28 years and an urbanization rate of 52%. Expenditure on education reforms and incentives aim at transferring know-how to the Azerbaijani people and creating sustainable jobs for locals through a more active collaboration between businesses and universities.
Politically stable and economically diverse, Azerbaijan is in a strong position to play off its strengths— including reserves of $41 billion—to carve a path towards a future without a heavy reliance on the oil and gas sector.
The opening of the Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Los Angeles and Western States was a significant milestone in the rapidly developing bilateral ties between the United States and Azerbaijan.read more...


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This story was originally published in The Star-Ledger in February of 2006.
This is the story of a woman who got everything she'd ever dreamed of, had it taken away from her, and got it back again.
Five and a half years ago, Old Bridge native Diane Ruggiero was in the middle of her Cinderella moment, going from waitress in East Rutherford to hot screenwriter in Hollywood in an eyeblink. Nora Ephron had just bought her script "Pretty the Beast," and CBS had hired her to create "That's Life," a quasi-autobiographical drama about a Jersey woman who enrolls in college at 32, to the confusion of her friends and family.
"I'm homesick as hell, but look what I'm doing," she told me in the summer of 2000, a few months before "That's Life" debuted. "When you're out here with a job like this, it's amazing. I could be on Mars right now and doing this, and I'd be happy."
And then her Cinderella story went all pumpkin in a hurry.
Though she had created "That's Life," CBS wasn't about to hand the keys to one of its primetime vehicles to a 29-year-old showbiz rookie. Over the course of its first season, the network would bring in three different show-running producers, each with different ideas about what would work - ideas that Ruggiero would have disagreed with if anyone had ever bothered to ask her.
"My opinions didn't matter," she says now. "They didn't care what I wanted to do. There wasn't a feeling of, 'Let's see what Diane thinks.'"
Near the end of the season, CBS brought in Lynn Marie Latham, a veteran producer whose vision for the show was radically different from Ruggiero's. Where the original "That's Life" was a small character piece about the members of an Italian-American family, Latham tried to turn it into a TV "franchise," giving Lydia a job at a sports medicine clinc so she could be involved with hospital storylines each week.
"It was hard to see something that you care about become something you don't like," says Ruggiero, now 35. "That second year, I nicknamed it "Touched by an Italian,' except I called it a bad word instead of "Italian.' (Lydia) had breast cancer for an episode. I wanted to hang myself - one episode breast cancer."
Ruggiero and Latham would argue about the new direction, but Latham had the authority and Ruggiero was afraid of ending her new career with a big tantrum.
"I thought, "I'm not going back home. I'm not going to be the girl who couldn't control her temper so she got sent back. You think I can't sit through you? You don't know what I had to do to get here. I can take your junk forever'."
In retrospect, she understands what Latham was trying to do, that TV dramas either need to have a franchise profession to provide stories, or they need to be a straight soap opera, and that the original version of "That's Life" was none of the above. (Whatever their philosophical differences, Latham liked Ruggiero enough to offer her a staff job on her next series; Ruggiero declined, but took one freelance assignment from her to pay the bills.) But at the time, "I was trying to maintain a vision that I didn't have the experience to articulate."
Midway through season two, CBS canceled "That's Life."
"I cried, and I felt very depressed about it," she says. "But the thing that depressed me the most was that I had this huge, once in a lifetime opportunity, and if I was just better, I could have made it work and it wouldn't have changed. I look at the first three episodes and that was the show that I wanted. And if I could have just worked harder or been better or smarter or had more experience, I could've made it work. And now I had blown this great opportunity and was going to have to go home. That was always the thing in the back of my mind: "They're going to send me home, they're going to realize I'm a fraud.'
"But then there was this overwhelming sense of relief that I wasn't going to have to do it anymore."
After the cancellation, she was so devastated that she couldn't work - "It took me a couple of months to get off the couch" - until she realized that the show had given her the nest egg she needed to write on her own schedule for a while.
"But my confidence was so shot that it was hard. And then I got a Lifetime movie and I felt, "Now I'm going to go from the girl who had a show on network television to the one who's selling her soul to get a movie job for Lifetime.'" (To her own relief, the movie didn't get made.)
Enter Rob Thomas, no stranger himself to being the Flavor of Last Month. In 1998, he was the young creator of ABC's "Cupid," which got great reviews and invisible ratings. The year after that, he worked on the detective show "Snoops" for about five seconds before getting bounced as the loser of a power struggle with one of the other producers.
After a fallow career stretch, Thomas had just gotten the greenlight from UPN for "Veronica Mars," an offbeat teen noir about a high school girl who moonlights as a private detective. While slogging through dozens of submissions from potential staff writers, he came across one of Ruggiero's scripts, and his interest perked up - both because he loved her writing, and because he had unsuccessfully tried to hire her a few years earlier for a show that didn't get picked up.
A series of miscommunications between their agents had led each to assume the other hated them, so when Ruggiero got the call that Thomas wanted to meet her at his house about a job on "Veronica," she assumed it was a set-up for something worse.
"You may not believe this, but Diane's a fairly neurotic interviewee," Thomas says. "She shows up at my house and she gets 800 words out before I get six out. She's giving most of her spiel, and she tells me her version of the story from two years prior. She was worried that this might be a fake interview to get even with her. And I thought, "She's a little crazy, but she should be fun in the writers' room.'"
(Ruggiero's version: She couldn't have opened with a monologue like that, since Thomas' house is at the top of a very steep hill, and by the time she got up the driveway she was so out of breath that she couldn't speak for at least five minutes.)
The two clicked immediately as creative partners.
"Amazing dialogue is her forte," he says. "She's a very, very funny writer. She knows where the joke is and she also constructs scenes really well. Any scene that you write, there's an objective for it, and there's always a straight, obvious line to get there. Diane's great at not choosing that way."
At the end of the first season, Thomas entrusted her with possibly the trickiest script: the revelation of what happened on the night Veronica was drugged and raped by a person or persons unknown. The major details of who, when and why came from Thomas, but Ruggiero added the chilling how: that the entire horrible incident took place because a mean girl spit in her own, unknowingly spiked drink and handed it to Veronica as a joke.
"I think the beauty of that is that this one little bitchy moment set off this chain of events that affected other people's lives so strongly, and how heartbreaking that was," she says.
This week's Ruggiero-penned episode is packed with the kind of snappy banter that Thomas loves. In one scene, Veronica and ex-boyfriend Logan meet near a school carnival slushy machine.
"What's your poison?" Veronica asks him.
"Emotionally unavailable women," Logan replies.
After her "That's Life" nightmare, Ruggiero was shocked to experience life on a show where the creator had full authority and a focused plan.
"Looking back at 'That's Life' after having worked with Rob and seeing how a show can run, it's like dating a nice guy after dating a jerk. You say, 'Oh, your boyfriend's not supposed to tell you you're ugly every day?'"
On its best day, "Veronica Mars" doesn't get nearly the ratings that earned "That's Life" a cancellation, but it's a critical and cult favorite and likely has a spot sewn up for next season on the newly-created CW network. And whatever Ruggiero has lost in viewership, she's more than made up in confidence.
"The great thing about this job is that I went from feeling, 'I don't know what I'm doing,' to, by the time we were done with episode two, 'I know exactly what I'm doing, and I'm good at it.' And it was amazing to have that revelation. That was life-changing to me."
Ruggiero isn't the same woman she was five years ago, and not just because of the professional satisfaction. She's so acclimated to Los Angeles weather that she needs a jacket when the temperature drops into the 60s. In New Jersey, her social life revolved around going to Devils games; between the NHL lock-out and her own busy schedule, it's been a long time since she's seen the team in person.
After living paycheck-to-paycheck and driving a beater for most of her adult life, she has a nice house, a new Audi and a secure future. Through diet and exercise, she's lost 47 pounds from her pre-showbiz weight, and the fire engine red hair she used to sport is now a sleek black.
"I always had a weight thing and felt bad about it, but in New Jersey, I felt like I got attention, and even when I felt bad or chubby, I didn't feel like I a freak. But out here, you go into a store and ask for a size 14, they look at you like you're insane. Everyone's just so thin and so beautiful and so young. I felt invisible for the first five years I was here, like I could walk around and no one would see me at all, and the only time men would be interested in me was if they were actors trying to get their SAG card.
"Finally, I had this moment where I felt, 'I cannot be this person anymore. This is not who I am.'"
Her friends in Jersey agreed, but not in the way she might have hoped. On her recent Christmas trip home, one told her, "All the things that make you you are gone. You're supposed to be all curves and big red hair and Jane Russell, and now you're not."
"And then I realized how they used to see me, that's never what I was in my own mind. I was always uncomfortable, felt there was someone else inside. So, to me, this is normal, and to them I've made some dramatic change."
Meanwhile, she has friends in Hollywood who only know the new her, "and not the 29-year-old waitress who didn't graduate from college and was still trying to graduate and having her electricity shut off and borrowing money from friends."
She wants to create her own show again, but is also reluctant to leave the best work environment she's ever had. And her film career is bubbling again. More than five years after she sold it, she still hopes that "Pretty the Beast" can escape development hell. She and Thomas recently completed a script based on the '70s film "The Last of Sheila" for "Veronica" boss Joel Silver, and she has other movie projects in mind.
"Getting 'That's Life' and selling that script was life-changing, but this is a whole new thing. Because now I know I'm not a fluke and that they're not going to send me back. I'm not waiting for people to expose me as a fraud because now I don't feel like a fraud."
Alan Sepinwall may be reached at email@example.com, or by writing him at 1 Star-Ledger Plaza, Newark, N.J. 07102-1200.


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Today we've been lucky enough to feature on Queensland's leading plumbing website by Bec Seynard aka The Plumbette. We're sharing our top 5 effective tips to styling a bathroom (on a budget).
1. Cleanliness is golden in your bathroom
Before spending a cent of your hard earned cash on accessories, cleaning the space from head-to-toe is a sure-fire way to increasing the feel of space and luxury.
Start from the bathroom ceiling and work your way down including the exhaust fan, lighting, tiles and grout, tap fittings, exterior windows (inside and out), vanity mirrors and inside your drawers. Don't forget the grimy shower door and the layers of calcium.
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Want more? To read the full post on The Plumbette, please click across here for 5 ways to style your bathroom on a budget.


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Chris Pudney and Gihan Perera
About Chris
Chris is a data visualization consultant and software developer. He helps clients gain insight into, and understanding from, their business data through the application of novel visualization techniques.
Chris is also an avid Internet technology enthusiast with more than 20 years experience using the Internet for fun and profit.
Chris has a PhD in Computer Science from The University of Western Australia. He has published several academic papers on the processing and visualization of scientific data.
About Gihan
Gihan is a consultant, speaker and author who helps professional speakers, trainers, coaches, consultants, thought leaders and other business professionals to leverage their products, services and business practices – particularly on-line.
When he started his business in 1997, most of his clients were outside Perth, so he travelled a lot to meet clients and to conduct workshops and seminars. Although the work was enjoyable, the travel was exhausting. Now he delivers the same material from the comfort of his home office using webinars, discussion forums, Skype and other Internet technology.
This is the latest of his published books, which include others in the area of on-line strategy, effective webinars, marketing and writing.
Why We Wrote This Book
We first met in 1986 – a quarter of a century ago – while studying Computer Science at the University of Western Australia, and have remained friends ever since. Although our professional paths have diverged, both of us have found ourselves working in Out of Office environments, although in very different ways.
Gihan runs his own Web design and consulting business, based in his home town of Perth but with most of his clients elsewhere. This gives him flexibility with both working hours and location.
Chris works as a contractor, developing software for a multinational company with employees located throughout the world. He works remotely, full-time from his home in Perth.
We both use some Internet-based tools to operate our Out of Office environments – for example:
- Skype and mobile phones for telephone calls, conference calls and video conferencing
- IM (instant messaging) and SMS for short messages
- The eFax service to send and receive faxes by e-mail
- On-line meeting software to conduct remote meetings
- Webinar software for making presentations
- Discussion forums, blogs, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Google+ for connecting with other professionals
- Google Docs and wikis for collaborating on documents
As a result of moving to these Out of Office environments, we now both enjoy the work style – and lifestyle – of our choice. We'd like you to be able to say the same!


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Visit the Medisystems Web Site
Medisystems designs, manufactures, imports and distributes innovative medical devices, primarily for use in dialysis and related blood treatments. We were incorporated as a privately held company in 1981, and acquired by NxStage Medical, Inc. in 2007. We are headquartered in Lawrence, MA, and proud to be a NxStage company.
Hemodialysis Products
Get more information or order now at 1-800-369-MEDI / firstname.lastname@example.com.
Medisystems, a NxStage Company
439 South Union Street
Lawrence, MA 01843


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61 answer(s) WHO SHOULD BE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA?
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38 answer(s) What are the best Guest posting, Forum Submission website list?
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31 answer(s) How to Get Traffic on Website of Education?
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30 answer(s) What Is The First Law Of Success?
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29 answer(s)


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This week, I decided to finish the local 2010 race season by attempting a "Tri-Fecta".
Yes, I completely made up this term, and it means "to win 3 triathlons in a row". I think that it is traditionally a phrase used in horse racing or something, but I'm no grammatical expert. I just wear spandex and do triathlons.
For the Tri-Fecta attempt, I chose the Palouse Sprint Triathlon, the Spokane Olympic Triathlon and the Grand Columbian Half-Ironman Triathlon - a true test of my speed in all distances, and a good alternative to doing boring long workouts to prepare for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
There were three significant changes to my prep, gear and nutrition protocol before these races, specifically:
-I really stepped up the massage therapy with Tim Gilreath from http://www.therapproach.com. I've been seeing him once a week as regularly as possible, and he's magically figured out how to keep me pieced together for this attempt.
-I am riding on a completely brand new Gray Storm Time Trial Bike with Gray Wheels and a Gray Helmet (http://www.synergysport.com). This is a new company to the triathlon scene from Lake Tahoe, and they make slick, fast and impressive gear. I built up their frame with SRAM Red Components and Return To Position shifters, a Zipp Vuma Aero crank, and Gray Aero Bars. Here's a picture:
Yeah, it's fast, and it's been all by lonesome in transition a lot lately.
-I also tripled the amount of fatty acids in my diet. No, I did not start eating butter sticks. I did it by using the Pharmax DHA/EPA blend and Udo's 3-6-9 Oil from Bioletics. This was based on recommendations from Podcast #111 at BenGreenfieldFitness.com, which you can listen to by clicking here.
***In addition, I'm using all the normal nutrition and gear protocols I've relied on for a very successful 2010 race season thus far, and you can read about everything else I use at the end of this post. Heck, I'm shamelessly begging you to click on my sponsors' links. They make pretty dang good stuff.***
OK, here we go.
The first race, on Saturday, 09/11 was the Palouse Sprint Triathlon. I hold the course record here and I was out to beat it. In a sprint triathlon, you basically just go to a world of red-hot pain for under an hour. It's over fast, but it hurts.
The race started with a 500m pool swim, then a 10 mile bike, and finished with a 5K run.
Here's me leading in the swim (this was the last of 8 waves):
I came out of the water in first place and took of on the Gray Storm TT.
This was my first race on this beast, and it is F-A-S-T bike. It is basically the stiffest frame you can get anywhere, which basically means that just about every tiny chunk of wattage gets directed straight into the cranks on the bike.
I just held on for dear life, at about 26 miles per hour, and then ran the 5K. I don't know how far ahead I was coming off the bike, but I won the triathlon by almost 3 minutes and re-set the course record.
Here's me finishing the Palouse Sprint Triathlon:
And hacking up my lungs afterwards:
Sprint Nutrition: 45 minutes prior: 2 delta-E's and 6 Enerprime, Millennium SportsCordygen VO2 and Carnage. During race: no water, no gels. No need.
On my drive back up to Spokane, I must admit that I seriously re-considered my Tri-Fecta attempt, since I was still reeling from the sprint triathlon. But at 4:30am the next morning, I peeled myself out of bed and headed out to make the next attempt for a win at the Spokane Olympic Triathlon.
For those of you who get queasy at the mention of genital shrinkage, you may want to skip this next part.
The Spokane Triathlon is cold.
As in, steam-coming-off-the-water, folks-shivering-in-3-layers-of-clothing-in transition, where-are-my-fingers, why-do-my-testicles-look-like-those-of-my-2-year-old-boys cold.
I choked down a couple yams on the drive to the race, set up transition and then waited until the last possible minute to strip down and put on my wetsuit. As I made my first venture into the icy Spokane River, I felt "the boys" literally go screaming up into my crotch, screaming for dear life and their virility. This was like the cold bath Seinfield episode multiplied ten-fold.
Here I am, hunched over, shivering, and heading out on the bike:
I came out of the water in 2nd, and rode into first by mile two of the bike. This race was basically a repeat of the day before, but twice as long, and the Antarctic version.
While hammering the bike course, I slowly watched my fingers turn a concerning purple shade. Halfway through, I could not feel my fingers or toes, and the feeling in my crotch was suggesting that I may have successfully engaged in castration by freezing. It never did warm up, and by the time I got back to transition, I had to enlist the assistance of a volunteer in taking off my helmet, snapping on my race belt, and putting on my shoes.
For the first two miles of the run, I couldn't feel my legs or feet, and I once again gave serious through to dropping the pursuit of a Tri-Fecta in exchange for a cup of hot chocolate and warm bath.
But I powered through, it slowly became warmer, and I won again - once again by several minutes. Here I am running to the finish. The vital organs have apparently warmed up by now.
Two down, one to go.
Olympic nutrition: 45 minutes prior: 2 delta-E's and 6 Enerprime, Millennium Sports Cordygen VO2 and Carnage. During race: 300 calories of GU brew on the bike, nothing on the run. I've also started adding Peter Gillham's NutraRev pre-race, taking with the delta-E.
The Grand Columbian Half-Ironman, on 09/18 (Tri-Fecta day seven of seven) is known to be a difficult course. With 3800 feet of climbing and notoriously fierce winds, followed by a run on a punishing, undulating mix of trails, gravel and highway, this is not a race to take lightly. For example, last year I raced a 4:34 at Grand Columbian and took second - and that would be considered a relatively "slow" Half IM course time.
So you gotta have a good tune on your pre-race .mp3 player to get pumped up for this one. I went for "Dynamite" by Taio.
Saturday morning, I drove the 90 miles to the race at 6am with my wife and kids. We arrived, I set up transition, and time went by quickly.
The boys helping me get ready:
Found a craw-dad in the water before the swim:
The nice part about Grand Columbian is that there is a buoy line underneath the water that you can use to swim a straight path without sighting much. The first 200 meters of the race are a free-for-all as every competitor tries to get on top of that buoy line. It's like the new Nintendo Playstation is sitting on top of that first buoy, and you're surrounded by desperate pre-Christmas mothers in wetsuits.
I ended up leading in a pack of 4 swimmers, with two very fast swimmers way off the front ahead of us. For the first 1200 meters, I hung with the other 4 swimmers, then made an attempt to break away with 700 meters left - primarily because I didn't want any other cyclists getting a free ride on my tail in the first and most difficult section of the bike course.
My break away was successful, and I was able to come out of the water with just those two fast swimmer ahead of me. I got out of transition ahead of one of them, and got ready to hurt.
Out of the swim:
This race begins with a 1000+ foot climb, but my Gray ascended like a dream. This bike climbs very well, and as a relatively weak climber, I'm pretty grateful for that. The ride, as expected, was windy and hard, but I felt fantastic - I shoved down a GU Roctane every 20 minutes and a couple Athlytes every 30 minutes. Usually, I eat a lot during the Half-IM bike so I don't have to eat much on the run.
Still, it took me nearly 40 miles to catch the final swimmer who had made it out of the water ahead of me, and in the meantime, another cyclist rode by me so fast that I thought he was on a team or relay division. So I rode into transition 90 seconds behind this guy, who it turns out was NOT on a team but was an individual competitor. Third place rode in just about a minute behind me.
Here I am coming off the bike:
Mentally, I've had a hard time this season both "catching" other runners ahead of me and running a strong half-marathon, so I knew I was at a bit of a disadvantage chasing and being chased. I put my head down and starting charging, knowing that 90+ seconds is a good chunk of time to make up, but is do-able.
Unfortunately, halfway through the run, at the 10K mark, I split 1st place and he was 2:15 ahead of me. To make matters worse, 3rd place was just 15 seconds behind me. So I was stuck in a very unsettling sandwich.
At that point, I really though I'd let my Tri-Fecta slip away. A third place finish seemed inevitable.
This is the point during a race where I go drill sergeant on myself...
"How BAD do you want this?"
"C'mon how much are you willing to hurt?"
"Go big or go home, Ben."
"Yo momma is an ugly cow."
HAHA. Sorry about that last one, Mom. I know you read these race reports.
Well, my "positive" self-talk worked. I grit my teeth, set my chin, and went to my pain-cave. DEEP into my pain cave. At 15K, I had opened up the gap on 3rd place to sixty seconds and was 10 seconds behind the leader.
I flew by him, and started counting. I've been passed my fair share of times, and I know that when you get passed, your instinct is to go with the guy that passed you. So I dug in and counted to 200, hoping to demoralize him.
It worked, and when I looked back, he was a non-issue.
About 5 minutes later, my body started shutting down. By this time, I was just past the 11 mile mark, and the engine was over-heating. I knew I had to cool down my core, so I walked for 30 seconds, took a few deep breaths, and then made the final attack.
The final 4K were a bit of a blur, not because I was running that fast, but because my vision was blurry and the blood was pounding in my ears. It was really hurting, but I wanted the finish line worse than it hurt. At this point, I knew nobody was going to catch me, but now I just wanted to see how fast I could finish.
The final sprint to the finish line (the other finishers were in the simultaneous Olympic distance race).
(notice the hot photographer in the background, my wife...)
(fist pump)
(and victory.)
Turns out I was 8 minutes faster than last year (that's HUGE for a Half-Ironman), as I crossed the finish line in 4:26 and got my Tri-Fecta.
Three wins in seven days - a huge confidence booster going into Kona, and a veritable crapload of USA Triathlon points, which help towards the national ranking.
Half-Ironman nutrition: 45 minutes prior: 45 minutes prior: 2 delta-E's and 6 Enerprime, Millennium Sports Cordygen VO2 and Carnage. During race: 9 GU Roctanes and 8 Millennium Sports Athlytes on the bike, half a banana and 6 Athlytes on the run. I've also started adding Peter Gillham's NutraRev pre-race, taking with the delta-E.
So what's next? I'm flying down to ***Las Vegas*** on Wednesday to bring you Interbike reporting straight from http://www.everymantri.com (Interbike is the world's biggest cycling/triathlon expo).
Saturday and Sunday, I'll be in ***Sacramento*** teaching a fat loss and human performance seminar for http://physical.eventbrite.com/.
On Monday, I'll be at a top secret meeting in ***San Francisco*** to plan the release of an AWESOME new business that I can't tell you anything about yet.
Then I'll come back for a few days, and it will be off to ***Kona, Hawaii*** with Mom, Dad, my wife Jessa, my sister Rosie and my twin boys for Ironman World Championships - where I'll be doing Ford and Timex sponsored media coverage for http://www.everymantri.com and of course, racing in the Super Bowl of triathlon.
So stay posted for lots of fresh content and videos over the next few weeks.
OK, here's the sponsor digs I promised you:


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American West Roadside Stop
The Wild & Scenic Rogue River Gorge near Union Creek, Oregon
Story & Photography by Gerald B. Allen
Rogue River Gorge Viewpoint - Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Enroute from White's City to Crater Lake National Park, we made a short stop at the Rogue River Gorge Viewpoint, located about a 1/4 mile north of the community of Union Creek, Oregon just off of Oregon Highway-62. A short 1/4 mile paved loop trail takes visitors to spectacular views of the Upper Rogue Wild and Scenic River as it cascades through a constricted channel of basalt lava.
Passing through this narrow, turbulent gorge of black lava, the Upper Rogue River will soon disappear as it plunges entirely underground into a lava tube for about 250 feet at Natural Bridge just south of Union Creek.
The Upper Rogue River features several waterfalls, although the more spectacular falls are located on National Creek and Muir Creek tributaries.
Upper Rogue River Trail
The entire length of the Upper Rogue Wild and Scenic River is closely followed by the Upper Rogue River Trail 1034. Due to the various road crossings, hikers can easily travel short 3.5 to 10 mile sections of the trail. The connecting 3.5 mile Rogue Gorge Trail 1034A also offers spectacular views of the Upper Rogue Wild and Scenic River cascading through a constricted channel of basalt lava. The trail begins at the Natural Bridge Viewpoint parking lot and travels upriver on the east side of the Upper Rogue Wild and Scenic River. The Upper Rogue River Trail traverses the west side of the river. You pass by Natural Bridge and Union Creek Campgrounds before arriving at the Rogue Gorge, located just off Highway 62 north of the Union Creek Resort.
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
3 Comments:
- Johanna GGG said...
lovely peaceful pictures - hope you are well
- Another Outspoken Female said...
Thanks Johanna. Well enough - post gastro and other annoying bugs. Immunity's taken a bit of a battering this year. Hope all is well with you.
- Lucy said...
oooo. does photo #1 mean that the significant eater is painting??
lovely photos.


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Tortilis Camp joined the Elewana Collection in 2015, a collection of 15 boutique lodges, camps and hotels renowned for their unique accommodations in iconic locations throughout East Africa.
For the lastest information on Tortilis Camp see www.elewanacollection.com
"Top notch Italian cuisine, breath taking views of Kilimanjaro and reliably good elephant viewing" - Food and Travel Magazine
With the majestic backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, and the world's highest free-standing mountain, Tortilis Camp is widely regarded as the prime location for witnessing the majesty of snow-capped Kilimanjaro. Tortilis Camp is named after the flat-topped, umbrella thorn tree that surrounds the camp, the Acacia Tortilis.
Amboseli is also known for its magnificent elephants – a population of over 1500 elephants, and some of Africa's largest, reside in the park's unique eco-system. Game drives, walks, sundowners and bush meals all take place both inside the Amboseli National Park and within a private 30,000 acre game concession, offering fantastic opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.
The tents are all spacious, with king or twin beds and elegant en suite bathrooms. There is a main lounge, bar and dining area, all exquisitely built with natural materials and thatched roofs, with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro.


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Scrap Car Nedging, Scrap your car for free
We offer a free scrap car collection service in and around Nedging, Suffolk. Scrap cars can be a real problem and can cause you untold misery, if you have a scrap vehicle and it is on the road it will still need to be taxed. You don't have to pay to get your old vehicle taken away. We will collect your old scrap car at no cost to you at all in Nedging.
Nedging - Latest News
As well as offering a completely free collection, we are also currently able to offer cash for scrap cars in Nedging depending upon the weight of the vehicle!
If you'd like us to make you an offer just ask when calling or add 'CASH QUOTE PLEASE' in the 'Additional Info' box when submitting our online form.
- Nationwide coverage
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Call a member of the team today on 0800 043 5100 or simply fill out our online form!
Choose Scrap Car Nedging
We have a huge amount of happy customers in and around Nedging as we have been covering the Suffolk area for quite some time now. We can be with you in 30 minutes if needed, maybe quicker just call to find out. We will collect your car at the agreed time slot, you can rest assured. We are available to collect your old scrap cars at a time to suit you, we have very flexible collection times.
We ensure that your old scrap car is disposed of in the right way in Suffolk. Unscrupulous companies might sell your old car rather than destroying it, in a lot of cases such as these they do not even inform the DVLA of any change of ownership. This will leave you very vulnerable in the eyes of the law, and can easily result in you being fined a large sum of money. When we collect a scrap car in Nedging we always ensure that the DVLA have been notified that the car is going to be scrapped, so that should keep your mind at rest. Whenever we scrap a car we always recycle or reuse whatever we can, meaning we are doing our bit for the environment.
Ensure that your old car is disposed of correctly, we would like to keep the streets of Suffolk tidy and clean of rubbish. When your street is filled with old abandoned cars it can seriously damage the image of an area, scrap your car and clean up your street. Scrap that old car, call today!
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There are hundreds of reasons why you would want to scrap a car. In our experience the car might have been written off and it is now down to you to get the car scrapped. Your car may not work but if it is on the road it still needs to be taxed, costing you a lot of money
The car scrappage scheme
car scrappage schemes may at first seem like a great idea. However, you cannot purchase any vehicle on this scheme. You can't buy any car, you have to be told a list of possible cars (this changes with each manufacturer). A lot of people have felt let down as there are only certain cars available in the scrappage scheme.
How to scrap your car
We make it simple to scrap your car in Nedging. We have many lines into our offices and always answer the phone so call today. Otherwise please feel free to browse our website and find as much information as you can before you call.
Just call us on 0800 043 5100 or fill out the following form:


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Wow, this is a cool application. Be sure to check it out and have Silverlight installed. Funny thing for me is that I worked in a team in 2001 that was also into adding/upgrading a software tool for patient handling in hospitals. If we only had the UI possibilities of Silverlight/WPF in those days to work out everything...
Personally, I foresee much more of these kind of applications with these great technologies.
Grz, Kris.
I just noticed at home that the look & feel of live search has changed. Steve Balmer recently stated that Microsoft is updating its whole live experience and certainly search. Could this be a new step forward to a renewed platform? Recently I found myself using live search more and more instead of google.
This morning I got up quite early to check my baggage a last time and drive to the rail station. There I met up with 2 other Belgian MVP's: Gill & Ilse. Once arrived at Schiphol, Gill and I got some bad news: our flight was completely overbooked so we had to sit down for quite some time while all the other people were already boarding the plane. Only in the last couple of minutes before the plane would take off our names were called for and we hurried to the plane (and through security). Then our long journey of about 10 hours could begin. We were actually very relieved that we could make it while we had to leave others behind in Belgium (Joris Poelmans didn't make it unfortunately). This was my first flight outside of Europe but the comfort on the plane itself was good: decent meals and several movies to see in the little screen in front of you (watched I am legend, The golden compass and National treasure 2). After arriving we checked in at the Sheraton hotel and afterwards went for the registration. After that, and some siteseeing/shopping in Seattle, we went to eat something in the Cheesecake factory: and delicious and giant hamburger. At first sight Seattle seems like a small city but I'm sure we didn't cover the whole city area yet .
First impression of Seattle while driving from the airport to the hotel:
The hotel room:
Street in Seattle:
Going to the registration:
And afterwards a burger (double pun fun hamburger) at the cheesecake factory (aka real American food). By the way it looked much better, and tasted way much better.
We actually couldn't finish it so we have to go out for desert, a delicious cheese cake, on a later date this week.
I also got to know already several MVP's from Tsuchiya, Chili, Denmark, Switzerland and I also had the pleasure to meet up with a Japanese MVP.
Tomorrow I'm heading for Seattle for the annual MVP summit. I just got renewed so I'm quite happy to be there as a full blown MVP. This is also the first time that I'll be visiting the US. I'm very excited about the whole thing because it means also for me the chance of going to Redmond itself, the "Mekka" for people that are into Microsoft technology.
We'll be arriving on Sunday after a flight of about 10 hours and on Monday stay in Seattle itself. Tuesday and Wednesday all sessions will be at Microsoft campus and Thursday again will be in Seattle. A lot of it will be under NDA but I hope to be able to blog about my adventure while I'm there.
If you're also going: I'm staying in the Sheraton hotel. I'm a very social person that likes to meet new people so don't be shy to come to me and say hi.
Tim Sneath, a well known evangelist of Microsoft was in Belgium yesterday. I got invited for a meet and greet with him by Microsoft Belgium. The first part was technical, Tim talked about Silverlight and we had the opportunity to ask questions. It was very interesting for me. The other fun side about it was that I got to know new people as well. Something I enjoy a lot since I'm quite a social person.
Afterwards we went with the group to a restaurant and enjoyed a very tasty meal in good company.
Here are some pictures that were taken:
I got the message that I won a HTC Dual Touch thanks to a contest of one of the sponsors (Ausy) on last Visug event. It's a nice phone with a bright screen. The only thing that's lacking is wifi. Too bad because I would've really loved that feature.
Grz, Kris.
Last Thursday I attended a Visug seminar about WCF. This session was presented by Juwal Lowy, a dedicated and well known employee of IDesign. The session was great, really great. Juwal's a great presenter that could even make the belgian crowd to laugh on several occasions. That might seem strange but most foreign speakers know how hard it is to interact with a Belgian audience that mostly doesn't make sound and watches the presentation with a lot of interest. I've already followed several WCF presentations during the last years (TechEd, tech days, ...) but this one was actually the one I liked best. Most presentations show a host and a client and then dive right into the config files. Not this one. We got shown little chunks at a time and more about the architecture. Not so much configuration but small samples which showed the stuff. I liked this approach a lot.
I just noticed this message in my inbox:
Dear Kris Van Der Mast,
Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2008 Microsoft® MVP Award! The MVP Award is our way to say thank you for promoting the spirit of community and improving people's lives and the industry's success every day. We appreciate your extraordinary efforts in ASP/ASP.NET technical communities during the past year.
I admit that I'm at least a bit proud of myself. Especially because I was able to help out people that were in need of getting into the right direction. And for the next year? Well I'll try to do my best to keep on helping the community.
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A Faculty Development Programme (FDP) is designed to train and develop professionals in various disciplines so that they can act as resource persons in guiding and motivating young person's to take up right career.
The FDPs provide inputs on process and practice of various discipline such as development, communication and inter-personal skills, creativity, problem solving, achievement motivation training, inputs on resource and knowledge industries. The training methodology includes case studies, group discussion, games and simulation exercise, field visits and classroom lectures.
FDP on Branding Yourself in Academics
Dr. Ankur Saxena starts his session on 'Branding yourself in academics' by enlightening the faculties and directors of FMS the importance of APIs in their career life.
He lays emphasis on the following points:
• Learn lessons from your failures
• Do participate
• Make yourself academically strong
• Don't expect the changes to happen overnight
• Develop that skills which will enrich our career
• Try to learn from everybody, even the common man.
• Build up networks in your field
• Introspect yourself.
FDP on Google Classroom
A session on Google classroom was conducted by Hon. Provost Dr. Ketan Kotecha on "How to effectively make use of Google Classroom tool". He has explained to the faculties that how they can create and organize assignments quickly and paperlessly; can give feedbacks and communicate with their classes easily.
Advantage of using this app:
• Easy to use and accessible from all devices.
• Effective communication and sharing.
• Speeds up the assignment process.
• Effective feedback.
• Great commenting system.
• Is for everyone.