text:
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
supergirl underwear says it all
I, on the other hand, will never turn down a good pair of panties. Who doesn't love new underwear? So I wore them.
One morning I was changing and Jack, who was 4 at the time, walked in on me.
He looked at me for a second and said,
"Mom, your secret identity has been revealed!"
Jack knew. He knew that I would love to be supergirl.
To be more than...
To be unique...
To be excellent in some way....
Able to leap tall laundry in a single bound....
Able to wipe out the forces of evil and keep my house clean...
Able to become the person God created me to be compared to the person I actually am....
Having the guts to chase down my dreams and pursue my destiny while looking hot in a red, white and blue unitard ....
By the way, who looks good in a unitard anyway? Especially, paired with boots...someone has NOT been watching "what not to wear"
but I digress....
so I am a tired supergirl, not quite there yet but believing someday with God's hand on me, with the love and encouragement of my fellow supergirls and some good chocolate...I will get there.
15 comments:
- mary said...
Sue, I always knew you had plenty of words to discribe life in a unique vocabulary, designed to make all of us feel like we would love to know you :). I do know you, and am so glad the hard work of writing is going to pay off. Love, Aunt Mary
- April 19, 2007 at 2:15 PM
- susanna said...
Aunt Mary, You are the best! Thanks for always encouraging me! love, Sue
- April 19, 2007 at 10:44 PM
- Jekissa said...
Sue- I'm so glad Erica sent out the link to your blog! I love all your writing, it makes me laugh, and I totally relate!! Keep on going through the crazy tiredness. :) Love, Jess
- April 20, 2007 at 8:44 AM
- susanna said...
thanks, Jess! I'm glad I'm not the only one! :)we can all be crazy together! love, Sue
- April 20, 2007 at 10:25 AM
- Kara said...
Suzie-Q! Your writing is hilarious and I would buy anything you wrote in a heartbeat! You have a true gift of expressing the craziness of life and motherhood in such a "sue-funny" way! I love you to pieces! Kara
- May 1, 2007 at 7:36 PM
- kim0943 said...
Sue- I get why my sister likes you so much!!! I, too, would buy anything you wrote!
Kara's sister,
- May 2, 2007 at 8:01 AM
- rindy said...
I am loving your writing! The supergirl underwear story has me laughing hysterically. I will definitely bookmark ya--some great stuff!!
- July 6, 2007 at 7:43 PM
- deezmath said...
Souix!! Can't believe that Dances w/ Wolves isn't listed as one of your favorite movies! I swear I can't hear the soundtrack or watch the movie (the gazillion times they play it on TBS) w/out thinking of you and how you changed the spelling of your name for a while in honor of Wind in His Hair...your soulmate! Ha! So glad Rhonda sent me the link to your blog! I was rotflmb(ooty)off!! Especially, since, as I was reading how "quiet" your boys were while tearing up your closet, my precious girl was unrolling TWO brand-new rolls of toilet paper all over the bathroom! lol! the joys of mommy-hood.
Keep in touch! I have a new myspace page...www.myspace.com/deezmath
Take care & God bless,
- October 12, 2007 at 3:11 PM
- Jennifer said...
Cracking up over how you selected your name. I got a pair of supergirl underware as a gag gift also a couple Christmasas ago!!!! I just couldn't let a perfectly good pair of undies go to waste (the dutch girl in me) so my family sees me sporting my supergirl undies every now and then when I need a little boost. LOL! Of course they always get a good chuckle out of it.
BTW- I found you through BooMama
- November 16, 2007 at 11:52 AM
- Wani said...
I love this! I think we'd all like to be supergirl sometimes... I wish we realized that in alot of ways we are already supergirl (from time to time) to our husbands, kids, family and friends. Thanks for sharing!
- April 14, 2008 at 2:39 PM
- aunt mary said...
If chocolate's a sin, I'm doomed. Aunt Mary
- July 11, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Just bought your book - All I need is Jesus and a good pair of jeans - BRILLIANT!!!! oh wow - love how you write...it's like you're inside my brain! So glad I've 'met' you!
Love Nichola xx
- June 5, 2010 at 5:30 PM
- Carrie said...
I was just introduced to your blog and WONDERFUL books from a friend. Thank you for sharing your stories, thoughts and struggles with us. Love the Red Letter Words, my favorite is Shine Your Light and Let the Whole World See. Carrie
- June 15, 2010 at 6:12 AM
- Ito Aghayere said...
Thank you for writing this! This morning at 6:30a, as I was (not) working to meet my deadline for a paper, I became a fan of your blog. Thank you thank you thank you! Your April 5th post brought me to tears. Thank God for unconditional love, his remarkable grace and for the undeniable fact that our loving father isn't done with us yet!
Ito from New York City
- April 13, 2012 at 4:43 AM
- Erica Cantwell said...
Haha! Funny. I always wondered how you got that name. Love it!!!!! I cant wait to see what more God has in store for you and your family. You inspire me and you are trully a supergirl in my eyes. :)
- October 14, 2015 at 4:48 PM


text:
Yes, send in the clowns.
Ames, Iowa must be either the biggest circus – or the largest insane asylum in the United States of America. How else can I explain the fact that Michele Bachmann won the Ames straw poll yesterday, a fact which I find incredibly disturbing – and even more disturbing, I expected it to happen.
I don't even have a word for to describe the GOP candidates this year. Insane isn't quite right (although it's close); stupid? Well, yeah, in some cases, but not all.
Mendacious? Oh yeah, definitely. Hypocritical? Again – spot on.
Bigotry? Yup. That's another quality that has become desirable in a president to the nutjobs in Ames, Iowa. You must hate Muslims with the fire of a thousand white-hot suns and believe that Sharia law is from the devil, but in your next breath, you must tell us that full-on, Old Testament Biblical law is what we should be living under. (My eyes are now rolling so hard they are about to pop out of my eye sockets and skitter away across the floor.)
And we have at least two (if not more) of them claiming that God told them to run for president, which in the old days, was called "schizophrenia" and was considered a mental health issue – for which you would be either locked up or medicated. Or both.
Which brings me to religious zealotry – a very odd quality to demand from an American president, in light of our Constitutional concept of "separation of church and state" (which was, after all, laid down by our Founders). This, to me, is the most frightening element of the GOPcrazy; Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry are both members of extreme rightwing evangelical dominionist Christian sects who believe that they have "a God-given mandate to re-assert Christian control over political, social, and cultural institutions."
Yeah, that means exactly what it sounds like: all of us – you, me, the Buddhists, the Jews – everyone – we are all to come under the control of, and be forced to live by, the extreme Christian precepts set forth by these dominionists who wish to rule over every aspect of our society – from the books we read to what we do in bed and with whom.
And finally, I think it's obvious that there's a huge amount of cynicism with a heaping helping of pandering tossed in that salad of crazy this year. I mean, come on! Take Newt Gingrich, for instance – who has been a fixture in the GOP for decades – he's a smart man, (even an intellectual elitist, if you will), but because he's trying so very hard to make himself over into the science-denying, Bible-humping, Muslim- and gay-bashing NO-NEW-TAXES-EVER model of the GOP presidential candidate in order to appeal to the inmates of the Ames Asylum, he comes off looking truly pitiable, like he's trying to squeeze into a suit four sizes too small. I've heard that Newt has even resorted to making up imaginary followers on Twitter.
And Jon Huntsman – well, Jon Huntsman ought to be ashamed of himself. From what I've learned about Governor Huntsman, he has been a reasonable man, a centrist, an embracer of reality, civil rights and marriage equality, and now, he too is demeaning himself by chasing after the GOP clown car yelling, "Wait for me!!!! Wait – I'm crazy too! See? I can say crazy things just like you guys!! Wait up! Guys!! Wait uuuuuuup!!" (Images of Ralphie's little brother in his snowsuit from "A Christmas Story" come to mind here…)
As a sane person, I am having a very difficult time putting this all together and making it make sense; you see, I'm reality-based, and I'm not one for cognitive dissonance, which is loosely defined as believing two directly opposite things at the same time. And I'm definitely not faith-based. I refuse to believe stuff just because someone tells me to, stuff like the Earth is only 6,000 years old and that Jesus only rode His donkey into Jerusalem because He couldn't find His dinosaur.
This is America, but damn! It is fast becoming a scary place that I don't recognize; the inmates are slowly-but-surely taking over and making new rules which demand that we all embrace their skewed and twisted version of reality – whether we want to or not.
I am left to come to only one conclusion: George Orwell was a prophet.
War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Billy Cheesman Jr. staged an elaborate April Fool's joke on Monday, April 1, when he made it look like a small airplane had crashed into his Yucaipa business.
"A couple people called me up and said they couldn't believe what they saw," Cheesman said. "I've gotten a lot of pictures. I've really gotten nothing but positive feedback."
Cheesman used a forklift to arrange the two-seat experimental aircraft as if it had taken a nosedive over the fence that runs in front of his business, Redlands Yucaipa Rentals on Yucaipa Boulevard. Yellow caution tape was strung up, making it look even more like a crash scene.
Cheesman, 43, of Yucaipa, called the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, which provides police services in Yucaipa, in advance to advise deputies about the April Fool's joke, just in case they received any calls about it.
Cheesman said someone gave him the plane and he was trying to figure out what to do with it when he had the idea to use it to play an April Fool's joke on Yucaipa.
"I thought it would be a fun thing to do," he said.
Cheeseman, whose father was a pilot, said the plane is not safe to fly.
He set to work at 5 a.m. to stage the crash so that it would be ready in time for the morning commute. A police cruiser did stop by at one point, but the officer only urged Cheesman to hurry up – it was going to be light soon.
Cheesman planned to keep the plane in place all day.
"Hopefully, I'll get some people coming home from work," he said.
Follow Erin Waldner on Twitter @PE_ErinWaldner and online at blog.pe.com/Redlands


text:
The Full Wiki
More info on Leasowe
Related links
Related topics
Leasowe: Map
Towns and villages in Wirral
Lighthouses in England
Wikipedia article:
Map showing all locations mentioned on Wikipedia article:
is an area on the north coast of the
Wirral Peninsula
in the north west of
, near
and between
Leasowe was part of the old County Borough of Wallasey, and is now within the
Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
, the
Wallasey parliamentary constituency
and the New Wallasey Regeneration programme.
However, it also has its own characteristics and is often regarded as a separate town. At the
2001 Census
, Leasowe had a population of 6,180 (2,890 males, 3,290 females).
The name 'Leasowe' comes from the
or 'Meadow Pastures'. Its
sand dunes
are the largest such system on the Wirral. Much of the area is at or below sea level and is protected by the coastal embankment. Houses built in the early 20th century were often flooded and unsanitary, but after about 1926 new roads and drainage were put in by the Borough Council, and much new housing was developed. Along the embankment between Leasowe and Moreton are the remains of fortifications built during the Second World War.
The world's first passenger
service operated in 1961-62 between Leasowe and
in North Wales.
However, the service was not profitable and soon ceased.
Solar School
On Leasowe Road is the first building in the world to be heated entirely by
energy. At 53.4°N, it is also the most northerly. The
"Solar Campus"
was formerly
St George's Secondary School
, and was built in 1961 to the designs of
Emslie Morgan
, the Assistant Borough Architect, who spent a lifetime looking into ways of harnessing the sun's rays. His research resulted in a matchbox like building with, on one side a drab, windowless façade and on the other of glass, a giant solar wall. The wall is built of glass leaves two feet apart. These draw the ultra violet rays from sunshine and bounce them around the walls of the classrooms. The walls become warm and heat the air. Hardly any warmth escapes through the school's massively thick roof and walls covered with slabs of plastic foam. On the coldest days it is always 60 degrees Fahrenheit inside, and in summer the school is cooler than its more conventional neighbours, for panels inside the glass wall can be turned to deflect heat or absorb it.
Despite dire predictions about the lighting conditions inside the building, all of which proved unfounded, it succeeded. At the time there was no detailed explanation published about why it worked, but work it did, completely eradicating any need for heating. However, Morgan's design died with him, and it was many years before anyone else considered it of more than curiosity value. Similar designs are now being examined across the world.
In practice, the large convector ducts which direct the warmed air to the colder north side of the building are a major safety hazard, and fire breaks have had to be inserted to reduce or cut off the air flow. The result is that on sunny days the south, glazed side of the building reaches unbearable temperatures in excess of 40°C while for most of the time the unglazed north side never reaches a comfortable temperature nor receives much natural light.
A secondary, small single-pipe heating system was installed to give additional heating on cold winter days with very few hours of sunlight. The system is fuelled by oil, which was cheap at the time. Today, the secondary heating has to be used very often, and is very expensive.
The property is maintained by the Children & Young People's Department of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, which struggles to find the necessary revenue and capital to fully maintain this Grade II*
listed building
Leasowe Castle
Leasowe Castle
Leasowe Castle
was built by
Ferdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby
- a patron of
- in 1593, possibly (though this is disputed) as an observation platform for the Wallasey Races which took place on the sands in the 16th and 17th centuries, and which are regarded as a forerunner of the
races. Ferdinando's brother
William, the 6th Earl
, was described as a noted sportsman and is remembered as a keen supporter of the Wallasey races.
At first the Castle consisted only of an octagonal tower. This had become disused by 1700, and it became known as "Mockbeggar Hall", a term often used for an ornate but derelict building. The term "Mockbeggar Wharf" is still used for the adjoining foreshore. The "Mockbeggar Hall" is also the name of a
pub in neighbouring Moreton.
In 1821 ownership passed to the Cust family, who refurbished and extended the building, using panelling from the demolished
Star Chamber
at the
Palace of Westminster
as well as oak from the submerged forest along the coast.
After 1826 the building was used as a hotel for some years. Between 1911 and 1970, it became a railway convalescent home, and between 1974 and 1980 it was owned by Wirral Borough Council. It then became a hotel again, and was acquired by Lawton Hotels Ltd in 2000. The hotel is now a popular venue for weddings and other family functions, with around 50 bedrooms.
Leasowe Lighthouse
Leasowe Lighthouse
Leasowe Lighthouse
was built in 1763 by Liverpool Corporation's Docks Committee (the forerunner of the
Mersey Docks and Harbour Board
) and is the oldest brick-built lighthouse in Britain.
It was one of four lights on the North Wirral foreshore, the others being two at
and another - a lower light - at Leasowe.
The latter was soon destroyed by the sea and was replaced by a lighthouse on
Bidston Hill
in 1771.
The lighthouse was operational until 14 July 1908,with the only known female lighthouse keeper in those days, a Mrs. Williams.
It then became a tearoom for a period, but was unused before 1989, since when it has been the base for the ranger service of the
North Wirral Coastal Park
The building houses a visitor centre and is occasionally open to the public.
Leasowe railway station
is situated on the
Wirral Line
of the
Leasowe is part of the
Wallasey parliamentary consituency
and represented by
Angela Eagle
The majority of the Leasowe area is governed locally as Leasowe and Moreton East Ward. The ward takes in the Leasowe housing estate, developments along Leasowe Road and East Moreton. The Ward is Represented by
Conservative Party
Councillor Ian Lewis and by
Labour Party
Councillors: Ron Abbey and Iris Coates. The most recent local elections took place on May 1 2008. Ian Lewis was elected as the first Conservative Party Councillor in the Ward's history.
indicates retiring councillor ~
See also
North Wirral Coastal Park
External links
Wallasey's pioneering Solar School 46 years on - "Building" 2007, issue 23
Metropolitan Borough of Wirral: North Wirral Coastal Park
Metropolitan Borough of Wirral: Leasowe Lighthouse
Location Map: Leasowe Lighthouse
Friends of Leasowe Lighthouse
Look though the Webcam on top of Leasowe Lighthouse
Embed code:
Got something to say? Make a comment.
Your name
Your email address
Wikipedia article
is available under the
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License
. This content and its associated elements are made available under the
same license
where attribution must include acknowledgement of The Full Wiki as the source on the page same page with a link back to
this page
with no nofollow tag.
About The Full Wiki
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Version 0609, d


text:
Call us 7 days a week
Know exactly what you want?
Save time with this quick order form. If you know the catalog/part numbers for the items you wish to purchase, enter them into your cart here. You can also browse the site and add items to your cart from any product page.
Quick Order
Top Categories in Electrical & Lighting
Emergency Lighting
Sign & Light Combo Units
See More
Portable Generators
Standby Generators
Commercial Lighting Fixtures
Locking Devices
Straight Blade Devices
All Categories
Please select at least one item
Browse Concrete, Masonry & Blacktop
(23 items)
Concrete Repair & Construction
Narrow Your Results
Recently Viewed
Concrete Accessories
Concrete Repair & Construction
Crack Stix™ 125 FT. Medium 1/2" Permanent Blacktop Crack Filler - 2050


text:
Are there cgi-bin scripts on your website that are getting outdated? Do you need to update such code to more modern software applications? PI Web Solutions specializes in Perl Software Development. Network Administration Scripts that monitor Network activity, sensible and customizable alert systems, and financial data analysis tools are just some of the applications created by PI Web Solutions Technical Staff. Current Perl Projects include Catalyst-based Custom website CMS (Content Management System), and development work on the TWiki Web Collaboration Tool.
Perl Application Development
The developers at PI Web Solutions are big Perl enthusiasts.
Update Perl Scripts in Cgi-bin
Is your web application a few years behind and needs to be brought up to speed? There is a lot of code that can be leveraged from past projects to be made more modern without losing the work done.
Advantages to using Perl
It is not only used for web applications, Perl programs can be run on Unix/Linux boxes for offline programs. It is very good and handling data; parsing it, looking for patterns, and extracting them.
Perl is designed to be a language where easy programs are easy to write, and large programs are possible.
PI Web Solutions staff code using best practices, which means that the code is legible, well documented, and meant to be easy for another programmer to understand.
A more in depth article on "Why Perl"
Modern Competitive Web Applications in Catalyst
Despite being the language of the late 90's internet, Perl is still a contender to other modern languages. Moose and Catalyst are modern frameworks in Perl that make the developement of applications and the frameworks fast, secure and stable.


text:
What we do
The Daisy Garland charity was set up in November 2004 to keep Daisy's memory alive and to help other little children like her.
We fund an increasing number of Ketogenic Dietitians who work in National Health Hospitals treating hundreds of children with intractable epilepsy.
We are the only charity funding full-time Ketogenic Dietitians working within NHS hospitals nationwide - each dietitian costs up to £47,000 per annum. If you think you could help us fund our next Daisy Garland Ketogenic Dietitian go to HOW YOU CAN HELP. Be in touch today.
> Daisy's story
> The Ketogenic Diet
> Our Ketogenic
> Stories
> Latest news
> How you can help
> Media coverage
Latest news
New Daisy Garland T-Shirts
Our brand new Daisy Garland Purple T-shirts have arrived!!
With much excitement these fabulous T-shirts arrived recently and we are delighted with them!
In a flurry of activity we have been sending out our pre-orders so they should be arriving with everyone really soon x
If you haven't placed your order yet, please visit our website shop to get your T-shirts before Purple Day is here (26th March)Â smile emoticon> Back to list page
> Email this Page
Daisy's Amazon Shop powered by
Start your Amazon.co.uk shopping here. We will earn commission on your entire purchase without this costing you a single penny more. So why not tell all your friends & family about it? Thank you for supporting our work to improve the quality of life for children with difficult to control epilepsy.


text:
Interested in more Big Read events for Into the Beautiful North? Click here to see what else is happening at the Center and around town.
Luis Alberto Urrea: Into the Beautiful North
Thursday October 10, 2013
07:00 pm
We're pleased to present Luis Alberto Urrea speaking about his novel Into the Beautiful North for the keynote address of The Center for Fiction's Big Read of the book.
About Into the Beautiful North
Nineteen-year-old Nayeli works at a taco shop in her Mexican village and dreams about her father, who journeyed to the US to find work. Recently, it has dawned on her that he isn't the only man who has left town. In fact, there are almost no men in the village--they've all gone north. While watching The Magnificent Seven, Nayeli decides to go north herself and recruit seven men--her own "Siete Magníficos"--to repopulate her hometown and protect it from the bandidos who plan on taking it over. Filled with unforgettable characters and prose as radiant as the Sinaloan sun, Into the Beautiful North is the story of an irresistible young woman's quest to find herself on both sides of the fence.
About Luis Alberto Urrea
Luis Alberto Urrea is the author of The Hummingbird's Daughter, The Devil's Highway and Into the Beautiful North. Winner of a Lannan Literary Award and Christopher Award, he is also the recipient of an American Book Award, the Kiriyama Pize, an Edgar Award, and a citation of excellence from the American Library Association. He is also a member of the Latino Literary Hall of Fame. His latest book isQueen of America.
About The Big Read
The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts, designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with Arts Midwest. The Big Read supports organizations across the country in developing community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences. Find out more here.
Luis Alberto Urrea: Into the Beautiful North - Part 2


text:
January 24, 2016 by retrieverman
Posted in golden retriever | Tagged golden retriever, MakeWinterGreatAgain, snowzilla | 1 Comment
Miley thinking " Hmm…this is a bit more than I bargained for…."
Comments are closed.
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Join 1,538 other followers
Sign me up!
Blog at WordPress.com.


text:
If you put your attention on what might go wrong, you'll most certainly come up with plenty of possibilities. There's no end to the problems and predicaments your mind can create when you let it. The same is true when you turn your mind toward opportunities and solutions.
The sky's the limit.


text:
If you're tired of nodding off into your prayer book, join us for a High Holiday service that's meaningful and easy-to-follow.
• Hebrew/English Prayer-Books
• Warm and Friendly Atmosphere
• No Background or Affiliation Necessary
• Traditional and Inspirational Services
• Special Children's Programme
Rosh Hashana children's service and special programme
Give your child the opportunity to live what they learn and bring them to listen to the shofar being blown at Chabad on Rosh Hashana this Thursday at 11:00 AM.
After the shofar is blown, we will walk together with the children to 11 Weston drive for a short children's service, Rosh hashana games, stories and snacks.
We will then walk the children back to shul at chabad for the final blowing of the shofar.
Mums are invited to either stay in shul and pray or come with us and play :)
Services are held at Chabad, 20 Lansowne Road, BH1 1SD


text:
In a recent project, it was required to measure the dimensions, position and orientation of a product on the move, then send this information to a robot. After investigating variousoptions, Apex decided to use a laser scanning device that they interfaced with a PC to calculate the results.Laser scanning devices are commercially available and they use the time of flight to calculate the distance to any point in their field of view with a scanning frequency of up to 500 Hz. In other words they perform measurements at a rate of 500 times a second and this large amount of data makes it impossible to use them with a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). As a result, practically laser scanners can only be interfaced with a computer using Ethernet TCP/IP.
The software engineers at Apex Automation and Robotics have developed the TCP/IPinterface with the computer to acquire the large amount of data from the laser scanner, then used C++ programming language to analyse the data and calculate the relevantdimensions of the product. Real dimensions in mm were then sent from the PC throughthe Ethernet network to the robot.The integration of PCs in an Ethernet network to acquire real-time data and performcomplex calculations, will give Apex Automation and Robotics new opportunities in applications where PLCs and robots have been limited.


text:
|Type of post:
|Chorus news item
|Date Posted:
|Wed, Mar 21 2018
Founded in 1978, Voices in Harmony, an award winning women's a cappella chorus, affiliated with Sweet Adelines International (SAI), is seeking applications for Musical Director.
Our fun-loving members strive to be the best singers we can be, individually and as an ensemble. We are looking for an enthusiastic musical leader who can guide us in our educational journey and offer experiences that expand our knowledge and skills as singers and performers. We are seeking candidates with a solid vocal music background. Previous experience directing a barbershop chorus is helpful but not required. The selected candidate must complete the SAI Directors Certification Program and attend varied educational workshops.
Rehearsals are weekly on Tuesday evenings year-round, We compete regionally each spring and produce an annual show in addition to paid public performances throughout the year.
We encourage interested applicants to check out our website voicesinharmonychorus.org as well as sweetadelines.com to learn more about us and SAI as an organization.


text:
Leda and the Swan
(note: this is one of those endless posts --
i.e. whenever a new Leda turns up,
I add it to the list)
Recently, I've been finding several versions
of Leda and Swan
So, I thought I'd gather them all together,
from my site and from the rest of the web,
to do a little comparison.
It's such a bizarre theme, isn't it ?
An impossible mating,
but it has drawn the attention of sculptors
for over 2,000 years
Beginning with the above scene
from Republican Rome,
which I think is the only one that
has the swan large enough
to actually mate with a woman,
as well as being the only one
that would suggest that the swan
is the aggressor,
which seems true to the original premise
that the bird is a powerful God in disguise.
(and this is, BTW, one great sculpture)
This must be a very small piece.
It looks like they're dancing, doesn't it ?
A beautiful piece,
but already Leda is at least
the swan's equal.
(and again, much as I like the sculpture of
the 20th Century,
this Roman guy was better than most of them)
But here's a Roman piece from the Prado
that is something of a disaster -
i.e. I think it was carved by technicians
who had no particular feeling for
what they were doing.
Leda raising her arm in triumph
to declare:
"I have captured the swan" ?
(although the "swan" looks more like
some strange musical instrument)
And this variation (from the Getty Museum)
is hardly any better.
(though, at least the Swan's neck isn't broken)
I get the feeling
that ancient Roman statuary
was made for the kind of market
which today would be buying
pink flamingos
to stand beside the driveway.
This is one angry goose,
and this is more of a battle scene
than an erotic one.
Or.. even more than that,
it's a decorative frieze,
which, for me,
makes it the most delicious
Jumping ahead a thousand years,
the swan is a kinder, gentler creature,
and Leda looks like one of those
masculine women that Michelangelo (b. 1475) was making.
I love Ammanati,
but not especially this one
which feels like a homage to Michelangelo.
A very courtly dance,
Leda is fully clothed
to appear in the court
of the greatest prince of Christianity.
(the Sun King would have been 16 at that time)
It's all prim and proper,
but gently pinching that swan's phallic neck at the tip,
there's just a pleasant hint of naughtiness
The swan appears to be making trouble again,
but Leda has everything under control
a lot of sound and fury,
but for what purpose ?
Perhaps that's how me might
define "the Baroque"
This is the earliest completely erotic
example I could find.
Were the Scandian princes attracted
to European women ?
What an enormous palace they must have had
to accomodate such an enormous,
and controversial piece.
This one comes from Robert's website,
and seems to be a throwback to the
very earliest piece on this page.
(But why is that bird pecking her
on the top of the head ?)
This one looks like
they're posing for a photographer
at the high school prom.
(except, of course, nobody is wearing clothes)
Back to the frankly erotic,
Thorak was given an enormous
air-plane hanger by the Nazis
to use as a studio.
It resembles a painting
of the same theme
that apparently was one of Adolph's favorites.
Cute and charming,
appropriate for the glass case
in which fine porcelains are displayed.
(and this Leda is just a little underage
to be necking with that great bird,
isn't she?
Back to the frankly erotic,
as the swan's head and neck
become phallic,
and her toes are extended
as she reaches a climax.
This looks like an Egyptian-ized version
that has been covered by desert sands
for a few thousand years.
This one definitely belongs in a library.
Another very strange entry,
it's almost as if Leda had just taken
the swan out of the oven
and is preparing him to the the
centerpiece of a banquet.
(all she needs is an apron)
For whatever reason,
this theme seems to be the most popular
in Scandinavia
A very tender, loving moment
in the relationship
between these two species
(and this looks like another Leda
who may not have reached
the age of consent)
I like this style of medallion
that leaves most everything
to the imagination
Now it looks like the swan has been demoted
to become a house pet,
and Leda is giving him a good snuggle
(as she emerges from the bath)
A rather confusing piece,
it seems like it should be very small,
and function like a netsuke
Back to the erotic,
this one seems to be best exemplify
the poem by Yeats
"How can those terrified vague fingers push
The feathered glory from her loosening thighs?"
tamer version
by the same sculptor.
It's more like Leda is dancing
than being ravished
Here's a sculpture who specialized in Ledas,
but it's anyone's guess
just what is happening here.
The swan seems to be strutting his stuff,
and Leda is acting appropriately impressed.
Nakian makes more sense to me
as a designer of ceramic plates
... or as a draftsman
And here's my father's version
(accompanied for this photo by two long-departed kittens
named Muff and Fluff)
Leda looks so solemn - maybe sad,
as if the swan that she's wearing about her neck
had been the yoke traditionally used to
restrain/punish prisoners in China
This seems to be more of an architectural ornament
than of an erotic narrative
Another sculptor who has specialized in Leda
is my favorite living Norwegian, Per Ung.
Here, the swan almost seems to be a burden
that she is destined to carry.
Another wrestling match,
an avian version of
"Jacob and the Angel"
There's something especially sexual
about Leda reaching down
between her own legs,
and this feature first appeared
way back in Roman times.
When the action is stretched out this way,
it feels like something cosmic is being presented,
i.e. it's not just a strange girl and her bird.
And the myth continues,
up to the work of this young woman
who was born in 1968
Very cute,
maybe too cute ?
Isn't this a girl with her pet ?
(but who can blame
the only female sculptor on this page
from being less than enthusiastic
about the theme of ravishment ?)
female sculptor,
Antonietta Raphael
where the swan
is more like a coat of feathers
And now Robert
has sent me some more !
(though he hasn't always
recorded the name of the artist)
Ouch !
(Robert doesn't like to pass judgment,
but I can't help it)
Ouch again !
(but I like the reversal
of roles -- which is ridiculous
but no less so than the original concept)
This has to be one of those Art Deco Germans,
just as perverted as they can be
(but as it turns out, I'm wrong...
it's Jean Jacques Pradier, Swiss,
and the piece is dated 1851)
Actually -- I kind of like this sculpture,
and it's pedastal,
but what the hell is going on here ?
as bad 19C. commercial sculpture can be
This one sure feels East European to me,
I have difficulty imagining the other views,
but this view is fine with me.
(actually -- it's Enzo Plazzotta,
the Italian who worked in Britain)
So here we have a copy, a bad copy
of the Roman piece shown at the very top,
which I'll show again as follows:
Isn't it amazing what a difference
the small differences can make ?
The copyist had no feeling for what I might call
"the large shape".
Look at how he improvises by
introducing new, smaller forms within the shape
of Leda's buttocks and back that kills the
wonderful sweep of the original.
Look at how he thickens
her arm to make it look dumpy.
Look at how mis-draws
the neck of the swan so it looks broken
instead of strong.
Look at how he changes the proportions of the
flight feathers in the wing so they look puny.
Look at how he wrecks the triangular shape
of the drapery at Leda's leg
so it no longer appears to support her,
how he shrinks the space between Leda and the swan's wing
so it's no longer spacious.
Every change he made was wrong,
he understood nothing about how the original sculpture
was so successful.
A complete disaster !
(and Mr. Lucas was trained at the Royal Academy,
and made this piece when he was 50)
This looks like a fine little piece to me,
and very fanciful the way that
Leda appears to be leaning against
the bird's wing
And didn't you just know this sculptor had to be Anglo ?
(he's Australian, actually)
I presume this object has some kind of functionality ?
that possibly involves the spike that's on the swan's head ?
All that's missing are the cigarettes !
More Reuben Nakian
(I think I've seen enough, already)
There's a reason that sculptors
try to proceed beyond their rough sketches.
I wish the US mint
had coins that looked like this one.
Robert has sent this one,
it appears to be 18th C.,
but who knows?
This Leda is very young, boyish Leda
without any hips
Coluccini seems to have been
another Leda specialist
Here's an innovation:
Leda in a three-some
What a nice, dreamy treatment!
When the swan is more like a down comforter.
(but I wonder how the other views look)
This Leda is from the "Heavy Figure School"
John Sims (his website is found here )
is another specialist in the genre.
Very erotic --
But this is more about how
the participants are feeling,
rather than how they are presented
to our voyeuristic eyes.
Here's another one sent by Robert Mileham.
One of the few that shows
the great bird
approaching from the rear.
Feels very 18th C.
Here's a feast
of flesh and feathers
from the 19th C.
this would work well
as a decorative centerpiece
on a large table,
perhaps surrounded by
seasonal flowers and fruits.
A very nice figure,
but this girl is laying
with a down comforter,
not a sexually active bird
This looks like a model study that got retro-fitted with a swan.
But still, the French government commissioned
a marble version in 1891
Josef Josephu (Austrian /American 1889-1970)
(from Jennmaur Gallery )
That pesky bird
can be so annoying
when it demands attention.
Here is the same sculptor, Josephu, with
what may be a more engaging version.
Here's an Italian site that's collected paintings on the subject,
from which the above tender scene has been taken.
Unlike sculpture, painting can manipulate atmospheric effects and perspective.
(If Leda stood up, I don't think
her spindly legs could support that giant head)
This time, the swan wants to have
a good look at Leda's lady parts,
but Leda seems more like the servant
than the lady to whom this dusty old palace belongs.
And unlike most realizations
that anthropomorphize the swan,
this is more like one bird meeting another,
beak to beak.
Here's a more contemporary piece
by the South African sculptor, Wim Botha.
It looks like something
that might be seen
as a momentary flash
in the contemporary staging
of a Baroque opera.
Poor Leda and her swan
got together and then exploded!
How sad.
Carrier-Belleuse, 1870
(I just stumbled across this one at the Met)
Paul Matthias Padua (1903-1981)
Apparently, Hitler owned this painting
Joseph Charles Marin
Very sensitive and discreet, this youthful Leda gently caresses the neck of the swan.
Giuseppe Croff (1810-1869)
Robert has sent me yet another entry, this one being Neo-Classical from mid nineteenth century Milan. It has something of the quiet, egg-like majesty of Milan's favorite son, Leonardo. But it does seem rather stiff, turgid, and dull. No sexuality here.
Leda is petting the swan as if he were a house cat.
Leda is petting the swan as if he were a house cat.
Gauguin, 1887
Just saw this ceramic vase in a special exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago.
It looks like the girl is carrying her swan to market.


text:
Next up in our Ask the UXperts series, we're talking with one of the most energetic and friendly UXers that I know. That person is Joe Natoli.
I'm really excited about the topic of this session, which is all about figuring out what people really want rather than what they just think they want (or what we think they want based on what they say). That's a mouthful, but I think you get the idea. We'll also touch on ways to find that sweet spot connecting user needs to business goals.
Joe Natoli is the author of Think First: My no-nonsense approach to creating successful products, memorable user experiences and happy customers. His online UX courses serve over 46,000 students, and he has consulted with and trained Fortune 500 and 100 organizations for nearly three decades. His articles, tips and advice can be found at givegoodux.com.
Session details
Where: Our dedicated 'Ask Joe' Slack channel
When: 4pm Wednesday 15 June PDT (6am Thursday 16 June AEST)
(or find out what time that is for you)
You can find out more about Joe and the session here.
If you can't make the session, feel free to ask your questions here and we'll put them to Joe on your behalf.


text:
Susan and Matt Longley in Bellevue, Virginia May 8, 2010
I had the pleasure of visiting West Point Virginia for the first time. It's the home of 3 rivers, 2 bridges, 1 special place. It's perhaps most special to my dear friend Susan Rabil who wed her soul mate Matthew Longley there. It's a quaint little town that thrives off a paper milled. On May 8th it played home to quite a party. The reception was held at the gorgeous Bellevue estate in Bellevue Virginia. We sipped lemonade in mason jars and found our seat assignment planted in real grass.
SUPERSTITION: On the right is a pictuer of Susan digging for a bottle of Jack. They buried it months ago as a good luck charm so that it wouldn't rain. Legend has it it is if it does you drink it… if it doesn't you pass it on to the next person in the family who's getting married. We got wind… no rain and despite a couple guests attempts to crack the bottle.. it stayed sealed tight.
Other highlights included Georgetown Cupcakes in leu of cake. I also loved getting together with all the AOIIS… three… Kristina, Kinsey and Alicia were in Susan's wedding. One of the biggest emotional moments… when Susan danced with her grandfather, Fred. There wasn't a dry eye in the tent.


text:
The release of OS X Lion a few months ago included the latest version of Apple's email client, Mail 5.0. The new Mail is a significant update for the built-in app and a welcome facelift for users frustrated by some of the limitations of previous versions.
While the reception has been generally positive, Mail 5.0 has some design and usability issues that users are having trouble adjusting to. Most of the issues arise from using multiple email accounts – switching between accounts requires an app restart, and there have been reports of emails not being received or sent on certain IMAP accounts. Others have criticized the app for the drab look of icons and columns (although this is certainly subjective).
But Mail 5.0 has shortcomings, and some users have had trouble adjusting to the new version, for any number of reasons. Luckily a number of third party alternatives to Mail 5.0 have stepped in to fill the gaps. Here are a few to try if you're less than satisfied with the new Mail:
One of the most popular third-party email apps, Sparrow is intended for users looking for a simple, no-frills email client. Simplicity is the focus with Sparrow. Emails are organized into Twitter-like conversations that let you reply quickly. Sparrow also supports Facebook Connect to keep up to date on your News Feed.
Sparrow is just $9.99 in the Mac App Store.
Image courtesy sparrowmailapp.com
This app is aimed exclusively at Gmail users. While it lacks support for other email providers, Gmail users may find it useful to have a dedicated window for their inbox, and switching between Gmail accounts is easy.
If you're a Gmail fan, Mailplane's worth checking out at just $24.95 in the Mac App Store.
Image via Gizmodo
Developed by Mozilla, Thunderbird is a free open-source email client that has the look and feel of Firefox, also created by Mozilla. Tabbed emails and Smart Folders make Thunderbird familiar to Firefox users, as well as the huge selection of add-ons and extensions that allow you to customize Thunderbird pretty extensively.
Thunderbird is free download it here.
Image via Softpedia
Postbox is great for users who require powerful tools for managing multiple email accounts in one application. In addition to a great UI layout and conversation view, Postbox supports Gmail integration and uses Dropbox to host attachments that are then included as links in the body of an email. Social features also include services like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Gravatar.
Postbox is just $19.95 in the Mac App Store.
Image courtesy postbox-inc.com
Got Mail
This is just about as simple as an email client can be. Got Mail is a unobtrusive app that adds an email notification and light email browsing to your menubar.
Got Mail is just $0.99 on the Mac App Store.
These are some of the most popular alternatives to Mail 5.0 in the Mac App Store, each with its pros and cons. People use email in vastly different ways, from simple personal use to managing clients' accounts. Some email apps are better suited for light use and others for more intensive functions. There are some drawbacks to using third-party apps in general, too. With Apple's built-in applications, upgrades and support are virtually guaranteed. Not so with other apps – future versions may become obsolete with future iterations of OS X.
All of the paid apps mentioned above can be downloaded for free and used for a trial period, so you can find the one that is best for you.


text:
Skip to main content
Skilled Nursing
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Memory Care
Sprenger Hospice
Respite Care
Orthopedic & Short-Term Rehabilitation
Physical Therapy
Speech Therapy
Outpatient Therapy
rebound: Excellence in Orthopedics
rebuild: Excellence in Osteoporosis
recharge: Excellence in Cardiac Care
reflect: Excellence in Memory Care
reclaim: Excellence in Amputee Care
reconnect: Excellence in Neurological Care
refresh: Excellence in Respiratory Care
Home Health Care
Find a Community
About Us
Meet Our Leadership Team
Employment Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Sprenger Health Care Bluffton Jobs
Contact Us
Make A Payment
Page Not Found
Online Privacy Policy
Compliance Letter
Blog Disclaimer
Privacy Notices
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information (PHI)
Website General Terms of Use
Full List of Communities and Contact Information
Terms and Conditions for Authorization for Online Payments
Sprenger Health Care Port Royal Jobs
Close Nav
Submit a Testimonial
Our Home Office
Sprenger Health Care Systems
3885 Oberlin Ave.
Lorain, OH 44053
(440) 989-5200
(440) 989-5273
Tell Us Your Story!
Fill out the following form to submit a testimonial.
First Name
Choose a Sprenger Community
Amherst Manor (Amherst, OH)
Autumn Aegis (Lorain, OH)
Anchor Lodge (Lorain, OH)
Elms Retirement (Wellington, OH)
Smithville Western (Wooster, OH)
Towne Center (Avon Lake, OH)
Heather Knoll (Tallmadge, OH)
Grande Village (Twinsburg, OH)
Rose Lane (Massillon, OH)
Sprenger of Massillon (Massillon, OH)
Village of the Falls (Olmsted Falls, OH)
Sprenger of Mishawaka (Mishawaka, IN)
Sprenger of Port Royal (Port Royal, SC)
Last Name
Skilled Nursing
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Memory Care
Respite Care
Hospice Care
Click check box to agree and continue
I hereby agree (a) to be interviewed, (b) to the recording of this interview in any form and in any media, and (c) to provide information and other materials, including my personal experiences, remarks, incidents, dialogues, actions, and recollections, as well as any photographs and documents (collectively, the "Testimonial Materials"). I hereby grant to Sprenger Health Care Systems and its affiliates, licensees, successors, and assigns (collectively, "SHCS") throughout the world and in perpetuity: (A) the right to quote, paraphrase, reproduce, publish, distribute, transmit, display, license, or otherwise use all or any portion of the Testimonial Materials for use (i) on the SHCS website, (ii) in advertising and related promotion of SHCS, and (iii) for any and all other purposes whatsover in all forms and in all media; (B) the right to use my name, image, and biographical data in connection with any use of the Testimonial Materials; and (C) the right to use digital manipulation or distortion in connection with the Testimonia Materials. I hereby waive any right I may have to inspect or approve the use of my name, image, biographical data or Testimonial Materials and acknowledge that I have no copyright or other rights in any media created by SHCS using the Testimonial Materials. I hereby release and discharge SHCS from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action that I may have against them regarding any use of the Testimonial Materials or any media created by SHCS, including any claims based on the right to privacy, the right to publicity, copyright, libel, defamation, or any other right.
Please do not contact
Check box if you wish not to be contacted
Make a Payment
Priority Reservation


text:
At SAIW's first presentation dinner for 2017, 132 diplomas were awarded to successful students on SAIW Welding Inspection and IIW Welding Specialist, Technologist and Engineer courses. African Fusion reports.
The OR Tambo Premier Hotel was the venue for SAIW's first dinner for the presentation of diplomas to students on SAIW courses, the most successful of these being Welding Inspection courses.
Michael Amir is awarded his IIW Comprehensive Inspector diploma from Morris Maroga.
At the event: 69 SAIW Level 1 Inspection diplomas were awarded, five with distinction. 57 SAIW Level 2 Inspectors qualified, with six students achieving distinctions and 13 also receiving the IIW Standard Level Inspection certificate, which transforms the qualification into a globally accepted one.
In addition, Duran Naidoo qualified as a Welding Specialist; Nndwakhulu Mufamadi and Pasklys Nhlapo as Welding Specialists and Michael Amir was awarded the IIW International Comprehensive Welding Inspector Certificate, a Level 3 qualification.
A motivation address was delivered by Gert Joubert of ArcelorMittal, a passionate stalwart of inspection and of the welding industry in South Africa and chairperson of SAIW Certification's Governing board.
"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn," Joubert begins, quoting Benjamin Franklin.


text:
The Aqua-Jet® surface mechanical aerator, introduced in 1969 by Aqua-Aerobic Systems has led the aeration industry for over four decades with more than 1.5 million installed horsepower, representing 9 billion hours of run-time. The robust design and high efficiency of the Aqua-Jet aerator is applied in a wide variety of applications from pulp & paper mills to digesters and sludge holding basins - treating both domestic and industrial wastewater and potable water applications that require TTHM removal.
More than 50,000 customers worldwide have, and continue to choose the Aqua-Jet aerator for its long-life dependability. Units are available in 1-150 HP and feature high efficiency/low maintenance motors, short lead times and simple installation.
Visit www.aquajetaerator.com to learn more or call (815) 654-2501 and speak with Steve in our Equipment and Services group.
About Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.
Aqua-Aerobic has been a leader in the design and manufacture of wastewater treatment equipment and systems for both industrial and municipal markets, worldwide, since 1969. Its treatment solutions include aeration and mixing, biological processes, filtration systems, controls systems, membranes and aftermarket products. Aqua Aerobic Systems Inc. technologies meet or exceed the most stringent effluent requirements of today and are designed to accommodate changing effluent demands of tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.aqua-aerobic.com.
SOURCE: Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.


text:
This home, located in the established community of Wellington is just far enough from major roads to afford the privacy you want with the convenience you require. This home will delight your family, whether you choose to relax by the heatable pool, or in the air conditioned living space. There are 4 bedrooms (1 king bedroom, 1 queen bedroom and 2 twin bedrooms) and 2 bathrooms,2 seating areas and will accommodate up to 8 people comfortably. We also have the property next door so it is ideal for a two family holidayWellington is located off US Highway 27 and within walking distance of restaurants and shops, and is just 10 minutes from Walt Disney World. Wal-Mart is within a 5 minute drive and you will have easy access to shopping, supermarkets, restaurants on Highway 27 and Highway 192, factory outlets and the Florida Mall and Mall of Millennia. Although Wellington is close to all the action, it retains its quiet and peaceful charm. Highlands Reserve Golf Club neighbors this development with a wide selection of other golf courses nearby, including Orange Lake Golf Club and Champions Gate. I-4 is just minutes away and provides easy access to the beaches near Tampa on the west coast or Cocoa and Melbourne on the east coast.
Availability Calendar
Get a quote
Guest Reviews
Add a Review


text:
Most Popular YouTubers At The Teen Choice Awards
For the latest news and trends on top YouTubers, Instagrammers, bloggers, & Snapchatters, subscribe to our industry digest newsletter!
The 2016 Teen Choice Awards Features The Most Popular YouTubers
The Teen Choice Awards is an annual awards show which honors the year's stars, voted by teen viewers, in a wide array of categories including television, movies, music, and fashion. While the Teen Choice Awards originated as a way to recognize celebrities and artists from traditional media, the rising popularity of social media platforms and digital stars has led to a gradual shift in the program's focus. In 2016, the dominance of Viners, Snapchatters, and today's most popular YouTubers served to illustrate the prominent place digital influencers now hold in pop culture, especially among teenage audiences.
The Most Popular YouTubers Nominated For 2016 Teen Choice Awards
Some of the most popular YouTubers nominated for the Web Categories at the 2016 Teen Choice Awards included:
- Lilly Singh
- Colleen Ballinger
- Eva Gutowski (MyLifeAsEva)
- Gabbie Hanna (The Gabbie Show)
- Jenn McAllister (jenxpenn)
- Bethany Mota
- Dolan Twins
- Joey Graceffa
- Hayes Grier
- Nash Grier
- Tyler Oakley
- GloZell Green
- Ryan Higa
- The Janoskians
- Smosh
- Boyce Avenue
- Chloe X Halle
- Cimorelli
- Johnny Orlando
- MattyBRaps
- Bunny Meyer (grav3yardgirl)
- Kandee Johnson
- Michelle Phan
- Niki and Gabi
- Rachel Levin (rclbeauty101)
- Cameron Dallas
- Meg Deangelis (MayBaby)
- Connor Franta
- Kian Lawley
Related Post: The Richest YouTube Stars: The YouTube Millionaires List
The Teen Choice Awards Honors Digital Influencers
As the list above shows, social media stars were well-represented at the 2016 Teen Choice Awards. Just five years ago, the Teen Choice Awards did not have a separate "Digital" category as they do now, and only a handful of YouTube stars were nominated under the "Miscellaneous" category.
We won our first ever #TeenChoice awards last night with #ChoiceWebstarComedy and #ChoiceWebstarFemale. I'm currently in Italy and therefore couldn't attend but it was so surreal to wake up to this humbling news. I didn't get to make a speech on stage but this is what I would have said: I'll start by saying that I'm so incredibly proud to be a part of this amazing moment in time when people are making real changes in the world by using the internet. I'm beyond proud to be a part of #TeamInternet and if you still have doubts about our validity, please exit 2001. We are not just numbers and views, we are creators who own businesses and are here to stay. Huge thank you to my parents who let me do all the things they never had the privilege of doing and supporting me even though my choices were often terrifying. Sending so much love and admiration to my friends @colleen @glozell @bethanynoelm @notryanhiga @smosh @mylifeaseva @janoskians @thegabbieshow and @jennxpenn because I'm honoured as eff to be in a category with such inspirational names. We all work so hard and I'm just so proud to be associated with you. Thank you to my team who deals with my 5am emails and ridiculous ideas. I appreciate you accepting that you have no weekends. Lastly, thank you to my family #TeamSuper who has reminded me time and time again that picking up a camera six years ago was the best decision I've ever made. I couldn't be here without you and I don't for a second take that for granted. And to be honest, awards are fun but the best thing we do together is spread positivity and change the world for the better. I can't wait to continue doing that with you. You make me proud X ❤🙏🏽 #ThankYou
Related Post: How Brands Reach Thousands At Beautycon LA 2016
This year, "Web" stood as its own diverse category, and numerous digital influencers were eligible to take home a Teen Choice Awards surfboard trophy. Major social media platforms were given their own individual categories (e.g. "Choice YouTuber," "Choice Viner") and some of the world's biggest stars, like Lilly Singh and Eva Gutowski, even picked up multiple nominations across different platform-specific categories.
Related Post: How Influencers Boost Cross Channel Marketing Efforts
What Brands Should Know: Social Media Stars Are The Future Of Entertainment
Think with Google recently published a study showing that 70% of teenage YouTube subscribers relate to YouTube stars more than traditional celebrities, and 60% of all YouTube viewers would purchase a product or service based on a YouTuber's recommendations over the advice of a TV or movie star's.
Related Post: Why Millennials Trust Reviews From The Most Popular YouTubers
As more digital stars reach celebrity status, teenagers are becoming increasingly enamored with online personalities (especially compared to mainstream actors, musicians, athletes, and models). The Teen Choice Awards has already adapted to the trend of the rising social media stars, and brands marketing to young social media audiences should follow suit by partnering with top social media stars for brand sponsored content and influencer marketing initiatives.
Also See Our Posts On:
The 13 Most Popular Types Of YouTube Videos [Infographic]
Coachella 2016 Marketing Case Study [PDF Download]
The 5 Different Types Of Influencer Marketing Campaigns
Our 10-Step Guide To Developing An Influencer Marketing Strategy
August 1, 2016 By Mediakix Team


text:
FORMER Foreign Secretary Jack Straw today issued a strong warning that Israeli attacks on Lebanon were making the situation in the Middle East worse.
As Tony Blair flew out to Washington for talks with George Bush, the Commons Leader became the first UK Cabinet Minister to label the Israeli military action as "disproportionate".
He made clear the continuing assault risked destroying the Lebanese government and opening up the Middle East to further terrorism.
Mr Straw, who is privately unhappy at the UK-US support for the Israeli action, issued a statement after meeting community leaders in his constituency of Blackburn.
He echoed the words of Middle East minister Kim Howells that the current tough Israeli action was "disproportionate".
Mr Straw said Mr Howells was right to tell the Israelis: "If you want to go for Hezbeollah, go for Hezbollah, don't go for the whole Lebanese nation."
And in a highly significant passage, Mr Straw's statement added: "Disproportionate action only escalates an already dangerous situation. One of many serious concerns I have is that the continuation of such tactics by the Israelis could further destabilise the already fragile Lebanese nation."
Mr Straw defended the right of the Israelis to defend themselves from terrorist attack. And he expressed sympathy for the Israeli victims of the conflict, but also for the "ten times as many" Lebanese civilians killed or injured.
Neither Mr Blair nor Mr Straw's successor as Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, has been willing to use such strong language.
It is understood Mr Straw did not clear his comments with the Prime Minister, but Mr Blair was aware of what he was planning to say.
Israeli warplanes pounded 130 targets in Lebanon overnight, including a Hezbollah base in the Bekaa Valley.
And today Israel struck three buildings in a village near the market town of Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon, killing three people and wounding nine, including four children.
Britain and America have been criticised for failing to join calls for an immediate end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon - with both insisting any peace must be "sustainable".
But sources said the Prime Minister was now ready to urge the US President to back a ceasefire "as a matter of urgency".
Mr Blair is said to be concerned that pro-western Arab governments are "getting squeezed", giving a boost to militants. Reports claimed the Prime Minister's private view was that Mr Bush is "prevaricating" and allowing the conflict to run on too long.
But Mr Bush has shown no sign of changing course and instead appeared to threaten Iran. He said: "Hezbollah attacked Israel. I know Hezbollah is connected to Iran. Now is the time for the world to confront this danger."
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice - who has been talking about the crisis with European foreign policy chief Javier Solana at a forum in Malaysia - will fly to Israel tomorrow night for a meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday.
Today's meeting in Washington between Blair and Bush, planned before the latest Middle East bloodshed erupted, will now be dominated by the conflict .
But Mr Blair was not expected to raise the Americans' use of Prestwick Airport as a staging post for flights taking bombs to Israel without proper authorisation.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has already protested about the flights, but the Americans have played down the issue.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell today said the Americans should be banned from using Prestwick and other UK airports to supply arms to Israel.
There were reports today that America has lodged two more requests to use Prestwick for the transfer of more missiles.


text:
- DLArt Linky Party
- Artistic Inspirations - #182 Anything Goes
- Little Patch of Crafty Friends - #61 Anything Goes
- Inspiration Destination - #131 Anything Goes
- Creatalicious - #118 Anything Goes/Red White & Blue
- The Sketchy Challenge - #123 BINGO (Center vertical row - sentiment, image, die cuts)
- Always Fun Challenge - #13 Patriotic 1/3
- Dare 2 B Artsy - Bright Colors 1/3
- Come And Get It - Colors of Your Nation 1/3
- Cupcake Inspirations - #412 Fireworks 1/3
- Let's Craft and Create - #127 Red, White and Blue 1/3
- Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes 1/3
- 613 Avenue Create - #199 Anything Goes 1/3
- A Perfect Time To Craft - Anything Goes 1/3
- Scrappers Delight - #68 Anything Goes 1/3
- Classic Design Team Challenge - Anything Goes 1/3
- Scrapbook Stamp Society - #120 Anything Goes 1/3
- Creative Ladybird - #28 Anything Goes 1/3
- Crafty Gals Corner - #130 Anything Goes 1/3
- Love to Scrap - #99 Anything Goes 1/5
- Not Just Cards - #45 Anything Goes 1/5
- Love To Craft - Anything Goes 1/5
- Mix It Up - #3 Anything Goes 1/5
- Cut It Up - #125 Red, White & Blue 1/1
- Imagine That - Anything Goes 1/1
- Dragonfly Journeys - #95 Red White & Blue
- Paper Sweeties - Anything Goes
The home of The Royal Pumpkin, Lisa's personal art blog for all things crafty. Partnering with my Etsy shop, this blog will feature my crafty creations and the things that inspire them.
Sunday, July 2, 2017
**RED, WHITE and BLUE** New Challenge with Angie's Digital Stamps!!!!
23 comments:
Fabulous design, perfect for the teapot and cup! Thank you for joining us at Let's Craft & Create challenge. We hope to see you again.ReplyDelete
Sherry x
DT for Let's Craft & Create
Loose Stitches and Unraveled Threads – My personal Blog
Hi Just love your images and sentiment Thank you so much for joining us in The Sketchy Challenges ;0)ReplyDelete
Great card! Thanks for sharing with us at Crafty Gals Corner!ReplyDelete
Beautiful card Thank you for sharing with us over here today at the Classic Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.ReplyDelete
Michelle DT Co-Owner/Admin for http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/...
Thank you for sharing with us over here at "A Perfect Time To Craft" and best of luck with your entry.ReplyDelete
Michelle DT for http://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com.au/...
Awesome card and design. So glad you shared over at Inspiration Destination.ReplyDelete
Billie A
Inspiration Destination
Catch the bug
Creative with Stamps
Aud Sentiments
Paper Play Sketches
Super cute!!! Thank you for joining us at Lil Patch, good luck!!! Amy DTReplyDelete
What a fun design. Great colors for this time of year. Thanks for joining us at Imagine That Digistamp at the Creative Playground, hope to have you join us again, Lisa Lynn DT.ReplyDelete
What a perfect card with the flag background and tea party! Thank you for sharing with us at Paper Sweeties :)ReplyDelete
Such a cute card! I love the teapot image. Thanks for joining us for our Patriotic challenge at Cut it Up!ReplyDelete
very creative design! Thanks so very much for joining us at the MIUCB and we hope to see your work here again real soon ~Kathy K, DT memberReplyDelete
Love the design of your card - great idea to have the Union Jack as the background on a card about drinking tea! Thanks for sharing your work at Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge #118. Good Luck and hope to see you again next time.ReplyDelete
Carole x DT
Beautiful card!Thanks for joining us at ScrapbookStampSociety Challenge.Good luck and hope to see you again.Gr.Kaija Dt-memberReplyDelete
Fabulous card, love the design! Thank you for joining us at Imagine That! Digistamp Link Up! We hope to see you again!ReplyDelete
Sherry x
DT for Imagine That! Digistamp
Loose Stitches and Unraveled Threads – My personal Blog
How absolutely fabulous!!! Love, love, love your card! Thanks for joining our July link up challenge at the Creative Playground.ReplyDelete
This is a fun and fabulous card. Thanks so much for stopping by to share with us this month at Paper Sweeties. We hope that you will join us again soon.ReplyDelete
Karen L
Lisa this is lovelyReplyDelete
Thanks for join us at
{ScrapbookStampSociety DT Member}
Hope to see you again and goodluck
Greetings Karin DT Coördinator
A lovely card!ReplyDelete
Thank you soo much for taking part in our "anything goes with optional red, white & blue" challenge over at Creatalicious & good luck in the draw.
Hope to see you again in our new challenge as well…
(DT-Coordinator Creatalicious Challenges)
(DT Crafty Friends)
(DT The Sketchy Challenges)
PS: Sorry for the late comment, life had been very busy the past couple of weeks…
Love your design! Thank you for joining usReplyDelete
Hugs, Mieke DT
Great card. Thanks for joining in this months 'Anything Goes' challenge over at Crafty Calendar.ReplyDelete
Bev x
A great card.Thanks for playing along with us at Let's Craft & Create challenge. Hope to see you againReplyDelete
Shylaashree DT@LCCC
Cute card! Thanks for entering the D2BA Challenge! -Tasha :)ReplyDelete
Love your design. Thank you for joining us at Creative Ladybirds.ReplyDelete


text:
Climate change high on agenda as Pacific Forum leaders meet in Marshall Islands
Pacific leaders are considering a major declaration on climate change following this week's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Marshall Islands.
The President of Marshall Islands, Christopher Loeak, has nominated climate change as the biggest issue for this Forum with a suggested Majuro Declaration calling for greater leadership from major emitting countries.
Marshall Islands Climate Change Minister, Tony de Brum, assembled a panel of experts ahead of the meeting, to assist leaders in their deliberations.
"Three of the four most vulnerable countries are present this week in Majuro," he said.
"It is an appropriate setting and an appropriate time to talk reality."
Tuvalu's new Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga says there is frustration at the slow pace of international action on climate change and the difficulty Island nations have in accessing funds.
"Countries like mine and the Marshall Islands and Kiribati are already suffering at this level of emissions," he said.
"In spite of the many chances of financing, we haven't seen any major adaptation projects on the ground to work to building the resilience of communities."
The Premier of Niue, Toke Talagi, says the small size of Pacific bureaucracies makes dealing with climate adaptation projects difficult.
"One of the things that we found is that we just didn't have the capacity," he said.
"We didn't have the capacity to implement many of the projects that have already been approved and funding has been provided."
Dr Jimmy Rogers, Secretary-General of the Secretariat to the Pacific Community, says as well as renewables, leaders need to target energy efficiency.
He says he wants the Pacific to be free of incandescent light bulbs within a year.
"There is no point talking about renewable energy if we don't address energy efficiency," he said.
"There's no point in having renewable energy if we still have incandescent bulbs and still have fridges and freezers and air-conditioning units that fail appliance labelling.
"That's committing suicide."
What is the Pacific Islands Forum?
- First formed as the South Pacific Forum in 1971, with its first meeting in Wellington, New Zealand
- Founding members were Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Tonga and Western Samoa (now Samoa)
- The name was changed to the Pacific Islands Forum in 2000 to reflect the geographic location of Forum members
- Forum brings together leaders to discuss regional issues including trade, shipping, tourism, and education
- There are 16 member states. Fiji was suspended in May 2009 but was invited back in October 2014
- New Caledonia and French Polynesia act as Associate Members
- Several other Pacific nations and regional organisations have been granted Forum Observer status
- The forum also conducts dialogue with partners across Asia, Europe and the United States
Forum issues
When the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders met last year in the Cook Islands the meeting attracted the then American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
This year, the government of the host country, the Marshall Islands - which is a former United States Trust Territory - was hoping her successor, John Kerry, would lead the US delegation.
Instead of Mr Kerry, the US delegation is going to be led by the Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, instead.
The Marshall Islands is still in dispute with the United States over the lingering adverse impacts of nuclear weapons tests in the 1940s and 50s.
Last year's Forum Communiqué called on the United States "to live up to its full obligations on the provision of adequate compensation and...to its responsibility for the...full restoration to economic productivity and human enjoyment of all affected areas".
Fiji's possible re-admittance to the Pacific Islands Forum is also likely to be a priority issue.
The Forum deputy Secretary General, Feleti Teo says when Fiji was suspended in 2009, leaders agreed that Fiji would be invited back once progress was being made towards returning to democracy.
Mr Teo says with the release of the Fiji Constitution and voter registration finalised - the leaders have to determine whether they should act now or wait until the elections.
The Leaders of the Smaller Islands States will meet together first before the official opening of the 2013 Forum.
Topics: climate-change, world-politics, alternative-energy, marshall-islands, tuvalu, pacific, fiji
First posted


text:
By: Keith Nutt
I took my wife to the show to celebrate our 34th anniversary. We both discovered John together so i thought it was great he was doing a show on that night. I am not one to keep a set list. I just like to sit back and enjoy. John did sing a few songs that he doesn;t usually do in his show. It was another great performance by him. For the encore he started with I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa, moved on to Christmas in Prison, and of course finished with Paradise. We both had a good time. Thanks to a special someone we had backstage passes waiting on us at will call. It was the first time I had a chance to really talk with him. He is really a nice man. Since Donnie Fritts was there, our time with John was cut short, but it was great anyway. Thank you John for a special memory.
By: BOB SIMS
posted Sunday, December 16, 2007 in the Birmingham News - here:
John Prine leads one big sing-along at the Alabama Theatre
From the moment John Prine takes the stage, the same delightful puzzle emerges as in every past performance.
Is this show uplifting, inspiring and entertaining because the lyrics make complex poetry of the simplest things in life? Or is it just pure contact joy to see Prine - and lead guitarist Jason Wilber and bassist Dave Jacques - so energized through the fan connection?
In a 25-song set and three encores, Prine and company played the favorites, and the crowd. A continuous sing-along began with the first strum and sometimes brought inspired rowdiness from the mix in the nearly full Alabama Theatre that included everyone from teens to 60-something cave hippies.
Illegal Smile," for instance, an anthem to getting high on something other than life, is so well-known that Prine fell silent and allowed the room to finish robustly: "You may see me tonight, with an illegal smile, it don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while ..."
There was a respectful murmuring of the lyrics to the "Oldest Baby in the World," a song put together, Prine says, at a kitchen table with Florence's Donnie Fritts, who was in the audience.
Before he coasted into "Sam Stone," the tragic ballad of a drug-addled Vietnam vet who dies alone, Prine lamented it's the type of tune that unfortunately never goes out of style. The hundreds-strong chorus knew every word.
The night was a perfect mix of material across 20 releases dating to 1971. And Prine and company were lifted up by every song, including his signature closer, "Lake Marie," where again, the throng of voices together made the barbecuing sausages "sssssizzle" in the middle of this powerful love-and-blood ballad.
But the finale was not enough. An encore was robust and surprising, too. Prine will finish this tour tonight in Nashville and says from the heart that he wishes Christmas would last six months.
And in the tastefully holiday-bedecked and comfy confines of the beautiful Alabama Theatre, Prine needs no songsheet to belt out three more numbers, beginning with "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."
And for the only time Friday night, he knows the lyrics better than the throng.
By: Hub
What a show ! I've been to 10+ John Prine concerts and as always he performed well beyond the call. He played hard and the rapport with the audience was only as he is capable of. This one was truelly special for me as I had been through one of the toughest weeks of my life & as always, like and old friend (in my mind he is) John gave me the boost I needed.He is a treasure and my collection of his recordings is one of my greatest treasures. I was even lucky enough to shake his hand prior to the show in a hotel lobby ( a sureal experience for me).Thanks John, your efforts have made the world better.
By: Rob&Kristy
One of the best of John Prine's that I've been to for various reasons. My wife and I finally got to meet John and had pictures made with he, Jason and David! Bad news is I've taken my guitar strap around the south for 18 years to get him to sign it and on the night I meet him--I left it at home. I think it was my lucky 13th show- to top it off.
It was good to hear Iris again. I didn't know she had a Gospel album out but I'll have to buy it.
I've never been to a bad one--at least not because of John or the band. I figured downtown Mobile's Beerfest may make for a rough night but there were not any more than the usual shouts out for requests and singing along. I wish people would refrain from the sing-a-longs untill Illegal Smile like in the old days.
No matter how times change, hearing people sing along with Sam Stone is not cool.
Overall, a great show by an extremely talented group of entertainers. Simply the best performer/poet/entertainer that I know of with some of the best pickers in the country with him.
By: Stephen Centanni
Any John Prine fan not in attendance at his recent performance at the Saenger should hate themselves. It's always a pleasant surprise when an artist with an extensive repertoire pulls out their standard favorites. He regaled the crowd with songs of heartbroken swingers (performed with Iris DeMent and reformed strippers), and there were many illegal smiles singing along with this legendary musician.
The only complaint anyone had about the show was that the Saenger closed their bars just as Prine kicked off his set. With Beerfest in full effect outside the Saenger, the lack of alcohol during an artist such as Prine was a buzz kill, but Prine's performance outshined this small complication. - more
By: B2
Just wonderful all the way around. He's timeless and brilliant. I've listened to his take on the states of our unions my whole life and he's been right on it, steady on.
Got a great John Prine photo? Upload it here
and some will be added to the pages. Please add your John Prine
concert experience, link to a current 2007 review, preview,
announcement, blog, news, photos or set list. Click to add
it here


text:
I am a member of the algebra group at the Mathematics Department of Temple University. My research is in noncommutative algebra, with particular emphasis on topics related to transformation groups and invariant theory. For about ten years, I focused on multiplicative invariant theory. My monograph with that title appeared in 2005. Subsequently, I have worked on applications of Koszul algebras to algebraic combinatorics, algebraic group actions on noncommutative spaces, and representations of finite Hopf algebras. I just finished writing a graduate textbook on representation theory.
Here are the links to my Google Citations and my Mathematical Genealogy.


text:
Join the Peoples Climate March, a pro-environment march taking place April 29 in Washington, D.C., and across the country and the world.
Organized by the Peoples Climate Movement, the Peoples Climate March predates the Trump era. The first march was held in New York City on September 21, 2014, ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit. More than 400,000 attended that event.
The 2017 event is scheduled for April 29–Trump's 100th day in office. It will focus on climate, jobs, and justice, and will reflect the widespread resistance to Trump's efforts to kill climate change efforts and despoil the environment.
Visit the Peoples Climate March website:
Find your nearest sister march:
Download Peoples Climate March posters and flyers to carry on the day:
See its Organizing Tool Kit:
Read the FAQ for the march:
Donate to the Peoples Climate March:
Like its Facebook page:
Follow it on Twitter:


text:
Everyone's favorite French pixie Audrey Tautou is set to star in another tale of heady, swirling romantic melodrama.
Variety reports that Tautou and Francois Damiens (from the recent crossover hit "Heartbreaker") have signed to star in "La Delicatesse." Set to be the directed by David and Stephane Foenkinos (and based on the book by the former, with the screenplay co-written by the latter), the story follows " a Swedish man (Damiens) who falls for a young office co-worker, played by Tautou. Still mourning the death three years before of her husband in an accident, but delicately courted by the Swede, she gradually reawakens to life and falls in love again." Really this thing sells itself, and as this writer is a total easy mark for breezy French fare, he'll be first in line.
Shooting is set to begin in Paris (where else?) in March, with the film hitting in the first half of 2012.
Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.


text:
Learning about medieval flooring has been a real pleasure, and I'm terribly happy that my miniature tile floor is all finished.
Overall, I'm pleased with the effect, particularly from a distance. Close up, one can tell that the owners of this castle hired blind apprentice tile makers back in the 12th century :)
I think I'll make that part of the story ...
The yellow ochre glaze I used really helped to tie things together. Then I used a burnt umber glaze to pick out some of the tiles and to muddy things up a bit in general.
There's no grout. There perhaps should be -- some of the gaps are pretty big!


text:
A great part of your Christmas and holiday décor, this wonderfully fragrant wreath is made with fresh eucalyptus and Christmas greens. A beautiful blend of pine cones, pomegranates, pepperberries, and a touch of hydrangea create this classic holiday wreath.
Hang in your home or office to bring a touch of holiday cheer! All of our holiday wreaths are handmade to order with fresh ingredients, and ship within 1 to 3 business days throughout the United States.
Future holiday orders can be placed today! Please specify a future delivery date in the note section during checkout.
22" diameter
Caring For Your Items
All Wreaths, Garlands, Centerpieces, and Swags are intended to be hung or displayed indoors away from direct sunlight and or heat sources, or in a sheltered area where protected from extreme elements such as rain, snow, sleet, hail, humidity.


text: OK, I may be exaggerating the truth a touch. In fact, it's rare to find someone that says to me, "I'm due for X-RAYS? FREAKING AWESOME. I've been hoping for the last 6 months you would be taking x-rays today." Our patients just don't say that!!! In light of this fact, I would like to … Continue reading NO ONE LIKES TO HAVE DENTAL XRAYS TAKEN!


text:
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 27 - Fats Domino starts his first album since 1993 by singing, "All over the country, people want to know/ whatever happened to Fats Domino." It continues, "I'm alive and kicking and I'm where I wanna be."
That's the way he still feels about New Orleans, although his house in the Lower Ninth Ward was severely damaged by the flooding after Hurricane Katrina. "As long as I'm in New Orleans, I'm not away from home," he said in a rare interview at the uptown club Tipitina's. He's living in a suburban-style housing development in Harvey, La., but he intends to rebuild his house and return to the Ninth Ward as soon as he can. Asked about the prospects for his city, the perpetually optimistic Mr. Domino said, "Everything's gonna be all right, I think."
"Alive and Kickin'," the title track of his new album, may remind listeners of the image of Mr. Domino being rescued by helicopter from his flooded house on Sept. 1. But like the rest of the album, which includes 11 songs Mr. Domino had never recorded, it was actually made in 2000. (The studio where it was recorded, Ultrasonic, is gone since the flood.) After the hurricane, he said, "everybody got interested in it."
The album is being released as a benefit for the Tipitina's Foundation, which has aided New Orleans musicians with everything from Internet service to new eyeglasses to more than $300,000 worth of new instruments. It is available from www.tipitinasfoundation.org.
"I think it's a pretty good song, and it fits what's happening now," Mr. Domino said of the title track. Mr. Domino, who is 78, lost three pianos and most of his other possessions in the flood; afterward, looters took most of the gold records he earned in the 1950's, when he was the second-best-selling singer after Elvis Presley. But when he was awaiting rescue, he said, "I wasn't too nervous." He added, "I had my little wine and a couple of beers with me; I'm all right."Continue reading the main story
The album mingles Mr. Domino's rolling New Orleans rhythm-and-blues piano and horns with touches of synthesizer or slide guitar. His genial croon can sound close to country music, a style he likes, he says, because "it tells a wonderful story, true stories."
Some of the new songs now sound prophetic for Mr. Domino and the people of his city, proclaiming "I'll Be All Right" or announcing, in "One Step at a Time," that "My baby's coming home today" and adding, "Please don't change your mind, it's been such a long time." In "Home USA," he sings, "I'm going home tomorrow/ Can't go on this way," continuing, "I'm headed for New Orleans, La."
There can be a painstaking process behind the straightforward songs, Mr. Domino said. "I have a hard time pleasing myself with my songs," he said. "I have to do them over and over until I think I got them right. I'm always finding fault, but the people seem to like them. I always figure I can do something different that I wouldn't have already. I may not be right, but I don't want to be too far wrong."
He has an electric keyboard by his bed, in case he wakes up with an idea. "You try to dig for it, you'll never find it sometimes," he said. "Sometimes you could do it in an hour, sometimes in three weeks, a month, sometimes it just comes to you like that. I get the spirit, and whatever happens, let that happen."
Mr. Domino hasn't performed since the hurricane, but he is to be one of the headliners at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which begins April 28. As far as he is concerned, New Orleans is still home. "I know I'm not leavin'," he said with a smile. "I ain't going nowhere."Continue reading the main story


text:
This column is by Francis Cyriac, marketer & customer engagement expert at Ameyo Emerge
Off late the discussions around startup profitability are abuzz. Investors are looking beyond just innovative ideas; they have become more interested in startups which are churning growing revenues. Entrepreneurs understand this and are hence focussing on delivering a great user experience through the products they are building.
Catering to the Connected Consumer
Even for a technology company, customer experience goes beyond just having a great app or a website. This is especially true for product + service based models which are simplifying daily operations with digital solutions. Hence, in this hyperconnected world, catering to customers at their preferred mode of communication is by no means an easy feat.
The figure above shows 21 possible touch points where a customer comes in touch with a company. At Emerge, we have experienced that for a business, the most common modes for customer queries are Voice, Social Media, Mobile and Email. Now deploying human resources for each of these channels is one way to go about it, but is it really feasible when you are dealing with hundreds or even thousands of queries on a daily basis?
Need for Customer Support Automation
Once a customer digitally places an order for a product or a service, they expect its timely fulfillment and regular updates of its progress. For example, once you buy a product on an eCommerce site you expect a mail confirming order placement, a text confirming payment receipt, a call and a mail if there is any delay in delivery and so on. Every consumer expects this same proactive service, but how do you bring this in your own business?
The beauty of having a technology business is having the ability to measure user behaviour at each node of where a customer interacts with your product. This gives you more insights into what to tweak to make your processes & service better.
Automation in product and automation in customer support are different things. An app like Swiggy or Zomato might let a user place an order and even track it, but the management of unprecedented calls & chat messages require a system to connect them with the right support personnel. Customers often find direct contact with customer support team faster & more convenient than raising a ticket on an app or a website. And like mentioned above, this query communication can happen anywhere – from a phone call to your company's Twitter handle.
Integrating an automated system to handle your startup's various communication channels & teams, in sync with the existing processes, can do wonders for the user experience you deliver.
To highlight the importance of such a simple sounding solution let me share that one of our clients, an India-based hyperlocal startup, received a whopping 280,000 queries in a month i.e. roughly 11,000 queries per working day. Now how do you sustainably handle such a number without a systematic solution?
Automation for Scale
No one likes to be kept waiting, and certainly not a paying customer. Be it a support call, email or even a Facebook message, customers expect fast and proactive communication.
Being a startup it's important for you to both acquire customers and keep a check on the cost involved in retaining them. A cloud-based integrated solution would help you in better utilisation of your own support team, and reduce the turnaround time for customer support.
The benefits of such a system go beyond just handling queries. From user verification to order confirmation to tracking information, a system of automated calls, texts & emails will improve process efficiency and accuracy.
If a single system is processing all your customer communication, imagine the amount of intelligent data insights you can gather about your customer behaviour. Does your business drive more inbound calls? How often does a particular customer raises a ticket and so on. As a startup, each of these data points is important for you to know your customer better. Metrics around call distribution, agent performance, channel performance etc. would also help you in optimising your team better.
And once you have an automated system for handling customers in place, you can aim at replicating the processes and scaling up.
Closing Note
"Customer is King"
In case you do have/plan to create a profit making company, you already know the above statement is true. If your customers are happy with the way they are treated, it's likely that they would stay loyal and even refer your business to their peers.
If you wish to know more about giving an amazing experience to your customers and growing your business, check out The Millennial Blog
For more information on enhancing your customer experience with Voice, Mobile, Chat, Social, Email, and SMS, click here.
Disclaimer: This content is powered by Ameyo Emerge
Image CreditL Fusemachines


text:
Chilaquiles Recipe with Marinated Skirt Steak
Chilaquiles Recipe with Marinated Skirt Steak: A zesty chilaquiles recipe with underlying smoky heat from habanero peppers, served with juicy grilled skirt steak. This easy gluten free dinner is a sure knock-out!
Recently, I spent a day cooking with a latina friend of mine.
My friend Adriana is a funny little bird. She has told me on several occasions that I'm not a real cook because I don't make my own tortillas. She has also informed me that Americans are fat because we always choose wheat tortillas and Mexicans are thin because they always choose corn tortillas. Hmmm.
She is emphatic that wheat makes people fat, while corn, even fried corn, is a health food.
Listening to her dogmatic opinions on life and food always gives me a good chuckle.
On my birthday, she came to my house with grocery bags in tow. Little did I know, I'd be spending the day learning to "properly" make her Chilaquiles Recipe with Marinated Skirt Steak.
We teased each other as we went through the painstaking process of making, then frying tortillas, just to crumble for the chilaquiles. She threw out half the tortillas I fried, because the color was a quarter-shade too light or too dark.
She showed me how to make the tomato puree for the chilaquiles recipe, with fresh jalapenos and onions.
Then acutely critiqued my onion cooking abilities.
Finally, when the dish was finished we sat down to taste.
Chilaquiles Recipe with Marinated Skirt Steak is Mexican comfort food at it's best.
But I have to tell you, although I appreciate her thorough instruction, I won't continue making chilaquiles the "proper" way.
Personally, I HATE to fry foods. It's the lingering smell of hot oil in my house, and the fact that I always get a splatter burn.
Plus, I like shortcuts, as long as they don't effect flavor, texture, or visual appeal.
So I took my friend's chilaquiles recipe and revamped it. …Please don't tell on me, I'll get another rigid scolding.
How to Make Chilaquiles Recipe with Marinated Skirt Steak
1. Instead of making and frying tortillas, I bought good tostadas and broke them up. (Don't use tortilla chips, they're too thin.)
2. Then I added a habanero pepper, garlic, and stock to the tomato puree to give it a deeper flavor. Habaneros have a sweet smoky heat that hits the back of your throat, then builds over time. A little goes a long way.
3. Finally, I added marinated skirt steak. Skirt steak is a classic beef cut in Mexican cooking, that stands up to spicy dry rubs and marinades. The key in grilling marinated skirt steak is to not overcook it. Then slice it thin, against the grain.
This Chilaquiles Recipe with Marinated Skirt Steak is bold and comforting, and it's gluten free!
I absolutely love this Chilaquiles Recipe with Marinated Skirt Steak for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, even though it is a tad off the classic preparation.
Chilaquiles can also be served with hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, shredded chicken or pork, the sky is the limit.
Chilaquiles Recipe with Marinated Skirt Steak
Amazing and easy Chilaquiles Recipe with Marinated Skirt Steak! This authentic chilaquiles recipes offers shortcuts to make the process much faster.
- 14 ounces thick tostadas
- 6 cups stock, any variety
- 3 large tomatoes, cored
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered
- 4-5 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 habanero chile, halved and seeded
- Salt
- 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Chopped red onion
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Sliced avocado
- Crumbled queso fresco
- Sour cream
- Sliced hard boiled eggs
- For the marinated skirt steak: Mix all the spices, oil and vinegar in a small bowl. Then rub over the entire skirt steak and let the steak rest for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the grill to high heat. Grill for 2 minutes per side, for medium-rare. Rest the steak under foil for at least 5 minutes. Then cut into 4 equal pieces. Turn each section and sliced thinly against the grain.
For the chilaquiles recipe: Break the tostadas into pieces and place them in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Set a large sauce pan over high heat and add the stock, onions, garlic, tomatoes, habanero and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove the habanero pieces and carefully pour the veggies and liquid into the blender. Open the vent on the lid a little and cover with a dish towel. Puree until smooth. *Be careful! Hot liquid in the blender can be dangerous.
Once pureed, taste for salt and heat. It may need 1/2 to 1 teaspoon more salt. If you really like spicy food, you could always puree half or all of the cooked habanero.
- For slightly crispy chilaquiles, pour half the puree over the tostadas. For soft chilaquiles (like a casserole) pour all the puree over the tostadas. Allow the tostadas to sit and soak up the liquid. *For soft chilaquiles with a crispy top, bake the chilaquiles in the oven at 400 degrees, for 20-30 minutes. Garnish and serve warm with steak.
Other Latin Favorites:
Pollo Rojo (Red Pepper Chicken)
Grilled Steak Fajitas ~ Skinny Taste
Roasted Corn and Ricotta Enchiladas ~ Naturally Ella
Classic Tostadas ~ Simply Recipes