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An increasing number of elderly people are being forced to sell their homes to pay for care fees. With the number of 85 year olds set to double by 2030, this is a situation that is only going to get more critical.
Under the current system, the local authority will conduct a means test to determine how much you have to pay towards your care. The means test takes into account your income, savings and property.
Will my home be included in the means test?
Your home will not be counted if it is still occupied by:
- your partner or former partner, unless they are estranged from you
- your estranged or divorced partner if they are also a lone parent
- a relative who is aged 60 or over
- a child of yours aged under 18
- a relative who is disabled.
Additionally, if you need temporary (52 weeks) or short-term (6 weeks) care only, your home won't be included in the means test.
What you can't do
- Transferring your house to your children: If you transfer your house to your children with the intention of avoiding care fees, this will be deemed as a deliberate deprivation of assets. If the local authority are able prove that a significant motive of you giving away your house was to obtain financial assistance with your care home fees sooner than would otherwise be the case, they will disregard the transfer and assess you as if you still owned your home. The local authority will carry out investigations into the timing of the transaction and your motives for doing so. There is no time limit on how far back they can investigate.
Caution should also be advised when considering such a transfer because once you have given away your home, the property is no longer yours and you will have lost control of it and the following issues may arise:
- Death: if a child of yours dies before you then their interest in the property would pass under their Will or if they have not made one, under the intestacy rules. Therefore, your ability to stay in the property would be at the mercy of the beneficiaries of your children's estate, not your children
- Bankruptcy/Divorce: if a child of yours becomes bankrupt then the house may have to be sold to pay creditors. If a child gets divorced then it is possible that the property will be taken into account in the matrimonial settlement
- Reservation of benefit: if you give away your house, but continue to live there, then for inheritance tax purposes, it would be caught by the gift with reservation of benefit rules. The property would be considered as part of your estate at its value at the date of the gift or at the date of your death, whichever is the higher
- Capital Gains Tax: if you give your house to your children and they already own their own home and the property increases in value between the date of the gift and a subsequent sale, then that gain would not benefit from the main residence relief exemption and could be subject to capital gains tax.
What you can do
There are still options available for appropriate estate planning:
- Will Trust: You can make a Will which is drafted to protect your estate for those you are leaving behind. This could be beneficial if you have married again and have children from a previous marriage, or could also protect against care home fees. The purpose of this is to ensure that these assets do not pass outright to your surviving spouse and form part of their estate. Your spouse would still own her/his half of the house and this could be taken into account in a care home fees assessment, when s/he goes into care, however, your half would be protected for your ultimate beneficiaries.
- Co-owning and co-occupying: This type of arrangement may not work for everyone, however, in certain circumstances, it may be appropriate. It is possible to avoid being caught by the gift with reservation of benefit rules by gifting a share in your house to your children and occupying the property together. It is essential in such an arrangement to prepare the document with care, and that consideration is given to how the outgoings are paid.
At Ansham White Solicitors we can adapt our services to meet your personal needs, please contact us for a free discussion on 02086345850
Ansham White – Will Solicitors in Harrow London and Probate Solicitors in Harrow London


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Some see a user revolt coming up, others feel safe to see Twitter making money. That will make it more likely, Twitter is around for more years. Having ads on your stream? Or can't you see it like this? It's not on your stream, but inserted in every stream on Twitter. No matter how you see it, you will receive ads.
How do you see this? Do you care about those ads?
[via Techcrunch]

subset: commoncrawl


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Air sampled from the moist unsaturated zone in a sand dune exhibits depletion in the heavy isotopes of N-2 and O-2. We propose that the depletion is caused by a diffusive flux of water vapor out of the dune, which sweeps out the other gases, forcing them to diffuse back into the dune. The heavy isotopes of N-2 and O-2 diffuse back more slowly, resulting in a steady-state depletion of the heavy isotopes in the dune interior. We predict the effect's magnitude with molecular diffusion theory and reproduce it in a laboratory simulation, finding good agreement between field, theory, and lab. The magnitude of the effect is governed by the ratio of the binary diffusivities against water vapor of a pair of gases, and increases similar to linearly with the difference between the water vapor mole fraction of the site and the advectively mixed reservoir with which it is in diffusive contact (in most cases the atmosphere). The steady-state effect is given bydelta(i) = [i/j/i(0)/j(0) - 1] 10(3) parts per thousand congruent to [(1 - x(H2O)/1 - x(H2O0))((Dj-H2O/Di-H2O)-1) -1] 10(3) parts per thousand,
Ua259Times Cited:26Cited References Count:31


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Return of the Todd Lickers. Finally home from Cedar Falls, Iowa gets back on the bus today and travels to Ames for its annual run-in with Iowa State (7:05, Hilton Coliseum). The Hawkeyes come in 13-point underdogs; given Tuesday's performance, that seems a little light. No word yet on television coverage of the game; it is being broadcast on something called "Cyclones TV" which probably doesn't actually exist. We'll update if and when we find out where you can watch.
For the third consecutive game, head coach Todd Lickliter will not be on the bench, as he continues to recover from a torn carotid artery. Initially, we were told the team was optimistic that the Lick could return for Northern Iowa. Then it was Iowa State. Now we're hoping for Drake. Before we know it, we'll be hoping he returns for the National Championship game with Kansas.
His Policy is Kicking Ass First, Taking Names Later. Kirk Ferentz has been named as one of ten finalists for the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year award, given to the coach who best demonstrates "sportsmanship, integrity, and responsibility on and off the field." Obviously, there isn't a heavy emphasis on performance; the list of finalists includes Dabo Swinney (who lost to Maryland) and Pete Carroll (who lost to everyone else). Ferentz was previously named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the third time in this 10-year tenure. The announcement comes on the same day that Brian Kelly was named Home Depot Coach of the Year. There are approximately 57 more coach of the year awards left to be announced; we expect Ferentz to win at least 6 of those.
Heads are ROLLIN' Meanwhile, all hell is breaking loose in Champaign-Urbaba, as 2007 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Ron Zook (that's not a typo) holds onto his job for dear life. Earlier this season, Illinois AD Ron Guenther issued an inexplicable vote of confidence in the Zooker. But then came widespread defections and decommitments, including a trio of sophomore skill position players transferring elsewhere, a four-star corner who recently changing his commitment to a coachless Notre Dame, and, of course, The Polish Hat committing to Iowa. The boosters who paid for the recent stadium expansion did not appreciate this, and the long knives are now publicly unsheathed:
"There are guys like me,'' said one booster, who said he donates $30,000 per year to the university. "I'm just the tip of the iceberg. What I'm hearing is half aren't going to renew on season tickets and half won't donate to the (scholarship) fund.
"The athletic department tells me, 'Don't give up the ship. Something is going to happen. Give us until next week.' I said something has to be done. If we ran our business the way they ran that football program, we'd be bankrupt. It's not going in a positive direction.
"You don't reward mediocrity in business. You don't reward mediocrity in coaching.''
"Illinois is one of the biggest underachievers in college football,'' said another booster, who annually gives $20,000. "They've got world-class facilities. It's a great school. We're perennially behind Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan State and lately even Northwestern. It's unacceptable. I don't think it's asking too much to be in the top half of the Big Ten every year.''
Zook received a huge extension after their fraudulent Rose Bowl campaign in 2007, and has a rumored buyout of $5M - $7M, which is no small amount of money for a state school that just finished a putrid football season in a recently-renovated (and half-empty) stadium and no hope of state assistance. Even with that, speculation is that Zook will be forced to fire a number of assistants to save his own scalp. Hail to the Orange comes up with about 48 words in favor of retaining The ZookHook for another season, and writes Magna Carta in support of canning him like tuna. Whether he survives or not, some Jets-Sharks style shit is about to go down at UIUC. Step back and enjoy the carnage.
Red Shift. This week's batshit insane rumor: The NCAA is considering an expansion of the basketball tournament field to 96 teams, giving byes to the top 8 teams in each bracket and making the tournament an unwieldy mess.
The tournament is supposedly in place to identify the nation's greatest college basketball team and crown it as national champion. In any given year, there are at most 15 teams (and usually far fewer) that could fit that description. There are always four or five teams that can lay claim to the last tournament spot, to the claim that they are the nation's 46th-best team. Not one of them -- not even that 2006 George Mason team -- had a legitimate claim to the title. When we discuss the qualifications of bubble teams, we are ostensibly discussing whether a team that is seventh in the Big East or third in the Missouri Valley has a legitimate chance at being the best team in the country; the answer to that question is invariably in the negative. To say that we would have a more representative sample from which to draw a national champion is ludicrous. In fact, the tournament is bloated at 65 teams, but it's so fucking awesome that nobody cares.
No, no, this has nothing to do with the tournament's stated goals. As Eamonn points out, this is about getting more major-conference teams on television in March, making more money, and keeping coaches employed:
A few of the major issues that would arise from an expanded field: the regular season would be rendered even more meaningless, a glut of mediocre-to-bad big-conference schools would reap the benefit and casual fans wouldn't be as interested in filling out a 96-team bracket (too daunting, asymmetrical, wouldn't fit on a regular sheet of paper). There's no call for more NCAA tournament games. Pretty much everyone thinks the 64-game event is perfect, except for one very biased interest group.
As SBJ reports, some college basketball coaches like the idea (Jim Boeheim, in particular). Of course they do. The more teams that get into the NCAA tournament, the fewer reasons there will be to fire the coaches of the 32 teams that wouldn't have made it otherwise. It's a self-serving move. It's like Congress having the ability to vote itself a raise.
If you're scoring at home, the only two valid reasons to expand the tourney: the possibility of getting more money and mediocre coaches getting a stay of execution. Sounds like a good reason to ruin the best event in sports to me!
Would it be fun? Yeah, maybe, but no more fun than mid-level large-conference teams teeing off on the SWAC champion or falling into a trench warfare slopfest with equally mediocre opposition. Bohnenkamp argues a 68-team field might work, and it might (especially if it's the at-large teams trying to play in), but blowing up an event universally lauded as the greatest thing in the history of the world seems unnecessary and dangerous.
Foot's Notes:
- The Iowa women's basketball team lost to ISU last night 85-66. With the loss, the Hawkettes fall to 5-5 on the season. This one wasn't close; Iowa actually staged a late comeback from a 30-point deficit.
- Iowa baseball (still a varsity sport!) will play a seven-inning exhibition against the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines on April 7, one day before the I-Cubs start their 2010 season. If you haven't been keeping up with Pacific Coast League baseball, former Cubs second baseman and Hall of Fame inductee Ryne Sandberg is managing the I-Cubs this season. So you can watch him bring in mopup pitcher after mopup pitcher.
- Former Hawkeye, and current Atlanta Falcon, Jonathan Babineaux was picked up on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. While it doesn't sound like a positive situation, it could always be worse: He could have arrested for possession with intent to throw snowballs.
- A bill prohibiting the BCS from billing its finale as a "championship game" made its way out of a House committee earlier this week. Proponents see it as the first step to dismantling the Bowl Championship Series and instituting a playoff. Normal people see it as an enormous waste of time.
- On the heels of Indiana's decision to take the money and move a home game against Penn State to FedEx Field in Washington, D.C. -- the first sell-out in the history of Indiana football RIMSHOT -- Michigan State has moved its scheduled road game against the Florida Atlantic Fightin' Schnellenbergers to Detroit. The game had originally been scheduled as the opener for FAU's new stadium, but when the Owls ran out of money, the teams agreed to a "neutral site" game 90 miles from East Lansing.


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Thank you for considering At Home Contracting for your Gulf Coast remodeling project. Our personalized approach to renovations and additions in Destin, FL and surrounding communities has made us one of the most respected remodelers in the area. We offer a wide array of remodeling and addition services to meet your needs.
Specializing in in-house design and total builds, we offer all our clients a diverse portfolio of complete construction options. From garages, additions, three season and sun rooms, to kitchens and bathrooms as well as all types of roofing and siding we offer reasonable prices and top notch customer service.
- Interior and exterior painting services
- Wood and siding replacement
- Gutter installation and repairs
- Drywall repairs and texturing
- Kitchen renovations
- Bathroom renovations
- Granite, marble and tile installation
- New doors and replacement windows
- Roofing repairs
- Carport enclosures
With our personal service, we save you time, alleviate your stress and offer great value on your home improvement projects. From the interior of your home to the exterior, we are the one source that listens to you, works with your personal style & budget, giving you the home of your dreams.
We service Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar Beach, Rosemary Beach, Panama City Beach, Grayton Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Watercolor Seaside, Alys Beach, Dune Allen Beach, Crestview, Navarre, Shalimar, Valparaiso, Pensacola, and Gulf Breeze, Florida.


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There's an old wives tale that heartburn during pregnancy means your newborn will be born with hair. I had heartburn, and all 3 of my kids were born with hair.
C had the most, but they all had hair which they did not lose in the early weeks after birth.
Do you think there's any truth to that old wives tale? Click on over and find out!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Did your newborns have hair?
Posted by mylittlepatchofsunshine at 10:21 PM
Labels: prevention
1 comment:
Well, as usual I'm a freak I guess because I had extreme heartburn with all of mine and they were born with very little hair that fell out in the first weeks after birth. None of my kids had significant hair on their heads until they were almost 2 years old - which always made it hard for people to decide if they were girls or boys. LOL!ReplyDelete
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Voyager Features
Here are some of the awesome Voyager features you'll enjoy
Media Manager
Voyager has a fully functional media manager which allows you to view/edit/delete files from your storage. All files in your application will be easily accessible and will live in a single place. Compatible with local or s3 file storage.
Menu Builder
You can easily build menus for your site. In fact the menu in the voyager admin is built using the menu builder. You can add/edit/delete menu items from any menu. Then it's so easy to show your menu on the front-end.
Database Manager
That's right! You can actually manipulate your database directly from Voyager. You can add, edit, or delete tables. When creating a new table you can also specify if you would like voyager to create your Model for you. How cool is that.
BREAD/CRUD Builder
Similar to CRUD, Voyager has a system called BREAD which is Browse, Read, Edit, Add, and Delete. You can easily add any BREAD views and functionality to any table in your database. Have a products table, easily add the Browse Read Edit Add & Delete functionality in seconds!
Using the Voyager settings you can easily create any number of settings to be used for your site. This can be anything from site logos, colors, or any other setting you can dream of. Settings can be text inputs, image uploads, dropdowns, and many other input types.


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"Dad, why do people who are not Christians still celebrate Christmas?"
This is the kind of insightful question that can only come from the mouth of a nine-year-old. My daughter wonders why people who do not attend church still have Christmas trees, bake Christmas cookies, put colored lights on their houses, go to Christmas parties, and give gifts on December 25. To phrase her question differently, she wants to know how Christmas—the birth of the baby Jesus-- became embedded in American culture to the point that it could be celebrated by her non-church-going friends and their families.
From the perspective of the Bible and Christian theology, Christmas is about the Incarnation. It is the story of God revealing himself to humankind in the form of a baby, the child born to Mary in that Jerusalem stable. Indeed, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…
But in America, the biblical and theological meaning of Christmas has always existed in tension with cultural forces that have sought to draw one's focus away from the "Reason for the season."
In fact, for most of American history, the birth of the Savior has taken a back seat to the merriment and commercialism of that "most wonderful time of the year."
Do you wish we could go back to a simpler time when our society understood what Christmas was really about? I am writing to tell you that such a Christmas golden age has never existed in America. Let me explain.
Some of the earliest settlers to British-America brought their Christmas culture with them. In England, Christmas was an important date on the church calendar, but the celebration of the Christ child who came to Earth to die for the sins of the world was rarely part of the week-long festivities. Christmas was a carnival—a time of feasting, shooting guns, playing rough music, drinking to excess, disorderly public activity, and other forms of raucous behavior.
This kind of Christmas merriment was a regular part of seasonal celebrations in Anglican Virginia and eastern seaboard towns such as New York and Philadelphia.
And it continued into the nineteenth-century. In the South, former slave-turned-abolitionist Frederick Douglass wrote that slave-masters would give their slaves a break from work during the Christmas season, but they would provide them with alcohol and encourage them to drink heavily so they would always associate freedom with a state of drunkenness.
In seventeenth-century New England, Puritans frowned upon the celebration of Christmas and outlawed it for more than half a century. They believed it was necessary, as Christians pursuing lives of holiness, to separate themselves from sinful behavior associated with the way the holiday was celebrated in jolly old England. The Puritans, and later a host of evangelical reformers, should be commended for their efforts to separate the theological meaning of the birth of Christ from the prevailing culture, but in the long run they failed. The non-Puritan colonists were just too merry.
By the late nineteenth-century, Christmas had become domesticated. The Victorians took Christmas from the rough streets of the working-class city to the comforts of the middle-class home. As Santa Claus, gift-giving, and Christmas trees took center stage each December, so did consumerism. Department stores created Christmas wonderlands where the nativity story was often indistinguishable from the holiday shopping experience. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, which was first held in 1924, would become the unofficial start to the "Christmas season." Few Americans today know when Advent begins, but they certainly know about "Black Friday."
As Christmas became commercialized, Christians did their best to keep the "Christ" in Christmas. Churches continued to offer spaces where the Christian meaning of the holiday would be proclaimed. Yet most churches failed to engage the larger culture of Christmas consumerism from a critical perspective, opting instead to ignore the growing commercialism attached to the holiday.
As a result, Christmas in America still belongs to Macy's and the rest of the corporate world.
Sadly, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ has never been the primary reason why Americans flock to their trees to open gifts on Christmas morning.
As I tried to explain to my daughter, the practice of pausing to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas has always been, and will probably always remain, a counter-cultural act—a practice that requires one to break with the American past and follow the narrow way that leads to life.
John Fea chairs the history department at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. His latest book "Was America Founded as a Christian Nation" is due out in February 2011.


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All slow-motion articles
Violin string vibrations captured on video
Watch string vibrations captured with a CMOS sensor, 24 frames per second video and 1/4000 shutter speed. According to the film's author, it has not been edited. The effect can be explained by 'the refresh rate of the camera catching the vibration at different parts of the arch'.Subscribe ...


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10 North 9th Street
Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 248-2021
The mission of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce is to enhance and preserve the present and future business climate and community improvement of the greater Yakima area by representing the entire cross section of the business community.
5A South Toppenish Avenue
Toppenish, WA 98948
(509) 865-3262
(800) 569-3982
1401 Arboretum Drive
Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 248-7337
The Yakima Area Arboretum was established in 1967 with the mission of creating and sharing a living museum of botanical specimens in order to cultivate a greater knowledge and appreciation of trees and plants from around the world in an atmosphere of beauty, relaxation, and inspiration. The YAA is a richly unique plant laboratory that has become a hub for environmental education in an outdoor setting.
The YAA is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, which relies on individual dues and contributions to continue its current programs and events. The Yakima Area Arboretum does not receive any city or state tax support.
Every year, approximately 50,000 people visit the YAA free of charge.
111 South 18th Street
Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 453-8280
Multiple parks, pathways, and natural areas along the Yakima and Naches rivers.
The purpose of the Yakima Greenway Foundation is to conserve, enhance and maintain the Yakima Greenway as a continuing living resource for future generations.
2105 Tieton Drive
Yakima, Washington 98902
(509) 248-0747
Regional history comes alive at the Yakima Valley Museum, located in Yakima's beautiful Franklin Park. Its natural history, American Indian culture, pioneer life, early city life, and the roots and development of the Valley's fruit industry. The museum has a superb collection of horse-drawn vehicles, from stagecoach to hearse; a historical exhibit and reconstruction of the Washington D.C. office of former Yakima resident and environmentalist, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas; and a changing schedule of special exhibitions.
(800) 221-0751
Copyright © 2017 American Hop Museum - All Rights Reserved.
Website managed by: Braden Newell
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Being an intern is tough. No matter where you work, whom you work with or what you are doing. You are dropped into an unfamiliar environment and expected to produce design content at a high level, and rather quickly.
It's almost become a rite of passage for design students to have an internship. Experiencing the way the design business really works is an important step. You will quickly find what you want, and more importantly don't want in a future employer.
It might help if you know a little bit about me. I'm a product designer based in Boston, and yes, I have been an intern. I have also had the privilege to work with dozens of design interns, and see them grow and develop as designers. I want to share a few words of advice on how you can get the most out of your internship opportunity.
Know what you want out of your internship before you take it
Be honest with yourself and your goals. Sure, it's easy to accept an internship for the sake of having an internship. But, realize that you do have some control. If you are getting an offer, they clearly see something in you. It's important to have a list or guideline of the skills your want to learn or improve. The more honest you are with yourself about your proficiencies and flaws, the better you can know what you need to learn. None of us know everything, so never lose the drive to learn.
Study and Prepare for your new role
This may seem like a given when you are starting work at a new company, but it never stops being an important step. The more you know about your future employer at the beginning, the more you (and they) will get out of the experience.
Never stop asking questions (no matter how annoying you may think it is)
This one is simple. If you don't know something just ask. Many people can get the attitude that if they show a lack of knowledge in an area, then they won't be respected or taken seriously. I can guarantee you that this is not the case. It shows more weakness when one does not actively seek an answer to a question or concern. Many times the person you are asking might not even have an answer. I can recall several instances of an intern questioning something, and me realizing that I/ our company didn't have an answer or solution. This caused us to change and improve our design process…. Yes, an intern can have a big effect on a design team and company.
Get to know your co-workers
Its important to feel like you are a part of the company you are joining, and the easiest way to do this is by getting to know your co-workers. Just a simple introduction and conversation can create a connection that you can use throughout your career. Hey, some day they may be even using you as a contact or reference
Stay In Touch
Your co-works and employers care about your development, and that doesn't end when your internship ends. We are interested in how your next steps work out, whether that is more schooling or an opportunity with a company or firm.
About the author: Jordan Maurice is an Industrial designer based in Boston, currently working for Symmons Industries. He attended Iowa State University for his Bachelors in Industrial Design, and is currently perusing a Masters Degree in Design Strategy from SCAD. For more information please visit: http://www.coroflot.com/jmaurice


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Since the presentation at the Dubai International Boat Show in March this year, the concept of a 90-metre yacht Moonstone and the case attracted the attention of the Internet audience. Interest in the project itself stirs the shipyard Oceanco, which created it, and now, hoping to find a customer, occasionally reveals details of mega-yachts, sharing the new facts, pictures and video.
Today, the Builder offers to evaluate, what colors can play a case Moonstone. The innovative lighting technology and projection – the same miracle, which enthusiastically told visitors yacht exhibition in Dubai allows real-time to "draw" aboard mega-yachts paintings and landscapes.
Warning any skepticism, the designers from Van Geest Design, participated in developing the concept together with Oceanco and Temeloy Studio Advanced Lighting Design, commented:
"It's not just the design. It really is existing and working technology. They were tested before becoming part of project Moonstone".
In the case of mega-yachts can be projected quite an image not just wish the owner, and even video – from simple abstract designs and camouflage colorful realistic scenes like a sunset or a meteor shower in the night sky.
Image transfer 300 independent projectors. The same additionally installed in the pool in the aft of the vessel, in a Jacuzzi on the upper deck and below the waterline. Nourish the whole system of 70 square meters of solar panels and batteries with a capacity for three hours of continuous use.
Among the more "mundane" features Moonstone – a private deck which is reserved exclusively for apartments, living room and office owner. On Board there is a large gym, a Spa, a cinema, a landing area and two garage for tender, jet skis and submarines. The ship has a capacity of 14 passengers and 29 crew members. The maximum speed of the mega-yachts of 18.3 knots.
- © Photo-materials: Oceanco / Van Geest Design
Constantine Kuhlow
Author ruYachts
Editor, co-founder of the portal ruYachts.com.
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text: Several people spend a large part of their days sharing workspaces with their colleagues. Countless tasks in the competitive environment we work in can push cleaning off the priority list. The management and employees may try to keep the workplace visibly clean while it may be in dire need of a deep clean. An unclean…Read more


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Torchbearers for Christ
Saturday, September 30, 2023
This Month, You are the Next!
Friends, isn't it amazing how time flies these days. To think that we are already past the midpoint of the year 2010. I trust that God has kept you well and that as He promised in January, this is your Year of Recovery and you will not miss it in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
My wife and I are well. Please know that we love you and pray that God will continue to bless and keep you. We love hearing from you and appreciate your prayers. Friend, we declare that God's purposes for your life will not be aborted but instead you will truly complete this gracious race in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
This Month, I declare that YOU ARE THE NEXT!
You may ask, next for what? The prophetic declaration is ….You are the next one destined for a miracle; You are the next one on line for a visitation from God; You are the next one that will be celebrated; You are the next one that will be promoted; You are the next one whose healing will be celebrated; You are the next one to be hired; You are the next one…….What is your expectation? Receive this word, YOU ARE THE NEXT!
John 5:1-9 records the following story…
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" 7 The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me." 8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, take up your bed, and walk." 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Thirty-Eight years
Friend, for 38 years, this man was ridiculed, laughed at and left to die. His situation changed one day. I do not know the burden you have been carrying these many years, it may be a sickness, a pain, an unfulfilled desire. BUT just like this man, one encounter with Jesus changes everything. You may have almost reached a point of despair, ready to give up BUT receive the prophetic word; You are the next one that the Master is visiting. You are the next one that people will marvel at because of what God is about to do in your life. Get ready. You are the next!
Jesus "saw" & "knew"
It is very easy for us to forget that God is ever present. Sometimes our worries, anxieties and issues so overwhelm us that we almost give up our walk with the Lord; BUT friend, never give up! Jesus sees your situation. HE has seen and knows what you have been going through all these years. Jesus is not like men who say they see when in fact they are blind to your situation. Jesus sees the pain, the tears in the bathroom, even the pain that you cannot put into words and HE knows the solution. Jesus saw and knew the state of this man and He came to his rescue. Friend, there are many that may know of your plight, many who may see you suffering and want to genuinely help but cannot help in any way BUT Jesus is a Friend that sticks closer than even a brother – HE is coming your way and You are the Next! You are the next in line for His visitation!
Do you want to be healed? – I have no one!
Friend, Jesus never asked the man at the pool if he had anyone, HE asked him if he wanted to be healed. This month, change your focus. Look unto Jesus, HE is coming your way and You are the Next one in line! Do not look at a godfather or anyone else to help you; do not be discouraged at what people have done to you. Yes, some have left you, some have abused you, some have lied about you, some who promised to help never kept their promise…...BUT forget about those people because Jesus is coming your way and You are the next one destined for a miracle! Praise the Lord!
Friend, there are some people who love to see you close to the miracle but they do not want you to experience the miracle…forget about them and FOCUS on Jesus, HE never fails. Yes, it took long. Your promotion may seem to have taken long; your healing seems to have taken an eternity; your desired mission may have taken ages to materialize. BUT friend, Jesus is always on time, glory to God. You are the Next!
Get up, take up your bed, and walk
Friend, you are the Next so getup, take up your bed, and walk! The WORDS of Our Lord Jesus have power to change every situation. So I decree that you are getting up from chains of darkness; you are getting up from chains of sickness you are getting up from oppression of the mind; you are getting up from poverty, lack and depression and you are rising to the full potential of that which God has for you in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen. You are receiving power to subdue that which used to cause you to fear and you are walking into the fullness of the blessing that God has for you in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
Friend, You are the next that will receive miracles without number and wonders that cannot be fathomed (Job 5:9)
Have a blessed month,
Bro Chester


text:
Dr. Barbara Mathis is Professor of Music at Lamar University
where she teaches studio voice, language dictions, structure & function
of the voice, and graduate vocal methods. She received BM, MM, and
PhD degrees
from the University of North Texas and has taught at other universities
and public schools in Texas, Alaska, and Florida. Dr. Mathis studied
voice with Virginia Botkin and Alan Lindquest, coached with Regine
Crespin, John
Wustman, Harold Heiberg, and Berton Coffin, and served in a research
internship with Van L. Lawrence, M.D.
One of the most important decisions a singer must make involves not only finding a suitable vocal technique, but choosing appropriate vocalises and exercises which will develop and train the voice as well as help maintain it to ensure a long and healthy vocal life. Eventually, the individual singer must take responsibility for his or her own vocal development, maintenance, and health. In the event that misuse, overuse, or some other factor should cause vocal fatigue or a more severe problem, beneficial therapeutic exercise becomes priceless.
Therapeutic exercise for the body is not a new concept, historians have traced its use from ancient times to the present,1 and general theories and basic principles for therapeutic exercises have developed for its use. Vocal exercise also stems from earlier centuries as a beneficial activity for general body hygiene and good health,2 and has developed as a training and therapy technique for the speaking/singing voice. Singing exercise as therapy for the voice is also not a new concept but has not been widely used for various voice disorders; nevertheless, sources do attest to the benefits of singing in relationship to vocal and general body health. For voice professionals to
understand fully the principles and benefits of good vocal exercise, it is necessary for them to have knowledge of general exercise theories, the structure and function of the vocal folds and other parts of the larynx, the development and character of various exercise routines, and results from the exercises on the physiological and functional properties of the voice.
The goal of good vocal exercise might well follow the definition of general therapeutic exercise that Licht presents: "therapeutic exercise is motion of the body or its parts to relieve symptoms or to improve function."3 Kottke defines therapeutic exercise as the prescription of bodily movement in order to correct impairment, improve musculoskeletal function, or maintain a state of well‑being, and further states that it may vary from highly selected activities for specific muscles to general activities for restoring a patient's peak physical condition.4 Specific exercises are active movements whose design seeks to restore function by strengthening particular muscle groups, mobilizing certain joints, or re‑educating neuromuscular coordination. Colson and Collison, experts in progressive exercise therapy, believe that this type of exercise is of great value in the treatment of injuries and disorders of the locomotor system where certain muscular groups and joints are affected and the rest are comparatively normal. They state that all types of specific exercises must conform to three basic principles:
1. They must be performed in a smooth and rhythmical manner, so that they do not subject muscles and joints to sudden unexpected stresses and strains.
2. They must be based on sound starting positions.
3. They must provide smooth progression from the stage of extreme weakness to the stage of full use against the stresses of normal working conditions.
In addition, all exercises that aim to strengthen weak muscles should provide as wide a range of movement as possible.5
Writing about sports medicine, Allman agrees that effective exercise which builds strength and flexibility must include as wide a range of movement as possible, and further states that, "Prevention of injury is most likely when the muscles have been strengthened in every position and over full range of possible movement."6 Rehabilitative exercises, on the other hand, should begin with little or no movement and progress to wider ranges of movement, just as the duration and intensity of the rehabilitative exercises will be adjusted to the relative condition of the muscles and joints in question. Allman further states that in the beginning phases of a rehabilitation program, it is important to teach effort‑relaxation cycles so that the muscle does not remain in a state of constant tension.7 He believes that many exercises in each of the two exercise classifications in sports medicine, conditioning or rehabilitative, may be the same‑‑the biggest difference being in the intensity of the exercise.8 Knuttgen offers these principles for therapeutic and conditioning exercise:
Physical fitness is not a general quality; specific capacities set limits on specific types of physical activity. In order to improve a particular physical performance, the specific capacities must be identified and stressed with appropriate exercise. The greater the level of appropriate stress, the greater the improvement of the level of fitness for a particular physical performance.9
He summarizes the benefit of appropriate exercise by stating that ". . .a simple exercise session of any intensity elicits physiological responses from people no matter what their level of physical training. . ."10
The benefits of therapeutic and conditioning exercise have been well established in fields such as medicine and sports and, to a certain extent, in the voice professions; however, sources in vocal fields seem to disagree about the benefits of various techniques and the extent to which exercise is beneficial to the voice. For example, Norman Punt, a physician, believes that no singing technique can strengthen the voice;11 yet, for centuries singing techniques and exercises have sought to build a stronger as well as more beautiful voice;12 and Perkins points out that Wagnerian tenors and sopranos, who are required to produce tones of extreme loudness at high pitches, logically should become hoarse within minutes. He says:
Most of us do not achieve such volumes or pitches when we yell at football games, and you can observe for yourself how long you can survive vocally when performing at the top of your voice. Yet professional vocalists, whether singers or actors, not only survive but may conclude long performances vocally as strong as when they started.13
Perhaps, then, the voice can be conditioned, strengthened, and rehabilitated in much the same way as other parts of the body through technique and exercise.
A discussion of vocal fold structure and muscle function within the larynx lends credence to the above contention. The vocal folds have a layered structure and are intricately controlled by the laryngeal muscles, thus enabling humans to produce vast differences in pitch, intensity, and quality. Hirano classifies the five layers of the vocal fold (the epithelium, the three layers of the lamina propria, and the vocalis muscle) into three mechanical sections: the cover, consisting of the epithlium and the superficial layer of the lamina propria; the transition, consisting of the intermediate and deep layers of the lamina propria; and the body or vocalis muscle. He contends that this layered structure of the vocal folds is of great significance, in that each layer has a different mechanical property, the outer four layers are controlled passively, the innermost layer is regulated actively and passively, and almost all pathologies of the vocal folds originate from a specific layer.
Hirano explains the control of the vocal folds by describing the function of the five major intrinsic laryngeal muscles‑‑the cricothyroid muscle, the vocalis muscle, the lateral and posterior cricoarytenoid muscles, and the interarytenoid muscle. When the cricothyroid muscle contracts, the vocal folds are brought into a paramedian position, the level of the vocal fold within the larynx is lowered, the entire vocal fold is stretched, elongated, and thinned, and all layers are passively stiffened. When the vocalis muscle is activated and stiffened, the vocal folds are adducted (closed), lowered, shortened, and thickened, and the outer cover and transition layers are passively slackened. The action of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle adducts and lowers the tip of the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage thereby adducting, lowering, elongating, and thinning the vocal fold, whereas the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle abducts (opens) and elevates the tip of the vocal process thereby abducting and elevating the vocal fold. The interarytenoid muscle adducts the vocal fold mainly at the cartilaginous portion, thereby controlling the position of the vocal fold but not affecting significantly its mechanical property. The combined activity of all these muscles controls the vocal fold during phonation.14 The intricate and complicated coordination necessary for such a process implies the need for conditioning and practice (and perhaps even strengthening) when the demands of the professional voice user are placed on the mechanism. When physiological and/or functional disorders occur, electromyographic investigations show changes in the muscular actions,15 thus indicating a need for muscle re‑training or compensation where possible.
The voice professions must then decide which exercises and techniques will best fit the intricate muscular actions of the larynx. Most of the reviewed sources in athletic, medical, and therapeutic fields advocate warm‑up exercises, and some, such as Tucker, feel that the lack of proper warm‑up procedures may contribute to vocal dysfunction in singers.16 Sataloff also lists lack of warm‑up and lack of exercise as ways to abuse the voice and guarantee a singer a short career.17 Sundberg states that when many singers do not warm up, their voices will not function as readily as otherwise, and that poorly warmed‑up voices are less durable than the appropriately warmed‑up voice. Warm‑up procedures differ greatly and, as Sundberg contends, the warm‑up is a poorly understood process:
What happens to the vocal folds during the warm‑up? The vocal folds contain muscle tissues as a major component. As is the case with other muscles, the vocal folds depend on efficient blood circulation in order to retain good function and viscosity. It seems likely that good circulation is stimulated by an appropriate warm‑up procedure. Other people who depend on perfect muscle function, like ballet dancers and athletes, tend to warm up their muscles in advance. This warming‑up is realized by movements or massage. It is difficult to give massage directly to one's vocal folds, but perhaps the same effect is reached if we can use them for a gentle phonation instead. Let us hope that research will soon start to pay attention to this important but very poorly understood issue!18
In addition to warm‑up exercises, singers and other professional voice users often employ more vigorous exercises to train and condition the voice. One example of vigorous training and exercise for singers is found in the Italian school of singing, and a survey of the history of Italian techniques and exercises by this author19 reveals that some voice teachers from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries have employed a few of the same basic exercises. Earlier teachers such as Mancini (1777), Nava (1870?), Lamperti, F. (1875 or 1877), Lamperti, G. B. (1893), Garcia (1894), and Marchesi (about 1905) provided exercises to aid the student in blending the different vocal registers, acquiring flexibility and agility, mastering intensity levels, and improving breath control, articulation, and resonance. In the twentieth century, singing teachers such as Witherspoon (1925), Wilcox (1945), Vennard (1973), Lindquest (1971, 1983), and Coffin (1987) have developed and/or borrowed similar exercises to accomplish the same goals.
Because he developed a specific lesson design and practice routine which includes a set of exercises, Lindquest warrants further discussion. Born in 1891, Karl Albert Lindquest was educated in the public schools of Chicago, studied violin as a child, and sang in church choirs. His voice teachers were Boroff, William C. Hall, Theodore Harrison, Herbert Witherspoon, Vilonat, Sidney Dietsch, William S. Brady, Joseph Hislop, and Ingebjart‑Isene. Sometime during his career as "a successful concert‑tenor with many orchestra and choral societies,"20 Lindquest became associated with Vaudeville as Allan Rogers, and eventually changed his professional name to Allan Rogers Lindquest. In 1917 and 1918, Lindquest made some of the first recordings for Edison, and the length alone of his listing In Edison Re‑Creations shows in part the esteem and respect paid him by his contemporaries:
LINDQUEST, ALBERT, Tenor, RE‑CREATIONS
This tenor, by birth and by training thoroughly American, has an enviable record of achievement. Discovered while a student at the University of Chicago, by the well known Bonci, he assiduously devoted himself to study of voice and music which has well equipped him for both concert and recital. A mere reference to his engagements tells how appealing must be his singing and how fine his musicianship. As soloist he has appeared with the Philadelphia, New York and Minneapolis Symphony Orchestras. With the last mentioned his performances total one hundred and seventy‑five. The New York Oratorio Society has three times engaged him for such works as "Elijah" and many of the important choral societies outside of that city have recognized his prominence and featured him as their soloist. Through his own song recitals, the whole country has become enamored of his lovely voice, which appeals not only to the natural lover of music, but also to the trained and watchful artist.21
In addition to having a successful singing career, Lindquest taught singing and enjoyed a teaching career which spanned nearly six decades. In a paper he presented at a meeting of the American Academy of Teachers of Singing, Lindquest set forth his opinions of singing and teaching:
I am reminded today of a statement made by a famous singer of the last generation. I refer to the fabulous baritone, Battistini, who at the age of 74, on his death‑bed, said, "How I wish I had another life in which to further study the glorious art of singing. There is so much more to learn." That is exactly how I feel at the same age as that master singer.
We are going to say that singing basically is a gentle athletic exercise combined with an emotional state‑‑an exalted feeling because of our urge to express.
In my own experience in teaching, I have found that fine results come from working for functional freedom of the entire singing instrument. The fundamental laws regarding singing with functional freedom are based on the correct posture, freedom in breathing, freedom in primary vibration of the vocal cords, freedom from tension in the root of the tongue, freedom in articulation, all resulting in technical proficiency and vocal freedom.
The famous Italian master, Lamperti, made a most interesting observation. He said, "Don't sing until you'd die if you didn't." The development of this desire to sing for the sheer joy of singing is the primal motivating factor and should be encouraged by teacher and student alike. The control of the voice consists in the release of the voice. The development of the voice as an instrument depends upon our willingness to call to our aid the spiritual and emotional stimuli of inspiration, joy, enthusiasm, and love. This mental and spiritual attitude is the wellspring from which all good singing stems.22
Technically, Lindquest combined the principles of the Italian school with those gained from the studio of a Swedish throat surgeon, professional singer, and voice teacher, G. W. Bratt,23 whose studio produced Joseph Hislop, Ingebjart‑Isene, Kirsten Flagstad, and Jussi Bjoerling. Lindquest conducted his voice lessons with these objectives governing the design and resultant exercises: separation and development of the vocal registers, coordination and blending of the registers, vowel clarity and modification, the "perfect" vocal attack, and flexibility. Students received instruction in body and facial posture, breathing techniques, relaxation, and exercises to help accomplish these goals. Lindquest was quick to say that no one should attempt to learn a technique or exercise without proper instruction in its execution; however, a brief description and discussion of the exercises are included below:
A. The warm‑up "massage"
1. Yawn‑sigh
2. Siren
B. Separation and blending of the registers
1. Cuperto
2. Alleluia
C. Coordinating vocalises (for B and D)
1. Nng‑ah
2. Nierri tu mi chiania bella
3. Ying, yang, yoong
4. Eh‑oo‑eh [e‑u‑e]
D. Vowel clarity and modification, attack, and flexibility
1. Eh [e] with alterations [e , ]
2. Ee [i] plus four vowels [e, Y, o, u]
3. Steam engine
4. All vowels with alterations
E. Advanced exercises
1. Flexibility
2. Great Scale
3. Messa di voce
The gentle warm‑up exercises prepare the voice much as warm‑up procedures aid athletes: the muscles get a gentle stretching. The "cuperto" exercise, through use of the two‑octave skip and vowels which encourage register changes, enables the singer almost immediately (with proper instruction) to use pure heavy register ("chest") and light register ("falsetto" or "whistle"). This exercise evidently was devised by Wilcox24 for use with male voices and adapted by Lindquest to use with all voices.25 The "alleluia" vocalise encourages a blending of the registers, especially for the top note.
Some of the exercises accomplish more than one goal at a time and act as coordinating units. The "Nng" vocalise sets ground work for a good vocal attack and encourages "tone focus." Exercise C‑4 separates the registers, then blends the registers, and automatically aids the singer in finding the proper vowel alternations (vowels are altered to aid resonance and control timbre in the upper range), a technique recommended by Garcia,26 Coffin,27 and other singing teachers. Flexibility, proper vowel resonance, and vocal attack may be practiced by using the final vocalises listed under letter D. Exercise D‑1 is done quickly, eventually aiding flexibility and the feeling of vowel alterations. Exercise D‑2 encourages vowel clarity and strength. Exercise D‑3 allows practice for a gentle but non‑breathy vocal attack. Various singers and teaching studios have used Exercise D‑4 for its value in teaching flexibility and vowel formation. Lindquest also taught more advanced exercises (Exercises E‑1, E‑2, E‑3), such as the "messa di voce" and the "Great Scale" from the Italian school. In general, Lindquest seems to have combined a physiological basis (perhaps in part gained from the Swedish throat surgeon), successful methods from the Italian school (Garcia, Lamperti, Marchesi, Witherspoon), and concepts of colleagues such as Wilcox with his own innovative ideas, explanations, and exercises. No doubt sixty years teaching experience provided ample time for trial and adjustment.28
Other vocal experts have used the same or similar exercises to develop, train, or rehabilitate the voice. The yawn‑sigh exercise appears often in many of the reviewed sources. It seems to enhance relaxation while gently massaging the mechanism and producing a better voice quality. Speech therapists, such as Boone29 and Case,30 use the yawn‑sigh with their patients, and singing teachers advocate its use as well. Vennard31 recommended the exercise as one of his two key vocalises, both of which he discussed with and may have borrowed from Lindquest,32 one of Vennard's teacher/colleagues. Currently singing teachers, such as Tavener,33 are advocating the use of the yawn‑sigh, although its execution may differ from teacher to teacher.
Coffin, also a student and colleague of Lindquest, describes for female voices a singing exercise similar to Lindquest's yawn‑sigh and cuperto exercises:
. . .sing "little oo" in Whistle Register on a downward glide to an /AH/ on the lowest note, which may be either two octaves or a twelfth below. The "little oo" is first gained by a pencil sharpener sized opening of the lips and with a thought of nasality. Later the sound can be gained by a certain opening in the back of the throat as heard by children on the playground.34
The exercise proceeds to include singing half steps up the scale on the [u] vowel and thus, according to Coffin, establishes vocal cord action for female head voice. Coffin gives for male voices a similar exercise which begins on the "little oo" in falsetto register and establishes male mixed voice or "covered voice," a term used by Lindquest to describe his "cuperto" exercise.35 Coffin recommends exercises similar to other Lindquest exercises, such as the "siren," the "Nng‑ah," and vowel and flexibility vocalises from the Italian school.36
Proctor also advocates use of exercises similar to those from the Italian school. Examples he gives are an exercise to aid singers in breath control (a prolonged crescendo and diminuendo on a tone sustained as long as possible), a flexibility scale, and scales which work over the "break" or register change in the voice.37 Proctor recommends that singers practice vowel exercises to achieve optimal vocal resonance, a process which consists of the appropriate shaping of the supraglottic airway. He states that during these exercises some emphasis may be placed on lowering the entire mandible and keeping the larynx low in the neck.38 Proctor does not seem to agree with some of the previously mentioned exercises which give practice in extending the range and singing notes in the upper range. As he explains:
I stress here that these scales which we have been discussing need not, and indeed should not, extend to the highest notes of the voice. . . .One of the first questions I ask a patient who is in trouble with the voice is whether or not he practices his high tones. If he does so excessively this is very likely the source of trouble.39
McKinney also advocates more conservative exercises which begin in mid‑range and work downward by half steps, or arpeggiated exercises which start fairly low in the range and extend upward, but first limited to an interval of a fifth and eventually extending to a twelfth. He recommends that each warm‑up routine include general bending and stretching body exercises and exercises designed to release tension in the shoulders, neck, and throat. McKinney states that although singing does not require great muscle strength, it does require muscle coordination, and that the muscles needed for singing may be trained effectively through a planned exercise program.40 Further, Sataloff believes that vocal practice is essential to the singer, just as physical exercise is to the athlete, and that "proper vocal practice incorporates scales and specific exercises designed to maintain and develop the vocal apparatus."41
All singers (or any other professional voice users) should choose techniques and an exercise program which best suit their own voices and changing vocal conditions. They may limit their choice of techniques to those they have found successful, or they may wish to try exercises and vocalises from different voice professions and different schools of thought. In his study of singing techniques from English, French, German, and Italian schools, Miller concludes that some systems for producing vocal sound are more efficient from the standpoint of physical function than are others. Singers, as well as those from other vocal professions, might wish to heed his advice to young singers:
The young singer, European, North or South American, or Asiatic, should look for a technique which will equip him or her to sing expressively without violating physical function; such a technique should avoid the over‑specialized vocal production which often results from the aesthetic demands of regional schools of singing. A wise singer will look for that internationalization of technique which closely corresponds to the best elements of the historical tradition of the Italian School.42
If the essentials of the Italian system are the preferred technique, a singer will choose, according to Klein, specific ideas and exercises to master breathing, resonance, vowel formation and attack, the sostenuto, the legato, the portamento, the "messa di voce," and agility.43
These same techniques and exercises can be beneficial not only to healthy singers but to other voices as well, including those with disorders. Luchsinger and Arnold claim that singing produces increased ventilation of the blood in the lungs, helps build resistance to respiratory disease, and benefits the larynx by helping its muscles, ligaments, and joints retain their elasticity and strength for a longer time.44 Sataloff reports that singing lessons greatly help nonsingers with voice problems, often expedite therapy, and appear to improve the result in some patients.45 In writing about voice therapy for benign lesions of the vocal cords, Brodnitz says that vocal exercises have to be planned with an understanding of the basic facts of voice production, and that any improvement of resonator and activator control will improve vocal cord function.46 Speech therapists report success with singing exercises for their patients and provide samples of various types of vocalises.47
Generally, therapists recommend singing exercises to improve laryngeal strength rather than to relieve hyperfunction or muscle tension dysphonia and any resultant pathology such as polyps or nodules. Sometimes the recommendation for these voice disorders is partial voice rest or reduction of vocal use in conjunction with other therapy techniques. However, a study using Lindquest=s technique and exercises produced positive therapeutic results for singers with pathology such as hyperfunction, nodules, paralyzed vocal fold, and iatrogenic complications. Evidently, the exercises did not put undue strain on the already hyperfunctional and/or physiologically abnormal voice, but the benefits of exercise for a healthy larynx held true for the pathological voice. Therapy using the Lindquest exercise routine has continued for over fifteen years, producing similar results. Thus, appropriately designed and executed exercises have the potential to train and develop the voice and to help maintain and restore vocal health.
Dear Singers,
Choose carefully and choose well. Your vocal technique and certainly the exercises you practice each day should give you a beautiful sound and help you keep a healthy voice for a lifetime.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Mathis, Ph.D.
1 Sidney Licht, "History," Therapeutic Exercises, ed. John V. Basmajian, (Baltimore,
1978), p. 1.
2 Gretchen Finney, "Medical Theories of Vocal Exercise and Health", Bulletin of the History of Medicine, Vol. XL, No. 5 (September 1966), pp. 395-396.
3 Licht, p. 1.
4 Frederic J. Kottke, "Therapeutic Exercise," Handbook of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, ed. Frank Krusen, M.D., (Philadelphia, 1971), p. 385.
5 John H. C. Colson and Frank W. Collison, Progressive Exercise Therapy, (Boston, 1983), pp. 3-4.
6 Allman, Fred L., "Exercise in Sports Medicine," Theapeutic Exercises, ed. John V. Basmajian (Baltimore, 1978), p. 456.
7 Ibid, p. 463.
8 Ibid, p. 451.
9 Howard G. Knuttgen, ed., Neuromuscular Mechanisms For Therapeutic and Conditioning Exercise, (Baltimore, 1976), p. 115.
10 Ibid, p. 94.
11 Norman A. Punt, Journal of Laryngology and Otolaryngology, Supp. No. 6, London, Invicta Press, July, 1983.
12 Weldon Whitlock, Bel Canto For The Twentieth Century, (Champaign, Illinois, 1968), p. x.
13 William H. Perkins, Ph.D., "Mechanisms of Vocal Abuse," The Voice Foundation Seventh Symposium, Part II (1978), p. 107.
14 Minoru Hirano, M.D., Clinical Examination of Voice, (New York, 1981), p. 4-9.
15 Ibid, pp. 17-22.
16 Harvey M. Tucker, M.D., The Larynx, (New York, 1987), p. 156.
17 Robert T. Sataloff, M.D., "Ten Good Ways to Abuse Your Voice: A Singer's Guide to a Short Career (Part I)," The NATS Journal, Vol. 42, No. 1 (September/October 1985), pp. 23-24.
18 Johan Sundberg, The Science of the Singing Voice, (Dekalb, Illinois, 1987), p. 193.
19 Barbara A. Mathis Thomas, A History of Instruction in "Bel Canto" Singing, a research study for MUED 5500, North Texas State University, Denton, Texas, 1984.
20 Grove, Dictionary of Music and Musicians, American Supplement, (6th vol., 1920), p. 103.
21 Thomas A. Edison, Edison Re-Creations, (Orange, New Jersey, 1922), pp. 224-225.
22 Allan R. Lindquest, paper read at the meeting of March 11, 1974, by John Powell, American Academy of Teachers of Singing.
23 G. W. Bratt, Talrostens Fysiologi, (Stockholm, 1908).
24 John C. Wilcox, The Living Voice, (New York, 1945).
25 Allan R. Lindquest, Taped lessons and interviews (1971, 1972, 1977, 1983).
26 Manuel Garcia, Hints On Singing, (New York, 1894, 1982), p. 12.
27 Berton Coffin, Coffin's Sound of Singing, 2nd ed., (Metuchen, New Jersey, 1987), Chapters 16 and 17.
28 Allan R. Lindquest, Taped lessons and interviews (1971, 1972, 1977, 1983).
29 Daniel R. Boone, The Voice and Voice Therapy, (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1983), pp. 180-182.
30 James L. Case, Ph.D., Clinical Management of Voice Disorders, (Rockville, Maryland, 1984), p. 188.
31 William Vennard, Singing the Mechanism and the Technic, (New York, 1967), p. 219.
32 Lindquest, interview, 1977.
33 "Point Counterpoint," The NATS Bulletin, Vol. 41, No. 2 (November/December 1984),
p. 28.
34 Berton Coffin, Coffin's Sounds of Singing, 2nd ed., (Metuchen, New Jersey, 1987), p. 121.
35 Ibid, p. 131.
36 Ibid, Chapters 12-14.
37 Donald F. Proctor, Breathing, Speech, and Song, (New York, 1980), pp. 109-110.
38 Ibid, p. 114.
39 Ibid, pp. 111, 114.
40 James C. McKinney, The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults, (Nashville, Tennessee, 1982), pp. 182-183.
41 Robert T. Sataloff, M.D., "Professional Singers: The Science and Art of Clinical Care," American Journal of Otolaryngology, Vol. 2, No. 3 (August, 1981), p. 255.
42 Richard Miller, English, French, German and Italian Techniques of Singing, (Metuchen, New Jersey, 1987), p. 206.
43 Herman Klein, The Bel Canto With particular reference to the singing of Mozart, (London, 1923), pp. 20-34.
44 Richard Luchsinger, M.D. and Godfrey E. Arnold, M.D., Voice-Speech-Language, (Belmont, California, 1965), p. 156.
45 Robert T. Sataloff, M.D., "The Professional Voice: Part III. Common Diagnoses and Treatments," Journal of Voice, Vol. 1, No. 3 (September 1987), pp. 288-289.
46 Freidrich S. Brodnitz, "Vocal Rehabilitation in Benigh Lesions Of The Vocal Cords," Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, Vol. 23, No. 1 (February, 1958), p. 115.
47 David Blair McClosky, "General Techniques And Specific Procedures For Certain Voice Problems," Approaches to Vocal Rehabilitation, ed. Morton Cooper, and Marcia Harting Cooper, (Springfield, 1977), p. 144; John P. Moncur, Modifying Vocal Behavior, (New York, 1974), pp. 200-208; Joseph C. Stemple, Clinical Voice Pathology, (Columbus, Ohio, 1984), p. 131, citing J. Barnes, "Voice Therapy," a paper presented at the Southwestern Ohio Speech and Hearing Association, Cincinnati, Ohio, Fall, 1977.
48 Barbara Mathis, "Selected Vocal Exercises and Their Relationship to Specific Laryngeal Conditions," Dissertation at University of North Texas, 1990.
(c) 2006 by Barbara Mathis


text:
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Personal Data Breach: any act or omission that compromises the security, confidentiality, integrity or availability of Personal Data or the physical, technical, administrative or organisational safeguards that we or our third-party service providers put in place to protect it. The loss, or unauthorised access, disclosure or acquisition, of Personal Data is a Personal Data Breach.
Privacy Notices (also referred to as Fair Processing Notices) or Privacy Policies: separate notices setting out information that may be provided to Data Subjects when the Company collects information about them. These notices may take the form of general privacy statements applicable to a specific group of individuals (for example, employee privacy notices or the website privacy policy) or they may be stand-alone, one time privacy statements covering Processing related to a specific purpose.
Processing or Process: any activity that involves the use of Personal Data. It includes obtaining, recording or holding the data, or carrying out any operation or set of operations on the data including organising, amending, retrieving, using, disclosing, erasing or destroying it. Processing also includes transmitting or transferring Personal Data to third parties.
Pseudonymisation or Pseudonymised: replacing information that directly or indirectly identifies an individual with one or more artificial identifiers or pseudonyms so that the person, to whom the data relates, cannot be identified without the use of additional information which is meant to be kept separately and secure.
Related Policies: the Company's policies, operating procedures or processes related to this Privacy Standard and designed to protect Personal Data.
Sensitive Personal Data: information revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, disabilities, religious or similar beliefs, trade union membership, physical or mental health conditions, sexual life, sexual orientation, biometric or genetic data, and Personal Data relating to criminal offences and convictions.
This Privacy Standard sets out how APeopleBusiness handle the Personal Data of our customers, their employees, suppliers, employees, workers and other third parties.
This Privacy Standard applies to all Personal Data we Process regardless of the media on which that data is stored or whether it relates to past or present employees, workers, customers, clients or supplier contacts, client employees, shareholders, website users or any other Data Subject.
This Privacy Standard applies to all Company Personnel and Users of our Survey Website ("you", "your"). You must read, understand and comply with this Privacy Standard when using our service. This Privacy Standard sets out what we expect from you in order for the Company to comply with applicable law. Your compliance with this Privacy Standard is mandatory. Any breach of this Privacy Standard may result in the immediate termination of our service and if relevant your employment.
We recognise that the correct and lawful treatment of Personal Data will maintain confidence in our organisation and will provide for successful business operations. Protecting the confidentiality and integrity of Personal Data is a critical responsibility that we take seriously at all times.
The DPO is responsible for overseeing this Privacy Standard and, as applicable, developing Related Policies and Privacy Guidelines.
Please contact the DPO with any questions about the operation of this Privacy Standard or the GDPR or if you have any concerns that this Privacy Standard is not being or has not been followed. In particular, you must always contact the DPO in the following circumstances:
We adhere to the principles relating to Processing of Personal Data set out in the GDPR which require Personal Data to be:
The law states that "Personal data must be Processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the Data Subject". We may only collect, Process and share Personal Data fairly and lawfully and for specific purposes. These restrictions are not intended to prevent Processing, but ensure that we Process Personal Data fairly and without adversely affecting the Data Subject.
The GDPR allows Processing for specific purposes, some of which are set out below:
Our Obligation to you: We conform to the requirements of lawfulness and fairness and have put in place a number of measures to protect identity, insure data security and maintain privacy at all times. We will anonymise information for the purposes of "whole population" assessment. At no times we will provide an employer with your specific data without your permission.
Your Obligation to us: You will not do anything what will cause us to be in violation to these principles. If you identify anyone, anything or have reason to believe that these principles are being violated, please make contact with the DPO as soon as possible.
A Data Controller must only process Personal Data on the basis of one or more of the lawful bases set out in the GDPR, which include Consent. A Data Subject consents to Processing of their Personal Data if they indicate agreement clearly either by a statement or positive action to the Processing. Consent requires affirmative action so silence, pre-ticked boxes or inactivity are unlikely to be sufficient. If Consent is given in a document which deals with other matters, then the Consent must be kept separate from those other matters. Data Subjects must be easily able to withdraw Consent to Processing at any time and withdrawal must be promptly honoured. Consent may need to be refreshed if you intend to Process Personal Data for a different and incompatible purpose which was not disclosed when the Data Subject first consented.
Our Obligation to you: We will only collect your information if you explicitly grant consent. If at any time in the future you withdraw consent, we will delete your user record from our database.
Your Obligation to us: To get access to the survey and be able to participate you will need to confirm consent using the "Tick Box" as part of the registration process. If you do not wish to provide consent, then the survey will not be open to you to complete.
The GDPR requires Data Controllers to provide detailed, specific information to Data Subjects depending on whether the information was collected directly from Data Subjects or from elsewhere. Such information must be provided through appropriate privacy notices or fair processing notices which must be concise, transparent, intelligible, easily accessible, and in clear and plain language so that a Data Subject can easily understand them.
Our Obligation to you: We are collecting Personal Data directly from you and we have provided you with all the information required under GDPR including the identity of the Data Controller and DPO. We are using the answers to the survey questions to generate an automated personal profile report for your own purpose and under the sole discretion of you as to who you share it with. We are also generating an anonymised information dashboard with reports to help an organisation understand how it can improve the support services available to its staff.
Your Obligation to us: If you find any terms in this privacy standard hard to understand, you will inform the DPO so we can improve them.
Personal Data must be collected only for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes. It must not be further Processed in any manner incompatible with those purposes.
Our Obligation to you: We cannot use your Personal Data for new, different or incompatible purposes from that disclosed when it was first obtained unless we have informed you (the Data Subject) of the new purposes and you have consented where necessary.
Your Obligation to us: You will not use any personal information derived from the service for personal commercial gain unless agreed in advance with the Company or your employer.
Personal Data must be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is Processed.
Our Obligation to you: We may only Process Personal Data when performing our duties requires it. We cannot Process Personal Data for any reason unrelated to our job duties. We will ensure any Personal Data collected is adequate and relevant for the intended purposes. We will ensure that when Personal Data is no longer needed for the specified purposes, it is deleted or anonymised in accordance with the Company's data retention guidelines.
Your Obligation to us: You will keep private any reports and information that may come into your possession whilst using the service and if you are unsure, you will seek clarity from the DPO.
Personal Data must be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date. It must be corrected or deleted without delay when inaccurate.
Our Obligation to you: We will ensure that the Personal Data we use and hold is accurate, complete, kept up to date and relevant to the purpose for which we collected it. We will take all reasonable steps to destroy or amend inaccurate or out-of-date Personal Data.
Your Obligation to us: You will update us with any information required to help us honour this principle.
Personal Data must not be kept in an identifiable form for longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the data is processed.
Our Obligation to you: We will not keep Personal Data in a form which permits the identification of the Data Subject for longer than needed for the legitimate purposes for which we originally collected it including for the purpose of satisfying any legal, accounting or reporting requirements. We only hold personally identifiable data for the period it takes for you to complete the survey questions. Upon completion, the information is completely anonymised and the original answers are deleted. The anonymised information is held in a form that can be attributed to your employer until the survey project is complete. At which point, the information is further anonymised to remove employer details, this is then used for "country, industry" benchmark analysis.
Your Obligation to us: You will not share your registration details with anyone, nor will you answer any questions with the deliberate intent of being able to identify yourself.
Personal Data must be secured by appropriate technical and organisational measures against unauthorised or unlawful Processing, and against accidental loss, destruction or damage.
Our Obligation to you: We will maintain data security by protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the Personal Data, defined as follows:
Your Obligation to us: You will not attempt to "hack," interrupt or attempt to circumvent the administrative, physical and technical safeguards we implement and maintain in accordance with the GDPR and relevant standards to protect Personal Data. Any breach of this will result in the immediate termination of your use and will be reported to the authorities where criminal prosecution may follow.
The GDPR requires Data Controllers to notify any Personal Data Breach to the applicable regulator and, in certain instances, the Data Subject.
Our Obligation to you: We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected Personal Data Breach and will notify Data Subjects or any applicable regulator where we are legally required to do so.
Your Obligation to us: If you know or suspect that a Personal Data Breach has occurred, do not attempt to investigate the matter yourself. Immediately contact the DPO and follow their instructions. You should preserve all evidence relating to the potential Personal Data Breach and hand it over when requested.
The GDPR restricts data transfers to countries outside the EEA in order to ensure that the level of data protection afforded to individuals by the GDPR is not undermined. You transfer Personal Data originating in one country across borders when you transmit, send, view or access that data in or to a different country.
We may only transfer Personal Data outside the EEA if one of the following conditions applies:
Our Obligation to you: All information is held inside UK data centres under strict and tight controls. We will not transfer your data outside of the EEA without your permission.
Your Obligation to us: You must complete the survey and only access our system within an EEA country unless you have sought permission from the DPO. We will not be responsible for any data breaches if you elect to use our system outside of the agreed countries.
Data Subjects have rights when it comes to how we handle their Personal Data. These include rights to:
Our Obligation to you: We will verify the identity of an individual requesting data under any of the rights listed above. We will comply with the request within a reasonable period of time and in-line with the company's process for dealing with such requests.
Your Obligation to us: You will forward any request to the DPO. If you are unsatisfied with the response, you may escalate to any director of the company whose names can be found on the Companies House website.
The Data Controller must implement appropriate technical and organisational measures in an effective manner, to ensure compliance with data protection principles. The Data Controller is responsible for, and must be able to demonstrate, compliance with the data protection principles.
The Company must have adequate resources and controls in place to ensure and to document GDPR compliance including:
The GDPR requires us to keep full and accurate records of all our data Processing activities. Where we retain any personal information, we will keep and maintain a record of your consents.
We are required to ensure all Company Personnel have undergone adequate training to enable them to comply with data privacy laws. We must also regularly test our systems and processes to assess compliance.
We are required to implement Privacy by Design measures when Processing Personal Data by implementing appropriate technical and organisational measures (like Pseudonymisation) in an effective manner, to ensure compliance with data privacy principles.
We assess what Privacy by Design measures can be implemented on all programs/systems/processes that Process Personal Data by taking into account the following:
Generally, ADM is prohibited when a decision has a legal or similar significant effect on an individual unless:
If certain types of Sensitive Data are being processed, then grounds (b) or (c) will not be allowed but such Sensitive Data can be Processed where it is necessary (unless less intrusive means can be used) for substantial public interest like fraud prevention.
We are subject to certain rules and privacy laws when marketing to our customers.
For example, a Data Subject's prior consent is required for electronic direct marketing (for example, by email, text or automated calls). The limited exception for existing customers known as "soft opt in" allows organisations to send marketing texts or emails if they have obtained contact details in the course of a sale to that person, they are marketing similar products or services, and they gave the person an opportunity to opt out of marketing when first collecting the details and in every subsequent message.
Our Obligation to you: We will not directly market to you unless your employer has authorised us to do so to offer a direct service or benefit funded by them or us as a result of the survey findings. We will not share your personally identifiable data with any third party for any direct marketing purpose.
We do not share Personal Data.
We reserve the right to change this Privacy Standard from time to time without notice to you so please check back regularly to obtain the latest copy of this Privacy Standard. We last revised this Privacy Standard on 16 February 2018 and made the following changes: First Version.
This Privacy Standard does not override any applicable national data privacy laws and regulations in countries where the Company operates.


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VXL Instruments User Manual and Guides.
Choose your VXL Instruments manufacturer model to download user's owner manual. All other popular manufacturer list is found on the left side of this page.
VXL Instruments VXL Itona TL3721 User Manual
VXL Instruments VXL Netica Pro User Manual
VXL Instruments VXL Winlinx Lite User Manual
Some of the popular computer manufacturers include.
Some of the popular laptop manufacturers include.
All other manufacturers are listed on the manufacturer list page in alphabetical order, browse throuh the manufacturer page to locate your computer, laptop, motherboard or other devides user manual, you will have to register on the website to download user manuals.


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This is a piece I illustrated for Family Fun magazine a few years ago. Feel free to download and print for your students, then ask how many hearts they can find in the room. I'm not sure what the correct answer is to be honest. Perhaps your students can tell me…
Social Media Etc.
Wordplay Cafe at amazon
The Doodles of Sam Dibble
Mutter "Juice" on Behance


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No matter what package you select, your security equipment works in harmony to help offer security that's monitored every minute by real people. Security equipment can include:
Fill out the form or call to contact a local expert who can help you choose the products and security system package that's best for you. Security installation in Los Angeles can be booked around your calendar with next-day or same-day appointments offered in most locations. Whether you get a wireless or wired system, your expert installer will make sure that all your equipment and back-up batteries function well and explain how to work with your wireless touchpad.


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1957: Václav Mrázek, Czech serial killer
1 comment December 30th, 2009 Headsman
On this date in 1957, postwar Czechoslovakia's most prolific serial killer was put to death at Prague's Pankrac Prison.
Other than the mandatory Wikipedia entry, most information on Mrazek available online is in Czech.
But there's little enough nuance to grasp. He was convicted of seven murders (and suspected in several others) to satiate his necrophiliac desires. In all over 100 crimes of sexual abuse and theft were laid at his door.
It was more pedestrian criminality that did him in; the serial killer was at work from 1951 to 1956, but somehow never caught. (This Czech site attributes it to the police force's postwar prioritization of ideological reliability over investigative professionalism.)
Mrazek was nabbed by accident, rifling jacket pockets (more Czech) at a spa where he worked at an attendant: the subsequent search of his place turned up the evidence of far more villainous behavior, and led Mrazek to confess.
On this day..
- 1949: Leander Jacobs and Hector Chavis - 2019
- A Day in the Death Penalty Around the Martyrology - 2018
- 1066: Joseph ibn Naghrela - 2017
- 1873: Elizabeth Woolcock, the only woman hanged in South Australia - 2016
- 1948: Arthur George Osborne, as per Harry Allen's journal - 2015
- 1757: Father Andreas Faulhaber, seal of the confessional martyr - 2014
- 1663: Tempel Anneke, witch - 2013
- 2010: Zeng Jinchun, corrupt anti-corruption official - 2012
- 2006: Lu Dongming and Lu Kuan, Internet bombers - 2011
- 1818: Robert Johnston, under horrific circumstances - 2010
- 1896: Dr. Jose Rizal, father of the independent Philippines - 2008
- 2006: Saddam Hussein - 2007
- Six Current Heads of State At Risk of Execution - 2007
Entry Filed under: 20th Century,Capital Punishment,Common Criminals,Crime,Czechoslovakia,Death Penalty,Execution,Hanged,History,Murder,Rape,Serial Killers,Sex
Tags: 1950s, 1957, december 30, pankrac prison, prague, vaclav mrazek


text: "Navajo Blanket, Lg." is stamped with black permanent ink on acetate and glittered from behind, then attached to black card stock. "Gecko, Lg." is stamped with black permanent ink on acetate, glittered from behind, cut out and mounted on a white piece of card stock cut just a little larger than the gecko so as to set it apart from the background, then attached to the background. Card by Davetta Alexander.


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6 Real-Life Wedding Crasher Stories
Your wedding day is a significant event. Most couples plan every last detail, from the flower arrangements to the playlist. Yet on the big day, you might find a few extra guests in attendance. Wedding crashers aren't just myth — ask these real-life brides and grooms.
1. A Buck for Luck
During their wedding celebration, Karen and Michael Tufo noticed a few extra guests in attendance. Each time the Tufos tried to greet the strangers, they were interrupted by family or friends. According to the New Jersey newlyweds, the crashers appeared in every photo of the celebration.
On the bright side, the uninvited guests were kind enough to leave a gift. They took a Polaroid photo of themselves, along with a note of congratulations and apology. They also left a one-dollar bill, a so-called "buck for luck."
2. A Tainted Memory
At first, Krista and Andrew Reilly thought wedding crashers at their celebration would be a fun memory. Until three weeks later, when they realized the couple dominated their cherished photos and videos. The crashers posed on film, saying, "We love you guys! Congratulations!" though they don't know the bride and groom.
Later, the strangers signed a special bench the coupled used in place of a guest book. "Right on the bench, they signed it. That is pretty frustrating to me," said Andrew. Later, Krista got a Facebook message from one of the culprits. The man claimed he had no ill intent. He only meant to enjoy a good party. Krista's advice? Don't crash weddings again.
3. A Classic Tradition
Wedding crashing isn't some new phenomenon — it's been going on for decades. Back in the 1950s, Judy and Robert Snow would often crash receptions at the Plaza and Pierre hotels in New York. When anyone would ask who they were, the couple would respond they knew the bride or groom.
Linda Snow Gross, one of the couple's daughters, said most people found their presence amusing. "My parents were, in a sense, professional party crashers because they made the party fun." She claims they weren't afraid to mingle, meet people and have a good time.Wedding Crashers the movie
4. An Inspired Search
When Alan Greenblatt decided to crash a wedding, he said he was influenced by a "great movie" — referring to the 2005 movie The Wedding Crashers. Using Google, he found a wedding website set up by Laura Lorenz and Michael Friedman. According to Greenblatt, they looked like the sort of couple that would throw an interesting celebration.
Greenblatt bought a suit and got a haircut. He talked to guests and claimed he knew the bride or the groom — depending on who the other person knew. The couple discovered the stranger's presence after they found a card reading, "Congratulations on your wedding and thanks for letting me crash the party." Greenblatt also left a $100 gift card.
5. A Starstruck Reception
You may want to block strangers from crashing your celebration — but what if those strangers are Justin Beiber and Selena Gomez? Jeanine Holguin and Rob McCool planned their Malibu wedding down to every last detail. Yet they never expected a pair of celebrities to pop in.
According to Beiber, he and Gomez were walking by when they heard one of his songs playing at a nearby event. Beiber took the stage and made a speech. All in all, the star-studded duo stayed for 10 minutes, posing with the newlyweds and shaking hands before leaving.
6. A Full-Circle Experience
In 2001, Tana Runyan discovered crashers had attended her celebration after receiving a card signed, "Todd and Liz." She forgot about the incident until later, when she received an invitation in the mail from an unfamiliar address. The note enclosed read, "We crashed your wedding on our second date. We would be honored if you would attend ours. Sincerely yours, Todd and Liz."
Todd was Angus Maclane's alias as a wedding crasher. Liz is his now-fiancée, Tashana Landray. At Runyan's wedding, the couple posed for photos, mingled with guests and carefully dodged the newlyweds. At their own wedding, Maclane and Landray claimed they also had wedding crashers.
How to Prevent Possible Wedding Crashers
You can never predict if wedding crashers will show up at your event, but there are a few steps you can take to prevent uninvited guests.
For complete peace of mind, hire a security officer who can patrol and monitor the event. As you focus on your big day, a professional will ensure everyone at your gathering feels safe.
Avoid venues with an attached restaurant, as diners might be tempted to check out the party or enjoy a free drink. You can also evade accidental wedding crashers by choosing a venue separate from other event spaces.
While you might want to set up a wedding website, it's a common tactic for wedding crashers to learn about upcoming nuptials online. If you want to keep the event from becoming public knowledge, stick to an email or closed social media group.
The verdict is in — some people love wedding crashers while others hate them. If you want to skip the experience altogether, follow the steps above to keep uninvited guests out.


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A collection of my actions and interactions from around the Net over the last week.
Reading jQSlickWrap: A jQuery plugin "which allows you to wrap content around irregularly shaped im.. http://bit.ly/4nagGl [#]
Very excited about the @AustinOnRails/@RefreshAustin/WordPress Austin holiday party. Keep Dec. 8 open – details to come. [#]
If you have more than one computer, and/or an iPhone, I highly recommend you use @DropBox (it's free!): http://bit.ly/07IlieK [#]
Shared 2 links.
I really wish the Nintendo Screen Saver ran on Macs, but sadly I must lust after it from afar: http://j.mp/6keha8 [#]
Holiday potluck was great. The best part of the meal was the bacon cheesecake.Yes, I said Bacon cheesecake. You may envy me now. [#]
RT @demandrichard: comScore's Worldwide report for October just came out. Demand Media is #30, up from #31 last month. [Sweet!] [#]
Kindle software update includes native PDF support (+ conversion to Kindle format) and better battery life: http://j.mp/5xJ4jw [#]
Whole foods wasn't insane yet, so my morning grocery run was speedy, now on to the next task before people begin filling the stores. [#]
Picking up new dinner after the pan with our previous meal fell to the floor, filling the food wit — at House Pizzeria http://gowal.la/s/mZ9 [#]
Picking up new dinner after the pan with our previous meal fell to the floor, filling the food with glass. [#]
Updating my Kindle with the new firmware for PDF goodness and throwing a few custom images into the screensaver flow. [#]
So far, for Thanksgiving (theme: everything on a stick): coconut shrimp, chorizo bites and roasted corn, next p salmon. This evening: Smores [#]
Roasting homemade marshmallows for smores (left: chocolate marshmallow, right: Irish cream marshmallow). http://twitpic.com/r3dtl [#]