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I watch more TV than an out-of-work victim of medical negligence whose new shipment of catheters hasn't arrived. But I could be entitled to financial compensation, so you should probably stay on my good side.
I know that "I watch a shit ton of TV" is something I shouldn't say. Sort of like, "I drink pickle juice directly from the jar," or "there's a callus on my thumb from scrolling through Facebook on my phone so much." All true, but probably shouldn't be broadcast to the masses.
TV is my go-to afternoon/evening activity. I wish I could tell you that I ride my Peleton in my Hamptons estate while my perfectly groomed children practice their Mandarin during my nightly viewing marathon. I guess I could tell you that, but I'd be lying, and transparency is important when you write abject nonsense on the Internet for people you don't know.
Good or bad, I'm at least being honest, which is more than I can say for the cast of Hamilton. We all know the Founding Fathers were third-rate rappers. Nice try, Lin-Manuel Miranda, but I need historical accuracy in my extravagant Broadway musicals. I suggest watching Les Miserables for guidance. French bourgeoisie and peasants were unilaterally (1) gorgeous and (2) classically trained singers. Fact.
In my nightly TV browsing, I've found there are certain commercials that grate on my nerves. My nerves are already fried from everything else in my life: work, relationship, excessive alcohol consumption, and speculative bidding on Hummel figurines.
Admittedly, it doesn't take too much to annoy me, but the upside is that when I get annoyed, you get a funny list to read. A possible downside: my life is shortened by a few days due to hypertension. But don't feel guilty or anything. I'll sacrifice for you.
1. Prescription Drug Commercials.
I'm grouping these all into one category, because I'm the one writing this. There's really no better candidate for grouping them.
Toujeo. Breo. Taltz. Movantik. Cantēven. Okay, I made the last one up. But if AstraZeneca is reading this, I'll sell you the rights. Hit me up on twitter.
Watching TV lately, you would think that the sweet spot for advertising dollars is the coveted "constipated diabetic junkie with psoriasis and asthma" demographic.
According to the ads, diabetics are a lively bunch. Sometimes they dance through the day, jamming out to Earth Wind and Fire. Most of them are middle-aged blue-collar workers. All are ultra happy their pancreases don't work correctly.
Although, there is the one guy who looks like he's introing a very special episode of Punky Brewster, warning you to stop (letting your blood sugar go off the rails) or you'll go blind. Oh Punky!
If you're covered in psoriasis plaques, take this medicine and you'll be confident enough to hand a tiny flower to a confused guy with a dog. *sad falsetto singing in the background conveys newly found confidence.
If you're unable to breathe because your asthma isn't controlled well with another medicine, like an inhaled corticosteroid, take this medicine and you'll be able to frolic with your grandkids in the autumn mist. Did I mention that you shouldn't take it if your asthma is well controlled by an inhaled corticosteroid?
Oh, also, inhaled corticosteroid.
If years of heroin and Oxycontin abuse as a roadie for Molly Hatchet have left your pipes all out of whack, it can be hard to set up amps when you're carrying around that truck stop burrito from three days ago. Take this medicine and you'll be back playing Indian casinos in no time flat.
Just remember that if you can't afford your medicine, AstraZeneca may be able to help. But your elected representatives, paid by AstraZeneca, will not. *this burn can be treated by voting differently next time, Buford.
2. Bears Wiping Their Asses.
Is the toilet paper business a cutthroat endeavor? I honestly don't know. *cue someone from the toilet paper industry commenting to educate us all on the struggles of dedicating one's life to keeping rear-ends clean.
I am a businessman, believe it or not. I can't blame you if you think I'm lying. You're reading my well-articulated thoughts on TV commercial cartoon wild animals covered in fur and their difficulties in making sure their butts are clean when left with only low-rent toilet tissue. It would seem that I have a significant amount of free time on my hands.
Yeah? Well guess what, haters: that's because a good businessman hires amazing people and builds systems that run themselves. And a truly great businessman parlays his free time into writing nonsense about toilet paper commercials. I'm a visionary, I know. I forgive you.
But I digress, and I do it often.
The fact that I understand how business works makes me question the amount of toilet paper revenue a company should dedicate to toilet paper advertising. Apparently, the answer is "a metric shit ton."
That sort of forward-thinking, 21st century management culminates in a family of cartoon bears making sure that you know that (a) a bear does indeed shit in the woods, (b) they use whatever toilet paper brand they are advertising, and (c) if you don't use it, you will soil your fur. Nobody likes soiled fur. Well, somebody probably does, but that's not the target demographic for TP.
Note to whoever made that commercial: it should probably worry you that I can't recall whether I'm supposed to buy Charmin, Quilted Northern, or 3M Medium Grit.
And please remember, if you can't afford your toilet paper, AstraZeneca may be able to help.
3. Infiniti Driving Test Girl.
Ladies, it's an outdated notion that men are better drivers. Driving is life and death multitasking, and there is no one better at multitasking than a mother. In lieu of marriage proposals, please send your likes and comments to www.hittingthetrifecta.com, attention: Rickey.
Then comes the TV commercial with the 16-year-old girl arriving at the DMV to take her driving test. Her mom tells her to do it, "just like I showed you." I'm going to say her name is Hannah, because she looks like a Hannah.
Hannah proceeds to take the driving instructor on a Le Mans tour de parking lot, drifting like she's Ludacris running from the ghost of Paul Walker through the streets of Tokyo.
The DMV employee is a low-level state bureaucrat, needing to tick this test off the list before he can go back inside, take his lunch break, and play Bubble Witch. His name is Lloyd.
Lloyd is white-knuckling the "oh shit" grips in the Infiniti, contemplating the fact that his funeral will be a sparsely attended affair at best. He once dreamed a dream that God would be forgiving of his detachment, but he now feared it wasn't true. Years of closing himself off from those around him have taken their toll on all of his relationships. He's thankful he bought that funeral insurance from the TV commercial, because at least he knows he won't be a burden to a family who has long forgotten the sound of his voice. *single tear rolls down reader's face.
Hannah's having a good old time. She ghost-rides the whip at one point, I think. She cuts the wheel and slides the Infiniti in between two parked cars and says, "Thanks, that was fun!"
Lloyd says, "You're welcome." His voice starts to crack. The flood of endorphins and adrenaline belie the recognition that this signals a return to his role as a soulless drone in a bureaucratic hive. He almost escaped his earthly shackles. "Nicely done."
Snap back to reality.
Besides the fact that you'd be arrested if you drove in a driving test like that, there's an underlying sexist notion in this commercial.
Lloyd is surprised at Hannah's skill behind the wheel, because in Lloyd's mind (that is, the director's perception of the public's mind), she shouldn't be able to drive like that. Because Hannah is a girl. *audible gasp.
Friends, this is what the kids on campus at Berkeley call a "micro-aggression," right before they are pepper sprayed in the face. We're not going to get to equality until we examine the built-in assumptions we're sold. It's not okay for someone to profit by leveraging shitty, outdated stereotypes.
So, I invite you to boycott Infiniti. If you've already bought one, just send it to me and I'll rid you of this four-wheeled badge of misogyny.
I can think of about 50 other TV commercials that deserve skewering, but my skewering time is up for today. If you found this funny and/or thought provoking, subscribe here on my site by clicking the "follow" button, or visit me at facebook or twitter.
If you didn't like it, I recommend you try wiping your ass a little better next time.


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Author: Vic Neal
Narrator: Jack Hardman
Length: 8 hours 32 minutes
Series: Oxford Uni Corridor Series, Book 1
Publisher: Nice Cake Publishing Ltd
Released: Feb. 14, 2020
Genre: Humor
The Corridor is a documentary-style comedy which follows the lives of a group of Oxford students through their conversations, tweets, emails, video diaries, and text messages. Rather than attending lectures and writing essays, the students are more interested in their bizarre clubs, secret dining societies, and organizing rebellions. Based loosely on the experiences of an Oxford student, The Corridor exposes the famous seat of learning which has continued to excrete our most reprehensible leaders for hundreds of years. A must-listen book for anyone thinking of becoming a prime minister/anarchist.
Vic studied at Oxford for four years, and now lives and works in the West Midlands in the United Kingdom. The Corridor is her debut novel, which she boldly claims is "a bit funny in parts". Vic has just published the sequel to The Corridor and is now working on a number of new titles – including a historical fiction based on a chance encounter between Lord Byron, King George III and Frankenstein (working title: "Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Sew"). Her aim is to become somebody somewhere's favourite author.
Twitter⎮GoodreadsJack is an actor from the East Midlands. He trained at Millennium Performing Arts college and has been acting most of his life.
Website⎮InstagramI received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Vic Neal. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Q&A with Author Vic Neal
- How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
- By writing lots of different types of books. As well as The Corridor series (which is a comedy set in an Oxford University corridor) I am writing a romantic spy thriller series, and have starred a historical fiction novel. I know they say you should stick to one genre as a writer, but I just can't! I have to do different things to keep me enthused.
- If you had the power to time travel, would you use it? If yes, when and where would you go?
- I have always wanted to see what Anne Boleyn looked like in the flesh. She must have been absolutely beautiful to tempt Henry VIII into parting ways with his powerful, longstanding wife, as well as with the Papacy. I'd be terrified of Tudor London, however. Can you imagine the sights, smells and characters? Scary times!
- If this title were being made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast to play the primary roles?
- I'd like to give the roles to some young, unknown, aspiring actors. Having said that, in volume 2 I introduce a new character – a handsome lecturer called Dr Piers, and I can only picture Henry Cavill in the role!
- What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as "cheating" or as inferior to "real reading"?
- I think they are missing out. Audiobooks are such a treat. Having someone read aloud to you is one of the finest pleasures in life. And there are so many talented voice actors out there. Alex Wyndham, Richard Armitage, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Emma Gregory (as well as Jack who narrated The Corridor) are just a few of my absolute favourites.
- How did you celebrate after finishing this novel?
- I think I started the sequel almost straight away, I had so many ideas buzzing in my head after finishing the first Corridor novel that I had to get them down on paper. Then, I think I made a cake! Cake and coffee is my favourite treat combination.
- Have any of your characters ever appeared in your dreams?
- No! Sadly not! I really wish Franklin Bright (from my other series of books – Agent Benjy Green series) would turn up! He is my guilty pleasure.
- What gets you out of a writing slump? What about a reading slump?
- For writing slumps – deadlines. If I'm not strict on myself I'll spend years on end refining chapter 1 and never getting around to chapter 2. Reading slumps are easy – just try something new. Go daring! Also, I'm an audiobook addict, so I'm always happy to try the deal of the day on Audible or a word of mouth suggestion.
- What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?
- Don't listen to "writing rules" or Youtubers who say there are lists of "do's and don'ts" to follow. I really think a great writer can break all of these rules and make a brilliant book despite everything. If you have faith in your story and your characters, then write what you want, how you want! We are so lucky to be able to publish our books at the click of a few buttons, so seize the moment, get writing and let your book make its mark on the world!
- Do you have any tips for authors going through the process of turning their books into audiobooks?
- It's far less scary and much easier than you think! I thought it would take ages and that I would never find a narrator who would fit the story, but Jack was perfect from the get-go! Amazon's ACX series is truly fantastic at linking authors with talented narrators. I never thought I would hear my book being spoken aloud by someone, and I'm so happy that I was given this opportunity.
- What's next for you?
- Volume 2 is out on the Kindle store, and the audiobook is in the process of being recorded. I'm also writing another series of books (a spy romance drama called the Agent Benjy Green series), which I'm hoping to turn into an audiobook too!
View the full schedule here
Plugging you into the audio community since 2016.
Sign up as a tour host here.

subset: commoncrawl


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Greenville Round 30Cm (Concrete)
Nationwide DeliveryAvailable
Deliveries & Returns Information
COVID-19 Amendments:
Please Note: we cannot accept returns of upholstered furniture once it has been removed from its packaging for any length of time, unless there is a manufacturing flaw in the item. Arrangements can be made if this is the case but it may take slightly longer than usual.
In the event that you are being issued with a refund, please allow up to 14 days for funds to show in your account. Refunds must go to the same card used to make the purchase. We do not offer cash refunds.
This beautiful designer pot made from recycled plastic is frostproof and therefore suitable for all seasons in the garden or on the terrace. The pot has an integrated water reservoir so your plants will always have enough water. These flower pots are made from high-quality plastic, are easy to clean, and are sturdy.
1 x Round Planter
Product Features:
- Made with recycled plastic, made with own wind energy, 100% recyclable
- This pot comes with an integrated water reservoir, so your plants won't go thirsty
- The pot is frost-resistant and suitable for every season
- Planter Dimensions: Diameter: 30cm x Height: 28cm


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corporate Social Responsibility
In our interest to create close, bonding ties with our workers, the community and the environment corporate social responsibility was introduces so as to make our company believable and sustainable over time, thus bettering its commitment to quality.
From the moment in 2014 that CSR was incorporated into the company we have worked with a variety of social aid institutions, like the Women's Center, play groups, old people's homes, firefighters, etc. giving help, sharing with them and showing them the company installations so they can see the technology we count on to store products, and to appreciate the safety measures we follow.


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<< Back to the fan club
Yesterday's News:
Download APX Songbook & Video
Mon., Apr. 23. 2007 12:59pm EDT
Our new Complete ApologetiX Songbook has all the lyrics to every song on all 13 ApologetiX CDs. Search by original band, original song title or its ApologetiX title. There are also commentaries for every song -- written by ApologetiX lyricist and lead singer J. Jackson.
You can download this 309-page ebook in the popular PDF format. Print out any pages you like, search for keywords or make overheads to sing in church with no licensing issues. And read along without having to get out your microscope to read the CD booklets. All of the proceeds go to build the bus.
Did you know we filmed a video for "Are you Gonna Be Ike's Girl?" We've never released it and probably never will, but it's a riot and we'll let you download it if you get the songbook. Filmed on location in Indiana on the day of the filming of "Samson Comes Alive", the Ike's girl video includes some rare behind the scenes, and over the top footage you have to see to believe.


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Italian Bakery- Wood Wick
Sale price
Regular price
Fill your space with the sweet aroma of your very own Italian bakery. The scent of a freshly bakes almond biscotti cookie will either inspire you to make your own goodies, or maybe just make you hungry!
Our wood wick candles contain about 8.5 oz of wax, which gives about 40 hours of burn time.
Top- Almond
Middle- Dough, Cherry
Base- Sugar, Vanilla


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Are you looking for a small group activity to review number recognition or counting ? Need hands-on pocket chart math center to practice them? Look no further!
What's Included?
- Numbers 0-10 (pumpkin theme)
- Pumpkin cards (0-10 seeds used for counting)
- Recording Sheets (There are 2 types of recording sheets 1. Ten frame 2. Draw seeds and write the numbers)
How to use this?
- Small Group Instruction – This is perfect to pull a small group for intervention time!
- Math Center – Have students pull the cards out and match the numbers and counting cards in a pocket chart. Then students complete the recording sheets.
Directions for use:
Print the cards on card-stock for extra durability. I would recommend laminating the cards so you can use them again and again. It works well to keep them in a baggies. Either copy the recording sheet or put it in a sleeve/laminate it.
What if I need something added?
If you would like any custom pages, please e-mail me at email@example.com and I would be more than happy to create it for you!
How do I open this?
Please note: You will need Adobe Viewer to open these cards. They are secured and flattened. There is no editable version in this product.
Hope you find this resource useful! =) Don't forget to write feedback.
Thank you for visiting my store! Have a question before you purchase, please e-mail me at firstname.lastname@example.com
Carolyn Hacker
Carolyn's Creative Classroom


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The Ritz-Carlton today announced a global collaboration with Hearst Magazines Digital Media on "The Stay," a groundbreaking digital campaign that explores the infinite possibilities offered by a stay at The Ritz-Carlton through the lens of five original short films.
To kick off the campaign, the luxury hotel brand and digital media company teamed up to launch a worldwide talent call in a bid to discover the next big talent in filmmaking. The contest asks emerging writers and directors to submit screenplays setting the scene for their take on "what happens next" after two actors enter a bustling Ritz-Carlton hotel lobby, check in and are shown up to their suite.
"We are thrilled to collaborate with Hearst Magazines Digital Media to showcase The Ritz-Carlton experience through the lens of five different writers and directors," said Lisa Holladay, Global Brand Leader for The Ritz-Carlton. "By selecting up and coming talent, we hope to create a unique platform to showcase their art, as well as new and interesting perspectives of a stay with The Ritz-Carlton. We look forward to working with Hearst to capture The Ritz-Carlton experience on film, from our signature design to the legendary service provided by our Ladies and Gentlemen."
A panel of five judges – featuring Academy Award-nominated director and writer Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas), YouTube's head of content for the EMEA region Luke Hyams, Harper's BAZAAR UK digital editor Sarah Karmali, Esquire.com culture editor Tyler Coates, and Lisa Holladay of The Ritz-Carlton – will select five winning writer/director(s) who will each receive a fully-funded opportunity to develop, direct and produce their short film, bringing their creative vision to life.
"We are excited to align the distinct voices of our brands, including Esquire and Harper's Bazaar, with a brand as illustrious as The Ritz-Carlton to launch this ground-breaking creative program," said Todd Haskell, SVP and Chief Revenue Offer, Hearst Magazines Digital Media.
"It is our firm belief that 'The Stay' will showcase the breadth of what can be achieved within a luxury, brand-safe environment with a campaign that is as exciting as it is unique."
The winning directors will each travel to one of five international Ritz-Carlton properties – including the United Arab Emirates; Hong Kong; and Grand Cayman – to shoot their respective films.
The five finished short films will premiere in November across HMDM's global luxury digital brands – anchored on HarpersBAZAAR.com and Esquire.com – across the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as on Ritz-Carlton social and digital platforms.


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Meet the House GOP's insta-stars
With more than 80 Republican freshman soon to arrive in Washington, it will take some time to figure out who's who.
But a few of this year's rookies aren't likely to toil in anonymity for long, if at all. There's a group that's ready-made for cable television — some of them are already on bookers' speed-dials — and they're likely to stand out even amid the massive incoming GOP class.
Their claims to fame vary — some bring diversity to a lily-white Republican Conference, others will be celebrated for knocking off entrenched Democratic incumbents. Still more arrive in Washington already well-ensconced in the spotlight.
Here's POLITICO's list of the ten most likely to live in the limelight in the early days of the new House majority.
Ben Quayle, Arizona
It hasn't been easy for former Vice President Dan Quayle's son to step out of his father's shadow — blogs have derisively called the younger Quayle "Tater Tot" — but he blazed his own trail and returns to D.C. as one of the most well-connected freshmen in the nation. Youthful and in possession of a safe Republican seat, the buzz about his future has already started — including his prospects as a Senate candidate. Quayle will also have an immediate in on the Georgetown party circuit: He graduated from Gonzaga College High School and briefly attended St. Alban's School.
Tim Scott, South Carolina
Scott will be one of just two African- American members of the House Republican Conference — there haven't been any since Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts left Congress in 2003. Just as Watts rose fast through the Republican ranks, GOP leaders have similar hopes for Scott. He beat two South Carolina dynasties to win the Republican nomination — and he will hold a seat in a key presidential primary state when Republicans will be running against an African-American president. Already, some of the top 2012 GOP prospects have sought him out. "I was endorsed by Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, and who else is running for president?" he said in an interview with POLITICO.
Adam Kinzinger, Illionis
Two days after Adam Kinzinger beat Illinois Rep. Debbie Halvorson, he was already on MSNBC answering questions about his experience as a 32-year-old war veteran and offering his opinions on the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. He'll join California Rep. Duncan Hunter as one of just a handful of Republican Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in Congress as top officials are preparing a major review of war policy late this year. He's already plugged in with the national party, observers say, and top Republican staffers are clamoring to work for him. Oh, and he's also a local hero: In 2009, he saved a woman on the street from a man who was assaulting her.
Sean Duffy, Wisconsin
Sean Duffy's first foray onto the small screen was the 1998 season of "The Real World" — and he met his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, on one of the show's spinoffs. The talent that landed him on MTV — he's a professional lumberjack — gives him rural Midwestern authenticity. But he'll come to Washington with more than just reality TV credentials: He beat Democratic state Sen. Julie Lassa to wrest retiring Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey's seat away from Democrats for the first time in more than 40 years, and Republican leaders have noticed.
Kristi Noem, South Dakota
In what's been dubbed the "Year of the Republican Woman," Kristi Noem is a striking face that represents everything the GOP is looking for as it tries to woo female voters away from the Democratic Party: She's a young farmer and rancher with three children and deep roots in a Midwestern state where practicality often trumps ideology. Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin tried to brand her as South Dakota's Sarah Palin — implying she was too extreme for the state — but Noem was careful to maintain her independence and keep her distance from the polarizing Alaska governor. Her victory over Herseth Sandlin earned her points with the national party, too, one GOP operative said: Republicans have chafed at Herseth Sandlin's ownership of the solidly Republican seat ever since she won a 2004 special election. National GOPers saw Noem as the perfect candidate to beat her — and Noem delivered.
Allen West, Florida
West, a former Army colonel, doesn't stand out simply because he will be one of just two African American House Republicans — he'll get noticed for different reasons. A passionate address to a tea party gathering turned him into YouTube sensation and later in the campaign he drew attention for his relationship with the Outlaws motorcycle gang. Like Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, West is a strong tea party voice with a flair for bombastic rhetoric and a prolific fundraiser. Some expect he'll become the Alan Grayson of the right.
Jaime Herrera, Washington
Herrera is another young face in the GOP's crop of up-and-coming women candidates — and she's also earned notice as a Hispanic who can speak to a fast-growing constituency that Republicans have struggled with. But Republicans in Washington also are excited because she already has experience on Capitol Hill working for the top woman in GOP leadership: Herrera once served as a top aide to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.).
Dan Webster, Florida
Enter the Grayson-slayer. Webster didn't exactly beat a major chairman or a long-entrenched incumbent, but he's forever earned the gratitude of his party by knocking off a liberal firebrand who raised millions attacking Republicans. By beating Alan Grayson, Webster returned a Republican-leaning seat to GOP hands and gave social conservatives a newly prominent voice — one that could matter more with Indiana Rep. Mike Pence expected to run for higher office in 2012.
Jon Runyan, New Jersey
Runyan, who beat Rep. John Adler, joins a select group of former National Football League players who have made the jump from the gridiron to the House — a list that includes Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.). Runyan played college football at the University of Michigan before he was signed by the Houston Oilers as a sixth-round draft pick. In 2000, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was then the highest paid offensive lineman of all time.
Robert Hurt, Virginia
The national GOP was already thrilled when Hurt, a popular state senator, decided to take on Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello in a district that Perriello picked off in 2008. Then Obama came to town the Friday before the election — and heightened the stakes. As a result of his morale-boosting win, Hurt has earned his party's undying gratitude.


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Cacti are the new succulents! They are cute and rather easy to maintain, and they really scream summer and desert. Rocking cactus prints and decor is a timeless idea, and you may go for them to add a summer feel to your home, let's have a look at some gorgeous ideas that you can realize.
Cactus oven mitts! These DIY cactus oven mitts with you all today are the perfect dose of cute to add to your kitchen! Just imagine pulling your cookies out of the oven with these cute cacti on your hands! Such cute oven mittens can be a fun idea and a favor for anyone who loves cooking.
Summer is the party time, and serving food for your guests should be bold and original. These mini cactus cheese boards are the perfect summer time serving piece. Just throw on a few different types of cheese, some crackers, and some fruit and call it dinner!
String art pieces are very cool and popular, and why not make a gorgeous string cactus? Make your string cactus and add flowers on it, cacti are flowering in the spring, you'll love how it looks. Read the whole tutorial to make it!
If you have a lot of jewelry, you can store it with style and summer cheer: make a gorgeous cactus jewelry holder. It'll be a polymer clay piece, and it won't take much time to make it. Rock your jewelry with style even when you aren't wearing it!
These DIY clay cactus candle holders are simple to make and they give me another way to add a non-prickly cactus to your home. How cute would they be all lined up in the center of the table? Make them in any colors you like and any shapes you prefer, and cheer up your table.
Display your vacation photos on a bold cactus wire stand! It looks colorful and neon and will be an amazing piece for any space, when the summer is over, it will add a summer feel to your space anyway.
Shrinky dink cactus lights are amazing for any space, from a kid's room to an adult's space, they will much summer cheer and are perfect for summer parties. Making them isn't difficult at all, and won't take much time, so enjoy crafting and spruce up your space!
Here's one more cactus light idea, it's glam and pink! This is a cactus-shaped stand covered with lights, and it will add a girlish feel to the space. Enjoy your desert lights and feel the summer even when it's over.
Did you have a pet rock as a kid? We have seen some really fun adult version cactus rocks and thought it would be fun to make pet cactus rocks for kids. Kids will love to paint and pick out their pet cactus rock for this easy craft project!
Neon lights are amazing for home decor, it's one of the hot trends in modern home decor. This neon light is a funny and cute idea for your interior and is suitable for any party, and its cactus shape will be nice for summer and for a desert feel.
Even if you aren't much of a sewer, this craft will be a nice fit for your home decor because cacti and needles just go together perfectly, plus it is super cute and something you would not mind to keep out as decor.
Make a cool foam sign with a cactus and a quote you like, for example, it can be a welcoming sign for your porch. The tutorial is pretty simple, you'll love it, get inspired and go crafting!


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London Welsh 25-26 Sale
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Danny Cipriani landed a 16-point haul to kick Sale to victory against London Welsh in the Premiership basement battle at the Kassam Stadium.
Gavin Henson starred for London Welsh in a new half-back partnership with Alex Davies, who kicked four penalties.
Henson also kicked two penalties and a stunning conversion after setting up Welsh's try from wing Phil Mackenzie.
But tries either side of half-time from stand-in scrum-half Will Cliff and flanker Danny Braid gave Sale the edge.
And, after Danny Cipriani had kicked both conversions, as well as three penalties, for a 13-point haul, it was Nick Macleod, his late replacement at fly-half, who kicked what proved to be the winning penalty nine minutes from time.
In a dramatic finale, the Exiles could still have snatched victory had they not taken the wrong passing option in the last move of the match.
But bottom club Sale hung on to register their fourth straight win in all competitions, to lift themselves within a point of 11th-placed London Irish and three behind Welsh, who claimed a losing bonus point.
The Exiles came into the game desperate to erase a run of 10 defeats in 11 matches, their last victory having come at home to fellow strugglers Irish on 1 December. But, despite a quality performance from 31-year-old former Wales star Henson, who showed up well in his head-to-head with fellow headline maker Cipriani, it was the former England man who ended up on the winning side.
Henson's first penalty put Welsh 12-3 ahead just after the half-hour, yet they went into the interval a point behind after Cipriani landed his second penalty before starting the move that led to Cliff's touchdown.
When Sale turned a Welsh attack over in their own half, that gave Cipriani the chance to race downfield and he linked with winger Charlie Amesbury before receiving the ball again on the Exiles' 22, making ground before laying off for his scrum-half partner Cliff to score.
Sale then opened up an eight-point gap on Welsh straight after the restart when full-back Cameron Shepherd sent Baird over for a Cipriani-converted touchdown.
But Davies landed his fourth penalty to reduce the arrears to five points before a lovely ball from Henson inside the visiting 22 sent MacKenzie over from 15 metres, the resulting conversion and a further penalty by the Welshman giving the Londoners a five-point cushion.
But Sale would not lay down, Cipriani's third penalty bringing the Sharks back within striking distance before Macleod, was given the chance to boot the winning penalty from in front of the posts.
London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones:
"I said before the game that this would go right to the wire and I still firmly believe so. Today we were on the wrong end of a one pointer. The game could have gone either way.
"We didn't take our opportunities when they arose but we picked up a bonus point that takes us a step closer to Worcester, in ninth.
"Before the game, we spoke about silly penalties and we were going well but then our knees buckled, Sale came back into it and then we were under pressure.
"A lot of Sale's points came from us not being too smart. It is dealing with pressure, which we are not doing at the moment."
Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond:
"London Welsh are a good side. We thought we had got away at half-time but they came back, scored a penalty and got their try.
"For us, it was the fourth win on the trot and the momentum has helped us. We have remained injury-free and we have to look for survival.
"We are still bottom of the league as we sit here tonight and we have Harlequins and Leicester to come in the next fortnight. We've got a job on our hands and we are by no means out of the mire.
"I don't think any side that has been bottom of the league at Christmas has stayed up. But we've now beaten Exeter by a couple of points and London Welsh by a point and, if we can continue to do that, we'll survive by the skin of our teeth."
London Welsh: Arscott; MacKenzie, Tiesi, Parker, Scott; Henson, Davies; Montanella, Briggs, Ion; Mills (capt), Corker; Balding, Cabello, Jackson.
Replacements: Keats for Davies (45), Hills for Cabello (60), Bateman for Ion (65), Kulemin for Corker (66), Bristow for Montanella (72).
Not Used: Tideswell, Ross, Jewell.
Sale: Shepherd; Amesbury, Leota, Tuitupou, Cueto; Cipriani, Cliff; Dickinson, Jones, Thomas; Gray, Holmes; Braid, Seymour, Gaskell.
Replacements: Taylor for Jones (52), Powell for Holmes (52), MacLeod for Cipriani (64), Harrison for Dickinson (64), Roberts for Thomas (64), Vernon for Seymour (66).
Not Used: Willis, Addison.
Attendance: 4,082.
Referee: JP Doyle (RFU).


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Advocacy Overview
Making Your Voice Heard.
ASAM represents the interests of subcontractors, suppliers and service providers within the larger construction industry and throughout the halls of government. We work to ensure that members' insights, issues and concerns are heard and addressed.
Legislative Advocacy
Legislative Advocacy
ASAM is a powerful advocate for improving the business environment in which our members operate. We serve as your representative before all branches and levels of government, supporting and encouraging legislation that benefits your business. We also educate members on important legislative issues and provide regular updates on these issues.


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And here he sails...
All year long, three permanent boat clubs allow you to take part in various activities : dinghy, catamaran, windsurfing, canoeing or even cruising, whether you want to take lessons, simply enjoy as a hobby or take part to competitions, by yourself or in groups. The clubs also hold training courses during school vacations.
Dayboat, dinghy and windsurf
NDC Voile Angers, attached to the French School of Sailing, is located at the Lac de Maine theme park, inside the Pavoa building.
Contact : NDC Voile Angers
Tel. (+33) 2 41 73 83 00
The CKCA (Canoë Kayak Club Angers) is also located inside the Pavoa building.
Contact : CKCA
Tel. (+33) 2 41 72 07 04
- Cruising
The CNA (Club Nautique Angevin), attached to the French School of Sailing, is organizing training sessions about cabin cruisiers and liveaboards (theorical lessons as well as trips at sea), from October to June.
Contact : Club Nautique Angevin
Tel. (+33) 2 41 36 11 37
More informations


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commit-and-tag - v0.21.1
~/src/repo$ release help commit-and-tag
NAME: release commit-and-tag - Commit files and tag the new commit USAGE: release commit-and-tag [files to commit] DESCRIPTION: Commit and push the listed files. If the files don't contain any changes, command fails. The default commit message template contains [skip ci], to prevent commit pipeline from running. You can override default template using global option --bump-commit-tmpl or environment variable GSG_BUMP_COMMIT_TMPL, Tag and release note are created for the new commit (check 'release help tag' for more details). If commit messages indicating a version bump are not found, the command exits with non-zero value. OPTIONS: --create-tag-pipeline Needed when tagged commit message has [skip ci] and you want to execute tag pipeline. --list-other-changes List changes that don't affect versioning [$GSG_LIST_OTHER_CHANGES]


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Disclaimer: as technology changes, advisories may become out of date or may no longer be relevant, please refer to the "Date" section of the header to be sure the advisory is recent as pertains to your situation.
Digibase Security Advisory - CNET: A Significant Security Risk
Keywords: CNET, Compromised, Advertisements, download.com, cnet.com
Regarding: CNET: A Significant Security Risk
Writeup: Kradorex Xeron (talk) 01:45, 16 July 2014 (EDT)
Date: 2014 07 16
Last Modified: 20140716021804 by Kradorex Xeron
Who should take note: All Internet users, especially users of download.com and cnet.com.
Priority: HIGH
Rationale: Continued use of the services could leave information unsecured and, with recent events, leave user information potentially vulnerable to misuse.
Severity: HIGH
Rationale: The service deploys deceptive methodologies along with leaving user information at risk.
Spread of Issue: MULTI-PLATFORM MODERATE
Rationale: Sites like download.com are popular services and are accessed by users utilizing multiple platforms.
CNET is a web services operator that is currently owned and governed by CBS Interactive. It hosts services such as download.com and cnet.com, the latter of which provides reviews of technology products, videos, as well as forums among other services. Over the past several years, it has been observed that CNET has taken an increasing risk to security management and the privacy of its users.
Noteworthy issues include:
- CNET was purchased by CBS Interactive, which is an entertainment company with significant interest in marketing and advertisement, where users may be exposed to having user data lifted for marketing and/or tracking purposes.
- Providing download.com downloads packaged with adware among other malware that would not be provided given an package not provided through the service, users allegedly may opt out but the option hasn't been sufficiently visible.
- Permitting deceptive advertisements to be placed with download-style buttons to lure users to unnecessary software packages or diverting users to advertisers.
Recently, it has been noted that at minimum the user database containing usernames, passwords and emails was compromised using a vulnerability of the in-house version of a software package called 'Symfony PHP framework' that site deploys. (see reference).
Unregistered users are at minimal risk with the recent compromise.
It is advised that users avoid downloading software from download.com and seek more direct downloads from software vendors where possible. Further, it is strongly advised users evaluate what information they may have supplied CNET and to act accordingly to ensure other sites and resources may not be abused with compromised information.


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RIP: Pusuke
"Looks like the world's oldest dog has died," Spence says.
"How old?" says Admin.
"Twenty-six." Spence sighs.
"Sighing about the recurrent and built-in pathos resulting from the lifespan discrepancy, human and canine?" says Admin.
"But I wouldn't put it that way."
Tags: oldest dog, Pusuke
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 at 8:50 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


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This story was originally posted on June 27, 2014.
I've taken part in more than a few television shows as an interview subject. In recent years, I was approached by two of the major studios, as they wanted me to help create and star in a reality-based television show about private investigators. I have ended up turning down many interviews and all of the reality shows – because I insisted upon keeping the reality aspect intact.
A "reality-based" PI TV show is whole other beast entirely. It's a fantastic idea.
Here's how these things typically go:
When it comes to interviews, the producers often play a shell-game. They wait until the last minute to pull the rug out from under you, goading you to say things that you don't believe in the first place, and trying to get you to talk about the things that you specifically said that you wouldn't talk about. They want you to name names. When it comes to our celebrity clients (which we've had more than our fair share of), confidentiality is paramount. I've never gone on an interview and ratted on the identity or personal business of a paid client. It's just unprofessional, and it's akin to shooting a hole in the boat of future business.
A "reality-based" PI TV show is whole other beast entirely. It's a fantastic idea.
A few years ago, we were in fairly late-stage negotiations to do such a show. The producers insisted that I "hire" (read: cast) an attractive female model to be a part of the show. I certainly have no problem hiring women, I have many talented female investigators working for me now. What's key to me is hiring only experienced private investigators or former Federal agents. These producers wanted me to hire someone based solely on looks.
These producers wanted me to hire someone based solely on looks… I told them the deal was off.
I understood what they wanted and why they wanted it, but I run a private investigative agency, not a modeling agency. I told them the deal was off.
Over the years, I've remained optimistic that a great, realistic show about private investigators is possible, and just waiting to be made. I encourage any parties out there that are serious about doing it right to give me a call.
I mention all of this to demonstrate that I know how all of this works. I've been there. That's why when I heard about Investigation Discovery's "Cry Wolfe", I had high hopes, but realistic expectations.
"Cry Wolfe" follows a real-life private investigator named Brian Wolfe, and his sidekick "McCarthy". The show is set in Los Angeles, California (the same place I have been conducting investigations as a Federal agent and private investigator since 1969).
The case featured in the premiere episode is fairly typical of what the public believes is the vast majority of our business – cheating spouse investigations. The surveillance goes as expected. The client's wife confronts her husband having wine and dinner with her best friend. The ending is a stunner – the husband tells his wife he was planning a vacation for them and lingerie that he had bought was really for her, but the wife confesses a two-month affair with a co-worker, because she was certain her husband was cheating.
My first reaction was wow, this is pretty good TV.
My first reaction to this was wow, this is pretty good TV and what a great case to start the series. Having done thousands of marital surveillances, I can't remember an ending quite like this, let alone on camera – but stranger things have happened. Knowing Hollywood's tendency to embellish, I simply took it with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Episode 2 involves a fairly routine case where the investigator is trying determine who was stealing products from a small four person office.
The initial investigative procedures are customary; A camera is positioned on the suspect employee who is later observed to remove a valuable box of paper from the office. Wolfe then decides to get additional evidence, which is always a good thing. His surveillance reveals the employee to take another box and place it in the owner's car. This made no sense. Why would she do that? Wolfe then follows his own client and determines he is stockpiling boxes of papers in his residential garage.
Later, a camera is illegally placed to watch the interactions of the owner and employee. The owner is caught trying to massage the neck of the employee, but being met with great resistance. The scenario then plays out that this was a ruse to get the employee fired for not having sex, and thus avoid a wrongful termination suit.
The illegal camera placement was my tip-off in realizing that not only is this show embellished – it's fictional.
I replayed the first show, and realized that there is a cleverly-minimal (and nearly-hidden) disclaimer at the beginning and end. Most people will not notice it, much less read it.
The show is designed to give one the impression that all these cases are real, but all the participants other than Wolfe and McCarthy are actors. They have taken fairly mundane cases and tacked on macabre, unrealistic, or fairy-tale endings.Hannibal" or "Law & Order", it makes sense to make it up. On the other hand, I find it unnecessary. Why not just position the show as a crime drama, without all the lies and deceit? It could essentially be the same show – just marketed in a more honest fashion.
The trend of making reality-based fake entertainment was popularized by the success of a film called The Blair Witch Project, a horror film show with a minimal budget that went on to become one of the most successful independent films of all time. Since then, we've seen other approaches to the hand-held shaky footage "reality" approach: On the big screen Cloverfield and Chronicle come to mind. All of these films have one thing in common – they're clearly fake. You can sit back and enjoy them for being so.
Of course since Blair Witch you've had a million "reality" TV shows where mundane things like going to the supermarket are somehow embellished to an hour's worth of drama.
When it comes to the fully-scripted "reality" TV shows (even the ones that don't involve a mythical creature on a traditionally science- and education-based media group like the Discovery Networks), it's almost like actively trying to pull the wool over peoples' eyes. It's a slippery slope.
"Cry Wolfe" is not a bad show. I enjoyed it. It's just not real.
Many of us have worked very hard over the years to educate the public that private investigators are not trench-coat-wearing, pipe-smoking, spyglass-carrying goofballs peering around corners. (I've written about the Hollywood private investigator myths here, and here.) If you retain a world-class investigator (and there are many out there), they can assist you greatly with life-changing decisions.
Take every reality show you see on TV with a grain of salt. "Cry Wolfe" is not a bad show. I enjoyed it. It's just not real.


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Next Level Online Advocacy
This panel will uncover new & exciting ways to use technology to power social change. We will go beyond the basics—sending targeted action alerts & creating online petitions—& discover fresh & innovative virtual campaigning techniques for real results.
PETA generated more than 1 million additional actions in their online alerts last year thanks to their iPhone app that allows users to take action with a few finger swipes & gives them points and badges for doing so.
DoSomething.org used text messaging, email & web to activate 2.5 million young people to take action on causes from homelessness to the environment to teen pregnancy last year alone.
In 24 hours HRC's timely marriage equality logo was reposted 10,000 times & had attracted 10 million page views.
Using inventive tactics to leverage technology & social media for good means creating the possibility for millions of passionate people to band together & create tangible change, wherever, whenever, whoever they are.
Anastasia Khoo
Human Rights Campaign
Anastasia Khoo is the Marketing Director for the Human Rights Campaign. In this capacity, Anastasia oversees organizational marketing strategies as well as manages digital media, advertising and various other public relations projects. She was the architect of the red logo campaign in support of marriage equality, heralded as one of the most successful social media campaigns ever and Facebook's most viral campaign in its history.
Prior to joining HRC, she spent six years in the environmental movement with Greenpeace developing its communications and brand strategy as well as collaborating on a variety of high-profile corporate and grassroots campaigns.
Joel Bartlett
Dir of Mktg Innovations
Joel Bartlett oversees online marketing strategy for PETA where he combines his interest in internet technology and his sense of humor to create attention-grabbing websites and online games to promote animal rights. Most recently his Pokémon parody games have garnered over 750,000 views of footage of cruelty to animals that's unlockable in the games. Joel also oversees PETA's social media efforts, including PETA's over two-million "Like" strong Facebook page.
Joel has a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University.
Marah Lidey
Digital Engagement Mgr
Do Something
Marah Lidey is the Digital Engagement Manager for DoSomething.org, overseeing the organization's communication products and mobile apps. Marah owns and develops organizational partnerships with mobile marketing experts and tech thought leaders. Marah previously worked at American Express and MTV Networks where she managed social media marketing. She holds a BA in Journalism and a New Media Certificate from the University of Georgia. :)
Noah Cooper
Principal Web Developer
Noah Cooper is a Principal Web Developer on the Professional Services team at Blackbaud, with a decade of experience working with nonprofits. Noah works with some of the largest organizations in the United States to develop online marketing programs, with a focus on complex technical solutions that utilize Blackbaud's Open APIs. Noah's accomplishments include developing mobile-optimized donation form templates, and building a toolkit for organizations to integrate donation forms and action alerts into Facebook Pages. Prior to joining Blackbaud, Noah worked for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), where his focus was online advocacy and email marketing.


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Here Are The Stray Kids Members Ideal Romantic Matches According To Their MBTI Personality Types
In one episode of One Kid's Room, all the Stray Kids members took the MBTI personality test. The results they got say a lot about what kind of person they'd look for in a relationship. Who knows—maybe your type could be a match.
Bang Chan – (ENFJ)
Bang Chan's personality type is ENFJ, also known as "The Protagonist". ENFJs are known for being fun in a relationship, and they truly care about making their partners happy.
According to his personality type, Bang Chan's ideal match would be an INFP or an INTP. Introverted personalities complement him well. These two personality types would also share Bang Chan's empathy and bring a sense of flexibility to the relationship.
Lee Know, I.N, & Seungmin (ESFJ)
Lee Know, I.N, and Seungmin all share the same personality type—ESFJ, also known as "The Consul".
ESFJs are known for being highly caring in relationships, and they're great at making their partners feel good.
According to their personality type, Lee Know, I.N, and Seungmin would all match best with an ISFP or ISTP. They'd like the challenge of getting an introvert to open up. These two personality types also share the members' tendency to see the bigger picture.
Changbin & Felix (ENFP)
Changbin and Felix also share the same personality type—ENFP, also known as "The Campaigner". ENFPs are known for being adaptable and unpredictable in relationships. They strive to inspire their partners and make sure no two days are the same.
According to their personality type, Changbin and Felix would both match best with an INFJ or INTJ. They'd have the perfect traits to draw and introvert out of their shell. These two personality types would also bring levelheadedness to the impulsive Campaigners.
Hyunjin (ENTP)
Hyunjin's personality type is ENTP, also known as "The Debater". ENTPs are all about making their relationships grow to be as happy and interesting as possible, and they love to have intellectual conversations with their partners.
According to his personality type, Hyunjin's ideal match would be an INTJ or INFJ. These two personality types crave knowledge, so they can have the interesting and intelligent conversations he'd be looking for.
Han (ISTP)
Han's personality type is ISTP, also known as "The Virtuoso". ISTPs are known for playing hard to get in a relationship, though not intentionally. But deep down, they experience intense emotions and passion.
According to his personality type, Han's ideal match would be an ESFJ or an ESTJ. An extrovert would help keep the relationship interesting just as an ISTP craves. These types are also very committed, which would balance Han's spontaneity.
Idol MBTI, Zodiac, And More
What BTS Jin's Teeth Say About His True Personality, According To A Dental Expert
What BTS V's Favorite Colors Say About His True Personality, According To Therapists
What BLACKPINK Jennie's Teeth Say About Her True Personality, According To A Dental Expert
How BTS V's Smile Contradicts His True Personality, According To A Dental Expert


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Shooting pain that radiates down the legs from the lower back is associated with sciatica and can be debilitating. One way to naturally relieve sciatica pain is to stretch the affected area with a foam roller. There are a wide variety of foam rollers on the market that can be used to manage sciatica.
The top choice for an inclusive foam rolling kit that can be used to target the pain from sciatica is the Odoland Bundle Foam Roller Set. However, other foam roller options effectively prevent the onset of sciatica pain.
Sciatica is a medical condition that occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes impinged due to injury or postural imbalances. The sciatic nerve begins in the lower back (lumbar spine) and runs down the legs.
The radiating pain that is associated with sciatica travels down the path of the sciatic nerve. Usually, sciatic pain only occurs on one side of the body and is accompanied by numbness, tingling and muscle weakness.
According to MedlinePlus, causes of sciatica include:
The top benefit associated with foam rollers for sciatica is the self-myofascial release technique. Myofascial release therapy is the process of increasing blood flow to tight muscle tissue. Fascia is a type of connective tissue that surrounds muscles and bones. Myofascial release is a massage technique that manipulates the fascial tissues that are causing muscle tension by increasing blood flow and circulation.
Myofascial pain typically happens because of muscle injury, overuse and postural imbalances. Foam rolling can also increase your range of motion, decrease inflammation and relieve muscle soreness. Finally, foam rolling is an effective tool for stretching muscles before and after physical activity.
All muscle groups that contribute to postural imbalance will need to be addressed to manage sciatica.
Start by situating the foam roller under one muscle group at a time, then rolling the area for about a minute. If an especially tender area is found, maintain pressure with the roller in that area for an additional minute or so until the tenderness has significantly decreased.
Spending prolonged periods sitting is a common source of postural imbalance, so don't ignore the benefits of an ergonomic chair in helping to alleviate sciatica pain.
Foam rollers come in one of three construction types: open-cell, EPP and EVA.
The most inexpensive foam rollers on the market are produced with open-cell construction. Open-cell foam rollers are suitable for self-myofascial release to manage sciatica pain. However, they tend to break down much faster than closed-cell rollers such as EPP and EVA rollers.
An EPP foam roller is a closed-cell roller that is made from EPP foam beads. They are still relatively inexpensive and are generally more durable than open-cell rollers.
The professional-grade foam rollers on the market are EVA rollers. Frequently found at gyms or rehab clinics, EVA rollers are known for their durability.
Foam rollers are usually 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Some prefer to use 3- to 4-inch foam rollers for a targeted approach that works deeper into a muscle group. Choose whichever diameter offers the most stability and control while being moved under the body.
A foam roller kit includes tools that can be used to target sciatica nerve compression. Here are the best foam roller kit tools to consider for sciatica:
Muscle roller stick
The key difference between a foam roller and a muscle roller stick is the method in which pressure is applied for self-myofascial release. A muscle roller stick can be used for areas that are harder to roll with a foam roller, such as the inner thigh, shins and quads.
Stretching strap
A stretching strap can be used to gradually increase the depth of a stretch without needing the aid of another person. Wrap one end of a stretch strap around the foot and grab the handle to stretch the hamstrings and quads.
Massage balls
Massage balls can be used to work deeper into muscles and reach areas that foam rollers can't. There are various sizes and textures of massage balls that can be used for trigger point work and myofascial release in the arms, neck, shoulders, glutes and feet.
A foam roller that comes with a kit to target sciatica pain will run between $20-$60, depending upon the construction materials and a number of additional tools that are included.
A. Pain relief creams contain numbing agents meant to relieve nerve pain and increase blood flow. Applying a pain relief cream to address sciatica may offer short-term relief.
A. In both sciatica and piriformis syndrome, the sciatic nerve is impinged, causing pain. However, in piriformis syndrome, the piriformis muscle located in the glutes becomes tight and presses on the sciatic nerve, causing pain. Massaging the piriformis muscle will effectively relieve pain from piriformis syndrome.
Odoland Bundle Foam Roller Set
What you need to know: This bundle includes a 12-inch muscle roller stick, a massage ball, a spiky plantar fasciitis ball and the Massage Fit Roller Pro.
What you'll love: In addition to all the components, it comes with a 6-millimeter yoga mat.
What you should consider: The foam roller is slightly shorter than preferred for rolling the back.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
321 Strong 5-in-1 Foam Roller Set
What you need to know: This textured triple-zone massage roller has end caps that open to store the included accessories (massage stick, stretch strap and massage balls).
What you'll love: The roller comes with a lifetime manufacturer's warranty and money-back guarantee.
What you should consider: The end caps may become loose over time.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: Designed by a chiropractor to enhance spinal flexibility, this roller looks like a wheel with a gap and has four rows of large bumps, which decreases pressure on the spine.
What you'll love: Constructed with EVA foam, this roller can withstand weights of up to 1,000 pounds.
What you should consider: Some find the design of this roller painful to use compared to traditional-shaped rollers.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Elizabeth Foley writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.


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Strong Body San Antonio Blog
Latest Posts
How to Stay on Track: A 3-Step Plan to Keep Your Fitness Resolutions in 2016
Resolutions are wonderful, but did you know that nearly 40 percent of well-intentioned people drop their resolutions within the first four weeks of the year? That's why preparation and planning is so important.
Gladiator of the Month: Sandra
When most people think of boot camp, they think weight loss. Yes, weight loss is ONE reason people attend boot camp, but did you know that the very boot camps that help people lose weight can also change your body in other ways?
Gladiator of the Month: Pete
One of a personal trainer's favorite things is a client who is willing to put in consistent hard work despite setbacks in life. Pete has been able to do just that over the past 7 months. While he had a few injuries during the course of his workout program, Pete vowed to take care of his body and to work slowly and methodically following every single guideline I've given him as a camper. Because of his determination he has persevered with a 55 pound weight loss!
Strong Body of the Month: Kathy
This months Strong Body of the Month is Kathy. Kathy sought out Strong Body training to change up her workout routine so she could continue seeing progress to her health. On top of her already active lifestyle, Kathy has been successful through her training, strengthening her even more and continuing a healthy life.
Demystifying the Macronutrient
Controlling your body weight does not need to be confusing, but there is a lot of information out there. That's why we're here to condense it for you! To begin to wrap your head around the broad spectrum of advice that you'll receive from friends, significant others,...


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A few years ago, my mother gave me a Christmas pillow on which a picture of Santa's naughty and nice lists was embroidered. She had a strange smile on her face when she gave it to me and once I looked at it closely, I figured out why: Both my and my sister's names were on the 'naughty' list.
Nice, Mom.
Or should I say, naughty?
For years moms and dads the world over have preached Santa's naughty/nice list theology to their children. If you're good, you earn your way onto the nice list and a subsequent pile of gifts under the tree. If you're bad, you join the ranks of naughty listers who get nothing but charcoal in their stocking. With such a threat looming large, what kid in his right mind wouldn't be on his best behavior, knowing that 'he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness' sake?'
But being 'good' in order to win Santa's favor and an accompanying stack of presents is not why we should be good. And, convenient as it may be when trying to get our sugared-up stir-crazy kids to cooperate tree decorating night, teaching kids that being good gets them their way, while being bad gets them kicked off the list is plain bad theology.
God simply isn't like that. He isn't concerned about a superficial 'goodness' that is only as deep as our greatest desire for a Lego Turbo Tank. He doesn't reward the 'good' for properly kissing up one month a year or punish the 'bad' for not minding their p's and q's. He loves all His children and while our 'badness' grieves him, it does not make Him love us less.
As cute as Santa lore is, we parents would be wise to make sure our kiddos understand that, unlike the jelly-bellied man from the north, God cares more about the condition of our hearts than our external behavior. It's a little thing called grace and come Christmas morning, perhaps the best way to show it to our children is to lavish love and gifts upon them all, both the 'good' and the 'bad' and thank God that He doesn't separate us out into naughty and nice, but places us in one big category called 'forgiven.'


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Listing Agent
Mark Richards
Managing Director
Key Information
Luxury Property is delighted to present this beautiful two-bedroom apartment at City Walk, an exciting residential development by Meraas between the Jumeirah and Downtown districts.
The first phase of City Walk was focused on high-end retail and dining, built around a contemporary European town square concept. The expansion to this space, which features more entertainment and leisure options, 34 low-rise residential buildings, an outpatient clinic and healthcare facility, will help to transform City Walk into a miniature city in its own right.
This fantastic two-bedroom apartment has a sleek look dominated by angular lines, a minimalist aesthetic and floor-to-ceiling glass panelling. An open plan layout is enriched by a neutral palette with contrasting accents and parquet flooring. It overlooks the beautiful tree-lined promenade of City Walk and enjoys views of the buzzing neighbouring district of Downtown Dubai.
Residents will have over 300 outlets to choose from, focusing primarily on fashion and gourmet dining. They can also enjoy exciting amenities such as Sub Zero, a fully interactive gaming park; The Green Planet, a tropical bio-dome; and Reel Cinemas City Walk, a luxury multiplex. The City Walk expansion will extend toward Downtown Dubai, providing easy access to landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall.
For our most discerning clients, this lovely apartment could be a wonderful principal residence, or indeed a perfect second home in Dubai.
At LuxuryProperty.com we offer a bespoke property finder service for all your real estate needs for apartment at City Walk, Jumeirah. We are not just property advisors we pride ourselves on our friendly and professional approach making your next property move an easy one.
Price on Request
Central Park, City Walk
| 4 Baths
| 1,814 Sq Ft
LuxuryProperty.com Dubai
Shoreline Apartments, Palm Jumeirah
| 3 Baths
| 1,996 Sq Ft
Ryan James Paul Coleman
Golf Heights, Emirates Living
| 3 Baths
| 1,157 Sq Ft
Georgia Peacock
Two Bedroom Apartment At City Walk, Jumeirah
*Price on Application


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Baking the Bird Cookies of North America
Would you try baking detailed and accurate bird cookies of every species in the field guide? Sarah MacLean is taking on the challenge.
Birders love lists. They keep track of birds they've seen, birds they'd like to see, birds in their backyard, birds they've photographed; you name it, and a birder probably keeps track of it. But there probably aren't too many birders keeping track of birds the way Sarah MacLean of Bird on the Move is – by baking bird cookies.
Sarah is a PhD candidate at UC Berkeley, where she uses historical data from old field journals to understand the impacts that changes in climate and land use have had on California bird populations. It's the kind of work that keeps her busy in the field, so when she's home, she likes to unwind the same way many folks do, by baking. But Sarah's baking has a twist. Since August 2017, she's been baking her way through her Birds of North American field guide, creating accurate and detailed bird cookies for every single species listed.
"One batch of dough can make about 30 cookies," Sarah says. "Making them all is a day long endeavor of mixing batter, shaping all the home made cookie cutters, baking, and the most time-intensive of all, laying them all out on the table and decorating with the icing."
Sarah posts each cookie on her blog, Bird on the Move, one species per day. Each post contains information about the bird as well as an illustration for comparison. Sarah creates these illustrations herself, as she is currently working to develop a business as a scientific illustrator. Her blog also has posts on field work she's done, along with the recipe and instructions for baking your own bird cookies (including how to shape your own cookie cutters).
We caught up with Sarah to find out more about her project. Here's what she had to say.
What sparked your interest in birds?
I became interested in birds as a child. I've always loved nature, but I grew up in a suburban area of southern California where the great outdoors was hard to come by. I decided to fill this void by starting a simple garden in my backyard when I was about 10 years old, and in my head, any proper garden needed a bird feeder – my goal wasn't even to attract birds at first, I just built a little feeder because it felt like it belonged. Then, of course, the birds started coming. I got my first field guide, started learning to identify them, added more feeders, added more bird-friendly plants, and I was hooked.
Birds were special to me because they were a window into the natural world that I could connect with, even in my little suburban garden. The great thing about birds is that many of them can live right alongside us – they're a beautiful component of nature that's accessible during our everyday lives.
Why bird cookies? How did it start?
For the past seven years I've had a tradition of baking bird cookies at Christmas time. It started while I was an undergraduate at college, during the first year I had an apartment and an oven. It was finals time, I needed to relieve some stress, and I wanted to say thank you to all the wonderful new friends and colleagues I'd met, many of whom also studied birds. My family has always baked to show affection, so making bird cookies seemed natural. Even once I moved to California for grad school, I still mailed cookies back to my east coast friends each Christmas. This past Christmas, my usual cookie recipients received a sampling of seabirds.
As for the fate of the cookies outside of the holiday season, my boyfriend kindly volunteers to take most of them to work. He is a planetary geologist at the Jet Propulsion Lab, and many of the cookies have gone to meetings of the team that oversees the Mars Rovers. Most of them aren't bird people, but so far they've thoroughly enjoyed the cookies and learning about which bird species are represented.
What's been the most challenging species so far? What's been your favorite to bake?
By far the most difficult cookie so far has been the Gunnison Sage-Grouse. The tail has so many thin, pointed feathers which are extremely fragile in cookie form, and the markings on that species are so intricate that I could never hope to do them proper justice with icing.
It's so hard to pick a favorite. I love birds that have a little extra color or pattern to them; sharp-tailed grouse turned out really nice for that reason. Mountain Quail and California Quail were also fun to bake, since I had to make little topknots separately.
In my most recent batch I made a California Condor, which is an incredibly special cookie just because it's an incredibly special bird. I can't wait to feature it and talk about its amazing conservation success story.
What's your favorite bird? Have you baked it yet?
During my first seven years of bird cookies I always baked a set of species that was relevant to my research or geographic location at the time. Those were all very special to me, even though choosing a favorite would be like choosing a favorite child.
Raptors are my favorite group of birds, and I'm excited to be baking those about a month from now. I recently got to bake one of my favorite bird species in the world, the Northern Gannet. I've always thought they were beautiful birds, and I'm awe-struck by the amazing plunge diving they perform while hunting fish.
What have you learned about birds by baking your way through the field guide?
Distilling a bird's shape and markings into a cookie is incredibly challenging, and has definitely brought me a new perspective on identification. On the one hand it's a unifying exercise as I try to find commonalities amongst the species I'm baking: Which ones are similar enough in shape that they can share a single cookie cutter? What are the most common colors, so I can consolidate how much icing I have to mix?
At the same time, to make a species identifiable, I need to zero in on what makes it unique. All the markings have to be simplified substantially to make them work in icing without me pulling my hair out, but the key markings have to be there: the whiter face on a White-Faced Ibis as compared to Glossy Ibis; the extra scalloping on the breast of a California Quail as compared to a Gambel's Quail; the slightly different shape of white on a Common Goldeneye compared to Barrow's Goldeneye.
Aside from bird cookies, what's in your future?
I'm planning to finish my PhD this coming May. Once I graduate, I'm hoping to pursue a career in science education. I love getting people excited about birds and the natural world; the cookies have been an excellent way to do that so far.
I am also currently working hard to develop and market my new business as a scientific illustrator. Just as I'm attempting to bake all the birds of North America, I am simultaneously drawing all of them as well. (Note: You can see more of Sarah's illustrations on her other website, Bennu Birdy.)
Follow Sarah's day-by-day progress on her blog, Bird on the Move, by clicking here.


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Track, Playtable Set (Pre-2023)
Our 31-piece Playtable Set lays out to 24" by 38" and is great for smaller play spaces. Track is crafted from locally sourced and sustainably harvested hard maple. Straight track is grooved on one side, curved track, switches, and bridge approaches are grooved on both sides, and all are laser engraved with stripe detail. Compatible with our and other wooden train sets. Kit includes:
(1) 4-piece bridge set (2 supports, 2 ascending/descending pieces)
(4) small curve track pieces
(2) large switch pair
(1) 2" adapter pair
(4) 4" straight track pieces
(2) 8" puddlejumpers
(3) 8" straight track pieces
(8) large curve track pieces


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Well known children's book author David Shannon just published a new book about lice called "Bugs In My Hair!"
David Shannon's Book "Bugs In My Hair!"
His publisher described the book as a humorous take on battling head lice.
This book is guaranteed to make you laugh, and itch! From the opening picture of a happy, oversized louse appearing with his suitcases, you know these bugs are determined to stay, and Mom is about to go nuts!
Nobody talks about them, but they are everywhere. (Some estimate 20 million children a year host them.) Oh the shame and humiliation of having bugs in your hair! But if you go to school, or have play dates, chances are good you might meet them someday. Maybe you already have! Lucky for you, the unwelcome bugs in this story are so funny you will be laughing aloud, even when Mom attacks them with battle-tested anti-lice weapons.
Shannon peppers his hilarious scenes with fun, "nitpicking" facts about these "lousy" critters and pokes fun at common denial: "It's probably ash from that volcano in Pogo Pogo."
Soon the party's over: Bye-bye, Little Nasties!
It's gotten notice, including an article in USA Today. The book is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. We don't think that we're adding it to our children's library, even though we like the author's "Oh David" series. Given how creeped out people (especially parents) are by bed bugs, we can't imagine that "Bugs In My Bed!" will be a sequel, but we'll see.
If you're looking for a way to introduce your children to the topic of bed bugs, and to find an educational tool that helps them prevent these critters from invading your home, then download our own,"Roscoe and the Big Bed Bug Hunt." It's an activity book featuring our canine detective Roscoe the Bed Bug Dog.


text: Product Overview Please expect a call within several business days of starting a subscription to finalize the details. Note the first payment will be processed (and shipped) automatically, but if we are unable to contact you, the subscription will cancel after the first month. Get our great topical videos each month on DVD.1 Topical DVD - $24.99 2 Topical DVDs - $39.99 Check out our topical video section on the store to see what videos will be coming your way!


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Candidate Information Bulletin
The NCEA joined the ranks of colleges and universities, and administers the NCEA Certification Exam in the comfort of your own home or office. This Candidate Information Bulletin includes the content outline covered by the NCEA Certification exam, sample questions and answers. The time allowed for the NCEA Certification Exam test is 90 minutes.
Passing the examination with a 75% or higher, earns you the NATIONAL ESTHETICIAN CERTIFICATION – NCEA Certified credential. You will receive a PASS or FAIL notice at the completion of your test and will receive your credential packet within 2 weeks.
If you FAIL, you will be allowed to re-test, contact NCEA executive offices for more information.
Download complete Candidate Information Bulletin here
Skin Sciences
30 Questions
◊ Anatomy & Physiology
◊ Skin Types
◊ Skin Conditions
◊ Classification Systems
◊ Health, Lifestyle & Nutrition
◊ Skin Diseases & Disorders
◊ Autoimmune Diseases
Skin Treatments Face & Body
25 Questions
◊ Client Consultation
◊ Client Medical & Lifestyle History
◊ Skin typing /classification
◊ Informed Consent Documentation
◊ Precautions/Contraindications to Treatment
Professional Treatments
◊ Exfoliation Methods
◊ Chemical
◊ Mechanical
◊ Laser & Light Therapy
◊ Resurfacing
◊ Permanent Hair Reduction
◊ Photodynamic Therapy
◊ Radiofrequency Technologies
◊ Light Emitting Diodes
◊ Ultrasound
◊ Microcurrent
◊ Body Treatments
◊ Lymphatic Drainage
◊ Manual
◊ Mechanical
◊ Water Treatments
◊ Camouflage Make-up
Medical Professional Interaction
25 Questions
◊ Dermatology
◊ Plastic Surgery
◊ Medical Spas
◊ Prescription Drugs/OTCs
◊ Medical Terminology
◊ Preoperative/Postoperative Care
◊ Wound Healing
◊ Cosmetic Procedures
◊ Injectables
Risk Management,
Professionalism & Business
20 Questions
Risk Management
◊ Legal Risk
◊ Client Health & Safety
◊ Personal Health & Safety
◊ First Aid
◊ Role Modeling/Ethics
◊ Professionalism
◊ Responsibilities
◊ Business Plan
◊ Marketing
◊ Retailing
◊ Equipment
◊ Policies & Procedures
◊ Industry Relations
The following sample questions are similar to those on the National NCEA Certification Written Examination. Each question is followed by four answer choices. Only one choice is correct. Correct answers are listed following the questions.
1. The basal layer of the skin is also known as the stratum:
a) germinativum
b) lucidum
c) germination
d) ganglion
2. Which type of cell produces histamines to reduce inflammation?
a) leukocyte
b) mast
c) fibroblast
d) elastin
3.Abscesses are caused by:
a) bacteria
b) viruses
c) fungi
d) injuries
4. How often should you review a client's medical and lifestyle form?
a) before each treatment
b) once a month at the first visit
c) when the client asks you to
5. The purpose of exfoliation is to:
a) eliminate wrinkles
b) cleanse the skin
c) remove dead skin cells
d) hydrate the skin
6. Which branch of medicine deals with diseases and disorders of the hair?
a) dermatology
b) cosmetology
c) epidemiology
d) trichology
7. What source of collagen is used in Zyderm®?
a) cadaver
b) porcine
c) equine
d) bovine
8. A rhytidectomy is removal of:
a) skin tags
b) comedones and pustules
c) fat and skin
d) melanoma
9. Formulating a marketing strategy includes:
a) facility staffing and contracts
b) logistics and operations
c) risk management and insurance
d) communication and promotion
10. Representing your state licensure and knowing your scope of practice is an example of:
a) profitability
b) insurance
c) ethics
d) reciprocity
1. a)
2. b)
3. a)
4. a)
5. c)
6. a)
7. d)
8. c)
9. d)
10. c)
The references below were used to formulate the 100 questions that are found on the National NCEA Certification Exam. Thorough reviews of these texts are recommended.
NCEA Training Manual
Ed, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2020
National Coalition of Estheticians Association
484 Spring Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Milady's Standard Comprehensive Training for Estheticians
Ed, 2013
Milady's Standard Esthetics Advanced
Ed, 2013
Milady, an imprint of Thomson Delmar Learning
5 Maxwell Drive
Clifton Park, NY 12065
Download complete Candidate Information Bulletin here


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Look out above, the dip buyers are back in town.
Stock futures are soaring — for now — as Wall Street returns from a long holiday weekend, with Fed Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testifying in front of Congress this week. The buying mood comes after the S&P 500's worst week since March 2020, including its fall into a bear market and the biggest Fed hike since 1994.
But while bargain hunters are on the prowl, so too are the U.S. economic doomsters.
Enter Tesla
CEO Elon Musk, who in our call of the day joins a growing chorus of Wall Street voices, including Roubini Macro Associates' Nouriel Roubini and lots of banks warning of tougher times ahead.
"I think that a recession is inevitable at some point. As to whether there is a recession in the near term, I think that is more likely than not," Musk told Bloomberg in an interview early Tuesday at the Qatar Economic Forum.
Musk's comment lines up with an email he reportedly sent to company executives earlier this month, where he spoke of a "super bad feeling" about the global economy and said 10% of Tesla jobs needed to go, knocking shares of the company at the time.
Read: Stocks are still too expensive and rising rates may shock financial system, Seth Klarman warns
Via video to those Qatar attendees, Musk confirmed that, saying 10% of Tesla's salaried head count would be eliminated in the next three months, though a year from now salary and hourly head count would be higher.
As for that bearish economic view, Wall Street bank forecasts are dropping like flies. Goldman Sachs now sees a 30% chance of an economic slowdown over the next 12 months, from a previous 15% on worries the Fed will "feel compelled to respond forcefully" to high inflation.
Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Nomura was even more pessimistic, telling clients Monday that a "mild recession starting in Q4 2022 is now more likely than not," cutting its gross domestic product forecast to 1.8% from 2.5% for 2022 and to 1% from 1.3% for 2023. Deutsche Bank sees sub-1% growth in the first half of 2023 and the first quarter of negative growth in Q3 2023.
As for stocks, Goldman's U.S. equity strategist David Kostin said separately that "investors concerned about tightening financial conditions, slowing economic growth, and elevated market volatility should own stable stocks" — low share price volatility and stable earnings growth.
The High Sharpe ratio basket "also takes volatility into account, but maximizes prospective risk-adjusted returns." The median stock in that basket is expected to generate two times the return of the median S&P 500 stock with only slightly higher implied volatility, said Kostin.
Here's a peek at that basket:
FactSet, Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
The buzz
Spirit shares
are up 12% after JetBlue
lifted its offer for the airline to $33.50 in cash per from $31.50.
St. Louis Fed President James Bullard played down fears of a growing recession in the coming months. And former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said unemployment needs to surge to curb inflation. President Joe Biden said a recession can be avoided.
Biden will also decide by the end of the week whether to order a holiday on the federal gasoline tax that could save as much as 18.4 cents a gallon.
Existing home sales are due after the market open, and we'll hear from Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester and Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin.
Italian helicopter maker Leonardo
will merge its U.S. business with Israeli defense group Rada Electronic Industries
in an all-stock deal to create a new company that will list in New York and Tel Aviv.
The markets
Dow futures
are up nearly 500 points, with 1.5% gains for S&P 500
and Nasdaq-100 futures
with crude
up over 2% and bond yields
also on the rise. Bitcoin
is above $21,000 after a volatile weekend that saw prices drop below $20,000.
Read: Tom DeMark identified the bitcoin downside in March. He's got good news and bad news.
The chart
Goldman's chief global equity strategist Peter Oppenheimer said markets are likely headed for a cyclical bear market — brought on by rising rates and looming recessions. But that's not quite being priced in, so more selling is likely. (See chart of the day below).
Datastream, Haver Analytics, STOXX, Worldscope, Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
The tickers
These were the top-searched tickers on MarketWatch as of 6 a.m. Eastern:
Security name
AMC Entertainment
Redbox Entertainment
Random reads
Hong Kong's famed floating restaurant, where Tom Cruise and other celebrities have dined, sinks.
An inability to balance on one leg for 10 seconds may mean a shorter life.
Welcome to the longest day of the year
Need to Know starts early and is updated until the opening bell, but sign up here to get it delivered once to your email box. The emailed version will be sent out at about 7:30 a.m. Eastern.
Want more for the day ahead? Sign up for The Barron's Daily, a morning briefing for investors, including exclusive commentary from Barron's and MarketWatch writers


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This post >> on How to Become Minimalist with Children has really good information including the benefits and how to involve the kids, which got me started going through Bylee and Ian's things last week. (You can see that process >> here.)
I explained what I could to Brylee and she caught on quickly, excited about the items she could give away and clear about the toys she wanted to keep. (Of course, as these things continue to sit in the living room now a week later, she's wants to play with them or will say "I want to keep this." Once it's gone through once, it needs to leave the house as "out of sight, out of mind" is very true for kids.)
I'm still on Week 2 with only Ian's closet to clear out before crossing Ian's and Brylee's rooms off the list. I cleaned out Brylee's closet, moving Ian's things over so I have room to work. As we get to the packing stage, it'll be nice to have everything they use in one room, so it doesn't get mixed up in everything else.
We also decided once more to nix the yard sale idea. As we started pulling everything out, we thought a yard sale might be nice to get some extra money and not have to haul so much off to Goodwill. Meanwhile, I'm feeling so overwhelmed being surrounded by all this excess. Whether we yard-sale or not, we're still going to have some items to list on Craigslist (to be sure we get our desired price), and we're still going to have trips to Goodwill. With that in mind, spending one of our last few Sundays here devoted to a yard sale did not sound ideal. So, we'll be pulling aside our pricier items and listing them on Craigslist, and giving away everything else. Which means the excess could be out this week, and no more emotional breakdowns from me. (Yes, "stuff" gets me that worked up.)
Thoughts On Refusing for Kids
I've also been thinking more about "refusing" (keeping things from coming into the house) and my apparent inability to do so, especially when I'm refusing on behalf of a child that loves receiving. This last week and a half I've mentally noted every item that's come into our home, observing the process around it.
First was our trip to the dentist and the "loot" the hygenist loaded Brylee up with: one-time-use flossers, stickers, trinkets from the grab box, toothbrush, toothpaste, all in a one-time-use bag. The word REFUSE flashed through my mind in capital letters as she handed these items to Brylee, and I wondered the most polite way to refuse in this and other similar situations. My best attempt at an answer is being proactive.
Here's a draft of steps I need to make habit, and I'll use the dentist as an example:
- Before I even leave the house, I need to know where I'm going and why I'm going, and not go or do without a set purpose.
Example: We were taking Brylee to the dentist to get her teeth cleaned, no unplanned pit stops along the way.
- After thinking of the trip's purpose, I need to think of what I will be receiving, both intentionally and unintentionally.
Example: I intentionally stock up on toothbrushes and toothpaste at the store (bulk means less wasted packaging), but, if I had thought about it, I would have known that the dentist would have give-aways for Brylee.
- The items that are intentional need to be put on a list, unintentional items need to have a refusal plan.
Example: Thinking of the dentists give-aways I could plan ahead what would be useful (if I didn't have extra toothbrushes on hand for Brylee, maybe I would want that but not the toothpaste), what would be nice (Brylee doesn't need 3 stickers, but one for her to put on right away would be fun for her), and what is unnecessary (really, one-time-use flossers and bubble gum flavored toothpaste? No, thank you).
- Intentional items should be evaluated and bought if truly essential (I'd like to start shopping around more, buying secondhand as much as possible, and waiting 48 hours to avoid mistake purchases). Unintentional items need to be refused. Period. And that's the part that trips me up.
Example: The hygienist mentioned the give-aways to Brylee while she was cleaning her teeth. I should have spoken up and said what would be allowed. How this is said will take some practice, so I hope nobody gets offended with me as I learn the best way to approach this. It could sound something like this: "Oh, thank you for the offer. I don't know exactly what items you have for her, but we actually have a good stock of toothbrushes and toothpaste." A quick statement opens the door for refusal and is guided by me, like having Brylee choose just one sticker.
I am so ingrained to accept everything that is offered with a "thank you" and deal with it later (which often means find a place for it in our home whether it's useful or not). There is something about saying "No, thank you" that seems rude even though it's not. I guess the balance comes with being gracious and not getting too much in the "whys" as they can sound a little "better than thou" if not shared carefully.
And that brings me to ideas on refusing from people you're closer to. This last week have developed a few examples and lessons that followed.
- My sister was doing her baby shopping at a favorite secondhand children's store and asked if there was anything we needed. Going through our things, my initial reaction was "No! We don't need anything!" Then, I remembered after going through Brylee's and Ian's clothes, there were a couple items I needed for them. My sister looked and found the perfect items and sent them the next day. She got her gift fix (her and my mom are gift-givers as part of their love language), and I was absolutely thrilled to be adding things to our home that we needed--items that would truly be used.
- We went to a cousin-friend's house for Easter brunch and they gave Brylee an Easter basket. Later, I shared with them what I'm learning about minimalism and my progress in getting rid of stuff before our move. They joked that the Easter basket probably wasn't helping. But, that's okay. Because we had gone through Brylee's things, she now had room to add a toy. We'll get in the habit of ousting a toy of a similar size, and if at any point it's not used or played with, then it'll have to go.
- Hearing about my attempt to get rid of the extra, a friend asked if we would like Brylee to have a movie she had an extra copy of. It's one Brylee would like, we have room in our DVD collection for it, and by being vocal about my desire to eliminate and simplify, my friend caught on and asked before giving.
If the people in our lives are accustomed to giving us things (whether it's gifts or hand-me-downs or anything in between), then changing this will take effort. While flat-out listing new rules to the relationship is probably rude at best, starting with sharing our experience will be enough for most in-tune people to catch on to the changes.
And for anyone that's not realizing what this change means for specific occasions (Christmas, birthdays, etc.), sharing our experiences will be an essential foundation to future conversations.
Find my other posts in this series linked >> here.


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Vulnerabilities manifest within customer environments in a variety of ways. These include the misconfiguration of devices and systems (e.g. sub-optimal configurations, leaving default accounts active, etc.), along with technical flaws or bugs identified with the system itself. Vulnerabilities may also be introduced via non-technical aspects, such as broken or inadequate processes and procedures, or employees deviating from defined procedure (eg. social engineering).
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Key Points…
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Our services can be used to assist IT professionals & managers to develop an effective Incident Response plan for their organization, as well as associated policies and standards. Security consultancy services can also be leveraged to assist the organization in responding to a security incident.


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I do know when I'll be back again.
In the meantime I get to go teach Go With the Flow, Beginner Free Motion machine Quilting and And now What?!
I'm hoping these are still blooming when I get home. This needs a scratch & sniff feature.
One thing I love about NY is the ever changing light at this time of year. It's kind of stunning.
I have pics from the Northern Star Quilt show that I'll share soon.
Meanwhile over on the Generation Q Magazine Blog…we've reviewed Marie Bostwick's From Here to Home.
Happy Quilting!