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In recent years I have tended to leave my set building to my two boys (aged 5 and 8). So in this tradition we have done the same with this set. It would be fair to say that as they have been surrounded by so much LEGO from birth, they are probably able to make sets with an age mark beyond their own ages. So with this set being for 8 to 14 year-olds it was going to be interesting to see how well they got on.
I gave them the choice as to which model to build first and was a little disappointed to hear that they wanted to build the spaceship first. But given that it is the main model on the box and comes first in the instructions, their choice was not overly surprising. They both liked the look of the set and the fact that two models could be made from it. This versatility takes me back to my younger days in the 1980s when the sets always had other ideas of models on the back on the box. As a child I liked those alternates and it's what encouraged me to build my own ideas. As a parent I like the idea of sets encouraging children to use their imagination. I've heard a number of fellow parents say that their children never break their models up, which to me sounds sacrilegious!
Micro Manager and Spaceship
It's a nice model, but doesn't come with a great deal of play features; just some shooters and catapults. Aesthetically, it is dominated by the two Light Bluish Gray [BL]/Medium Stone Grey [TLG] castle wall panels, part 30246, which TLG amusingly name the "French Tower", ooh la la. This is a part that I have found little use for myself over the years and haven't seen too many times in other people's Castle MOCs; I wonder whether those space fans will give it a go?
I thought the detailing at the rear of the model looked pretty cool though.
The Castle Gatehouse
As with the spaceship the build was easy enough for him and he had the model built in good time. Whilst he had been building I had kept an eye on the parts being used, wondering whether this second model would use all of them; at the end I was impressed with how few parts hadn't been included. The Micro Manager is a separate build though, so you can include it with both models.
My oldest boy particularly liked the lock on the gates along with how the two towers had differing features. On the downside, he wasn't too impressed with the stability of the cart-come-catapult, which I have to agree on; the design is a bit on the weak side. But overall, having built the two models, we were all pleased enough with the set and impressed they were both made from pretty much the same set of parts. I may find myself having to go out and get some of the other models now!
We all have differing reasons for buying sets. For me, it's all about those parts that are new or useful for me in my own models. So when looking at this set I saw the flags straight away and was hopeful that the crown emblem would be printed on them; I was disappointed to find a pack of stickers in the box instead. As personal preference I don't use stickers and they get put away with the box, so unfortunately I didn't get a new flag for my castle builds. The minifigs were equally disappointing for me, being made of the same parts as 2013's Castle line minifigures, although I guess this consistency is good for kids who own those sets. The (modern day) damsel in distress contains the only elements exclusive to this set: her head and torso. So, a disappointing set for new parts.
Alternate model
1282AD, Forest of Dean, England. War has broken out again between King Edward I and the Welsh. As part of the war preparations, timber and charcoal are being collected from the Forest of Dean near the border of England and Wales. Two knights visit Thomas Swángeréfa for a report and are greeted by Thomas's wife, Emma.
Emma Swángeréfa tells the knights that she has not seen her husband for some days and that a Welsh war party had been seen near by; maybe he has been taken or killed by them?
Unbeknownst to the knights, this story is a cover-up. Emma, having been born in Wales, remained loyal to her roots and murdered her husband to put a thorn in the English's war efforts. Once dead, she burnt him in the charcoal burner of their cottage. The knights leave satisfied with the story and without giving thought to the skull and bones outside the cottage.
Our thanks to LEGO's Community and Events Engagement Team for providing these sets.
70806 Castle Cavalry retails at US$29.99/GB£24.99.
Affiliate links:
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Castle Cavalry
LEGO The LEGO Movie 70806: Castle Cavalry


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AMMAN— As part of its interest in the human resources sector and regional events that highlight latest developments in the sector and within its expansion strategy in the Arab markets, MenaITech, the leading company in the human resources software and solution and institutional management, took part in the 2014 Human Resources Summit that took place in the UAE.
MenaITech stressed that its participation in the Summit is to get acquainted with the latest development in the field, as the 2014 Summit includes a huge participation of prominent experts in the human resources field in the region and the world.
The Human Resources Summit was held at Dubai International Convention Center- Sheikh Al Maktoum Hall for three days from October 20-22.
Over the past 10 years, this summit has become the largest event in the Middle East for experts in the human resources field and provides the latest inventions, strategies, visions and best practices.
During its participation, MenaITech showcased its solutions and software in the human resources and institutional management filed in addition to its iCloud platform that was launched early this year. The company has a special both in the exhibition and announced that the number of beneficiaries from its systems in the regional markets reached more than one million employees working in 1,200 companies and institutions.
Bashar Hawamdeh CEO of MenaITech said that the company is keen to take part in all activities and forums related to the employment, institutional management and human resources fields to benefit from the regional and international expertise in the field. This, he explained is to ensure and work on providing the best and most developed systems and software in these fields.
He added that MenaITech always works on developing its human resources software to cope up with the trends and developments in the IT sector, citing the launch of the iCloud platform as an example in this respect.

subset: commoncrawl


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Daniel Dubach joins Switzerland's Liberty Pension
Daniel Dubach in June 2018 joined Liberty Pension in Schwyz, Switzerland, as Director of Operations.
He joins Liberty Pension from Swiss Life Global Solutions, where he was Vice President responsible for Germany and Latin America. He has 17 years of experience in international employee benefits, 6 years as reinsurance underwriter and 6 years in non-life insurance. He holds a BSc in Business Administration from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Switzerland.
Founded in 2005, Liberty Vorsorge AG is an independent pension platform and is one of the leading providers in Switzerland which offers comprehensive services in the field of occupational benefits and tied pension assets.


text: Revitalizes and calms the base, navel and solar plexus chakras. Increases ones capacity to love, express and communicate, attune to the earth and it's spiritual forces, vitalize and stimulate ones initiative qualities, promote harmony and understanding of others. Purifies the home and environment. It helps one to attune to the perfection of the universe and thereby re-aligns the body.


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International Arctic Forum
International forum "The Arctic: Territory of dialogue" is one of the main projects of the Russian Geographical Society. Research of the Arctic has always been and remains one of the primary areas of the Society' focus for its more than sesquicentennial history.
September 24-25, 2013 Salekhard, the administrative center of Yamalo-Nenets autonomous okrug hosted III International Arctic forum "The Arctic: Territory of dialogue".
Main topic of the third forum was ecological safety in the Arctic. The Forum will focus on such ecological safety issues as public health in the Arctic, environmental protection legal regime, influence of climate change on arctic ecosystems and environmentally safe development of the Arctic resources.
Major task of the Forum is to connect all professional points of view and organize a discussion that will encourage consensus between government bodies, academic community and business on the issues of the Arctic nature preservation and liquidation of the environmental impact made by human economic activity.
The first international Arctic forum was held in Moscow 22-23 September, 2010 and focused on the current issues of the Arctic region. The second forum was held in Arkhangelsk 22-23 September, 2011 and focused on building of transport network in the Arctic.


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"Strength lies in differences, not in similarities" ― Stephen R. Covey
It was a great opportunity for the ASP Trece Martires Chapter to conduct a community seminar about "Community Awareness Towards Children with Special Needs" at Brgy. Inocencio Trece Martires City last 9 March 2016 from 8am -3pm. With the support of the DSWD and Community officials of Brgy. Inocencio Trece Martires City, the event met is desire to inform the community of various intellectual and developmental disabilities and what parents should do.
ASP National President Mona Magno-Veluz briefly welcomed the participants to community event. The other guest speakers were Dr. Julio Estorninos, the SPED Director who talked about "Early Intervention;" Mrs. Lucinda Agrava, DSWD Focal Person who shared her knowledge about "Rights and Benefits of Children with Special Needs;" and Mrs. Janette Peña, ASP National Trustee and Dasmariñas Chapter President who shared the significance of the "Opportunities for Children with Special Needs." The speakers gifted the audience with knowledge and awareness on invisible disabilities.
|ASP Trece Martires officers with Ms. Mona Veluz
About the contributor: Nordita M. Eva is a 3rd year SPED student of Trece Martires City College, ASP Trece Martires Chapter President and mother of a 17 year old boy who has autism.


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First look outside and see if the outage has included your neighbors. If it hasn't, the problem may be within your home. Check your fuse box or circuit breaker panel to see if you can locate the problem. If the neighboring houses are dark too, look to see if there are any trees or branches on the lines, or if there are downed wires, flashes of light, or any other signs of trouble. Don't touch or attempt to move any electric lines or trees or any other obstacles in contact with electric lines.
Important Phone Numbers
When an outage occurs, please call us. During regular business hours, call (252) 641-4252. During evenings or weekends, call (252) 641-4247. After a major storm, calling will take a great deal of patience because many other people are also trying to call. During emergencies, we have phone lines set up at the Dispatch Center to handle the calls around the clock. It's natural to be tempted to ask how long the power will be out, but it's almost an impossible question to answer. Be assured we will get to you as soon as we can. There's no need to keep calling. However, if your power was restored but the failed again, or if you're in one of those small pockets of dark houses when the rest of the neighborhood has had its power restored, please call again. The town may not know that your house wasn't included when the rest of the circuit was put back in service.
You Can Help!
When an outage occurs or last for an extended period of time, a heavy burden is placed on the system at the moment the power is restored. This high demand can cause an overload on the system, and you could lose power once again. To prevent this, turn everything off in your home except one light. In addition, make sure the surface elements on your range have been turned off and that other heat-producing appliances are off as well, because if left on they can pose a serious fire hazard after the power has been restored.
When the light you left on glows, you'll know the power has been restored. Over the next 30-60 minutes, slowly switch your appliances back on and gradually return thermostats to their normal settings.
Leave a porch light on so that our repair crews know when your service has been restored.


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Today's Newsreel
posted by Patrick Crowley on July 7, 2003 at 7:32 am
Sameric Theater Gains News Ally
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Read the Philadelphia Daily News article
(Thanks to 'mrambojr' for this story!)
Art Deco Theater to Reopen With Screening
McMINNVILLE, TN — Read the Tennessean
Capitol Theatre Building Makes AIA Guide
FLINT, MI — View the AIA's Guide
View the Flint Journal article
(Thanks to Gary Flinn for this story!)
Another Theater Experiments With Baby-Friendly Screenings
SEATTLE, WA — View the Seattle Times article


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Desk Space Stock
Desk Space was established in 2009 as Sydney's first co-working space
Sign up today and learn more about Desk Space Stock
Invest in or value your shares in one or many pre-IPO companies through an EquityZen investment vehicle.
About Desk Space Stock
Desk Space is a hybrid between a co-working space and incubator. It is the physical space and conceptual space, and like the notion of the Third Space, it is the transitional space – from what you are doing now to what you could be doing next. Desk Space is an environment based on design thinking: the integration of people, technology and business to create new ideas and solve problems. We apply the principles of good design – considered, responsible, intelligent design – to translate initial ideas into something more tangible, leveraging the skill sets and knowledge of our members to mitigate risks from the start. Desk Space is a high-calibre network of people who invest in seeing each other succeed. Our members are ambitious, accomplished, experienced and modest and our open-plan layout fuels a culture of collaboration and participation. Desk Space is proof that productivity is infectious and success breeds success.
Steven Arthur


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Is there a way to reduce the risk of fat necrosis at the injection site when using an IM corticosteroid? I've heard that rubbing the site after injecting can make fat necrosis more likely. Once fat necrosis has occurred, are there treatments to make it less unsightly?
—Jon Malan, DO, Red Bluff, Calif.
Corticosteroid injections can rarely result in local, persistent cutaneous atrophy or depigmentation. These complications are thought to be due to the micronized crystals of corticosteroid that can remain in the skin for long periods. The chance of skin atrophy or depigmentation can be minimized by using the lowest concentration and smallest quantity of drug needed. Where the steroid is injected can also be a factor. Steroid placed in the subcutaneous layer is more likely to cause atrophy than an intra-articular injection. Dilution with lidocaine, if indicated for the procedure, is also helpful, not only in giving instant confirmation of correct placement, but also because the dilution of the steroid decreases its propensity to cause atrophy. Once skin atrophy has occurred, one study showed resolution of steroid-related atrophy with repeated injection of normal saline into the area (Dermatol Surg. 2005;31:1340-1343).
—Susan Kashaf, MD, MPH (99-9)
Continue Reading


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what is your favourite ___" .
View this post on Instagram
10am 11/11 Today we reviewed what we learnt last time including the phrase "what is your favourite ___" . We also reviewed the words we learnt last week. We talked about countries we have visited which included Vietnam. Vietnam pho is very tasty. New phrases we learnt: Rice field I was born in Hinase in 1961. Up to you Matchmaking Is ___ common in Australia How many times have you you______ These words are: Presentation Confused Sponge cake is famous in Nagasaki How was your week? I was working Saturday in Kibitz which is 2 hours away by train. My daughter's husband likes the cookies. What is your favourite movie? My favourite movie is Pretty woman. I like love stories. I don't like scary or suspenseful movies. I don't like horror movie. Last monday, there was a saxophone concert that I watched. There was a Japanese singer that performed. I rented a bicycle I was born on Nineteen sixty one (1961) My husband is seven years older than me My favourite book is cooking book What is your favourite place in Japan? Are carrots common in Australia? Is nato common in Japan? I haven't tried Oyster ice cream Can you try use 'earphones' in a sentence? I used earphones on train I dont like manicures, lipstick or earrings I hate tattoos. Why do you hate tatttoos? My hobbies are cooking, gardening, travelling Hanoi beer is very mild and sweet.


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Regni (latin for -kingdom-) is a series of artifacts inspired by the animal kingdom, taking qualities of animals as abstractions related to specific kitchen tasks. The journey started by empathizing with the kitchen environment, innovating with food and finding opportunities in the environment. A mix of stylized earth and sea creatures complement each other, offering a clean and simple aesthetic that has a subtle playfulness to it. Created in 18 gauge and 1/8" thick steel sheet, all pieces were originally designed, plasma cut, bent and polished. Regni was featured on the Core77 website.
The armadillo trivet is inspired by this mammal's ability to resist high temperatures. When it comes to hot pots and pans, a sturdy surface to protect furniture pieces is of primary importance. With geometric lines representing this creature's armor, this trivet provides a sturdy surface for hot pots and pans to rest, and the cutouts provide additional ventilation.
Patience and perseverance are adjectives commonly attributed to turtles. Baking and cooking certainly require these qualities, and this cooling rack is a way to remind users about it. Using a geometrical representation of a turtle shell, this efficiently works as a cooling rack for baked goods and roasted meats. The legs and head raise the surface, allowing additional air flow.
This spoon rest is formed by the lines of a stylized octopus. It provides a flat surface for the spoon head and an inclined surface for the handle to be comfortably aligned. The design uses the animal's tentacles as an analogy to the multitasking nature required for kitchen work. When it comes to handling several efforts at once, the spoon rest is the best ally.
Trade between western and eastern cultures brought new customs to both words. Inspired by the ancient tradition of cooking with spices, this dispenser utilizes the symbolic elephant as a representation of Asian culture. A simple wooden base provides two compartments for different spices and an opportunity to enhance cooking with a more tactile experience.
This majestic sea creature provides a perfect analogy for the measuring spoon set. Just as whales elegantly move through the ocean, this artifact evokes the same peacefulness and reliability. The whale's tail is used to measure liquids and solids, while the body of the spoon uses the animal's curves to create a form that hands can comfortably grip to.
The alluring movements of stingrays as they sway through the bottom of the ocean are a perfect representation of the cooling air as it caresses the top of glasses and mugs. This coaster utilizes the broad body of the stingray as a surface for drinking vessels to rest, relying on the animal's tail and fins for structure.


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EquationPro is an android application for creating/running different scientific and business formulas. With EquationPro all aspect of an equation can be customized. Creating a new equation by EquationPro is easy and for the most purposes only involves two screen clicks and a few edits. Running an equation is almost immediately possible after equation creation. On the other hand complex equations can be created and run by EquationPro and customized intensively.
After starting the application, a page will displayed showing list of currenly created formula. This list is empty after the first start of the application. Click the plus icon in the top bar to create a new equation. An equation with 5 variables and a predefined formula will be created. and will be opened in the equation detail page. This is ready for use. You can enter new values for the vriables to calculate the result of the equation. But this is only a template for your final equation and this in itself is not of much use. You can customized this template to your needs. You can change the title of the equation, change the formula, change the variables, delete or add additional variables, etc. You have totlal control over different aspect of your equation.
Different kinds of variables such as check box variable, radio buttons, menus and seek bars are supported.
The result of the equation execution may be categorized and the program select a category to display based on the final value of the equation.
Equations can be shared with others, backup and restored.


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Today, in a cognitive/technical society, people have become more and more removed from the instinctive aspect of the psyche. My task as author is to enhance the creative spirit through myth and metaphor, to restore the sense of wonder adults experienced as children. My method is multi-sensory, interdisciplinary, and holistic. There are no limitations to what thoughts, ideas, observations, or research could and might be used to stimulate the creative process. The ultimate tool is the human heart. The medium is words. Philosophy, art, music, and linguistics are some of the disciplines used as stimulation.
As Phyllis Whitney said, learn to "think with a pencil." What comes out on paper may be the most wonderful gift you have ever received. And, just think, dear reader, you gave it to yourself!
Before writing Myth, Magic and Metaphor as a book, Patricia taught a class by the same name both at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis and at Anne Arundel Community College, Continuing Education. The following is one of the many letters forwarded to Patricia. It reflects the same attributes taught in the course as are found in the book. In the latter case: to make the reader into a writer.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my feelings about a course I recently attended (Myth and Magic / Pat Daly, Advanced Writers Workshop).
"I would also to express my gratitude to the instructor. I entered Ms. Daly's course as a 'Literary Snob', but I left with a new appreciation for the written word. Prior to attending this course, it had been twenty years since I had opened a book with Hemingway, Joyce, or Faulkner on the cover. After attenting Ms. Daly's first session, I found myself racing to the library in search of these authors. Ms. Daly reintroduced me to a world that I had long forgotten. She provided stimulation, inspiration, and a desire to catch up on all I had missed.
"For me, more inportant than the rediscovery of other authors was the writer I discovered inside myself through Ms. Daly's class exercises. These exercises taught me a new way of writing.
"The only complaint I have about the course is that it was far too short. There was so much more we could have covered." . . .
(A former student)
Reviews for Myth, Magic, and Metaphor
I found Myth, Magic and Metaphor truly an inspirational to read. Yesterday, June Rodgers phoned and during the course of conversation re: the sale of this house, she asked if the name of the book I'd been given was Myth, Magic and Metaphor and when I said yes, she replied that she thought it was the best she had ever read on the subject of writing. I agreed!
Marjorie Van Dyke
Patricia's book Myth, Magic and Metaphor has been awarded the New York City Book Award and the Global Book Award
— # —
A superb handbook in that every chapter offers a great deal of food for thought. There are nuggets of wisdom in every paragraph, bite-size quotes from artists, philosophers, and authors the world over, strung together to stimulate the reader's (student's) mind. In chapter 7, The Mystery, Patricia talks about the 'intelligence of the universe' and that topic, more than the others, spoke to me because I believe we are one with the world—humankind. We share in a collective wisdom and as artists we contribute our genetic memories through writing, painting, etc., in the hopes that they might resonate with like-minded others. "Myth, Magic, and Metaphor" is like a personal Creative Writing course that I will revisit often. It is so encouraging to be affirmed in one's artistic journey and Patricia's book has done just that! " "I have officially added this book to my Creative Writing shelf!
Patricia Bossano, Author [email protected]
— # —Reading Myth, Magic, and Metaphor was like sitting down for a free-associative conversation with a dear, bright friend. I love the way you see connections between philosophers and writers separated by centuries and continents. I find few people can keep up with that kind of non-linear thinking, and it was a joy to find you!'
Barbara Amster
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I was just telling some friends recently that your Creative Writing classes back in 1995-96 at Maryland Hall spurred (I thought you'd like the horsey verb!) me to reconnect with my creative spirit – and I've continued writing with gusto these past 20 years! Thanks so much for your remarkable inspiration!!! You were my catalyst!
Shirley Brewer
— # —Excerpt from la Joie book review Click here for full review
Myth, Magic, and Metaphor is a book for everyone. For those who love and care for animals, nature and the Earth, there is encouragement of your deeply intuitive feelings. For those who also choose or feel compelled to write of their feelings, to honor those who have graced their lives, this is an invaluable manual and companion to the craft of such expression. Or if you just want a great book to inspire and delight you—this is the one. Dr. Patricia Daly-Lipe is friend to us all, whether or not you have had the great pleasure of personally knowing her. As one who honors others' lives, both of the human and animal kind, she not only offers a gift with her writings (and paintings) but does the hard day-to-day efforts of working with rescued animals. Her heart is right on the task and over the years, many have benefited from her dedication.
La Joie is a quarterly publication dedicated to promoting appreciation for all beings through education, adoption/sponsorship, and inter-support programs. Blessing the Bridge – Animal Peace Garden
— # —READER'S FAVORITE REVIEW RATED 4 STARS The goal is to become intoxicated with life. The tool is the heart. The medium is words." Writing, as Dr. Patricia Daly-Lipe illustrates time and again in her book Myth, Magic, and Metaphor: A Journey into the Heart of Creativity, is a combination of intuition, desire, and open-mindedness mixed with hard work, long hours, and a solid foundation. Dr. Daly-Lipe presents a solid foundation for creative writing students to start their journeys into writing and any aspiring or veteran writer to use as a springboard for his or her next book. Each chapter provides an opportunity to explore how creativity comes about from inspiration, which feeds the process of writing (the focus here) and any artistic endeavor. From using a word's etymology to fuel its power to tapping into the rhythmic beat of Mozart, "[w]riting is a way of introducing wonder and surprise to ourselves." Creativity requires – if not outright demands – that you slow to a halt and let everyone else race past while you take in the sights. Once you have your fill of everything around you, find a way to translate your experiences from your mind and your heart into something people wouldn't mind slowing down to get more of. Writing is only one of many, and Dr. Daly-Lipe is more than happy to help. I feel Myth, Magic, and Metaphor is best utilized as a textbook for college and possibly high school students attending creative writing courses. Dr. Daly-Lipe fills the book with lots of quotes from a wide range of influential people, including authors, philosophers, poets, Nobel Prize winners, and musicians. She goes in depth into how words have power, whether that power is for good or for bad, and how those words can give sentences life by the way they are placed together. She argues that an artist being idle is not the same as being lazy; for the artist to be inspired to create and encourage the imagination (both of which are intrinsic to creativity), the artist must be able to relax his or her body and mind deeply to let the images/words come to the forefront. Once in the forefront, the artist will likely feel compelled to express these images/words in the physical world through stories, paintings, or even dance. The sources of inspiration are present all around us – we need to be more childlike in viewing the world, the environment, and ourselves. This can be quite difficult in this fast-paced world, but I believe that makes creativity and being creative so appealing. Many want more creativity for their jobs or careers; out of that many, few will find that creativity extends much further than those confines. Creativity is not creative unless it starts from deep within the creator and reaches out (by way of a medium) to touch another person, inspiring him or her to be a creator as well. Myth, Magic, and Metaphor is Dr. Daly-Lipe's way of inspiring others to be creators within their own right through the medium of words.
Reviewed by Ayrial King for Readers' Favorite
— # —
One usually remembers creative people for their productivity, not for their thoughts on the origin or the process which leads to their resulting achievement. In this book, the authoress explores what creativity means to musicians, historians, artists, poets, philosophers, scientists, and even mathematicians through the medium of their own words. Each chapter begins with a topical quotation. These introductory words match the chapter title and set the tone for the chapter's content, whether it be art, myth, magic, or music. Ms. Daly-Lipe lures the reader in with thoughts on creativity as expressed by the likes of Aristotle, Carl Jung, Albert Einstein, Toni Morrison, and Joseph Campbell (to name but a few). Her real purpose appears to be to draw us into the writing process. Each chapter is interspersed with words of encouragement such as "Write the way you perceive and the way you feel"(p. 72) or "Write about what you see but also write about what you cannot see" (p. 143) or "Don't question whether to write and don't procrastinate doing it." (p. 158) Each chapter also gently concludes with an assignment for those of us who need structure to get us writing: "Your assignment is to slow down." (p. 39)(Ch. 2) or "Let yourself tell you more about your self." (p. 81) (Ch. 6). Ms. Daly-Lipe urges us to read all sorts of authors, not just current best sellers; to listen to Mozart and Bach for rhythms; to study science and language for insights into the magic of symbols. This slender tome is a handbook for creative writing whether for the individual looking for a different perspective on the craft or for the student needing to find references for a writing class. To quote Phyllis Whitney, as the authoress does at the beginning and end of her book, "…think with a pencil." I say read this book, take up your pencil, and write.
— # —
13 Oct 2011 Your book has touched my soul and stoked the artist in me. For the last year, I've been working on a book of letters, and inspiration can be tough. I've found myself attaching my creative source to many unreliable things versus allowing myself to feel and let go of what's famililar and safe. Your book has provided such validation and guidance that I truly believe that I'm on my way to realizing a dream — to fulfill my purpose. Our meeting was not by chance. Your words, as well as the collection of sentiment you gathered, have moved something deep within me and confirmed a mission that I know must be completed. I feel blessed. If you are planning any more creative writing seminars or will be speaking somewhere soon or in the future, please do let me know. I'd be honored to speak with you again and personally thank you for mentoring me through this wonderful and terrifying creative process.
Alexis Holmes
— # —
Creativity: A Journey to the Source
Almost all writers experience an interruption to the flow of creativity from time to time. On January 12, artist and writer Patricia Daly-Lipe shared her beliefs about creativity, where it originates and how to connect with our source. As a former student of philosophy, Daly-Lipe has plenty of experience living the examined life. She believes that the journey to creativity involves the process, not the final product…. Daly-Lipe specifically urges writers to allow the words to flow until they take over and time stops…. To connect to the source of creativity, we also need to see the world in a new way. Daly-Lipe advises writers to allow the world to reveal itself. The word reveal originally meant "remove veil". When in the act of observing, we need to peel back the layers in order to find the truth. According to Daly-Lipe, we are part of nature and the universe is within us. As artists, we have an innate ability to perceive the beauty of the world. Daly-Lipe urges us to take the time to look around. Return to the state of child-like excitement when we learned something new. "The sunset is always there, but really take the time to enjoy it. Look for the extraordinary in the ordinary," says Daly-Lipe. At one point in the evening, she shared this memorable quote: "The world will never starve for want of wonders, but want of wonder." Most importantly, we should create some record of our lives. Daly-Lipe's book La Jolla, A Celebration of Its Past is a collection of essays and vignettes that describe history from the point of view of the people who settled there. Daly-Lipe laments that people write few letters today. E-mail is the primary means of communication and messages are usually deleted. She urges us to save e-mails and to keep journals in order to pass on something of ourselves. …Daly-Lipe also reminded us that creativity does not need a purpose. The process should be reward enough. Allow spontaneity to express itself and live in the moment.
Danielle Ring, WIW Member (Washington Independent Writers)
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"Myth, Magic, & Metaphor is luminous with oracular wisdom about the nature and sources of creativity. From first page to last, this book will inspire you to be inspired." The book was composed to do just that: inspire. It is not to teach or to substantiate a bias. It was written as a jumping off point for the reader to become the writer using etymology, mathematics, painting, music, philosophy, even psychology as some of the concepts for stimulation. As Joseph Campbell stated, 'The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." Nothing more is requested of the reader. Take away the rules. Listen to your heart. That is where you will find the source; in this case, the source of creativity.
Richard Lederer, author, Lecturer, and co-host for KPBS radio program A Way with Words"
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I read, reread and reread MM&M as there is an abundance of enriching material in it. It takes me to a different plane of experience.
C. Cook
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For me, this was a delightful and refreshing book to read. I found myself underlining and asterisking numerous phrases throughout the book to refer to again and again. I would highly recommend it to anyone involved in or interested in the creative arts.
Jane Best, Morgantown, NC
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I read MM&M in one sitting on a bench in Union Square Park, completely engrossed, and unaware of the lunatic babbling of Park denizens. An embarrassment of riches, to say the least. I really enjoyed your ranging mind, and the manifold use of citations and poetic snippets. You are a quintessential humanist. And best of all, you helped unblock me from non-writing.
Joseph Roccasalvo, S.J. author of seven novels including Portrait of A Woman, Chartreuse, and The Odor of Sanctity plus two plays so far.
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For anyone looking for their creativity button this small, dynamic book is a must read. Ms. Daly leads the reader through an understandable path to finding your creative juices without wandering too far off the journey to finding your writing powers. With the many exercises she includes within the chapters it makes this 107 page book even more valuable. I found this journey to writing can also be applied to other arts that the reader may be interested in pursuing.<
Pamela Binder, Bay City, MI
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I have loved reading Myth, Magic and Metaphor. Like a mocingbird sucks nectar; it's been food for my soul fueling my creative process. Thank you for the gift of it. There is so much magic in life, and it's joyful to witness synchronicities dancing many moments of the day. Your book tapped that mythical connected place, and I feel close to you as the author, as if we have had a close conversation for many hours. …I completed my BA at UCSD doing a special projects major entitled "Symbol, Ritual and Transformation" that dealt with my near-death experience through fine art. I have taught hundreds of creativity courses in the years following my BA, as well as developing a private practice integrating psychology, creativity and spirituality. (My PhD dissertation was entitled "Art and Soul: Creative Process as Spiritual Path", I'd like to turn it into a book-sound familiar?) Our teaching philosophy is very similar. Now, after 20 years of supporting other people in their journey, I am taking a year long sabbatical to do my own creative work of writing and painting full time. Yeah! So your book landed into my hands in perfect timing. In my daily writing this morning, a rain of tears came down my face when I wrote about aching to share more of myself with the world in my writing and art. Your book encourages me. It was fun to discover through your web site that you are a painter as well…
Lisa Longworth, Director of the Expressive Art Therapy Department of International University of Professional Studies
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I can fly! Although I purchased this book for my daughter to share with high school students in her English and creative writing classes, I decided to read it myself before sending it. What a great decision! I read it like a novel, thereby receiving the full impact of the encouragement and excitement being created within me as I turned the pages quickly. Before I had completed the book, I was totally inspired with renewed confidence to practice being creative in ALL areas of my life, not just in my writing. I moved things around my home with abandon, made new desserts with a flourish, and even dared to tie a scarf around my neck and go out in public! All of these things were great FUN! I may never write a novel, but this book has surely inspired me to use my creative spirit as I spice up my life. I thank you, Patty Daly-Lipe for that, and I truly believe this must have been the reason you wrote this book!
A reviewer, Bed & Breakfast owner, March 3, 2004,
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I found this book to be a great source to get the creative juices flowing in ones mind. It isn't a 'how to' book. I believe another reviewer simply didn't understand the authors intention. It is a great upper for anyone feeling a lag in creativity when writing.
Ben, A reviewer, March 1, 2004.
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In the Fall, 2004 issue of laJoie Magazine, (laJoie and Company, P. O. Box 145, Batesville, VA 22924 (540)456-6204, publisher Rita Reynolds has written a lovely "Tribute" to me and to my book, Myth, Magic & Metaphor. I am humbled by such praise. She speaks of my having "a strong sense of compassion, intelligence, creativity, and selflessness." But it is to the readers of my books that the best tribute comes. "…Myth, Magic & Metaphoris one of those little books that is pure treasure, the needed lift when the spirit is weary." She then quotes from the book: "More than ever, I feel, three aspects of the human psyche need to be developed, namely: imagination, inspiration, and creativity…. For the artist, there is clarity and an order in the beauty of nature. Our participation in and with nature allows us to recognize that fact. The universe is truly both within us and without/outside us. There is nothing new in this world that is not old. All this, the artist observes and records." Thank you Rita for writing "Standing Tall: A Tribute". For my web readers, please look at Rita's book,Crossing the Bridge, What Animals Have to Teach Us About Death, Dying and Beyond and check out her web site. Also, I encourage you to look at her son, Tim's, beautiful art work,portraits of pets:
Patricia Daly-Lipe, author


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Sarkodie, Ice Prince, Sangu Delle, Davido, Regina Agyare and more are this year's Future Awards Africa finalists
This year's Future Awards has been scheduled for 7th December 2014 and as part of the upcoming event the list of finalists has been released. Ghanians that made the list included; multiple award winning rapper Sarkordie, author, entrepreneur and Pan-Africanist Sangu Delle and Regina Agyare, a Software Developer and founder of Soronko Solutions.
photo credit: sdelle.com
In case you are wondering what the criteria was for selecting these finalist, well according to The The Future Awards Africa team, the finalists were selected from the pool of outstanding individuals across various disciplines and nominated from all over Africa for this season of the awards and have been assessed through a four-month process supervised by the Central Working Committee, Board of Judges and Independent Audit Committee.
Sounds legit to me. Check out the full list of nominees below:
TFAA Prize in Technology
Jamilia Abass, Linda Kwamboka & Susan Oguya (Kenya)
Mark Essien (Nigeria)
Joshua Okello (Kenya)
TFAA Prize in Entertainment
Panshak 'Ice Prince' Zamani (Nigeria)
Michael Kwesi 'Sarkodie' Owusu (Ghana)
Nasibu Adul 'Diamond' Juma (Tanzania)
TFAA Prize in Public Service
Lukman Jaji (Nigeria)
Okwuone Nkechi (Nigeria)
Ahmed Salihijo (Nigeria)
TFAA Prize in Community Action
Jake Okechukwu (Nigeria)
Nixon Ochatre (Uganda)
Tricia Ikponmwonba (Nigeria)
TFAA Prize in Advocacy
Kennedy Odede (Kenya)
Boniface Mwangi (Kenya)
Abdikadir Aden Hassan (Kenya)
TFAA Prize in Enterprise Support
Sanga Moses (Uganda)
Bunmi Otegbade (Nigeria)
Justin Stanford (South Africa)
TFAA Prize in Agriculture
Olawale Isaiah Ojo (Nigeria)
Charles Nichols and Samir Ibrahim (Kenya)
Nasir Yammama (Nigeria)
The Tony O. Elumelu Prize in Business
Eseoghene Odiete (Nigeria)
Ally Edha Awadh (Tanzania)
Andrew Mupuya (Uganda)
TFAA Prize in Education
Regina Agyare (Ghana)
Obanor Chukwuwezam & Ogunlana Olumide (Nigeria)
Philip Obaji Jr (Nigeria)
TFAA Prize for Young Person of the Year
Kayode Disu (Nigeria)
Joel Mwale (Kenya)
Sangu Delle (Ghana)
Alengot Oromait (Uganda)
David Adedeji 'Davido' Adeleke (Nigeria)


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Can you believe it, Secret Summer came and went for its second year already?
On Sunday, August 14th, bohemian chic New Yorkers gathered at the historic Foundry in Long Island City to celebrate New York's first and only farm-to-bar cocktail festival.
The Setup
Upon entering the main archway of the beautifully restored 19th-century "brick Xanadu," stood New York-based duo, Coyote and Crow strumming along handmade banjos. Food trucks, Big D's Grub Truck and Eddie's Pizza were situated in the left corner of the courtyard dishing out 'grinders' and thin-crust pizzas. Across the courtyard, Van Leeuwan served free vegan ice-cream cones from their obvious yellow truck parked straight ahead. SPiN ping-pong tables were lined up along the lush-ivy wall for guests to show off their
beer pong skills. Live performances from the Secret Summer Street Ballet team and six-man jazz band, Lucky Chops went down in the center of the cobblestone courtyard.
Five rooms of The Foundry were open to guests. Each room served signature "farm-to-bar" libations crafted with the season's freshest ingredients from Farm.One hydroponic gardens located here in New York City – Ingredients used ranged from allspice falernum and toasted pecan saspirilla for mixing to hibiscus powder and purple ruffles basil for garnishing. Top beverage sponsors, Finlandia Vodka, Jack Daniel's Gentleman Jack, Herradura Tequila and Woodford Reserve certainly added to the ultimate cocktail experience.
Check the guide below to see what you missed seeing and sipping.
Secret Summer Farm to Bar Cocktails
The Beenik
Bar 1: Main Hall, featuring body art, fine art, twin aerialists and Brooklyn-based singer, Ida Blue
Ingredients: Finlandia Vodka, Market Beetroot, House-made Allspice Falernum & Fresh Lemon. Presented with a single 'Farm.One' Red-Veined Sorrel
Doc Hollywood
Bar 2: Greenhouse, featuring herbs and greens from Farm.One
Butter-washed Old Forester, Toasted-pecan Sarsaparilla & Micro-bubble Soda – Topped with freshly-cut 'Farm.One' Amaranth. Perfect for peanut lovers!
The Shoemaker
Bar 3: Greenhouse, featuring herbs and greens from Farm.One
Ingredients: Jack Daniel's Gentleman Jack Whiskey, Chambord, Mountain Huckleberry & Ginger Syrup, Fresh Lemon & Assam Black Tea – Garnished with Market Berries & 'Farm.One' Shiso
If you enjoy Gentleman Jack, vote for your favorite Gentleman Jack cocktail by market, in our first Craft Bartender Series sponsored by Jack Daniel's. Visit our craft bartender series here.
Hart's Desire
Bar 4: Albra Room, featuring two interactive photo booths from Nicky Digital (and one very cute mixologist behind the bar)
Ingredients: Herradura Silver Tequila, Market Cantaloupe, Vanilla Bean Agave, Fresh Meyer Lemon & House-made Yuzu Bitters combined – A layer of frothy Provencal Foam with Hibiscus powder dusted into 'Aviator' sunglasses
Churchill Downs
Bar 5: Pool Room, featuring chocolate samples from jcoco Chocolate
Ingredients: Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whisky, 'Farm.One' Cinnamon Basil-steeped Honey & House-made Bergamot Bitters – Folded 'Farm.One' Purple Ruffles Basil & Peppermint to active your senses. Enjoy with jcoco Arabica Cherry Espresso Chocolate.
Other Boozy Beverages
- Hochstadter's Slow and Low Rock and Rye Whiskey on the rocks
- "Quintuple" Distilled Dingle Vodka, Hollows & Fentimans Gluten-Free Alcoholic Ginger Beer & Lime
- Hand-crafted Dingle Gin & Fentimans Rose Lemonade
- Tiger Beer & Rekorderlig Cider located in the courtyard
DIY? Here's what the folks of RAPT & Highlife brought to us.
DIY Cocktail Recipes
Churchill Downs Recipe
- 1.0 oz Cinnamon/Basil Syrup
- 2.0 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- 2 Dashes House-Infused Bergamot Bitters
- 1 Sprig Green Market Peppermint
- 1 Leaf Farm.One Purple Rufe Basil
Fill an old-fashioned with ice, add bourbon, add syrup, bitters. Stir to combine, and top with peppermint & basil.
The Beetnik
- 1.5 oz Finlandia Premium Vodka
- 1.0 oz Market Beetroot Juice
- 3/4 oz House-Infused Allspice Falernum
- 1 Leaf 'Farm.One' Red-Veined Sorrel
Shake all ingredients, and strain into a cocktail coupe; Garnish with Sorrel.
Now that the secret is out, be sure to hit Secret Summer next year. Word on the street is, the extravagant cocktail festival might happen in the Hamptons for all you, beach party-goers…
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The following is the letter I Fedex'd to the Phillies last night.
Dear Mr. Manuel,
Please use the following line-up if you want to win tonight and the series:
- Rollins SS
- Utley 2nd
- Polonco 3rd
- Howard 1st
- Werth RF
- Ruiz C
- Victorino CF
- Francisco LF
- Blanton P
You may also want to consider using Wilson Valdez as a defensive replacement for Chase Utley.
Your friend,
Jay Wrizight
A lot of people are calling for Halladay to start tonight. A lot. I'm ok with Blanton. Mostly because if Halladay pitches tonight, Hamels, Oswalt and Halladay a second time have to go on short rest. If you aren't willing to start Blanton against Bumgarner you certainly don't let him tow the rubber verse Lincecum, Sanchez or Cain. I'd rather take my chances with Joe the Lumber than my three Aces on regular rest. The Phillies 2 losses in this series belong to the bats and troubles in the field. It's no time to panic with the Pitching staff. They have done what they were supposed to do.
I would, however, give Ibanez the night off verse the lefty and see if Ben Francisco can provide a spark. Also I like the idea of splitting up the lefties. Rollins is about as much a leader on the field as this team has. Let Jimmy do Jimmy.
I'll see you at the ballpark on Saturday.
The Wriz


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Tuesday, April 27, 2010
6 comments:
Nice--almost as intricate at this diagram which I spent hours staring at.ReplyDelete
A most excellent pie chart. I dare not even look at the contents of my own schedule. Thus, I am blogging instead.ReplyDelete
where's the "preparing for the big game tonight" slice?ReplyDelete
Don't stop thinking about tomorrow. Don't stop. It'll soon be here. It'll be here, better than before. Yesterday's gone. Yesterday's gone.ReplyDelete
That's what I have for you and your 22% tomorrow worry.
Always, always, always am I entertained (vastly!) when I wander into the megastore. Well played, htms.ReplyDelete
I am alarmed by my continual misreading of things, though. I first saw "draft fierce documents" as "draft fierce doughnuts." And so I went damn. I want a fierce doughnut right now.
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Doc thinks it was a better day today since he was able to get up and get a bath. He hasn't really felt up to one for a few days. He also was able to get up and walk around the room a couple of times today. He hasn't done that for quite a few days either. His temperature is still a problem. Doc's temperature was up to 103.2° early this morning, but it was down most of the day around 100°. Now it is back up to 101.3°. We are still on that roller coaster. Unfortunately the vomiting occurred again today, but it wasn't as bad as some days. Doctor Lanzotti had some encouragement on his blood count today. The lab saw some monocytes in his blood. If this is real it might be the beginning of the turn around of his blood counts. We are praising our Lord for this. We know he has His hands in Doc's care. His platelets were low again so they had to give him more platelets. Doctor Lanzotti also said they will have to cut him back some on the Tylenol for his temperature because his liver functions were elevated. We hope that this doesn't cause his temperature to go back up high again.
Tomorrow two of our sons are coming in to see us for the weekend. They have been in school so it has been hard for them to get away. We are praying that Doc is up to a nice visit with them.


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Ninety-five Waiahole Elementary School students got an extra day of summer vacation because bacteria in the water system has postponed the school's planned opening today.
Coliform bacteria were detected late Wednesday in a routine monthly water sample, said Ann Zane, Safe Drinking Water compliance supervisor for the state Department of Health.
The state standard for drinking water is that there be no coliform bacteria present, Zane said. Coliform is an indicator of other bacteria that could make people sick with diarrhea or cause vomiting.
Yesterday, notices that tap water for cooking and drinking should be boiled before use were hand-delivered to the 90 homes and 50 farm lots in Waiahole Valley that use the same water supply as the school, Zane said.
Apparently, the chlorinator on one of two wells serving the valley malfunctioned, Zane said.
The Waiahole Water System is owned, operated and maintained by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. through a contract with Doonwood Engineering.
Doonwood workers have reconfigured the water system so that one chlorinator serves both wells for the next few days, said Adrienne Gardner, a housing corporation spokeswoman. She said a new pump should be installed this weekend, and the agency plans to order a backup pump.
The housing agency finances and develops affordable residential housing.
Test results on water samples taken yesterday should be available by midday today.
"If results are all clean from four samples, we (the Health Department) will lift the 'boil water' notice," Zane said.
"Hopefully, we're looking at only a one-day delay," state Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen said.
"But if (Thursday's) testing also comes back positive, we'll have to just wait and see what the situation is."
Waiahole Elementary normally prepares food for Kaaawa Elementary, just up the coast. Waiahole kitchen staff will work today at Kahaluu Elementary, where they will prepare Kaaawa's food, Knudsen said.
For updates on when Waiahole Elementary School will open, look under "School Closures" at doe.k12.hi.us.


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Leicester City Page Estate Agent – Sell Your House Fast
Sell your house fast in Leicester for cash
If you are considering a house or property sale in Leicester then you will instinctively probably use the traditional route of googling the price of other properties in the area before calling out an agent or a few agents for a valuation.
You may have all sorts of reason for selling your Leicester house. It may be the next natural progression for you and your family for more space or it may be a move to another area with work. You may be ok waiting for the sale to naturally take its course but you may want to achieve a quick sale.
The worst way to go about selling is to fall in love with your next house first. There is nothing worse than setting your heart on your dream house and then not being able to sell yours. Most agents won't let you make an offer until you are under offer. This is where we can help. We can sell your house in Leicester FAST and FREE!
Are you on the market already?
If you are on the market and have had enough of waiting around to get an offer that you are happy with then help is at hand. If you are just getting valuations from agents in Leicester like Barkers, Newton Fallowell or Your Move you will be probably find you are getting very different valuations that can be as much as £20k apart. The temptation is to put your house on at the highest valuation.
For a quick house sale and a no hassle, quick transaction we have buyers looking to help sell your Leicester property now.
What price will you get for your Leicester property?
Watching the houses around you sell you probably feel that you will get the same or more. Most people try to justify why their house might be worth more than next door. It may be a while since a house in the area has sold and so the agent may base a valuation on the average increase in prices. Sometimes they will overestimate the valuation which will sway you to marketing your property with them. Some weeks later this may not seem like such a good idea when you have no serious offers and you are still no closer to selling.
It's time to take a reality check and look seriously at what your property is worth and what it is costing you to sell this way. On top of the reduction in what you thought you were going to get the fees of selling will add a few thousand on top of this. We are here to show you another way.
A quick, no hassle sale on your home with no estate agent.
We can give you a guaranteed cash price for your property and cover your legal fees for you. With no agents, no hassle and no waiting around we will pay cash for your property giving you the powerful position of being able to pay cash for your next property. We search and source properties on behalf of large investment companies that are looking for long term investments. We achieve as an average around 93% of the asking price and our local property experts are on hand to help you through the process.
A fast property sale without Leicester Estate Agent fees in these areas!
If you want to sell your Leicester property quickly we are currently looking for properties in Narborough, Oadby, Syston, Birstall, Rothley, Broughton Astley, Groby and Blaby.
We are currently looking for properties in the LE1 LE2 LE3 LE4 LE5 LE6 LE7 LE8 LE9 LE10 LE11 LE12 LE13 LE15 LE65 LR67 postcode areas of the city.
Get in touch today for a free quick sale cash offer or follow this link to can learn more about how our quick property sale service works.
Are you looking to sell a property quickly in another area?
Visit our city page index for all the available cities we are currently operating in.
Fact about Leicester – and why we buy houses fast there.
Leicester in recent times has grown in both size and population. It is now a multi-cultural hub and home to the Leicester Tigers and many shopping centres. The local economy has recently seen a boost due to Richard III's remains being found in a car park in the city. Now it attracts tourists from far and wide to visit the site of his eventual resting place.


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WHAT EXACTLY is that thing we call "mind?" In an open letter to Scientific American on June 17, five brain scientists, including Antonio Damasio and Oliver Sacks, urged the journal to take a second look at a theory that had been around since the 1930s, but had never been given a serious hearing: membrane excitability. Membrane excitability, the opening and closing of cells to outside stimuli, they said, might turn out to be the "lowest-level candidate mechanism" that allows the organism as a whole to experience a "spark of sentience." We become conscious only when we are agitated in some way, only when our cellular equilibrium is disturbed. And the motor of our consciousness isn't anything as calm and collected as rational thought; it is much more stimuli-based, edgier, wackier. The scientists concluded that "the higher-level awareness of animal organisms is, in essence, a consequence of the coordinated 'irritability' of billions of excitable cells." This is the "membrane biology that underlies 'mind' and most clearly distinguishes between the placid existence of flora and the feisty, fidgety behavior of fauna."
Two days after the open letter, Pixar's Inside Out opened in theaters nationwide, giving us just such a feisty, fidgety specimen of the human fauna, a hockey-loving 11-year-old named Riley, her mind thrown off-kilter when her parents relocate from Minnesota to an unexpectedly crummy-looking San Francisco. With the help of a team of CGI animators, director Pete Docter turns the five emotions inside her head into five personified characters, each taking turns at the control panel. Joy is lithe and athletic and a bit bossy, and has the voice of Amy Poehler; Sadness is a blue lump, with the drippy accents of Phyllis Smith; Fear (Bill Hader) is reed-thin, bow-tie-wearing, and proverbially quaking; Disgust (Mindy Kaling) is green and mean; and Anger (Lewis Black) is a firebrick, blowing his top regularly, his hands itching for the control buttons.
Producer Jonas Rivera says that the film is informed by "the greatest hits of mind theory." Docter read scientific papers and cross-checked plot details with brain experts. In particular he consulted with Berkeley psychologist Dacher Keltner, who visited Pixar's Emeryville campus a dozen times. The two had met and bonded over the parenting of preteen daughters. "One of the most precipitous drops in happiness occurs around 13," Keltner says. That precipitous drop is dramatized in the movie by the steep zigzags of Lombard Street, offered in counterpoint to the placid levelness of that other San Francisco landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge. It is dramatized as well by the accidental ejection of Joy and Sadness from Headquarters, and their involuntary tour of the Dali-esque recesses of Riley's mind. Long-term memory resides here in a maze of what looks like giant gumball machines, stacked with color-coded memory orbs, with a crew of "Forgetters" sweeping the outdated ones into a Memory Dump. Bing Bong, an imaginary friend from Riley's early childhood, part elephant, part cat, and part cotton candy, ends up being part of that Dump. Joy herself is in danger of being stuck there as well, for everything seems to be falling apart inside Riley's mind. Bridges are disappearing. "Core memory islands" like Hockey and Friendship and Family are crumbling. And Anger, Disgust, and Fear, the three remaining emotions presiding over the control panel, have decided that, since Riley was happy only in Minnesota, she should catch the next bus and head back there.
There is a lot more action in Inside Out than in anything written by Damasio or even Sacks. But that doesn't mean neuroscience doesn't have its own drama. It remains an academic minefield. Keltner is very much a partisan, solidly on one side of a deep divide, as is Inside Out. The film is billed as a "major emotion picture," so it is not surprising that "thought" is pretty much a bad word throughout. Abstract Thought is a danger zone where everything gets deconstructed into geometric shapes. The Train of Thought that is supposed to take Joy and Sadness home suffers a train wreck when it tries to run on a crumbling core memory island. Anyone who thinks that thinking alone will save us is in for a rude awakening.
This point, gentle and whimsical in Inside Out, has a different flavor in Damasio's now-classic Descartes' Error, but the thrust is much the same. Damasio takes on the famous Cartesian dictum — "I think therefore I am" — saying in no uncertain terms that it "illustrates precisely the opposite of what I believe to be true about origins of mind." He continues:
Long before the dawn of humanity, beings were beings. At some point in evolution, an elementary consciousness began. With that elementary consciousness came a simple mind; with greater complexity of mind came the possibility of thinking […] For us then, in the beginning, it was being, and only later was it thinking. And for us now, as we come into the world and develop, we still begin with being, and only later do we think.
Descartes has put the cart before the horse. Assigning primacy and priority to thinking and making it our defining attribute, he has gotten things exactly backwards and, doing so, has obscured a far more fundamental part of the human mind: our emotions. According to Damasio, it was not thinking but feeling that showed up first when our ancestors did. And for us now, it is not thinking but feeling that provides "the bridge between rational and nonrational processes, between cortical and subcortical structures," making us what we have always been and will always be: "a biologically complex but fragile, finite, and unique organism."
That is what Riley is in Inside Out, as indeed anyone would be, with those five emotions at the control panel. And it might not be a bad thing, the movie suggests. Keltner is emphatic that emotions serve a key evolutionary function; having them tussling inside our heads might not be reassuring, but they are nonetheless there to protect us. "In our culture, we're tough on sadness," he says, "but it's a powerful trigger for seeking comfort and bonding," while "anger is often about the sense of being treated unfairly, and can be a motivator for social change." As for Docter, giving emotions their due is just a pragmatic way of coming to terms with what might otherwise seem inexplicable in others. "All these emotions are kind of programmed and act below your conscious threshold," he says. "Making a little more sense of this made me realize, in a way, to cut people a little more slack." There will always be oddities in other people that we will never be able to think our way through, just as there will always be oddities in ourselves that will be forever beyond our comprehension. They make us what we are.
Wai Chee Dimock is the William Lampson Professor of English and American Studies at Yale University.


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Last week I completed Module Two Shading and Form of The Complete Drawing Certificate Course and this week I begin Module Three Portraiture Foundations.
When reading the details about my progress below please don't forget to click on the thumbnails by each section to see the cool drawings I created in more detail. My realistic drawings were submitted to Cindy Wider, my course instructor at DrawPJ.com, and her feedback (in italics) is also included below.
Unit Three: Portraiture Foundations: Week One
The major purpose for this module is to help me learn to draw better through the study of portraiture, as well as further develop my confidence with three-dimensional shading.
The first few weeks of this course will lead me through a series of exercises to draw the various parts of a face in graphite pencil. From there I will begin to learn some charcoal techniques and by the end of the course I'll finally be producing a portrait of myself.
This weeks course notes explain how the course works and what I can expect as I work my way through it, The grading criteria that will be applied on completion of the course is carefully laid out in the opening pages. There is also a list of all the materials I need for the course, and a great overview of the mindset required to work your way through the entire course to completion.
The module also contains a multitude of really useful links to some great online resources for further reading and study of portraiture.
Exercise One: Shading the individual features
The course notes contains a set of high quality black and white photographs of the eye, nose, mouth and ear. Each photograph is clearly labelled with the names of the features to look out for when drawing them.
Closely following the instructions I began with drawing a human eye. Each of the separate stages required are clearly documented in the notes, and these are accompanied with simple explanations of the techniques to use when creating a realistic drawing of an eye.
Next we're taken through all of the stages and techniques required to draw the nose, the mouth and the ear. All of the drawings had to be drawn on the same sheet of paper so they could be scanned and sent by email to my instructor. Please see the image opposite for the finished drawing which I submitted.
[foogallery id="5599″]
Feedback from Cindy
Dear Ian,
Well done on creating these amazing facial features this week! Its really wonderful to see all of your skills from the shading unit now coming together to help you create these three dimensional illusions on the page. You have been able to capture a very good likeness with your drawings here and I find that most exciting!
I have just a few little suggestions to help you further develop your skills. Please see the letters on your drawing which correlate with the letters and information below.
The eye
A: The top of the lid needs to curve up higher, otherwise the eye will appear sleepy 🙂
B: The eye lashes always attach slightly further away from the edge of the lid; there is a little bit more of the lid in between the roots of the lashes and the edge of the eye.
C: The shape of the eye brow is very important but the hairs are draw very well here.
In general this is a great eye. If we were drawing a much more detailed eye we would concentrate more on the tiny markings in the actual eye itself as well as the skin texture etc. However, the purpose of this exercise is to draw the entire structure of the eye and you did this extremely well. Great work here!
The nose
D: The most important thing I am looking for in this drawing is the shadow edge. Remember that there will be many times in photographs that the shadow edge is either very hard to see or non-existent. This is why we need to make sure we put it in. Without a shadow edge area the drawing appears flat. This area in blue needs to be slightly darker than the rest of the shadow areas surrounding it.
E: This little diamond shaped area is where all of the forms unite and could be darkened a little more too. See the photo to add the shading of the form in this area here. Remember to squint to see shadows better, but also rely on your anatomy understanding to add form where you can't see it. Take a peek at your own nose and see how the nostril unites with the side of the nose.
F: The position of the hollows in the nostrils needed to be slightly different.
G: The shape around the nostril area is very important, it helps to define the nose as unique to the individual person just as the nostril shapes do as well.
H: This area needs to be a level 2; not as light as the tip of the nose because it is slightly further back into the distance.
The mouth
I: You weren't expected to draw all the little folds and cracks in the lips but you did a fantastic job here Ian. The main goal of this exercise was to draw all of the face parts in around 4 hours max. It was more about gaining an understanding of the overall three dimensional form. You did that so well. In particular I was most impressed with the success at letter J (the dark line between the top and bottom lip). This is the most important area when drawing a likeness to the subject. The other area that is great to see drawn well is the shadow edge on the upper right side of the lip. Be careful not draw the reflected light area too light in that place though.
The Ear
K: These areas are a different shape to the image in the notes and needed to be drawn where the red markings are here. However, the overall ear shapes are excellent, great work! Its really good to see the wonderful gradations, soft edges and hard edges.
L: This area needed to be drawn with a gradation as it looks a bit too deep in here. The tone could have been about a level 4 to 5 tone for less depth.
Fantastic work though all round Ian!
Cheers Cindy
That was some extremely valuable and useful feedback. I'm so excited by this course, especially to have the support and feedback from such an experienced tutor who can point out exactly how I can improve my drawing without me wasting my time by making so many mistakes on my own is utterly brilliant!
My drawing equipment
Due to the number of people commenting on Twitter and Facebook about the photo's I've been sharing of my progress through this course, many people have asked where I get the cool pencils I use. I spoke to Tindalls Arts and Crafts , my local art store, and they decided to offer the complete drawing kit I use at a hugely discounted price. Not only that, they'll also throw in a free pencil case for you to keep everything in, and you'll also be awarded loyalty points to go towards your next purchase at their store – That's a massive saving of £15.45 (or $24.86 USD)!!! You can get your Watercolour Journey Drawing pack HERE>
Coming up
Next week I begin Module Two where I'll be learning all about the sighting technique to help measure proportions when drawing objects close up from life, proportion and placement of the individual features of the Adult face, and how to take a photograph for your portrait project – All very exciting!! Please follow my Drawing Journey to see how I get on as I continue to learn to draw even more realistic pencil drawings online 🙂
Next Steps
Please join me!
You too can learn the fundamental drawing techniques that Professional Artists use. Download the course notes here> The Complete Drawing Certificate Course


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One of the persistent complaints that we heard over the last year during our interviews revolved around data access–namely that the current model was clunky and expensive. These two factors heavily contribute to the next insight from our interviews: users will want to inspect all individual cases even when they're interested in a question and answer about how the courts systematically operate. The reason for this behavior and need is rather basic–put simply no one is entirely sure what all is contained within PACER and if their idea of how to search for cases of interest will actually capture all of the corresponding cases.
For those without an institution that pays for a license to Westlaw or Bloomberg, this issue is exacerbated because search results are one of the categories that is exempted from a maximum fee cap. That means that no matter how many 'pages' of results are returned, whether it's 1 or 1,000, you pay 10 cents for each one. Thus the ominous warning on every PACER search portal page.
Without knowing what kind of information is on the other side, this current cost structure does not incentivize exploration to make sure all pertinent cases are identified and your search query is as encompassing as possible.
Finding all cases of a certain type may not seem like a real issue. A person simply puts the correct case type and plaintiff or defendant name as a filter, then PACER retrieves all the corresponding cases back. But it really is an issue because of the nature of what PACER is.
PACER is an operational system–it processes and stores the daily transactions that occur in a case with a number of players generating those transactions. For those of us that are not litigators it can be easy to forget the second half of PACER's full name, Case Management/ Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF). PACER is built to facilitate the daily functioning of the courts–it's where individual plaintiffs and lawyers file lawsuits, motions, and briefs and judges and court clerks record events for the case.
With that many cooks in the kitchen, it's easy to understand how variation could occur and make being certain of identifying all cases for a certain query difficult. One of the easiest ways to see it is if you would be curious in all cases filed against a corporation. If you were curious about cases filed against IBM, do you search for IBM? Or International Business Machines? Or International Business Machines, Inc.? Simple differences of opinion in what to write or how to use PACER as a tool can lead to large variation when we inspect all 94 districts. This variation isn't confined to only differences in how something is written though; it also impacts basic aspects of using PACER as a consumer of data. Something that seems simple like searching for all filed search warrants is actually an arduous task because of this variation.
As one example to illustrate this variation, we can look at what case designations are filed where. When I talk about cases on PACER with my colleagues we're typically talking about criminal or civil cases, which have a designation of 'cv' or 'cr' in the case name. In our last post we focused on examining the volume of cv and cr case filings and how that compared to what was reported in the IDB. But there are more types of filings–mj for magistrate cases or mc for miscellaneous cases and so on.
When we examine the distribution of case designation filings in 2016, we see that there is a vast world of case type designations that we rarely discuss!
The most frequent case designations are what we would generally expect: civil (cv), magistrate (mj), criminal (cr), petty offense (po), and miscellaneous (mc). But as the usage becomes less frequent, the observed case designations become more unique and surprising. Put simply what we are seeing is differing operational usage of PACER itself.
If you pay attention to the case designations on the bottom of the graph, you will see a number of case types that differ from the others—namely, that these case types are capitalized (e.g., 'AM', 'AL'). Every single capitalized case type originates from one court, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. All 72 of those cases are filings that are in response to a multi-district litigation that involves a drug and the case type abbreviation actually is an abbreviation of the drug name itself! So 'AL' cases are in response to the 'Albuterol Cases' and 'LD' cases are in response to 'Lidocaine Cases'.
While those case types may be extremely unique and unexpected, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania isn't alone in their construction. If we examine 2:16-av-55555 in the District of South Carolina, we find that it is the case of "Plaintiff v. Defendant", but really it is a docket for a case against the Charlotte Division of Pfizer, Inc. and related to MDL 2502 that regards Lipitor, the name brand of Atorvastatin Calcium.
However, not all of these rare cases are related to multi-district litigation. If we look at 5:16-dj-00005-SL in the Northern District of Ohio we find that the case is "United States of America v. DNA in the form of salive from [omitted]"–a search warrant. The designation of dj doesn't fit with the nature of the case or it's commonly used designations, leaving its construction a mystery.
Unfortunately, search warrants are a rather difficult type of case to find systematically. SW is the 7th most used type designation, with over 1,000 cases being filed in 2016. Surprisingly (or maybe not so given our case in Northern Ohio), 'sw' cases only occur in 5 of the 94 districts. Does this mean that there were no federal search warrants filed in the other 89 district courts? Highly unlikely. What it points to is the varying usage of the PACER system across each of the 94 districts.
Of course some of this variation in the volume of filings is natural and expected not because of the usage of PACER, but because of the court's jurisdiction. Petty offenses are more common cases in Arizona, Maryland, Southern Texas, Eastern Virginia and Western Washington and rarely filed in most of the other districts. What's similar between all the locations with common filings of petty offenses is that they have larger areas of federal land which could trigger a petty offense charge like speeding through a national park or being arrested at a federal building–but we of course would need to systematically assess these cases to determine if that was a real cause.
Dark matter everywhere
The data variety across district courts in PACER combined with its fee structure and limited search interface is problematic for all users. The reality is that there is more variety in how the system is used across the courts than most people would ever expect, stemming in no small part that PACER is really just a software tool that lawyers, judges, and clerks have to use in the course of their daily duties. However, this lack of standardization puts a dramatic burden on users who want to answer empirical questions–making it extremely costly and difficult to ensure that all cases of a certain type are appropriately identified and included in analysis.
With the SCALES OKN we're implementing features to make it easier to find the cases of interest. Some fixes are easy. For example, products that compete with PACER implement keyword search which allows for searching for individual words or phrases in the contents of the cases. Other fixes are harder and that's where we're concentrating our efforts. A key part of our development work right now is on identifying when litigation events occur (a motion is filed for in forma pauperis, a case is transferred or consolidated in multi-district litigation, etc.) and their corresponding outcomes. Codifying these events and exposing them to search filters along with our work to resolve lawyers, law firms, and corporations will enable more advanced identification of cases that are of interest and a quicker path to turn questions into answers–and hopefully a near-term future where we can be confident in answers without inspecting every single docket because we have an idea of what's in PACER.
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Complex wrongful death motorcycle accident involving product liability claims against both helmet and motorcycle luggage manufacturers.
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Motorcycle vs. automobile collision resulting in below knee amputation. Client was riding motorcycle and defendant pulled out in front of him, resulting in a severe injury to client's leg, which ultimately led to the amputation of his leg, just below the knee.
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Case involving serious injuries to a motorcycle rider who was involved in an accident with a shuttle bus on the freeway in San Francisco.
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34-year-old software sales associate out with friends drinking at a bar in San Francisco. After a few hours, he leaves the bar to go home and gets in an argument outside of the club with a security guard.
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A policy limit settlement involving a head-on collision on a notoriously dangerous stretch of highway between State Highway 99 in Sacramento and Marysville, commonly known as "blood alley".
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The defendant's primary limits of $250,000 were tendered in response to a conditional limit demand that required disclosure of all other coverages. The defendant had an excess policy of $1,000,000.00 which was tendered along with the primary limits.
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Q:What is my case worth?
A: The value of your claim depends on many factors, including the type of accident you were involved in, the injury that you sustained, how long your injury will affect you, your past and future medical expenses, and other ways your life will be affected going forward. Additionally, details of the accident can greatly affect the value of your claim, including who was responsible for your accident, and whether there were drugs or alcohol involved. We will work with you to determine the fair and full value of your case.
Q:What kinds of damages can I pursue?
A: In California personal injury cases, damages are typically awarded in two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages, also known as monetary damages, are meant to compensate victims for the direct financial costs of their injuries and can be tracked via receipts, bills, etc. Commonly awarded economic damages includes things like medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, attempt to account for more subjective types of harm that are not as easily quantifiable. Commonly awarded non-economic damages include physical and emotional pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement or scarring, loss of personal relationships, or loss of enjoyment of life. Our attorneys can review your situation and help you seek compensation for all types of damages applicable to your case.
Q:Why should I work with a Sacramento personal injury lawyer?
A: After an accident, you'll be left dealing with the insurance company. You'll also be facing medical bills and may be experiencing financial difficulties if you miss work. A lawyer can handle your claim for you, negotiating for a fair settlement or taking your case to court to pursue a favorable verdict. In addition to greatly improving your chances at securing maximum compensation, an attorney can take the weight of your case off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. Because every case is different, we recommend calling our offices to see if you need an attorney in your specific situation.
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A: The California statute of limitations, as addressed in California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, states that victims of personal injury are eligible to file a lawsuit for up to 2 years after the date of their injury. So what does this mean for you? It means you should contact a skilled injury attorney immediately to discuss your case. Filing a lawsuit can take time, and the more time that passes after your injury the more difficult it can be to prove your claim.
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A: Though most personal injury cases are settled outside of the courtroom, our Sacramento injury lawyers prepare each case as if it were going to trial. This enables us to enter into negotiations in a position of power, which helps our clients obtain the best possible results. As aggressive and skilled litigators, we are fully prepared to protect your rights and interests at trial.
Q:Will my personal injury settlement be public record?
A: This is an important question for some people who want to keep the details of their injury or settlement a private matter. Generally a settlement that is reached out of court will not be public record. However, if a case is settled in court it may be available as public record. This is something to keep in mind when discussing your case with your injury lawyer.
Q:Is my personal injury settlement taxable?
A: In general, personal injury settlements that are awarded to replace out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment are not taxable. However, it is important that you discuss your situation with a tax professional if you are concerned about whether or not your settlement may be taxed.
Q:What if I was to blame?
A: In California, even if you were partially to blame for your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. The principle of comparative negligence will apply. This means that, as long as you are less than 50% at-fault for your accident, the other party will be responsible for your damages. Your award or settlement may be reduced by the percentage that you are to blame, however, so if you were 10% to blame and were entitled to a $10,000 settlement, the other party would pay for 90%, or $9,000.
Q:I don't have any money. How can I afford an attorney?
A: When you work with an attorney at Piering Law Firm, you pay no up-front attorney fees or other out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, we work on personal injury lawsuits on a contingent fee basis, which means we only get paid if you do. Our fees are paid out of your settlement or award and will be a previously agreed-upon percentage, so there are no surprises.
Q:How soon should I get an attorney involved?
A: If you have been injured, it is recommended you speak to an attorney as soon as practically possible. The longer you wait to get an attorney involved in your case, the more likely you are to encounter difficulty with your case. As time passes, memories fade, evidence is lost, and key people in your personal injury case may become harder to track down. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner they can get to work building your case.
Q:I already have insurance. Why do I need a lawyer?
A: In a perfect world, your insurance company would pay for the full value of your medical bills and other losses after suffering a sudden injury. Unfortunately, it is rare for this to happen. Insurance companies are businesses, and as such, their primary purpose is to make money. Insurance companies can only stay profitable if they pay out less money than they receive, so they will use any tactic within their arsenal to limit, delay, or even outright deny your claim. Having a lawyer on your side who understands how insurance companies work can help to shield you from mistreatment and maximize your chances of securing a fair settlement.
Q:What if my case is small?
A: Not all personal injury cases are of the multi-million dollar variety that draw media attention. The majority of cases are smaller claims of ordinary people who need help. Even small cases can benefit from the assistance of an attorney. In some cases, your case may actually be worth more than you initially think. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and guide you towards the most appropriate course of action.
Q:How long will my case take?
A: Every case is different, so there is unfortunately no reliable way to predict the timeline of your case without discussing your situation with an attorney. Some cases can be resolved in as little as a few months, while others may potentially take years of litigation to be resolved. Ultimately, the length of your case will depend on factors such as the extent of the medical treatment you require, the level of cooperation of the involved insurance companies, the complexity of case law applying to your case, and whether or not your case goes to trial.
Q:Is there a limit on what I can receive?
A: Generally speaking, no. With the exception of medical malpractice cases, personal injury awards for economic damages in California are not subject to any monetary caps, though these losses must be documented and well-supported by evidence and reasonable estimates. Compensation for pain and suffering is awarded at an amount that the jury deems appropriate.
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text: Losing your motivation is no fun at all, but rest assured that you're not alone. Sometime throughout life, most of us will feel unmotivated, discontent, and stressed. And often times it's the uncertainty about how to tackle various stressors that's causing this feeling of being "lost." Whether you're talking about school, home, work, or your social life, stress is typically caused by lots of change happening in a short period of time. There's no doubt that our fast-paced world is constantly changing, so stress is pretty much unavoidable. Although there may be no perfect solution, there are several good ways to deal with your feelings. First off, it might help put things into perspective if you identify the key points of frustration in your life. Be as specific as possible so that you can begin to figure out what things you can do to make improvements. For example, maybe you feel your schoolwork is too difficult. If this is the case, getting a tutor in your most difficult subject might alleviate some of stress that the schoolwork is causing. Next, find a way to relax for a specific time period each day. Whatever you enjoy — working out, blogging, reading romance novels — reserve at least 30 minutes every day for your favorite activity. After you do something you enjoy, you may be more driven to tackle other things (such as study for an exam). You could also try a relaxation technique to help zap the stress. Find a quiet place, close your eyes, and imagine your favorite place or thing and focus on it for a few minutes. Remember to relax your mind and body and to take deep breaths. And don't forget that you are not alone. Everyone feels lost and unmotivated sometimes, so share your feelings with others. Talk to a school counselor, coach, trusted friend, or parent. Discussing your stress is a healthy way of dealing with it. Remember that teachers didn't go into teaching to make you miserable. If it's one class or school assignment that's causing your woes, talk to the teacher of that specific subject — I'll bet you'll be surprised at how much he or she is willing to help. Or suppose you have a big history project and an English paper due on the same day. If you let both teachers know your situation, one of them might just work with your class and push back the date. Finally, remember that every bad situation eventually comes to an end. Although it might feel like an eternity, things will get better. Just don't expect immediate results. Don't give up. Keep in mind that it probably took a while for you to start feeling the blues, and it may take a while to come out of them, too.


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Devon Carpenter, harpist, is a professional Northeast Tennessee harp player providing music for events in Elizabethton, TN, and the Tri-Cities area. The elegant music of the harp is the perfect addition to your wedding ceremony, reception, or party.
Please contact me for a customized quote for your event!
Recent performance venues in the Tri-Cities:
International Storytelling Center, Jonesborough
Rose Hill Weddings, Johnson City
Providing harp music in:
Central · Elizabethton · Hunter · Johnson City · Pine Crest · Roan Mountain · Watauga
Also available as a harpist for weddings and events in the neighboring areas of Johnson County, Sullivan County (Kingsport & Blountville), Unicoi County, & Washington County (Johnson City & Jonesborough), Tennessee, and Avery County & Mitchell County, North Carolina.
If your location is not listed, please contact me! I regularly travel throughout the US and internationally for events, including destination weddings.
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