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Corporate Photo Booth Rentals In East Massapequa, NY
LI Photo Booth Rentals Co. is a specific picture booth rental service that you could count on. We are on standby to take care of any photo booths rentals for your wedding, sweet 16 and also you corporate event demands. Our photo booths could be moved all over New York, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan as well as New Jersey. The rentals are easy, inexpensive, and high quality. For more details call one of our staff member to receive a complimentary price quote for your rental in East Massapequa, NY.
Our Photo Booth Rental Services Have The Most Dependable Leasing Services In East Massapequa, NY
Our personnel have strict photo booth rental standards they have to follow when they work any type of parties or events. That's just how we adhere to our own rental codes when we work in East Massapequa, NY. Our integrity shows the commitment to giving high quality photo booth rentals that go above and beyond client expectations. The staff at LI Photo Booth Rentals Co. are greater than licensed to service your celebrations. All of our booth professionals are highly educated and attentive to every single person.
We Provide The Photo Booth Solutions In East Massapequa, New York
The best part about our service bundles are everything that you will ever need is included. Our company has the best photo booths that take outstanding pictures, photo printing right at the event and also have the capability to share immediately on social networks. The sort of photo booth station you would want is totally up to you. It is important to determine the type you will need for your party. All of our photo booths are top of the line and we have the capability to customize them specific to your needs. The last thing that we provide to all of our clients are customized props made to your event.
Call The Photo Booth Professionals In East Massapequa, NY Today!
Safety is our leading priority when managing any kind of photo booth rentals. We give our absolute best to make sure that our workers are secure as well as our services will certainly work perfectly in East Massapequa, NY. Our photo booth rental plans are the most affordable in the East Massapequa area. We offer it to all of our customers because we believe that the expense is extremely budget friendly and also attractive. For more details, get in touch with the rental specialists in East Massapequa, NY right now.
Call Our Photo Booth Rental Pros For Discounts As Well As Inexpensive Costs In East Massapequa, New York
There are lots of businesses that handle photo booth leasings in East Massapequa, NY, however finding a trustworthy business you could trust is really hard. A great deal of those photo booth rental organizations are only serious about making a profit. They will take advantage of you any type of chance they get. With us, that is not be the situation, LI Photo Booth Rentals Company doesn't take shortcuts and we will certainly never ever charge you surprise costs. With us, you do not have to do your research, we provide the most straightforward affordable solutions in East Massapequa, NY. Contact any one of our work places to talk with a helpful photo booth rep today.
Our Photo Booth Rental Company Provides Free Estimates For Your Wedding Events In East Massapequa, NY
Always demand a no cost event evaluation for your photo booth rental in East Massapequa, NY. This is important months before you make use of any company for your occasion. This way you can be certain that you are going to get the most affordable rate for your rental service. Ask the photo booth rental evaluator how long the quote is good for and also request for a composed quote. It is also crucial to understand what you are spending it on and exactly what you are getting. Call our company now so we can point you in the ideal direction.
Things To Do With The Photo Booths Before Each Event In East Massapequa, NY?
Our credibility in East Massapequa, NY is really important to us. That is the main reason LI Photo Booth Rentals Company thoroughly inspects every Photo Booth after each event. Our team cleans the computer of the booths, but also the exterior as well as makes sure each system is clean for every single event. Our portable Photo Booth staff members must ensure that the photo booths are presentable to your visitors at your party. We wish to offer every person an excellent experience and also want to ensure that we offer the very best product for your party.
Call Our Photo Booth Rental Experts Immediately For Your Event In East Massapequa, NY
There are lots of rental businesses in East Massapequa, NY yet few who have the reputation that Long Island Photo Booth Rentals Co. has. Photo booth rental services for all parties is our talent, let our specialists to handle your rentals. We only employ the very best to handle our Photo Booth, this is to make the party better for our customers. There is no picture booths rental party too big or little for us. Complete the questionnaire at the top of this web page to receive a free price quote for your rentals in East Massapequa, NY.
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Photo Booth Rental Service Areas
Albertson, NY | Amagansett, NY | Amityville, NY | Aquebogue, NY | Asharoken, NY | Atlantic Beach, NY | Babylon, NY | Baiting Hollow, NY | Baldwin Harbor, NY | Baldwin, NY | Bay Shore, NY | Bayport, NY | Bayville, NY | Belle Terre, NY | Bellerose, NY | Bellmore, NY | Bellport, NY | Bethpage, NY | Blue Point, NY | Bohemia, NY | Brentwood, NY | Bridgehampton, NY | Brightwaters, NY | Brookhaven, NY | Brookville, NY | Calverton, NY | Carle Place, NY | Cedarhurst, NY | Center Moriches, NY | Centereach, NY | Centerport, NY | Central Islip, NY | Centre Island, NY | Cherry Grove, NY | Cold Spring Harbor, NY | Commack, NY | Copiague, NY | Coram, NY | Cove Neck, NY | Cutchogue, NY | Davis Park, NY | Deer Park, NY | Dix Hills, NY | East Atlantic Beach, NY | East Farmingdale, NY | East Hampton, NY | East Hills, NY | East Islip, NY | East Marion, NY | East Massapequa, NY | East Meadow, NY | East Moriches, NY | East Northport, NY | East Norwich, NY | East Patchogue, NY | East Quogue, NY | East Rockaway, NY | East Setauket, NY | East Williston, NY | Eastport, NY | Eatons Neck, NY | Elmont, NY | Elwood, NY | Fair Harbor, NY | Farmingdale, NY | Farmingville, NY | Fire Island, NY | Flanders, NY | Floral Park, NY | Fort Salonga, NY | Franklin Square, NY | Freeport, NY | Garden City Park, NY | Garden City, NY | Gilgo Beach, NY | Glen Cove, NY | Glen Head, NY | Glenwood Landing, NY | Great Neck Estates, NY | Great Neck Plaza, NY | Great Neck, NY | Great River, NY | Greenlawn, NY | Greenport, NY | Greenvale, NY | Halesite, NY | Hampton Bays, NY | Hamptons, NY | Hauppauge, NY | Head of the Harbor, NY | Hempstead, NY | Hewlett Bay Park, NY | Hewlett Harbor, NY | Hewlett Neck, NY | Hewlett, NY | Hicksville, NY | Holbrook, NY | Holtsville, NY | Huntington Bay, NY | Huntington Station, NY | Huntington, NY | Inwood, NY | Island Park, NY | Islandia, NY | Islip Terrace, NY | Islip, NY | Jamesport, NY | Jericho, NY | Kings Park, NY | Kings Point, NY | Kismet, NY | Lake Grove, NY | Lake Ronkonkoma, NY | Lake Success, NY | Lattingtown, NY | Laurel Hollow, NY | Laurel, NY | Lawrence, NY | Levittown, NY | Lido Beach, NY | Lindenhurst, NY | Lloyd Harbor, NY | Locust Valley, NY | Long Beach, NY | Long Island, NY | Lynbrook, NY | Malverne, NY | Manhasset Hills, NY | Manhasset, NY | Manorhaven, NY | Manorville, NY | Massapequa Park, NY | Massapequa, NY | Mastic Beach, NY | Mastic, NY | Matinecock, NY | Mattituck, NY | Medford, NY | Melville, NY | Merrick, NY | Middle Island, NY | Mill Neck, NY | Miller Place, NY | Mineola, NY | Montauk, NY | Moriches, NY | Mount Sinai, NY | Muttontown, NY | Nassau County, NY | Nesconset, NY | New Cassel, NY | New Hyde Park, NY | New Suffolk, NY | Nissequogue, NY | North Amityville, NY | North Babylon, NY | North Bellmore, NY | North Great River, NY | North Haven, NY | North Hempstead, NY | North Hills, NY | North Lindenhurst, NY | North Massapequa, NY | North Merrick, NY | North Patchogue, NY | North Valley Stream, NY | North Woodmere, NY | Northampton, NY | Northport, NY | Oak Beach, NY | Oakdale, NY | Ocean Beach, NY | Oceanside, NY | Old Bethpage, NY | Old Brookville, NY | Old Field, NY | Old Westbury, NY | Orient, NY | Oyster Bay Cove, NY | Oyster Bay, NY | Patchogue, NY | Peconic, NY | Plainedge, NY | Plainview, NY | Plandome, NY | Point Lookout, NY | Poquott, NY | Port Jeff Station, NY | Port Jefferson, NY | Port Washington, NY | Quogue, NY | Remsenburg, NY | Ridge, NY | Riverhead, NY | Rockville Centre, NY | Rocky Point, NY | Ronkonkoma, NY | Roosevelt, NY | Roslyn Estates, NY | Roslyn Harbor, NY | Roslyn Heights, NY | Roslyn, NY | Sag Harbor, NY | Sagaponack, NY | Saint James, NY | Saltaire, NY | San Remo, NY | Sands Point, NY | Sayville, NY | Sea Cliff, NY | Seaford, NY | Searingtown, NY | Selden, NY | Setauket, NY | Shelter Island, NY | Shinnecock Hills, NY | Shirley, NY | Shoreham, NY | Smithtown, NY | Sound Beach, NY | South Hempstead, NY | South Huntington, NY | Southampton, NY | Southhold, NY | Speonk, NY | Stewart Manor, NY | Stony Brook, NY | Suffolk County, NY | Syosset, NY | Terryville, NY | Tuckahoe, NY | Uniondale, NY | Upper Brookville, NY | Valley Stream, NY | Village of the Branch, NY | Wading River, NY | Wainscott, NY | Wantagh, NY | Water Mill, NY | West Babylon, NY | West Hempstead, NY | West Hills, NY | West Islip, NY | West Sayville, NY | Westbury, NY | Westhampton Beach, NY | Westhampton, NY | Wheatley Heights, NY | Williston Park, NY | Woodbury, NY | Woodmere, NY | Wyandanch, NY | Yaphank, NY |
Telephone No.(631) 206-5330


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If you're doing workouts that push your VO2 max (your body's ability to take in, transport and use oxygen during a workout), you will see the biggest decline after taking time off.
Category: Tips
The Key to Fitness: Your Tribe?
I do it constantly. "Oh please," I say as the class embarks on the last 5 minutes of abdominal work, "I'll do that on my own when I get home."
Form clinic: the Kettlebell Swing
The Kettlebell swing started gaining traction in the U.S. in the early 2000s. The exercise has been popular in countries like Russia, Australia, Brazil and New Zealand for much, much longer. When done correctly, the swing can sculpt your backside from your calves up through your glutes (and everything in between). Unfortunately, it is such … Continue reading Form clinic: the Kettlebell Swing
It's a Fact. Most New Years Resolutions Fail by March.
The top 4 New Years resolutions for 2017 according to Statistic Brain include; losing weight (21.4%), self-improvement (12.3%), better financial decision making (8.5%) and to quit smoking (7.1%). By March, most resolutions fail. The packed gyms known to those of us in the industry as the "resolutionary rush" booms from January to late February and … Continue reading It's a Fact. Most New Years Resolutions Fail by March.
Form Clinic: the Step-up
Performed correctly, the step-up is a great exercise to develop leg strength and muscle definition in the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Because the exercise requires one leg at a time, the step up improves balance. It can also act as an identifier of weakness. Even advanced athletes favor one side in exercises like deadlifts and squats. … Continue reading Form Clinic: the Step-up
How to Break a Habit: Remove and Replace.
Like so many of you, reducing time on my personal device is on the top of my list for the New Year. I don't have anything against my phone; in fact, I do 100% of my business to Accelerate on the go. But when my little sister called me out over Christmas Break while I … Continue reading How to Break a Habit: Remove and Replace.

subset: commoncrawl


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Optimised synchronisation of LVM snapshots over a network
For minimal-downtime inter-machine migration, rsync is really the gold standard. You pre-sync everything while the service is still up, then take down the service and run rsync again to copy just the changes.
That works great for a filesystem, but what about when whatever you need to
synchronise is a raw block device (such as, say, a VM)? Until now, your
only option was to
dd the whole thing across while the system was down.
But not any more! With the magic of
lvmsync, you can synchronise just the
changes made to an LV since a snapshot was taken, typically resulting in an
orders-of-magnitude improvement in the downtime required to transfer a block
device between systems.
The only requirements are Ruby, SSH, and an LVM-managed block device at the source end (the destination can be anything you like).
Sound useful? Head on over to the git repo and download it today.
Full documentation is provided in the README, and further background is available in the announcement blog post.
Vital Statistics
- Licence: GPLv3
- Send Bugs/Patches/Questions To: firstname.lastname@example.com
- Source Code: Available on Github


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Muslims say no to Justin Bieber…for promoting Jesus and Christianity
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The Youth Culture Report is one of the best sources of trend spotting on the Internet. It's a daily source of content for me
The Youth Culture Report is an invaluable resource for any one who works with students. I highly recommend the site.
This is an app every student pastor needs to have on their iPhone.
I use it all the time!
My number one resource for youth culture.
Here's a great youth ministry and preaching resource.
The Youth Culture Report is a collection of links to news stories youth workers should be aware of.


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File your taxes early
Monday was the first day to file personal tax returns. Authorities are asking Americans to file early and avoid online scammers.
IRS officials recommend that residents ignore telephone calls soliciting to correct Tax filing or making payments over the phone. IRS officials recommends establishing a special to avoid scammers from filing on your behalf and stealing your money.
Effective immediately, Michiganders can start filing their 2017 tax year state individual income tax returns online or through the U.S. Postal Service. All individual income tax returns must be e-filed or postmarked by Tuesday, April 17, 2018.
"The easiest and quickest way for Michigan taxpayers to get their refund is to file electronically," said Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White, head of Treasury's Tax Administration Group. "This helps ensure tax returns are accurate and improves tax refund turnaround times."
Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is convenient, safe and secure. Last year, more than 4.1 million Michigan taxpayers e-filed, which is nearly 83 percent of state income tax filers.
After Feb. 5, limited quantities of printed tax forms will be available at public libraries, northern Michigan post offices, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services county offices and Treasury Field Offices.
For the benefit and convenience of taxpayers, both the beginning and end of the individual income tax filing season are the same as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Tax-Related Identity Theft Protections
In an effort to protect Michigan taxpayers, the state Treasury Department continues to implement security measures to stop tax-related identity theft. As a result, some individual income tax returns may be selected for identity confirmation.
If an individual income tax return has been selected for identity confirmation, the taxpayer will receive a letter from Treasury asking them to confirm their identity by completing a short online quiz or submitting paperwork. A phone option is available for those with functional needs or are not computer savvy.
After a taxpayer confirms his or her identity, their tax refund will be issued in about a month.
"Don't wait to file your tax return," White said. "By filing early, taxpayers can prevent cybercriminals from stealing their refunds."
Taxpayers who have been recent victims of identity theft are asked to report their circumstances to the state Treasury Department. Reporting identity theft helps thwart cybercriminals who attempt to file returns and steal state tax refunds.
In 2017, increased security measures protected more than 4,000 taxpayers who confirmed their identity was stolen and used to request state of Michigan refunds. This prevented more than $16 million from being distributed to scammers.
To learn more about identity theft, click here
Free Tax Help
Seniors and individuals with functional needs may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-trained volunteers or Tax Counseling for the Elderly preparers. For information about free tax help, go to www.michiganfreetaxhelp.org or dial 2-1-1.
To learn more about Michigan's individual income tax or to download forms, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax. For more information about e-filing, go to www.mifastfile.org.


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Appropriate Attire: Mastering Your Health Resolutions
When you are planning to start attending yoga or Pilates classes, there's one important tool you need to ensure your success: appropriate attire.
In my opinion, there are 5 tools that you need in order to master your health resolutions. So far, we have discussed:
Today, our final tool is not anything from within. Unlike all our other tools, this one is superficial.
#5–Appropriate Attire
I really hate to suggest that anything physical is essential to you achieving your goals, however, if you are not comfortable while you are doing something, you will not continue to do it.
This, therefore, extends to attire. No matter what you are doing, I suggest you be comfortable in what you are wearing, on your whole body, including your feet.
Choosing Pilates and Yoga Clothes
In Pilates and yoga, people normally wear clothes that move easily and are relatively fitted. So what does this mean? You can wear sweats or yoga leggings, anything that doesn't get in the way of your body moving. As you get used to your body moving, you will know what you like and don't like in apparel.
For example, I don't like my pants to be too long or have a boot cut at the bottom. Why? Because when I pick my leg up and move it to a new position, I sometimes end up standing on the inside of my pants leg, which then pulls my pants down as I stand up. Potentially showing everyone my behind does not make me comfortable.
In regards to tops, think about the different positions you plan to be in. You could be on your back, on your hands and knees, in an inversion like Downward Facing Dog or Handstand, on your stomach, or on your side. For all these positions, you need to be in a top where you feel comfortable.
For men, this is no big deal, but for women, please make sure that you select a good top. From personal (but private) experience, I can tell you that it's really distracting to the self when you go into Down Dog and your shirt slides up to your ears like a really thick sweat band.
No Socks
Another tip about Pilates and yoga: People do not normally wear socks. More than anything else, this is a safety issue. Socks end up being rather slippery, even if you have a very sticky mat. The thing about slipping is that sometimes you can feel it coming and make corrections, but sometimes you don't feel it coming and just end up falling. So, it's best to ditch the socks. If it's freezing, or your feet often end up getting cold, you can keep a pair of socks beside you for when you're doing your ground work or a stretching series.
My Favorite Brand
Now, for my personal plug. I'm not getting paid for saying this, just simply giving my opinion, but I really love the clothes from Prana. You can shop in their stores, online, or you can find them in stores like REI. The clothes fit really nicely. They move with me but are forgiving/flattering enough that I can wear them in public.
I'm always shopping, though! What is your appropriate attire? What clothes make you feel comfortable when you're working out? Please let me know below.


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Are you ready for something really awesome?
Not just sort of awesome. But really awesome??
For SIX days only, you can get an entire library of books on all things homemaking for 95% off of retail.
Even those deal websites can't give you a deal of this level! Look at everything you get:
BUT, it gets better!! You also get bonus products worth $200!
Only $29.95.
That's it!
- Every resource in this bundle has been carefully reviewed and selected by two teams of spouses to find the most helpful information out there.
- None of these resources are available for free anywhere on the internet. To buy them individually, you would spend $650 on the books alone!
- There are $200 worth of bonuses that have been hand selected just for you to give you even more encouragement and help.
- Each resource has been checked for top-notch quality. You won't find a bunch of blog posts strung together in these books. They are written by some of the very best bloggers out there and contain new content that you won't be able to find anywhere else.
- Some of these resources haven't even been released for sale yet. You get first access!
- When this sale is over in 6 days, it will NEVER be offered again. This Homemaking Bundle at this price is a one time thing. You don't want to miss it!
- There is a full money-back guarantee. If you don't love the bundle, you can get a full refund at any point during the 15 days following your purchase. That means there is zero risk. And getting your money back is super easy. No customer service calls. Just a quick email, and you are done.
So I'm sure you are anxious to see what exactly is IN the bundle. Get ready to scroll, because it's quite the list! (If you want an up close list, you can find them here!)
There are books on just about every topic, and I know you will enjoy them as much as I am! In fact, over the next few days, I'll be highlighting a few of the resources so that you can see what you will get. I'm sure I'll miss highlighting some great ones though since it's going to take me awhile to get through all of them. Looks like I have my summer reading list all set!
And don't forget about ALL of the bonus items from these great companies:
I definitely encourage you to grab this bundle now before you forget. The PDF version is only $29.95, or you can choose the PDF + Kindle version for $39.95. Pick the bundle that works best for you! (I went with the PDF + Kindle version even though I don't have a Kindle. I just downloaded the free Kindle app that does the same thing!)
One last thing. I'm giving away one of these PDF bundles to one of you! You should know that I'm paying for the giveaway bundle out of my own pocket because I think it's that great! I just wish I could give one to each of you!
Here's the deal though, if you are thinking of buying a bundle, go ahead and do that so that you don't forget. But still enter the giveaway! If you win the giveaway and you've already bought the bundle, I'll either reimburse your money, or you can choose to give your prize bundle to a friend. I'm all about options!
This giveaway is only open until April 27th because I won't have access to the bundle after the sale ends either. Like I said, when the six days are gone, so is the bundle. So make SURE that you are checking your email so that I can purchase and send your gift to you before the sale ends, deal?
Remember, The Homemaking Bundle is available for 6 days only, from 8 a.m. (EST) on Wednesday, April 23 to 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Monday, April 28th.
And because all good things have extra links, click here for the About Page, FAQ's, and Fine Print!
This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, please see my disclaimer page.


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The Freecycle Network, Inc. v. Oey et al
Filing 54
ORDER denying 51 Motion for Reconsideration. After a review of the relevant facts and law as well as Plaintiff's motion, the Court, in its discretion, declines to reconsider the previous ruling. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion for Reconsideration (Docket # 51) is DENIED. Signed by Judge Raner C Collins on 6/5/06.(ARS)
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


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Purchasing a home?
Where to start and understanding the mortgage process.
1. Pre-qualification acts as a dry run of the loan application process. The mortgage lender will use details you provide about your credit, income, assets and debts to arrive at an estimate of how much mortgage you can afford. The whole process may take only minutes or a few hours at most, and is free.
2. While a "pre-qual" is non-binding to the lender (because the information you provide has not been verified), it does serve as a good indication to potential sellers of your general creditworthiness.
3. These days most sellers will NOT accept an offer without at least a pre-approval letter, so if you are serious about buying this is the first step towards getting you in your new home.
Click here for mortgage information from Guaranteed Rate Affinity
Mickey Ballantine
VP of Mortgage Lending


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Full Household Packing Services London
Removal Dallas offers packing Services using high-quality materials and skills needed to ensure the safest possible journey for your belongings. Packing is a trade; hence our advice would be to always rely on professional movers and packers.
How we start?
We start by wrapping every piece of furniture in a specialist Jiffy furniture protector. Upholstery is protected with the same cover and we pack clothes into tall cardboard wardrobes and CDs into special moving boxes. Fragile items will be packed into boxes with a lot of padding and bubble wrap and all boxes are also clearly marked with the room that they came from, and the reason being is that it makes it easier for the unpacking process where it should all be in the right place in the right time.
Full Packing or Just Help with Packing Service
Removal Dallas provides a variety of packing services as listed below to cater to your individual needs and budgets. Please see below for further details.
1. Full PACKING & UNPACKING SERVICE
Our Most Prominent Service also known as our Gold service includes a full and complete packing and unpacking of everything in your home top to bottom. As soon as we finish, our customer can step into his/her new house and finds all items in the living room arranged neatly by us to welcome you. Carpets vacuumed, the TV connected, the kitchen fully equipped and ready for cooking for your family, bedrooms ready for a good night sleep. The Gold service proves us to be as a reliable company that can undertake everything, leaving you to enjoy your new place without the hassle of moving. This includes the following.
One of our Team Leaders will visit you at home. We will suggest a removal plan, it will include all aspects of moving and will be agreed with our customer so that we all know what to do and what to expect from us. Every single item is photographed, even things out of sight in loft spaces and cupboards.
After the removal plan is in pace and agreed, the packing service will start on the chosen day by one of our teams at A Man With a Van London, avoiding any disruption to normal life.
Due to our insurance policy, important paperwork, jewelry, expensive artwork, personal files etc., will have to be handled by the client only.
Our team will then load everything to our specialist van and will transport it safely to your new destination. At This point, you do not need to do anything, sit back and relax – we will transform and energize your home!
Our Unpacking Team of Ladies starts by unpacking the essentials for your first night immediately. The next operation is to build all the furniture like beds and wardrobes needed for the first night and on the next day, we will unpack all your removal cardboard boxes and organize each room to the position it was before in your old house using all our pictures.
We will clean before anything is put in place. Furniture, books, and ornaments will also be placed as to the plan agreed using attention to detail as captured by the pictures.
Once everything is unpacked, our cleaning team will clean and vacuum the house, leave a complimentary "welcome box" plus a bunch of fresh flowers, and walk you round to make sure you are completely satisfied with the order of your new Home.
With this service, our packers and movers will pack everything in your old house normally the day before the move. All the glass, china, cutlery, books, linen, toys, lamps, and all small items from drawers, cupboards, under stairs, under beds, sheds etc. will be packed into packing boxes. Large paintings, mirrors and other fragile items will be bubble wrapped. All removal cartons and packaging materials will be loaded onto the van and then delivered safely to your home and will be placed in their exact places as specified in advance.
With this service, we pack everything, leaving you to simply watch. Our professional packers come to your house at a day and time previously agreed. All the glass, china, ornaments, cutlery, books, linen, lamps, toys and any small items will be packed into packing boxes. Paintings and mirrors will be wrapped in protective material. The Packers will make sure that everything is properly packed, all cartons labeled with details of contents, the room from which it came from and proposed a location in the new home.
Fragile items will be packed and wrapped in boxes and if they are larger ones, using bubble wrap or other necessary covers.
If you prefer to pack your belongings yourself on a DIY basis, do feel free to explore the Internet for guidance. We provide a wide range of high-quality packaging materials for you when we pack. We can deliver in advance if you would like to start before us, however, for deliveries within Greater London or beyond, a deposit is also required which is part of the full price for the service. For deliveries outside London, we require payment on the day of delivery.


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From the print edition
Bickering, contentiousness and holdups have defined tax reform debates from its original incarnation in early 2011, all the way up until the bill's passing through the Legislative Assembly's first round of voting late Wednesday night.
Proponents, led by the ruling National Liberation Party (PLN) are celebrating the bill's passage. But in upcoming months, that vote might not even matter.
The backbiting will outlive Wednesday's vote and looks to unravel the process. In the interim, the country edges toward financial trouble.
Attention now turns to the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV). Two motions challenging the bill's constitutionality filed by the Social Christian Unity Party's Luis Fishman, who claimed there were errors during the first debate voting procedures, could force the process to start over.
"This whole procedure has been rushed, carelessly treated," said José María Villalta, of the Broad Front Party. "The [PLN's] only hope is that the Sala IV says they are right and the bill is fine just like it is."
Legislative President Juan Carlos Mendoza agreed, saying he was "sure there are errors" that the Sala IV will find in the way the bill was drafted, which will force lawmakers to revisit articles again. Mendoza broke with his own Citizen Action Party (PAC) to vote against the bill.
Until the Sala IV rules on those actions, the bill will not go to a second vote. The court has 30 days to issue a ruling. If the bill passes a second vote, the legislation goes to the president to be signed into law. The delays – Fishman has threatened to file further legal actions – could extend through the end of the year if no compromises are reached.
The primary goal of the fiscal reform package is to make tax collection 1.5 percent of gross domestic product. The most significant change proposed to accomplish that is an increase from a 13 percent sales tax to a 14 percent value-added tax.
This would result in additional charges on services like private education and private health services, and for professionals including lawyers and engineers.
For now, President Laura Chinchilla can enjoy a minor victory by moving the key issue of fiscal reform past the first debate, even if that triumph could be fleeting.
Members of Chinchilla's party lashed out at stall tactics and legal actions taken by the opposition to try to hinder the current bill's progress.
"It has all been a game here," Luis Gerardo Villanueva, of the PLN, said. "This whole thing has been nothing but a bunch of games, with the only purpose of making us slip up."
Costa Ricans resisting more taxes protested outside the assembly on Wednesday as representatives prepared for the vote.
Shortly before 8 p.m. lawmakers voted on the bill, with 31 in favor and 19 against. The votes for the bill all came from two parties – the PLN (22 votes) and PAC (8 votes) – except for a sole vote from evangelical lawmaker Carlos Avendaño.
Chinchilla formed a historic alliance with PAC leader Ottón Solís to receive the extra votes. The compromise included taxing firms inside free zones and a reduced value-added tax for health and education services.
Five parties voted against the bill, including all the members of the Libertarian Movement, the Social Christian Unity Party, the Accessibility Without Exclusion Party and the Broad Front Party. Two members of PAC – legislator Mendoza and Carmen Muñoz – also voted against it.
The vote came long after legislators moved to "fast-track" the process, which intended to bring the legislation to a vote last December. Instead, the bill faced more changes, and since last January lawmakers filed some 7,000 motions against various articles in the bill.
Assembly members reached an agreement to dismiss 3,000 of those motions this week so that the bill finally would be voted on – six months after the fast-tracking decision was made. And it is the legality of the fast-tracking method that Fishman is challenging.
Passing a fiscal reform bill has remained a necessity since Chinchilla took office in 2010. The legislation that succeeded this week was the third version of the reform. Finance Minister Fernando Herrero presented the original document on Jan. 23, 2011. More than a year later, a middle ground stays tentative (see Editorial).
Economic disaster could befall Costa Rica if reforms do not take place, say experts. Government debt is nearing 6 percent of GDP, and the gap is expected to widen, possibly to 10 percent if reforms are not passed by 2014, according to Central Bank officials.
Tax increases could generate an additional $850 million in annual revenue.
"Currently, we are financing about ₡1 trillion [$2 billion] with debt," Herrero told The Tico Times "We are paying salaries with debt. It is like paying for dinner with a credit card. You can do it sometimes but not permanently" (TT, Dec. 16, 2011).
The finance minister praised the reform's approval "as an essential step in the government's efforts to adequately provide funds for public services."
But whether the legislation has any chance of being enacted in the near future will depend on Sala IV judges.


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PUBLICATION / ARTICLES Page One of TWO.
We are active in both print and online publishing. Holloway was a Contributing Editor for VIDEOGRAPHY Magazine as well as DIGITAL TELEVISION and GOVERNMENT VIDEO Magazines. All had regularly featured full spread articles. Access Intelligence publishes STUDIO Monthly and STUDIO Daily Magazines which now release new stories by Holloway in addition to dozens of published photographs in the same magazines. Several other periodicals have featured Holloway's writing and photographs, and there are always new projects in the works. He has been on or had the cover story numerous times. He has also been published for features and comentaries in non-"industry" publications several times.
IHA is available for features and in-house publication writing about subjects including video, audio or computer gear, plus outdoor sports, martial arts, or... whatever you might need. If we can do it or see it, we can write about it.
Let us know if there is a writing project for publication, or advertising that we can help your company with. We also can provide computer graphics for print or web publishing, page layout is a specialty, and obviously photographs are no problem.
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When she is ready, Tilo is dispensed to San Francisco where she runs Spice Bazaar. Her mission: to help clients achieve their desires; but never her own. She must never leave the store. And she must never touch the skin of another. Tilo has the ability to see the future. Using her clairvoyance, she dispenses spices and food as curatives...and to help others get what they need.
All is well until a mysterious stranger appears and caused Tilo to question the ways that she was taught and lives by.
Padma Lakshmi has a little part in the film...though it has nothing to do with food.
The Mistress of Spices is our Food 'n Flix pick for this month, chosen by our host Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla. There's still a couple of days left for you to watch and post something inspired by this film, if you like. Since I am in hard-core popsicle mode lately, it probably comes as no surprise that I chose to make some that were inspired by this film. Afterall, it's hot in India. And in San Francisco. Go with it. And all three are laced with the mysterious properties of their spices...so choose wisely when sharing them.
- 1 (13.5 oz) can coconut milk
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- ⅔ c. half-and-half
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pure vanilla extract
- ¾ c. unsweetened, shredded coconut
- 1 c. water
- ½ c. superfine sugar
- 1 serrano chile, split lengthwise
- 1 ripe pineapple, peeled & cored
- 2 Tbs. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1½ tsp. ground chiles de árbol (or piquín or guajillo)
- ½ tsp. salt
- 3 ripe bananas
- ¼ c. packed dark brown sugar
- 2 Tbs. sugar
- 1 c. whole milk
- ½ c. heavy cream
- ¾ tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 1 Tbs. dark rum (optional)
Food 'n Flix hosted by Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla


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A very rare opportunity has arisen to own property in this prestigious development. 1 and 2 bedrooms can be 3 bedroom if you wish. 1 bedroom = 70-250sqm. 2 bedroom = 154-400sqm with rental return, the rental pool based on capital appreciation and rental yields.
This is a mixed development on Kamala beach. 75 condos are due to start construction in July 2016 by a renowned developer and architect. The full vision for mixed-use development includes an international anchor hotel, ultra luxury private estates, beach clubs, an upscale lifestyle and retail centre, medical wellness spa and protected forest nature reserve.
Fit-out will be of the highest international standards ( see photos). These items will complement the contemporary tropical design of the development and will be carefully chosen to suit the location, taking into account that many units may be occupied on a short-term basis in this boutique hotel style development.
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Summers in Sioux Falls can be brutally hot, and that's why we provide emergency air conditioning repair services for residential and commercial customers. Unless your air conditioning system has completely stopped working, it can be hard to decide when to call for help.
It might sound silly, but we can get distracted in our busy lives, so check first to see that your AC is turned on. Next, check that all of the windows and doors in your home or business are closed. If you haven't changed your filter recently, this would be a good time. If you've inspected all of these things and are still experiencing any of the following issues, contact the pros at Superior:
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Packing Up
We took our 18-year old daughter to college a few days ago. It was a huge undertaking – physically, emotionally, and of course, organizationally. As I've mentioned before, I deal with emotional upheaval by getting organized. (See Love, Loss, and Organizing). Getting my daughter and all her stuff to school was a logistical puzzle that kept me focused and helped keep the emotions at bay. Before I go on vacation, admiring friends often say to me one or two weeks before, "I bet…Read more →


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In the Western world, the art of persuasion (aka rhetoric), appeared first in ancient Athens. We might well ask, why did it emerge there and then, as opposed to another place and another time?
In his book, Words Like Loaded Pistols, Sam Leith argues that rhetoric blossomed first in Greece because that's where democracy emerged. Prior to that, we didn't need to argue or persuade or create ideas — at least not in the public sphere. We just accepted as true whatever the monarch said was true. There was no point in arguing. The monarch wasn't going to budge.
Because Greeks allowed citizens from different walks of life to speak in the public forum, they were the first people who needed to manage ideas and arguments. In response, they developed the key concepts of rhetoric. They also established the idea that rhetoric was an essential element of good leadership. A leader needed to manage the passions of the moment by speaking logically, clearly, and persuasively.
Through the 19th century, well-educated people were thoroughly schooled in rhetoric as well as the related disciplines of logic and grammar. These were known as the trivium and they helped us manage public ideas. Debates, governed by the rules of rhetoric, helped us create new ideas. Thesis led to antithesis led to synthesis. We considered the trivium to be an essential foundation for good leadership. Leaders have to create ideas, explain ideas, and defend ideas. The trivium provided the tools.
Then in the 20th century, we decided that we didn't need to teach these skills anymore. Leith argues that we came to see history as an impersonal, overwhelming, uncontrollable force in its own right. Why argue about it if we can't control it? Courses in rhetoric — and leadership — withered away.
It's interesting to look at rhetoric as an essential part of democracy. It's not something to be scorned. It's something to be promoted. I wonder if some of our partisan anger and divisiveness doesn't result from the lack of rhetoric in our society. We don't have too much rhetoric. Rather, we have too little. We have forgotten how to argue without anger.
I'm happy to see that rhetoric and persuasion classes are making a comeback in academia today. Similarly, courses in leadership seem to be flowering again. Perhaps we can look forward to using disagreements to create new ideas rather than an anvil to destroy them.


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"Katy's New World"
"Katy's New World"
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Source: Goodreads First Reads contest, sent from Zondervan Books
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
My Review:
Athena Smith, the costume curator for a Chicago museum, is elated to finally see the legendary vintage gowns worn by a city icon, Bertha Palmer. But the gowns are owned by the Clayworth family, who are not on good terms with Athena's family. The Clayworths just fired Athena's father from their company for unknown, but scandalous, reasons. So Athena has little hope of gaining the gowns for an exhibition at the museum. While looking at the gowns, she inhales a toxin which acts as a truth serum. Wh...more Katy is the only teenager in her Mennonite community who wants to extend her education past the required 9th grade. She is given special permission to attend the public high school, but will she be able to keep her faith while exposed daily to "worldly" things and experiences? Katy's mother left the Mennonite faith when she was little, and that meant she left Katy and her father too. Katy worries that by being exposed to "worldly" things, she'll follow in her mother's footsteps, hurting her father and grandparents.
"Katy's New World" is a great story for young teens. Katy is high school, but this book is geared more to younger teens and tweens and their issues. At first, I was skeptical about this one because it seemed a little cliche, but once the characters were developed, I was really drawn in. Katy's relationships with her old friends, her new friends from her new school, and her father are carefully written and realistic.
At her new school, Katy realizes that not all "worldly" things are bad. She quickly makes friends with Shelby, the daughter of a preacher. Sometimes, Shelby proves to be a better friend to Katy than her friends from the Mennonite community. Katy struggles trying to balance her two worlds, and the result is that she feels like an outsider both at school and in her community.
Katy overcame challenges to her faith and she does make mistakes. However, she learns from her mis-steps and in result she makes a choice, a decision, instead of blindly following along with what she is told to do.
Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: n/a
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 2/5 (not really a fan of this cover)
Writing: 3.5/5
Bottom Line: This was a great book for tweens, with rich characters and honest feelings about fitting in that all young people feel.
12 comments
I read this, it was cute but I like Kim's "grown-up" novels better! Thank you for sharing your review!ReplyDelete
XOXO~ Renee
The cover gave me a laugh- I'm glad to hear it's aimed at preteens or it might have been too comic. Looks cute, like the sort of thing I would have picked up at that age.ReplyDelete
Thanks, Renee! I haven't read anything else by this author, but she was a great writer so I can see how her adult books would be good :)ReplyDelete
DL, I'm not a fan of the cover either! But you're right, it does look like something a preteen would want to pick up :)
I think I might like this I am going to add it to my TBR pile great review :)ReplyDelete
Thanks, Caitlin! I hope you like it!!ReplyDelete
Nice review. I would have loved this when I was a young teen.ReplyDelete
Thanks, Christina!! I think it would be great for that age group :)ReplyDelete
This sounds awesome. Reminds me of this movie I saw and loved called "Saving Sarah Cain".ReplyDelete
Thanks for reading my review, Juju!! I've seen that book before and remember seeing previews for the movie! Maybe I'll check it out!ReplyDelete
I'm chiming in late. Found you through the blog hop. I just read your review and wanted to let you know I immediately requested this book from my library! So thank you!ReplyDelete
Thanks for visiting from the blog hop, Lynette!! You're very welcome and I hope you enjoy this book!!ReplyDelete
I'm glad you found me at the Hop! I look foward to checking out your reviews.ReplyDelete
You have become a cherry on top of my sundae.
For an explanation to this crazy response, see
BOOKS AND BLOGGING PHILOSOPHY at the top of my blog.


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RAE (aka RAE BK) was born and raised Brooklyn, New York.
He is a street artist, painter & sculptor whose work can be found on streets all over the globe in the form of paste-ups, 3D sculptures and murals.
RAE is also known for his installations where he uses pop-up locations and transforms them into a world where art, installation and practicality overlap.
He is highly collectable and much sought after, his work rarely coming up for sale.
We feel extremely honoured to offer these rare pieces to market.


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Maple Soda, Recipes
Dark and Balmy
Our own twist on the classic Dark & Stormy, without the spice but with the notes of tobacco and wood from our Maple Soda you'll feel a bit more...
Super fresh on the nose, with marsh grapefruit and a hint of fresh-cut grass. A touch of not-too-bitter quinine rounds the sea salt minerality and bright acidity.
Gulp with relish on a bright, midsummer's day….
Best served with
GIN or VODKA
Maple syrup and oakwood bring notes of toasted caramel and a light amber colour.
On the nose, hints of vanilla and fresh tobacco, that wrap around any brown spirit and really bring it to life.
Sip blissfully as you kick back to a warm New England sunset…
Best served with
RUM or BOURBON
A signature touch of sea salt and white-tea extract give a round minerality and savoury umami flavour. Subtle Japanese pine and yuzu fruit on the nose.
A versatile soda water for any spirit, but outstanding with a fine Scotch or Japanese whisky.
Savour whistfully on a late, brooding afternoon…
Best served with
VODKA or WHISKY
Thoughtfully balanced combinations of quality, natural ingredients that combine as well as shores and seas.
Our magic ingredient, just enough to add mouthfeel and make you thirsty for another sip.
Natural, light sweetness that rounds off spirits to make a perfect low-sugar mix (that's low in calories too).
We don't use plastic, but it's still our collective problem as far as we're concerned. We therefore also partner with Vera to take plastic out of the Oceans.
26 476
Better for you mixers ~ Coastal character 🌊
Enjoy with or without alcohol
Proudly supporting @mcs_uk ♻🐬
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Our own twist on the classic Dark & Stormy, without the spice but with the notes of tobacco and wood from our Maple Soda you'll feel a bit more...
One of the hottest coastal destinations which has been attracting revellers for decades now is the gorgeous island of Mykonos. Apparently formed ...
Our Maple Soda in place of the ginger ale instantly makes this drink much more sophisticated and multi-faceted for a perfect cocktail without the...
Sydney is one of the most iconic coastal cities in the world – a city all about juxtaposition. One one hand a buzzing metropolis, on the other ...
Our tonic is less about big hits of sweet and bitter, and much more about a gentle balance between the two. Green felt natural, bright and zingy....
Whitstable is a treasure of a coastal town: quaint and carefree, with sweeping seaside views and one of the few spots on England's southeast co...


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This post is sponsored by Cupcake Vineyards. All opinions are my own.
Holiday entertaining is always a great idea, especially when it's easy and effortless. That's why a holiday happy hour is one of the simplest ways to celebrate the season.
In today's entertaining guide, learn how to host a "Bubbles & Bites Happy Hour", which is fun for both you and your guests.
Choose a Party Theme
Whenever you're planning a party, start with a theme in mind.
For a recent celebration, I decided to keep the kitchen prep-work to a minimum, so I opted to serve appetizers paired with sparkling wines from Cupcake Vineyards. That's how the idea of a "Bubbles & Bites Happy Hour" theme came to mind.
Opt for Easy, Effortless Beverages
Let's be honest – most people get excited when they're served a glass of bubbly.
The sound that the cork makes when you pop open a bottle. The effervescent, refreshing taste you enjoy as that first sip hits your lips. And the bubbly chatter that often follows after indulging in a glass of sparkling wine.
For all these reasons and more, serving sparkling wine is always a wise choice.
Some of my favorite wines for parties are Cupcake Vineyards Sparkling Rosé and Prosecco. Featuring light floral notes and undertones of strawberry and raspberry, the Sparkling Rosé is a true crowd-pleaser. Equally delightful, the Prosecco contains aromas of white peach, honeydew, and grapefruit with toasted brioche finish.
These easy-to-drink, refreshing palate-pleasers are exciting beverages for any celebration. Whenever I serve or bring a bottle of Cupcake Vineyards to a party, people light up! The charming label, the playful vibe, and the sumptuous taste are why Cupcake Vineyards brings joy to every party.
To cater to guests' different flavor preferences, serve both varietals at a holiday happy hour.
Another perk of serving bubbly at a party is that it's fuss-free. Chill the bottles in advance and put them in an ice bucket for the party. In just 3 steps, here's how to safely pop open a bottle of bubbly (without a bottle opener).
- Unwrap the foil wrapper.
- Remove the wire cage.
- Slowly turn the cork.
It's that easy!
Plan a Savory & Sweet Menu
To satisfy all types of palates, plan a savory and sweet menu for your holiday happy hour.
To start with, a classic cheese and fruit plate always pairs well with sparkling wines.
- Ripe fruits (like strawberries, raspberries, and grapes) add vibrant color and juicy flavor.
- Rich wheat crackers are complemented by cured meats and savory cheeses.
- Cheeses that pair well with sparkling wine include a creamy Brie cheese and an aromatic, nutty Gouda cheese.
- Toasted honey-glazed pecans adds a hint of sweetness and crunchy texture.
- To add a festive holiday vibe, a few sprigs of fresh rosemary are the finishing touch.
Another healthy and delicious appetizer option is vegetable crudités (also known as a veggie platter). This traditional French appetizer features an assortment of raw vegetables accompanied by a dipping sauce or a vinaigrette.
By serving a variety of fresh vegetables (like tomatoes, cucumbers, edamame, broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower), you not only give your guests lots of options, but it also creates a beautiful colorful display. Guests can choose to eat the veggies as-is, or they can add a dollop of dressing (like a creamy ranch or honey balsamic) on top.
The best part about both types of appetizers is that they're fuss-free. Not only are cold appetizers easy to serve (since there's no cooking or heating), they're also great as finger foods (which is easier for standing guests)
For a holiday happy hour, instead of serving sugars galore, opt for a few simple, yet satisfying, desserts.
A couple of effortless options include dark chocolate-covered espresso beans and coconut toasted macarons. Both pair nicely with Cupcake's sparkling wines, and are an easy way to quench a sugar craving.
Create a Festive Atmosphere
The quickest way to put a smile on your guests' faces is by creating a festive atmosphere.
A tip I learned recently from an entertaining expert and former contributor to Martha Stewart Living and Real Simple was, "The key to a great party is to surprise and delight your guests".
A warm and inviting way to welcome guests into your home is with celebratory party decorations.
From a fun-filled DIY Balloon Garland as table decór to an enchanting array of fresh flowers in gilded vases, set the tone for your happy hour with a beautiful and charming display.
Using a variety of colors, sizes, and styles (from 5″ pearlized white to 12″ metallic rose gold), arranging air-filled latex balloons into an organic garland creates a whimsical backdrop for any table. What's also great about a DIY Balloon Garland is that you can create it hours before the party, and it will stay intact for days after.
To bring your table to life, decorate with fresh seasonal flowers. For example, if you're hosting your happy hour during Fall, use an array of rich autumnal shades (like burgundy, olive green, gold, and pumpkin orange).
You can also scatter dried leaves and pine cones on the table for added texture and sensory appeal. It helps to draw the eye from one section of the table to the next, creating visual intrigue.
Last, but certainly not least, carry your party theme throughout your entertaining spaces. From your dining room to your living room, add festive decorations (like lit candles and playful balloons) to create a fun party atmosphere.
For more inspiring ideas, check out the Entertaining section on Inspirations & Celebrations.


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14.2 HMC Algorithm Parameters
The Hamiltonian Monte Carlo algorithm has three parameters which must be set,
- discretization time \(\epsilon\),
- mass matrix \(\Sigma^{-1}\), and
- number of steps taken \(L\).
In practice, sampling efficiency, both in terms of iteration speed and iterations per effective sample, is highly sensitive to these three tuning parameters Neal (2011), Hoffman and Gelman (2014).
If \(\epsilon\) is too large, the leapfrog integrator will be inaccurate and too many proposals will be rejected. If \(\epsilon\) is too small, too many small steps will be taken by the leapfrog integrator leading to long simulation times per interval. Thus the goal is to balance the acceptance rate between these extremes.
If \(L\) is too small, the trajectory traced out in each iteration will be too short and sampling will devolve to a random walk. If \(L\) is too large, the algorithm will do too much work on each iteration.
If the mass matrix \(\Sigma\) is poorly suited to the covariance of the posterior, the step size \(\epsilon\) will have to be decreased to maintain arithmetic precision while at the same time, the number of steps \(L\) is increased in order to maintain simulation time to ensure statistical efficiency.
Integration Time
The actual integration time is \(L \, \epsilon\), a function of number of steps. Some interfaces to Stan set an approximate integration time \(t\) and the discretization interval (step size) \(\epsilon\). In these cases, the number of steps will be rounded down as
\[ L = \left\lfloor \frac{t}{\epsilon} \right\rfloor. \]
and the actual integration time will still be \(L \, \epsilon\).
Automatic Parameter Tuning
Stan is able to automatically optimize \(\epsilon\) to match an acceptance-rate target, able to estimate \(\Sigma\) based on warmup sample iterations, and able to dynamically adapt \(L\) on the fly during sampling (and during warmup) using the no-U-turn sampling (NUTS) algorithm Hoffman and Gelman (2014).
Warmup Epochs Figure. Adaptation during warmup occurs in three stages: an initial fast adaptation interval (I), a series of expanding slow adaptation intervals (II), and a final fast adaptation interval (III). For HMC, both the fast and slow intervals are used for adapting the step size, while the slow intervals are used for learning the (co)variance necessitated by the metric. Iteration numbering starts at 1 on the left side of the figure and increases to the right.
When adaptation is engaged (it may be turned off by fixing a step size and mass matrix), the warmup period is split into three stages, as illustrated in the warmup adaptation figure, with two fast intervals surrounding a series of growing slow intervals. Here fast and slow refer to parameters that adapt using local and global information, respectively; the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo samplers, for example, define the step size as a fast parameter and the (co)variance as a slow parameter. The size of the the initial and final fast intervals and the initial size of the slow interval are all customizable, although user-specified values may be modified slightly in order to ensure alignment with the warmup period.
The motivation behind this partitioning of the warmup period is to allow for more robust adaptation. The stages are as follows.
In the initial fast interval the chain is allowed to converge towards the typical set,20 with only parameters that can learn from local information adapted.
After this initial stage parameters that require global information, for example (co)variances, are estimated in a series of expanding, memoryless windows; often fast parameters will be adapted here as well.
Lastly, the fast parameters are allowed to adapt to the final update of the slow parameters.
These intervals may be controlled through the following configuration parameters, all of which must be positive integers:
Adaptation Parameters Table. The parameters controlling adaptation and their default values.
|initial buffer
|width of initial fast adaptation interval
|term buffer
|width of final fast adaptation interval
|initial width of slow adaptation interval
Discretization-Interval Adaptation Parameters
Stan's HMC algorithms utilize dual averaging Nesterov (2009) to optimize the step size.21
This warmup optimization procedure is extremely flexible and for completeness, Stan exposes each tuning option for dual averaging, using the notation of Hoffman and Gelman (2014). In practice, the efficacy of the optimization is sensitive to the value of these parameters, but we do not recommend changing the defaults without experience with the dual-averaging algorithm. For more information, see the discussion of dual averaging in Hoffman and Gelman (2011), Hoffman-Gelman:2014.
The full set of dual-averaging parameters are
Step Size Adaptation Parameters Table The parameters controlling step size adaptation, with constraints and default values.
|target Metropolis acceptance rate
|[0, 1]
|adaptation regularization scale
|(0, infty)
|adaptation relaxation exponent
|(0, infty)
|adaptation iteration offset
|(0, infty)
By setting the target acceptance parameter \(\delta\) to a value closer to 1 (its value must be strictly less than 1 and its default value is 0.8), adaptation will be forced to use smaller step sizes. This can improve sampling efficiency (effective sample size per iteration) at the cost of increased iteration times. Raising the value of \(\delta\) will also allow some models that would otherwise get stuck to overcome their blockages.
Step-Size Jitter
All implementations of HMC use numerical integrators requiring a step size (equivalently, discretization time interval). Stan allows the step size to be adapted or set explicitly. Stan also allows the step size to be "jittered" randomly during sampling to avoid any poor interactions with a fixed step size and regions of high curvature. The jitter is a proportion that may be added or subtracted, so the maximum amount of jitter is 1, which will cause step sizes to be selected in the range of 0 to twice the adapted step size. The default value is 0, producing no jitter.
Small step sizes can get HMC samplers unstuck that would otherwise get stuck with higher step sizes. The downside is that jittering below the adapted value will increase the number of leapfrog steps required and thus slow down iterations, whereas jittering above the adapted value can cause premature rejection due to simulation error in the Hamiltonian dynamics calculation. See Neal (2011) for further discussion of step-size jittering.
Euclidean Metric
All HMC implementations in Stan utilize quadratic kinetic energy functions which are specified up to the choice of a symmetric, positive-definite matrix known as a mass matrix or, more formally, a metric Betancourt and Stein (2011).
If the metric is constant then the resulting implementation is known as Euclidean HMC. Stan allows a choice among three Euclidean HMC implementations,
- a unit metric (diagonal matrix of ones),
- a diagonal metric (diagonal matrix with positive diagonal entries), and
- a dense metric (a dense, symmetric positive definite matrix)
to be configured by the user.
If the mass matrix is specified to be diagonal, then regularized variances are estimated based on the iterations in each slow-stage block (labeled II in the warmup adaptation stages figure). Each of these estimates is based only on the iterations in that block. This allows early estimates to be used to help guide warmup and then be forgotten later so that they do not influence the final covariance estimate.
If the mass matrix is specified to be dense, then regularized covariance estimates will be carried out, regularizing the estimate to a diagonal matrix, which is itself regularized toward a unit matrix.
Variances or covariances are estimated using Welford accumulators to avoid a loss of precision over many floating point operations.
Warmup Times and Estimating the Mass Matrix
The mass matrix can compensate for linear (i.e. global) correlations in the posterior which can dramatically improve the performance of HMC in some problems. This requires knowing the global correlations.
In complex models, the global correlations are usually difficult, if not impossible, to derivate analytically; for example, nonlinear model components convolve the scales of the data, so standardizing the data does not always help. Therefore, Stan estimates these correlations online with an adaptive warmup. In models with strong nonlinear (i.e. local) correlations this learning can be slow, even with regularization. This is ultimately why warmup in Stan often needs to be so long, and why a sufficiently long warmup can yield such substantial performance improvements.
The mass matrix compensates for only linear (equivalently global or position-independent) correlations in the posterior. The hierarchical parameterizations, on the other hand, affect some of the nasty nonlinear (equivalently local or position-dependent) correlations common in hierarchical models.22
One of the biggest difficulties with dense mass matrices is the estimation of the mass matrix itself which introduces a bit of a chicken-and-egg scenario; in order to estimate an appropriate mass matrix for sampling, convergence is required, and in order to converge, an appropriate mass matrix is required.
Dense vs. Diagonal Mass Matrices
Statistical models for which sampling is problematic are not typically dominated by linear correlations for which a dense mass matrix can adjust. Rather, they are governed by more complex nonlinear correlations that are best tackled with better parameterizations or more advanced algorithms, such as Riemannian HMC.
Warmup Times and Curvature
MCMC convergence time is roughly equivalent to the autocorrelation time. Because HMC (and NUTS) chains tend to be lowly autocorrelated they also tend to converge quite rapidly.
This only applies when there is uniformity of curvature across the posterior, an assumption which is violated in many complex models. Quite often, the tails have large curvature while the bulk of the posterior mass is relatively well-behaved; in other words, warmup is slow not because the actual convergence time is slow but rather because the cost of an HMC iteration is more expensive out in the tails.
Poor behavior in the tails is the kind of pathology that can be uncovered by running only a few warmup iterations. By looking at the acceptance probabilities and step sizes of the first few iterations provides an idea of how bad the problem is and whether it must be addressed with modeling efforts such as tighter priors or reparameterizations.
NUTS and its Configuration
The no-U-turn sampler (NUTS) automatically selects an appropriate number of leapfrog steps in each iteration in order to allow the proposals to traverse the posterior without doing unnecessary work. The motivation is to maximize the expected squared jump distance (see, e.g., Roberts, Gelman, and Gilks (1997)) at each step and avoid the random-walk behavior that arises in random-walk Metropolis or Gibbs samplers when there is correlation in the posterior. For a precise definition of the NUTS algorithm and a proof of detailed balance, see Hoffman and Gelman (2011), Hoffman and Gelman (2014).
NUTS generates a proposal by starting at an initial position determined by the parameters drawn in the last iteration. It then generates an independent standard normal random momentum vector. It then evolves the initial system both forwards and backwards in time to form a balanced binary tree. At each iteration of the NUTS algorithm the tree depth is increased by one, doubling the number of leapfrog steps and effectively doubles the computation time. The algorithm terminates in one of two ways, either
- the NUTS criterion (i.e., a U-turn in Euclidean space on a subtree) is satisfied for a new subtree or the completed tree, or
- the depth of the completed tree hits the maximum depth allowed.
Rather than using a standard Metropolis step, the final parameter value is selected via multinomial sampling with a bias toward the second half of the steps in the trajectory Betancourt (2016b).23
Configuring the no-U-turn sample involves putting a cap on the depth of the trees that it evaluates during each iteration. This is controlled through a maximum depth parameter. The number of leapfrog steps taken is then bounded by 2 to the power of the maximum depth minus 1.
Both the tree depth and the actual number of leapfrog steps computed
are reported along with the parameters in the output as
n_leapfrog__, respectively. Because the final subtree may only
be partially constructed, these two will always satisfy
\[ 2^{\mathrm{treedepth} - 1} - 1 \ < \ N_{\mathrm{leapfrog}} \ \le \ 2^{\mathrm{treedepth} } - 1. \]
Tree depth is an important diagnostic tool for NUTS. For example, a tree depth of zero occurs when the first leapfrog step is immediately rejected and the initial state returned, indicating extreme curvature and poorly-chosen step size (at least relative to the current position). On the other hand, a tree depth equal to the maximum depth indicates that NUTS is taking many leapfrog steps and being terminated prematurely to avoid excessively long execution time. Taking very many steps may be a sign of poor adaptation, may be due to targeting a very high acceptance rate, or may simply indicate a difficult posterior from which to sample. In the latter case, reparameterization may help with efficiency. But in the rare cases where the model is correctly specified and a large number of steps is necessary, the maximum depth should be increased to ensure that that the NUTS tree can grow as large as necessary.
Neal, Radford. 2011. "MCMC Using Hamiltonian Dynamics." In Handbook of Markov Chain Monte Carlo, edited by Steve Brooks, Andrew Gelman, Galin L. Jones, and Xiao-Li Meng, 116–62. Chapman; Hall/CRC.
Hoffman, Matthew D., and Andrew Gelman. 2011. "The No-U-Turn Sampler: Adaptively Setting Path Lengths in Hamiltonian Monte Carlo." arXiv 1111.4246. http://arxiv.org/abs/1111.4246.2014. "The No-U-Turn Sampler: Adaptively Setting Path Lengths in Hamiltonian Monte Carlo." Journal of Machine Learning Research 15: 1593–1623. http://jmlr.org/papers/v15/hoffman14a.html.
Nesterov, Y. 2009. "Primal-Dual Subgradient Methods for Convex Problems." Mathematical Programming 120 (1). Springer: 221–59.
Hoffman, Matthew D., and Andrew Gelman. 2011. "The No-U-Turn Sampler: Adaptively Setting Path Lengths in Hamiltonian Monte Carlo." arXiv 1111.4246. http://arxiv.org/abs/1111.4246.
Betancourt, Michael, and Leo C. Stein. 2011. "The Geometry of Hamiltonian Monte Carlo." arXiv 1112.4118. http://arxiv.org/abs/1112.4118.
Roberts, G.O., Andrew Gelman, and Walter R. Gilks. 1997. "Weak Convergence and Optimal Scaling of Random Walk Metropolis Algorithms." Annals of Applied Probability 7 (1): 110–20.
Betancourt, Michael. 2016b. "Identifying the Optimal Integration Time in Hamiltonian Monte Carlo." arXiv 1601.00225. https://arxiv.org/abs/1601.00225.
The typical set is a concept borrowed from information theory and refers to the neighborhood (or neighborhoods in multimodal models) of substantial posterior probability mass through which the Markov chain will travel in equilibrium.↩
This optimization of step size during adaptation of the sampler should not be confused with running Stan's optimization method.↩
Only in Riemannian HMC does the metric, which can be thought of as a position-dependent mass matrix, start compensating for nonlinear correlations.↩
Stan previously used slice sampling along the trajectory, following the original NUTS paper of Hoffman and Gelman (2014).↩


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Amanda Totteana Muniz,
Anderson, IN.
All my life I've had to face the question, "What are you?" This always made me uncomfortable, and irritated. Last time I checked I was a human. When I was younger I would try to explain that I was mixed,(black white, native American) but then I got tired of explaining myself and starting to simply tell them "I'm a girl."


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Four of the five names atop the Memorial leaderboard are Martin Kaymer (-15), Adam Scott (-13), Jordan Spieth (-11), and Hideki Matsuyama (-11).
Three (Kaymer, Scott, and Spieth) of the above mentioned players are members of the ultra-exclusive club of former world No. 1s – three of only 23 players to have done so in the last 33 years (since 1986), while the fourth (Matsuyama) reached world No. 2.
Combined, they own 70 worldwide wins, including six major titles, five Wold Golf Championships titles, four FedExCup Playoff victories, two PLAYERS Championships, and two TOUR Championships, all with an average age of just 31 (meaning these aren't four guys ready for the Champions Tour any time soon).
Yet, despite their marquee names, and major accomplishments, none among the four has hoisted a trophy over the past two seasons – at minimum, with Kaymer owning the longest winless drought at five years.
For Scott it's been three years (2016 WGC-Cadillac) since his last win, while Spieth (2017 Open) and Matsuyama (2017 WGC-Bridgestone) are in the midst of two-season dry spells.
Martin Kaymer – 15 Career Wins, 2 Majors, 1 WGC, World No.1
Adam Scott – 27 Career Wins, 1 Major, 2 WGCs, World No.1
Jordan Spieth – 14 Career Wins, 3 Majors, World No.1
Hideki Matsuyama – 14 Career Wins, 2 WGCs, World No.2
Of note, Patrick Cantlay is the fifth player in the top-5, and while he does not have the resume of the aforementioned foursome, he's a marquee name as well (with the highest world ranking among the five leaders at No. 15), and in the midst of a winless drought himself, having not won since his maiden PGA Tour title at the Shriners in 2017.
Will one of these world-class golfers finally break through, and shake Jack's hand on Sunday afternoon? Kaymer believes it will come down to who best handles the pressure… along with a little luck.
"I mean, all of them, if you take Jordan, if you take Adam, or Matsuyama I think was up there, too, they have won huge tournaments and they've been out of it for quite some time," said Kaymer.
"They're good enough to win any week. And it's the same for me. It's just a matter of how much can you handle Saturday and Sunday. And you need a little bit of luck here and there as well."
Time will tell.
Final-round play gets underway on the Golf Channel at noon with CBS picking up the action at 2:30 pm.
Final-Round Pairings
1:50 pm: Martin Kaymer (-15), Adam Scott (-13)
1:40 pm: Hideki Matsuyama (-11), Patrick Cantlay (-11)
1:30 pm: Jordan Spieth (-11), Marc Leishman (-9)


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Last month I found two matching rocking chairs on Craigslist. I loved their shape and style knowing they would be perfect for my new front porch. Though the red paint on the chairs is a classic color, I wanted to give them a fresh, yet timeless vintage look and knew I would be doing that with Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan. I chose the Duck Egg Blue for these chairs, a new color choice for me. You can see all the colors that the Annie Sloan paint come in as well as the retail directory where you can purchase the paint on Annie Sloan Unfolded. My favorite thing about the Chalk Paint® is how easy it is to use and how professional it looks when finished. The only sanding required is when you want to give the weathered look by sanding the paint off the edges. I loved how the original red of the chairs peeks through which looks great with the red ticking in the pillows. You can learn how to make the matching pillows in there photos in this post. Here are some detail shots of the finished chairs:
Below is my very brief tutorial. It is really that easy. One warning though. . . if you try Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan be aware that you will get hooked and either you will end up painting all of your furniture or find new pieces to paint. It happened to me, and here is some of the evidence! Cheers! ~ Lia
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46 Comments
Amazing post thank you for posting
I am very impressed with the quality I've got following this guide. I have been looking for a detailed painting guide and this one fits my needs perfectly. It's easy to follow and it has great step-by-step instructions that will help you paint your rocking chairs in no time at all! The pictures are super helpful as well because they show you exactly what to do, how much paint is needed, where everything goes, etc. Thank you for sharing this wonderful guide.
awesome website
[…] you love vintage furniture with the natural wear and all, this DIY vintage painted rocking chair is your thing. Be a 'rocker' with this DIY chalk paint project and upcycle your rocking […]
[…] you love vintage furniture with the natural wear and all, this DIY vintage painted rocking chair is your thing. Be a 'rocker' with this DIY chalk paint project and upcycle your rocking chair […]
It's a lovely product!!! One of the best designs in wooden rocking chair I have ever seen. Nice share.
Well thanks!!
Beautiful chairs! I have a rocking chair for my baby nursery that I am wanting to paint with Annie Sloan paint. How many litres did you need for 1 chair?x
I love this paint! I only used 1 litre for this project 🙂
I just completed a little child's rocking chair with the Emperor's Silk red Annie Sloan paint. It sat for one week before I applied the clear wax. While applying the clear wax, the red is staining my application towel and wax off towel. I still noticed it while applying the second coat on the seat and arms. I am worried that the red color will rub off on the child's clothing. Am I doing something wrong?
Not to worry! This tends to happen with chalk paint, but the wax will seal the paint. Once the wax has cured, there shouldn't be any trouble with the paint rubbing off!
What's up, I read your blogs. Your humoristic style is great, keepdoing what you're doing!
My daughter and I just painted an old colonial style rocker with chalk paint and it turned out beautifully. All I needed was a push to try it out! It really helps to see someone else's projects first. Thanks for the tutorial.
[…] may remember my post about how I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® to give a new look the to matching rocking chairs. With this being my main focus on the sitting area of the porch, I broke the space into two focal […]
[…] Rocking Chair Tutorial from Lia […]
i have seen many questions and answers on using wax for outside furniture. just to clarify – i want to repaint the table that we use on our screened in porch with chalk paint. It is completely covered but still stays out all year round – would you use wax or maybe a polyurethane as a final coat? I fear the poly will take away the chalky look i want. how have your rocking chairs held up? this table gets a lot of use. thank you!
Hi Lia – thanks for posting all your helpful tips and the pictures as well. Explains it all so well for a newbie.
I'd appreciate your comments on my query. I have an old varnished rocking chair I am planning on painting with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (now that I have discovered they are available in New Zealand). I am planning on one or two coats, depending on coverage and then one coat of soft wax. No distressing.
The chair will be in a corner of our carpeted living room, and I am wondering what to do about the rockers. Should I paint and wax the under the rockers as well? Will the wax or paint rub off on the carpet? You mention the wax cures in four months – does that mean I need to store the chair elsewhere until it cures?
Thanks in advance for your answer. The only other problem I have is which colour to choose – I have Annie Sloan's book of colour recipes and that has made things much more complicated!
[…] tour of the entryway in this post. If you want to see more of this look, check out my Duck Egg blue rocking chairs here, and a few of my other Graphite and Old White pieces in this post. If you are looking for a place […]
Hi Lia. I have two tables (that were previously used indoors) and are varnished. I want to use them outdoors now, and want to know if I need to remove the varnish before I paint with the Annie Sloan paint. I know from reading your blog that I should not wax for outdoor furniture, but the varnish has sealed the wood, so it's not going to be able to breathe.
[…] À découvrir sur Lia Griffith […]
I am so addicted to your posts. Fell in love with your rockers so I found Annie 's paint in my area. My rocker was old and weathered so it really drank up paint. Used primer red as base then Provence. I'm now on the step where I can lightly sand off the blue so the red shows through but I'm concerned because I was planning on letting the rocker be on my patio in the Texas heat. I read a comment from someone where you said not to use the wax but I thought that was how I got it to set? I need your expert advice, pretty please!!
I want to paint an outdoor. It's an old teak chair that sits on my porch. It has no finish on it now. It's old and weathered. I was thinking of painting it red first and doing the duck egg blue over it (just like your chairs). What kind of paint would you use first (to do the red) ?
And no wax on outdoor furniture?
I thought the rule was "no wax on outside items". Can you clarify if it is truly OK to wax rocking chairs that will get rain on them on a front porch? Thanks!
Una bona idea , queden mil vegades més maques tal com les has deixat,
Quin porxo més acollidor !!
Una abraçada.
They're beautiful. And I love that color. Not a bad Craigslist score, I'd say!
Such pretty chairs and I love the Duck Egg Blue you chose. Love ASCP!!
Silly question, but…….Does the wax harden? It wouldn't get on your clothes if you sit on it, right? I always wondered about that. I have a bench I'm thinking of doing. Love the color of the chairs!
Gorgeous chairs! I better not try that paint, hubby would have a fit if I paint the oak furniture! hahaha
Very nice pick and work!
Leave a reply


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We are a quirky bunch, the loose band of long term expats in Phnom Penh, living contradictions with confounding habits and ridiculous routines. We meet change head on, take leaps of faith, embrace the new and stare challenges in the face. All the while seeking comfort and occasional refuge in the bastions and institutions that remind us of where we came from. I am talking about those places that give us comfort food, classic dishes from the mother country, home cooking, old favourites, those places that deliver to us olfactory sensations and gustative experiences that release memories of smells and flavours from the beginnings of our time on this earth, that speak to us about who and what we are and affirm who we will always be, they remind us of where we came from and give scope and distance to the journey we have been on, they take us back to somewhere safe and familiar, to a time and place where we were unconditionally loved.
We lost one of those institutions recently, the apple fell to the ground bruised, yet sadly still whole, the arrow had missed its mark and pierced the boy's heart; William Tell is no more, a Swiss legend has fallen.
About once a month I and a friend or three would spend pleasant Sunday evenings in the comfort of the beer garden at Tell, getting our Schnitzel fix from the charming little Swiss restaurant that has sat in the street behind Le Royal hotel since the turn of the century. Owner / partner Urs Hauser was a charming fellow who has been coating his Schnitzels in blankets of breadcrumbs, flipping them onto their bellies and worrying them in his pans since 1999.
Switzerland and Cambodia share a strong connection, Doctor Beat Richner who built and continues to be the driving force behind the Kantha Bopha Children's Hospitals hails from Switzerland and Cambodia's greatest architect of the modern era, Vann Molyvann spent a great deal of time there whilst in exile and is married to Swiss compatriot Madam Trudy Vann.
Tell restaurant has had a long and steady following of Khmer and expat clientele who enjoyed it for its quaint charm, its humble authenticity and its delicious, Swiss cuisine.
Weiner Schnitzel was always the hero for me at Tell, perfect schnitzel is created when the meat is pounded lean and then left to 'salt' for a while, flour is then rubbed into every nook and cranny -all done to draw the moisture to the surface- then a quick egg wash and well coated with fresh crumbs, no seasoning. Once crumbed, the fillet is 'worried' in the pan and as the moisture between the protein and the covering begins to steam it lifts and gently creases the crumb coating; this is just one of the many secrets of a perfect schnitzel, Tell of course knew this very well, no one else in the capital came even close to matching its quality and dependability.
For around $8 you would get a delicious schnitzel that took up half your large dinner plate, any smaller and Urs would give you two pieces instead of one, then there would be the potatoes, mashed, spaetzle or boiled with buttered zucchini, a lemon cheek, cranberry jelly and a boat of brown gravy that would make your grandmother weep with envy.
Sometime around mid-year Urs delivered the shocking news that he had sold the restaurant and in a few months it would be changing hands, he assured us that the intentions of the new owners were to be business as usual and keep it pretty much the same. Sometime around late August, early September Urs left and the restaurant soon closed for renovations.
Inside, the old Swiss chalet has been tidied up and largely preserved, the beer garden outside has undergone a much needed renovation, the long, enclosed private room along the back wall ripped open and an attractive looking, open bar section installed giving the place a more modern, sharper image. Late September I somehow copped an invitation to taste off the food from the new kitchen and I felt it was consistent with the original cuisine; I was happy enough and could envision no disruption to my regular schnitzel routine.
Last night, I and three other lads, (two expats and one returnee local) ventured to Tell for our first proper schnitzel night since it had changed hands. It devastates me to tell you that it was a complete disaster, at first I found it hard to believe, I could not comprehend what was happening, it was like some tragic comedy routine, was I being punked? I just could not imagine it going any worse, seeing something I held so dear being so erroneously disregarded, disrespected, even trashed! I was crest-fallen, somewhere well beyond disappointed, there was no space emotionally for outrage or indignation, I was just utterly and completely sad, because I knew right then that it was gone, Tell was gone and it was never coming back again.
Firstly, Tell is no longer about over-delivering on value for money, when your $8 schnitzel goes up to $15 you need to be able to justify it on the plate. My senses were tingling when I noticed a couple of wines that sell for $35 to $40 on wine lists elsewhere listed here at $58 plus.
My schnitzel order consisted of slices of boiled potato with a bland gravy, no greens or any other vegetable, a small wedge of lemon, no cranberry jelly and two kidney shaped schnitzels that were smaller than my smartphone, If they told me they had accidentally served me a dish from the kids menu It would actually have seemed less surreal!
The recipe for the crumbing and seasoning has changed, my dish was as dry and flavourless as old cardboard and there was not one single redeeming feature that even remotely resembled the love and happiness on the plate of Tell dinners past. There can be no pride in this food, twice the cost for less than half the original dish and not one tenth of the flavour, I fail to comprehend how something so charming could be rendered so horribly mean and distasteful.
There can be no more schnitzel nights at Tell, I can't see how any of the regulars would be happy to remain. The only thing certain in life is change but its not always progress. Even though the nostalgia for an older, vanishing Phnom Penh remains the high rise construction, snarling traffic and neon signs remind us that there can be no turning back. Whilst we are free to hang on to our cherished memories, sentiment is a currency not traded in by everyone.


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Happy Monday everybody! I have to admit that I feel a little ridiculous every time I say "Happy Monday" because, well, it's Monday. And Mondays are just not synonymous with joy and happy times (at least not for me - boooo Mondays, boooo). But then I think about the whole trying to promote positivity concept and manifesting good things and all that, and it provokes me to at least attempt to greet Monday in a happy way (you know, for the greater good). So happy Monday! And that will conclude my deep thoughts for the day.
I got back last night from a little three-day trip and have a ton of catching up to do work-wise, but I wanted to at least wish you all a happy Monday (let's see how many times I can say that in one post), and to greet the week by announcing a giveaway winner (aka a sure-fire way to brighten someone's day). So without further adieu, the LilyEmme Jewelry Giveaway winner as randomly chosen via random.org is...
CONGRATULATIONS KRISTEN! You are now the official recipient of a $50 shop credit to LilyEmme Jewelry! (Please contact me at bubbyandbean {at} gmail.com so we can discuss getting you your prize.)
If you didn't win, don't be sad. There are some really phenomenal giveaways scheduled for this month, so be sure to check back soon!
FILED UNDER: giveaways


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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Labor South is on the rise!
This is my first entry on my new blog "Labor South", and I'm looking forward to making it a part of the labor media scene down here, and to reading your input.
Posted by Joseph B. Atkins at 2:36 PM
3 comments:
Nice to see "The Rise" has brought you to the world of Blogging!!!ReplyDelete
Let's all agree....I need a RAISE!!
Congratulations on the new blog... another outlet to solidify your position as the leading media man when in comes to Labor and the South. Keep up the good work and all the best.ReplyDelete
Great idea Joe, Keep up the good work. I will send you some interesting things that are happening. RobertReplyDelete
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When you plan a vacation, the most important decision you have to take is to decide whether to fill up your trip with zeal and enthusiasm and explore things on your own or go with an escorted group travel to avoid any sort of inconvenience which might occur if you travel alone to a place you have never been before.
So out of the two, which is better? The answer is it depends on personal preferences and on a lot more things.
A very important determinant is whether you enjoy moments of solace alone and are willing to put in a lot more effort in planning and booking. For adventurous people, the good news is the widespread use of online booking services and the presence of informative travel blogs make the choice easier. This is especially effective because travel blogs provide first-hand experience and recommendations of people and the dos and don'ts of that particular city.
Some tourist-attracted places, such as places in Europe or Southeastern Asia, are more prone to tourists and developed accordingly. Going to such places alone is possible. However, if you plan on going to a totally new location about which you have got no clue, then an organized group will work better for you.
An escorted group travel is always the easier choice. Somebody does the research and choose the hotel location, correspond in different languages, look out for tourist spots, etc. A tour guide helps you become more informed about the place that you are visiting. Whereas, individual travelling gives you more sense of freedom and flexibility. You decide everything from food, lodging, visiting places for yourself at your own discretion, etc.
Any one way of travel isn't better than the other. If you prefer making choices for yourself and are willing to put in exceeded effort and thought process into planning, then travelling alone is your thing. However, if you prefer to have everything already planned and done for you by somebody else, not putting in much effort, then escorted travel is likely to turn out better in your interest.
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text: +3 30" Black & White Agate Balloon & Tassel 00079 $38.00 In stock Quantity: 1 Add to Bag Product Details This Black & White Marble Balloon is the the perfect for your gatsby or whiskey inspired parties! (1) 30" Black & White Agate Latex (1) Luxurious tassel in a gorgeous Black, White, and Metallic Gold (1) Matching Foil balloon weight Please select pick-up or delivery time at checkout. Note that if we are unavailable at a particular time we'll email you promptly to schedule an alternate time. Each custom balloon is created upon purchase.Not the colors you need? No problem. We have over 40 colors of balloons and tassels in stock. Click here to design a custom balloon and tassel. You can even add a custom printed message to your balloon. Delivery Price: No matter the size of your order, the delivery price is just $50 anywhere in Indianapolis. If you're located farther away, the travel cost will be calculated at checkout based on your zip code. If you'd prefer to save money, click "Pick up from studio" at checkout and you can schedule a time to pick it up. Of course, larger décor elements require some on-site assembly and a large enough vehicle to transport them, so you might just want to have us deliver it. Helium Balloons: A standard size latex helium balloon will float for 12-24 hours depending on temperature and other variables. We use Hi-Float in all our latex helium balloons to help them last up to ten times as long. If you need your balloons to last a specific length of time, please contact us in advance so we can adjust our production schedule or recommend foil balloons or air-filled alternatives. Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee the float time for helium balloons. If you have any questions or don't see what you'd like here, please feel free to call any time at 317-762-8008 or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com Save this product for later Favorite My Account Track Orders Favorites Shopping Bag Display prices in: USD