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So my sorry a– has been up since 4 AM, hustling to complete a draft due for work. (Did I mention we're cancelling Valentine's day dinner tonight because we both have %$^$ deadlines to make) . . . but I had to take a break because the 2008 SFIAAFF just launched its schedule.
So of course I had to read through the whole schedule of films. There's 28 films/programs I want to see, at first cut. I got to figure out how to fit them in.
There's going to be a 'Sing-along Colma the Musical'!!!! I am so stoked! I am so there already!! (Joe just kinda rolled his eyes when I told him. "Are you going to go in costume?")
See ya there in March!


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Design wall changes
The ugly fabric challenge blocks are back in the drawer. It will be August before the next blocks are listed on Stashbusters with directions. The center big star is sewn together, the 4 corner blocks are made, and I need to make 20 more 16" blocks out of green moose fabric. It has been put on hold for a bit. We finally set the date when we are going to Idaho to visit the recipient - Labor Day - so I can change over to a more pressing project.
Last week I received a phone call from a cousin (I have many) that I haven't talked to in years. We had a delightful conversation, and I found out that there is going to be a Dunn family reunion at Big Lake, MO, June 18th. How delightful! Of course I'll go, and try to bring some of the family with me. It only gives me two UFOs that I need to finish by then - Yikes!!
The picture on the right is what I've been working on for the past 4 days, with time out for July 4th family activities. When we had the last Dunn family reunion in 1997, I took fabric pens and had people at least sign, but preferably draw something on some 8.5" squares of fabric that I had stabilized with freezer paper. I had always planned to make a quilt out of them, but I couldn't quite figure out what I wanted to do with them, so the stack of 23 blocks kept moving lower down in the UFO bins. If I want to take it to the reunion, I need to finish it NOW. I've been cutting and sewing, and have 24 blocks made. I had planned on making 7 extra blocks so I could set it 5 x 6 - I wanted a "middle". I finished the 24th block by making a block out of a print on fabric of a picture taken at the reunion. As I looked at them, I decided i had make enough blocks, and put them in a 4 x 6 setting. Now I'm auditioning borders, and trying to decide if I need sashings. The 3 pieces of fabric around the outside are possible borders / sashing. If you have any opinions about them please leave me a comment. I will also need to move blocks around depending on the border fabric I pick. There are two framing fabrics that don't look good up against one of the borders. I also see an option to move the blocks with the striped fabric into the center, then do a framing border of the stripe, then a wider border. I thought about doing piano keys with the remaining fabrics, but I think that would be way too busy.
The other UFO is not a quilt, but it is scanning into my computer the pictures in an old photo album that was my grandmother's, with pictures from 1941-1943. A lot of the people who will attend the reunion are either pictured, or their parents are pictured. I thought I would have it finished by Christmas, but . . . . My daughter gave me a coupon gift from Christmas, good for scanning old pictures, so I'm calling it in. I did do part of it, but it needs finished, put in some kind of order, then CDs made for distribution. My daughter teaches yearbook and newspaper, so putting things in order in a computer is her cup of tea. I do have some of them ready to print out for a Guess Who game if people are interested. It's going to be a busy two weeks!
Happy Quilting,
Email me

subset: commoncrawl


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On Being Understood…Ponder
January 26, 2009
I wish I had a safe place
Somewhere I could just go and say what I want
Somewhere I could be depressed if that is what I was feeling
I used to have a safe place
A friend so close and kind
But she left and departed to another place
One I can't follow
I miss that
Being understood
It is a beautiful thing to be understood
As a matter of fact
I think it is one of the most valuable things in life
To be understood
And you know what?
I think God wants that too
Is that why He wrote a book?
Is that why His interaction with man is recorded?
I think so
Did you know that He once said
That the actions of mankind "crushed Him"
Like the heart of a man that finds his wife in adultery
Giving herself to another lover
That's deep
Why do we think that God does not feel?
Why do we think that He does not have emotions?
Because He is so big and powerful?
It doesn't work that way
Why did He make us?
He wanted a family
Yep – the God of the Universe wanted kids
And His Son a bride
Take another look
Our God has feelings
And how often we hurt Him
Oh yes – He's big and strong
But He feels deeper than we can imagine
So take another look
A look at your sins
Is it worth it
When you know it causes Him pain?


text:
MacGillivray, Ian K., PhD. "Gay-Straight Alliances: A Handbook for Students, Educators, and Parents", The Haworth Press, 2007.
Looking at the Issues
Amos Lassen
Now that people are coming-out at a younger age, it is important that they have a safe environment in which to do so. A "GSA" or gay-straight alliance gives students a safe place to discuss issues, meet others, and gain support from a caring group of people. This handbook tells us how to begin these groups and have them become an important part of school life. This, in turn, will build positive relationships as well as provide and promote knowledge and tolerance. Sometimes we have to be told what it takes to start such an alliance as well as how to find the teachers to work with it and likewise helps principals and superintendents to understand the proper laws that apply to them. The book also will help parents discover how important groups like this are and how much they influence the life of a child.
The timing for this book is perfect and Macgillivray draws on the proper research, both empirical and legal as well as personal experience in order to give us a handbook which is so badly needed. It is full of information and ideas as well as resources and advice. Here is a book that belongs in every school today.
We must have safety for GLBT students as well as help them to improve understanding of the issues that face them daily. Just as we need advocates for the rights of all students, we need a place where they can feel at home with others like them and care for them. An alliance of this sort has much to offer the diversity of the population which we have today. Here is a valuable tool which can make schools safe regardless of the kind of school and its district and location.
The youth of today is quick to take on roles of leadership in transforming both the culture and climate of their schools and have an active voice in decisions—unlike when I was a student. They can help to eradicate the biases that pervade among and against our GLBT youth.


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Hi all!
I'm super excited to say that my new camera came in the mail yesterday. It's a manufacturer refurbished Nikon 1 J1, and I am absolutely in love with it. I got the 10-30mm lens with it, as well as a case! I ordered it from eBay, and am delighted with my purchase (and the money I saved).
With this camera I will hopefully be able to post some pictures on here of what I'm doing and what's going on. All in all it's very exciting and I can't wait to use this camera to document my life.
Have a great day!


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Loathe: Doing the dishes.
Love: The color yellow, which coming from me is crazy, because I've never been a fan.
Loathe: When radio stations ruin songs by playing them on REPEAT (Adele, I'm talking about you).
Love: Coming home from the gym to Mexican food after having a fantastic workout.
Loathe: Shiny, nude colored shoes. Especially when worn with khaki pants. They look like they belong in a wedding party NOT for everyday wear.
Love: The Voice and Blake Shelton. Oh, Miranda, you lucky lady.
Loathe: Headaches and migraines; I've had too many recently.
Love: This pin I pinned awhile back. If you weren't aware, on my mom's side of the family I am the first granddaughter, and my cousins didn't like it and always called me "Princess Lindsay." I am still a princess. My senior year of high school my quote was, "You don't have to live in a palace to be a princess." HRH Lady Diana Spencer Princess of Wales.
Source: christine-renae.blogspot.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
Happy Tuesday!


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#CubaNow Briefing: Ringing In The New Year With A Vision
#CubaNow Briefing
Jan 8, 2016
We hope you had a happy holiday break and rang in 2016 with high spirits. The start of 2015 was marked with both excitement and apprehension over what the reestablishment of diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Cuba would mean. A year later, the politicization of Cuba continues to dissipate at a steady pace as more and more policymakers look to build on a growing consensus for expanding trade and travel. In what would have been unimagineable just a year ago, for example, officials this week in Miami-Dade County are reportedly looking at building a ferry terminal at PortMiami to begin ferry service to Cuba, a move even the mayor of Miami called "inevitable."
As we saw over the holidays, however, Cuba's challenges aren't fading away anytime soon. Cuban president Raul Castro signaled late last month that lower oil prices will slow down the Cuban economy this year, despite a spike in American visitors as a result of rapprochement. Indeed, the AP reported that the absence of a wholesale market on the Island means Cuba's growing entrepreneurial sector is competing with residents for basic goods. The lack of economic development and access to these resources is one of the primary factors contributing to the continued flow of migrants leaving Cuba in search of a better life.
Congress can and should take action to help alleviate this problem. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe recently returned from a trip to Cuba this week and called on lawmakers to "do the right thing for the citizens of the United States of America and the citizens of Cuba." He was referring to current embargo restrictions which have made the U.S. a far less favorable market than it would be otherwise, and have led to a substantial decline in U.S. food exports to Cuba over the years. There's no upside to upholding red tape that hampers the Cuban people from gaining access to American goods they badly need.
Meanwhile, the White House seems to be taking a presidential trip to Cuba into increasingly serious consideration. It would be the most historic visit by a sitting president since Richard Nixon went to China in 1972, and wouldn't be without controversy. But while critics will charge that Raul Castro has not "earned" this visit, this argument falls into the too-easy trap of making our policy about a couple of individuals instead of focusing on the Cuban people. With the developments and obstacles that Cuba faces this year, there are 11 million people who will be looking for a tangible moment signifying that the U.S. stands with them and their future. A visit from a president more popular than either of the Castros wouldn't be a bad start.
Thank you for your support,
David Gomez
Political Director, #CubaNow
Cuba Facing A Tougher 2016 Despite Renewed U.S. Engagement
Cuban President Raul Castro Warns Cubans 2016 Will Bring Slower Growth Due To Low Oil Prices. "President Raul Castro warned Cubans on Tuesday to prepare for tough economic conditions in 2016 despite warmer relations with the United States. Castro said that while tourism is booming, low oil prices have damaged the outlook of an economy that depends on billions of dollars of subsidized oil and cash from Venezuela. According to state-controlled media, Cuba's president told the National Assembly to expect 2 percent growth in gross domestic product next year, half the rate his government reported in 2015. Foreign media are barred from the twice-annual meetings of the National Assembly." [AP, "Raul Castro prepares Cuba for tough year despite US opening, 12/30/15]
AP: Cubans Growing Widely Dissatisfied Over Low Salaries And High Prices Of Essential Goods. "Despite the government's assertion that the GDP grew 4 percent this year, there is widespread dissatisfaction among Cubans over the widening gap between low salaries and the high price of essential goods, most particularly food. Castro appeared to be preparing Cubans for harder times ahead, saying that 'we must cut any unnecessary spending and make use of the resources that we have with more rationality and with the goal of developing the country.'" [AP, "Raul Castro prepares Cuba for tough year despite US opening, 12/30/15]
Surge Of American Visitors In 2016 Brought More Cash To Cuba, But Lack Of A Wholesale Market Also Left Entrepreneurs Competing With Consumers. "More than 3 million tourists visited in 2015, an increase of nearly 20 percent in the wake of President Barack Obama's declaration of detente with Cuba. The surge in visitors pumped cash into the state-controlled tourist economy and the growing sector of private bed-and-breakfasts and restaurants, but it also drove up household inflation. In the absence of a wholesale market for private businesses in Cuba's state-controlled economy, entrepreneurs have been forced to compete with cash-strapped consumers, driving up prices by driving off with cartloads of basic foodstuffs like eggs and flour." [AP, "Raul Castro prepares Cuba for tough year despite US opening, 12/30/15]
Washington Post Highlights Growing Struggle Of Cuba To Adjust To Rising Disparities. "Today, with U.S.-Cuban relations on the mend, this island has come to the edge of a new post-Castro era. The country's ideological foundations are cracking, and new uncertainties are coming — perhaps none larger than whether the egalitarian values of Castro's revolution will be swept away by rising inequalities and the breakdown of Cuba's socialist welfare state. Communist Party elders want to keep a lid on market forces, but with every incremental opening, yawning income gaps emerge. The owner of a small private restaurant can earn hundreds of dollars a day, or more, in a country where three-quarters of the labor force works for the state and the average government salary is $20 a month. Tour guides and hotel chambermaids make more than scientists and doctors. Younger Cubans do not seem too troubled. But these disparities, authorities fear, bear the seeds of social tensions, resentments and crime." [Washington Post, "A socialist vision fades in Cuba's biggest housing product," 12/29/15]
U.S. Policymakers Seeking More Engagement With The Island
White House To Decide On Whether President Obama Will Make The Trip To Cuba In His Final Year. "The White House will decide in the next couple months about a potential trip by President Barack Obama to Cuba and wants both countries to take steps to ensure the thaw in relations is irreversible, U.S. deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said on Saturday. Rhodes, who was a key architect of the shift in U.S. strategy to the island nation, said Washington wanted to see Cuba improve its record on human rights and spur greater economic activity such as allowing private companies to operate in the communist country. Cuba also needed to give its people more access to information and the Internet, he said. 'The key test for us is whether the president's going to Cuba would help advance those priorities,' Rhodes told reporters in Hawaii, where Obama is vacationing. 'That's something I think we'll make a decision about ... in the next couple months.' A trip by a U.S. president would be historic and the White House is eager to use that leverage to press Cuba to make reforms." [Reuters, "White House: decision on Obama Cuba trip in next couple months," 1/2/16]
Virginia Governor Returns From Trip To Cuba And Calls On Congress To End The Embargo. "McAuliffe, who is vice chairman of the National Governors Association, said he would be in Washington on Thursday, pressing for a full end to what he called the United States's 'foolish' trade embargo against Cuba. 'I'll be meeting with the speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate majority leader, other members of the House and Senate, as well as administration officials,' he said. 'And I will clearly use that opportunity to say, "2016 needs to be the year that we move our relationship forward, that we end this embargo, and we do the right thing for the citizens of the United States of America and the citizens of Cuba."'" [Washington Post, "McAuliffe, in Havana, says Obama 'should come and will come visit Cuba," 1/5/16]
Virginia And Cuba Reach Agreements On Ports And Academic Cooperation. "Just two deals were officially inked during McAuliffe's Cuba trip — and both are nonbinding. The port agreement was a memorandum of understanding under which officials in Cuba and Virginia agreed to look for ways to cooperate. Both ports are eager to become major hubs for the huge 'post-Panamax' ships that will be coming when the Panama Canal expansion project is completed. The other completed deal was also a memorandum of understanding, in which Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Havana promised to explore academic exchanges and joint research projects." [Washington Post, "McAuliffe, in Havana, says Obama 'should come and will come visit Cuba," 1/5/16]
Miami-Dade County Officials Looking To Build Ferry Terminal For Cuba Travel. "The largely undeveloped plot of land at PortMiami where David Beckham once wanted a soccer stadium is poised to test just how much the politics of Cuba have changed in Miami. County officials want to transform the waterfront property into a bustling terminal for ferries running between Miami and Cuba. The initiative could position Miami as the prime jumping-off point for a fledgling ferry industry that hopes to provide affordable travel and shipping between the longtime enemies. And it marks a milestone for the administration of Mayor Carlos Gimenez, which until now has not openly pursued economic opportunities with a country whose outlaw status has long been an axiom of local politics." [Miami Herald, "Miami-Dade pursuing ferry service to Cuba from PortMiami," 1/6/16]
Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado: "Inevitable" That The County Offer Ferry Service To Cuba. "The ferry plan would put the Cuban-born Gimenez in the position of advocating for a new commercial link with Cuba as his 2016 reelection race heats up. He's facing Raquel Regalado, a school board member and daughter of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado, long a leading hard liner when it came to the Castro regime. On Wednesday, Mayor Regalado said he would not oppose ferry service to Cuba. 'It's inevitable,' he said. Raquel Regalado said she did not yet have a position on the issue. Hernández, Gimenez's spokesman, noted flights to Cuba have long flown out the county's Miami International Airport and that a port ferry terminal would have no direct ties to Havana. 'Miami-Dade County doesn't conduct business with countries,' he said. 'It conducts business with carriers.'" [Miami Herald, "Miami-Dade pursuing ferry service to Cuba from PortMiami," 1/6/16]
Cuba's Migrant Crisis Continues Into 2016
Cuban Migrants Stranded In Costa Rica Begin Resume Travel Towards The U.S. "The first flight for Cuban migrants stranded in Costa Rica will leave on Tuesday, the Central American country's foreign minister said on Wednesday. A group of around 180 people will be able to leave on a flight to El Salvador on Tuesday evening, they will then have ground transportation to the Guatemala-Mexico border, Manuel Gonzalez, Costa Rica's foreign minister said. Subsequent flights from Costa Rica will depend on the success of this one. The flow of migrants from Cuba has surged as the process of a detente between Washington and Havana stirs fears that preferential U.S. asylum rights for Cubans may soon end. [Reuters, "First Cuban migrant flight to leave Costa Rica next week," 1/6/16]
Pope Francis Calls On Central American Countries To Show "Generosity" Towards Cuban Migrants Passing Through. "Pope Francis has called for Central American countries to show generosity in dealing with the rising numbers of Cuban migrants stranded in the region. Several thousand Cubans are stranded at the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, hoping to reach the United States by land. Nicaragua has refused to allow the migrants to pass through its territory. The Pope said many of the Cubans passing through Central America were victims of human trafficking. 'I invite the countries of the region to renew with generosity all necessary efforts in order to find a rapid solution to this humanitarian drama,' the Pope told tens of thousands of people at the Vatican's St Peter's Square." [BBC, "Cuban migrants: Pope Francis urges quick solution," 12/27/15]
Former Cuban Diplomat Jesús Arboleya: Increased Economic Development Is Probably The Only Way To Deter Migration. "Jesús Arboleya, a former Cuban diplomat, said it should be of no surprise that young people have been leaving Cuba. The nation produces more human capital than the labor market can absorb, making the country a 'factory' of potential migrants, he said. Increased economic development is probably the only thing that will deter migrants in the future, said Arboleya, author of a book about Cuban migration. Many arriving Cubans post photos on Facebook showing scenes from their new American life: Visiting Walmart, driving a car, trying on a pair of work boots, cooking chicken legs on a backyard barbeque. They smile for the camera, but say their mood is bittersweet as they remember relatives left behind." [NBC News, "Cubans Who Recently Left Island Long for Those Left Behind," 1/3/16]
A Closer Look At A Changing Society In Cuba
Washington Post: Some Cubans Who Left The Island Returning As "Trailblazing Entrepreneurs." "The returnees are a smaller, quieter countercurrent to the surge of Cubans leaving, and their arrival suggests a more dynamic future when their compatriots may come and go with greater ease, helping to rebuild Cuba with earnings from abroad. Not since the early years of Fidel Castro's rule, when his leftist ideals brought home a number of exiles initially sympathetic to the 1959 revolution, have so many Cubans voluntarily returned. The difference is that today's repatriates are not coming back for socialism. They are coming back as capitalists. Which is to say, they are returning as trailblazing entrepreneurs. Prompted by President Raúl Castro's limited opening to small business and his 2011 move allowing Cubans to buy and sell real estate, the repatriates are using money saved abroad to acquire property and open private restaurants, guesthouses, spas and retail shops." [Washington Post, "Amid historic wave of emigration, some Cubans are returning home," 1/1/16]
Cuban Authorities Reportedly Processing An Increasing Number Of Repatriation Applications Since 2012. "Cuban authorities said they could not provide up-to-date statistics, but in 2012, immigration officials said they were processing about 1,000 repatriation applications each year. The numbers appear to have increased since then, at least judging from anecdotal evidence and the proliferation of new small businesses in Havana run by returnees. Communist authorities no longer stigmatize such Cubans or view them as ideologically suspicious, provided they're not coming back as anti-government activists. Virtually all Cubans who emigrated are eligible for repatriation unless they are deemed to have committed 'hostile acts against the state.'" [Washington Post, "Amid historic wave of emigration, some Cubans are returning home," 1/1/16]
NYT's Damien Cave Takes An Inside Look At "36 Hours In Havana." "Havana is no longer frozen in time, at least not completely. With Cuba's guarded openness to private enterprise grabbing hold, classic American cars and salsa singers now share the cityscape with new and inventive offerings in food, culture, night life and hospitality. No other city in Latin America, or perhaps the world, can claim to be having just the kind of moment that Havana is experiencing now after so many decades gasping for change. For visitors, the capital is a mash-up of past and present, freedom and restriction." [New York Times, "36 Hours in Havana," 1/6/16]
French Photographer Captures Cuba's World-Famous Boxers. "To be an amateur boxer in Cuba is something to be proud of – not so much for the monetary compensation, as none of the athletes have achieved affluence through their fame, but for the widespread recognition as the whole country cheers the achievements of its players. As Alberto Puig de la Barca, president of Cuba Boxing Federation, once said to CNN: 'Our boxers may not have a million dollars, but they have 11 million Cubans who support them.'… With the world's highest number of gold medals in its trophy collections, (outnumbering the U.S. by quite a few), amateur boxing continues to thrive in Cuba. But despite the fascinating aura of the game, navigating the intricate system of boxing rings, players, coaches and gamblers is no easy task. It requires shrewd familiarity with undercover networks and their main actors, an ability that high-profile French photographer Thierry Le Goues has honed over the last 10 years." [Time, "Meet Cuba's Amateur Boxers," 1/5/16]
Cuban Authorities Detain Dissidents Released After Rapprochement
Five Dissidents Released Following Rapprochement Back In Custody. "Five dissidents freed as Havana launched a high-profile diplomatic rapprochement with the United States are back in custody in Cuba, a human rights group said Monday. The five were among 53 political prisoners released in 2014 and early 2015 as the Washington and Havana moved to restore ties after a half-century break. The Cuban Commission on Human Rights, an officially outlawed but tolerated group, said the five 'were confined in high-security prisons in the second half of 2015.'… All five were jailed 'as a result of rigged trials and without due process,' it said. Cuban authorities did not comment. But the Americas' only communist government routinely denies it is holding political prisoners and says those jailed are in for common crimes." [AFP, "Five freed in US-Cuba rapprochement back in custody: rights group," 1/4/16]
Reversing Cuba Policy Quickly Becoming A Pipe Dream
Vox: A Republican President May Tinker With Cuba Policy, But Would Find It "Politically Untenable" To Make Further Changes. "If a Republican with hard-line Cuba policy gets elected in 2016, it's likely he will at least tinker with the Obama administration's regulations, perhaps closing embassies or putting light restrictions on travel. But taking any further action might prove politically untenable. Not all Republicans even agree anymore on the orthodoxy of the embargo; Rand Paul, for example, opposes it on libertarian grounds, and Donald Trump has declared it bad for business. Overall, 59 percent of Republicans surveyed in a July Pew Research poll favor ending the embargo altogether, which could put pressure on the eventual Republican nominee." [Vox, "Traveling to Cuba is easier than ever. Will that change if a Republican becomes president?" 12/30/15]
"It's One Thing To Stand In Opposition To Democrats; It's Another To Alienate America's Business Community." "Public opinion aside, pledges to roll back the steps the US has taken toward normalization ignore the deep business interests that have sprung up in the short time since Obama made his initial announcement. It's one thing to stand in opposition to Democrats; it's another to alienate America's business community. 'The toothpaste is out of the tube, and you cannot put it back in,' Columbia's Sabatini said. 'You can make some marginal changes, you can make some noise – but there are too many interests who have a stake in this to go back.' So if you're contemplating spending a future winter break in Cuba, it's a good bet your plans are a go." [Vox, "Traveling to Cuba is easier than ever. Will that change if a Republican becomes president?" 12/30/15]
¡No Me Digas! Hollywood Edition
Showtime's "House Of Lies" To Become First Scripted U.S. Series To Film In Cuba. "Don Cheadle's Showtime comedy 'House of Lies' will film one episode of its fifth season in Havana, making it the first U.S. scripted series to film in Cuba since the countries' diplomatic relations were restored last summer. The dramedy stars Cheadle as a fast-talking and cunning management consultant who heads the firm Kaan & Associates…The shoot is done in compliance with the U.S. Department of Treasury pursuant to an Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license and follows all appropriate U.S. laws. 'Marty and the Pod have traveled the world to land clients,' said Cheadle. 'But this historic trip to Cuba is definitely Kaan & Associates' biggest and wildest adventure yet. It's sure to be one for the record books, for both our characters and for our cast and crew. We're grateful to Showtime, our production team and everyone who worked so diligently to make this trip happen.'" [Variety, "Showtime's House of Lies' To Be First U.S. Scripted Show Filmed in Cuba," 1/6/16]
Universal Studios Seeking Approval To Film "Fast and Furious" Sequel In Cuba. "Universal's 'Fast and Furious' franchise may be going where no major studio film has gone before. While plans are still being worked out, Variety has learned that the studio behind the hugely popular series wants to shoot part of the eighth film in the 'Fast and Furious' series in Cuba. The filmmakers have made a research trip to the country to look at possible locations, though an insider cautions that things are in the exploratory phase. 'Universal Pictures is currently in the process of seeking approval from the United States and Cuban governments to explore shooting a portion of the next installment of the 'Fast & Furious' series in Cuba,' a spokeswoman for the studio said." [Variety, "'Fast and Furious 8' Wants to Shoot in Cuba," 1/6/16]


text:
When an evil spirit goes out of a person, it travels over dry country looking for a place to rest. If it can't find one, it says to itself, 'I will go back to my house.' So it goes back and finds the house empty, clean, and all fixed up. Then it goes out and brings along seven other spirits even worse than itself, and they come and live there. So when it is all over, that person is in worse shape than at the beginning. This is what will happen to the evil people of this day.
Whenever I read this before, in my normal manner of just kind of skimming over what is being said by Jesus, I always thought this was a simple scripture about deliverance from demons. Now that I reflect on it within the context of his apparent anger about being asked to perform a miracle by some Pharisees and teachers of the Law, I think it's more of a parable. Or a metaphor. While it may have some applicability to deliverance, I think it's an indictment of the state of Jewish religion.
As I researched it a little more, I found some writings by a guy named Alfred Edersheim who lived in the 1800s. He was a Jew who converted to Christianity and was a recognized Biblical scholar known for his book The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. Here's what he had to say about this passage:
As compared with the other nations of the world, Israel was like a house from which the demon of idolatry had gone out with all his attendants, really the 'Beel-Zibbul' whom they dreaded. And then the house had been swept of all the foulness and uncleanness of idolatry, and garnished with all manner of Pharisaic adornments.
Yet all this while the house was left really empty; God was not there; the Stronger One, Who alone could have resisted the Strong One, held not rule in it. And so the demon returned to it again, to find the house whence he had come out, swept and garnished indeed, but also empty and defenceless.
So this house, swept of the foulness of heathenism and adorned with all the self-righteousness of Pharisaism, but empty of God, would only become a more suitable and more secure habitation of Satan; because, from its cleanness and beauty, his presence and rule there as an evil spirit would not be suspected.
So, to continue the illustrative language of Christ, he came back 'with seven other spirits more wicked than himself' -pride, self -righteousness, unbelief, and the like, the number seven being general – and thus the last state – Israel without the foulness of gross idolatry and garnished with all the adornments of Pharisaic devotion to the study and practice of the Law – was really worse than had been the first with all its open repulsiveness.
To make a long story short, he's saying that after the Jews returned from exile and rebuilt the temple, their emphasis was on combating idolatry (the worship of other gods) by demanding strict obedience to the letter of the Law of Moses. Jesus said that they were successful in this effort. However, somewhere along the line, their zeal to make things "clean and all fixed up," they forgot about God. He said that the house (referring to the temple or religious practice in general) was empty because God had left the building. So now things were even worse. Religious practice had become the new idolatry. Idolatry had returned in the guise of religion but they failed to recognize it. Along with the original spirit of idolotry, the pretense of religion was accompanied by other evils that Edersheim refers to – pride, self-righteousness, unbelief. One might also add many others like legalism, insensitivity, skewed priorities, meanness and pettiness to name a few. Many other demons.
I would disagree with Edersheim, however, about the reference to "seven" spirits as arbitrary. In the Jewish tradition the number seven is significant because it is the number of days that it took God to create the earth. It is the number of "completion." So when he says that the house has seven evil spirits, it is completely evil.
Further, in Proverbs seven sins are listed. Maybe these are the seven evil spirits that Jesus is referring to:
There are seven things that the LORD hates and cannot tolerate:
• A proud look,
• a lying tongue,
• hands that kill innocent people,
• a mind that thinks up wicked plans,
• feet that hurry off to do evil,
• a witness who tells one lie after another,
• and someone who stirs up trouble among friends. (Proverbs 6:16-19)
Finally, the last line in this scripture, "This is what will happen to the evil people of this day" is a direct reference back to the first thing he says after they request the miracle (see Day 121) "How evil and godless are the people of this day!"
I think it all ties together nicely. In this instance, I'm pretty sure I am hearing what Jesus has to say. And I think it's must as much of a danger today as back then. When a church starts running smoothly and efficiently, they stop relying on God. Without the presence of God, then pretty soon pride, gossip, troublemaking, legalism, judgmentalism and all the rest of it start slipping in. A lot of drama is a sure sign that God has left the building. In our times one of the dangers is that the church becomes a business enterprise instead of a house of prayer. The only thing that can turn it around is a serious shift in priorities. God's Holy Spirit never turns down an invitation by the church. But the Holy Spirit needs to be the one in charge, the one making the decisions. The Spirit tends to slip out the back door when ignored.
So, it's better if a church is not a "clean" house. I have learned that when God is there it can get messy. There may be people with serious problems. There may be homeless people. There may be creative people. The kitchen may be messy because there's so much eating going on. The building may be messy because people are always hanging out at the church. The services may be messy because there is deliverance, or healing, or shouting, or dancing, or celebrating or crying. There may be sounds or sights that are not of this world. There may be miracles that make people uncomfortable. The church may become so generous that it loses its financial reserves. When the Holy Spirit takes over you never know what will happen because God if full of surprises for his people. But spirituality without the spirit part is pretty useless. It may be "clean and all fixed up" but Jesus would say it's godless and evil. He likes the messy stuff.
What does this scripture say to you?


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Come on out and show your support as we send NY Congressional Tea Party extremist Ann Marie Buerkle the message: It's time to create an economy that works for working people. It's time to invest in our communities with good jobs. It's time to restore the American Promise.
For the last century, the United States has worked together to ensure that each generation would have more opportunity and more prosperity than the generation before it. But, right now in Congress, the American Promise is under attack. Vital social programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security that protect millions of families, disabled persons and senior citizens are being threatened by a radical anti-government, anti-people agenda.
There will be two rallying points, one at the departure location in Irondequoit at 11 am, and one at the arrival location in Syracuse at 1:30 pm. There will be host speakers and press at both locations.
Let's make sure our member of Congress is standing up for us by creating more jobs and putting our economy back on track for us—not just the rich and big corporations. I hope you can join your co-workers in the labor movement and other community members.
Any media questions regarding this mobilization, you can contact Rosemary Rivera at 585.520.6542.


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Okay, for the faithful few who read my blog (all 8 of you! 😉 LOL), I've tried out some yummy new things lately, even despite the chaos that this year has been.
So let me know which of these interest you — and if you have a special challenge you want me to tackle, let me know either by specifying in the "Other" or with a comment.


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and an Explorer too.
And they Trick-or-Treated until they dropped! (for the girl it was almost literally)
I'm thinking that I might send the kids out trick-or-treating every night. It wore the little buggers out BIG TIME. Gotta love that. Or maybe they can run around the neighborhood a few times before bed.
We met up with Buzz Lightyear and a Black Cat and walked the neighborhood collecting treats, trying to keep the kids off the grass, re-buckling shoes, and being careful while crossing the street. I brought a beer. Genius idea.
We stopped for a break and let the kids have a piece of candy. We were sitting in someone's driveway when all of a sudden… out of nowhere… well… I'll let you see what happened:
I couldn't see through the viewer thing when I took the photo – but cracked up when I saw this! I think it's one of my favorite photos ever! Who knew a six-year old skeleton would give me the most perfect photo?! I wish I could remember what house this was from – I'd love for them to see this! (maybe I could identify it by the bricks on the driveway or something…)
And thank goodness all these kids are perfectly happy hamming it up for me & my camera!


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Revenge Of The Native Apps
Tumblr, like Facebook before it, has reverted from being an app that was basically a web page inside of an app body into a full-blown native iOS app with the latest update. The reason? Speed and performance. The dream of "write once, deploy everywhere" is perhaps more blissful than ever with the explosion of mobile platforms, but clearly nothing beats native, yet.


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Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas 2010!
Christmas this year was awesome, exciting, fun, and exhausting! We were very busy the week before christmas baking, cooking, getting last minute items because one little boy asked santa for only one thing on Tuesday and that one thing wasn't in the pile! Friday morning until Sunday evening was jam packed. Four christmas' and Russ singing and Michelle and I helping feed the hungry on Christmas day. That was pretty cool. Waiting all day on christmas for the snow. It decided to make an appearance after dark. But it was still awesome to watch fall. The flakes were large and that is always fun to watch. By the morning, it was still falling and we had about and inch or so on the ground. So Michelle, myself, and the boys went out to play before we headed to Greenwood for christmas with the family. It was a beautiful trip because of the snow.
So Christmas 2010 has come to an end. It seems like it comes and goes faster each year. But still, all is good!
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Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Decorations and other things!
We have been busy with christmas things. We have had fun making decorations. I got the crystal decoration idea from Ordinary Life Magic, a blog I like to follow. She always has creative craft ideas and science projects that we like to do. The boys have had fun rearranging the nativity scene until Joseph lost his head. It was pretty tragic but nothing a little super glue could'nt fix.
This morning the boys went from being cowboys to elves to knights. They love dressing up in costumes and role playing. They like to have the whole outfit. They want a real elf costume now. Just the hat is not good enough. We have also been busy learning about Ninjas and Samarai's and their weapons. Lots of history involved! The best part is how an interest in one thing quickly leads to the knowledge of many things. We have also been playing lots of games. Cade's favorite right now is Trouble. He usually wins, maybe thats why it is his favorite.
We have been having lots of discussion around here about angels and the role they play. It has been most interesting to hear their views on the subject. They love the fact that they are warriors.
Well, I cannot think of anything else we have been up to except christmas shopping and wrapping presents and all the usual things that life brings up. Time with friends are always fun!
I hope everyone is enjoying their christmas season and not forgetting the real reason for the season! We are still trusting God to show us His plan and He is still being faithful to guide us daily and continues to draw us closer to Himself. If we would just remember to spend time with Him everyday, learning more and listening more, He is always eagerly ready to meet with us. He is more than capable of meeting our every need. All God wants from us is a true relationship with Him. Not just a few minutes of our time in a rushed prayer of our most urgent needs. If that is all we gave our spouse or children we would not have a good relationship with them at all and our home would not be very happy. God wants more of us than a few rushed minutes. Remember to give God your best and you will reap more than you could ever imagine in return!
Remember, adventure is out there!
Posted by All About Fun at 2:22 PM No comments:
Monday, November 29, 2010
Let the holidays begin!
We have had a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend. Thursday, we had a wonderful dinner at Duane and Titia's. Friday, we went to NC to McCall's tree farm and picked out our tree. Then we went to Brevard and went to the coolest toy store called O.P.Taylors, ate pizza at Mike's, then headed home. Saturday was b-ball practice and decorating for christmas. Sunday was church and a Kenny Rogers christmas concert. It just doesn't get any better than this. But actually, it does.
God is up to something in the Marcengill house! Russ' painting business has come to a screeching halt! But God has been blessing us over and over again. First, it has given Russ the time to do random acts of kindness and spend lots of time with God in prayer and bible study. Second, He keeps blessing us just when we need something. Money for food and bills have come to us in unusual ways and just when we need them. More money has come to us in unexpected ways in the last 2 months that we have ever experienced before. We have found money in unexpected places such as old CD cases, the closet, our building, and a rarely used bag. Russ opened a bible he keeps in his truck and found $100. People have just given us money out of the blue without knowing we had need. Two unexpected royalty checks for Russ' music came in the month of October. There are other things that have happened but I cannot think of them right now. God is teaching us lessons of faith that He has been trying to teach us for years. We know that He is showing us that He is our source, not man, not ourselves, not even a job. We are to seek Him first and all these THINGS will be added to you. God has brought us to a place where we have to trust Him in all things. We cannot leave Him out of any part of our lives. He wants all of us. We know that He is preparing us for the ministry that He has planned for us and it is going to take more faith and trust in Him than ever. This is God's way of getting our attention. So we are in a place of daily waiting to see what He wants us to do for that day and also, in anticipation of what He is going to do and how He is going to reveal Himself. Now this is a true adventure!
Remember, adventure is out there!
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Minus OneSeptember 15, 2008
One of my friend departed for Palmona today. Was supposed to spend the day with all my other friends and him as his final farewell outing or whatever you may call it but due to epic planning and epic luck, things went wrong all over and the outing that was supposed to be for him went on without him… which is wrong.
I also called the shop to ask them about my still yet unheard of PS3… it's one week already, and I don't see my PS3. They gave me a "oh, we haven't got the parts yet. It will be done in a week". Bolded particularly ticked me off as I just heard the same thing a week ago, and I'm veeeeery familiar with this particular pattern in Malaysian customer service.


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How Integrating Technologies Can Change The Way Healthcare Is Delivered
What do Google's driverless car, a cab service company and an online medical care scheduling service have in common? Nothing really, […]… read more
What do Google's driverless car, a cab service company and an online medical care scheduling service have in common? Nothing really, […]… read more
Photo by IntelFreePress According to a new survey, mobile technology has the potential to profoundly reshape the healthcare industry, altering […]… read more
Photo by Ano Lobb. @healthyrx Is that what is about to happen to healthcare spending? For years now, experts have […]… read more
Photo by US Army Africa There is nothing worse than being sick—except, perhaps, having to go to the doctor when […]… read more
"It is indeed a customer-facing retail clinic. However, it is also an on-site clinic for our employees," said Ben Wanaker, […]… read more
Photo by IntelFreePress 2014 was the most exciting year in digital health since 2000, when the human genome was cloned.In […]… read more
Healthcare costs have risen substantially for middle-class workers. Perhaps one can accuse corporations of being a bit greedy, but they […]… read more
Obamacare forces people to have health insurance. With the implementation of Obamacare, the cost of healthcare premiums skyrocketed. Although healthcare […]… read more
If your business isn't on top of the billing process, then there's a good chance it's missing out on precious […]… read more
Begin: WordPress Article Content We felt small tremors in 2014 of the seismic changes underway. In 2015, I predict five […]… read more


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People of the current generation in their current life style eat more and work less. Most of the work in the present world does not involve much of the physical strength. Because of the emerging technology in every field, the current generation does not require much of the physical strength ...Read More »
Monthly Archives: March 2017
How to Have the Best Night's Sleep Ever
Many people have trouble sleeping and few have a good night's sleep. Broken and interrupted sleep patterns are a normal part of trying to rest. Even when one is sleeping, if the person is a light sleeper, the slightest sound will wake him or her up. Without a proper restful ...Read More »
Things to know about testosterone cream effects
Testosterone is the male hormone and due to the men modern lifestyle their hormone is get reduced in their body at low level. For that reasons health professional is prescribed testosterone cream to men. In fact testosterone level is decreased because of depression and testosterone cream is the ideal option ...Read More »
Quick Facts About Accessing Medical Marijuana In Arizona
If your doctor has recommended weed for your condition, you will get what is known as the "medical marijuana card". Having the card is not enough, unless you have access to quality weed. Some dependable services offer medical marijuana delivery for different areas. The laws related to the use of ...Read More »
Five Points For Choosing A Cosmetic Surgery Clinic
Cosmetic surgery can change the way you feel about your body. With emerging technologies and advancement in plastic surgery, it is possible to get the perfect face and body. If you check online, you will find a whole list of Tucson plastic surgery clinics. Since the results of such procedures ...Read More »


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Sunday, February 02, 2003
Just a first try on a showery sunday afternoon, cold outdoors and I'm just wondering if I should get on with a DIY job in the garage(cold) or laze on the sofa and watch Indoor Athletics on TV. No I won't be a couch potato sawing wood is exercise, it won't get me an Olympic Medal but it might help keep my waistline in trim. That's it I'm off.
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Hollywood Glitz and Glamour New Year's Eve Dinner in Allium
31st Dec 2017 8pm - 1am
at Allium Restaurant
Buy Hollywood Glitz and Glamour New Year's Eve Dinner in Allium Tickets
Event Details
Tickets £150 per person for cocktails and canapés on arrival, a five-course menu, half a bottle of wine, coffee and a glass of Champagne at midnight.
It's the biggest party night of the year so dress-up, indulge in good food and wine and dance your way into 2018 with our Hollywood Glitz and Glamour themed evening in Allium.
Dress code: think Oscars night on the red carpet! As glitzy or glamorous as you want to be...
Welcome drinks from 8pm, dinner served at 8.45pm and Champagne at midnight.
Allium New Year's Eve dinner menu
Canapés and cocktails
mushroom, thyme and onion velouté
with confit chicken (gf)
duck liver
with poached rhubarb and walnuts
with hispi cabbage, smoked mussels and brown bread sauce
fillet of beef
with artichoke purée, baby leeks, truffle potato and red wine jus (gf)
squash and rosemary terrine
with charred onions and heritage carrots (v) (gf)
chocolate and bergamot delice
with salted caramel and crème fraîche sorbet (v)
Coffee and chocolates
All menus detail vegetarian dishes (v) and gluten free dishes (gf), as well as when there is a vegetarian option (vo) or a gluten free option (gfo) of a particular dish. If you require dairy free dishes or have any other dietary requirements then please let us know in advance and we'd be happy to cater accordingly.
Any bookings taken after 1st November require full pre-payment at the time of booking. Tables are individual as booked.
If you would prefer to speak to a member of the team to make your reservation, please call 01225 805895 and we'll be pleased to help.
Special rates are available when attending and event, subject to availability, please ask for details.


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Alberto Longo Primativo
Across liquor stores in your area
Local, new, and popular items
Good times with friends & family
Product Description
DENOMINATION: IGT Salento rosso. GRAPES: Primitivo. PRODUCTION AREA: San Severo AGE OF THE VINEYARD: planted in 1995. SOIL:calcareous with sandy loam texture. YIELD PER HECTARE:10,000 kg from 5,600 plants per hectare. VINIFICATION: in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats favouring prolonged contact of must with skins. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the month of November. Aging at first for at least 6-8 months in cement vats and then in the bottle for at least 6 more months. BOTTLES PRODUCED: 10,000 – 15,000. COLOUR: intense ruby red with hints of purple. SCENT: intense, very persistent, rich nose of wild berries with slight spicy notes. TASTE: harmonious, well-balanced, with a good structure and a rich texture of sweet tannins. ALCOHOLIC CONTENT: 14 / 14.5 % by vol. FOOD MATCH: Meat, game birds, aged cheese with firm texture. SERVING TEMPERATURE: 18°C (65 F). AGING POTENTIAL: 4-5 years, particular vintage years even longer.View all products by Alberto Longo


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And that hot blondie sitting over there.
A dumb guy walks towards a blonde girl who is just chilling out. He uses some typical cheesy pickup lines saying he is new at that place and if she wanna hang out with him. But it turns out to be an epic fail.10 minutes later an adorable guy comes in his Mercedes being engaged in a call. He walks with swag and approaches the blonde. She seems interested. Just when things seemed to be good, the dumb guy returns and the guy in suit hands him the car keys. What happened next is pretty amazing. Hell of a prank!
And that hot blondie sitting over there.
This dickhead was gonna approach that hot blondie.
Interesting! Let's see what happens.
"You're pretty cute, wanna hang out sometime?".
Poor guy! Quite a disappointment.
Probably Bond, James Bond.
Haha, just kidding.
Cracking a million dollar deal.
Yeah, she may scream in ecstasy being overjoyed for her prince charming has arrived.
She seems interested.
Let's see, what happens next.


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...Even in ORDINARY things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out. 1 Corinthians 7:29 The Message
Monday, October 4, 2010
So last week at MOPS (for those of you who don't know its an amazing time mothers of preschoolers to get together and socialize, craft, learn, and become closer to God. It is a BLESSING!!!)anyways... we had our whole meeting dedicated to safety. We made emergency kits for our kids which was very extensive including fingerprints, hair samples, and even saving the child's old tooth brush for DNA. There was a detective there speaking to us about different dangerous things children and teens are doing now and what signs to watch out for. He talked about the Internet, child predators, older children being predators, scams, and on and on and on. Those of you that were there know what I mean. Don't get me wrong he was very helpful and knowledge able.
As I left my MOPS meeting I talked with other moms and my close mom friends. We said our Goodbyes and I was off to pick up my little ones at preschool. The preschool is only a few minutes away, located in my home church, where my oldest went for two years, and I am the vice-chair of the preschool board (I know fancy title, right?! Ha!). All the parents pull their vehicles into a line and the teacher brings the kids out one by one for safety reasons. I pulled my truck into the line. In front of me is a burgundy car I had never seen at pick up, I saw the yellow safety pick up tag clearly, and a man inside. As the parents are collecting their children they pull away and the next car pulls up. Pretty soon it is the burgundy cars turn to collect their child all of a sudden one of my closest and dearest friends daughter starts to head out to the car with the teacher. I am thinking...NO!!! I just left and her mom was still at MOPS!! I am STRESSING!!! I think surly this is a mistake the teacher will reread the name tag and realize its a different name!!!! The teacher opens the car door. At this point I have my hand on my door to open it!! I have a plan I am going to grab a big rock form the flower garden and hit this guy in the head with it. Your not kidnapping that baby right in front of me and get away with it!!! Just as start to open my door I see it! Or should I say him... A reflection in the rear view mirror... it was... HER DAD!!!! He was driving a company car. I was sooo happy but boy was my heart racing!!!! Its racing now just writing about it! I collected my kids with out a word to the teacher of my thoughts. My first opportunity I called the little girls mother and explain how I almost bashed her husband in the head with a large rock. We both apologized and laughed!
Later I realized I got so overwhelmed with afraid and careful during our MOPS meeting that I over reacted. Well, thankfully I didn't get a chance to reacted or "could've been embarrassing for a lot of people." So said the girls father!
In that short window I forgot God! Seriously! I wasn't trusting in Him, if I would have been more focused on God and trusting his plan I would have know who the man in the car was when I pulled my car into the pick up line!!!
So now that I am refocused, and calmed down... You may laugh!
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Pandora's Star – Peter F Hamilton (2004)
'It is AD 2380 and humanity has colonized over six hundred planets, all interlinked by wormholes. With Earth at its centre, the Intersolar Commonwealth has grown into a quiet wealthy society, where rejuvenation allows its citizens to live for centuries
When astronomer Dudley Bose observes a star over a thousand light years away vanish, imprisoned inside a force field of immense size, the Commonwealth is anxious to discover what actually happened. As conventional wormholes can't reach that far, they must build the first faster-than-light starship. Captained by Wilson Kime, an ex-NASA astronaut a little too eager to relive his old glory days, the Second Chance sets off on its historic voyage of discovery.
But someone or something out there must have had a very good reason for sealing off an entire star system. And if the Second Chance does manage to find a way in, what might be let out?
Blurb from the 2004 Pan paperback edition
Hamilton changes his vast settings once more, this time to a future four hundred years hence where a Commonwealth of Earth-type worlds is linked via a network of wormholes. Travel involves merely taking a train from one planet to another.
The problem of ageing has been solved and those who can afford it – or have insurance plans – can be rejuvenated back to their late teens. The Commonwealth has also beaten death since one can now also carry a chip embedded at the base of the neck which records one's experiences (see also Richard Morgan). Consequently anyone dying can have the copy uploaded into a quick grown clone and be 're-lifed'.
The cynical may spot the mini-series potential for this novel and its sequel being attractive to studios since it features many characters who are (superficially at least) young, fit and beautiful. It also features a strong heroic main character (think Vin Diesel), Captain Wilson Kime, originally one of the first men to step on Mars, only to find two physics students, Nigel Sheldon and Ozzie Isaacs have got there before them via their brand new wormhole invention. This begins the novel and is the kind of pre-credit historical prologue, which has been a staple of the film industry for decades.
A President and Senate run the Commonwealth, but power also lies with the 'Grand Families' and 'Solar Dynasties'. Since ageing is no longer a problem some families have evolved into companies or corporations composed of their own relatives and descendants. One of the joys of this book is its obsessive attention to detail and variety of scene and style. One chapter is a cleverly executed exercise in an examination of the political process in which matters of Commonwealth political and business policy are hammered out during a weekend party at the home of one of the leading Families.
Gradually the Commonwealth is made aware of the disappearance of two suns, a thousand light years away. By travelling across the Commonwealth by wormhole, astronomer Dudley Bose overtakes the light from the stars and records their disappearance over a period of a few hours. This can only mean that some incredible technology has been able to enclose the stars within Dyson Spheres.
Captain Kime is called out of retirement to man an interstellar mission on an interstellar ship 'The Second Chance' to investigate whether the stars pose a threat.
Meanwhile a xenophobic terrorist group, 'The Guardians of Selfhood' use propaganda and terrorist action against the construction of the shop as they believe that that a threat lies within the enclosed stars, and that one of the imprisoned aliens exists within the Commonwealth, controlling things behind the scenes.
It's a multi-character narrative, within which we have three main threads, the first being Captain Kime, the second being Paula Myo. She is a senior investigator who has been pursuing socialist and part-time 'Guardian of the Self' Adam Elvins for over a century. As a child, Myo was 'rescued' from a world, which practices human genetic design. She was designed with traits, which would make her an excellent policewoman. She is incorruptible, superhumanly efficient and implacable in her determination to bring people to justice for their crimes. However, her investigations lead her to believe that someone with very powerful connections has been protecting Elvins and later begins to suspect that the Starflyer – as the Guardians call the evil alien – may not be a myth.
The third thread follows Ozzie – one of the original creators of wormhole technology – now a combination nomad/recluse. He believes that an alien race called The Silfen might hold the key to information on the Dyson Spheres. The Silfen (an elfin race) are notoriously enigmatic and cryptic. Ozzie suspects that the Silfen they encounter and merely the Chrysalides of a much more mature species and sets off to find them via paths through forests on Silfen worlds which (like wormholes) lead inexplicably to other planets.
Weighing in at just under 1200 pages it looks a daunting proposition but it's one of those un-put-downable works which is also devilishly intelligent, complex and enjoyable.
Refreshingly, the gay characters are treated with respect and appear simply as characters, fitting as naturally into the environment as everyone else. One would have liked to have seen a little more cultural diversity, since presumably Sikhs or Muslims for instance have not vanished from the galaxy in four hundred years.
Hamilton always seems to feature at least one impossibly sexy, very intelligent, manipulative babe (of which there are at least three in this novel) enigmatic aliens and a Big Strong Man, so fans of this sort of thing will not be disappointed.
My only concern is that the style of human behaviour and culture seems far too close to our contemporary lives and that this will date (in this respect) as quickly as Asimov's Foundation Trilogy has with its quaint sexist anachronisms. I am also concerned that Hamilton is writing to please an American market as one gets the impression that this is a US author, which is certainly not the case.
Having said that, I find it incredibly brave of him to suggest – albeit fictionally – that crazy terrorists might turn out to have been right all along.
Roll on the sequel!


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City Limouzine Investment finance fraud
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Loksatta - Marathi News paper on 23rd June 2011
Loksatta - Marathi News paper on 23rd June 2011
Sebi had received the files from finance ministry Delhi. Very detailed, about Masood in Jaipur jail etc, all properties and bank acounts attached etc. They said it is a ponzi scheme and is not
governed by sebi.
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The Enchanted Garden Ball is an event that has been in the back of my mind for months and months now. With Sophie on holiday, for some reason neither Kate or I had bothered to get a ticket…until Thursday. Having gone to different pregames, we were reunited in Arena on Thursday night with one thing on our mind: WE HAD TO GO TO THE EGB. Five minutes later and we were in the smoking area with my debit card and trusty iPhone, and before we knew it we had three tickets booked. Yolo?
Since we'd booked our tickets so last minute, all the taxis in Exeter were already booked and the only available coach left campus at 6pm. This meant that we had to start getting ready at 4, but we were so excited it didn't really matter. I was mostly excited as I finally had the chance to wear the gorgeous Rare London dress I got for my birthday last year! I've been waiting for the perfect occasion and now that summer has come around and I am finally tanned again, I decided the time had come. I'd trawled Pinterest to find the perfect hairstyle and ended up doing a kind of adaptation of this. By the time I'd eventually secured it, it was time to leave, so we grabbed our bottle of cava (so classy) and headed out.
As it turned out, the 6pm coaches were also filled with people who had decided to buy last minute tickets and we ended up on the same coach as a lot of our friends which was so much fun. Finally we arrived!
These huge deckchairs were the COOLEST. They are also very difficult to get out of.
This was actually taken by a photographer for a (very) local paper and apparently we're going to be in the Crediton Courier some day soon – hitting the big time, kids!
After our initial explore, we went for a spot of croquet. I took to it like a pro, obviously.
We also enjoyed the 80s tent!
As it got darker it also got progressively colder and Kate and I began to seriously regret our decision not to bring jackets! Luckily there was a really cool bonfire area we could warm ourselves by…
Somehow, we made it to just past 1pm (with the help of a handy hog roast & a hot dog), doing the laps and seeing all our friends and raving away in the "rave tent." Eventually it just got TOO cold and so we joined the longest queue in the world for a coach home. I'm so so so SO glad we decided to buy tickets and go – almost everyone we know was there and it was such a nice way to end the year and see everybody all dressed up!


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You've undoubtedly heard of Anti-oxidants. Maybe in relation to anti-aging or getting a glowing complexion. If you're a red-blooded American girl with tons of pretty little containers full of serums, moisturizers, toners and every other kind of goo that goes on your face, you're probably the proud owner of a few antioxidants yourself. But how exactly do they work? What does one do with one's antioxidants? How much substance is there to these claims that they'll make your skin smoother than a baby's bottom plus do your federal taxes (just kidding, I've never actually heard that last one, but if you know of a product that does that, quit holding out on me please)?
It all comes down to this: antioxidants counteract the negative effects of free radicals.
Admittedly, that statement likely did nothing to clarify the subject. If anything, it made you wonder what a free radical was. Pretty much any conversation about antioxidants has to begin with this little detour, so here goes:
What is a free radical?
Free radicals are molecules with a chip on their shoulder; specifically, a chip in the form of a missing electron. This missing electron makes them highly unstable jerks intent on taking other molecules' electrons. If one or a lot of these free radicals happen to be on your face or in your body, the electrons they're siphoning are electrons your face and body were using. Like I said: Jerks.
If there are enough free radicals taking enough electrons, they can affect larger parts of cells that these molecules are part of. They can actually dick around with the DNA in your cells causing cells to mutate and not function as intended.
Suddenly, cells that are supposed to be collagen don't know what they're supposed to be anymore. They start dying their hair black and writing crappy sad songs and drinking carbonated beverages at school (I don't know, is that bad? I don't have kids). Free radicals really can cause things like wrinkles in this way, but some of the more insidious effects of this oxidative stress can be things like weakening the immune functions of the skin and other organ systems making you more susceptible to disease, or causing cancer.
So where do we pick up these free radicals and how can one avoid them?
You can get more than your fair share of these bitches from pollutants in the air, smoking, drinking alcohol, processed food and sun exposure. However, even if you avoid all of these things, free radicals are also a natural byproduct of your body converting fuel into energy.
Before the freaking out commences ("The free radicals are calling from inside the house!") it's probably a good time for me to take it back to the antioxidants.
Antioxidants counteract free radicals on a molecular level by donating their extra electrons to free radicals, which helps to stabilize them.
So, we've found the eternal fountain of youth! Hallelujah! Where can I get these magnificent buggers to slap indiscriminately on my face parts? Not so fast. Although anti-oxidants have some awesome properties it's important to know how to wield them or you won't get your money's worth.
A few tips on purchasing & using products with antioxidants
There's evidence that suggests antioxidants are extremely specialized molecules. Using just one won't have the desired effects. A couple in vivo clinical trials (conducted on live humans, as opposed to isolated "test tube" trials) aimed at the effectiveness of free radicals to repair oxidative stress for smokers and people at risk for heart disease yielded interesting results. Half of the participants in both studies received doses of vitamin E and C. The other half of participants were given a placebo. Those taking the antioxidant elixir actually had increased the development of lung cancer and cardiac incidences respectively. The effect was so great that both studies ceased their treatment earlier than planned. That's right, at least 2 clinical trials had to shut down early because they were causing the very diseases they were tasked with finding a treatment for.
While this sounds…slightly terrifying…there's also a great deal of evidence that antioxidants behave in a beneficial manner when mixed with a large variety of other types of antioxidants.
Scientists theorize that the reason such a high dose of these antioxidants had the opposite effect was that they work best in tandem with lots of other antioxidants. A well-rounded supplement, or better yet, the natural variety found in fresh fruits and vegetables. For example: Vitamin C behaves as an antioxidant with one molecule, but as a prooxidant (a blanket term for any substance that causes oxidative stress – free radicals fall under this category) with other molecules.
Therefore, slathering your body in just vitamin E won't do much good by itself. However, if you combine lots of different antioxidants together, you're onto something.
It's the difference in having The whole A-Team or just one. Let's be real, Faceman is pretty much just a cheesy pick up artist, Bosco can't get on an airplane, Murdock is literally an insane person and Hannibal? With those gloves, you know that if he didn't have the team he'd be a straight-up serial killer.
The next thing to keep in mind is that while antioxidants have a stabilizing effect on other molecules they are also unstable themselves. They can only give so much before they become inert. If a product with a lot of antioxidants in it is exposed to air and uv light you can use up all of the anti-oxidants in your product before they actually get to your face. If you have found something you think is a great formula and it comes in a jar, think again. You may as well spend $40 on silly putty to slather on your face because you'll only be getting the benefits of your product the first few times you used it. Not to mention those jars are the least sanitary delivery system of all.
It's better to get an antioxidant-rich product that's sold in a tube or pump bottle where air exposure, and consequently oxidation, is limited. Breakable capsules are also a great way to get antioxidants to your face with minimal exposure to the elements.
By now, you're probably under the impression that antioxidants are fairly delicate. In addition to all of the concerns you might have about whether these antioxidants are potent enough, you'll want to consider bioavailability. So you've got your antioxidant, and it's a good one, but now you want to get it to where it's going to do the most good. The trouble with just slapping an antioxidant on your skin (and even ingesting them) is that your body has booby traps in place to prevent outside stuff from getting in. After all, that's one of your skin's primary functions. An antioxidant won't do much good simply sitting on your outermost layer of skin. As your skin produces new cells it pushes old ones toward the outer-most walls of your epidermis. The further away those skin cells get from the specialized cells that made them, the deader they get. Just setting an antioxidant on top of these mostly dead skin cells isn't going to do them much good.
First of all, there are products that aren't ever meant to go deeper than the surface layer of your skin. One of the primary criteria that makes a cleanser a good cleanser is that after you're done washing it off there's no trace of it left. So, a cleanser that's touts its antioxidant-rich formula is pretty much bullshit. Maybe it has lots of antioxidants, but unless you're shooting yourself up with it, they're not getting where they need to go (P.S. – never shoot yourself up with a cleanser…or anything else that's only supposed to go on your face for that matter). A scrub would be the same story.
However, a toner, moisturizer, serum, or certain types of masks can be great products to get an antioxidant a little deeper into your skin. A couple of tips that'll boost their effectiveness are:
- Rinse your skin with warm water to open pores and make skin cells more pliable. Cool water makes your skin constrict to hold in heat, but this affect also means that products won't be able to get through the cells as easily. Warm water has been getting a bad rap lately for having a drying effect on skin. But opening your pores is like opening your heart! If you're always closed up tight you could be missing out on good stuff that wants in as well as the bad.
- If you don't already use some sort of exfoliant, I highly recommend it. Not only does it help kick your skin into gear if it was behaving a little sluggish, but scrubs will get a few more dud skin cells out of the way. That's a few less skin cells that your antioxidant needs to get through. If you have sensitive skin, you might consider an enzyme peel for this step in lieu of a scrub.
- After applying the product to your face, warm your hands up by rubbing them together quickly to create friction. When your hands are nice and hot, place them on top of your face with light pressure (I primarily focus on my cheeks and forehead). This additional warmth and even pressure helps keep your skin pliable for a little longer, giving the product a chance to be absorbed into the deeper layers.
When I originally started writing this post, I was going to list a bunch of antioxidants, but I decided it would be a wast of space to put here. There are so many that come labelled in the form of vitamins and plant extracts that it wouldn't make a lot of sense to try and write an exhaustive list. Instead, when I do a profile on any specific antioxidants in the future I'll be sure to link back to here and vice-versa.


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99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer. ha ha okay okay maybe not 99 bottles and maybe not beer but 65 empty frappucino bottles on my table. Every year around this time I like to make something cutesy for my co-workers and this year I chose these. My wonderful friend Geeta made examples and when I saw them I knew i had to make some but maybe I wasn't thinking clearly that day or did someone say "don't make those" lol yes she, Geeta, said that.
Then my friend Suzette saw Geeta's blog and had the same thought about making them for her co-workers and some for her daughter's school teachers and soon enough she racked up the number 30 and so there was 65 bottles that had to be made.Well we knew that 4 hands were definitely better than two for this task so we attempted to do this in one sitting and to much sadness we didn't succeed but we did almost get there.
My friend packed up all her 30 bottles and headed home but I was determined to have these finished and delivered some time this week and mind you I have other projects that still need to be finished. We started these bottles on Sunday Dec. 16th and today is Dec 17 and I am happy to announce that my 35 bottles are packed up and ready to go! I even went the extra mile and made gift tags for these wonderful little bottles.


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I just placed a web-order (964485) for a Dissipator upper and some accessories. I got the confirmation email immediately afterward, but it makes no indication of whether the dissipator upper is in stock and how long my order should take. Are we talking a week? A month? 3 months?
You can IM me if you feel that would be better.
James Blachly
They'll email you when it ships. If you need to check stock you'll have to call 'em.
Life Member: GOA&NRA.
CCRN!, CCRKBA, SAF Supporter
This does not always occur. I made an order online last weekend, got the confirmation email, and when I checked my mail yesterday, found most of the order had shipped (minus the barrel, which was backordered). I never saw an email. It's not the end of the world to be sure, and Bushmaster isn't the only company to occasionally not send the shipping email...
I ordered some sights for my BAR-10 and they promptly sent me my ornder confirmation and a tracking number.
I placed a web order on 27 August for an M4 14.5" upper w/ permanently installed Phantom and a 6-pos stock.
They charged my card, sent upper w/ threaded barrel, Phantom separate from barrel, and stock, and was given a ship date of 3 September.
In transit, the mistake was noted and they issued a return order on the package when it hit the depot on my end. The package made it back to BM this past Friday (10 September).
I have yet to hear anything and am waiting patiently. I just paid my Visa bill with the Bushmaster charge on it.
Guy on the phone said it would be 3 weeks, BM had it to me in like a week !
Huge surprise, and right in time for AWB (it arrived Friday).
I ordered on 8/31 and called twice since then to see when it would ship. I was told 2 weeks each time. I got an e-mail yesterday saying my new upper shipped. Estimated arrival date = 9/16
Trust me, I know what I'm doing.
Patience is a virtue, I suppose. Not that big of a deal.
Argh...heard from Customer Service...another week-and-a-half!
I've never had any problems with BM and suddenly I can't get any customer service from them. What happened? The AWB Sunset couldn't have thrown them off this badly.
Consider yourselves lucky, I've had no email response and their phone has been busy all every time I call. I think they're dodging me. have
I guess I'll suck it up and be patient. They've never let me down in the past.
I placed my "No Ban " order the 15th for a few small parts, a no ban upper and collapsible stock.
Was told about 2-3 weeks for everything to get back in stock and be ready since the barrels were being chromed.
Today I got their shipping notice. I either lucked out completly......Bushy likes surprising old customers, or I'm getting some small spare parts I don't really need almost instantly.
Keeping my fingers crossed for a pleasant surprise...am I dreaming or what?
Having had waited for parts during the Y2K and 9/11 rush, it's a fair guess that the demand after the AW Ban sunsetting is bigger than they ever imagined.
I learned from past experiences and ordered early this go-round.
No need to bug 'em on the phone - when they get it in stock they *will* ship it.
Bushamster shipped my stuff the next day, will be here on the 17th.
Outside of a lot of confusion with the original order, the folks in their customer service division have been spectacular. Every call has been pleasant and informative.
I, for one, am happy to see them "cleaning up" in the market right now. Lord only knows where the industry will be in another ten years with the ever-changing face of US politics.
Same here, I ordered the new spring and pin kit, figured it would ship out quick. Saturday will be a week and still no email. I called on Wed, the guy on the phone said they are swamped with orders and working OT to get things shipped.
Well..I did order BEFORE the ban lifted, thankfully! I can say I definitely believe they are swamped!
I waited till after the ban, because I'm lazy like that.
I was tole 1-2 weeks for a collapsible stock...sounds like they're getting slammed...
"Liberals become indignant when you question their patriotism, but simultaneously work overtime to give terrorists a cushion for the next attack and laugh at dumb Americans who love their country and hate the enemy."
Heard from Bushy after ordering last week:
M-4 16" A-2 No Ban Upper and small parts shipping immediatly.
6 Position Fiberlite No Ban Stock backordered about a week.
Upper due this coming week. No problems at all if it's what I ordered!
Got a partial order in about 1 week of ordering. No-Ban Upper fine, Carbine telestock on back order. Very Happy with typical Great Service so far!
I got the confirm for my m4 16inch no ban barrel, I ordered it a week ago and no word on shipping. Im guessing ill get it in 3 weeks.
Still waiting patiently...at least it's paid for!
I am beginning to wonder if it was a bad sign when they called me and asked if I am still interested...


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This is probably the simplest recipe that I've done for some time, however in some ways it's one of the most satisfying. There are of course many variations on noodle salads, however I have found this one seems to go down very well with my children, probably due to its simplicity. I would recommend trying different ingredients and variations to see which ones you like the best. The addition of toasted cashew nuts is definitely a winner.
Serves 2 as a main or 4 as a side
150g dried medium egg noodles
1 tbs grated fresh ginger
1/2 large cucumber, cut into 2 cm batons
1 medium yellow pepper, deseeded and diced
3 spring onions, chopped (including green stems)
2 tbs soy sauce or tamari
1 tbs rice wine vinegar
2 tbs sesame seeds to garnish
1. Bring a pan of lightly salted water to boil and add the noodles, ensuring that they are completely submerged. Bring to the boil and then simmer for four minutes. Drain and set aside the noodles to cool.
2. When the noodles have cooled, add the cucumber, pepper, grated ginger and onions and mix well.
3. Mix the soy sauce and vinegar together and pour over the noodles and mix well again.
4. Add the sesame seeds to a dry small frying pan and toast gently for one minute, ensuring that they do not burn. Note: I used pre-coated wasabi sesame seeds in the photograph above, which are available in most Chinese delicatessens.
5. Serve the noodles into individual bowls and add the sesame seeds to garnish.


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At this site we maintain a list of the 5000 Largest Known Primes which is updated hourly. This list is the most important databases at The Prime Pages: a collection of research, records and results all about prime numbers. This page summarizes our information about one of these primes.
field (help)value
Description:Phi(3, - 120211398304)
Verification status (*):Proven
Official Comment:Generalized unique
Proof-code(s): (*):L4506 : Propper, Batalov, CycloSv, EMsieve, PIES, Prime95, LLR
Decimal Digits:1195366 (log10 is 1195365.8843165)
Rank (*):153 (digit rank is 1)
Entrance Rank (*):103
Currently on list? (*):short
Submitted:12/30/2016 07:31:10 CDT
Last modified:12/30/2016 17:20:23 CDT
Database id:122667
Status Flags:TrialDiv
Score (*):47.1805 (normalized score 27.6635)
There are certain forms classed as
archivable: these prime may (at times)
remain on this list even if they do not make
the Top 5000 proper. Such primes are tracked with archival
Generalized Unique (archivable *)
Prime on list: yes, rank 11
Subcategory: "Generalized Unique"
(archival tag id 218563, tag last modified 2017-03-06 16:20:05)
The Top 5000 Primes is a list for proven primes only. In order to maintain the
integrity of this list, we seek to verify the primality of all submissions.
We are currently unable to check all proofs (ECPP, KP, ...), but we will at least trial
divide and PRP
check every entry before it is included in the list.
machineUsing: Xeon (pool) 4c+4c 3.5GHz
notesCommand: /home/caldwell/clientpool/1/pfgw64 -t -q"Phi(3,-1202113^98304)" 2>&1PFGW Version 184.108.40.206BIT.20130722.x86_Dev [GWNUM 27.11]Primality testing Phi(3,-1202113^98304) [N-1, Brillhart-Lehmer-Selfridge]Running N-1 test using base 23Calling Brillhart-Lehmer-Selfridge with factored part 41.44% Phi(3,-1202113^98304) is prime! (34695.6626s+0.3134s)[Elapsed time: 9.64 hours]
modified2017-01-27 05:57:10
created2016-12-30 07:33:02


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Recently modernised play parks in Forfar and a popular play park in Kirriemuir have suffered at the hands of vandals in recent days.
Councillor Jeanette Gaul, vice-convener of communities, has warned that the damage was "spoiling the fun for children using the park and it was malicious behaviour that the public purse could ill-afford".
Lordburn and Langlands parks have recently been refurbished for youngsters to enjoy, but a multi-functional play unit was targeted at Lordburn, with smaller items taken from the apparatus even though they were fixed by chains. Panels of the unit have also been scored.
New swings were also damaged at Langlands, but have subsequently been repaired, and at Kirriemuir's Davidson Park a hedgehog springer was put out of use by vandals.
Cllr Gaul said: "All our parks are there for children to enjoy, but repeated vandalism ruins their fun.
"It is clear in each of these instances that the damage wasn't down to simple wear and tear – it was deliberate destruction of property.
"It goes beyond spoiling other people's fun.
"Vandalism can affect the safety of play equipment and put it out of action – in most cases temporarily, but we are faced with removing items permanently if this mindless vandalism poses a safety risk.
"Unnecessary repair also comes at considerable expense and as such it affects us all.
"I'd ask people not to tolerate such behaviour and report any incidents of vandalism they witness to the police."


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We've wined, we've dined, we've played endless rounds of Exploding Kittens, and now it's time to enjoy some "quiet unplugged time" with some heady vinyl: 'Eldorado' by the Electric Light Orchestra.
This was another album that HRH surprised me with during our Bop Shop shopping trip to The Bop Shop in Rochester, NY with Uncle Lance. It damn near brought a tear to my eye. Of course, she only sees the amazing 'Wizard of Oz' album cover and goes "oh, shit yeah!" but what she doesn't know is this…it's also one fucking amazing album.
Ranked #43 on Rolling Stone's '50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of all Time' (click HERE).
Like I said, I might have cried like a baby.
This is ELO's 4th studio album released in 1974; their first ever concept album. The plot follows a Walter Mitty – like character who journeys into fantasy worlds via dreams, to escape the disillusionment of his mundane reality. Lynne began to write the album in response to criticisms from his father, a classical music lover, who said that Electric Light Orchestra's repertoire "had no tune". The influence of the Beatles is prevalent, especially in the melody of the verse of 'Mister Kingdom' which to some degree resembles the Beatles' 'Across the Universe'.
This is the album where Jeff Lynne finally found the sound he'd wanted since co-founding Electric Light Orchestra three years earlier. Indeed, 'Eldorado' was strongly reminiscent in some ways of 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. Not that it could ever have the same impact or be as distinctive, but it had its feet planted in so many richly melodic and varied musical traditions, yet made it all work in a rock context, that it did recall the Beatles classic. 'Eldorado' is about as near-perfect a fusion of rock and roll with a full orchestra as you're ever going to get.
Similar to the Who's 'Dark Side of the Moon', this album demands to be listened to LOUD! Which is fine since mommy is currently at work.
Each song is essentially the protagonist playing a different character, with the exception of 'Illusions In G Minor', which has him describing his visions to a psychiatrist mixed with icons of rock and roll. Because Lynne never gets too bogged down in story, he is able to focus on the variety found in the music, bending the genre of each track to reflect whatever fantastical scenarios the listener is in. He's much more concerned with atmosphere and mood than tedious plot details. 'Boy Blue', an anti-war tune that takes place during the Crusades, opens with a flourish of Medieval trumpets and strings, 'Illusions In G Minor' is a sped up, roadhouse blues cut, the dreamy 'Mr. Kingdom' verges on psychedelia, and so on. 'Can't Get It Out of My Head', the band's first Top 10 hit, is as catchy as its title suggests believe me.
Great album choice, kiddo….
Pass the tissues.
P.S.> This album has also now been added to my own Desert Island list because, well, it's just that fucking awesome.


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Today was not one of my better days. I had a sub on Friday, and returned to discover my plans were not followed with any diligence. I started the lesson referring to the number properties foldable they made on Friday only to discover most didn't make them. Making this foldable is not that difficult. I was extremely disappointed and left similar words with our substitute feedback system.
So I scratched everything I had planned and the kids created the number properties foldables. We did a few guided examples afterwards. Nothing extraordinary.


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Greetings from the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee.
I know I said this in my last post, but I feel awful that I've been slacking as a blogger. One of my goals for the new year is to become more consistent with my posts (this will be further discussed in a special New Year's post later on this week, although I'm not sure of the exact date just yet).
I'm not going to go through every day since I've last blogged because that would be torturous. The post from here on out will consist mainly of pictures and bullet points for maximum post-reading convenience. Before I start, though, I hope everyone who celebrated it had a fantastic Christmas. I did, save for an allergic reaction to an antibiotic – I'll spare you the dirty deets.
Moving on…
Saturday, December 26
- woke up around 8, finished packing the necessities and hit the road at 9.
- arrived at my aunt's house in the suburbs of Memphis, TN 12 hours later. Stretched and noshed on ham…well, the rest of the fam did. My uncle picked up a veggie pizza for me.
- exchanged gifts – my aunt definitely spoiled all of us this year. One of my favorites was an initial necklace that looks like an old-fashioned wax seal:
Sunday, December 27
- ate lunch at McAlister's, which has the best sweet tea ever, IMO.
- flipped through my cousin's copy of Nina Garcia's The One Hundred. Was happy to realize I owned at least some of the things on Garcia's list of 100 style must-haves (i.e. #5 Ballet Flats, #22 Charm Bracelet, #55 Minnetonka Moccasin). Was confused at the necessity of some others (#17 Cape, #46 Leather Pants).
- went to my aunt's best friend's family's house for dinner. Was briefly treated like I had five heads when I mentioned I was a vegetarian. After that, was asked why nobody told him (the "grillmaster"). Replied that my aunt said she had told him. Ate mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and copious amounts of chips and dip. Took quite a few "family" portraits.
- attempted to play this game, but spent most of the time customizing my player's jaw line.
Monday, December 28
- woke up bright and early (for me) to go downtown with Vic, uncle and cousin and cousin's best friend to see the Tigers take on IUPUI.
- almost wasn't let into the arena because Vic's camera lense was deemed too big.
- watched the Tigers kick ass, as per usual
- paid $7.50 and waited the entirety of halftime and then some for a mediocre veggie burger
- went to the Peabody Hotel to see the ducks, a fantastic panoramic view of Memphis, and…shop at a boutique?
- ate a mediocre red velvet cupcake in the bakery. It would have been better if the icing had been softer.
- went to Sun Studio to see where the greats recorded. Stood where Elvis stood. Touched his microphone. OMG.
- watched Julie & Julia for the first time. Added the movie to my favorites on Facebook.
Tuesday, December 29
- Visited downtown Collierville. Ate lunch (including some phenom blackberry cobbler) at The Silver Caboose, shopped in the little stores, and took pictures in the gazebo on the square.
- got my nails done in a mysterious OPI reddish color (the label was missing from the bottom)
- ate one of the best veggie burgers of my life at Huey's
- spent an insane amount of time writing this post.
Well, that's been my life as of late. Look out for the oh-so-original "end of the year" post later this week 🙂


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NYFW S/S 14: Footwear Trends
The elongated strides down the runway wouldn't be complete without the proper footwear. By proper, we mean carefully selected to polish off the ultimate head-to-toe styling. The S/S 14 runways were walked all over with three key trends: the flat sandal, the pointed Mary Jane and the pale platform. Each style is bold and eye-catching.
The flat sandal is slightly elevated off the ground. It's taking the woman out of a heel and giving her feet some overly-awaited comfort. That being said, comfort doesn't have to mean unattractive! The flat sandal is embracing the top of the foot with thick, colorful straps. The toes are exposed and letting your perfectly manicured nails pop through. Ballerina inspired lace up sandals brightened up the runways at Tracy Reese while Birkenstock 'dual-strap' metallic sandals kept printed looks casual at Trina Turk. Both Creatures of Comfort and Tibi, styled their looks with a more sporty take on the trend. The flat sandal is the high-fashion, comfort shoe for spring.
Pointed Mary Janes are taking the place of fall's ballerina flat. The toe of the flats are elongated and pointed with feminine straps that drape over the tops of the feet. Richard Chai Love's Mary Janes are for the sophisticated woman. One simple strap across the foot is poised, classy and perfect for the business woman. For an edgier look, Honor brought a multi-strap and iridescent, rhinestone covered Mary Jane down the grey runways. Candela's satin, everyday Mary Jane had a thicker strap resembling a knotted bow. No matter which strap details fit your style, the pointed Mary Jane will be your go-to flat for spring.
The runway collections were heavily draped in crisp whites for spring. For footwear, the subtle punch of bleached out lilacs and pinks were a great way to mix up the white, monochromatic looks. Patent and croc skins were the trending textile for the pale footwear. Laced up looks heated up the ensembles at both Diesel Black Gold and Alexander Wang's shows. DKNY brought an ultra pointed wedge pump down the runways in an electric lilac. For a vacation ready feel, Rag & Bone mixed both laces and thick straps in their heels. Lilac and laces are the ultra feminine kick in your step for spring.
Read more NYFW
Tagged in: trends, footwear, spring 2014, ss 14, shoes, nyfw, runway,


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Just finished my 2nd reinvented podcast. I interview Katie, a young woman who has battled anorexia and intense anxiety. She open and real and you'll love her! Take a listen either below or on iTunes under "To Know We Are Not Alone". If you are so inclined, please share!
One thought on "Podcast: Interview with Katie V."
Enjoyed Katie interview. Love the song to know we are not alone. Great job