text:
New Directors Showcases International Independents, While
"Judy" Nears Deal
By Anthony Kaufman
New Serbian director Srdjan Dragojevic was scheduled to arrive for the
New York debut of his film "The Wounds" at this year's New Directors/New
Films festival, but all borders have been closed in his country and
commercial airlines shut down. Several NY journalists were supposed to
interview the young turk, but last we heard, he was trapped in Belgrade
communicating by e-mail with festival organizers until his electricity was cut.
While watching Dragojevic's two under-aged Bosnian criminals barely
survive the moral wasteland of 1990's Serbia, or street kids die on the
streets of Jakarta (Garin Nugroho's "Leaf on a Pillow") or Scotland's
working class near kill themselves from futility (Peter Mullan's
"Orphans") or Lebanese children endure the violent partition of their
capital (Ziad Doueiri's "West Beirut"), it is sobering to know these
tragedies continue — and as we step from the sheltered theater of the
Museum of Modern Art and walk down 5th Avenue, it's disturbingly easy to
forget there's a whole lot more to our disparate world.
Having said that, the 28th edition of New Directors/New Films (ND/NF) —
a festival co-organized by the twin mammoth New York institutions of
cinema, the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art
— is a hefty reminder of the global independent film scene. From 19
different countries around the world, including entries from Indonesia,
Cape Verde, Hungary and the Czech Republic, this year's selection is
just about as democratic as the United Nations General Assembly.
Programmers collected this year's selection from established festivals
such as Cannes, Rotterdam, Toronto and Sundance, smaller venues such as
Naples and Sarajevo, and recommendations from other trusted festival
organizers and industry sources. Of the roughly 1,000 feature film
submissions coming in blind — slightly down from last year according to
programmer Jytte Jensen — only a couple made the cut: two French
featurettes, Sebastien Lifshitz's social-sexual "Open Bodies" and
Christophe Restiau and Johan Roger's warm-hearted but amateurish "Like
Father, Like Son." More invitational than prone to discovery, ND/NF has
always been a hit list of the international festival circuit.
The number of Sundance USA entries making their appearance is
relatively small this year and all are feature debuts: the Polish brothers'
oddity, "Twin Falls Idaho" acquired by Sony Pictures Classics, Julian
Goldberger's skillfully orchestrated "Trans" and ND/NF opener "Judy
Berlin" from directing award winner, Eric Mendelsohn. Poised for a deal
since its Park City acclaim, the genuine and heartfelt "Judy
Berlin" has several offers on the table. An amenable New York Times
review from Stephen Holden last Friday generated a new offer, according
to a source close to the film, and with uber-attorney John Sloss
repping, it should be only a matter of time before a distribution deal
hits the trades. Also in Mendelsohn's favor, his film was the first to
sell out at ND/NF — about a half hour after the box office opened.
Like "Judy Berlin," the fate of many of the films at ND/NF is somewhat
in the hands of The New York Times review, which comes as a virtual
package deal with ND/NF selection. "It's a risky thing," admits Leisure
Times Features' Bruce Pavlow, who acquired two entries on the heels of
the fest's opening, Francois Ozon's psychosexual Bunuelian farce,
"Sitcom" — not nearly as sharp as the director's debut "Sea the Sea" —
and Dragojevic's "The Wounds," the grim follow up to his tragic-comedy,
"Pretty Villages, Pretty Flames." "Thankfully, we've got the films
booked already — but if you're still selling and you get bad reviews,"
says Pavlow, "then there goes your release if it's a specialty film like
foreign language or a small American indie. Unfortunately, a bad review
in the Times is a kiss of death."
Still, Pavlow says that just getting into New Directors is a big helping
hand. Though both his acquisitions inspired considerable attention at
prior fests — "Sitcom" at Cannes' Critic Week and "The Wounds" in
Berlin and Toronto — it wasn't until the ND/NF selection that Pavlow
finally pulled out his check book. "[The ND/NF selection] did make a
difference. It makes it worth acquiring because you can get some wide
public exposure before release and get the attention it deserves."
Let's hope it will continue to make a difference with Alexei Balabanov's
fascinating "Of Freaks and Men," Peter Mullan's heart-wrenching
"Orphans" and Garin Nugroho's beautifully, bracing "Leaf on a Pillow" —
three entries without distribution worthy of finding a broader
audience. Taking inspiration from vintage pornographic photos of young
women being spanked, Balabanov envisions a sepia-tinted universe with a
plot involving conspiratorial photographers, manipulative maids, and
singing Siamese twins. Absolutely nothing like his debut film "Brother"
(distributed last year by Kino International), the astounding and
surreal imagery in "Of Freaks and Men" should establish Balabanov as the
foremost new director working in Russia today. Kino, where are you now?
Regarding Mullan's "Orphans," Scottish working class folks mired in
their miserable lives have never been directed with so much endearment
and dark humor. Far more accessible than your average Ken Loach, Mullan
has proved himself just as worthy a director as an actor (he won a prize
at Cannes for his title role in Loach's "My Name Is Joe"). And though
"Leaf on a Pillow" is the hardest sell of the three, this "Kids" in
Jakarta, partially supported by Rotterdam's Hubert Bals Fund, is a
stirring and sumptuously-designed example of the virtually unknown film
industry taking place in Indonesia today.
Two soon-to-be-released entries also deserve special mention: Ziad
Doueiri's "West Beirut," recently acquired at this year's American Film
Market by Cowboy Booking International where it was the first film ever
to be negotiated in Euros, and Christopher Nolan's enigmatic neo-noir,
"Following," acquired by Zeitgeist at this year's Slamdance. Among the
coming-of-age or Gen-X angst stories prevalent in this year's line-up,
"West Beirut" is the most assured and moving of the batch. Set in 1975
when Beirut, Lebanon was split into Christian and Muslim territories,
the film follows Tarek, a teenager with more interest in sex and Super-8
films than the upheaval slowly escalating around him. Director Ziad
Doueiri, a former cinematographer for Quentin Tarantino, creates a
touching tale of lost innocence, political turmoil, and familial
struggle that should stake a claim for Cowboy among the litany of
mini-distributors. Likewise, Zeitgeist has a prize with Nolan's
ultra-low-budget, black and white British ode to 40's film noir. At
only 70 minutes, "Following" is a precise and intelligent gem.
A final note about shorts — with the 23 film programs running over 17
days (March 26 – April 11), only three short films will screen
throughout the entire festival. (It was four, but Jeff Stark pulled his
Sundance favorite "Desserts" because he garnered a distribution deal.)
Among the three, only Sara Sugarman's "Anthrakitis," a twisted tale of
an elderly woman and her manipulative neighbor, shows promise. According
to MoMA's Jytte Jensen, they received as many submissions as in previous
years, but "we like them to have a dramatic arch and not just be a
joke. And we saw a lot of one-line jokes," she said, "and those we
don't take." Though Jensen's excuse may be valid, it's a shame that no
young talents working in the short format were discovered. For a
festival that calls itself "New Directors," they could at least make a
more determined effort to find some aspiring shorts filmmakers who truly
are "new directors."
Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.


text:
Blue Heron
I could play tough with the best of them, boys that is. From my earliest memories I crossed the gender boundary lines. At 5 years old I hung around the backyard trenches anticipating my duties as a wartime soldier. My older brother ran across the battlefield, nearly blown up by enemy fire if not by the hidden mines. His enemy was of course a fellow male GI Joe from the neighborhood. The war that hot August day, mid 60's, was as real as the Vietnam War, looking out from my mind. Positioning myself in the middle of the battlefield I imagined myself invisible as to eavesdrop and choose which troop to join. My sibling admiration chose for me. "Get out of here," yelled my fellow soldier. "I want to play army too," said I emphatically in return. The words, "You can't - you're a girl" stabbed me to death. It was a slow painful bleeding and I wasn't even in the war. This 'boy's rule' wasn't making sense to me on any level. I reluctantly retreated to the 'woman's place' to supervise my dolls, still envious that the boy's war outside seemed so much more alive and engaging.
After moving to a new neighborhood a few cities away, I naturally migrated toward male-dominated follies once again. At first I stood girlishly on the sidelines watching neighborhood boys play football, baseball and basketball. But one day my new girlfriend, a confirmed tomboy it turned out, was running on the field. Not one male batted an eye, but rather, she was chased down and tackled hard like one of them. This was indeed an awesome new place I now called home. Yes, I was home. People weren't defined by gender roles in this wondrous new neighborhood. It wasn't long before I was spitting globs of grass out of my mouth and wearing bruised badges of courage. It all meant I was tough, equal to boys and in my mind, envied by my more feminine counter-parts. Being tackled with no regard for any softness, which I had none, I went in deep with the neighborhood boys in an intimate way.
Its funny how just a few short years can throw so many curves into patterns of child behavior. We all arrived without warning into the budding preteen stage of life. A tackle was no longer just a tackle. The skinny boys, who formerly looked much like me, were taller, wider, stronger, and more manlike. Fellow girls were taller too, but it was the sudden inward dip of hip bones rolled softly beneath those two breasts boys called boobs that everyone was suddenly tiptoeing around. Everyone changed, everything changed. I didn't change. I still had a young boy's body - tall, lanky, and boxy. Nothing was softer on me. Nothing was curving on me. And definitely, nothing was budding on me. And yet, the neighborhood boys no longer played rough and tough with the neighborhood girls. Even my good pal Pete, my best friend's younger brother, looked at me with a different set of eyes. It was spooky witnessing everyone metamorphosizing into their stereotypical gender roles once defined in my backyard battlefield.
I found myself lost in the transition. Inside I was still and always a confirmed tomboy. A couple of breasts weren't going to deter me from being equally tough in this world. Quick, like lightning, soft curves and round soft breasts were appearing all over the place in the female Queendom. Yet still, nothing was happening to me, at least on the outside. Inside I began dreaming of dancing with boys instead of tackling grass stains and battling for bruise badges.
Girls that changed the most seemed the most ready to strut their stuff like full fanned peacocks. The mating game began and had begun without me, or so I thought. It turns out some boys just are too threatened by the sexuality of a blossomed, fertile filly. I was the sweet tomboy safe haven for the still slender, boy-like boys. It's important to play the part just the same. The summer after 7th grade, the Community Center hosted teen dance nights. I sat on the cool hard fold-up chair feeling nervous, insecure and stiff in my silky sleek dress that revealed my hard lines and flatness. Surely I was delusional when I selected a frilly flower print which did nothing but emphasize my feminine lacking. But then something magical happened after dancing all night long with my silly friends to John Denver, the only music the DJ played. A boy, an older boy, approached me and asked me, not my curvatious friends, to dance. At first I looked to the other girls and back at him as if to say, "There must be a mistake; did you mean to ask me?" As it turned out my friendly smile, amidst my athletic build, caught his attention. He even liked the way I moved my body. I was thrown into the pit of sexual power with the rest of them that evening. I dominated him with my feminine lure. He flirted, I think, and I flirted back. Nothing was the same after that. My mother quickly put an end to this high school boy calling me on the phone, but she couldn't squelch the late arrival of my sensualness.
Middle school was a miserable reminder how little my body was keeping pace with my peer's bodies as well as my internal emotions. Gym class was particularly painful. To say every girl my age was developed more than me, is no distortion. I dreamed of growing breasts. I fantasized in class about growing breasts. The mirror became my best friend and enemy, as it never lied during my daily study sessions.
At first, I was excited and anxious in anticipation of my body changing. I was nervous and scared just the same, but I was ready to welcome a new me. As I watched others bulge nicely in their T-shirts and shorts, I watched my own body remain unchanged. Envy is a terrible thing to live with, especially when you envy every fellow female around you. It became an obsession I couldn't escape. Everywhere I looked, there were boobs on everyone but me. It didn't seem fair. Why me? I felt as though God were punishing me for some crime I had forgotten I committed. My own mother seemed content to keep me little girlish in my cute white undershirts with a bow centered on them, to make matters worse. I suppose the bow was sewn on so girls would feel like the tank they were wearing wasn't like the tank shirts boys wore. As far as I was concerned it might as well have been a boy's tank shirt. It wasn't a damn bra! It meant your body was still like a boy's.
Showering after gym one miserable day, my humiliation had reached an all time high. Rachel Whatever was a size 36D at 14. Hell, you could see her boobs if you were standing behind her! It wasn't enough that she received admiring stares from all the boys in the entire school. Her flaunting was ten times worse in her wet nudity. My towel was never hung far from my shower head in order to conceal my male-like chest. Miss Rachel watched as I put my under tank shirt on and said, "Oh my God; Patten is wearing a t-shirt!" If I could have slid down the shower drain I would have right then. My shoulders bent inwards and my head hung low. I couldn't speak. If I could, what would I say? "You're right, I got a God damn flat chest and you have big knockers - are you happy?" At that point in my life, in most people's lives, peer ridicule was painful. Public humiliation, especially concerning my body, was humiliating beyond recovery. (Proof of that, is I'm an adult at the time of this recollection.) I'm not sure who it was, but some kind sole made the comment that I was lucky I didn't have to deal with big breasts getting in my way when I play sports. Yowsa. What a nightmare.
Around the same time my mother's friend dropped off several bags full of hand-me-down clothes her children had outgrown. I rummage through the bags and found the most incredible find of my life - a bra! I immediately grabbed it and bunched it up deep inside my fist. It felt like a sinful, dirty secret. It was the leftover remains of a strangers' parting from girlhood to womanhood. And it was mine now. I owned it. I was stealing a ticket to finally feeling more grown up. I hid it in my underwear drawer amongst my under t-shirts and panties. Just having it in my underwear drawer made me feel like I had arrived at my initiation to peer acceptance. Nothing would be sweeter than having that bra strap bulge tellingly under my shirts. Luckily the miraculous arrival of my first bra was in fact a trainer bra and so it fit beautifully. I now had a fitting place to at least park my beautiful hard tits. Even the big-boobed girls didn't have the kind of perfect hard tits that stood erect with the slightest cool breeze. It was only respectful that I cover them with my hand-me-down trainer bra.
My confidence level raised several notches as I wore my trainer bra to school. Upon safely storing it in my dresser at home one day, my mother, in her prowling way, discovered my secret quest for womanhood. As she placed freshly washed clothes in my drawer she came upon it. Between her index finger and thumb she slowly held it up and dangled it like it was a pornographic magazine. I watched her critical, over controlling eyes pierce right through me. My heart pounded. I felt as though I had been caught wearing her underwear. She said, "You haven't been wearing this have you?" I dug down deep to get my voice out of my gut and managed a "Yes." "You don't need to wear a bra, you don't even have anything." Those words cut me deeper than those thrown at me in the school shower. Just once I wish she could be a nurturer, a comforter, a soft place to land. It didn't seem like I had a right to be agitated, but I was. I was angry. The humiliation of my underdeveloped body belonged to me. At least I had a right to own it. It was my body, not hers. In my anger I snapped, "I'm the only girl in the whole middle school that still wears a t-shirt instead of a bra." There, I said it. It was her turn to back down and apologize for her unwarranted, unwelcome acknowledgement that I indeed was not developing as I should - that I was flat-chested. But of course that would be asking too much of a narccistic mother who habitually reminds people she is always better than you are. She said, "I don't understand it. I was in a size 36C bra and wearing a girdle when I was in the 5th grade." Yep, that's my mom. Kick a dog when the dog is down. She at least came back and said, "If you want to wear a bra than you should at least get your own, one that fits." I was shocked. Wait a minute, why is she assuming it doesn't fit? Anyway, at least she accepted it was time to give in and let me wear a bra whether I truly "needed" one or not. I still was self-conscious about my flatness, but in the back of my mind I knew it I would eventually get breasts. I'd have to. It's biological nature.
But, I didn't. A new year of school was approaching which meant clothes shopping with my wealthy grandmother. My mother always told us, "She's buying, so if she doesn't like something you want then you get what she suggests." My grandmother ruled over my mother with an iron fist and intimidated us kids just the same. She said very little to you, but when she spoke, it was often something demeaning. No 15-year-old wants their grandmother picking out school clothes for them, but alas, she was paying. She handed me several things to try in the dressing room and remained inside with me, scoping my body as I undressed. "I don't think you're ever going to develop. Your mother was completely developed at your age." I felt my shoulders curl down in attempt to conceal my lack of breasts. My head hung low once again. I shrugged her comment off like it meant nothing. After all, I had to get my school clothes paid for. All I could think about on the ride home, however, was that I might have to face the fact that I'm simply not going to develop a woman's body. Her words were no more hurtful than the other's, but the pile of comments was getting bigger than I could cope with.
My 16th birthday arrived with a new driver's license, but no new breasts. Being the tomboy I used to be seemed more like a life sentence now. It was no longer admirable. It wasn't funny. At least I wasn't laughing. Tomboy or not, I still was an athlete nonetheless. I would not forego sports just because I didn't have a developed upper body to flaunt. But did I have to be a gymnast, of all things? Even the cheerleaders wore more than the gymnasts. I boldly put my flat chest out of my head, well at least buried into my subconscious, in order to proudly compete in nothing but a skimpy leotard in front of a bleacher full of spectators. Just for the record, that is the ultimate test of self-consciousness. My strong muscular physique carried me through as well as my high scores on the vault, floor and beam. Again, the big-boobed gymnast told me how lucky I was that I didn't have to worry about my chest getting in the way. For once, they were right. That's one sport where you don't need extra baggage upstairs.
I had a feminine role in the school play, but countered it by playing the tri-toms with a mostly male drum squad in the marching band. Just being a complete balanced person became my M.O. Nothing stopped me regardless of gender stereotype, but I always felt insecure and inadequate about my body. I didn't like the way I looked in clothes. I didn't like the way guys didn't look at me. I didn't like that I had many things going for me, but that which seemed more important than anything in society. Despite my athletic, extra curriculum activities, and good grades, I felt like God jipped me out of a set of breasts. How was I to survive in the adult world without boobs? My high school boyfriend tired of my insecurities. We eventually broke up. I wasn't heavy on top, but I was heavy in other ways.
High School graduation came, but no breasts came for me. Upon graduation I traveled that summer to Virginia Beach with two classmates. The bathing suit-wearing times were painful and we were in our suits the whole trip. Hell, I even smoked cigarettes for the first time in my life during that trip, I suppose as an attempt to feel more grown with my boyish body. The subconscious obsessive madness, it would appear, would never end. That fall I went away to college and along came my ready-packed bag full of insecurities. I didn't have penis envy; I had breast envy. In an odd way I felt male like. The University was crawling with vivacious cleavage everywhere you looked, except on me. Sadly I overcompensated with binge drinking; priding myself on being able to drink any guy under the table. Not the lady-like thing to do, but I just never arrived at feeling like a lady.
After a while I decided to flaunt what I did have, my rock-hard tits. This same person who once would do anything to where a bra, now chucked bras aside altogether. People all my life had been telling me I didn't have enough to warrant a bra. At 19, I accepted it. I wore see-through blouses and low-cut sweaters. I wanted guys to see my sexuality shine through since it wouldn't be as blatantly obvious as most young women on campus.
After a year in college I met and dated what would eventually become the love of my life and husband. I was beautiful to him and he loved me just the way I was. He would tell me time after time how he thought I had beautiful breasts and that I had the best tits he had ever seen. I heard his words, but never believed them. I told myself he was only saying I was perfect the way I was because he loved me, but that I was still defective as a grown woman. The flat-chested woman was not the norm in society; it was the undeveloped oddball in my mind. Perhaps it was my middle school peers in the shower that damaged my psyche the most. Maybe it was my "I developed better than you" comments from my mother that heightened my insecurities. Then again, my critical and judgmental grandmother's conviction that I may never develop may have done me in. Or what if my own sensitivity and disbelief in my worth as a flat-chested woman pushed me furthest over the edge of habitual distortion? It would seem our conglomerate experiences in life all contribute to whom we are or believe ourselves to be.
During the three years we dated, my husband watched in vein as I struggled with my image. Dress and blouse purchases revolved around my lack of fullness. In my desperation I actually bought into one of those seedy back magazine ads guaranteeing "2 cup sizes larger with breast cream." Sadly I rubbed and rubbed the breast enlargement cream all over my chest until it was gone. At first my fiancé went along with the scam in attempt to help me feel better. Eventually, he caved in and said the cream was no more than body lotion and didn't do what it claimed to do - grow breast tissue.
As a girl I dreamt of one day being this spectacular, stunning voluptuous woman in a bridal gown on her wedding day. Everyone said I was a beautiful bride. Isn't that what people are suppose to say? Inside I felt ecstatic. Happiness smiled all over my face. But the dress just didn't fit right on top. It was semi off the shoulder so I couldn't where a bra with it. There was little to press the white beaded fabric against. "Don't bend over" was the little voice in the back of my head throughout the ceremony and reception. Dancing can be difficult when you're trying hard to keep your top from flopping forward without you. Defectiveness even haunted my happiest day.
Recalling the place and time I came upon the idea of breast augmentation, eludes me. By now I was married and had returned to my university studies fulltime. It was something I just had to do, for myself, for my self-esteem. My husband said he loved me the way I was, but supported my decision. "Just be clear on one thing," he said, "You're doing this totally for you." Yeah, whatever, I'm doing it was my sentiments. My childhood pain along with my childhood heart condition struggled in surgery. The surgeon later revealed to my husband that I fought him during surgery, trying to grab his hands while he made incisions. My heart also stopped causing them to have an ambulance outside of the clinic in case they couldn't revive me. Those old demons of mine were struggling over something. Desperation had driven me almost to the point of madness over the whole issue of being flat-chested to the point, it would seem, that I risked my life for a set of boobs. They sent me home with pain that was worse than getting hit as a kid with a baseball bat. It was worse than the pain of gymnastic-induced shin splints, broken tail bone, and tendonitis. The swelling and bruises received as the tomboy pinned in football were nothing compared to this. This pain was the worst because it was induced voluntarily by me.
For the first time in my life the mirror was kind to me. With surgery came instant beauty - everything I dreamed of. With my instant exterior change I had to learn how to cope internally on a different level now. I was made to look like most every woman does - with boobs that is. My breasts didn't develop over a long period of time. I went to a clinic one day and came home that afternoon with them. I didn't grow to appreciate their beauty and allure to men. I just suddenly had these incredible breasts attached to me. It was magical, as if a fairy god mother just waved a wand and said, "My dear, you now have breasts."
Every piece of clothing in my closet was instantly a new outfit. It was my style to wear heavy boxy jackets and sweaters with shoulder pads all to conceal my lacking. I figured if I didn't wear revealing tops, I could perhaps fool people into thinking I probably had breasts under all the layers. I had even started wearing thin black ties with my blouses to work. I didn't feel feminine and so I didn't act feminine. A tank top was suddenly like provocative lingerie. Yet, I wore tight-fitted tanks more than anything now. I just couldn't get enough of playing this new role. My sister-in-law who was unhappy with her own cup size boldly asked if I would lift my shirt and show them to her. In the back of my mind I had a little voice that said they weren't completely my body because I didn't grow them myself. Like having an artificial limb, I appreciated them, but didn't quite connect with them as being more than objects to be stared at by men and envied by women. After all, they were perfect.
I was registered for summer classes at the University which meant for the first time ever, I would look good walking across campus. I'd feel more confident with myself, anyway. I wasn't prepared for the attention many women routinely get in that environment. I was late arriving to my first class and so was forced to sit in the front row. I chill easily in air conditioned rooms, which meant the same original tits were standing hard on my big round breasts. I crossed my arms across my chest to shield what felt like private parts. The professor was lecturing the class about what to expect for the term, though it was obvious to a room full of people why he was distracted up front. Losing his train of thought, he unfixed his eyes off my chest and shook his head hard, in attempt to knock some sense into his perverse head. I am and was a studious, respectful, intelligent young woman, but I felt dirty and ditsy. He made a few comments about thanks to the lady in the yellow tank top he was a bit entertained. I wasn't sure if I needed to feel angry at him for publicly humiliating me, or thank him for noticing the fine quality of my surgeon's latest creation. I have to say despite my annoyance I loved that I had this guy so turned on that he felt compelled to tell a whole lecture hall what great boobs I had. Suddenly I was Rachel Whatever – 36D from my Middle School locker room. But his comments didn't stop there. He went on to say that he likes to have lunch with students, then said, "That's an invitation big yellow." Minutes later he was saying he has flexible office hours and is comfortable discussing student's personal problems, such as their sex life. That's when he once again, invited me specifically to spend extra time with him. When I was leaving class he said, "By the way, I really like that yellow shirt." This man was old enough to be my father, but more importantly, he was in a position of authority. I rarely size up an instructor so fast, and had never dropped a class for that reason either. I was so repulsed with this dirty old professor I marched directly to registration and changed my class. Even if he backed off, I lost total respect for him before I even gained respect for him. After hearing my complaints my husband laughed it off and said I loved the attention. But he agreed I did the right thing. I did do the right thing, but wondered just how powerful these new set of boobs were going to be setting on my chest. I was a bit scared and excited and the same time. Deep down inside I was doing somersaults over the attention I had never gotten before in my entire life and a tear rolled down my cheek.
And so it began, the constant gawking and lewd comments from men everywhere I went. Depending on my mood, the attention was either flattering or an unwanted distraction that I didn't want to deal with. Depending on my mood, I'd wear reveling tops at inappropriate times - like at work. If I was really gutsy I'd wear a lace tank top with no bra to night clubs. I really got people to look my way then. My personality changed. I was no longer the insecure, shy, polite girl who was happy to have my husband think I'm beautiful. I became a monster. I was arrogant, stuck on myself, and carried myself with a new air of privilege. I had boobs and I was privileged to have special treatment. I learned that people could be in awe of me, so I grew accustomed to expecting it. Friction developed in my relationship with my husband. He tried desperately to tell me I'm special to him, but not to anyone else, nor should I be. He said, "You don't have anything new and special." Most women have looked like that since they were teens. Just because you got breasts late in life, doesn't mean you have something no one else does." In hindsight, my hubby had to get tough with me. Losing touch with reality was a real dilemma for me at that time.
I became pregnant and so my surgically-altered chest actually did grow for the first time on its own. They were stretched and I feared they'd sag after my investment. Out of the blue, a dime size cyst developed on my sternum. It was an eye sore that served as detraction from my pride - not the miracle growing inside me, but my two lovely breasts. The dermatologist had no regard for the importance of chest beauty, evident by the round ugly scar left from his scalpel- gouging technique. My ego, so twisted, was annoyed that my finally perfect body was going to the dogs. After all, my breasts weren't so impressive without a tiny, flat tummy to compliment them. I couldn't shake the habitual drive for a Barbie doll figure even during pregnancy. I remained physically active. That was a healthy thing to do according to my obstetrician. But deep down I knew I was desperately fighting the flabby bulge of weight gain. I swam, fitness walked, rode the stationary bike, and then eventually lost the battle. At eight months, it seemed like living one more day with my massive body bulk, was unbearable. I couldn't escape my discomfort of facing the reality that my once thin physique was a baby house. I should have been enjoying the joy of becoming a mother instead of being horrified by my body's transformation. Yet at the time of delivery I weighed only 145 pounds at five foot six.
I never thought of breast-feeding with a tiny flat chest. But I had these suckable feeding machines now. But they didn't work. I cradled my baby to them, but he didn't seem interested. Perhaps he sensed there was something not quite genuine. Perhaps he feared swallowing silicone instead of milk. By the time my milk came in, my baby had already grown accustomed to the other artificial feeding apparatus - the bottle. I had no means to rid my engorged, painful breasts of the milk my body produced. They were so stingingly painful, I was sure God was punishing me for playing with nature. But I suppose that's why God gave us ice. Ice in a bag did the trick.
In no time at all I got my weight back down, my waist semi back to normal and my breasts intact and restored to their original, well recently surgically improved, state. Motherhood and breasts brought me into the arena of real womanhood. Finally, I felt like a real damn woman. I stood taller, pulled my shoulders back with arrogance and held my head high. I was a woman to be respected. My insecurities were replaced with a positive sense of coming into my own and loving it. Just when I grew accustomed to the daily acceptance and relishing of my chest it would go through yet another alteration.
Round two began five short years later. The blemish of the botched cyst removal would be nothing in comparison. It was time once again for God to take the upper hand and expose my shallow exterior body obsessions. I had lessons to learn in this life, and I believe one of them is to appreciate the inner, soul I am and to respect life itself. Attempting to change the body God gave me and put higher precedence in a plastic surgeon, is a slap in my maker's face. My Catholic upbringing sets me boldly on the right path of realization and, of course, guilt. My congenital mitral valve regurgitation was progressively getting worse to the point I was weak, out of breath, had chest pains, and spit up blood when I jogged. I really never gave open-heart surgery one moment's thought. Doctors some years ago said it may be necessary somewhere down the road. I put it out of my mind because I assumed they meant when I was an old lady. My cardiologist said, "It's time we bit the bullet on this one." How could he talk to an attractive, young woman with a perfectly attractive chest cavity with such matter-of-fact western cliché harshness? Like the realization that, at 20, my boobs were never going to grow and that the surgeon could play God and give me a Barbie figure, this news was even more surreal. He even had the audacity to joke with my husband and say they will have a bunch of medical students come in with big staple guns and close me up. The following week, the surgeon I met with said I had 3-5 years to live. So much ran through my head instantly - I didn't want to leave my husband - I didn't want to leave my young son, and I didn't want anything to happen to the breasts I waited 25 year for. I at least asked what my chances were of dying in surgery before asking if my breasts are going to be cut into. He laughed and said, "No, we aren't going to cut into your breasts, just saw through your sternum and pry each half of your rib cage apart so we can repair your heart valve." He unfortunately added, "You will have a long scar from your sternum all the way down to 3 inches above your navel, as well as a few scars on your stomach where the chest tubes will be inserted.
I had 3 weeks to mentally prepare for scalpels again, these scalpels repairing me for life. During those 3 weeks I thought long and hard about the prospect of dying, abandoning my husband and son. I resigned to fight with my life and put my body through vigorous physical training to get it as strong as possible for surgery. During those 3 weeks I began a spiritual transformation, during those 3 weeks I never once thought about my body, my beauty, my breasts, or my future scar. I don't know. I guess when your health is poor and your life is threatened you don't give a shit about how you look. I think the advent of heart surgery was the first time in my life that I didn't feel overwhelmed with insecurities about my appearances. Since the age of 13, there had never been a day I stopped thinking about either my disappointing flat chest or eventual admirable enhanced chest. Ironically it took something with immense importance on my insides to slap me out of a wasteful, silly obsession.
Obviously I survived surgery, minus the gory details. The scar is thick and long, marking my chest with a badge of survival. Once a tomboy-conscious obsessed woman always, which drove me to strengthen my upper body with weights too soon. For heaven's sake, surgical tape was still on me. It served me right that my scar widened as a result of my need to regain control over the shape of my flesh. So much for spiritual transformation. For months I was really pissed off that of all the people in the world, my chest had to get picked on. More than anything I had grown attached to cleavage. Now my cleavage had this giant scar climbing out of it, waving at everyone. I thought of making jokes like 'I was attacked by my lover with a hunting knife.' I had too much respect for myself having gone through a tremendously scary and life-threatening surgery to make light of it. I waited so long to look like every other grown, fully developed woman. Now I had something even better. I had beautiful breasts, eye-catching cleavage, and a badge of courage right where everyone looks. Being a fearless, strong soul was where my pride had gone. I never attempt to cover myself up because I have no shame. When returning to work one of my bosses said, "My God, that scar is huge. My wife would die if she had a scar like that. She has a little tiny scar on her neck and so she always wears turtle-necks to hide it." Wow, and I thought I was self-conscious. His comment told me a lot about his wife, about himself, about a lot of people, and about me. No, I wasn't going to spend the rest of my life hiding the evidence that I am an open-heart surgery survivor. I survived being kept alive on an artificial breathing machine, my sternum sawed in half, my ribs pried open, my mitral valve repaired, and my breath restored when my heart was jump-started with shock paddles. I survived probing tubes protruding from my neck, chest tubes that drained my mucus into a loud, gurgling machine, pacer wires weaved from my heart through my skin. I survived a distraught mentally confused elderly woman as a roommate who insisted I was her nurse, not permitting me to get even a minute's sleep. And in the end I left that blessed hospital where they etched a divinely radiant badge of honor in the best place possible. My enhancement surgery is a trivial stage in my life. It made me feel better about myself as a female in society. Heart surgery made me feel better period. It saved my life. If I hadn't been left with my treasured scar I would have been disappointed because I have evolved into a deeper, more genuine human being as a result. A few years later I returned to my plastic surgeon to have the silicone replaced with saline. He was appalled at the gruesome blemish on his work. He even called staff members in to gawk at my bare chest and take pictures. Call it poetic justice. Call it law of Karma. Call it God's way of taking the upper hand. He always had. I'm alive! If the clock was turned back and I had a choice between living with a flat chest or not living at all – I'd take my old flat chest back. My heart surgeon gave me a real dose of reality when he said the twisty ties holding my sternum together will last in my casket the same as my skeleton and my implants!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Quick Reference
Cornelis Floris II or Floris de Vriendt was born in Antwerp, and made his name as a designer and sculptor of funerary monuments, notably those of King Christian III (reigned 1535–59) of Denmark in Roskilde Cathedral (c. 1568–75), that commissioned (c.1549) by Duke Albrecht I of Prussia (reigned 1525–68) for his wife, Dorothea, with additions for his second wife, Anna Maria (c.1570), and that for the Duke himself (1569–73—destroyed) (the last in the Domkirche, Königsberg (now Kaliningrad). After a visit to Rome he became the most influential designer of Renaissance and Mannerist ornament in Flanders. The Town Hall in Antwerp (1561–6) was an important step in the assimilation of Italian sources into Northern Europe, and incorporated features derived from Bramante and Serlio such as coupled columns and triumphal arches in its six-storey frontispiece. However, there is some doubt as to whether Floris himself was the architect of the building, as he was primarily a sculptor. The real architect appears to have been Hans Hendrick van Paesschen, who also may have designed the Hanzehuis (Hanseatic House), Antwerp (1564–8), attributed to Floris de Vriendt. The latter designed and made the Rood-screen in Tournai Cathedral (1573–4), and the stone tabernacle in the St Leonarduskerk, Zoutleeuw (1550–2), both in Belgium. His decorative style was much disseminated by de Vries, influenced designers in the northern Netherlands, and his monuments were made familiar by the engravings published (1557) by Hieronymus Cock (c. 1510–70). His work was typical of Antwerp Mannerism.
G&D (1954);G&TK (1960);Hedicke (1913);Huysmans et al. (1996);Millar (1987)
Subjects: Architecture.
Related content in Oxford Index
Reference entries
Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content. Please, subscribe or login to access all content.


text:
September 4, 2014
PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete poses with Mama Sarah Obama, grandmother of US President Barack Obama at Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday. Mama Sarah briefed the president on her benevolent institution, Mama Sarah Obama Foundation (MSOF), which is expected to be launched on Thursday to support educational development in her Kogero home village in Kenya's Nyanza Province. The president, who was in Nairobi to attend the AU Heads of State and Government Meeting on Peace and Security later flew back home to continue with his tour of Dodoma Region.He went straight to Kondoa. (Photo by State House)


text:
With Daffy Duck back on the air on Cartoon Network's Looney Tunes Show, it's time to take a look back at his last outing on CN.
Duck Dodgers was spun off from a pair of theatrical shorts starring Daffy & Porky Pig that were released back in the 50's. As the title implies, Dodgers (Daffy) is a parody of sci fi hero Buck Rogers, with Porky as "The Eager Young Space Cadet". Yeah, that's how he was billed (no pun intended).
In truth, Dodgers was a futuristic Maxwell Smart in that he bumbled his way through every adventure, and while he didn't exactly win the day a good part of the time, well, that was the whole beauty of the show!
Regrettably, Cartoon Network saw fit to cancel Dodgers after 2 seasons and a myriad of schedule changes.
Slipknotforevrr uploaded the open & closing credits:
Rating: A-.


text:
Eddie Murphy and Katherine Heigl Deemed Hollywood's Least Valuable Actors
Can you guess who reigns (un)supreme?
Forbes calculated today's least valuable movie stars by comparing how much actors got paid for given movies against how much the movie eventually earned. Mr. and Mrs. Least Valuable were Eddie Murphy (whose movies grossed $2.30 for every $1 he earned) and Katherine Heigl (whose movies grossed $3.40 for every $1 she earned). This shouldn't be surprising, as both have parlayed early career success into very high asking prices for ultimately doomed movies. You can read the full list below. (Don't worry: Sandra Bullock might be less valuable than Adam Sandler on this list, but that's definitely not the case in our hearts.)
1. Eddie Murphy ($2.30 for every $1 paid)
2. Katherine Heigl ($3.40 for every $1 paid)
3. Reese Witherspoon ($3.90 for every $1 paid)
4. Sandra Bullock ($5 for every $1 paid)
5. Jack Black ($5.20 for every $1 paid)
6. Nicolas Cage ($6 for every $1 paid)
7. Adam Sandler ($6.30 for every $1 paid)
8. Denzel Washington ($6.30 for every $1 paid)
9. Ben Stiller ($6.50 for every $1 paid)
10. Sarah Jessica Parker ($7 for every $1 paid)


text:
Independence Retail LLC
Sport shirts
Alcoholic beverages, except beer
Perfect for these industries
Words that describe this mark
This is a brand page for the BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW trademark by Independence Retail LLC
in Ball Ground, GA, 30107.
Write a review about a product or service associated with this BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW trademark.
Or, contact the owner Independence Retail LLC of the BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW trademark by filing a request to communicate with
the Legal Correspondent for licensing, use, and/or questions related to the BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW trademark.
On Tuesday, June 28, 2016, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for
BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW by
Independence Retail LLC, Ball Ground, GA 30107.
The USPTO has given the BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW
trademark serial number of 87085967.
The current federal status of this trademark filing is ABANDONED - FAILURE TO RESPOND OR LATE RESPONSE.
The correspondent listed for BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW is
INDEPENDENCE RETAIL LLC of
The BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW trademark is filed in the category of
Clothing Products
Light Beverage Products
Wines and Spirits Products
The description provided to the USPTO for BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW
is Sport shirts.
The USPTO makes this data available for search by the public so that individuals can locate ownership information for intellectual property, much the same way a county might make real estate property ownership information available.
Since our website is synchronized with the USPTO data, we recommend making any data changes with the USPTO directly. Our website will auto-update when the USPTO data is updated.
You may also contact Trademarkia to make a request for the removal of your personally identifiable information or trademark data. Such requests must be made in writing and will be subject to verification of ownership. This policy allows verified trademark owners to specify: (A) that their identifiable information be masked, or (B) that their trademark pages permanently deleted from Trademarkia.com.
Requests may be made directly to email@example.com and every effort will be made to honor them within 48 hours.
Click here for further details.
Intent to Use Trademark - Applicant has not submitted proof of use in commerce the the USPTO.
Trademarkia is the largest search engine for U.S. trademarks. Each month hundreds of trademarks around the world are filed by licensed attorneys in the LegalForce/Trademarkia network! You can register your trademark in 170+ countries in the world through LegalForce Network.
LegalForce Network can help you incorporate a business around your BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW trademark in less than 5 minutes. Trademarkia makes the process easy and convenient, so start now!
Trademarkia.com is a free search engine of publicly available government records. Trademarkia.com is not a law firm and does not represent owners & correspondents listed on this page.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee protect your valuable brand now.
I wasn't too sure what to expect when taking up services, but the professionalism from the site to
the customer service is the slickest I have ever experienced.
is a correspondent of BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW trademark.
You can request for Extension of Time to Oppose this mark or Oppose it now.
Status Update Alerts are email updates of the latest trademark status change. Please make sure you provide the correct email.
Please Rate and Review for BOBC BIG ORANGE BREW CREW


text:
DETROIT — Owen F. Bieber, the president of the United Automobile Workers union, calls it ``one last stab at retaining small-car production in the United States.`` Yet, as the General Motors Corp. dedicated the site for its Saturn Corp. plant in Spring Hill, Tenn., on Tuesday, questions were being raised within the industry about the outlook for the new organization.
And the repeated statements by top GM executives that Saturn dealerships will change the rules of automobile franchising have raised fears among dealers that the company is seeking to lessen their independence and squeeze their profit margins.
When GM announced in January 1985 that the Saturn project would become its sixth automotive operating unit, the stated goal was ``to produce small cars in the United States that are cost-competitive with the lowest-priced imports.``
At that time, the principal target of the effort seemed to be Japanese manufacturers, who were widely regarded as having a $2,000-a-car cost advantage over American producers. But since then, cars from Eastern Europe and Korea have invaded the American market priced hundreds of dollars below the cheapest Japanese car.
These models, and the prospect of even more competition in the future from low-wage countries, makes it unlikely, industry analysts say, that GM would be able to manufacture cars aimed at the bottom of the market at a profit in this country, regardless of the amount of new technology employed.
But since GM already has models in virtually every segment of the auto market, moving the Saturn cars upscale could put them in competition with other GM divisions.
``The question is whose hide are those 400,000 or 500,000 Saturns going to come out of,`` said one industry watcher. ``So far, GM hasn`t shown the ability to get incremental sales on that order, so they will probably steal from their other product lines.``


text:
mmm military training done in manisa.
now I'm at home till friday,
then I'll head off for the remainder of the duty till january 21st,
to Cyprus border.
love and peace,
ooookay time to go. I'm going to manisa for six months, military training starting on monday.
see you in a month or so friends :)
yet, I DO love you all ^^
it's my last week folks. at 12th of august I will be gone off to military duty.
so don't worry if I don't answer your messages from then on.
it shall be an interesting experience for me.
la rage du peuple:
pain is illusion ^^
the shepherdess has some nasty tricks up her sleeve. like sending the visitor back in time billions of years ago and trapping him there.
no reality was very hard to endure... especially for all those billions of years forward to now...
she deserves the respect she asks for...
love me
hate me
ignore me
hug me
kick me
like me
lie to me
smile at me
punish me
help me
whatever and whoever and whenever...
yes, I embrace it all... the light and the dark, for there is no light and no dark!
life is psychedelic =)
attention! last long-hair days!
military 'duty' is near.
I embrace it,
I embrace all that happens.
there is nothing more profitable than simply "giving" without awaiting any compensation.
as it is said -quite wisely- in ancient times; "everything you do turns to you threefold"
just be.
"lust awakens the desire
to possess
that awakens the intent
to murder"
spring summer fall winter... and spring
kim ki duk
some months ago, after a completely sober day (and week maybe even a month) I slept in my room, just to wake up a bit before sunrise with a feeling of 'strangeness'. I lay still, looking at the ceiling. you should guess then it was quite a shock when I extended my arm and touched the ceiling. my arm was not overly long, the ceiling was not lower than it usually was, yet I touched it.
I then noticed the faint sunlight and wished to look at the window to my left. I managed to see it all right, but I did not move, the room tilted as if I had the strings of it in my hands and the window just came on top of me. that means a 90 degree revolving of the room and the ceiling to be not on top but to the right of me. weird. I touched the knob of the window panel and saw the outside world, which was quite usual except its position; imagine looking upwards to see a 90 degree tilted world. freaky...
yet the strangeness emotion was not over, I felt I have to look around me, and as I lifted my head a little and looked at the direction of my feet, I saw that half of my room was gone, replaced and merging with a very dark jungle.
there were gigantic trees starting just five meters away from me. and there were some 'entities' who were darker than the trees and the jungle, walking slowly along the jungle -and the edges of my room, umm half of it ok. the entities were big, maybe four or five meters long, slow, and -as I felt- very old, ancient even. because of the dark, I couldn't make out their exact shapes.
they somehow were uneasy because of my existence there, and stopped to growl something at me. as I continued staring at them with amazement, one of them finally rushed over me and hissed menacingly. they were not evil, yet were uneasy and I felt I had no right to disturb them further. mind this; they were powerful, I felt it. yet for some unknown reason, I knew and they knew that I was at that occasion invincible there. they did not wish me any harm after all. they just told me I was not to be there, not then maybe.
so I decided to go back, leave them to their serene jungle and existence. I lay back down and slept.
I woke up in the morning. remembered everything, felt the residue long afterwards in the room.
I, to this day, do not know what that was, where I was, who they were etc... one thing I feel to the bottom of my heart to be true: that was not a dream.
yes, it can be a hallucination, one must always leave an open door for this kind of a scientific, materialist explanation. but not a dream, I just, know...
and if that was no hallucination.
well.. hmm...
A complete restructuring of society based on a true secure brotherhood and sisterhood, cooperative Eden farming and culture! Happy tribal homes working and sharing to create heaven on earth!
To have their tear stained faces kissed with generosity, surrounding them with the grace of flower decked rainbows instead of hells droning bombers, butterflies to dazzle their learning eyes - this is not idealistic -this is common sense!
Helen de Mat
Summer solstice
We come together
Reunite the stones of our ancestors
Summer solstice
We come together
Reunite the stones of our ancestors
Celebrate the summer
We come together
Reunite the stones of our ancestors
Summer solstice
We come together
Reunite the stones of our ancestors
my life is going from weird to weirder...
not that I complain about it! ahahah
I protest the recent attacks against christiania and her free inhabitants by the danish government.
a timeless and forgotten place,
the moon and sun in endless chase
each in quiet surrender
as the other reigns the sky...
the midnight hour begins to laugh
a summer evening's epitaph
the winds are getting crazy
as the storm begins to rise...
wild were the winds that came
in the thunder and the rain
nothing ever could contain
the rising of the storm....
in the wings of ebony
darkened waves fill the trees
wild winds of warning
echo through the air...
follow the storm, i've got to get out of here...
follow the storm as you take to the sky...
follow the storm now it's all so crystal clear,
follow the storm as the storm begins to rise...
she seems to come from everywhere
welcome to the dragon's lair
fingers running through your hair
she asks you out to play...
in all of nature's sorcery
the most bewitching entity
hell can have no fury
like the rising of the storm...
follow the storm, i've got to get out of here...
follow the storm as you take to the sky...
follow the storm now it's all so crystal clear,
follow the storm as the storm begins to rise...
I was thinking that I was about to find love, yet what I found happened to be not just love, but a mystical occurrence, transcendental guidance and spiritual contact.
I am not babbling out of an overdose of love (though I'm overdosed) I have contacted a wise being, so much that she managed to utterly alter my level of consciousness in just a few days.
trembling with fear, trembling with bliss...
ah yes yes... 'love' was just like this, now I slowly begin to remember after a long long time, as it pulses wild through my veins...
life is just so weirdly beautiful...


text:
Employers to design apprenticeships
Employers will be able to develop their own apprenticeship qualifications to tackle skills shortages under plans announced by the Government.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said training standards and qualifications should be tailored around the needs of employers.
Ministers said their plans would radically change the delivery of apprenticeships as well as raise standards and overhaul qualifications.
Mr Clegg said: "Most employers say that apprentices improve productivity. So it's vital that apprenticeships are tailored around what employers want, allowing them to design their own qualifications and choose their own training provider, rather than getting a one-size-fits-all programme that's bad for apprentices and bad for employers."
Every apprenticeship should be targeted at a skilled job, involving "substantial" new learning, said the Government.
John Walker, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "The FSB has called for a clear definition of an apprenticeship and for businesses to have a hand in developing the content of apprenticeships, so it is good news that the Government has committed to look at this.
"An apprenticeship should not simply be in-work training, but a quality way to start a meaningful career, embedding skills, and delivering clear benefits for the business and well as the apprentice."
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "We would urge the Government to monitor closely both the standard of these new qualifications as they are developed, and whether companies try to use public money for training their own employees. And we will wait with bated breath for employers to deliver the goods."
Neil Carberry, the CBI's director of education and skills, said: "This could be a watershed moment for apprenticeships. Businesses need to be in the driving seat - controlling course design and content so every apprentice meets rigorous industry standards and gets training that helps them build a great career.
"Aligning apprenticeships more effectively with business needs will boost growth, create jobs and help the UK compete globally. Strengthening courses will make them more attractive to young people."


text:
Cloud Academy Office Hours: April 2017
In mid-April, we hosted the first Cloud Academy "office hours" webinar. This was intended to be an open Q&A session for all things cloud computing that would allow us to address some of your most common questions and topics, from the general Cloud to Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, and more. In all, we received 37 questions! (Thanks to everyone..


text:
Leaf Spring Suspension System (Stage 6) for 1964-70 Mustang - Includes torque arm, panhard bar, leaf springs, Varishock smooth-body aluminum shocks, leaf-spring plates with tie-down loops, and poly bushign and shackle set.
Options: Spring eye style and leaf count, shock valving, U-bolt set, sliding-link anti-roll bar, and torque-arm-mounts weld fixture.
Note: Subframe g-Connectors and center support with torque arm endlink clevis required for use.


text:
Boise Blues Society has received a $1000 grant from the City of Boise, Arts & History Department to support our Blues in the Schools (BITS) program. Contributions like this help us reach out to students in the Boise area.
Part of our mission to "promote and preserve blues music" includes providing musicians as coaches and performers to introduce blues music to children and adults alike. BITS, which began in 2006, is part of our outreach effort and is provided at no cost to participating schools. Through BITS, Boise Blues Society brings a taste of blues music, and the lessons that go with it, into schools.


text:
Book title: Murder in HandAuthor: Celia Conrad
Series: Alicia Allen Investigates Book Three
Series: Alicia Allen Investigates Book Three
Website: http://www.aliciaalleninvestigates.com
Where to buy the book: Amazon http://tinyurl.com/njd3bwl
Genre: Crime fiction
ISBN: 9780954623340 (Paperback) Also available in all ebook formats
Publisher: Barcham Books
Reviewed by Marlan Warren originally for"Dancing in the Experience Lane" Open Salon Blog
"Murder in Hand": Italian Probate, Puccini, & Dead Lawyers
Lawyers aren't the most popular people, Miss Allen..."
—Murder in Hand
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.


text:
Over the past couple of years, pop-up spaces have populated the entire spectrum of trendiness and utility, manifesting as anything from retail hotspots to smart emergency shelter. Their conceptual origin is, of course, children's pop-up books and now designer Liya Mairson is bringing things full-circle with My Space – a delightful pop-up playspace for children aged 3-6.
Designed specifically with the space limitations of urban apartments in mind, the compact play room is fully collapsible, requiring minimal storage and fitting comfortably under a bed or behind a door. It is made entirely out of cardboard and is 100% recyclable.
Besides the clever utilitarian concept, My Space sports a winsome aesthetic of modern minimalism with a touch of 60's-inspired charm and offers a welcome oasis of analog playtime for today's digitally immersed child.
via Swiss Miss
Maria Popova is the editor of Brain Pickings, a curated inventory of miscellaneous interestingness. She writes for Wired UK, GOOD Magazine and Huffington Post, and spends a shameful amount of time on Twitter.


text:
Download TWO more Jill Wiseman beading projects from her new book!October 05, 2012, 11:22 am Posted by Lark Jewelry & Beading
Jill Wiseman's Beautiful Beaded Ropes is, as I'm writing this blog post, the No. 1 book in Jewelry and in Beading on Amazon.com. Which is pretty awesome, as well as deserved: Jill, it's a fantastic book.
This earlier post (click here to go there), featuring Jill's Flirtation Bracelet and Bohemian Earrings as downloadable projects, has so far generated more than 400 Facebook "Likes" and nearly 3,000 StumbleUpon, um, "Stumbles." (You may think I'm just making that term up, but trust me: I'm an editor.) Which also is awesome, and demands a follow-up: hence this post.
I'm pleased to share with you two more downloadable PDFs from Jill Wiseman's Beautiful Beaded Ropes. I hope you love them, and that they give you a nice preview of Jill's beautiful, inspirational, and creative work that's so well captured in the projects in her new book. Download these PDFs right now:
Ask for the book at your local bead store or bookstore, or order it online on Amazon or BN.com. Please "Like" the Lark Jewelry & Beading page on Facebook right now to be alerted to more free projects and giveaways and to see digital pics of many fabulous jewelry and beading creations. And be sure to visit Jill Wiseman's website and blog to learn more about her.
Also, don't miss our October giveaway of a complete set of signed books in the Beadweaving Master Class series: Click here to learn how to enter. It's easy! (Honest — after all, I'm an editor. Honesty is in the job description.)


text:
Allow Me to Tell You Why Giving Yourself Your First Brazilian Is a Terrible Idea
It's basically SAW: Beauty Edition.
In Portland, restaurant line sitting is a sport. Asking for a reservation at most places here is akin to asking someone to hand over paper evidence of their last STD screening- offensive, though it shouldn't be, so proprietors put on a cheeky face as if to pretend you're the one who's nuts. So my friends are an easy sell on house brunching: there's no line at my front door, and if you can get past my psychotic doberman Clementine, YOU'RE IN.
Pre-Italy, post Xmas, I gathered all my friends for the last brunch of the year. I've covered some basic brunch ideas before, but it was time to take it up a notch. It's not too late -- you still have time to make that Facebook invite and gather your people for a New Years Day brunch.
Peach & Ricotta Stuffed Challah French Toast and Peach Syrup
Tons of Bacon
Roasted Tomato, Chevre and Arugula Frittata
Red Flannel Hash Cakes
Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
It only looks intimidating, everything on here is pretty easy if you just look at it individually. Start a day ahead with a loaf of Challah. Since we're going to soak the hell out of it in egg, don't worry about the quality of the Challah, and stale bread=better french toast. Gah. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT #noonetellsyouthesethingsbutme.
1. Slice it very thinly and place a layer of it in a long pan. Try to cover all the gaps, even if it's just with a tiny bit of bread. Spread a layer of ricotta on top, using a spoon. Doesn't need to cover the whole thing or be a heavy layer. Now, open a can of peaches and pour out all the syrup into a pan. Slice the actual peaches and layer them on top of the ricotta. Do another layer of bread, another layer of ricotta and peaches, and finally, a layer of bread on top.
In a bowl, break 6 eggs, and wisk with a healthy amt of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract and 3 tbsp of maple syrup (I used dark corn syrup. whatevs) and 1.5 cups of milk. Pour it over the whole shebang, cover w wrap and place in fridge overnight.
About 3 hours before your company arrives, turn the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Prep the bacon and the tomatoes
Halve a few roma tomatoes (make sure you take all the stickers off) and throw them in an oven safe bowl. Sprinkle with salt. Place in bottom rack of oven.
Lay out bacon onto a cookie sheet with a rack on it, and place on the bottom rack as well.
2. Red Flannel Hash Cakes
These are going to take an hour to make, so leave enough time to get through them. Simply, in a food processor on the shred setting, shred 3 parts potato, 2 parts beet, 1 part onion. I made enough for 20 people with 5lbs of potatos, 1 onion, and 3 beets. Throw the mix together in a bowl, and press out the water as much as you can. Toss it with a few tbsp of flour and a few eggs. (I used three eggs for the massive batch I made).
In a pan with 1" of vegetable oil on medium high (you want it to bubble) you're going to place a heaping tablespoon of the mix in all four corners of the pan, not touching. Allow them to brown on the bottom, I found about 6 minutes to work, then flip over with a spatula. As they finish, take them to a bed of paper towels to drain, and then lay them on a cookie sheet.
As soon as you start frying up the hash cakes, its time to start on the biscuits, which you can do as you're frying, stopping to turn whenever necessary.
3. There are two approaches to biscuits and gravy. The first is to skip the pretense and buy biscuits, and the second is to make them from scratch. Or, like me, hedge your bets, make them, but have a backup. The recipe I used to some success is The Pioneer Woman's: 3 cups flour, 2 tbsp baking powder, a dash of salt, followed by a metric fuckton of cold butter and just over a cup of buttermilk. She can explain it better, but I'm definitely a fan of the dough mixer for this. It turned out perfect dough.
Use a small scoop, as I did, to get nice even biscuits that my friend said were made more pleasant by their slight sweetness (I attribute this to the buttermilk). As soon as they're done, start cranking them into the oven, which you preheated earlie, on the top rack. About 16min a piece. As they're done, let them cool on the cookie sheet.
So at this point you have biscuits on top rack, bacon and tomatoes on the bottom. Watch that bacon, and be sure to remove it when its crispy. When its done, throw it into an oven safe dish.
It's time to remove the french toast from the fridge so it can get to room temp.
4. Roasted tomato, chevre and arugula frittata
Remove the (hopefully) well roasted tomatoes and pour off the tomato juice. Chop the tomatoes.
Using an appropriately sized casserole dish for the amount you're making, butter the pan lightly or spray with oil. In a big bowl, mix in a 4 tbsp of chevre at room temperature (you can just squish a package of it between your hands until it gets to room temp) and 1 cup of heavy cream. Add 12 eggs, make like MJ and beat it. Throw in salt and pepper.
Scatter the tomatoes in the bottom of the pan and pour the egg mixture over it.
5. Sausage gravy
By now, it should be about an hour before company arrives. The bacon should be out. The biscuits should be out. So on your top shelf, place your uncovered french toast, and on the bottom, your frittata. Set the timer for 40 minutes.
On the stovetop, you're going to use a large saucepan and 1lb of spicy sausage (but not in the casing, you just want the sausage mix. Brown it well on medium high heat, making sure it break it all up as much as possible, which means stirring it every few minutes so it doesn't burn. Once its fully browned on all sides, throw in 2 tbsp of butter.
Once the butter is melted, toss in a 3-4 tbsp of flour and stir it into the mix well. Allow it to cook for 2 minutes, while stirring. Congrats! You made roux. Have a drink. And while drinking, add 2 cups of milk to the pan, still stirring. Allow the entire mixture to come to a simmer, still stirring. You're going to notice it thicken up. Turn the heat off, cover it and set it aside.
6. Halve the grapefruit. An early guest is a great stooge to get to segment them for you. Once they're done, lay them on a cookie sheet and sprinkle decadently with sugar and brown sugar and put aside.
Turn the heat on under the peach syrup, and dump in whatever actual maple syrup you've got. I fancy it up with some vanilla extract and cinnamon. Let it simmer so it reduces, on medium heat.
Check the eggs. You'll notice, if you're checking as you go, that they firm up on the outside first, so the middle is soft. You're not waiting for the middle to completely firm up, but you are waiting for it to turn opaque. Once it does, pull it. The middle will be slightly jiggly still.
As soon as it's done, pull it out, put the hashcakes and bacon back in the oven on the bottom shelf.
7. By now, people are going to be arriving, and your timer should be going off. Remove the french toast and leave it on the stovetop, covered. Turn the broiler on "high". Place the grapefruit under it. The bacon and hash are still below, don't worry, they won't burn, its only for 5 minutes.
Throw the arugula in a bowl, toss it with some vinegar and olive oil, salt and pepper. Throw it on top of the frittata.
8. It's time to start placing everything out. The french toast, with the syrup next to it. The hash cakes, which I served with apple butter, but applesauce is just fine. Really, they can go out on their own with nothing. The frittata next, and now the bacon comes out onto the table. Finally, place all the biscuits onto a large platter, and pour the gravy over it. And to round it all out, the grapefruit come out of the oven, go onto a plate and everything is ready.
Well, let people eat. It's time for you to drink. And if you're like me, you told people to bring OJ and champs, because hell if I'm supplying it with all this free food.
I've been thinking a lot about my year- I came to xoJane almost 6 months ago to write recipes, and this will be my last one this year. I have met amazing people, from Lesley and Claire, to all of you, who follow me on Instagram and Twitter and Pinterest and my super janky Youtube cooking videos, and send me amazing photos of the things you've made, that are either inspired by me or inspire me to make something new. I am grateful for each comment you leave, I read every single one, and I get amazing satisfaction out of your incredibly funny, snarky, and appreciative words.
I wish you all a safe but happy New Year. Not just tomorrow -- the entire year. Cheers.


text:
Dealing with depression can be very difficult thing. When I was at my lowest I thought what is the point of being here? who would care? who wouldn't miss me? . I went through my mind of all the things I could do to end it all, I did try a few times and failed thankfully but I did get to that point I've just giving up, but the thing that kept me in this world was my family. I have friends but in my mind I was a burden and I had just lost and very important person in my life and I thought I would lose them too. So I didn't really think I I had much more to lose but I would have lost I would of lost out seeing my sister my brothers grow up seeing my family my mum and everything else I never really told anyone thiswhy are only a few people and people are very surprised when they hear that because even though I was sad they didn't realise how sad I was after I attempted I went to my doctor and he got me in with a psychologist and I was diagnosed with depression I always had it in some way would dealing with things as a child with alcoholism in the family, bullying, loss of my dad but strange thing is that never got me down was my disability until I got judged for it it really made me feel low and I had never hate being disabled I had always made fun with it light Hearted . Anyway I'm rambling the reason I'm posting this is that with everything that I went through or felt there is someone there to help you there always is it might not be family, friends but talk to your doctor teacher a good samaritan never give up always remember that your a strong person to never give up. To quote Spike Milligan we might see the darkest of days but we said the brightest of sunsets.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
final day
Wheelz in Green is finally done, all we had to do today is fix a bit of audio and do a bit of color correction. all in all so proud of my group
we have this documentary almost done just getting rid of interviews that are not strong enough and are dragging the documentary down.
this documentary is turning out to be great, bit of a few problems with audio. but we have so much footage of good interviews that we can change them.
major 4/3/13
we started putting the structure down on this monster of a documentary, by putting our interviews together.
first day we went through our mountain of footage to see which was usable or not. while des stole my chair....
Euros 2
today was a somber affair the team lost and are out of the league. so when the lads asked me to get an interview with the players i waited till the players had time to get over their loss before we bombarded them, but luckily we got all the interviews we needed
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
105 of 1000(14% Complete)
LEGO Batman returns once more, and this time he's heading into space with an army of DC Super Heroes. Introducing LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham.... more info..
MotoGP14 features more than 100 available riders, all the official manufacturers, all racing classes and 18 tracks in a brand new racing chapter based on the Official MotoGP World Championship. ... more info..
Following the epic storylines of Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III, as well as the highly anticipated Jurassic World, LEGO Jurassic World is the first videogame where players will be able to relive and experience all ... more info..
Prepare to Be the Playmaker in Madden NFL 16 - In stores August 25th for Xbox 360 and Xbox One.... more info..
Metal Gear Solid V is both Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain combined. "V has come to."... more info..
When a mysterious and powerful vortex suddenly appears in various LEGO worlds, different characters from DC Comics, The Lord of the Rings and The LEGO Movie are swept away. To save their friends, Batman, Gandalf and Wyldstyle bravely jump into the vo... more info..
FIFA 16 innovates across the entire pitch to deliver a balanced, authentic, and exciting football experience that lets you play your way, and compete at a higher level. And with all new ways to play!
With innovative gameplay features, FIFA 16 ... more info..
The NBA 2K franchise is back with the most true-to-life NBA experience to date with NBA 2K16. Guide your MyPLAYER through the complete NBA journey, take control of an entire NBA franchise, or hone your skills online competing against gamers from arou... more info..
The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) pits drivers and production-based cars against some of the toughest and most varied conditions on the planet. In 2015, the roads on this epic motorsport adventure are spread across 14 countries, with 13 rallies ... more info..
Call of Duty: Black Ops III deploys its players into a future where biotechnology has enabled a new breed of Black Ops soldier. Call of Duty: Black Ops III for Xbox 360 and PlayStation features two modes only: Multiplayer and Zombies, providing fans ... more info..
Resident Evil 0 is a HD remaster of the 2002 survival horror classic. Coming early 2016 to Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3 and PC. ... more info..
TT Games upcoming 2015 Lego action-adventure video game "LEGO Marvel's Avengers" will be available for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, PSVITA, WiiU and Nintendo 3Ds.... more info..
The Force is strong with this one
The No. 1 LEGO videogame franchise triumphantly returns with a fun-filled, humorous journey through the new Star Wars adventure. Play as all of the characters from the movie, including Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, Han So... more info..
Take control of the building and running of a maximum security prison as the critically acclaimed lock-em-up arrives on Xbox 360! Your Design, Their Fate Will you build and manage a prison to create social order where its failed in the past, offerin... more info..
Bullet Soul is Japanese Shooter. Good luck have fun!... more info..
This Site is not affiliated with MicroSoft Corp.
'Microsoft' 'Xbox 360' and the Xbox 360 logo(s) are trademarks of MicroSoft Corp.
This Site is designed for Educational Purposes
Copyright ©2005-2018 http://www.360-hq.com


text:
The Counseling Licensure Process in Florida
Florida's counselors are licensed as Licensed Mental Health Counselors. You can earn this status through graduate education, examination, and supervised practice. The application process itself may vary, depending on your circumstances and life experiences.
Make sure you are on the right path. If you have any questions about the LMHC requirements in Florida, contact the Florida Department of Health CSW, MFT & MHC @ Phone: 850-245-4444.
Capella University offers three online CACREP - accredited Master's programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy and School Counseling. Click here to contact Capella University and request information about their programs.
Northwestern's Top-12 Ranked CACREP Accredited Online M.A. in Counseling program offers both full and part time options that allow you to earn a degree on your own schedule. GRE scores are not required for this program. Request information.
Select a topic below...
- Education requirements
- The application process
- Supervised practice requirements
- Testing process
- I am a licensed counselor in another state
- Applying for special licenses
- Maintaining your license
- Contact information and Schools Offering Counseling Degree Programs.
- School Counselor Certification Requirements in Florida
- Rehabilitation Counselor Requirements in Florida
- Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Requirements in Florida
Required Education
Education is your first step. You will need to earn a graduate degree from a program that has been accredited by CACREP. It must be a mental health counseling degree, as opposed to another specialty. In addition to core content areas, it should include courses in substance abuse and human sexuality. Learn more about selecting a Master's in Counseling program here.
Antioch University offers a new Online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program that is in the CACREP accreditation process and mirrors the CACREP-accredited program delivered on campus. Specializations in: Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling (SAAC) and Counseling Military Service Personnel and their Families (MSPF). Antioch is a private, not-for-profit university. (*This program is NOT available to students in CA, IL, IA, KS, MO, NH, ND)
If your program is not properly accredited, it must be 60 semester hours (or 80 quarter hours). It must include at least semester hours (or 4 quarter hours) in each of the following content areas:
- Counseling theories
- Human growth and development
- Group theories and practice
- Human sexuality
- Psychopathology diagnosis and treatment
- Career and lifestyle
- Individual assessment and evaluation
- Research and program evaluation
- Substance abuse
- Counseling in community settings
- Legalities, ethics, and professional standards
- Cultural and social foundations
You may not use fieldwork or research, thesis, or dissertation work to meet requirements in any of the above areas.
You must, however, do 1,000 hours of practicum or internship work through your university. The practicum must include at least 280 hours of direct counseling practice, with at least an hour a week of individual (or triadic) supervision. You should have a formal evaluation upon completion. If you didn't meet the practicum requirement as part of your degree program, you'll need to make it up before beginning your period of post-master's supervised experience. You'll be registered as an intern.
Regardless of the accreditation status of your school, you must take the following additional classes from an approved provider:
- Rules and laws
- Medical error prevention
Within six months of licensure, you must also take a three-hour class in HIV/AIDS and a two-hour class in domestic violence.
Applying for Intern Status
You will submit an application before you begin working as an intern. Click here to download the intern application. You'll show that you have completed coursework in at least seven of the content areas. You must have already completed the requirement for psychopathology or abnormal psychology.
In the application, you will document your educational and professional history and answer questions about ethics and professional fitness. You will also document important health history. If you have recent or chronic mental illness, you'll need to submit a status report from a mental health professional. The application must be accompanied by a $150 fee.
You should have your university send transcripts directly to the board.
If your program wasn't CACREP-accredited, you will include verification that you have completed a practicum that met CACREP standards. You will get this from the university and either have it sent directly or include it in a sealed envelope with a signature on the flap.
There are two separate addresses you'll need. The application and fee should be sent to the following address: Board of CSW, MFT, MHC, P. O. Box 6330, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330.
You should send additional supporting documentation (or have third parties send it) to the following address: Board of CSW, MFT, MHC, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN #C08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258.
Click Here to access the online professional licensure application form.
Supervised Practice
Before you can achieve credentialing as a licensed mental health counselor, you must work under supervision for two years. You will need to do at least 1,500 hours of face to face client work during this supervised practice. You must be supervised one hour for every fifteen hours of psychotherapy you do. You will also need to make sure that you get at least one hour of supervision every two weeks. At least half you supervision hours must be individual (or paired with no more than one other intern); individual supervision hours may alternate with group supervision hours.
In order to be licensed, you'll need to take the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, which is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. You will receive your registration from the board after you are approved to take the exam. You will send the form with an original signature (in ink) and a $195 nonrefundable fee.
You will be able to schedule a test at any of 170 testing centers across the country. There are nine in Florida, located in the following cities: Casselberry, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Miami, Ocala, Sarasota, Tallahassee, and West Palm Beach. Testing is generally the first two weeks of each month. Testing sites are open every weekday; some have Saturday sessions as well.
It will take about four weeks to get your approval from the NBCC. Then you'll schedule by calling 888-519-9901 or visiting www.goAMP.com.
If you don't pass on a first attempt, you'll need to get another registration from the Florida board. You may email [email protected] with any questions.
Out of State Applicants
If you have a license in another state and have been actively practicing during at least three of the past five years, you may apply for licensure by endorsement. This option is designed for those who can't document that they've met the supervised experience option.
You must meet the basic educational requirements. You must also have taken board-approved laws and rules and medical errors classes. You need to be prepared to pass Florida's licensing exam (after you secure board approval). You'll also need to take domestic violence and HIV/AIDS within six months of licensing.
If you have not yet met all of the examination and educational requirements, you may be issued a provisional license, which is good for twenty-four months.
Foreign Applicants
If you got your education in another country, you'll need to have equivalency evaluated by a recognized evaluation service. The evaluation should be sent directly to the board.
Any documents that are in a language other than English must be translated by a certified translator.
Special Licenses: Military Spouses, Retirees
As a military spouse, you may get a license for $113. You will still be responsible for filling out the application packet and getting fingerprints. You will have an additional application packet (http://doh.state.fl.us/mqa/491/soc_ceu.html)
If you are retired or plan to retire soon, you may be able to get a limited license that allows you to work where there very is high need. You will need to meet these conditions:
- You must have been licensed for at least ten years in another state.
- You must only work with populations who are underserved, indigent, or in critical need.
- You must work for a public agencies or nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status which cover you under liability insurance.
As long as you work on a volunteer basis, you will not have to pay licensing fees. If you don't qualify for a fee waiver, you will pay a $25 fee.
License Maintenance
You'll need 30 hours of continuing education every two years.. This must include a two hour class in medical errors and a three hour class in ethics and boundary issues. Once every three renewal cycles, you'll need to complete a two hour class in domestic violence.
You can see approved providers and submit continuing education online at https://www.cebroker.com/public/pb_index.aspx.
You may be exempt from the continuing education requirement the first time that you renew.
Additional Information
If you are still in High School, hold a High School Diploma/GED, or hold a bachelor's degree, check out suggested steps to take along the path to becoming a counselor in Florida.
You may contact the Florida Department of Health CSW, MFT & MHC by calling 850-245-4444.Website (You will also find the relevant statutes online there.)


text:
For SAFCEI's dedicated website about Fracking in South Africa, click here
SAFCEI has a dedicated office in Graaff-Reinet, in South Africa's Karoo region where our colleague Dr Stefan Cramer works with local community, educating and empowering them to participate in the fracking debate. Watch our animated video below to find out why fracking in the Karoo doesn't make any sense:
DOLERITES – Guardians of the Karoo
Why would SAFCEI need a scientific advisor focusing on Fracking (or Hydraulic Fracturing) you may ask?
The straight answer is that while the solutions to the environmental and eco-justice challenges facing us are about the ethics, values and socially responsible politics, the science behind many environmental issues is complex, conflicting and, at times, covered up. Since its founding in 2004, SAFCEI identified the need for a shift to earth friendly energy sources as a priority. Understanding the complex issues around Climate Change, renewable energy solutions and unbundling the vested interests of the fossil fuel multi-nationals requires solid science.
Dr Stefan Cramer, SAFCEI's science advisor, over the past years has helped to strengthen understanding of these issues amongst local communities as well as offering a well- grounded technical response to the fracking debate. He has a doctorate with specializations in applied geology and geo-ecology and a wealth of experience in mining, hydrogeology and the social and environmental impacts of Climate Change. A significant part of his career has involved working with aid and development agencies in support of local communities and environmental organisations around the world. He has been involved on Africa for more than 40 years. He is a deeply committed Christian enriching the SAFCEI team with his special combination of geotechnical understanding and passion for Earth Keeping.


text:
The 404 Show is CNET's longest-running podcast of all time. Now hosted by Jeff Bakalar and Russ Frushtick, The 404 Show is a pop-culture and tech mix covering movies, comics, video games and more. Tune in every Friday as Jeff and Russ welcome a wide variety of engaging guests for compelling conversations that can't be found anywhere else.
Russ and Jeff record the last regular version of the show discussing the reviews of the new Apple Watch, iPhone 8, what to expect from the iPhone X and whether or not Nintendo will make enough SNES Classic Editions for everyone.Articleby Jeff Bakalar
Ben Fox Rubin is back at it with a great billionaire discussion about Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and others. We'll also solve some serious nerd math, defend fidget spinners and tell you which retro consoles aren't worth buying.Articleby Jeff Bakalar


text:
Have you ever asked yourself, "What are the types of pipes that plumbers put in my home?" I read an article from a home improvement website that the types of pipes used in drains and homes vary, depending on the purpose that they will be used for.
Qualified Miami plumbing contractors know which ones to pick since they are experts in installation, as well as determining the lifespan of each of these materials.
Types of Plumbing Pipes and Their Lifespans
Nothing lasts forever, and that includes the plumbing pipes in your home. Fortunately, the majority of pipe materials perform well for decades. However, when that lifespan is reached, pipes may start to leak.
To prevent leaks, use the chart below to determine if your home's plumbing lifespan is adequate or if water pipes are bursting for attention.
To prevent health hazards, check for lead pipes.
Know your pipes
Review the home inspection report you got when you bought your home to see what kind of pipes you have—or bring in a licensed plumber to do an inspection of your plumbing system. Expect to pay at least $75 for a plumber's service call.
Knowing what types of pipes plumbers use is fine and dandy. Certainly, it's helpful when you are building or remodeling your home. But just how do you know whether the pipes in your current home are up to par? How do you know whether those pipes should be replaced, whether the materials that were used are safe? The following article can help you identify the types of plumbing pipes used in your home or business.
How to Recognize Different Types of Pipes – For Dummies
To tackle a do-it-yourself plumbing project, you need to know how to recognize different types of pipes. Recognizing the different types of pipes within your house is vital to knowing the right repair technique.
The most common pipes used today are copper, PVC, or ABS. However, when dealing with older homes, you might encounter a number of other piping material. For example, homes built before 1960 used galvanized steel or cast iron DWV (drain/waste/vent) pipe systems.
Here's a quick look at types of pipes commonly used in homes, beginning with the pipes used for DWV systems.
Cast iron: Commonly used before 1960 for the vertical drain, vent stacks, and sometimes the horizontal drain lines. Cast iron is durable, but can rust over time. Call a professional plumber to replace rusted sections with plastic (PVC or ABS) and the correct transition fittings.
Plastic: Plastic pipe comes as either ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) or PVC (polyvinyl-chloride). Most homes since mid-1970 have plastic pipes and fittings because it's inexpensive and easy to use. Simply glue the joints using a primer and liquid cement.
ABS: This black pipe was the first plastic pipe to be used in residential plumbing. Today, many areas don't allow ABS in new construction because joints can come loose. Check with your local plumbing inspector if you want to use ABS.
PVC: This white or cream-colored pipe is the most commonly used pipe for drain lines. It's strong, untouchable by chemicals, and seems to last forever! The rating and diameter is stamped right on the pipe.
Schedule 40 PVC is strong enough for residential drain lines, but check with your plumbing inspector first. CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) pipe has the strength of PVC but is heat-resistant, which makes it acceptable in many regions for use on interior supply lines. Schedule 80 PVC is sometimes used for cold-water supply lines, but it isn't allowed in some regions because it isn't suitable for hot water.
The pipes used in the plumbing of your home or property are probably one of the most important elements of your residence or business (even if they aren't visible). The pipes are what keep the water draining efficiently for years. So when building or remodeling, you want to be sure to use quality materials. Even for a repair or maintenance job, you need to know how to identify the different pipes used in the home. Of course, calling in a licensed South Florida plumber is the easiest way to get your pipes inspected, repaired and maintained to avoid future problems and costlier repairs.


text:
ELMWOOD PARK—Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation (MMCC) has named Joseph Belgiovine as an associate director in the firm's New Jersey office, according to William E. Hughes, senior vice president and managing director of MMCC.
Prior to joining MMCC, Belgiovine was the owner and broker of Belcore Enterprises LLC, a commercial real estate brokerage firm in Miami. Before that, he was director of operations for The Integrated Group LLC, an Edgewater-based commercial real estate brokerage company. Belgiovine has also worked as an account executive for private hard money lender Kennedy Funding Inc. in Hackensack, and he has been a project manager assistant with Daibes Enterprises Inc., a real estate development firm in Edgewater.
Belgiovine graduated from Providence College in Providence, R.I. with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. He is a member of the National Association of Realtors and the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches.
Belgiovine is a licensed real estate broker in Florida and a licensed real estate agent in New Jersey.


text: After many years in the mission field as addiction and recovery specialists, GOAL heard the call to reach out to US clergy and churches to educate and equip them to help bring hope and healing to suffering addicts and their family members . GOAL recruited a team of presenters who now provide expert training with funding from the Lancaster County drug and alcohol commisison. We are offering workshops for congregations in Columbia and Leola/New Holland in January.


text:
Blueberries need an acidic soil and plenty of water to thrive. Few coastal areas in southeast North Carolina fit the bill perfectly. North Carolina State blueberry specialist Bill Cline says blueberry production continues to grow in the state, but it is limited by the high cost of getting into production. In this Farm Press video, Cline talks about the growth, the costs and shows the latest blueberry research happening in the state.
Hide comments