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About Us
Mike Burgener
Head Coach
"Coach B"
Mike Burgener is a Level 5 Senior International Weightlifting coach. He is a graduate of Notre Dame and obtained his MS degree from the University of Kentucky. He was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps.
- Level 5 senior International Weightlifting Coach
- Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
- CrossFit Weightlifting
- Coach of the Year, United States Weightlifting
Beau Burgener
Head Regional Coach
Beau is our head regional coach and the lead instructor for both the Weightlifting and Weightlifting L2 seminars worldwide. He is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he obtained a BS degree in Kinesiology and played on the university rugby team. With 30 years of experience in the sport, Beau loves spreading his passion and expertise of Weightlifting across the globe.
Amie Taylor
Team Program Manager
Josh Everett
Regional Coach - Southwest
Josh Everett has worked in the field of Strength and Conditioning since 1998. He has coached at Ohio University, UCLA, UC Riverside, and with the military. Josh has also been heavily involved in the CrossFit community as a CrossFit level 1 seminar instructor, CrossFit Weightlifting Seminar instructor, Head coach for TEAM USA for the 2012 London Invitational, Analyst and Color Commentator for CrossFit Regional and Games broadcasts, and member of the CrossFit level 1 seminar advisory board.
Athletically, Josh has stood on the podium at 2 CrossFit games, competed in 3 national championships in Weightlifting, and lettered in football and Track at Ohio Northern University where he earned AllAmerican honors in Track & Field. Josh and his wife Mary have 2 boys (Luke & Timm) and reside in Imperial beach, CA.
Cody Looney
Regional Coach - Northwest
Cody is the owner and Head Coach of CrossFit Advantage. He spent 12 years as an Operator in the Military and has worked in the Strength and Conditioning industry for 10 years. He attended the CrossFit Level 1 Course in 2007 and then affiliated his gym in 2008.
Cody is a passionate teacher and educator. He specializes in coaching athletes and coaches how to teach, see, correct, and improve movement and performance. He has been featured in the CrossFit Journal and on CrossFit Radio, was the Media Director for the NW in 2011, was Master of Ceremonies at the NW Regional in 2012, and runs an Affiliate Leadership Course working with Coaches and Owners on their abilities and skills as gym owners. He also spent 3 years as the head Strength and Conditioning Coach for two local High School Basketball and Wrestling Programs.
Cody has been working with CrossFit Weightlifting since 2010 and currently leads Courses in the Northwest as well as around the world including Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Home Gym: CrossFit Advantage
- CrossFit Level 3 Trainer
- CrossFit Advanced Weightlifting
- CrossFit Mobility
- CrossFit Gymnastics
- CrossFit Kettlebell
- CrossFit Strongman
- CrossFit Competitor's Course
Fred Lowe
Regional Coach - Central
Hometown: Lambertville, MI, USA
High School: Temperance-Bedford
College: Michigan State University – Class of 1970
Residence: DeWitt, MI
Home Gym: Temple of Exertion
- USAW National Coach
- CrossFit Level 1 Coach
- 3-Time US Olympian 1968, 1972, 1976
- USA Weightlifting 8-Time National Champion
- Oldest U.S Lifter in History to Qualify and Compete in USAW Nationals 2011
- 9 Times World Masters Champion
- Still the Lightest U.S. Lifter to Clean and Jerk over 400 lbs.
- Leader of 25+ CrossFit Weightlifting Certification Courses in Midwestern US
Ingrid Marcum
Regional Coach - Northeast
Ingrid is a successful multi-sport athlete with a great passion for teaching and coaching. Since 1997, Ingrid has been helping others reach their own fitness and athletic goals as a speaker, educator, strength and conditioning coach, and movement specialist. Ingrid travels internationally to speak at conferences and teaches a variety of specialty certifications, courses and workshops – including Battling Ropes, weightlifting, mobility, gymnastics, hand balancing and bodyweight training. Ingrid currently leads courses for CrossFit Weightlifting in the eastern US, eastern Canada, Brazil and Portugal.
Home gym: Big Shoulders CrossFit
- Presenter, Perform Better Functional Training Summit, 2013-2016
- Presenter, Women's Fitness Summit, 2015, 2016
- Presenter, Sorinex Summer Strong, 2015
- Presenter, IDEA World, 2012
- Battling Ropes Programming Director and Certification Instructor (live and online)
- Fitness instructor for 3 training DVDs – Hurricane Ingrid, Battling Ropes Partner and Team Training and Mastery of Physical Prowess
- Author, Battling Ropes certification course manual
- Author, upcoming Battling Ropes instructional book
- Worked with the US National Women's Soccer team on Rope training, December 2013
- Head strength coach for the women's US National Field Hockey Team 2002 – 2003
- Head strength coach for the U-21 National Field Hockey Team 2001 – 2003
- Assistant strength coach, The College of William and Mary (D1) 1999 – 2002
USA Bobsled athlete 2003-2013:
- An alternate to the 2010 Olympic team
- One of 6 US brakemen considered for the 2006 Olympic team
- World Championship team member
- World Cup team member
USA Weightlifting Athlete 2000-2009
- 2004 and 2008 Olympic Trials competitor
- 2009 US National Champion, 75 kilo class
- 2006, 2007 Silver medalist, US National Championships, 75 kilo class
- 2008 Bronze medalist, US National Championships, 69 kilo class
- American Open Champion, 69 kilo class 2007, 75 kilo class 2006
- 2001 and 2007 World Team Trials competitor
- 2003 National Champion in the snatch, 69 kilo class
- National Championship competitor 2001-2009
2011 IHGF World Amateur Highland Games, winner of 3 individual events
High level gymnast, 20 years, including D1 collegiate gymnastics
Stephane Rochet
Regional Coach - Canada
Stephane learned the Olympic lifts training under and competing for Coach Burgener over several years. He was part of Coach Burgener's USA Weightlifting training staff and transitioned to coaching the CrossFit Weightlifting Seminars when these were introduced. Stephane has been a Course Leader for CrossFit's Weightlifting Courses since 2007. Stephane is also a Head Trainer for the CrossFit L1 Seminar. Stephane's career as a strength and conditioning coach has included stints at UCLA, Indiana University and the University of San Diego.
Home Gym: Mike's Gym
JP Bolwahnn
Regional Coach - Latin America
JP is a 13 year Navy Veteran and former Navy SEAL that has been involved with CrossFit since 2004. JP received his CrossFit Level 1 in 2005 and since 2008 has been working and training with Coach Burgener and CrossFit HQ as part of the seminar staff. He also helped coach Division 1 athletes in Strength and Conditioning at the University of San Diego. Currently, he leads CrossFit Weightlifting Trainer Courses for Coach B in various regions throughout the world. Some other notable accomplishments for JP include: Playing for the Mexican National Rugby team in 2009 in the IRB USA Rugby 7s. Playing FCS Division 1 College Football as a 33-35 year old running back for University of San Diego Toreros. Finishing 2nd Place at the 2013 American Weightlifting Masters meet. JP still trains and competes in weightlifting in the 85Kg weight class as a Master.
Home Gym: JP's Iron Palace
- CrossFit Level 1
- CrossFit Weightlifting
- CrossFit Nutrition
- CrossFit Powerlifting
- Pose Running Instructor
- FCS Division 1 Running back for the University of San Diego 2011-2013
- Member of the Mexican National IRB Rugby 7s team in 2009
- Assistant Strength Coach at the University of San Diego 2010, 2013
Sage Mertz
Regional Coach
Sage has been involved in the sport of weightlifting since the dawn of time ( or so it feels). Her passion for Olympic weightlifting began at Mike's Gym before it was "cool".
Growing up, Sage assisted Mike Burgener at his certifications and then began leading her own seminars at the age of fifteen. In conjunction with coaching, Sage has competed in weightlifting for 18 years at the national and international level.
Sage's sassy personality and true love for the sport comes to life when leading the Olympic Lifting certifications. There are few things she loves more than helping people to find confidence in themselves…one snatch at a time.
Kim Trego
Regional Coach - Southeast
Kim Cantrell Trego is a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach, CrossFit Weightlifting Course Seminar Staff. Tested Level 1 CrossFit Certified Trainer , CrossFit certified Olympic Lifting Coach and has completed the OPT CCP Assessment, Program Design, Exercise Select and Business Modules . Kim is also AFAA certified, Spin Certified, BodyPump certified,Pre/Post Natal certified, Stretch certified, Core Stability certified and Perform Better certified. Kim has an AS in Applied Science with 18 years coaching experience. Kim placed 1st in the Halloween Throwdown in 2012 in her division and 1st in "These go to 11" in her division. Kim is the National Master's Weightlifting 2011 Champion for her weight class. Kim took 1st Place in her weight class in the Flowery Branch Olympic Weightlifting Open in 2010 and 2011 and the War Eagle Open in 2011. Kim currently holds the all time record for the Snatch and Clean and Jerk for her weight class with Team Georgia Weightlifting. Kim was voted the top trainer 2010 along with Brad Trego in North Fulton County including Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton by Appen Newspaper readers. Kim was voted in the top ten trainers in Atlanta in Jezebel Magazine and has been a Fit article contributor for Jezebel Magazine. Kim placed 1st in her class for the Ms. Georgia SNBF bodybuilding Competition and 2nd for Ms. Atlanta. Kim was voted Best Female Athlete in 1999 for the Bodybuilding Division for Atlanta Sports and Fitness Magazine and Best Female Athlete for SNBF in 1999.
Matthew Bruce
Matt was born in New Orleans, LA and moved to Baton Rouge, LA at the age of 13 to attend school at Catholic High School. While here for his 8th grade year, Matt began lifting under legendary Coach Gayle Hatch to get stronger and faster for the football team. Soon, Matt fell in love with weightlifting and throughout the course of his 17 year career he became one of the most decorated Olympic weightlifting athletes in the country. Since retiring in 2012 from competition, Matt has transitioned into coaching his barbell club, Bruce Barbell, and is the Olympic weightlifting coach for the online programming team at BrUTE Strength. Matt graduated from Louisiana State University with a Master's degree in Sports Management and also teaches Special Education full-time for a local school district.
Home Gym: Redstick CrossFit
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Weightlifting Trainer's Course
CrossFit Advanced Weightlifting Trainer's Course
USAW Club Coach
7-time World Team Member
National Champion
American Open Champion and Best Lifter
Multiple-Time International Medalist
Best Snatch of 152 kg (334 lbs.)
Best Clean and Jerk of 192 kg (422 lbs.)
Blanco Juan
As a coach I consider myself a facilitator of athletes; I believe it is both my job and my privilege to maximize the abilities that already exist in every athlete that is willing to work with me. Every athlete teaches me something new about how to apply my knowledge, and I love the constant challenges presented by every athlete's unique needs, strengths and weaknesses.
After coaching CrossFit every day for five years, I was inspired by Coach Mike Burgener's passion for coaching, and I found myself focusing on Olympic Lifting. I was drawn to the complexity and the beauty of the Olympic lifts, and impressed by the power, agility and speed the sport demands. I also believe Olympic Weightlifting teaches us how small units of progress can help accomplish our ultimate goals, which has been my experience of finding success beyond the gym as well, whether it be winning my personal battle with weight loss, building a relationship with my amazing woman, or pursuing my personal passion for performing opera. Mastery of Olympic Lifting takes a lifetime to learn, and I am proud to be pursuing it alongside Coach Mike Burgener and his team.
- CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting Staff
- Brooklyn BarBell Club Lead Coach
- USAW Advanced Sports Performance Coach
- CrossFit Virtuosity Lead Coach
Matt Swift
Matt Swift is the owner and Head Coach of CrossFit Brisbane, in Australia. He commenced training in CrossFit in 2005 and then established and affiliated the gym in 2006.
His qualifications include a Bachelor of Science Degree, CrossFit Level 2 Trainer Certificate and National Level Weightlifting Coaching Accreditation. In addition to his role at CrossFit Brisbane, Matt is a member of the CrossFit HQ Seminar Team having presented on over 45 Level 1 and Level 2 seminars.
Matt has presented on Australian Weightlifting Federation courses and currently holds the Australian National Masters Record for Clean and Jerk in U85 40-44 Division. He is an active competitor in CrossFit Competition, with 3 top 20 results at the CrossFit Games Australasian Regionals, and best result being 8th at the 2013 World CrossFit Games in the Masters 40-44 Division. Prior to CrossFit, Matt competed in Triathlon and BJJ, and has over 20 years of experience in Martial Arts and coaching various sports.
Matt first started worked on the Olympic Lifting Seminar Team in 2009.
Home Gym: CrossFit Brisbane
- Bachelor of Science (University of Queensland)
- CrossFit Level 2 Trainer Certificate
- National Level Weightlifting Coaching Accreditation
- Australian National Masters Record for Clean and Jerk in U85 40-44 Division
- 3 top 20 results at the CrossFit Games Australasian Regionals (2009, 2010, 2011)
- 8th at the 2013 World CrossFit Games in the Masters 40-44 Division
Kirk Woolfolk
Kirk is an Associate Professor, Physical Education Dept. and Director of Strength & Conditioning/Operations at the United States Naval Academy. Prior to the Academy, I worked in a similar capacity at Missouri State University (1990-95) and the University of Notre Dame (1995-97).
He is a Level III weightlifting coach for USAW, as well as a lead instructor for the Crossfit Olympic Weightlifting courses serving the East coast. He is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
He has worked with over twenty NCAA All-Americans and two Olympians. His daughter Natalie (Woolfolk) Burgener was a member of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
He earned his bachelor's degree in education from the University of Arkansas in 1980 and acquired his master's in Sports Management in 1990. While at Arkansas, he was a three year letterman in football playing on three bowl teams (Orange, Fiesta and Sugar).
He and his wife Renee are the proud parents of five children, Adam, Nolan, Haley, Natalie and Clay, and have six grandchildren.


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Well Cornelio didn't win as much money as he hoped betting the long shots and Repole horses last week, so he's back here handicapping for this weekends Pick 6. There are a lot of good races going on this weekend, it was hard to pick just one. Boston Strong is going off in an Allowance race at Belmont for god's sake! What a weekend. I went with a lineup that included the President's Cup, Sands Point Stakes, and 4 races from Kentucky Downs. Here we go…
Race 1: President's Cup.
- Heart to Heart – coming off a win, can show the speed, won 3 in a row last year, hoping to bring that trend back this year
- Divine Oath – Hoping Frankie Pennington and Graham Motion have this guy figured out, dropping to a shorter distance, hope that speed stays up
- Inchcape – good speed figures, high percentage trainer and jockey, gone the distance 4 times.
- Just Missed – Cage Fighter: seems to hit the board each time out, Chamois: up and down, hasn't won in 2 years, Margano: win at the track, speed, 2-0-1 distance
Race 2: Sands Point Stakes.
- Sentiero Italia – won last start, the Lake Placid, with Rosario, 4th and 2 wins before that, good speed
- Osalia – decent lifetiome record on turf, second last time out, Castellano on top
- Miss Temple City – second last time out in the Lake Placid, at distance, Johnny V, 7 3-2-1 lifetime record, workouts vs scrubs…
Race 3: Dueling Grounds Derby
- Closing Bell – experienced jockey, seems pretty stable over last 3 races, Graded stakes experience, Bill Mott, like his chances
- Gin Riki – on the board in the last 4, speed to compete with Closing Bell, coming off second by a nose
- Conquest Peacemaker – similar to Closing Bell, 4 2-0-2 lifetime, stable speeds, hopefully likes return to turf
Race 4: Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint Stakes
- Shrinking Violet – experienced jockey, huge speed in last race's win
- Thank You Marylou – lots of graded stakes experience, bumped last few times out, may improve over shorter distance, I have a feeling Joe Bravo takes her to the top.
- Sky Treasure – also lots of stakes experience, Leparoux, the turf specialist, we will see what she can do.
Race 5: Kentucky Downs Turf Dash
- Holy Lute – fast, knows the distance (4 1-3-0), won last time out
- Channel Marker – won last race, decent recent speed numbers
- Green Mask – drops in class after 3rd at Meydan, talented Joel Rosario, decent lifetime record, been hitting the board for the most part.
- Just Missed – Mosler
Race 6: Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes
- Hyper – fast fast fast, Ramsey's know turf racing, hoping he improves on 3 3rd place finishes this year
- Power Ped – liked him at Del Mar, unfortunately finished 4th, has the speed and turf experience
- Da Big Hoss – don't let him moving up in class fool you, good lifetime record, coming off a win, we will see if he is ready for prime time.
There you have it, some interesting races for this week. Good luck to all, now we get to compete with football!

subset: commoncrawl


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I understand you are experiencing issues with your A38. Here are a few steps you can take to attempt to remedy the issues. Before troubleshooting please ensure you have setup the audio system correctly by using our setup guides. http://www.astrogaming.com/manuals/manuals.html
- Hard reset the A38 by pressing and holding the multi-function button then pressing and holding the up volume button. Do this until the device shuts off.
- Re-pair the A38 to the device
- Ensure the mute on the bottom of the left ear is off(no orange is showing means the mute is off)
If these steps did not alleviate the issues you were experiencing, or have narrowed down the issue, please go to the link below and submit a case. Let your agent know all the steps you tried and the outcome of your troubleshooting. It will help speed the resolution of your case!
Support Channel: astro.gg/AGHELP


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Teasy South Florida Based Lady's Apparel Design
Have you been searching for a classic as well as contemporary lady's fashion clothing brand? If so, there is only one clothing brand you have to invest your time in looking at. Teasy is a funky all new lady's knit wear clothing brand where the styles have been formed by the Miami style. The clothing brand began back in 2010, from South Florida and each one of the clothing items have been made from top quality material. The clothing brand owners are young and hip fashion designers whom desire to share their vision with the world.
During the Art Basel event in South Florida, Teasy will present feature an show segment for their fashion brand that is going to be open for the public during 12/08/2012 and 12/09/2012. There is going to be a private event on the 7th of December during seven-eleven pm at Miami Center Plastic Surgery that is going to be hosted by Teasy. Make sure to attend the actual event to look at and purchase some of the controlled amount of items from the actual 2013 collection. For much more information on the female fashion brand and the Art Basel event go to TEASY.COM.


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Cinque Terre, situated on the rocky coast of the Italian Riviera, is one of the most picturesque places in Italy. Sunny hillsides dotted with pastel towns, lemon trees and vineyards are perfect for hiking.
The azure waters of the Ligurian sea are often within tantalizing sight.… Continue Reading →
We've just updated our Amsterdam section with a guide to getting around the city. Head on over and check it out!… Continue Reading →
You can find Belgian beer all over the world, but for true fanatics and completists, a trip to Brussels is an efficient (and tipsy!) way to sample every beer Belgium has to offer.
Now, what makes a Belgian beer so special? First, Belgium has a long historical tradition of producing high quality beers.… Continue Reading →
Brussels' (unofficial) mascot is a statue of a small urinating boy.
This cheeky, devil-may-care child is a symbol of Belgian independence and brio. Although his origin story is a little murky, he's been happily peeing in this corner for over 700 years. He owns hundreds of outfits, sent by adoring fans and foreign dignitaries alike, and on occasion he actually pisses beer.… Continue Reading →
Belgian chocolate is world-renowned, and with good reason. Sweet, rich and creamy, it is made by hand from top-quality ingredients. Many of Brussels top chocolatiers can be found in the area surrounding the Grote Markt. It is probably a good idea to sample the fare at as many as you can before you decide on which store you are going to empty your bank account at.… Continue Reading →
When you first get off of the train in Brussels, you may be tempted to dive right into what makes Belgium famous: its beer. However, with potency ranging in the 6% to 8% ABV for a dubbel and 8% to 10% ABV for a tripel, it is best to grab a meal first, or your memories of Brussels may remind you of your college days.… Continue Reading →
London, Paris and Amsterdam: three capital cities that are amazing, gorgeous and have so much to offer. Now, you could grab a cheap flight from a budget carrier like Easyjet and fly there in under an hour, but unfortunately that does not take into account getting to and from the airports, queuing up for security and the waiting in the terminal and on the tarmac.… Continue Reading →
Following the Norman invasion of England and the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror was crowned King of England on Christmas Day, 1066. The Norman aristocrats who fought for William expected a little something for the effort, and so William handed out land. This proved unpopular with the subjugated natives, so they did what oppressed people do: rebel.… Continue Reading →
English cuisine has a lot of stereotypes assigned to it, but the one we can all agree on is that food, like pretty much everything else in England, is expensive. Vacation budgets should be used to eat food, not be eaten up by food, so in England, it becomes a bit of a challenge to find a place that provides delicious, quality food at a modest price, even when you are paying for them in pounds and pence.… Continue Reading →


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We're on the road again.
Hi. Logan here. Grylock... Grylock got so tired of writing that he ripped his pages out of the diary last week. They've been burned, and the ashes scattered to the spring winds. Don't ask me why he's so temperamental about it - not much happened last week. Maybe he's a shitty writer, and doesn't want Dragomir to see his scribblings when our fearless leader wakes up...?
Who knows.
Last week was a crapshoot that didn't turn in our favour. We stopped the Dauphine in a little walled town called Fareach. Dragomir's still out cold after Traveller's punch, and we tried to get him some qualified medical help for the severe bump on his head. The, uh, end result of that was a crumbled clinic and a healer fled. We were forced to move on without getting care for Dragomir.
You can imagine how happy Libby was to hear that. She damn near strangled Grylock to death. Then she went after Traveller for causing this mess in the first place. Sigh.
As we move away from the fertile lands of Rodentia and further west, the land is... thinning. I can't think of a better word for it. There are fewer hills, greenery is sparse, and rocks are more prominent. We ran into a stampede of tumbleweeds the other day; I'm sure you can imagine the panic that stirred up.
... yeah, no panic at all. They're tumbleweeds. Who cares about tumbleweeds?
Morale is low. Everyone's depressed about Dragomir's condition. The departure of the gypsies didn't help that much, either - their caravan took off early this morning. Their leader, Lisanna (nice lady), finally gave up on trying to coax Traveller back 'mongst the gypsies. He refuses to leave the Dauphine, and his mama is nervous following us around. Apparently we get in too much trouble, more than even gypsies are willing to weather. Yikes.
Antonio stayed with us, at least, so we have someone to watch over Traveller. Bless the lords for small favours. And he continues to teach my dad how to box, so I guess this is a semi-blessing...? Traveller won't strap on gloves again, so dad's probably safe.
Traveller. Yeesh. The man's a mope. When I first met him Traveller would never shut up. Always talking about freaking boots. Now, though? He barely says a word. Looks so contrite that even Libby isn't really mad at him anymore. Probably helps that he delivers food, medicine, and the like to Dragomir's cabin on a regular basis. I doubt Dragomir would be happy to know that Traveller's hovering by his bedside all day, but... well, Dragomir's in a coma. He doesn't get a say.
I'm writing this entry up on the observation deck. Plato's at my side, and I'm pretty sure he's staring directly into the sun. I keep telling him to look away, but he barely moves his head. If he were a few feet taller I get the feeling he would climb up on the railing and pitch himself over the side of the Dauphine. I... I, uh, guess he's just depressed about Dragomir, but... extreme.
Yikes. Sad crew is sad. Where'd all the lulz go?
I miss the open road. I haven't lmao'ed in far too long.
Continuing west,
Logan the Thief


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I Still Haven't Found... oh, wait, here it is
It's been twenty years since U2 released their ten-times-platinum, top-thirty-greatest-albums-of-all-time, magnum opus _The Joshua Tree_. To commemorate the occasion, they've remastered and re-released it - there's even a double-vinyl version for DJs and weird-beard audiophile types.
It should be out now at all good music stores (and even at lousy ones… why does HMV.com.sg redirect to HMV Hong Kong?) - make sure you buy the version with the "Remastered Audio" sticker on it, though. JRE recommends buying it, sticking it in your CD player and turning the volume up to eleven. Especially this track.
(Postscript: JRE takes no responsibility if you buy the vinyl version and attempt to stick that in your CD player.)


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Views: 722, Replies: 4 » Jump to the end
May 26, 2013 8:26 AM CST
Forgot to turn on my brain last night, and accidentally posted a photo for Canna Lily (Canna x generalis 'Ermine') that should have been for Aquatic Canna Lily (Canna 'Erebus') Erebus is a pink, whereas Ermine is a white.
I was looking around for the best way to edit/cancel or alert someone to my mistake, but came up short. Apologies if this was the wrong place to do so.
May 26, 2013 8:39 AM CST
|Go to your first entry and go to the bottom of the page and request that it be deleted. Then add it in the right place.......don;t worry. I'm sure this has happened many times. I've made similar mistakes.
Paul Smith Pleasant Grove, Utah
May 26, 2013 11:31 AM CST
Plants Admin
|I've moved the photo to Canna 'Erebus.' Paul's right, but you can also propose that the photo be moved rather than proposing that it be deleted and then resubmitting it. One step instead of two.
Visit my cubits: California Living;
Unrepentant Smokers, Unite!; Guilty Pleasures -- Reality TV
May 26, 2013 4:42 PM CST
| Thanks for the help Paul and Zuzu. I did go through the page, seeking options. Couldn't find any place to propose a change, otherwise I promise that would have been my first stop. As for deleting, I certainly wouldn't want to do so, but even then, once a plant has a photo, the plant can't be deleted (I figured I'd test it out and receive a confirmation warning, at best).
Bottom of the page, the only options I could find were:
Edit: Nevermind! Click on the photo and you can find options at the bottom. Sorry for the confusion!
[Last edited by Foreverlad - May 26, 2013 4:49 PM (+)]
| Quote | Post #413178 (4)
May 26, 2013 6:35 PM CST
Plants Admin
|I was going to tell you that you have to click on the photo, but I see you figured that out.
Visit my cubits: California Living;
Unrepentant Smokers, Unite!; Guilty Pleasures -- Reality TV
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What the U.S.–China Trade War Means for the Art Market
Artsy Editorial
Created in 1955, this color linocut is hand- signed by Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881 – Mougins, 1973) in red crayon in the lower right margin. Numbered from the edition of 200 in pencil in the lower left margin; published by Arnéra, Vallauris.
Signature: This work is hand signed by Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881 – Mougins, 1973) in red crayon in the lower right margin
Publisher: published by Arnéra, Vallauris
Baer, B. (1988). Picasso Peintre-Graveur, Tome IV, Catalogue Raisonné de l'œuvre grave et des monotypes, 1946 – 1958. Edition Kornfeld: Berne. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 1029
Bloch, G. (1984). Pablo Picasso, Volume I, Catalogue of the Printed Graphic Work 1904 – 1967. Kornfeld et Cie: Berne. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 1265
Cwiklitzer, C. (1981). Pablo Picasso: Plakate 1923 – 1973. Taschen: Munich. Listed and illustrated as plate 14.
The Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kramer Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1985). Picasso Linoleum Cuts. Random House: NY. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no 124
Rodrigo, L.C. (1992). Picasso In His Posters, Image & Work Vol. 3. Arte Ediciones: Madrid. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 041.
A prolific and tireless innovator of art forms, Pablo Picasso impacted the course of 20th-century art with unparalleled magnitude. Inspired by African and Iberian art and developments in the world around him, Picasso contributed significantly to a number of artistic movements, notably Cubism, Surrealism, Neoclassicism, and Expressionism. Along with Georges Braque, Picasso is best known for pioneering Cubism in an attempt to reconcile three-dimensional space with the two-dimensional picture plane, once asking, "Are we to paint what's on the face, what's inside the face, or what's behind it?" Responding to the Spanish Civil War, he painted his most famous work, Guernica (1937), whose violent images of anguished figures rendered in grisaille made it a definitive work of anti-war art. "Painting is not made to decorate apartments," he said. "It's an offensive and defensive weapon against the enemy." Picasso's sizable oeuvre includes over 20,000 paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, theater sets, and costume designs.
Spanish, 1881-1973, Malaga, Spain, based in Paris and Mougins, France
What the U.S.–China Trade War Means for the Art Market
Artsy Editorial
What Makes a Picasso Painting Worth $140 Million?
Artsy Editorial
What Makes Guernica Picasso's Most Influential Painting
Artsy Editorial


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The following are blogs and websites related to Baseball and baseball cards. I give no real preference to any particular site, though I have my favorites. I have thought about reviewing sites and giving awards to those that I consider the best, but who am I to judge. Everyone out there has something to say and whether they say it well or not, they are entitled to their point of view. The number of sites dedicated to baseball cards has risen dramatically over the last couple of years. This phenomenon is more likely due to an increased interest in blogging than an increased interest in baseball cards.
Read them all and make your own judgment.
The most extensive listing of baseball card related blogs and websites is provided by the Sports Cards Blog Directory .


text: NVA has extensive national networks including tens of thousands of ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. The networks include well-known optical retailers as well as independent practitioners. Your subscribers can easily locate participating providers by phone or via the web 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We will solicit new providers based on subscriber requests and have an out-of-network reimbursement capability, if your plan allows. Our philosophy is to provide your subscribers the freedom to go to the provider of their choice without compromising the cost and quality of your vision benefit.


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Quote me
"A decision made from a place of love can never be wrong, irrespective of the outcome"
Love is the litmus test.
"A decision made from a place of love can never be wrong, irrespective of the outcome"
Love is the litmus test.
Legend as it my father became a member of the elders guild of our illustrious village when he was ten years old. Our village was ensconced in the vast hill tops of the South eastern part of Nigeria. The main stay of our people was cassava. The elders guild was made up of a representative of each of the twelve families who owned the largest cassava farms. Each family usually put forward their most successful son, which of course translated to the most successful farmers. My grandfather, Aduba represented his family. My father was his first child, they were seven children in all. But his position was indisputably the most important, by virtue of his gender and position. In a world that was fiercely patriarchal, everything in their home revolved around Aduba and his first son, Azuka.
My father was a dynamic speaker. It was said just before his birth, my grandparents were visited by the village dibia. There was a prophesy. The baby would be a son, one whose words would be spooled like that of a masterful spider spinning a beautiful web. He would be a great leader.
He spoke so eloquently, with fire in his belly. His voice was strong; his speech precise, concise…beautifully crafted. His teachers called him the 'master', his parents called him their 'gift,' his peers always shouted ezeokwu k'aneku! at the delivery of any rendition. His father presented him before the guild after his tenth birthday. Many of the elders expressed their reservation but their objections were overruled by their king. When my father was given permission to address the guild, he spoke on the beauty of our great village, on its potential and its heart…the people. There was no sophistication in his presentation. He was after all a child. However, there was sincerity and a masterful looping of his words, the elders were completely bowled over.
The inclusion of my father started a trend. A member was only replaced at death. However, after Azuka joined, that rule was reviewed. My father was raised in an unusual family, for that time, that terrain. His father was a staunch 'traditionalist' who had absolute faith in his dibia. His mother a recent convert to a foreign religion. My father said he learned religious tolerance from his parents. Despite their different religions and modes of worship, he never saw any tensions between his parents. One day, he wondered out loud why his father allowed his mother practice a different religion. His father dismissed his concern with a wave of the hand, he stated: she is the same woman, she hasn't changed. When she stops cooking my onugbu soup and refuses me entrance into her chambers, then I will torch that church she goes to. He never compared but celebrated each person for their creativity and individualism.
My father despite great success in the metropolis kept gravitating back to the village. He ran a printing business but couldn't resist lending his voice to the political terrain. And it was that voice, that great voice that led to his murder, their murders. Mine was a charmed life. Or so I thought. I was an only child for so long I assumed there would not be another. I do remember a sense of loneliness for a short time but my mother's commitment towards me was so absolute, I couldn't imagine sharing her with another. Then, one day I overheard her saying a prayer. She was on her knees by her bed, her head on her pillow and though her voice was muffled, I heard her quite clearly. She was praying for another child. I was almost twelve. I tip toed back into my room and from that day on started praying also. I wanted her to be happy.
When I came home on vacation from college a few days short of my eighteenth birthday and noticed her extended abdomen, I remember picking her up and spinning her round in the garden. She screamed with laughter. My father had his glasses on the tip of his nose, sipping his Guinness. She was the most beautiful pregnant woman I had ever seen. She took me into her room and showed me the beautiful clothes she had bought for the baby. A baby. Finally, after so long. I took her into my arms again. And that was how my father found us. Her head was nestled on my chest, her arms around my waist, my arms wrapped around her….as much as her distended abdomen could allow. He laughed. Uche and his mother. We stayed in the same position. My sister was born a couple of weeks later. Adaeze.
When my grades were released that session and I did poorly in three courses, my father's disappointment was disconcerting. I remember I sat with him in his study and I could see my mother breast feeding my little sister in the garden. Adaeze's lips were firmly fastened on my mother's right nipple, her beautiful dark head cradled in the nook of my mother's arm. My mother's eyes were firmly on my sister's face. Such devotion, such intense devotion. Uche why are you not doing well in school? I told my dad in all honesty I was distracted. I was like a kid in a candy shop. First time I was having easy access to the opposite sex, parties, alcohol….I was loosing a sense of myself but at the same time, I felt I was discovering who I was. My father listened to me without interrupting. When I was done, he said something I would never forget. What you lack my dear son is singularity of purpose. You are fixated on too many things. Focus on one thing and then you will excel.
Focus, I did. I focused and excelled in my academics. My parents were happy, I was happy. The world stopped spinning. I finished school and was able, through my father's influence to get a much coveted internship with a successful minting company in Benin Republic. I returned to Benin, even after the mandatory NYSC. It was there, I got the news of my parents murder.
The loss left me a different man. My sun and moon were gone. I have gaps in my memory about that year. I believe I went into survival mode so as not to loose my mind. It is true that what doesn't kill you, definitely will make you stronger and develop spiritual muscle. My sister became mine to care for. That responsibility I embraced with what was left of me. I truly believe Adaeze gave me singularity of purpose, again. My father and mother left enough in the bank for both of us apart from a vast wealth in real estate. However, by virtue of the way they died, I didn't want to have anything to do with the Southeast. I continued to retain the same lawyer my father did but kept my distance. I moved to Lagos and secured a good job with the sister company that employed me in Benin Republic. Adaeze was my only stay. The first year was the roughest. She would wake up screaming: fire! fire! fire! Her eyes open but not seeing. In the morning, she would have no recollection of the night before. It took a bit but gradually we both started to heal. It hasn't been easy but we are both going to be fine, especially my sister.
I promised my father I would focus on one thing. I would focus on passing on the legacy my parents gave me to Adaeze. That, was and will, remain my singularity of purpose.
Ours was a simple life. My older brother was my primary care giver. Though, if I want to be honest, we took care of each other. Nnayi ukwu was what I called him-as a mark of respect. He made sure I wanted for nothing. He has been taking care of me since I was seven. Our parents were killed during a very dark time in our history. Elections were looming back then and father was a very strong voice for the opposition. The incumbent chairman of our local government fearing that he would loose the elections had put a bounty on the heads of all those who would scuttle his mandate. Our house was set ablaze while my parents slept. They were burnt beyond recognition. My brother had recently been deployed to Benin Republic by his company. I was spared because I was on admission in the hospital. My aunt, my mother's sister had spent the night with me. If not for malaria, all four of us would have perished in the fire that killed my parents.
After my parents were buried, my brother took me with him back to Lagos. We had a total of eighteen years between us. I was born just before his eighteenth birthday and named Adaeze, daughter of the king. My parents had waited long to have me. My father despite societal pressures never took a second wife, or a concubine, as is a common feature when no other baby was forth coming after my brother. My brother always used to say, our father never took another wife not because he was so in love with our mother but because he was a stubborn man. My mother was not his parents' choice but he went ahead and married her anyway. He was a principled man, he danced to the beat of his own drum. Marrying another woman, or taking a concubine would have put a blight to all the battles he had fought and won over marrying our mother.
My brother and I lived in a three bed room apartment, on the first floor. We had only two neighbors. Alhaji who lived above us and Mama Flora who lived on the ground floor. My brother was a private man. He wasn't married and I worried about him. Apart from myself and his friend Ojugo, he had no other permanent fixture in his life. Every Saturday, he would insist I try on all my clothes, while he sat on a stool sipping his Guinness. If a dress appeared just a little tight; a pair of trousers an inch or two above my ankle, he would put them in a little pile which he gave away and replace them immediately.
Alhaji was a dark man who stood a good head shorter than my brother. Apart from his cook, who doubled as his driver, he lived alone. Nnayi told me he had a house with three wives and many children. However, after suffering from a heart attack for the second time, he had abandoned his house to rent an apartment, far away from his crazy family. I found that funny though, considering he was the author of the madness he was trying to escape from.
Mama Flora was a short, skinny woman with a big mole that stood perched on her upper lip, the mole looked like a fly. Every time Mama Flora spoke, it looked like the fly was about to crawl into her mouth.Mama Flora's husband was in Abuja; or so she tells everyone who cares to listen. I have lived with my brother since I was seven; I am now fourteen. I have never seen her husband. Nnayi says she isn't married but ashamed to say so because people will not respect her. She has one daughter, or so she says; I've never seen her daughter, either. She rents the salon in front of our building and spends a full hour praying in the loudest voice before opening. She sprinkles water from her church which has been blessed by her pastor in her salon. She is always very nice to my brother. She makes my hair without charging him but my brother always insists on paying her. He will squeeze money into her hand, she will smile coyly and say.."Oga Uche abeg na, leave the money.." But he will make sure she keeps the money. I used to ask him why he always insists, since she likes me. He will throw his head back and laugh. Adaeze, my little one, what she wants I can't give biko.
Mama Flora says her church is very powerful, her pastor sees visions and prays away evil spirits. And so, that morning when I had a nightmare, a bad, bad dream that covered me with sweat and I shivered with a fever; my brother was very worried. He sat me up and fed me akamu, which came out of me after a minute. I couldn't go to school, that was obvious.He had to go to work but couldn't leave me. He tried to call his manager but network was busy. Eventually, he went to Mama Flora. She told him not to worry, she would take care of me. My mind was in a haze and I shivered more out of fear than because of the spike in my temperature. Every time I closed my eyes, the dream seemed to replay itself in my mind. Mama Flora stayed with me, she closed her shop and made me breakfast. Ada, abeg na…eat something. I kept my eyes fixed on her mole, as she bent over to give me tea to drink. I saw there was a single hair strand growing out of the fly -of -a-mole.
I told her about my dream. My brother was on his way back from work, his car was caught up in traffic. I was on the side of the road, trying to reach him. I kept on walking, then running, never catching up with him. Then, all of a sudden from the corner of my eye, I saw a big truck appear, it headed straight for my brother's car….hitting him head on. I started to cry. If anything happens to Nnayi, I don't know what I will do. She pulled me close and comforted me. Don't worry my Adaeze. I will tell my pastor. Don't tell Oga Uche o. She called someone on her phone and within thirty minutes, he had arrived. A tall skinny man, I didn't think it was possible for a man to be that skinny, but he was. He prayed with Mama Flora. I can't say for how long they prayed but I know after a while, I felt better. They sang some hymns after praying, I tried to join them but my throat was parched. By afternoon my brother had called six times. I did not tell him about the man, Mama Flora said not to.
By evening, I felt much better. I had eaten twice and kept my food down. I sprinkled the water around our apartment. The water the pastor brought for Mama Flora. When Nnayi returned from work, he was so happy to see me. He lifted me up and hugged me. Touching my face, checking my temperature. Nne, don't scare me like that again. There were tears in his eyes. After, a week I told Nnayi of the pastor. I told him, I promised Mama Flora not tell him. I was afraid he would be angry but he was not. In fact, he seemed relieved. He told me Mama Flora had told him and he was waiting for me to tell him on my own. I was confused. Why didn't she want me to tell you then? He shrugged. Maybe she wasn't sure how I would react. But her heart was in the right place. Forget it.
One day, I came back from school and met her plaiting the hair of a young girl half my age. She looked exactly like Mama Flora. "Come and meet my daughter, Adaeze". Flora was a skinny one just like her mother. She scurried off the small stool she was sitting on. "Good afternoon Auntie". I hugged her. So, she had a daughter after all! I spent a lot of time with her daughter after that. She was enrolled in my school and so we walked to school together. It was Flora that told me her Mother's story. Her father, Mama Flora's husband had abandoned her mother shortly after her first birthday. He had absconded with another woman to Abuja. He had recently been arrested by EFCC. Her step mother had packed up everything she could lay her hands on and called Mama Flora to come and pick her daughter. She said her mother wept with joy when she saw her. For as long as she could remember, she had wondered about her mother.
One day, I hope Nnayi ukwu will start to like her. He still shakes his head though, telling me: Adaeze, my little one, what she wants I can't give biko.
It was a routine procedure. The doctor had assured me, the night before. He told me not to worry."Your mum will be out of surgery in no time". That day was anything but routine.
The last quarter of that year had been blighted by series of hospital stays, health challenges you tried to shrug off; challenges that hung over us like a dark curtain. I didn't see it coming, none of us did. You were our oak. The strong beautiful tree that cast her branches for our shelter. The one whose strong roots gave us stability, our quiet place of abode. And so, when my oak began to quake, in denial-I refused to see the signs.
The night before the surgery, I arrived late…..visiting time was almost over. We exchanged kisses and I started to tell you about my day. You seemed strangely disconnected, pensive, as if your mind was else where. After a bit of small talk, you handed me your bible and told me to read to you Psalm 109. My stomach started to knot with fear. The contents disturbed me. Funny thing though, when I was done you seemed more cheerful, more connected. When I bent over to kiss you goodnight, the strange disconnect had descended, again.
The following day, I had an important board meeting but all I thought about was getting to the hospital. Hoping I could shake the feeling of unease that had enveloped me from the night before. It was a miracle I made it there in one piece considering I drove like a bat out of hell. You were already in surgery, and so I stayed with Daddy; both of us not speaking. I was speaking to God, making deals attached to your safe and full recovery. 'I will be a better person, I will……I will……'As if a person's destiny cannot be truncated by vows. With each promise that left my lips, I felt a deeper sense of despondency. It's been over a decade and I still remember that day like a disturbing sequence of events I have tried to banish from thought but still replays itself, in slow motion.Then, I saw two of my father's colleagues in LUTH, neither meeting our eyes. They led him away, I followed closely behind, knowing but not accepting. I heard a deep, curling scream and wondered who was yelling-then- realizing, it was me.
I have read stories of people describing their days in color: yellow depicts a sunny day; blue relating to visiting a body of water; white connotes a wintry horizon. A couple of people have asked me how I felt when my mum was taken. Black would be my color of choice. For until you have walked that path of loss, the deepest loss- where your heart feels like its been ripped from your chest , where tears stop and all that's left is maddening screams; it's indescribable. Pitch blackness, absolute blackness. I remember the following days in shades of grey: Receiving visitors; I was in auto pilot. I spoke, but have no recollection of what I said, or to whom. Rarely eating. Hardly sleeping.
I would lock myself in your closet, cramped in a corner immersing myself in the fading scent of your perfume. As your scent faded, I was reminded you were gone. My mind would drift back in time and I would remember snap shots of memories; vibrant colors that came to the fore, as the darkness threatened to engulf me. Our relationship, a beautiful tapestry woven by a strong bond of love and trust. As a child, you were a disciplinarian, never faltering in your responsibilities. As I hit my teens and the flash flood of friends hit the horizon, our relationship transitioned into one of friendship- a great friendship. A friendship that enriched me with a fountain of wisdom, one I still drink from. You were my confidante. There was nothing I didn't and couldn't tell you. You were my compass.
Over the years, l make myself anxious when I make a decision, second guessing myself, not having my compass has not been easy. However, when I get to a cross road I remember your words: A decision made from a place of love can never be wrong, irrespective of the outcome. Love is the litmus test.
As another year rolls around, another anniversary of your transition, I remember the last two verses of Psalm 109: With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the throng of worshipers I will praise Him. For He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them.
Elvira and I met at the beginning of a year long beginners violin class. I had always wanted to learn the instrument but could never find the time until then.She was a bubbly, smiling woman who stood barley five feet tall. A second generation immigrant; her parents originally from Malaysia. The program was three times a week and so,we spent a good amount of time in each others company.Her husband, I rarely saw but her daughter, her only offspring she was rarely without.
Her daughter was a lovely slip of a girl with beautiful brown eyes. She had a head thick with long, thick ringlets; I always wondered how her mother was able to brush. Her daughter was enrolled in a vibrant program which catered to speech, physical and occupational therapy of children with learning and broad spectrum disabilities in a private school. Prior to meeting Elvira, I knew very little of broad spectrum disorders. We spent long hours in each others company. Her spouse had a very demanding schedule and worked long hours, so, she shouldered most of the responsibilities involved with raising their daughter.
She opened the window into her world, initially I hesitated but charmed by her devotion to her daughter; I climbed through the window and joined them….a quiet spectator. I watched her struggle with the emotional and physical demands of catering to her child.
Iman was five years old but her communicative skills was, at best, that of a year old. She communicated verbally in grunts, and was not yet fully potty trained. She had a green marble she could spend hours looking at, holding it up towards the sun to watch the flashes of iridescent light. She would twirl it around on the car seat, roll it on the table during her lunch breaks. If her mother left her with her nanny, she displayed no separation anxieties. However, if she lost her marble she would scream and throw such a fit, you would think someone was trying to kill her. Her repetitive movements: rocking back and forth on her heels and clicking her tongue as she played with her marble made me ask more and more questions about autism. Elvira supplied me with many materials on the disorder. I watched the Temple Grandin movie and read several literature. I attended symposiums with her on some weekends and my admiration for her grew.
Her marriage had not escaped without being singed with fire. The fire of tension that came with the challenges of caring for a child with special needs. Her husband was a big, burly man with a gentle disposition. He was a great father and husband but they had faltered under the weight of caring for Iman.
She came from a relatively large family. The first of six children, her parents had been delightfully excited about the baby. It was her mother who first noticed Iman had stopped making eye contact at four months old….and then other symptoms raised their ugly heads. She didn't respond to stimuli and shied away from being touched. Elvira and her husband were devastated. Her parents kept on hoping, even after the prognosis. She told me she could not afford to hope like her parents did."I won't be able to make the right choices for my daughter if I am constantly roaming in the corridor of hope. I won't be able to open doors for her to walk through".
In the beginning, she imagined something twisted and ugly in her DNA had somehow corrupted her baby. She cried till she was hoarse, cursing the body that brought forth her daughter. She had struggled with infertility for several years, you see. Several miscarriages and procedures into their marriage, Iman was born. Her husband tried to be supportive but their relationship continued to spiral. Frustrated in their relationship, he picked up more hours at his job, staying away from a wife he could not encourage, a child he could not 'fix' to some how compensate with more income.
She told me how on her daughter's fifth birthday, her siblings ignored Iman. How they spent the whole afternoon oohing and aahing over her nephew who was a year younger than her daughter. I didn't know how to empathize without being a hypocrite. One of the symptoms of autism is resistance to affection due to sensory overload. How do you bond with a child you cannot hug, you cannot kiss or show affection to? Difficulty in showing expressions of affection for a third party could be so easily frustrating. I remember a birthday party I attended many years ago with my children where a boy who suffered from some pervasive developmental disorder became disruptive. I remember his mother's embarrassment, how she unsuccessfully tried to soothe him. I remember the knot in my belly as I tried to explain to my children he was not deliberately being naughty. My relationship with Elvira showed me where my heart had been. It wasn't nice.
My Elvira continues to care for Iman with absolute devotion.Today, I celebrate her and all parents out there who persist in the face of adversity. Your children may not be perfect, but whose is?
I am not a fan of reality television. In fact, if I want to be honest, I can say boldly, I hate it and for one simple reason:reality tv isn't reality. Its censored,edited to cater to the whims and caprices of its audience. If you believe otherwise, then you have been successfully sold. Why would I watch reality tv, anyway, when I can watch real, I mean real reality uncut during my train commute.
My commute is precious time for me. Its the only time I can hear myself think…and when I say think, I mean the only time there is only one voice…mine, in my head. I am able to read, listen to music but more importantly enjoy the many strangers around me. Most of them bent over: peering at their phones, working on their laptops,some with eyes closed listening to music,a few with their mouths ajar, fast asleep.
During the course of my commute, I have witnessed many an altercation. Is it the man who assailed our ear drums with colorful expletives seriously vexed because his 'baby mama' denied him access to their mutual seed, or the two women who pulled at each others' badly done weaves because they both caught each other cheating…..that particular altercation had to be disrupted by Chicago's Finest. There has been random ugliness in the mix:once I barely missed stepping on a turd…your guess is as good as mine where that could have "fallen" from. I have met many a curious individuals and had quite a bit of great conversations with perfect strangers during my commute.
Of all my experiences, the ones that usually strike me as bizarre and for the life of me, I can never get used to, are those who 'lip lock' in public. Now don't get me wrong,I have absolutely nothing against public display of affection. But. When two people of either different, or same sex decide to lip lock with such intensity to the full glare of fellow commuters, including children…!It always leaves me flustered, for lack of a better word. I always imagine myself ringing a bell over their heads…..or pouring water from a wide basin, like the one used by my former neighbor Mama Inibong to fetch water back home. But wait, maybe I am too conservative, maybe I should appreciate the reckless abandonment of some folks in expressing themselves….no,I don't think I can embrace that culture. I will continue to enjoy my commute but fix my eyes on the real reality I enjoy.
My wife has always been a home body. She has two degrees in Biochemistry and graduated top 10% of her class. She is a great companion and the best cook a man could ask for. Which for me is a big plus because I love to eat. She did not want to work after we got married and I did not insist. Her parents initially thought I was the one who wanted her at home but they soon found out their daughter has her own mind and dances to the beat of her own drum. A strong dependable woman, my Ellis. My income was more than enough anyway and so, I was fine with her choice.
I always arrive at home at 5pm like clock work. I was a creature of habit. I always woke up at 5am for as long as I could remember, maybe it was from having a policeman has a father. He always woke me before he showered. My main chore during the week was to polish his black shoes. "Polish till I see my teeth in the reflection". Which I wondered was never possible because his teeth were different shades of brown. Years of cigarette abuse had done its damage to his dentition.
Back to my wife. My beautiful wife! I always arrive home on time and so when I arrive at home and the familiar smell of various spices which wreck havoc to my salivary glands is missing, I know something is very wrong. I find her curled on her favorite arm chair deeply engrossed in a book. Book?! I try very hard to keep my voice steady. She knows I don't snack.I always look forward to my meals. "Ambrose…you are back?"She dashes away to prepare my meal. Hours later I wake up with a start to find her reading the same book with her bedside lamp. I remember she didn't sit with me during my meal earlier on in the day, I recall she has been reading the same book quite intently for a couple of days now. She has always been a studious one, so I wasn't surprised she was reading but the way she hugged the book, close to her bosoms made me curious.
Fifty shades of grey. What curious name I think when I see the back of the book. I notice she takes the book to the bathroom, kitchen,salon….' Whenever I ask what the book is about, she responds with shrugs and gestures to imply its not important but what will lead Ellis to forget my meal was important to me. After she was done with the book, I decided to give it a go. I was surprised my church going, bible verse spewing wife was so taken in on the piece of literature. I asked her what the attraction was, she laughed and said everyone was reading it. By everyone she meant all her female friends, I assumed. So, you can imagine my shock when she told me my mother was actually the owner of the book she was reading. My mother? Reading fifty shades of grey? I picked my jaw off the ground where it fell and faced my plate of food.
How did I become this person? I believe myself to be an even keeled woman. A go getter, emotionally stable. I am not the kind that needs validation from a man, or her friends for that matter. But here I am, fumbling in the darkness of confusion, mad at you but if I am honest, more mad at myself. I am angry at what I have allowed myself to happen to me again, after promising myself for the umpteenth time I am not going down this road, again. This road where I loose myself in a relationship and begin this false expectation to a future…. I, only see.
When I met you those two years ago, you were a welcome breeze. A fun, happy go lucky man. I was sick and tired of the older men I seem to attract in my corporate world. I wanted a change. Someone, who I could enjoy a cold beer with, watch sports and discuss politics with. Someone who didn't find my opinions childishly optimistic. In a world plagued by continuous mass killings, where the news is constantly agog with reports of the death of innocents…everyone I met seemed jaded by their experiences. But you, my fine boy, with the dimple on the right cheek…. you were supposed to be better….or at least I hoped you would be better.
When you took the job you had been hoping for, the job we had been praying for; I was very excited. In fact, I shopped online for a change of wardrobe…. remember, we browsed the web for great deals, together. It was our great break for I had stopped using me, I…somewhere in our relationship, I had gone from using me, I to denote singularity and I was fixated on we…us…' I seemed to stop being me, and it was all about you. So, when I had to struggle to be heard over the clutter of your friends, the responsibilities your job, yes…your job brought into our relationship, I knew I couldn't do this any more. And because I know you, I knew what would put you off. I couldn't find it in myself to leave you, so I committed relationship suicide by being everything you didn't want in a woman: I started to whine and complain.
I knew when my calls were no longer picked at the first ring, I was succeeding. And so when you gave the speech about my wanting more from our relationship,I stifled a sob because you are so right. I want more of you ode not a ring…well, not yet. And so, on the anniversary of our break up, I am right back where I started:in an expensive restaurant, on a date with a single older man, whose eyes are politely bored at my discourse on the middle eastern crises but glued, to my cleavage.
*ode is Yoruba for fool
I got your text an hour ago. The contents are not enough to share. You say I don't spend enough time with you. You say I spend too much time with my friends, I drink too much….your complaints are endless.
I remember when I met you. I was with my usual crew of friends, you were with yours. I caught your eye across the room and was immediately smitten. I survived your friends' inquisition and was subsequently enveloped into your crew.
I enjoyed you, I enjoyed us. Your ability to be a guy's girl.Our first year together went fast, a flurry of stolen kisses and rowdy parties. I don't know and can't say exactly when things started to change. I got a great job offer and you seemed excited for me, for us. My new job entailed a longer commute, you seemed to be understanding, at first. I couldn't make the commute to have dinner with you again on Wednesdays and my weekends with the boys became a topic of great trepidation. You stopped being understanding and started being that girlfriend the guys and I said we would never put up with. But put up with you I did, because somewhere in my subconscious I hoped the girl I fell for will reappear.
Now I don't pick up your calls anymore at the first ring. No, I wait till it goes to voicemail. I wait to brace myself for the guarded conversation about to take place. You ask me where our relationship is going. I wonder when our relationship became a destination and stopped becoming a journey. A great adventure of sorts, where I stumble on something new, something special. I don't say much but listen. If I am honest, I know in my heart its over. I don't say the usual: It's not you but me. I tell you exactly how I feel. I tell you, I don't think I am what you want. I have stayed the same but you want more. You hang up stifling tears. I lay on my bed, tired and immediately delete your number, hoping in doing so I can some how delete the past year and a half.
I spend the next couple of months in a haze of work. I join a gym, hoping in pounding my body into shape I can take my mind off the hole in my heart. I know your expectations our relationship become more than it was is flattering for me. That I would become husband material just by your wanting it though, laughable. On the first anniversary of our break up, I was right back where we started: across the room with my mates having a drink and like de ja vu I saw a beautiful woman with her crony of friends; this time…I looked away.
Today, I looked up an old friend of mine. We were friends as freshmen in college, twenty five long years ago. The years have flown by so fast. I was sixteen, a free spirit; he was eighteen, cocky, funny with a winsome, easy smile. We were innocent, without the many layers that come with age and blighting experiences.
We had common friends, so we moved in the same social circuit. Attended the same parties, dated each others friends. The beauty of youth minus the pressures of paying bills and caring for children.
We had our futures in front of us. We all had stars in our eyes in those days and the world was our oyster. So, today we spent the morning together. Met for a late breakfast and caught up on the happenings in our individual lives. Our respective spouses were absent, so there was no need to pick topics, looking for comfortable grey areas that would not alienate them.
We talked about an old girlfriend of his. It's been eons since they broke up but he still wanted to talk about it. I thought that it was sweet. I guess in walking backwards in time to determine what went wrong, we try to fix the future. They were no longer together but the circle of friendship still existed…..some friends closer than others. We spoke about the girlfriends he did away with before finding his missing rib. What made him make up his mind about her and how from knowing what he didn't want in a woman, he found what he really wanted.
He laughed at what he called my ability to analyze behavioral patterns to the letter; how he could never win an argument with me. I found it extremely refreshing, our ability to communicate with candor without feeling judged. The simplicity and honesty of expressions, not putting each other under a microscope.
Candor is so lacking in our generation. We always feel the need to wear a mask. We hide our pain, anxieties and fears from each other. Always trying to measure up to some high expectations we have set for ourselves. Thus putting pressure on our selves and relationships with our loved ones. We wear our plastic smiles all day……..and when it slips, we rush into the powder room to put it back in place!
After we say our goodbyes, I feel six feet taller. Him, with the same winsome smile, though his smile is now framed with a hoary mustache and beard.
He reinforces my commitment to my special circle of friends. Some are faces from the past. People I used to care deeply about. Circumstances and pressures have driven some away from the circumference, but they remain within the arc of interest.
Old friends are definitely better than new ones. They know your "quirks and twists". Though you have long months of silence , you pick up from where your last conversation stopped with no hard feelings.They stay true,their interest in you is not feigned.
"An old friend is like wine, its true value is in its antiquity"


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The 715-618 exchange is serviced by the following companies within the ANTIGO ratecenter.
Calls are routed via OCN 7642 on a Cellular Mobile Carrier Switching System switch located in the Antigo, Wisconsin area.
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Welcome to the Virus Encyclopedia of Panda Security.
Windows 98/95
Sledge.734.A is a virus that spreads to other computers by copying its code to other files or programs.
Sledge.734.A does not spread automatically using its own means. It needs an attacking user's intervention in order to reach the affected computer. The means of transmission used include, among others, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, email messages with attached files, Internet downloads, FTP, IRC channels, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing networks, etc.
Sledge.734.A uses the following infection strategies:


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Evanston's 2nd Ward Ald. Lionel Jean Baptiste will resign his city council seat for a position as Circuit Judge of Cook County, 9th Subcircuit.
His appointment to judge, effective March 4, was announced Jan. 10 in the Illinois Supreme Court. He fills a vacancy created by the death of Judge Gerald C. Bender.
Jean Baptiste, an attorney, first joined the council in 2001. He is expected to announce his resignation, effective Feb. 28, at Monday night's City Council meeting.
"It's been a great ride," he said of his time as alderman. "I've been honored to serve as 2nd Ward alderman."


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Business Business Services Communications Translation Single Language French and English
This category is for sites offering translation from English to French, from French to English, and related services in French and English only. Sites offering more than two languages are listed in the regional category under Multiple_Language.
Related categories 1
Sites 64
A. Dobigeon & C. De Crignis
Anne Dobigeon and Catherine De Crignis. Two freelance translators, both working from English into French. Located in France.
Access France
Language instruction and translation, in French. Help with travel plans to France.
Adelaide Translation
English-to-French translations, based in Toronto, Canada.
Alex Edelman and Associates
Proofreading and technical writing for non-mothertongue English speakers, in the biosciences and medical research fields.
Translation, editing and proofreading in French and English. Company based in Montréal, Québec, Canada. Site in English and French.
Anglo Franco Communications
Translating services from French to English and vice-versa. Ottawa, Ontario.
Anne LeMaire
Translates medical and dental text between English and French.
Anne Pietrasik
Freelance medical translator and interpreter living in France. UK qualified registered General Nurse, French qualified Psychomotor Therapist.
Antoine Emeriaud
Translation from English into French. Specialization in technical translation and audio-visual localization.
Automotive Translation Services
Translates documents and cd-roms describing mechanical and electronic systems - from English to French.
BiWord Translations
English to French translation, transcription, proofreading and subtitling. Toronto, Ontario.
CC Translation
English and French translation of technical projects, web sites, and general business. Located in Whitby, Ontario, Canada |
CC Translation
Professional English to French translation Whitby, Ontario.
Translation in English and French.
Communications PDG
Specializes in French copywriting, translation and adaptation from English for marketing and advertising in the Canadian and North American markets.
Cote Mitchell
Translation and copy-editing from French into English. Paul Raymond and Constantia Mitchell from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Site in English and French.
Exact Translations
Translation services in Canada including general and medical translation as well as product labelling. Lists past clients.
Localization and translation into French for business and export. Rates, services and portfolio. Based in Vancouver, BC.
English to French translation for environmental, IT and travel and tourism texts.
French Translation
Provides English to French translation of all types of documents. Includes examples of previous areas of work.
French Translations
French to English translation services based in South Africa.
French-English Translator
Translator and proof-reader, mainly from French to English. Bilingual site.
Sworn translation in French and English.
English to French translation. Includes pricing. Quebec, Canada.
Provides English and French translation services in business, technical and HTML/website areas. Based in Alberta, Canada.
Johnny Translates
Freelance translator based in Montreal, Canada, offering English to French translation service and also writing and voice-over in French.
Joshua L. Sigal
Freelance translator. Client list, samples and rates. Bilingual site.
Just French Translation
English to French translation service based in Huntington Beach, California.
KES Translate
Translation, proofreading and editing from French to English, in the business and environmental fields.
Kevin L. Erwin, Biomedical Translation
French to English translation and other linguistic services in the field of biomedical sciences.
Kevin Solan
Translation and audio work in English and French.
A La Carte Translations
English to French translation and proof-reading services for businesses and individuals.
A La French
French - English translation and interpretation services. Based in South Africa.
La Ruche
Translation and copywriting in English and French. Company in Québec, Canada.
Laidley Corporation
English to French translation based in Ottawa, Canada.
A Langue L'Aise
French to English translations and proof reading by English mother tongue bilingual translator. Based in Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
Les Traductions MAC Translations
Translations for French markets in Canada and Europe. Also offers desktop publishing. Quebec based.
Lexème etc. inc.
English-French, French-English, translation, adaptation, copywriting, proofreading, revision, scripting, subtitles. Located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Lorraine Translation
Translation in English and French.
Lottie White Translation
Provides a full service French-to-English translation and revision service. Broad range of subject areas including forestry, environmental issues, industry and engineering. Based in Toronto, Canada.
Lucie Joyal
Certified translation in English and French. Bilingual site, services.
Translation in English and French. Single page.
Marc Jaspard
Interpreting and translation services in French and English. Single page.
Marie-France Arnou
Translation from English into French. Includes credentials and services provided. Based in France.
Michel Mullejans
Professional English to French translator with 25 years of experience. Includes details of services and references.
Naked Translations
Translation and interpreting between English and French. Includes a translation weblog.
Paule Bourbonnais
English-French translation by a professional translator. Based in Quebec, Canada.
Property Translations
Helps consumers with translation relating to property conveyancing in France.
Real Translation
Technical translation in English and French, in the combustion, mineral industry and IT fields.
Renaud Expertise
Translation, revising and proofreading in English and French in the aerospace, automotive, engineering and information fields.
Robert K. Henderson
Translation in French and English, Canada.
Sandrine Constant-Scagnetto
Translation from English to French, based in Paris.
Sci-Tech Translations
Translation from French to English.
Scott's Quality Translations
Freelance translator based in the United States. Details of specialisation and experience.
Segment Scientific & Language Integration
Technical translation in the fields of science, technology and medicine, from English into French. Toronto based.
Technospeak Technical Translations
Translation in English and French for businesses and commercial fields.
English to French translation, based in Sterling, Virginia, USA.
Translation in English and French, based in France.
Translation in English and French in the medical field.
TransCanada Translations
Translation services from English to French Canadian. Sudbury, Ontario.
Translation from French to English.
Translate Solution
Translation in English and French. Agency in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Tressa Rappold
Translation and interpretation in French and English.
Word 4 Word
Specialist in basic and technical English to French and French to English translation. Acton, Ontario.
Other languages 1
Last update:November 27, 2016 at 4:28:32 UTC
All Languages


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Large Chesterfield Farmhouse Chandelier in Americana Black
The Large Chesterfield Chandelier is a beautifully proportioned larger chandelier that will work well in a country kitchen or dining room. Graceful arms extending from the hand spun body will add country inn charm to your home.
- Measures 20.5-Inches high and 27-Inches diameter
- Includes canopy kit, 7-feet of cord and 3-feet of chain for hardwire installation; Candelabra sockets, 6 x 60 watts maximum wattage
- UL Listed for dry locations
- Textured Black finish with textured black arms and crimped pans
- Made in the USA
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
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Shipping Details
Shipping from : United States (US)
|Within United States (US)
Return Policy
We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase on Farmhouse Touches. If you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact us within 14 days of the purchase for a refund less original shipping charges. Items should be returned to us within 30 days of purchase. Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value. Custom or personalized orders are not eligible for returns. However, if there's a problem with this type of order, we will work hard to correct the issue.
Ships From: United States (US)
SKU: 9206TBOR Category: Chandeliers


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(MENAFN - Arab Times) The Under-secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor Mansour Al-Mansour says all types of visa applications will be received at the various departments of the ministry as of Monday, Jan 4, 2010, reports Al-Shahid daily.
In a statement to the daily Al-Mansour stressed the labor departments will accept applications to issue work permits for certain exceptional groups, and transfer from one sponsor to another under Article 18 of the private sector, as well as transfers from other articles to Article 18.
In the meantime, he added applicants renewing their residencies and other labor related applications will be handled in different departments of the ministry, indicating the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor issued a circular around mid-December 2009 to suspend all application processes in the labor sector, purposely to review the total number of applications at the various labor departments in 2009.
Meanwhile, sources in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor revealed the transfer of business visit visa to work permits in the private sector is ongoing.
The sources added the time limit for transferring expatriates' work permits in the private sector without conditions will end by April 15, 2010, indicating the transfer will be carried out for three months.
"The decision number 1104 of the Council of Ministers specifying the percentage of citizens to work in the private sector will be implemented by March 19, 2010" sources told the daily.
Meanwhile, the Director of Charities and Foundations at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor Nasser Al-Ammar confirmed the ministry is keen on organizing activities of the charity societies in the country based on suitable regulations, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.
In an interview with the daily, Al-Ammar clarified the ministry has set the requirements for official launching of new charity societies in the country.
He stressed the sector has completed internal bylaws to direct the higher committee formed by the Cabinet to organize charity activities in the country, and in transparency.
In response to the means of coordinating with the central bank to control donations at the local banks, Al-Ammar said the ministry, with the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), issued a circular to the banks barring them from opening accounts, or making any funds transfer transactions for unlicensed charity societies or committees, indicating the Exchange Companies must be committed to the circular.
He added the department has set up a mechanism for granting licenses to the charities, whereas they must forward official letter to undersecretary of the ministry, and fulfill other procedures.
Meanwhile, Al-Ammar stressed the department has adopted strict measures to confront any authority violating regulations, and noted it faces difficulties through the number of offices required for operation. He said only eleven offices are available, although no less than twenty offices are needed.
He pointed out the department is short of efficient personnel in the field, and in dire need of several specifications for the social research field, plus accounts, management, law and inspections personnel...etc.
He reiterated 10 charity societies and 125 of their affiliated committees; besides 70 other charities are not yet answerable to the department.


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Council to be held in Crete
Date Posted: January 25, 2016
The Romanian Patriarchate continues to be the best source of information about the developments at the synaxis. The following link conveys some very exciting news. http://basilica.ro/sfantul-si-marele-sinod-panortodox-se-va-intruni-in-creta-grecia--111604.html I have pasted the Google translation below: His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church said Sunday, January 24, 2016, that the Holy Great Pan-Orthodox Synod in June this year will meet in Crete (Greece) and not Constantinople (Turkey), as it was established so far. His Beatitude announced this today during a visit to the Chapel of the Romanian community in Geneva. "We hope that the joy of the Holy and Great Pan-Orthodox Synod will be held in June, close to Pentecost or Pentecost. This time we can say that it will not take place in Constantinople as planned, but in Crete because it should be in a Christian Orthodox country. Turkey is now eminently a Muslim country, and we hope that in the coming days to finalize the text for which a consensus has not yet been reached and conclude the work that lasts 50 years or more. We said that this future council is not the last, it is not an eschatological council preceding the end of the world, but a good start for other councils every 5, 7 or 10 years, because new problems appear, " said the Patriarch of Romania . As you know, Crete is a part of the nation of Greece, but it is not under the jurisdiction of the Church of Greece. Rather, it is under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The church in Crete goes back to apostolic times. Saint Paul visited Crete on his fourth missionary journey, and Titus became the first bishop of Crete. Let us hope and pray that the words of Patriarch Daniel are not overly optimistic and that the synaxis will successfully complete its work this week. Romfea.gr has reported, based on unspecified sources, that certain matters have now been resolved and that progress is being made at the synaxis. http://www.romfea.gr/diafora/6091-ekleise-to-kommati-tis-thematologias-tis-panorthodojou A 6-minute video showing Patriarch Daniel's address to the synaxis may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_ZLybirSVo . The primates celebrated together the Divine Liturgy this morning at Chambesy. Photos of the liturgy can be seen at http://www.romfea.gr/epikairotita-xronika/6082-diorthodojo-sulleitourgo-sto-sampezu-tis-geneuis and http://www.amen.gr/article/labri-diorthodoksi-theia-leitourgia-sto-sabezy . The latter link states that the delegation of the Patriarchate of Antioch did not participate in the liturgy because Antioch has severed communion with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the Patriarch of Jerusalem was involved in the liturgy. This certainly indicates that the Qatar jurisdictional dispute has not yet been resolved. Peter Anderson, Seattle USA