text:
Special Feature
"It's really refreshing to just allow this fight to speak for itself." - Rashad Evans
All that matters is this fight.
The last fight is history, and what comes next is completely unknown, so heading into UFC 161, all Rashad Evans is thinking about are Dan Henderson and the task at hand.
That's a very different mindset and set of circumstances than what the former Ultimate Fighter winner and UFC light heavyweight champion has usually encountered during fight week.
A fixture at or near the top of the 205-pound weight class for the better part of the last five years, each of Evans' last 10 or 11 fights have been accompanied by championship implications and one eye on the future. For the first time in quite some time, the former Michigan State Spartan isn't paying attention to anything other than making his 17th trip into the Octagon Saturday night at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
"It's really refreshing to just allow this fight to speak for itself," said Evans, who will headline his 11th UFC event this weekend. "There are so many times when I compete it always becomes about what's next and what's next and what's next. If all the while you're considering what's next, you're not looking in front of you at what's happening right now – you're not really present.
"My last fight when I was going to fight Nogueira," Evans continues, referencing his UFC 156 encounter with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, "all everybody was talking about was me fighting Anderson Silva. I'm like, `Wait a minute – I've gotta get past Nogueira.' Then I lose, and nobody's talking about Anderson Silva no more.
"It doesn't matter. All the hypotheticals? It absolutely means nothing, so what's the sense in talking about it? I'm going to let my body of work speak for itself."
Though he enters Saturday's contest on the first two-fight losing streak of his career, Evans' overall body of work is rather impressive.
Over his 26 fight career – the 33-year-old has shared the cage with a who's who of the light heavyweight division, including a pair of Hall of Famers, two fighters poised for induction next month in Las Vegas, and several fighters who remain fixtures in the 205-pound title picture.
Getting the chance to share the cage with the legends he's faced and adding Henderson's name to that list this weekend is something Evans takes great pride in.
"I get super-proud to be able to share the Octagon and fight against a guy like Dan Henderson. When I first started fighting, all I wanted more than anything was to compete against some of the best guys in my time, and having a chance to compete against Dan Henderson, and the Chuck Liddells and Tito Ortizes and guys like that – Jon Jones – some of the best athletes of my time, it's amazing."
But don't let Evans' sentimentality and willingness to reflect on his career be misconstrued as an indication that he's ready to pull the plug.
During the preamble to his fight with Nogueira at UFC 156, Evans discussed his interest in continuing the analyst work he does on various UFC broadcasts once he retires in the Countdown special for the February fight card. When he came out flat in a losing effort against the Brazilian veteran, many started to question whether the former champion already had one foot out the door, including UFC President Dana White.
"I had a let down performance, and all of a sudden I'm retiring?" Evans asks rhetorically. "I was like, `Damn – I've only lost three fights, and now they're talking about I want to retire.' They've got to believe that I have more inside of me than that.
"I can lose; it can happen. It's not like if I lose I have to retire because I've lost three times. Most fighters in the UFC have six or seven or ten losses. It's just the lumps that come along the way, and you've got to get better from it. You've got to grow each and every time. I'm not retiring. I'm young, I'm young in this sport, and I love to fight."
If anything, Evans envisions Saturday's main event meeting with the former PRIDE and Strikeforce champion Henderson as a chance to press reset, and start making another run towards the light heavyweight championship. That starts with rebounding from one of the worst performances of his career.
Back in February against Nogueira, Evans simply could not pull the trigger. Despite feeling great in the back, when he stepped in the cage, the quick-handed light heavyweight was unable to get off with his hands. After 15 minutes with minimal action, he came out on the wrong side of the scorecards.
"It happens sometimes – you have those performances where you just don't got it that night," says Evans. "It's what happens in competitive sports. Sometimes you're on-point, some times it takes a little bit to get it going."
That night at UFC 156, the charismatic former champion couldn't get it going at all, and heading into Saturday's headlining contest opposite Henderson, Evans says he's not concerned about being unable to flip the switch for a second consecutive fight.
"For me, the switch has to come long before I step into the cage. It has to be something that I breathe all the way through training camp. It's not just going to come - be able to hit a button and it shows up on fight night. It has to be something that's there at five in the morning when I'm doing my runs or when I'm hitting my heavy bag in the garage or I'm doing whatever I gotta do.
"I gotta make sure that I'm wanting to be there, I'm enjoying it, I'm doing all the things I need to do, so that when it comes time to fight, I did all that hard work, and now this guy has to pay for it. He's got to pay for all the hard things that I'm doing to myself because I didn't do it for nothing."
This time around, Evans is confident he's done everything necessary to allow him to flip the switch come fight night. Part of that has come from working with the latest addition to the coaching staff of The Blackzilians – three-time Olympian and two-time medalist Kenny Monday.
"Coach Kenny is a man after my own heart, and he's definitely a coach like Coach Van (Mike Van Arsdale)," says Evans. "When Coach Van left, I missed him terribly. Me and Coach Van were really good friends, and he was my coach. To lose in front of him was like a nightmare, and him pushing me helped propel me to be the fighter that I was. To have Coach Kenny, it's great because he know how to push me along the same lines as Van did.
"Coach Kenny, he has that leadership quality that we needed on the team. When you have a guy that's used to controlling the wrestling team – and wrestlers are animals – and keeping it regimented, it's good to have a guy like that in control."
While he won't go as far as to call his recent struggles a positive, it's clear that his back-to-back losses have impacted Evans, and helped set him back on course to compete alongside the best the light heavyweight ranks have to offer.
"It has taken the stumbles to kind of reset (my focus) because when you're competing, and you're used to going through the motions, doing the same things camp after camp after camp, it gets kind of monotonous, and you lose your focus a bit. You're going through the motions a bit because you've done it so many times, so you kind of need those things in life that happen – these setbacks – to kind of refocus on `this is where I'm at; this is where I need to be.'"
Saturday night, he'll be back in the Octagon, ready to flip the switch against Henderson, who he expects to come out aggressively, looking to cut off the cage and control the distance, something he was unable to do in his previous bout with Lyoto Machida.
Evans, however, wants to make one thing clear to his 42-year-old foe.
"I'm not running; I'm not going nowhere. I'm not going to be trying to evade too much. If he comes to my area, he's going to get fired on; that's basically it.
"If he wants to, we can just burn it out in the center of the Octagon and see who's left standing."
Do those words sound like a man ready to retire?
Power Slap


text:
By Janice Helwig and Mischa Thompson, Policy Advisors
Since 1999, the OSCE participating States have convened three "supplementary human dimension meetings" (SHDMs) each year – that is, meetings intended to augment the annual review of the implementation of all OSCE human dimension commitments. The SHDMs focus on specific issues and the topics are chosen by the Chair-in-Office. Although they are generally held in Vienna – with a view to increasing the participation from the permanent missions to the OSCE – they can be held in other locations to facilitate participation from civil society.
The three 2010 SHDMs focused on gender issues, national minorities and education, and religious liberties. But 2010 had an exceptionally full calendar – some would say too full. In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings, ad hoc meetings included:
A February 9-10 expert workshop in Mongolia on trafficking;
A March 19 hate crimes and the Internet meeting in Warsaw;
A June 10-11th meeting in Copenhagen to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Copenhagen Document;
A (now annual) trafficking meeting on June 17-18; and
A high-level conference on tolerance June 29-30 in Astana.
The extraordinary number of meetings also included an Informal Ministerial in July, a Review Conference (held in Warsaw, Vienna and Astana over the course of September, October, and November) and the OSCE Summit on December 1-2 (both in Astana).
Promotion of Gender Balance and Participation of Women in Political and Public Life
The first SHDM of 2010 was held on May 6-7 in Vienna, Austria, focused on the "Promotion of Gender Balance and Participation of Women in Political and Public Life." It was opened by speeches from Kazakhstan's Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Gulshara Abdykalikova, and Portuguese Secretary of State for Equality, Elza Pais.
The discussions focused mainly on "best practices" to increase women's participation at the national level, especially in parliaments, political parties, and government jobs. Most participants agreed that laws protecting equality of opportunity are sufficient in most OSCE countries, but implementation is still lacking. Therefore, political will at the highest level is crucial to fostering real change. Several speakers recommended establishing quotas, particularly for candidates on political party lists. A number of other forms of affirmative action remedies were also discussed. Others stressed the importance of access to education for women to ensure that they can compete for positions. Several participants said that stereotypes of women in the media and in education systems need to be countered. Others seemed to voice stereotypes themselves, arguing that women aren't comfortable in the competitive world of politics.
Turning to the OSCE, some participants proposed that the organization update its (2004) Gender Action Plan. (The Gender Action Plan is focused on the work of the OSCE. In particular, it is designed to foster gender equality projects within priority areas; to incorporate a gender perspective into all OSCE activities, and to ensure responsibility for achieving gender balance in the representation among OSCE staff and a professional working environment where women and men are treated equally.)
A few participants raised more specific concerns. For example, an NGO representative from Turkey spoke about the ban on headscarves imposed by several countries, particularly in government buildings and schools. She said that banning headscarves actually isolates Muslim women and makes it even harder for them to participate in politics and public life. NGOs from Tajikistan voiced their strong support for the network of Women's Resource Centers, which has been organized under OSCE auspices. The centers provide services such as legal assistance, education, literacy classes, and protection from domestic violence. Unfortunately, however, they are short of funding.
NGO representatives also described many obstacles that women face in Tajikistan's traditionally male-oriented society. For example, few women voted in the February 2010 parliamentary elections because their husbands or fathers voted for them. Women were included on party candidate lists, but only at the bottom of the list. They urged that civil servants, teachers, health workers, and police be trained on legislation relating to equality of opportunity for women as means of improving implementation of existing laws. An NGO representative from Kyrgyzstan spoke about increasing problems related to polygamy and bride kidnappings. Only a first wife has any legal standing, leaving additional wives – and their children – without social or legal protection, including in the case of divorce.
The meeting was well-attended by NGOs and by government representatives from capitals. However, with the exception of the United States, there were few participants from participating States' delegations in Vienna. This is an unfortunate trend at recent SHDMs. Delegation participation is important to ensure follow-up through the Vienna decision-making process, and the SHDMs were located in Vienna as a way to strengthen this connection.
Education of Persons belonging to National Minorities: Integration and Equality
The OSCE held its second SHDM of 2010 on July 22-23 in Vienna, Austria, focused on the "Education of Persons belonging to National Minorities: Integration and Equality." Charles P. Rose, General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Education, participated as an expert member of the U.S. delegation.
The meeting was opened by speeches from the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek and Dr. Alan Phillips, former President of the Council of Europe Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Three sessions discussed facilitating integrated education in schools, access to higher education, and adult education. Most participants stressed the importance of minority access to strong primary and secondary education as the best means to improve access to higher education.
The lightly attended meeting focused largely on Roma education. OSCE Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues Andrzej Mirga stressed the importance of early education in order to lower the dropout rate and raise the number of Roma children continuing on to higher education. Unfortunately, Roma children in several OSCE States are still segregated into separate classes or schools – often those meant instead for special needs children – and so are denied a quality education. Governments need to prioritize early education as a strong foundation. Too often, programs are donor-funded and NGO run, rather than being a systematic part of government policy. While states may think such programs are expensive in the short term, in the long run they save money and provide for greater economic opportunities for Roma.
The meeting heard presentations from several participating States of what they consider their "best practices" concerning minority education. Among others, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Greece, and Armenia gave glowing reports of their minority language education programs. Most participating States who spoke strongly supported the work of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities on minority education, and called for more regional seminars on the subject.
Unfortunately, some of the presentations illustrated misunderstandings and prejudices rather than best practices. For example, Italy referred to its "Roma problem" and sweepingly declared that Roma "must be convinced to enroll in school." Moreover, the government was working on guidelines to deal with "this type of foreign student," implying that all Roma are not Italian citizens. Several Roma NGO representatives complained bitterly after the session about the Italian statement.
Romani NGOs also discussed the need to remove systemic obstacles in the school systems which impede Romani access to education and to incorporate more Romani language programs. The Council of Europe representative raised concern over the high rate of illiteracy among Romani women, and advocated a study to determine adult education needs.
Other NGOs talked about problems with minority education in several participating States. For example, Russia was criticized for doing little to provide Romani children or immigrants from Central Asia and the Caucasus support in schools; what little has been provided has been funded by foreign donors.
Charles Rose discussed the U.S. Administration's work to increase the number of minority college graduates. Outreach programs, restructured student loans, and enforcement of civil rights law have been raising the number of graduates.
As was the case of the first SHDM, with the exception of the United States, there were few participants from participating States' permanent OSCE missions in Vienna. This is an unfortunate trend at recent SHDMs. Delegation participation is important to ensure follow-up through the Vienna decision-making process, and the SHDMs were located in Vienna as a way to strengthen this connection.
OSCE Maintains Religious Freedom Focus
Building on the July 9-10, 2009, SHDM on Freedom of Religion or Belief, on December 9-10, 2010, the OSCE held a SHDM on Freedom of Religion or Belief at the OSCE Headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Despite concerns about participation following the December 1-2 OSCE Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, the meeting was well attended. Representatives of more than forty-two participating States and Mediterranean Partners and one hundred civil society members participated.
The 2010 meeting was divided into three sessions focused on 1) Emerging Issues and Challenges, 2) Religious Education, and 3) Religious Symbols and Expressions. Speakers included ODIHR Director Janez Lenarcic, Ambassador-at-large from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Madina Jarbussynova, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, and Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Silvano Tomasi of the Holy See.
Issues raised throughout the meeting echoed concerns raised during at the OSCE Review Conference in September-October 2010 regarding the participating States' failure to implement OSCE religious freedom commitments. Topics included the: treatment of "nontraditional religions," introduction of laws restricting the practice of Islam, protection of religious instruction in schools, failure to balance religious freedom protections with other human rights, and attempts to substitute a focus on "tolerance" for the protection of religious freedoms.
Notable responses to some of these issues included remarks from Archbishop Silvano Tomasi that parents had the right to choose an education for their children in line with their beliefs. His remarks addressed specific concerns raised by the Church of Scientology, Raelian Movement, Jehovah Witnesses, Catholic organizations, and others, that participating States were preventing religious education and in some cases, even attempting to remove children from parents attempting to raise their children according to a specific belief system. Additionally, some speakers argued that religious groups should be consulted in the development of any teaching materials about specific religions in public school systems.
In response to concerns raised by participants that free speech protections and other human rights often seemed to outweigh the right to religious freedom especially amidst criticisms of specific religions, UN Special Rapporteur Bielefeldt warned against playing equality, free speech, religious freedom, and other human rights against one another given that all rights were integral to and could not exist without the other.
Addressing ongoing discussion within the OSCE as to whether religious freedom should best be addressed as a human rights or tolerance issue, OSCE Director Lenarcic stated that, "though promoting tolerance is a worthwhile undertaking, it cannot substitute for ensuring freedom of religion of belief. An environment in which religious or belief communities are encouraged to respect each other but in which, for example, all religions are prevented from engaging in teaching, or establishing places of worship, would amount to a violation of freedom of religion or belief."
Statements by the United States made during the meeting also addressed many of these issues, including the use of religion laws in some participating States to restrict religious practice through onerous registrations requirements, censorship of religious literature, placing limitations on places of worship, and designating peaceful religious groups as 'terrorist' organizations. Additionally, the United States spoke out against the introduction of laws and other attempts to dictate Muslim women's dress and other policies targeting the practice of Islam in the OSCE region. Notably, the United States was one of few participating States to call for increased action against anti-Semitic acts such as recent attacks on Synagogues and Jewish gravesites in the OSCE region. (The U.S. statements from the 2010 Review Conference and High-Level Conference can be found on the website of the U.S. Mission to the OSCE.)
In addition to the formal meeting, four side events and a pre-SHDM Seminar for civil society were held. The side events were: "Pluralism, Relativism and the Rule of Law," "Broken Promises – Freedom of religion or belief in Kazakhstan," "First Release and Presentation of a Five-Year Report on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe" and "The Spanish school subject 'Education for Citizenship:' an assault on freedom of education, conscience and religion." The side event on Kazakhstan convened by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee featured speakers from Forum 18 and Kazakhstan, including a representative from the CiO. Kazakh speakers acknowledged that more needed to be done to fulfill OSCE religious freedom commitments and that it had been a missed opportunity for Kazakhstan not to do more during its OSCE Chairmanship. In particular, speakers noted that religious freedom rights went beyond simply 'tolerance,' and raised ongoing concerns with registration, censorship, and visa requirements for 'nontraditional' religious groups. (The full report can be found on the website of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.)
A Seminar on Freedom of Religion and Belief for civil society members also took place on December 7-8 prior to the SHDM. The purpose of the Seminar was to assist in developing the capacity of civil society to recognize and address violations of the right to freedom of religion and belief and included an overview of international norms and standards on freedom of religion or belief and non-discrimination.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
WASHINGTON – We commend the tireless work of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, whose fight against religious repression and intolerance has truly enhanced the United States' role in addressing the challenges we face worldwide. USCIRF's most recent report on religious freedom conditions in Iraq is a critical tool to help U.S. policymakers address the circumstances of religious freedom within minority communities.
As Co-Chairmen of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, we remain extremely concerned about the rise of intolerance and discrimination directed toward members of religious and other minority groups. It is imperative that we not ignore these acts of intolerance, but instead face them head on.
Religious extremism in Iraq continues to threaten all minority communities. The decline of religious pluralism is most troubling, which has the potential of emptying Iraq of its minority communities. The Iraqi government has a moral obligation to protect the rights of all minority communities by implementing concrete solutions to ensure their safety.
As we recently commemorated the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, sadly, Iraq has not upheld this declaration that would guarantee freedom of religion to all. Instead, we have seen the manifestation of violence and criminal attacks against religious minority communities, who are not protected by their own government and have been forced to flee.
USCIRF's report not only offers an insightful look into abuses against religious minorities, but also the need to improve conditions for refugees and internally displaced persons. As their resources are depleted and they remain stranded, jobless, and deprived of essential services – they will look for any means to survive. This is a recipe for disaster. The United States must take the lead and provide a 'humanitarian surge' in responding to this crisis. The future of the Middle East depends on it.
Moving ahead this will remain a top priority of the Helsinki Commission as we commence the 111th Congress next month. In cooperation with USCIRF, we look forward to working together to advance human rights around the globe.


text:
Monday, November 9, 2009
The One Where The Kid Walks In On Us
Holy Mother of God.
I really never thought this day would come.
We've been locking the bedroom door for 13 years.
THIRTEEN YEARS, people.......Thirteen years that, while rife with interruptions ("Mom? Mommy? Mom? Where are you? Mom? Mom! MOM!!").......have never experienced a security breach. Until Saturday.
This? was a security fail of epic proportions.
Apparently my husband in his - cluelessness enthusiasm - turned the lock in the door handle but didn't shut it completely so the latch never engaged.
Fast forward to Repertoire Move #4.5, Stage II and cue 9 year old.......in full bust-in mode - no knock, just BAM! -door open -
and the next 20 seconds are a jumble in my mind - I know I yelled "JEEEEZUSSS!!!!!" and flew off the bed knocking my husband backwards with a Neo from The Matrix sideways slo-mo dive only without guns. And naked.
The 9 year old ducks back out trying to process the image that is now seared into her brain for all eternity, while I do the only logical thing, which is to repeatedly punch my husband in the shoulder screaming "ASShole!"
So now the world as we know it has ended, my daughter is struggling with all the possible meanings of what she saw, I'm frantically trying to come up with explanations - We were kissing??? We were wrestling???? Daddy was helping me apply self-tanner???.....
and my husband, because I can always count on him to lead this family in moments of crisis, says,
"So....... can we keep going?"
65 comments:
- marymac said...
With four kids range 15-4 we have been shockingly lucky in the walk-in department.. a few close calls (questions about noise...) have been dealt with using the 'Daddy is giving mommy a backrub' story. Of course, the other day my 4 year old son said "When I grow up I am going to give you backrubs like Daddy does!"
Paging Dr. Oedipus... - November 9, 2009 at 2:02 PM
- Cheryl said...
Except now I'm having flashbacks to when I walked in on my parents. Off to gouge my eyes out - - November 9, 2009 at 2:04 PM
- mommabird2345 said...
HOLY CRAP!! I am dying just thinking about it!
- November 9, 2009 at 2:08 PM
- BusyDad said...
Well, look on the bright side... your child will never open a door ever again without knocking. Or rather, she'll never open a door ever again. Period.
- November 9, 2009 at 2:15 PM
- Smoochiefrog said...
That is freaking hilarious! BTDT though. :)
- November 9, 2009 at 2:17 PM
- Tenakim said...
oh the poor dear- catching mom and dad "wrestling' as we say- that's really a life changing experience.
- November 9, 2009 at 2:21 PM
- AGirlintheSouth said...
CLASSIC! It's bound to happen, right? You had a pretty good run...13 years....I bet you'll take door-locking on as your own pet project now! =)
- November 9, 2009 at 2:22 PM
- The Mom Jen said...
Can you teach me that Matrix move...you know just in case that happens to me?
- November 9, 2009 at 2:24 PM
- kristi said...
Thank God I've been doing my kegel exercises like a good little post two babies mommy should because otherwise i am positive I would have peed on myself. I laughed so hard reading this. i also mentally noted that I should always, always double check the door.
so funny! - November 9, 2009 at 2:42 PM
- Eunice @ food4fit said...
I walked in on my parents when I was 21. Yea... it doesn't matter how old you are. In fact, I think it's worse when you're older. Gaahhh!
- November 9, 2009 at 2:42 PM
- Amy Amy Bo Bamey said...
That is HILARIOUS!
Good thing those MATRIX moves came in handy!
This is one of my biggest fears...getting CAUGHT! Yup Checking the doors is my thing because I know the Hubby could care less. - November 9, 2009 at 2:51 PM
- Pam said...
my girls used to barge into my room so i started locking it. they know not to enter unless they knock and we answer. man, i don't know what would happen if they saw me & hubs going at it. this story does remind me of the time my youngest girl found ummm a purple toy. she picked it up and said, 'oh, cool...' i freaked out and got a little upset w her which was not the thing to do, but too late, i made her cry. i would have handled it differently. :0/
- November 9, 2009 at 3:21 PM
- Bren said...
Yikes! I walked in on my parents (well they hadn't expected anyone to come home and left the door open) when I was like 23. It stays with you FOREVER! Hopefully since she is so young it will eventually be forgotten!
- November 9, 2009 at 3:41 PM
- stefanie said...
Nothing makes an adult gathering more fun than sharing our "the day we saw our parents having sex" stories. At least she's got that going for her.
That made me laugh until my abs hurt. - November 9, 2009 at 4:04 PM
- Swirl Girl said...
Holy Shit!!
just think of this as an entree to 'the talk'.
she's probably so mortified that she won't even bring it up.
you are right about the forever etched on her brain though...I walked in my parents doing it doggy style 35 years ago and to this day - - I can't have a pet. - November 9, 2009 at 4:38 PM
- Merrie said...
Is it wrong that I'm hysterically laughing? I think I can laugh because it hasn't happened to us yet. The lock has always been enabled and saved our hides. Inevitably, someday, we will face the horror. Here's hoping your daughter recovers. - November 9, 2009 at 4:52 PM
OMG, this made me laugh so hard... only because we've come so close to this too many times!! We don't have a lock on our door!
I'm sooo bookmarking this blog! - November 9, 2009 at 5:14 PM
- Moops said...
So yeah. Congrats on the 13 years! My son walked in on me and the hubby at four years old! And I still hear "What's Daddy doing to you Mommy?" in my nightmares. Make the lambs stop screaming!
- November 9, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Ever have your Mom walk in on you?
- November 9, 2009 at 5:40 PM
- Jillian said...
Oh! Oh no. Oh...ahahahahahhaha. ahahhahahah.
- November 9, 2009 at 6:00 PM
- Shaggs said...
We had a walk in one morning - well actually a "toddle in" when the 18 month found her way into our room. All my husband can remember is feeling little hands on his feet and we both heard a little "yuck!" (proudly one of her first words) as she was about a ruler length away from ground zero. Must go now, its time to pick her up from the psychiatrist and get her off to the hypnotherapist.....
- November 9, 2009 at 6:25 PM
- Unknown said...
OH NOOOOOO!!!! Laughing my ass off, but I am blushing for you!! I am speechless. I would go with the wrestling story ... hee, hee!
- November 9, 2009 at 6:58 PM
- Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...
Have mercy. That's hilarity.
- November 9, 2009 at 7:08 PM
- Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...
Oh....been there! but mine was WAY younger and had no clue. Thankfully.
This really was funny....thanks for the laugh tonight. - November 9, 2009 at 7:14 PM
- Travelbugmom said...
I am laughing so hard, tears are coming down my face!
- November 9, 2009 at 7:22 PM
- Jen said...
I know that my moment will come someday too. But this was just so funny. LOL!
- November 9, 2009 at 8:09 PM
- Stephenie said...
Oh my GAWD!!!! I think I peed my pants laughing so hard, my belly hurts! Wow, that is one of my fears, the big one (8 year old) will walk in on us. I will have to remember this next time hubby and I decide to knock boots. Wow, I really needed this. Sorry it was at your expense!
- November 9, 2009 at 8:20 PM
- bloggerprotectionprogram said...
TYPICAL male! That's all I can say about that.
- November 9, 2009 at 8:36 PM
- Jules said...
I swear I'm not laughing AT you, but I am laughing. hard.
- November 9, 2009 at 8:42 PM
- * TONYA * said...
The visuals. Hilarious.
I remember using the 'wrestling' line on my eldest when he walked in on us when he was 6. Good grief. - November 9, 2009 at 8:54 PM
I never plug post, but this happened to me a few months ago...
http://www.smartassmom.com/2008/12/boom-boom-room.html - November 9, 2009 at 9:03 PM
- Spot said...
Thankfully, we have managed to get through 19 years with no walk-ins. Unfortunately, they are now all teenagers and I refuse to do "it" when they are home or I know they're awake because they will know what we are doing. And I don't want to scar them for life.
I was laughing hysterically at your post though. I would have had the same punching/asshole yelling reaction you had. Exactly.
♥Spot - November 9, 2009 at 9:33 PM
- Tracie said...
OMG. Of course he said that.
- November 9, 2009 at 10:11 PM
- Miss Yvonne said...
This happened to me when my stepdaughter was about 12. I threw the covers over myself and my husband just sat there looking at her blankly. It was awful. It's been 6 years and now it's hilarious...so you at least have that to look forward to.
I'm totally linking to you over my blog because this story is just too awesome not to share. - November 9, 2009 at 10:24 PM
- The Drama Mama said...
OMG! This happened to us the other day too! Just replace it with a 6yr old and more cussing and the word "Boner Shrinker" and you described our story!
- November 9, 2009 at 10:33 PM
- Carri said...
OMG too funny. We have had little intruders. Sadly they did not learn to knock before entering for the next time but we have become more aware of the lock on our door. Of course it doesnt keep curious kids from sitting waiting on the other side of the door. Got to love kids.
- November 9, 2009 at 10:40 PM
- Candice said...
Is there any possible way you could slip your 9 yr old some GHB? ;)
- November 9, 2009 at 11:01 PM
- Liz said...
The best part is your husband's response.....EXACTLY what my hubby would say!
- November 9, 2009 at 11:04 PM
- Jen said...
I would laugh at this story but I'm too scared of karma. Note to self: Purchase better locks for our bedroom door and make sure they are always properly employed at all times.
- November 9, 2009 at 11:22 PM
- snugs said...
OMG, this is too funny..my daughter walked in when hubby was below my waist,I told her "daddy was looking for something"..it's been almost 20 years and she loves to embarrass me with that story to this day!
- November 9, 2009 at 11:55 PM
- Unknown said...
There just is no good explaination! Good luck!
- November 10, 2009 at 12:49 AM
- Schmoochiepoo said...
Holy cow!!! Thanks for laugh!
- November 10, 2009 at 1:42 AM
- Formerly known as Frau said...
OMG!Sorry too funny!!!
- November 10, 2009 at 3:32 AM
I don't have kids, but I'm pretty sure the "helping to apply self tanner" is plausible.
- November 10, 2009 at 6:20 AM
- Little Ms Blogger said...
How about saying you were practicing your WWE moves and start watching that for the next few weeks on t.v..
Found you through Miss Yvonne. Very funny....well, for me..... - November 10, 2009 at 6:54 AM
- justme said...
oh PLEASE keep us posted on the fall out....
- November 10, 2009 at 8:10 AM
- Kurt said...
Your husband just didn't want to be a quitter. Nobody likes a quitter. Certainly no one likes to screw one.
- November 10, 2009 at 9:56 AM
so... your husband was helping you apply self-tanner? yea... that would be a hard position to explain to your 9 year old. what about yoga... did you try that explanation?
very funny blog! - November 10, 2009 at 9:57 AM
- Cathie said...
It happened to me and the child ( she was 2 and is now 9) asked me what daddy was doing to me. My immediate response was keeping me warm. She said mommy, then you need to wear pajamas like me and you won't be cold.
- November 10, 2009 at 11:44 AM
- Dezzy Lou Where Are You said...
I used to call it "rubbing" when I saw it on tv- so much more horrifying when you see your own parents doing it, though!
- November 10, 2009 at 4:32 PM
- Sweetsheila said...
This happened to me this year too. My daughter is 11 and she had snuck into my room in the middle of the night and fell asleep on the floor next to my bed. The next morning... (my husband's b-day) I was giving him his "present" when we realized she was on the floor. We aren't sure how much she saw or heard, but she always knocked on our door after that. I still puke a little in my mouth every time I think of it.
- November 10, 2009 at 4:35 PM
- Lipstick said...
Mr. Lipstick and I cannot stop laughing!!!!
- November 10, 2009 at 10:47 PM
- Susie Q said...
I'm about ready to wet my pants after reading this! Too damned funny! And your husband's comment - oh Lord have mercy on him!
Having no children, we don't have these "issues" - but I do vaguely remember busting into my parents room one stormy dark night and couldn't really figure out what was going on...........must have been too little. But I am one of 8 siblings.....so obviously there was a LOT going on! Ewwwwwwww - November 10, 2009 at 10:54 PM
hahaha! OMG, we almost got caught tonight. ALMOST. But my DD is 2. She wouldn't have cared *quite* so much.
Oh boy do I ever remember the first time I caught my mother. *Shudders*
You better get that poor girl some therapy! - November 11, 2009 at 2:05 AM
- DGB said...
Holy shit that's some funny stuff...until it happens to me.
- November 11, 2009 at 3:44 PM
- Carrie B said...
OMG! So funny!
And so typical of the husband to "keep going" LOL - November 11, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I heard this woman explain it to her kid as "sometimes, adults who are married wrestle naked." But i think she was explaining to like, a 2 year old so... I dunno dewd. It was almost time for the talk right?
- November 11, 2009 at 5:46 PM
- TashtheSlash said...
So, I read this yesterday. So funny! And then it happened to me, last night. Gah!!
- November 12, 2009 at 11:35 AM
- Bad Christy said...
At least you weren't giving him a BJ... that one is MUCH harder to explain.
- November 12, 2009 at 9:27 PM
- Susan said...
I guess I'm lucky the time our girl walked in on us she was running to the bathroom to throw up! She didn't see a thing, had no idea what was going on!
- November 12, 2009 at 10:37 PM
- Elisa @ Globetrotting in Heels said...
oh yikes. That poor child. I walked in on my parents and the image is still impressed in my mind. Yuck.
Not helping, am I? - November 13, 2009 at 1:48 PM
- Loukia said...
Oh my God... hilarious!!! And horrific!!!!
- November 13, 2009 at 3:40 PM
- amallama said...
Very Funny-I think this has happened to everyone at one point or another. When my daughter was about 2 she walked in our room and said, "Momma, get shirt on, Jeez" and walked out shaking her head. It was funny at the time and my husband said almost the same thing, "Aren't we gonna finish this up?"
- November 13, 2009 at 4:26 PM
OH MY GOSH. I just laugh out loud (lol for real) at work... in my hotels lobby!
- November 15, 2009 at 11:43 AM
- Tracy said...
Hilarious! I'm not sure which is funnier--your kid's reaction or your husband's response. so typical of men...we're devestated by what our child just witnessed and the man wants to climax!
- November 19, 2009 at 3:02 PM


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Join Glastonbury Festival for the last blast of summer 2012, as The Vaccines and Professor Green top the bill for the 27th Pilton Party next Friday (September 7th). Support comes from indie trailblazers Zulu Winter and local band Manners, with the event beginning at 6pm at Worthy Farm.
Says Michael Eavis: "The village has been brilliant to us through the years and in return we owe a huge debt to the the village. Which is why the Pilton Party is so important, as it raises around £40,000 for all the village activities."
Tickets for Pilton Party cost £25 and can be be pre-ordered and paid for by phone on 01749 890470. All tickets must be collected in person from Worthy Farm (clearly signposted from the A361) from Monday to Friday 10am-6pm and from 10am until 4pm on Saturday. All tickets to be collected by Thursday, September 6th.


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The pieces are coming together for Lego's first feature film.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures announced Friday that Will Ferrell, Liam Neeson, Nick Offerman and Alison Brie will be voice actors in the 3-D animated The Lego Movie, due out on Feb. 7, 2014. They will join the rest of the star-studded cast, which includes Morgan Freeman, Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, 30 Rock) and Chris Pratt (Moneyball).
(MORE: Behold: The Lego Batcave of Your Dreams)
The film is about a Goody Two-Shoes Lego figure named Emmet (Pratt), who is mistaken for a savior of sorts by a charming Lucy (Brie) and gets dragged into a quest to stop an evil dictator from controlling the universe. Lucy has a secret as well. A mystic, Vitruvius (Freeman), and a character named Batman (Arnett) tag along for the ride. The villains are President Business (Ferrell), a tyrannical businessman, and his henchman Bad Cop (Neeson), who try to thwart Emmet in every way possible. Offerman (Parks and Recreation) plays a "craggy, swaggering" pirate who is plotting revenge against President Business.
The film will be produced by Dan Lin (Sherlock Holmes) and Roy Lee (The Departed) and directed by the 21 Jump Street team of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who also wrote and directed the Golden Globe–nominated Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Lord and Miller wrote the Lego screenplay along with Dan and Kevin Hageman.


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Information about Leo Joseph is coming soon.
Please scroll down to see our list of vouchers and discounts for Leo Joseph.
Student discounts are getting bigger all the time, particularly in the UK where us Britons love to drive a hard bargain. Saving money is becoming more and more difficult; it is hard to know where to start.
Thankfully, websites like UNiDAYS and StudentBeans are here to help. But they require login or authentication – often it's hard to remember your login details from your student email account. Nowadays most students use this login ONLY for scoring discounts... it all seems so silly.
Here at Student-Discount we don't require you to login to view Leo Joseph discounts or any other promotions. You can get them above, at any time of day, and our website will always be open and not being a paywall or login screen.
TOTUM is the new name for the NUS discount service, which previously was called NUS Discounts. It has been given a refresh and you can visit TOTUM here.
At the time of writing, we were not able to locate a Leo Joseph Totum discount code that works. Alternative websites are available, including this one, to try for student promotions.
Leo Joseph currently offer a student discount of 20% off. But check the updated terms and conditions before using the code. Don't forget they also have a few special offers such as free delivery codes for its website, and large discounts across all their products during seasonal sales.
Here are some past offers featured here at Student-Discount.co.uk which have included:
Whatever product or service you need a discount for, we're happy to admit that other websites may have better offers than us. Yes, you read that right. Honesty is the best policy and all that. Try these other websites for a Leo Joseph voucher or promotion:
Many students will have part-time jobs allowing them to earn extra money when not studying. If that's you, then Student-Discount.co.uk should be saved to your bookmarks :) As we work alongside StudentDiscount to get the very very vouchers for students and those at school or college. Sure - there are websites like My Unidays and StudentBEans already but these require you to login / register first. In other words you don't need to check multiple websites to find the best coupons with Student-Discount.co.uk. And if you're not eligible for a student discount at this store, then you may like to know that we update this page every day during June 2024 for the best offers and deals at Leo Joseph so be sure to check back soon.


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Below you will find career and professional development resources for Philosophy majors. It is essential that you proactively engage in career development as an integral part of your entire Messiah experience. The key is to start early and incorporate meaningful experiences.
Remember that your major is a starting point and not a prescription for a narrow list of employment opportunities. By immersing yourself in your liberal arts education and gaining experience outside of the classroom, you have the opportunity to develop transferable skill sets highly desired by employers and/or graduate programs. Talk with a career coach to find out how to creatively market your major, skills, and experiences to various opportunities.
Career Paths Related to Philosophy Majors
Employment & Graduate Program Samples of Messiah Alumni
Sample Internship Sites of Messiah Students/Alumni
- Engage Wellness - Harrisburg, PA
- Templeton Foundation - Conshohocken, PA
- Commonwealth Foundation - Harrisburg, PA


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When you apply for a mortgage loan, you expect your lender to pull a credit report and look at whether you've made your payments on time. What you may not expect is that they seem to be more interested in your "FICO" score.
"What's a FICO score?" is a common reaction.
Each time your credit report is pulled, it is run through a computer program with a built-in scorecard. Points are awarded or deducted based on certain items such as how long you have had credit cards, whether you make your payments on time, if your credit balances are near maximum, and assorted other variables. When the credit report prints in your lender's office, the total score is displayed. Your score can be anywhere between the high 300's and the low 800's.
Lenders wanted to determine if there was any relationship between these credit scores and whether borrowers made their payments on time, so they did a study. The study showed that borrowers with scores above 680 almost always made their payments on time. Borrowers with scores below 600 seemed fairly certain to develop problems.
As a result, credit scoring became a more important factor in approving mortgage loans. Credit scores also made it easier to develop artificial intelligence computer programs that could make a "yes" decision for loans that should obviously be approved. Nowadays, a computer and not a person may have actually approved your mortgage.
In short, lower credit scores require a more thorough review than higher scores. Often, mortgage lenders will not even consider a score below 600.
Some of the things that affect your FICO score are:
FICO actually stands for Fair Isaac and Company, which is the company used by the Experian (formerly TRW) credit bureau to calculate credit scores. Trans-Union and Equifax are two other credit bureaus who also provide credit scores.


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Send questions and comments to firstname.lastname@example.com and follow me on Twitter! Question: I love Game of Thrones. I think it is so ambitious, unique, well-acted and produced. My one issue is the time allotted for the ever-engrossing and expanding cast. If they follow the books at all, the cast would grow even more. How successful does a show have to be for HBO to consider making either more episodes per season or having longer episodes per season? It's not network TV so they don't have commercial considerations to fight against. Every year and week anymore, it seems like GOT is breaking some record in viewers. Always the most pirated show. Don't have a clue about DVD sales. Just seems to me that we are starting to and will continue to lose something from this show by only getting five minutes with each character. It's like by the time I'm really enjoying it, the episode is ending. Is adding to episode orders or time something that is possible or discussed? Would be such a shame if they didn't continue on a brilliant adaptation. And I would think this show makes HBO money and a lot of it. If it didn't, I would understand how my idea would be the stuff of grumpkins. — Trenton
Send questions and comments to email@example.com and follow me on Twitter!
Question: I love Game of Thrones. I think it is so ambitious, unique, well-acted and produced. My one issue is the time allotted for the ever-engrossing and expanding cast. If they follow the books at all, the cast would grow even more. How successful does a show have to be for HBO to consider making either more episodes per season or having longer episodes per season? It's not network TV so they don't have commercial considerations to fight against. Every year and week anymore, it seems like GOT is breaking some record in viewers. Always the most pirated show. Don't have a clue about DVD sales. Just seems to me that we are starting to and will continue to lose something from this show by only getting five minutes with each character. It's like by the time I'm really enjoying it, the episode is ending. Is adding to episode orders or time something that is possible or discussed? Would be such a shame if they didn't continue on a brilliant adaptation. And I would think this show makes HBO money and a lot of it. If it didn't, I would understand how my idea would be the stuff of grumpkins. -- Trenton
Matt Roush: The way I understand it is that limiting each season to 10 episodes is more a production issue than a money issue -- although the show, because of its scope, is undoubtedly HBO's most expensive enterprise, but since all that investment is up on the screen, it's obviously worth it, blockbuster ratings aside. On a show this ambitious and massive, with so many concurrent locations and storylines, adding to the quantity (including substantially growing the length of episodes) might theoretically affect quality, but you certainly have a point. And I'm worried as well that the series will suffer as the book series did (especially in volume 4) by overreaching and losing focus on core characters, a number of whom were entirely absent from the fourth book, which is a mistake the series can never afford to make. (And while volume 5 was an improvement, I'm not sure the book series has yet recovered.)
You do bring up a good point about the episodic structure of the series as it continues and as the world of Thrones threatens to expand even further. The least satisfying episodes are those that tease us with a few minutes of each character but offer little in the way of narrative momentum for any of them. Since HBO's treatment is moving further away from a season-per-book model, I'd like to see episodes in future years be more focused, with a through-line for each hour, maybe with a recap at the start to refresh our memory of who's where, but only dwelling on a small number of stories per episode to give each of them more impact. There's no question this is one of the most challenging book-to-film adaptations ever attempted, and it's not likely to get any easier.
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Question: Thanks very much for your useful and entertaining column every week! I'm writing to get your opinion about the role that TV shows can play in the evolution of our culture. Certain shows have helped the country address persistent and troubling social issues: for example, All in the Family dealt with racial and ethnic stereotypes, and Will & Grace with gay rights. When these shows aired, the nation was in need of a national discussion about these issues, and after they ended, their legacy remains as a cultural signpost.
I'm asking because my favorite new show, Enlisted, is not only the funniest military comedy since M*A*S*H but apparently is "on the bubble" due to low ratings. Despite a fun premise and excellent cast, Fox did it no favors by exiling it to Friday nights. However, in a country that has been at war for more than 12 years but with the smallest percentage of citizens ever serving, a show like Enlisted has let us explore many of the issues that returning soldiers face: our rationale for going to war, PTSD and the effects of multiple deployments, and the role of women in the military. Given that many service men and women feel unappreciated and disconnected from American society when they return from combat, having a show like this on the air might give the nation a chance to explore some of these questions in a way that news reports do not. I would hate to see it canceled when it could still have a huge social impact. In your opinion, should a show that can serve a useful social function get any extra slack ratings-wise? In other words, do networks recognize any additional social and cultural responsibility with their programming other than just making money? -- Zenith
Matt Roush: Thanks for such a thoughtful question. I'm not sure Enlisted was conceived with such a lofty purpose other than to entertain, although honoring men and women in service is a terrific and valuable byproduct. I've never seen this to be as much of an "issue" show as M*A*S*H (a much more politically conscious comedy) or as groundbreaking in intent as some of the other comedies you've referenced, so your question was a bit of an awakening, but I already did think it deserving of a second chance, especially when you consider some of the other low-rated sitcoms Fox has already renewed for next season. Scheduling Enlisted on Fridays felt like a death sentence from the start, and the camaraderie and chemistry among this cast is something that should have been exposed to a wider potential audience (even on a test basis). In the bigger picture, though, TV is a business first and foremost, so even if the best-intentioned show doesn't click or engender passion from the audience or the media, then it's probably doomed. But this very likable show barely got a chance to find an audience, and many that found it by and large seemed to embrace it, and it would be a shame not to see if it would grow. And perhaps fulfill the mission you describe so eloquently. Or at the very least make people laugh.
Question: I'm so happy (and surprised) that The Mindy Project got a renewal in March. It has been fantastic this season and I can't wait to see more from Kaling & Co. My question to you is: What do you think Fox can do to shore up its comedy block and increase ratings, since all their shows are struggling on Tuesdays? A different time slot? Better marketing? I'm sad people saw early episodes of Mindy and decided to never give it another shot, since it's so funny.
Also, do you plan on watching Starz's Outlander this summer? What are your thoughts and expectations for it after seeing the trailers and who's behind the show? -- Megan
Matt Roush: Maybe a first step to improve Fox's comedy fortunes would be to include Enlisted in the lineup? (I'm kind of joking. It wouldn't be likely to jump start that or any night. But it's hard to see how it could get much worse.) Second, more real, suggestion: Keep the sinking ship of Glee far away from the sitcoms for its lame-duck final season, which I can't imagine will be scheduled anywhere but Fridays, or where it can do the least damage. Or, as you suggest, find a night other than Tuesday to program a live-action comedy block. With The X Factor mercifully extinguished, that opens up some prime real estate. But it would be helpful for Fox to develop an actual broad-based comedy hit that might ignite a night of comedy. Brooklyn Nine-Nine could get there (and there are worse pipe dreams than pairing it with the equally irreverent Enlisted), but whatever the charms of New Girl and Mindy, they're awfully precious and unlikely to break out of their niche without help.
As for Outlander: Very eager to see it. I read the first in that book series, and am looking very forward to seeing what Ron Moore and his team does with this lusty time-tripping bodice-ripping adventure.
Question: I always enjoy your articles and would like to get your opinion on a matter. I stumbled upon WGN's Salem one Saturday night and although I enjoyed seeing Janet Montgomery again, I found the show to be too creepy. What are your views on this show? Is it worth the time and effort? -- Jodi
Matt Roush: I've only seen what has aired so far (I saw the pilot in advance, but since then, am watching along with everyone else -- on a delayed basis, because there's too much else on Sunday nights), so can only advise you gauging from your first impression, which I'd imagine would only have been exacerbated by the second episode, which was just as gory and extreme. In my initial review, based on the pilot, I described Salem as a "lurid and often ludicrous free-for-all of graphic sexuality and violent retribution." I also punningly referred to it as Freaky Hollow and Early American Horror Story. All of which should tell you if this is your sort of show. I agree Janet Montgomery is the standout here, but WGN is aiming more for a Walking Dead than a CW vibe here, so plan accordingly.
Question: Have enjoyed The Good Wife from the beginning and it just keeps getting better. Any chance it will finally be recognized with an Emmy this year? Mainly I want to say thank you for all the opinions you pass along. I rarely disagree with you (Fargo) and you've saved me many wasted hours. -- Sally
Matt Roush: The Good Wife has won several Emmys in its history, primarily for acting (Julianna Margulies and Archie Panjabi once each, with guest-acting wins for Martha Plimpton and Carrie Preston), but I assume you're asking about the big prize, the Best Drama award, for which it shamefully wasn't even nominated the last two years. I do hope it will be recognized with a nomination for this excellent and daringly transformative season, which it most certainly deserves, but winning against the last half of Breaking Bad's final season or other cable standouts like True Detective or (more deserving) Masters of Sex would be asking more of Emmy voters than I'm willing to predict will happen. In this case, earning its way back into the top tier of nominees will almost be triumph enough. But if ever there was a season deserving a win, it's this one. And while we disagree about the merits of Fargo, I'm already rooting for that to win best miniseries.
Question: I must protest your review of Bad Teacher. Yes, she starts out each episode as just a gold digger, but her morals get the best of her by the end of the episode and she does the right thing for her students. I find the actress to be a knockout both in terms of talent and looks, and I hope this series lasts many seasons. -- Chris
Matt Roush: My objection to Bad Teacher isn't that Meredith is a gold digger but that she's so obvious about it. And the fact that she ends up doing the right thing most weeks is such a predictable sitcom trope that it becomes a second strike against this contrived, unconvincing show. You're free to protest, but I'm not changing my opinion on this bad apple.
Question: During the last session of The Blacklist, there was a scene where there was a large table with many small glass jars that held marijuana samples from Denver, and some kind of fast reference was made to his associate behind the table who looked like he was eating out of an ice cream container. Maybe the idea was that he had the munchies? A comment was made that they were looking for warehouse space and business options in Denver, what was this about? Did I miss something? It seems like the marijuana legalization and present conditions here in Denver/Colorado are working their way into several TV programs. I was surprised. -- George
Matt Roush: That was basically a throwaway gag, some welcome light comedy relief with a bit of topical humor to remind us how many pots (so to speak) Red is stirring in the world at large and how he doesn't miss an opportunity to add to his fortune and influence. Moments like that are nice gifts by the writers.
Question: It's been a few weeks since How I Met Your Mother closed up shop and the dust is still settling as to its legacy in the pantheon of series finales. With that in mind, I wanted to offer an opinion from a slightly different vantage point: that of binge watcher. I hadn't seen the show at all during its run, but was intrigued by the critical response to the final episode. So the day after it aired, I started watching Season 1 on streaming media. I soon found myself on a spree, finishing the final season a few days ago. Looking back, the most vocal critics appeared upset about the brief amount of time allotted to Tracy, the long-sought Mother (I think these folks didn't watch the whole season); the relatively short marriage of Robin and Barney after a season-long wedding buildup (I've known shorter ones); and ultimately returning to the Ted-Robin relationship after Ted had mourned Tracy's untimely death (as a cancer survivor, quite heartwarming). All that aside, not having had to wait a week for a new episode, months for a new season, or years for a series conclusion, I experienced the show's course corrections differently from other fans. To me, the Ted-Robin attraction was still fresh at the end -- and incredibly moving -- and if any season got bogged down in a questionable character arc (for me, the second Robin-Barney relationship) or veered too far from the search for The Mother, I wouldn't have to wait long until future episodes righted the ship. I certainly understand that a fan's invested time is relative -- nine years of waiting vs. two weeks of near-instant gratification -- but I wonder if posterity will assess the finale differently once Future Ted's peers view it in binge-worthy fashion. -- Jonathan
Matt Roush: It's possible, but I doubt it. And can you blame anyone for not watching that abysmal final season in its overextended entirety? The sole saving grace were those moments, and occasional episodes, that introduced and focused on Tracy, who if she wasn't the love of his life seems to invalidate the premise of the series, which I still think is the point here, regardless of time invested. I appreciate the way the finale calls back many of our reactions to the pilot, which amounted to "What do you mean Robin isn't the Mother?" But after all that buildup, to write the Mother off within an hour that was something less than a grand finale, and then to have her kids basically react to Ted's story with a shrug: still unacceptable.
Question: There is a lot being said about superheroes these days! They seem to be all over the place. My daughter and I have been watching Smallville and just finished Season 9. We don't want it to end! What are the chances of us seeing a Smallville reunion and seeing Tom Welling play Superman? We need to find out that Chloe lived happily ever after and really want to see Michael Rosenbaum play an more evil Lex. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, there were a lot of successful TV reunion movies, where are they now? -- Ray
Matt Roush: Haven't heard anything to this effect, but I guess we shouldn't rule it out. One main complication probably being that DC Comics as a company might not want a TV version of the Superman story conflicting with whatever's happening with the big-screen franchise. But I'd bet The CW would welcome anything that would bring those characters and stars back to the network. Still, this being something of a long shot for now, let me pass on a recommendation for the Smallville "Season 11" comic book series written by former staff writer Bryan Q. Miller, who has managed to keep the story going.
Question: Thanks to your review of Black Box, I was prepared that the show could be difficult watching, but I tuned in anyway because the premise seemed interesting and I have an interest in psychological disorders of this type. Nothing could have prepared me for my reaction to the show, though. I actually turned it off with a few minutes to go because I just couldn't take it any more. My question is: Why would network executives greenlight a program that is totally devoid of sympathetic or likable characters? In this case, populated solely by loathsome characters? None of the main protagonists showed even a modicum of humanity. And if this is the state at which neurological therapy is in 2014, it looks like we have not evolved beyond caveman tactics. "You are terrified? Well, walk toward the source of your terror and I, a person you don't even know and who has not explained to you what is happening to your brain, will magically make everything go away once you touch my hand." Give me a break! The creators may have been going for a House effect, but Dr. House had a glimmer of humor and gruff compassion, not complete self-absorption. And the boyfriend? You reveal to your loved one that you have a mental disease which causes you to act out, and said boyfriend kicks you out of his car in the rain and drives away. Are we supposed to relate to him? And did this even happen considering that when we next see him, the couple has miraculously found forgiveness and is back on track? This was one ugly mess. I wonder how long you think it will be on the air? - Myra
Matt Roush: Sorry you had to go through that. I had hoped my review would be warning enough. What a dreadful misfire. I wouldn't be surprised if Scandal repeats start showing up before the end of May, but that's probably wishful thinking. It's possible ABC will let this play for its entire tryout run, but I also wouldn't be surprised if the network moves up the return of summer favorite Rookie Blue before the scheduled date of June 19.
Question: I work most weeknights, and therefore cannot watch prime-time shows when actually scheduled, so I rely on Hulu, Netflix and cbs.com to catch up on the weekends. My question is why do networks not use the ridiculous amount of advertisements on these sites to highlight similar upcoming shows? They advertise their new or returning shows live, but when you watch online you are stuck with five ads, three of which seem to be those annoying Geico commercials with the paintings on the wall, and for some reason those are always much louder than the actual show. I try to read your column regularly, and use my TVGuide app to keep updated with what's going on in TV, but I haven't seen a single ad for new shows like Enlisted, Surviving Jack or Bad Teacher, because I watch all of my shows online. I actually like the aforementioned first two shows (the pilot of Bad Teacher didn't sell me) but wouldn't know about them without your column. If networks realize that their ratings are boosted with online viewing, why are they not advertising their other shows to those viewers? Thanks for letting me rant, and providing your feedback! -- Will
Matt Roush: Not a terrible idea, but I can't remember anyone ever advocating for more network promos before. Brave new TV-Everywhere world, I guess. The bottom line is, of course, the bottom line, and on those sites, I'd presume that networks would rather air sponsored (paid) ads than fill that time with promos, but you're right that it's a missed opportunity not to try to lure online viewers to new programming on those sites somehow, whether with banner ads on the home page -- no pop-ups, please! -- or some other device. You like promos? Try watching something On Demand.
That's all for now. Keep sending your comments and questions to email@example.com, and in the meantime, follow me on Twitter!


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2011 Class Day Remarks
Brooke Shields
May 30, 2011 -- As Prepared
Thank you. Thank you, Kristin, and thanks to all of you for having me. Good morning. To those of you who have not yet gone to sleep ... how's that working out for you?
Twenty-four years ago I was sitting right out there, where you sit today. And I was wearing this signed and decorated orange and black jacket. It has Class of '87 painted all over it! My hair was huge! My Reeboks white. My jeans acid-washed. You weren't even born.
It really feels like yesterday and I'm having the same feelings right now that I did on that very day. Excitement. Nausea. Looking forward to the future and just wanting to say something smart.
The letter I got asking me to be this year's Class Day speaker was very much like my Princeton acceptance letter.
I got it on April 1st. I naturally thought it was an April Fools' joke. I put it aside. Re-read it. Felt the embossed letterhead. Maybe I should just double-check. I had my mom call to confirm. It was real. Both were real.
I immediately felt like I had gotten accepted to Princeton all over again! I've been accepted! I don't have to go to Harvard!
Then, the sickness and severe doubt sets in. ... "What if they made a mistake? What if I fail? Was I their first choice? Who couldn't they get? Why did Snookie pass?"
Which quickly gave way to the realization, "Oh s---, I have to write a speech. I have an assignment. No way. When is it due? Will I be graded? Can it be 'pass-fail?'"
But, wait, I graduated from Princeton, with honors. French lit, but who cares? It's still a degree. I can do this. I realized the best thing to do was get my head back in the game. But where could I find peace and quite to write a speech? What about my old carrel in the bowls of Firestone on B floor! Would it still be my quiet, cluttered, slightly musty home away from dorm? In any event, I'd need to get out my highlighters and red markers and note cards. I'd call my boyfriend Dean Cain, tell him I couldn't see him. We haven't dated in 20 years, but whatever. Put on the freshman 40. Yes, it was 40 back in my day. I'd hit Thomas Sweet and get to writing. Now, I have done a lot of public speaking. I have survived large crowds, small groups, kids, adults, adults and their pets, soldiers, different languages, two husbands, two daughters, a dog. Nothing could rattle me ... except coming here and speaking to you. Why? Because you are some smart people.
OK, my version of how this would go? Come up to podium, try to speak, throw up. Well, thankfully I have yet to puke on my old jacket. I wish I could say I showed the same restraint during sign-ins for Cap and Gown. Just the mention of a boilermaker makes me dry heave. Oh, I can still drink 'em. I just don't like the word.
Anyway, it is because of the love, awe, respect and gratitude I have for this institution that it feels so precious to be standing here.
I am honored to have been invited here today and have such admiration for all of you and for all those who helped you reach this extraordinary moment in your lives. And it is extraordinary. Tomorrow is your Commencement. Your beginning, and truly a triumph.
And time is about to accelerate for all of you at a pace you cannot even imagine. When you leave the coveted safety of the "Orange Bubble," you will no longer have a syllabus to follow or an adviser to consult. You actually may never be this protected again. How exciting. You'll spill out of here, untethered, unguided and unstoppable. You'll leave here to do the same thing all of us have done before you -- make mistakes. Grow, make mistakes, learn, grow some more, make fewer mistakes.
But let's focus on now. I know that in the next 24 hours there are awards to be given out, activities to enjoy, tearful promises to be made and beer to be consumed. But in this immediate moment I'd like to ask you to do me a favor. For a quick, but resonant, second, I'd like you all to really revel in the fact that you did it. I'll never forget the day my high school adviser told me I'd probably never get in to Princeton, let alone graduate. Well, I did. You did.
I know it is a bit corny, and the Ivy League prides itself on never being corny. However, I was so quick to rush through my own Class Day and move on ... I wish someone would have told me to just take in the magnitude of my achievement.
Think it or whisper it to yourselves or to those next to you. "I did it." "You did it!" Enjoy that truth. It is so easy to get caught up in the noise when the simple and quiet truth is what carries the most weight. You are graduating from Princeton University.
You survived. And whether it was your idea or not, you are here today.
Through all the hard work, the fear, the anger, the laughter, the tears, the fatigue, the adrenalin, the weight gain, the weight loss, the joy, the sadness, the feelings of success, the threat of failure, the love, the excitement and the fun. And that was all just during Nude Olympics. What? Excuse me? What? No Nude Olympics? Outlawed? OK, wow that changes ... I'm nude under my jacket. I thought afterward we'd ... well, OK, never mind, I'll keep going. Seriously, you earned this poignant moment.
You have shared so much with those around you and you will continue to do so. You worked hard (some harder than others) and now you get the rare moniker of Princeton University Graduate.
Seriously, that can never be taken away from you and, for the rest of your life, that title will rarely not precede you.
But, it should also never be disrespected nor misused. When you meet someone who went here, it usually takes them all but five seconds to mention that they graduated from Princeton. I get it. It is a calling card that can and will open doors. But its definition does not come up as "entitlement."
Please maintain the proper regard for it and use it wisely and for good. Respect the word "Princeton." It is an impressive word to see in print -- on resumes, the back of a book, a plaque. Less so in a police report, Page Six, screamed outside a Hooters or tattooed on your (butt) during spring break.
I left after my four years here with great memories and great stores. That's one of the unique ties that bond us. Great stories. Our experiences, the commonalities that we all share. Like when your entire academic record gets printed in Life magazine? Right? Or when Japan's Royal Prince Hirohito wants to meet you and the dean comes, gets you out of a midterm and asks you to go to Prospect House to welcome the prince to campus. Huh? It was crazy then! Or when George Michael tells you he's not going to date you anymore because he wants to focus on his solo career! Then you find out he's gay! Right? These are all moments we have experiences and we will always laugh at! Oh, 1987, how I miss you.
This university doesn't just teach you about subjects, it teaches you how to have independent thought, how to take direction and give it, how to engage in heated debate ... sometimes over such important subjects as:
To bonfire or not to bonfire. Or ...
If it's possible to actually get through four years of Princeton without doing laundry if you only wear free T-shirts from Student Agencies.
Over the past four years (and I hope it was just four, this place gets expensive), you have learned much.
You learned how to form your own opinions and support them.
You learned how to speak, but more importantly, you learned how to listen.
You learned how to persevere when you considered quitting. You learned how to drink, I mean, think. You gained an intellectual foundation that will aid you in the real world.
You are leaving here not so much changed, but rather, revealed. The education you have received was intended to develop your character and teach you the imperative of integrity. My time spent here was a huge gift, not only because of the complicated and beautiful friendships that I made and still rely on to this day. My days here were as conventional and normal as I ever could have hoped … and that was because of my peers. ... Yes, the Enquirer did try to get nude photos of me in the Mathey College shower. But the students protected me. Today, after two kids, I'd pay somebody just to want to take pictures of me in the nude!
And, oh yes, there was the time my roommate hung my "Brooke Doll" from a noose in our dorm room in place of mistletoe! Serves me right for having OK'd a Barbie in my likeness thinking it would never come back to haunt me.
But loyalty is what I always got. And that loyalty, that allegiance, never diminishes.
I left Princeton realizing that learning is a lifelong enterprise. I also graduated more confident and proud of myself than I had ever been.
I was quite lucky to already have had a career in place upon graduating. And when I re-entered that career, I thought I would be welcomed back with open arms. Because I was now not just an actress but I was an actress with an education!
Well, evidently, that is not a quality that studios and producers deem primary for their talent. I had lost all of my footing in those four years in their eyes and had to earn my way back inside. That is another speech altogether -- I'll be giving it tonight at Winberie's ... four beers in, it gets ugly. My point is -- without the four years of learning and growth that culminated in my degree, I would have never survived my industry, a business that predicates itself on eating its young. I would have become a cliché. I would never have been able to adapt and to re-invent: from movies, to television, to stage, to author, to mom. I've been lucky, but only because I've worked hard. And had that same strong foundation that each of you carries with you today.
Being an actress, for instance, is a lot like having to go through bicker on a daily basis! And I believe all industries are like that. I have always had to prove myself. Today you have proven yourself. You will need to continue to prove yourself. Once you graduate, there will be no guarantees. Even if you work your (butt) off, you will rarely get what you think you want or deserve. Things will rarely go as you direct. You will, however, get what you are meant to. And because you now have much of what it takes to succeed, you will soar. But you must choose to do so.
And success, I believe, comes in a myriad of packages and with various types of wrapping.
Please continue to aim high and strive for your best, but learn to embrace, and revel in, your unique successes. Compare not to others. This will be difficult but valuable, I promise.
I want you to acknowledge what you have been given and what you gave to this university and what you will be called upon to do with it outside these walls. Your diploma is a passport into the next phase of your lives.
Many of you know exactly what you expect and what you want when you leave, and many of you are not clear at all.
One path is not necessarily better than the other. It's OK to not know exactly what you want. Knowing that you are now equipped to choose wisely should ease the anxiety. But, a bit of anxiety isn't necessarily a bad thing. It keeps us on our toes. Use it to motivate, not inhibit.
There are a multitude of options and paths in your future. Please choose because of undeniable desire. Don't make choices because [of] what you should do, but what you could do. Choose because of enthusiasm and passion.
Ask yourself: What will your example be? What do you want your life to look like? How will you choose to carry yourself? Please don't be lazy. Or act entitled. Please continue to work hard. But please take breaks to be with those you love, and enjoy the simple things of life as well.
In a poem "Dash" by Linda Ellis -- stop me if you've heard this -- a man at a memorial of a close friend comments on the fact that when somebody dies, the two dates that always get highlighted are that of birth and that of death. But he was struck by the importance of the dash in between those two dates.
The dash is what holds our worth. The poem reminds us that what matters is how we spend that dash.
You are all really beginning your dash.
And as you do, I urge you to do many things:
I urge you to surround yourself with good, truthful people. It'll make your life greater and save a lot of money in therapy.
I urge you not to let fear inhibit you -- I certainly would not be standing here if I did.
I urge you to always stretch beyond your comfort zone -- see above.
I beg you never to settle for less because of your, or more importantly, others' doubts. I've had great reviews and I've heard I have [had] bad ones. The bad ones are not worth reading.
I remember not getting into the Tigerlilies. I tried out, I tried hard, I gave it my best shot. I did not get in. I was devastated, and although I never tried out for the Tigerlilies again, it did not deter me from singing. This year, I am about to return to star on Broadway in a musical for the fifth time. I don't know if this has any relevance, I just wanted to let the Tigerlilies know what's going on with me.
Define your own boundaries -- you're less likely to trespass.
Mistakes. Mistakes. Mistakes.
Fix it. Fix it. Fix it.
I urge you to remain present. I urge you to value your own time, but not regard it as more important than someone else's. I urge you not to equate vulnerability with weakness. Laugh and cry, but laugh a little more. And don't ever take yourself too seriously.
I urge you to love fully and deeply and allow yourself to be loved the same. It is possible to do both and still hold a good job -- trust me.
I urge you to do it all.
I've spent the last couple of days walking around talking to you guys. I've met some amazing people. I've learned some interesting new things. Tonight, several graduates generously invited me to Terrace Club to go robotripping with a date who looks just like Christopher Walken. Yes, that sounds like fun. I'm a Princeton grad, I like to try new things.
And I sat with a few students. We talked about the different graduates and groups. They pointed to a group -- I-bankers -- all waiting to get their Goldman Sachs jobs. They called them a bunch of "tools." They used that word a lot.
There's another group wanting to go into politics and are real protective of their reps: a "bunch of tools." And over there: All those people live in "Tool Tower." People who graduate and then go out to just make money. ... Tools. Tools. All tools.
It got me thinking ...
In the four years that you spent applying yourself, studying and learning, we have made the world bleak.
We've broken our economy. We've voted in politicians who are so fundamentally far apart on issues that hope and change are not happening. We need help. We need you -- we need you to fix what we broke.
So, I say this in the most respectful way -- you are all a bunch of tools. Yes, Brooke Shields is calling the entire class of 2011 a bunch of tools because you are tools that we need. Tools that we need to fix this country. Go out and be bankers, be politicians, scientists, artists, thinkers -- but, you need to choose what kind of tool you want to be.
When you are forced into a corner, when options are few and desperation kicks in -- heroes are made. Forge ahead, make change responsibly, and remember, there is a world behind you. I applaud you.
Thank you and God bless.


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*~+++MATT FURIE is showing
27, san francisco, ca, www.mattfurie.com
embracing my feeling that everything is bad and trying to make something fun out of it.
at work or watching david lynch movies with my girl aiyana.
fecal face unites us in a world wide glow of creative energy and love.
balls deep in a black-n-tan.
group show at new image in LA in september, solo show at jack fischer gallery in SF in feb 2008, new t-shirt at alakazamlabel.com in late july
i got tons of stuff today! a plastic 80's optimus prime charm, original drawings by a cool artist (thanks matt), a hamburger kaleidorama (kaleidascope with hamburger fractals) (!), about fifty nightmare on elmstreet pins (thanks leah), and a bunch of other crap!
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SEOUL, South Korea — An American detained for nearly six months in North Korea has been sentenced to 15 years of labor for crimes against the state, the North's state media said Thursday, a development that further complicates already strained ties between Pyongyang and Washington.
The sentencing of Kenneth Bae, described by friends as a devout Christian and a tour operator, comes amid signs of tentative diplomacy following weeks of rising tensions in the region. North Korea had been warning of nuclear war and missile strikes, an angry response to UN sanctions for conducting a long-range rocket launch in December and a nuclear test in February, as well as US-South Korean military drills in South Korea.
Analysts say Pyongyang could use Bae as a bargaining chip as it seeks dialogue with Washington.
In Washington, the US State Department had no immediate comment.
It's not the first time an American has been arrested and sentenced to labor during a nuclear standoff.
In 2009, after Pyongyang's launch of an earlier long-range rocket and its second underground nuclear test, two American journalists were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor after sneaking across the border from China.
They later were pardoned on humanitarian grounds and released to former US President Bill Clinton, who flew to Pyongyang on a rescue mission. He also met with then-leader Kim Jong-il, which paved the way for talks.
Bae's trial on charges of "committing hostile acts" against North Korea took place in Supreme Court on Tuesday, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported.
He was arrested in early November in Rason, a special economic zone in North Korea's far northeastern region bordering China and Russia, state media said. The exact nature of Bae's alleged crimes has not been revealed.
Friends and colleagues say Bae, a Korean American who was living in Washington state, was based in the Chinese border city of Dalian and traveled frequently to North Korea to feed orphans.
State media refers to Bae as Pae Jun Ho, the North Korean spelling of his Korean name.
Bae is at least the sixth American detained in North Korea since 2009. The others eventually were deported or released.
Three other Americans detained in recent years were also devout Christians. While North Korea's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, in practice only sanctioned services are tolerated by the government.
North Korea may be fishing for another visit by a high-profile American envoy, said Ahn Chan-il, head of the World Institute for North Korea Studies think tank in South Korea.
"North Korea is using Bae as bait to make such a visit happen. An American bigwig visiting Pyongyang would also burnish Kim Jong-un's leadership profile," Ahn said.


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At the 67th annual Tony Awards on June 9, in front of a packed audience at Radio City Music Hall and 7.24 million television viewers worldwide, actor Jesse Eisenberg announced the winner of the award for Best Play: "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike." The play, written by Christopher Durang and directed by Nicholas Martin, had its world premiere at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton. Emily Mann, artistic director of McCarter, accepted the award.
McCarter Theatre and the University have a longstanding artistic and academic relationship that began in the 1930s, when McCarter originated as a playhouse for Princeton's Triangle Club. The theater has evolved through the decades to become a major cultural institution featuring diverse programming, playing an important part in the history of the University and the community.
News of the award exploded on social media, and media outlets from coast to coast cited the play's origin at McCarter. BroadwayWorld.com wrote: "'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' was commissioned and developed by McCarter Theatre and co-produced by McCarter Theatre and Lincoln Center Theater. Both runs were sold out."
The Los Angeles Times' live blog called the play "a modern-day comic riff on the plays of Anton Chekhov" and said: "Emily Mann, the artistic head of the McCarter Theatre in New Jersey, shared the award. 'Vanya' debuted at the McCarter before moving off-Broadway and then to Broadway."
"Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" grew out of McCarter's New Play Development Program. Mann and McCarter's artistic staff provided Durang with several readings and ongoing support that allowed him to refine his play. McCarter's efforts in developing the world premiere led to the co-production with Lincoln Center Theater. It opened on Broadway at the Golden Theatre on March 14. Its run was recently extended through Aug. 25, due to popular demand.
In the past 20 years, McCarter has produced more than 50 world premieres including Durang's "Miss Witherspoon," whose title was inspired by Witherspoon Street in Princeton. McCarter is known as one of the foremost theaters in the nation for the development of new plays and musicals.
In addition to "Vanya," five McCarter productions that transferred to Broadway under Mann's tenure as artistic director have received Tony nominations: "Electra," "Having Our Say," "Anna in the Tropics," "Translations" and "Stick Fly." "Vanya" was the first to win an award.
Mann included the University in her acceptance remarks. "Our great thanks to McCarter's Tim Shields and Mara Isaacs, our incredible staff, … our absolutely awesome [costume and set design] shops, our trustees, donors and subscribers, and to Princeton University, thank you. This could not happen without your incredible support."
Back in Princeton the day after the awards ceremony, Mann described the success of "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" as "a great story about collaboration. And behind it all lays a fruitful and long lasting collaboration between McCarter and Princeton University."
She noted that "Vanya" was produced in the Roger S. Berlind Theatre, a joint venture between McCarter and Princeton, which opened in 2003. Roger Berlind is a 1952 Princeton alumnus and a Broadway producer with 15 Tony Awards, most recently for Best Musical for "Book of Mormon" last year.
Mann said that Princeton students participate in the offerings at McCarter in many ways, including University-supported discounted tickets and courses offered by the Lewis Center for the Arts and other academic departments "whose curricula are in alignment with McCarter's programs," she said. Mann and other McCarter artists have taught courses for Princeton's Program in Theater, Program in Dance and Center for African American Studies. During the academic year, several student productions are presented in McCarter's Berlind Theatre.
"Among the many synergies between Princeton and McCarter are joint commissions and other project-specific collaborations together," Mann said. "The list is endless, as is our appreciation for all Princeton does to ensure a thriving arts center in this community."
University President Shirley M. Tilghman has stressed the significant ways in which universities are becoming patrons to the arts. In 2011, in a major address titled "Universities in the Service of the Imagination," she said: "Universities confer many public benefits — from economic growth to social mobility — and high on this list is the support or, more precisely, the life support that we extend to artists and art-making."
This Tony season may just well prove Tilghman's point. In addition to "Vanya," "Pippin," which premiered at Harvard University's American Repertory Theater, took home the award for best direction of a musical.


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1. Don't ignore foot pain. It's not normal. If the pain persists, contact our office.
2. Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate Athlete's foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.
3. Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.
4. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.
5. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.
6. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e. running shoes for running).
7. Alternate shoes – don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.
8. Avoid walking barefooted. Your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals always use sunblock on your feet as the rest of your body.
9. Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments. Self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
10. If you are a diabetic, contact our office at least once a year for a check-up.