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It has been a month since I left Bali. My body left, my mind and soul, well, they might still be there. I loved Bali. It is such a special place. I would love to go back and spend more time there. It is one of those places I could see myself living if it were not for a big problem..you cannot bring animals into the country. That means JerryBrown and Maxi.
When I started planning my trip to Bali I had no idea what to expect. I chose to stay in an Indonesian style guest house rather than a tourist oriented villa or hotel. My hosts were a married couple with a child. She is originally from Austria and he is Balinese. They have been married 10 years. Birgit came to Bali on vacation and fell in love..literally.
Their home is very traditional. It has an outdoor kitchen, no air conditioning, and no swimming pool. My bathroom was more modern and semi outside but private. I had hot water one time during my stay. I chose this guesthouse because I wanted to be a part of Balinese life.
There are plenty of hotels, guest houses, and villas owned by foreigners that are full of luxuries. (To be fair there are some owned by Indonesians) You can insulate yourself from Balinese life at whatever level you want. Most have sanitized the Bali experience.
There are two distinct Balis. There is the Bali that is lived in by the Balinese and the Bali that is for tourism. I travel because I want to see another culture and learn. Everyone has their reasons.
Ubud is a center for health and healing. It was made famous by that putrid book and movie (IMHO) "Eat Pray Love." In the eyes of many Balinese this book did a lot to ruin their culture. It was interesting to talk to them about it. I found many parallels to the tango in Buenos Aires.
When my guides took me to a roadside Warong (restaurant) that was fly infested, I closed my eyes. I kept hoping the parasites from my days in Mexico would take care of me. The food was delicious. There was no silverware as the Balinese eat with their hands. It was the hot rice that would get me. There is an actual art to eating with your hands. I was happy that I didn't get sick from eating at that place. After that experience I figured I could eat anywhere and I did.
Most tourists pay for a tour for the Rice Walk. This is a 5 km walk through the rice fields. I walked myself. It was amazing, peaceful, and something I never experienced before. The sad thing is the walk begins with tons of little shops trying to sell things. Unfortunately this is everywhere you go in Bali, including the temples.
When I got to the middle of the fields there was an old man selling coconuts. He would lop off the top and hand it to you with a straw. It was 10,000 rupees or $1.00. He told me how he shakes to the trees to get the coconuts to fall. In a few moments two European tourists came by on their way to their expensive hotel that is situated in the rice fields.
I cannot imagine staying in a luxury villa watching people do back breaking labor. The villa is owned by a Swiss man according to my coconut friend. The two women began to explain to me what a coconut was. They were so condescending. I told them I was from South America, I know what coconuts are. They just keep going on talking about coconuts. People in Switzerland must have coconuts. They told me the old man climbs up the tree every day to get his coconuts. I looked at Mr. Coconut. There was no way he could climb that tree. He smiled at me. I bet they don't pay 10,000 rupees.
After they left Mr. Coconut invited me to sit down. In his limited broken English he brought me over some lemon grass to smell. Then some citron. He was delighted I knew it would get rid of mosquitoes. He brought over fresh cumin plants and other herbs growing along side the rice. We watched frogs play in the rice paddy.
When I finished my coconut juice he hacked open the coconut. The flesh was more like meat. I was used to coconuts that were harder. This was a completely different texture. It was such a huge coconut I could not eat it all. I wish I had a plastic bag on me.
My guides were a trip. They were not polished. They didn't drag me to any shopping outlets. They had their opinions. The waiter in my favorite restaurant Eve's Kitchen introduced me to them. Scooby makes his living from tourists among other things.
"Bali has always had tourists." He says to me. "Only the tourist now is different." I asked him in what way. He told me before the tourists came to Bali to enjoy Bali and to learn about Bali. Now they come to be entertained. They don't really want the real Bali. They bicycles down a mountain.
Many Balinese that I spoke to talked about how they could no longer afford to go to yoga. The yoga masters no longer wanted to hold sessions for the Balinese. Why should they? The tourists are willing to pay 100,000 rupees or more for a class. There are yoga retreats for $2000 USD. "Every day a new yoga master is born." they joked.
It reminded me of the tango in Buenos Aires. Many Argentine teachers no longer want to teach Argentines. Why should they? Foreigners will pay 2 - 3 times more than a local for private lessons. One only has to pick up the tango magazines to see all the new teachers.
When I found my accupuncturist it was by accident. I had no idea if the 350,000 rupees he was charging me was a good price or not. When I asked Birgit she told me that usually the foreigners are charged 500,000 rupees. Just like tango shoes or tango lessons. Tourists are charged more than locals. She said he was the best accupuncturist in Ubud and that I was lucky to find him.
She like the others I spoke to told me how many foreigners have now come to Ubud to set up shop. Yoga teachers, acupuncturists, and other business people are starting to push out the Balinese from their own culture.
When I asked about a restaurant where the food was typical, Birgit's husband laughed. "You have to go outside the city." He told me. "Here you can find Turkish food, Mexican food, Italian food, and a version of Balinese or Indonesian food. The tourists have ruined our restaurants." This reminds me of some of the older milongueros when they talk about the milongas. They blame the tourists for ruining them. For destroying the codes, lowering the levels of dance.
In the book "Eat Pray Love" the woman talks about going to a healer. These people in Ubud are known by word of mouth. They set no price. People pay them whatever they can. They feel their ability to heal is a gift and accept whatever donation people want to give them. True healers never ask for money.
I was referred to Pitu. He used reflexology. He was amazing. He was able to tell me exactly the issues I had with my health with no prompting from me. In our sessions he would talk to me about my soul and visions. It was an amazing experience. I am still feeling the effects of his healing.
Now Ketut Lyer, the healer in EPL has gone commercial. He charges a fixed amount and basically tells everyone the same thing. He is an old man. One person told me he just wants to earn lots of money to leave to his family. People wait hours to hear the same thing and pay for the priviledge.
When I first came to Buenos Aires, it was not easy to find people who really taught tango. There were those that would rush you in the milongas, but most of them, were just after the tourist buck. When one found the true milonguero who loved their tango, it was something different. Most of them had no idea what to charge. They loved to talk about their tango and show it to you. To be paid for it? Wow, that was something.
Times have changed. If you are 75 years old you are a living legend. Even if in your day you were not known as one of the better dancers, it doesn't matter. You get marketed as a "true milonguero" and people pay you for it.
It is sad what success can do to a place. The people who do not live there always see it differently. Some tourists think the Balinese are now lucky because they are getting a more Western way of life. More tourists and more money. Many Balinese I spoke to see themselves as losing their culture.
In the tango I constantly hear from foreigners how the Argentines should be happy that their dance is everywhere. That they should be willing to change. The codes are stupid, old fashioned.
It makes me sad. I hope to never lose Bali, just as my tangos still play inside my head.


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- Claims to have had sex with one of the Kardashians (guess who?)
- Had unprotected sex with Coco on 3 separate occaisons
- Got paid $500,000 for an article he did with Star magazine where they made him take a lie detector test.
There's even more to this story so do yourself a favor and check the video below out:
Follow me on Twitter @bigjyesupreme

subset: commoncrawl


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I've blogged about Reece's Rainbow often. (Though not recently, I realize now. Bad me!) But there is now a new venture called Connecting the Rainbow that is working with families who choose to keep their little ones with DS in countries that don't have any support system for them. The goal, of course, would be a time when there is no need for international adoptions because the parents are keeping their little ones with disabilities and had a good support system in the society to care for them.
Connecting the Rainbow is focusing on Bulgaria right now, and they have a very cool opportunity to help right now. Beyond Play is a therapeutic toy company that has agreed to give 15% of all items purchased from CTR's wish list back to CTR. It's a great chance to buy a toy for their cause, or for yourself, and contribute to CTR at the same time. I am so privileged to have come to know via blogs, forums, and email the friends who are making this venture happen, and they are truly wonderful, caring people. These kids are their focus, and educating their families is going to be so very rewarding.
They also have an additional wish list you can check out.
Many of these items are very inexpensive and will be an excellent gift to these families who already trying to go against "the norm" as they choose to raise their kids at home.
Please take time to glance at the items and see if there's something you could send to Bulgaria for these families. You don't have to mail it overseas yourself, don't worry!


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Welcome to the Cobras in Alaska post-mid-term election analysis edition of the blog. The mid-terms are always exciting because no one shows up at the polls. Anything can happen once the votes are counted. I thought I would take this opportunity to run through the highlights in Alaska, like Representative Don Young proving, again, that you can insult an auditorium of high school students and still get swept back into office by a significant majority. Young effectively blamed the entire student body for the recent suicide of a classmate and "used profanity and started talking about bull sex when confronted with a question about same-sex marriage." It will take more than that for the good people of Alaska to turn him out of office. I suppose proving yourself immune to corruption investigations gives a guy a certain amount of confidence when the vote count starts coming in.
Luckily, Alaska went on and made marijuana legal. Presumably the voters anticipated another Young term and thought it wise to provide legal access to a wider range of self-medication options. After hearing that the legalize it measure had passed, I decided to pull into the grocery store on the way home today from work. I wandered around the produce section looking for a selection of pot strains. It turns out that the grocery store isn't stocking weed, nor will they. What was the point of passing that measure again?
It looks like I missed posting in October, which suggests I should have lots to summarize. But sitting here now, I can't think of a thing. Except that I found the Hells Angels' club house. C was out of town, what was it? Late September? I ran a 10k, had a reasonably respectable result, and celebrated by going for a long walk through mid-town. Out on some side street, I walked by this:
I thought about taking some pictures, but something about the pole mounted surveillance cameras made me think that doing so would trigger the release of burly guys in denim intent on smashing my Nikon... or worse. So I just kept walking, finding the above picture on Google maps. Curious, I later conducted a search of the interwebs, learning that the building is "fortified" and, perhaps unsurprisingly, has been the safe house for drug deliveries. I guess it is just as well that I didn't knock and try to make friends. Think legal marijuana will cut into their profits? Hope they can continue to make rent.


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Join me daily as I blog about life in upstate New York,photography, flowers, gardening, travel, caregiving, a brother in law with autism, the importance of chocolate in a well lived life, or anything else on my mind.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Summer Ramblings - The Unsafe Ordinary
As I write this, a preteen girl from our community is on life support, all because she ate a brownie at a celebration that should have been the happiest moment in a couple's life.
Not just any brownie.
It was made with....peanut butter.
Peanut butter.
The girl had a peanut allergy. She had an epi-pen, I'm told, but she couldn't get to it in time.
"school safe snacks". We turned to each other.
There are so many children with allergies. Nut allergies and peanut allergies can kill. They are not jokes.
Our son is grown, and, thankfully, he has no food allergies. But I know people who do. I even know people who developed them as adults. Their first inkling was eating out (usually in a restaurant) and having to be rushed to the ER because their throats had closed up and they couldn't breathe. It seems the most common of those older-adult allergies (at least, for people I know) involve seafood of some sort.
Meanwhile, in my youth, so many of us enjoyed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They were a staple in my youthful diet. We are all wondering: what happened? Why these food allergies? What is causing them?
What I read online is disturbing. One of every 13 children have a food allergy, according to NPR (National Public Radio). The most common: nuts, soy, milk, wheat, egg, shellfish. Some 30% of individuals with one allergy have more than one. Doctors are working on treatments to try to desensitize individuals. But why do they happen in the first place?
I can still enjoy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. For now I do not have any food allergies that I am aware of.
But tonight (I am writing this Tuesday night), all I can think of is a family who must make the ultimate decision on behalf of their little girl.
It's a decision none of us should ever have to face.
17 comments:
I certainly agree that researchers need to find out why food allergies are so prevalent. My grandson LOVES peanut butter, but our schools here are 'peanut free'. My massage therapist developed a nut allergy at the age of 40. I love nuts and hope that never happens to me.ReplyDeleteReplies
So do I. I know people with these allergies, but never one who died (sadly, the girl passed away this morning). I don't know her, but I do know a member of her family.Delete
So, the data indicates that since we are now divorced from farm living, from truly rural life, where developing children get exposed to a variety of microbes and environmental factors- and the fact that parents deliberately withhold foods from young children (thinking they are doing good)- means that our young lack the immune system to withstand minor attacks. So, our food allergies become more vast and more widespread...ReplyDelete
That doesn't help this little girl now- but it can help a newer generation...Replies
I think your comment has a lot of truth. Years ago, a man from India was my manager at work, and he warned me about this very thing. I think he and you are right.Delete
I am infact surprised by this sudden rise in allergies. While growing up I didn't even know these exist. But these allergies are so severe that it's scary sometimes.ReplyDeleteReplies
We never heard of food allergies in my youth. This whole situation is tragic.Delete
This makes me sad. I hope she gets well somehow. I hope it happens for her and her parents. Such a sad, sad thing.ReplyDeleteReplies
I am sorry to report that, sadly, the girl died this morning. Thank you for thinking of her and her parents.Delete
What a devastating situation. It's impossible not to feel deep empathy for that family.ReplyDeleteReplies
I agree. It has been devastating.Delete
This is so sad and I am sorry. Prayers for family and yes hope no one ever has to make such a decision.ReplyDelete
Of late, I have also been hearing of food allergies and it scares me. Wonder why the immune system is so weak?Replies
It does make you wonder what we humans have done to our world.Delete
Considering food allergies, people should label when they use foods that many people are allergic to. And those with allergies should never consume something unless they know the ingredients. Not that that always helps.ReplyDelete
My SIL is allergic to raw tomatoes (among other things). We were out to eat. She specifically asked if something had raw tomatoes in it. Was told not. But felt the allergic reaction coming on. Yup, there were raw tomatoes. That was "fun". (Luckily it was a minor reaction.)
I am very careful when someone who I know has allergies is eating with me. But not everyone knows all the allergies that acquaintances have.
It's really sad to hear what food can do to us in a negative manner. Hope and pray that the little girl is healed. Life can be cruel, at times.ReplyDelete
Really sad to read this.But is peanut butter that allergic a stuff?.In India,we use peanuts commonly and haven't heard of anyone getting allergic to it.ReplyDelete
It does make you wonder why allergies are becoming so prevalent, could it be due to modern day production standards?ReplyDelete
How sad for that family! :-( I do wonder why there's such an increase in food allergies, as well as disorders such as those on the autism spectrum. In spite of all our technology, it seems like our world is becoming more unsafe.ReplyDelete
Your comments sustain me, as long as they are civil, are on topic, and do not contain profanity, advertising of any kind, links or spam. Any messages not meeting these criteria will immediately be composted, and my flowers will enjoy their contents.


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Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Is Winter Race Secret Scam? - Review and FREE Bonus Download
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Sunday, October 10, 2010
Bullet Proof Bets Review & FREE £361 Bonus Download - Is Bullet Proof Bets Scam?
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SEA Our World!
Location: Leverett Old Library
Discussion on Politics of the U.S. Occupation (with film screening)
Location: Sever 104
Pre-frosh late brunch event: SPAMSILOG
Location: Pfoho Holmes Living Room
Join the Cultural Committee!
Join the Social Committee!
Join External Relations Committee!
Join the Education Committee!
If you'd like to get in touch with us, kindly email email@example.com or email@example.com.
Send an email to email@example.com
Harvard Philippine Forum is a student-run organization at Harvard College.


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George Clinton Remains Relevant
Seventies icon, George Clinton performed recently at a show with some of his old running mates. I remember last summer, he was at the House of Blues here in Los Angeles and did a show in Anaheim as well. Can't knock the guy for staying relevant and landing gigs after all these years... One nation, under a groove!
Source: rhetoricandy.blogspot.com
Saturday, January 2, 2010
George Clinton Remains Relevant
Posted by Pamela Ashworth at 10:34 PM
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|Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (C) answers a question
from the media upon her arrival prior to a no-cofidence debate at the
parliament in Bangkok on November 26, 2013
Thailand's mass political protests spread outside the capital Wednesday as opposition demonstrators stepped up their attempts to overthrow Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government, plunging the country deeper into crisis.
Demonstrators have paralysed government ministries in Bangkok to challenge Yingluck and her exiled brother, ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, in the biggest street protests since mass rallies in 2010 that turned deadly.
Stepping up their action Wednesday, protesters entered a major government complex in the northern outskirts of the capital and also forced the evacuation of the Justice Department's besieged Department of Special Investigations.
Outside Bangkok, protesters gathered at about 25 provincial halls mainly in the opposition's southern heartlands -- including on the tourist island of Phuket.
"We will not give up even if the prime minister resigns or dissolves parliament. We will stop only when power is in the hands of the people," protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban told supporters.
Warning that the political turmoil could affect economic confidence, the central bank unexpectedly cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points, to 2.25 percent.
|An anti-government protester holds a protest placard during a
demonstration at the Department Special Investigation (DSI)
in Bangkok on November 27, 2013
The billionaire tycoon-turned-politician is adored by many of the country's rural and urban working class. But he is reviled by many in the elite and the middle classes, who accuse him of being corrupt and a threat to the monarchy.
Suthep on Tuesday called for the creation of an unelected administration to run the country, in the clearest indication yet that the demonstrators are seeking to suspend the democratic system.
"If we demolish the Thaksin regime ... we will set up a people's council which will come from people from every sector," he said. "Then we will let the people's council pick good people to be the prime minister and ministers."
On Tuesday protesters surrounded the interior, agriculture, transport, and sports and tourism ministries, ordering officials inside to leave, a day after occupying the finance and foreign ministries.
Arrest warrant
"The situation is serious but it is under control," Pracha Promnog, a deputy prime minister, told reporters after a meeting with the premier.
|Map locating Thailand's capital Bangkok, where oppposition
protesters have besieged several ministries
The recent protests were sparked by plans by the ruling Puea Thai party to introduce an amnesty that could have allowed the return from self-imposed exile of Thaksin.
The Senate blocked the controversial bill but demonstrators have since broadened their goal and now want to topple the government.
Yingluck on Monday ordered the expansion across Bangkok of the Internal Security Act, which gives authorities additional powers to block routes, impose a curfew, ban gatherings and carry out searches.
An estimated crowd of up to 180,000 people joined an opposition rally on Sunday, but turnout has since fallen sharply.
The turmoil comes as Yingluck's embattled government faces a no-confidence motion in parliament that she is expected to easily survive.
One option could be for Yingluck to dissolve the lower house afterwards and call fresh elections, knowing that pro-Thaksin parties have won every election for more than a decade.
She has ruled out the use of force to end the protests, mindful of the bloodshed which erupted in 2010, when more than 90 people died in a military crackdown on pro-Thaksin protests under the previous government.
The possibility of military intervention also constantly looms over Thailand, which has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932, but the army has so far shown no sign that it is preparing to get involved


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We have all heard it before, "Don't do sales off Ebay", that is all well and good but I also run an internet store away from ebay for things that I cull from my collection.
Recently I decided to let some things go, on eBay that I had culled from my collection.
One item in particular is a highly collectible piece. A Venezia shawl, I had only worn the piece a couple of times, and due to recent health issues among other things I decided to place it in the cull pile and sell on ebay.
I received a message from an ebay member who is also a dealer of luxury goods, and she wanted to purchase it off ebay. At first I said no to the offer, for several reasons, her offer was a bit insulting, and it was evident that she is a dealer, and I really wanted the shawl to go to someone who would wear it and not be seeking to profit.
As it turned out the person was very persistant, to the point of complete pestering me at every opportunity. I finally agreed to sell through my store, but she did not want to pay shipping nor have me insure the item or request a signature confirmation. Well we all know where that would have led.
To make a long story short be very cautious in dealing with the ebay seller Bagageria. I firmly believe after review of her feedback the whole matter is a scham to purchase items, then either return fakes to sellers, or claim them as non received.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
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LA Clippers basketball star Baron Davis is the latest celebrity to join the ranks of Jenny Craig to lose weight.
What motivated Baron to jump on the Jenny Train? It wasn't that he's too fat, or out of shape, it was Jenny's latest celebrity endorser, Queen Latifah.
Davis says, "I know Queen Latifah, and when I saw her out there using it, I thought maybe I could use it, too, to work on my health and fitness goals and inspire others."
Baron signed up for Jenny after his fitness regime began to slow down during the off-season. "In the off-season, it's kind of hard to maintain day-to-day," he says. "I don't want to get up and cook. And when I pig out, I'm the type of person where there's no limit to what I can do."
And Baron is seeing results being on the program, despite some teasing by friends.
"They were like, 'Huh? Why is Jenny Craig in your fridge? Why are you eating this?' But then I'd be at a friend's house and have my weekly check-in call, and they saw how serious I was about it and it helped."
On Friday, Baron will hold a press conference in Beverly Hills during which he'll address exactly how much weight he's lost on Jenny Craig.
And the weight came off at the right time – Baron starts practice this week for his first season with the Clippers (he played previously for the Golden State Warriors).


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"Ellen Hopkins fans will find another look at methamphetamine addiction in this quick, realistic debut. "
"Teens affected by drug use may see their own experiences reflected in Rachel's story. Recommend this to readers of Ellen Hopkins' similarly themed novels in verse."
* "Arcos paints a complex, honest, devastating portrait of what it means to watch someone you love turn into a stranger. The result is an empathetic, highly readable tale that captures the messy dynamics of sibling relationships, the pain and powerlessness of addiction from a loved one's perspective, and, in an ending that brilliantly mingles loss and hope, the necessity of letting go."
"A powerful debut."


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Here are a few of the many photos taken on January 5-6, 2010 on location for Law & Order SVU with Chris Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, and Kathy Griffin. This was for the episode "P.C." which will air in February. (Click on any image for a larger view.) Enjoy!
Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order, here.
Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Law & Order Set Photos with Chris Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Ice –T, and Kathy Griffin
Posted by Chris Zimmer at 7:09 AM
Labels: Chris Meloni, Ice-T, Law and Order SVU, Mariska Hargitay, P.C.
5 comments:
- Madeleine said...
Is that Mike Doyle in one of the photos? Standing with Mariska and Kathy and wearing a beanie? It looks a lot like him.
- January 7, 2010 at 5:59 PM
I hear Kathy Griffin, and Mariska are supposed to like share a "hot kiss" in that episode. Do you know if this is true?!?
- January 8, 2010 at 8:24 PM
- All Things Law and Order said...
Madeline, I did a double take on that pic also, but I don't think it is him.
d0ubleut3eeff, I also heard those same rumors but I haven't seen any proof that happens.
- January 9, 2010 at 7:14 AM
Guys that's definately Mike Doyle as he tweeted that he was going to be visiting the SVU set on that day. :-)
These photos are great btw, thank you!
- January 9, 2010 at 1:47 PM
- christinamg said...
OMG....I was totally in NYC that day!!!! I wish I would have known. I LOVE these people. Well not Kathy Griffin but the SVU peeps.
- January 21, 2010 at 1:38 AM
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Discovering the Mysteries of your Truth. Cusco Temples, Urubamba River Valley leading to Macchu Picchu. Our Andean shaman, Malku. Lake Titicaca one of the starting places for North and South American Civilizations. Photography by Keth Luke
Click on each picture for a Larger View. Copyright © 2008 Keth Luke All Rights Reserved
From the ancient temples in the historical region around Cusco, to the sacred mysteries of Machu Picchu, Peru offers exciting and powerful experiences to enrich the lives of seekers. The transformative energies of the Pachamama, the Andean Mother Earth, reaches into your heart and soul at each sacred site. Traditional ceremonies with Andean healers, shamen and priests connect you with the powerful energy of Peru. See the Islands of the Sun & Moon in Lake Titicaca, Bolivia where the America's civilization first got it's start.
See and read about theStarGate Dimensional Doorway where we meditated and connected in Peru.


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Just in time for Comic-Con here's a new piece featuring Phileas Fogg and Aouda and their romantic trek through the jungles of India.
This one will be available as a limited edition screenprint at the convention.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Onward Through the Mangroves
Posted by Chris Turnham at 1:01 AM
Labels: Jules Verne
4 comments:
- monkeyfeather said...
Super nice Turnham. LOVE the colour.
- July 8, 2010 at 9:14 AM
- Bill Robinson said...
Stunning!! Looking forward to seeing you in San Diego.
- July 8, 2010 at 9:23 AM
- Trevor! said...
Finally! Yeah the colors really pop. I love it.
- July 8, 2010 at 11:12 AM
- seanmaximus said...
bravo, this one's great. beautiful work;-)
- July 15, 2010 at 6:44 AM
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White House | Black Market
Petite Tie-Front Poplin Shirt
Additional 40% Off, Prices As Marked
We invite you to get all wrapped up in our newest poplin shirt, featuring classic stripes and a rather avant garde tie front.
- Petite tie-front poplin spread-collar shirt in white with black
- Long sleeves with button cuffs
- Button closure
- Side vents at hem
- Regular: Approx. 29" from shoulder
- Petite: Approx. 27 5/8" from shoulder
- Cotton/nylon/spandex. Machine wash cold.
- Imported
- Model is 5'10" and wearing XS or size 2


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Racing on Bike Free Apk v1.4 (Mod Money) Is Racing Game . Download Racing on Bike Free Apk Mod From Mod Apk With Direct Link .
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Game Screenshots
Game Info
Game Name : Racing on Bike Free
Game Category : Racing Games
Last Updated On : November 9, 2016
Game Size : 45 MB
Version of The Game : 1.4
Developer Firm : Racing Games Android
File Format : Apk
Requires Android : 2.3 and up
Total Installs : 1,000,000 +
Google Play Rating : 3.8 / 5
Download Links
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text: SewMamaSew is hosting a blog giveaway and I am happy to announce I will be participating! Come to my blog on Tuesday for an opportunity to enter the two, yes two, giveaways! And be sure and check out http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/ for many blog giveaways. It is a great way to find new creative blogs and a great opportunity to win some goodies. All giveaways are handmade and there will be such a variety. So remember, May 27, visit SewMamaSew's blog and mine!


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Arsenal legend George Graham says manager Arsene Wenger needs to buy in January.
Graham, who managed Arsenal to league titles in 1989 and 1991, feels Wenger has to put on his "magic hat" and find the next Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, whom he moulded into world-class performers.
Graham told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "Let's give Arsene the credit. He brought in players for average prices, Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, Marc Overmars, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit.
"They were all very good players unknown to the fans in England that he turned into fantastic world-class players. That was his strength.
"He did it on a tight budget so it's not like they are now going to go out and break the transfer record.
"They have never done it during Arsene's reign so in my opinion he has got to get his magic hat on again and go out and see if he can get players of that quality at good prices."


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Friday, May 8, 2009
Just one Wake-Up till Caturday! A Furry Friday Videostravaganza!!
Check out this video!!! (Click the link if you don't see the video player)The ending is hysterical!!
And then, since it's furry Friday - watch this AMAZING video about white deer!! (click here if you don't see the video player) WOW. Harry Potter, anyone?
And finally - I have entered the Screencast contest at Mindbites!! I created a class on how to use Google Alerts to let you know when your blog has been linked, when someone mentions Stampin' Up!, or Bruce Willis or when Your Momma is talkin' SMACK!!!
Head over, and if you like it, vote for me in the people's choice awards!!! (Click Here if you don't see the player)
Have you signed up for the UBlue Cyber Club? Attended one of my Webinars?? Come on - get your geek on! :)
Want to see my other blog?
5 comments:
LLLUUUVVVED your "Alert" video! Job well done! Got my 8 yr. old DD in here to watch the bird- very funny- the bird has got a better beat than I do.ReplyDelete
The rest of my PagePeeps are going Boy Scout camping this weekend and leaving me here all alone- YAY, YAY, YAY! I'll finally get to work on some Maddie cards- I'll post to SCS when finished.
Have a wonderful weekend Kydia!
BTW, just signed up and voted for you. My momma talks smack about me all the time and now for sure I'll be checking out the web to see what she says!ReplyDelete
Not really- I lied. About the momma talkin' smack thing. Sure, she's up to it but I doubt anything is on the web!
Wow - people who don't come to your blog don't know what they're missing! We get dancing birds, nature documentaries, and lessons in how to narrow down those Google searches! All this and SO MUCH MORE - for FREE!!! I love it all - TFS!ReplyDelete
You just got my vote! Fun tutorial! I am going to do that Alerts thing RIGHT NOW!ReplyDelete
BTW, that bird it TOO funny, and I am soooo getting that book on the white deer. Where (how) do you find this stuff?!
OMG! WV: Underse. Scary.
I love your entry into the contest. Also loved Snowball. Now if they could teach backup dancer birds and have them all do a bird version of Thriller...!ReplyDelete
Every time you leave a comment, a new LOLcat is born. ALSO - don't panic if you don't see your comment right away - I moderate my comments to keep those spammers out, so your comment will show up in short order. Unless you're linking me to Russian brides or Nigerian princes.


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We are Moving!!!!!
We are Moving!
Please take a moment and change your bookmarks for us. We have moved to a new, and better, site.
We Look Forward to seeing you there.
There will no longer be posts on this site after January 31, 2012
Thank you and we cannot wait to see you at our new home
You Gotta Read Reviews Admin Team
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Review - Do As I Say by Penn Halligan
Title: Do As I Say
Author: Penn Halligan
Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing
Buy Do As I Say Here!
Rating: You Want to Read
Reviewed by: Gabrielle
Mae Southall is an independent woman who is not above breaking the rules if it suits her. She relies on no one but herself. Sex is fine but on her terms. When she meets the darkly handsome and mysterious Rob, Mae learns that sexual submission has its benefits.
Robert Parker is Mae's new boss. She just doesn't realize it yet. He has a few rules of his own. The first one is that he's in control when it comes to sex. Her mind may be her own but her body is his to do with as he wishes. He requires her total surrender to him.
Office worker Mae Southall is not sticking around to see the new owner of the company she works for. On her way out the door she bumps into a handsome man who seems just as attracted to her as she is to him. Little does she know that he is the very man she has just run from meeting. Once Robert gets Mae to trust him he shows her how dominant a man can be but Mae is too independent to let a man do that to her. Can Robert show Mae that it is ok to like being dominated by a man or will she run from him and her true feelings?
Mae is a very strong woman who finds out that she enjoys the Dom and Sub relationship between a man and a woman but has been brought up thinking it is wrong to let a man take over like that. She goes through many emotions as she tries to figure things out. Robert can be a caring Dom at times but he was very arrogant and pushy for most of the book. I really enjoyed the storyline but did not care for Robert. I enjoy my characters with a bit more heart than Robert showed and a bit less of the arrogance. Mae was a great character. She is a modern woman who has to reconcile her wants and desires with today's moral attitudes. Her inner turmoil was a good read and made the story more plausible. I have to comment on the point of Mae not being stick thin as many of the woman and characters are lately. I commend this author for allowing Mae to be a woman with a little meat on her bones and having the men especially Robert enjoy a woman who has something to them.
Penn Halligan does a good job of bringing you into the story and keeping you there until the end. This book was well written and fast paced. If you enjoy a quick and hot read about love and lust you should definitely check this story out.
1 comment:
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Tonight, in our gym, at 4:00, your UNDEFEATED Comets SR Girls Basketball team takes on Belle River in their first play off game. PLEASE COME OUT & SHOUT, CHEER, & support your team! You won't be disappointed to see the MVP Bosana Said, the speedy Butler sisters Taya & Justyse, Karla -chicken wing- Al Najm, monsterous McKayla Cacilas, Thongdiar aka Teeeeeeee Keror, the unmoveable Destiny Knuckles, rough & tough Haiden Elliott, box out Nyapini James, all star Susan Ding, no nonsense Mori Motto, and out of my way Carly Wabishewich! Go Comets!
Sent from FirstClass with my iPhone


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Halloween is swiftly approaching, and with it, bags of sugary sweets that are waiting to be handed out to eager children in their costumed finery. You may want to be particularly careful of any purchases of chocolates you have made. Although candy in general is not a recommended treat for your pets, chocolate can be particularly dangerous - sometimes even fatal.
According to a recent article in US News and World Report, pets who consume chocolate can experience vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, irregular heartbeat, tremors, seizures and even death. The culprit behind these symptoms is a substance in chocolate called theobromine. Not all chocolate poses the same risk, because different types of chocolate have varying concentrations of theobromine. The semisweet and milk chocolate in many favorite treats sport a higher concentration of the substance than white chocolate, for example. If your pet consumes a significant amount of chocolate, you should call a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately.
Our featured pet this week is Skipper, a Maltese/Pomeranian-mix who wears a permanent smile on his perky face. Skipper has a lot of energy for a little guy and loves the opportunity to run around and play. He's very affectionate and gets along well with most everyone he meets. Despite his energy, Skipper is generally easygoing and doesn't get too hyper when he is enthusasitic. He would make a great addition to any family who has time to give him the attention and activity he needs.
You can come to the NSCPCA and meet Skipper any time during open hours, or at another time by appointment. Call (802) 962-8604 to talk to one of our shelter staff to set up a time, or to learn more about this frisky fellow.


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We'uns Is Gettin' Famous
And I don't understand what Leslie means "From the Rowdies in the Back of the Bus". We ain't rowdy, it's just Jim Bob and that mason jar.
Yeah, we know we're a redneck if:
1. You take your dog for a walk and you both use the same tree.
2. You can entertain yourself for more than 15 minutes with a fly swatter.
3. Your boat has not left the driveway in 15 years.
4. You burn your yard rather than mow it.
5. You think "The Nutcracker" is something you do off the high dive.
6. The Salvation Army declines your furniture.
7. You offer to give someone the shirt off your back and they don't want it.
8. You have the local taxidermist on speed dial.
9. You come back from the dump with more than you took.
10. You keep a can of Raid on the kitchen table.
11. Your wife can climb a tree faster than your cat.
12. Your grandmother has "ammo" on her Christmas list.
13. You keep flea and tick soap in the shower.
14. You've been involved in a custody fight over a hunting dog.
15. You go to the stock car races and don't need a program.
16. You know how many bales of hay your car will hold.
17. You have a rag for a gas cap.
18. Your house doesn't have curtains, but your truck does.
19. You wonder how service stations keep their restrooms so clean.
20. You can spit without opening your mouth.
21. You consider your license plate personalized because your father made it.
22. Your lifetime goal is to own a fireworks stand.
23. You have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say "Cool Whip" on the side.
24. The biggest city you've ever been to is Wal-Mart.
25. Your working TV sits on top of your non-working TV.
26. You've used your ironing board as a buffet table.
27. A tornado hits your neighborhood and does $100,000 worth of improvements.
28. You've used a toilet brush to scratch your back.
29. You missed your 5th grade graduation because you were on jury duty.
30. You think fast food is hitting a deer at 65.


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Sunday, December 7, 2008
Arni's Restaurant
Problem #1. Location. They chose a very remote area on US135 where a previous Damon's had already perished. If you don't live south of Smith Valley, you'd never know it's there. With as many other open commercial spaces available in town, we hope the rent is darned near free. Not to mention Applebee's & O'Charley's are a mere 1/4 mile away and in better locations. Being as anti-chain as we are, we hope they can overcome.
But all is not lost, as Arni's provides people with good reason to look down the road from the "TGI-McFunster" mediocrity. (Thank you, Mr. Bourdain)
While the interior design is obviously still a work-in-progress (some lighting non-functional and all walls bare), the layout is sensible. They provide a good-sized entry, followed by a large front dining area with fireplace, a central bar & a large family dining area in the rear. It is obvious, even though they have a comfortable looking bar room, that this is a family-centric establishment.
Unfortunately, we noticed areas that lacked working lighting were still being utilized for guests. Not a smart first impression for those diners. On a better note, we observed that each server had been given a pager. A smart way, presumably, for the kitchen to communicate with the wait staff. Why is this not done elsewhere?
But we digress. It's about the food, right?! The menu is quite extensive. Appetizers, burgers, pizzas, pastas, wraps, sandwiches, salads and desserts. Nothing out of the ordinary, but something for everyone. Fred was worried he was in for a sub-par evening.
Libby was hopeful, considering it's roots. Ozzy's carb levels were low.
Upon searching, seemingly in vain, for something different, Fred stumbled upon the Chipotle Shrimp & Bacon tacos. They proved to be a super-spicy explosion! No McFunsters here! One criticism. Instead of a ranch dressing side, how about sour cream or blue cheese? The ranch didn't complement an otherwise incredibly flavorful dish. The accompanying caesar salad, while nothing to write home about, was tasty.
With the sign's proclamation of "Pizza and Stuff ", Libby opted for the pizza. While we find that restaurants usually can only do either the Pizza or the Stuff adequately, we needed a balanced perspective. Although there is an extensive ingredient list and some interesting specialty pizzas, Libby decided to go with a base pepperoni pizza. What makes this pizza a little different is that they are a thin crust and the pepperoni is diced. Not to it's detriment, Libby was initially reminded of Totinos. A huge fan of the spiced beef, or "monkey meat" Totinos, this offered an excellent dining out alternative. The crust, although thin, still had a chewy texture, slight crisp, and a nice spice to the pepperoni. It was definitely greasy, as they did not skimp on the cheese either. If only they offered monkey meat...
Ok, so guess what? Ozzy got the Mac 'n Cheese (Kraft variety, per the menu). No comment. But the fries on the side were "good". After a weekend of not eating due to illness, we were happy to see the boy enjoying sustenance.
Wrap Up
Price-$-$$, Very affordable.
Atmosphere-***, Assuming that the interior will be completed in due time.
Service-***, Fast. Although a generally young staff, they were very accommodating and well coordinated.
Fred -B, Variety is good. But not the SAME variety everyone else has, please....
Libby - B, Pizza wise, there's some serious competition in this city. A good pizza, but I'd like to sample more! The beer tap left something to be desired with Blue Moon as the only viable option.
Ozzy -B, Two bites of Kraft Mac and fries almost gone. Libby, "Is it good?". Ozzy, "Yeah."
2 comments:
this has to be the worst restaurant that i have ever ate at,first the waitress brought us the wrong food and then when they did bring us our food,it was horrible,bacon cheeseburger???is that real hamburger,hamburger doesn't taste like that,and it sure wasn't worth 30.00,you can get better beef at whitecastle,really,I would have like to try the pizza next,but if it's 100 times better than the burger it would only mean it as good as a frozen pizza....I will not be going back
- August 16, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Go Flo yourself! If you want everything perfect eat at home! Then again I bet your husband would have something to say about that! Don't go out to eat and expect every restaurant in town to make everything your way.... Oh, wait, you could go to burger king and from the looks of you that is where you eat most of your meals!
- May 7, 2013 at 11:12 AM


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|Pileated Woodpecker Silhouette
I should love to shrink and be allowed to ride upon this Pileated Woodpecker. I shall not force my will upon him nor shall we bond . . . both of us remaining free to our individual destinies. I will carefully grasp onto his fiery red mane or cap and fit snug into the gap between his head and wings . . . my legs helping to hold me safe. I can fly with him over the leafless landscape and mountains, then into the floating painted clouds, but I can never know the thrilling feeling of freely sailing into the air . . . he might feel . . . as his wings open and close. Since this is only a dream, I am content with imagining the joy of such flight. Here the majestic mostly black woodpecker appears like a silhouette, for the lighter sky in the background has washed out his bold red plumes and white markings. If you would like to see the beauty of this creature, you can see him in full color here.
|Mount Holyoke Range at Sunset
|Mount Tom
|High Ridge and Carey Hill
This time of year sunrises and sunsets are more vivid and dramatic above Flower Hill Farm. Observing light painting the sky is a good way to begin and end any day.
Before dawn Venus shines brightly and the evening sky is lit up by a fabulous celestial display. First to rise in the southeast over Walnut Hill is the beautiful star cluster 'Pleiades', which is also known as the Seven Sisters.
Many a night I saw the Pleiades, rising thro' the mellow shade,
Glitter like a swarm of fireflies tangled in a silver braid.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Next to rise are the Twins of 'Gemini', Castor and Pollux, who were the mythological twin brothers of Helen of Troy . . . all children of Zeus and Leda. The bright stars lay diagonally from one another in the foreheads of the twins, above and to the left of the mighty 'Orion - The Hunter'. Orion's Belt dangles, like diamond pendants from a chandelier, between the behemoth red Betelgeuse, in the hunter's right shoulder and the blue supergiant Rigel in his left foot. Sirius the dog star (our brightest star) of 'Canis Major' faithfully follows his master soon after. If you do not suffer from light pollution, you can see this star studded show each night for free with the naked eye.
Looking up at the sky connects us to one another and with ancestors and ancient peoples from all over the world. It is fascinating how many cultures, from the Greeks to our Native Americans, share similar folklore regarding the heavens we all see simply by gazing upon the world above us. It seems the perfect time of year to ponder the miracles of light in our day and night life.


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Hey Mrs. not so genius after all, communications by the attorney need to be labeled that they're confidential or privileged. If the lawyer doesn't say so explicitly, how would the recipient know for sure. Nobody trusts your judgement since you screwed the school district in CA Mrs. Bruno. When Jackson Lewis (same law firm, same case) published their hit piece on the officers last summer, I mean report that the liars club says cleared the chief, it was the town manager who waived attorney/client privelege to disseminate it. So even if the clown council wants to argue that privelege exists with an attorney being paid with public money (which it doesn't) the precedent exists that the town manager is the responsible party. So sorry Laura. Marty's opinion has proven wrong at nearly every turn, and Murry is a hack at best (whose compromised by his own ethical dilemma of being a partner at law with Bill Simms of the Risk Pool),so I'm just trying to help you here. You idiots are setting the town up for a defamation suit by Workman and I'll bet she's already shopping attorneys. Or perhaps, they are shopping her!
Lastly show us the penalty for violating attorney/client privilege, 'cause it aint a crime. Lawyers can get sanctioned, but the client can waive the privilege, even in the most unintended manner. It happens every day.
Oh, and before we forget, they've called a special meeting so that they can discuss their official position on Mayor Foster. Will they make the Risk Pool happy and minimalize loss? Or will they continue down the road of municipal destruction?


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Andrew Michler, a writer who writes about sustainable building practices, has profiled Plaza Diane, in Powell, on his website. Take a gander at the slide show of how this old corner gas station was updated and made into a contemporary art space, both inside and out.
The image is not great, but the photos of this arts center on the Andrew's website are sharp and show several views of the outside and inside of the remarkable transformation.


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Alright, so I'm a little behind, but here it is. We were able to spend a week in Utah for Thanksgiving this year. It was filled with lots of fun activities, and late nights. The kids were in heaven with all the cousin time.
We were able to be apart of little Kendall's baby blessing (Adam's sister's new baby). Adam went coyote hunting and shooting with his brothers one morning. We had Thanksgiving at his parents house, and then the next day we went to see Frozen, ate at Chuck-a-Rama, and headed down to Salt Lake to the Marriott. We walked around temple square where I attempted to get just one good family picture...fail. But, we saw all the pretty Christmas lights, and beautiful displays in the Macy's windows.
We then swam and swam at the hotel until all the little ones were wiped out. The adults stayed up late eating tacos and playing games.
We were also able to visit my sweet Grandma. She even had her famous peanut blossom cookies waiting for us! We always love visiting her, and wish we could see her more often.
Utah was fun...even if we did have to fly home on a red eye flight. We were TIRED! We wish we could see everyone more often, but are grateful for the fun week we had.
Ruby and her cousin Mia are just a couple weeks apart, and oh so cute.
Spent one morning at Scheel's with Adam's parents.
There were some smiles and tears on the ferris wheel.
All the boys getting ready for their coyote hunting.
Ruby holding her new cousin Kendall.
Airport hair.
These cute boys just relaxing after our Thanksgiving feast.
Hailey and Natalie learning some knitting skills from Aunt Letitia.
Thanksgiving chocolate pie.
Delivering their letters to Santa.
One attempt at a family picture.
Gavin and his cousin Cameron.
Wiped out in Chuck-A-Rama.
And the second attempt at a family photo. Ha.


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Sept 1 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened flat on Thursday as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of a set of economic data, including Friday's jobs report, that would speak of the health of the economy and the timing of interest rate hikes.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 8.15 points, or 0.04 percent, to 18,409.03, the S&P 500 lost 0.06 points to 2,170.89 and the Nasdaq composite rose 6.27 points, or 0.12 percent, to 5,219.49. (Reporting by Yashaswini Swamynathan in Bengaluru)


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A ship in port is safe, but this is not what ships are for. Sail out to sea and do new things. ~Grace Hopper~
Monday, March 2, 2015
The Classics - Opening Lines: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
I love the classics and plan to share some "opening lines" over the coming months. Comment if you like, or read for inspiration. Writing styles were different then, but were they really?
9 comments:
After reading a guest post at Tyrean's site with C. Lee McKenzie, I see how opening lines are so important. Lee's advice on opening lines was quite impressive.ReplyDelete
Moby Dick has a great opening line.Replies
Yes indeed; just read Lee's interview at Tyrean's. Those lines are important!Delete
I've always loved this opening. Especially the first line. Right away I wonder who it is and have to follow to find out.ReplyDeleteReplies
I've read this novel a number of times (partly, because it was required reading in school, but also read it for pleasure). It always draws me back with that opening.Delete
I have never read this book because it is about killing a whale in my naïve thinking (there is so much more to it I know). This opening to the book does not begin to tell the big events he will go throughReplyDelete
Well, when a book is forced on you (i.e. in class), you do the assignment. Studying this author would have been enough for me not to read it. His personal bio isn't great. But the novel is more than about a man killing a whale. I read it one summer for pleasure and there was no turning back. Reading it, the effect is almost hypnotic. You go to sea and learn so much about geography, sailing, the whaling industry, etc, but the underlying metaphors, the themes, the essays are so worth it. You find yourself thinking about life and the inner workings of man, why we do what we do. The language alone pulls you in. I don't like the idea of killing a whale either, nor do I like the idea of killing any animal, but I do eat meat. I came away with an admiration for the white whale.ReplyDelete
That's one of my favourite opening lines :)ReplyDelete
Thanks, Lynda. Stop back sometime :)ReplyDelete
shells reading is an ancient method of divination practiced throughout human history in various forms by the world cultures.ReplyDelete
Shells readings is a method of shells reading that is intuitive, personal, and accessible to all.
shells readings
"Stay" is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary
(A.B. Alcott). Stay and visit awhile. Your comments mean a lot to me.


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Circle 3 Magazine Table is a stunning example of form and function suited for home or office designed exclusively by Mark Zuckerman and Monty Lawton from the In House Furniture. The Circle 3 Magazine Table was originally designed in natural maple and is now also available in walnut on a maple core. The walnut is naturally finished and not stained, making the edges accented by light maple.
The C3 Table is both sculptural and functional: It can beautifully accommodate dozens of magazines without damaging them. The table was introduced in 1994 and was soon placed in the Baltimore Museum of Art's permanent 20th Century Design Collection. The C3 Table is produced in North Carolina by one of America's premier manufacturers and ships fully assembled. Its durable state of the art finish enables the C3 Table to be easily cleaned with a damp cloth.
Circle 3 Magazine Table 22″ h x 24″ w x 19″ dia top maple or walnut.
Circle 3 Magazine Table: Maple: $695 Walnut: $795.


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This is best part of the trip up seeing the sign only 1 km to go. Does the heart start to pump, the beginning of another fun filled trip to Silv'ry Moon Lodge. My son, nephews Mon and dad and boy's girlfriend were were already there waiting for my brother and I to arrive. When we arrived the boys informed me the fishing was tough just a few little guys kidding I said well that's not because you haven't had a good guide to show you the hot spots . With that next thing I know Kory, Lindsy and I are on or way out to look for some big fish. Well day one did I show them the art of catching fish. I ended with all the fish but one walleye my boy caught.
Poor Lindsy hooked a few but never landed any.
I told her at the end of the day every person had their day in the sun and today was mine. Well the next day was their day here they are Kory's 4lbs 3 oz and Lindsy's 4 lb 4 oz. Myself zero lol but we all had fun.
That night 4 of us in 2 boats went out for some walleye. Here is a nice 7 lb walleye my brother got.
here are a few more walleye we caught through the week.
Here are a few more pictures of the trip hope you all enjoy


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We settled into our hotel at Ohare and will try for a couple hours of sleep before our 3:00am wake up call.
Today I have been been thinking about the verse in 1 Samuel after Saul had disobeyed the Lord by not totally destroying the nation he had conquered. He had held back some choice sheep and cattle to sacrifice to Samuel's God. Samuel let him have it for his disobedience and told him "to obey is better than sacrifice.
For most of us It is so much easier to 'sacrifice' some cash to meet someone's need rather than personally go and see what you can do to help. I pray that after the next ten days I will continue in my quest to obey.
For my good and His glory.


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Friday, January 2, 2009
Reflection: 2008
1. Getting a Masters Degree from Towson University. The program was not a perfect program, but it did allow me a lot of autonomy of what I wanted my projects and my readings to be, and, thus, I learned a lot. I really enjoyed completing my final project, which was a re-writing of the 9th grade English curriculum at my school. I've used it a lot. I've also established at least one relationship with a professor who I think I will stay in touch with for as long as I'm in the area. The Masters has given me a nice little raise, a raise of nearly $600/month that goes a long way in explaining why I've spent a lot of the last seven years broke when my friends (who all have Masters degrees) seem fine. A house seems in the realm of possibility now when it never really did before.
2. Completing the NEA/Folger Teaching Shakespeare Institute over the summer: This year, I finally found something useful to do with my summers. Summers have always been an annoyance to me, a 2-month time with no paycheck (no, there's no option in BCPSS to have your pay spread across 12 months, so you have to set up a separate account at the bank, and, well, I still think that kind of sucks) where I didn't have much to do except wait tables and wait around for school to start. This year, I applied for a NEA grant to attend a Teaching Shakespeare Institute at the Folger Library. It was four weeks of intense Shakespeare study with 24 educators from around the country. The four weeks was envigorating and eye-opening, and I am using a lot of the ideas I learned in my classroom all the time.
3. Continuing to work on teaching freshmen and juniors: When the school year started, I found myself teaching 9th and 11th graders again. It's the schedule I requested, and the second year in a row teaching the same schedule. I would prefer less than four of any one class (130 essays all at once is a burden), but the schedule couldn't be better otherwise - I love the bright eyes of the 9th graders and the rigor of the 11th grade class.
4. Renewing certification: In the fall, I also completed a couple of terrible certification courses, a complete nadir in my pursuits of higher education. Coppin State University should be embarrassed to be associated with these classes. However, I'm glad I took the classes, as now, I believe, I am set and certified for at least the next six years or so.
5. Starting National Board Certification: I also decided to take on the challenge of National Board Certification. Only two teachers in Baltimore City attained the certification this year, including one of my good friends. In my department, there are three total National Board certificate holders; in the past, two mentors I have taught with also held the certificate and pushed me to do the same. Currently, three of us are pursuing it in our department. Perhaps, two years from now, you will see my name on that list. It's a pretty intense and rigorous process (taping, writing, testing) and haven't dove in with as much as I've wanted to so far, but I will soon.
6. Leading baseball team to third round of playoffs: I work very hard on my coaching - the planning, the preparation, the management. I really love it. This year was our most successful year in my five years as coach at least in terms of winning, as we actually beat a county team, a team with a great baseball facility and some real solid talent. We still have lots of hurdles to get over, but it was a good year.
7. Starting up the BMoreTeach Blog: I go through a lot of stages with blogging, and a lot of questioning about why I do it. I do know that I love writing and using writing as a tool to figure things out, and that, hopefully, will never change. I've been at it since April 2000, when I was in college. This year, I finally discovered that a lot of my students are probably reading, and I finally decided to separate my professional and my personal blogs partially for that reason. I know the administration at my school knows about BMoreTeach, and I've often wondered what they think about it - but I've never used it as a tool to grouse about the management at my school, nor about anything else I think is unprofessional. I'm not sure what my goals are for it, but, ideally, I'd like to create something along the lines of what Dana Huff has - a tool for my own teaching reflection, plus a resource for other teachers. I also want to add the element of allowing people, even non-educators, to get a window into the world of teaching in a city. Hopefully I've started that this year with this blog.
8. Integrating Technology into my Classroom: TSI was a lot about technology, and I finally buckled down and bought myself both a laptop and an LCD Projector for my classroom this year. I've loved using them, and am trying to do other things, especially student blogging. It's hard in a school without much resources in terms of technology, but I'm doing my best.
9. Continuing to attend conferences: If memory serves, I attended three professional conferences this year. Two were for coaching - the Cherry Hill Baseball Coaching Conference in Philadelphia and the Mid-Atlantic Baseball Coaching Conference in Bethesda. I also attended IB MYP Training this year in Baltimore. I couldn't afford NCTE this year, but am definitely going to be there next year.
10. Quitting my 2nd job: It's definitely made my professional career a stronger priority, given me more time to do the things I want to do with my teaching - returning papers quicker, planning more cohesively, and reflecting more.
3 comments:
- Jackie said...
There's a teacher who keeps a blog called Eduholic at Teacher magazine, and he blogged a lot about his experience with the national cert process-- I think he also wrote a story for the WaPo magazine about it, full of interesting details and warnings. I think he did not pass the first time, but resubmitted some sections and then passed? Definitely worth a read.
Sounds like you had a great professional year, despite a few lowlights. I'm trying to focus on finding good professional development opportunities for myself this upcoming calendar year-- have you ever been to NCTE?
- January 3, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Your blogging is close to a perfect 10 in terms of what makes reading a blog compelling. It is a gift to the Baltimore community as is your teaching. I hope my 2 year old son might one day have you as a teacher.
- January 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Wow - you've had a busy year! I'm starting to teach Persepolis in Jan in French. The story is amazing and the film fantastic. I know my students will be very interested. The subject though is daunting; I'll have to do my research.
Great blog - thanks!
- January 4, 2009 at 6:05 PM


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hannah and stina getting drunk at a baby shower last weekend.
han's wearing the garden pantsuit from the new samantha pleet collection that will be up on the site on monday. this pantsuit is a serious boob accentuater, and apparently goes perfectly with the pamela love rope earrings.
she even looks cute with that pony tail trying to be a bun on the top of her head.
Friday, April 2, 2010
1 comment:
- Adele said...
How cute!x
- April 7, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Road Tests
Episode 3250
Ford's luxury brand Lincoln has be been in a sad place for some time now. Sales sagged badly, and it's image is not what it once was. But there's hope. This Lincoln MKZ is the first vehicle in a total revamping of the Lincoln lineup due over the next couple of years. And so far, it's been moving out of dealers at a good pace. So let's see if the MKZ is a true sign of great things to come for Lincoln.
It took Lincoln quite a while to deliver a 2013 MKZ to us for a complete road test. So we had plenty of time to remember all of the gussied up Fords that Lincoln has tried to pass on as luxury cars in recent years, and we were quite prepared for more of the same with the all new Lincoln MKZ.
But not so fast. This MKZ is quite different from the Ford Fusion that it's based on. Though it rides on a chassis with the same mid-sized 122.2 inch wheelbase, overall length is over two inches longer. More notably, all body panels are unique, and Lincoln wears its own face with the best rework of their classic dual split-wing grille yet. And in an effort to further distinguish from the Fusion, the MKZ offers a huge, retractable glass roof not available at the Ford store.
Like most brands that are out to reinvent themselves, Lincoln is attempting to attract younger buyers, and this thoroughly modern take should help. However, to us, the MKZ's smooth front doesn't seem to jive with the very angular rear, which still looks like "old money." But all in all, it is the most original Lincoln since the Jaguar-based LS arrived in 1999.
That impression is further reinforced inside. It's a very progressive design with features like Push Button Shift for the transmission and of course MyLincoln Touch. There's also decent materials, a much more flowing design with artistic use of wood tones, richer looking gauges, and front seats with a custom feel that are also more comfortable than Fusion. Overall, the environment is luxurious in a non-showy way. Except for one thing, the cheap feeling steering wheel paddle shifters. We could live without them.
The rear seat is roomy for three. Plus, for uplevel safety, it includes Ford's inflatable rear seat belts. The split seatbacks fold for cargo flexibility. The trunk is also well appointed, and holds an adequate 15.4 cubic feet of luggage.
Also unlike the Fusion, a V6 is still be available; the 300-horsepower 3.7-liter used in the MKX crossover. It's a good move to attract luxury buyers. But the V6 is only one of three choices. Most MKZs will come powered by Ford's 2.0-liter EcoBoost I4 with 240-horsepower and 270 lb-ft. of torque. It's plenty powerful, but makes a bit too much noise for a luxury car.
There's also an MKZ Hybrid, sharing the 2.0-liter I4 system from the Fusion Hybrid. Non-hybrids shift with a 6-speed automatic, and there's Lincoln Drive Control which adjusts engine, transmission, and chassis settings with Sport, Normal, and Comfort modes. All-wheel-drive is an option.
As for high-tech "keep up with the Jones'" type of things, there's self-parking, and a hidden rear dome light that senses when you want it to come on, without actually touching it. Also, a whole suite of camera and radar based safety aides are available including Lane Keeping, Collision Warning, and Blind Spot monitoring.
Monitoring our progress down the track, we observed a 0-60 time of 7.7-seconds with good, initial power off the line. Transmission shifts are smooth and brisk; and in 15.9-seconds we tripped the lights at the end of the quarter mile at 89 miles-per-hour.
Our handling portion of track activities was equally inspiring with a surprisingly delightful touch of oversteer… and the brakes responded respectably as well, with stops averaging only 119-feet from 60.
Even with all-wheel-drive, Government Fuel Economy Ratings are pretty good if you opt for the 2.0 EcoBoost; 22-City, 31-Highway, and 25-Combined, and we averaged a good 27.5 miles—per-gallon of Regular in mixed driving. So the Energy Impact Score is also decent with annual oil consumption of 13.2-barrels of oil and CO2 emissions of 5.9-tons.
Having a low base price might not give it status in the luxury community, but it does just fine for those looking for a bargain, and at $36,820 the Lincoln MKZ is just that.
Clearly the 2013 Lincoln MKZ is not the Lincoln we were expecting. It's much better and more in line with other premium brands from mass market automakers. It is a strong statement that Ford is committed to making Lincoln relevant again. Now we'll find out if luxury car buyers are still listening.
Vital Statistics
Engine: 2.0-liter EcoBoost I4
Horsepower: 240
Torque: 270 lb-ft.
0-60 mph: 7.7 seconds
1/4 mile: 15.9 seconds @ 89 mph
EPA: 22 mpg city/ 31 mpg highway
Energy Impact: 13.2 barrels of oil/yr
CO2 Emissions: 5.9 tons/yr


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Oedipus Rex, produced by Sophocles in the maturity of his powers, is his masterpiece. Aristotle also regarded this play as Sophocles's best and he frequently referred to it as the perfect type of tragic composition. Its greatness lies in the combination of a faultlessly-constructed plot with the profoundest insight into human motive and circumstance.It is the story of the impact of a totally undeserved misfortune upon a man of no exceptional faults or virtues. It reveals, with a merciless sincerity, the pitfalls lying about the path of a man into which those very unexceptional faults or virtues may at a touch overbalance him, at the bidding of some incalculable chance, and out of which he must raise himself by the greatness of his soul which alone makes him a match for the eternal powers. The story has its religious and anthropological implications. But the average reader is more interested in the more universal human issues of the drama. Oedipus is too complacent in his prosperity, too confident of his sufficiency, too ready to take offence or to impute blame when upset by the approach of trouble. Oedipus is unshirking in the performance of a self-appointed unpleasant task, and he is unflinching in quest of the truth at whatever cost of terrible self-revelation. Oedipus is driven to the summit of passion by the agony of body and soul, and returns at last to humility and selfless resignation. This vast and living portrait of a man, surrounded by a group of subsidiary figure no less vital, has no equal in the Greek, or in any other theatre. The chorus, fellow-citizens desperately concerned in the awful happenings, are closely tied to the action and their moods move swiftly with the march of events. Bewildered and apprehensive, they have little respite for calm reflection or reasoned judgment, and even their final words seem only to deepen the hopeless gloom. The moral they would draw for us is implied rather than stated in their moods of apprehension lest divine law should after all be found wanting, and a lurking spirit of defiance be justified by the event. This worst calamity at least is averted.
Oedipus Rex has been thought to be a "marvel of construction", and its plot has thus been analyzed:
Act I
The arrival of an oracle about the plague in
commanding the banishment of the unknown murderer of the late King Laius. Thebes
Act II
Oedipus, in the course of his investigation of the murder, quarrels with Teiresias, the true servant of the gods.
Act III
Hot-tempered and suspicious, Oedipus quarrels also with Creon, the true servant of the State.
Act IV
A messenger comes from Corinth. Jocasta realizes the truth and goes to hang herself. Oedipus, misunderstanding the situation, persists in his inquiry, and the Chorus rashly exults in the hope of discovering that some great, perhaps divine, parentage is his.
Act V
Owing to the revelations of the messenger, a shepherd is brought from Cithaeron. Oedipus in his turn realizes the truth—that he is the son of Laius and Jocasta—and rushes out to blind himself.
A Play About Human Greatness As Well As About the Insecurity of the Human Condition
Oedipus Rex is undoubtedly a play about the blindness of man and the desperate insecurity of the human condition. In a sense every man must grope in the dark as Oedipus gropes, not knowing who he is or what he has to suffer. We all live in a world of appearances which hide from us dreadful realities which we know not of. But surely Oedipus Rex is also a play about human greatness. Oedipus is great, not because of a great worldly position but because of his inner strength. He has the strength to pursue the truth at whatever personal cost, and he has the strength to accept and endure it when found. "This horror is mine," he cries, "and none but I is strong enough to bear it." Oedipus is great because he accepts the responsibility for all his acts, including those which are objectively horrible, though subjectively innocent.
Oedipus, a Symbol of the Human Intelligence
Oedipus is a kind of symbol of the human intelligence which cannot rest until it has solved all the riddles, even the last riddle to which the answer is that human happiness is built on an illusion. Sophocles does seem, in the last line of the play, to generalize the case; he does appear to suggest that in some sense Oedipus is every man and that every man is potentially Oedipus. In this matter Sophocles's view did not change. Whether this vision of man's condition (namely that all man living are but appearance or unsubstantial shadow) is true or false, it ought to be comprehensible to a generation which relishes the plays of Samuel Beckett. This view may not be a "message" but it certainly tends to an "enlargement of our sensibility."
Freud's Interpretation
Freud interpreted the play in a specific psychological sense: "Oedipus's fate," says Freud, "moves us only because it might have been our own, because the oracle laid upon us before birth the very curse which rested upon him. It may be that we were all destined to direct our first sexual impulses towards our mothers, and our first impulses of hatred and violence towards our fathers; our dreams convince us that we were."


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No one knows your story like you do. However, reliving your past will raise memories that have been tucked away in the darkest corner of your mind. If you are driven to tell "your story" the darkest memories are what will drive it forward. They are the crux of your life. You learned and grew because of them. They must be brought to the surface.
Read Laurie Rosin's full article "Full Disclosure" in Writer's Digest July/August 2010 issue and learn why full disclosure in a memoir is important. This is an eye opening article. Below are my notes.
Three Reasons to Disclose Painful Memories
1. Omissions can leave holes in your narrative.
Once you build the suspense to white knuckle level, you can't say "and next the police came". Whoaaa. I am at that point in my memoir. I have deep dark secrets I don't want my family to know but they need to know what shaped me and my readers deserve the full story.
2. Readers are drawn to authentic, motivated characters.
If your story is one you hope to encourage others with, tell the truth. Did you face a devastating rejection marring your sense of self worth for forty years, claim it. Your readers want a hero.
Laurie writes "First and foremost, remember that readers will be rooting for you. Memoirists are the protagonists of their own books."
3. Strong stories require dramatic unity.
It takes courage to relive traumatic events. When I write about my father's sudden death when I was sixteen and my first divorce at eighteen; it will be painful. Some memories are like snapshots in my mind. As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words". Don't hold back events that shaped you into the success you have become.
What's it all about-----?
Friday - Part III - Build your story around a Foolproof Framework


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iPad App for eDiscovery: idocument REVIEW
2:00 AM indigo
Reprinted with permission from the July 1, 2011 issue of Law Technology News, ©2011 ALM Media Properties, LLC.
idocument REVIEW, a new iPad App was recently introduced in a brief article by John Cleaves for Law Technology News. The new application sells for $29.99 and claims to tag, highlight, and redact documents. Those features, without more, made it worthy to investigate. There are, however, more key features:
No internet access required to review your documents.
Files are loaded through iTunes in a custom load file format (three files). To load a 20,000 page case takes about 2 and a half minutes.
You can load up to 20,000 pages per case load
You can load multiple cases.
You can Keyword search or search by document ID.
You can tag documents (like in Concordance, Summation, etc.) with up to 16 tags all of which can be customized to whatever the user needs (by the user and on the fly).
You can highlight and redact (black or white).
From iTunes:
idocument REVIEW has been developed to aid the on-the-go litigator! Unlike other document review tools available, idocument REVIEW is not dependent on an internet connection for access to your documents. Maintaining folder structure and OCR, idocument REVIEW provides an essential tool for you to review your documents right on your iPad.
The app allows users to tag, highlight and redact documents -- all at their fingertips. The app is also capable of sorting by tags and searching by keywords and image keys. Reviewing up to 20,000 pages per case load, exporting your changes after review is made possible by Discovery Document Technologies.
The app manages the content of a case on the iPad in three files: a DDT load file, an image file containing the document images, and an OCR file containing extracted text from the images. As advertised, idocument Review allowed me to tag, highlight, and redact documents -- all at my fingertips. I sorted content by tags and searched it using keywords and image IDs.
So what's the process?
1. Provide the data to Discovery Document Technologies for conversion to an iPad load file.
2. Save the iPad load file to the computer you synchronize your iPad with.
3. Synchronize the files with your iPad using iTunes. On your iPad....
4. Review your documents.
5. Export a .DDT file and send via e-mail to Discovery Document Technologies for processing against the original files.
6. Discovery will then send you a revised edition of the original images of your data.
So, this all sounds pretty good. It even comes with a sample data set, which is one of my pet peeves for iPad apps which need some material to learn with. The set is from the Enron matter, which is actually something I worked on several years ago.
There are some great training tutorials on the web site, which will get you quickly up to speed. This is not a complex app – at least from the user's perspective. It is fairly simple to use, and easy to learn. It seems to run searches very quickly. The only downside of the search results that I can see is that it doesn't highlight the text. Since you are viewing the image, and not the underlying OCR text file, you will have to visually look for your search hits on the returned pages, if you wish to verify your results.
One little "gotcha," is the fact that once you've completed your review, you'll need to send a file to Discovery Document Technologies in order to get your reviewed/redacted production set. The app, while useful, won't be of much value if you can't get your work product out of it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, since DDT does have a very good reputation, but just know that you're going to be married to them throughout the case.
I also did not find any complex search-building options. Typing a simple string of "Enron AND email" rendered no hits, so you'll be restricted to using this as sort of a first round review. Again, not that that's a bad thing, but this clearly isn't going to replace Summation or Concordance.
I wasn't feeling so warm about spending $29.99 on an app that, while it does appear to be a great value (especially in comparison to applications like Summation or Concordance), requires you to send everything to DDT for processing. However, I found that if you are loading at least 3GB of data, they will give you a voucher for the app, making this more of a "value-added" approach. With that, it becomes a very nice alternative to using a PC, especially if you're traveling. In the right scenario, it may even be possible to have an entire review team working on iPads. Happy reviewers (with iPads) are good reviewers.
If you'd like to work with some of the coolest stuff available, idocument REVIEW for the iPad is for you. It really is a kick to use, and it works well. Although it has limitations, if you're able to fit it into your workflow, you'll have fun doing it. Another way to look at it might be that if you have a set of data to process anyway (3 GB or more gets the app included free), and the processing pricing is acceptable, try it out.
idocument REVIEW $29.99 (or free with 3 GB data order)


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Decorative fabrics
HEDVA a.s. offers in its manufacturing program range of fabrics for the production of curtains, bedclothes and tablecloths. Decorative fabrics are produced in the wide range of jacquard patterns, in print implementation, alternatively as plain curtain fabrics.
|Material composition:
|100% PES, PES/ba
|140 cm, 160 cm a 200 cm
|Adjustments of fabrics:
The Teflon fluorocarbon adjustment edits the physical features of the fabric so that it becomes water repellent and oil repellent. The restoration of the effect is achieved by ironing the fabric. Neither feel, colour nor hang is altered during the adjustment of the fabric
Division of adjustments:
- TEFLON STANDARD / permanence : 5 laundry cycles by temperature of 40°C
- TEFLON HT / permanence : 20 laundry cycles by temperature of 40°C
Fire-resistant fabric TREVIRA CS
Hedva developed collection of products for hotel program, which are characterized by reduced combustibility, or permanent fire resistance, and meet a number of fire-fighting standards (DIN 4102 part 1/B1 etc.) in accordance with permanently increasing standards to reduce the risks of fire.
The limitations of flammability are enabled by special coaling adjustments or by use of TREVÍRA CS material, which has wide range of use (curtains, furniture fabrics, vertical lamellas etc.)
Fabrics are characterized by ideal useable qualities:
Simple maintenance, low-temperature washing, crease-resistance and extent stability of fabric, more comfortable and better for human skin than artificial materials, appropriate for products for children, (ÖKO-TEX STANDARD 100), brilliant colors, color fastness in the light, high strength, minimal flue gas emissions.
Use: public space, hotels, households.
Light-impermeable BLACK OUT
The decorative fabrics blackout are characterized by light-impermeable function. It enables partly or complete blackout of window.


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|A boy signs the petition to save a mother from stoning to death in Iran. Photo by CNN
London, England (CNN) -- In a room thousands of miles from her prison cell in northeastern Iran, the fear that has gripped Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani for years was clear and almost palpable.
"The day I was given the stoning sentence, it was as if I fell into a deep hole and I lost consciousness," said a human rights advocate, reading aloud from a letter attributed to Ashtiani. "Many nights, before sleeping, I think to myself how can anybody be prepared to throw stones at me; to aim at my face and hands? Why?"
Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, was set to be stoned to death for allegedly committing adultery in Iran. Members of the International Committee Against Executions, who have launched a public campaign for her freedom, held a news conference Friday to share a letter they said was from Ashtiani, who is being held in a Tabriz prison, and court documents from her case.
"I thank all of you from Tabriz prison," the letter said. Referring to advocate Mina Ahadi, Ashtiani wrote, "Mrs. Ahadi, tell everyone that I'm afraid of dying. Help me stay alive and hug my children." [... read more here]
Comments at JihadWatch


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Evangeline Anderson
ebook, 97 pages
Published August 26th 2008 by Loose Id
Sayana Nakamura is of one of the great houses of planet Kanasum and she has the silver eyes and indigo hair to prove it. But when her family name is tainted by bad luck, she is shunned by the superstitious people of her home world. Because of her genteel breeding, Sayana is expected to accept her fate and die with dignity. She refuses, and goes looking for a new destiny aboard the casino ship orbiting her home planet. There she must do the unthinkable--sell herself to the highest bidder in the sex auction in order to earn the credits to survive even though she knows this will brand her forever as an outcast when she returns to Kanasum.
Caleb Joiner is an ex-smuggler with time to kill and money to burn which is how he ended up on the casino ship in the first place. He is drawn to Sayana's delicate beauty but it is her fierce courage in the face of adversity that wins his heart. He tries to talk Sayana out of auctioning herself off but she is determined to follow her destiny. What can Caleb do but follow her...all the way to the auction and beyond.
Publisher's Note: Outcast is a re-edited, revised book previously released by another publisher, and it contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Dubious consent, exhibitionism, voyeurism.
I love Publisher's Notes that serve as a warning, especially when it lists all the good stuff! UNFORTUNATELY, this book contained not a one of the things we were warned about!! Whatever...
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, which is why I am appalled that someone would shelve it as "utter-shit" on Goodreads. Along with "no-just-no" and "never-again". Of course, the woman did mention paying $4.49 for a 97 page book--(I can't recall what I paid although it's currently listed at $5.49 on Amazon)--and that's just way too much to pay for this short story. $2.99 tops!
To take a Kanasumi woman's virginity will result in the changing the color of their eyes. I *know* I've read that somewhere before because I love the sound of it so much. I just can't put my finger on where...
When Sayana's father dies and her uncle gambles away all of her family's money and most treasured heirloom, the Nakamura family is considered tainted by bad Jo, or bad fortune. Once the good of her name is gone, a Kanasumi woman is to prick herself with a poisoned needle and go honorably into death. Sayana has every intention of following through with her duty but only after she sees to the wellbeing of her two younger sisters before she dies. To do that, she intends to sell her virginity for the credit necessary to pay for their boarding at a local convent.
Aboard an orbiting ship of her planet, Sayana's path crosses with Caleb Joiner, an ex-smuggler who is "independently wealthy and indescribably bored". Despite his inner voice telling him Sayana is not his problem, he rises to occasion of serving as her white knight when two thugs attempt to rape her and, later, attempt to buy her.
Caleb offers to give her the money, even lend her the money. Anything to keep her from doing the unthinkable but her honor will not allow her to take charity. She must earn her pay or the bad Jo will only increase.
Obviously this book is reminscent of the movie Memoirs of a Geisha, and for one, even Cowboy Bebop. Okay, maybe it's been too long since I've watched CB but space and smuggling were the only two links I could make to that.
The plot of the story was entirely believable. Some cultures still have very strong, unbreakable, ways of belief. The romance, although pleasant to read, was not nearly as convincing. He shares one decent conversation with the girl and Caleb already thinks he's falling for her. Pickin's must be slim up in space.
3 out of 5 stars.


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When you go to stabilize the left needle so that you can advance stitches toward the tip of the left needle, simply pinch the left tip with your right fingers, rather than stabbing it into your poor little finger. The pinch is all it takes to save a lot of pain.
Another piece of advice is meant to protect your circular needle at its join. When you are pushing stitches from the end of the right needle around the cable, hold on below the join and pull away after grabbing on there. This move is instead of just holding on to the right needle tip and pushing the bulk around. That move pulls on the joint. My way, you are protecting the joint and the life of your needle. I think of it like when you are trying to brush a tangle out of your hair, it hurts a lot less if you protect the root from being pulled straight down.
|Grab on with your left hand here and, then, push the stitches from right to the left end.
Happy Holiday Needling,


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Thursday, May 30, 2013
This Ol house Thursday...Living with the Pink Bathroom
7 comments:
OOOOOO.....have fun!! Can't wait to see the after! Embrace what ya can't change!ReplyDeleteReplies
Oh, I am EMBRACING it alright!!! I prepped the tiles today and will be painting them this weekend.Delete
This could be interesting....
Sounds interesting! I can't wait to see both the before and after! I'm intrigued! Enjoy the weather...finally getting warm here too! Thank goodness! :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Interesting is right!!! Wish me luck!Delete
Looking forward to seeing your creativity with your Pink Bathroom. I have one, too - pink and brown. Love it but. . . .challenging! It was lovely to meet you at Clovis Glorious Junk!ReplyDeleteReplies
Jeanne...it was SO nice to meet you! Thank you for introducing yourself...I loved meeting you!Delete
I will keep you posted with this bathroom...it is either going to be great...or bad, really bad!
I think it'll be gorgeous - especially as a girls bathroom!ReplyDelete


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Call us jaded, but we've come to take the term "sample sale" with a grain of salt. Sometimes, you show up and it's fashion gold. Other sales are so overwhelming and expensive, you can't even be bothered to try something on. Lucky for you, the Tibi Sample Sale that opened its doors today falls squarely into the former category.
The floor has samples that range from $15 (yes, $15) to $150 — and that price cap even includes the leather goods. We spotted some of the signature pieces — desert-print sweaters, floor-length gowns, and patterned pants — that trend-hounds will gobble up quickly, as well as some summer staples by way of flat sandals (just $75), and silk tops. Best of all, there are two large tables of rummage bins full of samples for $25. Shoes that never went into production can be snatched if you're a size 37, but they're going fast; there's only one pair of each. Overall verdict: SCORE.


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Vineyard #6 - 8x10" Acrylic on stretched canvas.
This is part of a series for the Marco Fuoco Gallery 30 works in 30 days.
The palette used is only 3 colors plus white.
Price:$44.85 FREE U.S. SHIPPING
(please feel free to contact me about international shipping)
Returns - Returns accepted within 7 days after the item is delivered, for full cash back.
NO CHARGE for the return shipping costs.
You can now view all of the available artwork on Mark Webster's Daily Painting Blog catagorized by the month in a new easy to navagate
Daily Painting Gallery!
Daily Painter - Original Oil and Acrylic Art - Painting a Day by California Artist Mark A. Webster


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I was in Genting a while ago for Snow World's launch. Courtesy to Resort World Genting's PR, I was treated a buffet lunch in Coffee Terrace.
Breakfast: 5.30am - 10.30am
Lunch: 12.00 noon - 2.30pm
Dinner: 5.00pm - 9.30pm
3.00pm - 5.00pm
10.30pm - 5.30am
It's considerably cheap coz everything in Genting has extra charge =(
Due to my camera is still until de-fog process after the Snow World's launch, here are some pictures I took with my phone. Might not be my best collection.
The are many section like Chinese, Japanese, Western, Nyonya etc.
Well sushi are definately from the Japanese section and the fry, roast and pasta is from Western.
Japanese Miso soup.
Savory pumpkin soup.
Everything is fine, not amazing or awesome. Just fine, nothing to shout about yet it's pretty standard and acceptable.
The lunch buffet have a wide variety of desserts. Their macrons are awesome! Well, not all, but some.
I wish I have a larger stomach for it #firstworldproblem


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|Coat from the new collection. Photo property of Clear Lan.
Previously, the only way to have items shipped from Clear Lan was via EMS, which can be quite expensive. For that reason, several of us would pool our orders and send in one super order so that we could share the shipping cost. However, recently Clear Lan added Registered Air Parcel as a shipping option which is considerably less expensive. Now I can order items any time I want! That may be a good thing, or a bad thing. Good for me and my dolls, bad for my budget.
|Poppy in Clear Lan
Here Endless Summer Poppy was photographed at Disney's California Adventure (DCA) last week wearing a sleeveless black turtle neck knit shirt, brown short sleeved cowl neck knit shirt, and cropped and cuffed denim jeans all from Clear Lan. The jewelry is from Ask Any Girl Poppy Parker gift set and the black plastic booties are from a Liv outfit.
If you'd like to see more of Poppy's trip to DCA, please click here to see more photos on my Flickr.