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Iron Maiden flying to theaters with "Flight 666"
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The Wayniac
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Daphne, AL.
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Iron Maiden flying to theaters with "Flight 666"
Iron Maiden flying to theaters with "Flight 666"
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) It's an unusual fashion choice for a heavy-metal singer.
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is strolling about an airport, looking a little nerdy in a short-sleeved white dress shirt and a black tie.
If he looks like an airline pilot, that's because he is. The 50-year-old rocker flies large passenger jets for a British charter company when he isn't prowling concert stages bellowing out "2 Minutes to Midnight" or "The Number of the Beast" in his operatic wail.
Dickinson often combines his two passions, as seen on the new tour documentary "Iron Maiden: Flight 666," in which the band and crew fly on a customized Boeing 757 to 11 countries in 45 days.
The film lands in theaters in 45 countries on April 21, and rolls out on DVD one month later. In March, it won best music documentary at the South By Southwest Film Festival in Texas.
Dickinson was one of four pilots on the 2008 trek, and he dressed the part when it was his turn in the cockpit -- to the consternation of his less-stylish bandmates.
"I couldn't get my head around that for a couple of weeks," said drummer Michael "Nicko" McBrain.
Some of the passengers had more pressing concerns: Is Dickinson a good pilot?
"We were nervous the first day when he took off. I was a bit concerned," said Scot McFadyen, who co-directed the film with fellow Canadian Sam Dunn. "After 20,000 miles, you relax a bit. He had the best landings out of the four pilots."
"Flight 666" follows the band on its "Somewhere Back in Time" world tour through India, Australia, Japan, the United States and Canada. But the real fun on the first leg of the yearlong journey begins in Latin America, where they are venerated like football stars.
Iron Maiden visited Costa Rica and Colombia for the first time, inspiring fans to quit their jobs to catch the shows, and turning macho men into sobbing wrecks. Pandemonium also reigned in Brazil, Argentina and Chile.
Rock bands' tour documentaries have an inevitable sameness: another day, another show, another country. Wacky fans, hungover musicians, and an awful lot of concert footage.
McFadyen and Dunn were aware of that pitfall, and faced another challenge. Iron Maiden is wary of outsiders. Since 1980 the British band has sold 70 million albums, largely without the help of radio airplay or the mainstream media.
"They've always, in general, been leery of any mass-media approach," said Dunn, who became an Iron Maiden fan when he was 12 years-old. "They've always done it their own way. To break that mold, as a successful band, is difficult. Why do they need us?"
Dickinson and McBrain were clearly comfortable with the seven-man camera crew. Their colleagues, including band leader and bassist Steve Harris, took longer to accept the intrusion. The filmmakers bonded with elusive guitarist Adrian Smith because they all played tennis. Another guitarist, Janick Gers, ignored the filmmakers until the last week.
"Now, he's like our buddy," said McFadyen. "I think we are part of their families now. We know them so well."
The filmmakers, who first gained attention with the 2005 documentary "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey," are now focusing on another underappreciated rock band, the Canadian power-trio Rush.
Iron Maiden, meanwhile, wrapped their world tour in April, and will return to the studio in January to record their 15th studio album, McBrain said. A tour is planned for later than year into 2010.
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Bin Laden Naked is a comic book that illustrates the humorous contradictions of religious extremism.
The graphic work provides insight into the religious extremism that is spreading in some Islamic countries, particularly after the rise of al-Qaeda and Bin Laden.
Radio Netherlands Worldwide was given an exclusive pre-publication look.
Algerian born Mohammed Sifaoui, a specialist in European Islam and the political Islamic groups, is the book's author.
Bin Laden Naked will be published by a Parisian publishing house on 11 September. Mr Sifaoui says it was no small feat creating Bin Laden Naked: "I had to exert a lot of effort in the few past months in order to make the book available for readers by September.
It's the comic side of those who use Islam for political ends".
Cartoon characters
The idea of resorting to cartoons when writing about al-Qaeda and Bin Laden came to Mr Sifaoui in 2003. "It was an idea that came to me while studying in Pakistan and Afghanistan, preparing to produce a documentary film and a book, both entitled The Search for Bin Laden.
The extremists I met during my trips were, I believe, like cartoon characters. My book consists of real incidents and not merely jokes about al-Qaeda and Bin Laden".
Sifaoui, who is an opponent of armed political Islamic groups, adds: "Those dark-minded people prove in every word and deed that they are comic and a source of amusement. It is this essential aspect that makes it easy for me to present the story of Islamic extremists and al-Qaeda in cartoons and pictures".
Prophet Mohammed cartoons
Mohammed Sifaoui began his work after the civil war in Algeria in the 1990s. He then fled to Paris, where he has been living for five years under the protection of the French police because of death threats. Mr Sifaoui says the Danish cartoons of the prophet Mohammed and the subsequent reactions from radical Islamists inspired him to write the story of al-Qaeda and Bin Laden in comic form. The author believes that despite the serious and fearful face of the al-Qaeda and religious extremism issue, there is a comic byproduct of the contradictions and lack of logical reasoning seen in Islamic extremists. He also believes Bin Laden Naked is the first book of its kind.
The veil and mobile phone
Mr Sifaoui sees the Islamic veil, 'hijab,' as one of the most important and sensitive issues in the fundamentalist Islamic thinking. He says: "The attitude of the extremists towards women is psychologically deformed, because, on the one hand, they deny her very existence, hide her behind the burque or the garment, deny her independence and deal with her as a material object, but on the other hand they marry four women. Bin Laden himself has four wives."
And the writer believes that one of the most important sources of irony is that the extremist leaders never risk their own lives. This leads to the cynical throught: Will the suicide attackers be ushered into paradise while Bin Laden and his sons will be deprived of this enjoyment?
With this book, the author wants to send a message to Muslim youths, especially in Europe, that extremism can never co-exist with modernism. He says his book is a new and unique way to understand the nature of what he calls Islamism. It is "a text that helps us laugh at those who want to terrorize us".
Source: Radio Netherlands

subset: commoncrawl


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Rifaximin tablet
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They were pretty easy to make, and a huge hit. I've already been asked by a few people to make some more for them, but I'm not sure if I want to get into that business or not! :) You can order your own here.
I was so inspired and found them so easy to make, that I made about 30 total. I used scrapbook paper, old cards and stationary that had pretty designs. They are not expensive to make, although the most expensive part is the chains. However, I used cheap chains that only cost me .99 cents and they worked well.
I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did! You can find a ton of easy crafts on this site, all with step by step visual instructions. People will love all the things you make and you'll find you might be more crafty than you think!


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While Gnosticism can, at times, have its creative side, when it comes to truly understanding the shared human source of our creativity, there's nothing new under the Gnostic Sun, not the least the desire of anxious youth to avoid facing certain humbling existential and human questions, preferring to think of themselves instead in the figure of a Sun King, as John Lennon once creatively imagined.
The power of Barack Obama's rhetoric, its ability to appear profound while saying little but "unite", "change", clearly appeals to the would-be uniters, the sun kings of latter days, as is now becoming all too apparent. One could snicker that Obama is simply telling the most guiltily race-conscious people in America that he is going to somehow free them from their guilt by constantly reminding them of the need for "change" and "unity". It's like the priest who keeps promising the forlorn that the Kingdom of God will appear on earth any day now.
But there is a larger point to be made: what Obama represents is a form of rhetoric that has for ages appealed to the young (and young-at-heart), including many happily race-conscious generations. In politics, there is always a divide, somewhere, and always a place for magicians who promise to overcome this hard reality. It's not that there aren't moments in political life when we can indeed overcome divisions; but these moments are always only temporary, as every new consensus gives way to new forms of difference: a consensus is something exchanged by people who have to be different to be engaged in human exchange, people who can never just all become the same thing and then freeze history in place. We are beings free to love and to resent any consensus; we can have no consensus, no shared new sign or idea, that is not already in the process of being exchanged, changed, eroded, reformed, etc. To be human is to exchange differences about what is only ultimately, i.e. originally, the same.
Joseph Knippenberg, writing about Dennis Hale's thoughts on the need for us to recognize the inevitability of division in politics sums up the question succinctly:
Hale makes the entirely commonsensical and grown-up point that choosing means dividing. Unity requires the overcoming or suppression of politics. Obama promises to build the kingdom on earth, which amounts to the overcoming of politics. But people who promise that usually end up trying to suppress politics.I admit to rather liking that moniker, but at the end of the day, one has to face the reality that calling liberal fascists by their proper name is not a way to win them over to reality, as the outrage over Goldberg's book suggests.
If Obama were serious about unity, he'd be Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, or Mussolini. I credit him with not being altogether serious. He's merely, as Jonah G. would say, a liberal fascist.
As I say, it's not that unity is never possible; it's not that we can't all agree to change; it's just that if we are all to agree on change it has to be over a real promise that is truly open-ended, open to a further exchange of differences, open to new, if yet undeveloped, divisions. And if Obama presumes to represent such a promise, he needs to make clear how he can set up a new political dynamic, a new form of exchange, by bringing new ideas and realities into play in a way that widely raises excitement that a new game, a new challenge, is about to be unboxed and no one yet can know who will learn to master this game, since all players have reason to hope. That's a consensus: the start of an exciting game.
Since my colleagues here at Covenant Zone are frequently discussing how one can appeal to young people, this post began with the idea that I would put up some thoughtful comments from Knippenberg's colleague at NoLeftTurns, Julie Ponzi:
John McCain will not get the same kind of youth support that Barack Obama gets. Indeed, he ought not want to inspire that kind of reflexive, unthinking and insipid prostration.
But all young people are not twits. There is plenty to be tilled from the fertile garden of thinking and emerging-in-intelligence youth. John McCain can start by reminding us that he, too, was once young. He can talk about character in a way that inspires rather than chastises. His story is an inspiring one. He has not used it to as much good effect as he might--partly, I think, out of a sense of modesty and partly out of a (sensible) desire not to bring up the whole Vietnam debate and, thereby, hearken back to the debates of the 1960s (yet again). There is some danger in this, I admit. But the debate that Obama wants to engage is, for all his youth and inexperience, a very old one. This can be demonstrated. The truth is that Obama is nothing new under the sun. And he can be made to look very foolish for thinking that he is. Young people are always insecure about the possibility that they look foolish. Don't offend them by telling them that they are foolish--but point things out that lead them to this conclusion on their own.
There are things a septuagenarian can do to inspire young people. Two of them are NOT pandering to or ignoring them. Appeal to their minds and give them credit for having minds and then, perhaps, you may win their hearts. Such a strategy would do more than win McCain and the Republicans young voters. It would go a long way toward winning him all kinds of voters in general. For, in this need to have respect for our minds and in the desire not to appear as fools, we're all very young at heart.


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A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas was just released.
One of my few frustrations with teaching science at the high school level are the misconceptions kids carry up from lower grades, or from life in general.
I spend a lot of time on misconceptionectomies, but they are resistant to quick cure, particularly if reinforced in the younger grades.
It's OK to teach incomplete science in 2nd grade--it's incomplete even at the highest levels of formal education. Science will always be incomplete, a big part of its appeal. It's plain wrong, though, to teach bad science.
So I am heartened to see this:
"Clearly, incorrect beliefs—such as the perception that food or fuel is a form of energy—would lead to elementary grade students' misunderstanding of the nature of energy. Hence, although the necessity for food or fuel can be discussed, the language of energy needs to be used with care so as not to further establish such misconceptions."
Italics added
If you teach science, go get this--it's free, and it will affect your classroom in the years to come.


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The psudo-local expats syndrom
Why is it that many Arab expats in the GCC, once they get a job in a government body, they get on the most condescending-patronizing-pompous attitude? And that alter-ego persona is only summoned like a vengeful mammoth when they are needed by other expats? Is it an inferiority complex? Do they get so abused due to the fact they are non-nationals in a national organisation, so they unleash this power trip on us, their fellow Arab compatriots?
Usually, you'd hear stories about notional public servants being A-holes to their customers. And I can't deny i haven't had my share of those. But I am not exaggerating when I say, whenever there an expat on the other line/side of the counter - anything that can go wrong, goes wrong.
One very striking example was my experience with Etisalat: I am sure you remember my problem with this incumbent Telco. I was offline for over 6 months before I got a phone line and ADSL.
For my application, I was asked to followup on Etisalat's 101 customer service number.
Of course, every time I had to narrate a brief situation background to why I am without a service all this time; in addition to my personal detail such as telephone number, name, address ...etc.
Whenever I get a UAE national on the phone, he (or she) would usually do the impossible to find out the status of the application, call up all the different department - engineering, operations or whoever... They would never let me hang up before I receive an answer that's satisfying enough.
But when i get an Arab expat on the phone, Oh dear God.
All of a sudden, I receive answers like: "I can't retrieve any information from the system.", "You shouldn't call this number. You need to dial XXX", or "I don't know when they will fix it. Call tomorrow"
One particular Arab expat agent was either extremely stupid or "being ANAL" was an integral component of her DNA map.
Here is why:
Me: Hello, I'd like to followup on a phone line application please. I have the phone number I applied for.
Annoying Arab Expat Female Agent: I need the application number
Me: I don't really have the application number, but you should be able to get it from the telephone number I applied for.
AAEFA: No I can't
Me: Pardon me, but I've called many time before and your colleagues never asked me for an application number.
AAEFA: One minute
(heard a long sigh in the background and abrupt striking on keyboard)
AAEFA: Whats the number.
(I give her the number)
AAEFA: Who's name does the number belong to?
(I give her my name)
AAEFA: No, that's not the name.
Me: It is, I've been calling twice a week for the past 3 months. Agents retrieve my name, my home address and everything.
AAEFA: But the number is not in your name
Me: It should be. That's the number I applied for. How come your colleagues always get my info out of it?
AAEFA: The application is in your name. But the telephone number is still in the previous onwers' name because its not installed for you yet.
Me: (total silence)
Seriously, why does Etisalat employ such imbecile buffoons?
Labels: customer service, morons, only in dubai, Rant


text: A residential oasis in the heart of Mountain View — that's Sierrapoint. Taking urban living to the next level with large-scale townhomes and duet homes that live like single family homes. This luxury community is fresh, modern, and oh-so-inviting. These new homes are remarkably spacious and offer an extraordinary mix of open, airy living spaces, gourmet kitchens and exceptional master suites in a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood. With easy access to just about everything, these new energy-efficient homes offer a carefree style of Silicon Valley living.


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Next event up of the schedule....Smokey Hayes BBQ Rib Contest in Laughlin, NV. It's just a short two hours from home on the banks of the Colorado River at the Pioneer Club Hotel and Casino.
There will be vendors and contestants so there will be lots to see and do while you're there.
People's Choice Rib Tasting begins at 1:00 pm Saturday.
We hope to do well as the last one...that would be awesome.
Here is the link to get all the info: smokeyhayesbbq.com


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Oh goody. Just as long as the founders of this third party do not claim: (1)– It is "the" Christian party, and (2)– it represents (a) "the" Church or (b) America's Christians.
Thirteen of America's top religious right social conservatives this week sent Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman Reince Priebus an official letter warning if the GOP moderates on same-sex marriage or refuse to actively defend "traditional marriage," they will take all their followers and form a third party. The RNC is holding their quarterly meeting in Los Angeles this week.
Leaders from the American Family Association, Family Research Council, Eagle Forum, and the Traditional Values Coalition, among others, signed the warning.
NBC reports: The signatories to this week's letter were:
Gary Bauer, President, American Values
Paul Caprio, Director, Family-Pac Federal
Marjorie Dannenfelser, President, Susan B. Anthony List
Dr. James Dobson, President and Founder, Family Talk Action
Andrea Lafferty, President, Traditional Values Coalition
Tom Minnery, Executive Director, CitizenLink
William J. Murray, Chairman, Religious Freedom Coalition
Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council
Sandy Rios, VP of Government Affairs, Family-Pac Federal
Austin Ruse, President, Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute
Phyllis Schlafly, President, Eagle Forum
Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, Founder, Traditional Values Coalition
Tim Wildmon, President, American Family Association
I think they should go for it. After all, reading through the list and visiting their websites, it's evident all these people have been political spokespersons and activists for years. They may as well make it official and form their own personal party. Oops! I forgot…they kind of DID that already. It was called the Republican party of the last 30 years.


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A Huge Thank You to all our Volunteers
The Development Team would like to say thank you to commemorate volunteers week.
It's Volunteers Week!
So the Development team just wanted to say a big thank you to all the St George's volunteers.
The impact that St George's volunteers have on the school is truly enormous. Without you the students and staff would not have the opportunity to learn about different careers, have help in classrooms at the Junior School or benefit from funds raised at Georgian events to add those little extras to daily life at St George's.
Most importantly, volunteering brings us all closer together as a community. The time you kindly give to support St George's matters and makes a huge difference. If you have not already volunteered and would like to, please click the link below to our volunteers section on our website and make that difference or get in touch with the Development Office.
Thank You to our 350 strong volunteers in whatever capacity that may be and with your help, we hope to double that number this year!


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Bonilla v. Superior Court of Alameda County et al
Plaintiff: Steven Bonilla
Defendant: Superior Court of Alameda County and Jeffrey Horner
Case Number: 3:2016cv00330
Filed: January 21, 2016
Court: California Northern District Court
Office: San Francisco Office
County: Marin
Presiding Judge: Vince Chhabria
Referring Judge: PSLC RMH
Nature of Suit: Mandamus and Other
Cause of Action: 42:1983
Jury Demanded By: None
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Living a Lifestyle of Learning daily
Homeschooling with vision, home business for skills, home cooking for health, and homemaking with love.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Reading tire numbers could mean life or death!
Late this evening my son Jonathan (18) was out underneath all of our vehicles checking out the date of production numbers on our vehicle tires. Find out why you need to learn to read the DOT numbers after you see this short video. Those numbers could mean life or death to you or someone you love. This is worth watching.
Posted by Janet Langford, at 11:29 PM
Labels: Current Events, Family, Health and Nutrition
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Sunday, September 12, 2010
Oops, I've Seem to Have Forgotten to Blog
Life threw up a plethora of challenges to keeping this here old blog alive and kicking this summer. The biggest road block was that I was writing a lot at work. After spending hours each day trying to find different ways of saying the same thing in new and exciting ways, the idea of sitting behind a keyboard and crafting witty and exciting prose was not what I wanted to spend my evening on. Besides there was lots of food to cook on the grill.
I tackled pulled pork a few weeks ago and it came out really well if I have to say so myself. Mom loved it as well, but you don't expect to get a negative review from your mother do you. Except if it's your high school girlfriend, but there is no need to bring that back up.
I also spent a lot of my free time behind a camera this summer. I took a lot of photography classes and I've been working on several non-food related photography classes.
But now the summer is over. The weekend parking spaces have magically disappeared, the lines in front of the bars have returned and symbolically, the grill ran out of gas the day after Labor Day.
I have a lot of interesting(I hope) events lined up in the near future: A class with the man who literally wrote the book on food photography, the New York Food and Wine Festival and several other events will be popping up like Halloween pumpkins. I've also been mulling a change in the blog that should be fun and interesting for all partied involved, ie me writing about it and you poor, poor people... I mean my loyal followers will enjoy reading.
So, instead of the sweet smell of bbq wafting through the condo, that official Sunday scent of roasting chicken is permeating. And what a welcome smell it is.
Posted by John Dryzga at 8:14 PM
4 comments:
- Otehlia said...
Summer left here with a bang as well. I cooked my last summer meal with lots of fresh veggies, and it ended up smelling, tasting and feeling like a fall meal. Oh well!Great luck with all your new adventures.
- September 13, 2010 at 10:15 PM
- Fresh Local and Best said...
Welcome back John! I can certainly commiserate with being busy at work and all of the wonderful distractions of summer. I'd love to hear some of the interesting things that you have learned about in photography class. I've enjoyed the pictures in this post, and the ones in the previous post.
- September 20, 2010 at 11:19 PM
- Medifast Coupon said...
Nice shot of the door. I collect pictures of doors, a bit obsessed actually, this one is really nice.
- April 25, 2011 at 2:22 PM
- CJ - Food Stories said...
Thx for connecting with me on foodbuzz. Hope you're able to blog again soon!
- May 21, 2012 at 5:44 PM
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The Impact of the Federal Reserve's Large-Scale Asset Purchase Programs on Corporate Credit Risk
Simon Gilchrist, Egon Zakrajsek
NBER Working Paper No. 19337
---- Acknowledgements ----
This paper was prepared for the conference "Macroeconomics and Financial Intermediation: Directions Since the Crisis," organized jointly by the JMCB, ECARES, University of Ghent, National Bank of Belgium, and CEPR and held in Brussels, Belgium, December 9-10, 2011. We thank three anonymous referees, Robert Kollman, and Ken West (co-editor and editor, respectively) for numerous helpful comments and suggestions. We also benefited from comments by Tom King, Eric Ghysels (our discussant), Matt Raskin, Min Wei, and the conference participants at the 4th Banque de France - Deutsche Bundensbank conference on "Macroeconomics and Finance." Samuel Haltenhof and Jane Brittingham provided outstanding research assistance. All errors and omissions are our own responsibility. The views expressed in this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, anyone else associated with the Federal Reserve System, or the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Contact Us


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Understandably, some people have expressed some reservations about this, and while the organizer is maintaining a calm front, I suspect he's pretty nervous about how it's going to go, so I may have to buy him some cake this afternoon ;-)
You can see more details about the event here, but most importantly, you can participate. Undoubtedly some of us will be Twittering using the hashtag #uollts, and I'm going to try to persuade Stuart to put the tweetstream on screen. This is probably going to be as big a challenge to some of the Twossers as the unconference format, so please drop by between 10.30 and 12.30 tomorrow. You never know, you might learn something :-)


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June 18, 2011
Cheesecake & Strawberries & Coconut (cold version, no bake)
Amazing taste! Soft and delicious. And most importantly: makes it super fast :) (without cooling)
The best cheesecake (cold version) I ever made :-)
My "Better half" only said: Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm yummmmy! And he ate another piece... ;-)
Recipe found here.
Update: :-))
12 comments:
Hi, lovely blog and fabulous picture of this cheesecake, it really looks wonderful. I would love to have the recipe translated into english, look forward to having it here and to making this cheesecake soon, thank you :)ReplyDelete
Recipe is in Polish!!! Going to try it soon!! ^^ReplyDelete
- Anonymous6/19/2011 12:24 PM
I agree! Would love to make it, will try Google Translate but it might not be accurate enough? Thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
- Anonymous6/19/2011 5:10 PM
Translation please? TT__TTReplyDelete
- Anonymous6/19/2011 6:52 PM
hey,this looks unbelievably good!! could you post here a translated version of the receipe? I would sooo love to make this!! Thanks a lot :)ReplyDelete
Thank you :))ReplyDelete
I translate recipe for you :))
This looks so simple and refreshingly delicious.ReplyDelete
thanks very much for the translated recipe :-)ReplyDelete
Please, here in Brazil coconut milk comes in bottles not in can or is homemade, so what the correct amout of coconut milk to use?
Hi Xylema :) 600ml - but you can get more if you like, coconut taste will be more strongly then :)ReplyDelete
- Anonymous12/09/2011 4:32 PM
I made this! It was a hit at a party. The oatmeal cookie crust is the best part. The cheesecake has a smooth creamy consistency that isn't super heavy like traditional cheesecakes. I will keep making this!ReplyDelete
- Anonymous4/05/2013 4:21 PM
This recipe is super easy ! I love the combination of cream cheese and coconut milk. I add some lemon juice in the filling and topped it with a crushed milk chocolate bar. Thank you for that recipe.ReplyDelete


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Well, one of my new friends, Vicki, was so excited about my grass border punch flower, that it got me thinking... as she said, we all like having another use for our punches, so I came up with this:
I used my Modern Label Punch from Stampin' Up! to make this daffodil! It takes 6 punches, and it's super easy...
1 - Punch 6 labels out. For the flower on this card, I stamped one side of Barely Banana cardstock with the vintage wheel, and the other side with a swirl from SU!'s Priceless set in So Saffron. You could also use a double sided patterned paper.
2 - Adhere 3 of the labels together, with the same pattern facing up.
3 - Adhere the other three labels, with the main pattern facing down. Make sure these labels "fill in" the gaps of the previous 3.
4 - Curl the top 3 labels inward, about halfway.
5 - You're done! I finished mine off with a homemade giant glitter brad, but you could use anything!
So, this card is for 3 challenges... The Color Throwdown, 2 Sketches 4 You & Stampin' Royalty... "I love it when a plan comes together!"
Have a great night & happy stamping!


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"PastaMania is a destination that will bring the everyday pleasures of Italian wholesomeness to our customers offering that experience that will bring joy and satisfaction.
China, Shanghai (PRWEB) August 27, 2014
Singapore's largest Italian restaurant chain was awarded the "Best Italian Casual Dining Restaurant," on 14 August 2014, by That's Shanghai, a popular lifestyle and F&B magazine that is distributed primarily in Greater China to both local and expatriate readers. Now in its 12th iteration, That's Shanghai Magazine celebrates the best and brightest of the city's restaurants as chosen by their readers.
PastaMania debuted in Shanghai in 2013 at the Pudong Lujiazui Super Brand Mall and Puxi Xujiahui Metro-city Mall. "We know we have the right formula for Shanghai from the feedback given by our customers. We have the most extensive pasta menu in town. Our focus is on offering authentic Italian pasta cuisine to the expatriates and Chinese consumers. We were told by our customers that besides the Italian Piazza store design elements, they loved our chunky minced Beef Bolognese, the very flavorful Prawn Aglio, the crunchy Bacon Cheesy Crumble and our signature desserts such as Wafflelicous, Panna Cotta, Banana and Blueberry Crostata," said Mr Wilson Lim, Executive Director (International Business).
"PastaMania is a destination that will bring the everyday pleasures of Italian wholesomeness to our customers offering that experience that will bring joy and satisfaction. We want to be part of their life's moment of joy, bliss, satisfaction, and happiness. Combined with attentive and personable service, PastaMania offers the dining experience that is distinctive and difficult to replicate," remarked Mr Lim.
PastaMania is looking at accelerating its footprints in China and beyond. Immediately in the pipeline, the third corporate store will be launched in Q4 2014 at the bustling Raffles City Shanghai mall in Huangpu district. This will be ensued by more stores in the Jingan district, Changning district, Wujiaochang area and others. In addition, PastaMania is tying up with potential franchise partners in other major cities of China.


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etsy shop
Good Friday morning, everyone. Did you know that I am a knitter? I really enjoy the rhythmic nature of it and find it quite relaxing. My specialty is scarves because they are quick and easy and awesome for this time of year. David and my mom have been my only recipients of scarves so far (I've made several for myself though!) but I have gifted others with ear warmers, a wrap and baby blanket.
Last year I set up an online store on Etsy.com in hopes I could sell some of my handiwork to earn a little extra money (who doesn't want that, right?). I didn't really promote it much but now I'm shamelessly plugging it, because I can do that since this is my blog:)
Can you tell which wool is my favourite? That chunky beige is just so awesome! All the scarves and cowls you see above can be purchased from my
Etsy shop
, which is also named Our Wood Home. I'm currently working on an order for a co-worker but I welcome your orders too!
As of now my scarves listed are in adult sizes but any one can be made in a child size (infinity or cowl!). In addition to the beige and teal wool I have bright red, powder blue, less chunky beige and white. A white wool infinity scarf is up next on my knit list...I'm tempted to keep it for myself because the wool is so snuggly!


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Friday, 9 February 2007
The Last To See Them Alive: Sex, Slaughter & the City
Currently presenting the first 'in-progress showings' of our Unreasonable Adults work - THE LAST TO SEE THEM ALIVE: Sex, Slaughter & the City - at Higher Ground, Rundle Street in Adelaide. The work takes the premise: "How do you meet Mr Right in an age of Serial Killers?". Using an electronic and piano-based score, monologue texts, live video feeds and some messed up theatrical conventions, this work is part lecture, part dark cabaret, part confession. Texts by Fiona Sprott, Performance by Caroline Daish. The music and sounds all by me. Come along.
After this season we tour to Sydney for another 'in progress' event at The Studio (Sydney Opera House) - then we will go into intensive rehearsals for the development of the work as an ensemble piece to be world premiered in the UK for our participation in the SPILL Festival of Performance in London in April.
The final work will feature a full ensemble of Caroline Daish, Jason Sweeney, Fiona Sprott and Julie Vulcan.
Posted by Jason Sweeney at 3:53 pm No comments: Links to this post
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Pet Duck Follows Owner to Supermarket
As a duckling, this adorable fella was shunned by his family and hasn't wanted to go back since. He now follows duck breeder Barrie Hayman wherever he goes, waiting for him outside of supermarkets and even taking the seat beside him at pubs.
Video -via Arbroath | Previously on Neatorama Trucking Duck
Newest 5 Comments
I bet the duck has a British accent, too. Qwock.
Adorable! Love how calm the duck is when he's being held by the guy. So cute.
"This is my attorney, Steven L. Miles."
-Ziggy on "The Wire"
-Ziggy on "The Wire"
I had a pet duck that was like that. Lived in my apartment, even slept in my bed sometimes. I tried so hard to litter-train him after reading a few web sites on litter-training ducks, but was never fully successful, but he DID use the restroom (where we kept the litter box).
If I'd leave a room and he wasn't able to see me or come along with me, he'd sound like a car alarm.
If I'd leave a room and he wasn't able to see me or come along with me, he'd sound like a car alarm.


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November 20, 1962
Non-Catholic observers at the Second Vatican Council are pleased at the concern shown by the council Fathers for the Catholic Church's relations with other churches, according to a leading Protestant scholar.
"I am not betraying any secrets when I tell you how glad we are to note how a concern for ecumenism pervades these discussions," said Prof. Oscar Cullmann of the Universities of Paris and Basel (Switzerland).
"Yet even here," the noted Scriptural and patristic scholar told newsmen, "we must be on our guard against illusions. We certainly hope with all our hearts that this renewal [of the Catholic Church] will be realized. For we are convinced that if it is, it will make so much easier the dialogue between Catholic and non-Catholic that will go on after the council.
"But we must not forget that these changes will take place inside the Catholic framework and be based on Catholic principles," the Lutheran theologian continued. "Nor can we object to this to our Catholic brethren, because it would not be good ecumenism to ask them to become Protestants or Orthodox.
"Still we must face up to reality. Even if the projects for reforms are passed, important differences will persist between us and Catholicism, even the Catholicism reshaped by the council. However, those who hope for renewal know this, and that is why the dialogue must go on, and go on under conditions much more favorable, with this renewed Catholicism."
Cullmann stated that Protestants tend to look on the Catholic Faith as having "too much," and that Catholics tend to look on Protestantism as having "too little." Cullmann stressed that he was speaking only as a private person and not as a representative of the council observers.
"I believe," he stated, "that the dialogue will move forward when our Catholic brethren cease to look negatively on this 'not quite enough' in what they find in us, that is, when they don't see it as something missing … but as a concentration made under the prompting of the Holy Spirit upon what we feel ought to form the single nucleus of our faith in Christ."
Cullmann stressed that "the great problem of the union of our churches" arises not from any particular dogma "but from the fact that the Roman concept of unity itself has a different basis from ours."
He noted that Protestants, therefore, are deeply interested in the coming item on the council's agenda concerning the unity of the Church.
Listed by Cullmann among the "council's ecumenical achievements already capable of assessment" were the following: establishment of the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, "miracle" of the presence of non-Catholics at the council, the mutual trust between non-Catholic observers at the council and Catholic authorities, and also the observers' "interior participation" in the council discussions.
"From the outside we look like passive observers," Cullmann noted, ''but inside ourselves we live these debates along with our Catholic brothers. Inside ourselves we take sides for or against during the sessions, with an attention no less than their own. It is this that has brought us especially close together in these last weeks."
He stated that the meetings between the council Fathers and observers, sponsored by the Christian unity secretariat, have enabled the observers "actually to participate outwardly in the council."
He added that the observers have been struck "by the freedom with which the council Fathers state their opinions."
Reports that observers have not been satisfied with the unity secretariat "are simply not true,'' Cullmann asserted.
He also said that the council "must recognize the importance" of the World Council of Churches, and expressed the opinion that "great frankness on both sides" is the "first condition for success in our dialogue."


text: At home with Break DJ Lobito The Deep Crates Cartel decksmith opens up his arty pad By Time Out Dubai staff 03 October 2013 Member of the Dubai-based art and music collective the Deep Crates Cartel, the break DJ opens up his pad in Business Bay for Style.Having been involved in the hip-hop and B-boy scene for more than a decade, DJ Lobito, aka 31-year-old James De Valera, has vinyl in his blood. A true music fan with an eclectic taste, Lobito's preferences range from Afrobeat and classic soul to Brazilian beats and reggae. A representative of Africa Bambaataa's Universal Zulu Nation, Lobito is also a massive fan of low-budget films and collects obscure movie soundtracks and recordings, which he incorporates into his live sets. Despite the hundreds of albums in his flat, the selection is only a small part of his overall collection – the rest are in storage at his family's villa in Spain, and numbers around 20,000, literally weighing tonnes and worth more than Dhs700,000.Yet vinyl isn't Lobito's only passion; he studied Arabic and spent two years living in Syria's capital, Damascus, where he picked up some interesting artefacts, including a beautiful wooden chess set.As a member of Deep Crates Cartel, a collective of graffiti artists, B-boys, producers and DJs, street art is also a huge part of the DJ's life. His collection of prints ranges from Auckland-based female stencil artist Flox, who uses images of nature to transform grey, urban landscapes, along with artworks from New Zealand's Cut Collective, including work from Enforce 1.Lobito hasn't always been a profession spinner. When he first moved to Dubai six years ago, he worked as a security consultant for the Ministry of Defence where he received some unusual gifts, including an ornate dagger and a General's Coin for his service.One of the stand-out artworks in Lobito's pad is a large canvas of graffiti writing by Dubai-based and fellow Deep Crates member, Sya One. The work was part of a project for a Build Gaza Youth charity event, which raised money for young people in Palestine, proving that there are many more sides to this guy than his extensive record library. www.facebook.com/DeepCratesCartel The Cut Collective www.cutcollective.co.nz For statement cushions, head to Crate & Barrel where covers range from Dhs79-Dhs190. www.crateandbarrel.com The Cut Collective www.cutcollective.co.nz The Cut Collective www.cutcollective.co.nz This rare Linn Drum machine was one of the first of its kind from the early 1980s THE One sell vintage posters. Dhs3,995, The One, Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, www.theone.com (04 341 3777). This piece was created for a Gaza youth charity event by Dubai-based artist Sya One www.dubai-graffiti.blogspot.ae Antique Museum sell a selection of traditional wooden chess sets ranging from Dhs55-Dhs240 (04 347 9935). Get the lookIf you wish to give your own place an edgy, urban feel, ProArt Gallery stocks a varietyof contemporary street art.Dhs17,500-Dhs55,000. ProArt Gallery, Palm Strip Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road. www.proartuae.comSalamech (French) 'Not Guilty' Acrylic on Canvas 132x100cm Salamech (French) 'Guilty' Acrylic on Canvas 132x100cm Follow Us [[banner]]


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Sometimes even the intrepid Mike Detective needs a break from all the chaos around him. Fortunately Mike has great friends ready to help whenever they are needed...or when he just has other, better things to do. Learn what the Lord has to say about all this Kelsey Grammer bullshit this week on Mike Detective.
Episode 1 — Father Mick Detective
Started by Earwolf Admin, May 14 2011 12:38 PM
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The more astute of you might notice that it's not Friday (I'm very early or rather late), but I wanted to join in with Yumeko's Meme because it's a lot of fun. Do check it out here. How better to celebrate the end of the week than with some photos?
1. Something you bought recently
I didn't do a lot of shopping this week (I overslept and couldn't be bothered fighting the sale crowds), so my main purchase was these yummy Lindt chocolates on sale for $1.88 AU each. The Strawberry Intense is new (was only available at Lindt cafes until recently) and it's delicious. I'll probably use some of these in cooking – the Intense range make a mean muffin or custard.
2. Something you got in the mail this week
I had rather a boring mail week to be honest. I did win this signed copy of The Boy Who Fell to Earth by Kathy Lette from Random House Australia, which I was pretty pleased about. What I was somewhat ashamed of was that I missed it when I came home in the dark cold night and didn't find it until the next morning!
3. Something you could not live without this week
How about the 9 Revlon Lip Butters I bought to round out my collection? I've been trying them out each day and all the shades are wearable. Amazing!
4. Something you are trying out this week
A new recipe for gnocchi. It was very easy to do, and not as sticky as previously. I haven't eaten them as yet, but they look good!
5. Something you are wearing this week
Trying out a new pair of boots I bought in Melbourne on sale from Diana Ferrari for $80 AU. Pretty good so far, although they need a little wearing in. (And yes, I do own two boots…)
Thanks Yumeko for starting this meme!


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Spring Cleaning -- F/F Spanking Flash!
Spring Cleaning
By G.G. Royale
Kim set down her caddy of cleaning supplies and knocked on the apartment door. Her supervisor had told her the owner would be in when she came to clean. Kim waited patiently, straining to hear any sounds coming from within, but nothing reached her ears. She wondered briefly if she had the right place, but it was the only penthouse in the small building, and she knew she couldn't have gotten the address wrong.
She stooped to pick up her caddy when the door swung silently open. Kim saw thick white carpet and feet in marabou feather slippers first. Then, as she raised her gaze, tanned legs, the hem of a white sundress or maybe even a nightie, an ample chest straining against the fabric, and then the perfectly made-up face of the woman who had to own the place. Kim swallowed, then straightened, bringing her caddy up with her.
"You must be the girl the agency sent for the spring cleaning," the woman said. "You may call me Reina. I think you'll do."
Kim stepped into the apartment, and the woman closed the door behind her.
"Remove your shoes. You'll work without them."
Kim could understand why. The entire place -- even the small lap dog that now came running in from the other room -- was perfectly white. She kicked her loafers off by the door and felt the lush carpet beneath her feet. She wiggled her toes just a little, hopefully not too obviously.
"Just a basic dusting and rub -- I mean wipe-down," the woman was saying.
Kim didn't know what she could possibly do. The place appeared immaculate.
"I'll be in the study when you're done. Come find me there." Kim watched as Reina -- her lovely ass swaying -- retreated down the hall. The little dog ran after.
Kim felt a flush creep over her body. She didn't normally react that way to women, but something about Reina intrigued her. Maybe it was the way she carried herself, or the taste she had in decorating.
The rest of the house -- which Kim cleaned in no time because it was already spotless -- spoke of decadence and control. Every item had a place, each piece of furniture arranged to its best advantage in the pristine rooms.
When Kim finished, she placed her caddy by the door and reported to the study as she'd been commanded, she figured simply to get paid. Commanded? Really? But she could think of no other word to describe it.
She tapped on the partially-opened door, and then pushed in.
Reina sat on an antique white loveseat, a glass of red wine in her hand which stood out remarkably against the pallor of everything else.
"Finished?" she asked, her voice sounding almost breathless.
"Yes, ma'am."
"No, you're not." She reached out her slender arm and poured the glass of wine onto the patch of carpet in front of her.
Kim couldn't help but gasp. She would never be able to get that out.
"Clean the carpet, girl."
Kim turned to get her supplies from beside the front door.
"No," the woman told her sharply. "Use the hem of your skirt."
What? She cleaned in these clothes, not with them.
"I'll pay for them to get cleaned." The woman sounded impatient. Kim decided it didn't matter one way or the other. The skirt had come from the thrift store anyway. She tried to look confident as she approached the couch, but something didn't feel right about this situation. She worried if she did a bad job that Reina would report her to the agency. She needed the money. She knelt down on the carpet and positioned herself over the wine. She bunched the hem of her skirt in her hands and began to use it to dab at the spill.
"You'll have to work harder than that," Reina hissed.
Kim began scrubbing at it with both hands. She raised up off her calves so she could put more force into it. She felt the edge of her skirt riding up the back of her thighs.
"You're only making it worse."
Kim held her tongue. She didn't want to lose her job, but the woman was scaring her.
Then she felt Reina's hand on her back. It skimmed down toward the waistband of her skirt. Kim swallowed.
"What are you doing?" she finally asked.
"Focus on the stain." The woman's soft touch contrasted with her harsh tone. Kim's heart began beating faster. She didn't know what would happen. She felt exceedingly uncomfortable, but also...excited? That can't be. But it was. The touch of the woman had started something churning in Kim's womb -- the good kind of churning, the kind that led to...
Oh God. She tried to move away, but then the touch became more firm on her back.
"Do as you're told," Reina said. A finger slipped between Kim's skin and the waist of her skirt.
Then her skirt was pushed to the floor.
"Please," Kim murmured.
"Shush. You're not being very good, are you?" She heard the woman chuckled softly. "Nice panties." She rubbed her hand over the globe of Kim's ass, and the thin fabric did nothing to block the heat radiating between the flesh. Then the touch vanished. Kim stilled for a moment, unsure what to do. Should she straighten her skirt and leave, or --
Thwack! A hard, sharp slap landed on Kim's rump.
She shied away, pulling back and clutching her skirt against her body, but her pussy dampened almost instantly. Kim couldn't explain her confused reactions, but it seemed Reina could read her clearly.
"Don't play coy. You liked that. Come here." She pointed at the spot in front of her again. "Hands and knees."
And Kim did just as she was told, hardly believing it. She received three more swats on the ass, and she felt her panties growing even wetter.
With one hand, Reina massaged her ass, and with the other, she reached down and around, slipping her fingers into Kim's panties at the front. Kim hissed as the fingers dipped into her.
"I knew you liked it," Reina said. "You're all wet. You'll come for me, won't you?" Her voice came low and hot against Reina's ear. She couldn't refuse. She nodded, feeling shamed and aroused in equal portions.
Reina's fingers worked furiously against Kim's clit as she spanked her from behind. The stings of pain mixed with the intense friction had Kim climbing toward orgasm faster than she ever had. She breathed in great ragged drafts of air and prayed it would end soon while also not wanting it to ever end.
"Yes," Reina said over and over. Kim thought the woman herself sounded close to coming, though how could she with both hands on Kim?
Then Kim felt a bite on her ear, and that last small pain sent her over the edge, spiraling down in a cataclysmic orgasm that threatened to destroy her, to cause her very being to shatter apart into dust and nothingness.
She collapsed on the floor, her breast heaving.
Through slitted eyes, she watched Reina lean back against the couch, raise the fingers she'd had in Kim up to her lips, and lick.
Reina shuddered and closed her eyes.
The next week, the agency sent her back. She did not argue. When she entered the study to accept her payment, she saw no wine stain on the rug, but Reina had another glass clutched in her hand. She smiled wickedly and beckoned Kim in with a crocked finger.


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West Midlands MEP collects 500 signatures
8:10am Tuesday 28th June 2011
To view the original article CLICK HEREINDEPENDENT MEP Nikki Sinclaire spent a day on Kidderminster High Street collecting more than 500 signatures for her EU referendum campaign.
The West Midlands MEP is travelling around the West Midlands with the aim of collecting 100,000 signatures in her "Have Your Say" campaign.
She said that this campaign aimed to allow people in the UK to have a vote on whether to continue membership of the European Union or not.
She added: "The response was fantastic in Kidderminster and this is not unusual. We are warmly welcomed wherever we go. I would like to thank anybody who made a special trip to visit us."
The "Have Your Say" battle bus will be continuing its journey onto Ludlow on Friday (July 1) from 10am to 3pm.


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Some of you may have seen this work of art floating around online already, but to be honest it was too epic not to give you a glimpse anyway! Love story invitations have really taken off this year, allowing a couple to share the intricate way fate stepped in and brought them together, but this beauty is in a universe all of it's own!
I first came across the work of designers Russ and Jess in their entertaining and insightful video series, Don't Fear the Internet! So when they got engaged, it seemed natural that they would put their innate computer skills to good use to create the mother of all amazing invitations. Enlisting the help of their talented artist friends they crafted a scrolling masterpiece detailing the twists and turns of their romantic love story!
There's no way I can properly describe the intricacies of it all, so just head on over there and see it for yourself…but before that, Jess shares how it all came to be!
"I can't say I was a normal girl, fantasizing about my wedding day from the time I could walk, but when Russ proposed I was ecstatic. A few days later the congratulations started pouring in from friends and stranger-friends along with one enthusiastic and intimidating statement: "Your wedding invites are going to be so awesome!" Russ and I are both designers, so the pressure was enormous to make something crazy. After a lot of scheming we realized one thing: that over the years we've met and befriended some truly incredible and talented people, all of whom we had hoped to collaborate with someday. The invite became the perfect opportunity to work together with people we care about, respect, admire, and love. We're so happy and thankful for everyone involved, many of whom have played integral roles in the story of how we came to be."
So would you consider going the digital invitation route having seen that the sky's the limit? Or does simple and classic trump it every time?! Whatever way you feel about it, if they have put this much imagination into their invitation, I'm sure the wedding itself, happening in a few weeks, will be out of this world! Wishing you both all the best!
Images: Jess & Russ


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Don't you hate trying to figure out what shoes to take on a trip? Shoes, especially strappy stillettos take up a lot of room in a suitcase, but how are you supposed to know when packing on a Thursday night what shoes you want to wear on Saturday. Well, file this one under "Wish We Thought of It First": Jour et Nuit shoes have interchangeable straps that take the shoes from day to night. You simply swap out the upper and it's as if you have a brand new pair of shoes.
We can picture ourselves in the daytime version in a convertible with our hair streaming in the wind on our way to lunch with Paolo, the cute Italian boy we met out dancing.
Then when we're bored of Paolo and headed out to the hotel bar with the girls, we'll magically change our shoes into this blinged out sassy version:
The Autumn shoe (shown) is marked down 50% to $287.50 on the Jour et Nuit website. It's a bargain when you consider you're getting two shoes in one!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Sandals With Interchangeable Straps
1 comment:
- Carolyn said...
you gals are so funny! I love Paolo even if he's easy to get bored of :)
- March 25, 2009 at 9:42 AM
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Early Bird Sale Discount Voucher Click Here for More Details
Product Description
With rounded contours, plush cushioning, and fine wood detailing, the Stressless Eldorado and its sibling Granada are truly sumptuous. The unique combination of comfort and elegance make the Stressless Eldorado one of the most sought after sofas in the Stressless collection. Designed with comfort in mind, the Eldorado surpasses all expectations. Using the Stressless patented Glide, and Plus systems, the Eldorado responds to your body's slightest movement. This collection delivers superior support and unprecedented comfort. Complete your room with a coordinating Manhattan or Oslo chair, loveseat, sofa, or sectional.
Delivery Information
Charltons offer free delivery within a 50 mile radius of the store. All orders over £2000 will be delivered free within Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. Orders under £2000 and outside a 50 mile radius, will incur a £50 delivery charge within Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.
Deliveries for the rest of mainland UK please contact the store for a quote.
Your furniture will be delivered into your home, and to the room of your choice. Placed in position unwrapped and assembled where needed, and all packaging will be removed. We can remove your old furniture on a like for like basis for a charge of £25, please phone store for details.
Product Features
- Dimensions: H 110cm x W 154cm x D 85cm
Stressless Eldorado High Back 2 Seater
Item: Stressless Eldorado High Back 2 Seater
Available (allow approximately 7 to 9 weeks for delivery)
This item is made to order.
Custom Delivery Required
Delivery price on application.
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Words containing ntraperito
Found 2 words containing ntraperito. Browse our Scrabble Word Finder, Words With Friends cheat dictionary, and WordHub word solver to find words that contain ntraperito. Or use our Unscramble word solver to find your best possible play!
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Lars and I have been going over Latin root words. Today he was to use each of the words we had in our last unit in either sentences or in a creative story. He choose to use sentences, so I thought I would challenge myself to do a short story with the words. We studied the Latin word Foli it means leaf.
There once was a man from Timbuktu. He had so much foliage he did not know what to do. Unifoliate, bifoliates, and trefoils too. They took over the yard the roof and the car to see any of these he needn't look far. "What to do? What to do?" was his cry in the night. To be honest it all gave him a real fright. Off to the nursery to see what could be done. In his arms a portfolio with pictures for proof, what could they do to make them go poof? Ahh, a defoliant is what is needed he was told. To fight this his plan would need to be bold. He would spay them and spay them till each one had exfoliated. And cover them with foil, he paced while he waited. He looked through his folios that had lots of paper then remembered something that made his thoughts waver. Among all the plants he had lambasted, was his favorite that contained his folic acid.
It is not perfect and I am not great with any type of verse but I did want to show Lars it could be done and really I thought it was fun. I hope that he continues to enjoy working with vocabulary. Here is the link to his blog post


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I started her in January 2015 as part of the DUCJC2015 on Day 14 then I stitched on her each IHSW weekend since then as the photo collage shows. She is stitched on the 30 count linen and with the AVAS silks provided in the kit.
I also added a little personalisation to the design. The kit was a gift from Nicola for all the help I gave her in setting up these Scarlet Letter Blogs so I added our pairs of initials rather than the charted ones. I might add my signature and the date to the bottom too. I always forget!


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When I first began offering commissioned portraits last year, my friend Michele was happy to pose for a portrait that I could keep in my collection to show prospective clients [below]. This year, a few friends pitched in so that we could present Michele with a smaller portrait [above, 16X20] for her birthday. I like to think that this second piece gave me the opportunity to present Michele in a more personal, less theatrical light. The first piece is far more glamourous, the second focuses on Michele's sweet eyes and impish smile. My color choices for the second piece were influenced heavily by the neutral browns and beiges of Michele's house and her love for Ancient Egypt. In fact, the pattern in the background was inspired directly by designs on Ancient Egyptian columns. Since Michele also prefers realism over abstraction, I kept the piece fairly illustrative, taking it as an opportunity to use back-lighting to keep Michele's charming features soft. I hope that she will enjoy her new painting for many years to come!0
Michele Times TwoMonday, July 29, 2013
Recent Projects and Sources of InspirationWednesday, July 24, 2013
What strikes me most about my last three commissions is that they are completely unrelated. When creating custom pieces, I must be prepared for any number of different requests and challenges, and I tend to believe that my work actually thrives on this level of variety. Painting the above three-panel divider for my friend Jennifer P., for instance, was a wonderfully liberating experience. Jennifer was smitten by the free-flowing, colorful abstract patterns on the divider I keep in my studio (I enjoy wiping my brushes off on it), and picked out a color scheme that would match her home for a divider of her own. She wanted a random-looking abstract composition, so I starting to play with washes, drips, and splatters, imagining branches in the rain as I plotted out the direction and balance of each element. Because the panels are thick paper, I made sure that the runny acrylic would bleed through to the other side [see below]-- no matter which way she turns it, she will be able to enjoy it!
Phil's commission [below right, beside the painting that inspired it] was based almost entirely on one of my abstract color studies. . . he very much liked the composition, but needed a color scheme that would match his interior. While at first glance the second painting may simply look like a copy of the first in different colors, I softened the lines and made a few subtle changes to make sure that the minty greens would not be overshadowed or become too jarring. It is a much smoother rendition overall. What does not show in the image is that I also employed the use of soft metallic copper paint in the new piece. I met Phil at a local Hackerspace melting down aluminium cans, so I thought this metallic touch appropriate!
My third recent commission was a portrait; Janeil [below] was based on a photo taken of my client Rick's wife at camp in the 70's. I know that Janeil likes to work on scrapbooks and make greeting cards and that her favorite color is purple, so I tried to incorporate all of these things into the composition. As with a portrait I completed last year of Eugene and Georgia Baxley, my main reference photo was a scanned image of a small family snapshot. I had to use a few school portraits of Janeil as reference to get an adequate likeness. I find portraits of this kind to be incredibly difficult to do well because the reference material is often blurry or discolored, but it is also incredibly rewarding to be able to bring a cherished but faded or blurry snapshot to life in this manner!
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busy as Christmas elves
I haven't been posting much lately because things have been so crazy busy!
- Tomorrow is the last day of our silent auction; we asked businesses and community members to donate something that we could auction off, with all proceeds going to the library (hopefully toward new computers!) Stay tuned for our final $ count!
- Tomorrow is also the end of our holiday fines-sweep-clear for those patrons who donate new winter gear for kiddos.
- Weeding still goes on! I weeded out the most tattered and gnawed on kids' board books--bought a batch of new ones to replace the old; weeded the adult non-fic, taking out anything that hasn't circed since 2004, with some exceptions. Funniest find? An old VHS manual from the early 1980s.
- Building maintenance issues arising with the boiler and a broken drain.
- Still meeting with people in the greater community and college to see how we can help each other out!
- Storytimes out the wazzoo!! I used to feel beat at OHCity when I did two a week as needed, but now I am up to 7 on a "normal," week. I have 3 of various ages at the library, 3 at the elementary schools, 1 Headstart program. It's fun, but so tiring. I am so ready for the weekend after my last storytime Friday afternoon!
- We're on a Jan.-Dec. fiscal year, so we're working on 2013's Budget and I am so thankful for our Clerk/Treasurer! It is definitely a daunting process!
- Planning 2013 activities, more on that later...
- Booking people for Summer Reading 2013...I know, I know. But I refuse to not have a good selection of dates! The early bird truly gets the worm!!
- And and and...


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On Sunday we drove into San Francisco for a day full of the tourist sights:
Crossing the Bay Bridge on our way into the city.
A quick trip to Japantown (my hunt for cute Bento Box things was a bust... I think I need more shopping time!)
I loved this sign... it reminds me how flat Houston is!
The bread from Boudin Bakery was INCREDIBLE!!
No time for a tour... this will be on my list for next time.
We loved watching the Sea Lions.
A trip down Lombard Street
And we took the fogged in Golden Gate bridge home.


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I've talked before about my control issues. I have always had a life plan. A plan for my career, and a plan for my personal life. And so far, life has fallen in line with that plan. I know this is not all from my own accord, but I have spent a great deal of effort following the plan.
Well as of last Tuesday after my dissertation defense, my committee stated, "Congrats Dr. Tyler," and I realized that the plan was done. And now, I'm faced with the unknown. Getting my doctorate by 27 was it. It always seemed so far; I never thought about the after.
So, what now? What do I want the rest of my life to look like? What are my goals for the next several decades? What is important for me to spend my time doing? Of course, focusing on my young family is a top priority. And sure, there is the work that accompanies this degree. But what about the rest of my identity in the coming years? I was good at being a student, on pushing forward; I fear stagnation and how it makes me feel.
But as I prepare for this new season, I'm looking forward to discovering a sense of calm in the stillness.
The fulfillment of living in the present, instead of moving from deadline to deadline.
What kind of hobbies will I take up? What kind of activities will I enjoy? G has only known me as an academic, and even he has questioned the person I will be now that it's over.
I am so excited to uncover this next mystery. Because so far, life has been very calculated and designed.
This start of something new is exhilarating.
P.S. Taken this weekend at 34 weeks.


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At this time of day, waves washed beyond this sandy cove and revealed hollowed rocky caves. I squatted low to crawl inside a few. They did not go deep. They made arched passageways connecting one to another. I could see light from above in one. Like a whale's blowhole, waves from high tides would later erupt through this hole sending up a spout of salt water. Now, I felt just a slight dampness near the opening of this natural ceiling. I found a weathered piece of driftwood wedged between two of the caves. And, I saw a stone shaped like a fossilized seal nestled in another.
The rocks of the caves created two narrow canyons along this stretch of coast. We climbed down as far as the rocky footing would safely allow. We wondered for a bit about how we'd get back up the rugged wall if we continued. Then we jumped anyway landing some three feet below. Mussels coated the walls around us. Starfish clung to rocks. Ed tried to pry a starfish from its hold without budging the critter. Anemones lay in puddles on the sand. I touched one and it squirted water out its spongy body at me.
We felt privileged to see this coastal landscape at low tide. One day later, we went back to this same spot. This time we visited at high tide. By contrast, waves covered the sand and thrashed the walls of the canyons. The caves were submerged. Fountains of water shot into the sky when the ocean's pressure forced it though openings in the rocks. There'd be no safe passage now, no place to pose for a photo on the sand, just the fascinating, ever-changing face of the Oregon coast.
September 27, 2008
Mile maker 168 slightly north of Neptune State Park,
Oregon Highway 101


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Ever since Jewel made her first appearance on Rolling Stone in 1997, I became obsessed with female artists. I remember staring at that cover for hours. She was just so pretty. And smart. And she had boobs. Was the world going to implode?
And I was obsessed with everything Jewel until of course the first time Kurt Loader decided to shove one up that pretty little ass of hers and call her out during an interview. Kurt Loder questioned her use of "casualties" in her lyrics and Jewel essentially went on to explain her own definition of 'causalities' when Kurt Loder remarked that it was used incorrectly and casualties actually means someone 'wounded in battle'. I believe Jewel's definition had something to do with being casual in Alaska and wearing a bearskin rug or something.
After Loder called her out, Jewel then in turn, did what any folk singer might do and turned to Kurt and called him an ass.
Ah, the beautiful depths of journalism.
And while I did agree he was being an ass, as this was MTV , which means the WORLD was watching it…another part of me just thought Jewel was a fucking idiot and I soon tallied up her intelligence to that of a Ham Sandwich.
In later years I have come to realize I really do love her song lyrics and frankly, I don't think I would care if I found out most of them were written in gibberish and consisted of lines such as "la de dum, pirates in my vodka rum"...frankly I wouldn't give two shits, because I love her.
And you know who else I love? And I am not even ashamed to say it either? Christina Aguilera.
Yeah, that's right , I love her, I have loved her ever since her first album came out and she wore a beaded orange and blue tank top.
And then life got better when I bought…yes I will repeat..BOUGHT, her album and I heard "Love Will Find a Way" for the first time.
I would equate it to what most people feel when they see their newborn child for the first time.
I remember thinking what intricate and deeply sentimental lyrics these are. Who could possibly come up with such lyrics? She must be some sort of Harvard genius... with a really good JOB or something.
I don't even know.
But to prove it I have decided to copy the lyrics below, so you can see what a true lyrical genius this Miss Aguilera is:
Christina- Love Will Find A Way
No one ever said that love was gonna be easy
How DOES she know?!
Gotta take the ups and downs the in-betweens
Yes! The Inbetweens, how did she think of that, it isn't JUST the ups and downs, its ALSO the INBetweens too!
If you take this journey Gotta give yourself completely Never let nobody ever step on a dream
Fuck! She is so right. I wont let ANYONE step on my dream! I will put my dream on a shelf so high you wouldn't be able to step on it! Unless you had some really big fucking ladder or something and could climb up there.
No the rain wont last forever Find a way to make it better Long as we can stand together Love will find a way
Wow, I get chills, the same kind of chills I get whenever I watch the Lion King and they lift the new cub above the old man's head and play, 'Circle of Life'.
Gonna make a new tomorrow Say good-bye to tears and sorrow Better listen when I say Love will find a way
I want to say goodbye to tears and sorrow! How do I do that Christina? HOW?! God she is a genius!
Somebody tried to tell me love don't last forever
Shit! Someone tried to tell me that too! I think it was my Dad...
Said it only happens in your wildest dreams After all is said and done We're still here together Never listen to the lies and jealousy
You better stop
Ok I stopped.
Don't you let them turn you around
Ok, I will swivel a little bit back to my left...
You better stop
um, I just stopped...
Hang onto this love that we've found
Do you have some sort of hard rubbery glove or something I can use to hold it down with? I mean I just put cream on my hands so they might be a bit slippery.
Nothing that they say can ever stand in our way.
If that song doesn't give you chills then I don't know what would.
Maybe Billy Joel's We Didn't Start The Fire would be next on my list, but frankly , that songs contains way too many words with more then two syllables.


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If anyone has any right to be excited about driving around a new electric vehicle it's Phil Dayson. The man has paid his dues.
He got involved with an electric vehicle company that went belly up and he drove a Selectria, a rebuilt electric version of a Geo Metro for eight years.
So when Dayson took delivery of his Chevy Volt it was like Christmas morning. Six months later Dayson's excitement and enthusiasm about GM's first commercial offering in the electric vehicle market is still palpable.
EV History
But before we get to the Volt let's back up to Dayson , the EV pioneer. He owned a company, Commercial Body Builders that constructed the bodies for the Dynasty IT electric car. Dynasty Electric Vehicle Limited was the manufacturer and it was a B.C. based company that raised a ton of money on the Vancouver Stock Exchange, built a factory in Kelowna and even had the provincial government handing out $5,000 rebates per car. Unfortunately when Transport Canada ruled they couldn't drive on the road due to their low top speed the company floundered.
Dayson acquired the company and ended up selling these cute-as-a-button souped-up golf carts to retirees in the Sunbelt. It was a golf cart with turn signals and some safety equipment. You can still see them on the Dynasty website, but the latest model listed is 2008. The company sold about 200 cars in its time.
This early romance with the idea of electric vehicles led Dayson to purchase his own niche electric car, the Solectria Force, essentially a rebuild of the Geo Metro. About 400 of these cars were created in the early 90s. Dayson owned his Solectria for eight years and put more than 40,000 km on it. It had a top speed of 110 km/h and had a range of up to 60 km.
Why drive an electric vehicle?
As Dayson gets into the bright red version of his Chevy Volt in the parkade under his office he points at the control panel.
"This sums it up right here. On this current tank of gas I have gone 2,503 km and I have used 17 litres of fuel."
Not only that but the Chevy Volt also has the distinct advantage of not looking like a Geo Metro.
"I've gone 6,698 km since beginning of Dec and I've now used a tank and half of a gas and maybe $30 worth of electricity," said Dayson
"That's what it's all about," says Dayson. After working in the trenches for so long supporting the development of electric vehicles Dayson says "The people in the EV business in their wildest dreams never thought it would take off the way it has."
Drive an EV and save money?
Dayson says he is asked about "payback" all the time. It's a bit of a funny question. "No one ever asks a Cadillac owner what the payback on their vehicle is." However, it's worth pointing that once you fork out roughly $41,000 to purchase the Volt, operating costs are low.
To help with the sticker shock there are generous rebates as well. If you are in BC you get a $5,000 rebate on the Volt, while you can get $7,769 in Quebec and $8,231 in Ontario.
According to the US government it costs $650 a year in fuel costs to run a Chevy Volt (at twelve cents a kilowatt hour). A Honda Civic would run you $1800 a year in fuel costs. When you start talking about anything larger than a Civic the savings really start to add up. Driving an EV can also reduce your emissions by 80 per cent if you live in B.C. where 93 per cent of electricity comes from low-emission hydroelectric dams.
As for the cost, keep in mind the Toyota Prius Hybrid took 10 years to reach sales of 400,000 units and a price of $26,000. Prius has a compact model selling for as low as $21,000. After a slow 2011 the numbers do seem to be coming around, the Volt has better sales number than roughly half of all US cars and set a sales record in August of 2012.
At this stage you buy an electric car not to save money, but to help the environment, make a political statement or because you think they are cool and fun to drive, says Dayson.
Dayson steps on the gas to make his point, and the car does take off, but with no noise or other conventional indicators, it's almost anticlimactic. It's a fast car for its class, the Volt will go 0-60 in 8.3 seconds. If it's performance you want then perhaps the Model S Tesla is the car for you. The $85,000 model can do 0-60 km/h in 4.4 seconds, a number that would give a Corvette a run for its money. This is massive step-up from the Dynasty IT. It topped out at 55 km/h and was essentially banned from the streets.
The electric car has certainly been saddled with reputation challenges over the years including battery, range and speed issues, but this new crop of electric vehicles is turning these old stories into myths.
As Dayson pulls up to restaurant in downtown Vancouver he parks at a free charging station reserved for electric cars in front of a restaurant he explains: "The last time I was here for a few hours I used 2 kWh of electricity." That's about $0.10 worth of electricity.
The Chevy Volt deals with "range anxiety" by adding a gas powered generator under the hood that can extend the range of the car to 600 km versus the 65 km range of a similar electric-only car.
The Environment
An electric-only car in B.C. saves about 80 per cent on pollution emissions over a conventional car. But surprisingly "The studies show that even if you are powering you car with electricity that comes from a pure coal-generated plant - there's less pollution than from gasoline," says Dayson.
Are B.C. people greener than most? This is purely anecdotal evidence but as Dayson parked his Chevy Volt behind another Chevy Volt in front of the restaurant a Toyota Prius cab drives by passing another Prius parked at the curb. Coincidence? Perhaps, but British Columbians are twice as likely to purchase hybrid vehicles compared to the Canadian average. Institutionally B.C. believes in EVs, not only do they have the generous rebate but they are set to install 450 electric charging stations across the province.
EV Choices
With the success of hybrids and high consumer satisfaction surveys for new electric cars like the Volt you can expect to see continued innovation. Here are three EVs that are available in Canada right now.
The Chevy Volt - This car has already been driven 80 million miles and saved 4.5 million US gallons of fuel. The Volt is an electric car that has a backup gas powered generator to produce electricity when you run out of charge. This extends the range to 600 km. Consumer satisfaction surveys are very positive about the Volt. The 2013 lists for $41,000 in Canada.
The Nissan Leaf - The Nissan Leaf is an all-electric vehicle with a maximum range of 160 km, a top speed of 140 km/h and a price tag of $38,395. Reviews of the car seem to be generally positive. The emissions will be lower for this car than the Volt, but when you run out of juice it's time for a long coffee break at a charging station.
Mitsubishi I-Miev - The Mitsubishi I-Miev, short for Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle is an alternative to the Leaf. It's an all-electric or so-called battery electric vehicle with a maximum range of 155 km and a price tag that starts at $34,000. The company website curiously has no information, so you're better off looking at its Wikipedia entry.
For people with range anxiety the Volt will work like a regular car, but electric cars may already make sense for companies with small fleets of cars that run around the city every day.
Is the electric car finally for real? Dayson scoffs at those who call electric cars a gimmick.
"We have to remember that this is the first generation of electric car. What was the first generation automobile? The Model A Ford?
"When the first cell phones came out people definitely thought they were gimmicks. Who is going to carry around a brick to be able to talk while walking down the street? Very quickly in our world gimmicks turn out to be an absolutely essential part of one's life."
Dayson, the EV pioneer, has done his 40 years in the desert and now, like Moses, he's within sight of the promised land. Now it's up customers and manufacturers to take those last few steps.


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The grid on the front of this Herve Leger monokini gives beachwear a futuristic look.
Low V neckline.
Hook and zip closures at back. from http://www.designervoguedress.com/black-cut-out-herve-leger-black-bandage-swimsuit
Color: Black.
Brand: Herve Leger.
Cutout black bandage swimsuit 2012 series.
Black Cutout Herve Leger One Piece Swimsuit 2012 Sale
One piece herve leger cutout swimsuit
Herve Leger Black Bandage Swimsuit 2012 Sale
Crisscross strap detailing at bust
A concealed zip fastening at back
Rayon/nylon/spandex. from http://www.designervoguedress.com/black-cutout-bandage-herve-leger-swimwear
Bandage knit with allover cutouts.
Deep V neckline with hardware.
Strappy center and back.
Moderate seat coverage.
Herve Leger Black Bikini clothing may look sweet and exaggerated sense of the full! Simple, classic design, Shop Herve Leger Dress design and exposed skin tight design looks very sexy. from http://www.designervoguedress.com/black-herve-leger-bandage-swimsuit-with-gold-trim


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The last hour of the month is winding down fast as I begin writing this report, and with it; the end of our summer holidays truly feels imminent.
As I think about that, I'm not at all sad about getting started on our school year. There is a lot to look forward to with the start of our third year of high school. Having Ethan and Ehlana at the school with us when they're in Kindergarten in the mornings won't really affect me much, but I am glad that we'll be at the school at the same time for a couple of years before I head off to college. What I'm really looking forward to with getting back to school is getting to spend time with Rowen and Tim every day again – and the rest of our friends. Sure, that's been better since football and cheerleading camps started, but we're all still too busy doing our own things with work and other commitments to spend much extra time together. Next week, we'll have classes together every day; homework to do together whenever we can; and, hopefully, more chances to hang out together when we're not all too busy to do that. I'll still have a crowded schedule, but need to work on that too; so we'll see what I can do about making a bit more time for having fun with Michael and our friends this year.
Don't laugh – it could happen! ;^)
Okay, I don't want to be awake doing this for long; so let's get to the news of the day.
We've had a decent weather day, and while we did have a sprinkle or two of rain and a couple of cloudy hours this morning and afternoon; it was a nice summer day for outdoor fun. For me, that included Tai Chi by the river; cheerleading practice all morning; and a play and work afternoon. I don't have anything newsworthy to write about from the home and cheerleading time, but we had our lunch break with Uncle Mark, Aunt Grace, and the kids; brought the food with us; and had a nice visit that included getting to have some cuddle time with Faith while her Mom and Dad got to enjoy another catered meal. I do mean that about catered meals; and their family and friends have been taking turns do that for them this week. That has the added bonus of keeping the visits to small groups that are spread out a bit; while still giving them time without gangs of visitors around.
That has partially ended today, since Grandma Mercy and Grandpa Duncan are here now; and will be staying through the holiday weekend. I haven't seen them yet, but they were on the way here by lunchtime; and would've been here in time for dinner. My baseball practice was the main reason why I didn't see them; though they didn't go to the park to watch the co-ed practice either because they got to babysit Faith instead while Uncle Mark went to that practice; took Caleb with him; and they all let Aunt Grace have a nap that she needed a lot by then.
I'm not skipping the afternoon news; so let's back up and cover that. Mom and I took care of the lunch clean-up at the Everett's house; we rounded up some cousins and friends on the way home; and then I split my afternoon between helping Mom with kid control and chores. We now know for sure that most of the out-of-town Proctor and Rice clans will be here for sure for the weekend; and we get the Rice family at our house while Uncle Adam and Aunt Leanne take the Proctors so they'll be next door to Faith.
By the way, I'm sure that the Everetts will be in for an entire series of jokes that will be centered around having Grace and Faith in their family and home – not to mention that they'll have Mercy too whenever Grandma's in the house! I love it that they're carrying on that tradition for daughters that goes back generations with Grandma Mercy's side of the family.
Moving along, we played at the park for an hour; went for a swim after that; and then I helped about half of the kids to play in the gardens with me to help with getting them ready for the weekend. That was mostly some weeding and watering the plants; with the watering part of the job turning into a water fight that also helped with hosing the kids down after they got dirty from the work. We went for another swim after that; the kids had a snacks and drinks break in the sunroom; and I helped out with making dinner while Ethan and Ehlana took care of entertaining our cousins with help from Naomi and Aiden. We kept most of the kids for dinner; I helped out with kid control while we ate and then took care of the clean-up; and then it was time to split up for our baseball practices at the school and park.
Rowen picked me up for that; we had a long final practice with our team; and then we met up with Michael and Tim at the park; brought a handful of kids home with us; and went swimming while Mom and Dad went to Sheldon's for a drink with some of their team mates and other friends. For all of the parents of the kids we had with us, that really was just for one drink and a bit of fun; and then they came back here and either collected their kids and went home or went into the office and got started on their work homework. Ehlana and Ethan kept Naomi and Aiden, but they also went to bed then – though they all hung out in Ehlana's room for a while first.
Tim and Rowen went home to her house then too, but Michael stayed for a while; and we had a minor make-out session in the lounge before he needed to go home and get some sleep. I really wanted to keep him tonight, but needed to do some family business work instead; and picked being responsible over having fun.
That just proves that a Magi Master can be both brilliant and an idiot! ;^)
Let's not dwell on that; or I'll be tempted to sneak down the back stairs and over to Michael's house.
After I saw Michael out, I came up to my room and got ready for bed – starting with a soak in my Jacuzzi. The only way to do that and all of the work without staying awake most of the night was to use a time phase; so I did that and multi-tasked the tub time with the family business work. That is always tough to do after a long, busy day, but I did get the work done; and will still be sleeping before September starts – if I don't drone on while writing this update.
I can skip the non-news that I haven't written about yet and don't need to take another look at the near-future when you can flip a digital page to find out what happens next as you read this in my more-distant future; so I guess that I can wrap this up right now and head off to dreamland.
Hopefully our September will be as much fun as August has been – though I'd be okay if we can do that with a bit less work – as unlikely as that suggestion is for becoming a reality in my life. No work or even being conscious is an option for my immediate future, though, and I'm ready to go there; so, until next time...
...May the Magi Force be with you!


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Sunday, November 23, 2014
Guest Blogger: Helen
Well, it's time to fess up. It is with great sadness that I must report to you that Sadie the Snowball Princess died on November 20, 2014. She had been living with kidney disease for about 2 1/4 years, and that's about as long as a cat can go with that kind of thing. I loved my little woogums very much, and I hope she is in a better place.
Sadie's early life was difficult. My friend Jason adopted her from the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society shelter. At that time, Sadie had just had kittens, and she was so stressed out that half the hair on her body was missing. She was to be a companion cat for Jason's well-known rambunctious and obnoxious cat, Babu. Jason brought Sadie home, and she and Babu became friends, but not before Sadie spent three days hiding under a claw-foot bathtub.
Sadie lived with Jason and Babu for 6 years, after which the two cats were guests in a number of households, venturing as far away as Jason's sister's house in Houston. In late May of 2012, Jason and his mom endured the miserable 23-hour car trip to bring the two cats from Houston to my house, south of Milwaukee.
I could see that the 19 1/2 year-old Babu was the boss. He called the shots, but also did the heavy lifting. When food was requested, he made the noise, but then always let Sadie eat first. If there was a lap available to sit on, it was Babu's, and Sadie was warned to stay away. Babu soon developed kitty dementia, and he died in July 2012.
After Babu's death, Sadie became the alpha cat, a role she filled admirably. In addition to blogging, she also excelled in mouse-catching, mouse-intimidation, lap-sitting, and napping. We were very close.
In the latter part of Sadie's life, we treated high blood pressure and anemia, in addition to her kidney disease. She did very well with her various therapies, but in the end, kidney failure is kidney failure, and her condition worsened very quickly. I was grateful that we were able to do euthanasia at home, to ease Sadie's journey into the next kitty world smoothly.
Um, I have no new kanzashi photos to share with you at this time, but Sadie has graciously agreed to blog posthumously from her afterlife, and she will be probably be getting to that in the next few weeks.
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"That'll be the day!"
But what do our Far Eastern assassins of the night go for?
Why, the ninja snack Fuwa Maru of course!
Shaped like a ninja weapon it is said to disappear softly into you mouth--not unlike a ninja disappearing softly into the night? It's a corn chip, sorta.
There is a salt-flavored type, but I coudn't find that one. This is the peppery version.
It does indeed taste unlike any corn chip I've ever eaten. It tastes...stealth-y.
These babies are thanks to the company Tohato, btw. I wonder if they're sold anywhere else.
Oh, and if the idea of a ninja snack food doesn't entice you, here's their commercial (I think someone held a mobile phone up to the TV to record it, but you get the idea--ninja running, eating snack, disappearing into a stream of smoke.)


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Here she is. The useless, talentless, lumpen bag of (too much skin) that is Scientologist Honeymonster Peaches Geldof with the man who will, no doubt, soon be her new husband. God help the poor bastard.
Chucking Peaches under one of her wide selection of chins is one Thomas Cohen, who, judging by the other photos we have seen of him posing artistically with a cigarette and lounging self-consciously on a bed where he no doubt has been obliged to do the nasty, is a bit of a knob. Which sort of goes without saying.
We wish them both the very best.